The Mysteries of Udolpho

'Whoever you are,' said Emily, in a trembling voice, 'for heaven's sake

let me go!' 'My charming Emily,' said the man, 'why will you shut yourself up in

this obscure place, when there is so much gaiety below? Return with

me to the cedar parlour, where you will be the fairest ornament of the

party;--you shall not repent the exchange.'

Emily disdained to reply, and still endeavoured to liberate herself.

'Promise, that you will come,' he continued, 'and I will release you

immediately; but first give me a reward for so doing.'

'Who are you?' demanded Emily, in a tone of mingled terror and

indignation, while she still struggled for liberty--'who are you, that

have the cruelty thus to insult me?' 'Why call me cruel?' said the man, 'I would remove you from this dreary

solitude to a merry party below. Do you not know me?'

Emily now faintly remembered, that he was one of the officers who were

with Montoni when she attended him in the morning. 'I thank you for

the kindness of your intention,' she replied, without appearing to

understand him, 'but I wish for nothing so much as that you would leave

me.' 'Charming Emily!' said he, 'give up this foolish whim for solitude, and

come with me to the company, and eclipse the beauties who make part of

it; you, only, are worthy of my love.' He attempted to kiss her hand,

but the strong impulse of her indignation gave her power to liberate

herself, and she fled towards the chamber. She closed the door, before

he reached it, having secured which, she sunk in a chair, overcome by

terror and by the exertion she had made, while she heard his voice,

and his attempts to open the door, without having the power to raise

herself.

At length, she perceived him depart, and had remained,

listening, for a considerable time, and was somewhat revived by not

hearing any sound, when suddenly she remembered the door of the private

stair-case, and that he might enter that way, since it was fastened only

on the other side. She then employed herself in endeavouring to secure

it, in the manner she had formerly done. It appeared to her, that

Montoni had already commenced his scheme of vengeance, by withdrawing

from her his protection, and she repented of the rashness, that had made

her brave the power of such a man. To retain the estates seemed to be

now utterly impossible, and to preserve her life, perhaps her honour,

she resolved, if she should escape the horrors of this night, to give up

all claims to the estates, on the morrow, provided Montoni would suffer

her to depart from Udolpho.