The Mysteries of Udolpho

On the next morning, Emily had a long conversation with Ludovico, in

which she heard circumstances concerning the castle, and received hints

of the designs of Montoni, that considerably increased her alarms. On

expressing her surprise, that Ludovico, who seemed to be so sensible of

the evils of his situation, should continue in it, he informed her, that

it was not his intention to do so, and she then ventured to ask him, if

he would assist her to escape from the castle. Ludovico assured her of

his readiness to attempt this, but strongly represented the difficulty

of the enterprise, and the certain destruction which must ensure,

should Montoni overtake them, before they had passed the mountains;

he, however, promised to be watchful of every circumstance, that might

contribute to the success of the attempt, and to think upon some plan of

departure.

Emily now confided to him the name of Valancourt, and begged he would

enquire for such a person among the prisoners in the castle; for the

faint hope, which this conversation awakened, made her now recede from

her resolution of an immediate compromise with Montoni. She determined,

if possible, to delay this, till she heard further from Ludovico, and,

if his designs were found to be impracticable, to resign the estates

at once.

Her thoughts were on this subject, when Montoni, who was now

recovered from the intoxication of the preceding night, sent for her,

and she immediately obeyed the summons. He was alone. 'I find,' said he,

'that you were not in your chamber, last night; where were you?' Emily

related to him some circumstances of her alarm, and entreated his

protection from a repetition of them. 'You know the terms of my

protection,' said he; 'if you really value this, you will secure it.'

His open declaration, that he would only conditionally protect her,

while she remained a prisoner in the castle, shewed Emily the necessity

of an immediate compliance with his terms; but she first demanded,

whether he would permit her immediately to depart, if she gave up her

claim to the contested estates. In a very solemn manner he then assured

her, that he would, and immediately laid before her a paper, which was

to transfer the right of those estates to himself.

She was, for a considerable time, unable to sign it, and her heart

was torn with contending interests, for she was about to resign the

happiness of all her future years--the hope, which had sustained her in

so many hours of adversity.

After hearing from Montoni a recapitulation of the conditions of her

compliance, and a remonstrance, that his time was valuable, she put her

hand to the paper; when she had done which, she fell back in her chair,

but soon recovered, and desired, that he would give orders for her

departure, and that he would allow Annette to accompany her. Montoni

smiled. 'It was necessary to deceive you,' said he,--'there was no other

way of making you act reasonably; you shall go, but it must not be at

present. I must first secure these estates by possession: when that is

done, you may return to France if you will.'