The Mysteries of Udolpho

'His affection for you is, undoubtedly, a very sincere one,' added the

Count; 'and he appears so much distressed, and you, my amiable friend,

are so ill at ease--that the sooner the affair is decided, the better.'

Emily replied, therefore, to Valancourt, that she would see him, and

then exerted herself in endeavours to attain fortitude and composure,

to bear her through the approaching scene--a scene so afflictingly the

reverse of any, to which she had looked forward!