The Mysteries of Udolpho

Emily now made an effort to recover her firmness, and, hastily drying

them, 'Yes,' said she, 'I do pity you--I weep for you--but, ought I to

think of you with affection? You may remember, that yester-evening I

said, I had still sufficient confidence in your candour to believe,

that, when I should request an explanation of your words, you would give

it. This explanation is now unnecessary, I understand them too well; but

prove, at least, that your candour is deserving of the confidence I

give it, when I ask you, whether you are conscious of being the same

estimable Valancourt--whom I once loved.'

'Once loved!' cried he,--'the same--the same!' He paused in

extreme emotion, and then added, in a voice at once solemn, and

dejected,--'No--I am not the same!--I am lost--I am no longer worthy of

you!' He again concealed his face. Emily was too much affected by this honest

confession to reply immediately, and, while she struggled to overcome

the pleadings of her heart, and to act with the decisive firmness, which

was necessary for her future peace, she perceived all the danger of

trusting long to her resolution, in the presence of Valancourt, and was

anxious to conclude an interview, that tortured them both; yet, when

she considered, that this was probably their last meeting, her fortitude

sunk at once, and she experienced only emotions of tenderness and of

despondency. Valancourt, meanwhile, lost in emotions of remorse and grief, which he

had neither the power, or the will to express, sat insensible almost

of the presence of Emily, his features still concealed, and his breast

agitated by convulsive sighs.

'Spare me the necessity,' said Emily, recollecting her fortitude, 'spare

me the necessity of mentioning those circumstances of your conduct,

which oblige me to break our connection forever.--We must part, I now

see you for the last time.' 'Impossible!' cried Valancourt, roused from his deep silence, 'You

cannot mean what you say!--you cannot mean to throw me from you

forever!' 'We must part,' repeated Emily, with emphasis,--'and that forever! Your

own conduct has made this necessary.'

'This is the Count's determination,' said he haughtily, 'not yours,

and I shall enquire by what authority he interferes between us.' He now

rose, and walked about the room in great emotion.

'Let me save you from this error,' said Emily, not less agitated--'it is

my determination, and, if you reflect a moment on your late conduct, you

will perceive, that my future peace requires it.'

'Your future peace requires, that we should part--part forever!' said

Valancourt, 'How little did I ever expect to hear you say so!'