The Mysteries of Udolpho

Emily, on perceiving him, started from her chair, trembled, and, sinking

into it again, became insensible to all around her.

A scream from Theresa now told, that she knew Valancourt, whom her

imperfect sight, and the duskiness of the place had prevented her from

immediately recollecting; but his attention was immediately called from

her to the person, whom he saw, falling from a chair near the fire;

and, hastening to her assistance,--he perceived, that he was supporting

Emily!

The various emotions, that seized him upon thus unexpectedly

meeting with her, from whom he had believed he had parted for ever,

and on beholding her pale and lifeless in his arms--may, perhaps, be

imagined, though they could neither be then expressed, or now described,

any more than Emily's sensations, when, at length, she unclosed her

eyes, and, looking up, again saw Valancourt. The intense anxiety, with

which he regarded her, was instantly changed to an expression of mingled

joy and tenderness, as his eye met hers, and he perceived, that she was

reviving.

But he could only exclaim, 'Emily!' as he silently watched her

recovery, while she averted her eye, and feebly attempted to withdraw

her hand; but, in these the first moments, which succeeded to the pangs

his supposed death had occasioned her, she forgot every fault, which had

formerly claimed indignation, and beholding Valancourt such as he had

appeared, when he won her early affection, she experienced emotions of

only tenderness and joy.

This, alas! was but the sunshine of a few short

moments; recollections rose, like clouds, upon her mind, and, darkening

the illusive image, that possessed it, she again beheld Valancourt,

degraded--Valancourt unworthy of the esteem and tenderness she had once

bestowed upon him; her spirits faltered, and, withdrawing her hand, she

turned from him to conceal her grief, while he, yet more embarrassed and

agitated, remained silent.

A sense of what she owed to herself restrained her tears, and taught

her soon to overcome, in some degree, the emotions of mingled joy and

sorrow, that contended at her heart, as she rose, and, having thanked

him for the assistance he had given her, bade Theresa good evening. As

she was leaving the cottage, Valancourt, who seemed suddenly awakened

as from a dream, entreated, in a voice, that pleaded powerfully for

compassion, a few moments attention. Emily's heart, perhaps, pleaded as

powerfully, but she had resolution enough to resist both, together with

the clamorous entreaties of Theresa, that she would not venture home

alone in the dark, and had already opened the cottage door, when the

pelting storm compelled her to obey their requests.