The Mysteries of Udolpho

'Alas! my dear young lady!' said Theresa, 'why should all this be? I

have known you from your infancy, and it may well be supposed I love

you, as if you was my own, and wish as much to see you happy. M.

Valancourt, to be sure, I have not known so long, but then I have reason

to love him, as though he was my own son. I know how well you love one

another, or why all this weeping and wailing?' Emily waved her hand for

Theresa to be silent, who, disregarding the signal, continued, 'And

how much you are alike in your tempers and ways, and, that, if you were

married, you would be the happiest couple in the whole province--then

what is there to prevent your marrying? Dear dear! to see how some

people fling away their happiness, and then cry and lament about it,

just as if it was not their own doing, and as if there was more pleasure

in wailing and weeping, than in being at peace. Learning, to be sure,

is a fine thing, but, if it teaches folks no better than that, why I had

rather be without it; if it would teach them to be happier, I would say

something to it, then it would be learning and wisdom too.'

Age and long services had given Theresa a privilege to talk, but

Emily now endeavoured to check her loquacity, and, though she felt

the justness of some of her remarks, did not choose to explain the

circumstances, that had determined her conduct towards Valancourt. She,

therefore, only told Theresa, that it would much displease her to hear

the subject renewed; that she had reasons for her conduct, which she did

not think it proper to mention, and that the ring must be returned, with

an assurance, that she could not accept it with propriety; and, at

the same time, she forbade Theresa to repeat any future message

from Valancourt, as she valued her esteem and kindness. Theresa was

afflicted, and made another attempt, though feeble, to interest her

for Valancourt, but the unusual displeasure, expressed in Emily's

countenance, soon obliged her to desist, and she departed in wonder and

lamentation.

To relieve her mind, in some degree, from the painful recollections,

that intruded upon it, Emily busied herself in preparations for the

journey into Languedoc, and, while Annette, who assisted her, spoke with

joy and affection of the safe return of Ludovico, she was considering

how she might best promote their happiness, and determined, if it

appeared, that his affection was as unchanged as that of the simple and

honest Annette, to give her a marriage portion, and settle them on some

part of her estate.