The Mysteries of Udolpho

But, as the least reparation he could now make Valancourt was to

afford him an opportunity of explaining to Emily his former conduct,

he immediately wrote, to request his forgiveness of the unintentional

injury he had done him, and to invite him to Chateau-le-Blanc. Motives

of delicacy with-held the Count from informing Emily of this letter,

and of kindness from acquainting her with the discovery respecting

Valancourt, till his arrival should save her from the possibility of

anxiety, as to its event; and this precaution spared her even severer

inquietude, than the Count had foreseen, since he was ignorant of the

symptoms of despair, which Valancourt's late conduct had betrayed.