The Mysteries of Udolpho

Meanwhile, Emily continues to fear the fate of Valancourt, which Theresa has sent someone to investigate. Emily feels that after escaping so many dangers and inheriting such a large fortune, she should finally be happy, but she still struggles with melancholy. Emily goes to visit Theresa and senses at once that Theresa must have found out Valancourt is dead. Theresa doesn’t know for sure, but she fears he is dead, since no one has had contact with him recently.

Emily blames herself for Valancourt’s death, but Theresa tries to console her that he may still be alive. Theresa tries to offer Emily some wine, but she’s too distraught to take it. Just then, Valancourt himself walks in, and Theresa screams. Valancourt goes toward Theresa but soon has to rush over to help Emily, who has fainted and is about to fall off her chair.

Emily feels a wide range of emotions and manages to hold back her tears. She tells Valancourt how they were just discussing the possibility of his death. Theresa says that Emily still loves Valancourt, but Emily herself denies that she loves him. Theresa notes that Valancourt has changed: he is thinner, and his arm is in a sling. Emily says she must go, but Valancourt volunteers to leave instead, going out in the rain to an inn at the nearby village.

Emily eventually goes back to Thoulouse. All the while, Valancourt can’t stop thinking about her. He goes to the garden at Thoulouse to watch her in secret, as he has many times before. He goes back to Theresa, just wanting to talk about Emily more and be in the place where she was. He gives Theresa almost all the money he has on him, and he also gives her a ring as a present to give to Emily.