The Mysteries of Udolpho · Chapter
LVI explained
Emily, still depressed by recent discoveries and anxiety for Valancourt, seeks solace in solitary walks.
What happens
Emily, still depressed by recent discoveries and anxiety for Valancourt, seeks solace in solitary walks. One evening, she encounters Valancourt at the ruined watchtower, where he reveals that Count de Villefort has cleared his name. Overjoyed, Emily reconciles with him. The Count confirms Valancourt's innocence, and the group celebrates together, joined by St. Foix. The chapter ends with general happiness and Annette's excitement.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Separation
Emily and Valancourt's reunion after a period of misunderstanding and separation highlights the theme of love overcoming obstacles.
Grief and Melancholy
Emily's depression and solitary walks, as well as her poem 'To Melancholy,' reflect the theme of grief and melancholy.
Characters to notice
- Emily St. Aubert
Emily is depressed by recent discoveries and anxiety for Valancourt, but later reconciles with him after learning of his innocence.
- Valancourt
Valancourt appears at the ruined tower, explains his innocence to Emily, and is reconciled with her after being cleared by the Count.
- Count De Villefort
The Count clears Valancourt's name, welcomes him, and entrusts Emily's future happiness to him.
- Blanche
Blanche is preparing for her nuptials and rejoices at Emily's happiness, momentarily forgetting St. Foix's delayed arrival.
- St. Foix
St. Foix arrives at the château, fully recovered from his wounds, and joins the celebration.
Key passages
“Then, fresh tears Stood on her cheek, as doth the honey-dew Upon a gather’d lily almost wither’d”
Tears appeared on her cheek like dew on a wilted lily.
Describes Emily's emotional state as she weeps.
“Spirit of love and sorrow—hail! Thy solemn voice from far I hear, Mingling with ev’ning’s dying gale: Hail, with this sadly-pleasing tear!”
O spirit of love and sorrow, I hear your voice in the evening wind and greet you with a tear that is both sad and sweet.
Opening lines of Emily's poem 'To Melancholy,' expressing her mood.
“Is it necessary that I should tell you so? ... these are the first moments of joy I have known, since your departure, and that they repay me for all those of pain I have suffered in the interval?”
Do I need to say that this is the first joy I've felt since you left, and it makes up for all my suffering?
Emily confesses her enduring love to Valancourt.
“The smile of Blanche was frank and gay, that of Emily tender and pensive; Valancourt’s was rapturous, tender and gay alternately; Mons. St. Foix’s was joyous, and that of the Count, as he looked on the surrounding party, expressed the tempered complacency of benevolence”
Blanche smiled openly and cheerfully, Emily with tenderness and thoughtfulness, Valancourt with a mix of rapture and joy, St. Foix with happiness, and the Count with calm benevolence.
Describes the different expressions of happiness among the characters at supper.