The Mysteries of Udolpho · Chapter
Chapter XLII explained
Emily and Dorothée venture into the abandoned north suite of the château, once belonging to the late Marchioness, to investigate mysterious occurrences.
What happens
Emily and Dorothée venture into the abandoned north suite of the château, once belonging to the late Marchioness, to investigate mysterious occurrences. Their exploration culminates in a terrifying encounter with an apparition rising from the bed where the Marchioness died, leading them to flee in panic. Despite attempts to rationalize the event, both are deeply shaken, and the servants refuse to stay near the haunted chambers.
Themes in this chapter
The Supernatural and the Unknown
The apparition and the unexplained movement of the pall dominate the chapter, highlighting the characters' confrontation with the supernatural.
Grief and Melancholy
Dorothée's vivid recollections of the Marchioness's death and Emily's solemn feelings underscore the lingering sorrow associated with the past.
Characters to notice
- Emily St. Aubert
Accompanies Dorothée to the late Marchioness's chambers, experiences terror at the apparition, and tries to calm Dorothée and conceal the event from the Count.
- Dorothée
The housekeeper who leads Emily to the north suite, recounts the Marchioness's death, and is terrified by the moving pall and apparition.
- Annette
Mentioned as being terrified by the servants' reports and seeking refuge in Emily's room.
Key passages
“person, for a frolic, had followed them into the rooms, with a design to frighten them, and, while they were in the oriel, had taken the opportunity of concealing himself in the bed.”
Emily suggests that someone might have played a prank by hiding in the bed to scare them.
Emily attempts a rational explanation for the supernatural event.
“Screaming with terror, they both fled, and got out of the chamber as fast as their trembling limbs would bear them, leaving open the doors of all the rooms, through which they passed.”
Both women screamed in fear and ran out of the room, leaving all the doors open behind them.
The climax of the chapter's supernatural encounter.