# Chapter XLII explained — The Mysteries of Udolpho

> Chapter companion for The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysteries_of_udolpho_se/chapters/xlii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysteries_of_udolpho_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mysteries_of_udolpho_se/chapters