The Mysteries of Udolpho · Chapter
Chapter XXXVIII explained
Emily visits Château-le-Blanc and consults Count De Villefort about recovering her aunt's estates.
What happens
Emily visits Château-le-Blanc and consults Count De Villefort about recovering her aunt's estates. She is deeply anxious over Valancourt's prolonged silence and fears his affection has changed. When Valancourt unexpectedly arrives, their reunion is strained by the Count's revelations about Valancourt's dissipated conduct. Emily struggles with the painful decision to part from him, though her love and memories make it difficult.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Separation
Emily's anxiety over Valancourt's silence and the painful reunion highlight the theme of love tested by distance and time.
Grief and Melancholy
Emily's tears, her solitary musings over old letters, and her oppressive heartache reflect deep melancholy and grief over lost happiness.
Female Agency and Vulnerability
Emily seeks the Count's help to recover her estates, illustrating her limited agency and dependence on male support in legal and social matters.
Characters to notice
- Emily St. Aubert
Anxious over Valancourt's silence; seeks the Count's advice on recovering her estates; deeply conflicted after learning of Valancourt's changed character.
- Valancourt
Returns to see Emily after a long absence; shows signs of guilt and dissipation; expresses unworthiness and is emotionally agitated.
- Count De Villefort
Offers Emily advice and assistance regarding her estates; reveals Valancourt's misconduct to Emily; acts protectively toward her.
- Blanche
Impatient for Emily's company; enjoys the scenery but feels lonely without a companion to share her pleasures.
- Dorothée
Finds Emily in tears and picks up a fallen paper; exclaims in recognition of a likeness to the late Marchioness de Villeroi.
- Henri
Present during the reunion in the garden; a silent spectator of the emotional scene between Emily and Valancourt.
Key passages
“The Lady Blanche, meanwhile, who was left much alone, became impatient for the company of her new friend, whom she wished to observe sharing in the delight she received from the beautiful scenery around.”
Blanche, often left by herself, grew eager for Emily's company, wanting to share the joy she felt from the lovely landscape.
Blanche's loneliness and desire for companionship are emphasized.
“But their effect was now changed; the affection they expressed appealed so forcibly to her heart, when she considered that it had, perhaps, yielded to the powers of time and absence, and even the view of the handwriting recalled so many painful recollections, that she found herself unable to go through the first she had opened, and sat musing, with her cheek resting on her arm, and tears stealing from her eyes”
The letters once brought comfort, but now their expressions of love only reminded Emily that time and distance might have changed Valancourt's feelings, and even seeing his handwriting stirred painful memories, leaving her unable to read on as she wept.
Emily's emotional turmoil over Valancourt's possible change is vividly portrayed.
“I am unworthy of you, Emily, I am unworthy of you;—words, by his manner of uttering which Emily was then more shocked than by their import.”
Valancourt's declaration that he is unworthy of Emily shocked her more by the way he said it than by the words themselves.
Valancourt's guilt and self-condemnation are revealed.
