The Mysteries of Udolpho

Through a flashback, the narrative recalls the day Montoni left Venice. Montoni receives intelligence that Morano’s fortunes are lesser than Montoni assumed. Montoni suspects Morano had meant to defraud him and leaves Venice immediately. Morano arrives at the mansion for his bride but finds it empty and vows revenge on Montoni. He follows the Montoni retinue to Udolpho and hangs about the castle. When he finally gets a meeting with Montoni, Montoni promises to settle the matter the next day. Morano suspects Montoni is planning to swindle him and therefore decides to abduct Emily. Carlo, Montoni’s servant, hears Manchon growling from Emily’s chambers and, suspecting an intruder, calls for Montoni. Emily is rescued.

In the present, Montoni investigates who handed Morano the keys to the castle so he could enter Emily’s rooms. He suspects Barnardine the porter, but acquits him. (It turns out Barnardine is actually guilty). Montoni and Madame Montoni fight bitterly. Afterward, Madame Montoni admits to Emily that she has made a bad marriage. Montoni is in great debt, with “scarcely a sequin of his own” (427). He has whisked Madame Montoni away from her own country so he can pressure her to sign away her fortune to repay his debts.