Emily found the first chance to speak with Monsieur Quesnel alone about La Vallée.
His answers to her questions were brief and cold. He spoke like a man who believed he had complete control over everything and could not tolerate anyone questioning his decisions.
He told her that selling La Vallée had been necessary.
“You should consider yourself fortunate,” he said, “that my wisdom has allowed you to keep even the small income you still receive.”
Then he added with a satisfied smile:
“But when this Venetian Count—I have forgotten his name—marries you, your unpleasant dependence will finally end. As your relative, I must say I am delighted by this event. It is a great advantage for you, and, I may add, something none of your friends expected.”
Emily was shocked into silence.
After a moment, she tried to explain the true meaning of the note she had placed inside Montoni’s letter. She wanted Quesnel to understand that she had never encouraged the Count’s proposal.
But he seemed unwilling to believe her.
For a long time, he accused her of acting foolishly and changing her mind without reason.
At last, when he became convinced that Emily truly disliked Count Morano and had firmly rejected him, his anger became extreme.
His words were harsh and cruel.
The truth was that Quesnel secretly felt proud at the thought of becoming connected with a nobleman. He cared more about the honour of having a Count in the family than about the suffering Emily would endure.
Emily immediately understood the troubles waiting for her.
Nothing could have forced her to give up Valancourt and marry Morano, but she now feared the violent temper of her uncle even more.
She answered his anger only with calm dignity.
Her quiet firmness, however, made him even more furious, because it reminded him of his own weakness compared with her strength of character.
When he finally left her, he declared:
“If you continue in this foolishness, both Montoni and I will abandon you to the contempt of the world.”
When Emily was alone, the calm expression she had maintained disappeared.
She cried bitterly and repeatedly called upon the memory of her father.
She remembered his final advice before his death.
“Alas,” she said, “I now understand how much greater the value of courage is than the beauty of sensitivity. I must keep the promise I made to him. I will not waste myself in useless sorrow. I will try to endure the suffering I cannot escape with strength and patience.”
Thinking that she was following the wishes of her father gave her some comfort.
She wiped away her tears and forced herself to regain control.
By the time dinner began, she had recovered enough to appear calm again.
That evening, when the heat had faded, the ladies went riding along the banks of the Brenta River in Madame Quesnel’s carriage.
The beauty surrounding them was almost painful to Emily.
Groups of people gathered beneath the trees.
Some danced in the shade.
Others rested on the grass, enjoying ice cream, coffee, and the peaceful beauty of the evening.
Everyone seemed happy.
But Emily’s heart was filled with sadness.
When she looked toward the distant mountains covered with snow, she thought of Montoni’s castle.
She feared that he might take her there and force her to obey him.
But the thought soon disappeared.
She knew that she was already completely under his control, whether she was in Venice or anywhere else.
The party returned to the villa after moonlight had spread across the gardens.
Supper was prepared in the open, airy hall that had fascinated Emily the night before.
The ladies sat in the portico while waiting for Monsieur Quesnel, Montoni, and the other gentlemen to join them.
Emily tried to surrender herself to the quiet beauty of the evening.
Suddenly, a boat stopped at the garden steps.
Soon she heard the voices of Montoni and Quesnel.
Then she heard another voice.
It was Morano.
A moment later, the Count appeared.
Emily received his greetings silently.
Her cold manner troubled him at first, but he quickly returned to his usual cheerful attitude.
Emily noticed, however, that Morano seemed irritated by the excessive attention shown to him by Monsieur and Madame Quesnel.
She was surprised.
She had never before seen Quesnel behave with such politeness, because he had always shown kindness only toward people above him or equal to him.
When Emily finally returned to her room, her thoughts turned desperately toward finding a way to make Morano abandon his pursuit.
The idea that seemed most likely was to tell him openly that her heart already belonged to another and trust his generosity to release her.
But when Morano renewed his proposal the next day, Emily could not bring herself to do it.
The thought of revealing her deepest feelings to such a man and asking him for pity felt unbearable.
She was ashamed that she had even considered such a plan.
Instead, she rejected him again with the strongest words she could find.
She also openly criticized his behavior.
Although Morano appeared hurt, he continued declaring his love and admiration until Madame Quesnel entered and interrupted them.
During her stay at the villa, Emily suffered constantly.
She was trapped between Morano’s unwanted attention and the cruel authority of Quesnel and Montoni.
Even her aunt now seemed more determined than ever to force the marriage.
At last, Quesnel realized that arguments and threats could not immediately persuade Emily.
He gave up trying to convince her and trusted instead that Montoni and time would achieve what he wanted.
Emily actually looked forward to returning to Venice.
There, at least, she would be free from Morano living in the same house.
Montoni would also be occupied with his own affairs and would not constantly watch her.
Yet even while suffering herself, Emily did not forget poor Theresa.
She bravely asked Quesnel to protect her.
He gave only a vague promise that Theresa would not be forgotten.
Meanwhile, Montoni and Quesnel discussed their plans for Emily.
Quesnel decided he would return to Venice as soon as he heard that the marriage had been completed.
Emily had never before felt relief when saying goodbye to someone connected with her.
But when she finally left Monsieur and Madame Quesnel, it was perhaps the happiest moment she had experienced in their company.
Morano returned with Montoni in his boat.
As Emily watched Venice slowly appear before her, she saw beside her the only person who made the city seem less beautiful.
They arrived near midnight.
Emily was finally separated from Morano when he left with Montoni to visit a casino.
She was allowed to return to her room.
The next day, Montoni spoke briefly with Emily.
His voice was cold and threatening.
“I will no longer tolerate being opposed,” he said. “Since your marriage with the Count will bring you such great advantages, only foolishness could reject it. Your foolishness is beyond reason, so the marriage shall happen without further delay—and if necessary, without your consent.”
Emily had always tried to reason with him.
Now, overcome by fear, she begged him instead.
But she soon realized that pleading was useless against a man like Montoni.
Afterward, she asked him what right he had to control her life so completely.
In a calmer moment, she would have known that the question would only give him another chance to insult her.
Montoni smiled cruelly.
“By what right?” he repeated.
“By the right of my will. If you can escape it, I will not ask how you managed to do so.”
“Remember this: you are a stranger in a foreign country. It is in your interest to make me your friend. You know what you must do.”
“If you force me to become your enemy, I promise you that the punishment will be greater than you imagine.”
“You should know that I am not a man to be challenged.”
After he left, Emily remained overwhelmed.
She could hardly think.
All that filled her mind was the knowledge of her misery.
Madame Montoni found her in this state.
When Emily heard her aunt’s voice, she looked up.
Perhaps moved by the despair written on Emily’s face, Madame Montoni spoke more gently than she ever had before.
Emily’s heart softened.
She cried and, after some time, gathered enough courage to explain her suffering and ask for her aunt’s help.
But although Madame Montoni’s feelings had briefly been touched, her ambition was stronger.
She wanted to become the aunt of a Countess.
Emily’s request failed just as completely as it had with Montoni.
She returned to her room alone.
There she thought and cried.
She remembered her farewell with Valancourt and wished he had warned her more openly about Montoni’s true character.
But when the first shock of fear began to fade, she considered the situation more carefully.
Montoni could not truly force her to marry Morano if she refused to repeat the marriage vows before the priest.
She decided she would rather suffer Montoni’s revenge than give her life to a man she despised.
Even if she had never loved Valancourt, Morano’s present behavior would have made him hateful to her.
Still, she trembled at the danger she was choosing to face.
Soon, however, something happened that distracted Montoni from Emily.
The secret visits of Orsino became more frequent after Montoni returned to Venice.
Other men also joined their midnight meetings, including Cavigni and Verezzi.
Montoni became more mysterious and severe than ever.
Emily, if she had not been so consumed by her own troubles, might have noticed that something unusual was happening.
One night, when no meeting was planned, Orsino arrived in great agitation.
He immediately sent his trusted servant to find Montoni, who was at a casino.
He ordered the servant not to reveal his name.
Montoni returned at once.
When they met, Orsino explained the reason for his fear.
A Venetian nobleman, who had recently become Orsino’s enemy, had been attacked and murdered by hired assassins.
Because the victim belonged to one of the most powerful families in Venice, the Senate had taken control of the investigation.
One of the assassins had been captured.
During questioning, he confessed that Orsino had hired him.
Orsino now knew he was in danger.
He had come to Montoni to ask for advice and help escaping.
The police were searching for him throughout the city.
Leaving Venice immediately was impossible.
Montoni agreed to hide him for a few days until the search became less intense, then help him escape.
He understood the danger of allowing such a man to remain in his house.
But Orsino had obligations over him, and Montoni did not think it wise to refuse him protection.
This was the man Montoni had welcomed into his confidence.
It was the same man for whom he felt as much friendship as his nature allowed.
While Orsino remained hidden, Montoni did not want to attract attention by arranging Morano’s wedding.
But after a few days, Orsino left.
The obstacle was removed.
Montoni immediately told Emily that her marriage would take place the next morning.
When she repeatedly insisted that it would not happen, he only smiled with cruel confidence.
“The Count and a priest will come to my house early tomorrow,” he said.
“I advise you not to challenge my anger any further.”
“I am going out tonight. Remember this: tomorrow morning, I will place your hand in Count Morano’s.”
Emily had expected this moment ever since his earlier threats.
Therefore, she was not as shocked as she might otherwise have been.
She tried to comfort herself with the belief that the marriage could not be valid if she refused to repeat the ceremony before the priest.
Yet as the moment approached, her exhausted spirit trembled.
She feared both Montoni’s revenge and Morano’s hand.
She was not completely certain what would happen if she refused at the altar.
Montoni’s power seemed limitless because she knew he would break any law if it helped him achieve his purpose.
While Emily was suffering almost beyond endurance, she was told that Morano wished to see her.
The servant had barely left with her refusal before she regretted sending him away.
She returned to her earlier plan.
Perhaps kindness and explanation might succeed where rejection had failed.
She called the servant back and sent a different message.
Then she prepared herself to meet the Count.
Emily entered with a calm dignity and a quiet sadness on her face.
But these qualities did not make Morano surrender.
Instead, they increased his passion.
He listened to her words with polite attention and pretended to wish only to please her.
But his determination never changed.
He tried every charming method he knew to win her affection.
At last, Emily understood that she could expect no justice from him.
She solemnly repeated her complete rejection of his proposal.
Then she left him, declaring that nothing could ever force her to accept him.
Her pride had prevented her from crying before him.
But once she was alone, her tears flowed freely.
She called again and again upon her father’s memory.
She thought of Valancourt with unbearable sorrow.
Emily did not go down for supper.
She remained in her room, sometimes overcome by fear and grief, and sometimes forcing herself to gather courage for the terrible scene that would come the next morning.
Both Morano’s schemes and Montoni’s cruelty would soon be turned against her.
Late that evening, Madame Montoni entered her room carrying bridal ornaments that Morano had sent.
She had avoided Emily throughout the day.
Perhaps her usual coldness had failed her, and she feared seeing Emily’s suffering.
Or perhaps, though her conscience rarely troubled her, she now felt some guilt toward her brother’s orphan child, whose happiness had been placed in her care by a dying father.
Emily could not even look at the gifts.
She made one final attempt to awaken her aunt’s compassion.
But if Madame Montoni felt any pity, she hid it completely.
Instead, she accused Emily of being foolish for grieving over a marriage that should have made her happy.
“If I were unmarried,” she said, “and the Count had offered me marriage, I would have felt honoured.”
“You have no fortune, niece. You should understand how fortunate you are and show gratitude and humility toward him.”
“I am amazed by your behavior. The Count treats you with incredible patience despite your proud attitude.”
“If I were in his position, I would not flatter you. I would make you understand your place.”
Emily answered quietly:
“Your patience, madam, cannot suffer more than my own during such moments.”
Her aunt laughed.
“All of this is only pretending. I know his compliments please you. They have made you believe you are so important that everyone should admire you.”
“You are mistaken. Few people would continue pursuing someone who behaves as you do.”
Emily sighed.
“Oh, if only the Count were like everyone else.”
Madame Montoni replied:
“You should be grateful that he is not.”
“I say these things only because I want your happiness. Whether you like the marriage or not makes no difference. It must happen.”
“I ask you honestly: what kind of husband do you expect if even a Count is not good enough for you?”
Emily answered:
“I have no ambition, madam. I only wish to remain as I am.”
Her aunt immediately understood.
“You are still thinking of Monsieur Valancourt.”
“Forget those foolish ideas about love and pride. Be reasonable.”
“But this conversation is useless. Your marriage to the Count will happen tomorrow whether you approve or not.”
Emily made no reply.
She knew arguing would be useless and beneath her dignity.
Madame Montoni placed the bridal gifts on the table.
Then she told Emily to be ready early the next morning and left.
“Good night, madam,” Emily whispered as the door closed.
She was alone again.
For a long time, she sat without moving, lost in thought.
At last, she looked around her room.
The darkness and silence frightened her.
She stared at the door through which her aunt had disappeared.
She listened for any sound that might break the terrible loneliness.
But it was past midnight.
Everyone in the house had gone to bed except the servant waiting for Montoni’s return.
Her mind, exhausted by suffering, began creating imaginary fears.
She was afraid to look into the darkness of her large room.
She did not even know what she feared.
The feeling lasted so long that she would have called for Annette, her aunt’s maid, if terror had not prevented her from standing and crossing the room.
Eventually, these fearful thoughts began to fade.
Emily went to bed.
She knew she would hardly sleep.
Her only hope was to calm her troubled imagination and gather enough strength to face the terrible events waiting for her in the morning.