Valancourt and Emily meet and discuss their changed feelings towards each other. Emily confirms her love for Valancourt but questions his worthiness as her husband. Valancourt agrees and pleads for her hope in his reformation, but Emily refuses. They agree to one last meeting but decide not to pursue a relationship. Montoni's military activities attract the attention of the Venetian government, leading to the successful seizure of the castle of Udolpho and the imprisonment of Montoni and Orsino. In France, Emily is saddened by Valancourt, but Dorothee tells her the story of the Marchioness, hinting at a connection between Emily and the Marchioness. Emily becomes curious and explores the Marchioness's rooms, experiencing terror and witnessing strange figures. Ludovico disappears mysteriously from the castle. Emily rejects Du Pont's love and returns to the convent. Montoni's fate is revealed, and Emily can now claim her aunt's estates. She plans to visit her new estates in Thoulouse before going to La Vallee. Strange happenings at Chateau Le Blanc and the erratic behavior of Sister Agnes continue. Emily prepares to depart, and the Count de Villefort announces his departure from the chateau. The Baron and Blanche will visit Emily at La Vallee after their time at the St. Foix estate.
English novelist Ann Radcliffe (née Ward; 9 July 1764 – 7 February 1823) is credited with creating Gothic fiction. She was the only child of haberdasher William Ward and Ann Oates and was born in London. Young Radcliffe started writing, and she became well-known for her atmospheric, suspenseful books that mixed aspects of romance and horror. She wed writer and editor William Radcliffe in 1787. She achieved enormous popularity with her two well-known works, "The Mysteries of Udolpho" (1794) and "The Italian" (1797). Strong characters, frightening locations, and evocative descriptions were all hallmarks of Radcliffe's books. She received accolades for using psychological suspense rather than supernatural components to create a feeling of horror. While Radcliffe was alive, she was quite well-liked, but certain literary groups also had criticism for her. Her writings were criticized for being too romantic and sensational. Even yet, Radcliffe's books impacted the Gothic subgenre and provided authors like Jane Austen and Edgar Allan Poe with inspiration. Early in the 19th century, Radcliffe's writing career came to an end, and she had a tranquil life until her death in 1823. Even today, people acknowledge and appreciate her influence on literature and her role in the development of Gothic fiction.
