Section 1: Volume 1, chapters 1-5 Summary

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe is a Gothic romance that presents supernatural phenomenon which is later explained by natural causes. In the novel, Emily St. Albert is orphaned and left to the charge of her aunt, whose new husband, Montoni, subjects both Mme. Cheron and Emily to cruelty in order to attain his mercenary ambitions. Confined to Montoni's castle di Udolpho, Emily witnesses many supernatural events. After escaping from Udolpho, Emily returns to France where eventually all of the mysteries are explained and she is reunited with her love, Valancourt. "The Mysteries of Udolpho" is a truly engaging and compelling novel.

In the first chapter, Monsieur St. Albert's chateau stands on the banks of the Garonne, in the province of Gascony in 1584. St. Albert marries for love and must sell part of his family domain...