The Mysteries of Udolpho · Character

Valancourt

A warm-hearted young chevalier whose charm and improvidence make him both Emily's dearest hope and the source of her most anxious doubts.

major

Also known as the Chevalier Valancourt, M. La Valancourt, Monsieur Valancourt, the elder Valancourt, the wretched Valancourt, Amiable and unfortunate Valancourt, the benevolent Valancourt

First appearance: i

As a major figure in The Mysteries of Udolpho, Valancourt is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Emily's beloved, a chevalier who is separated from her and later discovered as a prisoner at Udolpho.

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Valancourt meets Emily in the Pyrenees as a fellow traveler of generous feeling and careless purse, and their attachment forms quickly against her father's cautious disapproval. His gambling debts, his brother's influence, and long absences place his constancy under a cloud that Emily cannot resolve. He matters because his letters and remembered tenderness are the emotional thread Emily clings to while imprisoned at Udolpho.

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Character Web

27 connections

A slice of how Valancourt sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Social
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Emily's allies and friends
Protagonist

+22 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Valancourt, ov…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Emily St. Aubert
romantic · positive
Valancourt is Emily's true love, a noble and sensitive man whose relationship with her is… How this plays out →
Madame Montoni
social · ambivalent
Theresa
friendship · positive
Emily St. Aubert
romantic · positive
Valancourt is Emily's true love, a noble and sensitive man whose relationship with her is… How this plays out →
Emily St. Aubert
romantic · positive
Valancourt is Emily's true love, a noble and sensitive man whose relationship with her is… How this plays out →
Theresa
friendship · positive
Madame Montoni
social · ambivalent
Madame Montoni
social · ambivalent
Theresa
friendship · positive

Emily St. Aubert
Valancourt is Emily's true love, a noble and sensitive man whose relationship with her is tested by separation and misunderstandings.
Madame Montoni
Madame Montoni is aware of Valancourt's relationship with Emily and acts as a cautious intermediary.
Theresa
Theresa is a trusted servant who helps facilitate communication between Valancourt and Emily.
Emily St. Aubert
Valancourt is Emily's true love, a noble and sensitive man whose relationship with her is tested by separation and misunderstandings.
Emily St. Aubert
Valancourt is Emily's true love, a noble and sensitive man whose relationship with her is tested by separation and misunderstandings.
Theresa
Theresa is a trusted servant who helps facilitate communication between Valancourt and Emily.
Madame Montoni
Madame Montoni is aware of Valancourt's relationship with Emily and acts as a cautious intermediary.
Madame Montoni
Madame Montoni is aware of Valancourt's relationship with Emily and acts as a cautious intermediary.
Theresa
Theresa is a trusted servant who helps facilitate communication between Valancourt and Emily.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

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In the story

Valancourt appears across 32 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Mysteries of Udolpho
Emily's beloved, a chevalier who is separated from her and later discovered as a prisoner at Udolpho.
Chapter III
A young stranger who offers his bed to St. Aubert; displays manly frankness and a keen appreciation for nature.
IV
Guides the travellers, points out scenic wonders, recites poetry, and shows deep emotion when speaking of love and memory. He is warmly regarded by St. Aubert.
Chapter V
Shows deep compassion by giving nearly all his money to the impoverished shepherd family; experiences a light heart and is praised by St. Aubert.
Chapter VI
Bids farewell to St. Aubert and Emily, promising to visit La Vallée.
Chapter VIII
Remembered by Emily; his image influences her decision to return to the world rather than become a nun.
Chapter IX
Returns to Gascony and encounters Emily at the fishing-house; he mourns with her and shares his recent travels.
Chapter X
Visits Emily at La Vallée, declares his love, and receives her acknowledgment of esteem before being interrupted by Madame Cheron.
Chapter XI
Valancourt returns to Estuvière, his heart full of Emily, and worries about opposition from her family due to his modest fortune.
Chapter XII
Valancourt visits frequently, reads to Emily, and expresses his love. He is modest about his expectations from Madame Clairval and is embarrassed during the conversation with Madame Cheron about the terms of the relationship.
Chapter XIII
Desperate and passionate, he writes letters, seeks interviews, and confronts Montoni and Madame Montoni in vain, ultimately warning Emily of Montoni's character.
XIV
Appears on the road to hand Emily a letter; she remembers his smile and later thinks of him at sunset.
Chapter XV
Remembered by Emily with longing as she listens to mournful music and thinks of France.
Chapter XVI
Emily writes to him and thinks of him with deep affection and foreboding.
Chapter XXI
Struggles with grief and loneliness after Emily's departure; initially seeks solace in memories but later succumbs to the temptations of Parisian society.
Chapter XXII
Emily's thoughts remain faithful to him; she rereads his letters and trusts in his truth.
Chapter XXXI
Emily hopes he may be a prisoner in the castle, which strengthens her resolve against Montoni.
XXXII
Mentioned as a possible inhabitant of Udolpho; Emily's thoughts of him contribute to her melancholy.
Chapter XXXIII
Emily hopes he is a prisoner in the castle and asks Ludovico to search for him; she refrains from mentioning his name to Montoni.
Chapter XXXIV
Valancourt is the prisoner Emily believes she will meet; he sends her a miniature portrait as a pledge of his affection.
XXXVI
Emily's beloved, whose fate and constancy she anxiously contemplates.
Chapter XXXVII
Mentioned as the recipient of a letter from Emily; she anxiously awaits his reply.
Chapter XXXVIII
Returns to see Emily after a long absence; shows signs of guilt and dissipation; expresses unworthiness and is emotionally agitated.
Chapter XXXIX
Confesses his debts and moral decline, expresses remorse, and pleads for Emily's love and another meeting.
Chapter XL
Overwhelmed by remorse and despair, he confesses his ruin, resigns Emily, and vows to reform, but is convulsed with grief.
XLVIII
Valancourt is the object of Emily's anxious conjectures; she fears and hopes he may be near, but ultimately believes he is lost to her.
Chapter XLIX
Secretly provided Theresa with a cottage and support, demonstrating his continued benevolence and affection for Emily.
LI
Valancourt is in despair, having seen Emily; he is wounded, altered, and lingers near her, unable to move on.
LII
Valancourt attempts to contact Emily via a ring and a message, but she refuses to see him.
LIV
Revealed to be the generous benefactor who freed Monsieur Bonnac from prison; his reputation is restored when the misunderstanding about his conduct is cleared.
LVI
Valancourt appears at the ruined tower, explains his innocence to Emily, and is reconciled with her after being cleared by the Count.
Chapter LVII
Married to Emily; returns to La Vallée; receives part of his brother's domain.

Chapter companion notes

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