Ugo and Bertrand in The Mysteries of Udolpho

Ugo and Bertrand

Thug Life

Ugo and Bertrand are just hired assassins, trekking across the countryside to schlep Emily to Tuscany. They might seem like Tweedledee and Tweedledum, but don't be fooled: these guys drop hints that they're trained killers, happy to do Montoni's bidding at the drop of a hat.

Bertrand in particular relishes talking about his former exploits, though he's a little loose-lipped around Emily. "He fell and was dispatched in a minute," Bertrand casually throws out there in the middle of a conversation (3.5.95). He's totally comfortable killing someone without any real reason. These aren't guys we'd want to be around in a dark room, let alone the middle of the woods.