Which excerpt from The Mysteries of Udolpho most effectively demonstrates how author Ann Radcliffe uses the Italian setting to foreshadow the melancholy that awaits the visitors at Udolpho?
a) As they journeyed onward, the landscape assumed a more wild and desolate appearance. The rugged cliffs, the dark forests, and the mist-covered valleys all seemed to whisper of hidden mysteries and untold secrets.
b) The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the rugged landscape. Emily couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over her as they approached Udolpho, as if the very land itself warned of the sorrow to come.
c) In the distance, the crumbling ruins of an ancient castle loomed against the fading light of day. Emily shivered, feeling a sense of foreboding wash over her as they drew nearer to the mysterious place.
d) As they rode through the Italian countryside, Emily couldn't help but notice the silence that hung heavy in the air. Even the birds seemed to have fled from the oppressive atmosphere, leaving only the distant sound of rustling leaves to break the stillness.
