Catherine would like to see the Blaize castle, but is not very happy with the situation.

Gets into the gig reluctantly, and is later forced to stay there.

Emily would like to see the sights and sounds of Venice, but is not happy with the situation. *All* of the others get into a different gondola and she is left with Count Morano (she doesn't like him much) to get into a zendaletto (a gondola with a long piece of cloth ). She refuses, but Montoni appears and leads/forces her wordlessly into it.

What follows in both the cases are unpleasantries, and later both sit back to at least enjoy what they like.

Catherine - with her thoughts of" broken promises and broken arches, phaetons and false hangings, Tilneys and trap–doors."

Emily - the songs and the sights of the stately piazza - more cultural ;-)

Thorpe is like Count Morano from whose 'persevering assiduities' and 'officious attentions' Emily would like release.

Catherine loses an opportuninty here to feel like a 'gothic' heroine. LOL!

The parody, as far as I see till now is of the 'gothic' novel.