I have enjoyed the parody immensely till now. But it’s time for sombre thoughts.

JA expresses them well in CH 28 – Catherine’s first and last night at the Abbey – the difference between the feelings which are the same.

Her feelings on her first and last nights;
At that moment Catherine thought she heard her step in the gallery, and listened for its continuance; but all was silent […. ], when the noise of something moving close to her door made her start; it seemed as if someone was touching the very doorway — and in another moment a slight motion of the lock proved that some hand must be on it. She trembled a little at the idea of anyone’s approaching so cautiously; -

On her last night
…but resolving not to be again overcome by trivial appearances of alarm, or misled by a raised imagination, she stepped quietly forward, and opened the door.

Ch28;; - Sleep, or repose that deserved the name of sleep, was out of the question.

Ch 21 – She could have neither repose nor comfort.

Ch 28; - That room, in […]was again the scene of agitated spirits and unquiet slumbers.

Yet how different now the source of her inquietude from what it had been then — how mournfully superior in reality and substance! Her anxiety had foundation in fact, her fears in probability; and with a mind so occupied in the contemplation of actual and natural evil, the solitude of her situation, the darkness of her chamber, the antiquity of the building, were felt and considered without the smallest emotion; and though the wind was high, and often produced strange and sudden noises throughout the house, she heard it all as she lay awake, hour after hour, without curiosity or terror.

Catherine’s cure is complete.

A parallel with 'Udolpho'.
After the death of her aunt Emily is under the protection of Montoni. Emily will not sign the papers handing over her wealth and estate to Montoni.
His anger is immense and he withdraws his protection, leaving Emily alone and unprotected against the evils. She is persued by two drunken guests at the castle but is saved.

Here the General shows an absolute similarity to that horrible Montoni.

So, is all unreal in a ‘gothic’ novel?
I am confused here. These things are not supposed to happen in this part of England, JA tells us, and then we are told the opposite.

Is this supposed to be a parody?
Are we supposed to feel frightened for Catherine about the dangers she will face (like Emily)?