Actually, I was rather impressed by how young Isabella remained calm and took control whilst Manfred & Hippolita are so overwhelmed by their afflictions in the tragedy of Matilda dying.

Despite her sorrow,

-'Isabella, apprehensive that these struggles of passion were more than Matilda could support, took it upon herself to order Manfred to be bourne to his apartments, while she caused Matilda to be conveyed to the nearest chamber.' (ch.5)

-'Isabella made signs to him [Theodore] to be silent, apprehending the princess was near her end.' (ch.5)

If Prince Theodore wishes to forever indulge in melanchoy - and he appears to be of melancholic temperment- a wife like Isabella who reveals signs of leadership during a crisis, maybe useful for ruling Otranto.

I think Isabella deserves better too, personally. Yet a medieval princess did expect to marry for reasons of state. She did love ALfonso and apparently he came to have some appreciation of her as one who also knew Matilda.

Does Theodore need a SUTH afterall !?

So Isabella ordered a stricken Manfred, her one-time pursuer be taken to his apartments. A turn of the tables ! ;)

I wonder if it was Matilda who set the precedent for future heroines of the 1790s' Gothic books rather than Isabella.