the monk(僧侣)-第14章

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One　more　fortunate。　　He　shuddered　at　the　void　which　her　absence
would　leave　in　his　bosom。　　He　looked　with　disgust　on　the　monotony
of　a　Convent；　and　breathed　a　sigh　towards　that　world　from　which
He　was　for　ever　separated。　　Such　were　the　reflections　which　a
loud　knocking　at　his　door　interrupted。　　The　Bell　of　the　Church
had　already　struck　Two。　　The　Abbot　hastened　to　enquire　the　cause
of　this　disturbance。　　He　opened　the　door　of　his　Cell；　and　a
Lay…Brother　entered；　whose　looks　declared　his　hurry　and
confusion。

'Hasten；　reverend　Father！'　said　He；　'Hasten　to　the　young　Rosario。

He　earnestly　requests　to　see　you；　He　lies　at　the　point　of　death。'

'Gracious　God！　　Where　is　Father　Pablos？　　Why　is　He　not　with　him？　
Oh！　I　fear！　I　fear！'

'Father　Pablos　has　seen　him；　but　his　art　can　do　nothing。　　He
says　that　He　suspects　the　Youth　to　be　poisoned。'

'Poisoned？　　Oh！　　The　Unfortunate！　　It　is　then　as　I　suspected！　
But　let　me　not　lose　a　moment；　Perhaps　it　may　yet　be　time　to　save
her！'

He　said；　and　flew　towards　the　Cell　of　the　Novice。　　Several　Monks
were　already　in　the　chamber。　　Father　Pablos　was　one　of　them；　and
held　a　medicine　in　his　hand　which　He　was　endeavouring　to
persuade　Rosario　to　swallow。　　The　Others　were　employed　in
admiring　the　Patient's　divine　countenance；　which　They　now　saw　for
the　first　time。　　She　looked　lovelier　than　ever。　　She　was　no
longer　pale　or　languid；　A　bright　glow　had　spread　itself　over　her
cheeks；　her　eyes　sparkled　with　a　serene　delight；　and　her
countenance　was　expressive　of　confidence　and　resignation。

'Oh！　torment　me　no　more！'　was　She　saying　to　Pablos；　when　the
terrified　Abbot　rushed　hastily　into　the　Cell；　'My　disease　is　far
beyond　the　reach　of　your　skill；　and　I　wish　not　to　be　cured　of
it'Then　perceiving　Ambrosio；　'Ah！　'tis　He！'　She　cried；　'I　see
him　once　again；　before　we　part　for　ever！　　Leave　me；　my　Brethren；
Much　have　I　to　tell　this　holy　Man　in　private。'

The　Monks　retired　immediately；　and　Matilda　and　the　Abbot　remained
together。

'What　have　you　done；　imprudent　Woman！'　exclaimed　the　Latter；　as
soon　as　they　were　left　alone；　'Tell　me；　Are　my　suspicions　just？　
Am　I　indeed　to　lose　you？　　Has　your　own　hand　been　the　instrument
of　your　destruction？'

She　smiled；　and　grasped　his　hand。

'In　what　have　I　been　imprudent；　Father？　　I　have　sacrificed　a
pebble；　and　saved　a　diamond：　　My　death　preserves　a　life　valuable
to　the　world；　and　more　dear　to　me　than　my　own。　　Yes；　Father；　I　am
poisoned；　But　know　that　the　poison　once　circulated　in　your
veins。'

'Matilda！'

'What　I　tell　you　I　resolved　never　to　discover　to　you　but　on　the
bed　of　death：　　That　moment　is　now　arrived。　You　cannot　have
forgotten　the　day　already；　when　your　life　was　endangered　by　the
bite　of　a　Cientipedoro。　　The　Physician　gave　you　over；　declaring
himself　ignorant　how　to　extract　the　venom：　　I　knew　but　of　one
means；　and　hesitated　not　a　moment　to　employ　it。　　I　was　left　alone
with　you：　　You　slept；　I　loosened　the　bandage　from　your　hand；　I
kissed　the　wound；　and　drew　out　the　poison　with　my　lips。　　The
effect　has　been　more　sudden　than　I　expected。　　I　feel　death　at　my
heart；　Yet　an　hour；　and　I　shall　be　in　a　better　world。'

'Almighty　God！'　exclaimed　the　Abbot；　and　sank　almost　lifeless
upon　the　Bed。

After　a　few　minutes　He　again　raised　himself　up　suddenly；　and
gazed　upon　Matilda　with　all　the　wildness　of　despair。

'And　you　have　sacrificed　yourself　for　me！　　You　die；　and　die　to
preserve　Ambrosio！　　And　is　there　indeed　no　remedy；　Matilda？　　And
is　there　indeed　no　hope？　　Speak　to　me；　Oh！　　speak　to　me！　　Tell
me；　that　you　have　still　the　means　of　life！'

'Be　comforted；　my　only　Friend！　　Yes；　I　have　still　the　means　of
life　in　my　power：　　But　'tis　a　means　which　I　dare　not　employ。　　It
is　dangerous！　　It　is　dreadful！　　Life　would　be　purchased　at　too
dear　a　rate；　。　。　。　unless　it　were　permitted　me　to　live　for　you。'

'Then　live　for　me；　Matilda；　for　me　and　gratitude！'　（He　caught
her　hand；　and　pressed　it　rapturously　to　his　lips。）'Remember　our
late　conversations；　I　now　consent　to　every　thing：　　Remember　in
what　lively　colours　you　described　the　union　of　souls；　Be　it　ours
to　realize　those　ideas。　　Let　us　forget　the　distinctions　of　sex；
despise　the　world's　prejudices；　and　only　consider　each　other　as
Brother　and　Friend。　　Live　then；　Matilda！　　Oh！　live　for　me！'

'Ambrosio；　it　must　not　be。　　When　I　thought　thus；　I　deceived　both
you　and　myself。　　Either　I　must　die　at　present；　or　expire　by　the
lingering　torments　of　unsatisfied　desire。　　Oh！　since　we　last
conversed　together；　a　dreadful　veil　has　been　rent　from　before　my
eyes。　　I　love　you　no　longer　with　the　devotion　which　is　paid　to　a
Saint：　　I　prize　you　no　more　for　the　virtues　of　your　soul；　I　lust
for　the　enjoyment　of　your　person。　　The　Woman　reigns　in　my　bosom；
and　I　am　become　a　prey　to　the　wildest　of　passions。　　Away　with
friendship！　'tis　a　cold　unfeeling　word。　　My　bosom　burns　with
love；　with　unutterable　love；　and　love　must　be　its　return。　
Tremble　then；　Ambrosio；　tremble　to　succeed　in　your　prayers。　　If　I
live；　your　truth；　your　reputation；　your　reward　of　a　life　past　in
sufferings；　all　that　you　value　is　irretrievably　lost。　　I　shall　no
longer　be　able　to　combat　my　passions；　shall　seize　every
opportunity　to　excite　your　desires；　and　labour　to　effect　your
dishonour　and　my　own。　　No；　no；　Ambrosio；　I　must　not　live！　　I　am
convinced　with　every　moment；　that　I　have　but　one　alternative；　I
feel　with　every　heart…throb；　that　I　must　enjoy　you；　or　die。'

'Amazement！Matilda！　Can　it　be　you　who　speak　to　me？'

He　made　a　movement　as　if　to　quit　his　seat。　　She　uttered　a　loud
shriek；　and　raising　herself　half　out　of　the　Bed；　threw　her　arms
round　the　Friar　to　detain　him。

'Oh！　do　not　leave　me！　　Listen　to　my　errors　with　compassion！　　In　a
few　hours　I　shall　be　no　more；　Yet　a　little；　and　I　am　free　from
this　disgraceful　passion。'

'Wretched　Woman；　what　can　I　say　to　you！　　I　cannot　。　。　。　I　must
not　。　。　。　But　live；　Matilda！　　Oh！　live！'

'You　do　not　reflect　on　what　you　ask。　　What？　　Live　to　plunge
myself　in　infamy？　　To　become　the　Agent　of　Hell？　　To　work　the
destruction　both　of　you　and　of　Myself？　Feel　this　heart；　Father！'

She　took　his　hand：　　Confused；　embarrassed；　and　fascinated；　He
withdrew　it　not；　and　felt　her　heart　throb　under　it。

'Feel　this　heart；　Father！　　It　is　yet　the　seat　of　honour；　truth；
and　chastity：　　If　it　beats　tomorrow；　it　must　fall　a　prey　to　the
blackest　crimes。　　Oh！　let　me　then　die　today！　　Let　me　die；　while
I　yet　deserve　the　tears　of　the　virtuous！　　Thus　will
expire！'（She　reclined　her　head　upon　his　shoulder；　Her　golden
Hair　poured　itself　over　his　Chest。）　'Folded　in　your　arms；　I
shall　sink　to　sleep；　Your　hand　shall　close　my　eyes　for　ever；　and
your　lips　receive　my　dying　breath。　　And　will　you　not　sometimes
think　of　me？　　Will　you　not　sometimes　shed　a　tear　upon　my　Tomb？　
Oh！　　Yes！　　Yes！　　Yes！　　That　kiss　is　my　assurance！'

The　hour　was　night。　　All　was　silence　around。　　The　faint　beams　of
a　solitary　Lamp　darted　upon　Matilda's　figure；　and　shed　through
the　chamber　a　dim　mysterious　light。　　No　prying　eye；　or　curious
ear　was　near　the　Lovers：　Nothing　was　heard　but　Matilda's
melodious　accents。　　Ambrosio　was　in　the　full　vigour　of　Manhood。　
He　saw　before　him　a　young　and　beautiful　Woman；　the　preserver　of
his　life；　the　Adorer　of　his　person；　and　whom　affection　for　him
had　reduced　to　the　brink　of　the　Grave。　　He　sat　upon　her　Bed；　His
hand　rested　upon　her　bosom；　Her　head　reclined　voluptuously　upon
his　breast。　　Who　then　can　wonder；　if　He　yielded　to　the
temptation？　　Drunk　with　desire；　He　pressed　his　lips　to　those
which　sought　them：　　His　kisses　vied　with　Matilda's　in　warmth　and
passion。　　He　clasped　her　rapturously　in　his　arms；　He　forgot　his
vows；　his　sanctity；　and　his　fame：　　He　remembered　nothing　but　the
pleasure　and　opportunity。

'Ambrosio！　Oh！　my　Ambrosio！'　sighed　Matilda。

'Thine；　ever　thine！'　murmured　the　Friar；　and　sank　upon　her　bosom。


CHAPTER　III

　These　are　the　Villains　　
Whom　all　the　Travellers　do　fear　so　much。　　
Some　of　them　are　Gentlemen　　
Such　as　the　fury　of　ungoverned　Youth　　
Thrust　from　the　company　of　awful　Men。　　　　　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　　　Two　Gentlemen　of　Verona。　

The　Marquis　and　Lorenzo　proceeded　to　the　Hotel　in　silence。　　The
Former　employed　himself　in　calling　every　circumstance　to　his
mind；　which　related　might　give　Lorenzo's　the　most　favourable　idea
of　his　connexion　with　Agnes。　　The　Latter；　justly　alarmed　for　the
honour　of　his　family；　felt　embarrassed　by　the　presence　of　the
Marquis：　The　adventure　which　He　had　just　witnessed　forbad　his
treating　him　as　a　Friend；　and　Antonia's　interests　being　entrusted
to　his　mediation；　He　saw　the　impolicy　of　treating　him　as　a　Foe。　
He　concluded　from　these　reflections；　that　profound　silence　would
be　the　wisest　plan；　and　waited　with　impatience　for　Don　Raymond's
explanation。

They　arrived　at　the　Hotel　de　las　Cisternas。　　The　Marquis
immediately　conducted　him　to　his　apartment；　and　began　to　express
his　satisfaction　at　finding　him　at　Madrid。　　Lorenzo　interrupted
him。

'Excuse　me；　my　Lord；'　said　He　with　a　distant　air；　'if　I　reply
somewhat　coldly　to　your　expressions　of　regard。　　A　Sister's　honour
is　involved　in　this　affair：　　Till　that　is　established；　and　the
purport　of　your　correspondence　with　Agnes　cleared　up；　I　cannot
consider　you　as　my　Friend。　　I　am　anxious　to　hear　the　meaning　of
your　conduct；　and　hope　that　you　will　not　delay　the　promised
explanation。'

'First　give　me　your　word；　that　you　will　listen　with　patience　and
indulgence。'

'I　love　my　Sister　too　well　to　judge　her　harshly；　and　till　this
moment　I　possessed　no　Friend　so　dear　to　me　as　yourself。　　I　will
also　confess；　that　your　having　it　in　your　power　to　oblige　me　in　a
business　which　I　have　much　at　heart；　makes　me　very　anxious　to
find　you　still　deserving　my　esteem。'

'Lorenzo；　you　transport　me！　　No　greater　pleasure　can　be　given　me；
than　an　opportunity　of　serving　the　Brother　of　Agnes。'

'Convince　me　that　I　can　accept　your　favours　without　dishonour；
and　there　is　no　Man　in　the　world　to　whom　I　am　more　willing　to　be
obliged。'

'Probably；　you　have　already　heard　your　Sister　mention　the　name　of
Alphonso　d'Alvarada？'

'Never。　　Though　I　feel　for　Agnes　an　affection　truly　fraternal；
circumstances　have　prevented　us　from　being　much　together。　　While
yet　a　Child　She　was　consigned　to　the　care　of　her　Aunt；　who　had
married　a　German　Nobleman。　　At　his　Castle　She　remained　till　two
years　since；　when　She　returned　to　Spain；　determined　upon
secluding　herself　from　the　world。'

'Good　God！　　Lorenzo；　you　knew　of　her　intention；　and　yet　strove
not　to　make　her　change　it？'

'Marquis；　you　wrong　me。　　The　intelligence；　which　I　received　at
Naples；　shocked　me　extremely；　and　I　hastened　my　return　to　Madrid
for　the　express　purpose　of　preventing　the　sacrifice。　　The　moment
that　I　arrived；　I　flew　to　the　Convent　of　St。　Clare；　in　which
Agnes　had　chosen　to　perform　her　Noviciate。　　I　requested　to　see　my
Sister。　　Conceive　my　surprise　when　She　sent　me　a　refusal；　She
declared　positively；　that　apprehending　my　influence　over　her
mind；　She　would　not　trust　herself　in　my　society　till　the　day
before　that　on　which　She　was　to　receive　the　Veil。　　I　supplicated
the　Nuns；　I　insisted　upon　seeing　Agnes；　and　hesitated　not　to　avow
my　suspicions　that　her　being　kept　from　me　was　against　her　own
inc