the monk(僧侣)-第55章

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to　take　effect：　　But　upon　listening　more　attentively；　He　found
the　noise　to　be　caused　by　Jacintha；　who　had　fallen　asleep　by　the
Lady's　Bedside；　and　was　snoring　most　lustily。　　Ambrosio　drew
back；　and　returned　to　the　other　room；　musing　upon　the　sudden
opening　of　the　Closet　door；　for　which　He　strove　in　vain　to
account。

He　paced　the　chamber　up　and　down　in　silence。　　At　length　He
stopped；　and　the　Bed　attracted　his　attention。　The　curtain　of　the
Recess　was　but　half…drawn。　　He　sighed　involuntarily。

'That　Bed；'　said　He　in　a　low　voice；　'That　Bed　was　Elvira's！　
There　has　She　past　many　a　quiet　night；　for　She　was　good　and
innocent。　　How　sound　must　have　been　her　sleep！　　And　yet　now　She
sleeps　sounder！　　Does　She　indeed　sleep？　　Oh！　God　grant　that　She
may！　　What　if　She　rose　from　her　Grave　at　this　sad　and　silent
hour？　　What　if　She　broke　the　bonds　of　the　Tomb；　and　glided
angrily　before　my　blasted　eyes？　　Oh！　I　never　could　support　the
sight！　　Again　to　see　her　form　distorted　by　dying　agonies；　her
blood…swollen　veins；　her　livid　countenance；　her　eyes　bursting
from　their　sockets　with　pain！　　To　hear　her　speak　of　future
punishment；　menace　me　with　Heaven's　vengeance；　tax　me　with　the
crimes　I　have　committed；　with　those　I　am　going　to　commit　。　。　。　。
。　Great　God！　What　is　that？'

As　He　uttered　these　words；　his　eyes　which　were　fixed　upon　the
Bed；　saw　the　curtain　shaken　gently　backwards　and　forwards。　　The
Apparition　was　recalled　to　his　mind；　and　He　almost　fancied　that
He　beheld　Elvira's　visionary　form　reclining　upon　the　Bed。　　A　few
moments　consideration　sufficed　to　reassure　him。

'It　was　only　the　wind；'　said　He；　recovering　himself。

Again　He　paced　the　chamber；　But　an　involuntary　movement　of　awe
and　inquietude　constantly　led　his　eye　towards　the　Alcove。　　He
drew　near　it　with　irresolution。　He　paused　before　He　ascended　the
few　steps　which　led　to　it。　　He　put　out　his　hand　thrice　to　remove
the　curtain；　and　as　often　drew　it　back。

'Absurd　terrors！'　He　cried　at　length；　ashamed　of　his　own
weakness

Hastily　he　mounted　the　steps；　When　a　Figure　drest　in　white
started　from　the　Alcove；　and　gliding　by　him；　made　with
precipitation　towards　the　Closet。　　Madness　and　despair　now
supplied　the　Monk　with　that　courage；　of　which　He　had　till　then
been　destitute。　　He　flew　down　the　steps；　pursued　the　Apparition；
and　attempted　to　grasp　it。

'Ghost；　or　Devil；　I　hold　you！'　He　exclaimed；　and　seized　the
Spectre　by　the　arm。

'Oh！　　Christ　Jesus！'　cried　a　shrill　voice；　'Holy　Father；　how　you
gripe　me！　　I　protest　that　I　meant　no　harm！'

This　address；　as　well　as　the　arm　which　He　held；　convinced　the
Abbot　that　the　supposed　Ghost　was　substantial　flesh　and　blood。　
He　drew　the　Intruder　towards　the　Table；　and　holding　up　the　light；
discovered　the　features　of　。　。　。　。　。　。　Madona　Flora！

Incensed　at　having　been　betrayed　by　this　trifling　cause　into
fears　so　ridiculous；　He　asked　her　sternly；　what　business　had
brought　her　to　that　chamber。　　Flora；　ashamed　at　being　found　out；
and　terrified　at　the　severity　of　Ambrosio's　looks；　fell　upon　her
knees；　and　promised　to　make　a　full　confession。

'I　protest；　reverend　Father；'　said　She；　'that　I　am　quite　grieved
at　having　disturbed　you：　　Nothing　was　further　from　my　intention。　
I　meant　to　get　out　of　the　room　as　quietly　as　I　got　in；　and　had
you　been　ignorant　that　I　watched　you；　you　know；　it　would　have
been　the　same　thing　as　if　I　had　not　watched　you　at　all。　　To　be
sure；　I　did　very　wrong　in　being　a　Spy　upon　you；　that　I　cannot
deny；　But　Lord！　your　Reverence；　how　can　a　poor　weak　Woman　resist
curiosity？　　Mine　was　so　strong　to　know　what　you　were　doing；　that
I　could　not　but　try　to　get　a　little　peep；　without　any　body
knowing　any　thing　about　it。　　So　with　that　I　left　old　Dame
Jacintha　sitting　by　my　Lady's　Bed；　and　I　ventured　to　steal　into
the　Closet。　　Being　unwilling　to　interrupt　you；　I　contented　myself
at　first　with　putting　my　eye　to　the　Keyhole；　But　as　I　could　see
nothing　by　this　means；　I　undrew　the　bolt；　and　while　your　back　was
turned　to　the　Alcove；　I　whipt　me　in　softly　and　silently。　　Here　I
lay　snug　behind　the　curtain；　till　your　Reverence　found　me　out；
and　seized　me　ere　I　had　time　to　regain　the　Closet　door。　　This　is
the　whole　truth；　I　assure　you；　Holy　Father；　and　I　beg　your　pardon
a　thousand　times　for　my　impertinence。'

During　this　speech　the　Abbot　had　time　to　recollect　himself：　　He
was　satisfied　with　reading　the　penitent　Spy　a　lecture　upon　the
dangers　of　curiosity；　and　the　meanness　of　the　action　in　which　She
had　been　just　discovered。　　Flora　declared　herself　fully
persuaded　that　She　had　done　wrong；　She　promised　never　to　be
guilty　of　the　same　fault　again；　and　was　retiring　very　humble　and
contrite　to　Antonia's　chamber；　when　the　Closet　door　was　suddenly
thrown　open；　and　in　rushed　Jacintha　pale　and　out　of　breath。

'Oh！　　Father！　　Father！'　She　cried　in　a　voice　almost　choaked　with
terror；　'What　shall　I　do！　　What　shall　I　do！　Here　is　a　fine　piece
of　work！　　Nothing　but　misfortunes！　　Nothing　but　dead　people；　and
dying　people！　　Oh！　　I　shall　go　distracted！　　I　shall　go
distracted！'

'Speak！　　Speak！'　cried　Flora　and　the　Monk　at　the　same　time；　'What
has　happened？　　What　is　the　matter？'

'Oh！　I　shall　have　another　Corse　in　my　House！　　Some　Witch　has
certainly　cast　a　spell　upon　it；　upon　me；　and　upon　all　about　me！　
Poor　Donna　Antonia！　　There　She　lies　in　just　such　convulsions；　as
killed　her　Mother！　　The　Ghost　told　her　true！　I　am　sure；　the　Ghost
has　told　her　true！'

Flora　ran；　or　rather　flew　to　her　Lady's　chamber：　Ambrosio
followed　her；　his　bosom　trembling　with　hope　and　apprehension。　
They　found　Antonia　as　Jacintha　had　described；　torn　by　racking
convulsions　from　which　they　in　vain　endeavoured　to　relieve　her。　
The　Monk　dispatched　Jacintha　to　the　Abbey　in　all　haste；　and
commissioned　her　to　bring　Father　Pablos　back　with　her；　without
losing　a　moment。

'I　will　go　for　him；'　replied　Jacintha；　'and　tell　him　to　come
hither；　But　as　to　bringing　him　myself；　I　shall　do　no　such　thing。　
I　am　sure　that　the　House　is　bewitched；　and　burn　me　if　ever　I　set
foot　in　it　again。'

With　this　resolution　She　set　out　for　the　Monastery；　and　delivered
to　Father　Pablos　the　Abbot's　orders。　　She　then　betook　herself　to
the　House　of　old　Simon　Gonzalez；　whom　She　resolved　never　to　quit；
till　She　had　made　him　her　Husband；　and　his　dwelling　her　own。

Father　Pablos　had　no　sooner　beheld　Antonia；　than　He　pronounced
her　incurable。　　The　convulsions　continued　for　an　hour：　　During
that　time　her　agonies　were　much　milder　than　those　which　her
groans　created　in　the　Abbot's　heart。　　Her　every　pang　seemed　a
dagger　in　his　bosom；　and　He　cursed　himself　a　thousand　times　for
having　adopted　so　barbarous　a　project。　　The　hour　being　expired；
by　degrees　the　Fits　became　less　frequent；　and　Antonia　less
agitated。　　She　felt　that　her　dissolution　was　approaching；　and
that　nothing　could　save　her。

'Worthy　Ambrosio；'　She　said　in　a　feeble　voice；　while　She　pressed
his　hand　to　her　lips；　'I　am　now　at　liberty　to　express；　how
grateful　is　my　heart　for　your　attention　and　kindness。　　I　am　upon
the　bed　of　death；　Yet　an　hour；　and　I　shall　be　no　more。　　I　may
therefore　acknowledge　without　restraint；　that　to　relinquish　your
society　was　very　painful　to　me：　　But　such　was　the　will　of　a
Parent；　and　I　dared　not　disobey。　　I　die　without　repugnance：　
There　are　few；　who　will　lament　my　leaving　them；　There　are　few；
whom　I　lament　to　leave。　　Among　those　few；　I　lament　for　none　more
than　for　yourself；　But　we　shall　meet　again；　Ambrosio！　　We　shall
one　day　meet　in　heaven：　　There　shall　our　friendship　be　renewed；
and　my　Mother　shall　view　it　with　pleasure！'

She　paused。　　The　Abbot　shuddered　when　She　mentioned　Elvira：　
Antonia　imputed　his　emotion　to　pity　and　concern　for　her。

'You　are　grieved　for　me；　Father；'　She　continued；　'Ah！　sigh　not
for　my　loss。　　I　have　no　crimes　to　repent；　at　least　none　of　which
I　am　conscious；　and　I　restore　my　soul　without　fear　to　him　from
whom　I　received　it。　　I　have　but　few　requests　to　make：　　Yet　let　me
hope　that　what　few　I　have　shall　be　granted。　　Let　a　solemn　Mass　be
said　for　my　soul's　repose；　and　another　for　that　of　my　beloved
Mother。　　Not　that　I　doubt　her　resting　in　her　Grave：　　I　am　now
convinced　that　my　reason　wandered；　and　the　falsehood　of　the
Ghost's　prediction　is　sufficient　to　prove　my　error。　　But　every
one　has　some　failing：　　My　Mother　may　have　had　hers；　though　I　knew
them　not：　　I　therefore　wish　a　Mass　to　be　celebrated　for　her
repose；　and　the　expence　may　be　defrayed　by　the　little　wealth　of
which　I　am　possessed。　　Whatever　may　then　remain；　I　bequeath　to　my
Aunt　Leonella。　　When　I　am　dead；　let　the　Marquis　de　las　Cisternas
know　that　his　Brother's　unhappy　family　can　no　longer　importune
him。　　But　disappointment　makes　me　unjust：　　They　tell　me　that　He
is　ill；　and　perhaps　had　it　been　in　his　power；　He　wished　to　have
protected　me。　　Tell　him　then；　Father；　only　that　I　am　dead；　and
that　if　He　had　any　faults　to　me；　I　forgave　him　from　my　heart。　
This　done；　I　have　nothing　more　to　ask　for；　than　your　prayers：
Promise　to　remember　my　requests；　and　I　shall　resign　my　life
without　a　pang　or　sorrow。'

Ambrosio　engaged　to　comply　with　her　desires；　and　proceeded　to
give　her　absolution。　　Every　moment　announced　the　approach　of
Antonia's　fate：　　Her　sight　failed；　Her　heart　beat　sluggishly；　Her
fingers　stiffened；　and　grew　cold；　and　at　two　in　the　morning　She
expired　without　a　groan。　　As　soon　as　the　breath　had　forsaken　her
body；　Father　Pablos　retired；　sincerely　affected　at　the　melancholy
scene。　　On　her　part；　Flora　gave　way　to　the　most　unbridled　sorrow。

Far　different　concerns　employed　Ambrosio：　　He　sought　for　the
pulse　whose　throbbing；　so　Matilda　had　assured　him；　would　prove
Antonia's　death　but　temporal。　　He　found　it；　He　pressed　it；　It
palpitated　beneath　his　hand；　and　his　heart　was　filled　with
ecstacy。　However；　He　carefully　concealed　his　satisfaction　at　the
success　of　his　plan。　　He　assumed　a　melancholy　air；　and　addressing
himself　to　Flora；　warned　her　against　abandoning　herself　to
fruitless　sorrow。　　Her　tears　were　too　sincere　to　permit　her
listening　to　his　counsels；　and　She　continued　to　weep　unceasingly。

The　Friar　withdrew；　first　promising　to　give　orders　himself　about
the　Funeral；　which；　out　of　consideration　for　Jacintha　as　He
pretended；　should　take　place　with　all　expedition。　　Plunged　in
grief　for　the　loss　of　her　beloved　Mistress；　Flora　scarcely
attended　to　what　He　said。　　Ambrosio　hastened　to　command　the
Burial。　　He　obtained　permission　from　the　Prioress；　that　the　Corse
should　be　deposited　in　St。　Clare's　Sepulchre：　and　on　the　Friday
Morning；　every　proper　and　needful　ceremony　being　performed；
Antonia's　body　was　committed　to　the　Tomb。

On　the　same　day　Leonella　arrived　at　Madrid；　intending　to　present
her　young　Husband　to　Elvira。　　Various　circumstances　had　obliged
her　to　defer　her　journey　from　Tuesday　to　Friday；　and　She　had　no
opportunity　of　making　this　alteration　in　her　plans　known　to　her
Sister。　　As　her　heart　was　truly　affectionate；　and　as　She　had　ever
entertained　a　sincere　regard　for　Elvira　and　her　Daughter；　her
surprize　at　hearing　of　their　sudden　and　melancholy　fate　was　fully
equalled　by　her　sorrow　and　disappointment。　　Ambrosio　sent　to
inform　her　of　Antonia's　bequest：　　At　her　solication；　He　promised；
as　soon　as　Elvira's　trifling　d