the monk(僧侣)-第7章

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his　manners；　and　the　rectitude　of　his　heart：　　In　short　He　loved
him　with　all　the　affection　of　a　Father。　　He　could　not　help
sometimes　indulging　a　desire　secretly　to　see　the　face　of　his
Pupil；　But　his　rule　of　self…denial　extended　even　to　curiosity；
and　prevented　him　from　communicating　his　wishes　to　the　Youth。

'Pardon　my　intrusion；　Father；'　said　Rosario；　while　He　placed　his
basket　upon　the　Table；　'I　come　to　you　a　Suppliant。　　Hearing　that
a　dear　Friend　is　dangerously　ill；　I　entreat　your　prayers　for　his
recovery。　　If　supplications　can　prevail　upon　heaven　to　spare　him；
surely　yours　must　be　efficacious。'

'Whatever　depends　upon　me；　my　Son；　you　know　that　you　may　command。

What　is　your　Friend's　name？'

'Vincentio　della　Ronda。'

'　'Tis　sufficient。　　I　will　not　forget　him　in　my　prayers；　and　may
our　thrice…blessed　St。　Francis　deign　to　listen　to　my
intercession！What　have　you　in　your　basket；　Rosario？'

'A　few　of　those　flowers；　reverend　Father；　which　I　have　observed
to　be　most　acceptable　to　you。　　Will　you　permit　my　arranging　them
in　your　chamber？'

'Your　attentions　charm　me；　my　Son。'

While　Rosario　dispersed　the　contents　of　his　Basket　in　small
Vases　placed　for　that　purpose　in　various　parts　of　the　room；　the
Abbot　thus　continued　the　conversation。

'I　saw　you　not　in　the　Church　this　evening；　Rosario。'

'Yet　I　was　present；　Father。　　I　am　too　grateful　for　your
protection　to　lose　an　opportunity　of　witnessing　your　Triumph。'

'Alas！　Rosario；　I　have　but　little　cause　to　triumph：　　The　Saint
spoke　by　my　mouth；　To　him　belongs　all　the　merit。　It　seems　then
you　were　contented　with　my　discourse？'

'Contented；　say　you？　　Oh！　you　surpassed　yourself！　　Never　did　I
hear　such　eloquence　。　。　。　　save　once！'

Here　the　Novice　heaved　an　involuntary　sigh。

'When　was　that　once？'　demanded　the　Abbot。

'When　you　preached　upon　the　sudden　indisposition　of　our　late
Superior。'

'I　remember　it：　　That　is　more　than　two　years　ago。　　And　were　you
present？　　I　knew　you　not　at　that　time；　Rosario。'

'　'Tis　true；　Father；　and　would　to　God！　I　had　expired；　ere　I
beheld　that　day！　　What　sufferings；　what　sorrows　should　I　have
escaped！'

'Sufferings　at　your　age；　Rosario？'

'Aye；　Father；　Sufferings；　which　if　known　to　you；　would　equally
raise　your　anger　and　compassion！　　Sufferings；　which　form　at　once
the　torment　and　pleasure　of　my　existence！　　Yet　in　this　retreat　my
bosom　would　feel　tranquil；　were　it　not　for　the　tortures　of
apprehension。　　Oh　God！　　Oh　God！　how　cruel　is　a　life　of
fear！Father！　I　have　given　up　all；　I　have　abandoned　the　world
and　its　delights　for　ever：　　Nothing　now　remains；　Nothing　now　has
charms　for　me；　but　your　friendship；　but　your　affection。　　If　I
lose　that；　Father！　　Oh！　if　I　lose　that；　tremble　at　the　effects　of
my　despair！'

'You　apprehend　the　loss　of　my　friendship？　　How　has　my　conduct
justified　this　fear？　　Know　me　better；　Rosario；　and　think　me
worthy　of　your　confidence。　　What　are　your　sufferings？　　Reveal
them　to　me；　and　believe　that　if　'tis　in　my　power　to　relieve　them。
。　。　。'

'Ah！　'tis　in　no　one's　power　but　yours。　　Yet　I　must　not　let　you
know　them。　　You　would　hate　me　for　my　avowal！　　You　would　drive　me
from　your　presence　with　scorn　and　ignominy！'

'My　Son；　I　conjure　you！　　I　entreat　you！'

'For　pity's　sake；　enquire　no　further！　　I　must　not　。　。　。　　I　dare
not　。　。　。　　Hark！　　The　Bell　rings　for　Vespers！　　Father；　your
benediction；　and　I　leave　you！'

As　He　said　this；　He　threw　himself　upon　his　knees　and　received
the　blessing　which　He　demanded。　　Then　pressing　the　Abbot's　hand
to　his　lips；　He　started　from　the　ground　and　hastily　quitted　the
apartment。　　Soon　after　Ambrosio　descended　to　Vespers　（which　were
celebrated　in　a　small　chapel　belonging　to　the　Abbey）；　filled　with
surprise　at　the　singularity　of　the　Youth's　behaviour。

Vespers　being　over；　the　Monks　retired　to　their　respective　Cells。　
The　Abbot　alone　remained　in　the　Chapel　to　receive　the　Nuns　of　St。
Clare。　　He　had　not　been　long　seated　in　the　confessional　chair　
before　the　Prioress　made　her　appearance。　　Each　of　the　Nuns　was
heard　in　her　turn；　while　the　Others　waited　with　the　Domina　in　the
adjoining　Vestry。　　Ambrosio　listened　to　the　confessions　with
attention；　made　many　exhortations；　enjoined　penance　proportioned
to　each　offence；　and　for　some　time　every　thing　went　on　as　usual：
till　at　last　one　of　the　Nuns；　conspicuous　from　the　nobleness　of
her　air　and　elegance　of　her　figure；　carelessly　permitted　a　letter
to　fall　from　her　bosom。　　She　was　retiring；　unconscious　of　her
loss。　　Ambrosio　supposed　it　to　have　been　written　by　some　one　of
her　Relations；　and　picked　it　up　intending　to　restore　it　to　her。

'Stay；　Daughter；'　said　He；　'You　have　let　fall。　。　。　。'

At　this　moment；　the　paper　being　already　open；　his　eye
involuntarily　read　the　first　words。　　He　started　back　with
surprise！　　The　Nun　had　turned　round　on　hearing　his　voice：　　She
perceived　her　letter　in　his　hand；　and　uttering　a　shriek　of
terror；　flew　hastily　to　regain　it。

'Hold！'　said　the　Friar　in　a　tone　of　severity；　'Daughter；　I　must
read　this　letter。'

'Then　I　am　lost！'　　She　exclaimed　clasping　her　hands　together
wildly。

All　colour　instantly　faded　from　her　face；　she　trembled　with
agitation；　and　was　obliged　to　fold　her　arms　round　a　Pillar　of　the
Chapel　to　save　herself　from　sinking　upon　the　floor。　　In　the
meanwhile　the　Abbot　read　the　following　lines。

'All　is　ready　for　your　escape；　my　dearest　Agnes。　　At　twelve
tomorrow　night　I　shall　expect　to　find　you　at　the　Garden　door：　　I
have　obtained　the　Key；　and　a　few　hours　will　suffice　to　place　you
in　a　secure　asylum。　　Let　no　mistaken　scruples　induce　you　to
reject　the　certain　means　of　preserving　yourself　and　the　innocent
Creature　whom　you　nourish　in　your　bosom。　　Remember　that　you　had
promised　to　be　mine；　long　ere　you　engaged　yourself　to　the　church；
that　your　situation　will　soon　be　evident　to　the　prying　eyes　of
your　Companions；　and　that　flight　is　the　only　means　of　avoiding
the　effects　of　their　malevolent　resentment。　　Farewell；　my　Agnes！
my　dear　and　destined　Wife！　　Fail　not　to　be　at　the　Garden　door　at
twelve！'

As　soon　as　He　had　finished；　Ambrosio　bent　an　eye　stern　and　angry
upon　the　imprudent　Nun。

'This　letter　must　to　the　Prioress！'　said　He；　and　passed　her。

His　words　sounded　like　thunder　to　her　ears：　　She　awoke　from　her
torpidity　only　to　be　sensible　of　the　dangers　of　her　situation。　
She　followed　him　hastily；　and　detained　him　by　his　garment。

'Stay！　　Oh！　stay！'　She　cried　in　the　accents　of　despair；　while　She
threw　herself　at　the　Friar's　feet；　and　bathed　them　with　her
tears。　　'Father；　compassionate　my　youth！　　Look　with　indulgence　on
a　Woman's　weakness；　and　deign　to　conceal　my　frailty！　　The
remainder　of　my　life　shall　be　employed　in　expiating　this　single
fault；　and　your　lenity　will　bring　back　a　soul　to　heaven！'

'Amazing　confidence！　　What！　　Shall　St。　Clare's　Convent　become　the
retreat　of　Prostitutes？　　Shall　I　suffer　the　Church　of　Christ　to
cherish　in　its　bosom　debauchery　and　shame？　　Unworthy　Wretch！　such
lenity　would　make　me　your　accomplice。　　Mercy　would　here　be
criminal。　　You　have　abandoned　yourself　to　a　Seducer's　lust；　You
have　defiled　the　sacred　habit　by　your　impurity；　and　still　dare
you　think　yourself　deserving　my　compassion？　　Hence；　nor　detain　me
longer！　　Where　is　the　Lady　Prioress？'　He　added；　raising　his
voice。

'Hold！　Father；　Hold！　　Hear　me　but　for　one　moment！　Tax　me　not　with
impurity；　nor　think　that　I　have　erred　from　the　warmth　of
temperament。　　Long　before　I　took　the　veil；　Raymond　was　Master　of
my　heart：　　He　inspired　me　with　the　purest；　the　most
irreproachable　passion；　and　was　on　the　point　of　becoming　my
lawful　husband。　　An　horrible　adventure；　and　the　treachery　of　a
Relation；　separated　us　from　each　other：　　I　believed　him　for　ever
lost　to　me；　and　threw　myself　into　a　Convent　from　motives　of
despair。　　Accident　again　united　us；　I　could　not　refuse　myself　the
melancholy　pleasure　of　mingling　my　tears　with　his：　　We　met
nightly　in　the　Gardens　of　St。　Clare；　and　in　an　unguarded　moment　I
violated　my　vows　of　Chastity。　　I　shall　soon　become　a　Mother：　
Reverend　Ambrosio；　take　compassion　on　me；　take　compassion　on　the
innocent　Being　whose　existence　is　attached　to　mine。　If　you
discover　my　imprudence　to　the　Domina；　both　of　us　are　lost：　　The
punishment　which　the　laws　of　St。　Clare　assign　to　Unfortunates
like　myself　is　most　severe　and　cruel。　　Worthy；　worthy　Father！　
Let　not　your　own　untainted　conscience　render　you　unfeeling
towards　those　less　able　to　withstand　temptation！　　Let　not　mercy
be　the　only　virtue　of　which　your　heart　is　unsusceptible！　　Pity
me；　most　reverend！　　Restore　my　letter；　nor　doom　me　to　inevitable
destruction！'

'Your　boldness　confounds　me！　　Shall　I　conceal　your　crime；　I　whom
you　have　deceived　by　your　feigned　confession？　　No；　Daughter；　no！　
I　will　render　you　a　more　essential　service。　　I　will　rescue　you
from　perdition　in　spite　of　yourself；　Penance　and　mortification
shall　expiate　your　offence；　and　Severity　force　you　back　to　the
paths　of　holiness。　　What；　Ho！　　Mother　St。　Agatha！'

'Father！　　By　all　that　is　sacred；　by　all　that　is　most　dear　to　you；
I　supplicate；　I　entreat。　。　。　。'

'Release　me！　　I　will　not　hear　you。　　Where　is　the　Domina？　　Mother
St。　Agatha；　where　are　you？'

The　door　of　the　Vestry　opened；　and　the　Prioress　entered　the
Chapel；　followed　by　her　Nuns。

'Cruel！　　Cruel！'　exclaimed　Agnes；　relinquishing　her　hold。

Wild　and　desperate；　She　threw　herself　upon　the　ground；　beating
her　bosom　and　rending　her　veil　in　all　the　delirium　of　despair。　
The　Nuns　gazed　with　astonishment　upon　the　scene　before　them。　　The
Friar　now　presented　the　fatal　paper　to　the　Prioress；　informed　her
of　the　manner　in　which　he　had　found　it；　and　added；　that　it　was
her　business　to　decide；　what　penance　the　delinquent　merited。

While　She　perused　the　letter；　the　Domina's　countenance　grew
inflamed　with　passion。　　What！　　Such　a　crime　committed　in　her
Convent；　and　made　known　to　Ambrosio；　to　the　Idol　of　Madrid；　to
the　Man　whom　She　was　most　anxious　to　impress　with　the　opinion　of
the　strictness　and　regularity　of　her　House！　　Words　were
inadequate　to　express　her　fury。　　She　was　silent；　and　darted　upon
the　prostrate　Nun　looks　of　menace　and　malignity。

'Away　with　her　to　the　Convent！'　said　She　at　length　to　some　of　her
Attendants。

Two　of　the　oldest　Nuns　now　approaching　Agnes；　raised　her　forcibly
from　the　ground；　and　prepared　to　conduct　her　from　the　Chapel。

'What！'　She　exclaimed　suddenly　shaking　off　their　hold　with
distracted　gestures；　'Is　all　hope　then　lost？　　Already　do　you　drag
me　to　punishment？　　Where　are　you；　Raymond？　　Oh！　save　me！　save
me！'　

Then　casting　upon　the　Abbot　a　frantic　look；　'Hear　me！'　She
continued；　'Man　of　an　hard　heart！　　Hear　me；　Proud；　Stern；　and
Cruel！　　You　could　have　saved　me；　you　could　have　restored　me　to
happiness　and　virtue；　but　would　not！　　You　are　the　destroyer　of　my
Soul；　You　are　my　Murderer；　and　on　you　fall　the　curse　of　my　death
and　my　unborn　Infant's！　　Insolent　in　your　yet…unshaken　virtue；
you　disdained　the　prayers　of　a　Penitent；　But　God　will　show　mercy；
though　you　show　none。　　And　where　is　the　merit　of　your　boasted
virtue？　　What　temptations　have　you　vanquished？　　Coward！　you　have
fled　from　it；　not　opposed　seduction。　　But　the　day　of　Trial　will
arrive！　　Oh！　then　when　you　yield　to　i