volume02-第7章
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Occasional gleams of brightness darted from the Staircase windows as the lovely Ghost past by them。 I traced the light through the Hall： It reached the Portal； and at length I beheld Agnes pass through the folding gates。 She was habited exactly as She had described the Spectre。 A chaplet of Beads hung upon her arm； her head was enveloped in a long white veil； Her Nun's dress was stained with blood； and She had taken care to provide herself with a Lamp and dagger。 She advanced towards the spot where I stood。 I flew to meet her； and clasped her in my arms。
'Agnes！' said I while I pressed her to my bosom； Agnes！ Agnes！ Thou art mine！ Agnes！ Agnes！ I am thine！ In my veins while blood shall roll； Thou art mine！ I am thine！ Thine my body！ Thine my soul！
Terrified and breathless She was unable to speak： She dropt her Lamp and dagger； and sank upon my bosom in silence。 I raised her in my arms； and conveyed her to the Carriage。 Theodore remained behind in order to release Dame Cunegonda。 I also charged him with a letter to the Baroness explaining the whole affair； and entreating her good offices in reconciling Don Gaston to my union with his Daughter。 I discovered to her my real name： I proved to her that my birth and expectations justified my pretending to her Niece； and assured her； though it was out of my power to return her love； that I would strive unceasingly to obtain her esteem and friendship。
I stepped into the Carriage； where Agnes was already seated。 Theodore closed the door； and the Postillions drove away。 At first I was delighted with the rapidity of our progress； But as soon as we were in no danger of pursuit； I called to the Drivers； and bad them moderate their pace。 They strove in vain to obey me。 The Horses refused to answer the rein； and continued to rush on with astonishing swiftness。 The Postillions redoubled their efforts to stop them； but by kicking and plunging the Beasts soon released themselves from this restraint。 Uttering a loud shriek； the Drivers were hurled upon the ground。 Immediately thick clouds obscured the sky： The winds howled around us； the lightning flashed； and the Thunder roared tremendously。 Never did I behold so frightful a Tempest！ Terrified by the jar of contending elements； the Horses seemed every moment to increase their speed。 Nothing could interrupt their career； They dragged the Carriage through Hedges and Ditches； dashed down the most dangerous precipices； and seemed to vye in swiftness with the rapidity of the winds。
All this while my Companion lay motionless in my arms。 Truly alarmed by the magnitude of the danger； I was in vain attempting to recall her to her senses； when a loud crash announced； that a stop was put to our progress in the most disagreeable manner。 The Carriage was shattered to pieces。 In falling I struck my temple against a flint。 The pain of the wound； the violence of the shock； and apprehension for the safety of Agnes combined to overpower me so compleatly； that my senses forsook me； and I lay without animation on the ground。
I probably remained for some time in this situation； since when I opened my eyes； it was broad daylight。 Several Peasants were standing round me； and seemed disputing whether my recovery was possible。 I spoke German tolerably well。 As soon as I could utter an articulate sound； I enquired after Agnes。 What was my surprise and distress； when assured by the Peasants； that nobody had been seen answering the description which I gave of her！ They told me that in going to their daily labour they had been alarmed by observing the fragments of my Carriage； and by hearing the groans of an Horse； the only one of the four which remained alive： The other Three lay dead by my side。 Nobody was near me when they came up； and much time had been lost； before they succeeded in recovering me。 Uneasy beyond expression respecting the fate of my Companion； I besought the Peasants to disperse themselves in search of her： I described her dress； and promised immense rewards to whoever brought me any intelligence。 As for myself； it was impossible for me to join in the pursuit： I had broken two of my ribs in the fall： My arm being dislocated hung useless by my side； and my left leg was shattered so terribly； that I never expected to recover its use。
The Peasants complied with my request： All left me except Four； who made a litter of boughs and prepared to convey me to the neighbouring Town。 I enquired its name。 It proved to be Ratisbon； and I could scarcely persuade myself that I had travelled to such a distance in a single night。 I told the Countrymen that at one o'clock that morning I had past through the Village of Rosenwald。 They shook their heads wistfully； and made signs to each other that I must certainly be delirious。 I was conveyed to a decent Inn and immediately put to bed。 A Physician was sent for； who set my arm with success。 He then examined my other hurts； and told me that I need be under no apprehension of the consequences of any of them； But ordered me to keep myself quiet； and be prepared for a tedious and painful cure。 I answered him that if He hoped to keep me quiet； He must first endeavour to procure me some news of a Lady who had quitted Rosenwald in my company the night before； and had been with me at the moment when the Coach broke down。 He smiled； and only replied by advising me to make myself easy； for that all proper care should be taken of me。 As He quitted me； the Hostess met him at the door of the room。
'The Gentleman is not quite in his right senses；' I heard him say to her in a low voice； ' 'Tis the natural consequence of his fall； but that will soon be over。'
One after another the Peasants returned to the Inn； and informed me that no traces had been discovered of my unfortunate Mistress。
Uneasiness now became despair。 I entreated them to renew their search in the most urgent terms； doubling the promises which I had already made them。 My wild and frantic manner confirmed the bye…standers in the idea of my being delirious。 No signs of the Lady having appeared； they believed her to be a creature fabricated by my over…heated brain； and paid no attention to my entreaties。 However； the Hostess assured me that a fresh enquiry should be made； but I found afterwards that her promise was only given to quiet me。 No further steps were taken in the business。
Though my Baggage was left at Munich under the care of my French Servant； having prepared myself for a long journey； my purse was amply furnished： Besides my equipage proved me to be of distinction； and in consequence all possible attention was paid me at the Inn。 The day passed away： Still no news arrived of Agnes。 The anxiety of fear now gave place to despondency。 I ceased to rave about her and was plunged in the depth of melancholy reflections。 Perceiving me to be silent and tranquil； my Attendants believed my delirium to have abated； and that my malady had taken a favourable turn。 According to the Physician's order I swallowed a composing medicine； and as soon as the night shut in； my attendants withdrew and left me to repose。
That repose I wooed in vain。 The agitation of my bosom chased away sleep。 Restless in my mind； in spite of the fatigue of my body； I continued to toss about from side to side； till the Clock in a neighbouring Steeple struck 'One。' As I listened to the mournful hollow sound； and heard it die away in the wind； I felt a sudden chillness spread itself over my body。 I shuddered without knowing wherefore； Cold dews poured down my forehead； and my hair stood bristling with alarm。 Suddenly I heard slow and heavy steps ascending the staircase。 By an involuntary movement I started up in my bed； and drew back the curtain。 A single rush…light which glimmered upon the hearth shed a faint gleam through the apartment； which was hung with tapestry。 The door was thrown open with violence。 A figure entered； and drew near my Bed with solemn measured steps。 With trembling apprehension I examined this midnight Visitor。 God Almighty！ It was the Bleeding Nun！ It was my lost Companion！ Her face was still veiled； but She no longer held her Lamp and dagger。 She
