the monk(僧侣)-第28章
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gratitude。 She was joined so warmly by her Husband in pressing
me to accompany them to their Castle in Bavaria； that I found it
impossible to resist their entreaties。 During a week which we
passed at Strasbourg； the interests of Marguerite were not
forgotten： In our application to her Father we succeeded as amply
as we could wish。 The good old Man had lost his Wife： He had no
Children but this unfortunate Daughter； of whom He had received
no news for almost fourteen years。 He was surrounded by distant
Relations； who waited with impatience for his decease in order to
get possession of his money。 When therefore Marguerite appeared
again so unexpectedly； He considered her as a gift from heaven：
He received her and her Children with open arms； and insisted
upon their establishing themselves in his House without delay。
The disappointed Cousins were obliged to give place。 The old Man
would not hear of his Daughter's retiring into a Convent： He
said that She was too necessary to his happiness； and She was
easily persuaded to relinquish her design。 But no persuasions
could induce Theodore to give up the plan which I had at first
marked out for him。 He had attached himself to me most
sincerely during my stay at Strasbourg； and when I was on the
point of leaving it； He besought me with tears to take him into
my service： He set forth all his little talents in the most
favourable colours； and tried to convince me that I should find
him of infinite use to me upon the road。 I was unwilling to
charge myself with a Lad but scarcely turned of thirteen； whom I
knew could only be a burthen to me： However； I could not resist
the entreaties of this affectionate Youth； who in fact possessed
a thousand estimable qualities。 With some difficulty He
persuaded his relations to let him follow me； and that permission
once obtained； He was dubbed with the title of my Page。 Having
passed a week at Strasbourg； Theodore and myself set out for
Bavaria in company with the Baron and his Lady。 These Latter as
well as myself had forced Marguerite to accept several presents
of value； both for herself； and her youngest Son： On leaving
her； I promised his Mother faithfully that I would restore
Theodore to her within the year。
I have related this adventure at length； Lorenzo； that you might
understand the means by which 'The Adventurer； Alphonso
d'Alvarada got introduced into the Castle of Lindenberg。' Judge
from this specimen how much faith should be given to your Aunt's
assertions！
VOLUME II
CHAPTER I
Avaunt！ and quit my sight！ Let the Earth hide thee！
Thy bones are marrowless； thy blood is cold！
Thou hast no speculation in those eyes
Which Thou dost glare with！ Hence； horrible shadow！
Unreal mockery hence！
Macbeth。
Continuation of the History of Don Raymond。
My journey was uncommonly agreeable： I found the Baron a Man of
some sense； but little knowledge of the world。 He had past a
great part of his life without stirring beyond the precincts of
his own domains； and consequently his manners were far from being
the most polished： But He was hearty； good…humoured； and
friendly。 His attention to me was all that I could wish； and I
had every reason to be satisfied with his behaviour。 His ruling
passion was Hunting； which He had brought himself to consider as
a serious occupation； and when talking over some remarkable
chace； He treated the subject with as much gravity as it had
been a Battle on which the fate of two kingdoms was depending。 I
happened to be a tolerable Sportsman： Soon after my arrival at
Lindenberg I gave some proofs of my dexterity。 The Baron
immediately marked me down for a Man of Genius； and vowed to me
an eternal friendship。
That friendship was become to me by no means indifferent。 At the
Castle of Lindenberg I beheld for the first time your Sister； the
lovely Agnes。 For me whose heart was unoccupied； and who grieved
at the void； to see her and to love her were the same。 I found
in Agnes all that was requisite to secure my affection。 She was
then scarcely sixteen； Her person light and elegant was already
formed； She possessed several talents in perfection； particularly
those of Music and drawing： Her character was gay； open； and
good…humoured； and the graceful simplicity of her dress and
manners formed an advantageous contrast to the art and studied
Coquetry of the Parisian Dames； whom I had just quitted。 From
the moment that I beheld her； I felt the most lively interest in
her fate。 I made many enquiries respecting her of the Baroness。
'She is my Niece；' replied that Lady； 'You are still ignorant；
Don Alphonso； that I am your Countrywoman。 I am Sister to the
Duke of Medina Celi： Agnes is the Daughter of my second Brother；
Don Gaston： She has been destined to the Convent from her
cradle； and will soon make her profession at Madrid。'
（Here Lorenzo interrupted the Marquis by an exclamation of
surprise。
'Intended for the Convent from her cradle？' said He； 'By heaven；
this is the first word that I ever heard of such a design！'
'I believe it； my dear Lorenzo；' answered Don Raymond； 'But you
must listen to me with patience。 You will not be less surprised；
when I relate some particulars of your family still unknown to
you； and which I have learnt from the mouth of Agnes herself。'
He then resumed his narrative as follows。）
You cannot but be aware that your Parents were unfortunately
Slaves to the grossest superstition： When this foible was called
into play； their every other sentiment； their every other passion
yielded to its irresistible strength。 While She was big with
Agnes； your Mother was seized by a dangerous illness； and given
over by her Physicians。 In this situation； Donna Inesilla vowed；
that if She recovered from her malady； the Child then living in
her bosom if a Girl should be dedicated to St。 Clare； if a Boy to
St。 Benedict。 Her prayers were heard； She got rid of her
complaint； Agnes entered the world alive； and was immediately
destined to the service of St。 Clare。
Don Gaston readily chimed in with his Lady's wishes： But knowing
the sentiments of the Duke； his Brother； respecting a Monastic
life； it was determined that your Sister's destination should be
carefully concealed from him。 The better to guard the secret； it
was resolved that Agnes should accompany her Aunt； Donna Rodolpha
into Germany； whither that Lady was on the point of following her
new…married Husband； Baron Lindenberg。 On her arrival at that
Estate； the young Agnes was put into a Convent； situated but a
few miles from the Castle。 The Nuns to whom her education was
confided performed their charge with exactitude： They made her
a perfect Mistress of many talents； and strove to infuse into her
mind a taste for the retirement and tranquil pleasures of a
Convent。 But a secret instinct made the young Recluse sensible
that She was not born for solitude： In all the freedom of youth
and gaiety； She scrupled not to treat as ridiculous many
ceremonies which the Nuns regarded with awe； and She was never
more happy than when her lively imagination inspired her with
some scheme to plague the stiff Lady Abbess； or the ugly ill…
tempered old Porteress。 She looked with disgust upon the
prospect before her： However no alternative was offered to her；
and She submitted to the decree of her Parents； though not
without secret repining。
That repugnance She had not art enough to conceal long： Don
Gaston was informed of it。 Alarmed； Lorenzo； lest your affection
for her should oppose itself to his projects； and lest you should
positively object to your Sister's misery； He resolved to keep
the whole affair from YOUR knowledge as well as the Duke's； till
the sacrifice should be consummated。 The season of her taking
the veil was fixed for the time when you should be upon your
travels： In the meanwhile no hint was dropped of Donna
Inesilla's fatal vow。 Your Sister was never permitted to know
your direction。 All your letters were read before She received
them； and those parts effaced； which were likely to nourish her
inclination for the
