the monk(僧侣)-第29章
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them； and those parts effaced； which were likely to nourish her
inclination for the world： Her answers were dictated either by
her Aunt； or by Dame Cunegonda； her Governess。 These particulars
I learnt partly from Agnes； partly from the Baroness herself。
I immediately determined upon rescuing this lovely Girl from a
fate so contrary to her inclinations； and ill…suited to her
merit。 I endeavoured to ingratiate myself into her favour： I
boasted of my friendship and intimacy with you。 She listened to
me with avidity； She seemed to devour my words while I spoke in
your praise； and her eyes thanked me for my affection to her
Brother。 My constant and unremitted attention at length gained
me her heart； and with difficulty I obliged her to confess that
She loved me。 When however； I proposed her quitting the Castle
of Lindenberg； She rejected the idea in positive terms。
'Be generous； Alphonso；' She said； 'You possess my heart； but use
not the gift ignobly。 Employ not your ascendancy over me in
persuading me to take a step； at which I should hereafter have
to blush。 I am young and deserted： My Brother； my only Friend；
is separated from me； and my other Relations act with me as my
Enemies。 Take pity on my unprotected situation。 Instead of
seducing me to an action which would cover me with shame； strive
rather to gain the affections of those who govern me。 The Baron
esteems you。 My Aunt； to others ever harsh proud and
contemptuous； remembers that you rescued her from the hands of
Murderers； and wears with you alone the appearance of kindness
and benignity。 Try then your influence over my Guardians。 If
they consent to our union my hand is yours： From your account of
my Brother； I cannot doubt your obtaining his approbation： And
when they find the impossibility of executing their design； I
trust that my Parents will excuse my disobedience； and expiate by
some other sacrifice my Mother's fatal vow。'
From the first moment that I beheld Agnes； I had endeavoured to
conciliate the favour of her Relations。 Authorised by the
confession of her regard； I redoubled my exertions。 My principal
Battery was directed against the Baroness； It was easy to
discover that her word was law in the Castle： Her Husband paid
her the most absolute submission； and considered her as a
superior Being。 She was about forty： In her youth She had been
a Beauty； But her charms had been upon that large scale which can
but ill sustain the shock of years： However She still possessed
some remains of them。 Her understanding was strong and excellent
when not obscured by prejudice； which unluckily was but seldom
the case。 Her passions were violent： She spared no pains to
gratify them； and pursued with unremitting vengeance those who
opposed themselves to her wishes。 The warmest of Friends； the
most inveterate of Enemies； such was the Baroness Lindenberg。
I laboured incessantly to please her： Unluckily I succeeded but
too well。 She seemed gratified by my attention； and treated me
with a distinction accorded by her to no one else。 One of my
daily occupations was reading to her for several hours： Those
hours I should much rather have past with Agnes； But as I was
conscious that complaisance for her Aunt would advance our
union； I submitted with a good grace to the penance imposed upon
me。 Donna Rodolpha's Library was principally composed of old
Spanish Romances： These were her favourite studies； and once a
day one of these unmerciful Volumes was put regularly into my
hands。 I read the wearisome adventures of 'Perceforest；'
'Tirante the White；' 'Palmerin of England；' and 'the Knight of
the Sun；' till the Book was on the point of falling from my hands
through Ennui。 However； the increasing pleasure which the
Baroness seemed to take in my society； encouraged me to
persevere； and latterly She showed for me a partiality so marked；
that Agnes advised me to seize the first opportunity of declaring
our mutual passion to her Aunt。
One Evening； I was alone with Donna Rodolpha in her own
apartment。 As our readings generally treated of love； Agnes was
never permitted to assist at them。 I was just congratulating
myself on having finished 'The Loves of Tristan and the Queen
Iseult'
'Ah！ The Unfortunates！' cried the Baroness； 'How say you；
Segnor？ Do you think it possible for Man to feel an attachment
so disinterested and sincere？'
'I cannot doubt it；' replied I； 'My own heart furnishes me with
the certainty。 Ah！ Donna Rodolpha； might I but hope for your
approbation of my love！ Might I but confess the name of my
Mistress without incurring your resentment！'
She interrupted me。
'Suppose； I were to spare you that confession？ Suppose I were
to acknowledge that the object of your desires is not unknown to
me？ Suppose I were to say that She returns your affection； and
laments not less sincerely than yourself the unhappy vows which
separate her from you？'
'Ah！ Donna Rodolpha！' I exclaimed； throwing myself upon my knees
before her； and pressing her hand to my lips； 'You have
discovered my secret！ What is your decision？ Must I despair； or
may I reckon upon your favour？'
She withdrew not the hand which I held； But She turned from me；
and covered her face with the other。
'How can I refuse it you？' She replied； 'Ah！ Don Alphonso； I have
long perceived to whom your attentions were directed； but till
now I perceived not the impression which they made upon my heart。
At length I can no longer hide my weakness either from myself or
from you。 I yield to the violence of my passion； and own that I
adore you！ For three long months I stifled my desires； But grown
stronger by resistance； I submit to their impetuosity。 Pride；
fear； and honour； respect for myself； and my engagements to the
Baron； all are vanquished。 I sacrifice them to my love for you；
and it still seems to me that I pay too mean a price for your
possession。'
She paused for an answer。Judge； my Lorenzo； what must have been
my confusion at this discovery。 I at once saw all the magnitude
of this obstacle； which I had raised myself to my happiness。 The
Baroness had placed those attentions to her own account； which I
had merely paid her for the sake of Agnes： And the strength of
her expressions； the looks which accompanied them； and my
knowledge of her revengeful disposition made me tremble for
myself and my Beloved。 I was silent for some minutes。 I knew
not how to reply to her declaration： I could only resolve to
clear up the mistake without delay； and for the present to
conceal from her knowledge the name of my Mistress。 No sooner
had She avowed her passion than the transports which before were
evident in my features gave place to consternation and
constraint。 I dropped her hand； and rose from my knees。 The
change in my countenance did not escape her observation。
'What means this silence？' said She in a trembling voice； 'Where
is that joy which you led me to expect？'
'Forgive me； Segnora；' I answered； 'if what necessity forces from
me should seem harsh and ungrateful： To encourage you in an
error； which； however it may flatter myself； must prove to you
the source of disappointment； would make me appear criminal in
every eye。 Honour obliges me to inform you that you have
mistaken for the solicitude of Love what was only the attention
of Friendship。 The latter sentiment is that which I wished to
excite in your bosom： To entertain a warmer； respect for you
forbids me； and gratitude for the Baron's generous treatment。
Perhaps these reasons would not be sufficient to shield me from
your attractions； were it not that my affections are already
bestowed upon another。 You have charms； Segnora； which might
captivate the most insensible； No heart unoccupied could resist
them。 Happy is it for me that mine is no longer in my
possession； or I should have to reproach myself for ever with
having violated the Laws of Hospitality。 Recollect yourself；
noble Lady； Recollect what is owed by you to honour； by me to the
Baron； and replace by esteem and friendship those sentiments
which I never can return。'
The Baroness turned pale at this unexpected and posit
