the monk(僧侣)-第35章
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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 lifted
up her veil slowly。 What a sight presented itself to my startled
eyes！ I beheld before me an animated Corse。 Her countenance was
long and haggard； Her cheeks and lips were bloodless； The
paleness of death was spread over her features； and her eyeballs
fixed stedfastly upon me were lustreless and hollow。
I gazed upon the Spectre with horror too great to be described。
My blood was frozen in my veins。 I would have called for aid；
but the sound expired ere it could pass my lips。 My nerves were
bound up in impotence； and I remained in the same attitude
inanimate as a Statue。
The visionary Nun looked upon me for some minutes in silence：
There was something petrifying in her regard。 At length in a low
sepulchral voice She pronounced the following words。
''Raymond！ Raymond！ Thou art mine！
Raymond！ Raymond！ I am thine！
In thy veins while blood shall roll；
I am thine！
Thou art mine！
Mine thy body！ Mine thy soul！''
Breathless with fear； I listened while She repeated my own
expressions。 The Apparition seated herself opposite to me at the
foot of the Bed； and was silent。 Her eyes were fixed earnestly
upon mine： They seemed endowed with the property of the
Rattlesnake's； for I strove in vain to look off her。 My eyes
were fascinated； and I had not the power of withdrawing them from
the Spectre's。
In this attitude She remained for a whole long hour without
speaking or moving； nor was I able to do either。 At length the
Clock struck two。 The Apparition rose from her seat； and
approached the side of the bed。 She grasped with her icy fingers
my hand which hung lifeless upon the Coverture； and pressing her
cold lips to mine； again repeated；
''Raymond！ Raymond！ Thou art mine！
Raymond！ Raymond！
I am thine！ &c。''
She then dropped my hand； quitted the chamber with slow steps；
and the Door closed after her。 Till that moment the faculties of
my body had been all suspended； Those of my mind had alone been
waking。 The charm now ceased to operate： The blood which had
been frozen in my veins rushed back to my heart with violence： I
uttered a deep groan； and sank lifeless upon my pillow。
The adjoining room was only separated from mine by a thin
partition： It was occupied by the Host and his Wife： The Former
was rouzed by my groan； and immediately hastened to my chamber：
The Hostess soon followed him。 With some difficulty they
succeeded in restoring me to my senses； and immediately sent for
the Physician； who arrived in all diligence。 He declared my
fever to be very much increased； and that if I continued to
suffer such violent agitation； He would not take upon him to
ensure my life。 Some medicines which He gave me in some degree
tranquillized my spirits。 I fell into a sort of slumber towards
daybreak； But fearful dreams prevented me from deriving any
benefit from my repose。 Agnes and the Bleeding Nun presented
themselves by turns to my fancy； and combined to harass and
torment me。 I awoke fatigued and unrefreshed。 My fever seemed
rather augmented than diminished； The agitation of my mind
impeded my fractured bones from knitting： I had frequent
fainting fits； and during the whole day the Physician judged it
expedient not to quit me for two hours together。
The singularity of my adventure made me determine to conceal it
from every one； since I could not expect that a circumstance so
strange should gain credit。 I was very uneasy about Agnes。 I
knew not what She would think at not finding me at the
rendezvous； and dreaded her entertaining suspicions of my
fidelity。 However； I depended upon Theodore's discretion； and
trusted that my letter to the Baroness would convince her of the
rectitude of my intentions。 These considerations somewhat
lightened my inquietude upon her account： But the impression
left upon my mind by my nocturnal Visitor grew stronger with
every succeeding moment。 The night drew near； I dreaded its
arrival。 Yet I strove to persuade myself that the Ghost would
appear no more； and at all events I desired that a Servant might
sit up in my chamber。
The fatigue of my body from not having slept on the former night；
co…operating with the strong opiates administered to me in
profusion； at length procured me that repose of which I was so
much in need。 I sank into a profound and tranquil slumber； and
had already slept for some hours； when the neighbouring Clock
rouzed me by striking 'One'。 Its sound brought with it to my
memory all the horrors of the night before。 The same cold
shivering seized me。 I started up in my bed； and perceived the
Servant fast asleep in an armed…Chair near me。 I ca
