the monk(僧侣)-第45章
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blushes of her cheek； while She committed an outrage upon her
virgin modesty。
Lorenzo had no sooner perused this note than He set out in
search of Don Christoval。 Not being able to find him in the
course of the day； He proceeded to Donna Elvira's alone； to
Leonella's infinite disappointment。 The Domestic by whom He
sent up his name； having already declared his Lady to be at home；
She had no excuse for refusing his visit： Yet She consented to
receive it with much reluctance。 That reluctance was increased
by the changes which his approach produced in Antonia's
countenance； nor was it by any means abated when the Youth
himself appeared。 The symmetry of his person； animation of his
features； and natural elegance of his manners and address；
convinced Elvira that such a Guest must be dangerous for her
Daughter。 She resolved to treat him with distant politeness； to
decline his services with gratitude for the tender of them； and
to make him feel； without offence； that his future visits would
be far from acceptable。
On his entrance He found Elvira； who was indisposed； reclining
upon a Sopha： Antonia sat by her embroidery frame； and Leonella；
in a pastoral dress； held 'Montemayor's Diana。' In spite of
her being the Mother of Antonia； Lorenzo could not help expecting
to find in Elvira Leonella's true Sister； and the Daughter of 'as
honest a painstaking Shoe…maker； as any in Cordova。' A single
glance was sufficient to undeceive him。 He beheld a Woman whose
features； though impaired by time and sorrow； still bore the
marks of distinguished beauty： A serious dignity reigned upon
her countenance； but was tempered by a grace and sweetness which
rendered her truly enchanting。 Lorenzo fancied that She must
have resembled her Daughter in her youth； and readily excused the
imprudence of the late Conde de las Cisternas。 She desired him
to be seated； and immediately resumed her place upon the Sopha。
Antonia received him with a simple reverence； and continued her
work： Her cheeks were suffused with crimson； and She strove to
conceal her emotion by leaning over her embroidery frame。 Her
Aunt also chose to play off her airs of modesty； She affected to
blush and tremble； and waited with her eyes cast down to receive；
as She expected； the compliments of Don Christoval。 Finding
after some time that no sign of his approach was given； She
ventured to look round the room； and perceived with vexation that
Medina was unaccompanied。 Impatience would not permit her
waiting for an explanation： Interrupting Lorenzo； who was
delivering Raymond's message； She desired to know what was become
of his Friend。
He； who thought it necessary to maintain himself in her good
graces； strove to console her under her disappointment by
committing a little violence upon truth。
'Ah！ Segnora；' He replied in a melancholy voice 'How grieved will
He be at losing this opportunity of paying you his respects！ A
Relation's illness has obliged him to quit Madrid in haste： But
on his return； He will doubtless seize the first moment with
transport to throw himself at your feet！'
As He said this； his eyes met those of Elvira： She punished his
falsehood sufficiently by darting at him a look expressive of
displeasure and reproach。 Neither did the deceit answer his
intention。 Vexed and disappointed Leonella rose from her seat；
and retired in dudgeon to her own apartment。
Lorenzo hastened to repair the fault； which had injured him in
Elvira's opinion。 He related his conversation with the Marquis
respecting her： He assured her that Raymond was prepared to
acknowledge her for his Brother's Widow； and that till it was in
his power to pay his compliments to her in person； Lorenzo was
commissioned to supply his place。 This intelligence relieved
Elvira from an heavy weight of uneasiness： She had now found a
Protector for the fatherless Antonia； for whose future fortunes
She had suffered the greatest apprehensions。 She was not sparing
of her thanks to him who had interfered so generously in her
behalf； But still She gave him no invitation to repeat his visit。
However； when upon rising to depart He requested permission to
enquire after her health occasionally； the polite earnestness of
his manner； gratitude for his services； and respect for his
Friend the Marquis； would not admit of a refusal。 She consented
reluctantly to receive him： He promised not to abuse her
goodness； and quitted the House。
Antonia was now left alone with her Mother： A temporary silence
ensued。 Both wished to speak upon the same subject； but Neither
knew how to introduce it。 The one felt a bashfulness which
sealed up her lips； and for which She could not account： The
other feared to find her apprehensions true； or to inspire her
Daughter with notions to which She might be still a Stranger。 At
length Elvira began the conversation。
'That is a charming young Man； Antonia； I am much pleased with
him。 Was He long near you yesterday in the Cathedral？'
'He quitted me not for a moment while I staid in the Church： He
gave me his seat； and was very obliging and attentive。'
'Indeed？ Why then have you never mentioned his name to me？ Your
Aunt lanched out in praise of his Friend； and you vaunted
Ambrosio's eloquence： But Neither said a word of Don Lorenzo's
person and accomplishments。 Had not Leonella spoken of his
readiness to undertake our cause； I should not have known him to
be in existence。'
She paused。 Antonia coloured； but was silent。
'Perhaps you judge him less favourably than I do。 In my opinion
his figure is pleasing； his conversation sensible； and manners
engaging。 Still He may have struck you differently： You may
think him disagreeable； and 。 。 。'。
'Disagreeable？ Oh！ dear Mother； how should I possibly think him
so？ I should be very ungrateful were I not sensible of his
kindness yesterday； and very blind if his merits had escaped me。
His figure is so graceful； so noble！ His manners so gentle； yet
so manly！ I never yet saw so many accomplishments united in one
person； and I doubt whether Madrid can produce his equal。'
'Why then were you so silent in praise of this Phoenix of Madrid？
Why was it concealed from me that his society had afforded you
pleasure？'
'In truth； I know not： You ask me a question which I cannot
resolve myself。 I was on the point of mentioning him a thousand
times： His name was constantly upon my lips； but when I would
have pronounced it； I wanted courage to execute my design。
However； if I did not speak of him； it was not that I thought of
him the less。'
'That I believe； But shall I tell you why you wanted courage？ It
was because； accustomed to confide to me your most secret
thoughts； you knew not how to conceal； yet feared to acknowledge；
that your heart nourished a sentiment which you were conscious I
should disapprove。 Come hither to me； my Child。'
Antonia quitted her embroidery frame； threw herself upon her
knees by the Sopha； and hid her face in her Mother's lap。
'Fear not； my sweet Girl！ Consider me equally as your Friend and
Parent； and apprehend no reproof from me。 I have read the
emotions of your bosom； you are yet ill…skilled in concealing
them； and they could not escape my attentive eye。 This Lorenzo
is dangerous to your repose； He has already made an impression
upon your heart。 'Tis true that I perceive easily that your
affection is returned； But what can be the consequences of this
attachment？ You are poor and friendless； my Antonia； Lorenzo is
the Heir of the Duke of Medina Celi。 Even should Himself mean
honourably； his Uncle never will consent to your union； Nor
without that Uncle's consent； will I。 By sad experience I know
what sorrows She must endure； who marries into a family unwilling
to receive her。 Then struggle with your affection： Whatever
pains it may cost you； strive to conquer it。 Your heart is
tender and susceptible： It has already received a strong
impression； But when once convinced that you should not encourage
such sentiments； I trust； that you have sufficient fortitude to
drive them from your bosom。'
Antonia kissed her hand； and promised implicit obedi
