the monk(僧侣)-第55章
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Her advice was thrown away： Leonella assured her at parting that
nothing could make her forget the perfidious Don Christoval。 In
this point She was fortunately mistaken。 An honest Youth of
Cordova； Journeyman to an Apothecary； found that her fortune
would be sufficient to set him up in a genteel Shop of his own：
In consequence of this reflection He avowed himself her Admirer。
Leonella was not inflexible。 The ardour of his sighs melted her
heart； and She soon consented to make him the happiest of
Mankind。 She wrote to inform her Sister of her marriage； But；
for reasons which will be explained hereafter； Elvira never
answered her letter。
Ambrosio was conducted into the Antichamber to that where
Elvira was reposing。 The Female Domestic who had admitted him
left him alone while She announced his arrival to her Mistress。
Antonia； who had been by her Mother's Bedside； immediately came
to him。
'Pardon me； Father；' said She； advancing towards him； when
recognizing his features； She stopped suddenly； and uttered a cry
of joy。 'Is it possible！' She continued；
'Do not my eyes deceive me？ Has the worthy Ambrosio broken
through his resolution； that He may soften the agonies of the
best of Women？ What pleasure will this visit give my Mother！
Let me not delay for a moment the comfort which your piety and
wisdom will afford her。'
Thus saying； She opened the chamber door； presented to her Mother
her distinguished Visitor； and having placed an armed…chair by
the side of the Bed； withdrew into another department。
Elvira was highly gratified by this visit： Her expectations had
been raised high by general report； but She found them far
exceeded。 Ambrosio； endowed by nature with powers of pleasing；
exerted them to the utmost while conversing with Antonia's
Mother。 With persuasive eloquence He calmed every fear； and
dissipated every scruple： He bad her reflect on the infinite
mercy of her Judge； despoiled Death of his darts and terrors； and
taught her to view without shrinking the abyss of eternity； on
whose brink She then stood。 Elvira was absorbed in attention and
delight： While She listened to his exhortations； confidence and
comfort stole insensibly into her mind。 She unbosomed to him
without hesitation her cares and apprehensions。 The latter
respecting a future life He had already quieted： And He now
removed the former； which She felt for the concerns of this。 She
trembled for Antonia。 She had none to whose care She could
recommend her； save to the Marquis de las Cisternas and her
Sister Leonella。 The protection of the One was very uncertain；
and as to the Other； though fond of her Niece； Leonella was so
thoughtless and vain as to make her an improper person to have
the sole direction of a Girl so young and ignorant of the World。
The Friar no sooner learnt the cause of her alarms than He
begged her to make herself easy upon that head。 He doubted not
being able to secure for Antonia a safe refuge in the House of
one of his Penitents； the Marchioness of Villa…Franca： This was
a Lady of acknowledged virtue； remarkable for strict principles
and extensive charity。 Should accident deprive her of this
resource； He engaged to procure Antonia a reception in some
respectable Convent： That is to say； in quality of boarder； for
Elvira had declared herself no Friend to a monastic life； and the
Monk was either candid or complaisant enough to allow that her
disapprobation was not unfounded。
These proofs of the interest which He felt for her completely
won Elvira's heart。 In thanking him She exhausted every
expression which Gratitude could furnish； and protested that now
She should resign herself with tranquillity to the Grave。
Ambrosio rose to take leave： He promised to return the next day
at the same hour； but requested that his visits might be kept
secret。
'I am unwilling' said He； 'that my breaking through a rule
imposed by necessity should be generally known。 Had I not
resolved never to quit my Convent； except upon circumstances as
urgent as that which has conducted me to your door； I should be
frequently summoned upon insignificant occasions： That time
would be engrossed by the Curious； the Unoccupied； and the
fanciful； which I now pass at the Bedside of the Sick； in
comforting the expiring Penitent； and clearing the passage to
Eternity from Thorns。'
Elvira commended equally his prudence and compassion； promising
to conceal carefully the honour of his visits。 The Monk then
gave her his benediction； and retired from the chamber。
In the Antiroom He found Antonia： He could not refuse himself
the pleasure of passing a few moments in her society。 He bad her
take comfort； for that her Mother seemed composed and tranquil；
and He hoped that She might yet do well。 He enquired who
attended her； and engaged to send the Physician of his Convent to
see her； one of the most skilful in Madrid。 He then launched out
in Elvira's commendation； praised her purity and fortitude of
mind； and declared that She had inspired him with the highest
esteem and reverence。 Antonia's innocent heart swelled with
gratitude： Joy danced in her eyes； where a tear still sparkled。
The hopes which He gave her of her Mother's recovery； the lively
interest which He seemed to feel for her； and the flattering way
in which She was mentioned by him； added to the report of his
judgment and virtue； and to the impression made upon her by his
eloquence； confirmed the favourable opinion with which his first；
appearance had inspired Antonia。 She replied with diffidence；
but without restraint： She feared not to relate to him all her
little sorrows； all her little fears and anxieties； and She
thanked him for his goodness with all the genuine warmth which
favours kindle in a young and innocent heart。 Such alone know
how to estimate benefits at their full value。 They who are
conscious of Mankind's perfidy and selfishness； ever receive an
obligation with apprehension and distrust： They suspect that
some secret motive must lurk behind it： They express their
thanks with restraint and caution； and fear to praise a kind
action to its full extent； aware that some future day a return
may be required。 Not so Antonia； She thought the world was
composed only of those who resembled her； and that vice existed；
was to her still a secret。 The Monk had been of service to her；
He said that He wished her well； She was grateful for his
kindness； and thought that no terms were strong enough to be the
vehicle of her thanks。 With what delight did Ambrosio listen to
the declaration of her artless gratitude！ The natural grace of
her manners； the unequalled sweetness of her voice； her modest
vivacity； her unstudied elegance； her expressive countenance； and
intelligent eyes united to inspire him with pleasure and
admiration； While the solidity and correctness of her remarks
received additional beauty from the unaffected simplicity of the
language in which they were conveyed。
Ambrosio was at length obliged to tear himself from this
conversation which possessed for him but too many charms。 He
repeated to Antonia his wishes that his visits should not be
made known； which desire She promised to observe。 He then
quitted the House； while his Enchantress hastened to her Mother；
ignorant of the mischief which her Beauty had caused。 She was
eager to know Elvira's opinion of the Man whom She had praised in
such enthusiastic terms； and was delighted to find it equally
favourable； if not even more so； than her own。
'Even before He spoke；' said Elvira； 'I was prejudiced in his
favour： The fervour of his exhortations； dignity of his manner；
and closeness of his reasoning； were very far from inducing me to
alter my opinion。 His fine and full…toned voice struck me
particularly； But surely； Antonia； I have heard it before。 It
seemed perfectly familiar to my ear。 Either I must have known
the Abbot in former times； or his voice bears a wonderful
resemblance to that of some other； to whom I have often listened。
There were certain tones which touched my very heart； and made me
feel sensations so singular； that I strive in vain to account for
them。'
