the monk(僧侣)-第57章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Thy night more irksome！
Blair。
Returned undiscovered to the Abbey； Ambrosio's mind was filled
with the most pleasing images。 He was wilfully blind to the
danger of exposing himself to Antonia's charms： He only
remembered the pleasure which her society had afforded him； and
rejoiced in the prospect of that pleasure being repeated。 He
failed not to profit by Elvira's indisposition to obtain a sight
of her Daughter every day。 At first He bounded his wishes to
inspire Antonia with friendship： But no sooner was He convinced
that She felt that sentiment in its fullest extent； than his aim
became more decided； and his attentions assumed a warmer colour。
The innocent familiarity with which She treated him； encouraged
his desires： Grown used to her modesty； it no longer commanded
the same respect and awe： He still admired it； but it only made
him more anxious to deprive her of that quality which formed her
principal charm。 Warmth of passion； and natural penetration； of
which latter unfortunately both for himself and Antonia He
possessed an ample share； supplied a knowledge of the arts of
seduction。 He easily distinguished the emotions which were
favourable to his designs； and seized every means with avidity of
infusing corruption into Antonia's bosom。 This He found no easy
matter。 Extreme simplicity prevented her from perceiving the aim
to which the Monk's insinuations tended； But the excellent morals
which She owed to Elvira's care； the solidity and correctness of
her understanding； and a strong sense of what was right implanted
in her heart by Nature； made her feel that his precepts must be
faulty。 By a few simple words She frequently overthrew the whole
bulk of his sophistical arguments； and made him conscious how
weak they were when opposed to Virtue and Truth。 On such
occasion He took refuge in his eloquence； He overpowered her
with a torrent of Philosophical paradoxes； to which； not
understanding them； it was impossible for her to reply； And thus
though He did not convince her that his reasoning was just； He at
least prevented her from discovering it to be false。 He
perceived that her respect for his judgment augmented daily； and
doubted not with time to bring her to the point desired。
He was not unconscious that his attempts were highly criminal：
He saw clearly the baseness of seducing the innocent Girl： But
his passion was too violent to permit his abandoning his design。
He resolved to pursue it； let the consequences be what they
might。 He depended upon finding Antonia in some unguarded
moment； And seeing no other Man admitted into her society； nor
hearing any mentioned either by her or by Elvira； He imagined
that her young heart was still unoccupied。 While He waited for
the opportunity of satisfying his unwarrantable lust； every day
increased his coldness for Matilda。 Not a little was this
occasioned by the consciousness of his faults to her。 To hide
them from her He was not sufficiently master of himself： Yet He
dreaded lest； in a transport of jealous rage； She should betray
the secret on which his character and even his life depended。
Matilda could not but remark his indifference： He was conscious
that She remarked it； and fearing her reproaches； shunned her
studiously。 Yet when He could not avoid her； her mildness might
have convinced him that He had nothing to dread from her
resentment。 She had resumed the character of the gentle
interesting Rosario： She taxed him not with ingratitude； But her
eyes filled with involuntary tears； and the soft melancholy of
her countenance and voice uttered complaints far more touching
than words could have conveyed。 Ambrosio was not unmoved by her
sorrow； But unable to remove its cause； He forbore to show that
it affected him。 As her conduct convinced him that He needed not
fear her vengeance； He continued to neglect her； and avoided her
company with care。 Matilda saw that She in vain attempted to
regain his affections： Yet She stifled the impulse of
resentment； and continued to treat her inconstant Lover with her
former fondness and attention。
By degrees Elvira's constitution recovered itself。 She was no
longer troubled with convulsions； and Antonia ceased to tremble
for her Mother。 Ambrosio beheld this reestablishment with
displeasure。 He saw that Elvira's knowledge of the world would
not be the Dupe of his sanctified demeanour； and that She would
easily perceive his views upon her Daughter。 He resolved
therefore； before She quitted her chamber； to try the extent of
his influence over the innocent Antonia。
One evening； when He had found Elvira almost perfectly restored
to health； He quitted her earlier than was his usual custom。 Not
finding Antonia in the Antichamber； He ventured to follow her
to her own。 It was only separated from her Mother's by a Closet；
in which Flora； the Waiting…Woman； generally slept。 Antonia sat
upon a Sopha with her back towards the door； and read
attentively。 She heard not his approach； till He had seated
himself by her。 She started； and welcomed him with a look of
pleasure： Then rising； She would have conducted him to the
sitting…room； But Ambrosio taking her hand； obliged her by gentle
violence to resume her place。 She complied without difficulty：
She knew not that there was more impropriety in conversing with
him in one room than another。 She thought herself equally secure
of his principles and her own； and having replaced herself upon
the Sopha； She began to prattle to him with her usual ease and
vivacity。
He examined the Book which She had been reading； and had now
placed upon the Table。 It was the Bible。
'How！' said the Friar to himself； 'Antonia reads the Bible； and
is still so ignorant？'
But； upon a further inspection； He found that Elvira had made
exactly the same remark。 That prudent Mother； while She admired
the beauties of the sacred writings； was convinced that；
unrestricted； no reading more improper could be permitted a young
Woman。 Many of the narratives can only tend to excite ideas the
worst calculated for a female breast： Every thing is called
plainly and roundly by its name； and the annals of a Brothel
would scarcely furnish a greater choice of indecent expressions。
Yet this is the Book which young Women are recommended to study；
which is put into the hands of Children； able to comprehend
little more than those passages of which they had better remain
ignorant； and which but too frequently inculcates the first
rudiments of vice； and gives the first alarm to the still
sleeping passions。 Of this was Elvira so fully convinced； that
She would have preferred putting into her Daughter's hands
'Amadis de Gaul；' or 'The Valiant Champion； Tirante the
White；' and would sooner have authorised her studying the lewd
exploits of 'Don Galaor；' or the lascivious jokes of the
'Damsel Plazer di mi vida。' She had in consequence made two
resolutions respecting the Bible。 The first was that Antonia
should not read it till She was of an age to feel its beauties；
and profit by its morality： The second； that it should be copied
out with her own hand； and all improper passages either altered
or omitted。 She had adhered to this determination； and such was
the Bible which Antonia was reading： It had been lately
delivered to her； and She perused it with an avidity； with a
delight that was inexpressible。 Ambrosio perceived his mistake；
and replaced the Book upon the Table。
Antonia spoke of her Mother's health with all the enthusiastic
joy of a youthful heart。
'I admire your filial affection；' said the Abbot； 'It proves the
excellence and sensibility of your character； It promises a
treasure to him whom Heaven has destined to possess your
affections。 The Breast； so capable of fondness for a Parent；
what will it feel for a Lover？ Nay； perhaps； what feels it for
one even now？ Tell me； my lovely Daughter； Have you known what
it is to love？ Answer me with sincerity： Forget my habit； and
consider me only as a Friend。'
'What it is to love？' said She； repeating his question； 'Oh！ yes；
undoubtedly； I have loved many； many People。'
'That is not
