the monk(僧侣)-第69章
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as well as the severe illness which for some time had confined
him to his Bed； made him defer from day to day the giving an
Asylum in his House to his Brother's Widow。 He had commissioned
Lorenzo to supply her liberally with money： But Elvira；
unwilling to receive obligations from that Nobleman； had assured
him that She needed no immediate pecuniary assistance。
Consequently； the Marquis did not imagine that a trifling delay
on his part could create any embarrassment； and the distress and
agitation of his mind might well excuse his negligence。
Had He been informed that Elvira's death had left her Daughter
Friendless and unprotected； He would doubtless have taken such
measures； as would have ensured her from every danger： But
Antonia was not destined to be so fortunate。 The day on which
She sent her letter to the Palace de las Cisternas was that
following Lorenzo's departure from Madrid。 The Marquis was in
the first paroxysms of despair at the conviction that Agnes was
indeed no more： He was delirious； and his life being in danger；
no one was suffered to approach him。 Flora was informed that He
was incapable of attending to Letters； and that probably a few
hours would decide his fate。 With this unsatisfactory answer She
was obliged to return to her Mistress； who now found herself
plunged into greater difficulties than ever。
Flora and Dame Jacintha exerted themselves to console her。 The
Latter begged her to make herself easy； for that as long as She
chose to stay with her； She would treat her like her own Child。
Antonia； finding that the good Woman had taken a real affection
for her； was somewhat comforted by thinking that She had at
least one Friend in the World。 A Letter was now brought to her；
directed to Elvira。 She recognized Leonella's writing； and
opening it with joy； found a detailed account of her Aunt's
adventures at Cordova。 She informed her Sister that She had
recovered her Legacy； had lost her heart； and had received in
exchange that of the most amiable of Apothecaries； past； present；
and to come。 She added that She should be at Madrid on the
Tuesday night； and meant to have the pleasure of presenting her
Caro Sposo in form。 Though her nuptials were far from pleasing
Antonia； Leonella's speedy return gave her Niece much delight。
She rejoiced in thinking that She should once more be under a
Relation's care。 She could not but judge it to be highly
improper； for a young Woman to be living among absolute
Strangers； with no one to regulate her conduct； or protect her
from the insults to which； in her defenceless situation； She was
exposed。 She therefore looked forward with impatience to the
Tuesday night。
It arrived。 Antonia listened anxiously to the Carriages； as they
rolled along the Street。 None of them stopped； and it grew late
without Leonella's appearing。 Still； Antonia resolved to sit up
till her Aunt's arrival； and in spite of all her remonstrances；
Dame Jacintha and Flora insisted upon doing the same。 The hours
passed on slow and tediously。 Lorenzo's departure from Madrid
had put a stop to the nightly Serenades： She hoped in vain to
hear the usual sound of Guitars beneath her window。 She took up
her own； and struck a few chords： But Music that evening had lost
its charms for her； and She soon replaced the Instrument in its
case。 She seated herself at her embroidery frame； but nothing
went right： The silks were missing； the thread snapped every
moment； and the needles were so expert at falling that they
seemed to be animated。 At length a flake of wax fell from the
Taper which stood near her upon a favourite wreath of Violets：
This compleatly discomposed her； She threw down her needle； and
quitted the frame。 It was decreed that for that night nothing
should have the power of amusing her。 She was the prey of Ennui；
and employed herself in making fruitless wishes for the arrival
of her Aunt。
As She walked with a listless air up and down the chamber； the
Door caught her eye conducting to that which had been her
Mother's。 She remembered that Elvira's little Library was
arranged there； and thought that She might possibly find in it
some Book to amuse her till Leonella should arrive。 Accordingly
She took her Taper from the table； passed through the little
Closet； and entered the adjoining apartment。 As She looked
around her； the sight of this room brought to her recollection a
thousand painful ideas。 It was the first time of her entering it
since her Mother's death。 The total silence prevailing through
the chamber； the Bed despoiled of its furniture； the cheerless
hearth where stood an extinguished Lamp； and a few dying Plants
in the window which； since Elvira's loss； had been neglected；
inspired Antonia with a melancholy awe。 The gloom of night gave
strength to this sensation。 She placed her light upon the Table；
and sank into a large chair； in which She had seen her Mother
seated a thousand and a thousand times。 She was never to see her
seated there again！ Tears unbidden streamed down her cheek； and
She abandoned herself to the sadness which grew deeper with
every moment。
Ashamed of her weakness； She at length rose from her seat： She
proceeded to seek for what had brought her to this melancholy
scene。 The small collection of Books was arranged upon several
shelves in order。 Antonia examined them without finding any
thing likely to interest her； till She put her hand upon a volume
of old Spanish Ballads。 She read a few Stanzas of one of them：
They excited her curiosity。 She took down the Book； and seated
herself to peruse it with more ease。 She trimmed the Taper；
which now drew towards its end； and then read the following
Ballad。
ALONZO THE BRAVE； AND FAIR IMOGINE
A Warrior so bold； and a Virgin so bright
Conversed； as They sat on the green：
They gazed on each other with tender delight；
Alonzo the Brave was the name of the Knight；
The Maid's was the Fair Imogine。
'And Oh！' said the Youth； 'since to…morrow I go
To fight in a far distant land；
Your tears for my absence soon leaving to flow；
Some Other will court you； and you will bestow
On a wealthier Suitor your hand。'
'Oh！ hush these suspicions；' Fair Imogine said；
'Offensive to Love and to me！
For if ye be living； or if ye be dead；
I swear by the Virgin； that none in your stead
Shall Husband of Imogine be。
'If e'er I by lust or by wealth led aside
Forget my Alonzo the Brave；
God grant； that to punish my falsehood and pride
Your Ghost at the Marriage may sit by my side；
May tax me with perjury； claim me as Bride；
And bear me away to the Grave！'
To Palestine hastened the Hero so bold；
His Love； She lamented him sore：
But scarce had a twelve…month elapsed； when behold；
A Baron all covered with jewels and gold
Arrived at Fair Imogine's door。
His treasure； his presents； his spacious domain
Soon made her untrue to her vows：
He dazzled her eyes； He bewildered her brain；
He caught her affections so light and so vain；
And carried her home as his Spouse。
And now had the Marriage been blest by the Priest；
The revelry now was begun：
The Tables； they groaned with the weightof the Feast；
Nor yet had the laughter and merriment ceased；
When the Bell of the Castle told；'One！'
Then first with amazement Fair Imogine found
That a Stranger was placed by her side： His air was terrific；
He uttered no sound； He spoke not； He moved not；
He looked not around；
But earnestly gazed on the Bride。
His vizor was closed； and gigantic his height；
His armour was sable to view：
All pleasure and laughter were hushed at his sight；
The Dogs as They eyed him drew back in affright；
The Lights in the chamber burned blue！
His presence all bosoms appeared to dismay；
The Guests sat in silence and fear。
At length spoke the Bride； while She trembled；
'I pray； Sir Knight； that your Helmet aside you would lay；
And deign to partake of our chear。'
The Lady is silent： The Stranger complies。
His vizor lie slowly unclosed：
Oh！ God！ what a sight met Fair Imogine's eyes！
What words can
