the monk(僧侣)-第77章
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It was the voice of her who was destined to sustain in the
procession the character of St。 Clare。 For this office the most
beautiful Virgin of Madrid was always selected； and She upon whom
the choice fell esteemed it as the highest of honours。 While
listening to the Music； whose melody distance only seemed to
render sweeter； the Audience was wrapped up in profound
attention。 Universal silence prevailed through the Crowd； and
every heart was filled with reverence for religion。 Every heart
but Lorenzo's。 Conscious that among those who chaunted the
praises of their God so sweetly； there were some who cloaked with
devotion the foulest sins； their hymns inspired him with
detestation at their Hypocrisy。 He had long observed with
disapprobation and contempt the superstition which governed
Madrid's Inhabitants。 His good sense had pointed out to him the
artifices of the Monks； and the gross absurdity of their
miracles； wonders； and supposititious reliques。 He blushed to
see his Countrymen the Dupes of deceptions so ridiculous； and
only wished for an opportunity to free them from their monkish
fetters。 That opportunity； so long desired in vain； was at
length presented to him。 He resolved not to let it slip； but to
set before the People in glaring colours how enormous were the
abuses but too frequently practised in Monasteries； and how
unjustly public esteem was bestowed indiscriminately upon all who
wore a religious habit。 He longed for the moment destined to
unmask the Hypocrites； and convince his Countrymen that a
sanctified exterior does not always hide a virtuous heart。
The service lasted； till Midnight was announced by the
Convent Bell。 That sound being heard； the Music ceased： The
voices died away softly； and soon after the lights disappeared
from the Chapel windows。 Lorenzo's heart beat high； when He
found the execution of his plan to be at hand。 From the natural
superstition of the People He had prepared himself for some
resistance。 But He trusted that the Mother St。 Ursula would
bring good reasons to justify his proceeding。 He had force with
him to repel the first impulse of the Populace； till his
arguments should be heard： His only fear was lest the Domina；
suspecting his design； should have spirited away the Nun on
whose deposition every thing depended。 Unless the Mother St。
Ursula should be present； He could only accuse the Prioress upon
suspicion； and this reflection gave him some little apprehension
for the success of his enterprize。 The tranquillity which seemed
to reign through the Convent in some degree re…assured him：
Still He expected the moment eagerly； when the presence of his
Ally should deprive him of the power of doubting。
The Abbey of Capuchins was only separated from the Convent by the
Garden and Cemetery。 The Monks had been invited to assist at the
Pilgrimage。 They now arrived； marching two by two with lighted
Torches in their hands； and chaunting Hymns in honour of St。
Clare。 Father Pablos was at their head； the Abbot having excused
himself from attending。 The people made way for the holy Train；
and the Friars placed themselves in ranks on either side of the
great Gates。 A few minutes sufficed to arrange the order of the
Procession。 This being settled； the Convent doors were thrown
open； and again the female Chorus sounded in full melody。 First
appeared a Band of Choristers： As soon as they had passed； the
Monks fell in two by two； and followed with steps slow and
measured。 Next came the Novices； They bore no Tapers； as did the
Professed； but moved on with eyes bent downwards； and seemed to
be occupied by telling their Beads。 To them succeeded a young
and lovely Girl； who represented St。 Lucia： She held a golden
bason in which were two eyes： Her own were covered by a velvet
bandage； and She was conducted by another Nun habited as an
Angel。 She was followed by St。 Catherine； a palm…branch in one
hand； a flaming Sword in the other： She was robed in white； and
her brow was ornamented with a sparkling Diadem。 After her
appeared St。 Genevieve； surrounded by a number of Imps； who
putting themselves into grotesque attitudes； drawing her by the
robe； and sporting round her with antic gestures； endeavoured to
distract her attention from the Book； on which her eyes were
constantly fixed。 These merry Devils greatly entertained the
Spectators； who testified their pleasure by repeated bursts of
Laughter。 The Prioress had been careful to select a Nun whose
disposition was naturally solemn and saturnine。 She had every
reason to be satisfied with her choice： The drolleries of the
Imps were entirely thrown away； and St。 Genevieve moved on
without discomposing a muscle。
Each of these Saints was separated from the Other by a band of
Choristers； exalting her praise in their Hymns； but declaring her
to be very much inferior to St。 Clare； the Convent's avowed
Patroness。 These having passed； a long train of Nuns appeared；
bearing like the Choristers each a burning Taper。 Next came the
reliques of St。 Clare； inclosed in vases equally precious for
their materials and workmanship： But they attracted not
Lorenzo's attention。 The Nun who bore the heart occupied him
entirely。 According to Theodore's description； He doubted not
her being the Mother St。 Ursula。 She seemed to look round with
anxiety。 As He stood foremost in the rank by which the
procession past； her eye caught Lorenzo's。 A flush of joy
overspread her till then pallid cheek。 She turned to her
Companion eagerly。
'We are safe！' He heard her whisper； ' 'tis her Brother！'
His heart being now at ease； Lorenzo gazed with tranquillity upon
the remainder of the show。 Now appeared its most brilliant
ornament。 It was a Machine fashioned like a throne； rich with
jewels and dazzling with light。 It rolled onwards upon
concealed wheels； and was guided by several lovely Children；
dressed as Seraphs。 The summit was covered with silver clouds；
upon which reclined the most beautiful form that eyes ever
witnessed。 It was a Damsel representing St。 Clare： Her dress was
of inestimable price； and round her head a wreath of Diamonds
formed an artificial glory： But all these ornaments yielded to
the lustre of her charms。 As She advanced； a murmur of delight
ran through the Crowd。 Even Lorenzo confessed secretly； that He
never beheld more perfect beauty； and had not his heart been
Antonia's； it must have fallen a sacrifice to this enchanting
Girl。 As it was； He considered her only as a fine Statue： She
obtained from him no tribute save cold admiration； and when She
had passed him； He thought of her no more。
'Who is She？' asked a By…stander in Lorenzo's hearing。
'One whose beauty you must often have heard celebrated。 Her name
is Virginia de Villa…Franca： She is a Pensioner of St。 Clare's
Convent； a Relation of the Prioress； and has been selected with
justice as the ornament of the Procession。'
The Throne moved onwards。 It was followed by the Prioress
herself： She marched at the head of the remaining Nuns with a
devout and sanctified air； and closed the procession。 She moved
on slowly： Her eyes were raised to heaven： Her countenance calm
and tranquil seemed abstracted from all sublunary things； and no
feature betrayed her secret pride at displaying the pomp and
opulence of her Convent。 She passed along； accompanied by the
prayers and benedictions of the Populace： But how great was the
general confusion and surprize； when Don Ramirez starting
forward； challenged her as his Prisoner。
For a moment amazement held the Domina silent and immoveable：
But no sooner did She recover herself； than She exclaimed against
sacrilege and impiety； and called the People to rescue a Daughter
of the Church。 They were eagerly preparing to obey her； when Don
Ramirez； protected by the Archers from their rage； commanded them
to forbear； and threatened them with the severest vengeance of
the Inquisition。 At that dreaded word every arm fell； every
sword shrunk back into its scabbard。 The Prioress herself turned
pale； and trembled。 The general silence convinced her that She
had nothing to hope but from innocence； and She
