the monk(僧侣)-第82章
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defended it； and the Saint underwent a thorough examination。
The Image at first appeared to be of Stone； but proved on further
inspection to be formed of no more solid materials than coloured
Wood。 He shook it； and attempted to move it； But it appeared to
be of a piece with the Base which it stood upon。 He examined it
over and over： Still no clue guided him to the solution of this
mystery； for which the Nuns were become equally solicitous； when
they saw that He touched the Statue with impunity。 He paused；
and listened： The groans were repeated at intervals； and He was
convinced of being in the spot nearest to them。 He mused upon
this singular event； and ran over the Statue with enquiring eyes。
Suddenly they rested upon the shrivelled hand。 It struck him；
that so particular an injunction was not given without cause； not
to touch the arm of the Image。 He again ascended the Pedestal；
He examined the object of his attention； and discovered a small
knob of iron concealed between the Saint's shoulder and what was
supposed to have been the hand of the Robber。 This observation
delighted him。 He applied his fingers to the knob； and pressed
it down forcibly。 Immediately a rumbling noise was heard within
the Statue； as if a chain tightly stretched was flying back。
Startled at the sound the timid Nuns started away； prepared to
hasten from the Vault at the first appearance of danger。 All
remaining quiet and still； they again gathered round Lorenzo； and
beheld his proceedings with anxious curiosity。
Finding that nothing followed this discovery； He descended。 As
He took his hand from the Saint； She trembled beneath his touch。
This created new terrors in the Spectators； who believed the
Statue to be animated。 Lorenzo's ideas upon the subject were
widely different。 He easily comprehended that the noise which He
had heard； was occasioned by his having loosened a chain which
attached the Image to its Pedestal。 He once more attempted to
move it； and succeeded without much exertion。 He placed it upon
the ground； and then perceived the Pedestal to be hollow； and
covered at the opening with an heavy iron grate。
This excited such general curiosity that the Sisters forgot both
their real and imaginary dangers。 Lorenzo proceeded to raise the
Grate； in which the Nuns assisted him to the utmost of their
strength。 The attempt was accomplished with little difficulty。
A deep abyss now presented itself before them； whose thick
obscurity the eye strove in vain to pierce。 The rays of the Lamp
were too feeble to be of much assistance。 Nothing was
discernible； save a flight of rough unshapen steps which sank
into the yawning Gulph and were soon lost in darkness。 The
groans were heard no more； But All believed them to have ascended
from this Cavern。 As He bent over it； Lorenzo fancied that He
distinguished something bright twinkling through the gloom。 He
gazed attentively upon the spot where it showed itself； and was
convinced that He saw a small spark of light； now visible； now
disappearing。 He communicated this circumstance to the Nuns：
They also perceived the spark； But when He declared his intention
to descend into the Cave； they united to oppose his resolution。
All their remonstrances could not prevail on him to alter it。
None of them had courage enough to accompany him； neither could
He think of depriving them of the Lamp。 Alone therefore； and in
darkness； He prepared to pursue his design； while the Nuns were
contented to offer up prayers for his success and safety。
The steps were so narrow and uneven； that to descend them was
like walking down the side of a precipice。 The obscurity by
which He was surrounded rendered his footing insecure。 He was
obliged to proceed with great caution； lest He should miss the
steps and fall into the Gulph below him。 This He was several
times on the point of doing。 However； He arrived sooner upon
solid ground than He had expected： He now found that the thick
darkness and impenetrable mists which reigned through the Cavern
had deceived him into the belief of its being much more profound
than it proved upon inspection。 He reached the foot of the
Stairs unhurt： He now stopped； and looked round for the spark
which had before caught his attention。 He sought it in vain： All
was dark and gloomy。 He listened for the groans； But his ear
caught no sound； except the distant murmur of the Nuns above； as
in low voices they repeated their Ave…Marias。 He stood
irresolute to which side He should address his steps。 At all
events He determined to proceed： He did so； but slowly； fearing
lest instead of approaching； He should be retiring from the
object of his search。 The groans seemed to announce one in pain；
or at least in sorrow； and He hoped to have the power of
relieving the Mourner's calamities。 A plaintive tone； sounding
at no great distance； at length reached his hearing； He bent his
course joyfully towards it。 It became more audible as He
advanced； and He soon beheld again the spark of light； which a
low projecting Wall had hitherto concealed from him。
It proceeded from a small Lamp which was placed upon an heap of
stones； and whose faint and melancholy rays served rather to
point out； than dispell the horrors of a narrow gloomy dungeon
formed in one side of the Cavern； It also showed several other
recesses of similar construction； but whose depth was buried in
obscurity。 Coldly played the light upon the damp walls； whose
dew…stained surface gave back a feeble reflection。 A thick and
pestilential fog clouded the height of the vaulted dungeon。 As
Lorenzo advanced； He felt a piercing chillness spread itself
through his veins。 The frequent groans still engaged him to move
forwards。 He turned towards them； and by the Lamp's glimmering
beams beheld in a corner of this loathsome abode； a Creature
stretched upon a bed of straw； so wretched； so emaciated； so
pale； that He doubted to think her Woman。 She was half…naked：
Her long dishevelled hair fell in disorder over her face； and
almost entirely concealed it。 One wasted Arm hung listlessly
upon a tattered rug which covered her convulsed and shivering
limbs： The Other was wrapped round a small bundle； and held it
closely to her bosom。 A large Rosary lay near her： Opposite to
her was a Crucifix； on which She bent her sunk eyes fixedly； and
by her side stood a Basket and a small Earthen Pitcher。
Lorenzo stopped： He was petrified with horror。 He gazed upon
the miserable Object with disgust and pity。 He trembled at the
spectacle； He grew sick at heart： His strength failed him； and
his limbs were unable to support his weight。 He was obliged to
lean against the low Wall which was near him； unable to go
forward； or to address the Sufferer。 She cast her eyes towards
the Staircase： The Wall concealed Lorenzo； and She observed him
not。
'No one comes！' She at length murmured。
As She spoke； her voice was hollow； and rattled in her throat：
She sighed bitterly。
'No one comes！' She repeated； 'No！ They have forgotten me！ They
will come no more！'
She paused for a moment： Then continued mournfully。
'Two days！ Two long； long days； and yet no food！ And yet no
hope； no comfort！ Foolish Woman！ How can I wish to lengthen a
life so wretched！ Yet such a death！ O！ God！ To perish by such
a death！ To linger out such ages in torture！ Till now； I knew
not what it was to hunger！ Hark！ No。 No one comes！ They will
come no more！'
She was silent。 She shivered； and drew the rug over her naked
shoulders。
'I am very cold！ I am still unused to the damps of this dungeon！
'Tis strange： But no matter。 Colder shall I soon be； and yet
not feel itI shall be cold； cold as Thou art！'
She looked at the bundle which lay upon her breast。 She bent
over it； and kissed it： Then drew back hastily； and shuddered
with disgust。
'It was once so sweet！ It would have been so lovely； so like
him！ I have lost it for ever！ How a few days have changed it！
I should not know it again myself！ Yet it is dear to me！ God！
how dear！ I will forget what it is： I will only remember what it
was； and love it as well； as when
