the monk(僧侣)-第90章
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She still inhabited the Palace de Villa…Franca； the Possessors of
which treated her with marked affection。 The Duke had intimated
to the Marquis his wishes respecting Virginia。 The match was
unexceptionable： Lorenzo was Heir to his Uncle's immense
property； and was distinguished in Madrid for his agreeable
person； extensive knowledge； and propriety of conduct： Add to
this； that the Marchioness had discovered how strong was her
Daughter's prepossession in his favour。
In consequence the Duke's proposal was accepted without
hesitation： Every precaution was taken to induce Lorenzo's
seeing the Lady with those sentiments which She so well merited
to excite。 In her visits to her Brother Agnes was frequently
accompanied by the Marchioness； and as soon as He was able to
move into his Antichamber； Virginia under her mother's
protection was sometimes permitted to express her wishes for his
recovery。 This She did with such delicacy； the manner in which
She mentioned Antonia was so tender and soothing； and when She
lamented her Rival's melancholy fate； her bright eyes shone so
beautiful through her tears； that Lorenzo could not behold； or
listen to her without emotion。 His Relations； as well as the
Lady； perceived that with every day her society seemed to give
him fresh pleasure； and that He spoke of her in terms of stronger
admiration。 However； they prudently kept their observations to
themselves。 No word was dropped which might lead him to suspect
their designs。 They continued their former conduct and
attention； and left Time to ripen into a warmer sentiment the
friendship which He already felt for Virginia。
In the mean while； her visits became more frequent； and latterly
there was scarce a day； of which She did not pass some part by
the side of Lorenzo's Couch。 He gradually regained his strength；
but the progress of his recovery was slow and doubtful。 One
evening He seemed to be in better spirits than usual： Agnes and
her Lover； the Duke； Virginia； and her Parents were sitting round
him。 He now for the first time entreated his Sister to inform
him how She had escaped the effects of the poison which St。
Ursula had seen her swallow。 Fearful of recalling those scenes
to his mind in which Antonia had perished； She had hitherto
concealed from him the history of her sufferings。 As He now
started the subject himself； and thinking that perhaps the
narrative of her sorrows might draw him from the contemplation of
those on which He dwelt too constantly； She immediately complied
with his request。 The rest of the company had already heard her
story； But the interest which all present felt for its Heroine
made them anxious to hear it repeated。 The whole society
seconding Lorenzo's entreaties； Agnes obeyed。 She first
recounted the discovery which had taken place in the
Abbey Chapel； the Domina's resentment； and the midnight scene of
which St。 Ursula had been a concealed witness。 Though the Nun
had already described this latter event； Agnes now related it
more circumstantially and at large： After which She proceeded in
her narrative as follows。
Conclusion of the History of Agnes de Medina
My supposed death was attended with the greatest agonies。 Those
moments which I believed my last； were embittered by the Domina's
assurances that I could not escape perdition； and as my eyes
closed； I heard her rage exhale itself in curses on my offence。
The horror of this situation； of a death…bed from which hope was
banished； of a sleep from which I was only to wake to find myself
the prey of flames and Furies； was more dreadful than I can
describe。 When animation revived in me； my soul was still
impressed with these terrible ideas： I looked round with fear；
expecting to behold the Ministers of divine vengeance。 For the
first hour； my senses were so bewildered； and my brain so dizzy；
that I strove in vain to arrange the strange images which floated
in wild confusion before me。 If I endeavoured to raise myself
from the ground； the wandering of my head deceived me。 Every
thing around me seemed to rock； and I sank once more upon the
earth。 My weak and dazzled eyes were unable to bear a nearer
approach to a gleam of light which I saw trembling above me。 I
was compelled to close them again； and remain motionless in the
same posture。
A full hour elapsed； before I was sufficiently myself to examine
the surrounding Objects。 When I did examine them； what terror
filled my bosom I found myself extended upon a sort of wicker
Couch： It had six handles to it； which doubtless had served the
Nuns to convey me to my grave。 I was covered with a linen cloth：
Several faded flowers were strown over me： On one side lay a
small wooden Crucifix； On the other； a Rosary of large Beads。
Four low narrow walls confined me。 The top was also covered； and
in it was practised a small grated Door： Through this was
admitted the little air which circulated in this miserable
place。 A faint glimmering of light which streamed through the
Bars； permitted me to distinguish the surrounding horrors。 I was
opprest by a noisome suffocating smell； and perceiving that the
grated door was unfastened； I thought that I might possibly
effect my escape。 As I raised myself with this design； my hand
rested upon something soft： I grasped it； and advanced it
towards the light。 Almighty God！ What was my disgust； my
consternation！ In spite of its putridity； and the worms which
preyed upon it； I perceived a corrupted human head； and
recognised the features of a Nun who had died some months before！
I threw it from me； and sank almost lifeless upon my Bier。
When my strength returned； this circumstance； and the
consciousness of being surrounded by the loathsome and mouldering
Bodies of my Companions； increased my desire to escape from my
fearful prison。 I again moved towards the light。 The grated
door was within my reach： I lifted it without difficulty；
Probably it had been left unclosed to facilitate my quitting the
dungeon。 Aiding myself by the irregularity of the Walls some of
whose stones projected beyond the rest； I contrived to ascend
them； and drag myself out of my prison。 I now found Myself in a
Vault tolerably spacious。 Several Tombs； similar in appearance
to that whence I had just escaped； were ranged along the sides in
order； and seemed to be considerably sunk within the earth。 A
sepulchral Lamp was suspended from the roof by an iron chain； and
shed a gloomy light through the dungeon。 Emblems of Death were
seen on every side： Skulls； shoulder…blades； thigh…bones； and
other leavings of Mortality were scattered upon the dewy ground。
Each Tomb was ornamented with a large Crucifix； and in one corner
stood a wooden Statue of St。 Clare。 To these objects I at first
paid no attention： A Door； the only outlet from the Vault； had
attracted my eyes。 I hastened towards it； having wrapped my
winding…sheet closely round me。 I pushed against the door； and
to my inexpressible terror found that it was fastened on the
outside。
I guessed immediately that the Prioress； mistaking the nature of
the liquor which She had compelled me to drink； instead of poison
had administered a strong Opiate。 From this I concluded that
being to all appearance dead I had received the rites of burial；
and that deprived of the power of making my existence known； it
would be my fate to expire of hunger。 This idea penetrated me
with horror； not merely for my own sake； but that of the innocent
Creature； who still lived within my bosom。 I again endeavoured
to open the door； but it resisted all my efforts。 I stretched my
voice to the extent of its compass； and shrieked for aid： I was
remote from the hearing of every one： No friendly voice replied
to mine。 A profound and melancholy silence prevailed through the
Vault； and I despaired of liberty。 My long abstinence from food
now began to torment me。 The tortures which hunger inflicted on
me； were the most painful and insupportable： Yet they seemed to
increase with every hour which past over my head。 Sometimes I
threw myself upon the ground； and rolled upon it wild and
desperate： Sometimes starting up； I
