the castle of otranto-第22章
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that he was gone to make to Frederic。 Jerome could not conceal his dislike of the notion； which he covered under pretence of the improbability that Frederic； the nearest of blood to Alfonso； and who was come to claim his succession； would yield to an alliance with the usurper of his right。 But nothing could equal the perplexity of the Friar； when Hippolita confessed her readiness not to oppose the separation； and demanded his opinion on the legality of her acquiescence。 The Friar caught eagerly at her request of his advice； and without explaining his aversion to the proposed marriage of Manfred and Isabella； he painted to Hippolita in the most alarming colours the sinfulness of her consent； denounced judgments against her if she complied； and enjoined her in the severest terms to treat any such proposition with every mark of indignation and refusal。
Manfred； in the meantime； had broken his purpose to Frederic； and proposed the double marriage。 That weak Prince； who had been struck with the charms of Matilda； listened but too eagerly to the offer。 He forgot his enmity to Manfred； whom he saw but little hope of dispossessing by force； and flattering himself that no issue might succeed from the union of his daughter with the tyrant； he looked upon his own succession to the principality as facilitated by wedding Matilda。 He made faint opposition to the proposal； affecting； for form only； not to acquiesce unless Hippolita should consent to the divorce。 Manfred took that upon himself。
Transported with his success； and impatient to see himself in a situation to expect sons； he hastened to his wife's apartment； determined to extort her compliance。 He learned with indignation that she was absent at the convent。 His guilt suggested to him that she had probably been informed by Isabella of his purpose。 He doubted whether her retirement to the convent did not import an intention of remaining there； until she could raise obstacles to their divorce； and the suspicions he had already entertained of Jerome； made him apprehend that the Friar would not only traverse his views； but might have inspired Hippolita with the resolution of talking sanctuary。 Impatient to unravel this clue； and to defeat its success； Manfred hastened to the convent； and arrived there as the Friar was earnestly exhorting the Princess never to yield to the divorce。
〃Madam；〃 said Manfred； 〃what business drew you hither？ why did you not await my return from the Marquis？〃
〃I came to implore a blessing on your councils；〃 replied Hippolita。
〃My councils do not need a Friar's intervention；〃 said Manfred； 〃and of all men living is that hoary traitor the only one whom you delight to confer with？〃
〃Profane Prince！〃 said Jerome； 〃is it at the altar that thou choosest to insult the servants of the altar？ … but； Manfred； thy impious schemes are known。 Heaven and this virtuous lady know them … nay； frown not； Prince。 The Church despises thy menaces。 Her thunders will be heard above thy wrath。 Dare to proceed in thy cursed purpose of a divorce； until her sentence be known； and here I lance her anathema at thy head。〃
〃Audacious rebel！〃 said Manfred； endeavouring to conceal the awe with which the Friar's words inspired him。 〃Dost thou presume to threaten thy lawful Prince？〃
〃Thou art no lawful Prince；〃 said Jerome； 〃thou art no Prince … go； discuss thy claim with Frederic； and when that is done … 〃
〃It is done；〃 replied Manfred； 〃Frederic accepts Matilda's hand； and is content to waive his claim； unless I have no male issue〃 … as he spoke those words three drops of blood fell from the nose of Alfonso's statue。 Manfred turned pale； and the Princess sank on her knees。
〃Behold！〃 said the Friar； 〃mark this miraculous indication that the blood of Alfonso will never mix with that of Manfred！〃
〃My gracious Lord；〃 said Hippolita； 〃let us submit ourselves to heaven。 Think not thy ever obedient wife rebels against thy authority。 I have no will but that of my Lord and the Church。 To that revered tribunal let us appeal。 It does not depend on us to burst the bonds that unite us。 If the Church shall approve the dissolution of our marriage； be it so … I have but few years； and those of sorrow； to pass。 Where can they be worn away so well as at the foot of this altar； in prayers for thine and Matilda's safety？〃
〃But thou shalt not remain here until then；〃 said Manfred。 〃Repair with me to the castle； and there I will advise on the proper measures for a divorce； … but this meddling Friar comes not thither； my hospitable roof shall never more harbour a traitor … and for thy Reverence's off…spring；〃 continued he； 〃I banish him from my dominions。 He； I ween； is no sacred personage； nor under the protection of the Church。 Whoever weds Isabella； it shall not be Father Falconara's started…up son。〃
〃They start up；〃 said the Friar； 〃who are suddenly beheld in the seat of lawful Princes； but they wither away like the grass； and their place knows them no more。〃
Manfred； casting a look of scorn at the Friar； led Hippolita forth； but at the door of the church whispered one of his attendants to remain concealed about the convent； and bring him instant notice； if any one from the castle should repair thither。
CHAPTER V。
EVERY reflection which Manfred made on the Friar's behaviour； conspired to persuade him that Jerome was privy to an amour between Isabella and Theodore。 But Jerome's new presumption； so dissonant from his former meekness； suggested still deeper apprehensions。 The Prince even suspected that the Friar depended on some secret support from Frederic； whose arrival； coinciding with the novel appearance of Theodore； seemed to bespeak a correspondence。 Still more was he troubled with the resemblance of Theodore to Alfonso's portrait。 The latter he knew had unquestionably died without issue。 Frederic had consented to bestow Isabella on him。 These contradictions agitated his mind with numberless pangs。
He saw but two methods of extricating himself from his difficulties。 The one was to resign his dominions to the Marquis … pride； ambition； and his reliance on ancient prophecies； which had pointed out a possibility of his preserving them to his posterity； combated that thought。 The other was to press his marriage with Isabella。 After long ruminating on these anxious thoughts； as he marched silently with Hippolita to the castle； he at last discoursed with that Princess on the subject of his disquiet； and used every insinuating and plausible argument to extract her consent to； even her promise of promoting the divorce。 Hippolita needed little persuasions to bend her to his pleasure。 She endeavoured to win him over to the measure of resigning his dominions； but finding her exhortations fruitless； she assured him； that as far as her conscience would allow； she would raise no opposition to a separation； though without better founded scruples than what he yet alleged； she would not engage to be active in demanding it。
This compliance； though inadequate； was sufficient to raise Manfred's hopes。 He trusted that his power and wealth would easily advance his suit at the court of Rome； whither he resolved to engage Frederic to take a journey on purpose。 That Prince had discovered so much passion for Matilda； that Manfred hoped to obtain all he wished by holding out or withdrawing his daughter's charms； according as the Marquis should appear more or less disposed to co…operate in his views。 Even the absence of Frederic would be a material point gained； until he could take further measures for his security。
Dismissing Hippolita to her apartment； he repaired to that of the Marquis； but crossing the great hall through which he was to pass he met Bianca。 The damsel he knew was in the confidence of both the young ladies。 It immediately occurred to him to sift her on the subject of Isabella and Theodore。 Calling her aside into the recess of the oriel window of the hall； and soothing her with many fair words and promises； he demanded of her whether she knew aught of the state of Isabella's affections。
〃I！ my Lord！ no my Lor
