the monk(僧侣)-第3章

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every　hour　of　which　period　has　been　passed　in　study；　total
seclusion　from　the　world；　and　mortification　of　the　flesh。　　Till
these　last　three　weeks；　when　He　was　chosen　superior　of　the
Society　to　which　He　belongs；　He　had　never　been　on　the　outside　of
the　Abbey　walls：　　Even　now　He　never　quits　them　except　on
Thursdays；　when　He　delivers　a　discourse　in　this　Cathedral　which
all　Madrid　assembles　to　hear。　　His　knowledge　is　said　to　be　the
most　profound；　his　eloquence　the　most　persuasive。　　In　the　whole
course　of　his　life　He　has　never　been　known　to　transgress　a　single
rule　of　his　order；　The　smallest　stain　is　not　to　be　discovered
upon　his　character；　and　He　is　reported　to　be　so　strict　an
observer　of　Chastity；　that　He　knows　not　in　what　consists　the
difference　of　Man　and　Woman。　　The　common　People　therefore　esteem
him　to　be　a　Saint。'

'Does　that　make　a　Saint？'　enquired　Antonia；　'Bless　me！　　Then　am　I
one？'

'Holy　St。　Barbara！'　exclaimed　Leonella；　'What　a　question！　　Fye；
Child；　Fye！　　These　are　not　fit　subjects　for　young　Women　to
handle。　　You　should　not　seem　to　remember　that　there　is　such　a
thing　as　a　Man　in　the　world；　and　you　ought　to　imagine　every　body
to　be　of　the　same　sex　with　yourself。　　I　should　like　to　see　you
give　people　to　understand；　that　you　know　that　a　Man　has　no
breasts；　and　no　hips；　and　no　。　。　。'。

Luckily　for　Antonia's　ignorance　which　her　Aunt's　lecture　would
soon　have　dispelled；　an　universal　murmur　through　the　Church
announced　the　Preacher's　arrival。　Donna　Leonella　rose　from　her
seat　to　take　a　better　view　of　him；　and　Antonia　followed　her
example。

He　was　a　Man　of　noble　port　and　commanding　presence。　　His　stature
was　lofty；　and　his　features　uncommonly　handsome。　　His　Nose　was
aquiline；　his　eyes　large　black　and　sparkling；　and　his　dark　brows
almost　joined　together。　　His　complexion　was　of　a　deep　but　clear
Brown；　Study　and　watching　had　entirely　deprived　his　cheek　of
colour。　　Tranquillity　reigned　upon　his　smooth　unwrinkled
forehead；　and　Content；　expressed　upon　every　feature；　seemed　to
announce　the　Man　equally　unacquainted　with　cares　and　crimes。　　He
bowed　himself　with　humility　to　the　audience：　　Still　there　was　a
certain　severity　in　his　look　and　manner　that　inspired　universal
awe；　and　few　could　sustain　the　glance　of　his　eye　at　once　fiery
and　penetrating。　　Such　was　Ambrosio；　Abbot　of　the　Capuchins；　and
surnamed；　'The　Man　of　Holiness'。

Antonia；　while　She　gazed　upon　him　eagerly；　felt　a　pleasure
fluttering　in　her　bosom　which　till　then　had　been　unknown　to　her；
and　for　which　She　in　vain　endeavoured　to　account。　　She　waited
with　impatience　till　the　Sermon　should　begin；　and　when　at　length
the　Friar　spoke；　the　sound　of　his　voice　seemed　to　penetrate　into
her　very　soul。　Though　no　other　of　the　Spectators　felt　such
violent　sensations　as　did　the　young　Antonia；　yet　every　one
listened　with　interest　and　emotion。　　They　who　were　insensible　to
Religion's　merits；　were　still　enchanted　with　Ambrosio's　oratory。　
All　found　their　attention　irresistibly　attracted　while　He　spoke；
and　the　most　profound　silence　reigned　through　the　crowded　Aisles。

Even　Lorenzo　could　not　resist　the　charm：　　He　forgot　that　Antonia
was　seated　near　him；　and　listened　to　the　Preacher　with　undivided
attention。

In　language　nervous；　clear；　and　simple；　the　Monk　expatiated　on
the　beauties　of　Religion。　　He　explained　some　abstruse　parts　of
the　sacred　writings　in　a　style　that　carried　with　it　universal
conviction。　　His　voice　at　once　distinct　and　deep　was　fraught　with
all　the　terrors　of　the　Tempest；　while　He　inveighed　against　the
vices　of　humanity；　and　described　the　punishments　reserved　for
them　in　a　future　state。　　Every　Hearer　looked　back　upon　his　past
offences；　and　trembled：　　The　Thunder　seemed　to　roll；　whose　bolt
was　destined　to　crush　him；　and　the　abyss　of　eternal　destruction
to　open　before　his　feet。　　But　when　Ambrosio；　changing　his　theme；
spoke　of　the　excellence　of　an　unsullied　conscience；　of　the
glorious　prospect　which　Eternity　presented　to　the　Soul　untainted
with　reproach；　and　of　the　recompense　which　awaited　it　in　the
regions　of　everlasting　glory；　His　Auditors　felt　their　scattered
spirits　insensibly　return。　　They　threw　themselves　with　confidence
upon　the　mercy　of　their　Judge；　They　hung　with　delight　upon　the
consoling　words　of　the　Preacher；　and　while　his　full　voice　swelled
into　melody；　They　were　transported　to　those　happy　regions　which
He　painted　to　their　imaginations　in　colours　so　brilliant　and
glowing。

The　discourse　was　of　considerable　length；　Yet　when　it　concluded；
the　Audience　grieved　that　it　had　not　lasted　longer。　　Though　the
Monk　had　ceased　to　speak；　enthusiastic　silence　still　prevailed
through　the　Church：　　At　length　the　charm　gradually　dissolving；
the　general　admiration　was　expressed　in　audible　terms。　　As
Ambrosio　descended　from　the　Pulpit；　His　Auditors　crowded　round
him；　loaded　him　with　blessings；　threw　themselves　at　his　feet；　and
kissed　the　hem　of　his　Garment。　　He　passed　on　slowly　with　his
hands　crossed　devoutly　upon　his　bosom；　to　the　door　opening　into
the　Abbey　Chapel；　at　which　his　Monks　waited　to　receive　him。　　He
ascended　the　Steps；　and　then　turning　towards　his　Followers；
addressed　to　them　a　few　words　of　gratitude；　and　exhortation。　
While　He　spoke；　his　Rosary；　composed　of　large　grains　of　amber；
fell　from　his　hand；　and　dropped　among　the　surrounding　multitude。　
It　was　seized　eagerly；　and　immediately　divided　amidst　the
Spectators。　　Whoever　became　possessor　of　a　Bead；　preserved　it　as
a　sacred　relique；　and　had　it　been　the　Chaplet　of　thrice…blessed
St。　Francis　himself；　it　could　not　have　been　disputed　with　greater
vivacity。　　The　Abbot；　smiling　at　their　eagerness；　pronounced　his
benediction；　and　quitted　the　Church；　while　humility　dwelt　upon
every　feature。　　Dwelt　She　also　in　his　heart？

Antonia's　eyes　followed　him　with　anxiety。　　As　the　Door　closed
after　him；　it　seemed　to　her　as　had　she　lost　some　one　essential　to
her　happiness。　　A　tear　stole　in　silence　down　her　cheek。

'He　is　separated　from　the　world！'　said　She　to　herself；　'Perhaps；
I　shall　never　see　him　more！'

As　she　wiped　away　the　tear；　Lorenzo　observed　her　action。

'Are　you　satisfied　with　our　Orator？'　said　He；　'Or　do　you　think
that　Madrid　overrates　his　talents？'

Antonia's　heart　was　so　filled　with　admiration　for　the　Monk；　that
She　eagerly　seized　the　opportunity　of　speaking　of　him：　　Besides；
as　She　now　no　longer　considered　Lorenzo　as　an　absolute　Stranger；
She　was　less　embarrassed　by　her　excessive　timidity。

'Oh！　　He　far　exceeds　all　my　expectations；'　answered　She；　'Till
this　moment　I　had　no　idea　of　the　powers　of　eloquence。　　But　when
He　spoke；　his　voice　inspired　me　with　such　interest；　such　esteem；
I　might　almost　say　such　affection　for　him；　that　I　am　myself
astonished　at　the　acuteness　of　my　feelings。'

Lorenzo　smiled　at　the　strength　of　her　expressions。

'You　are　young　and　just　entering　into　life；'　said　He；　'Your
heart；　new　to　the　world　and　full　of　warmth　and　sensibility；
receives　its　first　impressions　with　eagerness。　　Artless　yourself；
you　suspect　not　others　of　deceit；　and　viewing　the　world　through
the　medium　of　your　own　truth　and　innocence；　you　fancy　all　who
surround　you　to　deserve　your　confidence　and　esteem。　　What　pity；
that　these　gay　visions　must　soon　be　dissipated！　　What　pity；　that
you　must　soon　discover　the　baseness　of　mankind；　and　guard　against
your　fellow…creatures　as　against　your　Foes！'

'Alas！　Segnor；'　replied　Antonia；　'The　misfortunes　of　my　Parents
have　already　placed　before　me　but　too　many　sad　examples　of　the
perfidy　of　the　world！　　Yet　surely　in　the　present　instance　the
warmth　of　sympathy　cannot　have　deceived　me。'

'In　the　present　instance；　I　allow　that　it　has　not。　　Ambrosio's
character　is　perfectly　without　reproach；　and　a　Man　who　has　passed
the　whole　of　his　life　within　the　walls　of　a　Convent　cannot　have
found　the　opportunity　to　be　guilty；　even　were　He　possessed　of　the
inclination。　　But　now；　when；　obliged　by　the　duties　of　his
situation；　He　must　enter　occasionally　into　the　world；　and　be
thrown　into　the　way　of　temptation；　it　is　now　that　it　behoves　him
to　show　the　brilliance　of　his　virtue。　　The　trial　is　dangerous；　He
is　just　at　that　period　of　life　when　the　passions　are　most
vigorous；　unbridled；　and　despotic；　His　established　reputation
will　mark　him　out　to　Seduction　as　an　illustrious　Victim；　Novelty
will　give　additional　charms　to　the　allurements　of　pleasure；　and
even　the　Talents　with　which　Nature　has　endowed　him　will
contribute　to　his　ruin；　by　facilitating　the　means　of　obtaining
his　object。　　Very　few　would　return　victorious　from　a　contest　so
severe。'

'Ah！　surely　Ambrosio　will　be　one　of　those　few。'

'Of　that　I　have　myself　no　doubt：　　By　all　accounts　He　is　an
exception　to　mankind　in　general；　and　Envy　would　seek　in　vain　for
a　blot　upon　his　character。'

'Segnor；　you　delight　me　by　this　assurance！　　It　encourages　me　to
indulge　my　prepossession　in　his　favour；　and　you　know　not　with
what　pain　I　should　have　repressed　the　sentiment！　　Ah！　dearest
Aunt；　entreat　my　Mother　to　choose　him　for　our　Confessor。'

'I　entreat　her？'　replied　Leonella；　'I　promise　you　that　I　shall　do
no　such　thing。　　I　do　not　like　this　same　Ambrosio　in　the　least；　He
has　a　look　of　severity　about　him　that　made　me　tremble　from　head
to　foot：　　Were　He　my　Confessor；　I　should　never　have　the　courage
to　avow　one　half　of　my　peccadilloes；　and　then　I　should　be　in　a
rare　condition！　　I　never　saw　such　a　stern…looking　Mortal；　and
hope　that　I　never　shall　see　such　another。　　His　description　of　the
Devil；　God　bless　us！　almost　terrified　me　out　of　my　wits；　and　when
He　spoke　about　Sinners　He　seemed　as　if　He　was　ready　to　eat　them。'

'You　are　right；　Segnora；'　answered　Don　Christoval；　'Too　great
severity　is　said　to　be　Ambrosio's　only　fault。　Exempted　himself
from　human　failings；　He　is　not　sufficiently　indulgent　to　those　of
others；　and　though　strictly　just　and　disinterested　in　his
decisions；　his　government　of　the　Monks　has　already　shown　some
proofs　of　his　inflexibility。　But　the　crowd　is　nearly　dissipated：　
Will　you　permit　us　to　attend　you　home？'

'Oh！　Christ！　Segnor；'　exclaimed　Leonella　affecting　to　blush；　'I
would　not　suffer　such　a　thing　for　the　Universe！　　If　I　came　home
attended　by　so　gallant　a　Cavalier；　My　Sister　is　so　scrupulous
that　She　would　read　me　an　hour's　lecture；　and　I　should　never　hear
the　last　of　it。　　Besides；　I　rather　wish　you　not　to　make　your
proposals　just　at　present。'

'My　proposals？　　I　assure　you；　Segnora。　。　。　。'

'Oh！　Segnor；　I　believe　that　your　assurances　of　impatience　are　all
very　true；　But　really　I　must　desire　a　little　respite。　　It　would
not　be　quite　so　delicate　in　me　to　accept　your　hand　at　first
sight。'

'Accept　my　hand？　　As　I　hope　to　live　and　breathe。　。　。　。'

'Oh！　dear　Segnor；　press　me　no　further；　if　you　love　me！　I　shall
consider　your　obedience　as　a　proof　of　your　affection；　You　shall
hear　from　me　tomorrow；　and　so　farewell。　　But　pray；　Cavaliers；
may　I　not　enquire　your　names？'

'My　Friend's；'　replied　Lorenzo；　'is　the　Conde　d'Ossorio；　and　mine
Lorenzo　de　Medina。'

'　'Tis　sufficient。　　Well；　Don　Lorenzo；　I　shall　acquaint　my　Sister
with　your　obliging　offer；　and　let　you　know　the　result　with　all
expedition。　　Where　may　I　send　to　you？'

'I　am　always　to　be　found　at　the　Medina　Palace。'

'You　may　depend　up