the monk(僧侣)-第4章

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

'You　may　depend　upon　hearing　from　me。　　Farewell；　Cavaliers。　
Segnor　Conde；　let　me　entreat　you　to　moderate　the　excessive　ardour
of　your　passion：　　However；　to　prove　to　you　that　I　am　not
displeased　with　you；　and　prevent　your　abandoning　yourself　to
despair；　receive　this　mark　of　my　affection；　and　sometimes　bestow
a　thought　upon　the　absent　Leonella。'

As　She　said　this；　She　extended　a　lean　and　wrinkled　hand；　which
her　supposed　Admirer　kissed　with　such　sorry　grace　and　constraint
so　evident；　that　Lorenzo　with　difficulty　repressed　his
inclination　to　laugh。　　Leonella　then　hastened　to　quit　the　Church；
The　lovely　Antonia　followed　her　in　silence；　but　when　She　reached
the　Porch；　She　turned　involuntarily；　and　cast　back　her　eyes
towards　Lorenzo。　　He　bowed　to　her；　as　bidding　her　farewell；　She
returned　the　compliment；　and　hastily　withdrew。

'So；　Lorenzo！'　said　Don　Christoval　as　soon　as　they　were　alone；
'You　have　procured　me　an　agreeable　Intrigue！　　To　favour　your
designs　upon　Antonia；　I　obligingly　make　a　few　civil　speeches
which　mean　nothing　to　the　Aunt；　and　at　the　end　of　an　hour　I　find
myself　upon　the　brink　of　Matrimony！　　How　will　you　reward　me　for
having　suffered　so　grievously　for　your　sake？　　What　can　repay　me
for　having　kissed　the　leathern　paw　of　that　confounded　old　Witch？　
Diavolo！　　She　has　left　such　a　scent　upon　my　lips　that　I　shall
smell　of　garlick　for　this　month　to　come！　　As　I　pass　along　the
Prado；　I　shall　be　taken　for　a　walking　Omelet；　or　some　large　Onion
running　to　seed！'

'I　confess；　my　poor　Count；'　replied　Lorenzo；　'that　your　service
has　been　attended　with　danger；　Yet　am　I　so　far　from　supposing　it
be　past　all　endurance　that　I　shall　probably　solicit　you　to　carry
on　your　amours　still　further。'

'From　that　petition　I　conclude　that　the　little　Antonia　has　made
some　impression　upon　you。'

'I　cannot　express　to　you　how　much　I　am　charmed　with　her。　　Since
my　Father's　death；　My　Uncle　the　Duke　de　Medina；　has　signified　to
me　his　wishes　to　see　me　married；　I　have　till　now　eluded　his
hints；　and　refused　to　understand　them；　But　what　I　have　seen　this
Evening。　。　。　。'

'Well？　　What　have　you　seen　this　Evening？　　Why　surely；　Don
Lorenzo；　You　cannot　be　mad　enough　to　think　of　making　a　Wife　out
of　this　Grand…daughter　of　''as　honest　a　painstaking　Shoe…maker
as　any　in　Cordova''？'

'You　forget；　that　She　is　also　the　Grand…daughter　of　the　late
Marquis　de　las　Cisternas；　But　without　disputing　about　birth　and
titles；　I　must　assure　you；　that　I　never　beheld　a　Woman　so
interesting　as　Antonia。'

'Very　possibly；　But　you　cannot　mean　to　marry　her？'

'Why　not；　my　dear　Conde？　　I　shall　have　wealth　enough　for　both　of
us；　and　you　know　that　my　Uncle　thinks　liberally　upon　the　subject。

From　what　I　have　seen　of　Raymond　de　las　Cisternas；　I　am　certain
that　he　will　readily　acknowledge　Antonia　for　his　Niece。　　Her
birth　therefore　will　be　no　objection　to　my　offering　her　my　hand。　
I　should　be　a　Villain　could　I　think　of　her　on　any　other　terms
than　marriage；　and　in　truth　She　seems　possessed　of　every　quality
requisite　to　make　me　happy　in　a　Wife。　　Young；　lovely；　gentle；
sensible。　。　。　。'

'Sensible？　　Why；　She　said　nothing　but　''Yes；''　and　''No''。'

'She　did　not　say　much　more；　I　must　confessBut　then　She　always
said　''Yes；''　or　''No；''　in　the　right　place。'

'Did　She　so？　　Oh！　your　most　obedient！　　That　is　using　a　right
Lover's　argument；　and　I　dare　dispute　no　longer　with　so　profound　a
Casuist。　　Suppose　we　adjourn　to　the　Comedy？'

'It　is　out　of　my　power。　　I　only　arrived　last　night　at　Madrid；　and
have　not　yet　had　an　opportunity　of　seeing　my　Sister；　You　know
that　her　Convent　is　in　this　Street；　and　I　was　going　thither　when
the　Crowd　which　I　saw　thronging　into　this　Church　excited　my
curiosity　to　know　what　was　the　matter。　　I　shall　now　pursue　my
first　intention；　and　probably　pass　the　Evening　with　my　Sister　at
the　Parlour　grate。'

'Your　Sister　in　a　Convent；　say　you？　　Oh！　very　true；　I　had
forgotten。　　And　how　does　Donna　Agnes？　　I　am　amazed；　Don　Lorenzo；
how　you　could　possibly　think　of　immuring　so　charming　a　Girl
within　the　walls　of　a　Cloister！'

'I　think　of　it；　Don　Christoval？　　How　can　you　suspect　me　of　such
barbarity？　　You　are　conscious　that　She　took　the　veil　by　her　own
desire；　and　that　particular　circumstances　made　her　wish　for　a
seclusion　from　the　World。　　I　used　every　means　in　my　power　to
induce　her　to　change　her　resolution；　The　endeavour　was　fruitless；
and　I　lost　a　Sister！'

'The　luckier　fellow　you；　I　think；　Lorenzo；　you　were　a
considerable　gainer　by　that　loss：　　If　I　remember　right；　Donna
Agnes　had　a　portion　of　ten　thousand　pistoles；　half　of　which
reverted　to　your　Lordship。　　By　St。　Jago！　I　wish　that　I　had　fifty
Sisters　in　the　same　predicament。　I　should　consent　to　losing　them
every　soul　without　much　heart…burning'

'How；　Conde？'　said　Lorenzo　in　an　angry　voice；　'Do　you　suppose　me
base　enough　to　have　influenced　my　Sister's　retirement？　　Do　you
suppose　that　the　despicable　wish　to　make　myself　Master　of　her
fortune　could。　。　。　。'

'Admirable！　　Courage；　Don　Lorenzo！　　Now　the　Man　is　all　in　a
blaze。　　God　grant　that　Antonia　may　soften　that　fiery　temper；　or
we　shall　certainly　cut　each　other's　throat　before　the　Month　is
over！　　However；　to　prevent　such　a　tragical　Catastrophe　for　the
present；　I　shall　make　a　retreat；　and　leave　you　Master　of　the
field。　　Farewell；　my　Knight　of　Mount　Aetna！　　Moderate　that
inflammable　disposition；　and　remember　that　whenever　it　is
necessary　to　make　love　to　yonder　Harridan；　you　may　reckon　upon　my
services。'

He　said；　and　darted　out　of　the　Cathedral。

'How　wild…brained！'　said　Lorenzo；　'With　so　excellent　an　heart；
what　pity　that　He　possesses　so　little　solidity　of　judgment！'

The　night　was　now　fast　advancing。　　The　Lamps　were　not　yet
lighted。　　The　faint　beams　of　the　rising　Moon　scarcely　could
pierce　through　the　gothic　obscurity　of　the　Church。　　Lorenzo　found
himself　unable　to　quit　the　Spot。　　The　void　left　in　his　bosom　by
Antonia's　absence；　and　his　Sister's　sacrifice　which　Don
Christoval　had　just　recalled　to　his　imagination；　created　that
melancholy　of　mind　which　accorded　but　too　well　with　the
religious　gloom　surrounding　him。　　He　was　still　leaning　against
the　seventh　column　from　the　Pulpit。　　A　soft　and　cooling　air
breathed　along　the　solitary　Aisles：　　The　Moonbeams　darting　into
the　Church　through　painted　windows　tinged　the　fretted　roofs　and
massy　pillars　with　a　thousand　various　tints　of　light　and　colours：

Universal　silence　prevailed　around；　only　interrupted　by　the
occasional　closing　of　Doors　in　the　adjoining　Abbey。

The　calm　of　the　hour　and　solitude　of　the　place　contributed　to
nourish　Lorenzo's　disposition　to　melancholy。　He　threw　himself
upon　a　seat　which　stood　near　him；　and　abandoned　himself　to　the
delusions　of　his　fancy。　　He　thought　of　his　union　with　Antonia；　He
thought　of　the　obstacles　which　might　oppose　his　wishes；　and　a
thousand　changing　visions　floated　before　his　fancy；　sad　'tis
true；　but　not　unpleasing。　　Sleep　insensibly　stole　over　him；　and
the　tranquil　solemnity　of　his　mind　when　awake　for　a　while
continued　to　influence　his　slumbers。

He　still　fancied　himself　to　be　in　the　Church　of　the　Capuchins；
but　it　was　no　longer　dark　and　solitary。　　Multitudes　of　silver
Lamps　shed　splendour　from　the　vaulted　Roof；　Accompanied　by　the
captivating　chaunt　of　distant　choristers；　the　Organ's　melody
swelled　through　the　Church；　The　Altar　seemed　decorated　as　for
some　distinguished　feast；　It　was　surrounded　by　a　brilliant
Company；　and　near　it　stood　Antonia　arrayed　in　bridal　white；　and
blushing　with　all　the　charms　of　Virgin　Modesty。

Half　hoping；　half　fearing；　Lorenzo　gazed　upon　the　scene　before
him。　　Sudden　the　door　leading　to　the　Abbey　unclosed；　and　He　saw；
attended　by　a　long　train　of　Monks；　the　Preacher　advance　to　whom
He　had　just　listened　with　so　much　admiration。　　He　drew　near
Antonia。

'And　where　is　the　Bridegroom？'　said　the　imaginary　Friar。

Antonia　seemed　to　look　round　the　Church　with　anxiety。　
Involuntarily　the　Youth　advanced　a　few　steps　from　his
concealment。　　She　saw　him；　The　blush　of　pleasure　glowed　upon　her
cheek；　With　a　graceful　motion　of　her　hand　She　beckoned　to　him　to
advance。　　He　disobeyed　not　the　command；　He　flew　towards　her；　and
threw　himself　at　her　feet。

She　retreated　for　a　moment；　Then　gazing　upon　him　with　unutterable
delight；'Yes！'　She　exclaimed；　'My　Bridegroom！　　My　destined
Bridegroom！'　She　said；　and　hastened　to　throw　herself　into　his
arms；　But　before　He　had　time　to　receive　her；　an　Unknown　rushed
between　them。　　His　form　was　gigantic；　His　complexion　was　swarthy；
His　eyes　fierce　and　terrible；　his　Mouth　breathed　out　volumes　of
fire；　and　on　his　forehead　was　written　in　legible
characters'Pride！　Lust！　Inhumanity！'

Antonia　shrieked。　　The　Monster　clasped　her　in　his　arms；　and
springing　with　her　upon　the　Altar；　tortured　her　with　his　odious
caresses。　　She　endeavoured　in　vain　to　escape　from　his　embrace。　
Lorenzo　flew　to　her　succour；　but　ere　He　had　time　to　reach　her；　a
loud　burst　of　thunder　was　heard。　　Instantly　the　Cathedral　seemed
crumbling　into　pieces；　The　Monks　betook　themselves　to　flight；
shrieking　fearfully；　The　Lamps　were　extinguished；　the　Altar　sank
down；　and　in　its　place　appeared　an　abyss　vomiting　forth　clouds　of
flame。　　Uttering　a　loud　and　terrible　cry　the　Monster　plunged　into
the　Gulph；　and　in　his　fall　attempted　to　drag　Antonia　with　him。　
He　strove　in　vain。　　Animated　by　supernatural　powers　She
disengaged　herself　from　his　embrace；　But　her　white　Robe　was　left
in　his　possession。　　Instantly　a　wing　of　brilliant　splendour
spread　itself　from　either　of　Antonia's　arms。　　She　darted　upwards；
and　while　ascending　cried　to　Lorenzo；

'Friend！　we　shall　meet　above！'

At　the　same　moment　the　Roof　of　the　Cathedral　opened；　Harmonious
voices　pealed　along　the　Vaults；　and　the　glory　into　which　Antonia
was　received　was　composed　of　rays　of　such　dazzling　brightness；
that　Lorenzo　was　unable　to　sustain　the　gaze。　　His　sight　failed；
and　He　sank　upon　the　ground。

When　He　woke；　He　found　himself　extended　upon　the　pavement　of　the
Church：　　It　was　Illuminated；　and　the　chaunt　of　Hymns　sounded　from
a　distance。　　For　a　while　Lorenzo　could　not　persuade　himself　that
what　He　had　just　witnessed　had　been　a　dream；　so　strong　an
impression　had　it　made　upon　his　fancy。　　A　little　recollection
convinced　him　of　its　fallacy：　　The　Lamps　had　been　lighted　during
his　sleep；　and　the　music　which　he　heard　was　occasioned　by　the
Monks；　who　were　celebrating　their　Vespers　in　the　Abbey　Chapel。

Lorenzo　rose；　and　prepared　to　bend　his　steps　towards　his　Sister's
Convent。　　His　mind　fully　occupied　by　the　singularity　of　his
dream；　He　already　drew　near　the　Porch；　when　his　attention　was
attracted　by　perceiving　a　Shadow　moving　upon　the　opposite　wall。　
He　looked　curiously　round；　and　soon　descried　a　Man　wrapped　up　in
his　Cloak；　who　seemed　carefully　examining　whether　his　actions
were　observed。　　Very　few　people　are　exempt　from　the　influence　of
curiosity。　　The　Unknown　seemed　anxious　to　conceal　his　business　in
the　Cathedral；　and　it　was　this　very　circumstance；　which　made
Lorenzo　wish　to　discover　what　He　was　about。

Our　Hero　was　conscious　that　He　had　no　right　to　pry　into　the
secrets　of　this　unknown　Cavalier。

'I　will　go；'　said　Lo