volume02-第1章

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VOLUME　II

CHAPTER　I

Avaunt！　and　quit　my　sight！　　Let　the　Earth　hide　thee！　　Thy　bones　are　marrowless；　thy　blood　is　cold！　　Thou　hast　no　speculation　in　those　eyes　　Which　Thou　dost　glare　with！　Hence；　horrible　shadow！　Unreal　mockery　hence！　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Macbeth。　

Continuation　of　the　History　of　Don　Raymond。

My　journey　was　uncommonly　agreeable：　　I　found　the　Baron　a　Man　of　some　sense；　but　little　knowledge　of　the　world。　　He　had　past　a　great　part　of　his　life　without　stirring　beyond　the　precincts　of　his　own　domains；　and　consequently　his　manners　were　far　from　being　the　most　polished：　　But　He　was　hearty；　good…humoured；　and　friendly。　　His　attention　to　me　was　all　that　I　could　wish；　and　I　had　every　reason　to　be　satisfied　with　his　behaviour。　His　ruling　passion　was　Hunting；　which　He　had　brought　himself　to　consider　as　a　serious　occupation；　and　when　talking　over　some　remarkable　chace；　He　treated　the　subject　with　as　much　gravity　as　it　had　been　a　Battle　on　which　the　fate　of　two　kingdoms　was　depending。　　I　happened　to　be　a　tolerable　Sportsman：　　Soon　after　my　arrival　at　Lindenberg　I　gave　some　proofs　of　my　dexterity。　　The　Baron　immediately　marked　me　down　for　a　Man　of　Genius；　and　vowed　to　me　an　eternal　friendship。

That　friendship　was　become　to　me　by　no　means　indifferent。　　At　the　Castle　of　Lindenberg　I　beheld　for　the　first　time　your　Sister；　the　lovely　Agnes。　　For　me　whose　heart　was　unoccupied；　and　who　grieved　at　the　void；　to　see　her　and　to　love　her　were　the　same。　　I　found　in　Agnes　all　that　was　requisite　to　secure　my　affection。　　She　was　then　scarcely　sixteen；　Her　person　light　and　elegant　was　already　formed；　She　possessed　several　talents　in　perfection；　particularly　those　of　Music　and　drawing：　　Her　character　was　gay；　open；　and　good…humoured；　and　the　graceful　simplicity　of　her　dress　and　manners　formed　an　advantageous　contrast　to　the　art　and　studied　Coquetry　of　the　Parisian　Dames；　whom　I　had　just　quitted。　　From　the　moment　that　I　beheld　her；　I　felt　the　most　lively　interest　in　her　fate。　　I　made　many　enquiries　respecting　her　of　the　Baroness。

'She　is　my　Niece；'　replied　that　Lady；　'You　are　still　ignorant；　Don　Alphonso；　that　I　am　your　Countrywoman。　　I　am　Sister　to　the　Duke　of　Medina　Celi：　　Agnes　is　the　Daughter　of　my　second　Brother；　Don　Gaston：　　She　has　been　destined　to　the　Convent　from　her　cradle；　and　will　soon　make　her　profession　at　Madrid。'

（Here　Lorenzo　interrupted　the　Marquis　by　an　exclamation　of　surprise。

'Intended　for　the　Convent　from　her　cradle？'　said　He；　'By　heaven；　this　is　the　first　word　that　I　ever　heard　of　such　a　design！'

'I　believe　it；　my　dear　Lorenzo；'　answered　Don　Raymond；　'But　you　must　listen　to　me　with　patience。　　You　will　not　be　less　surprised；　when　I　relate　some　particulars　of　your　family　still　unknown　to　you；　and　which　I　have　learnt　from　the　mouth　of　Agnes　herself。'

He　then　resumed　his　narrative　as　follows。）

You　cannot　but　be　aware　that　your　Parents　were　unfortunately　Slaves　to　the　grossest　superstition：　　When　this　foible　was　called　into　play；　their　every　other　sentiment；　their　every　other　passion　yielded　to　its　irresistible　strength。　　While　She　was　big　with　Agnes；　your　Mother　was　seized　by　a　dangerous　illness；　and　given　over　by　her　Physicians。　　In　this　situation；　Donna　Inesilla　vowed；　that　if　She　recovered　from　her　malady；　the　Child　then　living　in　her　bosom　if　a　Girl　should　be　dedicated　to　St。　Clare；　if　a　Boy　to　St。　Benedict。　　Her　prayers　were　heard；　She　got　rid　of　her　complaint；　Agnes　entered　the　world　alive；　and　was　immediately　destined　to　the　service　of　St。　Clare。

Don　Gaston　readily　chimed　in　with　his　Lady's　wishes：　But　knowing　the　sentiments　of　the　Duke；　his　Brother；　respecting　a　Monastic　life；　it　was　determined　that　your　Sister's　destination　should　be　carefully　concealed　from　him。　　The　better　to　guard　the　secret；　it　was　resolved　that　Agnes　should　accompany　her　Aunt；　Donna　Rodolpha　into　Germany；　whither　that　Lady　was　on　the　point　of　following　her　new…married　Husband；　Baron　Lindenberg。　　On　her　arrival　at　that　Estate；　the　young　Agnes　was　put　into　a　Convent；　situated　but　a　few　miles　from　the　Castle。　　The　Nuns　to　whom　her　education　was　confided　performed　their　charge　with　exactitude：　　They　made　her　a　perfect　Mistress　of　many　talents；　and　strove　to　infuse　into　her　mind　a　taste　for　the　retirement　and　tranquil　pleasures　of　a　Convent。　　But　a　secret　instinct　made　the　young　Recluse　sensible　that　She　was　not　born　for　solitude：　　In　all　the　freedom　of　youth　and　gaiety；　She　scrupled　not　to　treat　as　ridiculous　many　ceremonies　which　the　Nuns　regarded　with　awe；　and　She　was　never　more　happy　than　when　her　lively　imagination　inspired　her　with　some　scheme　to　plague　the　stiff　Lady　Abbess；　or　the　ugly　ill…　tempered　old　Porteress。　　She　looked　with　disgust　upon　the　prospect　before　her：　　However　no　alternative　was　offered　to　her；　and　She　submitted　to　the　decree　of　her　Parents；　though　not　without　secret　repining。

That　repugnance　She　had　not　art　enough　to　conceal　long：　　Don　Gaston　was　informed　of　it。　　Alarmed；　Lorenzo；　lest　your　affection　for　her　should　oppose　itself　to　his　projects；　and　lest　you　should　positively　object　to　your　Sister's　misery；　He　resolved　to　keep　the　whole　affair　from　YOUR　knowledge　as　well　as　the　Duke's；　till　the　sacrifice　should　be　consummated。　　The　season　of　her　taking　the　veil　was　fixed　for　the　time　when　you　should　be　upon　your　travels：　　In　the　meanwhile　no　hint　was　dropped　of　Donna　Inesilla's　fatal　vow。　　Your　Sister　was　never　permitted　to　know　your　direction。　　All　your　letters　were　read　before　She　received　them；　and　those　parts　effaced；　which　were　likely　to　nourish　her　inclination　for　the　world：　　Her　answers　were　dictated　either　by　her　Aunt；　or　by　Dame　Cunegonda；　her　Governess。　　These　particulars　I　learnt　partly　from　Agnes；　partly　from　the　Baroness　herself。

I　immediately　determined　upon　rescuing　this　lovely　Girl　from　a　fate　so　contrary　to　her　inclinations；　and　ill…suited　to　her　merit。　　I　endeavoured　to　ingratiate　myself　into　her　favour：　　I　boasted　of　my　friendship　and　intimacy　with　you。　　She　listened　to　me　with　avidity；　She　seemed　to　devour　my　words　while　I　spoke　in　your　praise；　and　her　eyes　thanked　me　for　my　affection　to　her　Brother。　　My　constant　and　unremitted　attention　at　length　gained　me　her　heart；　and　with　difficulty　I　obliged　her　to　confess　that　She　loved　me。　　When　however；　I　proposed　her　quitting　the　Castle　of　Lindenberg；　She　rejected　the　idea　in　positive　terms。

'Be　generous；　Alphonso；'　She　said；　'You　possess　my　heart；　but　use　not　the　gift　ignobly。　　Employ　not　your　ascendancy　over　me　in　persuading　me　to　take　a　step；　at　which　I　should　hereafter　have　to　blush。　　I　am　young　and　deserted：　　My　Brother；　my　only　Friend；　is　separated　from　me；　and　my　other　Relations　act　with　me　as　my　Enemies。　　Take　pity　on　my　unprotected　situation。　　Instead　of　seducing　me　to　an　action　which　would　cover　me　with　shame；　strive　rather　to　gain　the　affections　of　those　who　govern　me。　　The　Baron　esteems　you。　　My　Aunt；　to　others　ever　harsh　proud　and　contemptuous；　remembers　that　you　rescued　her　from　the　hands　of　Murderers；　and　wears　with　you　alone　the　appearance　of　kindness　and　benignity。　　Try　then　your　influence　over　my　Guardians。　　If　they　consent　to　our　union　my　hand　is　yours：　　From　your　account　of　my　Brother；　I　cannot　doubt　your　obtaining　his　approbation：　　And　when　they　find　the　impossibility　of　executing　their　design；　I　trust　that　my　Parents　will　excuse　my　disobedience；　and　expiate　by　some　other　sacrifice　my　Mother's　fatal　vow。'

From　the　first　moment　that　I　beheld　Agnes；　I　had　endeavoured　to　conciliate　the　favour　of　her　Relations。　　Authorised　by　the　confession　of　her　regard；　I　redoubled　my　exertions。　　My　principal　Battery　was　directed　against　the　Baroness；　It　was　easy　to　discover　that　her　word　was　law　in　the　Castle：　　Her　Husband　paid　her　the　most　absolute　submission；　and　considered　her　as　a　superior　Being。　　She　was　about　forty：　　In　her　youth　She　had　been　a　Beauty；　But　her　charms　had　been　upon　that　large　scale　which　can　but　ill　sustain　the　shock　of　years：　　However　She　still　possessed　some　remains　of　them。　　Her　understanding　was　strong　and　excellent　when　not　obscured　by　prejudice；　which　unluckily　was　but　seldom　the　case。　　Her　passions　were　violent：　　She　spared　no　pains　to　gratify　them；　and　pursued　with　unremitting　vengeance　those　who　opposed　themselves　to　her　wishes。　　The　warmest　of　Friends；　the　most　inveterate　of　Enemies；　such　was　the　Baroness　Lindenberg。

I　laboured　incessantly　to　please　her：　　Unluckily　I　succeeded　but　too　well。　　She　seemed　gratified　by　my　attention；　and　treated　me　with　a　distinction　accorded　by　her　to　no　one　else。　　One　of　my　daily　occupations　was　reading　to　her　for　several　hours：　　Those　hours　I　should　much　rather　have　past　with　Agnes；　But　as　I　was　conscious　that　complaisance　for　her　Aunt　would　advance　our　union；　I　submitted　with　a　good　grace　to　the　penance　imposed　upon　me。　　Donna　Rodolpha's　Library　was　principally　composed　of　old　Spanish　Romances：　　These　were　her　favourite　studies；　and　once　a　day　one　of　these　unmerciful　Volumes　was　put　regularly　into　my　hands。　　I　read　the　wearisome　adventures　of　'Perceforest；'　'Tirante　the　White；'　'Palmerin　of　England；'　and　'the　Knight　of　the　Sun；'　till　the　Book　was　on　the　point　of　falling　from　my　hands　through　Ennui。　　However；　the　increasing　pleasure　which　the　Baroness　seemed　to　take　in　my　society；　encouraged　me　to　persevere；　and　latterly　She　showed　for　me　a　partiality　so　marked；　that　Agnes　advised　me　to　seize　the　first　opportunity　of　declaring　our　mutual　passion　to　her　Aunt。

One　Evening；　I　was　alone　with　Donna　Rodolpha　in　her　own　apartment。　　As　our　readings　generally　treated　of　love；　Agnes　was　never　permitted　to　assist　at　them。　　I　was　just　congratulating　myself　on　having　finished　'The　Loves　of　Tristan　and　the　Queen　Iseult'

'Ah！　　The　Unfortunates！'　cried　the　Baroness；　'How　say　you；　Segnor？　　Do　you　think　it　possible　for　Man　to　feel　an　attachment　so　disinterested　and　sincere？'

'I　cannot　doubt　it；'　replied　I；　'My　own　heart　furnishes　me　with　the　certainty。　　Ah！　Donna　Rodolpha；　might　I　but　hope　for　your　approbation　of　my　love！　　Might　I　but　confess　the　name　of　my　Mistress　without　incurring　your　resentment！'

She　interrupted　me。

'Suppose；　I　were　to　spare　you　that　confession？　　Suppose　I　were　to　acknowledge　that　the　object　of　your　desires　is　not　unknown　to　me？　　Suppose　I　were　to　say　that　She　returns　your　affection；　and　laments　not　less　sincerely　than　yourself　the　unhappy　vows　which　separate　her　from　you？'

'Ah！　Donna　Rodolpha！'　I　exclaimed；　throwing　myself　upon　my　knees　before　her；　and　pressing　her　hand　to　my　lips；　'You　have　discovered　my　secret！　　What　is　your　decision？　　Must　I　despair；　or　may　I　reckon　upon　your　favour？'

She　withdrew　not　the　hand　which　I　held；　But　She　turned　from　me；　and　covered　her　face　with　the　other。

'How　can　I　refuse　it　you？'　She　replied；　'Ah！　Don　Alphonso；　I　have　long　perceived　to　whom　your　attentions　were　directed；　but　till　now　I　perceived　not　the　impression　which　they　made　upon　my　heart。

At　length　I　can　no　longer　hide　my　weakness　either　from　myself　or　from　you。　　I　yield　to　the　violence　of　my　passion；　and　own　that　I　adore　you！　　For　three　long　months　I　stifled　my　desires；　But　grown　stronger　by　resistance；　I　submit　to　their　impetuosity。　　Pride；　fear；　and　honour；　respect　for　myself；　and　my　engagements　to　the