volume01-第3章

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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　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