第 48 节
作者:圈圈      更新:2021-02-18 22:40      字数:9322
  poor Mother is unable to come hither!  If you would have the
  goodness; reverend Father; to name a proper person; whose wise
  and pious consolations may soften the agonies of my Parent's
  deathbed; you will confer an everlasting favour upon hearts not
  ungrateful。'
  With this petition also the Monk complied。  Indeed; what petition
  would He have refused; if urged in such enchanting accents?  The
  suppliant was so interesting!  Her voice was so sweet; so
  harmonious!  Her very tears became her; and her affliction seemed
  to add new lustre to her charms。  He promised to send to her a
  Confessor that same Evening; and begged her to leave her address。
  The Companion presented him with a Card on which it was written;
  and then withdrew with the fair Petitioner; who pronounced
  before her departure a thousand benedictions on the Abbot's
  goodness。  His eyes followed her out of the Chapel。  It was not
  till She was out of sight that He examined the Card; on which He
  read the following words。
  'Donna Elvira Dalfa; Strada di San Iago; four doors from the
  Palace d'Albornos。'
  The Suppliant was no other than Antonia; and Leonella was her
  Companion。  The Latter had not consented without difficulty to
  accompany her Niece to the Abbey:  Ambrosio had inspired her with
  such awe that She trembled at the very sight of him。  Her fears
  had conquered even her natural loquacity; and while in his
  presence She uttered not a single syllable。
  The Monk retired to his Cell; whither He was pursued by Antonia's
  image。  He felt a thousand new emotions springing in his bosom;
  and He trembled to examine into the cause which gave them birth。
  They were totally different from those inspired by Matilda; when
  She first declared her sex and her affection。  He felt not the
  provocation of lust; No voluptuous desires rioted in his bosom;
  Nor did a burning imagination picture to him the charms which
  Modesty had veiled from his eyes。  On the contrary; what He now
  felt was a mingled sentiment of tenderness; admiration; and
  respect。  A soft and delicious melancholy infused itself into his
  soul; and He would not have exchanged it for the most lively
  transports of joy。  Society now disgusted him:  He delighted in
  solitude; which permitted his indulging the visions of Fancy:
  His thoughts were all gentle; sad; and soothing; and the whole
  wide world presented him with no other object than Antonia。
  'Happy Man!' He exclaimed in his romantic enthusiasm; 'Happy Man;
  who is destined to possess the heart of that lovely Girl!  What
  delicacy in her features!  What elegance in her form!  How
  enchanting was the timid innocence of her eyes; and how different
  from the wanton expression; the wild luxurious fire which
  sparkles in Matilda's!  Oh! sweeter must one kiss be snatched
  from the rosy lips of the First; than all the full and lustful
  favours bestowed so freely by the Second。  Matilda gluts me with
  enjoyment even to loathing; forces me to her arms; apes the
  Harlot; and glories in her prostitution。  Disgusting!  Did She
  know the inexpressible charm of Modesty; how irresistibly it
  enthralls the heart of Man; how firmly it chains him to the
  Throne of Beauty; She never would have thrown it off。  What would
  be too dear a price for this lovely Girl's affections?  What
  would I refuse to sacrifice; could I be released from my vows;
  and permitted to declare my love in the sight of earth and
  heaven?  While I strove to inspire her with tenderness; with
  friendship and esteem; how tranquil and undisturbed would the
  hours roll away!  Gracious God!  To see her blue downcast eyes
  beam upon mine with timid fondness!  To sit for days; for years
  listening to that gentle voice!  To acquire the right of obliging
  her; and hear the artless expressions of her gratitude!  To watch
  the emotions of her spotless heart!  To encourage each dawning
  virtue!  To share in her joy when happy; to kiss away her tears
  when distrest; and to see her fly to my arms for comfort and
  support!  Yes; If there is perfect bliss on earth; 'tis his lot
  alone; who becomes that Angel's Husband。'
  While his fancy coined these ideas; He paced his Cell with a
  disordered air。  His eyes were fixed upon vacancy: His head
  reclined upon his shoulder; A tear rolled down his cheek; while
  He reflected that the vision of happiness for him could never be
  realized。
  'She is lost to me!' He continued; 'By marriage She cannot be
  mine:  And to seduce such innocence; to use the confidence
  reposed in me to work her ruin。 。 。 。  Oh! it would be a crime;
  blacker than yet the world ever witnessed!  Fear not; lovely
  Girl!  Your virtue runs no risque from me。  Not for Indies would
  I make that gentle bosom know the tortures of remorse。'
  Again He paced his chamber hastily。  Then stopping; his eye fell
  upon the picture of his once…admired Madona。 He tore it with
  indignation from the wall:  He threw it on the ground; and
  spurned it from him with his foot。
  'The Prostitute!'
  Unfortunate Matilda! Her Paramour forgot that for his sake alone
  She had forfeited her claim to virtue; and his only reason for
  despising her was that She had loved him much too well。
  He threw himself into a Chair which stood near the Table。  He
  saw the card with Elvira's address。  He took it up; and it
  brought to his recollection his promise respecting a Confessor。
  He passed a few minutes in doubt:  But Antonia's Empire over him
  was already too much decided to permit his making a long
  resistance to the idea which struck him。  He resolved to be the
  Confessor himself。  He could leave the Abbey unobserved without
  difficulty:  By wrapping up his head in his Cowl He hoped to pass
  through the Streets without being recognised: By taking these
  precautions; and by recommending secrecy to Elvira's family; He
  doubted not to keep Madrid in ignorance that He had broken his
  vow never to see the outside of the Abbey walls。  Matilda was the
  only person whose vigilance He dreaded:  But by informing her at
  the Refectory that during the whole of that day; Business would
  confine him to his Cell; He thought himself secure from her
  wakeful jealousy。  Accordingly; at the hours when the Spaniards
  are generally taking their Siesta; He ventured to quit the Abbey
  by a private door; the Key of which was in his possession。  The
  Cowl of his habit was thrown over his face:  From the heat of the
  weather the Streets were almost totally deserted: The Monk met
  with few people; found the Strada di San Iago; and arrived
  without accident at Donna Elvira's door。  He rang; was admitted;
  and immediately ushered into an upper apartment。
  It was here that He ran the greatest risque of a discovery。  Had
  Leonella been at home; She would have recognized him directly:
  Her communicative disposition would never have permitted her to
  rest till all Madrid was informed that Ambrosio had ventured out
  of the Abbey; and visited her Sister。  Fortune here stood the
  Monk's Friend。  On Leonella's return home; She found a letter
  instructing her that a Cousin was just dead; who had left what
  little He possessed between Herself and Elvira。  To secure this
  bequest She was obliged to set out for Cordova without losing a
  moment。  Amidst all her foibles her heart was truly warm and
  affectionate; and She was unwilling to quit her Sister in so
  dangerous a state。  But Elvira insisted upon her taking the
  journey; conscious that in her Daughter's forlorn situation no
  increase of fortune; however trifling; ought to be neglected。
  Accordingly; Leonella left Madrid; sincerely grieved at her
  Sister's illness; and giving some few sighs to the memory of the
  amiable but inconstant Don Christoval。  She was fully persuaded
  that at first She had made a terrible breach in his heart:  But
  hearing nothing more of him; She supposed that He had quitted the
  pursuit; disgusted by the lowness of her origin; and knowing upon
  other terms than marriage He had nothing to hope from such a
  Dragon of Virtue as She professed herself; Or else; that being
  naturally capricious and changeable; the remembrance of her
  charms had been effaced from the Conde's heart by those of some
  newer Beauty。  Whatever was the cause of her losing him; She
  lamented it sorely。  She strove in vain; as She assured every
  body who was kind enough to listen to her; to tear his image from
  her too susceptible heart。  She affected the airs of a lovesick
  Virgin; and carried them all to the most ridiculous excess。  She
  heaved lamentable sighs; walked with her arms folded; uttered
  long soliloquies; and her discourse generally turned upon some
  forsaken Maid who expired of a broken heart!  Her fiery locks
  were always ornamented with a garland of willow; Every evening
  She was seen straying upon the Banks of a rivulet by Moonlight;
  and She declared herself a violent Admirer of murmuring Streams
  and Nightingales;
  'Of lonely haunts; and twilight Groves;
  'Places which pale Passion loves!'
  Such was the state of Leonella's mind; when obliged to quit
  Madrid。  Elvira was out of patience at all these follies; and
  endeavoured at persuading her to act like a reasonable Woman。
  Her advice was thrown away: Leonella assured her at parting that
  nothing could make her forg