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Instrument。 Her eyes were bent upon the earth； and her fair
cheeks overspread with blushes。 On recovering herself； her
first action was to conceal her features。 She then in an
unsteady and troubled voice ventured to address these words to
the Friar。
'Accident has made you Master of a secret； which I never would
have revealed but on the Bed of death。 Yes； Ambrosio； In Matilda
de Villanegas you see the original of your beloved Madona。 Soon
after I conceived my unfortunate passion； I formed the project of
conveying to you my Picture： Crowds of Admirers had persuaded me
that I possessed some beauty； and I was anxious to know what
effect it would produce upon you。 I caused my Portrait to be
drawn by Martin Galuppi； a celebrated Venetian at that time
resident in Madrid。 The resemblance was striking： I sent it to
the Capuchin Abbey as if for sale； and the Jew from whom you
bought it was one of my Emissaries。 You purchased it。 Judge of
my rapture； when informed that you had gazed upon it with
delight； or rather with adoration； that you had suspended it in
your Cell； and that you addressed your supplications to no other
Saint。 Will this discovery make me still more regarded as an
object of suspicion？ Rather should it convince you how pure is
my affection； and engage you to suffer me in your society and
esteem。 I heard you daily extol the praises of my Portrait： I
was an eyewitness of the transports； which its beauty excited
in you： Yet I forbore to use against your virtue those arms； with
which yourself had furnished me。 I concealed those features from
your sight； which you loved unconsciously。 I strove not to
excite desire by displaying my charms； or to make myself Mistress
of your heart through the medium of your senses。 To attract your
notice by studiously attending to religious duties； to endear
myself to you by convincing you that my mind was virtuous and my
attachment sincere； such was my only aim。 I succeeded； I became
your companion and your Friend。 I concealed my sex from your
knowledge； and had you not pressed me to reveal my secret； had I
not been tormented by the fear of a discovery； never had you
known me for any other than Rosario。 And still are you resolved
to drive me from you？ The few hours of life which yet remain for
me； may I not pass them in your presence？ Oh！ speak； Ambrosio；
and tell me that I may stay！'
This speech gave the Abbot an opportunity of recollecting
himself。 He was conscious that in the present disposition of his
mind； avoiding her society was his only refuge from the power of
this enchanting Woman。
'You declaration has so much astonished me；' said He； 'that I am
at present incapable of answering you。 Do not insist upon a
reply； Matilda； Leave me to myself； I have need to be alone。'
'I obey youBut before I go； promise not to insist upon my
quitting the Abbey immediately。'
'Matilda； reflect upon your situation； Reflect upon the
consequences of your stay。 Our separation is indispensable； and
we must part。'
'But not to…day； Father！ Oh！ in pity not today！'
'You press me too hard； but I cannot resist that tone of
supplication。 Since you insist upon it； I yield to your prayer：
I consent to your remaining here a sufficient time to prepare in
some measure the Brethren for your departure。 Stay yet two days；
But on the third；' 。 。 。 （He sighed involuntarily）'Remember；
that on the third we must part for ever！'
She caught his hand eagerly； and pressed it to her lips。
'On the third？' She exclaimed with an air of wild solemnity； 'You
are right； Father！ You are right！ On the third we must part for
ever！'
There was a dreadful expression in her eye as She uttered these
words； which penetrated the Friar's soul with horror： Again She
kissed his hand； and then fled with rapidity from the chamber。
Anxious to authorise the presence of his dangerous Guest； yet
conscious that her stay was infringing the laws of his order；
Ambrosio's bosom became the Theatre of a thousand contending
passions。 At length his attachment to the feigned Rosario； aided
by the natural warmth of his temperament； seemed likely to obtain
the victory： The success was assured； when that presumption which
formed the groundwork of his character came to Matilda's
assistance。 The Monk reflected that to vanquish temptation was
an infinitely greater merit than to avoid it： He thought that
He ought rather to rejoice in the opportunity given him of
proving the firmness of his virtue。 St。 Anthony had withstood
all seductions to lust； Then why should not He？ Besides； St。
Anthony was tempted by the Devil； who put every art into practice
to excite his passions： Whereas； Ambrosio's danger proceeded
from a mere mortal Woman； fearful and modest； whose apprehensions
of his yielding were not less violent than his own。
'Yes；' said He； 'The Unfortunate shall stay； I have nothing to
fear from her presence。 Even should my own prove too weak to
resist the temptation； I am secured from danger by the innocence
of Matilda。'
Ambrosio was yet to learn； that to an heart unacquainted with
her； Vice is ever most dangerous when lurking behind the Mask of
Virtue。
He found himself so perfectly recovered； that when Father Pablos
visited him again at night； He entreated permission to quit his
chamber on the day following。 His request was granted。 Matilda
appeared no more that evening； except in company with the Monks
when they came in a body to enquire after the Abbot's health。
She seemed fearful of conversing with him in private； and stayed
but a few minutes in his room。 The Friar slept well； But the
dreams of the former night were repeated； and his sensations of
voluptuousness were yet more keen and exquisite。 The same
lust…exciting visions floated before his eyes： Matilda； in all
the pomp of beauty； warm； tender； and luxurious； clasped him to
her bosom； and lavished upon him the most ardent caresses。 He
returned them as eagerly； and already was on the point of
satisfying his desires； when the faithless form disappeared； and
left him to all the horrors of shame and disappointment。
The Morning dawned。 Fatigued； harassed； and exhausted by his
provoking dreams； He was not disposed to quit his Bed。 He
excused himself from appearing at Matins： It was the first
morning in his life that He had ever missed them。 He rose late。
During the whole of the day He had no opportunity of speaking to
Matilda without witnesses。 His Cell was thronged by the Monks；
anxious to express their concern at his illness； And He was still
occupied in receiving their compliments on his recovery； when the
Bell summoned them to the Refectory。
After dinner the Monks separated； and dispersed themselves in
various parts of the Garden； where the shade of trees or
retirement of some Grotto presented the most agreeable means of
enjoying the Siesta。 The Abbot bent his steps towards the
Hermitage： A glance of his eye invited Matilda to accompany him。
She obeyed； and followed him thither in silence。 They entered
the Grotto； and seated themselves。 Both seemed unwilling to
begin the conversation； and to labour under the influence