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would have rejected his addresses。 Yet had He been better
instructed on this head； the danger attending such an attempt
would have sealed up his lips in silence。 He knew that it would
be difficult for a Woman to keep a secret so strange and so
important as his frailty； and He even trembled lest Matilda
should betray him。 Anxious to preserve a reputation which was
infinitely dear to him； He saw all the risque of committing it to
the power of some vain giddy Female； and as the Beauties of
Madrid affected only his senses without touching his heart； He
forgot them as soon as they were out of his sight。 The danger of
discovery； the fear of being repulsed； the loss of reputation；
all these considerations counselled him to stifle his desires：
And though He now felt for it the most perfect indifference； He
was necessitated to confine himself to Matilda's person。
One morning； the confluence of Penitents was greater than usual。
He was detained in the Confessional Chair till a late hour。 At
length the crowd was dispatched； and He prepared to quit the
Chapel； when two Females entered and drew near him with
humility。 They threw up their veils； and the youngest entreated
him to listen to her for a few moments。 The melody of her voice；
of that voice to which no Man ever listened without interest；
immediately caught Ambrosio's attention。 He stopped。 The
Petitioner seemed bowed down with affliction： Her cheeks were
pale； her eyes dimmed with tears； and her hair fell in disorder
over her face and bosom。 Still her countenance was so sweet； so
innocent； so heavenly； as might have charmed an heart less
susceptible； than that which panted in the Abbot's breast。 With
more than usual softness of manner He desired her to proceed； and
heard her speak as follows with an emotion which increased every
moment。
'Reverend Father； you see an Unfortunate； threatened with the
loss of her dearest； of almost her only Friend！ My Mother； my
excellent Mother lies upon the bed of sickness。 A sudden and
dreadful malady seized her last night； and so rapid has been its
progress； that the Physicians despair of her life。 Human aid
fails me； Nothing remains for me but to implore the mercy of
Heaven。 Father； all Madrid rings with the report of your piety
and virtue。 Deign to remember my Mother in your prayers：
Perhaps they may prevail on the Almighty to spare her； and should
that be the case； I engage myself every Thursday in the next
three Months to illuminate the Shrine of St。 Francis in his
honour。'
'So！' thought the Monk； 'Here we have a second Vincentio della
Ronda。 Rosario's adventure began thus；' and He wished secretly
that this might have the same conclusion。
He acceded to the request。 The Petitioner returned him thanks
with every mark of gratitude； and then continued。
'I have yet another favour to ask。 We are Strangers in Madrid；
My Mother needs a Confessor； and knows not to whom She should
apply。 We understand that you never quit the Abbey； and Alas！ my
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