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and profit by its morality： The second； that it should be copied
out with her own hand； and all improper passages either altered
or omitted。 She had adhered to this determination； and such was
the Bible which Antonia was reading： It had been lately
delivered to her； and She perused it with an avidity； with a
delight that was inexpressible。 Ambrosio perceived his mistake；
and replaced the Book upon the Table。
Antonia spoke of her Mother's health with all the enthusiastic
joy of a youthful heart。
'I admire your filial affection；' said the Abbot； 'It proves the
excellence and sensibility of your character； It promises a
treasure to him whom Heaven has destined to possess your
affections。 The Breast； so capable of fondness for a Parent；
what will it feel for a Lover？ Nay； perhaps； what feels it for
one even now？ Tell me； my lovely Daughter； Have you known what
it is to love？ Answer me with sincerity： Forget my habit； and
consider me only as a Friend。'
'What it is to love？' said She； repeating his question； 'Oh！ yes；
undoubtedly； I have loved many； many People。'
'That is not what I mean。 The love of which I speak can be felt
only for one。 Have you never seen the Man whom you wished to be
your Husband？'
'Oh！ No； indeed！'
This was an untruth； but She was unconscious of its falsehood：
She knew not the nature of her sentiments for Lorenzo； and never
having seen him since his first visit to Elvira； with every day
his Image grew less feebly impressed upon her bosom。 Besides；
She thought of an Husband with all a Virgin's terror； and
negatived the Friar's demand without a moment's hesitation。
'And do you not long to see that Man； Antonia？ Do you feel no
void in your heart which you fain would have filled up？ Do you
heave no sighs for the absence of some one dear to you； but who
that some one is； you know not？ Perceive you not that what
formerly could please； has charms for you no longer？ That a
thousand new wishes； new ideas； new sensations； have sprang in
your bosom； only to be felt； never to be described？ Or while you
fill every other heart with passion； is it possible that your own
remains insensible and cold？ It cannot be！ That melting eye；
that blushing cheek； that enchanting voluptuous melancholy which
at times overspreads your features； all these marks belye your
words。 You love； Antonia； and in vain would hide it from me。'
'Father； you amaze me！ What is this love of which you speak？ I
neither know its nature； nor if I felt it； why I should conceal
the sentiment。'
'Have you seen no Man； Antonia； whom though never seen before；
you seemed long to have sought？ Whose form； though a Stranger's；
was familiar to your eyes？ The sound of whose voice soothed you；
pleased you； penetrated to your very soul？ In whose presence you
rejoiced； for whose absence you lamented？ With whom your heart
seemed to expand； and in whose bosom with confidence unbounded
you reposed the cares of your own？ Have you not felt all this；
Antonia？'
'Certainly I have： The first time that I saw you； I felt it。'
Ambrosio started。 Scarcely dared He credit his hearing。
'Me； Antonia？' He cried； his eyes sparkling with delight and
impatience； while He seized her hand； and pressed it rapturously
to his lips。 'Me； Antonia？ You felt these sentiments for me？'
'Even with more strength than you have described。 The very
moment that I beheld you； I felt so pleased； so interested！ I
waited so eagerly to catch the sound of your voice； and when I
heard it； it seemed so sweet！ It spoke to me a language till
then so unknown！ Methought； it told me a thousand things which I
wished to hear！ It seemed as if I had long known you； as if I
had a right to your friendship； your advice； and your protection。
I wept when you departed； and longed for the time which should
restore you to my sight。'
'Antonia！ my charming Antonia！' exclaimed the Monk； and caught
her to his bosom； 'Can I believe my senses？ Repeat it to me； my
sweet Girl！ Tell me again that you love me； that you love me
truly and tenderly！'
'Indeed； I do： Let my Mother be excepted； and the world holds no
one more dear to me！'
At this frank avowal Ambrosio no longer possessed himself； Wild
with desire； He clasped the blushing Trembler in his arms。 He
fastened his lips greedily upon hers； sucked in her pure
delicious breath； violated with his bold hand the treasures of
her bosom； and wound around him her soft and yielding limbs。
Startled； alarmed； and confused at his action； surprize at first
deprived her of the power of resistance。 At length recovering
herself； She strove to escape from his embrace。
'Father！ 。 。 。 。 Ambrosio！' She cried； 'Release me； for God's
sake！'
But the licentious Monk heeded not her prayers： He persisted in
his design； and proceeded to take still greater liberties。
Antonia prayed； wept； and struggled： Terrified to the extreme；
though at what She knew not； She exerted all her strength to
repulse the Friar； and was on the point of shrieking for
assistance when the chamber door was suddenly thrown open。
Ambrosio had just sufficient presence of mind to be sensible of
his danger。 Reluctantly He quitted his prey； and started hastily
from the Couch。 Antonia uttered an exclamation of joy； flew
towards the door； and found herself clasped in the arms of her
Mother。
Alarmed at some of the Abbot's speeches； which Antonia had
innocently repeated； Elvira resolved to ascertain the truth of
her suspicions。 She had known enough of Mankind not to be
imposed upon by the Monk's reputed virtue。 She reflected on
several circumstances； which though trifling； on being put
together seemed to authorize her fears。 His frequent visits；
which as far as She could see； were confined to her family； His
evident emotion； whenever She spoke of Antonia； His being in the
full prime and heat of Manhood； and above all； his pernicious
philosophy communicated to her by Antonia； and which accorded but
ill with his conversation in her presence； all these
circumstances inspired her with doubts respecting the purity of
Ambrosio's friendship。 In consequence； She resolved； when He
should next be alone with Antonia； to endeavour at surprizing
him。 Her plan had succeeded。 'Tis true； that when She entered
the room； He had already abandoned his prey； But the disorder of
her Daughter's dress； and the shame and confusion stamped upon
the Friar's countenance； sufficed to prove that her suspicions
were but too well…founded。 However； She was too prudent to make
those suspicions known。 She judged that to unmask the Imposter
would be no easy matter； the public being so much prejudiced in
his favour： and having but few Friends； She thought it dangerous
to make herself so powerful an Enemy。 She affected therefore not
to remark his agitation； seated herself tranquilly upon the
Sopha； assigned some trifling reason for having quitted her room
unexpectedly； and conversed on various subjects with seeming
confidence and ease。
Reassured by her behaviour； the Monk began to recover himself。
He strove to answer Elvira without appearing embarrassed： But He
was still to