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admiration。
'Follow me！' She said to the Monk in a low and solemn voice； 'All
is ready！'
His limbs trembled； while He obeyed her。 She led him through
various narrow passages； and on every side as they past along；
the beams of the Lamp displayed none but the most revolting
objects； Skulls； Bones； Graves； and Images whose eyes seemed to
glare on them with horror and surprize。 At length they reached a
spacious Cavern； whose lofty roof the eye sought in vain to
discover。 A profound obscurity hovered through the void。 Damp
vapours struck cold to the Friar's heart； and He listened sadly
to the blast while it howled along the lonely Vaults。 Here
Matilda stopped。 She turned to Ambrosio。 His cheeks and lips
were pale with apprehension。 By a glance of mingled scorn and
anger She reproved his pusillanimity； but She spoke not。 She
placed the Lamp upon the ground； near the Basket。 She motioned
that Ambrosio should be silent； and began the mysterious rites。
She drew a circle round him； another round herself； and then
taking a small Phial from the Basket； poured a few drops upon the
ground before her。 She bent over the place； muttered some
indistinct sentences； and immediately a pale sulphurous flame
arose from the ground。 It increased by degrees； and at length
spread its waves over the whole surface； the circles alone
excepted in which stood Matilda and the Monk。 It then ascended
the huge Columns of unhewn stone； glided along the roof； and
formed the Cavern into an immense chamber totally covered with
blue trembling fire。 It emitted no heat： On the contrary； the
extreme chillness of the place seemed to augment with every
moment。 Matilda continued her incantations： At intervals She
took various articles from the Basket； the nature and name of
most of which were unknown to the Friar： But among the few which
He distinguished； He particularly observed three human fingers；
and an Agnus Dei which She broke in pieces。 She threw them all
into the flames which burned before her； and they were instantly
consumed。
The Monk beheld her with anxious curiosity。 Suddenly She uttered
a loud and piercing shriek。 She appeared to be seized with an
access of delirium； She tore her hair； beat her bosom； used the
most frantic gestures； and drawing the poignard from her girdle
plunged it into her left arm。 The blood gushed out plentifully；
and as She stood on the brink of the circle； She took care that
it should fall on the outside。 The flames retired from the spot
on which the blood was pouring。 A volume of dark clouds rose
slowly from the ensanguined earth； and ascended gradually； till
it reached the vault of the Cavern。 At the same time a clap of
thunder was heard： The echo pealed fearfully along the
subterraneous passages； and the ground shook beneath the feet of
the Enchantress。
It was now that Ambrosio repented of his rashness。 The solemn
singularity of the charm had prepared him for something strange
and horrible。 He waited with fear for the Spirit's appearance；
whose coming was announced by thunder and earthquakes。 He looked
wildly round him； expecting that some dreadful Apparition would
meet his eyes； the sight of which would drive him mad。 A cold
shivering seized his body； and He sank upon one knee； unable to
support himself。
'He comes！' exclaimed Matilda in a joyful accent。
Ambrosio started； and expected the Daemon with terror。 What was
his surprize； when the Thunder ceasing to roll； a full strain of
melodious Music sounded in the air。 At the same time the cloud
dispersed； and He beheld a Figure more beautiful than Fancy's
pencil ever drew。 It was a Youth seemingly scarce eighteen； the
perfection of whose form and face was unrivalled。 He was
perfectly naked： A bright Star sparkled upon his forehead； Two
crimson wings extended themselves from his shoulders； and his
silken locks were confined by a band of many…coloured fires；
which played round his head； formed themselves into a variety of
figures； and shone with a brilliance far surpassing that of
precious Stones。 Circlets of Diamonds were fastened round his
arms and ankles； and in his right hand He bore a silver branch；
imitating Myrtle。 His form shone with dazzling glory： He was
surrounded by clouds of rose…coloured light； and at the moment
that He appeared； a refreshing air breathed perfumes through the
Cavern。 Enchanted at a vision so contrary to his expectations；
Ambrosio gazed upon the Spirit with delight and wonder： Yet
however beautiful the Figure； He could not but remark a wildness
in the Daemon's eyes； and a mysterious melancholy impressed upon
his features； betraying the Fallen Angel； and inspiring the
Spectators with secret awe。
The Music ceased。 Matilda addressed herself to the Spirit： She
spoke in a language unintelligible to the Monk； and was answered
in the same。 She seemed to insist upon something which the
Daemon was unwilling to grant。 He frequently darted upon
Ambrosio angry glances； and at such times the Friar's heart sank
within him。 Matilda appeared to grow incensed。 She spoke in a
loud and commanding tone； and her gestures declared that She was
threatening him with her vengeance。 Her menaces had the desired
effect： The Spirit sank upon his knee； and with a submissive air
presented to her the branch of Myrtle。 No sooner had She
received it； than the Music was again heard； A thick cloud spread
itself over the Apparition； The blue flames disappeared； and
total obscurity reigned through the Cave。 The Abbot moved not
from his place： His faculties were all bound up in pleasure；
anxiety； and surprize。 At length the darkness dispersing； He
perceived Matilda standing near him in her religious habit； with
the Myrtle in her hand。 No traces of the incantation； and the
Vaults were only illuminated by the faint rays of the sepulchral
Lamp。
'I have succeeded；' said Matilda； 'though with more difficulty
than I expected。 Lucifer； whom I summoned to my assistance； was
at first unwilling to obey my commands： To enforce his compliance
I was constrained to have recourse to my strongest charms。 They
have produced the desired effect； but I have engaged never more
to invoke his agency in your favour。 Beware then； how you employ
an opportunity which never will return。 My magic arts will now
be of no use to you： In future you can only hope for
supernatural aid by invoking the Daemons yourself； and accepting
the conditions of their service。 This you will never do： You
want strength of mind to force them to obedience； and unless you
pay their established price； they will not be your voluntary
Servants。 In this one instance they consent to obey you： I offer
you the means of enjoying your Mistress； and be careful not to
lose the opportunity。 Receive this constellated Myrtle： While
you bear this in your hand； every door will fly open to you。 It
will procure you access tomorrow night to Antonia's chamber：
Then breathe upon it thrice； pronounce her name； and place it
upon her pillow。 A death…like slumber will immediately seize
upon her； and deprive her of the power of resisting your
attempts。 Sleep will hold her till br