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groans。 Flora's shrieks soon reached the ears of the Hostess；
whose terror and surprize were excessive on learning the cause of
this disturbance。 A Physician was immediately sent for： But on
the first moment of beholding the Corse； He declared that
Elvira's recovery was beyond the power of art。 He proceeded
therefore to give his assistance to Antonia； who by this time was
truly in need of it。 She was conveyed to bed； while the Landlady
busied herself in giving orders for Elvira's Burial。 Dame
Jacintha was a plain good kind of Woman； charitable； generous；
and devout： But her intellects were weak； and She was a
Miserable Slave to fear and superstition。 She shuddered at the
idea of passing the night in the same House with a dead Body：
She was persuaded that Elvira's Ghost would appear to her； and no
less certain that such a visit would kill her with fright。 From
this persuasion； She resolved to pass the night at a Neighbour's；
and insisted that the Funeral should take place the next day。
St。 Clare's Cemetery being the nearest； it was determined that
Elvira should be buried there。 Dame Jacintha engaged to defray
every expence attending the burial。 She knew not in what
circumstances Antonia was left； but from the sparing manner in
which the Family had lived； She concluded them to be indifferent。
Consequently； She entertained very little hope of ever being
recompensed； But this consideration prevented her not from taking
care that the Interment was performed with decency； and from
showing the unfortunate Antonia all possible respect。
Nobody dies of mere grief； Of this Antonia was an instance。
Aided by her youth and healthy constitution； She shook off the
malady which her Mother's death had occasioned； But it was not
so easy to remove the disease of her mind。 Her eyes were
constantly filled with tears： Every trifle affected her； and She
evidently nourished in her bosom a profound and rooted
melancholy。 The slightest mention of Elvira； the most trivial
circumstance recalling that beloved Parent to her memory； was
sufficient to throw her into serious agitation。 How much would
her grief have been increased； had She known the agonies which
terminated her Mother's existence！ But of this no one
entertained the least suspicion。 Elvira was subject to strong
convulsions： It was supposed that； aware of their approach； She
had dragged herself to her Daughter's chamber in hopes of
assistance； that a sudden access of her fits had seized her； too
violent to be resisted by her already enfeebled state of health；
and that She had expired ere She had time to reach the medicine
which generally relieved her； and which stood upon a shelf in
Antonia's room。 This idea was firmly credited by the few people；
who interested themselves about Elvira： Her Death was esteemed a
natural event； and soon forgotten by all save by her； who had but
too much reason to deplore her loss。
In truth Antonia's situation was sufficiently embarrassing and
unpleasant。 She was alone in the midst of a dissipated and
expensive City； She was ill provided with money； and worse with
Friends。 Her aunt Leonella was still at Cordova； and She knew
not her direction。 Of the Marquis de las Cisternas She heard no
news： As to Lorenzo； She had long given up the idea of
possessing any interest in his bosom。 She knew not to whom She
could address herself in her present dilemma。 She wished to
consult Ambrosio； But She remembered her Mother's injunctions to
shun him as much as possible； and the last conversation which
Elvira had held with her upon the subject had given her
sufficient lights respecting his designs to put her upon her
guard against him in future。 Still all her Mother's warnings
could not make her change her good opinion of the Friar。 She
continued to feel that his friendship and society were requisite
to her happiness： She looked upon his failings with a partial
eye； and could not persuade herself that He really had intended
her ruin。 However； Elvira had positively commanded her to drop
his acquaintance； and She had too much respect for her orders to
disobey them。
At length She resolved to address herself for advice and
protection to the Marquis de las Cisternas； as being her nearest
Relation。 She wrote to him； briefly stating her desolate
situation； She besought him to compassionate his Brother's Child；
to continue to her Elvira's pension； and to authorise her
retiring to his old Castle in Murcia； which till now had been her
retreat。 Having sealed her letter； She gave it to the trusty
Flora； who immediately set out to execute her commission。 But
Antonia was born under an unlucky Star。 Had She made her
application to the Marquis but one day sooner； received as his
Niece and placed at the head of his Family； She would have
escaped all the misfortunes with which She was now threatened。
Raymond had always intended to execute this plan： But first； his
hopes of making the proposal to Elvira through the lips of Agnes；
and afterwards； his disappointment at losing his intended Bride；
as well as the severe illness which for some time had confined
him to his Bed； made him defer from day to day the giving an
Asylum in his House to his Brother's Widow。 He had commissioned
Lorenzo to supply her liberally with money： But Elvira；
unwilling to receive obligations from that Nobleman； had assured
him that She needed no immediate pecuniary assistance。
Consequently； the Marquis did not imagine that a trifling delay
on his part could create any embarrassment； and the distress and
agitation of his mind might well excuse his negligence。
Had He been informed that Elvira's death had left her Daughter
Friendless and unprotected； He would doubtless have taken such
measures； as would have ensured her from every danger： But
Antonia was not destined to be so fortunate。 The day on which
She sent her letter to the Palace de las Cisternas was that
following Lorenzo's departure from Madrid。 The Marquis was in
the first paroxysms of despair at the conviction that Agnes was
indeed no more： He was delirious； and his life being in danger；
no one was suffered to approach him。 Flora was informed that He
was incapable of attending to Letters； and that probably a few
hours would decide his fate。 With this unsatisfactory answer She
was obliged to return to her Mistress； who now found herself
plunged into greater difficulties than ever。
Flora and Dame Jacintha exerted themselves to console her。 The
Latter begged her to make herself easy； for that as long as She
chose to stay with her； She would treat her like her own Child。
Antonia； finding that the good Woman had taken a real affection
for her； was somewhat comforted by thinking that She had at
least one Friend in the World。 A Letter was now brought to her；
directed to Elvira。 She recognized Leonella's writing； and
opening it with joy； found a detailed account of her Aunt's
adventures at Cordova。 She informed her Sister that She had
recovered her Legacy； had lost her heart； and had received in
exchange that of the most amiable of Apothecaries； past； present；
and to come。 She added that She should be at M