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penetrated with horror at the scene which had just past； and
dreading to contemplate the Ghost's prediction； her mind had need
of all the succours of friendship and religion； Antonia regarded
the Abbot with an eye doubly partial。 That strong prepossession
in his favour still existed which She had felt for him at first
sight： She fancied； yet knew not wherefore； that his presence
was a safeguard to her from every danger； insult； or misfortune。
She thanked him gratefully for his visit； and related to him the
adventure； which had alarmed her so seriously。
The Abbot strove to reassure her； and convince her that the
whole had been a deception of her overheated fancy。 The
solitude in which She had passed the Evening； the gloom of night；
the Book which She had been reading； and the Room in which She
sat； were all calculated to place before her such a vision。 He
treated the idea of Ghosts with ridicule； and produced strong
arguments to prove the fallacy of such a system。 His
conversation tranquillized and comforted her； but did not
convince her。 She could not believe that the Spectre had been a
mere creature of her imagination； Every circumstance was
impressed upon her mind too forcibly； to permit her flattering
herself with such an idea。 She persisted in asserting that She
had really seen her Mother's Ghost； had heard the period of her
dissolution announced and declared that She never should quit
her bed alive。 Ambrosio advised her against encouraging these
sentiments； and then quitted her chamber； having promised to
repeat his visit on the morrow。 Antonia received this assurance
with every mark of joy： But the Monk easily perceived that He
was not equally acceptable to her Attendant。 Flora obeyed
Elvira's injunctions with the most scrupulous observance。 She
examined every circumstance with an anxious eye likely in the
least to prejudice her young Mistress； to whom She had been
attached for many years。 She was a Native of Cuba； had followed
Elvira to Spain； and loved the young Antonia with a Mother's
affection。 Flora quitted not the room for a moment while the
Abbot remained there： She watched his every word； his every
look； his every action。 He saw that her suspicious eye was
always fixed upon him； and conscious that his designs would not
bear inspection so minute； He felt frequently confused and
disconcerted。 He was aware that She doubted the purity of his
intentions； that She would never leave him alone with Antonia；
and his Mistress defended by the presence of this vigilant
Observer； He despaired of finding the means to gratify his
passion。
As He quitted the House； Jacintha met him； and begged that some
Masses might be sung for the repose of Elvira's soul； which She
doubted not was suffering in Purgatory。 He promised not to
forget her request； But He perfectly gained the old Woman's
heart by engaging to watch during the whole of the approaching
night in the haunted chamber。 Jacintha could find no terms
sufficiently strong to express her gratitude； and the Monk
departed loaded with her benedictions。
It was broad day when He returned to the Abbey。 His first care
was to communicate what had past to his Confident。 He felt too
sincere a passion for Antonia to have heard unmoved the
prediction of her speedy death； and He shuddered at the idea of
losing an object so dear to him。 Upon this head Matilda
reassured him。 She confirmed the arguments which Himself had
already used： She declared Antonia to have been deceived by the
wandering of her brain； by the Spleen which opprest her at the
moment； and by the natural turn of her mind to superstition； and
the marvellous。 As to Jacintha's account； the absurdity refuted
itself； The Abbot hesitated not to believe that She had
fabricated the whole story； either confused by terror； or hoping
to make him comply more readily with her request。 Having
overruled the Monk's apprehensions； Matilda continued thus。
'The prediction and the Ghost are equally false； But it must be
your care； Ambrosio； to verify the first。 Antonia within three
days must indeed be dead to the world； But She must live for you。
Her present illness； and this fancy which She has taken into her
head； will colour a plan which I have long meditated； but which
was impracticable without your procuring access to Antonia。 She
shall be yours； not for a single night； but for ever。 All the
vigilance of her Duenna shall not avail her： You shall riot
unrestrained in the charms of your Mistress。 This very day must
the scheme be put in execution； for you have no time to lose。
The Nephew of the Duke of Medina Celi prepares to demand Antonia
for his Bride： In a few days She will be removed to the Palace
of her Relation； the Marquis de las Cisternas； and there She will
be secure from your attempts。 Thus during your absence have I
been informed by my Spies； who are ever employed in bringing me
intelligence for your service。 Now then listen to me。 There is
a juice extracted from certain herbs； known but to few； which
brings on the Person who drinks it the exact image of Death。 Let
this be administered to Antonia： You may easily find means to
pour a few drops into her medicine。 The effect will be throwing
her into strong convulsions for an hour： After which her blood
will gradually cease to flow； and heart to beat； A mortal
paleness will spread itself over her features； and She will
appear a Corse to every eye。 She has no Friends about her： You
may charge yourself unsuspected with the superintendence of her
funeral； and cause her to be buried in the Vaults of St。 Clare。
Their solitude and easy access render these Caverns favourable to
your designs。 Give Antonia the soporific draught this Evening：
Eight and forty hours after She has drank it； Life will revive to
her bosom。 She will then be absolutely in your power： She will
find all resistance unavailing； and necessity will compel her to
receive you in her arms。'
'Antonia will be in my power！' exclaimed the Monk； 'Matilda； you
transport me！ At length then； happiness will be mine； and that
happiness will be Matilda's gift； will be the gift of friendship！
I shall clasp Antonia in my arms； far from every prying eye； from
every tormenting Intruder！ I shall sigh out my soul upon her
bosom； Shall teach her young heart the first rudiments of
pleasure； and revel uncontrouled in the endless variety of her
charms！ And shall this delight indeed by mine？ Shall I give the
reins to my desires； and gratify every wild tumultuous wish？ Oh！
Matilda； how can I express to you my gratitude？'
'By profiting by my counsels。 Ambrosio； I live but to serve you：
Your interest and happiness are equally mine。 Be your person
Antonia's； but to your friendship and your heart I still assert
my claim。 Contributing to yours forms now my only pleasure。
Should my exertions procure the gratification of your wishes； I
shall consider my trouble to be amply repaid。 But let us lose no
time。 The liquor of which I spoke is only to be found in St。
Clare's Laboratory。 Hasten then to the Prioress； Request of her
admission to the Laboratory； and it will not be denie