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bowed himself with humility to the audience： Still there was a
certain severity in his look and manner that inspired universal
awe； and few could sustain the glance of his eye at once fiery
and penetrating。 Such was Ambrosio； Abbot of the Capuchins； and
surnamed； 'The Man of Holiness'。
Antonia； while She gazed upon him eagerly； felt a pleasure
fluttering in her bosom which till then had been unknown to her；
and for which She in vain endeavoured to account。 She waited
with impatience till the Sermon should begin； and when at length
the Friar spoke； the sound of his voice seemed to penetrate into
her very soul。 Though no other of the Spectators felt such
violent sensations as did the young Antonia； yet every one
listened with interest and emotion。 They who were insensible to
Religion's merits； were still enchanted with Ambrosio's oratory。
All found their attention irresistibly attracted while He spoke；
and the most profound silence reigned through the crowded Aisles。
Even Lorenzo could not resist the charm： He forgot that Antonia
was seated near him； and listened to the Preacher with undivided
attention。
In language nervous； clear； and simple； the Monk expatiated on
the beauties of Religion。 He explained some abstruse parts of
the sacred writings in a style that carried with it universal
conviction。 His voice at once distinct and deep was fraught with
all the terrors of the Tempest； while He inveighed against the
vices of humanity； and described the punishments reserved for
them in a future state。 Every Hearer looked back upon his past
offences； and trembled： The Thunder seemed to roll； whose bolt
was destined to crush him； and the abyss of eternal destruction
to open before his feet。 But when Ambrosio； changing his theme；
spoke of the excellence of an unsullied conscience； of the
glorious prospect which Eternity presented to the Soul untainted
with reproach； and of the recompense which awaited it in the
regions of everlasting glory； His Auditors felt their scattered
spirits insensibly return。 They threw themselves with confidence
upon the mercy of their Judge； They hung with delight upon the
consoling words of the Preacher； and while his full voice swelled
into melody； They were transported to those happy regions which
He painted to their imaginations in colours so brilliant and
glowing。
The discourse was of considerable length； Yet when it concluded；
the Audience grieved that it had not lasted longer。 Though the
Monk had ceased to speak； enthusiastic silence still prevailed
through the Church： At length the charm gradually dissolving；
the general admiration was expressed in audible terms。 As
Ambrosio descended from the Pulpit； His Auditors crowded round
him； loaded him with blessings； threw themselves at his feet； and
kissed the hem of his Garment。 He passed on slowly with his
hands crossed devoutly upon his bosom； to the door opening into
the Abbey Chapel； at which his Monks waited to receive him。 He
ascended the Steps； and then turning towards his Followers；
addressed to them a few words of gratitude； and exhortation。
While He spoke； his Rosary； composed of large grains of amber；
fell from his hand； and dropped among the surrounding multitude。
It was seized eagerly； and immediately divided amidst the
Spectators。 Whoever became possessor of a Bead； preserved it as
a sacred relique； and had it been the Chaplet of thrice…blessed
St。 Francis himself； it could not have been disputed with greater
vivacity。 The Abbot； smiling at their eagerness； pronounced his
benediction； and quitted the Church； while humility dwelt upon
every feature。 Dwelt She also in his heart？
Antonia's eyes followed him with anxiety。 As the Door closed
after him； it seemed to her as had she lost some one essential to
her happiness。 A tear stole in silence down her cheek。
'He is separated from the world！' said She to herself； 'Perhaps；
I shall never see him more！'
As she wiped away the tear； Lorenzo observed her action。
'Are you satisfied with our Orator？' said He； 'Or do you think
that Madrid overrates his talents？'
Antonia's heart was so filled with admiration for the Monk； that
She eagerly seized the opportunity of speaking of him： Besides；
as She now no longer considered Lorenzo as an absolute Stranger；
She was less embarrassed by her excessive timidity。
'Oh！ He far exceeds all my expectations；' answered She； 'Till
this moment I had no idea of the powers of eloquence。 But when
He spoke； his voice inspired me with such interest； such esteem；
I might almost say such affection for him； that I am myself
astonished at the acuteness of my feelings。'
Lorenzo smiled at the strength of her expressions。
'You are young and just entering into life；' said He； 'Your
heart； new to the world and full of warmth and sensibility；
receives its first impressions with eagerness。 Artless yourself；
you suspect not others of deceit； and viewing the world through
the medium of your own truth and innocence； you fancy all who
surround you to deserve your confidence and esteem。 What pity；
that these gay visions must soon be dissipated！ What pity； that
you must soon discover the baseness of mankind； and guard against
your fellow…creatures as against your Foes！'
'Alas！ Segnor；' replied Antonia； 'The misfortunes of my Parents
have already placed before me but too many sad examples of the
perfidy of the world！ Yet surely in the present instance the
warmth of sympathy cannot have deceived me。'
'In the present instance； I allow that it has not。 Ambrosio's
character is perfectly without reproach； and a Man who has passed
the whole of his life within the walls of a Convent cannot have
found the opportunity to be guilty； even were He possessed of the
inclination。 But now； when； obliged by the duties of his
situation； He must enter occasionally into the world； and be
thrown into the way of temptation； it is now that it behoves him
to show the brilliance of his virtue。 The trial is dangerous； He
is just at that period of life when the passions are most
vigorous； unbridled； and despotic； His established reputation
will mark him out to Seduction as an illustrious Victim； Novelty
will give additional charms to the allurements of pleasure； and
even the Talents with which Nature has endowed him will
contribute to his ruin； by facilitating the means of obtaining
his object。 Very few would return victorious from a contest so
severe。'
'Ah！ surely Ambrosio will be one of those few。'
'Of that I have myself no doubt： By all accounts He is an
exception to mankind in general； and Envy would seek in vain for
a blot upon his character。'
'Segnor； you delight me by this assurance！ It encourages me to
indulge my prepossession in his favour； and you know not with
what pain I should have repressed the sentiment！ Ah！ dearest
Aunt； entreat my Mother to choose him for our Confessor。'
'I entreat her？' replied Leonella； 'I promise you that I shall do
no such thing。 I do not like this same Ambrosio in the least； He
has a look of severity about him that made me tremble from head
to foot： Were He my Confessor； I should never have the courage
to avow one half of my peccadilloes； and then I should be in a
rare condition！ I never saw such a stern…looking Mortal； and
hope that I never shall see such another。 His description of the
Devil； God bless us！ almost terrified me out of my wits； and when
He spoke about Sinners He seemed as if He was ready to eat them。'
'You are right； Segnora；' answered Don Christoval； 'Too great
severity is said to be Ambrosio's only fault。 Exempted himself
from human failings； He is not sufficiently indulgent to those of
others； and though strictly just and disinterested in his
decisions； his government of the Monks has already shown some
proofs of his inflexibility。 But the crowd is nearly dissipated：
Will you permit us to attend you home？'
'Oh！ Christ！ Segnor；' exclaimed Leonella affecting to blush； 'I
would not suffer such a thing for the Universe！ If I came home
attended by so gallant a Cavalier； My Sister is so scrupulous
that She would read me an hour's lecture； and I should never hear
t