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hanging over it。 Three steps of rough…hewn Stone conducted to
it； and Matilda was on the point of descending them when She
suddenly started back。
'There are People in the Vaults！' She whispered to the Monk；
'Conceal yourself till they are past。
She took refuge behind a lofty and magnificent Tomb； erected in
honour of the Convent's Foundress。 Ambrosio followed her
example； carefully hiding his Lamp lest its beams should betray
them。 But a few moments had elapsed when the Door was pushed
open leading to the subterraneous Caverns。 Rays of light
proceeded up the Staircase： They enabled the concealed
Spectators to observe two Females drest in religious habits； who
seemed engaged in earnest conversation。 The Abbot had no
difficulty to recognize the Prioress of St。 Clare in the first；
and one of the elder Nuns in her Companion。
'Every thing is prepared；' said the Prioress； 'Her fate shall be
decided tomorrow。 All her tears and sighs will be unavailing。
No！ In five and twenty years that I have been Superior of this
Convent； never did I witness a transaction more infamous！'
'You must expect much opposition to your will；' the Other replied
in a milder voice； 'Agnes has many Friends in the Convent； and in
particular the Mother St。 Ursula will espouse her cause most
warmly。 In truth； She merits to have Friends； and I wish I
could prevail upon you to consider her youth； and her peculiar
situation。 She seems sensible of her fault； The excess of her
grief proves her penitence； and I am convinced that her tears
flow more from contrition than fear of punishment。 Reverend
Mother； would you be persuaded to mitigate the severity of your
sentence； would you but deign to overlook this first
transgression； I offer myself as the pledge of her future
conduct。'
'Overlook it； say you？ Mother Camilla； you amaze me！ What？
After disgracing me in the presence of Madrid's Idol； of the very
Man on whom I most wished to impress an idea of the strictness of
my discipline？ How despicable must I have appeared to the
reverend Abbot！ No； Mother； No！ I never can forgive the insult。
I cannot better convince Ambrosio that I abhor such crimes； than
by punishing that of Agnes with all the rigour of which our
severe laws admit。 Cease then your supplications； They will all
be unavailing。 My resolution is taken： Tomorrow Agnes shall be
made a terrible example of my justice and resentment。'
The Mother Camilla seemed not to give up the point； but by this
time the Nuns were out of hearing。 The Prioress unlocked the
door which communicated with St。 Clare's Chapel； and having
entered with her Companion； closed it again after them。
Matilda now asked； who was this Agnes with whom the Prioress was
thus incensed； and what connexion She could have with Ambrosio。
He related her adventure； and He added； that since that time his
ideas having undergone a thorough revolution； He now felt much
compassion for the unfortunate Nun。
'I design；' said He； 'to request an audience of the Domina
tomorrow； and use every means of obtaining a mitigation of her
sentence。'
'Beware of what you do！' interrupted Matilda； 'Your sudden change
of sentiment may naturally create surprize； and may give birth to
suspicions which it is most our interest to avoid。 Rather；
redouble your outward austerity； and thunder out menaces against
the errors of others； the better to conceal your own。 Abandon
the Nun to her fate。 Your interfering might be dangerous； and
her imprudence merits to be punished： She is unworthy to enjoy
Love's pleasures； who has not wit enough to conceal them。 But in
discussing this trifling subject I waste moments which are
precious。 The night flies apace； and much must be done before
morning。 The Nuns are retired； All is safe。 Give me the Lamp；
Ambrosio。 I must descend alone into these Caverns： Wait here；
and if any one approaches； warn me by your voice； But as you
value your existence； presume not to follow me。 Your life would
fall a victim to your imprudent curiosity。'
Thus saying She advanced towards the Sepulchre； still holding her
Lamp in one hand； and her little Basket in the other。 She
touched the door： It turned slowly upon its grating hinges； and
a narrow winding staircase of black marble presented itself to
her eyes。 She descended it。 Ambrosio remained above； watching
the faint beams of the Lamp as they still proceeded up the
stairs。 They disappeared； and He found himself in total
darkness。
Left to himself He could not reflect without surprize on the
sudden change in Matilda's character and sentiments。 But a few
days had past since She appeared the mildest and softest of her
sex； devoted to his will； and looking up to him as to a superior
Being。 Now She assumed a sort of courage and manliness in her
manners and discourse but ill…calculated to please him。 She
spoke no longer to insinuate； but command： He found himself
unable to cope with her in argument； and was unwillingly
obliged to confess the superiority of her judgment。 Every moment
convinced him of the astonishing powers of her mind： But what
She gained in the opinion of the Man； She lost with interest in
the affection of the Lover。 He regretted Rosario； the fond； the
gentle； and submissive： He grieved that Matilda preferred the
virtues of his sex to those of her own； and when He thought of
her expressions respecting the devoted Nun； He could not help
blaming them as cruel and unfeminine。 Pity is a sentiment so
natural； so appropriate to the female character； that it is
scarcely a merit for a Woman to possess it； but to be without it
is a grievous crime。 Ambrosio could not easily forgive his
Mistress for being deficient in this amiable quality。 However；
though he blamed her insensibility； He felt the truth of her
observations； and though He pitied sincerely the unfortunate
Agnes； He resolved to drop the idea of interposing in her behalf。
Near an hour had elapsed； since Matilda descended into the
Caverns； Still She returned not。 Ambrosio's curiosity was
excited。 He drew near the Staircase。 He listened。 All was
silent； except that at intervals He caught the sound of Matilda's
voice； as it wound along the subteraneous passages； and was
re…echoed by the Sepulchre's vaulted roofs。 She was at too great
a distance for him to distinguish her words； and ere they reached
him they were deadened into a low murmur。 He longed to penetrate
into this mystery。 He resolved to disobey her injunctions and
follow her into the Cavern。 He advanced to the Staircase； He
had already descended some steps when his courage failed him。
He remembered Matilda's menaces if He infringed her orders； and
his bosom was filled with a secret unaccountable awe。 He
returned up the stairs； resumed his former station； and waited
impatiently for the conclusion of this adventure。
Suddenly He was sensible of a violent shock： An earthquake
rocked the ground。 The Columns which supported the roof under
which He stood were so strongly shaken； that every moment
menaced him with its fall； and at the same moment He heard a loud
and tremendous burst of thunder。 It ceased； and his eyes being
fixed upon the Staircase； He saw a bright column of light flash
along the Caverns beneath。 It was seen but for an instant。 No
sooner did it disappear； than all was once more quiet and
obscure。 Profound Darkness again surrounded him； and the silence
of night was only broken by the whirring Bat； as She flitted
slowly by him。
With every instant Ambrosio's amazement increased。 Another hour
elapsed； after which the same light again appeared and was lost
again as suddenly。 It was accompanied by a strain of sweet but
solemn Music； which as it stole through the Vaults below；
inspired the Monk with mingled delight and terror。 It had not
long been hushed； when He heard Matilda's steps upon the
Staircase。 She ascended from the Cavern； The most lively joy
animated her beautiful features。
'Did you see any thing？' She asked。
'Twice I saw a column of light flash up the Staircase。'
'Nothing else？'
'Nothing。'
'The Morning is on the point of breaking。 Let us retire to the
Abbey； lest