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'As for me；' said He； 'Other cares demand my attention。 While
you with one half of the Archers convey these Ladies to their
respective homes； I wish the other half to be left with me。 I
will examine the Cavern below； and pervade the most secret
recesses of the Sepulchre。 I cannot rest till convinced that
yonder wretched Victim was the only one confined by Superstition
in these vaults。'
The Duke applauded his intention。 Don Ramirez offered to assist
him in his enquiry； and his proposal was accepted with gratitude。
The Nuns having made their acknowledgments to Lorenzo； committed
themselves to the care of his Uncle； and were conducted from the
Sepulchre。 Virginia requested that the Unknown might be given to
her in charge； and promised to let Lorenzo know whenever She was
sufficiently recovered to accept his visits。 In truth； She made
this promise more from consideration for herself than for either
Lorenzo or the Captive。 She had witnessed his politeness；
gentleness； and intrepidity with sensible emotion。 She wished
earnestly to preserve his acquaintance； and in addition to the
sentiments of pity which the Prisoner excited； She hoped that her
attention to this Unfortunate would raise her a degree in the
esteem of Lorenzo。 She had no occasion to trouble herself upon
this head。 The kindness already displayed by her and the tender
concern which She had shown for the Sufferer had gained her an
exalted place in his good graces。 While occupied in alleviating
the Captive's sorrows； the nature of her employment adorned her
with new charms； and rendered her beauty a thousand times more
interesting。 Lorenzo viewed her with admiration and delight： He
considered her as a ministering Angel descended to the aid of
afflicted innocence； nor could his heart have resisted her
attractions； had it not been steeled by the remembrance of
Antonia。
The Duke now conveyed the Nuns in safety to the Dwellings of
their respective Friends。 The rescued Prisoner was still
insensible and gave no signs of life； except by occasional
groans。 She was borne upon a sort of litter； Virginia； who was
constantly by the side of it； was apprehensive that exhausted by
long abstinence； and shaken by the sudden change from bonds and
darkness to liberty and light； her frame would never get the
better of the shock。 Lorenzo and Don Ramirez still remained in
the Sepulchre。 After deliberating upon their proceedings； it was
resolved that to prevent losing time； the Archers should be
divided into two Bodies： That with one Don Ramirez should
examine the cavern； while Lorenzo with the other might penetrate
into the further Vaults。 This being arranged； and his Followers
being provided with Torches； Don Ramirez advanced to the Cavern。
He had already descended some steps when He heard People
approaching hastily from the interior part of the Sepulchre。
This surprized him； and He quitted the Cave precipitately。
'Do you hear footsteps？' said Lorenzo； 'Let us bend our course
towards them。 'Tis from this side that they seem to proceed。'
At that moment a loud and piercing shriek induced him to quicken
his steps。
'Help！ Help； for God's sake！ cried a voice； whose melodious
tone penetrated Lorenzo's heart with terror。
He flew towards the cry with the rapidity of lightning； and was
followed by Don Ramirez with equal swiftness。
CHAPTER IV
Great Heaven！ How frail thy creature Man is made！
How by himself insensibly betrayed！
In our own strength unhappily secure；
Too little cautious of the adverse power；
On pleasure's flowery brink we idly stray；
Masters as yet of our returning way：
Till the strong gusts of raging passion rise；
Till the dire Tempest mingles earth and skies；
And swift into the boundless Ocean borne；
Our foolish confidence too late we mourn：
Round our devoted heads the billows beat；
And from our troubled view the lessening lands retreat。
Prior。
All this while； Ambrosio was unconscious of the dreadful scenes
which were passing so near。 The execution of his designs upon
Antonia employed his every thought。 Hitherto； He was satisfied
with the success of his plans。 Antonia had drank the opiate； was
buried in the vaults of St。 Clare； and absolutely in his
disposal。 Matilda； who was well acquainted with the nature and
effects of the soporific medicine； had computed that it would not
cease to operate till one in the Morning。 For that hour He
waited with impatience。 The Festival of St。 Clare presented him
with a favourable opportunity of consummating his crime。 He was
certain that the Friars and Nuns would be engaged in the
Procession； and that He had no cause to dread an interruption：
From appearing himself at the head of his Monks； He had desired
to be excused。 He doubted not； that being beyond the reach of
help； cut off from all the world； and totally in his power；
Antonia would comply with his desires。 The affection which She
had ever exprest for him； warranted this persuasion： But He
resolved that should She prove obstinate； no consideration
whatever should prevent him from enjoying her。 Secure from a
discovery； He shuddered not at the idea of employing force： If
He felt any repugnance； it arose not from a principle of shame
or compassion； but from his feeling for Antonia the most sincere
and ardent affection； and wishing to owe her favours to no one
but herself。
The Monks quitted the Abbey at midnight。 Matilda was among the
Choristers； and led the chaunt。 Ambrosio was left by himself；
and at liberty to pursue his own inclinations。 Convinced that no
one remained behind to watch his motions； or disturb his
pleasures； He now hastened to the Western Aisles。 His heart
beating with hope not unmingled with anxiety； He crossed the
Garden； unlocked the door which admitted him into the Cemetery；
and in a few minutes He stood before the Vaults。 Here He paused。
He looked round him with suspicion； conscious that his business
was unfit for any other eye。 As He stood in hesitation； He heard
the melancholy shriek of the screech…Owl： The wind rattled
loudly against the windows of the adjacent Convent； and as the
current swept by him； bore with it the faint notes of the chaunt
of Choristers。 He opened the door cautiously； as if fearing to
be overheard： He entered； and closed it again after him。
Guided by his Lamp； He threaded the long passages； in whose
windings Matilda had instructed him； and reached the private
Vault which contained his sleeping Mistress。
Its entrance was by no means easy to discover： But this was no
obstacle to Ambrosio； who at the time of Antonia's Funeral had
observed it too carefully to be deceived。 He found the door；
which was unfastened； pushed it open； and descended into the
dungeon。 He approached the humble Tomb in which Antonia
reposed。 He had provided himself with an iron crow and a
pick…axe； But this precaution was unnecessary。 The Grate was
slightly fastened on the outside： He raised it； and placing the
Lamp upon its ridge； bent silently over the Tomb。 By the side of
three putrid half…corrupted Bodies lay the sleeping Beauty。 A
lively red； the forerunner of returning animation； had already
spread itself over her cheek； and as wrapped in her shroud She
reclined upon her funeral Bier； She seemed to smile at the Images
of Death around her。 While He gazed upon their rotting bones and
disgusting figures； who perhaps were once as sweet and lovely；
Ambrosio thought upon Elvira； by him reduced to the same state。
As the memory of that horrid act glanced upon his mind； it was
clouded with a gloomy horror。 Yet it served but to strengthen
his resolution to destroy Antonia's honour。
'For your sake； Fatal Beauty！' murmured the Monk； while gazing on
his devoted prey； 'For your sake； have I committed this murder；
and sold myself to eternal tortures。 Now you are in my power：
The produce of my guilt will at least be mine。 Hope not that
your prayers breathed in tones of unequalled melody； your bright
eyes filled with tears； and your hands lifted in supplication； as
when seeking in penitence the Virgin's pardon； Hope not that
your moving i