按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Though aimed by an uncertain hand； the poignard had answered but
too well the purpose of its Employer。 The wounds were mortal； and
Antonia was conscious that She never could recover。 Yet the few
moments which remained for her were moments of happiness。 The
concern exprest upon Lorenzo's countenance； the frantic fondness
of his complaints； and his earnest enquiries respecting her
wounds； convinced her beyond a doubt that his affections were her
own。 She would not be removed from the Vaults； fearing lest
motion should only hasten her death； and She was unwilling to
lose those moments which She past in receiving proofs of
Lorenzo's love； and assuring him of her own。 She told him that
had She still been undefiled She might have lamented the loss of
life； But that deprived of honour and branded with shame； Death
was to her a blessing： She could not have been his Wife； and
that hope being denied her； She resigned herself to the Grave
without one sigh of regret。 She bad him take courage； conjured
him not to abandon himself to fruitless sorrow； and declared that
She mourned to leave nothing in the whole world but him。 While
every sweet accent increased rather than lightened Lorenzo's
grief； She continued to converse with him till the moment of
dissolution。 Her voice grew faint and scarcely audible； A thick
cloud spread itself over her eyes； Her heart beat slow and
irregular； and every instant seemed to announce that her fate was
near at hand。
She lay； her head reclining upon Lorenzo's bosom； and her lips
still murmuring to him words of comfort。 She was interrupted by
the Convent Bell； as tolling at a distance； it struck the hour。
Suddenly Antonia's eyes sparkled with celestial brightness： Her
frame seemed to have received new strength and animation。 She
started from her Lover's arms。
'Three o'clock！' She cried； 'Mother； I come！'
She clasped her hands； and sank lifeless upon the ground。
Lorenzo in agony threw himself beside her： He tore his hair；
beat his breast； and refused to be separated from the Corse。 At
length his force being exhausted； He suffered himself to be led
from the Vault； and was conveyed to the Palace de Medina scarcely
more alive than the unfortunate Antonia。
In the meanwhile； though closely pursued； Ambrosio succeeded in
regaining the Vault。 The Door was already fastened when Don
Ramirez arrived； and much time elapsed； ere the Fugitive's
retreat was discovered。 But nothing can resist perseverance。
Though so artfully concealed； the Door could not escape the
vigilance of the Archers。 They forced it open； and entered the
Vault to the infinite dismay of Ambrosio and his Companion。 The
Monk's confusion； his attempt to hide himself； his rapid flight；
and the blood sprinkled upon his cloaths； left no room to doubt
his being Antonia's Murderer。 But when He was recognized for the
immaculate Ambrosio； 'The Man of Holiness；' the Idol of Madrid；
the faculties of the Spectators were chained up in surprize； and
scarcely could they persuade themselves that what they saw was no
vision。 The Abbot strove not to vindicate himself； but preserved
a sullen silence。 He was secured and bound。 The same precaution
was taken with Matilda： Her Cowl being removed； the delicacy of
her features and profusion of her golden hair betrayed her sex；
and this incident created fresh amazement。 The dagger was also
found in the Tomb； where the Monk had thrown it； and the dungeon
having undergone a thorough search； the two Culprits were
conveyed to the prisons of the Inquisition。
Don Ramirez took care that the populace should remain ignorant
both of the crimes and profession of the Captives。 He feared a
repetition of the riots which had followed the apprehending the
Prioress of St。 Clare。 He contented himself with stating to the
Capuchins the guilt of their Superior。 To avoid the shame of a
public accusation； and dreading the popular fury from which they
had already saved their Abbey with much difficulty； the Monks
readily permitted the Inquisitors to search their Mansion without
noise。 No fresh discoveries were made。 The effects found in the
Abbot's and Matilda's Cells were seized； and carried to the
Inquisition to be produced in evidence。 Every thing else
remained in its former position； and order and tranquillity once
more prevailed through Madrid。
St。 Clare's Convent was completely ruined by the united ravages
of the Mob and conflagration。 Nothing remained of it but the
principal Walls； whose thickness and solidity had preserved them
from the flames。 The Nuns who had belonged to it were obliged
in consequence to disperse themselves into other Societies： But
the prejudice against them ran high； and the Superiors were very
unwilling to admit them。 However； most of them being related to
Families the most distinguished for their riches birth and power；
the several Convents were compelled to receive them； though they
did it with a very ill grace。 This prejudice was extremely false
and unjustifiable： After a close investigation； it was proved
that All in the Convent were persuaded of the death of Agnes；
except the four Nuns whom St。 Ursula had pointed out。 These had
fallen Victims to the popular fury； as had also several who were
perfectly innocent and unconscious of the whole affair。 Blinded
by resentment； the Mob had sacrificed every Nun who fell into
their hands： They who escaped were entirely indebted to the Duke
de Medina's prudence and moderation。 Of this they were
conscious； and felt for that Nobleman a proper sense of
gratitude。
Virginia was not the most sparing of her thanks： She wished
equally to make a proper return for his attentions； and to obtain
the good graces of Lorenzo's Uncle。 In this She easily succeeded。
The Duke beheld her beauty with wonder and admiration； and while
his eyes were enchanted with her Form； the sweetness of her
manners and her tender concern for the suffering Nun prepossessed
his heart in her favour。 This Virginia had discernment enough to
perceive； and She redoubled her attention to the Invalid。 When
He parted from her at the door of her Father's Palace； the Duke
entreated permission to enquire occasionally after her health。
His request was readily granted： Virginia assured him that the
Marquis de Villa…Franca would be proud of an opportunity to thank
him in person for the protection afforded to her。 They now
separated； He enchanted with her beauty and gentleness； and She
much pleased with him and more with his Nephew。
On entering the Palace； Virginia's first care was to summon the
family Physician； and take care of her unknown charge。 Her
Mother hastened to share with her the charitable office。 Alarmed
by the riots； and trembling for his Daughter's safety； who was
his only child； the Marquis had flown to St。 Clare's Convent； and
was still employed in seeking her。 Messengers were now
dispatched on all sides to inform him that He would find her
safe at his Hotel； and desire him to hasten thither immediately。
His absence gave Virginia liberty to bestow her whole attention
upon her Patient； and though much disordered herself by the
adventures of the night； no persuasion could induce her to quit
the bedside of the Sufferer。 Her constitution being much
enfeebled by want and sorrow； it was some time before the
Stranger was restored to her senses。 She found great difficulty
in swallowing the medicines prescribed to her： But this obstacle
being removed； She easily conquered her disease which proceeded
from nothing but weakness。 The attention which was paid her； the
wholesome food to which She had been long a Stranger； and her joy
at being restored to liberty； to society； and； as She dared to
hope； to Love； all this combined to her speedy re…establishment。
From the first moment of knowing her； her melancholy situation；
her sufferings almost unparalleled had engaged the affections of
her amiable Hostess： Virginia felt for her the most lively
interest； But how was She delighted； when her Guest being
sufficiently recovered to relate her History； She recognized in
the captive Nun the Sister of Lorenzo！
This victim of monastic cruelty w