volume02-第10部分
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my dear Lorenzo； were said to be abroad； but where I could not discover： Your Father was in a distant Province on a visit to the Duke de Medina； and as to Agnes； no one could or would inform me what was become of her。 Theodore； according to promise； had returned to Strasbourg； where He found his Grandfather dead； and Marguerite in possession of his fortune。 All her persuations to remain with her were fruitless： He quitted her a second time； and followed me to Madrid。 He exerted himself to the utmost in forwarding my search： But our united endeavours were unattended by success。 The retreat； which concealed Agnes remained an impenetrable mystery； and I began to abandon all hopes of recovering her。
About eight months ago I was returning to my Hotel in a melancholy humour； having past the evening at the Play…House。 The Night was dark； and I was unaccompanied。 Plunged in reflections which were far from being agreeable； I perceived not that three Men had followed me from the Theatre； till； on turning into an unfrequented Street； they all attacked me at the same time with the utmost fury。 I sprang back a few paces； drew my sword； and threw my cloak over my left arm。 The obscurity of the night was in my favour。 For the most part the blows of the Assassins； being aimed at random； failed to touch me。 I at length was fortunate enough to lay one of my Adversaries at my feet； But before this I had already received so many wounds； and was so warmly pressed； that my destruction would have been inevitable； had not the clashing of swords called a Cavalier to my assistance。 He ran towards me with his sword drawn： Several Domestics followed him with torches。 His arrival made the combat equal： Yet would not the Bravoes abandon their design till the Servants were on the point of joining us。 They then fled away； and we lost them in the obscurity。
The Stranger now addressed himself to me with politeness； and enquired whether I was wounded。 Faint with the loss of blood； I could scarcely thank him for his seasonable aid； and entreat him to let some of his Servants convey me to the Hotel de las Cisternas。 I no sooner mentioned the name than He profest himself an acquaintance of my Father's； and declared that He would not permit my being transported to such a distance before my wounds had been examined。 He added that his House was hard by； and begged me to accompany him thither。 His manner was so earnest； that I could not reject his offer； and leaning upon his arm； a few minutes brought me to the Porch of a magnificent Hotel。
On entering the House； an old grey…headed Domestic came to welcome my Conductor： He enquired when the Duke； his Master； meant to quit the Country； and was answered that He would remain there yet some months。 My Deliverer then desired the family Surgeon to be summoned without delay。 His orders were obeyed。 I was seated upon a Sopha in a noble apartment； and my wounds being examined； they were declared to be very slight。 The Surgeon； however； advised me not to expose myself to the night air； and the Stranger pressed me so earnestly to take a bed in his House； that I consented to remain where I was for the present。
Being now left alone with my Deliverer； I took the opportunity of thanking him in more express terms； than I had done hitherto： But He begged me to be silent upon the subject。
'I esteem myself happy；' said He； 'in having had it in my power to render you this little service； and I shall think myself eternally obliged to my Daughter for detaining me so late at the Convent of St。 Clare。 The high esteem in which I have ever held the Marquis de las Cisternas； though accident has not permitted our being so intimate as I could wish； makes me rejoice in the opportunity of making his Son's acquaintance。 I am certain that my Brother in whose House you now are； will lament his not being at Madrid to receive you himself： But in the Duke's absence I am Master of the family； and may assure you in his name； that every thing in the Hotel de Medina is perfectly at your disposal。'
Conceive my surprize； Lorenzo； at discovering in the person of my Preserver Don Gaston de Medina： It was only to be equalled by my secret satisfaction at the assurance that Agnes inhabited the Convent of St。 Clare。 This latter sensation was not a little weakened； when in answer to my seemingly indifferent questions He told me that his Daughter had really taken the veil。 I suffered not my grief at this circumstance to take root in my mind： I flattered myself with the idea that my Uncle's credit at the Court of Rome would remove this obstacle； and that without difficulty I should obtain for my Mistress a dispensation from her vows。 Buoyed up with this hope I calmed the uneasiness of my bosom； and I redoubled my endeavours to appear grateful for the attention and pleased with the society of Don Gaston。
A Domestic now entered the room； and informed me that the Bravo whom I had wounded discovered some signs of life。 I desired that He might be carried to my Father's Hotel； and that as soon as He recovered his voice； I would examine him respecting his reasons for attempting my life。 I was answered that He was already able to speak； though with difficulty： Don Gaston's curiosity made him press me to interrogate the Assassin in his presence； but this curiosity I was by no means inclined to gratify。 One reason was； that doubting from whence the blow came； I was unwilling to place before Don Gaston's eyes the guilt of a Sister： Another was； that I feared to be recognized for Alphonso d'Alvarada； and precautions taken in consequence to keep me from the sight of Agnes。 To avow my passion for his Daughter； and endeavour to make him enter into my schemes； what I knew of Don Gaston's character convinced me would be an imprudent step： and considering it to be essential that He should know me for no other than the Conde de las Cisternas； I was determined not to let him hear the Bravo's confession。 I insinuated to him； that as I suspected a Lady to be concerned in the Business； whose name might accidentally escape from the Assassin； it was necessary for me to examine the Man in private。 Don Gaston's delicacy would not permit his urging the point any longer； and in consequence the Bravo was conveyed to my Hotel。
The next Morning I took leave of my Host； who was to return to the Duke on the same day。 My wounds had been so trifling that； except being obliged to wear my arm in a sling for a short time； I felt no inconvenience from the night's adventure。 The Surgeon who examined the Bravo's wound declared it to be mortal： He had just time to confess that He had been instigated to murder me by the revengeful Donna Rodolpha； and expired in a few minutes after。
All my thoughts were now bent upon getting to the speech of my lovely Nun。 Theodore set himself to work； and for this time with better success。 He attacked the Gardener of St。 Clare so forcibly with bribes and promises that the Old Man was entirely gained over to my interests； and it was settled that I should be introduced into the Convent in the character of his Assistant。 The plan was put into execution without delay。 Disguised in a common habit； and a black patch covering one of my eyes； I was presented to the Lady Prioress； who condescended to approve of the Gardener's choice。 I immediately entered upon my employment。 Botany having been a favourite study with me； I was by no means at a loss in my new station。 For some days I continued to work in the Convent Garden without meeting the Object of my disguise： On the fourth Morning I was more successful。 I heard the voice of Agnes； and was speeding towards the sound； when the sight of the Domina stopped me。 I drew back with caution； and concealed myself behind a thick clump of Trees。
The Prioress advanced and seated herself with Agnes on a Bench at no great distance。 I heard her in an angry tone blame her Companion's continual melancholy： She told her that to weep the loss of any Lover in her situation was a crime； But that to weep the loss of a faithless one was folly and absurdity in the extreme。 Agnes replied in so low a voice that I could not distinguish her words； but I perceived that She used terms of gentleness and submission。 The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a young Pensioner who informed the Domina that She was waited for in the Parlour。 The old Lady rose； kissed the cheek of Agnes； and retired。 The newcomer remained。 Agnes spoke much to her in praise of somebody whom I could not make out； but her Auditor seemed highly delighted； and interested by the conversation。 The Nun showed her several letters； the Other perused them with evident pleasure； obtained permission to copy them； and withdrew for that purpose to my great satisfaction。
No sooner was She out of sight； than I quitted my concealment。 Fearing to alarm my lovely Mistress； I drew near her gently； intending to discover myself by degrees。 But who for a moment can deceive the eyes of love？ She raised her head at my approach； and recognised me in spite of my disguise at a single glance。 She rose hastily from her seat with an exclamation of surprize； and attempted to retire； But I followed her； detained her； and entreated to be heard。 Persuaded of my falsehood She refused to listen to me； and ordered me positively to quit the Garden。 It was now my turn to refuse。 I protested that however dangerous might be the consequences； I would not leave her till She had heard my justification。 I assured her that She had been deceived by the artifices of her Relations； that I could convince her beyond the power of doubt that my passion had been pure and disinterested； and I asked her what should induce me to seek her in the Convent； were I influenced by the selfish motives which my Enemies had ascribed to me。
My prayers； my arguments； and vows not to quit her； till She had promised to listen to me； united to her fears lest the Nuns should see me with her； to her natural curiosity； and to the effection which She still felt for me in spite of my supposed desertion； at length prevailed。 She told me that to grant my request at that moment was impossible； But She engaged to be in the same spot at eleven that night； and to converse wi
