the monk(僧侣)-第49部分

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the　reward　of　his　daring：　　He　inflamed　his　imagination　by
enumerating　her　charms。　　He　persuaded　himself　that　（as　Matilda
had　observed）；　He　always　should　have　time　sufficient　for
repentance；　and　that　as　He　employed　HER　assistance；　not　that　of
the　Daemons；　the　crime　of　Sorcery　could　not　be　laid　to　his
charge。　　He　had　read　much　respecting　witchcraft：　He　understood
that　unless　a　formal　Act　was　signed　renouncing　his　claim　to
salvation；　Satan　would　have　no　power　over　him。　　He　was　fully
determined　not　to　execute　any　such　act；　whatever　threats　might　be
used；　or　advantages　held　out　to　him。

Such　were　his　meditations　while　waiting　for　Matilda。　They　were
interrupted　by　a　low　murmur　which　seemed　at　no　great　distance
from　him。　　He　was　startled。　　He　listened。　　Some　minutes　past　in
silence；　after　which　the　murmur　was　repeated。　　It　appeared　to　be
the　groaning　of　one　in　pain。　　In　any　other　situation；　this
circumstance　would　only　have　excited　his　attention　and　curiosity：

In　the　present；　his　predominant　sensation　was　that　of　terror。　His
imagination　totally　engrossed　by　the　ideas　of　sorcery　and
Spirits；　He　fancied　that　some　unquiet　Ghost　was　wandering　near
him；　or　else　that　Matilda　had　fallen　a　Victim　to　her　presumption；
and　was　perishing　under　the　cruel　fangs　of　the　Daemons。　　The
noise　seemed　not　to　approach；　but　continued　to　be　heard　at
intervals。　　Sometimes　it　became　more　audible；　doubtless　as　the
sufferings　of　the　person　who　uttered　the　groans　became
more　acute　and　insupportable。　　Ambrosio　now　and　then　thought
that　He　could　distinguish　accents；　and　once　in　particular　He　was
almost　convinced　that　He　heard　a　faint　voice　exclaim；

'God！　　Oh！　　God！　　No　hope！　　No　succour！'

Yet　deeper　groans　followed　these　words。　　They　died　away
gradually；　and　universal　silence　again　prevailed。

'What　can　this　mean？'　thought　the　bewildered　Monk。

At　that　moment　an　idea　which　flashed　into　his　mind；　almost
petrified　him　with　horror。　　He　started；　and　shuddered　at　himself。

'Should　it　be　possible！'　He　groaned　involuntarily；　'Should　it　but
be　possible；　Oh！　what　a　Monster　am　I！'

He　wished　to　resolve　his　doubts；　and　to　repair　his　fault；　if　it
were　not　too　late　already：　　But　these　generous　and　compassionate
sentiments　were　soon　put　to　flight　by　the　return　of　Matilda。　　He
forgot　the　groaning　Sufferer；　and　remembered　nothing　but　the
danger　and　embarrassment　of　his　own　situation。　　The　light　of　the
returning　Lamp　gilded　the　walls；　and　in　a　few　moments　after
Matilda　stood　beside　him。　　She　had　quitted　her　religious　habit：　
She　was　now　cloathed　in　a　long　sable　Robe；　on　which　was　traced　in
gold　embroidery　a　variety　of　unknown　characters：　　It　was　fastened
by　a　girdle　of　precious　stones；　in　which　was　fixed　a　poignard。　
Her　neck　and　arms　were　uncovered。　　In　her　hand　She　bore　a　golden
wand。　　Her　hair　was　loose　and　flowed　wildly　upon　her　shoulders；
Her　eyes　sparkled　with　terrific　expression；　and　her　whole
Demeanour　was　calculated　to　inspire　the　beholder　with　awe　and
admiration。

'Follow　me！'　She　said　to　the　Monk　in　a　low　and　solemn　voice；　'All
is　ready！'

His　limbs　trembled；　while　He　obeyed　her。　　She　led　him　through
various　narrow　passages；　and　on　every　side　as　they　past　along；
the　beams　of　the　Lamp　displayed　none　but　the　most　revolting
objects；　Skulls；　Bones；　Graves；　and　Images　whose　eyes　seemed　to
glare　on　them　with　horror　and　surprize。　　At　length　they　reached　a
spacious　Cavern；　whose　lofty　roof　the　eye　sought　in　vain　to
discover。　　A　profound　obscurity　hovered　through　the　void。　　Damp
vapours　struck　cold　to　the　Friar's　heart；　and　He　listened　sadly
to　the　blast　while　it　howled　along　the　lonely　Vaults。　　Here
Matilda　stopped。　　She　turned　to　Ambrosio。　　His　cheeks　and　lips
were　pale　with　apprehension。　　By　a　glance　of　mingled　scorn　and
anger　She　reproved　his　pusillanimity；　but　She　spoke　not。　　She
placed　the　Lamp　upon　the　ground；　near　the　Basket。　　She　motioned
that　Ambrosio　should　be　silent；　and　began　the　mysterious　rites。　
She　drew　a　circle　round　him；　another　round　herself；　and　then
taking　a　small　Phial　from　the　Basket；　poured　a　few　drops　upon　the
ground　before　her。　　She　bent　over　the　place；　muttered　some
indistinct　sentences；　and　immediately　a　pale　sulphurous　flame
arose　from　the　ground。　　It　increased　by　degrees；　and　at　length
spread　its　waves　over　the　whole　surface；　the　circles　alone
excepted　in　which　stood　Matilda　and　the　Monk。　　It　then　ascended
the　huge　Columns　of　unhewn　stone；　glided　along　the　roof；　and
formed　the　Cavern　into　an　immense　chamber　totally　covered　with
blue　trembling　fire。　　It　emitted　no　heat：　　On　the　contrary；　the
extreme　chillness　of　the　place　seemed　to　augment　with　every
moment。　　Matilda　continued　her　incantations：　　At　intervals　She
took　various　articles　from　the　Basket；　the　nature　and　name　of
most　of　which　were　unknown　to　the　Friar：　　But　among　the　few　which
He　distinguished；　He　particularly　observed　three　human　fingers；
and　an　Agnus　Dei　which　She　broke　in　pieces。　　She　threw　them　all
into　the　flames　which　burned　before　her；　and　they　were　instantly
consumed。

The　Monk　beheld　her　with　anxious　curiosity。　　Suddenly　She　uttered
a　loud　and　piercing　shriek。　　She　appeared　to　be　seized　with　an
access　of　delirium；　She　tore　her　hair；　beat　her　bosom；　used　the
most　frantic　gestures；　and　drawing　the　poignard　from　her　girdle
plunged　it　into　her　left　arm。　　The　blood　gushed　out　plentifully；
and　as　She　stood　on　the　brink　of　the　circle；　She　took　care　that
it　should　fall　on　the　outside。　　The　flames　retired　from　the　spot
on　which　the　blood　was　pouring。　　A　volume　of　dark　clouds　rose
slowly　from　the　ensanguined　earth；　and　ascended　gradually；　till
it　reached　the　vault　of　the　Cavern。　　At　the　same　time　a　clap　of
thunder　was　heard：　The　echo　pealed　fearfully　along　the
subterraneous　passages；　and　the　ground　shook　beneath　the　feet　of
the　Enchantress。

It　was　now　that　Ambrosio　repented　of　his　rashness。　　The　solemn
singularity　of　the　charm　had　prepared　him　for　something　strange
and　horrible。　　He　waited　with　fear　for　the　Spirit's　appearance；
whose　coming　was　announced　by　thunder　and　earthquakes。　　He　looked
wildly　round　him；　expecting　that　some　dreadful　Apparition　would
meet　his　eyes；　the　sight　of　which　would　drive　him　mad。　　A　cold
shivering　seized　his　body；　and　He　sank　upon　one　knee；　unable　to
support　himself。

'He　comes！'　exclaimed　Matilda　in　a　joyful　accent。

Ambrosio　started；　and　expected　the　Daemon　with　terror。　　What　was
his　surprize；　when　the　Thunder　ceasing　to　roll；　a　full　strain　of
melodious　Music　sounded　in　the　air。　　At　the　same　time　the　cloud
dispersed；　and　He　beheld　a　Figure　more　beautiful　than　Fancy's
pencil　ever　drew。　　It　was　a　Youth　seemingly　scarce　eighteen；　the
perfection　of　whose　form　and　face　was　unrivalled。　　He　was
perfectly　naked：　　A　bright　Star　sparkled　upon　his　forehead；　Two
crimson　wings　extended　themselves　from　his　shoulders；　and　his
silken　locks　were　confined　by　a　band　of　many…coloured　fires；
which　played　round　his　head；　formed　themselves　into　a　variety　of
figures；　and　shone　with　a　brilliance　far　surpassing　that　of
precious　Stones。　　Circlets　of　Diamonds　were　fastened　round　his
arms　and　ankles；　and　in　his　right　hand　He　bore　a　silver　branch；
imitating　Myrtle。　　His　form　shone　with　dazzling　glory：　　He　was
surrounded　by　clouds　of　rose…coloured　light；　and　at　the　moment
that　He　appeared；　a　refreshing　air　breathed　perfumes　through　the
Cavern。　　Enchanted　at　a　vision　so　contrary　to　his　expectations；
Ambrosio　gazed　upon　the　Spirit　with　delight　and　wonder：　　Yet
however　beautiful　the　Figure；　He　could　not　but　remark　a　wildness
in　the　Daemon's　eyes；　and　a　mysterious　melancholy　impressed　upon
his　features；　betraying　the　Fallen　Angel；　and　inspiring　the
Spectators　with　secret　awe。

The　Music　ceased。　　Matilda　addressed　herself　to　the　Spirit：　　She
spoke　in　a　language　unintelligible　to　the　Monk；　and　was　answered
in　the　same。　　She　seemed　to　insist　upon　something　which　the
Daemon　was　unwilling　to　grant。　　He　frequently　darted　upon
Ambrosio　angry　glances；　and　at　such　times　the　Friar's　heart　sank
within　him。　　Matilda　appeared　to　grow　incensed。　　She　spoke　in　a
loud　and　commanding　tone；　and　her　gestures　declared　that　She　was
threatening　him　with　her　vengeance。　　Her　menaces　had　the　desired
effect：　　The　Spirit　sank　upon　his　knee；　and　with　a　submissive　air
presented　to　her　the　branch　of　Myrtle。　　No　sooner　had　She
received　it；　than　the　Music　was　again　heard；　A　thick　cloud　spread
itself　over　the　Apparition；　The　blue　flames　disappeared；　and
total　obscurity　reigned　through　the　Cave。　　The　Abbot　moved　not
from　his　place：　　His　faculties　were　all　bound　up　in　pleasure；
anxiety；　and　surprize。　　At　length　the　darkness　dispersing；　He
perceived　Matilda　standing　near　him　in　her　religious　habit；　with
the　Myrtle　in　her　hand。　　No　traces　of　the　incantation；　and　the
Vaults　were　only　illuminated　by　the　faint　rays　of　the　sepulchral
Lamp。

'I　have　succeeded；'　said　Matilda；　'though　with　more　difficulty
than　I　expected。　　Lucifer；　whom　I　summoned　to　my　assistance；　was
at　first　unwilling　to　obey　my　commands：　To　enforce　his　compliance
I　was　constrained　to　have　recourse　to　my　strongest　charms。　　They
have　produced　the　desired　effect；　but　I　have　engaged　never　more
to　invoke　his　agency　in　your　favour。　　Beware　then；　how　you　employ
an　opportunity　which　never　will　return。　　My　magic　arts　will　now
be　of　no　use　to　you：　　In　future　you　can　only　hope　for
supernatural　aid　by　invoking　the　Daemons　yourself；　and　accepting
the　conditions　of　their　service。　　This　you　will　never　do：　　You
want　strength　of　mind　to　force　them　to　obedience；　and　unless　you
pay　their　established　price；　they　will　not　be　your　voluntary
Servants。　　In　this　one　instance　they　consent　to　obey　you：　I　offer
you　the　means　of　enjoying　your　Mistress；　and　be　careful　not　to
lose　the　opportunity。　　Receive　this　constellated　Myrtle：　　While
you　bear　this　in　your　hand；　every　door　will　fly　open　to　you。　　It
will　procure　you　access　tomorrow　night　to　Antonia's　chamber：　
Then　breathe　upon　it　thrice；　pronounce　her　name；　and　place　it
upon　her　pillow。　　A　death…like　slumber　will　immediately　seize
upon　her；　and　deprive　her　of　the　power　of　resisting　your
attempts。　　Sleep　will　hold　her　till　break　of　Morning。　　In　this
state　you　may　satisfy　you