The Monk | Page 9

that it had not lasted longer. Though the Monk had
ceased to speak, enthusiastic silence still prevailed through the Church:
At length the charm gradually dissolving, the general admiration was
expressed in audible terms. As Ambrosio descended from the Pulpit,
His Auditors crowded round him, loaded him with blessings, threw
themselves at his feet, and kissed the hem of his Garment. He passed
on slowly with his hands crossed devoutly upon his bosom, to the door
opening into the Abbey Chapel, at which his Monks waited to receive
him. He ascended the Steps, and then turning towards his Followers,
addressed to them a few words of gratitude, and exhortation. While He
spoke, his Rosary, composed of large grains of amber, fell from his
hand, and dropped among the surrounding multitude. It was seized
eagerly, and immediately divided amidst the Spectators. Whoever
became possessor of a Bead, preserved it as a sacred relique; and had it
been the Chaplet of thrice-blessed St. Francis himself, it could not have
been disputed with greater vivacity. The Abbot, smiling at their
eagerness, pronounced his benediction, and quitted the Church, while

humility dwelt upon every feature. Dwelt She also in his heart?
Antonia's eyes followed him with anxiety. As the Door closed after him,
it seemed to her as had she lost some one essential to her happiness. A
tear stole in silence down her cheek.
'He is separated from the world!' said She to herself; 'Perhaps, I shall
never see him more!'
As she wiped away the tear, Lorenzo observed her action.
'Are you satisfied with our Orator?' said He; 'Or do you think that
Madrid overrates his talents?'
Antonia's heart was so filled with admiration for the Monk, that She
eagerly seized the opportunity of speaking of him: Besides, as She now
no longer considered Lorenzo as an absolute Stranger, She was less
embarrassed by her excessive timidity.
'Oh! He far exceeds all my expectations,' answered She; 'Till this
moment I had no idea of the powers of eloquence. But when He spoke,
his voice inspired me with such interest, such esteem, I might almost
say such affection for him, that I am myself astonished at the acuteness
of my feelings.'
Lorenzo smiled at the strength of her expressions.
'You are young and just entering into life,' said He; 'Your heart, new to
the world and full of warmth and sensibility, receives its first
impressions with eagerness. Artless yourself, you suspect not others of
deceit; and viewing the world through the medium of your own truth
and innocence, you fancy all who surround you to deserve your
confidence and esteem. What pity, that these gay visions must soon be
dissipated! What pity, that you must soon discover the baseness of
mankind, and guard against your fellow-creatures as against your Foes!'
'Alas! Segnor,' replied Antonia; 'The misfortunes of my Parents have
already placed before me but too many sad examples of the perfidy of

the world! Yet surely in the present instance the warmth of sympathy
cannot have deceived me.'
'In the present instance, I allow that it has not. Ambrosio's character is
perfectly without reproach; and a Man who has passed the whole of his
life within the walls of a Convent cannot have found the opportunity to
be guilty, even were He possessed of the inclination. But now, when,
obliged by the duties of his situation, He must enter occasionally into
the world, and be thrown into the way of temptation, it is now that it
behoves him to show the brilliance of his virtue. The trial is dangerous;
He is just at that period of life when the passions are most vigorous,
unbridled, and despotic; His established reputation will mark him out to
Seduction as an illustrious Victim; Novelty will give additional charms
to the allurements of pleasure; and even the Talents with which Nature
has endowed him will contribute to his ruin, by facilitating the means
of obtaining his object. Very few would return victorious from a
contest so severe.'
'Ah! surely Ambrosio will be one of those few.'
'Of that I have myself no doubt: By all accounts He is an exception to
mankind in general, and Envy would seek in vain for a blot upon his
character.'
'Segnor, you delight me by this assurance! It encourages me to indulge
my prepossession in his favour; and you know not with what pain I
should have repressed the sentiment! Ah! dearest Aunt, entreat my
Mother to choose him for our Confessor.'
'I entreat her?' replied Leonella; 'I promise you that I shall do no such
thing. I do not like this same Ambrosio in the least; He has a look of
severity about him that made me tremble from head to foot: Were He
my Confessor, I should never have the courage