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ore than proper confidence。 He never saw； much less conversed with； the other sex： He was ignorant of the pleasures in Woman's power to bestow； and if He read in the course of his studies
'That Men were fond； He smiled； and wondered how！'
For a time； spare diet； frequent watching； and severe penance cooled and represt the natural warmth of his constitution： But no sooner did opportunity present itself； no sooner did He catch a glimpse of joys to which He was still a Stranger； than Religion's barriers were too feeble to resist the overwhelming torrent of his desires。 All impediments yielded before the force of his temperament； warm； sanguine； and voluptuous in the excess。
As yet his other passions lay dormant； But they only needed to be once awakened； to display themselves with violence as great and irresistible。
He continued to be the admiration of Madrid。 The Enthusiasm created by his eloquence seemed rather to increase than diminish。
Every Thursday； which was the only day when He appeared in public； the Capuchin Cathedral was crowded with Auditors； and his discourse was always received with the same approbation。 He was named Confessor to all the chief families in Madrid； and no one was counted fashionable who was injoined penance by any other than Ambrosio。 In his resolution of never stirring out of his Convent； He still persisted。 This circumstance created a still greater opinion of his sanctity and self…denial。 Above all； the Women sang forth his praises loudly； less influenced by devotion than by his noble countenance； majestic air； and well…turned； graceful figure。 The Abbey door was thronged with Carriages from morning to night； and the noblest and fairest Dames of Madrid confessed to the Abbot their secret peccadilloes。
The eyes of the luxurious Friar devoured their charms： Had his Penitents consulted those Interpreters； He would have needed no other means of expressing his desires。 For his misfortune； they were so strongly persuaded of his continence； that the possibility of his harbouring indecent thoughts never once entered their imaginations。 The climate's heat； 'tis well known； operates with no small influence upon the constitutions of the Spanish Ladies： But the most abandoned would have thought it an easier task to inspire with passion the marble Statue of St。 Francis than the cold and rigid heart of the immaculate Ambrosio。
On his part； the Friar was little acquainted with the depravity of the world； He suspected not that but few of his Penitents would have rejected his addresses。 Yet had He been better instructed on this head； the danger attending such an attempt would have sealed up his lips in silence。 He knew that it would be difficult for a Woman to keep a secret so strange and so important as his frailty； and He even trembled lest Matilda should betray him。 Anxious to preserve a reputation which was infinitely dear to him； He saw all the risque of committing it to the power of some vain giddy Female； and as the Beauties of Madrid affected only his senses without touching his heart； He forgot them as soon as they were out of his sight。 The danger of discovery； the fear of being repulsed； the loss of reputation； all these considerations counselled him to stifle his desires： And though He now felt for it the most perfect indifference； He was necessitated to confine himself to Matilda's person。
One morning； the confluence of Penitents was greater than usual。 He was detained in the Confessional Chair till a late hour。 At length the crowd was dispatched； and He prepared to quit the Chapel； when two Females entered and drew near him with humility。 They threw up their veils； and the youngest entreated him to listen to her for a few moments。 The melody of her voice； of that voice to which no Man ever listened without interest； immediately caught Ambrosio's attention。 He stopped。 The Petitioner seemed bowed down with affliction： Her cheeks were pale； her eyes dimmed with tears； and her hair fell in disorder over her face and bosom。 Still her countenance was so sweet； so innocent； so heavenly； as might have charmed an heart less susceptible； than that which panted in the Abbot's breast。 With more than usual softness of manner He desired her to proceed； and heard her speak as follows with an emotion which increased every moment。
'Reverend Father； you see an Unfortunate； threatened with the loss of her dearest； of almost her only Friend！ My Mother； my excellent Mother lies upon the bed of sickness。 A sudden and dreadful malady seized her last night； and so rapid has been its progress； that the Physicians despair of her life。 Human aid fails me； Nothing remains for me but to implore the mercy of Heaven。 Father； all Madrid rings with the report of your piety and virtue。 Deign to remember my Mother in your prayers： Perhaps they may prevail on the Almighty to spare her； and should that be the case； I engage myself every Thursday in the next three Months to illuminate the Shrine of St。 Francis in his honour。'
'So！' thought the Monk； 'Here we have a second Vincentio della Ronda。 Rosario's adventure began thus；' and He wished secretly that this might have the same conclusion。
He acceded to the request。 The Petitioner returned him thanks with every mark of gratitude； and then continued。
'I have yet another favour to ask。 We are Strangers in Madrid； My Mother needs a Confessor； and knows not to whom She should apply。 We understand that you never quit the Abbey； and Alas！ my poor Mother is unable to come hither！ If you would have the goodness； reverend Father； to name a proper person； whose wise and pious consolations may soften the agonies of my Parent's deathbed； you will confer an everlasting favour upon hearts not ungrateful。'
With this petition also the Monk complied。 Indeed； what petition would He have refused； if urged in such enchanting accents？ The suppliant was so interesting！ Her voice was so sweet； so harmonious！ Her very tears became her； and her affliction seemed to add new lustre to her charms。 He promised to send to her a Confessor that same Evening； and begged her to leave her address。 The Companion presented him with a Card on which it was written； and then withdrew with the fair Petitioner； who pronounced before her departure a thousand benedictions on the Abbot's goodness。 His eyes followed her out of the Chapel。 It was not till She was out of sight that He examined the Card； on which He read the following words。
'Donna Elvira Dalfa； Strada di San Iago； four doors from the Palace d'Albornos。'
The Suppliant was no other than Antonia； and Leonella was her Companion。 The Latter had not consented without difficulty to accompany her Niece to the Abbey： Ambrosio had inspired her with such awe that She trembled at the very sight of him。 Her fears had conquered even her natural loquacity； and while in his presence She uttered not a single syllable。
The Monk retired to his Cell； whither He was pursued by Antonia's image。 He felt a thousand new emotions springing in his bosom； and He trembled to examine into the cause which gave them birth。 They were totally different from those inspired by Matilda； when She first declare