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gave them birth。 They were totally different from those inspired by Matilda； when She first declared her sex and her affection。 He felt not the provocation of lust； No voluptuous desires rioted in his bosom； Nor did a burning imagination picture to him the charms which Modesty had veiled from his eyes。 On the contrary； what He now felt was a mingled sentiment of tenderness； admiration； and respect。 A soft and delicious melancholy infused itself into his soul； and He would not have exchanged it for the most lively transports of joy。 Society now disgusted him： He delighted in solitude； which permitted his indulging the visions of Fancy： His thoughts were all gentle； sad； and soothing； and the whole wide world presented him with no other object than Antonia。
'Happy Man！' He exclaimed in his romantic enthusiasm； 'Happy Man； who is destined to possess the heart of that lovely Girl！ What delicacy in her features！ What elegance in her form！ How enchanting was the timid innocence of her eyes； and how different from the wanton expression； the wild luxurious fire which sparkles in Matilda's！ Oh！ sweeter must one kiss be snatched from the rosy lips of the First； than all the full and lustful favours bestowed so freely by the Second。 Matilda gluts me with enjoyment even to loathing； forces me to her arms； apes the Harlot； and glories in her prostitution。 Disgusting！ Did She know the inexpressible charm of Modesty； how irresistibly it enthralls the heart of Man； how firmly it chains him to the Throne of Beauty； She never would have thrown it off。 What would be too dear a price for this lovely Girl's affections？ What would I refuse to sacrifice； could I be released from my vows； and permitted to declare my love in the sight of earth and heaven？ While I strove to inspire her with tenderness； with friendship and esteem； how tranquil and undisturbed would the hours roll away！ Gracious God！ To see her blue downcast eyes beam upon mine with timid fondness！ To sit for days； for years listening to that gentle voice！ To acquire the right of obliging her； and hear the artless expressions of her gratitude！ To watch the emotions of her spotless heart！ To encourage each dawning virtue！ To share in her joy when happy； to kiss away her tears when distrest； and to see her fly to my arms for comfort and support！ Yes； If there is perfect bliss on earth； 'tis his lot alone； who becomes that Angel's Husband。'
While his fancy coined these ideas； He paced his Cell with a disordered air。 His eyes were fixed upon vacancy： His head reclined upon his shoulder； A tear rolled down his cheek； while He reflected that the vision of happiness for him could never be realized。
'She is lost to me！' He continued； 'By marriage She cannot be mine： And to seduce such innocence； to use the confidence reposed in me to work her ruin。 。 。 。 Oh！ it would be a crime； blacker than yet the world ever witnessed！ Fear not； lovely Girl！ Your virtue runs no risque from me。 Not for Indies would I make that gentle bosom know the tortures of remorse。'
Again He paced his chamber hastily。 Then stopping； his eye fell upon the picture of his once…admired Madona。 He tore it with indignation from the wall： He threw it on the ground； and spurned it from him with his foot。
'The Prostitute！'
Unfortunate Matilda！ Her Paramour forgot that for his sake alone She had forfeited her claim to virtue； and his only reason for despising her was that She had loved him much too well。
He threw himself into a Chair which stood near the Table。 He saw the card with Elvira's address。 He took it up； and it brought to his recollection his promise respecting a Confessor。 He passed a few minutes in doubt： But Antonia's Empire over him was already too much decided to permit his making a long resistance to the idea which struck him。 He resolved to be the Confessor himself。 He could leave the Abbey unobserved without difficulty： By wrapping up his head in his Cowl He hoped to pass through the Streets without being recognised： By taking these precautions； and by recommending secrecy to Elvira's family； He doubted not to keep Madrid in ignorance that He had broken his vow never to see the outside of the Abbey walls。 Matilda was the only person whose vigilance He dreaded： But by informing her at the Refectory that during the whole of that day； Business would confine him to his Cell； He thought himself secure from her wakeful jealousy。 Accordingly； at the hours when the Spaniards are generally taking their Siesta； He ventured to quit the Abbey by a private door； the Key of which was in his possession。 The Cowl of his habit was thrown over his face： From the heat of the weather the Streets were almost totally deserted： The Monk met with few people； found the Strada di San Iago； and arrived without accident at Donna Elvira's door。 He rang； was admitted； and immediately ushered into an upper apartment。
It was here that He ran the greatest risque of a discovery。 Had Leonella been at home； She would have recognized him directly： Her communicative disposition would never have permitted her to rest till all Madrid was informed that Ambrosio had ventured out of the Abbey； and visited her Sister。 Fortune here stood the Monk's Friend。 On Leonella's return home； She found a letter instructing her that a Cousin was just dead； who had left what little He possessed between Herself and Elvira。 To secure this bequest She was obliged to set out for Cordova without losing a moment。 Amidst all her foibles her heart was truly warm and affectionate； and She was unwilling to quit her Sister in so dangerous a state。 But Elvira insisted upon her taking the journey； conscious that in her Daughter's forlorn situation no increase of fortune； however trifling； ought to be neglected。 Accordingly； Leonella left Madrid； sincerely grieved at her Sister's illness； and giving some few sighs to the memory of the amiable but inconstant Don Christoval。 She was fully persuaded that at first She had made a terrible breach in his heart： But hearing nothing more of him； She supposed that He had quitted the pursuit； disgusted by the lowness of her origin； and knowing upon other terms than marriage He had nothing to hope from such a Dragon of Virtue as She professed herself； Or else； that being naturally capricious and changeable； the remembrance of her charms had been effaced from the Conde's heart by those of some newer Beauty。 Whatever was the cause of her losing him； She lamented it sorely。 She strove in vain； as She assured every body who was kind enough to listen to her； to tear his image from her too susceptible heart。 She affected the airs of a lovesick Virgin； and carried them all to the most ridiculous excess。 She heaved lamentable sighs； walked with her arms folded； uttered long soliloquies； and her discourse generally turned upon some forsaken Maid who expired of a broken heart！ Her fiery locks were always ornamented with a garland of willow； Every evening She was seen straying upon the Banks of a rivulet by Moonlight； and She declared herself a violent Admirer of murmuring Streams and Nightingales；
'Of lonely haunts； and twilight Groves； 'Places which pale