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iend to my affection？ May it not be Man's natural instinct which informs him。 。 。 Be silent； idle hopes！ Let me not encourage an idea which takes from the brilliance of Ambrosio's virtue。 'Tis Religion； not Beauty which attracts his admiration； 'Tis not to the Woman； but the Divinity that He kneels。 Would He but address to me the least tender expression which He pours forth to this Madona！ Would He but say that were He not already affianced to the Church； He would not have despised Matilda！ Oh！ let me nourish that fond idea！ Perhaps He may yet acknowledge that He feels for me more than pity； and that affection like mine might well have deserved a return； Perhaps； He may own thus much when I lye on my deathbed！ He then need not fear to infringe his vows； and the confession of his regard will soften the pangs of dying。 Would I were sure of this！ Oh！ how earnestly should I sigh for the moment of dissolution！'
Of this discourse the Abbot lost not a syllable； and the tone in which She pronounced these last words pierced to his heart。 Involuntarily He raised himself from his pillow。
'Matilda！' He said in a troubled voice； 'Oh！ my Matilda！'
She started at the sound； and turned towards him hastily。 The suddenness of her movement made her Cowl fall back from her head； Her features became visible to the Monk's enquiring eye。 What was his amazement at beholding the exact resemblance of his admired Madona？ The same exquisite proportion of features； the same profusion of golden hair； the same rosy lips； heavenly eyes； and majesty of countenance adorned Matilda！ Uttering an exclamation of surprize； Ambrosio sank back upon his pillow； and doubted whether the Object before him was mortal or divine。
Matilda seemed penetrated with confusion。 She remained motionless in her place； and supported herself upon her Instrument。 Her eyes were bent upon the earth； and her fair cheeks overspread with blushes。 On recovering herself； her first action was to conceal her features。 She then in an unsteady and troubled voice ventured to address these words to the Friar。
'Accident has made you Master of a secret； which I never would have revealed but on the Bed of death。 Yes； Ambrosio； In Matilda de Villanegas you see the original of your beloved Madona。 Soon after I conceived my unfortunate passion； I formed the project of conveying to you my Picture： Crowds of Admirers had persuaded me that I possessed some beauty； and I was anxious to know what effect it would produce upon you。 I caused my Portrait to be drawn by Martin Galuppi； a celebrated Venetian at that time resident in Madrid。 The resemblance was striking： I sent it to the Capuchin Abbey as if for sale； and the Jew from whom you bought it was one of my Emissaries。 You purchased it。 Judge of my rapture； when informed that you had gazed upon it with delight； or rather with adoration； that you had suspended it in your Cell； and that you addressed your supplications to no other Saint。 Will this discovery make me still more regarded as an object of suspicion？ Rather should it convince you how pure is my affection； and engage you to suffer me in your society and esteem。 I heard you daily extol the praises of my Portrait： I was an eyewitness of the transports； which its beauty excited in you： Yet I forbore to use against your virtue those arms； with which yourself had furnished me。 I concealed those features from your sight； which you loved unconsciously。 I strove not to excite desire by displaying my charms； or to make myself Mistress of your heart through the medium of your senses。 To attract your notice by studiously attending to religious duties； to endear myself to you by convincing you that my mind was virtuous and my attachment sincere； such was my only aim。 I succeeded； I became your companion and your Friend。 I concealed my sex from your knowledge； and had you not pressed me to reveal my secret； had I not been tormented by the fear of a discovery； never had you known me for any other than Rosario。 And still are you resolved to drive me from you？ The few hours of life which yet remain for me； may I not pass them in your presence？ Oh！ speak； Ambrosio； and tell me that I may stay！'
This speech gave the Abbot an opportunity of recollecting himself。 He was conscious that in the present disposition of his mind； avoiding her society was his only refuge from the power of this enchanting Woman。
'You declaration has so much astonished me；' said He； 'that I am at present incapable of answering you。 Do not insist upon a reply； Matilda； Leave me to myself； I have need to be alone。'
'I obey youBut before I go； promise not to insist upon my quitting the Abbey immediately。'
'Matilda； reflect upon your situation； Reflect upon the consequences of your stay。 Our separation is indispensable； and we must part。'
'But not to…day； Father！ Oh！ in pity not today！'
'You press me too hard； but I cannot resist that tone of supplication。 Since you insist upon it； I yield to your prayer： I consent to your remaining here a sufficient time to prepare in some measure the Brethren for your departure。 Stay yet two days； But on the third；' 。 。 。 （He sighed involuntarily）'Remember； that on the third we must part for ever！'
She caught his hand eagerly； and pressed it to her lips。
'On the third？' She exclaimed with an air of wild solemnity； 'You are right； Father！ You are right！ On the third we must part for ever！'
There was a dreadful expression in her eye as She uttered these words； which penetrated the Friar's soul with horror： Again She kissed his hand； and then fled with rapidity from the chamber。
Anxious to authorise the presence of his dangerous Guest； yet conscious that her stay was infringing the laws of his order； Ambrosio's bosom became the Theatre of a thousand contending passions。 At length his attachment to the feigned Rosario； aided by the natural warmth of his temperament； seemed likely to obtain the victory： The success was assured； when that presumption which formed the groundwork of his character came to Matilda's assistance。 The Monk reflected that to vanquish temptation was an infinitely greater merit than to avoid it： He thought that He ought rather to rejoice in the opportunity given him of proving the firmness of his virtue。 St。 Anthony had withstood all seductions to lust； Then why should not He？ Besides； St。 Anthony was tempted by the Devil； who put every art into practice to excite his passions： Whereas； Ambrosio's danger proceeded from a mere mortal Woman； fearful and modest； whose apprehensions of his yielding were not less violent than his own。
'Yes；' said He； 'The Unfortunate shall stay； I have nothing to fear from her presence。 Even should my own prove too weak to resist the temptation； I am secured from danger by the innocence of Matilda。'
Ambrosio was yet to learn； that to an heart unacquainted with her； Vice is ever most dangerous when lurking behind the Mask of Virtue。
He found himself so perfectly recovered； that when Father Pablos visited him again at night； He entreated permission to quit his chamber on the day following。 His request was granted。 Matilda appeared no more that evening； except in