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ber on the day following。 His request was granted。 Matilda appeared no more that evening； except in company with the Monks when they came in a body to enquire after the Abbot's health。 She seemed fearful of conversing with him in private； and stayed but a few minutes in his room。 The Friar slept well； But the dreams of the former night were repeated； and his sensations of voluptuousness were yet more keen and exquisite。 The same lust…exciting visions floated before his eyes： Matilda； in all the pomp of beauty； warm； tender； and luxurious； clasped him to her bosom； and lavished upon him the most ardent caresses。 He returned them as eagerly； and already was on the point of satisfying his desires； when the faithless form disappeared； and left him to all the horrors of shame and disappointment。
The Morning dawned。 Fatigued； harassed； and exhausted by his provoking dreams； He was not disposed to quit his Bed。 He excused himself from appearing at Matins： It was the first morning in his life that He had ever missed them。 He rose late。 During the whole of the day He had no opportunity of speaking to Matilda without witnesses。 His Cell was thronged by the Monks； anxious to express their concern at his illness； And He was still occupied in receiving their compliments on his recovery； when the Bell summoned them to the Refectory。
After dinner the Monks separated； and dispersed themselves in various parts of the Garden； where the shade of trees or retirement of some Grotto presented the most agreeable means of enjoying the Siesta。 The Abbot bent his steps towards the Hermitage： A glance of his eye invited Matilda to accompany him。
She obeyed； and followed him thither in silence。 They entered the Grotto； and seated themselves。 Both seemed unwilling to begin the conversation； and to labour under the influence of mutual embarrassment。 At length the Abbot spoke： He conversed only on indifferent topics； and Matilda answered him in the same tone。 She seemed anxious to make him forget that the Person who sat by him was any other than Rosario。 Neither of them dared； or indeed wished to make an allusion； to the subject which was most at the hearts of both。
Matilda's efforts to appear gay were evidently forced： Her spirits were oppressed by the weight of anxiety； and when She spoke her voice was low and feeble。 She seemed desirous of finishing a conversation which embarrassed her； and complaining that She was unwell； She requested Ambrosio's permission to return to the Abbey。 He accompanied her to the door of her cell； and when arrived there； He stopped her to declare his consent to her continuing the Partner of his solitude so long as should be agreeable to herself。
She discovered no marks of pleasure at receiving this intelligence； though on the preceding day She had been so anxious to obtain the permission。
'Alas！ Father；' She said； waving her head mournfully； 'Your kindness comes too late！ My doom is fixed。 We must separate for ever。 Yet believe； that I am grateful for your generosity； for your compassion of an Unfortunate who is but too little deserving of it！'
She put her handkerchief to her eyes。 Her Cowl was only half drawn over her face。 Ambrosio observed that She was pale； and her eyes sunk and heavy。
'Good God！' He cried； 'You are very ill； Matilda！ I shall send Father Pablos to you instantly。'
'No； Do not。 I am ill； 'tis true； But He cannot cure my malady。 Farewell； Father！ Remember me in your prayers tomorrow； while I shall remember you in heaven！'
She entered her cell； and closed the door。
The Abbot dispatched to her the Physician without losing a moment； and waited his report impatiently。 But Father Pablos soon returned； and declared that his errand had been fruitless。 Rosario refused to admit him； and had positively rejected his offers of assistance。 The uneasiness which this account gave Ambrosio was not trifling： Yet He determined that Matilda should have her own way for that night： But that if her situation did not mend by the morning； he would insist upon her taking the advice of Father Pablos。
He did not find himself inclined to sleep。 He opened his casement； and gazed upon the moonbeams as they played upon the small stream whose waters bathed the walls of the Monastery。 The coolness of the night breeze and tranquillity of the hour inspired the Friar's mind with sadness。 He thought upon Matilda's beauty and affection； Upon the pleasures which He might have shared with her； had He not been restrained by monastic fetters。 He reflected； that unsustained by hope her love for him could not long exist； That doubtless She would succeed in extinguishing her passion； and seek for happiness in the arms of One more fortunate。 He shuddered at the void which her absence would leave in his bosom。 He looked with disgust on the monotony of a Convent； and breathed a sigh towards that world from which He was for ever separated。 Such were the reflections which a loud knocking at his door interrupted。 The Bell of the Church had already struck Two。 The Abbot hastened to enquire the cause of this disturbance。 He opened the door of his Cell； and a Lay…Brother entered； whose looks declared his hurry and confusion。
'Hasten； reverend Father！' said He； 'Hasten to the young Rosario。
He earnestly requests to see you； He lies at the point of death。'
'Gracious God！ Where is Father Pablos？ Why is He not with him？ Oh！ I fear！ I fear！'
'Father Pablos has seen him； but his art can do nothing。 He says that He suspects the Youth to be poisoned。'
'Poisoned？ Oh！ The Unfortunate！ It is then as I suspected！ But let me not lose a moment； Perhaps it may yet be time to save her！'
He said； and flew towards the Cell of the Novice。 Several Monks were already in the chamber。 Father Pablos was one of them； and held a medicine in his hand which He was endeavouring to persuade Rosario to swallow。 The Others were employed in admiring the Patient's divine countenance； which They now saw for the first time。 She looked lovelier than ever。 She was no longer pale or languid； A bright glow had spread itself over her cheeks； her eyes sparkled with a serene delight； and her countenance was expressive of confidence and resignation。
'Oh！ torment me no more！' was She saying to Pablos； when the terrified Abbot rushed hastily into the Cell； 'My disease is far beyond the reach of your skill； and I wish not to be cured of it'Then perceiving Ambrosio； 'Ah！ 'tis He！' She cried； 'I see him once again； before we part for ever！ Leave me； my Brethren； Much have I to tell this holy Man in private。'
The Monks retired immediately； and Matilda and the Abbot remained together。
'What have you done； imprudent Woman！' exclaimed the Latter； as soon as they were left alone； 'Tell me； Are my suspicions just？ Am I indeed to lose you？ Has your own hand been the instrument of your destruction？'
She smiled； and grasped his hand。
'In what have I been imprudent； Father？ I have sacrificed a pebble； and saved a diamond： My death preserves a life valuable to the world； and more dear to me than my own。 Yes； Father； I am poisoned； But know that the poison once circulated in your veins。'
'Ma