urs I shall be no more; Yet a little, and I am free from this
disgraceful passion.'

'Wretched Woman, what can I say to you! I cannot ... I must not ...
But live, Matilda! Oh! live!'

'You do not reflect on what you ask. What? Live to plunge myself in
infamy? To become the Agent of Hell? To work the destruction both of
you and of Myself? Feel this heart, Father!'

She took his hand: Confused, embarrassed, and fascinated, He withdrew
it not, and felt her heart throb under it.

'Feel this heart, Father! It is yet the seat of honour, truth, and
chastity: If it beats tomorrow, it must fall a prey to the blackest
crimes. Oh! let me then die today! Let me die, while I yet deserve
the tears of the virtuous! Thus will expire!'--(She reclined her head
upon his shoulder; Her golden Hair poured itself over his Chest.)--
'Folded in your arms, I shall sink to sleep; Your hand shall close my
eyes for ever, and your lips receive my dying breath. And will you not
sometimes think of me? Will you not sometimes shed a tear upon my
Tomb? Oh! Yes! Yes! Yes! That kiss is my assurance!'

The hour was night. All was silence around. The faint beams of a
solitary Lamp darted upon Matilda's figure, and shed through the
chamber a dim mysterious light. No prying eye, or curious ear was near
the Lovers: Nothing was heard but Matilda's melodious accents.
Ambrosio was in the full vigour of Manhood. He saw before him a young
and beautiful Woman, the preserver of his life, the Adorer of his
person, and whom affection for him had reduced to the brink of the
Grave. He sat upon her Bed; His hand rested upon her bosom; Her head
reclined voluptuously upon his breast. Who then can wonder, if He
yielded to the temptation? Drunk with desire, He pressed his lips to
those which sought them: His kisses vied with Matilda's in warmth and
passion. He clasped her rapturously in his arms; He forgot his vows,
his sanctity, and his fame: He remembered nothing but the pleasure and
opportunity.

'Ambrosio! Oh! my Ambrosio!' sighed Matilda.

'Thine, ever thine!' murmured the Friar, and sank upon her bosom.

CHAPTER III

----These are the Villains
Whom all the Travellers do fear so much.
--------Some of them are Gentlemen
Such as the fury of ungoverned Youth
Thrust from the company of awful Men.
Two Gentlemen of Verona.

The Marquis and Lorenzo proceeded to the Hotel in silence. The Former
employed himself in