'Father! .... Ambrosio!' She cried; 'Release me, for God's sake!'

But the licentious Monk heeded not her prayers: He persisted in his
design, and proceeded to take still greater liberties. Antonia prayed,
wept, and struggled: Terrified to the extreme, though at what She knew
not, She exerted all her strength to repulse the Friar, and was on the
point of shrieking for assistance when the chamber door was suddenly
thrown open. Ambrosio had just sufficient presence of mind to be
sensible of his danger. Reluctantly He quitted his prey, and started
hastily from the Couch. Antonia uttered an exclamation of joy, flew
towards the door, and found herself clasped in the arms of her Mother.

Alarmed at some of the Abbot's speeches, which Antonia had innocently
repeated, Elvira resolved to ascertain the truth of her suspicions.
She had known enough of Mankind not to be imposed upon by the Monk's
reputed virtue. She reflected on several circumstances, which though
trifling, on being put together seemed to authorize her fears. His
frequent visits, which as far as She could see, were confined to her
family; His evident emotion, whenever She spoke of Antonia; His being
in the full prime and heat of Manhood; and above all, his pernicious
philosophy communicated to her by Antonia, and which accorded but ill
with his conversation in her presence, all these circumstances inspired
her with doubts respecting the purity of Ambrosio's friendship. In
consequence, She resolved, when He should next be alone with Antonia,
to endeavour at surprizing him. Her plan had succeeded. 'Tis true,
that when She entered the room, He had already abandoned his prey; But
the disorder of her Daughter's dress, and the shame and confusion
stamped upon the Friar's countenance, sufficed to prove that her
suspicions were but too well-founded. However, She was too prudent to
make those suspicions known. She judged that to unmask the Imposter
would be no easy matter, the public being so much prejudiced in his
favour: and having but few Friends, She thought it dangerous to make
herself so powerful an Enemy. She affected therefore not to remark his
agitation, seated herself tranquilly upon the Sopha, assigned some
trifling reason for having quitted her room unexpectedly, and conversed
on various subjects with seeming confidence and ease.

Reassured by her behaviour, the Monk began to recover himself. He
strove to answer Elvira without appearing embarras