d her presence; Her
Mother has opened her eyes to your designs, and She is now upon her
guard against them. Nay more, She loves another. A Youth of
distinguished merit possesses her heart, and unless you interfere, a
few days will make her his Bride. This intelligence was brought me by
my invisible Servants, to whom I had recourse on first perceiving your
indifference. They watched your every action, related to me all that
past at Elvira's, and inspired me with the idea of favouring your
designs. Their reports have been my only comfort. Though you shunned
my presence, all your proceedings were known to me: Nay, I was
constantly with you in some degree, thanks to this precious gift!'

With these words She drew from beneath her habit a mirror of polished
steel, the borders of which were marked with various strange and
unknown characters.

'Amidst all my sorrows, amidst all my regrets for your coldness, I was
sustained from despair by the virtues of this Talisman. On pronouncing
certain words, the Person appears in it on whom the Observer's thoughts
are bent: thus though _I_ was exiled from YOUR sight, you, Ambrosio,
were ever present to mine.'

The Friar's curiosity was excited strongly.

'What you relate is incredible! Matilda, are you not amusing yourself
with my credulity?'

'Be your own eyes the Judge.'

She put the Mirror into his hand. Curiosity induced him to take it,
and Love, to wish that Antonia might appear. Matilda pronounced the
magic words. Immediately, a thick smoke rose from the characters
traced upon the borders, and spread itself over the surface. It
dispersed again gradually; A confused mixture of colours and images
presented themselves to the Friar's eyes, which at length arranging
themselves in their proper places, He beheld in miniature Antonia's
lovely form.

The scene was a small closet belonging to her apartment. She was
undressing to bathe herself. The long tresses of her hair were already
bound up. The amorous Monk had full opportunity to observe the
voluptuous contours and admirable symmetry of her person. She threw
off her last garment, and advancing to the Bath prepared for her, She
put her foot into the water. It struck cold, and She drew it back
again. Though unconscious of being observed, an inbred sense of
modesty induced her to veil her charms; and She stood hesitating upon
the brink, in the attitude of the Venus de Medicis. At this moment a
tame Linnet flew