e imposed not
upon Flora, who was naturally of a suspicious temper. She suspected
the Monk to be acting a part very contrary to his own inclinations, and
that He wished for no better than to remain where He was. She even
went so far as to believe that Jacintha was in his interest; and the
poor old Woman was immediately set down, as no better than a Procuress.
While She applauded herself for having penetrated into this plot
against her Lady's honour, She resolved in secret to render it
fruitless.

'So then,' said She to the Abbot with a look half-satirical and half
indignant; 'So then you mean to stay here tonight? Do so, in God's
name! Nobody will prevent you. Sit up to watch for the Ghost's
arrival: I shall sit up too, and the Lord grant that I may see nothing
worse than a Ghost! I quit not Donna Antonia's Bedside during this
blessed night: Let me see any one dare to enter the room, and be He
mortal or immortal, be He Ghost, Devil, or Man, I warrant his repenting
that ever He crossed the threshold!'

This hint was sufficiently strong, and Ambrosio understood its meaning.
But instead of showing that He perceived her suspicions; He replied
mildly that He approved the Duenna's precautions, and advised her to
persevere in her intention. This, She assured him faithfully that He
might depend upon her doing. Jacintha then conducted him into the
chamber where the Ghost had appeared, and Flora returned to her Lady's.

Jacintha opened the door of the haunted room with a trembling hand:
She ventured to peep in; But the wealth of India would not have tempted
her to cross the threshold. She gave the Taper to the Monk, wished him
well through the adventure, and hastened to be gone. Ambrosio entered.
He bolted the door, placed the light upon the Table, and seated himself
in the Chair which on the former night had sustained Antonia. In spite
of Matilda's assurances that the Spectre was a mere creation of fancy,
his mind was impressed with a certain mysterious horror. He in vain
endeavoured to shake it off. The silence of the night, the story of
the Apparition, the chamber wainscotted with dark oak pannells, the
recollection which it brought with it of the murdered Elvira, and his
incertitude respecting the nature of the drops given by him to Antonia,
made him feel uneasy at his present situation. But He thought much
less of the Spectre, than of the poison. Should He have destroyed the
only object which rendered life