: Antonia
imputed his emotion to pity and concern for her.

'You are grieved for me, Father,' She continued; 'Ah! sigh not for my
loss. I have no crimes to repent, at least none of which I am
conscious, and I restore my soul without fear to him from whom I
received it. I have but few requests to make: Yet let me hope that
what few I have shall be granted. Let a solemn Mass be said for my
soul's repose, and another for that of my beloved Mother. Not that I
doubt her resting in her Grave: I am now convinced that my reason
wandered, and the falsehood of the Ghost's prediction is sufficient to
prove my error. But every one has some failing: My Mother may have
had hers, though I knew them not: I therefore wish a Mass to be
celebrated for her repose, and the expence may be defrayed by the
little wealth of which I am possessed. Whatever may then remain, I
bequeath to my Aunt Leonella. When I am dead, let the Marquis de las
Cisternas know that his Brother's unhappy family can no longer
importune him. But disappointment makes me unjust: They tell me that
He is ill, and perhaps had it been in his power, He wished to have
protected me. Tell him then, Father, only that I am dead, and that if
He had any faults to me, I forgave him from my heart. This done, I have
nothing more to ask for, than your prayers: Promise to remember my
requests, and I shall resign my life without a pang or sorrow.'

Ambrosio engaged to comply with her desires, and proceeded to give her
absolution. Every moment announced the approach of Antonia's fate:
Her sight failed; Her heart beat sluggishly; Her fingers stiffened, and
grew cold, and at two in the morning She expired without a groan. As
soon as the breath had forsaken her body, Father Pablos retired,
sincerely affected at the melancholy scene. On her part, Flora gave
way to the most unbridled sorrow.

Far different concerns employed Ambrosio: He sought for the pulse
whose throbbing, so Matilda had assured him, would prove Antonia's
death but temporal. He found it; He pressed it; It palpitated beneath
his hand, and his heart was filled with ecstacy. However, He carefully
concealed his satisfaction at the success of his plan. He assumed a
melancholy air, and addressing himself to Flora, warned her against
abandoning herself to fruitless sorrow. Her tears were too sincere to
permit her listening to his counsels, and She continued to weep
unceasingly.

The Friar withdrew, first pro