told me ...... But where am I? Let me go! I cannot stay here!'

She attempted to rise, but the Monk prevented her.

'Be calm, lovely Antonia!' He replied; 'No danger is near you: Confide
in my protection. Why do you gaze on me so earnestly? Do you not know
me? Not know your Friend? Ambrosio?'

'Ambrosio? My Friend? Oh! yes, yes; I remember ...... But why
am I here? Who has brought me? Why are you with me? Oh! Flora bad me
beware .....! Here are nothing but Graves, and Tombs, and
Skeletons! This place frightens me! Good Ambrosio take me away from
it, for it recalls my fearful dream! Methought I was dead, and laid in
my grave! Good Ambrosio, take me from hence. Will you not? Oh! will
you not? Do not look on me thus!

Your flaming eyes terrify me! Spare me, Father! Oh! spare me for God's
sake!'

'Why these terrors, Antonia?' rejoined the Abbot, folding her in his
arms, and covering her bosom with kisses which She in vain struggled to
avoid: 'What fear you from me, from one who adores you? What matters
it where you are? This Sepulchre seems to me Love's bower; This gloom
is the friendly night of mystery which He spreads over our delights!
Such do I think it, and such must my Antonia. Yes, my sweet Girl!
Yes! Your veins shall glow with fire which circles in mine, and my
transports shall be doubled by your sharing them!'

While He spoke thus, He repeated his embraces, and permitted himself
the most indecent liberties. Even Antonia's ignorance was not proof
against the freedom of his behaviour. She was sensible of her danger,
forced herself from his arms, and her shroud being her only garment,
She wrapped it closely round her.

'Unhand me, Father!' She cried, her honest indignation tempered by
alarm at her unprotected position; 'Why have you brought me to this
place? Its appearance freezes me with horror! Convey me from hence,
if you have the least sense of pity and humanity! Let me return to the
House which I have quitted I know not how; But stay here one moment
longer, I neither will, or ought.'

Though the Monk was somewhat startled by the resolute tone in which
this speech was delivered, it produced upon him no other effect than
surprize. He caught her hand, forced her upon his knee, and gazing
upon her with gloting eyes, He thus replied to her.

'Compose yourself, Antonia. Resistance is unavailing, and I need
disavow my passion for you no longer. You are imagined dead: Society
is f