to fruitless sorrow,
and declared that She mourned to leave nothing in the whole world but
him. While every sweet accent increased rather than lightened
Lorenzo's grief, She continued to converse with him till the moment of
dissolution. Her voice grew faint and scarcely audible; A thick cloud
spread itself over her eyes; Her heart beat slow and irregular, and
every instant seemed to announce that her fate was near at hand.

She lay, her head reclining upon Lorenzo's bosom, and her lips still
murmuring to him words of comfort. She was interrupted by the Convent
Bell, as tolling at a distance, it struck the hour. Suddenly Antonia's
eyes sparkled with celestial brightness: Her frame seemed to have
received new strength and animation. She started from her Lover's arms.

'Three o'clock!' She cried; 'Mother, I come!'

She clasped her hands, and sank lifeless upon the ground. Lorenzo in
agony threw himself beside her: He tore his hair, beat his breast, and
refused to be separated from the Corse. At length his force being
exhausted, He suffered himself to be led from the Vault, and was
conveyed to the Palace de Medina scarcely more alive than the
unfortunate Antonia.

In the meanwhile, though closely pursued, Ambrosio succeeded in
regaining the Vault. The Door was already fastened when Don Ramirez
arrived, and much time elapsed, ere the Fugitive's retreat was
discovered. But nothing can resist perseverance. Though so artfully
concealed, the Door could not escape the vigilance of the Archers.
They forced it open, and entered the Vault to the infinite dismay of
Ambrosio and his Companion. The Monk's confusion, his attempt to hide
himself, his rapid flight, and the blood sprinkled upon his cloaths,
left no room to doubt his being Antonia's Murderer. But when He was
recognized for the immaculate Ambrosio, 'The Man of Holiness,' the Idol
of Madrid, the faculties of the Spectators were chained up in surprize,
and scarcely could they persuade themselves that what they saw was no
vision. The Abbot strove not to vindicate himself, but preserved a
sullen silence. He was secured and bound. The same precaution was
taken with Matilda: Her Cowl being removed, the delicacy of her
features and profusion of her golden hair betrayed her sex, and this
incident created fresh amazement. The dagger was also found in the
Tomb, where the Monk had thrown it; and the dungeon having undergone a
thorough search, the two Culprits were c