ation. Monstrous are my
crimes; But God is merciful, and I will not despair of pardon.'

'Is such your resolution? I have no more to say. I speed to joy and
liberty, and abandon you to death and eternal torments.'

'Yet stay one moment, Matilda! You command the infernal Daemons:

You can force open these prison doors; You can release me from these
chains which weigh me down. Save me, I conjure you, and bear me from
these fearful abodes!'

'You ask the only boon beyond my power to bestow. I am forbidden to
assist a Churchman and a Partizan of God: Renounce those titles, and
command me.'

'I will not sell my soul to perdition.'

'Persist in your obstinacy, till you find yourself at the Stake: Then
will you repent your error, and sigh for escape when the moment is gone
by. I quit you. Yet ere the hour of death arrives should wisdom
enlighten you, listen to the means of repairing your present fault. I
leave with you this Book. Read the four first lines of the seventh
page backwards: The Spirit whom you have already once beheld will
immediately appear to you. If you are wise, we shall meet again: If
not, farewell for ever!'

She let the Book fall upon the ground. A cloud of blue fire wrapped
itself round her: She waved her hand to Ambrosio, and disappeared.
The momentary glare which the flames poured through the dungeon, on
dissipating suddenly, seemed to have increased its natural gloom. The
solitary Lamp scarcely gave light sufficient to guide the Monk to a
Chair. He threw himself into his seat, folded his arms, and leaning
his head upon the table, sank into reflections perplexing and
unconnected.

He was still in this attitude when the opening of the prison door
rouzed him from his stupor. He was summoned to appear before the Grand
Inquisitor. He rose, and followed his Gaoler with painful steps. He
was led into the same Hall, placed before the same Examiners, and was
again interrogated whether He would confess. He replied as before, that
having no crimes, He could acknowledge none: But when the Executioners
prepared to put him to the question, when He saw the engines of
torture, and remembered the pangs which they had already inflicted, his
resolution failed him entirely. Forgetting the consequences, and only
anxious to escape the terrors of the present moment, He made an ample
confession. He disclosed every circumstance of his guilt, and owned
not merely the crimes with which He was charg