nally mine! Companions
of my sufferings! Denizens of hell! How grateful will be my present!'

He paused; then addressed himself to the Monk----

'Carry you to Matilda?' He continued, repeating Ambrosio's words:

'Wretch! you shall soon be with her! You well deserve a place near her,
for hell boasts no miscreant more guilty than yourself.

Hark, Ambrosio, while I unveil your crimes! You have shed the blood of
two innocents; Antonia and Elvira perished by your hand. That Antonia
whom you violated, was your Sister! That Elvira whom you murdered, gave
you birth! Tremble, abandoned Hypocrite! Inhuman Parricide! Incestuous
Ravisher! Tremble at the extent of your offences! And you it was who
thought yourself proof against temptation, absolved from human
frailties, and free from error and vice! Is pride then a virtue? Is
inhumanity no fault? Know, vain Man! That I long have marked you for
my prey: I watched the movements of your heart; I saw that you were
virtuous from vanity, not principle, and I seized the fit moment of
seduction. I observed your blind idolatry of the Madona's picture. I
bad a subordinate but crafty spirit assume a similar form, and you
eagerly yielded to the blandishments of Matilda. Your pride was
gratified by her flattery; Your lust only needed an opportunity to
break forth; You ran into the snare blindly, and scrupled not to commit
a crime which you blamed in another with unfeeling severity. It was I
who threw Matilda in your way; It was I who gave you entrance to
Antonia's chamber; It was I who caused the dagger to be given you which
pierced your Sister's bosom; and it was I who warned Elvira in dreams
of your designs upon her Daughter, and thus, by preventing your
profiting by her sleep, compelled you to add rape as well as incest to
the catalogue of your crimes. Hear, hear, Ambrosio! Had you resisted
me one minute longer, you had saved your body and soul. The guards whom
you heard at your prison door came to signify your pardon. But I had
already triumphed: My plots had already succeeded. Scarcely could I
propose crimes so quick as you performed them. You are mine, and
Heaven itself cannot rescue you from my power. Hope not that your
penitence will make void our contract. Here is your bond signed with
your blood; You have given up your claim to mercy, and nothing can
restore to you the rights which you have foolishly resigned. Believe
you that your secret thoughts escaped me? N