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'Then yours She will never be！ You are banished her presence； Her Mother has opened her eyes to your designs； and She is now upon her guard against them。 Nay more； She loves another。 A Youth of distinguished merit possesses her heart； and unless you interfere； a few days will make her his Bride。 This intelligence was brought me by my invisible Servants； to whom I had recourse on first perceiving your indifference。 They watched your every action； related to me all that past at Elvira's； and inspired me with the idea of favouring your designs。 Their reports have been my only comfort。 Though you shunned my presence； all your proceedings were known to me： Nay； I was constantly with you in some degree； thanks to this precious gift！'
With these words She drew from beneath her habit a mirror of polished steel； the borders of which were marked with various strange and unknown characters。
'Amidst all my sorrows； amidst all my regrets for your coldness； I was sustained from despair by the virtues of this Talisman。 On pronouncing certain words； the Person appears in it on whom the Observer's thoughts are bent： thus though _I_ was exiled from YOUR sight； you； Ambrosio； were ever present to mine。'
The Friar's curiosity was excited strongly。
'What you relate is incredible！ Matilda； are you not amusing yourself with my credulity？'
'Be your own eyes the Judge。'
She put the Mirror into his hand。 Curiosity induced him to take it； and Love； to wish that Antonia might appear。 Matilda pronounced the magic words。 Immediately； a thick smoke rose from the characters traced upon the borders； and spread itself over the surface。 It dispersed again gradually； A confused mixture of colours and images presented themselves to the Friar's eyes； which at length arranging themselves in their proper places； He beheld in miniature Antonia's lovely form。
The scene was a small closet belonging to her apartment。 She was undressing to bathe herself。 The long tresses of her hair were already bound up。 The amorous Monk had full opportunity to observe the voluptuous contours and admirable symmetry of her person。 She threw off her last garment； and advancing to the Bath prepared for her； She put her foot into the water。 It struck cold； and She drew it back again。 Though unconscious of being observed； an inbred sense of modesty induced her to veil her charms； and She stood hesitating upon the brink； in the attitude of the Venus de Medicis。 At this moment a tame Linnet flew towards her； nestled its head between her breasts； and nibbled them in wanton play。 The smiling Antonia strove in vain to shake off the Bird； and at length raised her hands to drive it from its delightful harbour。 Ambrosio could bear no more： His desires were worked up to phrenzy。
'I yield！' He cried； dashing the mirror upon the ground： 'Matilda； I follow you！ Do with me what you will！'
She waited not to hear his consent repeated。 It was already midnight。 She flew to her Cell； and soon returned with her little basket and the Key of the Cemetery； which had remained in her possession since her first visit to the Vaults。 She gave the Monk no time for reflection。
'Come！' She said； and took his hand； 'Follow me； and witness the effects of your resolve！'
This said； She drew him hastily along。 They passed into the Burying…ground unobserved； opened the door of the Sepulchre； and found themselves at the head of the subterraneous Staircase。 As yet the beams of the full Moon had guided their steps； but that resource now failed them。 Matilda had neglected to provide herself with a Lamp。 Still holding Ambrosio's hand She descended the marble steps； But the profound obscurity with which they were overspread obliged them to walk slow and cautiously。
'You tremble！' said Matilda to her Companion； 'Fear not； The destined spot is near。'
They reached the foot of the Staircase； and continued to proceed； feeling their way along the Walls。 On turning a corner suddenly； they descried faint gleams of light which seemed burning at a distance。 Thither they bent their steps： The rays proceeded from a small sepulchral Lamp which flamed unceasingly before the Statue of St。 Clare。 It tinged with dim and cheerless beams the massy Columns which supported the Roof； but was too feeble to dissipate the thick gloom in which the Vaults above were buried。
Matilda took the Lamp。
'Wait for me！' said She to the Friar； 'In a few moments I am here again。'
With these words She hastened into one of the passages which branched in various directions from this spot； and formed a sort of Labyrinth。 Ambrosio was now left alone： Darkness the most profound surrounded him； and encouraged the doubts which began to revive in his bosom。 He had been hurried away by the delirium of the moment： The shame of betraying his terrors； while in Matilda's presence； had induced him to repress them； But now that he was abandoned to himself； they resumed their former ascendancy。 He trembled at the scene which He was soon to witness。 He knew not how far the delusions of Magic might operate upon his mind； and possibly might force him to some deed whose commission would make the breach between himself and Heaven irreparable。 In this fearful dilemma； He would have implored God's assistance； but was conscious that He had forfeited all claim to such protection。 Gladly would He have returned to the Abbey； But as He had past through innumerable Caverns and winding passages； the attempt of regaining the Stairs was hopeless。 His fate was determined： No possibility of escape presented itself： He therefore combated his apprehensions； and called every argument to his succour； which might enable him to support the trying scene with fortitude。 He reflected that Antonia would be the reward of his daring： He inflamed his imagination by enumerating her charms。 He persuaded himself that （as Matilda had observed）； He always should have time sufficient for repentance； and that as He employed HER assistance； not that of the Daemons； the crime of Sorcery could not be laid to his charge。 He had read much respecting witchcraft： He understood that unless a formal Act was signed renouncing his claim to salvation； Satan would have no power over him。 He was fully determined not to execute any such act； whatever threats might be used； or advantages held out to him。
Such were his meditations while waiting for Matilda。 They were interrupted by a low murmur which seemed at no great distance from him。 He was startled。 He listened。 Some minutes past in silence； after which the murmur was repeated。 It appeared to be the groaning of one in pain。 In any other situation； this circumstance would only have excited his attention and curiosity：
In the present； his predominant sensation was that of terror。 His imagination totally engrossed by the ideas of sorcery and Spirits； He fancied that some unquiet Ghost was wandering near him； or else that Matilda had fallen a Victim to her presumption； and was perishing under the cruel fangs of the Daemons。 The noise seemed not to approach； but continued to be heard at intervals。 Sometimes it became more audible； doubtless as the sufferings of the person who uttered the groans became more acute and insupportable。 Ambrosio now and then thought that He could distinguish accents； and once in particular He was almost convinced that He heard a faint voice exclaim；
'God！ Oh！ God！ No hope！ No succour！'
Yet deeper groans followed these words。 They died away gradually； and universal silence again prevailed。
'What can this mean？' thought the bewildered Monk。
At that moment an idea which flashed into his mind； almost petrified him with horror。 He started； and shuddered at himself。
'Should it be possible！' He groaned involuntarily； 'Should it but be possible； Oh！ what a Monster am I！'
He wished to resolve his doubts； and to repair his fault； if it were not too late already： But these generous and compassionate sentiments were soon put to flight by the return of Matilda。 He forgot the groaning Sufferer； and remembered nothing but the danger and embarrassment of his own situation。 The light of the returning Lamp gilded the walls； and in a few moments after Matilda stood beside him。 She had quitted her religious habit： She was now cloathed in a long sable Robe； on which was traced in gold embroidery a variety of unknown characters： It was fastened by a girdle of precious stones； in which was fixed a poignard。 Her neck and arms were uncovered。 In her hand She bore a golden wand。 Her hair was loose and flowed wildly upon her shoulders； Her eyes sparkled with terrific expression； and her whole Demeanour was calculated to inspire the beholder with awe and admiration。
'Follow me！' She said to the Monk in a low and solemn voice； 'All is ready！'
His limbs trembled； while He obeyed her。 She led him through various narrow passages； and on every side as they past along； the beams of the Lamp displayed none but the most revolting objects； Skulls； Bones； Graves； and Images whose eyes seemed to glare on them with horror and surprize。 At length they reached a spacious Cavern； whose lofty roof the eye sought in vain to discover。 A profound obscurity hovered thr