按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
it gave him sincere pain； and He expressed himself in my favour so warmly； that I endeavoured to win him over to my interest。 Scarcely had I mentioned the name of Agnes when He stopped me short； and said； that it was totally out of his power to interfere in the business。 I saw that it was in vain to argue； The Baroness governed her Husband with despotic sway； and I easily perceived that She had prejudiced him against the match。 Agnes did not appear： I entreated permission to take leave of her； but my prayer was rejected。 I was obliged to depart without seeing her。
At quitting him the Baron shook my hand affectionately； and assured me that as soon as his Niece was gone； I might consider his House as my own。
'Farewell； Don Alphonso！' said the Baroness； and stretched out her hand to me。
I took it； and offered to carry it to my lips。 She prevented me。
Her Husband was at the other end of the room； and out of hearing。
'Take care of yourself；' She continued； 'My love is become hatred； and my wounded pride shall not be unatoned。 Go where you will； my vengeance shall follow you！'
She accompanied these words with a look sufficient to make me tremble。 I answered not； but hastened to quit the Castle。
As my Chaise drove out of the Court； I looked up to the windows of your Sister's chamber。 Nobody was to be seen there： I threw myself back despondent in my Carriage。 I was attended by no other servants than a Frenchman whom I had hired at Strasbourg in Stephano's room； and my little Page whom I before mentioned to you。 The fidelity； intelligence； and good temper of Theodore had already made him dear to me； But He now prepared to lay an obligation on me； which made me look upon him as a Guardian Genius。 Scarcely had we proceeded half a mile from the Castle； when He rode up to the Chaise…door。
'Take courage； Segnor！' said He in Spanish； which He had already learnt to speak with fluency and correctness。 'While you were with the Baron； I watched the moment when Dame Cunegonda was below stairs； and mounted into the chamber over that of Donna Agnes。 I sang as loud as I could a little German air well…known to her； hoping that She would recollect my voice。 I was not disappointed； for I soon heard her window open。 I hastened to let down a string with which I had provided myself： Upon hearing the casement closed again； I drew up the string； and fastened to it I found this scrap of paper。'
He then presented me with a small note addressed to me。 I opened it with impatience： It contained the following words written in pencil：
Conceal yourself for the next fortnight in some neighbouring Village。 My Aunt will believe you to have quitted Lindenberg； and I shall be restored to liberty。 I will be in the West Pavilion at twelve on the night of the thirtieth。 Fail not to be there； and we shall have an opportunity of concerting our future plans。 Adieu。 Agnes。
At perusing these lines my transports exceeded all bounds； Neither did I set any to the expressions of gratitude which I heaped upon Theodore。 In fact his address and attention merited my warmest praise。 You will readily believe that I had not entrusted him with my passion for Agnes； But the arch Youth had too much discernment not to discover my secret； and too much discretion not to conceal his knowledge of it。 He observed in silence what was going on； nor strove to make himself an Agent in the business till my interests required his interference。 I equally admired his judgment； his penetration； his address； and his fidelity。 This was not the first occasion in which I had found him of infinite use； and I was every day more convinced of his quickness and capacity。 During my short stay at Strasbourg； He had applied himself diligently to learning the rudiments of Spanish： He continued to study it； and with so much success that He spoke it with the same facility as his native language。 He past the greatest part of his time in reading； He had acquired much information for his Age； and united the advantages of a lively countenance and prepossessing figure to an excellent understanding and the very best of hearts。 He is now fifteen； He is still in my service； and when you see him； I am sure that He will please you。 But excuse this digression： I return to the subject which I quitted。
I obeyed the instructions of Agnes。 I proceeded to Munich。 There I left my Chaise under the care of Lucas； my French Servant； and then returned on Horseback to a small Village about four miles distant from the Castle of Lindenberg。 Upon arriving there a story was related to the Host at whose Inn I descended； which prevented his wondering at my making so long a stay in his House。 The old Man fortunately was credulous and incurious： He believed all I said； and sought to know no more than what I thought proper to tell him。 Nobody was with me but Theodore； Both were disguised； and as we kept ourselves close； we were not suspected to be other than what we seemed。 In this manner the fortnight passed away。 During that time I had the pleasing conviction that Agnes was once more at liberty。 She past through the Village with Dame Cunegonda： She seemed in health and spirits； and talked to her Companion without any appearance of constraint。
'Who are those Ladies？' said I to my Host； as the Carriage past。
'Baron Lindenberg's Niece with her Governess；' He replied； 'She goes regularly every Friday to the Convent of St。 Catharine； in which She was brought up； and which is situated about a mile from hence。'
You may be certain that I waited with impatience for the ensuing Friday。 I again beheld my lovely Mistress。 She cast her eyes upon me； as She passed the Inn…door。 A blush which overspread her cheek told me that in spite of my disguise I had been recognised。 I bowed profoundly。 She returned the compliment by a slight inclination of the head as if made to one inferior； and looked another way till the Carriage was out of sight。
The long…expected； long…wished for night arrived。 It was calm； and the Moon was at the full。 As soon as the Clock struck eleven I hastened to my appointment； determined not to be too late。 Theodore had provided a Ladder； I ascended the Garden wall without difficulty； The Page followed me； and drew the Ladder after us。 I posted myself in the West Pavilion； and waited impatiently for the approach of Agnes。 Every breeze that whispered； every leaf that fell； I believed to be her footstep； and hastened to meet her。 Thus was I obliged to pass a full hour； every minute of which appeared to me an age。 The Castle Bell at length tolled twelve； and scarcely could I believe the night to be no further advanced。 Another quarter of an hour elapsed； and I heard the light foot of my Mistress approaching the Pavilion with precaution。 I flew to receive her； and conducted her to a seat。 I threw myself at her feet； and was expressing my joy at seeing her； when She thus interrupted me。
'We have no time to lose； Alphonso： The moments are precious； for though no more a Prisoner； Cunegonda watches my every step。 An express is arrived from my Father； I must depart immediately for Madrid； and 'tis with difficulty that I have obtained a week's delay。 The superstition of my Parents； supported by the representations of my cruel Aunt； leaves me no hope of softening them to compassion。 In this dilemma I have resolved to commit myself to your honour： God grant that you may never give me cause to repent my resolution！ Flight is my only resource from the horrors of a Convent； and my imprudence must be excused by the urgency of the danger。 Now listen to the plan by which I hope to effect my escape。
'We are now at the thirtieth of April。 On the fifth day from this the Visionary Nun is expected to appear。 In my last visit to the Convent I provided myself with a dress proper for the character： A Friend； whom I have left there and to whom I made no scruple to confide my secret； readily consented to supply me with a religious habit。 Provide a carriage； and be with it at a little distance from the great Gate of the Castle。 As soon as the Clock strikes 'one；' I shall quit my chamber； drest in the same apparel as the Ghost is supposed to wear。 Whoever meets me will be too much terrified to oppose my escape。 I shall easily reach the door； and throw myself under your protection。 Thus far success is certain： But Oh！ Alphonso； should you deceive me！ Should you despise my imprudence and reward it with ingratitude； the World will not hold a Being more wretched than myself！ I feel all the dangers to which I shall be exposed。 I feel that I am giving you a right to treat me with levity： But I rely upon your love； upon your honour！ The step which I am on the point of taking； will incense my Relations against me： Should you desert me； should you betray the trust reposed in you； I shall have no friend to punish your insult； or support my cause。 On yourself alone rests all my hope； and if your own heart does not plead in my behalf； I am undone for ever！'
The tone in which She pronounced these words was so touching； that in spite of my joy at receiving her promise to follow me； I could not help being affected。 I also repin