 Can you be less generous than I thought you? I will
not suspect it. You will not drive a wretch to despair; I shall still be
permitted to see you, to converse with you, to adore you! Your virtues shall be
my example through life; and, when we expire, our bodies shall rest in the same
grave.«
    She ceased. - While she spoke, a thousand opposing sentiments combated in
Ambrosio's bosom. Surprise at the singularity of this adventure; confusion at
her abrupt declaration; resentment at her boldness in entering the monastery;
and consciousness of the austerity with which it behoved him to reply; such were
the sentiments of which he was aware: but there were others also which did not
obtain his notice. He perceived not that his vanity was flattered by the praises
bestowed upon his eloquence and virtue; that he felt a secret pleasure in
reflecting that a young and seemingly lovely woman had for his sake abandoned
the world, and sacrificed every other passion to that which he had inspired:
still less did he perceive, that his heart throbbed with desire, while his hand
was pressed gently by Matilda's ivory fingers.
    By degrees he recovered from his confusion: his ideas became less
bewildered: he was immediately sensible of the extreme impropriety, should
Matilda be permitted to remain in the abbey after this avowal of her sex. He
assumed an air of severity, and drew away his hand.
    »How, lady!« said he, »can you really hope for my permission to remain
amongst us? Even were I to grant your request, what good could you derive from
it? Think you, that I ever can reply to an affection, which -«
    »No, father, no! I expect not to inspire you with a love like mine: I only
wish for the liberty to be near you; to pass some hours of the day in your
society; to obtain your compassion, your friendship, and esteem. Surely my
request is not unreasonable.«
    »But reflect, lady! reflect only for a moment on the impropriety of my
harbouring a woman in the abbey, and that too a woman who confesses that she
loves me. It must not be. The risk of your being discovered is too great; and I
will not expose myself to so dangerous a temptation.«
    »Temptation, say you? Forget that I am a woman, and it no longer exists:
consider me only as a friend; as an unfortunate, whose happiness, whose life,
depends upon your protection. Fear not, lest I should ever
