.
    Matilda seemed penetrated with confusion. She remained motionless in her
place, and supported herself upon her instrument. Her eyes were bent upon the
earth, and her fair cheeks overspread with blushes. On recovering herself, her
first action was to conceal her features. She then, in an unsteady and troubled
voice, ventured to address these words to the friar:
    »Accident has made you master of a secret, which I never would have revealed
but on the bed of death: yes, Ambrosio, in Matilda de Villanegas you see the
original of your beloved Madona. Soon after I conceived my unfortunate passion,
I formed the project of conveying to you my picture. Crowds of admirers had
persuaded me that I possessed some beauty, and I was anxious to know what effect
it would produce upon you. I caused my portrait to be drawn by Martin Galuppi, a
celebrated Venetian at that time resident in Madrid. The resemblance was
striking: I sent it to the Capuchin-abbey as if for sale; and the Jew from whom
you bought it was one of my emissaries. You purchased it. Judge of my rapture,
when informed that you had gazed upon it with delight, or rather with adoration;
that you had suspended it in your cell, and that you addressed your
supplications to no other saint! Will this discovery make me still more regarded
as an object of suspicion? Rather should it convince you how pure is my
affection, and engage you to suffer me in your society and esteem. I heard you
daily extol the praises of my portrait. I was an eye-witness of the transports
which its beauty excited in you: yet I forbore to use against your virtue those
arms with which yourself had furnished me. I concealed those features from your
sight, which you loved unconsciously. I strove not to excite desire by
displaying my charms, or to make myself mistress of your heart through the
medium of your senses. To attract your notice by studiously attending to
religious duties, to endear myself to you by convincing you that my mind was
virtuous and my attachment sincere, such was my only aim. I succeeded; I became
your companion and your friend. I concealed my sex from your knowledge; and had
you not pressed me to reveal my secret, had I not been tormented by the fear of
a discovery, never had you known me for any other than Rosario. And still are
you resolved to drive me from you? The few hours of life which yet remain for
me, may I not pass them in your presence? Oh! speak, Ambrosio, and tell me
