 prey to Frederic? I will follow you to the
convent. - Be at peace, my child, said Hippolita: I will return instantly. I
will never abandon thee, until I know it is the will of heaven, and for thy
benefit. Do not deceive me, said Matilda. I will not marry Frederic until thou
commandest it. Alas! what will become of me! - Why that exclamation! said
Hippolita. I have promised thee to return. - Ah! my mother, replied Matilda,
stay and save me from myself. A frown from thee can do more than all my father's
severity. I have given away my heart, and you alone can make me recall it. No
more, said Hippolita: thou must not relapse, Matilda. I can quit Theodore, said
she, but must I wed another? Let me attend thee to the altar, and shut myself
from the world forever. Thy fate depends on thy father, said Hippolita: I have
ill bestowed my tenderness, if it has taught thee to revere aught beyond him.
Adieu, my child! I go to pray for thee.
    Hippolita's real purpose was to demand of Jerome, whether in conscience she
might not consent to the divorce. She had oft urged Manfred to resign the
principality, which the delicacy of her conscience rendered an hourly burthen to
her. These scruples concurred to make the separation from her husband appear
less dreadful to her than it would have seemed in any other situation.
    Jerome, at quitting the castle overnight, had questioned Theodore severely
why he had accused him to Manfred of being privy to his escape. Theodore owned
it had been with design to prevent Manfred's suspicion from alighting on
Matilda; and added, the holiness of Jerome's life and character secured him from
the tyrant's wrath. Jerome was heartily grieved to discover his son's
inclination for that princess; and, leaving him to his rest, promised in the
morning to acquaint him with important reasons for conquering his passion.
Theodore, like Isabella, was too recently acquainted with parental authority to
submit to its decisions against the impulse of his heart. He had little
curiosity to learn the friar's reasons, and less disposition to obey them. The
lovely Matilda had made stronger impressions on him than filial affection. All
night he pleased himself with visions of love; and it was not till late after
the morning-office, that he recollected the friar's commands to attend him at
Alfonso's tomb.
    Young man, said Jerome, when he saw him, this
