t
say such affection for him, that I am myself astonished at the
acuteness of my feelings.'

Lorenzo smiled at the strength of her expressions.

'You are young and just entering into life,' said He; 'Your heart, new
to the world and full of warmth and sensibility, receives its first
impressions with eagerness. Artless yourself, you suspect not others
of deceit; and viewing the world through the medium of your own truth
and innocence, you fancy all who surround you to deserve your
confidence and esteem. What pity, that these gay visions must soon be
dissipated! What pity, that you must soon discover the baseness of
mankind, and guard against your fellow-creatures as against your Foes!'

'Alas! Segnor,' replied Antonia; 'The misfortunes of my Parents have
already placed before me but too many sad examples of the perfidy of
the world! Yet surely in the present instance the warmth of sympathy
cannot have deceived me.'

'In the present instance, I allow that it has not. Ambrosio's
character is perfectly without reproach; and a Man who has passed the
whole of his life within the walls of a Convent cannot have found the
opportunity to be guilty, even were He possessed of the inclination.
But now, when, obliged by the duties of his situation, He must enter
occasionally into the world, and be thrown into the way of temptation,
it is now that it behoves him to show the brilliance of his virtue.
The trial is dangerous; He is just at that period of life when the
passions are most vigorous, unbridled, and despotic; His established
reputation will mark him out to Seduction as an illustrious Victim;
Novelty will give additional charms to the allurements of pleasure; and
even the Talents with which Nature has endowed him will contribute to
his ruin, by facilitating the means of obtaining his object. Very few
would return victorious from a contest so severe.'

'Ah! surely Ambrosio will be one of those few.'

'Of that I have myself no doubt: By all accounts He is an exception to
mankind in general, and Envy would seek in vain for a blot upon his
character.'

'Segnor, you delight me by this assurance! It encourages me to indulge
my prepossession in his favour; and you know not with what pain I
should have repressed the sentiment! Ah! dearest Aunt, entreat my
Mother to choose him for our Confessor.'

'I entreat her?' replied Leonella; 'I promise you that I shall do no
such thing. I do not like this same Ambrosio in the