her lips to his. Ambrosio again raged with desire:
The die was thrown: His vows were already broken; He had already
committed the crime, and why should He refrain from enjoying its
reward? He clasped her to his breast with redoubled ardour. No longer
repressed by the sense of shame, He gave a loose to his intemperate
appetites. While the fair Wanton put every invention of lust in
practice, every refinement in the art of pleasure which might heighten
the bliss of her possession, and render her Lover's transports still
more exquisite, Ambrosio rioted in delights till then unknown to him:
Swift fled the night, and the Morning blushed to behold him still
clasped in the embraces of Matilda.

Intoxicated with pleasure, the Monk rose from the Syren's luxurious
Couch. He no longer reflected with shame upon his incontinence, or
dreaded the vengeance of offended heaven. His only fear was lest Death
should rob him of enjoyments, for which his long Fast had only given a
keener edge to his appetite. Matilda was still under the influence of
poison, and the voluptuous Monk trembled less for his Preserver's life
than his Concubine's. Deprived of her, He would not easily find
another Mistress with whom He could indulge his passions so fully, and
so safely. He therefore pressed her with earnestness to use the means
of preservation which She had declared to be in her possession.

'Yes!' replied Matilda; 'Since you have made me feel that Life is
valuable, I will rescue mine at any rate. No dangers shall appall me:
I will look upon the consequences of my action boldly, nor shudder at
the horrors which they present. I will think my sacrifice scarcely
worthy to purchase your possession, and remember that a moment past in
your arms in this world o'er-pays an age of punishment in the next.
But before I take this step, Ambrosio, give me your solemn oath never
to enquire by what means I shall preserve myself.'

He did so in a manner the most binding.

'I thank you, my Beloved. This precaution is necessary, for though you
know it not, you are under the command of vulgar prejudices: The
Business on which I must be employed this night, might startle you from
its singularity, and lower me in your opinion. Tell me; Are you
possessed of the Key of the low door on the western side of the Garden?'

'The Door which opens into the burying-ground common to us and the
Sisterhood of St. Clare? I have not the Key, but can easily procure
it