That melting eye, that blushing cheek, that enchanting voluptuous
melancholy which at times overspreads your features, all these marks
belye your words. You love, Antonia, and in vain would hide it from
me.'

'Father, you amaze me! What is this love of which you speak? I
neither know its nature, nor if I felt it, why I should conceal the
sentiment.'

'Have you seen no Man, Antonia, whom though never seen before, you
seemed long to have sought? Whose form, though a Stranger's, was
familiar to your eyes? The sound of whose voice soothed you, pleased
you, penetrated to your very soul? In whose presence you rejoiced, for
whose absence you lamented? With whom your heart seemed to expand, and
in whose bosom with confidence unbounded you reposed the cares of your
own? Have you not felt all this, Antonia?'

'Certainly I have: The first time that I saw you, I felt it.'

Ambrosio started. Scarcely dared He credit his hearing.

'Me, Antonia?' He cried, his eyes sparkling with delight and
impatience, while He seized her hand, and pressed it rapturously to his
lips. 'Me, Antonia? You felt these sentiments for me?'

'Even with more strength than you have described. The very moment that
I beheld you, I felt so pleased, so interested! I waited so eagerly to
catch the sound of your voice, and when I heard it, it seemed so sweet!
It spoke to me a language till then so unknown! Methought, it told me
a thousand things which I wished to hear! It seemed as if I had long
known you; as if I had a right to your friendship, your advice, and
your protection.

I wept when you departed, and longed for the time which should restore
you to my sight.'

'Antonia! my charming Antonia!' exclaimed the Monk, and caught her to
his bosom; 'Can I believe my senses? Repeat it to me, my sweet Girl!
Tell me again that you love me, that you love me truly and tenderly!'

'Indeed, I do: Let my Mother be excepted, and the world holds no one
more dear to me!'

At this frank avowal Ambrosio no longer possessed himself; Wild with
desire, He clasped the blushing Trembler in his arms. He fastened his
lips greedily upon hers, sucked in her pure delicious breath, violated
with his bold hand the treasures of her bosom, and wound around him her
soft and yielding limbs. Startled, alarmed, and confused at his action,
surprize at first deprived her of the power of resistance. At length
recovering herself, She strove to escape from his embrace.