trained to have recourse to my strongest charms. They have
produced the desired effect, but I have engaged never more to invoke
his agency in your favour. Beware then, how you employ an opportunity
which never will return. My magic arts will now be of no use to you:
In future you can only hope for supernatural aid by invoking the
Daemons yourself, and accepting the conditions of their service. This
you will never do: You want strength of mind to force them to
obedience, and unless you pay their established price, they will not be
your voluntary Servants. In this one instance they consent to obey
you: I offer you the means of enjoying your Mistress, and be careful
not to lose the opportunity. Receive this constellated Myrtle: While
you bear this in your hand, every door will fly open to you. It will
procure you access tomorrow night to Antonia's chamber: Then breathe
upon it thrice, pronounce her name, and place it upon her pillow. A
death-like slumber will immediately seize upon her, and deprive her of
the power of resisting your attempts. Sleep will hold her till break
of Morning. In this state you may satisfy your desires without danger
of being discovered; since when daylight shall dispel the effects of
the enchantment, Antonia will perceive her dishonour, but be ignorant
of the Ravisher. Be happy then, my Ambrosio, and let this service
convince you that my friendship is disinterested and pure. The night
must be near expiring: Let us return to the Abbey, lest our absence
should create surprize.'

The Abbot received the talisman with silent gratitude. His ideas were
too much bewildered by the adventures of the night to permit his
expressing his thanks audibly, or indeed as yet to feel the whole value
of her present. Matilda took up her Lamp and Basket, and guided her
Companion from the mysterious Cavern. She restored the Lamp to its
former place, and continued her route in darkness, till She reached the
foot of the Staircase. The first beams of the rising Sun darting down
it facilitated the ascent. Matilda and the Abbot hastened out of the
Sepulchre, closed the door after them, and soon regained the Abbey's
western Cloister. No one met them, and they retired unobserved to
their respective Cells.

The confusion of Ambrosio's mind now began to appease. He rejoiced in
the fortunate issue of his adventure, and reflecting upon the virtues
of the Myrtle, looked upon Antonia as already in his power.
Ima