tiety; Then will I bid my Servants invent new pleasures, to revive
and stimulate my glutted appetites! I go impatient to exercise my
newly-gained dominion. I pant to be at liberty. Nothing should hold me
one moment longer in this abhorred abode, but the hope of persuading
you to follow my example. Ambrosio, I still love you: Our mutual
guilt and danger have rendered you dearer to me than ever, and I would
fain save you from impending destruction. Summon then your resolution
to your aid; and renounce for immediate and certain benefits the hopes
of a salvation, difficult to obtain, and perhaps altogether erroneous.
Shake off the prejudice of vulgar souls; Abandon a God who has
abandoned you, and raise yourself to the level of superior Beings!'

She paused for the Monk's reply: He shuddered, while He gave it.

'Matilda!' He said after a long silence in a low and unsteady voice;
'What price gave you for liberty?'

She answered him firm and dauntless.

'Ambrosio, it was my Soul!'

'Wretched Woman, what have you done? Pass but a few years, and how
dreadful will be your sufferings!'

'Weak Man, pass but this night, and how dreadful will be your own! Do
you remember what you have already endured? Tomorrow you must bear
torments doubly exquisite. Do you remember the horrors of a fiery
punishment? In two days you must be led a Victim to the Stake! What
then will become of you? Still dare you hope for pardon? Still are
you beguiled with visions of salvation? Think upon your crimes! Think
upon your lust, your perjury, inhumanity, and hypocrisy! Think upon
the innocent blood which cries to the Throne of God for vengeance, and
then hope for mercy! Then dream of heaven, and sigh for worlds of
light, and realms of peace and pleasure! Absurd! Open your eyes,
Ambrosio, and be prudent. Hell is your lot; You are doomed to eternal
perdition; Nought lies beyond your grave but a gulph of devouring
flames. And will you then speed towards that Hell? Will you clasp that
perdition in your arms, ere 'tis needful? Will you plunge into those
flames while you still have the power to shun them? 'Tis a Madman's
action. No, no, Ambrosio: Let us for awhile fly from divine
vengeance. Be advised by me; Purchase by one moment's courage the
bliss of years; Enjoy the present, and forget that a future lags
behind.'

'Matilda, your counsels are dangerous: I dare not, I will not follow
them. I must not give up my claim to salv