the monk(僧侣)-第32章
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below stairs； and mounted into the chamber over that of Donna
Agnes。 I sang as loud as I could a little German air well…known
to her； hoping that She would recollect my voice。 I was not
disappointed； for I soon heard her window open。 I hastened to
let down a string with which I had provided myself： Upon hearing
the casement closed again； I drew up the string； and fastened to
it I found this scrap of paper。'
He then presented me with a small note addressed to me。 I opened
it with impatience： It contained the following words written in
pencil：
Conceal yourself for the next fortnight in some neighbouring
Village。 My Aunt will believe you to have quitted Lindenberg；
and I shall be restored to liberty。 I will be in the West
Pavilion at twelve on the night of the thirtieth。 Fail not to be
there； and we shall have an opportunity of concerting our future
plans。 Adieu。 Agnes。
At perusing these lines my transports exceeded all bounds；
Neither did I set any to the expressions of gratitude which I
heaped upon Theodore。 In fact his address and attention merited
my warmest praise。 You will readily believe that I had not
entrusted him with my passion for Agnes； But the arch Youth had
too much discernment not to discover my secret； and too much
discretion not to conceal his knowledge of it。 He observed in
silence what was going on； nor strove to make himself an Agent in
the business till my interests required his interference。 I
equally admired his judgment； his penetration； his address； and
his fidelity。 This was not the first occasion in which I had
found him of infinite use； and I was every day more convinced of
his quickness and capacity。 During my short stay at Strasbourg；
He had applied himself diligently to learning the rudiments of
Spanish： He continued to study it； and with so much success that
He spoke it with the same facility as his native language。 He
past the greatest part of his time in reading； He had acquired
much information for his Age； and united the advantages of a
lively countenance and prepossessing figure to an excellent
understanding and the very best of hearts。 He is now fifteen； He
is still in my service； and when you see him； I am sure that He
will please you。 But excuse this digression： I return to the
subject which I quitted。
I obeyed the instructions of Agnes。 I proceeded to Munich。
There I left my Chaise under the care of Lucas； my French
Servant； and then returned on Horseback to a small Village about
four miles distant from the Castle of Lindenberg。 Upon arriving
there a story was related to the Host at whose Inn I descended；
which prevented his wondering at my making so long a stay in his
House。 The old Man fortunately was credulous and incurious： He
believed all I said； and sought to know no more than what I
thought proper to tell him。 Nobody was with me but Theodore；
Both were disguised； and as we kept ourselves close； we were not
suspected to be other than what we seemed。 In this manner the
fortnight passed away。 During that time I had the pleasing
conviction that Agnes was once more at liberty。 She past through
the Village with Dame Cunegonda： She seemed in health and
spirits； and talked to her Companion without any appearance of
constraint。
'Who are those Ladies？' said I to my Host； as the Carriage past。
'Baron Lindenberg's Niece with her Governess；' He replied； 'She
goes regularly every Friday to the Convent of St。 Catharine； in
which She was brought up； and which is situated about a mile from
hence。'
You may be certain that I waited with impatience for the ensuing
Friday。 I again beheld my lovely Mistress。 She cast her eyes
upon me； as She passed the Inn…door。 A blush which overspread
her cheek told me that in spite of my disguise I had been
recognised。 I bowed profoundly。 She returned the compliment by
a slight inclination of the head as if made to one inferior； and
looked another way till the Carriage was out of sight。
The long…expected； long…wished for night arrived。 It was calm；
and the Moon was at the full。 As soon as the Clock struck eleven
I hastened to my appointment； determined not to be too late。
Theodore had provided a Ladder； I ascended the Garden wall
without difficulty； The Page followed me； and drew the Ladder
after us。 I posted myself in the West Pavilion； and waited
impatiently for the approach of Agnes。 Every breeze that
whispered； every leaf that fell； I believed to be her footstep；
and hastened to meet her。 Thus was I obliged to pass a full
hour； every minute of which appeared to me an age。 The
Castle Bell at length tolled twelve； and scarcely could I believe
the night to be no further advanced。 Another quarter of an hour
elapsed； and I heard the light foot of my Mistress approaching
the Pavilion with precaution。 I flew to receive her； and
conducted her to a seat。 I threw myself at her feet； and was
expressing my joy at seeing her； when She thus interrupted me。
'We have no time to lose； Alphonso： The moments are precious；
for though no more a Prisoner； Cunegonda watches my every step。
An express is arrived from my Father； I must depart immediately
for Madrid； and 'tis with difficulty that I have obtained a
week's delay。 The superstition of my Parents； supported by the
representations of my cruel Aunt； leaves me no hope of softening
them to compassion。 In this dilemma I have resolved to commit
myself to your honour： God grant that you may never give me
cause to repent my resolution！ Flight is my only resource from
the horrors of a Convent； and my imprudence must be excused by
the urgency of the danger。 Now listen to the plan by which I
hope to effect my escape。
'We are now at the thirtieth of April。 On the fifth day from
this the Visionary Nun is expected to appear。 In my last visit
to the Convent I provided myself with a dress proper for the
character： A Friend； whom I have left there and to whom I made
no scruple to confide my secret； readily consented to supply me
with a religious habit。 Provide a carriage； and be with it at a
little distance from the great Gate of the Castle。 As soon as
the Clock strikes 'one；' I shall quit my chamber； drest in the
same apparel as the Ghost is supposed to wear。 Whoever meets me
will be too much terrified to oppose my escape。 I shall easily
reach the door； and throw myself under your protection。 Thus far
success is certain： But Oh！ Alphonso； should you deceive me！
Should you despise my imprudence and reward it with ingratitude；
the World will not hold a Being more wretched than myself！ I
feel all the dangers to which I shall be exposed。 I feel that I
am giving you a right to treat me with levity： But I rely upon
your love； upon your honour！ The step which I am on the point of
taking； will incense my Relations against me： Should you desert
me； should you betray the trust reposed in you； I shall have no
friend to punish your insult； or support my cause。 On yourself
alone rests all my hope； and if your own heart does not plead in
my behalf； I am undone for ever！'
The tone in which She pronounced these words was so touching；
that in spite of my joy at receiving her promise to follow me； I
could not help being affected。 I also repined in secret at not
having taken the precaution to provide a Carriage at the Village；
in which case I might have carried off Agnes that very night。
Such an attempt was now impracticable： Neither Carriage or
Horses were to be procured nearer than Munich； which was distant
from Lindenberg two good days journey。 I was therefore obliged
to chime in with her plan； which in truth seemed well arranged：
Her disguise would secure her from being stopped in quitting the
Castle； and would enable her to step into the Carriage at the
very Gate without difficulty or losing time。
Agnes reclined her head mournfully upon my shoulder； and by the
light of the Moon I saw tears flowing down her cheek。 I strove
to dissipate her melancholy； and encouraged her to look forward
to the prospect of happiness。 I protested in the most solemn
terms that her virtue and innocence would be safe in my
