The Monk: A Romance
perform her Noviciate. I requested to see my Sister. Conceive my
surprise when She sent me a refusal; She declared positively, that
apprehending my influence over her mind, She would not trust herself in
my society till the day before that on which She was to receive the
Veil. I supplicated the Nuns; I insisted upon seeing Agnes, and
hesitated not to avow my suspicions that her being kept from me was
against her own inclinations. To free herself from the imputation of
violence, the Prioress brought me a few lines written in my Sister’s
well-known hand, repeating the message already delivered. All future
attempts to obtain a moment’s conversation with her were as fruitless
as the first. She was inflexible, and I was not permitted to see her
till the day preceding that on which She entered the Cloister never to
quit it more. This interview took place in the presence of our
principal Relations. It was for the first time since her childhood that
I saw her, and the scene was most affecting. She threw herself upon my
bosom, kissed me, and wept bitterly. By every possible argument, by
tears, by prayers, by kneeling, I strove to make her abandon her
intention. I represented to her all the hardships of a religious life;
I painted to her imagination all the pleasures which She was going to
quit, and besought her to disclose to me, what occasioned her disgust
to the world. At this last question She turned pale, and her tears
flowed yet faster. She entreated me not to press her on that subject;
That it sufficed me to know that her resolution was taken, and that a
Convent was the only place where She could now hope for tranquillity.
She persevered in her design, and made her profession. I visited her
frequently at the Grate, and every moment that I passed with her, made
me feel more affliction at her loss. I was shortly after obliged to
quit Madrid; I returned but yesterday evening, and since then have not
had time to call at St. Clare’s Convent.”
“Then till I mentioned it, you never heard the name of Alphonso
d’Alvarada?”
“Pardon me: my Aunt wrote me word that an Adventurer so called had
found means to get introduced into the Castle of Lindenberg; That He
had insinuated himself into my Sister’s good graces, and that She had
even consented to elope with him. However, before the plan could be
executed, the Cavalier discovered that the estates which He believed
Agnes to possess in Hispaniola, in reality belonged to me. This
intelligence made him change his intention; He disappeared on the day
that the elopement was to have taken place, and Agnes, in despair at
his perfidy and meanness, had resolved upon seclusion in a Convent. She
added, that as this adventurer had given himself out to be a Friend of
mine, She wished to know whether I had any knowledge of him. I replied
in the negative. I had then very little idea, that Alphonso d’Alvarada
and the Marquis de las Cisternas were one and the same person: The
description given me of the first by no means tallied with what I knew
of the latter.”
“In this I easily recognize Donna Rodolpha’s perfidious character.
Every word of this account is stamped with marks of her malice, of her
falsehood, of her talents for misrepresenting those whom She wishes to
injure. Forgive me, Medina, for speaking so freely of your Relation.
The mischief which She has done me authorises my resentment, and when
you have heard my story, you will be convinced that my expressions have
not been too severe.”
He then began his narrative in the following manner:—
HISTORY OF DON RAYMOND,
MARQUIS DE LAS CISTERNAS
Long experience, my dear Lorenzo, has convinced me how generous is your
nature: I waited not for your declaration of ignorance respecting your
Sister’s adventures to suppose that they had been purposely concealed
from you. Had they reached your knowledge, from what misfortunes should
both Agnes and myself have escaped! Fate had ordained it otherwise! You
were on your Travels when I first became acquainted with your Sister;
and as our Enemies took care to conceal from her your direction, it was
impossible for her to implore by letter your protection and advice.
On leaving Salamanca, at which University as I have since heard, you
remained a year after I quitted it, I immediately set out upon my
Travels. My Father supplied me liberally with money; But He insisted
upon my concealing my rank, and presenting myself as no more than a
private Gentleman. This command was issued by the counsels of his
Friend, the Duke of Villa Hermosa, a Nobleman for whose abilities and
knowledge of the world I have ever entertained the most profound
veneration.
“Believe me,” said He, “my dear Raymond, you will hereafter feel the
benefits of this temporary degradation. ’Tis true, that as the Condé de
las Cisternas you would have been received with open arms; and your
youthful vanity might have felt gratified by the attentions showered
upon you from all sides. At present, much will depend upon yourself:
You have excellent recommendations, but it must be your own business to
make them of use to you. You must lay yourself out to please; You must
labour to gain the approbation of those, to whom you are presented:
They who would have courted the friendship of the Condé de las
Cisternas will have no interest in finding out the merits, or bearing
patiently with the faults, of Alphonso d’Alvarada. Consequently, when
you find yourself really liked, you may safely ascribe it to your good
qualities, not your rank, and the distinction shown you will be
infinitely more flattering. Besides, your exalted birth would not
permit your mixing with the lower classes of society, which will now be
in your power, and from which, in my opinion, you will derive
considerable benefit. Do not confine yourself to the Illustrious of
those Countries through which you pass. Examine the manners and customs
of the multitude: Enter into the Cottages; and by observing how the
Vassals of Foreigners are treated, learn to diminish the burthens and
augment the comforts of your own. According to my ideas, of those
advantages which a Youth destined to the possession of power and wealth
may reap from travel, He should not consider as the least essential,
the opportunity of mixing with the classes below him, and becoming an
eyewitness of the sufferings of the People.”
Forgive me, Lorenzo, if I seem tedious in my narration. The close
connexion which now exists between us, makes me anxious that you should
know every particular respecting me; and in my fear of omitting the
least circumstance which may induce you to think favourably of your
Sister and myself, I may possibly relate many which you may think
uninteresting.
I followed the Duke’s advice; I was soon convinced of its wisdom.
I quitted Spain, calling myself by the assumed title of Don Alphonso
d’Alvarada, and attended by a single Domestic of approved fidelity.
Paris was my first station. For some time I was enchanted with it, as
indeed must be every Man who is young, rich, and fond of pleasure. Yet
among all its gaieties, I felt that something was wanting to my heart.
I grew sick of dissipation: I discovered, that the People among whom I
lived, and whose exterior was so polished and seducing, were at bottom
frivolous, unfeeling and insincere. I turned from the Inhabitants of
Paris with disgust, and quitted that Theatre of Luxury without heaving
one sigh of regret.
I now bent my course towards Germany, intending to visit most of the
principal courts: Prior to this expedition, I meant to make some little
stay at Strasbourg. On quitting my Chaise at Luneville to take some
refreshment, I observed a splendid Equipage, attended by four Domestics
in rich liveries, waiting at the door of the Silver Lion. Soon after as
I looked out of the window, I saw a Lady of noble presence, followed by
two female Attendants, step into the Carriage, which drove off
immediately.
I enquired of the Host, who the Lady was, that had just departed.
“A German Baroness, Monsieur, of great rank and fortune. She has been
upon a visit to the Duchess of Longueville, as her Servants informed
me; She is going to Strasbourg, where She will find her Husband, and
then both return to their Castle in Germany.”
I resumed my journey, intending to reach Strasbourg that night. My
hopes, however were frustrated by the breaking down of my Chaise. The
accident happened in the middle of a thick Forest, and I was not a
little embarrassed as to the means of proceeding.
It was the depth of winter: The night was already closing round us; and
Strasbourg, which was the nearest Town, was still distant from us
several leagues. It seemed to me that my only alternative to passing
the night in the Forest, was to take my Servant’s Horse and ride on to
Strasbourg, an undertaking at that season very far from agreeable.
However, seeing no other resource, I was obliged to make up my mind to
it. Accordingly I communicated my design to the Postillion, telling him
that I would send People to assist him as soon as I reached Strasbourg.
I had not much confidence in his honesty; But Stephano being
well-armed, and the Driver to all appearance considerably advanced in
years, I believed I ran no danger of losing my Baggage.
Luckily, as I then thought, an opportunity presented itself of passing
the night more agreeably than I expected. On mentioning my design of
proceeding by myself to Strasbourg, the Postillion shook his head in
disapprobation.
“It is a long way,” said He; “You will find it a difficult matter to
arrive there without a Guide. Besides, Monsieur seems unaccustomed to
the season’s severity, and ’tis possible that unable to sustain the
excessive cold....”
“What use is there to present me with all these objections?” said I,
impatiently interrupting him; “I have no other resource: I run still
greater risque of perishing with cold by passing the night in the
Forest.”
“Passing the night in the Forest?” He replied; “Oh! by St. Denis! We
are not in quite so bad a plight as that comes to yet. If I am not
mistaken, we are scarcely five minutes walk from the Cottage of my old
Friend, Baptiste. He is a Wood-cutter, and a very honest Fellow. I
doubt not but He will shelter you for the night with pleasure. In the
meantime I can take the saddle-Horse, ride to Strasbourg, and be back
with proper people to mend your Carriage by break of day.”
“And in the name of God,” said I, “How could you leave me so long in
suspense? Why did you not tell me of this Cottage sooner? What
excessive stupidity!”
“I thought that perhaps Monsieur would not deign to accept....”
“Absurd! Come, come! Say no more, but conduct us without delay to the
Wood-man’s Cottage.”
He obeyed, and we moved onwards: The Horses contrived with some
difficulty to drag the shattered vehicle after us. My Servant was
become almost speechless, and I began to feel the effects of the cold
myself, before we reached the wished-for Cottage. It was a small but
neat Building: As we drew near it, I rejoiced at observing through the
window the blaze of a comfortable fire. Our Conductor knocked at the
door: It was some time before any one answered; The People within
seemed in doubt whether we should be admitted.
“Come! Come, Friend Baptiste!” cried the Driver with impatience; “What
are you about? Are you asleep? Or will you refuse a night’s lodging to
a Gentleman, whose Chaise has just broken down in the Forest?”
“Ah! is it you, honest Claude?” replied a Man’s voice from within;
“Wait a moment, and the door shall be opened.”
Soon after the bolts were drawn back. The door was unclosed, and a Man
presented himself to us with a Lamp in his hand. He gave the Guide an
hearty reception, and then addressed himself to me.