The Monk: A Romance
glided by him, flew to her own apartment, and having thrown off her
Spectre’s trappings, retired to bed endeavouring in vain to account for
my disappearing.
In the mean while Theodore having seen my Carriage drive off with the
false Agnes, returned joyfully to the Village. The next morning He
released Cunegonda from her confinement, and accompanied her to the
Castle. There He found the Baron, his Lady, and Don Gaston, disputing
together upon the Porter’s relation. All of them agreed in believing
the existence of Spectres: But the Latter contended, that for a Ghost
to knock for admittance was a proceeding till then unwitnessed, and
totally incompatible with the immaterial nature of a Spirit. They were
still discussing this subject when the Page appeared with Cunegonda and
cleared up the mystery. On hearing his deposition, it was agreed
unanimously that the Agnes whom Theodore had seen step into my Carriage
must have been the Bleeding Nun, and that the Ghost who had terrified
Conrad was no other than Don Gaston’s Daughter.
The first surprize which this discovery occasioned being over, the
Baroness resolved to make it of use in persuading her Niece to take the
veil. Fearing lest so advantageous an establishment for his Daughter
should induce Don Gaston to renounce his resolution, She suppressed my
letter, and continued to represent me as a needy unknown Adventurer. A
childish vanity had led me to conceal my real name even from my
Mistress; I wished to be loved for myself, not for being the Son and
Heir of the Marquis de las Cisternas. The consequence was that my rank
was known to no one in the Castle except the Baroness, and She took
good care to confine the knowledge to her own breast. Don Gaston having
approved his Sister’s design, Agnes was summoned to appear before them.
She was taxed with having meditated an elopement, obliged to make a
full confession, and was amazed at the gentleness with which it was
received: But what was her affliction, when informed that the failure
of her project must be attributed to me! Cunegonda, tutored by the
Baroness, told her that when I released her, I had desired her to
inform her Lady that our connexion was at an end, that the whole affair
was occasioned by a false report, and that it by no means suited my
circumstances to marry a Woman without fortune or expectations.
To this account my sudden disappearing gave but too great an air of
probability. Theodore, who could have contradicted the story, by Donna
Rodolpha’s order was kept out of her sight: What proved a still greater
confirmation of my being an Impostor, was the arrival of a letter from
yourself declaring that you had no sort of acquaintance with Alphonso
d’Alvarada. These seeming proofs of my perfidy, aided by the artful
insinuations of her Aunt, by Cunegonda’s flattery, and her Father’s
threats and anger, entirely conquered your Sister’s repugnance to a
Convent. Incensed at my behaviour, and disgusted with the world in
general, She consented to receive the veil. She past another Month at
the Castle of Lindenberg, during which my non-appearance confirmed her
in her resolution, and then accompanied Don Gaston into Spain. Theodore
was now set at liberty. He hastened to Munich, where I had promised to
let him hear from me; But finding from Lucas that I had never arrived
there, He pursued his search with indefatigable perseverance, and at
length succeeded in rejoining me at Ratisbon.
So much was I altered, that scarcely could He recollect my features:
The distress visible upon his sufficiently testified how lively was the
interest which He felt for me. The society of this amiable Boy, whom I
had always considered rather as a Companion than a Servant, was now my
only comfort. His conversation was gay yet sensible, and his
observations shrewd and entertaining: He had picked up much more
knowledge than is usual at his Age: But what rendered him most
agreeable to me, was his having a delightful voice, and some skill in
Music. He had also acquired some taste in poetry, and even ventured
sometimes to write verses himself. He occasionally composed little
Ballads in Spanish, his compositions were but indifferent, I must
confess; yet they were pleasing to me from their novelty, and hearing
him sing them to his guitar was the only amusement, which I was capable
of receiving. Theodore perceived well enough that something preyed upon
my mind; But as I concealed the cause of my grief even from him,
Respect would not permit him to pry into my secrets.
One Evening I was lying upon my Sopha, plunged in reflections very far
from agreeable: Theodore amused himself by observing from the window a
Battle between two Postillions, who were quarrelling in the Inn-yard.
“Ha! Ha!” cried He suddenly; “Yonder is the Great Mogul.”
“Who?” said I.
“Only a Man who made me a strange speech at Munich.”
“What was the purport of it?”
“Now you put me in mind of it, Segnor, it was a kind of message to you;
but truly it was not worth delivering. I believe the Fellow to be mad,
for my part. When I came to Munich in search of you, I found him living
at “The King of the Romans,” and the Host gave me an odd account of
him. By his accent He is supposed to be a Foreigner, but of what
Country nobody can tell. He seemed to have no acquaintance in the Town,
spoke very seldom, and never was seen to smile. He had neither Servants
or Baggage; But his Purse seemed well-furnished, and He did much good
in the Town. Some supposed him to be an Arabian Astrologer, Others to
be a Travelling Mountebank, and many declared that He was Doctor
Faustus, whom the Devil had sent back to Germany. The Landlord, however
told me, that He had the best reasons to believe him to be the Great
Mogul incognito.”
“But the strange speech, Theodore.”
“True, I had almost forgotten the speech: Indeed for that matter, it
would not have been a great loss if I had forgotten it altogether. You
are to know, Segnor, that while I was enquiring about you of the
Landlord, this Stranger passed by. He stopped, and looked at me
earnestly. “Youth!” said He in a solemn voice, “He whom you seek, has
found that which He would fain lose. My hand alone can dry up the
blood: Bid your Master wish for me when the Clock strikes, “One.”
“How?” cried I, starting from my Sopha. (The words which Theodore had
repeated, seemed to imply the Stranger’s knowledge of my secret) “Fly
to him, my Boy! Entreat him to grant me one moment’s conversation!”
Theodore was surprised at the vivacity of my manner: However, He asked
no questions, but hastened to obey me. I waited his return impatiently.
But a short space of time had elapsed when He again appeared and
ushered the expected Guest into my chamber. He was a Man of majestic
presence: His countenance was strongly marked, and his eyes were large,
black, and sparkling: Yet there was a something in his look which, the
moment that I saw him, inspired me with a secret awe, not to say
horror. He was drest plainly, his hair was unpowdered, and a band of
black velvet which encircled his forehead spread over his features an
additional gloom. His countenance wore the marks of profound
melancholy; his step was slow, and his manner grave, stately, and
solemn.
He saluted me with politeness; and having replied to the usual
compliments of introduction, He motioned to Theodore to quit the
chamber. The Page instantly withdrew.
“I know your business,” said He, without giving me time to speak.
“I have the power of releasing you from your nightly Visitor; But this
cannot be done before Sunday. On the hour when the Sabbath Morning
breaks, Spirits of darkness have least influence over Mortals. After
Saturday the Nun shall visit you no more.”
“May I not enquire,” said I, “by what means you are in possession of a
secret which I have carefully concealed from the knowledge of
everyone?”
“How can I be ignorant of your distress, when their cause at this
moment stands beside you?”
I started. The Stranger continued.
“Though to you only visible for one hour in the twenty-four, neither
day or night does She ever quit you; Nor will She ever quit you till
you have granted her request.”
“And what is that request?”
“That She must herself explain: It lies not in my knowledge. Wait with
patience for the night of Saturday: All shall be then cleared up.”
I dared not press him further. He soon after changed the conversation
and talked of various matters. He named People who had ceased to exist
for many Centuries, and yet with whom He appeared to have been
personally acquainted. I could not mention a Country however distant
which He had not visited, nor could I sufficiently admire the extent
and variety of his information. I remarked to him that having
travelled, seen, and known so much, must have given him infinite
pleasure. He shook his head mournfully.
“No one,” He replied, “is adequate to comprehending the misery of my
lot! Fate obliges me to be constantly in movement: I am not permitted
to pass more than a fortnight in the same place. I have no Friend in
the world, and from the restlessness of my destiny I never can acquire
one. Fain would I lay down my miserable life, for I envy those who
enjoy the quiet of the Grave: But Death eludes me, and flies from my
embrace. In vain do I throw myself in the way of danger. I plunge into
the Ocean; The Waves throw me back with abhorrence upon the shore: I
rush into fire; The flames recoil at my approach: I oppose myself to
the fury of Banditti; Their swords become blunted, and break against my
breast: The hungry Tiger shudders at my approach, and the Alligator
flies from a Monster more horrible than itself. God has set his seal
upon me, and all his Creatures respect this fatal mark!”
He put his hand to the velvet, which was bound round his forehead.
There was in his eyes an expression of fury, despair, and malevolence,
that struck horror to my very soul. An involuntary convulsion made me
shudder. The Stranger perceived it.
“Such is the curse imposed on me,” he continued: “I am doomed to
inspire all who look on me with terror and detestation. You already
feel the influence of the charm, and with every succeeding moment will
feel it more. I will not add to your sufferings by my presence.
Farewell till Saturday. As soon as the Clock strikes twelve, expect me
at your chamber door.”
Having said this He departed, leaving me in astonishment at the
mysterious turn of his manner and conversation.
His assurances that I should soon be relieved from the Apparition’s
visits produced a good effect upon my constitution. Theodore, whom I
rather treated as an adopted Child than a Domestic, was surprized at
his return to observe the amendment in my looks. He congratulated me on
this symptom of returning health, and declared himself delighted at my
having received so much benefit from my conference with the Great
Mogul. Upon enquiry I found that the Stranger had already past eight
days in Ratisbon: According to his own account, therefore, He was only
to remain there six days longer. Saturday was still at the distance of
Three. Oh! with what impatience did I expect its arrival! In the
interim, the Bleeding Nun continued her nocturnal visits; But hoping
soon to be released from them altogether, the effects which they
produced on me became less violent than before.
The wished-for night arrived. To avoid creating suspicion I retired to
bed at my usual hour: But as soon as my Attendants had left me, I
dressed myself again, and prepared for the Stranger’s reception. He
entered my room upon the turn of midnight. A small Chest was in his
hand, which He placed near the Stove. He saluted me without speaking; I
returned the compliment, observing an equal silence. He then opened his