The Monk - A Romance

by The Monk [lit]

  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 keeping,

  and that till the church had made her my lawful Wife, her honour

  should be held by me as sacred as a Sister's. I told her that

  my first care should be to find you out, Lorenzo, and reconcile

  you to our union; and I was continuing to speak in the same

  strain, when a noise without alarmed me. Suddenly the door of

  the Pavilion was thrown open, and Cunegonda stood before us. She

  had heard Agnes steal out of her chamber, followed her into the

  Garden, and perceived her entering the Pavilion. Favoured by the

  Trees which shaded it, and unperceived by Theodore who waited at

  a little distance, She had approached in silence, and overheard

  our whole conversation.

  'Admirable!' cried Cunegonda in a voice shrill with passion,

  while Agnes uttered a loud shriek; 'By St. Barbara, young Lady,

  you have an excellent invention! You must personate the Bleeding

  Nun, truly? What impiety! What incredulity! Marry, I have a

  good mind to let you pursue your plan: When the real Ghost met

  you, I warrant, you would be in a pretty condition! Don

  Alphonso, you ought to be ashamed of yourself for seducing a

  young ignorant Creature to leave her family and Friends:

  However, for this time at least I shall mar your wicked designs.

  The noble Lady shall be informed of the whole affair, and Agnes

  must defer playing the Spectre till a better opportunity.

  Farewell, Segnor-- Donna Agnes, let me have the honour of

  conducting your Ghost-ship back to your apartment.'

  She approached the Sopha on which her trembling Pupil was seated,

  took her by the hand, and prepared to lead her from the Pavilion.

  I detained her, and strove by entreaties, soothing, promises, and

  flattery to win her to my party: But finding all that I could

  say of no avail, I abandoned the vain attempt.

  'Your obstinacy must be its own punishment,' said I; 'But one

  resource remains to save Agnes and myself, and I shall not

  hesitate to employ it.'

  Terrified at this menace, She again endeavoured to quit the

  Pavilion; But I seized her by the wrist, and detained her

  forcibly. At the same moment Theodore, who had followed her into

  the room, closed the door, and prevented her escape. I took the

  veil of Agnes: I threw it round the Duenna's head, who uttered

  such piercing shrieks that in spite of our distance from the

  Castle, I dreaded their being heard. At length I succeeded in

  gagging her so compleatly that She could not produce a single

  sound. Theodore and myself with some difficulty next contrived

  to bind her hands and feet with our handkerchiefs; And I advised

  Agnes to regain her chamber with all diligence. I promised that

  no harm should happen to Cunegonda, bad her remember that on the

  fifth of May I should be in waiting at the Great Gate of the

  Castle, and took of her an affectionate farewell. Trembling and

  uneasy She had scarce power enough to signify her consent to my

  plans, and fled back to her apartment in disorder and confusion.

  In the meanwhile Theodore assisted me in carrying off my

  antiquated Prize. She was hoisted over the wall, placed before

  me upon my Horse like a Portmanteau, and I galloped away with her

  from the Castle of Lindenberg. The unlucky Duenna never had made

  a more disagreeable journey in her life: She was jolted and

  shaken till She was become little more than an animated Mummy;

  not to mention her fright when we waded through a small River

  through which it was necessary to pass in order to regain the

  Village. Before we reached the Inn, I had already determined how

  to dispose of the troublesome Cunegonda. We entered the Street

  in which the Inn stood, and while the page knocked, I waited at a

  little distance. The Landlord opened the door with a Lamp in his

  hand.

  'Give me the light!' said Theodore; 'My Master is coming.'

  He snatched the Lamp hastily, and purposely let it fall upon the

  ground: The Landlord returned to the Kitchen to re-light the

  Lamp, leaving the door open. I profited by the obscurity, sprang

  from my Horse with Cunegonda in my arms, darted up stairs,

  reached my chamber unperceived, and unlocking the door of a

  spacious Closet, stowed her within it, and then turned the Key.

  The Landlord and Theodore soon after appeared with lights: The

  Former expressed himself a little surprised at my returning so

  late, but asked no impertinent questions. He soon quitted the

  room, and left me to exult in the success of my undertaking.

  I immediately paid a visit to my Prisoner. I strove to persuade

  her submitting with patience to her temporary confinement. My

  attempt was unsuccessful. Unable to speak or move, She expressed

  her fury by her looks, and except at meals I never dared to

  unbind her, or release her from the Gag. At such times I stood

  over her with a drawn sword, and protested, that if She uttered a

  single cry, I would plunge it in her bosom. As soon as She had

  done eating, the Gag was replaced. I was conscious that this

  proceeding was cruel, and could only be justified by the urgency

  of circumstances: As to Theodore, He had no scruples upon the

  subject. Cunegonda's captivity entertained him beyond measure.

  During his abode in the Castle, a continual warfare had been

  carried on between him and the Duenna; and now that He found his

  Enemy so absolutely in his power, He triumphed without mercy. He

  seemed to think of nothing but how to find out new means of

  plaguing her: Sometimes He affected to pity her misfortune, then

  laughed at, abused, and mimicked her; He played her a thousand

  tricks, each more provoking than the other, and amused himself by

  telling her that her elopement must have occasioned much

  surprise at the Baron's. This was in fact the case. No one

  except Agnes could imagine what was become of Dame Cunegonda:

  Every hole and corner was searched for her; The Ponds were

  dragged, and the Woods underwent a th
orough examination. Still

  no Dame Cunegonda made her appearance. Agnes kept the secret,

  and I kept the Duenna: The Baroness, therefore, remained in

  total ignorance respecting the old Woman's fate, but suspected

  her to have perished by suicide. Thus past away five days,

  during which I had prepared every thing necessary for my

  enterprise. On quitting Agnes, I had made it my first business

  to dispatch a Peasant with a letter to Lucas at Munich, ordering

  him to take care that a Coach and four should arrive about ten

  o'clock on the fifth of May at the Village of Rosenwald. He

  obeyed my instructions punctually: The Equipage arrived at the

  time appointed. As the period of her Lady's elopement drew

  nearer, Cunegonda's rage increased. I verily believe that spight

  and passion would have killed her, had I not luckily discovered

  her prepossession in favour of Cherry Brandy. With this favourite

  liquor She was plentifully supplied, and Theodore always

  remaining to guard her, the Gag was occasionally removed. The

  liquor seemed to have a wonderful effect in softening the

  acrimony of her nature; and her confinement not admitting of any

  other amusement, She got drunk regularly once a day just by way

  of passing the time.

  The fifth of May arrived, a period by me never to be forgotten!

  Before the Clock struck twelve, I betook myself to the scene of

  action. Theodore followed me on horseback. I concealed the

  Carriage in a spacious Cavern of the Hill, on whose brow the

  Castle was situated: This Cavern was of considerable depth, and

  among the peasants was known by the name of Lindenberg Hole. The

  night was calm and beautiful: The Moonbeams fell upon the

  antient Towers of the Castle, and shed upon their summits a

  silver light. All was still around me: Nothing was to be heard

  except the night breeze sighing among the leaves, the distant

  barking of Village Dogs, or the Owl who had established herself

  in a nook of the deserted Eastern Turret. I heard her melancholy

  shriek, and looked upwards. She sat upon the ride of a window,

  which I recognized to be that of the haunted Room. This brought

  to my remembrance the story of the Bleeding Nun, and I sighed

  while I reflected on the influence of superstition and weakness

  of human reason. Suddenly I heard a faint chorus steal upon the

  silence of the night.

  'What can occasion that noise, Theodore?'

  'A Stranger of distinction,' replied He, 'passed through the

  Village today in his way to the Castle: He is reported to be

  the Father of Donna Agnes. Doubtless, the Baron has given an

  entertainment to celebrate his arrival.'

  The Castle Bell announced the hour of midnight: This was the

  usual signal for the family to retire to Bed. Soon after I

  perceived lights in the Castle moving backwards and forwards in

  different directions. I conjectured the company to be

  separating. I could hear the heavy doors grate as they opened

  with difficulty, and as they closed again the rotten Casements

  rattled in their frames. The chamber of Agnes was on the other

  side of the Castle. I trembled lest She should have failed in

  obtaining the Key of the haunted Room: Through this it was

  necessary for her to pass in order to reach the narrow

  Staircase by which the Ghost was supposed to descend into the

  great Hall. Agitated by this apprehension, I kept my eyes

  constantly fixed upon the window, where I hoped to perceive the

  friendly glare of a Lamp borne by Agnes. I now heard the massy

  Gates unbarred. By the candle in his hand I distinguished old

  Conrad, the Porter. He set the Portal doors wide open, and

  retired. The lights in the Castle gradually disappeared, and at

  length the whole Building was wrapt in darkness.

  While I sat upon a broken ridge of the Hill, the stillness of the

  scene inspired me with melancholy ideas not altogether

  unpleasing. The Castle which stood full in my sight, formed an

  object equally awful and picturesque. Its ponderous Walls tinged

  by the moon with solemn brightness, its old and partly-ruined

  Towers lifting themselves into the clouds and seeming to frown on

  the plains around them, its lofty battlements oergrown with ivy,

  and folding Gates expanding in honour of the Visionary

  Inhabitant, made me sensible of a sad and reverential horror.

  Yet did not these sensations occupy me so fully, as to prevent me

  from witnessing with impatience the slow progress of time. I

  approached the Castle, and ventured to walk round it. A few rays

  of light still glimmered in the chamber of Agnes. I observed

  them with joy. I was still gazing upon them, when I perceived a

  figure draw near the window, and the Curtain was carefully closed

  to conceal the Lamp which burned there. Convinced by this

  observation that Agnes had not abandoned our plan, I returned

  with a light heart to my former station.

  The half-hour struck! The three-quarters struck! My bosom beat

  high with hope and expectation. At length the wished-for sound

  was heard. The Bell tolled 'One,' and the Mansion echoed with

  the noise loud and solemn. I looked up to the Casement of the

  haunted Chamber. Scarcely had five minutes elapsed, when the

  expected light appeared. I was now close to the Tower. The

  window was not so far from the Ground but that I fancied I

  perceived a female figure with a Lamp in her hand moving slowly

  along the Apartment. The light soon faded away, and all was

  again dark and gloomy.

  Occasional gleams of brightness darted from the Staircase

  windows as the lovely Ghost past by them. I traced the light

  through the Hall: It reached the Portal, and at length I beheld

  Agnes pass through the folding gates. She was habited exactly

  as She had described the Spectre. A chaplet of Beads hung upon

  her arm; her head was enveloped in a long white veil; Her Nun's

  dress was stained with blood, and She had taken care to provide

  herself with a Lamp and dagger. She advanced towards the spot

  where I stood. I flew to meet her, and clasped her in my arms.

  'Agnes!' said I while I pressed her to my bosom,

  Agnes! Agnes! Thou art mine!

  Agnes! Agnes! I am thine!

  In my veins while blood shall roll,

  Thou art mine!

  I am thine!

  Thine my body! Thine my soul!

  Terrified and breathless She was unable to speak: She dropt her

  Lamp and dagger, and sank upon my bosom in silence. I raised her

  in my arms, and conveyed her to the Carriage. Theodore remained

  behind in order to release Dame Cunegonda. I also charged him

  with a letter to the Baroness explaining the whole affair, and

  entreating her good offices in reconciling Don Gaston to my union

  with his Daughter. I discovered to her my real name: I proved

  to her that my birth and expectations justified my pretending to

  her Niece, and assured her, though it was out of my power to

  return her love, that I would strive unceasingly to obtain her

  esteem and friendship.

  I stepped into the Carr
iage, where Agnes was already seated.

  Theodore closed the door, and the Postillions drove away. At

  first I was delighted with the rapidity of our progress; But as

  soon as we were in no danger of pursuit, I called to the Drivers,

  and bad them moderate their pace. They strove in vain to obey

  me. The Horses refused to answer the rein, and continued to rush

  on with astonishing swiftness. The Postillions redoubled their

  efforts to stop them, but by kicking and plunging the Beasts soon

  released themselves from this restraint. Uttering a loud shriek,

  the Drivers were hurled upon the ground. Immediately thick

  clouds obscured the sky: The winds howled around us, the

  lightning flashed, and the Thunder roared tremendously. Never

  did I behold so frightful a Tempest! Terrified by the jar of

  contending elements, the Horses seemed every moment to increase

  their speed. Nothing could interrupt their career; They dragged

  the Carriage through Hedges and Ditches, dashed down the most

  dangerous precipices, and seemed to vye in swiftness with the

  rapidity of the winds.

  All this while my Companion lay motionless in my arms. Truly

  alarmed by the magnitude of the danger, I was in vain attempting

  to recall her to her senses; when a loud crash announced, that a

  stop was put to our progress in the most disagreeable manner.

  The Carriage was shattered to pieces. In falling I struck my

  temple against a flint. The pain of the wound, the violence of

  the shock, and apprehension for the safety of Agnes combined to

  overpower me so compleatly, that my senses forsook me, and I lay

  without animation on the ground.

  I probably remained for some time in this situation, since when I

  opened my eyes, it was broad daylight. Several Peasants were

  standing round me, and seemed disputing whether my recovery was

  possible. I spoke German tolerably well. As soon as I could

  utter an articulate sound, I enquired after Agnes. What was my

  surprise and distress, when assured by the Peasants, that nobody

  had been seen answering the description which I gave of her!

  They told me that in going to their daily labour they had been

  alarmed by observing the fragments of my Carriage, and by hearing

  the groans of an Horse, the only one of the four which remained

  alive: The other Three lay dead by my side. Nobody was near me

  when they came up, and much time had been lost, before they