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'Impossible, Matilda; YOUR interest commands me to refuse your prayer, since I tre the i thirty years in ht safely per me ar in the Abbey can produce none but fatal consequences You will misconstrue my every word and action; You will seize every circues you to hope the return of your affection; Insensibly your passions will gain a superiority over your reason; and far fro repressed by ether, will only serve to irritate and excite them Believe me, unhappy Woman! you possess my sincere compassion I am convinced that you have hitherto acted upon the purest h you are blind to the imprudence of your conduct, in me it would be culpable not to open your eyes I feel that Duty obligesyou with harshness: I must reject your prayer, and remove every shadow of hope which may aid to nourish sentiments so pernicious to your repose Matilda, you must from hence tomorrow'

'Tomorrow, Ambrosio? Tomorrow? Oh! surely you cannotme to despair! You cannot have the cruelty'

'You have heard my decision, and it must be obeyed The Laws of our Order forbid your stay: It would be perjury to conceal that a Woe me to declare your story to the Community You must from hence!--I pity you, but can do novoice: Then rising from his seat, He would have hastened towards the Monastery Uttering a loud shriek, Matilda followed, and detained him

'Stay yet one moment, Ambrosio! Hear me yet speak one word!'

'I dare not listen! Release me! You know my resolution!'

'But one word! But one last word, and I have done!'

'Leave me! Your entreaties are in vain! You must from hence tomorrow!'

'Go then, Barbarian! But this resource is still left nard: She rent open her garainst her bosom

'Father, I will never quit these Walls alive!'

'Hold! Hold, Matilda! What would you do?'

'You are detere this Steel in my heart'

'Holy St Francis! Matilda, have you your senses? Do you know the consequences of your action? That Suicide is the greatest of crimes? That you destroy your Soul? That you lose your clai torments?'