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'Absurd terrors!' He cried at length, ashamed of his oeakness---Hastily he ure drest in white started fro by him, made with precipitation towards the Closet Madness and despair now supplied the Monk with that courage, of which He had till then been destitute He flen the steps, pursued the Apparition, and atterasp it
'Ghost, or Devil, I hold you!' He exclaimed, and seized the Spectre by the arm
'Oh! Christ Jesus!' cried a shrill voice; 'Holy Father, how you gripe me! I protest that I meant no harm!'
This address, as well as the arm which He held, convinced the Abbot that the supposed Ghost was substantial flesh and blood He drew the Intruder towards the Table, and holding up the light, discovered the features ofMadona Flora!
Incensed at having been betrayed by this trifling cause into fears so ridiculous, He asked her sternly, what business had brought her to that cha found out, and terrified at the severity of Ambrosio's looks, fell upon her knees, and promised to make a full confession
'I protest, reverend Father,' said She, 'that I a was further froet out of the roonorant that I watched you, you know, it would have been the sa as if I had not watched you at all To be sure, I did very wrong in being a Spy upon you, that I cannot deny; But Lord! your Reverence, how can a poor weak Wo to knohat you were doing, that I could not but try to get a little peep, without any body knowing any thing about it So with that I left old Da byunwilling to interrupt you, I contentedby this means, I undrew the bolt, and while your back was turned to the Alcove, I whiptbehind the curtain, till your Reverence found ain the Closet door This is the whole truth, I assure you, Holy Father, and I beg your pardon a thousand ti this speech the Abbot had ti the penitent Spy a lecture upon the dangers of curiosity, and the meanness of the action in which She had been just discovered Flora declared herself fully persuaded that She had done wrong; She proain, and was retiring very humble and contrite to Antonia's chamber, when the Closet door was suddenly thrown open, and in rushed Jacintha pale and out of breath