“You are grieved for me, Father,” She continued; “Ah! sigh not for my
loss. I have no crimes to repent, at least none of which I am
conscious, and I restore my soul without fear to him from whom I
received it. I have but few requests to make: Yet let me hope that what
few I have shall be granted. Let a solemn Mass be said for my soul’s
repose, and another for that of my beloved Mother. Not that I doubt her
resting in her Grave: I am now convinced that my reason wandered, and
the falsehood of the Ghost’s prediction is sufficient to prove my
error. But every one has some failing: My Mother may have had hers,
though I knew them not: I therefore wish a Mass to be celebrated for
her repose, and the expence may be defrayed by the little wealth of
which I am possessed. Whatever may then remain, I bequeath to my Aunt
Leonella. When I am dead, let the Marquis de las Cisternas know that
his Brother’s unhappy family can no longer importune him. But
disappointment makes me unjust: They tell me that He is ill, and
perhaps had it been in his power, He wished to have protected me. Tell
him then, Father, only that I am dead, and that if He had any faults to
me, I forgave him from my heart. This done, I have nothing more to ask
for, than your prayers: Promise to remember my requests, and I shall
resign my life without a pang or sorrow.”
Ambrosio engaged to comply with her desires, and proceeded to give her
absolution. Every moment announced the approach of Antonia’s fate: Her
sight failed; Her heart beat sluggishly; Her fingers stiffened, and
grew cold, and at two in the morning She expired without a groan. As
soon as the breath had forsaken her body, Father Pablos retired,
sincerely affected at the melancholy scene. On her part, Flora gave way
to the most unbridled sorrow.
Far different concerns employed Ambrosio: He sought for the pulse whose
throbbing, so Matilda had assured him, would prove Antonia’s death but
temporal. He found it; He pressed it; It palpitated beneath his hand,
and his heart was filled with ecstacy. However, He carefully concealed
his satisfaction at the success of his plan. He assumed a melancholy
air, and addressing himself to Flora, warned her against abandoning
herself to fruitless sorrow. Her tears were too sincere to permit her
listening to his counsels, and She continued to weep unceasingly.
The Friar withdrew, first promising to give orders himself about the
Funeral, which, out of consideration for Jacintha as He pretended,
should take place with all expedition. Plunged in grief for the loss of
her beloved Mistress, Flora scarcely attended to what He said. Ambrosio
hastened to command the Burial. He obtained permission from the
Prioress, that the Corse should be deposited in St. Clare’s Sepulchre:
and on the Friday Morning, every proper and needful ceremony being
performed, Antonia’s body was committed to the Tomb.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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