tormenting ideas succeeded Matilda's beauty, and those delicious
lessons which, once learnt, can never be forgotten. A single
glance thrown upon these reconciled him with himself. He
considered the pleasures of the former night to have been
purchased at an easy price by the sacrifice of innocence and
honour. Their very remembrance filled his soul with ecstacy; He
cursed his foolish vanity, which had induced him to waste in
obscurity the bloom of life, ignorant of the blessings of Love
and Woman. He determined at all events to continue his commerce
with Matilda, and called every argument to his aid which might
confirm his resolution. He asked himself, provided his
irregularity was unknown, in what would his fault consist, and
what consequences He had to apprehend? By adhering strictly to
every rule of his order save Chastity, He doubted not to retain
the esteem of Men, and even the protection of heaven. He trusted
easily to be forgiven so slight and natural a deviation from his
vows: But He forgot that having pronounced those vows,
Incontinence, in Laymen the most venial of errors, became in his
person the most heinous of crimes.

Once decided upon his future conduct, his mind became more easy.
He threw himself upon his bed, and strove by sleeping to recruit
his strength exhausted by his nocturnal excesses. He awoke
refreshed, and eager for a repetition of his pleasures. Obedient
to Matilda's order, He visited not her Cell during the day.
Father Pablos mentioned in the Refectory that Rosario had at
length been prevailed upon to follow his prescription; But that
the medicine had not produced the slightest effect, and that He
believed no mortal skill could rescue him from the Grave. With
this opinion the Abbot agreed, and affected to lament the