Elvira was highly gratified by this visit: Her expectations had
been raised high by general report, but She found them far
exceeded. Ambrosio, endowed by nature with powers of pleasing,
exerted them to the utmost while conversing with Antonia's
Mother. With persuasive eloquence He calmed every fear, and
dissipated every scruple: He bad her reflect on the infinite
mercy of her Judge, despoiled Death of his darts and terrors, and
taught her to view without shrinking the abyss of eternity, on
whose brink She then stood. Elvira was absorbed in attention and
delight: While She listened to his exhortations, confidence and
comfort stole insensibly into her mind. She unbosomed to him
without hesitation her cares and apprehensions. The latter
respecting a future life He had already quieted: And He now
removed the former, which She felt for the concerns of this. She
trembled for Antonia. She had none to whose care She could
recommend her, save to the Marquis de las Cisternas and her
Sister Leonella. The protection of the One was very uncertain;
and as to the Other, though fond of her Niece, Leonella was so
thoughtless and vain as to make her an improper person to have
the sole direction of a Girl so young and ignorant of the World.
The Friar no sooner learnt the cause of her alarms than He
begged her to make herself easy upon that head. He doubted not
being able to secure for Antonia a safe refuge in the House of
one of his Penitents, the Marchioness of Villa-Franca: This was
a Lady of acknowledged virtue, remarkable for strict principles
and extensive charity. Should accident deprive her of this
resource, He engaged to procure Antonia a reception in some
respectable Convent: That is to say, in quality of boarder; for
Elvira had declared herself no Friend to a monastic life, and the
Monk was either candid or complaisant enough to allow that her