Matilda was the
only person whose vigilance He dreaded: But by informing her at
the Refectory that during the whole of that day, Business would
confine him to his Cell, He thought himself secure from her
wakeful jealousy. Accordingly, at the hours when the Spaniards
are generally taking their Siesta, He ventured to quit the Abbey
by a private door, the Key of which was in his possession. The
Cowl of his habit was thrown over his face: From the heat of the
weather the Streets were almost totally deserted: The Monk met
with few people, found the Strada di San Iago, and arrived
without accident at Donna Elvira's door. He rang, was admitted,
and immediately ushered into an upper apartment.
It was here that He ran the greatest risque of a discovery. Had
Leonella been at home, She would have recognized him directly:
Her communicative disposition would never have permitted her to
rest till all Madrid was informed that Ambrosio had ventured out
of the Abbey, and visited her Sister. Fortune here stood the
Monk's Friend. On Leonella's return home, She found a letter
instructing her that a Cousin was just dead, who had left what
little He possessed between Herself and Elvira. To secure this
bequest She was obliged to set out for Cordova without losing a
moment. Amidst all her foibles her heart was truly warm and
affectionate, and She was unwilling to quit her Sister in so
dangerous a state. But Elvira insisted upon her taking the
journey, conscious that in her Daughter's forlorn situation no
increase of fortune, however trifling, ought to be neglected.
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