He frequently darted upon
Ambrosio angry glances, and at such times the Friar's heart sank
within him. Matilda appeared to grow incensed. She spoke in a
loud and commanding tone, and her gestures declared that She was
threatening him with her vengeance. Her menaces had the desired
effect: The Spirit sank upon his knee, and with a submissive air
presented to her the branch of Myrtle. No sooner had She
received it, than the Music was again heard; A thick cloud spread
itself over the Apparition; The blue flames disappeared, and
total obscurity reigned through the Cave. The Abbot moved not
from his place: His faculties were all bound up in pleasure,
anxiety, and surprize. At length the darkness dispersing, He
perceived Matilda standing near him in her religious habit, with
the Myrtle in her hand. No traces of the incantation, and the
Vaults were only illuminated by the faint rays of the sepulchral
Lamp.
'I have succeeded,' said Matilda, 'though with more difficulty
than I expected. Lucifer, whom I summoned to my assistance, was
at first unwilling to obey my commands: To enforce his compliance
I was constrained to have recourse to my strongest charms. They
have produced the desired effect, but I have engaged never more
to invoke his agency in your favour. Beware then, how you employ
an opportunity which never will return. My magic arts will now
be of no use to you: In future you can only hope for
supernatural aid by invoking the Daemons yourself, and accepting
the conditions of their service.
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