Page:The Monk, A Romance - Lewis (1796, 1st ed., Volume 1).djvu/46

 "I think of it, Don Christoval? How can you suspect me of such barbarity? You are conscious that she took the veil by her own desire, and that particular circumstances made her wish for a seclusion from the world. I used every means in my power to induce her to change her resolution; the endeavour was fruitless, and I lost a sister!"

"The luckier fellow you: I think, Lorenzo, you were a considerable gainer by that loss; if I remember right, Donna Agnes had a portion of ten thousand pistoles, half of which reverted to your lordship. By St. Jago! I wish that I had fifty sisters in the same predicament: I should consent to losing them every soul without much heartburning."

"How, condé?" said Lorenzo in an angry voice; "do you suppose me base enough to have influenced my sister's retirement? do you suppose that the despicable wish to make myself master of her fortune could"