Page:The Monk, A Romance - Lewis (1796, 1st ed., Volume 1).djvu/47

 "Admirable! Courage, Don Lorenzo! Now the man is all in a blaze. God grant that Antonia may soften that fiery temper, or we shall certainly cut each other's throat before the month is over! However, to prevent such a tragical catastrophe for the present, I shall make a retreat, and leave you master of the field. Farewell, my knight of Mount Aetna! Moderate that inflammable disposition, and remember that, whenever it is necessary to make love to yonder harridan, you may reckon upon my services."

He said, and darted out of the cathedral.

"How wild-brained!" said Lorenzo. "With so excellent an heart, what pity that he possesses so little solidity of judgment!"

The night was now fast advancing. The lamps were not yet lighted. The faint beams of the rising moon scarcely could pierce through the gothic obscurity of the church. Lorenzo found himself unable to quit the spot. The void left in