Page:The Monk, A Romance - Lewis (1796, 1st ed., Volume 2).djvu/255

 his bosom: "Can I believe my senses? Repeat it to me, my sweet girl! Tell me again that you love me, that you love me truly and tenderly!"

"Indeed, I do: let my mother be excepted, and the world holds no one more dear to me."

At this frank avowal Ambrosio no longer possessed himself: wild with desire, he clasped the blushing trembler in his arms. He fastened his lips greedily upon hers, sucked in her pure delicious breath, violated with his bold hand the treasures of her bosom, and wound around him her soft and yielding limbs. Startled, alarmed, and confused at his action, surprise at first deprived her of the power of resistance. At length recovering herself, she strove to escape from his embrace.

"Father!—Ambrosio!" she cried, "release me, for God's sake!"

But the licentious monk heeded not her prayers: he persisted in his design, and proceeded to take still greater liberties.