No one knew from whence he came, and when questioned in the subject he preserved a profound silence. A stranger, whose rich habit and magnificent equipage declared him to be of distinguished rank, had engaged the monks to receive a novice, and had deposited the necessary sums. The next day he returned with Rosario, and from that time no more had been heard of him.
The youth had carefully avoided the company of the monks: he answered their civilities with sweetness, but reserve, and evidently showed that his inclination led him to solitude. To this general rule the superior was the only exception. To him he looked up with a respect approaching idolatry: he sought his company with the most attentive assiduity, and eagerly seized every means to ingratiate himself in his favour. In the abbot’s society his heart seemed to be at ease, and an air of gaiety pervaded his whole manners and discourse. Ambrosio on his side did not feel less attracted towards the youth; with him alone did he lay aside his habitual severity. When he spoke to him, he insensibly assumed a tone milder than was usual to him; and no voice sounded so sweet to him as did Rosario’s. He repayed the youth’s attentions by instructing him in various sciences; the novice received his lessons with docility; Ambrosio was every day more charmed with the vivacity of his genius, the simplicity of his manners, and the rectitude of his heart: in short he loved him with all the affection of a father. He could not help sometimes indulging a desire secretly to see the face of his pupil; but his rule of self-denial extended even to curiosity, and prevented him from communicating his wishes to the youth.
“Pardon my intrusion, father,” said Rosario, while he placed his basket upon the table; “I come to you a suppliant. Hearing that a dear friend is dangerously ill, I entreat your prayers for his recovery. If supplications can prevail upon heaven to spare him, surely yours must be efficacious.”
“Whatever depends upon me, my son, you know that you may command. What is your friend’s name?”
“Vincentio della Ronda.”
“ ’Tis sufficient. I will not forget him in my prayers, and may our thrice-blessed St. Francis deign to listen to my intercession!—What have you in your basket, Rosario?”
“A few of those flowers, reverend father, which I have observed to be most acceptable to you. Will you permit my arranging them in your chamber?”
“Your attentions charm me, my son.”
While Rosario dispersed the contents of his basket in small vases placed for that purpose in various parts of the room, the abbot thus continued the conversation.
“I saw you not in the church this evening, Rosario.”
“Yet I was present, father. I am too grateful for your protection to lose an opportunity of witnessing your triumph.”
“Alas! Rosario, I have but little cause to triumph: the saint spoke by my mouth; to him belongs all the merit. It seems then you were contented with my discourse?”
“Contented, say you? Oh! you surpassed yourself! Never did I hear such eloquence … save once!”
Here the novice heaved an involuntary sigh.
“When was that once?” demanded the abbot.
“When you preached upon the sudden indisposition of our late superior.”
“I remember it: that is more than two years ago. And were you present? I knew you not at that time, Rosario.”
“ ’Tis true, father; and would to God! I had expired, ere I beheld that day! What sufferings, what sorrows should I have escaped!”
“Sufferings at your age, Rosario?”
“Aye, father; sufferings, which if known to you, would equally raise your anger and compassion! Sufferings, which form at once the torment and pleasure of my existence! Yet in this retreat my bosom would feel tranquil, were it not for the tortures of apprehension. Oh God! Oh God! how cruel is a life of fear!—Father! I have given up all; I have abandoned the world and its delights forever: nothing now remains, nothing now has charms for me, but your friendship, but your affection. If I lose that, father! Oh! if I lose that, tremble at the effects of my despair!”
“You apprehend the loss of my friendship? How has my conduct justified this fear? Know me better, Rosario, and think me worthy of your confidence. What are your sufferings? Reveal them to me, and believe that if ’tis in my power to relieve them. …”
“Ah! ’tis in no one’s power but yours. Yet I must not let you know them. You would hate me for my avowal! You would drive me from your presence with scorn and ignominy!”
“My son, I conjure you! I entreat you!”
“For pity’s sake, enquire no further! I must not … I dare not … Hark! The bell rings for vespers! Father, your benediction, and I leave you!”
As he said this, he threw himself upon his knees and received the blessing which he demanded. Then pressing the abbot’s hand to his lips, he started from the ground and hastily quitted the apartment. Soon after Ambrosio descended to vespers (which were celebrated in a small chapel belonging to the abbey), filled with surprise at the singularity of the youth’s behaviour.
Vespers being over, the monks retired to their respective cells. The abbot alone remained in the chapel to receive the nuns of St. Clare. He had not been long seated in the confessional chair before the prioress made her appearance. Each of the nuns was heard in her turn, while the others
