Pagina 276 di 1118

The only castle in which Gertrude could imagine a tranquil and

honourable asylum, and which was not in the air, was the

monastery, in which she now resolved to place herself for ever!

Opposed to this resolution rose up the contemplations of many

years past: but times were changed, and to the depth in which

Gertrude had fallen, the condition of a nun, revered, obeyed, and

feared, formed a bright contrast. She was perpetually tormented

also by her jailer, who, to revenge herself for the confinement

imposed on her, failed not to taunt her for her misdemeanor, and

to repeat the menaces of her father; or whenever she seemed

disposed to relent, and to show something like pity, her tone of

protection was still more intolerable. The predominant desire of

Gertrude was to escape from her clutches, and to raise herself to

a condition above her anger or her pity.