Ourdevotionwasamixedandcasualsentiment，seldomverballyexpressed，orsolicitouslysought，orcarefullyretained。Inthemidstofpresentenjoyment，nothoughtwasbestowedonthefuture。Asaconsolationincalamityreligionisdear。Butcalamitywasyetatadistance，anditsonlytendencywastoheightenenjoymentswhichneedednotthisadditiontosatisfyeverycraving。
Mybrother\'ssituationwassomewhatdifferent。Hisdeportmentwasgrave，considerate，andthoughtful。Iwillnotsaywhetherhewasindebtedtosublimerviewsforthisdisposition。Humanlife，inhisopinion，wasmadeupofchangeableelements，andtheprinciplesofdutywerenoteasilyunfolded。Thefuture，eitherasanterior，orsubsequenttodeath，wasascenethatrequiredsomepreparationandprovisiontobemadeforit。Thesepositionswecouldnotdeny，butwhatdistinguishedhimwasapropensitytoruminateonthesetruths。
Theimagesthatvisiteduswereblithsomeandgay，butthosewithwhichhewasmostfamiliarwereofanoppositehue。Theydidnotgenerateafflictionandfear，buttheydiffusedoverhisbehaviouracertainairofforethoughtandsobriety。Theprincipaleffectofthistemperwasvisibleinhisfeaturesandtones。These，ingeneral，bespokeasortofthrillingmelancholy。Iscarcelyeverknewhimtolaugh。Heneveraccompaniedthelawlessmirthofhiscompanionswithmorethanasmile，buthisconductwasthesameasours。
Hepartookofouroccupationsandamusementswithazealnotlessthanours，butofadifferentkind。Thediversityinourtemperwasnevertheparentofdiscord，andwasscarcelyatopicofregret。Thescenewasvariegated，butnottarnishedordisorderedbyit。Ithinderedtheelementinwhichwemovedfromstagnating。Someagitationandconcussionisrequisitetothedueexerciseofhumanunderstanding。Inhisstudies，hepursuedanaustererandmorearduouspath。Hewasmuchconversantwiththehistoryofreligiousopinions，andtookpainstoascertaintheirvalidity。Hedeemeditindispensabletoexaminethegroundofhisbelief，tosettletherelationbetweenmotivesandactions，thecriterionofmerit，andthekindsandpropertiesofevidence。
Therewasanobviousresemblancebetweenhimandmyfather，intheirconceptionsoftheimportanceofcertaintopics，andinthelightinwhichthevicissitudesofhumanlifewereaccustomedtobeviewed。Theircharactersweresimilar，butthemindofthesonwasenrichedbyscience，andembellishedwithliterature。
Thetemplewasnolongerassignedtoitsancientuse。FromanItalianadventurer，whoerroneouslyimaginedthathecouldfindemploymentforhisskill，andsaleforhissculpturesinAmerica，mybrotherhadpurchasedabustofCicero。HeprofessedtohavecopiedthispiecefromanantiquedugupwithhisownhandsintheenvironsofModena。Ofthetruthofhisassertionswewerenotqualifiedtojudge；butthemarblewaspureandpolished，andwewerecontentedtoadmiretheperformance，withoutwaitingforthesanctionofconnoisseurs。
Wehiredthesameartisttohewasuitablepedestalfromaneighbouringquarry。Thiswasplacedinthetemple，andthebustresteduponit。Oppositetothiswasaharpsichord，shelteredbyatemporaryrooffromtheweather。Thiswastheplaceofresortintheeveningsofsummer。Herewesung，andtalked，andread，andoccasionallybanqueted。Everyjoyousandtenderscenemostdeartomymemory，isconnectedwiththisedifice。Heretheperformancesofourmusicalandpoeticalancestorwererehearsed。Heremybrother\'schildrenreceivedtherudimentsoftheireducation；hereathousandconversations，pregnantwithdelightandimprovement，tookplace；andherethesocialaffectionswereaccustomedtoexpand，andthetearofdelicioussympathytobeshed。
Mybrotherwasanindefatigablestudent。Theauthorswhomhereadwerenumerous，butthechiefobjectofhisvenerationwasCicero。Hewasnevertiredofconningandrehearsinghisproductions。Tounderstandthemwasnotsufficient。Hewasanxioustodiscoverthegesturesandcadenceswithwhichtheyoughttobedelivered。HewasveryscrupulousinselectingatrueschemeofpronunciationfortheLatintongue，andinadaptingittothewordsofhisdarlingwriter。Hisfavoriteoccupationconsistedinembellishinghisrhetoricwithalltheproprietiesofgesticulationandutterance。
Notcontentedwiththis，hewasdiligentinsettlingandrestoringthepurityofthetext。Forthisend，hecollectedalltheeditionsandcommentariesthatcouldbeprocured，andemployedmonthsofseverestudyinexploringandcomparingthem。
Heneverbetrayedmoresatisfactionthanwhenhemadeadiscoveryofthiskind。
ItwasnottilltheadditionofHenryPleyel，myfriend\'sonlybrother，tooursociety，thathispassionforRomaneloquencewascountenancedandfosteredbyasympathyoftastes。
ThisyoungmanhadbeensomeyearsinEurope。Wehadseparatedataveryearlyage，andhewasnowreturnedtospendtheremainderofhisdaysamongus。
Ourcirclewasgreatlyenlivenedbytheaccessionofanewmember。Hisconversationaboundedwithnovelty。Hisgaietywasalmostboisterous，butwascapableofyieldingtoagravedeportmentwhentheoccasionrequiredit。Hisdiscernmentwasacute，buthewaspronetovieweveryobjectmerelyassupplyingmaterialsformirth。Hisconceptionswereardentbutludicrous，andhismemory，aided，ashehonestlyacknowledged，byhisinvention，wasaninexhaustiblefundofentertainment。
Hisresidencewasatthesamedistancebelowthecityasourswasabove，butthereseldompassedadaywithoutourbeingfavouredwithavisit。MybrotherandhewereendowedwiththesameattachmenttotheLatinwriters；andPleyelwasnotbehindhisfriendinhisknowledgeofthehistoryandmetaphysicsofreligion。Theircreeds，however，wereinmanyrespectsopposite。Whereonediscoveredonlyconfirmationsofhisfaith，theothercouldfindnothingbutreasonsfordoubt。Moralnecessity，andcalvinisticinspiration，werethepropsonwhichmybrotherthoughtpropertorepose。Pleyelwasthechampionofintellectualliberty，andrejectedallguidancebutthatofhisreason。Theirdiscussionswerefrequent，but，beingmanagedwithcandouraswellaswithskill，theywerealwayslistenedtobyuswithavidityandbenefit。
Pleyel，likehisnewfriends，wasfondofmusicandpoetry。
Henceforthourconcertsconsistedoftwoviolins，anharpsichord，andthreevoices。Wewerefrequentlyremindedhowmuchhappinessdependsuponsociety。Thisnewfriend，though，beforehisarrival，weweresensibleofnovacuity，couldnotnowbespared。Hisdeparturewouldoccasionavoidwhichnothingcouldfill，andwhichwouldproduceinsupportableregret。Evenmybrother，thoughhisopinionswerehourlyassailed，andeventhedivinityofCicerocontested，wascaptivatedwithhisfriend，andlaidasidesomepartofhisancientgravityatPleyel\'sapproach。
ChapterIV
Sixyearsofuninterruptedhappinesshadrolledaway，sincemybrother\'smarriage。Thesoundofwarhadbeenheard，butitwasatsuchadistanceastoenhanceourenjoymentbyaffordingobjectsofcomparison。TheIndianswererepulsedontheoneside，andCanadawasconqueredontheother。Revolutionsandbattles，howevercalamitoustothosewhooccupiedthescene，contributedinsomesorttoourhappiness，byagitatingourmindswithcuriosity，andfurnishingcausesofpatrioticexultation。Fourchildren，threeofwhomwereofanagetocompensate，bytheirpersonalandmentalprogress，thecaresofwhichtheyhadbeen，atamorehelplessage，theobjects，exercisedmybrother\'stenderness。Thefourthwasacharmingbabethatpromisedtodisplaytheimageofhermother，andenjoyedperfecthealth。Tothesewereaddedasweetgirlfourteenyearsold，whowaslovedbyallofus，withanaffectionmorethanparental。
Hermother\'sstorywasamournfulone。ShehadcomehitherfromEnglandwhenthischildwasaninfant，alone，withoutfriends，andwithoutmoney。Sheappearedtohaveembarkedinahastyandclandestinemanner。Shepassedthreeyearsofsolitudeandanguishundermyaunt\'sprotection，anddiedamartyrtowoe；thesourceofwhichshecould，bynoimportunities，beprevailedupontounfold。Hereducationandmannersbespokehertobeofnomeanbirth。Herlastmomentswererenderedserene，bytheassurancesshereceivedfrommyaunt，thatherdaughtershouldexperiencethesameprotectionthathadbeenextendedtoherself。
Onmybrother\'smarriage，itwasagreedthatsheshouldmakeapartofhisfamily。Icannotdojusticetotheattractionsofthisgirl。Perhapsthetendernesssheexcitedmightpartlyoriginateinherpersonalresemblancetohermother，whosecharacterandmisfortuneswerestillfreshinourremembrance。
Shewashabituallypensive，andthiscircumstancetendedtoremindthespectatorofherfriendlesscondition；andyetthatepithetwassurelymisappliedinthiscase。Thisbeingwascherishedbythosewithwhomshenowresided，withunspeakablefondness。Everyexertionwasmadetoenlargeandimprovehermind。Hersafetywastheobjectofasolicitudethatalmostexceededtheboundsofdiscretion。Ouraffectionindeedcouldscarcelytranscendhermerits。Shenevermetmyeye，oroccurredtomyreflections，withoutexcitingakindofenthusiasm。Hersoftness，herintelligence，herequanimity，nevershallIseesurpassed。Ihaveoftenshedtearsofpleasureatherapproach，andpressedhertomybosominanagonyoffondness。
Whileeverydaywasaddingtothecharmsofherperson，andthestoresofhermind，thereoccurredaneventwhichthreatenedtodepriveusofher。Anofficerofsomerank，whohadbeendisabledbyawoundatQuebec，hademployedhimself，sincetheratificationofpeace，intravellingthroughthecolonies。HeremainedaconsiderableperiodatPhiladelphia，butwasatlastpreparingforhisdeparture。NoonehadbeenmorefrequentlyhonouredwithhisvisitsthanMrs。Baynton，aworthyladywithwhomourfamilywereintimate。Hewenttoherhousewithaviewtoperformafarewellvisit，andwasonthepointoftakinghisleave，whenIandmyyoungfriendenteredtheapartment。Itisimpossibletodescribetheemotionsofthestranger，whenhefixedhiseyesuponmycompanion。Hewasmotionlesswithsurprise。Hewasunabletoconcealhisfeelings，butsatsilentlygazingatthespectaclebeforehim。AtlengthheturnedtoMrs。Baynton，andmorebyhislooksandgesturesthanbywords，besoughtherforanexplanationofthescene。Heseizedthehandofthegirl，who，inherturn，wassurprisedbyhisbehaviour，anddrawingherforward，saidinaneagerandfaulteringtone，Whoisshe？whencedoesshecome？whatishername？
Theanswersthatweregivenonlyincreasedtheconfusionofhisthoughts。Hewassuccessivelytold，thatshewasthedaughterofonewhosenamewasLouisaConway，whoarrivedamongusatsuchatime，whosedulouslyconcealedherparentage，andthemotivesofherflight，whoseincurablegriefshadfinallydestroyedher，andwhohadleftthischildundertheprotectionofherfriends。Havingheardthetale，hemeltedintotears，eagerlyclaspedtheyoungladyinhisarms，andcalledhimselfherfather。Whenthetumultsexcitedinhisbreastbythisunlooked-formeetingweresomewhatsubsided，hegratifiedourcuriositybyrelatingthefollowingincidents。
\"MissConwaywastheonlydaughterofabankerinLondon，whodischargedtowardshereverydutyofanaffectionatefather。Hehadchancedtofallintohercompany，hadbeensubduedbyherattractions，hadtenderedherhishand，andbeenjoyfullyacceptedbothbyparentandchild。Hiswifehadgivenhimeveryproofofthefondestattachment。Herfather，whopossessedimmensewealth，treatedhimwithdistinguishedrespect，liberallysuppliedhiswants，andhadmadeoneconditionofhisconsenttotheirunion，aresolutiontotakeuptheirabodewithhim。
\"Theyhadpassedthreeyearsofconjugalfelicity，whichhadbeenaugmentedbythebirthofthischild；whenhisprofessionaldutycalledhimintoGermany。Itwasnotwithoutanarduousstruggle，thatshewaspersuadedtorelinquishthedesignofaccompanyinghimthroughallthetoilsandperilsofwar。Nopartingwasevermoredistressful。Theystrovetoalleviate，byfrequentletters，theevilsoftheirlot。Thoseofhiswife，breathednothingbutanxietyforhissafety，andimpatienceofhisabsence。Atlength，anewarrangementwasmade，andhewasobligedtorepairfromWestphaliatoCanada。Oneadvantageattendedthischange。Itaffordedhimanopportunityofmeetinghisfamily。Hiswifeanticipatedthisinterview，withnolessrapturethanhimself。HehurriedtoLondon，andthemomenthealightedfromthestage-coach，ranwithallspeedtoMr。
Conway\'shouse。
\"Itwasanhouseofmourning。Hisfatherwasoverwhelmedwithgrief，andincapableofansweringhisinquiries。Theservants，sorrowfulandmute，wereequallyrefractory。Heexploredthehouse，andcalledonthenamesofhiswifeanddaughter，buthissummonswasfruitless。Atlength，thisnewdisasterwasexplained。Twodaysbeforehisarrival，hiswife\'schamberwasfoundempty。Nosearch，howeverdiligentandanxious，couldtracehersteps。Nocausecouldbeassignedforherdisappearance。Themotherandchildhadfledawaytogether。
\"Newexertionsweremade，herchamberandcabinetswereransacked，butnovestigewasfoundservingtoinformthemastothemotivesofherflight，whetherithadbeenvoluntaryorotherwise，andinwhatcornerofthekingdomoroftheworldshewasconcealed。Whoshalldescribethesorrowandamazementofthehusband？Hisrestlessness，hisvicissitudesofhopeandfear，andhisultimatedespair？HisdutycalledhimtoAmerica。
Hehadbeeninthiscity，andhadfrequentlypassedthedoorofthehouseinwhichhiswife，atthatmoment，resided。Herfatherhadnotremittedhisexertionstoelucidatethispainfulmystery，buttheyhadfailed。Thisdisappointmenthastenedhisdeath；inconsequenceofwhich，Louisa\'sfatherbecamepossessorofhisimmenseproperty。\"
Thistalewasacopiousthemeofspeculation。Athousandquestionswerestartedanddiscussedinourdomesticcircle，respectingthemotivesthatinfluencedMrs。Stuarttoabandonhercountry。Itdidnotappearthatherproceedingwasinvoluntary。Werecalledandreviewedeveryparticularthathadfallenunderourownobservation。Bynoneofthesewerewefurnishedwithaclue。Herconduct，afterthemostrigorousscrutiny，stillremainedanimpenetrablesecret。Onanearerview，MajorStuartprovedhimselfamanofmostamiablecharacter。HisattachmenttoLouisaappearedhourlytoincrease。Shewasnostrangertothesentimentssuitabletohernewcharacter。Shecouldnotbutreadilyembracetheschemewhichwasproposedtoher，toreturnwithherfathertoEngland。
Thisschemehisregardforherinducedhim，however，topostpone。Sometimewasnecessarytoprepareherforsogreatachangeandenablehertothinkwithoutagonyofherseparationfromus。
Iwasnotwithouthopesofprevailingonherfatherentirelytorelinquishthisunwelcomedesign。Meanwhile，hepursuedhistravelsthroughthesoutherncolonies，andhisdaughtercontinuedwithus。Louisaandmybrotherfrequentlyreceivedlettersfromhim，whichindicatedamindofnocommonorder。
Theywerefilledwithamusingdetails，andprofoundreflections。
Whilehere，heoftenpartookofoureveningconversationsatthetemple；andsincehisdeparture，hiscorrespondencehadfrequentlysupplieduswithtopicsofdiscourse。
OneafternooninMay，theblandnessoftheair，andbrightnessoftheverdure，inducedustoassemble，earlierthanusual，inthetemple。Wefemaleswerebusyattheneedle，whilemybrotherandPleyelwerebandyingquotationsandsyllogisms。
ThepointdiscussedwasthemeritoftheorationforCluentius，asdescriptive，first，ofthegeniusofthespeaker；and，secondly，ofthemannersofthetimes。Pleyellabouredtoextenuateboththesespeciesofmerit，andtaskedhisingenuity，toshewthattheoratorhadembracedabadcause；or，atleast，adoubtfulone。Heurged，thattorelyontheexaggerationsofanadvocate，ortomakethepictureofasinglefamilyamodelfromwhichtosketchtheconditionofanation，wasabsurd。Thecontroversywassuddenlydivertedintoanewchannel，byamisquotation。Pleyelaccusedhiscompanionofsaying\"polliciatur\"whenheshouldhavesaid\"polliceretur。\"
Nothingwoulddecidethecontest，butanappealtothevolume。
Mybrotherwasreturningtothehouseforthispurpose，whenaservantmethimwithaletterfromMajorStuart。Heimmediatelyreturnedtoreaditinourcompany。
Besidesaffectionatecomplimentstous，andpaternalbenedictionsonLouisa，hislettercontainedadescriptionofawaterfallontheMonongahela。Asuddengustofrainfalling，wewerecompelledtoremovetothehouse。Thestormpassedaway，andaradiantmoon-lightsucceeded。Therewasnomotiontoresumeourseatsinthetemple。Wethereforeremainedwherewewere，andengagedinsprightlyconversation。Theletterlatelyreceivednaturallysuggestedthetopic。Aparallelwasdrawnbetweenthecataracttheredescribed，andonewhichPleyelhaddiscoveredamongtheAlpsofGlarus。Inthestateoftheformer，someparticularwasmentioned，thetruthofwhichwasquestionable。Tosettlethedisputewhichthencearose，itwasproposedtohaverecoursetotheletter。Mybrothersearchedforitinhispocket。Itwasnowheretobefound。Atlength，herememberedtohaveleftitinthetemple，andhedeterminedtogoinsearchofit。Hiswife，Pleyel，Louisa，andmyself，remainedwherewewere。
Inafewminuteshereturned。Iwassomewhatinterestedinthedispute，andwasthereforeimpatientforhisreturn；yet，asIheardhimascendingthestairs，Icouldnotbutremark，thathehadexecutedhisintentionwithremarkabledispatch。Myeyeswerefixeduponhimonhisentrance。Methoughthebroughtwithhimlooksconsiderablydifferentfromthosewithwhichhedeparted。Wonder，andaslightportionofanxietyweremingledinthem。Hiseyesseemedtobeinsearchofsomeobject。Theypassedquicklyfromonepersontoanother，tilltheyrestedonhiswife。Shewasseatedinacarelessattitudeonthesofa，inthesamespotasbefore。Shehadthesamemuslininherhand，bywhichherattentionwaschieflyengrossed。
Themomenthesawher，hisperplexityvisiblyincreased。Hequietlyseatedhimself，andfixinghiseyesonthefloor，appearedtobeabsorbedinmeditation。ThesesingularitiessuspendedtheinquirywhichIwaspreparingtomakerespectingtheletter。Inashorttime，thecompanyrelinquishedthesubjectwhichengagedthem，anddirectedtheirattentiontoWieland。Theythoughtthatheonlywaitedforapauseinthediscourse，toproducetheletter。Thepausewasuninterruptedbyhim。AtlengthPleyelsaid，\"Well，Isupposeyouhavefoundtheletter。\"
\"No，\"saidhe，withoutanyabatementofhisgravity，andlookingstedfastlyathiswife，\"Ididnotmountthehill。\"——\"Whynot？\"——\"Catharine，haveyounotmovedfromthatspotsinceIlefttheroom？\"——Shewasaffectedwiththesolemnityofhismanner，andlayingdownherwork，answeredinatoneofsurprise，\"No；Whydoyouaskthatquestion？\"——Hiseyeswereagainfixeduponthefloor。andhedidnotimmediatelyanswer。Atlength，hesaid，lookingrounduponus，\"IsittruethatCatharinedidnotfollowmetothehill？Thatshedidnotjustnowentertheroom？\"——Weassuredhim，withonevoice，thatshehadnotbeenabsentforamoment，andinquiredintothemotiveofhisquestions。
\"Yourassurances，\"saidhe，\"aresolemnandunanimous；andyetImustdenycredittoyourassertions，ordisbelievethetestimonyofmysenses，whichinformedme，whenIwashalfwayupthehill，thatCatharinewasatthebottom。\"
Wewereconfoundedatthisdeclaration。Pleyelralliedhimwithgreatlevityonhisbehaviour。Helistenedtohisfriendwithcalmness，butwithoutanyrelaxationoffeatures。
\"Onething，\"saidhewithemphasis，\"istrue；eitherIheardmywife\'svoiceatthebottomofthehill，orIdonothearyourvoiceatpresent。\"
\"Truly，\"returnedPleyel，\"itisasaddilemmatowhichyouhavereducedyourself。Certainitis，ifoureyescangiveuscertaintythatyourwifehasbeensittinginthatspotduringeverymomentofyourabsence。Youhaveheardhervoice，yousay，uponthehill。Ingeneral，hervoice，likehertemper，isallsoftness。Tobeheardacrosstheroom，sheisobligedtoexertherself。Whileyouweregone，ifImistakenot，shedidnotutteraword。ClaraandIhadallthetalktoourselves。
Stillitmaybethatsheheldawhisperingconferencewithyouonthehill；buttellustheparticulars。\"
\"Theconference，\"saidhe，\"wasshort；andfarfrombeingcarriedoninawhisper。YouknowwithwhatintentionIleftthehouse。Halfwaytotherock，themoonwasforamomenthiddenfromusbyacloud。Ineverknewtheairtobemoreblandandmorecalm。InthisintervalIglancedatthetemple，andthoughtIsawaglimmeringbetweenthecolumns。Itwassofaint，thatitwouldnotperhapshavebeenvisible，ifthemoonhadnotbeenshrowded。Ilookedagain，butsawnothing。I
nevervisitthisbuildingalone，oratnight，withoutbeingremindedofthefateofmyfather。Therewasnothingwonderfulinthisappearance；yetitsuggestedsomethingmorethanmeresolitudeanddarknessinthesameplacewouldhavedone。
\"Ikeptonmyway。Theimagesthathauntedmeweresolemn；
andIentertainedanimperfectcuriosity，butnofear，astothenatureofthisobject。Ihadascendedthehilllittlemorethanhalfway，whenavoicecalledmefrombehind。Theaccentswereclear，distinct，powerful，andwereuttered，asIfullybelieved，bymywife。Hervoiceisnotcommonlysoloud。Shehasseldomoccasiontoexertit，but，nevertheless，Ihavesometimesheardhercallwithforceandeagerness。Ifmyearwasnotdeceived，itwashervoicewhichIheard。
\"Stop，gonofurther。Thereisdangerinyourpath。\"Thesuddennessandunexpectednessofthiswarning，thetoneofalarmwithwhichitwasgiven，and，aboveall，thepersuasionthatitwasmywifewhospoke，wereenoughtodisconcertandmakemepause。IturnedandlistenedtoassuremyselfthatIwasnotmistaken。Thedeepestsilencesucceeded。Atlength，Ispokeinmyturn。Whocalls？isityou，Catharine？Istoppedandpresentlyreceivedananswer。\"Yes，itisI；gonotup；returninstantly；youarewantedatthehouse。\"StillthevoicewasCatharine\'s，andstillitproceededfromthefootofthestairs。
\"WhatcouldIdo？Thewarningwasmysterious。TobeutteredbyCatharineataplace，andonanoccasionlikethese，enhancedthemystery。Icoulddonothingbutobey。Accordingly，Itrodbackmysteps，expectingthatshewaitedformeatthebottomofthehill。WhenIreachedthebottom，noonewasvisible。Themoon-lightwasoncemoreuniversalandbrilliant，andyet，asfarasIcouldseenohumanormovingfigurewasdiscernible。
Ifshehadreturnedtothehouse，shemusthaveusedwondrousexpeditiontohavepassedalreadybeyondthereachofmyeye。
Iexertedmyvoice，butinvain。Tomyrepeatedexclamations，noanswerwasreturned。
\"Ruminatingontheseincidents，Ireturnedhither。TherewasnoroomtodoubtthatIhadheardmywife\'svoice；attendingincidentswerenoteasilyexplained；butyounowassuremethatnothingextraordinaryhashappenedtourgemyreturn，andthatmywifehasnotmovedfromherseat。\"
Suchwasmybrother\'snarrative。Itwasheardbyuswithdifferentemotions。Pleyeldidnotscrupletoregardthewholeasadeceptionofthesenses。Perhapsavoicehadbeenheard；
butWieland\'simaginationhadmisledhiminsupposingaresemblancetothatofhiswife，andgivingsuchasignificationtothesounds。Accordingtohiscustomhespokewhathethought。Sometimes，hemadeitthethemeofgravediscussion，butmorefrequentlytreateditwithridicule。Hedidnotbelievethatsoberreasoningwouldconvincehisfriend，andgaiety，hethought，wasusefultotakeawaythesolemnitieswhich，inamindlikeWieland\'s，anaccidentofthiskindwascalculatedtoproduce。
Pleyelproposedtogoinsearchoftheletter。Hewentandspeedilyreturned，bearingitinhishand。Hehadfounditopenonthepedestal；andneithervoicenorvisagehadrisentoimpedehisdesign。
Catharinewasendowedwithanuncommonportionofgoodsense；
buthermindwasaccessible，onthisquarter，towonderandpanic。Thathervoiceshouldbethusinexplicablyandunwarrantablyassumed，wasasourceofnosmalldisquietude。
SheadmittedtheplausibilityoftheargumentsbywhichPleyelendeavouredtoprove，thatthiswasnomorethananauriculardeception；butthisconvictionwassuretobeshaken，whensheturnedhereyesuponherhusband，andperceivedthatPleyel\'slogicwasfarfromhavingproducedthesameeffectuponhim。
Astomyself，myattentionwasengagedbythisoccurrence。
Icouldnotfailtoperceiveashadowyresemblancebetweenitandmyfather\'sdeath。Onthelatterevent，Ihadfrequentlyreflected；myreflectionsneverconductedmetocertainty，butthedoubtsthatexistedwerenotofatormentingkind。Icouldnotdenythattheeventwasmiraculous，andyetIwasinvinciblyaversetothatmethodofsolution。Mywonderwasexcitedbytheinscrutablenessofthecause，butmywonderwasunmixedwithsorroworfear。Itbegatinmeathrilling，andnotunpleasingsolemnity。Similartothesewerethesensationsproducedbytherecentadventure。
Butitseffectuponmybrother\'simaginationwasofchiefmoment。Allthatwasdesirablewas，thatitshouldberegardedbyhimwithindifference。Theworsteffectthatcouldflow，wasnotindeedveryformidable。YetIcouldnotbeartothinkthathissensesshouldbethevictimsofsuchdelusion。Itarguedadiseasedconditionofhisframe，whichmightshowitselfhereafterinmoredangeroussymptoms。Thewillisthetooloftheunderstanding，whichmustfashionitsconclusionsonthenoticesofsense。Ifthesensesbedepraved，itisimpossibletocalculatetheevilsthatmayflowfromtheconsequentdeductionsoftheunderstanding。
Isaid，thismanisofanardentandmelancholycharacter。
Thoseideaswhich，inothers，arecasualorobscure，whichareentertainedinmomentsofabstractionandsolitude，andeasilyescapewhenthesceneischanged，haveobtainedanimmoveableholduponhismind。Theconclusionswhichlonghabithasrenderedfamiliar，and，insomesort，palpabletohisintellect，aredrawnfromthedeepestsources。Allhisactionsandpracticalsentimentsarelinkedwithlongandabstrusedeductionsfromthesystemofdivinegovernmentandthelawsofourintellectualconstitution。Heis，insomerespects，anenthusiast，butisfortifiedinhisbeliefbyinnumerableargumentsandsubtilties。
Hisfather\'sdeathwasalwaysregardedbyhimasflowingfromadirectandsupernaturaldecree。Itvisitedhismeditationsoftenerthanitdidmine。Thetraceswhichitleftweremoregloomyandpermanent。Thisnewincidenthadavisibleeffectinaugmentinghisgravity。Hewaslessdisposedthanformerlytoconverseandreading。Whenwesiftedhisthoughts，theyweregenerallyfoundtohavearelation，moreorlessdirect，withthisincident。Itwasdifficulttoascertaintheexactspeciesofimpressionwhichitmadeuponhim。Heneverintroducedthesubjectintoconversation，andlistenedwithasilentandhalf-serioussmiletothesatiricaleffusionsofPleyel。
Oneeveningwechancedtobealonetogetherinthetemple。
Iseizedthatopportunityofinvestigatingthestateofhisthoughts。Afterapause，whichheseemedinnowiseinclinedtointerrupt，Ispoketohim——\"Howalmostpalpableisthisdark；
yetarayfromabovewoulddispelit。\"\"Ay，\"saidWieland，withfervor，\"notonlythephysical，butmoralnightwouldbedispelled。\"\"Butwhy，\"saidI，\"musttheDivineWilladdressitspreceptstotheeye？\"Hesmiledsignificantly。\"True，\"
saidhe，\"theunderstandinghasotheravenues。\"\"Youhavenever，\"saidI，approachingnearertothepoint——\"youhavenevertoldmeinwhatwayyouconsideredthelateextraordinaryincident。\"\"Thereisnodeterminatewayinwhichthesubjectcanbeviewed。Hereisaneffect，butthecauseisutterlyinscrutable。Tosupposeadeceptionwillnotdo。Suchispossible，buttherearetwentyothersuppositionsmoreprobable。
Theymustallbesetasidebeforewereachthatpoint。\"\"Whatarethesetwentysuppositions？\"\"Itisneedlesstomentionthem。TheyareonlylessimprobablethanPleyel\'s。Timemayconvertoneofthemintocertainty。Tillthenitisuselesstoexpatiateonthem。\"
ChapterV
Sometimehadelapsedwhentherehappenedanotheroccurrence，stillmoreremarkable。Pleyel，onhisreturnfromEurope，broughtinformationofconsiderableimportancetomybrother。
MyancestorswerenobleSaxons，andpossessedlargedomainsinLusatia。ThePrussianwarshaddestroyedthosepersonswhoserighttotheseestatesprecludedmybrother\'s。Pleyelhadbeenexactinhisinquiries，andhaddiscoveredthat，bythelawofmale-primogeniture，mybrother\'sclaimsweresuperiortothoseofanyotherpersonnowliving。Nothingwaswantingbuthispresenceinthatcountry，andalegalapplicationtoestablishthisclaim。
Pleyelstrenuouslyrecommendedthismeasure。Theadvantageshethoughtattendingitwerenumerous，anditwouldarguetheutmostfollytoneglectthem。Contrarytohisexpectationhefoundmybrotheraversetothescheme。Slightefforts，he，atfirst，thoughtwouldsubduehisreluctance；buthefoundthisaversionbynomeansslight。Theinterestthathetookinthehappinessofhisfriendandhissister，andhisownpartialitytotheSaxonsoil，fromwhichhehadlikewisesprung，andwherehehadspentseveralyearsofhisyouth，madehimredoublehisexertionstowinWieland\'sconsent。Forthisendheemployedeveryargumentthathisinventioncouldsuggest。Hepainted，inattractivecolours，thestateofmannersandgovernmentinthatcountry，thesecurityofcivilrights，andthefreedomofreligioussentiments。Hedweltontheprivilegesofwealthandrank，anddrewfromtheservileconditionofoneclass，anargumentinfavorofhisscheme，sincetherevenueandpowerannexedtoaGermanprincipalityaffordsolargeafieldforbenevolence。Theevilflowingfromthispower，inmalignanthands，wasproportionedtothegoodthatwouldarisefromthevirtuoususeofit。Hence，Wieland，inforbearingtoclaimhisown，withheldallthepositivefelicitythatwouldaccruetohisvassalsfromhissuccess，andhazardedallthemiserythatwouldredoundfromalessenlightenedproprietor。
Itwaseasyformybrothertorepelthesearguments，andtoshewthatnospotontheglobeenjoyedequalsecurityandlibertytothatwhichheatpresentinhabited。ThatiftheSaxonshadnothingtofearfrommis-government，theexternalcausesofhavocandalarmwerenumerousandmanifest。TherecentdevastationscommittedbythePrussiansfurnishedaspecimenofthese。Thehorrorsofwarwouldalwaysimpendoverthem，tillGermanywereseizedanddividedbyAustrianandPrussiantyrants；aneventwhichhestronglysuspectedwasatnogreatdistance。Butsettingtheseconsiderationsaside，wasitlaudabletograspatwealthandpowerevenwhentheywerewithinourreach？Werenotthesethetwogreatsourcesofdepravity？
Whatsecurityhadhe，thatinthischangeofplaceandcondition，heshouldnotdegenerateintoatyrantandvoluptuary？Powerandricheswerechieflytobedreadedonaccountoftheirtendencytodepravethepossessor。Heheldtheminabhorrence，notonlyasinstrumentsofmiserytoothers，buttohimonwhomtheywereconferred。Besides，richeswerecomparative，andwashenotrichalready？Helivedatpresentinthebosomofsecurityandluxury。Alltheinstrumentsofpleasure，onwhichhisreasonorimaginationsetanyvalue，werewithinhisreach。Butthesehemustforego，forthesakeofadvantageswhich，whateverweretheirvalue，wereasyetuncertain。Inpursuitofanimaginaryadditiontohiswealth，hemustreducehimselftopoverty，hemustexchangepresentcertaintiesforwhatwasdistantandcontingent；forwhoknowsnotthatthelawisasystemofexpence，delayanduncertainty？
Ifheshouldembracethisscheme，itwouldlayhimunderthenecessityofmakingavoyagetoEurope，andremainingforacertainperiod，separatefromhisfamily。Hemustundergotheperilsanddiscomfortsoftheocean；hemustdivesthimselfofalldomesticpleasures；hemustdeprivehiswifeofhercompanion，andhischildrenofafatherandinstructor，andallforwhat？Fortheambiguousadvantageswhichovergrownwealthandflagitioustyrannyhavetobestow？Foraprecariouspossessioninalandofturbulenceandwar？Advantages，whichwillnotcertainlybegained，andofwhichtheacquisition，ifitweresure，isnecessarilydistant。
Pleyelwasenamouredofhisschemeonaccountofitsintrinsicbenefits，but，likewise，forotherreasons。HisabodeatLeipsigmadethatcountryappeartohimlikehome。Hewasconnectedwiththisplacebymanysocialties。Whiletherehehadnotescapedtheamorouscontagion。Butthelady，thoughherheartwasimpressedinhisfavor，wascompelledtobestowherhanduponanother。Deathhadremovedthisimpediment，andhewasnowinvitedbytheladyherselftoreturn。Thishewasofcoursedeterminedtodo，butwasanxioustoobtainthecompanyofWieland；hecouldnotbeartothinkofaneternalseparationfromhispresentassociates。Theirinterest，hethought，wouldbenolesspromotedbythechangethanhisown。Hencehewasimportunateandindefatigableinhisargumentsandsolicitations。
Heknewthathecouldnothopeformineorhissister\'sreadyconcurrenceinthisscheme。Shouldthesubjectbementionedtous，weshouldleagueoureffortsagainsthim，andstrengthenthatreluctanceinWielandwhichalreadywassufficientlydifficulttoconquer。He，therefore，anxiouslyconcealedfromushispurpose。IfWielandwerepreviouslyenlistedinhiscause，hewouldfinditalessdifficulttasktoovercomeouraversion。MybrotherwassilentonthissubJect，becausehebelievedhimselfinnodangerofchanginghisopinion，andhewaswillingtosaveusfromanyuneasiness。Themerementionofsuchascheme，andthepossibilityofhisembracingit，heknew，wouldconsiderablyimpairourtranquillity。
Oneday，aboutthreeweekssubsequenttothemysteriouscall，itwasagreedthatthefamilyshouldbemyguests。Seldomhadadaybeenpassedbyus，ofmoresereneenjoyment。Pleyelhadpromisedushiscompany，butwedidnotseehimtillthesunhadnearlydeclined。Hebroughtwithhimacountenancethatbetokeneddisappointmentandvexation。Hedidnotwaitforourinquiries，butimmediatelyexplainedthecause。TwodaysbeforeapackethadarrivedfromHamburgh，bywhichhehadflatteredhimselfwiththeexpectationofreceivingletters，butnolettershadarrived。Ineversawhimsomuchsubduedbyanuntowardevent。Histhoughtswereemployedinaccountingforthesilenceofhisfriends。Hewasseizedwiththetormentsofjealousy，andsuspectednothinglessthantheinfidelityofhertowhomhehaddevotedhisheart。Thesilencemusthavebeenconcerted。Hersickness，orabsence，ordeath，wouldhaveincreasedthecertaintyofsomeone\'shavingwritten。Nosuppositioncouldbeformedbutthathismistresshadgrownindifferent，orthatshehadtransferredheraffectionstoanother。Themiscarriageofaletterwashardlywithinthereachofpossibility。FromLeipsigtoHamburgh，andfromHamburghhither，theconveyancewasexposedtonohazard。
HehadbeensolongdetainedinAmericachieflyinconsequenceofWieland\'saversiontotheschemewhichheproposed。HenowbecamemoreimpatientthanevertoreturntoEurope。Whenhereflectedthat，byhisdelays，hehadprobablyforfeitedtheaffectionsofhismistress，hissensationsamountedtoagony。Itonlyremained，byhisspeedydeparture，torepair，ifpossible，orpreventsointolerableanevil。
Alreadyhehadhalfresolvedtoembarkinthisveryshipwhich，hewasinformed，wouldsetoutinafewweeksonherreturn。
MeanwhilehedeterminedtomakeanewattempttoshaketheresolutionofWieland。Theeveningwassomewhatadvancedwhenheinvitedthelattertowalkabroadwithhim。Theinvitationwasaccepted，andtheyleftCatharine，Louisaandme，toamuseourselvesbythebestmeansinourpower。Duringthiswalk，Pleyelrenewedthesubjectthatwasnearesthisheart。Here-urgedallhisformerarguments，andplacedtheminmoreforciblelights。
Theypromisedtoreturnshortly；buthourafterhourpassed，andtheymadenottheirappearance。Engagedinsprightlyconversation，itwasnottilltheclockstrucktwelvethatwewereremindedofthelapseoftime。Theabsenceofourfriendsexcitedsomeuneasyapprehensions。Wewereexpressingourfears，andcomparingourconjecturesastowhatmightbethecause，whentheyenteredtogether。Therewereindicationsintheircountenancesthatstruckmemute。ThesewereunnoticedbyCatharine，whowaseagertoexpresshersurprizeandcuriosityatthelengthoftheirwalk。Astheylistenedtoher，I
remarkedthattheirsurprizewasnotlessthanours。Theygazedinsilenceoneachother，andonher。Iwatchedtheirlooks，butcouldnotunderstandtheemotionsthatwerewritteninthem。
TheseappearancesdivertedCatharine\'sinquiriesintoanewchannel。Whatdidtheymean，sheasked，bytheirsilence，andbytheirthusgazingwildlyateachother，andather？Pleyelprofitedbythishint，andassuminganairofindifference，framedsometriflingexcuse，atthesametimedartingsignificantglancesatWieland，asiftocautionhimagainstdisclosingthetruth。Mybrothersaidnothing，butdeliveredhimselfuptomeditation。Ilikewisewassilent，butburnedwithimpatiencetofathomthismystery。Presentlymybrotherandhiswife，andLouisa，returnedhome。Pleyelproposed，ofhisownaccord，tobemyguestforthenight。Thiscircumstance，inadditiontothosewhichpreceded，gavenewedgetomywonder。
Assoonaswewereleftalone，Pleyel\'scountenanceassumedanairofseriousness，andevenconsternation，whichIhadneverbeforebeheldinhim。Thestepswithwhichhemeasuredthefloorbetokenedthetroubleofhisthoughts。MyinquiriesweresuspendedbythehopethathewouldgivemetheinformationthatIwantedwithouttheimportunityofquestions。Iwaitedsometime，buttheconfusionofhisthoughtsappearedinnodegreetoabate。AtlengthImentionedtheapprehensionswhichtheirunusualabsencehadoccasioned，andwhichwereincreasedbytheirbehavioursincetheirreturn，andsolicitedanexplanation。HestoppedwhenIbegantospeak，andlookedstedfastlyatme。WhenIhaddone，hesaid，tome，inatonewhichfaulteredthroughthevehemenceofhisemotions，\"Howwereyouemployedduringourabsence？\"\"InturningovertheDellaCruscadictionary，andtalkingondifferentsubjects；butjustbeforeyourentrance，weweretormentingourselveswithomensandprognosticksrelativetoyourabsence。\"\"Catherinewaswithyouthewholetime？\"\"Yes。\"\"Butareyousure？\"\"Mostsure。