Theaccentsandgesturesofthismanleftmedrainedofallcourage。Surely，onnootheroccasionshouldIhavebeenthuspusillanimous。MystateIregardedasahopelessone。Iwaswhollyatthemercyofthisbeing。WhicheverwayIturnedmyeyes，IsawnoavenuebywhichImightescape。Theresourcesofmypersonalstrength，myingenuity，andmyeloquence，Iestimatedatnothing。ThedignityofvirtueandtheforceoftruthIhadbeenaccustomedtocelebrate，andhadfrequentlyvauntedoftheconquestswhichIshouldmakewiththeirassistance。
Iusedtosupposethatcertainevilscouldneverbefallabeinginpossessionofasoundmind；thattruevirtuesuppliesuswithenergywhichvicecanneverresist；thatitwasalwaysinourpowertoobstruct，byhisowndeath，thedesignsofanenemywhoaimedatlessthanourlife。Howwasitthatasentimentlikedespairhadnowinvadedme，andthatItrustedtotheprotectionofchance，ortothepityofmypersecutor？
Hiswordsimpartedsomenotionoftheinjurywhichhehadmeditated。Hetalkedofobstaclesthathadriseninhisway。Hehadrelinquishedhisdesign。Thesesourcessuppliedmewithslenderconsolation。Therewasnosecuritybutinhisabsence。
WhenIlookedatmyself，whenIreflectedonthehourandtheplace，Iwasoverpoweredbyhorroranddejection。
Hewassilent，museful，andinattentivetomysituation，yetmadenomotiontodepart。Iwassilentinmyturn。WhatcouldIsay？
Iwasconfidentthatreasoninthiscontestwouldbeimpotent。I
mustowemysafetytohisownsuggestions。Whateverpurposebroughthimhither，hehadchangedit。Whythendidheremain？
Hisresolutionsmightfluctuate，andthepauseofafewminutesrestoretohimhisfirstresolutions。
Yetwasnotthisthemanwhomwehadtreatedwithunweariedkindness？whosesocietywasendearedtousbyhisintellectualelevationandaccomplishments？whohadathousandtimesexpatiatedontheusefulnessandbeautyofvirtue？Whyshouldsuchaonebedreaded？IfIcouldhaveforgottenthecircumstancesinwhichourinterviewhadtakenplace，Imighthavetreatedhiswordsasjests。
Presently，heresumed：——
“Fearmenot：thespacethatseversusissmall，andallvisiblesuccorisdistant。Youbelieveyourselfcompletelyinmypower；
thatyoustanduponthebrinkofruin。Suchareyourgroundlessfears。Icannotliftafingertohurtyou。Easierwoulditbetostopthemooninhercoursethantoinjureyou。Thepowerthatprotectsyouwouldcrumblemysinewsandreducemetoaheapofashesinamoment，ifIweretoharborathoughthostiletoyoursafety。
“Thusareappearancesatlengthsolved。LittledidIexpectthattheyoriginatedhence。Whataportionisassignedtoyou！Scannedbytheeyesofthisintelligence，yourpathwillbewithoutpitstoswalloworsnarestoentangleyou。Environedbythearmsofthisprotection，allartificeswillbefrustratedandallmalicerepelled。”
Heresucceededanewpause。Iwasstillobservantofeverygestureandlook。Thetranquilsolemnitythathadlatelypossessedhiscountenancegavewaytoanewexpression。Allnowwastrepidationandanxiety。
“Imustbegone，“saidhe，inafalteringaccent。“WhydoIlingerhere？Iwillnotaskyourforgiveness。Iseethatyourterrorsareinvincible。Yourpardonwillbeextortedbyfear，andnotdictatedbycompassion。Imustflyfromyouforever。Hethatcouldplotagainstyourhonormustexpectfromyouandyourfriendspersecutionanddeath。Imustdoommyselftoendlessexile。”
Sayingthis，hehastilylefttheroom。Ilistenedwhilehedescendedthestairs，and，unboltingtheouterdoor，wentforth。I
didnotfollowhimwithmyeyes，asthemoonlightwouldhaveenabledmetodo。Relievedbyhisabsence，andexhaustedbytheconflictofmyfears，Ithrewmyselfonachair，andresignedmyselftothosebewilderingideaswhichincidentslikethesecouldnotfailtoproduce。
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Ordercouldnotreadilybeintroducedintomythoughts。Thevoicestillrunginmyears。EveryaccentthatwasutteredbyCarwinwasfreshinmyremembrance。Hisunwelcomeapproach，therecognitionofhisperson，hishastydeparture，producedacompleximpressiononmymindwhichnowordscandelineate。Istrovetogiveaslowermotiontomythoughts，andtoregulateaconfusionwhichbecamepainful；butmyeffortswerenugatory。Icoveredmyeyeswithmyhand，andsat，Iknownothowlong，withoutpowertoarrangeoruttermyconceptions。
Ihadremainedforhours，asIbelieved，inabsolutesolitude。Nothoughtofpersonaldangerhadmolestedmytranquillity。Ihadmadenopreparationfordefense。Whatwasitthatsuggestedthedesignofperusingmyfather”smanuscript？If，insteadofthis，I
hadretiredtobedandtosleep，towhatfatemightInothavebeenreserved。Theruffian，whomustalmosthavesuppressedhisbreathingstoscreenhimselffromdiscovery，wouldhavenoticedthissignal，andIshouldhaveawakenedonlytoperishwithaffright，andtoabhormyself。CouldIhaveremainedunconsciousofmydanger？CouldIhavetranquillysleptinthemidstofsodeadlyasnare？
Andwhowashethatthreatenedtodestroyme？Bywhatmeanscouldhehidehimselfinthiscloset？Surelyheisgiftedwithsupernaturalpower。SuchistheenemyofwhoseattemptsIwasforewarned。DailyIhadseenhimandconversedwithhim。Nothingcouldbediscernedthroughtheimpenetrableveilofhisduplicity。
Whenbusiedinconjecturesastotheauthoroftheevilthatwasthreatened，myminddidnotlightforamomentuponhisimage。Yethashenotavowedhimselfmyenemy？Whyshouldhebehereifhehadnotmeditatedevil？
Heconfessesthatthishasbeenhissecondattempt。Whatwasthesceneofhisformerconspiracy？Wasitnothewhosewhispersbetrayedhim？AmIdeceived？orwastherenotafaintresemblancebetweenthevoiceofthismanandthatwhichtalkedofgraspingmythroatandextinguishingmylifeinamoment？Thenhehadacolleagueinhiscrime；nowheisalone。Thendeathwasthescopeofhisthoughts；nowaninjuryunspeakablymoredreadful。HowthankfulshouldIbetothepowerthathasinterposedtosaveme！
Thatpowerisinvisible。Itissubjecttothecognizanceofoneofmysenses。Whatarethemeansthatwillinformmeofwhatnatureitis？Hehassethimselftocounter-workthemachinationsofthisman，whohadmenaceddestructiontoallthatisdeartome，andwhosecominghadsurmountedeveryhumanimpediment。Therewasnonetorescuemefromhisgrasp。Myrashnessevenhastenedthecompletionofhisscheme，andprecludedhimfromthebenefitsofdeliberation。Ihadrobbedhimofthepowertorepentandforbear。
HadIbeenapprisedofthedanger，Ishouldhaveregardedmyconductasthemeansofrenderingmyescapefromitimpossible。
Such，likewise，seemtohavebeenthefearsofmyinvisibleprotector。Elsewhythatstartlingentreatytorefrainfromopeningthecloset？BywhatinexplicableinfatuationwasI
compelledtoproceed？
“Surely，“saidI，“thereisomnipotenceinthecausethatchangedtheviewsofamanlikeCarwin。Thedivinitythatshieldedmefromhisattemptswilltakesuitablecareofmyfuturesafety。Thustoyieldtomyfearsistodeservethattheyshouldbereal。”
ScarcelyhadIutteredthesewords，whenmyattentionwasstartledbythesoundoffootsteps。Theydenotedsomeonesteppingintothepiazzainfrontofmyhouse。Mynew-bornconfidencewasextinguishedinamoment。Carwin，Ithought，hadrepentedhisdeparture，andwashastilyreturning。Thepossibilitythathisreturnwaspromptedbyintentionsconsistentwithmysafetyfoundnoplaceinmymind。Imagesofviolationandmurderassailedmeanew，andtheterrorswhichsucceededalmostincapacitatedmefromtakinganymeasuresformydefense。ItwasanimpulseofwhichI
wasscarcelyconsciousthatmademefastenthelockanddrawtheboltsofmychamberdoor。Havingdonethis，Ithrewmyselfonaseat；forItrembledtoadegreewhichdisabledmefromstanding，andmysoulwassoperfectlyabsorbedintheactoflistening，thatalmostthevitalmotionswerestopped。
Thedoorbelowcreakedonitshinges。Itwasnotagainthrustto，butappearedtoremainopen。Footstepsentered，traversedtheentry，andbegantomountthestairs。HowIdetestedthefollyofnotpursuingthemanwhenhewithdrew，andboltingafterhimtheouterdoor！Mighthenotconceivethisomissiontobeaproofthatmyangelhaddesertedme，andbetherebyfortifiedinguilt？
Everysteponthestairswhichbroughthimnearertomychamberaddedvigortomydesperation。TheevilwithwhichIwasmenacedwastobeatanyrateeluded。HowlittledidIpreconceivetheconductwhich，inanexigencelikethis，Ishouldbepronetoadopt！Youwillsupposethatdeliberationanddespairwouldhavesuggestedthesamecourseofaction，andthatIshouldhaveunhesitatinglyresortedtothebestmeansofpersonaldefensewithinmypower。Apenknifelayopenuponmytable。Irememberedthatitwasthere，andseizedit。Forwhatpurposeyouwillscarcelyinquire。ItwillbeimmediatelysupposedthatImeantitformylastrefuge，andthat，ifallothermeansshouldfail，I
shouldplungeitintotheheartofmyravisher。
Ihavelostallfaithinthesteadfastnessofhumanresolves。ItwasthusthatinperiodsofcalmIhaddeterminedtoact。Nocowardicehadbeenheldbymeingreaterabhorrencethanthatwhichpromptedaninjuredfemaletodestroy，notherinjurereretheinjurywasperpetrated，butherselfwhenitwaswithoutremedy。
Yetnowthispenknifeappearedtomeofnootherusethantobafflemyassailantandpreventthecrimebydestroyingmyself。Todeliberateatsuchatimewasimpossible；but，amongthetumultuoussuggestionsofthemoment，Idonotrecollectthatitonceoccurredtometouseitasaninstrumentofdirectdefense。
Thestepshadnowreachedthesecondfloor。Everyfootfallacceleratedthecompletionwithoutaugmentingthecertaintyofevil。Theconsciousnessthatthedoorwasfast，nowthatnothingbutthatwasinterposedbetweenmeanddanger，wasasourceofsomeconsolation。Icastmyeyetowardthewindow。This，likewise，wasanewsuggestion。Ifthedoorshouldgiveway，itwasmysuddenresolutiontothrowmyselffromthewindow。Itsheightfromtheground，whichwascoveredbeneathbyabrickpavement，wouldinsuremydestruction；butIthoughtnotofthat。
Whenoppositetomydoorthefootstepsceased。Washelisteningwhethermyfearswereallayedandmycautionwereasleep？Didhehopetotakemebysurprise？Yet，ifso，whydidheallowsomanynoisysignalstobetrayhisapproach？Presentlythestepswereagainheardtoapproachthedoor。Ahandwaslaiduponthelock，andthelatchpulledback。DidheimagineitpossiblethatI
shouldfailtosecurethedoor？Aslighteffortwasmadetopushitopen，asif，allboltsbeingwithdrawn，aslighteffortonlywasrequired。
InosoonerperceivedthisthanImovedswiftlytowardthewindow。
Carwin”sframemightbesaidtobeallmuscle。Hisstrengthandactivityhadappeared，invariousinstances，tobeprodigious。A
slightexertionofhisforcewoulddemolishthedoor。Wouldnotthatexertionbemade？Toosurelyitwould；but，atthesamemomentthatthisobstacleshouldyieldandheshouldentertheapartment，mydeterminationwasformedtoleapfromthewindow。Mysenseswerestillboundtothisobject。Igazedatthedoorinmomentaryexpectationthattheassaultwouldbemade。Thepausecontinued。Thepersonwithoutwasirresoluteandmotionless。
SuddenlyitoccurredtomethatCarwinmightconceivemetohavefled。ThatIhadnotbetakenmyselftoflightwas，indeed，theleastprobableofallconclusions。Inthispersuasionhemusthavebeenconfirmedonfindingthelowerdoorunfastenedandthechamberdoorlocked。Wasitnotwisetofosterthispersuasion？ShouldI
maintaindeepsilence，this，inadditiontoothercircumstances，mightencouragethebelief，andhewouldoncemoredepart。Everynewreflectionaddedplausibilitytothisreasoning。ItwaspresentlymorestronglyenforcedwhenInoticedfootstepswithdrawingfromthedoor。Thebloodoncemoreflowedbacktomyheart，andadawnofexultationbegantorise；butmyjoywasshort-lived。Insteadofdescendingthestairs，hepassedtothedooroftheoppositechamber，openedit，and，havingentered，shutitafterhimwithaviolencethatshookthehouse。
HowwasItointerpretthiscircumstance？Forwhatendcouldhehaveenteredthischamber？Didtheviolencewithwhichheclosedthedoortestifythedepthofhisvexation？ThisroomwasusuallyoccupiedbyPleyel。WasCarwinawareofhisabsenceonthisnight？
Couldhebesuspectedofadesignsosordidaspillage？Ifthiswerehisview，therewerenomeansinmypowertofrustrateit。Itbehoovedmetoseizethefirstopportunitytoescape；but，ifmyescapeweresupposedbymyenemytohavebeenalreadyeffected，noasylumwasmoresecurethanthepresent。Howcouldmypassagefromthehousebeaccomplishedwithoutnoisesthatmightincitehimtopursueme？
UtterlyatalosstoaccountforhisgoingintoPleyel”schamber，I
waitedininstantexpectationofhearinghimcomeforth。All，however，wasprofoundlystill。Ilistenedinvainforaconsiderableperiodtocatchthesoundofthedoorwhenitshouldagainbeopened。Therewasnootheravenuebywhichhecouldescape，butadoorwhichledintothegirl”schamber。Wouldanyevilfromthisquarterbefallthegirl？
Hencearoseanewtrainofapprehensions。Theymerelyaddedtotheturbulenceandagonyofmyreflections。Whateverevilimpendedoverher，Ihadnopowertoavertit。Seclusionandsilenceweretheonlymeansofsavingmyselffromtheperilsofthisfatalnight。WhatsolemnvowsdidIputup，that，ifIshouldoncemorebeholdthelightofday，Iwouldnevertrustmyselfagainwithinthethresholdofthisdwelling！
Minutelingeredafterminute，butnotokenwasgiventhatCarwinhadreturnedtothepassage。What，Iagainasked，coulddetainhiminthisroom？Wasitpossiblethathehadreturned，andglidedunperceivedaway？Iwasspeedilyawareofthedifficultythatattendedanenterpriselikethis；andyet，asifbythatmeansI
werecapableofgaininganyinformationonthathead，Icastanxiouslooksfromthewindow。
Theobjectthatfirstattractedmyattentionwasahumanfigurestandingontheedgeofthebank。Perhapsmypenetrationwasassistedbymyhopes。Bethatasitwill，thefigureofCarwinwasclearlydistinguishable。Fromtheobscurityofmystation，itwasimpossiblethatIshouldbediscernedbyhim；andyethescarcelysufferedmetocatchaglimpseofhim。Heturnedandwentdownthesteep，whichinthispartwasnotdifficulttobescaled。
Myconjecture，then，hadbeenright。Carwinhassoftlyopenedthedoor，descendedthestairs，andissuedforth。ThatIshouldnothaveoverheardhisstepswasonlylessincrediblethanthatmyeyeshaddeceivedme。Butwhatwasnowtobedone？Thehousewasatlengthdeliveredfromthisdetestedinmate。Byoneavenuemightheagainreenter。Wasitnotwisetobarthelowerdoor？Perhapshehadgoneoutbythekitchendoor。Forthisend，hemusthavepassedthroughJudith”schamber。Theseentrancesbeingclosedandbolted，asgreatsecuritywasgainedaswascompatiblewithmylonelycondition。
Theproprietyofthesemeasureswastoomanifestnottomakemestrugglesuccessfullywithmyfears。YetIopenedmyowndoorwiththeutmostcaution，anddescendedasifIwereafraidthatCarwinhadbeenstillimmuredinPleyel”schamber。Theouterdoorwasajar。Ishutitwithtremblingeagerness，anddreweveryboltthatappendedtoit。Ithenpassedwithlightandlesscautiousstepsthroughtheparlor，butwassurprisedtodiscoverthatthekitchendoorwassecure。IwascompelledtoacquiesceinthefirstconjecturethatCarwinhadescapedthroughtheentry。
Myheartwasnowsomewhateasedoftheloadofapprehension。I
returnedoncemoretomychamber，thedoorofwhichIwascarefultolock。Itwasnotimetothinkofrepose。Themoonlightbeganalreadytofadebeforethelightoftheday。Theapproachofmorningwasbetokenedbytheusualsignals。Imusedupontheeventsofthisnight，anddeterminedtotakeupmyabodehenceforthatmybrother”s。WhetherIshouldinformhimofwhathadhappenedwasaquestionwhichseemedtodemandsomeconsideration。MysafetyunquestionablyrequiredthatIshouldabandonmypresenthabitation。
Asmythoughtsbegantoflowwithfewerimpediments，theimageofPleyel，andthedubiousnessofhiscondition，againrecurredtome。
Iagainranoverthepossiblecausesofhisabsenceontheprecedingday。Mymindwasattunedtomelancholy。Idwelt，withanobstinacyforwhichIcouldnotaccount，ontheideaofhisdeath。Ipaintedtomyselfhisstruggleswiththebillows，andhislastappearance。Iimaginedmyselfamidnightwandererontheshore，andtohavestumbledonhiscorpse，whichthetidehadcastup。Thesedrearyimagesaffectedmeeventotears。Iendeavorednottorestrainthem。TheyimpartedareliefwhichIhadnotanticipated。Themorecopiouslytheyflowed，themoredidmygeneralsensationsappeartosubsideintocalm，andacertainrestlessnessgivewaytorepose。
Perhaps，relievedbythiseffusion，theslumbersomuchwantedmighthavestolenonmysenses，hadtherebeennonewcauseofalarm。
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Iwasarousedfromthisstuporbysoundsthatevidentlyaroseinthenextchamber。WasitpossiblethatIhadbeenmistakeninthefigurewhichIhadseenonthebank？orhadCarwin，bysomeinscrutablemeans，penetratedoncemoreintothischamber？Theoppositedooropened；footstepscameforth，andtheperson，advancingtomine，knocked。
Sounexpectedanincidentrobbedmeofallpresenceofmind，and，startingup，Iinvoluntarilyexclaimed，“Whoisthere？“Ananswerwasimmediatelygiven。Thevoice，tomyinexpressibleastonishment，wasPleyel”s。
“ItisI。Haveyourisen？Ifyouhavenot，makehaste；Iwantthreeminutes”conversationwithyouintheparlor。Iwillwaitforyouthere。”Sayingthis，heretiredfromthedoor。
ShouldIconfideinthetestimonyofmyears？Ifthatweretrue，itwasPleyelthathadbeenhithertoimmuredintheoppositechamber；hewhommyruefulfancyhaddepictedinsomanyruinousandghastlyshapes；hewhosefootstepshadbeenlistenedtowithsuchinquietude！Whatisman，thatknowledgeissosparinglyconferreduponhim！thathisheartshouldbewrungwithdistress，andhisframebeexanimatedwithfear，thoughhissafetybeencompassedwithimpregnablewalls！Whataretheboundsofhumanimbecility！Hethatwarnedmeofthepresenceofmyfoerefusedtheintimationbywhichsomanyrackingfearswouldhavebeenprecluded。
YetwhowouldhaveimaginedthearrivalofPleyelatsuchanhour？
Histonewasdespondingandanxious。Whythisunseasonablesummons？andwhythishastydeparture？Sometidingshe，perhaps，bearsofmysteriousandunwelcomeimport。
Myimpatiencewouldnotallowmetoconsumemuchtimeindeliberation；Ihasteneddown。PleyelIfoundstandingatawindow，witheyescastdownasinmeditation，andarmsfoldedonhisbreast。Everylineinhiscountenancewaspregnantwithsorrow。Tothiswasaddedacertainwannessandairoffatigue。
ThelasttimeIhadseenhimappearanceshadbeenthereverseofthese。Iwasstartledatthechange。Thefirstimpulsewastoquestionhimastothecause。Thisimpulsewassupplantedbysomedegreeofconfusion，flowingfromaconsciousnessthatlovehadtoolarge，and，asitmightprove，aperceptible，shareincreatingthisimpulse。Iwassilent。
Presentlyberaisedhiseyesandfixedthemuponme。Ireadinthemananguishaltogetherineffable。NeverhadIwitnessedalikedemeanorinPleyel。Never，indeed，hadIobservedahumancountenanceinwhichgriefwasmorelegiblyinscribed。Heseemedstrugglingforutterance；but，hisstrugglesbeingfruitless，heshookhisheadandturnedawayfromme。
Myimpatiencewouldnotallowmetobelongersilent。“What，“saidI，“forheaven”ssake，myfriend，——whatisthematter？“
Hestartedatthesoundofmyvoice。Hislooks，foramoment，becameconvulsedwithanemotionverydifferentfromgrief。Hisaccentswerebrokenwithrage：——
“Thematter！Owretch！——thusexquisitelyfashioned，——onwhomnatureseemedtohaveexhaustedallhergraces；withcharmssoawfulandsopure！howartthoufallen！Fromwhatheightfallen！
Aruinsocomplete，——sounheardof！“
Hiswordswereagainchokedbyemotion。Griefandpitywereagainmingledinhisfeatures。Heresumed，inatonehalfsuffocatedbysobs：——
“ButwhyshouldIupbraidthee？CouldIrestoretotheewhatthouhastlost，effacethiscursedstain，snatchtheefromthejawsofthisfiend，Iwoulddoit。Yetwhatwillavailmyefforts？Ihavenotarmswithwhichtocontendwithsoconsummate，sofrightfuladepravity。
“Evidencelessthanthiswouldonlyhaveexcitedresentmentandscorn。Thewretchwhoshouldhavebreathedasuspicioninjurioustothyhonorwouldhavebeenregardedwithoutanger：nothatredorenvycouldhavepromptedhim；itwouldmerelybeanargumentofmadness。Thatmyeyes，thatmyears，shouldbearwitnesstothyfall！Bynootherwaycoulddetestableconvictionbeimparted。
“WhydoIsummontheetothisconference？Whyexposemyselftothyderision？Hereadmonitionandentreatyarevain。Thouknowesthimalreadyforamurdererandthief。Ithoughttohavebeenthefirsttodisclosetotheehisinfamy；tohavewarnedtheeofthepittowhichthouarthastening；butthyeyesareopeninvain。Oh，foulandinsupportabledisgrace！
“Thereisbutonepath。Iknowyouwilldisappeartogether。Inthyruin，howwillthefelicityandhonorofmultitudesbeinvolved！Butitmustcome。Thissceneshallnotbeblottedbyhispresence。Nodoubtthouwiltshortlyseethydetestedparamour。Thisscenewillbeagainpollutedbyamidnightassignation。Informhimofhisdangers；tellhimthathiscrimesareknown；lethimflyfarandinstantlyfromthisspot，ifhedesirestoavoidthefatewhichmenacedhiminIreland。
“Andwiltthounotstaybehind？Butshameuponmyweakness！I
knownotwhatIwouldsay。IhavedonewhatIpurposed。Tostaylonger，toexpostulate，tobeseech，toenumeratetheconsequencesofthyact，——whatendcanitservebuttoblazonthyinfamyandembitterourwoes？Andyet，oh，think——thinkereitbetoolate——
onthedistresseswhichthyflightwillentailuponus；onthebase，groveling，andatrociouscharacterofthewretchtowhomthouhastsoldthyhonor。Butwhatisthis？Isnotthyeffronteryimpenetrableandthyheartthoroughlycankered？Oh，mostspeciousandmostprofligateofwomen！“
Sayingthis，herushedoutofthehouse。Isawhiminafewmomentshurryingalongthepathwhichledtomybrother”s。Ihadnopowertopreventhisgoing，ortorecallortofollowhim。TheaccentsIhadheardwerecalculatedtoconfoundandbewilder。I
lookedaroundme，toassuremyselfthatthescenewasreal。I
moved，thatImightbanishthedoubtthatIwasawake。SuchenormousimputationsfromthemouthofPleyel！Tobestigmatizedwiththenamesofwantonandprofligate！Tobechargedwiththesacrificeofhonor！withmidnightmeetingswithawretchknowntobeamurdererandthief！withanintentiontoflyinhiscompany！
WhatIhadheardwassurelythedictateoffrenzy，oritwasbuiltuponsomefatal，someincomprehensiblemistake。Afterthehorrorsofthenight，afterundergoingperilssoimminentfromthisman，tobesummonedtoaninterviewlikethis！——tofindPleyelfraughtwithabeliefthat，insteadofhavingchosendeathasarefugefromtheviolenceofthisman，Ihadhuggedhisbasenesstomyheart，hadsacrificedforhimmypurity，myspotlessname，myfriendships，andmyfortune！Thatevenmadnesscouldengenderaccusationslikethesewasnottobebelieved。
Whatevidencecouldpossiblysuggestconceptionssowild？Aftertheunlooked-forinterviewwithCarwininmychamber，heretired。
CouldPleyelhaveobservedhisexit？ItwasnotlongafterthatPleyelhimselfentered。Didhebuildonthisincidenthisodiousconclusions？Couldthelongseriesofmyactionsandsentimentsgrantmenoexemptionfromsuspicionssofoul？WasitnotmorerationaltoinferthatCarwin”sdesignshadbeenillicit？thatmylifehadbeenendangeredbythefuryofonewhom，bysomemeans，hehaddiscoveredtobeanassassinandrobber？thatmyhonorhadbeenassailed，notbyblandishments，butbyviolence？
Hehasjudgedmewithouthearing。Hehasdrawnfromdubiousappearancesconclusionsthemostimprobableandunjust。Hehasloadedmewithalloutrageousepithets。Hehasrankedmewithprostitutesandthieves。Icannotpardonthee，Pleyel，forthisinjustice。Thyunderstandingmustbehurt。Ifitbenot，——ifthyconductwassoberanddeliberate，——Icanneverforgiveanoutragesounmanlyandsogross。
Thesethoughtsgraduallygaveplacetoothers。Pleyelwaspossessedbysomemomentaryfrenzy；appearanceshadledhimintopalpableerrors。Whencecouldhissagacityhavecontractedthisblindness？Wasitnotlove？PreviouslyassuredofmyaffectionforCarwin，distractedwithgriefandjealousy，andimpelledhitheratthatlatehourbysomeunknowninstigation，hisimaginationtransformedshadowsintomonsters，andplungedhimintothesedeplorableerrors。
Thisideawasnotunattendedwithconsolation。MysoulwasdividedbetweenindignationathisinjusticeanddelightonaccountofthesourcefromwhichIconceivedittospring。Foralongtimetheywouldallowadmissiontonootherthoughts。Surpriseisanemotionthatenfeebles，notinvigorates。Allmymeditationswereaccompaniedwithwonder。Irambledwithvagueness，orclungtooneimagewithanobstinacywhichsufficientlytestifiedthemaddeninginfluenceoflatetransactions。
GraduallyIproceededtoreflectupontheconsequencesofPleyel”smistake，andonthemeasuresIshouldtaketoguardmyselfagainstfutureinjuryfromCarwin。ShouldIsufferthismistaketobedetectedbytime？Whenhispassionshouldsubside，wouldhenotperceivetheflagrancyofhisinjusticeandhastentoatoneforit？
Diditnotbecomemycharactertotestifyresentmentforlanguageandtreatmentsoopprobrious？Wrappedupintheconsciousnessofinnocence，andconfidingintheinfluenceoftimeandreflectiontoconfutesogroundlessacharge，itwasmyprovincetobepassiveandsilent。
AstotheviolencesmeditatedbyCarwin，andthemeansofeludingthem，thepathtobetakenbymewasobvious。Iresolvedtotellthetaletomybrotherandregulatemyselfbyhisadvice。Forthisend，whenthemorningwassomewhatadvanced，Itookthewaytohishouse。Mysisterwasengagedinhercustomaryoccupations。AssoonasIappeared，sheremarkedachangeinmylooks。IwasnotwillingtoalarmherbytheinformationwhichIhadtocommunicate。
Herhealthwasinthatconditionwhichrenderedadisastroustaleparticularlyunsuitable。Iforboreadirectanswertoherinquiries，andinquired，inmyturn，forWieland。
“Why，“saidshe，“Isuspectsomethingmysteriousandunpleasanthashappenedthismorning。ScarcelyhadwerisenwhenPleyeldroppedamongus。WhatcouldhavepromptedhimtomakeussoearlyandsounseasonableavisitIcannottell。Tojudgefromthedisorderofhisdress，andhiscountenance，somethingofanextraordinarynaturehasoccurred。Hepermittedmemerelytoknowthathehadsleptnone，norevenundressed，duringthepastnight。Hetookyourbrothertowalkwithhim。Sometopicmusthavedeeplyengagedthem，forWielanddidnotreturntillthebreakfasthourwaspassed，andreturnedalone。Hisdisturbancewasexcessive；buthewouldnotlistentomyimportunities，ortellmewhathadhappened。
Igathered，fromhintswhichheletfall，thatyoursituationwasinsomewaythecause；yetheassuredmethatyouwereatyourownhouse，alive，ingoodhealth，andinperfectsafety。Hescarcelyateamorsel，andimmediatelyafterbreakfastwentoutagain。Hewouldnotinformmewhitherhewasgoing，butmentionedthatheprobablymightnotreturnbeforenight。”
Iwasequallyastonishedandalarmedbythisinformation。Pleyelhadtoldhistaletomybrother，andhad，byaplausibleandexaggeratedpicture，instilledintohimunfavorablethoughtsofme。
YetwouldnotthemorecorrectjudgmentofWielandperceiveandexposethefallacyofhisconclusions？PerhapshisuneasinessmightarisefromsomeinsightintothecharacterofCarwin，andfromapprehensionsformysafety。TheappearancesbywhichPleyelhadbeenmisledmightinducehimlikewisetobelievethatI
entertainedanindiscreetthoughnotdishonorableaffectionforCarwin。Suchweretheconjecturesrapidlyformed。Iwasinexpressiblyanxioustochangethemintocertainty。Forthisendaninterviewwithmybrotherwasdesirable。Hewasgonenooneknewwhither，andwasnotexpectedspeedilytoreturn。Ihadnoclewbywhichtotracehisfootsteps。
Myanxietiescouldnotbeconcealedfrommysister。Theyheightenedhersolicitudetobeacquaintedwiththecause。Thereweremanyreasonspersuadingmetosilence；atleast，tillIhadseenmybrother，itwouldbeanactofinexcusabletemeritytounfoldwhathadlatelypassed。Nootherexpedientforeludingherimportunitiesoccurredtomebutthatofreturningtomyownhouse。
Irecollectedmydeterminationtobecomeatenantofthisroof。I
mentionedittoher。Shejoyfullyaccededtothisproposal，andsufferedmewithlessreluctancetodepartwhenItoldherthatitwaswithaviewtocollectandsendtomynewdwellingwhatarticleswouldbeimmediatelyusefultome。
OncemoreIreturnedtothehousewhichhadbeenthesceneofsomuchturbulenceanddanger。IwasatnogreatdistancefromitwhenIobservedmybrothercomingout。Onseeingmehestopped，and，afterascertaining，asitseemed，whichwayIwasgoing，hereturnedintothehousebeforeme。Isincerelyrejoicedatthisevent，andIhastenedtosetthings，ifpossible，ontheirrightfooting。
HisbrowwasbynomeansexpressiveofthosevehementemotionswithwhichPleyelhadbeenagitated。Idrewafavorableomenfromthiscircumstance。WithoutdelayIbegantheconversation。
“Ihavebeentolookforyou，“saidI，“butwastoldbyCatharinethatPleyelhadengagedyouonsomeimportantanddisagreeableaffair。Beforehisinterviewwithyouhespentafewminuteswithme。TheseminutesheemployedinupbraidingmeforcrimesandintentionswithwhichIambynomeanschargeable。Ibelievehimtohavetakenuphisopinionsonveryinsufficientgrounds。Hisbehaviorwasinthehighestdegreeprecipitateandunjust，and，untilIreceivesomeatonement，Ishalltreathim，inmyturn，withthatcontemptwhichhejustlymerits；meanwhile，Iamfearfulthathehasprejudicedmybrotheragainstme。ThatisanevilwhichI
mostanxiouslydeprecate，andwhichIshallindeedexertmyselftoremove。Hashemademethesubjectofthismorning”sconversation？“
Mybrother”scountenancetestifiednosurpriseatmyaddress。Thebenignityofhislookswasnowisediminished。
“Itistrue，“saidhe，“yourconductwasthesubjectofourdiscourse。Iamyourfriendaswellasyourbrother。ThereisnohumanbeingwhomIlovewithmoretendernessandwhosewelfareisnearermyheart。Judge，then，withwhatemotionsIlistenedtoPleyel”sstory。Iexpectanddesireyoutovindicateyourselffromaspersionssofoul，ifvindicationbepossible。”
Thetonewithwhichheutteredthelastwordsaffectedmedeeply。
“Ifvindicationbepossible！“repeatedI。“Fromwhatyouknow，doyoudeemaformalvindicationnecessary？Canyouharborforamomentthebeliefofmyguilt？“
Heshookhisheadwithanairofacuteanguish。“Ihavestruggled，“saidhe，“todismissthatbelief。Youspeakbeforeajudgewhowillprofitbyanypretensetoacquityouwhoisreadytoquestionhisownsenseswhentheypleadagainstyou。”
Thesewordsincitedanewsetofthoughtsinmymind。IbegantosuspectthatPleyelhadbuilthisaccusationsonsomefoundationunknowntome。“Imaybeastrangertothegroundsofyourbelief。
Pleyelloadedmewithindecentandvirulentinvectives，buthewithheldfrommethefactsthatgeneratedhissuspicions。Eventstookplacelastnightofwhichsomeofthecircumstanceswereofanambiguousnature。Iconceivedthatthesemightpossiblyhavefallenunderhiscognizance，andthat，viewedthroughthemistsofprejudiceandpassion，theysuppliedapretenseforhisconduct，butbelievedthatyourmoreunbiasedjudgmentwouldestimatethemattheirjustvalue。PerhapshistalehasbeendifferentfromwhatIsuspectittobe。Listen，then，tomynarrative。Iftherebeanythinginhisstoryinconsistentwithmine，hisstoryisfalse。”
Ithenproceededtoacircumstantialrelationoftheincidentsofthelastnight。Wielandlistenedwithdeepattention。Havingfinished，“This，“continuedI，“isthetruth。YouseeinwhatcircumstancesaninterviewtookplacebetweenCarwinandme。Heremainedforhoursinmycloset，andforsomeminutesinmychamber。Hedepartedwithouthasteorinterruption。IfPleyelmarkedhimasheleftthehouse，anditisnotimpossiblethathedid，inferencesinjurioustomycharactermightsuggestthemselvestohim。Inadmittingthem，hegaveproofsoflessdiscernmentandlesscandorthanIonceascribedtohim。”
“Hisproofs，“saidWieland，afteraconsiderablepause，“aredifferent。Thatheshouldbedeceivedisnotpossible。Thathehimselfisnotthedeceivercouldnotbebelieved，ifhistestimonywerenotinconsistentwithyours；butthedoubtswhichI
entertainedarenowremoved。Yourtale，somepartsofit，ismarvelous；thevoicewhichexclaimedagainstyourrashnessinapproachingthecloset，yourpersisting，notwithstandingthatprohibition，yourbeliefthatIwastheruffian，andyoursubsequentconduct，arebelievedbyme，becauseIhaveknownyoufromchildhood，becauseathousandinstanceshaveattestedyourveracity，andbecausenothinglessthanmyownhearingandvisionwouldconvinceme，inoppositiontoherownassertions，thatmysisterhadfallenintowickednesslikethis。”
Ithrewmyarmsaroundhimandbathedhischeekwithmytears。
“That，“saidI，“isspokenlikemybrother。Butwhataretheproofs？“
Hereplied，“Pleyelinformedmethat，ingoingtoyourhouse，hisattentionwasattractedbytwovoices。Thepersonsspeakingsatbeneaththebank，outofsight。Thesepersons，judgingbytheirvoices，wereCarwinandyou。Iwillnotrepeatthedialogue。Ifmysisterwasthefemale，Pleyelwasjustifiedinconcludingyoutobeindeedoneofthemostprofligateofwomen。Hencehisaccusationsofyou，andhiseffortstoobtainmyconcurrencetoaplanbywhichaneternalseparationshouldbebroughtaboutbetweenmysisterandthisman。”
ImadeWielandrepeatthisrecital。Hereindeedwasataletofillmewithterribleforeboding。Ihadvainlythoughtthatmysafetycouldbesufficientlysecuredbydoorsandbars，butthisisafoefromwhosegraspnopowerofdivinitycansaveme！Hisartificeswilleverlaymyfameandhappinessathismercy。HowshallI
counterworkhisplotsordetecthiscoadjutor？Hehastaughtsomevileandabandonedfemaletomimicmyvoice。Pleyel”searswerethewitnessesofmydishonor。Thisisthemidnightassignationtowhichhealluded。Thusisthesilencehemaintainedwhenattemptingtoopenthedoorofmychamber，accountedfor。Hesupposedmeabsent，andmeant，perhaps，hadmyapartmentbeenaccessible，toleaveinitsomeaccusingmemorial。
SECONDPART
I
[Asthispartopens，theunhappyClaraisdescribingherhurriedreturntothesameill-fatedabodeatMettingen。HencekindfriendshadborneherafterthecatastropheofherbrotherWieland”s“transformation。”Thiswasthecrowninghorrorofall：
themorbidfanatic，preparedbygloomyanticipationsofsometerriblesacrificetobedemandedinthenameofreligion，hadfoundhimselfgoadedtoblindfury，byamysteriouscompellingvoice，toyielduptoGodthelivesofhisbelovedwifeandfamily；
andhaddonetheawfuldeed！
Thoughchainedinhismadhouse，hepersistsinhisdelusion；
insiststhatitstillremainsforhimtosacrificehissisterClara；andtwicebreaksawayinwildeffortstofindanddestroyher。]
Itookanirregularpathwhichledmetomyownhouse。Allwasvacantandforlorn。Asmallenclosurenearwhichthepathledwastheburyinggroundbelongingtothefamily。ThisIwasobligedtopass。OnceIhadintendedtoenterit，andponderontheemblemsandinscriptionswhichmyunclehadcausedtobemadeonthetombsofCatharineandherchildren；butnowmyheartfalteredasI
approached，andIhastenedforwardthatdistancemightconcealitfrommyview。
WhenIapproachedtherecess，myheartagainsunk。Iavertedmyeyes，andleftitbehindmeasquicklyaspossible。Silencereignedthroughmyhabitation，andadarknesswhichcloseddoorsandshuttersproduced。Everyobjectwasconnectedwithmineormybrother”shistory。Ipassedtheentry，mountedthestair，andunlockedthedoorofmychamber。ItwaswithdifficultythatI
curbedmyfancyandsmotheredmyfears。Slightmovementsandcasualsoundsweretransformedintobeckoningshadowsandcallingshapes。
Iproceededtothecloset。Iopenedandlookedrounditwithfearfulness。Allthingswereintheiraccustomedorder。IsoughtandfoundthemanuscriptwhereIwasusedtodepositit。Thisbeingsecured，therewasnothingtodetainme；yetIstoodandcontemplatedawhilethefurnitureandwallsofmychamber。I
rememberedhowlongthisapartmenthadbeenasweetandtranquilasylum；Icompareditsformerstatewithitspresentdreariness，andreflectedthatInowbehelditforthelasttime。
HereitwasthattheincomprehensiblebehaviorofCarwinwaswitnessed；thisthestageonwhichthatenemyofmanshowedhimselfforamomentunmasked。Herethemenacesofmurderwerewaftedtomyear；andherethesemenaceswereexecuted。
Thesethoughtshadatendencytotakefrommemyself-command。Myfeeblelimbsrefusedtosupportme，andIsunkuponachair。
Incoherentandhalf-articulateexclamationsescapedmylips。ThenameofCarwinwasutteredandeternalwoes——woeslikethatwhichhismalicehadentaileduponus——wereheapeduponhim。Iinvokedall-seeingheaventodragtolightandpunishthisbetrayer，andaccuseditsprovidenceforhavingthuslongdelayedtheretributionthatwasduetosoenormousaguilt。
Ihavesaidthatthewindowshutterswereclosed。Afeeblelight，however，foundentrancethroughthecrevices。Asmallwindowilluminatedthecloset，and，thedoorbeingclosed，adimraystreamedthroughthekeyhole。Akindoftwilightwasthuscreated，sufficientforthepurposesofvision，but，atthesametime，involvingallminuterobjectsinobscurity。
Thisdarknesssuitedthecolorofmythoughts。Isickenedattheremembranceofthepast。Theprospectofthefutureexcitedmyloathing。Imuttered，inalowvoice，“WhyshouldIlivelonger？
WhyshouldIdragamiserablebeing？AllforwhomIoughttolivehaveperished。AmInotmyselfhuntedtodeath？“
Atthatmomentmydespairsuddenlybecamevigorous。Mynerveswerenolongerunstrung。Mypowers，thathadlongbeendeadened，wererevived。Mybosomswelledwithasuddenenergy，andtheconvictiondartedthroughmymind，thattoendmytormentswas，atonce，practicableandwise。
Iknewhowtofindwaytotherecessesoflife。Icouldusealancetwithsomeskill，andcoulddistinguishbetweenveinandartery。Bypiercingdeepintothelatter，Ishouldshuntheevilswhichthefuturehadinstoreforme，andtakerefugefrommywoesinquietdeath。
Istartedonmyfeet，formyfeeblenesswasgone，andhastedtothecloset。AlancetandothersmallinstrumentswerepreservedinacasewhichIhaddepositedhere。InattentiveasIwastoforeignconsiderations，myearswerestillopentoanysoundofmysteriousimportthatshouldoccur。IthoughtIheardastepintheentry。
Mypurposewassuspended，andIcastaneagerglanceatmychamberdoor，whichwasopen。Nooneappeared，unlesstheshadowwhichI
discerneduponthefloorwastheoutlineofaman。Ifitwere，I
wasauthorizedtosuspectthatsomeonewaspostedclosetotheentrance，whopossiblyhadoverheardmyexclamations。
Myteethchattered，andawildconfusiontooktheplaceofmymomentarycalm。Thusitwaswhenaterrificvisagehaddiscloseditselfonaformernight。ThusitwaswhentheevildestinyofWielandassumedthelineamentsofsomethinghuman。Whathorridapparitionwaspreparingtoblastmysight？
StillIlistenedandgazed。Notlong，fortheshadowmoved；afoot，unshapelyandhuge，wasthrustforward；aformadvancedfromitsconcealment，andstalkedintotheroom。ItwasCarwin！
WhileIhadbreath，Ishrieked。WhileIhadpowerovermymuscles，Imotionedwithmyhandthatheshouldvanish。Myexertionscouldnotlastlong：Isunkintoafit。
Ohthatthisgratefuloblivionhadlastedforever！TooquicklyI
recoveredmysenses。Thepowerofdistinctvisionwasnosoonerrestoredtome，thanthishatefulformagainpresenteditself，andIoncemorerelapsed。
Asecondtime，untowardnaturerecalledmefromthesleepofdeath。
Ifoundmyselfstretcheduponthebed。WhenIhadpowertolookup，IrememberedonlythatIhadcausetofear。Mydistemperedfancyfashionedtoitselfnodistinguishableimage。Ithrewalanguidglanceroundme：oncemoremyeyeslighteduponCarwin。
Hewasseatedonthefloor，hisbackrestedagainstthewall；hiskneesweredrawnup，andhisfacewasburiedinhishands。Thathisstationwasatsomedistance，thathisattitudewasnotmenacing，thathisominousvisagewasconcealed，mayaccountformynowescapingashockviolentasthosewhichwerepast。Iwithdrewmyeyes，butwasnotagaindesertedbymysenses。
OnperceivingthatIhadrecoveredmysensibility，heliftedhishead。Thismotionattractedmyattention。Hiscountenancewasmild，butsorrowandastonishmentsatuponhisfeatures。Iavertedmyeyesandfeeblyexclaimed，“Oh，fly！——flyfarandforever！——I
cannotbeholdyouandlive！“
Hedidnotriseuponhisfeet，butclaspedhishands，andsaid，inatoneofdeprecation，“Iwillfly。Iambecomeafiend，thesightofwhomdestroys。Yettellmemyoffense！Youhavelinkedcurseswithmyname；youascribetomeamalicemonstrousandinfernal。I
lookaround：allislonelinessanddesert！Thishouseandyourbrother”saresolitaryanddismantled！Youdieawayatthesightofme！Myfearwhispersthatsomedeedofhorrorhasbeenperpetrated；thatIamtheundesigningcause。”
Whatlanguagewasthis？Hadhenotavowedhimselfaravisher？Hadnotthischamberwitnessedhisatrociouspurposes？Ibesoughthimwithnewvehemencetogo。
Heliftedhiseyes：”Greatheaven！whathaveIdone？IthinkI
knowtheextentofmyoffenses。Ihaveacted，butmyactionshavepossiblyeffectedmorethanIdesigned。Thisfearhasbroughtmebackfrommyretreat。Icometorepairtheevilofwhichmyrashnesswasthecause，andtopreventmoreevil。Icometoconfessmyerrors。”
“Wretch！“Icried，whenmysuffocatingemotionswouldpermitmetospeak，“theghostsofmysisterandherchildren，——dotheynotrisetoaccusethee？WhowasitthatblastedtheintellectofWieland？
Whowasitthaturgedhimtofuryandguidedhimtomurder？Who，butthouandthedevil，withwhomthouartconfederated？“
Atthesewordsanewspiritpervadedhiscountenance。Hiseyesoncemoreappealedtoheaven。“IfIhavememory——ifIhavebeing——
Iaminnocent。Iintendednoill；butmyfolly，indirectlyandremotely，mayhavecausedit。Butwhatwordsarethese？Yourbrotherlunatic！Hischildrendead！“
WhatshouldIinferfromthisdeportment？Wastheignorancewhichthesewordsimpliedrealorpretended？YethowcouldIimagineamerehumanagencyintheseevents？But，iftheinfluencewaspreternaturalormaniacalinmybrother”scase，theymustbeequallysoinmyown。ThenIrememberedthatthevoiceexertedwastosavemefromCarwin”sattempts。Theseideastendedtoabatemyabhorrenceofthisman，andtodetecttheabsurdityofmyaccusations。
“Alas！“saidI，“Ihavenoonetoaccuse。Leavemetomyfate。
Flyfromascenestainedwithcruelty，devotedtodespair。”
Carwinstoodforatimemusingandmournful。Atlengthhesaid，“Whathashappened？Icametoexpiatemycrimes：letmeknowthemintheirfullextent。Ihavehorribleforebodings！Whathashappened？“
Iwassilent；but，recollectingtheintimationgivenbythismanwhenhewasdetectedinmycloset，whichimpliedsomeknowledgeofthatpowerwhichinterferedinmyfavor，Ieagerlyinquired，“WhatwasthatvoicewhichcalleduponmetoholdwhenIattemptedtoopenthecloset？WhatfacewasthatwhichIsawatthebottomofthestairs？Answermetruly。”
“Icametoconfessthetruth。Yourallusionsarehorribleandstrange。PerhapsIhavebutfaintconceptionsoftheevilswhichmyinfatuationhasproduced；butwhatremainsIwillperform。ItwasMYVOICEthatyouheard！ItwasMYFACEthatyousaw！“
ForamomentIdoubtedwhethermyremembranceofeventswerenotconfused。Howcouldhebeatoncestationedatmyshoulderandshutupinmycloset？Howcouldhestandnearmeandyetbeinvisible？ButifCarwin”swerethethrillingvoiceandthefieryimagewhichIhadheardandseen，thenwashetheprompterofmybrother，andtheauthorofthesedismaloutrages。
OncemoreIavertedmyeyesandstruggledforspeech：”Begone！
thoumanofmischief！Remorselessandimplacablemiscreant，begone！“
“Iwillobey，“saidhe，inadisconsolatevoice；“yet，wretchasI
am，amIunworthytorepairtheevilsthatIhavecommitted？I
cameasarepentantcriminal。ItisyouwhomIhaveinjured，andatyourbaramIwillingtoappearandconfessandexpiatemycrimes。Ihavedeceivedyou；Ihavesportedwithyourterrors；I
haveplottedtodestroyyourreputation。Icomenowtoremoveyourterrors；tosetyoubeyondthereachofsimilarfears；torebuildyourfameasfarasIamable。
“Thisistheamountofmyguilt，andthisthefruitofmyremorse。
Willyounothearme？Listentomyconfession，andthendenouncepunishment。AllIaskisapatientaudience。”
“What！“Ireplied；“wasnotthinethevoicethatcommandedmybrothertoimbruehishandsinthebloodofhischildren？——tostranglethatangelofsweetness，hiswife？Hashenotvowedmydeath，andthedeathofPleyel，atthybidding？Hastthounotmadehimthebutcherofhisfamily？——changedhimwhowasthegloryofhisspeciesintoworsethanbrute？——robbedhimofreasonandconsignedtherestofhisdaystofettersandstripes？“
Carwin”seyesglaredandhislimbswerepetrifiedatthisintelligence。Nowordswererequisitetoprovehimguiltlessoftheseenormities：atthetime，however，Iwasnearlyinsensibletotheseexculpatorytokens。Hewalkedtothefartherendoftheroom，and，havingrecoveredsomedegreeofcomposure，hespoke：——
“Iamnotthisvillain。Ihaveslainnoone；Ihavepromptednonetoslay；Ihavehandledatoolofwonderfulefficacywithoutmalignantintentions，butwithoutcaution。Amplewillbethepunishmentofmytemerity，ifmyconducthascontributedtothisevil。”Hepaused。
Ilikewisewassilent。Istruggledtocommandmyselfsofarastolistentothetalewhichheshouldtell。Observingthis，hecontinued：——
“YouarenotapprisedoftheexistenceofapowerwhichIpossess。
Iknownotbywhatnametocallit。[1]Itenablesmetomimicexactlythevoiceofanother，andtomodifythesoundsothatitshallappeartocomefromwhatquarterandbeutteredatwhatdistanceIplease。
“Iknownotthateveryonepossessesthispower。Perhaps，thoughacasualpositionofmyorgansinmyyouthshowedmethatIpossessedit，itisanartwhichmaybetaughttoall。WouldtoGodIhaddiedunknowingofthesecret！Ithasproducednothingbutdegradationandcalamity。”
[1]Biloquium，orventrilocution。Soundisvariedaccordingtothevariationsofdirectionanddistance。Theartoftheventriloquistconsistsinmodifyinghisvoiceaccordingtoallthesevariations，withoutchanginghisplace。SeetheworkoftheAbbedelaChappelle，inwhichareaccuratelyrecordedtheperformancesofoneoftheseartists，andsomeingeniousthoughunsatisfactoryspeculationsaregivenonthemeansbywhichtheeffectsareproduced。Thispoweris，perhaps，givenbynature，butisdoubtlessimprovable，ifnotacquirable，byart。Itmay，possibly，consistinanunusualflexibilityorextensionofthebottomofthetongueandtheuvula。Thatspeechisproduciblebythesealonemustbegranted，sinceanatomistsmentiontwoinstancesofpersonsspeakingwithoutatongue。Inonecasetheorganwasoriginallywanting，butitsplacewassuppliedbyasmalltubercle，andtheuvulawasperfect。Intheotherthetonguewasdestroyedbydisease，butprobablyasmallpartofitremained。
Thispowerisdifficulttoexplain，butthefactisundeniable。
Experienceshowsthatthehumanvoicecanimitatethevoiceofallmenandofallinferioranimals。Thesoundofmusicalinstruments，andevennoisesfromthecontactofinanimatesubstances，havebeenaccuratelyimitated。Themimicryofanimalsisnotorious；andDr。
Burney“MusicalTravels“mentionsonewhoimitatedafluteandviolin，soastodeceiveevenhisears。
THIRDPART
I
[AfterCarwin”sconfessionofhispowersofventriloquismallthemysteriesareclearedup——saveone。TheownerofthevoiceheardinClara”schamber，onthefirstnightafterthewandererappearedatMettingen；thethreatenerontheedgeoftheprecipice；thespyinClara”scloset，andwould-beintruder；themanipulatorofthevileplotthatdestroyedherlover”sconfidence——allthesehiddenidentitieshavematerializedinthepersonofthisoneunhappyman。
Butwhileconfessingthepryingdispositionwhichledtothesesins，ineffortstoprotecthimselffromdiscovery，CarwinstilldeniesthatWieland”smadactswereperpetratedathisinstigation。]
“Ihaveutteredthetruth。Thisistheextentofmyoffenses。YoutellmeahorridtaleofWielandbeingledtothedestructionofhiswifeandchildrenbysomemysteriousagent。Youchargemewiththeguiltofthisagency，butIrepeatthattheamountofmyguilthasbeentrulystated。TheperpetratorofCatharine”sdeathwasunknowntometillnow；nay，itisstillunknowntome。”
Atthatmoment，theclosingofadoorinthekitchenwasdistinctlyheardbyus。Carwinstartedandpaused。“Thereissomeonecoming。Imustnotbefoundherebymyenemies，andneednot，sincemypurposeisanswered。”
Ihaddrunkin，withthemostvehementattention，everywordthathehaduttered。Ihadnobreathtointerrupthistalebyinterrogationsorcomments。Thepowerthathespokeofwashithertounknowntome；itsexistencewasincredible；itwassusceptibleofnodirectproof。
HeownsthathiswerethevoiceandfacewhichIheardandsaw。Heattemptstogiveahumanexplanationofthesephantasmsbutitisenoughthatheownshimselftobetheagent：histaleisalie，andhisnaturedevilish。Ashedeceivedme，helikewisedeceivedmybrother，andnowdoIbeholdtheauthorofallourcalamities！
Suchweremythoughtswhenhispauseallowedmetothink。Ishouldhavebadehimbegoneifthesilencehadnotbeeninterrupted；butnowIfearednomoreformyself；andthemilkinessofmynaturewascurdledintohatredandrancor。Someonewasnear，andthisenemyofGodandmanmightpossiblybebroughttojustice。Ireflectednotthatthepreternaturalpowerwhichhehadhithertoexertedwouldavailtorescuehimfromanytoilsinwhichhisfeetmightbeentangled。Meanwhile，looks，andnotwords，ofmenaceandabhorrence，wereallthatIcouldbestow。
Hedidnotdepart。Heseemeddubiouswhetherbypassingoutofthehouse，orbyremainingsomewhatlongerwherehewas，heshouldmostendangerhissafety。Hisconfusionincreasedwhenstepsofonebarefootwerehearduponthestairs。Hethrewanxiousglancessometimesatthecloset，sometimesatthewindow，andsometimesatthechamberdoor；yethewasdetainedbysomeinexplicablefascination。Hestoodasifrootedtothespot。
Astome，mysoulwasburstingwithdetestationandrevenge。Ihadnoroomforsurmisesandfearsrespectinghimthatapproached。Itwasdoubtlessahumanbeing，andwouldbefriendmesofarastoaidmeinarrestingthisoffender。
Thestrangerquicklyenteredtheroom。MyeyesandtheeyesofCarwinwereatthesamemomentdarteduponhim。Asecondglancewasnotneededtoinformuswhohewas。Hislocksweretangled，andfellconfusedlyoverhisforeheadandears。Hisshirtwasofcoarsestuff，andopenattheneckandbreast。Hiscoatwasonceofbrightandfinetexture，butnowtornandtarnishedwithdust。
Hisfeet，hislegs，andhisarms，werebare。Hisfeaturesweretheseatofawildandtranquilsolemnity，buthiseyesbespokeinquietudeandcuriosity。
Headvancedwithafirmstep，andlookingasinsearchofsomeone。
Hesawmeandstopped。Hebenthissightonthefloor，and，clenchinghishands，appearedsuddenlyabsorbedinmeditation。
SuchwerethefigureanddeportmentofWieland！Such，inhisfallenstate，weretheaspectandguiseofmybrother！
Carwindidnotfailtorecognizethevisitant。Careforhisownsafetywasapparentlyswallowedupintheamazementwhichthisspectacleproduced。Hisstationwasconspicuous，andhecouldnothaveescapedtherovingglancesofWieland；yetthelatterseemedtotallyunconsciousofhispresence。
GriefatthissceneofruinandblastwasatfirsttheonlysentimentofwhichIwasconscious。Afearfulstillnessensued。
AtlengthWieland，liftinghishands，whichwerelockedineachother，tohisbreast，exclaimed，“Father！Ithankthee。Thisisthyguidance。Hitherthouhastledme，thatImightperformthywill。Yetletmenoterr；letmehearagainthymessenger！“
Hestoodforaminuteasiflistening；but，recoveringfromhisattitude，hecontinued，“Itisnotneeded。Dastardlywretch！thuseternallyquestioningthebehestsofthyMaker！weakinresolution，waywardinfaith！“
Headvancedtome，and，afteranotherpause，resumed：”Poorgirl！
adismalfatehassetitsmarkuponthee。Thylifeisdemandedasasacrifice。Preparetheetodie。Makenotmyofficedifficultbyfruitlessopposition。Thyprayersmightsubduestones；butnonebuthewhoenjoinedmypurposecanshakeit。”
Thesewordswereasufficientexplicationofthescene。Thenatureofhisfrenzy，asdescribedbymyuncle，wasremembered。I，whohadsoughtdeath，wasnowthrilledwithhorrorbecauseitwasnear。
Deathinthisform，deathfromthehandofabrother，wasthoughtuponwithindescribablerepugnance。
Inastatethusverginguponmadness，myeyeglanceduponCarwin。
Hisastonishmentappearedtohavestruckhimmotionlessanddumb。
Mylifewasindanger，andmybrother”shandwasabouttobeimbruedinmyblood。IfirmlybelievedthatCarwin”swastheinstigation。Icouldrescuemyselffromthisabhorredfate；I
coulddissipatethistremendousillusion；Icouldsavemybrotherfromtheperpetrationofnewhorrors，bypointingoutthedevilwhoseducedhim。Tohesitateamomentwastoperish。Thesethoughtsgavestrengthtomylimbsandenergytomyaccents；Istartedonmyfeet：——
“Oh，brother！spareme！sparethyself！Thereisthybetrayer。Hecounterfeitedthevoiceandfaceofanangel，forthepurposeofdestroyingtheeandme。Hehasthismomentconfessedit。Heisabletospeakwhereheisnot。Heisleaguedwithhell，butwillnotavowit；yetheconfessesthattheagencywashis。”
Mybrotherturnedslowlyhiseyes，andfixedthemuponCarwin。
Everyjointintheframeofthelattertrembled。Hiscomplexionwaspalerthanaghost”s。HiseyedarednotmeetthatofWieland，butwanderedwithanairofdistractionfromonespacetoanother。
“Man，“saidmybrother，inavoicetotallyunlikethatwhichhehadusedtome，“whatartthou？Thechargehasbeenmade。Answerit。
Thevisage——thevoice——atthebottomofthesestairs——atthehourofeleven——towhomdidtheybelong？Tothee？“
TwicedidCarwinattempttospeak，buthiswordsdiedawayuponhislips。Mybrotherresumed，inatoneofgreatervehemence：——
“Thoufalterest。Falteringisominous。Sayyesorno；onewordwillsuffice；butbewareoffalsehood。Wasitastratagemofhelltooverthrowmyfamily？Wastthoutheagent？“
Inowsawthatthewrathwhichhadbeenpreparedformewastobeheapeduponanother。ThetalethatIheardfromhim，andhispresenttrepidations，wereabundanttestimoniesofhisguilt。ButwhatifWielandshouldbeundeceived！Whatifheshallfindhisacttohaveproceedednotfromaheavenlyprompter，butfromhumantreachery！Willnothisragemountintowhirlwind？Willnothetearlimbfromlimbthisdevotedwretch？
InstinctivelyIrecoiledfromthisimage；butitgaveplacetoanother。Carwinmaybeinnocent，buttheimpetuosityofhisjudgemaymisconstruehisanswersintoaconfessionofguilt。Wielandknowsnotthatmysteriousvoicesandappearanceswerelikewisewitnessedbyme。Carwinmaybeignorantofthosewhichmisledmybrother。Thusmayhisanswersunwarilybetrayhimselftoruin。
Suchmightbetheconsequencesofmyfranticprecipitation，andtheseitwasnecessary，ifpossible，toprevent。Iattemptedtospeak；butWieland，turningsuddenlyuponme，commandedsilence，inatonefuriousandterrible。Mylipsclosed，andmytonguerefuseditsoffice。
“Whatartthou？“heresumed，addressinghimselftoCarwin。“Answerme：whoseform——whosevoice，——wasitthycontrivance？Answerme。”
Theanswerwasnowgiven，butconfusedlyandscarcelyarticulated。
“Imeantnothing——Iintendednoill——ifIunderstand——ifIdonotmistakeyou——itistootrue——Ididappear——intheentry——didspeak。
Thecontrivancewasmine，but”
Thesewordswerenosooneruttered，thanmybrotherceasedtowearthesameaspect。Hiseyesweredowncast；hewasmotionless；hisrespirationbecamehoarse，likethatofamanintheagoniesofdeath。Carwinseemedunabletosaymore。Hemighthaveeasilyescaped；butthethoughtwhichoccupiedhimrelatedtowhatwashorridandunintelligibleinthisscene，andnottohisowndanger。
PresentlythefacultiesofWieland，which，foratime，werechainedup，wereseizedwithrestlessnessandtrembling。Hebrokesilence。
Thestoutestheartwouldhavebeenappalledbythetoneinwhichhespoke。HeaddressedhimselftoCarwin：——
“Whyartthouhere？Whodetainsthee？Goandlearnbetter。I
willmeetthee，butitmustbeatthebarofthyMaker。ThereshallIbearwitnessagainstthee。”
PerceivingthatCarwindidnotobey，hecontinued，“Dostthouwishmetocompletethecataloguebythydeath？Thylifeisaworthlessthing。Temptmenomore。Iambutaman，andthypresencemayawakenafurywhichmayspurnmycontrol。Begone！“
Carwin，irresolute，strivinginvainforutterance，hiscomplexionpallidasdeath，hiskneesbeatingoneagainstanother，slowlyobeyedthemandateandwithdrew。
II
AfewwordsmoreandIlayasidethepenforever。YetwhyshouldI
notrelinquishitnow？AllthatIhavesaidispreparatorytothisscene，andmyfingers，tremulousandcoldasmyheart，refuseanyfurtherexertion。Thismustnotbe。Letmylastenergiessupportmeinthefinishingofthistask。ThenwillIlaydownmyheadinthelapofdeath。Hushedwillbeallmymurmursinthesleepofthegrave。
Everysentimenthasperishedinmybosom。Evenfriendshipisextinct。Yourloveformehaspromptedmetothistask；butI
wouldnothavecompliedifithadnotbeenaluxurythustofeastuponmywoes。Ihavejustlycalculateduponmyremnantofstrength。WhenIlaydownthepenthetaperoflifewillexpire；
myexistencewillterminatewithmytale。
NowthatIwasleftalonewithWieland，theperilsofmysituationpresentedthemselvestomymind。Thatthisparoxysmshouldterminateinhavocandrageitwasreasonabletopredict。Thefirstsuggestionofmyfearshadbeendisprovedbymyexperience。
Carwinhadacknowledgedhisoffenses，andyethadescaped。ThevengeancewhichIhadharboredhadnotbeenadmittedbyWieland；
andyettheevilswhichIhadendured，comparedwiththoseinflictedonmybrother，wereasnothing。Ithirstedforhisblood，andwastormentedwithaninsatiableappetiteforhisdestruction；butmybrotherwasunmoved，andhaddismissedhiminsafety。Surelythouwastmorethanman，whileIamsunkbelowthebeasts。
DidIplacearightconstructionontheconductofWieland？Wastheerrorthatmisledhimsoeasilyrectified？Wereviewssovividandfaithsostrenuousthusliabletofadingandtochange？Wastherenotreasontodoubttheaccuracyofmyperceptions？Withimageslikethesewasmymindthronged，tillthedeportmentofmybrothercalledawaymyattention。
Isawhislipsmoveandhiseyescastuptoheaven。Thenwouldhelistenandlookback，asifinexpectationofsomeone”sappearance。Thriceherepeatedthesegesticulationsandthisinaudibleprayer。Eachtimethemistofconfusionanddoubtseemedtogrowdarkerandtosettleonhisunderstanding。Iguessedatthemeaningofthesetokens。ThewordsofCarwinhadshakenhisbelief，andhewasemployedinsummoningthemessengerwhohadformerlycommunedwithhim，toattestthevalueofthosenewdoubts。Invainthesummonswasrepeated，forhiseyemetnothingbutvacancy，andnotasoundsalutedhisear。
Hewalkedtothebed，gazedwitheagernessatthepillowwhichhadsustainedtheheadofthebreathlessCatharine，andthenreturnedtotheplacewhereIsat。Ihadnopowertoliftmyeyestohisface：Iwasdubiousofhispurpose；thispurposemightaimatmylife。
Alas！nothingbutsubjectiontodangerandexposuretotemptationcanshowuswhatweare。BythistestwasInowtried，andfoundtobecowardlyandrash。Mencandeliberatelyuntiethethreadoflife，andofthisIhaddeemedmyselfcapable。ItwasnowthatI
stooduponthebrinkoffate，thattheknifeofthesacrificerwasaimedatmyheart，Ishuddered，andbetookmyselftoanymeansofescape，howevermonstrous。
CanIbeartothink——canIenduretorelatetheoutragewhichmyheartmeditated？Whereweremymeansofsafety？Resistancewasvain。NoteventheenergyofdespaircouldsetmeonalevelwiththatstrengthwhichhisterrificprompterhadbestoweduponWieland。Terrorenablesustoperformincrediblefeats；butterrorwasnotthenthestateofmymind：wherethenweremyhopesofrescue？
Methinksitistoomuch。Istandaside，asitwere，frommyself；I
estimatemyowndeservings；ahatred，immortalandinexorable，ismydue。Ilistentomyownpleas，andfindthememptyandfalse：
yes，Iacknowledgethatmyguiltsurpassesthatofmankind；I
confessthatthecursesofaworldandthefrownsofaDeityareinadequatetomydemerits。Isthereathingintheworldworthyofinfiniteabhorrence？ItisI。
WhatshallIsay？Iwasmenaced，asIthought，withdeath，and，toeludethisevil，myhandwasreadytoinflictdeathuponthemenacer。Invisitingmyhouse，IhadmadeprovisionagainstthemachinationsofCarwin。Inafoldofmydressanopenpenknifewasconcealed。ThisInowseizedanddrewforth。Itlurkedoutofview；butInowseethatmystateofmindwouldhaverenderedthedeedinevitableifmybrotherhadliftedhishand。Thisinstrumentofmypreservationwouldhavebeenplungedintohisheart。
Oinsupportableremembrance！hidetheefrommyviewforatime；
hideitfrommethatmyheartwasblackenoughtomeditatethestabbingofabrother！abrotherthussupremeinmisery；thustoweringinvirtue！
Hewasprobablyunconsciousofmydesign，butpresentlydrewback。
Thisintervalwassufficienttorestoremetomyself。Themadness，theiniquity，ofthatactwhichIhadpurposedrusheduponmyapprehension。ForamomentIwasbreathlesswithagony。AtthenextmomentIrecoveredmystrength，andthrewtheknifewithviolenceonthefloor。
Thesoundawokemybrotherfromhisreverie。Hegazedalternatelyatmeandattheweapon。Withamovementequallysolemnhestoopedandtookitup。Heplacedthebladeindifferentpositions，scrutinizingitaccurately，andmaintaining，atthesametime，aprofoundsilence。
Againhelookedatme；butallthatvehemenceandloftinessofspiritwhichhadsolatelycharacterizedhisfeatureswereflown。
Fallenmuscles，aforeheadcontractedintofolds，eyesdimwithunbiddendrops，andaruefulnessofaspectwhichnowordscandescribe，werenowvisible。
Hislookstouchedintoenergythesamesympathiesinme，andI
pouredforthafloodoftears。Thispassionwasquicklycheckedbyfear，whichhadnownolongermyownbuthissafetyfortheirobject。Iwatchedhisdeportmentinsilence。Atlengthhespoke：——
“Sister，“saidhe，inanaccentmournfulandmild，“Ihaveactedpoorlymypartinthisworld。Whatthinkestthou？ShallInotdobetterinthenext？“
Icouldmakenoanswer。Themildnessofhistoneastonishedandencouragedme。Icontinuedtoregardhimwithwistfulandanxiouslooks。
“Ithink，“resumedhe，“Iwilltry。Mywifeandmybabeshavegonebefore。Happywretches！Ihavesentyoutorepose，andoughtnottolingerbehind。”
Thesewordshadameaningsufficientlyintelligible。Ilookedattheopenknifeinhishandandshuddered，butknewnothowtopreventthedeedwhichIdreaded。Hequicklynoticedmyfears，andcomprehendedthem。Stretchingtowardmehishand，withanairofincreasingmildness，“Takeit，“saidhe；“fearnotforthyownsake，norformine。Thecupisgoneby，anditstransientinebriationissucceededbythesobernessoftruth。
“ThouangelwhomIwaswonttoworship！fearestthou，mysister，forthylife？Onceitwasthescopeofmylaborstodestroythee，butIwaspromptedtothedeedbyheaven；such，atleast，wasmybelief。Thinkestthouthatthydeathwassoughttogratifymalevolence？No。Iampurefromallstain。IbelievedthatmyGodwasmymover！
“NeithertheenormyselfhaveIcausetoinjure。Ihavedonemyduty；andsurelythereismeritinhavingsacrificedtothatallthatisdeartotheheartofman。Ifadevilhasdeceivedme，hecameinthehabitofanangel。IfIerred，itwasnotmyjudgmentthatdeceivedme，butmysenses。Inthysight，Beingofbeings！I
amstillpure。StillwillIlookformyrewardinthyjustice！“
Didmyearstrulyreportthesesounds？IfIdidnoterr，mybrotherwasrestoredtojustperceptions。Heknewhimselftohavebeenbetrayedtothemurderofhiswifeandchildren，tohavebeenthevictimofinfernalartifice；yethefoundconsolationintherectitudeofhismotives。Hewasnotdevoidofsorrow，forthiswaswrittenonhiscountenance；buthissoulwastranquilandsublime。
Perhapsthiswasmerelyatransitionofhisformermadnessintoanewshape。Perhapshehadnotyetawakenedtothememoryofthehorrorswhichhehadperpetrated。InfatuatedwretchthatIwas！
Tosetmyselfupasamodelbywhichtojudgeofmyheroicbrother！
Myreasontaughtmethathisconclusionswereright；but，consciousoftheimpotenceofreasonovermyownconduct，consciousofmycowardlyrashnessandmycriminaldespair，Idoubtedwhetheranyonecouldbesteadfastandwise。
Suchwasmyweakness，thateveninthemidstofthesethoughtsmymindglidedintoabhorrenceofCarwin，andIuttered，inalowvoice，“OCarwin！Carwin！whathastthoutoanswerfor？“
Mybrotherimmediatelynoticedtheinvoluntaryexclamation。
“Clara！“saidhe，“bethyself。Equityusedtobeathemeforthyeloquence。Reduceitslessonstopractice，andbejusttothatunfortunateman。Theinstrumenthasdoneitswork，andIamsatisfied。
“Ithankthee，myGod，forthislastillumination！Myenemyisthinealso。Ideemedhimtobeaman，——themanwithwhomIhaveoftencommuned；butnowthygoodnesshasunveiledtomehistruenature。Astheperformerofthybehests，heismyfriend。”
Myheartbegannowtomisgiveme。Hismournfulaspecthadgraduallyyieldedplacetoaserenebrow。Anewsoulappearedtoactuatehisframe，andhiseyestobeamwithpreternaturalluster。