第4章

Thatdwelling，whichhadhithertobeenaninviolateasylum，wasnowbesetwithdangertomylife。Thatsolitude，formerlysodeartome，couldnolongerbeendured。Pleyel，whohadconsentedtoresidewithusduringthemonthsofspring，lodgedinthevacantchamber，inordertoquietmyalarms。Hetreatedmyfearswithridicule，andinashorttimeveryslighttracesofthemremained:butasitwaswhollyindifferenttohimwhetherhisnightswerepassedatmyhouseoratmybrother"s，thisarrangementgavegeneralsatisfaction。

ChapterVII

Iwillnotenumeratethevariousinquiriesandconjectureswhichtheseincidentsoccasioned。Afterallourefforts，wecamenonearertodispellingthemistinwhichtheywereinvolved；andtime，insteadoffacilitatingasolution，onlyaccumulatedourdoubts。

Inthemidstofthoughtsexcitedbytheseevents，Iwasnotunmindfulofmyinterviewwiththestranger。Irelatedtheparticulars，andshewedtheportraittomyfriends。Pleyelrecollectedtohavemetwithafigureresemblingmydescriptioninthecity；butneitherhisfaceorgarbmadethesameimpressionuponhimthatitmadeuponme。Itwasahinttorallymeuponmyprepossessions，andtoamuseuswithathousandludicrousanecdoteswhichhehadcollectedinhistravels。Hemadenoscrupletochargemewithbeinginlove；andthreatenedtoinformtheswain，whenhemethim，ofhisgoodfortune。

Pleyel"stempermadehimsusceptibleofnodurableimpressions。Hisconversationwasoccasionallyvisitedbygleamsofhisancientvivacity；but，thoughhisimpetuositywassometimesinconvenient，therewasnothingtodreadfromhismalice。Ihadnofearthatmycharacterordignitywouldsufferinhishands，andwasnotheartilydispleasedwhenhedeclaredhisintentionofprofitingbyhisfirstmeetingwiththestrangertointroducehimtoouracquaintance。

SomeweeksafterthisIhadspentatoilsomeday，and，asthesundeclined，foundmyselfdisposedtoseekreliefinawalk。

Theriverbankis，atthispartofit，andforsomeconsiderablespaceupward，soruggedandsteepasnottobeeasilydescended。

Inarecessofthisdeclivity，nearthesouthernvergeofmylittledemesne，wasplacedaslightbuilding，withseatsandlattices。Fromacreviceoftherock，towhichthisedificewasattached，thereburstforthastreamofthepurestwater，which，leapingfromledgetoledge，forthespaceofsixtyfeet，producedafreshnessintheair，andamurmur，themostdeliciousandsoothingimaginable。These，addedtotheodoursofthecedarswhichemboweredit，andofthehoney-sucklewhichclusteredamongthelattices，renderedthismyfavoriteretreatinsummer。

OnthisoccasionIrepairedhither。Myspiritsdroopedthroughthefatigueoflongattention，andIthrewmyselfuponabench，inastate，bothmentallyandpersonally，oftheutmostsupineness。Thelullingsoundsofthewaterfall，thefragranceandtheduskcombinedtobecalmmyspirits，and，inashorttime，tosinkmeintosleep。Eithertheuneasinessofmyposture，orsomeslightindispositionmolestedmyreposewithdreamsofnocheerfulhue。Aftervariousincoherenceshadtakentheirturntooccupymyfancy，Iatlengthimaginedmyselfwalking，intheeveningtwilight，tomybrother"shabitation。

Apit，methought，hadbeenduginthepathIhadtaken，ofwhichIwasnotaware。AsIcarelesslypursuedmywalk，IthoughtI

sawmybrother，standingatsomedistancebeforeme，beckoningandcallingmetomakehaste。Hestoodontheoppositeedgeofthegulph。Imendedmypace，andonestepmorewouldhaveplungedmeintothisabyss，hadnotsomeonefrombehindcaughtsuddenlymyarm，andexclaimed，inavoiceofeagernessandterror，"Hold!hold!"

Thesoundbrokemysleep，andIfoundmyself，atthenextmoment，standingonmyfeet，andsurroundedbythedeepestdarkness。Imagessoterrificandforcibledisabledme，foratime，fromdistinguishingbetweensleepandwakefulness，andwithheldfrommetheknowledgeofmyactualcondition。Myfirstpanicsweresucceededbytheperturbationsofsurprize，tofindmyselfaloneintheopenair，andimmersedinsodeepagloom。

Islowlyrecollectedtheincidentsoftheafternoon，andhowI

camehither。Icouldnotestimatethetime，butsawtheproprietyofreturningwithspeedtothehouse。Myfacultieswerestilltooconfused，andthedarknesstoointense，toallowmeimmediatelytofindmywayupthesteep。Isatdown，therefore，torecovermyself，andtoreflectuponmysituation。

Thiswasnosoonerdone，thanalowvoicewasheardfrombehindthelattice，onthesidewhereIsat。Betweentherockandthelatticewasachasmnotwideenoughtoadmitahumanbody；yet，inthischasmhethatspokeappearedtobestationed。

"Attend!attend!butbenotterrified。"

Istartedandexclaimed，"Goodheavens!whatisthat？Whoareyou？"

"Afriend；onecome，nottoinjure，buttosaveyou；fearnothing。"

ThisvoicewasimmediatelyrecognizedtobethesamewithoneofthosewhichIhadheardinthecloset；itwasthevoiceofhimwhohadproposedtoshoot，ratherthantostrangle，hisvictim。Myterrormademe，atonce，muteandmotionless。Hecontinued，"Ileaguedtomurderyou。Irepent。Markmybidding，andbesafe。Avoidthisspot。Thesnaresofdeathencompassit。Elsewheredangerwillbedistant；butthisspot，shunitasyouvalueyourlife。Markmefurther；profitbythiswarning，butdivulgeitnot。Ifasyllableofwhathaspassedescapeyou，yourdoomissealed。Rememberyourfather，andbefaithful。"

Heretheaccentsceased，andleftmeoverwhelmedwithdismay。

Iwasfraughtwiththepersuasion，thatduringeverymomentI

remainedhere，mylifewasendangered；butIcouldnottakeastepwithouthazardoffallingtothebottomoftheprecipice。

Thepath，leadingtothesummit，wasshort，butruggedandintricate。Evenstar-lightwasexcludedbytheumbrage，andnotthefaintestgleamwasaffordedtoguidemysteps。WhatshouldIdo？Todepartorremainwasequallyandeminentlyperilous。

Inthisstateofuncertainty，Iperceivedarayflitacrossthegloomanddisappear。Anothersucceeded，whichwasstronger，andremainedforapassingmoment。Itglitteredontheshrubsthatwerescatteredattheentrance，andgleamcontinuedtosucceedgleamforafewseconds，tillthey，finally，gaveplacetounintermitteddarkness。

Thefirstvisitingsofthislightcalledupatrainofhorrorsinmymind；destructionimpendedoverthisspot；thevoicewhichIhadlatelyheardhadwarnedmetoretire，andhadmenacedmewiththefateofmyfatherifIrefused。Iwasdesirous，butunable，toobey；thesegleamsweresuchaspreludedthestrokebywhichhefell；thehour，perhaps，wasthesame——IshudderedasifIhadbeheld，suspendedoverme，theexterminatingsword。

Presentlyanewandstrongerilluminationburstthroughthelatticeontherighthand，andavoice，fromtheedgeoftheprecipiceabove，calledoutmyname。ItwasPleyel。JoyfullydidIrecognizehisaccents；butsuchwasthetumultofmythoughtsthatIhadnotpowertoanswerhimtillhehadfrequentlyrepeatedhissummons。Ihurried，atlength，fromthefatalspot，and，directedbythelanthornwhichhebore，ascendedthehill。

Paleandbreathless，itwaswithdifficultyIcouldsupportmyself。Heanxiouslyinquiredintothecauseofmyaffright，andthemotiveofmyunusualabsence。Hehadreturnedfrommybrother"satalatehour，andwasinformedbyJudith，thatIhadwalkedoutbeforesun-set，andhadnotyetreturned。Thisintelligencewassomewhatalarming。Hewaitedsometime；but，myabsencecontinuing，hehadsetoutinsearchofme。Hehadexploredtheneighbourhoodwiththeutmostcare，but，receivingnotidingsofme，hewaspreparingtoacquaintmybrotherwiththiscircumstance，whenherecollectedthesummer-houseonthebank，andconceiveditpossiblethatsomeaccidenthaddetainedmethere。Heagaininquiredintothecauseofthisdetention，andofthatconfusionanddismaywhichmylookstestified。

ItoldhimthatIhadstrolledhitherintheafternoon，thatsleephadovertakenmeasIsat，andthatIhadawakenedafewminutesbeforehisarrival。Icouldtellhimnomore。Inthepresentimpetuosityofmythoughts，Iwasalmostdubious，whetherthepit，intowhichmybrotherhadendeavouredtoenticeme，andthevoicethattalkedthroughthelattice，werenotpartsofthesamedream。Iremembered，likewise，thechargeofsecrecy，andthepenaltydenounced，ifIshouldrashlydivulgewhatIhadheard。Forthesereasons，Iwassilentonthatsubject，andshuttingmyselfinmychamber，deliveredmyselfuptocontemplation。

WhatIhaverelatedwill，nodoubt，appeartoyouafable。

Youwillbelievethatcalamityhassubvertedmyreason，andthatIamamusingyouwiththechimerasofmybrain，insteadoffactsthathavereallyhappened。Ishallnotbesurprizedoroffended，ifthesebeyoursuspicions。Iknownot，indeed，howyoucandenythemadmission。For，iftome，theimmediatewitness，theywerefertileofperplexityanddoubt，howmusttheyaffectanothertowhomtheyarerecommendedonlybymytestimony？Itwasonlybysubsequentevents，thatIwasfullyandincontestiblyassuredoftheveracityofmysenses。

MeanwhilewhatwasItothink？Ihadbeenassuredthatadesignhadbeenformedagainstmylife。Theruffianshadleaguedtomurderme。WhomhadIoffended？WhowastherewithwhomIhadevermaintainedintercourse，whowascapableofharbouringsuchatrociouspurposes？

Mytemperwasthereverseofcruelandimperious。Myheartwastouchedwithsympathyforthechildrenofmisfortune。Butthissympathywasnotabarrensentiment。Mypurse，scantyasitwas，waseveropen，andmyhandseveractive，torelievedistress。Manywerethewretcheswhommypersonalexertionshadextricatedfromwantanddisease，andwhorewardedmewiththeirgratitude。Therewasnofacewhichloweredatmyapproach，andnolipswhichutteredimprecationsinmyhearing。Onthecontrary，therewasnone，overwhosefateIhadexertedanyinfluence，ortowhomIwasknownbyreputation，whodidnotgreetmewithsmiles，anddismissmewithproofsofveneration；

yetdidnotmysensesassuremethataplotwaslaidagainstmylife？

Iamnotdestituteofcourage。Ihaveshewnmyselfdeliberativeandcalminthemidstofperil。Ihavehazardedmyownlife，forthepreservationofanother，butnowwasI

confusedandpanicstruck。Ihavenotlivedsoastofeardeath，yettoperishbyanunseenandsecretstroke，tobemangledbytheknifeofanassassinwasathoughtatwhichI

shuddered；whathadIdonetodeservetobemadethevictimofmalignantpassions？

Butsoft!wasInotassured，thatmylifewassafeinallplacesbutone？Andwhywasthetreasonlimitedtotakeeffectinthisspot？Iwaseverywhereequallydefenceless。Myhouseandchamberwere，atalltimes，accessible。Dangerstillimpendedoverme；thebloodypurposewasstillentertained，butthehandthatwastoexecuteit，waspowerlessinallplacesbutone!

HereIhadremainedforthelastfourorfivehours，withoutthemeansofresistanceordefence，yetIhadnotbeenattacked。

Ahumanbeingwasathand，whowasconsciousofmypresence，andwarnedmehereaftertoavoidthisretreat。Hisvoicewasnotabsolutelynew，buthadIneverhearditbutoncebefore？Butwhydidheprohibitmefromrelatingthisincidenttoothers，andwhatspeciesofdeathwillbeawardedifIdisobey？

Hetalkedofmyfather。Heintimated，thatdisclosurewouldpulluponmyhead，thesamedestruction。Wasthenthedeathofmyfather，portentousandinexplicableasitwas，theconsequenceofhumanmachinations？Itshouldseem，thatthisbeingisapprisedofthetruenatureofthisevent，andisconsciousofthemeansthatledtoit。Whetheritshalllikewisefalluponme，dependsupontheobservanceofsilence。

Wasittheinfractionofasimilarcommand，thatbroughtsohorribleapenaltyuponmyfather？

Suchwerethereflectionsthathauntedmeduringthenight，andwhicheffectuallydeprivedmeofsleep。Nextmorning，atbreakfast，Pleyelrelatedaneventwhichmydisappearancehadhinderedhimfrommentioningthenightbefore。Earlytheprecedingmorning，hisoccasionscalledhimtothecity；hehadsteppedintoacoffee-housetowhileawayanhour；herehehadmetapersonwhoseappearanceinstantlybespokehimtobethesamewhosehastyvisitIhavementioned，andwhoseextraordinaryvisageandtoneshadsopowerfullyaffectedme。Onanattentivesurvey，however，heproved，likewise，tobeonewithwhommyfriendhadhadsomeintercourseinEurope。Thisauthorisedthelibertyofaccostinghim，andaftersomeconversation，mindful，asPleyelsaid，ofthefootingwhichthisstrangerhadgainedinmyheart，hehadventuredtoinvitehimtoMettingen。Theinvitationhadbeencheerfullyaccepted，andavisitpromisedontheafternoonofthenextday。

Thisinformationexcitednosoberemotionsinmybreast。I

was，ofcourse，eagertobeinformedastothecircumstancesoftheirancientintercourse。When，andwherehadtheymet？Whatknewheofthelifeandcharacterofthisman？

Inanswertomyinquiries，heinformedmethat，threeyearsbefore，hewasatravellerinSpain。HehadmadeanexcursionfromValenciatoMurviedro，withaviewtoinspecttheremainsofRomanmagnificence，scatteredintheenvironsofthattown。

WhiletraversingthesciteofthetheatreofoldSaguntum，helighteduponthisman，seatedonastone，anddeeplyengagedinperusingtheworkofthedeaconMarti。Ashortconversationensued，whichprovedthestrangertobeEnglish。TheyreturnedtoValenciatogether。

Hisgarb，aspect，anddeportment，werewhollySpanish。A

residenceofthreeyearsinthecountry，indefatigableattentiontothelanguage，andastudiousconformitywiththecustomsofthepeople，hadmadehimindistinguishablefromanative，whenhechosetoassumethatcharacter。Pleyelfoundhimtobeconnected，onthefootingoffriendshipandrespect，withmanyeminentmerchantsinthatcity。Hehadembracedthecatholicreligion，andadoptedaSpanishnameinsteadofhisown，whichwasCARWIN，anddevotedhimselftotheliteratureandreligionofhisnewcountry。Hepursuednoprofession，butsubsistedonremittancesfromEngland。

WhilePleyelremainedinValencia，Carwinbetrayednoaversiontointercourse，andtheformerfoundnosmallattractionsinthesocietyofthisnewacquaintance。Ongeneraltopicshewashighlyintelligentandcommunicative。HehadvisitedeverycornerofSpain，andcouldfurnishthemostaccuratedetailsrespectingitsancientandpresentstate。Ontopicsofreligionandofhisownhistory，previoustohisTRANSFORMATIONintoaSpaniard，hewasinvariablysilent。

YoucouldmerelygatherfromhisdiscoursethathewasEnglish，andthathewaswellacquaintedwiththeneighbouringcountries。

Hischaracterexcitedconsiderablecuriosityinthisobserver。ItwasnoteasytoreconcilehisconversiontotheRomishfaith，withthoseproofsofknowledgeandcapacitythatwereexhibitedbyhimondifferentoccasions。Asuspicionwas，sometimes，admitted，thathisbeliefwascounterfeitedforsomepoliticalpurpose。Themostcarefulobservation，however，producednodiscovery。Hismannerswere，atalltimes，harmlessandinartificial，andhishabitsthoseofaloverofcontemplationandseclusion。HeappearedtohavecontractedanaffectionforPleyel，whowasnotslowtoreturnit。

Myfriend，afteramonth"sresidenceinthiscity，returnedintoFrance，and，sincethatperiod，hadheardnothingconcerningCarwintillhisappearanceatMettingen。

OnthisoccasionCarwinhadreceivedPleyel"sgreetingwithacertaindistanceandsolemnitytowhichthelatterhadnotbeenaccustomed。HehadwavednoticingtheinquiriesofPleyelrespectinghisdesertionofSpain，inwhichhehadformerlydeclaredthatitwashispurposetospendhislife。Hehadassiduouslydivertedtheattentionofthelattertoindifferenttopics，butwasstill，oneverytheme，aseloquentandjudiciousasformerly。Whyhehadassumedthegarbofarustic，Pleyelwasunabletoconjecture。Perhapsitmightbepoverty，perhapshewasswayedbymotiveswhichitwashisinteresttoconceal，butwhichwereconnectedwithconsequencesoftheutmostmoment。

Suchwasthesumofmyfriend"sinformation。Iwasnotsorrytobeleftaloneduringthegreaterpartofthisday。Everyemploymentwasirksomewhichdidnotleavemeatlibertytomeditate。Ihadnowanewsubjectonwhichtoexercisemythoughts。BeforeeveningIshouldbeusheredintohispresence，andlistentothosetoneswhosemagicalandthrillingpowerI

hadalreadyexperienced。Butwithwhatnewimageswouldhethenbeaccompanied？

CarwinwasanadherenttotheRomishfaith，yetwasanEnglishmanbybirth，and，perhaps，aprotestantbyeducation。

HehadadoptedSpainforhiscountry，andhadintimatedadesigntospendhisdaysthere，yetnowwasaninhabitantofthisdistrict，anddisguisedbythehabilimentsofaclown!Whatcouldhaveobliteratedtheimpressionsofhisyouth，andmadehimabjurehisreligionandhiscountry？Whatsubsequenteventshadintroducedsototalachangeinhisplans？InwithdrawingfromSpain，hadherevertedtothereligionofhisancestors；orwasittrue，thathisformerconversionwasdeceitful，andthathisconducthadbeenswayedbymotiveswhichitwasprudenttoconceal？

Hourswereconsumedinrevolvingtheseideas。Mymeditationswereintense；and，whentheserieswasbroken，Ibegantoreflectwithastonishmentonmysituation。Fromthedeathofmyparents，tillthecommencementofthisyear，mylifehadbeensereneandblissful，beyondtheordinaryportionofhumanity；

but，now，mybosomwascorrodedbyanxiety。Iwasvisitedbydreadofunknowndangers，andthefuturewasasceneoverwhichcloudsrolled，andthundersmuttered。Icomparedthecausewiththeeffect，andtheyseemeddisproportionedtoeachother。Allunaware，andinamannerwhichIhadnopowertoexplain，Iwaspushedfrommyimmoveableandloftystation，andcastuponaseaoftroubles。

Ideterminedtobemybrother"svisitantonthisevening，yetmyresolveswerenotunattendedwithwaveringandreluctance。

Pleyel"sinsinuationsthatIwasinlove，affected，innodegree，mybelief，yettheconsciousnessthatthiswastheopinionofonewhowould，probably，bepresentatourintroductiontoeachother，wouldexciteallthatconfusionwhichthepassionitselfisapttoproduce。Thiswouldconfirmhiminhiserror，andcallforthnewrailleries。Hismirth，whenexerteduponthistopic，wasthesourceofthebitterestvexation。Hadhebeenawareofitsinfluenceuponmyhappiness，histemperwouldnothaveallowedhimtopersist；butthisinfluence，itwasmychiefendeavourtoconceal。Thatthebeliefofmyhavingbestowedmyheartuponanother，producedinmyfriendnonebutludicroussensations，wasthetruecauseofmydistress；butifthishadbeendiscoveredbyhim，mydistresswouldhavebeenunspeakablyaggravated。

ChapterVIII

Assoonaseveningarrived，Iperformedmyvisit。Carwinmadeoneofthecompany，intowhichIwasushered。AppearanceswerethesameaswhenIbeforebeheldhim。Hisgarbwasequallynegligentandrustic。Igazeduponhiscountenancewithnewcuriosity。Mysituationwassuchastoenablemetobestowuponitadeliberateexamination。Viewedatmoreleisure，itlostnoneofitswonderfulproperties。Icouldnotdenymyhomagetotheintelligenceexpressedinit，butwaswhollyuncertain，whetherhewereanobjecttobedreadedoradored，andwhetherhispowershadbeenexertedtoevilortogood。

Hewassparingindiscourse；butwhateverhesaidwaspregnantwithmeaning，andutteredwithrectitudeofarticulation，andforceofemphasis，ofwhichIhadentertainednoconceptionpreviouslytomyknowledgeofhim。

Notwithstandingtheuncouthnessofhisgarb，hismannerswerenotunpolished。Alltopicswerehandledbyhimwithskill，andwithoutpedantryoraffectation。Heutterednosentimentcalculatedtoproduceadisadvantageousimpression:onthecontrary，hisobservationsdenotedamindalivetoeverygenerousandheroicfeeling。Theywereintroducedwithoutparade，andaccompaniedwiththatdegreeofearnestnesswhichindicatessincerity。

Hepartedfromusnottilllate，refusinganinvitationtospendthenighthere，butreadilyconsentedtorepeathisvisit。

Hisvisitswerefrequentlyrepeated。Eachdayintroducedustoamoreintimateacquaintancewithhissentiments，butleftuswhollyinthedark，concerningthataboutwhichweweremostinquisitive。Hestudiouslyavoidedallmentionofhispastorpresentsituation。Eventheplaceofhisabodeinthecityheconcealedfromus。

Oursphere，inthisrespect，beingsomewhatlimited，andtheintellectualendowmentsofthismanbeingindisputablygreat，hisdeportmentwasmorediligentlymarked，andcopiouslycommentedonbyus，thanyou，perhaps，willthinkthecircumstanceswarranted。Notagesture，orglance，oraccent，thatwasnot，inourprivateassemblies，discussed，andinferencesdeducedfromit。Itmaywellbethoughtthathemodelledhisbehaviourbyanuncommonstandard，when，withallouropportunitiesandaccuracyofobservation，wewereable，foralongtime，togathernosatisfactoryinformation。Heaffordedusnogroundonwhichtobuildevenaplausibleconjecture。

Thereisadegreeoffamiliaritywhichtakesplacebetweenconstantassociates，thatjustifiesthenegligenceofmanyrulesofwhich，inanearlierperiodoftheirintercourse，politenessrequirestheexactobservance。Inquiriesintoourconditionareallowablewhentheyarepromptedbyadisinterestedconcernforourwelfare；andthissolicitudeisnotonlypardonable，butmayjustlybedemandedfromthosewhochuseusfortheircompanions。

Thisstateofthingswasmoreslowtoarriveonthisoccasionthanonmostothers，onaccountofthegravityandloftinessofthisman"sbehaviour。

Pleyel，however，began，atlength，toemployregularmeansforthisend。Heoccasionallyalludedtothecircumstancesinwhichtheyhadformerlymet，andremarkedtheincongruousnessbetweenthereligionandhabitsofaSpaniard，withthoseofanativeofBritain。Heexpressedhisastonishmentatmeetingourguestinthiscorneroftheglobe，especiallyas，whentheypartedinSpain，hewastaughttobelievethatCarwinshouldneverleavethatcountry。Heinsinuated，thatachangesogreatmusthavebeenpromptedbymotivesofasingularandmomentouskind。

Noanswer，orananswerwideofthepurpose，wasgenerallymadetotheseinsinuations。BritonsandSpaniards，hesaid，arevotariesofthesameDeity，andsquaretheirfaithbythesameprecepts；theirideasaredrawnfromthesamefountainsofliterature，andtheyspeakdialectsofthesametongue；theirgovernmentandlawshavemoreresemblancesthandifferences；

theywereformerlyprovincesofthesamecivil，andtilllately，ofthesamereligious，Empire。

Astothemotiveswhichinducementochangetheplaceoftheirabode，thesemustunavoidablybefleetingandmutable。Ifnotboundtoonespotbyconjugalorparentalties，orbythenatureofthatemploymenttowhichweareindebtedforsubsistence，theinducementstochangearefarmorenumerousandpowerful，thanoppositeinducements。

HespokeasifdesirousofshewingthathewasnotawareofthetendencyofPleyel"sremarks；yet，certaintokenswereapparent，thatprovedhimbynomeanswantinginpenetration。

Thesetokensweretobereadinhiscountenance，andnotinhiswords。Whenanythingwassaid，indicatingcuriosityinus，thegloomofhiscountenancewasdeepened，hiseyessunktotheground，andhiswontedairwasnotresumedwithoutvisiblestruggle。Hence，itwasobvioustoinfer，thatsomeincidentsofhislifewerereflectedonbyhimwithregret；andthat，sincetheseincidentswerecarefullyconcealed，andeventhatregretwhichflowedfromthemlaboriouslystifled，theyhadnotbeenmerelydisastrous。Thesecrecythatwasobservedappearednotdesignedtoprovokeorbaffletheinquisitive，butwaspromptedbytheshame，orbytheprudenceofguilt。

Theseideas，whichwereadoptedbyPleyelandmybrother，aswellasmyself，hinderedusfromemployingmoredirectmeansforaccomplishingourwishes。Questionsmighthavebeenputinsuchterms，thatnoroomshouldbeleftforthepretenceofmisapprehension，andifmodestymerelyhadbeentheobstacle，suchquestionswouldnothavebeenwanting；butweconsidered，that，ifthedisclosurewereproductiveofpainordisgrace，itwasinhumantoextortit。

Amidstthevarioustopicsthatwerediscussedinhispresence，allusionswere，ofcourse，madetotheinexplicableeventsthathadlatelyhappened。Atthosetimes，thewordsandlooksofthismanwereobjectsofmyparticularattention。Thesubjectwasextraordinary；andanyonewhoseexperienceorreflectionscouldthrowanylightuponit，wasentitledtomygratitude。Asthismanwasenlightenedbyreadingandtravel，Ilistenedwitheagernesstotheremarkswhichheshouldmake。

Atfirst，Ientertainedakindofapprehension，thatthetalewouldbeheardbyhimwithincredulityandsecretridicule。I

hadformerlyheardstoriesthatresembledthisinsomeoftheirmysteriouscircumstances，buttheywere，commonly，heardbymewithcontempt。Iwasdoubtful，whetherthesameimpressionwouldnotnowbemadeonthemindofourguest；butIwasmistakeninmyfears。

Heheardthemwithseriousness，andwithoutanymarkseitherofsurprizeorincredulity。Hepursued，withvisiblepleasure，thatkindofdisquisitionwhichwasnaturallysuggestedbythem。

Hisfancywaseminentlyvigorousandprolific，andifhedidnotpersuadeus，thathumanbeingsare，sometimes，admittedtoasensibleintercoursewiththeauthorofnature，he，atleast，wonoverourinclinationtothecause。Hemerelydeduced，fromhisownreasonings，thatsuchintercoursewasprobable；butconfessedthat，thoughhewasacquaintedwithmanyinstancessomewhatsimilartothosewhichhadbeenrelatedbyus，noneofthemwereperfectlyexemptedfromthesuspicionofhumanagency。

Onbeingrequestedtorelatetheseinstances，heamuseduswithmanycuriousdetails。Hisnarrativeswereconstructedwithsomuchskill，andrehearsedwithsomuchenergy，thatalltheeffectsofadramaticexhibitionwerefrequentlyproducedbythem。Thosethatweremostcoherentandmostminute，and，ofconsequence，leastentitledtocredit，wereyetrenderedprobablebytheexquisiteartofthisrhetorician。Foreverydifficultythatwassuggested，areadyandplausiblesolutionwasfurnished。Mysteriousvoiceshadalwaysashareinproducingthecatastrophe，buttheywerealwaystobeexplainedonsomeknownprinciples，eitherasreflectedintoafocus，orcommunicatedthroughatube。Icouldnotbutremarkthathisnarratives，howevercomplexormarvellous，containednoinstancesufficientlyparalleltothosethathadbefallenourselves，andinwhichthesolutionwasapplicabletoourowncase。

Mybrotherwasamuchmoresanguinereasonerthanourguest。

EveninsomeofthefactswhichwererelatedbyCarwin，hemaintainedtheprobabilityofcelestialinterference，whenthelatterwasdisposedtodenyit，andhadfound，asheimagined，footstepsofanhumanagent。Pleyelwasbynomeansequallycredulous。Hescruplednottodenyfaithtoanytestimonybutthatofhissenses，andallowedthefactswhichhadlatelybeensupportedbythistestimony，nottomouldhisbelief，butmerelytogivebirthtodoubts。

ItwassoonobservedthatCarwinadopted，insomedegree，asimilardistinction。Ataleofthiskind，relatedbyothers，hewouldbelieve，provideditwasexplicableuponknownprinciples；

butthatsuchnoticeswereactuallycommunicatedbybeingsofanhigherorder，hewouldbelieveonlywhenhisownearswereassailedinamannerwhichcouldnotbeotherwiseaccountedfor。

Civilityforbadhimtocontradictmybrotherormyself，buthisunderstandingrefusedtoacquiesceinourtestimony。Besides，hewasdisposedtoquestionwhetherthevoicesheardinthetemple，atthefootofthehill，andinmycloset，werenotreallyutteredbyhumanorgans。Onthissuppositionhewasdesiredtoexplainhowtheeffectwasproduced。

Heanswered，thatthepowerofmimickrywasverycommon。

Catharine"svoicemighteasilybeimitatedbyoneatthefootofthehill，whowouldfindnodifficultyineluding，byflight，thesearchofWieland。ThetidingsofthedeathoftheSaxonladywereutteredbyonenearathand，whooverheardtheconversation，whoconjecturedherdeath，andwhoseconjecturehappenedtoaccordwiththetruth。Thatthevoiceappearedtocomefromthecielingwastobeconsideredasanillusionofthefancy。Thecryforhelp，heardinthehallonthenightofmyadventure，wastobeascribedtoanhumancreature，whoactuallystoodinthehallwhenheutteredit。Itwasofnomoment，hesaid，thatwecouldnotexplainbywhatmotiveshethatmadethesignalwasledhither。Howimperfectlyacquaintedwerewewiththeconditionanddesignsofthebeingsthatsurroundedus？Thecitywasnearathand，andthousandsmightthereexistwhosepowersandpurposesmighteasilyexplainwhateverwasmysteriousinthistransaction。Astotheclosetdialogue，hewasobligedtoadoptoneoftwosuppositions，andaffirmeitherthatitwasfashionedinmyownfancy，orthatitactuallytookplacebetweentwopersonsinthecloset。

SuchwasCarwin"smodeofexplainingtheseappearances。Itissuch，perhaps，aswouldcommenditselfasmostplausibletothemostsagaciousminds，butitwasinsufficienttoimpartconvictiontous。Astothetreasonthatwasmeditatedagainstme，itwasdoubtlessjusttoconcludethatitwaseitherrealorimaginary；butthatitwasrealwasattestedbythemysteriouswarninginthesummer-house，thesecretofwhichIhadhithertolockedupinmyownbreast。

Amonthpassedawayinthiskindofintercourse。AstoCarwin，ourignorancewasinnodegreeenlightenedrespectinghisgenuinecharacterandviews。Appearanceswereuniform。Nomanpossessedalargerstoreofknowledge，oragreaterdegreeofskillinthecommunicationofittoothers；Hencehewasregardedasaninestimableadditiontooursociety。Consideringthedistanceofmybrother"shousefromthecity，hewasfrequentlyprevailedupontopassthenightwherehespenttheevening。Twodaysseldomelapsedwithoutavisitfromhim；

hencehewasregardedasakindofinmateofthehouse。Heenteredanddepartedwithoutceremony。Whenhearrivedhereceivedanunaffectedwelcome，andwhenhechosetoretire，noimportunitieswereusedtoinducehimtoremain。

Thetemplewastheprincipalsceneofoursocialenjoyments；

yetthefelicitythatwetastedwhenassembledinthisasylum，wasbutthegleamofaformersun-shine。Carwinneverpartedwithhisgravity。Theinscrutablenessofhischaracter，andtheuncertaintywhetherhisfellowshiptendedtogoodortoevil，wereseldomabsentfromourminds。Thiscircumstancepowerfullycontributedtosaddenus。

Myheartwastheseatofgrowingdisquietudes。Thischangeinonewhohadformerlybeencharacterizedbyalltheexuberancesofsoul，couldnotfailtoberemarkedbymyfriends。Mybrotherwasalwaysapatternofsolemnity。Mysisterwasclay，mouldedbythecircumstancesinwhichshehappenedtobeplaced。Therewasbutonewhosedeportmentremainstobedescribedasbeingofimportancetoourhappiness。

HadPleyellikewisedismissedhisvivacity？

Hewasaswhimsicalandjestfulasever，buthewasnothappy。Thetruth，inthisrespect，wasoftoomuchimportancetomenottomakemeavigilantobserver。Hismirthwaseasilyperceivedtobethefruitofexertion。Whenhisthoughtswanderedfromthecompany，anairofdissatisfactionandimpatiencestoleacrosshisfeatures。Eventhepunctualityandfrequencyofhisvisitsweresomewhatlessened。Itmaybesupposedthatmyownuneasinesswasheightenedbythesetokens；

but，strangeasitmayseem，Ifound，inthepresentstateofmymind，noreliefbutinthepersuasionthatPleyelwasunhappy。

Thatunhappiness，indeed，depended，foritsvalueinmyeyes，onthecausethatproducedit。ItdidnotarisefromthedeathoftheSaxonlady:itwasnotacontagiousemanationfromthecountenancesofWielandorCarwin。Therewasbutoneothersourcewhenceitcouldflow。Anamelessecstacythrilledthroughmyframewhenanynewproofoccurredthattheambiguousnessofmybehaviourwasthecause。

ChapterIX

MybrotherhadreceivedanewbookfromGermany。Itwasatragedy，andthefirstattemptofaSaxonpoet，ofwhommybrotherhadbeentaughttoentertainthehighestexpectations。

TheexploitsofZisca，theBohemianhero，werewovenintoadramaticseriesandconnection。AccordingtoGermancustom，itwasminuteanddiffuse，anddictatedbyanadventurousandlawlessfancy。Itwasachainofaudaciousacts，andunheard-ofdisasters。Themoatedfortress，andthethicket；theambushandthebattle；andtheconflictofheadlongpassions，werepourtrayedinwildnumbers，andwithterrificenergy。Anafternoonwassetaparttorehearsethisperformance。ThelanguagewasfamiliartoallofusbutCarwin，whosecompany，therefore，wastacitlydispensedwith。

Themorningprevioustothisintendedrehearsal，Ispentathome。Mymindwasoccupiedwithreflectionsrelativetomyownsituation。Thesentimentwhichlivedwithchiefenergyinmyheart，wasconnectedwiththeimageofPleyel。Inthemidstofmyanguish，Ihadnotbeendestituteofconsolation。Hislatedeportmenthadgivenspringtomyhopes。Wasnotthehourathand，whichshouldrendermethehappiestofhumancreatures？

HesuspectedthatIlookedwithfavorableeyesuponCarwin。

Hencearosedisquietudes，whichhestruggledinvaintoconceal。

Helovedme，butwashopelessthathislovewouldbecompensated。Isitnottime，saidI，torectifythiserror？

Butbywhatmeansisthistobeeffected？Itcanonlybedonebyachangeofdeportmentinme；buthowmustIdemeanmyselfforthispurpose？

Imustnotspeak。Neithereyes，norlips，mustimparttheinformation。Hemustnotbeassuredthatmyheartishis，previoustothetenderofhisown；buthemustbeconvincedthatithasnotbeengiventoanother；hemustbesuppliedwithspacewhereontobuildadoubtastothetruestateofmyaffections；

hemustbepromptedtoavowhimself。Thelineofdelicatepropriety；howharditis，nottofallshort，andnottooverleapit!

Thisafternoonweshallmeetatthetemple。Weshallnotseparatetilllate。Itwillbehisprovincetoaccompanymehome。Theairyexpanseiswithoutaspeck。Thisbreezeisusuallystedfast，anditspromiseofablandandcloudlessevening，maybetrusted。Themoonwillriseateleven，andatthathour，weshallwindalongthisbank。Possiblythathourmaydecidemyfate。Ifsuitableencouragementbegiven，Pleyelwillrevealhissoultome；andI，ereIreachthisthreshold，willbemadethehappiestofbeings。Andisthisgoodtobemine？Addwingstothyspeed，sweetevening；andthou，moon，I

chargethee，shroudthybeamsatthemomentwhenmyPleyelwhisperslove。Iwouldnotfortheworld，thattheburningblushes，andthemountingrapturesofthatmoment，shouldbevisible。

Butwhatencouragementiswanting？Imustberegardfulofinsurmountablelimits。Yetwhenmindsareimbuedwithagenuinesympathy，arenotwordsandlookssuperfluous？Arenotmotionandtouchsufficienttoimpartfeelingssuchasmine？Hashenoteyedmeatmoments，whenthepressureofhishandhasthrownmeintotumults，andwasitpossiblethathemistooktheimpetuositiesoflove，fortheeloquenceofindignation？