第5章
Butthehasteningeveningwilldecide。Woulditwerecome!
AndyetIshudderatitsnearapproach。Aninterviewthatmustthusterminate，issurelytobewishedforbyme；andyetitisnotwithoutitsterrors。Wouldtoheavenitwerecomeandgone!
Ifeelnoreluctance，myfriendstobethusexplicit。Timewas，whentheseemotionswouldbehiddenwithimmeasurablesolicitude，fromeveryhumaneye。Alas!theseairyandfleetingimpulsesofshamearegone。Myscrupleswerepreposterousandcriminal。Theyarebredinallhearts，byaperverseandviciouseducation，andtheywouldstillhavemaintainedtheirplaceinmyheart，hadnotmyportionbeensetinmisery。Myerrorshavetaughtmethusmuchwisdom；thatthosesentimentswhichweoughtnottodisclose，itiscriminaltoharbour。
Itwasproposedtobegintherehearsalatfouro"clock；I
countedtheminutesastheypassed；theirflightwasatoncetoorapidandtooslow；mysensationswereofanexcruciatingkind；
Icouldtastenofood，norapplytoanytask，norenjoyamoment"srepose:whenthehourarrived，Ihastenedtomybrother"s。
Pleyelwasnotthere。Hehadnotyetcome。Onordinaryoccasions，hewaseminentforpunctuality。Hehadtestifiedgreateagernesstoshareinthepleasuresofthisrehearsal。Hewastodividethetaskwithmybrother，and，intaskslikethese，healwaysengagedwithpeculiarzeal。Hiselocutionwaslesssweetthansonorous；and，therefore，betteradaptedthanthemellifluencesofhisfriend，totheoutrageousvehemenceofthisdrama。
Whatcoulddetainhim？Perhapshelingeredthroughforgetfulness。Yetthiswasincredible。Neverhadhismemorybeenknowntofailuponevenmoretrivialoccasions。Notlessimpossiblewasit，thattheschemehadlostitsattractions，andthathestaid，becausehiscomingwouldaffordhimnogratification。Butwhyshouldweexpecthimtoadheretotheminute？
Anhalfhourelapsed，butPleyelwasstillatadistance。
Perhapshehadmisunderstoodthehourwhichhadbeenproposed。
Perhapshehadconceivedthatto-morrow，andnotto-day，hadbeenselectedforthispurpose:butno。Areviewofprecedingcircumstancesdemonstratedthatsuchmisapprehensionwasimpossible；forhehadhimselfproposedthisday，andthishour。
Thisday，hisattentionwouldnototherwisebeoccupied；butto-morrow，anindispensibleengagementwasforeseen，bywhichallhistimewouldbeengrossed:hisdetention，therefore，mustbeowingtosomeunforeseenandextraordinaryevent。Ourconjectureswerevague，tumultuous，andsometimesfearful。Hissicknessandhisdeathmightpossiblyhavedetainedhim。
Torturedwithsuspense，wesatgazingateachother，andatthepathwhichledfromtheroad。Everyhorsemanthatpassedwas，foramoment，imaginedtobehim。Hoursucceededhour，andthesun，graduallydeclining，atlength，disappeared。Everysignalofhiscomingprovedfallacious，andourhopeswereatlengthdismissed。Hisabsenceaffectedmyfriendsinnoinsupportabledegree。Theyshouldbeobliged，theysaid，todeferthisundertakingtillthemorrow；and，perhaps，theirimpatientcuriositywouldcompelthemtodispenseentirelywithhispresence。Nodoubt，someharmlessoccurrencehaddivertedhimfromhispurpose；andtheytrustedthattheyshouldreceiveasatisfactoryaccountofhiminthemorning。
Itmaybesupposedthatthisdisappointmentaffectedmeinaverydifferentmanner。Iturnedasidemyheadtoconcealmytears。Ifledintosolitude，togiveventtomyreproaches，withoutinterruptionorrestraint。Myheartwasreadytoburstwithindignationandgrief。Pleyelwasnottheonlyobjectofmykeenbutunjustupbraiding。DeeplydidIexecratemyownfolly。ThusfallenintoruinswasthegayfabricwhichIhadreared!Thushadmygoldenvisionmeltedintoair!
HowfondlydidIdreamthatPleyelwasalover!Ifhewere，wouldhehavesufferedanyobstacletohinderhiscoming？Blindandinfatuatedman!Iexclaimed。Thousportestwithhappiness。
Thegoodthatisofferedthee，thouhasttheinsolenceandfollytorefuse。Well，Iwillhenceforthintrustmyfelicitytonoone"skeepingbutmyown。
Thefirstagoniesofthisdisappointmentwouldnotallowmetobereasonableorjust。EverygroundonwhichIhadbuiltthepersuasionthatPleyelwasnotunimpressedinmyfavor，appearedtovanish。ItseemedasifIhadbeenmisledintothisopinion，bythemostpalpableillusions。
Imadesometriflingexcuse，andreturned，muchearlierthanIexpected，tomyownhouse。Iretiredearlytomychamber，withoutdesigningtosleep。Iplacedmyselfatawindow，andgavethereinstoreflection。
Thehatefulanddegradingimpulseswhichhadlatelycontrouledmewere，insomedegree，removed。Newdejectionsucceeded，butwasnowproducedbycontemplatingmylatebehaviour。Surelythatpassionisworthytobeabhorredwhichobscuresourunderstanding，andurgesustothecommissionofinjustice。WhatrighthadItoexpecthisattendance？HadI
notdemeanedmyselflikeoneindifferenttohishappiness，andashavingbestowedmyregardsuponanother？HisabsencemightbepromptedbythelovewhichIconsideredhisabsenceasaproofthathewanted。Hecamenotbecausethesightofme，thespectacleofmycoldnessoraversion，contributedtohisdespair。WhyshouldIprolong，byhypocrisyorsilence，hismiseryaswellasmyown？Whynotdealwithhimexplicitly，andassurehimofthetruth？
Youwillhardlybelievethat，inobediencetothissuggestion，Iroseforthepurposeoforderingalight，thatI
mightinstantlymakethisconfessioninaletter。Asecondthoughtshewedmetherashnessofthisscheme，andIwonderedbywhatinfirmityofmindIcouldbebetrayedintoamomentaryapprobationofit。Isawwiththeutmostclearnessthataconfessionlikethatwouldbethemostremedilessandunpardonableoutrageuponthedignityofmysex，andutterlyunworthyofthatpassionwhichcontrouledme。
Iresumedmyseatandmymusing。ToaccountfortheabsenceofPleyelbecameoncemorethescopeofmyconjectures。Howmanyincidentsmightoccurtoraiseaninsuperableimpedimentinhisway？WhenIwasachild，aschemeofpleasure，inwhichheandhissisterwereparties，hadbeen，inlikemanner，frustratedbyhisabsence；buthisabsence，inthatinstance，hadbeenoccasionedbyhisfallingfromaboatintotheriver，inconsequenceofwhichhehadrunthemostimminenthazardofbeingdrowned。Herewasaseconddisappointmentenduredbythesamepersons，andproducedbyhisfailure。Mightitnotoriginateinthesamecause？HadhenotdesignedtocrosstheriverthatmorningtomakesomenecessarypurchasesinJersey？
Hehadpreconcertedtoreturntohisownhousetodinner；but，perhaps，somedisasterhadbefallenhim。Experiencehadtaughtmetheinsecurityofacanoe，andthatwastheonlykindofboatwhichPleyelused:Iwas，likewise，actuatedbyanhereditarydreadofwater。Thesecircumstancescombinedtobestowconsiderableplausibilityonthisconjecture；buttheconsternationwithwhichIbegantobeseizedwasallayedbyreflecting，thatifthisdisasterhadhappenedmybrotherwouldhavereceivedthespeediestinformationofit。Theconsolationwhichthisideaimpartedwasravishedfrommebyanewthought。
Thisdisastermighthavehappened，andhisfamilynotbeapprizedofit。Thefirstintelligenceofhisfatemaybecommunicatedbythelividcorpsewhichthetidemaycast，manydayshence，upontheshore。
ThuswasIdistressedbyoppositeconjectures:thuswasI
tormentedbyphantomsofmyowncreation。Itwasnotalwaysthus。Icanascertainthedatewhenmymindbecamethevictimofthisimbecility；perhapsitwascoevalwiththeinroadofafatalpassion；apassionthatwillneverrankmeinthenumberofitseulogists；itwasalonesufficienttotheexterminationofmypeace:itwasitselfaplenteoussourceofcalamity，andneedednottheconcurrenceofotherevilstotakeawaytheattractionsofexistence，anddigformeanuntimelygrave。
Thestateofmymindnaturallyintroducedatrainofreflectionsuponthedangersandcareswhichinevitablybesetanhumanbeing。BynoviolenttransitionwasIledtoponderontheturbulentlifeandmysteriousendofmyfather。I
cherished，withtheutmostveneration，thememoryofthisman，andeveryreliqueconnectedwithhisfatewaspreservedwiththemostscrupulouscare。Amongthesewastobenumberedamanuscript，containingmemoirsofhisownlife。Thenarrativewasbynomeansrecommendedbyitseloquence；butneitherdidallitsvalueflowfrommyrelationshiptotheauthor。Itsstilehadanunaffectedandpicturesquesimplicity。Thegreatvarietyandcircumstantialdisplayoftheincidents，togetherwiththeirintrinsicimportance，asdescriptiveofhumanmannersandpassions，madeitthemostusefulbookinmycollection。Itwaslate；butbeingsensibleofnoinclinationtosleep，I
resolvedtobetakemyselftotheperusalofit。
Todothisitwasrequisitetoprocurealight。Thegirlhadlongsinceretiredtoherchamber:itwasthereforepropertowaituponmyself。Alamp，andthemeansoflightingit，wereonlytobefoundinthekitchen。ThitherIresolvedforthwithtorepair；butthelightwasofusemerelytoenablemetoreadthebook。Iknewtheshelfandthespotwhereitstood。
WhetherItookdownthebook，orpreparedthelampinthefirstplace，appearedtobeamatterofnomoment。Thelatterwaspreferred，and，leavingmyseat，Iapproachedtheclosetinwhich，asImentionedformerly，mybooksandpapersweredeposited。
Suddenlytheremembranceofwhathadlatelypassedinthisclosetoccurred。Whethermidnightwasapproaching，orhadpassed，Iknewnot。Iwas，asthen，alone，anddefenceless。
Thewindwasinthatdirectioninwhich，aidedbythedeathlikereposeofnature，itbroughttomethemurmurofthewater-fall。
Thiswasmingledwiththatsolemnandenchantingsound，whichabreezeproducesamongtheleavesofpines。Thewordsofthatmysteriousdialogue，theirfearfulimport，andthewildexcesstowhichIwastransportedbymyterrors，filledmyimaginationanew。Mystepsfaultered，andIstoodamomenttorecovermyself。
Iprevailedonmyselfatlengthtomovetowardsthecloset。
Itouchedthelock，butmyfingerswerepowerless；Iwasvisitedafreshbyunconquerableapprehensions。Asortofbeliefdartedintomymind，thatsomebeingwasconcealedwithin，whosepurposeswereevil。Ibegantocontendwiththosefears，whenitoccurredtomethatImight，withoutimpropriety，goforalamppreviouslytoopeningthecloset。Irecededafewsteps；
butbeforeIreachedmychamberdoormythoughtstookanewdirection。Motionseemedtoproduceamechanicalinfluenceuponme。Iwasashamedofmyweakness。Besides，whataidcouldbeaffordedmebyalamp？
Myfearshadpicturedtothemselvesnopreciseobject。Itwouldbedifficulttodepict，inwords，theingredientsandhuesofthatphantomwhichhauntedme。Anhandinvisibleandofpreternaturalstrength，liftedbyhumanpassions，andselectingmylifeforitsaim，werepartsofthisterrificimage。Allplaceswerealikeaccessibletothisfoe，orifhisempirewererestrictedbylocalbounds，thoseboundswereutterlyinscrutablebyme。ButhadInotbeentoldbysomeoneinleaguewiththisenemy，thateveryplacebuttherecessinthebankwasexemptfromdanger？
Ireturnedtothecloset，andoncemoreputmyhanduponthelock。O!maymyearslosetheirsensibility，eretheybeagainassailedbyashrieksoterrible!Notmerelymyunderstandingwassubduedbythesound:itactedonmynerveslikeanedgeofsteel。Itappearedtocutasunderthefibresofmybrain，andrackeveryjointwithagony。
Thecry，loudandpiercingasitwas，wasneverthelesshuman。
Noarticulationwasevermoredistinct。Thebreathwhichaccompanieditdidnotfanmyhair，yetdideverycircumstancecombinetopersuademethatthelipswhichutteredittouchedmyveryshoulder。
"Hold!Hold!"werethewordsofthistremendousprohibition，inwhosetonethewholesoulseemedtobewrappedup，andeveryenergyconvertedintoeagernessandterror。
Shuddering，Idashedmyselfagainstthewall，andbythesameinvoluntaryimpulse，turnedmyfacebackwardtoexaminethemysteriousmonitor。Themoon-lightstreamedintoeachwindow，andeverycorneroftheroomwasconspicuous，andyetIbeheldnothing!
Theintervalwastoobrieftobeartificiallymeasured，betweentheutteranceofthesewords，andmyscrutinydirectedtothequarterwhencetheycame。Yetifahumanbeinghadbeenthere，couldhefailtohavebeenvisible？Whichofmysenseswasthepreyofafatalillusion？Theshockwhichthesoundproducedwasstillfeltineverypartofmyframe。Thesound，therefore，couldnotbutbeagenuinecommotion。ButthatIhadheardit，wasnotmoretruethanthatthebeingwhouttereditwasstationedatmyrightear；yetmyattendantwasinvisible。
Icannotdescribethestateofmythoughtsatthatmoment。
Surprizehadmasteredmyfaculties。Myframeshook，andthevitalcurrentwascongealed。Iwasconsciousonlytothevehemenceofmysensations。Thisconditioncouldnotbelasting。Likeatide，whichsuddenlymountstoanoverwhelmingheight，andthengraduallysubsides，myconfusionslowlygaveplacetoorder，andmytumultstoacalm。Iwasabletodeliberateandmove。Iresumedmyfeet，andadvancedintothemidstoftheroom。Upward，andbehind，andoneachside，I
threwpenetratingglances。Iwasnotsatisfiedwithoneexamination。Hethathithertorefusedtobeseen，mightchangehispurpose，andonthenextsurveybeclearlydistinguishable。
Solitudeimposesleastrestraintuponthefancy。Darkislessfertileofimagesthanthefeeblelustreofthemoon。I
wasalone，andthewallswerechequeredbyshadowyforms。Asthemoonpassedbehindacloudandemerged，theseshadowsseemedtobeendowedwithlife，andtomove。Theapartmentwasopentothebreeze，andthecurtainwasoccasionallyblownfromitsordinaryposition。Thismotionwasnotunaccompaniedwithsound。Ifailednottosnatchalook，andtolistenwhenthismotionandthissoundoccurred。Mybeliefthatmymonitorwaspostednear，wasstrong，andinstantlyconvertedtheseappearancestotokensofhispresence，andyetIcoulddiscernnothing。
Whenmythoughtswereatlengthpermittedtoreverttothepast，thefirstideathatoccurredwastheresemblancebetweenthewordsofthevoicewhichIhadjustheard，andthosewhichhadterminatedmydreaminthesummer-house。Therearemeansbywhichweareabletodistinguishasubstancefromashadow，arealityfromthephantomofadream。Thepit，mybrotherbeckoningmeforward，theseizureofmyarm，andthevoicebehind，weresurelyimaginary。Thattheseincidentswerefashionedinmysleep，issupportedbythesameindubitableevidencethatcompelsmetobelievemyselfawakeatpresent；yetthewordsandthevoicewerethesame。Then，bysomeinexplicablecontrivance，Iwasawareofthedanger，whilemyactionsandsensationswerethoseofonewhollyunacquaintedwithit。Now，wasitnotequallytruethatmyactionsandpersuasionswereatwar？Hadnotthebelief，thatevillurkedinthecloset，gainedadmittance，andhadnotmyactionsbetokenedanunwarrantablesecurity？Toobviatetheeffectsofmyinfatuation，thesamemeanshadbeenused。
Inmydream，hethattemptedmetomydestruction，wasmybrother。Deathwasambushedinmypath。FromwhatevilwasI
nowrescued？Whatministerorimplementofillwasshutupinthisrecess？WhowasitwhosesuffocatinggraspIwastofeel，shouldIdaretoenterit？Whatmonstrousconceptionisthis？
mybrother!
No；protection，andnotinjuryishisprovince。Strangeandterriblechimera!Yetitwouldnotbesuddenlydismissed。Itwassurelynovulgaragencythatgavethisformtomyfears。Hetowhomallpartsoftimeareequallypresent，whomnocontingencyapproaches，wastheauthorofthatspellwhichnowseizeduponme。Lifewasdeartome。Noconsiderationwaspresentthatenjoinedmetorelinquishit。Sacreddutycombinedwitheveryspontaneoussentimenttoendeartomemybeing。
ShouldInotshudderwhenmybeingwasendangered？ButwhatemotionshouldpossessmewhenthearmliftedaginstmewasWieland"s？
Ideasexistinourmindsthatcanbeaccountedforbynoestablishedlaws。WhydidIdreamthatmybrotherwasmyfoe？
Whybutbecauseanomenofmyfatewasordainedtobecommunicated？Yetwhatsalutaryenddiditserve？Diditarmmewithcautiontoelude，orfortitudetobeartheevilstowhichIwasreserved？Mypresentthoughtswere，nodoubt，indebtedfortheirhuetothesimilitudeexistingbetweentheseincidentsandthoseofmydream。Surelyitwasphrenzythatdictatedmydeed。Thataruffianwashiddeninthecloset，wasanidea，thegenuinetendencyofwhichwastourgemetoflight。
Suchhadbeentheeffectformerlyproduced。Hadmymindbeensimplyoccupiedwiththisthoughtatpresent，nodoubt，thesameimpulsewouldhavebeenexperienced；butnowitwasmybrotherwhomIwasirresistablypersuadedtoregardasthecontriverofthatillofwhichIhadbeenforewarned。Thispersuasiondidnotextenuatemyfearsormydanger。WhythendidIagainapproachtheclosetandwithdrawthebolt？Myresolutionwasinstantlyconceived，andexecutedwithoutfaultering。
Thedoorwasformedoflightmaterials。Thelock，ofsimplestructure，easilyforewentitshold。Itopenedintotheroom，andcommonlymoveduponitshinges，afterbeingunfastened，withoutanyeffortofmine。Thiseffort，however，wasbestoweduponthepresentoccasion。Itwasmypurposetoopenitwithquickness，buttheexertionwhichImadewasineffectual。Itrefusedtoopen。
Atanothertime，thiscircumstancewouldnothavelookedwithafaceofmystery。Ishouldhavesupposedsomecasualobstruction，andrepeatedmyeffortstosurmountit。Butnowmymindwasaccessibletonoconjecturebutone。Thedoorwashinderedfromopeningbyhumanforce。Surely，herewasnewcauseforaffright。Thiswasconfirmationpropertodecidemyconduct。Nowwasallgroundofhesitationtakenaway。WhatcouldbesupposedbutthatIdesertedthechamberandthehouse？
thatIatleastendeavourednolongertowithdrawthedoor？
HaveInotsaidthatmyactionsweredictatedbyphrenzy？Myreasonhadforborne，foratime，tosuggestortoswaymyresolves。Ireiteratedmyendeavours。Iexertedallmyforcetoovercometheobstacle，butinvain。Thestrengththatwasexertedtokeepitshut，wassuperiortomine。
Acasualobservermight，perhaps，applaudtheaudaciousnessofthisconduct。Whence，butfromanhabitualdefianceofdanger，couldmyperseverancearise？Ihavealreadyassigned，asdistinctlyasIamable，thecauseofit。Thefranticconceptionthatmybrotherwaswithin，thattheresistancemadetomydesignwasexertedbyhim，hadrooteditselfinmymind。
Youwillcomprehendtheheightofthisinfatuation，whenItellyou，that，findingallmyexertionsvain，Ibetookmyselftoexclamations。SurelyIwasutterlybereftofunderstanding。
NowhadIarrivedatthecrisisofmyfate。"O!hindernotthedoortoopen，"Iexclaimed，inatonethathadlessoffearthanofgriefinit。"Iknowyouwell。Comeforth，butharmmenot。Ibeseechyoucomeforth。"
Ihadtakenmyhandfromthelock，andremovedtoasmalldistancefromthedoor。Ihadscarcelyutteredthesewords，whenthedoorswunguponitshinges，anddisplayedtomyviewtheinteriorofthecloset。Whoeverwaswithin，wasshroudedindarkness。Afewsecondspassedwithoutinterruptionofthesilence。Iknewnotwhattoexpectortofear。Myeyeswouldnotstrayfromtherecess。Presently，adeepsighwasheard。
Thequarterfromwhichitcameheightenedtheeagernessofmygaze。Someoneapproachedfromthefartherend。Iquicklyperceivedtheoutlinesofahumanfigure。Itsstepswereirresoluteandslow。Irecoiledasitadvanced。
Bycomingatlengthwithinthevergeoftheroom，hisformwasclearlydistinguishable。Ihadprefiguredtomyselfaverydifferentpersonage。ThefacethatpresenteditselfwasthelastthatIshoulddesiretomeetatanhour，andinaplacelikethis。Mywonderwasstifledbymyfears。Assassinshadlurkedinthisrecess。Somedivinevoicewarnedmeofdanger，thatatthismomentawaitedme。Ihadspurnedtheintimation，andchallengedmyadversary。
IrecalledthemysteriouscountenanceanddubiouscharacterofCarwin。Whatmotivebutatrociousonescouldguidehisstepshither？Iwasalone。Myhabitsuitedthehour，andtheplace，andthewarmthoftheseason。Allsuccourwasremote。Hehadplacedhimselfbetweenmeandthedoor。Myframeshookwiththevehemenceofmyapprehensions。
YetIwasnotwhollylosttomyself:Ivigilantlymarkedhisdemeanour。Hislooksweregrave，butnotwithoutperturbation。
Whatspeciesofinquietudeitbetrayed，thelightwasnotstrongenoughtoenablemetodiscover。Hestoodstill；buthiseyeswanderedfromoneobjecttoanother。Whenthesepowerfulorganswerefixeduponme，Ishrunkintomyself。Atlength，hebrokesilence。Earnestness，andnotembarrassment，wasinhistone。
Headvancedclosetomewhilehespoke。
"Whatvoicewasthatwhichlatelyaddressedyou？"
Hepausedforananswer；butobservingmytrepidation，heresumed，withundiminishedsolemnity:"Benotterrified。
Whoeverhewas，hehastdoneyouanimportantservice。Ineednotaskyouifitwerethevoiceofacompanion。Thatsoundwasbeyondthecompassofhumanorgans。Theknowledgethatenabledhimtotellyouwhowasinthecloset，wasobtainedbyincomprehensiblemeans。
"YouknewthatCarwinwasthere。Wereyounotapprizedofhisintents？Thesamepowercouldimparttheoneaswellastheother。Yet，knowingthese，youpersisted。Audaciousgirl!but，perhaps，youconfidedinhisguardianship。Yourconfidencewasjust。Withsuccourlikethisathandyoumaysafelydefyme。
"Heismyeternalfoe；thebafflerofmybestconcertedschemes。Twicehaveyoubeensavedbyhisaccursedinterposition。ButforhimIshouldlongerenowhaveborneawaythespoilsofyourhonor。"
Helookedatmewithgreaterstedfastnessthanbefore。I
becameeverymomentmoreanxiousformysafety。ItwaswithdifficultyIstammeredoutanentreatythathewouldinstantlydepart，orsuffermetodoso。Hepaidnoregardtomyrequest，butproceededinamoreimpassionedmanner。
"Whatisityoufear？HaveInottoldyou，youaresafe？
Hasnotoneinwhomyoumorereasonablyplacetrustassuredyouofit？EvenifIexecutemypurpose，whatinjuryisdone？Yourprejudiceswillcallitbythatname，butitmeritsitnot。
"Iwasimpelledbyasentimentthatdoesyouhonor；asentiment，thatwouldsanctifymydeed；but，whateveritbe，youaresafe。Bethischimerastillworshipped；Iwilldonothingtopolluteit。"Therehestopped。
Theaccentsandgesturesofthismanleftmedrainedofallcourage。Surely，onnootheroccasionshouldIhavebeenthuspusillanimous。MystateIregardedasahopelessone。Iwaswhollyatthemercyofthisbeing。WhicheverwayIturnedmyeyes，IsawnoavenuebywhichImightescape。Theresourcesofmypersonalstrength，myingenuity，andmyeloquence，I
estimatedatnothing。Thedignityofvirtue，andtheforceoftruth，Ihadbeenaccustomedtocelebrate；andhadfrequentlyvauntedoftheconquestswhichIshouldmakewiththeirassistance。
Iusedtosupposethatcertainevilscouldneverbefallabeinginpossessionofasoundmind；thattruevirtuesuppliesuswithenergywhichvicecanneverresist；thatitwasalwaysinourpowertoobstruct，byhisowndeath，thedesignsofanenemywhoaimedatlessthanourlife。Howwasitthatasentimentlikedespairhadnowinvadedme，andthatItrustedtotheprotectionofchance，ortothepityofmypersecutor？
Hiswordsimpartedsomenotionoftheinjurywhichhehadmeditated。Hetalkedofobstaclesthathadriseninhisway。
Hehadrelinquishedhisdesign。Thesesourcessuppliedmewithslenderconsolation。Therewasnosecuritybutinhisabsence。
WhenIlookedatmyself，whenIreflectedonthehourandtheplace，Iwasoverpoweredbyhorroranddejection。
Hewassilent，museful，andinattentivetomysituation，yetmadenomotiontodepart。Iwassilentinmyturn。WhatcouldIsay？Iwasconfidentthatreasoninthiscontestwouldbeimpotent。Imustowemysafetytohisownsuggestions。
Whateverpurposebroughthimhither，hehadchangedit。Whythendidheremain？Hisresolutionsmightfluctuate，andthepauseofafewminutesrestoretohimhisfirstresolutions。
Yetwasnotthisthemanwhomwehadtreatedwithunweariedkindness？Whosesocietywasendearedtousbyhisintellectualelevationandaccomplishments？Whohadathousandtimesexpatiatedontheusefulnessandbeautyofvirtue？Whyshouldsuchaonebedreaded？IfIcouldhaveforgottenthecircumstancesinwhichourinterviewhadtakenplace，Imighthavetreatedhiswordsasjests。Presently，heresumed:
"Fearmenot:thespacethatseversusissmall，andallvisiblesuccourisdistant。Youbelieveyourselfcompletelyinmypower；thatyoustanduponthebrinkofruin。Suchareyourgroundlessfears。Icannotliftafingertohurtyou。Easieritwouldbetostopthemooninhercoursethantoinjureyou。
Thepowerthatprotectsyouwouldcrumblemysinews，andreducemetoaheapofashesinamoment，ifIweretoharbourathoughthostiletoyoursafety。
"Thusareappearancesatlengthsolved。LittledidIexpectthattheyoriginatedhence。Whataportionisassignedtoyou？
Scannedbytheeyesofthisintelligence，yourpathwillbewithoutpitstoswallow，orsnarestoentangleyou。Environedbythearmsofthisprotection，allartificeswillbefrustrated，andallmalicerepelled。"
Heresucceededanewpause。Iwasstillobservantofeverygestureandlook。Thetranquilsolemnitythathadlatelypossessedhiscountenancegavewaytoanewexpression。Allnowwastrepidationandanxiety。
"Imustbegone，"saidheinafalteringaccent。"WhydoI
lingerhere？Iwillnotaskyourforgiveness。Iseethatyourterrorsareinvincible。Yourpardonwillbeextortedbyfear，andnotdictatedbycompassion。Imustflyfromyouforever。
Hethatcouldplotagainstyourhonor，mustexpectfromyouandyourfriendspersecutionanddeath。Imustdoommyselftoendlessexile。"
Sayingthis，hehastilylefttheroom。Ilistenedwhilehedescendedthestairs，and，unboltingtheouterdoor，wentforth。
Ididnotfollowhimwithmyeyes，asthemoon-lightwouldhaveenabledmetodo。Relievedbyhisabsence，andexhaustedbytheconflictofmyfears，Ithrewmyselfonachair，andresignedmyselftothosebewilderingideaswhichincidentslikethesecouldnotfailtoproduce。
ChapterX
Ordercouldnotreadilybeintroducedintomythoughts。Thevoicestillrunginmyears。EveryaccentthatwasutteredbyCarwinwasfreshinmyremembrance。Hisunwelcomeapproach，therecognitionofhisperson，hishastydeparture，producedacompleximpressiononmymindwhichnowordscandelineate。I
strovetogiveaslowermotiontomythoughts，andtoregulateaconfusionwhichbecamepainful；butmyeffortswerenugatory。
Icoveredmyeyeswithmyhand，andsat，Iknownothowlong，withoutpowertoarrangeoruttermyconceptions。
Ihadremainedforhours，asIbelieved，inabsolutesolitude。Nothoughtofpersonaldangerhadmolestedmytranquillity。Ihadmadenopreparationfordefence。Whatwasitthatsuggestedthedesignofperusingmyfather"smanuscript？
If，insteadofthis，Ihadretiredtobed，andtosleep，towhatfatemightInothavebeenreserved？Theruffian，whomustalmosthavesuppressedhisbreathingtoscreenhimselffromdiscovery，wouldhavenoticedthissignal，andIshouldhaveawakenedonlytoperishwithaffright，andtoabhormyself。
CouldIhaveremainedunconsciousofmydanger？CouldIhavetranquillysleptinthemidstofsodeadlyasnare？
Andwhowashethatthreatenedtodestroyme？Bywhatmeanscouldhehidehimselfinthiscloset？Surelyheisgiftedwithsupernaturalpower。SuchistheenemyofwhoseattemptsIwasforewarned。DailyIhadseenhimandconversedwithhim。
Nothingcouldbediscernedthroughtheimpenetrableveilofhisduplicity。Whenbusiedinconjectures，astotheauthoroftheevilthatwasthreatened，myminddidnotlight，foramoment，uponhisimage。Yethashenotavowedhimselfmyenemy？Whyshouldhebehereifhehadnotmeditatedevil？
Heconfessesthatthishasbeenhissecondattempt。Whatwasthesceneofhisformerconspiracy？Wasitnothewhosewhispersbetrayedhim？AmIdeceived；orwastherenotafaintresemblancebetweenthevoiceofthismanandthatwhichtalkedofgraspingmythroat，andextinguishingmylifeinamoment？
Thenhehadacolleagueinhiscrime；nowheisalone。Thendeathwasthescopeofhisthoughts；nowaninjuryunspeakablymoredreadful。HowthankfulshouldIbetothepowerthathasinterposedtosaveme!
Thatpowerisinvisible。Itissubjecttothecognizanceofoneofmysenses。Whatarethemeansthatwillinformmeofwhatnatureitis？Hehassethimselftocounterworkthemachinationsofthisman，whohadmenaceddestructiontoallthatisdeartome，andwhosecunninghadsurmountedeveryhumanimpediment。Therewasnonetorescuemefromhisgrasp。Myrashnessevenhastenedthecompletionofhisscheme，andprecludedhimfromthebenefitsofdeliberation。Ihadrobbedhimofthepowertorepentandforbear。HadIbeenapprizedofthedanger，Ishouldhaveregardedmyconductasthemeansofrenderingmyescapefromitimpossible。Such，likewise，seemtohavebeenthefearsofmyinvisibleprotector。Elsewhythatstartlingintreatytorefrainfromopeningthecloset？BywhatinexplicableinfatuationwasIcompelledtoproceed？
Yetmyconductwaswise。Carwin，unabletocomprehendmyfolly，ascribedmybehaviourtomyknowledge。Heconceivedhimselfpreviouslydetected，andsuchdetectionbeingpossibletoflowonlyfromMYheavenlyfriend，andHISenemy，hisfearsacquiredadditionalstrength。
Heisapprizedofthenatureandintentionsofthisbeing。
Perhapsheisahumanagent。Yet，onthatsuppositionhisatchievementsareincredible。WhyshouldIbeselectedastheobjectofhiscare；or，ifameremortal，shouldInotrecognizesomeone，whom，benefitsimpartedandreceivedhadpromptedtoloveme？Whatwerethelimitsanddurationofhisguardianship？
Wasthegeniusofmybirthentrustedbydivinebenignitywiththisprovince？ArehumanfacultiesadequatetoreceivestrongerproofsoftheexistenceofunfetteredandbeneficentintelligencesthanIhavereceived？
Butwhowasthisman"scoadjutor？ThevoicethatacknowledgedanallianceintreacherywithCarwinwarnedmetoavoidthesummer-house。Heassuredmethatthereonlymysafetywasendangered。Hisassurance，asitnowappears，wasfallacious。Wastherenotdeceitinhisadmonition？Washiscompactreallyannulled？Somepurposewas，perhaps，tobeaccomplishedbypreventingmyfuturevisitstothatspot。WhywasIenjoinedsilencetoothers，onthesubjectofthisadmonition，unlessitwereforsomeunauthorizedandguiltypurpose？
Noonebutmyselfwasaccustomedtovisitit。Backward，itwashiddenfromdistantviewbytherock，andinfront，itwasscreenedfromallexamination，bycreepingplants，andthebranchesofcedars。Whatrecesscouldbemorepropitioustosecrecy？Thespiritwhichhaunteditformerlywaspureandrapturous。Itwasafanesacredtothememoryofinfantiledays，andtoblissfulimaginationsofthefuture!Whatagloomyreversehadsucceededsincetheominousarrivalofthisstranger!Now，perhaps，itisthesceneofhismeditations。
Purposesfraughtwithhorror，thatshunthelight，andcontemplatethepollutionofinnocence，arehereengendered，andfostered，andrearedtomaturity。
Suchweretheideasthat，duringthenight，weretumultuouslyrevolvedbyme。IreviewedeveryconversationinwhichCarwinhadborneapart。Istudiedtodiscoverthetrueinferencesdeduciblefromhisdeportmentandwordswithregardtohisformeradventuresandactualviews。IponderedonthecommentswhichhemadeontherelationwhichIhadgivenoftheclosetdialogue。Nonewideassuggestedthemselvesinthecourseofthisreview。Myexpectationhad，fromthefirst，beendisappointedonthesmalldegreeofsurprizewhichthisnarrativeexcitedinhim。Heneverexplicitlydeclaredhisopinionastothenatureofthosevoices，ordecidedwhethertheywererealorvisionary。Herecommendednomeasuresofcautionorprevention。
Butwhatmeasureswerenowtobetaken？Wasthedangerwhichthreatenedmeatanend？HadInothingmoretofear？Iwaslonely，andwithoutmeansofdefence。Icouldnotcalculatethemotivesandregulatethefootstepsofthisperson。Whatcertaintywasthere，thathewouldnotre-assumehispurposes，andswiftlyreturntotheexecutionofthem？
Thisideacoveredmeoncemorewithdismay。HowdeeplydidIregretthesolitudeinwhichIwasplaced，andhowardentlydidIdesirethereturnofday!Butneitheroftheseinconvenienciesweresusceptibleofremedy。Atfirst，itoccurredtometosummonmyservant，andmakeherspendthenightinmychamber；buttheinefficacyofthisexpedienttoenhancemysafetywaseasilyseen。OnceIresolvedtoleavethehouse，andretiretomybrother"s，butwasdeterredbyreflectingontheunseasonablenessofthehour，onthealarmwhichmyarrival，andtheaccountwhichIshouldbeobligedtogive，mightoccasion，andonthedangertowhichImightexposemyselfinthewaythither。Ibegan，likewise，toconsiderCarwin"sreturntomolestmeasexceedinglyimprobable。Hehadrelinquished，ofhisownaccord，hisdesign，anddepartedwithoutcompulsion。
"Surely，"saidI，"thereisomnipotenceinthecausethatchangedtheviewsofamanlikeCarwin。Thedivinitythatshieldedmefromhisattemptswilltakesuitablecareofmyfuturesafety。Thustoyieldtomyfearsistodeservethattheyshouldbereal。"