第6章

ScarcelyhadIutteredthesewords，whenmyattentionwasstartledbythesoundoffootsteps。Theydenotedsomeonesteppingintothepiazzainfrontofmyhouse。Mynew-bornconfidencewasextinguishedinamoment。Carwin，Ithought，hadrepentedhisdeparture，andwashastilyreturning。Thepossibilitythathisreturnwaspromptedbyintentionsconsistentwithmysafety，foundnoplaceinmymind。Imagesofviolationandmurderassailedmeanew，andtheterrorswhichsucceededalmostincapacitatedmefromtakinganymeasuresformydefence。ItwasanimpulseofwhichIwasscarcelyconscious，thatmademefastenthelockanddrawtheboltsofmychamberdoor。Havingdonethis，Ithrewmyselfonaseat；forItrembledtoadegreewhichdisabledmefromstanding，andmysoulwassoperfectlyabsorbedintheactoflistening，thatalmostthevitalmotionswerestopped。

Thedoorbelowcreakedonitshinges。Itwasnotagainthrustto，butappearedtoremainopen。Footstepsentered，traversedtheentry，andbegantomountthestairs。HowI

detestedthefollyofnotpursuingthemanwhenhewithdrew，andboltingafterhimtheouterdoor!Mighthenotconceivethisomissiontobeaproofthatmyangelhaddesertedme，andbetherebyfortifiedinguilt？

Everysteponthestairs，whichbroughthimnearertomychamber，addedvigortomydesperation。TheevilwithwhichI

wasmenacedwastobeatanyrateeluded。HowlittledidI

preconceivetheconductwhich，inanexigencelikethis，I

shouldbepronetoadopt。Youwillsupposethatdeliberationanddespairwouldhavesuggestedthesamecourseofaction，andthatIshouldhave，unhesitatingly，resortedtothebestmeansofpersonaldefencewithinmypower。Apenknifelayopenuponmytable。Irememberedthatitwasthere，andseizedit。Forwhatpurposeyouwillscarcelyinquire。ItwillbeimmediatelysupposedthatImeantitformylastrefuge，andthatifallothermeansshouldfail，Ishouldplungeitintotheheartofmyravisher。

Ihavelostallfaithinthestedfastnessofhumanresolves。

ItwasthusthatinperiodsofcalmIhaddeterminedtoact。Nocowardicehadbeenheldbymeingreaterabhorrencethanthatwhichpromptedaninjuredfemaletodestroy，notherinjurereretheinjurywasperpetrated，butherselfwhenitwaswithoutremedy。Yetnowthispenknifeappearedtomeofnootherusethantobafflemyassailant，andpreventthecrimebydestroyingmyself。Todeliberateatsuchatimewasimpossible；butamongthetumultuoussuggestionsofthemoment，Idonotrecollectthatitonceoccurredtometouseitasaninstrumentofdirectdefence。

Thestepshadnowreachedthesecondfloor。Everyfootfallacceleratedthecompletion，withoutaugmenting，thecertaintyofevil。Theconsciousnessthatthedoorwasfast，nowthatnothingbutthatwasinterposedbetweenmeanddanger，wasasourceofsomeconsolation。Icastmyeyetowardsthewindow。

This，likewise，wasanewsuggestion。Ifthedoorshouldgiveway，itwasmysuddenresolutiontothrowmyselffromthewindow。Itsheightfromtheground，whichwascoveredbeneathbyabrickpavement，wouldinsuremydestruction；butIthoughtnotofthat。

Whenoppositetomydoorthefootstepsceased。Washelisteningwhethermyfearswereallayed，andmycautionwereasleep？Didhehopetotakemebysurprize？Yet，ifso，whydidheallowsomanynoisysignalstobetrayhisapproach？

Presentlythestepswereagainheardtoapproachthedoor。Anhandwaslaiduponthelock，andthelatchpulledback。DidheimagineitpossiblethatIshouldfailtosecurethedoor？A

slighteffortwasmadetopushitopen，asifallboltsbeingwithdrawn，aslighteffortonlywasrequired。

Inosoonerperceivedthis，thanImovedswiftlytowardsthewindow。Carwin"sframemightbesaidtobeallmuscle。Hisstrengthandactivityhadappeared，invariousinstances，tobeprodigious。Aslightexertionofhisforcewoulddemolishthedoor。Wouldnotthatexertionbemade？Toosurelyitwould；

but，atthesamemomentthatthisobstacleshouldyield，andheshouldentertheapartment，mydeterminationwasformedtoleapfromthewindow。Mysenseswerestillboundtothisobject。I

gazedatthedoorinmomentaryexpectationthattheassaultwouldbemade。Thepausecontinued。Thepersonwithoutwasirresoluteandmotionless。

Suddenly，itoccurredtomethatCarwinmightconceivemetohavefled。ThatIhadnotbetakenmyselftoflightwas，indeed，theleastprobableofallconclusions。Inthispersuasionhemusthavebeenconfirmedonfindingthelowerdoorunfastened，andthechamberdoorlocked。Wasitnotwisetofosterthispersuasion？ShouldImaintaindeepsilence，this，inadditiontoothercircumstances，mightencouragethebelief，andhewouldoncemoredepart。Everynewreflectionaddedplausibilitytothisreasoning。Itwaspresentlymorestronglyenforced，whenInoticedfootstepswithdrawingfromthedoor。Thebloodoncemoreflowedbacktomyheart，andadawnofexultationbegantorise:butmyjoywasshortlived。Insteadofdescendingthestairs，hepassedtothedooroftheoppositechamber，openedit，andhavingentered，shutitafterhimwithaviolencethatshookthehouse。

HowwasItointerpretthiscircumstance？Forwhatendcouldhehaveenteredthischamber？Didtheviolencewithwhichheclosedthedoortestifythedepthofhisvexation？ThisroomwasusuallyoccupiedbyPleyel。WasCarwinawareofhisabsenceonthisnight？Couldhebesuspectedofadesignsosordidaspillage？Ifthiswerehisviewtherewerenomeansinmypowertofrustrateit。Itbehovedmetoseizethefirstopportunitytoescape；butifmyescapeweresupposedbymyenemytohavebeenalreadyeffected，noasylumwasmoresecurethanthepresent。Howcouldmypassagefromthehousebeaccomplishedwithoutnoisesthatmightincitehimtopursueme？

UtterlyatalosstoaccountforhisgoingintoPleyel"schamber，Iwaitedininstantexpectationofhearinghimcomeforth。All，however，wasprofoundlystill。Ilistenedinvainforaconsiderableperiod，tocatchthesoundofthedoorwhenitshouldagainbeopened。Therewasnootheravenuebywhichhecouldescape，butadoorwhichledintothegirl"schamber。

Wouldanyevilfromthisquarterbefallthegirl？

Hencearoseanewtrainofapprehensions。Theymerelyaddedtotheturbulenceandagonyofmyreflections。Whateverevilimpendedoverher，Ihadnopowertoavertit。Seclusionandsilenceweretheonlymeansofsavingmyselffromtheperilsofthisfatalnight。WhatsolemnvowsdidIputup，thatifI

shouldoncemorebeholdthelightofday，Iwouldnevertrustmyselfagainwithinthethresholdofthisdwelling!

Minutelingeredafterminute，butnotokenwasgiventhatCarwinhadreturnedtothepassage。What，Iagainasked，coulddetainhiminthisroom？Wasitpossiblethathehadreturned，andglided，unperceived，away？Iwasspeedilyawareofthedifficultythatattendedanenterprizelikethis；andyet，asifbythatmeansIwerecapableofgaininganyinformationonthathead，Icastanxiouslooksfromthewindow。

Theobjectthatfirstattractedmyattentionwasanhumanfigurestandingontheedgeofthebank。Perhapsmypenetrationwasassistedbymyhopes。Bethatasitwill，thefigureofCarwinwasclearlydistinguishable。Fromtheobscurityofmystation，itwasimpossiblethatIshouldbediscernedbyhim，andyethescarcelysufferedmetocatchaglimpseofhim。Heturnedandwentdownthesteep，which，inthispart，wasnotdifficulttobescaled。

Myconjecturethenhadbeenright。Carwinhassoftlyopenedthedoor，descendedthestairs，andissuedforth。ThatIshouldnothaveoverheardhissteps，wasonlylessincrediblethanthatmyeyeshaddeceivedme。Butwhatwasnowtobedone？Thehousewasatlengthdeliveredfromthisdetestedinmate。Byoneavenuemightheagainre-enter。Wasitnotwisetobarthelowerdoor？Perhapshehadgoneoutbythekitchendoor。Forthisend，hemusthavepassedthroughJudith"schamber。Theseentrancesbeingclosedandbolted，asgreatsecuritywasgainedaswascompatiblewithmylonelycondition。

Theproprietyofthesemeasureswastoomanifestnottomakemestrugglesuccessfullywithmyfears。YetIopenedmyowndoorwiththeutmostcaution，anddescendedasifIwereafraidthatCarwinhadbeenstillimmuredinPleyel"schamber。Theouterdoorwasa-jar。Ishut，withtremblingeagerness，anddreweveryboltthatappendedtoit。Ithenpassedwithlightandlesscautiousstepsthroughtheparlour，butwassurprizedtodiscoverthatthekitchendoorwassecure。IwascompelledtoacquiesceinthefirstconjecturethatCarwinhadescapedthroughtheentry。

Myheartwasnowsomewhateasedoftheloadofapprehension。

Ireturnedoncemoretomychamber，thedoorofwhichIwascarefultolock。Itwasnotimetothinkofrepose。Themoon-lightbeganalreadytofadebeforethelightoftheday。

Theapproachofmorningwasbetokenedbytheusualsignals。I

musedupontheeventsofthisnight，anddeterminedtotakeupmyabodehenceforthatmybrother"s。WhetherIshouldinformhimofwhathadhappenedwasaquestionwhichseemedtodemandsomeconsideration。MysafetyunquestionablyrequiredthatI

shouldabandonmypresenthabitation。

Asmythoughtsbegantoflowwithfewerimpediments，theimageofPleyel，andthedubiousnessofhiscondition，againrecurredtome。Iagainranoverthepossiblecausesofhisabsenceontheprecedingday。Mymindwasattunedtomelancholy。Idwelt，withanobstinacyforwhichIcouldnotaccount，ontheideaofhisdeath。Ipaintedtomyselfhisstruggleswiththebillows，andhislastappearance。Iimaginedmyselfamidnightwandererontheshore，andtohavestumbledonhiscorpse，whichthetidehadcastup。Thesedrearyimagesaffectedmeeventotears。Iendeavourednottorestrainthem。

TheyimpartedareliefwhichIhadnotanticipated。Themorecopiouslytheyflowed，themoredidmygeneralsensationsappeartosubsideintocalm，andacertainrestlessnessgivewaytorepose。

Perhaps，relievedbythiseffusion，theslumbersomuchwantedmighthavestolenonmysenses，hadtherebeennonewcauseofalarm。

ChapterXI

Iwasarousedfromthisstuporbysoundsthatevidentlyaroseinthenextchamber。WasitpossiblethatIhadbeenmistakeninthefigurewhichIhadseenonthebank？orhadCarwin，bysomeinscrutablemeans，penetratedoncemoreintothischamber？

Theoppositedooropened；footstepscameforth，andtheperson，advancingtomine，knocked。

Sounexpectedanincidentrobbedmeofallpresenceofmind，and，startingup，Iinvoluntarilyexclaimed，"Whoisthere？"Ananswerwasimmediatelygiven。Thevoice，tomyinexpressibleastonishment，wasPleyel"s。

"ItisI。Haveyourisen？Ifyouhavenot，makehaste；I

wantthreeminutesconversationwithyouintheparlour——Iwillwaitforyouthere。"Sayingthisheretiredfromthedoor。

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，aperceptibleshareincreatingthisimpulse。Iwassilent。

Presentlyheraisedhiseyesandfixedthemuponme。Ireadinthemananguishaltogetherineffable。NeverhadIwitnessedalikedemeanourinPleyel。Never，indeed，hadIobservedanhumancountenanceinwhichgriefwasmorelegiblyinscribed。Heseemedstrugglingforutterance；buthisstrugglesbeingfruitless，heshookhisheadandturnedawayfromme。

Myimpatiencewouldnotallowmetobelongersilent:

"What，"saidI，"forheaven"ssake，myfriend，whatisthematter？"

Hestartedatthesoundofmyvoice。Hislooks，foramoment，becameconvulsedwithanemotionverydifferentfromgrief。Hisaccentswerebrokenwithrage。

"Thematter——Owretch!——thusexquisitelyfashioned——onwhomnatureseemedtohaveexhaustedallhergraces；withcharmssoawfulandsopure!howartthoufallen!Fromwhatheightfallen!Aruinsocomplete——sounheardof!"

Hiswordswereagainchoakedbyemotion。Griefandpitywereagainmingledinhisfeatures。Heresumed，inatonehalfsuffocatedbysobs:

"ButwhyshouldIupbraidthee？CouldIrestoretotheewhatthouhastlost；effacethiscursedstain；snatchtheefromthejawsofthisfiend；Iwoulddoit。Yetwhatwillavailmyefforts？Ihavenotarmswithwhichtocontendwithsoconsummate，sofrightfuladepravity。

"Evidencelessthanthiswouldonlyhaveexcitedresentmentandscorn。Thewretchwhoshouldhavebreathedasuspicioninjurioustothyhonor，wouldhavebeenregardedwithoutanger；

nothatredorenvycouldhavepromptedhim；itwouldmerelybeanargumentofmadness。Thatmyeyes，thatmyears，shouldbearwitnesstothyfall!Bynootherwaycoulddetestibleconvictionbeimparted。

"WhydoIsummontheetothisconference？Whyexposemyselftothyderision？Hereadmonitionandentreatyarevain。Thouknowesthimalready，foramurdererandthief。Ihadthoughttohavebeenthefirsttodisclosetotheehisinfamy；tohavewarnedtheeofthepittowhichthouarthastening；butthyeyesareopeninvain。Ofoulandinsupportabledisgrace!

"Thereisbutonepath。Iknowyouwilldisappeartogether。

Inthyruin，howwillthefelicityandhonorofmultitudesbeinvolved!Butitmustcome。Thissceneshallnotbeblottedbyhispresence。Nodoubtthouwiltshortlyseethydetestedparamour。Thisscenewillbeagainpollutedbyamidnightassignation。Informhimofhisdanger；tellhimthathiscrimesareknown；lethimflyfarandinstantlyfromthisspot，ifhedesirestoavoidthefatewhichmenacedhiminIreland。

"Andwiltthounotstaybehind？——Butshameuponmyweakness。

IknownotwhatIwouldsay——IhavedonewhatIpurposed。Tostaylonger，toexpostulate，tobeseech，toenumeratetheconsequencesofthyact——whatendcanitservebuttoblazonthyinfamyandembitterourwoes？Andyet，Othink，thinkereitbetoolate，onthedistresseswhichthyflightwillentailuponus；onthebase，grovelling，andatrociouscharacterofthewretchtowhomthouhastsoldthyhonor。Butwhatisthis？Isnotthyeffronteryimpenetrable，andthyheartthoroughlycankered？Omostspecious，andmostprofligateofwomen!"

Sayingthis，herushedoutofthehouse。Isawhiminafewmomentshurryingalongthepathwhichledtomybrother"s。I

hadnopowertopreventhisgoing，ortorecall，ortofollowhim。TheaccentsIhadheardwerecalculatedtoconfoundandbewilder。Ilookedaroundmetoassuremyselfthatthescenewasreal。ImovedthatImightbanishthedoubtthatIwasawake。SuchenormousimputationsfromthemouthofPleyel!Tobestigmatizedwiththenamesofwantonandprofligate!Tobechargedwiththesacrificeofhonor!withmidnightmeetingswithawretchknowntobeamurdererandthief!withanintentiontoflyinhiscompany!

WhatIhadheardwassurelythedictateofphrenzy，oritwasbuiltuponsomefatal，someincomprehensiblemistake。Afterthehorrorsofthenight；afterundergoingperilssoimminentfromthisman，tobesummonedtoaninterviewlikethis；tofindPleyelfraughtwithabeliefthat，insteadofhavingchosendeathasarefugefromtheviolenceofthisman，Ihadhuggedhisbasenesstomyheart，hadsacrificedforhimmypurity，myspotlessname，myfriendships，andmyfortune!thatevenmadnesscouldengenderaccusationslikethesewasnottobebelieved。

Whatevidencecouldpossiblysuggestconceptionssowild？

Aftertheunlooked-forinterviewwithCarwininmychamber，heretired。CouldPleyelhaveobservedhisexit？ItwasnotlongafterthatPleyelhimselfentered。Didhebuildonthisincident，hisodiousconclusions？Couldthelongseriesofmyactionsandsentimentsgrantmenoexemptionfromsuspicionssofoul？WasitnotmorerationaltoinferthatCarwin"sdesignshadbeenillicit；thatmylifehadbeenendangeredbythefuryofonewhom，bysomemeans，hehaddiscoveredtobeanassassinandrobber；thatmyhonorhadbeenassailed，notbyblandishments，butbyviolence？

Hehasjudgedmewithouthearing。Hehasdrawnfromdubiousappearances，conclusionsthemostimprobableandunjust。Hehasloadedmewithalloutrageousepithets。Hehasrankedmewithprostitutesandthieves。Icannotpardonthee，Pleyel，forthisinjustice。Thyunderstandingmustbehurt。Ifitbenot，ifthyconductwassoberanddeliberate，Icanneverforgiveanoutragesounmanly，andsogross。

Thesethoughtsgraduallygaveplacetoothers。Pleyelwaspossessedbysomemomentaryphrenzy:appearanceshadledhimintopalpableerrors。Whencecouldhissagacityhavecontractedthisblindness？Wasitnotlove？PreviouslyassuredofmyaffectionforCarwin，distractedwithgriefandjealousy，andimpelledhitheratthatlatehourbysomeunknowninstigation，hisimaginationtransformedshadowsintomonsters，andplungedhimintothesedeplorableerrors。

Thisideawasnotunattendedwithconsolation。Mysoulwasdividedbetweenindignationathisinjustice，anddelightonaccountofthesourcefromwhichIconceivedittospring。Foralongtimetheywouldallowadmissiontonootherthoughts。

Surprizeisanemotionthatenfeebles，notinvigorates。Allmymeditationswereaccompaniedwithwonder。Irambledwithvagueness，orclungtooneimagewithanobstinacywhichsufficientlytestifiedthemaddeninginfluenceoflatetransactions。

GraduallyIproceededtoreflectupontheconsequencesofPleyel"smistake，andonthemeasuresIshouldtaketoguardmyselfagainstfutureinjuryfromCarwin。ShouldIsufferthismistaketobedetectedbytime？Whenhispassionshouldsubside，wouldhenotperceivetheflagrancyofhisinjustice，andhastentoatoneforit？Diditnotbecomemycharactertotestifyresentmentforlanguageandtreatmentsoopprobrious？

Wraptupintheconsciousnessofinnocence，andconfidingintheinfluenceoftimeandreflectiontoconfutesogroundlessacharge，itwasmyprovincetobepassiveandsilent。

AstotheviolencesmeditatedbyCarwin，andthemeansofeludingthem，thepathtobetakenbymewasobvious。I

resolvedtotellthetaletomybrother，andregulatemyselfbyhisadvice。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。Igatheredfromhintswhichheletfall，thatyoursituationwas，insomeway，thecause:yetheassuredmethatyouwereatyourownhouse，alive，ingoodhealth，andinperfectsafety。Hescarcelyateamorsel，andimmediatelyafterbreakfastwentoutagain。Hewouldnotinformmewhitherhewasgoing，butmentionedthatheprobablymightnotreturnbeforenight。"

Iwasequallyastonishedandalarmedbythisinformation。

Pleyelhadtoldhistaletomybrother，andhad，byaplausibleandexaggeratedpicture，instilledintohimunfavorablethoughtsofme。YetwouldnotthemorecorrectjudgmentofWielandperceiveandexposethefallacyofhisconclusions？PerhapshisuneasinessmightarisefromsomeinsightintothecharacterofCarwin，andfromapprehensionsformysafety。TheappearancesbywhichPleyelhadbeenmisled，mightinducehimlikewisetobelievethatIentertainedanindiscreet，thoughnotdishonorableaffectionforCarwin。Suchweretheconjecturesrapidlyformed。Iwasinexpressiblyanxioustochangethemintocertainty。Forthisendaninterviewwithmybrotherwasdesirable。Hewasgone，nooneknewwhither，andwasnotexpectedspeedilytoreturn。Ihadnocluebywhichtotracehisfootsteps。

Myanxietiescouldnotbeconcealedfrommysister。Theyheightenedhersolicitudetobeacquaintedwiththecause。

Thereweremanyreasonspersuadingmetosilence:atleast，tillIhadseenmybrother，itwouldbeanactofinexcusabletemeritytounfoldwhathadlatelypassed。Nootherexpedientforeludingherimportunitiesoccurredtome，butthatofreturningtomyownhouse。Irecollectedmydeterminationtobecomeatenantofthisroof。Imentionedittoher。Shejoyfullyaccededtothisproposal，andsufferedme，withlessreluctance，todepart，whenItoldherthatitwaswithaviewtocollectandsendtomynewdwellingwhatarticleswouldbeimmediatelyusefultome。

OncemoreIreturnedtothehousewhichhadbeenthesceneofsomuchturbulenceanddanger。IwasatnogreatdistancefromitwhenIobservedmybrothercomingout。Onseeingmehestopped，andafterascertaining，asitseemed，whichwayIwasgoing，hereturnedintothehousebeforeme。Isincerelyrejoicedatthisevent，andIhastenedtosetthings，ifpossible，ontheirrightfooting。

HisbrowwasbynomeansexpressiveofthosevehementemotionswithwhichPleyelhadbeenagitated。Idrewafavorableomenfromthiscircumstance。WithoutdelayIbegantheconversation。

"Ihavebeentolookforyou，"saidI，"butwastoldbyCatharinethatPleyelhadengagedyouonsomeimportantanddisagreeableaffair。Beforehisinterviewwithyouhespentafewminuteswithme。TheseminutesheemployedinupbraidingmeforcrimesandintentionswithwhichIambynomeanschargeable。Ibelievehimtohavetakenuphisopinionsonveryinsufficientgrounds。Hisbehaviourwasinthehighestdegreeprecipitateandunjust，and，untilIreceivesomeatonement，I

shalltreathim，inmyturn，withthatcontemptwhichhejustlymerits:meanwhileIamfearfulthathehasprejudicedmybrotheragainstme。ThatisanevilwhichImostanxiouslydeprecate，andwhichIshallindeedexertmyselftoremove。Hashemademethesubjectofthismorning"sconversation？"

Mybrother"scountenancetestifiednosurprizeatmyaddress。

Thebenignityofhislookswerenowisediminished。

"Itistrue，"saidhe，"yourconductwasthesubjectofourdiscourse。Iamyourfriend，aswellasyourbrother。ThereisnohumanbeingwhomIlovewithmoretenderness，andwhosewelfareisnearermyheart。JudgethenwithwhatemotionsI

listenedtoPleyel"sstory。Iexpectanddesireyoutovindicateyourselffromaspersionssofoul，ifvindicationbepossible。"

Thetonewithwhichheutteredthelastwordsaffectedmedeeply。"Ifvindicationbepossible!"repeatedI。"Fromwhatyouknow，doyoudeemaformalvindicationnecessary？Canyouharbourforamomentthebeliefofmyguilt？"

Heshookhisheadwithanairofacuteanguish。"Ihavestruggled，"saidhe，"todismissthatbelief。Youspeakbeforeajudgewhowillprofitbyanypretencetoacquityou:whoisreadytoquestionhisownsenseswhentheypleadagainstyou。"

Thesewordsincitedanewsetofthoughtsinmymind。I

begantosuspectthatPleyelhadbuilthisaccusationsonsomefoundationunknowntome。"Imaybeastrangertothegroundsofyourbelief。Pleyelloadedmewithindecentandvirulentinvectives，buthewithheldfrommethefactsthatgeneratedhissuspicions。Eventstookplacelastnightofwhichsomeofthecircumstanceswereofanambiguousnature。Iconceivedthatthesemightpossiblyhavefallenunderhiscognizance，andthat，viewedthroughthemistsofprejudiceandpassion，theysuppliedapretenceforhisconduct，butbelievedthatyourmoreunbiassedjudgmentwouldestimatethemattheirjustvalue。

PerhapshistalehasbeendifferentfromwhatIsuspectittobe。Listenthentomynarrative。Iftherebeanythinginhisstoryinconsistentwithmine，hisstoryisfalse。"

Ithenproceededtoacircumstantialrelationoftheincidentsofthelastnight。Wielandlistenedwithdeepattention。Havingfinished，"This，"continuedI，"isthetruth；

youseeinwhatcircumstancesaninterviewtookplacebetweenCarwinandme。Heremainedforhoursinmycloset，andforsomeminutesinmychamber。Hedepartedwithouthasteorinterruption。IfPleyelmarkedhimasheleftthehouse，anditisnotimpossiblethathedid，inferencesinjurioustomycharactermightsuggestthemselvestohim。Inadmittingthem，hegaveproofsoflessdiscernmentandlesscandorthanIonceascribedtohim。"

"Hisproofs，"saidWieland，afteraconsiderablepause，"aredifferent。Thatheshouldbedeceived，isnotpossible。Thathehimselfisnotthedeceiver，couldnotbebelieved，ifhistestimonywerenotinconsistentwithyours；butthedoubtswhichIentertainedarenowremoved。Yourtale，somepartsofit，ismarvellous；thevoicewhichexclaimedagainstyourrashnessinapproachingthecloset，yourpersistingnotwithstandingthatprohibition，yourbeliefthatIwastheruffian，andyoursubsequentconduct，arebelievedbyme，becauseIhaveknownyoufromchildhood，becauseathousandinstanceshaveattestedyourveracity，andbecausenothinglessthanmyownhearingandvisionwouldconvinceme，inoppositiontoherownassertions，thatmysisterhadfallenintowickednesslikethis。"

Ithrewmyarmsaroundhim，andbathedhischeekwithmytears。"That，"saidI，"isspokenlikemybrother。Butwhataretheproofs？"

Hereplied——"Pleyelinformedmethat，ingoingtoyourhouse，hisattentionwasattractedbytwovoices。Thepersonsspeakingsatbeneaththebankoutofsight。Thesepersons，judgingbytheirvoices，wereCarwinandyou。Iwillnotrepeatthedialogue。Ifmysisterwasthefemale，Pleyelwasjustifiedinconcludingyoutobe，indeed，oneofthemostprofligateofwomen。Hence，hisaccusationsofyou，andhiseffortstoobtainmyconcurrencetoaplanbywhichaneternalseparationshouldbebroughtaboutbetweenmysisterandthisman。"

ImadeWielandrepeatthisrecital。Here，indeed，wasataletofillmewithterribleforeboding。Ihadvainlythoughtthatmysafetycouldbesufficientlysecuredbydoorsandbars，butthisisafoefromwhosegraspnopowerofdivinitycansaveme!

Hisartificeswilleverlaymyfameandhappinessathismercy。

HowshallIcounterworkhisplots，ordetecthiscoadjutor？Hehastaughtsomevileandabandonedfemaletomimicmyvoice。

Pleyel"searswerethewitnessesofmydishonor。Thisisthemidnightassignationtowhichhealluded。Thusisthesilencehemaintainedwhenattemptingtoopenthedoorofmychamber，accountedfor。Hesupposedmeabsent，andmeant，perhaps，hadmyapartmentbeenaccessible，toleaveinitsomeaccusingmemorial。

Pleyelwasnolongerequallyculpable。Thesincerityofhisanguish，thedepthofhisdespair，Irememberedwithsometendenciestogratitude。Yetwashenotprecipitate？Wastheconjecturethatmypartwasplayedbysomemimicsoutterlyuntenable？Instancesofthisfacultyarecommon。ThewickednessofCarwinmust，inhisopinion，havebeenadequatetosuchcontrivances，andyetthesuppositionofmyguiltwasadoptedinpreferencetothat。

Buthowwasthiserrortobeunveiled？WhatbutmyownassertionhadItothrowinthebalanceagainstit？Wouldthisbepermittedtooutweighthetestimonyofhissenses？Ihadnowitnessestoprovemyexistenceinanotherplace。Therealeventsofthatnightaremarvellous。Few，towhomtheyshouldberelated，wouldscrupletodiscreditthem。Pleyelisscepticalinatranscendantdegree。IcannotsummonCarwintomybar，andmakehimtheattestorofmyinnocence，andtheaccuserofhimself。

Mybrothersawandcomprehendedmydistress。Hewasunacquainted，however，withthefullextentofit。HeknewnotbyhowmanymotivesIwasincitedtoretrievethegoodopinionofPleyel。Heendeavoredtoconsoleme。Somenewevent，hesaid，wouldoccurtodisentanglethemaze。Hedidnotquestiontheinfluenceofmyeloquence，ifIthoughtpropertoexertit。

WhynotseekaninterviewwithPleyel，andexactfromhimaminuterelation，inwhichsomethingmaybemetwithservingtodestroytheprobabilityofthewhole？

Icaught，witheagerness，atthishope；butmyalacritywasdampedbynewreflections。ShouldI，perfectinthisrespect，andunblemishedasIwas，thrustmyself，uncalled，intohispresence，andmakemyfelicitydependuponhisarbitraryverdict？

"Ifyouchusetoseekaninterview，"continuedWieland，"youmustmakehaste，forPleyelinformedmeofhisintentiontosetoutthiseveningorto-morrowonalongjourney。"

Nointelligencewaslessexpectedorlesswelcomethanthis。

Ihadthrownmyselfinawindowseat；butnow，startingonmyfeet，Iexclaimed，"Goodheavens!whatisityousay？ajourney？whither？when？"

"Icannotsaywhither。ItisasuddenresolutionIbelieve。

Ididnothearofittillthismorning。Hepromisestowritetomeassoonasheissettled。"

Ineedednofurtherinformationastothecauseandissueofthisjourney。Theschemeofhappinesstowhichhehaddevotedhisthoughtswasblastedbythediscoveryoflastnight。Mypreferenceofanother，andmyunworthinesstobeanylongertheobjectofhisadoration，wereevincedbythesameactandinthesamemoment。Thethoughtofutterdesertion，adesertionoriginatinginsuchacause，wasthepreludetodistraction。

ThatPleyelshouldabandonmeforever，becauseIwasblindtohisexcellence，becauseIcovetedpollution，andweddedinfamy，when，onthecontrary，myheartwastheshrineofallpurity，andbeatonlyforhissake，wasadestinywhich，aslongasmylifewasinmyownhands，Iwouldbynomeansconsenttoendure。

Irememberedthatthisevilwasstillpreventable；thatthisfataljourneyitwasstillinmypowertoprocrastinate，or，perhaps，tooccasionittobelaidaside。Therewerenoimpedimentstoavisit:Ionlydreadedlesttheinterviewshouldbetoolongdelayed。Mybrotherbefriendedmyimpatience，andreadilyconsentedtofurnishmewithachaiseandservanttoattendme。MypurposewastogoimmediatelytoPleyel"sfarm，wherehisengagementsusuallydetainedhimduringtheday。

ChapterXII

Mywaylaythroughthecity。IhadscarcelyentereditwhenIwasseizedwithageneralsensationofsickness。Everyobjectgrewdimandswambeforemysight。ItwaswithdifficultyI

preventedmyselffromsinkingtothebottomofthecarriage。I

orderedmyselftobecarriedtoMrs。Baynton"s，inhopethatanintervalofreposewouldinvigorateandrefreshme。Mydistractedthoughtswouldallowmebutlittlerest。Growingsomewhatbetterintheafternoon，Iresumedmyjourney。

Mycontemplationswerelimitedtoafewobjects。Iregardedmysuccess，inthepurposewhichIhadinview，asconsiderablydoubtful。Idepended，insomedegree，onthesuggestionsofthemoment，andonthematerialswhichPleyelhimselfshouldfurnishme。WhenIreflectedonthenatureoftheaccusation，Iburnedwithdisdain。Wouldnottruth，andtheconsciousnessofinnocence，rendermetriumphant？ShouldInotcastfromme，withirresistibleforce，suchatrociousimputations？

Whatanentireandmournfulchangehasbeeneffectedinafewhours!Thegulfthatseparatesmanfrominsectsisnotwiderthanthatwhichseversthepollutedfromthechasteamongwomen。

Yesterdayandto-dayIamthesame。Thereisadegreeofdepravitytowhichitisimpossibleformetosink；yet，intheapprehensionofanother，myancientandintimateassociate，theperpetualwitnessofmyactions，andpartakerofmythoughts，I

hadceasedtobethesame。Myintegritywastarnishedandwitheredinhiseyes。Iwasthecolleagueofamurderer，andtheparamourofathief!

Hisopinionwasnotdestituteofevidence:yetwhatproofscouldreasonablyavailtoestablishanopinionlikethis？Ifthesentimentscorrespondednotwiththevoicethatwasheard，theevidencewasdeficient；butthiswantofcorrespondencewouldhavebeensupposedbymeifIhadbeentheauditorandPleyelthecriminal。Butmimicrymightstillmoreplausiblyhavebeenemployedtoexplainthescene。Alas!itisthefateofClaraWielandtofallintothehandsofaprecipitateandinexorablejudge。