第7章
Butwhat，Omanofmischief!isthetendencyofthythoughts？
Frustratedinthyfirstdesign，thouwiltnotforegotheimmolationofthyvictim。Toexterminatemyreputationwasallthatremainedtothee，andthismyguardianhaspermitted。TodispossessPleyelofthisprejudicemaybeimpossible；butifthatbeeffected，itcannotbesupposedthatthywilesareexhausted；thycunningwilldiscoverinnumerableavenuestotheaccomplishmentofthymalignantpurpose。
WhyshouldIenterthelistsagainstthee？WouldtoheavenIcoulddisarmthyvengeancebymydeprecations!WhenIthinkofalltheresourceswithwhichnatureandeducationhavesuppliedthee；thatthyformisacombinationofsteelyfibresandorgansofexquisiteductilityandboundlesscompass，actuatedbyanintelligencegiftedwithinfiniteendowments，andcomprehendingallknowledge，Iperceivethatmydoomisfixed。
Whatobstaclewillbeabletodivertthyzealorrepelthyefforts？Thatbeingwhohashithertoprotectedmehasbornetestimonytotheformidablenessofthyattempts，sincenothinglessthansupernaturalinterferencecouldcheckthycareer。
Musingonthesethoughts，Iarrived，towardsthecloseoftheday，atPleyel"shouse。Amonthbefore，Ihadtraversedthesamepath；buthowdifferentweremysensations!NowIwasseekingthepresenceofonewhoregardedmeasthemostdegenerateofhumankind。Iwastopleadthecauseofmyinnocence，againstwitnessesthemostexplicitandunerring，ofthosewhichsupportthefabricofhumanknowledge。ThenearerIapproachedthecrisis，themoredidmyconfidencedecay。Whenthechaisestoppedatthedoor，mystrengthrefusedtosupportme，andIthrewmyselfintothearmsofanancientfemaledomestic。Ihadnotcouragetoinquirewhetherhermasterwasathome。Iwastormentedwithfearsthattheprojectedjourneywasalreadyundertaken。Thesefearswereremoved，byheraskingmewhethersheshouldcallheryoungmaster，whohadjustgoneintohisownroom。Iwassomewhatrevivedbythisintelligence，andresolvedimmediatelytoseekhimthere。
Inmyconfusionofmind，Ineglectedtoknockatthedoor，butenteredhisapartmentwithoutpreviousnotice。Thisabruptnesswasaltogetherinvoluntary。Absorbedinreflectionsofsuchunspeakablemoment，Ihadnoleisuretoheedthenicetiesofpunctilio。Idiscoveredhimstandingwithhisbacktowardstheentrance。Asmalltrunk，withitslidraised，wasbeforehiminwhichitseemedasifhehadbeenbusyinpackinghisclothes。Themomentofmyentrance，hewasemployedingazingatsomethingwhichheheldinhishand。
IimaginedthatIfullycomprehendedthisscene。Theimagewhichheheldbeforehim，andbywhichhisattentionwassodeeplyengaged，Idoubtednottobemyown。Thesepreparationsforhisjourney，thecausetowhichitwastobeimputed，thehopelessnessofsuccessintheundertakingonwhichIhadentered，rushedatonceuponmyfeelings，anddissolvedmeintoafloodoftears。
Startledbythissound，hedroppedthelidofthetrunkandturned。Thesolemnsadnessthatpreviouslyoverspreadhiscountenance，gavesuddenwaytoanattitudeandlookofthemostvehementastonishment。Perceivingmeunabletoupholdmyself，hesteppedtowardsmewithoutspeaking，andsupportedmebyhisarm。Thekindnessofthisactioncalledforthaneweffusionfrommyeyes。Weepingwasasolacetowhich，atthattime，I
hadnotgrownfamiliar，andwhich，therefore，waspeculiarlydelicious。Indignationwasnolongertobereadinthefeaturesofmyfriend。Theywerepregnantwithamixtureofwonderandpity。Theirexpressionwaseasilyinterpreted。Thisvisit，andthesetears，weretokensofmypenitence。Thewretchwhomhehadstigmatizedasincurablyandobduratelywicked，nowshewedherselfsusceptibleofremorse，andhadcometoconfessherguilt。
Thispersuasionhadnotendencytocomfortme。Itonlyshewedme，withnewevidence，thedifficultyofthetaskwhichIhadassignedmyself。Weweremutuallysilent。Ihadlesspowerandlessinclinationthanevertospeak。Iextricatedmyselffromhishold，andthrewmyselfonasofa。Heplacedhimselfbymyside，andappearedtowaitwithimpatienceandanxietyforsomebeginningoftheconversation。WhatcouldI
say？Ifmymindhadsuggestedanythingsuitabletotheoccasion，myutterancewassuffocatedbytears。
Frequentlyheattemptedtospeak，butseemeddeterredbysomedegreeofuncertaintyastothetruenatureofthescene。Atlength，infalteringaccentshespoke:
"Myfriend!wouldtoheavenIwerestillpermittedtocallyoubythatname。TheimagethatIonceadoredexistedonlyinmyfancy；butthoughIcannothopetoseeitrealized，youmaynotbetotallyinsensibletothehorrorsofthatgulfintowhichyouareabouttoplunge。Whatheartisforeverexemptfromthegoadingsofcompunctionandtheinfluxoflaudablepropensities？
"Ithoughtyouaccomplishedandwisebeyondtherestofwomen。Notasentimentyouuttered，notalookyouassumed，thatwerenot，inmyapprehension，fraughtwiththesublimitiesofrectitudeandtheilluminationsofgenius。Deceithassomebounds。Youreducationcouldnotbewithoutinfluence。A
vigorousunderstandingcannotbeutterlydevoidofvirtue；butyoucouldnotcounterfeitthepowersofinventionandreasoning。
Iwasrashinmyinvectives。Iwillnot，butwithlife，relinquishallhopesofyou。Iwillshutouteveryproofthatwouldtellmethatyourheartisincurablydiseased。
"Youcometorestoremeoncemoretohappiness；toconvincemethatyouhavetornhermaskfromvice，andfeelnothingbutabhorrenceforthepartyouhavehithertoacted。"
Atthesewordsmyequanimityforsookme。ForamomentI
forgottheevidencefromwhichPleyel"sopinionswerederived，thebenevolenceofhisremonstrances，andthegriefwhichhisaccentsbespoke；Iwasfilledwithindignationandhorroratchargessoblack；Ishrunkbackanddartedathimalookofdisdainandanger。Mypassionsuppliedmewithwords。
"Whatdetestableinfatuationwasitthatledmehither!WhydoIpatientlyendurethesehorribleinsults!Myoffencesexistonlyinyourowndistemperedimagination:youareleaguedwiththetraitorwhoassailedmylife:youhavevowedthedestructionofmypeaceandhonor。Ideserveinfamyforlisteningtocalumniessobase!"
ThesewordswereheardbyPleyelwithoutvisibleresentment。
Hiscountenancerelapsedintoitsformergloom；buthedidnotevenlookatme。Theideaswhichhadgivenplacetomyangryemotionsreturned，andoncemoremeltedmeintotears。"O!"I
exclaimed，inavoicebrokenbysobs，"whatataskismine!
CompelledtohearkentochargeswhichIfeeltobefalse，butwhichIknowtobebelievedbyhimthatuttersthem；believedtoonotwithoutevidence，which，thoughfallacious，isnotunplausible。
"Icamehithernottoconfess，buttovindicate。Iknowthesourceofyouropinions。Wielandhasinformedmeonwhatyoursuspicionsarebuilt。Thesesuspicionsarefosteredbyyouascertainties；thetenorofmylife，ofallmyconversationsandletters，affordsmenosecurity；everysentimentthatmytongueandmypenhaveuttered，beartestimonytotherectitudeofmymind；butthistestimonyisrejected。Iamcondemnedasbrutallyprofligate:Iamclassedwiththestupidlyandsordidlywicked。
"Andwherearetheproofsthatmustjustifysofoulandsoimprobableanaccusation？Youhaveoverheardamidnightconference。Voiceshavesalutedyourear，inwhichyouimagineyourselftohaverecognizedmine，andthatofadetectedvillain。Thesentimentsexpressedwerenotallowedtooutweighthecasualorconcertedresemblanceofvoice。Sentimentsthereverseofallthosewhoseinfluencemyformerlifehadattested，denotingamindpollutedbygrovellingvices，andenteringintocompactwiththatofathiefandamurderer。Thenatureofthesesentimentsdidnotenableyoutodetectthecheat，didnotsuggesttoyouthepossibilitythatmyvoicehadbeencounterfeitedbyanother。
"Youwereprecipitateandpronetocondemn。Insteadofrushingontheimpostors，andcomparingtheevidenceofsightwiththatofhearing，youstoodaloof，oryoufled。Myinnocencewouldnotnowhavestoodinneedofvindication，ifthisconducthadbeenpursued。Thatyoudidnotpursueit，yourpresentthoughtsincontestiblyprove。YetthisconductmightsurelyhavebeenexpectedfromPleyel。Thathewouldnothastilyimputetheblackestofcrimes，thathewouldnotcouplemynamewithinfamy，andcovermewithruinforinadequateorslightreasons，mightreasonablyhavebeenexpected。"Thesobswhichconvulsedmybosomwouldnotsuffermetoproceed。
Pleyelwasforamomentaffected。Helookedatmewithsomeexpressionofdoubt；butthisquicklygaveplacetoamournfulsolemnity。Hefixedhiseyesonthefloorasinreverie，andspoke:
"TwohourshenceIamgone。ShallIcarryawaywithmethesorrowthatisnowmyguest？orshallthatsorrowbeaccumulatedtenfold？Whatisshethatisnowbeforeme？Shalleveryhoursupplymewithnewproofsofawickednessbeyondexample？AlreadyIdeemherthemostabandonedanddetestableofhumancreatures。Hercomingandhertearsimpartedagleamofhope，butthatgleamhasvanished。"
Henowfixedhiseyesuponme，andeverymuscleinhisfacetrembled。Histonewashollowandterrible——"ThouknowestthatIwasawitnessofyourinterview，yetthoucomesthithertoupbraidmeforinjustice!ThoucanstlookmeinthefaceandsaythatIamdeceived!——Aninscrutableprovidencehasfashionedtheeforsomeend。Thouwiltlive，nodoubt，tofulfilthepurposesofthymaker，ifherepentnotofhisworkmanship，andsendnothisvengeancetoexterminatethee，erethemeasureofthydaysbefull。Surelynothingintheshapeofmancanviewiththee!
"ButIthoughtIhadstifledthisfury。Iamnotconstitutedthyjudge。Myofficeistopityandamend，andnottopunishandrevile。Ideemedmyselfexemptfromalltempestuouspassions。Ihadalmostpersuadedmyselftoweepoverthyfall；
butIamfrailasdust，andmutableaswater；Iamcalm，Iamcompassionateonlyinthyabsence——Makethishouse，thisroom，thyabodeaslongasthouwilt，butforgivemeifIprefersolitudefortheshorttimeduringwhichIshallstay。"Sayingthis，hemotionedasiftoleavetheapartment。
Thestormypassionsofthismanaffectedmebysympathy。I
ceasedtoweep。Iwasmotionlessandspeechlesswithagony。I
satwithmyhandsclasped，mutelygazingafterhimashewithdrew。Idesiredtodetainhim，butwasunabletomakeanyeffortforthatpurpose，tillhehadpassedoutoftheroom。I
thenutteredaninvoluntaryandpiercingcry——"Pleyel!Artthougone？Goneforever？"
Atthissummonshehastilyreturned。Hebeheldmewild，pale，gaspingforbreath，andmyheadalreadysinkingonmybosom。Apainfuldizzinessseizedme，andIfaintedaway。
WhenIrecovered，Ifoundmyselfstretchedonabedintheouterapartment，andPleyel，withtwofemaleservantsstandingbesideit。Allthefuryandscornwhichthecountenanceoftheformerlatelyexpressed，hadnowdisappeared，andwassucceededbythemosttenderanxiety。Assoonasheperceivedthatmysenseswerereturnedtome，heclaspedhishands，andexclaimed，"Godbethanked!youareoncemorealive。Ihadalmostdespairedofyourrecovery。IfearIhavebeenprecipitateandunjust。Mysensesmusthavebeenthevictimsofsomeinexplicableandmomentaryphrenzy。Forgiveme，Ibeseechyou，forgivemyreproaches。Iwouldpurchaseconvictionofyourpurity，atthepriceofmyexistencehereandhereafter。"
Heoncemore，inatoneofthemostferventtenderness，besoughtmetobecomposed，andthenleftmetothecareofthewomen。
ChapterXIII
Herewaswroughtasurprizingchangeinmyfriend。Whatwasitthathadshakenconvictionsofirm？Hadanythingoccurredduringmyfit，adequatetoproducesototalanalteration？Myattendantsinformedmethathehadnotleftmyapartment；thattheunusualdurationofmyfit，andthefailure，foratime，ofallthemeansusedformyrecovery，hadfilledhimwithgriefanddismay。Didheregardtheeffectwhichhisreproacheshadproducedasaproofofmysincerity？
Inthisstateofmind，Ilittleregardedmylanguorsofbody。
Iroseandrequestedaninterviewwithhimbeforemydeparture，onwhichIwasresolved，notwithstandinghisearnestsolicitationtospendthenightathishouse。Hecompliedwithmyrequest。Thetendernesswhichhehadlatelybetrayed，hadnowdisappeared，andheoncemorerelapsedintoachillingsolemnity。
ItoldhimthatIwaspreparingtoreturntomybrother"s；
thatIhadcomehithertovindicatemyinnocencefromthefoulaspersionswhichhehadcastuponit。Mypridehadnottakenrefugeinsilenceordistance。Ihadnotreliedupontime，orthesuggestionofhiscoolerthoughts，toconfutehischarges。
ConsciousasIwasthatIwasperfectlyguiltless，andentertainingsomevalueforhisgoodopinion，Icouldnotprevailuponmyselftobelievethatmyeffortstomakemyinnocencemanifest，wouldbefruitless。Adverseappearancesmightbenumerousandspecious，buttheywereunquestionablyfalse。Iwaswillingtobelievehimsincere，thathemadenochargeswhichhehimselfdidnotbelieve；butthesechargesweredestituteoftruth。Thegroundsofhisopinionwerefallacious；
andIdesiredanopportunityofdetectingtheirfallacy。I
entreatedhimtobeexplicit，andtogivemeadetailofwhathehadheard，andwhathehadseen。
Atthesewords，mycompanion"scountenancegrewdarker。Heappearedtobestrugglingwithhisrage。Heopenedhislipstospeak，buthisaccentsdiedawayeretheywereformed。Thisconflictlastedforsomeminutes，buthisfortitudewasfinallysuccessful。Hespokeasfollows:
"Iwouldfainputanendtothishatefulscene:whatIshallsay，willbebreathidlyandunprofitablyconsumed。Theclearestnarrativewilladdnothingtoyourpresentknowledge。
Youareacquaintedwiththegroundsofmyopinion，andyetyouavowyourselfinnocent:WhythenshouldIrehearsethesegrounds？YouareapprizedofthecharacterofCarwin:WhythenshouldIenumeratethediscoverieswhichIhavemaderespectinghim？Yet，sinceitisyourrequest；since，consideringthelimitednessofhumanfaculties，someerrormaypossiblylurkinthoseappearanceswhichIhavewitnessed，IwillbrieflyrelatewhatIknow。
"NeedIdwellupontheimpressionswhichyourconversationanddeportmentoriginallymadeuponme？Wepartedinchildhood；
butourintercourse，byletter，wascopiousanduninterrupted。
HowfondlydidIanticipateameetingwithonewhomherlettershadpreviouslytaughtmetoconsiderasthefirstofwomen，andhowfullyrealizedweretheexpectationsthatIhadformed!
"Here，saidI，isabeing，afterwhomsagesmaymodeltheirtranscendentintelligence，andpainters，theiridealbeauty。
Hereisexemplified，thatunionbetweenintellectandform，whichhashithertoexistedonlyintheconceptionsofthepoet。
Ihavewatchedyoureyes；myattentionhashunguponyourlips。
Ihavequestionedwhethertheenchantmentsofyourvoiceweremoreconspicuousintheintricaciesofmelody，ortheemphasisofrhetoric。Ihavemarkedthetransitionsofyourdiscourse，thefelicitiesofyourexpression，yourrefinedargumentation，andglowingimagery；andbeenforcedtoacknowledge，thatalldelightsweremeagreandcontemptible，comparedwiththoseconnectedwiththeaudienceandsightofyou。Ihavecontemplatedyourprinciples，andbeenastonishedatthesolidityoftheirfoundation，andtheperfectionoftheirstructure。Ihavetracedyoutoyourhome。Ihaveviewedyouinrelationtoyourservants，toyourfamily，toyourneighbours，andtotheworld。Ihaveseenbywhatskilfularrangementsyoufacilitatetheperformanceofthemostarduousandcomplicatedduties；whatdailyaccessionsofstrengthyourjudiciousdisciplinebestoweduponyourmemory；whatcorrectnessandabundanceofknowledgewasdailyexperiencedbyyourunweariedapplicationtobooks，andtowriting。Ifshethatpossessessomuchinthebloomofyouth，willgoonaccumulatingherstores，what，saidI，isthepictureshewilldisplayatamatureage？
"Youknownottheaccuracyofmyobservation。Iwasdesirousthatothersshouldprofitbyanexamplesorare。Ithereforenoteddown，inwriting，everyparticularofyourconduct。Iwasanxioustobenefitbyanopportunitysoseldomaffordedus。I
labourednottoomittheslightestshade，orthemostpettylineinyourportrait。Heretherewasnoothertaskincumbentonmebuttocopy；therewasnoneedtoexaggerateoroverlook，inordertoproduceamoreunexceptionablepattern。Herewasacombinationofharmoniesandgraces，incapableofdiminutionoraccessionwithoutinjurytoitscompleteness。
"Ifoundnoendandnoboundstomytask。Nodisplayofascenelikethiscouldbechargeablewithredundancyorsuperfluity。Eventhecolourofashoe，theknotofaribband，oryourattitudeinpluckingarose，wereofmomenttoberecorded。Eventhearrangementsofyourbreakfast-tableandyourtoilethavebeenamplydisplayed。
"Iknowthatmankindaremoreeasilyenticedtovirtuebyexamplethanbyprecept。Iknowthattheabsolutenessofamodel，whensuppliedbyinvention，diminishesitssalutaryinfluence，sinceitisuseless，wethink，tostriveafterthatwhichweknowtobebeyondourreach。ButthepicturewhichI
drewwasnotaphantom；asamodel，itwasdevoidofimperfection；andtoaspiretothatheightwhichhadbeenreallyattained，wasbynomeansunreasonable。Ihadanotherandmoreinterestingobjectinview。Oneexistedwhoclaimedallmytenderness。Here，inallitsparts，wasamodelworthyofassiduousstudy，andindefatigableimitation。Icalleduponher，asshewishedtosecureandenhancemyesteem，tomouldherthoughts，herwords，hercountenance，heractions，bythispattern。
"Thetaskwasexuberantofpleasure，andIwasdeeplyengagedinit，whenanimpofmischiefwasletlooseintheformofCarwin。Iadmiredhispowersandaccomplishments。Ididnotwonderthattheywereadmiredbyyou。Ontherectitudeofyourjudgement，however，Ireliedtokeepthisadmirationwithindiscreetandscrupulousbounds。Iassuredmyself，thatthestrangenessofhisdeportment，andtheobscurityofhislife，wouldteachyoucaution。Ofallerrors，myknowledgeofyourcharacterinformedmethatthiswasleastlikelytobefallyou。
"Youwerepowerfullyaffectedbyhisfirstappearance；youwerebewitchedbyhiscountenanceandhistones；yourdescriptionwasardentandpathetic:Ilistenedtoyouwithsomeemotionsofsurprize。Theportraityoudrewinhisabsence，andtheintensitywithwhichyoumuseduponit，werenewandunexpectedincidents。Theybespokeasensibilitysomewhattoovivid；butfromwhich，whilesubjectedtotheguidanceofanunderstandinglikeyours，therewasnothingtodread。
"Amoredirectintercoursetookplacebetweenyou。IneednotapologizeforthesolicitudewhichIentertainedforyoursafety。Hethatgiftedmewithperceptionofexcellence，compelledmetoloveit。Inthemidstofdangerandpain，mycontemplationshaveeverbeencheeredbyyourimage。Everyobjectincompetitionwithyou，wasworthlessandtrivial。Nopricewastoogreatbywhichyoursafetycouldbepurchased。
Forthatend，thesacrificeofease，ofhealth，andevenoflife，wouldcheerfullyhavebeenmadebyme。Whatwonderthen，thatIscrutinizedthesentimentsanddeportmentofthismanwithceaselessvigilance；thatIwatchedyourwordsandyourlookswhenhewaspresent；andthatIextractedcauseforthedeepestinquietudes，fromeverytokenwhichyougaveofhavingputyourhappinessintothisman"skeeping？
"Iwascautiousindeciding。Irecalledthevariousconversationsinwhichthetopicsofloveandmarriagehadbeendiscussed。Asawoman，young，beautiful，andindependent，itbehovedyoutohavefortifiedyourmindwithjustprinciplesonthissubject。Yourprincipleswereeminentlyjust。HadnottheirrectitudeandtheirfirmnessbeenattestedbyyourtreatmentofthatspeciousseducerDashwood？Theseprinciples，Iwaspronetobelieve，exemptedyoufromdangerinthisnewstateofthings。Iwasnotthelasttopaymyhomagetotheunrivalledcapacity，insinuation，andeloquenceofthisman。I
havedisguised，butcouldneverstifletheconviction，thathiseyesandvoicehadawitchcraftinthem，whichrenderedhimtrulyformidable:butIreflectedontheambiguousexpressionofhiscountenance——anambiguitywhichyouwerethefirsttoremark；onthecloudwhichobscuredhischaracter；andonthesuspiciousnatureofthatconcealmentwhichhestudied；andconcludedyoutobesafe。Ideniedtheobviousconstructiontoappearances。Ireferredyourconducttosomeprinciplewhichhadnotbeenhithertodisclosed，butwhichwasreconcileablewiththosealreadyknown。
"Iwasnotsufferedtoremainlonginthissuspence。Oneevening，youmayrecollect，Icametoyourhouse，whereitwasmypurpose，asusual，tolodge，somewhatearlierthanordinary。
IspiedalightinyourchamberasIapproachedfromtheoutside，andoninquiringofJudith，wasinformedthatyouwerewriting。Asyourkinsmanandfriend，andfellow-lodger，I
thoughtIhadarighttobefamiliar。Youwereinyourchamber，butyouremploymentandthetimeweresuchastomakeitnoinfractionofdecorumtofollowyouthither。Thespiritofmischievousgaietypossessedme。Iproceededontiptoe。Youdidnotperceivemyentrance；andIadvancedsoftlytillIwasabletooverlookyourshoulder。
"Ihadgonethusfarinerror，andhadnopowertorecede。
Howcautiouslyshouldweguardagainstthefirstinroadsoftemptation!Iknewthattopryintoyourpaperswascriminal；
butIreflectedthatnosentimentofyourswasofanaturewhichmadeityourinteresttoconcealit。Youwrotemuchmorethanyoupermittedyourfriendstoperuse。Mycuriositywasstrong，andIhadonlytothrowaglanceuponthepaper，tosecureitsgratification。Ishouldneverhavedeliberatelycommittedanactlikethis。Theslightestobstaclewouldhaverepelledme；
butmyeyeglancedalmostspontaneouslyuponthepaper。I
caughtonlypartsofsentences；butmyeyescomprehendedmoreataglance，becausethecharacterswereshort-hand。IlightedonthewordsSUMMER-HOUSE，MIDNIGHT，andmadeoutapassagewhichspokeoftheproprietyandoftheeffectstobeexpectedfromANOTHERinterview。Allthispassedinlessthanamoment。Ithencheckedmyself，andmademyselfknowntoyou，byatapuponyourshoulder。
"Icouldpardonandaccountforsometriflingalarm；butyourtrepidationandblusheswereexcessive。Youhurriedthepaperoutofsight，andseemedtooanxioustodiscoverwhetherIknewthecontentstoallowyourselftomakeanyinquiries。I
wonderedattheseappearancesofconsternation，butdidnotreasononthemuntilIhadretired。Whenalone，theseincidentssuggestedthemselvestomyreflectionsanew。
"Towhatscene，orwhatinterview，Iasked，didyouallude？
Yourdisappearanceonaformerevening，mytracingyoutotherecessinthebank，yoursilenceonmyfirstandsecondcall，yourvagueanswersandinvincibleembarrassment，whenyou，atlength，ascendedthehill，Irecollectedwithnewsurprize。
Couldthisbethesummerhousealludedto？Acertaintimidityandconsciousnesshadgenerallyattendedyou，whenthisincidentandthisrecesshadbeenthesubjectsofconversation。Nay，I
imaginedthatthelasttimethatadventurewasmentioned，whichhappenedinthepresenceofCarwin，thecountenanceofthelatterbetrayedsomeemotion。Couldtheinterviewhavebeenwithhim？
"Thiswasanideacalculatedtorouseeveryfacultytocontemplation。Aninterviewatthathour，inthisdarksomeretreat，withamanofthismysteriousbutformidablecharacter；
aclandestineinterview，andonewhichyouafterwardsendeavouredwithsomuchsolicitudetoconceal!Itwasafearfulandportentousoccurrence。Icouldnotmeasurehispower，orfathomhisdesigns。Hadherifledfromyouthesecretofyourlove，andreconciledyoutoconcealmentandnocturalmeetings？Iscarcelyeverspentanightofmoreinquietude。
"Iknewnothowtoact。Theascertainmentofthisman"scharacterandviewsseemedtobe，inthefirstplace，necessary。
Hadheopenlypreferredhissuittoyou，weshouldhavebeenimpoweredtomakedirectinquiries；butsincehehadchosenthisobscurepath，itseemedreasonabletoinferthathischaracterwasexceptionable。It，atleast，subjectedustothenecessityofresortingtoothermeansofinformation。Yettheimprobabilitythatyoushouldcommitadeedofsuchrashness，mademereflectanewupontheinsufficiencyofthosegroundsonwhichmysuspicionshadbeenbuilt，andalmosttocondemnmyselfforharbouringthem。
"ThoughitwasmereconjecturethattheinterviewspokenofhadtakenplacewithCarwin，yettwoideasoccurredtoinvolvemeinthemostpainfuldoubts。Thisman"sreasoningsmightbesospecious，andhisartificessoprofound，that，aidedbythepassionwhichyouhadconceivedforhim，hehadfinallysucceeded；orhissituationmightbesuchastojustifythesecrecywhichyoumaintained。Inneithercasedidmywildestreveriessuggesttome，thatyourhonorhadbeenforfeited。
"Icouldnottalkwithyouonthissubject。Iftheimputationwasfalse，itsatrociousnesswouldhavejustlydrawnuponmeyourresentment，andImusthaveexplainedbywhatfactsithadbeensuggested。Ifitweretrue，nobenefitwouldfollowfromthementionofit。Youhadchosentoconcealitforsomereasons，andwhetherthesereasonsweretrueorfalse，itwaspropertodiscoverandremovetheminthefirstplace。Finally，Iacquiescedintheleastpainfulsupposition，trammelledasitwaswithperplexities，thatCarwinwasupright，andthat，ifthereasonsofyoursilencewereknown，theywouldbefoundtobejust。
ChapterXIV
"Threedayshaveelapsedsincethisoccurrence。Ihavebeenhauntedbyperpetualinquietude。TobringmyselftoregardCarwinwithoutterror，andtoacquiesceinthebeliefofyoursafety，wasimpossible。Yettoputanendtomydoubts，seemedtobeimpracticable。Ifsomelightcouldbereflectedontheactualsituationofthisman，adirectpathwouldpresentitself。Ifhewere，contrarytothetenorofhisconversation，cunningandmalignant，toapprizeyouofthis，wouldbetoplaceyouinsecurity。Ifheweremerelyunfortunateandinnocent，mostreadilywouldIespousehiscause；andifhisintentionswereuprightwithregardtoyou，mosteagerlywouldIsanctifyyourchoicebymyapprobation。
"ItwouldbevaintocalluponCarwinforanavowalofhisdeeds。Itwasbettertoknownothing，thantobedeceivedbyanartfultale。Whathewasunwillingtocommunicate，andthisunwillingnesshadbeenrepeatedlymanifested，couldneverbeextortedfromhim。Importunitymightbeappeased，orimpostureeffectedbyfallaciousrepresentations。Totherestoftheworldhewasunknown。Ihadoftenmadehimthesubjectofdiscourse；butaglimpseofhisfigureinthestreetwasthesumoftheirknowledgewhoknewmost。Nonehadeverseenhimbefore，andreceivedasnew，theinformationwhichmyintercoursewithhiminValencia，andmypresentintercourse，enabledmetogive。
"Wielandwasyourbrother。Ifhehadreallymadeyoutheobjectofhiscourtship，wasnotabrotherauthorizedtointerfereanddemandfromhimtheconfessionofhisviews？YetwhatwerethegroundsonwhichIhadrearedthissupposition？
Wouldtheyjustifyameasurelikethis？Surelynot。
"Inthecourseofmyrestlessmeditations，itoccurredtome，atlength，thatmydutyrequiredmetospeaktoyou，toconfesstheindecorumofwhichIhadbeenguilty，andtostatethereflectionstowhichithadledme。Iwaspromptedbynomeanorselfishviews。Theheartwithinmybreastwasnotmorepreciousthanyoursafety:mostcheerfullywouldIhaveinterposedmylifebetweenyouanddanger。Wouldyoucherishresentmentatmyconduct？Whenacquaintedwiththemotivewhichproducedit，itwouldnotonlyexemptmefromcensure，butentitlemetogratitude。
"Yesterdayhadbeenselectedfortherehearsalofthenewly-importedtragedy。Ipromisedtobepresent。Thestateofmythoughtsbutlittlequalifiedmeforaperformerorauditorinsuchascene；butIreflectedthat，afteritwasfinished，I
shouldreturnhomewithyou，andshouldthenenjoyanopportunityofdiscoursingwithyoufullyonthistopic。Myresolutionwasnotformedwithoutaremnantofdoubt，astoitspropriety。WhenIleftthishousetoperformthevisitIhadpromised，mymindwasfullofapprehensionanddespondency。Thedubiousnessoftheeventofourconversation，fearthatmyinterferencewastoolatetosecureyourpeace，andtheuncertaintytowhichhopegavebirth，whetherIhadnoterredinbelievingyoudevotedtothisman，or，atleast，inimaginingthathehadobtainedyourconsenttomidnightconferences，distractedmewithcontradictoryopinions，andrepugnantemotions。
"IcanassignnoreasonforcallingatMrs。Baynton"s。Ihadseenherinthemorning，andknewhertobewell。Theconcertedhourhadnearlyarrived，andyetIturnedupthestreetwhichleadstoherhouse，anddismountedatherdoor。Ienteredtheparlourandthrewmyselfinachair。Isawandinquiredfornoone。Mywholeframewasoverpoweredbydrearyandcomfortlesssensations。Oneideapossessedmewholly；theinexpressibleimportanceofunveilingthedesignsandcharacterofCarwin，andtheutterimprobabilitythatthiseverwouldbeeffected。Someinstinctinducedmetolaymyhanduponanewspaper。Ihadperusedallthegeneralintelligenceitcontainedinthemorning，andatthesamespot。Theactwasrathermechanicalthanvoluntary。
"Ithrewalanguidglanceatthefirstcolumnthatpresenteditself。ThefirstwordswhichIread，beganwiththeofferofarewardofthreehundredguineasfortheapprehensionofaconvictundersentenceofdeath，whohadescapedfromNewgateprisoninDublin。Goodheaven!howeveryfibreofmyframetingledwhenIproceededtoreadthatthenameofthecriminalwasFrancisCarwin!
"Thedescriptionsofhispersonandaddresswereminute。Hisstature，hair，complexion，theextraordinarypositionandarrangementofhisfeatures，hisaukwardanddisproportionateform，hisgestureandgait，correspondedperfectlywiththoseofourmysteriousvisitant。Hehadbeenfoundguiltyintwoindictments。OneforthemurderoftheLadyJaneConway，andtheotherforarobberycommittedonthepersonofthehonorableMr。Ludloe。
"Irepeatedlyperusedthispassage。Theideaswhichflowedinuponmymind，affectedmelikeaninstanttransitionfromdeathtolife。Thepurposedearesttomyheartwasthuseffected，atatimeandbymeanstheleastofallotherswithinthescopeofmyforesight。Butwhatpurpose？Carwinwasdetected。Actsoftheblackestandmostsordidguilthadbeencommittedbyhim。Herewasevidencewhichimpartedtomyunderstandingthemostluminouscertainty。Thename，visage，anddeportment，werethesame。Betweenthetimeofhisescape，andhisappearanceamongus，therewasasufficientagreement。
SuchwasthemanwithwhomIsuspectedyoutomaintainaclandestinecorrespondence。ShouldInothastetosnatchyoufromthetalonsofthisvulture？ShouldIseeyourushingtothevergeofadizzyprecipice，andnotstretchforthahandtopullyouback？Ihadnoneedtodeliberate。Ithrustthepaperinmypocket，andresolvedtoobtainanimmediateconferencewithyou。Foratime，nootherimagemadeitswaytomyunderstanding。Atlength，itoccurredtome，thatthoughtheinformationIpossessedwas，inonesense，sufficient，yetifmorecouldbeobtained，morewasdesirable。ThispassagewascopiedfromaBritishpaper；partofitonly，perhaps，wastranscribed。Theprinterwasinpossessionoftheoriginal。
"TowardshishouseIimmediatelyturnedmyhorse"shead。Heproducedthepaper，butIfoundnothingmorethanhadalreadybeenseen。Whilebusyinperusingit，theprinterstoodbymyside。HenoticedtheobjectofwhichIwasinsearch。"Aye，"
saidhe，"thatisastrangeaffair。Ishouldneverhavemetwithit，hadnotMr。Halletsenttomethepaper，withaparticularrequesttorepublishthatadvertisement。"
"Mr。Hallet!Whatreasonscouldhehaveformakingthisrequest？Hadthepapersenttohimbeenaccompaniedbyanyinformationrespectingtheconvict？Hadhepersonalorextraordinaryreasonsfordesiringitsrepublication？Thiswastobeknownonlyinoneway。Ispeededtohishouse。Inanswertomyinterrogations，hetoldmethatLudloehadformerlybeeninAmerica，andthatduringhisresidenceinthiscity，considerableintercoursehadtakenplacebetweenthem。Henceaconfidencearose，whichhassincebeenkeptalivebyoccasionalletters。Hehadlatelyreceivedaletterfromhim，enclosingthenewspaperfromwhichthisextracthadbeenmade。Heputitintomyhands，andpointedoutthepassageswhichrelatedtoCarwin。
"Ludloeconfirmsthefactsofhisconvictionandescape；andadds，thathehadreasontobelievehimtohaveembarkedforAmerica。Hedescribeshimingeneralterms，asthemostincomprehensibleandformidableamongmen；asengagedinschemes，reasonablysuspectedtobe，inthehighestdegree，criminal，butsuchasnohumanintelligenceisabletounravel:
thathisendsarepursuedbymeanswhichleaveitindoubtwhetherhebenotinleaguewithsomeinfernalspirit:thathiscrimeshavehithertobeenperpetratedwiththeaidofsomeunknownbutdesperateaccomplices:thathewagesaperpetualwaragainstthehappinessofmankind，andsetshisenginesofdestructionatworkagainsteveryobjectthatpresentsitself。
"Thisisthesubstanceoftheletter。Halletexpressedsomesurprizeatthecuriositywhichwasmanifestedbymeonthisoccasion。Iwastoomuchabsorbedbytheideassuggestedbythisletter，topayattentiontohisremarks。Ishudderedwiththeapprehensionoftheeviltowhichourindiscreetfamiliaritywiththismanhadprobablyexposedus。Iburntwithimpatiencetoseeyou，andtodowhatinmelaytoavertthecalamitywhichthreatenedus。Itwasalreadyfiveo"clock。Nightwashastening，andtherewasnotimetobelost。OnleavingMr。
Hallet"shouse，whoshouldmeetmeinthestreet，butBertrand，theservantwhomIleftinGermany。Hisappearanceandaccoutrementsbespokehimtohavejustalightedfromatoilsomeandlongjourney。Iwasnotwhollywithoutexpectationofseeinghimaboutthistime，butnoonewasthenmoredistantfrommythoughts。YouknowwhatreasonsIhaveforanxietyrespectingsceneswithwhichthismanwasconversant。Carwinwasforamomentforgotten。Inanswertomyvehementinquiries，Bertrandproducedacopiouspacket。Ishallnotatpresentmentionitscontents，northemeasureswhichtheyobligedmetoadopt。Ibestowedabriefperusalonthesepapers，andhavinggivensomedirectionstoBertrand，resumedmypurposewithregardtoyou。MyhorseIwasobligedtoresigntomyservant，hebeingchargedwithacommissionthatrequiredspeed。Theclockhadstruckten，andMettingenwasfivemilesdistant。I
wastoJourneythitheronfoot。Thesecircumstancesonlyaddedtomyexpedition。
"AsIpassedswiftlyalong，Ireviewedalltheincidentsaccompanyingtheappearanceanddeportmentofthatmanamongus。
LateeventshavebeeninexplicableandmysteriousbeyondanyofwhichIhaveeitherreadorheard。TheseeventswerecoevalwithCarwin"sintroduction。Iamunabletoexplaintheiroriginandmutualdependance；butIdonot，onthataccount，believethemtohaveasupernaturalorigin。Isnotthismantheagent？