第8章

Someofthemseemtobepropitious；butwhatshouldIthinkofthosethreatsofassassinationwithwhichyouwerelatelyalarmed？Bloodshedisthetrade，andhorroristheelementofthisman。Theprocessbywhichthesympathiesofnatureareextinguishedinourhearts，bywhichevilismadeourgood，andbywhichwearemadesusceptibleofnoactivitybutintheinfliction，andnojoybutinthespectacleofwoes，isanobviousprocess。Astoanalliancewithevilgeniuses，thepowerandthemaliceofdaemonshavebeenathousandtimesexemplifiedinhumanbeings。Therearenodevilsbutthosewhicharebegottenuponselfishness，andrearedbycunning。

"Now，indeed，thescenewaschanged。ItwasnothissecretponiardthatIdreaded。Itwasonlythesuccessofhiseffortstomakeyouaconfederateinyourowndestruction，tomakeyourwilltheinstrumentbywhichhemightbereaveyouoflibertyandhonor。

"Itook，asusual，thepaththroughyourbrother"sground。

Irangedwithcelerityandsilencealongthebank。Iapproachedthefence，whichdividesWieland"sestatefromyours。Therecessinthebankbeingnearthisline，itbeingnecessaryformetopassnearit，mymindbeingtaintedwithinveteratesuspicionsconcerningyou；suspicionswhichwereindebtedfortheirstrengthtoincidentsconnectedwiththisspot；whatwonderthatitseizeduponmythoughts!

"Ileapedonthefence；butbeforeIdescendedontheoppositeside，Ipausedtosurveythescene。Leavesdroppingwithdew，andglisteninginthemoon"srays，withnomovingobjecttomolestthedeeprepose，filledmewithsecurityandhope。Ileftthestationatlength，andtendedforward。Youwereprobablyatrest。HowshouldIcommunicatewithoutalarmingyou，theintelligenceofmyarrival？Animmediateinterviewwastobeprocured。Icouldnotbeartothinkthataminuteshouldbelostbyremissnessorhesitation。ShouldI

knockatthedoor？orshouldIstandunderyourchamberwindows，whichIperceivedtobeopen，andawakenyoubymycalls？

"Thesereflectionsemployedme，asIpassedoppositetothesummer-house。Ihadscarcelygoneby，whenmyearcaughtasoundunusualatthistimeandplace。Itwasalmosttoofaintandtootransienttoallowmeadistinctperceptionofit。I

stoppedtolisten；presentlyitwasheardagain，andnowitwassomewhatinalouderkey。Itwaslaughter；andunquestionablyproducedbyafemalevoice。Thatvoicewasfamiliartomysenses。Itwasyours。

"Whenceitcame，Iwasatfirstatalosstoconjecture；butthisuncertaintyvanishedwhenitwasheardthethirdtime。I

threwbackmyeyestowardstherecess。Everyotherorganandlimbwasuselesstome。Ididnotreasononthesubject。Ididnot，inadirectmanner，drawmyconclusionsfromthehour，theplace，thehilaritywhichthissoundbetokened，andthecircumstanceofhavingacompanion，whichitnolessincontestablyproved。Inaninstant，asitwere，myheartwasinvadedwithcold，andthepulsesoflifeatastand。

"WhyshouldIgofurther？WhyshouldIreturn？ShouldInothurrytoadistancefromasound，which，thoughformerlysosweetanddelectable，wasnowmorehideousthantheshrieksofowls？

"Ihadnotimetoyieldtothisimpulse。Thethoughtofapproachingandlisteningoccurredtome。IhadnodoubtofwhichIwasconscious。Yetmycertaintywascapableofincrease。Iwaslikewisestimulatedbyasentimentthatpartookofrage。Iwasgovernedbyanhalf-formedandtempestuousresolutiontobreakinuponyourinterview，andstrikeyoudeadwithmyupbraiding。

"Iapproachedwiththeutmostcaution。WhenIreachedtheedgeofthebankimmediatelyabovethesummer-house，IthoughtIheardvoicesfrombelow，asbusyinconversation。Thestepsintherockareclearofbushyimpediments。Theyallowedmetodescendintoacavitybesidethebuildingwithoutbeingdetected。Thustolieinwaitcouldonlybejustifiedbythemomentousnessoftheoccasion。"

HerePleyelpausedinhisnarrative，andfixedhiseyesuponme。SituatedasIwas，myhorrorandastonishmentatthistalegavewaytocompassionfortheanguishwhichthecountenanceofmyfriendbetrayed。Ireflectedonhisforceofunderstanding。

Ireflectedonthepowersofmyenemy。Icouldeasilydivinethesubstanceoftheconversationthatwasoverheard。Carwinhadconstructedhisplotinamannersuitedtothecharactersofthosewhomhehadselectedforhisvictims。IsawthattheconvictionsofPleyelwereimmutable。Iforboretostruggleagainstthestorm，becauseIsawthatallstruggleswouldbefruitless。Iwascalm；butmycalmnesswasthetorporofdespair，andnotthetranquillityoffortitude。ItwascalmnessinvinciblebyanythingthathisgriefandhisfurycouldsuggesttoPleyel。Heresumed——

"Woman!wiltthouhearmefurther？ShallIgoontorepeattheconversation？Isitshamethatmakestheetongue-tied？

ShallIgoon？orartthousatisfiedwithwhathasbeenalreadysaid？"

Ibowedmyhead。"Goon，"saidI。"Imakenotthisrequestinthehopeofundeceivingyou。Ishallnolongercontendwithmyownweakness。Thestormisletloose，andIshallpeaceablysubmittobedrivenbyitsfury。Butgoon。Thisconferencewillendonlywithaffordingmeaclearerforesightofmydestiny；butthatwillbesomesatisfaction，andIwillnotpartwithoutit。"

Why，onhearingthesewords，didPleyelhesitate？Didsomeunlooked-fordoubtinsinuateitselfintohismind？Washisbeliefsuddenlyshakenbymylooks，ormywords，orbysomenewlyrecollectedcircumstance？Whencesoeveritarose，itcouldnotendurethetestofdeliberation。Inafewminutestheflameofresentmentwasagainlightedupinhisbosom。Heproceededwithhisaccustomedvehemence——

"Ihatemyselfforthisfolly。Icanfindnoapologyforthistale。YetIamirresistiblyimpelledtorelateit。Shethathearsmeisapprizedofeveryparticular。Ihaveonlytorepeattoherherownwords。Shewilllistenwithatranquilair，andthespectacleofherobduracywilldrivemetosomedesperateact。WhythenshouldIpersist!yetpersistImust。"

Againhepaused。"No，"saidhe，"itisimpossibletorepeatyouravowalsoflove，yourappealstoformerconfessionsofyourtenderness，toformerdeedsofdishonor，tothecircumstancesofthefirstinterviewthattookplacebetweenyou。ItwasonthatnightwhenItracedyoutothisrecess。Thitherhadheenticedyou，andtherehadyouratifiedanunhallowedcompactbyadmittinghim——

"GreatGod!Thouwitnessedsttheagoniesthattoremybosomatthatmoment!Thouwitnessedstmyeffortstorepelthetestimonyofmyears!Itwasinvainthatyoudweltupontheconfusionwhichmyunlooked-forsummonsexcitedinyou；thetardinesswithwhichasuitableexcuseoccurredtoyou；yourresentmentthatmyimpertinentintrusionhadputanendtothatcharminginterview:Adisappointmentforwhichyouendeavouredtocompensateyourself，bythefrequencyanddurationofsubsequentmeetings。

"Invainyoudweltuponincidentsofwhichyouonlycouldbeconscious；incidentsthatoccurredonoccasionsonwhichnonebesideyourownfamilywerewitnesses。Invainwasyourdiscoursecharacterizedbypeculiaritiesinimitableofsentimentandlanguage。Myconvictionwaseffectedonlybyanaccumulationofthesametokens。Iyieldednotbuttoevidencewhichtookawaythepowertowithholdmyfaith。

"Mysightwasofnousetome。Beneathsothickanumbrage，thedarknesswasintense。Hearingwastheonlyavenuetoinformation，whichthecircumstancesallowedtobeopen。Iwascouchedwithinthreefeetofyou。WhyshouldIapproachnearer？

Icouldnotcontendwithyourbetrayer。Whatcouldbethepurposeofacontest？Youstoodinnoneedofaprotector。

WhatcouldIdo，butretirefromthespotoverwhelmedwithconfusionanddismay？Isoughtmychamber，andendeavouredtoregainmycomposure。Thedoorofthehouse，whichIfoundopen，yoursubsequententrance，closing，andfasteningit，andgoingintoyourchamber，whichhadbeenthuslongdeserted，wereonlyconfirmationsofthetruth。

"WhyshouldIpaintthetempestuousfluctuationofmythoughtsbetweengriefandrevenge，betweenrageanddespair？

WhyshouldIrepeatmyvowsofeternalimplacabilityandpersecution，andthespeedyrecantationofthesevows？

"Ihavesaidenough。Youhavedismissedmefromaplaceinyouresteem。WhatIthink，andwhatIfeel，isofnoimportanceinyoureyes。MaythedutywhichIowemyselfenablemetoforgetyourexistence。InafewminutesIgohence。Bethemakerofyourfortune，andmayadversityinstructyouinthatwisdom，whicheducationwasunabletoimparttoyou。"

ThosewerethelastwordswhichPleyeluttered。Helefttheroom，andmynewemotionsenabledmetowitnesshisdeparturewithoutanyapparentlossofcomposure。AsIsatalone，I

ruminatedontheseincidents。NothingwasmoreevidentthanthatIhadtakenaneternalleaveofhappiness。Lifewasaworthlessthing，separatefromthatgoodwhichhadnowbeenwrestedfromme；yetthesentimentthatnowpossessedmehadnotendencytopalsymyexertions，andoverbearmystrength。I

noticedthatthelightwasdeclining，andperceivedtheproprietyofleavingthishouse。Iplacedmyselfagaininthechaise，andreturnedslowlytowardsthecity。

ChapterXV

BeforeIreachedthecityitwasdusk。ItwasmypurposetospendthenightatMettingen。Iwasnotsolicitous，aslongasIwasattendedbyafaithfulservant，tobethereatanearlyhour。Myexhaustedstrengthrequiredmetotakesomerefreshment。Withthisview，andinordertopayrespecttoonewhoseaffectionformewastrulymaternal，IstoppedatMrs。

Baynton"s。Shewasabsentfromhome；butIhadscarcelyenteredthehousewhenoneofherdomesticspresentedmealetter。I

openedandreadasfollows:

"ToClaraWieland，"WhatshallIsaytoextenuatethemisconductoflastnight？

Itismydutytorepairittotheutmostofmypower，buttheonlywayinwhichitcanberepaired，youwillnot，Ifear，beprevailedontoadopt。Itisbygrantingmeaninterview，atyourownhouse，ateleveno"clockthisnight。Ihavenomeansofremovinganyfearsthatyoumayentertainofmydesigns，butmysimpleandsolemndeclarations。These，afterwhathaspassedbetweenus，youmaydeemunworthyofconfidence。Icannothelpit。Myfollyandrashnesshasleftmenootherresource。I

willbeatyourdoorbythathour。Ifyouchusetoadmitmetoaconference，providedthatconferencehasnowitnesses，Iwilldisclosetoyouparticulars，theknowledgeofwhichisoftheutmostimportancetoyourhappiness。Farewell。

CARWIN。"

Whataletterwasthis!Amanknowntobeanassassinandrobber；onecapableofplottingagainstmylifeandmyfame；

detectedlurkinginmychamber，andavowingdesignsthemostflagitiousanddreadful，nowsolicitsmetogranthimamidnightinterview!Toadmithimaloneintomypresence!Couldhemakethisrequestwiththeexpectationofmycompliance？Whathadheseeninme，thatcouldjustifyhiminadmittingsowildabelief？Yetthisrequestispreferredwiththeutmostgravity。

Itisnotaccompaniedbyanappearanceofuncommonearnestness。

Hadthemisconducttowhichhealludesbeenaslightincivility，andtheinterviewrequestedtotakeplaceinthemidstofmyfriends，therewouldhavebeennoextravaganceinthetenorofthisletter；but，asitwas，thewriterhadsurelybeenbereftofhisreason。

Iperusedthisepistlefrequently。Therequestitcontainedmightbecalledaudaciousorstupid，ifithadbeenmadebyadifferentperson；butfromCarwin，whocouldnotbeunawareoftheeffectwhichitmustnaturallyproduce，andofthemannerinwhichitwouldunavoidablybetreated，itwasperfectlyinexplicable。Hemusthavecountedonthesuccessofsomeplot，inordertoextortmyassent。NoneofthosemotivesbywhichI

amusuallygovernedwouldeverhavepersuadedmetomeetanyoneofhissex，atthetimeandplacewhichhehadprescribed。MuchlesswouldIconsenttoameetingwithaman，taintedwiththemostdetestablecrimes，andbywhoseartsmyownsafetyhadbeensoimminentlyendangered，andmyhappinessirretrievablydestroyed。Ishudderedattheideathatsuchameetingwaspossible。Ifeltsomereluctancetoapproachaspotwhichhestillvisitedandhaunted。

Suchweretheideaswhichfirstsuggestedthemselvesontheperusaloftheletter。Meanwhile，Iresumedmyjourney。Mythoughtsstilldweltuponthesametopic。Graduallyfromruminatingonthisepistle，IrevertedtomyinterviewwithPleyel。Irecalledtheparticularsofthedialoguetowhichhehadbeenanauditor。Myheartsunkanewonviewingtheinextricablecomplexityofthisdeception，andtheinauspiciousconcurrenceofevents，whichtendedtoconfirmhiminhiserror。

Whenheapproachedmychamberdoor，myterrorkeptmemute。Heputhisear，perhaps，tothecrevice，butitcaughtthesoundofnothinghuman。HadIcalled，ormadeanytokenthatdenotedsomeonetobewithin，wordswouldhaveensued；andasomnipresencewasimpossible，thisdiscovery，andtheartlessnarrativeofwhathadjustpassed，wouldhavesavedmefromhismurderousinvectives。Hewentintohischamber，andaftersomeinterval，Istoleacrosstheentryanddownthestairs，withinaudiblesteps。Havingsecuredtheouterdoors，Ireturnedwithlesscircumspection。HeheardmenotwhenIdescended；butmyreturningstepswereeasilydistinguished。Nowhethoughtwastheguiltyinterviewatanend。Inwhatotherwaywasitpossibleforhimtoconstruethesesignals？

Howfallaciousandprecipitatewasmydecision!Carwin"splotoweditssuccesstoacoincidenceofeventsscarcelycredible。Thebalancewasswayedfromitsequipoisebyahair。

HadIevenbeguntheconversationwithanaccountofwhatbefelmeinmychamber，mypreviousinterviewwithWielandwouldhavetaughthimtosuspectmeofimposture；yet，ifIwerediscoursingwiththisruffian，whenPleyeltouchedthelockofmychamberdoor，andwhenheshuthisowndoorwithsomuchviolence，how，hemightask，shouldIbeabletorelatetheseincidents？Perhapshehadwithheldtheknowledgeofthesecircumstancesfrommybrother，fromwhom，therefore，Icouldnotobtainit，sothatmyinnocencewouldhavethusbeenirresistiblydemonstrated。

Thefirstimpulsewhichflowedfromtheseideaswastoreturnuponmysteps，anddemandoncemoreaninterview；buthewasgone:hispartingdeclarationswereremembered。

Pleyel，Iexclaimed，thouartgoneforever!Arethymistakesbeyondthereachofdetection？AmIhelplessinthemidstofthissnare？Theplotterisathand。Heevenspeaksinthestyleofpenitence。Hesolicitsaninterviewwhichhepromisesshallendinthedisclosureofsomethingmomentoustomyhappiness。Whatcanhesaywhichwillavailtoturnasidethisevil？Butwhyshouldhisremorsebefeigned？Ihavedonehimnoinjury。Hiswickednessisfertileonlyofdespair；andthebillowsofremorsewillsometimeoverbearhim。Whymaynotthiseventhavealreadytakenplace？WhyshouldIrefusetoseehim？

Thisideawaspresent，asitwere，foramoment。Isuddenlyrecoiledfromit，confoundedatthatfrenzywhichcouldgiveevenmomentaryharbourtosuchascheme；yetpresentlyitreturned。AtlengthIevenconceivedittodeservedeliberation。Iquestionedwhetheritwasnotpropertoadmit，atalonelyspot，inasacredhour，thismanoftremendousandinscrutableattributes，thisperformerofhorriddeeds，andwhosepresencewaspredictedtocalldownunheard-ofandunutterablehorrors。

Whatwasitthatswayedme？Ifeltmyselfdivestedofthepowertowillcontrarytothemotivesthatdeterminedmetoseekhispresence。Mymindseemedtobesplitintoseparateparts，andthesepartstohaveenteredintofuriousandimplacablecontention。Thesetumultsgraduallysubsided。ThereasonswhyIshouldconfideinthatinterpositionwhichhadhithertodefendedme；inthosetokensofcompunctionwhichthislettercontained；intheefficacyofthisinterviewtorestoreitsspotlessnesstomycharacter，andbanishallillusionsfromthemindofmyfriend，continuallyacquirednewevidenceandnewstrength。

WhatshouldIfearinhispresence？Thiswasunlikeanartificeintendedtobetraymeintohishands。Ifitwereanartifice，whatpurposewoulditserve？Thefreedomofmymindwasuntouched，andthatfreedomwoulddefytheassaultsofblandishmentsormagic。ForcewasInotabletorepel。Ontheformeroccasionmycourage，itistrue，hadfailedattheimminentapproachofdanger；butthenIhadnotenjoyedopportunitiesofdeliberation；Ihadforeseennothing；Iwassunkintoimbecilitybymypreviousthoughts；Ihadbeenthevictimofrecentdisappointmentsandanticipatedills:Witnessmyinfatuationinopeningtheclosetinoppositiontodivineinjunctions。

Now，perhaps，mycouragewastheoffspringofanolesserringprinciple。Pleyelwasforeverlosttome。Istroveinvaintoassumehisperson，andsuppressmyresentment；Istroveinvaintobelieveintheassuaginginfluenceoftime，tolookforwardtothebirth-dayofnewhopes，andthere-exaltationofthatluminary，ofwhoseeffulgenciesIhadsolongandsoliberallypartaken。

WhathadItosufferworsethanwasalreadyinflicted？

WasnotCarwinmyfoe？Iowedmyuntimelyfatetohistreason。Insteadofflyingfromhispresence，oughtInottodevoteallmyfacultiestothegainingofaninterview，andcompelhimtorepairtheillsofwhichhehasbeentheauthor？

WhyshouldIsupposehimimpregnabletoargument？HaveInotreasononmyside，andthepowerofimpartingconviction？

CannothebemadetoseethejusticeofunravellingthemazeinwhichPleyelisbewildered？

Hemay，atleast，beaccessibletofear。Hashenothingtofearfromtherageofaninjuredwoman？Butsupposehiminaccessibletosuchinducements；supposehimtopersistinallhisflagitiouspurposes；arenotthemeansofdefenceandresistanceinmypower？

Intheprogressofsuchthoughts，wastheresolutionatlastformed。Ihopedthattheinterviewwassoughtbyhimforalaudableend；but，bethatasitwould，Itrustedthat，byenergyofreasoningorofaction，Ishouldrenderitauspicious，or，atleast，harmless。

Suchadeterminationmustunavoidablyfluctuate。Thepoet"schaoswasnounaptemblemofthestateofmymind。Atormentwasawakenedinmybosom，whichIforesawwouldendonlywhenthisinterviewwaspast，anditsconsequencesfullyexperienced。

HencemyimpatienceforthearrivalofthehourwhichhadbeenprescribedbyCarwin。

Meanwhile，mymeditationsweretumultuouslyactive。Newimpedimentstotheexecutionoftheschemewerespeedilysuggested。IhadapprizedCatharineofmyintentiontospendthisandmanyfuturenightswithher。Herhusbandwasinformedofthisarrangement，andhadzealouslyapprovedit。Eleveno"clockexceededtheirhourofretiring。WhatexcuseshouldI

formforchangingmyplan？ShouldIshewthislettertoWieland，andsubmitmyselftohisdirection？ButIknewinwhatwayhewoulddecide。Hewouldferventlydissuademefromgoing。

Nay，wouldhenotdomore？HewasapprizedoftheoffencesofCarwin，andoftherewardofferedforhisapprehension。Wouldhenotseizethisopportunityofexecutingjusticeonacriminal？

Thisideawasnew。Iwasplungedoncemoreintodoubt。Didnotequityenjoinmethustofacilitatehisarrest？No。I

disdainedtheofficeofbetrayer。Carwinwasunapprizedofhisdanger，andhisintentionswerepossiblybeneficent。ShouldI

stationguardsaboutthehouse，andmakeanact，intendedperhapsformybenefit，instrumentaltohisowndestruction？

WielandmightbejustifiedinthusemployingtheknowledgewhichIshouldimpart，butI，byimpartingit，shouldpollutemyselfwithmorehatefulcrimesthanthoseundeservedlyimputedtome。

Thisscheme，therefore，Iunhesitatinglyrejected。TheviewswithwhichIshouldreturntomyownhouse，itwouldthereforebenecessarytoconceal。Yetsomepretextmustbeinvented。I

hadneverbeeninitiatedintothetradeoflying。Yetwhatbutfalshoodwasadeliberatesuppressionofthetruth？Todeceivebysilenceorbywordsisthesame。

Yetwhatwouldalieavailme？Whatpretextwouldjustifythischangeinmyplan？WoulditnottendtoconfirmtheimputationsofPleyel？ThatIshouldvoluntarilyreturntoanhouseinwhichhonorandlifehadsolatelybeenendangered，couldbeexplainedinnowayfavorabletomyintegrity。

Thesereflections，iftheydidnotchange，atleastsuspendedmydecision。InthisstateofuncertaintyIalightedattheHUT。Wegavethisnametothehousetenantedbythefarmerandhisservants，andwhichwassituatedonthevergeofmybrother"sground，andataconsiderabledistancefromthemansion。Thepathtothemansionwasplantedbyadoublerowofwalnuts。AlongthispathIproceededalone。Ienteredtheparlour，inwhichwasalightjustexpiringinthesocket。

Therewasnooneintheroom。Iperceivedbytheclockthatstoodagainstthewall，thatitwasneareleven。Thelatenessofthehourstartledme。Whathadbecomeofthefamily？Theywereusuallyretiredanhourbeforethis；buttheunextinguishedtaper，andtheunbarreddoorwereindicationsthattheyhadnotretired。Iagainreturnedtothehall，andpassedfromoneroomtoanother，butstillencounterednotahumanbeing。

Iimaginedthat，perhaps，thelapseofafewminuteswouldexplaintheseappearances。MeanwhileIreflectedthatthepreconcertedhourhadarrived。Carwinwasperhapswaitingmyapproach。ShouldIimmediatelyretiretomyownhouse，noonewouldbeapprizedofmyproceeding。Nay，theinterviewmightpass，andIbeenabledtoreturninhalfanhour。Hencenonecessitywouldarisefordissimulation。

IwassofarinfluencedbytheseviewsthatIrosetoexecutethisdesign；butagaintheunusualconditionofthehouseoccurredtome，andsomevaguesolicitudeastotheconditionofthefamily。Iwasnearlycertainthatmybrotherhadnotretired；butbywhatmotiveshecouldbeinducedtodeserthishousethusunseasonablyIcouldbynomeansdivine。LouisaConway，atleast，wasathomeandhad，probably，retiredtoherchamber；perhapsshewasabletoimparttheinformationI

wanted。

Iwenttoherchamber，andfoundherasleep。Shewasdelightedandsurprizedatmyarrival，andtoldmewithhowmuchimpatienceandanxietymybrotherandhiswifehadwaitedmycoming。Theywerefearfulthatsomemishaphadbefallenme，andhadremaineduplongerthantheusualperiod。Notwithstandingthelatenessofthehour，Catharinewouldnotresignthehopeofseeingme。Louisasaidshehadleftthembothintheparlour，andsheknewofnocausefortheirabsence。

AsyetIwasnotwithoutsolicitudeonaccountoftheirpersonalsafety。Iwasfarfrombeingperfectlyateaseonthathead，butentertainednodistinctconceptionofthedangerthatimpendedoverthem。Perhapstobeguilethemomentsofmylongprotractedstay，theyhadgonetowalkuponthebank。Theatmosphere，thoughilluminatedonlybythestar-light，wasremarkablyserene。MeanwhilethedesirablenessofaninterviewwithCarwinagainreturned，andIfinallyresolvedtoseekit。

Ipassedwithdoubtingandhastystepsalongthepath。Mydwelling，seenatadistance，wasgloomyanddesolate。Ithadnoinhabitant，formyservant，inconsequenceofmynewarrangement，hadgonetoMettingen。Thetemerityofthisattemptbegantoshewitselfinmorevividcolourstomyunderstanding。Whoeverhaspointedsteelisnotwithoutarms；

yetwhatmusthavebeenthestateofmymindwhenIcouldmeditate，withoutshuddering，ontheuseofamurderousweapon，andbelievemyselfsecuremerelybecauseIwascapableofbeingmadesobythedeathofanother？Yetthiswasnotmystate。I

feltasifIwasrushingintodeadlytoils，withoutthepowerofpausingorreceding。

ChapterXVI

AssoonasIarrivedinsightofthefrontofthehouse，myattentionwasexcitedbyalightfromthewindowofmyownchamber。Noappearancecouldbelessexplicable。AmeetingwasexpectedwithCarwin，butthathepre-occupiedmychamber，andhadsuppliedhimselfwithlight，wasnottobebelieved。Whatmotivecouldinfluencehimtoadoptthisconduct？CouldI

proceeduntilthiswasexplained？Perhaps，ifIshouldproceedtoadistanceinfront，someonewouldbevisible。Asidelongbutfeeblebeamfromthewindow，felluponthepinycopsewhichskirtedthebank。AsIeyedit，itsuddenlybecamemutable，andafterflittingtoandfro，forashorttime，itvanished。I

turnedmyeyeagaintowardthewindow，andperceivedthatthelightwasstillthere；butthechangewhichIhadnoticedwasoccasionedbyachangeinthepositionofthelamporcandlewithin。Hence，thatsomepersonwastherewasanunavoidableinference。

Ipausedtodeliberateontheproprietyofadvancing。MightInotadvancecautiously，and，therefore，withoutdanger？MightInotknockatthedoor，orcall，andbeapprizedofthenatureofmyvisitantbeforeIentered？Iapproachedandlistenedatthedoor，butcouldhearnothing。Iknockedatfirsttimidly，butafterwardswithloudness。Mysignalswereunnoticed。I

steppedbackandlooked，butthelightwasnolongerdiscernible。Wasitsuddenlyextinguishedbyahumanagent？

Whatpurposebutconcealmentwasintended？Whywastheilluminationproduced，tobethussuddenlybroughttoanend？

Andwhy，sincesomeonewasthere，hadsilencebeenobserved？

Thesewerequestions，thesolutionofwhichmaybereadilysupposedtobeentangledwithdanger。Wouldnotthisdanger，whenmeasuredbyawoman"sfears，expandintogiganticdimensions？Menacesofdeath；thestunningexertionsofawarningvoice；theknownandunknownattributesofCarwin；ourrecentinterviewinthischamber；thepre-appointmentofameetingatthisplaceandhour，allthrongedintomymemory。

Whatwastobedone？

Courageisnodefiniteorstedfastprinciple。Letthatmanwhoshallpurposetoassignmotivestotheactionsofanother，blushathisfollyandforbear。Notmorepresumptuouswoulditbetoattempttheclassificationofallnature，andthescanningofsupremeintelligence。Igazedforaminuteatthewindow，andfixedmyeyes，forasecondminute，ontheground。Idrewforthfrommypocket，andopened，apenknife。This，saidI，bemysafe-guardandavenger。Theassailantshallperish，ormyselfshallfall。

Ihadlockedupthehouseinthemorning，buthadthekeyofthekitchendoorinmypocket。I，therefore，determinedtogainaccessbehind。ThitherIhastened，unlockedandentered。Allwaslonely，darksome，andwaste。FamiliarasIwaswitheverypartofmydwelling，Ieasilyfoundmywaytoacloset，drewforthataper，aflint，tinder，andsteel，and，inamomentasitwere，gavemyselftheguidanceandprotectionoflight。

WhatpurposedidImeditate？ShouldIexploremywaytomychamber，andconfrontthebeingwhohaddaredtointrudeintothisrecess，andhadlabouredforconcealment？Byputtingoutthelightdidheseektohidehimself，ormeanonlytocircumventmyincautioussteps？Yetwasitnotmoreprobablethathedesiredmyabsencebythusencouragingthesuppositionthatthehousewasunoccupied？Iwouldseethismaninspiteofallimpediments；ereIdied，Iwouldseehisface，andsummonhimtopenitenceandretribution；nomatteratwhatcostaninterviewwaspurchased。Reputationandlifemightbewrestedfrommebyanother，butmyrectitudeandhonorwereinmyownkeeping，andweresafe。

Iproceededtothefootofthestairs。Atsuchacrisismythoughtsmaybesupposedatnolibertytorange；yetvagueimagesrushedintomymind，ofthemysteriousinterpositionwhichhadbeenexperiencedonthelastnight。Mycase，atpresent，wasnotdissimilar；and，ifmyangelwerenotwearyoffruitlessexertionstosave，mightnotanewwarningbeexpected？Whocouldsaywhetherhissilencewereascribabletotheabsenceofdanger，ortohisownabsence？

Inthisstateofmind，nowonderthatashiveringcoldcreptthroughmyveins；thatmypausewasprolonged；and，thatafearfulglancewasthrownbackward。

Alas!myheartdroops，andmyfingersareenervated；myideasarevivid，butmylanguageisfaint:nowknowIwhatitistoentertainincommunicablesentiments。Thechainofsubsequentincidentsisdrawnthroughmymind，andbeinglinkedwiththosewhichforewent，byturnsrouseupagoniesandsinkmeintohopelessness。

YetIwillpersisttotheend。Mynarrativemaybeinvadedbyinaccuracyandconfusion；butifIlivenolonger，Iwill，atleast，livetocompleteit。Whatbutambiguities，abruptnesses，anddarktransitions，canbeexpectedfromthehistorianwhois，atthesametime，thesuffererofthesedisasters？

IhavesaidthatIcastalookbehind。Someobjectwasexpectedtobeseen，orwhyshouldIhavegazedinthatdirection？Twosenseswereatonceassailed。ThesamepiercingexclamationofHOLD!HOLD!wasutteredwithinthesamedistanceofmyear。ThisitwasthatIheard。Theairyundulation，andtheshockgiventomynerves，werereal。

WhetherthespectaclewhichIbeheldexistedinmyfancyorwithout，mightbedoubted。

IhadnotclosedthedooroftheapartmentIhadjustleft。

Thestair-case，atthefootofwhichIstood，waseightortenfeetfromthedoor，andattachedtothewallthroughwhichthedoorled。Myview，therefore，wassidelong，andtookinnopartoftheroom。

Throughthisaperturewasanheadthrustanddrawnbackwithsomuchswiftness，thattheimmediateconvictionwas，thatthusmuchofaform，ordinarilyinvisible，hadbeenunshrowded。Thefacewasturnedtowardsme。Everymusclewastense；theforeheadandbrowsweredrawnintovehementexpression；thelipswerestretchedasintheactofshrieking，andtheeyesemittedsparks，which，nodoubt，ifIhadbeenunattendedbyalight，wouldhaveilluminatedlikethecoruscationsofameteor。Thesoundandthevisionwerepresent，anddepartedtogetheratthesameinstant；butthecrywasblownintomyear，whilethefacewasmanypacesdistant。

Thisfacewaswellsuitedtoabeingwhoseperformancesexceededthestandardofhumanity，andyetitsfeatureswereakintothoseIhadbeforeseen。TheimageofCarwinwasblendedinathousandwayswiththestreamofmythoughts。Thisvisagewas，perhaps，pourtrayedbymyfancy。Ifso，itwillexcitenosurprizethatsomeofhislineamentswerenowdiscovered。Yetaffinitieswerefewandunconspicuous，andwerelostamidsttheblazeofoppositequalities。

WhatconclusioncouldIform？Bethefacehumanornot，theintimationwasimpartedfromabove。Experiencehadevincedthebenignityofthatbeingwhogaveit。Oncehehadinterposedtoshieldmefromharm，andsubsequenteventsdemonstratedtheusefulnessofthatinterposition。NowwasIagainwarnedtoforbear。Iwashurryingtothevergeofthesamegulf，andthesamepowerwasexertedtorecallmysteps。Wasitpossibleformenottoobey？WasIcapableofholdingoninthesameperilouscareer？Yes。EvenofthisIwascapable!

Theintimationwasimperfect:itgavenoformtomydanger，andprescribednolimitstomycaution。Ihadformerlyneglectedit，andyetescaped。MightInottrusttothesameissue？Thisideamightpossess，thoughimperceptibly，someinfluence。Ipersisted；butitwasnotmerelyonthisaccount。

Icannotdelineatethemotivesthatledmeon。Inowspeakasifnoremnantofdoubtexistedinmymindastothesupernaloriginofthesesounds；butthisisowingtotheimperfectionofmylanguage，forIonlymeanthatthebeliefwasmorepermanent，andvisitedmorefrequentlymysobermeditationsthanitsopposite。Theimmediateeffectsservedonlytounderminethefoundationsofmyjudgmentandprecipitatemyresolutions。

Imusteitheradvanceorreturn。Ichosetheformer，andbegantoascendthestairs。Thesilenceunderwentnosecondinterruption。Mychamberdoorwasclosed，butunlocked，and，aidedbyvehementeffortsofmycourage，Iopenedandlookedin。

Nohideousoruncommonobjectwasdiscernible。Thedanger，indeed，mighteasilyhavelurkedoutofsight，havesprunguponmeasIentered，andhaverentmewithhisirontalons；butI

wasblindtothisfate，andadvanced，thoughcautiously，intotheroom。

Stilleverythingworeitsaccustomedaspect。Neitherlampnorcandlewastobefound。Now，forthefirsttime，suspicionsweresuggestedastothenatureofthelightwhichIhadseen。

Wasitpossibletohavebeenthecompanionofthatsupernaturalvisage；ameteorousrefulgenceproducibleatthewillofhimtowhomthatvisagebelonged，andpartakingofthenatureofthatwhichaccompaniedmyfather"sdeath？

Theclosetwasnear，andIrememberedthecomplicatedhorrorsofwhichithadbeenproductive。Here，perhaps，wasinclosedthesourceofmyperil，andthegratificationofmycuriosity。

ShouldIadventureoncemoretoexploreitsrecesses？Thiswasaresolutionnoteasilyformed。Iwassuspendedinthought:

whenglancingmyeyeonatable，Iperceivedawrittenpaper。

Carwin"shandwasinstantlyrecognized，andsnatchingupthepaper，Ireadasfollows:——

"Therewasfollyinexpectingyourcompliancewithmyinvitation。JudgehowIwasdisappointedinfindinganotherinyourplace。Ihavewaited，buttowaitanylongerwouldbeperilous。Ishallstillseekaninterview，butitmustbeatadifferenttimeandplace:meanwhile，Iwillwritethis——Howwillyoubear——Howinexplicablewillbethistransaction!——Aneventsounexpected——asightsohorrible!"

Suchwasthisabruptandunsatisfactoryscript。Theinkwasyetmoist，thehandwasthatofCarwin。Henceitwastobeinferredthathehadthismomentlefttheapartment，orwasstillinit。Ilookedback，onthesuddenexpectationofseeinghimbehindme。

Whatotherdidhemean？Whattransactionhadtakenplaceadversetomyexpectations？Whatsightwasabouttobeexhibited？Ilookedaroundmeoncemore，butsawnothingwhichindicatedstrangeness。AgainIrememberedthecloset，andwasresolvedtoseekinthatthesolutionofthesemysteries。Here，perhaps，wasinclosedthescenedestinedtoawakenmyhorrorsandbafflemyforesight。