第12章

derivedfromtheseexploits；yetImeditatednothing。Myviewswereboundedtothepassingmoment，andcommonlysuggestedbythemomentaryexigence。

"Imustnotconcealanything。Yourprinciplesteachyoutoabhoravoluptuoustemper；but，withwhateverreluctance，I

acknowledgethistempertobemine。YouimagineyourservantJudithtobeinnocentaswellasbeautiful；butyoutookherfromafamilywherehypocrisy，aswellaslicentiousness，waswroughtintoasystem。Myattentionwascaptivatedbyhercharms，andherprincipleswereeasilyseentobeflexible。

"Deemmenotcapableoftheiniquityofseduction。Yourservantisnotdestituteoffeminineandvirtuousqualities；butshewastaughtthatthebestuseofhercharmsconsistsinthesaleofthem。MynocturnalvisitstoMettingenwerenowpromptedbyadoubleview，andmycorrespondencewithyourservantgaveme，atalltimes，accesstoyourhouse。

"Thesecondnightafterourinterview，sobriefandsolittleforeseenbyeitherofus，somedaemonofmischiefseizedme。

Accordingtomycompanion"sreport，yourperfectionswerelittlelessthandivine。Heruncouthbutcopiousnarrativesconvertedyouintoanobjectofworship。Shechieflydweltuponyourcourage，becausesheherselfwasdeficientinthatquality。Youheldapparitionsandgoblinsincontempt。Youtooknoprecautionsagainstrobbers。Youwerejustastranquilandsecureinthislonelydwelling，asifyouwereinthemidstofacrowd。

"Henceavagueprojectoccurredtome，toputthiscouragetothetest。Awomancapableofrecollectionindanger，ofwardingoffgroundlesspanics，ofdiscerningthetruemodeofproceeding，andprofitingbyherbestresources，isaprodigy。

Iwasdesirousofascertainingwhetheryouweresuchanone。

"Myexpedientwasobviousandsimple:Iwastocounterfeitamurderousdialogue；butthiswastobesoconductedthatanother，andnotyourself，shouldappeartobetheobject。I

wasnotawareofthepossibilitythatyoushouldappropriatethesemenacestoyourself。Hadyoubeenstillandlistened，youwouldhaveheardthestrugglesandprayersofthevictim，whowouldlikewisehaveappearedtobeshutupinthecloset，andwhosevoicewouldhavebeenJudith"s。Thisscenewouldhavebeenanappealtoyourcompassion；andtheproofofcowardiceorcouragewhichIexpectedfromyou，wouldhavebeenyourremaininginactiveinyourbed，oryourenteringtheclosetwithaviewtoassistthesufferer。SomeinstanceswhichJudithrelatedofyourfearlessnessandpromptitudemademeadoptthelattersuppositionwithsomedegreeofconfidence。

"Bythegirl"sdirectionIfoundaladder，andmountedtoyourclosetwindow。Thisisscarcelylargeenoughtoadmitthehead，butitansweredmypurposetoowell。

"Icannotexpressmyconfusionandsurprizeatyourabruptandprecipitateflight。Ihastilyremovedtheladder；and，aftersomepause，curiosityanddoubtsofyoursafetyinducedmetofollowyou。Ifoundyoustretchedontheturfbeforeyourbrother"sdoor，withoutsenseormotion。Ifeltthedeepestregretatthisunlooked-forconsequenceofmyscheme。Iknewnotwhattodotoprocureyourelief。Theideaofawakeningthefamilynaturallypresenteditself。Thisemergencywascritical，andtherewasnotimetodeliberate。Itwasasuddenthoughtthatoccurred。Iputmylipstothekey-hole，andsoundedanalarmwhicheffectuallyrousedthesleepers。Myorganswerenaturallyforcible，andhadbeenimprovedbylongandassiduousexercise。

"LongandbitterlydidIrepentofmyscheme。Iwassomewhatconsoledbyreflectingthatmypurposehadnotbeenevil，andrenewedmyfruitlessvowsnevertoattemptsuchdangerousexperiments。ForsometimeIadhered，withlaudableforbearance，tothisresolution。

"Mylifehasbeenalifeofhardshipandexposure。InthesummerIprefertomakemybedofthesmoothturf，or，atmost，theshelterofasummer-housesuffices。InallmyramblesI

neverfoundaspotinwhichsomanypicturesquebeautiesandruraldelightswereassembledasatMettingen。Nocornerofyourlittledomainunitesfragranceandsecrecyinsoperfectadegreeastherecessinthebank。Theodourofitsleaves，thecoolnessofitsshade，andthemusicofitswater-fall，hadearlyattractedmyattention。Heremysadnesswasconvertedintopeacefulmelancholy——heremyslumbersweresound，andmypleasuresenhanced。

"Asmostfreefrominterruption，IchosethisasthesceneofmymidnightinterviewswithJudith。Oneevening，asthesundeclined，Iwasseatedhere，whenIwasalarmedbyyourapproach。ItwaswithdifficultythatIeffectedmyescapeunnoticedbyyou。

"Atthecustomaryhour，Ireturnedtoyourhabitation，andwasmadeacquaintedbyJudith，withyourunusualabsence。I

halfsuspectedthetruecause，andfeltuneasinessatthedangertherewasthatIshouldbedeprivedofmyretreat；or，atleast，interruptedinthepossessionofit。Thegirl，likewise，informedme，thatamongyourothersingularities，itwasnotuncommonforyoutoleaveyourbed，andwalkforthforthesakeofnight-airsandstarlightcontemplations。

"Idesiredtopreventthisinconvenience。Ifoundyoueasilyswayedbyfear。Iwasinfluenced，inmychoiceofmeans，bythefacilityandcertaintyofthattowhichIhadbeenaccustomed。

AllthatIforsawwas，that，infuture，thisspotwouldbecautiouslyshunnedbyyou。

"Ienteredtherecesswiththeutmostcaution，anddiscovered，byyourbreathings，inwhatconditionyouwere。Theunexpectedinterpretationwhichyouplaceduponmyformerproceeding，suggestedmyconductonthepresentoccasion。Themodeinwhichheavenissaidbythepoet，tointerfereforthepreventionofcrimes，**wassomewhatanalogoustomyprovince，andneverfailedtooccurtomeatseasonslikethis。Itwasrequisitetobreakyourslumbers，andforthisendIutteredthepowerfulmonosyllable，"hold!hold!"Mypurposewasnotprescribedbyduty，yetsurelyitwasfarfrombeingatrociousandinexpiable。Toeffectit，Iutteredwhatwasfalse，butitwaswellsuitedtomypurpose。Nothinglesswasintendedthantoinjureyou。Nay，theevilresultingfrommyformeract，waspartlyremovedbyassuringyouthatinallplacesbutthisyouweresafe。

*BILOQUIUM，orventrilocution。Soundisvariedaccordingtothevariationsofdirectionanddistance。Theartoftheventriloquistconsistsinmodifyinghisvoiceaccordingtoallthesevariations，withoutchanginghisplace。SeetheworkoftheAbbedelaChappelle，inwhichareaccuratelyrecordedtheperformancesofoneoftheseartists，andsomeingenious，thoughunsatisfactoryspeculationsaregivenonthemeansbywhichtheeffectsareproduced。Thispoweris，perhaps，givenbynature，butisdoubtlessimprovable，ifnotacquirable，byart。Itmay，possibly，consistinanunusualflexibilityorexertionofthebottomofthetongueandtheuvula。Thatspeechisproduciblebythesealonemustbegranted，sinceanatomistsmentiontwoinstancesofpersonsspeakingwithoutatongue。Inonecase，theorganwasoriginallywanting，butitsplacewassuppliedbyasmalltubercle，andtheuvulawasperfect。Intheother，thetonguewasdestroyedbydisease，butprobablyasmallpartofitremained。

Thispowerisdifficulttoexplain，butthefactisundeniable。Experienceshewsthatthehumanvoicecanimitatethevoiceofallmenandofallinferioranimals。Thesoundofmusicalinstruments，andevennoisesfromthecontactofinanimatesubstances，havebeenaccuratelyimitated。Themimicryofanimalsisnotorious；andDr。Burney(MusicalTravels)mentionsonewhoimitatedafluteandviolin，soastodeceiveevenhisears。

**——Peepsthroughtheblanketofthedark，andcriesHold!

Hold!——SHAKESPEARE。

ChapterXXIII

"Mymoralswillappeartoyoufarfromrigid，yetmyconductwillfallshortofyoursuspicions。Iamnowtoconfessactionslessexcusable，andyetsurelytheywillnotentitlemetothenameofadesperateorsordidcriminal。

"Yourhousewasrendered，byyourfrequentandlongabsences，easilyaccessibletomycuriosity。MymeetingwithPleyelwasthepreludetodirectintercoursewithyou。Ihadseenmuchoftheworld，butyourcharacterexhibitedaspecimenofhumanpowersthatwaswhollynewtome。Myintercoursewithyourservantfurnishedmewithcuriousdetailsofyourdomesticmanagement。Iwasofadifferentsex:Iwasnotyourhusband；

Iwasnotevenyourfriend；yetmyknowledgeofyouwasofthatkind，whichconjugalintimaciescangive，and，insomerespects，moreaccurate。Theobservationofyourdomesticwasguidedbyme。

"YouwillnotbesurprizedthatIshouldsometimesprofitbyyourabsence，andadventuretoexaminewithmyowneyes，theinteriorofyourchamber。Uprightandsincere，youusednowatchfulness，andpractisednoprecautions。Iscrutinizedeverything，andpriedeverywhere。Yourclosetwasusuallylocked，butitwasoncemyfortunetofindthekeyonabureau。I

openedandfoundnewscopeformycuriosityinyourbooks。Oneofthesewasmanuscript，andwrittenincharacterswhichessentiallyagreedwithashort-handsystemwhichIhadlearnedfromaJesuitmissionary。

"Icannotjustifymyconduct，yetmyonlycrimewascuriosity。Iperusedthisvolumewitheagerness。Theintellectwhichitunveiled，wasbrighterthanmylimitedandfeebleorganscouldbear。Iwasnaturallyinquisitiveastoyourideasrespectingmydeportment，andthemysteriesthathadlatelyoccurred。

"Youknowwhatyouhavewritten。Youknowthatinthisvolumethekeytoyourinmostsoulwascontained。IfIhadbeenaprofoundandmalignantimpostor，whatplenteousmaterialswerethusfurnishedmeofstratagemsandplots!

"Thecoincidenceofyourdreaminthesummer-housewithmyexclamation，wastrulywonderful。Thevoicewhichwarnedyoutoforbearwas，doubtless，mine；butmixedbyacommonprocessofthefancy，withthetrainofvisionaryincidents。

"Isawinastrongerlightthanever，thedangerousnessofthatinstrumentwhichIemployed，andrenewedmyresolutionstoabstainfromtheuseofitinfuture；butIwasdestinedperpetuallytoviolatemyresolutions。Bysomeperversefate，Iwasledintocircumstancesinwhichtheexertionofmypowerswasthesoleorthebestmeansofescape。

"Onthatmemorablenightonwhichourlastinterviewtookplace，IcameasusualtoMettingen。Iwasapprizedofyourengagementatyourbrother"s，fromwhichyoudidnotexpecttoreturntilllate。Someincidentsuggestedthedesignofvisitingyourchamber。AmongyourbookswhichIhadnotexamined，mightbesomethingtendingtoillustrateyourcharacter，orthehistoryofyourfamily。Someintimationhadbeendroppedbyyouindiscourse，respectingaperformanceofyourfather，inwhichsomeimportanttransactioninhislifewasrecorded。

"Iwasdesirousofseeingthisbook；andsuchwasmyhabitualattachmenttomystery，thatIpreferredtheclandestineperusalofit。Suchwerethemotivesthatinducedmetomakethisattempt。Judithhaddisappeared，andfindingthehouseunoccupied，Isuppliedmyselfwithalight，andproceededtoyourchamber。

"Ifounditeasy，onexperiment，tolockandunlockyourclosetdoorwithouttheaidofakey。Ishutmyselfinthisrecess，andwasbusilyexploringyourshelves，whenIheardsomeoneentertheroombelow。Iwasatalosswhoitcouldbe，whetheryouoryourservant。Doubtful，however，asIwas，I

conceiveditprudenttoextinguishthelight。Scarcelywasthisdone，whensomeoneenteredthechamber。Thefootstepswereeasilydistinguishedtobeyours。

"Mysituationwasnowfullofdangerandperplexity。Forsometime，Icherishedthehopethatyouwouldleavetheroomsolongastoaffordmeanopportunityofescaping。Asthehourspassed，thishopegraduallydesertedme。Itwasplainthatyouhadretiredforthenight。

"Iknewnothowsoonyoumightfindoccasiontoenterthecloset。Iwasalivetoallthehorrorsofdetection，andruminatedwithoutceasing，onthebehaviourwhichitwouldbeproper，incaseofdetection，toadopt。Iwasunabletodiscoveranyconsistentmethodofaccountingformybeingthusimmured。

"ItoccurredtomethatImightwithdrawyoufromyourchamberforafewminutes，bycounterfeitingavoicefromwithout。Somemessagefromyourbrothermightbedelivered，requiringyourpresenceathishouse。IwasdeterredfromthisschemebyreflectingontheresolutionIhadformed，andonthepossibleevilsthatmightresultfromit。Besides，itwasnotimprobablethatyouwouldspeedilyretiretobed，andthen，bytheexerciseofsufficientcaution，Imighthopetoescapeunobserved。

"MeanwhileIlistenedwiththedeepestanxietytoeverymotionfromwithout。Idiscoverednothingwhichbetokenedpreparationforsleep。InsteadofthisIhearddeep-drawnsighs，andoccasionallyanhalf-expressedandmournfulejaculation。HenceIinferredthatyouwereunhappy。ThetruestateofyourmindwithregardtoPleyelyourownpenhaddisclosed；butIsupposedyoutobeframedofsuchmaterials，that，thoughamomentarysadnessmightaffectyou，youwereimpregnabletoanypermanentandheartfeltgrief。Inquietudeformyownsafetywas，foramoment，suspendedbysympathywithyourdistress。

"TotheformerconsiderationIwasquicklyrecalledbyamotionofyourswhichindicatedIknewnotwhat。Ifosteredthepersuasionthatyouwouldnowretiretobed；butpresentlyyouapproachedthecloset，anddetectionseemedtobeinevitable。

Youputyourhanduponthelock。Ihadformednoplantoextricatemyselffromthedilemmainwhichtheopeningofthedoorwouldinvolveme。Ifeltanirreconcilableaversiontodetection。Thussituated，Iinvoluntarilyseizedthedoorwitharesolutiontoresistyoureffortstoopenit。

"Suddenlyyourecededfromthedoor。Thisdeportmentwasinexplicable，butthereliefitaffordedmewasquicklygone。

Youreturned，andIoncemorewasthrownintoperplexity。Theexpedientthatsuggesteditselfwasprecipitateandinartificial。

IexertedmyorgansandcalleduponyouTOHOLD。

"Thatyoushouldpersistinspiteofthisadmonition，wasasubjectofastonishment。Iagainresistedyourefforts；forthefirstexpedienthavingfailed，Iknewnotwhatothertoresortto。Inthisstate，howwasmyastonishmentincreasedwhenI

heardyourexclamations!

"Itwasnowplainthatyouknewmetobewithin。Furtherresistancewasunavailinganduseless。Thedooropened，andI

shrunkbackward。SeldomhaveIfeltdeepermortification，andmorepainfulperplexity。IdidnotconsiderthatthetruthwouldbelessinjuriousthananyliewhichIcouldhastilyframe。ConsciousasIwasofacertaindegreeofguilt，I

conceivedthatyouwouldformthemostodioussuspicions。Thetruthwouldbeimperfect，unlessIwerelikewisetoexplainthemysteriousadmonitionwhichhadbeengiven；butthatexplanationwasoftoogreatmoment，andinvolvedtooextensiveconsequencestomakemesuddenlyresolvetogiveit。

"Iwasawarethatthisdiscoverywouldassociateitselfinyourmind，withthedialogueformerlyheardinthiscloset。

Thencewouldyoursuspicionsbeaggravated，andtoescapefromthesesuspicionswouldbeimpossible。Butthemeretruthwouldbesufficientlyopprobrious，anddeprivemeforeverofyourgoodopinion。

"ThuswasIrendereddesperate，andmymindrapidlypassedtothecontemplationoftheusethatmightbemadeofpreviousevents。Somegoodgeniuswouldappeartoyoutohaveinterposedtosaveyoufrominjuryintendedbyme。Why，Isaid，sinceI

mustsinkinheropinion，shouldInotcherishthisbelief？Whynotpersonateanenemy，andpretendthatcelestialinterferencehasfrustratedmyschemes？Imustfly，butletmeleavewonderandfearbehindme。Elucidationofthemysterywillalwaysbepracticable。Ishalldonoinjury，butmerelytalkofevilthatwasdesigned，butisnowpast。

"ThusIextenuatedmyconducttomyself，butIscarcelyexpectthatthiswillbetoyouasufficientexplicationofthescenethatfollowed。ThosehabitswhichIhaveimbibed，therootedpassionwhichpossessesmeforscatteringaroundmeamazementandfear，youenjoynoopportunitiesofknowing。Thatamanshouldwantonlyimputetohimselfthemostflagitiousdesigns，willhardlybecredited，eventhoughyoureflectthatmyreputationwasalready，bymyownfolly，irretrievablyruined；andthatitwasalwaysinmypowertocommunicatethetruth，andrectifythemistake。

"Ileftyoutoponderonthisscene。Mymindwasfullofrapidandincongruousideas。Compunction，self-upbraiding，hopelesness，satisfactionattheviewofthoseeffectslikelytoflowfrommynewscheme，misgivingsastothebeneficialresultofthisschemetookpossessionofmymind，andseemedtostruggleforthemastery。

"Ihadgonetoofartorecede。Ihadpaintedmyselftoyouasanassassinandravisher，withheldfromguiltonlybyavoicefromheaven。Ihadthusrevertedintothepathoferror，andnow，havinggonethusfar，myprogressseemedtobeirrevocable。

Isaidtomyself，Imustleavetheseprecinctsforever。MyactshaveblastedmyfameintheeyesoftheWielands。Forthesakeofcreatingamysteriousdread，Ihavemademyselfavillain。Imaycompletethismysteriousplanbysomenewimposture，butIcannotaggravatemysupposedguilt。

"Myresolutionwasformed，andIwasswiftlyruminatingonthemeansforexecutingit，whenPleyelappearedinsight。Thisincidentdecidedmyconduct。ItwasplainthatPleyelwasadevotedlover，buthewas，atthesametime，amanofcoldresolvesandexquisitesagacity。TodeceivehimwouldbethesweetesttriumphIhadeverenjoyed。Thedeceptionwouldbemomentary，butitwouldlikewisebecomplete。Thathisdelusionwouldsosoonberectified，wasarecommendationtomyscheme，forIesteemedhimtoomuchtodesiretoentailuponhimlastingagonies。

"Ihadnotimetoreflectfurther，forheproceeded，withaquickstep，towardsthehouse。Iwashurriedonwardinvoluntarilyandbyamechanicalimpulse。Ifollowedhimashepassedtherecessinthebank，andshrowdingmyselfinthatspot，IcounterfeitedsoundswhichIknewwouldarresthissteps。

"Hestopped，turned，listened，approached，andoverheardadialoguewhosepurposewastovanquishhisbeliefinapointwherehisbeliefwasmostdifficulttovanquish。Iexertedallmypowerstoimitateyourvoice，yourgeneralsentiments，andyourlanguage。Beingmaster，bymeansofyourjournal，ofyourpersonalhistoryandmostsecretthoughts，myeffortswerethemoresuccessful。WhenIreviewedthetenorofthisdialogue，I

cannotbelievebutthatPleyelwasdeluded。WhenIthinkofyourcharacter，andoftheinferenceswhichthisdialoguewasintendedtosuggest，itseemsincrediblethatthisdelusionshouldbeproduced。

"Isparednotmyself。Icalledmyselfmurderer，thief，guiltyofinnumerableperjuriesandmisdeeds:thatyouhaddebasedyourselftothelevelofsuchanone，noevidence，methought，wouldsufficetoconvincehimwhoknewyousothoroughlyasPleyel；andyettheimpostureamountedtoproofwhichthemostjealousscrutinywouldfindtobeunexceptionable。

"Helefthisstationprecipitatelyandresumedhiswaytothehouse。Isawthatthedetectionofhiserrorwouldbeinstantaneous，since，nothavinggonetobed，animmediateinterviewwouldtakeplacebetweenyou。Atfirstthiscircumstancewasconsideredwithregret；butastimeopenedmyeyestothepossibleconsequencesofthisscene，Iregardeditwithpleasure。

"Inashorttimetheinfatuationwhichhadledmethusfarbegantosubside。Theremembranceofformerreasoningsandtransactionswasrenewed。HowoftenIhadrepentedthiskindofexertion；howmanyevilswereproducedbyitwhichIhadnotforeseen；whatoccasionsforthebitterestremorseithadadministered，nowpassedthroughmymind。Theblackcatalogueofstratagemswasnowincreased。Ihadinspiredyouwiththemostvehementterrors:Ihadfilledyourmindwithfaithinshadowsandconfidenceindreams:IhaddepravedtheimaginationofPleyel:Ihadexhibitedyoutohisunderstandingasdevotedtobrutalgratificationsandconsummateinhypocrisy。

Theevidencewhichaccompaniedthisdelusionwouldbeirresistibletoonewhosepassionhadpervertedhisjudgment，whosejealousywithregardtomehadalreadybeenexcited，andwho，therefore，wouldnotfailtooverratetheforceofthisevidence。Whatfatalactofdespairorofvengeancemightnotthiserrorproduce？

"Withregardtomyself，Ihadactedwithaphrenzythatsurpassedbelief。Ihadwarredagainstmypeaceandmyfame:

Ihadbanishedmyselffromthefellowshipofvigorousandpureminds:Iwasself-expelledfromascenewhichthemunificenceofnaturehadadornedwithunrivalledbeauties，andfromhauntsinwhichallthemusesandhumanitieshadtakenrefuge。

"Iwasthustornbyconflictingfearsandtumultuousregrets。

Thenightpassedawayinthisstateofconfusion；andnextmorninginthegazetteleftatmyobscurelodging，Ireadadescriptionandanofferofrewardfortheapprehensionofmyperson。IwassaidtohaveescapedfromanIrishprison，inwhichIwasconfinedasanoffenderconvictedofenormousandcomplicatedcrimes。

"Thiswastheworkofanenemy，who，byfalsehoodandstratagem，hadprocuredmycondemnation。Iwas，indeed，aprisoner，butescaped，bytheexertionofmypowers，thefatetowhichIwasdoomed，butwhichIdidnotdeserve。Ihadhopedthatthemaliceofmyfoewasexhausted；butInowperceivedthatmyprecautionshadbeenwise，forthattheinterventionofanoceanwasinsufficientformysecurity。

"Letmenotdwellonthesensationswhichthisdiscoveryproduced。IneednottellbywhatstepsIwasinducedtoseekaninterviewwithyou，forthepurposeofdisclosingthetruth，andrepairing，asfaraspossible，theeffectsofmymisconduct。

Itwasunavoidablethatthisgazettewouldfallintoyourhands，andthatitwouldtendtoconfirmeveryerroneousimpression。

"Havinggainedthisinterview，Ipurposedtoseeksomeretreatinthewilderness，inaccessibletoyourinquiryandtothemaliceofmyfoe，whereImighthenceforthemploymyselfincomposingafaithfulnarrativeofmyactions。Idesigneditasmyvindicationfromtheaspersionsthathadrestedonmycharacter，andasalessontomankindontheevilsofcredulityontheonehand，andofimpostureontheother。

"Iwroteyouabillet，whichwasleftatthehouseofyourfriend，andwhichIknewwould，bysomemeans，speedilycometoyourhands。Ientertainedafainthopethatmyinvitationwouldbecompliedwith。Iknewnotwhatuseyouwouldmakeoftheopportunitywhichthisproposalaffordedyouofprocuringtheseizureofmyperson；butthisfateIwasdeterminedtoavoid，andIhadnodoubtbutduecircumspection，andtheexerciseofthefacultywhichIpossessed，wouldenablemetoavoidit。

"Ilurked，throughtheday，intheneighbourhoodofMettingen:Iapproachedyourhabitationattheappointedhour:

Ientereditinsilence，byatrap-doorwhichledintothecellar。Thishadformerlybeenboltedontheinside，butJudithhad，atanearlyperiodinourintercourse，removedthisimpediment。Iascendedtothefirstfloor，butmetwithnoone，noranythingthatindicatedthepresenceofanhumanbeing。

"Icreptsoftlyupstairs，andatlengthperceivedyourchamberdoortobeopened，andalighttobewithin。Itwasofmomenttodiscoverbywhomthislightwasaccompanied。Iwassensibleoftheinconvenienciestowhichmybeingdiscoveredatyourchamberdoorbyanyonewithinwouldsubjectme；I

thereforecalledoutinmyownvoice，butsomodifiedthatitshouldappeartoascendfromthecourtbelow，"Whoisinthechamber？IsitMissWieland？"

"Noanswerwasreturnedtothissummons。Ilistened，butnomotioncouldbeheard。AfterapauseIrepeatedmycall，butnolessineffectually。

"Inowapproachednearerthedoor，andadventuredtolookin。

Alightstoodonthetable，butnothinghumanwasdiscernible。

Ienteredcautiously，butallwassolitudeandstillness。

"Iknewnotwhattoconclude。Ifthehousewereinhabited，mycallwouldhavebeennoticed；yetsomesuspicioninsinuateditselfthatsilencewasstudiouslykeptbypersonswhointendedtosurprizeme。Myapproachhadbeenwary，andthesilencethatensuedmycallhadlikewiseprecededit；acircumstancethattendedtodissipatemyfears。

"AtlengthitoccurredtomethatJudithmightpossiblybeinherownroom。Iturnedmystepsthither；butshewasnottobefound。Ipassedintootherrooms，andwassoonconvincedthatthehousewastotallydeserted。Ireturnedtoyourchamber，agitatedbyvainsurmisesandoppositeconjectures。Theappointedhourhadpassed，andIdismissedthehopeofaninterview。

"InthisstateofthingsIdeterminedtoleaveafewlinesonyourtoilet，andprosecutemyjourneytothemountains。

ScarcelyhadItakenthepenwhenIlaiditaside，uncertaininwhatmannertoaddressyou。Irosefromthetableandwalkedacrossthefloor。Aglancethrownuponthebedacquaintedmewithaspectacletowhichmyconceptionsofhorrorhadnotyetreached。

"Inthemidstofshudderingandtrepidation，thesignalofyourpresenceinthecourtbelowrecalledmetomyself。Thedeedwasnewlydone:Ionlywasinthehouse:whathadlatelyhappenedjustifiedanysuspicions，howeverenormous。Itwasplainthatthiscatastrophewasunknowntoyou:Ithoughtuponthewildcommotionwhichthediscoverywouldawakeninyourbreast:Ifoundtheconfusionofmyownthoughtsunconquerable，andperceivedthattheendforwhichIsoughtaninterviewwasnotnowtobeaccomplished。

"Inthisstateofthingsitwaslikewiseexpedienttoconcealmybeingwithin。Iputoutthelightandhurrieddownstairs。

Tomyunspeakablesurprize，notwithstandingeverymotivetofear，youlightedacandleandproceededtoyourchamber。

"Iretiredtothatroombelowfromwhichadoorleadsintothecellar。Thisdoorconcealedmefromyourviewasyoupassed。Ithoughtuponthespectaclewhichwasabouttopresentitself。Inanexigencesoabruptandsolittleforeseen，Iwasagainsubjectedtotheempireofmechanicalandhabitualimpulses。Idreadedtheeffectswhichthisshockingexhibition，burstingonyourunpreparedsenses，mightproduce。

"Thusactuated，Isteptswiftlytothedoor，andthrustingmyheadforward，oncemorepronouncedthemysteriousinterdiction。

Atthatmoment，bysomeuntowardfate，youreyeswerecastback，andyousawmeintheveryactofutterance。IfledthroughthedarksomeavenueatwhichIentered，coveredwiththeshameofthisdetection。

"Withdiligence，stimulatedbyathousandineffableemotions，Ipursuedmyintendedjourney。Ihaveabrotherwhosefarmissituatedinthebosomofafertiledesert，nearthesourcesoftheLeheigh，andthitherInowrepaired。

ChapterXXIV

"DeeplydidIruminateontheoccurrencesthathadjustpassed。Nothingexcitedmywondersomuchasthemeansbywhichyoudiscoveredmybeinginthecloset。Thisdiscoveryappearedtobemadeatthemomentwhenyouattemptedtoopenit。Howcouldyouhaveotherwiseremainedsolonginthechamberapparentlyfearlessandtranquil？Andyet，havingmadethisdiscovery，howcouldyoupersistindraggingmeforth:persistindefianceofaninterdictionsoemphaticalandsolemn？

"Butyoursister"sdeathwasaneventdetestableandominous。

Shehadbeenthevictimofthemostdreadfulspeciesofassassination。How，inastatelikeyours，themurderousintentioncouldbegenerated，waswhollyinconceivable。

"IdidnotrelinquishmydesignofconfessingtoyouthepartwhichIhadsustainedinyourfamily，butIwaswillingtodeferittillthetaskwhichIhadsetmyselfwasfinished。Thatbeingdone，Iresumedtheresolution。Themotivestoincitemetothiscontinuallyacquiredforce。ThemoreIrevolvedtheeventshappeningatMettingen，themoreinsupportableandominousmyterrorsbecame。Mywakinghoursandmysleepwerevexedbydismalpresagesandfrightfulintimations。

"Catharinewasdeadbyviolence。Surelymymalignantstarshadnotmademethecauseofherdeath；yethadInotrashlysetinmotionamachine，overwhoseprogressIhadnocontroul，andwhichexperiencehadshewnmewasinfiniteinpower？Everydaymightaddtothecatalogueofhorrorsofwhichthiswasthesource，andaseasonabledisclosureofthetruthmightpreventnumberlessills。

"Fraughtwiththisconception，Ihaveturnedmystepshither。

Ifindyourbrother"shousedesolate:thefurnitureremoved，andthewallsstainedwithdamps。Yourownisinthesamesituation。Yourchamberisdismantledanddark，andyouexhibitanimageofincurablegrief，andofrapiddecay。

"Ihaveutteredthetruth。Thisistheextentofmyoffences。YoutellmeanhorridtaleofWielandbeingledtothedestructionofhiswifeandchildren，bysomemysteriousagent。Youchargemewiththeguiltofthisagency；butI

repeatthattheamountofmyguilthasbeentrulystated。TheperpetratorofCatharine"sdeathwasunknowntometillnow；

nay，itisstillunknowntome。"

Atthatmoment，theclosingofadoorinthekitchenwasdistinctlyheardbyus。Carwinstartedandpaused。"Thereissomeonecoming。Imustnotbefoundherebymyenemies，andneednot，sincemypurposeisanswered。"

Ihaddrunkin，withthemostvehementattention，everywordthathehaduttered。Ihadnobreathtointerrupthistalebyinterrogationsorcomments。Thepowerthathespokeofwashithertounknowntome:itsexistencewasincredible；itwassusceptibleofnodirectproof。

HeownsthathiswerethevoiceandfacewhichIheardandsaw。Heattemptstogiveanhumanexplanationofthesephantasms；butitisenoughthatheownshimselftobetheagent；histaleisalie，andhisnaturedevilish。Ashedeceivedme，helikewisedeceivedmybrother，andnowdoI

beholdtheauthorofallourcalamities!

Suchweremythoughtswhenhispauseallowedmetothink。I

shouldhavebadhimbegoneifthesilencehadnotbeeninterrupted；butnowIfearednomoreformyself；andthemilkinessofmynaturewascurdledintohatredandrancour。

Someonewasnear，andthisenemyofGodandmanmightpossiblybebroughttojustice。Ireflectednotthatthepreternaturalpowerwhichhehadhithertoexerted，wouldavailtorescuehimfromanytoilsinwhichhisfeetmightbeentangled。Meanwhile，looks，andnotwordsofmenaceandabhorrence，wereallthatI

couldbestow。

Hedidnotdepart。Heseemeddubious，whether，bypassingoutofthehouse，orbyremainingsomewhatlongerwherehewas，heshouldmostendangerhissafety。Hisconfusionincreasedwhenstepsofonebarefootwerehearduponthestairs。Hethrewanxiousglancessometimesatthecloset，sometimesatthewindow，andsometimesatthechamberdoor，yethewasdetainedbysomeinexplicablefascination。Hestoodasifrootedtothespot。

Astome，mysoulwasburstingwithdetestationandrevenge。

Ihadnoroomforsurmisesandfearsrespectinghimthatapproached。Itwasdoubtlessahumanbeing，andwouldbefriendmesofarastoaidmeinarrestingthisoffender。

Thestrangerquicklyenteredtheroom。MyeyesandtheeyesofCarwinwere，atthesamemoment，darteduponhim。Asecondglancewasnotneededtoinformuswhohewas。Hislocksweretangled，andfellconfusedlyoverhisforeheadandears。Hisshirtwasofcoarsestuff，andopenattheneckandbreast。Hiscoatwasonceofbrightandfinetexture，butnowtornandtarnishedwithdust。Hisfeet，hislegs，andhisarmswerebare。Hisfeaturesweretheseatofawildandtranquilsolemnity，buthiseyesbespokeinquietudeandcuriosity。

Headvancedwithfirmstep，andlookingasinsearchofsomeone。Hesawmeandstopped。Hebenthissightonthefloor，andclenchinghishands，appearedsuddenlyabsorbedinmeditation。SuchwerethefigureanddeportmentofWieland!

Such，inhisfallenstate，weretheaspectandguiseofmybrother!

Carwindidnotfailtorecognizethevisitant。Careforhisownsafetywasapparentlyswallowedupintheamazementwhichthisspectacleproduced。Hisstationwasconspicuous，andhecouldnothaveescapedtherovingglancesofWieland；yetthelatterseemedtotallyunconsciousofhispresence。

GriefatthissceneofruinandblastwasatfirsttheonlysentimentofwhichIwasconscious。Afearfulstillnessensued。

AtlengthWieland，liftinghishands，whichwerelockedineachother，tohisbreast，exclaimed，"Father!Ithankthee。Thisisthyguidance。Hitherthouhastledme，thatImightperformthywill:yetletmenoterr:letmehearagainthymessenger!"

Hestoodforaminuteasiflistening；butrecoveringfromhisattitude，hecontinued——"Itisnotneeded。Dastardlywretch!thuseternallyquestioningthebehestsofthyMaker!

weakinresolution!waywardinfaith!"

Headvancedtome，and，afteranotherpause，resumed:"Poorgirl!adismalfatehassetitsmarkuponthee。Thylifeisdemandedasasacrifice。Preparetheetodie。Makenotmyofficedifficultbyfruitlessopposition。Thyprayersmightsubduestones；butnonebuthewhoenjoinedmypurposecanshakeit。"

Thesewordswereasufficientexplicationofthescene。Thenatureofhisphrenzy，asdescribedbymyuncle，wasremembered。

Iwhohadsoughtdeath，wasnowthrilledwithhorrorbecauseitwasnear。Deathinthisform，deathfromthehandofabrother，wasthoughtuponwithundescribablerepugnance。

Inastatethusverginguponmadness，myeyeglanceduponCarwin。Hisastonishmentappearedtohavestruckhimmotionlessanddumb。Mylifewasindanger，andmybrother"shandwasabouttobeembruedinmyblood。IfirmlybelievedthatCarwin"swastheinstigation。Icouldrescuemefromthisabhorredfate；Icoulddissipatethistremendousillusion；I

couldsavemybrotherfromtheperpetrationofnewhorrors，bypointingoutthedevilwhoseducedhim；tohesitateamomentwastoperish。Thesethoughtsgavestrengthtomylimbs，andenergytomyaccents:Istartedonmyfeet。

"Obrother!spareme，sparethyself:Thereisthybetrayer。

Hecounterfeitedthevoiceandfaceofanangel，forthepurposeofdestroyingtheeandme。Hehasthismomentconfessedit。Heisabletospeakwhereheisnot。Heisleaguedwithhell，butwillnotavowit；yetheconfessesthattheagencywashis。"

Mybrotherturnedslowlyhiseyes，andfixedthemuponCarwin。Everyjointintheframeofthelattertrembled。Hiscomplexionwaspalerthanaghost"s。HiseyedarednotmeetthatofWieland，butwanderedwithanairofdistractionfromonespacetoanother。

"Man，"saidmybrother，inavoicetotallyunlikethatwhichhehadusedtome，"whatartthou？Thechargehasbeenmade。

Answerit。Thevisage——thevoice——atthebottomofthesestairs——atthehourofeleven——Towhomdidtheybelong？Tothee？"

TwicedidCarwinattempttospeak，buthiswordsdiedawayuponhislips。Mybrotherresumedinatoneofgreatervehemence——

"Thoufalterest；falteringisominous；sayyesorno:onewordwillsuffice；butbewareoffalsehood。Wasitastratagemofhelltooverthrowmyfamily？Wastthoutheagent？"

Inowsawthatthewrathwhichhadbeenpreparedformewastobeheapeduponanother。ThetalethatIheardfromhim，andhispresenttrepidations，wereabundanttestimoniesofhisguilt。ButwhatifWielandshouldbeundeceived!Whatifheshallfindhisactstohaveproceedednotfromanheavenlyprompter，butfromhumantreachery!Willnothisragemountintowhirlwind？Willnothetarelimbfromlimbthisdevotedwretch？

InstinctivelyIrecoiledfromthisimage，butitgaveplacetoanother。Carwinmaybeinnocent，buttheimpetuosityofhisjudgemaymisconstruehisanswersintoaconfessionofguilt。

Wielandknowsnotthatmysteriousvoicesandappearanceswerelikewisewitnessedbyme。Carwinmaybeignorantofthosewhichmisledmybrother。Thusmayhisanswersunwarilybetrayhimselftoruin。

Suchmightbetheconsequencesofmyfranticprecipitation，andthese，itwasnecessary，ifpossible，toprevent。I

attemptedtospeak，butWieland，turningsuddenlyuponme，commandedsilence，inatonefuriousandterrible。Mylipsclosed，andmytonguerefuseditsoffice。

"Whatartthou？"heresumed，addressinghimselftoCarwin。

"Answerme；whoseform——whosevoice——wasitthycontrivance？

Answerme。"

Theanswerwasnowgiven，butconfusedlyandscarcelyarticulated。"Imeantnothing——Iintendednoill——ifI

understand——ifIdonotmistakeyou——itistootrue——Ididappear——intheentry——didspeak。Thecontrivancewasmine，but——"

Thesewordswerenosooneruttered，thanmybrotherceasedtowearthesameaspect。Hiseyesweredowncast:hewasmotionless:hisrespirationbecamehoarse，likethatofamanintheagoniesofdeath。Carwinseemedunabletosaymore。Hemighthaveeasilyescaped，butthethoughtwhichoccupiedhimrelatedtowhatwashorridandunintelligibleinthisscene，andnottohisowndanger。

PresentlythefacultiesofWieland，which，foratime，werechainedup，wereseizedwithrestlessnessandtrembling。Hebrokesilence。Thestoutestheartwouldhavebeenappalledbythetoneinwhichhespoke。HeaddressedhimselftoCarwin。

"Whyartthouhere？Whodetainsthee？Goandlearnbetter。

Iwillmeetthee，butitmustbeatthebarofthyMaker。ThereshallIbearwitnessagainstthee。"

PerceivingthatCarwindidnotobey，hecontinued；"Dostthouwishmetocompletethecataloguebythydeath？Thylifeisaworthlessthing。Temptmenomore。Iambutaman，andthypresencemayawakenafurywhichmayspurnmycontroul。

Begone!"

Carwin，irresolute，strivinginvainforutterance，hiscomplexionpallidasdeath，hiskneesbeatingoneagainstanother，slowlyobeyedthemandateandwithdrew。

ChapterXXV

AfewwordsmoreandIlayasidethepenforever。YetwhyshouldInotrelinquishitnow？AllthatIhavesaidispreparatorytothisscene，andmyfingers，tremulousandcoldasmyheart，refuseanyfurtherexertion。Thismustnotbe。Letmylastenergiessupportmeinthefinishingofthistask。ThenwillIlaydownmyheadinthelapofdeath。Hushedwillbeallmymurmursinthesleepofthegrave。

Everysentimenthasperishedinmybosom。Evenfriendshipisextinct。Yourloveformehaspromptedmetothistask；butI

wouldnothavecompliedifithadnotbeenaluxurythustofeastuponmywoes。Ihavejustlycalculateduponmyremnantofstrength。WhenIlaydownthepenthetaperoflifewillexpire:myexistencewillterminatewithmytale。

NowthatIwasleftalonewithWieland，theperilsofmysituationpresentedthemselvestomymind。Thatthisparoxysmshouldterminateinhavockandrageitwasreasonabletopredict。Thefirstsuggestionofmyfearshadbeendisprovedbymyexperience。Carwinhadacknowledgedhisoffences，andyethadescaped。ThevengeancewhichIhadharbouredhadnotbeenadmittedbyWieland，andyettheevilswhichIhadendured，comparedwiththoseinflictedonmybrother，wereasnothing。

Ithirstedforhisblood，andwastormentedwithaninsatiableappetiteforhisdestruction；yetmybrotherwasunmoved，andhaddismissedhiminsafety。Surelythouwastmorethanman，whileIamsunkbelowthebeasts。

DidIplacearightconstructionontheconductofWieland？

Wastheerrorthatmisledhimsoeasilyrectified？Wereviewssovividandfaithsostrenuousthusliabletofadingandtochange？Wastherenotreasontodoubttheaccuracyofmyperceptions？Withimageslikethesewasmymindthronged，tillthedeportmentofmybrothercalledawaymyattention。

Isawhislipsmoveandhiseyescastuptoheaven。Thenwouldhelistenandlookback，asifinexpectationofsomeone"sappearance。Thriceherepeatedthesegesticulationsandthisinaudibleprayer。Eachtimethemistofconfusionanddoubtseemedtogrowdarkerandtosettleonhisunderstanding。

Iguessedatthemeaningofthesetokens。ThewordsofCarwinhadshakenhisbelief，andhewasemployedinsummoningthemessengerwhohadformerlycommunedwithhim，toattestthevalueofthosenewdoubts。Invainthesummonswasrepeated，forhiseyemetnothingbutvacancy，andnotasoundsalutedhisear。

Hewalkedtothebed，gazedwitheagernessatthepillowwhichhadsustainedtheheadofthebreathlessCatharine，andthenreturnedtotheplacewhereIsat。Ihadnopowertoliftmyeyestohisface:Iwasdubiousofhispurpose:thispurposemightaimatmylife。

Alas!nothingbutsubjectiontodanger，andexposuretotemptation，canshowuswhatweare。BythistestwasInowtried，andfoundtobecowardlyandrash。Mencandeliberatelyuntiethethreadoflife，andofthisIhaddeemedmyselfcapable；yetnowthatIstooduponthebrinkoffate，thattheknifeofthesacrificerwasaimedatmyheart，Ishudderedandbetookmyselftoanymeansofescape，howevermonstrous。

CanIbeartothink——canIenduretorelatetheoutragewhichmyheartmeditated？Whereweremymeansofsafety？Resistancewasvain。NoteventheenergyofdespaircouldsetmeonalevelwiththatstrengthwhichhisterrificprompterhadbestoweduponWieland。Terrorenablesustoperformincrediblefeats；butterrorwasnotthenthestateofmymind:wherethenweremyhopesofrescue？

Methinksitistoomuch。Istandaside，asitwere，frommyself；Iestimatemyowndeservings；ahatred，immortalandinexorable，ismydue。Ilistentomyownpleas，andfindthememptyandfalse:yes，Iacknowledgethatmyguiltsurpassesthatofallmankind:Iconfessthatthecursesofaworld，andthefrownsofadeity，areinadequatetomydemerits。Isthereathingintheworldworthyofinfiniteabhorrence？ItisI。

WhatshallIsay!Iwasmenaced，asIthought，withdeath，and，toeludethisevil，myhandwasreadytoinflictdeathuponthemenacer。Invisitingmyhouse，IhadmadeprovisionagainstthemachinationsofCarwin。Inafoldofmydressanopenpenknifewasconcealed。ThisInowseizedanddrewforth。Itlurkedoutofview:butInowseethatmystateofmindwouldhaverenderedthedeedinevitableifmybrotherhadliftedhishand。Thisinstrumentofmypreservationwouldhavebeenplungedintohisheart。

O，insupportableremembrance!hidetheefrommyviewforatime；hideitfrommethatmyheartwasblackenoughtomeditatethestabbingofabrother!abrotherthussupremeinmisery；

thustoweringinvirtue!

Hewasprobablyunconsciousofmydesign，butpresentlydrewback。Thisintervalwassufficienttorestoremetomyself。

Themadness，theiniquityofthatactwhichIhadpurposedrusheduponmyapprehension。ForamomentIwasbreathlesswithagony。AtthenextmomentIrecoveredmystrength，andthrewtheknifewithviolenceonthefloor。

Thesoundawokemybrotherfromhisreverie。Hegazedalternatelyatmeandattheweapon。Withamovementequallysolemnhestoopedandtookitup。Heplacedthebladeindifferentpositions，scrutinizingitaccurately，andmaintaining，atthesametime，aprofoundsilence。

Againhelookedatme，butallthatvehemenceandloftinessofspiritwhichhadsolatelycharacterizedhisfeatures，wereflown。Fallenmuscles，aforeheadcontractedintofolds，eyesdimwithunbiddendrops，andaruefulnessofaspectwhichnowordscandescribe，werenowvisible。

Hislookstouchedintoenergythesamesympathiesinme，andIpouredforthafloodoftears。Thispassionwasquicklycheckedbyfear，whichhadnow，nolonger，myown，buthissafetyfortheirobject。Iwatchedhisdeportmentinsilence。

Atlengthhespoke:

"Sister，"saidhe，inanaccentmournfulandmild，"Ihaveactedpoorlymypartinthisworld。Whatthinkestthou？ShallInotdobetterinthenext？"

Icouldmakenoanswer。Themildnessofhistoneastonishedandencouragedme。Icontinuedtoregardhimwithwistfulandanxiouslooks。

"Ithink，"resumedhe，"Iwilltry。Mywifeandmybabeshavegonebefore。Happywretches!Ihavesentyoutorepose，andoughtnottolingerbehind。"

Thesewordshadameaningsufficientlyintelligible。I