第13章

lookedattheopenknifeinhishandandshuddered，butknewnothowtopreventthedeedwhichIdreaded。Hequicklynoticedmyfears，andcomprehendedthem。Stretchingtowardsmehishand，withanairofincreasingmildness:"Takeit，"saidhe:"Fearnotforthyownsake，norformine。Thecupisgoneby，anditstransientinebriationissucceededbythesobernessoftruth。

"ThouangelwhomIwaswonttoworship!fearestthou，mysister，forthylife？Onceitwasthescopeofmylabourstodestroythee，butIwaspromptedtothedeedbyheaven；such，atleast，wasmybelief。Thinkestthouthatthydeathwassoughttogratifymalevolence？No。Iampurefromallstain。I

believedthatmyGodwasmymover!

"NeithertheenormyselfhaveIcausetoinjure。Ihavedonemyduty，andsurelythereismeritinhavingsacrificedtothat，allthatisdeartotheheartofman。Ifadevilhasdeceivedme，hecameinthehabitofanangel。IfIerred，itwasnotmyjudgmentthatdeceivedme，butmysenses。Inthysight，beingofbeings!Iamstillpure。StillwillIlookformyrewardinthyjustice!"

Didmyearstrulyreportthesesounds？IfIdidnoterr，mybrotherwasrestoredtojustperceptions。Heknewhimselftohavebeenbetrayedtothemurderofhiswifeandchildren，tohavebeenthevictimofinfernalartifice；yethefoundconsolationintherectitudeofhismotives。Hewasnotdevoidofsorrow，forthiswaswrittenonhiscountenance；buthissoulwastranquilandsublime。

Perhapsthiswasmerelyatransitionofhisformermadnessintoanewshape。Perhapshehadnotyetawakenedtothememoryofthehorrorswhichhehadperpetrated。InfatuatedwretchthatIwas!Tosetmyselfupasamodelbywhichtojudgeofmyheroicbrother!Myreasontaughtmethathisconclusionswereright；butconsciousoftheimpotenceofreasonovermyownconduct；consciousofmycowardlyrashnessandmycriminaldespair，Idoubtedwhetheranyonecouldbestedfastandwise。

Suchwasmyweakness，thateveninthemidstofthesethoughts，mymindglidedintoabhorrenceofCarwin，andI

utteredinalowvoice，O!Carwin!Carwin!Whathastthoutoanswerfor？

Mybrotherimmediatelynoticedtheinvoluntaryexclamation:

"Clara!"saidhe，"bethyself。Equityusedtobeathemeforthyeloquence。Reduceitslessonstopractice，andbejusttothatunfortunateman。Theinstrumenthasdoneitswork，andI

amsatisfied。

"Ithankthee，myGod，forthislastillumination!Myenemyisthinealso。Ideemedhimtobeman，themanwithwhomIhaveoftencommuned；butnowthygoodnesshasunveiledtomehistruenature。Astheperformerofthybehests，heismyfriend。"

Myheartbegannowtomisgiveme。Hismournfulaspecthadgraduallyyieldedplacetoaserenebrow。Anewsoulappearedtoactuatehisframe，andhiseyestobeamwithpreternaturallustre。Thesesymptomsdidnotabate，andhecontinued:

"Clara!Imustnotleavetheeindoubt。IknownotwhatbroughtaboutthyinterviewwiththebeingwhomthoucallestCarwin。Foratime，Iwasguiltyofthyerror，anddeducedfromhisincoherentconfessionsthatIhadbeenmadethevictimofhumanmalice。Heleftusatmybidding，andIputupaprayerthatmydoubtsshouldberemoved。Thyeyeswereshut，andthyearssealedtothevisionthatansweredmyprayer。

"Iwasindeeddeceived。Theformthouhastseenwastheincarnationofadaemon。Thevisageandvoicewhichurgedmetothesacrificeofmyfamily，werehis。Nowhepersonatesahumanform:thenhewasinvironedwiththelustreofheaven——

"Clara，"hecontinued，advancingclosertome，"thydeathmustcome。Thisministerisevil，buthefromwhomhiscommissionwasreceivedisGod。Submitthenwithallthywontedresignationtoadecreethatcannotbereversedorresisted。

Marktheclock。Threeminutesareallowedtothee，inwhichtocallupthyfortitude，andpreparetheeforthydoom。"Therehestopped。

Evennow，whenthissceneexistsonlyinmemory，whenlifeandallitsfunctionshavesunkintotorpor，mypulsethrobs，andmyhairsuprise:mybrowsareknit，asthen；andIgazearoundmeindistraction。Iwasunconquerablyaversetodeath；

butdeath，imminentandfullofagonyasthatwhichwasthreatened，wasnothing。Thiswasnottheonlyorchiefinspirerofmyfears。

Forhim，notformyself，wasmysoultormented。Imightdie，andnocrime，surpassingthereachofmercy，wouldpursuemetothepresenceofmyJudge；butmyassassinwouldsurvivetocontemplatehisdeed，andthatassassinwasWieland!

WingstobearmebeyondhisreachIhadnot。Icouldnotvanishwithathought。Thedoorwasopen，butmymurdererwasinterposedbetweenthatandme。Ofself-defenceIwasincapable。Thephrenzythatlatelypromptedmetobloodwasgone；mystatewasdesperate；myrescuewasimpossible。

Theweightoftheseaccumulatedthoughtscouldnotbeborne。

Mysightbecameconfused；mylimbswereseizedwithconvulsion；

Ispoke，butmywordswerehalf-formed:——

"Spareme，mybrother!Lookdown，righteousJudge!snatchmefromthisfate!takeawaythisfuryfromhim，orturnitelsewhere!"

Suchwastheagonyofmythoughts，thatInoticednotstepsenteringmyapartment。Supplicatingeyeswerecastupward，butwhenmyprayerwasbreathed，Ioncemorewildlygazedatthedoor。Aformmetmysight:IshudderedasiftheGodwhomI

invokedwerepresent。ItwasCarwinthatagainintruded，andwhostoodbeforeme，erectinattitude，andstedfastinlook!

Thesightofhimawakenednewandrapidthoughts。Hisrecenttalewasremembered:hismagicaltransitionsandmysteriousenergyofvoice:Whetherhewereinfernalormiraculous，orhuman，therewasnopowerandnoneedtodecide。Whetherthecontriverornotofthisspell，hewasabletounbindit，andtocheckthefuryofmybrother。Hehadascribedtohimselfintentionsnotmalignant。Herenowwasaffordedatestofhistruth。Lethiminterpose，asfromabove；revokethesavagedecreewhichthemadnessofWielandhasassignedtoheaven，andextinguishforeverthispassionforblood!

Myminddetectedataglancethisavenuetosafety。Therecommendationsitpossessedthrongedasitweretogether，andmadebutoneimpressiononmyintellect。RemotereffectsandcollateraldangersIsawnot。Perhapsthepauseofaninstanthadsufficedtocallthemup。TheimprobabilitythattheinfluencewhichgovernedWielandwasexternalorhuman；thetendencyofthisstratagemtosanctionsofatalanerror，orsubstituteamoredestructiverageinplaceofthis；thesufficiencyofCarwin"smeremuscularforcestocounteracttheefforts，andrestrainthefuryofWieland，might，atasecondglance，havebeendiscovered；butnosecondglancewasallowed。

Myfirstthoughthurriedmetoaction，and，fixingmyeyesuponCarwinIexclaimed——

"Owretch!oncemorehastthoucome？Letitbetoabjurethymalice；tocounterworkthishellishstratagem；toturnfrommeandfrommybrother，thisdesolatingrage!

"Testifythyinnocenceorthyremorse:exertthepowerswhichpertaintothee，whatevertheybe，toturnasidethisruin。Thouarttheauthorofthesehorrors!WhathaveIdonetodeservethustodie？HowhaveImeritedthisunrelentingpersecution？Iadjurethee，bythatGodwhosevoicethouhastdaredtocounterfeit，tosavemylife!

"Wiltthouthengo？leaveme!Succourless!"

Carwinlistenedtomyintreatiesunmoved，andturnedfromme。

Heseemedtohesitateamoment:thenglidedthroughthedoor。

Rageanddespairstifledmyutterance。Theintervalofrespitewaspassed；thepangsreservedformebyWieland，werenottobeendured；mythoughtsrushedagainintoanarchy。Havingreceivedtheknifefromhishand，Ihelditlooselyandwithoutregard；

butnowitseizedagainmyattention，andIgraspeditwithforce。

HeseemedtonoticenottheentranceorexitofCarwin。Mygestureandthemurderousweaponappearedtohaveescapedhisnotice。Hissilencewasunbroken；hiseye，fixedupontheclockforatime，wasnowwithdrawn；furykindledineveryfeature；

allthatwashumaninhisfacegavewaytoanexpressionsupernaturalandtremendous。Ifeltmyleftarmwithinhisgrasp——

EvennowIhesitatedtostrike。Ishrunkfromhisassault，butinvain——

Hereletmedesist。WhyshouldIrescuethiseventfromoblivion？WhyshouldIpaintthisdetestableconflict？Whynotterminateatoncethisseriesofhorrors？——Hurrytothevergeoftheprecipice，andcastmyselfforeverbeyondremembranceandbeyondhope？

StillIlive:withthisloaduponmybreast；withthisphantomtopursuemysteps；withadderslodgedinmybosom，andstingingmetomadness:stillIconsenttolive!

Yes，Iwillriseabovethesphereofmortalpassions:Iwillspurnatthecowardlyremorsethatbidsmeseekimpunityinsilence，orcomfortinforgetfulness。Mynervesshallbenewstrungtothetask。HaveInotresolved？Iwilldie。Thegulphbeforemeisinevitableandnear。Iwilldie，butthenonlywhenmytaleisatanend。

ChapterXXVI

Myrighthand，graspingtheunseenknife，wasstilldisengaged。Itwasliftedtostrike。Allmystrengthwasexhausted，butwhatwassufficienttotheperformanceofthisdeed。Alreadywastheenergyawakened，andtheimpulsegiven，thatshouldbearthefatalsteeltohisheart，when——Wielandshrunkback:hishandwaswithdrawn。Breathlesswithaffrightanddesperation，Istood，freedfromhisgrasp；unassailed；

untouched。

Thuslonghadthepowerwhichcontrouledthesceneforbornetointerfere；butnowhismightwasirresistible，andWielandinamomentwasdisarmedofallhispurposes。Avoice，louderthanhumanorganscouldproduce，shrillerthanlanguagecandepict，burstfromtheceiling，andcommandedhim——TOHOLD!

TroubleanddismaysucceededtothestedfastnessthathadlatelybeendisplayedinthelooksofWieland。Hiseyesrovedfromonequartertoanother，withanexpressionofdoubt。Heseemedtowaitforafurtherintimation。

Carwin"sagencywashereeasilyrecognized。Ihadbesoughthimtointerposeinmydefence。Hehadflown。Ihadimaginedhimdeaftomyprayer，andresolutetoseemeperish:yethedisappearedmerelytodeviseandexecutethemeansofmyrelief。

Whydidhenotforbearwhenthisendwasaccomplished？Whydidhismisjudgingzealandaccursedprecipitationoverpassthatlimit？Ormeanthethustocrownthescene，andconducthisinscrutableplotstothisconsummation？

Suchideaswerethefruitofsubsequentcontemplation。Thismomentwaspregnantwithfate。Ihadnopowertoreason。Inthecareerofmytempestuousthoughts，rentintopieces，asmymindwas，byaccumulatinghorrors，Carwinwasunseenandunsuspected。IpartookofWieland"scredulity，shookwithhisamazement，andpantedwithhisawe。

Silencetookplaceforamoment；somuchasallowedtheattentiontorecoveritspost。Thennewsoundswereutteredfromabove。

"Manoferrors!ceasetocherishthydelusion:notheavenorhell，butthysenseshavemisledtheetocommittheseacts。

Shakeoffthyphrenzy，andascendintorationalandhuman。Belunaticnolonger。"

Mybrotheropenedhislipstospeak。Histonewasterrificandfaint。Hemutteredanappealtoheaven。Itwasdifficulttocomprehendthethemeofhisinquiries。Theyimplieddoubtastothenatureoftheimpulsethathithertohadguidedhim，andquestionedwhetherhehadactedinconsequenceofinsaneperceptions。

Totheseinterrogatoriesthevoice，whichnowseemedtohoverathisshoulder，loudlyansweredintheaffirmative。Thenuninterruptedsilenceensued。

Fallenfromhisloftyandheroicstation；nowfinallyrestoredtotheperceptionoftruth；weighedtoearthbytherecollectionofhisowndeeds；consolednolongerbyaconsciousnessofrectitude，forthelossofoffspringandwife——alossforwhichhewasindebtedtohisownmisguidedhand；WielandwastransformedatonceintothemanOFSORROWS!

Hereflectednotthatcreditshouldbeasreasonablydeniedtothelast，astoanyformerintimation；thatonemightasjustlybeascribedtoerringordiseasedsensesastheother。

Hesawnotthatthisdiscoveryinnodegreeaffectedtheintegrityofhisconduct；thathismotiveshadlostnoneoftheirclaimstothehomageofmankind；thatthepreferenceofsupremegood，andtheboundlessenergyofduty，wereundiminishedinhisbosom。

Itisnotformetopursuehimthroughtheghastlychangesofhiscountenance。Wordshehadnone。Nowhesatuponthefloor，motionlessinallhislimbs，withhiseyesglazedandfixed；amonumentofwoe。

Anonaspiritoftempestuousbutundesigningactivityseizedhim。Herosefromhisplaceandstrodeacrossthefloor，totteringandatrandom。Hiseyeswerewithoutmoisture，andgleamedwiththefirethatconsumedhisvitals。Themusclesofhisfacewereagitatedbyconvulsion。Hislipsmoved，butnosoundescapedhim。

Thatnatureshouldlongsustainthisconflictwasnottobebelieved。Mystatewaslittledifferentfromthatofmybrother。Ientered，asitwere，intohisthought。Myheartwasvisitedandrentbyhispangs——Ohthatthyphrenzyhadneverbeencured!thatthymadness，withitsblissfulvisions，wouldreturn!or，ifthatmustnotbe，thatthyscenewouldhastentoaclose!thatdeathwouldcovertheewithhisoblivion!

WhatcanIwishforthee？Thouwhohastviedwiththegreatpreacherofthyfaithinsanctityofmotives，andinelevationabovesensualandselfish!Thouwhomthyfatehaschangedintoparicideandsavage!CanIwishforthecontinuanceofthybeing？No。

Foratimehismovementsseemeddestituteofpurpose。Ifhewalked；ifheturned；ifhisfingerswereentwinedwitheachother；ifhishandswerepressedagainstoppositesidesofhisheadwithaforcesufficienttocrushitintopieces；itwastotearhismindfromself-contemplation；towastehisthoughtsonexternalobjects。

Speedilythistrainwasbroken。Abeamappearedtobedartedintohismind，whichgaveapurposetohisefforts。Anavenuetoescapepresenteditself；andnowheeagerlygazedabouthim:

whenmythoughtsbecameengagedbyhisdemeanour，myfingerswerestretchedasbyamechanicalforce，andtheknife，nolongerheededorofuse，escapedfrommygrasp，andfellunperceivedonthefloor。Hiseyenowlighteduponit；heseizeditwiththequicknessofthought。

Ishriekedaloud，butitwastoolate。Heplungedittothehiltinhisneck；andhislifeinstantlyescapedwiththestreamthatgushedfromthewound。Hewasstretchedatmyfeet；andmyhandsweresprinkledwithhisbloodashefell。

Suchwasthylastdeed，mybrother!Foraspectaclelikethiswasitmyfatetobereserved!Thyeyeswereclosed——thyfaceghastlywithdeath——thyarms，andthespotwherethouliedest，floatedinthylife"sblood!Theseimageshavenot，foramoment，forsakenme。TillIambreathlessandcold，theymustcontinuetohoverinmysight。

Carwin，asIsaid，hadlefttheroom，buthestilllingeredinthehouse。Myvoicesummonedhimtomyaid；butIscarcelynoticedhisre-entrance，andnowfaintlyrecollecthisterrifiedlooks，hisbrokenexclamations，hisvehementavowalsofinnocence，theeffusionsofhispityforme，andhisoffersofassistance。

Ididnotlisten——Iansweredhimnot——Iceasedtoupbraidoraccuse。HisguiltwasapointtowhichIwasindifferent。

Ruffianordevil，blackashellorbrightasangels，thenceforthhewasnothingtome。Iwasincapableofsparingalookorathoughtfromtheruinthatwasspreadatmyfeet。

Whenheleftme，Iwasscarcelyconsciousofanyvariationinthescene。Heinformedtheinhabitantsofthehutofwhathadpassed，andtheyflewtothespot。Carelessofhisownsafety，hehastedtothecitytoinformmyfriendsofmycondition。

Myunclespeedilyarrivedatthehouse。ThebodyofWielandwasremovedfrommypresence，andtheysupposedthatIwouldfollowit；butno，myhomeisascertained；hereIhavetakenupmyrest，andneverwillIgohence，till，likeWieland，Iambornetomygrave。

Importunitywastriedinvain:theythreatenedtoremovemebyviolence——nay，violencewasused；butmysoulprizestoodearlythislittlerooftoenduretobebereavedofit。Forceshouldnotprevailwhenthehoarylocksandsupplicatingtearsofmyunclewereineffectual。Myrepugnancetomovegavebirthtoferociousnessandphrenzywhenforcewasemployed，andtheywereobligedtoconsenttomyreturn。

Theybesoughtme——theyremonstrated——theyappealedtoeverydutythatconnectedmewithhimthatmademe，andwithmyfellow-men——invain。WhileIliveIwillnotgohence。HaveI

notfulfilledmydestiny？

Whywillyetormentmewithyourreasoningsandreproofs？

Canyerestoretomethehopeofmybetterdays？CanyegivemebackCatharineandherbabes？Canyerecalltolifehimwhodiedatmyfeet？

Iwilleat——Iwilldrink——Iwillliedownandriseupatyourbidding——allIaskisthechoiceofmyabode。Whatisthereunreasonableinthisdemand？ShortlywillIbeatpeace。ThisisthespotwhichIhavechoseninwhichtobreathemylastsigh。Denymenot，Ibeseechyou，soslightaboon。

Talknottome，Omyreveredfriend!ofCarwin。Hehastoldtheehistale，andthouexculpatesthimfromalldirectconcerninthefateofWieland。Thissceneofhavockwasproducedbyanillusionofthesenses。Beitso:Icarenotfromwhatsourcethesedisastershaveflowed；itsufficesthattheyhaveswallowedupourhopesandourexistence。

Whathisagencybegan，hisagencyconductedtoaclose。Heintended，bythefinaleffortofhispower，torescuemeandtobanishhisillusionsfrommybrother。Suchishistale，concerningthetruthofwhichIcarenot。HenceforthIfosterbutonewish——Iaskonlyquickdeliverancefromlifeandalltheillsthatattendit——

Gowretch!tormentmenotwiththypresenceandthyprayers——Forgivethee？Willthatavailtheewhenthyfatefulhourshallarrive？Bethouacquittedatthyowntribunal，andthouneedestnotfeartheverdictofothers。Ifthyguiltbecapableofblackerhues，ifhithertothyconsciencebewithoutstain，thycrimewillbemademoreflagrantbythusviolatingmyretreat。Takethyselfawayfrommysightifthouwouldestnotbeholdmydeath!

Thouaregone!murmuringandreluctant!Andnowmyreposeiscoming——myworkisdone!

ChapterXXVII

[Writtenthreeyearsaftertheforegoing，anddatedatMontpellier。]

IimaginedthatIhadforeverlaidasidethepen；andthatI

shouldtakeupmyabodeinthispartoftheworld，wasofalleventstheleastprobable。MydestinyIbelievedtobeaccomplished，andIlookedforwardtoaspeedyterminationofmylifewiththefullestconfidence。

SurelyIhadreasontobewearyofexistence，tobeimpatientofeverytiewhichheldmefromthegrave。Iexperiencedthisimpatienceinitsfullestextent。Iwasnotonlyenamouredofdeath，butconceived，fromtheconditionofmyframe，thattoshunitwasimpossible，eventhoughIhadardentlydesiredit；

yethereamI，athousandleaguesfrommynativesoil，infullpossessionoflifeandofhealth，andnotdestituteofhappiness。

Suchisman。Timewillobliteratethedeepestimpressions。

Griefthemostvehementandhopeless，willgraduallydecayandwearitselfout。Argumentsmaybeemployedinvain:everymoralprescriptionmaybeineffectuallytried:remonstrances，howevercogentorpathetic，shallhavenopowerovertheattention，orshallberepelledwithdisdain；yet，asdayfollowsday，theturbulenceofouremotionsshallsubside，andourfluctuationsbefinallysucceededbyacalm。

Perhaps，however，theconquestofdespairwaschieflyowingtoanaccidentwhichrenderedmycontinuanceinmyownhouseimpossible。Attheconclusionofmylong，and，asIthensupposed，mylastlettertoyou，Imentionedmyresolutiontowaitfordeathintheveryspotwhichhadbeentheprincipalsceneofmymisfortunes。Fromthisresolutionmyfriendsexertedthemselveswiththeutmostzealandperseverancetomakemedepart。Theyjustlyimaginedthattobethussurroundedbymemorialsofthefateofmyfamily，wouldtendtofostermydisease。Aswiftsuccessionofnewobjects，andtheexclusionofeverythingcalculatedtoremindmeofmyloss，wastheonlymethodofcure。

Irefusedtolistentotheirexhortations。Greatasmycalamitywas，tobetornfromthisasylumwasregardedbymeasanaggravationofit。Byaperverseconstitutionofmind，hewasconsideredasmygreatestenemywhosoughttowithdrawmefromascenewhichsuppliedeternalfoodtomymelancholy，andkeptmydespairfromlanguishing。

InrelatingthehistoryofthesedisastersIderivedasimilarspeciesofgratification。Myuncleearnestlydissuadedmefromthistask；buthisremonstranceswereasfruitlessonthisheadastheyhadbeenonothers。Theywouldhavewithheldfrommetheimplementsofwriting；buttheyquicklyperceivedthattowithstandwouldbemoreinjuriousthantocomplywithmywishes。Havingfinishedmytale，itseemedasifthescenewereclosing。Afeverlurkedinmyveins，andmystrengthwasgone。

Anyexertion，howeverslight，wasattendedwithdifficulty，and，atlength，Irefusedtorisefrommybed。

Inowseetheinfatuationandinjusticeofmyconductinitstruecolours。Ireflectuponthesensationsandreasoningsofthatperiodwithwonderandhumiliation。ThatIshouldbeinsensibletotheclaimsandtearsofmyfriends；thatIshouldoverlookthesuggestionsofduty，andflyfromthatpostinwhichonlyIcouldbeinstrumentaltothebenefitofothers；

thattheexerciseofthesocialandbeneficentaffections，thecontemplationofnatureandtheacquisitionofwisdomshouldnotbeseentobemeansofhappinessstillwithinmyreach，is，atthistime，scarcelycredible。

ItistruethatIamnowchanged；butIhavenottheconsolationtoreflectthatmychangewasowingtomyfortitudeortomycapacityforinstruction。Betterthoughtsgrewupinmymindimperceptibly。Icannotbutcongratulatemyselfonthechange，though，perhaps，itmerelyarguesaficklenessoftemper，andadefectofsensibility。

AftermynarrativewasendedIbetookmyselftomybed，inthefullbeliefthatmycareerinthisworldwasonthepointoffinishing。Myuncletookuphisabodewithme，andperformedformeeveryofficeofnurse，physicianandfriend。Onenight，aftersomehoursofrestlessnessandpain，Isunkintodeepsleep。Itstranquillity，however，wasofnolongduration。Myfancybecamesuddenlydistempered，andmybrainwasturnedintoatheatreofuproarandconfusion。Itwouldnotbeeasytodescribethewildandphantasticalincongruitiesthatpesteredme。Myuncle，Wieland，PleyelandCarwinweresuccessivelyandmomentlydiscernedamidstthestorm。SometimesIwasswallowedupbywhirlpools，orcaughtupintheairbyhalf-seenandgiganticforms，andthrownuponpointedrocks，orcastamongthebillows。Sometimesgleamsoflightwereshotintoadarkabyss，onthevergeofwhichIwasstanding，andenabledmetodiscover，foramoment，itsenormousdepthandhideousprecipices。Anon，IwastransportedtosomeridgeofAEtna，andmadeaterrifiedspectatorofitsfierytorrentsanditspillarsofsmoke。

Howeverstrangeitmayseem，Iwasconscious，evenduringmydream，ofmyrealsituation。Iknewmyselftobeasleep，andstruggledtobreakthespell，bymuscularexertions。Thesedidnotavail，andIcontinuedtosuffertheseabortivecreationstillaloudvoice，atmybedside，andsomeoneshakingmewithviolence，putanendtomyreverie。Myeyeswereunsealed，andIstartedfrommypillow。

Mychamberwasfilledwithsmoke，which，thoughinsomedegreeluminous，wouldpermitmetoseenothing，andbywhichI

wasnearlysuffocated。Thecracklingofflames，andthedeafeningclamourofvoiceswithout，burstuponmyears。

StunnedasIwasbythishubbub，scorchedwithheat，andnearlychoakedbytheaccumulatingvapours，Iwasunabletothinkoractformyownpreservation；Iwasincapable，indeed，ofcomprehendingmydanger。

Iwascaughtup，inaninstant，byapairofsinewyarms，bornetothewindow，andcarrieddownaladderwhichhadbeenplacedthere。Myunclestoodatthebottomandreceivedme。I

wasnotfullyawareofmysituationtillIfoundmyselfshelteredintheHUT，andsurroundedbyitsinhabitants。

Byneglectoftheservant，someunextinguishedembershadbeenplacedinabarrelinthecellarofthebuilding。Thebarrelhadcaughtfire；thiswascommunicatedtothebeamsofthelowerfloor，andthencetotheupperpartofthestructure。

Itwasfirstdiscoveredbysomepersonsatadistance，whohastenedtothespotandalarmedmyuncleandtheservants。Theflameshadalreadymadeconsiderableprogress，andmyconditionwasoverlookedtillmyescapewasrenderednearlyimpossible。

Mydangerbeingknown，andaladderquicklyprocured，oneofthespectatorsascendedtomychamber，andeffectedmydeliveranceinthemannerbeforerelated。

Thisincident，disastrousasitmayatfirstseem，had，inreality，abeneficialeffectuponmyfeelings。Iwas，insomedegree，rousedfromthestuporwhichhadseizedmyfaculties。

Themonotonousandgloomyseriesofmythoughtswasbroken。Myhabitationwaslevelledwiththeground，andIwasobligedtoseekanewone。Anewtrainofimages，disconnectedwiththefateofmyfamily，forceditselfonmyattention，andabeliefinsensiblysprungup，thattranquillity，ifnothappiness，wasstillwithinmyreach。Notwithstandingtheshockswhichmyframehadendured，theanguishofmythoughtsnosoonerabatedthanIrecoveredmyhealth。

Inowwillinglylistenedtomyuncle"ssolicitationstobethecompanionofhisvoyage。Preparationswereeasilymade，andafteratediouspassage，wesetourfeetontheshoreoftheancientworld。Thememoryofthepastdidnotforsakeme；butthemelancholywhichitgenerated，andthetearswithwhichitfilledmyeyes，werenotunprofitable。Mycuriositywasrevived，andIcontemplated，withardour，thespectacleoflivingmannersandthemonumentsofpastages。

Inproportionasmyheartwasreinstatedinthepossessionofitsancienttranquillity，thesentimentwhichIhadcherishedwithregardtoPleyelreturned。InashorttimehewasunitedtotheSaxonwoman，andmadehisresidenceintheneighbourhoodofBoston。Iwasgladthatcircumstanceswouldnotpermitaninterviewtotakeplacebetweenus。Icouldnotdesiretheirmisery；butIreapednopleasurefromreflectingontheirhappiness。Time，andtheexertionsofmyfortitude，curedme，insomedegree，ofthisfolly。Icontinuedtolovehim，butmypassionwasdisguisedtomyself；Iconsidereditmerelyasamoretenderspeciesoffriendship，andcherisheditwithoutcompunction。

Throughmyuncle"sexertionsameetingwasbroughtaboutbetweenCarwinandPleyel，andexplanationstookplacewhichrestoredmeatoncetothegoodopinionofthelatter。Thoughseparatedsowidelyourcorrespondencewaspunctualandfrequent，andpavedthewayforthatunionwhichcanonlyendwiththedeathofoneofus。

InmyletterstohimImadenosecretofmyformersentiments。ThiswasathemeonwhichIcouldtalkwithoutpainful，thoughnotwithoutdelicateemotions。ThatknowledgewhichIshouldneverhaveimpartedtoalover，Ifeltlittlescrupletocommunicatetoafriend。

AyearandanhalfelapsedwhenTheresawassnatchedfromhimbydeath，inthehourinwhichshegavehimthefirstpledgeoftheirmutualaffection。Thiseventwasbornebyhimwithhiscustomaryfortitude。Itinducedhim，however，tomakeachangeinhisplans。HedisposedofhispropertyinAmerica，andjoinedmyuncleandme，whohadterminatedthewanderingsoftwoyearsatMontpellier，whichwillhenceforth，Ibelieve，beourpermanentabode。

IfyoureflectuponthatentireconfidencewhichhadsubsistedfromourinfancybetweenPleyelandmyself；onthepassionthatIhadcontracted，andwhichwasmerelysmotheredforatime；andontheesteemwhichwasmutual，youwillnot，perhaps，besurprizedthattherenovationofourintercourseshouldgivebirthtothatunionwhichatpresentsubsists。WhentheperiodhadelapsednecessarytoweakentheremembranceofTheresa，towhomhehadbeenboundbytiesmoreofhonorthanoflove，hetenderedhisaffectionstome。Ineednotaddthatthetenderwaseagerlyaccepted。

PerhapsyouaresomewhatinterestedinthefateofCarwin。

Hesaw，whentoolate，thedangerofimposture。Somuchaffectedwashebythecatastrophetowhichhewasawitness，thathelaidasideallregardtohisownsafety。Hesoughtmyuncle，andconfidedtohimthetalewhichhehadjustrelatedtome。HefoundamoreimpartialandindulgentauditorinMr。

Cambridge，whoimputedtomaniacalillusiontheconductofWieland，thoughheconceivedthepreviousandunseenagencyofCarwin，tohaveindirectlybutpowerfullypredisposedtothisdeplorableperversionofmind。

ItwaseasyforCarwintoeludethepersecutionsofLudloe。

ItwasmerelyrequisitetohidehimselfinaremotedistrictofPennsylvania。This，whenhepartedfromus，hedeterminedtodo。Heisnowprobablyengagedintheharmlesspursuitsofagriculture，andmaycometothink，withoutinsupportableremorse，ontheevilstowhichhisfataltalentshavegivenbirth。Theinnocenceandusefulnessofhisfuturelifemay，insomedegree，atoneforthemiseriessorashlyorsothoughtlesslyinflicted。

Moreurgentconsiderationshinderedmefrommentioning，inthecourseofmyformermournfulrecital，anyparticularsrespectingtheunfortunatefatherofLouisaConway。Thatmansurelywasreservedtobeamonumentofcapriciousfortune。Hissouthernjourniesbeingfinished，hereturnedtoPhiladelphia。

Beforehereachedthecityheleftthehighway，andalightedatmybrother"sdoor。Contrarytohisexpectation，noonecameforthtowelcomehim，orhailhisapproach。Heattemptedtoenterthehouse，butbolteddoors，barredwindows，andasilencebrokenonlybyunansweredcalls，shewedhimthatthemansionwasdeserted。

Heproceededthencetomyhabitation，whichhefound，inlikemanner，gloomyandtenantless。Hissurprizemaybeeasilyconceived。Therusticswhooccupiedthehuttoldhimanimperfectandincredibletale。Hehastedtothecity，andextortedfromMrs。Bayntonafulldisclosureoflatedisasters。

Hewasinuredtoadversity，andrecovered，afternolongtime，fromtheshocksproducedbythisdisappointmentofhisdarlingscheme。OurintercoursedidnotterminatewithhisdeparturefromAmerica。WehavesincemetwithhiminFrance，andlighthasatlengthbeenthrownuponthemotiveswhichoccasionedthedisappearanceofhiswife，inthemannerwhichI

formerlyrelatedtoyou。

Ihavedweltupontheardouroftheirconjugalattachment，andmentionedthatnosuspicionhadeverglanceduponherpurity。This，thoughthebeliefwaslongcherished，recentdiscoverieshaveshewntobequestionable。Nodoubtherintegritywouldhavesurvivedtothepresentmoment，ifanextraordinaryfatehadnotbefallenher。

MajorStuarthadbeenengaged，whileinGermany，inacontestofhonorwithanAiddeCampoftheMarquisofGranby。Hisadversaryhadpropagatedarumourinjurioustohischaracter。

Achallengewassent；ameetingensued；andStuartwoundedanddisarmedthecalumniator。Theoffencewasatonedfor，andhislifesecuredbysuitableconcessions。

Maxwell，thatwashisname，shortlyafter，inconsequenceofsucceedingtoarichinheritance，soldhiscommissionandreturnedtoLondon。Hisfortunewasspeedilyaugmentedbyanopulentmarriage。Interestwashissoleinducementtothismarriage，thoughtheladyhadbeenswayedbyacredulousaffection。Thetruestateofhisheartwasquicklydiscovered，andaseparation，bymutualconsent，tookplace。Theladywithdrewtoanestateinadistantcounty，andMaxwellcontinuedtoconsumehistimeandfortuneinthedissipationofthecapital。

Maxwell，thoughdeceitfulandsensual，possessedgreatforceofmindandspeciousaccomplishments。HecontrivedtomisleadthegenerousmindofStuart，andtoregaintheesteemwhichhismisconduct，foratime，hadforfeited。HewasrecommendedbyherhusbandtotheconfidenceofMrs。Stuart。Maxwellwasstimulatedbyrevenge，andbyalawlesspassion，toconvertthisconfidenceintoasourceofguilt。

Theeducationandcapacityofthiswoman，theworthofherhusband，thepledgeoftheiralliancewhichtimehadproduced，hermaturityinageandknowledgeoftheworld——allcombinedtorenderthisattempthopeless。Maxwell，however，wasnoteasilydiscouraged。Themostperfectbeing，hebelieved，mustowehisexemptionfromvicetotheabsenceoftemptation。Theimpulsesoflovearesosubtile，andtheinfluenceoffalsereasoning，whenenforcedbyeloquenceandpassion，sounbounded，thatnohumanvirtueissecurefromdegeneracy。Allartsbeingtried，everytemptationbeingsummonedtohisaid，dissimulationbeingcarriedtoitsutmostbound，Maxwell，atlength，nearlyaccomplishedhispurpose。Thelady"saffectionswerewithdrawnfromherhusbandandtransferredtohim。Shecouldnot，asyet，bereconciledtodishonor。Alleffortstoinducehertoelopewithhimwereineffectual。Shepermittedherselftolove，andtoavowherlove；butatthislimitshestopped，andwasimmoveable。

Hencethisrevolutioninhersentimentswasproductiveonlyofdespair。Herrectitudeofprinciplepreservedherfromactualguilt，butcouldnotrestoretoherherancientaffection，orsaveherfrombeingthepreyofremorsefulandimpracticablewishes。Herhusband"sabsenceproducedastateofsuspense。This，however，approachedtoaperiod，andshereceivedtidingsofhisintendedreturn。Maxwell，beinglikewiseapprizedofthisevent，andhavingmadealastandunsuccessfulefforttoconquerherreluctancetoaccompanyhiminajourneytoItaly，whitherhepretendedaninvinciblenecessityofgoing，lefthertopursuethemeasureswhichdespairmightsuggest。AtthesametimeshereceivedaletterfromthewifeofMaxwell，unveilingthetruecharacterofthisman，andrevealingfactswhichtheartificesofherseducerhadhithertoconcealedfromher。Mrs。Maxwellhadbeenpromptedtothisdisclosurebyaknowledgeofherhusband"spractices，withwhichhisownimpetuosityhadmadeheracquainted。

Thisdiscovery，joinedtothedelicacyofherscruplesandtheanguishofremorse，inducedhertoabscond。Thisschemewasadoptedinhaste，buteffectedwithconsummateprudence。Shefled，ontheeveofherhusband"sarrival，inthedisguiseofaboy，andembarkedatFalmouthinapacketboundforAmerica。

ThehistoryofherdisastrousintercoursewithMaxwell，themotivesinducinghertoforsakehercountry，andthemeasuresshehadtakentoeffectherdesign，wererelatedtoMrs。

Maxwell，inreplytohercommunication。Betweenthesewomenanancientintimacyandconsiderablesimilitudeofcharactersubsisted。Thisdisclosurewasaccompaniedwithsolemninjunctionsofsecrecy，andtheseinjunctionswere，foralongtime，faithfullyobserved。

Mrs。Maxwell"sabodewassituatedonthebanksoftheWey。

Stuartwasherkinsman；theiryouthhadbeenspenttogether；andMaxwellwasinsomedegreeindebtedtothemanwhomhebetrayed，forhisalliancewiththisunfortunatelady。HeresteemforthecharacterofStuarthadneverbeendiminished。Ameetingbetweenthemwasoccasionedbyatourwhichthelatterhadundertaken，intheyearafterhisreturnfromAmerica，toWalesandthewesterncounties。Thisinterviewproducedpleasureandregretineach。Theirowntransactionsnaturallybecamethetopicsoftheirconversation；andtheuntimelyfateofhiswifeanddaughterwererelatedbytheguest。

Mrs。Maxwell"sregardforherfriend，aswellasforthesafetyofherhusband，persuadedhertoconcealment；buttheformerbeingdead，andthelatterbeingoutofthekingdom，sheventuredtoproduceMrs。Stuart"sletter，andtocommunicateherownknowledgeofthetreacheryofMaxwell。Shehadpreviouslyextortedfromherguestapromisenottopursueanyschemeofvengeance；butthispromisewasmadewhileignorantofthefullextentofMaxwell"sdepravity，andhispassionrefusedtoadheretoit。

AtthistimemyuncleandIresidedatAvignon。AmongtheEnglishresidentthere，andwithwhomwemaintainedasocialintercourse，wasMaxwell。Thisman"stalentsandaddressrenderedhimafavoritebothwithmyuncleandmyself。Hehadeventenderedmehishandinmarriage；butthisbeingrefused，hehadsoughtandobtainedpermissiontocontinuewithustheintercourseoffriendship。Sincealegalmarriagewasimpossible，nodoubt，hisviewswereflagitious。WhetherhehadrelinquishedtheseviewsIwasunabletojudge。

Hewasoneinalargecircleatavillaintheenvirons，towhichIhadlikewisebeeninvited，whenStuartabruptlyenteredtheapartment。Hewasrecognizedwithgenuinesatisfactionbyme，andwithseemingpleasurebyMaxwell。Inashorttime，someaffairofmomentbeingpleaded，whichrequiredanimmediateandexclusiveinterview，Maxwellandhewithdrewtogether。StuartandmyunclehadbeenknowntoeachotherintheGermanarmy；

andthepurposecontemplatedbytheformerinthislongandhastyjourney，wasconfidedtohisoldfriend。

Adefiancewasgivenandreceived，andthebanksofarivulet，aboutaleaguefromthecity，wasselectedasthesceneofthiscontest。Myuncle，havingexertedhimselfinvaintopreventanhostilemeeting，consentedtoattendthemasasurgeon——Nextmorning，atsun-rise，wasthetimechosen。

Ireturnedearlyintheeveningtomylodgings。

Preliminariesbeingsettledbetweenthecombatants，Stuarthadconsentedtospendtheeveningwithus，anddidnotretiretilllate。Onthewaytohishotelhewasexposedtonomolestation，butjustashesteppedwithintheportico，aswarthyandmalignantfigurestartedfrombehindacolumn。andplungedastilettointohisbody。

Theauthorofthistreasoncouldnotcertainlybediscovered；

butthedetailscommunicatedbyStuart，respectingthehistoryofMaxwell，naturallypointedhimoutasanobjectofsuspicion。

Nooneexpressedmoreconcern，onaccountofthisdisaster，thanhe；andhepretendedanardentzealtovindicatehischaracterfromtheaspersionsthatwerecastuponit。Thenceforth，however，Ideniedmyselftohisvisits；andshortlyafterhedisappearedfromthisscene。

Fewpossessedmoreestimablequalities，andabettertitletohappinessandthetranquilhonorsoflonglife，thanthemotherandfatherofLouisaConway:yettheywerecutoffinthebloomoftheirdays；andtheirdestinywasthusaccomplishedbythesamehand。Maxwellwastheinstrumentoftheirdestruction，thoughtheinstrumentwasappliedtothisendinsodifferentamanner。

Ileaveyoutomoralizeonthistale。Thatvirtueshouldbecomethevictimoftreacheryis，nodoubt，amournfulconsideration；butitwillnotescapeyournotice，thattheevilsofwhichCarwinandMaxwellweretheauthors，owedtheirexistencetotheerrorsofthesufferers。AlleffortswouldhavebeenineffectualtosubvertthehappinessorshortentheexistenceoftheStuarts，iftheirownfrailtyhadnotsecondedtheseefforts。Iftheladyhadcrushedherdisastrouspassioninthebud，anddriventheseducerfromherpresence，whenthetendencyofhisartificeswasseen；ifStuarthadnotadmittedthespiritofabsurdrevenge，weshouldnothavehadtodeplorethiscatastrophe。IfWielandhadframedjusternotionsofmoralduty，andofthedivineattributes；orifIhadbeengiftedwithordinaryequanimityorforesight，thedouble-tongueddeceiverwouldhavebeenbaffledandrepelled。