Ourdevotionwasamixedandcasualsentiment，seldomverballyexpressed，orsolicitouslysought，orcarefullyretained。Inthemidstofpresentenjoyment，nothoughtwasbestowedonthefuture。Asaconsolationincalamityreligionisdear。Butcalamitywasyetatadistance，anditsonlytendencywastoheightenenjoymentswhichneedednotthisadditiontosatisfyeverycraving。
　　Mybrother'ssituationwassomewhatdifferent。Hisdeportmentwasgrave，considerate，andthoughtful。Iwillnotsaywhetherhewasindebtedtosublimerviewsforthisdisposition。Humanlife，inhisopinion，wasmadeupofchangeableelements，andtheprinciplesofdutywerenoteasilyunfolded。Thefuture，eitherasanterior，orsubsequenttodeath，wasascenethatrequiredsomepreparationandprovisiontobemadeforit。Thesepositionswecouldnotdeny，butwhatdistinguishedhimwasapropensitytoruminateonthesetruths。
　　Theimagesthatvisiteduswereblithsomeandgay，butthosewithwhichhewasmostfamiliarwereofanoppositehue。Theydidnotgenerateafflictionandfear，buttheydiffusedoverhisbehaviouracertainairofforethoughtandsobriety。Theprincipaleffectofthistemperwasvisibleinhisfeaturesandtones。These，ingeneral，bespokeasortofthrillingmelancholy。Iscarcelyeverknewhimtolaugh。Heneveraccompaniedthelawlessmirthofhiscompanionswithmorethanasmile，buthisconductwasthesameasours。
　　Hepartookofouroccupationsandamusementswithazealnotlessthanours，butofadifferentkind。Thediversityinourtemperwasnevertheparentofdiscord，andwasscarcelyatopicofregret。Thescenewasvariegated，butnottarnishedordisorderedbyit。Ithinderedtheelementinwhichwemovedfromstagnating。Someagitationandconcussionisrequisitetothedueexerciseofhumanunderstanding。Inhisstudies，hepursuedanaustererandmorearduouspath。Hewasmuchconversantwiththehistoryofreligiousopinions，andtookpainstoascertaintheirvalidity。Hedeemeditindispensabletoexaminethegroundofhisbelief，tosettletherelationbetweenmotivesandactions，thecriterionofmerit，andthekindsandpropertiesofevidence。
　　Therewasanobviousresemblancebetweenhimandmyfather，intheirconceptionsoftheimportanceofcertaintopics，andinthelightinwhichthevicissitudesofhumanlifewereaccustomedtobeviewed。Theircharactersweresimilar，butthemindofthesonwasenrichedbyscience，andembellishedwithliterature。
　　Thetemplewasnolongerassignedtoitsancientuse。FromanItalianadventurer，whoerroneouslyimaginedthathecouldfindemploymentforhisskill，andsaleforhissculpturesinAmerica，mybrotherhadpurchasedabustofCicero。HeprofessedtohavecopiedthispiecefromanantiquedugupwithhisownhandsintheenvironsofModena。Ofthetruthofhisassertionswewerenotqualifiedtojudge；butthemarblewaspureandpolished，andwewerecontentedtoadmiretheperformance，withoutwaitingforthesanctionofconnoisseurs。
　　Wehiredthesameartisttohewasuitablepedestalfromaneighbouringquarry。Thiswasplacedinthetemple，andthebustresteduponit。Oppositetothiswasaharpsichord，shelteredbyatemporaryrooffromtheweather。Thiswastheplaceofresortintheeveningsofsummer。Herewesung，andtalked，andread，andoccasionallybanqueted。Everyjoyousandtenderscenemostdeartomymemory，isconnectedwiththisedifice。Heretheperformancesofourmusicalandpoeticalancestorwererehearsed。Heremybrother'schildrenreceivedtherudimentsoftheireducation；hereathousandconversations，pregnantwithdelightandimprovement，tookplace；andherethesocialaffectionswereaccustomedtoexpand，andthetearofdelicioussympathytobeshed。
　　Mybrotherwasanindefatigablestudent。Theauthorswhomhereadwerenumerous，butthechiefobjectofhisvenerationwasCicero。Hewasnevertiredofconningandrehearsinghisproductions。Tounderstandthemwasnotsufficient。Hewasanxioustodiscoverthegesturesandcadenceswithwhichtheyoughttobedelivered。HewasveryscrupulousinselectingatrueschemeofpronunciationfortheLatintongue，andinadaptingittothewordsofhisdarlingwriter。Hisfavoriteoccupationconsistedinembellishinghisrhetoricwithalltheproprietiesofgesticulationandutterance。
　　Notcontentedwiththis，hewasdiligentinsettlingandrestoringthepurityofthetext。Forthisend，hecollectedalltheeditionsandcommentariesthatcouldbeprocured，andemployedmonthsofseverestudyinexploringandcomparingthem。
　　Heneverbetrayedmoresatisfactionthanwhenhemadeadiscoveryofthiskind。
　　ItwasnottilltheadditionofHenryPleyel，myfriend'sonlybrother，tooursociety，thathispassionforRomaneloquencewascountenancedandfosteredbyasympathyoftastes。
　　ThisyoungmanhadbeensomeyearsinEurope。Wehadseparatedataveryearlyage，andhewasnowreturnedtospendtheremainderofhisdaysamongus。
　　Ourcirclewasgreatlyenlivenedbytheaccessionofanewmember。Hisconversationaboundedwithnovelty。Hisgaietywasalmostboisterous，butwascapableofyieldingtoagravedeportmentwhentheoccasionrequiredit。Hisdiscernmentwasacute，buthewaspronetovieweveryobjectmerelyassupplyingmaterialsformirth。Hisconceptionswereardentbutludicrous，andhismemory，aided，ashehonestlyacknowledged，byhisinvention，wasaninexhaustiblefundofentertainment。
　　Hisresidencewasatthesamedistancebelowthecityasourswasabove，butthereseldompassedadaywithoutourbeingfavouredwithavisit。MybrotherandhewereendowedwiththesameattachmenttotheLatinwriters；andPleyelwasnotbehindhisfriendinhisknowledgeofthehistoryandmetaphysicsofreligion。Theircreeds，however，wereinmanyrespectsopposite。Whereonediscoveredonlyconfirmationsofhisfaith，theothercouldfindnothingbutreasonsfordoubt。Moralnecessity，andcalvinisticinspiration，werethepropsonwhichmybrotherthoughtpropertorepose。Pleyelwasthechampionofintellectualliberty，andrejectedallguidancebutthatofhisreason。Theirdiscussionswerefrequent，but，beingmanagedwithcandouraswellaswithskill，theywerealwayslistenedtobyuswithavidityandbenefit。
　　Pleyel，likehisnewfriends，wasfondofmusicandpoetry。
　　Henceforthourconcertsconsistedoftwoviolins，anharpsichord，andthreevoices。Wewerefrequentlyremindedhowmuchhappinessdependsuponsociety。Thisnewfriend，though，beforehisarrival，weweresensibleofnovacuity，couldnotnowbespared。Hisdeparturewouldoccasionavoidwhichnothingcouldfill，andwhichwouldproduceinsupportableregret。Evenmybrother，thoughhisopinionswerehourlyassailed，andeventhedivinityofCicerocontested，wascaptivatedwithhisfriend，andlaidasidesomepartofhisancientgravityatPleyel'sapproach。
　　ChapterIV
　　Sixyearsofuninterruptedhappinesshadrolledaway，sincemybrother'smarriage。Thesoundofwarhadbeenheard，butitwasatsuchadistanceastoenhanceourenjoymentbyaffordingobjectsofcomparison。TheIndianswererepulsedontheoneside，andCanadawasconqueredontheother。Revolutionsandbattles，howevercalamitoustothosewhooccupiedthescene，contributedinsomesorttoourhappiness，byagitatingourmindswithcuriosity，andfurnishingcausesofpatrioticexultation。Fourchildren，threeofwhomwereofanagetocompensate，bytheirpersonalandmentalprogress，thecaresofwhichtheyhadbeen，atamorehelplessage，theobjects，exercisedmybrother'stenderness。Thefourthwasacharmingbabethatpromisedtodisplaytheimageofhermother，andenjoyedperfecthealth。Tothesewereaddedasweetgirlfourteenyearsold，whowaslovedbyallofus，withanaffectionmorethanparental。
　　Hermother'sstorywasamournfulone。ShehadcomehitherfromEnglandwhenthischildwasaninfant，alone，withoutfriends，andwithoutmoney。Sheappearedtohaveembarkedinahastyandclandestinemanner。Shepassedthreeyearsofsolitudeandanguishundermyaunt'sprotection，anddiedamartyrtowoe；thesourceofwhichshecould，bynoimportunities，beprevailedupontounfold。Hereducationandmannersbespokehertobeofnomeanbirth。Herlastmomentswererenderedserene，bytheassurancesshereceivedfrommyaunt，thatherdaughtershouldexperiencethesameprotectionthathadbeenextendedtoherself。
　　Onmybrother'smarriage，itwasagreedthatsheshouldmakeapartofhisfamily。Icannotdojusticetotheattractionsofthisgirl。Perhapsthetendernesssheexcitedmightpartlyoriginateinherpersonalresemblancetohermother，whosecharacterandmisfortuneswerestillfreshinourremembrance。
　　Shewashabituallypensive，andthiscircumstancetendedtoremindthespectatorofherfriendlesscondition；andyetthatepithetwassurelymisappliedinthiscase。Thisbeingwascherishedbythosewithwhomshenowresided，withunspeakablefondness。Everyexertionwasmadetoenlargeandimprovehermind。Hersafetywastheobjectofasolicitudethatalmostexceededtheboundsofdiscretion。Ouraffectionindeedcouldscarcelytranscendhermerits。Shenevermetmyeye，oroccurredtomyreflections，withoutexcitingakindofenthusiasm。Hersoftness，herintelligence，herequanimity，nevershallIseesurpassed。Ihaveoftenshedtearsofpleasureatherapproach，andpressedhertomybosominanagonyoffondness。
　　Whileeverydaywasaddingtothecharmsofherperson，andthestoresofhermind，thereoccurredaneventwhichthreatenedtodepriveusofher。Anofficerofsomerank，whohadbeendisabledbyawoundatQuebec，hademployedhimself，sincetheratificationofpeace，intravellingthroughthecolonies。HeremainedaconsiderableperiodatPhiladelphia，butwasatlastpreparingforhisdeparture。NoonehadbeenmorefrequentlyhonouredwithhisvisitsthanMrs。Baynton，aworthyladywithwhomourfamilywereintimate。Hewenttoherhousewithaviewtoperformafarewellvisit，andwasonthepointoftakinghisleave，whenIandmyyoungfriendenteredtheapartment。Itisimpossibletodescribetheemotionsofthestranger，whenhefixedhiseyesuponmycompanion。Hewasmotionlesswithsurprise。Hewasunabletoconcealhisfeelings，butsatsilentlygazingatthespectaclebeforehim。AtlengthheturnedtoMrs。Baynton，andmorebyhislooksandgesturesthanbywords，besoughtherforanexplanationofthescene。Heseizedthehandofthegirl，who，inherturn，wassurprisedbyhisbehaviour，anddrawingherforward，saidinaneagerandfaulteringtone，Whoisshe？whencedoesshecome？whatishername？
　　Theanswersthatweregivenonlyincreasedtheconfusionofhisthoughts。Hewassuccessivelytold，thatshewasthedaughterofonewhosenamewasLouisaConway，whoarrivedamongusatsuchatime，whosedulouslyconcealedherparentage，andthemotivesofherflight，whoseincurablegriefshadfinallydestroyedher，andwhohadleftthischildundertheprotectionofherfriends。Havingheardthetale，hemeltedintotears，eagerlyclaspedtheyoungladyinhisarms，andcalledhimselfherfather。Whenthetumultsexcitedinhisbreastbythisunlooked-formeetingweresomewhatsubsided，hegratifiedourcuriositybyrelatingthefollowingincidents。
　　"MissConwaywastheonlydaughterofabankerinLondon，whodischargedtowardshereverydutyofanaffectionatefather。Hehadchancedtofallintohercompany，hadbeensubduedbyherattractions，hadtenderedherhishand，andbeenjoyfullyacceptedbothbyparentandchild。Hiswifehadgivenhimeveryproofofthefondestattachment。Herfather，whopossessedimmensewealth，treatedhimwithdistinguishedrespect，liberallysuppliedhiswants，andhadmadeoneconditionofhisconsenttotheirunion，aresolutiontotakeuptheirabodewithhim。
　　"Theyhadpassedthreeyearsofconjugalfelicity，whichhadbeenaugmentedbythebirthofthischild；whenhisprofessionaldutycalledhimintoGermany。Itwasnotwithoutanarduousstruggle，thatshewaspersuadedtorelinquishthedesignofaccompanyinghimthroughallthetoilsandperilsofwar。Nopartingwasevermoredistressful。Theystrovetoalleviate，byfrequentletters，theevilsoftheirlot。Thoseofhiswife，breathednothingbutanxietyforhissafety，andimpatienceofhisabsence。Atlength，anewarrangementwasmade，andhewasobligedtorepairfromWestphaliatoCanada。Oneadvantageattendedthischange。Itaffordedhimanopportunityofmeetinghisfamily。Hiswifeanticipatedthisinterview，withnolessrapturethanhimself。HehurriedtoLondon，andthemomenthealightedfromthestage-coach，ranwithallspeedtoMr。
　　Conway'shouse。
　　"Itwasanhouseofmourning。Hisfatherwasoverwhelmedwithgrief，andincapableofansweringhisinquiries。Theservants，sorrowfulandmute，wereequallyrefractory。Heexploredthehouse，andcalledonthenamesofhiswifeanddaughter，buthissummonswasfruitless。Atlength，thisnewdisasterwasexplained。Twodaysbeforehisarrival，hiswife'schamberwasfoundempty。Nosearch，howeverdiligentandanxious，couldtracehersteps。Nocausecouldbeassignedforherdisappearance。Themotherandchildhadfledawaytogether。
　　"Newexertionsweremade，herchamberandcabinetswereransacked，butnovestigewasfoundservingtoinformthemastothemotivesofherflight，whetherithadbeenvoluntaryorotherwise，andinwhatcornerofthekingdomoroftheworldshewasconcealed。Whoshalldescribethesorrowandamazementofthehusband？Hisrestlessness，hisvicissitudesofhopeandfear，andhisultimatedespair？HisdutycalledhimtoAmerica。
　　Hehadbeeninthiscity，andhadfrequentlypassedthedoorofthehouseinwhichhiswife，atthatmoment，resided。Herfatherhadnotremittedhisexertionstoelucidatethispainfulmystery，buttheyhadfailed。Thisdisappointmenthastenedhisdeath；inconsequenceofwhich，Louisa'sfatherbecamepossessorofhisimmenseproperty。"
　　Thistalewasacopiousthemeofspeculation。Athousandquestionswerestartedanddiscussedinourdomesticcircle，respectingthemotivesthatinfluencedMrs。Stuarttoabandonhercountry。Itdidnotappearthatherproceedingwasinvoluntary。Werecalledandreviewedeveryparticularthathadfallenunderourownobservation。Bynoneofthesewerewefurnishedwithaclue。Herconduct，afterthemostrigorousscrutiny，stillremainedanimpenetrablesecret。Onanearerview，MajorStuartprovedhimselfamanofmostamiablecharacter。HisattachmenttoLouisaappearedhourlytoincrease。Shewasnostrangertothesentimentssuitabletohernewcharacter。Shecouldnotbutreadilyembracetheschemewhichwasproposedtoher，toreturnwithherfathertoEngland。
　　Thisschemehisregardforherinducedhim，however，topostpone。Sometimewasnecessarytoprepareherforsogreatachangeandenablehertothinkwithoutagonyofherseparationfromus。
　　Iwasnotwithouthopesofprevailingonherfatherentirelytorelinquishthisunwelcomedesign。Meanwhile，hepursuedhistravelsthroughthesoutherncolonies，andhisdaughtercontinuedwithus。Louisaandmybrotherfrequentlyreceivedlettersfromhim，whichindicatedamindofnocommonorder。
　　Theywerefilledwithamusingdetails，andprofoundreflections。
　　Whilehere，heoftenpartookofoureveningconversationsatthetemple；andsincehisdeparture，hiscorrespondencehadfrequentlysupplieduswithtopicsofdiscourse。
　　OneafternooninMay，theblandnessoftheair，andbrightnessoftheverdure，inducedustoassemble，earlierthanusual，inthetemple。Wefemaleswerebusyattheneedle，whilemybrotherandPleyelwerebandyingquotationsandsyllogisms。
　　ThepointdiscussedwasthemeritoftheorationforCluentius，asdescriptive，first，ofthegeniusofthespeaker；and，secondly，ofthemannersofthetimes。Pleyellabouredtoextenuateboththesespeciesofmerit，andtaskedhisingenuity，toshewthattheoratorhadembracedabadcause；or，atleast，adoubtfulone。Heurged，thattorelyontheexaggerationsofanadvocate，ortomakethepictureofasinglefamilyamodelfromwhichtosketchtheconditionofanation，wasabsurd。Thecontroversywassuddenlydivertedintoanewchannel，byamisquotation。Pleyelaccusedhiscompanionofsaying"polliciatur"whenheshouldhavesaid"polliceretur。"
　　Nothingwoulddecidethecontest，butanappealtothevolume。
　　Mybrotherwasreturningtothehouseforthispurpose，whenaservantmethimwithaletterfromMajorStuart。Heimmediatelyreturnedtoreaditinourcompany。
　　Besidesaffectionatecomplimentstous，andpaternalbenedictionsonLouisa，hislettercontainedadescriptionofawaterfallontheMonongahela。Asuddengustofrainfalling，wewerecompelledtoremovetothehouse。Thestormpassedaway，andaradiantmoon-lightsucceeded。Therewasnomotiontoresumeourseatsinthetemple。Wethereforeremainedwherewewere，andengagedinsprightlyconversation。Theletterlatelyreceivednaturallysuggestedthetopic。Aparallelwasdrawnbetweenthecataracttheredescribed，andonewhichPleyelhaddiscoveredamongtheAlpsofGlarus。Inthestateoftheformer，someparticularwasmentioned，thetruthofwhichwasquestionable。Tosettlethedisputewhichthencearose，itwasproposedtohaverecoursetotheletter。Mybrothersearchedforitinhispocket。Itwasnowheretobefound。Atlength，herememberedtohaveleftitinthetemple，andhedeterminedtogoinsearchofit。Hiswife，Pleyel，Louisa，andmyself，remainedwherewewere。
　　Inafewminuteshereturned。Iwassomewhatinterestedinthedispute，andwasthereforeimpatientforhisreturn；yet，asIheardhimascendingthestairs，Icouldnotbutremark，thathehadexecutedhisintentionwithremarkabledispatch。Myeyeswerefixeduponhimonhisentrance。Methoughthebroughtwithhimlooksconsiderablydifferentfromthosewithwhichhedeparted。Wonder，andaslightportionofanxietyweremingledinthem。Hiseyesseemedtobeinsearchofsomeobject。Theypassedquicklyfromonepersontoanother，tilltheyrestedonhiswife。Shewasseatedinacarelessattitudeonthesofa，inthesamespotasbefore。Shehadthesamemuslininherhand，bywhichherattentionwaschieflyengrossed。
　　Themomenthesawher，hisperplexityvisiblyincreased。Hequietlyseatedhimself，andfixinghiseyesonthefloor，appearedtobeabsorbedinmeditation。ThesesingularitiessuspendedtheinquirywhichIwaspreparingtomakerespectingtheletter。Inashorttime，thecompanyrelinquishedthesubjectwhichengagedthem，anddirectedtheirattentiontoWieland。Theythoughtthatheonlywaitedforapauseinthediscourse，toproducetheletter。Thepausewasuninterruptedbyhim。AtlengthPleyelsaid，"Well，Isupposeyouhavefoundtheletter。"
　　"No，"saidhe，withoutanyabatementofhisgravity，andlookingstedfastlyathiswife，"Ididnotmountthehill。"——"Whynot？"——"Catharine，haveyounotmovedfromthatspotsinceIlefttheroom？"——Shewasaffectedwiththesolemnityofhismanner，andlayingdownherwork，answeredinatoneofsurprise，"No；Whydoyouaskthatquestion？"——Hiseyeswereagainfixeduponthefloor。andhedidnotimmediatelyanswer。Atlength，hesaid，lookingrounduponus，"IsittruethatCatharinedidnotfollowmetothehill？Thatshedidnotjustnowentertheroom？"——Weassuredhim，withonevoice，thatshehadnotbeenabsentforamoment，andinquiredintothemotiveofhisquestions。
　　"Yourassurances，"saidhe，"aresolemnandunanimous；andyetImustdenycredittoyourassertions，ordisbelievethetestimonyofmysenses，whichinformedme，whenIwashalfwayupthehill，thatCatharinewasatthebottom。"
　　Wewereconfoundedatthisdeclaration。Pleyelralliedhimwithgreatlevityonhisbehaviour。Helistenedtohisfriendwithcalmness，butwithoutanyrelaxationoffeatures。
　　"Onething，"saidhewithemphasis，"istrue；eitherIheardmywife'svoiceatthebottomofthehill，orIdonothearyourvoiceatpresent。"
　　"Truly，"returnedPleyel，"itisasaddilemmatowhichyouhavereducedyourself。Certainitis，ifoureyescangiveuscertaintythatyourwifehasbeensittinginthatspotduringeverymomentofyourabsence。Youhaveheardhervoice，yousay，uponthehill。Ingeneral，hervoice，likehertemper，isallsoftness。Tobeheardacrosstheroom，sheisobligedtoexertherself。Whileyouweregone，ifImistakenot，shedidnotutteraword。ClaraandIhadallthetalktoourselves。
　　Stillitmaybethatsheheldawhisperingconferencewithyouonthehill；buttellustheparticulars。"
　　"Theconference，"saidhe，"wasshort；andfarfrombeingcarriedoninawhisper。YouknowwithwhatintentionIleftthehouse。Halfwaytotherock，themoonwasforamomenthiddenfromusbyacloud。Ineverknewtheairtobemoreblandandmorecalm。InthisintervalIglancedatthetemple，andthoughtIsawaglimmeringbetweenthecolumns。Itwassofaint，thatitwouldnotperhapshavebeenvisible，ifthemoonhadnotbeenshrowded。Ilookedagain，butsawnothing。I
　　nevervisitthisbuildingalone，oratnight，withoutbeingremindedofthefateofmyfather。Therewasnothingwonderfulinthisappearance；yetitsuggestedsomethingmorethanmeresolitudeanddarknessinthesameplacewouldhavedone。
　　"Ikeptonmyway。Theimagesthathauntedmeweresolemn；
　　andIentertainedanimperfectcuriosity，butnofear，astothenatureofthisobject。Ihadascendedthehilllittlemorethanhalfway，whenavoicecalledmefrombehind。Theaccentswereclear，distinct，powerful，andwereuttered，asIfullybelieved，bymywife。Hervoiceisnotcommonlysoloud。Shehasseldomoccasiontoexertit，but，nevertheless，Ihavesometimesheardhercallwithforceandeagerness。Ifmyearwasnotdeceived，itwashervoicewhichIheard。
　　"Stop，gonofurther。Thereisdangerinyourpath。"Thesuddennessandunexpectednessofthiswarning，thetoneofalarmwithwhichitwasgiven，and，aboveall，thepersuasionthatitwasmywifewhospoke，wereenoughtodisconcertandmakemepause。IturnedandlistenedtoassuremyselfthatIwasnotmistaken。Thedeepestsilencesucceeded。Atlength，Ispokeinmyturn。Whocalls？isityou，Catharine？Istoppedandpresentlyreceivedananswer。"Yes，itisI；gonotup；returninstantly；youarewantedatthehouse。"StillthevoicewasCatharine's，andstillitproceededfromthefootofthestairs。
　　"WhatcouldIdo？Thewarningwasmysterious。TobeutteredbyCatharineataplace，andonanoccasionlikethese，enhancedthemystery。Icoulddonothingbutobey。Accordingly，Itrodbackmysteps，expectingthatshewaitedformeatthebottomofthehill。WhenIreachedthebottom，noonewasvisible。Themoon-lightwasoncemoreuniversalandbrilliant，andyet，asfarasIcouldseenohumanormovingfigurewasdiscernible。
　　Ifshehadreturnedtothehouse，shemusthaveusedwondrousexpeditiontohavepassedalreadybeyondthereachofmyeye。
　　Iexertedmyvoice，butinvain。Tomyrepeatedexclamations，noanswerwasreturned。
　　"Ruminatingontheseincidents，Ireturnedhither。TherewasnoroomtodoubtthatIhadheardmywife'svoice；attendingincidentswerenoteasilyexplained；butyounowassuremethatnothingextraordinaryhashappenedtourgemyreturn，andthatmywifehasnotmovedfromherseat。"
　　Suchwasmybrother'snarrative。Itwasheardbyuswithdifferentemotions。Pleyeldidnotscrupletoregardthewholeasadeceptionofthesenses。Perhapsavoicehadbeenheard；
　　butWieland'simaginationhadmisledhiminsupposingaresemblancetothatofhiswife，andgivingsuchasignificationtothesounds。Accordingtohiscustomhespokewhathethought。Sometimes，hemadeitthethemeofgravediscussion，butmorefrequentlytreateditwithridicule。Hedidnotbelievethatsoberreasoningwouldconvincehisfriend，andgaiety，hethought，wasusefultotakeawaythesolemnitieswhich，inamindlikeWieland's，anaccidentofthiskindwascalculatedtoproduce。
　　Pleyelproposedtogoinsearchoftheletter。Hewentandspeedilyreturned，bearingitinhishand。Hehadfounditopenonthepedestal；andneithervoicenorvisagehadrisentoimpedehisdesign。
　　Catharinewasendowedwithanuncommonportionofgoodsense；
　　buthermindwasaccessible，onthisquarter，towonderandpanic。Thathervoiceshouldbethusinexplicablyandunwarrantablyassumed，wasasourceofnosmalldisquietude。
　　SheadmittedtheplausibilityoftheargumentsbywhichPleyelendeavouredtoprove，thatthiswasnomorethananauriculardeception；butthisconvictionwassuretobeshaken，whensheturnedhereyesuponherhusband，andperceivedthatPleyel'slogicwasfarfromhavingproducedthesameeffectuponhim。
　　Astomyself，myattentionwasengagedbythisoccurrence。
　　Icouldnotfailtoperceiveashadowyresemblancebetweenitandmyfather'sdeath。Onthelatterevent，Ihadfrequentlyreflected；myreflectionsneverconductedmetocertainty，butthedoubtsthatexistedwerenotofatormentingkind。Icouldnotdenythattheeventwasmiraculous，andyetIwasinvinciblyaversetothatmethodofsolution。Mywonderwasexcitedbytheinscrutablenessofthecause，butmywonderwasunmixedwithsorroworfear。Itbegatinmeathrilling，andnotunpleasingsolemnity。Similartothesewerethesensationsproducedbytherecentadventure。
　　Butitseffectuponmybrother'simaginationwasofchiefmoment。Allthatwasdesirablewas，thatitshouldberegardedbyhimwithindifference。Theworsteffectthatcouldflow，wasnotindeedveryformidable。YetIcouldnotbeartothinkthathissensesshouldbethevictimsofsuchdelusion。Itarguedadiseasedconditionofhisframe，whichmightshowitselfhereafterinmoredangeroussymptoms。Thewillisthetooloftheunderstanding，whichmustfashionitsconclusionsonthenoticesofsense。Ifthesensesbedepraved，itisimpossibletocalculatetheevilsthatmayflowfromtheconsequentdeductionsoftheunderstanding。
　　Isaid，thismanisofanardentandmelancholycharacter。
　　Thoseideaswhich，inothers，arecasualorobscure，whichareentertainedinmomentsofabstractionandsolitude，andeasilyescapewhenthesceneischanged，haveobtainedanimmoveableholduponhismind。Theconclusionswhichlonghabithasrenderedfamiliar，and，insomesort，palpabletohisintellect，aredrawnfromthedeepestsources。Allhisactionsandpracticalsentimentsarelinkedwithlongandabstrusedeductionsfromthesystemofdivinegovernmentandthelawsofourintellectualconstitution。Heis，insomerespects，anenthusiast，butisfortifiedinhisbeliefbyinnumerableargumentsandsubtilties。
　　Hisfather'sdeathwasalwaysregardedbyhimasflowingfromadirectandsupernaturaldecree。Itvisitedhismeditationsoftenerthanitdidmine。Thetraceswhichitleftweremoregloomyandpermanent。Thisnewincidenthadavisibleeffectinaugmentinghisgravity。Hewaslessdisposedthanformerlytoconverseandreading。Whenwesiftedhisthoughts，theyweregenerallyfoundtohavearelation，moreorlessdirect，withthisincident。Itwasdifficulttoascertaintheexactspeciesofimpressionwhichitmadeuponhim。Heneverintroducedthesubjectintoconversation，andlistenedwithasilentandhalf-serioussmiletothesatiricaleffusionsofPleyel。
　　Oneeveningwechancedtobealonetogetherinthetemple。
　　Iseizedthatopportunityofinvestigatingthestateofhisthoughts。Afterapause，whichheseemedinnowiseinclinedtointerrupt，Ispoketohim——"Howalmostpalpableisthisdark；
　　yetarayfromabovewoulddispelit。""Ay，"saidWieland，withfervor，"notonlythephysical，butmoralnightwouldbedispelled。""Butwhy，"saidI，"musttheDivineWilladdressitspreceptstotheeye？"Hesmiledsignificantly。"True，"
　　saidhe，"theunderstandinghasotheravenues。""Youhavenever，"saidI，approachingnearertothepoint——"youhavenevertoldmeinwhatwayyouconsideredthelateextraordinaryincident。""Thereisnodeterminatewayinwhichthesubjectcanbeviewed。Hereisaneffect，butthecauseisutterlyinscrutable。Tosupposeadeceptionwillnotdo。Suchispossible，buttherearetwentyothersuppositionsmoreprobable。
　　Theymustallbesetasidebeforewereachthatpoint。""Whatarethesetwentysuppositions？""Itisneedlesstomentionthem。TheyareonlylessimprobablethanPleyel's。Timemayconvertoneofthemintocertainty。Tillthenitisuselesstoexpatiateonthem。"
　　ChapterV
　　Sometimehadelapsedwhentherehappenedanotheroccurrence，stillmoreremarkable。Pleyel，onhisreturnfromEurope，broughtinformationofconsiderableimportancetomybrother。
　　MyancestorswerenobleSaxons，andpossessedlargedomainsinLusatia。ThePrussianwarshaddestroyedthosepersonswhoserighttotheseestatesprecludedmybrother's。Pleyelhadbeenexactinhisinquiries，andhaddiscoveredthat，bythelawofmale-primogeniture，mybrother'sclaimsweresuperiortothoseofanyotherpersonnowliving。Nothingwaswantingbuthispresenceinthatcountry，andalegalapplicationtoestablishthisclaim。
　　Pleyelstrenuouslyrecommendedthismeasure。Theadvantageshethoughtattendingitwerenumerous，anditwouldarguetheutmostfollytoneglectthem。Contrarytohisexpectationhefoundmybrotheraversetothescheme。Slightefforts，he，atfirst，thoughtwouldsubduehisreluctance；buthefoundthisaversionbynomeansslight。Theinterestthathetookinthehappinessofhisfriendandhissister，andhisownpartialitytotheSaxonsoil，fromwhichhehadlikewisesprung，andwherehehadspentseveralyearsofhisyouth，madehimredoublehisexertionstowinWieland'sconsent。Forthisendheemployedeveryargumentthathisinventioncouldsuggest。Hepainted，inattractivecolours，thestateofmannersandgovernmentinthatcountry，thesecurityofcivilrights，andthefreedomofreligioussentiments。Hedweltontheprivilegesofwealthandrank，anddrewfromtheservileconditionofoneclass，anargumentinfavorofhisscheme，sincetherevenueandpowerannexedtoaGermanprincipalityaffordsolargeafieldforbenevolence。Theevilflowingfromthispower，inmalignanthands，wasproportionedtothegoodthatwouldarisefromthevirtuoususeofit。Hence，Wieland，inforbearingtoclaimhisown，withheldallthepositivefelicitythatwouldaccruetohisvassalsfromhissuccess，andhazardedallthemiserythatwouldredoundfromalessenlightenedproprietor。
　　Itwaseasyformybrothertorepelthesearguments，andtoshewthatnospotontheglobeenjoyedequalsecurityandlibertytothatwhichheatpresentinhabited。ThatiftheSaxonshadnothingtofearfrommis-government，theexternalcausesofhavocandalarmwerenumerousandmanifest。TherecentdevastationscommittedbythePrussiansfurnishedaspecimenofthese。Thehorrorsofwarwouldalwaysimpendoverthem，tillGermanywereseizedanddividedbyAustrianandPrussiantyrants；aneventwhichhestronglysuspectedwasatnogreatdistance。Butsettingtheseconsiderationsaside，wasitlaudabletograspatwealthandpowerevenwhentheywerewithinourreach？Werenotthesethetwogreatsourcesofdepravity？
　　Whatsecurityhadhe，thatinthischangeofplaceandcondition，heshouldnotdegenerateintoatyrantandvoluptuary？Powerandricheswerechieflytobedreadedonaccountoftheirtendencytodepravethepossessor。Heheldtheminabhorrence，notonlyasinstrumentsofmiserytoothers，buttohimonwhomtheywereconferred。Besides，richeswerecomparative，andwashenotrichalready？Helivedatpresentinthebosomofsecurityandluxury。Alltheinstrumentsofpleasure，onwhichhisreasonorimaginationsetanyvalue，werewithinhisreach。Butthesehemustforego，forthesakeofadvantageswhich，whateverweretheirvalue，wereasyetuncertain。Inpursuitofanimaginaryadditiontohiswealth，hemustreducehimselftopoverty，hemustexchangepresentcertaintiesforwhatwasdistantandcontingent；forwhoknowsnotthatthelawisasystemofexpence，delayanduncertainty？
　　Ifheshouldembracethisscheme，itwouldlayhimunderthenecessityofmakingavoyagetoEurope，andremainingforacertainperiod，separatefromhisfamily。Hemustundergotheperilsanddiscomfortsoftheocean；hemustdivesthimselfofalldomesticpleasures；hemustdeprivehiswifeofhercompanion，andhischildrenofafatherandinstructor，andallforwhat？Fortheambiguousadvantageswhichovergrownwealthandflagitioustyrannyhavetobestow？Foraprecariouspossessioninalandofturbulenceandwar？Advantages，whichwillnotcertainlybegained，andofwhichtheacquisition，ifitweresure，isnecessarilydistant。
　　Pleyelwasenamouredofhisschemeonaccountofitsintrinsicbenefits，but，likewise，forotherreasons。HisabodeatLeipsigmadethatcountryappeartohimlikehome。Hewasconnectedwiththisplacebymanysocialties。Whiletherehehadnotescapedtheamorouscontagion。Butthelady，thoughherheartwasimpressedinhisfavor，wascompelledtobestowherhanduponanother。Deathhadremovedthisimpediment，andhewasnowinvitedbytheladyherselftoreturn。Thishewasofcoursedeterminedtodo，butwasanxioustoobtainthecompanyofWieland；hecouldnotbeartothinkofaneternalseparationfromhispresentassociates。Theirinterest，hethought，wouldbenolesspromotedbythechangethanhisown。Hencehewasimportunateandindefatigableinhisargumentsandsolicitations。
　　Heknewthathecouldnothopeformineorhissister'sreadyconcurrenceinthisscheme。Shouldthesubjectbementionedtous，weshouldleagueoureffortsagainsthim，andstrengthenthatreluctanceinWielandwhichalreadywassufficientlydifficulttoconquer。He，therefore，anxiouslyconcealedfromushispurpose。IfWielandwerepreviouslyenlistedinhiscause，hewouldfinditalessdifficulttasktoovercomeouraversion。MybrotherwassilentonthissubJect，becausehebelievedhimselfinnodangerofchanginghisopinion，andhewaswillingtosaveusfromanyuneasiness。Themerementionofsuchascheme，andthepossibilityofhisembracingit，heknew，wouldconsiderablyimpairourtranquillity。
　　Oneday，aboutthreeweekssubsequenttothemysteriouscall，itwasagreedthatthefamilyshouldbemyguests。Seldomhadadaybeenpassedbyus，ofmoresereneenjoyment。Pleyelhadpromisedushiscompany，butwedidnotseehimtillthesunhadnearlydeclined。Hebroughtwithhimacountenancethatbetokeneddisappointmentandvexation。Hedidnotwaitforourinquiries，butimmediatelyexplainedthecause。TwodaysbeforeapackethadarrivedfromHamburgh，bywhichhehadflatteredhimselfwiththeexpectationofreceivingletters，butnolettershadarrived。Ineversawhimsomuchsubduedbyanuntowardevent。Histhoughtswereemployedinaccountingforthesilenceofhisfriends。Hewasseizedwiththetormentsofjealousy，andsuspectednothinglessthantheinfidelityofhertowhomhehaddevotedhisheart。Thesilencemusthavebeenconcerted。Hersickness，orabsence，ordeath，wouldhaveincreasedthecertaintyofsomeone'shavingwritten。Nosuppositioncouldbeformedbutthathismistresshadgrownindifferent，orthatshehadtransferredheraffectionstoanother。Themiscarriageofaletterwashardlywithinthereachofpossibility。FromLeipsigtoHamburgh，andfromHamburghhither，theconveyancewasexposedtonohazard。
　　HehadbeensolongdetainedinAmericachieflyinconsequenceofWieland'saversiontotheschemewhichheproposed。HenowbecamemoreimpatientthanevertoreturntoEurope。Whenhereflectedthat，byhisdelays，hehadprobablyforfeitedtheaffectionsofhismistress，hissensationsamountedtoagony。Itonlyremained，byhisspeedydeparture，torepair，ifpossible，orpreventsointolerableanevil。
　　Alreadyhehadhalfresolvedtoembarkinthisveryshipwhich，hewasinformed，wouldsetoutinafewweeksonherreturn。
　　MeanwhilehedeterminedtomakeanewattempttoshaketheresolutionofWieland。Theeveningwassomewhatadvancedwhenheinvitedthelattertowalkabroadwithhim。Theinvitationwasaccepted，andtheyleftCatharine，Louisaandme，toamuseourselvesbythebestmeansinourpower。Duringthiswalk，Pleyelrenewedthesubjectthatwasnearesthisheart。Here-urgedallhisformerarguments，andplacedtheminmoreforciblelights。
　　Theypromisedtoreturnshortly；buthourafterhourpassed，andtheymadenottheirappearance。Engagedinsprightlyconversation，itwasnottilltheclockstrucktwelvethatwewereremindedofthelapseoftime。Theabsenceofourfriendsexcitedsomeuneasyapprehensions。Wewereexpressingourfears，andcomparingourconjecturesastowhatmightbethecause，whentheyenteredtogether。Therewereindicationsintheircountenancesthatstruckmemute。ThesewereunnoticedbyCatharine，whowaseagertoexpresshersurprizeandcuriosityatthelengthoftheirwalk。Astheylistenedtoher，I
　　remarkedthattheirsurprizewasnotlessthanours。Theygazedinsilenceoneachother，andonher。Iwatchedtheirlooks，butcouldnotunderstandtheemotionsthatwerewritteninthem。
　　TheseappearancesdivertedCatharine'sinquiriesintoanewchannel。Whatdidtheymean，sheasked，bytheirsilence，andbytheirthusgazingwildlyateachother，andather？Pleyelprofitedbythishint，andassuminganairofindifference，framedsometriflingexcuse，atthesametimedartingsignificantglancesatWieland，asiftocautionhimagainstdisclosingthetruth。Mybrothersaidnothing，butdeliveredhimselfuptomeditation。Ilikewisewassilent，butburnedwithimpatiencetofathomthismystery。Presentlymybrotherandhiswife，andLouisa，returnedhome。Pleyelproposed，ofhisownaccord，tobemyguestforthenight。Thiscircumstance，inadditiontothosewhichpreceded，gavenewedgetomywonder。
　　Assoonaswewereleftalone，Pleyel'scountenanceassumedanairofseriousness，andevenconsternation，whichIhadneverbeforebeheldinhim。Thestepswithwhichhemeasuredthefloorbetokenedthetroubleofhisthoughts。MyinquiriesweresuspendedbythehopethathewouldgivemetheinformationthatIwantedwithouttheimportunityofquestions。Iwaitedsometime，buttheconfusionofhisthoughtsappearedinnodegreetoabate。AtlengthImentionedtheapprehensionswhichtheirunusualabsencehadoccasioned，andwhichwereincreasedbytheirbehavioursincetheirreturn，andsolicitedanexplanation。HestoppedwhenIbegantospeak，andlookedstedfastlyatme。WhenIhaddone，hesaid，tome，inatonewhichfaulteredthroughthevehemenceofhisemotions，"Howwereyouemployedduringourabsence？""InturningovertheDellaCruscadictionary，andtalkingondifferentsubjects；butjustbeforeyourentrance，weweretormentingourselveswithomensandprognosticksrelativetoyourabsence。""Catherinewaswithyouthewholetime？""Yes。""Butareyousure？""Mostsure。