Whenmydiseaseabated，Pleyelhadforbornehisvisits，andhadlatelysetoutuponthisjourney。Thisamountedtoaproofthatmyguiltwasstillbelievedbyhim。Iwasgrievedforhiserrors，buttrustedthatmyvindicationwould，soonerorlater，bemade。
Meanwhile，tumultuousthoughtswereagainsetafloatbyaproposalmadetomebymyuncle。Heimaginedthatnewairswouldrestoremylanguishingconstitution，andavariedsuccessionofobjectstendtorepairtheshockwhichmymindhadreceived。Forthisend，heproposedtometotakeupmyabodewithhiminFranceorItaly。
Atamoreprosperousperiod，thisschemewouldhavepleasedforitsownsake。Nowmyheartsickenedattheprospectofnature。Theworldofmanwasshrowdedinmiseryandblood，andconstitutedaloathsomespectacle。Iwillinglyclosedmyeyesinsleep，andregrettedthattherespiteitaffordedmewassoshort。Imarkedwithsatisfactiontheprogressofdecayinmyframe，andconsentedtolive，merelyinthehopethatthecourseofnaturewouldspeedilyrelievemefromtheburthen。
Nevertheless，ashepersistedinhisscheme，Iconcurredinitmerelybecausehewasentitledtomygratitude，andbecausemyrefusalgavehimpain。
Nosoonerwasheinformedofmyconsent，thanhetoldmeI
mustmakeimmediatepreparationtoembark，astheshipinwhichhehadengagedapassagewouldbereadytodepartinthreedays。
Thisexpeditionwasunexpected。Therewasanimpatienceinhismannerwhenheurgedthenecessityofdispatchthatexcitedmysurprize。WhenIquestionedhimastothecauseofthishaste，hegenerallystatedreasonswhich，atthattime，Icouldnotdenytobeplausible；butwhich，onthereview，appearedinsufficient。Isuspectedthatthetruemotiveswereconcealed，andbelievedthatthesemotiveshadsomeconnectionwithmybrother'sdestiny。
InowrecollectedthattheinformationrespectingWielandwhichhad，fromtimetotime，beenimpartedtome，wasalwaysaccompaniedwithairsofreserveandmysteriousness。Whathadappearedsufficientlyexplicitatthetimeitwasuttered，Inowrememberedtohavebeenfalteringandambiguous。Iwasresolvedtoremovemydoubts，byvisitingtheunfortunatemaninhisdungeon。
Heretoforetheideaofthisvisithadoccurredtome；butthehorrorsofhisdwelling-place，hiswildyetplacidphysiognomy，hisneglectedlocks，thefetterswhichconstrainedhislimbs，terribleastheywereindescription，howcouldIenduretobehold!
Now，however，thatIwaspreparingtotakeaneverlastingfarewellofmycountry，nowthatanoceanwashenceforthtoseparatemefromhim，howcouldIpartwithoutaninterview？I
wouldexaminehissituationwithmyowneyes。Iwouldknowwhethertherepresentationswhichhadbeenmadetomeweretrue。
Perhapsthesightofthesisterwhomhewaswonttolovewithapassionmorethanfraternal，mighthaveanauspiciousinfluenceonhismalady。
Havingformedthisresolution，IwaitedtocommunicateittoMr。Cambridge。Iwasawarethat，withouthisconcurrence，I
couldnothopetocarryitintoexecution，andcoulddiscovernoobjectiontowhichitwasliable。IfIhadnotbeendeceivedastohiscondition，noinconveniencecouldarisefromthisproceeding。Hisconsent，therefore，wouldbethetestofhissincerity。
Iseizedthisopportunitytostatemywishesonthishead。
Mysuspicionswereconfirmedbythemannerinwhichmyrequestaffectedhim。Aftersomepause，inwhichhiscountenancebetrayedeverymarkofperplexity，hesaidtome，"Whywouldyoupaythisvisit？Whatusefulpurposecanitserve？"
"Wearepreparing，"saidI，"toleavethecountryforever:
WhatkindofbeingshouldIbetoleavebehindmeabrotherincalamitywithoutevenapartinginterview？Indulgemeforthreeminutesinthesightofhim。MyheartwillbemucheasierafterIhavelookedathim，andshedafewtearsinhispresence。"
"Ibelieveotherwise。Thesightofhimwouldonlyaugmentyourdistress，withoutcontributing，inanydegree，tohisbenefit。"
"Iknownotthat，"returnedI。"Surelythesympathyofhissister，proofsthathertendernessisaslivelyasever，mustbeasourceofsatisfactiontohim。Atpresenthemustregardallmankindashisenemiesandcalumniators。Hissisterhe，probably，conceivestopartakeinthegeneralinfatuation，andtojoininthecryofabhorrencethatisraisedagainsthim。Tobeundeceivedinthisrespect，tobeassuredthat，howeverImayimputehisconducttodelusion，Istillretainallmyformeraffectionforhisperson，andvenerationforthepurityofhismotives，cannotbutaffordhimpleasure。WhenhehearsthatI
haveleftthecountry，withouteventheceremoniousattentionofavisit，whatwillhethinkofme？Hismagnanimitymayhinderhimfromrepining，buthewillsurelyconsidermybehaviourassavageandunfeeling。Indeed，dearSir，Imustpaythisvisit。
Toembarkwithyouwithoutpayingit，willbeimpossible。Itmaybeofnoservicetohim，butwillenablemetoacquitmyselfofwhatIcannotbutesteemaduty。Besides，"continuedI，"ifitbeamerefitofinsanitythathasseizedhim，maynotmypresencechancetohaveasalutaryinfluence？Themeresightofme，itisnotimpossible，mayrectifyhisperceptions。"
"Ay，"saidmyuncle，withsomeeagerness；"itisbynomeansimpossiblethatyourinterviewmayhavethateffect；andforthatreason，beyondallothers，wouldIdissuadeyoufromit。"
Iexpressedmysurprizeatthisdeclaration。"Isitnottobedesiredthatanerrorsofatalasthisshouldberectified？"
"Iwonderatyourquestion。Reflectontheconsequencesofthiserror。Hashenotdestroyedthewifewhomheloved，thechildrenwhomheidolized？Whatisitthatenableshimtobeartheremembrance，butthebeliefthatheactedashisdutyenjoined？Wouldyourashlybereavehimofthisbelief？Wouldyourestorehimtohimself，andconvincehimthathewasinstigatedtothisdreadfuloutragebyaperversionofhisorgans，oradelusionfromhell？
"Nowhisvisionsarejoyousandelate。Heconceiveshimselftohavereachedaloftierdegreeofvirtue，thananyotherhumanbeing。Themeritofhissacrificeisonlyenhancedintheeyesofsuperiorbeings，bythedetestationthatpursueshimhere，andthesufferingstowhichheiscondemned。Thebeliefthatevenhissisterhasdesertedhim，andgoneovertohisenemies，addstohissublimityoffeelings，andhisconfidenceindivineapprobationandfuturerecompense。
"Lethimbeundeceivedinthisrespect，andwhatfloodsofdespairandofhorrorwilloverwhelmhim!Insteadofglowingapprobationandserenehope，willhenothateandtorturehimself？Self-violence，oraphrenzyfarmoresavageanddestructivethanthis，maybeexpectedtosucceed。Ibeseechyou，therefore，torelinquishthisscheme。Ifyoucalmlyreflectuponit，youwilldiscoverthatyourdutyliesincarefullyshunninghim。"
Mr。Cambridge'sreasoningssuggestedviewstomyunderstanding，thathadnothithertooccurred。Icouldnotbutadmittheirvalidity，buttheyshewed，inanewlight，thedepthofthatmisfortuneinwhichmybrotherwasplunged。Iwassilentandirresolute。
Presently，Iconsidered，thatwhetherWielandwasamaniac，afaithfulservantofhisGod，thevictimofhellishillusions，orthedupeofhumanimposture，wasbynomeanscertain。InthisstateofmyminditbecamemetobesilentduringthevisitthatIprojected。Thisvisitshouldbebrief:Ishouldbesatisfiedmerelytosnatchalookathim。Admittingthatachangeinhisopinionswerenottobedesired，therewasnodangerfromtheconductwhichIshouldpursue，thatthischangeshouldbewrought。
ButIcouldnotconquermyuncle'saversiontothisscheme。
YetIpersisted，andhefoundthattomakemevoluntarilyrelinquishit，itwasnecessarytobemoreexplicitthanhehadhithertobeen。Hetookbothmyhands，andanxiouslyexaminingmycountenanceashespoke，"Clara，"saidhe，"thisvisitmustnotbepaid。Wemusthastenwiththeutmostexpeditionfromthisshore。Itisfollytoconcealthetruthfromyou，and，sinceitisonlybydisclosingthetruththatyoucanbeprevailedupontolayasidethisproject，thetruthshallbetold。
"Omydeargirl!"continuedhewithincreasingenergyinhisaccent，"yourbrother'sphrenzyis，indeed，stupendousandfrightful。Thesoulthatformerlyactuatedhisframehasdisappeared。Thesameformremains；butthewiseandbenevolentWielandisnomore。Afurythatisrapaciousofblood，thatliftshisstrengthalmostabovethatofmortals，thatbendsallhisenergiestothedestructionofwhateverwasoncedeartohim，possesseshimwholly。
"Youmustnotenterhisdungeon；hiseyeswillnosoonerbefixeduponyou，thananexertionofhisforcewillbemade。Hewillshakeoffhisfettersinamoment，andrushuponyou。Nointerpositionwillthenbestrongorquickenoughtosaveyou。
"ThephantomthathasurgedhimtothemurderofCatharineandherchildrenisnotyetappeased。Yourlife，andthatofPleyel，areexactedfromhimbythisimaginarybeing。Heiseagertocomplywiththisdemand。Twicehehasescapedfromhisprison。Thefirsttime，henosoonerfoundhimselfatliberty，thanhehastedtoPleyel'shouse。Itbeingmidnight，thelatterwasinbed。Wielandpenetratedunobservedtohischamber，andopenedhiscurtain。Happily，Pleyelawokeatthecriticalmoment，andescapedthefuryofhiskinsman，byleapingfromhischamber-windowintothecourt。Happily，hereachedthegroundwithoutinjury。Alarmsweregiven，andafterdiligentsearch，yourbrotherwasfoundinachamberofyourhouse，whither，nodoubt，hehadsoughtyou。
"Hischains，andthewatchfulnessofhisguards，wereredoubled；butagain，bysomemiracle，herestoredhimselftoliberty。Hewasnowincautiouslyapprizedoftheplaceofyourabode:andhadnotinformationofhisescapebeeninstantlygiven，yourdeathwouldhavebeenaddedtothenumberofhisatrociousacts。
"Younowseethedangerofyourproject。Youmustnotonlyforbeartovisithim，butifyouwouldsavehimfromthecrimeofembruinghishandsinyourblood，youmustleavethecountry。
Thereisnohopethathismaladywillendbutwithhislife，andnoprecautionwillensureyoursafety，butthatofplacingtheoceanbetweenyou。
"IconfessIcameoverwithanintentiontoresideamongyou，butthesedisastershavechangedmyviews。Yourownsafetyandmyhappinessrequirethatyoushouldaccompanymeinmyreturn，andIentreatyoutogiveyourcheerfulconcurrencetothismeasure。"
Aftertheserepresentationsfrommyuncle，itwasimpossibletoretainmypurpose。IreadilyconsentedtosecludemyselffromWieland'spresence。IlikewiseacquiescedintheproposaltogotoEurope；notthatIeverexpectedtoarrivethere，butbecause，sincemyprinciplesforbadmetoassailmyownlife，changehadsometendencytomakesupportablethefewdayswhichdiseaseshouldsparetome。
Whatatalehadthusbeenunfolded!Iwashuntedtodeath，notbyonewhommymisconducthadexasperated，whowasconsciousofillicitmotives，andwhosoughthisendbycircumventionandsurprize；butbyonewhodeemedhimselfcommissionedforthisactbyheaven；whoregardedthiscareerofhorrorasthelastrefinementofvirtue；whoseimplacabilitywasproportionedtothereverenceandlovewhichhefeltforme，andwhowasinaccessibletothefearofpunishmentandignominy!
InvainshouldIendeavourtostayhishandbyurgingtheclaimsofasisterorfriend:thesewerehisonlyreasonsforpursuingmydestruction。HadIbeenastrangertohisblood；
hadIbeenthemostworthlessofhumankind；mysafetyhadnotbeenendangered。
Surely，saidI，myfateiswithoutexample。Thephrenzywhichischargeduponmybrother，mustbelongtomyself。Myfoeismanacledandguarded；butIderivenosecurityfromtheserestraints。Ilivenotinacommunityofsavages；yet，whetherIsitorwalk，gointocrouds，orhidemyselfinsolitude，mylifeismarkedforapreytoinhumanviolence；Iaminperpetualdangerofperishing；ofperishingunderthegraspofabrother!
Irecollectedtheomensofthisdestiny；Irememberedthegulftowhichmybrother'sinvitationhadconductedme；I
rememberedthat，whenonthebrinkofdanger，theauthorofmyperilwasdepictedbymyfearsinhisform:Thusrealized，werethecreaturesofpropheticsleep，andofwakefulterror!
TheseimageswereunavoidablyconnectedwiththatofCarwin。
Inthisparoxysmofdistress，myattentionfastenedonhimasthegranddeceiver；theauthorofthisblackconspiracy；theintelligencethatgovernedinthisstorm。
Somereliefisaffordedinthemidstofsuffering，whenitsauthorisdiscoveredorimagined；andanobjectfoundonwhichwemaypouroutourindignationandourvengeance。Iranovertheeventsthathadtakenplacesincetheoriginofourintercoursewithhim，andreflectedonthetenorofthatdescriptionwhichwasreceivedfromLudloe。Mixedupwithnotionsofsupernaturalagency，werethevehementsuspicionswhichIentertained，thatCarwinwastheenemywhosemachinationshaddestroyedus。
Ithirstedforknowledgeandforvengeance。Iregardedmyhastydeparturewithreluctance，sinceitwouldremovemefromthemeansbywhichthisknowledgemightbeobtained，andthisvengeancegratified。Thisdeparturewastotakeplaceintwodays。AttheendoftwodaysIwastobidaneternaladieutomynativecountry。ShouldInotpayapartingvisittothesceneofthesedisasters？ShouldInotbedewwithmytearsthegravesofmysisterandherchildren？ShouldInotexploretheirdesolatehabitation，andgatherfromthesightofitswallsandfurniturefoodformyeternalmelancholy？
Thissuggestionwassucceededbyasecretshuddering。Somedisastrousinfluenceappearedtooverhangthescene。HowmanymemorialsshouldImeetwithservingtorecalltheimagesofthoseIhadlost!
Iwastemptedtorelinquishmydesign，whenitoccurredtomethatIhadleftamongmypapersajournaloftransactionsinshorthand。IwasemployedinthismanuscriptonthatnightwhenPleyel'sincautiouscuriositytemptedhimtolookovermyshoulder。IwasthenrecordingmyadventureinTHERECESS，animperfectsightofwhichledhimintosuchfatalerrors。
Ihadregulatedthedispositionofallmyproperty。Thismanuscript，however，whichcontainedthemostsecrettransactionsofmylife，Iwasdesirousofdestroying。ForthisendImustreturntomyhouse，andthisIimmediatelydeterminedtodo。
Iwasnotwillingtoexposemyselftooppositionfrommyfriends，bymentioningmydesign；IthereforebespoketheuseofMr。Hallet'schaise，underpretenceofenjoyinganairing，asthedaywasremarkablybright。
Thisrequestwasgladlycompliedwith，andIdirectedtheservanttoconductmetoMettingen。Idismissedhimatthegate，intendingtouse，inreturning，acarriagebelongingtomybrother。
ChapterXXII
TheinhabitantsoftheHUTreceivedmewithamixtureofjoyandsurprize。Theirhomelywelcome，andtheirartlesssympathy，weregratefultomyfeelings。Inthemidstoftheirinquiries，astomyhealth，theyavoidedallallusionstothesourceofmymalady。Theywerehonestcreatures，andIlovedthemwell。I
participatedinthetearswhichtheyshedwhenImentionedtothemmyspeedydepartureforEurope，andpromisedtoacquaintthemwithmywelfareduringmylongabsence。
TheyexpressedgreatsurprizewhenIinformedthemofmyintentiontovisitmycottage。Alarmandforebodingoverspreadtheirfeatures，andtheyattemptedtodissuademefromvisitinganhousewhichtheyfirmlybelievedtobehauntedbyathousandghastlyapparitions。
Theseapprehensions，however，hadnopowerovermyconduct。
Itookanirregularpathwhichledmetomyownhouse。Allwasvacantandforlorn。Asmallenclosure，nearwhichthepathled，wastheburying-groundbelongingtothefamily。ThisIwasobligedtopass。OnceIhadintendedtoenterit，andponderontheemblemsandinscriptionswhichmyunclehadcausedtobemadeonthetombsofCatharineandherchildren；butnowmyheartfalteredasIapproached，andIhastenedforward，thatdistancemightconcealitfrommyview。
WhenIapproachedtherecess，myheartagainsunk。Iavertedmyeyes，andleftitbehindmeasquicklyaspossible。Silencereignedthroughmyhabitation，andadarknesswhichcloseddoorsandshuttersproduced。Everyobjectwasconnectedwithmineormybrother'shistory。Ipassedtheentry，mountedthestair，andunlockedthedoorofmychamber。ItwaswithdifficultythatIcurbedmyfancyandsmotheredmyfears。Slightmovementsandcasualsoundsweretransformedintobeckoningshadowsandcallingshapes。
Iproceededtothecloset。Iopenedandlookedrounditwithfearfulness。Allthingswereintheiraccustomedorder。I
soughtandfoundthemanuscriptwhereIwasusedtodepositit。
Thisbeingsecured，therewasnothingtodetainme；yetIstoodandcontemplatedawhilethefurnitureandwallsofmychamber。
Irememberedhowlongthisapartmenthadbeenasweetandtranquilasylum；Icompareditsformerstatewithitspresentdreariness，andreflectedthatInowbehelditforthelasttime。
HereitwasthattheincomprehensiblebehaviourofCarwinwaswitnessed:thisthestageonwhichthatenemyofmanshewedhimselfforamomentunmasked。Herethemenacesofmurderwerewaftedtomyear；andherethesemenaceswereexecuted。
Thesethoughtshadatendencytotakefrommemyself-command。Myfeeblelimbsrefusedtosupportme，andIsunkuponachair。Incoherentandhalf-articulateexclamationsescapedmylips。ThenameofCarwinwasuttered，andeternalwoes，woeslikethatwhichhismalicehadentaileduponus，wereheapeduponhim。Iinvokedall-seeingheaventodragtolightandtopunishthisbetrayer，andaccuseditsprovidenceforhavingthuslongdelayedtheretributionthatwasduetosoenormousaguilt。
Ihavesaidthatthewindowshutterswereclosed。Afeeblelight，however，foundentrancethroughthecrevices。Asmallwindowilluminatedthecloset，andthedoorbeingclosed，adimraystreamedthroughthekey-hole。Akindoftwilightwasthuscreated，sufficientforthepurposesofvision；but，atthesametime，involvingallminuterobjectsinobscurity。
Thisdarknesssuitedthecolourofmythoughts。Isickenedattheremembranceofthepast。Theprospectofthefutureexcitedmyloathing。Imutteredinalowvoice，WhyshouldI
livelonger？WhyshouldIdragamiserablebeing？All，forwhomIoughttolive，haveperished。AmInotmyselfhuntedtodeath？
Atthatmoment，mydespairsuddenlybecamevigorous。Mynerveswerenolongerunstrung。Mypowers，thathadlongbeendeadened，wererevived。Mybosomswelledwithasuddenenergy，andtheconvictiondartedthroughmymind，thattoendmytormentswas，atonce，practicableandwise。
Iknewhowtofindwaytotherecessesoflife。Icouldusealancetwithsomeskill，andcoulddistinguishbetweenveinandartery。Bypiercingdeepintothelatter，Ishouldshuntheevilswhichthefuturehadinstoreforme，andtakerefugefrommywoesinquietdeath。
Istartedonmyfeet，formyfeeblenesswasgone，andhastedtothecloset。AlancetandothersmallinstrumentswerepreservedinacasewhichIhaddepositedhere。InattentiveasIwastoforeignconsiderations，myearswerestillopentoanysoundofmysteriousimportthatshouldoccur。IthoughtIheardastepintheentry。Mypurposewassuspended，andIcastaneagerglanceatmychamberdoor，whichwasopen。Nooneappeared，unlesstheshadowwhichIdiscerneduponthefloor，wastheoutlineofaman。Ifitwere，Iwasauthorizedtosuspectthatsomeonewaspostedclosetotheentrance，whopossiblyhadoverheardmyexclamations。
Myteethchattered，andawildconfusiontookplaceofmymomentarycalm。Thusitwaswhenaterrificvisagehaddiscloseditselfonaformernight。ThusitwaswhentheevildestinyofWielandassumedthelineamentsofsomethinghuman。
Whathorridapparitionwaspreparingtoblastmysight？
StillIlistenedandgazed。Notlong，fortheshadowmoved；
afoot，unshapelyandhuge，wasthrustforward；aformadvancedfromitsconcealment，andstalkedintotheroom。ItwasCarwin!
WhileIhadbreathIshrieked。WhileIhadpowerovermymuscles，Imotionedwithmyhandthatheshouldvanish。Myexertionscouldnotlastlong；Isunkintoafit。
Othatthisgratefuloblivionhadlastedforever!TooquicklyIrecoveredmysenses。Thepowerofdistinctvisionwasnosoonerrestoredtome，thanthishatefulformagainpresenteditself，andIoncemorerelapsed。
Asecondtime，untowardnaturerecalledmefromthesleepofdeath。Ifoundmyselfstretcheduponthebed。WhenIhadpowertolookup，IrememberedonlythatIhadcausetofear。Mydistemperedfancyfashionedtoitselfnodistinguishableimage。
Ithrewalanguidglanceroundme；oncemoremyeyeslighteduponCarwin。
Hewasseatedonthefloor，hisbackrestedagainstthewall，hiskneesweredrawnup，andhisfacewasburiedinhishands。
Thathisstationwasatsomedistance，thathisattitudewasnotmenacing，thathisominousvisagewasconcealed，mayaccountformynowescapingashock，violentasthosewhichwerepast。I
withdrewmyeyes，butwasnotagaindesertedbymysenses。
OnperceivingthatIhadrecoveredmysensibility，heliftedhishead。Thismotionattractedmyattention。Hiscountenancewasmild，butsorrowandastonishmentsatuponhisfeatures。I
avertedmyeyesandfeeblyexclaimed——"O!fly——flyfarandforever!——Icannotbeholdyouandlive!"
Hedidnotriseuponhisfeet，butclaspedhishands，andsaidinatoneofdeprecation——"Iwillfly。Iambecomeafiend，thesightofwhomdestroys。Yettellmemyoffence!Youhavelinkedcurseswithmyname；youascribetomeamalicemonstrousandinfernal。Ilookaround；allislonelinessanddesert!Thishouseandyourbrother'saresolitaryanddismantled!Youdieawayatthesightofme!Myfearwhispersthatsomedeedofhorrorhasbeenperpetrated；thatIamtheundesigningcause。"
Whatlanguagewasthis？Hadhenotavowedhimselfaravisher？Hadnotthischamberwitnessedhisatrociouspurposes？Ibesoughthimwithnewvehemencetogo。
Heliftedhiseyes——"Greatheaven!whathaveIdone？IthinkIknowtheextentofmyoffences。Ihaveacted，butmyactionshavepossiblyeffectedmorethanIdesigned。Thisfearhasbroughtmebackfrommyretreat。Icometorepairtheevilofwhichmyrashnesswasthecause，andtopreventmoreevil。I
cometoconfessmyerrors。"
"Wretch!"Icriedwhenmysuffocatingemotionswouldpermitmetospeak，"theghostsofmysisterandherchildren，dotheynotrisetoaccusethee？WhowasitthatblastedtheintellectsofWieland？Whowasitthaturgedhimtofury，andguidedhimtomurder？Who，butthouandthedevil，withwhomthouartconfederated？"
Atthesewordsanewspiritpervadedhiscountenance。Hiseyesoncemoreappealedtoheaven。"IfIhavememory，ifIhavebeing，Iaminnocent。Iintendednoill；butmyfolly，indirectlyandremotely，mayhavecausedit；butwhatwordsarethese!Yourbrotherlunatic!Hischildrendead!"
WhatshouldIinferfromthisdeportment？Wastheignorancewhichthesewordsimpliedrealorpretended？——YethowcouldI
imagineamerehumanagencyintheseevents？Butiftheinfluencewaspreternaturalormaniacalinmybrother'scase，theymustbeequallysoinmyown。ThenIrememberedthatthevoiceexerted，wastosavemefromCarwin'sattempts。Theseideastendedtoabatemyabhorrenceofthisman，andtodetecttheabsurdityofmyaccusations。
"Alas!"saidI，"Ihavenoonetoaccuse。Leavemetomyfate。Flyfromascenestainedwithcruelty；devotedtodespair。"
Carwinstoodforatimemusingandmournful。Atlengthhesaid，"Whathashappened？Icametoexpiatemycrimes:letmeknowthemintheirfullextent。Ihavehorribleforebodings!
Whathashappened？"
Iwassilent；butrecollectingtheintimationgivenbythismanwhenhewasdetectedinmycloset，whichimpliedsomeknowledgeofthatpowerwhichinterferedinmyfavor，Ieagerlyinquired，"WhatwasthatvoicewhichcalleduponmetoholdwhenIattemptedtoopenthecloset？WhatfacewasthatwhichIsawatthebottomofthestairs？Answermetruly。"
"Icametoconfessthetruth。Yourallusionsarehorribleandstrange。PerhapsIhavebutfaintconceptionsoftheevilswhichmyinfatuationhasproduced；butwhatremainsIwillperform。ItwasmyVOICEthatyouheard!ItwasmyFACEthatyousaw!"
ForamomentIdoubtedwhethermyremembranceofeventswerenotconfused。Howcouldhebeatoncestationedatmyshoulderandshutupinmycloset？Howcouldhestandnearmeandyetbeinvisible？ButifCarwin'swerethethrillingvoiceandthefieryvisagewhichIhadheardandseen，thenwashetheprompterofmybrother，andtheauthorofthesedismaloutrages。
OncemoreIavertedmyeyesandstruggledforspeech。
"Begone!thoumanofmischief!Remorselessandimplacablemiscreant!begone!"
"Iwillobey，"saidheinadisconsolatevoice；"yet，wretchasIam，amIunworthytorepairtheevilsthatIhavecommitted？Icameasarepentantcriminal。ItisyouwhomI
haveinjured，andatyourbaramIwillingtoappear，andconfessandexpiatemycrimes。Ihavedeceivedyou:Ihavesportedwithyourterrors:Ihaveplottedtodestroyyourreputation。Icomenowtoremoveyourerrors；tosetyoubeyondthereachofsimilarfears；torebuildyourfameasfarasIamable。
"Thisistheamountofmyguilt，andthisthefruitofmyremorse。Willyounothearme？Listentomyconfession，andthendenouncepunishment。AllIaskisapatientaudience。"
"What!"Ireplied，"wasnotthinethevoicethatcommandedmybrothertoimbruehishandsinthebloodofhischildren——tostranglethatangelofsweetnesshiswife？Hashenotvowedmydeath，andthedeathofPleyel，atthybidding？Hastthounotmadehimthebutcherofhisfamily；changedhimwhowasthegloryofhisspeciesintoworsethanbrute；robbedhimofreason，andconsignedtherestofhisdaystofettersandstripes？"
Carwin'seyesglared，andhislimbswerepetrifiedatthisintelligence。Nowordswererequisitetoprovehimguiltlessoftheseenormities:atthetime，however，Iwasnearlyinsensibletotheseexculpatorytokens。Hewalkedtothefartherendoftheroom，andhavingrecoveredsomedegreeofcomposure，hespoke——
"Iamnotthisvillain；Ihaveslainnoone；Ihavepromptednonetoslay；Ihavehandledatoolofwonderfulefficacywithoutmalignantintentions，butwithoutcaution；amplewillbethepunishmentofmytemerity，ifmyconducthascontributedtothisevil。"Hepaused——
Ilikewisewassilent。Istruggledtocommandmyselfsofarastolistentothetalewhichheshouldtell。Observingthis，hecontinued——
"YouarenotapprizedoftheexistenceofapowerwhichI
possess。Iknownotbywhatnametocallit。*Itenablesmetomimicexactlythevoiceofanother，andtomodifythesoundsothatitshallappeartocomefromwhatquarter，andbeutteredatwhatdistanceIplease。
"Iknownotthateveryonepossessesthispower。Perhaps，thoughacasualpositionofmyorgansinmyyouthshewedmethatIpossessedit，itisanartwhichmaybetaughttoall。WouldtoGodIhaddiedunknowingofthesecret!Ithasproducednothingbutdegradationandcalamity。
"Foratimethepossessionofsopotentandstupendousanendowmentelatedmewithpride。Unfortifiedbyprinciple，subjectedtopoverty，stimulatedbyheadlongpassions，Imadethispowerfulenginesubservienttothesupplyofmywants，andthegratificationofmyvanity。IshallnotmentionhowdiligentlyIcultivatedthisgift，whichseemedcapableofunlimitedimprovement；nordetailthevariousoccasionsonwhichitwassuccessfullyexertedtoleadsuperstition，conqueravarice，orexciteawe。
"IleftAmerica，whichismynativesoil，inmyyouth。I
havebeenengagedinvariousscenesoflife，inwhichmypeculiartalenthasbeenexercisedwithmoreorlesssuccess。
Iwasfinallybetrayedbyonewhocalledhimselfmyfriend，intoactswhichcannotbejustified，thoughtheyaresusceptibleofapology。
"TheperfidyofthismancompelledmetowithdrawfromEurope。Ireturnedtomynativecountry，uncertainwhethersilenceandobscuritywouldsavemefromhismalice。Iresidedinthepurlieusofthecity。Iputonthegarbandassumedthemannersofaclown。
"Mychiefrecreationwaswalking。MyprincipalhauntswerethelawnsandgardensofMettingen。Inthisdelightfulregiontheluxuriancesofnaturehadbeenchastenedbyjudiciousart，andeachsuccessivecontemplationunfoldednewenchantments。
"Iwasstudiousofseclusion:Iwassatiatedwiththeintercourseofmankind，anddiscretionrequiredmetoshuntheirintercourse。ForthesereasonsIlongavoidedtheobservationofyourfamily，andchieflyvisitedtheseprecinctsatnight。
"IwasneverwearyofadmiringthepositionandornamentsofTHETEMPLE。ManyanighthaveIpassedunderitsroof，revolvingnopleasingmeditations。When，inmyfrequentrambles，Iperceivedthisapartmentwasoccupied，Igaveadifferentdirectiontomysteps。Oneevening，whenashowerhadjustpassed，judgingbythesilencethatnoonewaswithin，I
ascendedtothisbuilding。Glancingcarelesslyround，I
perceivedanopenletteronthepedestal。Toreaditwasdoubtlessanoffenceagainstpoliteness。Ofthisoffence，however，Iwasguilty。
"ScarcelyhadIgonehalfthroughwhenIwasalarmedbytheapproachofyourbrother。Toscrambledownthecliffontheoppositesidewasimpracticable。Iwasunpreparedtomeetastranger。Besidestheaukwardnessattendingsuchaninterviewinthesecircumstances，concealmentwasnecessarytomysafety。
AthousandtimeshadIvowedneveragaintoemploythedangeroustalentwhichIpossessed；butsuchwastheforceofhabitandtheinfluenceofpresentconvenience，thatIusedthismethodofarrestinghisprogressandleadinghimbacktothehouse，withhiserrand，whateveritwas，unperformed。Ihadoftencaughtparts，frommystationbelow，ofyourconversationinthisplace，andwaswellacquaintedwiththevoiceofyoursister。
"SomeweeksafterthisIwasagainquietlyseatedinthisrecess。Thelatenessofthehoursecuredme，asIthought，fromallinterruption。Inthis，however，Iwasmistaken，forWielandandPleyel，asIjudgedbytheirvoices，earnestindispute，ascendedthehill。
"Iwasnotsensiblethatanyinconveniencecouldpossiblyhaveflowedfrommyformerexertion；yetitwasfollowedwithcompunction，becauseitwasadeviationfromapathwhichIhadassignedtomyself。Nowmyaversiontothismeansofescapewasenforcedbyanunauthorizedcuriosity，andbytheknowledgeofabushyhollowontheedgeofthehill，whereIshouldbesafefromdiscovery。IntothishollowIthrustmyself。
"TheproprietyofremovaltoEuropewasthequestioneagerlydiscussed。PleyelintimatedthathisanxietytogowasaugmentedbythesilenceofTheresadeStolberg。Thetemptationtointerfereinthisdisputewasirresistible。InvainI
contendedwithinveteratehabits。Idisguisedtomyselftheimproprietyofmyconduct，byrecollectingthebenefitswhichitmightproduce。Pleyel'sproposalwasunwise，yetitwasenforcedwithplausibleargumentsandindefatigablezeal。Yourbrothermightbepuzzledandwearied，butcouldnotbeconvinced。Iconceivedthattoterminatethecontroversyinfavorofthelatterwasconferringabenefitonallparties。
ForthisendIprofitedbyanopeningintheconversation，andassuredthemofCatharine'sirreconcilableaversiontothescheme，andofthedeathoftheSaxonbaroness。Thelattereventwasmerelyaconjecture，butrenderedextremelyprobablebyPleyel'srepresentations。Mypurpose，youneednotbetold，waseffected。
"Mypassionformystery，andaspeciesofimposture，whichI
deemedharmless，wasthusawakenedafresh。Thissecondlapseintoerrormademyrecoverymoredifficult。IcannotconveytoyouanadequateideaofthekindofgratificationwhichI