derivedfromtheseexploits；yetImeditatednothing。Myviewswereboundedtothepassingmoment，andcommonlysuggestedbythemomentaryexigence。
"Imustnotconcealanything。Yourprinciplesteachyoutoabhoravoluptuoustemper；but，withwhateverreluctance，I
acknowledgethistempertobemine。YouimagineyourservantJudithtobeinnocentaswellasbeautiful；butyoutookherfromafamilywherehypocrisy，aswellaslicentiousness，waswroughtintoasystem。Myattentionwascaptivatedbyhercharms，andherprincipleswereeasilyseentobeflexible。
"Deemmenotcapableoftheiniquityofseduction。Yourservantisnotdestituteoffeminineandvirtuousqualities；butshewastaughtthatthebestuseofhercharmsconsistsinthesaleofthem。MynocturnalvisitstoMettingenwerenowpromptedbyadoubleview，andmycorrespondencewithyourservantgaveme，atalltimes，accesstoyourhouse。
"Thesecondnightafterourinterview，sobriefandsolittleforeseenbyeitherofus，somedaemonofmischiefseizedme。
Accordingtomycompanion'sreport，yourperfectionswerelittlelessthandivine。Heruncouthbutcopiousnarrativesconvertedyouintoanobjectofworship。Shechieflydweltuponyourcourage，becausesheherselfwasdeficientinthatquality。Youheldapparitionsandgoblinsincontempt。Youtooknoprecautionsagainstrobbers。Youwerejustastranquilandsecureinthislonelydwelling，asifyouwereinthemidstofacrowd。
"Henceavagueprojectoccurredtome，toputthiscouragetothetest。Awomancapableofrecollectionindanger，ofwardingoffgroundlesspanics，ofdiscerningthetruemodeofproceeding，andprofitingbyherbestresources，isaprodigy。
Iwasdesirousofascertainingwhetheryouweresuchanone。
"Myexpedientwasobviousandsimple:Iwastocounterfeitamurderousdialogue；butthiswastobesoconductedthatanother，andnotyourself，shouldappeartobetheobject。I
wasnotawareofthepossibilitythatyoushouldappropriatethesemenacestoyourself。Hadyoubeenstillandlistened，youwouldhaveheardthestrugglesandprayersofthevictim，whowouldlikewisehaveappearedtobeshutupinthecloset，andwhosevoicewouldhavebeenJudith's。Thisscenewouldhavebeenanappealtoyourcompassion；andtheproofofcowardiceorcouragewhichIexpectedfromyou，wouldhavebeenyourremaininginactiveinyourbed，oryourenteringtheclosetwithaviewtoassistthesufferer。SomeinstanceswhichJudithrelatedofyourfearlessnessandpromptitudemademeadoptthelattersuppositionwithsomedegreeofconfidence。
"Bythegirl'sdirectionIfoundaladder，andmountedtoyourclosetwindow。Thisisscarcelylargeenoughtoadmitthehead，butitansweredmypurposetoowell。
"Icannotexpressmyconfusionandsurprizeatyourabruptandprecipitateflight。Ihastilyremovedtheladder；and，aftersomepause，curiosityanddoubtsofyoursafetyinducedmetofollowyou。Ifoundyoustretchedontheturfbeforeyourbrother'sdoor，withoutsenseormotion。Ifeltthedeepestregretatthisunlooked-forconsequenceofmyscheme。Iknewnotwhattodotoprocureyourelief。Theideaofawakeningthefamilynaturallypresenteditself。Thisemergencywascritical，andtherewasnotimetodeliberate。Itwasasuddenthoughtthatoccurred。Iputmylipstothekey-hole，andsoundedanalarmwhicheffectuallyrousedthesleepers。Myorganswerenaturallyforcible，andhadbeenimprovedbylongandassiduousexercise。
"LongandbitterlydidIrepentofmyscheme。Iwassomewhatconsoledbyreflectingthatmypurposehadnotbeenevil，andrenewedmyfruitlessvowsnevertoattemptsuchdangerousexperiments。ForsometimeIadhered，withlaudableforbearance，tothisresolution。
"Mylifehasbeenalifeofhardshipandexposure。InthesummerIprefertomakemybedofthesmoothturf，or，atmost，theshelterofasummer-housesuffices。InallmyramblesI
neverfoundaspotinwhichsomanypicturesquebeautiesandruraldelightswereassembledasatMettingen。Nocornerofyourlittledomainunitesfragranceandsecrecyinsoperfectadegreeastherecessinthebank。Theodourofitsleaves，thecoolnessofitsshade，andthemusicofitswater-fall，hadearlyattractedmyattention。Heremysadnesswasconvertedintopeacefulmelancholy——heremyslumbersweresound，andmypleasuresenhanced。
"Asmostfreefrominterruption，IchosethisasthesceneofmymidnightinterviewswithJudith。Oneevening，asthesundeclined，Iwasseatedhere，whenIwasalarmedbyyourapproach。ItwaswithdifficultythatIeffectedmyescapeunnoticedbyyou。
"Atthecustomaryhour，Ireturnedtoyourhabitation，andwasmadeacquaintedbyJudith，withyourunusualabsence。I
halfsuspectedthetruecause，andfeltuneasinessatthedangertherewasthatIshouldbedeprivedofmyretreat；or，atleast，interruptedinthepossessionofit。Thegirl，likewise，informedme，thatamongyourothersingularities，itwasnotuncommonforyoutoleaveyourbed，andwalkforthforthesakeofnight-airsandstarlightcontemplations。
"Idesiredtopreventthisinconvenience。Ifoundyoueasilyswayedbyfear。Iwasinfluenced，inmychoiceofmeans，bythefacilityandcertaintyofthattowhichIhadbeenaccustomed。
AllthatIforsawwas，that，infuture，thisspotwouldbecautiouslyshunnedbyyou。
"Ienteredtherecesswiththeutmostcaution，anddiscovered，byyourbreathings，inwhatconditionyouwere。Theunexpectedinterpretationwhichyouplaceduponmyformerproceeding，suggestedmyconductonthepresentoccasion。Themodeinwhichheavenissaidbythepoet，tointerfereforthepreventionofcrimes，**wassomewhatanalogoustomyprovince，andneverfailedtooccurtomeatseasonslikethis。Itwasrequisitetobreakyourslumbers，andforthisendIutteredthepowerfulmonosyllable，"hold!hold!"Mypurposewasnotprescribedbyduty，yetsurelyitwasfarfrombeingatrociousandinexpiable。Toeffectit，Iutteredwhatwasfalse，butitwaswellsuitedtomypurpose。Nothinglesswasintendedthantoinjureyou。Nay，theevilresultingfrommyformeract，waspartlyremovedbyassuringyouthatinallplacesbutthisyouweresafe。
*BILOQUIUM，orventrilocution。Soundisvariedaccordingtothevariationsofdirectionanddistance。Theartoftheventriloquistconsistsinmodifyinghisvoiceaccordingtoallthesevariations，withoutchanginghisplace。SeetheworkoftheAbbedelaChappelle，inwhichareaccuratelyrecordedtheperformancesofoneoftheseartists，andsomeingenious，thoughunsatisfactoryspeculationsaregivenonthemeansbywhichtheeffectsareproduced。Thispoweris，perhaps，givenbynature，butisdoubtlessimprovable，ifnotacquirable，byart。Itmay，possibly，consistinanunusualflexibilityorexertionofthebottomofthetongueandtheuvula。Thatspeechisproduciblebythesealonemustbegranted，sinceanatomistsmentiontwoinstancesofpersonsspeakingwithoutatongue。Inonecase，theorganwasoriginallywanting，butitsplacewassuppliedbyasmalltubercle，andtheuvulawasperfect。Intheother，thetonguewasdestroyedbydisease，butprobablyasmallpartofitremained。
Thispowerisdifficulttoexplain，butthefactisundeniable。Experienceshewsthatthehumanvoicecanimitatethevoiceofallmenandofallinferioranimals。Thesoundofmusicalinstruments，andevennoisesfromthecontactofinanimatesubstances，havebeenaccuratelyimitated。Themimicryofanimalsisnotorious；andDr。BurneyMusicalTravelsmentionsonewhoimitatedafluteandviolin，soastodeceiveevenhisears。
**——Peepsthroughtheblanketofthedark，andcriesHold!
Hold!——SHAKESPEARE。
ChapterXXIII
"Mymoralswillappeartoyoufarfromrigid，yetmyconductwillfallshortofyoursuspicions。Iamnowtoconfessactionslessexcusable，andyetsurelytheywillnotentitlemetothenameofadesperateorsordidcriminal。
"Yourhousewasrendered，byyourfrequentandlongabsences，easilyaccessibletomycuriosity。MymeetingwithPleyelwasthepreludetodirectintercoursewithyou。Ihadseenmuchoftheworld，butyourcharacterexhibitedaspecimenofhumanpowersthatwaswhollynewtome。Myintercoursewithyourservantfurnishedmewithcuriousdetailsofyourdomesticmanagement。Iwasofadifferentsex:Iwasnotyourhusband；
Iwasnotevenyourfriend；yetmyknowledgeofyouwasofthatkind，whichconjugalintimaciescangive，and，insomerespects，moreaccurate。Theobservationofyourdomesticwasguidedbyme。
"YouwillnotbesurprizedthatIshouldsometimesprofitbyyourabsence，andadventuretoexaminewithmyowneyes，theinteriorofyourchamber。Uprightandsincere，youusednowatchfulness，andpractisednoprecautions。Iscrutinizedeverything，andpriedeverywhere。Yourclosetwasusuallylocked，butitwasoncemyfortunetofindthekeyonabureau。I
openedandfoundnewscopeformycuriosityinyourbooks。Oneofthesewasmanuscript，andwrittenincharacterswhichessentiallyagreedwithashort-handsystemwhichIhadlearnedfromaJesuitmissionary。
"Icannotjustifymyconduct，yetmyonlycrimewascuriosity。Iperusedthisvolumewitheagerness。Theintellectwhichitunveiled，wasbrighterthanmylimitedandfeebleorganscouldbear。Iwasnaturallyinquisitiveastoyourideasrespectingmydeportment，andthemysteriesthathadlatelyoccurred。
"Youknowwhatyouhavewritten。Youknowthatinthisvolumethekeytoyourinmostsoulwascontained。IfIhadbeenaprofoundandmalignantimpostor，whatplenteousmaterialswerethusfurnishedmeofstratagemsandplots!
"Thecoincidenceofyourdreaminthesummer-housewithmyexclamation，wastrulywonderful。Thevoicewhichwarnedyoutoforbearwas，doubtless，mine；butmixedbyacommonprocessofthefancy，withthetrainofvisionaryincidents。
"Isawinastrongerlightthanever，thedangerousnessofthatinstrumentwhichIemployed，andrenewedmyresolutionstoabstainfromtheuseofitinfuture；butIwasdestinedperpetuallytoviolatemyresolutions。Bysomeperversefate，Iwasledintocircumstancesinwhichtheexertionofmypowerswasthesoleorthebestmeansofescape。
"Onthatmemorablenightonwhichourlastinterviewtookplace，IcameasusualtoMettingen。Iwasapprizedofyourengagementatyourbrother's，fromwhichyoudidnotexpecttoreturntilllate。Someincidentsuggestedthedesignofvisitingyourchamber。AmongyourbookswhichIhadnotexamined，mightbesomethingtendingtoillustrateyourcharacter，orthehistoryofyourfamily。Someintimationhadbeendroppedbyyouindiscourse，respectingaperformanceofyourfather，inwhichsomeimportanttransactioninhislifewasrecorded。
"Iwasdesirousofseeingthisbook；andsuchwasmyhabitualattachmenttomystery，thatIpreferredtheclandestineperusalofit。Suchwerethemotivesthatinducedmetomakethisattempt。Judithhaddisappeared，andfindingthehouseunoccupied，Isuppliedmyselfwithalight，andproceededtoyourchamber。
"Ifounditeasy，onexperiment，tolockandunlockyourclosetdoorwithouttheaidofakey。Ishutmyselfinthisrecess，andwasbusilyexploringyourshelves，whenIheardsomeoneentertheroombelow。Iwasatalosswhoitcouldbe，whetheryouoryourservant。Doubtful，however，asIwas，I
conceiveditprudenttoextinguishthelight。Scarcelywasthisdone，whensomeoneenteredthechamber。Thefootstepswereeasilydistinguishedtobeyours。
"Mysituationwasnowfullofdangerandperplexity。Forsometime，Icherishedthehopethatyouwouldleavetheroomsolongastoaffordmeanopportunityofescaping。Asthehourspassed，thishopegraduallydesertedme。Itwasplainthatyouhadretiredforthenight。
"Iknewnothowsoonyoumightfindoccasiontoenterthecloset。Iwasalivetoallthehorrorsofdetection，andruminatedwithoutceasing，onthebehaviourwhichitwouldbeproper，incaseofdetection，toadopt。Iwasunabletodiscoveranyconsistentmethodofaccountingformybeingthusimmured。
"ItoccurredtomethatImightwithdrawyoufromyourchamberforafewminutes，bycounterfeitingavoicefromwithout。Somemessagefromyourbrothermightbedelivered，requiringyourpresenceathishouse。IwasdeterredfromthisschemebyreflectingontheresolutionIhadformed，andonthepossibleevilsthatmightresultfromit。Besides，itwasnotimprobablethatyouwouldspeedilyretiretobed，andthen，bytheexerciseofsufficientcaution，Imighthopetoescapeunobserved。
"MeanwhileIlistenedwiththedeepestanxietytoeverymotionfromwithout。Idiscoverednothingwhichbetokenedpreparationforsleep。InsteadofthisIhearddeep-drawnsighs，andoccasionallyanhalf-expressedandmournfulejaculation。HenceIinferredthatyouwereunhappy。ThetruestateofyourmindwithregardtoPleyelyourownpenhaddisclosed；butIsupposedyoutobeframedofsuchmaterials，that，thoughamomentarysadnessmightaffectyou，youwereimpregnabletoanypermanentandheartfeltgrief。Inquietudeformyownsafetywas，foramoment，suspendedbysympathywithyourdistress。
"TotheformerconsiderationIwasquicklyrecalledbyamotionofyourswhichindicatedIknewnotwhat。Ifosteredthepersuasionthatyouwouldnowretiretobed；butpresentlyyouapproachedthecloset，anddetectionseemedtobeinevitable。
Youputyourhanduponthelock。Ihadformednoplantoextricatemyselffromthedilemmainwhichtheopeningofthedoorwouldinvolveme。Ifeltanirreconcilableaversiontodetection。Thussituated，Iinvoluntarilyseizedthedoorwitharesolutiontoresistyoureffortstoopenit。
"Suddenlyyourecededfromthedoor。Thisdeportmentwasinexplicable，butthereliefitaffordedmewasquicklygone。
Youreturned，andIoncemorewasthrownintoperplexity。Theexpedientthatsuggesteditselfwasprecipitateandinartificial。
IexertedmyorgansandcalleduponyouTOHOLD。
"Thatyoushouldpersistinspiteofthisadmonition，wasasubjectofastonishment。Iagainresistedyourefforts；forthefirstexpedienthavingfailed，Iknewnotwhatothertoresortto。Inthisstate，howwasmyastonishmentincreasedwhenI
heardyourexclamations!
"Itwasnowplainthatyouknewmetobewithin。Furtherresistancewasunavailinganduseless。Thedooropened，andI
shrunkbackward。SeldomhaveIfeltdeepermortification，andmorepainfulperplexity。IdidnotconsiderthatthetruthwouldbelessinjuriousthananyliewhichIcouldhastilyframe。ConsciousasIwasofacertaindegreeofguilt，I
conceivedthatyouwouldformthemostodioussuspicions。Thetruthwouldbeimperfect，unlessIwerelikewisetoexplainthemysteriousadmonitionwhichhadbeengiven；butthatexplanationwasoftoogreatmoment，andinvolvedtooextensiveconsequencestomakemesuddenlyresolvetogiveit。
"Iwasawarethatthisdiscoverywouldassociateitselfinyourmind，withthedialogueformerlyheardinthiscloset。
Thencewouldyoursuspicionsbeaggravated，andtoescapefromthesesuspicionswouldbeimpossible。Butthemeretruthwouldbesufficientlyopprobrious，anddeprivemeforeverofyourgoodopinion。
"ThuswasIrendereddesperate，andmymindrapidlypassedtothecontemplationoftheusethatmightbemadeofpreviousevents。Somegoodgeniuswouldappeartoyoutohaveinterposedtosaveyoufrominjuryintendedbyme。Why，Isaid，sinceI
mustsinkinheropinion，shouldInotcherishthisbelief？Whynotpersonateanenemy，andpretendthatcelestialinterferencehasfrustratedmyschemes？Imustfly，butletmeleavewonderandfearbehindme。Elucidationofthemysterywillalwaysbepracticable。Ishalldonoinjury，butmerelytalkofevilthatwasdesigned，butisnowpast。
"ThusIextenuatedmyconducttomyself，butIscarcelyexpectthatthiswillbetoyouasufficientexplicationofthescenethatfollowed。ThosehabitswhichIhaveimbibed，therootedpassionwhichpossessesmeforscatteringaroundmeamazementandfear，youenjoynoopportunitiesofknowing。Thatamanshouldwantonlyimputetohimselfthemostflagitiousdesigns，willhardlybecredited，eventhoughyoureflectthatmyreputationwasalready，bymyownfolly，irretrievablyruined；andthatitwasalwaysinmypowertocommunicatethetruth，andrectifythemistake。
"Ileftyoutoponderonthisscene。Mymindwasfullofrapidandincongruousideas。Compunction，self-upbraiding，hopelesness，satisfactionattheviewofthoseeffectslikelytoflowfrommynewscheme，misgivingsastothebeneficialresultofthisschemetookpossessionofmymind，andseemedtostruggleforthemastery。
"Ihadgonetoofartorecede。Ihadpaintedmyselftoyouasanassassinandravisher，withheldfromguiltonlybyavoicefromheaven。Ihadthusrevertedintothepathoferror，andnow，havinggonethusfar，myprogressseemedtobeirrevocable。
Isaidtomyself，Imustleavetheseprecinctsforever。MyactshaveblastedmyfameintheeyesoftheWielands。Forthesakeofcreatingamysteriousdread，Ihavemademyselfavillain。Imaycompletethismysteriousplanbysomenewimposture，butIcannotaggravatemysupposedguilt。
"Myresolutionwasformed，andIwasswiftlyruminatingonthemeansforexecutingit，whenPleyelappearedinsight。Thisincidentdecidedmyconduct。ItwasplainthatPleyelwasadevotedlover，buthewas，atthesametime，amanofcoldresolvesandexquisitesagacity。TodeceivehimwouldbethesweetesttriumphIhadeverenjoyed。Thedeceptionwouldbemomentary，butitwouldlikewisebecomplete。Thathisdelusionwouldsosoonberectified，wasarecommendationtomyscheme，forIesteemedhimtoomuchtodesiretoentailuponhimlastingagonies。
"Ihadnotimetoreflectfurther，forheproceeded，withaquickstep，towardsthehouse。Iwashurriedonwardinvoluntarilyandbyamechanicalimpulse。Ifollowedhimashepassedtherecessinthebank，andshrowdingmyselfinthatspot，IcounterfeitedsoundswhichIknewwouldarresthissteps。
"Hestopped，turned，listened，approached，andoverheardadialoguewhosepurposewastovanquishhisbeliefinapointwherehisbeliefwasmostdifficulttovanquish。Iexertedallmypowerstoimitateyourvoice，yourgeneralsentiments，andyourlanguage。Beingmaster，bymeansofyourjournal，ofyourpersonalhistoryandmostsecretthoughts，myeffortswerethemoresuccessful。WhenIreviewedthetenorofthisdialogue，I
cannotbelievebutthatPleyelwasdeluded。WhenIthinkofyourcharacter，andoftheinferenceswhichthisdialoguewasintendedtosuggest，itseemsincrediblethatthisdelusionshouldbeproduced。
"Isparednotmyself。Icalledmyselfmurderer，thief，guiltyofinnumerableperjuriesandmisdeeds:thatyouhaddebasedyourselftothelevelofsuchanone，noevidence，methought，wouldsufficetoconvincehimwhoknewyousothoroughlyasPleyel；andyettheimpostureamountedtoproofwhichthemostjealousscrutinywouldfindtobeunexceptionable。
"Helefthisstationprecipitatelyandresumedhiswaytothehouse。Isawthatthedetectionofhiserrorwouldbeinstantaneous，since，nothavinggonetobed，animmediateinterviewwouldtakeplacebetweenyou。Atfirstthiscircumstancewasconsideredwithregret；butastimeopenedmyeyestothepossibleconsequencesofthisscene，Iregardeditwithpleasure。
"Inashorttimetheinfatuationwhichhadledmethusfarbegantosubside。Theremembranceofformerreasoningsandtransactionswasrenewed。HowoftenIhadrepentedthiskindofexertion；howmanyevilswereproducedbyitwhichIhadnotforeseen；whatoccasionsforthebitterestremorseithadadministered，nowpassedthroughmymind。Theblackcatalogueofstratagemswasnowincreased。Ihadinspiredyouwiththemostvehementterrors:Ihadfilledyourmindwithfaithinshadowsandconfidenceindreams:IhaddepravedtheimaginationofPleyel:Ihadexhibitedyoutohisunderstandingasdevotedtobrutalgratificationsandconsummateinhypocrisy。
Theevidencewhichaccompaniedthisdelusionwouldbeirresistibletoonewhosepassionhadpervertedhisjudgment，whosejealousywithregardtomehadalreadybeenexcited，andwho，therefore，wouldnotfailtooverratetheforceofthisevidence。Whatfatalactofdespairorofvengeancemightnotthiserrorproduce？
"Withregardtomyself，Ihadactedwithaphrenzythatsurpassedbelief。Ihadwarredagainstmypeaceandmyfame:
Ihadbanishedmyselffromthefellowshipofvigorousandpureminds:Iwasself-expelledfromascenewhichthemunificenceofnaturehadadornedwithunrivalledbeauties，andfromhauntsinwhichallthemusesandhumanitieshadtakenrefuge。
"Iwasthustornbyconflictingfearsandtumultuousregrets。
Thenightpassedawayinthisstateofconfusion；andnextmorninginthegazetteleftatmyobscurelodging，Ireadadescriptionandanofferofrewardfortheapprehensionofmyperson。IwassaidtohaveescapedfromanIrishprison，inwhichIwasconfinedasanoffenderconvictedofenormousandcomplicatedcrimes。
"Thiswastheworkofanenemy，who，byfalsehoodandstratagem，hadprocuredmycondemnation。Iwas，indeed，aprisoner，butescaped，bytheexertionofmypowers，thefatetowhichIwasdoomed，butwhichIdidnotdeserve。Ihadhopedthatthemaliceofmyfoewasexhausted；butInowperceivedthatmyprecautionshadbeenwise，forthattheinterventionofanoceanwasinsufficientformysecurity。
"Letmenotdwellonthesensationswhichthisdiscoveryproduced。IneednottellbywhatstepsIwasinducedtoseekaninterviewwithyou，forthepurposeofdisclosingthetruth，andrepairing，asfaraspossible，theeffectsofmymisconduct。
Itwasunavoidablethatthisgazettewouldfallintoyourhands，andthatitwouldtendtoconfirmeveryerroneousimpression。
"Havinggainedthisinterview，Ipurposedtoseeksomeretreatinthewilderness，inaccessibletoyourinquiryandtothemaliceofmyfoe，whereImighthenceforthemploymyselfincomposingafaithfulnarrativeofmyactions。Idesigneditasmyvindicationfromtheaspersionsthathadrestedonmycharacter，andasalessontomankindontheevilsofcredulityontheonehand，andofimpostureontheother。
"Iwroteyouabillet，whichwasleftatthehouseofyourfriend，andwhichIknewwould，bysomemeans，speedilycometoyourhands。Ientertainedafainthopethatmyinvitationwouldbecompliedwith。Iknewnotwhatuseyouwouldmakeoftheopportunitywhichthisproposalaffordedyouofprocuringtheseizureofmyperson；butthisfateIwasdeterminedtoavoid，andIhadnodoubtbutduecircumspection，andtheexerciseofthefacultywhichIpossessed，wouldenablemetoavoidit。
"Ilurked，throughtheday，intheneighbourhoodofMettingen:Iapproachedyourhabitationattheappointedhour:
Ientereditinsilence，byatrap-doorwhichledintothecellar。Thishadformerlybeenboltedontheinside，butJudithhad，atanearlyperiodinourintercourse，removedthisimpediment。Iascendedtothefirstfloor，butmetwithnoone，noranythingthatindicatedthepresenceofanhumanbeing。
"Icreptsoftlyupstairs，andatlengthperceivedyourchamberdoortobeopened，andalighttobewithin。Itwasofmomenttodiscoverbywhomthislightwasaccompanied。Iwassensibleoftheinconvenienciestowhichmybeingdiscoveredatyourchamberdoorbyanyonewithinwouldsubjectme；I
thereforecalledoutinmyownvoice，butsomodifiedthatitshouldappeartoascendfromthecourtbelow，'Whoisinthechamber？IsitMissWieland？"
"Noanswerwasreturnedtothissummons。Ilistened，butnomotioncouldbeheard。AfterapauseIrepeatedmycall，butnolessineffectually。
"Inowapproachednearerthedoor，andadventuredtolookin。
Alightstoodonthetable，butnothinghumanwasdiscernible。
Ienteredcautiously，butallwassolitudeandstillness。
"Iknewnotwhattoconclude。Ifthehousewereinhabited，mycallwouldhavebeennoticed；yetsomesuspicioninsinuateditselfthatsilencewasstudiouslykeptbypersonswhointendedtosurprizeme。Myapproachhadbeenwary，andthesilencethatensuedmycallhadlikewiseprecededit；acircumstancethattendedtodissipatemyfears。
"AtlengthitoccurredtomethatJudithmightpossiblybeinherownroom。Iturnedmystepsthither；butshewasnottobefound。Ipassedintootherrooms，andwassoonconvincedthatthehousewastotallydeserted。Ireturnedtoyourchamber，agitatedbyvainsurmisesandoppositeconjectures。Theappointedhourhadpassed，andIdismissedthehopeofaninterview。
"InthisstateofthingsIdeterminedtoleaveafewlinesonyourtoilet，andprosecutemyjourneytothemountains。
ScarcelyhadItakenthepenwhenIlaiditaside，uncertaininwhatmannertoaddressyou。Irosefromthetableandwalkedacrossthefloor。Aglancethrownuponthebedacquaintedmewithaspectacletowhichmyconceptionsofhorrorhadnotyetreached。
"Inthemidstofshudderingandtrepidation，thesignalofyourpresenceinthecourtbelowrecalledmetomyself。Thedeedwasnewlydone:Ionlywasinthehouse:whathadlatelyhappenedjustifiedanysuspicions，howeverenormous。Itwasplainthatthiscatastrophewasunknowntoyou:Ithoughtuponthewildcommotionwhichthediscoverywouldawakeninyourbreast:Ifoundtheconfusionofmyownthoughtsunconquerable，andperceivedthattheendforwhichIsoughtaninterviewwasnotnowtobeaccomplished。
"Inthisstateofthingsitwaslikewiseexpedienttoconcealmybeingwithin。Iputoutthelightandhurrieddownstairs。
Tomyunspeakablesurprize，notwithstandingeverymotivetofear，youlightedacandleandproceededtoyourchamber。
"Iretiredtothatroombelowfromwhichadoorleadsintothecellar。Thisdoorconcealedmefromyourviewasyoupassed。Ithoughtuponthespectaclewhichwasabouttopresentitself。Inanexigencesoabruptandsolittleforeseen，Iwasagainsubjectedtotheempireofmechanicalandhabitualimpulses。Idreadedtheeffectswhichthisshockingexhibition，burstingonyourunpreparedsenses，mightproduce。
"Thusactuated，Isteptswiftlytothedoor，andthrustingmyheadforward，oncemorepronouncedthemysteriousinterdiction。
Atthatmoment，bysomeuntowardfate，youreyeswerecastback，andyousawmeintheveryactofutterance。IfledthroughthedarksomeavenueatwhichIentered，coveredwiththeshameofthisdetection。
"Withdiligence，stimulatedbyathousandineffableemotions，Ipursuedmyintendedjourney。Ihaveabrotherwhosefarmissituatedinthebosomofafertiledesert，nearthesourcesoftheLeheigh，andthitherInowrepaired。
ChapterXXIV
"DeeplydidIruminateontheoccurrencesthathadjustpassed。Nothingexcitedmywondersomuchasthemeansbywhichyoudiscoveredmybeinginthecloset。Thisdiscoveryappearedtobemadeatthemomentwhenyouattemptedtoopenit。Howcouldyouhaveotherwiseremainedsolonginthechamberapparentlyfearlessandtranquil？Andyet，havingmadethisdiscovery，howcouldyoupersistindraggingmeforth:persistindefianceofaninterdictionsoemphaticalandsolemn？
"Butyoursister'sdeathwasaneventdetestableandominous。
Shehadbeenthevictimofthemostdreadfulspeciesofassassination。How，inastatelikeyours，themurderousintentioncouldbegenerated，waswhollyinconceivable。
"IdidnotrelinquishmydesignofconfessingtoyouthepartwhichIhadsustainedinyourfamily，butIwaswillingtodeferittillthetaskwhichIhadsetmyselfwasfinished。Thatbeingdone，Iresumedtheresolution。Themotivestoincitemetothiscontinuallyacquiredforce。ThemoreIrevolvedtheeventshappeningatMettingen，themoreinsupportableandominousmyterrorsbecame。Mywakinghoursandmysleepwerevexedbydismalpresagesandfrightfulintimations。
"Catharinewasdeadbyviolence。Surelymymalignantstarshadnotmademethecauseofherdeath；yethadInotrashlysetinmotionamachine，overwhoseprogressIhadnocontroul，andwhichexperiencehadshewnmewasinfiniteinpower？Everydaymightaddtothecatalogueofhorrorsofwhichthiswasthesource，andaseasonabledisclosureofthetruthmightpreventnumberlessills。
"Fraughtwiththisconception，Ihaveturnedmystepshither。
Ifindyourbrother'shousedesolate:thefurnitureremoved，andthewallsstainedwithdamps。Yourownisinthesamesituation。Yourchamberisdismantledanddark，andyouexhibitanimageofincurablegrief，andofrapiddecay。
"Ihaveutteredthetruth。Thisistheextentofmyoffences。YoutellmeanhorridtaleofWielandbeingledtothedestructionofhiswifeandchildren，bysomemysteriousagent。Youchargemewiththeguiltofthisagency；butI
repeatthattheamountofmyguilthasbeentrulystated。TheperpetratorofCatharine'sdeathwasunknowntometillnow；
nay，itisstillunknowntome。"
Atthatmoment，theclosingofadoorinthekitchenwasdistinctlyheardbyus。Carwinstartedandpaused。"Thereissomeonecoming。Imustnotbefoundherebymyenemies，andneednot，sincemypurposeisanswered。"
Ihaddrunkin，withthemostvehementattention，everywordthathehaduttered。Ihadnobreathtointerrupthistalebyinterrogationsorcomments。Thepowerthathespokeofwashithertounknowntome:itsexistencewasincredible；itwassusceptibleofnodirectproof。
HeownsthathiswerethevoiceandfacewhichIheardandsaw。Heattemptstogiveanhumanexplanationofthesephantasms；butitisenoughthatheownshimselftobetheagent；histaleisalie，andhisnaturedevilish。Ashedeceivedme，helikewisedeceivedmybrother，andnowdoI
beholdtheauthorofallourcalamities!
Suchweremythoughtswhenhispauseallowedmetothink。I
shouldhavebadhimbegoneifthesilencehadnotbeeninterrupted；butnowIfearednomoreformyself；andthemilkinessofmynaturewascurdledintohatredandrancour。
Someonewasnear，andthisenemyofGodandmanmightpossiblybebroughttojustice。Ireflectednotthatthepreternaturalpowerwhichhehadhithertoexerted，wouldavailtorescuehimfromanytoilsinwhichhisfeetmightbeentangled。Meanwhile，looks，andnotwordsofmenaceandabhorrence，wereallthatI
couldbestow。
Hedidnotdepart。Heseemeddubious，whether，bypassingoutofthehouse，orbyremainingsomewhatlongerwherehewas，heshouldmostendangerhissafety。Hisconfusionincreasedwhenstepsofonebarefootwerehearduponthestairs。Hethrewanxiousglancessometimesatthecloset，sometimesatthewindow，andsometimesatthechamberdoor，yethewasdetainedbysomeinexplicablefascination。Hestoodasifrootedtothespot。
Astome，mysoulwasburstingwithdetestationandrevenge。
Ihadnoroomforsurmisesandfearsrespectinghimthatapproached。Itwasdoubtlessahumanbeing，andwouldbefriendmesofarastoaidmeinarrestingthisoffender。
Thestrangerquicklyenteredtheroom。MyeyesandtheeyesofCarwinwere，atthesamemoment，darteduponhim。Asecondglancewasnotneededtoinformuswhohewas。Hislocksweretangled，andfellconfusedlyoverhisforeheadandears。Hisshirtwasofcoarsestuff，andopenattheneckandbreast。Hiscoatwasonceofbrightandfinetexture，butnowtornandtarnishedwithdust。Hisfeet，hislegs，andhisarmswerebare。Hisfeaturesweretheseatofawildandtranquilsolemnity，buthiseyesbespokeinquietudeandcuriosity。
Headvancedwithfirmstep，andlookingasinsearchofsomeone。Hesawmeandstopped。Hebenthissightonthefloor，andclenchinghishands，appearedsuddenlyabsorbedinmeditation。SuchwerethefigureanddeportmentofWieland!
Such，inhisfallenstate，weretheaspectandguiseofmybrother!
Carwindidnotfailtorecognizethevisitant。Careforhisownsafetywasapparentlyswallowedupintheamazementwhichthisspectacleproduced。Hisstationwasconspicuous，andhecouldnothaveescapedtherovingglancesofWieland；yetthelatterseemedtotallyunconsciousofhispresence。
GriefatthissceneofruinandblastwasatfirsttheonlysentimentofwhichIwasconscious。Afearfulstillnessensued。
AtlengthWieland，liftinghishands，whichwerelockedineachother，tohisbreast，exclaimed，"Father!Ithankthee。Thisisthyguidance。Hitherthouhastledme，thatImightperformthywill:yetletmenoterr:letmehearagainthymessenger!"
Hestoodforaminuteasiflistening；butrecoveringfromhisattitude，hecontinued——"Itisnotneeded。Dastardlywretch!thuseternallyquestioningthebehestsofthyMaker!
weakinresolution!waywardinfaith!"
Headvancedtome，and，afteranotherpause，resumed:"Poorgirl!adismalfatehassetitsmarkuponthee。Thylifeisdemandedasasacrifice。Preparetheetodie。Makenotmyofficedifficultbyfruitlessopposition。Thyprayersmightsubduestones；butnonebuthewhoenjoinedmypurposecanshakeit。"
Thesewordswereasufficientexplicationofthescene。Thenatureofhisphrenzy，asdescribedbymyuncle，wasremembered。
Iwhohadsoughtdeath，wasnowthrilledwithhorrorbecauseitwasnear。Deathinthisform，deathfromthehandofabrother，wasthoughtuponwithundescribablerepugnance。
Inastatethusverginguponmadness，myeyeglanceduponCarwin。Hisastonishmentappearedtohavestruckhimmotionlessanddumb。Mylifewasindanger，andmybrother'shandwasabouttobeembruedinmyblood。IfirmlybelievedthatCarwin'swastheinstigation。Icouldrescuemefromthisabhorredfate；Icoulddissipatethistremendousillusion；I
couldsavemybrotherfromtheperpetrationofnewhorrors，bypointingoutthedevilwhoseducedhim；tohesitateamomentwastoperish。Thesethoughtsgavestrengthtomylimbs，andenergytomyaccents:Istartedonmyfeet。
"Obrother!spareme，sparethyself:Thereisthybetrayer。
Hecounterfeitedthevoiceandfaceofanangel，forthepurposeofdestroyingtheeandme。Hehasthismomentconfessedit。Heisabletospeakwhereheisnot。Heisleaguedwithhell，butwillnotavowit；yetheconfessesthattheagencywashis。"
Mybrotherturnedslowlyhiseyes，andfixedthemuponCarwin。Everyjointintheframeofthelattertrembled。Hiscomplexionwaspalerthanaghost's。HiseyedarednotmeetthatofWieland，butwanderedwithanairofdistractionfromonespacetoanother。
"Man，"saidmybrother，inavoicetotallyunlikethatwhichhehadusedtome，"whatartthou？Thechargehasbeenmade。
Answerit。Thevisage——thevoice——atthebottomofthesestairs——atthehourofeleven——Towhomdidtheybelong？Tothee？"
TwicedidCarwinattempttospeak，buthiswordsdiedawayuponhislips。Mybrotherresumedinatoneofgreatervehemence——
"Thoufalterest；falteringisominous；sayyesorno:onewordwillsuffice；butbewareoffalsehood。Wasitastratagemofhelltooverthrowmyfamily？Wastthoutheagent？"
Inowsawthatthewrathwhichhadbeenpreparedformewastobeheapeduponanother。ThetalethatIheardfromhim，andhispresenttrepidations，wereabundanttestimoniesofhisguilt。ButwhatifWielandshouldbeundeceived!Whatifheshallfindhisactstohaveproceedednotfromanheavenlyprompter，butfromhumantreachery!Willnothisragemountintowhirlwind？Willnothetarelimbfromlimbthisdevotedwretch？
InstinctivelyIrecoiledfromthisimage，butitgaveplacetoanother。Carwinmaybeinnocent，buttheimpetuosityofhisjudgemaymisconstruehisanswersintoaconfessionofguilt。
Wielandknowsnotthatmysteriousvoicesandappearanceswerelikewisewitnessedbyme。Carwinmaybeignorantofthosewhichmisledmybrother。Thusmayhisanswersunwarilybetrayhimselftoruin。
Suchmightbetheconsequencesofmyfranticprecipitation，andthese，itwasnecessary，ifpossible，toprevent。I
attemptedtospeak，butWieland，turningsuddenlyuponme，commandedsilence，inatonefuriousandterrible。Mylipsclosed，andmytonguerefuseditsoffice。
"Whatartthou？"heresumed，addressinghimselftoCarwin。
"Answerme；whoseform——whosevoice——wasitthycontrivance？
Answerme。"
Theanswerwasnowgiven，butconfusedlyandscarcelyarticulated。"Imeantnothing——Iintendednoill——ifI
understand——ifIdonotmistakeyou——itistootrue——Ididappear——intheentry——didspeak。Thecontrivancewasmine，but——"
Thesewordswerenosooneruttered，thanmybrotherceasedtowearthesameaspect。Hiseyesweredowncast:hewasmotionless:hisrespirationbecamehoarse，likethatofamanintheagoniesofdeath。Carwinseemedunabletosaymore。Hemighthaveeasilyescaped，butthethoughtwhichoccupiedhimrelatedtowhatwashorridandunintelligibleinthisscene，andnottohisowndanger。
PresentlythefacultiesofWieland，which，foratime，werechainedup，wereseizedwithrestlessnessandtrembling。Hebrokesilence。Thestoutestheartwouldhavebeenappalledbythetoneinwhichhespoke。HeaddressedhimselftoCarwin。
"Whyartthouhere？Whodetainsthee？Goandlearnbetter。
Iwillmeetthee，butitmustbeatthebarofthyMaker。ThereshallIbearwitnessagainstthee。"
PerceivingthatCarwindidnotobey，hecontinued；"Dostthouwishmetocompletethecataloguebythydeath？Thylifeisaworthlessthing。Temptmenomore。Iambutaman，andthypresencemayawakenafurywhichmayspurnmycontroul。
Begone!"
Carwin，irresolute，strivinginvainforutterance，hiscomplexionpallidasdeath，hiskneesbeatingoneagainstanother，slowlyobeyedthemandateandwithdrew。
ChapterXXV
AfewwordsmoreandIlayasidethepenforever。YetwhyshouldInotrelinquishitnow？AllthatIhavesaidispreparatorytothisscene，andmyfingers，tremulousandcoldasmyheart，refuseanyfurtherexertion。Thismustnotbe。Letmylastenergiessupportmeinthefinishingofthistask。ThenwillIlaydownmyheadinthelapofdeath。Hushedwillbeallmymurmursinthesleepofthegrave。
Everysentimenthasperishedinmybosom。Evenfriendshipisextinct。Yourloveformehaspromptedmetothistask；butI
wouldnothavecompliedifithadnotbeenaluxurythustofeastuponmywoes。Ihavejustlycalculateduponmyremnantofstrength。WhenIlaydownthepenthetaperoflifewillexpire:myexistencewillterminatewithmytale。
NowthatIwasleftalonewithWieland，theperilsofmysituationpresentedthemselvestomymind。Thatthisparoxysmshouldterminateinhavockandrageitwasreasonabletopredict。Thefirstsuggestionofmyfearshadbeendisprovedbymyexperience。Carwinhadacknowledgedhisoffences，andyethadescaped。ThevengeancewhichIhadharbouredhadnotbeenadmittedbyWieland，andyettheevilswhichIhadendured，comparedwiththoseinflictedonmybrother，wereasnothing。
Ithirstedforhisblood，andwastormentedwithaninsatiableappetiteforhisdestruction；yetmybrotherwasunmoved，andhaddismissedhiminsafety。Surelythouwastmorethanman，whileIamsunkbelowthebeasts。
DidIplacearightconstructionontheconductofWieland？
Wastheerrorthatmisledhimsoeasilyrectified？Wereviewssovividandfaithsostrenuousthusliabletofadingandtochange？Wastherenotreasontodoubttheaccuracyofmyperceptions？Withimageslikethesewasmymindthronged，tillthedeportmentofmybrothercalledawaymyattention。
Isawhislipsmoveandhiseyescastuptoheaven。Thenwouldhelistenandlookback，asifinexpectationofsomeone'sappearance。Thriceherepeatedthesegesticulationsandthisinaudibleprayer。Eachtimethemistofconfusionanddoubtseemedtogrowdarkerandtosettleonhisunderstanding。
Iguessedatthemeaningofthesetokens。ThewordsofCarwinhadshakenhisbelief，andhewasemployedinsummoningthemessengerwhohadformerlycommunedwithhim，toattestthevalueofthosenewdoubts。Invainthesummonswasrepeated，forhiseyemetnothingbutvacancy，andnotasoundsalutedhisear。
Hewalkedtothebed，gazedwitheagernessatthepillowwhichhadsustainedtheheadofthebreathlessCatharine，andthenreturnedtotheplacewhereIsat。Ihadnopowertoliftmyeyestohisface:Iwasdubiousofhispurpose:thispurposemightaimatmylife。
Alas!nothingbutsubjectiontodanger，andexposuretotemptation，canshowuswhatweare。BythistestwasInowtried，andfoundtobecowardlyandrash。Mencandeliberatelyuntiethethreadoflife，andofthisIhaddeemedmyselfcapable；yetnowthatIstooduponthebrinkoffate，thattheknifeofthesacrificerwasaimedatmyheart，Ishudderedandbetookmyselftoanymeansofescape，howevermonstrous。
CanIbeartothink——canIenduretorelatetheoutragewhichmyheartmeditated？Whereweremymeansofsafety？Resistancewasvain。NoteventheenergyofdespaircouldsetmeonalevelwiththatstrengthwhichhisterrificprompterhadbestoweduponWieland。Terrorenablesustoperformincrediblefeats；butterrorwasnotthenthestateofmymind:wherethenweremyhopesofrescue？
Methinksitistoomuch。Istandaside，asitwere，frommyself；Iestimatemyowndeservings；ahatred，immortalandinexorable，ismydue。Ilistentomyownpleas，andfindthememptyandfalse:yes，Iacknowledgethatmyguiltsurpassesthatofallmankind:Iconfessthatthecursesofaworld，andthefrownsofadeity，areinadequatetomydemerits。Isthereathingintheworldworthyofinfiniteabhorrence？ItisI。
WhatshallIsay!Iwasmenaced，asIthought，withdeath，and，toeludethisevil，myhandwasreadytoinflictdeathuponthemenacer。Invisitingmyhouse，IhadmadeprovisionagainstthemachinationsofCarwin。Inafoldofmydressanopenpenknifewasconcealed。ThisInowseizedanddrewforth。Itlurkedoutofview:butInowseethatmystateofmindwouldhaverenderedthedeedinevitableifmybrotherhadliftedhishand。Thisinstrumentofmypreservationwouldhavebeenplungedintohisheart。
O，insupportableremembrance!hidetheefrommyviewforatime；hideitfrommethatmyheartwasblackenoughtomeditatethestabbingofabrother!abrotherthussupremeinmisery；
thustoweringinvirtue!
Hewasprobablyunconsciousofmydesign，butpresentlydrewback。Thisintervalwassufficienttorestoremetomyself。
Themadness，theiniquityofthatactwhichIhadpurposedrusheduponmyapprehension。ForamomentIwasbreathlesswithagony。AtthenextmomentIrecoveredmystrength，andthrewtheknifewithviolenceonthefloor。
Thesoundawokemybrotherfromhisreverie。Hegazedalternatelyatmeandattheweapon。Withamovementequallysolemnhestoopedandtookitup。Heplacedthebladeindifferentpositions，scrutinizingitaccurately，andmaintaining，atthesametime，aprofoundsilence。
Againhelookedatme，butallthatvehemenceandloftinessofspiritwhichhadsolatelycharacterizedhisfeatures，wereflown。Fallenmuscles，aforeheadcontractedintofolds，eyesdimwithunbiddendrops，andaruefulnessofaspectwhichnowordscandescribe，werenowvisible。
Hislookstouchedintoenergythesamesympathiesinme，andIpouredforthafloodoftears。Thispassionwasquicklycheckedbyfear，whichhadnow，nolonger，myown，buthissafetyfortheirobject。Iwatchedhisdeportmentinsilence。
Atlengthhespoke:
"Sister，"saidhe，inanaccentmournfulandmild，"Ihaveactedpoorlymypartinthisworld。Whatthinkestthou？ShallInotdobetterinthenext？"
Icouldmakenoanswer。Themildnessofhistoneastonishedandencouragedme。Icontinuedtoregardhimwithwistfulandanxiouslooks。
"Ithink，"resumedhe，"Iwilltry。Mywifeandmybabeshavegonebefore。Happywretches!Ihavesentyoutorepose，andoughtnottolingerbehind。"
Thesewordshadameaningsufficientlyintelligible。I