lookedattheopenknifeinhishandandshuddered，butknewnothowtopreventthedeedwhichIdreaded。Hequicklynoticedmyfears，andcomprehendedthem。Stretchingtowardsmehishand，withanairofincreasingmildness:"Takeit，"saidhe:"Fearnotforthyownsake，norformine。Thecupisgoneby，anditstransientinebriationissucceededbythesobernessoftruth。
　　"ThouangelwhomIwaswonttoworship!fearestthou，mysister，forthylife？Onceitwasthescopeofmylabourstodestroythee，butIwaspromptedtothedeedbyheaven；such，atleast，wasmybelief。Thinkestthouthatthydeathwassoughttogratifymalevolence？No。Iampurefromallstain。I
　　believedthatmyGodwasmymover!
　　"NeithertheenormyselfhaveIcausetoinjure。Ihavedonemyduty，andsurelythereismeritinhavingsacrificedtothat，allthatisdeartotheheartofman。Ifadevilhasdeceivedme，hecameinthehabitofanangel。IfIerred，itwasnotmyjudgmentthatdeceivedme，butmysenses。Inthysight，beingofbeings!Iamstillpure。StillwillIlookformyrewardinthyjustice!"
　　Didmyearstrulyreportthesesounds？IfIdidnoterr，mybrotherwasrestoredtojustperceptions。Heknewhimselftohavebeenbetrayedtothemurderofhiswifeandchildren，tohavebeenthevictimofinfernalartifice；yethefoundconsolationintherectitudeofhismotives。Hewasnotdevoidofsorrow，forthiswaswrittenonhiscountenance；buthissoulwastranquilandsublime。
　　Perhapsthiswasmerelyatransitionofhisformermadnessintoanewshape。Perhapshehadnotyetawakenedtothememoryofthehorrorswhichhehadperpetrated。InfatuatedwretchthatIwas!Tosetmyselfupasamodelbywhichtojudgeofmyheroicbrother!Myreasontaughtmethathisconclusionswereright；butconsciousoftheimpotenceofreasonovermyownconduct；consciousofmycowardlyrashnessandmycriminaldespair，Idoubtedwhetheranyonecouldbestedfastandwise。
　　Suchwasmyweakness，thateveninthemidstofthesethoughts，mymindglidedintoabhorrenceofCarwin，andI
　　utteredinalowvoice，O!Carwin!Carwin!Whathastthoutoanswerfor？
　　Mybrotherimmediatelynoticedtheinvoluntaryexclamation:
　　"Clara!"saidhe，"bethyself。Equityusedtobeathemeforthyeloquence。Reduceitslessonstopractice，andbejusttothatunfortunateman。Theinstrumenthasdoneitswork，andI
　　amsatisfied。
　　"Ithankthee，myGod，forthislastillumination!Myenemyisthinealso。Ideemedhimtobeman，themanwithwhomIhaveoftencommuned；butnowthygoodnesshasunveiledtomehistruenature。Astheperformerofthybehests，heismyfriend。"
　　Myheartbegannowtomisgiveme。Hismournfulaspecthadgraduallyyieldedplacetoaserenebrow。Anewsoulappearedtoactuatehisframe，andhiseyestobeamwithpreternaturallustre。Thesesymptomsdidnotabate，andhecontinued:
　　"Clara!Imustnotleavetheeindoubt。IknownotwhatbroughtaboutthyinterviewwiththebeingwhomthoucallestCarwin。Foratime，Iwasguiltyofthyerror，anddeducedfromhisincoherentconfessionsthatIhadbeenmadethevictimofhumanmalice。Heleftusatmybidding，andIputupaprayerthatmydoubtsshouldberemoved。Thyeyeswereshut，andthyearssealedtothevisionthatansweredmyprayer。
　　"Iwasindeeddeceived。Theformthouhastseenwastheincarnationofadaemon。Thevisageandvoicewhichurgedmetothesacrificeofmyfamily，werehis。Nowhepersonatesahumanform:thenhewasinvironedwiththelustreofheaven——
　　"Clara，"hecontinued，advancingclosertome，"thydeathmustcome。Thisministerisevil，buthefromwhomhiscommissionwasreceivedisGod。Submitthenwithallthywontedresignationtoadecreethatcannotbereversedorresisted。
　　Marktheclock。Threeminutesareallowedtothee，inwhichtocallupthyfortitude，andpreparetheeforthydoom。"Therehestopped。
　　Evennow，whenthissceneexistsonlyinmemory，whenlifeandallitsfunctionshavesunkintotorpor，mypulsethrobs，andmyhairsuprise:mybrowsareknit，asthen；andIgazearoundmeindistraction。Iwasunconquerablyaversetodeath；
　　butdeath，imminentandfullofagonyasthatwhichwasthreatened，wasnothing。Thiswasnottheonlyorchiefinspirerofmyfears。
　　Forhim，notformyself，wasmysoultormented。Imightdie，andnocrime，surpassingthereachofmercy，wouldpursuemetothepresenceofmyJudge；butmyassassinwouldsurvivetocontemplatehisdeed，andthatassassinwasWieland!
　　WingstobearmebeyondhisreachIhadnot。Icouldnotvanishwithathought。Thedoorwasopen，butmymurdererwasinterposedbetweenthatandme。Ofself-defenceIwasincapable。Thephrenzythatlatelypromptedmetobloodwasgone；mystatewasdesperate；myrescuewasimpossible。
　　Theweightoftheseaccumulatedthoughtscouldnotbeborne。
　　Mysightbecameconfused；mylimbswereseizedwithconvulsion；
　　Ispoke，butmywordswerehalf-formed:——
　　"Spareme，mybrother!Lookdown，righteousJudge!snatchmefromthisfate!takeawaythisfuryfromhim，orturnitelsewhere!"
　　Suchwastheagonyofmythoughts，thatInoticednotstepsenteringmyapartment。Supplicatingeyeswerecastupward，butwhenmyprayerwasbreathed，Ioncemorewildlygazedatthedoor。Aformmetmysight:IshudderedasiftheGodwhomI
　　invokedwerepresent。ItwasCarwinthatagainintruded，andwhostoodbeforeme，erectinattitude，andstedfastinlook!
　　Thesightofhimawakenednewandrapidthoughts。Hisrecenttalewasremembered:hismagicaltransitionsandmysteriousenergyofvoice:Whetherhewereinfernalormiraculous，orhuman，therewasnopowerandnoneedtodecide。Whetherthecontriverornotofthisspell，hewasabletounbindit，andtocheckthefuryofmybrother。Hehadascribedtohimselfintentionsnotmalignant。Herenowwasaffordedatestofhistruth。Lethiminterpose，asfromabove；revokethesavagedecreewhichthemadnessofWielandhasassignedtoheaven，andextinguishforeverthispassionforblood!
　　Myminddetectedataglancethisavenuetosafety。Therecommendationsitpossessedthrongedasitweretogether，andmadebutoneimpressiononmyintellect。RemotereffectsandcollateraldangersIsawnot。Perhapsthepauseofaninstanthadsufficedtocallthemup。TheimprobabilitythattheinfluencewhichgovernedWielandwasexternalorhuman；thetendencyofthisstratagemtosanctionsofatalanerror，orsubstituteamoredestructiverageinplaceofthis；thesufficiencyofCarwin'smeremuscularforcestocounteracttheefforts，andrestrainthefuryofWieland，might，atasecondglance，havebeendiscovered；butnosecondglancewasallowed。
　　Myfirstthoughthurriedmetoaction，and，fixingmyeyesuponCarwinIexclaimed——
　　"Owretch!oncemorehastthoucome？Letitbetoabjurethymalice；tocounterworkthishellishstratagem；toturnfrommeandfrommybrother，thisdesolatingrage!
　　"Testifythyinnocenceorthyremorse:exertthepowerswhichpertaintothee，whatevertheybe，toturnasidethisruin。Thouarttheauthorofthesehorrors!WhathaveIdonetodeservethustodie？HowhaveImeritedthisunrelentingpersecution？Iadjurethee，bythatGodwhosevoicethouhastdaredtocounterfeit，tosavemylife!
　　"Wiltthouthengo？leaveme!Succourless!"
　　Carwinlistenedtomyintreatiesunmoved，andturnedfromme。
　　Heseemedtohesitateamoment:thenglidedthroughthedoor。
　　Rageanddespairstifledmyutterance。Theintervalofrespitewaspassed；thepangsreservedformebyWieland，werenottobeendured；mythoughtsrushedagainintoanarchy。Havingreceivedtheknifefromhishand，Ihelditlooselyandwithoutregard；
　　butnowitseizedagainmyattention，andIgraspeditwithforce。
　　HeseemedtonoticenottheentranceorexitofCarwin。Mygestureandthemurderousweaponappearedtohaveescapedhisnotice。Hissilencewasunbroken；hiseye，fixedupontheclockforatime，wasnowwithdrawn；furykindledineveryfeature；
　　allthatwashumaninhisfacegavewaytoanexpressionsupernaturalandtremendous。Ifeltmyleftarmwithinhisgrasp——
　　EvennowIhesitatedtostrike。Ishrunkfromhisassault，butinvain——
　　Hereletmedesist。WhyshouldIrescuethiseventfromoblivion？WhyshouldIpaintthisdetestableconflict？Whynotterminateatoncethisseriesofhorrors？——Hurrytothevergeoftheprecipice，andcastmyselfforeverbeyondremembranceandbeyondhope？
　　StillIlive:withthisloaduponmybreast；withthisphantomtopursuemysteps；withadderslodgedinmybosom，andstingingmetomadness:stillIconsenttolive!
　　Yes，Iwillriseabovethesphereofmortalpassions:Iwillspurnatthecowardlyremorsethatbidsmeseekimpunityinsilence，orcomfortinforgetfulness。Mynervesshallbenewstrungtothetask。HaveInotresolved？Iwilldie。Thegulphbeforemeisinevitableandnear。Iwilldie，butthenonlywhenmytaleisatanend。
　　ChapterXXVI
　　Myrighthand，graspingtheunseenknife，wasstilldisengaged。Itwasliftedtostrike。Allmystrengthwasexhausted，butwhatwassufficienttotheperformanceofthisdeed。Alreadywastheenergyawakened，andtheimpulsegiven，thatshouldbearthefatalsteeltohisheart，when——Wielandshrunkback:hishandwaswithdrawn。Breathlesswithaffrightanddesperation，Istood，freedfromhisgrasp；unassailed；
　　untouched。
　　Thuslonghadthepowerwhichcontrouledthesceneforbornetointerfere；butnowhismightwasirresistible，andWielandinamomentwasdisarmedofallhispurposes。Avoice，louderthanhumanorganscouldproduce，shrillerthanlanguagecandepict，burstfromtheceiling，andcommandedhim——TOHOLD!
　　TroubleanddismaysucceededtothestedfastnessthathadlatelybeendisplayedinthelooksofWieland。Hiseyesrovedfromonequartertoanother，withanexpressionofdoubt。Heseemedtowaitforafurtherintimation。
　　Carwin'sagencywashereeasilyrecognized。Ihadbesoughthimtointerposeinmydefence。Hehadflown。Ihadimaginedhimdeaftomyprayer，andresolutetoseemeperish:yethedisappearedmerelytodeviseandexecutethemeansofmyrelief。
　　Whydidhenotforbearwhenthisendwasaccomplished？Whydidhismisjudgingzealandaccursedprecipitationoverpassthatlimit？Ormeanthethustocrownthescene，andconducthisinscrutableplotstothisconsummation？
　　Suchideaswerethefruitofsubsequentcontemplation。Thismomentwaspregnantwithfate。Ihadnopowertoreason。Inthecareerofmytempestuousthoughts，rentintopieces，asmymindwas，byaccumulatinghorrors，Carwinwasunseenandunsuspected。IpartookofWieland'scredulity，shookwithhisamazement，andpantedwithhisawe。
　　Silencetookplaceforamoment；somuchasallowedtheattentiontorecoveritspost。Thennewsoundswereutteredfromabove。
　　"Manoferrors!ceasetocherishthydelusion:notheavenorhell，butthysenseshavemisledtheetocommittheseacts。
　　Shakeoffthyphrenzy，andascendintorationalandhuman。Belunaticnolonger。"
　　Mybrotheropenedhislipstospeak。Histonewasterrificandfaint。Hemutteredanappealtoheaven。Itwasdifficulttocomprehendthethemeofhisinquiries。Theyimplieddoubtastothenatureoftheimpulsethathithertohadguidedhim，andquestionedwhetherhehadactedinconsequenceofinsaneperceptions。
　　Totheseinterrogatoriesthevoice，whichnowseemedtohoverathisshoulder，loudlyansweredintheaffirmative。Thenuninterruptedsilenceensued。
　　Fallenfromhisloftyandheroicstation；nowfinallyrestoredtotheperceptionoftruth；weighedtoearthbytherecollectionofhisowndeeds；consolednolongerbyaconsciousnessofrectitude，forthelossofoffspringandwife——alossforwhichhewasindebtedtohisownmisguidedhand；WielandwastransformedatonceintothemanOFSORROWS!
　　Hereflectednotthatcreditshouldbeasreasonablydeniedtothelast，astoanyformerintimation；thatonemightasjustlybeascribedtoerringordiseasedsensesastheother。
　　Hesawnotthatthisdiscoveryinnodegreeaffectedtheintegrityofhisconduct；thathismotiveshadlostnoneoftheirclaimstothehomageofmankind；thatthepreferenceofsupremegood，andtheboundlessenergyofduty，wereundiminishedinhisbosom。
　　Itisnotformetopursuehimthroughtheghastlychangesofhiscountenance。Wordshehadnone。Nowhesatuponthefloor，motionlessinallhislimbs，withhiseyesglazedandfixed；amonumentofwoe。
　　Anonaspiritoftempestuousbutundesigningactivityseizedhim。Herosefromhisplaceandstrodeacrossthefloor，totteringandatrandom。Hiseyeswerewithoutmoisture，andgleamedwiththefirethatconsumedhisvitals。Themusclesofhisfacewereagitatedbyconvulsion。Hislipsmoved，butnosoundescapedhim。
　　Thatnatureshouldlongsustainthisconflictwasnottobebelieved。Mystatewaslittledifferentfromthatofmybrother。Ientered，asitwere，intohisthought。Myheartwasvisitedandrentbyhispangs——Ohthatthyphrenzyhadneverbeencured!thatthymadness，withitsblissfulvisions，wouldreturn!or，ifthatmustnotbe，thatthyscenewouldhastentoaclose!thatdeathwouldcovertheewithhisoblivion!
　　WhatcanIwishforthee？Thouwhohastviedwiththegreatpreacherofthyfaithinsanctityofmotives，andinelevationabovesensualandselfish!Thouwhomthyfatehaschangedintoparicideandsavage!CanIwishforthecontinuanceofthybeing？No。
　　Foratimehismovementsseemeddestituteofpurpose。Ifhewalked；ifheturned；ifhisfingerswereentwinedwitheachother；ifhishandswerepressedagainstoppositesidesofhisheadwithaforcesufficienttocrushitintopieces；itwastotearhismindfromself-contemplation；towastehisthoughtsonexternalobjects。
　　Speedilythistrainwasbroken。Abeamappearedtobedartedintohismind，whichgaveapurposetohisefforts。Anavenuetoescapepresenteditself；andnowheeagerlygazedabouthim:
　　whenmythoughtsbecameengagedbyhisdemeanour，myfingerswerestretchedasbyamechanicalforce，andtheknife，nolongerheededorofuse，escapedfrommygrasp，andfellunperceivedonthefloor。Hiseyenowlighteduponit；heseizeditwiththequicknessofthought。
　　Ishriekedaloud，butitwastoolate。Heplungedittothehiltinhisneck；andhislifeinstantlyescapedwiththestreamthatgushedfromthewound。Hewasstretchedatmyfeet；andmyhandsweresprinkledwithhisbloodashefell。
　　Suchwasthylastdeed，mybrother!Foraspectaclelikethiswasitmyfatetobereserved!Thyeyeswereclosed——thyfaceghastlywithdeath——thyarms，andthespotwherethouliedest，floatedinthylife'sblood!Theseimageshavenot，foramoment，forsakenme。TillIambreathlessandcold，theymustcontinuetohoverinmysight。
　　Carwin，asIsaid，hadlefttheroom，buthestilllingeredinthehouse。Myvoicesummonedhimtomyaid；butIscarcelynoticedhisre-entrance，andnowfaintlyrecollecthisterrifiedlooks，hisbrokenexclamations，hisvehementavowalsofinnocence，theeffusionsofhispityforme，andhisoffersofassistance。
　　Ididnotlisten——Iansweredhimnot——Iceasedtoupbraidoraccuse。HisguiltwasapointtowhichIwasindifferent。
　　Ruffianordevil，blackashellorbrightasangels，thenceforthhewasnothingtome。Iwasincapableofsparingalookorathoughtfromtheruinthatwasspreadatmyfeet。
　　Whenheleftme，Iwasscarcelyconsciousofanyvariationinthescene。Heinformedtheinhabitantsofthehutofwhathadpassed，andtheyflewtothespot。Carelessofhisownsafety，hehastedtothecitytoinformmyfriendsofmycondition。
　　Myunclespeedilyarrivedatthehouse。ThebodyofWielandwasremovedfrommypresence，andtheysupposedthatIwouldfollowit；butno，myhomeisascertained；hereIhavetakenupmyrest，andneverwillIgohence，till，likeWieland，Iambornetomygrave。
　　Importunitywastriedinvain:theythreatenedtoremovemebyviolence——nay，violencewasused；butmysoulprizestoodearlythislittlerooftoenduretobebereavedofit。Forceshouldnotprevailwhenthehoarylocksandsupplicatingtearsofmyunclewereineffectual。Myrepugnancetomovegavebirthtoferociousnessandphrenzywhenforcewasemployed，andtheywereobligedtoconsenttomyreturn。
　　Theybesoughtme——theyremonstrated——theyappealedtoeverydutythatconnectedmewithhimthatmademe，andwithmyfellow-men——invain。WhileIliveIwillnotgohence。HaveI
　　notfulfilledmydestiny？
　　Whywillyetormentmewithyourreasoningsandreproofs？
　　Canyerestoretomethehopeofmybetterdays？CanyegivemebackCatharineandherbabes？Canyerecalltolifehimwhodiedatmyfeet？
　　Iwilleat——Iwilldrink——Iwillliedownandriseupatyourbidding——allIaskisthechoiceofmyabode。Whatisthereunreasonableinthisdemand？ShortlywillIbeatpeace。ThisisthespotwhichIhavechoseninwhichtobreathemylastsigh。Denymenot，Ibeseechyou，soslightaboon。
　　Talknottome，Omyreveredfriend!ofCarwin。Hehastoldtheehistale，andthouexculpatesthimfromalldirectconcerninthefateofWieland。Thissceneofhavockwasproducedbyanillusionofthesenses。Beitso:Icarenotfromwhatsourcethesedisastershaveflowed；itsufficesthattheyhaveswallowedupourhopesandourexistence。
　　Whathisagencybegan，hisagencyconductedtoaclose。Heintended，bythefinaleffortofhispower，torescuemeandtobanishhisillusionsfrommybrother。Suchishistale，concerningthetruthofwhichIcarenot。HenceforthIfosterbutonewish——Iaskonlyquickdeliverancefromlifeandalltheillsthatattendit——
　　Gowretch!tormentmenotwiththypresenceandthyprayers——Forgivethee？Willthatavailtheewhenthyfatefulhourshallarrive？Bethouacquittedatthyowntribunal，andthouneedestnotfeartheverdictofothers。Ifthyguiltbecapableofblackerhues，ifhithertothyconsciencebewithoutstain，thycrimewillbemademoreflagrantbythusviolatingmyretreat。Takethyselfawayfrommysightifthouwouldestnotbeholdmydeath!
　　Thouaregone!murmuringandreluctant!Andnowmyreposeiscoming——myworkisdone!
　　ChapterXXVII
　　[Writtenthreeyearsaftertheforegoing，anddatedatMontpellier。]
　　IimaginedthatIhadforeverlaidasidethepen；andthatI
　　shouldtakeupmyabodeinthispartoftheworld，wasofalleventstheleastprobable。MydestinyIbelievedtobeaccomplished，andIlookedforwardtoaspeedyterminationofmylifewiththefullestconfidence。
　　SurelyIhadreasontobewearyofexistence，tobeimpatientofeverytiewhichheldmefromthegrave。Iexperiencedthisimpatienceinitsfullestextent。Iwasnotonlyenamouredofdeath，butconceived，fromtheconditionofmyframe，thattoshunitwasimpossible，eventhoughIhadardentlydesiredit；
　　yethereamI，athousandleaguesfrommynativesoil，infullpossessionoflifeandofhealth，andnotdestituteofhappiness。
　　Suchisman。Timewillobliteratethedeepestimpressions。
　　Griefthemostvehementandhopeless，willgraduallydecayandwearitselfout。Argumentsmaybeemployedinvain:everymoralprescriptionmaybeineffectuallytried:remonstrances，howevercogentorpathetic，shallhavenopowerovertheattention，orshallberepelledwithdisdain；yet，asdayfollowsday，theturbulenceofouremotionsshallsubside，andourfluctuationsbefinallysucceededbyacalm。
　　Perhaps，however，theconquestofdespairwaschieflyowingtoanaccidentwhichrenderedmycontinuanceinmyownhouseimpossible。Attheconclusionofmylong，and，asIthensupposed，mylastlettertoyou，Imentionedmyresolutiontowaitfordeathintheveryspotwhichhadbeentheprincipalsceneofmymisfortunes。Fromthisresolutionmyfriendsexertedthemselveswiththeutmostzealandperseverancetomakemedepart。Theyjustlyimaginedthattobethussurroundedbymemorialsofthefateofmyfamily，wouldtendtofostermydisease。Aswiftsuccessionofnewobjects，andtheexclusionofeverythingcalculatedtoremindmeofmyloss，wastheonlymethodofcure。
　　Irefusedtolistentotheirexhortations。Greatasmycalamitywas，tobetornfromthisasylumwasregardedbymeasanaggravationofit。Byaperverseconstitutionofmind，hewasconsideredasmygreatestenemywhosoughttowithdrawmefromascenewhichsuppliedeternalfoodtomymelancholy，andkeptmydespairfromlanguishing。
　　InrelatingthehistoryofthesedisastersIderivedasimilarspeciesofgratification。Myuncleearnestlydissuadedmefromthistask；buthisremonstranceswereasfruitlessonthisheadastheyhadbeenonothers。Theywouldhavewithheldfrommetheimplementsofwriting；buttheyquicklyperceivedthattowithstandwouldbemoreinjuriousthantocomplywithmywishes。Havingfinishedmytale，itseemedasifthescenewereclosing。Afeverlurkedinmyveins，andmystrengthwasgone。
　　Anyexertion，howeverslight，wasattendedwithdifficulty，and，atlength，Irefusedtorisefrommybed。
　　Inowseetheinfatuationandinjusticeofmyconductinitstruecolours。Ireflectuponthesensationsandreasoningsofthatperiodwithwonderandhumiliation。ThatIshouldbeinsensibletotheclaimsandtearsofmyfriends；thatIshouldoverlookthesuggestionsofduty，andflyfromthatpostinwhichonlyIcouldbeinstrumentaltothebenefitofothers；
　　thattheexerciseofthesocialandbeneficentaffections，thecontemplationofnatureandtheacquisitionofwisdomshouldnotbeseentobemeansofhappinessstillwithinmyreach，is，atthistime，scarcelycredible。
　　ItistruethatIamnowchanged；butIhavenottheconsolationtoreflectthatmychangewasowingtomyfortitudeortomycapacityforinstruction。Betterthoughtsgrewupinmymindimperceptibly。Icannotbutcongratulatemyselfonthechange，though，perhaps，itmerelyarguesaficklenessoftemper，andadefectofsensibility。
　　AftermynarrativewasendedIbetookmyselftomybed，inthefullbeliefthatmycareerinthisworldwasonthepointoffinishing。Myuncletookuphisabodewithme，andperformedformeeveryofficeofnurse，physicianandfriend。Onenight，aftersomehoursofrestlessnessandpain，Isunkintodeepsleep。Itstranquillity，however，wasofnolongduration。Myfancybecamesuddenlydistempered，andmybrainwasturnedintoatheatreofuproarandconfusion。Itwouldnotbeeasytodescribethewildandphantasticalincongruitiesthatpesteredme。Myuncle，Wieland，PleyelandCarwinweresuccessivelyandmomentlydiscernedamidstthestorm。SometimesIwasswallowedupbywhirlpools，orcaughtupintheairbyhalf-seenandgiganticforms，andthrownuponpointedrocks，orcastamongthebillows。Sometimesgleamsoflightwereshotintoadarkabyss，onthevergeofwhichIwasstanding，andenabledmetodiscover，foramoment，itsenormousdepthandhideousprecipices。Anon，IwastransportedtosomeridgeofAEtna，andmadeaterrifiedspectatorofitsfierytorrentsanditspillarsofsmoke。
　　Howeverstrangeitmayseem，Iwasconscious，evenduringmydream，ofmyrealsituation。Iknewmyselftobeasleep，andstruggledtobreakthespell，bymuscularexertions。Thesedidnotavail，andIcontinuedtosuffertheseabortivecreationstillaloudvoice，atmybedside，andsomeoneshakingmewithviolence，putanendtomyreverie。Myeyeswereunsealed，andIstartedfrommypillow。
　　Mychamberwasfilledwithsmoke，which，thoughinsomedegreeluminous，wouldpermitmetoseenothing，andbywhichI
　　wasnearlysuffocated。Thecracklingofflames，andthedeafeningclamourofvoiceswithout，burstuponmyears。
　　StunnedasIwasbythishubbub，scorchedwithheat，andnearlychoakedbytheaccumulatingvapours，Iwasunabletothinkoractformyownpreservation；Iwasincapable，indeed，ofcomprehendingmydanger。
　　Iwascaughtup，inaninstant，byapairofsinewyarms，bornetothewindow，andcarrieddownaladderwhichhadbeenplacedthere。Myunclestoodatthebottomandreceivedme。I
　　wasnotfullyawareofmysituationtillIfoundmyselfshelteredintheHUT，andsurroundedbyitsinhabitants。
　　Byneglectoftheservant，someunextinguishedembershadbeenplacedinabarrelinthecellarofthebuilding。Thebarrelhadcaughtfire；thiswascommunicatedtothebeamsofthelowerfloor，andthencetotheupperpartofthestructure。
　　Itwasfirstdiscoveredbysomepersonsatadistance，whohastenedtothespotandalarmedmyuncleandtheservants。Theflameshadalreadymadeconsiderableprogress，andmyconditionwasoverlookedtillmyescapewasrenderednearlyimpossible。
　　Mydangerbeingknown，andaladderquicklyprocured，oneofthespectatorsascendedtomychamber，andeffectedmydeliveranceinthemannerbeforerelated。
　　Thisincident，disastrousasitmayatfirstseem，had，inreality，abeneficialeffectuponmyfeelings。Iwas，insomedegree，rousedfromthestuporwhichhadseizedmyfaculties。
　　Themonotonousandgloomyseriesofmythoughtswasbroken。Myhabitationwaslevelledwiththeground，andIwasobligedtoseekanewone。Anewtrainofimages，disconnectedwiththefateofmyfamily，forceditselfonmyattention，andabeliefinsensiblysprungup，thattranquillity，ifnothappiness，wasstillwithinmyreach。Notwithstandingtheshockswhichmyframehadendured，theanguishofmythoughtsnosoonerabatedthanIrecoveredmyhealth。
　　Inowwillinglylistenedtomyuncle'ssolicitationstobethecompanionofhisvoyage。Preparationswereeasilymade，andafteratediouspassage，wesetourfeetontheshoreoftheancientworld。Thememoryofthepastdidnotforsakeme；butthemelancholywhichitgenerated，andthetearswithwhichitfilledmyeyes，werenotunprofitable。Mycuriositywasrevived，andIcontemplated，withardour，thespectacleoflivingmannersandthemonumentsofpastages。
　　Inproportionasmyheartwasreinstatedinthepossessionofitsancienttranquillity，thesentimentwhichIhadcherishedwithregardtoPleyelreturned。InashorttimehewasunitedtotheSaxonwoman，andmadehisresidenceintheneighbourhoodofBoston。Iwasgladthatcircumstanceswouldnotpermitaninterviewtotakeplacebetweenus。Icouldnotdesiretheirmisery；butIreapednopleasurefromreflectingontheirhappiness。Time，andtheexertionsofmyfortitude，curedme，insomedegree，ofthisfolly。Icontinuedtolovehim，butmypassionwasdisguisedtomyself；Iconsidereditmerelyasamoretenderspeciesoffriendship，andcherisheditwithoutcompunction。
　　Throughmyuncle'sexertionsameetingwasbroughtaboutbetweenCarwinandPleyel，andexplanationstookplacewhichrestoredmeatoncetothegoodopinionofthelatter。Thoughseparatedsowidelyourcorrespondencewaspunctualandfrequent，andpavedthewayforthatunionwhichcanonlyendwiththedeathofoneofus。
　　InmyletterstohimImadenosecretofmyformersentiments。ThiswasathemeonwhichIcouldtalkwithoutpainful，thoughnotwithoutdelicateemotions。ThatknowledgewhichIshouldneverhaveimpartedtoalover，Ifeltlittlescrupletocommunicatetoafriend。
　　AyearandanhalfelapsedwhenTheresawassnatchedfromhimbydeath，inthehourinwhichshegavehimthefirstpledgeoftheirmutualaffection。Thiseventwasbornebyhimwithhiscustomaryfortitude。Itinducedhim，however，tomakeachangeinhisplans。HedisposedofhispropertyinAmerica，andjoinedmyuncleandme，whohadterminatedthewanderingsoftwoyearsatMontpellier，whichwillhenceforth，Ibelieve，beourpermanentabode。
　　IfyoureflectuponthatentireconfidencewhichhadsubsistedfromourinfancybetweenPleyelandmyself；onthepassionthatIhadcontracted，andwhichwasmerelysmotheredforatime；andontheesteemwhichwasmutual，youwillnot，perhaps，besurprizedthattherenovationofourintercourseshouldgivebirthtothatunionwhichatpresentsubsists。WhentheperiodhadelapsednecessarytoweakentheremembranceofTheresa，towhomhehadbeenboundbytiesmoreofhonorthanoflove，hetenderedhisaffectionstome。Ineednotaddthatthetenderwaseagerlyaccepted。
　　PerhapsyouaresomewhatinterestedinthefateofCarwin。
　　Hesaw，whentoolate，thedangerofimposture。Somuchaffectedwashebythecatastrophetowhichhewasawitness，thathelaidasideallregardtohisownsafety。Hesoughtmyuncle，andconfidedtohimthetalewhichhehadjustrelatedtome。HefoundamoreimpartialandindulgentauditorinMr。
　　Cambridge，whoimputedtomaniacalillusiontheconductofWieland，thoughheconceivedthepreviousandunseenagencyofCarwin，tohaveindirectlybutpowerfullypredisposedtothisdeplorableperversionofmind。
　　ItwaseasyforCarwintoeludethepersecutionsofLudloe。
　　ItwasmerelyrequisitetohidehimselfinaremotedistrictofPennsylvania。This，whenhepartedfromus，hedeterminedtodo。Heisnowprobablyengagedintheharmlesspursuitsofagriculture，andmaycometothink，withoutinsupportableremorse，ontheevilstowhichhisfataltalentshavegivenbirth。Theinnocenceandusefulnessofhisfuturelifemay，insomedegree，atoneforthemiseriessorashlyorsothoughtlesslyinflicted。
　　Moreurgentconsiderationshinderedmefrommentioning，inthecourseofmyformermournfulrecital，anyparticularsrespectingtheunfortunatefatherofLouisaConway。Thatmansurelywasreservedtobeamonumentofcapriciousfortune。Hissouthernjourniesbeingfinished，hereturnedtoPhiladelphia。
　　Beforehereachedthecityheleftthehighway，andalightedatmybrother'sdoor。Contrarytohisexpectation，noonecameforthtowelcomehim，orhailhisapproach。Heattemptedtoenterthehouse，butbolteddoors，barredwindows，andasilencebrokenonlybyunansweredcalls，shewedhimthatthemansionwasdeserted。
　　Heproceededthencetomyhabitation，whichhefound，inlikemanner，gloomyandtenantless。Hissurprizemaybeeasilyconceived。Therusticswhooccupiedthehuttoldhimanimperfectandincredibletale。Hehastedtothecity，andextortedfromMrs。Bayntonafulldisclosureoflatedisasters。
　　Hewasinuredtoadversity，andrecovered，afternolongtime，fromtheshocksproducedbythisdisappointmentofhisdarlingscheme。OurintercoursedidnotterminatewithhisdeparturefromAmerica。WehavesincemetwithhiminFrance，andlighthasatlengthbeenthrownuponthemotiveswhichoccasionedthedisappearanceofhiswife，inthemannerwhichI
　　formerlyrelatedtoyou。
　　Ihavedweltupontheardouroftheirconjugalattachment，andmentionedthatnosuspicionhadeverglanceduponherpurity。This，thoughthebeliefwaslongcherished，recentdiscoverieshaveshewntobequestionable。Nodoubtherintegritywouldhavesurvivedtothepresentmoment，ifanextraordinaryfatehadnotbefallenher。
　　MajorStuarthadbeenengaged，whileinGermany，inacontestofhonorwithanAiddeCampoftheMarquisofGranby。Hisadversaryhadpropagatedarumourinjurioustohischaracter。
　　Achallengewassent；ameetingensued；andStuartwoundedanddisarmedthecalumniator。Theoffencewasatonedfor，andhislifesecuredbysuitableconcessions。
　　Maxwell，thatwashisname，shortlyafter，inconsequenceofsucceedingtoarichinheritance，soldhiscommissionandreturnedtoLondon。Hisfortunewasspeedilyaugmentedbyanopulentmarriage。Interestwashissoleinducementtothismarriage，thoughtheladyhadbeenswayedbyacredulousaffection。Thetruestateofhisheartwasquicklydiscovered，andaseparation，bymutualconsent，tookplace。Theladywithdrewtoanestateinadistantcounty，andMaxwellcontinuedtoconsumehistimeandfortuneinthedissipationofthecapital。
　　Maxwell，thoughdeceitfulandsensual，possessedgreatforceofmindandspeciousaccomplishments。HecontrivedtomisleadthegenerousmindofStuart，andtoregaintheesteemwhichhismisconduct，foratime，hadforfeited。HewasrecommendedbyherhusbandtotheconfidenceofMrs。Stuart。Maxwellwasstimulatedbyrevenge，andbyalawlesspassion，toconvertthisconfidenceintoasourceofguilt。
　　Theeducationandcapacityofthiswoman，theworthofherhusband，thepledgeoftheiralliancewhichtimehadproduced，hermaturityinageandknowledgeoftheworld——allcombinedtorenderthisattempthopeless。Maxwell，however，wasnoteasilydiscouraged。Themostperfectbeing，hebelieved，mustowehisexemptionfromvicetotheabsenceoftemptation。Theimpulsesoflovearesosubtile，andtheinfluenceoffalsereasoning，whenenforcedbyeloquenceandpassion，sounbounded，thatnohumanvirtueissecurefromdegeneracy。Allartsbeingtried，everytemptationbeingsummonedtohisaid，dissimulationbeingcarriedtoitsutmostbound，Maxwell，atlength，nearlyaccomplishedhispurpose。Thelady'saffectionswerewithdrawnfromherhusbandandtransferredtohim。Shecouldnot，asyet，bereconciledtodishonor。Alleffortstoinducehertoelopewithhimwereineffectual。Shepermittedherselftolove，andtoavowherlove；butatthislimitshestopped，andwasimmoveable。
　　Hencethisrevolutioninhersentimentswasproductiveonlyofdespair。Herrectitudeofprinciplepreservedherfromactualguilt，butcouldnotrestoretoherherancientaffection，orsaveherfrombeingthepreyofremorsefulandimpracticablewishes。Herhusband'sabsenceproducedastateofsuspense。This，however，approachedtoaperiod，andshereceivedtidingsofhisintendedreturn。Maxwell，beinglikewiseapprizedofthisevent，andhavingmadealastandunsuccessfulefforttoconquerherreluctancetoaccompanyhiminajourneytoItaly，whitherhepretendedaninvinciblenecessityofgoing，lefthertopursuethemeasureswhichdespairmightsuggest。AtthesametimeshereceivedaletterfromthewifeofMaxwell，unveilingthetruecharacterofthisman，andrevealingfactswhichtheartificesofherseducerhadhithertoconcealedfromher。Mrs。Maxwellhadbeenpromptedtothisdisclosurebyaknowledgeofherhusband'spractices，withwhichhisownimpetuosityhadmadeheracquainted。
　　Thisdiscovery，joinedtothedelicacyofherscruplesandtheanguishofremorse，inducedhertoabscond。Thisschemewasadoptedinhaste，buteffectedwithconsummateprudence。Shefled，ontheeveofherhusband'sarrival，inthedisguiseofaboy，andembarkedatFalmouthinapacketboundforAmerica。
　　ThehistoryofherdisastrousintercoursewithMaxwell，themotivesinducinghertoforsakehercountry，andthemeasuresshehadtakentoeffectherdesign，wererelatedtoMrs。
　　Maxwell，inreplytohercommunication。Betweenthesewomenanancientintimacyandconsiderablesimilitudeofcharactersubsisted。Thisdisclosurewasaccompaniedwithsolemninjunctionsofsecrecy，andtheseinjunctionswere，foralongtime，faithfullyobserved。
　　Mrs。Maxwell'sabodewassituatedonthebanksoftheWey。
　　Stuartwasherkinsman；theiryouthhadbeenspenttogether；andMaxwellwasinsomedegreeindebtedtothemanwhomhebetrayed，forhisalliancewiththisunfortunatelady。HeresteemforthecharacterofStuarthadneverbeendiminished。Ameetingbetweenthemwasoccasionedbyatourwhichthelatterhadundertaken，intheyearafterhisreturnfromAmerica，toWalesandthewesterncounties。Thisinterviewproducedpleasureandregretineach。Theirowntransactionsnaturallybecamethetopicsoftheirconversation；andtheuntimelyfateofhiswifeanddaughterwererelatedbytheguest。
　　Mrs。Maxwell'sregardforherfriend，aswellasforthesafetyofherhusband，persuadedhertoconcealment；buttheformerbeingdead，andthelatterbeingoutofthekingdom，sheventuredtoproduceMrs。Stuart'sletter，andtocommunicateherownknowledgeofthetreacheryofMaxwell。Shehadpreviouslyextortedfromherguestapromisenottopursueanyschemeofvengeance；butthispromisewasmadewhileignorantofthefullextentofMaxwell'sdepravity，andhispassionrefusedtoadheretoit。
　　AtthistimemyuncleandIresidedatAvignon。AmongtheEnglishresidentthere，andwithwhomwemaintainedasocialintercourse，wasMaxwell。Thisman'stalentsandaddressrenderedhimafavoritebothwithmyuncleandmyself。Hehadeventenderedmehishandinmarriage；butthisbeingrefused，hehadsoughtandobtainedpermissiontocontinuewithustheintercourseoffriendship。Sincealegalmarriagewasimpossible，nodoubt，hisviewswereflagitious。WhetherhehadrelinquishedtheseviewsIwasunabletojudge。
　　Hewasoneinalargecircleatavillaintheenvirons，towhichIhadlikewisebeeninvited，whenStuartabruptlyenteredtheapartment。Hewasrecognizedwithgenuinesatisfactionbyme，andwithseemingpleasurebyMaxwell。Inashorttime，someaffairofmomentbeingpleaded，whichrequiredanimmediateandexclusiveinterview，Maxwellandhewithdrewtogether。StuartandmyunclehadbeenknowntoeachotherintheGermanarmy；
　　andthepurposecontemplatedbytheformerinthislongandhastyjourney，wasconfidedtohisoldfriend。
　　Adefiancewasgivenandreceived，andthebanksofarivulet，aboutaleaguefromthecity，wasselectedasthesceneofthiscontest。Myuncle，havingexertedhimselfinvaintopreventanhostilemeeting，consentedtoattendthemasasurgeon——Nextmorning，atsun-rise，wasthetimechosen。
　　Ireturnedearlyintheeveningtomylodgings。
　　Preliminariesbeingsettledbetweenthecombatants，Stuarthadconsentedtospendtheeveningwithus，anddidnotretiretilllate。Onthewaytohishotelhewasexposedtonomolestation，butjustashesteppedwithintheportico，aswarthyandmalignantfigurestartedfrombehindacolumn。andplungedastilettointohisbody。
　　Theauthorofthistreasoncouldnotcertainlybediscovered；
　　butthedetailscommunicatedbyStuart，respectingthehistoryofMaxwell，naturallypointedhimoutasanobjectofsuspicion。
　　Nooneexpressedmoreconcern，onaccountofthisdisaster，thanhe；andhepretendedanardentzealtovindicatehischaracterfromtheaspersionsthatwerecastuponit。Thenceforth，however，Ideniedmyselftohisvisits；andshortlyafterhedisappearedfromthisscene。
　　Fewpossessedmoreestimablequalities，andabettertitletohappinessandthetranquilhonorsoflonglife，thanthemotherandfatherofLouisaConway:yettheywerecutoffinthebloomoftheirdays；andtheirdestinywasthusaccomplishedbythesamehand。Maxwellwastheinstrumentoftheirdestruction，thoughtheinstrumentwasappliedtothisendinsodifferentamanner。
　　Ileaveyoutomoralizeonthistale。Thatvirtueshouldbecomethevictimoftreacheryis，nodoubt，amournfulconsideration；butitwillnotescapeyournotice，thattheevilsofwhichCarwinandMaxwellweretheauthors，owedtheirexistencetotheerrorsofthesufferers。AlleffortswouldhavebeenineffectualtosubvertthehappinessorshortentheexistenceoftheStuarts，iftheirownfrailtyhadnotsecondedtheseefforts。Iftheladyhadcrushedherdisastrouspassioninthebud，anddriventheseducerfromherpresence，whenthetendencyofhisartificeswasseen；ifStuarthadnotadmittedthespiritofabsurdrevenge，weshouldnothavehadtodeplorethiscatastrophe。IfWielandhadframedjusternotionsofmoralduty，andofthedivineattributes；orifIhadbeengiftedwithordinaryequanimityorforesight，thedouble-tongueddeceiverwouldhavebeenbaffledandrepelled。