Thatdwelling，whichhadhithertobeenaninviolateasylum，wasnowbesetwithdangertomylife。Thatsolitude，formerlysodeartome，couldnolongerbeendured。Pleyel，whohadconsentedtoresidewithusduringthemonthsofspring，lodgedinthevacantchamber，inordertoquietmyalarms。Hetreatedmyfearswithridicule，andinashorttimeveryslighttracesofthemremained:butasitwaswhollyindifferenttohimwhetherhisnightswerepassedatmyhouseoratmybrother's，thisarrangementgavegeneralsatisfaction。
ChapterVII
Iwillnotenumeratethevariousinquiriesandconjectureswhichtheseincidentsoccasioned。Afterallourefforts，wecamenonearertodispellingthemistinwhichtheywereinvolved；andtime，insteadoffacilitatingasolution，onlyaccumulatedourdoubts。
Inthemidstofthoughtsexcitedbytheseevents，Iwasnotunmindfulofmyinterviewwiththestranger。Irelatedtheparticulars，andshewedtheportraittomyfriends。Pleyelrecollectedtohavemetwithafigureresemblingmydescriptioninthecity；butneitherhisfaceorgarbmadethesameimpressionuponhimthatitmadeuponme。Itwasahinttorallymeuponmyprepossessions，andtoamuseuswithathousandludicrousanecdoteswhichhehadcollectedinhistravels。Hemadenoscrupletochargemewithbeinginlove；andthreatenedtoinformtheswain，whenhemethim，ofhisgoodfortune。
Pleyel'stempermadehimsusceptibleofnodurableimpressions。Hisconversationwasoccasionallyvisitedbygleamsofhisancientvivacity；but，thoughhisimpetuositywassometimesinconvenient，therewasnothingtodreadfromhismalice。Ihadnofearthatmycharacterordignitywouldsufferinhishands，andwasnotheartilydispleasedwhenhedeclaredhisintentionofprofitingbyhisfirstmeetingwiththestrangertointroducehimtoouracquaintance。
SomeweeksafterthisIhadspentatoilsomeday，and，asthesundeclined，foundmyselfdisposedtoseekreliefinawalk。
Theriverbankis，atthispartofit，andforsomeconsiderablespaceupward，soruggedandsteepasnottobeeasilydescended。
Inarecessofthisdeclivity，nearthesouthernvergeofmylittledemesne，wasplacedaslightbuilding，withseatsandlattices。Fromacreviceoftherock，towhichthisedificewasattached，thereburstforthastreamofthepurestwater，which，leapingfromledgetoledge，forthespaceofsixtyfeet，producedafreshnessintheair，andamurmur，themostdeliciousandsoothingimaginable。These，addedtotheodoursofthecedarswhichemboweredit，andofthehoney-sucklewhichclusteredamongthelattices，renderedthismyfavoriteretreatinsummer。
OnthisoccasionIrepairedhither。Myspiritsdroopedthroughthefatigueoflongattention，andIthrewmyselfuponabench，inastate，bothmentallyandpersonally，oftheutmostsupineness。Thelullingsoundsofthewaterfall，thefragranceandtheduskcombinedtobecalmmyspirits，and，inashorttime，tosinkmeintosleep。Eithertheuneasinessofmyposture，orsomeslightindispositionmolestedmyreposewithdreamsofnocheerfulhue。Aftervariousincoherenceshadtakentheirturntooccupymyfancy，Iatlengthimaginedmyselfwalking，intheeveningtwilight，tomybrother'shabitation。
Apit，methought，hadbeenduginthepathIhadtaken，ofwhichIwasnotaware。AsIcarelesslypursuedmywalk，IthoughtI
sawmybrother，standingatsomedistancebeforeme，beckoningandcallingmetomakehaste。Hestoodontheoppositeedgeofthegulph。Imendedmypace，andonestepmorewouldhaveplungedmeintothisabyss，hadnotsomeonefrombehindcaughtsuddenlymyarm，andexclaimed，inavoiceofeagernessandterror，"Hold!hold!"
Thesoundbrokemysleep，andIfoundmyself，atthenextmoment，standingonmyfeet，andsurroundedbythedeepestdarkness。Imagessoterrificandforcibledisabledme，foratime，fromdistinguishingbetweensleepandwakefulness，andwithheldfrommetheknowledgeofmyactualcondition。Myfirstpanicsweresucceededbytheperturbationsofsurprize，tofindmyselfaloneintheopenair，andimmersedinsodeepagloom。
Islowlyrecollectedtheincidentsoftheafternoon，andhowI
camehither。Icouldnotestimatethetime，butsawtheproprietyofreturningwithspeedtothehouse。Myfacultieswerestilltooconfused，andthedarknesstoointense，toallowmeimmediatelytofindmywayupthesteep。Isatdown，therefore，torecovermyself，andtoreflectuponmysituation。
Thiswasnosoonerdone，thanalowvoicewasheardfrombehindthelattice，onthesidewhereIsat。Betweentherockandthelatticewasachasmnotwideenoughtoadmitahumanbody；yet，inthischasmhethatspokeappearedtobestationed。
"Attend!attend!butbenotterrified。"
Istartedandexclaimed，"Goodheavens!whatisthat？Whoareyou？"
"Afriend；onecome，nottoinjure，buttosaveyou；fearnothing。"
ThisvoicewasimmediatelyrecognizedtobethesamewithoneofthosewhichIhadheardinthecloset；itwasthevoiceofhimwhohadproposedtoshoot，ratherthantostrangle，hisvictim。Myterrormademe，atonce，muteandmotionless。Hecontinued，"Ileaguedtomurderyou。Irepent。Markmybidding，andbesafe。Avoidthisspot。Thesnaresofdeathencompassit。Elsewheredangerwillbedistant；butthisspot，shunitasyouvalueyourlife。Markmefurther；profitbythiswarning，butdivulgeitnot。Ifasyllableofwhathaspassedescapeyou，yourdoomissealed。Rememberyourfather，andbefaithful。"
Heretheaccentsceased，andleftmeoverwhelmedwithdismay。
Iwasfraughtwiththepersuasion，thatduringeverymomentI
remainedhere，mylifewasendangered；butIcouldnottakeastepwithouthazardoffallingtothebottomoftheprecipice。
Thepath，leadingtothesummit，wasshort，butruggedandintricate。Evenstar-lightwasexcludedbytheumbrage，andnotthefaintestgleamwasaffordedtoguidemysteps。WhatshouldIdo？Todepartorremainwasequallyandeminentlyperilous。
Inthisstateofuncertainty，Iperceivedarayflitacrossthegloomanddisappear。Anothersucceeded，whichwasstronger，andremainedforapassingmoment。Itglitteredontheshrubsthatwerescatteredattheentrance，andgleamcontinuedtosucceedgleamforafewseconds，tillthey，finally，gaveplacetounintermitteddarkness。
Thefirstvisitingsofthislightcalledupatrainofhorrorsinmymind；destructionimpendedoverthisspot；thevoicewhichIhadlatelyheardhadwarnedmetoretire，andhadmenacedmewiththefateofmyfatherifIrefused。Iwasdesirous，butunable，toobey；thesegleamsweresuchaspreludedthestrokebywhichhefell；thehour，perhaps，wasthesame——IshudderedasifIhadbeheld，suspendedoverme，theexterminatingsword。
Presentlyanewandstrongerilluminationburstthroughthelatticeontherighthand，andavoice，fromtheedgeoftheprecipiceabove，calledoutmyname。ItwasPleyel。JoyfullydidIrecognizehisaccents；butsuchwasthetumultofmythoughtsthatIhadnotpowertoanswerhimtillhehadfrequentlyrepeatedhissummons。Ihurried，atlength，fromthefatalspot，and，directedbythelanthornwhichhebore，ascendedthehill。
Paleandbreathless，itwaswithdifficultyIcouldsupportmyself。Heanxiouslyinquiredintothecauseofmyaffright，andthemotiveofmyunusualabsence。Hehadreturnedfrommybrother'satalatehour，andwasinformedbyJudith，thatIhadwalkedoutbeforesun-set，andhadnotyetreturned。Thisintelligencewassomewhatalarming。Hewaitedsometime；but，myabsencecontinuing，hehadsetoutinsearchofme。Hehadexploredtheneighbourhoodwiththeutmostcare，but，receivingnotidingsofme，hewaspreparingtoacquaintmybrotherwiththiscircumstance，whenherecollectedthesummer-houseonthebank，andconceiveditpossiblethatsomeaccidenthaddetainedmethere。Heagaininquiredintothecauseofthisdetention，andofthatconfusionanddismaywhichmylookstestified。
ItoldhimthatIhadstrolledhitherintheafternoon，thatsleephadovertakenmeasIsat，andthatIhadawakenedafewminutesbeforehisarrival。Icouldtellhimnomore。Inthepresentimpetuosityofmythoughts，Iwasalmostdubious，whetherthepit，intowhichmybrotherhadendeavouredtoenticeme，andthevoicethattalkedthroughthelattice，werenotpartsofthesamedream。Iremembered，likewise，thechargeofsecrecy，andthepenaltydenounced，ifIshouldrashlydivulgewhatIhadheard。Forthesereasons，Iwassilentonthatsubject，andshuttingmyselfinmychamber，deliveredmyselfuptocontemplation。
WhatIhaverelatedwill，nodoubt，appeartoyouafable。
Youwillbelievethatcalamityhassubvertedmyreason，andthatIamamusingyouwiththechimerasofmybrain，insteadoffactsthathavereallyhappened。Ishallnotbesurprizedoroffended，ifthesebeyoursuspicions。Iknownot，indeed，howyoucandenythemadmission。For，iftome，theimmediatewitness，theywerefertileofperplexityanddoubt，howmusttheyaffectanothertowhomtheyarerecommendedonlybymytestimony？Itwasonlybysubsequentevents，thatIwasfullyandincontestiblyassuredoftheveracityofmysenses。
MeanwhilewhatwasItothink？Ihadbeenassuredthatadesignhadbeenformedagainstmylife。Theruffianshadleaguedtomurderme。WhomhadIoffended？WhowastherewithwhomIhadevermaintainedintercourse，whowascapableofharbouringsuchatrociouspurposes？
Mytemperwasthereverseofcruelandimperious。Myheartwastouchedwithsympathyforthechildrenofmisfortune。Butthissympathywasnotabarrensentiment。Mypurse，scantyasitwas，waseveropen，andmyhandseveractive，torelievedistress。Manywerethewretcheswhommypersonalexertionshadextricatedfromwantanddisease，andwhorewardedmewiththeirgratitude。Therewasnofacewhichloweredatmyapproach，andnolipswhichutteredimprecationsinmyhearing。Onthecontrary，therewasnone，overwhosefateIhadexertedanyinfluence，ortowhomIwasknownbyreputation，whodidnotgreetmewithsmiles，anddismissmewithproofsofveneration；
yetdidnotmysensesassuremethataplotwaslaidagainstmylife？
Iamnotdestituteofcourage。Ihaveshewnmyselfdeliberativeandcalminthemidstofperil。Ihavehazardedmyownlife，forthepreservationofanother，butnowwasI
confusedandpanicstruck。Ihavenotlivedsoastofeardeath，yettoperishbyanunseenandsecretstroke，tobemangledbytheknifeofanassassinwasathoughtatwhichI
shuddered；whathadIdonetodeservetobemadethevictimofmalignantpassions？
Butsoft!wasInotassured，thatmylifewassafeinallplacesbutone？Andwhywasthetreasonlimitedtotakeeffectinthisspot？Iwaseverywhereequallydefenceless。Myhouseandchamberwere，atalltimes，accessible。Dangerstillimpendedoverme；thebloodypurposewasstillentertained，butthehandthatwastoexecuteit，waspowerlessinallplacesbutone!
HereIhadremainedforthelastfourorfivehours，withoutthemeansofresistanceordefence，yetIhadnotbeenattacked。
Ahumanbeingwasathand，whowasconsciousofmypresence，andwarnedmehereaftertoavoidthisretreat。Hisvoicewasnotabsolutelynew，buthadIneverhearditbutoncebefore？Butwhydidheprohibitmefromrelatingthisincidenttoothers，andwhatspeciesofdeathwillbeawardedifIdisobey？
Hetalkedofmyfather。Heintimated，thatdisclosurewouldpulluponmyhead，thesamedestruction。Wasthenthedeathofmyfather，portentousandinexplicableasitwas，theconsequenceofhumanmachinations？Itshouldseem，thatthisbeingisapprisedofthetruenatureofthisevent，andisconsciousofthemeansthatledtoit。Whetheritshalllikewisefalluponme，dependsupontheobservanceofsilence。
Wasittheinfractionofasimilarcommand，thatbroughtsohorribleapenaltyuponmyfather？
Suchwerethereflectionsthathauntedmeduringthenight，andwhicheffectuallydeprivedmeofsleep。Nextmorning，atbreakfast，Pleyelrelatedaneventwhichmydisappearancehadhinderedhimfrommentioningthenightbefore。Earlytheprecedingmorning，hisoccasionscalledhimtothecity；hehadsteppedintoacoffee-housetowhileawayanhour；herehehadmetapersonwhoseappearanceinstantlybespokehimtobethesamewhosehastyvisitIhavementioned，andwhoseextraordinaryvisageandtoneshadsopowerfullyaffectedme。Onanattentivesurvey，however，heproved，likewise，tobeonewithwhommyfriendhadhadsomeintercourseinEurope。Thisauthorisedthelibertyofaccostinghim，andaftersomeconversation，mindful，asPleyelsaid，ofthefootingwhichthisstrangerhadgainedinmyheart，hehadventuredtoinvitehimtoMettingen。Theinvitationhadbeencheerfullyaccepted，andavisitpromisedontheafternoonofthenextday。
Thisinformationexcitednosoberemotionsinmybreast。I
was，ofcourse，eagertobeinformedastothecircumstancesoftheirancientintercourse。When，andwherehadtheymet？Whatknewheofthelifeandcharacterofthisman？
Inanswertomyinquiries，heinformedmethat，threeyearsbefore，hewasatravellerinSpain。HehadmadeanexcursionfromValenciatoMurviedro，withaviewtoinspecttheremainsofRomanmagnificence，scatteredintheenvironsofthattown。
WhiletraversingthesciteofthetheatreofoldSaguntum，helighteduponthisman，seatedonastone，anddeeplyengagedinperusingtheworkofthedeaconMarti。Ashortconversationensued，whichprovedthestrangertobeEnglish。TheyreturnedtoValenciatogether。
Hisgarb，aspect，anddeportment，werewhollySpanish。A
residenceofthreeyearsinthecountry，indefatigableattentiontothelanguage，andastudiousconformitywiththecustomsofthepeople，hadmadehimindistinguishablefromanative，whenhechosetoassumethatcharacter。Pleyelfoundhimtobeconnected，onthefootingoffriendshipandrespect，withmanyeminentmerchantsinthatcity。Hehadembracedthecatholicreligion，andadoptedaSpanishnameinsteadofhisown，whichwasCARWIN，anddevotedhimselftotheliteratureandreligionofhisnewcountry。Hepursuednoprofession，butsubsistedonremittancesfromEngland。
WhilePleyelremainedinValencia，Carwinbetrayednoaversiontointercourse，andtheformerfoundnosmallattractionsinthesocietyofthisnewacquaintance。Ongeneraltopicshewashighlyintelligentandcommunicative。HehadvisitedeverycornerofSpain，andcouldfurnishthemostaccuratedetailsrespectingitsancientandpresentstate。Ontopicsofreligionandofhisownhistory，previoustohisTRANSFORMATIONintoaSpaniard，hewasinvariablysilent。
YoucouldmerelygatherfromhisdiscoursethathewasEnglish，andthathewaswellacquaintedwiththeneighbouringcountries。
Hischaracterexcitedconsiderablecuriosityinthisobserver。ItwasnoteasytoreconcilehisconversiontotheRomishfaith，withthoseproofsofknowledgeandcapacitythatwereexhibitedbyhimondifferentoccasions。Asuspicionwas，sometimes，admitted，thathisbeliefwascounterfeitedforsomepoliticalpurpose。Themostcarefulobservation，however，producednodiscovery。Hismannerswere，atalltimes，harmlessandinartificial，andhishabitsthoseofaloverofcontemplationandseclusion。HeappearedtohavecontractedanaffectionforPleyel，whowasnotslowtoreturnit。
Myfriend，afteramonth'sresidenceinthiscity，returnedintoFrance，and，sincethatperiod，hadheardnothingconcerningCarwintillhisappearanceatMettingen。
OnthisoccasionCarwinhadreceivedPleyel'sgreetingwithacertaindistanceandsolemnitytowhichthelatterhadnotbeenaccustomed。HehadwavednoticingtheinquiriesofPleyelrespectinghisdesertionofSpain，inwhichhehadformerlydeclaredthatitwashispurposetospendhislife。Hehadassiduouslydivertedtheattentionofthelattertoindifferenttopics，butwasstill，oneverytheme，aseloquentandjudiciousasformerly。Whyhehadassumedthegarbofarustic，Pleyelwasunabletoconjecture。Perhapsitmightbepoverty，perhapshewasswayedbymotiveswhichitwashisinteresttoconceal，butwhichwereconnectedwithconsequencesoftheutmostmoment。
Suchwasthesumofmyfriend'sinformation。Iwasnotsorrytobeleftaloneduringthegreaterpartofthisday。Everyemploymentwasirksomewhichdidnotleavemeatlibertytomeditate。Ihadnowanewsubjectonwhichtoexercisemythoughts。BeforeeveningIshouldbeusheredintohispresence，andlistentothosetoneswhosemagicalandthrillingpowerI
hadalreadyexperienced。Butwithwhatnewimageswouldhethenbeaccompanied？
CarwinwasanadherenttotheRomishfaith，yetwasanEnglishmanbybirth，and，perhaps，aprotestantbyeducation。
HehadadoptedSpainforhiscountry，andhadintimatedadesigntospendhisdaysthere，yetnowwasaninhabitantofthisdistrict，anddisguisedbythehabilimentsofaclown!Whatcouldhaveobliteratedtheimpressionsofhisyouth，andmadehimabjurehisreligionandhiscountry？Whatsubsequenteventshadintroducedsototalachangeinhisplans？InwithdrawingfromSpain，hadherevertedtothereligionofhisancestors；orwasittrue，thathisformerconversionwasdeceitful，andthathisconducthadbeenswayedbymotiveswhichitwasprudenttoconceal？
Hourswereconsumedinrevolvingtheseideas。Mymeditationswereintense；and，whentheserieswasbroken，Ibegantoreflectwithastonishmentonmysituation。Fromthedeathofmyparents，tillthecommencementofthisyear，mylifehadbeensereneandblissful，beyondtheordinaryportionofhumanity；
but，now，mybosomwascorrodedbyanxiety。Iwasvisitedbydreadofunknowndangers，andthefuturewasasceneoverwhichcloudsrolled，andthundersmuttered。Icomparedthecausewiththeeffect，andtheyseemeddisproportionedtoeachother。Allunaware，andinamannerwhichIhadnopowertoexplain，Iwaspushedfrommyimmoveableandloftystation，andcastuponaseaoftroubles。
Ideterminedtobemybrother'svisitantonthisevening，yetmyresolveswerenotunattendedwithwaveringandreluctance。
Pleyel'sinsinuationsthatIwasinlove，affected，innodegree，mybelief，yettheconsciousnessthatthiswastheopinionofonewhowould，probably，bepresentatourintroductiontoeachother，wouldexciteallthatconfusionwhichthepassionitselfisapttoproduce。Thiswouldconfirmhiminhiserror，andcallforthnewrailleries。Hismirth，whenexerteduponthistopic，wasthesourceofthebitterestvexation。Hadhebeenawareofitsinfluenceuponmyhappiness，histemperwouldnothaveallowedhimtopersist；butthisinfluence，itwasmychiefendeavourtoconceal。Thatthebeliefofmyhavingbestowedmyheartuponanother，producedinmyfriendnonebutludicroussensations，wasthetruecauseofmydistress；butifthishadbeendiscoveredbyhim，mydistresswouldhavebeenunspeakablyaggravated。
ChapterVIII
Assoonaseveningarrived，Iperformedmyvisit。Carwinmadeoneofthecompany，intowhichIwasushered。AppearanceswerethesameaswhenIbeforebeheldhim。Hisgarbwasequallynegligentandrustic。Igazeduponhiscountenancewithnewcuriosity。Mysituationwassuchastoenablemetobestowuponitadeliberateexamination。Viewedatmoreleisure，itlostnoneofitswonderfulproperties。Icouldnotdenymyhomagetotheintelligenceexpressedinit，butwaswhollyuncertain，whetherhewereanobjecttobedreadedoradored，andwhetherhispowershadbeenexertedtoevilortogood。
Hewassparingindiscourse；butwhateverhesaidwaspregnantwithmeaning，andutteredwithrectitudeofarticulation，andforceofemphasis，ofwhichIhadentertainednoconceptionpreviouslytomyknowledgeofhim。
Notwithstandingtheuncouthnessofhisgarb，hismannerswerenotunpolished。Alltopicswerehandledbyhimwithskill，andwithoutpedantryoraffectation。Heutterednosentimentcalculatedtoproduceadisadvantageousimpression:onthecontrary，hisobservationsdenotedamindalivetoeverygenerousandheroicfeeling。Theywereintroducedwithoutparade，andaccompaniedwiththatdegreeofearnestnesswhichindicatessincerity。
Hepartedfromusnottilllate，refusinganinvitationtospendthenighthere，butreadilyconsentedtorepeathisvisit。
Hisvisitswerefrequentlyrepeated。Eachdayintroducedustoamoreintimateacquaintancewithhissentiments，butleftuswhollyinthedark，concerningthataboutwhichweweremostinquisitive。Hestudiouslyavoidedallmentionofhispastorpresentsituation。Eventheplaceofhisabodeinthecityheconcealedfromus。
Oursphere，inthisrespect，beingsomewhatlimited，andtheintellectualendowmentsofthismanbeingindisputablygreat，hisdeportmentwasmorediligentlymarked，andcopiouslycommentedonbyus，thanyou，perhaps，willthinkthecircumstanceswarranted。Notagesture，orglance，oraccent，thatwasnot，inourprivateassemblies，discussed，andinferencesdeducedfromit。Itmaywellbethoughtthathemodelledhisbehaviourbyanuncommonstandard，when，withallouropportunitiesandaccuracyofobservation，wewereable，foralongtime，togathernosatisfactoryinformation。Heaffordedusnogroundonwhichtobuildevenaplausibleconjecture。
Thereisadegreeoffamiliaritywhichtakesplacebetweenconstantassociates，thatjustifiesthenegligenceofmanyrulesofwhich，inanearlierperiodoftheirintercourse，politenessrequirestheexactobservance。Inquiriesintoourconditionareallowablewhentheyarepromptedbyadisinterestedconcernforourwelfare；andthissolicitudeisnotonlypardonable，butmayjustlybedemandedfromthosewhochuseusfortheircompanions。
Thisstateofthingswasmoreslowtoarriveonthisoccasionthanonmostothers，onaccountofthegravityandloftinessofthisman'sbehaviour。
Pleyel，however，began，atlength，toemployregularmeansforthisend。Heoccasionallyalludedtothecircumstancesinwhichtheyhadformerlymet，andremarkedtheincongruousnessbetweenthereligionandhabitsofaSpaniard，withthoseofanativeofBritain。Heexpressedhisastonishmentatmeetingourguestinthiscorneroftheglobe，especiallyas，whentheypartedinSpain，hewastaughttobelievethatCarwinshouldneverleavethatcountry。Heinsinuated，thatachangesogreatmusthavebeenpromptedbymotivesofasingularandmomentouskind。
Noanswer，orananswerwideofthepurpose，wasgenerallymadetotheseinsinuations。BritonsandSpaniards，hesaid，arevotariesofthesameDeity，andsquaretheirfaithbythesameprecepts；theirideasaredrawnfromthesamefountainsofliterature，andtheyspeakdialectsofthesametongue；theirgovernmentandlawshavemoreresemblancesthandifferences；
theywereformerlyprovincesofthesamecivil，andtilllately，ofthesamereligious，Empire。
Astothemotiveswhichinducementochangetheplaceoftheirabode，thesemustunavoidablybefleetingandmutable。Ifnotboundtoonespotbyconjugalorparentalties，orbythenatureofthatemploymenttowhichweareindebtedforsubsistence，theinducementstochangearefarmorenumerousandpowerful，thanoppositeinducements。
HespokeasifdesirousofshewingthathewasnotawareofthetendencyofPleyel'sremarks；yet，certaintokenswereapparent，thatprovedhimbynomeanswantinginpenetration。
Thesetokensweretobereadinhiscountenance，andnotinhiswords。Whenanythingwassaid，indicatingcuriosityinus，thegloomofhiscountenancewasdeepened，hiseyessunktotheground，andhiswontedairwasnotresumedwithoutvisiblestruggle。Hence，itwasobvioustoinfer，thatsomeincidentsofhislifewerereflectedonbyhimwithregret；andthat，sincetheseincidentswerecarefullyconcealed，andeventhatregretwhichflowedfromthemlaboriouslystifled，theyhadnotbeenmerelydisastrous。Thesecrecythatwasobservedappearednotdesignedtoprovokeorbaffletheinquisitive，butwaspromptedbytheshame，orbytheprudenceofguilt。
Theseideas，whichwereadoptedbyPleyelandmybrother，aswellasmyself，hinderedusfromemployingmoredirectmeansforaccomplishingourwishes。Questionsmighthavebeenputinsuchterms，thatnoroomshouldbeleftforthepretenceofmisapprehension，andifmodestymerelyhadbeentheobstacle，suchquestionswouldnothavebeenwanting；butweconsidered，that，ifthedisclosurewereproductiveofpainordisgrace，itwasinhumantoextortit。
Amidstthevarioustopicsthatwerediscussedinhispresence，allusionswere，ofcourse，madetotheinexplicableeventsthathadlatelyhappened。Atthosetimes，thewordsandlooksofthismanwereobjectsofmyparticularattention。Thesubjectwasextraordinary；andanyonewhoseexperienceorreflectionscouldthrowanylightuponit，wasentitledtomygratitude。Asthismanwasenlightenedbyreadingandtravel，Ilistenedwitheagernesstotheremarkswhichheshouldmake。
Atfirst，Ientertainedakindofapprehension，thatthetalewouldbeheardbyhimwithincredulityandsecretridicule。I
hadformerlyheardstoriesthatresembledthisinsomeoftheirmysteriouscircumstances，buttheywere，commonly，heardbymewithcontempt。Iwasdoubtful，whetherthesameimpressionwouldnotnowbemadeonthemindofourguest；butIwasmistakeninmyfears。
Heheardthemwithseriousness，andwithoutanymarkseitherofsurprizeorincredulity。Hepursued，withvisiblepleasure，thatkindofdisquisitionwhichwasnaturallysuggestedbythem。
Hisfancywaseminentlyvigorousandprolific，andifhedidnotpersuadeus，thathumanbeingsare，sometimes，admittedtoasensibleintercoursewiththeauthorofnature，he，atleast，wonoverourinclinationtothecause。Hemerelydeduced，fromhisownreasonings，thatsuchintercoursewasprobable；butconfessedthat，thoughhewasacquaintedwithmanyinstancessomewhatsimilartothosewhichhadbeenrelatedbyus，noneofthemwereperfectlyexemptedfromthesuspicionofhumanagency。
Onbeingrequestedtorelatetheseinstances，heamuseduswithmanycuriousdetails。Hisnarrativeswereconstructedwithsomuchskill，andrehearsedwithsomuchenergy，thatalltheeffectsofadramaticexhibitionwerefrequentlyproducedbythem。Thosethatweremostcoherentandmostminute，and，ofconsequence，leastentitledtocredit，wereyetrenderedprobablebytheexquisiteartofthisrhetorician。Foreverydifficultythatwassuggested，areadyandplausiblesolutionwasfurnished。Mysteriousvoiceshadalwaysashareinproducingthecatastrophe，buttheywerealwaystobeexplainedonsomeknownprinciples，eitherasreflectedintoafocus，orcommunicatedthroughatube。Icouldnotbutremarkthathisnarratives，howevercomplexormarvellous，containednoinstancesufficientlyparalleltothosethathadbefallenourselves，andinwhichthesolutionwasapplicabletoourowncase。
Mybrotherwasamuchmoresanguinereasonerthanourguest。
EveninsomeofthefactswhichwererelatedbyCarwin，hemaintainedtheprobabilityofcelestialinterference，whenthelatterwasdisposedtodenyit，andhadfound，asheimagined，footstepsofanhumanagent。Pleyelwasbynomeansequallycredulous。Hescruplednottodenyfaithtoanytestimonybutthatofhissenses，andallowedthefactswhichhadlatelybeensupportedbythistestimony，nottomouldhisbelief，butmerelytogivebirthtodoubts。
ItwassoonobservedthatCarwinadopted，insomedegree，asimilardistinction。Ataleofthiskind，relatedbyothers，hewouldbelieve，provideditwasexplicableuponknownprinciples；
butthatsuchnoticeswereactuallycommunicatedbybeingsofanhigherorder，hewouldbelieveonlywhenhisownearswereassailedinamannerwhichcouldnotbeotherwiseaccountedfor。
Civilityforbadhimtocontradictmybrotherormyself，buthisunderstandingrefusedtoacquiesceinourtestimony。Besides，hewasdisposedtoquestionwhetherthevoicesheardinthetemple，atthefootofthehill，andinmycloset，werenotreallyutteredbyhumanorgans。Onthissuppositionhewasdesiredtoexplainhowtheeffectwasproduced。
Heanswered，thatthepowerofmimickrywasverycommon。
Catharine'svoicemighteasilybeimitatedbyoneatthefootofthehill，whowouldfindnodifficultyineluding，byflight，thesearchofWieland。ThetidingsofthedeathoftheSaxonladywereutteredbyonenearathand，whooverheardtheconversation，whoconjecturedherdeath，andwhoseconjecturehappenedtoaccordwiththetruth。Thatthevoiceappearedtocomefromthecielingwastobeconsideredasanillusionofthefancy。Thecryforhelp，heardinthehallonthenightofmyadventure，wastobeascribedtoanhumancreature，whoactuallystoodinthehallwhenheutteredit。Itwasofnomoment，hesaid，thatwecouldnotexplainbywhatmotiveshethatmadethesignalwasledhither。Howimperfectlyacquaintedwerewewiththeconditionanddesignsofthebeingsthatsurroundedus？Thecitywasnearathand，andthousandsmightthereexistwhosepowersandpurposesmighteasilyexplainwhateverwasmysteriousinthistransaction。Astotheclosetdialogue，hewasobligedtoadoptoneoftwosuppositions，andaffirmeitherthatitwasfashionedinmyownfancy，orthatitactuallytookplacebetweentwopersonsinthecloset。
SuchwasCarwin'smodeofexplainingtheseappearances。Itissuch，perhaps，aswouldcommenditselfasmostplausibletothemostsagaciousminds，butitwasinsufficienttoimpartconvictiontous。Astothetreasonthatwasmeditatedagainstme，itwasdoubtlessjusttoconcludethatitwaseitherrealorimaginary；butthatitwasrealwasattestedbythemysteriouswarninginthesummer-house，thesecretofwhichIhadhithertolockedupinmyownbreast。
Amonthpassedawayinthiskindofintercourse。AstoCarwin，ourignorancewasinnodegreeenlightenedrespectinghisgenuinecharacterandviews。Appearanceswereuniform。Nomanpossessedalargerstoreofknowledge，oragreaterdegreeofskillinthecommunicationofittoothers；Hencehewasregardedasaninestimableadditiontooursociety。Consideringthedistanceofmybrother'shousefromthecity，hewasfrequentlyprevailedupontopassthenightwherehespenttheevening。Twodaysseldomelapsedwithoutavisitfromhim；
hencehewasregardedasakindofinmateofthehouse。Heenteredanddepartedwithoutceremony。Whenhearrivedhereceivedanunaffectedwelcome，andwhenhechosetoretire，noimportunitieswereusedtoinducehimtoremain。
Thetemplewastheprincipalsceneofoursocialenjoyments；
yetthefelicitythatwetastedwhenassembledinthisasylum，wasbutthegleamofaformersun-shine。Carwinneverpartedwithhisgravity。Theinscrutablenessofhischaracter，andtheuncertaintywhetherhisfellowshiptendedtogoodortoevil，wereseldomabsentfromourminds。Thiscircumstancepowerfullycontributedtosaddenus。
Myheartwastheseatofgrowingdisquietudes。Thischangeinonewhohadformerlybeencharacterizedbyalltheexuberancesofsoul，couldnotfailtoberemarkedbymyfriends。Mybrotherwasalwaysapatternofsolemnity。Mysisterwasclay，mouldedbythecircumstancesinwhichshehappenedtobeplaced。Therewasbutonewhosedeportmentremainstobedescribedasbeingofimportancetoourhappiness。
HadPleyellikewisedismissedhisvivacity？
Hewasaswhimsicalandjestfulasever，buthewasnothappy。Thetruth，inthisrespect，wasoftoomuchimportancetomenottomakemeavigilantobserver。Hismirthwaseasilyperceivedtobethefruitofexertion。Whenhisthoughtswanderedfromthecompany，anairofdissatisfactionandimpatiencestoleacrosshisfeatures。Eventhepunctualityandfrequencyofhisvisitsweresomewhatlessened。Itmaybesupposedthatmyownuneasinesswasheightenedbythesetokens；
but，strangeasitmayseem，Ifound，inthepresentstateofmymind，noreliefbutinthepersuasionthatPleyelwasunhappy。
Thatunhappiness，indeed，depended，foritsvalueinmyeyes，onthecausethatproducedit。ItdidnotarisefromthedeathoftheSaxonlady:itwasnotacontagiousemanationfromthecountenancesofWielandorCarwin。Therewasbutoneothersourcewhenceitcouldflow。Anamelessecstacythrilledthroughmyframewhenanynewproofoccurredthattheambiguousnessofmybehaviourwasthecause。
ChapterIX
MybrotherhadreceivedanewbookfromGermany。Itwasatragedy，andthefirstattemptofaSaxonpoet，ofwhommybrotherhadbeentaughttoentertainthehighestexpectations。
TheexploitsofZisca，theBohemianhero，werewovenintoadramaticseriesandconnection。AccordingtoGermancustom，itwasminuteanddiffuse，anddictatedbyanadventurousandlawlessfancy。Itwasachainofaudaciousacts，andunheard-ofdisasters。Themoatedfortress，andthethicket；theambushandthebattle；andtheconflictofheadlongpassions，werepourtrayedinwildnumbers，andwithterrificenergy。Anafternoonwassetaparttorehearsethisperformance。ThelanguagewasfamiliartoallofusbutCarwin，whosecompany，therefore，wastacitlydispensedwith。
Themorningprevioustothisintendedrehearsal，Ispentathome。Mymindwasoccupiedwithreflectionsrelativetomyownsituation。Thesentimentwhichlivedwithchiefenergyinmyheart，wasconnectedwiththeimageofPleyel。Inthemidstofmyanguish，Ihadnotbeendestituteofconsolation。Hislatedeportmenthadgivenspringtomyhopes。Wasnotthehourathand，whichshouldrendermethehappiestofhumancreatures？
HesuspectedthatIlookedwithfavorableeyesuponCarwin。
Hencearosedisquietudes，whichhestruggledinvaintoconceal。
Helovedme，butwashopelessthathislovewouldbecompensated。Isitnottime，saidI，torectifythiserror？
Butbywhatmeansisthistobeeffected？Itcanonlybedonebyachangeofdeportmentinme；buthowmustIdemeanmyselfforthispurpose？
Imustnotspeak。Neithereyes，norlips，mustimparttheinformation。Hemustnotbeassuredthatmyheartishis，previoustothetenderofhisown；buthemustbeconvincedthatithasnotbeengiventoanother；hemustbesuppliedwithspacewhereontobuildadoubtastothetruestateofmyaffections；
hemustbepromptedtoavowhimself。Thelineofdelicatepropriety；howharditis，nottofallshort，andnottooverleapit!
Thisafternoonweshallmeetatthetemple。Weshallnotseparatetilllate。Itwillbehisprovincetoaccompanymehome。Theairyexpanseiswithoutaspeck。Thisbreezeisusuallystedfast，anditspromiseofablandandcloudlessevening，maybetrusted。Themoonwillriseateleven，andatthathour，weshallwindalongthisbank。Possiblythathourmaydecidemyfate。Ifsuitableencouragementbegiven，Pleyelwillrevealhissoultome；andI，ereIreachthisthreshold，willbemadethehappiestofbeings。Andisthisgoodtobemine？Addwingstothyspeed，sweetevening；andthou，moon，I
chargethee，shroudthybeamsatthemomentwhenmyPleyelwhisperslove。Iwouldnotfortheworld，thattheburningblushes，andthemountingrapturesofthatmoment，shouldbevisible。
Butwhatencouragementiswanting？Imustberegardfulofinsurmountablelimits。Yetwhenmindsareimbuedwithagenuinesympathy，arenotwordsandlookssuperfluous？Arenotmotionandtouchsufficienttoimpartfeelingssuchasmine？Hashenoteyedmeatmoments，whenthepressureofhishandhasthrownmeintotumults，andwasitpossiblethathemistooktheimpetuositiesoflove，fortheeloquenceofindignation？