Someofthemseemtobepropitious；butwhatshouldIthinkofthosethreatsofassassinationwithwhichyouwerelatelyalarmed？Bloodshedisthetrade，andhorroristheelementofthisman。Theprocessbywhichthesympathiesofnatureareextinguishedinourhearts，bywhichevilismadeourgood，andbywhichwearemadesusceptibleofnoactivitybutintheinfliction，andnojoybutinthespectacleofwoes，isanobviousprocess。Astoanalliancewithevilgeniuses，thepowerandthemaliceofdaemonshavebeenathousandtimesexemplifiedinhumanbeings。Therearenodevilsbutthosewhicharebegottenuponselfishness，andrearedbycunning。
"Now，indeed，thescenewaschanged。ItwasnothissecretponiardthatIdreaded。Itwasonlythesuccessofhiseffortstomakeyouaconfederateinyourowndestruction，tomakeyourwilltheinstrumentbywhichhemightbereaveyouoflibertyandhonor。
"Itook，asusual，thepaththroughyourbrother'sground。
Irangedwithcelerityandsilencealongthebank。Iapproachedthefence，whichdividesWieland'sestatefromyours。Therecessinthebankbeingnearthisline，itbeingnecessaryformetopassnearit，mymindbeingtaintedwithinveteratesuspicionsconcerningyou；suspicionswhichwereindebtedfortheirstrengthtoincidentsconnectedwiththisspot；whatwonderthatitseizeduponmythoughts!
"Ileapedonthefence；butbeforeIdescendedontheoppositeside，Ipausedtosurveythescene。Leavesdroppingwithdew，andglisteninginthemoon'srays，withnomovingobjecttomolestthedeeprepose，filledmewithsecurityandhope。Ileftthestationatlength，andtendedforward。Youwereprobablyatrest。HowshouldIcommunicatewithoutalarmingyou，theintelligenceofmyarrival？Animmediateinterviewwastobeprocured。Icouldnotbeartothinkthataminuteshouldbelostbyremissnessorhesitation。ShouldI
knockatthedoor？orshouldIstandunderyourchamberwindows，whichIperceivedtobeopen，andawakenyoubymycalls？
"Thesereflectionsemployedme，asIpassedoppositetothesummer-house。Ihadscarcelygoneby，whenmyearcaughtasoundunusualatthistimeandplace。Itwasalmosttoofaintandtootransienttoallowmeadistinctperceptionofit。I
stoppedtolisten；presentlyitwasheardagain，andnowitwassomewhatinalouderkey。Itwaslaughter；andunquestionablyproducedbyafemalevoice。Thatvoicewasfamiliartomysenses。Itwasyours。
"Whenceitcame，Iwasatfirstatalosstoconjecture；butthisuncertaintyvanishedwhenitwasheardthethirdtime。I
threwbackmyeyestowardstherecess。Everyotherorganandlimbwasuselesstome。Ididnotreasononthesubject。Ididnot，inadirectmanner，drawmyconclusionsfromthehour，theplace，thehilaritywhichthissoundbetokened，andthecircumstanceofhavingacompanion，whichitnolessincontestablyproved。Inaninstant，asitwere，myheartwasinvadedwithcold，andthepulsesoflifeatastand。
"WhyshouldIgofurther？WhyshouldIreturn？ShouldInothurrytoadistancefromasound，which，thoughformerlysosweetanddelectable，wasnowmorehideousthantheshrieksofowls？
"Ihadnotimetoyieldtothisimpulse。Thethoughtofapproachingandlisteningoccurredtome。IhadnodoubtofwhichIwasconscious。Yetmycertaintywascapableofincrease。Iwaslikewisestimulatedbyasentimentthatpartookofrage。Iwasgovernedbyanhalf-formedandtempestuousresolutiontobreakinuponyourinterview，andstrikeyoudeadwithmyupbraiding。
"Iapproachedwiththeutmostcaution。WhenIreachedtheedgeofthebankimmediatelyabovethesummer-house，IthoughtIheardvoicesfrombelow，asbusyinconversation。Thestepsintherockareclearofbushyimpediments。Theyallowedmetodescendintoacavitybesidethebuildingwithoutbeingdetected。Thustolieinwaitcouldonlybejustifiedbythemomentousnessoftheoccasion。"
HerePleyelpausedinhisnarrative，andfixedhiseyesuponme。SituatedasIwas，myhorrorandastonishmentatthistalegavewaytocompassionfortheanguishwhichthecountenanceofmyfriendbetrayed。Ireflectedonhisforceofunderstanding。
Ireflectedonthepowersofmyenemy。Icouldeasilydivinethesubstanceoftheconversationthatwasoverheard。Carwinhadconstructedhisplotinamannersuitedtothecharactersofthosewhomhehadselectedforhisvictims。IsawthattheconvictionsofPleyelwereimmutable。Iforboretostruggleagainstthestorm，becauseIsawthatallstruggleswouldbefruitless。Iwascalm；butmycalmnesswasthetorporofdespair，andnotthetranquillityoffortitude。ItwascalmnessinvinciblebyanythingthathisgriefandhisfurycouldsuggesttoPleyel。Heresumed——
"Woman!wiltthouhearmefurther？ShallIgoontorepeattheconversation？Isitshamethatmakestheetongue-tied？
ShallIgoon？orartthousatisfiedwithwhathasbeenalreadysaid？"
Ibowedmyhead。"Goon，"saidI。"Imakenotthisrequestinthehopeofundeceivingyou。Ishallnolongercontendwithmyownweakness。Thestormisletloose，andIshallpeaceablysubmittobedrivenbyitsfury。Butgoon。Thisconferencewillendonlywithaffordingmeaclearerforesightofmydestiny；butthatwillbesomesatisfaction，andIwillnotpartwithoutit。"
Why，onhearingthesewords，didPleyelhesitate？Didsomeunlooked-fordoubtinsinuateitselfintohismind？Washisbeliefsuddenlyshakenbymylooks，ormywords，orbysomenewlyrecollectedcircumstance？Whencesoeveritarose，itcouldnotendurethetestofdeliberation。Inafewminutestheflameofresentmentwasagainlightedupinhisbosom。Heproceededwithhisaccustomedvehemence——
"Ihatemyselfforthisfolly。Icanfindnoapologyforthistale。YetIamirresistiblyimpelledtorelateit。Shethathearsmeisapprizedofeveryparticular。Ihaveonlytorepeattoherherownwords。Shewilllistenwithatranquilair，andthespectacleofherobduracywilldrivemetosomedesperateact。WhythenshouldIpersist!yetpersistImust。"
Againhepaused。"No，"saidhe，"itisimpossibletorepeatyouravowalsoflove，yourappealstoformerconfessionsofyourtenderness，toformerdeedsofdishonor，tothecircumstancesofthefirstinterviewthattookplacebetweenyou。ItwasonthatnightwhenItracedyoutothisrecess。Thitherhadheenticedyou，andtherehadyouratifiedanunhallowedcompactbyadmittinghim——
"GreatGod!Thouwitnessedsttheagoniesthattoremybosomatthatmoment!Thouwitnessedstmyeffortstorepelthetestimonyofmyears!Itwasinvainthatyoudweltupontheconfusionwhichmyunlooked-forsummonsexcitedinyou；thetardinesswithwhichasuitableexcuseoccurredtoyou；yourresentmentthatmyimpertinentintrusionhadputanendtothatcharminginterview:Adisappointmentforwhichyouendeavouredtocompensateyourself，bythefrequencyanddurationofsubsequentmeetings。
"Invainyoudweltuponincidentsofwhichyouonlycouldbeconscious；incidentsthatoccurredonoccasionsonwhichnonebesideyourownfamilywerewitnesses。Invainwasyourdiscoursecharacterizedbypeculiaritiesinimitableofsentimentandlanguage。Myconvictionwaseffectedonlybyanaccumulationofthesametokens。Iyieldednotbuttoevidencewhichtookawaythepowertowithholdmyfaith。
"Mysightwasofnousetome。Beneathsothickanumbrage，thedarknesswasintense。Hearingwastheonlyavenuetoinformation，whichthecircumstancesallowedtobeopen。Iwascouchedwithinthreefeetofyou。WhyshouldIapproachnearer？
Icouldnotcontendwithyourbetrayer。Whatcouldbethepurposeofacontest？Youstoodinnoneedofaprotector。
WhatcouldIdo，butretirefromthespotoverwhelmedwithconfusionanddismay？Isoughtmychamber，andendeavouredtoregainmycomposure。Thedoorofthehouse，whichIfoundopen，yoursubsequententrance，closing，andfasteningit，andgoingintoyourchamber，whichhadbeenthuslongdeserted，wereonlyconfirmationsofthetruth。
"WhyshouldIpaintthetempestuousfluctuationofmythoughtsbetweengriefandrevenge，betweenrageanddespair？
WhyshouldIrepeatmyvowsofeternalimplacabilityandpersecution，andthespeedyrecantationofthesevows？
"Ihavesaidenough。Youhavedismissedmefromaplaceinyouresteem。WhatIthink，andwhatIfeel，isofnoimportanceinyoureyes。MaythedutywhichIowemyselfenablemetoforgetyourexistence。InafewminutesIgohence。Bethemakerofyourfortune，andmayadversityinstructyouinthatwisdom，whicheducationwasunabletoimparttoyou。"
ThosewerethelastwordswhichPleyeluttered。Helefttheroom，andmynewemotionsenabledmetowitnesshisdeparturewithoutanyapparentlossofcomposure。AsIsatalone，I
ruminatedontheseincidents。NothingwasmoreevidentthanthatIhadtakenaneternalleaveofhappiness。Lifewasaworthlessthing，separatefromthatgoodwhichhadnowbeenwrestedfromme；yetthesentimentthatnowpossessedmehadnotendencytopalsymyexertions，andoverbearmystrength。I
noticedthatthelightwasdeclining，andperceivedtheproprietyofleavingthishouse。Iplacedmyselfagaininthechaise，andreturnedslowlytowardsthecity。
ChapterXV
BeforeIreachedthecityitwasdusk。ItwasmypurposetospendthenightatMettingen。Iwasnotsolicitous，aslongasIwasattendedbyafaithfulservant，tobethereatanearlyhour。Myexhaustedstrengthrequiredmetotakesomerefreshment。Withthisview，andinordertopayrespecttoonewhoseaffectionformewastrulymaternal，IstoppedatMrs。
Baynton's。Shewasabsentfromhome；butIhadscarcelyenteredthehousewhenoneofherdomesticspresentedmealetter。I
openedandreadasfollows:
"ToClaraWieland，"WhatshallIsaytoextenuatethemisconductoflastnight？
Itismydutytorepairittotheutmostofmypower，buttheonlywayinwhichitcanberepaired，youwillnot，Ifear，beprevailedontoadopt。Itisbygrantingmeaninterview，atyourownhouse，ateleveno'clockthisnight。Ihavenomeansofremovinganyfearsthatyoumayentertainofmydesigns，butmysimpleandsolemndeclarations。These，afterwhathaspassedbetweenus，youmaydeemunworthyofconfidence。Icannothelpit。Myfollyandrashnesshasleftmenootherresource。I
willbeatyourdoorbythathour。Ifyouchusetoadmitmetoaconference，providedthatconferencehasnowitnesses，Iwilldisclosetoyouparticulars，theknowledgeofwhichisoftheutmostimportancetoyourhappiness。Farewell。
CARWIN。"
Whataletterwasthis!Amanknowntobeanassassinandrobber；onecapableofplottingagainstmylifeandmyfame；
detectedlurkinginmychamber，andavowingdesignsthemostflagitiousanddreadful，nowsolicitsmetogranthimamidnightinterview!Toadmithimaloneintomypresence!Couldhemakethisrequestwiththeexpectationofmycompliance？Whathadheseeninme，thatcouldjustifyhiminadmittingsowildabelief？Yetthisrequestispreferredwiththeutmostgravity。
Itisnotaccompaniedbyanappearanceofuncommonearnestness。
Hadthemisconducttowhichhealludesbeenaslightincivility，andtheinterviewrequestedtotakeplaceinthemidstofmyfriends，therewouldhavebeennoextravaganceinthetenorofthisletter；but，asitwas，thewriterhadsurelybeenbereftofhisreason。
Iperusedthisepistlefrequently。Therequestitcontainedmightbecalledaudaciousorstupid，ifithadbeenmadebyadifferentperson；butfromCarwin，whocouldnotbeunawareoftheeffectwhichitmustnaturallyproduce，andofthemannerinwhichitwouldunavoidablybetreated，itwasperfectlyinexplicable。Hemusthavecountedonthesuccessofsomeplot，inordertoextortmyassent。NoneofthosemotivesbywhichI
amusuallygovernedwouldeverhavepersuadedmetomeetanyoneofhissex，atthetimeandplacewhichhehadprescribed。MuchlesswouldIconsenttoameetingwithaman，taintedwiththemostdetestablecrimes，andbywhoseartsmyownsafetyhadbeensoimminentlyendangered，andmyhappinessirretrievablydestroyed。Ishudderedattheideathatsuchameetingwaspossible。Ifeltsomereluctancetoapproachaspotwhichhestillvisitedandhaunted。
Suchweretheideaswhichfirstsuggestedthemselvesontheperusaloftheletter。Meanwhile，Iresumedmyjourney。Mythoughtsstilldweltuponthesametopic。Graduallyfromruminatingonthisepistle，IrevertedtomyinterviewwithPleyel。Irecalledtheparticularsofthedialoguetowhichhehadbeenanauditor。Myheartsunkanewonviewingtheinextricablecomplexityofthisdeception，andtheinauspiciousconcurrenceofevents，whichtendedtoconfirmhiminhiserror。
Whenheapproachedmychamberdoor，myterrorkeptmemute。Heputhisear，perhaps，tothecrevice，butitcaughtthesoundofnothinghuman。HadIcalled，ormadeanytokenthatdenotedsomeonetobewithin，wordswouldhaveensued；andasomnipresencewasimpossible，thisdiscovery，andtheartlessnarrativeofwhathadjustpassed，wouldhavesavedmefromhismurderousinvectives。Hewentintohischamber，andaftersomeinterval，Istoleacrosstheentryanddownthestairs，withinaudiblesteps。Havingsecuredtheouterdoors，Ireturnedwithlesscircumspection。HeheardmenotwhenIdescended；butmyreturningstepswereeasilydistinguished。Nowhethoughtwastheguiltyinterviewatanend。Inwhatotherwaywasitpossibleforhimtoconstruethesesignals？
Howfallaciousandprecipitatewasmydecision!Carwin'splotoweditssuccesstoacoincidenceofeventsscarcelycredible。Thebalancewasswayedfromitsequipoisebyahair。
HadIevenbeguntheconversationwithanaccountofwhatbefelmeinmychamber，mypreviousinterviewwithWielandwouldhavetaughthimtosuspectmeofimposture；yet，ifIwerediscoursingwiththisruffian，whenPleyeltouchedthelockofmychamberdoor，andwhenheshuthisowndoorwithsomuchviolence，how，hemightask，shouldIbeabletorelatetheseincidents？Perhapshehadwithheldtheknowledgeofthesecircumstancesfrommybrother，fromwhom，therefore，Icouldnotobtainit，sothatmyinnocencewouldhavethusbeenirresistiblydemonstrated。
Thefirstimpulsewhichflowedfromtheseideaswastoreturnuponmysteps，anddemandoncemoreaninterview；buthewasgone:hispartingdeclarationswereremembered。
Pleyel，Iexclaimed，thouartgoneforever!Arethymistakesbeyondthereachofdetection？AmIhelplessinthemidstofthissnare？Theplotterisathand。Heevenspeaksinthestyleofpenitence。Hesolicitsaninterviewwhichhepromisesshallendinthedisclosureofsomethingmomentoustomyhappiness。Whatcanhesaywhichwillavailtoturnasidethisevil？Butwhyshouldhisremorsebefeigned？Ihavedonehimnoinjury。Hiswickednessisfertileonlyofdespair；andthebillowsofremorsewillsometimeoverbearhim。Whymaynotthiseventhavealreadytakenplace？WhyshouldIrefusetoseehim？
Thisideawaspresent，asitwere，foramoment。Isuddenlyrecoiledfromit，confoundedatthatfrenzywhichcouldgiveevenmomentaryharbourtosuchascheme；yetpresentlyitreturned。AtlengthIevenconceivedittodeservedeliberation。Iquestionedwhetheritwasnotpropertoadmit，atalonelyspot，inasacredhour，thismanoftremendousandinscrutableattributes，thisperformerofhorriddeeds，andwhosepresencewaspredictedtocalldownunheard-ofandunutterablehorrors。
Whatwasitthatswayedme？Ifeltmyselfdivestedofthepowertowillcontrarytothemotivesthatdeterminedmetoseekhispresence。Mymindseemedtobesplitintoseparateparts，andthesepartstohaveenteredintofuriousandimplacablecontention。Thesetumultsgraduallysubsided。ThereasonswhyIshouldconfideinthatinterpositionwhichhadhithertodefendedme；inthosetokensofcompunctionwhichthislettercontained；intheefficacyofthisinterviewtorestoreitsspotlessnesstomycharacter，andbanishallillusionsfromthemindofmyfriend，continuallyacquirednewevidenceandnewstrength。
WhatshouldIfearinhispresence？Thiswasunlikeanartificeintendedtobetraymeintohishands。Ifitwereanartifice，whatpurposewoulditserve？Thefreedomofmymindwasuntouched，andthatfreedomwoulddefytheassaultsofblandishmentsormagic。ForcewasInotabletorepel。Ontheformeroccasionmycourage，itistrue，hadfailedattheimminentapproachofdanger；butthenIhadnotenjoyedopportunitiesofdeliberation；Ihadforeseennothing；Iwassunkintoimbecilitybymypreviousthoughts；Ihadbeenthevictimofrecentdisappointmentsandanticipatedills:Witnessmyinfatuationinopeningtheclosetinoppositiontodivineinjunctions。
Now，perhaps，mycouragewastheoffspringofanolesserringprinciple。Pleyelwasforeverlosttome。Istroveinvaintoassumehisperson，andsuppressmyresentment；Istroveinvaintobelieveintheassuaginginfluenceoftime，tolookforwardtothebirth-dayofnewhopes，andthere-exaltationofthatluminary，ofwhoseeffulgenciesIhadsolongandsoliberallypartaken。
WhathadItosufferworsethanwasalreadyinflicted？
WasnotCarwinmyfoe？Iowedmyuntimelyfatetohistreason。Insteadofflyingfromhispresence，oughtInottodevoteallmyfacultiestothegainingofaninterview，andcompelhimtorepairtheillsofwhichhehasbeentheauthor？
WhyshouldIsupposehimimpregnabletoargument？HaveInotreasononmyside，andthepowerofimpartingconviction？
CannothebemadetoseethejusticeofunravellingthemazeinwhichPleyelisbewildered？
Hemay，atleast，beaccessibletofear。Hashenothingtofearfromtherageofaninjuredwoman？Butsupposehiminaccessibletosuchinducements；supposehimtopersistinallhisflagitiouspurposes；arenotthemeansofdefenceandresistanceinmypower？
Intheprogressofsuchthoughts，wastheresolutionatlastformed。Ihopedthattheinterviewwassoughtbyhimforalaudableend；but，bethatasitwould，Itrustedthat，byenergyofreasoningorofaction，Ishouldrenderitauspicious，or，atleast，harmless。
Suchadeterminationmustunavoidablyfluctuate。Thepoet'schaoswasnounaptemblemofthestateofmymind。Atormentwasawakenedinmybosom，whichIforesawwouldendonlywhenthisinterviewwaspast，anditsconsequencesfullyexperienced。
HencemyimpatienceforthearrivalofthehourwhichhadbeenprescribedbyCarwin。
Meanwhile，mymeditationsweretumultuouslyactive。Newimpedimentstotheexecutionoftheschemewerespeedilysuggested。IhadapprizedCatharineofmyintentiontospendthisandmanyfuturenightswithher。Herhusbandwasinformedofthisarrangement，andhadzealouslyapprovedit。Eleveno'clockexceededtheirhourofretiring。WhatexcuseshouldI
formforchangingmyplan？ShouldIshewthislettertoWieland，andsubmitmyselftohisdirection？ButIknewinwhatwayhewoulddecide。Hewouldferventlydissuademefromgoing。
Nay，wouldhenotdomore？HewasapprizedoftheoffencesofCarwin，andoftherewardofferedforhisapprehension。Wouldhenotseizethisopportunityofexecutingjusticeonacriminal？
Thisideawasnew。Iwasplungedoncemoreintodoubt。Didnotequityenjoinmethustofacilitatehisarrest？No。I
disdainedtheofficeofbetrayer。Carwinwasunapprizedofhisdanger，andhisintentionswerepossiblybeneficent。ShouldI
stationguardsaboutthehouse，andmakeanact，intendedperhapsformybenefit，instrumentaltohisowndestruction？
WielandmightbejustifiedinthusemployingtheknowledgewhichIshouldimpart，butI，byimpartingit，shouldpollutemyselfwithmorehatefulcrimesthanthoseundeservedlyimputedtome。
Thisscheme，therefore，Iunhesitatinglyrejected。TheviewswithwhichIshouldreturntomyownhouse，itwouldthereforebenecessarytoconceal。Yetsomepretextmustbeinvented。I
hadneverbeeninitiatedintothetradeoflying。Yetwhatbutfalshoodwasadeliberatesuppressionofthetruth？Todeceivebysilenceorbywordsisthesame。
Yetwhatwouldalieavailme？Whatpretextwouldjustifythischangeinmyplan？WoulditnottendtoconfirmtheimputationsofPleyel？ThatIshouldvoluntarilyreturntoanhouseinwhichhonorandlifehadsolatelybeenendangered，couldbeexplainedinnowayfavorabletomyintegrity。
Thesereflections，iftheydidnotchange，atleastsuspendedmydecision。InthisstateofuncertaintyIalightedattheHUT。Wegavethisnametothehousetenantedbythefarmerandhisservants，andwhichwassituatedonthevergeofmybrother'sground，andataconsiderabledistancefromthemansion。Thepathtothemansionwasplantedbyadoublerowofwalnuts。AlongthispathIproceededalone。Ienteredtheparlour，inwhichwasalightjustexpiringinthesocket。
Therewasnooneintheroom。Iperceivedbytheclockthatstoodagainstthewall，thatitwasneareleven。Thelatenessofthehourstartledme。Whathadbecomeofthefamily？Theywereusuallyretiredanhourbeforethis；buttheunextinguishedtaper，andtheunbarreddoorwereindicationsthattheyhadnotretired。Iagainreturnedtothehall，andpassedfromoneroomtoanother，butstillencounterednotahumanbeing。
Iimaginedthat，perhaps，thelapseofafewminuteswouldexplaintheseappearances。MeanwhileIreflectedthatthepreconcertedhourhadarrived。Carwinwasperhapswaitingmyapproach。ShouldIimmediatelyretiretomyownhouse，noonewouldbeapprizedofmyproceeding。Nay，theinterviewmightpass，andIbeenabledtoreturninhalfanhour。Hencenonecessitywouldarisefordissimulation。
IwassofarinfluencedbytheseviewsthatIrosetoexecutethisdesign；butagaintheunusualconditionofthehouseoccurredtome，andsomevaguesolicitudeastotheconditionofthefamily。Iwasnearlycertainthatmybrotherhadnotretired；butbywhatmotiveshecouldbeinducedtodeserthishousethusunseasonablyIcouldbynomeansdivine。LouisaConway，atleast，wasathomeandhad，probably，retiredtoherchamber；perhapsshewasabletoimparttheinformationI
wanted。
Iwenttoherchamber，andfoundherasleep。Shewasdelightedandsurprizedatmyarrival，andtoldmewithhowmuchimpatienceandanxietymybrotherandhiswifehadwaitedmycoming。Theywerefearfulthatsomemishaphadbefallenme，andhadremaineduplongerthantheusualperiod。Notwithstandingthelatenessofthehour，Catharinewouldnotresignthehopeofseeingme。Louisasaidshehadleftthembothintheparlour，andsheknewofnocausefortheirabsence。
AsyetIwasnotwithoutsolicitudeonaccountoftheirpersonalsafety。Iwasfarfrombeingperfectlyateaseonthathead，butentertainednodistinctconceptionofthedangerthatimpendedoverthem。Perhapstobeguilethemomentsofmylongprotractedstay，theyhadgonetowalkuponthebank。Theatmosphere，thoughilluminatedonlybythestar-light，wasremarkablyserene。MeanwhilethedesirablenessofaninterviewwithCarwinagainreturned，andIfinallyresolvedtoseekit。
Ipassedwithdoubtingandhastystepsalongthepath。Mydwelling，seenatadistance，wasgloomyanddesolate。Ithadnoinhabitant，formyservant，inconsequenceofmynewarrangement，hadgonetoMettingen。Thetemerityofthisattemptbegantoshewitselfinmorevividcolourstomyunderstanding。Whoeverhaspointedsteelisnotwithoutarms；
yetwhatmusthavebeenthestateofmymindwhenIcouldmeditate，withoutshuddering，ontheuseofamurderousweapon，andbelievemyselfsecuremerelybecauseIwascapableofbeingmadesobythedeathofanother？Yetthiswasnotmystate。I
feltasifIwasrushingintodeadlytoils，withoutthepowerofpausingorreceding。
ChapterXVI
AssoonasIarrivedinsightofthefrontofthehouse，myattentionwasexcitedbyalightfromthewindowofmyownchamber。Noappearancecouldbelessexplicable。AmeetingwasexpectedwithCarwin，butthathepre-occupiedmychamber，andhadsuppliedhimselfwithlight，wasnottobebelieved。Whatmotivecouldinfluencehimtoadoptthisconduct？CouldI
proceeduntilthiswasexplained？Perhaps，ifIshouldproceedtoadistanceinfront，someonewouldbevisible。Asidelongbutfeeblebeamfromthewindow，felluponthepinycopsewhichskirtedthebank。AsIeyedit，itsuddenlybecamemutable，andafterflittingtoandfro，forashorttime，itvanished。I
turnedmyeyeagaintowardthewindow，andperceivedthatthelightwasstillthere；butthechangewhichIhadnoticedwasoccasionedbyachangeinthepositionofthelamporcandlewithin。Hence，thatsomepersonwastherewasanunavoidableinference。
Ipausedtodeliberateontheproprietyofadvancing。MightInotadvancecautiously，and，therefore，withoutdanger？MightInotknockatthedoor，orcall，andbeapprizedofthenatureofmyvisitantbeforeIentered？Iapproachedandlistenedatthedoor，butcouldhearnothing。Iknockedatfirsttimidly，butafterwardswithloudness。Mysignalswereunnoticed。I
steppedbackandlooked，butthelightwasnolongerdiscernible。Wasitsuddenlyextinguishedbyahumanagent？
Whatpurposebutconcealmentwasintended？Whywastheilluminationproduced，tobethussuddenlybroughttoanend？
Andwhy，sincesomeonewasthere，hadsilencebeenobserved？
Thesewerequestions，thesolutionofwhichmaybereadilysupposedtobeentangledwithdanger。Wouldnotthisdanger，whenmeasuredbyawoman'sfears，expandintogiganticdimensions？Menacesofdeath；thestunningexertionsofawarningvoice；theknownandunknownattributesofCarwin；ourrecentinterviewinthischamber；thepre-appointmentofameetingatthisplaceandhour，allthrongedintomymemory。
Whatwastobedone？
Courageisnodefiniteorstedfastprinciple。Letthatmanwhoshallpurposetoassignmotivestotheactionsofanother，blushathisfollyandforbear。Notmorepresumptuouswoulditbetoattempttheclassificationofallnature，andthescanningofsupremeintelligence。Igazedforaminuteatthewindow，andfixedmyeyes，forasecondminute，ontheground。Idrewforthfrommypocket，andopened，apenknife。This，saidI，bemysafe-guardandavenger。Theassailantshallperish，ormyselfshallfall。
Ihadlockedupthehouseinthemorning，buthadthekeyofthekitchendoorinmypocket。I，therefore，determinedtogainaccessbehind。ThitherIhastened，unlockedandentered。Allwaslonely，darksome，andwaste。FamiliarasIwaswitheverypartofmydwelling，Ieasilyfoundmywaytoacloset，drewforthataper，aflint，tinder，andsteel，and，inamomentasitwere，gavemyselftheguidanceandprotectionoflight。
WhatpurposedidImeditate？ShouldIexploremywaytomychamber，andconfrontthebeingwhohaddaredtointrudeintothisrecess，andhadlabouredforconcealment？Byputtingoutthelightdidheseektohidehimself，ormeanonlytocircumventmyincautioussteps？Yetwasitnotmoreprobablethathedesiredmyabsencebythusencouragingthesuppositionthatthehousewasunoccupied？Iwouldseethismaninspiteofallimpediments；ereIdied，Iwouldseehisface，andsummonhimtopenitenceandretribution；nomatteratwhatcostaninterviewwaspurchased。Reputationandlifemightbewrestedfrommebyanother，butmyrectitudeandhonorwereinmyownkeeping，andweresafe。
Iproceededtothefootofthestairs。Atsuchacrisismythoughtsmaybesupposedatnolibertytorange；yetvagueimagesrushedintomymind，ofthemysteriousinterpositionwhichhadbeenexperiencedonthelastnight。Mycase，atpresent，wasnotdissimilar；and，ifmyangelwerenotwearyoffruitlessexertionstosave，mightnotanewwarningbeexpected？Whocouldsaywhetherhissilencewereascribabletotheabsenceofdanger，ortohisownabsence？
Inthisstateofmind，nowonderthatashiveringcoldcreptthroughmyveins；thatmypausewasprolonged；and，thatafearfulglancewasthrownbackward。
Alas!myheartdroops，andmyfingersareenervated；myideasarevivid，butmylanguageisfaint:nowknowIwhatitistoentertainincommunicablesentiments。Thechainofsubsequentincidentsisdrawnthroughmymind，andbeinglinkedwiththosewhichforewent，byturnsrouseupagoniesandsinkmeintohopelessness。
YetIwillpersisttotheend。Mynarrativemaybeinvadedbyinaccuracyandconfusion；butifIlivenolonger，Iwill，atleast，livetocompleteit。Whatbutambiguities，abruptnesses，anddarktransitions，canbeexpectedfromthehistorianwhois，atthesametime，thesuffererofthesedisasters？
IhavesaidthatIcastalookbehind。Someobjectwasexpectedtobeseen，orwhyshouldIhavegazedinthatdirection？Twosenseswereatonceassailed。ThesamepiercingexclamationofHOLD!HOLD!wasutteredwithinthesamedistanceofmyear。ThisitwasthatIheard。Theairyundulation，andtheshockgiventomynerves，werereal。
WhetherthespectaclewhichIbeheldexistedinmyfancyorwithout，mightbedoubted。
IhadnotclosedthedooroftheapartmentIhadjustleft。
Thestair-case，atthefootofwhichIstood，waseightortenfeetfromthedoor，andattachedtothewallthroughwhichthedoorled。Myview，therefore，wassidelong，andtookinnopartoftheroom。
Throughthisaperturewasanheadthrustanddrawnbackwithsomuchswiftness，thattheimmediateconvictionwas，thatthusmuchofaform，ordinarilyinvisible，hadbeenunshrowded。Thefacewasturnedtowardsme。Everymusclewastense；theforeheadandbrowsweredrawnintovehementexpression；thelipswerestretchedasintheactofshrieking，andtheeyesemittedsparks，which，nodoubt，ifIhadbeenunattendedbyalight，wouldhaveilluminatedlikethecoruscationsofameteor。Thesoundandthevisionwerepresent，anddepartedtogetheratthesameinstant；butthecrywasblownintomyear，whilethefacewasmanypacesdistant。
Thisfacewaswellsuitedtoabeingwhoseperformancesexceededthestandardofhumanity，andyetitsfeatureswereakintothoseIhadbeforeseen。TheimageofCarwinwasblendedinathousandwayswiththestreamofmythoughts。Thisvisagewas，perhaps，pourtrayedbymyfancy。Ifso，itwillexcitenosurprizethatsomeofhislineamentswerenowdiscovered。Yetaffinitieswerefewandunconspicuous，andwerelostamidsttheblazeofoppositequalities。
WhatconclusioncouldIform？Bethefacehumanornot，theintimationwasimpartedfromabove。Experiencehadevincedthebenignityofthatbeingwhogaveit。Oncehehadinterposedtoshieldmefromharm，andsubsequenteventsdemonstratedtheusefulnessofthatinterposition。NowwasIagainwarnedtoforbear。Iwashurryingtothevergeofthesamegulf，andthesamepowerwasexertedtorecallmysteps。Wasitpossibleformenottoobey？WasIcapableofholdingoninthesameperilouscareer？Yes。EvenofthisIwascapable!
Theintimationwasimperfect:itgavenoformtomydanger，andprescribednolimitstomycaution。Ihadformerlyneglectedit，andyetescaped。MightInottrusttothesameissue？Thisideamightpossess，thoughimperceptibly，someinfluence。Ipersisted；butitwasnotmerelyonthisaccount。
Icannotdelineatethemotivesthatledmeon。Inowspeakasifnoremnantofdoubtexistedinmymindastothesupernaloriginofthesesounds；butthisisowingtotheimperfectionofmylanguage，forIonlymeanthatthebeliefwasmorepermanent，andvisitedmorefrequentlymysobermeditationsthanitsopposite。Theimmediateeffectsservedonlytounderminethefoundationsofmyjudgmentandprecipitatemyresolutions。
Imusteitheradvanceorreturn。Ichosetheformer，andbegantoascendthestairs。Thesilenceunderwentnosecondinterruption。Mychamberdoorwasclosed，butunlocked，and，aidedbyvehementeffortsofmycourage，Iopenedandlookedin。
Nohideousoruncommonobjectwasdiscernible。Thedanger，indeed，mighteasilyhavelurkedoutofsight，havesprunguponmeasIentered，andhaverentmewithhisirontalons；butI
wasblindtothisfate，andadvanced，thoughcautiously，intotheroom。
Stilleverythingworeitsaccustomedaspect。Neitherlampnorcandlewastobefound。Now，forthefirsttime，suspicionsweresuggestedastothenatureofthelightwhichIhadseen。
Wasitpossibletohavebeenthecompanionofthatsupernaturalvisage；ameteorousrefulgenceproducibleatthewillofhimtowhomthatvisagebelonged，andpartakingofthenatureofthatwhichaccompaniedmyfather'sdeath？
Theclosetwasnear，andIrememberedthecomplicatedhorrorsofwhichithadbeenproductive。Here，perhaps，wasinclosedthesourceofmyperil，andthegratificationofmycuriosity。
ShouldIadventureoncemoretoexploreitsrecesses？Thiswasaresolutionnoteasilyformed。Iwassuspendedinthought:
whenglancingmyeyeonatable，Iperceivedawrittenpaper。
Carwin'shandwasinstantlyrecognized，andsnatchingupthepaper，Ireadasfollows:——
"Therewasfollyinexpectingyourcompliancewithmyinvitation。JudgehowIwasdisappointedinfindinganotherinyourplace。Ihavewaited，buttowaitanylongerwouldbeperilous。Ishallstillseekaninterview，butitmustbeatadifferenttimeandplace:meanwhile，Iwillwritethis——Howwillyoubear——Howinexplicablewillbethistransaction!——Aneventsounexpected——asightsohorrible!"
Suchwasthisabruptandunsatisfactoryscript。Theinkwasyetmoist，thehandwasthatofCarwin。Henceitwastobeinferredthathehadthismomentlefttheapartment，orwasstillinit。Ilookedback，onthesuddenexpectationofseeinghimbehindme。
Whatotherdidhemean？Whattransactionhadtakenplaceadversetomyexpectations？Whatsightwasabouttobeexhibited？Ilookedaroundmeoncemore，butsawnothingwhichindicatedstrangeness。AgainIrememberedthecloset，andwasresolvedtoseekinthatthesolutionofthesemysteries。Here，perhaps，wasinclosedthescenedestinedtoawakenmyhorrorsandbafflemyforesight。