Ihavealreadysaid，thattheentranceintothisclosetwasbesidemybed，which，ontwosides，wascloselyshrowdedbycurtains。Onthatsidenearestthecloset，thecurtainwasraised。AsIpassedalongIcastmyeyethither。Istarted，andlookedagain。Iborealightinmyhand，andbroughtitnearermyeyes，inordertodispelanyillusivemiststhatmighthavehoveredbeforethem。OncemoreIfixedmyeyesuponthebed，inhopethatthismorestedfastscrutinywouldannihilatetheobjectwhichbeforeseemedtobethere。
ThisthenwasthesightwhichCarwinhadpredicted!Thiswastheeventwhichmyunderstandingwastofindinexplicable!Thiswasthefatewhichhadbeenreservedforme，butwhich，bysomeuntowardchance，hadbefallenonanother!
Ihadnotbeenterrifiedbyemptymenaces。Violationanddeathawaitedmyentranceintothischamber。SomeinscrutablechancehadledHERhitherbeforeme，andthemercilessfangsofwhichIwasdesignedtobetheprey，hadmistakentheirvictim，andhadfixedthemselvesinHERheart。Butwherewasmysafety？Wasthemischiefexhaustedorflown？Thestepsoftheassassinhadjustbeenhere；theycouldnotbefaroff；
inamomenthewouldrushintomypresence，andIshouldperishunderthesamepollutingandsuffocatinggrasp!
Myframeshook，andmykneeswereunabletosupportme。I
gazedalternatelyattheclosetdoorandatthedoorofmyroom。
Atoneoftheseavenueswouldentertheexterminatorofmyhonorandmylife。Iwaspreparedfordefence；butnowthatdangerwasimminent，mymeansofdefence，andmypowertousethemweregone。Iwasnotqualified，byeducationandexperience，toencounterperilslikethese:or，perhaps，IwaspowerlessbecauseIwasagainassaultedbysurprize，andhadnotfortifiedmymindbyforesightandpreviousreflectionagainstascenelikethis。
Fearsformyownsafetyagainyieldedplacetoreflectionsonthescenebeforeme。Ifixedmyeyesuponhercountenance。Mysister'swell-knownandbelovedfeaturescouldnotbeconcealedbyconvulsionorlividness。Whatdirefulillusionledtheehither？Bereftofthee，whatholdonhappinessremainstothyoffspringandthyspouse？Tolosetheebyacommonfatewouldhavebeensufficientlyhard；butthussuddenlytoperish——tobecomethepreyofthisghastlydeath!HowwillaspectaclelikethisbeenduredbyWieland？Todiebeneathhisgraspwouldnotsatisfythyenemy。Thiswasmercytotheevilswhichhepreviouslymadetheesuffer!Aftertheseevilsdeathwasaboonwhichthoubesoughtesthimtogrant。Heentertainednoenmityagainstthee:Iwastheobjectofhistreason；butbysometremendousmistakehisfurywasmisplaced。Buthowcomestthouhither？andwherewasWielandinthyhourofdistress？
Iapproachedthecorpse:Iliftedthestillflexiblehand，andkissedthelipswhichwerebreathless。Herflowingdraperywasdiscomposed。Irestoredittoorder，andseatingmyselfonthebed，againfixedstedfasteyesuponhercountenance。I
cannotdistinctlyrecollecttheruminationsofthatmoment。I
sawconfusedly，butforcibly，thateveryhopewasextinguishedwiththelifeofCATHARINE。AllhappinessanddignitymusthenceforthbebanishedfromthehouseandnameofWieland:allthatremainedwastolingeroutinagoniesashortexistence；
andleavetotheworldamonumentofblastedhopesandchangeablefortune。Pleyelwasalreadylosttome；yet，whileCatharinelivedlifewasnotadetestablepossession:butnow，severedfromthecompanionofmyinfancy，thepartakerofallmythoughts，mycares，andmywishes，Iwaslikeonesetafloatuponastormysea，andhanginghissafetyuponaplank；nightwasclosinguponhim，andanunexpectedsurgehadtornhimfromhisholdandoverwhelmedhimforever。
ChapterXVII
Ihadnoinclinationnorpowertomovefromthisspot。Formorethananhour，myfacultiesandlimbsseemedtobedeprivedofallactivity。Thedoorbelowcreakedonitshinges，andstepsascendedthestairs。Mywanderingandconfusedthoughtswereinstantlyrecalledbythesesounds，anddroppingthecurtainofthebed，Imovedtoapartoftheroomwhereanyonewhoenteredshouldbevisible；sucharethevibrationsofsentiment，thatnotwithstandingtheseemingfulfilmentofmyfears，andincreaseofmydanger，Iwasconscious，onthisoccasion，tonoturbulencebutthatofcuriosity。
Atlengthheenteredtheapartment，andIrecognizedmybrother。ItwasthesameWielandwhomIhadeverseen。Yethisfeatureswerepervadedbyanewexpression。Isupposedhimunacquaintedwiththefateofhiswife，andhisappearanceconfirmedthispersuasion。AbrowexpandingintoexultationI
hadhithertoneverseeninhim，yetsuchabrowdidhenowwear。
Notonlywasheunapprizedofthedisasterthathadhappened，butsomejoyousoccurrencehadbetided。Whatareversewaspreparingtoannihilatehistransitorybliss!Nohusbandeverdoatedmorefondly，fornowifeeverclaimedsoboundlessadevotion。Iwasnotuncertainastotheeffectstoflowfromthediscoveryofherfate。Iconfidednotatallintheeffortsofhisreasonorhispiety。Therewerefewevilswhichhismodesofthinkingwouldnotdisarmoftheirsting；buthere，allopiatestogrief，andallcompellersofpatiencewerevain。
Thisspectaclewouldbeunavoidablyfollowedbytheoutragesofdesperation，andarushingtodeath。
Forthepresent，Ineglectedtoaskmyselfwhatmotivebroughthimhither。Iwasonlyfearfuloftheeffectstoflowfromthesightofthedead。Yetcoulditbelongconcealedfromhim？Sometimeandspeedilyhewouldobtainthisknowledge。Nostratagemscouldconsiderablyorusefullyprolonghisignorance。
Allthatcouldbesoughtwastotakeawaytheabruptnessofthechange，andshutouttheconfusionofdespair，andtheinroadsofmadness:butIknewmybrother，andknewthatallexertionstoconsolehimwouldbefruitless。
WhatcouldIsay？Iwasmute，andpouredforththosetearsonhisaccount，whichmyownunhappinesshadbeenunabletoextort。Inthemidstofmytears，Iwasnotunobservantofhismotions。Thesewereofanaturetorousesomeothersentimentthangriefor，atleast，tomixwithitaportionofastonishment。
Hiscountenancesuddenlybecametroubled。Hishandswereclaspedwithaforcethatlefttheprintofhisnailsinhisflesh。Hiseyeswerefixedonmyfeet。Hisbrainseemedtoswellbeyonditscontinent。Hedidnotceasetobreathe，buthisbreathwasstifledintogroans。Ihadneverwitnessedthehurricaneofhumanpassions。Myelementhad，tilllately，beenallsunshineandcalm。Iwasunconversantwiththealtitudesandenergiesofsentiment，andwastransfixedwithinexplicablehorrorbythesymptomswhichInowbeheld。
AfterasilenceandaconflictwhichIcouldnotinterpret，heliftedhiseyestoheaven，andinbrokenaccentsexclaimed，"Thisistoomuch!Anyvictimbutthis，andthywillbedone。
HaveInotsufficientlyattestedmyfaithandmyobedience？Shethatisgone，theythathaveperished，werelinkedwithmysoulbytieswhichonlythycommandwouldhavebroken；buthereissanctityandexcellencesurpassinghuman。Thisworkmanshipisthine，anditcannotbethywilltoheapitintoruins。"
Heresuddenlyunclaspinghishands，hestruckoneofthemagainsthisforehead，andcontinued——"Wretch!whomadetheequicksightedinthecouncilsofthyMaker？Deliverancefrommortalfettersisawardedtothisbeing，andthouarttheministerofthisdecree。"
Sosaying，Wielandadvancedtowardsme。Hiswordsandhismotionswerewithoutmeaning，exceptononesupposition。ThedeathofCatharinewasalreadyknowntohim，andthatknowledge，asmighthavebeensuspected，haddestroyedhisreason。Ihadfearednothingless；butnowthatIbeheldtheextinctionofamindthemostluminousandpenetratingthateverdignifiedthehumanform，mysensationswerefraughtwithnewandinsupportableanguish。
Ihadnottimetoreflectinwhatwaymyownsafetywouldbeeffectedbythisrevolution，orwhatIhadtodreadfromthewildconceptionsofamadman。Headvancedtowardsme。Somehollownoiseswerewaftedbythebreeze。Confusedclamoursweresucceededbymanyfeettraversingthegrass，andthencrowdingintOthepiazza。
Thesesoundssuspendedmybrother'spurpose，andhestoodtolisten。Thesignalsmultipliedandgrewlouder；perceivingthis，heturnedfromme，andhurriedoutofmysight。Allaboutmewaspregnantwithmotivestoastonishment。Mysister'scorpse，Wieland'sfranticdemeanour，and，atlength，thiscrowdofvisitantssolittleaccordedwithmyforesight，thatmymentalprogresswasstopped。Theimpulsehadceasedwhichwasaccustomedtogivemotionandordertomythoughts。
Footstepsthrongeduponthestairs，andpresentlymanyfacesshewedthemselveswithinthedoorofmyapartment。Theselookswerefullofalarmandwatchfulness。Theypryedintocornersasifinsearchofsomefugitive；nexttheirgazewasfixeduponme，andbetokenedallthevehemenceofterrorandpity。ForatimeIquestionedwhetherthesewerenotshapesandfaceslikethatwhichIhadseenatthebottomofthestairs，creaturesofmyfancyorairyexistences。
Myeyewanderedfromonetoanother，tillatlengthitfellonacountenancewhichIwellknew。ItwasthatofMr。Hallet。
Thismanwasadistantkinsmanofmymother，venerableforhisage，hisuprightness，andsagacity。Hehadlongdischargedthefunctionsofamagistrateandgoodcitizen。Ifanyterrorsremained，hispresencewassufficienttodispelthem。
Heapproached，tookmyhandwithacompassionateair，andsaidinalowvoice，"Where，mydearClara，areyourbrotherandsister？"Imadenoanswer，butpointedtothebed。Hisattendantsdrewasidethecurtain，andwhiletheireyesglaredwithhorroratthespectaclewhichtheybeheld，thoseofMr。
Halletoverflowedwithtears。
Afterconsiderablepause，heoncemoreturnedtome。"Mydeargirl，thissightisnotforyou。Canyouconfideinmycare，andthatofMrs。Baynton's？Wewillseeperformedallthatcircumstancesrequire。"
Imadestrenuousoppositiontothisrequest。Iinsistedonremainingnearhertillshewereinterred。Hisremonstrances，however，andmyownfeelings，shewedmetheproprietyofatemporarydereliction。Louisastoodinneedofacomforter，andmybrother'schildrenofanurse。Myunhappybrotherwashimselfanobjectofsolicitudeandcare。Atlength，I
consentedtorelinquishthecorpse，andgotomybrother's，whosehouse，Isaid，wouldneedmistress，andhischildrenaparent。
Duringthisdiscourse，myvenerablefriendstruggledwithhistears，butmylastintimationcalledthemforthwithfreshviolence。Meanwhile，hisattendantsstoodroundinmournfulsilence，gazingonmeandateachother。Irepeatedmyresolution，androsetoexecuteit；buthetookmyhandtodetainme。Hiscountenancebetrayedirresolutionandreluctance。Irequestedhimtostatethereasonofhisoppositiontothismeasure。Ientreatedhimtobeexplicit。I
toldhimthatmybrotherhadjustbeenthere，andthatIknewhiscondition。Thismisfortunehaddrivenhimtomadness，andhisoffspringmustnotwantaprotector。Ifhechose，IwouldresignWielandtohiscare；buthisinnocentandhelplessbabesstoodininstantneedofnurseandmother，andtheseofficesI
wouldbynomeansallowanothertoperformwhileIhadlife。
EverywordthatIutteredseemedtoaugmenthisperplexityanddistress。Atlasthesaid，"Ithink，Clara，Ihaveentitledmyselftosomeregardfromyou。Youhaveprofessedyourwillingnesstoobligeme。NowIcalluponyoutoconferuponmethehighestobligationinyourpower。PermitMrs。Bayntontohavethemanagementofyourbrother'shousefortwoorthreedays；thenitshallbeyourstoactinitasyouplease。Nomatterwhataremymotivesinmakingthisrequest:perhapsI
thinkyourage，yoursex，orthedistresswhichthisdisastermustoccasion，incapacitatesyoufortheoffice。SurelyyouhavenodoubtofMrs。Baynton'stendernessordiscretion。"
Newideasnowrushedintomymind。IfixedmyeyesstedfastlyonMr。Hallet。"Aretheywell？"saidI。"IsLouisawell？AreBenjamin，andWilliam，andConstantine，andLittleClara，aretheysafe？Tellmetruly，Ibeseechyou!"
"Theyarewell，"hereplied；"theyareperfectlysafe。"
"Fearnoeffeminateweaknessinme:Icanbeartohearthetruth。Tellmetruly，aretheywell？"
Heagainassuredmethattheywerewell。
"Whatthen，"resumedI，"doyoufear？Isitpossibleforanycalamitytodisqualifymeforperformingmydutytothesehelplessinnocents？IamwillingtodividethecareofthemwithMrs。Baynton；Ishallbegratefulforhersympathyandaid；
butwhatshouldIbetodesertthematanhourlikethis!"
Iwillcutshortthisdistressfuldialogue。Istillpersistedinmypurpose，andhestillpersistedinhisopposition。Thisexcitedmysuspicionsanew；butthesewereremovedbysolemndeclarationsoftheirsafety。Icouldnotexplainthisconductinmyfriend；butatlengthconsentedtogotothecity，providedIshouldseethemforafewminutesatpresent，andshouldreturnonthemorrow。
Eventhisarrangementwasobjectedto。Atlengthhetoldmetheywereremovedtothecity。Whyweretheyremoved，Iasked，andwhither？Myimportunitieswouldnotnowbeeluded。Mysuspicionswereroused，andnoevasionorartificewassufficienttoallaythem。Manyoftheaudiencebegantogiveventtotheiremotionsintears。Mr。Hallethimselfseemedasiftheconflictweretoohardtobelongersustained。SomethingwhisperedtomyheartthathavochadbeenwiderthanInowwitnessed。Isuspectedthisconcealmenttoarisefromapprehensionsoftheeffectswhichaknowledgeofthetruthwouldproduceinme。Ioncemoreentreatedhimtoinformmetrulyoftheirstate。Toenforcemyentreaties，Iputonanairofinsensibility。"Icanguess，"saidI，"whathashappened——Theyareindeedbeyondthereachofinjury，fortheyaredead!Isitnotso？"Myvoicefalteredinspiteofmycourageousefforts。
"Yes，"saidhe，"theyaredead!Deadbythesamefate，andbythesamehand，withtheirmother!"
"Dead!"repliedI；"what，all？"
"All!"repliedhe:"hesparedNOTONE!"
Allowme，myfriends，toclosemyeyesupontheafter-scene。
WhyshouldIprotractatalewhichIalreadybegintofeelistoolong？Overthissceneatleastletmepasslightly。Here，indeed，mynarrativewouldbeimperfect。Allwastempestuouscommotioninmyheartandinmybrain。Ihavenomemoryforoughtbutunconscioustransitionsandruefulsights。Iwasingeniousandindefatigableintheinventionoftorments。I
wouldnotdispensewithanyspectacleadaptedtoexasperatemygrief。EachpaleandmangledformIcrushedtomybosom。
Louisa，whomIlovedwithsoineffableapassion，wasdeniedtomeatfirst，butmyobstinacyconqueredtheirreluctance。
Theyledthewayintoadarkenedhall。Alamppendantfromtheceilingwasuncovered，andtheypointedtoatable。Theassassinhaddefraudedmeofmylastandmiserableconsolation。
Isoughtnotinhervisage，forthetingeofthemorning，andthelustreofheaven。Thesehadvanishedwithlife；butIhopedforlibertytoprintalastkissuponherlips。Thiswasdeniedme；forsuchhadbeenthemercilessblowthatdestroyedher，thatnotaLINEAMENTREMAINED!
Iwascarriedhencetothecity。Mrs。Halletwasmycompanionandmynurse。WhyshouldIdwellupontherageoffever，andtheeffusionsofdelirium？Carwinwasthephantomthatpursuedmydreams，thegiantoppressorunderwhosearmI
wasforeveronthepointofbeingcrushed。Strenuousmuscleswererequiredtohindermyflight，andheartsofsteeltowithstandtheeloquenceofmyfears。InvainIcalleduponthemtolookupward，tomarkhissparklingrageandscowlingcontempt。AllIsoughtwastoflyfromthestrokethatwaslifted。ThenIheapeduponmyguardsthemostvehementreproaches，orbetookmyselftowailingsonthehaplessnessofmycondition。
Thismalady，atlength，declined，andmyweepingfriendsbegantolookformyrestoration。Slowly，andwithintermittedbeams，memoryrevisitedme。ThescenesthatIhadwitnessedwererevived，becamethethemeofdeliberationanddeduction，andcalledforththeeffusionsofmorerationalsorrow。
ChapterXVIII
Ihadimperfectlyrecoveredmystrength，whenIwasinformedofthearrivalofmymother'sbrother，ThomasCambridge。Tenyearssince，hewenttoEurope，andwasasurgeonintheBritishforcesinGermany，duringthewholeofthelatewar。Afteritsconclusion，someconnectionthathehadformedwithanIrishofficer，madehimretireintoIreland。Intercoursehadbeenpunctuallymaintainedbyletterswithhissister'schildren，andhopesweregiventhathewouldshortlyreturntohisnativecountry，andpasshisoldageinoursociety。Hewasnowinanevilhourarrived。
Idesiredaninterviewwithhimfornumerousandurgentreasons。WiththefirstreturnsofmyunderstandingIhadanxiouslysoughtinformationofthefateofmybrother。DuringthecourseofmydiseaseIhadneverseenhim；andvagueandunsatisfactoryanswerswerereturnedtoallmyinquires。IhadvehementlyinterrogatedMrs。Halletandherhusband，andsolicitedaninterviewwiththisunfortunateman；buttheymysteriouslyinsinuatedthathisreasonwasstillunsettled，andthathiscircumstancesrenderedaninterviewimpossible。Theirreserveontheparticularsofthisdestruction，andtheauthorofit，wasequallyinvincible。
Forsometime，findingallmyeffortsfruitless，Ihaddesistedfromdirectinquiriesandsolicitations，determined，assoonasmystrengthwassufficientlyrenewed，topursueothermeansofdispellingmyuncertainty。Inthisstateofthingsmyuncle'sarrivalandintentiontovisitmewereannounced。I
almostshudderedtobeholdthefaceofthisman。WhenI
reflectedonthedisastersthathadbefallenus，Iwashalfunwillingtowitnessthatdejectionandgriefwhichwouldbedisclosedinhiscountenance。ButIbelievedthatalltransactionshadbeenthoroughlydisclosedtohim，andconfidedinmyimportunitytoextortfromhimtheknowledgethatI
sought。
Ihadnodoubtastothepersonofourenemy；butthemotivesthaturgedhimtoperpetratethesehorrors，themeansthatheused，andhispresentcondition，weretotallyunknown。Itwasreasonabletoexpectsomeinformationonthishead，frommyuncle。Ithereforewaitedhiscomingwithimpatience。Atlength，intheduskoftheevening，andinmysolitarychamber，thismeetingtookplace。
Thismanwasournearestrelation，andhadevertreateduswiththeaffectionofaparent。Ourmeeting，therefore，couldnotbewithoutoverflowingtendernessandgloomyjoy。HeratherencouragedthanrestrainedthetearsthatIpouredoutinhisarms，andtookuponhimselfthetaskofcomforter。Allusionstorecentdisasterscouldnotbelongomitted。Onetopicfacilitatedtheadmissionofanother。Atlength，ImentionedanddeploredtheignoranceinwhichIhadbeenkeptrespectingmybrother'sdestiny，andthecircumstancesofourmisfortunes。
IentreatedhimtotellmewhatwasWieland'scondition，andwhatprogresshadbeenmadeindetectingorpunishingtheauthorofthisunheard-ofdevastation。
"Theauthor!"saidhe；"Doyouknowtheauthor？"
"Alas!"Ianswered，"Iamtoowellacquaintedwithhim。Thestoryofthegroundsofmysuspicionswouldbepainfulandtoolong。Iamnotapprizedoftheextentofyourpresentknowledge。TherearenonebutWieland，Pleyel，andmyself，whoareabletorelatecertainfacts。"
"Spareyourselfthepain，"saidhe。"AllthatWielandandPleyelcancommunicate，Iknowalready。Ifanythingofmomenthasfallenwithinyourownexclusiveknowledge，andtherelationbenottooarduousforyourpresentstrength，IconfessIamdesirousofhearingit。PerhapsyoualludetoonebythenameofCarwin。Iwillanticipateyourcuriositybysaying，thatsincethesedisasters，noonehasseenorheardofhim。Hisagencyis，therefore，amysterystillunsolved。"
Ireadilycompliedwithhisrequest，andrelatedasdistinctlyasIcould，thoughingeneralterms，theeventstransactedinthesummer-houseandmychamber。HelistenedwithoutapparentsurprizetothetaleofPleyel'serrorsandsuspicions，andwithaugmentedseriousness，tomynarrativeofthewarningsandinexplicablevision，andtheletterfounduponthetable。Iwaitedforhiscomments。
"Yougatherfromthis，"saidhe，"thatCarwinistheauthorofallthismisery。"
"Isitnot，"answeredI，"anunavoidableinference？Butwhatknowyourespectingit？Wasitpossibletoexecutethismischiefwithoutwitnessorcoadjutor？Ibeseechyoutorelatetome，whenandwhyMr。Halletwassummonedtothescene，andbywhomthisdisasterwasfirstsuspectedordiscovered。Surely，suspicionmusthavefallenuponsomeone，andpursuitwasmade。"
Myunclerosefromhisseat，andtraversedthefloorwithhastysteps。Hiseyeswerefixedupontheground，andheseemedburiedinperplexity。Atlengthhepaused，andsaidwithanemphatictone，"Itistrue；theinstrumentisknown。Carwinmayhaveplotted，buttheexecutionwasanother's。Thatotherisfound，andhisdeedisascertained。"
"Goodheaven!"Iexclaimed，"whatsayyou？WasnotCarwintheassassin？Couldanyhandbuthishavecarriedintoactthisdreadfulpurpose？"
"HaveInotsaid，"returnedhe，"thattheperformancewasanother's？Carwin，perhaps，orheaven，orinsanity，promptedthemurderer；butCarwinisunknown。Theactualperformerhas，longsince，beencalledtojudgmentandconvicted，andis，atthismoment，atthebottomofadungeonloadedwithchains。"
Iliftedmyhandsandeyes。"Whothenisthisassassin？Bywhatmeans，andwhitherwashetraced？Whatisthetestimonyofhisguilt？"
"Hisown，corroboratedwiththatofaservant-maidwhospiedthemurderofthechildrenfromaclosetwhereshewasconcealed。Themagistratereturnedfromyourdwellingtoyourbrother's。Hewasemployedinhearingandrecordingthetestimonyoftheonlywitness，whenthecriminalhimself，unexpected，unsolicited，unsought，enteredthehall，acknowledgedhisguilt，andrenderedhimselfuptojustice。
"Hehassincebeensummonedtothebar。Theaudiencewascomposedofthousandswhomrumoursofthiswonderfuleventhadattractedfromthegreatestdistance。Alongandimpartialexaminationwasmade，andtheprisonerwascalleduponforhisdefence。Incompliancewiththiscallhedeliveredanamplerelationofhismotivesandactions。"Therehestopped。
Ibesoughthimtosaywhothiscriminalwas，andwhattheinstigationsthatcompelledhim。Myunclewassilent。Iurgedthisinquirywithnewforce。Irevertedtomyownknowledge，andsoughtinthissomebasistoconjecture。IranoverthescantycatalogueofthemenwhomIknew；Ilightedonnoonewhowasqualifiedforministeringtomalicelikethis。AgainI
resortedtoimportunity。HadIeverseenthecriminal？Wasitsheercruelty，ordiabolicalrevengethatproducedthisoverthrow？
Hesurveyedme，foraconsiderabletime，andlistenedtomyinterrogationsinsilence。Atlengthhespoke:"Clara，Ihaveknowntheebyreport，andinsomedegreebyobservation。Thouartabeingofnovulgarsort。Thyfriendshavehithertotreatedtheeasachild。Theymeantwell，but，perhaps，theywereunacquaintedwiththystrength。Iassuremyselfthatnothingwillsurpassthyfortitude。
"Thouartanxioustoknowthedestroyerofthyfamily，hisactions，andhismotives。ShallIcallhimtothypresence，andpermithimtoconfessbeforethee？ShallImakehimthenarratorofhisowntale？"
Istartedonmyfeet，andlookedroundmewithfearfulglances，asifthemurdererwascloseathand。"Whatdoyoumean？"saidI；"putanend，Ibeseechyou，tothissuspence。"
"Benotalarmed；youwillnevermorebeholdthefaceofthiscriminal，unlesshebegiftedwithsupernaturalstrength，andseverlikethreadstheconstraintoflinksandbolts。Ihavesaidthattheassassinwasarraignedatthebar，andthatthetrialendedwithasummonsfromthejudgetoconfessortovindicatehisactions。Areplywasimmediatelymadewithsignificanceofgesture，andatranquilmajesty，whichdenotedlessofhumanitythangodhead。Judges，advocatesandauditorswerepanic-struckandbreathlesswithattention。Oneofthehearersfaithfullyrecordedthespeech。Thereitis，"continuedhe，puttingarollofpapersinmyhand，"youmayreaditatyourleisure。"
Withthesewordsmyuncleleftmealone。Mycuriosityrefusedmeamoment'sdelay。Iopenedthepapers，andreadasfollows。
ChapterXIX
"TheodoreWieland，theprisoneratthebar，wasnowcalleduponforhisdefence。Helookedaroundhimforsometimeinsilence，andwithamildcountenance。Atlengthhespoke:
"Itisstrange；Iamknowntomyjudgesandmyauditors。WhoistherepresentastrangertothecharacterofWieland？whoknowshimnotasanhusband——asafather——asafriend？yethereamIarraignedascriminal。Iamchargedwithdiabolicalmalice；Iamaccusedofthemurderofmywifeandmychildren!
"Itistrue，theywereslainbyme；theyallperishedbymyhand。Thetaskofvindicationisignoble。WhatisitthatIamcalledtovindicate？andbeforewhom？
"Youknowthattheyaredead，andthattheywerekilledbyme。Whatmorewouldyouhave？Wouldyouextortfrommeastatementofmymotives？Haveyoufailedtodiscoverthemalready？Youchargemewithmalice；butyoureyesarenotshut；
yourreasonisstillvigorous；yourmemoryhasnotforsakenyou。
Youknowwhomitisthatyouthuscharge。Thehabitsofhislifeareknowntoyou；histreatmentofhiswifeandhisoffspringisknowntoyou；thesoundnessofhisintegrity，andtheunchangeablenessofhisprinciples，arefamiliartoyourapprehension；yetyoupersistinthischarge!Youleadmehithermanacledasafelon；youdeemmeworthyofavileandtormentingdeath!
"WhoaretheywhomIhavedevotedtodeath？Mywife——thelittleones，thatdrewtheirbeingfromme——thatcreaturewho，asshesurpassedtheminexcellence，claimedalargeraffectionthanthosewhomnaturalaffinitiesboundtomyheart。Thinkyethatmalicecouldhaveurgedmetothisdeed？Hideyouraudaciousfrontsfromthescrutinyofheaven。Takerefugeinsomecavernunvisitedbyhumaneyes。Yemaydeploreyourwickednessorfolly，butyecannotexpiateit。
"ThinknotthatIspeakforyoursakes。Hugtoyourheartsthisdetestableinfatuation。Deemmestillamurderer，anddragmetountimelydeath。Imakenotanefforttodispelyourillusion:Iutternotawordtocureyouofyoursanguinaryfolly:butthereareprobablysomeinthisassemblywhohavecomefromfar:fortheirsakes，whosedistancehasdisabledthemfromknowingme，IwilltellwhatIhavedone，andwhy。
"ItisneedlesstosaythatGodistheobjectofmysupremepassion。Ihavecherished，inhispresence，asingleanduprightheart。Ihavethirstedfortheknowledgeofhiswill。
Ihaveburntwithardourtoapprovemyfaithandmyobedience。
"Mydayshavebeenspentinsearchingfortherevelationofthatwill；butmydayshavebeenmournful，becausemysearchfailed。Isoliciteddirection:Iturnedoneverysidewhereglimmeringsoflightcouldbediscovered。Ihavenotbeenwhollyuninformed；butmyknowledgehasalwaysstoppedshortofcertainty。Dissatisfactionhasinsinuateditselfintoallmythoughts。Mypurposeshavebeenpure；mywishesindefatigable；
butnottilllatelywerethesepurposesthoroughlyaccomplished，andthesewishesfullygratified。
"Ithankthee，myfather，forthybounty；thatthoudidstnotaskalesssacrificethanthis；thatthouplacedstmeinaconditiontotestifymysubmissiontothywill!WhathaveI
withheldwhichitwasthypleasuretoexact？NowmayI，withdauntlessanderecteye，claimmyreward，sinceIhavegiventheethetreasureofmysoul。
"Iwasatmyownhouse:itwaslateintheevening:mysisterhadgonetothecity，butproposedtoreturn。ItwasinexpectationofherreturnthatmywifeandIdelayedgoingtobedbeyondtheusualhour；therestofthefamily，however，wereretired。
"Mymindwascontemplativeandcalm；notwhollydevoidofapprehensiononaccountofmysister'ssafety。Recentevents，noteasilyexplained，hadsuggestedtheexistenceofsomedanger；butthisdangerwaswithoutadistinctforminourimagination，andscarcelyruffledourtranquillity。
"Timepassed，andmysisterdidnotarrive；herhouseisatsomedistancefrommine，andthoughherarrangementshadbeenmadewithaviewtoresidingwithus，itwaspossiblethat，throughforgetfulness，ortheoccurrenceofunforeseenemergencies，shehadreturnedtoherowndwelling。
"HenceitwasconceivedproperthatIshouldascertainthetruthbygoingthither。Iwent。Onmywaymymindwasfulloftheseideaswhichrelatedtomyintellectualcondition。Inthetorrentoffervidconceptions，Ilostsightofmypurpose。SometimesIstoodstill；sometimesIwanderedfrommypath，andexperiencedsomedifficulty，onrecoveringfrommyfitofmusing，toregainit。
"Theseriesofmythoughtsiseasilytraced。Atfirsteveryveinbeatwithrapturesknownonlytothemanwhoseparentalandconjugalloveiswithoutlimits，andthecupofwhosedesires，immenseasitis，overflowswithgratification。Iknownotwhyemotionsthatwereperpetualvisitantsshouldnowhaverecurredwithunusualenergy。Thetransitionwasnotnewfromsensationsofjoytoaconsciousnessofgratitude。Theauthorofmybeingwaslikewisethedispenserofeverygiftwithwhichthatbeingwasembellished。Theservicetowhichabenefactorlikethiswasentitled，couldnotbecircumscribed。Mysocialsentimentswereindebtedtotheiralliancewithdevotionforalltheirvalue。Allpassionsarebase，alljoysfeeble，allenergiesmalignant，whicharenotdrawnfromthissource。
"Foratime，mycontemplationssoaredaboveearthanditsinhabitants。Istretchedforthmyhands；Iliftedmyeyes，andexclaimed，O!thatImightbeadmittedtothypresence；thatminewerethesupremedelightofknowingthywill，andofperformingit!Theblissfulprivilegeofdirectcommunicationwiththee，andoflisteningtotheaudibleenunciationofthypleasure!
"WhattaskwouldInotundertake，whatprivationwouldInotcheerfullyendure，totestifymyloveofthee？Alas!thouhidestthyselffrommyview:glimpsesonlyofthyexcellenceandbeautyareaffordedme。Wouldthatamomentaryemanationfromthyglorywouldvisitme!thatsomeunambiguoustokenofthypresencewouldsalutemysenses!
"Inthismood，Ienteredthehouseofmysister。Itwasvacant。ScarcelyhadIregainedrecollectionofthepurposethatbroughtmehither。Thoughtsofadifferenttendencyhadsuchabsolutepossessionofmymind，thattherelationsoftimeandspacewerealmostobliteratedfrommyunderstanding。Thesewanderings，however，wererestrained，andIascendedtoherchamber。
"Ihadnolight，andmighthaveknownbyexternalobservation，thatthehousewaswithoutanyinhabitant。Withthis，however，Iwasnotsatisfied。Ienteredtheroom，andtheobjectofmysearchnotappearing，Ipreparedtoreturn。
"Thedarknessrequiredsomecautionindescendingthestair。
IstretchedmyhandtoseizethebalustradebywhichImightregulatemysteps。HowshallIdescribethelustre，which，atthatmoment，burstuponmyvision!
"Iwasdazzled。Myorganswerebereavedoftheiractivity。
Myeye-lidswerehalf-closed，andmyhandswithdrawnfromthebalustrade。Anamelessfearchilledmyveins，andIstoodmotionless。Thisirradiationdidnotretireorlessen。Itseemedasifsomepowerfuleffulgencecoveredmelikeamantle。
"Iopenedmyeyesandfoundallaboutmeluminousandglowing。Itwastheelementofheaventhatflowedaround。
Nothingbutafierystreamwasatfirstvisible；but，anon，ashrillvoicefrombehindcalleduponmetoattend。
"Iturned:ItisforbiddentodescribewhatIsaw:Words，indeed，wouldbewantingtothetask。Thelineamentsofthatbeing，whoseveilwasnowlifted，andwhosevisagebeameduponmysight，nohuesofpenciloroflanguagecanpourtray。
"Asitspoke，theaccentsthrilledtomyheart。"Thyprayersareheard。Inproofofthyfaith，rendermethywife。ThisisthevictimIchuse。Callherhither，andhereletherfall。"——Thesound，andvisage，andlightvanishedatonce。
"Whatdemandwasthis？ThebloodofCatharinewastobeshed!Mywifewastoperishbymyhand!Isoughtopportunitytoattestmyvirtue。LittledidIexpectthataprooflikethiswouldhavebeendemanded。
"Mywife!Iexclaimed:OGod!substitutesomeothervictim。
Makemenotthebutcherofmywife。Myownbloodischeap。
ThiswillIpouroutbeforetheewithawillingheart；butspare，Ibeseechthee，thispreciouslife，orcommissionsomeotherthanherhusbandtoperformthebloodydeed。
"Invain。Theconditionswereprescribed；thedecreehadgoneforth，andnothingremainedbuttoexecuteit。Irushedoutofthehouseandacrosstheintermediatefields，andstoppednottillIenteredmyownparlour。