The Notch on the Ax and On Being Found Out小说第6章

第6章

　　ThefuneralofFatherOlavidawasattendedbyanextraordinarycircumstance。Hewasinterredinaneighboringconvent。andthereputationofhissanctity，joinedtotheinterestcausedbyhisextraordinarydeath，collectedvastnumbersattheceremony。Hisfuneralsermonwaspreachedbyamonkofdistinguishedeloquence，appointedforthepurpose。Torendertheeffectofhisdiscoursemorepowerful，thecorse，extendedonabier，withitsfaceuncovered，wasplacedintheaisle。Themonktookhistextfromoneoftheprophets，——Deathisgoneupintoourpalaces。Heexpatiatedonmortality，whoseapproach，whetherabruptorlingering，isalikeawfultoman——Hespokeofthevicisstudesofempireswithmucheloquenceandlearning，buthisaudiencewerenotobservedtobemuchaffected——Hecitedvariouspassagesfromthelivesofthesaints，descriptiveofthegloriesofmartyrdom，andtheheroismofthosewhohadbledandblazedforChristandhisblessedmother，buttheyappearedstillwaitingforsomethingtotouchthemmoredeeply。Whenheinveighedagainstthetyrantsunderwhosebloodypersecutionthoseholymensuffered，hishearerswererousedforamoment，foritisalwayseasiertoexciteapassionthanamoralfeeling。Butwhenhespokeofthedead，andpointedwithemphaticgesturetothecorse，asitlaybeforethemcoldandmotionless，everyeyewasfixed，andeveryearbecameattentive。Eventhelovers，who，underpretenseofdippingtheirfingersintotheholywater，werecontrivingtoexchangeamorousbillets，forboreforonemomentthisinterestingintercourse，tolistentothepreacher。Hedweltwithmuchenergyonthevirtuesofthedeceased，whomhedeclaredtobeaparticularfavoriteoftheVirgin。andenumeratingthevariouslossesthatwouldbecausedbyhisdeparturetothecommunitytowhichhebelonged，tosociety，andtoreligionatlarge。heatlastworkeduphimselftoavehementexpostulationwiththeDeityontheoccasion。Whyhastthou，heexclaimed，whyhastthou，OhGod！thusdealtwithus？
　　Whyhastthousnatchedfromoursightthisglorioussaint，whosemerits，ifproperlyapplied，doubtlesswouldhavebeensufficienttoatonefortheapostasyofSt。Peter，theoppositionofSt。Paulprevioustohisconversion，andeventhetreacheryofJudashimself？Whyhastthou，OhGod！snatchedhimfromus？——andadeepandhollowvoicefromamongthecongregationanswered，——Becausehedeservedhisfate。Themurmursofapprobationwithwhichthecongregationhonoredthisapostrophehalfdrownedthisextraordinaryinterruption。andthoughtherewassomelittlecommotionintheimmediatevicinityofthespeaker，therestoftheaudiencecontinuedtolistenintently。What，proceededthepreacher，pointingtothecorse，whathathlaidtheethere，servantofGod？——Pride，ignorance，andfear，answeredthesamevoice，inaccentsstillmorethrilling。Thedisturbancenowbecameuniversal。Thepreacherpaused，andacircleopening，disclosedthefigureofamonkbelongingtotheconvent，whostoodamongthem……
　　Afteralltheusualmodesofadmonition，exhortation，anddisciplinehadbeenemployed，andthebishopofthediocese，who，underthereportoftheseextraordinarycircumstances，hadvisitedtheconventinpersontoobtainsomeexplanationfromthecontumaciousmonkinvain，itwasagreed，inachapterextraordinary，tosurrenderhimtothepoweroftheInquisition。
　　Hetestifiedgreathorrorwhenthisdeterminationwasmadeknowntohim，——andofferedtotelloverandoveragainallthatheCOULD
　　relateofthecauseofFatherOlavida’sdeath。Hishumiliation，andrepeatedoffersofconfession，cametoolate。HewasconveyedtotheInquisition。Theproceedingsofthattribunalarerarelydisclosed，butthereisasecretreportIcannotanswerforitstruthofwhathesaidandsufferedthere。Onhisfirstexamination，hesaidhewouldrelateallheCOULD。Hewastoldthatwasnotenough，hemustrelateallheknew……
　　WhydidyoutestifysuchhorroratthefuneralofFatherOlavida？——Everyonetestifiedhorrorandgriefatthedeathofthatvenerableecclesiastic，whodiedintheodorofsanctity。HadIdoneotherwise，itmighthavebeenreckonedaproofofmyguilt。
　　Whydidyouinterruptthepreacherwithsuchextraordinaryexclamations？——Tothisnoanswer。Whydoyourefusetoexplainthemeaningofthoseexclamations？——Noanswer。Whydoyoupersistinthisobstinateanddangeroussilence？Look，Ibeseechyou，brother，atthecrossthatissuspendedagainstthiswall，
　　andtheInquisitorpointedtothelargeblackcrucifixatthebackofthechairwherehesat。onedropofthebloodshedtherecanpurifyyoufromallthesinyouhaveevercommitted。butallthatblood，combinedwiththeintercessionoftheQueenofHeaven，andthemeritsofallitsmartyrs，nay，eventheabsolutionofthePope，cannotdeliveryoufromthecurseofdyinginunrepentedsin——Whatsin，then，haveIcommitted？——Thegreatestofallpossiblesins。yourefuseansweringthequestionsputtoyouatthetribunalofthemostholyandmercifulInquisition——youwillnottelluswhatyouknowconcerningthedeathofFatherOlavida——I
　　havetoldyouthatIbelieveheperishedinconsequenceofhisignoranceandpresumption。Whatproofcanyouproduceofthat？——
　　Hesoughttheknowledgeofasecretwithheldfromman。Whatwasthat？——Thesecretofdiscoveringthepresenceoragencyoftheevilpower。Doyoupossessthatsecret？——Aftermuchagitationonthepartoftheprisoner，hesaiddistinctly，butveryfaintly，Mymasterforbidsmetodiscloseit。IfyourmasterwereJesusChrist，hewouldnotforbidyoutoobeythecommands，oranswerthequestionsoftheInquisition——Iamnotsureofthat。
　　Therewasageneraloutcryofhorroratthesewords。Theexaminationthenwenton。IfyoubelievedOlavidatobeguiltyofanypursuitsorstudiescondemnedbyourmotherthechurch，whydidyounotdenouncehimtotheInquisition？——BecauseIbelievedhimnotlikelytobeinjuredbysuchpursuits。hismindwastooweak，——
　　hediedinthestruggle，saidtheprisonerwithgreatemphasis。
　　Youbelieve，then，itrequiresstrengthofmindtokeepthoseabominablesecrets，whenexaminedastotheirnatureandtendency？——No，Iratherimaginestrengthofbody。Weshalltrythatpresently，saidanInquisitor，givingasignalforthetorture……
　　Theprisonerunderwentthefirstandsecondapplicationswithunshrinkingcourage，butontheinflictionofthewater-torture，whichisindeedinsupportabletohumanity，eithertosufferorrelate，heexclaimedinthegaspinginterval，hewoulddiscloseeverything。Hewasreleased，refreshed，restored，andthefollowingdayutteredthefollowingremarkableconfession……
　　TheoldSpanishwomanfurtherconfessedtoStanton，that……
　　andthattheEnglishmancertainlyhadbeenseenintheneighborhoodsince——seen，asshehadheard，thatverynight。GreatG——d！
　　exclaimedStanton，asherecollectedthestrangerwhosedemoniaclaughhadsoappalledhim，whilegazingonthelifelessbodiesofthelovers，whomthelightninghadstruckandblasted。
　　Asthemanuscript，afterafewblottedandillegiblepages，becamemoredistinct，Melmothreadon，perplexedandunsatisfied，notknowingwhatconnectionthisSpanishstorycouldhavewithhisancestor，whom，however，herecognizedunderthetitleoftheEnglishman。andwonderinghowStantoncouldhavethoughtitworthhiswhiletofollowhimtoIreland，writealongmanuscriptaboutaneventthatoccurredinSpain，andleaveitinthehandsofhisfamily，toverifyuntruethings，inthelanguageofDogberry，——
　　hiswonderwasdiminished，thoughhiscuriositywasstillmoreinflamed，bytheperusalofthenextlines，whichhemadeoutwithsomedifficulty。ItseemsStantonwasnowinEngland……
　　Abouttheyear1677，StantonwasinLondon，hismindstillfullofhismysteriouscountryman。Thisconstantsubjectofhiscontemplationshadproducedavisiblechangeinhisexterior，——hiswalkwaswhatSallusttellsusofCatiline’s，——hiswere，too，thefaedioculi。Hesaidtohimselfeverymoment，IfIcouldbuttracethatbeing，Iwillnotcallhimman，——andthenextmomenthesaid，andwhatifIcould？Inthisstateofmind，itissingularenoughthathemixedconstantlyinpublicamusements，butitistrue。Whenonefiercepassionisdevouringthesoul，wefeelmorethaneverthenecessityofexternalexcitement。andourdependenceontheworldfortemporaryreliefincreasesindirectproportiontoourcontemptoftheworldandallitsworks。Hewentfrequentlytothetheaters，THENfashionable，whenThefairsatpantingatacourtier’splay，Andnotamaskwentunimprovedaway……
　　Itwasthatmemorablenight，when，accordingtothehistoryoftheveteranBetterton，*Mrs。Barry，whopersonatedRoxana，hadagreen-
　　roomsquabblewithMrs。Bowtell，therepresentativeofStatira，aboutaveil，whichthepartialityofthepropertymanadjudgedtothelatter。Roxanasuppressedherragetillthefifthact，when，stabbingStatira，sheaimedtheblowwithsuchforceastopiercethroughherstays，andinflictaseverethoughnotdangerouswound。
　　Mrs。Bowtellfainted，theperformancewassuspended，and，inthecommotionwhichthisincidentcausedinthehouse，manyoftheaudiencerose，andStantonamongthem。Itwasatthismomentthat，inaseatoppositetohim，hediscoveredtheobjectofhissearchforfouryears，——theEnglishmanwhomhehadmetintheplainsofValencia，andwhomhebelievedthesamewiththesubjectoftheextraordinarynarrativehehadheardthere。
　　*VideBetterton’sHistoryoftheStage。
　　Hewasstandingup。Therewasnothingparticularorremarkableinhisappearance，buttheexpressionofhiseyescouldneverbemistakenorforgotten。TheheartofStantonpalpitatedwithviolence，——amistoverspreadhiseye，——anamelessanddeadlysickness，accompaniedwithacreepingsensationineverypore，fromwhichcolddropsweregushing，announcedthe……
　　Beforehehadwellrecovered，astrainofmusic，soft，solemn，anddelicious，breathedroundhim，audiblyascendingfromtheground，andincreasinginsweetnessandpowertillitseemedtofillthewholebuilding。Underthesuddenimpulseofamazementandpleasure，heinquiredofsomearoundhimfromwhencethoseexquisitesoundsarose。But，bythemannerinwhichhewasanswered，itwasplainthatthoseheaddressedconsideredhiminsane。and，indeed，theremarkablechangeinhisexpressionmightwelljustifythesuspicion。HethenrememberedthatnightinSpain，whenthesamesweetandmysterioussoundswereheardonlybytheyoungbridegroomandbride，ofwhomthelatterperishedonthatverynight。AndamIthentobethenextvictim？thoughtStanton。andarethosecelestialsounds，thatseemtoprepareusforheaven，onlyintendedtoannouncethepresenceofanincarnatefiend，whomocksthedevotedwith’airsfromheaven，’whilehepreparestosurroundthemwith’blastsfromhell’？Itisverysingularthatatthismoment，whenhisimaginationhadreacheditshighestpitchofelevation，——whentheobjecthehadpursuedsolongandfruitlessly，hadinonemomentbecomeasitweretangibletothegraspbothofmindandbody，——whenthisspirit，withwhomhehadwrestledindarkness，wasatlastabouttodeclareitsname，thatStantonbegantofeelakindofdisappointmentatthefutilityofhispursuits，likeBruceatdiscoveringthesourceoftheNile，orGibbononconcludinghisHistory。Thefeelingwhichhehaddweltonsolong，thathehadactuallyconverteditintoaduty，wasafterallmerecuriosity。butwhatpassionismoreinsatiable，ormorecapableofgivingakindofromanticgrandeurtoallitswanderingsandeccentricities？Curiosityisinonerespectlikelove，italwayscompromisesbetweentheobjectandthefeeling。andprovidedthelatterpossessessufficientenergy，nomatterhowcontemptibletheformermaybe。AchildmighthavesmiledattheagitationofStanton，causedasitwasbytheaccidentalappearanceofastranger。butnoman，inthefullenergyofhispassions，wasthere，butmusthavetrembledatthehorribleagonyofemotionwithwhichhefeltapproaching，withsuddenandirresistiblevelocity，thecrisisofhisdestiny。
　　Whentheplaywasover，hestoodforsomemomentsinthedesertedstreets。Itwasabeautifulmoonlightnight，andhesawnearhimafigure，whoseshadow，projectedhalfacrossthestreettherewerenoflaggedwaysthen，chainsandpostsweretheonlydefenseofthefootpassenger，appearedtohimofgiganticmagnitude。Hehadbeensolongaccustomedtocontendwiththesephantomsoftheimagination，thathetookakindofstubborndelightinsubduingthem。Hewalkeduptotheobject，andobservingtheshadowonlywasmagnified，andthefigurewastheordinaryheightofman，heapproachedit，anddiscoveredtheveryobjectofhissearch，——themanwhomhehadseenforamomentinValencia，and，afterasearchoffouryears，recognizedatthetheater……
　　Youwereinquestofme？——Iwas。Haveyouanythingtoinquireofme？——Much。Speak，then——Thisisnoplace。Noplace！
　　poorwretch，Iamindependentoftimeandplace。Speak，ifyouhaveanythingtoaskortolearn——Ihavemanythingstoask，butnothingtolearn，Ihope，fromyou。Youdeceiveyourself，butyouwillbeundeceivedwhennextwemeet——Andwhenshallthatbe？saidStanton，graspinghisarm。nameyourhourandyourplace。Thehourshallbemidday，answeredthestranger，withahorridandunintelligiblesmile。andtheplaceshallbethebarewallsofamadhouse，whereyoushallriserattlinginyourchains，andrustlingfromyourstraw，togreetme，——yetstillyoushallhaveTHECURSEOFSANITY，andofmemory。Myvoiceshallringinyourearstillthen，andtheglanceoftheseeyesshallbereflectedfromeveryobject，animateorinanimate，tillyoubeholdthemagain——Isitundercircumstancessohorriblewearetomeetagain？saidStanton，shrinkingunderthefull-lightedblazeofthosedemoneyes。Inever，saidthestranger，inanemphatictone，——Ineverdesertmyfriendsinmisfortune。Whentheyareplungedinthelowestabyssofhumancalamity，theyaresuretobevisitedbyme……
　　Thenarrative，whenMelmothwasagainabletotraceitscontinuation，describedStanton，someyearsafter，plungedinastatethemostdeplorable。
　　Hehadbeenalwaysreckonedofasingularturnofmind，andthebeliefofthis，aggravatedbyhisconstanttalkofMelmoth，hiswildpursuitofhim，hisstrangebehavioratthetheater，andhisdwellingonthevariousparticularsoftheirextraordinarymeetings，withalltheintensityofthedeepestconvictionwhilehenevercouldimpressthemonanyone’sconvictionbuthisown，suggestedtosomeprudentpeopletheideathathewasderanged。
　　Theirmalignityprobablytookpartwiththeirprudence。TheselfishFrenchman*says，wefeelapleasureeveninthemisfortunesofourfriends，——aplusforteinthoseofourenemies。andaseveryoneisanenemytoamanofgeniusofcourse，thereportofStanton’smaladywaspropagatedwithinfernalandsuccessfulindustry。Stanton’snextrelative，aneedyunprincipledman，watchedthereportinitscirculation，andsawthesnaresclosingroundhisvictim。Hewaitedonhimonemorning，accompaniedbyapersonofagrave，thoughsomewhatrepulsiveappearance。Stantonwasasusualabstractedandrestless，and，afterafewmoments’
　　conversation，heproposedadriveafewmilesoutofLondon，whichhesaidwouldreviveandrefreshhim。Stantonobjected，onaccountofthedifficultyofgettingahackneycoachforitissingularthatatthisperiodthenumberofprivateequipages，thoughinfinitelyfewerthantheyarenow，exceededthenumberofhiredones，andproposedgoingbywater。This，however，didnotsuitthekinsman’sviews。and，afterpretendingtosendforacarriagewhichwasinwaitingattheendofthestreet，Stantonandhiscompanionsenteredit，anddroveabouttwomilesoutofLondon。
　　*Rochefoucauld。
　　Thecarriagethenstopped。Come，Cousin，saidtheyoungerStanton，——comeandviewapurchaseIhavemade。Stantonabsentlyalighted，andfollowedhimacrossasmallpavedcourt。theotherpersonfollowed。Introth，Cousin，saidStanton，yourchoiceappearsnottohavebeendiscreetlymade。yourhousehassomewhatofagloomyaspect——Holdyoucontent，Cousin，repliedtheother。Ishalltakeorderthatyoulikeitbetter，whenyouhavebeensometimeadwellertherein。Someattendantsofameanappearance，andwithmostsuspiciousvisages，awaitedthemontheirentrance，andtheyascendedanarrowstaircase，whichledtoaroommeanlyfurnished。Waithere，saidthekinsman，tothemanwhoaccompaniedthem，tillIgoforcompanytodivertisemycousininhisloneliness。Theywereleftalone。Stantontooknonoticeofhiscompanion，butasusualseizedthefirstbooknearhim，andbegantoread。Itwasavolumeinmanuscript，——theywerethenmuchmorecommonthannow。
　　Thefirstlinesstruckhimasindicatinginsanityinthewriter。
　　ItwasawildproposalwrittenapparentlyafterthegreatfireofLondontorebuilditwithstone，andattemptingtoprove，onacalculationwild，false，andyetsometimesplausible，thatthiscouldbedoneoutofthecolossalfragmentsofStonehenge，whichthewriterproposedtoremoveforthatpurpose。Subjoinedwereseveralgrotesquedrawingsofenginesdesignedtoremovethosemassiveblocks，andinacornerofthepagewasanote，——Iwouldhavedrawnthesemoreaccurately，butwasnotallowedaKNIFEtomendmypen。
　　Thenextwasentitled，AmodestproposalforthespreadingofChristianityinforeignparts，wherebyitishopeditsentertainmentwillbecomegeneralallovertheworld——Thismodestproposalwas，toconverttheTurkishambassadorswhohadbeeninLondonafewyearsbefore，byofferingthemtheirchoiceofbeingstrangledonthespot，orbecomingChristians。Ofcoursethewriterreckonedontheirembracingtheeasieralternative，buteventhiswastobecloggedwithaheavycondition，——namely，thattheymustbeboundbeforeamagistratetoconverttwentyMussulmansaday，ontheirreturntoTurkey。TherestofthepamphletwasreasonedverymuchintheconclusivestyleofCaptainBobadil，——
　　thesetwentywillconverttwentymoreapiece，andthesetwohundredconverts，convertingtheirduenumberinthesametime，allTurkeywouldbeconvertedbeforetheGrandSigniorknewwherehewas。
　　Thencomesthecoupd’eclat，——onefinemorning，everyminaretinConstantinoplewastoringoutwithbells，insteadofthecryoftheMuezzins。andtheImaum，comingouttoseewhatwasthematter，wastobeencounteredbytheArchbishopofCanterbury，inpontificalibus，performingCathedralserviceinthechurchofSt。
　　Sophia，whichwastofinishthebusiness。Hereanobjectionappearedtoarise，whichtheingenuityofthewriterhadanticipated——Itmayberedargued，saithhe，bythosewhohavemorespleenthanbrain，thatforasmuchastheArchbishoppreachethinEnglish，hewillnottherebymuchedifytheTurkishfolk，whodoaltogetherholdinavaingabbleoftheirown。Butthistousehisownlanguageheevites，byjudiciouslyobserving，thatwhereservicewasperformedinanunknowntongue，thedevotionofthepeoplewasalwaysobservedtobemuchincreasedthereby。as，forinstance，inthechurchofRome，——thatSt。Augustine，withhismonks，advancedtomeetKingEthelbertsinginglitaniesinalanguagehismajestycouldnotpossiblyhaveunderstood，andconvertedhimandhiswholecourtonthespot——thatthesybillinebooks……
　　Cummultisaliis。
　　BetweenthepageswerecutmostexquisitelyinpaperthelikenessesofsomeoftheseTurkishambassadors。thehairofthebeards，inparticular，wasfeatheredwithadelicacyoftouchthatseemedtheworkoffairyfingers，——butthepagesendedwithacomplaintoftheoperator，thathisscissorshadbeentakenfromhim。However，heconsoledhimselfandthereaderwiththeassurance，thathewouldthatnightcatchamoonbeamasitenteredthroughthegrating，and，whenhehadwhetteditontheironknobsofhisdoor，woulddowonderswithit。Inthenextpagewasfoundamelancholyproofofpowerfulbutprostratedintellect。Itcontainedsomeinsanelines，ascribedtoLeethedramaticpoet，commencing，Othatmylungscouldbleatlikebutteredpease，&c。
　　ThereisnoproofwhateverthatthesemiserablelineswerereallywrittenbyLee，exceptthatthemeasureisthefashionablequatrainoftheperiod。ItissingularthatStantonreadonwithoutsuspicionofhisowndanger，quiteabsorbedinthealbumofamadhouse，withouteverreflectingontheplacewherehewas，andwhichsuchcompositionstoomanifestlydesignated。
　　Itwasafteralongintervalthathelookedround，andperceivedthathiscompanionwasgone。Bellswereunusualthen。Heproceededtothedoor，——itwasfastened。Hecalledaloud，——hisvoicewasechoedinamomentbymanyothers，butintonessowildanddiscordant，thathedesistedininvoluntaryterror。Asthedayadvanced，andnooneapproached，hetriedthewindow，andthenperceivedforthefirsttimeitwasgrated。Itlookedoutonthenarrowflaggedyard，inwhichnohumanbeingwas。andiftherehad，fromsuchabeingnohumanfeelingcouldhavebeenextracted。
　　Sickeningwithunspeakablehorror，hesunkratherthansatdownbesidethemiserablewindow，andwishedforday……
　　Atmidnighthestartedfromadoze，halfaswoon，halfasleep，whichprobablythehardnessofhisseat，andofthedealtableonwhichheleaned，hadnotcontributedtoprolong。
　　Hewasincompletedarkness。thehorrorofhissituationstruckhimatonce，andforamomenthewasindeedalmostqualifiedforaninmateofthatdreadfulmansion。Hefelthiswaytothedoor，shookitwithdesperatestrength，andutteredthemostfrightfulcries，mixedwithexpostulationsandcommands。Hiscrieswereinamomentechoedbyahundredvoices。Inmaniacsthereisapeculiarmalignity，accompaniedbyanextraordinaryacutenessofsomeofthesenses，particularlyindistinguishingthevoiceofastranger。
　　Thecriesthatheheardoneverysideseemedlikeawildandinfernalyellofjoy，thattheirmansionofmiseryhadobtainedanothertenant。
　　Hepaused，exhausted，——aquickandthunderingstepwasheardinthepassage。Thedoorwasopened，andamanofsavageappearancestoodattheentrance，——twomorewereseenindistinctlyinthepassage。
　　Releaseme，villain！——Stop，myfinefellow，what’sallthisnoisefor？WhereamI？Whereyououghttobe。Willyoudaretodetainme？——Yes，andalittlemorethanthat，answeredtheruffian，applyingaloadedhorsewhiptohisbackandshoulders，tillthepatientsoonfelltothegroundconvulsedwithrageandpain。Nowyouseeyouarewhereyououghttobe，repeatedtheruffian，brandishingthehorsewhipoverhim，andnowtaketheadviceofafriend，andmakenomorenoise。Theladsarereadyforyouwiththedarbies，andthey’llclinkthemoninthecrackofthiswhip，unlessyoupreferanothertouchofitfirst。Theythenwereadvancingintotheroomashespoke，withfettersintheirhandsstraitwaistcoatsbeingthenlittleknownorused，andshowed，bytheirfrightfulcountenancesandgestures，nounwillingnesstoapplythem。TheirharshrattleonthestonepavementmadeStanton’sbloodruncold。theeffect，however，wasuseful。Hehadthepresenceofmindtoacknowledgehissupposed
　　miserablecondition，tosupplicatetheforbearanceoftheruthlesskeeper，andpromisecompletesubmissiontohisorders。Thispacifiedtheruffian，andheretired。
　　Stantoncollectedallhisresolutiontoencounterthehorriblenight。hesawallthatwasbeforehim，andsummonedhimselftomeetit。Aftermuchagitateddeliberation，heconceiveditbesttocontinuethesameappearanceofsubmissionandtranquillity，hopingthatthushemightintimeeitherpropitiatethewretchesinwhosehandshewas，or，byhisapparentinoffensiveness，procuresuchopportunitiesofindulgence，asmightperhapsultimatelyfacilitatehisescape。Hethereforedeterminedtoconducthimselfwiththeutmosttranquillity，andnevertolethisvoicebeheardinthehouse。andhelaiddownseveralotherresolutionswithadegreeofprudencewhichhealreadyshudderedtothinkmightbethecunningofincipientmadness，orthebeginningresultofthehorridhabitsoftheplace。
　　Theseresolutionswereputtodesperatetrialthatverynight。
　　JustnexttoStanton’sapartmentwerelodgedtwomostuncongenialneighbors。Oneofthemwasapuritanicalweaver，whohadbeendrivenmadbyasinglesermonfromthecelebratedHughPeters，andwassenttothemadhouseasfullofelectionandreprobationashecouldhold，——andfuller。Heregularlyrepeatedoverthefivepointswhiledaylightlasted，andimaginedhimselfpreachinginaconventiclewithdistinguishedsuccess。towardtwilighthisvisionsweremoregloomy，andatmidnighthisblasphemiesbecamehorrible。
　　Intheoppositecellwaslodgedaloyalisttailor，whohadbeenruinedbygivingcredittothecavaliersandtheirladies，——foratthistime，andmuchlater，downtothereignofAnne，tailorswereemployedbyfemaleseventomakeandfitontheirstays，——whohadrunmadwithdrinkandloyaltyontheburningoftheRump，andeversincehadmadethecellsofthemadhouseechowithfragmentsoftheill-fatedColonelLovelace’ssong，scrapsfromCowley’sCutterofColemanstreet，andsomecuriousspecimensfromMrs。AphraBehn’splays，wherethecavaliersaredenominatedtheheroicks，andLadyLambertandLadyDesboroughrepresentedasgoingtomeeting，theirlargeBiblescarriedbeforethembytheirpages，andfallinginlovewithtwobanishedcavaliersbytheway。Thevoiceinwhichheshriekedoutsuchwordswaspowerfullyhorrible，butitwaslikethemoanofaninfantcomparedtothevoicewhichtookupandreechoedthecry，inatonethatmadethebuildingshake。Itwasthevoiceofamaniac，whohadlostherhusband，children，subsistence，andfinallyherreason，inthedreadfulfireofLondon。Thecryoffireneverfailedtooperatewithterriblepunctualityonherassociations。Shehadbeeninadisturbedsleep，andnowstartedfromitassuddenlyasonthatdreadfulnight。ItwasSaturdaynighttoo，andshewasalwaysobservedtobeparticularlyviolentonthatnight，——itwastheterribleweeklyfestivalofinsanitywithher。Shewasawake，andbusyinamomentescapingfromtheflames。andshedramatizedthewholescenewithsuchhideousfidelity，thatStanton’sresolutionwasfarmoreindangerfromherthanfromthebattlebetweenhisneighborsTestimonyandHothead。Shebeganexclaimingshewassuffocatedbythesmoke。thenshesprungfromherbed，callingforalight，andappearedtobestruckbythesuddenglarethatburstthroughhercasement——Thelastday，sheshrieked，Thelastday！Theveryheavensareonfire！——ThatwillnotcometilltheManofSinbefirstdestroyed，criedtheweaver。thouravestoflightandfire，andyetthouartinutterdarkness——Ipitythee，poormadsoul，I
　　pitythee！Themaniacneverheededhim。sheappearedtobescramblingupastaircasetoherchildren’sroom。Sheexclaimedshewasscorched，singed，suffocated。hercourageappearedtofail，andsheretreated。Butmychildrenarethere！shecriedinavoiceofunspeakableagony，assheseemedtomakeanothereffort。
　　hereIam——hereIamcometosaveyou——OhGod！Theyareallblazing！——Takethisarm——no，notthat，itisscorchedanddisabled——
　　well，anyarm——takeholdofmyclothes——no，theyareblazingtoo！——
　　Well，takemeallonfireasIam！——Andtheirhair，howithisses！——Water，onedropofwaterformyyoungest——heisbutaninfant——formyyoungest，andletmeburn！Shepausedinhorridsilence，towatchthefallofablazingrafterthatwasabouttoshatterthestaircaseonwhichshestood——Theroofhasfallenonmyhead！sheexclaimed。Theearthisweak，andalltheinhabitantsthereof，chantedtheweaver。Ibearupthepillarsofit。
　　Themaniacmarkedthedestructionofthespotwhereshethoughtshestoodbyonedesperatebound，accompaniedbyawildshriek，andthencalmlygazedonherinfantsastheyrolledoverthescorchingfragments，andsunkintotheabyssoffirebelow。Theretheygo，——
　　one——two——three——all！andhervoicesunkintolowmutterings，andherconvulsionsintofaint，coldshudderings，likethesobbingsofaspentstorm，assheimaginedherselftostandinsafetyanddespair，amidthethousandhouselesswretchesassembledinthesuburbsofLondononthedreadfulnightsafterthefire，withoutfood，roof，orraiment，allgazingontheburningruinsoftheirdwellingsandtheirproperty。Sheseemedtolistentotheircomplaints，andevenrepeatedsomeofthemveryaffectingly，butinvariablyansweredthemwiththesamewords，ButIhavelostallmychildren——all！Itwasremarkable，thatwhenthissuffererbegantorave，alltheothersbecamesilent。Thecryofnaturehushedeveryothercry，——shewastheonlypatientinthehousewhowasnotmadfrompolitics，religion，ebriety，orsomepervertedpassion。andterrifyingastheoutbreakofherfrenzyalwayswas，Stantonusedtoawaititasakindofrelieffromthedissonant，melancholy，andludicrousravingsoftheothers。
　　Buttheutmosteffortsofhisresolutionbegantosinkunderthecontinuedhorrorsoftheplace。Theimpressiononhissensesbegantodefythepowerofreasontoresistthem。Hecouldnotshutoutthesefrightfulcriesnightlyrepeated，northefrightfulsoundofthewhipemployedtostillthem。Hopebegantofailhim，asheobserved，thatthesubmissivetranquillitywhichhehadimagined，byobtainingincreasedindulgence，mightcontributetohisescape，orperhapsconvincethekeeperofhissanitywasinterpretedbythecallousruffian，whowasacquaintedonlywiththevarietiesofMADNESS，asamorerefinedspeciesofthatcunningwhichhewaswellaccustomedtowatchandbaffle。
　　Onhisfirstdiscoveryofhissituation，hehaddeterminedtotaketheutmostcareofhishealthandintellectthattheplaceallowed，asthesolebasisofhishopeofdeliverance。Butasthathopedeclined，heneglectedthemeansofrealizingit。Hehadatfirstrisenearly，walkedincessantlyabouthiscell，andavailedhimselfofeveryopportunityofbeingintheopenair。Hetookthestrictestcareofhispersoninpointofcleanliness，andwithorwithoutappetite，regularlyforceddownhismiserablemeals。andalltheseeffortswereevenpleasant，aslongashopepromptedthem。Butnowhebegantorelaxthemall。Hepassedhalfthedayinhiswretchedbed，inwhichhefrequentlytookhismeals，declinedshavingorchanginghislinen，and，whenthesunshoneintohiscell，heturnedfromitonhisstrawwithasighofheartbrokendespondency。Formerly，whentheairbreathedthroughhisgrating，heusedtosay，Blessedairofheaven，Ishallbreatheyouoncemoreinfreedom！——ReserveallyourfreshnessforthatdeliciouseveningwhenIshallinhaleyou，andbeasfreeasyoumyself。Nowwhenhefeltit，hesighedandsaidnothing。Thetwitterofthesparrows，thepatteringofrain，orthemoanofthewind，soundsthatheusedtositupinhisbedtocatchwithdelight，asremindinghimofnature，werenowunheeded。
　　Hebeganattimestolistenwithsullenandhorriblepleasuretothecriesofhismiserablecompanions。Hebecamesqualid，listless，torpid，anddisgustinginhisappearance……
　　Itwasoneofthosedismalnights，that，ashetossedonhisloathsomebed，——moreloathsomefromtheimpossibilitytoquititwithoutfeelingmoreunrest，——heperceivedthemiserablelightthatburnedinthehearthwasobscuredbytheinterventionofsomedarkobject。Heturnedfeeblytowardthelight，withoutcuriosity，withoutexcitement，butwithawishtodiversifythemonotonyofhismisery，byobservingtheslightestchangemadeevenaccidentallyintheduskyatmosphereofhiscell。BetweenhimandthelightstoodthefigureofMelmoth，justashehadseenhimfromthefirst。thefigurewasthesame。theexpressionofthefacewasthesame，——cold，stony，andrigid。theeyes，withtheirinfernalanddazzlingluster，werestillthesame。
　　Stanton’srulingpassionrushedonhissoul。hefeltthisapparitionlikeasummonstoahighandfearfulencounter。Heheardhisheartbeataudibly，andcouldhaveexclaimedwithLee’sunfortunateheroine，——Itpantsascowardsdobeforeabattle。Ohthegreatmarchhassounded！
　　Melmothapproachedhimwiththatfrightfulcalmnessthatmockstheterroritexcites。Myprophecyhasbeenfulfilled——yourisetomeetmerattlingfromyourchains，andrustlingfromyourstraw——amInotatrueprophet？Stantonwassilent。Isnotyoursituationverymiserable？——StillStantonwassilent。forhewasbeginningtobelievethisanillusionofmadness。Hethoughttohimself，Howcouldhehavegainedentrancehere？——Wouldyounotwishtobedeliveredfromit？Stantontossedonhisstraw，anditsrustlingseemedtoanswerthequestion。Ihavethepowertodeliveryoufromit。Melmothspokeveryslowlyandverysoftly，andthemelodioussmoothnessofhisvoicemadeafrightfulcontrasttothestonyrigorofhisfeatures，andthefiendlikebrilliancyofhiseyes。Whoareyou，andwhencecomeyou？saidStanton，inatonethatwasmeanttobeinterrogatoryandimperative，butwhich，fromhishabitsofsqualiddebility，wasatoncefeebleandquerulous。
　　Hisintellecthadbecomeaffectedbythegloomofhismiserablehabitation，asthewretchedinmateofasimilarmansion，whenproducedbeforeamedicalexaminer，wasreportedtobeacompleteAlbino——Hisskinwasbleached，hiseyesturnedwhite。hecouldnotbearthelight。and，whenexposedtoit，heturnedawaywithamixtureofweaknessandrestlessness，morelikethewrithingsofasickinfantthanthestrugglesofaman。
　　SuchwasStanton’ssituation。Hewasenfeeblednow，andthepoweroftheenemyseemedwithoutapossibilityofoppositionfromeitherhisintellectualorcorporealpowers……
　　Ofalltheirhorribledialogue，onlythesewordswerelegibleinthemanuscript，Youknowmenow——Ialwaysknewyou——Thatisfalse。youimaginedyoudid，andthathasbeenthecauseofallthewild。ofthe……ofyourfinallybeinglodgedinthismansionofmisery，whereonlyIwouldseek，whereonlyIcansuccoryou——You，demon！——
　　Demon！——Harshwords！——Wasitademonorahumanbeingplacedyouhere？——Listentome，Stanton。nay，wrapnotyourselfinthatmiserableblanket，——thatcannotshutoutmywords。Believeme，wereyoufoldedinthunderclouds，youmusthearME！Stanton，thinkofyourmisery。Thesebarewalls——whatdotheypresenttotheintellectortothesenses？——Whitewash，diversifiedwiththescrawlsofcharcoalorredchalk，thatyourhappypredecessorshaveleftforyoutotraceover。Youhaveatastefordrawing——Itrustitwillimprove。Andhere’sagrating，throughwhichthesunsquintsonyoulikeastepdame，andthebreezeblows，asifitmeanttotantalizeyouwithasighfromthatsweetmouth，whosekissyoumustneverenjoy。Andwhere’syourlibrary，——intellectualman，——traveledman？herepeatedinatoneofbitterderision。
　　wherebeyourcompanions，yourpeakedmenofcountries，asyourfavoriteShakespearehasit？Youmustbecontentwiththespiderandtherat，tocrawlandscratchroundyourflockbed！IhaveknownprisonersintheBastilletofeedthemforcompanions，——whydon’tyoubeginyourtask？Ihaveknownaspidertodescendatthetapofafinger，andarattocomeforthwhenthedailymealwasbrought，toshareitwithhisfellowprisoner！——Howdelightfultohaveverminforyourguests！Aye，andwhenthefeastfailsthem，theymakeamealoftheirentertainer！——Youshudder——Areyou，then，thefirstprisonerwhohasbeendevouredalivebytheverminthatinfestedhiscell？——Delightfulbanquet，not’whereyoueat，butwhereyouareeaten’！Yourguests，however，willgiveyouonetokenofrepentancewhiletheyfeed。therewillbegnashingofteeth，andyoushallhearit，andfeelittooperchance！——Andthenformeals——Ohyouaredaintilyoff！——Thesoupthatthecathaslapped。andasherprogenyhasprobablycontributedtothehellbrothwhynot？Thenyourhoursofsolitude，deliciouslydiversifiedbytheyelloffamine，thehowlofmadness，thecrashofwhips，andthebroken-heartedsobofthosewho，likeyou，aresupposed，orDRIVENmadbythecrimesofothers！——Stanton，doyouimagineyourreasoncanpossiblyholdoutamidsuchscenes？——
　　Supposingyourreasonwasunimpaired，yourhealthnotdestroyed，——
　　supposeallthis，whichis，afterall，morethanfairsuppositioncangrant，guesstheeffectofthecontinuanceofthesescenesonyoursensesalone。Atimewillcome，andsoon，when，frommerehabit，youwillechothescreamofeverydeliriouswretchthatharborsnearyou。thenyouwillpause，claspyourhandsonyourthrobbinghead，andlistenwithhorribleanxietywhetherthescreamproceededfromYOUorTHEM。Thetimewillcome，when，fromthewantofoccupation，thelistlessandhorriblevacancyofyourhours，youwillfeelasanxioustohearthoseshrieks，asyouwereatfirstterrifiedtohearthem，——whenyouwillwatchfortheravingsofyournextneighbor，asyouwouldforasceneonthestage。Allhumanitywillbeextinguishedinyou。Theravingsofthesewretcheswillbecomeatonceyoursportandyourtorture。
　　Youwillwatchforthesounds，tomockthemwiththegrimacesandbellowingsofafiend。Themindhasapowerofaccommodatingitselftoitssituation，thatyouwillexperienceinitsmostfrightfulanddeplorableefficacy。Thencomesthedreadfuldoubtofone’sownsanity，theterribleannouncerthatTHATdoubtwillsoonbecomefear，andTHATfearcertainty。PerhapsstillmoredreadfultheFEARwillatlastbecomeaHOPE，——shutoutfromsociety，watchedbyabrutalkeeper，writhingwithalltheimpotentagonyofanincarceratedmind，withoutcommunicationandwithoutsympathy，unabletoexchangeideasbutwiththosewhoseideasareonlythehideousspectersofdepartedintellect，oreventohearthewelcomesoundofthehumanvoice，excepttomistakeitforthehowlofafiend，andstoptheeardesecratedbyitsintrusion，——
　　thenatlastyourfearwillbecomeamorefearfulhope。youwillwishtobecomeoneofthem，toescapetheagonyofconsciousness。
　　Asthosewhohavelongleanedoveraprecipice，haveatlastfeltadesiretoplungebelow，torelievetheintolerabletemptationoftheirgiddiness，*youwillhearthemlaughamidtheirwildestparoxysms。youwillsay，’Doubtlessthosewretcheshavesomeconsolation，butIhavenone。mysanityismygreatestcurseinthisabodeofhorrors。Theygreedilydevourtheirmiserablemeals，whileIloathemine。Theysleepsometimessoundly，whilemysleepis——worsethantheirwaking。Theyarerevivedeverymorningbysomedeliciousillusionofcunningmadness，soothingthemwiththehopeofescaping，bafflingortormentingtheirkeeper。mysanityprecludesallsuchhope。IKNOWINEVERCANESCAPE，andthepreservationofmyfacultiesisonlyanaggravationofmysufferings。Ihavealltheirmiseries，——Ihavenoneoftheirconsolations。Theylaugh，——Ihearthem。wouldIcouldlaughlikethem。’Youwilltry，andtheveryeffortwillbeaninvocationtothedemonofinsanitytocomeandtakefullpossessionofyoufromthatmomentforever。
　　*Afact，relatedtomebyapersonwhowasnearcommittingsuicideinasimilarsituation，toescapewhathecalledtheexcruciatingtortureofgiddiness。
　　Therewereotherdetails，bothofthemenacesandtemptationsemployedbyMelmoth，whicharetoohorribleforinsertion。Oneofthemmayserveforaninstance。
　　Youthinkthattheintellectualpowerissomethingdistinctfromthevitalityofthesoul，or，inotherwords，thatifevenyourreasonshouldbedestroyedwhichitnearlyis，yoursoulmightyetenjoybeatitudeinthefullexerciseofitsenlargedandexaltedfaculties，andallthecloudswhichobscuredthembedispelledbytheSunofRighteousness，inwhosebeamsyouhopetobaskforeverandever。Now，withoutgoingintoanymetaphysicalsubtletiesaboutthedistinctionbetweenmindandsoul，experiencemustteachyou，thattherecanbenocrimeintowhichmadmenwouldnot，anddonot，precipitatethemselves。mischiefistheiroccupation，malicetheirhabit，murdertheirsport，andblasphemytheirdelight。Whetherasoulinthisstatecanbeinahopefulone，itisforyoutojudge。butitseemstome，thatwiththelossofreasonandreasoncannotlongberetainedinthisplaceyoulosealsothehopeofimmortality——Listen，saidthetempter，pausing，listentothewretchwhoisravingnearyou，andwhoseblasphemiesmightmakeademonstart——Hewasonceaneminentpuritanicalpreacher。Halfthedayheimagineshimselfinapulpit，denouncingdamnationagainstPapists，Arminians，andevenSublapsarianshebeingaSupra-lapsarianhimself。Hefoams，hewrithes，hegnasheshisteeth。youwouldimaginehiminthehellhewaspainting，andthatthefireandbrimstoneheissolavishofwereactuallyexhalingfromhisjaws。Atnighthiscreedretaliatesonhim。hebelieveshimselfoneofthereprobateshehasbeenalldaydenouncing，andcursesGodfortheverydecreehehasalldaybeenglorifyingHimfor。
　　He，whomhehasfortwelvehoursbeenvociferating’istheloveliestamongtenthousand，’becomestheobjectofdemoniachostilityandexecration。Hegrappleswiththeironpostsofhisbed，andsaysheisrootingoutthecrossfromtheveryfoundationsofCalvary。anditisremarkable，thatinproportionashismorningexercisesareintense，vivid，andeloquent，hisnightlyblasphemiesareoutrageousandhorrible——Hark！Nowhebelieveshimselfademon。listentohisdiabolicaleloquenceofhorror！
　　Stantonlistened，andshuddered……
　　Escape——escapeforyourlife，criedthetempter。breakforthintolife，liberty，andsanity。Yoursocialhappiness，yourintellectualpowers，yourimmortalinterests，perhaps，dependonthechoiceofthismoment——Thereisthedoor，andthekeyisinmyhand——Choose——choose！——Andhowcomesthekeyinyourhand？andwhatistheconditionofmyliberation？saidStanton……
　　Theexplanationoccupiedseveralpages，which，tothetortureofyoungMelmoth，werewhollyillegible。Itseemed，however，tohavebeenrejectedbyStantonwiththeutmostrageandhorror，forMelmothatlastmadeout，——Begone，monster，demon！——begonetoyournativeplace。Eventhismansionofhorrortremblestocontainyou。
　　itswallssweat，anditsfloorsquiver，whileyoutreadthem……
　　Theconclusionofthisextraordinarymanuscriptwasinsuchastate，that，infifteenmoldyandcrumblingpages，Melmothcouldhardlymakeoutthatnumberoflines。Noantiquarian，unfoldingwithtremblinghandthecalcinedleavesofanHerculaneummanuscript，andhopingtodiscoversomelostlinesoftheAeneisinVirgil’sownautograph，oratleastsomeunutterableabominationofPetroniusorMartial，happilyelucidatoryofthemysteriesoftheSpintriae，ortheorgiesofthePhallicworshipers，everporedwithmorelucklessdiligence，orshookaheadofmorehopelessdespondencyoverhistask。Hecouldbutjustmakeoutwhattendedrathertoexcitethanassuagethatfeverishthirstofcuriositywhichwasconsuminghisinmostsoul。ThemanuscripttoldnomoreofMelmoth，butmentionedthatStantonwasfinallyliberatedfromhisconfinement，——thathispursuitofMelmothwasincessantandindefatigable，——thathehimselfallowedittobeaspeciesofinsanity，——thatwhileheacknowledgedittobethemasterpassion，healsofeltitthemastertormentofhislife。HeagainvisitedtheContinent，returnedtoEngland，——pursued，inquired，traced，bribed，butinvain。Thebeingwhomhehadmetthrice，undercircumstancessoextraordinary，hewasfatednevertoencounteragainINHISLIFETIME。Atlength，discoveringthathehadbeenborninIreland，heresolvedtogothere，——went，andfoundhispursuitagainfruitless，andhisinquiriesunanswered。Thefamilyknewnothingofhim，oratleastwhattheykneworimagined，theyprudentlyrefusedtodisclosetoastranger，andStantondepartedunsatisfied。Itisremarkable，thathetoo，asappearedfrommanyhalf-obliteratedpagesofthemanuscript，neverdisclosedtomortaltheparticularsoftheirconversationinthemadhouse。andtheslightestallusiontoitthrewhimintofitsofrageandgloomequallysingularandalarming。Heleftthemanuscript，however，inthehandsofthefamily，possiblydeeming，fromtheirincuriosity，theirapparentindifferencetotheirrelative，ortheirobviousunacquaintancewithreadingofanykind，manuscriptorbooks，hisdepositwouldbesafe。Heseems，infact，tohaveactedlikemen，who，indistressatsea，intrusttheirlettersanddispatchestoabottlesealed，andcommitittothewaves。Thelastlinesofthemanuscriptthatwerelegible，weresufficientlyextraordinary……
　　Ihavesoughthimeverywhere——Thedesireofmeetinghimoncemoreisbecomeasaburningfirewithinme，——itisthenecessaryconditionofmyexistence。IhavevainlysoughthimatlastinIreland，ofwhichIfindheisanative——Perhapsourfinalmeetingwillbein……
　　SuchwastheconclusionofthemanuscriptwhichMelmothfoundinhisuncle’scloset。Whenhehadfinishedit，hesunkdownonthetablenearwhichhehadbeenreadingit，hisfacehidinhisfoldedarms，hissensesreeling，hismindinamingledstateofstuporandexcitement。Afterafewmoments，heraisedhimselfwithaninvoluntarystart，andsawthepicturegazingathimfromitscanvas。Hewaswithinteninchesofitashesat，andtheproximityappearedincreasedbythestronglightthatwasaccidentallythrownonit，anditsbeingtheonlyrepresentationofahumanfigureintheroom。Melmothfeltforamomentasifhewereabouttoreceiveanexplanationfromitslips。
　　Hegazedonitinreturn，——allwassilentinthehouse，——theywerealonetogether。Theillusionsubsidedatlength：andasthemindrapidlypassestooppositeextremes，herememberedtheinjunctionofhisuncletodestroytheportrait。Heseizedit——hishandshookatfirst，butthemolderingcanvasappearedtoassisthimintheeffort。Hetoreitfromtheframewithacryhalfterrific，halftriumphant，——itfellathisfeet，andheshudderedasitfell。
　　Heexpectedtohearsomefearfulsounds，someunimaginablebreathingsofprophetichorror，followthisactofsacrilege，forsuchhefeltit，toteartheportraitofhisancestorfromhisnativewalls。Hepausedandlistened：——Therewasnovoice，noranythatanswered——butasthewrinkledandtorncanvasfelltothefloor，itsundulationsgavetheportraittheappearanceofsmiling。Melmothfelthorrorindescribableatthistransientandimaginaryresuscitationofthefigure。Hecaughtitup，rushedintothenextroom，tore，cut，andhackeditineverydirection，andeagerlywatchedthefragmentsthatburnedliketinderintheturffirewhichhadbeenlitinhisroom。AsMelmothsawthelastblaze，hethrewhimselfintobed，inhopeofadeepandintensesleep。Hehaddonewhatwasrequiredofhim，andfeltexhaustedbothinmindandbody。buthisslumberwasnotsosoundashehadhopedfor。Thesullenlightoftheturffire，burningbutneverblazing，disturbedhimeverymoment。Heturnedandturned，butstilltherewasthesameredlightglaringon，butnotilluminating，theduskyfurnitureoftheapartment。Thewindwashighthatnight，andasthecreakingdoorswungonitshinges，everynoiseseemedlikethesoundofahandstrugglingwiththelock，orofafootpausingonthethreshold。ButforMelmothnevercoulddecidewasitinadreamornot，thathesawthefigureofhisancestorappearatthedoor？——hesitatinglyashesawhimatfirstonthenightofhisuncle’sdeath，——sawhimentertheroom，approachhisbed，andheardhimwhisper，Youhaveburnedme，then。butthoseareflamesIcansurvive——Iamalive，——Iambesideyou。Melmothstarted，sprungfromhisbed，——itwasbroaddaylight。Helookedround，——therewasnohumanbeingintheroombuthimself。Hefeltaslightpaininthewristofhisrightarm。
　　Helookedatit，itwasblackandblue，asfromtherecentgripeofastronghand。
　　Balzac’stale，MelmothReconciled，inVol。IV。，furnishesasolutiontotheterribleproblemwhichMaturinhasstatedinthisstory——EDITOR’SNOTE。
　　IntroductiontoAMysterywithaMoral
　　ThenextMysteryStoryislikenootherinthesevolumes。Theeditor’sdefenseliesinthepleathatLaurenceSterneisnotlikeotherwritersofEnglish。Heiscertainlyoneoftheverygreatest。Yetnowadaysheisgenerallyunknown。Hisrollickingfrankness，hisaudaciousunconventionality，areenoughtoaccountfortheneglect。EventheeasymanneredEnglandof1760openeditseyesinhorrorwhenTristramShandyappeared。Amostunclericalclergyman，thepublicpronouncedtherectorofSuttonandprebendaryofYork。
　　Besides，hisstylewasramblingtothelastdegree。Plotconcernedhimleastofallauthorsoffiction。
　　Forinstance，itismorethandoubtfulthatthewhimsicalparsonreallyINTENDEDamoraltobereadintotheadventuresofhisSentimentalJourneythatfollowinthesepages。Heusedtodeclarethatheneverintendedanything——heneverknewwhitherhispenwasleading——therashimplement，onceinhand，waslikelytoflywithhimfromYorkshiretoItaly——ortoParis——oracrosstheroadtoUncleToby’s。andwhatcouldthehelplessauthordobutimproveeachoccasion？
　　Sohereisonesuchoccasionthusimprovedbydisjointedsequels——heedless，onewouldsay，andyetglitteringwiththeunreturnablethrustofsubtlewit，orsofteningwithsimpleemotion，likeathousandimmortalpassagesofthisrandomphilosopher。
　　EventheslightestturnsofSterne’spenbearinspiration。NolessacriticthanthesevereHazlittwassatisfiedthathisworksconsistonlyofbrilliantpassages。
　　AndbecausetheeditorsofthepresentvolumesfoundaddedtoTheMysterynotonlyaSolutionbutanApplicationofworldlywisdom，andaContrastinSterne’sbestveinofquiethappiness——
　　theyhavefeltemboldenedtoascribethepassageAMysterywithaMoral。
　　AsregardstheApplication：Sterneknewwhereofhewrote。HesoughttheSouthofFranceforhealthin1762，andwasrunafterandfetedbythemostbrilliantcirclesofParisianlitterateurs。
　　Thisforeignsojournfailedtocurehislungcomplaint，butsuggestedtheideatohimoftheramblingandcharmingSentimentalJourney。Onlythreeweeksafteritspublication，onMarch18，1768，SternediedaloneinhisLondonlodgings。
　　Spiteofallthatmarredhisgenius，hisworkhaslivedandwil1
　　live，ifonlyfortheexquisiteliteraryartwhichevermadegreatthingsoutoflittle——TheEDITOR。
　　LaurenceSterneAMysterywithaMoralParisianExperienceofParsonYorick，onhisSentimentalJourney
　　ARIDDLE
　　Iremainedatthegateofthehotelforsometime，lookingateveryonewhopassedby，andformingconjecturesuponthem，tillmyattentiongotfixeduponasingleobject，whichconfoundedallkindofreasoninguponhim。
　　Itwasatallfigureofaphilosophic，seriousadultlook，whichpassedandrepassedsedatelyalongthestreet，makingaturnofaboutsixtypacesoneachsideofthegateofthehotel。Themanwasaboutfifty-two，hadasmallcaneunderhisarm，wasdressedinadarkdrab-coloredcoat，waistcoat，andbreeches，whichseemedtohaveseensomeyears’service。Theywerestillclean，andtherewasalittleairoffrugalproprietethroughouthim。Byhispullingoffhishat，andhisattitudeofaccostingagoodmanyinhisway，Isawhewasaskingcharity。soIgotasousortwooutofmypocket，readytogivehimashetookmeinhisturn。Hepassedbymewithoutaskinganything，andyethedidnotgofivestepsfartherbeforeheaskedcharityofalittlewoman。Iwasmuchmorelikelytohavegivenofthetwo。Hehadscarcedonewiththewoman，whenhepulledhishatofftoanotherwhowascomingthesameway。Anancientgentlemancameslowly，andafterhimayoungsmartone。Heletthembothpassandaskednothing。Istoodobservinghimhalfanhour，inwhichtimehehadmadeadozenturnsbackwardandforward，andfoundthatheinvariablypursuedthesameplan。
　　Thereweretwothingsverysingularinthiswhichsetmybraintowork，andtonopurpose。thefirstwas，whythemanshouldonlytellhisstorytothesex。andsecondly，whatkindofastoryitwasandwhatspeciesofeloquenceitcouldbewhichsoftenedtheheartsofthewomenwhichheknewitwastonopurposetopracticeuponthemen。
　　Thereweretwoothercircumstanceswhichentangledthismystery。
　　Theonewas，hetoldeverywomanwhathehadtosayinherear，andinawaywhichhadmuchmoretheairofasecretthanapetition。
　　theotherwas，itwasalwayssuccessful——heneverstoppedawomanbutshepulledoutherpurseandimmediatelygavehimsomething。
　　Icouldformnosystemtoexplainthephenomenon。
　　Ihadgotariddletoamusemefortherestoftheevening，soI
　　walkedupstairstomychamber。
　　OVERHEARD
　　Themanwhoeitherdisdainsorfearstowalkupadarkentrymaybeanexcellent，goodman，andfitforahundredthings，buthewillnotdotomakeasentimentaltraveler。IcountlittleofthemanythingsIseepassatbroadnoonday，inlargeandopenstreets。
　　Natureisshy，andhatestoactbeforespectators。butinsuchanunobservablecorneryousometimesseeasingleshortsceneofhersworthallthesentimentsofadozenFrenchplayscompoundedtogether。andyettheyareABSOLUTELYfine，andwheneverIhaveamorebrilliantaffairuponmyhandsthancommon，astheysuitapreacherjustaswellasahero，Igenerallymakemysermonoutofthem，andforthetext，Cappadocia，PontusandAsia，PhrygiaandPamphilia，isasgoodasanyoneintheBible。
　　Thereisalong，darkpassageissuingoutfromtheOperaComiqueintoanarrowstreet。Itistrodbyafewwhohumblywaitforafiacre*orwishtogetoffquietlyo’footwhentheoperaisdone。
　　Attheendofit，towardthetheater，’tislightedbyasmallcandle，thelightofwhichisalmostlostbeforeyougethalfwaydown，butnearthedoor——itismoreforornamentthanuse——youseeitasafixedstaroftheleastmagnitude。itburns，butdoeslittlegoodtotheworldthatweknowof。
　　*Hackneycoach。
　　Inreturning[fromtheopera]alongthispassage，Idiscerned，asI
　　approachedwithinfiveorsixpacesofthedoor，twoladiesstandingarminarmwiththeirbacksagainstthewall，waiting，asIimagined，forafiacre。Astheywerenextthedoor，Ithoughttheyhadapriorright，soIedgedmyselfupwithinayardorlittlemoreofthem，andquietlytookmystand。Iwasinblackandscarceseen。
　　Theladynextmewasatall，leanfigureofawomanofaboutthirty-six。theother，ofthesamesizeandmakeofaboutforty。
　　Therewasnomarkofwifeorwidowinanyonepartofeitherofthem。Theyseemedtobetwouprightvestalsisters，unsappedbycaresses，unbrokeinuponbytendersalutations。Icouldhavewishedtohavemadethemhappy。Theirhappinesswasdestined，thatnight，tocomefromanotherquarter。
　　Alowvoicewithagoodturnofexpressionandsweetcadenceattheendofit，beggedforatwelve-souspiecebetweenthemfortheloveofheaven。Ithoughtitsingularthatabeggarshouldfixthequotaofanalms，andthatthesumshouldbetwelvetimesasmuchaswhatisusuallygiveninthedark。Theybothseemedastonishedatitasmuchasmyself。Twelvesous，saidone。Atwelve-souspiece，saidtheother，andmadenoreply。
　　Thepoormansaidheknewnothowtoasklessofladiesoftheirrank，andboweddownhisheadtotheground。
　　Pooh！saidthey，wehavenomoney。
　　Thebeggarremainedsilentforamomentortwo，andrenewedhissupplication。
　　Donot，myfairyoungladies，saidhe，stopyourgoodearsagainstme。
　　Uponmyword，honestman，saidtheyounger，wehavenochange。
　　ThenGodblessyou，saidthepoorman，andmultiplythosejoyswhichyoucangivetootherswithoutchange。
　　Iobservedtheoldersisterputherhandintoherpocket。Iwillsee，saidshe，ifIhaveasous。
　　Asous！Givetwelve，saidthesuppliant。Naturehasbeenbountifultoyou。bebountifultoapoorman。
　　Iwould，friend，withallmyheart，saidtheyounger，ifIhadit。
　　Myfaircharitable，saidhe，addressinghimselftotheelder，whatisitbutyourgoodnessandhumanitywhichmakeyourbrighteyessosweetthattheyoutshinethemorningeveninthisdarkpassage？AndwhatwasitwhichmadetheMarquisdeSanterreandhisbrothersaysomuchofyouboth，astheyjustpassedby？
　　Thetwoladiesseemedmuchaffected，andimpulsivelyatthesametimetheyputtheirhandsintotheirpocketsandeachtookoutatwelve-souspiece。
　　Thecontestbetweenthemandthepoorsuppliantwasnomore。Itwascontinuedbetweenthemselveswhichofthetwoshouldgivethetwelve-souspieceincharity，and，toendthedispute，theybothgaveittogether，andthemanwentaway。
　　SOLUTION
　　Isteppedhastilyafterhim。itwastheverymanwhosesuccessinaskingcharityofthewomanbeforethedoorofthehotelhadsopuzzledme，andIfoundatoncehissecret，oratleastthebasisofit：itwasflattery。
　　Deliciousessence！howrefreshingartthoutoNature！Howstronglyareallitspowersandallitsweaknessesonthyside！Howsweetlydostthoumixwiththeblood，andhelpitthroughthemostdifficultandtortuouspassagestotheheart！
　　Thepoorman，ashewasnotstraitenedfortime，hadgivenithereinalargerdose。Itiscertainhehadawayofbringingitintolessformforthemanysuddencauseshehadtodowithinthestreets。buthowhecontrivedtocorrect，sweeten，concenter，andqualifyit——Ivexnotmyspiritwiththeinquiry。Itisenough，thebeggargainedtwotwelve-souspieces，andtheycanbesttelltherestwhohavegainedmuchgreatermattersbyit。
　　APPLICATION
　　Wegetforwardintheworldnotsomuchbydoingservicesasreceivingthem。Youtakeawitheringtwigandputitintheground，andthenyouwateritbecauseyouhaveplantedit。
　　MonsieurleComtedeB——，merelybecausehehaddonemeonekindnessintheaffairofmypassport，wouldgoonanddomeanotherthefewdayshewasatParis，inmakingmeknowntoafewpeopleofrank。andtheyweretopresentmetoothers，andsoon。
　　IhadgotmasterofmySECRETjustintimetoturnthesehonorstosomelittleaccount。otherwise，asiscommonlythecase，Ishouldhavedinedorsuppedasingletimeortworound，andthenbyTRANSLATINGFrenchlooksandattitudesintoplainEnglish，IshouldpresentlyhaveseenthatIhadgotholdofthecouvert*ofsomemoreentertainingguest。andincourseoftimeshouldhaveresignedallmyplacesoneafteranother，merelyupontheprinciplethatI
　　couldnotkeepthem。Asitwas，thingsdidnotgomuchamiss。
　　*Plate，napkin，knife，fork，andspoon。
　　IhadthehonorofbeingintroducedtotheoldMarquisdeB。
　　IndaysofyorehehadsignalizedhimselfbysomesmallfeatsofchivalryintheCourd’Amour，andhaddressedhimselfouttotheideaoftiltsandtournamentseversince。TheMarquisdeB——
　　wishedtohaveitthoughttheaffairwassomewhereelsethaninhisbrain。HecouldliketotakeatriptoEngland，andaskedmuchoftheEnglishladies。Staywhereyouare，Ibeseechyou，MonsieurleMarquis，saidI。LesMessieursAnglaiscanscarcegetakindlookfromthemasitis。Themarquisinvitedmetosupper。
　　M。P——，thefarmer-general，wasjustasinquisitiveaboutourtaxes。Theywereveryconsiderable，heheard。Ifweknewbuthowtocollectthem，saidI，makinghimalowbow。
　　IcouldneverhavebeeninvitedtoM。P——’sconcertsuponanyotherterms。
　　IhadbeenmisrepresentedtoMme。deQ——asanesprit——Mme。deQ——
　　wasanespritherself。sheburnedwithimpatiencetoseemeandhearmetalk。IhadnottakenmyseatbeforeIsawshedidnotcareasouwhetherIhadanywitorno。Iwasletintobeconvincedshehad。IcallHeaventowitnessIneveronceopenedthedoorofmylips。
　　Mme。deV——vowedtoeverycreatureshemet，Shehadneverhadamoreimprovingconversationwithamaninherlife。
　　TherearethreeepochsintheempireofaFrenchwoman——sheiscoquette，thendeist，thendevote。Theempireduringtheseisneverlost——sheonlychangeshersubjects。Whenthirty-fiveyearsandmorehaveunpeopledherdominionoftheslavesoflovesherepeoplesitwithslavesofinfidelity，and，thenwiththeslavesofthechurch。
　　Mme。deV——wasvibratingbetweenthefirstoftheseepochs。thecoloroftherosewasfadingfastaway。sheoughttohavebeenadeistfiveyearsbeforethetimeIhadthehonortopaymyfirstvisit。
　　Sheplacedmeuponthesamesofawithherforthesakeofdisputingthepointofreligionmoreclosely。Inshort，Mme。deV——toldmeshebelievednothing。
　　ItoldMme。deV——itmightbeherprinciple，butIwassureitcouldnotbeherinterest，toleveltheoutworks，withoutwhichI
　　couldnotconceivehowsuchacitadelasherscouldbedefended。
　　thattherewasnotamoredangerousthingintheworldthanforabeautytobeadeist。thatitwasadebtIowedmycreednottoconcealitfromher。thatIhadnotbeenfiveminutesuponthesofabesideherbeforeIhadbeguntoformdesigns。andwhatisitbutthesentimentsofreligion，andthepersuasiontheyhadexistedinherbreast，whichcouldhavecheckedthemastheyroseup？
　　Wearenotadamant，saidI，takingholdofherhand，andthereisneedofallrestraintstillageinherowntimestealsinandlaysthemonus。but，mydearlady，saidI，kissingherhand，itistoo——toosoon。
　　IdeclareIhadthecreditalloverParisofunpervertingMme。deV。SheaffirmedtoM。D——andtheAbbeM——thatinonehalfhourIhadsaidmoreforrevealedreligionthanalltheirencyclopaediahadsaidagainstit。IwaslisteddirectlyintoMme。
　　deV——o’scoterie，andsheputofftheepochofdeismfortwoyears。
　　Irememberitwasinthiscoterie，inthemiddleofadiscourse，inwhichIwasshowingthenecessityofafirstcause，thattheyoungCountdeFaineanttookmebythehandtothefarthestcorneroftheroom，totellmethatmysolitairewaspinnedtoostraitaboutmyneck。Itshouldbeplusbadinant，saidthecount，lookingdownuponhisown。butaword，M。Yorick，tothewise——
　　Andfromthewise，M。leComte，repliedI，makinghimabow，isenough。
　　TheCountdeFaineantembracedmewithmoreardorthaneverIwasembracedbymortalman。
　　ForthreeweekstogetherIwasofeveryman’sopinionImet。
　　Pardi！ceM。Yorickaautantd’espritquenousautres。
　　Ilraisonnebien，saidanother。
　　C’estunbonenfant，saidathird。
　　AndatthispriceIcouldhaveeatenanddrunkandbeenmerryallthedaysofmylifeatParis。butitwasadishonestreckoning。I
　　grewashamedofit。itwasthegainofaslave。everysentimentofhonorrevoltedagainstit。thehigherIgot，themorewasIforceduponmybeggarlysystem。thebetterthecoterie，themorechildrenofArt，IlanguishedforthoseofNature。Andonenight，afteramostvileprostitutionofmyselftohalfadozendifferentpeople，Igrewsick，wenttobed，andorderedhorsesinthemorningtosetoutforItaly。
　　CONTRAST
　　AshoecomingloosefromtheforefootofthethillhorseatthebeginningoftheascentofMountTaurira，thepostiliondismounted，twistedtheshoeoff，andputitinhispocket。astheascentwasoffiveorsixmiles，andthathorseourmaindependenceImadeapointofhavingtheshoefastenedonagainaswellaswecould，butthepostilionhadthrownawaythenails，andthehammerinthechaiseboxbeingofnogreatusewithoutthem，Isubmittedtogoon。
　　Hehadnotmountedhalfamilehigherwhen，comingtoaflintypieceofroad，thepoordevillostasecondshoe，andfromoffhisotherforefoot。Ithengotoutofthechaiseingoodearnest，andseeingahouseaboutaquarterofamiletothelefthand，withagreatdealtodoIprevaileduponthepostiliontoturnuptoit。
　　Thelookofthehouse，andofeverythingaboutit，aswedrewnearer，soonreconciledmetothedisaster。Itwasalittlefarmhousesurroundedwithabouttwentyacresofvineyard，aboutasmuchcorn，andclosetothehouseononesidewasapotagerieofanacreandahalf，fullofeverythingwhichcouldmakeplentyinaFrenchpeasant’shouse，andontheothersidewasalittlewoodwhichfurnishedwherewithaltodressit。ItwasabouteightintheeveningwhenIgottothehouse，soIleftthepostiliontomanagehispointashecould，andformineIwalkeddirectlyintothehouse。
　　Thefamilyconsistedofanoldgray-headedmanandhiswife，withfiveorsixsonsandsons-in-laws，andtheirseveralwives，andajoyousgenealogyoutofthem。
　　Theywereallsittingdowntogethertotheirlentilsoup。Alargewheatenloafwasinthemiddleofthetable，andaflagonofwineateachendofitpromisedjoythroughthestagesoftherepast——
　　’twasafeastoflove。
　　Theoldmanroseuptomeetme，andwitharespectfulcordialitywouldhavemesitdownatthetable。MyheartwassatdownthemomentIenteredtheroom，soIsatdownatoncelikeasonofthefamily，andtoinvestmyselfinthecharacterasspeedilyasI
　　could，Iinstantlyborrowedtheoldman’sknife，andtakinguptheloafcutmyselfaheartyluncheon。and，asIdidit，Isawatestimonyineveryeye，notonlyofanhonestwelcome，butofawelcomemixedwiththanksthatIhadnotseemedtodoubtit。
　　Wasitthis，ortellme，Nature，whatelseitwasthatmadethismorselsosweet，andtowhatmagicIoweitthatthedraughtItookoftheirflagonwassodeliciouswithitthattheyremainuponmypalatetothishour？
　　Ifthesupperwastomytaste，thegracewhichfolloweditwasmuchmoreso。
　　Whensupperwasover，theoldmangaveaknockuponthetablewiththehaftofhisknifetobidthemprepareforthedance。Themomentthesignalwasgiven，thewomenandgirlsranalltogetherintoabackapartmenttotieuptheirhair，andtheyoungmentothedoortowashtheirfacesandchangetheirsabots，andinthreeminuteseverysoulwasreadyuponalittleesplanadebeforethehousetobegin。Theoldmanandhiswifecameoutlast，and，placingmebetwixtthem，satdownuponasofaofturfbythedoor。
　　Theoldmanhadsomefiftyyearsagobeennomeanperformeruponthevielle，*andattheagehewasthenof，touchedwellenoughforthepurpose。Hiswifesungnowandthenalittletothetune，thenintermitted，andjoinedheroldmanagain，astheirchildrenandgrandchildrendancedbeforethem。
　　*Asmallviolin，suchaswasusedbythewanderingjongleursoftheMiddleAges——EDITOR。
　　Itwasnottillthemiddleoftheseconddancewhen，fromsomepausesinthemovementwhereintheyallseemedtolookup，I
　　fanciedIcoulddistinguishanelevationofspiritdifferentfromthatwhichisthecauseortheeffectofsimplejollity。Inaword，IthoughtIbeheldRELIGIONmixinginthedance。but，asI
　　hadneverseenhersoengaged，Ishouldhavelookeduponitnowasoneoftheillusionsofanimagination，whichiseternallymisleadingme，hadnottheoldman，assoonasthedanceended，saidthatthiswastheirconstantway，andthatallhislifelonghehadmadeitarule，aftersupperwasover，tocallouthisfamilytodanceandrejoice，believing，hesaid，thatacheerfulandcontentedmindwasthebestsortofthankstoheaventhatanilliteratepeasantcouldpay——
　　Oralearnedprelateeither，saidI。