Ihadhadaverynarrowescape。AnothermomentandIshouldnothavelivedtotellthetale。ThedaggerthathadalreadyimmolatedtwoofBourgonef’sobjectsofvengeancewouldhavebeeninmybreast。Asitwas，attheverymomentwhentheterribleIvanhadthrownhisarmsaroundmeandwasstiflingmewithchloroform，oneoftheservantsofthehotel，alarmedorattractedbycuriosityatthesoundofhighwordswithintheroom，hadventuredtoopenthedoortoseewhatwasgoingon。Thealarmhadbeengiven，andBourgonefhadbeenarrestedandhandedovertothepolice。Ivan，however，haddisappeared；norwerethepoliceeverabletofindhim。Thismatteredcomparativelylittle。Ivanwithouthismasterwasnomoreredoubtablethananyothernoxiousanimal。Asanaccomplice，asaninstrumenttoexecutethewillofamanlikeBourgonef，hewasadangertosociety。Thedirectingintelligencewithdrawn，hesanktothelevelofthebrute。Iwasnotuneasy，therefore，athishavingescaped。Sufficientformethattherealcriminal，themindthathadconceivedanddirectedthosefearfulmurders，wasatlastinthehandsofjustice。IfeltthatmytaskhadbeenfullyaccomplishedwhenBourgonef’sheadfellonthescaffold。
TheClosedCabinetI
ItwaswithalittlealarmandagooddealofpleasurableexcitementthatIlookedforwardtomyfirstgrown-upvisittoMervynGrange。Ihadbeenthereseveraltimesasachild，butneversinceIwastwelveyearsold，andnowIwasovereighteen。
WewereallofusveryproudofourcousinstheMervyns:itisnoteverybodythatcanclaimkinshipwithafamilywhoareinfullandadmittedpossessionofasecret，acurse，andamysteriouscabinet，inadditiontotheusualsurplusageofhorrorssuppliedinsuchcasesbypopularimagination。SomedeclaredthataMervynofthedaysofHenryVIIIhadbeencursedbyaninjuredabbotfromthefootofthegallows。OthersaffirmedthatadissipatedMervynoftheGeorgianerawasstillplayingcardsforhissoulinsomeremoteregionoftheGrange。Therewerestoriesofwhiteladiesandblackimps，ofbloodstainedpassagesandmagicstones。We，proudofourmoreintimateacquaintancewiththefamily，naturallygavenocredencetothesewildinventions。TheMervyns，indeed，followedtheacceptedprecedentinsuchcases，andgreatlydislikedanyreferencetothereputedmysterybeingmadeintheirpresence；
withtheinevitableresultthattherewasnosubjectsopertinaciouslydiscussedbytheirfriendsintheirabsence。Myfather’ssisterhadmarriedthelateBaronet，SirHenryMervyn，andwealwaysfeltthatsheoughttohavebeenthemeansofimpartingtousaverycompleteknowledgeofthefamilysecret。Butinthisconnectionsheundoubtedlyfailedofherduty。Weknewthattherehadbeenaterribletragedyinthefamilysometwoorthreehundredyearsago——thatapeculiarlywickedownerofMervyn，whoflourishedinthelatterpartofthesixteenthcentury，hadbeenmurderedbyhiswifewhosubsequentlycommittedsuicide。Weknewthatthemysteriouscursehadsomeconnectionwiththiscrime，butwhatthecurseexactlywaswehadneverbeenabletodiscover。Thehistoryofthefamilysincethattimehadindeedinonesensebeenfullofmisfortune。Notineverysense。Acoalminehadbeendiscoveredinonepartoftheestate，andapopulouscityhadgrownoverthecornerofanotherpart；andtheMervynsofto-day，inspiteoftheusualpercentageofextravagantheirsandpoliticalmistakes，werethreetimesasrichastheirancestorshadbeen。Butstilltheirstorywasfullofbloodshedandshame，oftalesofduelsandsuicides，brokenheartsandbrokenhonor。Onlythesecalamitiesseemedtohavelittleornorelationtoeachother，andwhattheprecisecursewasthatwassupposedtoconnectoraccountforthemwecouldnotlearn。Whenshefirstmarried，myauntwastoldnothingaboutit。Lateroninlife，whenmyfatheraskedherforthestory，shebeggedhimtotalkuponapleasantersubject；andbeingunluckilyamanofmuchcourtesyandlittlecuriosity，hecompliedwithherrequest。This，however，wastheonlypartoftheghostlytraditionsofherhusband’shomeuponwhichshewassoreticent。Thehauntedchamber，forinstance——which，ofcourse，existedattheGrange——shetreatedwiththegreatestcontempt。
Variousfriendsandrelationshadsleptinitatdifferenttimes，andnoapproachtoanykindofauthenticatedghost-story，evenofthemosttrivialdescription，hadtheybeenabletosupply。Itsonlyclaimtorespect，indeed，wasthatitcontainedthefamousMervyncabinet，afascinatingpuzzleofwhichIwillspeaklater，butwhichcertainlyhadnothinghauntingorhorribleaboutitsappearance。
Myuncle’sfamilyconsistedofthreesons。Theeldest，George，thepresentbaronet，wasnowinhisthirties，married，andwithchildrenofhisown。Thesecond，Jack，wastheblack-sheepofthefamily。HehadbeenintheGuards，but，aboutfiveyearsback，hadgotintosomeverydisgracefulscrape，andhadbeenobligedtoleavethecountry。Thesorrowandtheshameofthishadkilledhisunhappymother，andherhusbandhadnotlongafterwardsfollowedhertothegrave。Alan，theyoungestson，probablybecausehewasthenearesttousinage，hadbeenourspecialfavoriteinearlieryears。GeorgewasgrownupbeforeIhadwellleftthenursery，andhishot，quicktemperhadalwayskeptusyoungsterssomewhatinaweofhim。JackwasfouryearsolderthanAlan，and，besides，hisprofessionhad，inaway，cuthisboyhoodshort。Whenmyuncleandauntwereabroad，astheyfrequentlywereformonthstogetheronaccountofherhealth，itwasAlan，chiefly，whohadtospendhisholidayswithus，bothasschool-boyandasundergraduate。Andabrighter，sweeter-temperedcomrade，oronepossessedofmorediversifiedtalentsfortheinventionofgamesorthetellingofstories，itwouldhavebeendifficulttofind。
ForfiveyearstogethernowourancientcustomofanannualvisittoMervynhadbeenbroken。Firsttherehadbeentheseclusionofmourningformyaunt，andayearlaterformyuncle；thenGeorgeandhiswife，Lucy，——shewasaconnectionofourownonourmother’sside，andveryintimatewithusall，——hadbeenawayfornearlytwoyearsonavoyageroundtheworld；andsincethensicknessinourownfamilyhadkeptusinourturnagooddealabroad。SothatIhadnotseenmycousinssinceallthecalamitieswhichhadbefallenthemintheinterval，andasIsteamednorthwardsIwonderedagooddealastothechangesIshouldfind。
IwastohavecomeoutthatyearinLondon，butill-healthhadpreventedme；andasasortofconsolationLucyhadkindlyaskedmetospendafortnightatMervyn，andbepresentatashooting-party，whichwastoassemblethereinthefirstweekofOctober。
Ihadstartedearly，andtherewasstillanhouroftheshortautumndayleftwhenIdescendedatthelittlewaysidestation，fromwhichasix-miledrivebroughtmetotheGrange。AdrearydriveIfoundit——theround，gray，treelessoutlineofthefellsstretchingaroundmeoneverysidebeneaththeleaden，changelesssky。ThenighthadnearlyfallenaswedrovealongthenarrowvalleyinwhichtheGrangestood:itwastoodarktoseetheautumntintsofthewoodswhichclothedandbrighteneditssides，almosttoodarktodistinguishtheoldtower，——DameAlice’stowerasitwascalled，——whichstoodsomehalfamilefartheronatitshead。
ButthelightshonebrightlyfromtheGrangewindows，andallfeelingofdrearinessdepartedasIdroveuptothedoor。Leavingmaidandboxestotheirfate，Iranupthestepsintotheold，well-rememberedhall，andwasinformedbythedignifiedman-servantthatherladyshipandtheteawereawaitingmeinthemorning-room。
IfoundthattherewasnobodystayinginthehouseexceptAlan，whowasfinishingthelongvacationthere:hehadbeencalledtotheBaracoupleofyearsbefore。Theguestswerenottoarriveforanotherweek，sothatIhadplentyofopportunityintheintervaltomakeupforlosttimewithmycousins。Ibeganmyobservationsthateveningaswesatdowntodinner，acozypartyoffour。Lucywasquiteunchanged——pretty，foolish，andgentleasever。Georgeshowedthefullfiveyears’increaseofage，andseemedtohaveacquiredasomewhatpainfulcontrolofhistemper。Insteadoftheoldpetulantoutbursts，therewasattimesanairofnervous，irritableself-restraint，whichIfoundthelesspleasantofthetwo。ButitwasinAlanthatthemoststrikingalterationappeared。IfeltitthemomentIshookhandswithhim，andtheimpressiondeepenedthateveningwitheveryhour。Itoldmyselfthatitwasonlythenaturaldifferencebetweenboyandman，betweentwentyandtwenty-five，butIdon’tthinkthatIbelievedit。Superficiallythechangewasnotgreat。Theslight-built，gracefulfigure；thedeepgrayeyes，toosmallforbeauty；theclear-cutfeatures，thedelicate，sensitivelips，closeshavennow，astheyhadbeenhairlessthen，——allwereasIrememberedthem。
Butthefacewaspalerandthinnerthanithadbeen，andtherewerelinesroundtheeyesandatthecornersofthemouthwhichwerenomorenaturaltotwenty-fivethantheywouldhavebeentotwenty。
Theoldcharmindeed——thesweetfriendlinessofmanner，whichwashisownpeculiarpossession——wasstillthere。Hetalkedandlaughedalmostasmuchasformerly，butthetalkwasmanufacturedforourentertainment，andthelaughtercamefromhisheadandnotfromhisheart。Anditwaswhenhewastakingnopartintheconversationthatthechangeshowedmost。Thentheface，onwhichintheoldtimeeverypassingemotionhadexpresseditselfinaconstant，livingcurrent，becamecoldandimpassive——withoutinterest，andwithoutdesire。ItwasatsuchtimesthatIknewmostcertainlythatherewassomethingwhichhadbeenlivingandwasdead。Wasitonlyhisboyhood？ThisquestionIwasunabletoanswer。
Still，inspiteofall，thatweekwasoneofthehappiestinmylife。Thebrotherswerebothmenofenoughabilityandcultivationtobepleasanttalkers，andLucycouldperformadequatelythepartofconversationalaccompanist，which，sociallyspeaking，isallthatisrequiredofawoman。Themealsandeveningspassedquicklyandagreeably；themorningsIspentinunendinggossipswithLucy，oringameswiththechildren，twobrightboysoffiveandsixyearsold。Buttheafternoonswerethebestpartoftheday。
Georgewasathoroughsquireinallhistastesandhabits，andeveryafternoonhiswifedutifullyaccompaniedhimroundfarmsandcoverts，inspectingnewbuildings，trudgingalonghalf-maderoads，ormarkingunoffendingtreesfordestruction。ThenAlanandI
wouldridebythehourtogetherovermoorandmeadowland，oftenpickingourwayhomewardsdowntheglen-sidelongaftertheautumneveningshadclosedin。DuringtheseridesIhadglimpsesmanyatimeintodepthsinAlan’snatureofwhichIdoubtwhetherintheolddayshehadhimselfbeenaware。Tomecertainlytheywereasarevelation。Aprevailingsadness，occasionallyapainfultoneofbitterness，characterizedthesemoreseriousmoodsofhis，butIdonotthinkthat，attheendofthatweek，Iwould，ifIcould，havechangedtheman，whomIwaslearningtorevereandtopity，forthelight-heartedplaymatewhomIfeltwaslosttomeforever。
II
Theonlyfeatureofthefamilylifewhichjarredonmewastheattitudeofthetwobrotherstowardsthechildren。Ididnotnoticethismuchatfirst，andatalltimesitwasathingtobefeltratherthantobeseen。Georgehimselfneverseemedquiteateasewiththem。Theboyswerestrongandwellgrown，healthyinmindandbody；andonewouldhavethoughtthattheexistenceoftwosuchrepresentativestocarryonhisnameandinherithisfortunewouldhavebeentheverycrownofprideandhappinesstotheirfather。Butitwasnotso。Lucyindeedwasdevotedtothem，andinallpracticalmattersnoonecouldhavebeenkindertothemthanwasGeorge。Theywerefreeofthewholehouse，andeveryindulgencethatmoneycouldbuyforthemtheyhad。Ineverheardhimgivethemaharshword。Buttherewassomethingwrong。A
constraintintheirpresence，areliefintheirabsence，anevidentdislikeofdiscussingthemandtheiraffairs，atotalwantofthatenjoymentofloveandpossessionwhichinsuchacaseonemighthaveexpectedtofind。Alan’sstateofmindwasevenmoremarked。
NeverdidIhearhimwillinglyaddresshisnephews，orinanywayalludetotheirexistence。Ishouldhavesaidthathesimplyignoredit，butfortheheavygloomwhichalwaysoverspreadhisspiritsintheircompany，andfortheglanceswhichhewouldnowandagaincastintheirdirection——glancesfullofsomehiddenpainfulemotion，thoughofwhatnatureitwouldhavebeenhardtodefine。Indeed，Alan’sattitudetowardsherchildrenIsoonfoundtobetheonlysourceoffrictionbetweenLucyandthisotherwisemuch-lovedmemberofherhusband’sfamily。Iaskedheronedaywhytheboysneverappearedatluncheon。”Oh，theycomewhenAlanisaway，”sheanswered；”buttheyseemtoannoyhimsomuchthatGeorgethinksitisbettertokeepthemoutofsightwhenheishere。Itisverytiresome。IknowthatitisthefashiontosaythatGeorgehasgotthetemperofthefamily；
butIassureyouthatAlan’snervousmoodsandfanciesaremuchmoredifficulttolivewith。”
Thatwasonthemorning——aFridayitwas——ofthelastdaywhichweweretospendalone。Theguestsweretoarrivesoonaftertea；andIthinkthatwiththeknowledgeoftheirapproachAlanandI
prolongedourridethatafternoonbeyonditsusuallimits。Wewereonourwayhome，anditwasalreadydusk，whenaturnofthepathbroughtusfacetofacewiththeoldruinedtower，ofwhichIhavealreadyspokenasstandingattheheadofthevalley。IhadnotbeencloseuptoityetduringthisvisitatMervyn。Ithadbeenaveryfavoritehauntofoursaschildren，andpartlyonthataccount，partlyperhapsinordertodeferthedreadedcloseofourridetothelastpossiblemoment，Iproposedaninspectionofit。
Theonlyportionoftheoldbuildingleftstandinginanykindofentiretywastworooms，oneabovetheother。Thetowerroom，levelwiththebottomofthemoat，wasdarkanddamp，anditwastheupperone，reachedbyalittleoutsidestaircase，whichhadbeenourrendezvousofold。Alanshowednodispositiontoenter，andsaidthathewouldstayoutsideandholdmyhorse，soIdismountedandranupalone。
Theroomseemedinnowaychanged。Amerestoneshell，litteredwithfragmentsofwoodandmortar。TherewastheroughwoodenblockonwhichAlanusedtositwhilehefirstfrighteneduswithbogey-stories，andthencalmedourexcitednervesbyrapidsalliesofwildnonsense。Therewastheplankfrombehindwhich，erectedasabarrieracrossthedoorway，hewoulddefendthecastleagainstourunitedassault，peltinguswithfir-conesandsodsofearth。
ThisandmanyabygonescenethrongedonmeasIstoodthere，andtheroomfilledagainwiththememoriesofchildishmirth。Andfollowingclosecamethoseofchildishterrors。Horrorswhichhadoppressedmethen，whollyimaginedordimlyapprehendedfromhalf-
heardtraditions，andneverthoughtofsince，flittedaroundmeinthegatheringdusk。Andwiththemitseemedtomeasiftherecameothermemoriestoo，——memorieswhichhadneverbeenmyown，ofsceneswhoseactorshadlongbeenwiththedead，butwhich，immortalasthespiritbeforewhoseeyestheyhaddwelt，stilllingeredinthespotwheretheirvictimhadfirstlearnttoshudderattheirpresence。Oncetheghastlynotioncametome，itseizedonmyimaginationwithirresistibleforce。Itseemedasiffromthedarkenedcornersoftheroomvague，ill-definedshapeswereactuallypeeringoutatme。Whennightcametheywouldshowthemselvesinthatform，lividandterrible，inwhichtheyhadbeenburntintothebrainandheartofthelongagodead。
IturnedandglancedtowardswhereIhadleftAlan。Icouldseehisfigureframedinbythewindow，ablackshadowagainstthegraytwilightoftheskybehind。Erectandperfectlymotionlesshesat，somotionlessastolookalmostlifeless，gazingbeforehimdownthevalleyintotheillimitabledistancebeyond。Therewassomethinginthatsternimmobilityoflookandattitudewhichstruckmewithacurioussenseofcongruity。Itwasrightthatheshouldbethus——rightthatheshouldbenolongerthelaughingboywhoamomentbeforehadbeeninmymemory。Thehauntinghorrorsofthatplaceseemedtodemandit，andforthefirsttimeIfeltthatIunderstoodthechange。WithaneffortIshookmyselffreefromthesefancies，andturnedtogo。AsIdidso，myeyefelluponaqueer-shapedpaintedboard，leaningupagainstthewall，whichI
wellrecollectedinoldtimes。Manyadiscussionhadwehadaboutthelegendinscribeduponit，whichinourwisdomwehadfinallypronouncedtobeGerman，chieflybecauseitwasillegible。ThoughIhadloudlyprofessedmyfaithinthistheoryatthetime，Ihadalwayshaduneasydoubtsonthesubject，andnowhalfsmilingI
bentdowntoverifyorremovethem。ThelanguagewasEnglish，notGerman；butthebadlypainted，fadedGothiclettersinwhichitwaswrittenmadethemistakeexcusable。InthedimlightIhaddifficultyevennowindecipheringthewords，andfeltwhenIhaddonesothatneithertheinformationconveyednorthestyleofthecompositionwassufficientrewardforthetroubleIhadtaken。
ThisiswhatIread:”Wherethewomansinnedthemaidshallwin；
ButGodhelpthemaidthatsleepswithin。”
WhatthelinescouldrefertoIneitherhadanynotionnordidI
pausetheneveninmyownmindtoinquire。Ionlyremembervaguelywonderingwhethertheywereintendedforatombstoneorforadoorway。Then，continuingmyway，Irapidlydescendedthestepsandremountedmyhorse，gladtofindmyselfonceagainintheopenairandbymycousin’sside。
Thetrainofthoughtintowhichhehadsunkduringmyabsencewasapparentlyanabsorbingone，fortomyfirstquestionastothepaintedboardhecouldhardlyrousehimselftoanswer。”Aboardwithalegendwrittenonit？Yes，herememberedsomethingofthekindthere。Ithadalwaysbeenthere，hethought。Heknewnothingaboutit，”——andsothesubjectwasnotcontinued。
Theweirdfeelingswhichhadhauntedmeinthetowerstilloppressedme，andIproceededtoaskAlanaboutthatoldDameAlicewhomthetraditionsofmychildhoodrepresentedasthelastoccupantoftheruinedbuilding。Alanrousedhimselfnow，butdidnotseemanxioustoimpartinformationonthesubject。Shehadlivedthere，headmitted，andnoonehadlivedtheresince。”Hadshenot，”Iinquired，”somethingtodowiththemysteriouscabinetatthehouse？Irememberhearingitspokenofas’DameAlice’scabinet。’”Sotheysay，”heassented；”sheandanItalianartificerwhowasinherservice，andwho，chieflyIimagineonaccountofhisskill，sharedwithherthehonorofreputedwitchcraft。””ShewasthemotherofHughMervyn，themanwhowasmurderedbyhiswife，wasshenot？”Iasked。”Yes，”saidAlan，briefly。”Andhadshenotsomethingtodowiththecurse？”Iinquiredafterashortpause，andnervouslyIrememberedmyfather’sexperienceonthatsubject，andIhadneverbeforedaredtoalludetoitinthepresenceofanymemberofthefamily。Mynervousnesswasfullywarranted。ThegloomonAlan’sbrowdeepened，andafteraveryshort”Theysayso”heturnedfulluponme，andinquiredwithsomeasperitywhyonearthIhaddevelopedthissuddencuriosityabouthisancestress。
Ihesitatedamoment，forIwasalittleashamedofmyfancies；butthedarknessgavemecourage，andbesidesIwasnotafraidoftellingAlan——hewouldunderstand。ItoldhimofthestrangesensationsIhadhadwhileinthetower——sensationswhichhadstruckmewithallthatforceandclearnesswhichweusuallyassociatewithadirectexperienceoffact。”Ofcourseitwasatrickofimagination，”Icommented；”butIcouldnotgetridofthefeelingthatthepersonwhohaddwelttherelastmusthavehadterriblethoughtsforthecompanionsofherlife。”
Alanlistenedinsilence，andthesilencecontinuedforsometimeafterIhadceasedspeaking。”Itisstrange，”hesaidatlast；”instinctswhichwedonotunderstandformthemotive-powerofmostofourlife’sactions，andyetwerefusetoadmitthemasevidenceofanyexternaltruth。I
supposeitisbecauseweMUSTactsomehow，rightlyorwrongly；andthereareagreatmanythingswhichweneednotbelieveunlesswechoose。Asforthisoldlady，shelivedlong——longenough，likemostofus，todoevil；unlikemostofus，longenoughtowitnesssomeoftheresultsofthatevil。Tosaythat，istosaythatthelastyearsofherlifemusthavebeenweightedheavilyenoughwithtragicthought。”
Igavealittleshudderofrepulsion。”Thatisadepressingviewoflife，Alan，”Isaid。”Doesourpeaceofminddependonlyupondeathcomingearlyenoughtohidefromusthetruth？And，afterall，canit？Ourspiritsdonotdie。Fromanotherworldtheymaywitnessthefruitsofourlivesinthisone。””Iftheydo，”heansweredwithsuddenviolence，”itisabsurdtodoubttheexistenceofapurgatory。Theremustinsuchacasebeaterribleoneinstoreforthebestamongus。”
Iwassilent。Theshadowthatlayonhissouldidnotpenetratetomine，butithungroundmenevertheless，acloudwhichIfeltpowerlesstodisperse。
Afteramomenthewenton，——”Providedthattheyaredistantenough，howlittle，afterall，dowethinkoftheresultsofouractions！
Therearefewmenwhowoulddeliberatelyinstillintoachildaloveofdrink，orwilfullydeprivehimofhisreason；andyetamanwithdrunkennessormadnessinhisbloodthinksnothingofbringingchildrenintotheworldtaintedasdeeplywiththecurseasifhehadinoculatedthemwithitdirectly。Thereisnoresponsibilitysocompletelyignoredasthisoneofmarriageandfatherhood，andyethowheavyitisandfar-reaching。””Well，”Isaid，smiling，”letusconsoleourselveswiththethoughtthatwearenotalllunaticsanddrunkards。””No，”heanswered；”butthereareotherevilsbesidesthese，moraltaintsaswellasphysical，curseswhichhavetheirrootsinworldsbeyondourown，——sinsofthefatherswhicharevisiteduponthechildren。”
Hehadlostallviolenceandbitternessoftonenow；butthewearydejectionwhichhadtakentheirplacecommunicateditselftomyspiritwithmoresubtlepowerthanhispreviousmoodhadowned。”Thatiswhy，”hewenton，andhismannerseemedtogivemorepurposetohisspeechthanhitherto，——”thatiswhy，sofarasIamconcerned，Imeantoshirktheresponsibilityandremainunmarried。”
Iwashardlysurprisedathiswords。IfeltthatIhadexpectedthem，buttheirutteranceseemedtointensifythegloomwhichresteduponus。Alanwasthefirsttoarousehimselffromitsinfluence。”Afterall，”hesaid，turningroundtomeandspeakinglightly，”withoutlookingsofarandsodeep，Ithinkmyresolveisaprudentone。Aboveallthings，letustakelifeeasily，andyouknowwhatSt。Paulsaysabout’troubleintheflesh，’——aremarkwhichIamsureisspeciallyapplicabletobrieflessbarristers，eventhoughpossessedofamodestcompetenceoftheirown。Perhapsoneofthesedays，whenIamafatoldjudge，Ishallgivemycookachanceifsheissatisfactoryinherclearsoups；buttillthenI
shallexpectyou，Evie，toworkmeonepairofcarpet-slippersperannum，astributeduetoabachelorcousin。”
Idon’tquiteknowwhatIanswered，——myheartwasheavyandaching，——butItriedwithtruefemininedocilitytofollowtheleadhehadsetme。Hecontinuedforsometimeinthesamevein；butasweapproachedthehousetheeffortseemedtobecometoomuchforhim，andwerelapsedagainintosilence。
ThistimeIwasthefirsttobreakit。”Isuppose，”Isaid，drearily，”allthosehorridpeoplewillhavecomebynow。””Horridpeople，”herepeated，withratheranuncertainlaugh，andthroughthedarknessIsawhisfigurebendforwardashestretchedouthishandtocaressmyhorse’sneck。”Why，Evie，Ithoughtyouwerepiningforgayety，andthatitwas，infact，forthepurposeofmeetingthese’horridpeople’thatyoucamehere。””Yes，Iknow，”Isaid，wistfully；”butsomehowthelastweekhasbeensopleasantthatIcannotbelievethatanythingwilleverbequitesoniceagain。”
WehadarrivedatthehouseasIspoke，andthegroomwasstandingatourhorses’heads。Alangotoffandcameroundtohelpmetodismount；butinsteadofputtinguphisarmasusualasasupportformetospringfrom，helaidhishandonmine。”Yes，Evie，”hesaid，”ithasbeenindeedapleasanttime。Godblessyouforit。”
Foraninstanthestoodtherelookingupatme，hisfacefullinthelightwhichstreamedfromtheopendoor，hisgrayeyesshiningwitharadiancewhichwasnotwhollyfromthence。Thenhestraightenedhisarm，Isprangtotheground，andasiftoprecludethepossibilityofanyansweronmypart，heturnedsharplyonhisheel，andbegangivingsomeorderstothegroom。Iwentonaloneintothehouse，feeling，Iknewnotandcarednottoknowwhy，thatthegloomhadfledfrommyspirit，andthatthelastridehadnotafterallbeensuchamelancholyfailureasithadbidfairatonetimetobecome。
III
InthehallIwasmetbythehousekeeper，whoinformedmethat，owingtoamisunderstandingaboutdates，agentlemanhadarrivedwhomLucyhadnotexpectedatthattime，andthatinconsequencemyroomhadbeenchanged。MythingshadbeenputintotheEastRoom，——
thehauntedroom，——theroomoftheClosedCabinet，asIrememberedwithacertainsenseofpleasedimportance，thoughwithoutanysurprise。Itstoodapartfromtheotherguest-rooms，attheendofthepassagefromwhichopenedGeorgeandLucy’sprivateapartment；
andasitwasconsequentlydisagreeabletohaveastrangerthere，itwasalwaysusedwhenthehousewasfullforamemberofthefamily。Myfatherandmotherhadoftensleptthere:therewasalittleroomnexttoit，thoughnotcommunicatingwithit，whichservedforadressing-room。ThoughIhadneverpassedthenighttheremyself，Iknewitaswellasanyroominthehouse。Iwentthereatonce，andfoundLucysuperintendingthelastarrangementsformycomfort。
Shewasfullofapologiesforthetroubleshewasgivingme。I
toldherthattheapologieswereduetomymaidandtoherownservantsratherthantome；”andbesides，”Iadded，glancinground，”Iamdistinctlyagainerbythechange。””Youknow，ofcourse，”shesaid，lightly，”thatthisisthehauntedroomofthehouse，andthatyouhavenorighttobehere？””Iknowitisthehauntedroom，”Ianswered；”butwhyhaveInorighttobehere？””Oh，Idon’tknow，”shesaid。”ThereisoneofthosetiresomeMervyntraditionsagainstallowingunmarriedgirlstosleepinthisroom。Ibelievetwogirlsdiedinitahundredandfiftyyearsago，orsomethingofthatsort。””ButIshouldthinkthatpeople，marriedorunmarried，musthavediedinnearlyeveryroominthehouse，”Iobjected。”Oh，yes，ofcoursetheyhave，”saidLucy；”butonceyoucomeacrossabitofsuperstitioninthisfamily，itisofnousetoaskforreasons。However，thisparticularbitistooridiculousevenforGeorge。OwingtoMr。Lesliehavingcometo-day，wemustuseeveryroominthehouse:itisintolerablehavingastrangerhere，andyouaretheonlyrelationstayingwithus。IpointedallthatouttoGeorge，andheagreedthat，underthecircumstances，itwouldbeabsurdnottoputyouhere。””Iamquiteagreeable，”Ianswered；”and，indeed，IthinkIamratherfavoredinhavingaroomwherethelastrecordeddeathappearstohavetakenplaceahundredandfiftyyearsago，particularlyasIshouldthinkthattherecanbescarcelyanythingnowleftinitwhichwasherethen，except，ofcourse，thecabinet。”
Theroomhad，infact，beenentirelydoneupandrefurnishedbymyuncle，andwasasbrightandmodern-lookinganapartmentasyoucouldwishtosee。Itwaslarge，andthewallswerecoveredwithoneofthosewhiteandgoldpaperswhichwerefashionablethirtyyearsago。Oppositeus，aswestoodwarmingourbacksbeforethefire，wasthebed——alargedoubleone，hungwithaprettyshadeofpaleblue。Materialofthesamecolorcoveredthecomfortablemodernfurniture，andhungfromgildedcornicesbeforethetwowindowswhichpiercedthesideoftheroomonourleft。Betweenthemstoodthetoilet-table，allmuslin，blueribbons，andsilver。
ThecarpetwasagrayandblueBrusselsone。Thewholeeffectwascheerful，thoughIfearinartistic，andsadlyoutofkeepingwiththecharacterofthehouse。Theexceptiontotheseremarkswas，asIhadobserved，thefamousclosedcabinet，towhichIhavemorethanoncealluded。Itstoodagainstthesamewalloftheroomasthatinwhichthefireplacewas，andonourright——thatis，onthatsideofthefireplacewhichwasfarthestfromthewindows。AsI
spoke，Iturnedtogoandlookatit，andLucyfollowedme。ManyanhourasachildhadIpassedinfrontofit，fingeringthesevencarvedbrasshandles，orratherbuttons，whichwererangeddownitscenter。Theyallslid，twisted，orscrewedwiththegreatestease，andapparentlylikemanyanotheringeniouslycontrivedlock；butneitherInoranyoneelsehadeveryetsucceededinsliding，twisting，orscrewingthemaftersuchafashionastoopenthecloseddoorsofthecabinet。NooneyethadrobbedthemoftheirsecretsincefirstitwasplacedtherethreehundredyearsagobytheoldladyandherfaithfulItalian。Itwasabeautifulpieceofworkmanship，wasthistantalizingcabinet。Carvedoutofsomedarkforeignwood，thedoorsandpanelswererichlyinlaidwithlapis-
lazuli，ivory，andmother-of-pearl，amongwhichweretwisteddelicatelychasedthreadsofgoldandsilver。Abovethedoors，betweenthemandthecornice，layanothermystery，fullyastormentingaswasthefirst。Inasmoothstripofwoodaboutaninchwide，andextendingalongthewholebreadthofthecabinet，wasinlaidafinepatterningoldwire。Thisatfirstsightseemedtoconsistofalegendormotto。Onlookingcloser，however，thoughthepatternstilllookedasifitwasformedoutofcharactersofthealphabetcuriouslyentwinedtogether，youfoundyourselfunabletofixuponanydefiniteword，orevenletter。Youlookedagainandagain，andthelongerthatyoulookedthemorecertainbecameyourbeliefthatyouwereonthevergeofdiscovery。
Ifyoucouldapproachthemysteriouslegendfromaslightlydifferentpointofview，orlookatitfromanotherdistance，theclewtothepuzzlewouldbeseized，andthewordswouldstandforthclearandlegibleinyoursight。Buttheclewneverhadbeendiscovered，andthemotto，iftherewasone，remainedunread。
Forafewminuteswestoodlookingatthecabinetinsilence，andthenLucygaveadiscontentedlittlesigh。”There’sanothertiresomepieceofsuperstition，”sheexclaimed；”byfarthehandsomestpieceoffurnitureinthehousestuckawayhereinabedroomwhichishardlyeverused。AgainandagainhaveIaskedGeorgetoletmehaveitmoveddownstairs，buthewon’thearofit。””WasitnotplacedherebyDameAliceherself？”Iinquiredalittlereproachfully，forIfeltthatLucywasnottreatingthecabinetwiththerespectwhichitreallydeserved。”Yes，sotheysay，”sheanswered；andthetoneoflightcontemptinwhichshespokewasnowpiercedbyanotunnaturalprideintheromanticmysteriesofherhusband’sfamily。”Sheplacedithere，anditissaid，youknow，thatwhentheclosedcabinetisopened，andthemysteriousmottoisread，thecursewilldepartfromtheMervynfamily。””Butwhydon’ttheybreakitopen？”Iasked，impatiently。”IamsurethatIwouldneverhaveremainedallmylifeinahousewithathinglikethat，andnotfoundoutinsomewayoranotherwhatwasinsideit。””Oh，butthatwouldbequitefatal，”answeredshe。”ThecursecanonlyberemovedwhenthecabinetisopenedasDameAliceintendedittobe，inanorthodoxfashion。Ifyouweretoforceitopen，thatcouldneverhappen，andthecursewouldthereforeremainforever。””Andwhatisthecurse？”Iasked，withverydifferentfeelingstothosewithwhichIhadtimidlyapproachedthesamesubjectwithAlan。LucywasnotaMervyn，andnotapersontoinspireaweunderanycircumstances。Myinstinctswererightagain，forsheturnedawaywithaslightshrugofhershoulders。”Ihavenoidea，”shesaid。”GeorgeandAlanalwayslookportentouslysolemnandgloomywheneveronementionsthesubject，soIdon’t。Ifyouaskmeforthetruth，Ibelieveittobeapureinvention，devisedbytheMervynsforthepurposeofdelicatelyaccountingforsomeofthedisreputableactionsoftheirancestors。
Foryouknow，Evie，”sheadded，withalittlelaugh，”thelesssaidaboutthecharacterofthefamilyintowhichyourauntandIhavemarriedthebetter。”
Theremarkmademeangry，Idon’tknowwhy，andIansweredstiffly，thatasfarasIwasacquaintedwiththem，Iatleastsawnothingtocomplainof。”Oh，asregardsthepresentgeneration，no，——exceptforthatpoor，wretchedJack，”acquiescedLucy，withherusualimperturbablegood-
humor。”Andasregardsthenext？”Isuggested，smiling，andalreadyashamedofmylittletemper。”Thenextisperfect，ofcourse，——poordearboys。”Shesighedasshespoke，andIwonderedwhethershewasreallyasunconsciousasshegenerallyappearedtobeofthestrangedissatisfactionwithwhichherhusbandseemedtoregardhischildren。Anyhowthementionofthemhadevidentlychangedhermood，andalmostdirectlyafterwards，withtheremarkthatshemustgoandlookafterherguests，whohadallarrivedbynow，sheleftmetomyself。
ForsomeminutesIsatbythebrightfire，lostinaimless，wanderingthought，whichbeganwithDameAliceandhercabinet，andwhichendedsomehowwithAlan’sface，asIhadlastseenitlookingupatmeinfrontofthehall-door。WhenIhadreachedthatpoint，IrousedmyselftodecidethatIhaddreamtlongenough，andthatitwasquitetimetogodowntotheguestsandtotea。I
accordinglydonnedmybestteagown，arrangedmyhair，andproceededtowardsthedrawing-room。Mywaytherelaythroughthegreatcentralhall。Thisapartmentwasapproachedfrommostofthebedroomsinthehousethroughalarge，archeddoorwayatoneendofit，whichcommunicateddirectlywiththegreatstaircase。Mybedroom，however，which，asIhavesaid，layamongtheprivateapartmentsofthehouse，openedintoapassagewhichledintoabroadgallery，orupperchamber，stretchingrightacrosstheendofthehall。Fromthisyoudescendedbymeansofasmallstaircaseinoak，whosecarvedbalustrade，bendingroundthecornerofthehall，formedoneoftheprettiestfeaturesofthepicturesqueoldroom。
Thebarrierwhichranalongthefrontofthegallerywasinsolidoak，andofsuchaheightthat，unlessstandingcloseuptoit，youcouldneitherseenorbeseenbytheoccupantsoftheroombelow。
OnapproachingthisgalleryIheardvoicesinthehall。TheywereGeorge’sandAlan’s，evidentlyinhotdiscussion。AsIissuedfromthepassage，Georgewasspeaking，andhisvoicehadthatexasperatedtoneinwhichanangrymantriestobringtoacloseanargumentinwhichhehaslosthistemper。”Forheaven’ssakeleaveitalone，Alan；Ineithercannorwillinterfere。Wehaveenoughtobearfromthesecursedtraditionsasitis，withoutaddingonewhichhasnofoundationwhatevertojustifyit——amerecontemptiblepieceofsuperstition。””Nomemberofourfamilyhasarighttocallanytraditioncontemptiblewhichisconnectedwiththatplace，andyouknowit，”
answeredAlan；andthoughhespokelow，hisvoicetrembledwithsomestrongemotion。AfirstimpulseofhesitationwhichIhadhadIchecked，feelingthatasIhadheardsomuchitwasfairertogoon，andIadvancedtothetopofthestaircase。Alanstoodbythefireplacefacingme，butfartoooccupiedtoseeme。HislastspeechhadseeminglyarousedGeorgetofury，forthelatterturnedonhimnowwithsavagepassion。”Damnitall，Alan！”hecried，”can’tyoubequiet？Iwillbemasterinmyownhouse。Takecare，Itellyou；thecursemaynotbequitefulfilledyetafterall。”
AsGeorgeutteredthesewords，Alanliftedhiseyestohimwithaglanceofawfulhorror:hisfaceturnedghastlywhite；hislipstrembledforamoment；andthenheansweredbackwithonehalf-
whisperedwordofsupremeappeal——”George！”Therewasalong-
drawn，unutterableanguishinhistone，andhisvoice，thoughscarcelyaudible，penetratedtoeverycorneroftheroom，andseemedtohangquiveringintheairaroundoneafterthesoundhadceased。Thentherewasaterriblestillness。Alanstoodtremblingineverylimb，incapableapparentlyofspeechoraction，andGeorgefacedhim，assilentandmotionlessashewas。Foraninstanttheyremainedthus，whileIlookedbreathlesslyon。ThenGeorge，withamutteredimprecation，turnedonhisheelandlefttheroom。Alanfollowedhimashewentwithdulllifelesseyes；andasthedoorclosedhebreatheddeeply，withabreaththatwasalmostagroan。
Takingmycourageinbothhands，Inowdescendedthestairs，andatthesoundofmyfootfallheglancedup，started，andthencamerapidlytomeetme。”Evie！youhere，”hesaid；”Ididnotnoticeyou。Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？”Hewasstillquitewhite，andInoticedthathepantedforbreathashespoke。”Notlong，”Ianswered，timidly，andratherspasmodically；”Ionlyheardasentenceortwo。YouwantedGeorgetodosomethingaboutsometraditionorother，——andhewasangry，——andhesaidsomethingaboutthecurse。”
WhileIspokeAlankepthiseyesfixedonmine，readingthroughthem，asIknew，intomymind。WhenIhadfinishedheturnedhisgazeawaysatisfied，andansweredveryquietly，”Yes，thatwasit。”
Thenhewentbacktothefireplace，restedhisarmagainstthehighmantelpieceaboveit，andleaninghisforeheadonhisarm，remainedsilentlylookingintothefire。Icouldseebyhisbentbrowandcompressedlipsthathewasengageduponsomeearnesttrainofthoughtorreasoning，andIstoodwaiting——worried，puzzled，curious，butaboveallthings，pitiful，andoh！longingsointenselytohelphimifIcould。Presentlyhestraightenedhimselfalittle，andaddressedmemoreinhisordinarytoneofvoice，thoughwithoutlookinground。”SoIheartheyhavechangedyourroom。””Yes，”Ianswered。Andthen，flushingrather，”IsthatwhatyouandGeorgehavebeenquarrelingabout？”Ireceivednoreply，andtakingthissilenceforassent，Iwentondeprecatingly，”Becauseyouknow，ifitwas，Ithinkyouareratherfoolish，Alan。AsI
understand，twogirlsaresaidtohavediedinthatroommorethanahundredyearsago，andforthatreasonthereisaprejudiceagainstputtingagirltosleepthere。Thatisall。Merelyavague，unreasonabletradition。”
Alantookamomenttoanswer。”Yes，”hesaidatlength，speakingslowly，andasifreplyingtoargumentsinhisownmindasmuchastothosewhichIhaduttered。”Yes，itisnothingbutatraditionafterall，andthatoftheveryvaguestandmostunsupportedkind。””Isthereevenanyproofthatgirlshavenotslepttheresincethosetwodied？”Iasked。Ithinkthatthesuggestionconveyedinthisquestionwasarelieftohim，forafteramoment’spause，asiftosearchhismemory，heturnedround。”No，”heanswered，”Idon’tthinkthatthereisanysuchproof；andIhavenodoubtthatyouareright，andthatitisamereprejudicethatmakesmedislikeyoursleepingthere。””Then，”Isaid，withalittleassumptionofsisterlysuperiority，”IthinkGeorgewasright，andthatyouwerewrong。”
Alansmiled，——asmiledwhichsatoddlyonthestillpaleface，andinthewearied，worn-lookingeyes。”Verylikely，”hesaid；”I
daresaythatIamsuperstitious。Ihavehadthingstomakemeso。”
Thencomingnearertome，andlayinghishandsonmyshoulders，hewenton，smilingmorebrightly，”Weareaqueer-tempered，bad-
nervedrace，weMervyns，andyoumustnottakeustooseriously，Evie。Thebestthingthatyoucandowithouroddwaysistoignorethem。””Oh，Idon’tmind，”Ianswered，laughing，toogladtohavewonhimbacktoeventemporarybrightness，”aslongasyouandGeorgedon’tcometoblowsoverthequestionofwhereIamtosleep；whichafterallischieflymyconcern，——andLucy’s。””Well，perhapsitis，”hereplied，inthesametone；”andnowbeofftothedrawing-room，whereLucyisdefendingthetea-tablesingle-handedallthistime。”
Iobeyed，andshouldhavegonemorecheerfullyhadInotturnedatthedoorwaytolookbackathim，andcaughtoneglimpseofhisfaceashesankheavilydownintothelargearm-chairbythefireside。
However，bydinner-timeheappearedtohavedismissedallpainfulreflectionsfromhismind，ortohaveburiedthemtoodeepfordiscovery。Thepeoplestayinginthehousewere，inspiteofmysenseofgrievanceattheirarrival，individuallypleasant，andafterdinnerIdiscoveredthemtobesociallywellassorted。Forthefirsthourortwo，indeed，aftertheirarrival，eachglaredattheotheracrossthosetriplelinesofmoralfortificationbehindwhicheverywell-bredBritontakesrefugeonappearingatafriend’scountry-house。Butflagsoftrucewereinterchangedoverthesoup，anarmisticewasagreeduponduringtheroast，andthetermsofatreatyofpeaceandamitywerefinallyratifiedunderthesympatheticinfluenceofGeorge’sbestchampagne。FortheachievementofthishappyresultAlancertainlyworkedhard，andreceivedthereformanyagratefulglancefromhissister-in-law。
HewasmoreexcitedthanIhadeverseenhimbefore，andtalkedbrilliantlyandwell——thoughperhapsnotasexclusivelytohisneighborsastheymayhavewished。Hiseyesandhisattentionseemedeverywhereatonce:onemomenthewasthrowingremarksacrosstosomedespairingcoupleopposite，andthenexthewasbreakinganembarrassingpauseintheconversationbysomerapidsallyofnonsenseaddressedtothetableingeneral。Heformedagreatcontrasttohisbrother，whosatgloomyanddejected，makinglittleornoresponsetotheadvancesofthetwodowagersbetweenwhomhewasplaced。AfterdinnertheyoungermembersofthepartyspenttheeveningbyAlan’sinitiative，andchieflyunderhisdirection，inaseriesoflivelyandratherriotousgamessuchasmynurserydayshaddelightedin，andmyschoolroomoneshaddisdained。Itwasagreatandhappysurprisetodiscoverthat，grownup，Imightagainenjoythem。Ididso，hugely，andwhenbedtimecameallmemoriesmoreseriousthanthoseof”musicalchairs”or”followmyleader”hadvanishedfrommymind。Ithink，fromAlan’sglanceashehandedmemybedcandle，thatthepleasureandexcitementmusthaveimprovedmylooks。”Ihopeyouhaveenjoyedyourfirsteveningofgayety，Evie，”hesaid。”Ihave，”Ianswered，withhappyconviction；”andreallyIbelievethatitischieflyowingtoyou，Alan。”Hemetmysmilebyanother；butIthinkthattheremusthavebeensomethinginhislookwhichrecalledotherthoughts，forasIstartedupthestairsIthrewamischievousglancebackathimandwhispered，”Nowforthehorrorsofthehauntedchamber。”
Helaughedratherloudly，andsaying”Good-night，andgood-luck，”
turnedtoattendtotheotherladies。
Hiswisheswerecertainlyfulfilled。Igottobedquickly，and——assoonasmyhappyexcitementwassufficientlycalmedtoadmitofit——
tosleep。Theonlythingwhichdisturbedmewasthewind，whichblewfiercelyandloudlyalltheearlierportionofthenight，halfarousingmemorethanonce。Ispokeofitatbreakfastthenextmorning；buttherestoftheworldseemedtohaveslepttooheavilytohavebeenawareofit。
IV
Themenwentoutshootingdirectlyafterbreakfast，andwewomenpassedthedayinorthodoxcountry-housefashion，——workingandeating；walkingandriding；drivingandplayingcroquet；andabove，beyond，andthroughallthings，chattering。BeyondapassingsighwhileIwaswashingmyhands，oramomentofmournfulremembrancewhileIchangedmydress，Ihadscarcelytimeeventoregretthequiethappinessoftheweekthatwaspast。Intheeveningwedancedinthegreathall。IhadtwovalseswithAlan。Duringapauseforbreath，Ifoundthatwewerestandingnearthefireplace，ontheveryspotwhereheandGeorgehadstoodonthepreviousafternoon。Therecollectionmademeinvoluntarilyglanceupathisface。Itlookedsadandworried，andthethoughtsuddenlystruckmethathisextravagantspiritsofthenightbefore，andevenhisquieter，carefulcheerfulnessofto-night，hadbeenbutartificialmoodsatbest。Heturned，andfindingmyeyesfixedonhim，atonceplungedintoconversation，discussedthepeculiaritiesofoneoftheguests，good-humoredlyenough，butwithsomuchfunastomakemelaughinspiteofmyself。Thenwedancedagain。Theplaintivemusic，thesmoothfloor，andthepartnerwereallalikeperfect，andIexperiencedthatentiredelightofphysicalenjoymentwhichIbelievenothingbutavalseundersuchcircumstancescangive。WhenitwasoverIturnedtoAlan，andexclaimedwithimpulsiveappeal，”Oh，Iamsohappy，——youmustbehappytoo！”Hesmiledratheruncertainly，andanswered，”Don’tbotheryourselfaboutme，Evie，Iamallright。ItoldyouthatweMervynshadbadnerves；andIamrathertired。That’sall。”Iwastoopassionatelydeterminedjustthenuponhappiness，andhiswastoonecessarytomineformenottobelievethathewasspeakingthetruth。
WekeptupthedancingtillLucydiscoveredwithashockthatmidnighthadstruck，andthatSundayhadbegun，andwewereallsentofftobed。Iwasnotlonginmakingmynightlypreparations，andhadscarcelyinsertedmyselfbetweenthesheetswhen，withafewlongmoans，thewindbeganagain，moreviolentlyeventhanthenightbefore。Ithadbeenacalm，fineday，andImadewisereflectionsasIlistenedupontheuncertaintyofthenorth-countryclimate。Whatatempestitwas！Howitmoaned，andhowled，andshrieked！WherehadIheardthesuperstitionwhichnowcametomymind，thatborneuponthewindcomethespiritsofthedrowned，wailingandcryingforthesepulturewhichhadbeendeniedthem？
Buttherewereothersoundsinthatwind，too。Evil，murderousthoughts，perhaps，whichhadnevertakenbodyindeeds，butwhich，caughtupintheair，nowhurledthemselvesinimpotentfurythroughtheworld。HowIwishedthewindwouldstop。Itseemedfullofhorriblefancies，anditkeptknockingthemintomyhead，anditwouldn’tleaveoff。Fancies，ormemories——which？——andmymindrevertedwithaflashtothefearfulthoughtswhichhadhaunteditthedaybeforeinDameAlice’stower。Itwasdarknow。
Thoseghastlyintangibleshapesmusthavetakenfullformandcolor，peoplingtheoldruinwiththeiragelesshideousness。Andthestormhadfoundthemthereandbornethemalongwithitasitblewthroughthecrevicedwalls。Thatwaswhythewind’ssoundstrucksostrangelyonmybrain。Ah！Icouldhearthemnow，thosestilllivingmemoriesofdeadhorror。Throughthewindowcranniestheycameshriekingandwailing。Theyfilledthechimneywithspiritsobs，andnowtheywerepressingon，crowdingthroughtheroom，——eager，eagertoreachtheirprey。Nearertheycame；——nearerstill！Theywereroundmybednow！ThroughmyclosedeyelidsI
couldalmostseetheirdreadfulshapes；inallmyquiveringfleshI
felttheirterrorsastheybentoverme，——lower，lower……
WithastartIarousedmyselfandsatup。WasIasleeporawake？
Iwastremblingalloverstill，anditrequiredthegreatesteffortofcourageIhadevermadetoenablemetospringfrommybedandstrikealight。Whatastatemynervesormydigestionmustbein！
Frommychildhoodthewindhadalwaysaffectedmestrangely，andI
blamedmyselfnowforallowingmyimaginationtorunawaywithmeatthefirst。IfoundanovelwhichIhadbroughtuptomyroomwithme，oneofthemodern，Chinese-Americanschool，wherehumannatureisanalyzedwiththepatient，industriousindifferenceofthetrueCelestial。Itookthebooktobedwithme，andsoonunderitssoothinginfluencesfellasleep。Idreamtagooddeal，——
nightmares，thedefiniterecollectionofwhich，asissooftenthecase，vanishedfrommymindassoonasIawoke，leavingonlyavagueimpressionofhorror。Theyhadbeenconnectedwiththewind，ofthataloneIwasconscious，andIwentdowntobreakfast，maliciouslyhopingthatothers’resthadbeenasmuchdisturbedasmyown。
Tomysurprise，however，IfoundthatIhadagainbeentheonlysufferer。Indeed，soimpressedweremostofthepartywiththequietinwhichtheirnighthadbeenpassed，thattheyboldlydeclaredmystormtohavebeenthecreatureofmydreams。Thereisnothingmoreannoyingwhenyoufeelyourselfaggrievedbyfatethantobetoldthatyourtroubleshaveoriginatedinyourownfancy；soIdroppedthesubject。Thoughthediscussionspreadforafewminutesroundthewholetable，Alantooknopartinit。NeitherdidGeorge，exceptforwhatIthoughtaratherunnecessarilyroughexpressionofhisdisbeliefinthecauseofmynight’sdisturbance。
AswerosefrombreakfastIsawAlanglancetowardshisbrother，andmakeamovement，evidentlywiththepurposeofspeakingtohim。
WhetherornotGeorgewasawareofthelookoraction，Icannotsay；butatthesamemomenthemaderapidlyacrosstheroomtowhereoneofhisprincipalguestswasstanding，andatonceengagedhiminconversation。Soearnestlyandsovolublywasheborneon，thattheywerestilltalkingtogetherwhenweladiesappearedagainsomeminuteslater，preparedforourwalktochurch。ThatwasnottheonlyoccasionduringthedayonwhichIwitnessedasIthoughtthesameby-playgoingon。AgainandagainAlanappearedtobemakingeffortstoengageGeorgeinprivateconversation，andagainandagainthelattersuccessfullyeludedhim。
Thechurchwasaboutamileawayfromthehouse，andasLucydidnotlikehavingthecarriagesoutonaSunday，oneserviceaweekasarulecontentedthehousehold。IntheafternoonwetooktheusualSundaywalk。Onreturningfromit，Ihadjusttakenoffmyoutdoorthings，andwasissuingfrommybedroom，whenIfoundmyselffacetofacewithAlan。HewascomingoutofGeorge’sstudy，andhadsucceededapparentlyinobtainingthatinterviewforwhichhehadbeenalldayseeking。Oneglanceathisfacetoldmewhatitsnaturehadbeen。Wepausedoppositeeachotherforamoment，andhelookedatmeearnestly。”Areyougoingtochurch？”heinquiredatlast，abruptly。”No，”Ianswered，withsomesurprise。”Ididnotknowthatanyonewasgoingthisevening。””Willyoucomewithme？””Yes，certainly；ifyoudon’tmindwaitingamomentformetoputmythingson。””There’splentyoftime，”heanswered；”meetmeinthehall。”
Afewminuteslaterwestarted。
Itwasacalm，cloudlessnight，andalthoughthemoonwasnotyethalf-full，andalreadypasthermeridian，shefilledtheclearairwithgentlelight。Notawordbrokeoursilence。Alanwalkedhurriedly，lookingstraightbeforehim，hisheadupright，hislipstwitchingnervously，whileeverynowandthenahalf-utteredmoanescapedunconsciouslyfrombetweenthem。AtlastIcouldbearitnolonger，andburstforthwiththefirstremarkwhichoccurredtome。Wewerepassingabig，black，queer-shapedstonestandinginratheralonelyuncultivatedspotatoneendofthegarden。Itwasanoldacquaintanceofmychildhood；butmythoughtshadbeenturnedtowardsitnowfromthefactthatIcouldseeitfrommybedroomwindow，andhadbeenstruckafreshbyitsuncouth，incongruousappearance。”Isn’ttheresomestoryconnectedwiththatstone？”Iasked。”I
rememberthatwealwayscalledittheDeadStoneaschildren。”
Alancastaquick，sidelongglanceinthatdirection，andhisbrowscontractedinanirritablefrown。”Idon’tknow，”heansweredshortly；”theysaythatthereisawomanburiedbeneathit，I
believe。””Awomanburiedthere！”Iexclaimedinsurprise；”butwho？””HowshouldIknow？Theyknownothingwhateveraboutit。Theplaceisfullofstupidtraditionsofthatkind。”Then，lookingsuspiciouslyroundatme，”Whydoyouask？””Idon’tknow；itwasjustsomethingtosay，”Iansweredplaintively。Hisstrangemoodsoworkeduponmynerves，thatitwasallthatIcoulddotorestrainmytears。Ithinkthatmytonestruckhisconscience，forhemadeafewfeverishattemptsatconversationafterthat。Buttheyweresoentirelyabortivethathesoonabandonedtheeffort，andwefinishedourwalktochurchasspeechlesslyaswehadbegunit。
Theservicewasbright，andthesermonperhapsalittlecommonplace，butsensibleasitseemedtomeinmatter，andadequateinstyle。Thepeacefuleveninghymnwhichfollowed，theshortsolemnpauseofsilentprayerattheend，soothedandrefreshedmyspirit。Ahastyglanceatmycompanion’sfaceashestoodwaitingformeintheporch，withthefulllightfromthechurchstreamingroundhim，assuredmethatthesameinfluencehadtouchedhimtoo。Haggardandsadhestilllooked，itistrue；buthisfeatureswerecomposed，andtheexpressionofactualpainhadlefthiseyes。
Silentaswehadcomewestartedhomewardthroughthewaningmoonlight，butthissilencewasofaverydifferentnaturetotheother，andafteraminuteortwoIdidnothesitatetobreakit。”Itwasagoodsermon？”Iobserved，interrogatively。”Yes，”heassented，”Isupposeyouwouldcallitso；butIconfessthatIshouldhavefoundthetextmoreimpressivewithoutitsexposition。””Poorman！””Butdon’tyouoftenfinditso？”heasked。”Doyounotoftenwish，totakethisevening’sinstance，thatclergymenwouldinfusethemselveswithsomethingofSt。Paul’sownspirit？Thenperhapstheywouldnotwaterallthestrengthoutofhiswordsintheireffortstoexplainthem。””Thatisratheralargedemandtomakeuponthem，isitnot？””Isit？”hequestioned。”Idon’taskthemtobeinspiredsaints。
Idon’texpectSt。Paul’sbreadthanddepthofthought。Butcouldtheynothavesomethingofhisvigorouscompleteness，somethingoftheintensityofhisfeelingandbelief？Lookatthetextofto-
night。Didnotthepreacher’sexamplesandapplicationstakesomethingfromitsawfulunqualifiedstrength？””Awful！”Iexclaimed，insurprise；”thatishardlytheexpressionI
shouldhaveusedinconnectionwiththosewords。””Whynot？””Oh，Idon’tknow。Thetextisverybeautiful，ofcourse，andattimes，whenpeoplearetiresomeandoneoughttobenicetothem，itisverydifficulttoactupto。But——””Butyouthinkthat’awful’isratherabigadjectivetouseforsosmalladuty，”interposedAlan，andthemoonlightshowedtheflickerofasmileuponhisface。Thenhecontinued，gravely，”I
doubtwhetheryouyourselfrealizethefullimportofthewords。
Thepreceptofcharityisnotmerelyacodeofrulesbywhichtoorderourconducttoourneighbors；itisthepictureofaspiritualcondition，andsuch，whereitexistsinus，mustbyitsverynatureberousedintoactivitybyanythingthataffectsus。
Sowiththisparticularinjunction，everycircumstanceinourlivesisachallengetoit，andinpresenceofallalikeitadmitsofoneattitudeonly:’Bearethallthings，endurethallthings。’Ihopeitwillbelongbeforethat’all’sticksinyourgizzard，Evie，——
beforeyoucomefacetofacewiththingswhichnaturecannotbear，andyetwhichmustbeborne。”
Hestopped，hisvoicequivering；andthenafterapausewentonagainmorecalmly，”Andthroughoutitisthesame。Moralpreceptseverywhere，whichwilladmitofnocompromise，nolimitation，andyetwhichareatwarwithourstrongestpassions。Ifonecouldonlyinterposesome’unless，’some’except，’evenan’until，’whichshouldbeshortofthegrave。Butwecannot。Thelawisinfinite，universal，eternal；thereisnoescape，norepose。Resist，strive，endure，thatistherecurringcry；thatisexistence。””Andpeace，”Iexclaimed，appealingly。”Whereisthereroomforpeace，ifthatbetrue？”
Hesighedforanswer，andtheninachangedandlowertoneadded，”Howeverthicklythecloudsmass，howevervainlywesearchforacomingglimmerintheirmidst，weneverdoubtthattheskyISstillbeyond——beyondandaroundus，infiniteandinfinitelyrestful。”
Heraisedhiseyesashespoke，andminefollowedhis。Wehadenteredthewoodedglen。Throughthescantyautumnfoliagewecouldseethestarsshiningfaintlyinthedimmoonlight，andbeyondthemthedeepillimitableblue。Adarkworlditlooked，distantandmysterious，andmyyoungspiritrebelledattheconsolationofferedme。”Peaceseemsalongwayoff，”Iwhispered。”Itisforme，”heanswered，gently；”notnecessarilyforyou。””Oh，butIamworseandweakerthanyouare。Iflifeistobeallwarfare，Imustbebeaten。Icannotalwaysbefighting。””Cannotyou？Evie，whatIhavebeensayingistrueofeverymorallawworthhaving，ofeveryidealoflifeworthstrivingafter，thatmenhaveyetconceived。ButitisonlyhalfthetruthofChristianity。Youknowthat。Wemuststrive，forthepromiseistohimthatovercometh；butthoughouraimbeevenhigherthanisthatofothers，wecannotintheendfailtoreachit。ThevictoryoftheCrossisours。Youknowthat？Youbelievethat？””Yes”Ianswered，softly，toosurprisedtosaymore。Inspeakingofreligionhe，asarule，showedtothefullthereservewhichischaracteristicofhisclassandcountry，andthissuddenoutburstwasinitselfastonishing；buttheeageranxietywithwhichheemphasizedthelastwordsofappealimpressedandbewilderedmestillfurther。Wewalkedonforsomeminutesinsilence。ThensuddenlyAlanstopped，andturning，tookmyhandinhis。InwhatdirectionhismindhadbeenworkingintheintervalIcouldnotdivine；butthemomenthebegantospeakIfeltthathewasnowforthefirsttimegivingutterancetowhathadbeenreallyatthebottomofhisthoughtsthewholeevening。EveninthatdimlightI
couldseetheanxiouslookuponhisface，andhisvoiceshookwithrestrainedemotion。”Evie，”hesaid，”haveyoueverthoughtoftheworldinwhichourspiritsdwell，asourbodiesdointhisoneofmatterandsense，andofhowitmaybepeopled？Iknow，”hewentonhurriedly，”thatitisthefashionnowadaystolaughatsuchideas。Ienvythosewhohaveneverhadcausetobeconvincedoftheirreality，andI
hopethatyoumaylongremainamongthenumber。Butshouldthatnotbeso，shouldthoseunseeninfluencesevertouchyourlife，I
wantyoutorememberthen，that，asoneoftheraceforwhomChristdied，youhaveashighacitizenshipinthatspiritlandasanycreaturethere:thatyouareyourownsoul’swarden，andthatneitherprincipalitiesnorpowerscanrobyouofthatyourbirthright。”
Ithinkmyfacemusthaveshownmybewilderment，forhedroppedmyhand，andwalkedonwithanimpatientsigh。”Youdon’tunderstandme。Whyshouldyou？Idare-saythatIamtalkingnonsense——only——only——”
HisvoiceexpressedsuchanagonyofdoubtandhesitationthatI
burstout——”IthinkthatIdounderstandyoualittle，Alan。Youmeanthatevenfromunearthlyenemiesthereisnothingthatweneedreallyfear——atleast，thatis，Isuppose，nothingworsethandeath。Butthatissurelyenough！””Whyshouldyoufeardeath？”hesaid，abruptly；”yoursoulwilllive。””Yes，Iknowthat，butstill——”Istoppedwithashudder。”Whatislifeafterallbutonelongdeath？”hewenton，withsuddenviolence。”Ourpleasures，ourhopes，ouryoutharealldying；ambitiondies，andevendesireatlast；ourpassionsandtasteswilldie，orwillliveonlytomourntheirdeadopportunity。
Thehappinessoflovedieswiththelossoftheloved，and，worstofall，loveitselfgrowsoldinourheartsanddies。Whyshouldweshrinkonlyfromtheonedeathwhichcanfreeusfromalltheothers？””Itisnottrue，Alan！”Icried，hotly。”Whatyousayisnottrue。
Therearemanythingsevenherewhicharelivingandshalllive；
andifitwereotherwise，ineverything，lifethatendsindeathisbetterthannolifeatall。””Yousaythat，”heanswered，”becauseforyouthesethingsareyetliving。Toleavelifenow，therefore，whileitisfullandsweet，untaintedbydeath，surelythatisnotafatetofear。Better，athousandtimesbetter，toseethecordcutwithoneblowwhileitisstillwholeandstrong，andtolaunchoutstraightintothegreatocean，thantositwatchingthroughtheslowyears，whilestrandafterstrand，threadbythread，loosensandunwindsitself，——
eachwithitsownseparatepangbreaking，bringingthebitternessofdeathwithoutitsrelease。
Hismanner，thedespairingringinhisvoice，alarmedmeevenmorethanhiswords。Clingingtohisarmwithbothhands，whilethetearssprangtomyeyes——”Alan，”Icried，”don’tsaysuchthings，——don’ttalklikethat。
Youaremakingmemiserable。”
Hestoppedshortatmywords，withbenthead，hisfeatureshiddenintheshadowthuscastuponthem，——nothinginhismotionlessformtoshowwhatwaspassingwithinhim。Thenhelookedup，andturnedhisfacetothemoonlightandtome，layinghishandononeofmine。”Don’tbeafraid，”hesaid；”itisallright，mylittleDavid。Youhavedriventheevilspiritaway。”Andliftingmyhand，hepresseditgentlytohislips。Thendrawingitwithinhisarm，hewenton，ashewalkedforward，”Andevenwhenitwasonmeatitsworst，I
wasnotmeditatingsuicide，asIthinkyouimagine。Iamaveryaveragespecimenofhumanity，——neitherbraveenoughtodefythepossibilitiesofeternitynorcowardlyenoughtoshirkthoseoftime。No，Iwasonlytryingidioticallytopersuadeagirlofeighteenthatlifewasnotworthliving；andmorefutilelystill，myself，thatIdidnotwishhertolive。Iamafraid，thatinmymindphilosophyandfacthavebutsmallconnectionwitheachother；
andthoughmytheorizingforyourwelfaremaybetrueenough，yet，——
Icannothelpit，Evie，——itwouldgoterriblyhardwithmeifanythingweretohappentoyou。”
Hisvoicetrembledashefinished。Myfearhadgonewithhisreturntohisnaturalmanner，butmybewildermentremained。”WhySHOULDthereanythinghappentome？”Iasked。”Thatisjustit，”heanswered，afterapause，lookingstraightinfrontofhimanddrawinghishandwearilyoverhisbrow。”Iknowofnoreasonwhythereshould。”Thengivingasigh，asiffinallytodismissfromhismindaworryingsubject——”Ihaveactedforthebest，”hesaid，”andmayGodforgivemeifIhavedonewrong。”
Therewasalittlesilenceafterthat，andthenhebegantotalkagain，steadilyandquietly。Thesubjectwasdeepenoughstill，asdeepasanythatwehadtouchedupon，butbothvoiceandsentimentwerecalm，bringingpeacetomyspirit，andsoonmakingmeforgetthewonderandfearofafewmomentsbefore。Veryopenlydidhetalkaswepassedonacrossthelongtrunkshadowsandthroughthegladesofsilverlight；andIsawfartherthenintothemostsacredrecessesofhissoulthanIhaveeverdonebeforeorsince。
Whenwereachedhomethemoonhadalreadyset；butsomeofherbeamsseemedtohavebeenleftbehindwithinmyheart，sopureandpeacefulwasthelightwhichfilledit。
Thesamefeelingcontinuedwithmeallthroughthatevening。Afterdinnersomeofthepartyplayedandsang。AsitwasSunday，andLucywasrigidinherviews，themusicwasofasacredcharacter。
Isatinalowarmchairinadarkcorneroftheroom，mymindtoodreamytothink，andtoopassivetodream。IhardlyinterchangedthreewordswithAlan，whoremainedinastilldarkerspot，invisibleandsilentthewholetime。Onlyaswelefttheroomtogotobed，IheardLucyaskhimifhehadaheadache。Ididnothearhisanswer，andbeforeIcouldseehisfacehehadturnedbackagainintothedrawing-room。