Ihavealreadymorethanoncespokenofthedisgustingairofpatronagewhichheassumedtowardme，andofhisfrequentofficiousinterferencewithymywill。Thisinterferenceoftentooktheungraciouscharacterofadvice；advicenotopenlygiven，buthintedorinsinuated。IreceiveditwitharepugnancewhichgainedstrengthasIgrewinyears。Yet，atthisdistantday，letmedohimthesimplejusticetoacknowledgethatIcanrecallnooccasionwhenthesuggestionsofmyrivalwereonthesideofthoseerrorsorfolliessousualtohisimmatureageandseeminginexperience；thathismoralsense，atleast，ifnothisgeneraltalentsandworldlywisdom，wasfarkeenerthanmyown；andthatImight，to-day，havebeenabetter，andthusahappierman，hadIlessfrequentlyrejectedthecounselsembodiedinthosemeaningwhisperswhichIthenbuttoocordiallyhatedandtoobitterlydespised。
　　Asitwas，Iatlengthgrewrestiveintheextremeunderhisdistastefulsupervision，anddailyresentedmoreandmoreopenlywhatIconsideredhisintolerablearrogance。Ihavesaidthat，inthefirstyearsofourconnexionasschoolmates，myfeelingsinregardtohimmighthavebeeneasilyripenedintofriendship：but，inthelattermonthsofmyresidenceattheacademy，althoughtheintrusionofhisordinarymannerhad，beyonddoubt，insomemeasure，abated，mysentiments，innearlysimilarproportion，partookverymuchofpositivehatred。Upononeoccasionhesawthis，Ithink，andafterwardsavoided，ormadeashowofavoidingme。
　　Itwasaboutthesameperiod，ifIrememberaright，that，inanaltercationofviolencewithhim，inwhichhewasmorethanusuallythrownoffhisguard，andspokeandactedwithanopennessofdemeanorratherforeigntohisnature，Idiscovered，orfanciedI
　　discovered，inhisaccent，hisair，andgeneralappearance，asomethingwhichfirststartled，andthendeeplyinterestedme，bybringingtominddimvisionsofmyearliestinfancywild，confusedandthrongingmemoriesofatimewhenmemoryherselfwasyetunborn。
　　IcannotbetterdescribethesensationwhichoppressedmethanbysayingthatIcouldwithdifficultyshakeoffthebeliefofmyhavingbeenacquaintedwiththebeingwhostoodbeforeme，atsomeepochverylongagosomepointofthepasteveninfinitelyremote。Thedelusion，however，fadedrapidlyasitcame；andImentionitatallbuttodefinethedayofthelastconversationIthereheldwithmysingularnamesake。
　　Thehugeoldhouse，withitscountlesssubdivisions，hadseverallargechamberscommunicatingwitheachother，wheresleptthegreaternumberofthestudents。Therewere，however，asmustnecessarilyhappeninabuildingsoawkwardlyplanned，manylittlenooksorrecesses，theoddsandendsofthestructure；andthesetheeconomicingenuityofDr。Bransbyhadalsofittedupasdormitories；although，beingthemerestclosets，theywerecapableofaccommodatingbutasingleindividual。OneofthesesmallapartmentswasoccupiedbyWilson。
　　Onenight，aboutthecloseofmyfifthyearattheschool，andimmediatelyafterthealtercationjustmentioned，findingeveryonewrappedinsleep，Iarosefrombed，and，lampinhand，stolethroughawildernessofnarrowpassagesfrommyownbedroomtothatofmyrival。Ihadlongbeenplottingoneofthoseill-naturedpiecesofpracticalwitathisexpenseinwhichIhadhithertobeensouniformlyunsuccessful。Itwasmyintention，now，toputmyschemeinoperation，andIresolvedtomakehimfeelthewholeextentofthemalicewithwhichIwasimbued。Havingreachedhiscloset，I
　　noiselesslyentered，leavingthelamp，withashadeoverit，ontheoutside。Iadvancedastep，andlistenedtothesoundofhistranquilbreathing。Assuredofhisbeingasleep，Ireturned，tookthelight，andwithitagainapproachedthebed。Closecurtainswerearoundit，which，intheprosecutionofmyplan，Islowlyandquietlywithdrew，whenthebrightraysfellvividlyuponthesleeper，andmyeyes，atthesamemoment，uponhiscountenance。Ilooked；andanumbness，anicinessoffeelinginstantlypervadedmyframe。Mybreastheaved，mykneestottered，mywholespiritbecamepossessedwithanobjectlessyetintolerablehorror。Gaspingforbreath，Iloweredthelampinstillnearerproximitytotheface。WerethesethesethelineamentsofWilliamWilson？Isaw，indeed，thattheywerehis，butIshookasifwithafitoftheagueinfancyingtheywerenot。Whatwasthereaboutthemtoconfoundmeinthismanner？Igazed；whilemybrainreeledwithamultitudeofincoherentthoughts。Notthusheappearedassuredlynotthusinthevivacityofhiswakinghours。Thesamename！thesamecontourofperson！thesamedayofarrivalattheacademy！Andthenhisdoggedandmeaninglessimitationofmygait，myvoice，myhabits，andmymanner！Wasit，intruth，withintheboundsofhumanpossibility，thatwhatInowsawwastheresult，merely，ofthehabitualpracticeofthissarcasticimitation？
　　Awe-stricken，andwithacreepingshudder，Iextinguishedthelamp，passedsilentlyfromthechamber，andleft，atonce，thehallsofthatoldacademy，nevertoenterthemagain。
　　Afteralapseofsomemonths，spentathomeinmereidleness，IfoundmyselfastudentatEton。ThebriefintervalhadbeensufficienttoenfeeblemyremembranceoftheeventsatDr。Bransby’s，oratleasttoeffectamaterialchangeinthenatureofthefeelingswithwhichIrememberedthem。Thetruththetragedyofthedramawasnomore。Icouldnowfindroomtodoubttheevidenceofmysenses；andseldomcalledupthesubjectatallbutwithwonderatextentofhumancredulity，andasmileatthevividforceoftheimaginationwhichIhereditarilypossessed。NeitherwasthisspeciesofscepticismlikelytobediminishedbythecharacterofthelifeIledatEton。ThevortexofthoughtlessfollyintowhichItheresoimmediatelyandsorecklesslyplunged，washedawayallbutthefrothofmypasthours，engulfedatonceeverysolidorseriousimpression，andlefttomemoryonlytheveriestlevitiesofaformerexistence。
　　Idonotwish，however，totracethecourseofmymiserableprofligacyhereaprofligacywhichsetatdefiancethelaws，whileiteludedthevigilanceoftheinstitution。Threeyearsoffolly，passedwithoutprofit，hadbutgivenmerootedhabitsofvice，andadded，inasomewhatunusualdegree，tomybodilystature，when，afteraweekofsoullessdissipation，Iinvitedasmallpartyofthemostdissolutestudentstoasecretcarousalinmychambers。Wemetatalatehourofthenight；forourdebaucheriesweretobefaithfullyprotracteduntilmorning。Thewineflowedfreely，andtherewerenotwantingotherandperhapsmoredangerousseductions；
　　sothatthegraydawnhadalreadyfaintlyappearedintheeast，whileourdeliriousextravagancewasatitsheight。Madlyflushedwithcardsandintoxication，Iwasintheactofinsistinguponatoastofmorethanwontedprofanity，whenmyattentionwassuddenlydivertedbytheviolent，althoughpartialunclosingofthedooroftheapartment，andbytheeagervoiceofaservantfromwithout。Hesaidthatsomeperson，apparentlyingreathaste，demandedtospeakwithmeinthehall。
　　Wildlyexcitedwithwine，theunexpectedinterruptionratherdelightedthansurprisedme。Istaggeredforwardatonce，andafewstepsbroughtmetothevestibuleofthebuilding。Inthislowandsmallroomtherehungnolamp；andnownolightatallwasadmitted，savethatoftheexceedinglyfeebledawnwhichmadeitswaythroughthesemi-circularwindow。AsIputmyfootoverthethreshold，I
　　becameawareofthefigureofayouthaboutmyownheight，andhabitedinawhitekerseymeremorningfrock，cutinthenovelfashionoftheoneImyselfworeatthemoment。Thisthefaintlightenabledmetoperceive；butthefeaturesofhisfaceIcouldnotdistinguish。
　　Uponmyenteringhestrodehurriedlyuptome，and，seizingmeby。
　　thearmwithagestureofpetulantimpatience，whisperedthewords“WilliamWilson！”inmyear。
　　Igrewperfectlysoberinaninstant。Therewasthatinthemannerofthestranger，andinthetremulousshakeofhisupliftedfinger，ashehelditbetweenmyeyesandthelight，whichfilledmewithunqualifiedamazement；butitwasnotthiswhichhadsoviolentlymovedme。Itwasthepregnancyofsolemnadmonitioninthesingular，low，hissingutterance；and，aboveall，itwasthecharacter，thetone，thekey，ofthosefew，simple，andfamiliar，yetwhisperedsyllables，whichcamewithathousandthrongingmemoriesofbygonedays，andstruckuponmysoulwiththeshockofagalvanicbattery。
　　EreIcouldrecovertheuseofmysenseshewasgone。
　　Althoughthiseventfailednotofavivideffectuponmydisorderedimagination，yetwasitevanescentasvivid。Forsomeweeks，indeed，Ibusiedmyselfinearnestinquiry，orwaswrappedinacloudofmorbidspeculation。Ididnotpretendtodisguisefrommyperceptiontheidentityofthesingularindividualwhothusperseveringlyinterferedwithmyaffairs，andharassedmewithhisinsinuatedcounsel。ButwhoandwhatwasthisWilson？andwhencecamehe？
　　andwhatwerehispurposes？UponneitherofthesepointscouldIbesatisfied；merelyascertaining，inregardtohim，thatasuddenaccidentinhisfamilyhadcausedhisremovalfromDr。Bransby’sacademyontheafternoonofthedayinwhichImyselfhadeloped。ButinabriefperiodIceasedtothinkuponthesubject；myattentionbeingallabsorbedinacontemplateddepartureforOxford。ThitherI
　　soonwent；theuncalculatingvanityofmyparentsfurnishingmewithanoutfitandannualestablishment，whichwouldenablemetoindulgeatwillintheluxuryalreadysodeartomyheart，tovieinprofusenessofexpenditurewiththehaughtiestheirsofthewealthiestearldomsinGreatBritain。
　　Excitedbysuchappliancestovice，myconstitutionaltemperamentbrokeforthwithredoubledardor，andIspurnedeventhecommonrestraintsofdecencyinthemadinfatuationofmyrevels。Butitwereabsurdtopauseinthedetailofmyextravagance。Letitsuffice，thatamongspendthriftsIout-HerodedHerod，andthat，givingnametoamultitudeofnovelfollies，IaddednobriefappendixtothelongcatalogueofvicesthenusualinthemostdissoluteuniversityofEurope。
　　Itcouldhardlybecredited，however，thatIhad，evenhere，soutterlyfallenfromthegentlemanlyestate，astoseekacquaintancewiththevilestartsofthegamblerbyprofession，and，havingbecomeanadeptinhisdespicablescience，topractiseithabituallyasameansofincreasingmyalreadyenormousincomeattheexpenseoftheweak-mindedamongmyfellow-collegians。Such，nevertheless，wasthefact。Andtheveryenormityofthisoffenceagainstallmanlyandhonourablesentimentproved，beyonddoubt，themainifnotthesolereasonoftheimpunitywithwhichitwascommitted。Who，indeed，amongmymostabandonedassociates，wouldnotratherhavedisputedtheclearestevidenceofhissenses，thanhavesuspectedofsuchcourses，thegay，thefrank，thegenerousWilliamWilsonthenoblestandmostcommoneratOxfordhimwhosefolliessaidhisparasiteswerebutthefolliesofyouthandunbridledfancywhoseerrorsbutinimitablewhimwhosedarkestvicebutacarelessanddashingextravagance？
　　Ihadbeennowtwoyearssuccessfullybusiedinthisway，whentherecametotheuniversityayoungparvenunobleman，Glendinningrich，saidreport，asHerodesAtticushisriches，too，aseasilyacquired。Isoonfoundhimofweakintellect，and，ofcourse，markedhimasafittingsubjectformyskill。Ifrequentlyengagedhiminplay，andcontrived，withthegambler’susualart，tolethimwinconsiderablesums，themoreeffectuallytoentanglehiminmysnares。
　　Atlength，myschemesbeingripe，Imethimwiththefullintentionthatthismeetingshouldbefinalanddecisiveatthechambersofafellow-commoner，Mr。Preston，equallyintimatewithboth，butwho，todohimJustice，entertainednotevenaremotesuspicionofmydesign。Togivetothisabettercolouring，Ihadcontrivedtohaveassembledapartyofsomeeightorten，andwassolicitouslycarefulthattheintroductionofcardsshouldappearaccidental，andoriginateintheproposalofmycontemplateddupehimself。Tobebriefuponaviletopic，noneofthelowfinessewasomitted，socustomaryuponsimilaroccasionsthatitisajustmatterforwonderhowanyarestillfoundsobesottedastofallitsvictim。
　　Wehadprotractedoursittingfarintothenight，andIhadatlengtheffectedthemanoeuvreofgettingGlendinningasmysoleantagonist。
　　Thegame，too，wasmyfavoriteecarte！。Therestofthecompany，interestedintheextentofourplay，hadabandonedtheirowncards，andwerestandingaroundusasspectators。Theparvenu，whohadbeeninducedbymyartificesintheearlypartoftheevening，todrinkdeeply，nowshuffled，dealt，orplayed，withawildnervousnessofmannerforwhichhisintoxication，Ithought，mightpartially，butcouldnotaltogetheraccount。Inaveryshortperiodhehadbecomemydebtortoalargeamount，when，havingtakenalongdraughtofport，hedidpreciselywhatIhadbeencoollyanticipatingheproposedtodoubleouralreadyextravagantstakes。Withawell-feignedshowofreluctance，andnotuntilaftermyrepeatedrefusalhadseducedhimintosomeangrywordswhichgaveacolorofpiquetomycompliance，didIfinallycomply。Theresult，ofcourse，didbutprovehowentirelythepreywasinmytoils；inlessthananhourhehadquadrupledhisdebt。Forsometimehiscountenancehadbeenlosingthefloridtingelentitbythewine；butnow，tomyastonishment，I