Shewasnotabsentamoment。"Hestood，foratime，asiftoassurehimselfofmysincerity。Then，clinchinghishands，andwildlyliftingthemabovehishead，"Lo，"criedhe，"Ihavenewstotellyou。TheBaronessdeStolbergisdead？"
　　Thiswasherwhomheloved。Iwasnotsurprisedattheagitationswhichhebetrayed。"Buthowwastheinformationprocured？HowwasthetruthofthisnewsconnectedwiththecircumstanceofCatharine'sremaininginourcompany？"Hewasforsometimeinattentivetomyquestions。Whenhespoke，itseemedmerelyacontinuationofthereverieintowhichhehadbeenplunged。
　　"Andyetitmightbeameredeception。Butcouldbothofusinthatcasehavebeendeceived？Arareandprodigiouscoincidence!Barelynotimpossible。Andyet，iftheaccentbeoracular——Theresaisdead。No，no，"continuedhe，coveringhisfacewithhishands，andinatonehalfbrokenintosobs，"I
　　cannotbelieveit。Shehasnotwritten，butifsheweredead，thefaithfulBertrandwouldhavegivenmetheearliestinformation。Andyetifheknewhismaster，hemusthaveeasilyguessedattheeffectofsuchtidings。Inpitytomehewassilent。"
　　"Clara，forgiveme；toyou，thisbehaviourismysterious。I
　　willexplainaswellasIamable。ButsaynotawordtoCatharine。Herstrengthofmindisinferiortoyour's。Shewill，besides，havemorereasontobestartled。SheisWieland'sangel。"
　　Pleyelproceededtoinformme，forthefirsttime，oftheschemewhichhehadpressed，withsomuchearnestness，onmybrother。Heenumeratedtheobjectionswhichhadbeenmade，andtheindustrywithwhichhehadendeavouredtoconfutethem。Hementionedtheeffectuponhisresolutionsproducedbythefailureofaletter。"Duringourlatewalk，"continuedhe，"I
　　introducedthesubjectthatwasnearestmyheart。Ire-urgedallmyformerarguments，andplacedtheminmoreforciblelights。Wielandwasstillrefractory。Heexpatiatedontheperilsofwealthandpower，onthesacrednessofconjugalandparentalduties，andthehappinessofmediocrity。
　　"Nowonderthatthetimepassed，unperceived，away。Ourwholesoulswereengagedinthiscause。Severaltimeswecametothefootoftherock；assoonasweperceivedit，wechangedourcourse，butneverfailedtoterminateourcircuitousanddeviousrambleatthisspot。Atlengthyourbrotherobserved，"Weseemtobeledhitherbyakindoffatality。Sincewearesonear，letusascendandrestourselvesawhile。Ifyouarenotwearyofthisargumentwewillresumeitthere。"
　　"Itacitlyconsented。Wemountedthestairs，anddrawingthesofainfrontoftheriver，weseatedourselvesuponit。Itookupthethreadofourdiscoursewherewehaddroppedit。I
　　ridiculedhisdreadofthesea，andhisattachmenttohome。I
　　keptoninthisstrain，socongenialwithmydisposition，forsometime，uninterruptedbyhim。Atlength，hesaidtome，"SupposenowthatI，whomargumenthasnotconvinced，shouldyieldtoridicule，andshouldagreethatyourschemeiseligible；whatwillyouhavegained？Nothing。Youhaveotherenemiesbesidemyselftoencounter。Whenyouhavevanquishedme，yourtoilhasscarcelybegun。Therearemysisterandwife，withwhomitwillremainforyoutomaintainthecontest。Andtrustme，theyareadversarieswhomallyourforceandstratagemwillneversubdue。"Iinsinuatedthattheywouldmodelthemselvesbyhiswill:thatCatharinewouldthinkobedienceherduty。Heanswered，withsomequickness，"Youmistake。
　　Theirconcurrenceisindispensable。Itisnotmycustomtoexactsacrificesofthiskind。Ilivetobetheirprotectorandfriend，andnottheirtyrantandfoe。Ifmywifeshalldeemherhappiness，andthatofherchildren，mostconsultedbyremainingwheresheis，heresheshallremain。""But，"saidI，"whensheknowsyourpleasure，willshenotconformtoit？"Beforemyfriendhadtimetoanswerthisquestion，anegativewasclearlyanddistinctlyutteredfromanotherquarter。Itdidnotcomefromonesideortheother，frombeforeusorbehind。Whencethendiditcome？Bywhoseorganswasitfashioned？
　　"Ifanyuncertaintyhadexistedwithregardtotheseparticulars，itwouldhavebeenremovedbyadeliberateandequallydistinctrepetitionofthesamemonosyllable，"No。"Thevoicewasmysister's。Itappearedtocomefromtheroof。I
　　startedfrommyseat。Catharine，exclaimedI，whereareyou？
　　Noanswerwasreturned。Isearchedtheroom，andtheareabeforeit，butinvain。Yourbrotherwasmotionlessinhisseat。Ireturnedtohim，andplacedmyselfagainbyhisside。
　　Myastonishmentwasnotlessthanhis。"
　　"Well，"saidhe，atlength，"Whatthinkyouofthis？Thisistheself-samevoicewhichIformerlyheard；youarenowconvincedthatmyearswerewellinformed。"
　　"Yes，"saidI，"this，itisplain，isnofictionofthefancy。"Weagainsunkintomutualandthoughtfulsilence。A
　　recollectionofthehour，andofthelengthofourabsence，mademeatlastproposetoreturn。Weroseupforthispurpose。Indoingthis，mymindrevertedtothecontemplationofmyowncondition。"Yes，"saidIaloud，butwithoutparticularlyaddressingmyselftoWieland，"myresolutionistaken。Icannothopetoprevailwithmyfriendstoaccompanyme。TheymaydozeawaytheirdaysonthebanksofSchuylkill，butastome，Igointhenextvessel；Iwillflytoherpresence，anddemandthereasonofthisextraordinarysilence。"
　　"Ihadscarcelyfinishedthesentence，whenthesamemysteriousvoiceexclaimed，"Youshallnotgo。Thesealofdeathisonherlips。Hersilenceisthesilenceofthetomb。"
　　Thinkoftheeffectswhichaccentslikethesemusthavehaduponme。IshudderedasIlistened。AssoonasIrecoveredfrommyfirstamazement，"Whoisitthatspeaks？"saidI，"whencedidyouprocurethesedismaltidings？"Ididnotwaitlongforananswer。"Fromasourcethatcannotfail。Besatisfied。Sheisdead。"Youmayjustlybesurprised，that，inthecircumstancesinwhichIheardthetidings，andnotwithstandingthemysterywhichenvironedhimbywhomtheywereimparted，Icouldgiveanundividedattentiontothefacts，whichwerethesubjectofourdialogue。Ieagerlyinquired，whenandwheredidshedie？Whatwasthecauseofherdeath？Washerdeathabsolutelycertain？
　　Ananswerwasreturnedonlytothelastofthesequestions。
　　"Yes，"waspronouncedbythesamevoice；butitnowsoundedfromagreaterdistance，andthedeepestsilencewasallthereturnmadetomysubsequentinterrogatories。
　　"Itwasmysister'svoice；butitcouldnotbeutteredbyher；andyet，ifnotbyher，bywhomwasituttered？Whenwereturnedhither，anddiscoveredyoutogether，thedoubtthathadpreviouslyexistedwasremoved。Itwasmanifestthattheintimationcamenotfromher。Yetifnotfromher，fromwhomcoulditcome？Arethecircumstancesattendingtheimpartingofthisnewsproofthatthetidingsaretrue？Godforbidthattheyshouldbetrue。"
　　HerePleyelsunkintoanxioussilence，andgavemeleisuretoruminateonthisinexplicableevent。Iamatalosstodescribethesensationsthataffectedme。Iamnotfearfulofshadows。
　　Thetalesofapparitionsandenchantmentsdidnotpossessthatpowerovermybeliefwhichcouldevenrendertheminteresting。
　　Isawnothinginthembutignoranceandfolly，andwasastrangereventothatterrorwhichispleasing。ButthisincidentwasdifferentfromanythatIhadeverbeforeknown。
　　Herewereproofsofasensibleandintelligentexistence，whichcouldnotbedenied。Herewasinformationobtainedandimpartedbymeansunquestionablysuper-human。
　　Thatthereareconsciousbeings，besideourselves，inexistence，whosemodesofactivityandinformationsurpassourown，canscarcelybedenied。Isthereaglimpseaffordedusintoaworldofthesesuperiorbeings？Myheartwasscarcelylargeenoughtogiveadmittancetososwellingathought。Anawe，thesweetestandmostsolemnthatimaginationcanconceive，pervadedmywholeframe。ItforsookmenotwhenIpartedfromPleyelandretiredtomychamber。Animpulsewasgiventomyspiritsutterlyincompatiblewithsleep。Ipassedthenightwakefulandfullofmeditation。Iwasimpressedwiththebeliefofmysterious，butnotofmalignantagency。Hithertonothinghadoccurredtopersuademethatthisairyministerwasbusytoevilratherthantogoodpurposes。Onthecontrary，theideaofsuperiorvirtuehadalwaysbeenassociatedinmymindwiththatofsuperiorpower。Thewarningsthathadthusbeenheardappearedtohavebeenpromptedbybeneficentintentions。Mybrotherhadbeenhinderedbythisvoicefromascendingthehill。
　　Hewastoldthatdangerlurkedinhispath，andhisobediencetotheintimationhadperhapssavedhimfromadestinysimilartothatofmyfather。
　　Pleyelhadbeenrescuedfromtormentinguncertainty，andfromthehazardsandfatiguesofafruitlessvoyage，bythesameinterposition。IthadassuredhimofthedeathofhisTheresa。
　　Thiswomanwasthendead。Aconfirmationofthetidings，iftrue，wouldspeedilyarrive。Wasthisconfirmationtobedeprecatedordesired？Byherdeath，thetiethatattachedhimtoEurope，wastakenaway。Henceforwardeverymotivewouldcombinetoretainhiminhisnativecountry，andwewererescuedfromthedeepregretsthatwouldaccompanyhishopelessabsencefromus。Propitiouswasthespiritthatimpartedthesetidings。
　　Propitioushewouldperhapshavebeen，ifhehadbeeninstrumentalinproducing，aswellasincommunicatingthetidingsofherdeath。Propitioustous，thefriendsofPleyel，towhomhastherebybeensecuredtheenjoymentofhissociety；
　　andnotunpropitioustohimself；forthoughthisobjectofhislovebesnatchedaway，istherenotanotherwhoisableandwillingtoconsolehimforherloss？
　　Twentydaysafterthis，anothervesselarrivedfromthesameport。Inthisinterval，Pleyel，forthemostpart，estrangedhimselffromhisoldcompanions。Hewasbecomethepreyofagloomyandunsociablegrief。HiswalkswerelimitedtothebankoftheDelaware。Thisbankisanartificialone。Reedsandtheriverareononeside，andawaterymarshontheother，inthatpartwhichboundedhislands，andwhichextendedfromthemouthofHollander'screektothatofSchuylkill。Noscenecanbeimaginedlessenticingtoaloverofthepicturesquethanthis。
　　Theshoreisdeformedwithmud，andincumberedwithaforestofreeds。Thefields，inmostseasons，aremire；butwhentheyaffordafirmfooting，theditchesbywhichtheyareboundedandintersected，aremantledwithstagnatinggreen，andemitthemostnoxiousexhalations。Healthisnolessastrangertothoseseatsthanpleasure。Springandautumnaresuretobeaccompaniedwithaguesandbiliousremittents。
　　ThesceneswhichenvironedourdwellingsatMettingenconstitutedthereverseofthis。Schuylkillwashereapureandtranslucidcurrent，brokenintOwildandceaselessmusicbyrockypoints，murmuringonasandymargin，andreflectingonitssurface，banksofallvarietiesofheightanddegreesofdeclivity。Thesebankswerechequeredbypatchesofdarkverdureandshapelessmassesofwhitemarble，andcrownedbycopsesofcedar，orbytheregularmagnificenceoforchards，which，atthisseason，wereinblossom，andwereprodigalofodours。Thegroundwhichrecededfromtheriverwasscoopedintovalleysanddales。Itsbeautieswereenhancedbythehorticulturalskillofmybrother，whobedeckedthisexquisiteassemblageofslopesandrisingswitheveryspeciesofvegetableornament，fromthegiantarmsoftheoaktotheclusteringtendrilsofthehoney-suckle。
　　Toscreenhimfromtheunwholesomeairsofhisownresidence，ithadbeenproposedtoPleyeltospendthemonthsofspringwithus。Hehadapparentlyacquiescedinthisproposal；butthelateeventinducedhimtochangehispurpose。Hewasonlytobeseenbyvisitinghiminhisretirements。Hisgaietyhadflown，andeverypassionwasabsorbedineagernesstoprocuretidingsfromSaxony。IhavementionedthearrivalofanothervesselfromtheElbe。Hedescriedherearlyonemorningashewaspassingalongtheskirtoftheriver。Shewaseasilyrecognized，beingtheshipinwhichhehadperformedhisfirstvoyagetoGermany。Heimmediatelywentonboard，butfoundnolettersdirectedtohim。Thisomissionwas，insomedegree，compensatedbymeetingwithanoldacquaintanceamongthepassengers，whohadtilllatelybeenaresidentinLeipsig。
　　ThispersonputanendtoallsuspenserespectingthefateofTheresa，byrelatingtheparticularsofherdeathandfuneral。
　　Thuswasthetruthoftheformerintimationattested。Nolongerdevouredbysuspense，thegriefofPleyelwasnotlonginyieldingtotheinfluenceofsociety。Hegavehimselfuponcemoretoourcompany。Hisvivacityhadindeedbeendamped；buteveninthisrespecthewasamoreacceptablecompanionthanformerly，sincehisseriousnesswasneitherincommunicativenorsullen。
　　Theseincidents，foratime，occupiedallourthoughts。Inmetheyproducedasentimentnotunalliedtopleasure，andmorespeedilythaninthecaseofmyfriendswereintermixedwithothertopics。Mybrotherwasparticularlyaffectedbythem。Itwaseasytoperceivethatmostofhismeditationsweretincturedfromthissource。Tothiswastobeascribedadesigninwhichhispenwas，atthisperiod，engaged，ofcollectingandinvestigatingthefactswhichrelatetothatmysteriouspersonage，theDaemonofSocrates。
　　Mybrother'sskillinGreekandRomanlearningwasexceededbythatoffew，andnodoubttheworldwouldhaveacceptedatreatiseuponthissubjectfromhishandwithavidity；butalas!
　　thisandeveryotherschemeoffelicityandhonor，weredoomedtosuddenblastandhopelessextermination。
　　ChapterVI
　　Inowcometothementionofapersonwithwhosenamethemostturbulentsensationsareconnected。ItiswithashudderingreluctancethatIenterontheprovinceofdescribinghim。NowitisthatIbegintoperceivethedifficultyofthetaskwhichIhaveundertaken；butitwouldbeweaknesstoshrinkfromit。Mybloodiscongealed:andmyfingersarepalsiedwhenIcalluphisimage。Shameuponmycowardlyandinfirmheart!HithertoIhaveproceededwithsomedegreeofcomposure，butnowImustpause。Imeannotthatdireremembranceshallsubduemycourageorbafflemydesign，butthisweaknesscannotbeimmediatelyconquered。Imustdesistforalittlewhile。
　　Ihavetakenafewturnsinmychamber，andhavegatheredstrengthenoughtoproceed。YethaveInotprojectedataskbeyondmypowertoexecute？Ifthus，ontheverythresholdofthescene，mykneesfaulterandIsink，howshallIsupportmyself，whenIrushintothemidstofhorrorssuchasnohearthashithertoconceived，nortonguerelated？Isickenandrecoilattheprospect，andyetmyirresolutionismomentary。Ihavenotformedthisdesignuponslightgrounds，andthoughImayattimespauseandhesitate，Iwillnotbefinallydivertedfromit。
　　Andthou，Omostfatalandpotentofmankind，inwhattermsshallIdescribethee？Whatwordsareadequatetothejustdelineationofthycharacter？HowshallIdetailthemeanswhichrenderedthesecrecyofthypurposesunfathomable？ButI
　　willnotanticipate。Letmerecoverifpossible，asoberstrain。Letmekeepdownthefloodofpassionthatwouldrendermeprecipitateorpowerless。Letmestifletheagoniesthatareawakenedbythyname。Letme，foratime，regardtheeasabeingofnoterribleattributes。Letmetearmyselffromcontemplationoftheevilsofwhichitisbuttoocertainthatthouwasttheauthor，andlimitmyviewtothoseharmlessappearanceswhichattendedthyentranceonthestage。
　　Onesunnyafternoon，Iwasstandinginthedoorofmyhouse，whenImarkedapersonpassingclosetotheedgeofthebankthatwasinfront。Hispacewasacarelessandlingeringone，andhadnoneofthatgracefulnessandeasewhichdistinguishapersonwithcertainadvantagesofeducationfromaclown。Hisgaitwasrusticandaukward。Hisformwasungainlyanddisproportioned。Shouldersbroadandsquare，breastsunken，hisheaddrooping，hisbodyofuniformbreadth，supportedbylongandlanklegs，weretheingredientsofhisframe。Hisgarbwasnotilladaptedtosuchafigure。Aslouchedhat，tarnishedbytheweather，acoatofthickgreycloth，cutandwrought，asitseemed，byacountrytailor，blueworstedstockings，andshoesfastenedbythongs，anddeeplydiscolouredbydust，whichbrushhadneverdisturbed，constitutedhisdress。
　　Therewasnothingremarkableintheseappearances；theywerefrequentlytobemetwithontheroad，andintheharvestfield。
　　IcannottellwhyIgazeduponthem，onthisoccasion，withmorethanordinaryattention，unlessitwerethatsuchfigureswereseldomseenbyme，exceptontheroadorfield。Thislawnwasonlytraversedbymenwhoseviewsweredirectedtothepleasuresofthewalk，orthegrandeurofthescenery。
　　Hepassedslowlyalong，frequentlypausing，asiftoexaminetheprospectmoredeliberately，butneverturninghiseyetowardsthehouse，soastoallowmeaviewofhiscountenance。
　　Presently，heenteredacopseatasmalldistance，anddisappeared。Myeyefollowedhimwhileheremainedinsight。
　　Ifhisimageremainedforanydurationinmyfancyafterhisdeparture，itwasbecausenootherobjectoccurredsufficienttoexpelit。
　　Icontinuedinthesamespotforhalfanhour，vaguely，andbyfits，contemplatingtheimageofthiswanderer，anddrawing，fromoutwardappearances，thoseinferenceswithrespecttotheintellectualhistoryofthisperson，whichexperienceaffordsus。Ireflectedonthealliancewhichcommonlysubsistsbetweenignoranceandthepracticeofagriculture，andindulgedmyselfinairyspeculationsastotheinfluenceofprogressiveknowledgeindissolvingthisalliance，andembodyingthedreamsofthepoets。Iaskedwhytheploughandthehoemightnotbecomethetradeofeveryhumanbeing，andhowthistrademightbemadeconduciveto，or，atleast，consistentwiththeacquisitionofwisdomandeloquence。
　　Wearywiththesereflections，Ireturnedtothekitchentoperformsomehouseholdoffice。Ihadusuallybutoneservant，andshewasagirlaboutmyownage。Iwasbusynearthechimney，andshewasemployednearthedooroftheapartment，whensomeoneknocked。Thedoorwasopenedbyher，andshewasimmediatelyaddressedwith"Pry'thee，goodgirl，canstthousupplyathirstymanwithaglassofbuttermilk？"Sheansweredthattherewasnoneinthehouse。"Aye，butthereissomeinthedairyyonder。ThouknowestaswellasI，thoughHermesnevertaughtthee，thatthougheverydairybeanhouse，everyhouseisnotadairy。"Tothisspeech，thoughsheunderstoodonlyapartofit，sherepliedbyrepeatingherassurances，thatshehadnonetogive。"Wellthen，"rejoinedthestranger，"forcharity'ssweetsake，handmeforthacupofcoldwater。"Thegirlsaidshewouldgotothespringandfetchit。"Nay，givemethecup，andsuffermetohelpmyself。Neithermanaclednorlame，Ishouldmeritburialinthemawofcarrioncrows，ifI
　　laidthistaskuponthee。"Shegavehimthecup，andheturnedtogotothespring。
　　Ilistenedtothisdialogueinsilence。Thewordsutteredbythepersonwithout，affectedmeassomewhatsingular，butwhatchieflyrenderedthemremarkable，wasthetonethataccompaniedthem。Itwaswhollynew。Mybrother'svoiceandPleyel'sweremusicalandenergetic。Ihadfondlyimagined，that，inthisrespect，theyweresurpassedbynone。Nowmymistakewasdetected。Icannotpretendtocommunicatetheimpressionthatwasmadeuponmebytheseaccents，ortodepictthedegreeinwhichforceandsweetnesswereblendedinthem。Theywerearticulatedwithadistinctnessthatwasunexampledinmyexperience。Butthiswasnotall。Thevoicewasnotonlymellifluentandclear，buttheemphasiswassojust，andthemodulationsoimpassioned，thatitseemedasifanheartofstonecouldnotfailofbeingmovedbyit。Itimpartedtomeanemotionaltogetherinvoluntaryandincontroulable。Whenheutteredthewords"forcharity'ssweetsake，"IdroppedthecloththatIheldinmyhand，myheartoverflowedwithsympathy，andmyeyeswithunbiddentears。
　　Thisdescriptionwillappeartoyoutriflingorincredible。
　　Theimportanceofthesecircumstanceswillbemanifestedinthesequel。ThemannerinwhichIwasaffectedonthisoccasion，was，tomyownapprehension，asubjectofastonishment。ThetoneswereindeedsuchasIneverheardbefore；butthattheyshould，inaninstant，asitwere，dissolvemeintears，willnoteasilybebelievedbyothers，andcanscarcelybecomprehendedbymyself。
　　ItwillbereadilysupposedthatIwassomewhatinquisitiveastothepersonanddemeanourofourvisitant。Afteramoment'spause，Isteppedtothedoorandlookedafterhim。
　　Judgemysurprize，whenIbeheldtheself-samefigurethathadappearedanhalfhourbeforeuponthebank。Myfancyhadconjuredupaverydifferentimage。Aform，andattitude，andgarb，wereinstantlycreatedworthytoaccompanysuchelocution；
　　butthispersonwas，inallvisiblerespects，thereverseofthisphantom。Strangeasitmayseem，Icouldnotspeedilyreconcilemyselftothisdisappointment。Insteadofreturningtomyemployment，Ithrewmyselfinachairthatwasplacedoppositethedoor，andsunkintoafitofmusing。
　　Myattentionwas，inafewminutes，recalledbythestranger，whoreturnedwiththeemptycupinhishand。Ihadnotthoughtofthecircumstance，orshouldcertainlyhavechosenadifferentseat。Henosoonershewedhimself，thanaconfusedsenseofimpropriety，addedtothesuddennessoftheinterview，forwhich，nothavingforeseenit，Ihadmadenopreparation，threwmeintoastateofthemostpainfulembarrassment。Hebroughtwithhimaplacidbrow；butnosoonerhadhecasthiseyesuponme，thanhisfacewasasglowinglysuffusedasmyown。Heplacedthecupuponthebench，stammeredoutthanks，andretired。
　　ItwassometimebeforeIcouldrecovermywontedcomposure。
　　Ihadsnatchedaviewofthestranger'scountenance。Theimpressionthatitmadewasvividandindelible。Hischeekswerepallidandlank，hiseyessunken，hisforeheadovershadowedbycoarsestragglinghairs，histeethlargeandirregular，thoughsoundandbrilliantlywhite，andhischindiscolouredbyatetter。Hisskinwasofcoarsegrain，andsallowhue。Everyfeaturewaswideofbeauty，andtheoutlineofhisfaceremindedyouofaninvertedcone。
　　Andyethisforehead，sofarasshaggylockswouldallowittobeseen，hiseyeslustrouslyblack，andpossessing，inthemidstofhaggardness，aradianceinexpressiblysereneandpotent，andsomethingintherestofhisfeatures，whichitwouldbeinvaintodescribe，butwhichservedtobetokenamindofthehighestorder，wereessentialingredientsintheportrait。This，intheeffectswhichimmediatelyflowedfromit，Icountamongthemostextraordinaryincidentsofmylife。
　　Thisface，seenforamoment，continuedforhourstooccupymyfancy，totheexclusionofalmosteveryotherimage。Ihadpurposedtospendtheeveningwithmybrother，butIcouldnotresisttheinclinationofformingasketchuponpaperofthismemorablevisage。Whethermyhandwasaidedbyanypeculiarinspiration，orIwasdeceivedbymyownfondconceptions，thisportrait，thoughhastilyexecuted，appearedunexceptionabletomyowntaste。
　　Iplaceditatalldistances，andinalllights；myeyeswererivetteduponit。Halfthenightpassedawayinwakefulnessandincontemplationofthispicture。Soflexible，andyetsostubborn，isthehumanmind。Soobedienttoimpulsesthemosttransientandbrief，andyetsounalterablyobservantofthedirectionwhichisgiventoit!HowlittledidIthenforeseetheterminationofthatchain，ofwhichthismayberegardedasthefirstlink？
　　Nextdayaroseindarknessandstorm。Torrentsofrainfellduringthewholeday，attendedwithincessantthunder，whichreverberatedinstunningechoesfromtheoppositedeclivity。
　　Theinclemencyoftheairwouldnotallowmetowalk-out。I
　　had，indeed，noinclinationtoleavemyapartment。Ibetookmyselftothecontemplationofthisportrait，whoseattractionstimehadratherenhancedthandiminished。Ilaidasidemyusualoccupations，andseatingmyselfatawindow，consumedthedayinalternatelylookingoutuponthestorm，andgazingatthepicturewhichlayuponatablebeforeme。Youwill，perhaps，deemthisconductsomewhatsingular，andascribeittocertainpeculiaritiesoftemper。Iamnotawareofanysuchpeculiarities。Icanaccountformydevotiontothisimagenootherwise，thanbysupposingthatitspropertieswererareandprodigious。Perhapsyouwillsuspectthatsuchwerethefirstinroadsofapassionincidenttoeveryfemaleheart，andwhichfrequentlygainsafootingbymeansevenmoreslight，andmoreimprobablethanthese。Ishallnotcontrovertthereasonablenessofthesuspicion，butleaveyouatlibertytodraw，frommynarrative，whatconclusionsyouplease。
　　Nightatlengthreturned，andthestormceased。Theairwasoncemoreclearandcalm，andboreanaffectingcontrasttothatuproaroftheelementsbywhichithadbeenpreceded。Ispentthedarksomehours，asIspenttheday，contemplativeandseatedatthewindow。Whywasmymindabsorbedinthoughtsominousanddreary？Whydidmybosomheavewithsighs，andmyeyesoverflowwithtears？Wasthetempestthathadjustpastasignaloftheruinwhichimpendedoverme？Mysoulfondlydweltupontheimagesofmybrotherandhischildren，yettheyonlyincreasedthemournfulnessofmycontemplations。Thesmilesofthecharmingbabeswereasblandasformerly。Thesamedignitysatonthebrowoftheirfather，andyetIthoughtofthemwithanguish。Somethingwhisperedthatthehappinessweatpresentenjoyedwassetonmutablefoundations。Deathmusthappentoall。Whetherourfelicitywastobesubvertedbyitto-morrow，orwhetheritwasordainedthatweshouldlaydownourheadsfullofyearsandofhonor，wasaquestionthatnohumanbeingcouldsolve。Atothertimes，theseideasseldomintruded。I
　　eitherforboretoreflectuponthedestinythatisreservedforallmen，orthereflectionwasmixedupwithimagesthatdisrobeditofterror；butnowtheuncertaintyoflifeoccurredtomewithoutanyofitsusualandalleviatingaccompaniments。
　　Isaidtomyself，wemustdie。Soonerorlater，wemustdisappearforeverfromthefaceoftheearth。Whateverbethelinksthatholdustolife，theymustbebroken。Thissceneofexistenceis，inallitsparts，calamitous。Thegreaternumberisoppressedwithimmediateevils，andthose，thetideofwhosefortunesisfull，howsmallistheirportionofenjoyment，sincetheyknowthatitwillterminate。
　　ForsometimeIindulgedmyself，withoutreluctance，inthesegloomythoughts；butatlength，thedejectionwhichtheyproducedbecameinsupportablypainful。Iendeavouredtodissipateitwithmusic。Ihadallmygrand-father'smelodyaswellaspoetrybyrote。Inowlightedbychanceonaballad，whichcommemoratedthefateofaGermanCavalier，whofellatthesiegeofNiceunderGodfreyofBouillon。Mychoicewasunfortunate，forthescenesofviolenceandcarnagewhichwereherewildlybutforciblypourtrayed，onlysuggestedtomythoughtsanewtopicinthehorrorsofwar。
　　Isoughtrefuge，butineffectually，insleep。Mymindwasthrongedbyvivid，butconfusedimages，andnoeffortthatI
　　madewassufficienttodrivethemaway。InthissituationI
　　heardtheclock，whichhungintheroom，givethesignalfortwelve。Itwasthesameinstrumentwhichformerlyhunginmyfather'schamber，andwhich，onaccountofitsbeinghisworkmanship，wasregarded，byeveryoneofourfamily，withveneration。Ithadfallentome，inthedivisionofhisproperty，andwasplacedinthisasylum。Thesoundawakenedaseriesofreflections，respectinghisdeath。Iwasnotallowedtopursuethem；forscarcelyhadthevibrationsceased，whenmyattentionwasattractedbyawhisper，which，atfirst，appearedtoproceedfromlipsthatwerelaidclosetomyear。
　　Nowonderthatacircumstancelikethisstartledme。Inthefirstimpulseofmyterror，Iutteredaslightscream，andshrunktotheoppositesideofthebed。Inamoment，however，Irecoveredfrommytrepidation。Iwashabituallyindifferenttoallthecausesoffear，bywhichthemajorityareafflicted。
　　Ientertainednoapprehensionofeitherghostsorrobbers。Oursecurityhadneverbeenmolestedbyeither，andImadeuseofnomeanstopreventorcounterworktheirmachinations。Mytranquillity，onthisoccasion，wasquicklyretrieved。Thewhisperevidentlyproceededfromonewhowaspostedatmybed-side。Thefirstideathatsuggesteditselfwas，thatitwasutteredbythegirlwholivedwithmeasaservant。Perhaps，somewhathadalarmedher，orshewassick，andhadcometorequestmyassistance。Bywhisperinginmyear，sheintendedtorousewithoutalarmingme。
　　Fullofthispersuasion，Icalled；"Judith，"saidI，"isityou？Whatdoyouwant？Isthereanythingthematterwithyou？"Noanswerwasreturned。Irepeatedmyinquiry，butequallyinvain。Cloudyaswastheatmosphere，andcurtainedasmybedwas，nothingwasvisible。Iwithdrewthecurtain，andleaningmyheadonmyelbow，Ilistenedwiththedeepestattentiontocatchsomenewsound。Meanwhile，Iranoverinmythoughts，everycircumstancethatcouldassistmyconjectures。
　　Myhabitationwasawoodenedifice，consistingoftwostories。Ineachstoryweretworooms，separatedbyanentry，ormiddlepassage，withwhichtheycommunicatedbyoppositedoors。Thepassage，onthelowerstory，haddoorsatthetwoends，andastair-case。Windowsansweredtothedoorsontheupperstory。Annexedtothis，ontheeasternside，werewings，divided，inlikemanner，intoanupperandlowerroom；oneofthemcomprizedakitchen，andchamberaboveitfortheservant，andcommunicated，onbothstories，withtheparlouradjoiningitbelow，andthechamberadjoiningitabove。Theoppositewingisofsmallerdimensions，theroomsnotbeingaboveeightfeetsquare。Thelowerofthesewasusedasadepositoryofhouseholdimplements，theupperwasaclosetinwhichI
　　depositedmybooksandpapers。Theyhadbutoneinlet，whichwasfromtheroomadjoining。Therewasnowindowinthelowerone，andintheupper，asmallaperturewhichcommunicatedlightandair，butwouldscarcelyadmitthebody。Thedoorwhichledintothis，wasclosetomybed-head，andwasalwayslocked，butwhenImyselfwaswithin。Theavenuesbelowwereaccustomedtobeclosedandboltedatnights。
　　Themaidwasmyonlycompanion，andshecouldnotreachmychamberwithoutpreviouslypassingthroughtheoppositechamber，andthemiddlepassage，ofwhich，however，thedoorswereusuallyunfastened。Ifshehadoccasionedthisnoise，shewouldhaveansweredmyrepeatedcalls。Nootherconclusion，therefore，wasleftme，butthatIhadmistakenthesounds，andthatmyimaginationhadtransformedsomecasualnoiseintothevoiceofahumancreature。Satisfiedwiththissolution，Iwaspreparingtorelinquishmylisteningattitude，whenmyearwasagainsalutedwithanewandyetlouderwhispering。Itappeared，asbefore，toissuefromlipsthattouchedmypillow。
　　Asecondeffortofattention，however，clearlyshewedme，thatthesoundsissuedfromwithinthecloset，thedoorofwhichwasnotmorethaneightinchesfrommypillow。
　　Thissecondinterruptionoccasionedashocklessvehementthantheformer。Istarted，butgavenoaudibletokenofalarm。
　　Iwassomuchmistressofmyfeelings，astocontinuelisteningtowhatshouldbesaid。Thewhisperwasdistinct，hoarse，andutteredsoastoshewthatthespeakerwasdesirousofbeingheardbysomeonenear，but，atthesametime，studioustoavoidbeingoverheardbyanyother。
　　"Stop，stop，Isay；madmanasyouare!therearebettermeansthanthat。Curseuponyourrashness!Thereisnoneedtoshoot。"
　　Suchwerethewordsutteredinatoneofeagernessandanger，withinsosmalladistanceofmypillow。WhatconstructioncouldIputuponthem？Myheartbegantopalpitatewithdreadofsomeunknowndanger。Presently，anothervoice，butequallynearme，washeardwhisperinginanswer。"Whynot？Iwilldrawatriggerinthisbusiness，butperditionbemylotifIdomore。"Tothis，thefirstvoicereturned，inatonewhichragehadheightenedinasmalldegreeaboveawhisper，"Coward!standaside，andseemedoit。Iwillgraspherthroat；Iwilldoherbusinessinaninstant；sheshallnothavetimesomuchastogroan。"WhatwonderthatIwaspetrifiedbysoundssodreadful!
　　Murdererslurkedinmycloset。Theywereplanningthemeansofmydestruction。Oneresolvedtoshoot，andtheothermenacedsuffocation。Theirmeansbeingchosen，theywouldforthwithbreakthedoor。Flightinstantlysuggesteditselfasmosteligibleincircumstancessoperilous。Ideliberatednotamoment；but，fearaddingwingstomyspeed，Ileapedoutofbed，andscantilyrobedasIwas，rushedoutofthechamber，downstairs，andintotheopenair。Icanhardlyrecollecttheprocessofturningkeys，andwithdrawingbolts。Myterrorsurgedmeforwardwithalmostamechanicalimpulse。IstoppednottillIreachedmybrother'sdoor。Ihadnotgainedthethreshold，when，exhaustedbytheviolenceofmyemotions，andbymyspeed，Isunkdowninafit。
　　HowlongIremainedinthissituationIknownot。WhenI
　　recovered，Ifoundmyselfstretchedonabed，surroundedbymysisterandherfemaleservants。Iwasastonishedatthescenebeforeme，butgraduallyrecoveredtherecollectionofwhathadhappened。IansweredtheirimportunateinquiriesaswellasI
　　wasable。MybrotherandPleyel，whomthestormoftheprecedingdaychancedtodetainhere，informingthemselvesofeveryparticular，proceededwithlightsandweaponstomydesertedhabitation。Theyenteredmychamberandmycloset，andfoundeverythinginitsproperplaceandcustomaryorder。Thedooroftheclosetwaslocked，andappearednottohavebeenopenedinmyabsence。TheywenttoJudith'sapartment。Theyfoundherasleepandinsafety。Pleyel'scautioninducedhimtoforbearalarmingthegirl；andfindingherwhollyignorantofwhathadpassed，theydirectedhertoreturntoherchamber。
　　Theythenfastenedthedoors，andreturned。
　　Myfriendsweredisposedtoregardthistransactionasadream。Thatpersonsshouldbeactuallyimmuredinthiscloset，towhich，inthecircumstancesofthetime，accessfromwithoutorwithinwasapparentlyimpossible，theycouldnotseriouslybelieve。Thatanyhumanbeingshadintendedmurder，unlessitweretocoveraschemeofpillage，wasincredible；butthatnosuchdesignhadbeenformed，wasevidentfromthesecurityinwhichthefurnitureofthehouseandtheclosetremained。
　　Irevolvedeveryincidentandexpressionthathadoccurred。
　　Mysensesassuredmeofthetruthofthem，andyettheirabruptnessandimprobabilitymademe，inmyturn，somewhatincredulous。Theadventurehadmadeadeepimpressiononmyfancy，anditwasnottillafteraweek'sabodeatmybrother's，thatIresolvedtoresumethepossessionofmyowndwelling。
　　Therewasanothercircumstancethatenhancedthemysteriousnessofthisevent。Aftermyrecoveryitwasobvioustoinquirebywhatmeanstheattentionofthefamilyhadbeendrawntomysituation。IhadfallenbeforeIhadreachedthethreshold，orwasabletogiveanysignal。Mybrotherrelated，thatwhilethiswastransactinginmychamber，hehimselfwasawake，inconsequenceofsomeslightindisposition，andlay，accordingtohiscustom，musingonsomefavoritetopic。
　　Suddenlythesilence，whichwasremarkablyprofound，wasbrokenbyavoiceofmostpiercingshrillness，thatseemedtobeutteredbyoneinthehallbelowhischamber。"Awake!arise!"
　　itexclaimed:"hastentosuccouronethatisdyingatyourdoor。"
　　Thissummonswaseffectual。Therewasnooneinthehousewhowasnotrousedbyit。Pleyelwasthefirsttoobey，andmybrotherovertookhimbeforehereachedthehall。Whatwasthegeneralastonishmentwhenyourfriendwasdiscoveredstretcheduponthegrassbeforethedoor，pale，ghastly，andwitheverymarkofdeath!
　　Thiswasthethirdinstanceofavoice，exertedforthebenefitofthislittlecommunity。Theagentwasnolessinscrutableinthis，thanintheformercase。WhenIruminatedupontheseevents，mysoulwassuspendedinwonderandawe。WasIreallydeceivedinimaginingthatIheardtheclosetconversation？Iwasnolongeratlibertytoquestiontherealityofthoseaccentswhichhadformerlyrecalledmybrotherfromthehill；whichhadimpartedtidingsofthedeathoftheGermanladytoPleyel；andwhichhadlatelysummonedthemtomyassistance。
　　ButhowwasItoregardthismidnightconversation？Hoarseandmanlikevoicesconferringonthemeansofdeath，sonearmybed，andatsuchanhour!Howhadmyancientsecurityvanished!