ScarcelyhadIutteredthesewords，whenmyattentionwasstartledbythesoundoffootsteps。Theydenotedsomeonesteppingintothepiazzainfrontofmyhouse。Mynew-bornconfidencewasextinguishedinamoment。Carwin，Ithought，hadrepentedhisdeparture，andwashastilyreturning。Thepossibilitythathisreturnwaspromptedbyintentionsconsistentwithmysafety，foundnoplaceinmymind。Imagesofviolationandmurderassailedmeanew，andtheterrorswhichsucceededalmostincapacitatedmefromtakinganymeasuresformydefence。ItwasanimpulseofwhichIwasscarcelyconscious，thatmademefastenthelockanddrawtheboltsofmychamberdoor。Havingdonethis，Ithrewmyselfonaseat；forItrembledtoadegreewhichdisabledmefromstanding，andmysoulwassoperfectlyabsorbedintheactoflistening，thatalmostthevitalmotionswerestopped。
　　Thedoorbelowcreakedonitshinges。Itwasnotagainthrustto，butappearedtoremainopen。Footstepsentered，traversedtheentry，andbegantomountthestairs。HowI
　　detestedthefollyofnotpursuingthemanwhenhewithdrew，andboltingafterhimtheouterdoor!Mighthenotconceivethisomissiontobeaproofthatmyangelhaddesertedme，andbetherebyfortifiedinguilt？
　　Everysteponthestairs，whichbroughthimnearertomychamber，addedvigortomydesperation。TheevilwithwhichI
　　wasmenacedwastobeatanyrateeluded。HowlittledidI
　　preconceivetheconductwhich，inanexigencelikethis，I
　　shouldbepronetoadopt。Youwillsupposethatdeliberationanddespairwouldhavesuggestedthesamecourseofaction，andthatIshouldhave，unhesitatingly，resortedtothebestmeansofpersonaldefencewithinmypower。Apenknifelayopenuponmytable。Irememberedthatitwasthere，andseizedit。Forwhatpurposeyouwillscarcelyinquire。ItwillbeimmediatelysupposedthatImeantitformylastrefuge，andthatifallothermeansshouldfail，Ishouldplungeitintotheheartofmyravisher。
　　Ihavelostallfaithinthestedfastnessofhumanresolves。
　　ItwasthusthatinperiodsofcalmIhaddeterminedtoact。Nocowardicehadbeenheldbymeingreaterabhorrencethanthatwhichpromptedaninjuredfemaletodestroy，notherinjurereretheinjurywasperpetrated，butherselfwhenitwaswithoutremedy。Yetnowthispenknifeappearedtomeofnootherusethantobafflemyassailant，andpreventthecrimebydestroyingmyself。Todeliberateatsuchatimewasimpossible；butamongthetumultuoussuggestionsofthemoment，Idonotrecollectthatitonceoccurredtometouseitasaninstrumentofdirectdefence。
　　Thestepshadnowreachedthesecondfloor。Everyfootfallacceleratedthecompletion，withoutaugmenting，thecertaintyofevil。Theconsciousnessthatthedoorwasfast，nowthatnothingbutthatwasinterposedbetweenmeanddanger，wasasourceofsomeconsolation。Icastmyeyetowardsthewindow。
　　This，likewise，wasanewsuggestion。Ifthedoorshouldgiveway，itwasmysuddenresolutiontothrowmyselffromthewindow。Itsheightfromtheground，whichwascoveredbeneathbyabrickpavement，wouldinsuremydestruction；butIthoughtnotofthat。
　　Whenoppositetomydoorthefootstepsceased。Washelisteningwhethermyfearswereallayed，andmycautionwereasleep？Didhehopetotakemebysurprize？Yet，ifso，whydidheallowsomanynoisysignalstobetrayhisapproach？
　　Presentlythestepswereagainheardtoapproachthedoor。Anhandwaslaiduponthelock，andthelatchpulledback。DidheimagineitpossiblethatIshouldfailtosecurethedoor？A
　　slighteffortwasmadetopushitopen，asifallboltsbeingwithdrawn，aslighteffortonlywasrequired。
　　Inosoonerperceivedthis，thanImovedswiftlytowardsthewindow。Carwin'sframemightbesaidtobeallmuscle。Hisstrengthandactivityhadappeared，invariousinstances，tobeprodigious。Aslightexertionofhisforcewoulddemolishthedoor。Wouldnotthatexertionbemade？Toosurelyitwould；
　　but，atthesamemomentthatthisobstacleshouldyield，andheshouldentertheapartment，mydeterminationwasformedtoleapfromthewindow。Mysenseswerestillboundtothisobject。I
　　gazedatthedoorinmomentaryexpectationthattheassaultwouldbemade。Thepausecontinued。Thepersonwithoutwasirresoluteandmotionless。
　　Suddenly，itoccurredtomethatCarwinmightconceivemetohavefled。ThatIhadnotbetakenmyselftoflightwas，indeed，theleastprobableofallconclusions。Inthispersuasionhemusthavebeenconfirmedonfindingthelowerdoorunfastened，andthechamberdoorlocked。Wasitnotwisetofosterthispersuasion？ShouldImaintaindeepsilence，this，inadditiontoothercircumstances，mightencouragethebelief，andhewouldoncemoredepart。Everynewreflectionaddedplausibilitytothisreasoning。Itwaspresentlymorestronglyenforced，whenInoticedfootstepswithdrawingfromthedoor。Thebloodoncemoreflowedbacktomyheart，andadawnofexultationbegantorise:butmyjoywasshortlived。Insteadofdescendingthestairs，hepassedtothedooroftheoppositechamber，openedit，andhavingentered，shutitafterhimwithaviolencethatshookthehouse。
　　HowwasItointerpretthiscircumstance？Forwhatendcouldhehaveenteredthischamber？Didtheviolencewithwhichheclosedthedoortestifythedepthofhisvexation？ThisroomwasusuallyoccupiedbyPleyel。WasCarwinawareofhisabsenceonthisnight？Couldhebesuspectedofadesignsosordidaspillage？Ifthiswerehisviewtherewerenomeansinmypowertofrustrateit。Itbehovedmetoseizethefirstopportunitytoescape；butifmyescapeweresupposedbymyenemytohavebeenalreadyeffected，noasylumwasmoresecurethanthepresent。Howcouldmypassagefromthehousebeaccomplishedwithoutnoisesthatmightincitehimtopursueme？
　　UtterlyatalosstoaccountforhisgoingintoPleyel'schamber，Iwaitedininstantexpectationofhearinghimcomeforth。All，however，wasprofoundlystill。Ilistenedinvainforaconsiderableperiod，tocatchthesoundofthedoorwhenitshouldagainbeopened。Therewasnootheravenuebywhichhecouldescape，butadoorwhichledintothegirl'schamber。
　　Wouldanyevilfromthisquarterbefallthegirl？
　　Hencearoseanewtrainofapprehensions。Theymerelyaddedtotheturbulenceandagonyofmyreflections。Whateverevilimpendedoverher，Ihadnopowertoavertit。Seclusionandsilenceweretheonlymeansofsavingmyselffromtheperilsofthisfatalnight。WhatsolemnvowsdidIputup，thatifI
　　shouldoncemorebeholdthelightofday，Iwouldnevertrustmyselfagainwithinthethresholdofthisdwelling!
　　Minutelingeredafterminute，butnotokenwasgiventhatCarwinhadreturnedtothepassage。What，Iagainasked，coulddetainhiminthisroom？Wasitpossiblethathehadreturned，andglided，unperceived，away？Iwasspeedilyawareofthedifficultythatattendedanenterprizelikethis；andyet，asifbythatmeansIwerecapableofgaininganyinformationonthathead，Icastanxiouslooksfromthewindow。
　　Theobjectthatfirstattractedmyattentionwasanhumanfigurestandingontheedgeofthebank。Perhapsmypenetrationwasassistedbymyhopes。Bethatasitwill，thefigureofCarwinwasclearlydistinguishable。Fromtheobscurityofmystation，itwasimpossiblethatIshouldbediscernedbyhim，andyethescarcelysufferedmetocatchaglimpseofhim。Heturnedandwentdownthesteep，which，inthispart，wasnotdifficulttobescaled。
　　Myconjecturethenhadbeenright。Carwinhassoftlyopenedthedoor，descendedthestairs，andissuedforth。ThatIshouldnothaveoverheardhissteps，wasonlylessincrediblethanthatmyeyeshaddeceivedme。Butwhatwasnowtobedone？Thehousewasatlengthdeliveredfromthisdetestedinmate。Byoneavenuemightheagainre-enter。Wasitnotwisetobarthelowerdoor？Perhapshehadgoneoutbythekitchendoor。Forthisend，hemusthavepassedthroughJudith'schamber。Theseentrancesbeingclosedandbolted，asgreatsecuritywasgainedaswascompatiblewithmylonelycondition。
　　Theproprietyofthesemeasureswastoomanifestnottomakemestrugglesuccessfullywithmyfears。YetIopenedmyowndoorwiththeutmostcaution，anddescendedasifIwereafraidthatCarwinhadbeenstillimmuredinPleyel'schamber。Theouterdoorwasa-jar。Ishut，withtremblingeagerness，anddreweveryboltthatappendedtoit。Ithenpassedwithlightandlesscautiousstepsthroughtheparlour，butwassurprizedtodiscoverthatthekitchendoorwassecure。IwascompelledtoacquiesceinthefirstconjecturethatCarwinhadescapedthroughtheentry。
　　Myheartwasnowsomewhateasedoftheloadofapprehension。
　　Ireturnedoncemoretomychamber，thedoorofwhichIwascarefultolock。Itwasnotimetothinkofrepose。Themoon-lightbeganalreadytofadebeforethelightoftheday。
　　Theapproachofmorningwasbetokenedbytheusualsignals。I
　　musedupontheeventsofthisnight，anddeterminedtotakeupmyabodehenceforthatmybrother's。WhetherIshouldinformhimofwhathadhappenedwasaquestionwhichseemedtodemandsomeconsideration。MysafetyunquestionablyrequiredthatI
　　shouldabandonmypresenthabitation。
　　Asmythoughtsbegantoflowwithfewerimpediments，theimageofPleyel，andthedubiousnessofhiscondition，againrecurredtome。Iagainranoverthepossiblecausesofhisabsenceontheprecedingday。Mymindwasattunedtomelancholy。Idwelt，withanobstinacyforwhichIcouldnotaccount，ontheideaofhisdeath。Ipaintedtomyselfhisstruggleswiththebillows，andhislastappearance。Iimaginedmyselfamidnightwandererontheshore，andtohavestumbledonhiscorpse，whichthetidehadcastup。Thesedrearyimagesaffectedmeeventotears。Iendeavourednottorestrainthem。
　　TheyimpartedareliefwhichIhadnotanticipated。Themorecopiouslytheyflowed，themoredidmygeneralsensationsappeartosubsideintocalm，andacertainrestlessnessgivewaytorepose。
　　Perhaps，relievedbythiseffusion，theslumbersomuchwantedmighthavestolenonmysenses，hadtherebeennonewcauseofalarm。
　　ChapterXI
　　Iwasarousedfromthisstuporbysoundsthatevidentlyaroseinthenextchamber。WasitpossiblethatIhadbeenmistakeninthefigurewhichIhadseenonthebank？orhadCarwin，bysomeinscrutablemeans，penetratedoncemoreintothischamber？
　　Theoppositedooropened；footstepscameforth，andtheperson，advancingtomine，knocked。
　　Sounexpectedanincidentrobbedmeofallpresenceofmind，and，startingup，Iinvoluntarilyexclaimed，"Whoisthere？"Ananswerwasimmediatelygiven。Thevoice，tomyinexpressibleastonishment，wasPleyel's。
　　"ItisI。Haveyourisen？Ifyouhavenot，makehaste；I
　　wantthreeminutesconversationwithyouintheparlour——Iwillwaitforyouthere。"Sayingthisheretiredfromthedoor。
　　ShouldIconfideinthetestimonyofmyears？Ifthatweretrue，itwasPleyelthathadbeenhithertoimmuredintheoppositechamber:hewhommyruefulfancyhaddepictedinsomanyruinousandghastlyshapes:hewhosefootstepshadbeenlistenedtowithsuchinquietude!Whatisman，thatknowledgeissosparinglyconferreduponhim!thathisheartshouldbewrungwithdistress，andhisframebeexanimatedwithfear，thoughhissafetybeencompassedwithimpregnablewalls!Whataretheboundsofhumanimbecility!Hethatwarnedmeofthepresenceofmyfoerefusedtheintimationbywhichsomanyrackingfearswouldhavebeenprecluded。
　　YetwhowouldhaveimaginedthearrivalofPleyelatsuchanhour？Histonewasdespondingandanxious。Whythisunseasonablesummons？andwhythishastydeparture？Sometidingshe，perhaps，bearsofmysteriousandunwelcomeimport。
　　Myimpatiencewouldnotallowmetoconsumemuchtimeindeliberation:Ihasteneddown。PleyelIfoundstandingatawindow，witheyescastdownasinmeditation，andarmsfoldedonhisbreast。Everylineinhiscountenancewaspregnantwithsorrow。Tothiswasaddedacertainwannessandairoffatigue。
　　ThelasttimeIhadseenhimappearanceshadbeenthereverseofthese。Iwasstartledatthechange。Thefirstimpulsewastoquestionhimastothecause。Thisimpulsewassupplantedbysomedegreeofconfusion，flowingfromaconsciousnessthatlovehadtoolarge，and，asitmightprove，aperceptibleshareincreatingthisimpulse。Iwassilent。
　　Presentlyheraisedhiseyesandfixedthemuponme。Ireadinthemananguishaltogetherineffable。NeverhadIwitnessedalikedemeanourinPleyel。Never，indeed，hadIobservedanhumancountenanceinwhichgriefwasmorelegiblyinscribed。Heseemedstrugglingforutterance；buthisstrugglesbeingfruitless，heshookhisheadandturnedawayfromme。
　　Myimpatiencewouldnotallowmetobelongersilent:
　　"What，"saidI，"forheaven'ssake，myfriend，whatisthematter？"
　　Hestartedatthesoundofmyvoice。Hislooks，foramoment，becameconvulsedwithanemotionverydifferentfromgrief。Hisaccentswerebrokenwithrage。
　　"Thematter——Owretch!——thusexquisitelyfashioned——onwhomnatureseemedtohaveexhaustedallhergraces；withcharmssoawfulandsopure!howartthoufallen!Fromwhatheightfallen!Aruinsocomplete——sounheardof!"
　　Hiswordswereagainchoakedbyemotion。Griefandpitywereagainmingledinhisfeatures。Heresumed，inatonehalfsuffocatedbysobs:
　　"ButwhyshouldIupbraidthee？CouldIrestoretotheewhatthouhastlost；effacethiscursedstain；snatchtheefromthejawsofthisfiend；Iwoulddoit。Yetwhatwillavailmyefforts？Ihavenotarmswithwhichtocontendwithsoconsummate，sofrightfuladepravity。
　　"Evidencelessthanthiswouldonlyhaveexcitedresentmentandscorn。Thewretchwhoshouldhavebreathedasuspicioninjurioustothyhonor，wouldhavebeenregardedwithoutanger；
　　nothatredorenvycouldhavepromptedhim；itwouldmerelybeanargumentofmadness。Thatmyeyes，thatmyears，shouldbearwitnesstothyfall!Bynootherwaycoulddetestibleconvictionbeimparted。
　　"WhydoIsummontheetothisconference？Whyexposemyselftothyderision？Hereadmonitionandentreatyarevain。Thouknowesthimalready，foramurdererandthief。Ihadthoughttohavebeenthefirsttodisclosetotheehisinfamy；tohavewarnedtheeofthepittowhichthouarthastening；butthyeyesareopeninvain。Ofoulandinsupportabledisgrace!
　　"Thereisbutonepath。Iknowyouwilldisappeartogether。
　　Inthyruin，howwillthefelicityandhonorofmultitudesbeinvolved!Butitmustcome。Thissceneshallnotbeblottedbyhispresence。Nodoubtthouwiltshortlyseethydetestedparamour。Thisscenewillbeagainpollutedbyamidnightassignation。Informhimofhisdanger；tellhimthathiscrimesareknown；lethimflyfarandinstantlyfromthisspot，ifhedesirestoavoidthefatewhichmenacedhiminIreland。
　　"Andwiltthounotstaybehind？——Butshameuponmyweakness。
　　IknownotwhatIwouldsay——IhavedonewhatIpurposed。Tostaylonger，toexpostulate，tobeseech，toenumeratetheconsequencesofthyact——whatendcanitservebuttoblazonthyinfamyandembitterourwoes？Andyet，Othink，thinkereitbetoolate，onthedistresseswhichthyflightwillentailuponus；onthebase，grovelling，andatrociouscharacterofthewretchtowhomthouhastsoldthyhonor。Butwhatisthis？Isnotthyeffronteryimpenetrable，andthyheartthoroughlycankered？Omostspecious，andmostprofligateofwomen!"
　　Sayingthis，herushedoutofthehouse。Isawhiminafewmomentshurryingalongthepathwhichledtomybrother's。I
　　hadnopowertopreventhisgoing，ortorecall，ortofollowhim。TheaccentsIhadheardwerecalculatedtoconfoundandbewilder。Ilookedaroundmetoassuremyselfthatthescenewasreal。ImovedthatImightbanishthedoubtthatIwasawake。SuchenormousimputationsfromthemouthofPleyel!Tobestigmatizedwiththenamesofwantonandprofligate!Tobechargedwiththesacrificeofhonor!withmidnightmeetingswithawretchknowntobeamurdererandthief!withanintentiontoflyinhiscompany!
　　WhatIhadheardwassurelythedictateofphrenzy，oritwasbuiltuponsomefatal，someincomprehensiblemistake。Afterthehorrorsofthenight；afterundergoingperilssoimminentfromthisman，tobesummonedtoaninterviewlikethis；tofindPleyelfraughtwithabeliefthat，insteadofhavingchosendeathasarefugefromtheviolenceofthisman，Ihadhuggedhisbasenesstomyheart，hadsacrificedforhimmypurity，myspotlessname，myfriendships，andmyfortune!thatevenmadnesscouldengenderaccusationslikethesewasnottobebelieved。
　　Whatevidencecouldpossiblysuggestconceptionssowild？
　　Aftertheunlooked-forinterviewwithCarwininmychamber，heretired。CouldPleyelhaveobservedhisexit？ItwasnotlongafterthatPleyelhimselfentered。Didhebuildonthisincident，hisodiousconclusions？Couldthelongseriesofmyactionsandsentimentsgrantmenoexemptionfromsuspicionssofoul？WasitnotmorerationaltoinferthatCarwin'sdesignshadbeenillicit；thatmylifehadbeenendangeredbythefuryofonewhom，bysomemeans，hehaddiscoveredtobeanassassinandrobber；thatmyhonorhadbeenassailed，notbyblandishments，butbyviolence？
　　Hehasjudgedmewithouthearing。Hehasdrawnfromdubiousappearances，conclusionsthemostimprobableandunjust。Hehasloadedmewithalloutrageousepithets。Hehasrankedmewithprostitutesandthieves。Icannotpardonthee，Pleyel，forthisinjustice。Thyunderstandingmustbehurt。Ifitbenot，ifthyconductwassoberanddeliberate，Icanneverforgiveanoutragesounmanly，andsogross。
　　Thesethoughtsgraduallygaveplacetoothers。Pleyelwaspossessedbysomemomentaryphrenzy:appearanceshadledhimintopalpableerrors。Whencecouldhissagacityhavecontractedthisblindness？Wasitnotlove？PreviouslyassuredofmyaffectionforCarwin，distractedwithgriefandjealousy，andimpelledhitheratthatlatehourbysomeunknowninstigation，hisimaginationtransformedshadowsintomonsters，andplungedhimintothesedeplorableerrors。
　　Thisideawasnotunattendedwithconsolation。Mysoulwasdividedbetweenindignationathisinjustice，anddelightonaccountofthesourcefromwhichIconceivedittospring。Foralongtimetheywouldallowadmissiontonootherthoughts。
　　Surprizeisanemotionthatenfeebles，notinvigorates。Allmymeditationswereaccompaniedwithwonder。Irambledwithvagueness，orclungtooneimagewithanobstinacywhichsufficientlytestifiedthemaddeninginfluenceoflatetransactions。
　　GraduallyIproceededtoreflectupontheconsequencesofPleyel'smistake，andonthemeasuresIshouldtaketoguardmyselfagainstfutureinjuryfromCarwin。ShouldIsufferthismistaketobedetectedbytime？Whenhispassionshouldsubside，wouldhenotperceivetheflagrancyofhisinjustice，andhastentoatoneforit？Diditnotbecomemycharactertotestifyresentmentforlanguageandtreatmentsoopprobrious？
　　Wraptupintheconsciousnessofinnocence，andconfidingintheinfluenceoftimeandreflectiontoconfutesogroundlessacharge，itwasmyprovincetobepassiveandsilent。
　　AstotheviolencesmeditatedbyCarwin，andthemeansofeludingthem，thepathtobetakenbymewasobvious。I
　　resolvedtotellthetaletomybrother，andregulatemyselfbyhisadvice。Forthisend，whenthemorningwassomewhatadvanced，Itookthewaytohishouse。Mysisterwasengagedinhercustomaryoccupations。AssoonasIappeared，sheremarkedachangeinmylooks。IwasnotwillingtoalarmherbytheinformationwhichIhadtocommunicate。Herhealthwasinthatconditionwhichrenderedadisastroustaleparticularlyunsuitable。Iforboreadirectanswertoherinquiries，andinquired，inmyturn，forWieland。
　　"Why，"saidshe，"Isuspectsomethingmysteriousandunpleasanthashappenedthismorning。ScarcelyhadwerisenwhenPleyeldroppedamongus。WhatcouldhavepromptedhimtomakeussoearlyandsounseasonableavisitIcannottell。Tojudgefromthedisorderofhisdress，andhiscountenance，somethingofanextraordinarynaturehasoccurred。Hepermittedmemerelytoknowthathehadsleptnone，norevenundressed，duringthepastnight。Hetookyourbrothertowalkwithhim。
　　Sometopicmusthavedeeplyengagedthem，forWielanddidnotreturntillthebreakfasthourwaspassed，andreturnedalone。
　　Hisdisturbancewasexcessive；buthewouldnotlistentomyimportunities，ortellmewhathadhappened。Igatheredfromhintswhichheletfall，thatyoursituationwas，insomeway，thecause:yetheassuredmethatyouwereatyourownhouse，alive，ingoodhealth，andinperfectsafety。Hescarcelyateamorsel，andimmediatelyafterbreakfastwentoutagain。Hewouldnotinformmewhitherhewasgoing，butmentionedthatheprobablymightnotreturnbeforenight。"
　　Iwasequallyastonishedandalarmedbythisinformation。
　　Pleyelhadtoldhistaletomybrother，andhad，byaplausibleandexaggeratedpicture，instilledintohimunfavorablethoughtsofme。YetwouldnotthemorecorrectjudgmentofWielandperceiveandexposethefallacyofhisconclusions？PerhapshisuneasinessmightarisefromsomeinsightintothecharacterofCarwin，andfromapprehensionsformysafety。TheappearancesbywhichPleyelhadbeenmisled，mightinducehimlikewisetobelievethatIentertainedanindiscreet，thoughnotdishonorableaffectionforCarwin。Suchweretheconjecturesrapidlyformed。Iwasinexpressiblyanxioustochangethemintocertainty。Forthisendaninterviewwithmybrotherwasdesirable。Hewasgone，nooneknewwhither，andwasnotexpectedspeedilytoreturn。Ihadnocluebywhichtotracehisfootsteps。
　　Myanxietiescouldnotbeconcealedfrommysister。Theyheightenedhersolicitudetobeacquaintedwiththecause。
　　Thereweremanyreasonspersuadingmetosilence:atleast，tillIhadseenmybrother，itwouldbeanactofinexcusabletemeritytounfoldwhathadlatelypassed。Nootherexpedientforeludingherimportunitiesoccurredtome，butthatofreturningtomyownhouse。Irecollectedmydeterminationtobecomeatenantofthisroof。Imentionedittoher。Shejoyfullyaccededtothisproposal，andsufferedme，withlessreluctance，todepart，whenItoldherthatitwaswithaviewtocollectandsendtomynewdwellingwhatarticleswouldbeimmediatelyusefultome。
　　OncemoreIreturnedtothehousewhichhadbeenthesceneofsomuchturbulenceanddanger。IwasatnogreatdistancefromitwhenIobservedmybrothercomingout。Onseeingmehestopped，andafterascertaining，asitseemed，whichwayIwasgoing，hereturnedintothehousebeforeme。Isincerelyrejoicedatthisevent，andIhastenedtosetthings，ifpossible，ontheirrightfooting。
　　HisbrowwasbynomeansexpressiveofthosevehementemotionswithwhichPleyelhadbeenagitated。Idrewafavorableomenfromthiscircumstance。WithoutdelayIbegantheconversation。
　　"Ihavebeentolookforyou，"saidI，"butwastoldbyCatharinethatPleyelhadengagedyouonsomeimportantanddisagreeableaffair。Beforehisinterviewwithyouhespentafewminuteswithme。TheseminutesheemployedinupbraidingmeforcrimesandintentionswithwhichIambynomeanschargeable。Ibelievehimtohavetakenuphisopinionsonveryinsufficientgrounds。Hisbehaviourwasinthehighestdegreeprecipitateandunjust，and，untilIreceivesomeatonement，I
　　shalltreathim，inmyturn，withthatcontemptwhichhejustlymerits:meanwhileIamfearfulthathehasprejudicedmybrotheragainstme。ThatisanevilwhichImostanxiouslydeprecate，andwhichIshallindeedexertmyselftoremove。Hashemademethesubjectofthismorning'sconversation？"
　　Mybrother'scountenancetestifiednosurprizeatmyaddress。
　　Thebenignityofhislookswerenowisediminished。
　　"Itistrue，"saidhe，"yourconductwasthesubjectofourdiscourse。Iamyourfriend，aswellasyourbrother。ThereisnohumanbeingwhomIlovewithmoretenderness，andwhosewelfareisnearermyheart。JudgethenwithwhatemotionsI
　　listenedtoPleyel'sstory。Iexpectanddesireyoutovindicateyourselffromaspersionssofoul，ifvindicationbepossible。"
　　Thetonewithwhichheutteredthelastwordsaffectedmedeeply。"Ifvindicationbepossible!"repeatedI。"Fromwhatyouknow，doyoudeemaformalvindicationnecessary？Canyouharbourforamomentthebeliefofmyguilt？"
　　Heshookhisheadwithanairofacuteanguish。"Ihavestruggled，"saidhe，"todismissthatbelief。Youspeakbeforeajudgewhowillprofitbyanypretencetoacquityou:whoisreadytoquestionhisownsenseswhentheypleadagainstyou。"
　　Thesewordsincitedanewsetofthoughtsinmymind。I
　　begantosuspectthatPleyelhadbuilthisaccusationsonsomefoundationunknowntome。"Imaybeastrangertothegroundsofyourbelief。Pleyelloadedmewithindecentandvirulentinvectives，buthewithheldfrommethefactsthatgeneratedhissuspicions。Eventstookplacelastnightofwhichsomeofthecircumstanceswereofanambiguousnature。Iconceivedthatthesemightpossiblyhavefallenunderhiscognizance，andthat，viewedthroughthemistsofprejudiceandpassion，theysuppliedapretenceforhisconduct，butbelievedthatyourmoreunbiassedjudgmentwouldestimatethemattheirjustvalue。
　　PerhapshistalehasbeendifferentfromwhatIsuspectittobe。Listenthentomynarrative。Iftherebeanythinginhisstoryinconsistentwithmine，hisstoryisfalse。"
　　Ithenproceededtoacircumstantialrelationoftheincidentsofthelastnight。Wielandlistenedwithdeepattention。Havingfinished，"This，"continuedI，"isthetruth；
　　youseeinwhatcircumstancesaninterviewtookplacebetweenCarwinandme。Heremainedforhoursinmycloset，andforsomeminutesinmychamber。Hedepartedwithouthasteorinterruption。IfPleyelmarkedhimasheleftthehouse，anditisnotimpossiblethathedid，inferencesinjurioustomycharactermightsuggestthemselvestohim。Inadmittingthem，hegaveproofsoflessdiscernmentandlesscandorthanIonceascribedtohim。"
　　"Hisproofs，"saidWieland，afteraconsiderablepause，"aredifferent。Thatheshouldbedeceived，isnotpossible。Thathehimselfisnotthedeceiver，couldnotbebelieved，ifhistestimonywerenotinconsistentwithyours；butthedoubtswhichIentertainedarenowremoved。Yourtale，somepartsofit，ismarvellous；thevoicewhichexclaimedagainstyourrashnessinapproachingthecloset，yourpersistingnotwithstandingthatprohibition，yourbeliefthatIwastheruffian，andyoursubsequentconduct，arebelievedbyme，becauseIhaveknownyoufromchildhood，becauseathousandinstanceshaveattestedyourveracity，andbecausenothinglessthanmyownhearingandvisionwouldconvinceme，inoppositiontoherownassertions，thatmysisterhadfallenintowickednesslikethis。"
　　Ithrewmyarmsaroundhim，andbathedhischeekwithmytears。"That，"saidI，"isspokenlikemybrother。Butwhataretheproofs？"
　　Hereplied——"Pleyelinformedmethat，ingoingtoyourhouse，hisattentionwasattractedbytwovoices。Thepersonsspeakingsatbeneaththebankoutofsight。Thesepersons，judgingbytheirvoices，wereCarwinandyou。Iwillnotrepeatthedialogue。Ifmysisterwasthefemale，Pleyelwasjustifiedinconcludingyoutobe，indeed，oneofthemostprofligateofwomen。Hence，hisaccusationsofyou，andhiseffortstoobtainmyconcurrencetoaplanbywhichaneternalseparationshouldbebroughtaboutbetweenmysisterandthisman。"
　　ImadeWielandrepeatthisrecital。Here，indeed，wasataletofillmewithterribleforeboding。Ihadvainlythoughtthatmysafetycouldbesufficientlysecuredbydoorsandbars，butthisisafoefromwhosegraspnopowerofdivinitycansaveme!
　　Hisartificeswilleverlaymyfameandhappinessathismercy。
　　HowshallIcounterworkhisplots，ordetecthiscoadjutor？Hehastaughtsomevileandabandonedfemaletomimicmyvoice。
　　Pleyel'searswerethewitnessesofmydishonor。Thisisthemidnightassignationtowhichhealluded。Thusisthesilencehemaintainedwhenattemptingtoopenthedoorofmychamber，accountedfor。Hesupposedmeabsent，andmeant，perhaps，hadmyapartmentbeenaccessible，toleaveinitsomeaccusingmemorial。
　　Pleyelwasnolongerequallyculpable。Thesincerityofhisanguish，thedepthofhisdespair，Irememberedwithsometendenciestogratitude。Yetwashenotprecipitate？Wastheconjecturethatmypartwasplayedbysomemimicsoutterlyuntenable？Instancesofthisfacultyarecommon。ThewickednessofCarwinmust，inhisopinion，havebeenadequatetosuchcontrivances，andyetthesuppositionofmyguiltwasadoptedinpreferencetothat。
　　Buthowwasthiserrortobeunveiled？WhatbutmyownassertionhadItothrowinthebalanceagainstit？Wouldthisbepermittedtooutweighthetestimonyofhissenses？Ihadnowitnessestoprovemyexistenceinanotherplace。Therealeventsofthatnightaremarvellous。Few，towhomtheyshouldberelated，wouldscrupletodiscreditthem。Pleyelisscepticalinatranscendantdegree。IcannotsummonCarwintomybar，andmakehimtheattestorofmyinnocence，andtheaccuserofhimself。
　　Mybrothersawandcomprehendedmydistress。Hewasunacquainted，however，withthefullextentofit。HeknewnotbyhowmanymotivesIwasincitedtoretrievethegoodopinionofPleyel。Heendeavoredtoconsoleme。Somenewevent，hesaid，wouldoccurtodisentanglethemaze。Hedidnotquestiontheinfluenceofmyeloquence，ifIthoughtpropertoexertit。
　　WhynotseekaninterviewwithPleyel，andexactfromhimaminuterelation，inwhichsomethingmaybemetwithservingtodestroytheprobabilityofthewhole？
　　Icaught，witheagerness，atthishope；butmyalacritywasdampedbynewreflections。ShouldI，perfectinthisrespect，andunblemishedasIwas，thrustmyself，uncalled，intohispresence，andmakemyfelicitydependuponhisarbitraryverdict？
　　"Ifyouchusetoseekaninterview，"continuedWieland，"youmustmakehaste，forPleyelinformedmeofhisintentiontosetoutthiseveningorto-morrowonalongjourney。"
　　Nointelligencewaslessexpectedorlesswelcomethanthis。
　　Ihadthrownmyselfinawindowseat；butnow，startingonmyfeet，Iexclaimed，"Goodheavens!whatisityousay？ajourney？whither？when？"
　　"Icannotsaywhither。ItisasuddenresolutionIbelieve。
　　Ididnothearofittillthismorning。Hepromisestowritetomeassoonasheissettled。"
　　Ineedednofurtherinformationastothecauseandissueofthisjourney。Theschemeofhappinesstowhichhehaddevotedhisthoughtswasblastedbythediscoveryoflastnight。Mypreferenceofanother，andmyunworthinesstobeanylongertheobjectofhisadoration，wereevincedbythesameactandinthesamemoment。Thethoughtofutterdesertion，adesertionoriginatinginsuchacause，wasthepreludetodistraction。
　　ThatPleyelshouldabandonmeforever，becauseIwasblindtohisexcellence，becauseIcovetedpollution，andweddedinfamy，when，onthecontrary，myheartwastheshrineofallpurity，andbeatonlyforhissake，wasadestinywhich，aslongasmylifewasinmyownhands，Iwouldbynomeansconsenttoendure。
　　Irememberedthatthisevilwasstillpreventable；thatthisfataljourneyitwasstillinmypowertoprocrastinate，or，perhaps，tooccasionittobelaidaside。Therewerenoimpedimentstoavisit:Ionlydreadedlesttheinterviewshouldbetoolongdelayed。Mybrotherbefriendedmyimpatience，andreadilyconsentedtofurnishmewithachaiseandservanttoattendme。MypurposewastogoimmediatelytoPleyel'sfarm，wherehisengagementsusuallydetainedhimduringtheday。
　　ChapterXII
　　Mywaylaythroughthecity。IhadscarcelyentereditwhenIwasseizedwithageneralsensationofsickness。Everyobjectgrewdimandswambeforemysight。ItwaswithdifficultyI
　　preventedmyselffromsinkingtothebottomofthecarriage。I
　　orderedmyselftobecarriedtoMrs。Baynton's，inhopethatanintervalofreposewouldinvigorateandrefreshme。Mydistractedthoughtswouldallowmebutlittlerest。Growingsomewhatbetterintheafternoon，Iresumedmyjourney。
　　Mycontemplationswerelimitedtoafewobjects。Iregardedmysuccess，inthepurposewhichIhadinview，asconsiderablydoubtful。Idepended，insomedegree，onthesuggestionsofthemoment，andonthematerialswhichPleyelhimselfshouldfurnishme。WhenIreflectedonthenatureoftheaccusation，Iburnedwithdisdain。Wouldnottruth，andtheconsciousnessofinnocence，rendermetriumphant？ShouldInotcastfromme，withirresistibleforce，suchatrociousimputations？
　　Whatanentireandmournfulchangehasbeeneffectedinafewhours!Thegulfthatseparatesmanfrominsectsisnotwiderthanthatwhichseversthepollutedfromthechasteamongwomen。
　　Yesterdayandto-dayIamthesame。Thereisadegreeofdepravitytowhichitisimpossibleformetosink；yet，intheapprehensionofanother，myancientandintimateassociate，theperpetualwitnessofmyactions，andpartakerofmythoughts，I
　　hadceasedtobethesame。Myintegritywastarnishedandwitheredinhiseyes。Iwasthecolleagueofamurderer，andtheparamourofathief!
　　Hisopinionwasnotdestituteofevidence:yetwhatproofscouldreasonablyavailtoestablishanopinionlikethis？Ifthesentimentscorrespondednotwiththevoicethatwasheard，theevidencewasdeficient；butthiswantofcorrespondencewouldhavebeensupposedbymeifIhadbeentheauditorandPleyelthecriminal。Butmimicrymightstillmoreplausiblyhavebeenemployedtoexplainthescene。Alas!itisthefateofClaraWielandtofallintothehandsofaprecipitateandinexorablejudge。