Someofthemseemtobepropitious；butwhatshouldIthinkofthosethreatsofassassinationwithwhichyouwerelatelyalarmed？Bloodshedisthetrade，andhorroristheelementofthisman。Theprocessbywhichthesympathiesofnatureareextinguishedinourhearts，bywhichevilismadeourgood，andbywhichwearemadesusceptibleofnoactivitybutintheinfliction，andnojoybutinthespectacleofwoes，isanobviousprocess。Astoanalliancewithevilgeniuses，thepowerandthemaliceofdaemonshavebeenathousandtimesexemplifiedinhumanbeings。Therearenodevilsbutthosewhicharebegottenuponselfishness，andrearedbycunning。
　　"Now，indeed，thescenewaschanged。ItwasnothissecretponiardthatIdreaded。Itwasonlythesuccessofhiseffortstomakeyouaconfederateinyourowndestruction，tomakeyourwilltheinstrumentbywhichhemightbereaveyouoflibertyandhonor。
　　"Itook，asusual，thepaththroughyourbrother'sground。
　　Irangedwithcelerityandsilencealongthebank。Iapproachedthefence，whichdividesWieland'sestatefromyours。Therecessinthebankbeingnearthisline，itbeingnecessaryformetopassnearit，mymindbeingtaintedwithinveteratesuspicionsconcerningyou；suspicionswhichwereindebtedfortheirstrengthtoincidentsconnectedwiththisspot；whatwonderthatitseizeduponmythoughts!
　　"Ileapedonthefence；butbeforeIdescendedontheoppositeside，Ipausedtosurveythescene。Leavesdroppingwithdew，andglisteninginthemoon'srays，withnomovingobjecttomolestthedeeprepose，filledmewithsecurityandhope。Ileftthestationatlength，andtendedforward。Youwereprobablyatrest。HowshouldIcommunicatewithoutalarmingyou，theintelligenceofmyarrival？Animmediateinterviewwastobeprocured。Icouldnotbeartothinkthataminuteshouldbelostbyremissnessorhesitation。ShouldI
　　knockatthedoor？orshouldIstandunderyourchamberwindows，whichIperceivedtobeopen，andawakenyoubymycalls？
　　"Thesereflectionsemployedme，asIpassedoppositetothesummer-house。Ihadscarcelygoneby，whenmyearcaughtasoundunusualatthistimeandplace。Itwasalmosttoofaintandtootransienttoallowmeadistinctperceptionofit。I
　　stoppedtolisten；presentlyitwasheardagain，andnowitwassomewhatinalouderkey。Itwaslaughter；andunquestionablyproducedbyafemalevoice。Thatvoicewasfamiliartomysenses。Itwasyours。
　　"Whenceitcame，Iwasatfirstatalosstoconjecture；butthisuncertaintyvanishedwhenitwasheardthethirdtime。I
　　threwbackmyeyestowardstherecess。Everyotherorganandlimbwasuselesstome。Ididnotreasononthesubject。Ididnot，inadirectmanner，drawmyconclusionsfromthehour，theplace，thehilaritywhichthissoundbetokened，andthecircumstanceofhavingacompanion，whichitnolessincontestablyproved。Inaninstant，asitwere，myheartwasinvadedwithcold，andthepulsesoflifeatastand。
　　"WhyshouldIgofurther？WhyshouldIreturn？ShouldInothurrytoadistancefromasound，which，thoughformerlysosweetanddelectable，wasnowmorehideousthantheshrieksofowls？
　　"Ihadnotimetoyieldtothisimpulse。Thethoughtofapproachingandlisteningoccurredtome。IhadnodoubtofwhichIwasconscious。Yetmycertaintywascapableofincrease。Iwaslikewisestimulatedbyasentimentthatpartookofrage。Iwasgovernedbyanhalf-formedandtempestuousresolutiontobreakinuponyourinterview，andstrikeyoudeadwithmyupbraiding。
　　"Iapproachedwiththeutmostcaution。WhenIreachedtheedgeofthebankimmediatelyabovethesummer-house，IthoughtIheardvoicesfrombelow，asbusyinconversation。Thestepsintherockareclearofbushyimpediments。Theyallowedmetodescendintoacavitybesidethebuildingwithoutbeingdetected。Thustolieinwaitcouldonlybejustifiedbythemomentousnessoftheoccasion。"
　　HerePleyelpausedinhisnarrative，andfixedhiseyesuponme。SituatedasIwas，myhorrorandastonishmentatthistalegavewaytocompassionfortheanguishwhichthecountenanceofmyfriendbetrayed。Ireflectedonhisforceofunderstanding。
　　Ireflectedonthepowersofmyenemy。Icouldeasilydivinethesubstanceoftheconversationthatwasoverheard。Carwinhadconstructedhisplotinamannersuitedtothecharactersofthosewhomhehadselectedforhisvictims。IsawthattheconvictionsofPleyelwereimmutable。Iforboretostruggleagainstthestorm，becauseIsawthatallstruggleswouldbefruitless。Iwascalm；butmycalmnesswasthetorporofdespair，andnotthetranquillityoffortitude。ItwascalmnessinvinciblebyanythingthathisgriefandhisfurycouldsuggesttoPleyel。Heresumed——
　　"Woman!wiltthouhearmefurther？ShallIgoontorepeattheconversation？Isitshamethatmakestheetongue-tied？
　　ShallIgoon？orartthousatisfiedwithwhathasbeenalreadysaid？"
　　Ibowedmyhead。"Goon，"saidI。"Imakenotthisrequestinthehopeofundeceivingyou。Ishallnolongercontendwithmyownweakness。Thestormisletloose，andIshallpeaceablysubmittobedrivenbyitsfury。Butgoon。Thisconferencewillendonlywithaffordingmeaclearerforesightofmydestiny；butthatwillbesomesatisfaction，andIwillnotpartwithoutit。"
　　Why，onhearingthesewords，didPleyelhesitate？Didsomeunlooked-fordoubtinsinuateitselfintohismind？Washisbeliefsuddenlyshakenbymylooks，ormywords，orbysomenewlyrecollectedcircumstance？Whencesoeveritarose，itcouldnotendurethetestofdeliberation。Inafewminutestheflameofresentmentwasagainlightedupinhisbosom。Heproceededwithhisaccustomedvehemence——
　　"Ihatemyselfforthisfolly。Icanfindnoapologyforthistale。YetIamirresistiblyimpelledtorelateit。Shethathearsmeisapprizedofeveryparticular。Ihaveonlytorepeattoherherownwords。Shewilllistenwithatranquilair，andthespectacleofherobduracywilldrivemetosomedesperateact。WhythenshouldIpersist!yetpersistImust。"
　　Againhepaused。"No，"saidhe，"itisimpossibletorepeatyouravowalsoflove，yourappealstoformerconfessionsofyourtenderness，toformerdeedsofdishonor，tothecircumstancesofthefirstinterviewthattookplacebetweenyou。ItwasonthatnightwhenItracedyoutothisrecess。Thitherhadheenticedyou，andtherehadyouratifiedanunhallowedcompactbyadmittinghim——
　　"GreatGod!Thouwitnessedsttheagoniesthattoremybosomatthatmoment!Thouwitnessedstmyeffortstorepelthetestimonyofmyears!Itwasinvainthatyoudweltupontheconfusionwhichmyunlooked-forsummonsexcitedinyou；thetardinesswithwhichasuitableexcuseoccurredtoyou；yourresentmentthatmyimpertinentintrusionhadputanendtothatcharminginterview:Adisappointmentforwhichyouendeavouredtocompensateyourself，bythefrequencyanddurationofsubsequentmeetings。
　　"Invainyoudweltuponincidentsofwhichyouonlycouldbeconscious；incidentsthatoccurredonoccasionsonwhichnonebesideyourownfamilywerewitnesses。Invainwasyourdiscoursecharacterizedbypeculiaritiesinimitableofsentimentandlanguage。Myconvictionwaseffectedonlybyanaccumulationofthesametokens。Iyieldednotbuttoevidencewhichtookawaythepowertowithholdmyfaith。
　　"Mysightwasofnousetome。Beneathsothickanumbrage，thedarknesswasintense。Hearingwastheonlyavenuetoinformation，whichthecircumstancesallowedtobeopen。Iwascouchedwithinthreefeetofyou。WhyshouldIapproachnearer？
　　Icouldnotcontendwithyourbetrayer。Whatcouldbethepurposeofacontest？Youstoodinnoneedofaprotector。
　　WhatcouldIdo，butretirefromthespotoverwhelmedwithconfusionanddismay？Isoughtmychamber，andendeavouredtoregainmycomposure。Thedoorofthehouse，whichIfoundopen，yoursubsequententrance，closing，andfasteningit，andgoingintoyourchamber，whichhadbeenthuslongdeserted，wereonlyconfirmationsofthetruth。
　　"WhyshouldIpaintthetempestuousfluctuationofmythoughtsbetweengriefandrevenge，betweenrageanddespair？
　　WhyshouldIrepeatmyvowsofeternalimplacabilityandpersecution，andthespeedyrecantationofthesevows？
　　"Ihavesaidenough。Youhavedismissedmefromaplaceinyouresteem。WhatIthink，andwhatIfeel，isofnoimportanceinyoureyes。MaythedutywhichIowemyselfenablemetoforgetyourexistence。InafewminutesIgohence。Bethemakerofyourfortune，andmayadversityinstructyouinthatwisdom，whicheducationwasunabletoimparttoyou。"
　　ThosewerethelastwordswhichPleyeluttered。Helefttheroom，andmynewemotionsenabledmetowitnesshisdeparturewithoutanyapparentlossofcomposure。AsIsatalone，I
　　ruminatedontheseincidents。NothingwasmoreevidentthanthatIhadtakenaneternalleaveofhappiness。Lifewasaworthlessthing，separatefromthatgoodwhichhadnowbeenwrestedfromme；yetthesentimentthatnowpossessedmehadnotendencytopalsymyexertions，andoverbearmystrength。I
　　noticedthatthelightwasdeclining，andperceivedtheproprietyofleavingthishouse。Iplacedmyselfagaininthechaise，andreturnedslowlytowardsthecity。
　　ChapterXV
　　BeforeIreachedthecityitwasdusk。ItwasmypurposetospendthenightatMettingen。Iwasnotsolicitous，aslongasIwasattendedbyafaithfulservant，tobethereatanearlyhour。Myexhaustedstrengthrequiredmetotakesomerefreshment。Withthisview，andinordertopayrespecttoonewhoseaffectionformewastrulymaternal，IstoppedatMrs。
　　Baynton's。Shewasabsentfromhome；butIhadscarcelyenteredthehousewhenoneofherdomesticspresentedmealetter。I
　　openedandreadasfollows:
　　"ToClaraWieland，"WhatshallIsaytoextenuatethemisconductoflastnight？
　　Itismydutytorepairittotheutmostofmypower，buttheonlywayinwhichitcanberepaired，youwillnot，Ifear，beprevailedontoadopt。Itisbygrantingmeaninterview，atyourownhouse，ateleveno'clockthisnight。Ihavenomeansofremovinganyfearsthatyoumayentertainofmydesigns，butmysimpleandsolemndeclarations。These，afterwhathaspassedbetweenus，youmaydeemunworthyofconfidence。Icannothelpit。Myfollyandrashnesshasleftmenootherresource。I
　　willbeatyourdoorbythathour。Ifyouchusetoadmitmetoaconference，providedthatconferencehasnowitnesses，Iwilldisclosetoyouparticulars，theknowledgeofwhichisoftheutmostimportancetoyourhappiness。Farewell。
　　CARWIN。"
　　Whataletterwasthis!Amanknowntobeanassassinandrobber；onecapableofplottingagainstmylifeandmyfame；
　　detectedlurkinginmychamber，andavowingdesignsthemostflagitiousanddreadful，nowsolicitsmetogranthimamidnightinterview!Toadmithimaloneintomypresence!Couldhemakethisrequestwiththeexpectationofmycompliance？Whathadheseeninme，thatcouldjustifyhiminadmittingsowildabelief？Yetthisrequestispreferredwiththeutmostgravity。
　　Itisnotaccompaniedbyanappearanceofuncommonearnestness。
　　Hadthemisconducttowhichhealludesbeenaslightincivility，andtheinterviewrequestedtotakeplaceinthemidstofmyfriends，therewouldhavebeennoextravaganceinthetenorofthisletter；but，asitwas，thewriterhadsurelybeenbereftofhisreason。
　　Iperusedthisepistlefrequently。Therequestitcontainedmightbecalledaudaciousorstupid，ifithadbeenmadebyadifferentperson；butfromCarwin，whocouldnotbeunawareoftheeffectwhichitmustnaturallyproduce，andofthemannerinwhichitwouldunavoidablybetreated，itwasperfectlyinexplicable。Hemusthavecountedonthesuccessofsomeplot，inordertoextortmyassent。NoneofthosemotivesbywhichI
　　amusuallygovernedwouldeverhavepersuadedmetomeetanyoneofhissex，atthetimeandplacewhichhehadprescribed。MuchlesswouldIconsenttoameetingwithaman，taintedwiththemostdetestablecrimes，andbywhoseartsmyownsafetyhadbeensoimminentlyendangered，andmyhappinessirretrievablydestroyed。Ishudderedattheideathatsuchameetingwaspossible。Ifeltsomereluctancetoapproachaspotwhichhestillvisitedandhaunted。
　　Suchweretheideaswhichfirstsuggestedthemselvesontheperusaloftheletter。Meanwhile，Iresumedmyjourney。Mythoughtsstilldweltuponthesametopic。Graduallyfromruminatingonthisepistle，IrevertedtomyinterviewwithPleyel。Irecalledtheparticularsofthedialoguetowhichhehadbeenanauditor。Myheartsunkanewonviewingtheinextricablecomplexityofthisdeception，andtheinauspiciousconcurrenceofevents，whichtendedtoconfirmhiminhiserror。
　　Whenheapproachedmychamberdoor，myterrorkeptmemute。Heputhisear，perhaps，tothecrevice，butitcaughtthesoundofnothinghuman。HadIcalled，ormadeanytokenthatdenotedsomeonetobewithin，wordswouldhaveensued；andasomnipresencewasimpossible，thisdiscovery，andtheartlessnarrativeofwhathadjustpassed，wouldhavesavedmefromhismurderousinvectives。Hewentintohischamber，andaftersomeinterval，Istoleacrosstheentryanddownthestairs，withinaudiblesteps。Havingsecuredtheouterdoors，Ireturnedwithlesscircumspection。HeheardmenotwhenIdescended；butmyreturningstepswereeasilydistinguished。Nowhethoughtwastheguiltyinterviewatanend。Inwhatotherwaywasitpossibleforhimtoconstruethesesignals？
　　Howfallaciousandprecipitatewasmydecision!Carwin'splotoweditssuccesstoacoincidenceofeventsscarcelycredible。Thebalancewasswayedfromitsequipoisebyahair。
　　HadIevenbeguntheconversationwithanaccountofwhatbefelmeinmychamber，mypreviousinterviewwithWielandwouldhavetaughthimtosuspectmeofimposture；yet，ifIwerediscoursingwiththisruffian，whenPleyeltouchedthelockofmychamberdoor，andwhenheshuthisowndoorwithsomuchviolence，how，hemightask，shouldIbeabletorelatetheseincidents？Perhapshehadwithheldtheknowledgeofthesecircumstancesfrommybrother，fromwhom，therefore，Icouldnotobtainit，sothatmyinnocencewouldhavethusbeenirresistiblydemonstrated。
　　Thefirstimpulsewhichflowedfromtheseideaswastoreturnuponmysteps，anddemandoncemoreaninterview；buthewasgone:hispartingdeclarationswereremembered。
　　Pleyel，Iexclaimed，thouartgoneforever!Arethymistakesbeyondthereachofdetection？AmIhelplessinthemidstofthissnare？Theplotterisathand。Heevenspeaksinthestyleofpenitence。Hesolicitsaninterviewwhichhepromisesshallendinthedisclosureofsomethingmomentoustomyhappiness。Whatcanhesaywhichwillavailtoturnasidethisevil？Butwhyshouldhisremorsebefeigned？Ihavedonehimnoinjury。Hiswickednessisfertileonlyofdespair；andthebillowsofremorsewillsometimeoverbearhim。Whymaynotthiseventhavealreadytakenplace？WhyshouldIrefusetoseehim？
　　Thisideawaspresent，asitwere，foramoment。Isuddenlyrecoiledfromit，confoundedatthatfrenzywhichcouldgiveevenmomentaryharbourtosuchascheme；yetpresentlyitreturned。AtlengthIevenconceivedittodeservedeliberation。Iquestionedwhetheritwasnotpropertoadmit，atalonelyspot，inasacredhour，thismanoftremendousandinscrutableattributes，thisperformerofhorriddeeds，andwhosepresencewaspredictedtocalldownunheard-ofandunutterablehorrors。
　　Whatwasitthatswayedme？Ifeltmyselfdivestedofthepowertowillcontrarytothemotivesthatdeterminedmetoseekhispresence。Mymindseemedtobesplitintoseparateparts，andthesepartstohaveenteredintofuriousandimplacablecontention。Thesetumultsgraduallysubsided。ThereasonswhyIshouldconfideinthatinterpositionwhichhadhithertodefendedme；inthosetokensofcompunctionwhichthislettercontained；intheefficacyofthisinterviewtorestoreitsspotlessnesstomycharacter，andbanishallillusionsfromthemindofmyfriend，continuallyacquirednewevidenceandnewstrength。
　　WhatshouldIfearinhispresence？Thiswasunlikeanartificeintendedtobetraymeintohishands。Ifitwereanartifice，whatpurposewoulditserve？Thefreedomofmymindwasuntouched，andthatfreedomwoulddefytheassaultsofblandishmentsormagic。ForcewasInotabletorepel。Ontheformeroccasionmycourage，itistrue，hadfailedattheimminentapproachofdanger；butthenIhadnotenjoyedopportunitiesofdeliberation；Ihadforeseennothing；Iwassunkintoimbecilitybymypreviousthoughts；Ihadbeenthevictimofrecentdisappointmentsandanticipatedills:Witnessmyinfatuationinopeningtheclosetinoppositiontodivineinjunctions。
　　Now，perhaps，mycouragewastheoffspringofanolesserringprinciple。Pleyelwasforeverlosttome。Istroveinvaintoassumehisperson，andsuppressmyresentment；Istroveinvaintobelieveintheassuaginginfluenceoftime，tolookforwardtothebirth-dayofnewhopes，andthere-exaltationofthatluminary，ofwhoseeffulgenciesIhadsolongandsoliberallypartaken。
　　WhathadItosufferworsethanwasalreadyinflicted？
　　WasnotCarwinmyfoe？Iowedmyuntimelyfatetohistreason。Insteadofflyingfromhispresence，oughtInottodevoteallmyfacultiestothegainingofaninterview，andcompelhimtorepairtheillsofwhichhehasbeentheauthor？
　　WhyshouldIsupposehimimpregnabletoargument？HaveInotreasononmyside，andthepowerofimpartingconviction？
　　CannothebemadetoseethejusticeofunravellingthemazeinwhichPleyelisbewildered？
　　Hemay，atleast，beaccessibletofear。Hashenothingtofearfromtherageofaninjuredwoman？Butsupposehiminaccessibletosuchinducements；supposehimtopersistinallhisflagitiouspurposes；arenotthemeansofdefenceandresistanceinmypower？
　　Intheprogressofsuchthoughts，wastheresolutionatlastformed。Ihopedthattheinterviewwassoughtbyhimforalaudableend；but，bethatasitwould，Itrustedthat，byenergyofreasoningorofaction，Ishouldrenderitauspicious，or，atleast，harmless。
　　Suchadeterminationmustunavoidablyfluctuate。Thepoet'schaoswasnounaptemblemofthestateofmymind。Atormentwasawakenedinmybosom，whichIforesawwouldendonlywhenthisinterviewwaspast，anditsconsequencesfullyexperienced。
　　HencemyimpatienceforthearrivalofthehourwhichhadbeenprescribedbyCarwin。
　　Meanwhile，mymeditationsweretumultuouslyactive。Newimpedimentstotheexecutionoftheschemewerespeedilysuggested。IhadapprizedCatharineofmyintentiontospendthisandmanyfuturenightswithher。Herhusbandwasinformedofthisarrangement，andhadzealouslyapprovedit。Eleveno'clockexceededtheirhourofretiring。WhatexcuseshouldI
　　formforchangingmyplan？ShouldIshewthislettertoWieland，andsubmitmyselftohisdirection？ButIknewinwhatwayhewoulddecide。Hewouldferventlydissuademefromgoing。
　　Nay，wouldhenotdomore？HewasapprizedoftheoffencesofCarwin，andoftherewardofferedforhisapprehension。Wouldhenotseizethisopportunityofexecutingjusticeonacriminal？
　　Thisideawasnew。Iwasplungedoncemoreintodoubt。Didnotequityenjoinmethustofacilitatehisarrest？No。I
　　disdainedtheofficeofbetrayer。Carwinwasunapprizedofhisdanger，andhisintentionswerepossiblybeneficent。ShouldI
　　stationguardsaboutthehouse，andmakeanact，intendedperhapsformybenefit，instrumentaltohisowndestruction？
　　WielandmightbejustifiedinthusemployingtheknowledgewhichIshouldimpart，butI，byimpartingit，shouldpollutemyselfwithmorehatefulcrimesthanthoseundeservedlyimputedtome。
　　Thisscheme，therefore，Iunhesitatinglyrejected。TheviewswithwhichIshouldreturntomyownhouse，itwouldthereforebenecessarytoconceal。Yetsomepretextmustbeinvented。I
　　hadneverbeeninitiatedintothetradeoflying。Yetwhatbutfalshoodwasadeliberatesuppressionofthetruth？Todeceivebysilenceorbywordsisthesame。
　　Yetwhatwouldalieavailme？Whatpretextwouldjustifythischangeinmyplan？WoulditnottendtoconfirmtheimputationsofPleyel？ThatIshouldvoluntarilyreturntoanhouseinwhichhonorandlifehadsolatelybeenendangered，couldbeexplainedinnowayfavorabletomyintegrity。
　　Thesereflections，iftheydidnotchange，atleastsuspendedmydecision。InthisstateofuncertaintyIalightedattheHUT。Wegavethisnametothehousetenantedbythefarmerandhisservants，andwhichwassituatedonthevergeofmybrother'sground，andataconsiderabledistancefromthemansion。Thepathtothemansionwasplantedbyadoublerowofwalnuts。AlongthispathIproceededalone。Ienteredtheparlour，inwhichwasalightjustexpiringinthesocket。
　　Therewasnooneintheroom。Iperceivedbytheclockthatstoodagainstthewall，thatitwasneareleven。Thelatenessofthehourstartledme。Whathadbecomeofthefamily？Theywereusuallyretiredanhourbeforethis；buttheunextinguishedtaper，andtheunbarreddoorwereindicationsthattheyhadnotretired。Iagainreturnedtothehall，andpassedfromoneroomtoanother，butstillencounterednotahumanbeing。
　　Iimaginedthat，perhaps，thelapseofafewminuteswouldexplaintheseappearances。MeanwhileIreflectedthatthepreconcertedhourhadarrived。Carwinwasperhapswaitingmyapproach。ShouldIimmediatelyretiretomyownhouse，noonewouldbeapprizedofmyproceeding。Nay，theinterviewmightpass，andIbeenabledtoreturninhalfanhour。Hencenonecessitywouldarisefordissimulation。
　　IwassofarinfluencedbytheseviewsthatIrosetoexecutethisdesign；butagaintheunusualconditionofthehouseoccurredtome，andsomevaguesolicitudeastotheconditionofthefamily。Iwasnearlycertainthatmybrotherhadnotretired；butbywhatmotiveshecouldbeinducedtodeserthishousethusunseasonablyIcouldbynomeansdivine。LouisaConway，atleast，wasathomeandhad，probably，retiredtoherchamber；perhapsshewasabletoimparttheinformationI
　　wanted。
　　Iwenttoherchamber，andfoundherasleep。Shewasdelightedandsurprizedatmyarrival，andtoldmewithhowmuchimpatienceandanxietymybrotherandhiswifehadwaitedmycoming。Theywerefearfulthatsomemishaphadbefallenme，andhadremaineduplongerthantheusualperiod。Notwithstandingthelatenessofthehour，Catharinewouldnotresignthehopeofseeingme。Louisasaidshehadleftthembothintheparlour，andsheknewofnocausefortheirabsence。
　　AsyetIwasnotwithoutsolicitudeonaccountoftheirpersonalsafety。Iwasfarfrombeingperfectlyateaseonthathead，butentertainednodistinctconceptionofthedangerthatimpendedoverthem。Perhapstobeguilethemomentsofmylongprotractedstay，theyhadgonetowalkuponthebank。Theatmosphere，thoughilluminatedonlybythestar-light，wasremarkablyserene。MeanwhilethedesirablenessofaninterviewwithCarwinagainreturned，andIfinallyresolvedtoseekit。
　　Ipassedwithdoubtingandhastystepsalongthepath。Mydwelling，seenatadistance，wasgloomyanddesolate。Ithadnoinhabitant，formyservant，inconsequenceofmynewarrangement，hadgonetoMettingen。Thetemerityofthisattemptbegantoshewitselfinmorevividcolourstomyunderstanding。Whoeverhaspointedsteelisnotwithoutarms；
　　yetwhatmusthavebeenthestateofmymindwhenIcouldmeditate，withoutshuddering，ontheuseofamurderousweapon，andbelievemyselfsecuremerelybecauseIwascapableofbeingmadesobythedeathofanother？Yetthiswasnotmystate。I
　　feltasifIwasrushingintodeadlytoils，withoutthepowerofpausingorreceding。
　　ChapterXVI
　　AssoonasIarrivedinsightofthefrontofthehouse，myattentionwasexcitedbyalightfromthewindowofmyownchamber。Noappearancecouldbelessexplicable。AmeetingwasexpectedwithCarwin，butthathepre-occupiedmychamber，andhadsuppliedhimselfwithlight，wasnottobebelieved。Whatmotivecouldinfluencehimtoadoptthisconduct？CouldI
　　proceeduntilthiswasexplained？Perhaps，ifIshouldproceedtoadistanceinfront，someonewouldbevisible。Asidelongbutfeeblebeamfromthewindow，felluponthepinycopsewhichskirtedthebank。AsIeyedit，itsuddenlybecamemutable，andafterflittingtoandfro，forashorttime，itvanished。I
　　turnedmyeyeagaintowardthewindow，andperceivedthatthelightwasstillthere；butthechangewhichIhadnoticedwasoccasionedbyachangeinthepositionofthelamporcandlewithin。Hence，thatsomepersonwastherewasanunavoidableinference。
　　Ipausedtodeliberateontheproprietyofadvancing。MightInotadvancecautiously，and，therefore，withoutdanger？MightInotknockatthedoor，orcall，andbeapprizedofthenatureofmyvisitantbeforeIentered？Iapproachedandlistenedatthedoor，butcouldhearnothing。Iknockedatfirsttimidly，butafterwardswithloudness。Mysignalswereunnoticed。I
　　steppedbackandlooked，butthelightwasnolongerdiscernible。Wasitsuddenlyextinguishedbyahumanagent？
　　Whatpurposebutconcealmentwasintended？Whywastheilluminationproduced，tobethussuddenlybroughttoanend？
　　Andwhy，sincesomeonewasthere，hadsilencebeenobserved？
　　Thesewerequestions，thesolutionofwhichmaybereadilysupposedtobeentangledwithdanger。Wouldnotthisdanger，whenmeasuredbyawoman'sfears，expandintogiganticdimensions？Menacesofdeath；thestunningexertionsofawarningvoice；theknownandunknownattributesofCarwin；ourrecentinterviewinthischamber；thepre-appointmentofameetingatthisplaceandhour，allthrongedintomymemory。
　　Whatwastobedone？
　　Courageisnodefiniteorstedfastprinciple。Letthatmanwhoshallpurposetoassignmotivestotheactionsofanother，blushathisfollyandforbear。Notmorepresumptuouswoulditbetoattempttheclassificationofallnature，andthescanningofsupremeintelligence。Igazedforaminuteatthewindow，andfixedmyeyes，forasecondminute，ontheground。Idrewforthfrommypocket，andopened，apenknife。This，saidI，bemysafe-guardandavenger。Theassailantshallperish，ormyselfshallfall。
　　Ihadlockedupthehouseinthemorning，buthadthekeyofthekitchendoorinmypocket。I，therefore，determinedtogainaccessbehind。ThitherIhastened，unlockedandentered。Allwaslonely，darksome，andwaste。FamiliarasIwaswitheverypartofmydwelling，Ieasilyfoundmywaytoacloset，drewforthataper，aflint，tinder，andsteel，and，inamomentasitwere，gavemyselftheguidanceandprotectionoflight。
　　WhatpurposedidImeditate？ShouldIexploremywaytomychamber，andconfrontthebeingwhohaddaredtointrudeintothisrecess，andhadlabouredforconcealment？Byputtingoutthelightdidheseektohidehimself，ormeanonlytocircumventmyincautioussteps？Yetwasitnotmoreprobablethathedesiredmyabsencebythusencouragingthesuppositionthatthehousewasunoccupied？Iwouldseethismaninspiteofallimpediments；ereIdied，Iwouldseehisface，andsummonhimtopenitenceandretribution；nomatteratwhatcostaninterviewwaspurchased。Reputationandlifemightbewrestedfrommebyanother，butmyrectitudeandhonorwereinmyownkeeping，andweresafe。
　　Iproceededtothefootofthestairs。Atsuchacrisismythoughtsmaybesupposedatnolibertytorange；yetvagueimagesrushedintomymind，ofthemysteriousinterpositionwhichhadbeenexperiencedonthelastnight。Mycase，atpresent，wasnotdissimilar；and，ifmyangelwerenotwearyoffruitlessexertionstosave，mightnotanewwarningbeexpected？Whocouldsaywhetherhissilencewereascribabletotheabsenceofdanger，ortohisownabsence？
　　Inthisstateofmind，nowonderthatashiveringcoldcreptthroughmyveins；thatmypausewasprolonged；and，thatafearfulglancewasthrownbackward。
　　Alas!myheartdroops，andmyfingersareenervated；myideasarevivid，butmylanguageisfaint:nowknowIwhatitistoentertainincommunicablesentiments。Thechainofsubsequentincidentsisdrawnthroughmymind，andbeinglinkedwiththosewhichforewent，byturnsrouseupagoniesandsinkmeintohopelessness。
　　YetIwillpersisttotheend。Mynarrativemaybeinvadedbyinaccuracyandconfusion；butifIlivenolonger，Iwill，atleast，livetocompleteit。Whatbutambiguities，abruptnesses，anddarktransitions，canbeexpectedfromthehistorianwhois，atthesametime，thesuffererofthesedisasters？
　　IhavesaidthatIcastalookbehind。Someobjectwasexpectedtobeseen，orwhyshouldIhavegazedinthatdirection？Twosenseswereatonceassailed。ThesamepiercingexclamationofHOLD!HOLD!wasutteredwithinthesamedistanceofmyear。ThisitwasthatIheard。Theairyundulation，andtheshockgiventomynerves，werereal。
　　WhetherthespectaclewhichIbeheldexistedinmyfancyorwithout，mightbedoubted。
　　IhadnotclosedthedooroftheapartmentIhadjustleft。
　　Thestair-case，atthefootofwhichIstood，waseightortenfeetfromthedoor，andattachedtothewallthroughwhichthedoorled。Myview，therefore，wassidelong，andtookinnopartoftheroom。
　　Throughthisaperturewasanheadthrustanddrawnbackwithsomuchswiftness，thattheimmediateconvictionwas，thatthusmuchofaform，ordinarilyinvisible，hadbeenunshrowded。Thefacewasturnedtowardsme。Everymusclewastense；theforeheadandbrowsweredrawnintovehementexpression；thelipswerestretchedasintheactofshrieking，andtheeyesemittedsparks，which，nodoubt，ifIhadbeenunattendedbyalight，wouldhaveilluminatedlikethecoruscationsofameteor。Thesoundandthevisionwerepresent，anddepartedtogetheratthesameinstant；butthecrywasblownintomyear，whilethefacewasmanypacesdistant。
　　Thisfacewaswellsuitedtoabeingwhoseperformancesexceededthestandardofhumanity，andyetitsfeatureswereakintothoseIhadbeforeseen。TheimageofCarwinwasblendedinathousandwayswiththestreamofmythoughts。Thisvisagewas，perhaps，pourtrayedbymyfancy。Ifso，itwillexcitenosurprizethatsomeofhislineamentswerenowdiscovered。Yetaffinitieswerefewandunconspicuous，andwerelostamidsttheblazeofoppositequalities。
　　WhatconclusioncouldIform？Bethefacehumanornot，theintimationwasimpartedfromabove。Experiencehadevincedthebenignityofthatbeingwhogaveit。Oncehehadinterposedtoshieldmefromharm，andsubsequenteventsdemonstratedtheusefulnessofthatinterposition。NowwasIagainwarnedtoforbear。Iwashurryingtothevergeofthesamegulf，andthesamepowerwasexertedtorecallmysteps。Wasitpossibleformenottoobey？WasIcapableofholdingoninthesameperilouscareer？Yes。EvenofthisIwascapable!
　　Theintimationwasimperfect:itgavenoformtomydanger，andprescribednolimitstomycaution。Ihadformerlyneglectedit，andyetescaped。MightInottrusttothesameissue？Thisideamightpossess，thoughimperceptibly，someinfluence。Ipersisted；butitwasnotmerelyonthisaccount。
　　Icannotdelineatethemotivesthatledmeon。Inowspeakasifnoremnantofdoubtexistedinmymindastothesupernaloriginofthesesounds；butthisisowingtotheimperfectionofmylanguage，forIonlymeanthatthebeliefwasmorepermanent，andvisitedmorefrequentlymysobermeditationsthanitsopposite。Theimmediateeffectsservedonlytounderminethefoundationsofmyjudgmentandprecipitatemyresolutions。
　　Imusteitheradvanceorreturn。Ichosetheformer，andbegantoascendthestairs。Thesilenceunderwentnosecondinterruption。Mychamberdoorwasclosed，butunlocked，and，aidedbyvehementeffortsofmycourage，Iopenedandlookedin。
　　Nohideousoruncommonobjectwasdiscernible。Thedanger，indeed，mighteasilyhavelurkedoutofsight，havesprunguponmeasIentered，andhaverentmewithhisirontalons；butI
　　wasblindtothisfate，andadvanced，thoughcautiously，intotheroom。
　　Stilleverythingworeitsaccustomedaspect。Neitherlampnorcandlewastobefound。Now，forthefirsttime，suspicionsweresuggestedastothenatureofthelightwhichIhadseen。
　　Wasitpossibletohavebeenthecompanionofthatsupernaturalvisage；ameteorousrefulgenceproducibleatthewillofhimtowhomthatvisagebelonged，andpartakingofthenatureofthatwhichaccompaniedmyfather'sdeath？
　　Theclosetwasnear，andIrememberedthecomplicatedhorrorsofwhichithadbeenproductive。Here，perhaps，wasinclosedthesourceofmyperil，andthegratificationofmycuriosity。
　　ShouldIadventureoncemoretoexploreitsrecesses？Thiswasaresolutionnoteasilyformed。Iwassuspendedinthought:
　　whenglancingmyeyeonatable，Iperceivedawrittenpaper。
　　Carwin'shandwasinstantlyrecognized，andsnatchingupthepaper，Ireadasfollows:——
　　"Therewasfollyinexpectingyourcompliancewithmyinvitation。JudgehowIwasdisappointedinfindinganotherinyourplace。Ihavewaited，buttowaitanylongerwouldbeperilous。Ishallstillseekaninterview，butitmustbeatadifferenttimeandplace:meanwhile，Iwillwritethis——Howwillyoubear——Howinexplicablewillbethistransaction!——Aneventsounexpected——asightsohorrible!"
　　Suchwasthisabruptandunsatisfactoryscript。Theinkwasyetmoist，thehandwasthatofCarwin。Henceitwastobeinferredthathehadthismomentlefttheapartment，orwasstillinit。Ilookedback，onthesuddenexpectationofseeinghimbehindme。
　　Whatotherdidhemean？Whattransactionhadtakenplaceadversetomyexpectations？Whatsightwasabouttobeexhibited？Ilookedaroundmeoncemore，butsawnothingwhichindicatedstrangeness。AgainIrememberedthecloset，andwasresolvedtoseekinthatthesolutionofthesemysteries。Here，perhaps，wasinclosedthescenedestinedtoawakenmyhorrorsandbafflemyforesight。