Ihavealreadysaid，thattheentranceintothisclosetwasbesidemybed，which，ontwosides，wascloselyshrowdedbycurtains。Onthatsidenearestthecloset，thecurtainwasraised。AsIpassedalongIcastmyeyethither。Istarted，andlookedagain。Iborealightinmyhand，andbroughtitnearermyeyes，inordertodispelanyillusivemiststhatmighthavehoveredbeforethem。OncemoreIfixedmyeyesuponthebed，inhopethatthismorestedfastscrutinywouldannihilatetheobjectwhichbeforeseemedtobethere。
　　ThisthenwasthesightwhichCarwinhadpredicted!Thiswastheeventwhichmyunderstandingwastofindinexplicable!Thiswasthefatewhichhadbeenreservedforme，butwhich，bysomeuntowardchance，hadbefallenonanother!
　　Ihadnotbeenterrifiedbyemptymenaces。Violationanddeathawaitedmyentranceintothischamber。SomeinscrutablechancehadledHERhitherbeforeme，andthemercilessfangsofwhichIwasdesignedtobetheprey，hadmistakentheirvictim，andhadfixedthemselvesinHERheart。Butwherewasmysafety？Wasthemischiefexhaustedorflown？Thestepsoftheassassinhadjustbeenhere；theycouldnotbefaroff；
　　inamomenthewouldrushintomypresence，andIshouldperishunderthesamepollutingandsuffocatinggrasp!
　　Myframeshook，andmykneeswereunabletosupportme。I
　　gazedalternatelyattheclosetdoorandatthedoorofmyroom。
　　Atoneoftheseavenueswouldentertheexterminatorofmyhonorandmylife。Iwaspreparedfordefence；butnowthatdangerwasimminent，mymeansofdefence，andmypowertousethemweregone。Iwasnotqualified，byeducationandexperience，toencounterperilslikethese:or，perhaps，IwaspowerlessbecauseIwasagainassaultedbysurprize，andhadnotfortifiedmymindbyforesightandpreviousreflectionagainstascenelikethis。
　　Fearsformyownsafetyagainyieldedplacetoreflectionsonthescenebeforeme。Ifixedmyeyesuponhercountenance。Mysister'swell-knownandbelovedfeaturescouldnotbeconcealedbyconvulsionorlividness。Whatdirefulillusionledtheehither？Bereftofthee，whatholdonhappinessremainstothyoffspringandthyspouse？Tolosetheebyacommonfatewouldhavebeensufficientlyhard；butthussuddenlytoperish——tobecomethepreyofthisghastlydeath!HowwillaspectaclelikethisbeenduredbyWieland？Todiebeneathhisgraspwouldnotsatisfythyenemy。Thiswasmercytotheevilswhichhepreviouslymadetheesuffer!Aftertheseevilsdeathwasaboonwhichthoubesoughtesthimtogrant。Heentertainednoenmityagainstthee:Iwastheobjectofhistreason；butbysometremendousmistakehisfurywasmisplaced。Buthowcomestthouhither？andwherewasWielandinthyhourofdistress？
　　Iapproachedthecorpse:Iliftedthestillflexiblehand，andkissedthelipswhichwerebreathless。Herflowingdraperywasdiscomposed。Irestoredittoorder，andseatingmyselfonthebed，againfixedstedfasteyesuponhercountenance。I
　　cannotdistinctlyrecollecttheruminationsofthatmoment。I
　　sawconfusedly，butforcibly，thateveryhopewasextinguishedwiththelifeofCATHARINE。AllhappinessanddignitymusthenceforthbebanishedfromthehouseandnameofWieland:allthatremainedwastolingeroutinagoniesashortexistence；
　　andleavetotheworldamonumentofblastedhopesandchangeablefortune。Pleyelwasalreadylosttome；yet，whileCatharinelivedlifewasnotadetestablepossession:butnow，severedfromthecompanionofmyinfancy，thepartakerofallmythoughts，mycares，andmywishes，Iwaslikeonesetafloatuponastormysea，andhanginghissafetyuponaplank；nightwasclosinguponhim，andanunexpectedsurgehadtornhimfromhisholdandoverwhelmedhimforever。
　　ChapterXVII
　　Ihadnoinclinationnorpowertomovefromthisspot。Formorethananhour，myfacultiesandlimbsseemedtobedeprivedofallactivity。Thedoorbelowcreakedonitshinges，andstepsascendedthestairs。Mywanderingandconfusedthoughtswereinstantlyrecalledbythesesounds，anddroppingthecurtainofthebed，Imovedtoapartoftheroomwhereanyonewhoenteredshouldbevisible；sucharethevibrationsofsentiment，thatnotwithstandingtheseemingfulfilmentofmyfears，andincreaseofmydanger，Iwasconscious，onthisoccasion，tonoturbulencebutthatofcuriosity。
　　Atlengthheenteredtheapartment，andIrecognizedmybrother。ItwasthesameWielandwhomIhadeverseen。Yethisfeatureswerepervadedbyanewexpression。Isupposedhimunacquaintedwiththefateofhiswife，andhisappearanceconfirmedthispersuasion。AbrowexpandingintoexultationI
　　hadhithertoneverseeninhim，yetsuchabrowdidhenowwear。
　　Notonlywasheunapprizedofthedisasterthathadhappened，butsomejoyousoccurrencehadbetided。Whatareversewaspreparingtoannihilatehistransitorybliss!Nohusbandeverdoatedmorefondly，fornowifeeverclaimedsoboundlessadevotion。Iwasnotuncertainastotheeffectstoflowfromthediscoveryofherfate。Iconfidednotatallintheeffortsofhisreasonorhispiety。Therewerefewevilswhichhismodesofthinkingwouldnotdisarmoftheirsting；buthere，allopiatestogrief，andallcompellersofpatiencewerevain。
　　Thisspectaclewouldbeunavoidablyfollowedbytheoutragesofdesperation，andarushingtodeath。
　　Forthepresent，Ineglectedtoaskmyselfwhatmotivebroughthimhither。Iwasonlyfearfuloftheeffectstoflowfromthesightofthedead。Yetcoulditbelongconcealedfromhim？Sometimeandspeedilyhewouldobtainthisknowledge。Nostratagemscouldconsiderablyorusefullyprolonghisignorance。
　　Allthatcouldbesoughtwastotakeawaytheabruptnessofthechange，andshutouttheconfusionofdespair，andtheinroadsofmadness:butIknewmybrother，andknewthatallexertionstoconsolehimwouldbefruitless。
　　WhatcouldIsay？Iwasmute，andpouredforththosetearsonhisaccount，whichmyownunhappinesshadbeenunabletoextort。Inthemidstofmytears，Iwasnotunobservantofhismotions。Thesewereofanaturetorousesomeothersentimentthangriefor，atleast，tomixwithitaportionofastonishment。
　　Hiscountenancesuddenlybecametroubled。Hishandswereclaspedwithaforcethatlefttheprintofhisnailsinhisflesh。Hiseyeswerefixedonmyfeet。Hisbrainseemedtoswellbeyonditscontinent。Hedidnotceasetobreathe，buthisbreathwasstifledintogroans。Ihadneverwitnessedthehurricaneofhumanpassions。Myelementhad，tilllately，beenallsunshineandcalm。Iwasunconversantwiththealtitudesandenergiesofsentiment，andwastransfixedwithinexplicablehorrorbythesymptomswhichInowbeheld。
　　AfterasilenceandaconflictwhichIcouldnotinterpret，heliftedhiseyestoheaven，andinbrokenaccentsexclaimed，"Thisistoomuch!Anyvictimbutthis，andthywillbedone。
　　HaveInotsufficientlyattestedmyfaithandmyobedience？Shethatisgone，theythathaveperished，werelinkedwithmysoulbytieswhichonlythycommandwouldhavebroken；buthereissanctityandexcellencesurpassinghuman。Thisworkmanshipisthine，anditcannotbethywilltoheapitintoruins。"
　　Heresuddenlyunclaspinghishands，hestruckoneofthemagainsthisforehead，andcontinued——"Wretch!whomadetheequicksightedinthecouncilsofthyMaker？Deliverancefrommortalfettersisawardedtothisbeing，andthouarttheministerofthisdecree。"
　　Sosaying，Wielandadvancedtowardsme。Hiswordsandhismotionswerewithoutmeaning，exceptononesupposition。ThedeathofCatharinewasalreadyknowntohim，andthatknowledge，asmighthavebeensuspected，haddestroyedhisreason。Ihadfearednothingless；butnowthatIbeheldtheextinctionofamindthemostluminousandpenetratingthateverdignifiedthehumanform，mysensationswerefraughtwithnewandinsupportableanguish。
　　Ihadnottimetoreflectinwhatwaymyownsafetywouldbeeffectedbythisrevolution，orwhatIhadtodreadfromthewildconceptionsofamadman。Headvancedtowardsme。Somehollownoiseswerewaftedbythebreeze。Confusedclamoursweresucceededbymanyfeettraversingthegrass，andthencrowdingintOthepiazza。
　　Thesesoundssuspendedmybrother'spurpose，andhestoodtolisten。Thesignalsmultipliedandgrewlouder；perceivingthis，heturnedfromme，andhurriedoutofmysight。Allaboutmewaspregnantwithmotivestoastonishment。Mysister'scorpse，Wieland'sfranticdemeanour，and，atlength，thiscrowdofvisitantssolittleaccordedwithmyforesight，thatmymentalprogresswasstopped。Theimpulsehadceasedwhichwasaccustomedtogivemotionandordertomythoughts。
　　Footstepsthrongeduponthestairs，andpresentlymanyfacesshewedthemselveswithinthedoorofmyapartment。Theselookswerefullofalarmandwatchfulness。Theypryedintocornersasifinsearchofsomefugitive；nexttheirgazewasfixeduponme，andbetokenedallthevehemenceofterrorandpity。ForatimeIquestionedwhetherthesewerenotshapesandfaceslikethatwhichIhadseenatthebottomofthestairs，creaturesofmyfancyorairyexistences。
　　Myeyewanderedfromonetoanother，tillatlengthitfellonacountenancewhichIwellknew。ItwasthatofMr。Hallet。
　　Thismanwasadistantkinsmanofmymother，venerableforhisage，hisuprightness，andsagacity。Hehadlongdischargedthefunctionsofamagistrateandgoodcitizen。Ifanyterrorsremained，hispresencewassufficienttodispelthem。
　　Heapproached，tookmyhandwithacompassionateair，andsaidinalowvoice，"Where，mydearClara，areyourbrotherandsister？"Imadenoanswer，butpointedtothebed。Hisattendantsdrewasidethecurtain，andwhiletheireyesglaredwithhorroratthespectaclewhichtheybeheld，thoseofMr。
　　Halletoverflowedwithtears。
　　Afterconsiderablepause，heoncemoreturnedtome。"Mydeargirl，thissightisnotforyou。Canyouconfideinmycare，andthatofMrs。Baynton's？Wewillseeperformedallthatcircumstancesrequire。"
　　Imadestrenuousoppositiontothisrequest。Iinsistedonremainingnearhertillshewereinterred。Hisremonstrances，however，andmyownfeelings，shewedmetheproprietyofatemporarydereliction。Louisastoodinneedofacomforter，andmybrother'schildrenofanurse。Myunhappybrotherwashimselfanobjectofsolicitudeandcare。Atlength，I
　　consentedtorelinquishthecorpse，andgotomybrother's，whosehouse，Isaid，wouldneedmistress，andhischildrenaparent。
　　Duringthisdiscourse，myvenerablefriendstruggledwithhistears，butmylastintimationcalledthemforthwithfreshviolence。Meanwhile，hisattendantsstoodroundinmournfulsilence，gazingonmeandateachother。Irepeatedmyresolution，androsetoexecuteit；buthetookmyhandtodetainme。Hiscountenancebetrayedirresolutionandreluctance。Irequestedhimtostatethereasonofhisoppositiontothismeasure。Ientreatedhimtobeexplicit。I
　　toldhimthatmybrotherhadjustbeenthere，andthatIknewhiscondition。Thismisfortunehaddrivenhimtomadness，andhisoffspringmustnotwantaprotector。Ifhechose，IwouldresignWielandtohiscare；buthisinnocentandhelplessbabesstoodininstantneedofnurseandmother，andtheseofficesI
　　wouldbynomeansallowanothertoperformwhileIhadlife。
　　EverywordthatIutteredseemedtoaugmenthisperplexityanddistress。Atlasthesaid，"Ithink，Clara，Ihaveentitledmyselftosomeregardfromyou。Youhaveprofessedyourwillingnesstoobligeme。NowIcalluponyoutoconferuponmethehighestobligationinyourpower。PermitMrs。Bayntontohavethemanagementofyourbrother'shousefortwoorthreedays；thenitshallbeyourstoactinitasyouplease。Nomatterwhataremymotivesinmakingthisrequest:perhapsI
　　thinkyourage，yoursex，orthedistresswhichthisdisastermustoccasion，incapacitatesyoufortheoffice。SurelyyouhavenodoubtofMrs。Baynton'stendernessordiscretion。"
　　Newideasnowrushedintomymind。IfixedmyeyesstedfastlyonMr。Hallet。"Aretheywell？"saidI。"IsLouisawell？AreBenjamin，andWilliam，andConstantine，andLittleClara，aretheysafe？Tellmetruly，Ibeseechyou!"
　　"Theyarewell，"hereplied；"theyareperfectlysafe。"
　　"Fearnoeffeminateweaknessinme:Icanbeartohearthetruth。Tellmetruly，aretheywell？"
　　Heagainassuredmethattheywerewell。
　　"Whatthen，"resumedI，"doyoufear？Isitpossibleforanycalamitytodisqualifymeforperformingmydutytothesehelplessinnocents？IamwillingtodividethecareofthemwithMrs。Baynton；Ishallbegratefulforhersympathyandaid；
　　butwhatshouldIbetodesertthematanhourlikethis!"
　　Iwillcutshortthisdistressfuldialogue。Istillpersistedinmypurpose，andhestillpersistedinhisopposition。Thisexcitedmysuspicionsanew；butthesewereremovedbysolemndeclarationsoftheirsafety。Icouldnotexplainthisconductinmyfriend；butatlengthconsentedtogotothecity，providedIshouldseethemforafewminutesatpresent，andshouldreturnonthemorrow。
　　Eventhisarrangementwasobjectedto。Atlengthhetoldmetheywereremovedtothecity。Whyweretheyremoved，Iasked，andwhither？Myimportunitieswouldnotnowbeeluded。Mysuspicionswereroused，andnoevasionorartificewassufficienttoallaythem。Manyoftheaudiencebegantogiveventtotheiremotionsintears。Mr。Hallethimselfseemedasiftheconflictweretoohardtobelongersustained。SomethingwhisperedtomyheartthathavochadbeenwiderthanInowwitnessed。Isuspectedthisconcealmenttoarisefromapprehensionsoftheeffectswhichaknowledgeofthetruthwouldproduceinme。Ioncemoreentreatedhimtoinformmetrulyoftheirstate。Toenforcemyentreaties，Iputonanairofinsensibility。"Icanguess，"saidI，"whathashappened——Theyareindeedbeyondthereachofinjury，fortheyaredead!Isitnotso？"Myvoicefalteredinspiteofmycourageousefforts。
　　"Yes，"saidhe，"theyaredead!Deadbythesamefate，andbythesamehand，withtheirmother!"
　　"Dead!"repliedI；"what，all？"
　　"All!"repliedhe:"hesparedNOTONE!"
　　Allowme，myfriends，toclosemyeyesupontheafter-scene。
　　WhyshouldIprotractatalewhichIalreadybegintofeelistoolong？Overthissceneatleastletmepasslightly。Here，indeed，mynarrativewouldbeimperfect。Allwastempestuouscommotioninmyheartandinmybrain。Ihavenomemoryforoughtbutunconscioustransitionsandruefulsights。Iwasingeniousandindefatigableintheinventionoftorments。I
　　wouldnotdispensewithanyspectacleadaptedtoexasperatemygrief。EachpaleandmangledformIcrushedtomybosom。
　　Louisa，whomIlovedwithsoineffableapassion，wasdeniedtomeatfirst，butmyobstinacyconqueredtheirreluctance。
　　Theyledthewayintoadarkenedhall。Alamppendantfromtheceilingwasuncovered，andtheypointedtoatable。Theassassinhaddefraudedmeofmylastandmiserableconsolation。
　　Isoughtnotinhervisage，forthetingeofthemorning，andthelustreofheaven。Thesehadvanishedwithlife；butIhopedforlibertytoprintalastkissuponherlips。Thiswasdeniedme；forsuchhadbeenthemercilessblowthatdestroyedher，thatnotaLINEAMENTREMAINED!
　　Iwascarriedhencetothecity。Mrs。Halletwasmycompanionandmynurse。WhyshouldIdwellupontherageoffever，andtheeffusionsofdelirium？Carwinwasthephantomthatpursuedmydreams，thegiantoppressorunderwhosearmI
　　wasforeveronthepointofbeingcrushed。Strenuousmuscleswererequiredtohindermyflight，andheartsofsteeltowithstandtheeloquenceofmyfears。InvainIcalleduponthemtolookupward，tomarkhissparklingrageandscowlingcontempt。AllIsoughtwastoflyfromthestrokethatwaslifted。ThenIheapeduponmyguardsthemostvehementreproaches，orbetookmyselftowailingsonthehaplessnessofmycondition。
　　Thismalady，atlength，declined，andmyweepingfriendsbegantolookformyrestoration。Slowly，andwithintermittedbeams，memoryrevisitedme。ThescenesthatIhadwitnessedwererevived，becamethethemeofdeliberationanddeduction，andcalledforththeeffusionsofmorerationalsorrow。
　　ChapterXVIII
　　Ihadimperfectlyrecoveredmystrength，whenIwasinformedofthearrivalofmymother'sbrother，ThomasCambridge。Tenyearssince，hewenttoEurope，andwasasurgeonintheBritishforcesinGermany，duringthewholeofthelatewar。Afteritsconclusion，someconnectionthathehadformedwithanIrishofficer，madehimretireintoIreland。Intercoursehadbeenpunctuallymaintainedbyletterswithhissister'schildren，andhopesweregiventhathewouldshortlyreturntohisnativecountry，andpasshisoldageinoursociety。Hewasnowinanevilhourarrived。
　　Idesiredaninterviewwithhimfornumerousandurgentreasons。WiththefirstreturnsofmyunderstandingIhadanxiouslysoughtinformationofthefateofmybrother。DuringthecourseofmydiseaseIhadneverseenhim；andvagueandunsatisfactoryanswerswerereturnedtoallmyinquires。IhadvehementlyinterrogatedMrs。Halletandherhusband，andsolicitedaninterviewwiththisunfortunateman；buttheymysteriouslyinsinuatedthathisreasonwasstillunsettled，andthathiscircumstancesrenderedaninterviewimpossible。Theirreserveontheparticularsofthisdestruction，andtheauthorofit，wasequallyinvincible。
　　Forsometime，findingallmyeffortsfruitless，Ihaddesistedfromdirectinquiriesandsolicitations，determined，assoonasmystrengthwassufficientlyrenewed，topursueothermeansofdispellingmyuncertainty。Inthisstateofthingsmyuncle'sarrivalandintentiontovisitmewereannounced。I
　　almostshudderedtobeholdthefaceofthisman。WhenI
　　reflectedonthedisastersthathadbefallenus，Iwashalfunwillingtowitnessthatdejectionandgriefwhichwouldbedisclosedinhiscountenance。ButIbelievedthatalltransactionshadbeenthoroughlydisclosedtohim，andconfidedinmyimportunitytoextortfromhimtheknowledgethatI
　　sought。
　　Ihadnodoubtastothepersonofourenemy；butthemotivesthaturgedhimtoperpetratethesehorrors，themeansthatheused，andhispresentcondition，weretotallyunknown。Itwasreasonabletoexpectsomeinformationonthishead，frommyuncle。Ithereforewaitedhiscomingwithimpatience。Atlength，intheduskoftheevening，andinmysolitarychamber，thismeetingtookplace。
　　Thismanwasournearestrelation，andhadevertreateduswiththeaffectionofaparent。Ourmeeting，therefore，couldnotbewithoutoverflowingtendernessandgloomyjoy。HeratherencouragedthanrestrainedthetearsthatIpouredoutinhisarms，andtookuponhimselfthetaskofcomforter。Allusionstorecentdisasterscouldnotbelongomitted。Onetopicfacilitatedtheadmissionofanother。Atlength，ImentionedanddeploredtheignoranceinwhichIhadbeenkeptrespectingmybrother'sdestiny，andthecircumstancesofourmisfortunes。
　　IentreatedhimtotellmewhatwasWieland'scondition，andwhatprogresshadbeenmadeindetectingorpunishingtheauthorofthisunheard-ofdevastation。
　　"Theauthor!"saidhe；"Doyouknowtheauthor？"
　　"Alas!"Ianswered，"Iamtoowellacquaintedwithhim。Thestoryofthegroundsofmysuspicionswouldbepainfulandtoolong。Iamnotapprizedoftheextentofyourpresentknowledge。TherearenonebutWieland，Pleyel，andmyself，whoareabletorelatecertainfacts。"
　　"Spareyourselfthepain，"saidhe。"AllthatWielandandPleyelcancommunicate，Iknowalready。Ifanythingofmomenthasfallenwithinyourownexclusiveknowledge，andtherelationbenottooarduousforyourpresentstrength，IconfessIamdesirousofhearingit。PerhapsyoualludetoonebythenameofCarwin。Iwillanticipateyourcuriositybysaying，thatsincethesedisasters，noonehasseenorheardofhim。Hisagencyis，therefore，amysterystillunsolved。"
　　Ireadilycompliedwithhisrequest，andrelatedasdistinctlyasIcould，thoughingeneralterms，theeventstransactedinthesummer-houseandmychamber。HelistenedwithoutapparentsurprizetothetaleofPleyel'serrorsandsuspicions，andwithaugmentedseriousness，tomynarrativeofthewarningsandinexplicablevision，andtheletterfounduponthetable。Iwaitedforhiscomments。
　　"Yougatherfromthis，"saidhe，"thatCarwinistheauthorofallthismisery。"
　　"Isitnot，"answeredI，"anunavoidableinference？Butwhatknowyourespectingit？Wasitpossibletoexecutethismischiefwithoutwitnessorcoadjutor？Ibeseechyoutorelatetome，whenandwhyMr。Halletwassummonedtothescene，andbywhomthisdisasterwasfirstsuspectedordiscovered。Surely，suspicionmusthavefallenuponsomeone，andpursuitwasmade。"
　　Myunclerosefromhisseat，andtraversedthefloorwithhastysteps。Hiseyeswerefixedupontheground，andheseemedburiedinperplexity。Atlengthhepaused，andsaidwithanemphatictone，"Itistrue；theinstrumentisknown。Carwinmayhaveplotted，buttheexecutionwasanother's。Thatotherisfound，andhisdeedisascertained。"
　　"Goodheaven!"Iexclaimed，"whatsayyou？WasnotCarwintheassassin？Couldanyhandbuthishavecarriedintoactthisdreadfulpurpose？"
　　"HaveInotsaid，"returnedhe，"thattheperformancewasanother's？Carwin，perhaps，orheaven，orinsanity，promptedthemurderer；butCarwinisunknown。Theactualperformerhas，longsince，beencalledtojudgmentandconvicted，andis，atthismoment，atthebottomofadungeonloadedwithchains。"
　　Iliftedmyhandsandeyes。"Whothenisthisassassin？Bywhatmeans，andwhitherwashetraced？Whatisthetestimonyofhisguilt？"
　　"Hisown，corroboratedwiththatofaservant-maidwhospiedthemurderofthechildrenfromaclosetwhereshewasconcealed。Themagistratereturnedfromyourdwellingtoyourbrother's。Hewasemployedinhearingandrecordingthetestimonyoftheonlywitness，whenthecriminalhimself，unexpected，unsolicited，unsought，enteredthehall，acknowledgedhisguilt，andrenderedhimselfuptojustice。
　　"Hehassincebeensummonedtothebar。Theaudiencewascomposedofthousandswhomrumoursofthiswonderfuleventhadattractedfromthegreatestdistance。Alongandimpartialexaminationwasmade，andtheprisonerwascalleduponforhisdefence。Incompliancewiththiscallhedeliveredanamplerelationofhismotivesandactions。"Therehestopped。
　　Ibesoughthimtosaywhothiscriminalwas，andwhattheinstigationsthatcompelledhim。Myunclewassilent。Iurgedthisinquirywithnewforce。Irevertedtomyownknowledge，andsoughtinthissomebasistoconjecture。IranoverthescantycatalogueofthemenwhomIknew；Ilightedonnoonewhowasqualifiedforministeringtomalicelikethis。AgainI
　　resortedtoimportunity。HadIeverseenthecriminal？Wasitsheercruelty，ordiabolicalrevengethatproducedthisoverthrow？
　　Hesurveyedme，foraconsiderabletime，andlistenedtomyinterrogationsinsilence。Atlengthhespoke:"Clara，Ihaveknowntheebyreport，andinsomedegreebyobservation。Thouartabeingofnovulgarsort。Thyfriendshavehithertotreatedtheeasachild。Theymeantwell，but，perhaps，theywereunacquaintedwiththystrength。Iassuremyselfthatnothingwillsurpassthyfortitude。
　　"Thouartanxioustoknowthedestroyerofthyfamily，hisactions，andhismotives。ShallIcallhimtothypresence，andpermithimtoconfessbeforethee？ShallImakehimthenarratorofhisowntale？"
　　Istartedonmyfeet，andlookedroundmewithfearfulglances，asifthemurdererwascloseathand。"Whatdoyoumean？"saidI；"putanend，Ibeseechyou，tothissuspence。"
　　"Benotalarmed；youwillnevermorebeholdthefaceofthiscriminal，unlesshebegiftedwithsupernaturalstrength，andseverlikethreadstheconstraintoflinksandbolts。Ihavesaidthattheassassinwasarraignedatthebar，andthatthetrialendedwithasummonsfromthejudgetoconfessortovindicatehisactions。Areplywasimmediatelymadewithsignificanceofgesture，andatranquilmajesty，whichdenotedlessofhumanitythangodhead。Judges，advocatesandauditorswerepanic-struckandbreathlesswithattention。Oneofthehearersfaithfullyrecordedthespeech。Thereitis，"continuedhe，puttingarollofpapersinmyhand，"youmayreaditatyourleisure。"
　　Withthesewordsmyuncleleftmealone。Mycuriosityrefusedmeamoment'sdelay。Iopenedthepapers，andreadasfollows。
　　ChapterXIX
　　"TheodoreWieland，theprisoneratthebar，wasnowcalleduponforhisdefence。Helookedaroundhimforsometimeinsilence，andwithamildcountenance。Atlengthhespoke:
　　"Itisstrange；Iamknowntomyjudgesandmyauditors。WhoistherepresentastrangertothecharacterofWieland？whoknowshimnotasanhusband——asafather——asafriend？yethereamIarraignedascriminal。Iamchargedwithdiabolicalmalice；Iamaccusedofthemurderofmywifeandmychildren!
　　"Itistrue，theywereslainbyme；theyallperishedbymyhand。Thetaskofvindicationisignoble。WhatisitthatIamcalledtovindicate？andbeforewhom？
　　"Youknowthattheyaredead，andthattheywerekilledbyme。Whatmorewouldyouhave？Wouldyouextortfrommeastatementofmymotives？Haveyoufailedtodiscoverthemalready？Youchargemewithmalice；butyoureyesarenotshut；
　　yourreasonisstillvigorous；yourmemoryhasnotforsakenyou。
　　Youknowwhomitisthatyouthuscharge。Thehabitsofhislifeareknowntoyou；histreatmentofhiswifeandhisoffspringisknowntoyou；thesoundnessofhisintegrity，andtheunchangeablenessofhisprinciples，arefamiliartoyourapprehension；yetyoupersistinthischarge!Youleadmehithermanacledasafelon；youdeemmeworthyofavileandtormentingdeath!
　　"WhoaretheywhomIhavedevotedtodeath？Mywife——thelittleones，thatdrewtheirbeingfromme——thatcreaturewho，asshesurpassedtheminexcellence，claimedalargeraffectionthanthosewhomnaturalaffinitiesboundtomyheart。Thinkyethatmalicecouldhaveurgedmetothisdeed？Hideyouraudaciousfrontsfromthescrutinyofheaven。Takerefugeinsomecavernunvisitedbyhumaneyes。Yemaydeploreyourwickednessorfolly，butyecannotexpiateit。
　　"ThinknotthatIspeakforyoursakes。Hugtoyourheartsthisdetestableinfatuation。Deemmestillamurderer，anddragmetountimelydeath。Imakenotanefforttodispelyourillusion:Iutternotawordtocureyouofyoursanguinaryfolly:butthereareprobablysomeinthisassemblywhohavecomefromfar:fortheirsakes，whosedistancehasdisabledthemfromknowingme，IwilltellwhatIhavedone，andwhy。
　　"ItisneedlesstosaythatGodistheobjectofmysupremepassion。Ihavecherished，inhispresence，asingleanduprightheart。Ihavethirstedfortheknowledgeofhiswill。
　　Ihaveburntwithardourtoapprovemyfaithandmyobedience。
　　"Mydayshavebeenspentinsearchingfortherevelationofthatwill；butmydayshavebeenmournful，becausemysearchfailed。Isoliciteddirection:Iturnedoneverysidewhereglimmeringsoflightcouldbediscovered。Ihavenotbeenwhollyuninformed；butmyknowledgehasalwaysstoppedshortofcertainty。Dissatisfactionhasinsinuateditselfintoallmythoughts。Mypurposeshavebeenpure；mywishesindefatigable；
　　butnottilllatelywerethesepurposesthoroughlyaccomplished，andthesewishesfullygratified。
　　"Ithankthee，myfather，forthybounty；thatthoudidstnotaskalesssacrificethanthis；thatthouplacedstmeinaconditiontotestifymysubmissiontothywill!WhathaveI
　　withheldwhichitwasthypleasuretoexact？NowmayI，withdauntlessanderecteye，claimmyreward，sinceIhavegiventheethetreasureofmysoul。
　　"Iwasatmyownhouse:itwaslateintheevening:mysisterhadgonetothecity，butproposedtoreturn。ItwasinexpectationofherreturnthatmywifeandIdelayedgoingtobedbeyondtheusualhour；therestofthefamily，however，wereretired。
　　"Mymindwascontemplativeandcalm；notwhollydevoidofapprehensiononaccountofmysister'ssafety。Recentevents，noteasilyexplained，hadsuggestedtheexistenceofsomedanger；butthisdangerwaswithoutadistinctforminourimagination，andscarcelyruffledourtranquillity。
　　"Timepassed，andmysisterdidnotarrive；herhouseisatsomedistancefrommine，andthoughherarrangementshadbeenmadewithaviewtoresidingwithus，itwaspossiblethat，throughforgetfulness，ortheoccurrenceofunforeseenemergencies，shehadreturnedtoherowndwelling。
　　"HenceitwasconceivedproperthatIshouldascertainthetruthbygoingthither。Iwent。Onmywaymymindwasfulloftheseideaswhichrelatedtomyintellectualcondition。Inthetorrentoffervidconceptions，Ilostsightofmypurpose。SometimesIstoodstill；sometimesIwanderedfrommypath，andexperiencedsomedifficulty，onrecoveringfrommyfitofmusing，toregainit。
　　"Theseriesofmythoughtsiseasilytraced。Atfirsteveryveinbeatwithrapturesknownonlytothemanwhoseparentalandconjugalloveiswithoutlimits，andthecupofwhosedesires，immenseasitis，overflowswithgratification。Iknownotwhyemotionsthatwereperpetualvisitantsshouldnowhaverecurredwithunusualenergy。Thetransitionwasnotnewfromsensationsofjoytoaconsciousnessofgratitude。Theauthorofmybeingwaslikewisethedispenserofeverygiftwithwhichthatbeingwasembellished。Theservicetowhichabenefactorlikethiswasentitled，couldnotbecircumscribed。Mysocialsentimentswereindebtedtotheiralliancewithdevotionforalltheirvalue。Allpassionsarebase，alljoysfeeble，allenergiesmalignant，whicharenotdrawnfromthissource。
　　"Foratime，mycontemplationssoaredaboveearthanditsinhabitants。Istretchedforthmyhands；Iliftedmyeyes，andexclaimed，O!thatImightbeadmittedtothypresence；thatminewerethesupremedelightofknowingthywill，andofperformingit!Theblissfulprivilegeofdirectcommunicationwiththee，andoflisteningtotheaudibleenunciationofthypleasure!
　　"WhattaskwouldInotundertake，whatprivationwouldInotcheerfullyendure，totestifymyloveofthee？Alas!thouhidestthyselffrommyview:glimpsesonlyofthyexcellenceandbeautyareaffordedme。Wouldthatamomentaryemanationfromthyglorywouldvisitme!thatsomeunambiguoustokenofthypresencewouldsalutemysenses!
　　"Inthismood，Ienteredthehouseofmysister。Itwasvacant。ScarcelyhadIregainedrecollectionofthepurposethatbroughtmehither。Thoughtsofadifferenttendencyhadsuchabsolutepossessionofmymind，thattherelationsoftimeandspacewerealmostobliteratedfrommyunderstanding。Thesewanderings，however，wererestrained，andIascendedtoherchamber。
　　"Ihadnolight，andmighthaveknownbyexternalobservation，thatthehousewaswithoutanyinhabitant。Withthis，however，Iwasnotsatisfied。Ienteredtheroom，andtheobjectofmysearchnotappearing，Ipreparedtoreturn。
　　"Thedarknessrequiredsomecautionindescendingthestair。
　　IstretchedmyhandtoseizethebalustradebywhichImightregulatemysteps。HowshallIdescribethelustre，which，atthatmoment，burstuponmyvision!
　　"Iwasdazzled。Myorganswerebereavedoftheiractivity。
　　Myeye-lidswerehalf-closed，andmyhandswithdrawnfromthebalustrade。Anamelessfearchilledmyveins，andIstoodmotionless。Thisirradiationdidnotretireorlessen。Itseemedasifsomepowerfuleffulgencecoveredmelikeamantle。
　　"Iopenedmyeyesandfoundallaboutmeluminousandglowing。Itwastheelementofheaventhatflowedaround。
　　Nothingbutafierystreamwasatfirstvisible；but，anon，ashrillvoicefrombehindcalleduponmetoattend。
　　"Iturned:ItisforbiddentodescribewhatIsaw:Words，indeed，wouldbewantingtothetask。Thelineamentsofthatbeing，whoseveilwasnowlifted，andwhosevisagebeameduponmysight，nohuesofpenciloroflanguagecanpourtray。
　　"Asitspoke，theaccentsthrilledtomyheart。"Thyprayersareheard。Inproofofthyfaith，rendermethywife。ThisisthevictimIchuse。Callherhither，andhereletherfall。"——Thesound，andvisage，andlightvanishedatonce。
　　"Whatdemandwasthis？ThebloodofCatharinewastobeshed!Mywifewastoperishbymyhand!Isoughtopportunitytoattestmyvirtue。LittledidIexpectthataprooflikethiswouldhavebeendemanded。
　　"Mywife!Iexclaimed:OGod!substitutesomeothervictim。
　　Makemenotthebutcherofmywife。Myownbloodischeap。
　　ThiswillIpouroutbeforetheewithawillingheart；butspare，Ibeseechthee，thispreciouslife，orcommissionsomeotherthanherhusbandtoperformthebloodydeed。
　　"Invain。Theconditionswereprescribed；thedecreehadgoneforth，andnothingremainedbuttoexecuteit。Irushedoutofthehouseandacrosstheintermediatefields，andstoppednottillIenteredmyownparlour。