ThisandmanyabygonescenethrongedonmeasIstoodthere，andtheroomfilledagainwiththememoriesofchildishmirth。Andfollowingclosecamethoseofchildishterrors。Horrorswhichhadoppressedmethen，whollyimaginedordimlyapprehendedfromhalf-
　　heardtraditions，andneverthoughtofsince，flittedaroundmeinthegatheringdusk。Andwiththemitseemedtomeasiftherecameothermemoriestoo，——memorieswhichhadneverbeenmyown，ofsceneswhoseactorshadlongbeenwiththedead，butwhich，immortalasthespiritbeforewhoseeyestheyhaddwelt，stilllingeredinthespotwheretheirvictimhadfirstlearnttoshudderattheirpresence。Oncetheghastlynotioncametome，itseizedonmyimaginationwithirresistibleforce。Itseemedasiffromthedarkenedcornersoftheroomvague，ill-definedshapeswereactuallypeeringoutatme。Whennightcametheywouldshowthemselvesinthatform，lividandterrible，inwhichtheyhadbeenburntintothebrainandheartofthelongagodead。
　　IturnedandglancedtowardswhereIhadleftAlan。Icouldseehisfigureframedinbythewindow，ablackshadowagainstthegraytwilightoftheskybehind。Erectandperfectlymotionlesshesat，somotionlessastolookalmostlifeless，gazingbeforehimdownthevalleyintotheillimitabledistancebeyond。Therewassomethinginthatsternimmobilityoflookandattitudewhichstruckmewithacurioussenseofcongruity。Itwasrightthatheshouldbethus——rightthatheshouldbenolongerthelaughingboywhoamomentbeforehadbeeninmymemory。Thehauntinghorrorsofthatplaceseemedtodemandit，andforthefirsttimeIfeltthatIunderstoodthechange。WithaneffortIshookmyselffreefromthesefancies，andturnedtogo。AsIdidso，myeyefelluponaqueer-shapedpaintedboard，leaningupagainstthewall，whichI
　　wellrecollectedinoldtimes。Manyadiscussionhadwehadaboutthelegendinscribeduponit，whichinourwisdomwehadfinallypronouncedtobeGerman，chieflybecauseitwasillegible。ThoughIhadloudlyprofessedmyfaithinthistheoryatthetime，Ihadalwayshaduneasydoubtsonthesubject，andnowhalfsmilingI
　　bentdowntoverifyorremovethem。ThelanguagewasEnglish，notGerman。butthebadlypainted，fadedGothiclettersinwhichitwaswrittenmadethemistakeexcusable。InthedimlightIhaddifficultyevennowindecipheringthewords，andfeltwhenIhaddonesothatneithertheinformationconveyednorthestyleofthecompositionwassufficientrewardforthetroubleIhadtaken。
　　ThisiswhatIread：
　　Wherethewomansinnedthemaidshallwin。
　　ButGodhelpthemaidthatsleepswithin。
　　WhatthelinescouldrefertoIneitherhadanynotionnordidI
　　pausetheneveninmyownmindtoinquire。Ionlyremembervaguelywonderingwhethertheywereintendedforatombstoneorforadoorway。Then，continuingmyway，Irapidlydescendedthestepsandremountedmyhorse，gladtofindmyselfonceagainintheopenairandbymycousin’sside。
　　Thetrainofthoughtintowhichhehadsunkduringmyabsencewasapparentlyanabsorbingone，fortomyfirstquestionastothepaintedboardhecouldhardlyrousehimselftoanswer。
　　Aboardwithalegendwrittenonit？Yes，herememberedsomethingofthekindthere。Ithadalwaysbeenthere，hethought。Heknewnothingaboutit，——andsothesubjectwasnotcontinued。
　　Theweirdfeelingswhichhadhauntedmeinthetowerstilloppressedme，andIproceededtoaskAlanaboutthatoldDameAlicewhomthetraditionsofmychildhoodrepresentedasthelastoccupantoftheruinedbuilding。Alanrousedhimselfnow，butdidnotseemanxioustoimpartinformationonthesubject。Shehadlivedthere，headmitted，andnoonehadlivedtheresince。Hadshenot，Iinquired，somethingtodowiththemysteriouscabinetatthehouse？Irememberhearingitspokenofas’DameAlice’scabinet。’
　　Sotheysay，heassented。sheandanItalianartificerwhowasinherservice，andwho，chieflyIimagineonaccountofhisskill，sharedwithherthehonorofreputedwitchcraft。
　　ShewasthemotherofHughMervyn，themanwhowasmurderedbyhiswife，wasshenot？Iasked。
　　Yes，saidAlan，briefly。
　　Andhadshenotsomethingtodowiththecurse？Iinquiredafterashortpause，andnervouslyIrememberedmyfather’sexperienceonthatsubject，andIhadneverbeforedaredtoalludetoitinthepresenceofanymemberofthefamily。Mynervousnesswasfullywarranted。ThegloomonAlan’sbrowdeepened，andafteraveryshortTheysaysoheturnedfulluponme，andinquiredwithsomeasperitywhyonearthIhaddevelopedthissuddencuriosityabouthisancestress。
　　Ihesitatedamoment，forIwasalittleashamedofmyfancies。butthedarknessgavemecourage，andbesidesIwasnotafraidoftellingAlan——hewouldunderstand。ItoldhimofthestrangesensationsIhadhadwhileinthetower——sensationswhichhadstruckmewithallthatforceandclearnesswhichweusuallyassociatewithadirectexperienceoffact。Ofcourseitwasatrickofimagination，Icommented。butIcouldnotgetridofthefeelingthatthepersonwhohaddwelttherelastmusthavehadterriblethoughtsforthecompanionsofherlife。
　　Alanlistenedinsilence，andthesilencecontinuedforsometimeafterIhadceasedspeaking。
　　Itisstrange，hesaidatlast。instinctswhichwedonotunderstandformthemotive-powerofmostofourlife’sactions，andyetwerefusetoadmitthemasevidenceofanyexternaltruth。I
　　supposeitisbecauseweMUSTactsomehow，rightlyorwrongly。andthereareagreatmanythingswhichweneednotbelieveunlesswechoose。Asforthisoldlady，shelivedlong——longenough，likemostofus，todoevil。unlikemostofus，longenoughtowitnesssomeoftheresultsofthatevil。Tosaythat，istosaythatthelastyearsofherlifemusthavebeenweightedheavilyenoughwithtragicthought。
　　Igavealittleshudderofrepulsion。
　　Thatisadepressingviewoflife，Alan，Isaid。Doesourpeaceofminddependonlyupondeathcomingearlyenoughtohidefromusthetruth？And，afterall，canit？Ourspiritsdonotdie。Fromanotherworldtheymaywitnessthefruitsofourlivesinthisone。
　　Iftheydo，heansweredwithsuddenviolence，itisabsurdtodoubttheexistenceofapurgatory。Theremustinsuchacasebeaterribleoneinstoreforthebestamongus。
　　Iwassilent。Theshadowthatlayonhissouldidnotpenetratetomine，butithungroundmenevertheless，acloudwhichIfeltpowerlesstodisperse。
　　Afteramomenthewenton，——Providedthattheyaredistantenough，howlittle，afterall，dowethinkoftheresultsofouractions！
　　Therearefewmenwhowoulddeliberatelyinstillintoachildaloveofdrink，orwilfullydeprivehimofhisreason。andyetamanwithdrunkennessormadnessinhisbloodthinksnothingofbringingchildrenintotheworldtaintedasdeeplywiththecurseasifhehadinoculatedthemwithitdirectly。Thereisnoresponsibilitysocompletelyignoredasthisoneofmarriageandfatherhood，andyethowheavyitisandfar-reaching。
　　Well，Isaid，smiling，letusconsoleourselveswiththethoughtthatwearenotalllunaticsanddrunkards。
　　No，heanswered。butthereareotherevilsbesidesthese，moraltaintsaswellasphysical，curseswhichhavetheirrootsinworldsbeyondourown，——sinsofthefatherswhicharevisiteduponthechildren。
　　Hehadlostallviolenceandbitternessoftonenow。butthewearydejectionwhichhadtakentheirplacecommunicateditselftomyspiritwithmoresubtlepowerthanhispreviousmoodhadowned。
　　Thatiswhy，hewenton，andhismannerseemedtogivemorepurposetohisspeechthanhitherto，——thatiswhy，sofarasIamconcerned，Imeantoshirktheresponsibilityandremainunmarried。
　　Iwashardlysurprisedathiswords。IfeltthatIhadexpectedthem，buttheirutteranceseemedtointensifythegloomwhichresteduponus。Alanwasthefirsttoarousehimselffromitsinfluence。
　　Afterall，hesaid，turningroundtomeandspeakinglightly，withoutlookingsofarandsodeep，Ithinkmyresolveisaprudentone。Aboveallthings，letustakelifeeasily，andyouknowwhatSt。Paulsaysabout’troubleintheflesh，’——aremarkwhichIamsureisspeciallyapplicabletobrieflessbarristers，eventhoughpossessedofamodestcompetenceoftheirown。Perhapsoneofthesedays，whenIamafatoldjudge，Ishallgivemycookachanceifsheissatisfactoryinherclearsoups。buttillthenI
　　shallexpectyou，Evie，toworkmeonepairofcarpet-slippersperannum，astributeduetoabachelorcousin。
　　Idon’tquiteknowwhatIanswered，——myheartwasheavyandaching，——butItriedwithtruefemininedocilitytofollowtheleadhehadsetme。Hecontinuedforsometimeinthesamevein。butasweapproachedthehousetheeffortseemedtobecometoomuchforhim，andwerelapsedagainintosilence。
　　ThistimeIwasthefirsttobreakit。Isuppose，Isaid，drearily，allthosehorridpeoplewillhavecomebynow。
　　Horridpeople，herepeated，withratheranuncertainlaugh，andthroughthedarknessIsawhisfigurebendforwardashestretchedouthishandtocaressmyhorse’sneck。Why，Evie，Ithoughtyouwerepiningforgayety，andthatitwas，infact，forthepurposeofmeetingthese’horridpeople’thatyoucamehere。
　　Yes，Iknow，Isaid，wistfully。butsomehowthelastweekhasbeensopleasantthatIcannotbelievethatanythingwilleverbequitesoniceagain。
　　WehadarrivedatthehouseasIspoke，andthegroomwasstandingatourhorses’heads。Alangotoffandcameroundtohelpmetodismount。butinsteadofputtinguphisarmasusualasasupportformetospringfrom，helaidhishandonmine。Yes，Evie，hesaid，ithasbeenindeedapleasanttime。Godblessyouforit。
　　Foraninstanthestoodtherelookingupatme，hisfacefullinthelightwhichstreamedfromtheopendoor，hisgrayeyesshiningwitharadiancewhichwasnotwhollyfromthence。Thenhestraightenedhisarm，Isprangtotheground，andasiftoprecludethepossibilityofanyansweronmypart，heturnedsharplyonhisheel，andbegangivingsomeorderstothegroom。Iwentonaloneintothehouse，feeling，Iknewnotandcarednottoknowwhy，thatthegloomhadfledfrommyspirit，andthatthelastridehadnotafterallbeensuchamelancholyfailureasithadbidfairatonetimetobecome。
　　III
　　InthehallIwasmetbythehousekeeper，whoinformedmethat，owingtoamisunderstandingaboutdates，agentlemanhadarrivedwhomLucyhadnotexpectedatthattime，andthatinconsequencemyroomhadbeenchanged。MythingshadbeenputintotheEastRoom，——
　　thehauntedroom，——theroomoftheClosedCabinet，asIrememberedwithacertainsenseofpleasedimportance，thoughwithoutanysurprise。Itstoodapartfromtheotherguest-rooms，attheendofthepassagefromwhichopenedGeorgeandLucy’sprivateapartment。
　　andasitwasconsequentlydisagreeabletohaveastrangerthere，itwasalwaysusedwhenthehousewasfullforamemberofthefamily。Myfatherandmotherhadoftensleptthere：therewasalittleroomnexttoit，thoughnotcommunicatingwithit，whichservedforadressing-room。ThoughIhadneverpassedthenighttheremyself，Iknewitaswellasanyroominthehouse。Iwentthereatonce，andfoundLucysuperintendingthelastarrangementsformycomfort。
　　Shewasfullofapologiesforthetroubleshewasgivingme。I
　　toldherthattheapologieswereduetomymaidandtoherownservantsratherthantome。andbesides，Iadded，glancinground，Iamdistinctlyagainerbythechange。
　　Youknow，ofcourse，shesaid，lightly，thatthisisthehauntedroomofthehouse，andthatyouhavenorighttobehere？
　　Iknowitisthehauntedroom，Ianswered。butwhyhaveInorighttobehere？
　　Oh，Idon’tknow，shesaid。ThereisoneofthosetiresomeMervyntraditionsagainstallowingunmarriedgirlstosleepinthisroom。Ibelievetwogirlsdiedinitahundredandfiftyyearsago，orsomethingofthatsort。
　　ButIshouldthinkthatpeople，marriedorunmarried，musthavediedinnearlyeveryroominthehouse，Iobjected。
　　Oh，yes，ofcoursetheyhave，saidLucy。butonceyoucomeacrossabitofsuperstitioninthisfamily，itisofnousetoaskforreasons。However，thisparticularbitistooridiculousevenforGeorge。OwingtoMr。Lesliehavingcometo-day，wemustuseeveryroominthehouse：itisintolerablehavingastrangerhere，andyouaretheonlyrelationstayingwithus。IpointedallthatouttoGeorge，andheagreedthat，underthecircumstances，itwouldbeabsurdnottoputyouhere。
　　Iamquiteagreeable，Ianswered。and，indeed，IthinkIamratherfavoredinhavingaroomwherethelastrecordeddeathappearstohavetakenplaceahundredandfiftyyearsago，particularlyasIshouldthinkthattherecanbescarcelyanythingnowleftinitwhichwasherethen，except，ofcourse，thecabinet。
　　Theroomhad，infact，beenentirelydoneupandrefurnishedbymyuncle，andwasasbrightandmodern-lookinganapartmentasyoucouldwishtosee。Itwaslarge，andthewallswerecoveredwithoneofthosewhiteandgoldpaperswhichwerefashionablethirtyyearsago。Oppositeus，aswestoodwarmingourbacksbeforethefire，wasthebed——alargedoubleone，hungwithaprettyshadeofpaleblue。Materialofthesamecolorcoveredthecomfortablemodernfurniture，andhungfromgildedcornicesbeforethetwowindowswhichpiercedthesideoftheroomonourleft。Betweenthemstoodthetoilet-table，allmuslin，blueribbons，andsilver。
　　ThecarpetwasagrayandblueBrusselsone。Thewholeeffectwascheerful，thoughIfearinartistic，andsadlyoutofkeepingwiththecharacterofthehouse。Theexceptiontotheseremarkswas，asIhadobserved，thefamousclosedcabinet，towhichIhavemorethanoncealluded。Itstoodagainstthesamewalloftheroomasthatinwhichthefireplacewas，andonourright——thatis，onthatsideofthefireplacewhichwasfarthestfromthewindows。AsI
　　spoke，Iturnedtogoandlookatit，andLucyfollowedme。ManyanhourasachildhadIpassedinfrontofit，fingeringthesevencarvedbrasshandles，orratherbuttons，whichwererangeddownitscenter。Theyallslid，twisted，orscrewedwiththegreatestease，andapparentlylikemanyanotheringeniouslycontrivedlock。butneitherInoranyoneelsehadeveryetsucceededinsliding，twisting，orscrewingthemaftersuchafashionastoopenthecloseddoorsofthecabinet。NooneyethadrobbedthemoftheirsecretsincefirstitwasplacedtherethreehundredyearsagobytheoldladyandherfaithfulItalian。Itwasabeautifulpieceofworkmanship，wasthistantalizingcabinet。Carvedoutofsomedarkforeignwood，thedoorsandpanelswererichlyinlaidwithlapis-
　　lazuli，ivory，andmother-of-pearl，amongwhichweretwisteddelicatelychasedthreadsofgoldandsilver。Abovethedoors，betweenthemandthecornice，layanothermystery，fullyastormentingaswasthefirst。Inasmoothstripofwoodaboutaninchwide，andextendingalongthewholebreadthofthecabinet，wasinlaidafinepatterningoldwire。Thisatfirstsightseemedtoconsistofalegendormotto。Onlookingcloser，however，thoughthepatternstilllookedasifitwasformedoutofcharactersofthealphabetcuriouslyentwinedtogether，youfoundyourselfunabletofixuponanydefiniteword，orevenletter。Youlookedagainandagain，andthelongerthatyoulookedthemorecertainbecameyourbeliefthatyouwereonthevergeofdiscovery。
　　Ifyoucouldapproachthemysteriouslegendfromaslightlydifferentpointofview，orlookatitfromanotherdistance，theclewtothepuzzlewouldbeseized，andthewordswouldstandforthclearandlegibleinyoursight。Buttheclewneverhadbeendiscovered，andthemotto，iftherewasone，remainedunread。
　　Forafewminuteswestoodlookingatthecabinetinsilence，andthenLucygaveadiscontentedlittlesigh。There’sanothertiresomepieceofsuperstition，sheexclaimed。byfarthehandsomestpieceoffurnitureinthehousestuckawayhereinabedroomwhichishardlyeverused。AgainandagainhaveIaskedGeorgetoletmehaveitmoveddownstairs，buthewon’thearofit。
　　WasitnotplacedherebyDameAliceherself？Iinquiredalittlereproachfully，forIfeltthatLucywasnottreatingthecabinetwiththerespectwhichitreallydeserved。
　　Yes，sotheysay，sheanswered。andthetoneoflightcontemptinwhichshespokewasnowpiercedbyanotunnaturalprideintheromanticmysteriesofherhusband’sfamily。Sheplacedithere，anditissaid，youknow，thatwhentheclosedcabinetisopened，andthemysteriousmottoisread，thecursewilldepartfromtheMervynfamily。
　　Butwhydon’ttheybreakitopen？Iasked，impatiently。IamsurethatIwouldneverhaveremainedallmylifeinahousewithathinglikethat，andnotfoundoutinsomewayoranotherwhatwasinsideit。
　　Oh，butthatwouldbequitefatal，answeredshe。ThecursecanonlyberemovedwhenthecabinetisopenedasDameAliceintendedittobe，inanorthodoxfashion。Ifyouweretoforceitopen，thatcouldneverhappen，andthecursewouldthereforeremainforever。
　　Andwhatisthecurse？Iasked，withverydifferentfeelingstothosewithwhichIhadtimidlyapproachedthesamesubjectwithAlan。LucywasnotaMervyn，andnotapersontoinspireaweunderanycircumstances。Myinstinctswererightagain，forsheturnedawaywithaslightshrugofhershoulders。
　　Ihavenoidea，shesaid。GeorgeandAlanalwayslookportentouslysolemnandgloomywheneveronementionsthesubject，soIdon’t。Ifyouaskmeforthetruth，Ibelieveittobeapureinvention，devisedbytheMervynsforthepurposeofdelicatelyaccountingforsomeofthedisreputableactionsoftheirancestors。
　　Foryouknow，Evie，sheadded，withalittlelaugh，thelesssaidaboutthecharacterofthefamilyintowhichyourauntandIhavemarriedthebetter。
　　Theremarkmademeangry，Idon’tknowwhy，andIansweredstiffly，thatasfarasIwasacquaintedwiththem，Iatleastsawnothingtocomplainof。
　　Oh，asregardsthepresentgeneration，no，——exceptforthatpoor，wretchedJack，acquiescedLucy，withherusualimperturbablegood-
　　humor。
　　Andasregardsthenext？Isuggested，smiling，andalreadyashamedofmylittletemper。
　　Thenextisperfect，ofcourse，——poordearboys。Shesighedasshespoke，andIwonderedwhethershewasreallyasunconsciousasshegenerallyappearedtobeofthestrangedissatisfactionwithwhichherhusbandseemedtoregardhischildren。Anyhowthementionofthemhadevidentlychangedhermood，andalmostdirectlyafterwards，withtheremarkthatshemustgoandlookafterherguests，whohadallarrivedbynow，sheleftmetomyself。
　　ForsomeminutesIsatbythebrightfire，lostinaimless，wanderingthought，whichbeganwithDameAliceandhercabinet，andwhichendedsomehowwithAlan’sface，asIhadlastseenitlookingupatmeinfrontofthehall-door。WhenIhadreachedthatpoint，IrousedmyselftodecidethatIhaddreamtlongenough，andthatitwasquitetimetogodowntotheguestsandtotea。I
　　accordinglydonnedmybestteagown，arrangedmyhair，andproceededtowardsthedrawing-room。Mywaytherelaythroughthegreatcentralhall。Thisapartmentwasapproachedfrommostofthebedroomsinthehousethroughalarge，archeddoorwayatoneendofit，whichcommunicateddirectlywiththegreatstaircase。Mybedroom，however，which，asIhavesaid，layamongtheprivateapartmentsofthehouse，openedintoapassagewhichledintoabroadgallery，orupperchamber，stretchingrightacrosstheendofthehall。Fromthisyoudescendedbymeansofasmallstaircaseinoak，whosecarvedbalustrade，bendingroundthecornerofthehall，formedoneoftheprettiestfeaturesofthepicturesqueoldroom。
　　Thebarrierwhichranalongthefrontofthegallerywasinsolidoak，andofsuchaheightthat，unlessstandingcloseuptoit，youcouldneitherseenorbeseenbytheoccupantsoftheroombelow。
　　OnapproachingthisgalleryIheardvoicesinthehall。TheywereGeorge’sandAlan’s，evidentlyinhotdiscussion。AsIissuedfromthepassage，Georgewasspeaking，andhisvoicehadthatexasperatedtoneinwhichanangrymantriestobringtoacloseanargumentinwhichhehaslosthistemper。Forheaven’ssakeleaveitalone，Alan。Ineithercannorwillinterfere。Wehaveenoughtobearfromthesecursedtraditionsasitis，withoutaddingonewhichhasnofoundationwhatevertojustifyit——amerecontemptiblepieceofsuperstition。
　　Nomemberofourfamilyhasarighttocallanytraditioncontemptiblewhichisconnectedwiththatplace，andyouknowit，
　　answeredAlan。andthoughhespokelow，hisvoicetrembledwithsomestrongemotion。AfirstimpulseofhesitationwhichIhadhadIchecked，feelingthatasIhadheardsomuchitwasfairertogoon，andIadvancedtothetopofthestaircase。Alanstoodbythefireplacefacingme，butfartoooccupiedtoseeme。HislastspeechhadseeminglyarousedGeorgetofury，forthelatterturnedonhimnowwithsavagepassion。
　　Damnitall，Alan！hecried，can’tyoubequiet？Iwillbemasterinmyownhouse。Takecare，Itellyou。thecursemaynotbequitefulfilledyetafterall。
　　AsGeorgeutteredthesewords，Alanliftedhiseyestohimwithaglanceofawfulhorror：hisfaceturnedghastlywhite。hislipstrembledforamoment。andthenheansweredbackwithonehalf-
　　whisperedwordofsupremeappeal——George！Therewasalong-
　　drawn，unutterableanguishinhistone，andhisvoice，thoughscarcelyaudible，penetratedtoeverycorneroftheroom，andseemedtohangquiveringintheairaroundoneafterthesoundhadceased。Thentherewasaterriblestillness。Alanstoodtremblingineverylimb，incapableapparentlyofspeechoraction，andGeorgefacedhim，assilentandmotionlessashewas。Foraninstanttheyremainedthus，whileIlookedbreathlesslyon。ThenGeorge，withamutteredimprecation，turnedonhisheelandlefttheroom。Alanfollowedhimashewentwithdulllifelesseyes。andasthedoorclosedhebreatheddeeply，withabreaththatwasalmostagroan。
　　Takingmycourageinbothhands，Inowdescendedthestairs，andatthesoundofmyfootfallheglancedup，started，andthencamerapidlytomeetme。
　　Evie！youhere，hesaid。Ididnotnoticeyou。Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？Hewasstillquitewhite，andInoticedthathepantedforbreathashespoke。
　　Notlong，Ianswered，timidly，andratherspasmodically。Ionlyheardasentenceortwo。YouwantedGeorgetodosomethingaboutsometraditionorother，——andhewasangry，——andhesaidsomethingaboutthecurse。
　　WhileIspokeAlankepthiseyesfixedonmine，readingthroughthem，asIknew，intomymind。WhenIhadfinishedheturnedhisgazeawaysatisfied，andansweredveryquietly，Yes，thatwasit。
　　Thenhewentbacktothefireplace，restedhisarmagainstthehighmantelpieceaboveit，andleaninghisforeheadonhisarm，remainedsilentlylookingintothefire。Icouldseebyhisbentbrowandcompressedlipsthathewasengageduponsomeearnesttrainofthoughtorreasoning，andIstoodwaiting——worried，puzzled，curious，butaboveallthings，pitiful，andoh！longingsointenselytohelphimifIcould。Presentlyhestraightenedhimselfalittle，andaddressedmemoreinhisordinarytoneofvoice，thoughwithoutlookinground。SoIheartheyhavechangedyourroom。
　　Yes，Ianswered。Andthen，flushingrather，IsthatwhatyouandGeorgehavebeenquarrelingabout？Ireceivednoreply，andtakingthissilenceforassent，Iwentondeprecatingly，Becauseyouknow，ifitwas，Ithinkyouareratherfoolish，Alan。AsI
　　understand，twogirlsaresaidtohavediedinthatroommorethanahundredyearsago，andforthatreasonthereisaprejudiceagainstputtingagirltosleepthere。Thatisall。Merelyavague，unreasonabletradition。
　　Alantookamomenttoanswer。
　　Yes，hesaidatlength，speakingslowly，andasifreplyingtoargumentsinhisownmindasmuchastothosewhichIhaduttered。
　　Yes，itisnothingbutatraditionafterall，andthatoftheveryvaguestandmostunsupportedkind。
　　Isthereevenanyproofthatgirlshavenotslepttheresincethosetwodied？Iasked。Ithinkthatthesuggestionconveyedinthisquestionwasarelieftohim，forafteramoment’spause，asiftosearchhismemory，heturnedround。
　　No，heanswered，Idon’tthinkthatthereisanysuchproof。andIhavenodoubtthatyouareright，andthatitisamereprejudicethatmakesmedislikeyoursleepingthere。
　　Then，Isaid，withalittleassumptionofsisterlysuperiority，IthinkGeorgewasright，andthatyouwerewrong。
　　Alansmiled，——asmiledwhichsatoddlyonthestillpaleface，andinthewearied，worn-lookingeyes。Verylikely，hesaid。I
　　daresaythatIamsuperstitious。Ihavehadthingstomakemeso。
　　Thencomingnearertome，andlayinghishandsonmyshoulders，hewenton，smilingmorebrightly，Weareaqueer-tempered，bad-
　　nervedrace，weMervyns，andyoumustnottakeustooseriously，Evie。Thebestthingthatyoucandowithouroddwaysistoignorethem。
　　Oh，Idon’tmind，Ianswered，laughing，toogladtohavewonhimbacktoeventemporarybrightness，aslongasyouandGeorgedon’tcometoblowsoverthequestionofwhereIamtosleep。whichafterallischieflymyconcern，——andLucy’s。
　　Well，perhapsitis，hereplied，inthesametone。andnowbeofftothedrawing-room，whereLucyisdefendingthetea-tablesingle-handedallthistime。
　　Iobeyed，andshouldhavegonemorecheerfullyhadInotturnedatthedoorwaytolookbackathim，andcaughtoneglimpseofhisfaceashesankheavilydownintothelargearm-chairbythefireside。
　　However，bydinner-timeheappearedtohavedismissedallpainfulreflectionsfromhismind，ortohaveburiedthemtoodeepfordiscovery。Thepeoplestayinginthehousewere，inspiteofmysenseofgrievanceattheirarrival，individuallypleasant，andafterdinnerIdiscoveredthemtobesociallywellassorted。Forthefirsthourortwo，indeed，aftertheirarrival，eachglaredattheotheracrossthosetriplelinesofmoralfortificationbehindwhicheverywell-bredBritontakesrefugeonappearingatafriend’scountry-house。Butflagsoftrucewereinterchangedoverthesoup，anarmisticewasagreeduponduringtheroast，andthetermsofatreatyofpeaceandamitywerefinallyratifiedunderthesympatheticinfluenceofGeorge’sbestchampagne。FortheachievementofthishappyresultAlancertainlyworkedhard，andreceivedthereformanyagratefulglancefromhissister-in-law。
　　HewasmoreexcitedthanIhadeverseenhimbefore，andtalkedbrilliantlyandwell——thoughperhapsnotasexclusivelytohisneighborsastheymayhavewished。Hiseyesandhisattentionseemedeverywhereatonce：onemomenthewasthrowingremarksacrosstosomedespairingcoupleopposite，andthenexthewasbreakinganembarrassingpauseintheconversationbysomerapidsallyofnonsenseaddressedtothetableingeneral。Heformedagreatcontrasttohisbrother，whosatgloomyanddejected，makinglittleornoresponsetotheadvancesofthetwodowagersbetweenwhomhewasplaced。AfterdinnertheyoungermembersofthepartyspenttheeveningbyAlan’sinitiative，andchieflyunderhisdirection，inaseriesoflivelyandratherriotousgamessuchasmynurserydayshaddelightedin，andmyschoolroomoneshaddisdained。Itwasagreatandhappysurprisetodiscoverthat，grownup，Imightagainenjoythem。Ididso，hugely，andwhenbedtimecameallmemoriesmoreseriousthanthoseofmusicalchairsorfollowmyleaderhadvanishedfrommymind。Ithink，fromAlan’sglanceashehandedmemybedcandle，thatthepleasureandexcitementmusthaveimprovedmylooks。
　　Ihopeyouhaveenjoyedyourfirsteveningofgayety，Evie，hesaid。
　　Ihave，Ianswered，withhappyconviction。andreallyIbelievethatitischieflyowingtoyou，Alan。Hemetmysmilebyanother。butIthinkthattheremusthavebeensomethinginhislookwhichrecalledotherthoughts，forasIstartedupthestairsIthrewamischievousglancebackathimandwhispered，Nowforthehorrorsofthehauntedchamber。
　　Helaughedratherloudly，andsayingGood-night，andgood-luck，
　　turnedtoattendtotheotherladies。
　　Hiswisheswerecertainlyfulfilled。Igottobedquickly，and——assoonasmyhappyexcitementwassufficientlycalmedtoadmitofit——
　　tosleep。Theonlythingwhichdisturbedmewasthewind，whichblewfiercelyandloudlyalltheearlierportionofthenight，halfarousingmemorethanonce。Ispokeofitatbreakfastthenextmorning。buttherestoftheworldseemedtohaveslepttooheavilytohavebeenawareofit。
　　IV
　　Themenwentoutshootingdirectlyafterbreakfast，andwewomenpassedthedayinorthodoxcountry-housefashion，——workingandeating。walkingandriding。drivingandplayingcroquet。andabove，beyond，andthroughallthings，chattering。BeyondapassingsighwhileIwaswashingmyhands，oramomentofmournfulremembrancewhileIchangedmydress，Ihadscarcelytimeeventoregretthequiethappinessoftheweekthatwaspast。Intheeveningwedancedinthegreathall。IhadtwovalseswithAlan。Duringapauseforbreath，Ifoundthatwewerestandingnearthefireplace，ontheveryspotwhereheandGeorgehadstoodonthepreviousafternoon。Therecollectionmademeinvoluntarilyglanceupathisface。Itlookedsadandworried，andthethoughtsuddenlystruckmethathisextravagantspiritsofthenightbefore，andevenhisquieter，carefulcheerfulnessofto-night，hadbeenbutartificialmoodsatbest。Heturned，andfindingmyeyesfixedonhim，atonceplungedintoconversation，discussedthepeculiaritiesofoneoftheguests，good-humoredlyenough，butwithsomuchfunastomakemelaughinspiteofmyself。Thenwedancedagain。Theplaintivemusic，thesmoothfloor，andthepartnerwereallalikeperfect，andIexperiencedthatentiredelightofphysicalenjoymentwhichIbelievenothingbutavalseundersuchcircumstancescangive。WhenitwasoverIturnedtoAlan，andexclaimedwithimpulsiveappeal，Oh，Iamsohappy，——youmustbehappytoo！Hesmiledratheruncertainly，andanswered，Don’tbotheryourselfaboutme，Evie，Iamallright。ItoldyouthatweMervynshadbadnerves。andIamrathertired。That’sall。Iwastoopassionatelydeterminedjustthenuponhappiness，andhiswastoonecessarytomineformenottobelievethathewasspeakingthetruth。
　　WekeptupthedancingtillLucydiscoveredwithashockthatmidnighthadstruck，andthatSundayhadbegun，andwewereallsentofftobed。Iwasnotlonginmakingmynightlypreparations，andhadscarcelyinsertedmyselfbetweenthesheetswhen，withafewlongmoans，thewindbeganagain，moreviolentlyeventhanthenightbefore。Ithadbeenacalm，fineday，andImadewisereflectionsasIlistenedupontheuncertaintyofthenorth-countryclimate。Whatatempestitwas！Howitmoaned，andhowled，andshrieked！WherehadIheardthesuperstitionwhichnowcametomymind，thatborneuponthewindcomethespiritsofthedrowned，wailingandcryingforthesepulturewhichhadbeendeniedthem？
　　Buttherewereothersoundsinthatwind，too。Evil，murderousthoughts，perhaps，whichhadnevertakenbodyindeeds，butwhich，caughtupintheair，nowhurledthemselvesinimpotentfurythroughtheworld。HowIwishedthewindwouldstop。Itseemedfullofhorriblefancies，anditkeptknockingthemintomyhead，anditwouldn’tleaveoff。Fancies，ormemories——which？——andmymindrevertedwithaflashtothefearfulthoughtswhichhadhaunteditthedaybeforeinDameAlice’stower。Itwasdarknow。
　　Thoseghastlyintangibleshapesmusthavetakenfullformandcolor，peoplingtheoldruinwiththeiragelesshideousness。Andthestormhadfoundthemthereandbornethemalongwithitasitblewthroughthecrevicedwalls。Thatwaswhythewind’ssoundstrucksostrangelyonmybrain。Ah！Icouldhearthemnow，thosestilllivingmemoriesofdeadhorror。Throughthewindowcranniestheycameshriekingandwailing。Theyfilledthechimneywithspiritsobs，andnowtheywerepressingon，crowdingthroughtheroom，——eager，eagertoreachtheirprey。Nearertheycame——nearerstill！Theywereroundmybednow！ThroughmyclosedeyelidsI
　　couldalmostseetheirdreadfulshapes。inallmyquiveringfleshI
　　felttheirterrorsastheybentoverme，——lower，lower……
　　WithastartIarousedmyselfandsatup。WasIasleeporawake？
　　Iwastremblingalloverstill，anditrequiredthegreatesteffortofcourageIhadevermadetoenablemetospringfrommybedandstrikealight。Whatastatemynervesormydigestionmustbein！
　　Frommychildhoodthewindhadalwaysaffectedmestrangely，andI
　　blamedmyselfnowforallowingmyimaginationtorunawaywithmeatthefirst。IfoundanovelwhichIhadbroughtuptomyroomwithme，oneofthemodern，Chinese-Americanschool，wherehumannatureisanalyzedwiththepatient，industriousindifferenceofthetrueCelestial。Itookthebooktobedwithme，andsoonunderitssoothinginfluencesfellasleep。Idreamtagooddeal，——
　　nightmares，thedefiniterecollectionofwhich，asissooftenthecase，vanishedfrommymindassoonasIawoke，leavingonlyavagueimpressionofhorror。Theyhadbeenconnectedwiththewind，ofthataloneIwasconscious，andIwentdowntobreakfast，maliciouslyhopingthatothers’resthadbeenasmuchdisturbedasmyown。
　　Tomysurprise，however，IfoundthatIhadagainbeentheonlysufferer。Indeed，soimpressedweremostofthepartywiththequietinwhichtheirnighthadbeenpassed，thattheyboldlydeclaredmystormtohavebeenthecreatureofmydreams。Thereisnothingmoreannoyingwhenyoufeelyourselfaggrievedbyfatethantobetoldthatyourtroubleshaveoriginatedinyourownfancy。soIdroppedthesubject。Thoughthediscussionspreadforafewminutesroundthewholetable，Alantooknopartinit。NeitherdidGeorge，exceptforwhatIthoughtaratherunnecessarilyroughexpressionofhisdisbeliefinthecauseofmynight’sdisturbance。
　　AswerosefrombreakfastIsawAlanglancetowardshisbrother，andmakeamovement，evidentlywiththepurposeofspeakingtohim。
　　WhetherornotGeorgewasawareofthelookoraction，Icannotsay。butatthesamemomenthemaderapidlyacrosstheroomtowhereoneofhisprincipalguestswasstanding，andatonceengagedhiminconversation。Soearnestlyandsovolublywasheborneon，thattheywerestilltalkingtogetherwhenweladiesappearedagainsomeminuteslater，preparedforourwalktochurch。ThatwasnottheonlyoccasionduringthedayonwhichIwitnessedasIthoughtthesameby-playgoingon。AgainandagainAlanappearedtobemakingeffortstoengageGeorgeinprivateconversation，andagainandagainthelattersuccessfullyeludedhim。
　　Thechurchwasaboutamileawayfromthehouse，andasLucydidnotlikehavingthecarriagesoutonaSunday，oneserviceaweekasarulecontentedthehousehold。IntheafternoonwetooktheusualSundaywalk。Onreturningfromit，Ihadjusttakenoffmyoutdoorthings，andwasissuingfrommybedroom，whenIfoundmyselffacetofacewithAlan。HewascomingoutofGeorge’sstudy，andhadsucceededapparentlyinobtainingthatinterviewforwhichhehadbeenalldayseeking。Oneglanceathisfacetoldmewhatitsnaturehadbeen。Wepausedoppositeeachotherforamoment，andhelookedatmeearnestly。
　　Areyougoingtochurch？heinquiredatlast，abruptly。
　　No，Ianswered，withsomesurprise。Ididnotknowthatanyonewasgoingthisevening。
　　Willyoucomewithme？
　　Yes，certainly。ifyoudon’tmindwaitingamomentformetoputmythingson。
　　There’splentyoftime，heanswered。meetmeinthehall。
　　Afewminuteslaterwestarted。
　　Itwasacalm，cloudlessnight，andalthoughthemoonwasnotyethalf-full，andalreadypasthermeridian，shefilledtheclearairwithgentlelight。Notawordbrokeoursilence。Alanwalkedhurriedly，lookingstraightbeforehim，hisheadupright，hislipstwitchingnervously，whileeverynowandthenahalf-utteredmoanescapedunconsciouslyfrombetweenthem。AtlastIcouldbearitnolonger，andburstforthwiththefirstremarkwhichoccurredtome。Wewerepassingabig，black，queer-shapedstonestandinginratheralonelyuncultivatedspotatoneendofthegarden。Itwasanoldacquaintanceofmychildhood。butmythoughtshadbeenturnedtowardsitnowfromthefactthatIcouldseeitfrommybedroomwindow，andhadbeenstruckafreshbyitsuncouth，incongruousappearance。
　　Isn’ttheresomestoryconnectedwiththatstone？Iasked。I
　　rememberthatwealwayscalledittheDeadStoneaschildren。
　　Alancastaquick，sidelongglanceinthatdirection，andhisbrowscontractedinanirritablefrown。Idon’tknow，heansweredshortly。theysaythatthereisawomanburiedbeneathit，I
　　believe。
　　Awomanburiedthere！Iexclaimedinsurprise。butwho？
　　HowshouldIknow？Theyknownothingwhateveraboutit。Theplaceisfullofstupidtraditionsofthatkind。Then，lookingsuspiciouslyroundatme，Whydoyouask？
　　Idon’tknow。itwasjustsomethingtosay，Iansweredplaintively。Hisstrangemoodsoworkeduponmynerves，thatitwasallthatIcoulddotorestrainmytears。Ithinkthatmytonestruckhisconscience，forhemadeafewfeverishattemptsatconversationafterthat。Buttheyweresoentirelyabortivethathesoonabandonedtheeffort，andwefinishedourwalktochurchasspeechlesslyaswehadbegunit。
　　Theservicewasbright，andthesermonperhapsalittlecommonplace，butsensibleasitseemedtomeinmatter，andadequateinstyle。Thepeacefuleveninghymnwhichfollowed，theshortsolemnpauseofsilentprayerattheend，soothedandrefreshedmyspirit。Ahastyglanceatmycompanion’sfaceashestoodwaitingformeintheporch，withthefulllightfromthechurchstreamingroundhim，assuredmethatthesameinfluencehadtouchedhimtoo。Haggardandsadhestilllooked，itistrue。buthisfeatureswerecomposed，andtheexpressionofactualpainhadlefthiseyes。
　　Silentaswehadcomewestartedhomewardthroughthewaningmoonlight，butthissilencewasofaverydifferentnaturetotheother，andafteraminuteortwoIdidnothesitatetobreakit。
　　Itwasagoodsermon？Iobserved，interrogatively。
　　Yes，heassented，Isupposeyouwouldcallitso。butIconfessthatIshouldhavefoundthetextmoreimpressivewithoutitsexposition。
　　Poorman！
　　Butdon’tyouoftenfinditso？heasked。Doyounotoftenwish，totakethisevening’sinstance，thatclergymenwouldinfusethemselveswithsomethingofSt。Paul’sownspirit？Thenperhapstheywouldnotwaterallthestrengthoutofhiswordsintheireffortstoexplainthem。
　　Thatisratheralargedemandtomakeuponthem，isitnot？
　　Isit？hequestioned。Idon’taskthemtobeinspiredsaints。
　　Idon’texpectSt。Paul’sbreadthanddepthofthought。Butcouldtheynothavesomethingofhisvigorouscompleteness，somethingoftheintensityofhisfeelingandbelief？Lookatthetextofto-
　　night。Didnotthepreacher’sexamplesandapplicationstakesomethingfromitsawfulunqualifiedstrength？
　　Awful！Iexclaimed，insurprise。thatishardlytheexpressionI
　　shouldhaveusedinconnectionwiththosewords。
　　Whynot？
　　Oh，Idon’tknow。Thetextisverybeautiful，ofcourse，andattimes，whenpeoplearetiresomeandoneoughttobenicetothem，itisverydifficulttoactupto。But——
　　Butyouthinkthat’awful’isratherabigadjectivetouseforsosmalladuty，interposedAlan，andthemoonlightshowedtheflickerofasmileuponhisface。Thenhecontinued，gravely，I
　　doubtwhetheryouyourselfrealizethefullimportofthewords。
　　Thepreceptofcharityisnotmerelyacodeofrulesbywhichtoorderourconducttoourneighbors。itisthepictureofaspiritualcondition，andsuch，whereitexistsinus，mustbyitsverynatureberousedintoactivitybyanythingthataffectsus。
　　Sowiththisparticularinjunction，everycircumstanceinourlivesisachallengetoit，andinpresenceofallalikeitadmitsofoneattitudeonly：’Bearethallthings，endurethallthings。’Ihopeitwillbelongbeforethat’all’sticksinyourgizzard，Evie，——
　　beforeyoucomefacetofacewiththingswhichnaturecannotbear，andyetwhichmustbeborne。
　　Hestopped，hisvoicequivering。andthenafterapausewentonagainmorecalmly，Andthroughoutitisthesame。Moralpreceptseverywhere，whichwilladmitofnocompromise，nolimitation，andyetwhichareatwarwithourstrongestpassions。Ifonecouldonlyinterposesome’unless，’some’except，’evenan’until，’whichshouldbeshortofthegrave。Butwecannot。Thelawisinfinite，universal，eternal。thereisnoescape，norepose。Resist，strive，endure，thatistherecurringcry。thatisexistence。
　　Andpeace，Iexclaimed，appealingly。Whereisthereroomforpeace，ifthatbetrue？
　　Hesighedforanswer，andtheninachangedandlowertoneadded，Howeverthicklythecloudsmass，howevervainlywesearchforacomingglimmerintheirmidst，weneverdoubtthattheskyISstillbeyond——beyondandaroundus，infiniteandinfinitelyrestful。
　　Heraisedhiseyesashespoke，andminefollowedhis。Wehadenteredthewoodedglen。Throughthescantyautumnfoliagewecouldseethestarsshiningfaintlyinthedimmoonlight，andbeyondthemthedeepillimitableblue。Adarkworlditlooked，distantandmysterious，andmyyoungspiritrebelledattheconsolationofferedme。
　　Peaceseemsalongwayoff，Iwhispered。
　　Itisforme，heanswered，gently。notnecessarilyforyou。
　　Oh，butIamworseandweakerthanyouare。Iflifeistobeallwarfare，Imustbebeaten。Icannotalwaysbefighting。
　　Cannotyou？Evie，whatIhavebeensayingistrueofeverymorallawworthhaving，ofeveryidealoflifeworthstrivingafter，thatmenhaveyetconceived。ButitisonlyhalfthetruthofChristianity。Youknowthat。Wemuststrive，forthepromiseistohimthatovercometh。butthoughouraimbeevenhigherthanisthatofothers，wecannotintheendfailtoreachit。ThevictoryoftheCrossisours。Youknowthat？Youbelievethat？
　　YesIanswered，softly，toosurprisedtosaymore。Inspeakingofreligionhe，asarule，showedtothefullthereservewhichischaracteristicofhisclassandcountry，andthissuddenoutburstwasinitselfastonishing。buttheeageranxietywithwhichheemphasizedthelastwordsofappealimpressedandbewilderedmestillfurther。Wewalkedonforsomeminutesinsilence。ThensuddenlyAlanstopped，andturning，tookmyhandinhis。InwhatdirectionhismindhadbeenworkingintheintervalIcouldnotdivine。butthemomenthebegantospeakIfeltthathewasnowforthefirsttimegivingutterancetowhathadbeenreallyatthebottomofhisthoughtsthewholeevening。EveninthatdimlightI
　　couldseetheanxiouslookuponhisface，andhisvoiceshookwithrestrainedemotion。
　　Evie，hesaid，haveyoueverthoughtoftheworldinwhichourspiritsdwell，asourbodiesdointhisoneofmatterandsense，andofhowitmaybepeopled？Iknow，hewentonhurriedly，thatitisthefashionnowadaystolaughatsuchideas。Ienvythosewhohaveneverhadcausetobeconvincedoftheirreality，andI
　　hopethatyoumaylongremainamongthenumber。Butshouldthatnotbeso，shouldthoseunseeninfluencesevertouchyourlife，I
　　wantyoutorememberthen，that，asoneoftheraceforwhomChristdied，youhaveashighacitizenshipinthatspiritlandasanycreaturethere：thatyouareyourownsoul’swarden，andthatneitherprincipalitiesnorpowerscanrobyouofthatyourbirthright。
　　Ithinkmyfacemusthaveshownmybewilderment，forhedroppedmyhand，andwalkedonwithanimpatientsigh。
　　Youdon’tunderstandme。Whyshouldyou？Idare-saythatIamtalkingnonsense——only——only——
　　HisvoiceexpressedsuchanagonyofdoubtandhesitationthatI
　　burstout——
　　IthinkthatIdounderstandyoualittle，Alan。Youmeanthatevenfromunearthlyenemiesthereisnothingthatweneedreallyfear——atleast，thatis，Isuppose，nothingworsethandeath。Butthatissurelyenough！
　　Whyshouldyoufeardeath？hesaid，abruptly。yoursoulwilllive。
　　Yes，Iknowthat，butstill——Istoppedwithashudder。
　　Whatislifeafterallbutonelongdeath？hewenton，withsuddenviolence。Ourpleasures，ourhopes，ouryoutharealldying。ambitiondies，andevendesireatlast。ourpassionsandtasteswilldie，orwillliveonlytomourntheirdeadopportunity。
　　Thehappinessoflovedieswiththelossoftheloved，and，worstofall，loveitselfgrowsoldinourheartsanddies。Whyshouldweshrinkonlyfromtheonedeathwhichcanfreeusfromalltheothers？
　　Itisnottrue，Alan！Icried，hotly。Whatyousayisnottrue。
　　Therearemanythingsevenherewhicharelivingandshalllive。
　　andifitwereotherwise，ineverything，lifethatendsindeathisbetterthannolifeatall。
　　Yousaythat，heanswered，becauseforyouthesethingsareyetliving。Toleavelifenow，therefore，whileitisfullandsweet，untaintedbydeath，surelythatisnotafatetofear。Better，athousandtimesbetter，toseethecordcutwithoneblowwhileitisstillwholeandstrong，andtolaunchoutstraightintothegreatocean，thantositwatchingthroughtheslowyears，whilestrandafterstrand，threadbythread，loosensandunwindsitself，——
　　eachwithitsownseparatepangbreaking，bringingthebitternessofdeathwithoutitsrelease。
　　Hismanner，thedespairingringinhisvoice，alarmedmeevenmorethanhiswords。Clingingtohisarmwithbothhands，whilethetearssprangtomyeyes——
　　Alan，Icried，don’tsaysuchthings，——don’ttalklikethat。
　　Youaremakingmemiserable。
　　Hestoppedshortatmywords，withbenthead，hisfeatureshiddenintheshadowthuscastuponthem，——nothinginhismotionlessformtoshowwhatwaspassingwithinhim。Thenhelookedup，andturnedhisfacetothemoonlightandtome，layinghishandononeofmine。
　　Don’tbeafraid，hesaid。itisallright，mylittleDavid。Youhavedriventheevilspiritaway。Andliftingmyhand，hepresseditgentlytohislips。Thendrawingitwithinhisarm，hewenton，ashewalkedforward，Andevenwhenitwasonmeatitsworst，I
　　wasnotmeditatingsuicide，asIthinkyouimagine。Iamaveryaveragespecimenofhumanity，——neitherbraveenoughtodefythepossibilitiesofeternitynorcowardlyenoughtoshirkthoseoftime。No，Iwasonlytryingidioticallytopersuadeagirlofeighteenthatlifewasnotworthliving。andmorefutilelystill，myself，thatIdidnotwishhertolive。Iamafraid，thatinmymindphilosophyandfacthavebutsmallconnectionwitheachother。
　　andthoughmytheorizingforyourwelfaremaybetrueenough，yet，——
　　Icannothelpit，Evie，——itwouldgoterriblyhardwithmeifanythingweretohappentoyou。
　　Hisvoicetrembledashefinished。Myfearhadgonewithhisreturntohisnaturalmanner，butmybewildermentremained。
　　WhySHOULDthereanythinghappentome？Iasked。
　　Thatisjustit，heanswered，afterapause，lookingstraightinfrontofhimanddrawinghishandwearilyoverhisbrow。Iknowofnoreasonwhythereshould。Thengivingasigh，asiffinallytodismissfromhismindaworryingsubject——Ihaveactedforthebest，hesaid，andmayGodforgivemeifIhavedonewrong。
　　Therewasalittlesilenceafterthat，andthenhebegantotalkagain，steadilyandquietly。Thesubjectwasdeepenoughstill，asdeepasanythatwehadtouchedupon，butbothvoiceandsentimentwerecalm，bringingpeacetomyspirit，andsoonmakingmeforgetthewonderandfearofafewmomentsbefore。Veryopenlydidhetalkaswepassedonacrossthelongtrunkshadowsandthroughthegladesofsilverlight。andIsawfartherthenintothemostsacredrecessesofhissoulthanIhaveeverdonebeforeorsince。
　　Whenwereachedhomethemoonhadalreadyset。butsomeofherbeamsseemedtohavebeenleftbehindwithinmyheart，sopureandpeacefulwasthelightwhichfilledit。
　　Thesamefeelingcontinuedwithmeallthroughthatevening。Afterdinnersomeofthepartyplayedandsang。AsitwasSunday，andLucywasrigidinherviews，themusicwasofasacredcharacter。
　　Isatinalowarmchairinadarkcorneroftheroom，mymindtoodreamytothink，andtoopassivetodream。IhardlyinterchangedthreewordswithAlan，whoremainedinastilldarkerspot，invisibleandsilentthewholetime。Onlyaswelefttheroomtogotobed，IheardLucyaskhimifhehadaheadache。Ididnothearhisanswer，andbeforeIcouldseehisfacehehadturnedbackagainintothedrawing-room。
　　V
　　Itwasearly，andwhenfirstIgottomyroomIfeltlittleinclinedforsleep。Iwanderedtothewindow，anddrawingasidethecurtains，lookedoutuponthestill，starlitsky。AtleastI
　　shouldrestquietto-night。Theairwasveryclear，andtheskyseemedfullofstars。AsIstoodtherescrapsofschoolroomlearningcamebacktomymind。Thatthestarswereallsuns，surroundedperhapsintheirturnbyworldsaslargeorlargerthanourown。Worldsbeyondworlds，andothersfartherstill，whichnomanmightnumberorevendescry。Andaboutthedistanceofthosewonderfulsunstoo，——thatone，forinstance，atwhichIwaslooking，——whatwasitthatIhadbeentold？Thatourworldwasnotyetpeopled，perhapsnotyetformed，whentheactualspotoflightwhichnowstruckmysightfirststartedfromthestar’ssurface！
　　Whileitflashedalong，itselftheverysymbolofspeed，thewholeofmankindhadhadtimetobeborn，andlive，anddie！
　　Mygazedropped，andfelluponthedim，half-seenoutlineoftheDeadStone。Thatwomantoo。Whilethatonerayspeededtowardsmeherlifehadbeenlivedandended，andherbodyhadrottedawayintotheground。Howclosetogetherweallwere！Herlifeandmine。ourjoys，sufferings，deaths——allcrowdedtogetherintothespaceofoneflashoflight！Andyettherewasnothingtherebutahorribleskeletonofdeadbones，whileI——！
　　Istoppedwithashudder，andturnedbackintotheroom。IwishedthatAlanhadnottoldmewhatlayunderthestone。IwishedthatI
　　hadneveraskedhim。Itwasaghastlythingtothinkabout，andspoiltallthebeautyofthenighttome。
　　Igotquicklyintobed，andsoondroppedasleep。IdonotknowhowlongIslept。butwhenIwokeitwaswiththeconsciousnessagainofthathauntingwind。
　　Itwasworsethanever。Theworldseemedfilledwithitsdin。
　　Hurlingitselfpassionatelyagainstthehouse，itgatheredstrengthwitheverygust，tillitseemedasiftheoldwallsmustsooncrashinruinsroundme。Gustupongust。blowuponblow。swelling，lessening，neverceasing。Thenoisesurroundedme。itpenetratedmyinmostbeing，asall-pervadingassilenceitself，andwrappingmeinasolitudeevenmorecomplete。TherewasnothingleftintheworldbutthewindandI，andthenaweirdintangibledoubtastomyownidentityseizedme。Thewindwasreal，thewindwithitsechoesofpassionandmiseryfromtheeternalabyss。butwasthereanythingelse？Whatwas，andwhathadbeen，theworldofsenseandofknowledge，myownconsciousness，myveryself，——allseemedgatheredupandsweptawayinthatonesole-existentfuryofsound。
　　Ipulledmyselftogether，andgettingoutofbed，gropedmywaytothetablewhichstoodbetweenthebedandthefireplace。Thematcheswerethere，andmyhalf-burntcandle，whichIlit。Thewindpenetratingtherattlingcasementcircledroundtheroom，andtheflameofmycandlebentandflaredandshrankbeforeit，throwingstrangemovinglightsandshadowsineverycorner。I
　　stoodthereshiveringinmythinnightdress，halfstunnedbythecataractofnoisebeatingonthewallsoutside，andpeeredanxiouslyaroundme。Theroomwasnotthesame。Somethingwaschanged。Whatwasit？Howtheshadowsleapedandfell，dancingintimetothewind’smusic。Everythingseemedalive。Iturnedmyheadslowlytotheleft，andthentotheright，andthenround——andstoppedwithasuddengaspoffear。
　　Thecabinetwasopen！
　　Ilookedaway，andback，andagain。Therewasnoroomfordoubt。
　　Thedoorswerethrownback，andwerewavinggentlyinthedraught。
　　Oneofthelowerdrawerswaspulledout，andinasuddenflareofthecandle-lightIcouldseesomethingglisteningatitsbottom。
　　Thenthelightdwindledagain，thecandlewasalmostout，andthecabinetshowedadimblackmassinthedarkness。Upanddownwenttheflame，andeachreturningbrightnessflashedbackatmefromthethinginsidethedrawer。Istoodfascinated，myeyesfixeduponthespot，waitingforthefitfulglitterasitcameandwent。
　　Whatwastherethere？IknewthatImustgoandsee，butIdidnotwantto。IfonlythecabinetwouldcloseagainbeforeIlooked，beforeIknewwhatwasinsideit。Butitstoodopen，andtheglitteringthinglaythere，draggingmetowardsitself。
　　Slowlyatlast，andwithinfinitereluctance，Iwent。Thedrawerwaslinedwithsoftwhitesatin，anduponthesatinlayalong，slenderknife，hiltedandsheathedinantiquesilver，richlysetwithjewels。Itookitupandturnedbacktothetabletoexamineit。ItwasItalianinworkmanship，andIknewthatthecarvingandchasingofthesilverweremorepreciouseventhanthejewelswhichstuddedit，andwhoseroughsettinggavesofirmagrasptomyhand。Wasthebladeasfairasthecovering，Iwondered？Alittleresistanceatfirst，andthenthelongthinsteelslideasilyout。
　　Sharp，andbright，andfinelytempereditlookedwithitsdeadly，taperingpoint。Stains，dullandirregular，crossedthefineengravingonitssurfaceanddimmeditspolish。Ibenttoexaminethemmoreclosely，andasIdidsoasuddenstrongergustofwindblewoutthecandle。Ishudderedalittleatthedarknessandlookedup。Butitdidnotmatter：thecurtainwasstilldrawnawayfromthewindowoppositemybedside，andthroughitafloodofmoonlightwaspouringinuponfloorandbed。
　　Puttingthesheathdownuponthetable，Iwalkedtothewindowtoexaminetheknifemorecloselybythatpalelight。Howgloriouslybrilliantitwas！darkenednowandagainbythequicklypassingshadowsofwind-drivenclouds。AtleastsoIthought，andI
　　glancedupandoutofthewindowtoseethem。Ablackworldmetmygaze。Neithermoonwastherenormoonlight：thebroadsilverbeaminwhichIstoodstretchednofartherthanthewindow。Icaughtmybreath，andmylimbsstiffenedasIlooked。Nomoon，nocloud，nomovementintheclear，calm，starlitsky。whilestilltheghastlylightstretchedroundme，andthespectralshadowsdriftedacrosstheroom。
　　Butitwasnotalldarkoutside：onespotcaughtmyeye，brightwithalividunearthlybrightness——theDeadStoneshiningoutintothenightlikeanemberfromhell’sfurnace！Therewasahorridsemblanceoflifeinthelight，——apalpitating，breathingglow，——
　　andmypulsesbeatintimetoit，tillIseemedtobedrawingitintomyveins。Ithadnowarmth，andasitenteredmybloodmyheartgrewcolder，andmymusclesmorerigid。Myfingersclutchedthedagger-hilttillitsjeweledroughnesspressedpainfullyintomypalm。Allthestrengthofmystrainedpowersseemedgatheredinthatgrasp，andthemoretightlyIheldthemorevividlydidtherockgleamandquiverwithinfernallife。Thedeadwoman！Thedeadwoman！WhathadItodowithher？Letherbonesrestinthefilthoftheirowndecay，——outthereundertheaccursedstone。
　　Andnowthenoiseofthewindlessensinmyears。Letitgoon，——
　　yes，louderandwilder，drowningmysensesinitstumult。Whatistherewithmeintheroom——thegreatemptyroombehindme？
　　Nothing。onlythecabinetwithitswavingdoors。Theyarewavingtoandfro，toandfro——Iknowit。Butthereisnootherlifeintheroombutthat——no，no。nootherlifeintheroombutthat。
　　Oh！don’tletthewindstop。Ican’thearanythingwhileitgoeson——butifitstops！Ah！thegustsgrowweaker，struggling，forcedintorest。Now——now——theyhaveceased。
　　Silence！
　　Afearfulpause。
　　WhatisthatthatIhear？There，behindmeintheroom？
　　DoIhearit？Isthereanything？
　　Thethrobbingofmyownbloodinmyears。
　　No，no！Thereissomethingaswell，——somethingoutsidemyself。
　　Whatisit？
　　Low。heavy。regular。
　　God！itis——itisthebreathofalivingcreature！Alivingcreature！here——closetome——alonewithme！
　　Thenumbnessofterrorconquersme。Icanneitherstirnorspeak。
　　Onlymywholesoulstrainsatmyearstolisten。
　　Wheredoesthesoundcomefrom？
　　Closebehindme——close。
　　Ah-h！
　　Itisfromthere——fromthebedwhereIwaslyingamomentago！……
　　Itrytoshriek，butthesoundgurglesunutteredinmythroat。I
　　clutchthestonemullionsofthewindow，andpressmyselfagainstthepanes。IfIcouldbutthrowmyselfout！——anywhere，anywhere——
　　awayfromthatdreadfulsound——fromthatthingclosebehindmeinthebed！ButIcandonothing。Thewindhasbrokenforthagainnow。thestormcrashesroundme。AndstillthroughitallIheartheghastlybreathing——even，low，scarcelyaudible——butIhearit。
　　IshallhearitaslongasIlive！……
　　Isthethingmoving？
　　Isitcomingnearer？