AtlengthachangetookplaceinMargaret，butonewhichthemedicalmenannouncedtoMaximilianasbodingillforherrecovery。
Thewanderingsofherminddidnotdepart，buttheyalteredtheircharacter。Shebecamemoreagitated；shewouldstartupsuddenly，andstrainhereye-sightaftersomefigurewhichsheseemedtosee；
thenshewouldapostrophizesomepersoninthemostpiteousterms，beseechinghim，withstreamingeyes，tospareheroldgrandfather。”Look，look，”shewouldcryout，”lookathisgrayhairs！O，sir！
heisbutachild；hedoesnotknowwhathesays；andhewillsoonbeoutofthewayandinhisgrave；andverysoon，sir，hewillgiveyounomoretrouble。”Then，again，shewouldmutterindistinctlyforhourstogether；sometimesshewouldcryoutfrantically，andsaythingswhichterrifiedthebystanders，andwhichthephysicianswouldsolemnlycautionthemhowtheyrepeated；
thenshewouldweep，andinvokeMaximiliantocomeandaidher。
Butseldom，indeed，didthatnamepassherlipsthatshedidnotagainbegintostrainhereyeballs，andstartupinbedtowatchsomephantomofherpoor，feveredheart，asifitseemedvanishingintosomemightydistance。
Afternearlysevenweekspassedinthisagitatingstate，suddenly，ononemorning，theearliestandtheloveliestofdawningspring，achangewasannouncedtousallashavingtakenplaceinMargaret；
butitwasachange，alas！thatusheredinthelastgreatchangeofall。Theconflict，whichhadforsolongaperiodragedwithinher，andoverthrownherreason，wasatanend；thestrifewasover，andnaturewassettlingintoaneverlastingrest。Inthecourseofthenightshehadrecoveredhersenses。Whenthemorninglightpenetratedthroughhercurtain，sherecognizedherattendants，madeinquiriesastothemonthandthedayofthemonth，andthen，sensiblethatshecouldnotoutlivetheday，sherequestedthatherconfessormightbesummoned。
Aboutanhourandahalftheconfessorremainedalonewithher。Attheendofthattimehecameout，andhastilysummonedtheattendants，forMargaret，hesaid，wassinkingintoafaintingfit。
Theconfessorhimselfmighthavepassedthroughmanyafit，somuchwashechangedbytheresultsofthisinterview。Icrossedhimcomingoutofthehouse。Ispoketohim——Icalledtohim；butheheardmenot——hesawmenot。Hesawnobody。Onwardhestrodetothecathedral，whereMaximilianwassuretobefound，pacingaboutuponthegraves。Himheseizedbythearm，whisperedsomethingintohisear，andthenbothretiredintooneofthemanysequesteredchapelsinwhichlightsarecontinuallyburning。Theretheyhadsomeconversation，butnotverylong，forwithinfiveminutesMaximilianstrodeawaytothehouseinwhichhisyoungwifewasdying。Onestepseemedtocarryhimupstairs。Theattendants，accordingtothedirectionstheyhadreceivedfromthephysicians，musteredattheheadofthestairstoopposehim。Butthatwasidle:beforetherightswhichheheldasaloverandahusband——
beforethestillmoresacredrightsofgrief，whichhecarriedinhiscountenance，alloppositionfledlikeadream。Therewas，besides，afuryinhiseye。Amotionofhishandwavedthemofflikesummerflies；heenteredtheroom，andonceagain，forthelasttime，hewasincompanywithhisbeloved。
Whatpassedwhocouldpretendtoguess？Somethingmorethantwohourshadelapsed，duringwhichMargarethadbeenabletotalkoccasionally，whichwasknown，becauseattimestheattendantsheardthesoundofMaximilian’svoiceevidentlyintonesofreplytosomethingwhichshehadsaid。Attheendofthattime，alittlebell，placednearthebedside，wasrunghastily。AfaintingfithadseizedMargaret；butsherecoveredalmostbeforeherwomenappliedtheusualremedies。Theylingered，however，alittle，lookingattheyouthfulcouplewithaninterestwhichnorestraintsavailedtocheck。Theirhandswerelockedtogether，andinMargaret’seyestheregleamedafarewelllightoflove，whichsettleduponMaximilian，andseemedtoindicatethatshewasbecomingspeechless。JustatthismomentshemadeafeebleefforttodrawMaximiliantowardher；hebentforwardandkissedherwithananguishthatmadethemostcallousweep，andthenhewhisperedsomethingintoherear，uponwhichtheattendantsretired，takingthisasaproofthattheirpresencewasahindrancetoafreecommunication。Buttheyheardnomoretalking，andinlessthantenminutestheyreturned。MaximilianandMargaretstillretainedtheirformerposition。Theirhandswerefastlockedtogether；thesamepartingrayofaffection，thesamefarewelllightoflove，wasintheeyeofMargaret，andstillitsettleduponMaximilian。Buthereyeswerebeginningtogrowdim；mistswererapidlystealingoverthem。Maximilian，whosatstupefiedandlikeonenotinhisrightmind，now，atthegentlerequestofthewomen，resignedhisseat，forthehandwhichhadclaspedhishadalreadyrelaxeditshold；thefarewellgleamoflovehaddeparted。Oneofthewomenclosedhereyelids；andtherefellasleepforevertheloveliestflowerthatourcityhadrearedforgenerations。
Thefuneraltookplaceonthefourthdayafterherdeath。Inthemorningofthatday，fromstrongaffection——havingknownherfromaninfant——Ibeggedpermissiontoseethecorpse。Shewasinhercoffin；snowdropsandcrocuseswerelaiduponherinnocentbosom，androses，ofthatsortwhichtheseasonallowed，overherperson。
Theseandotherlovelysymbolsofyouth，ofspringtime，andofresurrection，caughtmyeyeforthefirstmoment；butinthenextitfelluponherface。MightyGod！whatachange！whatatransfiguration！Still，indeed，therewasthesameinnocentsweetness；stilltherewassomethingofthesameloveliness；theexpressionstillremained；butforthefeatures——alltraceoffleshseemedtohavevanished；mereoutlineofbonystructureremained；
merepencilingsandshadowingsofwhatsheoncehadbeen。Thisis，indeed，Iexclaimed，”dusttodust——ashestoashes！”
Maximilian，totheastonishmentofeverybody，attendedthefuneral。
Itwascelebratedinthecathedral。Allmadewayforhim，andattimesheseemedcollected；attimeshereeledlikeonewhowasdrunk。Heheardasonewhohearsnot；hesawasoneinadream。
Thewholeceremonywentonbytorchlight，andtowardtheclosehestoodlikeapillar，motionless，torpid，frozen。Butthegreatburstofthechoir，andthemightyblareascendingfromourvastorganattheclosingofthegrave，recalledhimtohimself，andhestroderapidlyhomeward。HalfanhourafterIreturned，Iwassummonedtohisbedroom。Hewasinbed，calmandcollected。WhathesaidtomeIrememberasifithadbeenyesterday，andtheverytonewithwhichhesaidit，althoughmorethantwentyyearshavepassedsincethen。Hebeganthus:”Ihavenotlongtolive”；andwhenhesawmestart，suddenlyawakenedintoaconsciousnessthatperhapshehadtakenpoison，andmeanttointimateasmuch，hecontinued:”YoufancyIhavetakenpoison；——nomatterwhetherI
haveornot；ifIhave，thepoisonissuchthatnoantidotewillnowavail；or，iftheywould，youwellknowthatsomegriefsareofakindwhichleavenoopeningtoanyhope。Whatdifference，therefore，canitmakewhetherIleavethisearthto-day，to-
morrow，orthenextday？Beassuredofthis——thatwhateverIhavedeterminedtodoispastallpowerofbeingaffectedbyahumanopposition。Occupyyourselfnotwithanyfruitlessattempts，butcalmlylistentome，elseIknowwhattodo。”Seeingasuppressedfuryinhiseye，notwithstandingIsawalsosomechangestealingoverhisfeaturesasiffromsomesubtlepoisonbeginningtoworkuponhisframe，awestruckIconsentedtolisten，andsatstill。”Itiswellthatyoudoso，formytimeisshort。Hereismywill，legallydrawnup，andyouwillseethatIhavecommittedanimmensepropertytoyourdiscretion。Here，again，isapaperstillmoreimportantinmyeyes；itisalsotestamentary，andbindsyoutodutieswhichmaynotbesoeasytoexecuteasthedisposalofmyproperty。Butnowlistentosomethingelse，whichconcernsneitherofthesepapers。Promiseme，inthefirstplace，solemnly，thatwheneverIdieyouwillseemeburiedinthesamegraveasmywife，fromwhosefuneralwearejustreturned。Promise。”——Ipromised——”Swear。”——Iswore——”Finally，promisemethat，whenyoureadthissecondpaperwhichIhaveputintoyourhands，whatsoeveryoumaythinkofit，youwillsaynothing——publishnothingtotheworlduntilthreeyearsshallhavepassed。”——Ipromised——”Andnowfarewellforthreehours。Cometomeagainaboutteno’clock，andtakeaglassofwineinmemoryofoldtimes。”Thishesaidlaughingly；buteventhenadarkspasmcrossedhisface。Yet，thinkingthatthismightbethemereworkingofmentalanguishwithinhim，Icompliedwithhisdesire，andretired。Feeling，however，butlittleatease，IdevisedanexcuseforlookinginuponhimaboutonehourandahalfafterIhadlefthim。Iknockedgentlyathisdoor；therewasnoanswer。Iknockedlouder；stillnoanswer。Iwentin。Thelightofdaywasgone，andIcouldseenothing。ButIwasalarmedbytheutterstillnessoftheroom。I
listenedearnestly，butnotabreathcouldbeheard。Irushedbackhastilyintothehallforalamp；Ireturned；Ilookedinuponthismarvelofmanlybeauty，andthefirstglanceinformedmethatheandallhissplendidendowmentshaddepartedforever。Hehaddied，probably，soonafterIlefthim，andhaddismissedmefromsomegrowinginstinctwhichinformedhimthathislastagonieswereathand。
Itookuphistwotestamentarydocuments；bothwereaddressedintheshapeofletterstomyself。Thefirstwasarapidthoughdistinctappropriationofhisenormousproperty。Generalruleswerelaiddown，uponwhichthepropertywastobedistributed，butthedetailswerelefttomydiscretion，andtotheguidanceofcircumstancesastheyshouldhappentoemergefromthevariousinquirieswhichitwouldbecomenecessarytosetonfoot。ThisfirstdocumentIsoonlaidaside，bothbecauseIfoundthatitsprovisionsweredependentfortheirmeaninguponthesecond，andbecausetothisseconddocumentIlookedwithconfidenceforasolutionofmanymysteries；——oftheprofoundsadnesswhichhad，fromthefirstofmyacquaintancewithhim，possessedamansogorgeouslyendowedasthefavoriteofnatureandfortune；ofhismotivesforhuddlingup，inaclandestinemanner，thatconnectionwhichformedthegloryofhislife；andpossiblybutthenI
hesitatedofthelateunintelligiblemurders，whichstilllayunderasprofoundacloudasever。MuchofthisWOULDbeunveiled——
allmightbe:andthereandthen，withthecorpselyingbesidemeofthegiftedandmysteriouswriter，Iseatedmyself，andreadthefollowingstatement:”MARCH26，1817。”Mytrialisfinished；myconscience，myduty，myhonor，areliberated；my’warfareisaccomplished。’Margaret，myinnocentyoungwife，Ihaveseenforthelasttime。Her，thecrownthatmighthavebeenofmyearthlyfelicity——her，theonetemptationtoputasidethebittercupwhichawaitedme——her，soleseductressO
innocentseductress！fromthesterndutieswhichmyfatehadimposeduponme——her，evenher，Ihavesacrificed。”BeforeIgo，partlylesttheinnocentshouldbebroughtintoquestionforactsalmostexclusivelymine，butstillmorelestthelessonandthewarningwhichGod，bymyhand，haswritteninblooduponyourguiltywalls，shouldperishforwantofitsauthenticexposition，hearmylastdyingavowal，thatthemurderswhichhavedesolatedsomanyfamilieswithinyourwalls，andmadethehouseholdhearthnosanctuary，agenocharterofprotection，arealldueoriginallytomyhead，ifnotalwaystomyhand，astheministerofadreadfulretribution。”Thataccountofmyhistory，andmyprospects，whichyoureceivedfromtheRussiandiplomatist，amongsomeerrorsoflittleimportance，isessentiallycorrect。MyfatherwasnotsoimmediatelyconnectedwithEnglishbloodasisthererepresented。
However，itistruethatheclaimeddescentfromanEnglishfamilyofevenhigherdistinctionthanthatwhichisassignedintheRussianstatement。HewasproudofthisEnglishdescent，andthemoresoasthewarwithrevolutionaryFrancebroughtoutmoreprominentlythaneverthemoralandcivilgrandeurofEngland。
Thispridewasgenerous，butitwasimprudentinhissituation。
HisimmediateprogenitorshadbeensettledinItaly——atRomefirst，butlatterlyatMilan；andhiswholeproperty，largeandscattered，came，bytheprogressoftherevolution，tostandunderFrenchdomination。Manyspoliationshesuffered；butstillhewastoorichtobeseriouslyinjured。Butheforesaw，intheprogressofevents，stillgreaterperilsmenacinghismostcapitalresources。
ManyofthestatesorprincesinItalyweredeeplyinhisdebt；
and，inthegreatconvulsionswhichthreatenedhiscountry，hesawthatboththecontendingpartieswouldfindacolorableexcuseforabsolvingthemselvesfromengagementswhichpressedunpleasantlyupontheirfinances。InthisembarrassmentheformedanintimacywithaFrenchofficerofhighrankandhighprinciple。Myfather’sfriendsawhisdanger，andadvisedhimtoentertheFrenchservice。
Inhisyoungerdays，myfatherhadservedextensivelyundermanyprinces，andhadfoundineveryothermilitaryserviceaspiritofhonorgoverningtheconductoftheofficers。Hereonly，andforthefirsttime，hefoundruffianmannersanduniversalrapacity。
Hecouldnotdrawhisswordincompanywithsuchmen，norinsuchacause。Butatlength，underthepressureofnecessity，heacceptedorratherboughtwithanimmensebribetheplaceofacommissarytotheFrenchforcesinItaly。Withthisoneresource，eventuallyhesucceededinmakinggoodthewholeofhispublicclaimsupontheItalianstates。Thesevastsumsheremitted，throughvariouschannels，toEngland，wherehebecameproprietorinthefundstoanimmenseamount。Incautiously，however，somethingofthistranspired，andtheresultwasdoublyunfortunate；for，whilehisintentionswerethusmadeknownasfinallypointingtoEngland，whichofitselfmadehimanobjectofhatredandsuspicion，italsodiminishedhismeansofbribery。Theseconsiderations，alongwithanother，madesomeFrenchofficersofhighrankandinfluencethebitterenemiesofmyfather。Mymother，whomhehadmarriedwhenholdingabrigadier-general’scommissionintheAustrianservice，was，bybirthandbyreligion，aJewess。Shewasofexquisitebeauty，andhadbeensoughtinMorganaticmarriagebyanarchdukeoftheAustrianfamily；butshehadrelieduponthisplea，thatherswasthepurestandnoblestbloodamongallJewishfamilies——
thatherfamilytracedthemselves，bytraditionandavastseriesofattestationsunderthehandsoftheJewishhighpriests，totheMaccabees，andtotheroyalhousesofJudea；andthatforheritwouldbeadegradationtoacceptevenofasovereignprinceonthetermsofsuchmarriage。Thiswasnovainpretensionofostentatiousvanity。ItwasonewhichhadbeenadmittedasvalidfortimeimmemorialinTransylvaniaandadjacentcountries，wheremymother’sfamilywererichandhonored，andtooktheirseatamongthedignitariesoftheland。TheFrenchofficersIhavealludedto，withoutcapacityforanythingsodignifiedasadeeppassion，butmerelyinpursuitofavagrantfancythatwould，onthenextday，havegivenplacetoanotherequallyfleeting，haddaredtoinsultmymotherwithproposalsthemostlicentious——proposalsasmuchbelowherrankandbirth，as，atanyrate，theywouldhavebeenbelowherdignityofmindandherpurity。Theseshehadcommunicatedtomyfather，whobitterlyresentedthechainsofsubordinationwhichtieduphishandsfromavenginghisinjuries。
Stillhiseyetoldatalewhichhissuperiorscouldbrookaslittleastheycouldthedisdainfulneglectofhiswife。Morethanonehadbeenconcernedintheinjuriestomyfatherandmother；morethanonewereinterestedinobtainingrevenge。ThingscouldbedoneinGermantowns，andbyfavorofoldGermanlawsorusages，whicheveninFrancecouldnothavebeentolerated。Thismyfather’senemieswellknew，butthismyfatheralsoknew；andheendeavoredtolaydownhisofficeofcommissary。That，however，wasafavorwhichhecouldnotobtain。HewascompelledtoserveontheGermancampaignthencommencing，andonthesubsequentoneofFriedlandandEylau。Herehewascaughtinsomeoneofthesnareslaidforhim；firsttrepannedintoanactwhichviolatedsomeruleoftheservice；andthenprovokedintoabreachofdisciplineagainstthegeneralofficerwhohadthustrepannedhim。
Nowwasthelong-soughtopportunitygained，andinthatveryquarterofGermanybestfittedforimprovingit。Myfatherwasthrownintoprisoninyourcity，subjectedtotheatrociousoppressionofyourjailer，andthemoredetestableoppressionofyourlocallaws。Thechargesagainsthimwerethoughteventoaffecthislife，andhewashumbledintosuingforpermissiontosendforhiswifeandchildren。Already，tohisproudspirit，itwaspunishmentenoughthatheshouldbereducedtosueforfavortooneofhisbitterestfoes。ButitwasnopartoftheirplantorefuseTHAT。Bywayofexpeditingmymother’sarrival，amilitarycourier，witheveryfacilityforthejourney，wasforwardedtoherwithoutdelay。Mymother，hertwodaughters，andmyself，werethenresidinginVenice。Ihad，throughtheaidofmyfather’sconnectionsinAustria，beenappointedintheimperialservice，andheldahighcommissionformyage。But，onmyfather’smarchingnorthwardwiththeFrencharmy，Ihadbeenrecalledasanindispensablesupporttomymother。Notthatmyyearscouldhavemademesuch，forIhadbarelyaccomplishedmytwelfthyear；butmyprematuregrowth，andmymilitarystation，hadgivenmeconsiderableknowledgeoftheworldandpresenceofmind。”OurjourneyIpassover；butasIapproachyourcity，thatsepulcherofhonorandhappinesstomypoorfamily，myheartbeatswithfranticemotions。NeverdoIseethatvenerabledomeofyourminsterfromtheforest，butIcurseitsform，whichremindsmeofwhatwethensurveyedformanyamileaswetraversedtheforest。
Forleaguesbeforeweapproachedthecity，thisobjectlaybeforeusinreliefuponthefrostybluesky；andstillitseemednevertoincrease。SuchwasthecomplaintofmylittlesisterMariamne。
Mostinnocentchild！wouldthatitneverhadincreasedforthyeyes，butremainedforeveratadistance！Thatsamehourbegantheseriesofmonstrousindignitieswhichterminatedthecareerofmyill-fatedfamily。Aswedrewuptothecitygates，theofficerwhoinspectedthepassports，findingmymotherandsistersdescribedasJewesses，whichinmymother’searsrearedinaregionwhereJewsarenotdishonoredalwayssoundedatitleofdistinction，summonedasubordinateagent，whoincoarsetermsdemandedhistoll。Wepresumedthistobearoadtaxforthecarriageandhorses，butwewerequicklyundeceived；asmallsumwasdemandedforeachofmysistersandmymother，asforsomanyheadofcattle。I，fancyingsomemistake，spoketothemantemperately，and，todohimjustice，hedidnotseemdesirousofinsultingus；butheproducedaprintedboard，onwhich，alongwiththevilestanimals，JewsandJewesseswereratedatsomuchahead。Whileweweredebatingthepoint，theofficersofthegateworeasneeringsmileupontheirfaces——
thepostilionswerelaughingtogether；andthis，too，inthepresenceofthreecreatureswhoseexquisitebeauty，indifferentstyles，agreeablytotheirdifferentages，wouldhavecausednoblementohavefallendownandworshiped。Mymother，whohadneveryetmetwithanyflagrantinsultonaccountofhernationaldistinctions，wastoomuchshockedtobecapableofspeaking。I
whisperedtoherafewwords，recallinghertohernativedignityofmind，paidthemoney，andwedrovetotheprison。Butthehourwaspastatwhichwecouldbeadmitted，and，asJewesses，mymotherandsisterscouldnotbeallowedtostayinthecity；theyweretogointotheJewishquarter，apartofthesuburbsetapartforJews，inwhichitwasscarcelypossibletoobtainalodgingtolerablyclean。Myfather，onthenextday，wefound，toourhorror，atthepointofdeath。Tomymotherhedidnottelltheworstofwhathehadendured。Tomehetoldthat，driventomadnessbytheinsultsofferedtohim，hehadupbraidedthecourt-
martialwiththeircorruptpropensities，andhadevenmentionedthatovertureshadbeenmadetohimforquashingtheproceedingsinreturnforasumoftwomillionsoffrancs；andthathissolereasonfornotentertainingtheproposalwashisdistrustofthosewhomadeit。’Theywouldhavetakenmymoney，’saidhe，’andthenfoundapretextforputtingmetodeath，thatImighttellnosecrets。’Thiswastoonearthetruthtobetolerated；inconcertwiththelocalauthorities，themilitaryenemiesofmyfatherconspiredagainsthim——witnessesweresuborned；and，finally，undersomeantiquatedlawoftheplace，hewassubjected，insecret，toamodeoftorturewhichstilllingersintheeastofEurope。”Hesankunderthetortureandthedegradation。I，too，thoughtlessly，butbyanaturalmovementoffilialindignation，sufferedthetruthtoescapemeinconversingwithmymother。Andshe——；butIwillpreservetheregularsuccessionofthings。Myfatherdied；buthehadtakensuchmeasures，inconcertwithme，thathisenemiesshouldneverbenefitbyhisproperty。Meantimemymotherandsistershadclosedmyfather’seyes；hadattendedhisremainstothegrave；andineveryactconnectedwiththislastsadritehadmetwithinsultsanddegradationstoomightyforhumanpatience。Mymother，nowbecomeincapableofself-command，inthefuryofherrighteousgrief，publiclyandincourtdenouncedtheconductofthemagistracy——taxedsomeofthemwiththevilestproposalstoherself——taxedthemasabodywithhavingusedinstrumentsoftortureuponmyfather；and，finally，accusedthemofcollusionwiththeFrenchmilitaryoppressorsofthedistrict。
Thislastwasachargeunderwhichtheyquailed；forbythattimetheFrenchhadmadethemselvesodioustoallwhoretainedasparkofpatrioticfeeling。MyheartsankwithinmewhenIlookedupatthebench，thistribunaloftyrants，allpurpleorlividwithrage；
whenIlookedatthemalternatelyandatmynoblemotherwithherweepingdaughters——thesesopowerless，thosesobaselyvindictive，andlocallysoomnipotent。WillinglyIwouldhavesacrificedallmywealthforasimplepermissiontoquitthisinfernalcitywithmypoorfemalerelationssafeandundishonored。Butfarotherweretheintentionsofthatincensedmagistracy。Mymotherwasarrested，chargedwithsomeoffenseequaltopettytreason，orscandalummagnatum，orthesowingofsedition；and，thoughwhatshesaidwastrue，where，alas！wasshetolookforevidence？Herewasseenthewantofgentlemen。Gentlemen，hadtheybeenevenequallytyrannical，wouldhaverecoiledwithshamefromtakingvengeanceonawoman。Andwhatavengeance！Oheavenlypowers！thatIshouldlivetomentionsuchathing！Manthatisbornofwoman，toinflictuponwomanpersonalscourgingonthebareback，andthroughthestreetsatnoonday！EvenforChristianwomenthepunishmentwasseverewhichthelawsassignedtotheoffenseinquestion。ButforJewesses，byoneoftheancientlawsagainstthatpersecutedpeople，farheavierandmoredegradingpunishmentswereannexedtoalmosteveryoffense。WhatelsecouldbelookedforinacitywhichwelcomeditsJewishguestsbyvaluingthematitsgatesasbrutebeasts？Sentencewaspassed，andthepunishmentwastobeinflictedontwoseparatedays，withanintervalbetweeneach——
doubtlesstoprolongthetorturesofmind，butunderavilepretenseofalleviatingthephysicaltorture。Threedaysafterwouldcomethefirstdayofpunishment。MymotherspentthetimeinreadinghernativeScriptures；shespentitinprayerandinmusing；whileherdaughtersclungandweptaroundherdayandnight——grovelingonthegroundatthefeetofanypeopleinauthoritythatenteredtheirmother’scell。Thatsameinterval——
howwasitpassedbyme？Nowmark，myfriend。Everymaninoffice，orthatcouldbepresumedtobeartheslightestinfluence，everywife，mother，sister，daughterofsuchmen，Ibesiegedmorning，noon，andnight。Iweariedthemwithmysupplications。I
humbledmyselftothedust；I，thehaughtiestofGod’screatures，kneltandprayedtothemforthesakeofmymother。IbesoughtthemthatImightundergothepunishmenttentimesoverinherstead。AndonceortwiceIDIDobtaintheencouragementofafewnaturaltears——givenmore，however，asIwastold，tomypietythantomymother’sdeserts。ButrarelywasIheardoutwithpatience；
andfromsomehousesrepelledwithpersonalindignities。Thedaycame:Isawmymotherhalfundressedbythebaseofficials；Iheardtheprisongatesexpand；Iheardthetrumpetsofthemagistracysound。Shehadwarnedmewhattodo；Ihadwarnedmyself。WouldI
sacrificearetributionsacredandcomprehensive，forthemomentarytriumphoveranindividual？Ifnot，letmeforbeartolookoutofdoors；forIfeltthatintheselfsamemomentinwhichIsawthedogofanexecutionerraisehisaccursedhandagainstmymother，swifterthanthelightningwouldmydaggersearchhisheart。WhenIheardtheroarofthecruelmob，Ipaused——endured——forbore。I
stoleoutbyby-lanesofthecityfrommypoorexhaustedsisters，whomIleftsleepingineachother’sinnocentarms，intotheforest。ThereIlistenedtotheshoutingpopulace；thereevenI
fanciedthatIcouldtracemypoormother’sroutebythecourseofthetriumphantcries。There，eventhen，eventhen，Imade——O
silentforest！thouheardstmewhenImade——avowthatIhavekepttoofaithfully。Mother，thouartavenged:sleep，daughterofJerusalem！foratlengththeoppressorsleepswiththee。Andthypoorsonhaspaid，indischargeofhisvow，theforfeitofhisownhappiness，ofaparadiseopeninguponearth，ofaheartasinnocentasthine，andafaceasfair。”Ireturned，andfoundmymotherreturned。Shesleptbystarts，butshewasfeverishandagitated；andwhensheawokeandfirstsawme，sheblushed，asifIcouldthinkthatrealdegradationhadsettleduponher。ThenitwasthatItoldherofmyvow。Hereyeswerelambentwithfiercelightforamoment；but，whenIwentonmoreeagerlytospeakofmyhopesandprojects，shecalledmetoher——kissedme，andwhispered:’Oh，notso，myson！thinknotofme——thinknotofvengeance——thinkonlyofpoorBereniceandMariamne。’Aye，thatthoughtWASstartling。Yetthismagnanimousandforbearingmother，asIknewbythereportofouronefaithfulfemaleservant，had，inthemorning，duringherbittertrial，behavedasmighthavebecomeadaughterofJudasMaccabaeus:shehadlookedserenelyuponthevilemob，andawedeventhembyherserenity；shehaddisdainedtoutterashriekwhenthecruellashfelluponherfairskin。Thereisapointthatmakesthetriumphovernaturalfeelingsofpaineasyornoteasy——thedegreeinwhichwecountuponthesympathyofthebystanders。Mymotherhaditnotinthebeginning；but，longbeforetheend，hercelestialbeauty，thedivinityofinjuredinnocence，thepleadingofcommonwomanhoodinthemindsofthelowestclass，andthereactionofmanlyfeelinginthemen，hadworkedagreatchangeinthemob。Somebegannowtothreatenthosewhohadbeenactiveininsultingher。Thesilenceofaweandrespectsucceededtonoiseanduproar；andfeelingswhichtheyscarcelyunderstood，masteredtheruderabbleastheywitnessedmoreandmorethepatientfortitudeofthesufferer。Menacesbegantorisetowardtheexecutioner。Thingsworesuchanaspectthatthemagistratesputasuddenendtothescene。”ThatdaywereceivedpermissiontogohometoourpoorhouseintheJewishquarter。IknownotwhetheryouarelearnedenoughinJewishusagestobeawarethatineveryJewishhouse，whereoldtraditionsarekeptup，thereisoneroomconsecratedtoconfusion；
aroomalwayslockedupandsequesteredfromvulgaruse，exceptonoccasionsofmemorableaffliction，whereeverythingispurposelyindisorder——broken——shattered——mutilated:totypify，bysymbolsappallingtotheeye，thatdesolationwhichhassolongtrampledonJerusalem，andtheravagesoftheboarwithinthevineyardsofJudea。Mymother，asaHebrewprincess，maintainedalltraditionalcustoms。Eveninthiswretchedsuburbshehadher’chamberofdesolation。’ThereitwasthatIandmysistersheardherlastwords。Therestofhersentencewastobecarriedintoeffectwithinaweek。She，meantime，haddisdainedtoutteranywordoffear；butthatenergyofself-controlhadmadethesufferingbutthemorebitter。Feveranddreadfulagitationhadsucceeded。Herdreamsshowedsufficientlytous，whowatchedhercouch，thatterrorforthefuturemingledwiththesenseofdegradationforthepast。Natureassertedherrights。Butthemoresheshrankfromthesuffering，themoredidsheproclaimhowsevereithadbeen，andconsequentlyhownobletheself-conquest。Yet，asherweaknessincreased，sodidherterror；untilIbesoughthertotakecomfort，assuringherthat，incaseanyattemptshouldbemadetoforceheroutagaintopublicexposure，Iwouldkillthemanwhocametoexecutetheorder——thatwewouldalldietogether——andtherewouldbeacommonendtoherinjuriesandherfears。ShewasreassuredbywhatItoldherofmybeliefthatnofutureattemptwouldbemadeuponher。Shesleptmoretranquilly——butherfeverincreased；
andslowlyshesleptawayintotheeverlastingsleepwhichknowsofnoto-morrow。”Herecameacrisisinmyfate。ShouldIstayandattempttoprotectmysisters？But，alas！whatpowerhadItodosoamongourenemies？RachaelandIconsulted；andmanyaschemeweplanned。
Evenwhileweconsulted，andtheverynightaftermymotherhadbeencommittedtotheJewishburyingground，cameanofficer，bearinganorderformetorepairtoVienna。SomeofficerintheFrencharmy，havingwatchedthetransactionrespectingmyparents，wasfilledwithshameandgrief。HewroteastatementofthewholetoanAustrianofficerofrank，myfather’sfriend，whoobtainedfromtheemperoranorder，claimingmeasapageofhisown，andanofficerinthehouseholdservice。Oheavens！whataneglectthatitdidnotincludemysisters！However，thenextbestthingwasthatIshouldusemyinfluenceattheimperialcourttogetthempassedtoVienna。ThisIdid，totheutmostofmypower。ButsevenmonthselapsedbeforeIsawtheemperor。Ifmyapplicationsevermethiseyehemightreadilysupposethatyourcity，myfriend，wasassafeaplaceasanotherformysisters。NordidI
myselfknowallitsdangers。Atlength，withtheemperor’sleaveofabsence，Ireturned。AndwhatdidIfind？Eightmonthshadpassed，andthefaithfulRachaelhaddied。Thepoorsisters，clingingtogether，butnowutterlybereftoffriends，knewnotwhichwaytoturn。Inthisabandonmenttheyfellintotheinsidioushandsoftheruffianjailer。Myeldestsister，Berenice，thestateliestandnoblestofbeauties，hadattractedthisruffian’sadmirationwhileshewasintheprisonwithhermother。
AndwhenIreturnedtoyourcity，armedwiththeimperialpassportsforall，IfoundthatBerenicehaddiedinthevillain’scustody；
norcouldIobtainanythingbeyondalegalcertificateofherdeath。And，finally，theblooming，laughingMariamne，shealsohaddied——andofafflictionforthelossofhersister。You，myfriend，hadbeenabsentuponyourtravelsduringthecalamitoushistoryIhaverecited。Youhadseenneithermyfathernormymother。Butyoucameintimetotakeunderyourprotection，fromtheabhorredwretchthejailer，mylittlebroken-heartedMariamne。
Andwhensometimesyoufanciedthatyouhadseenmeunderothercircumstances，inheritwas，mydearfriend，andinherfeaturesthatyousawmine。”Nowwastheworldadeserttome。Icaredlittle，inthewayoflove，whichwayIturned。ButinthewayofhatredIcaredeverything。ItransferredmyselftotheRussianservice，withtheviewofgainingsomeappointmentonthePolishfrontier，whichmightputitinmypowertoexecutemyvowofdestroyingallthemagistratesofyourcity。War，however，raged，andcarriedmeintofarotherregions。Itceased，andtherewaslittleprospectthatanothergenerationwouldseeitrelighted；forthedisturberofpeacewasaprisonerforever，andallnationswereexhausted。Now，then，itbecamenecessarythatIshouldadoptsomenewmodeforexecutingmyvengeance；andthemoreso，becauseannuallysomeweredyingofthosewhomitwasmymissiontopunish。Avoiceascendedtome，dayandnight，fromthegravesofmyfatherandmother，callingforvengeancebeforeitshouldbetoolate。
Itookmymeasuresthus:ManyJewswerepresentatWaterloo。Fromamongthese，allirritatedagainstNapoleonfortheexpectationshehadraised，onlytodisappoint，byhisgreatassemblyofJewsatParis，Iselectedeight，whomIknewfamiliarlyasmenhardenedbymilitaryexperienceagainstthemovementsofpity。Withtheseasmybeagles，Ihuntedforsometimeinyourforestbeforeopeningmyregularcampaign；andIamsurprisedthatyoudidnothearofthedeathwhichmettheexecutioner——himImeanwhodaredtolifthishandagainstmymother。ThismanImetbyaccidentintheforest；
andIslewhim。Italkedwiththewretch，asastrangeratfirst，uponthememorablecaseoftheJewishlady。Hadherelented，hadheexpressedcompunction，Imighthaverelented。Butfarotherwise:thedog，notdreamingtowhomhespoke，exulted；he——
Butwhyrepeatthevillain’swords？Icuthimtopieces。NextI
didthis:MyagentsIcausedtomatriculateseparatelyatthecollege。Theyassumedthecollegedress。Andnowmarkthesolutionofthatmysterywhichcausedsuchperplexity。Simplyasstudentsweallhadanunsuspectedadmissionatanyhouse。Justthentherewasacommonpractice，asyouwillremember，amongtheyoungerstudents，ofgoingoutamasking——thatis，ofenteringhousesintheacademicdress，andwiththefacemasked。Thispracticesubsistedevenduringthemostintensealarmfromthemurderers；forthedressofthestudentswassupposedtobringprotectionalongwithit。But，evenaftersuspicionhadconnecteditselfwiththisdress，itwassufficientthatIshouldappearunmaskedattheheadofthemaskers，toinsurethemafriendlyreception。Hencethefacilitywithwhichdeathwasinflicted，andthatunaccountableabsenceofanymotiontowardanalarm。Itookholdofmyvictim，andhelookedatmewithsmilingsecurity。Ourweaponswerehidunderouracademicrobes；andevenwhenwedrewthemout，andatthemomentofapplyingthemtothethreat，theystillsupposedourgesturestobepartofthepantomimewewereperforming。DidIrelishthisabuseofpersonalconfidenceinmyself？No——Iloathedit，andIgrievedforitsnecessity；butmymother，aphantomnotseenwithbodilyeyes，buteverpresenttomymind，continuallyascendedbeforeme；andstillIshoutedaloudtomyastoundedvictim，’ThiscomesfromtheJewess！Houndofhounds！
DoyouremembertheJewesswhomyoudishonored，andtheoathswhichyoubrokeinorderthatyoumightdishonorher，andtherighteouslawwhichyouviolated，andthecryofanguishfromhersonwhichyouscoffedat？’WhoIwas，whatIavenged，andwhom，Imadeeverymanaware，andeverywoman，beforeIpunishedthem。ThedetailsofthecasesIneednotrepeat。OneortwoIwasobliged，atthebeginning，tocommittomyJews。Thesuspicionwasthus，fromthefirst，turnedasidebythenotorietyofmypresenceelsewhere；butItookcarethatnonesufferedwhohadnoteitherbeenupontheguiltylistofmagistrateswhocondemnedthemother，orofthosewhoturnedawaywithmockeryfromthesupplicationoftheson。”ItpleasedGod，however，toplaceamightytemptationinmypath，whichmighthavepersuadedmetoforegoallthoughtsofvengeance，toforgetmyvow，toforgetthevoiceswhichinvokedmefromthegrave。ThiswasMargaretLiebenheim。Ah！howterrificappearedmydutyofbloodyretribution，afterherangel’sfaceandangel’svoicehadcalmedme。Withrespecttohergrandfather，strangeitistomention，thatneverdidmyinnocentwifeappearsolovelyaspreciselyintherelationofgranddaughter。Sobeautifulwashergoodnesstotheoldman，andsodivinewasthechildlikeinnocenceonherpart，contrastedwiththeguiltyrecollectionsassociatedwithhim——forhewasamongtheguiltiesttowardmymother——stillI
delayedHISpunishmenttothelast；and，forhischild’ssake，I
wouldhavepardonedhim——nay，Ihadresolvedtodoso，whenafierceJew，whohadadeepmalignitytowardthisman，sworethathewouldaccomplishHISvengeanceatallevents，andperhapsmightbeobligedtoincludeMargaretintheruin，unlessIadheredtotheoriginalscheme。ThenIyielded；forcircumstancesarmedthismanwithmomentarypower。ButthenightfixedonwasoneinwhichI
hadreasontoknowthatmywifewouldbeabsent；forsoIhadmyselfarrangedwithher，andtheunhappycounter-arrangementIdonotyetunderstand。Letmeadd，thatthesolepurposeofmyclandestinemarriagewastostinghergrandfather’smindwiththebeliefthatHISfamilyhadbeendishonored，evenashehaddishonoredmine。Helearned，asItookcarethatheshould，thathisgranddaughtercarriedaboutwithherthepromisesofamother，anddidnotknowthatshehadthesanctionofawife。Thisdiscoverymadehim，inoneday，becomeeagerforthemarriagehehadpreviouslyopposed；andthisdiscoveryalsoembitteredthemiseryofhisdeath。AtthatmomentIattemptedtothinkonlyofmymother’swrongs；but，inspiteofallIcoulddo，thisoldmanappearedtomeinthelightofMargaret’sgrandfather——and，hadI
beenlefttomyself，hewouldhavebeensaved。Asitwas，neverwashorrorequaltominewhenImetherflyingtohissuccor。I
hadrelieduponherabsence；andthemiseryofthatmoment，whenhereyefelluponmeintheveryactofseizinghergrandfather，fartranscendedallelsethatIhavesufferedintheseterrificscenes。Shefaintedinmyarms，andIandanothercarriedherupstairsandprocuredwater。Meantimehergrandfatherhadbeenmurdered，evenwhileMargaretfainted。Ihad，however，underthefearofdiscovery，thoughneveranticipatingareencounterwithherself，forestalledtheexplanationrequisiteinsuchacasetomakemyconductintelligible。Ihadtoldher，underfeignednames，thestoryofmymotherandmysisters。Sheknewtheirwrongs:shehadheardmecontendfortherightofvengeance。Consequently，inourpartinginterview，onewordonlywasrequiredtoplacemyselfinanewpositiontoherthoughts。IneededonlytosayIwasthatson；thatunhappymother，somiserablydegradedandoutraged，wasmine。”Astothejailer，hewasmetbyapartyofus。Notsuspectingthatanyofuscouldbeconnectedwiththefamily，hewasledtotalkofthemosthideousdetailswithregardtomypoorBerenice。
Thechildhadnot，ashadbeeninsinuated，aidedherowndegradation，buthadnoblysustainedthedignityofhersexandherfamily。Suchadvantagesasthemonsterpretendedtohavegainedoverher——sick，desolate，andlatterlydelirious——were，byhisownconfession，notobtainedwithoutviolence。Thiswastoomuch。
Fortythousandlives，hadhepossessedthem，couldnothavegratifiedmythirstforrevenge。Yet，hadhebutshowedcourage，heshouldhavediedthedeathofasoldier。Butthewretchshowedcowardicethemostabject，and——，butyouknowhisfate。”Now，then，allisfinished，andhumannatureisavenged。Yet，ifyoucomplainofthebloodshedandtheterror，thinkofthewrongswhichcreatedmyrights；thinkofthesacrificebywhichIgaveatenfoldstrengthtothoserights；thinkofthenecessityforadreadfulconcussionandshocktosociety，inordertocarrymylessonintothecouncilsofprinces。”Thiswillnowhavebeeneffected。Andye，victimsofdishonor，willbeglorifiedinyourdeaths；yewillnothavesufferedinvain，nordiedwithoutamonument。Sleep，therefore，sisterBerenice——sleep，gentleMariamne，inpeace。Andthou，noblemother，lettheoutragessowninthydishonor，riseagainandblossominwideharvestsofhonorforthewomenofthyafflictedrace。Sleep，daughtersofJerusalem，inthesanctityofyoursufferings。Andthou，ifitbepossible，evenmorebeloveddaughterofaChristianfold，whosecompanywastoosoondeniedtohiminlife，openthygravetoreceiveHIM，who，inthehourofdeath，wishestoremembernotitlewhichheworeonearthbutthatofthychosenandadoringlover，”MAXIMILIAN。”
IntroductiontoMelmoththeWandererBalzaclikenstheheroofoneofhisshortstoriesto”Moliere’sDonJuan，Goethe’sFaust，Byron’sManfred，Maturin’sMelmoth——greatallegoricalfiguresdrawnbythegreatestmenofgeniusinEurope。””Butwhatis’Melmoth’？WhyisHEclassedas’agreatallegoricalfigure’？”exclaimedmanyasurprisedreader。Fewhadperused——fewknowatthisday——theterriblestoryofMelmoththeWanderer，halfman，halfdevil，whohasbarteredawayhissoulforthegloryofpowerandknowledge，and，repentingofhisbargain，triesagainandagaintopersuadesomedesperatehumantochangeplaceswithhim——
penetratestotherefugeofmisery，thedeathchamber，eventhemadhouse，seekingoneinsuchutteragonyastoaccepthishelp，andtakehiscurse——buteverfails。
Whythisextraordinarytale，toldwithwildandcompellingsweep，hasremainedsodeepinoblivion，appearsimmediatelyonaglanceattheoriginal。Theauthor，CharlesRobertMaturin，aneedy，eccentricIrishclergymanof1780-1824，couldcauseintensesuspenseandhorror——couldreadkeenlyintohumanmotives——couldteachanawfulmorallessonintheguiseoffascinatingfiction，buthecouldnotsticktoalongstorywithsimplicity。Hisdozensofshiftingscenes，hisfantasticcoilsof”taleswithintales”
sadlyperplexthereaderof”Melmoth”inthefirstversion。Itishoped，however，thatthepresentselection，byitsdirectnessandtheclearnessofthestorythread，maypleasethemodernreaderbetterthantheinvolvedoriginal，andbringbeforeawiderpublicsomeofthemostgrippingdescriptionseverpennedinEnglish。
InVolumeIVofthesestoriescomesatale，”MelmothReconciled，”
whichBalzachimselfwrote，whileunderthespellofMaturin’s”greatallegoricalfigure。”Heretheunhappybeingsucceedsinhispurpose。Thestorytakesplaceinmocking，carelessParis，”thatbranchestablishmentofhell”；acashier，ontheeveofembezzlementanddetection，cynicallyaccedestoMelmoth’sterms，andacceptshishelp——withwhatunlooked-forresults，thereadermaysee。
CharlesRobertMaturinMelmoththeWandererJohnMelmoth，studentatTrinityCollege，Dublin，havingjourneyedtoCountyWicklowforattendanceatthedeathbedofhismiserlyuncle，findstheoldman，eveninhislastmoments，torturedbyavarice，andbysuspicionofallaroundhim。HewhisperstoJohn:”Iwantaglassofwine，itwouldkeepmealiveforsomehours，butthereisnotoneIcantrusttogetitforme，——they’dstealabottle，andruinme。”Johnwasgreatlyshocked。”Sir，forGod’ssake，letMEgetaglassofwineforyou。””Doyouknowwhere？”
saidtheoldman，withanexpressioninhisfaceJohncouldnotunderstand。”No，Sir；youknowIhavebeenratherastrangerhere，Sir。””Takethiskey，”saidoldMelmoth，afteraviolentspasm；”takethiskey，thereiswineinthatcloset，——Madeira。Ialwaystoldthemtherewasnothingthere，buttheydidnotbelieveme，orIshouldnothavebeenrobbedasIhavebeen。AtonetimeIsaiditwaswhisky，andthenIfaredworsethanever，fortheydranktwiceasmuchofit。”
Johntookthekeyfromhisuncle’shand；thedyingmanpresseditashedidso，andJohn，interpretingthisasamarkofkindness，returnedthepressure。Hewasundeceivedbythewhisperthatfollowed，——”John，mylad，don’tdrinkanyofthatwinewhileyouarethere。””GoodGod！”saidJohn，indignantlythrowingthekeyonthebed；then，recollectingthatthemiserablebeingbeforehimwasnoobjectofresentment，hegavethepromiserequired，andenteredthecloset，whichnofootbutthatofoldMelmothhadenteredfornearlysixtyyears。Hehadsomedifficultyinfindingoutthewine，andindeedstayedlongenoughtojustifyhisuncle’ssuspicions，——buthismindwasagitated，andhishandunsteady。Hecouldnotbutremarkhisuncle’sextraordinarylook，thathadtheghastlinessoffearsuperaddedtothatofdeath，ashegavehimpermissiontoenterhiscloset。Hecouldnotbutseethelooksofhorrorwhichthewomenexchangedasheapproachedit。And，finally，whenhewasinit，hismemorywasmaliciousenoughtosuggestsomefainttracesofastory，toohorribleforimagination，connectedwithit。Herememberedinonemomentmostdistinctly，thatnoonebuthisunclehadeverbeenknowntoenteritformanyyears。
Beforehequittedit，heheldupthedimlight，andlookedaroundhimwithamixtureofterrorandcuriosity。Therewasagreatdealofdecayedanduselesslumber，suchasmightbesupposedtobeheapeduptorotinamiser’scloset；butJohn’seyeswereinamoment，andasifbymagic，rivetedonaportraitthathungonthewall，andappeared，eventohisuntaughteye，farsuperiortothetribeoffamilypicturesthatarelefttomolderonthewallsofafamilymansion。Itrepresentedamanofmiddleage。Therewasnothingremarkableinthecostume，orinthecountenance，butTHE
EYES，Johnfelt，weresuchasonefeelstheywishtheyhadneverseen，andfeelstheycanneverforget。HadhebeenacquaintedwiththepoetryofSouthey，hemighthaveoftenexclaimedinhisafter-
life，”Onlytheeyeshadlife，Theygleamedwithdemonlight。”——THALABA。
Fromanimpulseequallyresistlessandpainful，heapproachedtheportrait，heldthecandletowardit，andcoulddistinguishthewordsontheborderofthepainting，——Jno。Melmoth，anno1646。
Johnwasneithertimidbynature，nornervousbyconstitution，norsuperstitiousfromhabit，yethecontinuedtogazeinstupidhorroronthissingularpicture，till，arousedbyhisuncle’scough，hehurriedintohisroom。Theoldmanswallowedthewine。Heappearedalittlerevived；itwaslongsincehehadtastedsuchacordial，——hisheartappearedtoexpandtoamomentaryconfidence。”John，whatdidyouseeinthatroom？””Nothing，Sir。””That’salie；everyonewantstocheatortorobme。””Sir，Idon’twanttodoeither。””Well，whatdidyouseethatyou——youtooknoticeof？””Onlyapicture，Sir。””Apicture，Sir！——theoriginalisstillalive。”John，thoughundertheimpressionofhisrecentfeelings，couldnotbutlookincredulous。”John，”whisperedhisuncle；——”John，theysayIamdyingofthisandthat；andonesaysitisforwantofnourishment，andonesaysitisforwantofmedicine，——but，John，”andhisfacelookedhideouslyghastly，”Iamdyingofafright。Thatman，”andheextendedhismeagerarmtowardthecloset，asifhewaspointingtoalivingbeing；”thatman，Ihavegoodreasontoknow，isalivestill。””Howisthatpossible，Sir？”
saidJohninvoluntarily，”thedateonthepictureis1646。””Youhaveseenit，——youhavenoticedit，”saidhisuncle。”Well，”——herockedandnoddedonhisbolsterforamoment，then，graspingJohn’shandwithanunutterablelook，heexclaimed，”Youwillseehimagain，heisalive。”Then，sinkingbackonhisbolster，hefellintoakindofsleeporstupor，hiseyesstillopen，andfixedonJohn。
Thehousewasnowperfectlysilent，andJohnhadtimeandspaceforreflection。Morethoughtscamecrowdingonhimthanhewishedtowelcome，buttheywouldnotberepulsed。Hethoughtofhisuncle’shabitsandcharacter，turnedthematteroverandoveragaininhismind，andhesaidtohimself，”Thelastmanonearthtobesuperstitious。Heneverthoughtofanythingbutthepriceofstocks，andtherateofexchange，andmycollegeexpenses，thathungheavierathisheartthanall；andsuchamantodieofafright，——aridiculousfright，thatamanliving150yearsagoisalivestill，andyet——heisdying。”Johnpaused，forfactswillconfutethemoststubbornlogician。”Withallhishardnessofmind，andofheart，heisdyingofafright。Ihearditinthekitchen，Ihavehearditfromhimself，——hecouldnotbedeceived。
IfIhadeverheardhewasnervous，orfanciful，orsuperstitious，butacharactersocontrarytoalltheseimpressions；——amanthat，aspoorButlersays，inhis’RemainsoftheAntiquarian，’wouldhave’soldChristoveragainforthenumericalpieceofsilverwhichJudasgotforhim，’——suchamantodieoffear！YetheIS
dying，”saidJohn，glancinghisfearfuleyeonthecontractednostril，theglazedeye，thedroopingjaw，thewholehorribleapparatusofthefaciesHippocraticaedisplayed，andsoontoceaseitsdisplay。
OldMelmothatthismomentseemedtobeinadeepstupor；hiseyeslostthatlittleexpressiontheyhadbefore，andhishands，thathadconvulsivelybeencatchingattheblankets，letgotheirshortandquiveringgrasp，andlayextendedonthebedliketheclawsofsomebirdthathaddiedofhunger，——someager，soyellow，sospread。John，unaccustomedtothesightofdeath，believedthistobeonlyasignthathewasgoingtosleep；and，urgedbyanimpulseforwhichhedidnotattempttoaccounttohimself，caughtupthemiserablelight，andoncemoreventuredintotheforbiddenroom，——
theBLUECHAMBERofthedwelling。Themotionrousedthedyingman；——hesatboltuprightinhisbed。ThisJohncouldnotsee，forhewasnowinthecloset；butheheardthegroan，orratherthechokedandgurglingrattleofthethroat，thatannouncesthehorribleconflictbetweenmuscularandmentalconvulsion。Hestarted，turnedaway；but，asheturnedaway，hethoughthesawtheeyesoftheportrait，onwhichhisownwasfixed，MOVE，andhurriedbacktohisuncle’sbedside。
OldMelmothdiedinthecourseofthatnight，anddiedashehadlived，inakindofavariciousdelirium。Johncouldnothaveimaginedascenesohorribleashislasthourspresented。Hecursedandblasphemedaboutthreehalfpence，missing，ashesaid，someweeksbefore，inanaccountofchangewithhisgroom，abouthaytoastarvedhorsethathekept。ThenhegraspedJohn’shand，andaskedhimtogivehimthesacrament。”IfIsendtotheclergyman，hewillchargemesomethingforit，whichIcannotpay，——
Icannot。TheysayIamrich，——lookatthisblanket；——butIwouldnotmindthat，ifIcouldsavemysoul。”And，raving，headded，”Indeed，Doctor，Iamaverypoorman。Inevertroubledaclergymanbefore，andallIwantis，thatyouwillgrantmetwotriflingrequests，verylittlemattersinyourway，——savemysoul，andwhisperingmakeinteresttogetmeaparishcoffin，——Ihavenotenoughlefttoburyme。IalwaystoldeveryoneIwaspoor，butthemoreItoldthemso，thelesstheybelievedme。”
John，greatlyshocked，retiredfromthebedside，andsatdowninadistantcorneroftheroom。Thewomenwereagainintheroom，whichwasverydark。Melmothwassilentfromexhaustion，andtherewasadeathlikepauseforsometime。AtthismomentJohnsawthedooropen，andafigureappearatit，wholookedroundtheroom，andthenquietlyanddeliberatelyretired，butnotbeforeJohnhaddiscoveredinhisfacethelivingoriginaloftheportrait。Hisfirstimpulsewastoutteranexclamationofterror，buthisbreathfeltstopped。Hewasthenrisingtopursuethefigure，butamoment’sreflectioncheckedhim。Whatcouldbemoreabsurd，thantobealarmedoramazedataresemblancebetweenalivingmanandtheportraitofadeadone！Thelikenesswasdoubtlessstrongenoughtostrikehimeveninthatdarkenedroom，butitwasdoubtlessonlyalikeness；andthoughitmightbeimposingenoughtoterrifyanoldmanofgloomyandretiredhabits，andwithabrokenconstitution，Johnresolveditshouldnotproducethesameeffectonhim。
Butwhilehewasapplaudinghimselfforthisresolution，thedooropened，andthefigureappearedatit，beckoningandnoddingtohim，withafamiliaritysomewhatterrifying。Johnnowstartedup，determinedtopursueit；butthepursuitwasstoppedbytheweakbutshrillcriesofhisuncle，whowasstrugglingatoncewiththeagoniesofdeathandhishousekeeper。Thepoorwoman，anxiousforhermaster’sreputationandherown，wastryingtoputonhimacleanshirtandnightcap，andMelmoth，whohadjustsensationenoughtoperceivetheyweretakingsomethingfromhim，continuedexclaimingfeebly，”Theyarerobbingme，——robbingmeinmylastmoments，——robbingadyingman。John，won’tyouassistme，——Ishalldieabeggar；theyaretakingmylastshirt，——Ishalldieabeggar。”——Andthemiserdied……
Afewdaysafterthefuneral，thewillwasopenedbeforeproperwitnesses，andJohnwasfoundtobeleftsoleheirtohisuncle’sproperty，which，thoughoriginallymoderate，had，byhisgraspinghabits，andparsimoniouslife，becomeveryconsiderable。
Astheattorneywhoreadthewillconcluded，headded，”Therearesomewordshere，atthecorneroftheparchment，whichdonotappeartobepartofthewill，astheyareneitherintheformofacodicil，noristhesignatureofthetestatoraffixedtothem；but，tothebestofmybelief，theyareinthehandwritingofthedeceased。”AshespokeheshowedthelinestoMelmoth，whoimmediatelyrecognizedhisuncle’shandthatperpendicularandpenurioushand，thatseemsdeterminedtomakethemostoftheverypaper，thriftilyabridgingeveryword，andleavingscarceanatomofmargin，andread，notwithoutsomeemotion，thefollowingwords:”Ienjoinmynephewandheir，JohnMelmoth，toremove，destroy，orcausetobedestroyed，theportraitinscribedJ。
Melmoth，1646，hanginginmycloset。Ialsoenjoinhimtosearchforamanuscript，whichIthinkhewillfindinthethirdandlowestleft-handdrawerofthemahoganycheststandingunderthatportrait，——itisamongsomepapersofnovalue，suchasmanuscriptsermons，andpamphletsontheimprovementofIreland，andsuchstuff；hewilldistinguishitbyitsbeingtiedroundwithablacktape，andthepaperbeingverymoldyanddiscolored。Hemayreaditifhewill；——Ithinkhehadbetternot。Atallevents，Iadjurehim，iftherebeanypowerintheadjurationofadyingman，toburnit。”
Afterreadingthissingularmemorandum，thebusinessofthemeetingwasagainresumed；andasoldMelmoth’swillwasveryclearandlegallyworded，allwassoonsettled，thepartydispersed，andJohnMelmothwasleftalone……
Heresolutelyenteredthecloset，shutthedoor，andproceededtosearchforthemanuscript。Itwassoonfound，forthedirectionsofoldMelmothwereforciblywritten，andstronglyremembered。Themanuscript，old，tattered，anddiscolored，wastakenfromtheverydrawerinwhichitwasmentionedtobelaid。Melmoth’shandsfeltascoldasthoseofhisdeaduncle，whenhedrewtheblottedpagesfromtheirnook。Hesatdowntoread，——therewasadeadsilencethroughthehouse。Melmothlookedwistfullyatthecandles，snuffedthem，andstillthoughttheylookeddim，perchancehethoughttheyburnedblue，butsuchthoughthekepttohimself。
Certainitis，heoftenchangedhisposture，andwouldhavechangedhischair，hadtherebeenmorethanoneintheapartment。
Hesankforafewmomentsintoafitofgloomyabstraction，tillthesoundoftheclockstrikingtwelvemadehimstart，——itwastheonlysoundhehadheardforsomehours，andthesoundsproducedbyinanimatethings，whilealllivingbeingsaroundareasdead，haveatsuchanhouraneffectindescribablyawful。Johnlookedathismanuscriptwithsomereluctance，openedit，pausedoverthefirstlines，andasthewindsighedroundthedesolateapartment，andtherainpatteredwithamournfulsoundagainstthedismantledwindow，wished——whatdidhewishfor？——hewishedthesoundofthewindlessdismal，andthedashoftherainlessmonotonous——Hemaybeforgiven，itwaspastmidnight，andtherewasnotahumanbeingawakebuthimselfwithintenmileswhenhebegantoread……
Themanuscriptwasdiscolored，obliterated，andmutilatedbeyondanythathadeverbeforeexercisedthepatienceofareader。
Michaelishimself，scrutinizingintothepretendedautographofSt。
MarkatVenice，neverhadahardertimeofit——Melmothcouldmakeoutonlyasentencehereandthere。Thewriter，itappeared，wasanEnglishmanofthenameofStanton，whohadtraveledabroadshortlyaftertheRestoration。Travelingwasnotthenattendedwiththefacilitieswhichmodernimprovementhasintroduced，andscholarsandliterati，theintelligent，theidle，andthecurious，wanderedovertheContinentforyears，likeTomCorvat，thoughtheyhadthemodesty，ontheirreturn，toentitletheresultoftheirmultipliedobservationsandlaborsonly”crudities。”
Stanton，abouttheyear1676，wasinSpain；hewas，likemostofthetravelersofthatage，amanofliterature，intelligence，andcuriosity，butignorantofthelanguageofthecountry，andfightinghiswayattimesfromconventtoconvent，inquestofwhatwascalled”Hospitality，”thatis，obtainingboardandlodgingontheconditionofholdingadebateinLatin，onsomepointtheologicalormetaphysical，withanymonkwhowouldbecomethechampionofthestrife。Now，asthetheologywasCatholic，andthemetaphysicsAristotelian，StantonsometimeswishedhimselfatthemiserablePosadafromwhosefilthandfaminehehadbeenfightinghisescape；butthoughhisreverendantagonistsalwaysdenouncedhiscreed，andcomfortedthemselves，evenindefeat，withtheassurancethathemustbedamned，onthedoublescoreofhisbeingahereticandanEnglishman，theywereobligedtoconfessthathisLatinwasgood，andhislogicunanswerable；andhewasallowed，inmostcases，tosupandsleepinpeace。Thiswasnotdoomedtobehisfateonthenightofthe17thAugust1677，whenhefoundhimselfintheplainsofValencia，desertedbyacowardlyguide，whohadbeenterrifiedbythesightofacrosserectedasamemorialofamurder，hadslippedoffhismuleunperceived，crossinghimselfeverystephetookonhisretreatfromtheheretic，andleftStantonamidtheterrorsofanapproachingstorm，andthedangersofanunknowncountry。Thesublimeandyetsoftenedbeautyofthesceneryaround，hadfilledthesoulofStantonwithdelight，andheenjoyedthatdelightasEnglishmengenerallydo，silently。
Themagnificentremainsoftwodynastiesthathadpassedaway，theruinsofRomanpalaces，andofMoorishfortresses，werearoundandabovehim；——thedarkandheavythundercloudsthatadvancedslowly，seemedliketheshroudsofthesespectersofdepartedgreatness；
theyapproached，butdidnotyetoverwhelmorconcealthem，asifNatureherselfwasforonceawedbythepowerofman；andfarbelow，thelovelyvalleyofValenciablushedandburnedinallthegloryofsunset，likeabridereceivingthelastglowingkissofthebridegroombeforetheapproachofnight。Stantongazedaround。
ThedifferencebetweenthearchitectureoftheRomanandMoorishruinsstruckhim。Amongtheformeraretheremainsofatheater，andsomethinglikeapublicplace；thelatterpresentonlytheremainsoffortresses，embattled，castellated，andfortifiedfromtoptobottom，——notaloopholeforpleasuretogetinby，——theloopholeswereonlyforarrows；alldenotedmilitarypoweranddespoticsubjugational’outrance。Thecontrastmighthavepleasedaphilosopher，andhemighthaveindulgedinthereflection，thatthoughtheancientGreeksandRomansweresavagesasDr。Johnsonsaysallpeoplewhowantapressmustbe，andhesaystruly，yettheywerewonderfulsavagesfortheirtime，fortheyalonehavelefttracesoftheirtasteforpleasureinthecountriestheyconquered，intheirsuperbtheaters，templeswhichwerealsodedicatedtopleasureonewayoranother，andbaths，whileotherconqueringbandsofsavagesneverleftanythingbehindthembuttracesoftheirrageforpower。SothoughtStanton，ashestillsawstronglydefined，thoughdarkenedbythedarkeningclouds，thehugeskeletonofaRomanamphitheater，itsarchedandgiganticcolonnadesnowadmittingagleamoflight，andnowcomminglingwiththepurplethundercloud；andnowthesolidandheavymassofaMoorishfortress，nolightplayingbetweenitsimpermeablewalls，——
theimageofpower，dark，isolated，impenetrable。Stantonforgothiscowardlyguide，hisloneliness，hisdangeramidanapproachingstormandaninhospitablecountry，wherehisnameandcountrywouldshuteverydooragainsthim，andeverypealofthunderwouldbesupposedjustifiedbythedaringintrusionofahereticinthedwellingofanoldChristian，astheSpanishCatholicsabsurdlytermthemselves，tomarkthedistinctionbetweenthemandthebaptizedMoors。
Allthiswasforgotincontemplatingthegloriousandawfulscenerybeforehim，——lightstrugglingwithdarkness，——anddarknessmenacingalightstillmoreterrible，andannouncingitsmenaceintheblueandlividmassofcloudthathoveredlikeadestroyingangelintheair，itsarrowsaimed，buttheirdirectionawfullyindefinite。Butheceasedtoforgettheselocalandpettydangers，asthesublimityofromancewouldtermthem，whenhesawthefirstflashofthelightning，broadandredasthebannersofaninsultingarmywhosemottoisVaevictis，shattertoatomstheremainsofaRomantower；——theriftedstonesrolleddownthehill，andfellatthefeetofStanton。Hestoodappalled，and，awaitinghissummonsfromthePowerinwhoseeyepyramids，palaces，andthewormswhosetoilhasformedthem，andthewormswhotoilouttheirexistenceundertheirshadowortheirpressure，areperhapsallalikecontemptible，hestoodcollected，andforamomentfeltthatdefianceofdangerwhichdangeritselfexcites，andwelovetoencounteritasaphysicalenemy，tobidit”doitsworst，”andfeelthatitsworstwillperhapsbeultimatelyitsbestforus。Hestoodandsawanotherflashdartitsbright，brief，andmalignantglanceovertheruinsofancientpower，andtheluxurianceofrecentfertility。
Singularcontrast！Therelicsofartforeverdecaying，——theproductionsofnatureforeverrenewed——Alas！forwhatpurposearetheyrenewed，betterthantomockattheperishablemonumentswhichmentryinvaintorivalthemby。Thepyramidsthemselvesmustperish，butthegrassthatgrowsbetweentheirdisjointedstoneswillberenewedfromyeartoyear。
Stantonwasthinkingthus，whenallpowerofthoughtwassuspended，byseeingtwopersonsbearingbetweenthemthebodyofayoung，andapparentlyverylovelygirl，whohadbeenstruckdeadbythelightning。Stantonapproached，andheardthevoicesofthebearersrepeating，”Thereisnonewhowillmournforher！””Thereisnonewhowillmournforher！”saidothervoices，astwomoreboreintheirarmstheblastedandblackenedfigureofwhathadoncebeenaman，comelyandgraceful；——”thereisnotONEtomournforhernow！”
Theywerelovers，andhehadbeenconsumedbytheflashthathaddestroyedher，whileintheactofendeavoringtodefendher。Astheywereabouttoremovethebodies，apersonapproachedwithacalmnessofstepanddemeanor，asifhewerealoneunconsciousofdanger，andincapableoffear；andafterlookingonthemforsometime，burstintoalaughsoloud，wild，andprotracted，thatthepeasants，startingwithasmuchhorroratthesoundasatthatofthestorm，hurriedaway，bearingthecorpseswiththem。EvenStanton’sfearsweresubduedbyhisastonishment，and，turningtothestranger，whoremainedstandingonthesamespot，heaskedthereasonofsuchanoutrageonhumanity。Thestranger，slowlyturninground，anddisclosingacountenancewhich——Herethemanuscriptwasillegibleforafewlines，saidinEnglish——Alonghiatusfollowedhere，andthenextpassagethatwaslegible，thoughitprovedtobeacontinuationofthenarrative，wasbutafragment。……
TheterrorsofthenightrenderedStantonasturdyandunappeasableapplicant；andtheshrillvoiceoftheoldwoman，repeating，”noheretic——noEnglish——MotherofGodprotectus——avauntSatan！”——
combinedwiththeclatterofthewoodencasementpeculiartothehousesinValenciawhichsheopenedtodischargehervolleyofanathematization，andshutagainasthelightningglancedthroughtheaperture，wereunabletorepelhisimportunaterequestforadmittance，inanightwhoseterrorsoughttosoftenallthemiserablepettylocalpassionsintooneawfulfeelingoffearforthePowerwhocausedit，andcompassionforthosewhowereexposedtoit——ButStantonfelttherewassomethingmorethannationalbigotryintheexclamationsoftheoldwoman；therewasapeculiarandpersonalhorroroftheEnglish——Andhewasright；butthisdidnotdiminishtheeagernessofhis……
Thehousewashandsomeandspacious，butthemelancholyappearanceofdesertion——
Thebencheswerebythewall，buttherewerenonetositthere；
thetableswerespreadinwhathadbeenthehall，butitseemedasifnonehadgatheredroundthemformanyyears；——theclockstruckaudibly，therewasnovoiceofmirthorofoccupationtodrownitssound；timetoldhisawfullessontosilencealone；——thehearthswereblackwithfuellongsinceconsumed；——thefamilyportraitslookedasiftheyweretheonlytenantsofthemansion；theyseemedtosay，fromtheirmolderingframes，”therearenonetogazeonus；”andtheechoofthestepsofStantonandhisfeebleguide，wastheonlysoundaudiblebetweenthepealsofthunderthatrolledstillawfully，butmoredistantly，——everypealliketheexhaustedmurmursofaspentheart。Astheypassedon，ashriekwasheard。
Stantonpaused，andfearfulimagesofthedangerstowhichtravelersontheContinentareexposedindesertedandremotehabitations，cameintohismind。”Don’theedit，”saidtheoldwoman，lightinghimonwithamiserablelamp；——”itisonlyhe……
Theoldwomanhavingnowsatisfiedherself，byoculardemonstration，thatherEnglishguest，evenifhewasthedevil，hadneitherhorn，hoof，nortail，thathecouldbearthesignofthecrosswithoutchanginghisform，andthat，whenhespoke，notapuffofsulphurcameoutofhismouth，begantotakecourage，andatlengthcommencedherstory，which，wearyandcomfortlessasStantonwas，……
Everyobstaclewasnowremoved；parentsandrelationsatlastgaveupallopposition，andtheyoungpairwereunited。Neverwastherealovelier，——theyseemedlikeangelswhohadonlyanticipatedbyafewyearstheircelestialandeternalunion。Themarriagewassolemnizedwithmuchpomp，andafewdaysaftertherewasafeastinthatverywainscotedchamberwhichyoupausedtoremarkwassogloomy。Itwasthatnighthungwithrichtapestry，representingtheexploitsoftheCid，particularlythatofhisburningafewMoorswhorefusedtorenouncetheiraccursedreligion。Theywererepresentedbeautifullytortured，writhingandhowling，and”Mahomet！Mahomet！”issuingoutoftheirmouths，astheycalledonhimintheirburningagonies；——youcouldalmosthearthemscream。
Attheupperendoftheroom，underasplendidestrade，overwhichwasanimageoftheblessedVirgin，satDonnaIsabelladeCardoza，mothertothebride，andnearherDonnaInes，thebride，onrichalmohadas；thebridegroomsatoppositetoher，andthoughtheyneverspoketoeachother，theireyes，slowlyraised，butsuddenlywithdrawnthoseeyesthatblushed，toldtoeachotherthedelicioussecretoftheirhappiness。DonPedrodeCardozahadassembledalargepartyinhonorofhisdaughter’snuptials；amongthemwasanEnglishmanofthenameofMELMOTH，atraveler；nooneknewwhohadbroughthimthere。Hesatsilentliketherest，whiletheicedwatersandthesugaredwaferswerepresentedtothecompany。Thenightwasintenselyhot，andthemoonglowedlikeasunovertheruinsofSaguntum；theembroideredblindsflappedheavily，asifthewindmadeanefforttoraisetheminvain，andthendesisted。
Anotherdefectinthemanuscriptoccurredhere，butitwassoonsupplied。