Thecompanyweredispersedthroughvariousalleysofthegarden；
　　thebridegroomandbridewanderedthroughonewherethedeliciousperfumeoftheorangetreesmingleditselfwiththatofthemyrtlesinblow。Ontheirreturntotheball，bothofthemasked，Hadthecompanyheardtheexquisitesoundsthatfloatedthroughthegardenjustbeforetheyquittedit？Noonehadheardthem。Theyexpressedtheirsurprise。TheEnglishmanhadneverquittedthehall；itwassaidhesmiledwithamostparticularandextraordinaryexpressionastheremarkwasmade。Hissilencehadbeennoticedbefore，butitwasascribedtohisignoranceoftheSpanishlanguage，anignorancethatSpaniardsarenotanxiouseithertoexposeorremovebyspeakingtoastranger。Thesubjectofthemusicwasnotagainrevertedtotilltheguestswereseatedatsupper，whenDonnaInesandheryounghusband，exchangingasmileofdelightedsurprise，exclaimedtheyheardthesamedelicioussoundsfloatingroundthem。Theguestslistened，butnooneelsecouldhearit；——everyonefelttherewassomethingextraordinaryinthis。Hush！wasutteredbyeveryvoicealmostatthesamemoment。Adeadsilencefollowed，——youwouldthink，fromtheirintentlooks，thattheylistenedwiththeirveryeyes。Thisdeepsilence，contrastedwiththesplendorofthefeast，andthelighteffusedfromtorchesheldbythedomestics，producedasingulareffect，——itseemedforsomemomentslikeanassemblyofthedead。Thesilencewasinterrupted，thoughthecauseofwonderhadnotceased，bytheentranceofFatherOlavida，theConfessorofDonnaIsabella，whohadbeencalledawayprevioustothefeast，toadministerextremeunctiontoadyingmanintheneighborhood。Hewasapriestofuncommonsanctity，belovedinthefamily，andrespectedintheneighborhood，wherehehaddisplayeduncommontasteandtalentsforexorcism；——infact，thiswasthegoodFather’sforte，andhepiquedhimselfonitaccordingly。ThedevilneverfellintoworsehandsthanFatherOlavida’s，forwhenhewassocontumaciousastoresistLatin，andeventhefirstversesoftheGospelofSt。JohninGreek，whichthegoodFatherneverhadrecoursetobutincasesofextremestubbornnessanddifficulty，——
　　hereStantonrecollectedtheEnglishstoryoftheBoyofBilson，andblushedeveninSpainforhiscountrymen，——thenhealwaysappliedtotheInquisition；andifthedevilswereeversoobstinatebefore，theywerealwaysseentoflyoutofthepossessed，justas，inthemidstoftheircriesnodoubtofblasphemy，theyweretiedtothestake。Someheldouteventilltheflamessurroundedthem；buteventhemoststubbornmusthavebeendislodgedwhentheoperationwasover，forthedevilhimselfcouldnolongertenantacrispandglutinouslumpofcinders。ThusFatherOlavida’sfamespreadfarandwide，andtheCardozafamilyhadmadeuncommoninteresttoprocurehimforaConfessor，andhappilysucceeded。TheceremonyhehadjustbeenperforminghadcastashadeoverthegoodFather’scountenance，butitdispersedashemingledamongtheguests，andwasintroducedtothem。Roomwassoonmadeforhim，andhehappenedaccidentallytobeseatedoppositetheEnglishman。Asthewinewaspresentedtohim，FatherOlavidawho，asIobserved，wasamanofsingularsanctity
　　preparedtoutterashortinternalprayer。Hehesitated，——
　　trembled，——desisted；and，puttingdownthewine，wipedthedropsfromhisforeheadwiththesleeveofhishabit。DonnaIsabellagaveasigntoadomestic，andotherwineofahigherqualitywasofferedtohim。Hislipsmoved，asifintheefforttopronounceabenedictiononitandthecompany，buttheeffortagainfailed；andthechangeinhiscountenancewassoextraordinary，thatitwasperceivedbyalltheguests。Hefeltthesensationthathisextraordinaryappearanceexcited，andattemptedtoremoveitbyagainendeavoringtoliftthecuptohislips。Sostrongwastheanxietywithwhichthecompanywatchedhim，thattheonlysoundheardinthatspaciousandcrowdedhallwastherustlingofhishabitasheattemptedtoliftthecuptohislipsoncemore——invain。Theguestssatinastonishedsilence。FatherOlavidaaloneremainedstanding；butatthatmomenttheEnglishmanrose，andappeareddeterminedtofixOlavida’sregardsbyagazelikethatoffascination。Olavidarocked，reeled，graspedthearmofapage，andatlast，closinghiseyesforamoment，asiftoescapethehorriblefascinationofthatunearthlyglaretheEnglishman’seyeswereobservedbyalltheguests，fromthemomentofhisentrance，toeffuseamostfearfulandpreternaturalluster，exclaimed，”Whoisamongus？——Who？——Icannotutterablessingwhileheishere。I
　　cannotfeelone。Wherehetreads，theearthisparched！——Wherehebreathes，theairisfire！——Wherehefeeds，thefoodispoison！——
　　Whereheturnshisglanceislightning！——WHOISAMONGUS？——WHO？”
　　repeatedthepriestintheagonyofadjuration，whilehiscowlfallenback，hisfewthinhairsaroundthescalpinstinctandalivewithterribleemotion，hisoutspreadarmsprotrudedfromthesleevesofhishabit，andextendedtowardtheawfulstranger，suggestedtheideaofaninspiredbeinginthedreadfulraptureofpropheticdenunciation。Hestood——stillstood，andtheEnglishmanstoodcalmlyoppositetohim。Therewasanagitatedirregularityintheattitudesofthosearoundthem，whichcontrastedstronglythefixedandsternposturesofthosetwo，whoremainedgazingsilentlyateachother。”Whoknowshim？”exclaimedOlavida，startingapparentlyfromatrance；”whoknowshim？whobroughthimhere？”
　　TheguestsseverallydisclaimedallknowledgeoftheEnglishman，andeachaskedtheotherinwhispers，”whoHADbroughthimthere？”
　　FatherOlavidathenpointedhisarmtoeachofthecompany，andaskedeachindividually，”Doyouknowhim？”No！no！no！”wasutteredwithvehementemphasisbyeveryindividual。”ButIknowhim，”saidOlavida，”bythesecolddrops！”andhewipedthemoff；——”bytheseconvulsedjoints！”andheattemptedtosignthecross，butcouldnot。Heraisedhisvoice，andevidentlyspeakingwithincreaseddifficulty，——”Bythisbreadandwine，whichthefaithfulreceiveasthebodyandbloodofChrist，butwhichHISpresenceconvertsintomatterasviperousasthesuicidefoamofthedyingJudas，——byallthese——Iknowhim，andcommandhimtobegone！——Heis——heis——”andhebentforwardashespoke，andgazedontheEnglishmanwithanexpressionwhichthemixtureofrage，hatred，andfearrenderedterrible。Alltheguestsroseatthesewords，——
　　thewholecompanynowpresentedtwosingulargroups，thatoftheamazedguestsallcollectedtogether，andrepeating，”Who，whatishe？”andthatoftheEnglishman，whostoodunmoved，andOlavida，whodroppeddeadintheattitudeofpointingtohim……
　　Thebodywasremovedintoanotherroom，andthedepartureoftheEnglishmanwasnotnoticedtillthecompanyreturnedtothehall。
　　Theysatlatetogether，conversingonthisextraordinarycircumstance，andfinallyagreedtoremaininthehouse，lesttheevilspiritfortheybelievedtheEnglishmannobettershouldtakecertainlibertieswiththecorsebynomeansagreeabletoaCatholic，particularlyashehadmanifestlydiedwithoutthebenefitofthelastsacraments。Justasthislaudableresolutionwasformed，theywererousedbycriesofhorrorandagonyfromthebridalchamber，wheretheyoungpairhadretired。
　　Theyhurriedtothedoor，butthefatherwasfirst。Theyburstitopen，andfoundthebrideacorseinthearmsofherhusband……
　　Heneverrecoveredhisreason；thefamilydesertedthemansionrenderedterriblebysomanymisfortunes。Oneapartmentisstilltenantedbytheunhappymaniac；hiswerethecriesyouheardasyoutraversedthedesertedrooms。Heisforthemostpartsilentduringtheday，butatmidnighthealwaysexclaims，inavoicefrightfullypiercing，andhardlyhuman，”Theyarecoming！theyarecoming！”andrelapsesintoprofoundsilence。
　　ThefuneralofFatherOlavidawasattendedbyanextraordinarycircumstance。Hewasinterredinaneighboringconvent；andthereputationofhissanctity，joinedtotheinterestcausedbyhisextraordinarydeath，collectedvastnumbersattheceremony。Hisfuneralsermonwaspreachedbyamonkofdistinguishedeloquence，appointedforthepurpose。Torendertheeffectofhisdiscoursemorepowerful，thecorse，extendedonabier，withitsfaceuncovered，wasplacedintheaisle。Themonktookhistextfromoneoftheprophets，——”Deathisgoneupintoourpalaces。”Heexpatiatedonmortality，whoseapproach，whetherabruptorlingering，isalikeawfultoman——Hespokeofthevicisstudesofempireswithmucheloquenceandlearning，buthisaudiencewerenotobservedtobemuchaffected——Hecitedvariouspassagesfromthelivesofthesaints，descriptiveofthegloriesofmartyrdom，andtheheroismofthosewhohadbledandblazedforChristandhisblessedmother，buttheyappearedstillwaitingforsomethingtotouchthemmoredeeply。Whenheinveighedagainstthetyrantsunderwhosebloodypersecutionthoseholymensuffered，hishearerswererousedforamoment，foritisalwayseasiertoexciteapassionthanamoralfeeling。Butwhenhespokeofthedead，andpointedwithemphaticgesturetothecorse，asitlaybeforethemcoldandmotionless，everyeyewasfixed，andeveryearbecameattentive。Eventhelovers，who，underpretenseofdippingtheirfingersintotheholywater，werecontrivingtoexchangeamorousbillets，forboreforonemomentthisinterestingintercourse，tolistentothepreacher。Hedweltwithmuchenergyonthevirtuesofthedeceased，whomhedeclaredtobeaparticularfavoriteoftheVirgin；andenumeratingthevariouslossesthatwouldbecausedbyhisdeparturetothecommunitytowhichhebelonged，tosociety，andtoreligionatlarge；heatlastworkeduphimselftoavehementexpostulationwiththeDeityontheoccasion。”Whyhastthou，”heexclaimed，”whyhastthou，OhGod！thusdealtwithus？
　　Whyhastthousnatchedfromoursightthisglorioussaint，whosemerits，ifproperlyapplied，doubtlesswouldhavebeensufficienttoatonefortheapostasyofSt。Peter，theoppositionofSt。Paulprevioustohisconversion，andeventhetreacheryofJudashimself？Whyhastthou，OhGod！snatchedhimfromus？”——andadeepandhollowvoicefromamongthecongregationanswered，——”Becausehedeservedhisfate。”Themurmursofapprobationwithwhichthecongregationhonoredthisapostrophehalfdrownedthisextraordinaryinterruption；andthoughtherewassomelittlecommotionintheimmediatevicinityofthespeaker，therestoftheaudiencecontinuedtolistenintently。”What，”proceededthepreacher，pointingtothecorse，”whathathlaidtheethere，servantofGod？”——”Pride，ignorance，andfear，”answeredthesamevoice，inaccentsstillmorethrilling。Thedisturbancenowbecameuniversal。Thepreacherpaused，andacircleopening，disclosedthefigureofamonkbelongingtotheconvent，whostoodamongthem……
　　Afteralltheusualmodesofadmonition，exhortation，anddisciplinehadbeenemployed，andthebishopofthediocese，who，underthereportoftheseextraordinarycircumstances，hadvisitedtheconventinpersontoobtainsomeexplanationfromthecontumaciousmonkinvain，itwasagreed，inachapterextraordinary，tosurrenderhimtothepoweroftheInquisition。
　　Hetestifiedgreathorrorwhenthisdeterminationwasmadeknowntohim，——andofferedtotelloverandoveragainallthatheCOULD
　　relateofthecauseofFatherOlavida’sdeath。Hishumiliation，andrepeatedoffersofconfession，cametoolate。HewasconveyedtotheInquisition。Theproceedingsofthattribunalarerarelydisclosed，butthereisasecretreportIcannotanswerforitstruthofwhathesaidandsufferedthere。Onhisfirstexamination，hesaidhewouldrelateallheCOULD。Hewastoldthatwasnotenough，hemustrelateallheknew……”WhydidyoutestifysuchhorroratthefuneralofFatherOlavida？”——”Everyonetestifiedhorrorandgriefatthedeathofthatvenerableecclesiastic，whodiedintheodorofsanctity。HadIdoneotherwise，itmighthavebeenreckonedaproofofmyguilt。””Whydidyouinterruptthepreacherwithsuchextraordinaryexclamations？”——Tothisnoanswer。”Whydoyourefusetoexplainthemeaningofthoseexclamations？”——Noanswer。”Whydoyoupersistinthisobstinateanddangeroussilence？Look，Ibeseechyou，brother，atthecrossthatissuspendedagainstthiswall，”
　　andtheInquisitorpointedtothelargeblackcrucifixatthebackofthechairwherehesat；”onedropofthebloodshedtherecanpurifyyoufromallthesinyouhaveevercommitted；butallthatblood，combinedwiththeintercessionoftheQueenofHeaven，andthemeritsofallitsmartyrs，nay，eventheabsolutionofthePope，cannotdeliveryoufromthecurseofdyinginunrepentedsin。”——”Whatsin，then，haveIcommitted？”——”Thegreatestofallpossiblesins；yourefuseansweringthequestionsputtoyouatthetribunalofthemostholyandmercifulInquisition；——youwillnottelluswhatyouknowconcerningthedeathofFatherOlavida。”——”I
　　havetoldyouthatIbelieveheperishedinconsequenceofhisignoranceandpresumption。””Whatproofcanyouproduceofthat？”——”Hesoughttheknowledgeofasecretwithheldfromman。””Whatwasthat？”——”Thesecretofdiscoveringthepresenceoragencyoftheevilpower。””Doyoupossessthatsecret？”——Aftermuchagitationonthepartoftheprisoner，hesaiddistinctly，butveryfaintly，”Mymasterforbidsmetodiscloseit。””IfyourmasterwereJesusChrist，hewouldnotforbidyoutoobeythecommands，oranswerthequestionsoftheInquisition。”——”Iamnotsureofthat。”
　　Therewasageneraloutcryofhorroratthesewords。Theexaminationthenwenton。”IfyoubelievedOlavidatobeguiltyofanypursuitsorstudiescondemnedbyourmotherthechurch，whydidyounotdenouncehimtotheInquisition？”——”BecauseIbelievedhimnotlikelytobeinjuredbysuchpursuits；hismindwastooweak，——
　　hediedinthestruggle，”saidtheprisonerwithgreatemphasis。”Youbelieve，then，itrequiresstrengthofmindtokeepthoseabominablesecrets，whenexaminedastotheirnatureandtendency？”——”No，Iratherimaginestrengthofbody。””Weshalltrythatpresently，”saidanInquisitor，givingasignalforthetorture……
　　Theprisonerunderwentthefirstandsecondapplicationswithunshrinkingcourage，butontheinflictionofthewater-torture，whichisindeedinsupportabletohumanity，eithertosufferorrelate，heexclaimedinthegaspinginterval，hewoulddiscloseeverything。Hewasreleased，refreshed，restored，andthefollowingdayutteredthefollowingremarkableconfession……
　　TheoldSpanishwomanfurtherconfessedtoStanton，that……
　　andthattheEnglishmancertainlyhadbeenseenintheneighborhoodsince；——seen，asshehadheard，thatverynight。”GreatG——d！”
　　exclaimedStanton，asherecollectedthestrangerwhosedemoniaclaughhadsoappalledhim，whilegazingonthelifelessbodiesofthelovers，whomthelightninghadstruckandblasted。
　　Asthemanuscript，afterafewblottedandillegiblepages，becamemoredistinct，Melmothreadon，perplexedandunsatisfied，notknowingwhatconnectionthisSpanishstorycouldhavewithhisancestor，whom，however，herecognizedunderthetitleoftheEnglishman；andwonderinghowStantoncouldhavethoughtitworthhiswhiletofollowhimtoIreland，writealongmanuscriptaboutaneventthatoccurredinSpain，andleaveitinthehandsofhisfamily，to”verifyuntruethings，”inthelanguageofDogberry，——
　　hiswonderwasdiminished，thoughhiscuriositywasstillmoreinflamed，bytheperusalofthenextlines，whichhemadeoutwithsomedifficulty。ItseemsStantonwasnowinEngland……
　　Abouttheyear1677，StantonwasinLondon，hismindstillfullofhismysteriouscountryman。Thisconstantsubjectofhiscontemplationshadproducedavisiblechangeinhisexterior，——hiswalkwaswhatSallusttellsusofCatiline’s，——hiswere，too，the”faedioculi。”Hesaidtohimselfeverymoment，”IfIcouldbuttracethatbeing，Iwillnotcallhimman，”——andthenextmomenthesaid，”andwhatifIcould？”Inthisstateofmind，itissingularenoughthathemixedconstantlyinpublicamusements，butitistrue。Whenonefiercepassionisdevouringthesoul，wefeelmorethaneverthenecessityofexternalexcitement；andourdependenceontheworldfortemporaryreliefincreasesindirectproportiontoourcontemptoftheworldandallitsworks。Hewentfrequentlytothetheaters，THENfashionable，when”Thefairsatpantingatacourtier’splay，Andnotamaskwentunimprovedaway。”……
　　Itwasthatmemorablenight，when，accordingtothehistoryoftheveteranBetterton，*Mrs。Barry，whopersonatedRoxana，hadagreen-
　　roomsquabblewithMrs。Bowtell，therepresentativeofStatira，aboutaveil，whichthepartialityofthepropertymanadjudgedtothelatter。Roxanasuppressedherragetillthefifthact，when，stabbingStatira，sheaimedtheblowwithsuchforceastopiercethroughherstays，andinflictaseverethoughnotdangerouswound。
　　Mrs。Bowtellfainted，theperformancewassuspended，and，inthecommotionwhichthisincidentcausedinthehouse，manyoftheaudiencerose，andStantonamongthem。Itwasatthismomentthat，inaseatoppositetohim，hediscoveredtheobjectofhissearchforfouryears，——theEnglishmanwhomhehadmetintheplainsofValencia，andwhomhebelievedthesamewiththesubjectoftheextraordinarynarrativehehadheardthere。
　　*VideBetterton’sHistoryoftheStage。
　　Hewasstandingup。Therewasnothingparticularorremarkableinhisappearance，buttheexpressionofhiseyescouldneverbemistakenorforgotten。TheheartofStantonpalpitatedwithviolence，——amistoverspreadhiseye，——anamelessanddeadlysickness，accompaniedwithacreepingsensationineverypore，fromwhichcolddropsweregushing，announcedthe……
　　Beforehehadwellrecovered，astrainofmusic，soft，solemn，anddelicious，breathedroundhim，audiblyascendingfromtheground，andincreasinginsweetnessandpowertillitseemedtofillthewholebuilding。Underthesuddenimpulseofamazementandpleasure，heinquiredofsomearoundhimfromwhencethoseexquisitesoundsarose。But，bythemannerinwhichhewasanswered，itwasplainthatthoseheaddressedconsideredhiminsane；and，indeed，theremarkablechangeinhisexpressionmightwelljustifythesuspicion。HethenrememberedthatnightinSpain，whenthesamesweetandmysterioussoundswereheardonlybytheyoungbridegroomandbride，ofwhomthelatterperishedonthatverynight。”AndamIthentobethenextvictim？”thoughtStanton；”andarethosecelestialsounds，thatseemtoprepareusforheaven，onlyintendedtoannouncethepresenceofanincarnatefiend，whomocksthedevotedwith’airsfromheaven，’whilehepreparestosurroundthemwith’blastsfromhell’？”Itisverysingularthatatthismoment，whenhisimaginationhadreacheditshighestpitchofelevation，——whentheobjecthehadpursuedsolongandfruitlessly，hadinonemomentbecomeasitweretangibletothegraspbothofmindandbody，——whenthisspirit，withwhomhehadwrestledindarkness，wasatlastabouttodeclareitsname，thatStantonbegantofeelakindofdisappointmentatthefutilityofhispursuits，likeBruceatdiscoveringthesourceoftheNile，orGibbononconcludinghisHistory。Thefeelingwhichhehaddweltonsolong，thathehadactuallyconverteditintoaduty，wasafterallmerecuriosity；butwhatpassionismoreinsatiable，ormorecapableofgivingakindofromanticgrandeurtoallitswanderingsandeccentricities？Curiosityisinonerespectlikelove，italwayscompromisesbetweentheobjectandthefeeling；andprovidedthelatterpossessessufficientenergy，nomatterhowcontemptibletheformermaybe。AchildmighthavesmiledattheagitationofStanton，causedasitwasbytheaccidentalappearanceofastranger；butnoman，inthefullenergyofhispassions，wasthere，butmusthavetrembledatthehorribleagonyofemotionwithwhichhefeltapproaching，withsuddenandirresistiblevelocity，thecrisisofhisdestiny。
　　Whentheplaywasover，hestoodforsomemomentsinthedesertedstreets。Itwasabeautifulmoonlightnight，andhesawnearhimafigure，whoseshadow，projectedhalfacrossthestreettherewerenoflaggedwaysthen，chainsandpostsweretheonlydefenseofthefootpassenger，appearedtohimofgiganticmagnitude。Hehadbeensolongaccustomedtocontendwiththesephantomsoftheimagination，thathetookakindofstubborndelightinsubduingthem。Hewalkeduptotheobject，andobservingtheshadowonlywasmagnified，andthefigurewastheordinaryheightofman，heapproachedit，anddiscoveredtheveryobjectofhissearch，——themanwhomhehadseenforamomentinValencia，and，afterasearchoffouryears，recognizedatthetheater……”Youwereinquestofme？”——”Iwas。””Haveyouanythingtoinquireofme？”——”Much。””Speak，then。”——”Thisisnoplace。””Noplace！
　　poorwretch，Iamindependentoftimeandplace。Speak，ifyouhaveanythingtoaskortolearn。”——”Ihavemanythingstoask，butnothingtolearn，Ihope，fromyou。””Youdeceiveyourself，butyouwillbeundeceivedwhennextwemeet。”——”Andwhenshallthatbe？”saidStanton，graspinghisarm；”nameyourhourandyourplace。””Thehourshallbemidday，”answeredthestranger，withahorridandunintelligiblesmile；”andtheplaceshallbethebarewallsofamadhouse，whereyoushallriserattlinginyourchains，andrustlingfromyourstraw，togreetme，——yetstillyoushallhaveTHECURSEOFSANITY，andofmemory。Myvoiceshallringinyourearstillthen，andtheglanceoftheseeyesshallbereflectedfromeveryobject，animateorinanimate，tillyoubeholdthemagain。”——”Isitundercircumstancessohorriblewearetomeetagain？”saidStanton，shrinkingunderthefull-lightedblazeofthosedemoneyes。”Inever，”saidthestranger，inanemphatictone，——”Ineverdesertmyfriendsinmisfortune。Whentheyareplungedinthelowestabyssofhumancalamity，theyaresuretobevisitedbyme。”……
　　Thenarrative，whenMelmothwasagainabletotraceitscontinuation，describedStanton，someyearsafter，plungedinastatethemostdeplorable。
　　Hehadbeenalwaysreckonedofasingularturnofmind，andthebeliefofthis，aggravatedbyhisconstanttalkofMelmoth，hiswildpursuitofhim，hisstrangebehavioratthetheater，andhisdwellingonthevariousparticularsoftheirextraordinarymeetings，withalltheintensityofthedeepestconvictionwhilehenevercouldimpressthemonanyone’sconvictionbuthisown，suggestedtosomeprudentpeopletheideathathewasderanged。
　　Theirmalignityprobablytookpartwiththeirprudence。TheselfishFrenchman*says，wefeelapleasureeveninthemisfortunesofourfriends，——aplusforteinthoseofourenemies；andaseveryoneisanenemytoamanofgeniusofcourse，thereportofStanton’smaladywaspropagatedwithinfernalandsuccessfulindustry。Stanton’snextrelative，aneedyunprincipledman，watchedthereportinitscirculation，andsawthesnaresclosingroundhisvictim。Hewaitedonhimonemorning，accompaniedbyapersonofagrave，thoughsomewhatrepulsiveappearance。Stantonwasasusualabstractedandrestless，and，afterafewmoments’
　　conversation，heproposedadriveafewmilesoutofLondon，whichhesaidwouldreviveandrefreshhim。Stantonobjected，onaccountofthedifficultyofgettingahackneycoachforitissingularthatatthisperiodthenumberofprivateequipages，thoughinfinitelyfewerthantheyarenow，exceededthenumberofhiredones，andproposedgoingbywater。This，however，didnotsuitthekinsman’sviews；and，afterpretendingtosendforacarriagewhichwasinwaitingattheendofthestreet，Stantonandhiscompanionsenteredit，anddroveabouttwomilesoutofLondon。
　　*Rochefoucauld。
　　Thecarriagethenstopped。Come，Cousin，”saidtheyoungerStanton，——”comeandviewapurchaseIhavemade。”Stantonabsentlyalighted，andfollowedhimacrossasmallpavedcourt；theotherpersonfollowed。”Introth，Cousin，”saidStanton，”yourchoiceappearsnottohavebeendiscreetlymade；yourhousehassomewhatofagloomyaspect。”——”Holdyoucontent，Cousin，”repliedtheother；”Ishalltakeorderthatyoulikeitbetter，whenyouhavebeensometimeadwellertherein。”Someattendantsofameanappearance，andwithmostsuspiciousvisages，awaitedthemontheirentrance，andtheyascendedanarrowstaircase，whichledtoaroommeanlyfurnished。”Waithere，”saidthekinsman，tothemanwhoaccompaniedthem，”tillIgoforcompanytodivertisemycousininhisloneliness。”Theywereleftalone。Stantontooknonoticeofhiscompanion，butasusualseizedthefirstbooknearhim，andbegantoread。Itwasavolumeinmanuscript，——theywerethenmuchmorecommonthannow。
　　Thefirstlinesstruckhimasindicatinginsanityinthewriter。
　　ItwasawildproposalwrittenapparentlyafterthegreatfireofLondontorebuilditwithstone，andattemptingtoprove，onacalculationwild，false，andyetsometimesplausible，thatthiscouldbedoneoutofthecolossalfragmentsofStonehenge，whichthewriterproposedtoremoveforthatpurpose。Subjoinedwereseveralgrotesquedrawingsofenginesdesignedtoremovethosemassiveblocks，andinacornerofthepagewasanote，——”Iwouldhavedrawnthesemoreaccurately，butwasnotallowedaKNIFEtomendmypen。”
　　Thenextwasentitled，”AmodestproposalforthespreadingofChristianityinforeignparts，wherebyitishopeditsentertainmentwillbecomegeneralallovertheworld。”——Thismodestproposalwas，toconverttheTurkishambassadorswhohadbeeninLondonafewyearsbefore，byofferingthemtheirchoiceofbeingstrangledonthespot，orbecomingChristians。Ofcoursethewriterreckonedontheirembracingtheeasieralternative，buteventhiswastobecloggedwithaheavycondition，——namely，thattheymustbeboundbeforeamagistratetoconverttwentyMussulmansaday，ontheirreturntoTurkey。TherestofthepamphletwasreasonedverymuchintheconclusivestyleofCaptainBobadil，——
　　thesetwentywillconverttwentymoreapiece，andthesetwohundredconverts，convertingtheirduenumberinthesametime，allTurkeywouldbeconvertedbeforetheGrandSigniorknewwherehewas。
　　Thencomesthecoupd’eclat，——onefinemorning，everyminaretinConstantinoplewastoringoutwithbells，insteadofthecryoftheMuezzins；andtheImaum，comingouttoseewhatwasthematter，wastobeencounteredbytheArchbishopofCanterbury，inpontificalibus，performingCathedralserviceinthechurchofSt。
　　Sophia，whichwastofinishthebusiness。Hereanobjectionappearedtoarise，whichtheingenuityofthewriterhadanticipated——”Itmayberedargued，”saithhe，”bythosewhohavemorespleenthanbrain，thatforasmuchastheArchbishoppreachethinEnglish，hewillnottherebymuchedifytheTurkishfolk，whodoaltogetherholdinavaingabbleoftheirown。”Butthistousehisownlanguagehe”evites，”byjudiciouslyobserving，thatwhereservicewasperformedinanunknowntongue，thedevotionofthepeoplewasalwaysobservedtobemuchincreasedthereby；as，forinstance，inthechurchofRome，——thatSt。Augustine，withhismonks，advancedtomeetKingEthelbertsinginglitaniesinalanguagehismajestycouldnotpossiblyhaveunderstood，andconvertedhimandhiswholecourtonthespot；——thatthesybillinebooks……
　　Cummultisaliis。
　　BetweenthepageswerecutmostexquisitelyinpaperthelikenessesofsomeoftheseTurkishambassadors；thehairofthebeards，inparticular，wasfeatheredwithadelicacyoftouchthatseemedtheworkoffairyfingers，——butthepagesendedwithacomplaintoftheoperator，thathisscissorshadbeentakenfromhim。However，heconsoledhimselfandthereaderwiththeassurance，thathewouldthatnightcatchamoonbeamasitenteredthroughthegrating，and，whenhehadwhetteditontheironknobsofhisdoor，woulddowonderswithit。Inthenextpagewasfoundamelancholyproofofpowerfulbutprostratedintellect。Itcontainedsomeinsanelines，ascribedtoLeethedramaticpoet，commencing，”Othatmylungscouldbleatlikebutteredpease，”&c。
　　ThereisnoproofwhateverthatthesemiserablelineswerereallywrittenbyLee，exceptthatthemeasureisthefashionablequatrainoftheperiod。ItissingularthatStantonreadonwithoutsuspicionofhisowndanger，quiteabsorbedinthealbumofamadhouse，withouteverreflectingontheplacewherehewas，andwhichsuchcompositionstoomanifestlydesignated。
　　Itwasafteralongintervalthathelookedround，andperceivedthathiscompanionwasgone。Bellswereunusualthen。Heproceededtothedoor，——itwasfastened。Hecalledaloud，——hisvoicewasechoedinamomentbymanyothers，butintonessowildanddiscordant，thathedesistedininvoluntaryterror。Asthedayadvanced，andnooneapproached，hetriedthewindow，andthenperceivedforthefirsttimeitwasgrated。Itlookedoutonthenarrowflaggedyard，inwhichnohumanbeingwas；andiftherehad，fromsuchabeingnohumanfeelingcouldhavebeenextracted。
　　Sickeningwithunspeakablehorror，hesunkratherthansatdownbesidethemiserablewindow，and”wishedforday。”……
　　Atmidnighthestartedfromadoze，halfaswoon，halfasleep，whichprobablythehardnessofhisseat，andofthedealtableonwhichheleaned，hadnotcontributedtoprolong。
　　Hewasincompletedarkness；thehorrorofhissituationstruckhimatonce，andforamomenthewasindeedalmostqualifiedforaninmateofthatdreadfulmansion。Hefelthiswaytothedoor，shookitwithdesperatestrength，andutteredthemostfrightfulcries，mixedwithexpostulationsandcommands。Hiscrieswereinamomentechoedbyahundredvoices。Inmaniacsthereisapeculiarmalignity，accompaniedbyanextraordinaryacutenessofsomeofthesenses，particularlyindistinguishingthevoiceofastranger。
　　Thecriesthatheheardoneverysideseemedlikeawildandinfernalyellofjoy，thattheirmansionofmiseryhadobtainedanothertenant。
　　Hepaused，exhausted，——aquickandthunderingstepwasheardinthepassage。Thedoorwasopened，andamanofsavageappearancestoodattheentrance，——twomorewereseenindistinctlyinthepassage。”Releaseme，villain！”——”Stop，myfinefellow，what’sallthisnoisefor？””WhereamI？””Whereyououghttobe。””Willyoudaretodetainme？”——”Yes，andalittlemorethanthat，”answeredtheruffian，applyingaloadedhorsewhiptohisbackandshoulders，tillthepatientsoonfelltothegroundconvulsedwithrageandpain。”Nowyouseeyouarewhereyououghttobe，”repeatedtheruffian，brandishingthehorsewhipoverhim，”andnowtaketheadviceofafriend，andmakenomorenoise。Theladsarereadyforyouwiththedarbies，andthey’llclinkthemoninthecrackofthiswhip，unlessyoupreferanothertouchofitfirst。”Theythenwereadvancingintotheroomashespoke，withfettersintheirhandsstraitwaistcoatsbeingthenlittleknownorused，andshowed，bytheirfrightfulcountenancesandgestures，nounwillingnesstoapplythem。TheirharshrattleonthestonepavementmadeStanton’sbloodruncold；theeffect，however，wasuseful。Hehadthepresenceofmindtoacknowledgehissupposed
　　miserablecondition，tosupplicatetheforbearanceoftheruthlesskeeper，andpromisecompletesubmissiontohisorders。Thispacifiedtheruffian，andheretired。
　　Stantoncollectedallhisresolutiontoencounterthehorriblenight；hesawallthatwasbeforehim，andsummonedhimselftomeetit。Aftermuchagitateddeliberation，heconceiveditbesttocontinuethesameappearanceofsubmissionandtranquillity，hopingthatthushemightintimeeitherpropitiatethewretchesinwhosehandshewas，or，byhisapparentinoffensiveness，procuresuchopportunitiesofindulgence，asmightperhapsultimatelyfacilitatehisescape。Hethereforedeterminedtoconducthimselfwiththeutmosttranquillity，andnevertolethisvoicebeheardinthehouse；andhelaiddownseveralotherresolutionswithadegreeofprudencewhichhealreadyshudderedtothinkmightbethecunningofincipientmadness，orthebeginningresultofthehorridhabitsoftheplace。
　　Theseresolutionswereputtodesperatetrialthatverynight。
　　JustnexttoStanton’sapartmentwerelodgedtwomostuncongenialneighbors。Oneofthemwasapuritanicalweaver，whohadbeendrivenmadbyasinglesermonfromthecelebratedHughPeters，andwassenttothemadhouseasfullofelectionandreprobationashecouldhold，——andfuller。Heregularlyrepeatedoverthefivepointswhiledaylightlasted，andimaginedhimselfpreachinginaconventiclewithdistinguishedsuccess；towardtwilighthisvisionsweremoregloomy，andatmidnighthisblasphemiesbecamehorrible。
　　Intheoppositecellwaslodgedaloyalisttailor，whohadbeenruinedbygivingcredittothecavaliersandtheirladies，——foratthistime，andmuchlater，downtothereignofAnne，tailorswereemployedbyfemaleseventomakeandfitontheirstays，——whohadrunmadwithdrinkandloyaltyontheburningoftheRump，andeversincehadmadethecellsofthemadhouseechowithfragmentsoftheill-fatedColonelLovelace’ssong，scrapsfromCowley’s”CutterofColemanstreet，”andsomecuriousspecimensfromMrs。AphraBehn’splays，wherethecavaliersaredenominatedtheheroicks，andLadyLambertandLadyDesboroughrepresentedasgoingtomeeting，theirlargeBiblescarriedbeforethembytheirpages，andfallinginlovewithtwobanishedcavaliersbytheway。Thevoiceinwhichheshriekedoutsuchwordswaspowerfullyhorrible，butitwaslikethemoanofaninfantcomparedtothevoicewhichtookupandreechoedthecry，inatonethatmadethebuildingshake。Itwasthevoiceofamaniac，whohadlostherhusband，children，subsistence，andfinallyherreason，inthedreadfulfireofLondon。Thecryoffireneverfailedtooperatewithterriblepunctualityonherassociations。Shehadbeeninadisturbedsleep，andnowstartedfromitassuddenlyasonthatdreadfulnight。ItwasSaturdaynighttoo，andshewasalwaysobservedtobeparticularlyviolentonthatnight，——itwastheterribleweeklyfestivalofinsanitywithher。Shewasawake，andbusyinamomentescapingfromtheflames；andshedramatizedthewholescenewithsuchhideousfidelity，thatStanton’sresolutionwasfarmoreindangerfromherthanfromthebattlebetweenhisneighborsTestimonyandHothead。Shebeganexclaimingshewassuffocatedbythesmoke；thenshesprungfromherbed，callingforalight，andappearedtobestruckbythesuddenglarethatburstthroughhercasement——”Thelastday，”sheshrieked，”Thelastday！Theveryheavensareonfire！”——”ThatwillnotcometilltheManofSinbefirstdestroyed，”criedtheweaver；”thouravestoflightandfire，andyetthouartinutterdarkness——Ipitythee，poormadsoul，I
　　pitythee！”Themaniacneverheededhim；sheappearedtobescramblingupastaircasetoherchildren’sroom。Sheexclaimedshewasscorched，singed，suffocated；hercourageappearedtofail，andsheretreated。”Butmychildrenarethere！”shecriedinavoiceofunspeakableagony，assheseemedtomakeanothereffort；”hereIam——hereIamcometosaveyou——OhGod！Theyareallblazing！——Takethisarm——no，notthat，itisscorchedanddisabled——
　　well，anyarm——takeholdofmyclothes——no，theyareblazingtoo！——
　　Well，takemeallonfireasIam！——Andtheirhair，howithisses！——Water，onedropofwaterformyyoungest——heisbutaninfant——formyyoungest，andletmeburn！”Shepausedinhorridsilence，towatchthefallofablazingrafterthatwasabouttoshatterthestaircaseonwhichshestood——”Theroofhasfallenonmyhead！”sheexclaimed。”Theearthisweak，andalltheinhabitantsthereof，”chantedtheweaver；”Ibearupthepillarsofit。”
　　Themaniacmarkedthedestructionofthespotwhereshethoughtshestoodbyonedesperatebound，accompaniedbyawildshriek，andthencalmlygazedonherinfantsastheyrolledoverthescorchingfragments，andsunkintotheabyssoffirebelow。”Theretheygo，——
　　one——two——three——all！”andhervoicesunkintolowmutterings，andherconvulsionsintofaint，coldshudderings，likethesobbingsofaspentstorm，assheimaginedherselfto”standinsafetyanddespair，”amidthethousandhouselesswretchesassembledinthesuburbsofLondononthedreadfulnightsafterthefire，withoutfood，roof，orraiment，allgazingontheburningruinsoftheirdwellingsandtheirproperty。Sheseemedtolistentotheircomplaints，andevenrepeatedsomeofthemveryaffectingly，butinvariablyansweredthemwiththesamewords，”ButIhavelostallmychildren——all！”Itwasremarkable，thatwhenthissuffererbegantorave，alltheothersbecamesilent。Thecryofnaturehushedeveryothercry，——shewastheonlypatientinthehousewhowasnotmadfrompolitics，religion，ebriety，orsomepervertedpassion；andterrifyingastheoutbreakofherfrenzyalwayswas，Stantonusedtoawaititasakindofrelieffromthedissonant，melancholy，andludicrousravingsoftheothers。
　　Buttheutmosteffortsofhisresolutionbegantosinkunderthecontinuedhorrorsoftheplace。Theimpressiononhissensesbegantodefythepowerofreasontoresistthem。Hecouldnotshutoutthesefrightfulcriesnightlyrepeated，northefrightfulsoundofthewhipemployedtostillthem。Hopebegantofailhim，asheobserved，thatthesubmissivetranquillitywhichhehadimagined，byobtainingincreasedindulgence，mightcontributetohisescape，orperhapsconvincethekeeperofhissanitywasinterpretedbythecallousruffian，whowasacquaintedonlywiththevarietiesofMADNESS，asamorerefinedspeciesofthatcunningwhichhewaswellaccustomedtowatchandbaffle。
　　Onhisfirstdiscoveryofhissituation，hehaddeterminedtotaketheutmostcareofhishealthandintellectthattheplaceallowed，asthesolebasisofhishopeofdeliverance。Butasthathopedeclined，heneglectedthemeansofrealizingit。Hehadatfirstrisenearly，walkedincessantlyabouthiscell，andavailedhimselfofeveryopportunityofbeingintheopenair。Hetookthestrictestcareofhispersoninpointofcleanliness，andwithorwithoutappetite，regularlyforceddownhismiserablemeals；andalltheseeffortswereevenpleasant，aslongashopepromptedthem。Butnowhebegantorelaxthemall。Hepassedhalfthedayinhiswretchedbed，inwhichhefrequentlytookhismeals，declinedshavingorchanginghislinen，and，whenthesunshoneintohiscell，heturnedfromitonhisstrawwithasighofheartbrokendespondency。Formerly，whentheairbreathedthroughhisgrating，heusedtosay，”Blessedairofheaven，Ishallbreatheyouoncemoreinfreedom！——ReserveallyourfreshnessforthatdeliciouseveningwhenIshallinhaleyou，andbeasfreeasyoumyself。”Nowwhenhefeltit，hesighedandsaidnothing。Thetwitterofthesparrows，thepatteringofrain，orthemoanofthewind，soundsthatheusedtositupinhisbedtocatchwithdelight，asremindinghimofnature，werenowunheeded。
　　Hebeganattimestolistenwithsullenandhorriblepleasuretothecriesofhismiserablecompanions。Hebecamesqualid，listless，torpid，anddisgustinginhisappearance……
　　Itwasoneofthosedismalnights，that，ashetossedonhisloathsomebed，——moreloathsomefromtheimpossibilitytoquititwithoutfeelingmore”unrest，”——heperceivedthemiserablelightthatburnedinthehearthwasobscuredbytheinterventionofsomedarkobject。Heturnedfeeblytowardthelight，withoutcuriosity，withoutexcitement，butwithawishtodiversifythemonotonyofhismisery，byobservingtheslightestchangemadeevenaccidentallyintheduskyatmosphereofhiscell。BetweenhimandthelightstoodthefigureofMelmoth，justashehadseenhimfromthefirst；thefigurewasthesame；theexpressionofthefacewasthesame，——cold，stony，andrigid；theeyes，withtheirinfernalanddazzlingluster，werestillthesame。
　　Stanton’srulingpassionrushedonhissoul；hefeltthisapparitionlikeasummonstoahighandfearfulencounter。Heheardhisheartbeataudibly，andcouldhaveexclaimedwithLee’sunfortunateheroine，——”Itpantsascowardsdobeforeabattle；Ohthegreatmarchhassounded！”
　　Melmothapproachedhimwiththatfrightfulcalmnessthatmockstheterroritexcites。”Myprophecyhasbeenfulfilled；——yourisetomeetmerattlingfromyourchains，andrustlingfromyourstraw——amInotatrueprophet？”Stantonwassilent。”Isnotyoursituationverymiserable？”——StillStantonwassilent；forhewasbeginningtobelievethisanillusionofmadness。Hethoughttohimself，”Howcouldhehavegainedentrancehere？”——”Wouldyounotwishtobedeliveredfromit？”Stantontossedonhisstraw，anditsrustlingseemedtoanswerthequestion。”Ihavethepowertodeliveryoufromit。”Melmothspokeveryslowlyandverysoftly，andthemelodioussmoothnessofhisvoicemadeafrightfulcontrasttothestonyrigorofhisfeatures，andthefiendlikebrilliancyofhiseyes。”Whoareyou，andwhencecomeyou？”saidStanton，inatonethatwasmeanttobeinterrogatoryandimperative，butwhich，fromhishabitsofsqualiddebility，wasatoncefeebleandquerulous。
　　Hisintellecthadbecomeaffectedbythegloomofhismiserablehabitation，asthewretchedinmateofasimilarmansion，whenproducedbeforeamedicalexaminer，wasreportedtobeacompleteAlbino——Hisskinwasbleached，hiseyesturnedwhite；hecouldnotbearthelight；and，whenexposedtoit，heturnedawaywithamixtureofweaknessandrestlessness，morelikethewrithingsofasickinfantthanthestrugglesofaman。
　　SuchwasStanton’ssituation。Hewasenfeeblednow，andthepoweroftheenemyseemedwithoutapossibilityofoppositionfromeitherhisintellectualorcorporealpowers……
　　Ofalltheirhorribledialogue，onlythesewordswerelegibleinthemanuscript，”Youknowmenow。”——”Ialwaysknewyou。”——”Thatisfalse；youimaginedyoudid，andthathasbeenthecauseofallthewild。ofthe……ofyourfinallybeinglodgedinthismansionofmisery，whereonlyIwouldseek，whereonlyIcansuccoryou。”——”You，demon！”——”Demon！——Harshwords！——Wasitademonorahumanbeingplacedyouhere？——Listentome，Stanton；nay，wrapnotyourselfinthatmiserableblanket，——thatcannotshutoutmywords。Believeme，wereyoufoldedinthunderclouds，youmusthearME！Stanton，thinkofyourmisery。Thesebarewalls——whatdotheypresenttotheintellectortothesenses？——Whitewash，diversifiedwiththescrawlsofcharcoalorredchalk，thatyourhappypredecessorshaveleftforyoutotraceover。Youhaveatastefordrawing——Itrustitwillimprove。Andhere’sagrating，throughwhichthesunsquintsonyoulikeastepdame，andthebreezeblows，asifitmeanttotantalizeyouwithasighfromthatsweetmouth，whosekissyoumustneverenjoy。Andwhere’syourlibrary，——intellectualman，——traveledman？”herepeatedinatoneofbitterderision；”wherebeyourcompanions，yourpeakedmenofcountries，asyourfavoriteShakespearehasit？Youmustbecontentwiththespiderandtherat，tocrawlandscratchroundyourflockbed！IhaveknownprisonersintheBastilletofeedthemforcompanions，——whydon’tyoubeginyourtask？Ihaveknownaspidertodescendatthetapofafinger，andarattocomeforthwhenthedailymealwasbrought，toshareitwithhisfellowprisoner！——Howdelightfultohaveverminforyourguests！Aye，andwhenthefeastfailsthem，theymakeamealoftheirentertainer！——Youshudder——Areyou，then，thefirstprisonerwhohasbeendevouredalivebytheverminthatinfestedhiscell？——Delightfulbanquet，not’whereyoueat，butwhereyouareeaten’！Yourguests，however，willgiveyouonetokenofrepentancewhiletheyfeed；therewillbegnashingofteeth，andyoushallhearit，andfeelittooperchance！——Andthenformeals——Ohyouaredaintilyoff！——Thesoupthatthecathaslapped；andasherprogenyhasprobablycontributedtothehellbrothwhynot？Thenyourhoursofsolitude，deliciouslydiversifiedbytheyelloffamine，thehowlofmadness，thecrashofwhips，andthebroken-heartedsobofthosewho，likeyou，aresupposed，orDRIVENmadbythecrimesofothers！——Stanton，doyouimagineyourreasoncanpossiblyholdoutamidsuchscenes？——
　　Supposingyourreasonwasunimpaired，yourhealthnotdestroyed，——
　　supposeallthis，whichis，afterall，morethanfairsuppositioncangrant，guesstheeffectofthecontinuanceofthesescenesonyoursensesalone。Atimewillcome，andsoon，when，frommerehabit，youwillechothescreamofeverydeliriouswretchthatharborsnearyou；thenyouwillpause，claspyourhandsonyourthrobbinghead，andlistenwithhorribleanxietywhetherthescreamproceededfromYOUorTHEM。Thetimewillcome，when，fromthewantofoccupation，thelistlessandhorriblevacancyofyourhours，youwillfeelasanxioustohearthoseshrieks，asyouwereatfirstterrifiedtohearthem，——whenyouwillwatchfortheravingsofyournextneighbor，asyouwouldforasceneonthestage。Allhumanitywillbeextinguishedinyou。Theravingsofthesewretcheswillbecomeatonceyoursportandyourtorture。
　　Youwillwatchforthesounds，tomockthemwiththegrimacesandbellowingsofafiend。Themindhasapowerofaccommodatingitselftoitssituation，thatyouwillexperienceinitsmostfrightfulanddeplorableefficacy。Thencomesthedreadfuldoubtofone’sownsanity，theterribleannouncerthatTHATdoubtwillsoonbecomefear，andTHATfearcertainty。PerhapsstillmoredreadfultheFEARwillatlastbecomeaHOPE，——shutoutfromsociety，watchedbyabrutalkeeper，writhingwithalltheimpotentagonyofanincarceratedmind，withoutcommunicationandwithoutsympathy，unabletoexchangeideasbutwiththosewhoseideasareonlythehideousspectersofdepartedintellect，oreventohearthewelcomesoundofthehumanvoice，excepttomistakeitforthehowlofafiend，andstoptheeardesecratedbyitsintrusion，——
　　thenatlastyourfearwillbecomeamorefearfulhope；youwillwishtobecomeoneofthem，toescapetheagonyofconsciousness。
　　Asthosewhohavelongleanedoveraprecipice，haveatlastfeltadesiretoplungebelow，torelievetheintolerabletemptationoftheirgiddiness，*youwillhearthemlaughamidtheirwildestparoxysms；youwillsay，’Doubtlessthosewretcheshavesomeconsolation，butIhavenone；mysanityismygreatestcurseinthisabodeofhorrors。Theygreedilydevourtheirmiserablemeals，whileIloathemine。Theysleepsometimessoundly，whilemysleepis——worsethantheirwaking。Theyarerevivedeverymorningbysomedeliciousillusionofcunningmadness，soothingthemwiththehopeofescaping，bafflingortormentingtheirkeeper；mysanityprecludesallsuchhope。IKNOWINEVERCANESCAPE，andthepreservationofmyfacultiesisonlyanaggravationofmysufferings。Ihavealltheirmiseries，——Ihavenoneoftheirconsolations。Theylaugh，——Ihearthem；wouldIcouldlaughlikethem。’Youwilltry，andtheveryeffortwillbeaninvocationtothedemonofinsanitytocomeandtakefullpossessionofyoufromthatmomentforever。”
　　*Afact，relatedtomebyapersonwhowasnearcommittingsuicideinasimilarsituation，toescapewhathecalled”theexcruciatingtortureofgiddiness。”
　　Therewereotherdetails，bothofthemenacesandtemptationsemployedbyMelmoth，whicharetoohorribleforinsertion。Oneofthemmayserveforaninstance。”Youthinkthattheintellectualpowerissomethingdistinctfromthevitalityofthesoul，or，inotherwords，thatifevenyourreasonshouldbedestroyedwhichitnearlyis，yoursoulmightyetenjoybeatitudeinthefullexerciseofitsenlargedandexaltedfaculties，andallthecloudswhichobscuredthembedispelledbytheSunofRighteousness，inwhosebeamsyouhopetobaskforeverandever。Now，withoutgoingintoanymetaphysicalsubtletiesaboutthedistinctionbetweenmindandsoul，experiencemustteachyou，thattherecanbenocrimeintowhichmadmenwouldnot，anddonot，precipitatethemselves；mischiefistheiroccupation，malicetheirhabit，murdertheirsport，andblasphemytheirdelight。Whetherasoulinthisstatecanbeinahopefulone，itisforyoutojudge；butitseemstome，thatwiththelossofreasonandreasoncannotlongberetainedinthisplaceyoulosealsothehopeofimmortality——Listen，”saidthetempter，pausing，”listentothewretchwhoisravingnearyou，andwhoseblasphemiesmightmakeademonstart——Hewasonceaneminentpuritanicalpreacher。Halfthedayheimagineshimselfinapulpit，denouncingdamnationagainstPapists，Arminians，andevenSublapsarianshebeingaSupra-lapsarianhimself。Hefoams，hewrithes，hegnasheshisteeth；youwouldimaginehiminthehellhewaspainting，andthatthefireandbrimstoneheissolavishofwereactuallyexhalingfromhisjaws。Atnighthiscreedretaliatesonhim；hebelieveshimselfoneofthereprobateshehasbeenalldaydenouncing，andcursesGodfortheverydecreehehasalldaybeenglorifyingHimfor。”He，whomhehasfortwelvehoursbeenvociferating’istheloveliestamongtenthousand，’becomestheobjectofdemoniachostilityandexecration。Hegrappleswiththeironpostsofhisbed，andsaysheisrootingoutthecrossfromtheveryfoundationsofCalvary；anditisremarkable，thatinproportionashismorningexercisesareintense，vivid，andeloquent，hisnightlyblasphemiesareoutrageousandhorrible——Hark！Nowhebelieveshimselfademon；listentohisdiabolicaleloquenceofhorror！”
　　Stantonlistened，andshuddered……”Escape——escapeforyourlife，”criedthetempter；”breakforthintolife，liberty，andsanity。Yoursocialhappiness，yourintellectualpowers，yourimmortalinterests，perhaps，dependonthechoiceofthismoment——Thereisthedoor，andthekeyisinmyhand——Choose——choose！”——”Andhowcomesthekeyinyourhand？andwhatistheconditionofmyliberation？”saidStanton……
　　Theexplanationoccupiedseveralpages，which，tothetortureofyoungMelmoth，werewhollyillegible。Itseemed，however，tohavebeenrejectedbyStantonwiththeutmostrageandhorror，forMelmothatlastmadeout，——”Begone，monster，demon！——begonetoyournativeplace。Eventhismansionofhorrortremblestocontainyou；
　　itswallssweat，anditsfloorsquiver，whileyoutreadthem。”……
　　Theconclusionofthisextraordinarymanuscriptwasinsuchastate，that，infifteenmoldyandcrumblingpages，Melmothcouldhardlymakeoutthatnumberoflines。Noantiquarian，unfoldingwithtremblinghandthecalcinedleavesofanHerculaneummanuscript，andhopingtodiscoversomelostlinesoftheAeneisinVirgil’sownautograph，oratleastsomeunutterableabominationofPetroniusorMartial，happilyelucidatoryofthemysteriesoftheSpintriae，ortheorgiesofthePhallicworshipers，everporedwithmorelucklessdiligence，orshookaheadofmorehopelessdespondencyoverhistask。Hecouldbutjustmakeoutwhattendedrathertoexcitethanassuagethatfeverishthirstofcuriositywhichwasconsuminghisinmostsoul。ThemanuscripttoldnomoreofMelmoth，butmentionedthatStantonwasfinallyliberatedfromhisconfinement，——thathispursuitofMelmothwasincessantandindefatigable，——thathehimselfallowedittobeaspeciesofinsanity，——thatwhileheacknowledgedittobethemasterpassion，healsofeltitthemastertormentofhislife。HeagainvisitedtheContinent，returnedtoEngland，——pursued，inquired，traced，bribed，butinvain。Thebeingwhomhehadmetthrice，undercircumstancessoextraordinary，hewasfatednevertoencounteragainINHISLIFETIME。Atlength，discoveringthathehadbeenborninIreland，heresolvedtogothere，——went，andfoundhispursuitagainfruitless，andhisinquiriesunanswered。Thefamilyknewnothingofhim，oratleastwhattheykneworimagined，theyprudentlyrefusedtodisclosetoastranger，andStantondepartedunsatisfied。Itisremarkable，thathetoo，asappearedfrommanyhalf-obliteratedpagesofthemanuscript，neverdisclosedtomortaltheparticularsoftheirconversationinthemadhouse；andtheslightestallusiontoitthrewhimintofitsofrageandgloomequallysingularandalarming。Heleftthemanuscript，however，inthehandsofthefamily，possiblydeeming，fromtheirincuriosity，theirapparentindifferencetotheirrelative，ortheirobviousunacquaintancewithreadingofanykind，manuscriptorbooks，hisdepositwouldbesafe。Heseems，infact，tohaveactedlikemen，who，indistressatsea，intrusttheirlettersanddispatchestoabottlesealed，andcommitittothewaves。Thelastlinesofthemanuscriptthatwerelegible，weresufficientlyextraordinary……”Ihavesoughthimeverywhere——Thedesireofmeetinghimoncemoreisbecomeasaburningfirewithinme，——itisthenecessaryconditionofmyexistence。IhavevainlysoughthimatlastinIreland，ofwhichIfindheisanative——Perhapsourfinalmeetingwillbein……
　　SuchwastheconclusionofthemanuscriptwhichMelmothfoundinhisuncle’scloset。Whenhehadfinishedit，hesunkdownonthetablenearwhichhehadbeenreadingit，hisfacehidinhisfoldedarms，hissensesreeling，hismindinamingledstateofstuporandexcitement。Afterafewmoments，heraisedhimselfwithaninvoluntarystart，andsawthepicturegazingathimfromitscanvas。Hewaswithinteninchesofitashesat，andtheproximityappearedincreasedbythestronglightthatwasaccidentallythrownonit，anditsbeingtheonlyrepresentationofahumanfigureintheroom。Melmothfeltforamomentasifhewereabouttoreceiveanexplanationfromitslips。
　　Hegazedonitinreturn，——allwassilentinthehouse，——theywerealonetogether。Theillusionsubsidedatlength:andasthemindrapidlypassestooppositeextremes，herememberedtheinjunctionofhisuncletodestroytheportrait。Heseizedit；——hishandshookatfirst，butthemolderingcanvasappearedtoassisthimintheeffort。Hetoreitfromtheframewithacryhalfterrific，halftriumphant，——itfellathisfeet，andheshudderedasitfell。
　　Heexpectedtohearsomefearfulsounds，someunimaginablebreathingsofprophetichorror，followthisactofsacrilege，forsuchhefeltit，toteartheportraitofhisancestorfromhisnativewalls。Hepausedandlistened:——”Therewasnovoice，noranythatanswered；”——butasthewrinkledandtorncanvasfelltothefloor，itsundulationsgavetheportraittheappearanceofsmiling。Melmothfelthorrorindescribableatthistransientandimaginaryresuscitationofthefigure。Hecaughtitup，rushedintothenextroom，tore，cut，andhackeditineverydirection，andeagerlywatchedthefragmentsthatburnedliketinderintheturffirewhichhadbeenlitinhisroom。AsMelmothsawthelastblaze，hethrewhimselfintobed，inhopeofadeepandintensesleep。Hehaddonewhatwasrequiredofhim，andfeltexhaustedbothinmindandbody；buthisslumberwasnotsosoundashehadhopedfor。Thesullenlightoftheturffire，burningbutneverblazing，disturbedhimeverymoment。Heturnedandturned，butstilltherewasthesameredlightglaringon，butnotilluminating，theduskyfurnitureoftheapartment。Thewindwashighthatnight，andasthecreakingdoorswungonitshinges，everynoiseseemedlikethesoundofahandstrugglingwiththelock，orofafootpausingonthethreshold。ButforMelmothnevercoulddecidewasitinadreamornot，thathesawthefigureofhisancestorappearatthedoor？——hesitatinglyashesawhimatfirstonthenightofhisuncle’sdeath，——sawhimentertheroom，approachhisbed，andheardhimwhisper，”Youhaveburnedme，then；butthoseareflamesIcansurvive——Iamalive，——Iambesideyou。”Melmothstarted，sprungfromhisbed，——itwasbroaddaylight。Helookedround，——therewasnohumanbeingintheroombuthimself。Hefeltaslightpaininthewristofhisrightarm。
　　Helookedatit，itwasblackandblue，asfromtherecentgripeofastronghand。
　　Balzac’stale，MelmothReconciled，inVol。IV。，furnishesasolutiontotheterribleproblemwhichMaturinhasstatedinthisstory——EDITOR’SNOTE。
　　Introductionto”AMysterywithaMoral”
　　ThenextMysteryStoryislikenootherinthesevolumes。Theeditor’sdefenseliesinthepleathatLaurenceSterneisnotlikeotherwritersofEnglish。Heiscertainlyoneoftheverygreatest。Yetnowadaysheisgenerallyunknown。Hisrollickingfrankness，hisaudaciousunconventionality，areenoughtoaccountfortheneglect。EventheeasymanneredEnglandof1760openeditseyesinhorrorwhen”TristramShandy”appeared。”Amostunclericalclergyman，”thepublicpronouncedtherectorofSuttonandprebendaryofYork。
　　Besides，hisstylewasramblingtothelastdegree。Plotconcernedhimleastofallauthorsoffiction。
　　Forinstance，itismorethandoubtfulthatthewhimsicalparsonreallyINTENDEDamoraltobereadintotheadventuresofhis”SentimentalJourney”thatfollowinthesepages。Heusedtodeclarethatheneverintendedanything——heneverknewwhitherhispenwasleading——therashimplement，onceinhand，waslikelytoflywithhimfromYorkshiretoItaly——ortoParis——oracrosstheroadtoUncleToby’s；andwhatcouldthehelplessauthordobutimproveeachoccasion？
　　Sohereisonesuch”occasion”thus”improved”bydisjointedsequels——heedless，onewouldsay，andyetglitteringwiththeunreturnablethrustofsubtlewit，orsofteningwithsimpleemotion，likeathousandimmortalpassagesofthisrandomphilosopher。
　　EventheslightestturnsofSterne’spenbearinspiration。NolessacriticthanthesevereHazlittwassatisfiedthat”hisworksconsistonlyofbrilliantpassages。”
　　Andbecausetheeditorsofthepresentvolumesfoundaddedto”TheMystery”notonlya”Solution”butan”Application”ofworldlywisdom，anda”Contrast”inSterne’sbestveinofquiethappiness——
　　theyhavefeltemboldenedtoascribethepassage”AMysterywithaMoral。”
　　Asregardsthe”Application”:Sterneknewwhereofhewrote。HesoughttheSouthofFranceforhealthin1762，andwasrunafterandfetedbythemostbrilliantcirclesofParisianlitterateurs。
　　Thisforeignsojournfailedtocurehislungcomplaint，butsuggestedtheideatohimoftheramblingandcharming”SentimentalJourney。”Onlythreeweeksafteritspublication，onMarch18，1768，SternediedaloneinhisLondonlodgings。
　　Spiteofallthatmarredhisgenius，hisworkhaslivedandwil1
　　live，ifonlyfortheexquisiteliteraryartwhichevermadegreatthingsoutoflittle——TheEDITOR。
　　LaurenceSterneAMysterywithaMoralParisianExperienceofParsonYorick，onhis”SentimentalJourney”
　　ARIDDLE
　　Iremainedatthegateofthehotelforsometime，lookingateveryonewhopassedby，andformingconjecturesuponthem，tillmyattentiongotfixeduponasingleobject，whichconfoundedallkindofreasoninguponhim。
　　Itwasatallfigureofaphilosophic，seriousadultlook，whichpassedandrepassedsedatelyalongthestreet，makingaturnofaboutsixtypacesoneachsideofthegateofthehotel。Themanwasaboutfifty-two，hadasmallcaneunderhisarm，wasdressedinadarkdrab-coloredcoat，waistcoat，andbreeches，whichseemedtohaveseensomeyears’service。Theywerestillclean，andtherewasalittleairoffrugalproprietethroughouthim。Byhispullingoffhishat，andhisattitudeofaccostingagoodmanyinhisway，Isawhewasaskingcharity；soIgotasousortwooutofmypocket，readytogivehimashetookmeinhisturn。Hepassedbymewithoutaskinganything，andyethedidnotgofivestepsfartherbeforeheaskedcharityofalittlewoman。Iwasmuchmorelikelytohavegivenofthetwo。Hehadscarcedonewiththewoman，whenhepulledhishatofftoanotherwhowascomingthesameway。Anancientgentlemancameslowly，andafterhimayoungsmartone。Heletthembothpassandaskednothing。Istoodobservinghimhalfanhour，inwhichtimehehadmadeadozenturnsbackwardandforward，andfoundthatheinvariablypursuedthesameplan。
　　Thereweretwothingsverysingularinthiswhichsetmybraintowork，andtonopurpose；thefirstwas，whythemanshouldonlytellhisstorytothesex；andsecondly，whatkindofastoryitwasandwhatspeciesofeloquenceitcouldbewhichsoftenedtheheartsofthewomenwhichheknewitwastonopurposetopracticeuponthemen。
　　Thereweretwoothercircumstanceswhichentangledthismystery。
　　Theonewas，hetoldeverywomanwhathehadtosayinherear，andinawaywhichhadmuchmoretheairofasecretthanapetition；
　　theotherwas，itwasalwayssuccessful——heneverstoppedawomanbutshepulledoutherpurseandimmediatelygavehimsomething。
　　Icouldformnosystemtoexplainthephenomenon。
　　Ihadgotariddletoamusemefortherestoftheevening，soI
　　walkedupstairstomychamber。
　　OVERHEARD
　　Themanwhoeitherdisdainsorfearstowalkupadarkentrymaybeanexcellent，goodman，andfitforahundredthings，buthewillnotdotomakeasentimentaltraveler。IcountlittleofthemanythingsIseepassatbroadnoonday，inlargeandopenstreets；
　　Natureisshy，andhatestoactbeforespectators；butinsuchanunobservablecorneryousometimesseeasingleshortsceneofhersworthallthesentimentsofadozenFrenchplayscompoundedtogether；andyettheyareABSOLUTELYfine，andwheneverIhaveamorebrilliantaffairuponmyhandsthancommon，astheysuitapreacherjustaswellasahero，Igenerallymakemysermonoutofthem，andforthetext，”Cappadocia，PontusandAsia，PhrygiaandPamphilia，”isasgoodasanyoneintheBible。
　　Thereisalong，darkpassageissuingoutfromtheOperaComiqueintoanarrowstreet。Itistrodbyafewwhohumblywaitforafiacre*orwishtogetoffquietlyo’footwhentheoperaisdone。
　　Attheendofit，towardthetheater，’tislightedbyasmallcandle，thelightofwhichisalmostlostbeforeyougethalfwaydown，butnearthedoor——itismoreforornamentthanuse——youseeitasafixedstaroftheleastmagnitude；itburns，butdoeslittlegoodtotheworldthatweknowof。
　　*Hackneycoach。
　　Inreturning[fromtheopera]alongthispassage，Idiscerned，asI
　　approachedwithinfiveorsixpacesofthedoor，twoladiesstandingarminarmwiththeirbacksagainstthewall，waiting，asIimagined，forafiacre。Astheywerenextthedoor，Ithoughttheyhadapriorright，soIedgedmyselfupwithinayardorlittlemoreofthem，andquietlytookmystand。Iwasinblackandscarceseen。
　　Theladynextmewasatall，leanfigureofawomanofaboutthirty-six；theother，ofthesamesizeandmakeofaboutforty。
　　Therewasnomarkofwifeorwidowinanyonepartofeitherofthem。Theyseemedtobetwouprightvestalsisters，unsappedbycaresses，unbrokeinuponbytendersalutations。Icouldhavewishedtohavemadethemhappy。Theirhappinesswasdestined，thatnight，tocomefromanotherquarter。
　　Alowvoicewithagoodturnofexpressionandsweetcadenceattheendofit，beggedforatwelve-souspiecebetweenthemfortheloveofheaven。Ithoughtitsingularthatabeggarshouldfixthequotaofanalms，andthatthesumshouldbetwelvetimesasmuchaswhatisusuallygiveninthedark。Theybothseemedastonishedatitasmuchasmyself。”Twelvesous，”saidone。”Atwelve-souspiece，”saidtheother，andmadenoreply。
　　Thepoormansaidheknewnothowtoasklessofladiesoftheirrank，andboweddownhisheadtotheground。”Pooh！”saidthey，”wehavenomoney。”
　　Thebeggarremainedsilentforamomentortwo，andrenewedhissupplication。”Donot，myfairyoungladies，”saidhe，”stopyourgoodearsagainstme。””Uponmyword，honestman，”saidtheyounger，”wehavenochange。””ThenGodblessyou，”saidthepoorman，”andmultiplythosejoyswhichyoucangivetootherswithoutchange。”
　　Iobservedtheoldersisterputherhandintoherpocket。”Iwillsee，”saidshe，”ifIhaveasous。””Asous！Givetwelve，”saidthesuppliant。”Naturehasbeenbountifultoyou；bebountifultoapoorman。””Iwould，friend，withallmyheart，”saidtheyounger，”ifIhadit。””Myfaircharitable，”saidhe，addressinghimselftotheelder，”whatisitbutyourgoodnessandhumanitywhichmakeyourbrighteyessosweetthattheyoutshinethemorningeveninthisdarkpassage？AndwhatwasitwhichmadetheMarquisdeSanterreandhisbrothersaysomuchofyouboth，astheyjustpassedby？”
　　Thetwoladiesseemedmuchaffected，andimpulsivelyatthesametimetheyputtheirhandsintotheirpocketsandeachtookoutatwelve-souspiece。
　　Thecontestbetweenthemandthepoorsuppliantwasnomore。Itwascontinuedbetweenthemselveswhichofthetwoshouldgivethetwelve-souspieceincharity，and，toendthedispute，theybothgaveittogether，andthemanwentaway。