Shewasnotabsentamoment。\"Hestood，foratime，asiftoassurehimselfofmysincerity。Then，clinchinghishands，andwildlyliftingthemabovehishead，\"Lo，\"criedhe，\"Ihavenewstotellyou。TheBaronessdeStolbergisdead？\"
Thiswasherwhomheloved。Iwasnotsurprisedattheagitationswhichhebetrayed。\"Buthowwastheinformationprocured？HowwasthetruthofthisnewsconnectedwiththecircumstanceofCatharine\'sremaininginourcompany？\"Hewasforsometimeinattentivetomyquestions。Whenhespoke，itseemedmerelyacontinuationofthereverieintowhichhehadbeenplunged。
\"Andyetitmightbeameredeception。Butcouldbothofusinthatcasehavebeendeceived？Arareandprodigiouscoincidence!Barelynotimpossible。Andyet，iftheaccentbeoracular——Theresaisdead。No，no，\"continuedhe，coveringhisfacewithhishands，andinatonehalfbrokenintosobs，\"I
cannotbelieveit。Shehasnotwritten，butifsheweredead，thefaithfulBertrandwouldhavegivenmetheearliestinformation。Andyetifheknewhismaster，hemusthaveeasilyguessedattheeffectofsuchtidings。Inpitytomehewassilent。\"
\"Clara，forgiveme；toyou，thisbehaviourismysterious。I
willexplainaswellasIamable。ButsaynotawordtoCatharine。Herstrengthofmindisinferiortoyour\'s。Shewill，besides，havemorereasontobestartled。SheisWieland\'sangel。\"
Pleyelproceededtoinformme，forthefirsttime，oftheschemewhichhehadpressed，withsomuchearnestness，onmybrother。Heenumeratedtheobjectionswhichhadbeenmade，andtheindustrywithwhichhehadendeavouredtoconfutethem。Hementionedtheeffectuponhisresolutionsproducedbythefailureofaletter。\"Duringourlatewalk，\"continuedhe，\"I
introducedthesubjectthatwasnearestmyheart。Ire-urgedallmyformerarguments，andplacedtheminmoreforciblelights。Wielandwasstillrefractory。Heexpatiatedontheperilsofwealthandpower，onthesacrednessofconjugalandparentalduties，andthehappinessofmediocrity。
\"Nowonderthatthetimepassed，unperceived，away。Ourwholesoulswereengagedinthiscause。Severaltimeswecametothefootoftherock；assoonasweperceivedit，wechangedourcourse，butneverfailedtoterminateourcircuitousanddeviousrambleatthisspot。Atlengthyourbrotherobserved，\"Weseemtobeledhitherbyakindoffatality。Sincewearesonear，letusascendandrestourselvesawhile。Ifyouarenotwearyofthisargumentwewillresumeitthere。\"
\"Itacitlyconsented。Wemountedthestairs，anddrawingthesofainfrontoftheriver，weseatedourselvesuponit。Itookupthethreadofourdiscoursewherewehaddroppedit。I
ridiculedhisdreadofthesea，andhisattachmenttohome。I
keptoninthisstrain，socongenialwithmydisposition，forsometime，uninterruptedbyhim。Atlength，hesaidtome，\"SupposenowthatI，whomargumenthasnotconvinced，shouldyieldtoridicule，andshouldagreethatyourschemeiseligible；whatwillyouhavegained？Nothing。Youhaveotherenemiesbesidemyselftoencounter。Whenyouhavevanquishedme，yourtoilhasscarcelybegun。Therearemysisterandwife，withwhomitwillremainforyoutomaintainthecontest。Andtrustme，theyareadversarieswhomallyourforceandstratagemwillneversubdue。\"Iinsinuatedthattheywouldmodelthemselvesbyhiswill:thatCatharinewouldthinkobedienceherduty。Heanswered，withsomequickness，\"Youmistake。
Theirconcurrenceisindispensable。Itisnotmycustomtoexactsacrificesofthiskind。Ilivetobetheirprotectorandfriend，andnottheirtyrantandfoe。Ifmywifeshalldeemherhappiness，andthatofherchildren，mostconsultedbyremainingwheresheis，heresheshallremain。\"\"But，\"saidI，\"whensheknowsyourpleasure，willshenotconformtoit？\"Beforemyfriendhadtimetoanswerthisquestion，anegativewasclearlyanddistinctlyutteredfromanotherquarter。Itdidnotcomefromonesideortheother，frombeforeusorbehind。Whencethendiditcome？Bywhoseorganswasitfashioned？
\"Ifanyuncertaintyhadexistedwithregardtotheseparticulars，itwouldhavebeenremovedbyadeliberateandequallydistinctrepetitionofthesamemonosyllable，\"No。\"Thevoicewasmysister\'s。Itappearedtocomefromtheroof。I
startedfrommyseat。Catharine，exclaimedI，whereareyou？
Noanswerwasreturned。Isearchedtheroom，andtheareabeforeit，butinvain。Yourbrotherwasmotionlessinhisseat。Ireturnedtohim，andplacedmyselfagainbyhisside。
Myastonishmentwasnotlessthanhis。\"
\"Well，\"saidhe，atlength，\"Whatthinkyouofthis？Thisistheself-samevoicewhichIformerlyheard；youarenowconvincedthatmyearswerewellinformed。\"
\"Yes，\"saidI，\"this，itisplain，isnofictionofthefancy。\"Weagainsunkintomutualandthoughtfulsilence。A
recollectionofthehour，andofthelengthofourabsence，mademeatlastproposetoreturn。Weroseupforthispurpose。Indoingthis，mymindrevertedtothecontemplationofmyowncondition。\"Yes，\"saidIaloud，butwithoutparticularlyaddressingmyselftoWieland，\"myresolutionistaken。Icannothopetoprevailwithmyfriendstoaccompanyme。TheymaydozeawaytheirdaysonthebanksofSchuylkill，butastome，Igointhenextvessel；Iwillflytoherpresence，anddemandthereasonofthisextraordinarysilence。\"
\"Ihadscarcelyfinishedthesentence，whenthesamemysteriousvoiceexclaimed，\"Youshallnotgo。Thesealofdeathisonherlips。Hersilenceisthesilenceofthetomb。\"
Thinkoftheeffectswhichaccentslikethesemusthavehaduponme。IshudderedasIlistened。AssoonasIrecoveredfrommyfirstamazement，\"Whoisitthatspeaks？\"saidI，\"whencedidyouprocurethesedismaltidings？\"Ididnotwaitlongforananswer。\"Fromasourcethatcannotfail。Besatisfied。Sheisdead。\"Youmayjustlybesurprised，that，inthecircumstancesinwhichIheardthetidings，andnotwithstandingthemysterywhichenvironedhimbywhomtheywereimparted，Icouldgiveanundividedattentiontothefacts，whichwerethesubjectofourdialogue。Ieagerlyinquired，whenandwheredidshedie？Whatwasthecauseofherdeath？Washerdeathabsolutelycertain？
Ananswerwasreturnedonlytothelastofthesequestions。
\"Yes，\"waspronouncedbythesamevoice；butitnowsoundedfromagreaterdistance，andthedeepestsilencewasallthereturnmadetomysubsequentinterrogatories。
\"Itwasmysister\'svoice；butitcouldnotbeutteredbyher；andyet，ifnotbyher，bywhomwasituttered？Whenwereturnedhither，anddiscoveredyoutogether，thedoubtthathadpreviouslyexistedwasremoved。Itwasmanifestthattheintimationcamenotfromher。Yetifnotfromher，fromwhomcoulditcome？Arethecircumstancesattendingtheimpartingofthisnewsproofthatthetidingsaretrue？Godforbidthattheyshouldbetrue。\"
HerePleyelsunkintoanxioussilence，andgavemeleisuretoruminateonthisinexplicableevent。Iamatalosstodescribethesensationsthataffectedme。Iamnotfearfulofshadows。
Thetalesofapparitionsandenchantmentsdidnotpossessthatpowerovermybeliefwhichcouldevenrendertheminteresting。
Isawnothinginthembutignoranceandfolly，andwasastrangereventothatterrorwhichispleasing。ButthisincidentwasdifferentfromanythatIhadeverbeforeknown。
Herewereproofsofasensibleandintelligentexistence，whichcouldnotbedenied。Herewasinformationobtainedandimpartedbymeansunquestionablysuper-human。
Thatthereareconsciousbeings，besideourselves，inexistence，whosemodesofactivityandinformationsurpassourown，canscarcelybedenied。Isthereaglimpseaffordedusintoaworldofthesesuperiorbeings？Myheartwasscarcelylargeenoughtogiveadmittancetososwellingathought。Anawe，thesweetestandmostsolemnthatimaginationcanconceive，pervadedmywholeframe。ItforsookmenotwhenIpartedfromPleyelandretiredtomychamber。Animpulsewasgiventomyspiritsutterlyincompatiblewithsleep。Ipassedthenightwakefulandfullofmeditation。Iwasimpressedwiththebeliefofmysterious，butnotofmalignantagency。Hithertonothinghadoccurredtopersuademethatthisairyministerwasbusytoevilratherthantogoodpurposes。Onthecontrary，theideaofsuperiorvirtuehadalwaysbeenassociatedinmymindwiththatofsuperiorpower。Thewarningsthathadthusbeenheardappearedtohavebeenpromptedbybeneficentintentions。Mybrotherhadbeenhinderedbythisvoicefromascendingthehill。
Hewastoldthatdangerlurkedinhispath，andhisobediencetotheintimationhadperhapssavedhimfromadestinysimilartothatofmyfather。
Pleyelhadbeenrescuedfromtormentinguncertainty，andfromthehazardsandfatiguesofafruitlessvoyage，bythesameinterposition。IthadassuredhimofthedeathofhisTheresa。
Thiswomanwasthendead。Aconfirmationofthetidings，iftrue，wouldspeedilyarrive。Wasthisconfirmationtobedeprecatedordesired？Byherdeath，thetiethatattachedhimtoEurope，wastakenaway。Henceforwardeverymotivewouldcombinetoretainhiminhisnativecountry，andwewererescuedfromthedeepregretsthatwouldaccompanyhishopelessabsencefromus。Propitiouswasthespiritthatimpartedthesetidings。
Propitioushewouldperhapshavebeen，ifhehadbeeninstrumentalinproducing，aswellasincommunicatingthetidingsofherdeath。Propitioustous，thefriendsofPleyel，towhomhastherebybeensecuredtheenjoymentofhissociety；
andnotunpropitioustohimself；forthoughthisobjectofhislovebesnatchedaway，istherenotanotherwhoisableandwillingtoconsolehimforherloss？
Twentydaysafterthis，anothervesselarrivedfromthesameport。Inthisinterval，Pleyel，forthemostpart，estrangedhimselffromhisoldcompanions。Hewasbecomethepreyofagloomyandunsociablegrief。HiswalkswerelimitedtothebankoftheDelaware。Thisbankisanartificialone。Reedsandtheriverareononeside，andawaterymarshontheother，inthatpartwhichboundedhislands，andwhichextendedfromthemouthofHollander\'screektothatofSchuylkill。Noscenecanbeimaginedlessenticingtoaloverofthepicturesquethanthis。
Theshoreisdeformedwithmud，andincumberedwithaforestofreeds。Thefields，inmostseasons，aremire；butwhentheyaffordafirmfooting，theditchesbywhichtheyareboundedandintersected，aremantledwithstagnatinggreen，andemitthemostnoxiousexhalations。Healthisnolessastrangertothoseseatsthanpleasure。Springandautumnaresuretobeaccompaniedwithaguesandbiliousremittents。
ThesceneswhichenvironedourdwellingsatMettingenconstitutedthereverseofthis。Schuylkillwashereapureandtranslucidcurrent，brokenintOwildandceaselessmusicbyrockypoints，murmuringonasandymargin，andreflectingonitssurface，banksofallvarietiesofheightanddegreesofdeclivity。Thesebankswerechequeredbypatchesofdarkverdureandshapelessmassesofwhitemarble，andcrownedbycopsesofcedar，orbytheregularmagnificenceoforchards，which，atthisseason，wereinblossom，andwereprodigalofodours。Thegroundwhichrecededfromtheriverwasscoopedintovalleysanddales。Itsbeautieswereenhancedbythehorticulturalskillofmybrother，whobedeckedthisexquisiteassemblageofslopesandrisingswitheveryspeciesofvegetableornament，fromthegiantarmsoftheoaktotheclusteringtendrilsofthehoney-suckle。
Toscreenhimfromtheunwholesomeairsofhisownresidence，ithadbeenproposedtoPleyeltospendthemonthsofspringwithus。Hehadapparentlyacquiescedinthisproposal；butthelateeventinducedhimtochangehispurpose。Hewasonlytobeseenbyvisitinghiminhisretirements。Hisgaietyhadflown，andeverypassionwasabsorbedineagernesstoprocuretidingsfromSaxony。IhavementionedthearrivalofanothervesselfromtheElbe。Hedescriedherearlyonemorningashewaspassingalongtheskirtoftheriver。Shewaseasilyrecognized，beingtheshipinwhichhehadperformedhisfirstvoyagetoGermany。Heimmediatelywentonboard，butfoundnolettersdirectedtohim。Thisomissionwas，insomedegree，compensatedbymeetingwithanoldacquaintanceamongthepassengers，whohadtilllatelybeenaresidentinLeipsig。
ThispersonputanendtoallsuspenserespectingthefateofTheresa，byrelatingtheparticularsofherdeathandfuneral。
Thuswasthetruthoftheformerintimationattested。Nolongerdevouredbysuspense，thegriefofPleyelwasnotlonginyieldingtotheinfluenceofsociety。Hegavehimselfuponcemoretoourcompany。Hisvivacityhadindeedbeendamped；buteveninthisrespecthewasamoreacceptablecompanionthanformerly，sincehisseriousnesswasneitherincommunicativenorsullen。
Theseincidents，foratime，occupiedallourthoughts。Inmetheyproducedasentimentnotunalliedtopleasure，andmorespeedilythaninthecaseofmyfriendswereintermixedwithothertopics。Mybrotherwasparticularlyaffectedbythem。Itwaseasytoperceivethatmostofhismeditationsweretincturedfromthissource。Tothiswastobeascribedadesigninwhichhispenwas，atthisperiod，engaged，ofcollectingandinvestigatingthefactswhichrelatetothatmysteriouspersonage，theDaemonofSocrates。
Mybrother\'sskillinGreekandRomanlearningwasexceededbythatoffew，andnodoubttheworldwouldhaveacceptedatreatiseuponthissubjectfromhishandwithavidity；butalas!
thisandeveryotherschemeoffelicityandhonor，weredoomedtosuddenblastandhopelessextermination。
ChapterVI
Inowcometothementionofapersonwithwhosenamethemostturbulentsensationsareconnected。ItiswithashudderingreluctancethatIenterontheprovinceofdescribinghim。NowitisthatIbegintoperceivethedifficultyofthetaskwhichIhaveundertaken；butitwouldbeweaknesstoshrinkfromit。Mybloodiscongealed:andmyfingersarepalsiedwhenIcalluphisimage。Shameuponmycowardlyandinfirmheart!HithertoIhaveproceededwithsomedegreeofcomposure，butnowImustpause。Imeannotthatdireremembranceshallsubduemycourageorbafflemydesign，butthisweaknesscannotbeimmediatelyconquered。Imustdesistforalittlewhile。
Ihavetakenafewturnsinmychamber，andhavegatheredstrengthenoughtoproceed。YethaveInotprojectedataskbeyondmypowertoexecute？Ifthus，ontheverythresholdofthescene，mykneesfaulterandIsink，howshallIsupportmyself，whenIrushintothemidstofhorrorssuchasnohearthashithertoconceived，nortonguerelated？Isickenandrecoilattheprospect，andyetmyirresolutionismomentary。Ihavenotformedthisdesignuponslightgrounds，andthoughImayattimespauseandhesitate，Iwillnotbefinallydivertedfromit。
Andthou，Omostfatalandpotentofmankind，inwhattermsshallIdescribethee？Whatwordsareadequatetothejustdelineationofthycharacter？HowshallIdetailthemeanswhichrenderedthesecrecyofthypurposesunfathomable？ButI
willnotanticipate。Letmerecoverifpossible，asoberstrain。Letmekeepdownthefloodofpassionthatwouldrendermeprecipitateorpowerless。Letmestifletheagoniesthatareawakenedbythyname。Letme，foratime，regardtheeasabeingofnoterribleattributes。Letmetearmyselffromcontemplationoftheevilsofwhichitisbuttoocertainthatthouwasttheauthor，andlimitmyviewtothoseharmlessappearanceswhichattendedthyentranceonthestage。
Onesunnyafternoon，Iwasstandinginthedoorofmyhouse，whenImarkedapersonpassingclosetotheedgeofthebankthatwasinfront。Hispacewasacarelessandlingeringone，andhadnoneofthatgracefulnessandeasewhichdistinguishapersonwithcertainadvantagesofeducationfromaclown。Hisgaitwasrusticandaukward。Hisformwasungainlyanddisproportioned。Shouldersbroadandsquare，breastsunken，hisheaddrooping，hisbodyofuniformbreadth，supportedbylongandlanklegs，weretheingredientsofhisframe。Hisgarbwasnotilladaptedtosuchafigure。Aslouchedhat，tarnishedbytheweather，acoatofthickgreycloth，cutandwrought，asitseemed，byacountrytailor，blueworstedstockings，andshoesfastenedbythongs，anddeeplydiscolouredbydust，whichbrushhadneverdisturbed，constitutedhisdress。
Therewasnothingremarkableintheseappearances；theywerefrequentlytobemetwithontheroad，andintheharvestfield。
IcannottellwhyIgazeduponthem，onthisoccasion，withmorethanordinaryattention，unlessitwerethatsuchfigureswereseldomseenbyme，exceptontheroadorfield。Thislawnwasonlytraversedbymenwhoseviewsweredirectedtothepleasuresofthewalk，orthegrandeurofthescenery。
Hepassedslowlyalong，frequentlypausing，asiftoexaminetheprospectmoredeliberately，butneverturninghiseyetowardsthehouse，soastoallowmeaviewofhiscountenance。
Presently，heenteredacopseatasmalldistance，anddisappeared。Myeyefollowedhimwhileheremainedinsight。
Ifhisimageremainedforanydurationinmyfancyafterhisdeparture，itwasbecausenootherobjectoccurredsufficienttoexpelit。
Icontinuedinthesamespotforhalfanhour，vaguely，andbyfits，contemplatingtheimageofthiswanderer，anddrawing，fromoutwardappearances，thoseinferenceswithrespecttotheintellectualhistoryofthisperson，whichexperienceaffordsus。Ireflectedonthealliancewhichcommonlysubsistsbetweenignoranceandthepracticeofagriculture，andindulgedmyselfinairyspeculationsastotheinfluenceofprogressiveknowledgeindissolvingthisalliance，andembodyingthedreamsofthepoets。Iaskedwhytheploughandthehoemightnotbecomethetradeofeveryhumanbeing，andhowthistrademightbemadeconduciveto，or，atleast，consistentwiththeacquisitionofwisdomandeloquence。
Wearywiththesereflections，Ireturnedtothekitchentoperformsomehouseholdoffice。Ihadusuallybutoneservant，andshewasagirlaboutmyownage。Iwasbusynearthechimney，andshewasemployednearthedooroftheapartment，whensomeoneknocked。Thedoorwasopenedbyher，andshewasimmediatelyaddressedwith\"Pry\'thee，goodgirl，canstthousupplyathirstymanwithaglassofbuttermilk？\"Sheansweredthattherewasnoneinthehouse。\"Aye，butthereissomeinthedairyyonder。ThouknowestaswellasI，thoughHermesnevertaughtthee，thatthougheverydairybeanhouse，everyhouseisnotadairy。\"Tothisspeech，thoughsheunderstoodonlyapartofit，sherepliedbyrepeatingherassurances，thatshehadnonetogive。\"Wellthen，\"rejoinedthestranger，\"forcharity\'ssweetsake，handmeforthacupofcoldwater。\"Thegirlsaidshewouldgotothespringandfetchit。\"Nay，givemethecup，andsuffermetohelpmyself。Neithermanaclednorlame，Ishouldmeritburialinthemawofcarrioncrows，ifI
laidthistaskuponthee。\"Shegavehimthecup，andheturnedtogotothespring。
Ilistenedtothisdialogueinsilence。Thewordsutteredbythepersonwithout，affectedmeassomewhatsingular，butwhatchieflyrenderedthemremarkable，wasthetonethataccompaniedthem。Itwaswhollynew。Mybrother\'svoiceandPleyel\'sweremusicalandenergetic。Ihadfondlyimagined，that，inthisrespect，theyweresurpassedbynone。Nowmymistakewasdetected。Icannotpretendtocommunicatetheimpressionthatwasmadeuponmebytheseaccents，ortodepictthedegreeinwhichforceandsweetnesswereblendedinthem。Theywerearticulatedwithadistinctnessthatwasunexampledinmyexperience。Butthiswasnotall。Thevoicewasnotonlymellifluentandclear，buttheemphasiswassojust，andthemodulationsoimpassioned，thatitseemedasifanheartofstonecouldnotfailofbeingmovedbyit。Itimpartedtomeanemotionaltogetherinvoluntaryandincontroulable。Whenheutteredthewords\"forcharity\'ssweetsake，\"IdroppedthecloththatIheldinmyhand，myheartoverflowedwithsympathy，andmyeyeswithunbiddentears。
Thisdescriptionwillappeartoyoutriflingorincredible。
Theimportanceofthesecircumstanceswillbemanifestedinthesequel。ThemannerinwhichIwasaffectedonthisoccasion，was，tomyownapprehension，asubjectofastonishment。ThetoneswereindeedsuchasIneverheardbefore；butthattheyshould，inaninstant，asitwere，dissolvemeintears，willnoteasilybebelievedbyothers，andcanscarcelybecomprehendedbymyself。
ItwillbereadilysupposedthatIwassomewhatinquisitiveastothepersonanddemeanourofourvisitant。Afteramoment\'spause，Isteppedtothedoorandlookedafterhim。
Judgemysurprize，whenIbeheldtheself-samefigurethathadappearedanhalfhourbeforeuponthebank。Myfancyhadconjuredupaverydifferentimage。Aform，andattitude，andgarb，wereinstantlycreatedworthytoaccompanysuchelocution；
butthispersonwas，inallvisiblerespects，thereverseofthisphantom。Strangeasitmayseem，Icouldnotspeedilyreconcilemyselftothisdisappointment。Insteadofreturningtomyemployment，Ithrewmyselfinachairthatwasplacedoppositethedoor，andsunkintoafitofmusing。
Myattentionwas，inafewminutes，recalledbythestranger，whoreturnedwiththeemptycupinhishand。Ihadnotthoughtofthecircumstance，orshouldcertainlyhavechosenadifferentseat。Henosoonershewedhimself，thanaconfusedsenseofimpropriety，addedtothesuddennessoftheinterview，forwhich，nothavingforeseenit，Ihadmadenopreparation，threwmeintoastateofthemostpainfulembarrassment。Hebroughtwithhimaplacidbrow；butnosoonerhadhecasthiseyesuponme，thanhisfacewasasglowinglysuffusedasmyown。Heplacedthecupuponthebench，stammeredoutthanks，andretired。
ItwassometimebeforeIcouldrecovermywontedcomposure。
Ihadsnatchedaviewofthestranger\'scountenance。Theimpressionthatitmadewasvividandindelible。Hischeekswerepallidandlank，hiseyessunken，hisforeheadovershadowedbycoarsestragglinghairs，histeethlargeandirregular，thoughsoundandbrilliantlywhite，andhischindiscolouredbyatetter。Hisskinwasofcoarsegrain，andsallowhue。Everyfeaturewaswideofbeauty，andtheoutlineofhisfaceremindedyouofaninvertedcone。
Andyethisforehead，sofarasshaggylockswouldallowittobeseen，hiseyeslustrouslyblack，andpossessing，inthemidstofhaggardness，aradianceinexpressiblysereneandpotent，andsomethingintherestofhisfeatures，whichitwouldbeinvaintodescribe，butwhichservedtobetokenamindofthehighestorder，wereessentialingredientsintheportrait。This，intheeffectswhichimmediatelyflowedfromit，Icountamongthemostextraordinaryincidentsofmylife。
Thisface，seenforamoment，continuedforhourstooccupymyfancy，totheexclusionofalmosteveryotherimage。Ihadpurposedtospendtheeveningwithmybrother，butIcouldnotresisttheinclinationofformingasketchuponpaperofthismemorablevisage。Whethermyhandwasaidedbyanypeculiarinspiration，orIwasdeceivedbymyownfondconceptions，thisportrait，thoughhastilyexecuted，appearedunexceptionabletomyowntaste。
Iplaceditatalldistances，andinalllights；myeyeswererivetteduponit。Halfthenightpassedawayinwakefulnessandincontemplationofthispicture。Soflexible，andyetsostubborn，isthehumanmind。Soobedienttoimpulsesthemosttransientandbrief，andyetsounalterablyobservantofthedirectionwhichisgiventoit!HowlittledidIthenforeseetheterminationofthatchain，ofwhichthismayberegardedasthefirstlink？
Nextdayaroseindarknessandstorm。Torrentsofrainfellduringthewholeday，attendedwithincessantthunder，whichreverberatedinstunningechoesfromtheoppositedeclivity。
Theinclemencyoftheairwouldnotallowmetowalk-out。I
had，indeed，noinclinationtoleavemyapartment。Ibetookmyselftothecontemplationofthisportrait，whoseattractionstimehadratherenhancedthandiminished。Ilaidasidemyusualoccupations，andseatingmyselfatawindow，consumedthedayinalternatelylookingoutuponthestorm，andgazingatthepicturewhichlayuponatablebeforeme。Youwill，perhaps，deemthisconductsomewhatsingular，andascribeittocertainpeculiaritiesoftemper。Iamnotawareofanysuchpeculiarities。Icanaccountformydevotiontothisimagenootherwise，thanbysupposingthatitspropertieswererareandprodigious。Perhapsyouwillsuspectthatsuchwerethefirstinroadsofapassionincidenttoeveryfemaleheart，andwhichfrequentlygainsafootingbymeansevenmoreslight，andmoreimprobablethanthese。Ishallnotcontrovertthereasonablenessofthesuspicion，butleaveyouatlibertytodraw，frommynarrative，whatconclusionsyouplease。
Nightatlengthreturned，andthestormceased。Theairwasoncemoreclearandcalm，andboreanaffectingcontrasttothatuproaroftheelementsbywhichithadbeenpreceded。Ispentthedarksomehours，asIspenttheday，contemplativeandseatedatthewindow。Whywasmymindabsorbedinthoughtsominousanddreary？Whydidmybosomheavewithsighs，andmyeyesoverflowwithtears？Wasthetempestthathadjustpastasignaloftheruinwhichimpendedoverme？Mysoulfondlydweltupontheimagesofmybrotherandhischildren，yettheyonlyincreasedthemournfulnessofmycontemplations。Thesmilesofthecharmingbabeswereasblandasformerly。Thesamedignitysatonthebrowoftheirfather，andyetIthoughtofthemwithanguish。Somethingwhisperedthatthehappinessweatpresentenjoyedwassetonmutablefoundations。Deathmusthappentoall。Whetherourfelicitywastobesubvertedbyitto-morrow，orwhetheritwasordainedthatweshouldlaydownourheadsfullofyearsandofhonor，wasaquestionthatnohumanbeingcouldsolve。Atothertimes，theseideasseldomintruded。I
eitherforboretoreflectuponthedestinythatisreservedforallmen，orthereflectionwasmixedupwithimagesthatdisrobeditofterror；butnowtheuncertaintyoflifeoccurredtomewithoutanyofitsusualandalleviatingaccompaniments。
Isaidtomyself，wemustdie。Soonerorlater，wemustdisappearforeverfromthefaceoftheearth。Whateverbethelinksthatholdustolife，theymustbebroken。Thissceneofexistenceis，inallitsparts，calamitous。Thegreaternumberisoppressedwithimmediateevils，andthose，thetideofwhosefortunesisfull，howsmallistheirportionofenjoyment，sincetheyknowthatitwillterminate。
ForsometimeIindulgedmyself，withoutreluctance，inthesegloomythoughts；butatlength，thedejectionwhichtheyproducedbecameinsupportablypainful。Iendeavouredtodissipateitwithmusic。Ihadallmygrand-father\'smelodyaswellaspoetrybyrote。Inowlightedbychanceonaballad，whichcommemoratedthefateofaGermanCavalier，whofellatthesiegeofNiceunderGodfreyofBouillon。Mychoicewasunfortunate，forthescenesofviolenceandcarnagewhichwereherewildlybutforciblypourtrayed，onlysuggestedtomythoughtsanewtopicinthehorrorsofwar。
Isoughtrefuge，butineffectually，insleep。Mymindwasthrongedbyvivid，butconfusedimages，andnoeffortthatI
madewassufficienttodrivethemaway。InthissituationI
heardtheclock，whichhungintheroom，givethesignalfortwelve。Itwasthesameinstrumentwhichformerlyhunginmyfather\'schamber，andwhich，onaccountofitsbeinghisworkmanship，wasregarded，byeveryoneofourfamily，withveneration。Ithadfallentome，inthedivisionofhisproperty，andwasplacedinthisasylum。Thesoundawakenedaseriesofreflections，respectinghisdeath。Iwasnotallowedtopursuethem；forscarcelyhadthevibrationsceased，whenmyattentionwasattractedbyawhisper，which，atfirst，appearedtoproceedfromlipsthatwerelaidclosetomyear。
Nowonderthatacircumstancelikethisstartledme。Inthefirstimpulseofmyterror，Iutteredaslightscream，andshrunktotheoppositesideofthebed。Inamoment，however，Irecoveredfrommytrepidation。Iwashabituallyindifferenttoallthecausesoffear，bywhichthemajorityareafflicted。
Ientertainednoapprehensionofeitherghostsorrobbers。Oursecurityhadneverbeenmolestedbyeither，andImadeuseofnomeanstopreventorcounterworktheirmachinations。Mytranquillity，onthisoccasion，wasquicklyretrieved。Thewhisperevidentlyproceededfromonewhowaspostedatmybed-side。Thefirstideathatsuggesteditselfwas，thatitwasutteredbythegirlwholivedwithmeasaservant。Perhaps，somewhathadalarmedher，orshewassick，andhadcometorequestmyassistance。Bywhisperinginmyear，sheintendedtorousewithoutalarmingme。
Fullofthispersuasion，Icalled；\"Judith，\"saidI，\"isityou？Whatdoyouwant？Isthereanythingthematterwithyou？\"Noanswerwasreturned。Irepeatedmyinquiry，butequallyinvain。Cloudyaswastheatmosphere，andcurtainedasmybedwas，nothingwasvisible。Iwithdrewthecurtain，andleaningmyheadonmyelbow，Ilistenedwiththedeepestattentiontocatchsomenewsound。Meanwhile，Iranoverinmythoughts，everycircumstancethatcouldassistmyconjectures。
Myhabitationwasawoodenedifice，consistingoftwostories。Ineachstoryweretworooms，separatedbyanentry，ormiddlepassage，withwhichtheycommunicatedbyoppositedoors。Thepassage，onthelowerstory，haddoorsatthetwoends，andastair-case。Windowsansweredtothedoorsontheupperstory。Annexedtothis，ontheeasternside，werewings，divided，inlikemanner，intoanupperandlowerroom；oneofthemcomprizedakitchen，andchamberaboveitfortheservant，andcommunicated，onbothstories，withtheparlouradjoiningitbelow，andthechamberadjoiningitabove。Theoppositewingisofsmallerdimensions，theroomsnotbeingaboveeightfeetsquare。Thelowerofthesewasusedasadepositoryofhouseholdimplements，theupperwasaclosetinwhichI
depositedmybooksandpapers。Theyhadbutoneinlet，whichwasfromtheroomadjoining。Therewasnowindowinthelowerone，andintheupper，asmallaperturewhichcommunicatedlightandair，butwouldscarcelyadmitthebody。Thedoorwhichledintothis，wasclosetomybed-head，andwasalwayslocked，butwhenImyselfwaswithin。Theavenuesbelowwereaccustomedtobeclosedandboltedatnights。
Themaidwasmyonlycompanion，andshecouldnotreachmychamberwithoutpreviouslypassingthroughtheoppositechamber，andthemiddlepassage，ofwhich，however，thedoorswereusuallyunfastened。Ifshehadoccasionedthisnoise，shewouldhaveansweredmyrepeatedcalls。Nootherconclusion，therefore，wasleftme，butthatIhadmistakenthesounds，andthatmyimaginationhadtransformedsomecasualnoiseintothevoiceofahumancreature。Satisfiedwiththissolution，Iwaspreparingtorelinquishmylisteningattitude，whenmyearwasagainsalutedwithanewandyetlouderwhispering。Itappeared，asbefore，toissuefromlipsthattouchedmypillow。
Asecondeffortofattention，however，clearlyshewedme，thatthesoundsissuedfromwithinthecloset，thedoorofwhichwasnotmorethaneightinchesfrommypillow。
Thissecondinterruptionoccasionedashocklessvehementthantheformer。Istarted，butgavenoaudibletokenofalarm。
Iwassomuchmistressofmyfeelings，astocontinuelisteningtowhatshouldbesaid。Thewhisperwasdistinct，hoarse，andutteredsoastoshewthatthespeakerwasdesirousofbeingheardbysomeonenear，but，atthesametime，studioustoavoidbeingoverheardbyanyother。
\"Stop，stop，Isay；madmanasyouare!therearebettermeansthanthat。Curseuponyourrashness!Thereisnoneedtoshoot。\"
Suchwerethewordsutteredinatoneofeagernessandanger，withinsosmalladistanceofmypillow。WhatconstructioncouldIputuponthem？Myheartbegantopalpitatewithdreadofsomeunknowndanger。Presently，anothervoice，butequallynearme，washeardwhisperinginanswer。\"Whynot？Iwilldrawatriggerinthisbusiness，butperditionbemylotifIdomore。\"Tothis，thefirstvoicereturned，inatonewhichragehadheightenedinasmalldegreeaboveawhisper，\"Coward!standaside，andseemedoit。Iwillgraspherthroat；Iwilldoherbusinessinaninstant；sheshallnothavetimesomuchastogroan。\"WhatwonderthatIwaspetrifiedbysoundssodreadful!
Murdererslurkedinmycloset。Theywereplanningthemeansofmydestruction。Oneresolvedtoshoot，andtheothermenacedsuffocation。Theirmeansbeingchosen，theywouldforthwithbreakthedoor。Flightinstantlysuggesteditselfasmosteligibleincircumstancessoperilous。Ideliberatednotamoment；but，fearaddingwingstomyspeed，Ileapedoutofbed，andscantilyrobedasIwas，rushedoutofthechamber，downstairs，andintotheopenair。Icanhardlyrecollecttheprocessofturningkeys，andwithdrawingbolts。Myterrorsurgedmeforwardwithalmostamechanicalimpulse。IstoppednottillIreachedmybrother\'sdoor。Ihadnotgainedthethreshold，when，exhaustedbytheviolenceofmyemotions，andbymyspeed，Isunkdowninafit。
HowlongIremainedinthissituationIknownot。WhenI
recovered，Ifoundmyselfstretchedonabed，surroundedbymysisterandherfemaleservants。Iwasastonishedatthescenebeforeme，butgraduallyrecoveredtherecollectionofwhathadhappened。IansweredtheirimportunateinquiriesaswellasI
wasable。MybrotherandPleyel，whomthestormoftheprecedingdaychancedtodetainhere，informingthemselvesofeveryparticular，proceededwithlightsandweaponstomydesertedhabitation。Theyenteredmychamberandmycloset，andfoundeverythinginitsproperplaceandcustomaryorder。Thedooroftheclosetwaslocked，andappearednottohavebeenopenedinmyabsence。TheywenttoJudith\'sapartment。Theyfoundherasleepandinsafety。Pleyel\'scautioninducedhimtoforbearalarmingthegirl；andfindingherwhollyignorantofwhathadpassed，theydirectedhertoreturntoherchamber。
Theythenfastenedthedoors，andreturned。
Myfriendsweredisposedtoregardthistransactionasadream。Thatpersonsshouldbeactuallyimmuredinthiscloset，towhich，inthecircumstancesofthetime，accessfromwithoutorwithinwasapparentlyimpossible，theycouldnotseriouslybelieve。Thatanyhumanbeingshadintendedmurder，unlessitweretocoveraschemeofpillage，wasincredible；butthatnosuchdesignhadbeenformed，wasevidentfromthesecurityinwhichthefurnitureofthehouseandtheclosetremained。
Irevolvedeveryincidentandexpressionthathadoccurred。
Mysensesassuredmeofthetruthofthem，andyettheirabruptnessandimprobabilitymademe，inmyturn，somewhatincredulous。Theadventurehadmadeadeepimpressiononmyfancy，anditwasnottillafteraweek\'sabodeatmybrother\'s，thatIresolvedtoresumethepossessionofmyowndwelling。
Therewasanothercircumstancethatenhancedthemysteriousnessofthisevent。Aftermyrecoveryitwasobvioustoinquirebywhatmeanstheattentionofthefamilyhadbeendrawntomysituation。IhadfallenbeforeIhadreachedthethreshold，orwasabletogiveanysignal。Mybrotherrelated，thatwhilethiswastransactinginmychamber，hehimselfwasawake，inconsequenceofsomeslightindisposition，andlay，accordingtohiscustom，musingonsomefavoritetopic。
Suddenlythesilence，whichwasremarkablyprofound，wasbrokenbyavoiceofmostpiercingshrillness，thatseemedtobeutteredbyoneinthehallbelowhischamber。\"Awake!arise!\"
itexclaimed:\"hastentosuccouronethatisdyingatyourdoor。\"
Thissummonswaseffectual。Therewasnooneinthehousewhowasnotrousedbyit。Pleyelwasthefirsttoobey，andmybrotherovertookhimbeforehereachedthehall。Whatwasthegeneralastonishmentwhenyourfriendwasdiscoveredstretcheduponthegrassbeforethedoor，pale，ghastly，andwitheverymarkofdeath!
Thiswasthethirdinstanceofavoice，exertedforthebenefitofthislittlecommunity。Theagentwasnolessinscrutableinthis，thanintheformercase。WhenIruminatedupontheseevents，mysoulwassuspendedinwonderandawe。WasIreallydeceivedinimaginingthatIheardtheclosetconversation？Iwasnolongeratlibertytoquestiontherealityofthoseaccentswhichhadformerlyrecalledmybrotherfromthehill；whichhadimpartedtidingsofthedeathoftheGermanladytoPleyel；andwhichhadlatelysummonedthemtomyassistance。
ButhowwasItoregardthismidnightconversation？Hoarseandmanlikevoicesconferringonthemeansofdeath，sonearmybed，andatsuchanhour!Howhadmyancientsecurityvanished!
