lookedattheopenknifeinhishandandshuddered，butknewnothowtopreventthedeedwhichIdreaded。Hequicklynoticedmyfears，andcomprehendedthem。Stretchingtowardsmehishand，withanairofincreasingmildness:\"Takeit，\"saidhe:\"Fearnotforthyownsake，norformine。Thecupisgoneby，anditstransientinebriationissucceededbythesobernessoftruth。
\"ThouangelwhomIwaswonttoworship!fearestthou，mysister，forthylife？Onceitwasthescopeofmylabourstodestroythee，butIwaspromptedtothedeedbyheaven；such，atleast，wasmybelief。Thinkestthouthatthydeathwassoughttogratifymalevolence？No。Iampurefromallstain。I
believedthatmyGodwasmymover!
\"NeithertheenormyselfhaveIcausetoinjure。Ihavedonemyduty，andsurelythereismeritinhavingsacrificedtothat，allthatisdeartotheheartofman。Ifadevilhasdeceivedme，hecameinthehabitofanangel。IfIerred，itwasnotmyjudgmentthatdeceivedme，butmysenses。Inthysight，beingofbeings!Iamstillpure。StillwillIlookformyrewardinthyjustice!\"
Didmyearstrulyreportthesesounds？IfIdidnoterr，mybrotherwasrestoredtojustperceptions。Heknewhimselftohavebeenbetrayedtothemurderofhiswifeandchildren，tohavebeenthevictimofinfernalartifice；yethefoundconsolationintherectitudeofhismotives。Hewasnotdevoidofsorrow，forthiswaswrittenonhiscountenance；buthissoulwastranquilandsublime。
Perhapsthiswasmerelyatransitionofhisformermadnessintoanewshape。Perhapshehadnotyetawakenedtothememoryofthehorrorswhichhehadperpetrated。InfatuatedwretchthatIwas!Tosetmyselfupasamodelbywhichtojudgeofmyheroicbrother!Myreasontaughtmethathisconclusionswereright；butconsciousoftheimpotenceofreasonovermyownconduct；consciousofmycowardlyrashnessandmycriminaldespair，Idoubtedwhetheranyonecouldbestedfastandwise。
Suchwasmyweakness，thateveninthemidstofthesethoughts，mymindglidedintoabhorrenceofCarwin，andI
utteredinalowvoice，O!Carwin!Carwin!Whathastthoutoanswerfor？
Mybrotherimmediatelynoticedtheinvoluntaryexclamation:
\"Clara!\"saidhe，\"bethyself。Equityusedtobeathemeforthyeloquence。Reduceitslessonstopractice，andbejusttothatunfortunateman。Theinstrumenthasdoneitswork，andI
amsatisfied。
\"Ithankthee，myGod，forthislastillumination!Myenemyisthinealso。Ideemedhimtobeman，themanwithwhomIhaveoftencommuned；butnowthygoodnesshasunveiledtomehistruenature。Astheperformerofthybehests，heismyfriend。\"
Myheartbegannowtomisgiveme。Hismournfulaspecthadgraduallyyieldedplacetoaserenebrow。Anewsoulappearedtoactuatehisframe，andhiseyestobeamwithpreternaturallustre。Thesesymptomsdidnotabate，andhecontinued:
\"Clara!Imustnotleavetheeindoubt。IknownotwhatbroughtaboutthyinterviewwiththebeingwhomthoucallestCarwin。Foratime，Iwasguiltyofthyerror，anddeducedfromhisincoherentconfessionsthatIhadbeenmadethevictimofhumanmalice。Heleftusatmybidding，andIputupaprayerthatmydoubtsshouldberemoved。Thyeyeswereshut，andthyearssealedtothevisionthatansweredmyprayer。
\"Iwasindeeddeceived。Theformthouhastseenwastheincarnationofadaemon。Thevisageandvoicewhichurgedmetothesacrificeofmyfamily，werehis。Nowhepersonatesahumanform:thenhewasinvironedwiththelustreofheaven——
\"Clara，\"hecontinued，advancingclosertome，\"thydeathmustcome。Thisministerisevil，buthefromwhomhiscommissionwasreceivedisGod。Submitthenwithallthywontedresignationtoadecreethatcannotbereversedorresisted。
Marktheclock。Threeminutesareallowedtothee，inwhichtocallupthyfortitude，andpreparetheeforthydoom。\"Therehestopped。
Evennow，whenthissceneexistsonlyinmemory，whenlifeandallitsfunctionshavesunkintotorpor，mypulsethrobs，andmyhairsuprise:mybrowsareknit，asthen；andIgazearoundmeindistraction。Iwasunconquerablyaversetodeath；
butdeath，imminentandfullofagonyasthatwhichwasthreatened，wasnothing。Thiswasnottheonlyorchiefinspirerofmyfears。
Forhim，notformyself，wasmysoultormented。Imightdie，andnocrime，surpassingthereachofmercy，wouldpursuemetothepresenceofmyJudge；butmyassassinwouldsurvivetocontemplatehisdeed，andthatassassinwasWieland!
WingstobearmebeyondhisreachIhadnot。Icouldnotvanishwithathought。Thedoorwasopen，butmymurdererwasinterposedbetweenthatandme。Ofself-defenceIwasincapable。Thephrenzythatlatelypromptedmetobloodwasgone；mystatewasdesperate；myrescuewasimpossible。
Theweightoftheseaccumulatedthoughtscouldnotbeborne。
Mysightbecameconfused；mylimbswereseizedwithconvulsion；
Ispoke，butmywordswerehalf-formed:——
\"Spareme，mybrother!Lookdown，righteousJudge!snatchmefromthisfate!takeawaythisfuryfromhim，orturnitelsewhere!\"
Suchwastheagonyofmythoughts，thatInoticednotstepsenteringmyapartment。Supplicatingeyeswerecastupward，butwhenmyprayerwasbreathed，Ioncemorewildlygazedatthedoor。Aformmetmysight:IshudderedasiftheGodwhomI
invokedwerepresent。ItwasCarwinthatagainintruded，andwhostoodbeforeme，erectinattitude，andstedfastinlook!
Thesightofhimawakenednewandrapidthoughts。Hisrecenttalewasremembered:hismagicaltransitionsandmysteriousenergyofvoice:Whetherhewereinfernalormiraculous，orhuman，therewasnopowerandnoneedtodecide。Whetherthecontriverornotofthisspell，hewasabletounbindit，andtocheckthefuryofmybrother。Hehadascribedtohimselfintentionsnotmalignant。Herenowwasaffordedatestofhistruth。Lethiminterpose，asfromabove；revokethesavagedecreewhichthemadnessofWielandhasassignedtoheaven，andextinguishforeverthispassionforblood!
Myminddetectedataglancethisavenuetosafety。Therecommendationsitpossessedthrongedasitweretogether，andmadebutoneimpressiononmyintellect。RemotereffectsandcollateraldangersIsawnot。Perhapsthepauseofaninstanthadsufficedtocallthemup。TheimprobabilitythattheinfluencewhichgovernedWielandwasexternalorhuman；thetendencyofthisstratagemtosanctionsofatalanerror，orsubstituteamoredestructiverageinplaceofthis；thesufficiencyofCarwin\'smeremuscularforcestocounteracttheefforts，andrestrainthefuryofWieland，might，atasecondglance，havebeendiscovered；butnosecondglancewasallowed。
Myfirstthoughthurriedmetoaction，and，fixingmyeyesuponCarwinIexclaimed——
\"Owretch!oncemorehastthoucome？Letitbetoabjurethymalice；tocounterworkthishellishstratagem；toturnfrommeandfrommybrother，thisdesolatingrage!
\"Testifythyinnocenceorthyremorse:exertthepowerswhichpertaintothee，whatevertheybe，toturnasidethisruin。Thouarttheauthorofthesehorrors!WhathaveIdonetodeservethustodie？HowhaveImeritedthisunrelentingpersecution？Iadjurethee，bythatGodwhosevoicethouhastdaredtocounterfeit，tosavemylife!
\"Wiltthouthengo？leaveme!Succourless!\"
Carwinlistenedtomyintreatiesunmoved，andturnedfromme。
Heseemedtohesitateamoment:thenglidedthroughthedoor。
Rageanddespairstifledmyutterance。Theintervalofrespitewaspassed；thepangsreservedformebyWieland，werenottobeendured；mythoughtsrushedagainintoanarchy。Havingreceivedtheknifefromhishand，Ihelditlooselyandwithoutregard；
butnowitseizedagainmyattention，andIgraspeditwithforce。
HeseemedtonoticenottheentranceorexitofCarwin。Mygestureandthemurderousweaponappearedtohaveescapedhisnotice。Hissilencewasunbroken；hiseye，fixedupontheclockforatime，wasnowwithdrawn；furykindledineveryfeature；
allthatwashumaninhisfacegavewaytoanexpressionsupernaturalandtremendous。Ifeltmyleftarmwithinhisgrasp——
EvennowIhesitatedtostrike。Ishrunkfromhisassault，butinvain——
Hereletmedesist。WhyshouldIrescuethiseventfromoblivion？WhyshouldIpaintthisdetestableconflict？Whynotterminateatoncethisseriesofhorrors？——Hurrytothevergeoftheprecipice，andcastmyselfforeverbeyondremembranceandbeyondhope？
StillIlive:withthisloaduponmybreast；withthisphantomtopursuemysteps；withadderslodgedinmybosom，andstingingmetomadness:stillIconsenttolive!
Yes，Iwillriseabovethesphereofmortalpassions:Iwillspurnatthecowardlyremorsethatbidsmeseekimpunityinsilence，orcomfortinforgetfulness。Mynervesshallbenewstrungtothetask。HaveInotresolved？Iwilldie。Thegulphbeforemeisinevitableandnear。Iwilldie，butthenonlywhenmytaleisatanend。
ChapterXXVI
Myrighthand，graspingtheunseenknife，wasstilldisengaged。Itwasliftedtostrike。Allmystrengthwasexhausted，butwhatwassufficienttotheperformanceofthisdeed。Alreadywastheenergyawakened，andtheimpulsegiven，thatshouldbearthefatalsteeltohisheart，when——Wielandshrunkback:hishandwaswithdrawn。Breathlesswithaffrightanddesperation，Istood，freedfromhisgrasp；unassailed；
untouched。
Thuslonghadthepowerwhichcontrouledthesceneforbornetointerfere；butnowhismightwasirresistible，andWielandinamomentwasdisarmedofallhispurposes。Avoice，louderthanhumanorganscouldproduce，shrillerthanlanguagecandepict，burstfromtheceiling，andcommandedhim——TOHOLD!
TroubleanddismaysucceededtothestedfastnessthathadlatelybeendisplayedinthelooksofWieland。Hiseyesrovedfromonequartertoanother，withanexpressionofdoubt。Heseemedtowaitforafurtherintimation。
Carwin\'sagencywashereeasilyrecognized。Ihadbesoughthimtointerposeinmydefence。Hehadflown。Ihadimaginedhimdeaftomyprayer，andresolutetoseemeperish:yethedisappearedmerelytodeviseandexecutethemeansofmyrelief。
Whydidhenotforbearwhenthisendwasaccomplished？Whydidhismisjudgingzealandaccursedprecipitationoverpassthatlimit？Ormeanthethustocrownthescene，andconducthisinscrutableplotstothisconsummation？
Suchideaswerethefruitofsubsequentcontemplation。Thismomentwaspregnantwithfate。Ihadnopowertoreason。Inthecareerofmytempestuousthoughts，rentintopieces，asmymindwas，byaccumulatinghorrors，Carwinwasunseenandunsuspected。IpartookofWieland\'scredulity，shookwithhisamazement，andpantedwithhisawe。
Silencetookplaceforamoment；somuchasallowedtheattentiontorecoveritspost。Thennewsoundswereutteredfromabove。
\"Manoferrors!ceasetocherishthydelusion:notheavenorhell，butthysenseshavemisledtheetocommittheseacts。
Shakeoffthyphrenzy，andascendintorationalandhuman。Belunaticnolonger。\"
Mybrotheropenedhislipstospeak。Histonewasterrificandfaint。Hemutteredanappealtoheaven。Itwasdifficulttocomprehendthethemeofhisinquiries。Theyimplieddoubtastothenatureoftheimpulsethathithertohadguidedhim，andquestionedwhetherhehadactedinconsequenceofinsaneperceptions。
Totheseinterrogatoriesthevoice，whichnowseemedtohoverathisshoulder，loudlyansweredintheaffirmative。Thenuninterruptedsilenceensued。
Fallenfromhisloftyandheroicstation；nowfinallyrestoredtotheperceptionoftruth；weighedtoearthbytherecollectionofhisowndeeds；consolednolongerbyaconsciousnessofrectitude，forthelossofoffspringandwife——alossforwhichhewasindebtedtohisownmisguidedhand；WielandwastransformedatonceintothemanOFSORROWS!
Hereflectednotthatcreditshouldbeasreasonablydeniedtothelast，astoanyformerintimation；thatonemightasjustlybeascribedtoerringordiseasedsensesastheother。
Hesawnotthatthisdiscoveryinnodegreeaffectedtheintegrityofhisconduct；thathismotiveshadlostnoneoftheirclaimstothehomageofmankind；thatthepreferenceofsupremegood，andtheboundlessenergyofduty，wereundiminishedinhisbosom。
Itisnotformetopursuehimthroughtheghastlychangesofhiscountenance。Wordshehadnone。Nowhesatuponthefloor，motionlessinallhislimbs，withhiseyesglazedandfixed；amonumentofwoe。
Anonaspiritoftempestuousbutundesigningactivityseizedhim。Herosefromhisplaceandstrodeacrossthefloor，totteringandatrandom。Hiseyeswerewithoutmoisture，andgleamedwiththefirethatconsumedhisvitals。Themusclesofhisfacewereagitatedbyconvulsion。Hislipsmoved，butnosoundescapedhim。
Thatnatureshouldlongsustainthisconflictwasnottobebelieved。Mystatewaslittledifferentfromthatofmybrother。Ientered，asitwere，intohisthought。Myheartwasvisitedandrentbyhispangs——Ohthatthyphrenzyhadneverbeencured!thatthymadness，withitsblissfulvisions，wouldreturn!or，ifthatmustnotbe，thatthyscenewouldhastentoaclose!thatdeathwouldcovertheewithhisoblivion!
WhatcanIwishforthee？Thouwhohastviedwiththegreatpreacherofthyfaithinsanctityofmotives，andinelevationabovesensualandselfish!Thouwhomthyfatehaschangedintoparicideandsavage!CanIwishforthecontinuanceofthybeing？No。
Foratimehismovementsseemeddestituteofpurpose。Ifhewalked；ifheturned；ifhisfingerswereentwinedwitheachother；ifhishandswerepressedagainstoppositesidesofhisheadwithaforcesufficienttocrushitintopieces；itwastotearhismindfromself-contemplation；towastehisthoughtsonexternalobjects。
Speedilythistrainwasbroken。Abeamappearedtobedartedintohismind，whichgaveapurposetohisefforts。Anavenuetoescapepresenteditself；andnowheeagerlygazedabouthim:
whenmythoughtsbecameengagedbyhisdemeanour，myfingerswerestretchedasbyamechanicalforce，andtheknife，nolongerheededorofuse，escapedfrommygrasp，andfellunperceivedonthefloor。Hiseyenowlighteduponit；heseizeditwiththequicknessofthought。
Ishriekedaloud，butitwastoolate。Heplungedittothehiltinhisneck；andhislifeinstantlyescapedwiththestreamthatgushedfromthewound。Hewasstretchedatmyfeet；andmyhandsweresprinkledwithhisbloodashefell。
Suchwasthylastdeed，mybrother!Foraspectaclelikethiswasitmyfatetobereserved!Thyeyeswereclosed——thyfaceghastlywithdeath——thyarms，andthespotwherethouliedest，floatedinthylife\'sblood!Theseimageshavenot，foramoment，forsakenme。TillIambreathlessandcold，theymustcontinuetohoverinmysight。
Carwin，asIsaid，hadlefttheroom，buthestilllingeredinthehouse。Myvoicesummonedhimtomyaid；butIscarcelynoticedhisre-entrance，andnowfaintlyrecollecthisterrifiedlooks，hisbrokenexclamations，hisvehementavowalsofinnocence，theeffusionsofhispityforme，andhisoffersofassistance。
Ididnotlisten——Iansweredhimnot——Iceasedtoupbraidoraccuse。HisguiltwasapointtowhichIwasindifferent。
Ruffianordevil，blackashellorbrightasangels，thenceforthhewasnothingtome。Iwasincapableofsparingalookorathoughtfromtheruinthatwasspreadatmyfeet。
Whenheleftme，Iwasscarcelyconsciousofanyvariationinthescene。Heinformedtheinhabitantsofthehutofwhathadpassed，andtheyflewtothespot。Carelessofhisownsafety，hehastedtothecitytoinformmyfriendsofmycondition。
Myunclespeedilyarrivedatthehouse。ThebodyofWielandwasremovedfrommypresence，andtheysupposedthatIwouldfollowit；butno，myhomeisascertained；hereIhavetakenupmyrest，andneverwillIgohence，till，likeWieland，Iambornetomygrave。
Importunitywastriedinvain:theythreatenedtoremovemebyviolence——nay，violencewasused；butmysoulprizestoodearlythislittlerooftoenduretobebereavedofit。Forceshouldnotprevailwhenthehoarylocksandsupplicatingtearsofmyunclewereineffectual。Myrepugnancetomovegavebirthtoferociousnessandphrenzywhenforcewasemployed，andtheywereobligedtoconsenttomyreturn。
Theybesoughtme——theyremonstrated——theyappealedtoeverydutythatconnectedmewithhimthatmademe，andwithmyfellow-men——invain。WhileIliveIwillnotgohence。HaveI
notfulfilledmydestiny？
Whywillyetormentmewithyourreasoningsandreproofs？
Canyerestoretomethehopeofmybetterdays？CanyegivemebackCatharineandherbabes？Canyerecalltolifehimwhodiedatmyfeet？
Iwilleat——Iwilldrink——Iwillliedownandriseupatyourbidding——allIaskisthechoiceofmyabode。Whatisthereunreasonableinthisdemand？ShortlywillIbeatpeace。ThisisthespotwhichIhavechoseninwhichtobreathemylastsigh。Denymenot，Ibeseechyou，soslightaboon。
Talknottome，Omyreveredfriend!ofCarwin。Hehastoldtheehistale，andthouexculpatesthimfromalldirectconcerninthefateofWieland。Thissceneofhavockwasproducedbyanillusionofthesenses。Beitso:Icarenotfromwhatsourcethesedisastershaveflowed；itsufficesthattheyhaveswallowedupourhopesandourexistence。
Whathisagencybegan，hisagencyconductedtoaclose。Heintended，bythefinaleffortofhispower，torescuemeandtobanishhisillusionsfrommybrother。Suchishistale，concerningthetruthofwhichIcarenot。HenceforthIfosterbutonewish——Iaskonlyquickdeliverancefromlifeandalltheillsthatattendit——
Gowretch!tormentmenotwiththypresenceandthyprayers——Forgivethee？Willthatavailtheewhenthyfatefulhourshallarrive？Bethouacquittedatthyowntribunal，andthouneedestnotfeartheverdictofothers。Ifthyguiltbecapableofblackerhues，ifhithertothyconsciencebewithoutstain，thycrimewillbemademoreflagrantbythusviolatingmyretreat。Takethyselfawayfrommysightifthouwouldestnotbeholdmydeath!
Thouaregone!murmuringandreluctant!Andnowmyreposeiscoming——myworkisdone!
ChapterXXVII
[Writtenthreeyearsaftertheforegoing，anddatedatMontpellier。]
IimaginedthatIhadforeverlaidasidethepen；andthatI
shouldtakeupmyabodeinthispartoftheworld，wasofalleventstheleastprobable。MydestinyIbelievedtobeaccomplished，andIlookedforwardtoaspeedyterminationofmylifewiththefullestconfidence。
SurelyIhadreasontobewearyofexistence，tobeimpatientofeverytiewhichheldmefromthegrave。Iexperiencedthisimpatienceinitsfullestextent。Iwasnotonlyenamouredofdeath，butconceived，fromtheconditionofmyframe，thattoshunitwasimpossible，eventhoughIhadardentlydesiredit；
yethereamI，athousandleaguesfrommynativesoil，infullpossessionoflifeandofhealth，andnotdestituteofhappiness。
Suchisman。Timewillobliteratethedeepestimpressions。
Griefthemostvehementandhopeless，willgraduallydecayandwearitselfout。Argumentsmaybeemployedinvain:everymoralprescriptionmaybeineffectuallytried:remonstrances，howevercogentorpathetic，shallhavenopowerovertheattention，orshallberepelledwithdisdain；yet，asdayfollowsday，theturbulenceofouremotionsshallsubside，andourfluctuationsbefinallysucceededbyacalm。
Perhaps，however，theconquestofdespairwaschieflyowingtoanaccidentwhichrenderedmycontinuanceinmyownhouseimpossible。Attheconclusionofmylong，and，asIthensupposed，mylastlettertoyou，Imentionedmyresolutiontowaitfordeathintheveryspotwhichhadbeentheprincipalsceneofmymisfortunes。Fromthisresolutionmyfriendsexertedthemselveswiththeutmostzealandperseverancetomakemedepart。Theyjustlyimaginedthattobethussurroundedbymemorialsofthefateofmyfamily，wouldtendtofostermydisease。Aswiftsuccessionofnewobjects，andtheexclusionofeverythingcalculatedtoremindmeofmyloss，wastheonlymethodofcure。
Irefusedtolistentotheirexhortations。Greatasmycalamitywas，tobetornfromthisasylumwasregardedbymeasanaggravationofit。Byaperverseconstitutionofmind，hewasconsideredasmygreatestenemywhosoughttowithdrawmefromascenewhichsuppliedeternalfoodtomymelancholy，andkeptmydespairfromlanguishing。
InrelatingthehistoryofthesedisastersIderivedasimilarspeciesofgratification。Myuncleearnestlydissuadedmefromthistask；buthisremonstranceswereasfruitlessonthisheadastheyhadbeenonothers。Theywouldhavewithheldfrommetheimplementsofwriting；buttheyquicklyperceivedthattowithstandwouldbemoreinjuriousthantocomplywithmywishes。Havingfinishedmytale，itseemedasifthescenewereclosing。Afeverlurkedinmyveins，andmystrengthwasgone。
Anyexertion，howeverslight，wasattendedwithdifficulty，and，atlength，Irefusedtorisefrommybed。
Inowseetheinfatuationandinjusticeofmyconductinitstruecolours。Ireflectuponthesensationsandreasoningsofthatperiodwithwonderandhumiliation。ThatIshouldbeinsensibletotheclaimsandtearsofmyfriends；thatIshouldoverlookthesuggestionsofduty，andflyfromthatpostinwhichonlyIcouldbeinstrumentaltothebenefitofothers；
thattheexerciseofthesocialandbeneficentaffections，thecontemplationofnatureandtheacquisitionofwisdomshouldnotbeseentobemeansofhappinessstillwithinmyreach，is，atthistime，scarcelycredible。
ItistruethatIamnowchanged；butIhavenottheconsolationtoreflectthatmychangewasowingtomyfortitudeortomycapacityforinstruction。Betterthoughtsgrewupinmymindimperceptibly。Icannotbutcongratulatemyselfonthechange，though，perhaps，itmerelyarguesaficklenessoftemper，andadefectofsensibility。
AftermynarrativewasendedIbetookmyselftomybed，inthefullbeliefthatmycareerinthisworldwasonthepointoffinishing。Myuncletookuphisabodewithme，andperformedformeeveryofficeofnurse，physicianandfriend。Onenight，aftersomehoursofrestlessnessandpain，Isunkintodeepsleep。Itstranquillity，however，wasofnolongduration。Myfancybecamesuddenlydistempered，andmybrainwasturnedintoatheatreofuproarandconfusion。Itwouldnotbeeasytodescribethewildandphantasticalincongruitiesthatpesteredme。Myuncle，Wieland，PleyelandCarwinweresuccessivelyandmomentlydiscernedamidstthestorm。SometimesIwasswallowedupbywhirlpools，orcaughtupintheairbyhalf-seenandgiganticforms，andthrownuponpointedrocks，orcastamongthebillows。Sometimesgleamsoflightwereshotintoadarkabyss，onthevergeofwhichIwasstanding，andenabledmetodiscover，foramoment，itsenormousdepthandhideousprecipices。Anon，IwastransportedtosomeridgeofAEtna，andmadeaterrifiedspectatorofitsfierytorrentsanditspillarsofsmoke。
Howeverstrangeitmayseem，Iwasconscious，evenduringmydream，ofmyrealsituation。Iknewmyselftobeasleep，andstruggledtobreakthespell，bymuscularexertions。Thesedidnotavail，andIcontinuedtosuffertheseabortivecreationstillaloudvoice，atmybedside，andsomeoneshakingmewithviolence，putanendtomyreverie。Myeyeswereunsealed，andIstartedfrommypillow。
Mychamberwasfilledwithsmoke，which，thoughinsomedegreeluminous，wouldpermitmetoseenothing，andbywhichI
wasnearlysuffocated。Thecracklingofflames，andthedeafeningclamourofvoiceswithout，burstuponmyears。
StunnedasIwasbythishubbub，scorchedwithheat，andnearlychoakedbytheaccumulatingvapours，Iwasunabletothinkoractformyownpreservation；Iwasincapable，indeed，ofcomprehendingmydanger。
Iwascaughtup，inaninstant，byapairofsinewyarms，bornetothewindow，andcarrieddownaladderwhichhadbeenplacedthere。Myunclestoodatthebottomandreceivedme。I
wasnotfullyawareofmysituationtillIfoundmyselfshelteredintheHUT，andsurroundedbyitsinhabitants。
Byneglectoftheservant，someunextinguishedembershadbeenplacedinabarrelinthecellarofthebuilding。Thebarrelhadcaughtfire；thiswascommunicatedtothebeamsofthelowerfloor，andthencetotheupperpartofthestructure。
Itwasfirstdiscoveredbysomepersonsatadistance，whohastenedtothespotandalarmedmyuncleandtheservants。Theflameshadalreadymadeconsiderableprogress，andmyconditionwasoverlookedtillmyescapewasrenderednearlyimpossible。
Mydangerbeingknown，andaladderquicklyprocured，oneofthespectatorsascendedtomychamber，andeffectedmydeliveranceinthemannerbeforerelated。
Thisincident，disastrousasitmayatfirstseem，had，inreality，abeneficialeffectuponmyfeelings。Iwas，insomedegree，rousedfromthestuporwhichhadseizedmyfaculties。
Themonotonousandgloomyseriesofmythoughtswasbroken。Myhabitationwaslevelledwiththeground，andIwasobligedtoseekanewone。Anewtrainofimages，disconnectedwiththefateofmyfamily，forceditselfonmyattention，andabeliefinsensiblysprungup，thattranquillity，ifnothappiness，wasstillwithinmyreach。Notwithstandingtheshockswhichmyframehadendured，theanguishofmythoughtsnosoonerabatedthanIrecoveredmyhealth。
Inowwillinglylistenedtomyuncle\'ssolicitationstobethecompanionofhisvoyage。Preparationswereeasilymade，andafteratediouspassage，wesetourfeetontheshoreoftheancientworld。Thememoryofthepastdidnotforsakeme；butthemelancholywhichitgenerated，andthetearswithwhichitfilledmyeyes，werenotunprofitable。Mycuriositywasrevived，andIcontemplated，withardour，thespectacleoflivingmannersandthemonumentsofpastages。
Inproportionasmyheartwasreinstatedinthepossessionofitsancienttranquillity，thesentimentwhichIhadcherishedwithregardtoPleyelreturned。InashorttimehewasunitedtotheSaxonwoman，andmadehisresidenceintheneighbourhoodofBoston。Iwasgladthatcircumstanceswouldnotpermitaninterviewtotakeplacebetweenus。Icouldnotdesiretheirmisery；butIreapednopleasurefromreflectingontheirhappiness。Time，andtheexertionsofmyfortitude，curedme，insomedegree，ofthisfolly。Icontinuedtolovehim，butmypassionwasdisguisedtomyself；Iconsidereditmerelyasamoretenderspeciesoffriendship，andcherisheditwithoutcompunction。
Throughmyuncle\'sexertionsameetingwasbroughtaboutbetweenCarwinandPleyel，andexplanationstookplacewhichrestoredmeatoncetothegoodopinionofthelatter。Thoughseparatedsowidelyourcorrespondencewaspunctualandfrequent，andpavedthewayforthatunionwhichcanonlyendwiththedeathofoneofus。
InmyletterstohimImadenosecretofmyformersentiments。ThiswasathemeonwhichIcouldtalkwithoutpainful，thoughnotwithoutdelicateemotions。ThatknowledgewhichIshouldneverhaveimpartedtoalover，Ifeltlittlescrupletocommunicatetoafriend。
AyearandanhalfelapsedwhenTheresawassnatchedfromhimbydeath，inthehourinwhichshegavehimthefirstpledgeoftheirmutualaffection。Thiseventwasbornebyhimwithhiscustomaryfortitude。Itinducedhim，however，tomakeachangeinhisplans。HedisposedofhispropertyinAmerica，andjoinedmyuncleandme，whohadterminatedthewanderingsoftwoyearsatMontpellier，whichwillhenceforth，Ibelieve，beourpermanentabode。
IfyoureflectuponthatentireconfidencewhichhadsubsistedfromourinfancybetweenPleyelandmyself；onthepassionthatIhadcontracted，andwhichwasmerelysmotheredforatime；andontheesteemwhichwasmutual，youwillnot，perhaps，besurprizedthattherenovationofourintercourseshouldgivebirthtothatunionwhichatpresentsubsists。WhentheperiodhadelapsednecessarytoweakentheremembranceofTheresa，towhomhehadbeenboundbytiesmoreofhonorthanoflove，hetenderedhisaffectionstome。Ineednotaddthatthetenderwaseagerlyaccepted。
PerhapsyouaresomewhatinterestedinthefateofCarwin。
Hesaw，whentoolate，thedangerofimposture。Somuchaffectedwashebythecatastrophetowhichhewasawitness，thathelaidasideallregardtohisownsafety。Hesoughtmyuncle，andconfidedtohimthetalewhichhehadjustrelatedtome。HefoundamoreimpartialandindulgentauditorinMr。
Cambridge，whoimputedtomaniacalillusiontheconductofWieland，thoughheconceivedthepreviousandunseenagencyofCarwin，tohaveindirectlybutpowerfullypredisposedtothisdeplorableperversionofmind。
ItwaseasyforCarwintoeludethepersecutionsofLudloe。
ItwasmerelyrequisitetohidehimselfinaremotedistrictofPennsylvania。This，whenhepartedfromus，hedeterminedtodo。Heisnowprobablyengagedintheharmlesspursuitsofagriculture，andmaycometothink，withoutinsupportableremorse，ontheevilstowhichhisfataltalentshavegivenbirth。Theinnocenceandusefulnessofhisfuturelifemay，insomedegree，atoneforthemiseriessorashlyorsothoughtlesslyinflicted。
Moreurgentconsiderationshinderedmefrommentioning，inthecourseofmyformermournfulrecital，anyparticularsrespectingtheunfortunatefatherofLouisaConway。Thatmansurelywasreservedtobeamonumentofcapriciousfortune。Hissouthernjourniesbeingfinished，hereturnedtoPhiladelphia。
Beforehereachedthecityheleftthehighway，andalightedatmybrother\'sdoor。Contrarytohisexpectation，noonecameforthtowelcomehim，orhailhisapproach。Heattemptedtoenterthehouse，butbolteddoors，barredwindows，andasilencebrokenonlybyunansweredcalls，shewedhimthatthemansionwasdeserted。
Heproceededthencetomyhabitation，whichhefound，inlikemanner，gloomyandtenantless。Hissurprizemaybeeasilyconceived。Therusticswhooccupiedthehuttoldhimanimperfectandincredibletale。Hehastedtothecity，andextortedfromMrs。Bayntonafulldisclosureoflatedisasters。
Hewasinuredtoadversity，andrecovered，afternolongtime，fromtheshocksproducedbythisdisappointmentofhisdarlingscheme。OurintercoursedidnotterminatewithhisdeparturefromAmerica。WehavesincemetwithhiminFrance，andlighthasatlengthbeenthrownuponthemotiveswhichoccasionedthedisappearanceofhiswife，inthemannerwhichI
formerlyrelatedtoyou。
Ihavedweltupontheardouroftheirconjugalattachment，andmentionedthatnosuspicionhadeverglanceduponherpurity。This，thoughthebeliefwaslongcherished，recentdiscoverieshaveshewntobequestionable。Nodoubtherintegritywouldhavesurvivedtothepresentmoment，ifanextraordinaryfatehadnotbefallenher。
MajorStuarthadbeenengaged，whileinGermany，inacontestofhonorwithanAiddeCampoftheMarquisofGranby。Hisadversaryhadpropagatedarumourinjurioustohischaracter。
Achallengewassent；ameetingensued；andStuartwoundedanddisarmedthecalumniator。Theoffencewasatonedfor，andhislifesecuredbysuitableconcessions。
Maxwell，thatwashisname，shortlyafter，inconsequenceofsucceedingtoarichinheritance，soldhiscommissionandreturnedtoLondon。Hisfortunewasspeedilyaugmentedbyanopulentmarriage。Interestwashissoleinducementtothismarriage，thoughtheladyhadbeenswayedbyacredulousaffection。Thetruestateofhisheartwasquicklydiscovered，andaseparation，bymutualconsent，tookplace。Theladywithdrewtoanestateinadistantcounty，andMaxwellcontinuedtoconsumehistimeandfortuneinthedissipationofthecapital。
Maxwell，thoughdeceitfulandsensual，possessedgreatforceofmindandspeciousaccomplishments。HecontrivedtomisleadthegenerousmindofStuart，andtoregaintheesteemwhichhismisconduct，foratime，hadforfeited。HewasrecommendedbyherhusbandtotheconfidenceofMrs。Stuart。Maxwellwasstimulatedbyrevenge，andbyalawlesspassion，toconvertthisconfidenceintoasourceofguilt。
Theeducationandcapacityofthiswoman，theworthofherhusband，thepledgeoftheiralliancewhichtimehadproduced，hermaturityinageandknowledgeoftheworld——allcombinedtorenderthisattempthopeless。Maxwell，however，wasnoteasilydiscouraged。Themostperfectbeing，hebelieved，mustowehisexemptionfromvicetotheabsenceoftemptation。Theimpulsesoflovearesosubtile，andtheinfluenceoffalsereasoning，whenenforcedbyeloquenceandpassion，sounbounded，thatnohumanvirtueissecurefromdegeneracy。Allartsbeingtried，everytemptationbeingsummonedtohisaid，dissimulationbeingcarriedtoitsutmostbound，Maxwell，atlength，nearlyaccomplishedhispurpose。Thelady\'saffectionswerewithdrawnfromherhusbandandtransferredtohim。Shecouldnot，asyet，bereconciledtodishonor。Alleffortstoinducehertoelopewithhimwereineffectual。Shepermittedherselftolove，andtoavowherlove；butatthislimitshestopped，andwasimmoveable。
Hencethisrevolutioninhersentimentswasproductiveonlyofdespair。Herrectitudeofprinciplepreservedherfromactualguilt，butcouldnotrestoretoherherancientaffection，orsaveherfrombeingthepreyofremorsefulandimpracticablewishes。Herhusband\'sabsenceproducedastateofsuspense。This，however，approachedtoaperiod，andshereceivedtidingsofhisintendedreturn。Maxwell，beinglikewiseapprizedofthisevent，andhavingmadealastandunsuccessfulefforttoconquerherreluctancetoaccompanyhiminajourneytoItaly，whitherhepretendedaninvinciblenecessityofgoing，lefthertopursuethemeasureswhichdespairmightsuggest。AtthesametimeshereceivedaletterfromthewifeofMaxwell，unveilingthetruecharacterofthisman，andrevealingfactswhichtheartificesofherseducerhadhithertoconcealedfromher。Mrs。Maxwellhadbeenpromptedtothisdisclosurebyaknowledgeofherhusband\'spractices，withwhichhisownimpetuosityhadmadeheracquainted。
Thisdiscovery，joinedtothedelicacyofherscruplesandtheanguishofremorse，inducedhertoabscond。Thisschemewasadoptedinhaste，buteffectedwithconsummateprudence。Shefled，ontheeveofherhusband\'sarrival，inthedisguiseofaboy，andembarkedatFalmouthinapacketboundforAmerica。
ThehistoryofherdisastrousintercoursewithMaxwell，themotivesinducinghertoforsakehercountry，andthemeasuresshehadtakentoeffectherdesign，wererelatedtoMrs。
Maxwell，inreplytohercommunication。Betweenthesewomenanancientintimacyandconsiderablesimilitudeofcharactersubsisted。Thisdisclosurewasaccompaniedwithsolemninjunctionsofsecrecy，andtheseinjunctionswere，foralongtime，faithfullyobserved。
Mrs。Maxwell\'sabodewassituatedonthebanksoftheWey。
Stuartwasherkinsman；theiryouthhadbeenspenttogether；andMaxwellwasinsomedegreeindebtedtothemanwhomhebetrayed，forhisalliancewiththisunfortunatelady。HeresteemforthecharacterofStuarthadneverbeendiminished。Ameetingbetweenthemwasoccasionedbyatourwhichthelatterhadundertaken，intheyearafterhisreturnfromAmerica，toWalesandthewesterncounties。Thisinterviewproducedpleasureandregretineach。Theirowntransactionsnaturallybecamethetopicsoftheirconversation；andtheuntimelyfateofhiswifeanddaughterwererelatedbytheguest。
Mrs。Maxwell\'sregardforherfriend，aswellasforthesafetyofherhusband，persuadedhertoconcealment；buttheformerbeingdead，andthelatterbeingoutofthekingdom，sheventuredtoproduceMrs。Stuart\'sletter，andtocommunicateherownknowledgeofthetreacheryofMaxwell。Shehadpreviouslyextortedfromherguestapromisenottopursueanyschemeofvengeance；butthispromisewasmadewhileignorantofthefullextentofMaxwell\'sdepravity，andhispassionrefusedtoadheretoit。
AtthistimemyuncleandIresidedatAvignon。AmongtheEnglishresidentthere，andwithwhomwemaintainedasocialintercourse，wasMaxwell。Thisman\'stalentsandaddressrenderedhimafavoritebothwithmyuncleandmyself。Hehadeventenderedmehishandinmarriage；butthisbeingrefused，hehadsoughtandobtainedpermissiontocontinuewithustheintercourseoffriendship。Sincealegalmarriagewasimpossible，nodoubt，hisviewswereflagitious。WhetherhehadrelinquishedtheseviewsIwasunabletojudge。
Hewasoneinalargecircleatavillaintheenvirons，towhichIhadlikewisebeeninvited，whenStuartabruptlyenteredtheapartment。Hewasrecognizedwithgenuinesatisfactionbyme，andwithseemingpleasurebyMaxwell。Inashorttime，someaffairofmomentbeingpleaded，whichrequiredanimmediateandexclusiveinterview，Maxwellandhewithdrewtogether。StuartandmyunclehadbeenknowntoeachotherintheGermanarmy；
andthepurposecontemplatedbytheformerinthislongandhastyjourney，wasconfidedtohisoldfriend。
Adefiancewasgivenandreceived，andthebanksofarivulet，aboutaleaguefromthecity，wasselectedasthesceneofthiscontest。Myuncle，havingexertedhimselfinvaintopreventanhostilemeeting，consentedtoattendthemasasurgeon——Nextmorning，atsun-rise，wasthetimechosen。
Ireturnedearlyintheeveningtomylodgings。
Preliminariesbeingsettledbetweenthecombatants，Stuarthadconsentedtospendtheeveningwithus，anddidnotretiretilllate。Onthewaytohishotelhewasexposedtonomolestation，butjustashesteppedwithintheportico，aswarthyandmalignantfigurestartedfrombehindacolumn。andplungedastilettointohisbody。
Theauthorofthistreasoncouldnotcertainlybediscovered；
butthedetailscommunicatedbyStuart，respectingthehistoryofMaxwell，naturallypointedhimoutasanobjectofsuspicion。
Nooneexpressedmoreconcern，onaccountofthisdisaster，thanhe；andhepretendedanardentzealtovindicatehischaracterfromtheaspersionsthatwerecastuponit。Thenceforth，however，Ideniedmyselftohisvisits；andshortlyafterhedisappearedfromthisscene。
Fewpossessedmoreestimablequalities，andabettertitletohappinessandthetranquilhonorsoflonglife，thanthemotherandfatherofLouisaConway:yettheywerecutoffinthebloomoftheirdays；andtheirdestinywasthusaccomplishedbythesamehand。Maxwellwastheinstrumentoftheirdestruction，thoughtheinstrumentwasappliedtothisendinsodifferentamanner。
Ileaveyoutomoralizeonthistale。Thatvirtueshouldbecomethevictimoftreacheryis，nodoubt，amournfulconsideration；butitwillnotescapeyournotice，thattheevilsofwhichCarwinandMaxwellweretheauthors，owedtheirexistencetotheerrorsofthesufferers。AlleffortswouldhavebeenineffectualtosubvertthehappinessorshortentheexistenceoftheStuarts，iftheirownfrailtyhadnotsecondedtheseefforts。Iftheladyhadcrushedherdisastrouspassioninthebud，anddriventheseducerfromherpresence，whenthetendencyofhisartificeswasseen；ifStuarthadnotadmittedthespiritofabsurdrevenge，weshouldnothavehadtodeplorethiscatastrophe。IfWielandhadframedjusternotionsofmoralduty，andofthedivineattributes；orifIhadbeengiftedwithordinaryequanimityorforesight，thedouble-tongueddeceiverwouldhavebeenbaffledandrepelled。
