AsIraisedmyfacefrommyclaspedhands，myeyesfellfulluponaformstandingintheopendoorway。There，whereonthenightinwhichLilian’slongstruggleforreasonandlifehadbegun，theLuminousShadowhadbeenbeheldinthedoubtfullightofadyingmoonandayethazydawn；there，onthethreshold，gatheringroundherbrightlockstheaureoleoftheglorioussun，stoodAmy，theblessedchild！AndasIgazed，drawingnearerandnearertothesilencedhouse，andthatImageofPeaceonitsthreshold，IfeltthatHopemetmeatthedoor——Hopeinthechild’ssteadfasteyes，Hopeinthechild’swelcomingsmile！”Iwasatwatchforyou，”whisperedAmy。”Alliswell。””Shelivesstill——shelives！ThankGod，thankGod！””Shelives——shewillrecover！”saidanothervoice，asmyheadsunkonFaber’sshoulder。”Forsomehoursinthenighthersleepwasdisturbed，convulsed。Ifeared，then，theworst。Suddenly，justbeforethedawn，shecalledoutaloud，stillinsleep:”’ThecoldanddarkshadowhaspassedawayfrommeandfromAllen——
passedawayfromusbothforever！’”Andfromthatmomentthefeverlefther；thebreathingbecamesoft，thepulsesteady，andthecolorstolegraduallybacktohercheek。Thecrisisispast。Nature’sbenignDisposerhaspermittedNaturetorestoreyourlife’sgentlepartner，hearttoheart，mindtomind——””Andsoultosoul，”Icriedinmysolemnjoy。”Aboveasbelow，soultosoul！”Then，atasignfromFaber，thechildtookmebythehandandledmeupthestairsintoLilian’sroom。
Againthosedeararmsclosedaroundmeinwifelikeandholylove，andthosetruelipskissedawaymytears——evenasnow，atthedistanceofyearsfromthathappymorn，whileIwritethelastwordsofthisStrangeStory，thesamefaithfularmsclosearoundme，thesametenderlipskissawaymytears。
ThomasDeQuinceyTheAvenger”Whycallestthoumemurderer，andnotratherthewrathofGodburningafterthestepsoftheoppressor，andcleansingtheearthwhenitiswetwithblood？”
ThatseriesofterrificeventsbywhichourquietcityanduniversityinthenortheasternquarterofGermanywereconvulsedduringtheyear1816，hasinitself，andconsideredmerelyasablindmovementofhumantiger-passionrangingunchainedamongmen，somethingtoomemorabletobeforgottenorleftwithoutitsownseparaterecord；butthemorallessonimpressedbytheseeventsisyetmorememorable，anddeservesthedeepattentionofcominggenerationsintheirstruggleafterhumanimprovement，notmerelyinitsownlimitedfieldofinterestdirectlyawakened，butinallanalogousfieldsofinterest；asinfactalready，andmorethanonce，inconnectionwiththeseveryevents，thislessonhasobtainedtheeffectualattentionofChristiankingsandprincesassembledincongress。Notragedy，indeed，amongallthesadonesbywhichthecharitiesofthehumanheartorofthefiresidehaveeverbeenoutraged，canbettermeritaseparatechapterintheprivatehistoryofGermanmannersorsociallifethanthisunparalleledcase。And，ontheotherhand，noonecanputinabetterclaimtobethehistorianthanmyself。
Iwasatthetime，andstillam，aprofessorinthatcityanduniversitywhichhadthemelancholydistinctionofbeingitstheater。Iknewfamiliarlyallthepartieswhowereconcernedinit，eitherassufferersorasagents。Iwaspresentfromfirsttolast，andwatchedthewholecourseofthemysteriousstormwhichfelluponourdevotedcityinastrengthlikethatofaWestIndianhurricane，andwhichdidseriouslythreatenatonetimetodepopulateouruniversity，throughthedarksuspicionswhichsettleduponitsmembers，andthenaturalreactionofgenerousindignationinrepellingthem；whilethecityinitsmorestationaryandnativeclasseswouldverysoonhavemanifestedTHEIR
awfulsenseofthings，ofthehideousinsecurityforlife，andoftheunfathomabledangerswhichhadunderminedtheirhearthsbelowtheirveryfeet，bysacrificing，whenevercircumstancesallowedthem，theirhousesandbeautifulgardensinexchangefordaysuncursedbypanic，andnightsunpollutedbyblood。Nothing，Icantakeuponmyselftoassert，wasleftundoneofallthathumanforesightcouldsuggest，orhumaningenuitycouldaccomplish。Butobservethemelancholyresult:themorecertaindidthesearrangementsstrikepeopleasremediesfortheevil，somuchthemoreeffectuallydidtheyaidtheterror，but，aboveall，theawe，thesenseofmystery，whentencasesoftotalextermination，appliedtoseparatehouseholds，hadoccurred，ineveryoneofwhichtheseprecautionaryaidshadfailedtoyieldtheslightestassistance。Thehorror，theperfectfrenzyoffear，whichseizeduponthetownafterthatexperience，bafflesallattemptatdescription。Hadthesevariouscontrivancesfailedmerelyinsomehumanandintelligibleway，asbybringingtheaidtootardily——
still，insuchcases，thoughthedangerwouldnolesshavebeenevidentlydeepened，nobodywouldhavefeltanyfurthermysterythanwhat，fromtheveryfirst，resteduponthepersonsandthemotivesofthemurderers。But，asitwas，when，intenseparatecasesofexterminatingcarnage，theastoundedpolice，afteranexaminationthemostsearching，pursuedfromdaytoday，andalmostexhaustingthepatiencebytheminutenessoftheinvestigation，hadfinallypronouncedthatnoattemptapparentlyhadbeenmadetobenefitbyanyofthesignalspreconcerted，thatnofootstepapparentlyhadmovedinthatdirection——then，andafterthatresult，ablindmiseryoffearfelluponthepopulation，somuchtheworsethananyanguishofabeleagueredcitythatisawaitingthestormingfuryofavictoriousenemy，byhowmuchtheshadowy，theuncertain，theinfinite，isatalltimesmorepotentinmasteringthemindthanadangerthatisknown，measurable，palpable，andhuman。Theverypolice，insteadofofferingprotectionorencouragement，wereseizedwithterrorforthemselves。Andthegeneralfeeling，asitwasdescribedtomebyagravecitizenwhomImetinamorningwalk(fortheovermasteringsenseofapubliccalamitybrokedowneverybarrierofreserve，andallmentalkedfreelytoallmeninthestreets，astheywouldhavedoneduringtherockingsofanearthquake)，was，evenamongtheboldest，likethatwhichsometimestakespossessionofthemindindreams——whenonefeelsoneselfsleepingalone，utterlydividedfromallcallorhearingoffriends，doorsopenthatshouldbeshut，orunlockedthatshouldbetriplysecured，theverywallsgone，barriersswallowedupbyunknownabysses，nothingaroundonebutfrailcurtains，andaworldofillimitablenight，whisperingsatadistance，correspondencegoingonbetweendarknessanddarkness，likeonedeepcallingtoanother，andthedreamer’sownheartthecenterfromwhichthewholenetworkofthisunimaginablechaosradiates，bymeansofwhichtheblankPRIVATIONSofsilenceanddarknessbecomepowersthemostPOSITIVEandawful。
Agenciesoffear，asofanyotherpassion，and，aboveall，ofpassionfeltincommunionwiththousands，andinwhichtheheartbeatsinconscioussympathywithanentirecity，throughallitsregionsofhighandlow，youngandold，strongandweak；suchagenciesavailtoraiseandtransfigurethenaturesofmen；meanmindsbecomeelevated；dullmenbecomeeloquent；andwhenmatterscametothiscrisis，thepublicfeeling，asmadeknownbyvoice，gesture，manner，orwords，wassuchthatnostrangercouldrepresentittohisfancy。Inthatrespect，therefore，Ihadanadvantage，beinguponthespotthroughthewholecourseoftheaffair，forgivingafaithfulnarrative；asIhadstillmoreeminently，fromthesortofcentralstationwhichIoccupied，withrespecttoallthemovementsofthecase。ImayaddthatIhadanotheradvantage，notpossessed，ornotinthesamedegree，byanyotherinhabitantofthetown。Iwaspersonallyacquaintedwitheveryfamilyoftheslightestaccountbelongingtotheresidentpopulation；whetheramongtheoldlocalgentry，orthenewsettlerswhomthelatewarshaddriventotakerefugewithinourwalls。
ItwasinSeptember，1815，thatIreceivedaletterfromthechiefsecretarytothePrinceofM——，anoblemanconnectedwiththediplomacyofRussia，fromwhichIquoteanextract:”Iwish，inshort，torecommendtoyourattentions，andintermsstrongerthanIknowhowtodevise，ayoungmanonwhosebehalftheczarhimselfisprivatelyknowntohaveexpressedtheverystrongestinterest。
HewasatthebattleofWaterlooasanaide-de-camptoaDutchgeneralofficer，andisdecoratedwithdistinctionswonuponthatawfulday。However，thoughservinginthatinstanceunderEnglishorders，andalthoughanEnglishmanofrank，hedoesnotbelongtotheEnglishmilitaryservice。Hehasserved，youngasheis，underVARIOUSbanners，andunderours，inparticular，inthecavalryofourimperialguard。HeisEnglishbybirth，nephewtotheEarlofE。，andheirpresumptivetohisimmenseestates。Thereisawildstorycurrent，thathismotherwasagypsyoftranscendentbeauty，whichmayaccountforhissomewhatMoorishcomplexion，though，afterall，THATisnotofadeepertingethanIhaveseenamongmanyanEnglishman。HeishimselfoneofthenoblestlookingofGod’screatures。Bothfatherandmother，however，arenowdead。
Sincethenhehasbecomethefavoriteofhisuncle，whodetainedhiminEnglandaftertheemperorhaddeparted——and，asthisuncleisnowinthelaststageofinfirmity，Mr。Wyndham’ssuccessiontothevastfamilyestatesisinevitable，andprobablynearathand。
Meantime，heisanxiousforsomeassistanceinhisstudies。
Intellectuallyhestandsintheveryfirstrankofmen，asIamsureyouwillnotbeslowtodiscover；buthislongmilitaryservice，andtheunparalleledtumultofourEuropeanhistorysince1805，haveinterfered(asyoumaysuppose)withthecultivationofhismind；forheenteredthecavalryserviceofaGermanpowerwhenamereboy，andshiftedaboutfromservicetoserviceasthehurricaneofwarblewfromthispointorfromthat。DuringtheFrenchanabasistoMoscowheenteredourservice，madehimselfaprodigiousfavoritewiththewholeimperialfamily，andevennowisonlyinhistwenty-secondyear。Astohisaccomplishments，theywillspeakforthemselves；theyareinfinite，andapplicabletoeverysituationoflife。Greekiswhathewantsfromyou；——neveraskaboutterms。Hewillacknowledgeanytroublehemaygiveyou，asheacknowledgesalltrouble，enprince。AndtenyearshenceyouwilllookbackwithprideuponhavingcontributedyourparttotheformationofonewhomallhereatSt。Petersburg，notsoldiersonly，butwediplomates，lookuponascertaintoproveagreatman，andaleaderamongtheintellectsofChristendom。”
Twoorthreeotherlettersfollowed；andatlengthitwasarrangedthatMr。MaximilianWyndhamshouldtakeuphisresidenceatmymonasticabodeforoneyear。Hewastokeepatable，andanestablishmentofservants，athisowncost；wastohaveanapartmentofsomedozenorsoofrooms；theunrestricteduseofthelibrary；withsomeotherpublicprivilegeswillinglyconcededbythemagistracyofthetown；inreturnforallwhichhewastopaymeathousandguineas；andalreadybeforehand，bywayofacknowledgmentforthepubliccivilitiesofthetown，hesent，throughmyhands，acontributionofthreehundredguineastothevariouslocalinstitutionsforeducationofthepoor，orforcharity。
TheRussiansecretaryhadlatterlycorrespondedwithmefromalittleGermantown，notmorethanninetymilesdistant；and，ashehadspecialcouriersathisservice，thenegotiationsadvancedsorapidlythatallwasclosedbeforetheendofSeptember。And，whenoncethatconsummationwasattained，I，thatpreviouslyhadbreathednosyllableofwhatwasstirring，nowgaveloosetotheinterestingtidings，andsufferedthemtospreadthroughthewholecompassofthetown。Itwillbeeasilyimaginedthatsuchastory，alreadyromanticenoughinitsfirstoutline，wouldlosenothinginthetelling。AnEnglishmantobeginwith，whichnameofitself，andatalltimes，isapassportintoGermanfavor，butmuchmoresincethelatememorablewarsthatbutforEnglishmenwouldhavedroopedintodisconnectedefforts——next，anEnglishmanofrankandofthehautenoblesse——thenasoldiercoveredwithbrilliantdistinctions，andinthemostbrilliantarmoftheservice；young，moreover，andyetaveteranbyhisexperience——freshfromthemostawfulbattleofthisplanetsincethedayofPharsalia，——radiantwiththefavorofcourtsandofimperialladies；finally(whichalonewouldhavegivenhimaninterestinallfemalehearts)，anAntinousoffaultlessbeauty，aGrecianstatue，asitwere，intowhichthebreathoflifehadbeenbreathedbysomemodernPygmalion；——suchapompofgiftsandendowmentssettlingupononeman’shead，shouldnothaverequiredforitseffectthevulgarconsummation(andyettomanyitWAStheconsummationandcrestofthewhole)thathewasreputedtoberichbeyondthedreamsofromanceorthenecessitiesofafairytale。Unparalleledwastheimpressionmadeuponourstagnantsociety；everytonguewasbusyindiscussingthemarvelousyoungEnglishmanfrommorningtonight；
everyfemalefancywasbusyindepictingthepersonalappearanceofthisgayapparition。
Onhisarrivalatmyhouse，IbecamesensibleofatruthwhichI
hadobservedsomeyearsbefore。Thecommonplacemaximis，thatitisdangeroustoraiseexpectationstoohigh。This，whichisthusgenerallyexpressed，andwithoutlimitation，istrueonlyconditionally；itistruethenandthereonlywherethereisbutlittlemerittosustainandjustifytheexpectation。Butinanycasewherethemeritistranscendentofitskind，itisalwaysusefultoracktheexpectationuptothehighestpoint。Inanythingwhichpartakesoftheinfinite，themostunlimitedexpectationswillfindampleroomforgratification；whileitiscertainthatordinaryobservers，possessinglittlesensibility，unlesswheretheyhavebeenwarnedtoexpect，willoftenfailtoseewhatexistsinthemostconspicuoussplendor。InthisinstanceitcertainlydidnoharmtothesubjectofexpectationthatIhadbeenwarnedtolookforsomuch。Thewarning，atanyrate，putmeonthelookoutforwhatevereminencetheremightbeofgrandeurinhispersonalappearance；while，ontheotherhand，thisexistedinsuchexcess，sofartranscendinganythingIhadevermetwithinmyexperience，thatnoexpectationwhichitisinwordstoraisecouldhavebeendisappointed。
Thesethoughtstraveledwiththerapidityoflightthroughmybrain，asatoneglancemyeyetookinthesupremacyofbeautyandpowerwhichseemedtohavealightedfromthecloudsbeforeme。
Power，andthecontemplationofpower，inanyabsoluteincarnationofgrandeurorexcess，necessarilyhavetheinstantaneouseffectofquellingallperturbation。Mycomposurewasrestoredinamoment。
Ilookedsteadilyathim。Webothbowed。And，atthemomentwhenheraisedhisheadfromthatinclination，Icaughttheglanceofhiseye；aneyesuchasmighthavebeenlookedforinafaceofsuchnoblelineaments——”BlendingthenatureofthestarWiththatofsummerskies；”
and，therefore，meantbynaturefortheresidenceandorganofsereneandgentleemotions；butitsurprised，andatthesametimefilledmemorealmostwithconsternationthanwithpity，toobservethatinthoseeyesalightofsadnesshadsettledmoreprofoundthanseemedpossibleforyouth，oralmostcommensuratetoahumansorrow；asadnessthatmighthavebecomeaJewishprophet，whenladenwithinspirationsofwoe。
TwomonthshadnowpassedawaysincethearrivalofMr。Wyndham。
Hehadbeenuniversallyintroducedtothesuperiorsocietyoftheplace；and，asIneedhardlysay，universallyreceivedwithfavoranddistinction。Inreality，hiswealthandimportance，hismilitaryhonors，andthedignityofhischaracter，asexpressedinhismannersanddeportment，weretooeminenttoallowofhisbeingtreatedwithlessthanthehighestattentioninanysocietywhatever。Buttheeffectofthesevariousadvantages，enforcedandrecommendedastheywerebyapersonalbeautysorare，wassomewhattoopotentforthecomfortandself-possessionofordinarypeople；
andreallyexceededinapainfuldegreethestandardofpretensionsunderwhichsuchpeoplecouldfeelthemselvesattheirease。Hewasnotnaturallyofareservedturn；farfromit。Hisdispositionhadbeenopen，frank，andconfiding，originally；andhisroving，adventurouslife，ofwhichconsiderablymorethanonehalfhadbeenpassedincamps，hadcommunicatedtohismannersamorethanmilitaryfrankness。Buttheprofoundmelancholywhichpossessedhim，fromwhatevercauseitarose，necessarilychilledthenativefreedomofhisdemeanor，unlesswhenitwasrevivedbystrengthoffriendshiporoflove。Theeffectwasawkwardandembarrassingtoallparties。Everyvoicepausedorfalteredwhenheenteredaroom——deadsilenceensued——notaneyebutwasdirecteduponhim，orelse，sunkintimidity，settleduponthefloor；andyoungladiesseriouslylostthepower，foratime，ofdoingmorethanmurmuringafewconfused，half-inarticulatesyllables，orhalf-inarticulatesounds。Thesolemnity，infact，ofafirstpresentation，andtheutterimpossibilityofsoonrecoveringafree，unembarrassedmovementofconversation，madesuchscenesreallydistressingtoallwhoparticipatedinthem，eitherasactorsorspectators。
Certainlythisresultwasnotapureeffectofmanlybeauty，howeverheroic，andinwhateverexcess；itaroseinpartfromthemanyandextraordinaryendowmentswhichhadcenteredinhisperson，notlessfromfortunethanfromnature；inpartalso，asIhavesaid，fromtheprofoundsadnessandfreezinggravityofMr。
Wyndham’smanner；butstillmorefromtheperplexingmysterywhichsurroundedthatsadness。
Werethere，then，noexceptionstothisconditionofawestruckadmiration？Yes；oneatleasttherewasinwhosebosomthespellofall-conqueringpassionsoonthawedeverytraceoficyreserve。
WhiletherestoftheworldretainedadimsentimentofawetowardMr。Wyndham，MargaretLiebenheimonlyheardofsuchafeelingtowonderthatitcouldexisttowardHIM。Neverwastheresovictoriousaconquestinterchangedbetweentwoyouthfulhearts——
neverbeforesucharaptureofinstantaneoussympathy。IdidnotwitnessthefirstmeetingofthismysteriousMaximilianandthismagnificentMargaret，anddonotknowwhetherMargaretmanifestedthattrepidationandembarrassmentwhichdistressedsomanyofheryouthfulco-rivals；but，ifshedid，itmusthavefledbeforethefirstglanceoftheyoungman’seye，whichwouldinterpret，pastallmisunderstanding，thehomageofhissoulandthesurrenderofhisheart。TheirthirdmeetingIDIDsee；andthereallshadowofembarrassmenthadvanished，except，indeed，ofthatdelicateembarrassmentwhichclingstoimpassionedadmiration。OnthepartofMargaret，itseemedasifanewworldhaddawneduponherthatshehadnotsomuchassuspectedamongthecapacitiesofhumanexperience。Likesomebirdsheseemed，withpowersunexercisedforsoaringandflying，notunderstoodevenasyet，andthatneveruntilnowhadfoundanelementofaircapableofsustainingherwings，ortemptinghertoputforthherbuoyantinstincts。He，ontheotherhand，nowfirstfoundtherealizationofhisdreams，andforamerepossibilitywhichhehadlongtoodeeplycontemplated，fearing，however，thatinhisowncaseitmightproveachimera，orthathemightnevermeetawomanansweringthedemandsofhisheart，henowfoundacorrespondingrealitythatleftnothingtoseek。
Here，then，andthusfar，nothingbuthappinesshadresultedfromthenewarrangement。But，ifthishadbeenlittleanticipatedbymany，farlesshadI，formypart，anticipatedtheunhappyrevolutionwhichwaswroughtinthewholenatureofFerdinandvonHarrelstein。HewasthesonofaGermanbaron；amanofgoodfamily，butofsmallestatewhohadbeenprettynearlyasoldieroffortuneinthePrussianservice，andhad，lateinlife，wonsufficientfavorwiththekingandothermilitarysuperiors，tohaveanearlyprospectofobtainingacommission，underflatteringauspices，forthisonlyson——asonendearedtohimasthecompanionofunprosperousyears，andasadutifullyaffectionatechild。
Ferdinandhadyetanotherholduponhisfather’saffections:hisfeaturespreservedtothebaron’suncloudedremembranceamostfaithfulandlivingmemorialofthatangelicwifewhohaddiedingivingbirthtothisthirdchild——theonlyonewhohadlongsurvivedher。Anxiousthathissonshouldgothrougharegularcourseofmathematicalinstruction，nowbecomingannuallymoreimportantinalltheartilleryservicesthroughoutEurope，andthatheshouldreceiveatinctureofotherliberalstudieswhichhehadpainfullymissedinhisownmilitarycareer，thebaronchosetokeephissonforthelastsevenyearsatourcollege，untilhewasnowenteringuponhistwenty-thirdyear。ForthefourlasthehadlivedwithmeasthesolepupilwhomIhad，ormeanttohave，hadnotthebrilliantproposalsoftheyoungRussianguardsmanpersuadedmetobreakmyresolution。FerdinandvonHarrelsteinhadgoodtalents，notdazzlingbutrespectable；andsoamiablewerehistemperandmannersthatIhadintroducedhimeverywhere，andeverywherehewasafavorite；andeverywhere，indeed，exceptexactlytherewhereonlyinthisworldhecaredforfavor。
MargaretLiebenheim，sheitwaswhomheloved，andhadlovedforyears，withthewholeardorofhisardentsoul；sheitwasforwhom，oratwhosecommand，hewouldwillinglyhavedied。Earlyhehadfeltthatinherhandslayhisdestiny；thatsheitwaswhomustbehisgoodorhisevilgenius。
Atfirst，andperhapstothelast，Ipitiedhimexceedingly。Butmypitysoonceasedtobemingledwithrespect。BeforethearrivalofMr。Wyndhamhehadshownhimselfgenerous，indeedmagnanimous。
Butneverwastheresopainfulanoverthrowofanoblenatureasmanifesteditselfinhim。Ibelievethathehadnothimselfsuspectedthestrengthofhispassion；andthesoleresourceforhim，asIsaidoften，wastoquitthecity——toengageinactivepursuitsofenterprise，ofambition，orofscience。Butheheardmeasasomnambulistmighthaveheardme——dreamingwithhiseyesopen。Sometimeshehadfitsofreverie，starting，fearful，agitated；sometimeshebrokeoutintomaniacalmovementsofwrath，invokingsomeabsentperson，praying，beseeching，menacingsomeair-wovephantom；sometimesheslunkintosolitarycorners，mutteringtohimself，andwithgesturessorrowfullysignificant，orwithtonesandfragmentsofexpostulationthatmovedthemostcalloustocompassion。Stillheturnedadeafeartotheonlypracticalcounselthathadachanceforreachinghisears。Likeabirdunderthefascinationofarattlesnake，hewouldnotsummonuptheenergiesofhisnaturetomakeaneffortatflyingaway。”Begone，whileitistime！”saidothers，aswellasmyself；formorethanIsawenoughtofearsomefearfulcatastrophe。”Leadusnotintotemptation！”saidhisconfessortohiminmyhearing(for，thoughPrussians，theVonHarrelsteinswereRomanCatholics)，”leadusnotintotemptation！——thatisourdailyprayertoGod。Then，myson，beingledintotemptation，donotyoupersistincourting，nay，almosttemptingtemptation。Trytheeffectsofabsence，thoughbutforamonth。”Thegoodfatherevenmadeanoverturetowardimposingapenanceuponhim，thatwouldhaveinvolvedanabsenceofsomeduration。Buthewasobligedtodesist；forhesawthat，withouteffectinganygood，hewouldmerelyaddspiritualdisobediencetotheotheroffensesoftheyoungman。FerdinandhimselfdrewhisattentiontoTHIS；forhesaid:”Reverendfather！
donotyou，withthepurposeofremovingmefromtemptation，beyourselftheinstrumentfortemptingmeintoarebellionagainstthechurch。Donotyouweavesnaresaboutmysteps；snarestherearealready，andbuttoomany。”Theoldmansighed，anddesisted。
Thencame——Butenough！Frompity，fromsympathy，fromcounsel，andfromconsolation，andfromscorn——fromeachofthesealikethepoorstrickendeer”recoiledintothewilderness；”hefledfordaystogetherintosolitarypartsoftheforest；fled，asIstillhopedandprayed，ingoodearnestandforalongfarewell；but，alas！no:
stillhereturnedtothehauntsofhisruinedhappinessandhisburiedhopes，ateachreturnlookingmorelikethewreckofhisformerself；andonceIheardapenetratingmonkobserve，whoseconventstoodnearthecitygates:”Theregoesonereadyequallyfordoingorsuffering，andofwhomweshallsoonhearthatheisinvolvedinsomegreatcatastrophe——itmaybeofdeepcalamity——itmaybeofmemorableguilt。”
Sostoodmattersamongus。Januarywasdrawingtoitsclose；theweatherwasgrowingmoreandmorewinterly；highwinds，piercinglycold，wereravingthroughournarrowstreets；andstillthespiritofsocialfestivitybadedefiancetothestormswhichsangthroughourancientforests。Fromtheaccidentofourmagistracybeingselectedfromthetradesmenofthecity，thehospitalitiesoftheplacewerefarmoreextensivethanwouldotherwisehavehappened；
foreverymemberofthecorporationgavetwoannualentertainmentsinhisofficialcharacter。Andsuchwastherivalshipwhichprevailed，thatoftenonequarteroftheyear’sincomewasspentuponthesegalas。Norwasanyridiculethusincurred；forthecostlinessoftheentertainmentwasunderstoodtobeanexpressionofOFFICIALpride，doneinhonorofthecity，notasaneffortofpersonaldisplay。Itfollowed，fromthespiritinwhichthesehalf-yearlydancesoriginated，that，beinggivenonthepartofthecity，everystrangerofrankwasmarkedoutasaprivilegedguest，andthehospitalityofthecommunitywouldhavebeenequallyaffrontedbyfailingtoofferorbyfailingtoaccepttheinvitation。
HenceithadhappenedthattheRussianguardsmanhadbeenintroducedintomanyafamilywhichotherwisecouldnothavehopedforsuchadistinction。UpontheeveningatwhichIamnowarrived，thetwenty-secondofJanuary，1816，thewholecity，initswealthierclasses，wasassembledbeneaththeroofofatradesmanwhohadtheheartofaprince。Ineverypointourentertainmentwassuperb；andIremarkedthatthemusicwasthefinestIhadheardforyears。Ourhostwasinjoyousspirits；proudtosurveythesplendidcompanyhehadgatheredunderhisroof；happytowitnesstheirhappiness；elatedintheirelation。Joyouswasthedance——joyouswereallfacesthatIsaw——uptomidnight，verysoonafterwhichtimesupperwasannounced；andthatalso，Ithink，wasthemostjoyousofallthebanquetsIeverwitnessed。Theaccomplishedguardsmanoutshonehimselfinbrilliancy；evenhismelancholyrelaxed。Infact，howcoulditbeotherwise？neartohimsatMargaretLiebenheim——hanginguponhiswords——morelustrousandbewitchingthaneverIhadbeheldher。Thereshehadbeenplacedbythehost；andeverybodyknewwhy。Thatisoneoftheluxuriesattachedtolove；allmencedetheirplaceswithpleasure；
womenmakeway。Evensheherselfknew，thoughnotobligedtoknow，whyshewasseatedinthatneighborhood；andtookherplace，ifwitharosysuffusionuponhercheeks，yetwithfullnessofhappinessatherheart。
TheguardsmanpressedforwardtoclaimMissLiebenheim’shandforthenextdance；amovementwhichshewasquicktofavor，byretreatingbehindoneortwopartiesfromapersonwhoseemedcomingtowardher。Themusicagainbegantopouritsvoluptuoustidesthroughtheboundingpulsesoftheyouthfulcompany；againtheflyingfeetofthedancersbegantorespondtothemeasures；
againthemountingspiritofdelightbegantofillthesailsofthehurryingnightwithsteadyinspiration。Allwenthappily。Alreadyhadonedancefinished；somewerepacingupanddown，leaningonthearmsoftheirpartners；somewerereposingfromtheirexertions；when——Oheavens！whatashriek！whatagatheringtumult！
Everyeyewasbenttowardthedoors——everyeyestrainedforwardtodiscoverwhatwaspassing。Butthere，everymoment，lessandlesscouldbeseen，forthegatheringcrowdmoreandmoreinterceptedtheview；——somuchthemorewastheearatleisurefortheshrieksredoubleduponshrieks。MissLiebenheimhadmoveddownwardtothecrowd。Fromhersuperiorheightsheoverlookedalltheladiesatthepointwhereshestood。Inthecenterstoodarusticgirl，whosefeatureshadbeenfamiliartoherforsomemonths。Shehadrecentlycomeintothecity，andhadlivedwithheruncle，atradesman，nottendoorsfromMargaret’sownresidence，partlyonthetermsofakinswoman，partlyasaservantontrial。Atthismomentshewasexhaustedwithexcitement，andthenatureoftheshockshehadsustained。Merepanicseemedtohavemasteredher；
andshewasleaning，unconsciousandweeping，upontheshoulderofsomegentleman，whowasendeavoringtosootheher。Asilenceofhorrorseemedtopossessthecompany，mostofwhomwerestillunacquaintedwiththecauseofthealarminginterruption。Afew，however，whohadheardherfirstagitatedwords，findingthattheywaitedinvainforafullerexplanation，nowrushedtumultuouslyoutoftheballroomtosatisfythemselvesonthespot。Thedistancewasnotgreat；andwithinfiveminutesseveralpersonsreturnedhastily，andcriedouttothecrowdofladiesthatallwastruewhichtheyounggirlhadsaid。”Whatwastrue？”ThatheruncleMr。Weishaupt’sfamilyhadbeenmurdered；thatnotonememberofthefamilyhadbeenspared——namely，Mr。Weishaupthimselfandhiswife，neitherofthemmuchabovesixty，butbothinfirmbeyondtheiryears；twomaidensistersofMr。Weishaupt，fromfortytoforty-sixyearsofage，andanelderlyfemaledomestic。
Anincidenthappenedduringtherecitalofthesehorrors，andofthedetailswhichfollowed，thatfurnishedmatterforconversationeveninthesehourswhensothrillinganinteresthadpossessionofallminds。Manyladiesfainted；amongthemMissLiebenheim——andshewouldhavefallentothegroundbutforMaximilian，whosprangforwardandcaughtherinhisarms。Shewaslongofreturningtoherself；and，duringtheagonyofhissuspense，hestoopedandkissedherpallidlips。Thatsightwasmorethancouldbebornebyonewhostoodalittlebehindthegroup。Herushedforward，witheyesglaringlikeatiger’s，andleveledablowatMaximilian。Itwaspoor，maniacalVonHarrelstein，whohadbeenabsentintheforestforaweek。Manypeoplesteppedforwardandcheckedhisarm，upliftedforarepetitionofthisoutrage。Oneortwohadsomeinfluencewithhim，andledhimawayfromthespot；whileastoMaximilian，soabsorbedwashethathehadnotsomuchasperceivedtheaffrontofferedtohimself。Margaret，onreviving，wasconfoundedatfindingherselfsosituatedamidagreatcrowd；
andyettheprudescomplainedthattherewasalookofloveexchangedbetweenherselfandMaximilian，thatoughtnottohaveescapedherinsuchasituation。Iftheymeantbysuchasituation，onesopublic，itmustbealsorecollectedthatitwasasituationofexcessiveagitation；but，iftheyalludedtothehorrorsofthemoment，nosituationmorenaturallyopensthehearttoaffectionandconfidinglovethantherecoilfromscenesofexquisiteterror。
Anexaminationwentonthatnightbeforethemagistrates，butallwasdark；althoughsuspicionattachedtoanegronamedAaron，whohadoccasionallybeenemployedinmenialservicesbythefamily，andhadbeeninthehouseimmediatelybeforethemurder。Thecircumstancesweresuchastoleaveeverymaninutterperplexityastothepresumptionforandagainsthim。Hismodeofdefendinghimself，andhisgeneraldeportment，weremarkedbythecoolest，nay，themostsneeringindifference。Thefirstthinghedid，onbeingacquaintedwiththesuspicionsagainsthimself，wastolaughferociously，andtoallappearancemostcordiallyandunaffectedly。
Hedemandedwhetherapoormanlikehimselfwouldhaveleftsomuchwealthaslayscatteredabroadinthathouse——goldrepeaters，massyplate，goldsnuffboxes——untouched？Thatargumentcertainlyweighedmuchinhisfavor。Andyetagainitwasturnedagainsthim；foramagistrateaskedhimhowHEhappenedtoknowalreadythatnothinghadbeentouched。Trueitwas，andafactwhichhadpuzzlednolessthanithadawedthemagistrates，that，upontheirexaminationofthepremises，manyricharticlesofbijouterie，jewelry，andpersonalornaments，hadbeenfoundlyingunderanged，andapparentlyintheirusualsituations；articlessoportablethatintheveryhastiestflightsomemighthavebeencarriedoff。Inparticular，therewasacrucifixofgold，enrichedwithjewelssolargeandrare，thatofitselfitwouldhaveconstitutedaprizeofgreatmagnitude。Yetthiswasleftuntouched，thoughsuspendedinalittleoratorythathadbeenmagnificentlyadornedbytheelderofthemaidensisters。Therewasanaltar，initselfasplendidobject，furnishedwitheveryarticleofthemostcostlymaterialandworkmanship，fortheprivatecelebrationofmass。Thiscrucifix，aswellaseverythingelseinthelittlecloset，musthavebeenseenbyoneatleastofthemurderousparty；forhitherhadoneoftheladiesfled；hitherhadoneofthemurdererspursued。Shehadclaspedthegoldenpillarswhichsupportedthealtar——hadturnedperhapsherdyinglooksuponthecrucifix；forthere，withonearmstillwreathedaboutthealtarfoot，thoughinheragonyshehadturnedrounduponherface，didtheeldersisterliewhenthemagistratesfirstbrokeopenthestreetdoor。Anduponthebeautifulparquet，orinlaidfloorwhichranroundtheroom，werestillimpressedthefootstepsofthemurderer。These，itwashoped，mightfurnishaclewtothediscoveryofoneatleastamongthemurderousband。Theywereratherdifficulttotraceaccurately；thosepartsofthetraceswhichlayupontheblacktessellaebeinglessdistinctintheoutlinethantheothersuponthewhiteorcolored。Mostunquestionably，sofarasthiswent，itfurnishedanegativecircumstanceinfavorofthenegro，forthefootstepswereverydifferentinoutlinefromhis，andsmaller，forAaronwasamanofcolossalbuild。Andastohisknowledgeofthestateinwhichthepremiseshadbeenfound，andhishavingsofamiliarlyrelieduponthefactofnorobberyhavingtakenplaceasanargumentonhisownbehalf，hecontendedthathehadhimselfbeenamongthecrowdthatpushedintothehousealongwiththemagistrates；that，fromhispreviousacquaintancewiththeroomsandtheirordinarycondition，aglanceoftheeyehadbeensufficientforhimtoascertaintheundisturbedconditionofallthevaluablepropertymostobvioustothegraspofarobberthat，infact，hehadseenenoughforhisargumentbeforeheandtherestofthemobhadbeenejectedbythemagistrates；but，finally，thatindependentlyofallthis，hehadheardboththeofficers，astheyconductedhim，andallthetumultuousgatheringsofpeopleinthestreet，arguingforthemysteriousnessofthebloodytransactionuponthatverycircumstanceofsomuchgold，silver，andjewels，beingleftbehinduntouched。
Insixweeksorlessfromthedateofthisterrificevent，thenegrowassetatlibertybyamajorityofvoicesamongthemagistrates。Inthatshortintervalothereventshadoccurrednolessterrificandmysterious。Inthisfirstmurder，thoughthemotivewasdarkandunintelligible，yettheagencywasnotso；
ordinaryassassinsapparently，andwithordinarymeans，hadassailedahelplessandunpreparedfamily；hadseparatedthem；
attackedthemsinglyinflight(forinthisfirstcaseallbutoneofthemurderedpersonsappearedtohavebeenmakingforthestreetdoor)；andinallthistherewasnosubjectforwonder，excepttheoriginaloneastothemotive。Butnowcameaseriesofcasesdestinedtoflingthisearliestmurderintotheshade。Nobodycouldnowbeunprepared；andyetthetragedies，henceforward，whichpassedbeforeus，onebyone，insad，leisurely，orinterrificgroups，seemedtoarguealethargylikethatofapoplexyinthevictims，oneandall。Theverymidnightofmysteriousawefelluponallminds。
ThreeweekshadpassedsincethemurderatMr。Weishaupt’s——threeweeksthemostagitatedthathadbeenknowninthissequesteredcity。Wefeltourselvessolitary，andthrownuponourownresources；allcombinationwithothertownsbeingunavailingfromtheirgreatdistance。Oursituationwasnoordinaryone。Hadtherebeensomemysteriousrobbersamongus，thechancesofavisit，dividedamongsomany，wouldhavebeentoosmalltodistressthemosttimid；whiletoyoungandhigh-spiritedpeople，withcouragetospareforordinarytrials，suchastateofexpectationwouldhavesentpulsesofpleasurableanxietyamongthenerves。
Butmurderers！exterminatingmurderers！——clothedinmysteryandutterdarkness——thesewereobjectstooterrificforanyfamilytocontemplatewithfortitude。Hadtheseverymurderersaddedtotheirfunctionsthoseofrobbery，theywouldhavebecomelessterrific；nineoutofeverytenwouldhavefoundthemselvesdischarged，asitwere，fromtherollofthosewhowereliabletoavisit；whilesuchasknewthemselvesliablewouldhavehadwarningoftheirdangerinthefactofbeingrich；andwould，fromtheveryricheswhichconstitutedthatdanger，havederivedthemeansofrepellingit。But，asthingswere，nomancouldguesswhatitwasthatmustmakehimobnoxioustothemurderers。ImaginationexhausteditselfinvainguessesatthecauseswhichcouldbypossibilityhavemadethepoorWeishauptsobjectsofsuchhatredtoanyman。True，theywerebigotedinadegreewhichindicatedfeeblenessofintellect；butTHATwoundednomaninparticular，whiletomanyitrecommendedthem。True，theircharitywasnarrowandexclusive，buttothoseoftheirownreligiousbodyitexpandedmunificently；and，beingrichbeyondtheirwants，oranymeansofemployingwealthwhichtheirgloomyasceticismallowed，theyhadthepowerofdoingagreatdealofgoodamongtheindigentpapistsofthesuburbs。Astotheoldgentlemanandhiswife，theirinfirmitiesconfinedthemtothehouse。Nobodyrememberedtohaveseenthemabroadforyears。How，therefore，orwhencouldtheyhavemadeanenemy？And，withrespecttothemaidensistersofMr。
Weishaupt，theyweresimplyweak-mindedpersons，nowandthentoocensorious，butnotplacedinasituationtoincurseriousangerfromanyquarter，andtoolittleheardofinsocietytooccupymuchofanybody’sattention。
Conceive，then，thatthreeweekshavepassedaway，thatthepoorWeishauptshavebeenlaidinthatnarrowsanctuarywhichnomurderer’svoicewilleverviolate。Quiethasnotreturnedtous，butthefirstflutteringsofpanichavesubsided。Peoplearebeginningtorespirefreelyagain；andsuchanotherspaceoftimewouldhavecicatrizedourwounds——when，hark！achurchbellringsoutaloudalarm；——thenightisstarlightandfrosty——theironnotesareheardclear，solemn，butagitated。Whatcouldthismean？
Ihurriedtoaroomovertheporter’slodge，and，openingthewindow，Icriedouttoamanpassinghastilybelow，”What，inGod’sname，isthemeaningofthis？”Itwasawatchmanbelongingtoourdistrict。Iknewhisvoice，heknewmine，andherepliedingreatagitation:”Itisanothermurder，sir，attheoldtowncouncilor’s，Albernass；
andthistimetheyhavemadeaclearhouseofit。””Godpreserveus！Hasacursebeenpronounceduponthiscity？
Whatcanbedone？Whatarethemagistratesgoingtodo？””Idon’tknow，sir。IhaveorderstoruntotheBlackFriars，whereanothermeetingisgathering。ShallIsayyouwillattend，sir？””Yes——no——stopalittle。Nomatter，youmaygoon；I’llfollowimmediately。”
IwentinstantlytoMaximilian’sroom。Hewaslyingasleeponasofa，atwhichIwasnotsurprised，fortherehadbeenaseverestagchaseinthemorning。EvenatthismomentIfoundmyselfarrestedbytwoobjects，andIpausedtosurveythem。OnewasMaximilianhimself。Apersonsomysterioustookprecedencyofotherinterestsevenatatimelikethis；andespeciallybyhisfeatures，which，composedinprofoundsleep，assometimeshappens，assumedanewexpression，whicharrestedmechieflybyawakingsomeconfusedremembranceofthesamefeaturesseenunderothercircumstancesandintimeslongpast；butwhere？ThiswaswhatI
couldnotrecollect，thoughoncebeforeathoughtofthesamesorthadcrossedmymind。Theotherobjectofmyinterestwasaminiature，whichMaximilianwasholdinginhishand。Hehadgonetosleepapparentlylookingatthispicture；andthehandwhichheldithadslippeddownuponthesofa，sothatitwasindangeroffalling。Ireleasedtheminiaturefromhishand，andsurveyeditattentively。Itrepresentedaladyofsunny，orientalcomplexion，andfeaturesthemostnoblethatitispossibletoconceive。Onemighthaveimaginedsuchalady，withherravenlocksandimperialeyes，tobethefavoritesultanaofsomeAmurathorMohammed。WhatwasshetoMaximilian，orwhatHADshebeen？For，bythetearwhichIhadonceseenhimdropuponthisminiaturewhenhebelievedhimselfunobserved，Iconjecturedthatherdarktresseswerealreadylaidlow，andhernameamongthelistofvanishedthings。
Probablyshewashismother，forthedresswasrichwithpearls，andevidentlythatofapersoninthehighestrankofcourtbeauties。IsighedasIthoughtofthesternmelancholyofherson，ifMaximilianwerehe，asconnected，probably，withthefateandfortunesofthismajesticbeauty；somewhathaughty，perhaps，intheexpressionofherfinefeatures，butstillnoble——generous——
confiding。Layingthepictureonthetable，IawokeMaximilian，andtoldhimofthedreadfulnews。Helistenedattentively，madenoremark，butproposedthatweshouldgotogethertothemeetingofourquarterattheBlackFriars。Hecoloreduponobservingtheminiatureonthetable；and，therefore，IfranklytoldhiminwhatsituationIhadfoundit，andthatIhadtakenthelibertyofadmiringitforafewmoments。Hepressedittenderlytohislips，sighedheavily，andwewalkedawaytogether。
Ipassoverthefrenziedstateoffeelinginwhichwefoundthemeeting。Fear，orratherhorror，didnotpromoteharmony；manyquarreledwitheachotherindiscussingthesuggestionsbroughtforward，andMaximilianwastheonlypersonattendedto。Heproposedanightlymountedpatrolforeverydistrict。Andinparticularheoffered，asbeinghimselfamemberoftheuniversity，thatthestudentsshouldformthemselvesintoaguard，andgooutbyrotationtokeepwatchandwardfromsunsettosunrise。
Arrangementsweremadetowardthatobjectbythefewpeoplewhoretainedpossessionoftheirsenses，andforthepresentweseparated。
Never，infact，didanyeventssokeenlytrythedifferencebetweenmanandman。Somestartedupintoheroesundertheexcitement。
Some，alasforthedignityofman！droopedintohelplessimbecility。Women，insomecases，rosesuperiortomen，butyetnotsooftenasmighthavehappenedunderalessmysteriousdanger。
Awomanisnotunwomanlybecausesheconfrontsdangerboldly。ButIhaveremarked，withrespecttofemalecourage，thatitrequires，morethanthatofmen，tobesustainedbyhope；andthatitdroopsmorecertainlyinthepresenceofaMYSTERIOUSdanger。Thefancyofwomenismoreactive，ifnotstronger，anditinfluencesmoredirectlythephysicalnature。Inthiscasefewwerethewomenwhomadeevenashowofdefyingthedanger。Onthecontrary，withTHEM
feartooktheformofsadness，whilewithmanyofthemenittookthatofwrath。
AndhowdidtheRussianguardsmanconducthimselfamidstthispanic？Manyweresurprisedathisbehavior；somecomplainedofit；
Ididneither。Hetookareasonableinterestineachseparatecase，listenedtothedetailswithattention，and，intheexaminationofpersonsabletofurnishevidence，neverfailedtosuggestjudiciousquestions。Butstillhemanifestedacoolnessalmostamountingtocarelessness，whichtomanyappearedrevolting。
ButthesepeopleIdesiredtonoticethatalltheothermilitarystudents，whohadbeenlonginthearmy，feltexactlyinthesameway。Infact，themilitaryserviceofChristendom，forthelasttenyears，hadbeenanythingbutaparadeservice；andtothose，therefore，whowerefamiliarwitheveryformofhorridbutchery，themereoutsidehorrorsofdeathhadlostmuchoftheirterror。
Intherecentmurdertherehadnotbeenmuchtocallforthsympathy。Thefamilyconsistedoftwooldbachelors，twosisters，andonegrandniece。Theniecewasabsentonavisit，andthetwooldmenwerecynicalmisers，towhomlittlepersonalinterestattached。Still，inthiscaseasinthatoftheWeishaupts，thesametwofoldmysteryconfoundedthepublicmind——themysteryoftheHOW，andtheprofoundermysteryoftheWHY。Here，again，noatomofpropertywastaken，thoughboththemisershadhordesofducatsandEnglishguineasintheveryroomwheretheydied。Theirbias，again，thoughofanunpopularcharacter，hadratheravailedtomakethemunknownthantomakethemhateful。Inonepointthiscasedifferedmemorablyfromtheother——that，insteadoffallinghelpless，orflyingvictims(astheWeishauptshaddone)，theseoldmen，strong，resolute，andnotsomuchtakenbysurprise，leftproofsthattheyhadmadeadesperatedefense。Thefurniturewaspartlysmashedtopieces，andtheotherdetailsfurnishedevidencestillmorerevoltingoftheacharnementwithwhichthestrugglehadbeenmaintained。Infact，withTHEMasurprisemusthavebeenimpracticable，astheyadmittednobodyintotheirhouseonvisitingterms。Itwasthoughtsingularthatfromeachofthesedomestictragediesabenefitofthesamesortshouldresulttoyoungpersonsstandinginnearlythesamerelation。Thegirlwhogavethealarmattheball，withtwolittlesisters，andalittleorphannephew，theircousin，dividedtheverylargeinheritanceoftheWeishaupts；
andinthislattercasetheaccumulatedsavingsoftwolonglivesallvestedinthepersonoftheamiablegrandniece。
Butnow，asifinmockeryofallouranxiousconsultationsandelaboratedevices，threefreshmurderstookplaceonthetwoconsecutivenightssucceedingthesenewarrangements。Andinonecase，asnearlyastimecouldbenoted，themountedpatrolmusthavebeenwithincallattheverymomentwhentheawfulworkwasgoingon。Ishallnotdwellmuchuponthem；butafewcircumstancesaretoointerestingtobepassedover。Theearliestcaseonthefirstofthetwonightswasthatofacurrier。Hewasfiftyyearsold；notrich，butwelloff。Hisfirstwifewasdead，andhisdaughtersbyherweremarriedawayfromtheirfather’shouse。Hehadmarriedasecondwife，but，havingnochildrenbyher，andkeepingnoservants，itisprobablethat，butforanaccident，nothirdpersonwouldhavebeeninthehouseatthetimewhenthemurderersgotadmittance。Aboutseveno’clock，awayfaringman，ajourneymancurrier，who，accordingtoourGermansystem，wasnowinhiswanderjahre，enteredthecityfromtheforest。Atthegatehemadesomeinquiriesaboutthecurriersandtannersofourtown；and，agreeablytotheinformationhereceived，madehiswaytothisMr。Heinberg。Mr。Heinbergrefusedtoadmithim，untilhementionedhiserrand，andpushedbelowthedooraletterofrecommendationfromaSilesiancorrespondent，describinghimasanexcellentandsteadyworkman。Wantingsuchaman，andsatisfiedbytheanswersreturnedthathewaswhatherepresentedhimself，Mr。Heinbergunboltedhisdoorandadmittedhim。Then，afterslippingtheboltintoitsplace，hebadehimsittothefire，broughthimaglassofbeer，conversedwithhimfortenminutes，andsaid:”Youhadbetterstayhereto-night；I’lltellyouwhyafterwards；butnowI’llstepupstairs，andaskmywifewhethershecanmakeupabedforyou；anddoyoumindthedoorwhileI’maway。”Sosaying，hewentoutoftheroom。Notoneminutehadhebeengonewhentherecameagentleknockatthedoor。
Itwasrainingheavily，and，beingastrangertothecity，notdreamingthatinanycrowdedtownsuchastateofthingscouldexistasreallydidinthis，theyoungman，withouthesitation，admittedthepersonknocking。Hehasdeclaredsince——but，perhaps，confoundingthefeelingsgainedfrombetterknowledgewiththefeelingsofthemoment——thatfromthemomenthedrewthebolthehadamisgivingthathehaddonewrong。Amanenteredinahorseman’scloak，andsomuffledupthatthejourneymancoulddiscovernoneofhisfeatures。Inalowtonethestrangersaid，”Where’sHeinberg？”——”Upstairs。”——”Callhimdown，then。”ThejourneymanwenttothedoorbywhichMr。Heinberghadlefthim，andcalled，”Mr。Heinberg，here’sonewantingyou！”Mr。Heinbergheardhim，forthemancoulddistinctlycatchthesewords:”Godblessme！
hasthemanopenedthedoor？O，thetraitor！Iseeit。”Uponthishefeltmoreandmoreconsternation，thoughnotknowingwhy。
Justthenheheardasoundoffeetbehindhim。Onturninground，hebeheldthreemoremenintheroom；onewasfasteningtheouterdoor；onewasdrawingsomearmsfromacupboard，andtwootherswerewhisperingtogether。Hehimselfwasdisturbedandperplexed，andfeltthatallwasnotright。Suchwashisconfusion，thateitherallthemen’sfacesmusthavebeenmuffledup，oratleastherememberednothingdistinctlybutonefiercepairofeyesglaringuponhim。Then，beforehecouldlookround，cameamanfrombehindandthrewasackoverhishead，whichwasdrawntightabouthiswaist，soastoconfinehisarms，aswellastoimpedehishearinginpart，andhisvoicealtogether。Hewasthenpushedintoaroom；butpreviouslyhehadheardarushupstairs，andwordslikethoseofapersonexulting，andthenadoorclosed。Onceitopened，andhecoulddistinguishthewords，inonevoice，”AndforTHAT！”towhichanothervoicereplied，intonesthatmadehisheartquake，”Aye，forTHAT，sir。”Andthenthesamevoicewentonrapidlytosay，”Odog！couldyouhope”——atwhichwordthedoorclosedagain。Oncehethoughtthatheheardascuffle，andhewassurethatheheardthesoundoffeet，asifrushingfromonecornerofaroomtoanother。Butthenallwashushedandstillforaboutsixorsevenminutes，untilavoiceclosetohisearsaid，”Now，waitquietlytillsomepersonscomeintoreleaseyou。Thiswillhappenwithinhalfanhour。”Accordingly，inlessthanthattime，heagainheardthesoundoffeetwithinthehouse，hisownbandageswereliberated，andhewasbroughttotellhisstoryatthepoliceoffice。Mr。Heinbergwasfoundinhisbedroom。Hehaddiedbystrangulation，andthecordwasstilltightenedabouthisneck。
Duringthewholedreadfulscenehisyouthfulwifehadbeenlockedintoacloset，wheresheheardorsawnothing。
Inthesecondcase，theobjectofvengeancewasagainanelderlyman。Oftheordinaryfamily，allwereabsentatacountryhouse，exceptthemasterandafemaleservant。Shewasawomanofcourage，andblessedwiththefirmestnerves；sothatshemighthavebeenreliedonforreportingaccuratelyeverythingseenorheard。Butthingstookanothercourse。Thefirstwarningthatshehadofthemurderers’presencewasfromtheirstepsandvoicesalreadyinthehall。Sheheardhermasterrunhastilyintothehall，cryingout，”LordJesus！——Mary，Mary，saveme！”Theservantresolvedtogivewhataidshecould，seizedalargepoker，andwashurryingtohisassistance，whenshefoundthattheyhadnailedupthedoorofcommunicationattheheadofthestairs。Whatpassedafterthisshecouldnottell；for，whentheimpulseofintrepidfidelityhadbeenbalked，andshefoundthatherownsafetywasprovidedforbymeanswhichmadeitimpossibletoaidapoorfellowcreaturewhohadjustinvokedhername，thegenerous-heartedcreaturewasovercomebyanguishofmind，andsankdownonthestair，whereshelay，unconsciousofallthatsucceeded，untilshefoundherselfraisedinthearmsofamobwhohadenteredthehouse。Andhowcametheytohaveentered？Inawaycharacteristicallydreadful。Thenightwasstarlit；thepatrolshadperambulatedthestreetwithoutnoticinganythingsuspicious，whentwofootpassengers，whowerefollowingintheirrear，observedadark-coloredstreamtraversingthecauseway。Oneofthem，atthesameinstanttracingthestreambackwardwithhiseyes，observedthatitflowedfromunderthedoorofMr。Munzer，and，dippinghisfingerinthetricklingfluid，heheldituptothelamplight，yellingoutatthemoment，”Why，thisisblood！”Itwasso，indeed，anditwasyetwarm。Theothersaw，heard，andlikeanarrowflewafterthehorsepatrol，thenintheactofturningthecorner。Onecry，fullofmeaning，wassufficientforearsfullofexpectation。Thehorsemenpulledup，wheeled，andinanothermomentreinedupatMr。Munzer’sdoor。Thecrowd，gatheringlikethedriftingofsnow，suppliedimplementswhichsoonforcedthechainsofthedoorandallotherobstacles。Butthemurderouspartyhadescaped，andalltracesoftheirpersonshadvanished，asusual。
Rarelydidanycaseoccurwithoutsomepeculiaritymoreorlessinteresting。Inthatwhichhappenedonthefollowingnight，makingthefifthintheseries，animpressiveincidentvariedthemonotonyofhorrors。Inthiscasethepartiesaimedatweretwoelderlyladies，whoconductedafemaleboardingschool。Noneofthepupilshadasyetreturnedtoschoolfromtheirvacation；buttwosisters，younggirlsofthirteenandsixteen，comingfromadistance，hadstayedatschoolthroughouttheChristmasholidays。Itwastheyoungestofthesewhogavetheonlyevidenceofanyvalue，andonewhichaddedanewfeatureofalarmtotheexistingpanic。Thusitwasthathertestimonywasgiven:Onthedaybeforethemurder，sheandhersisterweresittingwiththeoldladiesinaroomfrontingtothestreet；theelderladieswerereading，theyoungeronesdrawing。Louisa，theyoungest，neverhadherearinattentivetotheslightestsound，andonceitstruckherthatsheheardthecreakingofafootuponthestairs。Shesaidnothing，but，slippingoutoftheroom，sheascertainedthatthetwofemaleservantswereinthekitchen，andcouldnothavebeenabsent；thatallthedoorsandwindows，bywhichingresswaspossible，werenotonlylocked，butboltedandbarred——afactwhichexcludedallpossibilityofinvasionbymeansoffalsekeys。Stillshefeltpersuadedthatshehadheardthesoundofaheavyfootuponthestairs。Itwas，however，daylight，andthisgaveherconfidence；
sothat，withoutcommunicatingheralarmtoanybody，shefoundcouragetotraversethehouseineverydirection；and，asnothingwaseitherseenorheard，sheconcludedthatherearshadbeentoosensitivelyawake。Yetthatnight，asshelayinbed，dimterrorsassailedher，especiallybecausesheconsideredthat，insolargeahouse，someclosetorothermighthavebeenoverlooked，and，inparticular，shedidnotremembertohaveexaminedoneortwochests，inwhichamancouldhavelainconcealed。Throughthegreaterpartofthenightshelayawake；butasoneofthetownclocksstruckfour，shedismissedheranxieties，andfellasleep。
Thenextday，weariedwiththisunusualwatching，sheproposedtohersisterthattheyshouldgotobedearlierthanusual。Thistheydid；and，ontheirwayupstairs，Louisahappenedtothinksuddenlyofaheavycloak，whichwouldimprovethecoveringsofherbedagainsttheseverityofthenight。Thecloakwashangingupinaclosetwithinacloset，bothleadingofffromalargeroomusedastheyoungladies’dancingschool。Theseclosetsshehadexaminedonthepreviousday，andthereforeshefeltnoparticularalarmatthismoment。Thecloakwasthefirstarticlewhichmethersight；itwassuspendedfromahookinthewall，andclosetothedoor。Shetookitdown，but，indoingso，exposedpartofthewallandofthefloor，whichitsfoldshadpreviouslyconcealed。
Turningawayhastily，thechanceswerethatshehadgonewithoutmakinganydiscovery。Intheactofturning，however，herlightfellbrightlyonaman’sfootandleg。Matchlesswasherpresenceofmind；havingpreviouslybeenhumminganair，shecontinuedtodoso。Butnowcamethetrial；hersisterwasbendingherstepstothesamecloset。Ifshesufferedhertodoso，Lottchenwouldstumbleonthesamediscovery，andexpireoffright。Ontheotherhand，ifshegaveherahint，Lottchenwouldeitherfailtounderstandher，or，gainingbutaglimpseofhermeaning，wouldshriekaloud，orbysomeequallydecisiveexpressionconveythefatalnewstotheassassinthathehadbeendiscovered。Inthistorturingdilemmafearpromptedanexpedient，whichtoLottchenappearedmadness，andtoLouisaherselftheactofasibylinstinctwithblindinspiration。”Here，”saidshe，”isourdancingroom。
Whenshallweallmeetanddanceagaintogether？”Sayingwhich，shecommencedawilddance，whirlinghercandleroundherheaduntilthemotionextinguishedit；then，eddyingroundhersisterinnarrowingcircles，sheseizedLottchen’scandlealso，blewitout，andtheninterruptedherownsingingtoattemptalaugh。Butthelaughwashysterical。Thedarkness，however，favoredher；and，seizinghersister’sarm，sheforcedheralong，whispering，”Come，come，come！”Lottchencouldnotbesodullasentirelytomisunderstandher。Shesufferedherselftobeledupthefirstflightofstairs，attheheadofwhichwasaroomlookingintothestreet。Inthistheywouldhavegainedanasylum，forthedoorhadastrongbolt。But，astheywereonthelaststepsofthelanding，theycouldhearthehardbreathingandlongstridesofthemurdererascendingbehindthem。Hehadwatchedthemthroughacrevice，andhadbeensatisfiedbythehystericallaughofLouisathatshehadseenhim。Inthedarknesshecouldnotfollowfast，fromignoranceofthelocalities，untilhefoundhimselfuponthestairs。Louisa，dragginghersisteralong，feltstrongaswiththestrengthoflunacy，butLottchenhunglikeaweightofleaduponher。Sherushedintotheroom，butattheveryentranceLottchenfell。Atthatmomenttheassassinexchangedhisstealthypaceforaloudclatteringascent。Alreadyhewasonthetopmoststair；alreadyhewasthrowinghimselfataboundagainstthedoor，whenLouisa，havingdraggedhersisterintotheroom，closedthedoorandsentthebolthomeintheveryinstantthatthemurderer’shandcameintocontactwiththehandle。Then，fromtheviolenceofheremotions，shefelldowninafit，withherarmaroundthesisterwhomshehadsaved。
Howlongtheylayinthisstateneithereverknew。Thetwooldladieshadrushedupstairsonhearingthetumult。Otherpersonshadbeenconcealedinotherpartsofthehouse。Theservantsfoundthemselvessuddenlylockedin，andwerenotsorrytobesavedfromacollisionwhichinvolvedsoawfuladanger。Theoldladieshadrushed，sidebyside，intotheverycenterofthosewhowereseekingthem。Retreatwasimpossible；twopersonsatleastwereheardfollowingthemupstairs。Somethinglikeashriekingexpostulationandcounter-expostulationwentonbetweentheladiesandthemurderers；thencameloudervoices——thenoneheart-piercingshriek，andthenanother——andthenaslowmoaningandadeadsilence。Shortlyafterwardswasheardthefirstcrashingofthedoorinwardbythemob；butthemurderershadfleduponthefirstalarm，and，totheastonishmentoftheservants，hadfledupward。
Examination，however，explainedthis:fromawindowintherooftheyhadpassedtoanadjoininghouserecentlyleftempty；andhere，asinothercases，wehadproofhowaptpeopleare，inthemidstofelaborateprovisionsagainstremotedangers，toneglectthosewhichareobvious。
Thereignofterror，itmaybesupposed，hadnowreacheditsacme。
Thetwooldladieswerebothlyingdeadatdifferentpointsonthestaircase，and，asusual，noconjecturecouldbemadeastothenatureoftheoffensewhichtheyhadgiven；butthatthemurderWAS
avindictiveone，theusualevidenceremainedbehind，intheproofsthatnorobberyhadbeenattempted。Twonewfeatures，however，werenowbroughtforwardinthissystemofhorrors，oneofwhichrivetedthesenseoftheirinsecuritytoallfamiliesoccupyingextensivehouses，andtheotherraisedillbloodbetweenthecityandtheuniversity，suchasrequiredyearstoallay。Thefirstaroseoutoftheexperience，nowfirstobtained，thattheseassassinspursuedtheplanofsecretingthemselveswithinthehousewheretheymeditatedamurder。Allthecare，therefore，previouslydirectedtothesecuringofdoorsandwindowsafternightfallappearednugatory。Theotherfeaturebroughttolightonthisoccasionwasvouchedforbyoneoftheservants，whodeclaredthat，themomentbeforethedoorofthekitchenwasfasteneduponherselfandfellowservant，shesawtwomeninthehall，oneonthepointofascendingthestairs，theothermakingtowardthekitchen；thatshecouldnotdistinguishthefacesofeither，butthatbothweredressedintheacademiccostumebelongingtothestudentsoftheuniversity。Theconsequencesofsuchadeclarationneedscarcelybementioned。Suspicionsettleduponthestudents，whoweremorenumeroussincethegeneralpeace，inamuchlargerproportionmilitary，andlessselectorrespectablethanheretofore。Still，nopartofthemysterywasclearedupbythisdiscovery。ManyofthestudentswerepoorenoughtofeelthetemptationthatmightbeofferedbyanyLUCRATIVEsystemofoutrage。Jealousandpainfulcollusionswere，inthemeantime，produced；and，duringthelattertwomonthsofthiswinter，itmaybesaidthatourcityexhibitedtheveryanarchyofevilpassions。Thisconditionofthingslasteduntilthedawningofanotherspring。
Itwillbesupposedthatcommunicationsweremadetothesupremegovernmentofthelandassoonasthemurdersinourcitywereunderstoodtobenocasualoccurrences，butlinksinasystematicseries。Perhapsitmighthappenfromsomeotherbusiness，ofahigherkind，justthenengagingtheattentionofourgovernors，thatourrepresentationsdidnotmaketheimpressionwehadexpected。Wecouldnot，indeed，complainofabsoluteneglectfromthegovernment。Theysentdownoneortwooftheirmostaccomplishedpoliceofficers，andtheysuggestedsomecounsels，especiallythatweshouldexaminemorestrictlyintothequalityofthemiscellaneouspopulationwhooccupiedourlargesuburb。Buttheymorethanhintedthatnonecessitywasseeneitherforquarteringtroopsuponus，orforarmingourlocalmagistracywithamplerpowers。
ThiscorrespondencewiththecentralgovernmentoccupiedthemonthofMarch，and，beforethattime，thebloodysystemhadceasedasabruptlyasitbegan。Thenewpoliceofficerflatteredhimselfthattheterrorofhisnamehadwroughtthiseffect；butjudiciouspeoplethoughtotherwise。All，however，wasquietuntilthedepthofsummer，when，bywayofhintingtous，perhaps，thatthedreadfulpowerwhichclotheditselfwithdarknesshadnotexpired，butwasonlyreposingfromitslabors，allatoncethechiefjailerofthecitywasmissing。Hehadbeeninthehabitoftakinglongridesintheforest，hispresentsituationbeingmuchofasinecure。ItwasonthefirstofJulythathewasmissed。Inridingthroughthecitygatesthatmorning，hehadmentionedthedirectionwhichhemeanttopursue；andthelasttimehewasseenalivewasinoneoftheforestavenues，abouteightmilesfromthecity，leadingtowardthepointhehadindicated。Thisjailerwasnotamantoberegrettedonhisownaccount；hislifehadbeenatissueofcrueltyandbrutalabuseofhispowers，inwhichhehadbeentoomuchsupportedbythemagistrates，partlyonthepleathatitwastheirdutytobacktheirownofficersagainstallcomplainers，partlyalsofromthenecessitiescreatedbytheturbulenttimesforamoresummaryexerciseoftheirmagisterialauthority。Noman，therefore，onhisownseparateaccount，couldmorewillinglyhavebeensparedthanthisbrutaljailer；anditwasageneralremarkthat，hadthemurderousbandwithinourwallssweptawaythismanonly，theywouldhavemeritedthepublicgratitudeaspurifiersfromapublicnuisance。Butwasitcertainthatthejailerhaddiedbythesamehandsashadsodeeplyafflictedthepeaceofourcityduringthewinter——or，indeed，thathehadbeenmurderedatall？Theforestwastooextensivetobesearched；anditwaspossiblethathemighthavemetwithsomefatalaccident。Hishorsehadreturnedtothecitygatesinthenight，andwasfoundthereinthemorning。Nobody，however，formonthscouldgiveinformationabouthisrider；anditseemedprobablethathewouldnotbediscovereduntiltheautumnandthewintershouldagaincarrythesportsmanintoeverythicketanddingleofthissylvantract。Onepersononlyseemedtohavemoreknowledgeonthissubjectthanothers，andthatwaspoorFerdinandvonHarrelstein。Hewasnowamereruinofwhathehadoncebeen，bothastointellectandmoralfeeling；andIobservedhimfrequentlysmilewhenthejailerwasmentioned。”Wait，”hewouldsay，”tilltheleavesbegintodrop；thenyouwillseewhatfinefruitourforestbears。”Ididnotrepeattheseexpressionstoanybodyexceptonefriend，whoagreedwithmethatthejailerhadprobablybeenhangedinsomerecessoftheforest，whichsummerveiledwithitsluxuriantumbrage；andthatFerdinand，constantlywanderingintheforest，haddiscoveredthebody；butwebothacquittedhimofhavingbeenanaccompliceinthemurder。
MeantimethemarriagebetweenMargaretLiebenheimandMaximilianwasunderstoodtobedrawingnear。Yetonethingstruckeverybodywithastonishment。Asfarastheyoungpeoplewereconcerned，nobodycoulddoubtthatallwasarranged；forneverwashappinessmoreperfectthanthatwhichseemedtounitethem。MargaretwastheimpersonationofMay-timeandyouthfulrapture；evenMaximilianinherpresenceseemedtoforgethisgloom，andthewormwhichgnawedathisheartwascharmedasleepbythemusicofhervoice，andtheparadiseofhersmiles。But，untiltheautumncame，Margaret’sgrandfatherhadneverceasedtofrownuponthisconnection，andtosupportthepretensionsofFerdinand。Thedislike，indeed，seemedreciprocalbetweenhimandMaximilian。
Eachavoidedtheother’scompanyandastotheoldman，hewentsofarastospeaksneeringlyofMaximilian。Maximiliandespisedhimtooheartilytospeakofhimatall。Whenhecouldnotavoidmeetinghim，hetreatedhimwithasterncourtesy，whichdistressedMargaretasoftenasshewitnessedit。Shefeltthathergrandfatherhadbeentheaggressor；andshefeltalsothathedidinjusticetothemeritsofherlover。Butshehadafilialtendernessfortheoldman，asthefatherofhersaintedmother，andonhisownaccount，continuallymakingmoreclaimsonherpity，asthedecayofhismemory，andachildishfretfulnessgrowinguponhimfromdaytoday，markedhisincreasingimbecility。
Equallymysteriousitseemed，thataboutthistimeMissLiebenheimbegantoreceiveanonymousletters，writteninthedarkestandmostmenacingterms。Someofthemsheshowedtome。Icouldnotguessattheirdrift。EvidentlytheyglancedatMaximilian，andbadeherbewareofconnectionwithhim；anddreadfulthingswereinsinuatedabouthim。CouldtheselettersbewrittenbyFerdinand？Writtentheywerenot，butcouldtheybedictatedbyhim？MuchIfearedthattheywere；andthemoresoforonereason。
Allatonce，andmostinexplicably，Margaret’sgrandfathershowedatotalchangeofopinioninhisviewsastohermarriage。InsteadoffavoringHarrelstein’spretensions，ashehadhithertodone，henowthrewthefeebleweightofhisencouragementintoMaximilian’sscale；though，fromthesituationofalltheparties，nobodyattachedanyPRACTICALimportancetothechangeinMr。Liebenheim’swayofthinking。Nobody？Isthattrue？No；onepersonDIDattachthegreatestweighttothechange——poor，ruinedFerdinand。He，solongastherewasonepersontotakehispart，solongasthegrandfatherofMargaretshowedcountenancetohimself，hadstillfelthissituationnotutterlydesperate。
Thuswerethingssituated，wheninNovember，alltheleavesdailyblowingofffromthewoods，andleavingbarethemostsecrethauntsofthethickets，thebodyofthejailerwasleftexposedintheforest；butnot，asIandmyfriendhadconjectured，hanged。No；
hehaddiedapparentlybyamorehorriddeath——bythatofcrucifixion。Thetree，aremarkableone，boreuponapartofitstrunkthisbriefbutsavageinscription:——”T。H。，jailerat——；
CrucifiedJuly1，1816。”
Agreatdealoftalkwentonthroughoutthecityuponthisdiscovery；nobodyutteredonewordofregretonaccountofthewretchedjailer；onthecontrary，thevoiceofvengeance，risingupinmanyacottage，reachedmyearsineverydirectionasIwalkedabroad。Thehatredinitselfseemedhorridandunchristian，andstillmoresoaftertheman’sdeath；but，thoughhorridandfiendishforitself，itwasmuchmoreimpressive，consideredasthemeasureandexponentofthedamnableoppressionwhichmusthaveexistedtoproduceit。
Atfirst，whentheabsenceofthejailerwasarecentoccurrence，andthepresenceofthemurderersamonguswas，inconsequence，revivedtoouranxiousthoughts，itwasaneventwhichfewalludedtowithoutfear。Butmatterswerechangednow；thejailerhadbeendeadformonths，andthisinterval，duringwhichthemurderer’shandhadslept，encouragedeverybodytohopethatthestormhadpassedoverourcity；thatpeacehadreturnedtoourhearths；andthathenceforthweaknessmightsleepinsafety，andinnocencewithoutanxiety。Oncemorewehadpeacewithinourwalls，andtranquillitybyourfiresides。Againthechildwenttobedincheerfulness，andtheoldmansaidhisprayersinserenity。
Confidencewasrestored；peacewasre-established；andonceagainthesanctityofhumanlifebecametheruleandtheprincipleforallhumanhandsamongus。Greatwasthejoy；thehappinesswasuniversal。
Oheavens！bywhatathunderboltwereweawakenedfromoursecurity！Onthenightofthetwenty-seventhofDecember，halfanhour，itmightbe，aftertwelveo’clock，analarmwasgiventhatallwasnotrightinthehouseofMr。Liebenheim。Vastwasthecrowdwhichsooncollectedinbreathlessagitation。IntwominutesamanwhohadgoneroundbythebackofthehousewasheardunbarringMr。Liebenheim’sdoor:hewasincapableofutteringaword；buthisgestures，ashethrewthedooropenandbeckonedtothecrowd，werequiteenough。Inthehall，atthefurtherextremity，andasifarrestedintheactofmakingforthebackdoor，laythebodiesofoldMr。Liebenheimandoneofhissisters，anagedwidow；onthestairlayanothersister，youngerandunmarried，butupwardofsixty。Thehallandlowerflightofstairswerefloatingwithblood。Where，then，wasMissLiebenheim，thegranddaughter？Thatwastheuniversalcry；forshewasbelovedasgenerallyasshewasadmired。Hadtheinfernalmurderersbeendevilishenoughtobreakintothattempleofinnocentandhappylife？Everyoneaskedthequestion，andeveryoneheldhisbreathtolisten；butforafewmomentsnoonedaredtoadvance；forthesilenceofthehousewasominous。AtlengthsomeonecriedoutthatMissLiebenheimhadthatdaygoneuponavisittoafriend，whosehousewasfortymilesdistantintheforest。”Aye，”repliedanother，”shehadsettledtogo；butIheardthatsomethinghadstoppedher。”Thesuspensewasnowatitsheight，andthecrowdpassedfromroomtoroom，butfoundnotracesofMissLiebenheim。
Atlengththeyascendedthestair，andintheveryfirstroom，asmallcloset，orboudoir，layMargaret，withherdresssoiledhideouslywithblood。Thefirstimpressionwasthatshealsohadbeenmurdered；but，onanearerapproach，sheappearedtobeunwounded，andwasmanifestlyalive。Lifehadnotdeparted，forherbreathsentahazeoveramirror，butitwassuspended，andshewaslaboringinsomekindoffit。Thefirstactofthecrowdwastocarryherintothehouseofafriendontheoppositesideofthestreet，bywhichtimemedicalassistancehadcrowdedtothespot。
TheirattentionstoMissLiebenheimhadnaturallyderangedtheconditionofthingsinthelittleroom，butnotbeforemanypeoplefoundtimetoremarkthatoneofthemurderersmusthavecarriedherwithhisbloodyhandstothesofaonwhichshelay，forwaterhadbeensprinkledprofuselyoverherfaceandthroat，andwaterwasevenplacedreadytoherhand，whenshemighthappentorecover，uponalowfoot-stoolbythesideofthesofa。
Onthefollowingmorning，Maximilian，whohadbeenuponahuntingpartyintheforest，returnedtothecity，andimmediatelylearnedthenews。Ididnotseehimforsomehoursafter，buthethenappearedtomethoroughlyagitated，forthefirsttimeIhadknownhimtobeso。IntheeveninganotherperplexingpieceofintelligencetranspiredwithregardtoMissLiebenheim，whichatfirstafflictedeveryfriendofthatyounglady。Itwasthatshehadbeenseizedwiththepainsofchildbirth，anddeliveredofason，who，however，beingbornprematurely，didnotlivemanyhours。
Scandal，however，wasnotallowedlongtobattenuponthisimaginarytriumph，forwithintwohoursafterthecirculationofthisfirstrumor，followedasecond，authenticated，announcingthatMaximilianhadappearedwiththeconfessoroftheLiebenheimfamily，attheresidenceofthechiefmagistrate，andthereproducedsatisfactoryproofsofhismarriagewithMissLiebenheim，whichhadbeendulycelebrated，thoughwithgreatsecrecy，nearlyeightmonthsbefore。Inourcity，asinallthecitiesofourcountry，clandestinemarriages，witnessed，perhaps，bytwofriendsonlyoftheparties，besidestheofficiatingpriest，areexceedinglycommon。Inthemerefact，therefore，takenseparately，therewasnothingtosurpriseus，but，takeninconnectionwiththegeneralpositionoftheparties，itDIDsurpriseusall；norcouldweconjecturethereasonforastepapparentlysoneedless。For，thatMaximiliancouldhavethoughtitanypointofprudenceornecessitytosecurethehandofMargaretLiebenheimbyaprivatemarriage，againstthefinaloppositionofhergrandfather，nobodywhoknewtheparties，whoknewtheperfectlovewhichpossessedMissLiebenbeim，thegrowingimbecilityofhergrandfather，ortheuttercontemptwithwhichMaximilianregardedhim，couldforamomentbelieve。Altogether，thematterwasoneofprofoundmystery。
Meantime，itrejoicedmethatpoorMargaret’snamehadbeenthusrescuedfromthefangsofthescandalmongers。Theseharpieshadtheirpreytornfromthemattheverymomentwhentheyweresittingdowntotheunhallowedbanquet。ForthisIrejoiced，butelsetherewaslittlesubjectforrejoicinginanythingwhichconcernedpoorMargaret。Longshelayindeepinsensibility，takingnonoticeofanything，rarelyopeninghereyes，andapparentlyunconsciousoftherevolutions，astheysucceeded，ofmorningorevening，lightordarkness，yesterdayorto-day。GreatwastheagitationwhichconvulsedtheheartofMaximilianduringthisperiod；hewalkedupanddowninthecathedralnearlyalldaylong，andtheravageswhichanxietywasworkinginhisphysicalsystemmightbereadinhisface。Peoplefeltitanintrusionuponthesanctityofhisgrieftolookathimtoonarrowly，andthewholetownsympathizedwithhissituation。
