Wieland's Maddness by Charles Brockden Brown
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was regarded by everyone of_our family with veneration . it had fallen to_me in_the division of_his property, and was placed in_this asylum . the sound awakened a series of reflections respecting his death . i_was not allowed to pursue them; for scarcely had the vibrations ceased, when my attention was attracted by a whisper, which, at first, appeared to_proceed from lips that were laid close to my ear .

no wonder that a circumstance like this startled me . in_the first impulse of_my terror, I uttered a slight scream and shrunk to_the opposite side of_the bed . in a moment, however, I recovered from my trepidation . i_was habitually indifferent to all the causes of fear by_which the majority are afflicted .I entertained no apprehension of either ghosts or robbers . our security had never been molested by either, and I_made use of no means to_prevent or counterwork their machinations . my tranquillity on_this occasion was quickly retrieved . the whisper evidently proceeded from one who was posted at my bedside . the first idea that suggested itself was that_it_was uttered by_the girl who lived with me as a servant . perhaps somewhat had alarmed her, or she was sick, and had come to request my assistance . by whispering in my ear she intended to rouse without alarming me .

full of_this persuasion, I called, " Judith, is_it you ? what do_you_want ? is_there anything the matter with_you ? " no answer was returned .I repeated my inquiry, but equally in vain . cloudy as was_the atmosphere, and curtained as my bed was, nothing was visible .I withdrew the curtain, and, leaning my head on my elbow, I listened with_the deepest attention to catch some new sound . meanwhile, I ran over in my thoughts every circumstance that could assist my conjectures .

my habitation was a wooden edifice, consisting of two stories . in each story were two rooms, separated by an entry, or middle passage, with_which they communicated by opposite doors . the passage on_the lower story had doors at_the two ends, and a staircase .Windows answered to_the doors on_the upper story . annexed to_this, on_the eastern side, were wings, divided in like manner into an upper and lower room; one_of_them comprised a kitchen, and chamber above it for_the servant, and communicated on both stories with_the parlor adjoining it below and_the chamber adjoining it above . the opposite wing is of smaller dimensions, the rooms not being above eight feet square . the lower of_these was used as a depository of household implements; the upper was a closet in_which I deposited my books and papers . they had but one inlet, which_was from_the room adjoining . there_was no window in_the lower one, and in_the upper a small aperture which communicated light and air, but would scarcely admit the body . the door which led into_this was close to my bed head, and was always locked but when I myself was within . the avenues below were accustomed to_be closed and bolted at nights .

the maid was my only companion; and she_could_not reach my chamber without previously passing through_the opposite chamber and_the middle passage, of_which, however, the doors were usually unfastened . if she had occasioned this noise, she would_have answered my repeated calls . no other conclusion, therefore, was left me, but that I had mistaken the sounds, and_that my imagination had transformed some casual noise into_the voice of a human creature . satisfied with_this solution, i_was preparing to relinquish my listening attitude, when my ear was again saluted with a new and yet louder whispering . it appeared, as before, to issue from lips that touched my pillow .a second effort of attention, however, clearly showed me that_the sounds issued from within_the closet, the door of which_was not more than eight inches from my pillow .

this second interruption occasioned a shock less vehement than_the former .I started, but gave no audible token of alarm . i_was so_much mistress of_my feelings as to_continue listening to what should_be said . the whisper was distinct, hoarse, and uttered so as_to show that_the speaker was desirous of being heard by some one near, but, at_the same time, studious to avoid being overheard by any_other:--

" stop ! stop, I_say, madman as_you_are ! there_are better means than that . curse upon your rashness ! there_is no need to shoot ."

such were the words uttered, in a tone of eagerness and anger, within so small a distance of_my pillow . what construction could I put upon them ? my heart began to palpitate with dread of some unknown danger . presently, another voice, but equally near me, was heard whispering in answer, " why_not ? i_will draw a trigger in_this business; but perdition be my lot if I_do more ! " to_this the first voice returned, in a tone which rage had heightened in a small degree above a whisper, " coward ! stand aside, and_see me do_it . i_will grasp her throat; i_will do her business in an instant; she shall_not_have time so_much as_to groan ." what wonder that i_was petrified by sounds so dreadful ! Murderers lurked in my closet . they were planning the means of_my destruction . one resolved to shoot, and_the other menaced suffocation . their means being chosen, they_would forthwith break the door . flight instantly suggested itself as most eligible in circumstances so perilous .I deliberated not a moment; but, fear adding wings to my speed, I leaped out of bed, and, scantily robed as i_was, rushed out_of_the chamber, downstairs, and into_the open air . I_can hardly recollect the process of turning keys and withdrawing bolts . my terrors urged me forward with almost a mechanical impulse .I stopped not till I reached my brother's door .I had_not gained the threshold, when, exhausted by_the violence of_my emotions and by my speed, I sunk down in a fit .

how long I remained in_this situation I_know not . when I recovered, I_found myself stretched on a bed, surrounded by my sister and her female servants . i_was astonished at_the scene before me, but gradually recovered the recollection of what had happened .I answered their importunate inquiries as_well as i_was able . my brother and Pleyel, whom the storm of_the preceding day chanced to detain here, informing themselves of every particular, proceeded with lights and weapons to my deserted habitation . they entered my chamber and my closet, and found everything in its proper place and customary order . the door of_the closet was locked, and appeared not to_have_been opened in my absence . they went to Judith's apartment . they found her asleep and in safety .Pleyel's caution induced him to forbear alarming the girl; and, finding her wholly ignorant of what had passed, they directed her to return to her chamber . they then fastened the doors and returned .

my friends were disposed to regard this transaction as a dream . that persons should_be actually immured in_this closet, to_which, in_the circumstances of_the time, access from without or within was apparently impossible, they_could_not seriously believe . that any human beings had intended murder, unless it were to_cover a scheme of pillage, was incredible; but that no such design had_been formed was evident from_the security in_which_the furniture of_the house and_the closet remained .

I revolved every incident and expression that had occurred . my senses assured me of_the truth of_them; and yet their abruptness and improbability made me, in my turn, somewhat incredulous . the adventure had made a deep impression on my fancy; and it_was not till after a week's abode at my brother's that I resolved to resume the possession of_my own dwelling .

there_was another circumstance that enhanced the mysteriousness of_this event . after my recovery, it_was obvious to inquire by what means the attention of_the family had_been drawn to my situation .I had fallen before I had reached the threshold or was able to_give any signal . my brother related that, while this_was transacting in my chamber, he himself was awake, in consequence of some slight indisposition, and lay, according to_his custom, musing on some favorite topic . suddenly the silence, which_was remarkably profound, was broken by a voice of most piercing shrillness, that seemed to_be uttered by one in_the hall below his chamber ." awake ! arise ! " it exclaimed; " hasten to succor one that_is dying at your door ! "

this summons was effectual . there_was no one in_the house who was not roused by_it .Pleyel was_the first to obey, and my brother overtook him before he reached the hall . what_was the general astonishment when your friend was discovered stretched upon_the grass before_the door, pale, ghastly, and with every mark of death !

but how was I to regard this midnight conversation ? hoarse and manlike voices conferring on_the means of death, so near my bed, and at such an hour ! how had my ancient security vanished ! that dwelling which had hitherto been an inviolate asylum was now beset with danger to my life . that solitude formerly so dear to_me could no longer be endured .Pleyel, who had consented to reside with_us during the months of spring, lodged in_the vacant chamber, in_order to quiet my alarms . he treated my fears with ridicule, and in a short time very slight traces of_them remained; but, as it_was wholly indifferent to him whether his nights were passed at my house or at my brother's, this arrangement gave general satisfaction .

II

i_will enumerate the various inquiries and conjectures which these incidents occasioned . after all our efforts, we came no nearer to dispelling the mist in_which they were involved; and time, instead of facilitating a solution, only accumulated our doubts .

in_the midst of thoughts excited by_these events, i_was not unmindful of_my interview with_the stranger .I related the particulars, and showed the portrait to my friends .Pleyel recollected to_have met with a figure resembling my description in_the city; but neither his face or garb made the same impression upon him that_it made upon me . it_was a hint to rally me upon my prepossessions, and to amuse us with a thousand ludicrous anecdotes which he had collected in_his travels . he_made no scruple to_charge me with being in love; and threatened to inform the swain, when he met him, of_his good fortune .

Pleyel's temper made him susceptible of no durable impressions . his conversation was occasionally visited by gleams of_his ancient vivacity; but, though his impetuosity was sometimes inconvenient, there_was nothing to dread from_his malice .I had no fear that my character or dignity would suffer in_his hands, and was not heartily displeased when he declared his intention of profiting by his first meeting with_the stranger to introduce him to our acquaintance .

some weeks after_this I had spent atoilsome day, and, as_the sun declined, found myself disposed to seek relief in a walk . the river bank is, at_this part of it and for some considerable space upward, so rugged and steep as not to_be easily descended . in a recess of_this declivity, near the southern verge of_my little demesne, was placed a slight building, with seats and lattices . from a crevice of_the rock to_which this edifice was attached there burst forth a stream of_the purest water, which, leaping from ledge to ledge for_the space of sixty feet, produced a freshness in_the air, and a murmur, the most delicious and soothing imaginable . these, added to_the odors of_the cedars which embowered it, and of_the honeysuckle which clustered among_the lattices, rendered this my favorite retreat in summer .

on_this occasion I repaired hither . my spirits drooped through_the fatigue of long attention, and I threw myself upon a bench, in a state, both mentally and personally, of_the utmost supineness . the lulling sounds of_the waterfall, the fragrance, and_the dusk, combined to becalm my spirits, and, in a short time, to sink me into sleep . either the uneasiness of_my posture, or some slight indisposition, molested my repose with dreams of no cheerful hue . after various incoherences had taken their turn to occupy my fancy, I at_length imagined myself walking, in_the evening twilight, to my brother's habitation .a pit, methought, had_been dug in_the path I had taken, of_which i_was not aware . as I carelessly pursued my walk, i_thought I_saw my brother standing at some distance before me, beckoning and calling me to_make haste . he stood on_the opposite edge of_the gulf .I mended my pace, and one step more would_have plunged me into_this abyss, had_not some one from behind caught suddenly my arm, and exclaimed, in a voice of eagerness and terror, " hold ! hold ! "

the sound broke my sleep, and I_found myself, at_the next moment, standing on my feet, and surrounded by_the deepest darkness .Images so terrific and forcible disabled me for a time from distinguishing between sleep and wakefulness, and withheld from me the knowledge of_my actual condition . my first panic was succeeded by_the perturbations of surprise to_find myself alone in_the open air and immersed in so deep a gloom .I slowly recollected the incidents of_the afternoon, and how I_came hither . I_could_not estimate the time, but saw the propriety of returning with speed to_the house . my faculties were still too confused, and_the darkness too intense, to allow me immediately to_find my way up the steep .I sat down, therefore, to

Section [1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13]