Wieland's Maddness by Charles Brockden Brown

Wieland's Maddness by Charles Brockden Brown
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the accents and gestures of_this man left drained all courage surely , other occasion should I_have_been thus pusillanimous state I regarded hopeless one i_was wholly at_the mercy of_this being whichever way I turned eyes , I_saw avenue by_which I_might escape the resources of_my personal strength , ingenuity , and eloquence , I estimated nothing the dignity virtue and_the force truth I had_been accustomed celebrate , and had frequently vaunted of_the conquests which i_should make with their assistance

I used suppose that certain evils could never befall being possession sound mind ; that true virtue supplies with energy which vice can never resist ; that_it_was always in_our power obstruct , his own death , the designs enemy who aimed less_than our life how was_it that sentiment like despair had now invaded , and_that I trusted to_the protection chance , to_the pity of_my persecutor ?

his words imparted some notion of_the injury which had meditated talked obstacles that had risen in_his way had relinquished his design these sources supplied with slender consolation there_was security but in_his absence when I looked myself , when I reflected on_the hour and_the place , i_was overpowered horror and dejection

he_was silent , museful, and inattentive situation , yet made motion depart i_was silent turn what could I_say ? i_was confident that reason in_this contest would_be impotent I_must owe safety to_his own suggestions whatever purpose brought him hither , had changed why then did remain ? his resolutions might fluctuate , and_the pause few_minutes restore him his first resolutions

yet was not this the man whom had treated with unwearied kindness ? whose society was endeared to_us his intellectual elevation and accomplishments ? who had thousand times expatiated on_the usefulness and beauty virtue ? why should such one dreaded ? I_could_have forgotten the circumstances in_which our interview had taken place , I_might_have treated his words jests presently , resumed :--

" fear not : the space that severs small , and all visible succor distant you believe yourself completely power ; that you stand upon_the brink ruin such are your groundless fears I_cannot lift finger hurt you easier would stop the moon her course than injure you the power that protects you_would crumble sinews and reduce heap ashes moment , I were harbor thought hostile your safety

" thus are appearances at_length solved little did I expect that_they originated hence what portion assigned to_you ! scanned by_the eyes of_this intelligence , your path will_be without pits swallow snares entangle you Environed by_the arms of_this protection , all artifices will_be frustrated and all malice repelled "

here succeeded new pause i_was still observant every gesture and look the tranquil solemnity that had lately possessed his countenance gave way new expression all now was trepidation and anxiety

" I_must_be gone ," said , faltering accent " why I linger here ? i_will_not ask your forgiveness I_see that your terrors are invincible your pardon will_be extorted fear , and not dictated compassion I_must fly from_you forever that could plot against your honor must expect and your friends persecution and death I_must doom myself endless exile "

Saying this , hastily left the room I listened while descended the stairs, and , unbolting the outer door , went forth I_did_not follow him with eyes , as_the moonlight would_have enabled to_do relieved his absence , and exhausted by_the conflict of_my fears, I threw myself chair , and resigned myself to_those bewildering ideas which incidents like these could_not fail to_produce

order could_not readily introduced into thoughts the voice still rung ears every accent that was uttered Carwin was fresh remembrance his unwelcome approach , the recognition of_his person , his hasty departure , produced complex impression mind which words can delineate I strove to_give slower motion thoughts, and regulate confusion which became painful ; but efforts were nugatory I covered eyes with hand , and sat , I_know not how long , without power arrange utter conceptions

I had remained for hours, I believed, absolute solitude thought personal danger had molested tranquillity I had made preparation for defense what_was that suggested the design perusing father 's manuscript ? , instead of_this , I had retired bed and sleep , what fate might I not have_been reserved the ruffian , who_must almost have suppressed his breathings screen himself from discovery , would_have noticed this signal , and i_should_have awakened only perish with affright , and abhor myself could I_have remained unconscious of_my danger ? could I_have tranquilly slept in_the midst deadly snare ?

and who was that threatened destroy ? what means could hide himself in_this closet ? surely he_is gifted with supernatural power such is_the enemy whose attempts i_was forewarned daily I had seen him and conversed with_him nothing could_be discerned through_the impenetrable veil of_his duplicity when busied conjectures as_to_the author of_the evil that was threatened , mind did_not light for moment upon his yet has not avowed himself enemy ? why should here had_not meditated evil ?

confesses that_this has_been his second attempt what_was the scene of_his former conspiracy ? was_it not whose whispers betrayed him ? Am I deceived ? was there not faint resemblance between_the voice of_this man and_that which talked grasping throat and extinguishing life moment ? then had colleague in_his crime ; now he_is alone then death was_the scope of_his thoughts; now injury unspeakably more dreadful how thankful should I to_the power that has interposed save !

that power invisible it_is subject to_the cognizance one of_my senses what_are the means that_will inform what nature it_is ? has set himself counter - work the machinations of_this man , who had menaced destruction all that_is dear to_me , and whose coming had surmounted every human impediment there_was none rescue from_his grasp rashness even hastened the completion of_his scheme , and precluded him from_the benefits deliberation I had robbed him of_the power repent and forbear had I been apprised of_the danger , i_should_have regarded conduct as_the means rendering escape from_it impossible such , likewise , seem to_have_been the fears of_my invisible protector else why that startling entreaty refrain from opening the closet ? what inexplicable infatuation was I compelled to_proceed ?

" surely ," said I, " there_is omnipotence in_the cause that changed the views man like Carwin the divinity that shielded from_his attempts will take suitable care of_my future safety thus yield fears deserve that_they should_be real "

scarcely had I uttered these words, when attention was startled by_the sound footsteps they denoted some one stepping into_the piazza front of_my house new - born confidence was extinguished moment Carwin, i_thought , had repented his departure , and was hastily returning the possibility that his return was prompted intentions consistent with safety found place mind Images violation and murder assailed anew , and_the terrors which succeeded almost incapacitated from taking any measures for_my defense it_was impulse of_which i_was scarcely conscious that made fasten the lock and draw the bolts of_my chamber door Having done this , I threw myself seat ; for I trembled degree which disabled from standing, and soul was perfectly absorbed in_the act listening, that almost the vital motions were stopped

the door below creaked its hinges it_was not again thrust , but appeared remain open Footsteps entered , traversed the entry , and began mount the stairs how I detested the folly not pursuing the man when withdrew , and bolting after him the outer door ! might not conceive this omission to_be proof that angel had deserted , and thereby fortified guilt ?

every step on_the stairs which brought him nearer chamber added vigor desperation the evil with_which i_was menaced was to_be any rate eluded how little did I preconceive the conduct which , exigence like this , i_should_be prone adopt ! you_will suppose that deliberation and despair would_have suggested the same course action , and_that i_should_have unhesitatingly resorted to_the best means personal defense within power penknife lay open upon table I remembered that_it_was there , and seized for what purpose you_will scarcely inquire it_will_be immediately supposed that I meant for_my last refuge , and_that , all other means should fail , i_should plunge into_the heart of_my ravisher

I_have lost all faith in_the steadfastness human resolves it_was thus that periods calm I had determined act cowardice had_been held greater abhorrence than that which prompted injured female destroy , not her injurer ere the injury was perpetrated , but herself when it_was without remedy yet now this penknife appeared to_me other use than baffle assailant and prevent the crime destroying myself deliberate at_such_a_time was impossible ; but , among_the tumultuous suggestions of_the moment , I_do_not recollect that_it once occurred to_me use instrument direct defense

the steps had now reached the second floor every footfall accelerated the completion without augmenting the certainty evil the consciousness that_the door was fast , now that nothing but that was interposed between and danger , was source some consolation I cast eye toward the window this , likewise , was new suggestion if_the door should give way , it_was sudden resolution throw myself from_the window its height ground , which_was covered beneath brick pavement , would insure destruction ; but i_thought not of_that

when opposite door the footsteps ceased was listening whether fears were allayed and caution were asleep ? did hope to_take surprise ? yet , if_so , why did allow so_many noisy signals betray his approach ? presently the steps were again heard the door hand was laid upon_the lock , and_the latch pulled back did imagine possible that i_should fail secure the door ? slight effort was_made push open , as_if , all bolts being withdrawn , slight effort only was required

I sooner perceived this than I moved swiftly toward the window Carwin's frame might_be said to_be all muscle his strength and activity had appeared , various instances, to_be prodigious slight exertion of_his force would demolish the door would_not that made ? too surely would ; but , at_the same moment that_this obstacle should yield and he_should enter the apartment , determination was formed leap from_the window senses were still bound to_this object I gazed at_the door momentary expectation that_the assault would_be made the pause continued the person without was irresolute and motionless

suddenly occurred to_me that Carwin might conceive to_have fled that I had_not betaken myself flight was , indeed , the least probable all conclusions in_this persuasion he_must_have been confirmed finding the lower door unfastened and_the chamber door locked was_it not wise foster this ? should I maintain deep silence , this , in_addition other circumstances , might encourage the belief , and he_would once more depart every new reflection added plausibility to_this reasoning it_was presently more strongly enforced when I noticed footsteps withdrawing from_the door the blood once more flowed back heart , and dawn exultation began rise ; but joy was short - lived instead descending the stairs, passed to_the door of_the opposite chamber , opened , and , having entered , shut after him with violence that shook the house

how was I interpret this circumstance ? for what end could have entered this chamber ? did the violence with_which

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