Wieland's Maddness by Charles Brockden Brown

Wieland's Maddness by Charles Brockden Brown
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remaining

steps

stairs

glances sometimes at_the

, sometimes at_the

sometimes

;

to_me , soul was bursting with detestation and revenge I had room for surmises and fears respecting him that approached it_was doubtless human being , and would befriend so_far as_to aid arresting this offender

the stranger quickly entered the room eyes and_the eyes Carwin were at_the same moment darted upon him second glance was not needed inform who he_was his locks were tangled , and fell confusedly over his forehead and ears his shirt was coarse stuff , and open at_the neck and breast his coat was once bright and fine texture , but now torn and tarnished with dust his feet , his legs, and_his arms, were bare his features were the seat wild and tranquil solemnity , but his eyes bespoke inquietude and curiosity

advanced with firm step , and looking some one he_saw and stopped bent his sight on_the floor , and , clenching his hands, appeared suddenly absorbed meditation such were the and deportment Wieland ! such , in_his fallen state , were the aspect and guise of_my brother !

Carwin did_not fail recognize the visitant care for_his own safety was apparently swallowed in_the amazement which this spectacle produced his station was conspicuous , and he_could_not have escaped the roving glances Wieland; yet the latter seemed totally unconscious of_his presence

grief at_this scene ruin and blast was first the only sentiment of_which i_was conscious fearful stillness ensued at_length Wieland, lifting his hands, which were locked each_other , to_his breast , exclaimed , " father ! I thank thee this_is thy guidance hither thou hast led , that I_might perform thy will yet let not err ; let hear again thy messenger ! "

stood for minute as_if listening; but , recovering from_his attitude , continued , " it_is_not needed dastardly wretch ! thus eternally questioning the behests thy maker ! weak resolution , wayward faith ! "

advanced to_me , and , after another pause , resumed :--" poor girl ! dismal fate has set its mark upon thee thy life demanded sacrifice prepare thee die make not office difficult fruitless opposition thy prayers might subdue stones; but none but who enjoined purpose can shake "

these words were sufficient explication of_the scene the nature of_his frenzy , described uncle , was remembered I, who had sought death , was now thrilled with horror because it_was near death in_this form , death from_the hand brother , was thought upon with indescribable repugnance

state thus verging upon madness , eye glanced upon Carwin his astonishment appeared to_have struck him motionless and dumb life was danger , and brother 's hand was about to_be imbrued blood I firmly believed that Carwin's was_the instigation I_could rescue myself from_this abhorred fate ; I_could dissipate this tremendous illusion ; I_could save brother from_the perpetration new horrors, pointing out the devil who seduced him hesitate moment was perish these thoughts gave strength limbs and energy accents; I started feet :--

"Oh, brother ! spare ! spare thyself ! there_is thy betrayer counterfeited the voice and face angel , for_the_purpose destroying thee and has_this moment confessed he_is able to_speak where he_is_not he_is leagued with hell, but will not avow ; yet confesses that_the agency was his "

brother turned slowly his eyes , and fixed them upon Carwin every joint in_the frame of_the latter trembled his complexion was paler than ghost 's his eye dared not meet that Wieland, but wandered with air distraction from one space another

" man ," said brother , voice totally unlike that which had used to_me , " what art thou ? the charge has_been made answer the visage -- the voice -- at_the bottom of_these stairs-- at_the hour eleven-- to_whom did they belong ? thee ? "

twice did Carwin attempt to_speak , but his words died away upon his lips brother resumed , tone greater vehemence :--

" thou falterest Faltering ominous say yes ; one word will suffice ; but beware falsehood was_it stratagem hell overthrow family ? Wast thou the agent ? "

I now saw that_the wrath which had_been prepared for_me was to_be heaped upon another the tale that I heard from_him , and_his present trepidations, were abundant testimonies of_his guilt but what Wieland should_be undeceived ! what shall find his act to_have proceeded not from heavenly prompter , but from human treachery ! will not his rage mount into whirlwind ? will not tear limb from limb this devoted wretch ?

instinctively I recoiled from_this ; but gave place another Carwin may_be innocent , but the impetuosity of_his judge may misconstrue his answers into confession guilt Wieland knows not that mysterious voices and appearances were likewise witnessed Carwin may_be ignorant of_those which misled brother thus may his answers unwarily betray himself ruin

such might_be the consequences of_my frantic precipitation , and these it_was necessary , possible , to_prevent I attempted to_speak ; but Wieland, turning suddenly upon , commanded silence , tone furious and terrible lips closed , and tongue refused its office

" what art thou ? " resumed , addressing himself Carwin " answer : whose form -- whose voice ,-- was_it thy contrivance ? answer "

the answer was now given , but confusedly and scarcely articulated "I meant nothing --I intended ill -- I understand -- I_do_not mistake you -- it_is too true -- I_did appear -- in_the entry -- did speak the contrivance was mine , but --"

these words were sooner uttered , than brother ceased wear the same aspect his eyes were downcast ; he_was motionless ; his respiration became hoarse , like that man in_the agonies death Carwin seemed unable to_say more he_might_have easily escaped; but the thought which occupied him related what_was horrid and unintelligible in_this scene, and not to_his own danger

presently the faculties Wieland, which , for time , were chained , were seized with restlessness and trembling broke silence the stoutest heart would_have_been appalled by_the tone in_which spoke addressed himself Carwin:--

" why art thou here ? who detains thee ? and learn better i_will meet thee , but must_be at_the bar thy maker there shall I bear witness against thee "

Perceiving that Carwin did_not obey , continued , "Dost thou wish complete the catalogue thy death ? thy life worthless thing tempt more I_am but man , and thy presence may awaken fury which_may spurn control begone ! "

Carwin, irresolute , striving vain for utterance , his complexion pallid death , his knees beating one against another , slowly obeyed the mandate and withdrew

few words more and I lay aside the pen forever yet why should I not relinquish now ? all that I_have said preparatory to_this scene, and fingers, tremulous and cold heart , refuse any further exertion this must not let last energies support in_the finishing of_this task then will I lay down head in_the lap death hushed will_be all murmurs in_the sleep of_the grave

every sentiment has perished bosom even friendship extinct your love for_me has prompted to_this task ; but i_would_not have complied if_it had_not_been luxury thus feast upon woes I_have justly calculated upon remnant strength when I lay down the pen the taper life will expire ; existence will terminate with tale

now that i_was left alone with Wieland, the perils of_my situation presented themselves mind that_this paroxysm should terminate havoc and rage it_was reasonable predict the first suggestion of_my fears had_been disproved experience Carwin had acknowledged his offenses, and yet had escaped the vengeance which I had harbored had_not_been admitted Wieland; and yet the evils which I had endured , compared with those inflicted brother , were nothing I thirsted for_his blood , and was tormented with insatiable appetite for_his destruction ; but brother was unmoved , and had dismissed him safety surely thou wast more than man , while I_am sunk below the beasts

did I place right construction on_the conduct Wieland ? was_the error that misled him easily rectified ? were views vivid and faith strenuous thus liable fading and to_change ? was there not reason doubt the accuracy of_my perceptions ? with images like these was mind thronged , till the deportment of_my brother called away attention

I_saw his lips move and_his eyes cast up_to heaven then would listen and look back , as_if expectation some one 's appearance thrice repeated these gesticulations and this inaudible prayer each_time the mist confusion and doubt seemed grow darker and settle on_his understanding I guessed at_the meaning of_these tokens the words Carwin had shaken his belief , and he_was employed summoning the messenger who had formerly communed with_him , attest the value of_those new doubts vain the summons was repeated, for_his eye met nothing but vacancy , and not sound saluted his ear

walked to_the bed , gazed with eagerness at_the pillow which had sustained the head of_the breathless Catharine , and then returned to_the place where I sat I had power lift eyes to_his face : i_was dubious of_his purpose ; this purpose might aim life

alas ! nothing but subjection danger and exposure temptation can show what we_are by_this test was I now tried , and found to_be cowardly and rash men can deliberately untie the thread life , and of_this I had deemed myself capable it_was now that I stood upon_the brink fate , that_the knife of_the sacrificer was aimed heart , I shuddered , and betook myself any means escape , however monstrous

can I bear to_think -- can I endure relate the outrage which heart meditated ? where were means safety ? resistance was vain not even the energy despair could set level with_that strength which his terrific prompter had bestowed upon Wieland terror enables perform incredible feats; but terror was not then the state of_my mind : where then were hopes rescue ?

methinks it_is too_much I stand aside , were , from myself ; I estimate own deservings; hatred , immortal and inexorable , due I listen own pleas, and find them empty and false : yes , I acknowledge that guilt surpasses that mankind ; I confess that_the curses world and_the frowns deity are inadequate demerits is_there thing in_the_world worthy infinite abhorrence ? it_is I

what shall I_say ? i_was menaced , i_thought , with death , and , elude this evil , hand was ready inflict death upon_the menacer visiting house , I had made provision against the machinations Carwin fold of_my dress open penknife was concealed this I now seized and drew forth lurked out view ; but I now see that state mind would_have rendered the deed inevitable if_my brother had lifted his hand this instrument of_my preservation would_have_been plunged into his heart

O insupportable remembrance ! hide thee from view for time ; hide from that heart was black enough meditate the stabbing brother ! brother thus supreme misery ; thus towering virtue !

he_was probably unconscious of_my design , but presently drew back this interval was sufficient restore myself the madness , the iniquity , of_that act which I had purposed rushed upon apprehension for moment i_was breathless with agony at_the next moment I recovered strength , and threw the knife with violence on_the floor

the sound awoke brother from_his reverie gazed alternately and at_the weapon with movement equally solemn stooped and took placed the blade different positions, scrutinizing accurately , and maintaining, at_the same time , profound silence

again looked ; but all that vehemence and loftiness spirit which had lately characterized his features were flown fallen muscles, forehead contracted into folds, eyes dim with unbidden drops, and ruefulness

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