Meanwhile, I ? I assured that design formed against my life The ruffians had leagued to murder me Whom had I offended ? Who was there, I had ever maintained intercourse, who was capable of harboring such atrocious purposes ?

My temper reverse of cruel and imperious My heart was touched with sympathy children of misfortune But this sympathy was not barren sentiment My purse, scanty as , was ever open, and my hands ever active, to relieve distress Many were the wretches whom my personal exertions had extricated from want and disease, and who rewarded me with their gratitude no face which lowered at my approach, and no lips which uttered imprecations in my hearing contrary, none, over whose fate I had exerted any influence or known by reputation, who greet me with smiles and dismiss me with proofs of veneration: yet my senses assure me that plot was laid against my life ?

not destitute of courage shown myself deliberative and calm midst of peril hazarded my own life preservation of another; but now was I confused and panic- struck lived so fear death; yet to perish by an unseen and secret stroke, mangled knife of an assassin, was thought at which I shuddered: what had I done to deserve made the victim of malignant passions ?

But soft ! was I not assured that my life was safe in all places but one ? And why treason limited effect spot ? everywhere equally defenseless My house and chamber were at all times accessible Danger still impended over me; the bloody purpose was still entertained, but the hand that was to execute powerless in all places but one !

Here I had remained four or five hours, without the means of resistance or defense; yet I attacked human being was at hand, who was conscious presence, and warned me hereafter to avoid this retreat His voice was not absolutely new, but had I never heard it but once before ? But why did he prohibit me from relating this incident to others, and what species of death awarded if I disobey ?

Such were the reflections that haunted me during the night, and which effectually deprived me of sleep Next morning, at breakfast, Pleyel related an event which my disappearance had hindered him from mentioning the night before Early the preceding morning, his occasions called him city: he had stepped into coffee-house to while away an hour; here he had met person whose appearance instantly bespoke him the same whose hasty visit mentioned, and whose extraordinary visage and tones had so powerfully affected me On an attentive survey, however, he proved, likewise, one my friend had had some intercourse in Europe This authorized the liberty of accosting him, and after some conversation, mindful, as Pleyel said, footing which this stranger had gained in my heart, he had ventured to invite him to Mettingen The invitation cheerfully accepted, and visit promised afternoon

excited no sober emotions in my breast , , eager informed circumstances ancient intercourse When and where had they met ? What knew he life and character man ?

In answer to my inquiries, he informed me that, three years before, traveler in Spain He had made an excursion from Valencia to Murviedro, with view to inspect the remains of Roman magnificence scattered environs town While traversing the site theater of old Saguntum, he alighted man, seated on stone, and deeply engaged in perusing the work deacon Marti short conversation ensued, which proved the stranger English They returned to Valencia together

His garb, aspect, and deportment were wholly Spanish residence of three years country, indefatigable attention language, and studious conformity customs people, had made him indistinguishable from native when he chose to assume that character Pleyel found him connected, footing of friendship and respect, with many eminent merchants city He had embraced the Catholic religion, and adopted Spanish name instead own, CARWIN, and devoted himself literature and religion new country He pursued no profession, but subsisted on remittances from England

While Pleyel remained in Valencia, Carwin betrayed no aversion to intercourse, former found no small attractions society new acquaintance, On general topics highly intelligent and communicative He had visited every corner of Spain, and could furnish the most accurate details respecting its ancient and present state On topics of religion and own history, previous TRANSFORMATION into Spaniard, invariably silent merely gather discourse that English, well acquainted neighboring countries

His character excited considerable curiosity observer not easy to reconcile his conversion Romish faith with those proofs of knowledge and capacity that were exhibited by him on different occasions suspicion was sometimes admitted that his belief was counterfeited for some political purpose The most careful observation, however, produced no discovery His manners were at all times harmless and inartificial, habits those of lover of contemplation and seclusion He appeared contracted an affection for Pleyel, who was not slow to return it

My friend, after month's residence city, returned into France, and, since that period, had heard nothing concerning Carwin till his appearance at Mettingen

occasion Carwin had received Pleyel's greeting with certain distance and solemnity latter accustomed He had waived noticing the inquiries of Pleyel respecting his desertion of Spain, he had formerly declared his purpose his life He had assiduously diverted the attention latter to indifferent topics, but was still, on every theme, as eloquent and judicious as formerly Why he had assumed the garb of rustic Pleyel was unable to conjecture Perhaps it poverty; perhaps swayed by motives which his interest to conceal, but which were connected with consequences utmost moment

Such sum friend's information not sorry left alone during the greater part day Every employment was irksome which leave me at liberty to meditate I had now new subject to exercise my thoughts Before evening ushered into his presence, and listen tones whose magical and thrilling power I had already experienced But with what new images would he then be accompanied ?

Carwin was an adherent Romish faith, yet was an Englishman by birth, and, perhaps, Protestant by education He had adopted Spain country, and had intimated design his days there, yet now was an inhabitant district, and disguised habiliments of clown ! What obliterated the impressions youth and made him abjure his religion country ? What subsequent events had introduced so total change plans ? In withdrawing from Spain, had he reverted religion ancestors ? or true that his former conversion was deceitful, his conduct swayed by motives which prudent to conceal ?

Hours were consumed in revolving these ideas My meditations were intense; and, series was broken, I began to reflect with astonishment on my situation death parents till the commencement year my life serene and blissful beyond the ordinary portion of humanity; but now my bosom was corroded by anxiety visited by dread of unknown dangers, future was scene over which clouds rolled and thunders muttered I compared the cause effect, seemed disproportioned to All unaware, and in manner which I had no power to explain, pushed from my immovable and lofty station and cast upon sea of troubles

I determined my brother's visitant evening; yet my resolves unattended with wavering and reluctance Pleyel's insinuations that in love affected in no degree my belief; yet the consciousness opinion of one probably be present at our introduction to would excite all that confusion which the passion itself is apt confirm him error and call forth new railleries His mirth, when exerted topic, source bitterest vexation Had he been aware influence upon my happiness, his temper have allowed him to persist; but this influence my chief endeavor to conceal belief having bestowed my heart upon another produced in my friend none but ludicrous sensations true cause distress; but discovered by him my distress unspeakably aggravated

III

evening arrived, I performed my visit Carwin made company into which ushered Appearances were the same as when I before beheld him His garb was equally negligent and rustic I gazed upon his countenance with new curiosity My situation was such enable me to bestow upon it deliberate examination Viewed at more leisure, it lost none wonderful properties deny my homage intelligence expressed , but was wholly uncertain whether he were an object dreaded or adored, and whether his powers exerted to evil or to good

sparing in discourse; but whatever was pregnant with meaning, and uttered with rectitude of articulation and force of emphasis I had entertained no conception previously to my knowledge of him Notwithstanding the uncouthness garb, his manners unpolished All topics were handled by him with skill, and without pedantry or affectation He uttered no sentiment calculated disadvantageous impression; contrary, his observations denoted mind alive to every generous and heroic feeling They were introduced without parade, and accompanied degree of earnestness which indicates sincerity