Here succeeded new pause still observant of every gesture and look The tranquil solemnity that had lately possessed his countenance gave way to new expression All now was trepidation and anxiety

" gone," said he, in faltering accent "Why do I linger here ? ask your forgiveness that your terrors are invincible Your pardon extorted by fear, and not dictated by compassion fly forever He that could plot against your honor must expect and your friends persecution and death doom myself to endless exile "

Saying this, he hastily left the room I listened while he descended the stairs, and, unbolting the outer door, went forth follow him with my eyes, moonlight enabled me Relieved by his absence, and exhausted conflict fears, I threw myself on chair, and resigned myself bewildering ideas which incidents like these fail

V

Order readily be introduced into my thoughts The voice still rung in my ears Every accent that was uttered by Carwin was fresh in my remembrance His unwelcome approach, the recognition person, his hasty departure, produced complex impression on my mind which no words can delineate I strove slower motion to my thoughts, and to regulate confusion which became painful; but my efforts were nugatory I covered my eyes with my hand, and sat, not how long, without power to arrange or utter my conceptions

I had remained for hours, as I believed, in absolute solitude No thought of personal danger had molested my tranquillity I had made no preparation for defense it that suggested the design of perusing my father's manuscript ? If, instead , I had retired to bed and to sleep, to what fate might I not reserved The ruffian, almost have suppressed his breathings to screen himself from discovery, noticed this signal, and awakened only to perish with affright, and to abhor myself Could remained unconscious danger ? Could tranquilly slept midst of so deadly snare ?

And who was he that threatened to destroy me ? By what means could he hide himself closet ? Surely gifted with supernatural power Such enemy of whose attempts forewarned Daily I had seen him and conversed Nothing discerned impenetrable veil duplicity When busied in conjectures author evil that was threatened, my mind light for moment upon his image Yet has he not avowed himself my enemy ? Why should he be here if he meditated evil ?

He confesses his second attempt the scene former conspiracy ? not he whose whispers betrayed him ? Am I deceived ? or was there not faint resemblance voice man which talked of grasping my throat and extinguishing my life in moment ? Then he had colleague crime; now alone Then death scope thoughts; now an injury unspeakably more dreadful How thankful should I be power that has interposed to save me !

That power is invisible subject cognizance of one senses the means inform me of what nature ? He has set himself to counter-work the machinations man, who had menaced destruction to all dear , and whose coming had surmounted every human impediment none to rescue me grasp My rashness even hastened the completion scheme, and precluded him benefits of deliberation I had robbed him power to repent and forbear Had I been apprised danger, regarded my conduct means of rendering my escape impossible Such, likewise, seem the fears invisible protector Else why that startling entreaty to refrain from opening the closet ? By what inexplicable infatuation was I compelled ?

"Surely," said I, " omnipotence cause that changed the views of man like Carwin The divinity that shielded me attempts will take suitable care future safety Thus to yield to my fears is to deserve real "

Scarcely had I uttered these words, when my attention was startled sound of footsteps They denoted some one stepping piazza in front house My new-born confidence was extinguished in moment Carwin, , had repented his departure, and was hastily returning The possibility that his return was prompted by intentions consistent with my safety found no place in my mind Images of violation and murder assailed me anew, terrors which succeeded almost incapacitated me from taking any measures defense an impulse scarcely conscious that made me fasten the lock and draw the bolts chamber door Having done this, I threw myself on seat; for I trembled to degree which disabled me from standing, and my soul was so perfectly absorbed act of listening, that almost the vital motions were stopped

The door below creaked on its hinges not again thrust to, but appeared to remain open Footsteps entered, traversed the entry, and began to mount the stairs How I detested the folly of not pursuing the man when he withdrew, and bolting after him the outer door ! Might he not conceive this omission proof that my angel had deserted me, and be thereby fortified in guilt ?

Every step stairs which brought him nearer to my chamber added vigor to my desperation The evil menaced was at any rate eluded How little did I preconceive the conduct which, in an exigence like this, prone to adopt ! suppose that deliberation and despair suggested the same course of action, unhesitatingly resorted best means of personal defense within my power penknife lay open upon my table I remembered there, and seized it For what purpose scarcely inquire immediately supposed that I meant it last refuge, , if all other means should fail, plunge it heart ravisher

lost all faith steadfastness of human resolves thus that in periods of calm I had determined to act No cowardice held by me in greater abhorrence than that which prompted an injured female to destroy, not her injurer ere the injury was perpetrated, but herself when without remedy Yet now this penknife appeared of no other use than to baffle my assailant and prevent the crime by destroying myself To deliberate was impossible; but, tumultuous suggestions moment, recollect once occurred to use it as an instrument of direct defense

The steps had now reached the second floor Every footfall accelerated the completion without augmenting the certainty of evil The consciousness door was fast, now that nothing but that was interposed between me and danger, was source of some consolation I cast my eye toward the window This, likewise, was new suggestion door should give way, my sudden resolution to throw myself window Its height ground, covered beneath by brick pavement, would insure my destruction; but not

When opposite to my door the footsteps ceased Was he listening whether my fears were allayed and my caution were asleep ? Did he hope me by surprise ? Yet, , why did he allow noisy signals to betray his approach ? Presently the steps were again heard to approach the door hand was laid lock, latch pulled back Did he imagine it possible that fail to secure the door ? slight effort to push it open, , all bolts being withdrawn, slight effort only was required

I no sooner perceived this than I moved swiftly toward the window Carwin's frame said all muscle His strength and activity had appeared, in various instances, prodigious slight exertion force would demolish the door that exertion be made ? Too surely it would; but, same moment obstacle should yield and enter the apartment, my determination was formed to leap window My senses were still bound object I gazed door in momentary expectation assault made The pause continued The person without was irresolute and motionless

Suddenly it occurred that Carwin might conceive me fled That I betaken myself to flight was, indeed, the least probable of all conclusions persuasion been confirmed on finding the lower door unfastened chamber door locked not wise to foster this persuasion ? Should I maintain deep silence, this, to other circumstances, might encourage the belief, and once more depart Every new reflection added plausibility reasoning presently more strongly enforced when I noticed footsteps withdrawing door The blood once more flowed back to my heart, and dawn of exultation began to rise; but my joy was short-lived Instead of descending the stairs, he passed door opposite chamber, opened it, and, having entered, shut it after him with violence that shook the house