Saying this, he rushed house him in hurrying along the path which led to my brother's I had no power his going, or to recall or him The accents I had heard were calculated to confound and bewilder I looked around me, to assure myself scene was real I moved, that banish the doubt that awake Such enormous imputations mouth of Pleyel ! stigmatized names of wanton and profligate ! charged sacrifice of honor ! with midnight meetings with wretch known murderer and thief ! with an intention to fly company !

What I had heard was surely the dictate of frenzy, or built upon some fatal, some incomprehensible mistake horrors night, after undergoing perils so imminent man, summoned to an interview like this ! -- Pleyel fraught with belief that, instead of having chosen death as refuge violence man, I had hugged his baseness to my heart, had sacrificed for him my purity, my spotless name, my friendships, and my fortune ! That even madness could engender accusations like these was not believed

What evidence could possibly suggest conceptions so wild ? unlooked-for interview with Carwin in my chamber, he retired Could Pleyel have observed his exit ? not long Pleyel himself entered Did he build incident his odious conclusions ? Could the long series actions and sentiments grant me no exemption from suspicions so foul ? not more rational to infer that Carwin's designs illicit ? that my life endangered fury of one whom, by some means, he had discovered an assassin and robber ? that my honor assailed, not by blandishments, but by violence ?

He has judged me without hearing He has drawn from dubious appearances conclusions the most improbable and unjust He has loaded me with all outrageous epithets He has ranked me with prostitutes and thieves pardon thee, Pleyel, injustice Thy understanding hurt be not,--if thy conduct was sober and deliberate,-- never forgive an outrage so unmanly and so gross

These thoughts gradually gave place to others Pleyel was possessed by some momentary frenzy; appearances had led him into palpable errors Whence could his sagacity have contracted this blindness ? not love ? Previously assured affection for Carwin, distracted with grief and jealousy, and impelled hither late hour by some unknown instigation, his imagination transformed shadows into monsters, and plunged him into these deplorable errors

This idea was not unattended with consolation My soul was divided between indignation at his injustice and delight on account source I conceived it to spring allow admission to no other thoughts Surprise is an emotion that enfeebles, not invigorates All my meditations were accompanied with wonder I rambled with vagueness, or clung to one image with an obstinacy which sufficiently testified the maddening influence of late transactions

Gradually I proceeded to reflect consequences of Pleyel's mistake, and measures take to guard myself against future injury from Carwin Should I suffer this mistake detected by time ? When his passion should subside, would he not perceive the flagrancy injustice and hasten to atone ? Did it not become my character to testify resentment for language and treatment so opprobrious ? Wrapped up consciousness of innocence, and confiding influence and reflection to confute so groundless charge, my province passive and silent

violences meditated by Carwin, means of eluding them, the path taken by me was obvious I resolved the tale to my brother and regulate myself by his advice end, morning was somewhat advanced, the way house My sister was engaged in her customary occupations I appeared, she remarked change in my looks not willing to alarm her information which I had to communicate Her health was condition which rendered disastrous tale particularly unsuitable I forbore direct answer to her inquiries, and inquired, in my turn, for Wieland

"Why," said she, "I suspect something mysterious and unpleasant has happened Scarcely had we risen when Pleyel dropped among us What prompted him us so early and so unseasonable visit tell To judge disorder dress, countenance, something of an extraordinary nature has occurred He permitted me merely that he had slept none, nor even undressed, night your brother to walk Some topic deeply engaged them, for Wieland return till the breakfast hour was passed, and returned alone His disturbance was excessive; but listen to my importunities, or tell me what had happened I gathered, from hints which he let fall, that your situation was in some way the cause; yet he assured me that you were at your own house, alive, in good health, and in perfect safety He scarcely ate morsel, and immediately after breakfast went out again inform me whither going, but mentioned that he probably return before night "

equally astonished and alarmed by Pleyel had told his tale to my brother, and had, by plausible and exaggerated picture, instilled into him unfavorable thoughts of me Yet the more correct judgment of Wieland perceive and expose the fallacy conclusions ? Perhaps his uneasiness might arise from some insight character of Carwin, and from apprehensions safety The appearances Pleyel misled might induce him likewise that I entertained an indiscreet though not dishonorable affection for Carwin Such were the conjectures rapidly formed inexpressibly anxious them into certainty end an interview with my brother was desirable gone no one knew whither, and was not expected speedily to return I had no clew to trace his footsteps

My anxieties concealed from my sister They heightened her solicitude acquainted cause There were many reasons persuading me to silence; , till I had seen my brother, it an act of inexcusable temerity to unfold what had lately passed No other expedient for eluding her importunities occurred but that of returning to my own house I recollected my determination tenant roof I mentioned it to her She joyfully acceded proposal, and suffered me with less reluctance to depart when her with view to collect and send to my new dwelling what articles immediately useful

Once more I returned house which the scene of turbulence and danger at no great distance when I observed my brother coming out On seeing me he stopped, and, after ascertaining, as it seemed, going, he returned house before me I sincerely rejoiced event, and I hastened to set things, if possible, on their right footing

His brow was by no means expressive vehement emotions Pleyel agitated I drew favorable omen circumstance Without delay I began the conversation

" to look ," said I, "but was told by Catharine that Pleyel had engaged you on some important and disagreeable affair Before his interview he spent with me These minutes he employed in upbraiding me for crimes and intentions by no means chargeable I believe him taken up his opinions on very insufficient grounds His behavior was highest degree precipitate and unjust, and, until I receive some atonement, treat him, in my turn, contempt which he justly merits; meanwhile, fearful that he has prejudiced my brother against me an evil which I most anxiously deprecate, and which indeed exert myself to remove Has me the subject of 's conversation ? "

My brother's countenance testified no surprise at my address The benignity looks was nowise diminished

" true," said he, "your conduct subject discourse your friend brother no human being whom I love with more tenderness and whose welfare is nearer my heart Judge, then, with what emotions I listened to Pleyel's story I expect and desire you to vindicate yourself from aspersions so foul, if vindication be possible "

The tone he uttered the last words affected me deeply "If vindication be possible ! " repeated I "From what , deem formal vindication necessary ? harbor for moment the belief guilt ? "

He shook his head with an air of acute anguish " struggled," said he, "to dismiss that belief You speak before judge profit by any pretense to acquit you ready to question his own senses plead against you "

These words incited new set of thoughts in my mind I began to suspect that Pleyel had built his accusations on some foundation unknown " stranger grounds of your belief Pleyel loaded me with indecent and virulent invectives, but he withheld from me the facts that generated his suspicions Events took place last night circumstances were of an ambiguous nature I conceived might possibly have fallen under his cognizance, , viewed mists of prejudice and passion, they supplied pretense conduct, but believed that your more unbiased judgment would estimate them at their just value Perhaps his tale different from what I suspect it Listen, then, to my narrative If there be anything story inconsistent with mine, his story is false "