"His proofs," said Wieland, after considerable pause, "are different That deceived possible That he himself the deceiver believed, if his testimony inconsistent with yours; but the doubts which I entertained are now removed Your tale, some parts of it, is marvelous; the voice which exclaimed against your rashness in approaching the closet, your persisting, notwithstanding that prohibition, your belief that I ruffian, and your subsequent conduct, are believed by me, because known you from childhood, because thousand instances have attested your veracity, and because nothing my own hearing and vision would convince me, in opposition to her own assertions, that my sister had fallen into wickedness like this "

I threw my arms around him and bathed his cheek with my tears "That," said I, "is spoken like my brother But the proofs ? "

He replied, "Pleyel informed me that, in going to your house, his attention was attracted by two voices The persons speaking sat beneath the bank, out of sight These persons, judging by their voices, were Carwin and you repeat the dialogue sister female, Pleyel was justified in concluding you indeed profligate of women Hence his accusations of you, efforts to obtain my concurrence to plan an eternal separation brought about between my sister and this man "

Wieland repeat this recital Here indeed was tale me with terrible foreboding I had vainly thought that my safety sufficiently secured by doors and bars, but foe from whose grasp no power of divinity can save me ! His artifices will ever lay my fame and happiness at his mercy How shall I counterwork his plots or detect his coadjutor ? He has taught some vile and abandoned female to mimic my voice Pleyel's ears were the witnesses dishonor midnight assignation he alluded Thus silence he maintained when attempting to open the door chamber, accounted for He supposed me absent, and meant, perhaps, had my apartment been accessible, to leave some accusing memorial

SECOND PART

I

[ part opens, the unhappy Clara is describing her hurried return same ill-fated abode at Mettingen Hence kind friends had borne her catastrophe of her brother Wieland's "transformation " the crowning horror of all: the morbid fanatic, prepared by gloomy anticipations of some terrible sacrifice demanded name of religion, had found himself goaded to blind fury, by mysterious compelling voice, to yield God the lives beloved wife and family; and had done the awful deed !

Though chained madhouse, he persists delusion; insists still remains for him to sacrifice his sister Clara; and twice breaks away in wild efforts and destroy her ]

an irregular path which led me to my own house All was vacant and forlorn small enclosure near which the path led burying ground belonging family This obliged Once I had intended to enter it, and ponder emblems and inscriptions which my uncle had caused made tombs of Catharine and her children; but now my heart faltered as I approached, and I hastened forward that distance might conceal it from my view

When I approached the recess, my heart again sunk I averted my eyes, and left it behind me as quickly as possible Silence reigned through my habitation, and darkness which closed doors and shutters produced Every object was connected with mine or my brother's history I passed the entry, mounted the stair, and unlocked the door chamber with difficulty that I curbed my fancy and smothered my fears Slight movements and casual sounds were transformed into beckoning shadows and calling shapes

I proceeded closet I opened and looked round it with fearfulness All things were in their accustomed order I sought and found the manuscript where used to deposit it This being secured, nothing to detain me; yet I stood and contemplated awhile the furniture and walls chamber I remembered how long this apartment sweet and tranquil asylum; I compared its former state with its present dreariness, and reflected that I now beheld it time

Here it the incomprehensible behavior of Carwin was witnessed; this the stage that enemy of man showed himself for moment unmasked Here the menaces of murder were wafted to my ear; and here these menaces were executed

These thoughts had tendency from me my self-command My feeble limbs refused to support me, and I sunk upon chair Incoherent and half-articulate exclamations escaped my lips The name of Carwin was uttered and eternal woes--woes like that which his malice had entailed upon us--were heaped upon him I invoked all-seeing heaven to drag to light and punish this betrayer, and accused its providence for having thus long delayed the retribution that was due to so enormous guilt

said window shutters were closed feeble light, however, found entrance crevices small window illuminated the closet, and, the door being closed, dim ray streamed keyhole kind of twilight was thus created, sufficient purposes of vision, but, same time, involving all minuter objects in obscurity

This darkness suited the color thoughts I sickened remembrance past The prospect future excited my loathing I muttered, in low voice, "Why should I live longer ? Why should I drag miserable being ? All for whom I ought to live have perished Am I not myself hunted to death ? "

moment my despair suddenly became vigorous My nerves were no longer unstrung My powers, that had long been deadened, were revived My bosom swelled with sudden energy, conviction darted through my mind, that to end my torments was, at once, practicable and wise

how way recesses of life use lancet with some skill, and could distinguish between vein and artery By piercing deep latter, shun the evils which the future had in store , and take refuge from my woes in quiet death

I started on my feet, feebleness was gone, and hasted closet lancet and other small instruments were preserved in case which I had deposited here Inattentive as to foreign considerations, my ears were still open to any sound of mysterious import that should occur I heard step entry My purpose was suspended, and I cast an eager glance at my chamber door, open No one appeared, unless the shadow which I discerned floor outline of man were, authorized to suspect that some one was posted close entrance, who possibly had overheard my exclamations

My teeth chattered, and wild confusion took the place momentary calm Thus when terrific visage had disclosed itself on former night Thus evil destiny of Wieland assumed the lineaments of something human What horrid apparition was preparing to blast my sight ?

Still I listened and gazed Not long, shadow moved; foot, unshapely and huge, was thrust forward; form advanced from its concealment, and stalked room Carwin !

While I had breath, I shrieked While I had power over my muscles, I motioned with my hand that vanish My exertions last long: I sunk into fit

Oh grateful oblivion had lasted forever ! Too quickly I recovered my senses The power of distinct vision was no sooner restored , than this hateful form again presented itself, and I once more relapsed

second time, untoward nature recalled me sleep of death myself stretched bed When I had power to look up, I remembered only that I had cause to fear My distempered fancy fashioned to itself no distinguishable image I threw languid glance round me: once more my eyes lighted upon Carwin

seated floor, his back rested against the wall; his knees were drawn up, face was buried hands That his station was at some distance, that his attitude was not menacing, that his ominous visage was concealed, may account now escaping shock violent which were past I withdrew my eyes, but was not again deserted by my senses

On perceiving that I had recovered my sensibility, he lifted his head This motion attracted my attention His countenance was mild, but sorrow and astonishment sat upon his features I averted my eyes and feebly exclaimed, "Oh, fly ! --fly far and forever ! -- behold you and live ! "

rise upon his feet, but clasped his hands, and said, in tone of deprecation, " fly become fiend, the sight of whom destroys Yet tell me my offense ! linked curses with my name; you ascribe malice monstrous and infernal I look around: all is loneliness and desert ! This house and your brother's are solitary and dismantled ! You die away sight of me ! My fear whispers that some deed of horror perpetrated; that the undesigning cause "

What language ? Had he not avowed himself ravisher ? this chamber witnessed his atrocious purposes ? I besought him with new vehemence

He lifted his eyes:--"Great heaven ! what have I done ? the extent offenses acted, but my actions have possibly effected more than I designed This fear has brought me back from my retreat I come to repair the evil my rashness cause, and more evil I come to confess my errors "

"Wretch ! " I cried, when my suffocating emotions would permit me , "the ghosts sister and her children,--do they not rise to accuse thee ? Who that blasted the intellect of Wieland ? Who that urged him to fury and guided him to murder ? Who, but thou devil, thou art confederated ? "

words new spirit pervaded his countenance His eyes once more appealed to heaven "If memory--if being-- innocent I intended no ill; but my folly, indirectly and remotely, caused it But what words are these ? Your brother lunatic ! His children dead ! "