He advanced , and, after another pause, resumed:--"Poor girl ! dismal fate has set its mark upon thee Thy life is demanded as sacrifice Prepare thee to die Make not my office difficult by fruitless opposition Thy prayers might subdue stones; but none but he who enjoined my purpose can shake it "

These words were sufficient explication scene The nature frenzy, as described by my uncle, was remembered I, who had sought death, was now thrilled with horror because near Death form, death hand of brother, was thought upon with indescribable repugnance

In state thus verging upon madness, my eye glanced upon Carwin His astonishment appeared struck him motionless and dumb My life was in danger, and my brother's hand was about imbrued in my blood I firmly believed that Carwin's instigation rescue myself abhorred fate; dissipate this tremendous illusion; save my brother perpetration of new horrors, by pointing out the devil who seduced him To hesitate moment was to perish These thoughts gave strength to my limbs and energy to my accents; I started on my feet:--

"Oh, brother ! spare me ! spare thyself ! thy betrayer He counterfeited the voice and face of an angel, of destroying thee and me He moment confessed it able where leagued with hell, but will not avow it; yet he confesses agency was his "

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

"Man," said my brother, in voice totally unlike that which he had used , "what art thou ? The charge made Answer it The visage--the voice-- bottom stairs-- hour of eleven-- did they belong ? To thee ? "

Twice did Carwin attempt , but his words died away upon his lips My brother resumed, in tone of greater vehemence:--

"Thou falterest Faltering is ominous Say yes or no; one word will suffice; but beware of falsehood stratagem of hell to overthrow my family ? Wast thou the agent ? "

I now saw wrath which prepared was heaped upon another The tale that I heard , present trepidations, were abundant testimonies guilt But what if Wieland undeceived ! What if he shall find his act proceeded not from heavenly prompter, but from human treachery ! Will not his rage mount into whirlwind ? Will not he tear limb from limb this devoted wretch ?

Instinctively I recoiled image; but it gave place to another Carwin innocent, but the impetuosity judge may misconstrue his answers into confession of guilt Wieland knows not that mysterious voices and appearances were likewise witnessed by me Carwin ignorant which misled my brother Thus may his answers unwarily betray himself to ruin

Such the consequences frantic precipitation, and these necessary, if possible, I attempted ; but Wieland, turning suddenly upon me, commanded silence, in tone furious and terrible My lips closed, and my tongue refused its office

"What art thou ? " he resumed, addressing himself to Carwin "Answer me: whose form--whose voice,-- thy contrivance ? Answer me "

The answer was now given, but confusedly and scarcely articulated "I meant nothing--I intended no ill--if I understand--if mistake you-- too true-- appear-- entry--did speak The contrivance was mine, but--"

These words were no sooner uttered, than my brother ceased to wear the same aspect His eyes were downcast; motionless; his respiration became hoarse, like that of man agonies of death Carwin seemed unable more easily escaped; but the thought which occupied him related to horrid and unintelligible scene, and not own danger

Presently the faculties of Wieland, which, for time, were chained up, were seized with restlessness and trembling He broke silence The stoutest heart appalled tone he spoke He addressed himself to Carwin:--

"Why art thou here ? Who detains thee ? Go and learn better meet thee, but it bar of thy Maker There shall I bear witness against thee "

Perceiving that Carwin obey, he continued, "Dost thou wish me to complete the catalogue by thy death ? Thy life is worthless thing Tempt me no more but man, and thy presence may awaken fury spurn my control Begone ! "

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

II

few words more and I lay aside the pen forever Yet why should I not relinquish it now ? All that said is preparatory scene, and my fingers, tremulous and cold as my heart, refuse any further exertion This must not be Let my last energies support me finishing task Then will I lay down my head lap of death Hushed all my murmurs sleep grave

Every sentiment has perished in my bosom Even friendship is extinct Your love has prompted me task; but have complied luxury thus to feast upon my woes justly calculated upon my remnant of strength When I lay down the pen the taper of life will expire; my existence will terminate with my tale

Now that left alone with Wieland, the perils situation presented themselves to my mind paroxysm should terminate in havoc and rage reasonable to predict The first suggestion fears disproved by my experience Carwin had acknowledged his offenses, and yet had escaped The vengeance which I had harbored admitted by Wieland; and yet the evils which I had endured, compared with those inflicted on my brother, were as nothing I thirsted blood, and was tormented with an insatiable appetite destruction; but my brother was unmoved, and had dismissed him in safety Surely thou wast more than man, while sunk below the beasts

Did I place right construction conduct of Wieland ? error that misled him so easily rectified ? Were views so vivid and faith so strenuous thus liable to fading and ? Was there not reason to doubt the accuracy perceptions ? With images like these was my mind thronged, till the deportment brother called away my attention

his lips move eyes cast heaven Then would he listen and look back, in expectation of some one's appearance Thrice he repeated these gesticulations and this inaudible prayer the mist of confusion and doubt seemed to grow darker and to settle understanding I guessed meaning tokens The words of Carwin had shaken his belief, and employed in summoning the messenger who had formerly communed , to attest the value new doubts In vain the summons was repeated, eye met nothing but vacancy, and not sound saluted his ear

He walked bed, gazed with eagerness pillow which had sustained the head breathless Catharine, and then returned place where I sat I had no power to lift my eyes face: dubious purpose; this purpose might aim at my life

Alas ! nothing but subjection to danger and exposure to temptation can show us what test was I now tried, and found cowardly and rash Men can deliberately untie the thread of life, and I had deemed myself capable now that I stood brink of fate, knife sacrificer was aimed at my heart, I shuddered, and betook myself to any means of escape, however monstrous

Can I bear --can I endure to relate the outrage which my heart meditated ? Where were my means of safety ? Resistance was vain Not even the energy of despair could set me on level strength which his terrific prompter had bestowed upon Wieland Terror enables us to perform incredible feats; but terror was not then the state mind: where then were my hopes of rescue ?

Methinks I stand aside, as it were, from myself; I estimate my own deservings; hatred, immortal and inexorable, is my due I listen to my own pleas, and find them empty and false: yes, I acknowledge that my guilt surpasses that of mankind; I confess curses of world frowns of Deity are inadequate to my demerits thing worthy of infinite abhorrence ? I

What shall ? menaced, as , with death, and, to elude this evil, my hand was ready to inflict death menacer In visiting my house, I had made provision against the machinations of Carwin In fold dress an open penknife was concealed This I now seized and drew forth It lurked out of view; but I now see that my state of mind rendered the deed inevitable brother had lifted his hand This instrument preservation plunged into his heart

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

probably unconscious design, but presently drew back This interval was sufficient to restore me to myself The madness, the iniquity, act which I had purposed rushed upon my apprehension For moment breathless with agony next moment I recovered my strength, and threw the knife with violence floor