After lapse of some months, spent at home in mere idleness, myself student at Eton The brief interval sufficient to enfeeble my remembrance events at Dr Bransby's, or to effect material change nature feelings I remembered them The truth -- the tragedy -- drama was no more now find room to doubt the evidence senses; and seldom called up the subject at all but with wonder at extent of human credulity, and smile vivid force imagination which I hereditarily possessed Neither species of scepticism likely diminished character life I led at Eton The vortex of thoughtless folly into which I there so immediately and so recklessly plunged, washed away all but the froth past hours, engulfed at once every solid or serious impression, and left to memory only the veriest levities of former existence

wish, however, to trace the course miserable profligacy here -- profligacy which set at defiance the laws, while it eluded the vigilance institution Three years of folly, passed without profit, had but given me rooted habits of vice, and added, in somewhat unusual degree, to my bodily stature, when, after week of soulless dissipation, I invited small party most dissolute students to secret carousal in my chambers We met at late hour night; debaucheries were faithfully protracted until morning The wine flowed freely, and there wanting other and perhaps more dangerous seductions; so gray dawn had already faintly appeared east, while our delirious extravagance was at its height Madly flushed with cards and intoxication, act of insisting upon toast of more than wonted profanity, when my attention was suddenly diverted violent, although partial unclosing door apartment, and eager voice of servant from without that some person, apparently in great haste, demanded with me hall

Wildly excited with wine, the unexpected interruption rather delighted than surprised me I staggered forward at once, and few steps brought me vestibule building low and small room there hung no lamp; and now no light at all was admitted, save that exceedingly feeble dawn which made its way semi-circular window As I put my foot over the threshold, I became aware figure of youth own height, and habited in white kerseymere morning frock, cut novel fashion one I myself wore moment This the faint light enabled me to perceive; but the features face distinguish Upon my entering he strode hurriedly up , and, seizing me by the arm with gesture of petulant impatience, whispered the words "William Wilson ! " in my ear

I grew perfectly sober in an instant that manner stranger, and tremulous shake uplifted finger, as he held it between my eyes light, which filled me with unqualified amazement; but not this which had so violently moved me It pregnancy of solemn admonition singular, low, hissing utterance; and, above all, it character, the tone, the key, few, simple, and familiar, yet whispered syllables, which came with thousand thronging memories of bygone days, and struck upon my soul shock of galvanic battery Ere recover the use senses gone

Although this event failed not of vivid effect upon my disordered imagination, yet evanescent as vivid For some weeks, indeed, I busied myself in earnest inquiry, or was wrapped in cloud of morbid speculation pretend to disguise from my perception the identity singular individual who thus perseveringly interfered with my affairs, and harassed me insinuated counsel But who and what Wilson ? -- and whence came he ? -- and what were his purposes ? Upon neither points could I be satisfied; merely ascertaining, in regard to him, that sudden accident family had caused his removal from Dr Bransby's academy afternoon day I myself had eloped But in brief period I ceased ; my attention being all absorbed in contemplated departure for Oxford Thither I soon went; the uncalculating vanity parents furnishing me with an outfit and annual establishment, which would enable me to indulge at will luxury already so dear to my heart, -- to vie in profuseness of expenditure haughtiest heirs wealthiest earldoms in Great Britain

Excited by such appliances to vice, my constitutional temperament broke forth with redoubled ardor, and I spurned even the common restraints of decency mad infatuation revels But it were absurd to pause detail extravagance Let it suffice, that among spendthrifts I out-Heroded Herod, , giving name to multitude of novel follies, I added no brief appendix long catalogue of vices then usual most dissolute university of Europe

It could hardly be credited, however, that I had, even here, so utterly fallen gentlemanly estate, seek acquaintance vilest arts gambler by profession, and, having become an adept despicable science, to practise it habitually as means of increasing my already enormous income expense weak-minded among my fellow-collegians Such, nevertheless, fact very enormity offence against all manly and honourable sentiment proved, beyond doubt, the main the sole reason impunity committed Who, indeed, among my most abandoned associates, rather have disputed the clearest evidence senses, than have suspected courses, the gay, the frank, the generous William Wilson -- the noblest and most commoner at Oxford -- him whose follies (said his parasites) were but the follies of youth and unbridled fancy -- whose errors but inimitable whim -- whose darkest vice but careless and dashing extravagance ?

I now two years successfully busied , when there came university young parvenu nobleman, Glendinning -- rich, said report, as Herodes Atticus -- his riches, too, as easily acquired I soon found him of weak intellect, and, , marked him as fitting subject skill I frequently engaged him in play, and contrived, gambler's usual art, to let him win considerable sums, the more effectually to entangle him in my snares , my schemes being ripe, I met him ( full intention meeting final and decisive) chambers of fellow-commoner, ( Mr Preston,) equally intimate with both, but who, him Justice, entertained not even remote suspicion design better colouring, I had contrived assembled party of some eight or ten, and was solicitously careful introduction of cards should appear accidental, and originate proposal contemplated dupe himself brief upon vile topic, low finesse was omitted, so customary upon similar occasions just matter for wonder how any are still found so besotted as its victim

We had protracted our sitting far night, and I had effected the manoeuvre of getting Glendinning as my sole antagonist The game, too, was my favorite ecarte ! The rest company, interested extent play, had abandoned their own cards, and were standing around us as spectators The parvenu, who induced by my artifices early part evening, to drink deeply, now shuffled, dealt, or played, with wild nervousness of manner his intoxication, , might partially, but altogether account In very short period he had become my debtor to large amount, when, having taken long draught of port, precisely what I coolly anticipating -- he proposed to double our already extravagant stakes With well-feigned show of reluctance, and not until after my repeated refusal had seduced him into some angry words which gave color of pique to my compliance, did I finally comply The result, , did but prove how entirely the prey was in my toils; in an hour he had quadrupled his debt For his countenance losing the florid tinge lent it wine; but now, to my astonishment, I perceived had grown to pallor truly fearful to my astonishment Glendinning represented to my eager inquiries as immeasurably wealthy; sums which he had lost, although in themselves vast, , I supposed, very seriously annoy, much less so violently affect him That overcome wine just swallowed, idea which most readily presented itself; and, rather with view preservation own character eyes associates, than from any less interested motive, about to insist, peremptorily, upon discontinuance play, when some expressions at my elbow from company, and an ejaculation evincing utter despair of Glendinning, to understand that I had effected his total ruin under circumstances which, rendering him an object pity of all, protected him ill offices even of fiend