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which he had collected in his travels。 He made no scruple to
charge me with being in love； and threatened to inform the swain；
when he met him； of his good fortune。
Pleyel's temper made him susceptible of no durable impressions。
His conversation was occasionally visited by gleams of his ancient
vivacity； but； though his impetuosity was sometimes inconvenient；
there was nothing to dread from his malice。 I had no fear that my
character or dignity would suffer in his hands； and was not
heartily displeased when he declared his intention of profiting by
his first meeting with the stranger to introduce him to our
acquaintance。
Some weeks after this I had spent a toilsome day； and； as the sun
declined； found myself disposed to seek relief in a walk。 The
river bank is； at this part of it and for some considerable space
upward； so rugged and steep as not to be easily descended。 In a
recess of this declivity； near the southern verge of my little
demesne； was placed a slight building； with seats and lattices。
From a crevice of the rock to which this edifice was attached there
burst forth a stream of the purest water； which； leaping from ledge
to ledge for the space of sixty feet； produced a freshness in the
air； and a murmur； the most delicious and soothing imaginable。
These； added to the odors of the cedars which embowered it； and of
the honeysuckle which clustered among the lattices； rendered this
my favorite retreat in summer。
On this occasion I repaired hither。 My spirits drooped through the
fatigue of long attention； and I threw myself upon a bench； in a
state； both mentally and personally； of the utmost supineness。 The
lulling sounds of the waterfall； the fragrance； and the dusk；
combined to becalm my spirits； and； in a short time； to sink me
into sleep。 Either the uneasiness of my posture； or some slight
indisposition； molested my repose with dreams of no cheerful hue。
After various incoherences had taken their turn to occupy my fancy；
I at length imagined myself walking； in the evening twilight； to my
brother's habitation。 A pit； methought； had been dug in the path I
had taken； of which I was not aware。 As I carelessly pursued my
walk； I thought I saw my brother standing at some distance before
me； beckoning and calling me to make haste。 He stood on the
opposite edge of the gulf。 I mended my pace； and one step more
would have plunged me into this abyss； had not some one from behind
caught suddenly my arm； and exclaimed； in a voice of eagerness and
terror； 〃Hold！ hold！〃
The sound broke my sleep； and I found myself； at the next moment；
standing on my feet； and surrounded by the deepest darkness。
Images so terrific and forcible disabled me for a time from
distinguishing between sleep and wakefulness； and withheld from me
the knowledge of my actual condition。 My first panic was succeeded
by the perturbations of surprise to find myself alone in the open
air and immersed in so deep a gloom。 I slowly recollected the
incidents of the afternoon； and how I came hither。 I could not
estimate the time； but saw the propriety of returning with speed to
the house。 My faculties were still too confused； and the darkness
too intense； to allow me immediately to find my way up the steep。
I sat down； therefore； to recover myself； and to reflect upon my
situation。
This was no sooner done； than a low voice was heard from behind the
lattice； on the side where I sat。 Between the rock and the lattice
was a chasm not wide enough to admit a human body； yet in this
chasm he that spoke appeared to be stationed。 〃Attend！ attend！ but
be not terrified。〃
I started； and exclaimed； 〃Good heavens！ what is that？ Who are
you？〃
〃A friend； one come not to injure but to save you： fear nothing。〃
This voice was immediately recognized to be the same with one of
those which I had heard in the closet； it was the voice of him who
had proposed to shoot rather than to strangle his victim。 My
terror made me at once mute and motionless。 He continued； 〃I
leagued to murder you。 I repent。 Mark my bidding； and be safe。
Avoid this spot。 The snares of death encompass it。 Elsewhere
danger will be distant； but this spot； shun it as you value your
life。 Mark me further： profit by this warning； but divulge it not。
If a syllable of what has passed escape you； your doom is sealed。
Remember your father； and be faithful。〃
Here the accents ceased； and left me overwhelmed with dismay。 I
was fraught with the persuasion that during every moment I remained
here my life was endangered； but I could not take a step without
hazard of falling to the bottom of the precipice。 The path leading
to the summit was short； but rugged and intricate。 Even starlight
was excluded by the umbrage； and not the faintest gleam was
afforded to guide my steps。 What should I do？ To depart or remain
was equally and eminently perilous。
In this state of uncertainty； I perceived a ray flit across the
gloom and disappear。 Another succeeded； which was stronger； and
remained for a passing moment。 It glittered on the shrubs that
were scattered at the entrance； and gleam continued to succeed
gleam for a few seconds； till they finally gave place to
unintermitted darkness。
The first visitings of this light called up a train of horrors in
my mind； destruction impended over this spot； the voice which I had
lately heard had warned me to retire； and had menaced me with the
fate of my father if I refused。 I was desirous； but unable to
obey； these gleams were such as preluded the stroke by which he
fell； the hour； perhaps； was the same。 I shuddered as if I had
beheld suspended over me the exterminating sword。
Presently a new and stronger illumination burst through the lattice
on the right hand； and a voice from the edge of the precipice above
called out my name。 It was Pleyel。 Joyfully did I recognize his
accents； but such was the tumult of my thoughts that I had not
power to answer him till he had frequently repeated his summons。 I
hurried at length from the fatal spot； and； directed by the lantern
which he bore； ascended the hill。
Pale and breathless； it was with difficulty I could support myself。
He anxiously inquired into the cause of my affright and the motive
of my unusual absence。 He had returned from my brother's at a late
hour； and was informed by Judith that I had walked out before
sunset and had not yet returned。 This intelligence was somewhat
alarming。 He waited some time； but； my absence continuing； he had
set out in search of me。 He had explored the neighborhood with the
utmost care； but； receiving no tidings of me； he was preparing to
acquaint my brother with this circumstance； when he recollected the
summer…house on the bank； and conceived it possible that some
accident had detained me there。 He again inquired into the cause
of this detention； and of that confusion and dismay which my looks
testified。