按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
this solicitude is not only pardonable； but may justly be demanded
from those who choose us for their companions。 This state of
things was more slow to arrive at on this occasion than on most
others； on account of the gravity and loftiness of this man's
behavior。
Pleyel； however； began at length to employ regular means for this
end。 He occasionally alluded to the circumstances in which they
had formerly met； and remarked the incongruousness between the
religion and habits of a Spaniard with those of a native of
Britain。 He expressed his astonishment at meeting our guest in
this corner of the globe； especially as； when they parted in Spain；
he was taught to believe that Carwin should never leave that
country。 He insinuated that a change so great must have been
prompted by motives of a singular and momentous kind。
No answer； or an answer wide of the purpose； was generally made to
these insinuations。 Britons and Spaniards； he said； are votaries
of the same Deity； and square their faith by the same precepts；
their ideas are drawn from the same fountains of literature； and
they speak dialects of the same tongue； their government and laws
have more resemblances than differences； they were formerly
provinces of the same civil； and； till lately； of the same
religious； empire。
As to the motives which induce men to change the place of their
abode； these must unavoidably be fleeting and mutable。 If not
bound to one spot by conjugal or parental ties； or by the nature of
that employment to which we are indebted for subsistence； the
inducements to change are far more numerous and powerful than
opposite inducements。
He spoke as if desirous of showing that he was not aware of the
tendency of Pleyel's remarks； yet certain tokens were apparent that
proved him by no means wanting in penetration。 These tokens were
to be read in his countenance； and not in his words。 When anything
was said indicating curiosity in us； the gloom of his countenance
was deepened； his eyes sunk to the ground； and his wonted air was
not resumed without visible struggle。 Hence； it was obvious to
infer that some incidents of his life were reflected on by him with
regret； and that； since these incidents were carefully concealed；
and even that regret which flowed from them laboriously stifled；
they had not been merely disastrous。 The secrecy that was observed
appeared not designed to provoke or baffle the inquisitive； but was
prompted by the shame or by the prudence of guilt。
These ideas； which were adopted by Pleyel and my brother as well as
myself； hindered us from employing more direct means for
accomplishing our wishes。 Questions might have been put in such
terms that no room should be left for the pretense of misapprehension；
and； if modesty merely had been the obstacle； such questions would
not have been wanting； but we considered that； if the disclosure
were productive of pain or disgrace； it was inhuman to extort it。
Amidst the various topics that were discussed in his presence；
allusions were； of course； made to the inexplicable events that had
lately happened。 At those times the words and looks of this man
were objects of my particular attention。 The subject was
extraordinary； and anyone whose experience or reflections could
throw any light upon it was entitled to my gratitude。 As this man
was enlightened by reading and travel； I listened with eagerness to
the remarks which he should make。
At first I entertained a kind of apprehension that the tale would
be heard by him with incredulity and secret ridicule。 I had
formerly heard stories that resembled this in some of their
mysterious circumstances； but they were commonly heard by me with
contempt。 I was doubtful whether the same impression would not now
be made on the mind of our guest； but I was mistaken in my fears。
He heard them with seriousness； and without any marks either of
surprise or incredulity。 He pursued with visible pleasure that
kind of disquisition which was naturally suggested by them。 His
fancy was eminently vigorous and prolific； and； if he did not
persuade us that human beings are sometimes admitted to a sensible
intercourse with the Author of nature； he at least won over our
inclination to the cause。 He merely deduced； from his own
reasonings； that such intercourse was probable； but confessed that；
though he was acquainted with many instances somewhat similar to
those which had been related by us； none of them were perfectly
exempted from the suspicion of human agency。
On being requested to relate these instances； he amused us with
many curious details。 His narratives were constructed with so much
skill； and rehearsed with so much energy； that all the effects of a
dramatic exhibition were frequently produced by them。 Those that
were most coherent and most minute； and； of consequence； least
entitled to credit； were yet rendered probable by the exquisite art
of this rhetorician。 For every difficulty that was suggested a
ready and plausible solution was furnished。 Mysterious voices had
always a share in producing the catastrophe； but they were always
to be explained on some known principles； either as reflected into
a focus or communicated through a tube。 I could not but remark
that his narratives； however complex or marvelous； contained no
instance sufficiently parallel to those that had befallen
ourselves； and in which the solution was applicable to our own
case。
My brother was a much more sanguine reasoner than our guest。 Even
in some of the facts which were related by Carwin； he maintained
the probability of celestial interference； when the latter was
disposed to deny it； and had found； as he imagined； footsteps of a
human agent。 Pleyel was by no means equally credulous。 He
scrupled not to deny faith to any testimony but that of his senses；
and allowed the facts which had lately been supported by this
testimony not to mold his belief； but merely to give birth to
doubts。
It was soon observed that Carwin adopted； in some degree； a similar
distinction。 A tale of this kind； related by others； he would
believe； provided it was explicable upon known principles； but that
such notices were actually communicated by beings of a higher order
he would believe only when his own ears were assailed in a manner
which could not be otherwise accounted for。 Civility forbade him
to contradict my brother or myself； but his understanding refused
to acquiesce in our testimony。 Besides； he was disposed to
question whether the voices were not really uttered by human
organs。 On this supposition he was desired to explain how the
effect was produced。
He answered that the cry for help； heard in the hall on the night
of my adventure； was to be ascribed to a human creature； who
actually stood in the hall when he uttered it。 It was of no
moment； he said； that we could not explain by what motives he that
made the signal