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the only kind of boat which Pleyel used； I was； likewise； actuated
by an hereditary dread of water。 These circumstances combined to
bestow considerable plausibility on this conjecture； but the
consternation with which I began to be seized was allayed by
reflecting that； if this disaster had happened； my brother would
have received the speediest information of it。 The consolation
which this idea imparted was ravished from me by a new thought。
This disaster might have happened； and his family not be apprised
of it。 The first intelligence of his fate may be communicated by
the livid corpse which the tide may cast； many days hence； upon the
shore。
Thus was I distressed by opposite conjectures； thus was I tormented
by phantoms of my own creation。 It was not always thus。 I can
ascertain the date when my mind became the victim of this
imbecility； perhaps it was coeval with the inroad of a fatal
passion；a passion that will never rank me in the number of its
eulogists； it was alone sufficient to the extermination of my
peace； it was itself a plenteous source of calamity； and needed not
the concurrence of other evils to take away the attractions of
existence and dig for me an untimely grave。
The state of my mind naturally introduced a train of reflections
upon the dangers and cares which inevitably beset a human being。
By no violent transition was I led to ponder on the turbulent life
and mysterious end of my father。 I cherished with the utmost
veneration the memory of this man； and every relic connected with
his fate was preserved with the most scrupulous care。 Among these
was to be numbered a manuscript containing memoirs of his own life。
The narrative was by no means recommended by its eloquence； but
neither did all its value flow from my relationship to the author。
Its style had an unaffected and picturesque simplicity。 The great
variety and circumstantial display of the incidents； together with
their intrinsic importance as descriptive of human manners and
passions； made it the most useful book in my collection。 It was
late： but； being sensible of no inclination to sleep； I resolved to
betake myself to the perusal of it。
To do this； it was requisite to procure a light。 The girl had long
since retired to her chamber： it was therefore proper to wait upon
myself。 A lamp； and the means of lighting it； were only to be
found in the kitchen。 Thither I resolved forthwith to repair； but
the light was of use merely to enable me to read the book。 I knew
the shelf and the spot where it stood。 Whether I took down the
book； or prepared the lamp in the first place； appeared to be a
matter of no moment。 The latter was preferred； and； leaving my
seat； I approached the closet in which； as I mentioned formerly； my
books and papers were deposited。
Suddenly the remembrance of what had lately passed in this closet
occurred。 Whether midnight was approaching； or had passed； I knew
not。 I was； as then； alone and defenseless。 The wind was in that
direction in which； aided by the deathlike repose of nature； it
brought to me the murmur of the waterfall。 This was mingled with
that solemn and enchanting sound which a breeze produces among the
leaves of pines。 The words of that mysterious dialogue； their
fearful import； and the wild excess to which I was transported by
my terrors； filled my imagination anew。 My steps faltered； and I
stood a moment to recover myself。
I prevailed on myself at length to move toward the closet。 I
touched the lock； but my fingers were powerless； I was visited
afresh by unconquerable apprehensions。 A sort of belief darted
into my mind that some being was concealed within whose purposes
were evil。 I began to contend with those fears； when it occurred
to me that I might； without impropriety； go for a lamp previously
to opening the closet。 I receded a few steps； but before I reached
the chamber door my thoughts took a new direction。 Motion seemed
to produce a mechanical influence upon me。 I was ashamed of my
weakness。 Besides； what aid could be afforded me by a lamp？
My fears had pictured to themselves no precise object。 It would be
difficult to depict in words the ingredients and hues of that
phantom which haunted me。 A hand invisible and of preternatural
strength； lifted by human passions； and selecting my life for its
aim； were parts of this terrific image。 All places were alike
accessible to this foe； or； if his empire were restricted by local
bounds； those bounds were utterly inscrutable by me。 But had I not
been told； by some one in league with this enemy； that every place
but the recess in the bank was exempt from danger？
I returned to the closet； and once more put my hand upon the lock。
Oh； may my ears lose their sensibility ere they be again assailed
by a shriek so terrible！ Not merely my understanding was subdued
by the sound； it acted on my nerves like an edge of steel。 It
appeared to cut asunder the fibers of my brain and rack every joint
with agony。
The cry； loud and piercing as it was； was nevertheless human。 No
articulation was ever more distinct。 The breath which accompanied
it did not fan my hair； yet did every circumstance combine to
persuade me that the lips which uttered it touched my very
shoulder。
〃Hold！ hold！〃 were the words of this tremendous prohibition； in
whose tone the whole soul seemed to be wrapped up； and every energy
converted into eagerness and terror。
Shuddering； I dashed myself against the wall； and； by the same
involuntary impulse； turned my face backward to examine the
mysterious monitor。 The moonlight streamed into each window； and
every corner of the room was conspicuous； and yet I beheld nothing！
The interval was too brief to be artificially measured； between the
utterance of these words and my scrutiny directed to the quarter
whence they came。 Yet； if a human being had been there； could he
fail to have been visible？ Which of my senses was the prey of a
fatal illusion？ The shock which the sound produced was still felt
in every part of my frame。 The sound； therefore； could not but be
a genuine commotion。 But that I had heard it was not more true
than that the being who uttered it was stationed at my right ear；
yet my attendant was invisible。
I cannot describe the state of my thoughts at that moment。
Surprise had mastered my faculties。 My frame shook； and the vital
current was congealed。 I was conscious only of the vehemence of my
sensations。 This condition could not be lasting。 Like a tide；
which suddenly mounts to an overwhelming height and then gradually
subsides； my confusion slowly gave place to order； and my tumults
to a calm。 I was able to deliberate and move。 I resumed my feet；
and advanced into the midst of the room。 Upward； and behind； and
on each side； I threw penetrating glances。 I was not satisfied
with one examination。 He that hitherto refused to be seen might
change