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with one examination。 He that hitherto refused to be seen might
change his purpose； and on the next survey be clearly
distinguishable。
Solitude imposes least restraint upon the fancy。 Dark is less
fertile of images than the feeble luster of the moon。 I was alone；
and the walls were checkered by shadowy forms。 As the moon passed
behind a cloud and emerged； these shadows seemed to be endowed with
life； and to move。 The apartment was open to the breeze； and the
curtain was occasionally blown from its ordinary position。 This
motion was not unaccompanied with sound。 I failed not to snatch a
look and to listen when this motion and this sound occurred。 My
belief that my monitor was posted near was strong； and instantly
converted these appearances to tokens of his presence； and yet I
could discern nothing。
When my thoughts were at length permitted to revert to the past；
the first idea that occurred was the resemblance between the words
of the voice which I had just heard and those which had terminated
my dream in the summer…house。 There are means by which we are able
to distinguish a substance from a shadow； a reality from the
phantom of a dream。 The pit； my brother beckoning me forward； the
seizure of my arm； and the voice behind； were surely imaginary。
That these incidents were fashioned in my sleep is supported by the
same indubitable evidence that compels me to believe myself awake
at present； yet the words and the voice were the same。 Then； by
some inexplicable contrivance； I was aware of the danger； while my
actions and sensations were those of one wholly unacquainted with
it。 Now； was it not equally true that my actions and persuasions
were at war？ Had not the belief that evil lurked in the closet
gained admittance； and had not my actions betokened an
unwarrantable security？ To obviate the effects of my infatuation；
the same means had been used。
In my dream； he that tempted me to my destruction was my brother。
Death was ambushed in my path。 From what evil was I now rescued？
What minister or implement of ill was shut up in this recess？ Who
was it whose suffocating grasp I was to feel should I dare to enter
it？ What monstrous conception is this？ My brother？
No； protection； and not injury； is his province。 Strange and
terrible chimera！ Yet it would not be suddenly dismissed。 It was
surely no vulgar agency that gave this form to my fears。 He to
whom all parts of time are equally present； whom no contingency
approaches； was the author of that spell which now seized upon me。
Life was dear to me。 No consideration was present that enjoined me
to relinquish it。 Sacred duty combined with every spontaneous
sentiment to endear to me my being。 Should I not shudder when my
being was endangered？ But what emotion should possess me when the
arm lifted against me was Wieland's？
Ideas exist in our minds that can be accounted for by no
established laws。 Why did I dream that my brother was my foe？ Why
but because an omen of my fate was ordained to be communicated？
Yet what salutary end did it serve？ Did it arm me with caution to
elude or fortitude to bear the evils to which I was reserved？ My
present thoughts were； no doubt； indebted for their hue to the
similitude existing between these incidents and those of my dream。
Surely it was frenzy that dictated my deed。 That a ruffian was
hidden in the closet was an idea the genuine tendency of which was
to urge me to flight。 Such had been the effect formerly produced。
Had my mind been simply occupied with this thought at present； no
doubt the same impulse would have been experienced； but now it was
my brother whom I was irresistibly persuaded to regard as the
contriver of that ill of which I had been forewarned。 This
persuasion did not extenuate my fears or my danger。 Why then did I
again approach the closet and withdraw the bolt？ My resolution was
instantly conceived； and executed without faltering。
The door was formed of light materials。 The lock； of simple
structure； easily forewent its hold。 It opened into the room； and
commonly moved upon its hinges； after being unfastened； without any
effort of mine。 This effort； however； was bestowed upon the
present occasion。 It was my purpose to open it with quickness； but
the exertion which I made was ineffectual。 It refused to open。
At another time； this circumstance would not have looked with a
face of mystery。 I should have supposed some casual obstruction
and repeated my efforts to surmount it。 But now my mind was
accessible to no conjecture but one。 The door was hindered from
opening by human force。 Surely； here was a new cause for affright。
This was confirmation proper to decide my conduct。 Now was all
ground of hesitation taken away。 What could be supposed but that I
deserted the chamber and the house？ that I at least endeavored no
longer to withdraw the door？
Have I not said that my actions were dictated by frenzy？ My reason
had forborne； for a time； to suggest or to sway my resolves。 I
reiterated my endeavors。 I exerted all my force to overcome the
obstacle； but in vain。 The strength that was exerted to keep it
shut was superior to mine。
A casual observer might； perhaps； applaud the audaciousness of this
conduct。 Whence； but from a habitual defiance of danger； could my
perseverance arise？ I have already assigned； as distinctly as I am
able； the cause of it。 The frantic conception that my brother was
within； that the resistance made to my design was exerted by him；
had rooted itself in my mind。 You will comprehend the height of
this infatuation； when I tell you that； finding all my exertions
vain； I betook myself to exclamations。 Surely I was utterly bereft
of understanding。
Now I had arrived at the crisis of my fate。 〃Oh； hinder not the
door to open；〃 I exclaimed； in a tone that had less of fear than of
grief in it。 〃I know you well。 Come forth； but harm me not。 I
beseech you； come forth。〃
I had taken my hand from the lock and removed to a small distance
from the door。 I had scarcely uttered these words； when the door
swung upon its hinges and displayed to my view the interior of the
closet。 Whoever was within was shrouded in darkness。 A few
seconds passed without interruption of the silence。 I knew not
what to expect or to fear。 My eyes would not stray from the
recess。 Presently； a deep sigh was heard。 The quarter from which
it came heightened the eagerness of my gaze。 Some one approached
from the farther end。 I quickly perceived the outlines of a human
figure。 Its steps were irresolute and slow。 I recoiled as it
advanced。
By coming at length within the verge of the room； his form was
clearly distinguishable。 I had prefigured to myself a very
different personage。 The face that presented itself was the last
that I should desire to meet at an hour and in a place like this。
My wonder was stifled by my fears。 As