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hope to take me by surprise？ Yet； if so； why did he allow so many
noisy signals to betray his approach？ Presently the steps were
again heard to approach the door。 A hand was laid upon the lock；
and the latch pulled back。 Did he imagine it possible that I
should fail to secure the door？ A slight effort was made to push
it open； as if； all bolts being withdrawn； a slight effort only was
required。
I no sooner perceived this than I moved swiftly toward the window。
Carwin's frame might be said to be all muscle。 His strength and
activity had appeared； in various instances； to be prodigious。 A
slight exertion of his force would demolish the door。 Would not
that exertion be made？ Too surely it would； but； at the same
moment that this obstacle should yield and he should enter the
apartment； my determination was formed to leap from the window。 My
senses were still bound to this object。 I gazed at the door in
momentary expectation that the assault would be made。 The pause
continued。 The person without was irresolute and motionless。
Suddenly it occurred to me that Carwin might conceive me to have
fled。 That I had not betaken myself to flight was； indeed； the
least probable of all conclusions。 In this persuasion he must have
been confirmed on finding the lower door unfastened and the chamber
door locked。 Was it not wise to foster this persuasion？ Should I
maintain deep silence； this； in addition to other circumstances；
might encourage the belief； and he would once more depart。 Every
new reflection added plausibility to this reasoning。 It was
presently more strongly enforced when I noticed footsteps
withdrawing from the door。 The blood once more flowed back to my
heart； and a dawn of exultation began to rise； but my joy was
short…lived。 Instead of descending the stairs； he passed to the
door of the opposite chamber； opened it； and； having entered； shut
it after him with a violence that shook the house。
How was I to interpret this circumstance？ For what end could he
have entered this chamber？ Did the violence with which he closed
the door testify the depth of his vexation？ This room was usually
occupied by Pleyel。 Was Carwin aware of his absence on this night？
Could he be suspected of a design so sordid as pillage？ If this
were his view； there were no means in my power to frustrate it。 It
behooved me to seize the first opportunity to escape； but； if my
escape were supposed by my enemy to have been already effected； no
asylum was more secure than the present。 How could my passage from
the house be accomplished without noises that might incite him to
pursue me？
Utterly at a loss to account for his going into Pleyel's chamber； I
waited in instant expectation of hearing him come forth。 All；
however； was profoundly still。 I listened in vain for a
considerable period to catch the sound of the door when it should
again be opened。 There was no other avenue by which he could
escape； but a door which led into the girl's chamber。 Would any
evil from this quarter befall the girl？
Hence arose a new train of apprehensions。 They merely added to the
turbulence and agony of my reflections。 Whatever evil impended
over her； I had no power to avert it。 Seclusion and silence were
the only means of saving myself from the perils of this fatal
night。 What solemn vows did I put up； that； if I should once more
behold the light of day； I would never trust myself again within
the threshold of this dwelling！
Minute lingered after minute； but no token was given that Carwin
had returned to the passage。 What； I again asked； could detain him
in this room？ Was it possible that he had returned； and glided
unperceived away？ I was speedily aware of the difficulty that
attended an enterprise like this； and yet； as if by that means I
were capable of gaining any information on that head； I cast
anxious looks from the window。
The object that first attracted my attention was a human figure
standing on the edge of the bank。 Perhaps my penetration was
assisted by my hopes。 Be that as it will； the figure of Carwin was
clearly distinguishable。 From the obscurity of my station； it was
impossible that I should be discerned by him； and yet he scarcely
suffered me to catch a glimpse of him。 He turned and went down the
steep； which in this part was not difficult to be scaled。
My conjecture； then； had been right。 Carwin has softly opened the
door； descended the stairs； and issued forth。 That I should not
have overheard his steps was only less incredible than that my eyes
had deceived me。 But what was now to be done？ The house was at
length delivered from this detested inmate。 By one avenue might he
again reenter。 Was it not wise to bar the lower door？ Perhaps he
had gone out by the kitchen door。 For this end； he must have
passed through Judith's chamber。 These entrances being closed and
bolted； as great security was gained as was compatible with my
lonely condition。
The propriety of these measures was too manifest not to make me
struggle successfully with my fears。 Yet I opened my own door with
the utmost caution； and descended as if I were afraid that Carwin
had been still immured in Pleyel's chamber。 The outer door was
ajar。 I shut it with trembling eagerness； and drew every bolt that
appended to it。 I then passed with light and less cautious steps
through the parlor； but was surprised to discover that the kitchen
door was secure。 I was compelled to acquiesce in the first
conjecture that Carwin had escaped through the entry。
My heart was now somewhat eased of the load of apprehension。 I
returned once more to my chamber； the door of which I was careful
to lock。 It was no time to think of repose。 The moonlight began
already to fade before the light of the day。 The approach of
morning was betokened by the usual signals。 I mused upon the
events of this night； and determined to take up my abode henceforth
at my brother's。 Whether I should inform him of what had happened
was a question which seemed to demand some consideration。 My
safety unquestionably required that I should abandon my present
habitation。
As my thoughts began to flow with fewer impediments； the image of
Pleyel； and the dubiousness of his condition； again recurred to me。
I again ran over the possible causes of his absence on the
preceding day。 My mind was attuned to melancholy。 I dwelt； with
an obstinacy for which I could not account； on the idea of his
death。 I painted to myself his struggles with the billows； and his
last appearance。 I imagined myself a midnight wanderer on the
shore； and to have stumbled on his corpse； which the tide had cast
up。 These dreary images affected me even to tears。 I endeavored
not to restrain them。 They imparted a relief which I had not
anticipated。 The more copiously they flowed； the more did my
general sensations appear to subside into calm； and a certain
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