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sacrificed for him my purity； my spotless name； my friendships； and
my fortune！ That even madness could engender accusations like
these was not to be believed。
What evidence could possibly suggest conceptions so wild？ After
the unlooked…for interview with Carwin in my chamber； he retired。
Could Pleyel have observed his exit？ It was not long after that
Pleyel himself entered。 Did he build on this incident his odious
conclusions？ Could the long series of my actions and sentiments
grant me no exemption from suspicions so foul？ Was it not more
rational to infer that Carwin's designs had been illicit？ that my
life had been endangered by the fury of one whom； by some means； he
had discovered to be an assassin and robber？ that my honor had been
assailed； not by blandishments； but by violence？
He has judged me without hearing。 He has drawn from dubious
appearances conclusions the most improbable and unjust。 He has
loaded me with all outrageous epithets。 He has ranked me with
prostitutes and thieves。 I cannot pardon thee； Pleyel； for this
injustice。 Thy understanding must be hurt。 If it be not；if thy
conduct was sober and deliberate；I can never forgive an outrage
so unmanly and so gross。
These thoughts gradually gave place to others。 Pleyel was
possessed by some momentary frenzy； appearances had led him into
palpable errors。 Whence could his sagacity have contracted this
blindness？ Was it not love？ Previously assured of my affection
for Carwin； distracted with grief and jealousy； and impelled hither
at that late hour by some unknown instigation； his imagination
transformed shadows into monsters； and plunged him into these
deplorable errors。
This idea was not unattended with consolation。 My soul was divided
between indignation at his injustice and delight on account of the
source from which I conceived it to spring。 For a long time they
would allow admission to no other thoughts。 Surprise is an emotion
that enfeebles； not invigorates。 All my meditations were
accompanied with wonder。 I rambled with vagueness； or clung to one
image with an obstinacy which sufficiently testified the maddening
influence of late transactions。
Gradually I proceeded to reflect upon the consequences of Pleyel's
mistake； and on the measures I should take to guard myself against
future injury from Carwin。 Should I suffer this mistake to be
detected by time？ When his passion should subside； would he not
perceive the flagrancy of his injustice and hasten to atone for it？
Did it not become my character to testify resentment for language
and treatment so opprobrious？ Wrapped up in the consciousness of
innocence； and confiding in the influence of time and reflection to
confute so groundless a charge； it was my province to be passive
and silent。
As to the violences meditated by Carwin； and the means of eluding
them； the path to be taken by me was obvious。 I resolved to tell
the tale to my brother and regulate myself by his advice。 For this
end； when the morning was somewhat advanced； I took the way to his
house。 My sister was engaged in her customary occupations。 As
soon as I appeared； she remarked a change in my looks。 I was not
willing to alarm her by the information which I had to communicate。
Her health was in that condition which rendered a disastrous tale
particularly unsuitable。 I forbore a direct answer to her
inquiries； and inquired； in my turn； for Wieland。
〃Why；〃 said she； 〃I suspect something mysterious and unpleasant has
happened this morning。 Scarcely had we risen when Pleyel dropped
among us。 What could have prompted him to make us so early and so
unseasonable a visit I cannot tell。 To judge from the disorder of
his dress； and his countenance； something of an extraordinary
nature has occurred。 He permitted me merely to know that he had
slept none； nor even undressed； during the past night。 He took
your brother to walk with him。 Some topic must have deeply engaged
them； for Wieland did not return till the breakfast hour was
passed； and returned alone。 His disturbance was excessive； but he
would not listen to my importunities； or tell me what had happened。
I gathered； from hints which he let fall； that your situation was
in some way the cause； yet he assured me that you were at your own
house； alive； in good health； and in perfect safety。 He scarcely
ate a morsel； and immediately after breakfast went out again。 He
would not inform me whither he was going； but mentioned that he
probably might not return before night。〃
I was equally astonished and alarmed by this information。 Pleyel
had told his tale to my brother； and had； by a plausible and
exaggerated picture； instilled into him unfavorable thoughts of me。
Yet would not the more correct judgment of Wieland perceive and
expose the fallacy of his conclusions？ Perhaps his uneasiness
might arise from some insight into the character of Carwin； and
from apprehensions for my safety。 The appearances by which Pleyel
had been misled might induce him likewise to believe that I
entertained an indiscreet though not dishonorable affection for
Carwin。 Such were the conjectures rapidly formed。 I was
inexpressibly anxious to change them into certainty。 For this end
an interview with my brother was desirable。 He was gone no one
knew whither； and was not expected speedily to return。 I had no
clew by which to trace his footsteps。
My anxieties could not be concealed from my sister。 They
heightened her solicitude to be acquainted with the cause。 There
were many reasons persuading me to silence； at least； till I had
seen my brother； it would be an act of inexcusable temerity to
unfold what had lately passed。 No other expedient for eluding her
importunities occurred to me but that of returning to my own house。
I recollected my determination to become a tenant of this roof。 I
mentioned it to her。 She joyfully acceded to this proposal； and
suffered me with less reluctance to depart when I told her that it
was with a view to collect and send to my new dwelling what
articles would be immediately useful to me。
Once more I returned to the house which had been the scene of so
much turbulence and danger。 I was at no great distance from it
when I observed my brother coming out。 On seeing me he stopped；
and； after ascertaining； as it seemed； which way I was going； he
returned into the house before me。 I sincerely rejoiced at this
event； and I hastened to set things； if possible； on their right
footing。
His brow was by no means expressive of those vehement emotions with
which Pleyel had been agitated。 I drew a favorable omen from this
circumstance。 Without delay I began the conversation。
〃I have been to look for you；〃 said I； 〃but was told by Catharine
that Pleyel had engaged you on some important and disagreeable
affair。 Before his interview with you he spent a few minutes with
me。 These minutes he employed i