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and shutters produced。 Every object was connected with mine or my
brother's history。 I passed the entry； mounted the stair； and
unlocked the door of my chamber。 It was with difficulty that I
curbed my fancy and smothered my fears。 Slight movements and
casual sounds were transformed into beckoning shadows and calling
shapes。
I proceeded to the closet。 I opened and looked round it with
fearfulness。 All things were in their accustomed order。 I sought
and found the manuscript where I was used to deposit it。 This
being secured； there was nothing to detain me； yet I stood and
contemplated awhile the furniture and walls of my chamber。 I
remembered how long this apartment had been a sweet and tranquil
asylum； I compared its former state with its present dreariness；
and reflected that I now beheld it for the last time。
Here it was that the incomprehensible behavior of Carwin was
witnessed； this the stage on which that enemy of man showed himself
for a moment unmasked。 Here the menaces of murder were wafted to
my ear； and here these menaces were executed。
These thoughts had a tendency to take from me my self…command。 My
feeble limbs refused to support me； and I sunk upon a chair。
Incoherent and half…articulate exclamations escaped my lips。 The
name of Carwin was uttered and eternal woeswoes like that which
his malice had entailed upon uswere heaped upon him。 I invoked
all…seeing heaven to drag to light and punish this betrayer； and
accused its providence for having thus long delayed the retribution
that was due to so enormous a guilt。
I have said that the window shutters were closed。 A feeble light；
however； found entrance through the crevices。 A small window
illuminated the closet； and； the door being closed； a dim ray
streamed through the keyhole。 A kind of twilight was thus created；
sufficient for the purposes of vision； but； at the same time；
involving all minuter objects in obscurity。
This darkness suited the color of my thoughts。 I sickened at the
remembrance of the past。 The prospect of the future excited my
loathing。 I muttered； in a low voice； 〃Why should I live longer？
Why should I drag a miserable being？ All for whom I ought to live
have perished。 Am I not myself hunted to death？〃
At that moment my despair suddenly became vigorous。 My nerves were
no longer unstrung。 My powers； that had long been deadened； were
revived。 My bosom swelled with a sudden energy； and the conviction
darted through my mind； that to end my torments was； at once；
practicable and wise。
I knew how to find way to the recesses of life。 I could use a
lancet with some skill； and could distinguish between vein and
artery。 By piercing deep into the latter； I should shun the evils
which the future had in store for me； and take refuge from my woes
in quiet death。
I started on my feet； for my feebleness was gone； and hasted to the
closet。 A lancet and other small instruments were preserved in a
case which I had deposited here。 Inattentive as I was to foreign
considerations； my ears were still open to any sound of mysterious
import that should occur。 I thought I heard a step in the entry。
My purpose was suspended； and I cast an eager glance at my chamber
door； which was open。 No one appeared； unless the shadow which I
discerned upon the floor was the outline of a man。 If it were； I
was authorized to suspect that some one was posted close to the
entrance； who possibly had overheard my exclamations。
My teeth chattered； and a wild confusion took the place of my
momentary calm。 Thus it was when a terrific visage had disclosed
itself on a former night。 Thus it was when the evil destiny of
Wieland assumed the lineaments of something human。 What horrid
apparition was preparing to blast my sight？
Still I listened and gazed。 Not long； for the shadow moved； a
foot； unshapely and huge； was thrust forward； a form advanced from
its concealment； and stalked into the room。 It was Carwin！
While I had breath； I shrieked。 While I had power over my muscles；
I motioned with my hand that he should vanish。 My exertions could
not last long： I sunk into a fit。
Oh that this grateful oblivion had lasted forever！ Too quickly I
recovered my senses。 The power of distinct vision was no sooner
restored to me； than this hateful form again presented itself； and
I once more relapsed。
A second time； untoward nature recalled me from the sleep of death。
I found myself stretched upon the bed。 When I had power to look
up； I remembered only that I had cause to fear。 My distempered
fancy fashioned to itself no distinguishable image。 I threw a
languid glance round me： once more my eyes lighted upon Carwin。
He was seated on the floor； his back rested against the wall； his
knees were drawn up； and his face was buried in his hands。 That
his station was at some distance； that his attitude was not
menacing； that his ominous visage was concealed； may account for my
now escaping a shock violent as those which were past。 I withdrew
my eyes； but was not again deserted by my senses。
On perceiving that I had recovered my sensibility； he lifted his
head。 This motion attracted my attention。 His countenance was
mild； but sorrow and astonishment sat upon his features。 I averted
my eyes and feebly exclaimed； 〃Oh； fly！fly far and forever！I
cannot behold you and live！〃
He did not rise upon his feet； but clasped his hands； and said； in
a tone of deprecation； 〃I will fly。 I am become a fiend； the sight
of whom destroys。 Yet tell me my offense！ You have linked curses
with my name； you ascribe to me a malice monstrous and infernal。 I
look around： all is loneliness and desert！ This house and your
brother's are solitary and dismantled！ You die away at the sight
of me！ My fear whispers that some deed of horror has been
perpetrated； that I am the undesigning cause。〃
What language was this？ Had he not avowed himself a ravisher？ Had
not this chamber witnessed his atrocious purposes？ I besought him
with new vehemence to go。
He lifted his eyes：〃Great heaven！ what have I done？ I think I
know the extent of my offenses。 I have acted； but my actions have
possibly effected more than I designed。 This fear has brought me
back from my retreat。 I come to repair the evil of which my
rashness was the cause； and to prevent more evil。 I come to
confess my errors。〃
〃Wretch！〃 I cried； when my suffocating emotions would permit me to
speak； 〃the ghosts of my sister and her children；do they not rise
to accuse thee？ Who was it that blasted the intellect of Wieland？
Who was it that urged him to fury and guided him to murder？ Who；
but thou and the devil； with whom thou art confederated？〃
At these words a new spirit pervaded his countenance。 His eyes
once more appealed to heaven。 〃If I have memoryif I have being
I am innocent。 I intended no ill； but my folly； indirectly and
remote