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stories by modern american authors-第82章

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tell me a horrid tale of Wieland being led to the destruction of

his wife and children by some mysterious agent。  You charge me with

the guilt of this agency; but I repeat that the amount of my guilt

has been truly stated。  The perpetrator of Catharine's death was

unknown to me till now; nay; it is still unknown to me。〃



At that moment; the closing of a door in the kitchen was distinctly

heard by us。  Carwin started and paused。  〃There is some one

coming。  I must not be found here by my enemies; and need not;

since my purpose is answered。〃



I had drunk in; with the most vehement attention; every word that

he had uttered。  I had no breath to interrupt his tale by

interrogations or comments。  The power that he spoke of was

hitherto unknown to me; its existence was incredible; it was

susceptible of no direct proof。



He owns that his were the voice and face which I heard and saw。  He

attempts to give a human explanation of these phantasms but it is

enough that he owns himself to be the agent: his tale is a lie; and

his nature devilish。  As he deceived me; he likewise deceived my

brother; and now do I behold the author of all our calamities!



Such were my thoughts when his pause allowed me to think。  I should

have bade him begone if the silence had not been interrupted; but

now I feared no more for myself; and the milkiness of my nature was

curdled into hatred and rancor。  Some one was near; and this enemy

of God and man might possibly be brought to justice。  I reflected

not that the preternatural power which he had hitherto exerted

would avail to rescue him from any toils in which his feet might be

entangled。  Meanwhile; looks; and not words; of menace and

abhorrence; were all that I could bestow。



He did not depart。  He seemed dubious whether by passing out of the

house; or by remaining somewhat longer where he was; he should most

endanger his safety。  His confusion increased when steps of one

barefoot were heard upon the stairs。  He threw anxious glances

sometimes at the closet; sometimes at the window; and sometimes at

the chamber door; yet he was detained by some inexplicable

fascination。  He stood as if rooted to the spot。



As to me; my soul was bursting with detestation and revenge。  I had

no room for surmises and fears respecting him that approached。  It

was doubtless a human being; and would befriend me so far as to aid

me in arresting this offender。



The stranger quickly entered the room。  My eyes and the eyes of

Carwin were at the same moment darted upon him。  A second glance

was not needed to inform us who he was。  His locks were tangled;

and fell confusedly over his forehead and ears。  His shirt was of

coarse stuff; and open at the neck and breast。  His coat was once

of bright and fine texture; but now torn and tarnished with dust。

His feet; his legs; and his arms; were bare。  His features were the

seat of a wild and tranquil solemnity; but his eyes bespoke

inquietude and curiosity。



He advanced with a firm step; and looking as in search of some one。

He saw me and stopped。  He bent his sight on the floor; and;

clenching his hands; appeared suddenly absorbed in meditation。

Such were the figure and deportment of Wieland!  Such; in his

fallen state; were the aspect and guise of my brother!



Carwin did not fail to recognize the visitant。  Care for his own

safety was apparently swallowed up in the amazement which this

spectacle produced。  His station was conspicuous; and he could not

have escaped the roving glances of Wieland; yet the latter seemed

totally unconscious of his presence。



Grief at this scene of ruin and blast was at first the only

sentiment of which I was conscious。  A fearful stillness ensued。

At length Wieland; lifting his hands; which were locked in each

other; to his breast; exclaimed; 〃Father! I thank thee。  This is

thy guidance。  Hither thou hast led me; that I might perform thy

will。  Yet let me not err; let me hear again thy messenger!〃



He stood for a minute as if listening; but; recovering from his

attitude; he continued; 〃It is not needed。  Dastardly wretch! thus

eternally questioning the behests of thy Maker! weak in resolution;

wayward in faith!〃



He advanced to me; and; after another pause; resumed:〃Poor girl!

a dismal fate has set its mark upon thee。  Thy life is demanded as

a sacrifice。  Prepare thee to die。  Make not my office difficult by

fruitless opposition。  Thy prayers might subdue stones; but none

but he who enjoined my purpose can shake it。〃



These words were a sufficient explication of the scene。  The nature

of his frenzy; as described by my uncle; was remembered。  I; who

had sought death; was now thrilled with horror because it was near。

Death in this form; death from the hand of a brother; was thought

upon with indescribable repugnance。



In a state thus verging upon madness; my eye glanced upon Carwin。

His astonishment appeared to have struck him motionless and dumb。

My life was in danger; and my brother's hand was about to be

imbrued in my blood。  I firmly believed that Carwin's was the

instigation。  I could rescue myself from this abhorred fate; I

could dissipate this tremendous illusion; I could save my brother

from the perpetration of new horrors; by pointing out the devil who

seduced him。  To hesitate a moment was to perish。  These thoughts

gave strength to my limbs and energy to my accents; I started on my

feet:



〃Oh; brother! spare me! spare thyself!  There is thy betrayer。  He

counterfeited the voice and face of an angel; for the purpose of

destroying thee and me。  He has this moment confessed it。  He is

able to speak where he is not。  He is leagued with hell; but will

not avow it; yet he confesses that the agency was his。〃



My brother turned slowly his eyes; and fixed them upon Carwin。

Every joint in the frame of the latter trembled。  His complexion

was paler than a ghost's。  His eye dared not meet that of Wieland;

but wandered with an air of distraction from one space to another。



〃Man;〃 said my brother; in a voice totally unlike that which he had

used to me; 〃what art thou?  The charge has been made。  Answer it。

The visagethe voiceat the bottom of these stairsat the hour

of elevento whom did they belong?  To thee?〃



Twice did Carwin attempt to speak; but his words died away upon his

lips。  My brother resumed; in a tone of greater vehemence:



〃Thou falterest。  Faltering is ominous。  Say yes or no; one word

will suffice; but beware of falsehood。  Was it a stratagem of hell

to overthrow my family?  Wast thou the agent?〃



I now saw that the wrath which had been prepared for me was to be

heaped upon another。  The tale that I heard from him; and his

present trepidations; were abundant testimonies of his guilt。  But

what if Wieland should be undeceived!  What if he shall find his

act to have proceeded not from a heavenly prompter; but from human

treachery!  Will not his rage mount into whirlwind?
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