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between that and me。 Of self…defense I was incapable。 The frenzy
that lately prompted me to blood was gone： my state was desperate；
my rescue was impossible。
The weight of these accumulated thoughts could not be borne。 My
sight became confused； my limbs were seized with convulsion； I
spoke； but my words were half formed：
〃Spare me； my brother！ Look down； righteous Judge！ snatch me from
this fate！ take away this fury from him； or turn it elsewhere！ 〃
Such was the agony of my thoughts that I noticed not steps entering
my apartment。 Supplicating eyes were cast upward； but when my
prayer was breathed I once more wildly gazed at the door。 A form
met my sight； I shuddered as if the God whom I invoked were
present。 It was Carwin that again intruded； and who stood before
me； erect in attitude and steadfast in look！
The sight of him awakened new and rapid thoughts。 His recent tale
was remembered； his magical transitions and mysterious energy of
voice。 Whether he were infernal or miraculous or human； there was
no power and no need to decide。 Whether the contriver or not of
this spell； he was able to unbind it； and to check the fury of my
brother。 He had ascribed to himself intentions not malignant。
Here now was afforded a test of his truth。 Let him interpose； as
from above； revoke the savage decree which the madness of Wieland
has assigned to heaven； and extinguish forever this passion for
blood！
My mind detected at a glance this avenue to safety。 The
recommendations it possessed thronged as it were together； and made
but one impression on my intellect。 Remoter effects and collateral
dangers I saw not。 Perhaps the pause of an instant had sufficed to
call them up。 The improbability that the influence which governed
Wieland was external or human； the tendency of this stratagem to
sanction so fatal an error or substitute a more destructive rage in
place of this； the insufficiency of Carwin's mere muscular forces
to counteract the efforts and restrain the fury of Wieland； might；
at a second glance； have been discovered； but no second glance was
allowed。 My first thought hurried me to action； and； fixing my
eyes upon Carwin； I exclaimed；
〃O wretch！ once more hast thou come？ Let it be to abjure thy
malice； to counterwork this hellish stratagem； to turn from me and
from my brother this desolating rage！
〃Testify thy innocence or thy remorse； exert the powers which
pertain to thee； whatever they be； to turn aside this ruin。 Thou
art the author of these horrors！ What have I done to deserve thus
to die？ How have I merited this unrelenting persecution？ I adjure
thee； by that God whose voice thou hast dared to counterfeit； to
save my life！
〃Wilt thou then go？leave me！ Succorless！〃
Carwin listened to my entreaties unmoved； and turned from me。 He
seemed to hesitate a moment；then glided through the door。 Rage
and despair stifled my utterance。 The interval of respite was
past； the pangs reserved for me by Wieland were not to be endured；
my thoughts rushed again into anarchy。 Having received the knife
from his hand； I held it loosely and without regard； but now it
seized again my attention； and I grasped it with force。
He seemed to notice not the entrance or exit of Carwin。 My gesture
and the murderous weapon appeared to have escaped his notice。 His
silence was unbroken； his eye； fixed upon the clock for a time； was
now withdrawn； fury kindled in every feature； all that was human in
his face gave way to an expression supernatural and tremendous。 I
felt my left arm within his grasp。
Even now I hesitated to strike。 I shrunk from his assault； but in
vain。
Here let me desist。 Why should I rescue this event from oblivion？
Why should I paint this detestable conflict？ Why not terminate at
once this series of horrors？Hurry to the verge of the precipice；
and cast myself forever beyond remembrance and beyond hope？
Still I live； with this load upon my breast； with this phantom to
pursue my steps； with adders lodged in my bosom； and stinging me to
madness； still I consent to live！
Yes！ I will rise above the sphere of mortal passions； I will spurn
at the cowardly remorse that bids me seek impunity in silence； or
comfort in forgetfulness。 My nerves shall be new…strung to the
task。 Have I not resolved？ I will die。 The gulf before me is
inevitable and near。 I will die； but then only when my tale is at
an end。
III
My right hand； grasping the unseen knife； was still disengaged。 It
was lifted to strike。 All my strength was exhausted but what was
sufficient to the performance of this deed。 Already was the energy
awakened and the impulse given that should bear the fatal steel to
his heart； whenWieland shrunk back； his hand was withdrawn。
Breathless with affright and desperation； I stood； freed from his
grasp； unassailed； untouched。
Thus long had the power which controlled the scene forborne to
interfere： but now his might was irresistible； and Wieland in a
moment was disarmed of all his purposes。 A voice； louder than
human organs could produce； shriller than language can depict；
burst from the ceiling and commanded himTO HOLD！
Trouble and dismay succeeded to the steadfastness that had lately
been displayed in the looks of Wieland。 His eyes roved from one
quarter to another； with an expression of doubt。 He seemed to wait
for a further intimation。
Carwin's agency was here easily recognized。 I had besought him to
interpose in my defense。 He had flown。 I had imagined him deaf to
my prayer； and resolute to see me perish； yet he disappeared merely
to devise and execute the means of my relief。
Why did he not forbear when this end was accomplished？ Why did his
misjudging zeal and accursed precipitation overpass that limit？ Or
meant he thus to crown the scene； and conduct his inscrutable plots
to this consummation？
Such ideas were the fruit of subsequent contemplation。 This moment
was pregnant with fate。 I had no power to reason。 In the career
of my tempestuous thoughts； rent into pieces as my mind was by
accumulating horrors； Carwin was unseen and unsuspected。 I partook
of Wieland's credulity； shook with his amazement； and panted with
his awe。
Silence took place for a moment： so much as allowed the attention
to recover its post。 Then new sounds were uttered from above：
〃Man of errors！ cease to cherish thy delusion； not heaven or hell；
but thy senses； have misled thee to commit these acts。 Shake off
thy frenzy； and ascend into rational and human。 Be lunatic no
longer。〃
My brother opened his lips to speak。 His tone was terrific and
faint。 He muttered an appeal to heaven。 It was difficult to
comprehend the theme of his inquiries。 They implied doubt as to
the nature of the impulse that hitherto had guided him； and
questioned whether he had acted in consequence of insane
perceptions。