Thesesymptomsdidnotabate，andhecontinued：——
“Clara，Imustnotleavetheeindoubt。IknownotwhatbroughtaboutthyinterviewwiththebeingwhomthoucallestCarwin。ForatimeIwasguiltyofthyerror，anddeducedfromhisincoherentconfessionsthatIhadbeenmadethevictimofhumanmalice。Heleftusatmybidding，andIputupaprayerthatmydoubtsshouldberemoved。Thyeyeswereshutandthyearssealedtothevisionthatansweredmyprayer。
“Iwasindeeddeceived。Theformthouhastseenwastheincarnationofademon。Thevisageandvoicewhichurgedmetothesacrificeofmyfamilywerehis。Nowhepersonatesahumanform；
thenhewasenvironedwiththelusterofheaven。
“Clara，“hecontinued，advancingclosertome，“thydeathmustcome。Thisministerisevil，buthefromwhomhiscommissionwasreceivedisGod。Submitthenwithallthywontedresignationtoadecreethatcannotbereversedorresisted。Marktheclock。Threeminutesareallowedtothee，inwhichtocallupthyfortitudeandpreparetheeforthydoom。”Therehestopped。
Evennow，whenthissceneexistsonlyinmemory，whenlifeandallitsfunctionshavesunkintotorpor，mypulsethrobs，andmyhairsuprise；mybrowsareknit，asthen，andIgazearoundmeindistraction。Iwasunconquerablyaversetodeath；butdeath，imminentandfullofagonyasthatwhichwasthreatened，wasnothing。Thiswasnottheonlyorchiefinspirerofmyfears。
Forhim，notformyself，wasmysoultormented。Imightdie，andnocrime，surpassingthereachofmercy，wouldpursuemetothepresenceofmyJudge；butmyassassinwouldsurvivetocontemplatehisdeed，andthatassassinwasWieland！
WingstobearmebeyondhisreachIhadnot。Icouldnotvanishwithathought。Thedoorwasopen，butmymurdererwasinterposedbetweenthatandme。Ofself-defenseIwasincapable。Thefrenzythatlatelypromptedmetobloodwasgone：mystatewasdesperate；
myrescuewasimpossible。
Theweightoftheseaccumulatedthoughtscouldnotbeborne。Mysightbecameconfused；mylimbswereseizedwithconvulsion；I
spoke，butmywordswerehalfformed：——
“Spareme，mybrother！Lookdown，righteousJudge！snatchmefromthisfate！takeawaythisfuryfromhim，orturnitelsewhere！“
SuchwastheagonyofmythoughtsthatInoticednotstepsenteringmyapartment。Supplicatingeyeswerecastupward；butwhenmyprayerwasbreathedIoncemorewildlygazedatthedoor。Aformmetmysight；IshudderedasiftheGodwhomIinvokedwerepresent。ItwasCarwinthatagainintruded，andwhostoodbeforeme，erectinattitudeandsteadfastinlook！
Thesightofhimawakenednewandrapidthoughts。Hisrecenttalewasremembered；hismagicaltransitionsandmysteriousenergyofvoice。Whetherhewereinfernalormiraculousorhuman，therewasnopowerandnoneedtodecide。Whetherthecontriverornotofthisspell，hewasabletounbindit，andtocheckthefuryofmybrother。Hehadascribedtohimselfintentionsnotmalignant。
Herenowwasaffordedatestofhistruth。Lethiminterpose，asfromabove；revokethesavagedecreewhichthemadnessofWielandhasassignedtoheaven，andextinguishforeverthispassionforblood！
Myminddetectedataglancethisavenuetosafety。Therecommendationsitpossessedthrongedasitweretogether，andmadebutoneimpressiononmyintellect。RemotereffectsandcollateraldangersIsawnot。Perhapsthepauseofaninstanthadsufficedtocallthemup。TheimprobabilitythattheinfluencewhichgovernedWielandwasexternalorhuman；thetendencyofthisstratagemtosanctionsofatalanerrororsubstituteamoredestructiverageinplaceofthis；theinsufficiencyofCarwin”smeremuscularforcestocounteracttheeffortsandrestrainthefuryofWieland，might，atasecondglance，havebeendiscovered；butnosecondglancewasallowed。Myfirstthoughthurriedmetoaction，and，fixingmyeyesuponCarwin，Iexclaimed，——
“Owretch！oncemorehastthoucome？Letitbetoabjurethymalice；tocounterworkthishellishstratagem；toturnfrommeandfrommybrotherthisdesolatingrage！
“Testifythyinnocenceorthyremorse；exertthepowerswhichpertaintothee，whatevertheybe，toturnasidethisruin。Thouarttheauthorofthesehorrors！WhathaveIdonetodeservethustodie？HowhaveImeritedthisunrelentingpersecution？Iadjurethee，bythatGodwhosevoicethouhastdaredtocounterfeit，tosavemylife！
“Wiltthouthengo？——leaveme！Succorless！“
Carwinlistenedtomyentreatiesunmoved，andturnedfromme。Heseemedtohesitateamoment，——thenglidedthroughthedoor。Rageanddespairstifledmyutterance。Theintervalofrespitewaspast；thepangsreservedformebyWielandwerenottobeendured；
mythoughtsrushedagainintoanarchy。Havingreceivedtheknifefromhishand，Ihelditlooselyandwithoutregard；butnowitseizedagainmyattention，andIgraspeditwithforce。
HeseemedtonoticenottheentranceorexitofCarwin。Mygestureandthemurderousweaponappearedtohaveescapedhisnotice。Hissilencewasunbroken；hiseye，fixedupontheclockforatime，wasnowwithdrawn；furykindledineveryfeature；allthatwashumaninhisfacegavewaytoanexpressionsupernaturalandtremendous。I
feltmyleftarmwithinhisgrasp。
EvennowIhesitatedtostrike。Ishrunkfromhisassault，butinvain。
Hereletmedesist。WhyshouldIrescuethiseventfromoblivion？
WhyshouldIpaintthisdetestableconflict？Whynotterminateatoncethisseriesofhorrors？——Hurrytothevergeoftheprecipice，andcastmyselfforeverbeyondremembranceandbeyondhope？
StillIlive；withthisloaduponmybreast；withthisphantomtopursuemysteps；withadderslodgedinmybosom，andstingingmetomadness；stillIconsenttolive！
Yes！Iwillriseabovethesphereofmortalpassions；Iwillspurnatthecowardlyremorsethatbidsmeseekimpunityinsilence，orcomfortinforgetfulness。Mynervesshallbenew-strungtothetask。HaveInotresolved？Iwilldie。Thegulfbeforemeisinevitableandnear。Iwilldie，butthenonlywhenmytaleisatanend。
III
Myrighthand，graspingtheunseenknife，wasstilldisengaged。Itwasliftedtostrike。Allmystrengthwasexhaustedbutwhatwassufficienttotheperformanceofthisdeed。Alreadywastheenergyawakenedandtheimpulsegiventhatshouldbearthefatalsteeltohisheart，when——Wielandshrunkback；hishandwaswithdrawn。
Breathlesswithaffrightanddesperation，Istood，freedfromhisgrasp；unassailed；untouched。
Thuslonghadthepowerwhichcontrolledthesceneforbornetointerfere：butnowhismightwasirresistible；andWielandinamomentwasdisarmedofallhispurposes。Avoice，louderthanhumanorganscouldproduce，shrillerthanlanguagecandepict，burstfromtheceilingandcommandedhim——TOHOLD！
TroubleanddismaysucceededtothesteadfastnessthathadlatelybeendisplayedinthelooksofWieland。Hiseyesrovedfromonequartertoanother，withanexpressionofdoubt。Heseemedtowaitforafurtherintimation。
Carwin”sagencywashereeasilyrecognized。Ihadbesoughthimtointerposeinmydefense。Hehadflown。Ihadimaginedhimdeaftomyprayer，andresolutetoseemeperish；yethedisappearedmerelytodeviseandexecutethemeansofmyrelief。
Whydidhenotforbearwhenthisendwasaccomplished？Whydidhismisjudgingzealandaccursedprecipitationoverpassthatlimit？Ormeanthethustocrownthescene，andconducthisinscrutableplotstothisconsummation？
Suchideaswerethefruitofsubsequentcontemplation。Thismomentwaspregnantwithfate。Ihadnopowertoreason。Inthecareerofmytempestuousthoughts，rentintopiecesasmymindwasbyaccumulatinghorrors，Carwinwasunseenandunsuspected。IpartookofWieland”scredulity，shookwithhisamazement，andpantedwithhisawe。
Silencetookplaceforamoment：somuchasallowedtheattentiontorecoveritspost。Thennewsoundswereutteredfromabove：——
“Manoferrors！ceasetocherishthydelusion；notheavenorhell，butthysenses，havemisledtheetocommittheseacts。Shakeoffthyfrenzy，andascendintorationalandhuman。Belunaticnolonger。”
Mybrotheropenedhislipstospeak。Histonewasterrificandfaint。Hemutteredanappealtoheaven。Itwasdifficulttocomprehendthethemeofhisinquiries。Theyimplieddoubtastothenatureoftheimpulsethathithertohadguidedhim，andquestionedwhetherhehadactedinconsequenceofinsaneperceptions。
Totheseinterrogatoriesthevoice，whichnowseemedtohoverathisshoulder，loudlyansweredintheaffirmative。Thenuninterruptedsilenceensued。
Fallenfromhisloftyandheroicstation；nowfinallyrestoredtotheperceptionoftruth；weighedtoearthbytherecollectionofhisowndeeds；consolednolongerbyaconsciousnessofrectitudeforthelossofoffspringandwife，——alossforwhichhewasindebtedtohisownmisguidedhand，——WielandwastransformedatonceintotheMANOFSORROWS！
Hereflectednotthatcreditshouldbeasreasonablydeniedtothelastastoanyformerintimation；thatonemightasjustlybeascribedtoerringordiseasedsensesastheother。Hesawnotthatthisdiscoveryinnodegreeaffectedtheintegrityofhisconduct；thathismotiveshadlostnoneoftheirclaimstothehomageofmankind；thatthepreferenceofsupremegood，andtheboundlessenergyofduty，wereundiminishedinhisbosom。
Itisnotformetopursuehimthroughtheghastlychangesofhiscountenance。Wordshehadnone。Nowhesatuponthefloor，motionlessinallhislimbs，withhiseyesglazedandfixed，amonumentofwoe。
Anonaspiritoftempestuousbutundesigningactivityseizedhim。
Herosefromhisplaceandstrodeacrossthefloor，totteringandatrandom。Hiseyeswerewithoutmoisture，andgleamedwiththefirethatconsumedhisvitals。Themusclesofhisfacewereagitatedbyconvulsions。Hislipsmoved，butnosoundescapedhim。
Thatnatureshouldlongsustainthisconflictwasnottobebelieved。Mystatewaslittledifferentfromthatofmybrother。
Ientered，asitwere，intohisthoughts。Myheartwasvisitedandrentbyhispangs。“Ohthatthyfrenzyhadneverbeencured！thatthymadness，withitsblissfulvisions，wouldreturn！or，ifthatmustnotbe，thatthyscenewouldhastentoaclose！——thatdeathwouldcovertheewithhisoblivion！
“WhatcanIwishforthee？ThouwhohastviedwiththegreatPreacherofthyfaithinsanctityofmotives，andinelevationabovesensualandselfish！Thouwhomthyfatehaschangedintoparricideandsavage！CanIwishforthecontinuanceofthybeing？
No。”
Foratimehismovementsseemeddestituteofpurpose。Ifhewalked；ifheturned；ifhisfingerswereentwinedwitheachother；
ifhishandswerepressedagainstoppositesidesofhisheadwithaforcesufficienttocrushitintopieces；itwastotearhismindfromself-contemplation；towastehisthoughtsonexternalobjects。
Speedilythistrainwasbroken。Abeamappearedtobedartedintohismindwhichgaveapurposetohisefforts。Anavenuetoescapepresenteditself；andnowheeagerlygazedabouthim。Whenmythoughtsbecameengagedbyhisdemeanor，myfingerswerestretchedasbyamechanicalforce，andtheknife，nolongerheededorofuse，escapedfrommygraspandfellunperceivedonthefloor。Hiseyenowlighteduponit；heseizeditwiththequicknessofthought。
Ishriekedaloud，butitwastoolate。Heplungedittothehiltinhisneck；andhislifeinstantlyescapedwiththestreamthatgushedfromthewound。Hewasstretchedatmyfeet；andmyhandsweresprinkledwithhisbloodashefell。
Suchwasthylastdeed，mybrother！Foraspectaclelikethiswasitmyfatetobereserved！Thyeyeswereclosed——thyfaceghastlywithdeath——thyarms，andthespotwherethoulyedst，floatedinthylife”sblood！Theseimageshavenotforamomentforsakenme。
TillIambreathlessandcold，theymustcontinuetohoverinmysight。
Carwin，asIsaid，hadlefttheroom；buthestilllingeredinthehouse。Myvoicesummonedhimtomyaid；butIscarcelynoticedhisreentrance，andnowfaintlyrecollecthisterrifiedlooks，hisbrokenexclamations，hisvehementavowalsofinnocence，theeffusionsofhispityforme，andhisoffersofassistance。
Ididnotlisten——Iansweredhimnot——Iceasedtoupbraidoraccuse。HisguiltwasapointtowhichIwasindifferent。Ruffianordevil，blackashellorbrightasangels，thenceforthhewasnothingtome。Iwasincapableofsparingalookorathoughtfromtheruinthatwasspreadatmyfeet。
Whenheleftme，Iwasscarcelyconsciousofanyvariationinthescene。Heinformedtheinhabitantsofthehutofwhathadpassed，andtheyflewtothespot。Carelessofhisownsafety，hehastedtothecitytoinformmyfriendsofmycondition。
Myunclespeedilyarrivedatthehouse。ThebodyofWielandwasremovedfrommypresence，andtheysupposedthatIwouldfollowit；
butno，myhomeisascertained；hereIhavetakenupmyrest，andneverwillIgohence，till，likeWieland，Iambornetomygrave。
Importunitywastriedinvain。Theythreatenedtoremovemebyviolence，——nay，violencewasused；butmysoulprizestoodearlythislittlerooftoenduretobebereavedofit。Forceshouldnotprevailwhenthehoarylocksandsupplicatingtearsofmyunclewereineffectual。Myrepugnancetomovegavebirthtoferociousnessandfrenzywhenforcewasemployed，andtheywereobligedtoconsenttomyreturn。
Theybesoughtme——theyremonstrated——theyappealedtoeverydutythatconnectedmewithHimthatmademeandwithmyfellow-men——invain。WhileIliveIwillnotgohence。HaveInotfulfilledmydestiny？
Whywillyetormentmewithyourreasoningsandreproofs？Canyerestoretomethehopeofmybetterdays？CanyegivemebackCatharineandherbabes？Canyerecalltolifehimwhodiedatmyfeet？
Iwilleat——Iwilldrink——Iwillliedownandriseup——atyourbidding；allIaskisthechoiceofmyabode。Whatisthereunreasonableinthisdemand？ShortlywillIbeatpeace。ThisisthespotwhichIhavechoseninwhichtobreathemylastsigh。
Denymenot，Ibeseechyou，soslightaboon。
Talknottome，Omyreverendfriend！ofCarwin。Hehastoldtheehistale，andthouexculpatesthimfromalldirectconcerninthefateofWieland。Thissceneofhavocwasproducedbyanillusionofthesenses。Beitso；Icarenotfromwhatsourcethesedisastershaveflowed；itsufficesthattheyhaveswallowedupourhopesandourexistence。
Whathisagencybegan，hisagencyconductedtoaclose。Heintended，bythefinaleffortofhispower，torescuemeandtobanishhisillusionsfrommybrother。Suchishistale，concerningthetruthofwhichIcarenot。HenceforthIfosterbutonewish：I
askonlyquickdeliverancefromlifeandalltheillsthatattendit。
Go，wretch！tormentmenotwiththypresenceandthyprayers——
Forgivethee？Willthatavailtheewhenthyfatefulhourshallarrive？Bethouacquittedatthyowntribunal，andthouneedestnotfeartheverdictofothers。Ifthyguiltbecapableofblackerhues，ifhithertothyconsciencebewithoutstain，thycrimewillbemademoreflagrantbythusviolatingmyretreat。Takethyselfawayfrommysightifthouwouldstnotbeholdmydeath！
Thouartgone！murmuringandreluctant！Andnowmyreposeiscoming——myworkisdone！
FitzjamesO”BrienTheGoldenIngotIhadjustretiredtorest，withmyeyesalmostblindwiththestudyofanewworkonphysiologybyM。Brown-Sequard，whenthenightbellwaspulledviolently。
Itwaswinter，andIconfessIgrumbledasIroseandwentdownstairstoopenthedoor。TwicethatweekIhadbeenarousedlongaftermidnightforthemosttrivialcauses。Once，toattenduponthesonandheirofawealthyfamily，whohadcuthisthumbwithapenknife，which，itseems，heinsistedontakingtobedwithhim；andonce，torestoreayounggentlemantoconsciousness，whohadbeenfoundbyhishorrifiedparentstretchedinsensibleonthestaircase。Diachylonintheonecaseandammoniaintheotherwereallthatmypatientsrequired；andIhadafaintsuspicionthatthepresentsummonswasperhapsoccasionedbynocasemorenecessitousthanthoseIhavequoted。Iwastooyounginmyprofession，however，toneglectopportunities。Itisonlywhenaphysicianrisestoaverylargepracticethathecanaffordtobeinconsiderate。Iwasonthefirststepoftheladder，soIhumblyopenedmydoor。
Awomanwasstandingankledeepinthesnowthatlayuponthestoop。Icaughtbutadimglimpseofherform，forthenightwascloudy；butIcouldhearherteethrattlinglikecastanets，and，asthesharpwindblewherclothesclosetoherform，Icoulddiscernfromthesharpnessoftheoutlinesthatshewasveryscantilysuppliedwithraiment。
“Comein，comein，mygoodwoman，“Isaidhastily，forthewindseemedtocatcheagerlyattheopportunityofmakingitselfathomeinmyhall，andwasrapidlyforcinganentrancethroughthehalf-
opendoor。“Comein，youcantellmeallyouhavetocommunicateinside。”
Sheslippedinlikeaghost，andIclosedthedoor。WhileIwasstrikingalightinmyoffice，Icouldhearherteethstillclickingoutinthedarkhall，tillitseemedasifsomeskeletonwaschattering。AssoonasIobtainedalightIbeggedhertoentertheroom，and，withoutoccupyingmyselfparticularlyaboutherappearance，askedherabruptlywhatherbusinesswas。
“Myfatherhasmetwithasevereaccident，“shesaid，“andrequiresinstantsurgicalaid。Ientreatyoutocometohimimmediately。”
Thefreshnessandthemelodyofhervoicestartledme。Suchvoicesrarely，ifever，issuefromanybutbeautifulforms。Ilookedatherattentively，but，owingtoanondescriptspeciesofshawlinwhichherheadwaswrapped，Icoulddiscernnothingbeyondwhatseemedtobeapale，thinfaceandlargeeyes。Herdresswaslamentable。Anoldsilk，ofacolornowunrecognizable，clungtoherfigureinthoselimpfoldswhicharesoeloquentofmisery。
Thecreaseswhereithadbeenfoldedwerewornnearlythrough，andtheedgesoftheskirthaddecayedintoaspeciesofirregularfringe，whichwasclottedanddiscoloredwithmud。Hershoes——
whichwerebuthalfconcealedbythisscantygarment——wereshapelessandsoftwithmoisture。Herhandswerehiddenundertheendsoftheshawlwhichcoveredherheadandhungdownoverabust，theoutlinesofwhich，althoughangular，seemedtopossessgrace。
Poverty，whenpartiallyshrouded，seldomfailstointerest：witnessthestatueoftheVeiledBeggar，byMonti。
“Inwhatmannerwasyourfatherhurt？“Iasked，inatoneconsiderablysoftenedfromtheoneinwhichIputmyfirstquestion。
“Heblewhimselfup，sir，andisterriblywounded。”
“Ah！Heisinsomefactory，then？“
“No，sir，heisachemist。”
“Achemist？Why，heisabrotherprofessional。Waitaninstant，andIwillsliponmycoatandgowithyou。Doyoulivefarfromhere？“
“IntheSeventhAvenue，notmorethantwoblocksfromtheendofthisstreet。”
“Somuchthebetter。Wewillbewithhiminafewminutes。Didyouleaveanyoneinattendanceonhim？“
“No，sir。Hewillallownoonebutmyselftoenterhislaboratory。
And，injuredasheis，Icouldnotinducehimtoquitit。”
“Indeed！Heisengagedinsomegreatresearch，perhaps？Ihaveknownsuchcases。”
Wewerepassingunderalamp-post，andthewomansuddenlyturnedandglaredatmewithalookofsuchwildterrorthatforaninstantIinvoluntarilyglancedroundmeundertheimpressionthatsometerribleperil，unseenbyme，wasmenacingusboth。
“Don”t——don”taskmeanyquestions，“shesaidbreathlessly。“Hewilltellyouall。Butdo，oh，dohasten！GoodGod！hemaybedeadbythistime！“
Imadenoreply，butallowedhertograspmyhand，whichshedidwithabony，nervousclutch，andendeavoredwithsomedifficultytokeeppacewiththelongstrides——Imightwellcallthembounds，fortheyseemedthespringsofawildanimalratherthanthepacesofayounggirl——withwhichshecoveredtheground。Notawordmorewasuttereduntilwestoppedbeforeashabby，old-fashionedtenementhouseintheSeventhAvenue，notfaraboveTwenty-thirdStreet。
Shepushedthedooropenwithaconvulsivepressure，and，stillretainingholdofmyhand，literallydraggedmeupstairstowhatseemedtobeabackoffshootfromthemainbuilding，ashigh，perhaps，asthefourthstory。InamomentmoreIfoundmyselfinamoderate-sizedchamber，litbyasinglelamp。Inonecorner，stretchedmotionlessonawretchedpalletbed，IbeheldwhatI
supposedtobethefigureofmypatient。
“Heisthere，“saidthegirl；“gotohim。Seeifheisdead——I
darenotlook。”
ImademywayaswellasIcouldthroughthenumberlessdilapidatedchemicalinstrumentswithwhichtheroomwaslittered。AFrenchchafingdishsupportedonanirontripodhadbeenoverturned，andwaslyingacrossthefloor，whilethecharcoal，stillwarm，wasscatteredaroundinvariousdirections。Crucibles，alembics，andretortswereconfusedlypiledinvariouscorners，andonasmalltableIsawdistributedinseparatebottlesanumberofmineralandmetallicsubstances，whichIrecognizedasantimony，mercury，plumbago，arsenic，borax，etc。Itwasveritablytheapartmentofapoorchemist。Alltheapparatushadtheairofbeingsecond-hand。
Therewasnolusterofexquisitelyannealedglassandhighlypolishedmetals，suchasdazzlesoneinthelaboratoryoftheprosperousanalyst。Themakeshiftsofpovertywereeverywherevisible。Thecrucibleswerebroken，orgallipotswereusedinsteadofcrucibles。Thecoloredtestswerenotintheusualtransparentvials，butwereplacedinordinaryblackbottles。Thereisnothingmoremelancholythantobeholdscienceorartindistress。A
threadbarescholar，atatteredbook，orabatteredviolinisamuteappealtooursympathy。
Iapproachedthewretchedpalletbedonwhichthevictimofchemistrywaslying。Hebreathedheavily，andhadhisheadturnedtowardthewall。Iliftedhisarmgentlytoarousehisattention。
“Howgoesit，mypoorfriend？“Iaskedhim。“Whereareyouhurt？“
Inamoment，asifstartledbythesoundofmyvoice，hesprangupinhisbed，andcoweredagainstthewalllikeawildanimaldriventobay。“Whoareyou？Idon”tknowyou。Whobroughtyouhere？
Youareastranger。Howdareyoucomeintomyprivateroomstospyuponme？“
Andasheutteredthisrapidlywithafrightfulnervousenergy，I
beheldapaledistortedface，drapedwithlonggrayhair，glaringatmewithamingledexpressionoffuryandterror。
“Iamnospy，“Iansweredmildly。“Iheardthatyouhadmetwithanaccident，andhavecometocureyou。IamDr。Luxor，andhereismycard。”
Theoldmantookthecard，andscannediteagerly。“Youareaphysician？“heinquireddistrustfully。
“Andsurgeonalso。”
“Youareboundbyoathnottorevealthesecretsofyourpatients。”
“Undoubtedly。”
“IamafraidthatIamhurt，“hecontinuedfaintly，halfsinkingbackinthebed。
Iseizedtheopportunitytomakeabriefexaminationofhisbody。
Ifoundthatthearms，apartofthechest，andapartofthefacewereterriblyscorched；butitseemedtomethattherewasnothingtobeapprehendedbutpain。
“Youwillnotrevealanythingthatyoumaylearnhere？“saidtheoldman，feeblyfixinghiseyesonmyfacewhileIwasapplyingasoothingointmenttotheburns。“Youwillpromiseme。”
Inoddedassent。
“ThenIwilltrustyou。Cureme——Iwillpayyouwell。”
Icouldscarcehelpsmiling。IfLorenzode”Medici，consciousofmillionsofducatsinhiscoffers，hadbeenaddressingsomeleechoftheperiod，hecouldnothavespokenwithaloftierairthanthisinhabitantofthefourthstoryofatenementhouseintheSeventhAvenue。
“Youmustkeepquiet，“Ianswered。“Letnothingirritateyou。I
willleaveacomposingdraughtwithyourdaughter，whichshewillgiveyouimmediately。Iwillseeyouinthemorning。Youwillbewellinaweek。”
“ThankGod！“cameinamurmurfromaduskcornernearthedoor。I
turned，andbeheldthedimoutlineofthegirl，standingwithclaspedhandsinthegloomofthedimchamber。
“Mydaughter！“screamedtheoldman，oncemoreleapingupinthebedwithrenewedvitality。“Youhaveseenher，then？When？
Where？Oh，mayathousandcur”
“Father！father！Anything——anythingbutthat。Don”t，don”tcurseme！“Andthepoorgirl，rushingin，flungherselfsobbingonherkneesbesidehispallet。
“Ah，brigand！Youarethere，areyou？Sir，“saidhe，turningtome，“Iamthemostunhappymanintheworld。TalkofSisyphusrollingtheever-recoilingstone——ofPrometheusgnawedbythevulturesincethebirthoftime。Thefablesyetlive。Thereismyrock，forevercrushingmeback！thereismyeternalvulture，feedinguponmyheart！There！there！there！“And，withanawfulgestureofmaledictionandhatred，hepointedwithhiswoundedhand，swathedandshapelesswithbandages，atthecowering，sobbing，wordlesswomanbyhisside。
Iwastoomuchhorror-strickentoattempteventosoothehim。Theangerofbloodagainstbloodhasanelectricpowerwhichparalyzesbystanders。
“Listentome，sir，“hecontinued，“whileIskinthispaintedviper。Ihaveyouroath；youwillnotreveal。Iamanalchemist，sir。SinceIwastwenty-twoyearsold，Ihavepursuedthewonderfulandsubtlesecret。Yes，tounfoldthemysteriousRoseguardedwithsuchterriblethorns；todecipherthewondrousTableofEmerald；toaccomplishthemysticnuptialsoftheRedKingandtheWhiteQueen；tomarrythemsoultosoulandbodytobody，foreverandever，intheexactproportionsoflandandwater——suchhasbeenmysublimeaim，suchhasbeenthesplendidfeatthatI
haveaccomplished。”
Irecognizedataglance，inthisincomprehensiblefarrago，theargotofthetruealchemist。Ripley，Flamel，andothershavesuppliedtheworld，intheirworks，withthemelancholyspectacleofascientificbedlam。
“Twoyearssince，“continuedthepoorman，growingmoreandmoreexcitedwitheverywordthatheuttered”twoyearssince，I
succeededinsolvingthegreatproblem——intransmutingthebasermetalsintogold。Nonebutmyself，thatgirl，andGodknowstheprivationsIhadsuffereduptothattime。Food，clothing，air，exercise，everythingbutshelter，wassacrificedtowardtheonegreatend。Successatlastcrownedmylabors。ThatwhichNicholasFlameldidin1382，thatwhichGeorgeRipleydidatRhodesin1460，thatwhichAlexanderSethonandMichaelScudivogiusdidintheseventeenthcentury，Ididin1856。Imadegold！Isaidtomyself，”IwillastonishNewYorkmorethanFlameldidParis。”Hewasapoorcopyist，andsuddenlylaunchedintomagnificence。Ihadscarcearagtomyback：IwouldrivaltheMedicis。Imadegoldeveryday。Itoilednightandmorning；forImusttellyouthatI
neverwasabletomakemorethanacertainquantityatatime，andthatbyaprocessalmostentirelydissimilartothosehintedatinthosebooksofalchemyIhadhithertoconsulted。ButIhadnodoubtthatfacilitywouldcomewithexperience，andthaterelongI
shouldbeabletoeclipseinwealththerichestsovereignsoftheearth。
“SoItoiledon。DayafterdayIgavetothisgirlherewhatgoldIsucceededinfabricating，tellinghertostoreitawayaftersupplyingournecessities。Iwasastonishedtoperceivethatwelivedaspoorlyasever。Ireflected，however，thatitwasperhapsacommendablepieceofprudenceonthepartofmydaughter。
Doubtless，Isaid，shearguesthatthelesswespendthesoonerweshallaccumulateacapitalwherewithtoliveatease；so，thinkinghercourseawiseone，Ididnotreproachherwithherniggardliness，buttoiledon，amidwant，withclosedlips。
“ThegoldwhichIfabricatedwas，asIsaidbefore，ofaninvariablesize，namely，alittleingotworthperhapsthirtyorforty-fivedollars。IntwoyearsIcalculatedthatIhadmadefivehundredoftheseingots，which，ratedatanaverageofthirtydollarsapiece，wouldamounttothegrosssumoffifteenthousanddollars。Afterdeductingourslightexpensesfortwoyears，weoughttohavehadnearlyfourteenthousanddollarsleft。Itwastime，Ithought，toindemnifymyselfformyyearsofsuffering，andsurroundmychildandmyselfwithsuchmoderatecomfortsasourmeansallowed。IwenttomydaughterandexplainedtoherthatI
desiredtomakeanencroachmentuponourlittlehoard。Tomyutteramazement，sheburstintotears，andtoldmethatshehadnotgotadollar——thatallofourwealthhadbeenstolenfromher。Almostoverwhelmedbythisnewmisfortune，Iinvainendeavoredtodiscoverfromherinwhatmanneroursavingshadbeenplundered。
ShecouldaffordmenoexplanationbeyondwhatImightgatherfromanabundanceofsobsandacopiousflowoftears。
“Itwasabitterblow，doctor，butnildesperandumwasmymotto，soIwenttoworkatmycrucibleagain，withredoubledenergy，andmadeaningotnearlyeverysecondday。Ideterminedthistimetoputtheminsomesecureplacemyself；buttheveryfirstdayIsetmyapparatusinorderfortheprojection，thegirlMarion——thatismydaughter”sname——cameweepingtomeandimploredmetoallowhertotakecareofourtreasure。Irefuseddecisively，sayingthat，havingfoundheralreadyincapableoffillingthetrust，Icouldplacenofaithinheragain。Butshepersisted，clungtomyneck，threatenedtoabandonme；inshort，usedsomanyofthebadbutirresistibleargumentsknowntowomenthatIhadnotthehearttorefuseher。Shehassincethattimecontinuedtotaketheingots。
“Yetyoubehold，“continuedtheoldalchemist，castinganinexpressiblymournfulglancearoundthewretchedapartment，“thewaywelive。Ourfoodisinsufficientandofbadquality；weneverbuyclothes；therentofthisholeisamerenothing。WhatamItothinkofthewretchedgirlwhoplungesmeintothismisery？Issheamiser，thinkyou？——orafemalegamester？——or——or——doesshesquanderitriotouslyinplacesIknownotof？ODoctor，Doctor！
donotblamemeifIheapimprecationsonherhead，forIhavesufferedbitterly！“Thepoormanhereclosedhiseyesandsankbackgroaningonhisbed。
Thissingularnarrativeexcitedinmethestrangestemotions。I
glancedatthegirlMarion，whohadbeenapatientlistenertothesehorribleaccusationsofcupidity，andneverdidIbeholdamoreangelicairofresignationthanbeamedoverhercountenance。
Itwasimpossiblethatanyonewiththosepure，limpideyes；thatcalm，broadforehead；thatchildlikemouth，couldbesuchamonsterofavariceordeceitastheoldmanrepresented。Thetruthwasplainenough：thealchemistwasmad——whatalchemistwasthereeverwhowasnot？——andhisinsanityhadtakenthisterribleshape。I
feltaninexpressiblepitymovemyheartforthispoorgirl，whoseyouthwasburdenedwithsuchanawfulsorrow。
“Whatisyourname？“Iaskedtheoldman，takinghistremulous，feveredhandinmine。
“WilliamBlakelock，“heanswered。“IcomeofanoldSaxonstock，sir，thatbredtruemenandwomeninformerdays。God！howdiditevercometopassthatsuchaoneasthatgirleversprungfromourline？“Theglanceofloathingandcontemptthathecastathermademeshudder。
“Mayyounotbemistakeninyourdaughter？“Isaid，verymildly。
“Delusionswithregardtoalchemyare，orhavebeen，verycommon”
“What，sir？“criedtheoldman，boundinginhisbed。“What？Doyoudoubtthatgoldcanbemade？Doyouknow，sir，thatM。C。
TheodoreTiffereaumadegoldatParisintheyear1854inthepresenceofM。Levol，theassayeroftheImperialMint，andtheresultoftheexperimentswasreadbeforetheAcademyofSciencesonthesixteenthofOctoberofthesameyear？Butstay；youshallhavebetterproofyet。Iwillpayyouwithoneofmyingots，andyoushallattendmeuntilIamwell。Getmeaningot！“
ThislastcommandwasaddressedtoMarion，whowasstillkneelingclosetoherfather”sbedside。Iobservedherwithsomecuriosityasthismandatewasissued。Shebecameverypale，claspedherhandsconvulsively，butneithermovednormadeanyreply。
“Getmeaningot，Isay！“reiteratedthealchemistpassionately。
Shefixedherlargeeyesimploringlyuponhim。Herlipsquivered，andtwohugetearsrolledslowlydownherwhitecheeks。
“Obeyme，wretchedgirl，“criedtheoldmaninanagitatedvoice，“orIswear，byallthatIreverenceinheavenandearth，thatI
willlaymycurseuponyouforever！“
IfeltforaninstantthatIoughtperhapstointerfere，andsparethegirltheanguishthatshewassoevidentlysuffering；butapowerfulcuriositytoseehowthisstrangescenewouldterminatewithheldme。
Thelastthreatofherfather，utteredasitwaswithaterriblevehemence，seemedtoappallMarion。Sherosewithasuddenleap，asifaserpenthadstungher，and，rushingintoaninnerapartment，returnedwithasmallobjectwhichsheplacedinmyhand，andthenflungherselfinachairinadistantcorneroftheroom，weepingbitterly。
“Yousee——yousee，“saidtheoldmansarcastically，“howreluctantlyshepartswithit。Takeit，sir；itisyours。”
Itwasasmallbarofmetal。Iexamineditcarefully，poiseditinmyhand——thecolor，weight，everything，announcedthatitreallywasgold。
“Youdoubtitsgenuineness，perhaps，“continuedthealchemist。
“Thereareacidsonyondertable——testit。”
IconfessthatIDIDdoubtitsgenuineness；butafterIhadactedupontheoldman”ssuggestion，allfurthersuspicionwasrenderedimpossible。Itwasgoldofthehighestpurity。Iwasastounded。
Wasthen，afterall，thisman”staleatruth？Washisdaughter，thatfair，angelic-lookingcreature，ademonofavarice，oraslavetoworsepassions？Ifeltbewildered。Ihadnevermetwithanythingsoincomprehensible。Ilookedfromfathertodaughterintheblankestamazement。Isupposethatmycountenancebetrayedmyastonishment，fortheoldmansaid：“Iperceivethatyouaresurprised。Well，thatisnatural。YouhadarighttothinkmemaduntilIprovedmyselfsane。”
“But，Mr。Blakelock，“Isaid，“Ireallycannottakethisgold。I
havenorighttoit。Icannotinjusticechargesolargeafee。”
“Takeit——takeit，“heansweredimpatiently；“yourfeewillamounttothatbeforeIamwell。Besides，“headdedmysteriously，“Iwishtosecureyourfriendship。Iwishthatyoushouldprotectmefromher，“andhepointedhispoor，bandagedhandatMarion。
Myeyesfollowedhisgesture，andIcaughttheglancethatreplied——
aglanceofhorror，distrust，despair。Thebeautifulfacewasdistortedintopositiveugliness。
“It”salltrue，“Ithought；“sheisthedemonthatherfatherrepresentsher。”
Inowrosetogo。Thisdomestictragedysickenedme。Thistreacheryofbloodagainstbloodwastoohorribletowitness。I
wroteaprescriptionfortheoldman，leftdirectionsastotherenewalofthedressingsuponhisburns，and，biddinghimgoodnight，hastenedtowardthedoor。
WhileIwasfumblingonthedark，crazylandingforthestaircase，Ifeltahandlaidonmyarm。
“Doctor，“whisperedavoicethatIrecognizedasMarionBlakelock”s，“Doctor，haveyouanycompassioninyourheart？“
“Ihopeso，“Iansweredshortly，shakingoffherhand；hertouchfilledmewithloathing。
“Hush！don”ttalksoloud。Ifyouhaveanypityinyournature，givemeback，Ientreatofyou，thatgoldingotwhichmyfathergaveyouthisevening。”
“Greatheaven！“saidI，“canitbepossiblethatsofairawomancanbesuchamercenary，shamelesswretch？“
“Ah！youknownot——Icannottellyou！Donotjudgemeharshly。I
callGodtowitnessthatIamnotwhatyoudeemme。Somedayorotheryouwillknow。But，“sheadded，interruptingherself，“theingot——whereisit？Imusthaveit。Mylifedependsonyourgivingittome。”
“Takeit，impostor！“Icried，placingitinherhand，thatclosedonitwithahorribleeagerness。“Ineverintendedtokeepit。
Goldmadeunderthesameroofthatcoverssuchasyoumustbeaccursed。”
Sosaying，heedlessofthenervouseffortshemadetodetainme，I
stumbleddownthestairsandwalkedhastilyhome。
Thenextmorning，whileIwasinmyoffice，smokingmymatutinalcigar，andspeculatingoverthesingularcharacterofmyacquaintancesoflastnight，thedooropened，andMarionBlakelockentered。ShehadthesamelookofterrorthatIhadobservedtheeveningbefore，andshepantedasifshehadbeenrunningfast。
“Fatherhasgotoutofbed，“shegaspedout，“andinsistsongoingonwithhisalchemy。Willitkillhim？“
“Notexactly，“Iansweredcoldly。“Itwerebetterthathekeptquiet，soastoavoidthechanceofinflammation。However，youneednotbealarmed；hisburnsarenotatalldangerous，althoughpainful。”
“ThankGod！thankGod！“shecried，inthemostimpassionedaccents；
and，beforeIwasawareofwhatshewasdoing，sheseizedmyhandandkissedit。
“There，thatwilldo，“Isaid，withdrawingmyhand；“youareundernoobligationstome。Youhadbettergobacktoyourfather。”
“Ican”tgo，“sheanswered。“Youdespiseme——isitnotso？“
Imadenoreply。
“Youthinkmeamonster——acriminal。Whenyouwenthomelastnight，youwerewonderstruckthatsovileacreatureasIshouldhavesofairaface。”
“Youembarrassme，madam，“Isaid，inamostchillingtone。“Prayrelievemefromthisunpleasantposition。”
“Wait。Icannotbearthatyoushouldthinkillofme。Youaregoodandkind，andIdesiretopossessyouresteem。YoulittleknowhowIlovemyfather。”
Icouldnotrestrainabittersmile。
“Youdonotbelievethat？Well，Iwillconvinceyou。Ihavehadahardstrugglealllastnightwithmyself，butamnowresolved。
Thislifeofdeceitmustcontinuenolonger。Willyouhearmyvindication？“
Iassented。Thewonderfulmelodyofhervoiceandthepurityofherfeatureswerecharmingmeoncemore。Ihalfbelievedinherinnocencealready。
“Myfatherhastoldyouaportionofhishistory。Buthedidnottellyouthathiscontinuedfailuresinhissearchafterthesecretofmetallictransmutationnearlykilledhim。Twoyearsagohewasonthevergeofthegrave，workingeverydayathismadpursuit，andeverydaygrowingweakerandmoreemaciated。Isawthatifhismindwasnotrelievedinsomewayhewoulddie。Thethoughtwasmadnesstome，forIlovedhim——Ilovehimstill，asadaughterneverlovedafatherbefore。DuringalltheseyearsofpovertyI
hadsupportedthehousewithmyneedle；itwashardwork，butIdidit——Idoitstill！“
“What？“Icried，startled，“doesnot”
“Patience。Hearmeout。Myfatherwasdyingofdisappointment。I
mustsavehim。Byincredibleexertions，workingnightandday，I
savedaboutthirty-fivedollarsinnotes。TheseIexchangedforgold，andoneday，whenmyfatherwasnotlooking，Icastthemintothecrucibleinwhichhewasmakingoneofhisvainattemptsattransmutation。God，Iamsure，willpardonthedeception。Ineveranticipatedthemiseryitwouldleadto。
“Ineverbeheldanythinglikethejoyofmypoorfather，when，afteremptyinghiscrucible，hefoundadepositofpuregoldatthebottom。Hewept，anddanced，andsang，andbuiltsuchcastlesintheair，thatmybrainwasdizzytohearhim。Hegavemetheingottokeep，andwenttoworkathisalchemywithrenewedvigor。Thesamethingoccurred。Healwaysfoundthesamequantityofgoldinhiscrucible。Ialoneknewthesecret。Hewashappy，poorman，fornearlytwoyears，inthebeliefthathewasamassingafortune。
Iallthewhilepliedmyneedleforourdailybread。Whenheaskedmeforthesavings，thefirststrokefelluponme。ThenitwasthatIrecognizedthefollyofmyconduct。Icouldgivehimnomoney。Ineverhadany——whilehebelievedthatIhadfourteenthousanddollars。MyheartwasnearlybrokenwhenIfoundthathehadconceivedthemostinjurioussuspicionsagainstme。YetI
couldnotblamehim。IcouldgivenoaccountofthetreasureIhadpermittedhimtobelievewasinmypossession。Imustsufferthepenaltyofmyfault，fortoundeceivehimwouldbe，Ifelt，tokillhim。Iremainedsilentthen，andsuffered。
“Youknowtherest。YounowknowwhyitwasthatIwasreluctanttogiveyouthatingot——whyitwasthatIdegradedmyselfsofarastoaskitback。ItwastheonlymeansIhadofcontinuingadeceptiononwhichIbelievedmyfather”slifedepended。Butthatdelusionhasbeendispelled。Icanlivethislifeofhypocrisynolonger。Icannotexistandhearmyfather，whomIloveso，withermedailywithhiscurses。Iwillundeceivehimthisveryday。
Willyoucomewithme，forIfeartheeffectonhisenfeebledframe？“
“Willingly，“Ianswered，takingherbythehand；“andIthinkthatnoabsolutedangerneedbeapprehended。Now，Marion，“Iadded，“letmeaskforgivenessforhavingevenforamomentwoundedsonobleaheart。YouaretrulyasgreatamartyrasanyofthosewhosesufferingstheChurchperpetuatesinaltar-pieces。”
“Iknewyouwoulddomejusticewhenyouknewall，“shesobbed，pressingmyhand；“butcome。Iamonfire。Letushastentomyfather，andbreakthisterrortohim。”
Whenwereachedtheoldalchemist”sroom，wefoundhimbusilyengagedoveracruciblewhichwasplacedonasmallfurnace，andinwhichsomeindescribablemixturewasboiling。Helookedupasweentered。
“Nofearofme，doctor，“hesaid，withaghastlysmile，“nofear；I
mustnotallowalittlephysicalpaintointerruptmygreatwork，youknow。Bytheway，youarejustintime。InafewmomentsthemarriageoftheRedKingandWhiteQueenwillbeaccomplished，asGeorgeRipleycallsthegreatact，inhisbookentitled”TheTwelveGates。”Yes，doctor，inlessthantenminutesyouwillseememakepure，red，shininggold！“Andthepooroldmansmiledtriumphantly，andstirredhisfoolishmixturewithalongrod，whichheheldwithdifficultyinhisbandagedhands。Itwasagrievoussightforamanofanyfeelingtowitness。
“Father，“saidMarion，inalow，brokenvoice，advancingalittletowardthepoorolddupe，“Iwantyourforgiveness。”
“Ah，hypocrite！forwhat？Areyougoingtogivemebackmygold？“
“No，father，butforthedeceptionthatIhavebeenpracticingonyoufortwoyears”
“Iknewit！Iknewit！“shoutedtheoldman，witharadiantcountenance。“Shehasconcealedmyfourteenthousanddollarsallthistime，andnowcomestorestorethem。Iwillforgiveher。
Wherearethey，Marion？“
“Father——itmustcomeout。Younevermadeanygold。ItwasIwhosavedupthirty-fivedollars，andIusedtoslipthemintoyourcruciblewhenyourbackwasturned——andIdiditonlybecauseIsawthatyouweredyingofdisappointment。Itwaswrong，Iknow——but，father，Imeantwell。You”llforgiveme，won”tyou？“Andthepoorgirladvancedasteptowardthealchemist。
Hegrewdeathlypale，andstaggeredasifabouttofall。Thenextinstant，though，herecoveredhimself，andburstintoahorriblesardoniclaugh。Thenhesaid，intonesfullofthebitterestirony：“Aconspiracy，isit？Welldone，doctor！YouthinktoreconcilemewiththiswretchedgirlbytrumpingupthisstorythatIhavebeenfortwoyearsadupeofherfilialpiety。It”sclumsy，doctor，andisatotalfailure。Tryagain。”
“ButIassureyou，Mr。Blakelock，“IsaidasearnestlyasIcould，“Ibelieveyourdaughter”sstatementtobeperfectlytrue。Youwillfindittobeso，asshehasgottheingotinherpossessionwhichsooftendeceivedyouintothebeliefthatyoumadegold，andyouwillcertainlyfindthatnotransmutationhastakenplaceinyourcrucible。”
“Doctor，“saidtheoldman，intonesofthemostsettledconviction，“youareafool。Thegirlhaswheedledyou。InlessthanaminuteIwillturnyououtapieceofgoldpurerthananytheearthproduces。Willthatconvinceyou？“
“Thatwillconvinceme，“Ianswered。ByagestureIimposedsilenceonMarion，whowasabouttospeak。Ithoughtitbettertoallowtheoldmantobehisownundeceiver——andweawaitedthecomingcrisis。
Theoldman，stillsmilingwithanticipatedtriumph，keptbendingeagerlyoverhiscrucible，stirringthemixturewithhisrod，andmutteringtohimselfallthetime。“Now，“Iheardhimsay，“itchanges。There——there”sthescum。Andnowthegreenandbronzeshadesflitacrossit。Oh，thebeautifulgreen！theprecursorofthegolden-redhuethattellsoftheendattained！Ah！nowthegolden-rediscoming——slowly——slowly！Itdeepens，itshines，itisdazzling！Ah，Ihaveit！“Sosaying，hecaughtuphiscrucibleinachemist”stongs，andboreitslowlytowardthetableonwhichstoodabrassvessel。
“Now，incredulousdoctor！“hecried，“comeandbeconvinced，“andimmediatelybegancarefullypouringthecontentsofthecrucibleintothebrassvessel。Whenthecruciblewasquiteemptyheturneditupandcalledmeagain。“Come，doctor，comeandbeconvinced。
Seeforyourself。”
“Seefirstifthereisanygoldinyourcrucible，“Ianswered，withoutmoving。
Helaughed，shookhisheadderisively，andlookedintothecrucible。Inamomenthegrewpaleasdeath。
“Nothing！“hecried。“Oh，ajest，ajest！Theremustbegoldsomewhere。Marion！“
“Thegoldishere，father，“saidMarion，drawingtheingotfromherpocket；“itisallweeverhad。”
“Ah！“shriekedthepooroldman，ashelettheemptycruciblefall，andstaggeredtowardtheingotwhichMarionheldouttohim。Hemadethreesteps，andthenfellonhisface。Marionrushedtowardhim，andtriedtolifthim，butcouldnot。Iputherasidegently，andplacedmyhandonhisheart。
“Marion，“saidI，“itisperhapsbetterasitis。Heisdead！“
FitzjamesO”BrienMyWife”sTempterI
APREDESTINEDMARRIAGE
ElsieandIweretobemarriedinlessthanaweek。Itwasratherastrangematch，andIknewthatsomeofourneighborsshooktheirheadsoveritandsaidthatnogoodwouldcome。Thewayitcametopasswasthus。
IlovedElsieBurnsfortwoyears，duringwhichtimesherefusedmethreetimes。Icouldnomorehelpaskinghertohaveme，whenthechanceoffered，thanIcouldhelpbreathingorliving。Toloveherseemednaturaltomeasexistence。Ifeltnoshame，onlysorrow，whensherejectedme；IfeltnoshameeitherwhenIrenewedmysuit。Theneighborscalledmemean-spiritedtotakeupwithanygirlthathadrefusedmeasoftenasElsieBurnshaddone；butwhatcaredIabouttheneighbors？Ifitisblackweather，andthesunisunderacloudeverydayforamonth，isthatanyreasonwhythepoorfarmershouldnothopefortheblueskyandtheplentifulburstofwarmlightwhenthedarkmonthisover？Ineverentirelylostheart。Donot，however，mistakeme。Ididnotmope，andmoan，andgrowpale，afterthemannerofpoeticallovers。Nosuchthing。Iwentbravelyaboutmybusiness，ateanddrankasusual，laughedwhenthelaughwentround，andsleptsoundly，andwokerefreshed。YetallthistimeIloved——desperatelyloved——ElsieBurns。IwentwhereverIhopedtomeether，butdidnothauntherwithmyattentions。Ibehavedtoherasanyfriendlyyoungmanwouldhavebehaved：Imetherandpartedfromhercheerfully。Shewasagoodgirl，too，andbehavedwell。Shehadmeinherpower——
howawomaninElsie”ssituationcouldhavemortifiedamaninmine！——butshenevertooktheslightestadvantageofit。ShedancedwithmewhenIaskedher，andhadnofoolishfearsofallowingmetoseeherhomeofnights，afteraballwasover，orofwanderingwithmethroughthepleasantNewEnglandfieldswhenthewildflowersmadethepathslikeroadsinfairyland。
OntheseveraldisastrousoccasionswhenIpresentedmysuitIdiditsimplyandmanfully，tellingherthatIlovedherverymuch，andwoulddoeverythingtomakeherhappyifshewouldbemywife。I
madenofulsomeprotestations，anddidnotoncealludetosuicide。
She，ontheotherhand，calmlyandgravelythankedmeformygoodopinion，butwiththesamecalmgravityrejectedme。IusedtotellherthatIwasgrieved；thatIwouldnotpressher；thatI
wouldwaitandhopeforsomechangeinherfeelings。Shehadanesteemforme，shewouldsay，butcouldnotmarryme。Ineveraskedherforanyreasons。Iholdittobeaninsulttoawomanofsensetodemandherreasonsonsuchanoccasion。Enoughformethatshedidnotthenwishtobemywife；sothattheoldintercoursewenton——shecordialandpoliteasever，Ineverforonemomentdoubtingthatthedaywouldcomewhenmyrooftreewouldshelterher，andweshouldsmiletogetheroverourfiresideatmylongandindefatigablewooing。
IwillconfessthatattimesIfeltalittlejealous——jealousofamannamedHammondBrake，wholivedinourvillage。Hewasaweird，saturninefellow，whomadenofriendsamongtheyoungmenoftheneighborhood，butwholovedtogoalone，withhisbooksandhisownthoughtsforcompany。Hewasastudiousand，Ibelieve，alearnedyoungman，andtherewasnoavoidingthefactthathepossessedconsiderableinfluenceoverElsie。Shelikedtotalkwithhimincorners，orinsecludednooksoftheforest，whenweallwentoutblackberrygatheringorpicnicking。Shereadbooksthathegaveher，andwheneveradiscussionaroserelativetoanytopichigherthanthoseordinaryonesweusuallycanvassed，ElsieappealedtoBrakeforhisopinion，asadiscipleconsultingabelovedmaster。
IconfessthatforatimeIfearedthismanasarival。Alittlecloserobservation，however，convincedmethatmysuspicionswereunfounded。TherelationsbetweenElsieandHammondBrakewerepurelyintellectual。Shereverencedhistalentsandacquirements，butshedidnotlovehim。Hisinfluenceoverher，nevertheless，wasnonethelessdecided。
Intime——asIthoughtallalong——Elsieyielded。Iwaswhatwasconsideredamosteligiblematch，beingtolerablyrich，andElsie”sparentsweremostanxioustohavemeforason-in-law。Iwasgood-
lookingandwelleducatedenough，andtheoldpeople，Ibelieve，pertinaciouslydinnedallmyadvantagesintomylittlegirl”sears。
Shebattledagainstthemarriageforalongtimewithastrangepersistence——allthemorestrangebecausesheneverallegedtheslightestpersonaldisliketome；butafteravigorouscannonadingfromherowngarrisoninwhich，Iamproudtosay，Ididnotinanywayjoin，shehoistedthewhiteflagandsurrendered。
Iwasveryhappy。IhadnofearaboutbeingabletogainElsie”sheart。Ithink——indeedIknow——thatshehadlikedmeallalong，andthatherrefusalsweredictatedbyotherfeelingsthanthoseofapersonalnature。Ionlyguessedasmuchthen。ItwassometimebeforeIknewall。
AsthedayapproachedforourweddingElsiedidnotappearatallstrickenwithwoe。Thevillagegossipshadnotthesmallestopportunityforestablishingaromance，withacompulsorybridefortheheroine。Yettomeitseemedasiftherewassomethingstrangeabouther。Avagueterrorappearedtobesether。Eveninhermostlovingmoments，whenrestinginmyarms，shewouldshrinkawayfromme，andshudderasifsomecoldwindhadsuddenlystruckuponher。
Thatitwascausedbynoaversiontomewasevident，forshewouldthemomentafter，asiftomakeamends，givemeoneofthosevoluntarykissesthataresweeterthanallothers。
Onceonlydidsheshowanyemotion。Whenthesolemnquestionwasputtoher，theanswertowhichwastodecideherdestiny，Ifeltherhand——whichwasinmine——tremble。Asshegaspedoutaconvulsive“Yes，“shegaveonebrief，imploringglanceatthegalleryontheright。Iplacedtheringuponherfinger，andlookedinthedirectioninwhichshegazed。HammondBrake”sdarkcountenancewasvisiblelookingovertherailings，andhiseyeswerebentsternlyonElsie。Iturnedquicklyroundtomybride，butherbriefemotion，ofwhatevernature，hadvanished。Shewaslookingatmeanxiously，andsmiling——somewhatsadly——throughhermaiden”stears。
Themonthswentbyquickly，andwewereveryhappy。IlearnedthatElsiereallylovedme，andofmyloveforhershehadprooflongago。Iwillnotsaythattherewasnoclouduponourlittlehorizon。Therewasone，butitwassosmall，andappearedsoseldom，thatIscarcelyfearedit。Theoldvagueterrorseemedstilltoattackmywife。IfIdidnotknowhertobepureasheaven”ssnow，IwouldhavesaiditwasaREMORSE。AttimesshescarcelyappearedtohearwhatIsaid，sodeepwouldbeherreverie。Nordidthosemoodsseempleasantones。Whenraptinsuch，hersweetfeatureswouldcontract，asifinahopelessefforttosolvesomemysteriousproblem。Asadpain，asitwere，quiveredinherwhite，droopedeyelids。OnethingIparticularlyremarked：
SHESPENTHOURSATATIMEGAZINGATTHEWEST。Therewasasmallroominourhousewhosewindows，everyevening，flamedwiththeredlightofthesettingsun。HereElsiewouldsitandgazewestward，somotionlessandentrancedthatitseemedasifhersoulwasgoingdownwiththeday。Herconducttomewascuriouslyvaried。Sheapparentlylovedmeverymuch，yetthereweretimeswhensheabsolutelyavoidedme。Ihaveseenherstrollingthroughthefields，andleftthehousewiththeintentionofjoiningher，butthemomentshecaughtsightofmeapproachingshehasfledintotheneighboringcopse，withsoevidentawishtoavoidmethatitwouldhavebeenabsolutelycrueltofollow。
OnceortwicetheoldjealousyofHammondBrakecrossedmymind，butIwasobligedtodismissitasafrivoloussuspicion。Nothinginmywife”sconductjustifiedanysuchtheory。Brakevisitedusonceortwiceaweek——infact，whenIreturnedfrommybusinessinthevillage，IusedtofindhimseatedintheparlorwithElsie，readingsomefavoriteauthor，orconversingonsomenovelliterarytopic；buttherewasnodispositiontoavoidmyscrutiny。Brakeseemedtocomeasamatterofright；andtheperfectunconsciousnessoffurnishinganygroundsforsuspicionwithwhichheactedwasasufficientanswertomymindforanywilddoubtsthatmyheartmayhavesuggested。
StillIcouldnotbutremarkthatBrake”svisitswereinsomemannerconnectedwithElsie”smelancholy。Onthedayswhenhehadappearedanddeparted，thegloomseemedtohangmorethicklythaneveroverherhead。Shesat，onsuchoccasions，alltheeveningatthewesternwindow，silentlygazingatthecleftinthehillsthroughwhichthesunpassedtohisrepose。
AtlastImadeupmymindtospeaktoher。Itseemedtometobemyduty，ifshehadasorrow，topartakeofit。IapproachedheronthematterwiththemostperfectconfidencethatIhadnothingtolearnbeyondtheexistenceofsomegirlishgrief，whichaconfessionandafewlovingkisseswouldexorciseforever。
“Elsie，“Isaidtoheronenight，asshesat，accordingtohercustom，gazingwestward，likethosemaidensoftheoldballadsofchivalrywatchingfortheknightsthatnevercame”Elsie，whatisthematterwithyou，darling？Ihavenoticedastrangemelancholyinyouforsometimepast。Tellmeallaboutit。”
Sheturnedquicklyroundandgazedatmewitheyeswideopenandfacefilledwithasuddenfear。“Whydoyouaskmethat，Mark？“
sheanswered。“Ihavenothingtotell。”
Fromthestrange，startledmannerinwhichthisreplywasgiven，I
feltconvincedthatshehadsomethingtotell，andinstantlyformedadeterminationtodiscoverwhatitwas。ApangshotthroughmyheartasIthoughtthatthewomanwhomIhelddearerthananythingonearthhesitatedtotrustmewithapettysecret。
IbelievedIunderstood。Iwastolerablyrich。Iknewitcouldnotbeanysecretovermilliners”billsorwomen”susualmoneytroubles。Godhelpme！Ifeltsadenoughatthemoment，thoughI
kissedherbackandceasedtoquestionher。Ifeltsad，becausemyinstincttoldmethatshedeceivedme；anditisveryhardtobedeceived，evenintrifles，bythosewelove。Ilefthersittingatherfavoritewindow，andwalkedoutintothefields。Iwantedtothink。
IremainedoutuntilIsawlightsintheparlorshiningthroughtheduskyevening；thenIreturnedslowly。AsIpassedthewindows——
whichwereneartheground，ourhousebeingcottage-built——Ilookedin。HammondBrakewassittingwithmywife。Shewassittinginarockingchairoppositetohim，holdingasmallvolumeopenonherlap。Brakewastalkingtoherveryearnestly，andshewaslisteningtohimwithanexpressionIhadneverbeforeseenonhercountenance。Awe，fear，andadmirationwereallblenttogetherinthosedilatingeyes。Sheseemedabsorbed，bodyandsoul，inwhatthismansaid。Ishudderedatthesight。Avagueterrorseizeduponme；Ihastenedintothehouse。AsIenteredtheroomrathersuddenly，mywifestartedandhastilyconcealedthelittlevolumethatlayonherlapinoneofherwidepockets。Asshedidso，alooseleafescapedfromthevolumeandslowlyflutteredtothefloorunobservedbyeitherherorhercompanion。ButIhadmyeyeuponit。Ifeltthatitwasaclew。
“Whatnewnovelorphilosophicalwonderhaveyoubothbeenporingover？“Iaskedquitegayly，stealthilywatchingatthesametimethetelltaleembarrassmentunderwhichElsiewaslaboring。
Brake，whowasnotintheleastdiscomposed，replied。“That，“saidhe，“isasecretwhichmustbekeptfromyou。Itisanadvancecopy，andisnottobeshowntoanyoneexceptyourwife。”
“Ha！“criedI，“Iknowwhatitis。ItisyourvolumeofpoemsthatTicknorispublishing。Well，Icanwaituntilitisregularlyforsale。”
IknewthatBrakehadavolumeinthehandsofthepublishinghouseImentioned，withavaguepromiseofpublicationsometimeinthepresentcentury。Hammondsmiledsignificantly，butdidnotreply。
Heevidentlywishedtocultivatethissupposedimpressionofmine。
Elsielookedrelieved，andheavedadeepsigh。Ifeltmorethaneverconvincedthatasecretwasbeneathallthis。SoIdrewmychairoverthefallenleafthatlayunnoticedonthecarpet，andtalkedandlaughedwithHammondBrakegayly，asifnothingwasonmymind，whileallthetimeagreatloadofsuspicionlayheavilyatmyheart。
AtlengthHammondBrakerosetogo。Iwishedhimgoodnight，butdidnotoffertoaccompanyhimtothedoor。Mywifesuppliedthisomittedcourtesy，asIhadexpected。ThemomentIwasaloneI
pickedupthebookleaffromthefloor。ItwasNOTtheleafofavolumeofpoems。Beyondthat，however，Ilearnednothing。Itcontainedastringofparagraphsprintedinthebiblicalfashion，andthelanguagewasbiblicalinstyle。Itseemedtobeaportionofsomereligiousbook。WasitpossiblethatmywifewasbeingconvertedtotheRomishfaith？Yes，thatwasit。BrakewasaJesuitindisguise——Ihadheardofsuchthings——andhadstolenintothebosomofmyfamilytoplanttherehisdestructiveerrors。
Therecouldbenolongeranydoubtofit。ThiswassomeportionofaRomishbook——someinfamousPopishpublication。FoolthatIwasnottoseeitallbefore！Buttherewasyettime。Iwouldforbidhimthehouse。
Ihadjustformedthisresolutionwhenmywifeentered。Iputthestrangeleafinmypocketandtookmyhat。
“Why，youarenotgoingout，surely？“criedElsie，surprised。
“Ihaveaheadache，“Ianswered。“Iwilltakeashortwalk。”
Elsielookedatmewithapeculiarairofdistrust。Herwoman”sinstincttoldherthattherewassomethingwrong。Beforeshecouldquestionme，however，IhadlefttheroomandwaswalkingrapidlyonHammondBrake”strack。
Heheardthefootsteps，andIsawhisfigure，blackagainstthesky，stopandpeerbackthroughthedusktoseewhowasfollowinghim。
“ItisI，Brake，“Icalledout。“Stop；Iwishtospeakwithyou。”
Hestopped，andinaminuteorsowewerewalkingsidebysidealongtheroad。Myfingersitchedatthatmomenttobeonhisthroat。Icommencedtheconversation。
“Brake，“Isaid，“I”maveryplainsortofman，andIneversayanythingwithoutgoodreason。WhatIcameafteryoutotellyouis，thatIdon”twishyoutocometomyhouseanymore，ortospeakwithElsieanyfartherthantheordinarysalutationsgo。It”snojoke。I”mquiteinearnest。”
Brakestarted，and，stoppingshort，facedmesuddenlyintheroad。
“WhathaveIdone？“heasked。“Yousurelyaretoosensibleamantobejealous，Dayton。”
“Oh，“Iansweredscornfully，“notjealousintheordinarysenseoftheword，abit。ButIdon”tthinkyourcompanygoodcompanyformywife，Brake。IfyouWILLhaveitoutofme，IsuspectyouofbeingaRomanCatholic，andoftryingtoconvertmywife。”
Asmileshotacrosshisface，andIsawhissharpwhiteteethgleamforaninstantinthedusk。
“Well，whatifIamaPapist？“hesaid，withastrangetoneoftriumphinhisvoice。“Thefaithisnotcriminal。Besides，whatproofhaveyouthatIwasattemptingtoproselyteyourwife？“
“This，“saidI，pullingtheleaffrommypocket”thisleaffromoneofthosedevilishPapistbooksyouandshewerereadingthisevening。Ipickeditupfromthefloor。Proofenough，Ithink！“
InaninstantBrakehadsnatchedtheleaffrommyhandandtornitintoatoms。
“Youshallbeobeyed，“hesaid。“IwillnotspeakwithElsieaslongassheisyourwife。Goodnight。YouthinkI”maPapist，then，Dayton？You”reacleverfellow！“
Andwithratherasneeringchucklehemarchedonalongtheroadandvanishedintothedarkness。
II
THESECRETDISCOVERED
Brakecamenomore。IsaidnothingtoElsieabouthisprohibition，andhisnamewasnevermentioned。Itseemedstrangetomethatsheshouldnotspeakofhisabsence，andIwasverymuchpuzzledbyhersilence。Hermoodinessseemedtohaveincreased，and，whatwasmostremarkable，inproportionasshegrewmoreandmorereserved，theintenserweretheburstsofaffectionwhichsheexhibitedforme。Shewouldstrainmetoherbosomandkissme，asifsheandI
wereabouttobepartedforever。Thenforhoursshewouldremainsittingatherwindow，silentlygazing，withthatterrible，wistfulgazeofhers，atthewest。
Iwillconfesstohavingwatchedmywifeatthistime。Icouldnothelpit。ThatsomemysteryhungaboutherIfeltconvinced。I
mustfathomitordie。HerhonorIneverforamomentdoubted；yetthereseemedtoweighcontinuallyuponmetheprophecyofsomeawfuldomesticcalamity。Thistimetheprophecywasnotinvain。
AboutthreeweeksafterIhadforbiddenBrakemyhouse，Iwasstrollingovermyfarmintheeveningapparentlyinspectingmyagriculture，butinrealityspeculatingonthattopicwhichlatterlywaseverpresenttome。
Therewasalittleknollcoveredwithevergreenoaksattheendofthelawn。Itwasapicturesquespot，forononesidethebankwentoffintoasheerprecipiceofabouteightyfeetindepth，atthebottomofwhichaprettypoollay，thatinthesummertimewasfringedwithwhitewater-lilies。Ihadthoughtofbuildingasummer-houseinthisspot，andnowmystepsmechanicallydirectedthemselvestowardtheplace。AsIapproachedIheardvoices。I
stoppedandlistenedeagerly。AfewsecondsenabledmetoascertainthatHammondBrakeandmywifewereinthecopsetalkingtogether。Shestillfollowedhim，then；andhe，scoundrelthathewas，hadbrokenhispromise。AfuryseemedtofillmyveinsasI
madethisdiscovery。Ifelttheimpulsestronguponmetorushintothegrove，andthenandtherestranglethevillainwhowaspoisoningmypeace。ButwithapowerfuleffortIrestrainedmyself。ItwasnecessarythatIshouldoverhearwhatwassaid。I
threwmyselfflatonthegrass，andsoglidedsilentlyintothecopseuntilIwascompletelywithinearshot。ThiswaswhatI
heard。
Mywifewassobbing。“Sosoon——sosoon？I——Hammond，givemealittletime！“
“Icannot，Elsie。Mychiefordersmetojoinhim。Youmustpreparetoaccompanyme。”
“No，no！“murmuredElsie。“Helovesmeso！AndIlovehim。Ourchild，too——howcanIrobhimofourunbornbabe？“
“Anothersheepforourflock，“answeredBrakesolemnly。“Elsie，doyouforgetyouroath？Areyouoneofus，orareyouacommonhypocrite，whowillbeofusuntilthehourofself-sacrifice，andthenflylikeacoward？Elsie，youmustleaveto-night。”
“Ah！myhusband，myhusband！“sobbedtheunhappywoman。
“Youhavenohusband，woman，“criedBrakeharshly。“IpromisedDaytonnottospeaktoyouaslongasyouwerehiswife，butthevowwasannulledbeforeitwasmade。YourhusbandinGodyetawaitsyou。Youwillyetbeblessedwiththetruespouse。”
“IfeelasifIweregoingtodie，“criedElsie。“HowcanIeverforsakehim——hewhowassogoodtome？“
“Nonsense！noweakness。Heisnotworthyofyou。Gohomeandprepareforyourjourney。Youknowwheretomeetme。Iwillhaveeverythingready，andbydaybreakthereshallbenotraceofusleft。Bewareofpermittingyourhusbandtosuspectanything。Heisnotveryshrewdatsuchthings——hethoughtIwasaJesuitindisguise——butwehadbetterbecareful。Nowgo。Youhavebeentoolongherealready。Blessyou，sister。”
Afewfaintsobs，arustlingofleaves，andIknewthatBrakewasalone。Irose，andsteppedsilentlyintotheopenspaceinwhichhestood。Hisbackwastowardme。Hisarmswereliftedhighoverhisheadwithanexultantgesture，andIcouldseehisprofile，asitslightlyturnedtowardme，illuminatedwithasmileofscornfultriumph。Iputmyhandsuddenlyonhisthroatfrombehind，andflunghimonthegroundbeforehecouldutteracry。
“Notaword，“Isaid，unclaspingashort-bladedknifewhichI
carried；“answermyquestions，or，byheaven，Iwillcutyourthroatfromeartoear！“
Helookedupintomyfacewithanunflinchingeye，andsethislipsasifresolvedtosufferall。
“Whatareyou？Whoareyou？Whatobjecthaveyouintheseductionofmywife？“
Hesmiled，butwassilent。