Suddenly the remembrance of what had lately passed in this closet
occurred. Whether midnight was approaching, or had passed, I knew
not. I was, as then, alone and defenseless. The wind was in that
direction in which, aided by the deathlike repose of nature, it
brought to me the murmur of the waterfall. This was mingled with
that solemn and enchanting sound which a breeze produces among the
leaves of pines. The words of that mysterious dialogue, their
fearful import, and the wild excess to which I was transported by
my terrors, filled my imagination anew. My steps faltered, and I
stood a moment to recover myself.
I prevailed on myself at length to move toward the closet. I
touched the lock, but my fingers were powerless; I was visited
afresh by unconquerable apprehensions. A sort of belief darted
into my mind that some being was concealed within whose purposes
were evil. I began to contend with those fears, when it occurred
to me that I might, without impropriety, go for a lamp previously
to opening the closet. I receded a few steps; but before I reached
the chamber door my thoughts took a new direction.
Pages:
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432