Surely thou wast more than man, while I am sunk below the
beasts.
Did I place a right construction on the conduct of Wieland? Was
the error that misled him so easily rectified? Were views so vivid
and faith so strenuous thus liable to fading and to change? Was
there not reason to doubt the accuracy of my perceptions? With
images like these was my mind thronged, till the deportment of my
brother called away my attention.
I saw his lips move and his eyes cast up to heaven. Then would he
listen and look back, as if in expectation of some one's
appearance. Thrice he repeated these gesticulations and this
inaudible prayer. Each time the mist of confusion and doubt seemed
to grow darker and to settle on his understanding. I guessed at
the meaning of these tokens. The words of Carwin had shaken his
belief, and he was employed in summoning the messenger who had
formerly communed with him, to attest the value of those new
doubts. In vain the summons was repeated, for his eye met nothing
but vacancy, and not a sound saluted his ear.
He walked to the bed, gazed with eagerness at the pillow which had
sustained the head of the breathless Catharine, and then returned
to the place where I sat.
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