Such was my weakness, that even in the midst of these thoughts my
mind glided into abhorrence of Carwin, and I uttered, in a low
voice, "O Carwin! Carwin! what hast thou to answer for?"
My brother immediately noticed the involuntary exclamation.
"Clara!" said he, "be thyself. Equity used to be a theme for thy
eloquence. Reduce its lessons to practice, and be just to that
unfortunate man. The instrument has done its work, and I am
satisfied.
"I thank thee, my God, for this last illumination! My enemy is
thine also. I deemed him to be a man,--the man with whom I have
often communed; but now thy goodness has unveiled to me his true
nature. As the performer of thy behests, he is my friend."
My heart began now to misgive me. His mournful aspect had
gradually yielded place to a serene brow. A new soul appeared to
actuate his frame, and his eyes to beam with preternatural luster.
These symptoms did not abate, and he continued:--
"Clara, I must not leave thee in doubt. I know not what brought
about thy interview with the being whom thou callest Carwin. For a
time I was guilty of thy error, and deduced from his incoherent
confessions that I had been made the victim of human malice.
Pages:
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503