Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/114

 Clithero on the morrow; and for this interview the discoveries made, on this spot might eminently qualify me. Influenced by these considerations, I resolved to dig: I was first, however, to converse an hour with the housekeeper, and then to withdraw to my chamber; when the family were all retired, and there was no fear of observation or interruption, I proposed to rise and hasten, with a proper implement, hither.

One chamber in Inglefield's house was usually reserved for visitants: in this chamber thy unfortunate brother died, and here it was that I was to sleep. The image of its last inhabitant could not fail of being called up, and of banishing repose; but the scheme which I had meditated was an additional incitement to watchfulness. Hither I repaired, at the due season, having previously furnished myself with candles, since I knew not what might occur to make a light necessary.

I did not go to bed, but either sat musing by a table, or walked across the room. The bed before me was that on which my friend breathed his last; to rest my head upon the same pillow, to lie on that pallet which sustained his cold and motionless limbs, were provocations to remembrance and grief that I desired to shun: I endeavoured to fill my mind with more recent incidents—with the disasters of Clithero, my subterranean adventures, and the probable issue of the schemes which I now contemplated.

I recalled the conversation which had just ended with the housekeeper: Clithero had been our theme; but she had dealt chiefly in repetitions of what had formerly been related by her or by Inglefield. I enquired what this man had left behind; and found that it consisted of a square box, put together by himself with uncommon strength, but of rugged workmanship: she proceeded to mention that she had advised her brother, Mr. Inglefield, to break open this box, and ascertain its contents; but this he did not think himself justified in doing: Clithero was guilty of no known crime, Was responsible to no one for his actions, and might some time return to claim his property: this box contained nothing with which others had a right to meddle;