Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/258

 reflect upon the reasonings or remonstrances of others. She could not be prevailed on to deny herself to his visits; and I parted from her in the utmost perplexity.

"A messenger came to me at midnight, entreating my immediate presence: some disaster had happened, but of what kind the messenger was unable to tell. My fears easily conjured up the image of Wiatte: terror scarcely allowed me to breathe. When I entered the house of Mrs. Lorimer, I was conducted to her chamber. She lay upon the bed in a state of stupefaction, that rose from some mental cause. Clarice sat by her, wringing her hands, and pouring forth her tears without intermission. Neither could explain to me the nature of the scene. I made enquiries of the servants and attendants: they merely said that the family, as usual, had retired to rest; but their lady's bell rung with great violence, and called them in haste to her chamber, where they found her in a swoon upon the floor, and the young lady in the utmost affright and perturbation.

"Suitable means being used, Mrs. Lorimer had at length recovered; but was still nearly insensible. I went to Clithero's apartments; but he was not to be found; and the domestics informed me that, since he had gone with me, he had not returned. The doors between this chamber and the court were open: hence that some dreadful interview had taken place, perhaps with Wiatte, was an unavoidable conjecture. He had withdrawn, however, without committing any personal injury.

"I need not mention my reflections upon this scene. All was tormenting doubt and suspense till the morning arrived, and tidings were received that Wiatte had been killed in the streets. This event was antecedent to that which had occasioned Mrs. Lorimer's distress and alarm. I now remembered that fatal prepossession by which she was governed, and her frantic belief that her death and that of her brother were to fall out at the same time. Could some witness of his death have brought her tidings of it? Had he penetrated, unexpected and unlicensed, to her chamber? and were these the effects produced by the intelligence?

"Presently I knew that not only Wiatte was dead, but