Pleyel was enamoured of his scheme on account of its
intrinsic benefits, but, likewise, for other reasons. His abode
at Leipsig made that country appear to him like home. He
was connected with this place by many social ties. While
there he had not escaped the amorous contagion. But the
lady, though her heart was impressed in his favor, was compelled
to bestow her hand upon another. Death had removed
this impediment, and he was now invited by the lady
herself to return. This he was of course determined to do,
but was anxious to obtain the company of Wieland; he
could not bear to think of an eternal separation from his
present associates. Their interest, he thought, would be
no less promoted by the change than his own. Hence he
was importunate and indefatigable in his arguments and
solicitations.

He knew that he could not hope for mine or his sister's
ready concurrence in this scheme. Should the subject be
mentioned to us, we should league our efforts against him,
and strengthen that reluctance in Wieland which already
was sufficiently difficult to conquer. He, therefore, anxiously
concealed from us his purpose. If Wieland were previously
enlisted in his cause, he would find it a less difficult
task to overcome our aversion. My brother was silent on
this subject, because he believed himself in no danger of
changing his opinion, and he was willing to save us from any
uneasiness. The mere mention of such a scheme, and the
possibility of his embracing it, he knew, would considerably
impair our tranquillity.

One day, about three weeks subsequent to the mysterious
call, it was agreed that the family should be my guests.
Seldom had a day been passed by us, of more serene enjoyment.
Pleyel had promised us his company, but we
did not see him till the sun had nearly declined. He
brought with him a countenance that betokened disappointment
and vexation. He did not wait for our inquiries, but
immediately explained the cause. Two days before a packet
had arrived from Hamburgh, by which he had flattered himself
with the expectation of receiving letters, but no letters
had arrived. I never saw him so much subdued by an

[figure description] Page 038.[end figure description]

untoward event. His thoughts were employed in accounting
for the silence of his friends. He was seized with the torments
of jealousy, and suspected nothing less than the infidelity
of her to whom he had devoted his heart. The
silence must have been concerted. Her sickness, or absence,
or death, would have increased the certainty of some
one's having written. No supposition could be formed but
that his mistress had grown indifferent, or that she had transferred
her affections to another. The miscarriage of a letter
was hardly within the reach of possibility. From Leipsig
to Hamburgh, and from Hamburgh hither, the conveyance
was exposed to no hazard.

He had been so long detained in America chiefly in consequence
of Wieland's aversion to the scheme which he
proposed. He now became more impatient than ever to
return to Europe. When he reflected that, by his delays,
he had probably forfeited the affections of his mistress, his
sensations amounted to agony. It only remained, by his
speedy departure, to repair, if possible, or prevent so intolerable
an evil. Already he had half resolved to embark in
this very ship, which he was informed, would set out in a
few weeks on her return.

Meanwhile he determined to make a new attempt to
shake the resolution of Wieland. The evening was somewhat
advanced when he invited the latter to walk abroad
with him. The invitation was accepted, and they left Catharine,
Louisa, and me, to amuse ourselves by the best means
in our power. During this walk, Pleyel renewed the subject
that was nearest his heart. He re-urged all his former
arguments, and placed them in more forcible lights.

They promised to return shortly; but hour after hour
passed, and they made not their appearance. Engaged in
sprightly conversation, it was not till the clock struck twelve
that we were reminded of the lapse of time. The absence
of our friends excited some uneasy apprehensions. We
were expressing our fears, and comparing our conjectures
as to what might be the cause, when they entered together.
There were indications in their countenances that struck me
mute. These were unnoticed by Catharine, who was eager
to express her surprise and curiosity at the length of their

[figure description] Page 039.[end figure description]

walk. As they listened to her, I remarked that their surprise
was not less than ours. They gazed in silence on
each other, and on her. I watched their looks, but could
not understand the emotions that were written in them.

These appearances diverted Catharine's inquiries into a
new channel. What did they mean, she asked, by their
silence, and by their thus gazing wildly at each other, and
at her? Pleyel profited by this hint, and assuming an air
of indifference, framed some trifling excuse, at the same
time darting significant glances at Wieland, as if to caution
him against disclosing the truth. My brother said nothing,
but delivered himself up to meditation. I likewise was
silent, but burned with impatience to fathom this mystery.
Presently my brother and his wife, and Louisa, returned
home. Pleyel proposed, of his own accord, to be my
guest for the night. This circumstance, in addition to those
which preceded, gave new edge to my wonder.

As soon as we were left alone, Pleyel's countenance assumed
an air of seriousness, and even consternation, which
I had never before heheld in him. The steps with which
he measured the floor betokened the trouble of his thoughts.
My inquiries were suspended by the hope that he would
give me the information that I wanted without the importunity
of questions. I waited some time, but the confusion
of his thoughts appeared in no degree to abate. At length
I mentioned the apprehensions which their unusual absence
had occasioned, and which were increased by their behaviour
since their return, and solicited an explanation. He
stopped when I began to speak, and looked steadfastly at
me. When I had done, he said to me, in a tone which
faltered through the vehemence of his emotions, “How
were you employed during our absence?” “In turning
over the Della Crusca dictionary, and talking on different
subjects; but just before your entrance, we were tormenting
ourselves with omens and prognostics relative to your
absence.” “Catharine was with you the whole time?”
“Yes,” “But are you sure?” “Most sure. She was not
absent a moment.” He stood, for a time, as if to assure
himself of my sincerity. Then, clenching his hands, and
wildly lifting them above his head, “Lo,” cried he, “I

[figure description] Page 040.[end figure description]

have news to tell you. The Baroness de Stolberg is
dead?”

This was her whom he loved. I was not surprised at
the agitation which he betrayed. “But how was the information
procured? How was the truth of this news connected
with the circumstance of Catharine's remaining in
our company?” He was for some time inattentive to my
questions. When he spoke, it seemed merely a continuation
of the reverie into which he had been plunged.

“And yet it might be a mere deception. But could
both of us in that case have been deceived? A rare and
prodigious coincidence! Barely not impossible. And yet,
if the accent be oracular—Theresa is dead. No, no,” continued
he, covering his face with his hands, and in a tone
half broken into sobs, “I cannot believe it. She has not written,
but if she were dead, the faithful Bertrand would
have given me the earliest information. And yet if he
knew his master, he must have easily guessed at the effect
of such tidings. In pity to me he was silent.”

“Clara, forgive me; to you, this behaviour is mysterious.
I will explain as well as I am able. But say not a word to
Catharine. Her strength of mind is inferior to your's.
She will, besides, have more reason to be startled. She is
Wieland's angel.

Pleyel proceeded to inform me, for the first time, of the
scheme which he had pressed, with so much earnestness,
on my brother. He enumerated the objections which had
been made, and the industry with which he had endeavored
to confute them. He mentioned the effect upon his resolutions
produced by the failure of a letter. “During our
late walk,” continued he, “I introduced the subject that
was nearest my heart. I re-urged all my former arguments,
and placed them in more forcible lights. Wieland was still
refractory. He expatiated on the perils of wealth and
power, on the sacredness of conjugal and parental duties,
and the happiness of mediocrity.

“No wonder that the time passed, unperceived, away.
Our whole souls were engaged in this cause. Several
times we came to the foot of the rock; as soon as we perceived
it, we changed our course, but never failed to

[figure description] Page 041.[end figure description]

terminate our circuitous and devious ramble at this spot. At
length your brother observed, `We seem to be led hither
by a kind of fatality. Since we are so near, let us ascend
and rest ourselves awhile. If you are not weary of this
argument we will resume it there.'

“I tacitly consented. We mounted the stairs, and drawing
the sofa in front of the river, we seated ourselves upon
it. I took up the thread of our discourse where we had
dropped it. I ridiculed his dread of the sea, and his attachment
to home. I kept on in this strain, so congenial
with my disposition, for some time, uninterrupted by him.
At length, he said to me, `Suppose now that I, whom argument
has not convinced, should yield to ridicule, and
should agree that your scheme is eligible; what will you
have gained? Nothing. You have other enemies besides
myself to encounter. When you have vanquished me,
your toil has scarcely begun. There are my sister and
wife, with whom it will remain for you to maintain the contest.
And trust me, they are adversaries whom all your
force and stratagem will never subdue.' I insinuated that
they would model themselves by his will; that Catharine
would think obedience her duty. He answered, with some
quickness, `You mistake. Their concurrence is indispensable.
It is not my custom to exact sacrifices of this kind.
I live to be their protector and friend, and not their tyrant
and foe. If my wife shall deem her happiness, and that of
her children, most consulted by remaining where she is,
here she shall remain.' `But,' said I, `when she knows
your pleasure, will she not conform to it?' Before my
friend had time to answer this question, a negative was
clearly and distinctly uttered from another quarter. It did
not come from one side or the other, from before us or behind.
Whence then did it come? By whose organs was
it fashioned?

“If any uncertainty had existed with regard to these
particulars, it would have been removed by a deliberate
and equally distinct repetition of the same monosyllable,
`No.' The voice was my sister's. It appeared to come
from the roof. I started from my seat. Catharine, exclaimed
I, where are you? No answer was returned. I

[figure description] Page 042.[end figure description]

searched the room, and the area before it, but in vain.
Your brother was motionless in his seat. I returned to him,
and placed myself again by his side. My astonishment was
not less than his.

“`Well,' said he at length, `What think you of this?
This is the self-same voice which I formerly heard; you are
now convinced that my ears were well informed.'

“`Yes,' said I, `this, it is plain, is no fiction of the
fancy.' We again sunk into mutual and thoughtful silence.
A recollection of the hour, and of the length of our absence,
made me at last propose to return. We rose up
for this purpose. In doing this, my mind reverted to the
contemplation of my own condition. `Yes,' said I aloud,
but without particularly addressing myself to Wieland, `my
resolution is taken. I cannot hope to prevail with my friends
to accompany me. They may doze away their days on
the banks of Schuylkill, but as to me, I go in the next vessel;
I will fly to her presence, and demand the reason of
this extraordinary silence.'

“I had scarcely finished the sentence, when the same
mysterious voice exclaimed, `You shall not go. The seal
of death is on her lips. Her silence is the silence of the
tomb.' Think of the effects which accents like these must
have had upon me. I shuddered as I listened. As soon
as I recovered from my first amazement, `Who is it that
speaks?' said I, `whence did you procure these dismal
tidings?' I did not wait long for an answer. `From a
source that cannot fail. Be satisfied. She is dead.' You
may justly be surprised, that, in the circumstances in which
I heard the tidings, and notwithstanding the mystery which
environed him by whom they were imparted, I could give
an undivided attention to the facts, which were the subject
of our dialogue. I eagerly inquired, when and where did
she die? What was the cause of her death? Was her
death absolutely certain? An answer was returned only to
the last of these questions. `Yes,' was pronounced by
the same voice; but it now sounded from a greater distance,
and the deepest silence was all the return made to my subsequent
interrogatories.

“It was my sister's voice; but it could not be uttered by

[figure description] Page 043.[end figure description]

her; and yet, if not by her, by whom was it uttered? When
we returned hither, and discovered you together, the doubt
that had previously existed was removed. It was manifest
that the intimation came not from her. Yet if not from
her, from whom could it come? Are the circumstances
attending the imparting of this news proof that the tidings
are true? God forbid that they should be true.”

Here Pleyel sunk into anxious silence, and gave me leisure
to ruminate on this inexplicable event. I am at a loss
to describe the sensations that affected me. I am not fearful
of shadows. The tales of apparitions and enchantments
did not possess that power over my belief which could even
render them interesting. I saw nothing in them but ignorance
and folly, and was a stranger even to that terror which is
pleasing. But this incident was different from any that I
had ever before known. Here were proofs of a sensible
and intelligent existence, which could not be denied. Here
was information obtained and imparted by means unquestionably
super-human.

That there are conscious beings, besides ourselves, in
existence, whose modes of activity and information surpass
our own, can scarcely be denied. Is there a glimpse
afforded us into a world of these superior beings? My
heart was scarcely large enough to give admittance to so
swelling a thought. An awe, the sweetest and most solemn
that imagination can conceive, pervaded my whole
frame. It forsook me not when I parted from Pleyel and
retired to my chamber. An impulse was given to my
spirits utterly incompatible with sleep. I passed the night
wakeful and full of meditation. I was impressed with the
belief of mysterious, but not of malignant agency. Hitherto
nothing had occurred to persuade me that this airy minister
was busy to evil rather than to good purposes. On the
contrary, the idea of superior virtue had always been associated
in my mind with that of superior power. The
warnings that had thus been heard appeared to have been
prompted by beneficent intentions. My brother had been
hindered by this voice from ascending the hill. He was
told that danger lurked in his path, and his obedience to

[figure description] Page 044.[end figure description]

the intimation had perhaps saved him from a destiny similar
to that of my father.

Pleyel had been rescued from tormenting uncertainty,
and from the hazards and fatigues of a fruitless voyage,
by the same interposition. It had assured him of the death
of his Theresa.

This woman was then dead. A confirmation of the
tidings, if true, would speedily arrive. Was this confirmation
to be deprecated or desired? By her death, the tie
that attached him to Europe, was taken way. Henceforward
every motive would combine to retain him in his
native country, and we were rescued from the deep regrets
that would accompany his hopeless absence from us. Propitious
was the spirit that imparted these tidings. Propitious
he would perhaps have been, if he had been instrumental
in producing, as well as in communicating the tidings of her
death. Propitious to us, the friends of Pleyel, to whom
has thereby been secured the enjoyment of his society;
and not unpropitious to himself; for though this object of
his love be snatched away, is there not another who is able
and willing to console him for her loss?

Twenty days after this, another vessel arrived from the
same port. In this interval, Pleyel, for the most part,
estranged himself from his old companions. He was become
the prey of a gloomy and unsociable grief. His
walks were limited to the bank of the Delaware. This bank
is an artificial one. Reeds and the river are on one side,
and a wartery marsh on the other, in that part which bounded
his lands, and which extended from the mouth of Hollander's
creek to that of Schuylkill. No scene can be
imagined less enticing to a lover of the pcituresque than
this. The shore is deformed with mud, and encumbered
with a forest of reeds. The fields, in most seasons, are
mire; but when they afford a firm footing, the ditches by
which they are bounded and intersected, are mantled with
stagnating green, and emit the most noxious exhalations.
Health is no less a strange to those seats than pleasure.
Spring and autumn are sure to be accompanied with agues
and bilious remittents.

The scenes which environed our dwellings at Mettingen

[figure description] Page 045.[end figure description]

constituted the reverse of this. Schuylkill was here a pure
and translucid current broken into wild and ceaseless music
by rocky points, murmuring on a sandy margin, and reflecting
on its surface, banks of all varieties of height and degrees
of declivity. These banks were checkered by patches
of dark verdure and shapeless masses of white marble,
and crowned by copses of cedar, or by the regular magnificence
of orchards, which, at this season, were in blossom,
and were prodigal of odors. The ground which receded
from the river was scooped into valleys and dales. Its beauties
were enhanced by the horticultural skill of my brother,
who bedecked this exquisite assemblage of slopes and risings
with every species of vegetable ornament, from the giant
arms of the oak to the clustering tendrils of the honey-suckle.

To screen him from the unwholesome airs of his own
residence, it had been proposed to Pleyel to spend the
months of spring with us. He had apparently acquiesced
in this proposal; but the late event induced him to change
his purpose. He was only to be seen by visiting him in his
retirements. His gaiety had flown, and every passion was
absorbed in eagerness to procure tidings from Saxony. I
have mentioned the arrival of another vessel from the Elbe.
He descried her early one morning as he was passing
along the skirt of the river. She was easily recognised,
being the ship in which he had performed his first voyage to
Germany. He immediately went on board, but found no
letters directed to him. This omission was, in some degree,
compensated by meeting with an old acquaintance among
the passengers, who had till lately been a resident in Leipsig.
This person put an end to all suspense respecting the fate of
Theresa, by relating the particulars of her death and funeral.

Thus was the truth of the former intimation attested.
No longer devoured by suspense, the grief of Pleyel was
not long in yielding to the influence of society. He gave
himself up once more to our company. His vivacity had
indeed been damped; but even in this respect he was a
more acceptable companion than formerly, since his seriousness
was neither incommunicative nor sullen.

These incidents, for a time, occupied all our thoughts.

[figure description] Page 046.[end figure description]

In me they produced a sentiment not unallied to pleasure,
and more speedily than in the case of my friends were intermixed
with other topics. My brother was particularly
affected by them. It was easy to perceive that most of his
meditations were tinctured from this source. To this was
to be ascribed a design in which his pen was, at this period
engaged, of collecting and investigating the facts which relate
to that mysterious personage, the Dæmon of Socrates.

My brother's skill in Greek and Roman learning was exceeded
by that of few, and no doubt the world would have
accepted a treatise upon this subject from his hand with
avidity; but alas! this and every other scheme of felicity
and honor, were doomed to sudden blast and hopeless extermination.