ts
results, as I saw them before me now.)

"Well, my search lasted months and months; then it was suspended a
little; then resumed. In whatever direction I pursued it I always found
something to lure me on. Terrible confessions of past crimes, shocking
proofs of secret wickedness that had been hidden securely from all eyes
but mine, came to light. Sometimes these discoveries were associated
with particular parts of the Abbey, which have had a horrible interest
of their own for me ever since; sometimes with certain old portraits in
the picture-gallery, which I actually dreaded to look at after what I
had found out. There were periods when the results of this search of
mine so horrified me that I determined to give it up entirely; but I
never could persevere in my resolution; the temptation to go on seemed
at certain intervals to get too strong for me, and then I yielded to it
again and again. At last I found the book that had belonged to the monks
with the whole of the prophecy written in the blank leaf. This first
success encouraged me to get back further yet in the family records.
I had discovered nothing hitherto of the identity of the mysterious
portrait; but the same intuitive conviction which had assured me of its
extraordinary resemblance to my Uncle Stephen seemed also to assure me
that he must be more closely connected with the prophecy, and must
know more of it than any one else. I had no means of holding any
communication with him, no means of satisfying myself whether this
strange idea of mine were right or wrong, until the day when my doubts
were settled forever by the same terrible proof which is now present to
me in this very room."

He paused for a moment, and looked at me intently and suspiciously; then
asked if I believed all he had said to me so far. My instant reply in
the affirmative seemed to satisfy his doubts, and he went on.

"On a fine evening in February I was standing alone in one of the
deserted rooms of the western turret at the Abbey, looking at the
sunset. Just before the sun went down I felt a sensation stealing over
me which it is impossible to explain. I saw nothing, heard nothing, knew
nothing. This utter self-oblivion came suddenly; it was not fainting,
for I did not fall to the ground, did not move an inch from my place. If
such a thing could be, I should say it was the temporary separation of
soul and body without death; but all description of my situation at that
time is impossi