Chapters XVI & XVII Summary

Upon reaching her house, in Chapter XVI, Clara is surprised to see a light within. It vanishes upon her approach. Clara enters the house. At the foot of the stairs, she turns to look behind her. She sees Carwin and a voice sounds in her ear as if whispered next to her, telling her to hold still. As quickly as he had appeared, Carwin disappears again. Clara ascends the stairs, unable to go back with Carwin behind her. Nothing seems amiss upstairs, but Clara finds a note from Carwin. In it he states that someone else was there at the appointed hour for their meeting and that he will seek another interview at a later time. In the meantime he does not know how Clara will bear such an unexpected and horrible event. Clara is puzzled by his note...