'
It is to be feared I may have lent at times a certain resonancy to
my voice; it is to be feared that Ronald, who was none the better
for his own hospitality, may have set down his glass with something
of a clang. Whatever may have been the cause, at least, I had
scarce finished my compliment before we were aware of a thump upon
the ceiling overhead. It was to be thought some very solid body
had descended to the floor from the level (possibly) of a bed. I
have never seen consternation painted in more lively colours than
on the faces of my hosts. It was proposed to smuggle me forth into
the garden, or to conceal my form under a horsehair sofa which
stood against the wall. For the first expedient, as was now plain
by the approaching footsteps, there was no longer time; from the
second I recoiled with indignation.
'My dear creatures,' said I, 'let us die, but do not let us be
ridiculous.'
The words were still upon my lips when the door opened and my
friend of the gold eyeglass appeared, a memorable figure, on the
threshold. In one hand she bore a bedroom candlestick; in the
other, with the steadiness of a dragoon, a horse-pistol. She was
wound about in shawls which did not wholly conceal the candid
fabric of her nightdress, and surmounted by a nightcap of
portentous architecture.
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