I will ring and enquire, why all this noise?
A strange bustle!--Something like fighting!--Very near, I protest.--Hark! bless me, I shall be frightened to death!--The chambermaid not come! Would I could find my way to Mr. Jenkings's room!--Womens voices, as I live!--Begging!--praying!--Ah! ah! now they cry, Take the swords away!--Take the swords away!--Heaven defend us! to be sure we shall be all killed.
Not kill'd, but terrified out of my senses.--Well, if ever I stop at this inn again--
You remember, Madam, I was thrown into a sad fright by the hurry and confusion without.--I dropped my pen, and pulled the bell with greater violence.--No one came;--the noise increas'd.--Several people ran up and down by the door of my apartment.--I flew and double lock'd it.--But, good God! what were my terrors, when a voice cried out, She cannot be brought to life!--Is there no assistance at hand?--no surgeon near?--I rushed from my chamber, in the first emotions of surprize and compassion, to mix in a confused croud, _unknowing_ and _unknown_.--I ventur'd no further than the passage. Judge my astonishment, to perceive there, and in a large room which open'd into it, fifty or sixty well dressed people of both sexes:--_Women_, some crying, some laughing:--_Men_ swearing, stamping, and calling upon others to come down and end the dispute below.--I thought of nothing _now_, but how to retreat unobserv'd:--when a gentleman, in regimentals, ran so furiously up the stairs full against me, that I should have been instantly at the bottom, had not his extended arm prevented my flight.
I did not stay to receive his apologies, but hastened to my chamber, and have not yet recovered my trembling.--Why did I leave it?--Why was I so inconsiderate?
Another alarm!--Some one knocks at the door!--Will there be no end to my frights?
If one's spirits are on the flutter, how every little circumstance increases our consternation!--When I heard the tapping at my door, instead of enquiring who was there, I got up and stood against it.
Don't be afraid, _Mame_, said a voice without; it is only the chambermaid come with some drops and water.--With drops and water! replied I, letting her in--who sent you hither?