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imagination had transformed some casual noise into the voice of a
human creature。 Satisfied with this solution； I was preparing to
relinquish my listening attitude； when my ear was again saluted
with a new and yet louder whispering。 It appeared； as before； to
issue from lips that touched my pillow。 A second effort of
attention； however； clearly showed me that the sounds issued from
within the closet； the door of which was not more than eight inches
from my pillow。
This second interruption occasioned a shock less vehement than the
former。 I started； but gave no audible token of alarm。 I was so
much mistress of my feelings as to continue listening to what
should be said。 The whisper was distinct； hoarse； and uttered so
as to show that the speaker was desirous of being heard by some one
near； but； at the same time； studious to avoid being overheard by
any other：
〃Stop！ stop； I say； madman as you are！ there are better means than
that。 Curse upon your rashness！ There is no need to shoot。〃
Such were the words uttered； in a tone of eagerness and anger；
within so small a distance of my pillow。 What construction could I
put upon them？ My heart began to palpitate with dread of some
unknown danger。 Presently； another voice； but equally near me； was
heard whispering in answer； 〃Why not？ I will draw a trigger in
this business； but perdition be my lot if I do more！〃 To this the
first voice returned； in a tone which rage had heightened in a
small degree above a whisper； 〃Coward！ stand aside； and see me do
it。 I will grasp her throat； I will do her business in an instant；
she shall not have time so much as to groan。〃 What wonder that I
was petrified by sounds so dreadful！ Murderers lurked in my
closet。 They were planning the means of my destruction。 One
resolved to shoot； and the other menaced suffocation。 Their means
being chosen； they would forthwith break the door。 Flight
instantly suggested itself as most eligible in circumstances so
perilous。 I deliberated not a moment； but； fear adding wings to my
speed； I leaped out of bed； and； scantily robed as I was； rushed
out of the chamber； downstairs； and into the open air。 I can
hardly recollect the process of turning keys and withdrawing bolts。
My terrors urged me forward with almost a mechanical impulse。 I
stopped not till I reached my brother's door。 I had not gained the
threshold； when； exhausted by the violence of my emotions and by my
speed； I sunk down in a fit。
How long I remained in this situation I know not。 When I
recovered； I found myself stretched on a bed； surrounded by my
sister and her female servants。 I was astonished at the scene
before me； but gradually recovered the recollection of what had
happened。 I answered their importunate inquiries as well as I was
able。 My brother and Pleyel； whom the storm of the preceding day
chanced to detain here； informing themselves of every particular；
proceeded with lights and weapons to my deserted habitation。 They
entered my chamber and my closet； and found everything in its
proper place and customary order。 The door of the closet was
locked； and appeared not to have been opened in my absence。 They
went to Judith's apartment。 They found her asleep and in safety。
Pleyel's caution induced him to forbear alarming the girl； and；
finding her wholly ignorant of what had passed； they directed her
to return to her chamber。 They then fastened the doors and
returned。
My friends were disposed to regard this transaction as a dream。
That persons should be actually immured in this closet； to which；
in the circumstances of the time； access from without or within was
apparently impossible； they could not seriously believe。 That any
human beings had intended murder； unless it were to cover a scheme
of pillage； was incredible； but that no such design had been formed
was evident from the security in which the furniture of the house
and the closet remained。
I revolved every incident and expression that had occurred。 My
senses assured me of the truth of them； and yet their abruptness
and improbability made me； in my turn； somewhat incredulous。 The
adventure had made a deep impression on my fancy； and it was not
till after a week's abode at my brother's that I resolved to resume
the possession of my own dwelling。
There was another circumstance that enhanced the mysteriousness of
this event。 After my recovery； it was obvious to inquire by what
means the attention of the family had been drawn to my situation。
I had fallen before I had reached the threshold or was able to give
any signal。 My brother related that； while this was transacting in
my chamber； he himself was awake； in consequence of some slight
indisposition； and lay； according to his custom； musing on some
favorite topic。 Suddenly the silence； which was remarkably
profound； was broken by a voice of most piercing shrillness； that
seemed to be uttered by one in the hall below his chamber。 〃Awake！
arise！〃 it exclaimed； 〃hasten to succor one that is dying at your
door！〃
This summons was effectual。 There was no one in the house who was
not roused by it。 Pleyel was the first to obey； and my brother
overtook him before he reached the hall。 What was the general
astonishment when your friend was discovered stretched upon the
grass before the door； pale； ghastly； and with every mark of death！
But how was I to regard this midnight conversation？ Hoarse and
manlike voices conferring on the means of death； so near my bed；
and at such an hour！ How had my ancient security vanished！ That
dwelling which had hitherto been an inviolate asylum was now beset
with danger to my life。 That solitude formerly so dear to me could
no longer be endured。 Pleyel； who had consented to reside with us
during the months of spring； lodged in the vacant chamber； in order
to quiet my alarms。 He treated my fears with ridicule； and in a
short time very slight traces of them remained； but； as it was
wholly indifferent to him whether his nights were passed at my
house or at my brother's； this arrangement gave general
satisfaction。
II
I will enumerate the various inquiries and conjectures which these
incidents occasioned。 After all our efforts； we came no nearer to
dispelling the mist in which they were involved； and time； instead
of facilitating a solution； only accumulated our doubts。
In the midst of thoughts excited by these events； I was not
unmindful of my interview with the stranger。 I related the
particulars； and showed the portrait to my friends。 Pleyel
recollected to have met with a figure resembling my description in
the city； but neither his face or garb made the same impression
upon him that it made upon me。 It was a hint to rally me upon my
prepossessions； and to amuse us with a thousand ludicrous anecdotes
which he had collected in his travels。 He made no scruple to
charge me with being in love； a