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.
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