Page:Affecting history of an inn-keeper in Normandy.pdf/10

(10) innkeeper dropped to the ground, writhed with frightful convulſions, while the eccleſiaſtic looked with inconceivable ſurprize upon the ſervants, who ſtood ſpeechleſs round their ſeemingly dying maſter. Amidſt theſe ſcenes of confuſion, the maid recollected, that there was a vial of hartſhorn drops in a cloſet pertaining to the bedchamber, where the officer had lain the preceding night. As ſhe was running up ſtairs for the medicine, ſhe was purſued by the miniſter, who endeavoured to arreſt her in her flight, that he might learn from her, if it was poſſible, the true cauſe of theſe ſtrange and formidable occurrences.

With thoughts more diſturbed and embroiled than the ſtormy deep, he entered the chamber; where, finding that his ſtrength and ſpirits were haſtily departing from him, he threw himſelf upon a couch, which was accidentally at hand. After he had continued a few minutes in this fainting ſtate, he opened his eyes, and thought that he ſaw ſomething like an human form lying under the bed. The figure powerfully attracted his ſight for a while. But when the Abbe had gazed long enough to aſcertain the reality of the object, he ſtarted up from his recumbent poſture, and collecting all his ſhattered powers into one effort, eagerly dragged the body from its concealment. To his inexpreſſible conſternation, horror,