Page:Four interesting tales.pdf/20

20 shall be first alarmed, may apprize the other. At the same time, all this may be nothing more than the work of our own fancies.”

The anxiety of the dog, during this conversation, cannot be expressed. On the servant’s leaving the room, the dog ran hastily to the door, as if in hopes his lordship would follow; and looked as if to entice him to do so. Upon his lordship’s advancing a few steps, the vigilant creature leaped up with every sign of satisfaction : but when he found those steps were directed only to close the door, his dejection was depicted in a manner no less lively than had been his joy.

It was scarcely possible not to be impressed by thesothese [sic] unaccountable circumstances, yet his lordship was almost ashamed of yielding to them ; and finding all quiet, both above and below, except the noise of the wind and rain, and finding that no caresses could draw the dog from the part of the room he had chosen, his lordship made a bed for the poor fellow with one of the mats, and then sought repose himself. Neither the dog, however, nor the master, could rest. The former rose often, and paced about the room : sometimes he came close to the bed-curtains, and sometimes whined piteously, although the hand of reconciliation was put forth to sooth him. In the course of an hour after this, his lordship was wearied with conjecture, fell asleep, but ho was soon aroused by his four-footed friend, whom he heard scratching violently at the closet door; an action which was accompanied by the gnashing of the dogs teeth, intermixed with the most furious growlings. His lordship, who had laid himself down in his clothes and literally resting on his arms—his brace of pistols being under his pillow—now sprung from the bed. The rain had ceased, and the wind abated, from which circumstance he hoped to hear better what was passing.