Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 3).djvu/228

 "From the first day that we came here, the ungrateful Fatima was sullen and discontented.—I did my best to amuse her; we had only two women slaves, or servants; they attended the business of the house, and to please her, I took no notice of them."

"Two nights ago, at midnight, I was alarmed by a loud knocking at the door; I opened the window, and demanded the cause. I was not understood; but hearing a voice, a woman spoke in a tone of terror and supplication. Without disturbing Fatima in the next room, I took my lamp, and went down, opening the door: A young woman rushed in, and directly swooned at my feet.

"I was then obliged to call for assistance; the women soon came about me; the poor creature was helped, and recovered.—I saw she was very pretty, though pale and thin.—Fatima did her best to revive and console her.

"When she was able to speak, she said she had escaped from a small house in the wood, where she had reason to fear it was in-