"The fall of Lieutenant N———," asked I.
"Is very natural," replied the Austrian, I could cite you more than hundred incidents corroborating the truth, that people have a very confused idea when their senses are tied up by fear and anxiety.—As soon as cool reflection gives way to the horrors of a disordered fancy, we are but too apt to create phantoms and spectres around us, we do not see what really exists, but what we fear to behold."
I could oppose nothing to this reasoning of his, founded so strongly on experience, and suspected the courage of our valiant Lieutenant very much, having no doubt but his fear had made him miss the staircase; I therefore took no farther notice of our bravado and his companions, not caring what would be the finale of their trifling adventure. My friend was likewise quite unconcerned about the matter, and, without mentioning it any farther, we went about our business.
When
