ing the adjacent room, and approaching the door of my chamber, which was gently opened, and the voice of my host called, "are you asleep?" I uttered not a word, and after a short pause the same voice resounded once more, "Have you extinguished the lamp?" I still gave no answer and the host retired.
All was hushed again in profound silence, but it lasted not long, my ears being suddenly assailed by the sound of many voices, the tinkling of spurs, and a humming noise, as if a number of people were discoursing; I could understand nothing, the discourse being held in so low an accent, that I was unable to distinguish the sound of their words. At once I saw, through the crevices in the door, somebody striking a light, which gave me some comfort. The discourse was still carried on in that secret mysterious manner: At last it seemed as if the company were sitting down, and I could now better distinguish the different sounds. The voices of these that spokewere
