nt,
had hired of certain Bohemians, who chanced to lodge at the inn, a
jackass adorned with bells, which, when everybody was retired to
rest, and the Hebrew supposed to be bedded with his mistress, they led
upstairs into a long thoroughfare, from which the chambers were detached
on each side. The painter, perceiving the lady's door ajar, according
to his expectation, mounted this animal, with intention to ride into the
room, and disturb the lovers in the midst of their mutual endearments;
but the ass, true to its kind, finding himself bestrid by an unknown
rider, instead of advancing in obedience to his conductor, retreated
backward to the other end of the passage, in spite of all the efforts of
the painter, who spurred, and kicked, and pummeled to no purpose. It was
the noise of this contention between Pallet and the ass which invaded
the ears of Peregrine and his mistress, neither of whom could form the
least rational conjecture about the cause of such strange disturbance,
which increased as the animal approached their apartment. At length
the bourrique's retrograde motion was obstructed by the door, which
it forced open in a twinkling, with one kick, and entered with such
complication of sound as terrified the lady almost into a fit, and threw
her lover into the utmost perplexity and confusion.

The painter, finding himself thus violently intruded into the
bed-chamber of he knew not whom, and dreading the resentment of the
possessor, who might discharge a pistol at him as a robber who had
broken into his apartment, was overwhelmed with consternation, and
redoubled his exertion to accomplish a speedy retreat, sweating all the
time with fear, and putting up petition to Heaven for his safety;
but his obstinate companion, regardless of his situation, instead of
submitting to his conduct, began to turn round like a millstone, the
united sound of his feet and bells producing a most surprising concert.
The unfortunate rider, whirling about in this manner, would have quitted
his seat, and left the beast to his own amusement, but the rotation was
so rapid, that the terror of a severe fall hindered him from attempting
to dismount; and, in the desperation of his heart, he seized one of his
ears, which he pinched so unmercifully, that the creature set up his
throat, and brayed aloud.

This hideous exclamation was no sooner heard by the fair Fleming,
already chilled with panic, and prepared with superstition, than,
believing he