s in, just as I was about to reperuse thy letter, in
order to prevail upon myself to recede from my purpose of awaking in
terrors my slumbering charmer? And what dost think was the matter?

I'll tell thee--

At a little after two, when the whole house was still, or seemed to be
so, and, as it proved, my Clarissa in bed, and fast asleep; I also in a
manner undressed (as indeed I was for an hour before) and in my gown and
slippers, though, to oblige thee, writing on!--I was alarmed by a
trampling noise over head, and a confused buz of mixed voices, some
louder than others, like scolding, and little short of screaming. While
I was wondering what could be the matter, down stairs ran Dorcas, and at
my door, in an accent rather frightedly and hoarsely inward than shrilly
clamorous, she cried out Fire! Fire! And this the more alarmed me, as
she seemed to endeavour to cry out louder, but could not.

My pen (its last scrawl a benediction on my beloved) dropped from my
fingers; and up started I; and making but three steps to the door,
opening it, cried out, Where! Where! almost as much terrified as the
wench; while she, more than half undrest, her petticoats in her hand,
unable to speak distinctly, pointed up stairs.

I was there in a moment, and found all owing to the carelessness of Mrs.
Sinclair's cook-maid, who having sat up to read the simple History of
Dorastus and Faunia, when she should have been in bed, had set fire to an
old pair of calico window-curtains.

She had had the presence of mind, in her fright, to tear down the half-
burnt vallens, as well as curtains, and had got them, though blazing,
into the chimney, by the time I came up; so that I had the satisfaction
to find the danger happily over.

Mean time Dorcas, after she had directed me up stairs, not knowing the
worst was over, and expecting every minute the house would be in a blaze,
out of tender regard for her lady, [I shall for ever love the wench for
it,] ran to her door, and rapping loudly at it, in a recovered voice,
cried out, with a shillness equal to her love, Fire! Fire! The house is
on fire!--Rise, Madam!--This instant rise--if you would not be burnt in
your bed!

No sooner had she made this dreadful out-cry, but I heard her lady's
door, with hasty violence, unbar, unbolt, unlock, and open, and my
charmer's voice sounding like that of one going into a fit.

Thou mayest believe that I was greatly affected. I trembled with concern
for