the furniture of the apartments was dancing at our backs. The chandelier fell down with a tremendous crack, and the house shook, as if there had been an earthquake. All the apartments seemed to be in a blaze, and a frightful rattling pursued us down stairs, to the very door of the carriage.
No sooner had I got into the vehicle, than the whole villa seemed to be illuminated, all the doors and gates creaked, and large stones rolled down from the roof. The servants were almost frightened out of their senses, and we drove off with furious speed.
We soon reached a neighbouring wood. The carriage had hitherto been drawn in full gallop, but now it began to move slower and slower, and not all the exertions of the coachman and the postillion, could make the animals go faster. At last it stopt, the window glass was dashed in a thousand pieces, a fellow in disguise came up, and discharging a horse-pistol into the carriage, I felt Elmira drop dying into my arms!!!—
It is impossible to describe, what I felt at this moment. Elmira bleeding in my em-brace!
