433 
DO Q, 
whined piteously, although the hand of reconcilia- 
tion was put forth to sooth him. In the course of 
an hour after this, his lordship, wearied with con- 
jecture, fell asleep ; but he was soon aroused by his » 
four-footed friend, whom he heard scratching vio- 
lently at the closet door ; an action which was ac- 
companied by the gnashing of the dog’s teeth, inter- 
mixed with the most furious growiings. His lord- 
ship, who had laid himself down in his clothes, and 
literally resting on his arms, his brace of pistols being 
under his pillow, now sprung from the bed. The 
rain had ceased, and the wind abated, from which 
circumstances he hoped to hear better what was 
passing. But nothing, for an instant, appeased the 
rage of the dog, who, finding his paws unable to 
force a passage into the closet, put his teeth to a 
small aperture at the bottom, and attempted to 
gnaw away the obstruction. There could be no 
longer a doubt that the cause of the mischief, ot 
danger, whatsoever it might be, lay in that Closet. 
Yet there appeared some risk in opening it * more 
particularly when on trying to force the lock, it was 
found to be secured by some fastening on the inside. 
A knocking was now heard at the chamber door, 
through the key-hole of which a voice exclaimed, 
f<r For God’s sake, my lord, let me in !” His lordship, 
knowing this to proceed from his servant, advanced 
armed, and admitted him. Cf All seems quiet, my 
lord, below stairs and above,” said the man, <c for I 
have never closed my eyes. For heaven’s sake, 
what can .be the matter with the dog, to make such 
a dismal barking That I am resolved to know/* 
said his lordship, furiously pushing the closet door. 
No sooner was it burst open, than the dog with 
inconceivable rapidity, rushed in> and was followed 
|)oth by the master and the man. The candle had 
gone out in the bustle, and the extreme darkness 
of the night prevented them from seeing any object 
Vol. ii. 3 k 
