And I wish to conjoin with these, for the first, and perhaps the last time, the health--and I fear I may already say the memory--of one who has fought, not always without success, against the soldiers of your nation; but who came here, vanquished already, only to be vanquished again by the loyal hand of the one, by the unforgettable eyes of the other.' It is to be feared I may have lent at times a certain resonancy to my voice; it is to be feared that Ronald, who was none the better for his own hospitality, may have set down his glass with something of a clang.
Whatever may have been the cause, at least, I had scarce finished my compliment before we were aware of a thump upon the ceiling overhead.

It was to be thought some very solid body had descended to the floor from the level (possibly) of a bed.

I have never seen consternation painted in more lively colours than on the faces of my hosts.

It was proposed to smuggle me forth into the garden, or to conceal my form under a horsehair sofa which stood against the wall.

For the first expedient, as was now plain by the approaching footsteps, there was no longer time; from the second I recoiled with indignation.
'My dear creatures,' said I, 'let us die, but do not let us be ridiculous.' The words were still upon my lips when the door opened and my friend of the gold eyeglass appeared, a memorable figure, on the threshold.