I have shewn myself deliberative and calm in the midst of peril.

I have hazarded my own life, for the preservation of another, but now was I confused and panic struck.

I have not lived so as to fear death, yet to perish by an unseen and secret stroke, to be mangled by the knife of an assassin was a thought at which I shuddered; what had I done to deserve to be made the victim of malignant passions?
But soft! was I not assured, that my life was safe in all places but one?
And why was the treason limited to take effect in this spot?
I was every where equally defenceless.

My house and chamber were, at all times, accessible.

Danger still impended over me; the bloody purpose was still entertained, but the hand that was to execute it, was powerless in all places but one! Here I had remained for the last four or five hours, without the means of resistance or defence, yet I had not been attacked.