“Don’t be frightened,” said the host.

“What’s the matter?” screamed the ladies.

“ Mr. Tupman has met with a little accident; that’s all.”

The spinster aunt uttered a piercing scream, burst into an hysteric laugh, and fell backwards in the arms of her nieces.

“Throw some cold water over her,” said the old gentleman.

“No, no,” murmured the spinster aunt; “I am better now. Bella, Emily⁠—a surgeon! Is he wounded?⁠—Is he dead?⁠—Is he⁠—ha, ha, ha!” Here the spinster aunt burst into fit number two, of hysteric laughter interspersed with screams.