about ten o'clock
A slight inaccuracy saved me from instant death ; the blow fell short , the point of the razor grazing my throat ; in a moment I know not how , I found myself at the other side of the bed uttering shriek after shriek ; the wretch was , however , determined if possible to murder me ; scrambling along by the curtains , she rushed round the bed towards me ; I seized the handle of the door to make my escape ; it was , however , fastened ; at all events I could not open it , from the mere instinct of recoiling terror , I shrunk back into a corner -- she was now within a yard of me -- her hand was upon my face -- I closed my eyes fast , expecting never to open them again , when a blow , inflicted from behind by a strong arm , stretched the monster senseless at my feet ; at the same moment the door opened , and several domestics , alarmed by my cries , entered the apartment . I do not recollect what followed , for I fainted . One swoon succeeded another so long and death-like , that my life was considered very doubtful . At about ten o'clock , however , I sunk into a deep and refreshing sleep , from which I was awakened at about two , that I might swear my deposition before a magistrate , who attended for that purpose . I , accordingly , did so , as did also Lord Glenfallen ; and the woman was fully committed to stand her trial at the ensuing assizes . I shall never forget the scene which the examination of the blind woman and of the other parties afforded . She was brought into the room in the custody of two servants ; she wore a kind of flannel wrapper which had not been changed since the night before ; it was torn and soiled , and here and there smeared with blood , which had flowed in large quantities from a wound in her head ; the white handkerchief had fallen off in the scuffle ; and her grizzled hair fell in masses about her wild and deadly pale countenance .