midnight before
The young lady fainted with terror ; the old servant , drawn to us by the noise of the scuffle , entreated me to escape , and promised to bring intelligence of what should pass to my apartments . The disturbance which I heard raised in the house obliged me to comply ; and , in a state of mind inconceivable wretched , I tore myself away . My friend , whom I found at home , soon discovered the whole affair . It was near midnight before the woman came . She told me that her master was living , and her young mistress restored to her senses . The absolute necessity for my leaving Paris , while any danger remained , was forcibly argued by my friend : the servant promised to acquaint him of whatever passed , and he to transmit to me her information . Thus circumstanced , with the assistance of this dear friend , I effected my departure from Paris , and , not long after , I returned to Scotland .