The sound awakened a series of reflections, respecting his death.

I was not allowed to pursue them; for scarcely had the vibrations ceased, when my attention was attracted by a whisper, which, at first, appeared to proceed from lips that were laid close to my ear.
No wonder that a circumstance like this startled me.

In the first impulse of my terror, I uttered a slight scream, and shrunk to the opposite side of the bed.

In a moment, however, I recovered from my trepidation.

I was habitually indifferent to all the causes of fear, by which the majority are afflicted.