In Consequence of this, every one that had a Room or Bed to let, in _Chelsea_, _Hammersmith_, _Kensington_, _Kew_, _Richmond_, or anywhere within a moderate Distance of the Metropolis, raised their Prices to an immoderate Height; and in every little Shop or Parlour Window a Card or Paper, ill writ and ill spelt, might be seen pasted or wafered, notifying that "Hear might be had a Bedd or Bedds on the ensewing Nite of the Erthquak." Nay, Women whose Fortunes or Occupations did not admit of their leaving their City Homes, quilted themselves warm "Earthquake Bedgowns," in which to take Flight in the Night, if their Houses should tumble about their Ears. It might be about a Week before the Event was expected, and while the Churches were daily filled to overflowing, that _Gatty_ came to inquire whether her _Lady_ could have the Sitting-room and Bed-chamber formerly occupied by Mr. _Fenwick_, for "the Earthquake Night." Though the Apartments were unlet, my _Mother_ did not much relish Lady _Betty_ for her Guest, even for twenty-four Hours, and said she did not know she was minded to let the Rooms at all; she was sure we could not do Things to my _Lady's_ liking. However, _Gatty_, who was to be Lady _Betty's_ Companion, and had a great Fancy for coming to us on her own Account, said she was instructed to offer us any Price within Reason, and of her own Head offered so handsome a Sum, that my _Mother_ said she should be ashamed of taking it for one Night. There was Nothing in that, _Gatty_ said; Lady _Betty_ never grudged any Money on herself, and could well afford to pay it, and would rather like boasting beforehand and afterwards, how much her Earthquake Lodgings cost her. So, as we well knew all our Neighbours were making the same Market, and we should really be disaccommodated by having her _Ladyship_ and finding a Lodging for Mr. _James_, we would not be so nice as to hold out, but accepted the Terms in consideration of the Trouble. I should, indeed, have put in a Proviso for Mr. _Fenwick_, whose Safety was infinitely more important than my _Lady's_, had I believed there was the least Chance of his consenting to occupy his old Quarters; but I knew already that he would by no Means forsake his poor People in _Shoreditch_, even on the Supposal of any especial Dangerousness on that Night, which he did not, averring the mysterious Intentions of Providence to be altogether hidden out of Sight, in spite of the Presagings of Impostors and Fanatics. _Gatty_ joyfully left us therefore, having, she owned, been a little infected by the Fears of those around her, which were especially prevalent in the Servants' Hall, where the poor Maids and Men were to be left in their ordinary Charge; my _Lady_ not entertaining the same Fear of their being swallowed up alive as of herself.