But my husband, having so dexterously got out of the bailiff's house by letting himself down in a most desperate manner from almost the top of the house to the top of another building, and leaping from thence, which was almost two storeys, and which was enough indeed to have broken his neck, he came home and got away his goods before the creditors could come to seize; that is to say, before they could get out the commission, and be ready to send their officers to take possession.
Mais mon mari s'étant désespérément échappé de chez le baillif, en se laissant tomber presque du haut de la maison sur le haut d'un autre bâtiment d'où il avait sauté et qui avait presque deux étages, en quoi il manqua de bien peu se casser le cou, il rentra et emmena ses marchandises avant que les créanciers pussent venir saisir, c'est-à-dire, avant qu'ils eussent obtenu la commission à temps pour envoyer les officiers prendre possession.