Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 289: what you’re looking at

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| | | | | a a 276 ELLEN PERCY ; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. “left me but a comparatively little while for the arrangement and digestion of this plan with Zarah, when we again found ourselves alone together. I knew that I must be keeping you waiting, Miss, —as the hour at which you were to be in this neighbourhood, had arrived and was past: but still I was convinced you would have patience.” * Oh! I should have remained here until the evening, Beda, rather than have missed you. But proceed.” “At length, my dear Miss, everything being settled between me and Zarah, I rang the bell for the nurse—surrendered her up the key of the chamber—and intimated that I might be absent for an hour or two. Moreover, in order to keep up appearances, I whispered to her that she must maintain a sharp eye upon Zarab, for that I feared she might be wickedly inclined towards any one else, though I myself had the means of influencing and controlling her. As I was passing through the garden, I met Doctor and Mrs. Beresford, who were walking there together. They stopped me for a moment, and then inquired whether, as I was going up into London, I should be likely to see Captain St. Clair? I at once boldly answered that I thought it very probable I might see him.— ‘In that case,’ said the Doctor, ‘you can tell him that the patient was carried off last night with as little noise as possible: the landlady of the house readily believed that Zarah’s brain was turned, for she thought she had noticed something wild and pecu- liar about her. As for the rest,’ added Doctor Beresford, ‘you can assure the Captain that the patient is in safe keeping, and that his wishes shall be carried out in every respect.—I promised to deliver these messages; and now you understand, Miss, why I said just now that I do not think it at all probable any communication will actually take place between the Doctor and Captain St. Clair for the remainder of the day. On issuing from the asylum, I came straight to you.” “Everything has progressed,” I observed, “in a@ manner favourable to our designs. When do you purpose to attempt the grand exploit ?” “This is the main difficulty,” resumed Beda. *“Tmmediately the dusk sets in—as I learnt from Mrs. Beresford’s lips — she herself makes the round, locks all the chambers, and takes away the keys.” “Indeed!” I exclaimed. Then in that case, Beda, you will not be the custodian of the key of Zarah’s chamber when evening comes.” “But I shall be in possession of that key up till dusk,” rejoined the faithful girl; “and the attempt must therefore be made while the twilight lasts, a quarter of an hour or ten minutes pre- vious to the commencement of the old lady’s rounds,” “And if there be any persons walking in the garden,” I observed, “the attempt cannot be made P” “We must not, my dear Miss,” replied Beda, with a smile, “ flatter ourselves that everything is to progress smoothly. There are difficulties to be encountered and risks to be run in all ventures of this kind. But it fortunately happens that at the extremity of the passage on the second floor, Zarah and I may this evening have our choice of a front or a back room with undefended windows, as the scene of our operations, These will be ~~ Oe reer ee rapidly conducted: and if we catch a glimpse of any persons in the front garden, we must descend from the back window—or the reverse, according to circumstances. And now, my dear Miss, I come to that point which relates to the assistance that you yourself are to render.” * Only tell me the part that I am to play,” was my quick response, “and I shall not disappoint you.” “We may escape from the window,” continued Beda; “but there will be still another escape to effect—and this is from the garden itself. The walls are very high, as you have doubtless no- ticed: the iron gates are always locked—and there is a watchful porter in the lodge. We must climb that part of the wali which is exactly oppo- site the extremity of the house where the vines festoon about the Venetian windows, front and back. But fortunately there are no windows in the side of the house itself; and thus the escape over the garden-wall at the point [ have named, stands little chance of being observed. Precisely at sunset, you, Miss, must be in the neighbour- hood, provided with a rope-ladder to throw over the wall tous. Let the extremities of the cords have stout wooden pegs, which we may drive slantwise into the ground, so as to retain the ladder fixed in a sloping position, you know—just like the cords of a tent. Then a cab in waiting at a little distance—and that is all you will be required to do !” I cheerfully undertook everything that I was thus asked to perform; and after a little more conversation with Beda, in respect to certain minute details, we separated. I hastened back into London: and before returning to Hunter Street, I purchased a sufficient quantity of com- mon bell-pull cord for the manufacture of the rope-ladder. On reaching home, I shut myself in my own chamber, and set busily to work at the task which I had in hand. This occupied me somewhat longer than I had expected; for it was necessary to fasten the various cross-pieces with a considerable degree of strength, and also to intro- duce two or three steps of wood in order to keep the sides of the ladder conveniently apart. While engaged with my labour, I reviewed everything that Beda had told me; and I considered that the chances of Zarah’s escape were considerably in her favour. Yet I was not too sanguine ; for I saw that everything depended upon the absence of any communication between the Beresfords and St. Clair. It being the first day of September, the sun set at about a quarter to seven; and a little before that time I was in the neighbourhood of Norland House, according to my promise. The cab which had brought me, was concealed behind a clump of trees at a little distance from the asylum ; and by the liberality of my promises, as well as by means of a handsome earnest of my good intentions, I gave the driver to understand that there was some business of a delicate and important nature to be accomplished. I had the rope-ladder rolled up into the narrowest possible compass, and cons cealed beneath my scarf: I placed myself in such a position with regard to the house that I cuuld obtain’a view of the windows from either of which the descent might be effected. And now, for seve- ral minutes, I was a prey to the utmost suspense. _ = DN eee ae CONNIE DIOOKS Com