Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 120: what you’re looking at

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ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, —_ 107 this frightful episode. I will therefore only fling | by the Jansons. Was there a doubt to be enter- a passing glance at the excitement which pre- vailed in the neighbourhood when the news spread —the mingled interest, sympathy, and curiosity with which Juliet and myself were surveyed when we returned to the inn—or the difficulty which I experienced in keeping away from the gar- rulously inclined landlady, who I saw was most anxious to have an opportunity of overwhelming me with questions. _1 must however observe that early on the following day we received four or five notes or visits from genteel families residing at a little distance and who kindly invited Lady Frederick Ravenscliffe and myself to stay with them. These invitations we however declined, as it was our purpose to return to London as soon after the Coroner’s Inquest as possible. A communication had been sent to the Earl and Countess of Carshalton, Lord Frederick’s parents, announcing his death: but they came not to the scene where the tragedy had occurred? The Earl was ill: the Countess could not or would not leave him. But Viscount Ravenscliffe, the de- ceased Lord Frederick’s elder brother, arrived at the village in the course of the forenoon of the day following the sad occurrence: but he did not condescend to hold the slightest communication with Juliet. He sought to obtain an interview with myself; but this I declined, on the ground that his sister-in-law was the more proper person from whose lips he should seek explanations,— though indeed I was glad of any plea to avoid such an encounter, for I was by no means anxious to be questioned in reference to the details con- nected with Lord Frederick’s death. The Inquest took place at the Leather Bottle— the little public house up the road leading to the Manor—at about three o’clock in the afternoon of the day following the tragic occurrence itself, Old Janson and his wife were first called as wit- nesses. From their testimony the Coroner and jury were impressed with the following ideas— that the deceased, having wilfully quarrelled with his wife, separated from her and sought the soli- tude of Willowbridge Manor, a person of the name of Humphreys having recommended it to him as a nice quiet abode where he might harbour until it was sold or let-—that the deceased was passionately attached to chemical pursuits, and that the fact of a laboratory being at Willowbridge had proved his chief inducement for going thither—that on the previous day the ladies had called at the Manor House—that after they had departed, deceased in- quired who they were—that on hearing that one was Miss Percy, he in an excited tone demanded a description of the other—that when he had re- ceived it he became terribly agitated, and hurried forth to overtake the ladies—that on his return he had announced his real name to the old people, he spoke of a reconciliation with his wife, he ordered a festival to be prepared, and he intimated his in- tention of leaving Willowbridge, with his wife and the other lady, in the evening of that very same day. | Juliet was compelled to attend as a witness : but she was overwhelmed with grief, and not a single question was put to her. She handed to the Coroner the letter which she had received from her husband; and this letter was read to the jury. It completely corroborated all the evidence given - « ~ we ‘ tained by Coroner or jury as to the verdict that was to be returned? Assuredly not! And then too, a chemist proved the nature of the corrosive fluid, and sagaciously suggested three or four dif. ferent experiments for which such a large quantity of such a liquid might be used. Finally 2 surgeon came forward, who clearly demonstrated that the unfortunate young nobleman, when seated in the chair close by his tub of corrosive liquid, had been seized with a fit—doubtless produced by the strong exhalation thereof—and that he had fallen for- ward, to meet a horrible death, and to be found in the position described by the Jansons. As for myself, it was not deemed necessary to examine me at all, and I was very glad that I escaped so unpleasant an ordeal. Hverything seemed to be most terribly clear: no suspicion of suicide could be possibly entertained on tie part of one who was 80 rejoiced at being reconciled to his wife—who in- tended to return with her to River House—who promised to behave so well for the future—and who had actually written a letter of penitence that she might hold it in her possession as a talisman against any fresh demonstration of uakindness or eruelty on his part. Therefore a verdict of “ Ac- cidental Death” was returned; and immense was the sympathy displayed towards Lady Frederick Ravenscliffe. The Viscount kept himself so re- tired during these proceedings, that if was not generally perceived by those around that ho treated his sister-in-law Juliet with such utter neglect,— completely ignoring her as it were, and behaving as if not the slightest regard need be paid by his high and mighty aristocracy for the feelings of @ young lady who had just lost her husband, Juliet of course regarded it as a very happy re- lease: but the Viscount being ignorant how his brother had been branded, knew not what the widow’s feelings might thus secretly be— and therefore if her affliction were ever so poignant she would have experienced no consolation or sym- pathy at his hands. The inquest was over—Juliet and I were alone together in our little sitting-room at the inn—and we were holding a discussion previous to making up our minds whether we should at once order the postchaise to return to London. I should observe that the first thing in the morning of this day of which I am writing, and which fol- lowed that of the tragedy at the Manor, an under- taker had been sent for from the nearest town, and the preparations for the obsequies had there- fore already commenced. But it now remained for Juliet to learn whether it was the wish of the Carshalton family that her deceased husband should be deposited in the vault belonging to that family—or whether, as he had been cast off when alive, he was now equally rejected and repudiated when dead? ‘Tue mode of ascertaining this point formed the topic of the little discussion that was taking place between myself and Juliet. I coua- selled her to pen a note, couched in a evidly polite style, to Viscount Ravenscliffe, who still remained at the inn,—requesting to be informed of the family’s wishes and intentions: but Juliet, feeling hurt aod indignant at the conduct of her brothor- in-law, objected to hold any communication with him. “He may think,” she said, “ that it is an over- COLA ehook (E@)