Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 268: what you’re looking at

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ELLEN PERCY; OBR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. 255 midst of which I was concealed. The moon was now shining gloriously: its beams fell completely on that figure—and I recognised Agatha. I could even distinguish her countenance ; and a smile of tender pleasure predominated over the natural reserve and sullenness of its expression. “ Ah, wicked girl !’’ I thought to myself: “even though I may now be in some way baifled in the design which I had formed, yet will I assuredly discover some other means very shortly to re- move you from about the person of the amiable mistress whom you have been killing by inches! Fortunately it matters not for a few days that you should still retain your post ; for she possesses the antidote— while on the other hand your poisons must by this time be very nearly ex- hausted !” Agatha passed rapidly along the walk: but I remained two or three minutes in my place of concealment until 1 felt assured that she must have re-entered the mansion. I then emerged from amidst the evergreens, and speedily regained the boudoir. *‘ Have you taken a good survey of the pre- mises ?” inquired Lady Kelvedon. “Yes,” 1 answered; “and now I must make haste to depart:”—for as I spoke I heard the sounds of the postchaise drawing up in front of the mansion. I unlocked the boudoir door, and then rang the bell. Agatha quickly made her appearance; and methought for a moment that she looked slightly flurried : but if my surmise were correct, she the next instant regained her usual self-possession, with her wonted reserved coldness of look. ‘Have the kindness to tell his lordship,” said Hermione, “tbat Miss Percy is about to take her departure. I believe that the postchaise is at the door ?” “ Yes, my lady,” was the response: and Agatha left the room. In a few minutes Lord Kelvedon entered. Some- thing more was said about the purchases I was supposed to have to make in London; and then I bade Hermione farewell. The nobleman escorted me down to the chaise; and as he handed me into it, he said, “ Pray make haste and return, Miss Percy ; for no one ean do Hermione any good but yourself!” . CHAPTER CIX. ANOTHER STARTLING ADVENTURE. THE postchaise drove away: and as it was pro- ceeding through the park, I wondered within my- self what would now be the fate of the letter I had left in the vase? “Tf this Richard,” I thought, “went thither. and found no letter, and then sought that inter- view with Agatha and told her so, how great must have been the consternation of both when on com- paring notes they found that it was gone! Who can tell but that this circumstance may accomplish the very aim which I originally had in view, by causing them to take to flight without delay—per- haps during this very night—with the idea of saving themselves from an exposure that they may deem imminent. However, we shall see!” The chaise continued its way—the park-gates flew open—and the equipage rolled into the road, It stopped at the place where I was to take up Dame Betty; for I had already given the postilion instructions to that effect; and the gipsy-woman was there in readiness. vehicle, which immediately proceeded at a rapid pace. No discourse of any consequence took place be- tween us; and we had gone about a couple of miles from the spot where I had taken up the woman, when all of asudden the chaise came to a dead halt. The horses plunged —there was a cry of human distress—and scarcely had I put down the window which was nearest to me, when an ill- looking fellow appeared at the door. This he im- mediately opened; and in a gruff voice exclaimed, “Come, get out, both of you—and don’t delay a minute, or if will be the worse for you!” My first impression as the chaise stopped was that this was some new treachery on Dame Betty’s part; and I was not even reassured when she be- gan crying in a voice which really seemed to be full of terror, ‘‘ What’s this? what’s this ?”’—but then I thought that the old crone was only getting up a little bit of tragedy, to avert my suspicions from herself, for fear lest in my desperation I should turn round and wreak some sudden vengeance upon her. “Who are you?” I demanded: “and by what right,” I added, “do you dare stop us? If you want my purse " “ Hang your purse!” ejaculated the ruffian, who I saw was a most ill-looking fellow; but he had nothing of the gipsy about him. At the same moment two other men came up to the door of the chaise; and a glance showed me that they were likewise of a demeanour different from that of the vagrant race at whose hands I had on former occasions suffered outrage and violence, “Come, get out, Miss—or I shall have to pull you cut,” exclaimed the man who had first made his appearance. “ But who are your” demanded Dame Betty: “ don’t you see the young lady offers you her purse ?” | “ Oh, well, if there’s to be all this talk,” growled the fellow, “here goes!”—and he seized me for- cibly by the wrist. | “ Unhand me!” I ejaculated; “and I will alight:” for I saw that if was utterly useless to offer any further resistance. I accordingly descended from the chaise; and then I beheld the poatilion lying senseless, or dead, upon the ground—so that there was no longer any doubt as to the lips from which the cry of distress had emanated. “ Don’t offer to move,” said the ruffian who was first alluded to; ‘‘or else I shall be forced to lay a tight hand upon you.” “ But I won’t get out! I will have nothing to do with you!” cried Dame Betty; “you may do your worst !” “ Wretches!” I ejaculated; “you have killed that man!” —and I pointed towards the pos- tilion. “Killed >—not he!” cried one of the men: “he'll be all right enough presently.—Once for all, dame, wi/2 you alight ?” he fiercely demanded, as-he turned towards the chaise. Gomichdoo She took her seat in the (EO