Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 295: what you’re looking at

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282 ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. he saw that he was outwitted: he felt mortified and humiliated —and he departed in a different spirit from that in which he had arrived!” I now flattered myself that I should pass the evening in peace and comfort, without any farther annoyance or interruption. Reginald Barron was disposed of—Melissa had gone to the Marquis of Tynedale’s country seat—and I felt that my mind was relieved. I ordered dinner, whieh was pre- sently served up; and amongst the various subjects which now engaged my thoughts, was this new phase which had just developed itselfin Melissa Harrison’s career. I knew that some months back her connexion with Lord Tynedale was broken off, and thence the necessity of her returning as a danseuse to the boards of the theatre. But was this connexion already renewed P or was it about to be resuscitated P—or was the Marquis merely entertaining a party of gay females at Escott Court, and for old acquaintance’ sake had invited Melissa to be amongst them? But if she were not again the mistress of the Marquis, how came she to be in good feather, possessing an elegant toilet, jewels of no mean description, and boasting ot her ability to throw money about in all direc- tions without regard to its valueP Perhaps she had found another protector, but nevertheless had her own reasons for visiting the Marguis of Tynedale? As a matter of course, I could not arrive at any positive conjecture on these con- flicting points; and I can assure the reader that I did not waste very much time in deliberating upon them. I again had recourse to my book, which was a very amusing one; and throwing myself into an easy chair close to a cheerful fire, I scon became absorbed in the contents of the volume. It must be borne in mind that I had been up the whole of the past night and that I had spent if in a manner which, physically and mentally, was both wearing and tearing. The reader will not therefore be surprised to learn that when I had partaken of a cup of coffee, an hour after dinner, a drowsy sensation began to steal over me —my eyelids grew heavy—and I could not retain the sense of what I was reading, or rather endea- vouring to read. I started up to make an effort to throw off this sleepiness : I looked at my watch —it was barely nine o'clock, and therefore too early to retire to bed. I resumed my easy chair, flattering myself that I was now broad awake once again: but I soon found that the drowsiness was returning—that a heaviness was sitting upon my eyelids—and that my head was drooping for- ward on my bosom. This time I could not struggle against the sensation—I could not shake it off: I abandoned myself to it—and the mists of sleep gradually closed in around me. When I awoke, it was with a sudden start, as if from the influence of a dream which had more or less affrighted me. Yet what was it that I hed seen, or fancied that [ had seen? Methought that the door of the apartment had slowly opened ~—-that some one had looked in—and after pausing for a few moments on the threshold, had advanced a little farther into the room. It was the form of Reginald Barron! ThenTI fancied that he stood for two or three instants, as if irresolute and un- certain how to act—but that then, with the air of suddenly making up his mind, he hastily retreated on tiptoe from the apartment, closing the door be- hind him. It was then that I awoke. Was it a dream ? or was it a reality P” I asked myself. ‘It must have been a dream! If I had been awake—or only just sufficiently awake to be at all aware of his emtrance, I should have instan- taneously started up in mingled indignation and alarm. Yes! it must have been a dream! He would not dare return to the hotel, nor renew his unmanly persecutions, after the treatment he has experienced at my hands! But let me see how long I slept.” I referred to my watch: it was just ten o'clock. I had slept upwards of an hour. I rose from my seat, and was about to ring the bell for.the chamber-maid to give me a candle, when I heard some one moving in the adjoining room—Melissa’s chamber I mean; and I thought that this must be the chamber-maid. I accordingly opened the door for the purpose of calling her, when I caught a glimpse of the countenance of Melissa Harrison herself. She had her own door slightly ajar; and the gas on the landing revealed her features as she was thus peeping out. It also struck me that there was a very peculiar expression upon those features, a mocking malice—-a leering irony, which I could not understand. I instantaneously closed the door of my sitting-room, and returned to my seat, resolving to wait a little while before I passed into my bed-chamber; for the suspicion was in my mind that Melissa was ready to way- lay me and pick a quarrel if possible. “She must haye returned,” I said to myself, “while I slept in this arm-chair. Perhaps the de- praved creature has partaken too freely of wine— she is excited, and determined to insult me if I afford her an opportunity ? This I will not do!” I accordingly remained in my sitting-room until all was still in the adjoining apartment. I had no longer any inclination to sleep ; anc therefore the sensation of drowsiness returned ‘not upon me as [ sat in that easy chair. At length I said to myself, “The footsteps have coased in felissa’s room— no one is moving about there now—all is silent !” I rose; and not thinking it worth while to sum- mon the chamber-maid, I took up a wax-light from the table—stole gently across the landing— and entered my chamber. JBed-rooms at inns do not generally wear a very comfortable aspect; but it was different on the present occasion. A cheer- ful fire was blazing in the grate—the draperies were closed completely over the windows—the cur- tains were drawn entirely round the vast old- fashioned four-post bed, which looked like a room within a room. I locked the door—hastily put off a portion of my apparel—and stood before the fire to arrange my hair. NowlI again felt tired and wearied—lI longed to be in bed: I thought of the miseries of the past night—and I felt as if that long cold wretched vigil was only to be compensated for by a sound unbroken slumber on this present night. I therefore hastened to disapparel myself: I extinguished the wax candle, and proceeded to enter the bed. But scarcely had my head touched the pillow, when there was a movement by the side of me, and I was enfolded in a pair of arms which were instantaneously thrown around my form ! A scream was on the very point of bursting from my lips, as at the same time I made a des- econniclooolk (CO)