Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 315: what you’re looking at

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er —— 802 used to love him!—and who made a will leaving him an income that would have placed him far beyond want! But Ah! do you think Good heavens ! I can scarcely find language wherein to shape the question But do you think, Miss Percy, that he came to assassinate me—or my poor dear wife? And do you think that her ill- ness after all “ “ My lord,” I said, “ it is useless now to be- wilder yourself with conjectures! Everything will be made apparent shortly.” At this moment a female domestic knocked at the door of the boudoir: she came to announce that the surgeon had just arrived, and that he was examining the two bodies which had been conveyed into one of the rooms down stairs. Almost im- mediately afterwards the surgeon himself made his appearance; and Lord Kelvedon at once demanded with nervous haste, “* Well, what of that graceless nephew of mine P? what of the un- happy man?” “‘ Whatever injury he may have done, or sought to do you or your’s, my lord,” answered the sur- geon solemnly, “is now to be accounted for in an- other world. Mr. Collingwood ceases to exist !” * My lord,” I said, “ I wish to say a few words to ycu alone immediately!” I spoke in a whisper; and then turning to Agatha, I said, “ Let the medical gentleman see Matilda next. Lady Kel- vedon does not now require his assistance.” In a few moments I was alone with his lord- ship; and then addressing him in a solemn man- ner, I spoke as follows :— *‘ Nearly nine months have elapsed since circum- stances rendered me acquainted with certain vil- lanous designs which your nephew, Mr. Coiling- wood, harboured either towards your lordship or towards Lady Kelvedon. He got me into his power; and under the most terrible threats of death he extorted from me a solemn oath, that during his lifetime I would keep silent upon the subject, and would do naught to compromise him. He is dead—and I am released from that oath! I may now speak out. Learn therefore, my lord, that your wife has been perishing under the effects of a slow and subtle poison, administered by the wretched Matilda at the instigation of this Robert Burton who has met a violent death at the same time as his master. But your wife is progressing towards health; for through my agency she has procured the antidote !—through my means she is in possession of the medicaments which will effect a cure! Now, my lord, i should imagine that you would not wish a greater amount of publicity than is absolutely unavoidable to be given to all these affairs. As a matter of course, there must be an inquest on the two bodies—and the wretched Matilda will perhaps have to be dealt with by the hand of justice. Let us there- fore be guided by circumstances: but let us not of our own accord do anything to add to the noto- riety which these frightful proceedings must, even as it is, only too assuredly attain.” “My dear Miss Percy,” answered the old noble- man, “your wishes shall be attended to in every respect. Indeed, I myself will say nothing—no, not even to Hermione! I will only speak when you give me leave, and only say just what you suggest !” At this moment the door again opened; and ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. a Agatha made her appearance, saying, “ Miss Percy, will you come quickly? Matilda beseeches and implores that you will! I think she is dying —she is assuredly very bad—and the medical gentleman himself requests that you will lose no time in repairing to her bedside!” “TI will do so, Agatha,” I responded : and I at once issued from the boudoir. I ascended to Matilda’s chamber: the surgeon and an elderly female domestic were there. The wretched young woman seemed to be lying in an exhausted state: her countenance was deadly pale —her cheeks looked sunken—her eyes seemed hollow—it actually appeared as if she had expe- rienced an illness of many weeks. As I made my appearance the surgeon and the domestic moved towards the door; and Matilda exclaimed in a species of half-maniac tone, “ Yes—go, go, I be- seech you! leave me alone with Miss Perey! It is to her only that I will make confession of my enormities !” The medical man and the servant accordingly issued from the chamber : but now it seemed as if & paroxysm of mingled shame and horror seized upon the wretched young woman—for she covered her countenance with her hands and barst into tears. Isat down by the side of the couch, say- ing, “ If your crimes have been so great, Matilda, remember that your penitence must be propor- tionate !” “Ob, yes—my crimes have been immense !— and you know them all, Miss Percy,” she ex- claimed wildly and passionately: “yes, you know them—because I am guilty of everything of which I felt sure that you suspected Agatha. But I must confess my wickedness to you just the same as if you were ignorant of it; for it seems to me as if this is the only means by which I can de- monstrate my contrition, or remove a portion of the tremendous weight which now rests upon my soul !” “Proceed, Matilda,” I said. ‘Confession has ever been held asa proof of salutary sorrow and repentance !” CHAPTER CXVII_ CONFESSION. THERE was a pause, during which Matilda ap- peared to be collecting her ideas as well as she was able; and presently I observed that a strong shudder swept over her form, for the very bed shook be- neath her. I comprehended what was passing in her mind, and what terrible scene was conjured up to her recollection; because she turned her hag- gard eyes towards me, and asked in a hollow voice, “Tt is true, then, Miss Percy—and my fancy is not deceiving me ?—it is true that Robert Burton is no more ?” “Tt is true, Matilda,” I answered. «Oh, that heaven would now put a speedy end to my own existence!” she cried; “for I cannot bear to live! ‘You know not the wretch that I altogether am! But Ah, Robert made me his victim !—and when he had seduced me from the path of virtue yes, Miss Percy! when he had seduced me—for I am a fallen and degraded crea CEORNIGCLOOOL< (E@)