Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 330: what you’re looking at

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a few years ago there was a tinge of superstition in your character.” ; *‘ And now I wish to convince myself practically and effectually,” interjected Charlotte, “ that I am free from that taint.” “No, my dear friend,’ I responded with a smile; “I will not have your company. I have made up my mind that I and Beda will be alone together in the occupation of the haunted room. So it is settled, my dear madam,” [ added, turning towards Mrs. Tremaine; “ and I shall proceed to give Beda orders accordingly. Ah, by the bye! pray let the matter rest for the present as a secret between ourselves—do not suffer it to be whis- pered amongst the guests—do not even let Mr. Tremaine know it until it be at least too late for him to interfere! And do not tell your sisters, Charlotte !—while upon your silence, Miss Barron, I equally reckon !” I was compelled to use some additional argu- ments and entreaties to induce Mrs. Tremaine to give her assent to my proffer: but it is unneces- sary to record any more of the conversation. Suffice it to observe that I gained my point ; and stealing forth from the drawing-room, I went and gave the requisite instructions to Beda. By the time that I returned to the drawing- room, the gentlemen were proceeding thither from the apartment where the banquet had taken place; and dancing was now renewed. To be brief, it was between two and three o’clock in the morning when the company separated for the pur- pose of retiring torest. The best arrangements which were possible under the circumstances had been made for the accommodation of so numerous a party; and while the words “ Good night” were being uttered in every direction, and doors were closing all over the house, I glided towards the haunted chamber, followed by Beda. According to the instructions which I had given her, the faithful and intrepid girl had already been there and had lighted a fire, which was now blazing cheerfully in the grate. She had placed wax lights upon the toilet-table; and we had brought a taper with us, which I desired her to keep in the dressing-room. I locked the door, saying to Beda, “At all events,.my dear girl, no mis- chievously inclined person shall have an opportu- nity of playing us a trick, even supposing that it has by any possibility been whispered that we are going to sleep here. I will not insult you by asking if you are at all frightened, or if you regret the willing assent you gave when I just now asked whether you would agree to share with me the occupancy of the haunted room ?”’ “ Oh, no, my dear Miss!’ replied Beda, ‘“ I do not for an instant regret the answer that I gave; and as for being frightened, I never entertain any fear when I am with you.” “You have not heard the story connected with this room, Beda?” I said. “I think you told me 80 just now P” “T have not heard it, Miss,” was her answer, “and I am rather glad of it—for it is just possible that the fancifulness of a dream may reproduce it with a vivid semblance of reality.” “ The same idea struck me, Beda,” I ejaculated, “when I ere now proposed to Mrs. Tremaine to occupy this apartment. But you must not think, my dear Beda, that my offer was made through ELLEN PERCY; OR, THN MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. ee ee SLT any foolhardiness on my part: if was simply be- cause I knew that the offer would prove a real accommodation to our kind hostess under existing circumstances —and as I have no superstitious fears, I thought that it would be absolutely selfish and egotistical on my part no¢ to make such an overture.” “T-am glad that you did, Miss,’”’ observed Beda. “ There must be really something very silly to be- lieve that such a beautiful cheerful-looking room as this could be haunted !” “ This was also the same idea which struck me to-day, my dear Beda. It is not that I altogether disbelieve the existence of preternatural visions, because religion itself makes us aware that in the olden time there must have been such spectacles. But what I doubt is that heaven will permit inno- cent and unoffending persons to be terrified by any hideous visitation from the other world. Such a proceeding would be useless as well as cruel ; and heaven does nothing uselessly or cruelly. But if on the other hand the visitation should prove a beautiful spirit, and its object should be one of utility and benefit,—then, in ¢his case, there can assuredly be no reason to dread it.” “So that altogether,” interjected Beda, “ you are devoid of apprehension, Miss P—and that is precisely the same feeling which I entertain.” * In short, Beda,” I added, “ the whole question may be summed up in a few words:—we do not doubt the possibility, but we doubt the proba- lity of supernatural appearances.” While this discourse was taking place, Beda was assisting me to disapparel myself; and when my night-toilet was completed, I said, “ Now, my dear girl, in order that we may not stand the risk of being terrified or startled by any strange sound, we will endeavour to convince ourselves so far as we may be enabled, that there are no means whence such sounds should arise.” We made a complete investigation of the two rooms—looking under the beds, as well as in the cupboards and the chest of drawers: but there did not seem to be so much asa board that creaked under our feet, or anything else that was likely to startle or alarm us. We now sought our respective couches—I occu- pying the one in the larger chamber, and Beda taking possession of the one in the little dressing- room.’ The tapers were burning on the toilet- table; and Beda had the chamber-candlestick in the next room. I should add that the door of communication between the two rooms was left open, It was nearly four o’clock before we had got to bed; and then i lay awake for at least half-an- hour, thinking on divers matters, and every now and then opening my eyes to glance around the room ; for though I can positively assure the reader that I was not in the least degree frightened; yet there was some feeling—I can scarcely explain it—which made me thus glance about the place as if it were to reassure myself that I was perfectly justafied in keeping superstitious ideas at a distance, Aft length a sensation of drowsiness began to steal over me—my eyelids grew heavy—my thoughts were falling more and more into confusion—and I slept. But I was soon awakened—and it was in @ most startling manner. There seemed to be arush of something through the room; yet the sound a a ee en ees ——————— en Oe eae re ne RS NR, ESE Og Se a Se gg a KS (€(0)