Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 343: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Ik Fs pith) “She does not recover ! | ‘pered. 300 She therefore had on her corset This she muslin wrapper. and I desired Beda at once to loosen it. did: at the same time she felt that some object was secured about the young lady’s dress: it was the key—the missing key of the haunted apart ment ! Here, then, was a proof that a stealthy visit thither had been intended and prearranged in Miss Barron’s mind ; and there was every neces- sity for such proof, inasmuch as it was totally im- possible to conceive what earthly object she could have in adopting such a course. Not forthe mere childish purpose of frightening myself and Beda for Sarah Barron was too sensible and too intelli- gent—too delicate and too ladylike in her habits, to condescend to a silly trickery. “This is most extraordinary, Beda!” I whis- the faithful Shall = go and * Incomprehensible!” answered procure othef restoratives Pp” “No—it is ndt necessary. Look! her lips begiu to waver !—life is flaming up within her! Al! ber eyelids also move!” She slowly opened her eyes: they were—so soft in their expression and yet so intelligent!—but they quickly acquired a startled and affrighted look as they evidently recognised the two countenances over which their regards travelled. * Good heavens, Miss Perey!’ she murmured “what have [done? and what must you think ?” _ She burst into tears: for some minutes she wept passionately—she moaned and sobbed piteously —she lamented as if her heart were about to break, Both Beda and myself were as much affected as astonished: we besought her to tranquillize her feelings; and I said, “ Explain your conduct, Miss Barron: and doubtless there will be an end of it —for it is next to impossible that you could have done or meant anything serious!” “Ah, Miss Perey! ever kind—ever generous— ever disposed tu be forgiving!” ejaculated Sarab, selzing my hand, and pressing it to her Lipa, * And you too, Beda—you are doubtless kind of heart !—for if is impossible that you could have done otherwise than take the best of examples from the best of mistresses !” “What can you mean, Miss Barron,” I asked “ by addressing us in sucha strain? What have you to implore? what have you to plead for P” She threw her shuddering glances around the haunted room: it struck me that they lingered with an enhanced and peculiar horror upon the cupboard, the door of which stood wide open; and then covering her face with her hands, she re- mained motionless as a statue — absorbed in a reverie which no doubt was as painful as it was profound. Thus, for upwards of a minute a dead silence preveiled in the chamber,—a silence so deep that a pin might have been heard to drop. But all of a sudden that silence was broken. The rustling sound which Beda and I had heard on the preceding night, was revealed: it seemed to be passing under our feet—rapid as a whirlwind; and then it closed with the rattling as of bones beneath the floor of the cupboard. The ghasiliest paleness overspread the countenance of Sarah Barron: she started wilaly—her looks were swept around—she abruptly wrung her hands as if it beautiful blue eyes ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, were a paroxysm of frenzied, maddeaiaz grief that seized upon her :—and then 20 a voice which was half stifled, yet piercing, she cried, “ My God! the very vermin make sport of the bones of my poor child !” And then consciousness again abandoned her. But Oh! what revelation was this for Beda and myself! Though the picture required filling up with details, yet it seemed all in a moment to pre- sent to the mind’s comprehension a perfect ex- planation of Sarah Barron’s singular conduct. Beda flung upon me a look which was full of affright and horror; and I whispered, “Alas! this poor creature has doubtless suffered immensely— and we will not be hasty in judging her !” Nearly a quarter of an hour elapsed before Sarah Barron was again brought back to con- sciousness. She then threw herself at my feet, saying, “I beseech and implore you, Miss Bercy — and you likewise, Beda—to respect the fatal, the terrible secret which in my anguish and agony I have revealed to you! You shall know all to- morrow! I will tell you everything —or now if you insist upon it !” ‘No, no—I insist upon nothing!” I said. “But tell me—answer me only one question! Do you know of a man, muffled in a cloak—per- haps that he may be taken for an apparition if meeting with any of the credulous servants Are you privy, [ ask, to the stealthy visits of such a person within the walls of this man- sion P” “J! No! As God is my judge I know nothing of that whereof you are speaking!” exclaimed Sarah. “Tell me, Miss Percy—why do you ask? What has made you——’ “Nothing! nothing!” I ejaculated. explain myself to-morrow.” “On! do you really believe,” inquired Sarah, “in any single detail of all those things which superstitious terror alleges « “No at least 1’scarcely know what to say but I think not. However, let us quit the subject. You have appealed to us, Miss Barron of “Let me assure you, Miss Percy,” she ex- claimed, starting up from her knees, whence I had previously been vainly attempting to raise her; “let me assure you that mine has been weakness and not guilt; and even if the entire tale be known to the world, 1 can only be scorned and shunned, but not execrated !” “Enough, Miss Barron!” I said, now address- ing her in the kindest possible tone. ‘I pledge myself—and Beda will juin me in the vow —that we will wilfully do naught to injure you; and so far as your secret may be safely and consistently kept “‘ Nothing more is needed from your lips, Miss Percy!” interrupted Sarah. “ To-morrow you shall know everything. You will then pity me!— you will scarcely blame ma! And now permit me to retire. Ah! I perceive that tae key is in your possession! I was about to restore it it was I who took it from the nail where it hung on the landing—and I unlocked this door. But I will tell you everything to-morrow.” The poor creature spoke with difficulty: she was weizhed down with the deepest afflictioa—sbe seemed completely crushed and overwhelmed—she Ke I will com eiook (E@)