Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

64 She was supposed to be insane—or, rather, to have recently recovered her senses. She got over this most unpleasant business as easily as possible, and dismissed the old dame. She longed to be alone now to commune with her thoughts, As soon as She accomplished this, and sat sherself down to think over all that had occurred, it came to her like a flash of lightning. She was'supposed to be the heir to the property about, who had lost his wits. But if this was.the case, what had become of the ac- tual owner ? This was a question which was not so easily settled. Had he been removed from the place by fair means or foul ? No matter, she was so far enlightened, and she resolyéd to communicate her discovery to Mr. Whar- ton. That gentleman listened to her without betraying the least surprise. ‘‘ You are perfectly correct in your surmise,”’ he said coolly. ‘‘ And now what do you say ?’’ Rose could say nothing. . She was so utterly bewildered by the discovery that forsome time she could not resolve upon what line of conduct to continue. She felt an unconquerable repugnance to the duties she was now called upon to fulfil, but she deemed it prudent to disguise this from Mr. Wharton or Maurice, his son. Did either of them suspect she well knew that a strict watch would be set upon her actions ? She therefore resolved to appear. only the better pleased at her remarkable position, and quietly await the moment to make a second attempt to release her- self from the painful thraldom which was exercised upon her. b! Two days passed, after her conversation with Mr. Wharton, without an opportunity presenting itself. At length the moment for action arrived: Maurice Wharton had left the house upon a visit to a friend who resided'some few miles distant. The old man retired early to rest, and all the house followed his example. Rose determined to take advantage of these circum- stances, and therefore very quietly dressed herself, and crept from her chamber. The fastenings of the doors were very easily removed, for in that rural district no fears of robbers alarmed the peaceable inhabitants. She was friendless, penniless, it was true; but she was escaping from an act of treachery and base- ness which she had unwillingly abetted, and Heaven. would lend its protection to the innocent. With a silent prayer for aid in this hour of trial, Rose Mortimer left the house, and walked boldly out into the night. CHAPTER XXVI. FLIGHT INTERRUPTED —A DIFFICULTY — THE SLEEPING CHAMBERMAID—AN ACCIDENT—THE MISSING KEY—ROBBERY-—THE ALARM BELL, Rose had barely started upon her flight when it occurred to her that it would be an easy task for her two captors to trace her by a description of her ap- parel. She drew up short. Paused and thought it over. Then retraced her steps to the house. She must seek a change of dress, and resume if pos- sible the natural costume of her sex, and then her flight could be more easily effected. ROSE MORTIMER. a Now that she was returned to the house, however, she found it no easy matter to attain her object. She possessed no feminine garments, and had not the least idea where to procure them. The servants she knew all slept in remote parts of the building, and were all very difficult of access. However, it was no use now pausing to consider these obstacles. A woman’s apparel must be obtained at any risk, and she was speedily off in search of it. In herrambles over the house she had noted the bedchambers of the maids, and had more than once contemplated resorting to one of them for assistance, should it ever become necessary. Treading lightly over the creaking boards, Rose gained the door of one of their rooms. The handle was turned almost in silence, and the room was gained, The occupant of the bedchamber was sleeping heavily, and by her loud breathing assured the fugi- tive that she had no interruption to fear from that quarter. Upon a chair beside the bed lay the sleeper’s clothes—a whole attire complete ! Rose never paused to consider if the appropriation of these could be regarded in the light of a robbery, but immediately took them. However, the difficulties were not over, even now that she had found the neeessary garments to equip her for her adventure. She had to effect her toilette. But where ? ; She dared not attempt to regain her own apart ment, the risk of discovery was too great. Besides, what mattered it how hastily this was done ? That it was done was the main object. This room, too, was garnished with those endless little aids to the feminine toilet which were lacking in her own masculine apartment. The thought, the resolve, and its execution were almost simultaneous, and Rose rapidly divested her- self of her male attire and donned the petticoats. Never before had she made so shifty an adornment of her comely person. However, out of her very expedition sprang a little misadventure, verifying once more the truth of the musty proverb, ‘‘ The more haste the less speed.” In throwing the dress over her head she did not observe the necessary caution under the peculiar cir- cumstances, and had the misfortune to catch it in the chair from which she had removed it. Over it went with a loud crash, und up started the sleeping chambermaid, fully awake in an instant. ‘* Who’s there ?” Rose now was in a dilemma ! True, she was inthe dark. The only bit of light which the dark moonless night afforded was admitted through a small aperture in the window curtain, and fortunately did not touch her side of the room. : ‘¢ Any one there ?”’ The fears of the startled chambermaid were by no means assuaged by the silence, and her voice trembled in a painfal way. | But Rose was so occupied with her own perilous position that she could not afford a thought for the troubles of the chambermaid. f Is there any one in the room?” again said the girl. And then, upon the painful silence still continuing she slipped from the bed and walked to the door, ‘“‘ Great Heavens !”’ mentally ejaculated our heroine, “she is going to alarm the house. Oh! whatever will become of me ?”’ Happily she was mistaken. The frightened maiden had no more violent inten Gomi Ghooksieo