Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 267: what you’re looking at

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254 ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. - your possession! In the second place, if they do believe that I have proven faithless to them, they may suppose likewise that I have given you this antidote ; aud in that case they will deem it useless to renew this fearful phase of their machinations. Thus, in every way, a manifest advantage has been gained on our side—while a proportionate defeat will have been experienced on the other.” “True, Beda!” Isaid: and I found that I had as much reason to admire the intelligence as to ap- preciate the friendship and the fidelity of this young creature : so that I was more than ever re- joiced at having obeyed the impulse which in the first instance Jed me to take her into my service; and a secret voice appeared to whisper in my soul that I was now reaping a reward for a good deed which I had performed. I bade Beda dispose of the box of poisoned lozenges in a manner which should place them be- yond the reach of human hands; and I myself took possession of the pink ones constituting the anti- dote. I endeavoured to persuade her to remain a few hours longer in bed after the fatigue she had experienced on the preceding night; but she de- clared that she was completely refreshed by the slumber she had already enjoyed: she accordingly rose and performed her toilet. I took an oppor- tunity during breakfast-time of saying something to the waiter which should prevent him from enter- taining any opinion prejudicial to Beda’s character on account of her protracted absence from the} hotel at such unseemly hours; and the man was satisfied by the voluntary explanation which I thus threw out. I should observe that much though I had suffered from anxiety and suspense for so many long hours on account of Beda’s disappearance— and much though I had feared that the effect would be prejudicial to my health—yet the joy experienced at her return had produced a most salutary reac- tion in me, and I was fully prepared for my jour- ney to the metropolis, Attended by Beda, I proceeded to the railway- station; and as I chose to keep her with me while travelling, I required two places in a first-class carriage. We were consigned to a compartment in which there was only one other passenger bhe- sides ourselyes: and this was an elderly man of somewhat haughty and aristocratic appearance. Just before the train started, a domestic ina hand- some livery came up to the window, and witha respectful touch of his hat inquired “ whether his lordship had any additional instructions to give him ?” The reply was in the negative: the lacquey re- tired; the steam-whistle sent its shrill note shriek- ing and screaming through the immense station— the train rolled on—and we were soon proceeding with the accustomed velocity of “ an express ” towards the capital. (Camere CHAPTER XLIV. THE RAILWAY TRAIN. From the manner in which the lacquey had addressed our aristocratic-looking fellow-traveller, it was evident that he was a nobleman. He was perhaps about sixty years of age—of a very florid complexion, with a short neck, and altogether an apoplectic appearance: yet in spite thereof there was a certain air of distinction about him, as I have already said, which prevented me from being at all surprised on learning that he was of patri- cian rank. For a few moments after we had taken our seats, he surveyed Beda with considerable at- tention and interest: but he was unable to be- hold much of my countenance—for I had my veil down. The nobleman spoke not a word; and soon after the train started he drew forth from his pocket a newspaper: but every now and then I obseryed that he looked over it to take another survey of Beda—though I should add that there was nothing rude nor insolent in the mute atten- tion which he bestowed upon her. We had proceeded a considerable distance—and I knew that we could not be many miles away from Rugby—when the newspaper glided down from the nobleman’s hands, and a sound which for an instant I thought to be a moan, came from his lips. - He was lying back in his seat; and I then fancied that he had sunk into slumber. But still there was a floating uneasiness in my mind: I lifted my veil—I contemplated him earnestly—the floridness of his complexion had become enhanced into a fearful redness—and he was slightly moving as if under the influence of pain. “ My lord,” I cried, “is anything the matter ? —are you unwell P” There was no answer; and I therefore felt con. vinced that he was stricken by apoplexy. “ Call—shriek—scream from the window!” I exclaimed to Beda: “agitate your kerchief! The train must be stopped!” Beda hastened to obey me; but at that instant the train plunged into a tunnel, through which it went roaring, crashing, dashing on, with such a ain—the continuous scream of the whistle mingling with the other deafening sounds— that Beda’s cries were lost in the tremendous noise. There was a lamp in the roof of the carriage; and in the meanwhile I was not idle. I had rushed towards the nobleman immediately upon comprehending his perilous position; and while still giving utter- ance to my hasty instructions to Beda, I was tearing off his neckcloth and raising him up to a more comfortable position. Beda went on screams ing and shrieking: but she could not compete with the shrill cry of the railway whistle; and though I was dreadfully alarmed lest the unfor- tunate nobleman should expire before assistance could possibly be obtained, yet I did not fora moment lose my presence of mind. I had at some time or another read just sufficient of the treatment of apoplexy in the absence of medical succour, to know what treatment to adopt. I kept the nobleman with the head and shoulders elevated, retaining the former in such a way as to prevent any sudden bend of the neck: I had taken off his neckcloth—I unbuttoned his shirt- collar. The window next to him was at first closed: but this I let down so as to admit as much air as possible, Such was the state of affairs.inside our com- partment of the railway -carriage, when the train emerged from the tunnel; and now Beda’s screams and shrieks attracted attention. But in the first instance it was only the notice of passengers in ~ the neighbouring compartments and in the adja- CONNEDIOOKS Com