Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 287: what you’re looking at

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a ee ee eee eee i 274 LN Ne AS a a RI has become a victim, is known to those who will befriend her; and thus she will be relieved of the horrible idea that the darkest mystery envelopes her fate. You will see likewise what she herself may suggest, and whether by the aid of friends out-of-doors she may effect her escape. Further- more, you will be enabled to take a survey of the internal arrangements of the asylum; and thus we shall not be working altogether in the dark. It is just probable that no communication at all may take place during the day between Doctor Beresford and Captain St. Clair; and if fortune should so far favour us, your visit to the asylum may be productive of speedy and important re- sults.” I then gave Beda some farther instructions in respect to the course which she was to pursue ; and she at once took her departure. When I joined the Normans at the breakfast-table, I accounted for the visit of a young sailor to the house at such an hour in the morning, by stating that he was much attached to Beda, and that by my permission he had come to bid her farewell previous to finally joing his ship. I have before said that the Normans had no undue curiosity ; and in respect to my actions they were never ac- customed to question me farther than I chose to instruct them on any point. I thought it very probable that my services would be required in the evening on behalf of Zarah: at all events I was determined to be prepared for such a contin- gency; and I therefore resolved to excuse myself from appearing at the theatre. This I did on the usual plea of indisposition ; and the Normans were not surprised when they heard me state that I was indisposed—for the excitement which I had sus- tained on Zarah’s account had rendered me pale and had given me a eareworn look. At about twelve o’clock Mr, and Mrs. Norman went to the theatre, as usual, accompanied by Juliet,—all three for the purposes of rehearsal; and I soon afterwards set out for Netting Hill, according to an understanding to which ! had come with Beda. I proceeded in a cab, and alighted in the neighbourhood of the road in which Norland House was situated. I had pur- posely dressed myself with great plainness: I had on a thiek veil: and I looked earefully about to see that St. Clair was not anywhere in the neighbour- hood. I did not entertain much apprehension on this point : for I thought that when once he learnt that Zarah was in safe custody in the lunatic. asylum, he would consider that his plan was fully accomplished and he would not trouble himself much more on her behalf. After walking about for a little time, and not seeing anything of Beda, I turned into the by- road itself and passed by Norland House. It was only a small establishment: but it had a picturesque appearance ; for at one extremity im- mense vines climbed up the walls and festooned about the windows. These windows had all Vene- tian blinds: but of those in the other parts of the asylum, some were barred to the top of the lower sash—while others again were completely pro- tected by gratings from top to bottom, The structure stood in the midst of a small garden, the walls of which were very high: but through the iron gateway I could obtain a full view of the house. I walked to the end of the road, where it ee ee ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. abruptly joined some fields, for it was unfinished ; and I then retraced my way towards the main road, in which I had agreed to meet Beda in case circumstances should render it advisable for her to come forth from the asylum on some pretext or another. I had not waited long before I beheld the faith- ful girl tripping towards me; aud when I was convinced that she had caught sight of me, I pro- ceeded still farther, so as to reach a spot where there was no fear of our movements being ob- served by any one connected with the asylum. Sho joined me ; and I at once saw by the expression of her countenance that everything was going on well. “You have suceeeded, Beda,” I said, “in ob- taining access to Zarah 2” “ Yes—immediately on my arrival,” responded the girl, “I was first of all conducted to a room where I found the Doctor and his wife; and with all the hardibood that I could muster to my aid I told them that I had been sent by Captain St. Clair to be attached entirely to the person of Zarah. Doctor Beresford looked at me signifi- cantly, and said, ‘I suppose, then, that you have some special instructions?’—I answered that [ had.—‘ Well, well,” he said, ‘I do not inquire what they are. Captain St. Clair, who has in. terested himself on behalf of this poor mad creature, knows what he is about ; and it is for us to give you every assistance and to afford you every facility in carrying out his views.’ Hoe then asked if I were not myself of the gipsy race ?—I replied that I was. Mrs. Beresford then joined in the conversation ; and she said with a look full of some strange meaning, ‘I suppose we are to consider youas being entirely devoted to the in- terests of Captain St. Clair ?—I again gave a re- sponse in the affirmative : and the lady then con- ducted me to a chamber, where I found Zarah seated with a female keeper, who presently left the room.” «And how does poor Zarah endure her cala- mity ?” I asked. “She was in complete possession of her presence of mind,” continued Beda, ‘‘ when I was ushered to her room; for when Mrs. Beresford proposed to conduct me thither, I was apprehensive lest ina sudden transport of joy at beholding a friendly | face, Zarah might betray feelings calculated to excite a suspicion in the old lady’s mind. But merely flinging a look upon me, she said with assumed coldness, ‘Ah, is if you?’—Mrs, Beres- ford then retired ; and when the door closed upon us, Zarah, starting up, caught me in her arms.” “Ah! Ican easily picture to myself,” IL said, “the joy that she must have experienced !” ** And it was therefore a wonder,” added Beda, “that she should have exercised so strong a con- trol over her feelings when first I made my ap- pearance. But she told me that she was at once smitten with the conviction that I had by some artifice obtained admission to her, and that every- thing might therefore depend on the way in which she received me, She calculated reasonably enough that if I had presented myself at the asylum as a friend, the door would have been closed against me. But oh! my dear Miss Percy, nothing can exceed the gratitude which she ex- periences towards you for the precaution you took - a CONNIE DOOKS Com