Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 263: what you’re looking at

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250 feel the least thing better, but to so trifling an ex- tent that it might be only the effect of imagina- tion. She was however more cheerful than for a long time past she had been when getting up in the morning ; but this of course might be attri» buted to my presence. “ T am not worse, dear Ellen—+that is very cor- tain!” she said, with a sweet smile; “ and it would be ridiculous to suppose that I could feel very much better after the lapse of only a few short hours, and having only taken two glasses of my medicine.” Lord Kelvedon presently made his appear- ance ; and the bell was now rung for breakfast, The tray was brought in by Agatha, and placed upon the side-table, just as if was by Matilda on the preceding evening. A round rosewood table in the centre of the room was spread with a snowy white cloth, and furnished with the sub- stantial materials for the morning’s repast. As I was a guest, Agatha bestowed her first attentions upon me, by asking which I was pleased to take, tea or coffee ? I decided upon the former; and I was served accordingly. ‘ Which will your ladyship please to take this morning ?” added Agatha. “‘ Coffee, as usual,” answered Hermione. I pretended to be deep in the process of eutting a cold chicken that was before me; but I seruti- nisingly watched the proceedings of Agatha—as indeed I had studied those of Matilda on the pre- vious evening: but I could not detect the siightest circumstance of a suspicious character — not the slightest movement—not the slightest look that tended to confirm my misgivings in respect to the young woman. She at once poured out the coffee from the silver pot without turning aside—without any shuffling with the hands,—in a word, without affording the faintest ground for supposing that by any skilful manipulation or dexterous legerdo- main, she had slipped anything into the eup of coffee which she now proceeded to hand to Lady Kelvedon. Then his lordship decided on taking coffee; and I saw by the answer he gave that it was likewise his wswal beverage, and that indeed the question of choice was merely put to the no- bleman and his wife as an ordinary matter of form. To be brief, the morning repast was disposed of without the slightest incident transpiring to corro- borate any suspicion which I might have previously formed in respect to Agatha. Lord Kelvedon went out riding on horseback, leaving me and Hermione alone together, accord- ing to the expressed wish of her ladyship. She begged me to go and take a walk, or else a drive in the carriage, as the weather was of a beautiful frosty fresiness and clearness, and she was consi- derately afraid that I might suffer for want of exer- cise. But I had resolved to remain upon the watch—I was determined not to quit Hermione throughout the day, unless it were absolutely ne- cessary; and I therefore assured her that so far from needing exercise, I was only too glad to have a good rest after my journey of the previous day and with the prospect of another journey in the evening. I therefore remained in the boudoir : and I conversed in the most cheerful strain, so that I might keep up Lady Kelvedon’s spirits. Shortly after the hour of noon, Agatha entered the boudoir to inquire what refreshment her lady- ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. ship would take for luncheon? I saw that the idea of food almost produced a nausea on Hermione’s part; and I had noticed that a single piece of muffin was all the solid material she had taken for breakfast. She now turned to me, saying, “I feel that I ought to take something; and indeed I have more or less forced myself to swallow whatsoever food has entered my lips for weeks past. But [am now sick of broth—and gruel—and beef-tea—and gravy-soup——” “And yet you must take something,” I said, entreatingly. “Yes, I knowit,” rejoined her ladyship. “ Well, Agatha,” she added, with a melancholy smile, “ i suppose if must be a little beef-tea, —which is the refreshment I most usually take.” Agatha retired; and in about a quarter of an hour she reappeared, bringing the massive silver tray on which were the materials for a substantial luncheon ; and amongst them a breakfast eup about half full of strong beef tea, Again did I watch the young woman’s countenance—but it was calm and collected, with that settled expression of re- serve or sullenness which I had before noticed. I attentively studied all the details of her bearing and demeanour towards her master and mistress, as I had done in the morning (for Lord Kelvedon now made his appearance, having returned from his ride). I could not help coming to the con- clusion that the young woman’s general deport- ment was precisely the same towards Lord and Lady Kelvedon as it had been towards myself on the preceding evening. She spoke eéoldly: with coldness too she performed whatever services were required of her: there was no hearty willingness nor good-natured anxiety to oblige, as there was on the part of Matilda. But, on the other hand, there was assuredly no studied hypocrisy — no grovelling servility towards some while reserve was being maintained towards others ; for, I re- peat, her conduct towards her master and mis- tress was precisely the same as it had been fo me. I therefore concluded that if was mere man- nerism, and that it altogether ceased to be dis- agreeable or even to be noticed with those who were accustomed to if. After luncheon Lord Kelvedon went out again; and I now resolved to turn the discourse with Lady Kelvedon upon her principal handmaidens— but in the most delicate and cautious manner, so as to keep faithful to my plan of avoiding the chance of exciting any suspicion that L had an ulterior motive for so doing. ‘“ Matilda,” I said, “seems to be @ very nice young woman? I can assure you she has studied her best to render me as comfortable as pos- sible.” “ No doubt of it, my dear Ellen,” responded her ladyship ; “ for such is Matilda’s disposition. She is good-nature personified! I must not however be unjust towards Agatha. It requires to know this young woman to appreciate her good quali- ties. Perhaps you would not think it—but she is quite as good-natured as Matilda only she dis- plays it in a different manner. She is reserved, quiet, and age dk : yet she anticipates all my wants just the same as the more hearty and agreeable-mannered Matilda.” “In that case,” I said, “ your ladyship has two valuable servants :’—and I made the remark as a 0)(0\0) (C ~ C2 (E@)