Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 307: what you’re looking at

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

294, servants’ hall. I told Agatha that I was con- vinced you had no ill-feeling towards her, Miss at all events you never mentioned to her ladyship that you suspected she had met her lover "; “But if I held my peace upon the point, Ma- tilda,” I said, with some degree of emphasis, “ it was only because poor Lady Kelvedon was at the time too ill to be troubled with such matters; or else perhaps——yes, indeed I am speaking deliberately when I say that I might have men- tioned certain things to her ladyship 5 “Indeed, Miss?” ejaculated Matilda, with a startled and frightened air. “Do not be alarmed,” I said, with a reassuring smile: “for you know very well that it is not about yourself I could tell any tales.” “Ab, no, Miss!” exclaimed Matilda, “I was not afraid of that; for I have never done anything wrong. But you were speaking of Agatha. I suppose is “Has not this Richard Brownlow succeeded in obtaining a very great influence over Agatha?” I inquired, “I don’t know, Miss: I can scarcely tell,” re- sponded Matilda, ‘“ But might I ask what makes you think M4 “Do you happen to know whether Richard Brownlow is a person of good educationP” I in- quired: “bas Agatha herself ever spoken to you on the point P” Matilda reflected for a few moments; and then she said, “No, Miss—I don’t think she has. She is a very reserved girl—she does not talk much to her fellow-servants v “Now I was surprised,” I said, “to hear his lordship to-day speak of Richard Brownlow as a well educated young man; whereas I had some reason for fancying that it was the exact reverse and that Richard Brownlow was a young man of no education at all.” “Indeed, Miss?” exclaimed Matilda. “ But I really cannot say how the truth may be—I know very, very little of Richard Brownlow—lI have never spoken to him but twice in my life But still I should think he must be a person of at least some education ; for he is now collecting the taxes, you see—and he is promised the situation of under bailiff to the Marquis of Tynedale.” * Ab, indeed?” I said. “A bailiff must have some knowledge of accounts as well as of reading and writing; and therefore it is tolerably clear that Richard Brownlow must be a person of some decent education. But if you know nothing of his menta: Sualifications,’ I continued, “ you at least know something relative to those of your fellow- servant, Agatha P” “ Ob, yes!” exclaimed Matilda. “ Agatha is rather a clever girl. She writes a very good hand is “ And perhaps you know her handwriting,” I said, now determined to take a particular step as the opportunity presented itself. * Of course I do, Miss,” rejoined Maltilda, sur- veying me with an air of surprise mingled with a growing perplexity. “ But suppose,” I continued, “ that Agatha was to disguise ber handwriting aie * What ! disguise it >—how so, Miss? what do you mean? I don’t understand disguise her writing, Miss?” Se _ ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, —_ “Yes, Matilda,” I said: “the question I put to you is plain enough. Suppose that Agatha had disguised her handwriting to the utmost of her power, do you think that you would be enabled to distinguish it P” Matilda looked more and more perplexed at the turn which I was giving the discourse: she re- flected and hesitated for some time—and at last she said, “ Yes, I think that I should know her handwriting.” I opened one of my portmanteaus and drew forth my portfolio. Thence I produced the letter which I had taken from the stone vase ; but I did not suffer Matilda to see the envelope, which was addressed to Mr. Collingwood, at the Hotel du Nord, Boulogne. Unfolding the letter itself, which contained no indication of its being in- tended for Mr. Collingwood, I said, “Is that Agatba’s handwriting P” | Matilda received the letter, and having glanced at it, she raised her looks towards my face, asking in a low and even hollow voice, “‘ What does all this mean, Miss P what is it to lead to? Do you —do you mean o * Look at the letter again, and read it if you like,” I said. “It is very generous and good- hearted of you to be so much concerned on behaif of your fellow-servant: but be so kind as to put all these considerations out of the question while you tell me whether this is Agatha’s handwriting or not.” * Ah, Miss, do inform me in the first place,” said Matilda, with the deepest anxiety exhibited in her tones, looks, and manner—indeed her coun- tenance was very pale, whereas it was usually tinged with the hues of buxom health,—“do in- form me how this letter fell into your hands, and what makes you suspect * “Do not ask me any questions, Matilda,” I in- terrupted her: “there are reasons why I cannot answer them—at least not for the present. Per- haps the day may come when you will know every- thing.” “Ab! not for the present ?” ejaculated Matilda. ‘Then is there something dreadful P” “T must not be questioned,’ I said. “On the other hand, you wust really answer me the query which I have put. Is that the handwriting, though artfully disguised, of Agatha?” “Oh, Miss!” cried Matilda, “if I were to say yes, what would you do? what do you intend ?” “Nothing for the present, I repeat! But if you think fit Answer me first however: is that Agatha’s handwriting P” Matilda took the letter close to the lamp which was burning on the toilet-table; and methought that she was examining the writing with a care- fulness and an attention best calculated to ensure the most guarded answer—for she was at least two or three minutes before she gave me her re- sponse. Then she slowly turned towards me, and flung a timid glance of entreaty or inquiry on my countenance. “Speak out boldly, Matilda,” I said: ‘‘ no pos- sible harm can happen to you—and if you are delicate in being considered a witness against your own fellow-servant, I will faithfully promise that your name shall never be mentioned.” “Oh, thank you, Miss!’ cried Matilda, her fea- tures brightening up. “ Well then, I have no (E@) GOmicbyoo