Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 311: what you’re looking at

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

a ee > - SC ——— 298 compliance with my hint ; and they took their de- parture to their own respective chambers. ‘* Whose turn is it,” I asked, when they were gone, “to sleep in the dressing-room to-night P” “ Agatha’s,” was Lady Kelvedon’s response. “Ah! I remember! so it is!” I ejaculated. “ But if you like, we will dispense with her ser- vices altogether for this present occasion ‘4 “Oh, no! le6 us have her near us!” cried her ladyship: “ for though I really do not anticipate the slightest danger—and moreover, as I am not so foolish as to imagine that even if it threatened us, it could be warded off by her presence,—still there is that superstitious idea which in all things prompts us to have faith in numbers when assem- bled together.” * Well, be it so,” I responded: “ but do not send the girl out of the room when once she shall have entered it ; for we have already agreed, you know, that the accident is not to be generally com- municated until the morrow.” “You shall have your own way in all things, my dear friend,” rejoined Hermione. I now rang the bell as a summons for Agatha ; and this young woman almost immediately made her appearance. As the reader has seen, I could have wished to dispense with her presence; for I thought it very likely that Matilda might in the meantime have communicated to her on the sub- ject of her leaving the house within three days—and I did not therefore wish to have in such close vici- nage a person who might have learnt how she was suspected by me. But I did not combat Lady Kel- vedon’s wish to have Agatha’s attendance, for fear of being closely questioned as to the causes of my own disinclination. Besides, I thought to myself that however malicious, spiteful, or ill-intentioned Agatha might be, I would adopt the proper pre- cautions to prevent her from doing any harm, either to her mistress or myself. When Agatha entered the boudoir, I looked at her attentively, but without appearing to be thus intent on the study of her countenance. I saw that her features were calm and placid as usual—unmoved in their somewhat sullen and sinister expression; and I said to myself, “Matilda has not yet found an opportunity of touching on the point;—and per- haps it is all the better under existing circum- stances.” , “ Agatha,” I said, “come with me fora moment into the adjoining room.” I took up a taper; and she immediately followed me with that cold air of reserved and distant respect which she maintained towards me as well as to her noble master and mistress. I led her on as far as the bath-room; and then I said, “An accident has -~curred close by this evening: but do not be alarmed. The whole flooring of the landing-place has fallen in !” “Indeed, Miss?’ —and now Agatha seemed somewhat excited above her wonted mood of frigid imperturbability. * Yes,” I continued; “but for obvious reasons T have thought it better to suffer no noise to be made upon the subject until to-morrow. Thanks to the operation of the inscrutable ways of Provi- dence ”—and here I looked her very hard in the face—“ your mistress is improving in health; but all unnecessary excitement must be avoided.” “No doubt of it, Miss,” answered Agatha, who ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, by this time had relapsed into her cold phlegmatic manner, and whose countenance underwent not the slightest change as I riveted my regards so fixedly upon it. “IT am going to pass the night with Lady Kelvedon,” I continued ; “ for she is somewhat nervous on account of this accident: but you will occupy the couch in the dressing-room all the same.” “ ‘Yes, Miss,” she responded. We then returned into the boudoir, where Her- mione dlmost immediately commenced the details of her night-toilet by the assistance of Agatha: “T must go to my dwn chamber for a few minutes,” I said; “ and then I will return.” I proceeded to my room, where F found Matilda awaiting my presence. She had made up a good fire, as was her custom; and she was warming herself by it when I entered. “Have you yet spoken to Agatha,” I inquired, “relative to that matter which I mentioned this afternoon?” “No, Miss,” answered Matilda: “I haye not yet found an opportunity.” “ Well, it is of no consequence,’ I said: “ to- morrow will do just ds well.” When she had unfastened my dress, I dismissed her for the night; for I wa not accustomed to engage her attentions any farther in my prepara- tions for retiring to rest. I thought that she lingered in the chamber and fidgetted about somewhat, ag if she desired to speak to mo ere she took her departure: but I said to my- self, “In the goodness of her heart she wishes to intercede for Agatha. It is well-intentioned and praiseworthy on her part; but I will not afford her the opportunity !” She bade me good night: and left the room. A few minutes afterwards I put of a morning wrapper, and returned to Lady Kelvedon’s bou- doir. Hermione was nearly ready to seek her own couch: I sat down, and conversed with ker until her night-toiles was completely finished and Agatha had retired into the dressing-room. I then proceeded to disapparel myself; and in a short time I occupied my share of Lady Kelve- don’s bed. She did not converse many minutes before slumber stole upon her eyes; and by half- past eleven o’clock she was asleep. I lay awake, thinking of the occurrences of the day—but for no very great length of time ; and at midnight I also was sinking into a profound repose. But this was not destined to last for any consi- derable period. I was awakened by a sound which reached my ears; it struck me that I heard a window opening at no very great distance. I listened with suspended breath :—all was still, and I thought my imagination must have deceived me. I was composing myself to sleep again, when I was once more startled—and methought that it was by a similar sound. But again, when I lis- tened, everything was once more still, and the most solemn silence appeared to be reigning throughout the ‘spacious habitation. Neverthe: less, aS my suspicions were so strongly excited against Agatha, I was determined to assure my- self that there was nothing wrong. I therefore descended with the utmost gentleness from the bed; for Lady Kelvedon was sleeping soundly by my side. I listened at the door of the dressing- ECORNICLOOOLK (E@)