Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 344: what you’re looking at

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eer ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. scarcely dared look Beda or myself in the face. She drew the muslin wrapper around her form; and bidding us “Good night,” with an air of perfect bumility, she stole from the chamber. “We now know, Beda,” I said, “what bones there are beneath the flooring of that cupboard ; and we will pursue our researches no further. Lock the door, my dear girl—and let us retire to rest again.” We laid down accordingly ; bué little more con- versation passed between us ere sleep visited our eyes—and we slumbered on undisturbed till the morning. We arose; and as we were performing our toilets, I said to Beda, “It is evident that the hurricane-like sound which so much startled us, is caused by the rush of rats under the flooring or inside the wainscot of the room; and the exist- ence of that lofty skylight on the roof of the ad- jacent chamber, imparts a peculiarity to that sound—making it ascend and giving it the effect of something invisible sweeping through the room. As for that other noise, Beda,” I added, in a lower and more solemn voice, “the confession of that unhappy young woman has made us aware what it is. The less we speak of it the better !” But though I had now satisfactorily accounted in my own mind for the sounds which had at first startled me, there was still something else to be explained ; and this was the presence of that cloaked figure which I had seen glide forth by the glass door of the library, or at least disappear behind the screen which led to that door. How was this to be accounted for? I knew not: but I did not feel disposed to put faith in anything supernatural at a moment when I was clearing up other mysteries by natural means. On looking from the window of the haunted apartment, I perceived that the flood had almost totally disappeared, at least in that direction ; and on presently leaving the chamber and peeping forth from other windows, as well as making in- quiries, I ascertained that the waters had subsided to a degree which opened all the means of com- muxieation with adjacent parts. The guests were | parents had stolen. ool ness. Let me hope that when I return in the afternoon or evening, I shall find you in a more tranquil and comfortable state of mind.” Miss Barron wept: she pressed my hand, in order to convey her gratitude for the kind words I had spoken; and I quitted her chamber. The letter I had received was from the woman whom Beda had directed at Stafford to make in- quiries concerning the residence of Mrs, Sturton. The woman to whom I have first alluded, had suc- ceeded in the task allotted to her; and I was now acquainted with the abode of the female from whose lips I was to receive some useful if not valuable information,—that is to say, supposing reliance could be placed upon the representations made to me by Dame Betty in London. It was merely necessary for me to intimate to Mr. and Mrs. Tremaine that I wished to go to Staf- ford on some little business of my own, in order to induce them at once to place one of their equipages at my disposal. I should observe that Charlotte and Mrs. Tremaine had inquired how I had passed the night in the haunted room? — and [ had assured them that neither Beda nor myself had been alarmed by anything of a supernatural character. I set off for Stafford, accompanied by Beda; and as the distance was only a few miles, and the Carriage was drawn by a splendid pair of horses, the journey was soon accomplished. We repaired to the hotel at which we had stopped on our ar- rival at Stafford; and we lost no time in bending our steps towards the address indicated in the letter which I had received that morning. As we were walking through the streets of Stafford, a recollection struck me, ** My dear Beda,” I said, “ I remember full well | that Dame Betty intimated something to the effect that this Mrs. Sturton bore no good will towards your family “ “ And I recollect likewise that you told me this before, Miss,’ answered Beda. “It was because my parents restored the child which this woman’s Well, there is no necessity accordingly enabled to take their departure after | that I should accompany you; for she might sus- breakfast, — much to the gratification of most of | pect who [ am—or she may have even heard that them, though there were of course some who ap-| peared to regret the necessity of leaving the hospi- talities of Tremaine Hall. 2? I am in your service * Yes—it will be better that i should go alone,” I observed. “Ah! by the bye, you in the mean- Miss Barron did not appear at the breakfast- | time, my dear Beda, can go and remunerate the table ; and it was stated that she was very unwell. | woman who sent us the information.” I could not help pitying her sincerely, although I We accordingly separated; and I pursued my now knew enough of her antecedents to be aware | way (which I ascertained by occasional inquiry) that she was far from being a guiltless creature ; yet still 1 commiserated her, end I would not for the world prove the cause of harrowing her soul with any additional or unnecessary tortures. I there- fore hastened to her chamber when I fancied that I should find her alone there ; she was much con- fused and distressed on beholding me—but [ at | once said to her, “I do not come to seek explana. tions from your lips at present. Tranquillize your mind—compose your feelings—and endeavour to cast off this excitement which is fevering your blood. You shall take your own time and choose your own leisure to give me the promised explana. tions. Indeed, it will suit me better that you should postpone them, at least until to-morrow; for I have received a letter this morning which compels me to visit Stafford on some little busi- | towards the address indicated in the letter. I was not long in reaching a miserable street in the very poorest and vilest quarter of the town; and of all the houses in that street, the one at which I was about to call was the very worst. A horrible- looking old woman was standing at the door, gos- siping with the baker’s boy; and she dropped an obsequious curtsey as I accosted her. I asked if a female bearing the name of Sturton lived in that house? The answer was in the affirmative; and the old hag, shaking her head, added, “‘ Ah, ma’am, she is very, very poor, and got three children, I do think they are ail starving; and if you are come to assist them y “That is my object,” I said, cutting short the woman’s observations. “Be so good as to show me the room.” COMMU (EO) JOOK