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"As I thus could neither see nor hear any thing that might have been going forward, I was compelled to be content with the society of little Flora, who sat by me all day. But Flora had been told not to satisfy my curiosity; accordingly, to whatever questions I asked, she only said, "Shall I call Miss Carrisforth?' Being, however, under the influence of laudanum, I lay with more composure amidst my ignorance than I should otherwise have done: and thus the whole day wore

away.

"At her usual hour Amelia came to bed. She looked fatigued, having been up the whole of the preceding night, and it was evident that she had also been crying very bitterly. Miss Beaumont came in with her, as they, intended to spend the night together. 'Amelia,' I said, on their entering, 'how are poor Miss Chatterton and Miss Atkins?'

"I hope they are easy,' she answered. must not talk, Clara: go to sleep, my dear.'

'But you

"I closed my eyes, and tried to sleep; but the influence of the opium being spent, I was particularly wakeful, and amused myself as invalids often do, in watching the motions of the persons in my room. We had a light burning, which was to be. continued all night; and, before the young ladies got into bed, they both went through the door between the two apartments, and staid a considerable time. Amelia came back first, and Miss Beaumont followed. Amelia called to Miss Beaumont to fasten the door, but I perceived, after they had been in bed a little while, that this had not been done, and that it had been left a little open.

"The young ladies being, no doubt, worn with fatigue, were soon asleep, and the whole house lay in solemn silence. I thought on the loud laughs and screams of merriment which had so lately resounded through the bed-rooms at this hour of the night, and was struck with the remarkable contrast; for now not even a whisper stirred in the galleries. I lay during a great part of the night awake; but, about two o'clock, Amelia got up, and gave me something to drink; and, seeing me restless, she lay down by me, and laid my head upon her bosom, talking to me awhile in the tenderest and sweetest 2 E 2

4

palanquin in which I had come, and sent forward. I drew my curtains close round me, and lay backwards, never once looking out from the time I got in till I had reached home. But I can give you no idea of what I suffered during this interval. The morning was one of those which are not unfrequently experienced in the torrid zone; not a breath of air was stirring, and the bearers were throwing up the dust every step they took; besides which, the motion of the palanquin considerably increased my disorder.

"When I arrived at Palm-Grove, the servants alone were up; the sweeper being engaged in the verandah, and the bearers just rousing themselves from sleep. The door was opened to me, and I walked up to my room; but was, at the same time, so extremely disordered, that I stood still twice upon the stairs, to rest myself, and gain strength to proceed.

"When near our chamber, I was seized with an extreme giddiness, insomuch, that for a moment I was obliged to support myself against the frame of an open window. Being, at length, however, a little recovered, I advanced to the door of our room. It was fastened within, though all the jalousies were open, to admit the air. I looked through them, and saw Amelia asleep in her bed, and Flora in a little cot by her side. I heard their gentle breathings, and the sweet and peaceful expression of Amelia's face struck me in a degree which it had never done before. The room was neat and orderly, being the abode of modesty and innocence; and on the dressing-table, which was covered with a white napkin, lay an open Bible, and, by it, little Flora's doll. I slipped my trembling hand through the jalousies, and endeavoured to undraw the bolt: at the noise of which Amelia awoke, and exclaimed, 'Who is there?'

"It is I,' I said; 'Clara Lushington.'

"You are very early,' replied Amelia, springing up to open the door,

666 No,' I answered, with as much unconcern as I could affect, 'no; my aunt has been up some time, and is now out on the course. But do, Amelia, help me to bed, for I do not feel well: I was up late last night, and I now want a little rest.'

"Amelia immediately assisted me to undress: but while she was helping me into bed, 'Clara,' she said, 'what is the matter?-you look excessively ill. How you tremble! You are overfatigued. Make haste to lie down.'

"For a few minutes after being undressed, and when lying down, I felt relieved; but this ease did not continue long. The giddiness returned; the room for an instant seemed to dance round, and a thick vapour, filled with specks of black, arose before my eyes; a violent cold sweat then broke out upon me, and I fainted.

"When I recovered my recollection, I saw several persons standing about me, but had not time to distinguish who they were, before I was taken with a most dreadful vomiting, which exhausted me so much, that, after it, I lay back on my bed without the power of motion, and felt myself too weak to utter a word.

"While in this state, I heard the persons in my room (namely, Mrs. Patterson, Madame de Roseau, and Amelia) speaking to each other. 'You have sent for Dr.

H- ? inquired Mrs. Patterson.

"He will be here soon,' said Madame de Roseau.

"She is overfatigued,' said Mrs. Patterson; 'perhaps kept up too late. If she is no better soon, we must send for her aunt.'

"On hearing this, I became violently agitated. 'No, no, no, I said; 'no, not my aunt.'

866 'Why, my dear?' said Mrs. Patterson.

"Pray do not,' I added, using an exertion which instantly brought on the vomiting again.

"This is extraordinary,' said Mrs. Patterson, in a low voice, but she must not be agitated now; she must be indulged.' Then turning to me, 'Make yourself easy, Clara,' she added; your aunt shall not be sent for; she shall not be alarmed.'

"I now lay quiet again for some time, this second fit of sickness having left me, and Mrs. Patterson and Madame de Roseau went out of the room, leaving Amelia and Miss Beaumont with me. Miss Beaumont placed herself at a little distance, and, as I remember, was quite silent; but Amelia sat by me in order to fan me, for the morning was excessively hot. In this situation, being

comparatively easy and much fatigued I fell asleep; but in my sleep the horrible realities of the past night again presented themselves, in indistinct visions, and I suddenly awoke saying something about the Ariadne, of which I should not, however, have been aware, if Amelia had not repeated what I said, at the same time asking me, 'What, my dear, are you thinking of? what reminds you of the Ariadne just now?'

"I then recollected myself, and answered, 'I was only dreaming.'

"A short silence again followed, which was interrupted by little Flora, on tip-toe, bringing the breakfasts of the young ladies on a waiter. 'Flora,' I said, forgetting myself again, 'is it breakfast time, and Miss Atkins and Miss Chatterton not come in, nor Gabrielle ?'

"On my asking this question, I saw that Amelia gave a sudden and very expressive look at Miss Beaumont; whereupon the other said, 'I don't know what you mean, Amelia.'

"Amelia made no answer, but offered me a dish of tea, as I had complained of extreme thirst. I swallowed the tea eagerly, though it had a flat and almost nauseous taste, and the consequence was a third fit of sickness, more violent than either of the foriner. I had scarcely recovered from this last paroxysm, and was lying in a state of great exhaustion, being hardly kept from fainting by hartshorn, when a noise in the neighbouring room caught my attention, and I heard Miss Chatterton saying, For Heaven's sake get me to bed! get me to bed! let me at least die in bed!"

"Madame de Roseau's broken English at the same time reached my ears, which were thus filled with repeated expressions of amazement and horror. I heard also Miss Atkins's voice in accents of complaint, though these were considerably more chastised and under control than the lamentations of Miss Chatterton. I then heard my own name mentioned by Mrs. Patterson, and this remark added, 'I cannot understand it, Gabrielle. There is more in this than I now see. Where have you really been?"

"With Miss Jackson,' returned the voice of Gabrielle. "Really and truly ?' said Mrs. Patterson.

"Yes, indeed, Madam,' said Gabrielle.

666 'Amelia,' said Miss Beaumont, who could not but hear all that was passing in the next room, 'what is all this? Miss Chatterton ill too?"

"I saw Amelia put her hand upon Miss Beaumont's arm, as a sign for her to be silent.

"Surely,' said Miss Beaumont, 'they cannot possibly have been together?'

"Julia, dear, be silent,' said Amelia: 'do not let us forget what we suffered before the holidays.'

"Miss Beaumont said no more: and a moment afterwards, word was brought that Dr. H—

was below. "While we were waiting for the doctor, Madame de Roseau came and threw open the door so often spoken of during the course of the narrative, saying, 'Amelia, Dr. H. says we must give them all the air we possi

bly can.'

"The door being opened to its utmost extent, I then plainly saw all that was passing in the next room. I had a full view of Miss Chatterton's bed, and beheld, with inconceivable horror, the dreadful change which had taken place in that miserable young woman since I had seen her the night before. She was stretched upon the bed, having her head supported by pillows, and lying apparently without the power of voluntary motion, at the same time gasping as if under the influence of dreadful spasms; her face changing every moment from deep red to excessive paleness, while drops of perspiration stood on her brow. On the opposite bed sat Miss Atkins, supporting her head against the bed-post, and vainly endeavouring to appear in a state of tolerable ease.

"At the foot of Miss Chatterton's bed, and leaning against it, stood Gabrielle. Never shall I forget the impression which her appearance at that moment made upon me. The hair and complexion of this girl were exceedingly dark, and her eyes large and bright, but possessing a most singular expression, which I could more easily define by saying what were not, than what were its qualities. It was not ferocity, it was not cunning, nor was it fear; but there appeared an indescribable mixture of all these, united with a habitual air of impudence and defiance. At the sight of me, her features assumed

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