In spite of the awe which this grim lady inspired,there was something in her air of confident superiority which,when Iconsidered our relative situations,was not a little irritating.
'Do you know,madam,to whom you speak?'said I.
'I neither know nor care,'said she;
'but I presume that you are some one about the house,so again I desire you,if you wish to continue here,to bring your master hither forthwith.'
'I must tell you,madam,'said I,'that I am Lady Glenfallen.'
'What's that?'said the stranger,rapidly.
'I say,madam,'I repeated,approaching her that I might be more distinctly heard,'that I am Lady Glenfallen.'
'It's a lie,you trull!'cried she,in an accent which made me start,and at the same time,springing forward,she seized me in her grasp,and shook me violently,repeating,'It's a lie--it's a lie!'with a rapidity and vehemence which swelled every vein of her face.The violence of her action,and the fury which convulsed her face,effectually terrified me,and dis-engaging myself from her grasp,I screamed as loud as I could for help.The blind woman continued to pour out a torrent of abuse upon me,foaming at the mouth with rage,and impotently shaking her clenched fists towards me.
I heard Lord Glenfallen's step upon the stairs,and I instantly ran out;as I passed him I perceived that he was deadly pale,and just caught the words:'I hope that demon has not hurt you?'
I made some answer,I forget what,and he entered the chamber,the door of which he locked upon the inside.What passed within I know not;but I heard the voices of the two speakers raised in loud and angry altercation.
I thought I heard the shrill accents of the woman repeat the words,'Let her look to herself;'but I could not be quite sure.This short sentence,however,was,to my alarmed imagination,pregnant with fearful meaning.
The storm at length subsided,though not until after a conference of more than two long hours.Lord Glenfallen then returned,pale and agitated.
'That unfortunate woman,'said he,'is out of her mind.I daresay she treated you to some of her ravings;but you need not dread any further interruption from her:Ihave brought her so far to reason.She did not hurt you,I trust.'
'No,no,'said I;'but she terrified me beyond measure.'
'Well,'said he,'she is likely to behave better for the future;and I dare swear that neither you nor she would desire,after what has passed,to meet again.'
This occurrence,so startling and un-
pleasant,so involved in mystery,and giving rise to so many painful surmises,afforded me no very agreeable food for rumination.
All attempts on my part to arrive at the truth were baffled;Lord Glenfallen evaded all my inquiries,and at length peremptorily forbid any further allusion to the matter.
I was thus obliged to rest satisfied with what I had actually seen,and to trust to time to resolve the perplexities in which the whole transaction had involved me.
Lord Glenfallen's temper and spirits gradually underwent a complete and most painful change;he became silent and abstracted,his manner to me was abrupt and often harsh,some grievous anxiety seemed ever present to his mind;and under its influence his spirits sunk and his temper became soured.
I soon perceived that his gaiety was rather that which the stir and excitement of society produce,than the result of a healthy habit of mind;every day confirmed me in the opinion,that the considerate good-nature which I had so much admired in him was little more than a mere manner;and to my infinite grief and surprise,the gay,kind,open-hearted nobleman who had for months followed and flattered me,was rapidly assuming the form of a gloomy,morose,and singularly selfish man.
This was a bitter discovery,and I strove to conceal it from myself as long as I could;but the truth was not to be denied,and I was forced to believe that Lord Glenfallen no longer loved me,and that he was at little pains to conceal the alteration in his sentiments.
One morning after breakfast,Lord Glen- fallen had been for some time walking silently up and down the room,buried in his moody reflections,when pausing suddenly,and turning towards me,he exclaimed:
'I have it--I have it!We must go abroad,and stay there too;and if that does not answer,why--why,we must try some more effectual expedient.Lady Glenfallen,Ihave become involved in heavy embarrassments.
A wife,you know,must share the fortunes of her husband,for better for worse;but I will waive my right if you prefer remaining here--here at Cahergillagh.
For I would not have you seen elsewhere without the state to which your rank entitles you;besides,it would break your poor mother's heart,'he added,with sneering gravity.'So make up your mind--Cahergillagh or France.I will start if possible in a week,so determine between this and then.'
He left the room,and in a few moments I saw him ride past the window,followed by a mounted servant.He had directed a domestic to inform me that he should not be back until the next day.
I was in very great doubt as to what course of conduct I should pursue,as to accompanying him in the continental tour so suddenly determined upon.I felt that it would be a hazard too great to encounter;for at Cahergillagh I had always the consciousness to sustain me,that if his temper at any time led him into violent or unwarrantable treatment of me,I had a remedy within reach,in the protection and support of my own family,from all useful and effective communication with whom,if once in France,I should be entirely debarred.
As to remaining at Cahergillagh in solitude,and,for aught I knew,exposed to hidden dangers,it appeared to me scarcely less objectionable than the former proposition;and yet I feared that with one or other I must comply,unless I was prepared to come to an actual breach with Lord Glenfallen.Full of these unpleasing doubts and perplexities,I retired to rest.
