The Purcell Papers by Sheridan Le Fanu--Delphi Classics (Illustrated) by Sheridan Le Fanu

Author:Sheridan Le Fanu [LE FANU, SHERIDAN]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Parts Edition 15 of 25 by Delphi Classics
Publisher: Delphi Classics (Parts Edition)
Published: 2017-08-14T00:00:00+00:00

‘DEAR MASTER RICHARD,

‘My little child is dead, and your

happiness is all I care about now. Your marriage with me is displeasing

to your family, and I would be a burden to you, and in your way in the

fine places, and among the great friends where you must be. You ought,

therefore, to break the marriage, and I will sign whatever YOU wish, or

your family. I will never try to blame you, Master Richard — do not think

it — for I never deserved your love, and must not complain now that I

have lost it; but I will always pray for you, and be thinking of you

while I live.’

While I read this letter, I was satisfied that so far from adding to the poor girl’s grief, a full disclosure of what had happened would, on the contrary, mitigate her sorrow, and deprive it of its sharpest sting.

‘Ellen,’ said I solemnly, ‘Richard O’Mara was never unfaithful to you; he is now where human reproach can reach him no more.’

As I said this, the hectic flush upon her cheek gave place to a paleness so deadly, that I almost thought she would drop lifeless upon the spot.

‘Is he — is he dead, then?’ said she, wildly.

I took her hand in mine, and told her the sad story as best I could. She listened with a calmness which appeared almost unnatural, until I had finished the mournful narration. She then arose, and going to the bedside, she drew the curtain and gazed silently and fixedly on the quiet face of the child: but the feelings which swelled at her heart could not be suppressed; the tears gushed forth, and sobbing as if her heart would break, she leant over the bed and took the dead child in her arms.

She wept and kissed it, and kissed it and wept again, in grief so passionate, so heartrending, as to draw bitter tears from my eyes. I said what little I could to calm her — to have sought to do more would have been a mockery; and observing that the darkness had closed in, I took my leave and departed, being favoured with the services of my former guide.

I expected to have been soon called upon again to visit the poor girl; but the Lodge lay beyond the boundary of my parish, and I felt a reluctance to trespass upon the precincts of my brother minister, and a certain degree of hesitation in intruding upon one whose situation was so very peculiar, and who would, I had no doubt, feel no scruple in requesting my attendance if she desired it.

A month, however, passed away, and I did not hear anything of Ellen. I called at the Lodge, and to my inquiries they answered that she was very much worse in health, and that since the death of the child she had been sinking fast, and so weak that she had been chiefly confined to her bed. I sent frequently to inquire, and often called myself, and all that I heard convinced me that she was rapidly sinking into the grave.

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