The Purcell Papers

e Legacy of the late Francis

oduc

verba of the valued friend from whom I received it, conscious that any aberration from HE

I could communicate the impressive consciousness that the narrator had seen with her own eyes, and personally acted in the scenes which she described; these accompaniments, taken with the additional circumstance that she who told th

story struck my fancy so much that I committed it to paper while it was still fresh in my mind; and should i

wn as she told it, in the first perso

an as f

rs, and we were the only children. There was a difference in our ages of nearly six years, so that I did not, in my childhood, enjoy that

d are not of a kind to reflect honour upon those involved in them; and as many are still living, in every way honoured and honourable, w

was a Mr. Carew, a gentleman of property

resses. Such sights were then new to me, and harmonised ill with the sorrowful feelings with which I regarded the event which was to separate

town House. The carriage stood at the hall-door, and my poor siste

with tears, and, returning slowly to my chamber, I wept more bitt

interest in me. He had desired a son, and I think

lent intrusion, and as his antipathy to me had its origin in an imperfection of m

and a worldly cast of mind. She had no tenderness or sympathy for the weaknesses, or even for th

ar after her marriage, we received letters from Mr. Carew, containing accounts of my sister's health, which, though not ac

repeated invitation to spend some time at Ashtown, particularly as the physician who had

ed, as it was supposed that a deranged state of the liver was the only

n Dublin, where one of my father's carriages awaited them, in readiness

tages should be performed by his own horses, upon whose speed and safety far more reliance might be placed than upon those of the ordinary post-horses, which were at tha

e party would leave Dublin on Monday, and, in

yet no carriage; darkness came on, and

breath stirring, so that any sound, such as that produced by the rapid movement of a vehicle, w

would have wished. It was nearly one o'clock, and we began almost to despair of seeing them upon that night, when I thought I distinguished the sound

ron, as the avenue-gate revolved on its hinges;

starting up; 'the carr

whirlwind; crack went the whip, and clatter went the wheels, as it rattled over the uneven pavemen

ise peculiar to the operation, and the hum of voices exerted in the bustle of arriva

ightly upon all around; nothing was to be seen but the tall trees

gs walked suspiciously, growling and snuffing about the court, and by totally an

on, we looked about to find anything which might indicate or account for the noise which we had heard; but no such thing was to b

ad. On Sunday evening, she had retired to bed rather unwell, and, on Monday, her indisposition declared itself unequ

, and thus to sacrifice all regard for truth and accuracy to the idle hope of affrighting the imagination, and thus pandering to the bad taste of his reader. He begs leave, then, to take this opportunity of asserting his perfect innocence of all the crimes laid to his charge, and to assure his reader that he never PANDERED TO HIS BAD TASTE, nor went one inch out of his way to introduce witch, fairy, devil, ghost, or any other of the grim fraternity of the redoubted Raw-head-and-bloody-bones. His province, touching these tales, has been attended with no difficulty and little responsibility; indeed, he is accountable for nothing more than an alteration in the names of persons mentioned therein, w

ed, though one would have thought that the truth scarcely required to be improved upon; and again, because it

id to live; and during this time, habits of indecision, arising out of a listless acquiescence in the will of others, a fear of encountering even the slightest o

ch I have just mentioned were performed; and not being altogether inconsolable, he married again within two years; af

or that none of the aspirants to my hand stood sufficiently high in rank or wealth, I was suffered by both parents to do exactly as I pleased; and well was it for me, as I afterwards found, that fortune, or rather Providence, had so ordained it, that I had not suffered my affections to become in any degree engaged, for my mother would never have s

lves; and, at her suggestion, we moved to Dublin to sojourn for the winter,

lity the cause of all the bustle and preparation which surrounded me, and being thus relieved from the pain which a consc

society, and, consequently, upon our arrival in the metropolis w

ved did not fail considerably to amuse me, and my mind gr

that I was an heiress, and of course my att

he exclusion of all less important aspirants. However, I had not understood or even remarked his attentions, nor in the slight

ith the assistance of my waiting-maid, employed in rapidly divesting myself of the rich ornaments whi

after the fatigues of the evening, when I was aroused from the reverie into which I

'I wish to say a word or two with you before I

ing at the same time from my seat, with t

st chat with you for a quarter of an hour or so. Saunders' (to the maid) 'yo

us ears having been taken as

rest Fanny - indeed, you MUST have observed

ou, madam -

love, and I will prove to your satisfaction that your modesty is quite unnecessary in this case. You have done better than we could have hoped

I exclaimed, in unf

t is there wonderful in it? Look in the glass, and look at these,' she continued, pointing with a smile t

fusion and real alarm -'is it not possible that

e very fine complimentary flourishes upon my beauty and perfections, as also upon the antiquity and high reputation of our family, it went on to make a formal proposal of marriage, to be communicated or not to me at present, as my mother should dee

y mother, impatiently; 'do yo

r timidly, for I dreaded an

d she. 'Are you afraid of a title? What has he

ght have said, 'He is nei

such as Lord Glenfallen, young and wealthy, with first-rate - yes, acknowledged FIRST-RATE abilities, and of a family whose influe

much astonished by the suddenness of the whole comm

r, turning sharply, and fixing her d

orrified, as what young lady wou

her family; and I said, without hesitation, take no care for her, but cast her off. Such punishment I awarded for an offence committed against the reputation of a family not my own; and what I advised respecting the child of

rity, and paused as if she exp

er, said

end me, or to abuse or neglect any of those advantages which reason and duty tell you should be improved. Come hither, my dear; kiss me, and do not look so frightened. Well, now, about this letter, y

s, my heart was perfectly disengaged - and hitherto, although I had not been made in the slightest degree acquainted with his real views, I had liked him very much, as an agreeable, well-informed man, whom I was always glad to meet in

arly pleasing man; and whatever feeling unfavourable to him had found its way into my mind, arose altogether from the dread, not an unreasonable one, that constraint might be practised upon my inclinations. I reflected, however, that Lord Glenfal

revented my awkwardness being remarked upon. And I had the satisfaction of leaving Dublin for the country with the full convictio

topic of the speculations of gossip, I felt that if the situation which I occupied in relation to him were ma

that all things might proceed smoothly, without apparent opposition or objection upon my part. Whatever objections, therefore, I had entertained were to be subdued; whatever disposition to resistance I had exhibited or had been suppose

of liking and preference were in favour of Lord Glenfallen; and I well knew that in case I refused to dispose of myself as I was desired, my mot

cularly, were unscrupulously determined in matters of this kind, and willing, when voluntary obedience on the part of those within their po

resolve upon yielding at once, and without useles

ted suitor arrived; he was in high spirits, a

gaiety was amply made up in the triumphant and gracious good-humour of my mother, whose smi

e attendant pomp and circumstance of wealth, rank, and grandeur. According to the usage of the times, now humanely reform

e little annoyances inflicted upon me by the dull and coarse jokes of the

s both from Ashtown; for any change would have been a relief from the irksomeness of ceremonial and

en estates, lying, however, in a southern county, so that, owing to the diff

ough God knows I little deserved the latter. The three days of travel were now almost spent, when

ills, covered by a rich mantle of velvet sward, broken here and there by the grey front of some old rock, and exhibiting on their shelving sides, their slopes and hollows, every variety of light and shade; a thi

ting towards a considerable level space intervening between t

re a mass of taller and statelier forest trees stood darkly grouped together, and among them stood an ancient square tower, with ma

e-worn castle and its surrounding buildings; and seen as it was through the long vistas of the fine old tr

dark ivy which, in a great measure, covered the building. Other indications of comfort made themselves manifest as we approached;

attendants upon your noble relics of feudalism; and I much prefer a snug, modern, unmysterious bedroom, with well-aired sheets, to the waving tapestry, mildewed cushions, and all the other interesting appliances of romance. However, though I cannot promise you all the discomfort generally belonging to an

ught with us for immediate use to the apartments which Lord Glenfallen had selected for himself and me, I went with him into a spacious

the distance a group of dairy-maids were plying their task, which they accompanied throughout with snatches of Irish songs which, mellowed by the distance, floated not unpleasingly to the ear; and beside them sat or lay, with all the grave importance of cons

y and happiness came upon me, which I have never experienced in so strong a

of my emotion, and taking me kindl

know your wish, and it shall be complied with; so I must entreat of you not to suffer any circumstances which I can control t

o the grim, decrepid hag which my fancy had conjured up, as the depository of

d apologising for the liberty, until at length Lord Glenfallen put an end to this somewhat fatigu

end of which lay the door which communicated with the apartments which had been selec

ell from above the door, so as completely to screen the aperture; the startling unexpectedness of the occurrence, and the rustling noise which the drap

what a co

w aside the curtain and enter the room, when, upon turning to do so, I was

amazed to find that it, like the one below, was wainscoted,

said I; 'what h

yship wish to know?

across the door, when I attempted fi

ut us!' said the old wom

y good friend?' said I

itation; but in vain, for tottering towards a chair, she sank into it, looking

from harm and danger!'

ing to fear that she had seen something more tha

'I beg your ladyship's pardon for making so bol

our keeping me in the dark upon the subject will make me much more uneasy than anything you coul

in falling across the door when you were

ppears somewhat strange, I cannot see anything

d the crone; 'something terrible is coming. I

said I, in spite of myself, catching more than

never forget it. I often heard of it before, though I never saw it till then, nor since, praised be God. But I was going into Lady Jane's room to waken her in the morning; and sure enough when I got first to the bed and began to draw the curtain, something dark was waved across the d

to the fear which my companion had so unreservedly expressed; and when you consider my situation, the

an unruffled course. One little incident however, though trifling in its

e house and domain; and accordingly we set forth upon our ramble. When returning, he became fo

ouse him - but in vain. At length, as we approach

adness,' repeating the words b

ing sharply towards me, in a tone very unlike th

ssible that a woman

lkativeness, and that I may answer your question with the same directness

not,' said

was much astonished at his unwonted ab

recollect himself, and with an effort

est will not be difficult. It will impose upon you a very trifling restraint during your sojourn here, which certain events which have occurred since our arrival have determined me shall not be a long one. You must promise me, upon your sacred honour, that you will visit ONLY that part of the castle which can be reached from the front entrance, leaving the back entrance and the part of the building commanded immediately by it to the menials, as also the small garden whose hig

r recovered all its gaiety and elasticity: but the recollection of the

de the fireplace, and nearly opposite the door, seated in a large, old-fashioned elbow-chair, was placed the figure of a lady. She appeared to be nearer fifty than forty, and was dressed suitably to her age, in a handsome suit of flowered silk; she had a profusion of trinkets and jewellery about her person, and many rings upon her fingers. But although very rich,

ust be some mistake here

ady, sharply; 'YOUR chamber

nd I am convinced he will be not a

leave, talk of what you know something about. Tell

something in her air of confident superiority which, when I c

dam, to whom you

are some one about the house, so again I desire you, if you w

dam,' said I, 'that

said the stra

ng her that I might be more distinctl

e!' 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

ran out; as I passed him I perceived that he was deadly pale,

f which he locked upon the inside. What passed within I know not; but I h

her look to herself;' but I could not be quite sure. This short sentenc

fter a conference of more than two long hours. L

you to some of her ravings; but you need not dread any further interruption

'but she terrified

the future; and I dare swear that neither you nor she

ed in mystery, and giving rise to so many painful surmi

gth peremptorily forbid any further allusion to the matter. I was thus obliged to rest satisfied with what I had

came silent and abstracted, his manner to me was abrupt and often harsh, some grievous anxiety see

s 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

e walking silently up and down the room, buried in his moody refle

u 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

window, followed by a mounted servant. He had directed a dome

d 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

less objectionable than the former proposition; and yet I feared that with one or other I must comply, unless I was prep

e shoulder; a small lamp burned in my room, and by its light, to my horror and amazement, I disco

ing the bell, and alarm the domestics; bu

e wakened you. Listen to me, now, attentively and fearlessly, for what I have to say interests you to the full as much as i

ed, 'did Lord Glenfallen marry me, in pr

. Mark me now - you are NOT his wife. When I make my story known you will be so neither in the eye of God nor of man. You must leave this house upon to-morrow. Let the world know that your husband

he room, leaving me very

icions; still there was not enough to remove all doubt

lest I should encounter this person - the strong influence, nay, command which she possessed over him, a circumstance clearly established by the very fact of her residing in the very place where, of all others, he should least have desired to find her - her thus

ence of premeditated guilt in anyone whom they have ever trusted; and in support of this feeling I was assured that if the assertion of Lord Glenfallen, which not

and looks to seek for its proof or refutation. Full of these thoughts, I remained wakeful and excited all night, every moment fancying th

inspection, seemed to indicate the habitual prevalence and indulgence of evil passions, and a power of expressing mere animal anger, with an in

n, I was within the reach of this violent and, for aught I knew, insane woman, who had, upon that very night, spoken to me in a t

r to secure the door, lest I should again encounter the dreadful object lurking in som

ly engrossed by the terrible fears and suspicions which my last night's conference had suggested to me. He was, as usual, gloomy a

tunity to pass, or Lord Glenfallen to leave the ro

ness -'my lord, I wish to say a few words to you upon a matter of

hether the announcement caused him any uneasiness;

ave preface, and portends, I have no doubt, something

d seated himself ne

time since, the blind lady, again, upon last night.' His face, upon which

nd, as to enter that portion of the house from which your promise, I m

ed them. I was, last night, wakened from my sleep, as I lay in my own chamber, and accosted b

uickly, while in turn he fixed his eyes upon me, 'what did this person say? since

that I could not think of withholding it from you. She told me, my lord, that

the window. The horror and dismay which, in the olden time, overwhelmed the woman of Endor when her spells unexpectedly conjured the dead into her presence, wer

ring which it were hard to conjecture w

s self-command; he returned to th

nd, the ravings of a lunatic. I now tell you that this is the last time I shall speak to you upon this subject, and, in the presence of the God who is to judge me, and as I hope for mercy in the day of judgment, I swear that the charge thus brought against me is utterly false, unfounded, and ridiculous; I defy the world in any point to taint my honour; and, as I have never taken the opinion of madmen touching your character or morals, I think i

words, for old Martha, with whom I was a great favourite, while attending me in my room, told me that she feared her master had ill-used the poor blind Dutch woman, for th

arn anything whatever that might throw a light upon the history of thi

lish nor Irish; for, whenever they talk together, they speak some queer foreign lingo, and fast enough, I'll be bound. But I ought not to talk about her

is lady been her

'but do not ask me any more, for the master would think nothing of turning

n further, for her reluctance to spea

t best, a very questionable source, I could not take any very decisive measure whatever; and as to the menace of the strange woman who had thus unaccountably twice intruded he

d Glenfallen having, as usual, early retired to his study, I

ould often recur to the agitating scen

as also the depression of spirits to which I had of late been a constant prey, tended to

nto some more pleasing channel, when I heard, or thought I heard, utte

upon your lady

I started to my feet, and involun

e room for the spe

into the passage, nearly faint with horror lest some le

as within sight, 'I have been too much of a rake lately; I am racking

nded by old Martha, I reti

ed in undressing, and, in doing so, I had recourse to a large looking-glass which occupied a considerable portion of the wall in which it was fixed,

e of a minute when something like a blac

imed, wildly. 'I have seen it a

wered she, tremulously crossing he

ugh of a nervous temperament, I had never been superstitious. 'I do not believe in

ame the next morn

arcely deserved such a dr

dy,' said Martha; 'and she is

ur opinions, nor inclination to alter mine; so I will talk no mor

but my imagination was still busy, for I was startled from this unrefreshin

upon your lady

ntly followed by a l

, and heard my husband enter th

pretending to sleep, to attempting to engage my husband in conversation, for I well knew that his mood was s

e door lying open, I could see him by himself, at full length upon a sofa, and, in about half

nerves, in the consciousness that some one is in your immediate presence, actually enjoying the boon which

e phantom-like character, the varying shadows thrown by the flickering of the lamplight, seemed shaping themselves into grotesque and unearthly forms

nd each succeeding one found me, if possible

here I lay, through the curtains. As I gazed fixedly upon it, I thought I perceived the broad sheet of glass shifting its position in relation to the bed; I riveted my eyes upon it with intense scrutiny; it was no deception, th

een aware of its presence. It was arrayed in a kind of woollen night-dress, and a white handkerchief or cloth was bound tightly a

n that attitude she remained motionless for some moments, no do

minutes; she then noiselessly opened one of the drawers, from which, having groped for some time, she took something, which I soon perceived to be a case of razors. She opened it, and tried the edge of each of the two instruments upon the skin of her

ft my voice; I could not even breathe; and though I expected every moment to see the sleeping man murder

along his clothes, and having thus ascertained his identity, she, after a brief int

r my throat; yet the terrific fascination which had lock

ion, and yet I could not stir one joint from the position in w

nd, that which was disengaged, was upon the pillow; she gradually slid it forward towards my head, and in an instant,

grazing my throat. In a moment, I know not how, I found myself at the other side of the bed

make my escape. It was, however, fastened. At all events, I could not open it. From the mere instinct of

m behind by a strong arm, stretched the monster senseless at my feet. At the same mom

One swoon succeeded another, so long and death-

sleep, from which I was awakened at about two, that I might swear

nfallen, and the woman was fully committed

h the examination of the blind woma

ght before. It was torn and soiled, and here and there smeared with blood, which had flowed in large quantities from a wound in her head

she expressed throughout, was at not having succeeded in her

herself the Countess Glenfallen, a

s Flora Van Kemp,'

e?' she resumed; 'I am Lord Glenfallen's wife - I'll prove it - write down my words. I am willing to be hanged or burned, so HE meets his deserts. I did try to kill

lenfallen i

business; this unhappy woman's furious recriminations but waste our time. If she

st hear me,' she continued, addressing the magistrate; 'I can convict him - he bid me murder that girl, and then,

ss the crime with which you stand charged, you may, upon

r it all - write down my testimony - write it down, I say - we shall hang

nd sneering laugh, which, from one in h

ed he, 'but distinct answers to the question

she sullenly, and no inducement or inti

en given, as also those of the servants who h

fallen's, for his lordship was naturally by no means indifferent to the effect which her vehement accusations against himself might produce,

es of mind which baffle all description; he hardly ever slept, and when he did, his slumbers seemed but the instruments of n

rkings of his mind. His agony often broke out into such fearful paroxysms that delirium and total loss of reason appeared to be impending. He frequently spoke of flying from the country, and

the day appointed Lord Glenfallen and I

on, and the prisone

felt respecting the trial, so th

stening to the indictment, pleaded guilty, and no representations

to prevail upon her to reconsider her words, the court

er was about to be removed, when

ord! - Is Lord Glenfal

e raised her voice to a tone

st, that you married a second wife, while the first was living; and again, that you prompted

were naturally treated by the judge as a violent extempo

she said; 'you won't try h

ould certainly be allowed 'to go free,'

, and uttered one piercing shriek so full of preternatural rage and despair, that

months after the voice that had

d in accordance with the sente

s of the guilt imputed to him, and all the circumstances connected with the late occurrences, formed a mass of evidence so convincing that I wrote to my father, detailing the grou

hed to my husband, I plainly perceived that if Lord Glenfallen were not relieved, and that speedily, insanity must su

ken place, Lord Glenfallen one morning

sfaction everything which has hitherto appeared suspicious or mysterious in my conduct.

inly occurred to tranquillize my husband's mind in no ordinary degree, and I thought it by no means i

ted hour. He was writing busily when I entered the room,

eisure, while he finished, folded, directed, and sealed his letter

enabled to prove the negative of all the crimes which even the most credulous suspicion could lay to my charge. I expected a third by this morning's post, containing documents which will set the matter for ever at rest, but owing, no doubt, to some neglect, or, perhaps, to some difficulty in collecting the papers, some inevitable delay, it has not come to hand this morning, according to my expectation. I was finishing one to the very same quarter when you came in, and if a sound rousing be worth anything, I think I shall have

dy; this he unlocked, and half opening the door, he said, 'It is only I,' and

, so, smothering any little scruples which I might have felt, I resolved to look at the address of the letter which lay

but there could be no mistake - in large characters wer

ock which this unequivocal proof of insanity produced, when the closet door was unlocked, and Lo

nquired I, making a stro

ou might have some objection to

it?' rep

ave been with her the whole morning. She is very anxious to get out of

his moment with a sound as if something

her?' said he, with an obst

d Glenfallen, suddenly checking his merrim

she has been

s,' said I, in as unconcerned a tone as I could assum

ome back in an hour or two, or when y

he had adopted before, locking the door upon the inside; and as I hurr

instant, all was gone - the dreadful consummation was accomplished - the fearful retribut

Lord Glenfallen, I cannot describe; my solitude was, however, broken in upon by Martha

d, to my great joy, found m

cations had touched the honour of the family. I speedily informed

placing some person to watch him, to

e Edward Cooke, an attached servant

y him, my father and I proceeded at once to the study. The door of the inner room was still

-door, at which we knocked, bu

n vain - it was locked upon the insid

ce the door, which was, after several violent e

was lying on his

e is asleep.' We p

ll for that,'

strong reluctance to

'try whether you

his ear towards the head of the recumbent figure, to ascertain wheth

tter not wait here;

aid I, terribly agitated

d the body round, and, gracious God! what a sig

ce frill, was drenched with gore, as was t

ody by a frightful gash, which yawned across the throat. Th

the history in whose termination I had b

estowed in vain. I directed my thoughts and my hopes to tha

mily; and though it refers to a somewhat distant date, we shall be found not to have taken, upon that account, any libe

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