Page:Passions 2.pdf/456

444

come upon me.—You had better sleep on the couch by my bed to-night; I may want my drops in the night time.—What o'clock is it?

''Pry. (looking at a watch.)'' Mercy on us! it's just the very time when it begins.—What's that? (alarmed.)

Lady S. Nothing: I heard nothing. (a long pause; then a deep groan is heard from the bottom of the stage.) Come, come! stand closer to me Pry. (taking hold of Pry.) It had a strange, hollow, unnatural sound.

Pry. Yes; just like a body speaking out of a coffin. Lady S. Stand closer still, I beseech you: that was horrible! (putting out her hand, trembling) Whe—whe—where is the bell-rope?

Pry. O la! you know well enough it hangs in the other end of the room.

Lady S. Go pull it then: pull it violently. (Pry hesitates, and seems every unwilling to go) Go, I say! Lady S. O go and do it! for heaven's sake! for God's sake! for mercy's sake do it! (Pry then goes sidling across the floor, looking on every side with terror and suspicion, till she gets to the bell rope which hangs by the head of the