Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 120: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. tion to elicit how long I had been waiting there, and how much I might | have heard of the discourse that had taken place in the next room; and there- fore, to’ put the Duchess and the Marquis com- pletely at their ease, I said, “I have only just ar- rived, my lady.” I now proceeded to exhibit the books of cos- tumes which I had brought; and I could not help noticing that the young Marquis, while apparently entering into the spirit of the discussion which was taking place, was nevertheless in reality thought- ful and preoccupied. Two or three times I caught him gazing intently upon my countenance ; and I found a vague suspicion of something which I did not like floating through my mind. The thought for an instant struck me that I would put on an air of cold reserve towards Lord Dalrymple: but the next moment I discarded the plan—and I even blushed at my own arrogance in assuming that there was any necessity for such a proceeding on my part. All of a sudden the door opened with a certain degree of violence; and in rushed that very per- sonage whom I had seen lecturing the mendicant on the steps in front of the mansion, and whom I had regarded as so insignificant-looking an indi- vidual. * This is excellent!’ he exclaimed: “ nothing could be more apropos! In full conclave, I see ! —and here is Mr. Peaseblossom who has come in the very nick of time to take part in the council!” “You know, my lord,” said a voice speaking from behind the door, “ that I am as ignorant of theatri- cal matters as—as—a horse is of algebra.” ** Nonsense, Peaseblossom!”’ cried the insignifi- cant-looking personage, who I however began to Suspect must in reality be a more important one than I had fancied. “Come in, I say !”—and dragging his friend into the room, he closed the door. The person whom he had thus forcibly intro- duced, was a short, stout, elderly gentleman, with a certain sleekness of appearance which gave him an air alike sanctimonious and submissive. He had a red face, but with anything rather than a jolly look: for the expression of his countenance was subdued and diffident. He wore a white cravat, with very high shirt collars projecting in sharp peaks beyond the corners of his mouth: a black surtout coat—a buff waistcoat—and grey trousers, which seemed very large as far as the knees and very scanty as they descended towards the black gaiters which covered his shoes, com- pleted his attire. Nothing could exceed the mingled disdain and hauteur with which the Duchess, slightly rising from her chair, inclined her head towards this individual; while the Mar- quis of Dalrymple nodded in a haif-patronising, half-compassionating manner, as if thus recog- nising one whom he pitied and despised, but yet could not find it in his heart to be altogether cold or unkind to. “ Really, my lord,” said the Duchess, address- ing herself to the insignificant-looking personage, whom I may as well at once announce to be none other than the Duke of Ardleigh, “ this interrup- tion is most provoking is “Provoking, my dear?” ejaculated the Duke, with an air half astunished and half deprecatory : 107 “you surprise me! I thought you would be de- lighted to bave the advice of myself and my friend Peaseblossom.” “JT told your Grace,” said Mr. Peaseblossom, who looked very uncomfortable indeed, “that we had better not intrude; for I feel myself as much out of place in such a conference as —as—a bishop would be at a free-and-easy.” * Nonsense, Peaseblossom!” cried the Duke: “her Grace is only joking. She is so funny some- times !” “ My lord!” exclaimed the Duchess of Ardleigh, drawing herself up with a queenly hauteur: “ tho word which you have used is unknown in my dic- tionary. But since you persist in remaining, have the kindness not to interrupt the arrangements which I am settling with Miss Trafford.” * Ah! Iam glad to make Miss Trafford’s ac- quaintance,” ejaculated the Duke, who seemed a good-natured man enough, but excessively frivo- lous, weak-minded, and conceited. “Sit down, Peaseblossom. Allow me to introduce you to Miss Trafford. Ah! by the bye, you just now heard me, Miss Trafford, reading a lecture to a man upon the steps. Irather think I didit well. As an hereditary legislator, and one who has the awful responsibility of making laws for this country, I cannot tolerate vagrancy on the part of the able- bodied. Can I, Peaseblossom P” “ Certainly not, my lord,” responded the hanger- on, who was now sitting diffidently upon the edge of a chair, looking askance at the Duchess, of whom he was evidently much in awe. “To me, my lord, a sturdy mendicant is as great an eye- sore as—as—a sore eye.” “ Capital!” ejaculated the Duke, laughing and rubbing his hands: “very good, Peaseblossom ! By the bye, Miss Trafford, you were excellent in Juliet the other night. You died admirably! Did you not hear somebody cry out Encore? That was me. And I know that I only spoke the uni- versal sentiment; for everybody wished to see you die over again.” “ My lord,” interposed the Duchess, her cheeks flushed with mingled shame and indignation, and her haughty lips wreathing with contempt, on her husband’s account; “ with your permission we will proceed in the final arrangements which I am making with Miss Trafford.” “Very good, my dear,” ejaculated the Duke, who maintained the most perfect good humour. “Her Grace’s observations, Peaseblossom, are al- ways well-timed, She is so very facetious!” “Facetious, my lord!” said the Duchess, dis- dainfally. “T never condescend to jesting or joking.” “ Of course not,” interjected Mr, Peaseblossom, doubtless thinking to pay her Grace a compli- ment. ‘“ Your ladyship knows your position bet- ter. For your ladyship to be facetious, would place you in as false a position as—as—an ele- phant in a flower-garden.” Not the slightest notice did the haughty and dignified Duchess of Ardleigh take of this singu- larly attempted piece of flattery: but she turned to address some observation to me. “One word, my dear, before you proceed!” ejaculated the Duke, as something appeared to strike him. “The principal piece, I believe, is to be ‘Henry the Highth ;’ and there are to be ama- COUN Ghoook Com *