Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 123: what you’re looking at

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

110 hear how they clamour? And there is my father’s Voice above all!” I could not possibly refuse: I could no longer hesitate. The Marquis of Dalrymple led me be- fore the curtain: all the gentlemen present rose up to give effect to their applause—while most of the ladies waved their kerchiefs for a similar aim. A glance however showed me that the malignant old creature, Lady Mangold, was fan- ning herself desperately; and another glance, which, instinctively as it were, I flung at Lady Cecilia Urban, was encountered by the lightnings of jealousy and rage which were visibly flashing forth from her burning eyes. I acknowledged with several low curtseys the applause which was almost general; and the young Marquis led me off the stage. On passing into the green-room, we found it deserted: for the other performers had retired to their dressing-rooms to prepare for the next piece. I had thrown myself half exhausted upon a chair before I had time to notice that I was alone there with the Marquis. He hastened to present me with some wine-and-water, which I took—for the thought had suddenly occurred to me that I must not by any indication on my part show how I suspected that I was the object of the young nobleman’s admiration. As he received the glass from me again, he pressed my hand—slightly enough, it is true—but yet with a significancy that made me start and for a moment look in- dignant. “Oh, be not offended, Miss Trafford!” he ex- claimed with entreaty in his accents and enthu- siasm in his looks. ‘ Not for worlds would I offend you! No! by heaven, I would sooner die than merit your displeasure !” “Hnough, my lord,” I said, somewhat coldly and distantly ; and with a slight inclination of my head, 1 was about to leave the green-room. “Stop one moment, Miss Trafford! I beseech you!” cried the Marquis imploringly: “only one instant !” : “You can have nothing to say to me, my lord !” “Then I will write to you!” he at once ejacu- lated. “And fear not to receive my letter —fear not to open it!—for by everything sacred, I am incapable of giving you offence!” I was immediately struck by a sense of the in- convenience of becoming the object of such cor- respondence as that with which the young Marquis threatened me: and I therefore thought it better to come to an explanation on the spot. Besides, he was evidently generous-hearted—his language had given me to understand the nature of the proposal he intended to make me—I had no right to be offended with him for loving me and mean- ing honourably towards me—and I therefore resolved at once to relieve him of all suspense, and put an end to any vain hope that he might be cherishing. I therefore stopped: but still it was not for me to take the initiative in the explana- tions that were to ensue. The animation of joy beamed upon the really handsome countenance of the young Marquis when he perceived that I lingered ; and he went on to say, “Oh! it is better that I should tell you now in words from my lips how much I love you, rather than wait for an opportunity to communicate in ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. writing! J have not known you longy—our per- sonal acquaintance indeed is only of a few days’ date—but on the stage I had previously admired you—and since you have visited at Ardleigh House I have learnt to love you. It is an honourable proposal which I make. Away with all considera- tions of rank and social differences 7 He had now reached a point at which I could becomingly interrupt him ; for there was no longer the slightest doubt in respect to his meaning. “My lord,” I said, “hear me!’—and I spoke firmly, though perhaps with a certain compas- sionating expression in my tone. “I thank your lordship for the honour which you wouid have in. tended me: but I am unable to accept it. So much generous frankness on your part demands an equal confidence in return. My heart is engaged and my troth is plighted to another !” I cannot describe the effect which this announce- ment produced upon the young Marquis of Dal- rymple. He became pale as death: he staggered back, and seemed as if he were about to fall. “For heaven’s sake compose your feelings, my lord!” I said, smitten with affright. “Some one may come suddenly! For your sake—for mine ——” “Yes, yes—I will be calm!” he said: “but, O God! you know not the blow that you have stricken me! ‘Tell me—are your affections irrevo- cably engaged? are your vows pledged beyond re- callP Do not—do not think,” he hastily added, “that I would seek to persuade you to play a per- fidious or ungenerous part towards him whom [ must regard as my rival: but if there be any hope for me—even the slirhtest i “There is none, my lord!” I interrupted him. “And now, for heayen’s sake, assume a calmness of demeanour as if nothing of all this had taken place !” With these words I glided from the green-room ; and in the adjoining apartment I met Mr. and Mrs. Norman, apparelled for the next piece. I had so far regained my own self-possession that they did not perceive there was anything peculiar with me; and as I was not to appear in the after- pieces, I began to busy myself in seeing that all the arrangements were progressing favourably. In a few minutes I again beheld the young Marquis,— who looked exceedingly pensive, though evidently exerting every effort to conceal the sources of his trouble. I did not avoid him: I spoke kindly to him—and endeavoured by my manner to give him to understand that though I could not possibly be © angry at his conduct, yet that there was really no hope, and that he must look upon me only as a friend, if he thought fit so to regard me. The after-pieces progressed to the satisfaction of the audience; and at about eleven o’clock the per- formances were over. All the ladies and gentle- men who had played as amateurs descended from the stage into the body of the apartment, to join their respective friends or relatives; while we pro- fessionals (as I may technically term ourselves) to the number of about a dozen, were assembled in the green-room. The young Marquis had likewise left us; and we were conversing on the satisfactory mode in which the entertainments had been con- ducted, when the steward of the ducal household made his appearance. ‘ T am commissioned, Miss,” he said, address- CORMELOO (ECON