Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 128: what you’re looking at

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ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. 115 most terrible suspicion——-it is enough to kill me !” Juliet had spoken passionately ; and I now said all that I could to console her. After awhile she became comforted; and embracing me affection- ately, she stole back to her own apartment. I slept but little for the remainder of that night : my mind was agitated with vague doubts and in- definite misgivings, which however for compas- sion’s sake I had studiously veiled as much as pos- sible from Juliet. Faint as a tingling in the ears, or as the sound of far distant bells, was- there a suspicion in my brain that Juliet was in some way or another the victim of treachery—or at least that everything was not precisely as it had been represented. Though Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe’s conduct was secret, yet this was no reason that it should not have been straightforward; and I felt that it had mot been. Wherefore his hesitation to procure the certificate? Was he already getting . tired of Juliet, and preparing the way for a dis- avowal of the marriage?—was the clergyman in league with him for this purpose ? If such were the case, I felt that the Normans as Juliet’s parents, and myself as her bosom-friend, would be looked upon as partial and one-sided witnesses if the matter were eventually brought before a court of justice. But it is useless to chronicle here all the varied, and to some extent conflicting reflections which passed through my mind as the result of that scene with Juliet. Suffice it to say that I was now determined to see her extricated from the false and perilous position in which she was placed by the want of the certificate; and I even made up my mind to take another journey to Embledon, if it were necessary, to see Mr, Croft upon the subject. When we met at the breakfast-table in the morning, Juliet’s appearance was precisely the same as usual, with the exception perhaps that she was a little paler. She glanced significantly at me, as much as to thank me for the advice and conso- lation I had offered her during the night, and also to enjoin me to keep the incident secret from her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Norman had to attend the theatre at about noon. ‘The presence of Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe might soon be expected; and as I had no rehearsal to attend that day, I went out shopping, in order that I might afford Juliet an opportunity of being alone with the young nobleman. I proceeded on foot—for I wished to take some exercise ; and I could not help thinking as I went along the streets, that love is the source of almost as much misery as it is the spring of happiness in this world. It teaches its votaries the solemn lesson that there can be no felicity without its drawback, and that there is not within human ex- perience a perfect amount of happiness. In my own case the example was already illustrated. De- votedly was I attached to my cousin Harry; and yet, through the very fear of having my heart’s love blighted by the loss of his own, was I still keeping from him the secret of that profession wherein I had embarked. The world had recog- nised me as a great actress ; and yet I trembled to avow the secret of my fame to him whom I felt it should most rejoice! While thus meditating, I had reached Bedford Square ; and as I was turning into it, I beheld the dashing phaeton of Mr. Parks suddenly draw. up. He sprang out, exclaiming, “ Why, my dear Ellen, you are almost a stranger now! You never . But he stopped short on finding that I did not take the hand which was proffered me. My demeanour was coldly indignant; and I perceived a guilty look rapidly expanding upon the ignoble countenance of the lawyer. Quickly however re- gaining his self-possession—or I might rather say his effrontery—he said somewhat sulkily, “ Well, Miss Percy, what is the meaning of this?” “If I proclaim all the accusations I have to make against you,” was my answer, “ you would find it a difficult task to vindicate yourself.” * Good God!” he exclaimed, now looking ex- cessively frightened—and indeed becoming pale as death,—“‘ what on earth do you mean? How could I possibly have offended youP You must have been listening to some falsehoods. ae “Mr. Parks, your looks are not those of a man who thinks himself maligned—but rather those of one who pleads guilty beforehand to the charges that can be brought against him. The captive will look forth through the narrow loop-holes of his cell; and your conscience, Mr. Parks, however strong be your efforts to imprison it in the pro- fundities of your breast, looks forth from your eyes.” “I can’t understand you,” he said, glancing towards his liveried coachman to see whether the domestic overheard what was passing. ‘“‘ Come a little further off, and explain what you mean.” As the reader is aware, I had been partially awaiting the first opportunity, without actually seeking it, to tell Mr. Parks that the foul treachery of himself and his wife was known to me. I there. fore did not refuse to avail myself of the present occasion: but at the same time I did not choose to make a scene before the servant or in a public place, I therefore walked a little aside with Mr. Parks ; and then stopping short, I suddenly looked him full in the countenance,—saying firmly and abruptly, “ You handed me over to the villain St. Clair !” So far from being overwhelmed by this accusa- tion, Parks appeared as if he all in a moment experienced some considerable sensation of relief ; so that it immediately struck me he had expected to hear a different or a graver charge than the one I had just brought against him. “ What do you mean?” he demanded coarsely, and almost brutally. “I mean that on the night when a panic was created at the theatre, at the exhibition of wild beasts, you consigned me, senseless and inanimate, to the power of a villain. But as he himself doubtless informed you, I escaped from his fiendish designs * ** Now listen to me, Hilen,” said Mr. Parks, as- Suming a dogged air of mingled defiance and authority. “Iam not going to have any fending or proving with you: you may think what you like —and if your opinion is evil, I shall not take the trouble to vindicate myself. You may either come to the house, or you may keep away, as you think fit. But there is one thing I would have you know—which is that you had better not speak ill of me or Mrs. Parks behind our backs; and you had better beware how you make us your enemies. Now don’t fire up!—you ain’s on the stage at this., CORnNICLOO cS Com