Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 132: what you’re looking at

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VW ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. very in reference to her son’s proceedings. slight and partial, it might in some way compro- mise my own character and good name—I resolved to keep the appointment, and, if necessary, to give the fullest explanation. Accordingly, punctual to the hour named in her Grace’s note, I alighted from the Normans’ carriage at the entrance to Ardleigh House. I was evidently expected on the part of the servants lounging in the hall; for one of the footmen im- mediately requested me to follow him up-stairs to the drawing-room. There I found the Duchess, alone. She was seated with the air of one await- ing an arrival that was to lead to business of deli- cacy and importance; and her manner was pointedly cold and distant as she desired me to be seated. ** Perhaps, Miss Trafford,” she began, “you are not altogether ignorant of the motive for which I requested this interview P” “I have no doubt, my lady, that I have rightly conjectured your motive,” was my answer ; “ and your Grace perceives with what readiness I have obeyed your summons.” ** A very unpleasant discovery has been made by me, Miss Trafford,” continued the Duchess: “but as yet I have not spoken a word on the subject to either my son or to the Duke. I hope that the result of our present interview will render it unnecessary to go to extremes in that sense.” “Your Grace may rest assured,” I rejoined, “that there has been nothing in my conduct which I could desire to be kept secret from the Duke of Ardleigh: while in respect to the Marquis of Dalrymple re ’ “ Oh, Miss Trafford !” exclaimed the Duchess, “there have been secrets between my son and yourself!” “ Something certainly took place,” I responded, “which I regarded in a confidential light: but it was nothing that for my own sake I could have wished to be concealed from your Grace.” “ My son has addressed you in the language of love, Miss Trafford; and by some means he has offended you. You returned a note of his un- opened, That note fell into my hands: I recog- nised your writing on the envelope—I was asto- nished—you can easily understand that I was seized with suspicions—I opened the letter—and read if. In doing this I only exercised a mother’s gightful authority ; and it is also as a mother that sought this interview, in the hope of appealing successfully to your good sense—your good feeling —your honour—your prudence——What terms can I use ?” *T can at once set your Grace’s fears at rest,” I answered, “‘by the assurance that I have never given the slightest encouragement to the Marquis of Dalrymple. To a proposal of marriage I could not listen, because my affections are engaged to another:—and to a dishonourable proposal there was but one response to give—that of indignation and scorn! Yet both those proposals were made to me by your Grace’s son, the Marquis of Dal- rywple !” “Lae foolish—the wicked boy !” exclaimed the Duchess: then starting from the sofa, she caught both my hands in her own; and looking me very As I was unaware to what extent her knowledge might reach—and being afraid that if it were merely 119 — earnestly in the face, she said, “ Yes, I believe you! Such innocence of aspect never served as the mask of guile! There was truth in your words—there is truth in your eyes! Oh, Miss Trafford! how can I possibly thank you enough for the manner in which you have set my mind at rest ?” *T am merely performing a duty which I owe even more to myself than to your Grace,” was my answer. The Duchess resumed her seat, and appeared to await farther explanations from my lips. ** In the first instance,” I proceeded, ‘‘ the Mar- quis of Dalrymple made me an honourable pro- posal of marriage—or at least I had every reason to regard his sentiments as honourable at the time ; and I refused it. Believing that he intended honourably, and looking upon him as _ well meaning and generous-hearted, I considered the circumstance to be sacredly confidential. He has subsequently insulted me with dishonourable over. tures—which I rejected with scorn. But as a result of that latter proceeding on his part, I now hold myself absolved from the moral obligation of secrecy and silence in respect to the former circum- stance. I have now been candid with your Grace ; and whatever may have been the contents of the billet which I returned unopened af “You may read them for yourself,” said the Duchess; “and you will thereby learn how partial was the insight I had obtained into all those proceedings concerning which you have given me such frank and honest explanations.” I took the billet which the Duchess proffered me; and I found its contents to be couched in some such sense as the following :— — “How is it that you treated me so coldly to- day? You know how passionately I loved you— how devotedly I must still love you; and if love rendered me bold as well as hopeful, it surely ought not to be visited with so severe a punish- ment. To refuse to notice me—to scorn the homage of my respectful salutation—these were proceedings on your part which I had not antici- pated! I should not have presumed to write to you, were it not that your coldness tortured me; for at least we might have been friends. May I beseech the favour of a single line to set my soul at rest P “ DALRYMPLE.” “After the perusal of this letter,” I said, “I could scarcely be offended if your Grace had treated me with even a colder reserve than that which you exhibited when [I first entered the room. Ihave now nothing more to do than to repeat the assurances a: “Tt is not necessary, Miss Trafford !” exclaimed the Duchess. “ Your conductis admirable! Ac. cept my sincerest thanks!— accept a mother’s gratitude! And if ever circumstances should render my friendship useful, hesitate not to appeal to it. It is scarcely probable that you will have an opportunity of putting me to the test: for in your own sphere your position is most brilliant. But still such an occasion might arise—and I almost hope it will for one reason: namely, that I may convince you of my gratitude.” I thanked the Duchess of Ardleigh for her kindness; for 1 considered that she had behaved CORNICLOO <S Com