Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 163: what you’re looking at

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160 “The lips which should deal only in prophe- cies,” answered Lord Frederick, “are dealing in sermons.” * Morais and aphorisms are in themselves often prophetic,” I at once rejoined: and then again did the requirements of the dance cut short the dis- course. While I was gliding through the figure, I thought to myself that I had said quite enough to Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe to render him uneasy and to prepare him as it were for the grand result which it was the object of my visit to achieve: so that I was determined not to become more pointed in my allusions, for fear lest he might begin to suspect that which I was so anxious to conceal. Accordingly, for the remainder of the time that we were together in the dance, I conversed upon lighter subjects ; and on being led back to my seat, I was impressed with the conviction that he had not the remotest idea who I really was. He had scarcely left me, when I beheld an elegantly-dressed cavalier of the Court of Louis the Fourteenth approaching me ; and he sat down by my side. His height and the symmetry of his person justified the suspicion that this was the Marquis of Dalrymple; and so it proved to be: for he at once addressed me in his natural tones, but in a voice that was cautiously low almost toa whisper. *‘ By the symbol of the white rose,” he said, “ I am to understand that you expect a certain piece of intelligence ?” I bowed without speaking. “Look,” he continued,—*“ look to the farther extremity of the room; and upon that ottoman — near the spot where the Duke and Duchess are standing, you perceive three ladies conversing to a group of gentlemen. That lady in the middle, dressed as Rebecca—I need not remind you of Scott’s novel of ‘Ivanhoe’—is the one to whom you will presently have to address yourself. If you require any farther succour at my hands, hesitate not to accost me.” Having thus spoken, the Marquis of Dalrymple rose from his seat, bowed, and glided away. I could not help admiring, and being even affected by the generous delicacy with which he behaved. Evidently not suspecting who I really was, he did not seek to gratify any curiosity on the subject: he had not even looked at me with a scrutinizing attention ; his demeanour was respectful, courteous and kindly considerate. In a few moments Equitted my seat, and began moving amidst the gay laughing assemblage to- wards that extremity of the spacious saloon where Lady Cecilia Urban was seated. As I was pro- ceeding thither I suddenly encountered a gentle- ‘man who was dressed as David Rizzio, as that. italian Secretary is represented in pictures in scenes of the life of Mary Queen of Scotland. I should not have thus specially noticed him, had he not started visibly, while an ejaculation burst from his lips. To my ear it sounded peculiar ; for there was affright as well as amazement init; and as I surveyed him with a rapid glance, I was smitten with the conviction that he was none other than Edwin St. Clair. No wonder that he should be thus struck on beholding a gipsy carrying that mysteriously emblematical flower which had so re- rently produced such a terrible effect upon himself ! ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, —— — _ I did not wish to enter into discourse with him: for [ knew how keen, shrewd, and penetrating he was. I therefore appeared to notice not that my costume had thus strongly excited him; and I was moving on, when another ejaculation, which seemed almost an echo of his own, fell upon my ears. This was a female voice; and glancing towards her from whom it came, I beheld the per- sonification of Queen Marie Antoinette. The lady’s toilette was rich and elegant; and the natural colour of her hair was entirely concealed by the powder which she wore,—her head-dress being ar- ranged according to the fashion of the latter part of the eighteenth century. The reader will of course understand that St. Clair’s countenance was en- tirely concealed by a mask; and so was this lady’s. Her peculiar toilet prevented me from identifying her figure with that of the one whose image in- stantaneously rose up in my mind: but still I felt persuaded that she was Lady Lilla Hssendine, I noticed moreover that both St. Clair and herself were struck by hearing the ejaculation which escaped the lips of each; and the rapid glances which I flung showed me that they were now looking earnestly at each other. Both made a movement as if to accost me—but both simul- taneously held back; and as I passed on, I saw that they then advanced towards each other. I gained the further extremity of the room; and not being immediately able to accost Lady Cecilia Urban, as she was still conversing with the ladies and gentlemen who were with her, I looked about to see what had become of St. Clair and Lady Lilla Essendine. The latter was no longer visible: but the former was approaching towards the spot where I had halted. Though assuming the negligent lounging air of a ball-room, he was evidently bent on accosting me; and I seemed to have a kind of intuitive knowledge that there was @ nervous uneasiness in his soul. Doubtless he might fancy on the one hand that the appear- ance of a gipsy with a white rose was a mere coin- cidence, accidental and without significaney: but on the other hand, the circumstance had evidently made more or less impression upon him, I moved away—but not with an air as if I purposely in- tended to avoid him: he however continued to follow me, though with a visible irresolution whether he should address me or not. At length he made up his mind; and advancing straight towards me, said, “ May [I solicit your hand for the quadrille that is about to take place?” I was determined not to dance with Edwin St. Clair ; and I accordingly declined the honour, on the plea that my hand was already engaged to some one else. He was about to say something more, when I espied the Marquis of Dalrymple at a little distance ; and hastening to accost him, I said in a feigned voice, “ Your lordship can render me aservice. May I be permitted to force myself upon you as a partner in this dance!” “ With pleasure,” he immediately responded. “TI is sufficient that you are a friend of Miss Percy to command my attentions and my ser- vices.” I had taken this step so hurriedly that I had no leisure to reflect upon it until it was accomplished, My object was to get rid of St. Clair, but yet to do so in a manner which should prevent him from supposing that I had refused to dance with him CONMIEOOO< (ECO