Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 169: what you’re looking at

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

156 —— ———— —— — —_——— rarily gave way my entire being as I thought it was indeed the consciousness of some crime which under the in- fluence of that vivid personification of guilt itself had sent forth a cry of most real agony! On returning to Hunter Street, the incident was discussed by the Normans: but I said nota syllable to throw any light on the occurrence—or rather I should perhaps say, to alter the impres- sion which they held in respect to it. The news- papers of the following morning, while lavishing the most flattering eulogies upon my performance, mentioned the incident,— without however pa- rading the lady’s name,—as a proof of the power- ful effect which my personification of Lady Mac- beth was calculated to produce upon the mind. The occurrence added immensely to my popularity; and in the course of that day I received several billets from ladies of the highest rank, entreating me to appear again as Lady Macbeth on the next night of my performance. But I have now to speak of another incident. Nine or ten months had elapsed since I had visited Colonel Bellew’s house on behalf of Me- lissa Harrison. As the reader is aware, the result of that visit was unproductive of any benefit for the poor young woman, Almost immediately afterwards I myself had entered upon that dra- matic career which was at once to be stamped with success, and which was to place me in a position of pecuniary independence. Melissa was then ex- ceedingly ill ; and her medical attendant had given her to understand that she must never again ap- pear upon the stage to exercise her vocation as a danseuse. When she began to grow somewhat better, I insisted that she should repair to a watering-place, “ where the bracing saline breeze would contribute to her recovery.” It was thus that I spoke in encouraging terms—not however in my own heart daring to hope that her health would ever be completely restored. It was with the greatest difficulty I had succeeded in forcing upon Melissa the funds requisite for her excursion: but at length she yielded ; and for several months she remained at the sea-side. She then returned to London ; and a marvellous change had taken place in her. The colour had come back to her cheeks: the blueish circles which the hand of death itself had some while back appeared to have traced round the eyes, were completely gone : her figure had re- gained its robustness; she looked far better and handsomer than on the first day I had ever seen her. She spoke of returning to the stage: but I besought her not to imperil by such a step this really marvellous restoration to health. She yielde to my intercessions—but declared that she would seek for some means of honourable subsistence, as she was resolved not to continue a burden upon my resources. I bade her continue to nurse her- self for a short time longer, until we had time to talk over the plans that might best suit her views ; and thus I succeeded in making her pass the severest of the winter months without again start- ing the project of a return to the stage. These episodical explanations in respect to Me- lissa Harrison, again bring me down to the date which the progress of my own narrative had reached. It was on the dey after the incident at the theatre, when I performed Lady Macbeth, that I received a note trum Melissa, begging me ——_—_—_— ee er a ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. Ah! I shuddered throughout! to call upon her. I accordingly repaired to her lodgings; and she received me with her wonted affectionate and grateful welcome. * Sit down, my dear friend,” she said; “for I am going to tax your patience for a brief space, while I converse with you upon my own affairs.” “ T regret, my dear Melissa,” I answered, “ that I should not as yet have been enabled to suggest any means q * Suffer me to speak, dear Ellen!” interrupted Melissa, but with a tone and look full of kindness. “T have been thinking much—I may even say continuously, upon the circumstances in which [ am placed. For many months I have been depen- dent entirely upon your bounty af Call it not bounty, Melissa,” I said: “it was friendship. I have only done for you that which I am convinced you would have done for me, had our circumstances been reversed.” “Oh, yes! You only do me justice, Ellen,” ex- claimed Miss Harrison, “ though your observation is most kind! But I cannot bear to continue eat- ing the bread which is given to me by a friendship even so pure and sweet as yours. Besides, it is not only bread for me that you have given—but bread likewise for my child—my little Me- lissa re * You know that I am well off,’ I answered ; “and of what avail is it to be prosperous, unless with the gold thus earned good is done towards one’s fellow-creatures P” “] know, Ellen, that all your sentiments are of the noblest character,” replied Melissa; “and no one more than myself rejoices in your prosperity. But I beseech you to listen to me! I am resolved henceforth to eat the bread of mine own industry. I have thought of taking in needle-work: but that would be to toil as a slave, for a slave’s pittance ; —and besides, confinement to a close heated room would speedily fling me back upon a bed of sick- ness. Jor a preceptress I am unfitted: I have not the requisite accomplishments ;—and besides, who would entrust their children to the care of one who was recently a ballet-dancer? Then, what alternative have I but to return to the stage? My health is completely restored: my life has been saved, Ellen, by your kindness. Disease had not fastened so completely upon me as to be be- yond cure: the ignorance of a medical adviser, and my own desponding feelings at the time, con- jured up phantoms which have since been dis- pelled. Do not therefore, my dear friend, argue against the resolve which I have taken!—suffer me to return to the stage! It is an avocation which leaves me leisure to breathe the fresh air out of doors, and take the exercise’ that will sus- tain me in health.” _ I did however essay to dissuade Melissa from her purpose: but it was all in vain. Her resolu- tion was fixed; and I was compelled to drop the argument, “Would it be indiscreet,” asked Melissa, when a turn was given to the conversation, “ to inquire whether there be any chance of our friend Juliet likewise returning to the stage? You know that I have kept myself in such perfect seclusion since my return from the sea-side—I have visited no one, and received no visits except from yourself— . and thus I have been as it were altogether out of the world. I remember taere was a rumour some ElOoOOKKS ¢€om Com