Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 176: what you’re looking at

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NG (I TT ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. received her with the wonted frankness of their hospitality, mingled with a certain degree of re- spect ; while Juliet endeavoured to appear gay and cheerful. The old lady had brought her knitting ; and though the day was a fine one, she said not a syllable of going out—nor did she express any de- sire to visit “ London sights,’—though, as she in- formed us, many and many a long year had elapsed since the last time she was in the metropolis. She seemed resolved to pass the entire day in-doors, so that she might have all the better opportunities of becoming well acquainted with the family whom she had so long ignored, and to whom she had with so much eccentric abruptness introduced her- self. To Juliet she spoke in a@ somewhat kinder tone than to her parents or to me: for to ws her demeanour was only that of polite civility,—a civility, too, that was shown after her own peculiar fashion. During the first few hours that we all sat together in the, drawing-room, I noticed that Mrs. Oldcastle, while appearing to be intent upon her knitting, was several times contemplating Juliet furtively, and surveying her indeed with the most scrutinizing attention. I trembled for my poor friend’s secret; and I dreaded lest its dis- covery by the keen eyes of the old lady should alienate from the Norman family that wealth which under favourable circumstances they might hope to inherit at her death. It was just about luncheon-time, that a loud double knock at the front door resounded through the house; and Mrs, Oldcastle, lifting her eyes from off her work, said to Mr. Norman, “ Visitors are arriving.” “They will not disturb us, my dear aunt,” he replied ; “for I have given orders that we are not at home to any one.” * Indeed, then you have done very wrong,” re- sponded Mrs. Oldcastle, “i: ‘ou have acted thus on my account; for I would: her see your friends than prove the cause of the.r keeping away. I therefore insist that you counter-order the instruc- tions you have given to your domestics, and that whosoever calls may be admitted.” “But we thought, my dear aunt,” said Mr. Norman, hesitating and stammering, “that it would be more agreeable if we were to enjoy each other’s society 2 “TI am not so foolish,” interrupted Mrs. Old- castle, “as to imagine that my society can be very delightful to any of you—especially to these girls. Therefore, without another word, pray let my wishes be attended to; or else I shall take my de- parture.” The old lady spoke positively; and it was not diffeult to comprehend that she was desirous not only to make herself acquainted with the disposi- tions and characters of her relatives, but that she was likewise resolved to see in what manner they lived and what sort of company they kept. Mr. Norman was forced to ring the bell, and desire the servant to show up all visitors who might call. “It was Mr. Richards who came just now, sir,” said the footman. “I told him you were all out— and he said he would come back again.” “That is the lessee of the theatre,” said Mr, Norman to his aunt. *T should very much like to see him,” she re- sponded, with a certain dryness. In about an hour the double knock again rever- 163 , berated through the house; and in a few moments Mr. Richards was announced. He was very hand- somely dressed—for he had evidently been making a round of morning calls; and he glided into the room with the easy familiarity of established friendship. ‘So at last I am fortunate in finding you all at home!” he said. “I had a little business to speak of; and therefore I was resolyed to come back. But pe Here he stopped short, looking at the old lady. “This is my aunt—Mrs. Oldcastle,” said Mr. Norman, effecting the introduction with a reluc- tanée that was all but visible to those who were thus introduced. “Mr. Richards—-Mrs. Old- castle.” “Proud to make Mrs. Oldcastle’s acquaint- ance!”? said Mr. Richards, gliding towards the old lady, and proffering his hand, from which he hastily withdrew the lemon-coloured kid glove. “I have heard of you before, my dear madam. Ah! you were the means of taking away from me the very best danseuse that ever appeared on my boards ” “T, Mr. Richards?” exclaimed the old lady, with unfeigned surprise. “Nonsense, nonsense, Richards!” said Mr. Norman, winking and making signs to the lessee. “No professional matters here!” “Perhaps,” said Mrs. Oldcastle quietly, ‘ Mr. Richards has called expressly on some professional business; and if so, I beg that he will not stand upon any ceremony on my account. He may speak out before me; and if not, it is very clear that I must be one too many beneath this roof.” “ Nothing can be kinder, madam, than your ob- servation,” said Mr. Richards. “To speak the truth, it was about a little professional business that I called.—You saw, Norman,” he continued, turning to Juliet’s father, “how successful the new ballet was last night. It was a hit: but it may be made a greater hit still.—There are degrees, madam, in all these things,” he added, turning towards the old lady, to whom, with no doubt a well meant purpose, he studied to make himeelf agreeable, as a visitor of the Normans, and there- fore for the Normans’ sake. “ Precisely so, Mr. Richards,” answered Mrs. Oldcastle. “I am glad, sir, that my presence is not a restraint upon the frankness of your discourse.” “Oh, quite the contrary, my dear madam!” exclaimed Mr. Richards. “ As I was saying, there- fore, the new ballet—though already a hit—may be mado a greater hit still. Miss Harrison ac- quitted herself most admirably last night: but still, Miss Norman, she does not come up to you. I was thinking therefore—unless the aunt bas an insuperable objection”—and here he turned with a bland deprecating smile towards Mrs. Oldcastle,— “JT was thinking, T say, that if your talented niece would only accept an engagement, I would give her the handsomest salary as Juliet, who I saw had been hanging to the tenterhooks of uneasiness and suspense, here broke in, with an abruptness which savoured of rude- ness, and was indeed most unusual with her. “One word is sufficient, Mr. Richards!” she said. “I decline to return to the stage—at least for the present.” “There, my dear madam! see what you have wailed Com Ghboo “S (ECO) NN