Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

ee ee ELLEN PERCY; ¥; OR, THH MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS: = THE carrying a tray in her hands. This tray she ray sho de-{me. My cheeks flushed with a eudden posited upon the table: she then retired, still in profound silence: the door was again closed and locked upon me—I heard the retreating footsteps of the old woman and the man, The tray con- tained a loaf of bread, some butter, and some boiled eggs with a small jug of beer. I expe- rienced not the slightest appetite: but the sight of the beer reminded me that I was thirsty. I would not however touch that liquor, for fear lest it should be drugged; and I found water on the toilet table. I drank copiously, and was refreshed. The appearance of the old gipsy-woman had confirmed my suspicion—if any such confirmation were needed—that I was again the victim of St. Clair’s rancorous persecution. But her presence had likewise inspired me with a hope. I thought to myself that where the old woman was, the granddaughter might possibly not be far off: and I fancied—or at least I clung with a despairing tenacity to the idea, that I had a friend in Zarah. I looked at my watch: it was now two o’clock in the afternoon: it was the very time when I ought to be returning to the Marchioness! Oh, what would she think ?—and what would poor Beatrice think likewise? There was not woe for myself alone, as the fruit of St. Clair’s conduct: there would be woe for others. For, alas! not antici- pating such a terrible calamity, I had omitted tc inform the Marchioness of Campanella where her unhappy sister dwelt. And now I began wondering when St. Clair would make his appearance to dictate his terms to me. Most probably one of the men—those hired instruments of his—had gone to make him aware that the plot so cunningly contrived to entrap me, had succeeded—that I was safe and secure in my prison-house—at his mercy! No doubt I might look for a visit from him in the course of that same day: he was not the man to sleep over the projects which he contrived with so diabolical a skill and by such unscrupulous means! Time passed on, It was five o’clock—and the gipsy- -woman again made her appearance,—on this oceasion to bring a candle, which she placed upon the table. Glancing at the tray, she perceived that the food remained untouched : she said not a word, but she left it there. She then quitted the room: and again I heard the heavier footsteps of the man in companionship with her own. I was now so faint that I was compelled to partake of a piece of bread; and in nervous suspense I kept on wonder- ing and wondering whether Zarah were with her grandmother at the old farm-house, or whether she might not be far away at the cottage in Warwick- shire. My thoughts fluttered over a variety of subjects—hopes and fears commingling—but the latter painfully predominating. I felt that if I were to remain in such a condition of mind for many hours longer, it would be more than my brain could support: it would reel—it would give way—I should go mad, Again I heard footsteps approaching on the landing: this time they were different from those which had previously reached my ears: the door opened—and St. Clair made his appearance. There was a terribly wicked smile of triumph upon his lips; but there was also a certain resoluteness in his look; and as he closed the door behind him, he stood near it for a few instants to contemplate 189 MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. me. My cheeks flushed with a sudden ina, “nation at beholding my relentless persecutor. felt that they became ashy white; for the idea struck me that it was indeed scarcely probable-for- tune would continue favouring me over and over again, by enabling me to escape time after time from the power of this bold bad man, “ Ellen, ” he said, at jength breaking silence, “again we meet. You have on many occasions evaded and baffled me: but now it is my turn to triumph. Did you think—self-sufficient girl that you are !—that I had for ever abandoned my hopes and my designs with regard to you? No, no!— even if from this heart of mine I could tear away your image—even if from my soul I could pluck out the passion with which you have inspired me— there is nevertheless another reason why you must become my victim. Or TI will use a different term if you will: I will say the companion of my life— my mistress—your own interests to be identified with mine! Ah, interrupt me not !—argue reason- ably if you can: but suffer not your indignation —your prudery, I will call it—to rise up as a bar- rier between us. I said there was another reason : you doubtless comprehend my meaning. You have obtained an insight, in some unaccountable way, into certain secrets, which, I do not attempt to deny, are of vital import to myself E “Stop, Captain St. Clair!” I ejaculated, as an idea struck me; and inspired with the courage arising therefrom, I continued to speak firmly and with an air of confidence. “Listen to me! You think that you have me in your power; and so far as my captivity in this isolated dwelling— watched by your hired bravos—is concerned, you are right. I am in your power! But your wickedness will speedily experience a terrific and overwhelming punishment a “Threats, my dear Ellen—mere idle threats !” exclaimed St. Clair scornfully. “I despise them! You must know that I am playing a desperate game; and, by heaven! it shall be played out! You shall be mine!” “Listen to me, I say!”’—and I spoke vehe- mently. “ Rest assured that you will do well to hear what I have to explain. You are a man of many projects, each one more iniquitous than the former; and J, knowing you to be my enemy, have taken my precautions. You may kill me, Captain St. Clair; but fearful will be your punish- ment! Ab, you started at that word precuitlionss: but I will tell you what I mean—and you may then judge for yourself whether they are well taken.” “Speak quick, Ellen!” he exclaimed; “for I am impatient of this parley :’—but at the same time I could perceive that there was a certain uneasy curiosity and suspense in his mind. “To a faithful friend,” I continued, speaking with a solemn seriousness, “I have consigned a packet. It is sealed; and it contains a full state- ment ot all that I know i in respect to yourself—all that I know in respect to Lady Lilla Essendine— yes, and it contains likewise a certain letter—a letter written by that criminal woman Ah! I see by your countenance that you have heard from her lips the fact that this letter was in my posses- sion !” “ Proceed, proceed !” interjected St. Clair, with a visibly increasing uneasiness, despite his endea- yours to ere ite The I (COMMUC 6)(6)(0) gs) Com