Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 219: what you’re looking at

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

206 the time of our merriage with a neighbouring nobleman in respect to a disputed piece of land. It appeared that the Count was anxious to send back some reply by the courier to his lawyer; and bidding me await his return in the grove, he hastened into the chateau. I had not been many minutes alone, when there was a rustling amongst the trees—and Angelo Marano stood before me.” Again Beatrice paused for a brief space; and then she continued in the following manner :— * From the period when we had met in that last agonising interview before my marriage, until the instant when he thus stood before me in the grove, I had never once seen him—had never even heard of him. I was startled with amazement: but quickly recovering my self-possession, I assumed all the dignity of a wife who was performing her duty towards her husband, and who would sooner perish than be beguiled by any revival of her former love for another. Angelo fell at my feet, and implored me to listen to him. I answered that he could have nothing to say to me unto which I could with propriety lend an ear; and I commanded him to begone. He was about to re- new his entreaties that I would hear him, when I suddenly caught the sound of the opening and shutting of the door in the garden-wall which se- parated the plantation from the grounds in the midst of which the chateau stood. Seized with a mortal terror, I ejaculated ‘My husband!’—and the next instant Angelo Marano rushed amidst the trees. Though his disappearance was accomplished in the twinkling of an eye, yet I knew full well that if my husband had come hurriedly away from that door of communication, he must have inevita- bly caught a glimpse of Angelo at my feet. I therefore felt full of a suspense which had in it all the excruciations ofa real guilt: for I knew that the Count’s jealous disposition would lead him to put the very worst construction upon the incident de- spite all I might urge to the contrary. Infinite therefore was my relief when he accosted me with- out any change of mood—at least so far as I could actually discern: on the contrary, it even appeared as if it were with a species of tenderness that he gave me to understand there was a necessity for his undertaking an immediate journey in consequence of that lawsuit which he had gained. He informed me that there was a postscript to the letter from his man-of-business, which he had not at first read; and that it was on account thereof he must thus absent himself for a day or two. I was in an in- stant struck with all the inconvenience of this oc- eurrence happening at the very moment when An- gelo Marano had so imprudently appeared in the neighbourhood; and it was natural that my coun- tenance should to a certain degree reflect the un- easy thoughts that had arisen within me. But I flattered myself that the Count had failed to ob- serve any peculiarity in my looks: he seemed in a hurry to depart: his carriage was soon in readi- ness; and he set off. I remained in the chateau after I had seen him depart: for though the dark had not yet closed in, yet I would not so much as venture into the garden, much less return to the grove, with the knowledge that Angelo Marano was in the neighbourhood, and with the chance of again encountering him.” Beatrice spoke with an irresistible sincerity of tone and manner; and it was easy to perceive eg OO — -- —- ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. that the Marquis of Campanella put the most im- plicit faith in all she was saying. I need scarcely add that the Marchioness and I had believed in her innocence eyen before the nobleman himself was convinced when he had so solemnly adjured her at her miserable lodging. *<T was seated alone-in the drawing-room at the chateau,” continued Beatrice, “about a couple of hours after my husband had taken his departure, when one of the male domestics—Luigi by name— brought me ina note. The address did not strike me as being in a feigned hand: nor had I at the instant a suspicion of whose writing it was. It did however prove to be disguised: for when I opened the billet the writing inside was different from that of the address:—it was the natural fluent penman- ship of its author: for the note came from Angelo Marano! Iread but the first half-dozen words: I then indignantly tore it up; and applying a fragment to the flame of the lamp, burnt all the pieces in the grate. I then perceived that Luigi had remained standing near the door; and I de- manded of him why he lingered? He stammered, and at length intimated his expectation that there might have been some response which I would have wished him to convey. It instantaneously struck me that Angelo had bribed the man to play the part of a go-between; and boiling with indig- nation, I asked from whom he had received the note? He replied from Signor Marano—adding that if I chose to trust him, he should not be found faithless in respect to any mission confided to him. Enraged at the man’s impertinence, I ordered him from my presence,—vowing that I would report his conduct to the Count the instant his lordship should return; and indeed this I intended to do— for I saw that if I were to keep it secret I should be tacitly admitting that I dared not reveal the incident, and should thus be placing myself more or less in Luigi’s power. He left the room, evi- dently as much affrighted at my menace as he had been astonished at the treatment which the letter received at my hands. As for myself, I was not only indignant against Luigi—but I was painfully hurt by Angelo’s conduct. Indeed I was shocked at its grossuess and indelicacy ; and I even reflected that he never could have entertained for me any genuine unselfish love—or else he would not now have sought so seriously to compromise me. I re- tired to my own chamber ; and being full of pain- ful thoughts, I dismissed my maids more speedily than was my wont — indeed, before I had com: menced disapparelling myself. Y': will presently perceive that every little circum: ance told most fatally against me on the occasion to which I am referring.” There was another brief pause; and then Beatrice continued as follows :— “T sat for some time musing upon everything which had occurred—musing most painfully too— but with a ful] determination of telling the Count all on his return, and thus by my frankness disarming his jealousy. My chamber, I should observe, was on the ground floor—which, I may add for your information, Miss Trafford, is frequently the case in Continental houses, especially country-seats. I was aroused from my reverie by hearing a slight noise at the casement. I started up, and looked. The draperies parted—and Angelo Marano made his appearance. Nothing could exceed the mingled ne anne err npn nen IS CONMEDOOKS Com