Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 269: what you’re looking at

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

‘ {CS a ee ee SS Q=-=e dered a certain degree of succour. She was now all gratitude and affability towards me; and as I had taken the precaution, before I left the rail- way-station, of desiring that a special train should be got in readiness, the Countess was enabled to depart with the least possible delay. I now proceeded to the Marquis of Campanella’s mansion, which was at no great distance. I had been exactly a week absent ; and I found letters frem Mrs. Norman, from Mrs. Oldcastle, from Juliet, and from Mary Glentworth. Fortunately none of these had required any immediate an- swer; and thus the delay in replying to them would not appear singular. I was most kindly re- ceived by the Marquis, the Marchioness, and Bea- trice—who all expressed their hope that I would now remain with them for as long a time as pos- sible. This invitation I accepted, because, as the reader will recollect, I had left River House on the pretext of having change of air in the metropolis, and I thought that I must remain away at least another week before I could with propriety return to Mrs. Oldcastle’s abode. Besides, considering my recent severe illness, I was anxious to recruit my strength as much as possible: for notwith- standing I had suffered so little from the effects of travelling, I experienced the necessity of repose and quietude. On the following day I answered the various kind letters which I had received from Ramsgate and from River House ; and I sent to the Ear! of Carshalton’s mansion to inquire whether any intel- ligence had been obtained in respect to his lord- ship.. The answer was completely favourable: in- formation had been received that morning, and all danger was entirely past. Three or four days elapsed; and one afternoon I was seated by myself in the drawing-room of the Marquis of Campanella’s mansion, when a small packet was brought in to me by one of the domes- tics. It was a little brown paper parcel, which had arrived by some conveyance—an afternoon- coach most probably—from River House; and I was seized with both alarm and wonder that such a means of transmitting a letter to me should have been adopted in anticipation of the ordinary course of the post. I tore open the packet: it contained a note from Mrs. Oldcastle—and the contents of that note were brief but painful indeed. Juliet’s child had expired in the morning, after being seized with convulsions; and the poor mother was distracted. Such an effect did the letter produce upon me that I fainted upon the sofa. Whenl came back to consciousness I found poor Beda weeping on her knees beside me—while the Mar- chioness of Campanella, who had just returned from paying some visits, was assisting the faithful and attached girl to afford me the necessary mi- nistrations. The tears flowed from my eyes as I thought of the death of that poor little innocent whom a month back I had fondled in my arms— and as I thought likewise of poor Juliet’s dis- tracted state of mind; for notwithstanding the circumstances attending the birth of the babe, its young mother had doted on it with the fondest adoration. The Marchioness gently inquired whether any- thing had occurred to distress me—whether I had received some sudden fright—or whether I had been abruptly attacked with indisposition? I thus ELLEN PERCY; OBR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. at once perceived that she remained in ignorance of the cause of my swoon as well as of my present distress; and I glanced rapidly upon the sofa and the floor to see whether the letter and the envelope were still where I must have dropped them. But no! they met not my eyes; and Beda at once exclaimed, “‘ It must have been sudden in- disposition—I am sure it was: for I fortunately entered the room just as you had fainted, Miss— and before her ladyship arrived.” I was struck by Beda’s words and manner; it seemed as if she were prompting me to the mode of affording an explanation to the Marchioness and giving me to understand that I need not say any- thing about the letter. It therefore naturally occurred to me that Beda herself had read it, and that consequently Juliet’s secret was now known to her. Concealing my annoyance as well asl was able, I turned to the Marchioness, thanking her for her kindness, and assuring her that the indisposition which had temporarily overpowered me was now past. I then retired to my own chamber, followed by Beda. The instant we were alone together, Beda pro- duced the envelope and the letter—saying, “I thought, Miss, the moment I beheld these upon the carpet, that the note had conveyed some evil tidings. I knew not whether you would wish them to be communicated to your friends; and I there- fore took a precaution which left you free to make any statement you might think fit.” : “And you did not read this note, Beda?” I said, fixing my eyes penetratingly upon the young girl’s countenance. “No, Miss! I am incapable of sucha thing!” she exclaimed, a slight flush of indignation ap- pearing on her countenance; and that it was the honest indignation of innocence which felt itself to be suspected, I was in a moment convinced. “‘ Beda,” I said, embracing the young girl, “for aninstant I wronged you! Deeply, deeply do I regret that I should have done so!” * Ah, dear Miss,” responded Beda, pressing my hand fervently, while the tears stood in her lumi- nous eyes, “you do not yet understand my cha- racter. Towards you I am incapable of the slightest act of perfidy: I should thoroughly and utterly despise myself if I were guilty of any meanness in regard to one to whom I am un- der such deep obligations. But oh! it is very dif- ferent when dealing with your enemies. Then there is no dissimulation which I would not prac- tise—no hypocrisy for which I should not be com- petent! But the Beda who would be thus acting is avery different Beda from the one that you have about your person! In time you will know me better.” “JT know you thoroughly now, my dear girl!” I exclaimed, again caressing her affectionately: “this last act of yours has developed a trait of your character which proves your integrity and your high principle, as former deeds have shown your love and devotedness. The letter does in- deed contain a piece of intelligence which I do not choose to impart to my friends beneath this roof: it is the death of one in whom I am interested But ah! start not, Beda! it is not he whom you saw at Paisley heaven forbid! And now leaye me, my dear girl : I would be alone.” I resolved to return to River House on the mors COM EloOOLK —_—e (COU