Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 272: what you’re looking at

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me ee ee — _ — — eee ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. 259 man, it was because I entertained that opinion concerning her. Here was another source of pride and satisfaction for Beda,—who in one sense was as artless as a child, though in other respects she had all the astuteness and readiness of wit which could have belonged to an experienced woman. After three or four days’ sojourn at Ramsgate— where the fresh breezes tended still more than the gentler air at River House to renovate the bloom upon Juliet’s cheeks—we all returned to London, and were once again installed in Hunter Street. CHAPTER XLV. THE EARL OF CARSIALTON. Amonesr the numerous cards which had been left if there be any service I can render—if there be any friend in whom you are interested—I will exert myself to the utmost in any task you may enjoin me. My position gives me considerable influence with the Government Pi “Ah!” ejaculated the Countess; “I see Miss Trafford’s countenance brightening up! Yes—it is evident we can do something for her!—and I shall be so rejoiced! For do you know, my dear Miss Trafford, his lordship and I have been won- dering how we could testify our gratitude; and if would so delight us to be enabled to give youa proof of it—though bear in mind that we shall all the same continue your debtors.” Yes—my countenance had indeed brightened up from its wonted air of calmness; for an idea had flashed into my mind, and a wild hope had thrill- ingly taken possession of my heart. “ My lord,’ I said, “ there is indeed a favour by visitors in our absence, and which we found | which I could ask of you, if it be not too great— upon the drawing-room table when we returned | a favour which would leave me immeasurably your home, were two which the domestic intimated had been specially left for myself. These bore the names of the Earl and Countess of Carshalton. Mr. and Mrs. Norman and Juliet were all three excited and surprised at thus discovering that Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe’s parents bad called upon me: but Mr. Norman speedily remarked, “It is merely one of those instances of homage which from high quarters are paid to our dear Ellen’s talents.” This solution of the circumstance satisfied Mrs. Norman and Juliet; and I.did not choose to give any explanation on the subject: for if I had in- formed them of the adventure in the railway-train, I must have mentioned my journey to Paisley — | debtor 7 “Name it, Miss Trafford!” both the Countess and himself ejaculated as if in the same breath. “ I scarcely know how to frame my request,” I responded, now hesitating and suddenly seized with confusion. “ But Ob, my lord !—and you too, my lady—listen to a secret whicn I have to reveal to you! My real name is not Traf- ford “We have heard it whispered,” said the Countess,—“ IT know not exactly where—that it is merely a pseudonym according to a fashion by no means unusua! in the dramatic world—but that your real name is Percy.” “ It is,’ I rejoined : and I felt the blood rush- or at least have stated that I had visited Birming- | ing to my cheeks as I went on to say, “ And does ham. It was through a pure feeling of modesty, and from a dislike to converse on topics personally not the name of Percy, my lord, remind you of some one whom in earlier years you knew and interesting to myself alone, that [ had hitherto | befriended ?” saia nothing in respect to my engagement to my “ Good heavens!” ejaculated the Earl. “ What! cousin Harry Wakefield, and that I now kept | Percy the clergyman ?” silent relative to our recent meeting. I conceived it to be my duty to pay my respects to the Earl and Countess of Carshalton: and I had no disinclination to take this step, inasmuch as I | saw by the fashionable intelligence in a newspaper | that Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe was at the time in Paris. Accordingly, on the day after our return to town, I proceeded to Carshalton House, and was at once introduced to the drawing-room— where I found the Earl and Countess. His lord- ship was now completely restored to health; and the moment I entered the room he hastened for- | ward, grasping both my hands with an effusion of the liveliest gratitude. The Countess welcomed me with an equal cordiality: they made me sit between them upon the sofa ; and whatsoever aris- | “The same, my lord,’ I answered, with the blushes deepening on my cheeks: and Oh! that I should have felt that blush glowing and burning there on account of the author’of my being! “ But what do you mean?” inquired the Earl kindly. ‘ Is it possible that any connexion sub- sists between yourself and that unfortunate man whom you have named ?” “ Speak, my dear girl,” whispered the Countess. “ Do not be afraid. We are your friends.” “That unfortunate man,” I said, with a con- vulsive sob, “is my own father !” “Your father!” ejaculated the Earl: and then both he and the Countess surveyed me with illimitable compassion. “ Yes—he is my father,” I continued: “ and tocratie pride — which was not a little — marked | he lives—you know that he is alive, my lord !—you their conduct at other times, was now altogether yourself saw him not very long ago in London !” banished. “ Miss Trafford,” said the Earl, “to you I am indebted for my life. The surgeon and my own domestic have made me acquainted with the im- mensity of the obligation I owe you, far more ex- plicitly than your own natural modesty would suffer you to explain it when you were good enuugh to call upon the Countess with the intel- ligence of my illness. I know not how I can tes- tify my gratitude. ee ee ee eC Ce ~~ «= “ It is true,” rejoined the Earl of Carshalton; “and I do not bear the unfortunate man any ill-will. On the contrary, Miss Percy, now that I know he is so nearly connected with yourself, if there be anything [ can possibly do * My lord,” I said entreatingly, “ you can pro- eure his pardon—you possess influence with the Government—you may become the means of re- storing him in safety to his own native country, if Mere words are nothing. But | not to society itself!” a ee | ee er ee (COMMU <i tt i et LD LL ALE LL LOE A OE LL LE CELE LILLE LLL LL CE EA (COU