Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 284: what you’re looking at

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

Se Se es ELLEN PERCY ; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. v71 mother, upon myself, on the two occasions which the reader will remember so well—namely, at the cottage between Birmingham and Hmbledon, and at the farm-house in the vicinage of Highbury. That he should have thus treated Zarah was a sufficient proof of the indifference or even con- tempt in which he had held alike her heart’s best feelings and her own self:—and was it therefore probable that he would now abandon himself to the fate of receiving such a bride without some desperate effort to rid himself of her altogether ? I could not help thinking that there was a little vanity mixed up in Zarah’s disposition and con- duct. She had evidently fancied that the acquire- ment of lady-like manners as well as of mental accomplishments—the tasteful embellishment of her person—the invocation of the aids of the toilet to set off her beauty—and her self-investment as it were with a gloss of gentility, would combine to reconcile St. Clair to the acceptation of her as his bride. She had no doubt calculated that when yielding to necessity, he would say within him- self, “ Well, after all, she will not disgrace me as a wife. I may even perhaps be proud of her !” But if all these were really Zarah’s hopes, cal- culations, and expectances, I was fully convinced that her wonted keenness, shrewdness, and fore- sight had for once failed her, and that Edwin St. Clair was zot the man to succumb 60 easily. CHAPTER XLVII. WILLIAM LARDNER, I REACHED Hunter Street with this apprehension even more strongly fixed in my mind than when I had first mentioned it to Zarah: and [ said to myself, “I wish that E could adopt some plan to guard and protect her for the twelve or thirteen hours which are to elapse until the arrival of the moment when St. Clair is to keep his promise. If she pass dhis night in safety—and if the hour of eleven in to-morrow’s forenoon were to strike and she still at freedom, beyond the reach of whatsoever toils St. Clair might set to entrap her —she would then be completely mistress of the situation: she would be the arbitress of his destiny !” It was about half-past ten o’clock when I alighted from the cab in Hunter Street ; and after having refiected for a few minutes in the drawing- room, I resolved to consult Beda. I accordingly summoned her to my presence; and I said, ** Something has occurred which renders me appre- hensive that danger menaces our friend Zarah. She herself will not however admit that she in- curs this peril; and so great is her confidence on the point, that I could not induce her to adopt any precaution.” ~— “ At whose hands, Miss,” inquired Beda, “ does Zarsh incur this peril ?” “At the hands of Captain 8t. Clair,” I re- sponded. “My apprehension is altogether vague and indefinite—I am unable to form the slightest conjecture as to the shape in which the pending treachery may show itself: but I fear that the night will not pass without something serious or even fatal happening to Zarab.” * But ah!” she suddenly ejaculated; “there is one”—and then a slight blush appeared upon her cheeks, — “one who would do anything to oblige you, Miss—or myself he would keep watch . . “To whom do you refer, Beda?” I asked. “To William Lardner, Miss,’ she rejoined. ‘“ He is at this moment down stairs in the servants’ room. His ship will clear out of Blackwall in two or three days: he came to bid me farewell; and he was just on the point of taking his leave when the bell rang to summon me into your pre- sence.” “This is most fortunate, Beda!” I exclaimed ; “and your idea is an excellent one! Let William Lardner come up to me.” Beda glided from the room; and in a few mo- ments she returned, ushering in the good-looking young sailor, who evinced much pleasure in seeing me again. I quickly gave him the same brief ex- planations which I had already given to Beda; and it was with something more than mere wil- lingness—it was with enthusiastic delight that he offered to serve me in any way that I might point out. I inquired when he must return to his slip? —and he assured me that if he were on board the East Indiaman by noon on the ensuing day, it would suffice. I accordingly acquainted him with the street and the number of the house in which Zarah dwelt; and I bade him go and keep such watch as circumstances should enable him to maintain, He had no liking for Edwin St, Clair: his honest mind had been shocked by all the transactions relative to the yacht at Ramsgate ; and he had therefore no hesitation in adopting a course which might be inimical to the views, schemes, and interests of his late master. I in. formed him that I should purposely rise very early in the morning, in case ho had anything of import- ance to communicate: and having thus given him all requisite instructions, I despatched him on his mission, My mind now felt more easy; for I knew that William Lardner was perfectly trustworthy as well as intelligent and courageous; and if nothing should happen, Zarah need not know that I had taken this precaution—whereas, on the other hand, if treachery should indeed display itself, that precaution might not prove to be without its uses. Mr. and Mrs. Norman and Juliet re- turned home from the theatre shortly after eleven o’clock ; and I then retired to rest. I arose at about six in the morning; and Beda, who occupied an ante-chamber, was already dressed. She descended to the front door: she found William Lardner pacing to and fro in the street; and she at once gave him admittance. After exchanging a few words with him, she re- turned to my chamber and told me that some- thing had indeed occurred, as I had foreseen. My toilet was speedily made: and I descended to the dining-room, where William Lardner was refresh- ing himself with the viands and drinkables that had been laid for the previous night’s supper, and which had not as yet been cleared away. LI will give his narrative as he told it to me :— “Immediately on leaving this house, a little before eleven last night, I took a cab and pro- ceeded to the West Had, I alighted at the corner “What can I do, Miss?” inquired Beda. | of the street which you mentioned to me, Miss; COMMICG \ com