Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 299: what you’re looking at

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286 ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. his appearance; and he demanded, “ What has happened ? who has insulted Miss Norman ?” “This person,” I said, stepping forward and in- dignantly pointing to Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe. “If you, Mr. Richards, permit strangers thus to intrude into the Green Room, I for one shall at once break my engagement to appear at your theatre.”’ My words were saluted with vehement applause on the part of the other actors and actresses pre- sent; and Mr. Richards, feeling the necessity of taking some decisive step, commanded Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe and Colonel Bellew to re- tire, under penalty of being instantaneously given into the custody of the police. They were some- what sobered by the serious turn which the inci- dent had taken; and the young nobleman doubt- less felt that he had indeed acted a most unworthy part. He began to apologize: but Mr. Richards peremptorily cut him short by ordering him to depart. Colonel Bellew thereupon thought it re- quisite to swagger and bluster: but the actors who were in the Green Room, rushed forward, seized hold of both himself and the young nobleman, and hurled them forth. Several of the subordi- nates connected with the theatre sprang forward to assist; and in the twinkling of an eye the two offenders were summarily expelled through one of the private doorways. I proceeded to Juliet’s dressing-room, where I found her with her parents and Melissa Harri- son. Melissa was ignorant of Juliet’s secret; and I saw how painful a struggle it occasioned my unfortunate friend to prevent herself from bursting into that flood of tears which might have made Melissa suspect that there were cir- cumstances which tended to aggravate the insult she had received. Mr. and Mrs. Norman had likewise considerable trouble in restraining their feelings: but fortunately the scene passed off, so far as outward appearances went, without leading Melissa to fancy that there was anything more than a piece of wanton insolence on the part of a young nobleman who had at one time affected to pay his court to Juliet, but who had never in- tended a serious proposal. Juliet appeared upon the stage as usual: but when we returned to Hunter Street (for I waited on this occasion until the end of the ballet)—and when we were alone together in my chamber, whither Juliet accompanied me previous to re- tiring to her own—she threw herself weeping into my arms, exclaiming, “It has cut me to the very soul to be treated thus!” ‘Every circumstance proves, my dear friend,” I said, “that Lord Frederick was totally unworthy of the love with which you once regarded him.” “Yes !—fatal, fatal love of mine!” murmured Juliet: then dashing away her tears, she ex- claimed, “But this is weakness on my part!— though heaven be thanked that in his presence I was nerved with all befitting fortitude! Oh, I already hate that young man as much as [ ever loved him!—and would to heaven that by some means I might triumph over him !” I reasoned gently but firmly with Juliet,—ad- vising her always to adopt a demeanour which should lead the noble young profligate to imagine that he had become an object of perfect indif- ference to her: for I knew that if he thought otherwise, his ill-conditioned soul would rejoice at the idea that he was an object of such import- ance that a female heart could break on his ac- count. Juliet promised to follow my counsel; and she retired to her own chamber. In the afternoon of the following day, the post brought me a letter conveying the intelligence that my father had arrived in London, and that he would meet me according to the appointment set- tled by myself in the letter by which I had sum- moned him to England. At about seven o’clock in the evening—when the Normans had set out for the theatre—I repaired to St. James’s Park; for I had appointed as the scene of our meeting the very same spot where some seven months back his safety had been for a moment so seriously com- promised by the presence of Edwin St, Clair. It being now the month of September, it was grow- ing dark at the hour when I entered the Park; and I was just thinking to myself how different were the circumstances in which I was now about to meet my father from what they were on the previous occasion, and how triumphantly he might now defy the malignity of any such being as St. Clair, when this object of my thoughts suddenly appeared advancing towards me. Yes—it was Edwin St. Clair, who was walking slowly at first—but who on recognising me, despite the gloom of the evening and the thick veil that I wore, at once quickened his pace. I did not choose to avoid him; or perhaps I should rather say that I knew the attempt would be fruitless ;— and therefore [ continued my way without swery- ing from it. In a few moments we met; and Captain St. Clair said, “The encounter is a fortunate one. [ had wished for an opportunity to see Miss Percy, and express the immensity of my gratitude for that boon which she has doubtless been instru- mental in bestowing upon me.” At first he spoke with a monotonous coldness: but a degree of bitterness speedily infused itself — into his accents; and the concluding portior of his speech indicated a deep, fierce, concentrated, savage hatred. * You will permit me, Captain St. Clair,” I said, “to pursue my way. I have nothing to hear from your lips ie “Yes—but by heaven you shall hear me!” he vehemently exclaimed. “ Doubtless you imagine that this is your period for triumph, and that having helped to wed me to the gipsy Zarah J “Who has told you, sir,” I demanded, “that I interfered “Facts speak for themselves!” he interrupted me. “Beda achieved Zarah’s deliverance from the lunatic-asylum ; and Beda is in your service. Will you now dare deny that you were more or less Zarah’s accomplice? But do not think, Ellen Percy, that all these combined schemes will either tend to break my heart or to divert me from any purposes that I may have in view. Doubtless you have comprehended why Edwin St. Clair appears proud and happy with his bride before the world ! Yes, you must comprehend it—for you know me well enough to fathom that truth! But if Ino longer live to love you, Ellen, I can live for re- venge ;—and rest assured that I will accomplish it! Yes—revenge against all who have been in any way implicated in dealing me this blow! Call CONnNEDOOKS Com