Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 304: what you’re looking at

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

ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. the private entrance: but we knocked at the latter. The summons was answered by the foot- man in his handsome livery; and as he knew me, | he said, “I know, Miss, that master is very much engaged at the moment; but I am sure he will see you:’—and then the man looked as if he wondered why so long a time had elapsed since I last visited at that house. _ My father and myself were conducted up into the sumptuously-furnished drawing-room; and the footman said, “ What name shall I take in ad- dition to that of Miss Percy ?” ' 291 —_ —— | hither unless in the full confidence that I am ‘stronger than the enemy whose camp I am ia- vading—aye, and in a position to set him at de- fiance.” “What—what does all this mean?” faltered out Parks, again becoming pale, while his hand dropped from the bell-pull, ‘You don’t mean me to understand ci ‘I mean you to understand,” interrupted my father, “ that I once again breathe in freedom and ‘in safety the atmosphere of my native land. Summon hither the officers of justice, if you will: “Tt is not necessary to take any name,” an-/| but,’ he added significantly, “it is not I whom swered my father. ‘“ Have the kindness merely to | they will bearaway! My crime has been expiated say se Perey ee - her desire an | by site. 4 pera © sags 8 ok : immediate interview with Mr. Parks.” am pardoned ! our crime has yet to be atone The footman withdrew; and in a few minutes | for—privately, if you will, and without exposure— the lawyer came bustling into the room, He was) but publicly, and in a manner terribly signal, if no doubt at a loss to imagine what business had | you hesitate to do this injured girl the justice brought me thither and how he himself would be | which you owe her.” received by me : he therefore, with characteristic, ‘It is all very fine on your part,” exclaimed Mr. hardihood and impudence, assumed an off-hand, | Parks, assuming a look and attitude of defiance, self-possessed, familiar manner, as he advanced | “to come here thinking to bully me into some- towards me, exclaiming, “ Well, I am glad you| thing—I know not what: but I can see through have found your way once more to my house ; and | the trick : I hope that = can sidoh on bottar ‘canis Views “ Behold!” exclaimed my father; and he pro- when 4 duced from his pocket the official document pro- But here he suddenly stopped short; for my | claiming his pardon: but at the same time he father, who had been standing with his face to- | took care that the villain Parks should not have — the a and of i ge Efe he | pay a ete, cise icals it i “ie nee f ack towards him, now suddenly turned round ; ‘Well, and what then?” exclaime e attor- and nothing raglai exceed the astonishment, min- | ney, who had again looked discomfited, but who gled perhaps with some degree of dismay, which | quickly recovered, if not his self-possession, at seized upon the attorney. But quickly recovering | least an insolent hardihood that served him asa his sae cal he exclaimed, “ Ah ren am 1 | pe ae ie an have got Bay sien and so to understand by seeing you two together P” much the better for you. But on’t suppose “You are to understand, Mr, Parks,” replied | that either of you would be very well pleased for. my father, advancing straight up to the lawyer | the facts of the case to be made public and for all and confronting him with a stern decisive expres- | the newspapers to procliim— ~--” sion of countenance, “that the day for mystery “Stop, Mr. Parks!” interrupted my father, has gone by—as well as for all wickedness and | calmly and decisively: “this turn will not serve misdeed which might in any way have associated you. Make what exposure you will—but you itself with the mystery, either on your part or on shall not the less disgorge this defrauded girl’s in- mine, Ellen knows that she is my daughter: she herisance, You may tell the whole tale, and she knows likewise that she was rightfully the heiress | will abandon her profession in consequence: but f her dfather’s wealth: and she has come to | the fortune to which she is entitled, and which with Sohn aniasentnt of your stewardship.” | all acetadas nah aitcpeanead Aaa in- For a moment Mr. Parks became deadly pale; | terest you shall surrender up, will serve her as a and he started slightly—while as if with an effort | handsome maintenance. Moreover, Mr. Parks, he repressed. the stronger spasm which shook him | since exposure is to be the order of the day, there inwardly. He glanced at me; and regaining all | can be no earthly reason why we should haye any his hardihood, he said, pointing to my father, “I | consideration for you.” ——— Se that you know everything whichre-| Thus stig itr my fh eect rey 4 Ae ates to him?” nearest window; and placing his hands to the “Yes—I know everything!” I exclaimed, my | sash, made a motion asif he were about to raise it. cheeks colouring with indignation at the insolent, * Come now—what the deuce are you going to erties manner ia which he aliuded to my | “a A a en the lawyers whe eam ovidontly parent. frightened. “ Let you and me ta is matter “Oh, you know everything?” ejaculated Mr. | over in the next room,” Parks. “ Well, then, you must be as much asto- “No, sir!” responded my father: “ everything nished as 1 am at the boldness of his coming to | that is said or done shall be in the presence of my me in such a style:’—then advancing towards daughter. You asked me what [ was about to do the bell-pull, he took it in his hand, and said, |—and I will tell you,” he continued, his hand still with a look of menacing significancy, “If I ring | upon the window-sash. “ You behold the police- this, you know, it will be to summon the officers of justice to clear the room of at least one person who is in it P” * Summon whomsoever you will,’ replied my father, with a look and tone which at once dis. concerted Mr, Parks, “I should not have come man who is coming this way round the Square: it is my intention to summon him to take into cuss tody a man whom [I shall charge with forgery, fraud, and embezzlement,” “ Don’t be so foolish! you—Ellen, my dear girl Miss Perey—I beg of 32 ssc cert tt aE” CC ESE LEASE LE nS Com Ghoook (COU