Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 320: 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. 307 power that we may force him to do an act of justice to Juliet! movements! Yes—and you were right too, when you proclaimed that from the misdeeds and irregu- larities of a person’s life circumstances may often transpire revealing their weak points and showing by what modes they are to be acted upon. So it is in the present instance—and I repeat, Lord Fre- derick Ravenscliffe is at our mercy !” This torrent of words which flowed from my lips, were sufficiently connected to convince my father that I had not taken leave of my senses: but still they explained nothing to him; and he waited with impatient curiosity for whatsoever I might next state. “ Listen,” I said, “and I will tell you something which I did not mention before because I was fearful of giving you pain by showing how I am exposed to dishonourable overtures. The Marquis of Tynedale sent me a letter—and it contained a cheque. You can comprehend what the nature of that letter was, and why that cheque was sent, when I tell you that I at once enclosed both ina blank envelope in order to return them to the author of the insult. Melissa came to me at the time—I thought she was my friend and heaven knows that she ought to have been after all I did for her during the period of her illness and her poverty! I fancied I could trust her—I gave her that letter—and it is but too evi- dent ? “TI understand !” exclaimed my father; “she purloined the cheque—and young Ravenscliffe be- came her accomplice P” “ Yes—it is evidently so,” I answered. “ And just now I met the Marquis of Tynedale—his con- duct was to me incomprehensible—and though even at present I cannot altogether fathom it Ah, that treacherous Melissa! to listen to me as she did just now when I encountered her !—to speak to me as she did!—to endeavour to persuade me Good heavens, what duplicity is there in the world! what deceitfulness! Whom can we trust P” The tears gushed forth from my eyes as I pas- sionately gave vent to these ejaculations; for I was shocked and pained at the hideous aspect which humanity wore as I at that moment contem- plated it. “ Calm yourself, my dear girl,” said my father, —‘‘for heaven’s sake trarquillize yourself! It is but too evident that through the iniquity of this deceitful Melissa Harrison your reputation must have suffered—we know not as yet to what extent —with the Marquis of Tynedale: but it can be easily re-established. A character so pure as your’s, is like the polished mirror which for a brief space may be dimmed by breathing upon it; but that dimness speedily passes away, leaving it in the dazzling glory of its pristine brilliancy. But what course shall we pursue? You, my dear Oh! you were right to watch | father; “and it shall be carried out. his proceedings and make yourself aware of his | must confess ! “Yes, this is the best policy,” ejaculated my Melissa You can terrify her—you can tell her that all is known—that you will reveal every- thing to the Marquis of Tynedale, who will prose- cute her—that her accomplice likewise will be arrested ” ** Yes, I will do all this!” I exclaimed ; “ for it is @ matter in which no punctilios must be re- garded—in which there must be no weak scruples and no false delicacy! Melissa is certain to ride home from Kensington to her lodgings: she will not return on foot through the Park but I shall find her at her abode presently. I think it would be well, my dear father, if I were to see her alone—at all events in the first instance ? * Yes—be it so!” interjected my father. “I think you do not appear upon the stage this even- ing—and therefore we shall have ample time for following up whatsoever blow is to be struck—and we will not suffer the grass to grow under our feet.” I made arrangements with my father in order to be enabled to see him again at any time that circumstances might require our meeting during the rest of that day; and we separated. I pro- ceeded into Piccadilly, where I took my seat in a cab and returned home to Hunter Street—for I knew that it would be useless to repair to Melissa’s lodging for an hour or two, inasmuch as she could not as yet have had time to visit her child at Kensington and get back to her abode. Though my feelings were for many reasons greatly excited, yet I veiled them as much as possible in the pre. sence of the Normans; and when five o’clock came, I issued forth again, intimating to them that I was going out to dinner. I reached the house in which Melissa resided; and my heart palpitated violently when I learnt from the person who answered my summons at the door, that Miss Harrison was at home. I ascended to her apart- ment,—which I at once entered without knock- ing. Melissa was in the act of examining a quan- tity of goods which it was evident had been but recently sent in from the mercer’s; and I caught a hasty glimpse of silks, satins, velvets, and other materials for rich dresses. She was suddenly seized with confusion on beholding me: she was transfixed to the spot—she became excessively pale; and then, recovering her presence of mind, she rushed forward, exclaiming, “ My dear Ellen, what brings you hither at so unwonted an hour P” “To tell you, Melissa,” I at once answered, with a cold grave look and with a firm voice, “ that everything is discovered !” A half-subdued shriek escaped Melissa’s lips: she staggered back—and suddenly throwing her- self upon a seat, she burst into tears, sobbing like- wise bitterly. I said nothing for a few moments : but as I kept my eyes fixed upon her, my heart seemed to swell until it rose up into my very throat—for again was I infinitely shocked and Ellen, are now the best judge of the mode of action | cruelly hurt to have the conviction forced upon under existing circumstances.” | me that I had given my friendship to one who I reflected for a few instants ; and then I | was so utterly unworthy of it. thoughtfully said, “If it were possible to wrest; “O Melissa!” I said at last; “is it possible from the guilty Melissa a full confession of her | that you could have thus deceived me—that you wickedness, we should ascertain to what extent | could have been guilty of an act so infamous—a Lord Frederick has become an accomplice | deed so darkly criminal—stamping yourself with therein.” | eternal infamy—seriously compromising me ¥ —_—~--—_—_- —___ — - GOmiGcsdoo cS Com