Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 327: what you’re looking at

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

314 ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. the contrary. I had a difficult part to play; for if Lord Frederick shouid flee from London, all my plans would be baffled and frustrated. Tt was thus that I continued to reason within myself; and having determined how to act, I pulled the check-string and ordered the cabman to drive to the theatre, It was now close upon nine o'clock, and the performances had therefore com- menced some time previously, On arriving at the theatre—where, be it observed, I had not to per- form on this particular evening —I repaired stfaicht to my own dressing-room, and hastily penned a note to my father; for I had arranged with him, ere we separated in the Park, how I might be enabled to see him again at any moment during the remainder of the day, if cireumstances should necessitate any additional communication between us. Having sealed and addressed the note to Mr. Forsyth—which was the name he had now adopted-—-I lost not a moment in despatching it by one of the underlings of the theatre to a coffee-house near Hunter Street, where my father was to be found. Having taken this step, I next ascertained which box Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe had secured for his party of ladies; and I went and took my seat in ove of the stage-boxes, which was always at my disposal, and where I could obtain a view of the one oceupied by the young nobleman and his friends. I could not possibly continue to keep a close watch ou Melissa Harri- son’s proceedings; for as she dressed in the same room with several other ballet-dancers, it would have looked exceedingly strange if I had foowed her thither. I therefore took such precautions as were within the limit of my power; and I was compelled to leave something to the chapter of accidents. There were six ladies in the box which Lord Trederick Ravenscliffe had engaged; and he him. self was present with them. They were all young; and one of them—to whom he evidently paid the greatest attention—was sweetly beautiful. She formed as it were the centre of the group: she was dressed with simplicity, but in a manner that ad- mirably became her modest, delicate, and un- assuming loveliness. She had light hair; and the expression of her countenance was replete with goodness and innocence. Being myself unseen in the stage-box to which I had retired, I was enabled to watch the group to which Tam alluding; and I speedily beheld certain little manifestations on the young nobleman’s part which led me to suspect that he was paying his court to the interesting young lady. If it were so, I experienced much commiseration for her in case her heart should have become engaged to that profligate patrician : but on the other hand, I was well pleased to think that I possessed the means of preventing an al- liance which, if solemnized, could only result in the unhappiness of that interesting creature. Seven months had now elapsed since his contem- plated union with Lady Cecilia Urban was broken off in the manner which I have deseribed in a previous chapter; and there had consequently been plenty of time for Lord Frederick to discover some other heiress whose purse would be most useful to one of his extravagant habits. Juliet Norman, who knew that I was at the theatre, presently joined me for a few minutes in the private box; and as she glanced towards that —_——— a ee ee ee other box which I had been watching, she said with a bitter expression of countenance, “ That traitor!—he has not even the delicacy, under existing circumstances, to remain away from a place where he knows that I cannot fail to observe his proceedings!” : I made no answer; and Juliet went on to say, “You see that he is paying marked attention to Felicia Gower ?” “Ts that the name of the young lady with the light hair and who has a bouquet in her hand?” I inquired. “Yes,” veplied Juliet: “I just now heard her name mentioned, Her father is a rich country gentleman—a widower; and she is an only child. She will inherit a large fortune at his death; and no doubt if she were to marry, he would give her a handsome dower. But she shall not be sacri- ficed !” * No—sho shall not, Juliet!” I said emphati- cally. “Ah! I am delighted to hear this assurange from your lips!” rejoined Juliet. “It was you, dearest Ellen, who prevented his marriage with Lady Cecilia Urban; and though I never knew the means which you adopted to achieve that alm - * No matter what the means were,” I seniogly interrupted her; “you saw that I succeeded— and I think I may safely promise you an equally signal success in the present instance,” Juliet pressed my hand, and hurried away from the box; for she had not as yet commenged her toilet for the ballet. When she was gone, I thought to myself, as 1 glanced towards Lord Frederick Ravenseliffe, *‘ The econdue& of that young nobleman is indelicate im more ways than one. He brings a virtuous and innocent young lady to a theatre, where, upon the same stage, will presently appear Juliet the victim of his vil- lany, and Melissa his present mistress !” At this moment I saw the door of Lord Fre- derick’s box open; and one of the box-keepers handed him a note. “That is from my father!” I instantancously said to myself: and then, as a thought struck me, I musingly added, “ No—he can scarcely yet have had time to pen a note and to reach the theatre. It may be from Melissa, conveying the warning which I all along suspected the treacherous crea- ture would find some means to give! Infatuated must she be to care for one who pays his court to another almost before her very eyes !” But as these thoughts ran rapidly through my mind, I still kept my looks fixed upon Lord Fre- derick’s box. Isaw him take the note from the hand of the box-keeper: then I beheld him bend down over Miss Gower’s chair, behind which he was standing: he whispered something in her ear —he was no doubt courteously asking the usual permission to open the note which had just been placed in his hands. She looked up and smiled with gracious sweetness. Yes, methought, she assuredly loved him! Poor girl! what a dagger was tobe shortly thrust into her heart! {I felt deeply for her. Lord Frederick opened the billet; and scarcely had his eyes caught sight of the contents, when I belield him stagger as if he were smitten a sudden blow; and the note dropped from hishand, It | ~ EORNICELO@OC)