Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 337: what you’re looking at

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ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIES OF AN ACTEESS. 334 _ —>Ow_ _EE ET ESTs Ss UCC CU SS a for I have learnt that you are connected by bonds | lady was seized with another fit; and she expired of kinship, though distant, with her who has been in my arms. I will pot speak any moro—at least so kiod a friend to me—I mean Mra, Oldcastle. not now—of the distress and affliction which I The poor lady breathed her last this afternoon at experience at the loss of one who had been so kind four o’clock. I will endeavour to give you some a friend to me. Mr. Singleton says that it was few details, although my mind, as you may sup- something connected with the heart: but I have pose, is sadly harassed and afflicted. This morr- | been too much bewildered and agitated to listen ing a8 we were seated at the breakfast-table, Mrs, to his explanations. Oldcastle suddenly placed her hand upon ber “Pray come at once, dear Ellen !—and doubt- heart, uttered an ejaculation of pain, sank back in i i her chair, and gasped as if she were dying. Lat. once tore at the bell, and sustained her in my Such restoratives as myself and the ser- and that it was the earnest wish of vants deemed suitable, were administered—and that her funeral should be solemnized in with such effect that Mrs. Oldcastle soon re- | plainest, cimplest, and most unostentatious " « Your ever loving and gratefal friend, “Mary GuLextworrn.” by Mr. Singleton, the surgeon, who the course that was to be adopted. A honeymoon was now sent for, and who spoke in terms as deli- was to be associated with a funeral visit; for under cate as possible, to settle any worldly affairs that existing circumstances no one hinted at the idea might require such regulation. Mrs. Oldcastle of any necessity of separating the bridegroom became completely composed and resigned: she the bride. It was therefore resolved that at once sent for an attorney from Dover; and in should proceed in one postchaise to Dover—while the meanwhile she desired me to fetch the writing. I was to accompany Mr. and Mra. Norman in desk and take out certain papers which she needed another. My father was to remain in London. Fs for the ceremony of making her will. Mr.Single- Letters were written to Mr. for our sudden departure; and | pote to Mr. Gower, to the effect denly called out of town by the which were to serve as a guide for the expected tive, I was unable to see bim; bat ton left us together: but he did not quit the house. Mrs. Oldcastle desired me to commit to as Mrs. Hall, was in reality your man. She told me all the particulars of that un- fortunate young lady's trials, wrongs, and suffer- : alin ings. Oldeastle dictated to me, she disposed of her pro- the memoranda which Mrs. took to deliver my note at ns ae t I re 4 re Se it at no loss to divine the motive for an interview, I rs 5 : 7 it in language as delicate as possible; for I that the blow would prove a severe one for beautiful and interesting Felicia Gower, Before the private conversation with c 1 my father. Mr. Gower’s house perty in the following manner:—To her grand. the sum for which Lord Frederick had given the niece Juliet Norman she bequeathed the estate of cheque upon his banker; and my River House, and various other properties (chiefly | mised to keep a viguant watch consisting of houses at Dover) producing an in-/ till my return. Having made these come of SOOl. a year,—these bequests to be so ments, we embraced and separated. Meanwhile settled and tied up as to be impossible of alien- Lord Frederick had written a letter to bis parents, ation, liability, or misehance, in case Juliet Nor- announcing his marriage with Miss Norman, and man should contract a marriage with any one who not forgetting to mention that she was the heiress might become insolvent, bankrupt, or otherwise of certain good properties just bequeathed by an embarrassed. To Mr. Norman Mrs. Oldcastle be- aunt. This letier was despatehed by Mr. Nor- queathed the sum of 1,000/. sterling; and to you, man’s footman, ikewi Ellen, she has left 3,000/. She was then kind liver withoat delay the communications enough to mention my name in connexion with a been penned to Mr. Richards, the bequest of 500/.: but I entreated that she would I communiested to Beda the not thus deprive ber kindred of any of her pro- | riage which had just taken perty on account of one who was an alien and a Mrs. Oldcastle’s death; and stranger. But Mrs. Oldcastle was decided: and that the double intelligence when the solicitor arrived, she dictated her will servants of the household. according to the memoranda which I had taken (receiving the congratulations down, and which | hare just beea sketching out | and of Beda, heard herself for for your information. The will was duly signed, | dressed as “my lady” - and attested by two of the domestics. Not long | but none of the servants after the completion of this ceremony, the poor | been any peculiar cirea . | 4 E 4 é £ 2 ' i 8 § af rf S E 4 4 : 4 E i E | 4 : FE — ee "= —_————— JOO