Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 347: what you’re looking at

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

Sod and the door closed behind us. The footman was already leading the way down the staircase; and upon the landing my father and I exchanged looks of mutual congratulation ; for the scene with Mrs. Parks had completely confirmed the impres- sion which we entertained on our arrival, that all would be right. We hastened down the stairs; and the footman threw open the door of the law- yer’s private office. We entered—and that door closed behind us. Mr. Parks rose from his desk at which we found him seated; and he bowed in that half-diffident, apprehensive manner which a person conscious of great crimes was likely to adopt. He indicated chairs: we took them=-and he resumed his own seat. “Miss Perey,” said Mr. Parks, speaking in a low, serious, business-like tone, and with the air of a man having a grave transaction in hand, “I have to apologize for the delay which occurred in the first instance in fulfilling my pledge. I asked for a week at the outset: I was then compelled to ask for another. So large a sum could not be realized in a moment! At the expiration of that second week I was fully prepared: and then, Miss Percy, it was you whose absence engendered an- other delay.” “True,’ I said: “and therefore, Mr. Parks, I likewise have an apology to make.” “You arein mourning, I perceive,” he said; “ ond your father informed me that the death of a distant relative is the cause. I never knew that _ you possessed any other relatives than those whose names were familiar to you from your infaney.” “This relative whose death I deplore,” I re- sponded, “is one whom [I only recently dis: covered.” “We will return to the business for which we have assembled here,” said Mr. Parks, turning over some papers which lay before him. “ Your father and I, Miss Percy, have already calculated the amount which is due to you. The original sum was exactly 30,000/,: the interest, at three per cent. for seven years, is 6,3007.; and I have to express my gratitude that you have not pressed matters to a nicety by charging me compound in- terest. Thus the actual sum which according fo agreement I have now to reimburse, is 36,3001,” “My father has already explained to me these calculations,” I said, with a beating heart; “and I am perfectly satisfied.” “T have drawn a cheque for that amount,” said Mr. Parks. “‘ You will be pleased to satisfy your- self that it is in all respects formal.” Thus speaking, he handed the cheque to my father,—who examined it with attention, and then passed it to me, saying, “It is perfectly cor- rect.” I should observe that the draft was not a printed form cut from a banker’s book; but it was written upon & slip of the blue paper which lawyers are accustomed to use. I glanced inquiringly at my father; and he, immediately comprehending what was passing in my mind, said with a smile, “It is perfectly correct, Ellen. Written or printed, the form is precisely the same.” Satisfied with this assurance, I laid the draft. upon the desk: for, as I perceived that there was yet some business to be transacted before I could legitimately call tho draft my own, I did not n ©. a RR A , ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, choose to take immediate possession of it, My heart was still beating with audible pulsations : for, step by step, the business appeared to be progress- ing towards a favourable issue—and I thought to myself, “ Within the hour that is passing, I shall be endowed with a fortune !” “TI believe,” said the lawyer, resuming the dis- course, “ that you have seen Mrs, Parks, and that she has made an appeal to you on behalf of the name which we bear and the young family which looks up to our countenance and support ?” “Yes, I have seen Mrs. Parks,” was my re: sponse to the speech that was specially addressed to myself. “And you will dea! mercifully with us, Miss Percy P” continued the lawyer: “ you will not, on quitting the office, leave behind you the chance that exposure may sooner or later ensue, and that such exposure may brand myself, my wife, and my children with indelible infamy P” “TI assuredly am not vindictive,” I rejoined. “You are makine reparation—and it is for me to show mercy: you are restoring me my fortune— and I accept the deed in the light of an atone- ment.” “ Miss Percy, I thank you!” answered the lawyer, apparently speaking with deep emotion. “ A man may have the courage to do a bad action; and yet he may be the veriest coward in contem- plating the possibilty of its exposure to the world. Besides, a father necessarily trembles at the bare idea that his offspring may ever be doomed to ex- perience shame on account of their parents and the name which they bear.” “The truth of such sentiments can be readily admitted,” I observed. “But now, Mr. Parks, explain what you would have me do.” “ Be kind enough to listen attentively,” resumed the lawyer: “ your father will likewise listen—and I think that neither of you will object to the course which I am about to suggest. Your grandfather, Miss Percy, left behind him a will bequeathing to you the sum of 30,0007., together with his house at Leeds. That will was destroyed by my mother, the deceased Mrs. Parks; and a forged one was Substituted. With shame and grief I confess that I -was the forger. The forged will was proved and ads ministered to : it now exists in Doctors’ Commons. But I am about to réstore your fortune, Miss Percy: I am likewise about to make over to you your house at Leeds ;—and thus you will presently stand precisely in the same light as if your grand- father’s will were still in existence, and as if we were now acting according to its provisions. Ah! I forgot to show you the deed transferring the house from my hands into your’s. Hereitis.” — My father and I exchanged rapid glances, ex- pressive of our agreeable surprise and approval in respect to the lawyer’s conduct: for the house at Leeds had hitherto been lost sight of, and he was literally restoring it of his own accord. My father looked over the deed of conveyance ; and by a nod he indicated his satisfaction with regard to its complete accuracy and validity. “ You see, then, Miss Percy,” continued Parks, “that I am doing you ample justice, though I confess that it is tardy. You have your house and your fortune. Is it therefore needful to brand as a forgery the will which has been proved and re- gistered at Doctors’ Commons? Pray reflect, cS Com