Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

} | | | ‘ ' ) t . er i passage indicated by Mr. Richards: and as I pro- ceeded I felt my heart warming with the subject. I caught its spirit—the circumstances in which I was placed appeared to fade away from my con- sciousness—and I rapidly identified myself with all the feelings and emotions of the character who was supposed to be speaking in the drama. It was | not until I had concluded that I suddenly awoke | dear Ellen?” she said, as it were from the delusion in which I had been temporarily cradled—or to which, more properly speaking perhaps, I had wrought myself up; and then I was overwhelmed with a still greater con- fusion than before on receiving the compliments of Mr. Richards and the praises of Juliet and Melissa. Mrs. Norman re-entered the room at the mo- ment; and casting a glance around upon all our countenances, her own became animated with joy, as she exclaimed, “Ah! I see how it is! My presage was not incorrect! My young friend has proved that she has got the genius—the talent— although perhaps until this hour it may have lain dormant.” “Yes, my dear Mrs. Norman,” answered Mr. Richards, “ Miss Percy has acquitted herself better than any of us could possibly have anticipated. I never saw so good a first attempt. It is really no flattery! My dear madam, the girl has the genius —cultivate it, I beg of you-—she cannot be in bet- ter hands than your own !” The lessee spoke these last words in a lowered tone to Mrs. Norman as he drew her aside; and though I veritably believe they were not intended for my ears, yet did I catch them; for I was keenly sensitive to every sign; evidence, or demon- stration that in any way regarded the result of the test to which I had been put. I must confess that I felt as if I had’achieved a triumph; new ideas were rapidly germinating in my mind; the ambi- tion to shine and achieve a reputation as a great actress, had already begun to inspire me. And yet, mingled with all these feelings, was no incon- siderable remnant of that habitual shyness and ex- cessive diffidence which could not be shaken off all in a moment. “Let me congratulate you, my sweet friend,” said Mrs. Norman: and she bestowed upon me a true theatrical embrace, which afforded Mr. Richards an opportunity of paying another com- pliment, to the effect that there was no doubt he should shortly have the pleasure of seeing us, as two “stars,’ enacting the same scene before the curtain. Presently I was alone with Juliet in her dress- ing-room; and when she had said several kind things to me on the success of the trial to which I had been put, and likewise prophetic of future greatness on my part,—she appeared to sink into a pensive reverie. Lounging back on the sofa, she contemplated with a profound attention that bou- quet of choice flowers to which I have already alluded. For some minutes I watched her, won- dering what was passing in her mind, and whether it were any source of sadness which rendered her thus pensive. But gradually I observed a smile wreathing her rich red lips, and then expanding over her countenance, until that handsome face became radiant with animation, and a kindred lustre lighted up the depths of her superb blue eyes. All of a sudden she met my wondering ELLEN PERCY; OB, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, ore gaze; and then a deep blush crimsoned her cheeks, | descended to her neck, and suffused itself even over her shoulders. She looked as if her heart cherished some secret which she fancied the expression of her countenance must have just betrayed to my know- ledge. ‘You understand what is passing in my mind, glancing at me for an in- stant, and then bending her blushing looks over the bouquet which she held in her hand. “ Perhaps you will think I am very foolish? And I may be sO 33 “ Foolish for what, Julie?” I asked, with some degree of surprise. “ Foolish that I should attach the value which I do to t:is bouquet,” she continued, still keeping her eyes upon it — “or at least that I should attribute a certain significancy to it. Ah! I see that you do not understand me!” she exclaimed, now raising her fine blue eyes towards my coun- tenance, but still with a blush glowing upon her cheeks. “No; I do not understand you, Julie,” I an- swered—“ unless indeed it be that this beautiful nosegay is a tribute of admiration paid by some one “ “Did you just now observe that tall slender young man,” asked Miss Norman, slowly and hesi- tatingly, “who was in the lessee’s box during rehearsal ?” “T noticed several gentlemen in the boxes “ Well, the particular one to whom I allude is Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe. He is the son of the Earl of Carshalton—he is only just come of age It is he, Ellen, who sent me this beautiful bouquet. It was placed in my hands a few mi- nutes before I entered the lessee’s room to look after you.” “ And therefore you think,” I said, with the ut- most ingenuousness, “ that Lord Frederick Ravens- cliffe is in love with you ?” Juliet Norman gave no immediate answer: but she again bent her blushing countenance over the bouquet. I now remembered that while standing on one side of the stage to witness the rehearsal of the ballet, I had noticed in a box on the opposite side a young gentleman whose personal appearance corresponded with the description Miss Norman had just given. I recollected likewise the conver- sation that took place between herself and me the morning after my introduction to her parents’ abode; and I said, “ You know, Julie, it has been your ambition to form a good matrimonial alliance some day or another. Whocan tell but that your wish may he realized even more speedily than you had anticipated? I did remark that young noble- man ” “And is he not very handsome?” asked Miss Norman in an under-tone, as if afraid that the very walls might have ears to catch the words from her lips: then, without waiting for my reply, she went on to say, “I have seen him on each occasion at rehearsals—and always of an evening likewise. I don’t know how it was, but my heart whispered something to me yes, something to the effect that it was on me privcipally—on me only his looks were fixed; and now I have received a proof of it :” and again her eyes were fixed upon the bouquet. Her maid at this moment entered to announce that the carriage was in waiting ; the conversation Gomicbook rw a rs tee com