Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 355: what you’re looking at

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

342 ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, “Grieve not for me, Ellen,” he replied— though he himself had been horribly wounded in the most vulnerable point of his heart. “It is one of the punishments due to my past errors; and I submit. Mr. Parks,” he continued, turning towards the lawyer, “let us speak, if you please, with as little passion as possible—and without any abuse. I demand from you, in the name of my daughter, a cheque for 36,3007.; and if you give it me not, you must take the conse- quences.” “You have said well,” replied the lawyer, “when you proposed that we should plead our respective causes Without passion. There seems to be a misapprehension on one side or another ; and with your permission I will adopt the means of setting it at rest. I beg that in the presence of a person whom I am about to summon hither, no harsh word may be thrown out against myself —or I shall use harsh words in return, I also desire that no accusation be made~or I shall turn round and recriminate. Let us hear the wit- ness; and when he is gone we will discuss the points.” Without waiting for a reply, the lawyer has- tily opened the door and went forth upon the landing, whence he shouted out, “ Mr. Moss !” In a few moments the clerk made his appear- ance ; and I hastily whispered to my father, “ For heaven’s sake be calm! I entreat you to remain altogether silent while Mr. Moss is present. It would be terrible to have an exposure before him !’’ “T will obey you, my dear child,” answered my father, likewise speaking in a whisper:—and he sat down. I also took a chair, as a sort of tacit assurance to my father that I intended to treat the whole subject with calmness and deliberation: but Mr, Parks, taking his station on the hearth-rug, leant his back against the mantel—stuck his thumbs into the arm-holes of his waistcoat, and said, “ Now, Mr. Moss, have the kindness to answer me a few words.” The clerk bowed, as he stood at the centre table, on which one hand rested. “ Mr. Moss,” proceeded the lawyer, “ you yes- terday witnessed a deed which Miss Percy signed in your presence P” “Yes, sir—to be sure, sir:’—and the clerk looked with a sort of astonishment at me as if he sous I had been denying my signature to the eed. “And what did that document set forth P” de- manded Mr. Parks, “ Oh, sir,” responded Moss, “it was plain and simple enough, to the effect that for certain con- siderations Miss Percy renounced all legal pro- ceedings on account of the deceased Mr. Forsyth’s will —that she recognised its validity and its legality—that she agreed, so far as she was con- cerned, it should remain in full force, and that she abandoned to you, sir, all the rights which you already enjoyed by virtue of that will.” “ And what were the considerations for which Miss Percy made these concessions ?” inquired Mr. Parks. “For the conveyance of the house at Leeds, estimated as being worth 1,500/., and for a sum of 3,000/, in ready money.” * Was the conveyance of the house made?” “Tt was, sir.” ** ‘Was the sum of 3,0007, paid P” * It was, sir.” “ How was it paid ?” asked Parks, “ By-a cheque, sir, upon your bankers,” replied Mr. Moss. 2 “ Did Miss Percy place her name at the back of that cheque ?” “ To be sure, sir. I saw her thus receipt it.” “ Have you positive knowledge,” asked the law- yer, “that the cheque has been presented and paid ?” “T have the positive knowledge, sir,” rejoined the clerk. “That will do; Mr. Moss. Thank you. You can retire.” The clerk bowed and withdrew accordingly. My father and I had sat in profound silence through- out the above colloquy: but I saw by my parent’s looks that he gradually comprehended, as well as I did, the diabolical scheme of villany by which Mr. Parks had put himself right in respect to the forged will,—retaining possession of the immense bulk of my fortune, and taking a stand which enabled him to set us at defiance. He had sacri- ficed the house at Leeds only: this comparatively worthless property he had made over to me in order to give a colour to the transaction between us ; and as for the cheque for 3,0007., it had doubt- less been presented by his wife or some other female accomplice, who on receiving the money at the bankers’, at once restored it to Mr. Parks him- self. Yes—I now saw it all!—and when on the preceding day he had crumpled up that small cheque and tossed it into the fender, it was with the studied intention of taking it forth thence and using if in the manner described; for it had my name at the back of it—and thus when passed into the bankers’ hands, would have the effect of a receipt for the sum specified in the deed. “ Well,” said Mr. Parks, when the clerk had retired,—“ and now how does the business look P what aspect does it wear P” * You best know, sir,” responded my father, in a low deep voice, which was indicative of a sense of utter discomfiture, “to what extent you have deceived us,” “Oh!” ejaculated Parks, “since you mean to revert to strong language, I shall adopt the same, Look you! If I did but raise my voice, I might summon a policeman hither to take you both into custody for endeavouring to defraud me out of a cheque for 3,0007., when the one you received has been presented and cashed.” “ Oh, Mr. Parks!” I cried, “ how can you speak thus? You know that we never received that cheque—but that it was one for twelve times the amount which we did receive !” “Stuff and nonsense!” exclaimed the lawyer, who now had the efirontery to simulate impatience and indignation. “You are mad! For what earthly reason should I have given you such a cheque? The transaction was all bond fide—at least on my part: the deeds are in existence—and my clerk witnessed everything.” “Ellen,” said my father, in a hollow voice, “it is useless for us to remain here. I seo it all. Your generosity has been imposed upon; and the forms of the law have been inyoked with a devilish ECONMNICLOOKSEECO iA