Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 393: what you’re looking at

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380 ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. me. Go and display your brand to the first policeman whom you meet; and tell him who has done it! But remember that in this case I shall likewise have a tale to tell,—a tale of how a be- loved and only child was ruined and murdered by him who deserved to be thus branded for his black and hideous iniquity !” Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe had reflected in deep anguish for a few minutes while Mr. Gower was thus speaking ; and by the quivering of the young nobleman’s ashy white lips, by the work- ings of his features, and by the convulsive clench- ings of his two hands, it was easy to comprehend how bitter, how fearful, and how harrowing were his thoughts. At length he said, fixing a ghastly look upon Mr. Gower, “ Am I to understand that this is a vengeance which is to be proclaimed to the whole world, or that it is a secret to be con- fined to the four walls within whose compass the tremendous deed has been accomplished ?” * It is for you to decide,” answered Mr. Gower. “‘T have no inclination to parade before the world my daughter’s degradation and disgrace ;—and as for my vengeance in respect to yourself, it is now appeased.” “Then may I hope,” cried Ravenscliffe, clutch- ing at the idea as the only solace which remained for his horrible position,—“ may I hope that the secret will be kept, and that any tale I may choose to tell to account for this” —and he shudderingly indicated with his finger the burning mark upon his brow—“ will pass uncontradicted ?” “ You may rely upon it,” answered Mr. Gower. * In the first instance the unfortunate dead can- not speak :”’—and he pointed towards the couch where reposed the remains of his daughter and the offspring of her shame. “In the second place these men”—and he now glanced round upon the three ruffians—“ will faithfully fulfil whatsoever mandate I give them. In the third place, there is Miss Percy, who can speak for herself.” “Would to heaven,’ I exclaimed, almost ina frenzy of nervous horror at what had taken place, “that I could from my memory banish the whole hideous spectacle as completely as if it had never occurred |” “Then let secrecy be maintained,” said Ravens- cliffe. “It is the only consolation, Mr. Gower, which your horrible vengeance leaves me! IfI have wronged you much, the chastisement you have inflicted is more than commensurate with that injury !” “ Ah! since you speak thus,” said Mr. Gower, * you will permit me to deliver my own senti- ments ere we part. You young men of rank and fashion have brought your vices to such a point that you look upon the seduction of innocence asa pleasant pastime, scarcely to be regarded as a fault, and too insignificant to be followed by re- morse. But if every father whose daughter is thus outraged, were to take the law into his own hands and inflict a punishment as terrible as his imagination can suggest or as his power can accom- plish, the cause of morality would be benefited. Tbe punishment I have inflicted may seem hor- rible, barbarous, savage, and ferocious, simply be- Cause the offence which provoked it has unfor- tunately come to be regarded as something of a very venial character. Ihave taught you a dif- ferent lesaon ; and it would be wellif your branded > countenance could be exposed as a warning to all the gay, reckless, dissipated young libertines who go prowling about like wolves to devour the inno- cent and the unwary. And now, my lord, de- part! We have seen enough of each other—— and heaven grant that we may never meet again !” The wretched young nobleman reeled forth from the chamber, and descended to the drawing-room. Thither I mechanically followed him,—though my own feelings were so stupified by horror, so numbed by consternation and dismay, that I had not even so much as a sentiment of curiosity to ascertain what course he would now under cir- cumstances adopt. No one else accompanied us to that room : we were alone there together. I threw myself upon a seat, whence in speechs less stupefaction I surveyed that young nobleman who had become the victim of his own misdeeds and of the terrific vengeance which he had drawn down upon his head. At first he paced to and fro in an agitation that was so violent it seemed beyond the reach of any soothing power. Then he advanced towards the mirror: but he recoiled with the ghastliest horror from the reflection of the vivid red deeply-seared mark which had been indelibly imprinted upon his brow. “ My God! my God!” he murmured, wringing his hands in despair, as he threw himself upon a seat: then he rocked himself to and fro for some minutes, moaning, lamenting, and lowly ejaculat- ing “ My God! my God!” until all of a sudden he started up, and accosting me, demanded, “ Shall you tell Juliet everything ?” “You are her husband, my lord,” I responded, “and I am only her friend. You therefore have a far greater right than I to dictate how Juliet is to be dealt with in existing circumstances, Ter- rible as your crimes have been, yet God knows your punishment is sufficient ;—and if punishment in this world be meant as an atonement, your sin towards Felicia Gower has been atoned for !” “Then you will say nothing to Juliet of all this ?” continued Ravenscliffe ; “and you will suffer me to tell some tale which may account for this hideous calamity which has overtaken me?” *T shall do nothing that can interfere with whatever amount of happiness Juliet may expe- rience from her marriage with you. Of this rest assurec, my lord,” I emphatically added. He turned away without thanking me. I could well understand that his was now a state of mind which made him look upon the whole world with loathing, and that no pleasant word could come from his lips. He took off his black silk neck- cloth and thence tore a long strip. From his white cambric kerchief he next tore a smaller piece, which he placed upon the horrible mark ; and I saw him shudder with the pain of the cambric coming in contact with the raw seared flesh. Then around his head he fastened the black band ; and again he glanced at the mirror to survey his present aspect. “ Now may I take my departure from this house of horror and abomination !’’—he said in accents of deepest concentrated bitterness: “ and may all the most terrible curses which human lips can invoke from heaven or from hell rest upon it!’ . He put on his hat, and hastened from the room, <S EORMIEAOO Com