Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 65: what you’re looking at

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Ne 52 —_—-—- - ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. windows looked upon the street, and that one of them was open. There was consequently no danger to be anticipated: for at the slightest offer of insult, a scream from my lips would at once bring succour. As to remaining in the house at all, and in the presence of one from whom I had received such outrageous treatment, on a former occasion, at another place—I must beg the reader to bear in mind that I considered I had a sacred mission to perform on behalf of one who might be perhaps stretched upon her death-bed—on behalf too of a young child who might speedily be mother- less: and these were paramount considerations with me, I therefore entered that room,—Colonel Bellew following me. He politely indicated a chair: but this I declined to accept; and he proceeded to peruse the letter. I glanced at his countenance to ascertain if there were any hope for poor Me- lissa: but I must confess that in my own mind I had little faith in the success of the very unplea- sant mission I had undertaken. It was with a cold calmness—indeed I might almost say with indifference—that the Colonel read the missive; and then looking at me, he said, “ Is she—Melissa I mean—is she so very, very ill?” ‘*She believes herself to be in a decline,” I an- swered ; “and the surgeon has prohibited her from ever returning to the stage, even if she should rise from this sick couch on which she is stretched.” “T will call upon her,” said Colonel Bellew: “but in the meantime, Miss Percy, I must of course do something in the matter———Perhaps you will suggest ‘ “You can well understand, sir,” I responded, “that it must be indeed painful for me to linger here one instant more than is necessary: but if I do so, it is only in the performance of a solemnly undertaken duty. Melissa Harrison is in that feverish and perturbed state of mind to which every moment of suspense brings additional tor- ture, and for which the realization of her last hope would prove the most soothing balm. I beseech you, sir, to allow me to become the bearer of con- solatory intelligence. It is for the mother of your child on whose behalf I am pleading!” ‘Miss Percy,” said Colonel Bellew, now speak- ing with a deep seriousness, “ you shall find that I am prepared to do all that is needful and proper in this distressing case. Indeed, it is sufficient that you have come to plead on Melissa's be-. ? hal “No, sir!’ I ejaculated, as a sense of former circumstances vividly inspired me: “I beg you will not put it upon that foundation. You may easily suppose that had I known whom I was des- tined to encounter here, and that the letter ad- dressed to Mr. Peters would bring me into the presence of Colonel Bellew, I should have _hesi- tated x * Well, Miss Percy, let us not refer to the past,” interrupted the Colonel. ‘I can assure you of my readiness to act becomingly in the present instance. You shall return as the bearer of a substantial proof of my sincerity; and in the course of the day I will consult my solicitor, so that we may best de- vise the means of making a provision for the child in case anything should happen to Melissa. Have the goodness to await me here a few instanis, while I fetch my cheque-book.” Having thus spoken, the Colonel issued from the room, closing the door after him. Despite my previous misgivings, I had now no longer any doubt in his sincerity; and I could not help think. ing that whatsoever he might be about to do, was not so much on Melissa’s account as it was a sort of atonement for his conduct towards myself. The room in which I now remained alone was handsomely furnished: it was even characterized by taste and elegance, though nothing indicated that a female genius presided over its appoint- ments. There were vases of flowers upon the tables—but no work-box,—none of those little nick-nacks which indicate the presence of ladies ina house. Nor indeed was this to be wondered at, considering the equivocal company which I had found Colonel Bellew entertaining. Again recurred to my mind the sudden impression made upon it, that it was St. Clair whom I had seen disappearing so abruptly from the other room, as if startled by my presence: but still I could scarcely think that my surmise was correct: for would he now be so intimate with the man with whom he had fought a duel?—would he with all his avowed love for me, court the society of the individual from whose outrageous insolence he had proved my deliverer ? And then, too, St. Clair—that man of elegant taste and polished refinement—in the company of those brazen creatures!—was the idea credible? If so, then truly everything Lady Lilla Essendine had told me concerning him, must be correct; and happy, happy indeed was I to have escaped the beguilement of the language which flowed from his lips! I was in the midst of these reflections, when the door opened. I looked round—I started as if suddenly galvanized: for it was not Colonel Bellew, but St. Clair himself who now made his appearance! The conviction that everything I had heard to St. Clair’s prejudice was only too true, all in a mo- ment became stamped upon my mind; and my cheeks glowed with indignation at the thought that he dared obtrude himself upon my presence, bringing with him, as it were, the atmosphere of pollution which he had been breathing in the neighbouring apartment. A sense too of some meditated treachery smote me: but my indigna- ticn rose above my fears; and I said, “ I perceive, sir, that this is no place for me to linger another moment in!” That expression, so peculiar and so sinister, to which I have already alluded, rose to Edwin St. Clair’s countenance, and assumed an aspect more visibly wicked than ever it had taken before. It appeared as if the fiend which lurked within, was now completely throwing off the mask from be- hind which it had hitherto only partially peeped forth. 1 was affrighted : my courage was rapidly ebbing away—and I sprang towards the door. “You may go, Miss Percy,” said St. Clair, in a tone so scornfully withering and so full of satanic defiance that it instantaneously arrested my steps: “but remember that it will be with a ruined cha- racter and a reputation irreparably destroyed !” A shriek went forth from my lips. I felt as if I were in the power of some demon terribly potent to work every species of evil; and I invo- luntarily clasped my hands in an appealing manner as I turned towards him. ee gs) GOmichdoo ¢€om