Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 79: what you’re looking at

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- 66 her best to afford me proofs of love and friend- ship? At all events I came to the conclusion that I must remain silent for the present in respect to the one topic on which I had been so anxious to speak to Lady Lilla; and I must thenceforth be guided by circumstances. On joining her at the breakfast-table, I prof- fered my warmest thanks for her kindness towards me ; and she said so many affectionate things, with an air of so much sincerity, that I was confirmed in my resolve of avoiding even the remotest chance of giving her pain by hinting at a suspicion which — might prove to be utterly unfounded, A fortnight passed from the date of the inci- dents which I haye just been describing. I had now been three weeks at Claremont Villa, and another week’s sojourn was to complete my visit. The Normans would then return—I was to rejoin them—the theatre would reopen—and I was to make my next appearance before the public in the character of the heroine in Romeo and Juliet, During these three weeks which had thus already elapsed, I had called twice upon Melissa Harrison, and had found that her health was improving. I now proposed to pay her a third visit; and I availed myself of an opportunity when Lady Lilla Essendine had to make a call at no great distance from the neighbourhood where my invalid friend dwelt. Having passed nearly an hour with Melissa on the occasion to which I refer, 1 was returning to the house where I had parted from her ladyship, and where I was to rejoin her,—when I eneoun- tered Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe. The young nobleman made me a most courteous salutation, and stopped fe converse. The reader is already aware that he had formed an attachment for my friend Juliet Norman; and the sort of courtship he was paying her, had been progressing for about six or seven months—thoggh up to the time when the vacation commenced he had not made any direct proposal: for Juliet had told me previous to her departure for Raméggate, that she was both perplexed and distressed on that account. He was an exceedingly handsome young man, with dark hair and eyes, and a fine profile: he was not as yet two-and-twenty years of age; and as I have already stated, was the son of the Earl of Car- shalton. ** Miss Percy,” he said, as I encountered him on taking my departure from Melissa’s lodgings, “I am rejoiced that I have met you! You can do me a fayour.” «“T, my lord?” I exclaimed, for a moment taken by surprise: but then it immediately struck me that the service he required might be something in reference to Juliet. “Yes, Miss Percy,’ he responded,—“a very great fayour, I can assure you! But have you not heard from Miss Norman lately ?’—and me- thought he looked both confused and anxious as he hurriedly put the question. “T have received three or four letters from her,” I rejoined, “during the time we have been sepa- rated; and the last reached me yesterday morn- 1D 23 “i * And did she say nothing But I see she did not !” exclaimed Lord Frederick. ‘“ It was as well; —and Iam grateful! But would you, Miss Percy, kindly undertake to enclose to your friend Juliet Eee ELLEN PERCY > OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. a note from me in the next letter which you may be sending her P—and if it were by to-day’s post I should be all the better pleased.” I was instantaneously struck by the conviction that something unpleasant must have occurred in respect to Lord Frederick’s courtship: but I was at a loss to conjecture what it could possibly be. I therefore said in a guarded manner, “ Your lordship must best know whether you have Miss Norman’s consent to correspond with her, and whether her parents have sanctioned such corre- spondence: for I think I know Juliet well enough to be assured that she would do nothing without the concurrence of her father and mother.” “Do not force me into explanations, Miss Percy!” exclaimed Ravenscliffe, who seemed very much troubled and excited: “but pray render me the service which I entreat at your hands, Itisa eimple one for you to perform 4 * My lord,” I interrupted him, “there is some- thing so singular in the demand that I cannot comply with it. I owe so much to Mr. and Mrs. Norman that not for worlds would I do anything that might in any way vex or displease them. It is eyident that you seek to initiate a clandestine correspondence; and in this endeayour I cannot possibly become an accomplice.” - Lord Ravenscliffe looked distressed; and he was evidently hesitating in what manner he could con- tinue to urge his entreaty—when I, thinking that the interyiew ought not to be prolonged, bowed and passed on. He did not follow; and as I hastened to rejoin Lilla Essendine, I was lost in conjecture as to the cause of the young nobleman’s request. I should observe that Juliet in her first letter from Ramsgate had stated that Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe had gone down to that watering-place likewise: bué in her subsequent communications she had not mentioned his name. This had not struck me as singular at the time: but now I eould not help thinking that a rupture must have taken place between the young nobleman and her- self. At all events I was satisfied with the part I had just performed; for I knew that if Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe’s correspondence with Juliet were agreeable to herself and her parents, the medium of the post was as open to him as to my- self. The remaining week which I had to spend at Claremont Villa, passed without any incident worthy of mention; and when the day came for my departure, 1 warmly expressed my gratitude for all Lilla’s kindnesses towards me. : i> eeieeettentitetedl CHAPTER XIV. THE BOUQUET. On returning to Hunter Street, I was cordially received by my friends the Normans, who had arrived on the previous evening from Ramsgate, It immediately struck me however that Juliet had not benefited by the month’s change of air; for she looked pale—she was out of spirits—and there was about her a languor which alternated with restlessness, both being very far from affected. I saw likewise that Mr. and Mrs. Norman ocea- sionally looked furtively at their daughter: but lt et AR His tt TN LO LLL LO ALLL LOCAL LL Eomichbook e€om