Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 135: what you’re looking at

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122 ELLEN PERCY$ OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, came of a deadly pallor. I seized his hand, and pressed it hastily,—whispering some encouraging words in his ear. «* And do you mean, Mr. Wilkinson,” he said, “ that if the house of Macdonald becomes bank- rupt, I also shall be declared a bankrupt >—that my name will be paraded in the Gazette —that I shall have to undergo an examination in a public tribu- nal rs “ My dear young friend,” interrupted Mr. Wil- kinson, “no possible blame can attach itself to you —nor indeed for that matter to Mr. Mac- donald either, so far as we at present understand the business i “ But the disgrace! the disgrace!” ejaculated Henry with yvehemence. “The most fastidious or scrupulous person in the whole world,” rejoined Mr. Wilkinson, “could not consider, much less proclaim that any disgrace would attach itself unto you. Besides, your tale will be very soon told, and the facts will be ren- dered apparent. You have never been veritably a partner—you have never exercised the authority of one—you have never received any share of the profits: indeed a bill might be filed in Chan- cery + “ Bué in the meantime,” exclaimed Henry, “ my name may be paraded in the Gazette ” “That is really so small an evil,” said the law- yer, “in comparison with others that might have presented themselves \. “ What mean you?” demanded Henry. “Surely this evil is sufficient !” “TIT mean, my young friend,” replied the at- torney, “that if the marriage settlements had been already signed, two-thirds of Miss Percy’s fortune, being made over to yourself, would be- come liable for the debts of the firm of Macdonald and Co.:—and if the country seat and domain were already purchased, that property likewise might have been held liable!” “Oh! good heavens, Ellen!” exclaimed my cousin, his countenance expressing dismay at the bare idea of these contingencies which Mr. Wilkin- son was suggesting: “from what perils have you escaped!—you might have been ruined on my account !” My father now rose from his seat; and taking the hand of each of us, he said, “ My dear Ellen —my dear Henry—pray take my advice. Go out and walk together—or return home; and I will speedily rejoin you. I wish to consult with Mr. Wilkinson.” I understood my father’s meaning: I saw that this was a matter which must be conducted with- out excitement, and must be envisaged by a becom- ing calmness. I therefore at once complied with his recommendation; and Henry accompanied me from the lawyer’s office. We began to walk slowly towards Great Ormond Street, I leaning upon my lover’s arm. “Tn all this, my dear Ellen,” said Henry, ‘‘ you do not blame me ?” “Blame you, Henry?” I ejaculated, with fer- vour: “it is impossible! In entering into part- nership with Mr. Macdonald, you were acting for the best—you were pursuing that laudable career of industry in which you had embarked a “ And if my name, Ellen, should appear in the Gazette, associated with that of Macdonald, as an insolvent or a bankrupt,” said Henry—and I felt his form quiver as I held his arm,—“ would not ou >» “Oh, Henry!” I exclaimed, conjecturing what was passing io his mind; “how can you think of putting such a question to me? Have you re. ceived no proofs of my love and devotion P—are there no additional proofs which I may yet afford ?”’ I asked, in pursuance of a certain idea that was floating in my mind. “But let us not now say another syllable upon the subject;—let us wait until my father rejoins us! We shall then under. stand the precise position in which you are placed.” We reached Great Ormond Street; and there we remained not long in suspense, for my father soon made his appearance. We both saw that his countenance was grave and serious, as he said to us, “ Now, my dear children, listen with calmness and fortitude to the statement which I have to make.” We all three sat down; and my father continued speaking in the following manner:— “There can be no doubt, Henry, that you are involyed in all the difficulties and embarrassments of the firm of Macdonald and Company. If Mr. Macdonald succumb beneath the blow, you will be deemed a bankrupt with him—you will be sub- jected to all the same inconveniences and conse- quences as if you had been a partner for as many years as you have been for days only—and though the public may sympathize with you, yet can the law make no exception in your favour. Scarcely had you both left Mr. Wilkinson’s office, when an eminent barrister happened to call in; and this was the opinion that he expressed. But on the other hand, Mr. Macdonald may be enabled to overcome the difficulties wherein these failures Kave placed him 7 At this moment there was a double knock at the front door; and the servant speedily entered the room, to intimate that a gentleman from Paisley— Mr. Graham by name—desired to see Mr. Wake- field, whom he had ineffectually sought at his lodgings. “Ah, Alexander Graham!” ejaculated Henry: Mr. Macdonald’s nephew! He is doubtless come concerning this business 2 “You had better go and see him alone in an- other room,” I said; “for he may consider the affair to be of a private nature " “No, my dear Ellen!” exclaimed Henry; “he shall speak in your presence—in the presence of my uncle likewise! I have no secrets from you.— Let Mr. Graham be introduced to this room,” added Henry, turning towards the domestic. In a few moments Alexander Graham made his appearance. He was quite a young man, of about Henry’s own age—namely, two-and-twenty—tole- rably good-looking, of slender figure and genteel address. His countenance indicated a sorrowful condition of mind; and taking Henry’s hand, he wrung it with much fervour, murmuring, “ My dear Wakefield, my uncle has sent me to you—do not misjudge him !—I beseech you not to misjudge him !—for he is innocent of any evil design to- wards yourself !” *T amsure of it!” exclaimed Henry: “I know that Mr. Macdonald is an honourable man! But tell me everything, Alexander—speak out candidly! Gomichboo (EO)