Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

' ee 172 stances within the range of my knowledge—for you are aware that I was well acquainted with the unfortunate Mrs. St. Clair 4 “ And those circumstances?” said Beatrice hastily: “to what can you possibly allude?” I hesitated to speak further, and glanced to- wards Ludovico Marano. “Oh! do not fear to express your thoughts in his presence,” cried the Countess. “Iam confi- dent that we must all three entertain a common object—which is to see that a great criminal shall not escape the hand of justice !” “TI must inform you,” I resumed, after a few moments of reflection, “that from these facts and circumstances which are within my knowledge, and which must in due course be made known in the presence of justice, Luigi cannot—will not— and must not be condemned for a crime which he did not commit.” “ How! a crime which he did not commit?” ejaculated Beatrice impatiently. “Did he not throw the vitriol at Mrs. St. Clair ?” “Yes,” I answered: “ beyond all doubt he per- petrated that atrocity.” “And did she not die from the effects thereof ?” exclaimed Beatrice. “ No,” I responded, looking her steadily in the face. “What, Ellen!” she exclaimed. “But all the world is convinced of the fact which you alone deny !” “All the world,” I calmly and deliberately re- joined, “is not acquainted with those circum- stances that came to my knowledge at the time.” “Good heavens! what can you mean?” ex- -claimed the Countess. “Tf I thought that justice was to be defeated, * interjected Ludov-co, “I would J He stopped shoit abruptly: but there was a fearful menace in the expression which at the mo- ment seized upon his countenance—though the next instant it died away into a sombre gloom. “Ellen, you are speaking in enigmas!” said Beatrice; “ for you cannot possibly have any ulte- rior motive for saving one whom you know to be an assassin! No, no, my dear friend! you are as incapable of double-dealing as an angel in heaven itself!” “Do not press me for explanations now,” I said ; for I did not choose to speak more openly in the presence of Signor Marano—though I had previously been quite prepared to admit Beatrice into my confidence. “You know me, my dear friend—and you are aware that I never speak without a certainty of the facts which I may pro- claim. Hear me, therefore, while I say this much, —that as sure asI am sitting here, evidence will be proffered to show that Luigi is not altogether s0 culpable as public opinion now believes in re- ference to Zarah’s death. In a word, Beatrice— and you likewise, Signor Marano—if you now wish to deliberate upon the circumstances en- vironing Luigi, you may take it for granted that he will xo¢ be condemned to death in the case of Mrs. St. Clair—but that he will be sentenced to the minor penalty of transportation. Then, in respect to the fearful tragedy of the cliffs, there will be an acquittal for want of sufficient evi- dence.” “ Does the matter really stand thusP” inquired ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, Beatrice, looking aghast at the statements I was making: “and must the author of so many ‘hideous calamities—the perpetrator of so many ‘black iniquities—escape with his life?” “He will—he must,’ I responded. me that I am telling you the truth!” “For such a wretch to live,” exclaimed Ludo- vico, “is to rob me of all the gratification of be- holding my poor cousin Angelo’s fate fearfully avenged! What can be doneP Surely, surely, your ladyship can prove,’ he added, turning to Beatrice, “ that it was Luigi whom you beheld in the act of hurling your husband from the cliff?” “ No, Signor!’ I at once ejaculated: “her lady- ship can prove nothing of the kind! Truthfulness must be observed even in the case of a villain so iniquitous as Luigi! The first deposition made by Beatrice and myself in the presence of the Mayor of Dover, positively affirms that we only enter- tained a suspicion—for the night was dark—we were at a distance “4 “Oh! but when you made that deposition,” ex- claimed Marano vehemently, “ you were both under the influence of wildly harrowed feelings! Since that period you have had time to reflect—you have gathered your recollections—you have remembered other incidents 5 “Signor,” I interrupted him, with all the vehe- mence of indignation, “I am surprised at you! You must not attempt to put words into our mouths, nor dazzle us with a false light: for even though it is the case of such a wretch as Luigi, yet must he have the fullest measure of justice done him according to the letter of the law. And that law commands witnesses to be sincere and impar- tial in giving their evidence In a word, Signor, neither Beatrice nor myself can be induced " * No, no, my dear Ellen!” said the Countess hastily, and with agitation; “we will not swerve from the strict line of truthfulness. But you must make allowances for Signor Marano’s feel- ings, embittered as they are on account of the horrible fate of his beloved relative Angelo :”’—and she sighed deeply as she mentioned the name. ** Miss Percy,” said Ludovico, in a contrite tone and with a humbled look, “I do indeed beseech you to make allowances for me! I would not insult either yourself or the Countess by the supposition that you are capable of exaggerating your testi- mony to the prejudice of even a wretch so vile as Luigi!” “Enough, Signor!” I said: “I forgive you. Yes, I can indeed make allowances for your feel- ings!” Marano bowed, still in a contrite and humble manner; and then he said, “I believe it is to- morrow that Luigi again appears before the ma- gistrate P” “Yes,” I answered: “ and then the case of Mrs. St. Clair will be thoroughly gone into—afterwards he will doubtless be charged with the murder of the Count of Carboni; and if so, your attendance, Beatrice, and miue will be required. Indeed, I have already received a notification to this ef- fect ~ “ And I also,” rejoined the Countess. “ But Ab! when I bethink me, have you yet seen to-day’s paper, Ellen ?” “T saw the Times,” I answered: nothing fresh of Luigi.” “ Believe “but it said OOO) K< (COMMU com