Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 236: what you’re looking at

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ELLEN PERCY ; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. 223 portion of which came under my personal know- ledge, and the whole of which I am at liberty to communicate.” **Be sure not to violate any confidence, Jane,” I said ; “ because I never choose to pry into other people’s affairs—and indeed I have no curiosity in that sense.” “Miss Tremaine begged me to communicate her intended marriage in formal terms to you,” answered Jane, “ because she is most anxious tha- you. should pass a week at the Hall in Statford shire, so as to be present at the bridal.” “ However flattered I may be by such an invi- tation,” I said, “I scarcely see how I can accept it on the part of perfect strangers.” “Oh, you will not regard them as strangers !” exclaimed Miss Parks: “ you will find vourself on friendly terms with them immediately! But you will call to-morrow in South Street—will you not >—and then you will receive from Miss T're- maine’s own lips the most cordial assurance of welcome. I was going to enter into many par- ticulars relative to the attachment of herself and her intended husband: but I see,’’ continued Jane with a smile, “that you are so afraid of being deemed unduly curious—and I respect you all the more for the feeling—I will only give a rapid sketch. I must begin by telling you that some two years and a half ago I accompanied the Tremaines into Italy. I think [ stated that much just now. We remained for four or five months at Milan; and there, amongst others, we formed the acquaintance of a young subal- tern officer in the army of one of the petty Italian States. He was on leave of absence and was staying at Milan. An attachment sprang up between himself and Charlotte; and when this Italian gentleman proposed to Miss Tremaine, she consulted her parents. [ have already given you to understand that Mr. and Mrs, Tremaine are kind and indulgent to their children; but still they are persons who can be firm when they conscientiously deem that decisiveness is necessary. Mr. Tre- maine spoke to the young officer; and in every point be was satisfied with the exception of one, which eventually constituted an apparently in- surmountablo difficulty. His connexions were good —his family was highly respectable—his own character was unimpeachable—his honour was un- tarnished—his conduct was steady and regular: but his pecuniary resources were exceedingly limited—and though there were members of his family who were wealthy, yet his own prospects of inheriting any of their riches were remote and uncertain, At that time Mr. Tremaine knew not how his lawsuit might terminate; for on the one hand the gain of it could not increase his own pos- sessiuns —whlereas on the other hand the loss of it might impoverish him, as it-involved the defence of his estates against the claims and pretensions of others. There was consequently the chance of his inability to bestow upon his children anything beyond the most moderate income at his death. All these circumstances were duly represented to the young Italian, as well as to Charlotte herself ; and although the lovers were convinced that they could subsist happily upon the barest competency, Mr. and Mrs. ‘Tremaine, with the natural caution of parents, thought otherwise. Then was it that they exercised the conscientious firmness of their cha- racter ; and the lovers were compelled to bow to their decision. I am extending this narrative be ee the limits which I first prescribed my- se +P] “ Proceed, Jane,” I said: “it does indeed be« come interesting; aad since you are permitied to give me these particulars, there is no harm in my listening to them.” “Immediately after the decision of the parents was made known,” resumed Miss Parks, “the disconsolate lover quitted Milan—while the Tre. maine family proceeded to Venice. Two years and a half have passed away since that period. The other day the lawsuit was decided in Mr. Tre. maine’s favour; and he therefore keeps possession of his estates. These are not entailed; and at the death of their parents the six sisters will find themselves in possession of some ten thousand pounds a-piece. But this is not all. Colonel Tremaine, who is very infirm and feeble and who expects he has not long to live, has made his will, concerning which there is no secret. He is worth about sixty thousand pounds: he has appointed his six nieces his heiresses; and thus they will each inherit an additional ten thousand pounds. But we are speaking specially of Charlotte. You see, Miss Percy, she will have as a fortune twenty thousand pounds. You know the old adage, that it never rains but if pours id * [t is as true,” I said, “in respect to instances of good fortuae as in those of evil fortune.” “ And in the present instance,’ continued Jane, “it is all in the sphere of good fortune. Tho Tremaine family were returning home to England to pass a short time with the Colonel in South Street, Park Lane—and thence to proceed to the old Hall in Staffordshire,—when at Calais, three or four days ago, whom should they mest but the young Italian officer? He presented himself to Mr. Tremaine, representing that fortune had re- ceatly smiled upon him, the death of a wealthy relation haviug bequeathed to him a considerable property, Now, the sequel of this tale of real life is precisely what it would be if it were a mere fiction penned by a novelist. The lovers are to be married: the bridal is to take place at the old Hall—and Colonel Tremaine is going into Staf- fordshire with his relatives to be present on the occasion. There is the whole story. It is simple in its facts; and yet, as you yourself have said, it is far from being devoid of interest. And now, my dear Miss Percy,” inquired Jane, after a briof pause, and with a slyly good-natured smile, “do you know wherefore I have inflicted the narrative upon youP It is that I might so far enlist your sympathies on behalf of these faithful lovers, to induce you to accept the invitation which is given you to be present at the bridal. I am assured— aod I feel convinced, that all parties concerned wil! deem themselves honoured by the presence of one whom they, together with the rest of the world, look upon as the greatest tragedian of the age !” “And are you tc be preseut, my dear Jane P” I inquired. “But of course you are! It was foolish of me to ask the question !” A shade came over the countenance of Miss Parks; and she said in a voice that was slightly plaintive, “ No, Miss Perey—t shall xo# be pre- sent at this bridal. I have received an iuvitaiion Oh, of this you may be assured !—and it hag Gboo (E@)