Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 247: what you’re looking at

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

234) The post-chaise rolled into the park, the lodge- keeper having flung open the iron gates at the entrance ; and up a noble avenue it proceeded until i¢ stopped in front of the portico of the principal entrance. I had already decided upon giving the name of Percy, and not that of Traf- ford; for her ladyship knew me by the former as well as by the latter—and I was averse to what I may term exciting a sensation amongst the do- mestics of Kelvedon Hall by parading myself, so to speak, as the popular actress. I was first of all conducted into a small elegantly furnished room on the ground-floor : but I was not there kept wait- ing many minutes—for the door opened, and Lord Kelvedon himself made his appearance. He seemed to be in the enjoyment of good health— for my looks were at once riveted upon him to as- certain this point, and to discover whether he be- trayed any of those symptoms which in respect to his wife had filled me with so much horror and consternation. His lordship was enveloped ina handsome dark flowered silk dressing-gown ; and he wore a black skull-cap. He looked not a whit more decrepid than when I had last seen him some months back ; and it even struck me that there was a little more colour upon his cheeks in the fresh air of the country, than when he was breathing the somewhat less pure atmosphere of Eaton Square in the metropolis. He accosted me with far more urbanity than I could possibly have anticipated: he took my hand—pressed it with the apparent warmth of an old acquaintance—and at once said, ‘ You are welcome to the Hall, Miss Percy. It is strange—but Hermione was speak- ing of you this very morning—yes, and last even- ing likewise———-she expressed a desire to see you —lI do verily believe that if you had not thus come of your own accord, the day would not have passed without her writing to say how gratified she should be if you could possibly find the leisure to pay her a visit !” ) L was as much surprised as rejoiced to hear the old nobleman talking in this strain: I dreaded lest I should find him reserved, morose, and dis- tant—but on the contrary, I was receiving from him a welcome that was actually cordial. “J am highly flattered, my lord,” I said, “at thus finding myself borne in mind by her lady- ship; and I am well pleased to discover that my presence is no intrusion ¥ “Intrusion indeed?” he ejaculated: “ nothing of the sort! I tell you that Hermione will be pleased to see you , “T learnt from Mrs. Gower that her ladyship was suffering in her health—TI reflected that as her ladyship had some little while back, when I saw her last in London, expressed a desire to cultivate my friendship, I ought to lose no time in mani- festing my concern at her indisposition + “T will go and tell Hermione everything you say,” interjected Lord Kelvedon, “and prepare her to receive you. She is so low, and nervous, and dejected i Here his lordship abruptly averted his counte- nance, doubtless to conceal the emotion which was excited within him as he thought of the ailing condition of the young wife whom he loved so tenderly and who was indeed the old man’s darling. “But I shall order your post-chaise to be put ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. up,’ he resumed, turning back from the door which he had just reached; “and you must stay with us yes, you must stay with us as long as ever you can! I know Hermione will be glad to have you—and if, poor dear creature! we can do anything to rally her spirits However, we shall see! we shall see!” Lord Kelvedon now left the room: but in a few minutes he returned, and there was an expression of joy upon his countenance as he exclaimed, “ Your presence, Miss Percy, has already worked wonders! Hermione is longing to see you!” ? I followed the nobleman from the apartment : he conducted me up the staircase, and led me into an elegantly-furnished room, which I cannot better describe than by denominating it a boudoir. There I found Lady Kelvedon, half reclining in an easy chair, supported by immense cushions. She looked very ill,—Oh! very different indeed from what she was when I first beheld her riding in her carriage through the streets of Petersfield! —very different too from when we had last met at the town mansion in Eaton Square! She was pale —her face was thin—her features had an air of being what is termed peaked: her form had fallen away—and the hand which I pressed was lean, if not actually emaciated. The animation of delight which appeared upon her countenance as her husband conducted me into her presence, rendered her wanness all the more visible ; and I burst into tears as | beheld the wreck which this once superb creature was becomiag, and the cause of which physical ruin I could only too well conjecture! - *“ Ah, my dear Ellen,” she said, “I must be indeed much changed that you are thus affected at beholding me! Perhaps I am even more altered than I myself fancied %, * No, my dear,” interrupted Lord Kelvedon : “ T am sure Miss Percy will tell you that you are looking better than she could possibly have ex- pected to find you after all the afflicting accounts she received from your friend Aline! Is if not so, Miss Perey? Don’t you think her ladyship looks better than—than ” and he nodded his head significantly. “It is very kind of you, my lord,” said Her- mione, * to endeavour to set my feelings at rest by these little devices and well-meant duplicities. But Miss Percy cannot possibly support you in the tale,” continued Lady Kelvedon, speaking in a languid voice, which also denoted that it re- quired an effort to give utterance to her words. **Some months have elapsed since she has seen me —anc therefore my altered condition at once struck her as if it were with a blow—and in her friendship for me she wept !” * But though you are now ill and suffering,” I said, “let us hope that a change will take place - “ Ah, mo, Ellen! this cannot be!” said Lady Kelvedon, mournfully shaking her head. “I feel as if I were gradually sinking—slowly, slowly— yes, very, very slowly—and yet perceptibly! My life is gradually oozing out of me—fI have no energy lef6! Even when the sun is shining on these beautiful December days which we have re- cently had, I feel no inclination to go out into the fresh air—no, nor even to cross the threshold of my apartment !” — Gomichboo LL mre rece me eee