Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 287: what you’re looking at

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274 me: she accosted me by name—and then the next instant I recollected her as Miss Barron, the go- verness in the Tremaine family. I greeted her cordially; for I had conceived a liking for her, even during the brief half-hour that I had been in her company five or six Gays back; and I inquired if by any accident Mr. and Mrs. Tremaine and her family had come to Peters- field P “ No, Miss Perey,” replied Sarah Barron: “ they left London for Tremaine Hall in Staffordshire the day before yesterday. But I have obtained a week’s holiday to visit my relations, who live in this town. I have not seen them for two years— I had been upon the Continent with Mr. Tre- maine’s family ” “ And doubtless therefore, Miss Barron,” I said, “your relations were delighted to see you?” “ Ab, my poor mother was indeed rejoiced !” re- sponded Sarah Barron, as the tears were sent up by the emotions of the heart to the brims of her beautiful blue eyes. “And my brother Reginald too Ah, Miss Perey!” she ejaculated, thus in- terrupting herself; “it is really singular that I should have met you in Petersfield !” “Singular?” I said, surprised at the observa- tion ; “and why is it sirgular?” She blushed—looked confused for a moment— and then, with a smile of the most amiable sweet- ness, she said, “Those who are celebrated in the world, know not in what nooks and corners their names may be idolized or their talents admired. But have you half-an-hour to spare? Ob, you might render me the greatest possible service !” ** Rest assured, Miss Barron,” I said, “if it be in my power to oblige you, I should do so with the utmost pleasure. Buf excuse me,” I added with a smile, “if I] remind you that your obser- vations are full of mystery.” * Do come with me, Miss Percy, and the mys- tery will be cleared up! I can promise youa little surprise, which I am certain cannot give any offence—though it may assuredly fail to please as a compliment, accustomed as you must be to homage of every species. But pray come with me, Miss Percy!” cried the amiable Sarah, with a smile indescribably sweet. “ My mother’s house is close at hand—and she will be overjoyed to see you!” ** With pleasure will I accompany you,” was my answer. We accordiugly walked on together; and I had now an opportunity of contemplating Sarah Barron more at my leisure than hitherto. She was not as tall as myself: indeed she was only of the medium stature—but her symmetry was perfect. Thehead was well poised upon the neck ; the neck itself arched with a swan-like graceful- ness, which gave alike elegance and dignity to the young lady’s bearing. Her features were regular : the nose was perfectly straight—the mouth small and well formed—the chin delicately rounded, and thus completing the oval of a matchless coun- tenance. Her eyes were not large, but they were of a beautiful blue, soft in their expression, yet intelligent. Her age was about two-and-twenty: she dressed with considerable neatness, though in a plain unassuming manner; but her entire bear- ing bespoke good-breeding and gentility. I was just speculating how it was that Sarah ELLEN PERCY; OB, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, Barron had been compelled to go out into the world as a governess, when she said to me, “I flatter myself, Miss Percy, that you will like my mother. She has known great misfortunes, but she has encountered them all with a true Christian resignation, so that her looks indicate a placid contentment and a mind at ease, instead of wear- ing a dejected or careworn expression. My father was a Colonel in the English army; but he ac- cepted a General’s appointment under Don Pedro’s bann r, and lost his pension, but not his rank, in the service. Ido not exactly know how all this was ; ‘but itvis nevertheless as I tell you. Don Pedro owed my father about ten thousand . pounds, in English money, and never paid him a shilling. Harassed and spirit-broken in the vain endeayour to prosecute his claims to a successful issue, my poor father died when I was still quite young; and my mother found herself a penniless widow. Some friends, compassionating her posi- tion, obtained in her behalf a pension of eighty pounds a year from the English Government, in consideration of the services of my father previous to his entrance into the Portuguese army. Upon that pension,” added Sarah Barron, in a voice that was low and tremulous with emotion, “ my mother subsisted respectably she herself educated me entirely, for she is highly “accomplished and she fitted me to fill the situation of a governess. I owe everything to that kind and excellent mother !” * And your brother, Miss Barron ?” I said. “I think you just now spoke of a brother PP “Yes,” she answered; “‘ my dear brother Regi- nald! ‘You willsee him. He is two years older than myself. His education was provided for by an old friend of our family—a celebrated painter, who took Reginald to live with him: but alas! he died suddenly when my brother was only about fifteen or sixteen ; and thus the hopes which had been entertained fe “T understand you, Miss Barron,” I said, per- ceiving that she hesitated; “ it was supposed that this kind friend would provide for your brother or give him some profession ?” “ Yes,” responded Sarah. “My brother had already conceived a taste for the fine arts; and the death of his kind friend was a great blow to his hopes and prospects. It is true that another friend took him by the hand and had him to reside with him in London at different times, es- pecially on several occasions within these last two or three years. But alas! it turned out that his friend made promises which he never meant to fulfil, and in other ways deceived those hopes which he bad excited in my poor brother’s breast. So for the last six months Reginald has resided alto- gether at home with my dear mother ; and this is one respect is more pleasing to me, because I know that it prevents her from feeling lonely— but in another respect it is to be deplored, inas- much as in the metropolis only can my brother hope to make his way.— But here we are.” Miss Barron thus checked herself at the door of a small but neat-looking house, in a street which had an air perfectly respectable although narrow and retired. The door was opened by a neatly dressed modest-looking servant-girl; and Sarah introduced me into a little parlour, which was comfortably and genteelly, though plainly furs —————_—— $= Gomichdoo (SO)