Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 300: what you’re looking at

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ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. 287 -_—— CO or - --- -- ree ns S53535SSS9990909090909090 0929090909090 Ws I and over again, never travelled out of my way to court publicity, or to render myself the heroine of adventures, What, then, shouldI doP Should I communicate to Mrs. Barron and to Sarah the iniquity of a son—the infamy of abrother! No, of what avail would this be? it would only afflict them, without recalling what was done—perhaps without rendering the young man himeelf either wiser or better. Besides, I felt that if I were in the place of a near relative of such a wretch I should be thankful for the generosity of any one who would conceal his crimes from my know- ledge! While giving way to my reflections, I com- menced the performance of my toilet. My ablus tions were finished—I was begining to dress, when the door opened, and Melissa thrust in her head, saying, “ May I enter for an instant? There is something I still wish to say to you.” * Come in, and let your communication be brief. I do not wish to dispute with you; but your own good sense must tell you, Melissa no “Yes, yes! I can understand very well that we can never be good friends again! But I really bear you no ill-will, Ellen only I thought yesterday afternoon that you treated me in such a very imperious haughty way, that I was determined not to stand it.” “And now what do you wish to say to me?” I inquired. “If you see this young Barron,” resumed Melissa, “you must not let him think that I told you he passed the night with me: but you must let him know the truth,—that you saw him descend from the window by means of the twisted counterpane. I promised him most solemnly and sacredly that I would not of my own accord divulge that which he desired to keep a se- crot Bs “1t is by no means likely,” I said, “that I shall have any farther communication with Mr. Barron. If the contrary should happen, you may depend upon it that he shail know the full truth from my lips. And now, Melissa, let us separate.” “Just one word more!” she ejaculated. “ Are you going to remain in Petersfield to-day ?”’ “ Why do you ask?” I inquired, being resolved to ascertain the motive. She hesitated for a few instants—and then said, **-You know the Marquis of Tynedale—but I don’t suppose you speak to him after everything that occurred about the cheque some time ago 4 “Tell me wherefore you have touched upon this topic,” Linterrupted her. “Well, if you do happen to fall in with the Marquis—because he is very likely to call here to- day,” continued Melissa, “you won’t of course mention anything to my prejudice? Now do listen a moment! I will tell you exactly how I am situated—and I crave your merciful consideration. I renewed my connexion with the Marquis a few weeks ago. It was he whosought me; for there is more or less infatuation in that quarter. How- ever, to be brief, I became his chere amie again. Now you understand,” added Melissa with a smile, “the history of the pearls—the gold watch and chain — the handsome dresses — the well-filled purse Ne “ Proceed, Melissa — proceed with the main object of your discourse,” I said, “It would afford me a real pleasure to learn that you had obtained all those possession® from another and more le- gitimate source. ut go on.” “Well, you tiust know that three or four days back, the Marquis and I had a little tiff. It was he who began the quarrel. He happened to see me conversing in Regent Street with a young officer of the Guards—a handsome young fellow certainly ; and the old lord took umbrage. All in vain was it that [ vowed and protested I had never seen the young Guardsman before in my life, and that I was only asking him my way. The Marquis was most unreasonable: he would not allow that I could possibly want to inquire my way in Regent Street ; and, to be brief, he swore that our connexion was at an end. Well, off he comes to his country-seat in the neighbourhood of Petersfield. I let a day or two pass, thinking that he would write for me to come to him ; but no such good luck! So then I wrote myself, to say that I should dine with him at Escott Court last evening at half-past five o’clock. It was a bold stroke: but I know his disposition well, and that he likes anything of a spirited character. Now you understand why I was all bedecked with my pearls and jewels last evening, and why I was in grand toilet. Of course I told the chamber- maid a pack of stories, to the effect that there was going to be a splendid entertainment at Escott Court; because it would never have done to let her think that I was going to a téte-a téte dinner with his lordship. It would have excited & suspicion at once !” “And what was the sequel, Melissa?” I in- quired; for I was anxious to put an end to the conversation. “ To tell you the truth, I did not exactly strike the grand successful blow which I expected. The Marquis received me with courtesy, but with shy- ness. There was an excellent dinner on the table —but a reserve in his manner. The upshot was that I could not induce him to say the word which would have kept me at Escott Court. I was too proud to humble myself outright and promise that I would never meet the young Guardsman again rs “ But the sequel, Melissa P the sequel?” I said impatiently. ‘‘ You constantly diverge into details to which I do not care to listen.” “Oh, well, then—the sequel is this,” rejoined Miss Harrison,—* that the old nobleman is coming to call upon me to-day. I am passing here as Mrs. Cavendish—husband abroad—lady’s-maid ill in London—came in a hurry, and therefore took postchaise instead of using private carriage—and so forth and so forth. All this, you know, is to keep up my respectability at the hotel. But as for the Marquis, if you should meet him—and if he should speak to you—and you should speak to him in return, pray don’t i “Now, set your mind at ease, Melissa,” I in- terrupted her. ‘“ I shall leave the hotel soon after breakfast. You had better not appear to know me at all; so that if the Marquis should happen to call upon you before I have quitted the place, and if he should see me, I will pass him by as if I had never met him before.” “Thank you, Ellen! thank you!” exclaimed Melissa. “I do not ask you to forgive me 3 * Hnough !—and now let us separate.” (6) JOO SS (C(O)