Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

ee + ee + ee. - - ~-- Se ee 18 ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. act according to your discretion, for you know that I have no undue curiosity.” “There were indeed circumstances connected with Felicia Gower,” I gravely and solemnly an- swered, “which I would rather not explain—no, not even to you, my kind friend though if to any oue I revealed them " . “Yes, Ellen, I know tbat it would be to myself. But you shall not speak another word upon the subject ai “ And in order that I may not bé asked for ex- planations indoors,” I said, thus alluding to Lord Frederick and Juliet, “let us for the present keep silence in respéet to this visit of Mr. Aspi- nall :’—for, as the reader may suppose, the name of Gower was the very last which I could wish to be breathed in the presence of the two afflicted beings who had so much reason to recoil in hotter from that name. “Tt shall be as you say, Ellen,” rejoined Mr, Norman: “you always have good motives for everything that you do!” | I was heartily glad that I had thus succeeded in avoiding the necessity of énfering into any ex- planations with Mr. Norman im feference to the legacy bequeathed to me, and that I had also put the seal of silence upon his lips, so that the men- tion of Mr. Gower’s name might be avoided in the presence of Lord and Lady Frederi¢k Ravens- cliffe. We re-entered the house: coffee was soon served up; and at ten o’clock we retired to our respective chambers—for both Mr. Norman and myself bad to risé somewhat early in the morning to take our departure for London. When I was alone in my own room, I reflected upon the communication which I had received from the London solicitor. I cannot say that I was particularly elated by the tidings; for it was evident that if, after consulting legal opinions, I advanced my claim to the property, I should have to enter upon the painful harassing ordeal of a lawsuit. That Mr. Gower had been stricken by remorse for his inhuman conduct towards me, was evident enough ; and when he lay upon his death: bed he had doubtless reflected that his treatment of me was indeed most cruelly outrageous after having but a comparatively short time before thanked me with so much fervour for the sym- pathy I had displayed towards his daughter. But though upon his death-bed he conceived (as I had - heard from the clergyman’s lips) that he had usurped the attributes of the Divinity by wreak- ing so frightful a vengeance on Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe, yet his remorse on this score evi- dently had not reached to such an extent as to induce him to make atonement, or seek to make it, for that deed. I fell asleep in the midst of my meditations : but all of a sudden I was startled up by the wild and fearful cries which denoted the mental agonies of the wretched young nobleman in his dreams. Then I heard a door open—then hasty footsteps passing on the landing—and then another door opening. What could it be? Was Mr. Norman seeking his son-in-law’s room? A terrible pre- sentiment of a new crisis seized upon me: I glided from my couch—thrust my feet into slip- pers—hastily threw on a wrapper—and looked forth from my chamber. The door of Lord Frederick’s room stood half open; and there was a light burning within. The branded being was crying out in his slumber; for this was evident by what he was saying—and I caught the words plainly enough. “No, no! you shall not do it! Stand back, miscreants! Good God! ahot iron? No, no! you shall not! Mr. Gower, are you a fiend ad “Ab! that name! Gower!” ejaculated the voice of Mr, Norman. “ By heaven the mystery shall be cleared up !” The next instant there was a half-stifled cry of anguisk, followed by a deep moan, these sounds being on the part of Ravenscliffe: while simul. taneously therewith an exclamation of horror burst from the lips of Mr. Norman. Then the door of the wretched young nobleman’s room was abruptly closed—no doubt by Mr. Norman’s hand; and the next moment Juliet came forth from her own sepa- rate chamber, pale as a ghost, and half-wild with affright. Rushing towards me, she exclaimed. “Good heavens, Ellen! what is the matter P” *T fear, Juliet,” I said, hastily drawing her into my chamber and shutting the door,—“ I fear-—— alas! I am only too certain that everything is at length discovered !” For a moment I perceived, by the light¢ burnin in my chamber, that a ghastly pallor like that of death came ovér Juliet: but the next instant she exerted all her power of self-control—and she said, in a voice Which was low but strangely, perhaps unnaturally composed, “ It is better thus, Ellen !— better that everything should be known to my father than that we should all continue to exist in a hideous state of fear, uncertainty, and sus- pense |” “Remain with me, my dear friend,” I said,— “remain here for the rest of the night :’’—for not- withstanding this calmness On her part, I thought that she might need consolation, and I was fearful lest she should experience 4 reaction and be plunged into wildest grief. Scarcely had I spoken when there was a gentle tap at the door; and as I partially opened it, Mr. Norman inquired in a voice that was hoarse with the strong feelings which possessed him, “ Where is Juliet P” _ ©T am het, father—I am here with Ellen,” was her response. “T am glad of it,” he said: “remain with your friend! I know everything but thank heaven, the servants have not been alarmed—the house is now quiet! Good night.” Mr. Norman at once retired to hisown chamber; and when the door of my room was again closed, Juliet asked, “ What, think you, will my father do ?” ‘Tt is useless for us to speculate, my dear friend,” I replied: “but one thing is certain—that it is impossible for matters to be rendered worse than they have been: whatever now takes place must assuredly be for the better.” Juliet said nothing more; and as she lay by my side in the couch, I knew not whether she slept, or whether she were absorbed in deep painful thought: but I sincerely hoped for her own sake that her senses were steeped in slumber. =) -= (E@) ECORNICLOOC)