Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 354: what you’re looking at

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

EILEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. “Enough, signor!” interjected Mr. Tremaine ; “this is the only reason which induces me to treat _ you with a certain degree of consideration, after _ everything which has come to our knowledge con- _ cerning you. Yes—you shall hear the decision from my daughter’s lips.” Mr. Tremaine made a sign to his wife: he also whispered a few words in her ear—and she quitted _ the library. “ My dear Ellen,” said Mr. Tremaine, advancing _ towards me and speaking in a burried whisper, .Mr. Tremaine. “tell me exactly what happened betwixt yourself and this man.” “The explanation is soon given,” I answered. “TI came into the library to fetch a book—I caught the Italian playing the part of Captain Cautley’s ghost—I tore his mantle from off him—and there it lies! He threatened me—TI did all that I could to avoid disturbance and noise in the house —it is his own fault if I found myself compelled | to send for you.” “But your own heroism, Ellen?” ejaculated “How was it that you discom- fited him ?” ; “T seized him unawares — or rather I suc- ceeded in throwing hin off his guard,” I re- plied ; “and then I snatched the pistol from his grasp.” “Brave girl !” ejaculated Mr. Tremaine, taking my hand and pressing it warmly. “ But give me this weapon, which is not fitted for such delicate fingers as these:’—and he accordingly took the pistol from me, at the same time adding in a whisper, “ A thousand thanks, my young friend, for your endeavour to settle the matter amicably and quietly. But no coercion is necessary now— the Italian has accepied terms, and he must abide by them.” I moved away from the door; and, accosting Beda, I whispered, “ Most fortunate, dear girl, was your entrance at that moment. How hap- pened it ?” “T met Miss Tremaine on the stairs just now,” answered Beda; “and she told me that you were just coming up, and that you had only gone to the library to procure yourself a book. ‘When several minutes had elapsed and you appeared not, a vague apprehension stole over me ” “ And so you came to look for me, my faithful young friend?” I rejoined. “But here is Miss Tremaine!” The Italian had in the meanwhile been leaning against the wall of the room with his arms folded across his chest—with a fixed expression of coun- tenance, and with a sinister gleaming of the eyes. As I heard the door open, and at a glance perceived that Mrs. Tremaine was now returning, accompa- nied by her daughter, I looked hastily towards Ludovico; and I at once noticed that he was now a prey to a degree of suspense that was evidently great. How was it that this man, who had offered to lead Beatrice di Carboni to the altar, could now act, and doubtless feel likewise, as if his life’s hap- piness depended on the decision that was to issue from the lips of Charlotte Tremaine? It was be- cause he did really love the latter; while in respect to the former his feelings had been attracted to- wards her at the time by that horrible identity of Vindictive interests which had prevailed in respect to Luigi. 341 Charlotte had begun to arrange her hair when her mother so unexpectedly appeared in her apart ment. She had not been able to gather up the magses of that brown hair again : she had therefore left it flowing all dishevelled over her shoulders : and this gave her a certain wildness of appearance not altogether unsuitable to the singular melo- dramatic scene that was occurring. I have before said that Charlotte was not handsome—she was not even pretty: but still she was naturally inte- resting, and even prepossessing. Now, however, she did seem absolutely handsome,—of a fearful beauty too—with that dishevelled hair, a loose muslin wrapper enveloping her form, her cheeks very pale, her lips slightly apart with the suspense- ful nature of her feelings, and the ivory teeth shining betwoen ! “Here, Signor Marano,” said Mr. Tremaine, “ig my daughter " jf Ludovico bounded towards her—threw himself upon his knees—and clasping his hands, exclaimed passionately, “ Have pity upon me, Charlotte !— do not renounce me! do not give me up! I swear that I love you—and you only! Oh! do not let one fault separate us for ever! You are dearer to me than life! I take God to witness that " “ Hush, Signor Marano!”’ said Charlotte, speak- ing in a firm tone: “beware of such oaths! Rise also, I beseech you! It is not for you to kneel in | my presence!” “Oh, tell me that there is hope!’’ cried Marano, in a tone that was alike pathetic and rending; “tell me that there is hope—and then bid me rise! But if there be none, then may you as well take that weapon from your father’s hand and therewith smite me dead upon the spot!” ‘Heaven forbid!” ejaculated Charlotte, with a visible shudder. “Rise, signor!—I will not speak to you while you remain in this suppliant posture !” “Every word of yours isa law with me,” ree joined the Italian, as he rose from his knees. “ But Oh, Charlotte! dearest Charlotte !” “Hush, signor! hush!” she interrupted him; “that language must not emanate from your lips! Heaven knows I wish you no ill; and may you find happiness elsewhere !—but between you and me everything is at anend! Yes!—do not force me into further explanations: they would neces- sarily be painful,—but I repeat, between you and me all is at an end!” “And now, signor,” said Mr. Tremaine, turning towards the Italian, “may I request that you will fulfil the pledge so impressively given, and depart hence.” Ludovico Marano gave no response: there was something sinister, ominous, and even terrible, in his appearance. His complexion, naturally of an olive hue, was of a ghastly sallowish white: his lips were compressed, but in such a way that it was easy to perceive the upper teeth were fixed upon a portion of the lower lip, which they were biting as if the volcano agitating in the young man’s breast could be thereby kept down. His chest was rising and falling rapidly: he looked like one who was capable of all in a moment starting from that position and doing some despe- rate deed. “Signor,” said Mr. Tremaine, evidently smitten With some misgiving to the same effect as that (C(O) IS (C(O