Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 369: what you’re looking at

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

ee — — 556 _- “Oh! what will the doctor say, Sarah,” cried Mrs. Tremaine deprecatingly, “if you thus expose yourself to the draughts on the staircase ?” “JT will join you, Sarah,” I exclaimed; and I hastened up the flight to the first landing. Miss Barron embraced me; and we passed to- gether into the back drawing-room where, as it appeared, she had been accustomed to’sit for the last two or three days, since she was enabled to leave her own chamber. “T am glad that we immediately find ourselves alone together,” I said; “becau:s I have some- thing of “the greatest importance to communicate to you.” Sarah turned pale; and becoming much agi- tated, she said, “Is it possible that the Viscount thought of me in his last moments ?” “No, Sarah,” I revlied; “he never once re- gained his consciousness from the moment when he was hurled from his steed. But not to keep you in suspense, everything is known to his afflicted parents Vi “Everything?” echoed Sarah, with a start. “ No, no—I do not mean everything to the very uttermost detail! But the Earl and Countess know that you became a mother, Sarah—and that the offspring of your fatal connexion with their son did not survive its birth. Two or three letters of your’s to the Viscount were discovered amongst his private papers v “Oh! is my secret safe?” demanded the unfor- tunate young lady. “Could you dream that it would be otherwise,” I exclaimed, “iz a quarter where I possess any influence, or on the part of those parents who have now to deplore the cruel treachery of which their son was guilty towards you? Oh! you will be convinced of their generosity and their good- ness, Sarah,” I continued, “when I tell you that they have studied and striven to make all the re- paration and atonement which under the circum- stances may be possible. The very day after the remains of their son were consigned to the tomb, and while the a of affliction still lay so heavy upon his soul, the Harl ot Carshalton devoted his best attention to your case. He wrote several letters to influential members of the Government —others to the Portuguese Ambassador in Lon- don a “Oh!” ejaculated Sarah, as an idea of the actual truth now struck her: “is it possible that there is a chance of my poor mother recovering the fortune which it broke my father’s heart in vainly seeking ?” “Yes, Sarah,” I replied; “there is not merely the chance—there is the certainty! Here is a letter from the Portuguese Ambassador to the Karl of Carshalton, informing his lordship that he (the Ambassador) recognises on the part of his Govern. ment your mother’s claim ¥ “Oh, what joy! what joy!” ejeculated Sarah: “my poor mother will be rich and independent!” “TI have not quite told you all,” I resumed. “The Portuguese Ambassador furthermore declares that within three months from the present date the whole amount, of ten thousand pounds sterling in English money, shall be forthcoming, provided that your mother consents to waive all claim to] any accumulations of interest. He does not deny the right to such acoumulations; but the Portu- ee ELLEN PEBCY; O82, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. guese treasury is at a low ebb; and by asking too much yg “Ob, my dear friend!’ cried Sarah, “if my dear mother were here, she would go down upon her knees to pour forth her gratitude! But she will be here presently ‘d “ What?” I ejaculated—for I was literally startled at her words: “is your mother here still? I thought she was to have taken her departure for the south of England “9 “Yes—but Mr. and Mrs. Tremaine,” interjected Sarah, “insisted upon her remaining a few days longer.” “And your brother?” I asked: and I felt that a species of cloud came over my countenance as [ put the question. “He also is here,” rejoined Sarah. “ But, Ab, how strange you look! Now I am convinced that it was not mere fancy on my part Ys “What do you mean?” I asked. * To tell you the truth, Ellen,” continued Sarah, ‘*T was surprised when we first met at the Hall, that you never said a single syllable to me in refer- ence to my mother or brother, and that not once did you even so much as allude to the picture— although heaven kn>ws it gave us all the greatest pleasure to forward it to you at the hotel at Petersfield !” “Ah!” I said. “Then you were aware that the picture was sent P” “ Aware of it?” she exclaimed: “how could I have been otherwise? But, Oh! stranger and stranger still become your looks! Tell me, Ellen —you were not offended ?—for Reginald acted with the concurrence of his mother and myself.” “ Did he tell you,” I asked, in a cold tone—for I saw that the crisis of explanation was inevi- tably approaching,—‘“‘did he tell you in what manner { acknowledged the receipt of that pic- ture ?” Sarah reflected for a few moments; and then she exclaimed, “ Now that I bethink me, he said very little on the point simply that you had written him a letter of courteous acknowledg- ment rc At this moment the door of the back drawing- room opened, and Mrs. Barron made her appear- ance. I am not one of those persons who visit the sins of individuals upon their relations; and especially in this case I felt assured that the mother ought to be held irresponsible for the mis- deeds of her son, even as I had considered the sister free from any taint entailed by a brother. I therefore welcomed Mrs. Barron with the utmost cordiality ; and she expressed her delight to meet me again. * But Oh, my dear mother!” exclaimed Sarah, “you know not what happiness is in store for you! You cannot possibly form a conjecture with regard to the immensity of the obligation under which you lie to Elien Percy!” Mrs. Barron bent her wondering looks upon me —while her daughter continued to exclaim, “ You are now rich, dear mother !—for, thanks to our kind friend here—yes, thanks to the interest which she has exerted on your behalf, your claims are recognised !” “Ob, is this true? is this possible?” murmured Mrs. Barron; and as a faintness came over her, she sank upon a seat, $e a ec mr