Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 373: what you’re looking at

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LS a ae 360 ficant than they could possibly conjecture at the time ; and how, instead of being an isolated piece of wickedness, it was in reality a link in a tremen- dous chain of iniquity, designed and fabricated by Gerald Wakefield. Nor less did the Earl and Countess now become aware of the fact that the obligation under which they lay towards Beda’s deceased parents was infinitely greater than at the time they had conceived, inasmuch as the Robin- sons had not merely proved the means of restoring to them their lost child, but likewise had prevented murder’s work from being done! It was witha deep and awe-felt interest that the Earl and Countess listened to these details; and when I con- cluded the narrative which I had originally re- ceived from Mrs. Sturton’s lips, I produced the packet which she had given me. All the docu- ments were carefully looked over by the Earl of Carshalton; and finally I displayed the addi- tional papers which Jane Parks had that same day brought me. The Earl produced from his strong- box in the library a quantity of old docurhents, to which he referred, and betwixt which and those that I had placed before him he instituted a com- parison. But it is not my purpose to dwell on this subject at the present stage of my narrative. Suffice it to say that on the day following the one of which I have been writing, the Earl and Countess of Car- shalton accompanied me to London; for the matter which I had submitted to his lordship’s considera- tion, was considered to be so momentous as to ‘render it expedient that he should immediately consult his solicitor. We brought Jane Parks up to London with us; and I need scarcely add that the faithful Beda did not remain behind in War- wickshire, Before I separated from Miss Parks, I took an _ opportunity to say to her, “You have rendered me a service, Jane, which may perhaps be immense ; and believe me when in all sincerity I declare that I consider your father has done somewhat towards making an atonement for the past.” The grateful young woman pressed my hand fervidly ; and she departed to her humble lodging, happv at being enabled to bear such a message from myself to her sire. | CHAPTER CXXVII. AT HOME AGAIN. THe Earl and Countess of Carshalton would only permit me to return to my own house on condition that I promised to spend the greater portion of every day with them; and that when circumstances and leisure would permit, I would return with them to their country-seat in Warwickshire, I was glad to get home again: I had passed through a period of considerable excitement for the last few weeks, commencing with the date of the episode which so vitally concerned Lady Kelvedon. I therefore needed repose and rest ; and moreover I had many letters requiring my attention. Lady Kelvedon, I found that she was progressing most favourably — that the bloom was coming rapidly back to her cheeks, and that the appear- ness of the form. On calling upon | > — eee eee ee ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MBRMOLRS OV AN ACTRESS, At the expiration of a few days Lord Carshal- ton’s attorney made a certain report to his noble patron in reference to the matters which had been submitted to him. This report possessed all the importance which I had foreseen; and it was now considered expedient that my cousin Henry Wake- field should be sent for. It was five months since Henry and my father had taken their departure for the great Western World. I had heard from them when they arrived at New York; and they had subsequently written from two other stages of their route towards that El Dorado whereof they were in search. It was now necessary to send off a messenger after them, as I knew not how to address a letter in such a manner that it would reach them:—indeed I was waiting for fresh intelligence from them to learn their exact whereabouts before I could forward | another written communication. But now, as I have hinted, it was expedient to act promptly; anda messenger, alike intelligent and trustworthy, must be despatched in .pursuit of my sire and my cousin. Who was to go? The Earl’s lawyer had suggested one of his own clerks: but I did not like the proposal: I wished the emissary to be a person who had some feeling of interest in the matter apart from mere business-views, — In- deed, [ seriously thought of undertaking the | voyage myself; and I went so far as to speak to Beda on the subject and inquire whether she would like to accompany me. “Yes, dear Miss,” she exclaimed; “I would go to the end of the world, either with you or without you, in order to serve you! But it is impossible that you can embark on such an en- terprise! I know who will do it!” She glided away from my presence: she would not heed me when I called her back—for I more than half suspected what she was now on the point of. doing. She sped to her own chamber, put on her bonnet and shawl, and rushed past me on the stairs where I vainly endeavoured to in- tercept her. “Beda! Beda!” I cried; “do nothing rash! be not precipitate, I implore you !” | She now gained the front door: she looked back at me with a smile of good-natured triumph on her lips; and then she disappeared from my view. Nearly two hours elapsed, at the expiration of which time Beda returned into my presence, intro- ducing her lover William Lardner. ““There, dear Miss!” she exclaimed; “ there is | the messenger who will go for you across the At- lantic, and who has sworn to me that he will waste not a moment in accomplishing the mission which you are about to entrust unto him!” * Yes, Miss Percy,” said William Lardner, with @ certain decisiveness of look and tone; ‘ Beda has told you the truth! Iam ready to depart!” The tears came into my eyes, for my heart was filled with emotions at this demonstration of the enthusiastic devotedness which the young couple entertained towards me. *No! no!” I said; “I cannot accept such a self-sacrifice on your part, William! Besides, your master—or rather J may call him your friend, Sir Robert Temple if ance of emaciation was yielding toahealthy plump-| “Everything is settled, Miss Percy 1)? inter- rupted William. GOMIC SS com