Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 378: what you’re looking at

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

SE ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIES OF AN ACTRESS. hand, and with the most lady-like composure pre- sented her to the foreign nobleman, whom in due course she introduced to us as Count Teleki. I immediately recognised the name as that of a Hungarian noble who frequently visited the British metropolis, and who I knew moved in the very best circles of fashion, It was evident that in Juliet he had at once fancied he recognised the lately celebrated danseuse ; but nothing could be more politely respectful, nor more consistent with the breeding of the polished gentleman, than the manner in which he bowed to Juliet. It seemed as if it were quite sufficient for him that a lady should be introduced beneath that roof and under such auspices, in order that he should at once re- LS dazzled by the appearance of those jewels ?’—and I was not altogether unjustified in the latter sus- picion, for Juliet had a slight tincture of vanity about her—but perhaps no more than was inevi- tably associated with the character of an eminently handsome young woman who from the very nature of the profession which for a while she had exer- cised, had been the object of a thousand flatteries andadulations. But I was wrong in supposing that Juliet’s eyes were riveted on the brilliant contents of that casket, for either of the reasons which had sprupg up in my mind. With her beautifully- shaped fingers she selected a ring: it was a valuable one, though the very plainest of the set ; ceive her as an acquaintance on an equal footing | and she said, “ My lord, I accept this with duty with himself. In a few minutes he retired; and | and with pratitude. But I beg to decline the re- then the Countess of Carshalton hastened to mainder of the splendid gift with which your good- whisper in my ear, to the effect “that the Hun- garian nobleman had been a very intimate friend of her lately deceased son the Viscount, and hence the exception which was made in his favour from the rule which excluded all other visitors from within the threshold of Carshalton House.” Turning from me, the Countess proceeded to - take Juliet’s hand again; and making her sit down by her side, she said in a voice that was tremulous with emotion, “‘ You are welcome, my dear girl, beneath this roof!” Juliet faithfully fulfilled the promise which she had made to me: she received all the endearments and caresses of the Earl and Countess of Carshal- ton with a species of affectionate duteousness. The Earl smoothed down her dark hair: the Countess surveyed her with attention, and evidently seemed surprised that she was so remarkably handsome as -she really was. They had both of them seen her on the stage, but neither had ever beheld her so close as they now were. Indeed, Lady Carshalton subse- quently told me that she had not preconceived the idea of so handsome a young woman; much less had she fancied that any ballet-dancer could pos- sibly be so lady-like in her manners and so genteel in her deportment. “My dear Juliet,” said the Earl, after some conversation on general matters, “ we are meeting this evening as if everything had always been complete friendliness between us. Let us suppose that it was so. Here is something which I hope you will keep as a memento of the affectionate regard which from this day forth will be enter- tained towards you by the Countess and myself.” At the same time “the nobleman produced a casket, which he presented to Juliet. At firat I trembled for what the result might be, when I recollected the positive declaration she had made to the effect that she would not be placed under an obligation to either the Earl or the Countess :— it was therefore a relief to my mind when I saw her take the casket with a calm unruffled expres- sion of countenance. Inthe same mood too was it that she opened the casket; and it was some. what deliberately that she surveyed its contents. They consisted of several costly jewels and brilliant gems: there were necklaces, and ear-rings, and bracelets, and brooches, and three or four rings. Juliet’s survey of this splendid assortment might have lasted for about two minutes; and I thought to myself, “Is it that her heart has relented towards this noble couple? or is it that she is a ~ ——_ NS IY” cee - ness tempts me.’ “Decline it ?” ejaculated the Earl: and the Countess also gave a quick start. ‘“ Why so?” he asked, in the kindest and most conciliatory tone. “‘ Because, my lord,” she responded, in a low calm voice, “ I am not yet out of mourning for your son ; and I do not therefore wear jewel- lery.” _ “Ob! but you will keep the casket,” he ex- claimed ; “and when the time shall come, you will wear the jewels.” “ No, I thank you, my lord,” she rejoined. “I am living in a very quiet and retired manner—I see no society—and I have no need nor desire to embellish myself.” “But a young lady like you,” said the Countess, now mildly and softly interposing, “ receives such gifts as these, and keeps them as mementoes or as private property, even if she do not wear them.” “Your ladyship will not take it ill of me,” an- swered Juliet, firmly and decisively, but yet with the utmost respect, “if I decline to receive any- thing but this one ring :”—and she placed it upon her finger. The Earl and Countess looked annoyed as well as sorrowful ; and I saw that they more than half suspected Juliet’s motive. They exchanged rapid glances; and then they flung their eyes upon me; but I bent my looks downward and said nothing. “ Well,” cried the Earl, somewhat abruptly, “I see that we must become better friends together than we are at this first interview !” “TI do not think, my lord,” answered Juliet, “that we can become better friends than we are at present :”’—and there was likewise a significancy in this observation as well as in the preceding ones. Again the Earl and Countess exchanged looka of annoyance ; while I bent a glance of entreaty upon Juliet; and she hastened to exclaim with enthusiastic fervour, ‘“ You love my dear friend Ellen; and no amount of affection which you may shed upon her can possibly be too great !” “At least, my dear Juliet,” said Lady Car- shalton, “‘you will come and stay with usa fow days ?” ey] should be willing to obey your ladyship,” was the answer; “but I can only allow myself a sojourn of two or three days in London—and these I must devote to my dear friend Ellen. Besides, I am in haste to return to my own house near Dover, | i JOO Eom @ SS