Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 39: what you’re looking at

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LL A A A A a 26 the sanction and countenance of the friend with whom you live.—But you have adopted another course ; you have acted secretly, until this secresy has assumed the character of duplicity, and you have eyen been led into the utterance of untruths —of which however, heaven be thanked! I see that you are ashamed.” Mary Glentworth was now weeping: I began to fear that I had spoken too severely to her, and that in the fervor of my friendship I had exer- cised a greater authority and power than I ought properly to usurp. I therefore threw my arms about her neck, saying, “Do not weep, Mary— and do not think that [ am reproachivg you with harshness or unkindness! You know that I love you—and whatsoever I may say is only for your good !” “ What am I to do, then, Ellen?” asked Mary Glentworth, continuing to sob convulsively and weep plenteously. “I feel that I have been guilty of duplicity, and I have been led into the utterance of untruths to which E ebuild Hé¥er de- liberately condescend, and from which my soul now recoils! But I will make every possible atonement. How shall I act? Will be Alto. gether guided by your counsel and advice. Can I say more, Ellen ?—tan I do mote?” “Nothing, dear Mary !—and Belpre me when I assure you that your present condiict is a com- plete atonement in my estithation for the past. Have you promised to meet Mr; Beauchitip again P If so, when and where?” hy “Yes—I have promised,’ she Husmltinaly £- plied. “The day after to-mortow=at the West- End of the town——~” “Then you will suffer me to atoompany You on the occasion,” I said, TE will exculpate you from any wilful breach of faith towatds Mr. Beau- champ in confessing everything to me. He is doubtless an honourable youfig gentleman, and he will be satisfied. I.willanvité him to the house— he shall henceforth visit you opetily—aad when your uncle returns to England, he will Hot object to your receiving the attentions Of an eligible suitor. On the contrary, it will be a subject for congratulation” “Oh, how kind you are, Ellen!” exclaimed Mary, wiping away her tears, and an expression of joy animating her countenance. “ Yes—you shall accompany me at my next meeting with Clarence “4 * And we will therefore now say no more upon the subject,” I interrupted her. “I have a little treat in store for you this evening, if you like to avail yourself of it. There is to be a grand debate in the House of Commons—I have never as yet visited the legislative assemblies—and I purpose to be present there on this occasion. Do you feel inclined to accompany me ?” Mary expressed her readiness to accept my invitation; and we therefore partook of an early dinner that we might be at the House at five o'clock, the hour when the debate was expected to commence, 7 ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. CHAPTER LXXII, LUIGI, THE reader will recollect that when I first resided with the Norman family, they were accustomed to see a great deal of company; and thus I had be- come acquainted with mauy noblemen, Members of the House of Commons, and other persons of distinction, After the unfortunate circumstances connected with Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe and Juliet—I allude to the mock-marriage and the events which ensued directly therefrom—the Nor- mans gave up receiving company to the same ex- tent as formerly: and the circle of their visiting friends became chiefly limited to their dramatic acquaintances. When I was compelled by Mrs, Norman’s death to have an establishment of my own, I narrowed the limits of my visiting acquaint- ances to a very small circle: but still several of the noblemen, gentlemen, and other persons of distinction to whom I have above alluded, octa- sionally left their cards as a token of respect; as I believé, to my eminence as a tragedian. A County Member, having called some little time previous to the incidents which have occupied the last few chapters, happened to inquire of me whether I had ever been to the Housé of Com- tions P—and on my atiswering iu the negative, he folunteered to Send me admissions for myself and my friend Miss Glentworth on the very first occa- sion when there should happen to be a debate worth heating. He had kept his word; and it was of these admissions that Mary and I now availed ourselves. The compartment allotted for the accommoda- tion of ladies in the old House of Commons, was a species of little wooden cage, or dungeon; situated at the back of the Speaker’s Gallery, and capable only of ea: about a dozen persons. When Mary and f arrived at our destination and were shown up into this wretched little place, we found that it was already nearly filled by elegantly dressed ladies,—most of them, as I presently learnt, being the wives or daughters of the lead- ing Members who were to take a part in the de- bate. Amongst these ladies was Mrs. St. Clair; and immediately upon our entrance she came and sat by our side. Mary was already acquainted with her, for on two or three occasions she had called upon me in Great Ormond Street; and she now expressed her delight at meeting us both on the present occasion. She had been there before: she was therefore enabled to point out to us the different arrangements of the House—the Treasury benches where the Ministers sat, the Opposition benches, the Reporters’ Gallery, and so forth. She likewise indicated, from personal knowledge, the leading members of all parties; and thus it was fortunate we had fallen in with her on the occasion. She did not mention her husband’s name: but I beheld Edwin St. Clair seated on the front Treasury bench, amongst the leading Cabinet Ministers; and in a whisper I directed Mary Glextworth’s attention to him. I should observe that Zarah looked exceedingly well. She was very handsomely dressed; and she was treated with marked distinction by most of the ladies who were present in the little cage-like compartment where Ehoo ee —SES___aaaqa_qQ SSS —— , Gon com