Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 85: what you’re looking at

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

72 made me resolve within myself that I would suc- ceed, I do verily believe that I should have failed !” She however sighed as she spoke, and turned away. It was soon Aline Marcy’s turn to make her ap- pearance. She likewise was inspired with calm- ness and courage: the welcome she experienced was quite as flattering as that which had so re- cently greeted Mary Glentworth; and she ac- quitted herself with the same degree of success. Nothing could exceed the joy which I experienced on being enabled to repeat to her the congratula- tions I had already proffered to her fellow-pupil: I saw that both would that night achieve a splen- did triumph; and I was delighted not merely for their own sakes, but likewise because they did such credit to the tuition I had afforded them. When I appeared upon the stage at the com- mencement of the Second Act, I was greeted in the most flattering manner: the vast building rang with the applause which my presence elicited ; —and I felt that this enthusiastic demonstration was not merely the usual testimonial given to my repute as an actress, but that it was likewise an acknowledgment of the efficiency with which I had proved the preceptress of the two beauteous debutantes. I saw Lord and Lady Kelvedon, with their friends, in one box: I recognised the Earl and Countess of Belgrave, with the Marquis and Marchioness of Campanella, and Beatrice Di Carboni, in another box. Many other friends and acquaintances did I likewise discern amidst the galaxy of rank and fashion; and in a less distin- guished part of the theatre I caught a glimpse of | the countenance of my father. When I rejoined Mary and Aline, the latter whispered to me, “ You see that Lord and Lady Kelvedon are here: but I caught not a glimpse of Aim whom I confess I dreaded to behold !” ) I pressed Aline’s hand in silent congratulation at this circumstance; and now the moment ar- rived when we were all three to appear upon the stage in the same scene. Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm of the applause with which we were greeted: and if it were flattering to myself, accustomed as I was to such receptions, what a rapturous thrill of delight must it have carried to the hearts of Aline and Mary! I felt proud of them as my pupils: and as they stood there—the former on one side of me, the latter on the other side—there, amidst the blaze of light, I thought that Mary had never looked so eminently hand- some nor Aline so bewitchingly beautiful, and that if personal loveliness had aught to do with the success of a debutante, they had indeed every- thing in their fayour,—talent, lady-like manners, graceful demeanours, clear pure voices, and all the attractions of beauty. The scene in which we thus appeared closed amidst another tremendous burst of applause on the part of the audience. The Second Act concluded ; and then, accord- ing to the plot of the drama, Mary Glentworth had to sustain the chief interest in the Third Act, neither Aline nor myself appearing on the boards during that interval. In the Fourth Act it was my part to sustain the chief interest, neither of my pupils having any concern with that portion of the drama’s progress. Then for the Fifth Act Aline Marcy had to take her own share, until the ese creer areca ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, closing scene brought us all three again together upon the stage for a grand donéuement. Mary continued to enact her own part with the most perfect success throughout the Third Act; and precisely the same observation applies to Aline Marcy in the Fifth Act. And now came the final closing scene, in which we all three appeared upon the stage together. Nothing could exceed the sensation which was thus created: never on any former occasion had I felt my own energies so completely commensurate with the task which I had to perform—never was I so ably supported in any drama as I then was by Mary and Aline! The piece terminated—the curtain fell—and the triumph of the two debutantes was complete. Then from the entire audience came cries in- voking us forward ;—and giving to my two pupils each a hand, I led them upon the stage while the curtain was again drawn up. A perfect furor of applause awaited us: bouquets were thrown from all parts ; but in the midst of this inspiring scene, I felt Aline’s hand suddenly tighten convulsively as it clasped my own—a faint shriek escaped her lips—and she fainted. Mary and myself instan- taneously bore her back, while the curtain fell ; and as if to express sympathy with the occur- rence, the shouts of applause gave place all in a moment to a dead silence on the part of the audi- ence. We bore Aline to the dressing-room : and by the way I hastily whispered to Mr. Richards, “ Go and say that it is nothing but a swoon pro- duced by excess of emotion!” A very few instants after the dressing-room was reached, and while assisted by Mary and Beda I was administering restoratives, the shouts which again burst forth from the audience reached our ears, —thus proving that Mr. Richards had made some successful speech, and that there was no suspicion of any other motive than the one which he had assigned at my bidding. Indeed, who could sus- pect any other motive, unless it were myself who was acquainted with Aline’s secret, and the ob- ject of her love whom she had doubtless espied in the theatre? For that such was the cause of her sudden swoon, I felt all but convinced : for up to the instant when her hand tightened its grasp upon my own, she had appeared as collected and self-possessed as either Mary or I. “ The excitement has overcome her,” said Miss Glentworth, as we administered restoratives : “ but she will soon recover.” “ Yes—it is nothing,” Isaid. “ Unloosen her dress, Beda. Quick, my dear girl!” This however proved unnecessary; for Aline now opened her eyes—and for a few moments gazed vacantly around her. Then all in an instant I beheld the fire of intelligence light up in those beautiful eyes: I comprehended that her recol- lections had suddenly returned ; and bending down as if to embrace her, while she lay stretched upon the ottoman, I whispered, “ Do not betray your- self, dearest Aline !” There was now a knock at the door: one of the actresses had come on the part of the rest to in- quire how the young French lady found herself. I bade Beda give a satisfactory answer: at the same moment I desired Mary Glentworth to bring a tumbler of water: and as they were both thus temporarily engaged with their backs towards us, I received a significant look from Aline, Gomicbook (E()