Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 161: what you’re looking at

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THE BALLET-GIRL’S REVENGE. “So be it,’’ she said. ‘‘ If she prefers to keep silent without payment, lether doso. I prefer to keep my money.” And she replaced the note in her purse. As she sat thinking thus an idea suddenly occurred to her which caused her to jump up in something almost approaching alarm. “¢ And Spencer!’ she murmured aloud. ‘‘ What if he should be pursuing the same task? Doubtless, he is. But if he succeeds, O Heavens! we are lost. I must return at once to Sloeford to see his latest despatch. I scarcely know whether to feel re-assured or alarmed at this day’s work.”’ Then turning to her black attendant, she desired her to give directions to put fresh horses to the car- riage. “‘Tmpossible,”’ said the landlord. fit to leave.” “© Ah!” exclaimed Lady Bellisle. sequences may be fatal.” “‘T have none ‘Then the con- CHAPTER LXII. ROSE AND BLANCHE BOWERINI ON THEIR TRA- VELS — THEIR NEW HOME — THE FREAKS OF THE GREEN-ROOM — BEHIND THE sCENES — THE JEALOUS WIFE—A FLIRTATION —SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES — A DRAMA OF REAL LIFE CONCLUDING WITH A TRAGEDY — HAMLET — THE DAGGER. In spite of the mutual understanding which might be supposed to exist from henceforth between Lady Bellisle and our heroine, the latter did not yet feel entirely secure upon her ladyship’s account. She passed that night trusting to the “‘ virtues of a lock and key’”’ rather than the honour of Lady Bellisle. The next morning Rose and her companion, Blanche Bowerini, were up betimes and had recom- menced their journey. Some few hours’ travelling brought them to their destination. The introductions which both brought from the manager of the theatre in the town which they had just quitted smoothed all difficulties which might have stood in their way. A welcome far more cordial than they could have expected was accorded them by their new companions. At the outset of their career in their new destina- tion an event of a most unpleasant nature for our heroine occurred. This we are about to record, as it had a direct in- fluence upon Rose Mortimer’s after movements. The leading member of the dramatic company was an intelligent young actor named Walters. . He was married to a member of the company, a dancer, professionally named Ethel Warner. He was a light-hearted and not over constant hus- nd. otis was all love and attachment to her husband. She loved fondly, fiercely, and was fiercely jealous. It must be admitted that he very frequently gave her cause for jealousy. ' It was his delight to watch the rich purple blood mantling her cheek as he would carry on an ani- mated flirtation with one of the prettiest members of the company. He ee Tee failing in this respect, and cruelly he rked upon it. We ge the expression ‘‘ cruelly’? advisedly, for though jealousy is a sensation looked upon by all as something to be derided and laughed or sneered at, it is nevertheless an agony the most acute for the sufferer. Rose Mortimer and Blanche Bowerini had been barely introduced into the company when the husband of the jealous danscuse made a violent assault upon the hearts of both the girls, Rose was invulnerable to such attacks. Blanche was not far but yet slightly gone when she became aware of the fact of her admirer being married. However, we must do her the justice to say that no sooner had she made this discovery than she cut her would-be lover particularly short. Her repulses only served to make the inconstant Walters more pressing in his suit, and he did not take any pains to disguise his ardour from his wife. Upon the second day after their arrival Rose and Blanche Bowerini were seated in the green-room awaiting the reading of a new piece. , Mr. and Mrs. Walters were present. The former as attentive as ever to the fair sex and inattentive as usual to his wife. The latter in unmistakeable agony to witness his flirtations. . ‘Are you staying long with us, Miss Bowerini 2??? demanded Walters. ‘“* We are not sure.”’ ** And Miss Mortimer ?”’ “Nor I either,’’ answered Rose. ‘Tt depends on whether the management and the public both are favourable to us.” “The latter ensures the former.’’ “© Not always.” “As a rule.” “¢ Perhaps.”’ ‘* And the former is sure to be insured.’’ *‘ Indeed ?”? said Blanche, laughing. ‘* Now, really that is extremely good of you, Mr. Walters,’”’ said Rose Mortimer, ‘‘ since you have seen neither of us upon the stage as yet.” “‘Eh? Oh! that’s no matter, It signifies nothing ; for talent you have I know.’ ‘¢ How ?” ‘* By reputation.”’ “* Reputation ?”’ 73 Ay.”? - “* Of having played for a week in an out-of-the-way provincial theatre ?” ‘‘ And not only reputation,” said the actor, ‘ but with ladies you know that pretty faces and comely persons go for something.” ‘. Yesi?? “‘Then your success is assured, believe me, ladies.” “Thank you.” Rose made this acknowledgment so demurely that its drollery struck all of them, and they laughed heartily. All this time the unhappy wife sat upon thorns, At length it grew unbearable for her, and she left the room. Several members of the company saw the whole manceuvre, and a general titter at the unhappy wife’s expense was the consequence. The poor creature rather needed their pity. Rose did not yet understand this, or she would haye taken immediate steps to avoid a misunderstanding. As it was, the two girls got a reputation established in the green-room, upon such very slight grounds, for being accomplished flirts. After the reading of the piece a rehearsal was called. Then the different members of the company went through their parts, but it was found that Miss Ethel Warner (Mrs. Walters) was not present, Her husband had to go in quest of her, and in the space of a few seconds returned to announce that he had found his wife in their dressing-room yery unwell, SS ge a i ae eo) TG OOOKSIEOh