Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 194: what you’re looking at

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

188 dl ROSE MORTIMER ; OR, “ T come, then, in short, to be brief, since you wish me to be so—”” 66 if (022 _“Then to introduce my humble self to your notice.”’ “Tt would have been done in better taste—much better taste, believe me—by a third party.”’ ‘*Of course.” ‘‘ Introductions are unpleasant except in the usual form, and so you will pardon me, I know, if I put an end at once to the present interview without further ceremony.”’ Mr. Harry Fane’s confusion at this was really painful to behold. ‘“Qne word more, Miss Mortimer,”’ said he. came here to speak of a very serious matter.”’ ‘* Indeed 2” “‘Yes. I merely came to say that—’’ and he made a tremendous effort to appear calm, but failed miser- ably—‘ that you have made an impression upon me, Miss Mortimer, which no other wom—I mean lady— that is, in short, I am in very tolerable circumstances, and I should be happy if you—”’ And Mr. Harry Fane was cut up sadly. Surely there never was so eccentric a declaration made as this. The vanity and egotism displayed in this confused address were such as utterly to digust our heroine. She rose to her feet and moved towards the door. ‘‘ Mr. Fane,’’ she said, ‘‘ I am sure that when you reflect upon what you have said to me you will think that, to put it in the mildest form, the words were an impertinence.”’ ‘¢ Miss Mor—’’ ‘‘Enough. I wish you good day.”’ And she quitted the room. ‘*T tell you what,” he shouted as she left the room, ‘“yvou shall repent this insolent treatment. At any rate, I have honoured you, Miss Mortimer, a ballet- girl, by what I’ve offered, and, hang it! you shall yet have your pride humbled.” Rose little thought how vindictive the little draper could prove. cy * * * * * % The next day Rose Mortimer was late at rehearsal. When she arrived there was a grand stir in the green-Troom. . Everybody in the company exchanged glances of a peculiar meaning, and our heroine perceived at once ‘that something had occurred concerning herself. ’ “She asked several persons what it meant, but no one wouldreply. _~ At length, in despair, she applicd to Mr. Snaffles, the prompter. ““Occurred, Miss Mortimer?’’ said he. ‘‘ Nothing that I am aware of. Here is a letter for you, by the bye.” And he offered her the missive, which was open. “* Tt was delivered like that, Miss Mortimer,’ said the prompter, anticipating her looks, ‘‘ or, rather, not like that, for I found it here opened, and, not knowing what is was, or to whom it was addressed, I—”’ “¢ Read it,’’ 66 Yes.” ** And not you alone,’’ said Rose, glancing around her. y Now she thought that she began to comprehend the meaning of all the strange glances which: had puzzled her so at first. She opened the letter and read as follows :— “ My Dear Rose,—Touching the proposition I made you, you have yet to consider. I cannot possibly allow you more than two hundred a year pin-money, whatever you may urge. Further persua- sion, as I have already told you, is useless. In every respect you will be treated as my wife, although you cannot be admitted into my family circle; but this will be no great grievance, as you shall find. It is — no use attempting to gain this point, because the opinion of the world is more to me than your love— the love which you so freely offer.” This clearly enough indicated that she had made arrangements with some one to become his mistress, but that the price for the sale of herself had been the matter of dispute. It was an overwhelming blow. Rose had been always most strict in her demeanour. She knew too well to what slurs the moral character of the actress is liable, and she had acted in such a way hitherto that she had procured for herself the title of ‘* the prude.” “ She was at no loss to divine from whom this artful and villainous composition had emanated, Unfortunately, there was no signature to it, or she would have taken immediate legal steps to retaliate upon the slanderer. However, she at once narrated the whole of the draper’s proposals to her, and the way in which she had retorted to the vain little rascal’s addresses. The whole of the company were supremely shocked at his impudence. It reflected discredit upon their order. Now, although they were one and all a scandal-loy- ing lot, they did not choose that their scandals should eo further than themselves. A speedy and signal retaliation upon the draper was resolved upon. However, before they could put their plans into execution Rose had avenged herself in the following manner. It was a bold and dangerous exploit, but was a glorious success, and touched Mr. Harry Fane in a quarter which was his tenderest point—his pocket. The circus at which Blanche Bowerini was engaged was close to the theatre, and Rose Mortimer had been in the habit of taking a little equestrian exercise in the morning when Blanche went to practice. It happened that a party of them had been out for a canter one morning, when they chanced to pass up the High Street. Mr. Harry Fane’s shop was the centre of attraction for the whole group since the disgraceful affair of which we have just written. ‘“Tf I were you, Miss Mortimer,”’ said one of the ladies, ‘‘I would ride into his shop and spoil some of his stock for him.”’ ‘‘T would indeed for the smallest consideration under the sun.” ‘*T fear Miss Mortimer,’”’ said one of the gentle- men, ‘‘ that you would find the feat rather beyond your courage.” ce Nay.”’ **T think you would.” ‘Not lL. *¢T should wager—” “ Stay,”’ said Rose. ‘* What would you wager that I don’t fly in through the window as it now stands ?” **T’ll bet you a hundred pounds to your sixty that you don’t accomplish it.’’ ** You shall see.”’ And, drawing back, she prepared for a spring. *¢ Now then, forward !”’ And off dashed the horse towards the shop. There was a cry of alarm, but Rose did not pause. She put her head low down to the horse’s ear, and whispered some words which appeared to inspire him with renewed courage. The horse sprang into the air, dashed forward, and in the flashing of an eye had bounded through Oo GOMiIcoaoo <S CO) —S 5}