Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

———— " ere THE BALLET-GIRL’S. REVENGE. —$— —— ee — — —___ —_ 37 a a Oa a oe ee ——E———————— ee ““Gone ?” echoed Rose. “Gone this afternoon. bye, but could not wait.” ** What a hurried affair it seems to have been !” ** Yes ; there was not a moment tospare. These Opportunities occur so seldom, one must not allow them to slip through one’s fingers.” ; “And so she has gone? You did not say where the theatre was.”’ ** Some distance from here, my dear: it’s at Edin- burgh,” Rose pondered over what she had just heard. It was all very strange and inexplicable. What was to be the end? She had no opportunity of having the promised chat with Mr. Heine respecting her own engagement, aud that day and the next passed away without her being able to see him. Therefore, much to her astonishment, about six o'clock the third day Mrs. Woodrnffe said— ‘“‘My dear, I ought to have told you. Pray get ready as quick as you can; we have got to go down to the theatre.’’ ** For a rehearsal ?”’ asked Rose. “TI don’t know what it is, my dear,’’ said the old woman, ‘‘ but we haven’t a moment to spare.” “* What theatre is it ?” ** Well, I don’t know that either, but we’re to meet Mr. Heine at the Bank.” All this was as mysterious as ever. At the Bank! There were surely no theatres in the East End where a ballet-girl’s salary was fifteen guineas a week. Fifteen shillings was much nearer the amount. As the old woman could give her no information, however, she could do no other than curb her im- patience, and wait till time should reveal all. They started together in a cab at about seven She wanted to say good _o’elcok, and drove westward. Rose, although she had been born in London, knew very little about its geography, and could form no idea where they were going. They stopped at length in a dark quiet back street, of a very mean and poverty-stricken aspect, before what seemed to be a stage door. As she alighted she saw that such was the case, and, turning to her companion, she exclaimed distrust- fully— ** T thought you did not know what theatre it was at,”’ But the old woman made no reply, and the manager, to whom she had been introduced before, appearing at the moment, she accompanied him into the house, in obedience to his desire. He led her up a long passage, and out upon a large stage, very naked and dingy; then into a small dressing-room, where there was a woman waiting. *€ Be quick and dress,”’ said he. ‘‘ I want you to go on at once.” “Go on!” she repeated. ‘* Why I thought this was a vehearsal,”’ But at that moment a loud roar audience was assembled, and that she was expected to go before them. To do what ? v CHAPTER XIV. THE LOW THEATRE—THE TOILE[T—THE SIGNORA —A DEAD WOMAN’S CLOTHES—THE DANCE— THE HOWLS OF THE MOB—THE STRUGGLE— THE OUTRAGE, For whatever reason she had been brought to the theatre, it was very evident to Rose that its proprietor | of voices anda great thumping of feet convinced her that a large | tt a | thought there was no time to lose, for several times during the progress of her toilet he came knock~ ing at the door, anxiously inquiring if she was nearly ready. She found a ballet-dress ready for her. It was very gaudy, and by no means too clean. ‘* Am I to wear this ?”’ she asked, with an expres- sion of distaste. “‘That’s your dress,’’ replied the woman. ** But it is an old one belonging to some one else.”’ ce Yes.” ‘* Well, then, it is not intended for me surely.’ “Yes it is.’’ ** Whose was it, pray ?” ‘* The last one’s.” ‘ The last one’s !” repeated Rose in surprise. | But before she could inquire further the manager came hammering again for the third or fourth time at the door. ‘* Are you nearly ready ?” ** Very nearly, sir.” | _ ** Be quick, then, for Heaven’s sake, or they’ll have | the place down!” He went away again in a rampant state, and Rose ventured once more to question her companion. ‘* What am Ito do?” she asked. « “Do! Whatdo you mean ?’’ “Am I to appear before the public to-night ?”’ ‘Of course you.are. What else do you suppose you’re wanted for? Youcan dance, can’t you?” ‘* Yes, I can dance a little.’ “You'll have to do your best, or else you'll soon be goosed I can tell you ?” “* Goosed ?” ‘“‘That’s hissed. Why, what sort of a theatre did you come from that you don’t know the commonest terms ?” Poor Rose was silent. A dreadful misgiving had for some time past taken possession of her mind. Oh, how she wished herself at home again ! Home! Alas! she had nowhere which she could call by that name. Utterly homeless and friendless, what fate was re~ served for her in the end? Urged to exert herself to the utmost by the re- peated summonses from without, and the flurried orders and suggestions of the woman assisting her, Rose was soon attired. ‘‘Thank goodness you’re ready at last!’’ said the manager, meeting her outside the door. ** Yes, Iam ready,”’ replied Rose, still panting from her exertions, ‘* but I—I—” ‘* Come along, for goodness sake !”’ ‘* Am I to go on in—”’ Yes, of course. You’ye kept the stage waiting ten minutes as itis.” ‘** But—but what am I to do ?”’ “Go on and dance—anything you like, Something in the pas-seul way of course.”’ ‘* But without any rehearsal ?”’ ‘** There’s been no time for that. ‘Where ?” “At that picture.” ‘The poster ?” ** Yes, the gal dancing—Signora Selina.’’ oo TOS; BIEL ~ Well, that’s to be you.” | ‘6 Me?” *¢ She was billed for to-night, but she can’t come, and so we’re obliged to shove you on instead.” ‘* But won’t they know, sir ?” “Who?” ** The audience.”’ ‘“* No, they’ll be none the wiser. She was just about your height, and you’re something like her.” De Look there !’’