Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

a 38 ‘‘ But perhaps she may have circulated a report that she is not performing here.” ‘‘Oh no, she hasn’t, and she can’t now ’ fe Why t”? ** Because she’s dead,”’ Rose shuddered, and pressed her hand to her heart. She, then, was wearing the dead woman’s clothes ! She was about to take her place. By this time they were standing at the wing upon the prompter’s side. ‘* Now then, young lady,”’ said the manager, “* keep your pecker up, you know. Goinand win. Keep at it, whatever you can do. Never mind how badit is. Do something.”’ Rose looked at him in a bewildered way, scarcely comprehending what he was saying to her. At the same time casting her eyes around, she now obtained her first fair view of the stage upon which she was to appear. Anything more dirty and dingy than the appearance of all things round and about her it was difficult to conceive. The scenes were torn and ragged. The dresses of one or two actors whom she saw hanging about in a disconsolate way were woefully poverty-stricken and dilapidated. What theatre could this be? she asked herself. How could this be a louse affording to give fifteen guineas a week salary ? Tuere seemed to be no company, no other actress, no green-room that she had as‘yet seen. It was all a deep mystery. There was one thing, though, which was not wanting, but which sometimes the first theatres in the world have lacked—an audience. There was a large concourse of people assembled. So it seemed to Rose, by the deafening thunder of their feet, by their angry shouts, shrill screeches, and pierc- ing cat-calls. It did not sound very much like an aristo- cratic audience which she had to face, and her heart beat faster as she listened. *¢ Drink some of this,’’ said the manager in her ear, and offering her a glass of wine as he spoke. She drank it willingly, for she felt weak and faint. Ina moment the curtain rose, and a loud crash of music half deafened her. ‘* Now then! now then!” cried the prompter. There was a momentary silence, and she bounded on to the stage. The audience, taking her for the Signora Selina, saluted her with a tremendous round of applause, which was twice repeated. Although her experience of the terpsychorean art Was, as we know, but limited, so great was Rose Mortimer’s beauty, so matchless the symmetry of her splendid form, that it was but natural that ai her first appearance the audience should be prejudiced in her favour. Knowing, from what the manager had said, that a great deal was expected of her, she exerted herself to the utmost. One moment she was floating sylphlike, scarcely touching the ground, the next bounding, whirling, twirling, per for ining almost i incredible gyrations, until, panting for breath, at last she paused, whilst the audience roared forth their approbation. But with the applause they showered upon her came other and more substantial tokens of their regard, the novelty of which astonished and terrified her A handful of halfpence were dashed on to the stage, one of which striking her sharply on the shoulder cansed her to start with a half suppressed scream to her feet. The next moment she turned to fly from the stage. ROSE MORTIMER ; OR, eee i star il . SOMlGOoOok a_i —— But her motive being understood, 4 terrific shout of ** Encore, encore,’”? came from all parts of the house. Then more halfpence came rattling on to the boards. Turning for an instant to face her patrons, she for the first time was able to form something like a correct conjecture respecting their number and character. It was certainly a good-sized theatre and densely crowded. But the audience was composed of the vilest scum inhabiting in the vicinity of Whitechapel and Shad- well. For the most part it was composed of boys and girls, ragged and dirty, upon the faces of whom were clearly traced the brands of infamy. Hooting and howling, fighting and brawling, these depraved young wretches were only with the greatest difficulty kept in anything like subjection by certain sturdy ruffians attached to the establishment, who, when occasion called for such a conr se, laid about them with a thick stick. This evening the audience was more unruly’ than usual. They had been kept waiting so long that they had lost all patience. Now, therefore, that they had made up their minds that Rose should perform again they would brook no delay. But they were doomed to disappointment. The poor girl, scared out of her wit’s by their dis- cordant cries, fled precipitately from the stage. She bent her steps towards the room where she had attired herself in the ballet costume, intending to resume her own clothes. Upon the way thither, ger in a state of fury. ‘“ What are you doing ?” he asked, with an oath, ‘“ Why don’t you go on again ?”’ Oh, sir,’’ cried Rose, with tears in her eyes, ‘* how can you ask me ?”’ *“ Ask you! What do you mean? them calling for you 2)? “Yes, sir. But I’m afraid.’’ ‘You must go,” said the aD, grasping her roughly by the arm. ‘“No—no. Please—’’ “Still you must.” ‘ But, sip? ‘* Don’t you know that you have signed an agree- ment ?—that I can punish you if you do not do my bidding?” ‘“* But, sir, they frighten me! They will burtme! Hark how they are screaming and stamping now !” ‘You poor pale-faced little fool,’ growled the man between his clenched teeth. ‘‘I have said that you should go on again, and by Heaven you shall !” There was something in his face which showed that he was determined she should do what he said. If necessary, he would use violence. But as Rose saw this, so at the same time she de- termined that she would not yield to his unreasonable demand. ' Wrenching herself from his grip, she ran towards the dressing-1oom. He sprang after her, and caught her in iis arms. She uttered a piercing shriek, and struggled de- sperately to free herself. He was by no means a strong man, and, her fierce rage lending her strength, she at last broke from him. Then, with one bound, she cleared what distance still remained between her and the dressing-room door. Then slammed it to in the face of her pursuer. He stayed for a moment, striving vainly to force the however, she met the mana- Don’t you hear S COL