The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. 61 familiarly to everybody and addressed two or three underlings by their Christian names, as if to ask them some questions, but in reality to im- press Osborne with an idea of his familiar ac- quaintance with everything and every person be- hind the scenes and how completely he was at home there. Launcelot was astonished when he found how completely a close survey disenchants the view in reference to things theatrical. The scenery which had looked beautiful from a distance, now seemed to be a vile daub and a miserable jumbling of colours coarsely and clumsily laid on: men who had presented a very attractive appearance when parading before the curtain, now seemed to be coarse, ugly, vulgar individuals; and many of the females who had looked exceedingly well— some absolutely beautiful—when seen from a dis- tance, suffered even still more disadvantagcously by a close inspection. The rouge seemed plas: tered instead of artistically applied: eyes that had shone bright from a distance, were now observed to be sunken and hollow: faces that looked at- tractive, proved to be seared with the small-pox, though the artificial complexion effectually con- cealed the marks when the countenance was viewed from a distance. As for the costumes, Launcelot was positively amazed when he per- ceived what a brilliant show the most wretched tinsel could make. “Ah, now you see the illusion!” exclaimed Sylvester, laughing. “But do you know why those two or three dirty-looking chaps are hanging about you ?” “No. Why ?” asked Launcelot. “Because, as this is the first time you've set your foot behind the scenes, you are expected to stand treat. Give them a crown to get some beer.” Launcelot did as he was desired; and the dirty- looking fellows glided away to procure the refresh- ment for which the funds were thus liberally furnished. Launcelot kept looking round, his heart palpitating with suspense; for he thought it probable that Imogen might make her appear- ance, though he felt an insuperable loathing at the-idea that she should herd, as it were, amidst the painted, bedizened, tinsel-and-fustian set of beings whom he beheld lounging about. ““ Look,” whispered Sylvester, ‘that short, thick-set, vulgar-looking fellow in the flesh- coloured clothes, is Blundell, the acrobat. He’s a precious scamp—I was compelled to put him down a peg or two, because he affected to pay attentions to Alice, and I’m not a fellow to stand any nonsense. Acrobat or no acrobat, it’s all the same to me: I would punch his head for him. Ah! look at that sweet pretty girl who has just crossed from the wings on the other side! She is one of the stats But of course you recognise her? It’s Mademoiselle Rose. She looks as well when seen close as on the stage or in the circus. [ll introduce you But she does not look this way.” ' “ Where did she emerge from ?” inquired Launcelot. “‘Oh! that door over there leads to the ladies’ dressing-room; and that’s where Alice no doubt is at this moment with her friend Imogen. I don’t think it would be quite the thing for us to walk coolly in; so we must wait a minute or two. Ah! here she is!” At that very moment forth from the ladies’ dressing-room came Alice Denton, dressed in the manner which has been noticed in a previous chapter when her portrait was alluded to. She was by no means surprised on beholding Sylvester Casey there, for he was frequently in the habit of penetrating behind the scenes; but on the other hand nothing could exceed her amazement on re- cognising in his companion the object of her friend Imogen’s devoted love. She started for an instant: but immediately recovering herself, she curtseyed gracefully while Sylvester introduced him. “* Alice,” said young Casey, “this is my very particular friend the Hon. Launcelot Osborne.” “‘T have seen Mr. Osborne before,” said Alice. ““T remember that he was on board the same steam-packet some months ago—and I have since noticed him at the theatre ” ‘Yes, Miss Denton,” said Launcelot hastily ; ‘“*T occasionally look in for a few minutes——” “Sylvester,” suddenly interjected Alice, “I am dying with thirst! It is most fortunate that you came at this moment. Do go and procure me some ginger-beer, or some sherry-and-water.” For an instant young Casey looked suspicious, as if he thought that Alice Denton was devising an excuse to get rid of him: but his conceit and vanity prevented him from entertaining the idea more than for that single instant; and he set off to comply with the young woman’s request. No sooner was he beyond earshot, than Alice Denton bent a look full of meaning upon Launce- lot, at the same time saying, ‘‘ What has brought you here, Mr. Osborne ?” He coloured—he looked confused for an instant; and then affecting to give a light laugh, he said, ‘For what other purpose could I come but to see how things look behind the curtain and to be in~ troduced to Miss Denton ?” ‘““No, sir—these were xot your objects,” replied Alice, in a low but emphatic tone. “I know your secret—but it is safe‘with me! If you really love Imogen, see her—see her, I conjure you! You know not how you have misjudged her——-Oh ! you know not !” “‘Misjudged her?” echoed Launcelot. in the name of heaven. ” “That chil ” “ Ah !”—and it was with suspended breath that Osborne prepared to listen. “ Here’s some ginger-beer, Alice,” said Sylvester, who at that moment reappeared, having encoun- tered at the stage-door a female who vended the cheap effervescent beverage which he was now about to present to his mistress; for with his wonted thoughtfulness he had calculated that a bottle of the luxury aforesaid would cost pre- cisely threepence, while a glass of sherry-and- water would cause the disbursement of an entire shilling. Scarcely had Alice touched the tumbler with her lips, when she was required to hasten into the circus; and as Osborne felt assured that Sylvester would stick close to him for all the rest of the evening, and would not afford him any farther opportunity of speaking a word alone to Alice, he thought it inexpedient to remain any longer behind the scenes. JBesides, he did not wish to be seen by Imogen, for fear she should think that he was purposely throwing himself in her way ; whereas he had not as yet made vp his mind how “What COMO YN Wn) Colin