Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 108: what you’re looking at

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ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. _* ee ee 95 * And you who care not to perpetrate the blackest atrocities within the knowledge of your servants,” I retorted, “tremble like a frightened child at the slightest idea of encountering ridicule ! But enough of all these bandying words Mi “For the last time,” interjected St. Clair, “I entreat you to have mercy upon me! Yes, it is true—I do tremble at the idea of ridicule! Save me from if!” “And I have my reputation to maintain,” I immediately rejoined. “When your domestics dis- cover how you have been treated by me, they will have the most convincing proof that there has been no weakness nor yielding on my part. And now enough !—decide quickly! Give me the key —or in another moment I fire the chamber !” A sound, which seemed to be composed of a half-subdued cry of rage and a moan of despair, came from the lips of the prisoner as his arm was thrust through the broken pane of glass, and his hand presented me the key. I clutched it with avidity and in triumph. St. Clair besought me to remain a few moments while he addressed me in some parting words: but I gave him no reply. I sped to the outer door of the ante-room: the key turned in the lock,—I opened that door. A lamp was burning on the landing; I listened— the whole house was silent. 1 descended the stairs, and reached the hall. It was dark: the gas-light had been extinguished. I felt rejoiced at the conviction that all the servants had retired to rest. I opened the front door: I now breathed the fresh air of freedom. But scarcely had my heart thrilled with a sense of ineffable triumph, as well as with thankfulness for my escape from a great peril, when I was smitten with a new sense of embarrassment. Yet ®% was a difficulty ridiculously insignificant in comparison with the one from which I had just emancipated myself. I was in an evening dress, without a bonnet, and with only a light scarf thrown over my shoulders. The neighbouring church-clocks were proclaiming the hour of mid- night: it was a somewhat lonely part of the suburbs; and I was standing in that costume on the steps of a house inhabited by a single gentle- man. In another moment I might find myself exposed to the insults of passers-by. This was the source of my bewilderment: for it may easily be imagined that I did not like, dressed as I was, to run in search of a vehicle to take me home— while on the other hand I might wait long enough there in expectation of an unoccupied cab to pass. | Scarcely a minute however had elapsed since the front door of St. Clair’s house had closed be- hind me—and scarcely had those rapid perplexing thoughts swept through my mind—when I beheld an equipage approaching; and by the light of its brilliant lamps I recognised it to be Lady Lilla Essendine’s. With a cry of joy I sprang forward, and called to the coachman to stop. He, at once recognising me, complied. Lady Lilla, who was inside the carriage, also recognising me, gave vent to an ejaculation of astonishment. The footman leapt down to open the door; and as I entered the vehicle, I begged Lady Lilla to convey me home to the Normans’ house in Hunter Street. That the domestics might not think it strange at finding me in such a position at such a time of night, I hastily said a few words to the effect that I had experienced most treacherous treatment, from the scene of which I had fortunately es. caped. “JT can conjecture full well, my dear Ellen,” answered Lady Lilla in a low tone, “ who has been the author of this treachery. But will you not come straight on to my house P” * No—it is impossible!” I responaed. ‘“ The Normans will be overwhelmed with anxiety con- cerning me. At least convey me to the nearest stand of public vehicles——”’ “Good heavens, my dear Ellen!” ejaculated Lilla in a tone of reproach; “it was not of trouble nor of inconvenience that I was thinking.” Her ladyship at once ordered the carriage to turn and drive to Hunter Street; and while we were proceeding thither, I narrated everything that had occurred, suppressing only the circum- stance of having possessed myself of the fragment of the mysterious letter. Lady Lilla listened with the deepest attention until I reached that stage of my story in which I had to describe how I had kept St. Clair a prisoner in the wardrobe. Then she laughed with the wildest exultation: there was something more than mere mirth in the effect thus produced;—it was a malignant satisfaction as if her own vindictive spirit were indescribably rejoiced at the bitter chastisement which had over- taken St. Clair. “And yet,” I said, “all things considered, I would not have publicity given to this adventure of mine. I do not like to be talked about in such a sense. I shall not even mention the occurrence to the Normans, as it would only compel me to give explanations in respect to antecedent circum- stances between myself and St. Clair. Mr. and Mrs. Norman have only one fault they cannot keep a secret; and were I to tell them all these things, they would whisper them to one and to another until the whole town would ring with them.” * You have but to signify your slightest wish to me,” rejoined Lady Lilla, “in order to have it gratified. But here we are in Hunter Street.” CHAPTER XIX. THE DUCHESS AND THE COUNTESS. THE Normans were at the supper-table; and Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe was likewise there. I found them surprised at my protracted disappearance : but they were not labouring under any apprehen- sion, for they had reason to believe that I had been taken care of by friends. As they knew that Lady Lilla Essendine’s carriage brought me home, they conceived that I had been all the time with her; and there was consequently no need for me to give evasive replies, nor to tell a tale in which the whole truth should be suppressed. I gathered indeed from the hasty remarks, comments, and ex- planations which now assailed me as it were in a volley, an idea of what had occurred when 1 fell down in a fit in the corridor of the theatre. It appeared that Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe’s attentions were wholly required by Juliet, who was the first to swoon. Crowds rushed forth from the eS ee a ee 8 ‘ CORNIELIOO® <S Com