Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

— ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE at Sk. Sa, a ee a ee ing himself aside to me, “to acquaint you, on the part of her Grace, that supper is provided for yourself and your companions in an adjoining room :”’—then in a low whisper the steward added, “ Her Grace would cheerfully have had yow, Miss, with her in the grand banqueting-room: but ——” He stopped short, and glanced round towards niy companions, who were grouped a little apart. His look and manner were as much as to imply that although the Duchess of Ardleigh would have admitted me into the sphere of her own aristocratic circle,—yet that she could not possibly extend the same fayour to my companions. Had it not been for this slight which was thrown upon them, I should have at once accepted on my own and their behalf the separate entertainment which was pro- vided for us. Indeed, if I had previously given the matter a thought at all, it assuredly was not with the idea that we were to be invited to partake of the banquet given to the guests. But I was suddenly fired with indignation at the treatment which my companions were receiving, and in which I also was included ; and I said aloud ta the ste- ward, “ We beg to decline the supper which her Grace offers us through you.” The man looked astonished, and seemed as if he could scarcely believe his own ears. The Normans and the other actors and actresses instantaneously comprehended that some indignity had been offered, and that I had thus vindicated the inde- pendent spirit of myself and them. But still they gazed upon me with curiosity to know what it all meant. “ Ladies and gentlemen,” I said, “ her Grace the Duchess of Ardleigh offers us a supper to be par- taken of by ourselves in a separate room from that where her Grace will entertain her own guests. I have thought fit on your behalf and my own to decline the proposal.” There was a murmur of applause on the part of my companions; and the steward, with a slight bow, said, “ Very well, Miss: I will report your message to her Grace.” He thereupon retired. I did not choose to wound the feelings of the Normans and of the other professionals by informing them that a dif- ferent treatment would have been observed to- wards myself were it not for their presence: but I hastened to represent to them that I considered an indignity had been offered to the whole of us by a proposal which was to consign us like a parcel of menials to a separate and inferior table. Again was my conduct applauded ; and I said, “ Now, let us lose no time in taking our departure from the mansion.” But at that moment the door was thrown open by the steward; and the Duchess made her ap- pearance, closely followed by-her son the Marquis, with the Duke and Mr. Peaseblossom bringing up the rear. “ My dear Miss Trafford,” said the Duchess, * T am really much concerned at a message which the steward has brought back to me. I thought that yourself and your companions would have ac- cepted the little banquet ¥ “Not, my lady,” I said, “when it was prof- fered under circumstances which were calculated to wound the feelings of those who had done their best to interest and amuse your Grace’s guests. A A, I I i LC EES LS LOLI LL LLL LER, MEMOIRS OF AN AOTRESS. 111 | We were considered respectable enough to breathe for a while the same atmosphere as yourselves : but when our task was over, that respectability suddenly seemed to cease. Ladies-and gentlemen belonging to your own circle of society have, as amateurs, been for the last three hours in our company: but even they seem to feel that with the close of the entertainments a barrier has sud- denly sprung up between us and them. I am aware, my lady, that there are immoral persons in the dramatic world—but are there none in the sphere of aristocracy P and is the whole aristocracy deemed characterless because of the misdeeds of some of its members? Why, then, should all who belong to the stage be put under a common ban? Your Grace entrusted me with the selection of those who were to appear before you this evening ; and I would not have been guilty of such a viola- tion of the trust confided to me as to introduce into your presence any with whom I myself was ashamed to associate.” The Duchess listened to me with the utmost at- tention—indeed, I will say with every appearance of a gracious affability. I grew warm as I pro- ceeded: but if I spoke enthusiastically, yet it was without vehemence or passion. “Miss Trafford speaks the truth, mother!” ex- claimed the young Marquis, as he stood forward with a flushing countenance; “and as I have been permitted to join those ladies and gentlemen as an amateur, I shall ask their leave to sup with them in their own room and at their own table.” “ But this cannot be allowed!” exclaimed the Duke, now pushing his way to the front. “It would be all very well if Miss Trafford only were concerned would it not be all very well, Pease- blossom? Come, give us your opinion, man!” “T, my lord?” said the individual thus appealed to. “Lam no more competent to decide in such a case than-—than—an ass between two bundles of hay.” © Miss Trafford,” said the Duchess, with an ap- pealing look—and yet she did not the while throw off that proud dignity which was habitual with her,—‘‘ I am sure your own good sense will con- vince you that nothing was farther from my pur- pose than to offer the slightest indignity * We thank your Grace for this assurance,” I answered: “but under existing circumstances we must persist in declining to accept of your Grace’s entertainment.” The Duchess could really say no more; and bowing with a somewhat distant air, she retired from the room,—the Duke and Mr. Peaseblossom following her. The Marquis of Dalrymple how- ever remained behind; and he said, “Ob, Miss Trafford! I would not for worlds that this had happened! When I left yourself and your com- panions immediately after the fall of the curtain, it was to ask my mother what arrangements had been made for your entertainment. therefore my astonishment—my indignation—LI will even add my disgust—when [I learnt ¥ “T beg that your lordship will say no more upon the subject,” I interrupted him: “but on behalf of myself and my companions, [ express the gratitude which is due for the courtesy, the kindness, and the good intentions your lordship has displayed towards us. We will now take our departure.” Conceive . CORNIELIOO <S Com