Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 195: what you’re looking at

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

ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. “E saw you,” I said, as if quite in a casual manner, “in company with the Marchioness of Campanella at the theatre last evening.” «And I was delighted, my dear Ellen,” replied Lady Cecilia, “to behold the brilliant triumph which you achieved. The Marchioness—who is herself an English lady, though married to an Italian nobleman—was astonished as well as pro- foundly interested by your performance.” “ Has her ladyship been long in England?” I asked. “Only a few days,” responded Lady Cecilia Urban. “The Marquis and herself became ac- quainted with some friends of mine at Florence last summer ; and when they arrived in London the other day, they called upon those friends. It was at their house that I thus met the Marquis and Marchioness; and it has been a source of pleasure to me to show her ladyship every atten- tion; for she is a very amiable person. The Mar- quis himself is an agreeable man—young and good-looking—with polished manners, and of the highest reputation. He dined last evening at the Tuscan Embassy; and therefore her ladyship ac- companied me to the theatre.” “Do they purpose to make a long stay in Eng. land?” I asked, still speaking as if in a purely conversational manner, though with a secret hope of eliciting the information I sought without being compelled to put the query point-blank. ‘‘ They will doubtless reside in London for some months,” rejoined Lady Cecilia. “At present they are staying at Mivart’s Hotel: but the Mar- quis is looking out for a house.” T remained a little longer in discourse with Lady Cecilia Urban, so as to avoid exciting the suspi- cion that I had called for any other purpose than that of seeing her in pursuance of the friendly in- vitation she had given me on the memorable day ot Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe’s exposure. On taking my leave of her ladyship, I re-entered the cab, and ordered it to be driven to Mivart’s Hotel. There I inguired if I could see the Marchioness of Campanella ?—and the waiter, taking my card, hended it to a lacquey who was lounging in the hall, and who by his appearance was evidently an Italian. He ascended the stairs with the card; but in a few moments returned, requesting me to walk up. I was shown into a handsomely fur- nished apartment, where the Marchioness of Cam- panella rose from a sofa to receive me. The Mar. quis was not present. Her ladyship was dressed in an elegant deshabillée; and she looked exceed- ingly fascinating. The agreeable impression she had made upon me on the preceding night at the theatre, was completely confirmed ; for sweetness, kindness, and benevolence of disposition were in- dicated by her looks and manner. I have already said that though not faultlessly beautiful, she was still something more than good-looking ; for though her features could not be put to a byper- critical test, yet her face, regarded as a whole, might be denominated lovely. It was particularly in the softness of the clear blue eyes and the ex- pression of the mouth—which, when she smiled, revealed a faultless set of teeth—that the witch- ing attractiveness existed. There was no pride I began to apologise for intruding upon her ladyship: but she interrupted me in the most affable manner, by asking, “Is it indeed Miss Trafford whom I saw last night, that I have now the pleasure of receiving? Yes—it must be!— and I consider myself honoured by a visit from one whose talent I had so much reason to ad- mire.” I thauked her ladyship for the manner in which she was pleased to speak of me; and sitting down with her upon the sofa, I said in a serious voice, “Tt is not on my own account that I have taken the liberty of thus introducing myself to the Mar- chioness of Campanella.” “ Whatever your object may be, Miss Trafford,” she affably replied, “I cannot do otherwise than rejoice at an event which has procured me the pleasure of your acquaintance. But your look has grown serious P” “T come to speak to your ladyship of one whom you have formerly known, and I think in cireum- stances very different from those in which she is now placed. She is one,” I continued, “ whom you knew under another name—but she now bears that of Frances Howard.” I noticed a rapid change coming over the coun- tenance of the Marchioness as I thus spoke: she grew exceedingly pale—her features denoted much inward agitation—there was a faint sound from her lips, as if between a_ gasp and a sigh—and then tears trickled slowly down her cheeks. * Do you know, Miss Trafford,” she asked, “ the real name of her But, Ah! is it possible?” suddenly ejaculated the Marchioness: “ surely that name of Frances Howard is not altogether un- familiar to my ears? Yes! I remember;—a lady of that name is to make her appearance to-night before a public audience i “It is so,’ I rejoined; “and the Frances Howard on whose behalf I come to your ladyship, is the same who will this evening take the first step that is to earn for her a livelihood!” Tne Marchioness wept; ane for upwards of a minute she was so agitated that she could not give utterance to another word. I felt deeply for her I felt deeply likewise as I thought of Frances Howard; and the tears were trickling down my own cheeks. “What did she bid you tell me?” at length in- quired the Marchioness of Campanella: and she endeavoured to control her emotions, * Miss Howard 4 ‘ “ Miss Howard?” ejaculated the Marchioness “But proceed—proceed !” “ Miss Howard,” I continued, “ bade me inform your ladyship that for some months past she has been enduring the most terrible privations—in a miserable lodging And this is true, my lady! —for I myself have seen her there !” * Good heavens! is all this possible?” mur- mured the Marchioness, for a moment making @ gesture as if she were wringing her hands, “ But yes—it must be!—how could it be otherwise! Oh, the unhappy girl! Proceed, Miss Trafford: tell me everything—let me know the worst, whatever it be!” “The worst, so far as I am acquainted with it,” about her—merely the proper bearing that be-|I continued, “is already explained to your lady- came her rank and position; and I should add| ship; for I ought in all frankness to observe that tuat she possessed a melodious voice, I am entirely ignorant of the circumstances <S Gomichboo