Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 220: 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. terror and indignation which at once seized upon moe,—the former however paralysing my tongue, which under the latter influence would have over- whelmed him with reproaches. He caught me in his arms, expressing his feryid gratitude for the interview which I had thus accorded him; so that I gathered from the few hasty words he thus uttered how fearful a mistake had arisen. In short, his note had implored this interview ; for concealed in the grove, he had beheld the Count’s departure in the travelling-carriage:—and if I sent no reply by Luigi to Angelo’s billet, it was to be a sign that I would grant the request contained in it. Tearing myself indignantly from his arms, I at once gave him to understand that the reason he had received no answer to his billet was because I had not condescended to read it. He was con- founded—and for an instant he evidently knew not how to act. Again I bade him begone, or I must summon the domestics—an alternative how- ever, which, as you may easily suppose, I was anxious enough to avoid. All of a sudden the casement crashed in—a scream burst from my lips—the Count, with features expressing the rage of a demon, sprang into the room—and not more quickly does the eye wink than was his sharp stiletto plunged deep down into the heart of Angelo.” *O Beatrice!” exclaimed the Marquis of Cam- panella, “I do now indeed comprehend how fear- fully all circumstances combined in damning evi- dence against you !” “J fell senseless upon the floor,” continued the unfortunate Countess of Carboni; “and when I returned to consciousness, I was undressed—lying in a bed in another chamber—with my two maids in attendance. Their looks expressed not only mournfulness, but likewise that unmistakable air which denotes a belief in one’s guilt, and which is only subdued by the habit of respect which maids display towards a superior. Conceive the anguish of my thoughts when thus awakening from uncon- sclousness—an unconsciousness in which, as it ap- peared, I had for hours been plunged! I proclaimed - my innocence, and asked the girls if they believed me guilty? They remained silent; and one of them wept. -I sent this one, who seemed to show more sympathy than the other, to entreat the Count to ant me an immediate interview. His answer was a stern refusal. I demanded writing-materials, and penned a letter, containing the fullest details, as well as referring his lordship to Luigi himself for corroboration of the statement that I burnt without reading Angelo Marano’s billet. The Count sent me back a verbal message, to the effect that my tale was admirably devised, but that he was not to become my dupe. What was I then to do? For hours I remained in a state bordering upon distraction. I perceived how fearfully all circumstances had combined against me; and I could not doubt that Luigi would either deny having brought me a billet at all—or else would boldly proclaim that I had read it, in order to re- venge himself upon me for the menaces which I had uttered against him. In the meanwhile the local magistrate had visited the chateau: the Count had told his tale of how he had in a mo- mentary transport of rage avenged his outraged Lvaour: and the officer of the law was satisfied, bus then came the fearful—the hideous—the hor- ee OT TT LS |S SST 207 — —<— _ rible proceedings which constituted the appalling climax of all that I was destined to endure!” Here again Beatrice stopped; and a strong con- vulsing shudder passed through her ehtire frame. She slowly raised her hand to her eyes, as if to shut out some phantoms that appalled her view; and I had little difficulty in conjecturing what it was that thus harrowed her feelings so painfully, so terribly. ** Tt was late,” she continued, “in the afternoon of the day succeeding the tragedy of that dreadful night, that the Count of Carboni made his appear. ance in the room where I was detained in a species of captivity under the eyes of my two maids, There was a stern implacability—a settled fierce- ness—a sinister savageness upon the features of the Count; and he ordered the two girls to retire. The frank explanations contained in my letter having been rejected, and my treatment having been that of a guilty person, I did not condescend to prayers, intercessions, or entreaties: but suds denly inspired with all the fortitude and the dig« nity of conscious innocence, I took my stand upon that pedestal. Never can I forget the look of fierce sardonism which the Count bent upon me— a@ look in which implacable hatred was blended with a ferocious longing for revenge. I did not choose to be the first to speak: I deemed it better to wait for whatsoever words he was about to ad- dress unto me. He began by repeating the mes- sage which he had sent me back by one of my maids, to the effect that my tale was admirably devised, but that unfortunately for me there were evidences which gave it the lie. Then, as nearly as I can recollect, he went on to address me in the following strain:—‘ When I left you in the grove last evening, it was indeed only for the purpose of penning the hasty note to be borne by the courier to my lawyer: but on my return, at the very in- stant I issued from the garden-door, I behel@ Angelo Marano at your feet. You gave an im- patient gesture; and he at once disappeared amongst the trees. I composed my countenance, so that I might not betray my knowledge of that incident which had just occurred; for I thought to myself, ‘If Beatrice be innocent she will deal candidly with me; if she be guilty she will endea- vour to deceive me!’ And when I rejoined you, you spoke not asyllable relative to that occurrence: but your looks betrayed confusion and trouble. Then all in an instant my mind was made up how to act; and I pretexted the necessity of a sudden journey. But when at a little distance, I returned alone—I concealed myself amongst the trees of the garden—I kept watch. I beheld your para- mour steal in at the casement. Just heaven! what feelings took possession of me when all the worst was thus suddenly confirmed! Ah—and when I in a few moments burst into your cham- ber, through that same casement —resolved to avenge my outraged honour—did not a scream of guilty terror thrill from your lips? and did you not fall fainting upon the floor? Yes: your con- duct was altogether that of a guilty woman! But there are even other evidences against you. Did you not, immediately on retiring to your own chamber, dismiss your handmaids for the night, without receiving their wonted ministrations P— and was not this step taken that you might all the more speedily receive your paramour to your ECORNICLO@ Sj Com