Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 224: what you’re looking at

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a ee ELLEN HERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. 211 entertain the same idea, I think there will be no, difficulty in executing it.” from everything you have just been telling me, ou may perhaps render some further services. I expressed my gratitude for the trouble that | | Indeed you may possibly assist in bringing about Zarah was taking in the matter; and | asked, as | if quite casually, “ Who was that Italian, drossed | in black, and with a white neckcloth, whom I | have just encountered upon the stairs ?” “Oh!” exclaimed Zarah, laughing gaily: “ that is the Count of Carboni’s valet—for I suppose we must call his lordship by that name, since we have read if upon the card. And what do you think, my dear Miss Perey ?’’ continued Zarah, again laughing, “that impertinent valet has had the audacity to fling tender looks at me, and to ad- dress me when we met upon the stairs. He speaks English tolerably well; for he has been in this country before—and he tells me that his master is as well acquainted with England and its language as if he were a native.” “Oh! then, I perceive, Zarah,” I said, with a half-smile, “ that you have not altogether rejected the Italian valet’s overtures to a little conversa: tion ?” “He spoke so civilly and courteously,” an- swered Zarab, “that I could not possibly cut him short without appearing downright rude and un- couth. He has a tolerable amount of conceit about him; for he took very good care to give me to understand that he was nof brought up to fill &@ menial position—that he belongs to a good family, which however had experienced reverses— and that in fact he is a gentleman by birth. Ah! and he said more too: for he told me that during the eight or ten years he has been in his master’s service, he has had opportunities of amassing a very pretty little sum of money.” “He has indeed been communicative!” I ob- served. “JT am convinced,” proceeded Zarah, again laughing, “that the poor fellow is in love with me—and that he said all these things to prove that there is not a very great disparity between our social positions: for of course you know, my dear Miss Percy, I pass as a sort of lady beneath this roof.” “ AndI suppose, Zarah,” I remarked, “ that you _ have not given him any encouragement P” “ He has not as yet been pointed enough,” re- plied the gipsy, “to enable me to have the appear- ance of taking his looks or his words in a serious sense. But rest assured, Miss Percy, that I am no silly coquette, fond of adulation, or capable of trifling with any one’s feelings: while as for love — But no matter! That,’ added Zarah, em- phatically, “is impossible !” “ And has this valet,’ I inquired, “spoken of his master by the name of Carboni ?” No,” responded Zarah: “ sible. | step—with a partial smile upon the pouting ful- a result which is greatly to be desired.” “You know, my dear Miss Percy,” rejoined | Zarab, “that you may command my services to any extent.” Again I reflected deeply. Should I tell Zarah the whole tale in respect to Beatrice? There would be no breach of confidence when the revela- lation was made for a good purpose: and indeed Zarah could not very well assist me without a full knowledge of all the circumstances. I therefore resolved to take her into my confidence; and in as succinct a manner as possible I related everything which concerned the Count and Countess of Car- boni. Zarah listened with the profoundest in- terest,—with which wonderment and horror were blended when I reached the concluding parti- culars. “ And now,” I added, “ you are acquainted with the meaning of that horrible picture. You under- stand likewise how important it is that the inno- cence of Beatrice should be made apparent ;— while there can be no doubt that Luigi is a villain, who from vindictive motives, as well as to shield himself from the imputation of being the hired instrument of Angelo Marano’s purpose, gave such @ colouring to his own share in the drama as should confirm all the Count’s suspicions against the unfortunate Beatrice.” “Tn such a case,” observed Zarah, “ there is no need to stand upon any false delicacy with regard to Luigi; and if I could only cajole him intoa full confession of the truth in respect to the part he played in that fearful drama, I should be justi- fied in adopting such means for such an end,” “Most assuredly!” I answered. “Not for a single instant should we stand upon punctilios in reference to a villain of so diabolical a stamp as this Luigi!” Zarah and myself now deliberated upon a parti- cular plan: we settled all the details; and the gipsy promised to lose no time in carrying them out.. Scarcely were our projects thus digested, when the door opened; and Beda made her ap- pearance. “On the preceding day, be it remembered, she was plainly but neatly dressed: now there was an improvement visible in her toilet; and I at once comprehended that Zarah had, with the kindest consideration, taken care that the girl should ap: pear before me in as respectable a style as pos- She entered the room with a light airy ness of her red lips—and with beams of gaiety and pleasure dancing in her superb dark eyes. She and of course I have | looked even more ravishing and captivating than not dropped the slightest hint to the effect that | on the previous day; and, if possible, I felt even I am acquainted with that secret. tolerably plain that Luigi is inclined to be very communicative 7 “Luigi?” I ejaculated. Luigi ?” “I have his own word for it,” answered Zarah. “But why do you speak so excitedly ?” “Ts that man’s name I reflected for a few moments; and then I said, | room, “ sit down. “You have already seen, Zarah, that for certain reasons [ have desired all possible information in | rising from her seat: It is however | more deeply interested in her. TT will leave you alone together,” said Zarah, “for it is time I should think of putting off this morning wrapper, and assuming @ more suitable toilet for the hour of the day.” “ Beda,” I said, when Zarah had quitted the I wish to converse with you.” The girl unhesitatingly took a chair—with no diffidence nor bashfulness—nor yet with boldness respect to this Count of Carboni. I think that | nor hardihood. She had a certain freedom and eT ere _S- —_ es ~ «a COMMUC IOOkK TTT COM}