Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 239: what you’re looking at

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

~ Se, ee, ee 226 why Beda was seeking it, and what it could pos- sibly have to do with the business she had in hand. « William!” she said—or rather gently called out with her musical voice; and the summons was immediately answered by some person emerging from one of the cabins of the vessel. He hastened along the deck, towards tho spot where we were standing; and I now per- ceived that he was a young man—I might even say a youth, of about seyenteen or eighteen years of age—with a dark complexion, but remarkably handsome features, He was dressed in a sailor’s garb—white trousers, a blue jacket, and a low glazed hat with a light blue ribbon. His attire was remarkably neat; and there was a certain air of superiority about the youth which I might almost term gentility. He looked like one of the picked crew of a yacht; and indeed it had already struck me, by what I could see of the vessel’s ap- pointments, that it was of this description. I should add that the youth was moderately tall, and slender: his dark hair was arranged in thick clustering curls: he had fine bright eyes; and as he greeted Beda with a friendly familiarity, his part- ing lips revealed a set of teeth as white as ivory. “Ts it all right?” inquired Beda. “Yes,” he responded: “I am alone in the yacht: all my mates are at the public-house yonder —as I told you they would be. And this lady ai “This is Miss Perey,” answered Beda,—* the lady to whom I am indebted for the happiness which I enjoy—my kind benefactress for whom I could never do too much !” The young sailor took off his hat, and made me a respectful bow. * You will come on board, Miss?” said Beda; “for it is here that you have something to see which must serve as the preliminary to the expla. nations I shall afterwards have to give.” Again there was a momentary hesitation on my part—but so transient that Beda did not see it; and the next instant I myself was ashamed of it. We both of us stepped on board the vessel; and the youthful sailor, whose Christian name ap- peared fo be William, led the way towards the entrance to the cabin in the stern of the vessel, We descended the stairs; and as a light was burning in that cabin, I was enabled at a glance to behold the beauty of its appointments. It was more spacious than I could have conceived it to be: it was fitted up with damask sofas, and there was an elegant little table in the middle. The painting, the gilding, the mirrors set in the panels, —all were exquisitely tasteful. But still, as 1 looked around, I wondered what possible con- nexion there could exist between this vessel and any circumstances which regarded myself. The young sailor, on receiving a sign from Beda, drew forth from his pocket a small instru- ment which resembled a turnscrew; and with this he unhesitatingly foreed open a door—which, as I immediately perceived, communicated with another cabin, This latter was smaller than the first mentioned: but it was fitted up in an ‘equally elegant style. I was struck with astonishment at the proceeding by which that door was forced open; and I was even alarmed lest I myself should become implicated in the consequences of so bur- glarious a deed; for both the door and the framo- | | ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. work were so much injured that it would be im- possible to conceal the evidences of the violence from the eyes of others. Beda however flung upon me a reassuring look; and William, taking /up the wax-candle which was burning in the larger cabin, led the way into the smaller one. There was a writing-case upon the table; and this Beda at once opened. She turned over the leaves of the blotting paper, as if anxiously search- ing for some document which she expected to find there ; and on perceiving a sheet of note-paper with writing upon it, she ejaculated, * Ah ! here it is! Look at this, Miss Perey,” she added, placing the note in my hand. | On glancing at it, I was smitten with astonish: ment on recognising what seemed to be my own handwriting: but even greater still was my amazo- ment when I caught sight of the first words— ** My dear Mrs, Norman.” * Read it,” said Beda,—* there is no breach of faith nor violation of the sanctity of corre- spondence, when so foul a forgery has been com- mitted.” I hesitated not for another moment to read tho billet, the contents of which I found to run as follow :— “My pEAR Mrs, NoRMAy,-= “You will be surprised on receiving this to learn that I shall go back to you no more, I have for some time cherished an attachment towards one who is in every way worthy of my love; and to whose keeping I have resolyed to entrust my happiness, There are reasons which prevent me from giving more specific explanations at present : but you shall know all shortly. To yourself and Mr, Norman [I proffer the tribute of my deepest gratitude for all the kindnesses I have received at your hands; and to Juliet you will convey for me the assurance of my lasting love. I have two re- quests to make; and I rely upon your friendship for their accomplishment, The first is, that you will pack up all my effects wheresoever they may be scattered about, in London or at my late resi- dence, and keep them until they shall be called for by some one who will be empowered to receive them. The other request is that you will make known to all my friends ard acquaintances the contents of this letter; so that there may be no uneasiness in auy quarter on account of my sud- den disappearance. With one of those friends of mine I have deposited a packet of papers, in- teresting only to myself; and this will of course be consigned to your hands when the nature of the present letter shall be made known. That packet you will be kind enough to place amongst my other effects. “With renewed assurances of gratitude and love, “JT remain, my dear Mrs. Norman, * Yours very sincerely, “ ELLEN PERCY.” Ejaculations of indignation kept bursting from my lips as I perused this billet: but mingled with my other feelings was an illimitable amazement at the extraordinary accuracy with which my hand- writing had been imitated. Indeed, the resem- blance was so perfect that if the contents had only been of a nature which at some period or ee ECORNICLOOKS Gom