Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 291: what you’re looking at

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

———_—_—— — a ' | 278 ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. who fancied that in her they possessed a docile | ment to the proper authorities to-morrow, at agent for their iniquities. St. Clair—who already | the hour of noon precisely, unless this friend knows that Beda is in your service, and who has_ should previously receive a counter-order from my doubtless been hugging the hope that she has not | lips. This is the extent of the message which you failed to administer the poisoned lozenges—will | have to convey to Captain St. Clair. Fear not on now suddenly comprehend that she isimbued with | your own account, Beda: with this threat hanging principles and that she entertains sympathies which render her yery different from that for which she has been taken, He can scarcely fail to suspect that you, my dear Miss Percy, have aided Beda in accomplishing my rescue; and at all events the faithful girl, by her conduct of this day, has proved that she can no longer be looked upon as a willing agent for the criminal inten- tions of my wretched grandmother, Edwin St. Clair, or Lady Lilla Essendine.” “Yes,” I observed, “ Beda must henceforth ap- pear in a new light to the view of those per- sons.” *“ And therefore,” continued Zarah, “it cannot be in the least prejudicial to your interests, my dear Miss Percy, if Beda continues for the present to serve me in the carrying out of my own views ?” - * Decidedly not,” I rejoined. “But even if it were otherwise, I should not be selfish enough, Zarah, to consider my own interests in opposition to yours. What can Beda do for you?” “You remember, my dear Miss Percy,” con- tinued Zarah, “‘ that you once consulted me ona particular project which you had in view as a means of protecting yourself against the machina- tions of St. Clair. You told me that you purposed to pen a narrative of everything you knew or suspected concerning him—which narrative you should entrust to the keeping of some faithful friend “T remember full well, Zarah!” I interrupted her. did not adopt it. allusion to it now ?” “ Because it has proved suggestive to my mind on the present occasion,” replied Zarah. shall see how.— Beda, my dear young friend, I am about to entrust you with a mission which I know you will execute faithfully; and I am likewise con- vinced that you will accomplish it firmly and cou- rageously. Will you proceed on my behalf to Captain St. Clair?” *T will,” answered Beda, But wherefore do you make over his head, he will not dare touch a single hair of your’s !” * Oh, I entertain no fear!” exclaimed the young girl, starting up from her seat: and in a few mo- ments the door closed behind her, ~ CHAPTER XLVIILI. 9 ZARAH AND ST CLAIR, I RESOLVED to remain with Zarah until Beda’s return; for I was anxious to become acquainted with the result of her mission to St. Clair. It was not now more than half-past nine in the evening ; and I was therefore in no hurry to return to Hunter Street. Zarah and I conversed together during Beda’s absence—which lasted for about an hour and a half; and again did I endeavour to in- duce my gipsy friend to reflect calmly upon the proceeding which she was adopting in reference to St. Clair. “It is a delicate topic for me to touch upon, Zarab,” I said: “but still I feel it my duty to approach it once more. What hope of happiness can you entertain in forcing this man into an al- liance with you? ‘You can never expect to win his love; and even if you did, the love of such a being—Oh! is it not a frightful thing ?” “If he give me not his love,” answered Zarah, “JT will give him my hatred. Perhaps it is in “You dissuaded me from the plan—andI | hatred that I am now acting; and if so, no wonder!—for there has been too much of love it has undone me and I will have a little of hatred. Yes, yes!—if St. Clair so wills if, * You | away with love!” * But this is a fearful destiny, Zarab,” I ear- nestly remonstrated, “that you are preparing for yourself.” “And yet it is the destiny which I shall em- brace with satisfaction,” she rejoined. “Oh! my | dear Miss Perey! with you I may be candid. Is not my ambition to be gratified? Or call it “Tf he be not already acquainted with the in- | vanity if you will; and if vanity, it must be telligence,” continued Zarah, “you may inform | ministered unto. In the eyes of the world St. him that I have escaped from the asylum to Clair occupies a brilliant position: i¢ will be a which his villany had consigned me. But doubtless that intelligence has been by this time conveyed to him from Norland House. Tell him, Beda, proud thing to become his wife !” * And a dangerous thiug, Zarab,” I interjected. “TIT shall be upon my guard,’ she instan- that his triumph was of short duration, and that | taneously replied. “ When once we are linked it has only rendered me all the more resolute in | together, our relative positions will be altered. I carrying out my views, so that I may triumph in my | shall have upon him the claims of a wife: the law turn. Tell him likewise that to-morrow, at eleven | will be my protection; and as for the insidious o’clock punctually, you will return to his abode to | workings of those mischiefs of which, alas! he is conduct him to my residence—to which he must be | only too capable—I shall bid him beware lest at in readiness to repair under precisely the same cir- | the very first cause which I may have to suspect cumstances as those which I had sketched forth | him of foul play, I suddenly lift the veil from for eleven o’clock this morning. He will know before the dark mysteries of his life. And more- what you mean. But this is not all, Beda. Tell | over, my dear Miss Percy, you yourself must ac- him that a written statement of everything I | knowledge that matters between St. Clair and me know concerning himself and Lady Lilla Essen- | have now reached that point at which I cannot dine is in the hands of a faithful friend of mine, | stop aud from which I dare not retrograde, who is positively instructed to present that state. | even if I were inclined to do so. If I become ECORNICLOOOKS. COmn