Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

. ALE gO A ee Se al | — ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACIORESS: — a 19 CHAPTER V. THE THEATRE. TuReEeE or four days elapsed, during which I re- mained perfectly undecided as to the course which I should adopt. Mrs. Norman was a good-hearted woman, and well-meaning, though somewhat fri- volous ; and when I consulted her she said all sorts of things against the life of a governess. Mr. Norman likewise spoke to me on the subject: he reasoned more lucidly and collectedly—and he cer- tainly advanced a variety of arguments to support all that had been previously told me by his daugh- ter. Neither Mr, nor Mrs. Norman hinted ata recommendation that I should seek the stage as a profession: but Juliet dropped several intimations to the effect that I should do well to turn my thoughts in that direction. It was on a Wednesday evening that I had ar- rived at the Normans’ house; and it was on the following Monday that these worthy people were to enter upon their new engagement. They had to attend the theatre in the middle of the day for the rehearsal: and they proposed that I should accompany them. I must confess that I was long- ing for this invitation; and I therefore gladly accepted it. I was anxious to see something more of a theatrical life—to look at it closely—to ascer- tain all that was required of its votaries—and to obtain an insight into its details. I had seen how well the Normans lived: I found them perfectly contented with their lot:—and deeply solicitous of earning my own livelihood, I was already more than half willing to embrace a profession which methought would realize myhopes. Youth issan- guine; and I flattered myself that if I did once adopt the stage I should succeed. I did not how- ever like the idea of becoming a dancer so much as taking the part of a dramatic actress. As for the opinions which the world entertained of the votaries of the art, I had never heard more on the subject than Miss Norman herself had mentioned to me on the occasion already described; and the last im- pression left upon my mind was that persons who conducted themselves properly and respectably might surmount the general prejudice, and stand out in admirable contrast with the disreputable and bad. I had no idea of contaminating influences ; and in the innocent confidence of my own pure heart, I believed it to be perfectly possible for a young female to enter the theatrical sphere with- out having her own ‘fair fame undeservedly sul- lied. I proceeded with Mr. and Mrs. Norman and their dauchter to the theatre which was to be the scene of their new engagement; and on arriving there I accompanied Juliet to her own dressing- room. She wasto be the principal danseuse in the ballet ; and therefore she was treated with the ut- most consideration and had adressing-room appro- priated to her sole use. Her maid was already there, making such arrangements as were suitable to the young lady’s ideas of comfort; a cheerful fire was blazing in the grate; and as some time would elapse before her presence was required by the ballet-master, we sat down on a sofa to con- verse. I turned the discourse entirely upon thea- tricals and a theatrical existence ; and as Juliet now entered into minuter details than she had previously done, I grew more and more seriously inclined to embrace the profession, if in process of time it should be found that I possessed the suitable quali- fications. | Mr. and Mrs. Norman went through their parts in the rehearsal; and then they joined us in the dressing-room, where luncheon was served up. This refreshment being partaken of, Mr. Norman retired, and Juliet began dressing to practise in the ballet in which she was to appear in the evening. I had never been in a theatre before, and therefore was until now utterly unacquainted with the costumes that were used upon the stage. I must confess that I was at first shocked when I beheld Juliet arrayed in that gauzy drapery, which according to ee my ideas was scant even toimmodesty: but Icould not help admiring the beauty of her personal ap- pearance. I went forth with Mrs. Norman on the stage to witness the rehearsal of the ballet; and when I beheld a swarm of young females all appa- ralled in a similar airy costume, I speedily grew accustomed to it, and the first impression it created wore off. The ballet-master made his appearance with his violin: the dancing commenced—and I soon found myself yielding to a sensation of in- creasing delight at the spectacle which I thus con- templated. With Juliet’s performance I was perfectly ravished : the mingled elegance and grace which characterized all her movements, the fairy light- ness of her evolutions, the harmonious accom- paniment of the looks with the gestures, attitudes, and steps themselves—all seemed in my estima- tion to constitute a real talent—a veritable genius. I had hitherte looked upon dancing as a mere recreation, too frivolous to deserve the serious denomination of an accomplishment: but now it appeared in my eyes to be not merely an accom- plishment—for Juliet Norman elevated it into the very poetry of art itself. There was one portion in the ballet where she had to dance alone for several minutes, her companions being arrayed in a semicircle and remaining stationary for the time. In this part of the performance Juliet transcended her previous achievements; and even in that rehearsal so great was her triumph over the greatest difficulties of the art, that when she ceased she’ 23 greeted by the applause of all pre sent. Her tather and mother surveyed her with looks of radiant admiration; and when she re- joined us I congratulated her enthusiastically on her performance. Every day during that week did I accompany my friends to the rehearsal in the forenoon; and every evening did I visit the theatre with them. Au elderly lady—the widow of an actor of some eminence in his time—gave me a ‘seat in her box, Mrs. Norman having especially recommended me to hercare. The more I saw of theatrical life, the more I liked it: but my inclination still pointed towards the drama in preference to the ballet. Though the greater portion of my repugnance to the gauzy, scant, and semi-transparent vesture of the ballet-dancers had passed away, yet did I feel a blush mantling upon my cheeks whenever I thought to myself that if I happened to decide upon the ballet I should have to appear in such an apparel before that densely packed crowd of spectators. Ou the other hand, when I beheld COMM o (COU IOOK