Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

a Lk LLL LE LO LLL LOL OL CLL LOLS TE TE OL LEE E ET ES EE LS TT OT TTT LD Oe Tt A TT TT ELLEN PEECY; OB, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTEESS. Mrs. Norman and the other actresses in the drama, appearing in costumes which no one need blush to wear, I was led to riveé my decision on that branch ; and I even felt that thereto I could de- vote myself with a zeal and an enthusiasm which would enable me completely to surmount my na- tural diffidence, shyness, and timidity. Accord- ingly, at the end of the week I frankly intimated to Juliet the desire which I entertained. I observed that her large violet eyes gleamed with satisfaction at this annoumcement; and she said to me, “I am rejoiced, Ellen, at the resolve you have adopted, because from the very first I felt convinced that the profession of the stage would suit you. Besides, the friendship I had formed for you af school revived the moment we met in London; and I was deeply solicitous that we should continue together. I am confident you will experience success—you will make money— you will grow rich—you will perhaps form some briliant matrimonial connexion——” “Juliet!” I exelaimed deprecatinely, as my cheeks grew crimson; and then a sudden sadness smote me, for it seemed as if my cousin Harry were gazing upon me through the vista of distance with the mournfullest expression in those handsome brown eyes of his. = And why not, my dear Ellen ?” asked Juliet, not comprehending wherefore I had thus cheeked | her, or what dreamy idea was uppermost in my mind ef the time. “ Have not many actresses | espoused peers of the realm “Yes, yes, perhaps !” “but I am now thinking of other things———” “Tet me tell you, my dear Ellen,” proceeded Miss Norman, as if giving audible expression to her own musings, rather than deliberately address- ing herself to me—“I am a little more worldly- minded than you are; and as my father and mother have said, why should not their daughter form an alliance of which they may be proud? I know that I am not very bad-looking :"’—here she glanced at her psyche, for this discourse took place in her bed-chamber one morning after breakfast : “1 am as thoroughly respectable as a ballet-dancer can be—I know that not even the malignity of seandal has dared breathe upon my name———” ** No doubt, my dear Juliet,” i said, “ you have many qualifications “ And you too, Ellen,” rejoined Miss Norman: then, as she attentively surveyed me, the friendly I hastily interjected : good-hearted girl went on to observe with a kind. line admiration in her looks, “ And you too have every winning and captivating qualification. You are exquisitely beautiful, Ellen. Never was female head adorned with such a wealth of glossy raven hair!—never did finer nor brighter dark eyes beam with all the goodness and the intelligence of the best disposition and the most accomplished mind! You have delicate features, faultiessly formed: your nose is perfectly straight: your mouth is ike that of a Grecian statue—yet Ob! how different with the vivid vermilion upon those lips and the two rows of pearls shining between them !” “ Juliet ! my dear Juliet!” I exclaimed, crimson with confusion : manner !” “ And why not ?” said my friend: and then she “pray do not continue in this added with an arch smile, “ If Miss Perey — not know that she is beautiful, it is high time she should be made aware of the fact. If the mirror be noé tell-tale enough, you shall at least hear the truth from the lips of a friend who loves and ad- mires you.” “But I think nothing of personal attractions, Juliet !” “Don’t be foolish, Ellen! Every young woman likes to know that she is beautiful. You must not lead me to think that you are a prade—and I shall think so unless you permit me to éontinue my deseription. Well, then, you have a chin that is softly and delicately rounded Mine is too larce—and I know it Bat your’s is perfection itself. And then, my dear Ellen, while you are standing there with averted countenance, you know not how gracefully your head is placed upon that snowy neck of your’s. It is lke the flower upon ifs stalk!—Ah! you may take another atti- tude: but it is only to develop fresh graces—fresh beauties !” “ Juliet, Julict !—I will run behind the curtains —I will leave the room! Do, my dear friend,” I continued, pleading earnestly, “desist from this stram! I really do not like flattery-——” “Tt is no flattery, Ellen,” interrupted Juliet; “and I am resolved to finish my portraitare. Well, then, I have before me a figure more ex- | quisitely beautiful than that of any Grecian statue would be if similarly arrayed in modern drapery. | You have the most perfeet fall of the shoulders— nothing abrupt—the lines flowing as it were with soft continuousness into the arms. Your figure is sylphid, with a sufficiency of Hebe-like fulmess and roundness of porportions to redeem it from too great a slenderness, considering that you are tall. A few years hence you will be a superb woman: now you are a graceful and elezant girl.” “And now, Juliet,” I exclaimed, half-lauching at what I considered to be her foolishness, and half in confusion at the praises she had been lavishing upon me—though I will not attempt to deny that I knew full well they were not altogether unde- served, —“I shall close your mouth with my hand :”—and playfully I executed my threat. “T have not half done, my dear Ellen,” she said, as in a similarly playful mood she caught hold of my wrist and removed my hand; then re- taining that hand in her own, she went on to ob- serve, ves Here is beautiful modelling !—no seulp- ture was ever more exguisife than these finzers! Look at these almond-shaped nails! Oh, Eilen, you must Know that you do possess a very beau- tiful hand. And as for your feet and aneles, I was admiring them the other day; and I thought to myself, if you would only take to the bal- let “No, my dear Juliet,” I exclaimed: “but I mean to go upon the stage in the drama. And if you do not make haste and dress, so that you may go and speak on my behalf to the Manager, I shall beg Mrs. Norman to escort me. There! it is mid- day! and the carriage will be at the door ina few | minutes.” The elezant French time-piece on Juliet’s mantel was proclaiming the hour of noon. I hastened of to my own chamber to put on my bonnet and shawl; and in about half-an-hour, Juliet, who had been wasting her time im singing my praises, was ready to set off for the theatre. Her parents ac- | | | (E@AMNE| ACV)