Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 331: what you’re looking at

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

—— 318 ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, “Tam in your hands,” said the young noble- man, as if he were speaking in a dying tone: “I must yield to this strong eompulsion !” “Tis well that you have so decided,” I said. ** But you have yet something more to do. How much remains to you of the sum of four thousand five hundred guineas which you retained as your share of the Marquis of Tynedale’s cheque? Deal frankly with me—beware how you deceive me— Melissa has confessed everything v7 “T will speak truthfully,” answered the young nobleman. “A considerable portion I have ex- pended: the retiainder is at my banker’s.” “Who is your banker?” demanded my father abruptly. | Ravenscliffé named the firm with which he transacted his financial business. “Good !” said my father. “ Now if you deceive | us in respect to the amount that you have in your | banker’s hands, we shall be enabled to discover. the deception.” “JT will not deceive you!” responded Ravens- cliffs. | brought about, “YT know that I have something above a | morrow you will espouse, shall never learn from (my lips by what means the espousal itself was I will give Juliet and the Nor- mans to understand that it was my father who did it all, by threatening to expose the whole plot of the mock marriage to the world, surrender him. self up to justice, and hand your lordship over to the law’s strong arm at the same time.” Scarcely had I thus spoken, when the Normans’ carriage was heard to stop in front of the house ; and making a sign to my father to keep a watch upon Lord Frederick, I issued from the room. My heart now palpitated violently: 1 was about to impart to the Normans intelligence of the most momentous character—though I had no doubt how it would be received: for 1 knew that Juliet would readily adopt a course that was caleulated to elevate her in her own opinion by atoning for her dishonour ; and her parents had occasionally said to me, when I happened to be alone with them, that they should not have cared so much if Lord Frederick had only espoused Juliet, even though he had cast her off almost immediately, for couple of thousand pounds in my banker’s hands.” still she would have been a wife, and she would * Sit down immediately,” said my father, “and That secret of her disgrace should transpire. write a draft for two thousand pounds. amount shall be returned to the Marquis of Tyne- | | as audibly as the rapid tread of my feet themselves dale.”’ not have lived in the constant terror lest the Hastily descending the stairs—my heart beating “ ¥Yes—such was my intention,’ I said. “The | —I met the Normans in the hall. mohey you left in Melissa’s hands, has all, with the | “ Why, Hilen,” exelaimed Juliet, “ what made exception of a few pounds, been restored to his | you quit the theatre so suddenly? I thought you lordship. He will still. suffer considerable loss: | intended to wait to come home with us It is through no friendly | but I cannot pity him. feeling towards the Marquis of Tynedale that I seek thus to procure the restitution of as much as possible of the amount which he sought to expend for an infamous purpose: but it is because justice “I have much to explain, dear Juliet,” was my response. ** Good heavens! has anything happened ?” she exclaimed. “ You have a strange look, as if you were agitated and excited——” requires that n@ither you nor Melissa may profit, “Come this way,” I said, beckoning Julict and moré than ean be helped froni the effects of your own crime,” Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe sat down af the | table upon whieh there were writing materials: | his countenance was still ghastly pale—and his hand trembled so that for upwards of a minute he was scarcely able to guide the pen. nobleman accomplished his task. her parents to follow me; and I led them into the dining-room, where a lamp was burning upon the | supper-table. “What has happened, my dear girl?” asked Mrs. Norman, throwing herself upon a chair and looking frightened. My father | bade him take time; and at length the young claim: “so set all your fears at rest! “ Nothing to alarm you,” I hastened to ex- Bui I I bade my | think—I hope indeed that I have intelligence to father take charge of the cheque; and [ said, | impart which will not be altogether disagreeable. “To-morrow the Marquis of Tynedale shall receive tle amount.” Nay, I am sure you will all three rejoice !” Mr. and Mrs. Norman and Juliet surveyed me “But my name will not be mentioned?” ex- | with the utmost curiosity and bewilderment: but claimed Lord Frederick entreatingly. “— have already pledged myself to that effect,” I replied. “In a word, my lord, your terrible secret shall travel no farther than it is already known, if you pledge yourself to keep my father’s secret, he is my father 4 “But why so, Ellen?” asked my sire, aste- clasping her hands together. | put such a question, I should say that it wasa nished at the announcement, “Because the system of concealment must no~ 'pable those,” I replied ; “and because it is necessary I | longer be maintained with such kind friends as should explain to them how you and I were acting together. Yes—they shall know that you are my The Normans will presently know that | ‘not to keep them longer than was necessary ina state of suspense, I said, “ Juliet, my dear friend, answer me! If Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe were to enter the room this moment and offer to confer upon yau the honourable name of wife, would you accept or refuse the proposition ?” “Good heaven! is this possible ?” eried Juliet, “Tf any. one else eruel jest! But you, Ellen, I know are inca- 2? “Ah, if it were indeed true?” said Mr. Nor- man.. , ‘ “What joy! what happiness!” exclaimed bis father ; but of your past life they need know no- | wife: “for then poor Juliet might look the world thing! Therefore, my lord,” I continued, again addressing myself to Ravenscliffe, “your stupen- boldly in the face 2 “ And it is true!” I said. “To-morrow, my dous secret shall be kept so long as you faithfully | dear friend, shall you become a wife !” muintain my father’s sad secret. She whom to- | With a wild ery of delight Juliet flew into my CORNIClOOKS ee com)