Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 333: what you’re looking at

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

- in comfort—— _ upon Miss Trafford’s privacy: but not knowing 320 tress—and the next moment I was alone in the drawing-room. When [I heard the front door close, I descended to the dining-room, where I informed the Normans of the arrangements that were made for the morrow. I then proceeded to acquaint them with everything Lord Frederick had said with respect to his ruined circumstances. “T am afraid, dearest Juliet,” I considered it my duty to add, “ that in becoming a wife you will not obtain an independent position. You will receive a patrician title s “ And Juliet shall leave the stage,’ exclaimed Mr. Norman, “ whether her husband be enabled to support her or not. We must live less expen- sively—that is all! But her mother and myself can always command sufficient salaries to keep us + “ Let us not deliberate upon these matters for the present,” said Juliet: “it will be sufficient time when the ceremony shall have taken place; for I can hardly yet believe that everything will progress smoothly.” “ Rest assured that it will, dear Juliet,” I an- swered. We shortly after separated to our respective chambers; and well wearied with all the exciting scenes that had characterized this memorable day, I soon sank into the arms of slumber. I slept later than usual in the morning; so that I had not opened my eyes before Beda entered, bringing two letters. One had been just delivered by the postman—the other was brought almost at the same moment by a livery-servant. The letter which had arrived by post, had deep black edges to the envelope: but this did not alarm me, as [ in- stantaneously recognised the handwriting of Mary Glentwortb, who was in mourning for her mother. Being in a hurry to rise and perform my toilet, as it was so late, I laid Mary Glentworth’s letter unopened upon the table, to be read at my leisure: but the other letter, whichffad been brought by the livery-servant, I at once opened, as the hand- writing was completely unknown to me. Its con- tents ran as follow :-— * September 25th, 1841. * No, —, Stratton Street, Piccadilly. “Mr. Gower presents his compliments to Miss Trafford ; and in consequence of something which occurred at the theatre last evening, he respect- fully solicits an interview with Miss Trafford. He will wait upon Miss Trafford at her own residence at any hour which may be specified, if this course should be preferred: or Mr. and Miss Gower would feel themselves obliged by a visit from Miss Trafford this afternoon between two and three o'clock. “ Mr. Gower apologizes for the liberty which he is thus taking, as well as for intruding at so early an hour, through the medium of a letter, what her engagements may be, he considered it expedient to communicate the first thing this morning with Miss Trafford.” Ihad no difficulty in comprehending for what purpose Felicia’s father sought an interview with me : his daughter must have told him everything that had ovcurred at the theatre, and his suspicions were naturally excited in reference to the young ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. nobleman who aspired to become his son-in-law, Again were all my compassionate feelings excited on behalf of the interesting Felicia: for I felt assured that Lord Frederick’s courtship must have gone to serious lengths, and that a proposal had most probably been made, for her father to take such a step as that which he was now adopting, But I had not then tinte to decide upon the course which I should follow—whether I should let him come to me, or whether I should go to him ; for it was considerably past nine o’clock—I had my toilet to achieve—for at eleven the bridal cere. mony was to take place. It had been agreed with the Normans and my- self that not a single syllable relative to the ex- pected event should be breathed to any of the servants, for fear lest by Any accident Lord Fredes rick should yet find the means to elude the ful. filment of his pledge,—in which case poor Juliet would only be overwhelmed with shame and vexa- tion in the presence of the domestics of the houses hold if they were suffered to know all. I there- fore conversed only with Beda on a variety of indifferent subjects; and when my toilet was accomplished, I was about to hasten from my chamber to repair to the breakfast-room. “ You have forgotten your letters, Miss,” said Beda, indicating the stil! sealed one of Mary Glentworth, and the opened one of Mr. Gower, both of which lay upon the toilet-table. | “Ah, true!” I ejaculated, snatching them up; and I thrust them into my pocket, with the in- tention of finding a few minutes after breakfast to read the one and to answer the other. I sped to the parlour, where I found Mrs. Norman and Juliet seated at the table; but Mr. Norman had already gone out to procure the attendance of the curate of the parish for the ap- pointed hour. Juliet looked nervous; and Mrs, Norman kept saying encouraging things; for the mother’s ambition was flattered by the idea that her daughter would soon bear a patrician title. Juliet had also her own pride on this point: but it was natural that she should be agitated with the suspense of hope and fear under existing cir- cumstances. It was ten minutes to eleven o’clock when Mr. Norman returned with the clergyman; and they went up to the drawing-room together, Scarcely had they proceeded thither, when there was another double knock at the door; and after exchanging a few rapid words with Mrs. Norman and Juliet, I hastened out into the hall. My father and Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe were just enter- ing;—and now the last source of apprehension (which had however been but faint) was taken from my mind; for the young nobleman had not fled—had not evaded my sire’s vigilance—but had accompanied him! I beckoned them to follow me into the break- fast-parlour; and Juliet, having thrown one glance upon Lord Frederick, hastened towards my father, to whom in silence she proffered her hand as a token of her complete forgiveness. Mrs. Norman lost not a moment in conveying a similar iotima- tion of pardon for the past; and I saw that so strong were my father’s emotions that he could not give utterance to a word. I looked towards Lord Frederick: I saw that his demeanour was different from what it was on the preceding even- ing: it was cold, and was characterized by what Ce GORNIE LOOKS Com