Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 367: what you’re looking at

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a a ET nal 354 tressed on Mary Glentworth’s account, and like- wise annoyed at the mingled heartlessness and frivolity which the Duke had displayed, I could have laughed at the ludicrousness of this scene. I remained where I was, leaning against the pira- pet of the pier, precisely on the spot wheré the Duke had left me; I did not take the trotible to utter a syllable of remonstrance a6 the absur course which he was adopting—for My mind was now fully made up how to act. The Duchess was speedily within a few yards of me: I at once saw by her looks that she had noticed her husband, and that she was of course smitten with a jealous suspicion on finding that he had been talking with a lady from whom he had suddenly run away as if with an air of guilty con- sciousness. My veil was closely folded over my countenance, so that the Duchess of Ardleigh could not immediately recognise me: but I drew it up—saluted her with a mingled courtesy and respect—and said, “ His Grace has only this in- stant left me.” | ee The Duchess looked astonished, and evidently knew not what to think or what to say. But suddenly, without #iving utterance to a word, she passed behind the little house; and then I heard her voice exclaiming; “ My lord; be so kind as to come hither—I wish to speak to you.” The Duchess then retiithed towards the spot where I remained standing ; and het little daugh- ter exclaimed; “ Mamma, why was papa running away P” : «© Oy my dear, it was only your papa’s joke,” replied the Diichess, evidently Hot choosing to suffer her children or the goverhess to supect that there was anything amiss. 4 : « Ali; iny dear! is that you?” said the Duke, now coming forward from behind the little house, and endeavouring to smile aa if with cheerfulness. “Well, I really did not se8 yo! Why, Miss Trafford! how do you do ?”—and he addressed me as if we were just meting for the first time on the present occasion. SY . “Go with Mademoiséell Duratid, ny dear;” said the Duchess, thti@ Speaking #0 fier lithe daughter, and alluding to the French governess : then, so soon as ademoiselle Durand and the children were beyond ear-shot, her Gracé lovked at me as-if to imply that she was awaiting explana- tions. | “For my own sake, my lord,” I said, “Tam compelled to take this step :’—and I handed the Duchess the letter which the Duke had written to me, and in which he besought me to come to Dover to confer with him privately in respect to Mary Glentworth. . The Duchess took the letter, and began to read it. At the very moment I had placed it in her hands, I glanced towards the Duke,—who had now got just behind his wife, and who was making all sorts of faces and contortions to prevent me from giving her Grace the document. But I immedi- ately averted my looks, and waited with a calm confidence until the Duchess had finished its pe- rusal. “ So Miss Glentworth is now residing with you at Mr. Norman’s house, Miss Trafford ?” said the ee and she spoke to me with as much affa- bility as the natural hauteur of her disposition would at any time allow her to adopt; for the ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, | contents Of the letter were sufficient to show the — reason for which the Duke and myself had met at the end of the pier. *T am distressed,” I said, “ to find myself com- pelled to violate the sanctity of correspondence by placing his lordship’s letter in the hands of your Grace: but for my own sake I had no alternative. If f find myself dragged by circumstances into these tinpleasant affairs——” _ “Wo one can blame you, Miss Trafford,” inter« jected thé Duchess, “This letter proves every- thing and shows that you in the first instance had Written to explain to the Duke how unplea- santly he might some day find himself situated in London if Mary Glentworth should meet him, and regarding him as her uncle—plain Mr. Glentworth —should address him as such.” a Your Grace can easily understand,” I said, “ that Mary is anxious to visit one whom she be- lieves to be her uncle-———”- “Yes—it is all intelligible enough!” exclaimed the Duchess; “and you have a difficult part to play. But I have Sworn that if ever the secret of my husband’s gross profligacy should transpire, I will separate from him. Such an exposure to the ‘world would be terrible for our children’s sake !” * Of course it would; my dear,” said the Duke, rubbiig his hatids nervously: “and there- fore re “Silence, my lord!” ejaculated thé Duchess: then turning to tie, she said, “ ¥8 it réally your wish; Miss Trafford, that the seeret of Mary’s birth should bé made known to her 2” ® Heaven forbid; my lady, if it be possible to conceal it!” I at oncé answered. ‘“ Miss Glent- worth is a goods artless, and innocent girl: she believes that het mother was vitti6tis—and it would shock her infinitely if she were compelled to look upon that patent as one Who was a dis- honoured woman. But still something must be done to set het mind at rest, and to relieve me from the embarrassment of listening to her ques- tions and entreaties: for already she suspects that there is something which is unknown to her, but of which I have a full knowledge.” “For your sake, Miss Trafford,” rejoined the Duchess; “I could wish that something might be done iti this matter: but I am bound atterly to ighore the existence of any such person as Mary Glentworth :—and if I have now so far controlled my feelings as to speak of her for a few minutes, it has been through courtesy towards you. Now let the subject drop! The Duke must act as he thinks fit in the matter: but I swear that if ever his immoral amour with the late Mrs. Glentworth transpires a “ Hold, my lady!” I interrupted her: “I be- seech you not to leave me in this cruel embar- rassment—which I feel all the more acutely on account of that amiable girl, whom I shall know not how to answer the next time she questions me relative to her supposed uncle!” , “Tam sorry for you, Miss Trafford,” responded the Duchess, kindly but firmly. I am all the more sorry too,” she Continued, in a still gentler voice, “ because I know how much your feelings must have been harrowed by the terrible incidents of last night, But I have a duty to perform asa wife and as & mother: I have my own pride to consult In short, I have already been too for- ECORNICLOOKS GOR