Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 386: what you’re looking at

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EE a eee ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. 373 The young gentlemen now changed their con- versation to some other subject ; and shortly after- wards the lecture terminated. I hastened to my carriage, and ordered the coachman to take me home. I was much distressed at the confirmation I had received of my previously awakened sus- picions in respect to the altered character and dis- position of the Marquis of Dalrymple. It was Only too evident that he was entering upon that path which could not fail to lead to the destruc. tion of all the high feelings, magnanimous notions, and generous sentiments which he had once so eminently possessed. I had learnt sufficient to show that he was already dissipated in respect- to wine—an incipient gambler—and I feared a se- ducer. How changed from what he was when first I knew him!—when he made me overtures of marriage with unquestionably the most honour- able intentions—when he had taken the part of myself and the other performers on the night that we were to be consigned to a separate and inferior supper-table at Ardleigh House—or, subsequently, when he had in so delicate a manner furthered my projects by procuring my admission at the masked ball! No wonder, therefore, that I grieved to contemplate the prospect of a young man, natu- rally endowed with such excellent qualities, becom- ing tainted—contaminated—and perhaps ruined, by the infection of fashionable vices ! At the very moment I was alighting from the carriage at my own door in Great Ormond Street, I beheld a gentleman approaching, whom I thought that I knew. I glanced at him a second time ; and I recognised Mr. Gower, the parent of the young lady to whom Lord Frederick Ravenscliffe was paying his addresses at the time when I and my father adopted such strenuous measures to compel him todo an act of justice by espousing Juliet. I was surprised to find Mr. Gower in London ; for when I had seen him in Stratton Street, nearly six months back, he had informed me that it was his intention almost immediately to leave for ever a city where so fearful a blight had fallen upon his child’s happiness. And now as I thus glanced at him a second time, I was not merely struck but even shocked by the change which had taken place in his appearance. When [I had seen him in Stratton Street he was a portly, fine-looking man, with a florid complexion: he now looked thin in comparison—pale likewise—and his form was bowed as if with grief. He walked with the air of one who had the deep sense of much afilic- tion. I did not like to accost him; and I was just turning to enter the house, when he recog- nised me and gave utterance to my name. “Ah! isit you, Miss Trafford?’ he said: and he contemplated me with a look that seemed full of mournful reproach. © Will you walk in and rest yourself?” I courte- ously asked : for I thought that he might probably wish to speak to me of his daughter Felicia. He accepted the invitation without saying a word; and I conducted him into the dining-room, where Mary Glentworth was never in the habit of sitting in the afternoon part of the day, and where I consequently knew that we should be alone to- gether. Mr. Gower sat down with the air of a man who was fatigued,—not worn out with much waiking, but by the incessant weight of care—that sense of fatigue which is constantly felt when the a ee tee soul has a heavier burden than it can support. I commiserated him profoundly: I likewise expe- rienced an illimitable pity for his daughter : but I could not possibly reproach myself for having taken the step which compelled Lord Frederick Ravyenscliffe to bestow the sacred title of wife upon my friend Juliet. “ Where does ie now reside?” was the question which Mr. Gower abruptly put: and a sinister expression at the same seized upon his altered, haggard countenance. I knew full well that he alluded to Lord Frede- rick Ravenscliffe, although he mentioned no name; and I said, “ His lordship resides in peaceful seclusion with his wife, at a house which they possess in the neighbourhood of Dover.” * Ab! the villain has done well to leave London, and thus shield himself from my vengeance!” said Mr. Gower, in a deep sombre tone. “ But surely, my dear sir,” I exclaimed, terrified by the words, and even still more by the look which had accompanied them, “‘ you cannot-dream of vengeance when so long an interval has oc- curred ‘i “ My daughter’s happiness is for ever ruined, Miss Trafford,” interjected the unhappy father with the strongest emphasis. “ If for an instant you can in imagination place yourself in my posi- tion But no! the idea is ridiculous !— of course you cannot! Indeed, I must tell you that there have even been times when in my despair I have included your name amongst those of my daughter’s enemies!” “Your daughter’s enemies, Mr. Gower?” I ejaculated, in astonishment. ‘She had but one enemy—and that was the man whose name you have mentioned.” “ Perhaps, if I were reasonable, I should admit that you are right,” said the unfortunate father: “but I am mot reasonable !”—and methought that as he thus spoke his eyes had a strange sinister glare. “ That patrician villain was my daughter’s enemy! Juliet Norman was likewise her enemy for having taken him from her! And you, Miss Trafford,” he added vehemently, “were her enemy for using the power which you pos- sessed to bring about that catastrophe !” “Good heavens, Mr. Gower!” I exclaimed; “you cannot possibly be serious!—or at least you cannot fancy yourself to be just in making these sweeping accusations! For a_ thousand reasons you are wrong! My friend Juliet hada prior claim upon Lord Frederick’s honour and good faith: I was obeying the dictates of friend- ship in acting as I did ;—and moreover, when #if young nobleman’s true character became known to you, it is impossible that you would have con. sented to bestow your daughter upon him, Do not therefore blame me and Juliet 7 “ Farewell, Miss Trafford!” interrupted the un- happy father, rising from his seat. “I told you that [ am not reasonable ; and it were better there. fore that the question should not be argued be tween us!” Having thus spoken, Mr, Gower abruptly quitted the apartment; and the next instant the front door closed violently behind him, LT AL LT cConniclooolx (COU