Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 61: what you’re looking at

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48 ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. the room hak the scene was occurring. I issued forth with her ladyship; and on returning to the saloon, swept my glances around to ascertain whether Edwin St. Clair was still present. But he was nowhere to be seen; and I felt relieved,— for Lady Lilla’s strange, wild, and I may even say terribly mysterious language had filled me with the deepest misgivings as to her nephew’s cnaracter. Mrs. Parks accosted her ladyship and myself, and requested us both to dance, partners being at ‘hand for the purpose. Lilla flung upon me a look to enjoin compliance; and I complied—for I felt as if I were an automaton under the influence of some strange spell which she was enabled to wield over me. The evening passed away without any other incident worthy of mention; and Mr. Parks’s car- rlage conveyed me in safety back to Hunter Street. When, on the following day, I reflected on every- thing that had occurred, I was bewildered what to think. It was true that St. Clair was no object of the heart’s interest to me: but still I could not possibly help thinking of him in connexion with the events that had taken place and the strange mysterious language I had heard. Could = believe that he was so wicked as he had been represented P —or, on the other hand, was I to come to the con- clusion that Lady Lilla’s statements emanated from a diabolic malignity? I knew not how to shape my conjectures: but most sincerely did I hope that 1 should see no more of St. Clair—while I was equally resolved to avoid the society of Lady Lilla Essendine. In the afternoon of that same day which suc- ceeded the ball, Juliet Norman, on returning from rehearsal, said to me, “ Have you heard about our poor friend Melissa ? She is exceedingly ill “ll?” I ejaculated, much pained by the intel- ligence. ‘ How long has she been ill—that poor creature !” i only just heard it at the theatre; and if I had time,” continued Juliet, “I would go at once to see her: but the dinner-hour i is at hand P “Twill go!” Isaid; “ my time is at present my own. Where does she live P” Juliet wrote down the address; and she bade me Say everything kind to Melissa on her account, as well as to convey a promise that she would call upon the invalid on the morrow. I hastened to put on my bonnet and mantle; and a hackney- coach being summoned, i proceeded to the address indicated on the slip of paper which Juliet had given me. It was rather a gue street, at no very great distance from the Normans’ dwelling : and on alighting from the hackney-coach, my summons at the front door of the house was answered by a dirty drab of a servant-of-all-work. ‘Miss Harrison,” I said, “lives here—does she not ?” “Yes, miss: but she be ill abed,” replied the domestic. ‘ Second-floor—front,” she added, thus curtly indicating the room to which I was to ascend. I mounted a narrow staircase, covered with oil- cloth instead of carpet: and on reaching the door of the front room on the second floor, I knocked gently. Melissa’s voice, speaking feebly, bade me enter: and I passedin. The chamber in which I now found myself, was indifferently if not poorly furnished ; and it had a somewhat slovenly appear ance. Garments were scattered upon the floor; and there was a total absence of that neatness which I should have expected to be associated with the dwelling of Melissa Harrison. A number of thease trical portraits were hung to the walls; and one or two drawers being half open, afforded glimpses of muslin dresses covered with tinsel. Melissa herself lay in bed: her countenance was wan and sickly, with blueish circles round the eyes—so that it seemed as if death’s finger had already touched her face. A smile of grateful satisfaction appeared upon her lips as I entered the room ; and the tears starting from her eyes, she exclaimed, “Oh, this is indeed most kind of r How long have you been ill, my dear Me- lissa ?” I asked, as I pressed her hand and sat down by the side of the couch. “ For several days, Ellen,” she responded=<=— “ ever since that conversation which you andI had together. It affected me more than it did you at the time—because yow could not enter feel- ingly into its spirit—whereas ZI had all the ex- periences ad “Ob, I can assure you it made its impression upon me!” I interrupted her. ‘“ But why did you not send to tell the Normans and myself that you were ill? Did you not know,’ I asked, in a voice of gentle reproach, “ that we ‘should hasten to see you ? Here are flowers which I have brought to give the room a cheerful appearance ; and Juliet will come early to-morrow morning, to bring you jellies and other delicacies ws “T should have sent to you, Ellen,” answered Melissa, with a slight flush now rising upon her previously wan cheeks; “ but—but—my abode is not such as I have any reason to be proud of. The Normans believe I am better lodged; and I gave you also to understand in the discourse which we had the other day, that pecuniary circumstances had ceased to be the source of any unhappiness on my part “T should have flown to see you, Melissa,” I responded, “ even if you had lived in a garret! But now that I am here, pray tell me what I can do for you. Have you a doctor ?” “Yes,” replied Melissa: and then, as the tears trickled down her pale cheeks, she added, * And he says that I am very far from well: he tells me that I shall never be able to go upon the stage again—it would be death to me! O Ellen, I know—I feel that I am in a decline: consumption has seized upon its victim! I shall perish soon— the grave is yawning to receive me—and I who have so mucn to live for !” The unhappy young woman now burst into a perfect agony of weeping ; and bending over the pillow, I said all I could to console her. “Do not give way to these apprehensions,” I whispered: “ you are young—and the strength of your constitution may assert itself. Ob, yes! it will—believe me, it will! You are too much alone —and dark thoughts get possession of you. You ought to have sent for your friends. But now that Juliet and I know you are ill, we will come to you often—we will watch by the side of your couch —we will take our turns in being your companions —we will do all we can to comfort and make you well.” Melissa took my hand, and pressed it to her lips. cS GOmicdoo Com