Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. was complete, and to my astonishment mistaking the .very diffidence and shyness which in certain parts I had displayed, asa deliberate and purposed adherence to the truthfulness of nature. The re- viewers were unanimous in the opinion that I had made the part my own—that I had discarded the mannerisms of precedents—and that I had formed an appreciation of Portia’s feelings and demeanour different in several instances from that entertained by other actresses. Although I[ was alone in that chamber, yet did I feel my cheeks glowing as I read such sentences as these :—“ Toa most ravish- ing personal beauty Miss Trafford joins an elegant deportment and most ladylike manners.”—“ No- thing can excel the loveliness of this new candi- date for dramatic fame: her face and figure are perfect ; her voice, rich-toned and melodious, is capable of considerable power, and has all the in- flections of the most graceful eloquence.”—* The debit of Miss Traffurd is quite an event in the dramatic world; and all who beheld her last night, must admit that 4 star has at length revealed itself in that sphere where for a long time such brilliant luminaries have been singularly deficient.” — This young lady has all the advantages of great personal beauty, a voice of surpassing melody, and high mental accomplishments. Her success last night, if not actually brilliant, was at least positive and unquestionable ; and we predict that she is destined to acquire the highest fame in the profes- sion which she has chosen.” The reader must not imagine that I have been impelled by vanity to place these quotations on record: my purpose in thus transferring them to this page, is simply to show how little I under- stood the effect of my own performance on the preceding night. And it would be a miserable affectation to deny that I was flattered—I was gratified—I was even rendered exultant by the critical opinions which I thus perused. Need I add that they confirmed me in the resolve to adopt the stage as a profession?—or need I inform the reader that fervid was the gratitude I expressed to Mr. and Mrs. Norman for the zeal with which they had instructed me in the dramatic art P I may now pause to observe that I had not once seen Edwin St. Clair during the ten days which had elapsed since the memorable occurrence at Colonel Bellew’s house. That occurrence I had not mentioned to a soul: I considered it to be something which ought to be kept secret in obe- dience to the injunctions given me by Lady Lilla Essendine, when at Mr. Parks’s house she made me aware of the talisman which would serve me in any emergency in which St. Clair’s conduct might chance to place me. As for Melissa Har- rison, she continued chained by sickness to her couch. I had regularly visited her every day— ' frequently accompanied by Juliet; and on repair- ing to her lodgings on this day which succeeded the evening of my debut, I received from the un- fortunate invalid the most fervid congratulations for my success. : A week passed—during which I performed three times: namely, on alternate nights. My first ap- pearance was, as the reader is aware, as Portia: on the second occasion I enacted the same character : but on the third I personated the heroine in “ Romeo and Juliet.” My success was complete, Crowded houses—rapturous applause — counties, - 59 bouquets—the congratulations of my. friends—the most courteous deference on the part of Mr. Richards—and complimentary reviews in the pub- lic journals,— these were the evidences of my triumphs ; and I could no longer doubt that I had underrated my own merits on the first night of my appearance. Oh! the threshold of Fame’s temple was crossed!—the ivory portals had ex- panded to admit me into that fane! It seemed as if all the wildest hopes to which I had ever abandoned myself, were to be realized, and that I was veritably to become a great actress! But not yet—no, not yet would I communicate the intelli- gence to my aunt and cousin. Still would I per- mit them to repose in the belief that I continued a humble sojourner with kind friends, utilising my little accomplishments to an extent sufficient to avoid being a burden to them—but nothing beyond. It should only be when my fame was fully established—-when there could be no doubt as to the general appreciation of my genius— when, by a continuous series of trials, I should have proved that this was no evanescent flashing of a spirit, but a lasting and durable lustre—Oh! it should not be until all this was done, that I would reveal my secret to those whom I knew to be so deeply interested in my welfare. Such was my resolve. And here I may mention how sweet—Oh ! how sweet it was to receive at the end of the week the first remuneration which my talents had ever earned. "With what a mingled glow of pride and satisfaction did I contemplate the gold which was placed in my hand!—and with what fervid feelings of gratitude did I endeavour tu force that sum upon Mrs. Norman! But she absolutely refused to receive it; and it was only when I positively assured her that I could not continue to eat the bread of her unrecompensed bounty that the kind- hearted creature consented to accept a part. For the next two or three weeks I played with continued success; and then there was to be a month’s suspension of the performances, for the purpose of decorating and repairing the theatre and making arrangements for a new theatrical campaign. It was now the end of June ; and Mr. Norman proposed that we should pass the month’s holiday at a watering-place. But a circumstance oceurred to separate me temporarily from my friends, and afford me a different change of scene from that which they enjoyed. One afternoon a handsome carriage drove up to the door of the Normans’ house in Hunter Street ; and Lady Lilla Essendine sent up her card, with an intimation that she had come to call upon me. She was at once shown up into the drawing-room —whither I hastened to join her; and we were there alone together. “In the first place, my dear Ellen,” she said, treating me with as much familiarity and kindness as if we were old friends,—“ in the first place I must offer my congratulations upon the triumph you have achieved; and in the second place I must beg you to give me the favour of your society at my little suburban residence, during the month which, as I see by the newspapers, you are now to have at your own disposal.” Be it recollected, reader, that Lady Lilla had risen as high in my estimation as St. Clair had sunk low down; and therefure I was charmed and COMMUC 0)(0\(6) <S Com