Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 138: what you’re looking at

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ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. 125 some insight into the misfortunes which had over- taken my cousin Henry ; she showed much real sympathy and distress—she spoke most kindly and affectionately to me; but all this friendly concern appeared soon to die away—not exactly into apathy—but to be absorbed as it were in that inward contemplation on which Mary Glentworth always now seemed bent, as if her heart che- rished some secret that was serving as the focus for all her own sentiments, emotions, thoughts, and feelings. j On the following day my father and I set off on our journey; and it was late in the evening when we reached Paisley—for ¢ha¢ was our desti- nation, and thither we proceeded without stop- ping. We took up our quarters at an hotel; and s0 soon as we had partaken of refreshments, we retired to the chambers that were respectively provided for our accommodation. We did not make any communication to Henry nor to Mr. Macdonald that evening: indeed it was our pur- pose to keep our presence in Paisley a secret from Henry until after certain matters should have been transacted with the manufacturer bim- self. On the ensuing morning, after breakfast, my father penned a note which he despatched by a messenger, who was charged to deliver it privately and secretly into the hand of Mr. Alexander Graham. The messenger set off; and in about half-an-hour young Graham made his appearance at the hotel. He was astonished on beholding me; for my father in his note had not mentioned my presence in Paisley. “Where is Henry now?” inquired my father ; “and have you followed the injunction given in my letter?” “Implicitly, Mr. Forsyth,” answered Graham : “T have not mentioned to a soul your arrival in this town. As for Henry Wakefield, he has gone to see my uncle’s attorney, who is charged to lay before him a complete statement of the affairs a “Then there is every prospect,” said my father, “that Henry will be engaged at the attorney’s for some hours P” “No doubt of it,” rejoined Graham. “But Oh, Mr. Forsyth! what made you come to Pais- ley? and you too, Miss Percy? Think you that my poor uncle, afflicted and humiliated as he is, will feel pleasure in looking you in the face, when he must think that you regard him as the author —though the involuntary one—of Henry Wake- field’s misfortune in becoming involved in the dis- grace of the impending bankruptcy ?” ‘Is the state of Mr. Macdonald’s affairs gene- rally known throughout Paisiey ?” I inquired. “ Alas, yes!” replied Alexander. ‘“ Do not evil news ever travel fast ?—and the instant it was known that the house of Rawlins and Sydney had stopped payment vg “To be sure!” interjected my father: “such circumstances are sure to be known. And now, Mr. Graham, with regard to our presence in this town, it can be barely necessary for me to give you the assurance that we come not to reproach your uncle—but on the contrary, to sympathize with him in his misfortunes. Nor perhaps is that all! But you shall know everything presently. Have the kindness to procure for us an interview -e—_ with your uncle as speedily as possible—arrange it so that we may be alone with him—or at least that only yourself may be present in addition to us—while every precaution must be taken to keep our presence in Paisley a secret from Henry Wakefield until we ourselves shall say that the time is come to reveal it.” Alexander Graham gazed upon us with curi- osity and wonder: he knew not what to think concerning our visit to Paisley; and he at length said, “ My uncle is now in his counting-house—LI left him busied with his books. He is alone—he has given orders that he is not to be dis- turbed “4 “But he will see us, Mr. Graham ?” said my father; “for I can assure you that we shall not idly nor unduly trespass upon his time.” “Come with me,” said Alexander; “and you shall see my uncle. Miss Percy, it is only a twelvemonth since you were last at Paisley; and then you beheld in Mr. Macdonald a man who had every reason to rejoice in his riches and whose prosperity was indicated by his looks. Now all is changed! He is ruined in his fortunes—and in the course of even a few days since the blow struck him, he has become changed in counte- nance and in gait. He is pale—he stoops alas! you will pity him; for I know that you are incapable of blaming him !” “ And Mrs. Macdonald—and the daughters,” I said ; “do they bear up against the calamity P” Alexander Graham’s eyes filled with tears: he gave no answer—and I was sorry that I put the question. “Come,” I said to my father; “let us accom- pany Mr. Graham: there is no time to lose!” We proceeded to the factory in which Mr. Mac- donald’s counting-house was now situated ; for he pussessed two or three different establishments in Paisley. Alexander Graham entered the office first, to assure himself that his uncie was alone; and then he made a sign for us to advance from the ante-room where we had tarried for a few moments. “ Alexander,” said Mr. Macdonald, “ what means this?—who comes? Did I not say that I desired to be left alone? Am I not overwhelmed with accounts rg | “Pardon me, my dear uncle,” said Alexander deferentially ; “but when you see who it is that ¢ “What! is it possible? Miss Percy!” ex. claimed Macdonald, now hastening forward to greet me. “Ah! I can scarcely say that I am glad to see you k “And yet, Mr. Macdonald,” I interrupted him, in a kind tone, “you must not be displeased that I have thus obtruded myself upon you. Per- mit me to introduce my uncle Mr. Forsyth, of whom no doubt Henry has already spoken to you.” “He has, Miss Percy,” said Mr. Macdonald, as he bowed to my father. “Ab, poor Henry! it is the severest pang of all!—I feel it quite as much as the blow which has smitten my wife and children, and perhaps made beggars of them!” “No, Mr. Macdunald,” I said, “it is impossi- ble that such a fearful calamity as this can over- take the family whom you so fondly ana dearly love !” “ Alas, Miss Percy,” responded the manufac- —_— + (E(0) JOO = SS (C(O)