Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

een tne Sh dn ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. 5 ..008...;.0;0.6 ..... S=S...00 .50S Eee condescend to the slightest shade of duplicity on | the drawing-room. Thereis something mysterious, his account alone. We all took our seats in the drawing-room, and But Lord Frederick now began to exhibit unmistakable signs of weariness and exhaustion beneath the exciting influence of coffee was served up. the part which he had been playing. - “ As an invalid,” said Mr. Norman, “ you must not sit up too late. It is now nine o’clock—and I should advise you to seek your couch.” It was with a sense of relief which to my per- ception was visible enough, and which methought did not escape the notice of Mr. Norman, that Lord Frederick availed himself of this hint. He rose— bade us good night—and exclaimed in a tone of assumed cheerfulness as before, “ I already feel so much better! IknowI shall be quite well to- morrow! The presence of friends is better than the advice of all the doctors in the world.” Juliet followed her husband from the apartment ; and now I was left alone with Mr. Norman. This was a circumstance which I had alike foreseen and dreaded : it was another ordeal through which I had nerved myself to pass. For some few minutes after the door had closed behind his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. Norman remained silent; and I affected to be occupied by turning over a portfolio of prints which lay upon the table. * Ellen,” at length said Mr. Norman, speaking in @ very grave voice and with corresponding looks, “ what am I to understand by all this? It appears as if a scene, which I cannot comprehend, Were passing around me. There is something forced and unnatural on the part of Ravenscliffe, as if he were striving far more than could possibly be necessary under ordinary circumstances to con- ceal the effects of indisposition. Juliet was de- ceived by his manner: but I was not—and I very much doubt whether you were.” “ Is it not natural, my dear sir,” I asked, “ for Lord Frederick to seek as much as possible to cheer and enliven his wife ?” “ Yes—if such had been his course all along,” answered Mr. Norman; “ but the case is different. Alike from your lips and from Juliet’s I have heard how depressed and desponding he has been; and Iam too well experienced in the world, Ellen, to imagine for a moment that my arrival can alone have thus tended tocheer him. Indeed, it is im- possible, considering all past circumstances,” pro- ceeded Mr. Norman, his tone becoming more solemn and his looks more grave, “ that he can entertain |. 3 towards me so strong an affection ** You know, my dear sir,” I interjected, “ that Lord Frederick’s disposition has much altered since his marriage—that he has been kind and good to Juliet + “Yes, it is his destiny which he has accepted— to which he has resigned bimself—and which he has made as it were a habit and a custom for his mind to fall into. Now, Ellen, understand me well! I am not satisfied with appearances: there is something concealed—something in the back- ground—something that has to be glossed over by this assumed air of cheerfulness. What this something is, 1 know not—nor can I form any conjecture. Lord Frederick evidently dreads to find himself alone with me. I meant to have spoken seriously to him after dinner ; then he rose from his chair and expressed a desire to repair to I repeat, in all this—something which I might even proclaim to be suspicious, only that I know not what to suspect !” I listened in a species of subdued consternation : I made no comment and gave no answer. Mr, Norman continued, “I have made up my mind, Ellen,” he said, “to summon medical advice. It may be painful to oppose the will of an invalid: but there are certain considerations which render it necessary that I should fulfil the duty I owe my daughter. Lord Frederick’s reason may be affected—his mind may be in a morbid condition; and if so, it will become a question whether it is safe to leave him beyond the pale of restraint—and if otherwise, of what nature such restraint must be. Nevertheless, Ellen,” continued Mr. Norman, “I scarcely know how to believe this tale of the ac- cident by concussion with the kerbstone. What wound could have left a scar so dreadful that it must needs be covered up? I again say that I know not what to think: but there are uneasy feelings in my mind—vague indefinite suspicions, for which I can scarcely account, and yet which I cannot conquer !” Again Mr. Norman paused; and again I con- tinued silent—but so composing my looks as to prevent him from catching at the idea that I knew more than I had chosen to tell. “Now, the matter stands precisely thus, Ellen,” he continued: “there are two alternatives. If the whole tale of the accident with the kerbstone be true, the violence of the concussion may have injured the brain, and Frederick may scarcely be held accountable for his actions. If this be so, medical advice should be speedily sought: for it ig impossible to say to what extent the aberration of the intellect may reach when once the reason ig unsettled. The individual may become danger- ous—he may burst forth into a sudden paroxysm of fury—and the dreadful violence of a lunatic often falls upon the very being who in his rational moments is best loved. On the other hand, Ellen,” continued Mr.. Norman, “the whole tale of the accident with the kerbstone may be false—though God knows how the disfigurement of the young man’s face is to be otherwise accounted for: be- cause in this country wrongdoers are not branded on the brow, as they are in some parts of Ger- many.” ‘* Mr. Norman!” I involuntarily ejaculated, as a sensation of horror smote me, “The allusion may not have been a proper one, Ellen,” observed Mr. Norman; “and perhaps I was wrong to make it: but it arose in my mind at the instant. Indeed, it had already struck me when you first mentioned that Lord Frederick persisted in wearing a black band; and again it struck me when I first entered this room and be- held him with a ribbon on his brow. However, we of course know that it is impossible such a thing | could take place in this country; and therefore, again supposing the tale of the concussion with the kerbstone to be untrue, if is absolutely necessary to find out what the truth really is. For this purpose medical assistance must be procured, as in the former case which I have suggested. I think that the name of the surgeon who used to attend at River House ri 6)(0) 0) COLA (@ SS