Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 257: what you’re looking at

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244 ee have induced the miscreant, whoever he or she may be, that is administering the poison, to make haste and finish the fearful work lest I should re- turn and put a stop toit. If so, thank heaven that I have returned so speedily!” “‘ Yes—worse, I am afraid,” said the old lord, thus answering the ejaculation which had burst from my Jips,—“ more languid—more deficient in energy—experiencing a diminished appetite But perhaps your presence will revive her again ! Ah, by the bye, Miss Percy, have you brought the purchases which my dear Hermione instructed you to make in London?” * How can you ask me, my Jord? Do you not know it was almost solely for this purpose that I went up to London? The parcel is in my box— or rather the small portmanteau which I have taken the liberty of bringing ” ** Liberty ? why, what do you mean ?” exclaimed Lord Kelvedon. “ Don’t you know you are wel- come? Here, James!” “Yes, my lord,” said one of the liveried lac- queys, stepping forward in obedience to his mas- ter’s summons. “Get Miss Percy’s portmanteau—tell the pos- tilion he can put up his chaise and horses here— and see that the man himself is made comfortable. Now, Miss Percy, let me escort you. You know the way— but I long to have the pleasure of seeing a smile come back to Hermione’s lip; for I know she will be very glad to see you. Ab, here is Matilda!” The young person to whom Lord Kelvedon al- {his hours to mine. ee es SS NN ae ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, Matilda now entered the room, bringing two or three parcels which I had ordered Beda to pack up and put into the portmanteau :—and the young female was about to withdraw, when Lady Kelve- don said, “ Stop a moment, Matilda; I have some orders to give you. You must desire that dinner be served up for Miss Percy as soon as possible, ~ We have dined, my dear Ellen,” she continued, turning towards me; “for as I am an invalid, it renders us somewhat unfashionable in our hours —and his lordship is kind enough to accommodate But Matilda shall imme- diately see about your dinner, Ellen - “Thank you,” I interrupted her ladyship; “ I stopped on the way and took all requisite refresh- ment—I will now wait till your coffee is served u . Matilds, upon hearing this decision to which I came, withdrew; and as the door closed behind her, I bent down towards Lady Kelvedon, as if merely to place the parcels in her lap, and I hastily whispered, “ Pray get rid of his lordship!” “In a few minutes,” was the equally hasty whisper given by Hermione in response. “ Come,” she added, speaking audibly to her husband, as I unfastened the strings and wrappers of the pack- ages: “look at these beautiful satins which Ellen has bought me! and these laces! Ah, and this cachmere !” “Exquisite ! lovely !” ejaculated the old noble- man. “And now, my dear Hermione, cheer up! you will soon get better!—you will wear these beautiful satins and laces; and this cachmere luded, was one of his wife’s maids; and she gave | will become you so when you ride out in the a respectful curtsey on seeing me, for she knew me | carriage !” well by sight. “See that Miss Percy’s luggage is taken up to one of the best spare-rooms,” “ And perhaps, Miss Percy,” he continued, turn- said the nobleman, “Yes—you will wear them all,” I quickly whis- 'pered to Lady Kelvedon: and whereas I had hitherto seen that she was a prey to the utmost suspense and anxiety, her countenance now all in ing towards me, “you will give Matilda your key | a moment became animated with joy and hopeful- so that she may get out the parcels which are in- tended for Hermione P” * Oh, certainly,” I replied: for, as the reader may suppose, I had failed not to bring some pre- sents from London for Lady Kelvedon, that I might thereby maintain to her husband the tale in reference to the purchases, Matilda took the key; and I now followed Lord Kelvedon to that same elegantly furnished boudoir where I had before seen her ladyship. She was evidently delighted to greet me again ;—for a moment I was shocked at beholding how much paler she was than when I had left her in the forenoon of the preceding day. However, I veiled whatsoever emotion I thus experienced,—though I inwardly shuddered lest the diabolic wickedness of the secret poisoner should have proceeded to an extent which would bafile all Dame Betty’s art and all the power of the antidotes which she might employ. “ Here is your friend, my dear Hermione !” ex- claimed Lord Kelvedon; “and she has brought you a lot of things from London!” . “Yes, my dear Lady Kelvedon,” I said with a significant look; “I have fully succeeded in all you wished and desired.” “Ob, how kind of you to take so much trouble, Ellen!” said her ladyship, pressing my hand with the most grateful fervour; for she comprehended the intelligence I meant to convey. — ness, and she pressed my hand with the most affectionate fervour. ‘My dear husband,” she said, beckoning the old lord towards her with smiles upon her lips, “ I do indeed already feel so much better that I have the presentiment your kind presage will be ful- filled. You see how much good my dear friend : Ellen’s visit does me !” “ Heaven bless you, Miss Percy !” exclaimed the old nobleman, seizing both my hands, and pressing them with a violence which almost hurt me, though it was the spectacle of his strong affec- tionate emotion on behalf of his darling wife which brought the tearsinto my eyes. “I don’t know what I can do for you—I must think of something! IfI were the King of England I’d make you a duchess: but by Jupiter! you shall be well rewarded somehow or another! Don’t think I mean to say anything to offend your pride, my dear young lady—for we all know that in these matters you are as proud as Juno!” “Well, well, my lord,” I said, laughing, “ let us first wait and see whether my presence will really continue to have so goud an effect as you seem to hope and believe—and then rest assured that I shall put your kindness to the test in some way or another.” “ And now, my dear husband,” said Hermione, “you must leave me and Ellen alone together.” “Yes,” I interjected: “for if I am to be doc- CORNIGCLOOOL< —--— (El)