Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 280: 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. 267 therefore still remained silent, and even affected to turn away from listening to a topic which had such lpathsome associations. “You must not think, my good woman,” con- tinued Lady Lilla Essendine, “that I have come hither to entreat you ‘to adopt a particular policy —or to make terms with you—or-to threaten you because you deserve to be considered an object of apprehension. Nothing of allthis! it is from motives of pity that I address myself to you in the present terms. An opportunity is afforded you of atoning for the wanton and unjustifiable mischief which you have inflicted upon Edwin St. Clair. Here is a paper, confessing that your charges were unfounded—your accusations male- volent. Sign this paper.” . *T will not sign it!” exclaimed the old woman in a determined voice. “Do your worst!” “You would not wish me, dame,” responded Lady Lilla, with a remarkable sweetness of look and voice, “to take you at your word. Here!— look for one moment at this paper!” I glanced towards Lady Lilla Essendine, who had now approached close up to the dame and was displaying a paper, the size of a sheet of foolscap, before her eyes. “Well—and what is there here? demanded Dame Betty. F “Look !—read this portion attentively,” re- joined Lady Lilla Essendine: and she pointed to- wards the paper which she held. Then there was silence for nearly a minute. I again glanced towards them: Lady Lilla was still holding the paper before the dame’s eyes:—the dame herself was looking dubiously as if there were a strong struggle of some nature taking place in her mind. “T have brought pen and ink with me,” said Lady Lilla; and in a moment she produced a very small morocco case containing a gold pen anda little ink-bottle. “You see, my good woman, I require nothing but your signature here; and “ She stopped short: but as I again glanced towards her for an instant, I caught an expression of deep significancy just as it was vanishing from her countenance. . “Well then, give me the pen!” said Dame Betty suddenly. Lady Lilla drew the old woman towards the table; and then within a few moments the docu- ment was signed. But at the same instant I beheld Dame Betty hastily thrust something into her pocket ; and methought that the action was accompanied by the rustling of paper. “Ah! I forgot to ask,” she exclaimed, “ when I shall be set free from this place ?” “Within an hour after 1 myself have left it,” replied Lady Lilla; “ and the moment when I shall leave it now depends upon the result of a little eonversation which I am about to have with Miss Percy, if she will be kind enough to grant me her attention.” Thus speaking, Lady Lilla crossed the room from the vicinage of the table to the spot where I was standing upon the other side; and the ex- pression of her countenance was that of the most lady-like courtesy, and of the sweetest affability, as if we were bosom-friends without a hostile thought between us. I however bent upon her a look sss ssi which showed how well: I knew her, and how deeply I abhorred her character. For an instant a flush crossed her countenance; but the next moment she said with a sweet smile, “ While dealing with the old woman, I had no objection that you should hear what took place between us: but now that I have to deal with you, we will con- verse in whispers if you think fit.” “T have no secrets of any kind with Lady Lilla Essendine,” I said, stepping back a pace or two. *“Oh, very well,” she observed, without the slightest change of tone or manner. “ Then, as you have no objection for this worthy dame to hear what may transpire between us, I will speak out. You have heard me tell her that this morning at ten o’clock Edwin St. Clair goes forth free again into the world, and doubtless with a compliment from the presiding Judge at the Old Bailey. Ab! it is now nine o'clock,” she con- tinued, looking at her watch: “in another hour he will be at liberty !” “Might I inquire wherefore you address these observations to me P” I asked. “Simply to show you,” replied Lady Lilla, “that whatsoever design you may have had i “T can answer for it,” exclaimed Dame Betty, ‘‘that Miss Percy had no design of the sort: for she would not even have left Kelvedon Hall last night if it had not been for me.” “ Nevertheless,” resumed Lady Lilla, “ Miss Percy may feel indignant at having been detained a prisoner in this place all night—she may be in- spired with vindictive feelings—old rancours may have revived; and therefore it is to guard against the consequences sf “You must not expect, Lady Lilla Hssendine,” I said, “to intimidate me, nor to work upon my mind as by some strange unknown means you have contrivec to render your influence paramount over this woman. I will sign no paper.” ** No, Miss Perey,” answered Lady Lilla, “ the highest compliment is about to be paid you. All that you have to do is to pledge your most solemn word of honour that you will keep the seal of silence upon your lips in respect to everything which has happened since last night—and you also shall be set at liberty. Indeed I might even dispense with enjoining this stipulation at all; for I think that under all circumstances, you, Miss Percy, would be little likely to apply to a justice of the peace, or indeed to give publicity if “And wherefore should I not seek to punish those who have perpetrated such an outrage against me P” I inquired. “ Because you would have to tell, Miss Perey,” rejoined Lady Lilla, with the self-sufficient smile of one who is about to adduce an unanswerable argument,—* because you would have to tell how you went to Kelvedon Hall accompanied by a gipsy, whom you introduced under circumstances of stealthiness: for as you may now comprehend, you have been watched ? “Ah!” I ejaculated, as I felt my cheeks glow with indignation. “Oh, be easy on that score, my dear Miss Percy!” responded Lady Lilla. “Ido not wish to pry into any of your secrets, provided that you will leave mine alone. I do not know why you went to Kelvedon Hall—and I do not care to know: but I am very certain that there is some- CORNICLOOOLK< (E(0)