Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 29: what you’re looking at

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——— ee — 16 ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. I listened in silence; and I still held my peace when Mr. Norman had done speaking. I knew not how to answer him. I was sick of dissem- bling; and I was resolyed not to give utterance to any direct untruths. Yet I was cruelly embar- rassed. “What am I to understand, Ellen?” asked Mr. Norman. “You do not reply to me. I know the subject must be a most painful one: but I fancied that you were in my daughter’s confi- dence—and if you are not, who could be ?” “‘ My dear sir,” I ejaculated; “for heaven’s sake distress not yourself any more in these matters! I thought you had resolved to let them take their course—that you would return in a few weeks ™ “Yes, yes,” said Mr. Norman; “I see that this is indeed all I can do!” We walked together for some minutes in silence; and it was in the little enclosure in front of the house that this scene took place. Presently we heard the gate opening; and looking in that di- rection, we beheld an elderly gentleman, dressed in black, entering the garden. He had grey hair; and he walked quickly with a certain bustling air which seemed professional in some sense or another. Accosting us, he said, “ Could I speak to Miss Percy for a few moments ?—or perhaps I have now the honour of addressing her P” “‘T am Miss Percy,” I said, wondering who the gentleman could be and what he wanted. He immediately drew forth his card, which an- nounced him to be Mr. Aspinall, a solicitor of Lin- culn’s Inn. “You must prepare yourself, Miss Percy,” he proceeded to say, “for a very startling and extra- ordinary communication.” “There is nothing wrong, I hope?” exclaimed Mr. Norman anxiously, just as my own lips were about to put a similar question. “The tidings are in some sense agreeable,” con- tinued the lawyer, ‘‘ but the pleasure they may impart, has its drawback. In plain terms, Miss Percy, you have the chance of inheriting a very considerable fortune—but if ultimately obtained, it will only be when you shall have passed through the ordeal of a lawsuit, which I am afraid will be both tedious and expensive.” The idea for a moment struck me that Mr. As- pinall must be alluding to the fortune which my grandfather had left, but of which I had been so infamously defrauded by Mrs. Parks and her son. Yet a second thought made me feel convinced that the present business could have nothing to do with the other: for the latter could scarcely be now brought to my cognisance in such a shape. As for Mr Norman, he looked bewildered; and he said, “I really think, sir, you must be making some mistake. Perhaps this is not the Miss Percy whom the business concerns ?” “There can be no mistake, sir,” answered Mr. Aspinall, with a courteous smile, “if I have the honour of speaking to Miss Percy the great tra- gedian P” “Then pray explain yourself!” cried Mr. Nor- man, “for your announcement is startling enough.” “When I mention the name of Mr. Gower, Miss Percy ” “Ab, Mr. Gower!” I ejaculated with a sudden excitement, as if I were all in a moment brought tu the very threshold of some new calamitous phase in the subject which I so much yearned to avoid. “That gentleman,” continued the lawyer, “ died on Friday last ; and I was employed to receive and draw up his testamentary instructions. He has bequeathed, Miss Percy, the great bulk of his property to you. Immediately after his death, I communicated the fact, as in duty bound, to his nephew Major Gower; and I regret to add that this gentleman lost no time in instituting legal proceedings by taking out a caveat against the proving or administering of the will.” * Ellen,” said Mr. Norman, bending upon me a very grave and serious look, “ what is the meaning of this?” “Nothing prejudicial to that high character which Miss Percy bears,” the lawyer hastened to interpose. assurance from Mr. Gower’s lips when he lay stretched upon his death-bed, but the fact itself is as solemnly recorded in the will. The bulk of Mr. Gower’s property is bequeathed to Miss Percy as a token of gratitude for the sympathy which she displayed towards the late Felicia Gower, and likewise as a reparation for certain evil construc. tions which the testator, Mr. Gower, at one time put upon Miss Percy’s conduct.” “My dear Ellen,’ exclaimed Mr. Norman, grasping my hand, “forgive me if for a moment I looked suspiciously upon this matter!—and I now hope to God it will prove a subject on which I may congratulate you though I certainly like as little as possible the aspect of the threatened law-proceedings.” “T considered it my duty,” said Mr, Aspinall, “to see you, Miss Percy, with the least pos- sible delay, and I deemed it better to have a personal interview with you than to write on so important a topic. I called on Saturday after- noon at your house in Great Ormond-street. I learnt that you were temporarily staying here ; and I therefore came down to Dover this after- noon. The fortune is very large; and the chance of obtaining it is worth a battle in the law- courts. But of course you will see your own legal adviser with the least possible delay. I am now power. less to act in the face of the caveat which has been served upon me by Major Gower.” “Tt is my purpose to return to London to- morrow,” I said; “and I will lose no time in making you aware of my intentions. I have friends to consult = * Naturally so, Miss Perey!” exclaimed the lawyer. “Ihavenow performed my duty—and I may add that you have my best wishes for your success.” : Mr. Norman invited Mr. Aspinall to enter the house and partake of some refreshment; but he declined, as he was anxious to get back into Dover to see one or two persons with whom he was ac- quainted in that town. The reader must bear in mind that Mr. Norman was utterly ignorant of every circumstance that had borne any reference to Mr. Gower, beyond the simple fact that I had happened to become acquainted with such a gentleman a few months back. All that he had therefore heard from Mr. Aspinall’s lips had naturally stricken him with the greatest astonishment; and it was really 19 . ECORNIELOOC * Not only did I receive this solemn - (E@) iG