Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 291: what you’re looking at

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

—— 278 ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, should have commanded him to be silent and to | leave me—I should have pursued the same pe- remptory course with which I had commenced, were it not that I was afraid of creating a scene in the hotel, and bringing up the domestics to listen at the door, even if they did not burst into the room itself to ascertain what was the matter. Thus I had suffered Reginald Barron to continue speaking, — hoping that when he should have given full vent to his feelings in a volume of words, he would become more temperate. ‘Bo reasonable,” I said. ‘“ You do not reflect how you may compromise me in this place. Your behaviour, sir, is not generous. You accuse me of treating you with scornfulness:—I utterly deny the imputation. I behaved to you with a suitable courtesy, considering that our acquaintance was altogether of scarcely an hour’s duration,” “But I have known you for the last two years!” exclaimed Reginald Barron. “1 have been the first to arrive at the theatre, and the last to ieave it on the nights when you performed! I was there early to watch for your appearance, and gloat over the idea that I was breathing the same atmosphere with yourself. In imagination I sent my regards penetrating through curtain and scenery —aye, and through walls likewise — to seek you out where you were arraying yourself for the character which you had to perform :—and, Oh! this was a bliss ineffable! Then who ap- plauded you more loudly than [?—who was more enthusiastic ” * Cease, Mr. Barron !—cease !” I said, entreat- ingly: “in the name of heaven cease! You terrify me!” “No, no! I must continue until the end!” he ejaculated: and it now appeared to meas if he was actually experiencing a fierce pleasure in compelling me to listen to him, because he saw I was afraid of a disturbance being created in the hotel. ‘ Yes—I will speak on to the end! I have told you why I was early at the theatre on those nights when you performed: I will tell you why I was also one of the last to leave. It was because I loved to look upon the spot where you had been—the boards where you had trod! Again was imagination at work; and it depicted you there, all glowing in your grand beauty a ‘Sir, 1 will hear no more!” I exclaimed, now driven by indignation to adopt a peremptory course once more. “ Your language is such that I can- not listen to it! Know, then—for I am not ashamed to tell you—that my heart’s affections are fully engaged, and that my hand is pledged to an- other. Now, sir, L appeal to you as a gentleman, —will you continue to address me ina strain which amounts to a persecution? Ah! I remember something whick you said just now, and to which I ought to reply. You accused me of adopting a glacial demeanour towards you. I tell you again that I treated you with that amount of politeness which was due from a lady to a gentleman when they met for the first time. How inconsistent has been your conduct! You just now thanked me for having given you words of hope eed “Hope as an artist!” ejaculated Reginald Bar- ron; “but not that hope which would have proved the most delicious that could have been infused into my soul! I tell you, Miss Percy, that you have nearly driven me mad! For heaven’s sake ee ne eee enn nnn ——EEeEeEeEeEEeEeEEeEeEe—————————EE——EE= ~ a _ a —— ee No one will ever love take compassion ou me! you so dearly * | “Sir,” I interrupted him, ‘it is impossible this scene can last! What would your mother say if she beheld you thus outraging one who had ex- pressed an interest in your success P” “JT cannot now think of my mother!” inter. jected Reginald: “I can think only of you!” “Oh! but this is too much!”’ I said, cruelly be- wildered. ‘“ You love your sister—do you not? She is amiable and good: Lalso love her—I would seek to make her my friend—I am sure that she entertains friendly feelings towards myself! But what would she think if she knew that you had sought me here—defenceless and unprotected as I amat the moment—to heap these insults upon me P” wa? *‘T cannot pause to think of my sister!” he ex- claimed. “I tell you that I am mad! Every additional instant that I stand here gazing upon your transcendant beauty, my soul seems fired with flames that are consuming my very vitals! You shall be mine! ‘There is a tyranny which even the most devoted love can exercise !—indeed it is love’s last resource!—and such a tyrant am I, now be- coming towards you: for I am driven to despera- tion! Yes—by heaven! it is impossible toremain here in your presence i s * Be calm !—-be calm, I conjure you, Mr, Bar« ron!” I said: for he was growing so excited, his speech was so vehement, and his eyes were flaming | upon me to such an extent, that I was frightened that if he did not raise an alarm in the hotel, he would on the other hand attempt some violence against myself. ‘‘Becalm!’ I repeated. “Sit down—sufter me to retire for a fow moments that I may tranguillize my own feelings—and then I will return and converse quietly with you on all these points.” He reflected for a few moments; and then he said, with the air of one who felt that he had all the advantage on his own side, “ Well then, be if so! Withdraw for a few minutes. Perhaps I have been too vehement—perhaps I have given way too much to my feelings! But come back soon—and you shall find me more reasonable.” I gladly availed myself of this opportunity to quit the apartment. In order for the better understanding of what is to follow, I must explain that there was a little landing at the head of the staircase: my sitting-room opened on the right hand—my bed-chamber was exactly opposite, But facing the stairs there was a third room, of very small dimensions—which I had noticed, when the door was accidentally left open, to be likewise a bed-chamber. The reader will be pleased to bear these circumstances in mind. On issuing from my sitting-room, I hastily crossed the landing in order to seek my beds chamber. I had closed the door of the sittings room behind me: but at the very instant that L was entering my chamber, Reginald Barron looked out of the apartment where I had left him, saying in a rapid whisper, “ For heaven’s sake be not too long! You have inspired me with hope—and you shall find me reasonable !” He instantaneously re-entered the sitting-apart- ment, closing the door; and [I precipitated myself into the chamber. I had already made up my mind how to act. I hastily put on my bonnet and (E(@) (C (E@) IJOOK