Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 308: 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. ————$—————— —— ° = = longer any hesitation in saying that this is most assuredly so very much like the handwriting of Agatha, purposely disguised r. “Enough, Matilda!” I said, taking the letter from her hand. “I had little or no doubt upon the point ; but still I wished to obtain confirmatory evidence, if possible.” “But how came that letter, Miss, to fall into your hands?” asked Matilda. “T tell you that this is my secret,” I responded. *Now, if you choose to whisper in the ear of Agatha that Ido not consider her to be a proper person to remain attached to the service of Lady Kelvedon—”’ “She has given a month’s notice, Miss,” inter- jected Matilda. “T am aware of it,” I rejoined: “ but not even so short a period as another month ought she to remain beneath this roof. No!—she must not. You may whisper in her ear, therefore, that I have obtained a clue to certain facts * “Yes, yes, Miss! I will tell her!’ cried Matilda. ‘“ But whatever it may be, you will not mention it to his lordship or her ladyship? you will be merciful? you will not destroy a poor young woman “ “Do as I have suggested,” I interrupted Matilda, “and you will spare me the necessity of telling anything to Lord and Lady Kelvedon. In a word, you must induce Agatha to leave this house! It would be better if she and her in- tended husband were to leave the neighbourhood altogether aye, or even to leave the country !” “In how short a time?” asked Matilda. “What is the delay that you will accord, Miss Percy? for perhaps I cannot all in a mo- ment es “Within three days Agatha must have left Kelvedon Hall,” I rejoined. “And now let the subject drop.” * Ah! but tell me,” said Matilda, “what you have discovered or what you suspect? It is evi- dently something dreadful! That letter says Ah! what does it say P—something about the sick one being no better ; and then it goes on to say that whether the vistt of HE. P. will make any difference, is more than can be foreseen. Now the sick one must doubtless or at least I should think the phrase must mean Lady Kelvedon; while the initials E. P. most certainly allude to yourself, Miss.” “Let us not discuss the subject, Matilda,” I said. “Itis a painful one, and you are a good young woman, with a feeling heart ch “Oh! but I hate these dreadful mysteries,” cried Matilda. “ You ses, Miss, everything now leads me to suspect that there is something very terrible in all this. It is evident that your pre- sence here has made a difference in respect to her ladyship :—within the last eight days there has been a gradual and visible improvement. Ah! it is you that have done this, Miss Perey! But what would you have me to understand? Oh! I beseech you to tell me, Miss!—because how do I know whether circumstances may not ~ ‘Enough, Matilda!” I ejaculated: “ whatever these circumstances may be, rest assured that they can never implicate you! And now let me make NN It was to this hour that the dinner-time had been altered for the last few days, and the repasts were always served punctually at Kelvedon Hall, for his lordship was very particular upon these points. I locked my portfolio again in my trunk, and I secured the keys about my person: but I watched an opportunity to do so when Matilda’s back was turned, for I did not of course wish to wound her feelings by allowing her to imagine that I suppoged her capable of possessing herself of the letter in order to save the character of a fellow-servant in case the day of threatening expo- sure should ever come. I proceeded to the drawing-room, where I found Lord and Lady Kelvedon, the Countess of Bel- grave, and Aline, all ready assembled. ‘The three ladies were all in full evening costume, as I myself was; and exceedingly beautiful did they appear. The day’s ride had imparted a slight tint to the cheeks of Lady Kelvedon ; her eyes were brighter than they had recently been; her long brown wavy hair fell in a heavy mass, so to speak, upon her back. In one of the earlier chapters of my narrative I have described the Countess of Bel- grave. She was now twenty years of age, of a fine tall commanding figure. Her dark hair dis- played the most luxuriant profusion; her eyes were truly magnificent; she carried her head proudJy upon the long stately neck; and the whole expression of her countenance was that of a haughty beauty. In strong contrast was her ap- pearance with that of Aline, whose blue eyes were so mild and soft in their expression, whose looks were so replete with the most winning amiability, and whose movements, gestures, and attitudes were associated only with elegance and grace, while those of Cecilia produced the impression of a superb queenliness and haughty majesty. Yet be it remembered that the Countess of Belgrave in reality possessed a very good heart; and with those towards whom she did choose to unbend she proved a most affable and agreeable person. Still she was one of those with whom it was impossible to feel on precisely the same terms of intimacy as with Lady Kelvedon or Aline; for even in her most amiable moments there was always a cortain manifestation of conscious dignity which repelled that exceeding warm gush of feelings which flowed from the heart towards the other two, Dinner was quickly announced ; we partook of the sumptuous repast; and in due time we rose from the table and again found ourselves in the drawing-room. There we remained conversing until Lord Kelvedon joined us; and then coffee being served, I touk my seat at the piano in compliance with the request of my friends. I sang and played two or three airs: I was then succeeded by the Countess of Belgrave, who was a grand musician. Afterwards Aline took her turn: and thus the evening passed until about ten o’clock, when I proposed that we should re- tire to rest, for I was afraid lest Hermione should sit up too long. We bade his lordship “ Guod night,” and accompanied Lady Kelvedun to her boudoir, that we wight have a last few minutes’ chat before separating. For the better understanding of the incidents which are to follow, the reader will permit me to haste with my toilet; for it is close upon half-past | remind him that her ladyship’s suite of apart- ments consisted of the sitting-room or boudoir— five o’clock.”’ | ———E VNOOKS (E(0)