Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 42: what you’re looking at

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ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS, 29 first time, drew one of the most crowded houses to which I have ever played; and onsweeping my eyes around the closely-packed tiers, I caught sight of Edwin St. Clair and Zarah. Zarah frequently attended the theatre: but her husband seldom visited places of public entertainment since his appointment to the Ministerial office demanded so much of his time and attention. But on this occasion he zoas present; and until I entered upon the stage, he and his handsome wife were the objects of almost universal notice. At the con- clusion of the drama I was greeted with the usual testimonies of applause; and on proceeding to my dressing-room, I was speedily joined by Mary Glentworth and Aline Marcy, who had occupied one of the stage-boxes. They enthusiastically congratulated me on my triumph; and I saw that Aline’s beautiful blue eyes glistened with hopefulness on her own account when the day of her debut should come. Mary Glentworth likewise experienced an inspiration of a somewhat kindred | character : for she whispered to me, “ Oh, my dear Ellen! how happy should I be if I were the heroine of this evening’s triumph, but without depriving you of the honour!” I was about to make her some answer, when sounds indicative of agitation and confusion reached Our ears,—several voices speaking hurriedly and in an excited manner, blended with ejaculations expressive of horror, as if something dreadful had occurred. Then there was the rush of many foot- steps in the narrow corridor from which my Gresssing-room opened; and indeed everything indicated that some unusual and alarming event was transpiring, The apprehension of fire struck me; and as I was half undressed, I besought my maid to go and see what was the matter. She and Mary Glentworth hastened forth together: but Mary almost immediately returned with the assur- ance that there was uo danger of the kind I had apprehended. The cause of the excitement was some outrage which had been perpetrated upon a lady at the entrance of the theatre—but what it was Mary Glentworth had not been enabled to glean from the person to whom she had addressed herself for information. My lady’s-maid had how- ever gone to prosecute the inquiry. By the assistance of Aline and Mary I speedily finished my toilet ; and scarcely was it completed, when the maid returned, with horror and conster- nation in her looks. “ Oh, Miss!” ste criea, * what a dreadful occur- rence!’ and she sank all pale and trembling upon a seat. “ Good heavens! what is it?” I inquired, while my own terror and anxiety were shared by Mary and Aline. _ “A villain,” gasped the maid, “ has just thrown & quantity of vitriol % “Vitriol!” I shudderingly ejaculated. whom ?” “ Upon your friend, Miss,’ was the response,— “ upon Mrs, St. Clair!” “QO horror!” I ejaculated, instantaneously smit- ten with the conviction that this was the hideous work of the vindictive miscreant Luigi. * But is she much injured ?” * We feared so, Miss! Her screams were dread- ful—she was instantaneously placed in her car- riage Pe “ Upon “ And the villain ?” I anxiously asked: “ was he captured P” “‘ No, Miss—he escaped in the midst of the cons fusion : but he will no doubt be speedily taken, for he wore a peculiar dress 4 “Oh! heayen’s justice,” I exclaimed, in anguish of mind on poor Zarah’s account, “will not suffer him to evade the righteous vengeance of the law! But Mrs. St. Clair-——” “She was at once placed in her carriage, and her husband gave a hurried order for the coachman to drive to the nearest surgeon’s,” “We will go and make inquiries!” I said: and I rushed from my dressing-room. - The utmost confusion prevailed in the theatre, both behind and before the curtain. The actors and actresses were conversing in detached groups: the theatre itself was half-emptied of an audience that but a few minutes back was overflowing; and Mr. Richards, the lessee, was now announcing that in consequence of the horrible impression made by the fiend-like deed, the after-piece would not be presented and the performances would at once close for the evening. Although my carriage was in attendance, I did not immediately seek it at the private door where it was drawn up: but I issued forth by a nearer avenue, for my mind was dread. fully excited, and I was anxious to learn to what extent my unfortunate friend Zarah had suffered. There was a great crowd collected in front of the theatre: but the moment I was recognised, a pas- sage was cleared for me, followed closely as I wag by Aline Marcy, Mary Glentwortb, and my maid. I hurriedly inquired of a police-official in which direction Mrs. St. Clair’s carriage had gone P—and I speedily ascertained that it was at no very great distance. Thither I hastened,—thus for the first time voluntarily seeking any place where I stood a chance of encountering Edwin St. Clair: but I thought not of him—all my ideas and feelings were most painfully absorbed in Zarah’s calamity. The crowd extended all the way to the surgeon’s resi- dence, where the carriage had stopped; and just as I reached the spot, I beheld Zarah issuing forth, supporting herself on the arm of her husband. A large black veil (which, as it subsequently appeared, the surgeon’s wife had furnished) completely wrapped her head; and the sickening conviction smote me that her countenance was disfigured. A dizziness seized upon my brain—a dimness came over my vision—my tongue was paralysed—I could not give utterance to a word; and it was only bya strong effort that I saved myself from falling. The carriage drove rapidly away; and Mary Glentworth, drawing my arm ix her own, said, “ You look very i, Ellen! Let me entreat you to get out of this crowd ?” Though I did not faiz= yet I had scarcely any subsequent recollection of how i gst to my own carriage: but I presently found myself seated therein, with Mary, Aline, and my maid. I was determined that before I returned to Great Or. mond Street, I would make personal inquiries con- cerning my friend Zarah; and the order was accordingly given to the coachman. [I cannot de- scribe the suspense, excruciating to a degree, which I endured while proceeding to the neighbourhood of the Regent’s Park; and on our arriving at St. Clair’e house, I was too ill to alight from my car. riage. I begged Mary Glentworth to make the ee ee ee (C Gon OOO)|K