Ellen Percy; or, The Memoirs of an Actress — page 90: what you’re looking at

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ELLEN PERCY; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF AN ACTRESS. 77 had subsisted between Aline Marcy and Major Gower: she knew that they were acquainted, but suspected nothing more, Her astonishment may therefore be conceived when the Major, entering her ladysbip’s box, whispered to her a few half- distracted words which at once revealed his secret. There was so much excitement prevailing in the house in consequence of Aline’s swoon and Mr. Richards’ speech, as well as so much discussion going on in reference to the brilliant success achieved by the debutantes, that Major Gower’s agitation passed unnoticed by any one except Lady Kelvedon herself. In consequence of the few words that he spoke to her, she showed him the note which she had just received from Aline: she earnestly counselled him not to make any attempt to obtain an interview with her at the theatre, nor to send her any billet, as such a proceeding might only tend to compromise her reputation; and she advised him to wait until the morning before he called at my house in Great Ormond Street, lest a visit at such an hour of the night might prove offensive to myself. All this excellent advice did Alfred Gower follow : but when the morning came he sped as early as he thought he might possibly venture to do, to my abode. The rest is known to the reader. Aline Marcy was now completely happy. Every barrier to a union with the man whom she loved was completely removed. He had become rich; and he would have to make no sacrifices in respect to his own comforts or requirements in espousing a dowerless bride. Not for an instant had her appearance upon the stage excited any prejudice in his breast: on the contrary, he admired her all the more for the determined spirit which had im- pelled her to embrace a profession that would have enabled her to eat the bread of independence. But if the happy Alfred Gower was now to win a bride, and if the equally happy Aline Marcy was to win a husband, the public were destined to lose an actress of brilliant promise. My readers have no doubt heard of “ stars” upon the stage: but this was a meteor that appeared there for a mo- ment, dazzled all eyes with its brilliant but evanes- cent light, and then darted away into another sphere. To resume however the immediate thread of my narrative, I must state that Aline Marcy was about to return to Kelvedon House in Eaton Square ; her friend Hermione had sent to beg that she would remain with her until the celebration of the nuptials. Most affectionate was the leave- taking on Aline’s part towards myself and Mary Glentworth ; and with tears in her eyes, but with smiles upon her lips, she assured us of her ims perishable friendship. —_—— ae CHAPTER LxXXX, THE TESTIMONIAL, In another fortnight the complete settlement of the late Mr. Gower’s affairs was accomplished ; and one morning I attended at Mr. Wilkinson’s office to sign certain releases and discharges and to be put into possession of my share of the for- tune, Although for the last month and upwards I had seen all the details of the business steadily progressing towards a prosperous issue, yet when the moment came at which this end was reached, I could scarcely believe it was otherwise than a dream. An amount of capital calculated to pro- duce an income of twelve thousand pounds a year, was now transferred to my name in the Bank of England! Major Gower was present, with his own solicitor, at that final settlement: it was a busy day, for we had to go to Doctors’ Commons —thence to the Bank of England—and back again to Furnival’s Inn, all for the purpose of adjusting the different details of the amicable settlement that was taking place. At length the business was concluded: this time there had been no impedi- ment to the fulfilment of my hopes—no sudden disappointment—no slip between the cup and the lip, as was more than once the case in the affairs connected with Mr. Parks. All progressed in a straightforward manner until the end; and about three o’clock in the afternoon of the 16th of June, 1842, I received the congratulations of those who were present on becoming the possessor of twelve thousand a-year ! In the evening of that same day the nuptials of Major Gower and Aline Marcy were privately solemnized, by special license, at Kelvedon House in Eaton Square: and by the express wish of the happy couple, as well as of Lady Kelvedon herself, both Mary Glentworth and I were present on the occasion. Old Lord Kelvedon was exceedingly polite and affable to us both. Mr. and Mrs. Wyvill and a few other friends were present, by | all. of whom I found myself treated with the most marked distinction. It was one of the happiest dates to which my memory now looks back; for I felt that to a certain extent I had been the means of accomplishing the happiness of an amiable girl and a generous-hearted man. On the day when I gave certain explanations to Mary Glentworth in reference to the loves of those whose union I have just recorded, I was necessarily compelled to unfold to her the fact that I was in some way interested in the will of the deceased Mr. Gower: but still I did not on that occasion enter into minute details nor specify the amount of fortune which might. possibly become my own. To my faithful Beda I revealed pre- cisely as much as I unfolded to Mary Glentworth ; and thus they neither suspected the magnitude of the affairs which so interested me. But now, when everything was accomplished— when the entire business was brought to a conclusion—and when all danger of disappointment, mishap, or delay was past, I revealed to my friend Mary and my faith- ful Beda the extent of riches which I had in- herited, they were stupified with amazement, For awhile they could not speak: but at length their congratulations were poured forth with an enthu-. Siasm which was almost wild in its fervour. I now resolved to retire from the stage; and accordingly, on the day after the settlement of the business which gave me so handsome a fortune, J sent a note to Mr. Richards, requesting him to call upon me, It happened that my engagement for the past season had just closed, for the usual period of the vacation had arrived. So closely had the secret been kept in reference to Mr. Gower’s will, that the lessee remained altogether unsus- picious of the good fortune which had overtaken a SS (E(@) COMIC YOO