Only an Actress

Front matter

ONLY AN ACTRESS A NOVEL. EV EDITH STEWART DREWRY, AUTHOR OF 'ON DANGEROUS GROUND,' 'A DEATH RING,' 'SWORN FOES,' 'BAPTISED WITH A CURSE,' ETC, ETC. ' But I, — am only an actress — the diva of Bohemia." IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. LONDON: F. V. WHITE & CO., 31 SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND, W.C. 1883. [All rights reserved.} F. V. WHITE & CO.'S SELECT NOVELS. Crown Svo, clot/t, 2s- 6deach- The following Volumes of the Series are now ready, and can sie obtained of all Booksellers in Town and Country, and at all Railway Bookstalls .*—- MY SISTER THE ACTRESS. By Florence Marryat, Author of 'The Root of all Evil,' etc., etc. THE DEAN'S WIFE. By Mrs Eiloart, Author of ' The Love that Lived,' etc., etc. TWO MEN AND A MAID. By Harriett Jay, Author of ' The Queen of Connaught,' etc., etc. A BROKEN BLOSSOM.

By Florence Marryat, Author of ' Phyllida,' etc., etc. SWEETHEART AND WIFE. By Lady Constance Howard. Author of ' Mollie Darling,' etc., etc. BARBARA'S WARNING. By Mrs Houstoun, Author of ' Recommended to Mercy,' etc., etc. PHYLLIDA. By Florence Marryat, Author of ' My Sister the Actress,' etc., etc. SOME OF OUR GIRLS. By Mrs Eiloart, Author of ' The Dean's Wife,' etc., etc. ALLERTON TOWERS. By Annie Thomas (Mrs Pender Cudlip), Author of ' Denis Donne,' etc., etc. THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. By Florence Marryat, Author of ' Phyllida,' etc., etc. A PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY. By Mrs Alexander Fraser, Author of ' Guardian and Lover,' etc., etc. CONTENTS.

Chapter I. Without Hope

ES, alone, in the deepest, saddest sense of the word, the utter desolation of one standing alone amongst thousands who have each some hope, some sunshine in their lives where Margherita had none and never had had, for, in the bitter and cynical philosophy which her dark experience of life had inevitably taught her, she had taken the world as VOL. III. A she found it, and made the best of it, per haps too bitterly, too recklessly.

Neither in the halo of memory and absence, nor when she actually met him in a world common to both, had Margherita La Mara deified the man she loved so purely and with such an unconscious romance ; he was very human she knew, the rich gold of his nature was far from beinos free from dross, and she had never had hope or thought of a love that would not make her fear her own heart's strength, but so well had Albyn veiled his secret under the galanterie and homage that was only natural from such a man to the beautiful actress, and under the familiar footing necessarily induced by their relative posi tions at the theatre, and, privately, as em ployer and agent, that she had never dreamed of his deep love till his own lips to-day had poured it forth, and if one brief moment of madness had prompted the wild words that spoke of— ' Riches and love and pleasure, And all — but the name of wife, the next second's bitter remorse and offer of all he could give had shown that the first words were the outcome of pride and passion, not of the true heart itself, out of its deep loyal love; she knew that well; knew that not for a moment had he really thought or meant her wrong, but still there had at least been the negative, the absence of the thought of the name of wife in the first uttered words of his love, and she had answered him only, as she sorrowfully be lieved, the truth, that he spoke in the passion of the moment and would regret his second words in a cooler hour.

For his sake and her own pride she had put from her the love for which she had never dared to even dream, and now she buried her face in the silken cushions of the couch, with such a terrible burst of heart-broken grief and desolation as God send few may ever suffer ; and then the utter exhaustion that followed, left her for a long time mentally and physically pro strate, too prostrate to gather up thought of the suspicion, that possibility, that had almost simultaneously flashed across them both, that she was herself the child of the ill-fated Anna Ferrara and William Dysart. She lifted herself at last wearily, as one who had fought through a terrible battle. ' His Blackbird,' she murmured, putting one hand to the locket. ' Never, never ; Albyn, my heart's life ! I love you too well. You would bitterly repent the very offer of your proud name to the nameless outcast ; perhaps even now you rejoice it is refused.

Some day, perhaps, you will wed a bride of unstained birth, and — for get — leave me to my world for what I am, with all the beauty and genius which the world raves about — only an actress — only the diva of Bohemia ! ' In the bitter cynicism of her own pride and pain was she not wronging her lover ? Alone with self again, was he indeed already rejoicing that she had rejected alike hand and heart — wife and less than wife ? No ; she had brought him, as it were, to bay with himself — forced him to stand at last face to face with the piti less reality which he had for so long put from him into the vague shadowland of the future. But once faced, he had started back instantly and appalled from the danger in which he had so recklessly walked ; and if he seemed to yield to her, it was because he bided his time, pride and love both refusing to give up hope so long as there was uncertainty for it to live on.

Pride and love both clung des perately, madly, it might be, to the bare possibility, the literally one chance in a thousand, that further research might re move the barrier that parted him now from his Blackbird. Till then he would hold his hand ; but lose her, give her up — never, never! He would close down the lid of Pandora's box in time to shut in Hope ; but the girl could not — it had never had part or lot in her inner life, and could not now when her own hand had barred its entrance more strongly than ever. But for her there was no time that day either for crrief or thought before she again met Albyn Castleton at Mrs Bury- Talmer's ball at night ; for there is little enough of leisure in a busy professional life, whatever be its branch ; and to-day the young actress had to play Marie de Fontages in ' Plot and Passion,' at a matinde commencing at half-past two in stead of three, as both she and the rest of the cast had their usual evening en gagements to fulfil.

That, of course, only left time to return back to dine and get to the Parthenon for ' Romeo and Juliet,' where later her own maid followed her with her mistress's rich ball dress. ' You look tired, my dear,' said Addi son kindly, as Margherita came off the stage for the last time. ' Don't go to little Bury-Talmer's to-night. I'll make all excuses for you.' ' Thanks ; but Kate would not forgive me. I shall be dressed in a few minutes, and you and I will go together if you like. Is my carriage here yet ? ' ' Just come up,' the manager answered. 'I'm off, my dear. 'You'll find me in my private room if I am not here.' In a quarter of an hour actress and manager were in the carriage, and on their way to Kate's pretty Brompton villa, which, as it stood in large grounds, and had fine reception rooms, suited admirably both her requirements and those of the Professor, whose studious habits and mind would perhaps have found the noise of a central position somewhat too much for him. ' I wonder,' said Charlie Addison, with a merry twinkle in his eyes, ' whether the Squire and Mrs Castleton have accepted our little friend's invitation into — Bohemia.

I daresay Albyn will persuade his stately sister-in-law ; he can persuade anyone to anything almost, I think.' The actress laughed slightly — a little sarcastically, perhaps. ' If he does, I do not think Mrs Castle ton will quite like to find herself amongst us rackety theatre folk. She is a charming woman, but there is nothing of the Bohemian about her.' 'No.' The rest of the drive neither spoke, but her brain was busy with the new position her search had assumed. She must face that, and must go forward ; there was no going back now if Albyn Castleton so determined still. But, oh ! if this miserable suspicion were true, must she, of all human beings, be the one to prove, step by step, link by link, her own mother's shame and her own ? While her real parentage was in obscurity, she might cling to the possi bility that the mother she could remember as a beautiful soft dream had been wedded wife ; but if she followed out this trail, and made suspicion certainty, where was that hope ?

Poor child ! Beauty and genius and fame were not happiness ; that was a factor which it seemed the sum of her life was never to know. There is little enough of it in most lives, Heaven knows !

Chapter II

A GARDEN CONFERENCE. HARLIE ADDISON had been quite right in what he said about Albyn's persuasive tongue ; and cunning little Kate, knowing how irresistible the handsome, rackety favourite was, had made him the bearer of her invitation from ' Professor and Mrs Bury-Talmer to Mr and Mrs Castleton of Monks-Royal,' though how she should get her husband down into her ball rooms was an undertaking which she left to the inspiration of the moment. ' But show he must, you see, Castleton,' said Butterfly ; ' because you are to tell your brother and sister that he is dying to make further acquaintance with them. I want them to meet La Mara again, and see her off the stage as well as on it.' ' Why do you wish it so much, in wonder's name, Kate ? ' asked Albyn, with large eyes of surprise ; but she only laughed, and said in explanation, — ' Because I don't like to see such a delightful woman as your sister prejudiced against my dear Margherita, just because she's only an actress forsooth !

Don't look me through like that, or ask a single question, Mr Impudence, but do my bidding.' He laughed, kissed her hand, and departed on his mission to his sister Constance, to whom he aired Professor and Mrs Bury - Talmer. ' Kate ' or ' Butterfly ' were carefully banished, of course ; and declared that he would come and fetch her and Rex, who, in his genial, jovial way said his ' Connie must decide it.' ' But, really, I do not at all wish to mix myself up with your fast set, my bonnie boy,' began his sister ; but her hand strayed fondly amongst his curly locks as he dropped on the footstool at her feet, and over her pretty lips the yield ing smile began to creep. ' Oh, Connie ! but then, don't you see, that if we are so wicked, it's all the more a Christian duty for a British matron like your sweet self to come amongst us and set us a good example.

The Dysarts are going, and others, as good people as ever you met, let alone the painfully respectable Professor himself,' concluded the artful pleader, perfectly aware all the time that Constance's real fear and objections ' Shrank into space just large enough for one. and that one the leading lady at his own theatre, the beautiful Margherita La Mara, who, she feared, might prove a rival to Helen Dysart, and did not wish to give her quick-witted brother any possible right to round on her with the reminder that she had at one time herself met and countenanced the actress. That story of the fracas at the Bijou had of course reached her, in so far as that somebody had coupled La Mara's name with Albyn's, and he had defended her, a fact quite sufficient to alarm Mrs Castleton. ' Well, but still — ' ' Come, Connie dear, do be good-natured the little time you shine in London ; besides, I want to show off my handsome sister, you know.' ' Don't waste your flatteries on me, you bad boy.' ' Neither wasted nor untrue,' said he, springing up with a merry, saucy laugh. ' Come, be a good Christian, — write your acceptance, and I'll post it ; ' and the incorrigible fellow put his arm round her waist, and drew her to her davenport. ' You are thoroughly spoiled, Albyn ; I don't know what you deserve.' ' A kiss of peace, dear, of course,' said he, taking it ; ' and if I'm spoiled, you are a considerable sinner, sister mine, only your bark is worse than your bite ; isn't it, Rex ? ' ' I hope you will get as good a wife, old fellow,' was the squire's answer.

And certainly the night of the ball Mrs Castleton of Monks-Royal looked lovely enough for both husband and brother to be proud of, as with them she entered the elegant and well-filled reception rooms at Avenue Villa. Mrs Bury-Talmer, herself the prettiest and most charming hostess, was still at her post near the door, and received them with empressement, and a quick glance of comic triumph at Albyn, though an imperative hand on his arm said plainly, ' Stop here ; I want you.' A few words, and the elder Castletcns passed on to greet other acquaintances and friends, amongst them Lady Caroline Dysart and Helen. Not being quite eleven, of course the theatrical guests were not yet arrived. ' But where is the Professor, my dear Butterfly ?' said Castleton, looking about in vain for that learned gentleman. ' That is just the question that I am in i 17 despair about,' answered Kate ; ' I never was more glad to see you.' ' What is the matter ? is he ill, or gone on a journey, or peradventure he slum bereth and must be awakened ? ' said Albyn wickedly. ' Don't be absurd, sir. No ! but the dear, tiresome man has just got hold of some extraordinary specimen with, I suppose, a billion legs and two score of heads, and stir he will not for all my coaxing.' ' Heart of adamant ! obdurate man ! ' murmured Albyn ; ' and you took his name in vain then, literally ? ' ' I won't, then ! he must come down for a little time ; do help me, Castleton, — go and fetch him, like the dear fellow you are : your sister will think his absence so odd, after what I said.' VOL. III.

B ' How can I succeed where you failed, witching little Kate?' 'If you don't try or help me somehow, I won't speak to you for a week.' ' Too awfully awful a punishment, But terfly ; my heart would break. My Parthenon people aren't here yet.' 'No; but they cannot be long now — why ? ' He stood for a minute playing with his moustache, looking down with laughing eyes on her pretty, perplexed face. ' Well,' said he, ' as soon as La Mara comes, send her off to bring the recreant knight of insects.' The Professor's wife almost clapped her hands. 'You are a jewel, mon ami! if he can resist the diva Margherita, I shall vote him a stone image, and not man at all. I'll send her ; and now you may go and pay your devoirs to — ahem! — Helen Dysart.' 'Hang Helen Dysart!' muttered the wicked fellow between his white teeth ; ' besides, she's flirting with Pierrepoint.' ' As if you could not cut him out at your pleasure.' ' Ah, but there's the rub ! it is not my pleasure, as you know, fair Kate.

I see Tom Tillotson, so I'll speak to him in stead.' And off he went after the genial dramatist, greeted right and left as he went. Dancing had well commenced when arrived first Louis Wayland and Mrs Kavanagh, and shortly afterwards Mr Addison and Mademoiselle La Mara were announced. There was a sensation then, of course, to which the actress was too much accustomed to be flattered by finding herself the centre of attraction. ' No monopoly, gentlemen,' cried Mrs Bury-Talmer, coming up to the group that surrounded Margherita, and drawing her aside with a merry laugh, despite the masculine protestations, she preferred her request. ' I will go if you like, dear Kate, of course, but — he will not come for my asking.' ' Yes, he will. You know your way to the little wing where his study and museum are, don't you ? ' ' Yes ; I will do my best, Butterfly.' Albyn, in the distance amongst the dancers, saw ' his Blackbird ' slip out of the ball-room, and smiled to himself — how could she fail in her mission.

In less than ten minutes she came back — not alone — sor the slender fingers rested on Professor Bury-Talmer's arm, and he was smiling benignly on his beautiful young companion, and talking as they came in. Once drawn into the vortex, the Professor was the most genial and courtly of hosts, and greeted his wife's guests warmly, as he suffered the actress to lead him round outside the dancers (such were Kate's orders), to where Mrs Castleton sat with Lady Caroline Dysart. The latter gave La Mara a frigid bow and a ready hand to her host, but Constance, what ever were her feelings, greeted both alike, too thoroughly well-bred and good-hearted to do otherwise. As the dance came to an end, however, Margherita was quickly claimed for the next, and moved away amongst the crowd. It was not till later on that Albyn Castleton came up to her as she stood chatting with the Marquise D'Amville, Kate, and two or three men. ' Mademoiselle, I hope you have one wraltz left for me, recreant though I am to-night,' said he, with a covert significant glance.

The Italian thoroughly understood the subtle dissimulation of boldness. She said, carelessly, — ' I am too tired to dance again yet, but Kate's gardens look so tempting, that I am going out on the terrace for a few minutes ; you may give me your arm if you like, in place of the waltz.' ' Mademoiselle, I am the happiest of men. She laughed cynically, as he carefully wrapped her rich scarf about her, and put her hand on his arm. ' Lucky man os contentment,' said she ; ' to be made happy by a trifle.' The band began again as the two passed out through a window on to the wide gravel terrace, and if the heart of each beat faster as they found themselves alone, was it a wonder? but neither spoke till they were well out of all possible ear shot, and then the girl said, exactly as if she had been addressing her late chef Michaud, or Mr Emerton. •' We cannot be absent long, so we must take the business at issue in hand at once, please Mr Castleton.

We have reached a certain definite point in the search in trusted to me, namely, the facts that Anna Ferrara fled from her convent home with William Dysart, and that they had one daughter, whose birth the whole weight of evidence goes to prove was not in wedlock, and who herself may or may not be alive. Stay, answer one question first,' she said, steadily, though he felt her hand tremble on his arm. ' Will you drop the case at this point, or do you wish me to go on ? ' 'Drop it — never by Heaven, Margherita! the evidence against a marriage is all negative and — do you forget — -' ' I forget nothing, Mr Castleton, but I am treating the matter strictly officially and dispassionately, understand that, please, and as you distinctly order the search to be continued, I, your agent, have only to obey.

The evidence and chances against any legal marriage, are none the less over whelming because they are, as you say, negative ; the only one circumstance in all this story of wrong which might possibly point the other way — ' ' To a marriage you mean ! ' Albyn said under his breath. ' To one at any rate which, however irregular, might be open to dispute, and possibly be affirmed if claimed as against a second marriage.

You follow me ? ' ' Exactly — and that one circumstance, Margherita ? ' 'One I pointed out to you before,' she answered, with the same steadfastly en forced calm ; ' William Dysart, before he was given up, wrote himself to break off his engagement ; the act might have been entirely at Lady Caroline's instance ; it might have been (for plainly his heart then went back to Anna, of whom he raved often), that so near death he was remorse ful, and meant the letter as a first step to do Anna justice if he lived — ' now for one second the low, firm tone faltered — ' it might be that, knowing he had already gone through a marriage which might be proved legal, he was either not quite bad enough, or afraid to contract a second marriage.' ' And you will not admit this to be even a faint glimmer of hope, child — though it coincides with your own im pression of the man's photograph, and what Rex told me of him ? ' said Albyn impetuously. ' I dare not build hope, or let you hope on such a terribly frail foundation,' an swered the girl, with sudden, almost startling force. ' Inmressions are mere nothings against facts ; ' then she added, in the manner she had spoken in before ; ' of course, Lady Caroline's story, as obtained through Madame D'Amville, is worth nothing beyond the part which showed Anna's connection with Mr Dysart, and the birth of a daughter, because if his dying confession to his sister had included the confession of a marriage, she would certainly have suppressed that part when speaking to the Marquise.

I wish it were possible for me to get hold of Lady Caroline herself, watch her face, twist her round my finger, but I fear that is hopeless, unless — unless all else fails, and then as a last resource I must make some attempt in that direction. At present, there is no clue in that line to follow.' ' But there is, there must be in my suggestion of this morning — in the possibility that flashed across us both,' said Albyn, clasping the hand on his arm with his own free hand, and bending down. ' You will follow that out, Blackbird ? ' The actress flushed a moment, and her breast heaved, her head drooped. ' I will follow that trail,' she said, quietly ; ' but I warn you to hope nothing from that.' ' Have you no memory of your mother, Margherita, beyond that which as a child you told me ? ' ' None,' she said, sadly ; ' only like a beautiful dream of a saint ; only of her love and my misery when they took her away, dead.' ' My poor darling,' he said, with such infinite tenderness, that she could hardly bear it, or keep back the heavy tears that filled her down-cast eyes ; ' and you have no idea even where she died, or how you came to be with that gang of thieves ? ' ' No — none.

I could not have been four years old, but — ' she stopped for a minute to thoroughly regain her self control, and then went on in an almost hard, business manner, ' but as Kinchin Poll must of course know where she stole me from, the first step I shall take will be to get that out of her ; if she is obdurate to all bribes (which is not very likely), Red Jem will know, I have no doubt. They are all still in prison for their attempt to rob you, and for another robbery for which the police had long been after them.' ' Not you, child ; Emerton must do that part,' said Albyn quickly, even sternly. ' There is no fear of my being recog nised, Mr Castleton, by them or anybody, for either the sometime Arab, or the actress La Mara. Now, we must turn back to the ball-room, sor the band has ceased, and we shall be missed.' ' Promise me two waltzes then, Mar gherita, and — ' he bent down to whisper pleadingly, ' if I am forgiven for those mad words this morning, call me only Albyn when we are alone ! you will not refuse that, sweetheart ? ' She tried to meet his gaze, but her own fell. ' I — should refuse, but, oh, Albyn — I have no strength to-night.' How should she be armed against him at all points ? After all, she was only a girl still — and she loved him.

CHAPTER I II CONSTANCE WORSTED,

Lady Caroline Dysart, or Helen, or Mrs Castleton, had had the least hope that the recreant Albyn would propose to the young lady, or even pay her marked attention at this ball, they were very much mistaken, for nothing was further from his thoughts or intentions. Constance, promenading on the arm of Tom Tillotson, whom Kate had intro duced to her, met the delinquent just as, re-entering the rooms, he left the actress with Madame D'Amville who beckoned her ; Mrs Castleton gave her brother a glance which plainly said, ' I will give you such a talking to, sir,' and he returned it by the most wicked look of mischief which it was possible for that very expressive pair of eyes to give — which is saying a great deal. Poor Tom had much ado not to laugh at the comedy. ' I think we shall leave now, my dear Albyn,' said she; ' it is getting late.' ' Late, Connie ! what a notion, I am not going, anyhow, but still that need not keep you if you are tired, dear.

Addison will give me a lift back, I daresay,' and bowing, he passed on. Constance did not leave yet. Much later, after the second of the promised dances, La Mara sent Albyn to find Addison. ' Tell him,' she said, ' that if he means to return in my carriage, he Constance Worsted. 33 must please come now, for I am very weary.' She looked it too, she had gone through such bitter pain and mental strain to-day. Albyn came back with the manager, and, when they had bade Kate adieu, escorted Margherita to her carriage. ' Enviable man,' he said to Addison ; ' don't elope with your fair charge, Charlie.' ' Take two to consent to that game,' answered Addison, laughing; 'and I don't think La Mara would quite do me such an honour — eh, my dear ? ' ' You do not deserve it,' she said, smiling. The carriage drove off, and after that, guests began to leave, amongst them the Castletons, for Albyn did not again object.

Then Constance, looking as severely as VOL. in. c she could into the handsome face opposite to her, said, — ' I am very angry with you, Albyn.' ' Poor me ! what in the world have I done, dear ? ' said he lazily. ' You know quite well. Firstly, yester day you must needs have Mademoiselle La Mara on your drag of all others, and leave Helen Dysart to Mr Pierrepoint's monopoly.' ' He was welcome to her. I preferred La Mara's company, and so I secured it, you see.' ' And you pursued the same course to night,' pursued Mrs Castleton, ignoring the amused reply ; ' you paid attention to everyone, I do think, but Helen.' ' Did I — well, but you know it is the thing to flirt with La Mara. Is that all my delinquency, sister mine ? ' Constance Worsted. 35 ' We want you to settle down respect ably,' said Constance, as a clincher. ' That is, marry Helen Dysart, and come home to tea !

Ha ! ha ! ha ! what fun ! I think I see myself, Connie,' said Albyn, laughing heartily at the picture ; ' no, no, my dear, I am quite incorrigible. Pierrepoint may have a clear walk over the course for me. It is certainly disin terested of you and Rex to wish to put me in double harness, because if I don't marry. all my property will go by my will to your second son, dear little lad.' ' Who's calling my name ? ' murmured Rex, half asleep in the corner. ' Only your scamp of a brother, my dear fellow. I'm scolding Constance for being such a bad mother. I think I will take a vow of celibacy, and adopt the said young hopeful as my heir, only as "I'se so wicked," as Topsy said, I suppose you wouldn't trust him to my sage bringing-up.' Constance was obliged to laugh as she shook her maternal head, and so his ' talking to,' was empty air of course, as far as the handsome delinquent was concerned. ' You might have known he would come off first best, my dear,' said the squire, as he and his wife retired to rest. ' I always told you it was best to leave the dear scamp alone, for he will go his own way.' The squire, you see, was philosophical.