Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

i ee a ee ee ——— ee tn ee = 4 er et ee ee ee eee ee ee. ‘JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. 123 There I sat down to reflect—deliberately, if pos- sible—upon all that had occurred. Good heavens! was it a reality or a dream P—was I the object of Lady Calanthe’s love? and had I been foolish enough to leave her in the dark as to the impos- sibility of my soul reciprocating itP Yes, such was the manner in which we had separated; and as I now retrospected over all the details of our interview, I couid scareely wonder at my own confusion,—though I did not the less blame my- self for the fault into which it had betrayed me. I should have dealt candidly with her—I should haye interrupted her at the very outset—I should not have suffered her to unbcsom her revelations until the end! Oh, how vexed I was at my want of moral courage! how bitterly did I blame myself! But what was to be done? To seek another interview with Lady Calanthe, and to tell her now what I ought to have told her before, would be to cover her with humiliation. I could not do it: and yet something must be done—it was not possible to leave her undeceived! But how was a fitting explanation to be made? The longer I meditated, the more I was bewildered; and as is usual in such cases, I could arrive at no settled purpose. Several days passed away; and no opportunity presented itself for me to be alone with Lady Calanthe for more than a few moments at a time, and this only on two or three occasions. But then she failed not to grasp my hand and press it warmly in her own,—bending upon me looks full of the deepest love; and perhaps in the mingled mournfulness and confusion of my own counte- nance, she fancied she beheld the evidence of love on my part, Lady Georgiana had got quite well again. I had received the thanks of Mr. Tiverton in respect to the adventure of the bull; and he had generously offered me half a sovereign as a reward,—which I had declined with perhaps some- what more firmness than respect. Another dinner- party took place; and the time was now at hand when, according to original arrangements, Lady Calanthe was to return to her father’s seat in the neighpourhood of London. en emt CHAPTER XXVIII. A SURPRISE. ONE morning the postman brought a letter ad- dressed to myself; and it was delivered to me by John Robert in the servants’ room. Charlotte Murray was seated there at the time; and I ob- served that she watched me with -some degree of interest as I read it. “Now perhaps, Joseph,” she said, glancing around to assure herself that we two were alone present, “vou will have the goodness to tell me who is your correspondent.” “To be sure, Charlotte,’ I responded, smiling. “It is a certain person whom you once saw, though perhaps you may have forgotten all about it >? *“ Don’t be so silly, Joseph!” she interrupted me, half in good-nature, half in confusion. “ Come, sir, tell me at once! that letter is from Charles Linton? Not that I am curious, you know, to penetrate into any secrets that there may be between you; but as you yourself assured me he is such a kind-hearted young man, I should lke to learn that he is in good health.” “ And suppose, Charlotte, that he positively and actually sends a message to you,” I said, mis- chievously tantalizing her a little,—“should you be offended ?” “T am yery certain, Joseph,” she exclaimed, blushing, “that he does not even mention my name ; and I defy you to prove that he does,” “Oh! very well: I will soon convince you to the contrary. It is a long letter, you perceive. I have already told you many circumstances con- nected with the Ravenshill family: I am now in- formed that the reconciliation is complete between Mr. Ravenshill’s wife and her parents—therefore with My. Ravenshill himself. The old lord and her ladyship are still upon the Continent, Mr, Jen- kinson has settled a handsome income upon the young couple: but not a word has been mentioned of his adyancing any money for the purpose of buying back, if practicable, the Ravenshill estates. These ‘are the principal news contained in Charles Linton’s letter.” “Well, then,” exclaimed Charlotte, “if there are really no secrets, just let me read it for myself. I am very much interested indeed in the affairs of the Ravenshills “Oh, no doubt!” I said, still tantalizing Char- lotte in a good-humoured manner, “ By the bye, here is what Charles says, where your name is mentioned :—‘ Give my remembrances to Miss Murray.’ ”’ : * Well, it is laconic enough,” she observed, with an evident air of disappointment; and not choosing to trifle with her any longer, I gave her*the letter. 4 You wicked fellow !” she exclaimed, as a blush mantled upon her cheeks, and her eyes swam with a pleasure which it was impossible for her to con- ceal: “ how dare you tell me such stories? Your friend says, ‘Pray give my very kindest regards to Miss Murray; and tell her that I have not for- gotten the agreeable little walk we had in Exeter ; and likewise that when she returns with her mis- tress to Mandeville Hall, near Enfield, I shall not fail to seek an early opportunity to pay my re- spects to her..—What made you take such pleasure in teazing me, Joseph ?” “Well, I must confess, Charlotte, it was very wicked on my part,’ I answered, smiling: “ but somehow or another, I suspected that Charles Linton was not altogether indifferent to you; and I was determined to ascertain the truth. So, as Iam going to answer his letter presently, I shall not forget to mention that his message pleased you; and I can also convey him one from you in reply.” “Tf you must mention my name,” answered Charlotte, blushing, “you can tell him that as a matter of course I shall be happy to see him at Mandeville Hall, It is but ordinary civility, you know; and therefore, Master Joseph, you are not to put any of your own mischievous constructions upon the proceeding.” At this moment the bell of Lady Calanthe’s bed-chamber rang; and as Charlotte was obliged to hasten off and attend upon her mistress, our colloquy ended. —— LLL - a cy sr eee asec COmicaoolks (C©) im