Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 151: what you’re looking at

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138 JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. of warmth: it was evidently for the preparation of things that might be needed by an invalid under particular circumstances. _ However, I was now alone in my own chamber; and not for a moment did I think of seeking my couch. I did not put off an article of my apparel —but sat down and gave way to my reflections. Eleven o’clock was proclaimed by the deep-toned bell of the nearest church: another hour, and the year would be complete! If Annabel should be still alive when the last stroke of twelve had ceased to vibrate in the air, then indeed might I adopt the conclusion that the incident of Charlton church was all a freak of the fancy but not till then. For now, as midnight approached, my superstitious terrors grew more and more pro- found, and likewise more poignant. Half-an-hour passed; one half-hour alone re- mained to complete the year. I now heard the front-door open and close with some little degree of violence, as if in the excitement of haste on the part of the dividual who had either just gone out or just come in. Almost immediately afterwards my ear caucht the sounds of a loud knocking at Mr. Sawkms’ door opposite; and hurrying to my window, I distimetly perceived Dr. Pomfret stand- ing on the steps of the apothecary’s house: for the ledge which ran underneath my casement, did not shut out from my view the pavement on the opposite side of the way. I hastened to extinguish the hight, which I had still kept burning in my room,—for fear the physician, on looking up, should perceive it, and would be angry at the circumstance. But agam, Mm a moment, was I at the window; and by the hght of the brilliant-coloured lamp I beheld Mr. Sawkins come forth and instantane- ously cross the way with the doctor. door of the house now opened and closed again ; and I, a prey to the most torturing anxiety, could not possibly resist the impulse which my feel- ings gave to open the door of my own chamber. I went forth, and listened: the sounds of several footsteps and the murmurs of voices reached me from below. All in an instant I felt shocked and ashamed at my own conduct—and stole back into my chamber. But in the excitement of my mind I forgot to close the door behind me. I threw myself on a chair, and again gave way to my re- flections. Ten minutes or a quarter of an hour must have thus passed, when I was startled up by hearing footsteps again moving about in the lower part of the house, and now as if in a very hurried and excited manner. Once more did such wild ap- prehensions seize upon me—such dreadful alarms— that I ceased to have any control over my thoughts or actions. I rushed forth. It struck me that something terrible had occurred. I felt convinced of it. All my superstitious alarms of the day—all my dread forebodings, appeared to accumulate as if to strike me with one tremendous blow. Again was I on the landing; and voices from the first floor reached my ears. Good heavens, what were the words which I thus caught! “Tt is all over, poor thing!” said Mrs. Pom- fret, whose voice I at once recognised. “She is A “Dead P” ejaculated the Private Parlour-maid, who at the moment was hurriedly ascending the staurs to that floor. “Dead!” was the thrilling echo which burst The front- from my lips: for, Oh! the horrible word smote with such terrific power upon my brain, and sent a pang of such ineffable agony piercing through my heart, that I lost all control over myself, Dead! Good heavens, Annabel was dead! Wildly IT rushed down the stairs. Mrs. Pomfret and the Private Parlour-maid, who had heard the dread monosyllable echoed from my lips, and had then caught the sounds of my precipitating footsteps, were standing transfixed with mingled dismay and amazement at the wild excitement thus evidenced on my part. I bounded past them: the arms of both were outstretched to hold me back as I rushed towards the door, which stood open, and through which a light was glimmering from within. But a whole army of men would not have retained me then! Onward I flew—madly! I remember that a room having the appearance of a parlour, was traversed with the speed of the whirlwind. Inte the room beyond did I precipitate myself, It was a bed-chamber: a light was burning ona table—an old woman (a nurse) was hastening out as I entered: Dr. Pomiret and Mr. Sawkins were likewise aé@vancing towards the door—I suppose to ascertain what the disturbance meant. But, reck- less of everything—a prey to mingled madness and despair—I dashed past them. And there, in that bed, lay a lifeless form :—upon the pillow reposed a head the wealth of whose luxuriant hair flowed all wildly about, and whose countenance was of the marble pallor of death! “ Annabel! dearest Annabel!” I exclaimed in a passionate outburst of grief; as I threw myself upon my knees, extending my clasped hands wildly towards her who slumbered in the sleep that knew no waking. : At that instant the neighbouring church-clock began to proclaim the hour of midnight; and as its deep metallic tones, penetrating into the room, rolled upon my ear, methought they were the same as those of Charlton Church when proclaiming the same hour, precisely one year back, on that Mid- summer’s Eve which showed me the prophetic vision that was now so fatally fulfilled. A rude hand grasped me violently by the shoulder: the voice of Dr. Pomfret sternly and roughly spoke something, the sense of which I did not however catch: a dizziness seized upon my brain—the room appeared to be turning round—the corpse itself seemed moving likewise—and with a heavy groan I sank senseless upon the floor. - +3 CHAPTER XXX. MY CHAMBER. WueEn I awoke to consciousness, I was undressed, and in my bed in my own attic chamber. It was broad daylight; and it appeared as if I were awakening from some horrible dream, but the nature of which I could not immediately remember. Full soon however did a dreadful recollection flash to my mind; and the whole scene of that chamber of death was vividly conjured up to my view all ina moment. I started up,—as if with the wild glance which I flung round the chamber, I could at once catch at something that would clear up the horrible uncertainty in which I was involved, and a CORNICELOO@ S (E (0)