Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 241: what you’re looking at

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

—— 228 JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE vidual whom you thus addressed, was but.a hum- | 33 ble one “ Well, I understand !” interrupted Duncansby : “you did not think it worth while, for the short space we should be together. Quite right! God bless you, young man, there was no harm in that. T really liked you: and by the bye, you must have been well brought up—your language is good— your manners too x “T was genteelly brought up, sir,” I answered : and the tears started into my eyes as I thought of the past. “Come, come—I didn’t mean to say anything to annoy you,” exclaimed the good-natured attor- ney. “I don’t think any the worse of you for earning the bread of honest industry. All good people do thué in different ways. But about the little visit of your’s to Carrondale? Of course I see that you wear Inch Methglin’s livery: were you not in his service then?” “T was, sir,’ I answered: and my looks steadily met those of the lawyer. ‘“ A few words will ex- plain. Mr. Vennachar despatched me, in plain clothes, to Carrondale to make certain inquiries. I could not refuse the mission: but I take heaven to witness that I resolved to execute it ina way that, whatever intelligence I might obtain, should not be prejudicial to the interests of Sir Alexander Carrondale. Indeed, it was not my purpose to pry impertinently into that unfortunate gentle- man’s affairs; and when I went back to Inch Methglin, I simply told the Chief that Sir Alexan- der’s chance of gaining the lawsuit was by no means so desperate as the Perthshire journals had represented, and that his name was revered by every one upon his estate.” “T believe you, young man—TI believe you!” exclaimed Duncansby, evidently quite rejoiced that he could thus think well of me again. “1 can assure you, sir,” I continued, “that my sympathies on behalf of Sir Alexander Carrondale are, if possible, stronger than ever. The more I hear of the rancour of feuds and animosities be- tween clans and chiefs, the more I detest them. I have even risked giving offence occasionally to some of my fellow-servants for speaking out too freely on these and similar subjects. [I like the Highlanders, all save in respect to their pride and that spirit of partizanship which sustains evil feelings between one great house and another.” “Tt’s just that,” said the lawyer. “ The High- landers are a noble people—but they have their failings as well as all others. We are now com- plete friends again; and I can assure you that IT have no undue pride. So if you have time and will take a social glass with me e “] thank you, sir,” was my response; “but I am unable to tarry any longer. Believe me, I am rejoiced to know that you do not think ill of me! It would deeply grieve me if it were other- wise.” “God bless you, young man,” exclaimed Dun- cansby, “after all you have told me, I think better of you than ever. I dare say you are surprised to see me at Inch Methglin: but I have gota little business to transact here. I need not say that perhaps it would be as well if you did not mention over at fhe castle, that the lawyer en- gaged on behalf of Sir Alexander Carrondale had paid the village a visit,” MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. ** Not for the world!” I ejaculated. I must take my leave va You would like me to tell you,” interrupted the lawyer, “how the Carrondale affairs get on. The mortgagees are determined to make the boldest possible stand: they will not listen to a compromise ; and so we shall have a hard fight for it in the law-courts soon. My hope is neither stronger nor weaker than it was when last I saw you. In a few months the thing will be settled in one way or another; and you are certain to hear of the result.” “T can promise you, Mr. Duncansby,” I an- swered, “that I have so far identified my feelings with this remarkable case, that if you do succeed I shall be infinitely rejoiced.” The worthy lawyer shook me kindly by the hand: and I issued forth from the village tavern. An hour had by this time elapsed since I parted from Miss Vennachar: and I bent my way towards the church, where I was to meet the young lady. She was not to be seen; and as I strolled round the building, I beheld Lennox on horseback riding at a little distance. He was coming along the road from which diverged the lane where the lovers were wont to meet. If they were about to separate in that lane, Lennox would see them. A few instants more—and they would be lost! The recollection of all his jealous apprehensions swept through my mind; and in a moment I balanced these two alternatives—namely, whether it were better to let them be seen together by Lennox, or whether it were preferable to subject them tc such humiliation as would be inflicted by the knowledge that I was aware of their secret. The latter at once struck me as being the wiser and the kinder course to pursue. Not a minute was to be lost, I repeat;—and dashing through the hedge, I sprang into the lane. I was not deceived. Donald Stuart and Em- meline Vennachar were there, at a little distance, but quite visible from the road along which Len- nox was fortunately walking his horse very slowly. The lovers did not perceive me: neither did the noise I made in springing through the hedge, reach their ears. Emmeline, as if overcome by her feelings, was supported by Donald’s arm, which was thrown round her waist; and he was no doubt breathing in her ears such encouraging and cheering words as a lover is wont to breathe, even when hope is far more distant than he chooses to represent it. Such was the scene which met my view, and which my glance embraced in a moment. “Tt’s just that,’ I heard a voice saying close behind me; and looking round, I beheld the Dominie, who had that instant entered the lane from the road. At the same moment the lovers caught sight of us both; and Donald Stuart, recovering his self- possession quick as thought, took off his hat as if making a respectfully formal bow to Miss Venna- char, and hurried along the lane in the contrary direction from the road. I hastened towards the young lady, and said in a quick voice, “ Mr. Len- nox is riding by on horseback !” Emmeline was covered with confusion at the instant I thus accosted her; but the next moment she drew herself up proudly, and flung upon me a look of severest reproach mingled with haughtiest 1 ElOOO <S co in