Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 285: what you’re looking at

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

272 JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. been fancy, but it struck me at the moment it was the reality, that they seemed to stare upon me with that fixed glassy gaze which had made the blood turn cold in my veins on the memorable evening of my previous adventure in this same place. “Eugene,” is that you?” said the same chill stern voice which I had heard before within those very walls and which was horribly familiar to me. “T had fallen asleep—the fire has gone out—the lamp is close upon extinction. Ah, I was over- powered by the agitation of my own thoughts— and slumber stole upon me. Ring for a light, fugene Wherefore do you not speak to me ?” “My lord,’ I answered, trembling from head to foot, “it is not he for whom you take me——”’ “ Good heavens—that voice!” ejaculated the old nobleman, who was indeed none other than the Marquis of Chilham. “Surely, surely I have heard it before! Who are you? Speak!”’— and the next instant a firm rigid grasp was laid upon the collar of my coat. At that same moment too the lamp went out; and we were enveloped in utter darkness. I must candidly confess that I-was under the influence of a numbing terror, bordering almost upon horror. Tt struck me that there was something awfully strange and even ominous in the coincidences which had thus brought me back to that room, all my recollections of which, both with regard to the fearful picture and the scene which had taken place there eighteen months before, were but too well calculated to inspire such a feeling. And there I was, too, in the clutch of that old noble- man with the glassy eyes, the stare of which seemed to be riveted chillingly on me through the utter darkness that prevailed. “My lord,” I stammered out, tremulously and with difficulty, “it was an accident i “Good heavens, it is the same! the voice is un- mistakable !” ejaculated the Marquis of Chilham: then the next instant he added, with cold stern- ness, “ Remain here, young man—move not at your peril!” His hand quitted my coat-collar, and the next moment I heard a clicking sound like that of a pistol. I was on the very point of springing upon him to disarm him, as I thought, of a mur- derous weapon—when the sound was repeated more audibly than before; and I instantaneously recognised it to be that of a bell-wire. Ashamed of my fears, I remained stationary—but hastened to observe in a far more collected manner than I had previously been able to command, “I assure your lordship that Iam innocent of any imperti- nent curiosity, and that it is a mere coincidence which has brought me beneath this roof.” “Silence, sirrah, for the present!” nobleman’s stern interjection. In a few moments the door opened; and by the light which was burning in the corridor, a foot- man was discernible on the threshold. “Bring another lamp,” said the Marquis, “ and tell Lord Lester to come hither.” The domestic instantaneously disappeared,— leaving the door partially open, doubtless that the room might not remain altogether without a light during his absence. Not another word was spoken was the until he had brought a lamp and Lord Lester made his appearance. This nobleman was, as I had expected, none other than the Marquis’s son Eugene—the one who had brought me to the house on that memorable evening when I was mistaken for another. And that other for whom I had been so mistaken, was now no longer un- known to me: all mysteries were cleared up to my comprehension—and I had no difficulty in under- standing that Stephen Rowland was the individual for whom I was taken on the occasion referred to. The domestic retired, having placed another lamp upon the table; and Lord Lester advancing into the room, at once recognised me. He stop- ped short in amazement: but the next instant his eyes seemed to flash fire. “ Joseph Wilmot—here!” he ejaculated: and then, as a visible trouble mingled with rage upon his haughtily handsome countenance, he advanced towards me. “By heaven! for this violation of your sacred pledge—for this intrusion ? “‘ My lord,” I interrupted him, speaking firmly, and not altogether without a certain defiance in my tone, look, and manner,—“ you would perhaps do well to hear what I have to say. Do so, or refuse, just as you think fit: but rest assured that I am neither to be browbeaten by your arrogance, nor to be easily overpowered if you attempt violence.” “This insolence!” exclaimed Lord Lester, with a menacing movement; and again his eyes flashed with the fire of rage. “ Patience, Eugene!” said the old Marquis, in a peremptory tone. “And now, sir,” he added, turning towards me, “ what explanation have you to give of your intrusion here ?” “Simply this, my lord,’ I answered firmly, though with a becoming respect,—“ that I mistook the way to my chamber =f “ Your chamber ?” echoed both father and son, in unfeigned astonishment. “Yes, my lord,’ I continued; “accident has rendered me a temporary inmate of your man- sion.” “What mean you?” demanded the Marquis, still in complete bewilderment. “Ts it possible that you have come hither,” exclaimed Eugene, “with those plebeian money- grubbers > *‘T have come hither,” I interrupted Lord Lester in a dignified and disdainful manner, “ with per- sons who are as worthy of consideration and esteem as the proudest nobles in the land, not even except- ing your own haughty self.” “A truce to this insolence,” exclaimed Eugene. “ There is some vile trickery in all this!” “ Do let him explain,” said the Marquis, sternly impatient: and his glassy eyes, for a moment bent upon his son, reverted towards me. “ Proceed. What have you to say ?” “ Accident brought me into the service of Mr. Stephen Rowland ‘ “ Stephen Rowland!’ muttered Hugene between his grinding teeth: and a hateful expression passed over his naturally handsome features. “Silence, Eugene!” said the Marquis peremp- torily: and again he bade me proceed. “Tt is as I am explaining to your lordship,” I _ went on to say; “and though but a humble indi- vidual, I have my own feelings as well as your son Gdoo S (Cc) im