Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 363: what you’re looking at

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

——— —_——— ee 390 «You are prosperous? you are doing well? you are comfortably situate P’ said Lady Eccleston: and her deep blue eyes were fixed upon me for a moment with a certain degree of interest ;—but they were instantaneously averted again; and bending down, she trifled with a beautiful little spaniel that lay upon the hearth-rug. “Tam comfortably situated, I thank your lady- ship,” was my response: and rising from my seat, I was advancing towards the door,—when Lord Eccleston called me back, “Where are you living? what are you doing?” he inquired. | “IT am in the service, my lord, of Sir Matthew Heseltine,” was my answer; “and he lives in Westmoreland: but he has sent me up to London on a little private business, which will perhaps detain me here a few days.” * And then you go back to Westmoreland ?” exclaimed his lordship: and on my responding in the affirmative, he glanced towards his wife,—who, it struck me, bent upon him a peculiar look, at the same time shaking her head in a deprecating man- ner: but what she meant I could not for the life of me conceive. “Well, if it happens that circumstances compel you to leave the service of the gentleman whom you have named,” said his lordship, “ let me know at once. You have rendered me a service in bringing me this document; and I should be glad to have an opportunity of benefiting you. Indeed, to show my gratitude, you must permit me - “No, my lord!” I interrupted him, as he drew forth his purse. “ The little service which I have been enabled to render your lordship, has cost me nothing ; and I can accept no pecuniary reward.” I thereupon bowed, and hastened forth from the room: but as I turned to close the door, Leaught the last look which her ladyship’s deep blue eyes flung upon me—a look which was as incomprehensible and as peculiar as the former glances whereof I had been the object during this interview. I issued from the mansion, wondering what it could all mean. There was an evident mystery of some sort which I eould not possibly fathom: it per- plexed and bewildered me—it even haunted me. I was dispirited, I knew not why: and anxious to throw off this unaccountable oppression—having, too, plenty of time upon my hands—I went and visited the public picture-galleries and museums, thus whiling away the hours until five in the even- ing. The natural cheerfulness of my disposition had regained its empire: the sadness of the forenoon had worn off: andif I still thought of my interview with the Ecclestons, it was merely to wonder what the peculiar incidents of that half-hour could mean. On returning to the hotel, I found a letter from Mr. Tennant the solicitor, desiring me to be with him at eleven o'clock on the ensuing morning. Punctual to this appointment, I entered Furni- val’s Inn as the clock was striking the hour; and in a few minutes I found myself closeted with Mr. Tennant, in his own private office. “I may now safely enter upon those explana- tions, Mr. Wilmot,” said the man of business, “which I was not permitted to unfold the day before yesterday. You know that Sir Matthew Heseltine is an eccentric character, and has 4 singular way of doing things. However, that is not my business: all that regards me, is to follow JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, TILE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. the instructions of a long-standing and excellent client. You are aware, Mr. Wilmot,’ continued the solicitor, “that Sir Matthew’s heart has been softened towards a long disowned and ignored daughter. Indeed, from certain passages in the letter which you brought me, it is evident that you yourself were mainly instrumental in imbuing Sir Matthew Heseltine with these better feelings, But Sir Matthew, while seriously thinking of be- coming reconciled to his daughter, was resolved first of all to ascertain whether her conduct has all along continued worthy of the good opinion of the world—whether she has done her duty as, a wife and as a mother—and whether, in short, he could receive her to his arms without dishonour and de- gradation to himself. On this head I was ordered to institute the most searching inquiries ; and, according to my instructions, the result of these inquiries was to decide whether any farther steps should be taken in respect to your particular mis- sion to London. Suppose, for instance, that it had come to my knowledge that Sir Matthew’s daughter had fallen into an evil course of life, and that she had become utterly unworthy of the recon- ciliation which he yearned to bring about,—utterly unworthy too of being recognised as the heiress of his wealth,—then, in this case, a particular course was marked out for me to pursue. I should have sent you back to Westmoreland with the in- telligence; and you would not have had the plea- sure and satisfaction of making a certain com. munication to the lady of whom we are speaking — nor of escorting her to Heseltine Hall that she might be received into her father’s arms. At the same time, I must inform you, Mr. Wilmot, that Sir Matthew would have left it to my discretion to render pecuniary assistance to his daughter, if she stood in need of it—as well as to adopt whatsoever plan I thought fit for the benefit of her family.” * But it has all turned out otherwise, I hope P” was my eager exclamation; “and the result of your inquiries uf “ Is completely favourable,” answered Mr, Ten- nant emphatically. “Oh, I am rejoiced!” I cried, my heart swell- ing with emotions of joy at the thought of being the instrument of reconciliation between a long separated father and daughter. ““Yes—my inquiries have been completely favourable,” continued the solicitor. “ The unfor- tunate lady has a brute of a husband, whom I am sure that Sir Matthew Heseltine will never re- ceive with pleasure. Fortunately, however, this man—as J have ascertained—is now on the Con- tinent, engaged in some particular business; and he is not expected to return for some weeks. His wife therefore can accompany you to Heseltine Hall: and it is perhaps all for the best that her husband should not be of the party. When once Sir Matthew’s altered and more tender sentiments towards his daughter are confirmed and settled, he will perhaps be in a better frame of mind to encounter her husband.” “ How many children has she, Mr. Tennant,” I inquired: “for doubtless she will wish to take them with her; and moreover I should like them all to be presented to their grandfather that is to say, if his instructions to you have given me the power to adopt such a course.” “It appears from what I yesterday learnt, she <5) ElOOO (Cc) im