Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 368: what you’re looking at

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

JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. of being again with Annabel. Oh! how I loved her! Beautiful as she had ever appeared to me, more beautiful still had she seemed on the pre- vious day, The immaculate purity of her thoughts made her countenance the face of an angel: heayen’s own serene and blessed light shone in the azure of her eyes. It was as utterly im- possible to connect the idea of ink with snow, as to associate aught of the grossness of this world with the mind of Annabel. And then to hear the soft music of her voice—to drink in its silvery tones—to feel the fragrance of the breath which wafted the dulcet words—to contemplate the pure yermilion lips that formed the coral portals through which came the gentle tide of harmony,—all this was rapture beyond description! No wonder that I was in haste to proceed to Great Russell Street : no wonder that I forgot Calanthe—and even my ehild; or that if I thought of them for a moment, I kept down the sigh which was rising up in my throat, and was instantaneously cheered again by the contemplation of the image of Annabel! My carpet-bag was packed—my breakfast was hurriedly disposed of—my bill was paid—and I stepped into the post-chaise, which had been ‘ordered for a particular hour. Then away to Great Russell Street! Mrs. Lanover and Annabel were in readiness for the journey: the former looked better in health, and was in spirits more elevated, than ever I had yet seen her: the latter was radiant. Yes—but not with that radiance of beauty which dazzles, bewilders, and overwhelms: it was the radiance of an angelic light which the eye can gaze upon, and which has softness and tenderness in the yery halo of its lustre. I handed them into the post-chaise: 1 took my seat opposite to them; and away sped the equipage. Need I describe in minute details all we said or all I felt during this journey? I could fill yolumes: for the subject was to me then, and is to me zow, one of such interest that I could dwell upon it for ever. But 1 must not fatigue the patience of the reader. Nevertheless, this same kind reader must bear with me for a brief space,— inasmuch as there are certain particulars which are to be recorded. There was no artifice—no power of dissimu- lation about Annabel: she loved me-—-and she did not study to keep a strict, rigid, and prudish guard over her words or her looks in her mother’s presence. Mrs. Lanover comprehended that we were attached to each other; and though she made no pointed remark upon the subject,—yet by an occasional word delicately dropped, she suf- fered me to understand that I was already as dear to her as if I were her own son, and that she was not displeased by my attentions to Annabel. Not a syllable was said relative to any course which must be adopted when we reached Heseltine Hall. Annabel knew too little of her grandfather to have the subject forced upon her thoughts: while Mrs, Lanover was either prepared to suffer circum. stances to take their own development, or else purposed to seize some opportunity of mentioning to her father the attachment which subsisted between her daughter and myself. This much I ’ gathered from the equanimity of her manner— from a knowledge of her own character—and from her avoidance of any formal observations on the subject when the circumstances of the journey = a a ea 555 occasionally left us alone for a few minutes io- gether. We journeyed with all suitable despatch. The first night we slept at Birmingham—the second night at Manchester; and in the afternoon of the third day, we came in sight of Kendal. At length the post-chaise dashed up to the iron gates of the grounds in the midst of which Heseltine Hall was situate. I perceived that the agitation which my companions had been experiencing for the last few hours, was now increasing; and this was natural enough. Mrs, Lanover was about to ap- pear in the presence of a father whom she had not seen for more than one-and-twenty years: while Annabel was in a few minutes to be introduced to that grandsire whom she had never seen at all, and of whose existence she had only known within the last few days. The conversation ceased altogether as we approached the mansion, I observed that Mrs. Lanoyer turned aside her countenance to conceal the tears which the recollections of the past called forth: for she was now moving amidst scenes which were not so altered as to be un- familiar to her recollection. Annabel’s hand gently sought that of her mother; and the pressure it bestowed was meant to convey affectionate and endearing encouragement, Oh! as I regarded that charming creature, how often and often during this journey had I blessed heaven to think that she was not really the daughter of the hideous humpback! | The post-chaise drew up at the entrance of Heseltine Hall; and I marvelled whether the old Baronet himself would appear upon the threshold to give his daughter and his grandchild the fullest and completest welcome; or whether his cynical pride would induce him to await their appearance in some apartment, so that whatever betrayal of feeling there might transpire on his own side, should be veiled from the observation of the domestics. I was as much astonished as delighted when, as I leapt forth from the chaise, Sir Matthew descended the steps of the portico; and laying his hand upon my shoulder, said in a low tremu- lous voice, ‘ Joseph, it is for me to assist them out,” Cheerfully under the circumstances did I make way for him; and the next moment Mrs, Lanover was clasped in her father’s arms. Not a word was spoken: but he showed her by the warmth of hig embrace that all was forgotten—all forgiven! Then he turned to Annabel: and for a few mo- ments the old man was evidently smitten with delighted amazement at the ravishing beauty and incomparable loveliness of his granddaughter. Her too he folded in his arms; and wy ears caught the words, “Bless thee, my sweet girl !— bless thee !” Oh! the granite rock was completely stricken by the magic wand: the cynical heart melted be- neath the influence of tenderest sympathy; and all the best feelings welled forth from that longs sealed fountain. Yes; heaven’s own blessed love had come down to roll away the stone from the sepulchral heart of the old Baronet, and to sit therein with its angelic presence. ee ELONOO S co iin