Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 395: what you’re looking at

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

see em ee ee ee eS eeoresese>-.,:0€C?—— O00 0.0 0 OS SS Oa > 382 JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. ——— ee ew eee a man, that it was quite impossible to foresee how he would regard such a tale as mine; and, all things considered, I seriously asked myself whether it would be prudent to address him on the subject ? No: I came to the conclusion that I must shift for myself—I must do the best I could to earn my own bread; and this at least I should be enabled to do with honour and credit during the two years of my exile from Heseltine Hall. Then—at the ex- piration of that period—however humble my con- dition, I should at all events be enabled to return with head erect, and with the consciousness that if I had been unfortunate, I had at least conducted myself in an upright and becoming manner. The result of my deliberations was therefore the decision that I would zoé write to Sir Mat- thew Heseltine—but that I would avail myself of the sort of promise so generously held out by the great nobleman whom I had met at the Bank of France. The card bore the name of the Duke de Paulin; and his mansion was situated in one of the fashionable fauxbourgs, or suburbs of Paris. It was about noon when I bent my way thither, at the expiration of a week from the date of the rob- bery. An immense gateway opened into a spacious court-yard, around which the grand and lofty edifice was built in the form of a square. A porter—or swisse, as this functionary is denomi- nated in the mansions of the great in France-~was lounging in his lodge, reading a newspaper: he was attired in a splendid livery, which was how- ever of such bright flaming colours that methought it was somewhat too gaudy to be consistent with the usual delicacy of French taste. I however sub- sequently discovered that the porters in palatial mansions in France, are generally dressed in this gorgeous style, and that their apparel is not made to correspond witb the liveries of the other male- servants of the household. As I looked through the gateway, I beheld the tall handsome chasseur whom I had seen in attendance upon the ducal carriage at the Bank of France;—the red and white heron’s plumes floating above his cocked hat, gave him the appearance of an English staff-officer. His uniform was blue, of a military style—the coat richly laced—gold stripes down the trousers— epaulettes upon the shoulders—and a sash, formed of stripes of red and gold alternately, round his waist, the ends having a massive fringe. This in- dividual was conversing with three or four foot- men, whose liveries consisted of light blue coats, with gold lace on the cuffs, collars, and skirts— superb aiguillettes—scarlet waistcoats, laced round the pockets—black plush breeches—and white stockings. All the windows looking upon the court-yard—and ‘there could not have been less than fifty—had draperies, more or less rich, discern- ible through the windows; but those on the ground floor and the first storeys were far the more costly. In a word, the first glance which I flung at this palatial residence conveyed the im- pression of the immense wealth of its ducal pro- prietor, and of the sumptuous style in which he lived. I showed to the porter the card which the Duke de Paulin had given me at the Bank of France; and he bade me write my name upon the back of it, ‘This being done, he rang a hand-bell, which immediately summoned one of the footmen loung: ing in the court-yard. The lacquey took the card Sy . OE A ee Te ree —desired me to follow him—and led the-way across the yard, to a door at the opposite extremity: and here I may observe that each range of builde ings had its own separate door and staircase,—all the doors standing open throughout the day- time. I was conducted through a spacious hall, in which there were some exquisite specimens of stas tuary, and where two or three more footmen in the same livery that I have already described, were lounging. We ascended a wide and handsome marble staircase, the balustrades of which were of bronze with much gilding on the ornamental work, On reaching the landing of the first floor, I per- ceived that wide and lofty passages branched off. The floors were of polished oak, shining like glass; and along the walls, statues holding lamps were ranged. Entering one of these passages, the foot- man conducted me to an ante-chamber, where a table was spread with writing materials: and I subsequently learnt that applicants having favours to request of the Duke, were shown in here that they might reduce their demands to writing. The footman indicated a seat, and passed on into an adjoining room, closing the door behind him. In less than a minute he returned, bidding me follow : and I was now led through another apartment into a third, where I found the Duke lounging upon a sofa, with newspapers, letters, and books scattered around him. The apartment was not large, but was exquisitely furnished. All that the art of the upholsterer and the decorator could achieve—all the sumptuous appointments which lavished gold could procure—all that a refined taste could group together in such a space, in thé form of pictures, alabaster statuettes, magnificent vases, ornaments, and curiosities of ali kinds—were displayed to the eye in thisroom. It was luxuriously carpeted: a cheerful fire of logs blazed in the chimney; and so heavy were the draperies, that not a breath of the cold wintry air could penetrate througli the case- ments. The Duke was enveloped in a superb morning gown, and had a purple velvet cap with a gold tassel upon his head. I have already stated that he was a short thin man: I may now add that his features were sharp—his eyes were small and dark—his hair was only just turning gray—he had a good set of teeth—and his age might be about fifty. Though small in stature, yet his air was dignified; and his manners had that blending of loftiness and affability which pre-eminently charac terizes the French nobleman of the old school. Such was the room, and such was the presence in which I found myself. The servant had retired ; and I was alone with the Duke de Pgulin. He pointed to a chair—and said, “I had not forgotten you. I expected that you would call: for I yes« terday visited my friend the Governor of the Bank —and he informed me that the rogue who robbed you of your money has not been discovered.” ** Such, my lord,” I answered, “ is indeed but too truly the case:’—and here I must observe that I! knew not exactly whether to address the Duke as» if I were speaking to an English nobleman ; for I had read that since the Revolution of 1830 the title: of “my lord” had been abolished; but I thought it better to be on the right side, and therefore I used the expression. “T certainly felt interested in you,” proceeded the Duke; “and I am so still, Have you no LL TR le eS rn GIOaOks (c@) im