Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 50: 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. oO” ——EE_______._.___ ee a I hastened along the deserted street of mid- night, reckless of the way which I took. Indeed my thoughts were in too wild a state of bewilder- -ment for me to deliberate what course I should adopt or which direction I should choose. I looked at myself, and found that I was apparelled in a dark silk dress, with a shawl, a bonnet, gloves, and lady’s shoes. Assuredly these last- mentioned articles were not Annabel’s: for the shoes that belonged to her delicate feet would not have fitted mine. I therefore concluded they were her mother’s. However, not to dwell upon such details, suffice it to say that I was apparelled as a young female; and there would have been some- thing ludicrous in the adventure, were it not that this raiment had been assumed in order to save me from a murderous design. Ah! and I recol- lected the name of Taddy had been mentioned ;— and that man was an acquaintance—nay, more, an accomplice of Lanover’s! I had hoped that when I parted from him near three months back at the gate of Delmar Park, all connexion be- tween him and me was severed for ever: but here I found his name suddenly blending itself in matters deeply and darkly concerning myself, and mysteriously associated with the progress of my destinies. What could it all mean ?—why, I asked myself, should my own uncle (if such Lanover really were) seek my life? and wherefore should Taddy be likewise interested in taking it ? Such were my reflections as I hastened through the streets: but I was aroused from them by some ribald words which a half-tipsy rakish-looking gen- tleman addressed to me as he seized my hand; and breaking away from him, I rushed onward in vague affright. I found myself in Oxford Street. It was not quite so much deserted as Great Russell Street: several females were walking leisurely about—several rude and ill-mannered men also: several equipages, too, dashed by with their pranc- ing steeds and their glaring lights. London was not yet asleep with all her Argus-eyes. I continued my way, still in utter ignorance of what course I ought to adopt—but feeling im- pressed with the paramount importance of follow- ing Annabel’s advice and getting out of the metro- polis as quickly as possible. For a moment the idea struck me that I would hire a public vehicle, proceed to Delmar Manor, and beseech an asylum there: but then I reflected that this would be worse than absurd—it would be absolutely courting danger; inasmuch as the Manor was so close to London, and Mr. Lanover might possibly suspect that I had fied from his house in order to return amongst my former friends. So I went on, more and more bewildered how to act,—rejecting each scheme as soon as formed, and feeling the iron of utter friendlessness penetrating into my very soul. I was accosted by more rakish-looking men, old as well as young: I fled from them with a feeling of horror which I did not however rightly understand at the time. There was a veil to my bonnet; and I drew it down. I turned out of Oxford Street, and found myself in a very large square, the name of which I did not know ; and I thought not of looking up to read it against the corner-houses, although the lamps rendered the place light enough for the purpose. As I was proceeding onward, I suddenly found myself in the midst of a group of insolent young men, one of Whom caught hold of me; and witha ery of terror I broke away from him. They did not pursue me; but their boisterous laughter rang upon my ears until I reached the opposite side of the square ;—and then, through sheer exhaustion, I began to slacken my pace, just as [ reached a diverging street, at the corner of which stood a post-chaise with four horses. But at that very instant methought I again heard those sounds of laughter coming from be- hind ; and seized with apprehension of farther an- noyance, I hastened towards a footman who was standing close by the door of the post-chaise, for the purpose of beseeching his protection. He im- mediately opened the door, and hurriedly motioned me to enter the vehicle. In my bewilderment, fright, and confusion, I instantaneously complied, —naturally thinking that he was good-naturedly putting me there for protection against the rude persons whom he might see advancing. The door was quickly closed—the footman sprang upon the box, exclaiming, “ All right !’—and the post-chaise darted away at the utmost speed of the four horses attached to it. CHAPTER X. AN ADVENTURE. I was so astounded at this incident that I was for some minutes at a loss what to do: indeed, I felt as if it were all a dream. I threw up the veil which was over my countenance—looked from both windows to convince myself that I was really and positively awake—and then pressed my hands to my temples to still the throbbing of my brain and settle my ideas. Yes—I was indeed broad awake! It was no dream; and I found myself seated alone inside that chaise, and being whirled along at a tremendous pace. It was but too evident that some egregious error had occurred, and that I had been taken for some one else: because it was impossible to conceive that this post-chaise-and- four was waiting in readiness for me, or that An- nabel’s arrangements for my flight could have gone to this extent. I thrust my head from the window, and called to the footman, who was seated on the box. The rattle of the wheels and the trampling of horses created such a din that I could not hear what he said in reply: but I caught the words “All right,” and “nothing to fear;” and I like- wise perceived that he motioned vehemently with his hand, but at the same time in a perfectly re- spectful manner, for me to draw in my head from the window. Again I endeavoured to make him comprehend that some grand mistake must have occurred : again I caught the words “ All right” — and then he urged the postilions to accelerate their speed. I sank back in the vehicle in a strangely excited state of mind: and once more I began to suspect that, after all, the post-chaise might really have been intended for me. But if so, why had not Annabel mentioned it? Moreover, how could she possibly foresee that on leaving Great Russell Street my wandering steps would lead me in that precise direction where the equipage was waiting ? No—it was out of all question; and therefore I ee SN TS TT Sh TT Set ecll ELC) <S (Cc) im