Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

42 JOSEPH WILMOT; memory of that image should keep me back in the right one. I vowed to devote my existence to An- nabel; but that the offering should be worthy of her to whom it was made, I felt that this life of mine must be kept pure and uncontaminated ;—for that Annabel herself would continue ever the same in virtuous principle,—no matter how the lapse of long, long years might dim the radiance of her charms, and alter her personal appearance,—I had not a doubt. That morning, as I thus sat reflect- ing in the chamber where I had slept, I invoked heayen’s choicest blessings on thy head, thou an- gelic and charming Annabel! Before I descended to the servants’ hall, I looked forth from the window, and beheld an immense garden and pleasure-grounds at the back of the house, with paddocks and orchards adjoining, —and beyond, an undulating sweep of verdant meadows, where flocks and herds were pasturing. It appeared to be a beautiful spot—as the mansion itself, according to what little I had already seen of it, was spacious and handsome. I looked in the glass to see whether my eyes denoted that I had been weeping: I bathed them again—and then, satisfied that all traces of my tears were wiped away, I descended the immense staircase; and en- countering the very identical footman who had brought me in the carriage, was conducted by him towards the servants’ hall, But suddenly he stopped short; and clutching me by the arm, said with a half-smile and a sly look, “Of course, my lad, you will not talk about that little business of last night. It is only known to three or four of us, and need not go any farther.” I readily promised to comply with the man’s in- janction—as indeed it only enjoined the yery course which I myself should have adopted of my own accord. He spoke ejvilly and kindly enough ; and I was thus well pleased to observe that he bore. me no rancour on account of the error into which he had been led through me during the past night, ‘I found that the domestic establishment of the Ravenshill family was an extensive one :—but the servants were now all in the hurry and bustle of When preparations for the family’s departure. breakfast was over, I was informed that the travelling-carria$es would soon be in readiness, and that I was wanted by the Hon. Walter Ravenshill to pack up such portions of his own wardrobe as he purposed to take. To be brief, at about eleven | Oclock, two equipages started from Ravenshill— one containing his lordship, her ladyship, and Mr. Walter—the other two valets, two lady’s-maids, end myself. CHAPTER XI. CHARLTON HALL. In one of the most delightful parts of Devonshire —about twenty miles to the south of Exeter—was situated an old manorial residence, bearing the de- nomination of Charlton Hall. This was one of the country-seats belonging to the Ravenshill family; and it stood in the midst of a vast estate, through which a stream meandered on its crystal way. This property had been in the family for several centuries: from time to time portions of the man- OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. sion had been rebuilt—but on each occasion re- taining some part of the older structure; and thus the entire edifice combined several varieties of architecture, but without any ridiculous contrasts. The interior presented an old-fashioned aspect im- perceptibly blending with the arrangements and improvements devised by notions of modern luxury and comfort. Thus the immense staircase up which a regiment of soldiers might have defiled, was embellished with fine statues and enormous vases: the spacious drawing-rooms were sumpty- ously furnished, but yet in a style to correspond with the elaborate carvings of the cornices, the huge projecting mantel-pieces, and the arched win- dows. The bed-chambeys were so extensive, and in some the windows were so small, that they would have had a gloomy aspect,—were it not that they were furnished in a light and cheerful man- ner. Altogether, the sombre grandeur and massive adornments of by-gone ages were so relieved by the appliances of modern taste, and were brought to blend so imperceptibly with the artificial ele- gances of the present time, that the impression created by the interior of Charlton Hall was by no means a melancholy one. The immense park was intersected from the entrance-lodge to the front of the Hall, by a well- gravelled carriage-drive, bordered by rows of superb beech-trees; thus forming a charming avenue of at least three quarters of a mile in lencth. Being perfectly straight, and gradually widening from the lodge towards the Hall, it afforded an imposing and gradually developing view of the immense mansion, to any one thus approaching the manorial residence for the first time. Clearly and brightly flowed the stream, at a distance of about a quarter of a mile on the vight hand of the park: there seemed to be life in its crystal waters and spirit in its continuous rapidity, as it hurried on to join the river where- unto it was a tributary. On the alluvial borders of this stream and of that river, were situated the finest and richest meadows of the vast estate; and there countless flocks were grazing, and numerous herds of the red cattle of Devonshire browzed upon the emerald pasturage. On the left hand side of the park there was an assemblage of trees aaving the appearance of a perfect forest: but on a near approach, the rich fruitage gemming the boughs, and the regularity with which the trees were planted, enabled the observer to distinguish a well cared-for orchard from a wildly growing wood. The lands, seen from the windows at the back of the mansion, presented a rolling landscape of unparalleled beauty,—a succession of hills and valleys extending far as the eye could reach, until closed by some loftier heights in the horizon, The sides of the hills were clothed with verdant coppices, adding to the beauty of the valleys; and when the entire scene was bathed in the mellow light of the autumnal sun, it was a delicious picture over which the eye could wander without ever tiring. , Lord and Lady Ravenshill had but one son— the Hon. Mr. Walter; and this was the only issue of their marriage. The household establishment at Charlton Hall was an extensive one, and was continuously maintained on the same footing, in- asmuch as the family were wont to pass at least seven or eight months out of every year on this cS (C©) loo im