Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

. JOSEPH WILMOT; You will have no difficulty in guessing that the duel arose from that very affair in which you, when dressed in female apparel, played so singular apart. But I will give you a few particulars, Joseph. No match could have been more eligible for Mr. Walter than the one which was settled to take place with Miss Jenkinson. His family wanted money—her’s wanted a patrician alliance ; and I am enabled to state that when Mr. Walter spoke to her father, with the young lady’s consent, he very frankly explained his position in a pecu- niary point of view, and the encumbrances that are upon the estates to which he is the heir. Mr. Jenkinson probably knew all these things before: but doubtless our young master’s candour made a favourable impression upon him. It was agreed that Mr. Walter should be received as the young lady’s suitor; and my lord and her lady- ship arrived from the country to form the ac- quaintance of their future daughter-in-law and her parents. They took up their abode at the town- mansion, where Mr. Ravenshill had been residing ever since we left the Hall six months back; and all seemed to go on well and comfortable for a fortnight. But then came anonymous letters from Devonshire to old Mr. Jenkinson and the young lady, to the effect that. Mr. Walter had been engaged to Miss Boustead—that he had broken off the match under very dishonourable circumstances—and that he had been served by Mr. Boustead’s attorney with a notice of action for breach of promise. This intelligence troubled the Jenkinsons very much; but I believe that such explanations were given as would have satis- fied them, had not other untoward circumstances, producing a complete exposure, followed close upon the heels of the first. A grand party was given by some family in Belgrave Square, at which the Jenkinsons were present, as was also Mr. Walter: but my lord and her ladyship were not—I forget exactly why. Mrs.and Miss Cuth- bert were amongst the guests; and when Mr. Walter endeavoured to pay his respects to them, they turned their backs upon him. This was seen by the Jenkinsons; but even that incident he might have explained away, were it not for what followed. Late in the evening Captain Berkeley made his appearance; and while Mr. Ravenshill was engaged in conversation with Mr. Jenkinson —to whom he always took care to be particularly courteous and polite—Captain Berkeley accosted them ; and said to our young master, ‘You are a scoundrel—a liar—and a forger! To-morrow morning you will hear from me, if I hear not from you. —He then walked away to another part of the room, as coolly and collectedly as if he had merely been exchanging some complimentary ex- pressions, instead of flinging those terrible accu- sations at Mr. Ravenshill. No one save Mr. Jenkinson overheard what had passed: it was therefore evidently done by Captain Berkeley for the express purpose of exposing our young master to that gentleman. You may conceive, Joseph, that Mr. Jenkinson was astounded at what had taken place: but Mr. Walter no doubt enjoined him to subdue his emotions, so as to prevent creating a scandal beneath the hospitable roof of their mutual friends. Mr, Jenkinson immediately retired with his wife and daughter; and Mr. Walter left soon afterwards. The next morning OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. 71 he and Captain Berkeley fought near Hampstead ; and as you already know, our young master was wounded in the arm. On the following day Mr. Ravenshill left abruptly for the Continent: but before he went, he told me that he could no longer afford to keep a valet for his own special attend- ance, and that I must thenceforth consider that I belonged entirely to his lordship’s household. Poor young gentleman! I pitied him deeply. I besought him to let me accompany him,—giving him to understand as plainly as I could, that re- muneration was of no consequence until he should see better times: but he only shook his head in a. gloomy manner and with a sickly smile—then abruptly quitted the room.” “This is indeed most sad,” I observed, feeling acutely pained on Mr. Walter’s account. * This happened the day before yesterday,” added Charles; “and early yesterday morning, the travelling carriage was got in readiness, and my lord and lady set out again for Devonshire.” * But wherefore did Captain Berkeley,” I asked, “address such severe taunts as those to Mr. Walter ?” 7 “Do you not comprehend, Joseph ?” asked Lin- ton. “It was evidently by means of a forged note, purporting to be sent by Captain Berkeley, that it was hoped to entice Miss Cuthbert to the post- chaise that night you were taken for her. The stratagem must however have been seen through, and the authors of it suspected. Thus, you per- ceive, the scandal of this circumstance following so close upon the one respecting Miss Boustead, natur- ally caused the Jenkinsons to break off the match. They had seen that Mr. Ravenshill was cut by Mrs. and Miss Cuthbert—which fully corroborated the rumour that reached their ears as to the cause of the duel.” “And do you know,” I inquired, “on what terms Mr. Ravenshill parted from his father and mother P” “ No—TI obtained no knowledge on that point,” responded Linton, “But I am aware that Mr. Ravenshill quitted the house abruptly, and without bidding them farewell. What might have previ- ously passed between them, I know not. Her ladyship, as you may perceive, is most dreadfully cut up: she cannot conceal all she suffers,—but she conceals a part; and therefore we may judge how acute must be the anguish thus experienced, when it cannot be entirely hidden by a woman of her strong mind, As for his lordship, he too must suffer profoundly: for he likewise betrays out- wardly some portion of his care and woe.” Charles and I remained in the garden talking for some little time longer; and then we sought our respective chambers. I could not help won- dering why Lord and Lady Ravenshill should have come back to the mansion in Devonshire; and on the following day, when Linton and I were again talking together, I spoke to him on the subject. “The scandal created by the duel and other rumours that were afloat,” answered Charles, “was too great for my lord and her ladyship to remain in London, or even so near London as Ravenshill House; and they had therefore really no alternative but to come back to Devonshire. Besides, his lordship must face his creditors: he must be upon the spot when the crisis comes. I suppose that he will move heayen and earth to Elyoo S (Cc) AA