Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

LE Ld SJ JURA SSSR sss sss SSSSSNSSsnn 3h ses mms sensss esheets ts sss . 86 I could not help thinking that any servant's situation—even the most menial—was preferable to that of this miserable grovelling toady, whose entire employment was to think, look, move, and talk in undeviating accordance with the will and humour of her patroness. But I of course said nothing; and I have no doubt that Miss Dakin fancied I entertained a very different opinion of the dignity of her position. “Now, Joseph Wilmot,” added her ladyship, “you can retire; and to-night you must be here with your boxes by nine o’clock—and not an in- stant later.” I thought to myself that, after all, I had better accept this situation. It afforded me a home at once: I might go farther and fare worse: if I threw away this chance, I might be a long time ere finding another: if I remained out of service, my money would be slippme away;—and I na- turally shuddered at the idea of falling into such poverty as that which had thrown me in the way of Mr. Taddy. So I bowed aequieseence to the mandate last issued; but not standing in need of the bounteous bequest of a glass of small beer and a mouthful of bread and cheese, I at once took my departure from Myrtle Lodge. As I was proceeding along the carriage-drive, I encountered a short, thin man,—very shabbily dressed—about fifty years of age—and with a sharp suspicious look. He had e mean appearance, and none of the prideful assumption which blended therewith—or rather glossed it over—on the part of her ladyship. At the very first glance I expe- rienced a dislike for this individual; and I hoped that he would not prove to be Mr. Tiverton. I was however disappointed. “Well, youngster,” he said, beckoning me to stop. “Who are you?’—and he eyed me just as if he thought I was some lurking thief carrying off a silver spoon or some other booty on which I had laid my hands. “ Been after the place—eh? Well, I thought so,” he immediately added, as I replied in the affirmative. “When are you coming?” * To-night, sir—at nine o’cloek.” “Very well, then,” he instantaneously responded, in a peremptory tone: “you will be here at half- past eight. So now understand me. I am the master here—and my word is law.” With these words he looked very fierce, as if thinking it possible that I might venture to con- tradict him by stating my impression to be some- what different, and that Lady Georgiana’s word was the only law to be followed. But I merely expressed my cbedience to the eommand he had just uttered, and smiling with a sort of grim satis- faction, he passed rapidly on his way to the Lodge. ft had thus acquired the certainty that it was my new master whom I had thus spoken to: but I was left in a strange condition of bewilderment and doubt as to whether he or his wife would prove the supreme authority. JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE CHAPTER XX. WHAT DOBS IT ALL MEAN? ON arriving at the tavern where I had taken up | my temporary quarters in Exeter, I inquired of | MEMOTRS OF A MAN-SERVANT, the landlord for any means of conveyance by which my trunk might be borne to Myrtle Lodge. He answered that a carrier’s van would pass that way at about five o’clock: and that there was no public vehicle proceeding along the same road at a later hour. I had been ordered to make my appearance at the Lodge at half-past eight ; and I did not like to anticipate the time. Besides, I was desirous to ramble through Exeter, and see whatsoever might be worth beholding. I therefore resolved upon forwarding my trunk by the ecarrier’s van, with directions that it should be left at that cottage which was at the entrance of the grounds, and which (as I subsequently discovered) was dignified by the name of the porter’s lodge. Having made this arrangement, and paid the carrier his charge, I took some refreshment; and then walked out into the city. Tt was now about four o’clock in the afternoon; and I felt that I must not over-faticue myself, as I had already performed a journey on foot of six miles, and had three more to do m the evening in order to reach my new home. I therefore sauntered leisurely along; and inquiring my way to the cathedral, amused myself with the contemplation of this superb edifice until the dusk began to close in between five and six o’clock. I was retracing my way to the tavern, in order to take some tea and have an hour’s rest previous to setting off for Myrtle Lodge,—when at the corner of a street I suddenly beheld an object which made me shrink with mingled horror and dismay into the nearest shop. This object was none other than Mr, Lanover! I felt such a sickening at the heart—such a glacial terror, too, seizing upon me—that I literally staggered into that shop; and sank like one ex- hausted, or about to faint, upon achair, A young person who stood behind the counter, thmkine IT was unwell, offered me a glass of water; and somewhat recalled to myself by being thus ad- dressed in a kind and sympathizing voice, I glanced rapidly around. It happened to bea pastry-cook’s shop where I had thus taken refuge from the pre- sence of that loathed and dreaded being; and I asked for a bottle of soda-water. This was promptly supplied; and the beverage refreshed me. But now I knew not how to act. I thought that I dared not venture forth with a chance of encoun- tering the man whom I was compelled to regard as my mortal enemy ;—and yet what excuse could I make for lingering in that shop? Summoning all my courage to my aid,—and reflecting that whatsoever evil intentions Mr. Lanover might have towards me, he could not dare perpetrate a erime in the open street, and in the midst of a populous neighbourhood,—I determined upon sallying forth. The instant I crossed the threshold, I glanced in the direction of the spot where I had seen Mr. Lanoyer standing: but what was my suprise, and how strong were the undefinable feelmgs which sprang up within me, when on that very same spot—instead of the hideous humpback—my eyes at once settled on the lovely countenance of Annabel? I was not a dozen yards from her; and there she stood, alone—but with her eyes fixed upon the interior of another shop ; and I at ence concluded that she was waiting fer her father, who was nc doubt inside. It was not yet completely dusk: CORNICLOO@ ee ee te ee Ee SF SE EE Os Oe ee ee me Ce et Oe ee oe en) ORES. Ee ee ee ee rem me ' (GO)