Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 125: what you’re looking at

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Pn any a 112 JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. ing up, “that you were not really disposed to, an instant that you had fallen into temptations; think evil of me. I have met with the strangest | and most sincerely do I congratulate you on your adventures shall know all pre- sently.” Having thus spoken, I sped to Captain Ray- mond’s apartment; and he sprang up from his seat with an exclamation of joy,—crying, “ What on earth has become of you all this time? I have been to give information to the police: for I dreaded lest some evil had overtaken you.” I proceeded to explain to my wondering master how I had been carried off by the banditti—and how, after divers adventures, I had managed to escape. I so worded my tale that there was no necessity to mention Volterra’s name; and the Captain did not make the slightest allusion to it. It was naturally a delicate and even a sore sub- ject with him—though he doubtless suspected that Angelo had once again proved a good friend in need tome. He reiterated the assurances of his joy at my return; and I hastened up to my own chamber to perform my ablutions and make a requisite change in my toilet. Indeed, I felt so wearled that I could not resist the temptation to lie down to rest: and I slept soundly for about three hours. When I awoke, and had performed my lavations as well as dressed myself in a suitable manner, I descended from the chamber,—wondering when I should again hear of Angelo Volterra, and what means he intended to adopt to convey the promised explanations to whomsoever they concerned. Bessy was on the look-out for me on the landing below: she hastily beckoned me to follow her—and I com- plied with the silent request. I was conducted into that same room where on a previous occasion I had imparted to Miss Sackville intelligence con- cerning her lover: she was now there, anxiously awaiting to see me. Bessy retired; and I re- mained alone with Lord Ringwold’s daughter. I could not help thinking, as I contemplated her, with her light brown hair showering in myriads of ringlets upon her well formed shoulders—with her shape so symmetrically modelled, although upon a large scale—her blue eyes now full of the anxious suspenseful feeling which was no doubt making her heart flutter—and the red lips apart, revealing the pearly teeth,—I could not help thinking, I say, that she was one well deserving the love of that Italian who, I felt assured, would prove himself to be equally worthy by social posi- tion, as he had already convinced me he was by disposition and character, of that patrician lady’s hand. I bowed on entering the room — but waited for her to question me. “You have again experienced thrilling and startling adventures ?” she said, addressing me as if speaking to an equal with whom she was on friendly terms. ‘Captain Raymond has told my father that much—and my father has mentioned it in my presence. But no allusion was made——” “ Before I speak upon that subject, Miss Sack- ville,’ I said, ‘ permit me to express my gratitude for the good opinion you entertained of me—inas- much as you were most kindly apprehensive on my account, and could not believe that I was absent through having been beguiled into dissipation.” “T certainly did entertain too high an opinion of you,” answered Miss Sackville, * to suppose for but you Se -C O_O escape from those fresh perils in which you have been involved. But is it possible that the dread- ful brigand-chief is captured at last, and through your agency ?” “T certainly had some little hand therein, Miss Sackville,” I responded: “ but the principal eredit was due to another :’—and I looked at her signifi- cantly. “Another?” she murmured, instantaneously comprehending what I meant; and then in the same low voice, but with a holy animation upon her countenance, she said, “God be thanked !— this, then, is another proof that he is all honourable and upright !” * Yes, Miss Sackville—of this rest assured,” I answered fervently ; “and I think I may go so far as to promise that the time is not now very remote when everything will be explained.” “Oh, that it may be so!” she murmured, with accents and looks of earnest entreaty, as if thus appealing to Heaven to give my promise a speedy fulfilment. “I do not mind telling you—no, I do not mind confessing that in one sense, Joseph, I am very, very unhappy. My father, hitherto so kind and so indulgent, has conjured—nay, more, he has commanded me to look upon Captain Ray- mond a She stopped short—and a blush of bashfulness suffused itself over her countenance, as if she felt that it was not altogether to one of my sex that such confidential revealings should be made. ** But surely,” I said, in a mild and gentle voice, “Captain Raymond is not so ungenerous as thus. to urge his suit when he has acquired the positive knowledge that his overtures are not welcome ?” “T am afraid,’ replied Miss Sackville, with downcast looks, and the blush still upom her cheeks, “that you in the generosity of your own heart are inclined to give Captain Raymond credit for more magnanimity than he indeed possesses. Yes—I fear that you judge him too well—at all events in this instance. I know that he has been speaking very seriously with my father—I know that he has, from the way in which my mother has been addressing me :”—then, after a brief pause, during which Miss Sackville evidently found it difficult to subdue the sobs which were swelling to burst forth, she added in a voice which was scarcely audible, ** They insist that I shall marry him !—my parents are urging me now to accompany him to the altar —they seek to precipitate the alliance, doubtless fancying that when once his bride, I shall think no more of him 9 She did not mention the name: but I knew full well that her heart was full of the image of the handsome and well-beloved Italian. “They cannot coerce you, Miss Sackville,” I ventured to observe. “No!” she exclaimed, suddenly raising her looks with an expression of most dignified resolve : “no power on earth can compel me to give my hand where my heart is not engaged! I know not how it is that I am saying all this to you I feel as if I were speaking to a friend—to a brother. And yet it is natural enough! You are in Angelo’s confidence “a “Yes, Miss Sackville,” I answered significantly, —‘‘ and now more so than ever.” ElO@OO S co