Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 152: what you’re looking at

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JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. 13! cared about was as good as accomplished; for the Cardinal treated me with the kind familiarity which might be shown to one who was about to - enter the family in which he was so deeply in- terested. I however saw that his Eminence exer- cised the greatest influence over the Count of Tivolii—which somewhat surprised me, inasmuch as I knew the Count to be a strong-minded man, and though religious, yet without fanaticism or superstitious bigotry. However, I entertained not the slightest misgiving: I even conceived it most probable that the Count had already conversed with the Cardinal on the one all-important topic, and that the assent had most likely been uttered from the lips of Antonia’s wealthy and influential godfather.” Avellino heaved a profound sigh—paused for a few moments—and then continued as follows :— “ Shortly after the dessert had been placed upon the table, the Connt of Tivoli made a sign for his daughter to withdraw; and when she had quitted the room, I thought to myself, ‘The favourable decision is now to be formally announced to me !’ —Nor was I mistaken: for the Count of Tivoli began to address me in the following terms :—‘ In pursuance, my dear Francesco, of the promise I gave I have taken the earliest opportunity of re- spectfully soliciting the sanction of his Eminence to your alliance with his god-daughter. I have represented to his Eminence that you are a young gentleman of unimpeachable character, moving in the best society, and therefore as a matter of course belonging to a family the pure blood and gentility of which enabled you to assume that position when entering upon life”—At the very moment that the Count of Tivoli spoke the words pure blood and gentility, I started, and the coldness of an evil presentiment came quick upon me—not so much on account of the words themselves, but be- eause the door opened gently at the instant, and Antonia’s brother appeared upon the threshold. The proceedings which so nearly concerned myself, were temporarily interrupted while the father greeted his son, and the latter paid his respects to the Cardinal. There was something so unex- peeted in the Viscount’s return—something so strange in his appearance at the very instant when a matter involving my life’s happiness was on the tapis—that I was smitten with the cold presentiment to which I have just now alluded. Methought likewise that as the young Viscount— whose entrance was for a few moments perceived only by myself—paused on the threshold to catch the words that his father was uttering, a smile of malignity appeared upon his features; and my heart sank within me. Then too, when he had embraced his father and paid his respects to the Cardinal, he bent upon me a cold haughty stare, without even so much as acknowledging my salu- tation.—‘ What!’ said his father, ‘do you not shake hands with Signor Avellino, whom you will shortly hail as a brother-in-law ”?—‘ I met Antonia on the stairs, replied the Viscount, ‘and my astonish- ment was only equal to the bashful artlessness with which she threw herself into my arms and told me to what length things had gone in my absence,’— The Count looked indignant, the Cardinal was sur- prised, and I felt most wretchedly uneasy — ‘I thought, father,’ continued the Viscount, ‘ that you would never bestow the hand of your daugh- S ter upon any one who is not of genteel birth. I have recently voyaged from Sicily to Civita Vec- chia; and at this seaport accident made me ac- quainted with something that it is now mos’ opportune to name. But perhaps this person here’ (and with an insolent look he indicated me) * will be pleased to tell us whether or not he is the son of the bankrupt merchant of Civita Vecchia who died defrauding his creditors to a large amount ?’—* Yes, my lord, I exclaimed, springing up from my seat, and my countenance glowing with indignation, ‘I am the son of the deceased mer- chant of Civita Vecchia; and instead of possessing’ & mere competency, I should be rich were it not that from my own resources I liquidated all my unfortunate father’s debts to the uttermost far- thing.—‘* You see,’ said the Viscount, super- ciliously tossing his head, ‘that he admits his plebeian origin ; and it is equally evident that hehad not the candour to tell either his Eminence or your lordship who and what he is.’—Severe and stern was the look which the Count of Tivoli bent upon me; and I besought permission to enter into the fullest explanations. He said that there could be none to give—that he had heard sufficient to make him deeply regret having encouraged myvisits tothe house—and that he should even speak in stronger language, were it not that he considered himself in a measure to blame for having neglected to make the minutest inquiries concerning me on the day that I sought the hand of his daughter. Having thus spoken, he requested me to retire and leave the house. Iwas goaded almost to madness—I in- sisted upon being heard: the Count rejoined that I had been guilty of so total a want of candour in respect to the past that it was impossible he could trust to my frankness for the present. I became fearfully excited; and I have no doubt that I used intemperate expressions—to the effect that with all my plebeian blood, I held myself equal to the malignant coward who had come with so devilish a pleasure to vent his hatred upon me. Then the Count of Tivoli himself grew excited with passion; and he denounced me as an impos- tor who by some false or insidious means had worked my way into that society which stamped me with a seeming gentility to which in reality I had no claim. The young Viscount, under pre- tence of taking his father’s side, covered me with abuse—levelled at me the bitterest taunts—and poured upon me the most poignant revilings. There was a moment when my hand was raised to strike him down: but I recollected that he was Antonia’s brother—and with that thought the blow was stayed. The Cardinal now interfered, and ob- served that if I possessed any feelings of honour and delicacy I would no longerobtrude myself where my presence was disagreeable. I cannot recollect anything that followed—I know not how I rushed from the mansion—there was an interval of wild madness—and when my thoughts began to grow somewhat collected, I found myself lying upon this sofa—sobbing, beating my breast, tearing my hair, and giving vent to the fearful frenzy of my grief.” Again did Franceseo pause; and I was moved almost to tears by that portion of the narrative te which I had just been listening with the deepest, tensest interest. For several minutes he was so agitated and excited by the recollections thus DOOLKK » (EO)