Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

4 JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. in the lowest whisper: and then I began gazing | the clapping of hands, or the stamping of feet, around me, as much as to imply that I would not | might have been heard outside. listen to any further observations. Theobald evidently resigned himself to whatso- ever might now take place; and though I could well understand that his soul must have been filled with uncertainty, suspicion, astonishment, and doubt,—yet I must do him the credit to add that he maintained a perfect control over his looks. There was a low hum of whispered conversation going on in the room: no one was on the platform ; the table at which the secretary had been seated on the former occasion, was now removed—as was likewise that smaller table with the death’s head upon it,—the space being filled up with additional benches for the accommodation of a larger audi- ence than was wont to meet at the secret delibera- tions of the society. As my eyes slowly wandered around, I perceived in the wall opposite to where we were sitting, a small window, not more than a couple of feet square: it had a green curtain within, and which was closed; but I could see that a light was burning in the place with which it communicated. And as I still gazed upon that window, I perceived the green blind drawn slightly aside for not perhaps more than the space of an inch; and methought that I caught a glimpse likewise of a delicate taper finger in alabaster relief against the dark drapery, and of an eye beaming through the little opening. Ah! there was no longer any doubt as to Eugenie’s place of conceal- ment. But I did not choose to keep my looks riveted too long upon that window, for fear lest Theobald’s regards should also be directed thither, and that he might prematurely suspect somes thing. My eyes now wandered slowly around the apart- ment, to ascertain whether Lamotte, or his mili- tary friend, or the tall gentleman who acted as my second, were present: but I discerned them not. My looks however settled upon a countenance which struck me as being not altogether unfami- liar : yet I could not immediately recollect. whose it was ; and my attention was quickly diverted thence by a sudden sensation, as if the entire assembly had been all in a moment thrilled by an electric shock. ‘This simultaneous feeling was produced by the entrance of a gentleman upon the platform, by means of a door at one extremity of that raised dais ; and as it was on the same side with the little window, I had no doubt it was the door of commu- nication with the adjoining room, to which that window belonged. The gentleman who thus appeared upon the platform, was short and slender, of a beautiful figure, and genteel bearing. He was dressed in deep black: his frock coat, with large lappels, was buttoned across his chest; and as it fitted tightly, it displayed the perfect symmetry of his shape. His countenance was pale and pensive: his hair was of raven darkness: he wore no beard nor moustache; and his eyes shone with a preter- natural ight. His age could not have been more than thirty, if so much: but as I contemplated his features—as I was well able to do by the strong light of the apartment—I noticed that there was a world of deep thought depicted in that pale face. The sensation which greeted him, was the only testimonial of admiration and applause which the audience dared show; inasmuch as loud cheering, aS, gp min inane ele mm laa il eR a a a at ee a ee a ee But as I again looked slowly around, I perceived that on many a countenance there was the glow of that enthusiasm which the appearance of this individual had kindled into wild fires within the breast; and that those same fires too were now flashing forth from many eyes. The young Marquis gazed with curiosity upon the scene; and I thought to myself that this first symptom of interest bestowed on something apart from what was uppermost in his mind, was a somewhat favourable augury on behalf of Eugenie’s scheme. A profound silence now pervaded the apartment ; and after a brief space it was gently broken in upon by the individual on the platform. His voice was mellow and rich: but evidently expert in the art of oratory, he’ pitched it low at the commencement, in order that as it rose with the conscious power of his own eloquence, it might produce the grandest effects,—like those of an organ swelling gradually from a low key into the full glory of its magnificent sounding. And thus was it with the orator. He began by introducing his subject to the attention of the audience, in a low and deliberate manner. This subject was to be divided into two parts: the first exhibiting the wrongs endured by the masses—the second indi- cating the remedy. As he entered upon the former branch, he expatiated with a telling effect on all the evils of the political and social systems : then, as he grew warmer, his voice swelled, his utterance became quicker, his gesticulation impas- sioned—until at length all these were enhanced to a degree which produced effects thrilling, and exciting beyond description—almost maddening. But whenever he had worked up the feelings of his audience to such a height that his keen per- ception told him they were about to burst forth in a furor of applause at his eloquence, or into an ebul- lition of fiercest indignation at the wrongs he proclaimed and the authors of them whom he denounced—he would cease for a moment—he would place his finger upon his lip : the effect was instantaneous—magical—spell-like: and all was still ! Every now and then I glanced towards the young Marquis; and I was certainly astonished at the effect produced upon him. [I could scarcely have believed it—much less hoped it: although I had assuredly hoped everything for EKugenie’s sake. He listened with suspended breath:.he drank in the orator’s words as if human language had never before developed such power to his comprehension. And that eloquence carried conviction too: I saw that it did—I understood what was passing in the youth’s mind: his looks proclaimed it all. A glow suffused itself upon his countenance, usually so pale: a brilliant animation appeared upon those features, recently so pensive. And then, too, at some passages of the orator’s speech, I saw that Theobald’s slender form quivered: then he seemed shocked by some startling denunciation of the nation’s wrongs = and then again he would make a quick spasmodic movement, as if about to spring to his feet and proclaim his indignation at what he heard. From him my regards occasionally tra- velled towards the little window. I noticed that the space through which the observer was lookin each time grew wider; and as the light fell f ail | (O) 6)(6\() ‘S (E(@) im