Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 175: what you’re looking at

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162 JOSEPH WILMOT: OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. back,—thus forming a pillow, as of a myriad ravens’ wings, for the support of that beautiful head that reclined languidly there. She wore the same garb in which she had first become my tra- velling-companion—for there had been no oppor- tunity to obtain her more suitable vestments; but the meanness of that apparel remained compara- tively unnoticed as I contemplated its lovely and interesting wearer. none of that soft lustrous sweetness which they possessed when first they opened upon me in the postchaise; and her lips parted with a smile of gratitude and friendly welcome as I made my appearance,—such a smile asa fond sister might bestow upona kind and affectionate brother: But all in a moment that smile passed away from the lips, and that soft carnation tinge from the cheeks— while her whole form started with thé same visible dismay that seized likewise upon her fedtutes, when she saw that my arm was in @ sling, that I looked pale, and that I sustained myself féébly. Ina few hurried words I explained the cause of all this —but without stating that I had been walking a part of the way home witht Francescd. Avéliino when the adventure occurred fo me. . I felt the necessity of dealing most ¢onsiderately with the invalid young lady, and of breaking fo he? with all possible caution thé intélligence which I had to impart. As Mis. Blanchard sdété down fy the window: I took a chair opposite to that which the Lady An. tonid occupied: she gave me her hand—she gazed upon me with visible concern depicted on her. fea- tures—she éxpressed a hope that my wound was indeed as little serious as I had represented it; and then she falteringly added, “ But instead of coming to me to-day, you should have retained your couch—you should not have quitted your own chamber! _ And it is on my account that you are incurring these risks—Ob! it is too; too generous on your part — too, too selfishly exacting on mine!” v | ? “I beseech you, signora,” I saidy “not to agi- tate yourself nor render your aiid uneasy on my account. I was quite strong énough to come to you—and rest assuréd th#f Tf Shall suffer no ill effects from whatsoevéy éxertiow has been thus re- quired to keep the appointment for this day and for this hour. It was of importance that I should be here now.” The young lady fixed her eyesupon me for a few moments as if she thought that there was some- thing significant in my tone and looks; and I, fearful of being misapprehended, hastened to add, * Believe me, signora, I feel in,all that concerns you a brother’s interest! For there is one in the world who is very dear to me—and if she were environed by circumstances that rendered her in want of fraternal counsel and succour——” “Ah!” ejaculated the young lady with a per- ceptible tremor of the entire frame : “ there is some meaning in your words !’—and then with downcast looks and blushing cheeks, she added, ‘ “Ts it possible that you have penetrated my secret—or any portion of it P” *T beseech you to tranquillize yourself,” I said, speaking slowly and guardedly. “There have been strange coincidences—accident has thrown me in the way of several personages But not for a single moment have I stepped out of my [i ‘haps you know more Her large dark eyes had lost } ‘relapse! ‘was performing towards her. of deep immeasurable bliss came up fron agitated by the evening zephyrs. own path to gratify an impertinent curiosity or to institute inquiries ” “Mr. Wilmot,” interrupted the beautiful in- valid, speaking in a voice that was low but tre- mulously clear—and at the same time she exerted all her power to subdue the agitation of her feel- ings; “I see that you know who I am-——~Per- 33 “ Lady,” I responded, “compose your mind— tranquillize yourself—you have much more to hope than you have to fear But I conjure you not to give way to any excitement that may é Yes, it is true I know all—and ¥ am happy in being enabled to give you the ‘ta that He on whom your affections are 1, is worthy by his own constancy of all this love of your's!” the ineffable joy which my words had infused into her heart. They indicated likewise the gratitude which she experienced for the fraternal Pi t I A prolongéd sigh her Sars heart ; and then, as tears expressive of a kind feeling—or rather of many emotions all finding the same vent—trickled slowly down her ¢heéks, her hands were clasped fervently, and hér lips moved in silent prayer. The scene was altogether a most affecting one. Mrs. Blanchard saw that some important communications had been tndde from my lips—though of their nature she was ignorant, for she did not understand the Bane language in which we were speaking. But she looked on with an earnest, deep-felt, friendly in- terest; and I could not help saying to the worthy woman, “Since I was here yesterday I have learnt something which enables me to commiuni- cate agreeable tidings to your fair patient.” “ How can I ever express the profound grati- tude which I experience towards you ?” asked the Lady Antonia in the softest and most melting tones of her melodious voice, which yibrated to her feelings like the music of an Molian harp “From thé véry first to the last you haye proved my best frjend ! Oh, the longest life will not be sufficient to enable me to prove thé trué sisterly regard which I féel for you !” “And Ion my part, lady,” was my response, “am immeasurably rejoiced at having been enabled to render services, whether of greater or lesser importance, to her in whom my friend Francesco Avellino is so deeply, deeply interested. But I have something more to say. Can you compose yourself? will you exercise the strongest control over your feelings?—in a word, are you strong enough to bear an interview with him in the course of—of—to-day or—or—to-morrow —if I take the necessary measures to bring it about P” se tae “Oh! can you ask me?” exclaimed Antonia fervently. “Regarding you as a brother, L. may, without blushing in your presence, confess that to see Francesco would be giving me health and strength—because it would be filling my soul with happiness But one word!”—and here a deep shade suddenly came over her countenance : * my father—my brother "ohne *Your ladyship has already understood from my words that I am acquainted with them :”—and Antonia did not speak: but her looks indicated | ElO@QO) SS (CO) NY Yn ts a si st a A, I LS LS ID A