Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 217: what you’re looking at

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

204 session of it. Its contents gave rise to many, many reflections: but with these I will not trouble the reader, lest he should imagine that my aim is to extend this narrative to an unnecessary length. I had promiscd Cosmo, after we had caught sight of Lanover, that I would not leave the hotel, unless acting by his counsel—and at all events not until he should have ascertained certain requisite particulars with regard to Mr. Lanover’s place of abode, his passport, and so forth. Accordingly, after breakfast, I remained in my own apartment, from the window of which I could obtain a view of the port, and of the Athene, which still con- tinued perfectly tranquil in its position between the island and the lower pier. In about a couple of hours Cosmo made his appearance; and I awaited with a considerable degree of suspense the information he might have to give me. “TI have discovered,’ said Cosmo, “that Mr. Lanover arrived late last night at Civita Vecchia, and that he has taken up his abode at a small inn, or coffee-house, in that very street whence we saw him emerge. I have further ascertained that he travels with his passport duly made out in the name of Lanover—that he uses no fictitious name —and that his passport is altogether in such good order it would be impossible for the police- authorities of the town to raise a quibble upon it: otherwise we might have caused him to be sud- denly arrested, and thus frustrate his schemes at once.” ‘‘ And what Co you propose to do?” I in- quired. “Tt is now my intention,” answered Cosmo, “to leave you temporarily—I dare say it will only be for a day or so; because to-morrow, accord- ing to the appointment made in the ruin near Magliano, Dorchester is to meet Lanover in this town. I shall strip off the livery,’ proceeded Cosmo, “ which I assumed to give a colour to my connection with yourself; and resuming my plain clothes, shall go and take up my quarters at the coffee-house where Lanover is lodging. You must remain in-doors until you see me again.” This injunction I promised to obey ; and Cosmo then took his departure. The hours passec wearily enough: for my mind was for many reasons too unsettled to allow me to sit down quietly to read; and I do verily believe that during those slowly passing hours I reviewed over and over again every incident of my adventurous life. It was about nine o’clock in the evening when the waiter entered my apartment, to announce that a gentleman desired to see me. A card was handed to me; and I read the name of Constan- tine Kanaris. I at once bade the waiter admit the visitor: for is struck me that he had come with a message from Signor Portici—because if it were otherwise, he would not have disobeyed the hint he had received from the Judge to keep away from me for the present. Kanaris entered, enveloped in a handsome dark blue cloak lined with sables; and in contrast with which his red Greek cap appeared picturesquely striking. The wind was blowing strong and chill; and it was therefore no wonder that he should have thus shielded himself against it by means of that warm sud ample garment, ee ee ee 8 ere eS el Se JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. Having cordially shaken me by the hand, Kanaris let the cloak fall from his shoulders— tossed away his red fez—and sate down with me in front of the cheerful fire that was burning in the grate. The wind had imparted a glowing flush to his cheeks; and he appeared handsomer even than when we first met. “I hope, my dear Mr. Wilmot,” he said, “ that there is no indiscretion in my intrusion at such an hour?—and I must at once put you at your ease with the assurance that it is not merely with Signor Portici’s cognizance, but also with his con- sent, that I ara here.”’ “Do you bring any note or message from the worthy Judge ?” I inquired. “ Nothing,’ replied Kanaris, “ beyond his kindest wishes—and also everything properly com- plimentary from my Leonora.” “Do not for an instant suppose, Signor Kanaris,’ I said, “that there is any unwelcome intrusion on your part. On the contrary, you are most welcome. I was sitting dull enough by my- self here—and was longing for companionship of any kind. Signor Portici is under existing cir- cumstances one of the best judges as to whether if be expedient for you to visit me; and since he has given his consent, there need be no more said upon the subject.” “TI must frankly avow, my dear Mr. Wilmot,” answered the young Greek, “that it was not with- out much intercession on my part I obtained the consent of Signor Portici to this visit. I as- sured hin—and most truly assured him—that I had conceived a friendship for you—a friendship which I flattered myself to be mutual—and that I therefore longed to see you again. Besides, in my own imagination I pictured you just as you have described yourself, and just as I found you—sitting all alone, in no particularly good spirits—nay, more, feeling yourself a complete stranger in a strange country, and not knowing how to while away the time under these dispiriting influences, The Judge admitted the force of all my reasoning, and at length gave his assent that I should visit you, on condition that I did so under circum- stances as cautious as possible. So I left the sweet society of my Leonora an hour earlier than IL should have otherwise done, in order to pass this hour with you.” There was an off-hand kindness —~a frank cordiality, together with a genial warmth in the tone and manner of Constantine Kanaris, as he thus spoke, which more than ever made me rejoice in having formed the friendship of one who ap- peared to combine the most amiable disposition with the loftiest sentiments and noblest thoughts. His friendly behaviour naturally disposed me to exhibit the utmost confidence towards him; and L was just upon the point of explaining all the cir- cumstances of my position in respect to Lanover and his plans, when I bethought me that perhaps Signor Portici himself might possibly have given him some hint on the subject,—which could not have been deemed a breach of confidence, con- sidering that Kanaris was soon to be so closely connected with himself, and that he exhibited so much sincere friendship towards me. I therefore said, “ Perhaps our mutual friend the Judge has afforded you some insight into the affairs which | have brought me to Civita Vecchia ?” ElO@QO) Ss (c@