Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 219: what you’re looking at

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

206 as if it were easy to direct his attention to any other topie,—“ TI think you will be much surprised with the general appearance of the vessel. It is exceedingly neat in all its appointments—superior too for a trader But then I am no judge,” I added, assuming an indifferent off-hand manner to the best of my ability. ‘“‘I have never been on board more than two or three vessels in my life— including the steamer which conveyed me from England to France when I first came upon the Continent.” | “And I cannot profess to be anything of a sailor,” observed Kanaris. “I am sorry to say,” he added with a sigh, “I inherit very little in- deed of my uncle’s enthusiasm for the sea.” “I could tell that you were no very great judge,” I observed smiling, “‘ with regard to those subjects: because you spoke of that schooner being probably filled with merchandise to its very hatchways—whereas if it really were, it would not he so buoyant upon the water—but its gunwale would be much deeper down.” * Ah—true!’ said Kanaris carelessly, as he Knocked off the ashes of his cigar. “ Why, you are even better versed in nautical matters than I am,” he exclaimed, laughing. ‘“ After all, though, I wonder that Captain Notaras should have ex- changed his comparatively comfortable room at a tavern for a wretched, narrow, cheerless cabin on board a merchant-vessel.” “TI think you will be somewhat surprised,” I said, “at the dimensions and the comfort of the quarters in which you will find Captain Notaras to-morrow. But there is one point,” I added, “ on which I really must touch, since the conversation has taken the present turn: for I would not for the world be unjustly prejudiced in your estima- tion ‘ “Prejudiced, my dear friend?” exclaimed KCanaris, with astonishment depicted on his coun- tenance. ‘‘ What on earth can you mean ?—who could prejudice you in my eyes?—who would undertake such an impossible task? Pray, for heaven’s sake, let us change the topic at once.” “ Not so,” I rejoined. ‘A thousand thanks for your kind opinion of me; and I hold it not so lightly that I choose to run the risk of losing it.” “But really, my dear Mr. Wilmot,” said Ka- naris, with an air of the most friendly concern, “it is so absolutely unnecessary—so painful to my feelings 7 * Bear with me for a few minutes,” I inter- rupted him; “and you will see that I have sufii- cient reason fur speaking thus.” “Then proceed,’ said Kanaris, but with a deprecating smile, as much as to imply that if I were wilfully bent upon having my own wag, it was useless for him to offer farther remonstrance and I must therefore have it. “A few words,” I said, “ will convey the entire truth. Yesterday, after having c sed upon Cap- tain Notaras, I was loitering on the quay admir- ing the schooner, when a domestic whom I had taken into my service, proposed to call a boat that I might go on board. This was done; and I visited the vessel,—impelled, as heaven is my wit- ness, by curiosity only. Yet this morning when I went forth to breathe the fresh air before break- «&t, and chanced to behold Captain Notaras as he JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT, was being conveyed to a boat—and when too I accosted him with all becoming courtesy—I found myself rudely treated by himself, scornfully re- garded by one of his officers, and scowlingly looked upon by his men. But whatsoever suspicion those persons may have entertained = * And what possible suspicion could they have entertained ?” asked Kanaris, fixing his eyes upon me with an air of bewildered astonishment. * All that I wish you to understand, my friend,” I rejoined, “is that whatsoever sinister motives may be imputed by Captain Notaras, when next you see him, to my visit to his vessel, are utterly and totally false.” “And is this all you have to say, my dear Mr. Wilmot ?” inquired Constantine. “It really was not worth so many words on your part to justify yourself against a misrepresentation which has not yet been made to me—which perhaps never will be made—but which, if made at all, would at once be repelled with scorn and contempt. But, by the bye, I think you said that you had a valet with you? Did he in any way misconduct him- self? was he impertinently prying and curious, as valets are apt to be sometimes > “So far from it,’ I answered, “that my valet appeared to be perfectly indifferent as to all he saw.” * Ab, well!” cried Kanaris, “ you know the man doubtless—he is steady and respectable, I hope because, my dear friend, I have had a little experience of these Italian domestics, and some of them are terrible deceitful fellows.” “This man, I can assure you,” I interjected, “was most strongly recommended to me by a gen- tleman of position, rank, and distinction.” “Then all we can say is that my Greek fellow- countrymen of the schooner,” observed Kanaris, *“must have laboured under some egregious mis- conception. But when I think of it,” he added, after a few moments’ silence, “it is possible that Notaras may do a trifle in the smuggling way. I do not pledge myself, you know ”—and he laughed good-humouredly as he spoke—“for the integrity of the captain of any Greek trader, although he be a fellow-countryman of mine. If the surmise which has thus suddenly struck me be correct— and if Notaras deals in the contraband—it will at once account for the suspicious circumstances you have mentioned.” “ And if he dealt in contraband or anything else,” I observed, “could he suppose that I should purposely seek his vessel with a view of espying or betraying his proceedings ?” “It is simply preposterous—indeed it is laugh- able,” ejaculated Kanaris; “and if you have taken so much trouble to disabuse me of a prejudice which could not possibly be inculcated, it was a sad waste of words indeed. However, as I see that you choose to stand right with everybody, I will tell this to Captain Notaras to-morrow—if I do take it into my head to visit his ship, which is barely probable, after his rude boorish conduct to- wards you, but if I do, I say, I will take very good care to speak my mind on the subject. And now, having trespassed thus long upon you, and extended my visit to two hours instead of one,” he added, looking at his watch, “I bid you farewell for the present.” Constantine Kanaris resumed his cloak and fea ElO@QO)