Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 221: what you’re looking at

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

~~ 208 LS — —— nS | ET ES SS he JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. between the two plotters must necessarily take place in Lanover’s room, so that you and I might have possession of this one. Dorchester said he should go out to look at the town for half-an-hour or so, as he had never been here before; and then I instantaneously hurried off to fetch you.” «And so Mr. Dorchester,” I said, “is passing under his right name, the same as Lanover is with his own P” “ But [ can assure you,” I said, “ I was per: fectly discreet, and spoke not of my private affairs to Signor Kanaris.” “You were right,” answered Cosmo. “ Never in personal matters make a confidant unneces- sarily—especially on a short acquaintance. The evils which arise from an over friendly communi- cativeness are incalculable ; and even when deal- ing with so honourable a man as this young Greek, it is better to be on the safe side and maintain a suitable reserve. Such is the course which Signor “ Yes—these men are eyidently wary enough,” replied Cosmo. ‘“ Perhaps we shall have leisure and occasion to ascertain whether Dorchester’s , Portici himself invariably adopts, as he bas assured passport is all correct And yet the inquiry me; such too is my own policy—and therefore, can be scarcely worth the trouble: for, as Ihave Mr. Wilmot, I hope you will excuse this long just observed, men of his character usually adopt | lecture which I am taking the liberty of giving.” every precaution to keep themselves beyond the “T more than excuse you—I thank you,’ was reach of the passport laws.” my response. “Indeed, when casting a retro- “And Dorchester, too,’ I added, “is well ac- spective glance over my own career, I find illustra quainted with the Continent. I have already told tions of the truth of your maxims, I behold in- you the trick that he played me in Paris, and how | stances in which if I had exercised a little more I subsequently found him dwelling like a hermit amongst the Apennines—but a very dangerous sort of anchorite, though; for he was in league friendly communicativeness—it in a word I had | been less confiding, I should have escaped several with Marco Uberti’s band.” ‘calamities. My adventures with the villain Dor- * Ah!” said Cosmo, “if we could on!y manage | chester himself furnish cases in point ‘: to find the scoundrel within the limits of the | “Hush!” suddenly ejaculated Cosmo: “ foot- Tuscan States, we would hand him over to the steps are ascending!” strong grasp of the law. However, in carrying | I listened; and in a few moments whispered, out our present business, Mr. Wilmot, it is to be : “TI know those footsteps they dre Dorches- hoped that we shall catch both Lanover and Dor. | ter’s!” chester tripping—in which case the Roman law! Almost immediately afterwards we heard Mr. will not spare them. | By the bye, you had a visit Dorchester enter the adjoining room; and he put last night from the young Greek gentleman who | some inquiry in Italian to the landlady of the is engaged to be married to Signor Portici’s coffee-house—for I should observe that he spoke niece P” the Italian language with ease and fluency. The “Yes—I was going to tell you of it at our! woman answered him; and Cosmo whispered to leisure,” I answered. “But,” I added, with aj me, “He is merely asking whether Mr. Lanover is smile, “you must not chide me on this occa- | yet returned; and she has just replied in the ne- sion re gative. But here he is.” “ No,” responded Cosmo, “ for I am aware that} Again we heard footsteps ascending: I knew Signor Kanaris visited you with the Judge’s full | them to be the heavy stamping tread of the vil- consent. I called at the villa last evening, when | lanous humpback; and I at once took my position I knew that Lanover was safe in bed; and Signor | against the wainscot which divided the two rooms Portici informed me that he had stretched a point | so that I might be ready to catch whatsoever trag in your favour in respect to that visit on the part | spired between the two plotters. We heard tha of Signor Kanaris. There could indeed be no} the door of the next apartment was carefully shut harm under the circumstances : for the only objects | by Lanover ; and then his harsh jarring voice said, in keeping you secluded, were to prevent you from | “ You are faithful to your appointment.” being seen by Lanover or Dorchester—or, if seen,| ‘‘ Where there is money to be earned,” responded to prevent them from having any reason to sus- | Dorchester, “I am not likely to be found wanting. pect that you were in any way acquainted with; May I hope that you received the remittance the Judge or with his friends. For of course ‘which you expected at Magliano, and of which it was impossible to conjecture in the first instance | you spoke to me?” “reserve instead of being tov prove to frank and ~ what ramifications Lanover’s plot might have— who were his acquaintances at Civita Vecchia—or who his spies. For when people are working in the dark—as is comparatively the case with us— they have to take a thousand precautions, many of which may eventually prove to be needless ones, | but none of which ought to be neglected.” “* All you say is perfectly correct,” I remarked. | “As for Signor Kanaris,” continued Cosmo, “he would no doubt cheerfully lend you his aid if it were required ; inasmuch as from all I can learn from Signor Portici’s lips, he is a young gentle- man of the noblest disposition, the kindest heart, anc the most honourable sentiments. He has moreover conceived the utmost friendsbip for you ; and therefore Signor Portici permitted him to bregk in upon yors Lonely dullness.” “Yes, yes,” replied Lanover: “ Lord Eccleston kept his word, If he had not, I should have found myself utterly unable to prosecute this enterprise. The former one, as you are well aware, was alto- gether ruined by that young scoundrel Joseph Wilmot-—” “ Ah, young scoundrel indeed !” ejaculated Dor- chester. “Only think that he should have been the means of breaking up that glorious band——” “Well, well,” interrupted Lanover impatiently ; “we have not met here to discuss past occurrences, but to carry out present enterprises. What have you to tell me?” “On parting from you at Magliano,” responded Dorchester, “I proceeded at once, according to your instructions, to Leghorn " . “TI suppose that you were well disguised?” ine | —— —_—_———— Ghoo Ss (C(@) wae