Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 321: what you’re looking at

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308 -- JOSEPH WILMOT$; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. not this subject be a source of trouble and annoy- ance unto your thouchts.” ‘““T view the character of Sir Matthew Heseltine in exactly the same light,” I said: “and therefore I am full of hope on the point to which your lord- ship has been alluding.” “ Now, in respect to other topics, Wilmot,” con- tinued the Count of Livorno, “it seems to me per- fectly clear that both Dorchester and Lanover— and especially the latter—have it in their power to make you important revelations. That these re- velations may affect the Earl of Eccleston, is to be more than conjectured: it is to my mind beyond all possibility of doubt. Granting, therefore, that such is the case, the Earl of Ecccleston will adopt every possible means to prevent Lanover and Dor- chester from making those revelations. Perhaps he will promise them to intercede still farther in their behalf with the Tuscan authorities ;—but to that I will put a stop. He is moreover certain to remain here upon the watch to prevent you from taking any effective steps to induce those men to give you the information you require. What if we were to meet stratagem with strutagrem P —what if by your playing a certain part we right ascer- tain what Ais mode of action would be?” “TJ will follow your lordship’s counsel in all things,” I answered. ‘“ What is it that you would suggest P” “ Pretend to take your departure from Florence,” responded the Count of Livorno; “and conduct the proceeding in such a way that the Earl of Ece- cleston may fancy you have abandoned in despair any farther attempt to fathom these mysteries. When once he deems himself secure, he may leave Florence—he may cerse to trouble himself with the affairs of Lanover and Dorchester. Then will be the time for us to act,—then, when we cau im- press the two criminals with the belief that they are deserted by their noble patron, we may probably succeed in turning their disappointment or their rage tu your advantage. We may hold out hopes, which through my influence may be more or less fulfilled; and we shall have got rid of him who would frustrate our proceedings by his machina- tions.” I expressed my satisfaction at the plan thus proposed ; and the Count of Livorno continued in the following manner :— “There is a friend of mine who possesses a beautiful little villa in one of the most pleasing parts of the vale of Arno: it is about two miles from Florence, situated on the bank of the river and with delightful grounds attached. This friend of mine is absent in France: there are but two or three servants left in charge of the villa—and it is completely at mydisposal. Will youtake up your abode there for a few days or a few weeks, accord- ing as circumstances may require? The grounds are extensive enough to afford you ample space for exercise: they are surrounded by thick hedges of evergreens—and you may completely conceal yourself from the view of all passers-by. The fidelity of the domestics can be relied upon: it will be sufficient for me to intimate that it suits your purpose to pass a brief interval in retirement there, in order that my wishes shall be thoroughly respected. The Countess and I will visit you occasionally to while away an hour which would otherwise hang heavily upon your hands; and everything shall be done to ensure your comfort. The sooner you depart the better, as the Earl of Eccleston will be doubtless watching your proceed- ings with the deepest anxiety in order that he may know how to shape his own course.” I accepted the Count of Livorno’s proposition in every respect; and he at once commanded his horse to be gotten in readiness that he might ride across to the villa and give the domestics the neces- sary instructions. I then repaired to the hotel where Mr. Clackmannan and Mr. Saltcoats were staying, and where the Earl and Countess of Kecleston had likewise taken up their quarters. I found my two Scotch friends lounging together in the gateway, and contemplatins two or threo handsome equipages which were standing in front of the hotel establishment. Just at the very in- stant [I joined the Dominie and Mr. Saltcoats, I caught a glimpse of the Earl coming from a side door in the gateway: but affecting not to perceive him, I said loud enough for him to over: hear me, “ My dear friends, I have come to bid you farewell: I leave Florence to-night or to- morrow morning.” “ Leave Florence ?” ejaculated Saltcoats. “ Why, I thought you meant to sojourn here for at least another week or two.” “ Tt’s just that,” said the Dominie, lazily taking a pinch of snuff; “he is sick of the Italian kitchen : he is longing for collops, and Finnan had- docks, and Preston Pans beer, And that puts me in mind ” “Nonsense, Dominie!” interrupted Saltcoats : Wilmot is not a Scotchman, and cares nothing for all the Preston Pans beer that ever was brewed. Something fresh has turned up “ “ Tt’s just that,’ said the Dominie: “ he has perhaps heard that the Widow Glenbucket is not really dead—and he is going off to see. And this reminds me a “ You must forgive me, my friends,” I said, “ if I have not very long to remain with you now: but as it is most probable I shall leave Florence this evening i. “ And where are you going to P” inquired Salt- coats, quickly. “T purpose to visit. Vienna,” was my answer : then, as a glance showed me that the Earl of Ee- cleston was loitering at a little distance without the appearance of listening to what was being said, though I felt assured that he was drinking in every word—I added, “ My friend the Count of Livorno will give me letters of recommendation to his brother the Marquis of Cassano, who is the Tuscan Envoy at the Court of Vienna, and with whom I have already a slight acquaintance.” “Then if we come to Vienna,” exclaimed Salt- coats, “ we shall be sure to find you out.” “Tt’s just that,” said the Dominie: “we can send the bellman round—or we can put an adver- tisement in the paper . “ Or what is better still,” interjected Saltcoats, “we can inquire for our friend Wilmot at the Marquis of Cassano’s. But why do you hurry off like this P” “JT am disgusted with Florence !” I exclaimed, as if speaking with passionate vehemence. “ But, no!” I immediately added, “I ought not to say that—I will qualify my observation by stating that things have occurred here which render it unplea- — S (Cc) comicboo