Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 363: what you’re looking at

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

850 Quick as lightning I sprang up to my feet ; and clutching the gate-key with my left hand (for it lay upon the table), with my right I snatched a pistol! from over the mantel. It had a percussion lock ; and a moment’s examination showed me that a cap was upon the nipple—whence I inferred that it was loaded. “Dare to cry out—dare to molest me,” I ex- claimed, “ and I fire by heaven, I fire!” From the gloomy sullenness and dismay of the porter’s countenance, as he slowly raised himself up from the floor, I felt assured that [I was not deceived as to my conjecture that the pistol was loaded » but in crder not to give him an instant’s unnecessary advantage, I kept my front towards him as I retrogaded towards the door. He said not a word: but his looks were full of apprehen- sion—until all in a moment, just as my heels touched the threshold, and I was about to spring back in order to make a rush towards the gate. Then, quick as the eye can wink—quick indeed as the lightning flashes through the sky—was I seized upon from behind; and my right hand, which held the pistol, was struck violently in an upward direction. "With a cry, or rather a howl of savage exultation, the porter sprang forward : it was the gardener who had assailed me from be- hind—and between them both I was thus over- powered all in an instant. Two or three keepers were speedily upon the spot. Mr. Granby came rushing forth—his wife followed—and several of the insane inmates also made their appearance. “You have triumphed over me,” I said, with feelings of such bitterness and rage that I never before experienced; “ but my turn will yet come. Do with me now what you like! From this day forth I proclaim war against you! Unhand me!” “Yes, I should think so indeed!” said the porter, giving me a terrific shake as he held me by the coat-collar. ~ The insolence of the man’s words and looks as well as the brutality of the action itself, goaded me to desperation, and armed me for the moment with a preterhuman power. Indeed, my strength would have appeared incredible, were it not that we may suppose that the keepers finding them. selves in suflicient force to master me, were hold- ing me less tightly than they otherwise would have done. Certain it is, however, that I burst completely away from them; and with cne blow felled the ruffian porter to the ground. Seize upon him !” shouted Mr. Granby: while his wife gaye vent to a loud scream. And the next instant I was seized upon by half- a-dozen vigorous hands; and again was I com- pletely powerless. I felt that there was the hue of animation on my cheeks, with the sense Of satis- faction at having at least inflicted some sort of chastisement upon that insolent porter; and in- stead of being cowed or overawed, I flung around me looks of defiance. “Yes!” I exclaimed, “do with me what you will: for henceforth I stand upon no terms with you. You know, Mr. Granby, that I am not mad —and the day of retribution will come—rest as- sured that it will!” Mr. Granby did not however condescend to make any answer: but he beckoned the keepers . to lead me into the house. I knew what my fate would be: I foresaw that the straight-waistcoat JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. but at that in- stant my feelings were too powerfully excited to allow me to care very much for anything that might happen to me—and I was moreover far too proud to beg for mercy. In this manner we reached the house! and instead of being con- ducted to my own chamber, I was led to a room in a remote part of the building, and which was denominated the strong-ward. Massive iron bars were at the window: the fire-place was protected by a curious sort of fender, also formed of iron bars, and the upper part of which arehed over towards the mantel, where it was fastened by a padlock. The walls were lined with matting,—the space between being stuffed with some soft sub- stance;.so that the immured victim might not in his ravings dash out his brains against the masonry. A humble bedstead, a table, and a chair would be placed upon my limbs: constituted the only furniture in this cheerless room. Thither was I conducted by the keepers and Mr. Granby,—his wife and the lunatic spectators of the scene in the garden, having remained below, One of the keepers followed us with an ominous- looking object—-a garment of coarse material, which I knew to be the straight-waistcoat: and now I shuddered as I beheld it. I felt that my countenance grew as pale as death—that my lips were quivering convulsively ; and I had it on the tip of my tongue to implore that this crowning ignominy might be spared me. But no!—even then my pride came back to. prevent that prayer from being uttered; and I assumed a demeanour of dignitied defiance as I slowly glanced around upon those in whose power I was. | I know not whether my manner somewhat overawed the keepers--or whether it were that they in their hearts knew that I was not mad, and either pitied me or else fancied that Granby was ‘going too far: but certain it was that they hesi- tated to put on the straight-waistcoat and they glanced inquiringly as well as dubiously towards their master. “ Proceed !” said Mr. Granby with decisive look and tone. “Bee pardon, sir,” one of the keepers whispered to him: “ but don’t you expect one of the visiting Commissioners to-day or to-morrow P” *“Yes—and this is all the better,” replied Granby. “ Proceed !” Notwithstanding that these remarks were whis- peringly exchanged, my ear caught them; and for a moment a thrill of joy swept through my heart at the idea that a prospect of emancipation was probably opening itself before me. Granby’s demeanour was now doggedly stern and decided : he looked savage, ferocious, and vindictive:—I knew that at last I beheld the man in his true character. I now understood perfectly well what his observation had just meant: he considered that . my attempt to escape, and the violence which had accompanied it, were fortunate circumstances, in- asmuch as they afforded him a pretext for putting me under restraint, and thus giving a colour to the allegation of my madness. The keepers, no longer hesitating—no longer looking dubious, proceeded to strip off my coat and to put on the straight-waistcoat. For an instant the blood seemed to turn to ice in my veins: then the next moment it appeared to boil with fever heat; and Ghoo