Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 74: what you’re looking at

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JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. modest blush upon it, and the large azure eyes cast down beneath their dark fringes: for I knew that Annabel was not one who possessed a vanity that could be flattered by the universal homage paid to her beauty as her light feet moved over the purple velvet carpet fringed with gold. Impossible would it be to describe the mingled astonishment and joy which I experienced on be- holding the object of my heart’s devoted love. For some minutes, I had no thought for anything nor anybody else: all my ideas, all my faculties, and all my susceptibilities of ecstatic feeling, were concentrated in that one object. I gazed as if looking on something that I had never seen before, and now dazzled and bewildered, yet ineffably ravished, by the appearance of that seraphic figure. At length it all in a moment struck me that those who sate next and near to me in the gallery, might be amazed by the display of my emotions: but as I glanced rapidly to the right and Jeft, I was relieved on observing that they had no eyes nor attention for aught save the spectacle that was passing before them. And now I looked more attentively at Sir Mat- thew Heseltine and Annabel’s mother. I could not see their faces any more than I could catch a glimpse of that of Annabel: but I noticed that the old Baronet walked with a firmer step than he was wont to do when I was with him—and I was rejoiced at this proof of the excellent health which he experienced. Mrs. Lanover was hand- somely dressed ; and she likewise walked with an ease and lightness which contrasted in my remem- brance with the sickly languor that had charac- terized her in former times. But the effect which Annabel’s appearance produced upon that brilliant assemblage amongst which there were already so many rare specimens of female loveliness, alike Italian and foreign, was visible to every eye,— notwithstanding that it was necessarily subdued by a prevailing well-bred courtesy, and likewise by a sense of the august presence in which the company found itself. To my heart the homage thus silently yet eloquently paid by all eyes to Annabel’s bewitching loveliness, was fraught with ineffable rapture ; and when the intelligent Italian who sate next to me, made some observation on the subject, I could not possibly conceal the whole extent of what I telt. “What a charming girl! what an angelic figure! what a beauteous shape!” he whispered tome. “I would give the world to behold her countenance! If it only correspond with that elegant form of hers But really one would Imagine that you had all of a sudden fallen desperately in love with her! I think she is a pative of your country: that golden hair bespeaks as much——How ravishing! how beautiful!” “Yes—ravishing and beautiful!” I involun- tarily echoed, but likewise in a whisper: and then the Italian’s eyes were averted from my animated countenance and riveted on Annabel’s form again. ‘The reception now commenced,—the brilliant as- semblage passing in pairs in front of the dais—the gentlemen bowing low to the Grand Duke and Duchess, who stood up during the ceremony: but there was no kissing of hands. The proceeding may be thus explained:—When the reception began, the company all fell back on one side of the line of carpet which intersected the length of the 61 hall; and passing slowly in front of the thrones, they defiled down the other side of the carpet,—in this manner issuing forth from the doors under the gallery. I noticed that the Grand Duchess appeared much struck by Miss Olivia Sackville’s appearance,—following her with her eyes for a few moments after she had passed. Several minutes elapsed before Sir Matthew Heseltine, with Anna- bel on his arm, appeared in front of the thrones,— Mrs. Lanover being immediately behind her father and daughter, and now in company with some other lady who had been also compelled to separate temporarily from her own party in order to observe the rule of passing in pairs before the Tuscan Sove- reigns. I was most anxious to ascertain how Annabel would be received by the Grand Duchess, who was evidently so much struck by the appearance of Olivia. An enthusiastic joy took possession of my soul when I perceived her Royal Highness stop Annabel and address a few words to her. I knew that Annabel spoke French fluently, and Italian moderately well—thanks to the instructions which she had received from her accomplished mother ; and therefore in whichever language the Grand Duchess addressed her, she was enabled to give a response. Of all those who had previously passed, not one had arrested so much attention as this: it was a homage which the Grand Duchess no doubt felt herself irresistibly led to pay to the beauty of her who was peerless at the Tuscan Court that day. Yes—it was a homage, and not a mere act of condescension: and the Italian who sate next to me, nudged my elbow, hastily whis- pering, “There! the Duchess is speaking to your fair countrywoman! I suspected her Royal Highness would do so !—I was convinced of it!” Ah! that must have been a proud moment for old Sir Matthew and Mrs. Lanover, when they beheld the being who was so dear to them thus become the marked object of the Royal attention in preference to all the rest; and my own heart was gushing with indescribable emotions. The tears came into my eyes for very joy—but I hastily wiped them away: yet I kept my handker- chief partially up to my countenance: for Sir Matthew and Annabel, together with Mrs. Lano- ver, who had now taken ‘her father’s arm again, were advancing amidst the line that was defiling towards the doors. And now I could catch a glimpse of Annabel’s countenance: in a few instants more I beheld it completely; and my Italian companion was in raptures when he found that it did indeed so fully correspond with the seraphic beauty of the figure. But I did not choose to be seen by the old Baronet nor by Anna- bel and her mother. It is true I would have given the world to exchange one look with Annabel: but I dared not risk the chances of meeting her eyes if she should happen to glance up towards the gallery, for fear that in the suddenness of the surprise that would seize upon her, she should direct her grandfather’s attentiom in the same direction. Accident had brought us into the same city, and on this occasion to the same place: but the old Baronet’s instructions were equally as valid as if we had been hundreds or thousands of miles apart—and I was in no way to communicate with Annabel, by letter, word, or look, until the proba- tionary period should have expired. Oh! it was indeed hard when I thus beheld her in all the es ElO@QO) S (CO) in