Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

ee JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRSOF A MAN-SERVANT. - their midst. We soon entered the path which traversed the wood in the vicinage of the tower; and though Philippo spoke not another word to me, the banditti conversed amongst themselves— the tones of their voices sounding ominous to my ears. I felt that I was indeed in a most serious dilemma: my ignorance of the pass-word was in- vested with all the fatal importance which I had anticipated—and was indeed regarded in a more serious light still; while the unfortunate incident of Volterra’s abrupt separation from me, had strengthened suspicion against me,—thereby Sie) gravely augmenting my danger that I felt as if nothing but a miracle could save me. But if I were to die I should at least have the consolation in my last moments of knowing that it was in the endeavour to save the beloved Annabel my doom was thus encountered. We proceeded onward—the tower was reached —I was ordered to dismount—and Philippo, with two others of the banditti, conducted me into the building. We entered by the door communicating with that little vestibule whence opened the cham- ber where I had found Olivia Sackville; and as | the light of the iron lamp suspended to the arched ceiling of that vestibule showed me the heavy bolts which secured that door, methought that possibly they were drawn upon some of those | whom I had hoped to save. Perhaps Annabel herself was there?—and if so, it was but the thickness of a door which separated us, failing me—and with an appearance of outward confidence I looked slowly around upon the ruffians, ee CHAPTER XCV. THE EXAMINATION. PHILIPPO now addressed Marco Uberti in the Italian language: but though I comprehended not what was said, I knew very well that he was giving an account of my capture and all the circum- stances attending it. This interval afforded me leisure to collect myself completely: for keenly and vividly aware was I that if there were a possibility of saving myself from death, it could only be by confidently playing the part of Lano- ver’s accredited agent. The following dialogue now took place between myself and Marco Uberti, carried on through the medium of the interpreter Philippo:— “You say that you are sent hither by the | Englishman Lanover ?” “Yes,” was my answer ; “and I have the proofs “One moment, if you please! membered the pass-word ?” * No. But,’ I added, with every outward dis- Have you re- Good | play of a firm confidenee, “‘T daresay I shall re- heavens! were we soon to be separated for ever, collect it presently :”’—though heaven alone could by an ignominious and horrible death overtaking | myself ? ‘The brigands led me up a stone staircase, from the summit of which branched off a passage with an array of half-a-dozen doors; and now me- thought that it might be one of them which held tell how I was to call to mind a word I had never | known. “What are the proofs that you consider suffi- cient to convince us of your sincerity?” **Tn the first place,” I said, producing my purse and taking out the bank bill, “ here is the amount Annabel captive. Philippo opened the first door; | which Mr. Lanover agreed to pay for the business and I was led forward into a spacious room, where half-a-dozen more banditti were sitting at a table covered with bottles and glasses, and at the head of which the terrible Marco Uberti was lounging in an arm-chair. But on beholding some of his men enter with a captive, he raised himself; and emptying his glass, awaited with fierce looks until I was brought close up to him. From the pene- trating way in which he regarded me, I trembled inwardly lest my disguise should be seen through : I saw that Philippo was also eyeing me with the most rigid scrutiny: I exerted an almost super- human power to maintain a demeanour of con- fidence—but as I happened to glance across the table, I saw that the man who sate on the captain’s left hand was the very one who had fastened on my chain in the hut whence I escaped by Volterra’s assistance. He also was contemplating me with a ferocious and dogged intentness. I reverted my looks—and now I beheld the countenance of the sentinel whom I had overpowered, gagged, and pinioned on that same memorable night !—yes, the countenance which even through the gloom of the hour I had seen convulsed with rage, and which had indicated the savage wish on the part of the miscreant at the time, that he had it in his power to murder me. The eyes of all these whom I thus recognised one after another, were rivetted upon me: i felt that my brain was swimming: but with another effort that was almost preternatural, I summoned up the presence of mind that was —_————_ +--—- --——-— | done on his behalf.” Marco Uberti took the bill and examined it: I watched his countenance eagerly, though without appearing to be so intent in my gaze. But there was nothing reassuring in his looks as he sud- denly threw them upon me; and folding up the bill, he consigned it to his pocket. The examina. tion was then continued through the medium of Philippo. ‘“‘ What business is 16 which we hcve done for Mr. Lanover ?”’ “You have captured,” I answered, “a travelling equipage, containing five persons. These persons consist of an English Baronet, Sir Matthew Hesel- tine by name—his daughter, Mrs. Lanover—and his grand-daughter, Miss Bentinck —their valet and their maid.” * And supposing that you are really Mr. Lano- ver’s agent—what instructions do you bring ?” “Tt is necessary I should explain to you,” I said, “that from a letter which Mr. Lanover found at his hotel on returning thither after his inter- view with a certain Philippo, on the night of the 15th instant, in Florence, he discovered that Sir Matthew Heseltine had granted him conditions which he could accept; and therefore he has despatched me to pay the amount agreed upon with yourselves, and to desire that the travellers be immediately allowed to pursue their way with- out further hindrance or molestation.” “ Are you aware that they are penniless ?” ElN@QO)