Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 181: what you’re looking at

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

’ we 168 there promised that it should be brought to Oval Villa the moment it came. office, and bent my way through the principal streets,—looking into the largest and best linen- drapers’ shops with the expectation of seeing Calanthe. But I found her not. Then I thought that as she was so much. in advance of me at starting, she might have finished her shopping and was on her way homeward. I hurried in that direction; and on the.outskirt of the town caught sight of her proceeding along. I was goon in the trace of her footsteps: my heart beat quickly :—what now would be the issue of the interview which was at hand? O Annabel! again did I invoke thine image to inspire me with courage; and it was almost with a feeling of rage | that I was compelled to acknowlédge to myself | that I had not the adequate amount of fortitude for the crisis ! Lady Calanthe was walking on in front. She looked not to the right nor to the left; and me- thought by the gentle inclination of her head, that her eyes were bent downward—perhaps in medi- tation. And if so, on what subjectP Ah! was she cradled in those illusions which now it was my duty to dissipate? I lingered behind her. What elezance—what grace did that symmetrical form display! how much unstudied elasticity of movement—as if her tread were of airy lightness! The idea intruded upon me in spite of myself— in spite, too, of all my devotion to Annabel—that the black raiment became Calanthe’s symmetrical figure admirably, and set it off to the utmost ad- yantage. But angry with myself for allowing these reflections to pass through my mind, or even linger for a moment there, I quickened my pace, nerving my soul with all its fortitude for the ac- complishment of my task. I was now speedily by her side; and as she heard footsteps close by, she glanced hurriedly over her shoulder, while she made way on the path for whomsoever it might be to pass. “Joseph? What happiness!” she exclaimed, the animation of joy suddenly suffusing her coun- tenance. “This is the opportunity I have so much longed for—but which I was too cautious to forestall by any device of my own!” “And I also have awaited this opportunity with much impatience,” was my immediate an- swer. “Good heavens! how could you have taken such a step as this ?” ‘What, Joseph ?” she said, looking very hard at me, as if fancying that she could not have rightly comprehended my words, or read the ex- pression of my looks: “would you reproach me?” JOSEPH WIEMOT; OR, THE I issued from the | the love that I bear you! | revelation to make —$—$—$—$——$_———$— i ae MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. I am literally clothed with > all for It was part and parcel of the tale which I had to devise to obtain admis- sion into the house where you dwelt. Oh, but this is the very least of the sacrifices I have made! A home stealthily left—parents, brothers, sisters, plunged into the deepest consternation at my sud- den disappearance—my reputation ruined, or at least only to be saved by eventual marriage with you———Joseph, I could not bear to reflect on all I have done, if it were not that I glory in every sacrifice which is made for your sake!” “ Oh, this is dreadful!” I murmured to myself: and I was totally disarmed of all my fortitude. “Your nature is»more prudent and cautious than mine,” Calanthe hastened to resume, bending upon me looks of the tenderest love; “and there- fore you tremble at all I do for your sake. But fear not! My plans are fixed—and they shall be realized. We are both very young: let us each agree to toil on for a few years—let us accumulate whatsoever savings we can: and then, Joseph——-” “Calanthe,” I exclaimed wildly, “you drive me mad.!” She fell back from me as if suddenly stricken by a heavy blow; and her eyes were fixed upon my countenance with mingled amazement and alarm. “ Good heavens! what mean you, Joseph?” she cried, trembling all over. “ A horrible suspi- cion has entered my head dispel it, or confirm it let me know the best or the worst at once! Speak, Joseph! Now that I bethink me of your manner and the expressions you made use of during our brief interview at Cheltenham But no: it cannot be! I am not deceived in you!— tell me—tell me that I am not deceived in you it would be my death!” | She spoke vehemently, and with an awful trou- ble upon her countenance, which became pale as death. She seized my hands, and looked up with imploring anxiety into my face. My heart was nearly broken: I felt bound to tell the truth; and yet it was the very bitterness of crucifixion itself to accomplish the task. * Calanthe,’ I said, with a sudden access of courage which surprised myself; “for God’s sake compose your feelings hear me I have a prepare to receive it ai * Anything, anything,’ she murmured in a dying tone, “but the assurance that you do not love me!” “Calanthe, I esteem you-—I would lay down my life to serve you—as a friend——but my heart a ** Enough !”—and she staggered back, so that and the sudden sinking of that bright animation of , at the next instant she would have fallen, had I her handsome countenance into the deepest mourn. | not caught her in my arms,—where she lay for fulness, struck like a heavy blow upon my heart. *‘ Lady Calanthe,” I said, mustering up all my fortitude, “the time has come when hear me.” “Let us hasten this way,” she exclaimed ab- ruptly, and at the same moment diverged into a | you must | several moments like one drooping off slowly into | @ swoon. mh “Oh! pardon meé-forgive me,” I exclaimed, “if Idid not tell you all this before. I sought opportunities at Myrtle Lodge: but I was weak —i was feeble of purpose——And then, too, you narrow lane: “we may be noticed in the high | never received that letter in which I told you all, road. Joseph, what would you mean me to un- | and in which I besought your pardon for not hav- derstand? Heavens! is it possible that you are : ing been candid and frank before! That night at not sensible of all the tremendous sacrifices I have | Cheltenham, I was about to explain everything— made for your sake? Look at these mourning if you recollect my words you will see that such garments. They are a hideous mockery: no re- ; was my purpose + lative of mine has died that I should wear them.! “Enough, Joseph!” she cried, suddenly: and as GOMmIGIOO (C a a a re a a ee ee ee a oe + at nl a a im