Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 186: what you’re looking at

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JOSEPIE WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. 173 satisfaction—though very slight indeed—and per- haps altogether imaginary on my part. WNever- theless, methought her features did express that look: and again did the coiled-up reptile of jeal- ousy lift its head in my heart. “What brought you into the town, Joseph?” inquired Calanthe, giving me her hand: while at the same instant she glanced rapidly round, doubt- less to assure herself that no observer was nigh. Ah! thought I to myself, she would not have taken this precaution if it were Richard Franklin that she met: but he was a gentleman, and I was only a livery-servant, with whom of course it would not be convenient for her to be seen shaking hands and conversing. “TI came,” was my answer, coldly delivered, as I scarcely pressed the proffered hand, ‘ to execute some commissions for Mrs, Robinson.” “And I have been shopping on my own ace count,” observed Calanthe: and I was still more vexed with her, because she did not seem to notice the indifference with which I received her hand, nor the coldness with which my words were spoken. “T thought you generally took out the children at this hour ?” I remarked curtly. “ Not when I go shopping,” she responded quietly: ‘ because Mrs. Robinson is afraid the children will be fatigued.” “ Besides,” I said, with malice in my tone, “ you found a companion in Ryde; and therefore you did not want to be troubled with the girls.” “Ah! then you saw me there?” observed Calanthe, still in the same quiet way as before. “Yes—I met Mr. Franklin, who was polite enough to offer me his arm along the street.” “And of course you were very glad to accept it?’ I rejoined, with a rudeness for which the next instant I found myself blushing. “Yes: I was very glad,’ she answered, with continued serenity ; ‘“‘ because it 1s sometimes unpleasant for a young lady to walk about alone.” *‘ And I dare say,” was my next remark, “ that Mr. Franklin is a very agreeable companion.” “ He is considered to be a young gentleman of very courteous manners and intellectual conversa- tion,” replied Calanthe. ‘“ You will admit, Joseph, that he is exceedingly handsome: although, I be- lieve, persons of your sex do not pay particular notice to your mutual good looks ?” “But I have observed that Mr. Franklin is very handsome,” was my response, given with even a tinge of bitterness: “and it is evident that you think so likewise.” “To be sure Ido! And why not?” exclaimed Calanthe, now bending her eyes upon me witha look of astonishment. My own gaze sank beneath her’s ; and I walked on in silence by her side for a few moments, biting my lips. I now noticed that we had en- tcred that very same lane where about a month back our explanations had taken place. I could not remember whether I myself had just been purposely leading the way into that Jane; or whether Calanthe had done so, and I had accom- panied her as I mechanically walked by her side. Nevertheless, certain it is that there we were; and the circumstance brought vividly and keenly back to my memory every detail of the scene which had occurred in this lane four weeks previously. Here, ee ee suey with he too, was the spot where the explanations had been given—the spot where she spoke of the immense sacrifices she had made on my account—the spot where I had beheld her ineffable anguish, and had endured my own—the spot where she lay drooping in my arms, and my kisses and tears were showered upon her cheeks. Good heavens! I thought to myself, but one short month back she had ap- peared to love me almost to madness; and now she had been coolly eulogizing the personal and intellectual qualities of another. I trembled from head to foot with an unnatural excitement: I was a prey to the demon of jealousy: the image of Annabel appeared to be receding and fading away into the mists of distance ;—and unable to re- stram my feelings, I stopped suddenly short, mut- tering in a hoarse voice, “Calanthe, you love Richard Franklin !” “Wherefore do you think so?” she asked, a strange and scarcely comprehensible animation spreading over her countenance: yet methought at the instant it was a glow of pleasure at the mention of Franklin’s name. “ Wherefore do I think so?” I exclaimed, “Can | you deny it ?” “Tf it be so, what reason have I for denying it?” said Calanthe: “and if it be not, why should I be called upon to give you any assurance on. the subject ?”—but yet she spoke not angrily, though still with that singular animation of coun- tenance. “True!” I ejaculated. “I have no right to question you. And yet ze “And yet what, Joseph?” she asked, still gazing upon me strangely. “And yet I fancied,” I went on to say rapidly —for my mind was full of excitement,—“< that there was a friendship existing between us: I flattered myself that I was not altogether un- worthy of your confidence “ ‘Supposing that I had any confidence to im. part,” she interrupted me, softly and gently,— “what opportunity have we hitherto found for discourse since the last time we met here ?” “Ah! the last time we met here!” I exclaimed bitterly. “But it is true we have had no oppor- tunity. Now, however, that it 1s obtained, you will perhaps treat me as a friend a brother Aq “ Oh certainly!’ replied Calanthe. “ Whast do you wish ?”” “Your confidence,” I quickly responded. “But in what respect?” she asked: and me- thought there was a certain tremulousness in her voice—a strange flashing of the eyes—as well as the glow of that scarcely comprehensible anima- tion still upon her countenance. “You ask for my confidence: tell me in what respect you re- quire it ?” : “T have already said that you love Richard Franklin: is it not sof’—and it was with a sort of shivering suspense that I awaited the answer. “ But tell me, Joseph,” said Calanthe, still with her gaze fixed upon me,—“ if I were to confess to you that I have not viewed Mr. Franklin with in- difference—if I were to avow that his intentions had pleased me—and that the peculiarity of my position would not suffer me to refuse the offer of his hand,—if, moreover, I were to aeknowledge that by the process of forcing myself to fancy I was contemplating you when really surveying re 8 en ee JOO SS (CO) AA