Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 197: what you’re looking at

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184 JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. wont to picture to myself that when you were of a proper age, you might become even more nearly related to me than now you are.” I gazed upon him in bewildered astonishment. Was it possible that I understood his allusion aright P—and the bare thought thereof made my countenance glow with the animation of joy and hope. I forgot at the instant that if such had indeed been his intent, it was a somewhat strange thing he should have suddenly made up his mind to murder me on that night when I fled from his house. “Yes, Joseph,’ he went on to say, speaking in a mournful voice, “it was my earnest wish that in process of time you should become my son-in-law —that you should wed my daughter Annabel Ah! she is as much improved as you are: she has grown up to be such a lovely creature—I am quite proud of her, poor child !” I knew not what to say: I was trembling all over with a feverish suspense—hope mingled with apprehension — but the former predominating somewhat. J was too much agitated and excited for deliberate reflection; and I walked mechani- cally on by Mr. Lanover’ s sidé. *Do you ever think of Annabel?” he asked, suddenly fixing his looks upon me: and I felt the tell-tale blush rising up to my countenance. “ Let me see,’ he went on to observe in a musing manner: “it is upwards of two years and a half since you'saw Annabel last:’—so that he was: utterly ignorant, or at least affected to be so, that during the interval his daughter and I had met alike at Exeter and at Salisbury. “Two years and a half is a long time: it has done wonders for you, and alsofor her. Sheis a lovely creature ; and as her father, I repeat that I am proud of} her.” Again his looks were turned upon me; and still was I so confused and agitated—bewildered and excited, by the singular and unexpected turn which the discourse had taken—that I knew not how to answer a single word. “You have not forgotten Annabel, then, Jo- seph?” Mr. Lanover went on to say. “ Perhaps you would like to see her again ?” I started—stopped suddenly short—threw upon him a look of joyous hope—but instantaneously averted my eyes again with a revulsion of feeling as horrible as it was abrupt. For at that instant came vividly back to my mind the memory of those dark projects from which I had formerly escaped; and I was seized with a misgiving on account of him who was now speaking with so much apparent fairness and‘kindness. _ “Understand me, Joseph,” continued Mr. Lan- over: “I do not seek to exercise the slightest control over your proceedings. I am sorry I ever coerced you: and certainly shall not attempt to do it again. J need not ask if your cirumstances are comfortable: your appearance indicates that they are. Well, my boy, I am rejoiced for your sake. But if you would hke to see Annabel and ‘her mother, you have my free permission.” Once more did the animation of ‘pleasure arise upon my countenance; and Mr. Lanover’s gaze caught that glowing suffusion as he again turned his looks upon me. “ Alas !” he went on to observe in a very melan- choly tone of voice, “I can scarcely offer you a home a even if you were disposed to accept it; and I dare not any longer cherish the hope that you might become Annabel’s husband. For we are poor now, Joseph—very poor indeed! Ad- versity has overtaken us; and you are no doubt— judging by your appearance—much better off than we are.’ “Good heavens, Mr. Lanover! is this possible 7 I ejaculated, smitten with indescribable anguish at the thought that my adored Annabel and her excellent mother might be suffering privations. “So possible, my dear nephew,” responded Mr. Lanover, “ that it is only too true :”—and averting his countenance, he passed the sleeve of his coat across his eyes as if to wipe away tears. “I have had a hard struggle with the world—sometimes up, sometimes down; and now I am down again —and if it were not that Annabel sits from morn- ing till night over her needle “Poor Annabel!” I murmured, profoundly shocked and afflicted at what I thus heard. *“‘'Yes—it is indeed a sad thing,” continued Mr. Lanover, “that such a young and beautiful crea- ture should now be doomed to an existence of drudgery and toil—that she should perhaps pine and fade away vg “No, no!” I exclaimed wildly, forgetting that this was in the midst of the crowded street: “never! never! It is I who will toil for her! Oh, Mr. Lanover! I have indeed thought often and. often of Annabel—I have never ceased to think of her! The friendship I conceived for her at your house, has ripened into love I worship —TI adore her !” “Ah, my dear Joseph,’ said the humpback, who appeared to be deeply affected, “how happy am I to receive these assurances from your lips! ‘But no—you shall not come and see Annabel: the spectacle of our present impoverished home would cut you to the quick ““Then do you no longer live in Great Russell Street ?” I inquired with feverish excitement. “No: our dwelling was broken up—arrears of rent were due—the landlord seized everything ; and now we are reduced to the humblest lodging —a couple of rooms, meanly furnished, and ina poor neighbourhood.” My eyes were almost blinded with my tears as I listened to these words ; and forgetting all the ter- rible past in respect to the humpback’s conduct towards me—having only before my eyes the heart- rending present as he had just depicted it to me— T murmured, “ Oh, suffer me to accompany you to your abode! suffer me to render what assistance may be in my power !’’—and then I experienced a sudden thrill of ineffable joy at the thought of hay- ing in my purse the means of proffering most sub- stantial succour. * You shall come if you will, Joseph,” answered Mr. Lanover, seeming to hesitate: “but I think you had better not. My poor wife is on her death- bed—Alas! I am afraid that I have not been alto- gether as good a husband towards her as I ought —and Annabel will perhaps be ashamed in our altered circumstances to meet you.” “ Annabel ashamed ?” I cried, “‘no,no! Iam not so complete a stranger to the excellence of her disposition as to entertain that fear. Besides, it is my duty, as it is also in my power, to afford some solace.” —s ; mS | Im eee es Ine (O) cS (Cc) im