Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 223: what you’re looking at

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ooo 210 JOSEPH WILMOT:; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. four, I retraced my way to the village. The little shop where the articles I required were sold, was near the school-house ; and just as I was about to enter that shop, I perceived Miss Emmeline issuing forth from the seminary. I had already learnt that she was in the habit of visiting it fre- quently: and I should not therefore have con- sidered the circumstance of her presence there as being of any particular moment, were it not that at the same instant I caught a glimpse of the form of a gentleman appearing at the corner of a diverging lane a little farther on, and then vanish as suddenly—this apparition and disappearance being so abrupt and swift, that I could not dis- tinguish who the gentleman was, even if I knew him at all. But it was not altogether this circum- stance which surprised me: it was that at the same instant I saw Miss Emmeline fling a rapid look around her—a look that was cast with the evident air of one who sought to avoid observation —or, in other words, to assute herself that the coast was clear: and then she proceeded in the same direction. She could not perceive me where I was standing: for the shop had a little portico of open trellis-work for creeping plants; and it was within this portico that I had stopped sud- denly short on perceiving the young lady come forth from the school-house and the appearance of the gentleman at the corner of the lane, I made my purchases; and as I retraced my way slowly to the ferry-house, I naturally reflected on what 1 had seen. Perhaps the gentleman was, after all, Lennox Vennachar ? and perhaps it was in mere lovers’ fun that he was hiding himself from his fair cousin? But if so, why that quick sweeping look which she had thrown around P Anxious to account for it in a satisfactory manner, I thought to myself that her natural maiden pride might possibly feel ashamed at the idea of the childish joviality in which youthful and happy lovers will indulge, being observed by the vil- lagers. But still, as I entered the boat, there was a doubt hovering in my mind as to the accuracy of the explanations which I had laboured to conjure up,—not a doubt at all prejudicial to the repu- tation of Inch Methglin’s niece—for I felt con- vinced that she was virtue itself; but a doubt without form and substance, undefined and shape- less I knew not what. *Tt’s a beautiful afternoon,” said the boathouse- keeper on the shore of the Inch, as I passed his door. “ Beautiful,” I responded. “Spring is putting forth her charms, and arraying herself in her brightest hues.” “It’s just that,’ said Dominie Clackmannan, who was lounging on a bench in front of the boat- house. “I remember that those were the very words I addressed to Widow Glenbucket, when she put on her new dress on the occasion of the Laird of Tintosquashdale dining with me. And she said what was it that she said? I can’t think now—TI shall remember another time.” And the worthy Dominie took a huge pinch of snuff; having done which, he began to ruminate with a countenance of stolid gravity upon that portion of his anecdote which he had forgotten. co =, CHAPTER XLII. THE LOVERS. Upwarps of a month passed: it was now draw- ing towards the end of April—brighter and more cheerful grew the scenery—clearer and of a move Sunny azure the waters. The plantations were clothed in verdure,—the tender green setting off their free and graceful growth. The water-plants spread themselves out on the pebbly bed of the loch, where in the shallow parts’ it was visible: the wild flowers grew profusely on the banks—the birds warbled in the trees—the hum of insects began. I had now been nearly six weeks at Inch Meth- glin, and had every reason to be satisfied with my place. The little I had to do in shape of work left me ample time for reading; and I was per- mitted free access to the Chief’s library. This was well stored with books; though very little in- deed did he or his son Lennox profit thereby. With the exception of the newspapers, they never seemed to read at all: their lives were passed in entertaining company, feasting, gaicty, riding on horseback, water-parties, and other diversions. Indeed, the last month had beheld such a succes- sion of visitors at the castle, that it was only on two or three occasions Miss Emmeline had found time in the afternoon to go across to the village for the purpose of visiting the school, As for the feasting, I never saw such lavish hospitality in all my life, Scareely were the breakfast things cleared away, When preparations were made for luncheon; atid this consisted of substantials as well as of dainties so varied and profuse, as to give it the appearance of a dinner. The dinner itself was a sumptuous banquet; and at eleven o’cloek at night the supper-room was thrown open. Inch Methglin was fond of the pleasures of the table, and tolerably attached to the bottle—though he never drank to excess. Dominie Clackmannan was always ready for his meals; and on two or three occasions, when the arrival of fresh visitors necessitated the serving-up of two or three luncheons consecutively, the worthy man deemed himself in honour bound to keep company with the guests,—playing as good a knife and fork with a second and third meal in the middle of the day, as if he had not eaten a mouthful for many hours. At length there came a temporary lull in the gaieties at Inch Methglin ; and when the month of May opened, there was no one in addition to the family circle at the castle. One afternoon Mr. Lennox desired me to go across to the village and procure him some fishing- hooks of a particular kind that he required, and which were obtainable there. This was a few minutes past three o’clock; and when I reached the ferry, I found Mr. Stuart just descending into the boat, It stopped to take me in; and with his wonted good-natured nod and affable smile, he said, “Now, Joseph, you begin to behold this Highland scenery in its perfection. In another month’s time, when the tenderness of the verdure shall have deepened into brightness and luxuriance, and the heather glows with its richest hues on CORE O@ (Cc SHal(CO = co nc a tL E, im