Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 224: what you’re looking at

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

JOSEPH WILMOT ; the mountain-sides, you will be charmed and de- lighted.” “Tt is indeed, sir, a | beautiful spot—or I may say a beautiful domain : for the attractions of scenery, the general air of prosperity and comfort, and the evidences of skilful culture, are not con- fined to the Inch and its neighbourhood, but ex- tend all over the estate—at least as much as I saw of it when journeying hither.” “ By which road did you come?” inquired Mr. Stuart. “From Perth,” was my response. “I passed through the estate of Carrondale. Ah, sir! I was shocked to behold “Shocked indeed,” said Mr, Stuart, stooping down to pick up his glove, which he had dropped in the boat. “I also have passed abronga that estate—and I also was shocked. ‘ “Ts it not very sad, sir,’ I asked, “ to think that a property which might be rendered so pro- ductive-——” “It must be heartbreaking for the unfortunate owner,” observed Mr, Stuart quickly,—“ or rather for him who perhaps yet considers that he has a right to call himself its owner.” “ And I sincerely hope,” I exclaimed, “ that Sir Alexander Carrondale will tr iumph over his ene- thies !” “Enthusiast that’ you are!” exclaimed Mr, Stuart, gazing upon me with apparent astonish- ment. “ But,’ he immediately added, with a smile, “how came you to learn enough of the circum- stances to manifest such an interest in the af- fair ?” “ By a singular adventure,” I replied, “I travelled in a chaise with Mr. Duncansby, the lawyer 14 “Ah! indeed ?” interjected Stuart, with an air of such seeming carelessness that methought he was wearied with the topic and that my conver- sation was growing tiresome, I accordingly held my peace; and he aid not put any farther question, but continued occupied with his own thoughts for the remaining two or three minutes which elapsed until the boat touched the jetty. Then he sprang on shore, wishing me “ good afternoon” with his wonted urbanity ; and he hurried on towards the village. But instead of entering it, he turned off to the left, so as to make the cireuit of its outskirt; and I presumed that it was for the purpose of extending his walk on that lovely afternoon, I entered the village by the direct path—made the purchase for which I had been sent thither—and was about to retrace my way by the nearest path, which ran along the shore of the loch, when it occurred to me that as there was plenty of time to spare, and I knew Mr. Lennox did not want the fishing-hooks until the following morning, I would also extend my own walk by exploring the country a little beyond the village. The one straggling street was soon threaded—the school-house and the church were passed—and I turned into a lane diverging from the main road. I now remembered that it was at the corner of this very lane I had seen the gentle- man appear and disappear in a somewhat singular manner, as narrated towards the close of the pre- ceding chapter. The mcident, which in the mean- time had gone out of my memory, was now vividly recalled thereto; and while I was yet deliberating 3 rane ee a OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. 211 upon it, I beheld a lady and gentleman walking together some way a-head in that very lane which I had just entered. It was impossible to mistake them: they were Donald Stuart and Emmeline Vennachar. I stopped suddenly short—not exactly over- whelmed with astonishment—but under the in- fluence of the suddenness with which a ray of light flashed in unto my soul. I comprehended everything: Emmeline and the handsome young tutor loved each other! Was there any possibility of doubting it? None atall. For they had not met thus casually: of this I felt assured. Ah! it was Mr. Stuart, then, whom I had seen appear and disappear at the corner where the lane joined the road, afew weeks back! Of this I was now cer- tain ;—and then too, that look which Emmeline had cast around on the same occasion aye, and on this occasion too, the circuitous route which Mr. Stuart had taken to gain the trysting place without having to pass through the village! But this was not all. Jf I still required confirmation of my con- jecture that they were lovers, it was before my eyes. They were first walking slowly side by side—she not leaning upon his arm: but all of a sudden he caught her hand and carried it to his lips.- I sprang under the shade of a tree: I did not choose to be seen by them: not for worlds would I have De enn nn nn arenes enrnresmressnremerernrtateneeeeeneteaeeeeenene eee eesieieneaeemensaneeteeeeeenneee nena nnn had them take me for a spy, nor willingly submit - them to the humiliation of having to ask me to keep their secret. In my heart I had already vowed to keep it: for I hked Mr. Stuart, who was so urbane and affable, much better than Lennox Vennachar, who was so proud and haughty: and moreover, even without that predilection in favour of the former, I knew what love was—and I could sympathize, I could commiserate—but was inca- pable of betraying ! { waited in my place of concealment till a bend in the lane hid the lovers from my view; and then I rapidly retraced my way through the village to the ferry-house. I had learnt a secret which I firmly believed to be utterly unsuspected at Inch Methglin. But from the bottom of my soul did I pity those lovers, whose case I could not regard otherwise than as utterly hopeless,—or if hopeful so far as a runaway marriage might be concerned, only to have this happiness purchased at the ex- pense of utter repudiation, casting-off, and estrange- ment on the part of Emmeline’s haughty relatives. It was true that the young lady had a few thousand. pounds: but Mr. Stuart had nothing except his talents—and these do not always secure for their possessor an adequate reward. And then, too, I reflected that Donald Stuart—so far as I could jadge by the little I had seen of him—possessed too much goodness of heart and too sensitive a dis- position, a8 well as too much manly pride (in dis- tinction from the family pride of the Inch Methglins) to be capable of sacrificing all the young lady’s prospects and alienating her from her family, as well as rendering himself dependent upon her own slender reSources. From my very soul, therefore, did I pity them: for their love seemed to be hopeless. The ferry-keeper at the boat-house was very fond of having a gossip with me about London and all the “fine sights,” as he called them, which the English metropolis afforded; and he kept me a good half-hour in conversation before he offered to loosen a boat. At length I gave him to under- OOO) COUN S co iin