Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 250: what you’re looking at

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JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. rondales and the Inch Methglins. On behalf of Sir Alexander, I can confidently assert that he abhors per- sonal animosities of every kind—but especially those which have no positively existing cause, and which can only be regarded as the evidences of a detestable tradi- tionary barbarism. You will therefore be gratified, perhaps, to learn that by this same post I have addressed a letter to the Chief of Inch Methglin, of which I send you & copy. ‘© Do me the favour to present the enclosed note, in as private a manner as before, to Miss Vennachar; and believe me ever your well-wisher, ‘DONALD STUART.” This letter contained two enclosures—one being the note for Emmeline, the other the copy of the epistle to which Mr. Stuart alluded, and which was couched in these terms :— “¢ Perth, November 10th, 1839. * Sir, “You will probably be surprised to receive a com- munication from one who parted from you under such unfavourable circumstances : but I request your patience for the perusal of this letter. I need scarcely remind you that for a certain service which Providence enabled me to render you, your word was pledged for the granting of any boon I might reasonably demand. You are likewise aware, sir, that the pledge remains as yet unfulfilled : but I know enough of the character of the Chief of Inch Methglin, to feel confident he will not suffer any past occurrence in respect to myself, to serve as a motive or a pretext for refusing the fulfilment of that word which is as sacred asa bond. Inspired there- fore by this conviction, I now proceed to exp'ain the nature of the boon which I ask at your hands. **T have to inform you, sir, that circumstances have rendered me intimate with Sir Alexander Carrondale ; and I am no stranger to the hereditary animosity which existed throughout centuries, from generation to gene- ration, between the Inch Methglins and the Carrondales. Sir Alexander constitutes an exception to his race; and so far from cherishing a rancour as monstrous as it is stuyid, against yourself and your family, he seeks to cultivate your friendship. Onthe point of taking pos- sesion of his ancestral domain, he will shortly become your neighbour ; and he hopes to enjoy peacefal rela- tions with the Inch Methglin clan. “* The boon, sir, that I ask at your hands is the renun- ciation of all animosity sgainst Sir Alexander Carrondale. ‘* T feel convinced that this boon will be regarded as a reasonable one, — inasmuch as it costs you nothing beyond a concession to every possible good feeling and to the very principles of civilization iteelf. Should your answer be favourable, I have to announce on the part of |. Sir Alexander Carrondale, that he will with the least pos- sible delay repair to Inch Methglin to pay his respects to its Chief, and thus perform a sort of homage to the head of that clan with whom he hopes henceforth to live on terms of amity and concord. The visit of Sir Alexander Carrondaie will thus be one of dignified respect and manly homage to the Chief of Inch Methglin; and he moreover deems it perfectly consistent with his own personal pride and position, to express his gratitude for that concession which he is willing on his own account to regard in the light of a boon. **Should you, sir, have any objection to correspond direct with me upon the subject, a letter for Sir Alex- ander Carrondale, addressed to the care of Mr. Dun- cansby, Edinburgh, will at once reach the Baronet, ** IT have the honour to remain, sir, ** Your obedient servant, “DONALD STUART, **To the Chief of Inch Methglin,” &c., &c., &c. [ read this letter with infinite pleasure: I con- ceived that it did equal credit to Mr. Stuart and Sir Alexander Carrondale. That Mr. Stuart’s hopes had been fulfilled, I was equally rejoiced to 237 perceive: but still I was somewhat at a loss to understand how anything which Sir Alexander Carrondale might be willing to do for him, would givé him either means sufficient or a social posi- tion so improved as to justify him in the belief that Inch Methglin would consent to his marriage with Emmeline. But then it occurred to me that Mr. Stuart had only been waiting until he could place himself in a certain condition of independence —no matter how moderate and humble—in order to bear off Emmeline and wed her without her re- lative’s consent at all. She had a few thousand pounds of her own; and if, through Sir Alexander Carrondale, Donald Stuart could be certain of en- joying a few hundreds a-year, as private secretary, intendant of the estates, or in any other suitably i genteel position,—there was no eartbly reason why the young couple should not link their destinies at the bridal altar. Such were my reflections after reading the above correspondence; and I now sought an opportunity of slipping Donald Stuart’s note into Miss Venna- char’s hand. This opportunity I found in the course of the forenoon; and two or three hours afterwards, the young lady gave me her answer for enclosure to him. She looked happier than ever I had yet seen her: the very blush that glowed upon her cheeks, as she gave me that letter, was full of the animation of heartfelt joy, blended with maiden bashfulness. In the course of the evening—after my return from the village, whither I repaired to post the letter—I fell into conversation with Cameron, who seemed to wear a very mysterious look, as if he were acquainted with a great secret, of which he was anxious to disburthen himself. “What do you think, Joseph ?” he said: “ and I know, from some remarks you have let drop at different times, the news will be gratifying to ou.” “Indeed, Cameron? And what may these news be P” | “The feud between the Inch Methglins and | the Carrondales is at an end,” was Cameron’s re- sponse. “Ah!” Tejaculated: and I felt my countenance glgwing with the radiancy of joy. “I am indeed delighted at this intelligence.” “Well, it is for Inch Methglin to decide,” ob- served Cameron: “and whatever he likes or dis- likes, thinks fit or unfit, must become the law. So it is not for me nor any of the other dependants to grumble. All the relatives of the family—all the kinsmen of the clan, will assemble here to-morrow to consult with the Chief.” “ But if the Chief,” I observed, “has already made up his mind, what is the use of consulting the clan ?”. “Oh! don’t yousee? It is merely for form’s sake,” replied Cameron. “Inch Methglin will appear to refer the point to the deliberation and decision of the clan: but his opening speech will convey his own opinion—and that opinion will rule the minds of all the rest. You see, Joseph,” continued Cameron, “Inch Methglin could not possibly avoid acting as he is doing—at least he Says sO z “And why not?” I asked, affecting to be in total ignorance of the circumstances which had brought all this about. <¢om Eboo S) com ma ee. — ee aw