Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 260: what you’re looking at

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

JOSEPH WILMOT 3; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. 247 then she said in a low voice, which seemed earnest: enough, “ Joseph, I am resolved to help my poor mistress. Will you assist her P” “Who bade you ask me the question ?” I in- quired, straining my eyes with all their power to examine the woman’s features well: but it was too dark for me to judge by her looks whether or not there were any indications of latent treachery. “ Miss Vennachar herself,’ she replied confi-: dently. “ And did Miss Vennachar,” T next asked, “give you apy sign or token, by which I might be as- sured that you are empowered thus to address me ?” _ “Miss Vennachar informed me,” rejoined Grace, “that you had already been kind enough to re- ceive and transmit correspondence between herself and Sir Alexander, at the time he was known only as Mr. Stuart.” “Good!” I observed. ‘“ You will pardon me for having exercised so much caution: but your own good sense will tell you it was for the best.” “TI am not offended,” said the lady’s-maid. “And now tell me, will you assist my mistress ?” “T will,” was my response. “ But how?” “Nothing can be done till some time after the household has retired,” resumed Grace. “ This will be shortly after eleven o’clock. Will you and can you have three horses ready—two with side- saddles, the other for yourself—punctually at half- an-hour after midnight P” “T wil. Where are the horses to be sta- tioned P” “ Between this and the road:’—meaning the one that led over the isthmus to the mainland. “Very good,” I answered: “it shall be done.” “You speak confidently, Joseph,” said the lady’s-maid: “have you well weighed all the diffi- culties attending the part you have to perform P” “Yes. In the first place, one of the grooms sleeps over the stable; and I shall have to quiet him: but Sandie is fond of ‘mountain dew’—and I know how to deal with him. In the second place,.the trampling of the horses’ hoofs might be heard as I lead them out from the stable: I will guard against that. There is no other difficulty that I am aware of. But on your side, what have you to do? what obstacles to overcome P” _ “ Nathing of any importance,” answered Grace. “T sleep in an ante-rcom communicating with Miss Vennachar’s chamber; and we can both steal down together without making the slightest noise.” “Then at half-past twelve o’clock punctually,” I said, “the horses shall be in readiness. I pledge myself to this. When was it that Miss Vennachar first. spoke to you upon the subject?” — “Not till just now, when I was. helping her to dress for dinner,” answered Grace. “ For some days past—indeed ever since Sir Alexander Carrondale left—I have observed, when alone with my young mistress, that. she was very dull and. desponding, and that she seemed as if desirous to. speak to. me on some point, but did not like to do so. Neither did I like to make any remark: but I secretly re- solved to render poor Miss Vennachar a service if it lay in my power.. I.saw. very well that this contemplated marriag after all I had heard, I had no difficulty in guessing | that she loved another, and who that other was. was hateful to her;.and. So, this evening’ I did pluck up courage to say something—explanations ensued—you may imagine the rest.” “T suppose that Miss Vennachar has inden a sort of prisoner for some days*past P” “ Decidedly so,” responded the maid: “ And to tell you the truth; it was something which one of the ladies who are now staying at the castle, said to me that inspired me with disgust at the conduct pursued towards my mistress.” “And what did the lady say to you?” I asked. “She plainly told me that I was to watch all Miss Vennachar’s movements, and that I should be rewarded. Now, Joseph, you have perhaps heard me at different times declare that the will of the Chief is a law which we are all compelled blindly to obey: but when this will exhibits itself in such an unnatural fashion— —” “Right, Grace!” I exclaimed, no longer sus- pecting the lady’s-maid’s sincerity—and' even sorry that I had doubted her. “You argue nobly. Miss Vennachar must be saved. We had better not remain here together any longer : you perform your part—and rest assured that I will accomplish mine.” We then separated,—I returning to the servants’ hall, and Grace*proceeding to some other part of the house: I have stated in an’ earlier chapter, that some of the domestics at Inch Methglin had been very fond of questioning me about all the “ fine sights,” as they called them, which the English capital contained; and it happened that the particular groom who slept over the stables, was more than | all the rest curious for information on those topics. | | I took care to sit next to him at supper; and turn- ing the conversation upon London, quickly riveted his attention. I kept him in discourse until ten o'clock which was the time for him to retire. Then I followed him out into the back premises; and as if quite'in a casual way, I said, “Some of these evenings, Sandie, I will come up and takea | glass of mountain dew with you in your snug little quarters; and then I will tell you a very | strange legend connected with London Bridge, but which I could not very well recite in the presence of the females,” “Oh, do!” exclaimed Sandie, already burning | with curiosity to’ hear the promised’ narrative. “Why not to-night? I just: happen to have a stone bottle full of the richt sort.” “Well then,” I said; “ be itso. » I will join you in about five minutes. But don’t have anybody else: let us be alone together.” “So we will,” said the groom: and away he sped to his quarters to make’ preparations st my reception. I ascended to my chamber;to make my own preparations. In the first place I secured about my person’ all the money that I possessed—and likewise took a few toilet-necessaries,. Then I threw all my effects pell-mell into*my box,—lock- ing it and taking away the key. These proceed- ings scarcely occupied’ ten minutes: I stole-down stairs, and issued forth unperceived from*the back door of the premises which was not yet locked, as the butler, whose duty it was to see all right ere he retired, had not yet even begun’ to make his usual round. Sandie was ready to receive me in his quarters: the bottle of whisky, with glasses Giyoo COUN S (CO) im