Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 267: what you’re looking at

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

254: while to have my boxes forwar wiile tS HAYS Wy Boues Hewarded Wel Un tes fh Gad Blass Th oe ea ae ee tome. On the following morning the post brought its fresh supply of letters from Edinburgh for Mr. Dun- cansby; and amongst them was one from the head clerk, stating that a person had arrived on behalf of Sir Alexander Carrondale’s English creditor, and that according to Mr. Duncansby’s instructions this person was coming on to Perth. “Then I dare say he will be here presently,” said the lawyer. “Just give me that packet of papers which my clerk has sent.” f did so: and Mr. Duncansby, sitting up in bed, looked over the documents,—arranging them in such a way as to be in readiness against the expected visit of the individual who was coming on behalf of Sir Alexander’s English creditor. * And now, Joseph, put my cheque-book on the table,” continued Mr. Duncansby; “so that I may fill up a draft in the proper name when the man does come. But let me see!—these papers will tell us: what the name is: for I know that it is not Dobble —nor yet Dobbie—though something like it.” At this moment there was a knock at*the chamber door; and I hastened to see who was there. It was a chambermaid,—who said, “ Will you be kind enough to tell Mr. Duncansby that a gentleman wishes to speak to him? He says he has been sent on to Perth by Mr. Duncansby’s clerk in Edinburgh “Tt’s all right, Joseph,” said the lawyer from his bed: “let the gentleman come up.’ The chambermaid accordingly departed to de- liver this message ; and Mr. Duncansby, who con- tinued looking over the papers, suddenly ejaculated, *“ Ah, Dobbins, to be sure! that’s the name!” Dobbins!—the name was familiar enough to me; for everything at all connected with the dearly beloved Annabel was indelibly impressed upon my memory. The reader will recollect that Dobbins was the name of the linendraper at Exeter, at whose door I had fallen in with Annabel, and of whom she spoke in the letter which she left for my perusal after my severe illness at Dr. Pomfret’s. The mention of that name sent a sudden chill through my form, inasmuch as it vividly conjured up all in a moment the dreadful image of Mr. Lanover: and yet I said to myself at the same time, that Dobbins was by no means an uncommon name. Nevertheless, a sort of vague terror and trembling curiosity made me observe to Mr. Dun- cansby, “ Might I inquire in what part of England this Mr. Dobbins resides P” But scarcely was the question put, and before the lawyer had time to answer it, the door opened —I glanced round—and Mr. Lanover made his appearance. He remained riveted to the spot in perfect astonishment on beholding me. And well he might !—for he had no doubt hitherto hugged the belief that I had perished along with all the other unfortunate victims of the wrecked emigrant-ship. But quickly recovering his self-possession, he ad- vanced towards me with outstretched hand,—ex- claiming, with as much affability as he could possibly throw into his harsh jarring voice or into his hideous looks, “ What, Joseph! my dear nephew !—is it possible P” “No, no!” I shudderingly ejaculated, as I shrank back in utter loathing: “I will not take your hand !” JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN- gree" ee EPRI CA ae Pe PAP “ God bless the young man,” cried Mr, Dun- cansby, now putting back the curtain and looking forth from the bed: “ what is the matter ?”. “Joseph,” said Mr. Lanover, in a low hurried voice, “if you love Annabel ” and he placed his finger to his lip. “T will leave you to settle your business toge- ther,” I murmured quickly: and snatching up my hat, ‘abr uptly quitted the room. Not heeding Mr. Duncansby’s ejaculation to the effect that the business was not private, and that I might remain, I sped away. Mr. Lanover imme- chately followed me, and called out, “ Joseph, one word !—for Annabel’s sake, only one word!” I stopped short at the end of the passage. Mingled terror, abhorrence, and disgust had prompted me to that abrupt flight from the law- yer’s chamber: ‘but now the terror passed away in a moment, as the thought struck me that in the midst of a large and crowded hotel, as well as in the broad daylight, it was scarcely possible that | the miscreant Lanover would attempt any outrage against me. The sentiment of abhorrence and loathing still remained—and naturally so, for it was unconquerable: but the fear having subsided, I suddenly felt anxious to know what he could have to say to me. ‘Therefore was it that L stopped short, as just described. The vile hump- back—who was dressed just as usual, in black garments—approached me, and said, “ You have nothing to fear, Joseph. I have acted with appa- rent harshness towards you But pray give me a few minutes’ private interview.” “Yes,” ITanswered: and throwing open the door of my own chamber, which was close by, I led the way into it. “And now, Mr. Lanover,”’ I continued; “what do you want with me P” “T have no doubt, Joseph,” he went on to say, assuming a profoundly deprecating look—by which however I was not to be duped or thrown off my guard,— you are much embittered against me— and reasonably so; because you cannot understand that it was all for your own good I acted towards you 29 ‘Tn a manner, sir,” I sternly interrupted him, “ which, if I gave information to the authorities, would transport you beyond the seas those seas,” I added, “in which you doubtless believed I was engulfed.” “But, my dear nephew,” said Mr. Lanover, who for the instant had looked frightened at the threat implied by my words, “ you would not- “No, sir,” I interrupted him, intention to molest you, if you fully and satisfac« torily explain your motives for pursuing me with such remorseless atrocity and unrelenting hate. Moreover, you must furnish some guarantee against any future attempt * ““ My dear nephew “No, no—I cannot be your nephew!” I eja- culated, indignantly and excitedly. “It is impos- sible! If the same family-blood rolled in our veins, your conduct would be something so mon- : strous, so frightfully unnatural At all events, I will not call you wnele: I will not acknowledge that you have the authority or the power of a re- lative over me !” “T see, Joseph, that you are very, very angry with me,” said Mr, Lanover, still wearing that assumed demeanour of friendly deprecation, and “it is not my | | ECORMMCOO@ cS (©) im