Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 307: what you’re looking at

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

294: re I i I LGD LALLA ALLOA ALLL ELLE A JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT.. hand to me; and if it were so, I naturally attri- _ buted the circumstance to some illusion of her dis- ordered intellect. I could not see her distinctly : indeed it was merely her head and her bust that I could discern at all, on account of the large piece of furniture which stood against the window. All of a sudden she disappeared: but im a few mo- ments she returned to the same spot, holding her child in her arms. It seemed that she was ex- tending the infant towards me, as if imploring me for her child’s sake to bestow my sympathy upon herself and procure her release. Just at that mo- ment old Jacob appeared in the garden: f instan- taneously averted my eyes from the windows—and soon afterwards re-entered the house. For the remainder of the afternoon I pondered upon the scenes which I have just described; and the more I reflected thereon, the less eould I reconcile myself to the idea of the absolute neces- sity which the Shacklefords appeared to think existed for the close prisonage of their unfortunate relative. In the evening Mrs. Shackleford was taken so much worse that I was sent off in the phaeton to fetch Mr. Willis from Bagshot. It was still ight, it now being the first week of June: nevertheless, as I drove across the heath, I could not help glancing around me very often to assure myself that no highwayman was near. The reader must not think that I was absolutely afraid: I may without vanity affirm that I pos- . sessed as much courage as most young men at my age ;—and I had taken care to provide myself with a stout cudgel, being determined to give the high- wayman, if he should make his appearance, as warm a reception as possible. Still the thought that such an encounter was quite possible, if not probable, kept me to a certain degree anxiously on the alert: but I reached Bagshot without misad- venture. Mr. Willis was at home; and he ati once agreed to accompany me to Heather Place. His wite called out to him from the parlour to bid him be sure to take his pistols as well as his medicine-chest ; and this advice he was eayeful to follow. We however crossed the heath as safely as I had previously done; and we arrived at the house just as the dusk was completely setting in. Mrs. Shackleford was rather alarmingly ill, with all the symptoms of fever; and Mr. Willis directed that one_of the female servants should sit up with her all night, it was arranged that old Jacob should drive him back to Bagshot, and remain there all night, im order to be in readiness to bring the surgeon over to Heather Place again the first thing in the morning, as the horse would be too tired. to return that night—and moreover Mr. Shackleford did not like to trust the old man alone with the equipage in the dark. I should observe that Mr. Willis, having brought his medicine chest with him, was enabled, ere taking his leave, to compound such potions as he considered necessary for Mrs. Shackle- ford’s use. The housemaid was appointed to sit up with her mistress; and when the surgeon had taken his departure in the phaeton, Mr. Shackleford sent for me to the parlour. “Joseph,” he said, “ I am about to give you a proof of the confidence I place in you, and of the favourable impression which has been made upon my mind by the strong recommendations I re- When he was ready for departure, | ceived on your behalf from Mr. and Mrs, Row- land. Your mistress, f am afraid, is entering upon an illness which may confine her for some time to her chamber ; and it is absolutely necessary that the housemaid should be in constant attend- ance upon her. The cook has her own special duties to perform; and Jacob is too old to be entrusted with that task which I am about to confide to you.” Mr. Shackleford paused, and surveyed me at- tentively—as if to assure himself, by this long scrutiny of my countenance, that he was acting prudently in the course he was adopting. I more than half-suspected what the nature of the task was which he was about to explain ; and I expe- rienced the tremulous suspense of curiosity and — interest, as my thoughts poimted towards the in- mate of the shut-up portion of the house. I nevertheless kept’ my countenance; and Mr. Shackleford proceeded in the following manner :— “You are already aware, Joseph, that an unfor- tunate young lady is domiciled beneath this roof. You know likewise that for certain reasons a watch has to be maintained upon her. So long as circumstances prevent Mrs. Shackleford and the housemaid from ministering their usual attentions to that lady, you must take upon yourself a pox- tion of the task. Presently you will convey to her apartments those supphes of provision which the cook has prepared for her use. To,morrow—at any time during the day that it may suit this lady to walk in the plantation—you must attend upon her. I need not add that you will of course pre- vent any endeavour on her part to escape: nor is it necessary for me to suggest that while im reality watching her, you will observe the most respectful demeanour. Still less is it needful for me to guard you against being won over by any appeal to a sympathy which, if exercised im such a case, would be altogether a false one. Remember that the unfortunate being’s intellects are unhinged, and that on your head would rest an awful re- sponsibility if you betray the trust which I am now confiding to you.” “TI can assure you, sir,” I answered, “that m this matter as well as in every other, I shall make it my endeavour to perform my duty.” The reader will observe that my response was cuardedly shaped and studiously qualified: for L was resolved not to pledge myself beforehand to any particular course, for feay lest a better ac- quaintance with the circumstances of this melan- choly case should induce me to deviate therefrom. Mr. Shackleford did not however perceive that I spoke with a studied reserve, and even with @ de- hberate evasiveness: for his looks expressed satis- faction at my reply. * Now come with me,” he said: and he led the way from the room. We ascended the stairs to- gether, until we reached the second storey; and there he pointed towards the door whence I had seen his wife emerge on that night of my descent into the kitchen to fetch my livery. “This is the entrance to the lady’s apartments,” said Mr. Shackleford, now speaking in a whisper. “Whenever the cook bids you repair thither, you will come to me for the key. Immediately on entering, you will lock the door, and be careful to-put the key in your pocket. Every morning you will receive the lady’s orders as to the par- J TT Te ————— Gloo cS (E(0) LL