Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 323: what you’re looking at

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

310 I have done to show it, and all that I have suffered for that love—and how I have even gloried in that very martyrdom because it was en- dured for your sake—you might But pray don’t be angry yét you might, Joseph, say one little word ‘of affection—you es bestow hiom me a single caress !” There ‘was something so sweetly plaintive, so softly touching in Calarithe’s ‘wordsher looks were so full of deep earnest love, and at the same time glittering somewhat with the fear of giving me offence—that I experienced ‘a keen emotion. The sense of my position cut’ me to the very soul. There was I, adoring the image of Annabel—yet about to take a step which would annihilate for ever all my hopes iw that quarter! On the other hand, there was Calanthe, possessing every claim upon my love, yet not enjoying it,—every claim that her own’ devoted affectiom constituted, and which she might still more strongly advance as the mother of - my child! ‘To hear her appeal to me for my love, and yet be unable to give it—to hear her ask in that soft melting voice for a single syllable expressive of regard, ‘and yet not dare utter it without being shocked at the idea of a fla- grant treason against the image of Annabel,—Ob, all this rendered iy position intolerable ! “ Now ‘tell me, Joseph,” continued Calanthe, finding that I did not speak, and perhaps seeing an expression that looked like anguish flitting over my countenance, —“ tell me, ~ dearest Joseph, whether in the step which you are about to take you are acting from a sense of duty, or whether you are inspir ed by real affection?’ Listen to me, dear Joseph! Ifit be only a sense of duty,” che continued, searcely able to keep back an explosion of grief, “you shall not sacrifice yourself on my account. No—not for worlds would I suffer you to do it. Rather—ten thousand times rather, would I sacrifice myself for you! “Yes, I will con- tinue to endure my captivity here: for if I have not you to be the companion of my freedom, I would rather bury myself and my woes in this seclusion. And if you say, Joseph, that’ what you are about to do has been prompted by a sense of mere duty, no syllable of reproach shall issue from my lips: I will even endeavour to keep back “4 tears lest they should anger you!” ~~ But Calanthe could “not restrain them even while speaking; and now they gushed forth freely. Oh! why was it that every word this generous- minded creature spoke—every action whith she performed—every look which she bent upon me, conveyed evidences of a deep devoted love ?—and why should that deepest and most devoted love that a female heart ever bore—with one exception only—prove to its object a curse instead*of a blessing ? I was profoundly affected: my soul was full of anguish, but blended with an illimitable compassion for Calanthe Dundas.° 1 drew ‘her towards me; and for the first time since we had met at Heather Place, did I imprint’‘kisses upon her cheeks. Hitherto I had received her'caresses —but now I gave them of my own’ accord. “And then the wild delight which seized upon her as she took those caresses for evidences of the love whereof she had sought me to afford some little proof! She threw her arms around my neck—she em- braced me—she drew back her countenance to gaze fondly up into mine: tkere were tears in her JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT.- eyes and smiles on her lips——Oh! truly, if I had not loved Annabel, I should have loved Calanthe ! Then she hastened to the cradle—she took up the child, first pressing it to her own bosom—then giving it into»my arms; and when she saw with what ‘unmistakable sincerity I kissed and fondled it, her cheeks glowed with all a mother’s prides and now she wept for very happiness. T could not linger many minutes more in her apartments; and it was agreed that I should tell Mr. Shackleford she purposed to walk in the plan- tation at half-past eleven o’clock. In the mean- time she promised to have all her little prepara- tions made—while I, in the same interval, was to make mine. I then withdrew, and descended to restore the key to my master, and give him thé requisite information relative to the hour when L was to wait upon “ the lady” again. I was somewhat puzzléd as to the course I should’ pursue in respect to my plain clothes and my livery. I should have on the latter at the moment of the intended flight: but it was ‘abso: lutely necessary that IT should take away the for« mer with me. After some deliberation I decided upon the best course to bé adopted. I seized au opportunity when old Jacob had gone upon a message to the nearest village, and when the cook was in the midst of her own avocations, to make a parcel of my plain clothes, together with some clean linen and other necessaries; and this parcel I threw out of the window into the garden—so that on descending the stairs I might not stand a chance of being ‘met if carrying it: Then I hastened down from my chamber—passed into the garden—took the packet—and threw it over the wall into the plantation. Having done this, I proceeded to the sn and peas on bee in cleaning the plate. At length it was half-past eleven o’clock on that forenoon ;' and having dressed myself in’ my best livery (as I was wont to do when accompany- ing Calanthe in the plantation) I repaired to the parlour to ask Mr. ‘Shackleford for the keys. These he immediately gave me: and I ascended to Calanthe’s apartments. She was in readiness— the child was likewise dressed to go out: Calanthe had made a parcel for herself, containing such necessaries and changes of apparel as were indis- pensable: she’ had likewise secured in the packet her money and her valuables. Everything was in readiness for departure; and I must confess that my heart palpitated so violently that it produced a sensation of sickness and of pain. I however did my best to conceal my emotions from Calanthe: I felt that as my mind was made up to do my duty towards her, I had no right to cause her any affliction. She herself was perfectly radiant with happiness ; and she lavished upon me the tenderest caresses. ' We descended into the plantation: I picked up the parcel which I had thrown over fram the garden; and we hastened to the farther extremity, where the shade of the fir-trees was densest. The child was ‘sleeping soundly: Calanthe deposited him for a few moments upon the grass which bor- dered the gravel-walk; and I then assisted her to climb ‘the’ palisade. This she accomplished in perfect safety : the babe was handed over to her— and the next instant I stood by her'side. TT TL em ne ern ee a eerie eee Giyoo S (EO) im