Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 348: what you’re looking at

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

ms a we ee rm ee er em eee oe eee , | ’ EE OE eS LT rr JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, TEE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. a dent which has led you thus to address me to-day : the hand of Providence is visible in all this—and it was ordained that I should become the medium, humble an individual though I am, in reconciling you to your niece. Let me not plead in vain. With her own lips has she assured me that she is righteously punished for her disobedience towards you. Ob, sir! if I were in your position, not for one single moment should I hesitate what to do.” “Well, well—I must think over it,” said Sir Matthew: “I must think over it. You are a good young man Ah! but don’t run away with the idea that it is a very high compliment I am paying you: you are good after a fashion, I mean. Pshaw!—this is levity on my part! I am retorting upon you with your own words. But my niece—she is unhappy, you say ?” “ Unhappy, sir—and you know it!” I responded, with a significant look. “TI know it?” ejaculated the Baronet. boy is assuredly mad !” * You know it, sir: for you have succoured her—and if you had not forbidden me to mention your name——” “ Gracious God!” cried, Sir Matthew, as a light suddenly flashed in unto his brain: “you do not mean me to understand se “T mean you to understand, sir, that she who bears the name of Foley, is none other than your own niece, Amelia Leslie!” The Barouct fell back in his chair, and gazed upon me in speechless bewilderment, not un- mingled with dismay. “She has. been guilty—and she has been punished,” I continued, speaking in the most per- suasive tone. ‘“ Remember, sir, that the blood of the Heseltines rolls in her veins, and that though she married against your will, it was too severe a punishment which you inflicted upon her. You discarded her—you sent back her penitential letters without a word of comment! If you had but stretched forth a helping hand in the moment of her own and her husband’s bitter need, how much wickedness.might have been spared to them —how much infamy—how much distress! Oh, sir—if you punish me on the spot by discharging me from your service, yet am I bound to pro- claim the truth: and this truth is, that you your- self have not been altogether innocent in respect to the circumstances which drove that man to desperation and ultimately plunged him into a felon’s gaol !” Sir Matthew Heseltine was evidently touched by all that I had said: his eyelids and his lips quivered—he looked at me furtively—and then averted his eyes: he sat uneasily and nervously upon his chair. * I go, sir, to bring your niece hither,” I said, rising from my seat, “that she may fling herself upon her knees before you, and implore that for- giveness which you will not have the heart to refuse.” “ Joseph, you will do no such thing!” cried the Baronet. “If youdo, I shall never pardon you. You are assuming too much! What the deuce why, I have all along been telling you that you mean to be master in this house. Go up to your own room, sir. What an obstinate dogit is! —he will not obey me! Well, if you do go to my “ The le — niece But mind, I order you not—and you will do it at your peril But if you do go, don’t hold out the least hope of forgiveness !—don’t bring her hither! If once she entered the house, she would force her way into my presence But I will lock the door! Ah, I see what is passing in your mind: you would batter it down? Egad, a nice fellow I have got in my service! I wish to heaven I had only written to Mr. Rowland about you: I dare say I should have heard some nice things—and then I never should have taken you. What ? you will persist in going But of course you won’t be mad enough to let anybody know what is taking place—you.won’t create a scandal in the town and get a crowd round the house. If you do persist in bringing Amelia hither, you will have the good sense of * Rest assured, sir,” I exclaimed, “that I will conduct this business with all imaginable discre- tion.” “ But mind, if you bring my niece hither to- night,” vociferated Sir Matthew, “I discharge you t0-morrow morning.” “Very good, sir. I consent to be discharged on condition that you receive your niece.” “Wilful boy that it is!” cried the Baronet, throwing himself back im his chair: and the next moment the door closed behind me. I did not merely run—lI flew to Mrs. Foley’s lodging. Never was so joyous a heart borne so lightly and so swiftly along !—never was a human being so exultant with the consciousness that he was the bearer of good tidings, as I was on that occasion. Ina few minutes I reached my desti- nation.. Mrs. Foley was at home. I told the good-natured landlady that I wished to speak to her lodger on very particular business. Mrs. Foley was soon with me—and the woman of the house left us alone together in her own little par- lour. The poor lady was naturally in much better spirits than when I had last seen her: she pressed my hand—and in a voice full of emotion, said, “I know, Joseph, that you fulfilled your promise in respect to Mr. Henley: it was apparent in the way that he gave his evidence—and I felt deeply, deeply grateful to you at the time.” “ And [ congratulate you,” I answered, “on the result of to-day’s proceedings.” “Oh, a result so utterly unexpected—so unlooked- for!” cried Mrs. Foley, clasping her hands fervidly together. “And to-morrow evening,” I continued, “ your husband will be restored to you.” “ He will!” was her response. “This afternoon we have had a long and serious conversation toge- ther. Deeply, deeply does he repent the past; and he is resolved to do anything—even to the breaking of stones in the road—to earn an honest livelihood. Iam sure that the sorriest crust ac- ~ quired by honourable means, is a luxury in com- parison with the richest dainties nefariously pro- cured.” “Thank heaven,” I exclaimed, “that you are both in this condition of mind! But I have not come merely for the purpose of congratulating you on the result of to-day’s proceedings: I have a very important duty to perform.” “You, Joseph!” exclaimed Mrs. Foley, survey- ing me with wonderment and suspense. “Yes, ma’am—a most important duty,” I r . GOMIGDOO cS (CO) im