Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 386: what you’re looking at

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| re i ee ee JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SIERVANT. Calanthe. faney that you have suffered at my hands. liberally remunerated.” “And you would not like to lose his confidence P” I observed. my sorrow, it was some little consolation to reflect that my unfortunate connexion with Calanthe would be withheld from the knowledge of Annabel and her mother, as well as that of Sir Matthew I knew likewise that Mr. Lanover Heseltine. must have strong personal motives for proposing such a bargain; and it was therefore reasonable to calculate that it would suit his own interests to observe his portion of it with fidelity. “Do you think,” I inquired, “that this Mrs. Borthwick of whom you have spoken, will suffer me to remain here until after the funeral P—for I feel it to be a duty,” I added, “to follow to the grave the re- mains of my poor boy, even if I be not permitted to pay a similar tribute of reverential respect to the memory of the unfortunate Calanthe.” - “Mrs. Borthwick will give you permission if you desire it,” answered Mr. Lanover. “TI will intercede with her on your behalf. And now tell me, Joseph—how is it that I find you travelling on the Continent under circumstances of evident ease and competency ?” “ For this,” was my answer, “I am indebted to the generosity of Sir Matthew Heseltine :’—but I by no means thought it requisite to enter into farther explanations, nor state how I was to pass & probationary interval of two years ere I returned to claim the hand of Annabel. “Do you purpose to remain long abroad?” in- quired Mr. Lanover. “For at least a couple of years,’ was my re- sponse. ** Now, listen to an assurance which I am about to give you,” he immediately said; ‘“‘and it is this —that you need apprehend no farther interference on my part with your affairs. You have thought it molestation—even perhaps worse 2 “Tam glad, Mr. Lanover,” I interrupted him, “to receive such an assurance; because, if sincere, it proves that you are in a somewhat better frame of mind towards me than I have hitherto found you. But how do I know it to be sincere? Nevertheless, it really matters not, so far as I my- self am concerned. I am no longer the timid trembling boy who tamely suffered himself to be coerced by you: neither do the same motives now exist which formerly induced me to spare you the vengeance of the law when you outraged me. It was for the sake of your wife and Annabel that I 80 spared you ft “And in speaking of me to Sir Matthew Hesel- tine,” said Lanover quickly, “ you——” “JT will answer you with frankness,” was my rejoinder. “ Enough !—you told him all that I have done to you !”—and tog an instant a diabolic expression a a eg mw me ee I will continue silent on that score, if you yourself will solemnly and faithfully promise never to betray whatsoever you have suffered—or You will presently see Mrs. Borthwick, the lady to whom I ere now alluded. Will you pledge your- self to say nothing to this lady to my disparage- ment ?—for I may frankly tell you that the Earl of Mandeville has entrusted me with divers pieces of business, for the transaction of which I am “Well then, Mr. Lanover, I willingly assent to the compact :’—and amidst the depth of i ns A et mee ~~ ony on © LT LT SM a ee 373 lowered upon the humpback’s countenance: but it passed away as he resumed his conciliatory manner ; and he said, “ What is done cannot be recalled. We have this day made a compact which places us upon a different footing: the past is to be for- otten.” “ Cheerfully so on my side,” I exclaimed, “if you will as faithfully adhere to your own share of the bargain. As for your assurance of non- molestation in future, I repeat that I should be glad to have convincing proof that it is genuine. I shall judge you by your actions. But under- stand me well when I declare that Ino longer fear you as I used to do; and if you henceforth attempt any violence, recollect that I can defend myself, while I shall not scruple to invoke the power of the law to shield me from your treacherics and to punish you for them. Iam sorry to be compelled thus to speak: but the discourse has taken a turn which necessitates so much frankness on my part.” “Hush, Joseph!” said Mr. Lanover: and imme- diately afterwards the door opened. The person who entered, was an elderly lady with a very benevolent countenance, which now expressed mournfulness mingled with agitation. There was none of the natural pride of the Mande- ville family about her:—perhaps she was too ree motely connected with it to have caught the in- fection of that aristocratic hauteur which (as I had learnt) characterized all its members, with the exception of the poor deceased Calanthe. Mrs. Borthwick advanced towards me, and said, “TI know not exactly how to address you, or how to receive you. You have done much mischief: and yet on the present occasion it is scarcely be- coming to deal harshly with you, or to give utter- ance to reproaches. I have learnt who you are ? “Madam,” I said, “you address me in terms which are far more kind than otherwise; and I thank you. For whatever wrong I have inflicted —or rather, 1 should say, of which I have so un- happily been the cause—I humbly and earnestly entreat your forgiveness.” “Tt is accorded, young man,” replied Mrs. Borthwick, the tears trickling down her cheeks. “You ask it with a visible contrition—and I have not the heart to refuse it.” Thus speaking, she gave me her hand; and Mr. Lanover hastened to say to her in a voice, which though subdued, nevertheless caught my ears, “The servants laid a place for him at our table—a change has occurred in his position—he is no longer a menial 3 “T have no pride, Mr. Lanover,” answered Mrs. Borthwick. “I know, my dear madam,” he immediately rejoined, “that you are all condescension and affa- bility. This young man, as I have before informed you, is my nephew; and I have a boon to entreat on his behalf. It is that he be permitted to re- main here until after the double funeral.” Mrs. Borthwick reflected gravely for a few minutes; and then observed in a whisper to Lanover, but which I could not help overhearing, * What would the Earl say ?” “The mischief which is already done,” answered the humpback, “ cannot be rendered worse by this young man’s presence,” Bee | | | CORNICLO@ SS (CO) fl