Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE ‘* What does it all mean?” asked the lady: and indescribable was the confusion which pre- vailed. . Tt was not my fault! it was a mistake—an error!” Icried. “I was told to enter the car- “ Little fool!” thundered forth the elderly gen- tleman: “what mischief have you done !”—and in a sudden paroxysm of rage, he levelled a terrific blow at my head with his clenched fist: but the lady caught him by the arm, and held it back just in time to save me from receiving its full force. ' "For heaven’s sake, Ravenshill, do nothing rash!” she exclaimed. “ Let us hear his story.” . “Yes, my lord—pray be composed,” said the clergyman. - “Composed !” echoed Lord Bavenshill,—for such appeared to be his title and name: “how can I be composed when all our plans 7 _ “ Hush, father,” interposed the younger genitle- man, who now appeared to have recovered his self- possession: “let us take my mother’s advice and hear this boy’s story. Getup, sir,” he said, sternly addressing me, as I still knelt in the midst of this excited group; “and explain what has occurred. But be careful how you deceive us: for you no doubt have sufficient insight into this matter to be aware that it is most serious.. Come—speak frankly. Everything depends on the account you render of yourself.” “I repeat,” was my answer, tremblingly given, *that I am innocent of any wilful intention to produce mischief.” “Your name? who are youP” demanded Lord Ravenshill imperiously. “Joseph Wilmot,’ was the response quickly elicited by terror. “I implore » ' © But who are you P” again demanded the noble- man, stamping his foot with enraged impatience : * how came you in thisfemale garb? By heaven !” he added, turning to his wife and son, “I do be- lieve he is in some trick—and that he was dressed up for the express purpose of personating i - © Hush, father! mention no names!’ quickly interposed the son. ' “ But the height and figure—the shape—the appearance when the veil i¢ down,—all are the same !” said the bewildered nobleman, “It cannot be an accident—a coincidence ! it must have been intentional !” ; ~ ©Do let the boy explain,” said Lady Ravens- _ ©Yes—that is the best course,” suggested the elergyman. “I do not think he is a party to any trickery: he looks too frightened. Let us hear what he says. Come—speak, my lad; and do not be afraid. ‘You have nothing to fear, if you tell the truth.” ' While this hurried colloquy was going on, cer- tain rapid reflections swept through my mind. I felt that it would be most unkind—most ungrate- ful, indeed, towards Annabel and her mother, to expose Mr. Lanover’s iniquity: for her sake I was bound to spare him. I knew not to what extent T might entangle him with the law, if I were to give a complete explanation of his diabolic in- tentions towards me. Frightened therefore though I was, I nevertheless resolved to dare any amount of savage vengeance that might be inflicted by MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. $9 those with whom I now found myself, rather than reveal matters which, by affecting Lanover, might produce consequences to redound heavily upon the heads of Annabel and her mother. “If your lordship,” I said, addressing Rayens- hill, “ will listen to me for a few instants, I will explain as much as I can or may.” “ By heaven!” ejaculated the young gentleman, “the explanation shall be most complete and satisfactory—or it will be the worse for you !” “Hush, Walter,’ said Lady Ravenshill, in a deprecating manner to her son: “we must let the boy speak.” “I solemnly declare,” I went on to observe; “that what I have already told you, is true. Ask the domestic who was in attendance on the chaise, whether he did not at once compel me to enter when I accosted him.” “Ah! you accosted him?” ejaculated Lord Ravenshill. ‘“ But wherefore ?’—and he eyed me with keenest suspicion. **Some rude persons were in pursuit of me,” was my response; “and I flew to that servant for proteetion, This is the real truth: the man him- self can corroborate my statement when he comes to reflect on the mode in which the mistake originated. But what is more,” I went on to say, suddenly recollecting something, “I looked out of the window to inform him of the error and bid him stop: but he assured me that it was all right —he would scarcely listen to me—the chaise rolled on like the wind ¥ “Well,” observed the clergyman, “the boy speaks frankly and openly enough; and his looks corroborate his sincerity. It is clearly a mistake, my lord.” “And an accursed one too!” was the noble. man’s deeply muttered response. “ But this female garb P” | “ Relative thereto,” I answered, “I can give your lordship no further explanation than this :— that I was at a place where it became of para- mount necessity to fly——But I conjure you not to imagine that I did anything wrong! On my soul, I did not! It was no fault of mine: some one had certain reasons for wishing me ill—I can mention no names—I can enter into no details of facts: there are mysterious circumstances con- nected with me which I myself do not rightly understand.” “I really believe the boy,” remarked the clergy- man aside to the others: but I nevertheless caught the words he thus spoke. “Oh, yes!” I exclaimed: “as there is a God above us, I am telling you the truth!” “Well, but what have you been? what is your station in life?” demanded Lord Ravenshill. “Tell us something more concerning yourself, that we may know what to do with you:”—and then he muttered aside to his wife, “It would never do to turn the boy adrift and let him tell the tale of this adventure to whomsoever he might meet.” “No—assuredly not!” responded her ladyship. “Come, hoy--answer his lordship’s questions. What have you been ?” “A page in a gentleman’s service,” I at once replied, not choosing to make any further refer- ence to my sojourning with the Lanovers. “A page-eh?” cried Mr, Walter. “And I presume you are in search of another situation? a i em EE ee ElN@QO) cS (C@) im