Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

JOSEPE WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. A Lt SS a tts es gre, cr henner , 163 —_ then I was about to explain how our brief friend- | chamber: my command was speedily obeyed ; and ship had been cut short; but I thought it better not to afflict her, nor yet to waste valuable time with statements which under existing circum- stances were altogether unnecessary. I therefore hastened to add, “They are well in health “But they have doubtless heard of my escape from the convent!” exclaimed Antonia with feverish anxiety. “ Yes—the intelligence must have reached them! The Abbess, as much through a feeling of malignity as from a sense of duty, will have lost no time in writing to my father e “ But for the present,’ I interrupted her, “ there is a more agreeable topic on which to dis- course with you. On leaving you yesterday, I proceeded to visit my friend Avellino:—in his studio I beheld a portrait Need I say whose countenance it represented? or need I add that everything was comprehended by me in a moment ? And now, Lady Antonia, it depends upon yourself _ how many minutes shall elapse ere Francesco is here.” It would be impossible to describe the anima- tion of elysian bliss which overspread the beau- teous countenance of the Count of Tiyoli’s daugh- ter. No word from her lip was necessary to convey a response to the observation I had last made; and hastily entreating that she would compose and tranquillize herself as much as possible, I issued from the room. Mrs. Blanchard followed me— the nurse was sent back to the young lady—and I said to the mechanic’s wife, “ I cannot now pause to give you any explanations: but you have con- ducted yourself so admirably towards the invalid lady that it would be the deepest ingratitude to refuse you the fullest confidence hereafter. In| process of time, therefore, you shall know all. In a few minutes you may expect to see me again; and I shall be accompanied by some one whose presence will infuse the liveliest joy into that young lady’s heart.” Having thus spoken, I hastened away,—almost forgetting my enfeebled condition, so anxious was I now to bring together these two fond devoted lovers. I hurried into the street ; and it was not until I was close by the door of the coffee-house where I was to meet Avellino, that I remembered the precaution of looking out for spies. The glances which I flung around, however, appeared to be satisfactory in their results; and entering the coffee-house, I was at once conducted by a waiter to a private apartment where I found Francesco expecting my arrival with feverish im- patience. It was now his turn to be made ac- quainted with the occurrence of the preceding night; and in his generous friendship he even constrained his impatience to see Antonia, that he might put a thousand questions to me in order to elicit the assurance that my wound was not a severe one—that I incurred no danger by coming out to keep these appointments—and that the medical man had promised a speedy recovery? I hastily satisfied him on all these points; and we issued from the coffee-house together. No suspicious- -looking persons appeared to be in the street : we reached the house where dwelt the object of my friend’s devoted love; we gently ascended the stairs—and we entered the Blan. chards’ room. I desired the mechanic’s wife to fetch out the nurse again from the inyalid’s then I said to Avellino, “Go, my dear friend— this excellent Englishwoman will conduct you into the presence of your beloved. I shall await you here.” Francesco, wringing my hand with the most grateful fervour, accompanied Mrs. Blanchard ; and as the door of the invalid’s chamber opened, the ejaculations of joy which burst from the lips of the lovers reached my ears,—falling thereon like the most delicious music: for I said to mys self, “ Those same expressions of bliss will mark the meeting of the adored Annabel and myself !” ~ But scarcely had this thought traversed my mind, when my ear was suddenly smitten with sounds of a less welcome character: for I heard the footsteps of several men ascending the stairs; and on going forth upon the landing, I beheld Antonia’s father and brother, accompanied by three or four sbirri. “At length we have traced you both, villains that ye are!” ejaculated the young Viscount, spring- ing towards me. “Keep back, my lord,” I said: “or maimed though I be, you may experience a chastisement as little palatable as that which you so recently received.” The door of Antonia’s room opened at the in- stant ; and Francesco Avellino — who had heard the ominous steps and the sounds of voices—made his appearance. He was as pale asdeath; and he at once spoke earnestly to the Count of Tivoli; and as I subsequently learnt, the words which he addressed to his lordship in Italian, were to the effect that any disturbance or violence committed in the house might prove fatal to his daughter— for that she was only just beginning to recover from a severe and dangerous illness. The Count of ‘Tivoli was evidently shocked by an announce- ment he had so little expected; and after a pause of afew moments, he said something to Francesco in a voice which he endeavoured to render coldly severe, but which was tremulous with the inward emotions that he could not altogether subdue, Avellino looked distressed as he glanced towards me; and I, at once fathoming the meaning of both himself and the Count of Tivoli, hastened to ob- serve, “ Yes—I understand you! In order to avoid a disturbance within these walls, I will ac- company the sbirvt without the least attempt at resistance.” Francesco grasped my hand, hurriedly whisper- ing, “Ever magnanimous and self-sacrificing, my dearest and best of friends !’’ One of the police-officers at the same time put a question to the Count,—evidently demanding hig further instructions. The nobleman hesitated for a moment; and then, as if suddenly making up his mind, he said to the sbirri, “ To the palace of Cardinal Antonio Gravina.” « My friend Mr. Wilmot and J, my lord,” said Francesco, speaking in English so that I should understand him, “will solemnly pledge ourselves to proceed direct to the palace of his Eminence: under these circumstances it will be offering us the foulest affront to drag us through the streets like felons.” *T should hope that my father,” said the young Viscount, “ will not put faith in such as you!” “ Silence !” said the Count of Tivoli sternly, thus addressing himself to his son. “ Yes, Signor €E|O@O) <S (CO)