Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

_ stance. JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. EE See 2 Rete ere oe See behalf of this young man, who, apparently with every reason to rejoice in one of the most favoured lots that a mortal creature could know, was never- theless haunted and pursued by a constantly reeurring mistrust of his own favoured position. We reached the hotel, and bade each other adieu for the.present. Signor Portici had men- tioned to me the name of another inn where I should find comfortable quarters; and thither I accordingly removed that very night: for I was resolved to follow the worthy J udge’ s counsel in all things, and to adopt every precaution that might be necessary for the carrying out of the plans in which I was embarked. » On the following day—which was Saturday—I was about to stroll out after breakfast, when the waiter said to me, ‘I believe, sir, that you have been making inquiries for a valet to attend upon you during your residence in this town ?” I was about to give vent to an ejaculation of astonishment, when it instantaneously struck me that it might not be altogether a mistake, and that there was some significancy in the circum- I accordingly said nothing; and the waiter proceeded to observe, “ Because, if such is the ease, sir, here is a person waiting for the honour of an interview ; and he bade me be sure to tell you that he bears excellent recommendations from a gentleman of your acquaintance.” I ordered the waiter to show the individual to my apartment; and ina few moments a middle- aged man, of sedate appearance, but with an inscrutable expression of countenance, was ushered into my presence. The waiter retired; the appli- cant took the precaution of seeing that the door was closed behind him: and then accosting me, he said in French, “Signor Portici recommends me, sir, to your service—for the present.” « And no better recommendation could possibly be needed,” I answered. ‘‘ You are #1 “ An officer of the secret police,’ responded the man, in a low voice and with a significant look. “T thought so. But in that case,’ I added, “are you not well known in this town ?—will not the people of the hotel recognise you? will it not be thought strange “ Rest satisfied, Mr. Wilmot, upon all these points,’ interrupted the officer. “I do not be- long to Civita Vecchia: I have only been herea few days—and no one in the town except Signor Portici, and yourself of course, is aware of who or what Iam. I belong properly to Ostia—a Roman town, as I need scarcely inform you, which is situ- ated at the mouth of the Tiber. I came to Civita Vecchia on a certain business concerning which I need give no explanation: but late last night, after you had left the Portici villa, I considered it ne- cessary to seek an interview with the Judge him- self—and he then instructed me to attach myself to your person for the present. His object is two- fold—in the first place to establish a safe medium of communication between himself and you, and in the second place that you may be protected in case of any active development of the treachery of those whose nefarious plans you have only too much reason to suspect. I answer to the name of Cosmo; and you must treat me in all respects as if I were actually your valet, so that not the slightest suspi- cion may be entertained at the hotel that I am a ee —-— —_—- 189 aught else than what I seem to be. One word more, sir,” added Cosmo: “you will do well not to venture out of an evening unless previously no- tifying your intention to me, so that I may eliee you at a respectful distance, and thus be at hand for any emergency that may transpire.” “Whatever counsel you may give me,” I re- sponded, “rest assured that I shall follow it. Moreover you may rely upon my liberality in re- compensing you for any services you may be enabled to render me.’ Cosmo bowed—and proceeded to say, “The par- ticular business which has brought me to Civita Vecchia, allows me to devote my time likewise to you, sir: or, to quote a saying which prevails in all countries and in all languages, I may kill two birds with one stone. But perhaps you will be surprised when I state that you yourself may pos. sibly be enabled to render me assistance in the business which originally brought me to Civita Vecchia.” “Indeed ?” I exclaimed. ner ?” * Pardon me, sir,” no& more communicative at present. very young ? “ And you fancy, perhaps, that I am incautious and imprudent ?” I interrupted him somewhat sharply : and I felt the blood mantling on my cheeks. “Very far, Mr. Wilmot, was it from my inten- tion to insult you,” replied Cosmo calmly but re- spectfully. “When you come to know me better, you will appreciate that caution which a long exe perience has rendered habitual on my part. But I beg your pardon, sir—you were about to walk into the town when I was introduced to your pre- sence. Perhaps you will allow me to attend upon your I have already seen enough of the place to be enabled to point out everything that is at all worth your inspection. The weather has changea since yesterday: it threatens rain—I will carry your upper coat and this umbrella.” I at once saw that Cosmo was a man of cool head and that he was thoroughly self-possessed, shrewd and far-seeing, and had a motive for every- thing he said or did. I perceived also that he was not an individual to be diverted from any course which he had to adopt; but that he would pursue it steadily and methodically—indeed in that man- ner which was best calculated to ensure success. Signor Portici’s recommendation of such a man was alone sufficient to inspire me with the fullest confidence, not merely in his integrity, but also in his ability and intelligence. At the same time I could not conceal from myself that there was a certain dogmatic air of command about Cosmo,— as if having taken my affair in hand, he felt him- self perfectly justified in defining the course that I also was to pursue, and in guiding my move- ments according as he might think fit. But I did not, under existing circumstances, consider it at all consistent with policy or prudence to assert an 1n- dependent spirit, thoughsl was somewhat wounded by the idea that Cosmo had no very high opinion of my own judgment—or at all events that he had made up his mind to know me better before he thought fit to become more communicative. There was a certain dictatorial air, and yet per- fectly respectful, in which he had almost bidden * And in what man- rejoined Cosmo, “if I am You are Gioo S (CO) im