Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 228: what you’re looking at

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ES JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. and would have continued to fill me with the same exuberant joy were it not for the many anxieties I now experienced. This was the knowledge—the certain knowledge which I had acquired, that Tianover was not my uncle! As the reader is aware, I had for a long, long time—aye, even from the very first, doubted that he could be: but still it was only doubt—and now I had the conviction that he was not! Here was one great mystery connected with myself cleared up; and I thanked heayen for the relief afforded to my mind on thus discovering that the vyillanous monster could claim no kinship with me. But there were other matters on which I re- flected as I bent my way with rapid steps towards Signor Portici’s villa. How was it that the Greek pirates knew more of me, as they evidently did, than I could possibly have anticipated P how was it they were aware that I was acquainted with Signor Portici? how knew they that I had private and important business in hand, the nature of which they had vainly sought to fathom? and how since the previous day had they learnt something to forbid their original suspicion that I was a spy upon their actions? Ah! a thought struck me! “Kanaris,’ I said to myself, “has doubtless visited Notaras to-day, according to his intention as expressed last night: and likewise according to the assurance he gave me, he has said enough in my favour to convince his fellow-countrymen on board the Athene that Iam notaspy. Yes—and he may have told them too, as a proof of his as- sertion, that I have come to Civita Vecchia on private and secret business on my own account: but is it possible that he could have been indiscreet enough to mention my acquaintance with Signor Portici? Who else could have made the pirates aware of that fact? It is true that no harm has been done, so far as I can see: but what mischief might have been accomplished! Iam surprised at the indiscretion of. Kanaris—especially after re- ceiving a hint from the Judge himself. But still he may have done it with a good motive, and to afford a proof of my respectability: for he saw how anxious I was to set myself right with this Notaras. And then too, he evidently suspects not the desperate character of those on board the Athene: he takes them for smugglers—and he pities his fellow-countryman Notaras on account of the injury he has sustained. Ah, if he knew the danger of venturing on board that ship! But he must be informed—I will insist to-night that Cosmo shall tell him—it is a duty I owe the noble-minded and generous-hearted young Greek ! What would become of his Leonora if he were suddenly snatched away from her? And these miscreant pirates are capable of detaining him on board their vessel in the hope of procuring a splendid ransom! Yes—assuredly Constantine Kanaris must be warned to-night! It is a duty which is owing to himself—a duty to Signor Portici, who has accepted him as his niece’s suitor —a duty also to the beautiful and affectionate Leonora !” And then I reflected that even if Lieutenant Notaras might have any compunction in laying violent hands upon the young Greek, on account of the kind assistance rendered him when he met his accident, — Captain Durazzo, the veritable commander of that beautiful but treacherous craft, 215 The generosity of pirates indeed!—who in his senses would trust to it? I moreover reflected, as I pursued my way to the villa, upon every detail of the entire circum. stances connected with Lanover’s present proceed- ings. From his conversation with Dorchester I had gathered an additional confirmation of the Har! of Eccleston’s assertion that he had nothing to do with the humpback’s present plans,—although his lordship’s name had certainly been mentioned in the ruin near Magliano; and thus the brigands, who gave me the information at Rome, were so far correct. Equally correct likewise were they in their statement that my own name had been men- tioned by Lanover and Dorchester at the same time and in the same place: but as Lord Eccle- ston’s had only been alluded to in respect to the money-transaction, so mine had only been men- tioned in bitterness by the vindictive Lanover and his accomplice Dorchester. And now to take measures to save Annabel—her mother—and her grandfather likewise—from the hideous treachery which was being practised against them!—Oh, to save them!—and thereby would be constituted another claim upon the gene- rous consideration of the old Baronet when the eventful day should come, and when I might hope to be crowned with my reward notwithstanding whatsoever spiteful revelations in respect to my youthful indiscretion the vindictive Lanover might choose to make. These reflections, as hurried almost as my own pace, brought me to the gate of the Portici villa. might entertain no such generous feeling. CHAPTER CXXII. THE JUDGE. I ws at once introduced into the presence of the Judge and his niece, who were awaiting the an- nouncement of dinner. Kanaris was not there. Signor Portici naturally concluded, the moment I made my appearance, that something important had taken place ; and I gave him to understand that such was the fact. ** And Cosmo ?” asked the Judge. “ He will be here presently, to confer with your Excellency,” I replied. “Then we have just time to get our dinner,” said Portici, “before we sit down to hold a council of war. Besides,’ he added with a smile, as he glanced affectionately towards his niece, “I never talk of business in the presence of ladies. Not that I mean to pay an ill compliment to my Leonora, or throw a doubt upon her discretion— very far from it!—especially as i * But my uncle, Mr. Wilmot,” said the young lady, also with a smile, and with a look of grate- ful love thrown upon her verierable guardian, “is habitually so reserved and cautious that he would not mention before one intimate friend any matter of business regarding another intimate friend.” “Such has been my course through life,” ob- served the Judge; “ and I have found it altogether consistent with a sound and wise policy.” At this moment a domestic entered to announce that dinner was served in an adjoining apora ; and oT ee ee ee ee a ~ ELN@OO) ‘S (CO)