Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 233: what you’re looking at

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

| | ~~ - <= ~ 220 JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT, — —— --- “ No, no!” exclaimed the young Greek: but as | got to mention that Notaras is not its commander he at the same moment averted his countenance, I | —the name of its veritable captain is Durazzo— caught upon it an expression so strange and appa- | and at midnight to-morrow he will doubtless be in rently so full of areal anguish, that I was now both | the hands of justice.” shocked and afflicted. “You astonish me!” exclaimed Kanaris. “T am come to bid you farewell,’ I said: “but |“ Ah! what discredit do these lawless men bring before I leave “ upon the nation to which I belong! But’ how “ What!” he ejaculated, suddenly turning again | know you all this ?” towards me: “you are going to quit Civita Vecchia ?” “Yes—this very night. where ~ “ But surely Signor Portici has invited you ai “‘ Yes—to be present to-morrow at a ceremony,” I answered, “which I hope and trust will be a happy one! But this business on which I am bent, admits of no delay—or else, rest assured, my dear Kanaris, that I should be only too happy in why, my friend, torture yourself with these gloomy accepting the Judge’s invitation. Oh! forebodings which nothing seems to justify >—why afflict your mind with apprehensions so completely visionary ?” “You think if unmanly on my part?” said Kanaris, his countenance suddenly glowing and his eyes flashing fire—yet not, methought, in anger against myself, but in the quick assertion of that masculine dignity and fortitude which pro- perly became him. “ Rest assured, my friend,” he added, “ that if it were a question of displaying that courage which circumstances of difficulty or danger render necessary, Constantine Kanaris never would be found wanting! But I confess that in respect to this love of mine I sometimes experience the weakness of a child—aye, more than a woman’s weakness! But enough of this! You cannot understand me!—And now, Wilmot,” he quickly added, “Jet us talk of yourself. May I hope that nothing unpleasant has transpired to precipitate your departure from Civita Vecchia?” “My hurried departure,” I responded, “is con- nected with the business that originally brought me hither. But I have a revelation to make to you. It is my duty to put you on your guard how you exhibit too much kindness in a cer- tain quarter Ls “What mean you?” asked the young Greek, with an air of astonishment. “You have exhibited much generous sympathy towards your fellow-countryman Notaras,” I con- tinued: “ but he is in every way unworthy thereof. unless, indeed, even the vilest of human beings, when experiencing a serious in- jury, deserves some kind consideration. However, in a word, the truth is that Notaras is a detestable pirate !” . “A pirate?” ejaculated Kanaris, whose coun- tenance became suddenly crimson. “Ah! you may well express that deep indigna- tion!” I cried: “ for Notaras is assuredly a pirate —and that vessel to which he belongs is none other than the celebrated corsair which for the last two years has spread dismay through the Levant.” “The villain! If I had known it,” exclaimed Constantine—“ if only the barest suspicion had been excited - “JT knew you would be thus indignant,” I said. ‘ But fortunately measures are in progress to in- sure the capture of the vessel-——Ah ! and I for- I have business else- nothing you can do for me. nuity of Cosmo—the police-agent of whom I have spoken—my course is clear enough now. “To tell you the real truth, Kanaris,” I an- swered, “I was acquainted with the character of that schooner when you visited me last night. But the secret was not then mine own: it is how- ever through my suggestion that Signor Portici, and an active agent from Ostia who is now with him, agreed that you should be warned of the true character of the Athene and the desperadoes on board.” “ By heaven, I have run some risk, then,” ejacu- lated Constantine, “in visiting that vessel! I was there this morning; and I assured the man No- taras that you had no sinister intention in going on board his ship.” “Thanks for that vindication of my character against the charge of being a spy! It isnowa duty which I owe to you as well as to myself, to declare that you were not deceived by the assur- ances I gave you last night—nor have you spoken untruthfully in vindicating me to the man Notaras. In one word, the individual who personated my valet, is a member of the secret police of Ostia: and he made use of me at the time to get admis- sidn to the Athene. He was attached to my ser- vice on -dccount of the special business which brought me to Civita Vecchia, and which now takes me to Leghorn.” “ Ah! you are going to Leghorn ?” sail Kanaris: “‘T was in hopes that your route might possibly be the same as mine will be to-morrow, and that you would be induced to delay your departure r “Tt is impossible!” I ejaculated. “I have this day discovered that the object which originally brought me to Civita Vecchia, is strangely and threateningly blended with the business which has led the pirate vessel to this coast: and I go to Leghorn to thwart the detestable machinations that are now in progress.” “Can I be of any assistance to you, my dear Wilmot?” inquired Kanaris, warmly grasping my hand. have proffered you, existed not in words wiich cool the instant they are thrown forth to the air.” “Tf so,command me! The friendship I “JT know it—I know it,” I said: “ but there is Thanks to the inge- As for the pirates, the Austrian frigate Tyrol has been sent. for; and should the wind change in the Rast degree favourably, she will be off the coast to- morrow. As for Captain Durazzo, it is positively ascertained that he is to embark to-morrow night : he will therefore be in Civita Vecchia to-morrow— even if he be not already—and the Judge is now arranging plans with Cosmo to ensure his cape ture.” The sounds of an approaching equipage at this instant reached our ears; and I said, “ This is the post-chaise that is to take me te Leghorn. Fare. well, Kanaris = “Nay, my dear friend,” he interrupted me, “- will at least see you safe off.” Giyoo cS.co