Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 336: what you’re looking at

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JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. were going when they left Milan, was in order that 1 might follow them if in the meanwhile I should fail to find out how the Harl had disposed of Lanover. I thought it very probable that Lanover’s destination might be England, where he would perhaps hope to renew his persecution of Sir Matthew Heseltine. If the Earl continued to travel separately from the Countess, it would be a good reason for believing that Lanover was tra- velling with him ; and although they might not have taken up their quarters at the same hotel, yet might they depart from Milan in the same vehicle: for I did not see how Lanover could possibly have a passport of his own; and I therefore suspected that the Karl would find it necessary to smuggle him through the Continent under the protection of the general passport which included all the members of his retinue. As for my own proceed- ings in respect to the Harl, I felt that I must be guided by circumstances: but according to the plan I had already laid down, my first object was to obtain an interview with Lanover before I took any steps in reference to the nobleman. I remained close in my own room at the hotel, and endeavoured to while away the time with some French and English newspapers which the land- lord lent me. But my mind was too anxious and too restless to settle itself to such a pursuit; and when three hours had passed away after Leo had set out upon his mission, I thought that at least double that time must have elapsed—so slowly did it drag itself along! At length Leo reappeared ; and I at once saw by his countenance that he had something to communicate. “The Harl and Countess of Eccleston are at Milan,” he said. “They arrived separately with an interval of about a dozen hours. The Earl came in his travelling-chariot—the Countess jour- neyed in a post-chaise. They are not staying at any hotel—but are living at a house in a retired spot in one of the suburbs.” “ And that house?” I said: “whose is it? it a private habitation ?” * It was to let ready furnished,” answered Leo ; “and it seems that the Earl must have known something of it before—for he wrote from Flo- rence to the proprietor, who is a large wine mer- chant in Milan, engaging it for a period—but I have been unable to ascertain for how long. I have walked as far as the house: [I loitered a little in the neighbourhood in the hope of falling in with one of the Harl’s domestics—but I did not suc- ceed; and apprehensive that if I remained there ; too long suspicion would be excited, I came away. This is all that I have to impart at present.” “And what you have told me is already most important,” I said: for I thought within myself that the Earl of Eccleston would not have taken!’ that secluded habitation unless it were for the pur- pose of concealing Lanover within its walls: and I moreover conjectured that the wretched humpback might possibly be ill and unable at present to bear the fatigues of farther travelling. “I now purpose,” continued Leo, “to adopt some means of getting into conversation with the domestics of the Earl of Eccleston. If I could only become irtimate with one of them fe “Ah! if you could,” I exclaimed, “ you might 600n manage to learn additional intelligence of importance. Spare not money—treat the men- Is 323 servants to wine—or bribe them do anything for the purpose of ascertaining whether the hump- back whom [I have described to you, is within those walls. Ah! an idea strikes me! It may be that he is ill; and if so he will need medical attendance.” “Trust to me, Signor,” responded Leo: “TI will succeed by some means or another.” The indefatigable young man then again left me. Hour after hour passed: but I was less nervous and anxious than before: for the initiative had been taken—and the important intelligence that the Heclestons were really at Milan, was obtained. I dined at about five o’clock ; and it was a little past seven when Leo made his appearance. “TI have succeeded in doing but little more, Signor,” he said: “for when [ endeavoured to get into conversation with one of his lordship’s men- servants, as he was issuing forth on some message, I met with a rude repulse. But there 7s some one ill in the house: for a surgeon who dwells in the neighbourhood, has called there; and shortly afterwards his boy went with some bottles of medi- cine.” “This ig more or less important,” I observed : “but still it is absolutely necessary to ascertain who this invaid really is, and whether he be the humpback whether, in a word, the hump- back zs in that house ?” “There is a plan, Signor, which might be adopted,” said Leo thoughtfully: “ but perhaps it were better for me to see whether I can wheedle anything out of the surgeon first of all.” “And that plan of yours, Leo?” I said inquir- ingly. “J will explain it to-morrow, Signor,” he re- sponded. “It will be time enough to think of it, if by other means [ should fail in ascertaining the particular point on which you are so anxious to be enlightened.” Nothing more was done that evening: for Leo was afraid of being seen loitering too much in the vicinity of the secluded house, lest suspicion should be excited. I retired to rest soon; for I was ex- ceedingly tired in consequence of having travelled the whole of the previous night: but I awoke at an early hour in the morning completely re- freshed. After a brief interview with Leo, he went forth again; and at about noon he returned. “ I have done all that I could in respect to the surgeon,” he said; “and I have failed. First I got hold of the boy who carries out the medicine : but he could tell me nothing. I questioned him so guardedly and with so mueh precaution, that he could not suspect I had any ulterior object. After he had entered his master’s shop, I watched till he went forth again; and then I myself walked into the surgery. I consulted the medical man upon all sorts of imaginary pains and ailments; and I gave him a liberal fee. Under the pretext of resting myself, 1 remained to get into conver- sation with him; and without vanity I may say that in a dexterous manner I began talking of the large, gloomy, sombre-looking house standing in the midst of grounds completely inclosed by a high wall, ‘The surgeon was polite, but short and dry in his answers: he said not a word about having a patient there. It is evident, signor, that he finds his account in holding his tongue.” Na | aa a aa aa DE EE ES ES oOo S (CO)