Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 337: what you’re looking at

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

324. “ Yes—doubtless he is well bribed,” I observed ; and some specious tale has been told him to account for the necessity of his secresy.” “IT made another effort,” continued Leo, “to get into conversation with one of the KHarl’s ser- vants—not the same to whom I spoke yesterday —but a far more civil man. He answered me politely enough ; but when I began to touch gently on the subject of the family that he served, he gave a brief response and hastened off. In the same way, signor, that the surgeon has been bribed, so have the domestics been enjoined to silence. That it is not the Earl himself who is the invalid—nor the Countess—I am tolerably well convinced ; for I saw them both issue from the mansion together in the carriage : I recognised them easily by the de- scription you had given me. I followed the equi- page ; it drew up at a mercer’s shop in a neigh- bouring street : the Earl assisted the Countess to alight ; and then he strolled away on foot. I lingered no longer—but came to tell you what had been done.” “You hinted at some plan last night, Leo,” I said: “and now it seems that we must fall back upon it. Explain yourself.” “Tf I hesitated, signor,” answered Leo, “it was because the proceeding which I would suggest, is somewhat a hazardous one; and I reserved it as a last resource.” « And what is it?” I anxiously inquired. “ You know, sir,” replied Leo, “ that Lombardy groans under the yoke of Austria, and that Milan is the seat of the tyrant government. On the slightest pretence the Austrian police invade the sanctity of private dwellings and burst into the most respectable houses, for the purpose of ascer- taining if proscribed persons are harboured there. There is likewise a swarm of informers and spies of every description: for the system of despotism which crushes my native Lombardy fosters all these iniguities. I am treading on dangerous ground, signor i “ Not with me!” I exclaimed. “In the first place my political ideas are liberal enough to make me detest despotism of every sort—especially that of Austria; and in the second place I am incapable of breathing a word to the prejudice or injury of one who is now so zealously serving me. Proceed —and explain your plan.” “It is two-fold, Signor,” resumed Leo: “or rather I should say it may be carried out in either one of two ways, according as you may think fit. I will explain the first method. If I were to go to a police-officer and whisper to him that some pro- scribed patriot is concealed at that house in the suburbs, he would immediately proceed with two or three of his officials to examine the premises ; and I might easily go with him. The Earl of Kecleston’s authority would avail nothing. Saving your presence, signor, the Austrians hate the English: for they look upon England as the refuge of exiles and the focus where Continental insur- rections are planned. Well then, not a room, not a chamber, not a nook nor corner of the house would escape the most scrutinizing search; and the Austrian officials would even take a delight in annoying the Earl of Eccleston, simply because he is an Englishman. Asamatter of course, the proscribed patriot whom I should name woule not be found at that house: but 1 should have accom- JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. panied the officials, and should be able to come back and tell you whether the humpbacked English- man is within those walls. As for the officials themselves, one of those gold pieces which you have given me would appease them for their dis- appointment in not finding the object of their search.” “This plan at the first glance appears good enough,” I said: “ but what is the other proceed- ing which may be adopted ?”’ « The same, signor,” rejoined Leo,—“ but to be enacted with a different set of charactere. I mean that instead of playing the game so seriously, I and two or three of my friends might dress ourselves up so as to resemble officers of the secret police ; and in this guise we might visit the mansion.” “Think you not,” I asked, “that the Earl of Eccleston would demand the warrant for such pro- ceedings P” “In good sooth, signor,” respended Leo, “ the Austrian officials themselves would conduct their proceeding without any other warrant than that which despotism affords to their discretionary use ; and therefore it is now for you, signor, to decide how this plan is to be carried out.” I reflected for several minutes: an idea was stealing into my mind. What if I myself were to dress up as a police-agent and accompany the party ? No harm would be done if Lanover were not found in the house: but on the other hand, if he were really there, who could tell what‘'im- portant results might ensue? As to the possis bility of assuming an effectual disguise, I had no cause to despair on that score, when I recollected how well the mountebank’s costame had served me a few months back amidst the Apennine moun- tains. I knew of course that it was a serious breach of the law to assume an authority which one did not possess: but there were not the slight- est moral grounds on which I should hesitate at such a stratagem ; and as for the fear of exposure, would the Earl of Eccleston dare raise his voice against me? All things considered, I was not very long in making up my mind. “T have decided on the latter alternative which you have suggested,’ I said to Leo. “ But what is more, I myself will accompany you.” “ Ab, signor!” he exclaimed; “ this will indeed be the better course to pursue; and had I dared, I should have so proposed it.” * You must be sure to obtain the assistance of discreet persons,” I said, “ and who will know how to play their part well. It were better if we are tolerably numerous: because I know what the English disposition is—and it is by no means im- probable that the Earl of Eccleston and his domes, tics may take it into their heads to resist the pro- posed incursion by force and violence.” “Trust me, signor, they will not do it,” answered Leo. “I have learnt that it is not the first time the Earl of Eccleston has been in this capital ; and he knows the arbitrary laws of Lombardy. However, you may rest assured, signor, that all my measures shall be discreetly taken. But for your own disguise “f “T must trust to you, Leo, to procure me all the requisites,” I. responded. ‘“ Whiskers and moustachios are the invariable ingredients of a good disguise: and these may be of rather a for- midable character, inasmuch as I am to play the OOO) SS (©) im