Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 339: what you’re looking at

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—_——. 326 JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. convince you who is the stronger party. Two of our men have gone round to the back of the pre- mises; and we have half-a-dozen more who have clambered over the wall into the grounds, and are . therefore at hand to obey a signal when given to them.” While our chief was making this speech, the Earl of Eccleston was evidently exerting himself to the utmost to regain his self-possession. By this time we had entered some paces into the hall; and as I glanced towards the door of the room whence the Earl had emerged, I beheld the Countess standing just within the threshold—for that door was ajar. Strange emotions seized upon me: but f might not give way to them! “Where is your authority,” inquired the Earl of Eccleston, ‘‘for this present proceeding? Not that I mean to dispute it: only it were as well for me to know on what ground so arbitrary a course is adopted towards an English nobleman of high rank.” “We are given to understand, my lord,” said the chief, “that you harbour within these walls a certain proscribed Italian, whose seditious prac- tises have already produced trouble and disturb- ance in the city of Milan.” “T harbour a political refugee!” exclaimed the Fiarl haughtily: “ the idea is preposterous! Rest assured that I do not mix myself up with the political affairs of this country. And evenif I did,” added the nobleman, still more scornfully, “it is not to the disciples of sedition that my sympathies would be given.” “Weare glad to hear your lordship speak thus,” said our chief: “ but nevertheless mere assurances go for nothing. We have our commands, and must execute them. Your lordship appears to be a lover of order; and therefore you cannot possibly object to this proceeding.” “T object to it on the ground that it presup- poses me capable of harbouring a political agita- tor,” said the Earl haughtily. “There must really be some mistake. You had better withdraw—or I shall write to the English Ambassador at Vienna to-morrow % “ And we shall perform our duty to-night,” said the chief curtly. “ My lord, we will parley no far- ther. Every room must be searched: but the task shall be executed with as much delicacy as pos- sible; and it depends upon the commands you issue to these lacqueys whether 1 first of all summon more of my men.” r eT o—that at least is not necessary,” replied the dar “YT thought there was something wrong, my lord,” observed one of the lacqueys, “the moment I cored this young fellow ”—pointing to Leo “amongst the posse: for he tried very hard to tak into discourse with me yesterday—and the same with Edward this morning.” “Well, well, enough!” interrupted the Earl. “Tt is my command. that you do nof offer any molestation to these police authorities. They ap- pear inclined to do their duty with delicacy and forbearance; and they will speedily discover the error under which they labour.” “That remains to be proved, my lord,” said our chief, He then turned to Leo, whom he ordered to re- main in the hall; and he beckoned me to follow him. He was making straight towards the room from which the Earl had emerged,—when his lord- ship said to him, “My Countess is there! I pledge my honour as a nobleman and a gentle- man i *T am exceedingly sorry, my lord,” interrupted the chief; “but the proceedings must take their regular course.” I saw the Countess of Eccleston glide away from the threshold of the door that was standing ajar; and the chief entered,—I closely following. The Countess was now standing on the hearth- rug: she was somewhat plainly dressed; and me- thought that she looked careworn. She was pale: her face was thinner than when I had seen her last: but her form preserved all the grandeur of its beauty. There was a mingled hauteur and uneasiness on her countenance. She first bent a look of blended disdain and trouble on our chief: but the instant her eyes settled on me, it struck me that her gaze became more serious, as it cer- tainly was more steadfast; and it had a certain expression of interest in it. For a few moments I felt confused and afflicted: then I turned hastily away, and affected to be busy in looking behind a screen and likewise behind the draperies. “We are sorry to have disturbed your ladyship,” said the chief: and then he issued from the room, —I still following close behind. <A lac§uey was in the hall with a taper ready to guide us: but the chief said, “If you please, we will search for ourselves: and do you remain here.” Thus speaking, our chief took the taper from the lacquey’s hand; and we proceeded to examine all the other rooms on the ground-floor—but with- out finding any one in them. As we returned into the hall, and were about to ascend the stair- case, I heard the Earl say in a low impatient tone, “Do keep back, Clara! It is not fitting that 9? you “Pardon me, Augustus,” interrupted the Countess: “I eannot consent that such a scene 33 should be in progess while I Well, well—have your way!” said the Earl. * But what good will you do? for you see there is no harm—there is no danger of any sort All this I heard plainly enough: for circum- stances rendered me keenly sensitive in every faculty. The Countess made no reply to her hus- band’s last observations; and as I glanced back, while ascending the stairs, [ fancied that she was lingering at the bottom as if more than half in- clined to follow, yet not exactly likine to do so. I felt convinced that there was some suspicion— although perhaps a vague and indistinct one— floating in the mind of the Countess in respect to myself; and I trembled nervously. On reaching the summit of the stairs, I again glanced down- ward—and perceived that her ladyship was still at the bottom, with one foot on the first step as if preparing to ascend, but yet hesitating to do so. The Earl was now close by her; and they were whispering together. The chief and I proceeded to examine all the apartments on the first-floor: they consisted of drawing-rooms and parlours. I need hardly say that our examination was superficial enough; for when a glance showed us that there was really no inmate in these rooms, it was sufficient. But now we began the ascent of the stairs lead- Elo@@lk<S (©)