Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 389: what you’re looking at

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

376 JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. Eee ton somewhat furtively—but Lady Georgiana with a more fixed scrutiny of her cold pale blue eyes. Gradually I had noticed that her ladyship’s coun- tenance grew more and more animated: she was gathering her reminiscences: the ideas were at work that were tending towards complete recogeni- tion. At length I saw her nudge her husband, and whisper something in his ear: whereupon his scrutiny of me became more marked and posi- tive. “Ask him, Mr. Tiverton—ask him!” I now heard Lady Georgiana impetuously whisper to her husband. “TI think,” said this gentleman, leaning towards me,—“I think, if I am not mistaken, that you must be a certain Joseph Wilmot, who was once in my service ?” “IT was once in your service, Mr. Tiverton,” I answered in a somewhat cold manner. “And in a first-class carriage!” said Lady Georgiana, heaving a profound sigh, as if the very idea were enough to make her faint. “ Well, I’m sure! what will the world come to next? If John Robert, an old servant, rides in a second-class carriage * “Hush, my dear,” said Mr. Tiverton: “don’t you see how well Joseph is dressed, although it is mourning ?”’—and notwithstanding he spoke in a whisper, his words were perfectly audible. ‘Dress indeed!” said Lady Georgiana, without attempting to lower hur tone: “every young man apes the gentleman now-a-days!”’—and then she pursed up her mouth as if in deep disgust of what she conceived to be my audacious conduct. There were a few minutes’ silence; and then at last Lady Georgiana said, as she darted a spite- ful glance at me, “ Even if you have the impudence to travel in a first-class carriage, you ought to be ashamed of yourself to remain in the same place with so near a relation to the late unfortunate ‘Lady Calanthe Dundas.” “Lady Georgiana Tiverton,” I said, in a solemnly mournful yoice, “ that is indeed a topic which ever smites my heart with woe: but I beseech that no unavailing discussion may be raised upon it. Your Jadyship will however please to observe that I did not force myself upon the society of yourself and your husband. Had I foreseen the probability of becoming your travelling-companion, I should have endeavoured to ayoid it.” “Pray don’t answer me, sir,” interjected Lady Georgiana: and it was a wonder she had heard me to even such a length. “ You ought to know, as you were once in my service, that I can put up with almost anything except being answered. I must however inform you that if you did not > exactly force yourself into the same compartment | as that which Mr. Tiverton and I occupy,—yet by the fact of not kuowing your proper place, and by this presumption on your part which makes you travel first-class instead of third-class, you have brought about a meeting and a companion- ship which are so little agreeable.” “Madam,” I answered, “at the next station where the strain stops, I will change into another carriage.” Lady Georgiana bowed very stifly—but gave no response. “ Well, my dear,” said Mr. Tiverton presently, Really we have become quite gay! First staying with our friends at Staffurd—ncw going to other friends in the metropolis 4 “And I also shall be very glad to get to Lon- don, Mr. Tiverton,” interrupted Lady Georgiana, “for the sake of these dear sweet pets :”—and she patted first one obese poodle, and then the other. ** T understand there’s a nobleman in the train,” observed Mr. Tiverton, after another pause. “I overheard one of the officials say at the Rugby Station that the Earl of Eccleston of “That must be the new Hari of Eccleston,” sald Lady Georgiana. “The former one, you know, died three weeks or a month back. Indeed, I believe he was killed by a fall from his horse. But I never knew he had a son : “I did not read any particulars respecting his lordship’s death,” observed Mr. Tiverton. “Nor I either,’ added Lady Georgiana. “I only heard some one talking on the subject at the party the other night at Stafford. But the new Earl, I understand, must be quite a young man r. ““[ dare say we shall see him presently. We will get one of the officials to point him out to us at the next station where the train stops. But no doubt we shall be introduced to him in Lon- don.” “Of course interjected Lady Georgiana. “ With my connexions I have only to say the word ix. order to be introduesd to whomsoever I think fit, and have whomsoever I think fit introduced to me.” “Of course! no doubt, my dear!” said Mr. Tiverton. At this moment the locomotive’s whistle screeched forth its warning note; and in a few minutes the train stopped at Wolverton. I im- mediately beckoned to a railway official, who came forward and opened the door. AsI passed Lady Georgiana, I raised my hat with that courtesy which was due to a lady—though perhaps to her especially it was scarcely due at all, “Stop!” said her ladyship, as a sudden idea seemed to strike her. “I think you had better remain where you are, young man. If you ask to change your carriage, the officials will set it down to annoyance at my beautiful pets; and therefore you will perhaps do me the favour to resume your seat.” It was only on account of the dogs that her ladyship thus spoke with a sort of civility, and used the word “favour:” but I did not choose to do anything purposely to vex her; and I therefore again bowed and returned to my place. Perhaps, too, I may add without incurrivg the imputation : f 122 ° of vanity, that I wished to punish her ladyship as well as her husband for the supercilious manner in which they had treated me; and therefore I was | ‘ all the more inclined to remain in their company to observe what their conduct would be whena certain discovery should be mace in respect to my- self. There were five minutes to wait at Woiver- ton; and Lady Georgiana’s husband, availing himself of the leisure, issued forth from the car- riage—I could guess very well for what pur- pose. I beheld him accost the guard of the train and speak to him for a few moments, Then the guard “T shall be very glad when we are in London. ; swept his eyes along the train, as if in search of ee — — eee GOMIGIOOKSEEO - =