Joseph Wilmot, or, The Memoirs of a Man-Servant — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

66 JOSEPH WILMOT; OR, THE MEMOIRS OF A MAN-SERVANT. gard to them?—and perhaps he was in Florence on account of some private business with Lord Ficcleston? But if so, was I the object of that business? had I been traced thither? was I, for reasons inscrutable to myself, again to become the object of dark and malignant machinations? Per- plexity upon perplexity—bewilderment upon be- wilderment ! Captain Raymond gave me the note, and ex- plained where the hotel was situated to which I had to take it. Before I set out, I put in my pocket the fragment of the letter to which allusion has so frequently been made; and as I proceeded to the hotel where the Ecclestons were stopping, I deliberately settled in my mind the course I should pursue. On reaching the establishment, I did not send up Captain Raymond’s letter by one of the domestics: but I requested an interview with Lord Eccleston. I gave no name, for fear that if I did, the audience might be refused ; merely despatched a message to the effect that an Englishman requested five minutes’ conversa: tion with his lordship on very particular business. The waiter who bore the message speedily re- turned ; and I was conducted to an apartment where I found Lord Eccleston—but her ladyship was not there, “What? you, Joseph!” ejdgulataa the noble- man, in most unfeigned astonishment ; and at the same time methought an expression of uneasiness flitted over his handsome countenance. “ What has brought you hither?’—and I saw that he quickly surveyed my apparel, as if to judge there- from the position in life which I at present oceu- pied: but if such were his object, he could thence deduce nothing —for I wore plain clothes, and these were a simple suit of black. “In the first place, my lord,” I said, “Tam the bearer of this letter from Captain Raymond.” “Ah! then you are with Captain Raymond ?” said the nobleman. “In what capacity?” “As his servant, my lord,” was my response: and then I waited until he had glanced over the contents of the note. “But it was not merely,” I resumed—and I spoke in a voice of cold firmness, —“to deliver this letter that I sought an inter- view with your lordship. I have explanations to demand si “‘ Explanations ?” repeated Lord Eccleston; and for a moment an unmistakable expression of un- easiness swept over his countenance: but the next instant assuming an off-hand, careless manner, he said, ‘“ And what the deuce can you have to require from my lips in the shape of explanations P” He was lounging over the fire-place; and though he affected to turn his eyes in a negligent way towards the time-piece on the mantel, I could nevertheless discern—for I watched him narrowly —that he flung a furtive uneasy glance towards me. “1 believe your lordship,’ I resumed, “is no stranger to a man bearing the name of Lan- over ?” I was convinced at the moment that the noble- man turned pale as I mentioned this name, and that he likewise darted another keen scrutinizing look at my countenance: but still he affected a calm indifference of manner as he said, “ Lanover? Lanover? Yes—I have certainly heard the name before Ah! by the bye, it 1s that of your uncle! I recollect!—he was the person who took you away with him some few years ago from Delmar Manor !” “As for his being my uncle, my lord, I have never felt completely sure on that point; and from all I know of him from all perhaps that you know of him likewise,’ I added, looking sig- nificantly in Lord Eecleston’s face, ‘I can be but little flattered by the idea that such a man is in reality a relation.” a! don’t understand you,” said the nobleman, now assuming a haughty demeanour ; but beneath it there was still a visible uneasiness; and I knew perfectly well that if I were not upon the right track he would ere this have ordered me from his presence. Tn a very few words, my lord,” I resumed, “I will give you to understand that accident has this day made me aware of the fact that to you must I ascribe the bitter, bitter persecutions which I have experienced at the hands of Mr. Lanover.” What do you mean ?—will you explain your- self yet more fully ?” exclaimed Eccleston, survey- ing me with dark suspicion and uneasiness. “If I bear with you, it is because I cannot forget that & year ago you saved her ladyship’s life: and besides, you have made such serious accusations that in justice to myself I must disabuse you of that extraordinary delusion under which you labour.” | “Tt is no delusion, my lord,’ was my firm response. ‘How can there be any misunder- standing on the subject, when it is positively known to me that your lordship wrote to Mr. Lanover, commanding that I should thenceforth remain unmolested. The author of the perse- cutions previously carried on against me, could alone decree their cessation. It was you, my lord, who so decreed—yow therefore whom I must look upon as the instigator of atrocities from which even an intended murder wes not excepted! Yes, my lord, your countenance has all along strengthened my suspicions—your look now con- firms them !” The nobleman’s features did indeed corroborate what I said: for there were trouble, uneasiness, apprehension, and suspense mingled in the ex- pression which they assumed. Thecolour too went and came upon his cheeks; and his regards, which at first were fixed intently and piercingly upon me, sank beneath my own. *T really don’t understand you, Joseph!” he abruptly exclaimed. “You say that this morning an accident revealed something to you ¥ “Do vou know that handwriting, my lord?” I interrupted him: and I produced the fragment of the letter. é‘ Eccleston now became pale as death: his ashy lips quivered—and his hands trembled visibly. “Once more your lordship’s looks betray you!” I said. “The moment I beheld the handwriting of the letter which you sent to Captain Raymond, I was enabled to identify it with this.” “Ah! you have no better reason than that for making the accusation against me?” he said, his looks in a moment visibly brightening up: for my remark was indeed tantamount to a revelation that the writer of the letter to which the fragment originally belonged, had remained unknown to me until this day. ‘And because there is some little eS) Glyoo (CO)