Sentence:  Several days passed by, and to all appearance we had quite forgotten our poor old <WSD>servitor</WSD>, – so heartless in remembrance is weak humanity to its nearest and dearest, – when, in course of time, it got to be New Year's eve, and we were sitting in our study, awaiting the cook's preparations for dinner, when suddenly we heard a noise as of much tramping. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  One who performs the duties of a servant.