"That，"saidthesmith，"istheveryprinciplethatmyworthyfriendandmaster，DoctorDoboobie，alwaysactedupon;until，beingbesottedwithhisownimaginations，andconceitedofhishighchemicalskill，hebegantospend，incheatinghimself，themoneywhichhehadacquiredincheatingothers，andeitherdiscoveredorbuiltforhimself，Icouldneverknowwhich，thissecretelaboratory，inwhichheusedtosecludehimselfbothfrompatientsanddisciples，whodoubtlessthoughthislongandmysteriousabsencesfromhisordinaryresidenceinthetownofFarringdonwereoccasionedbyhisprogressinthemysticsciences，andhisintercoursewiththeinvisibleworld。Mealsohetriedtodeceive;butthoughIcontradictedhimnot，hesawthatIknewtoomuchofhissecretstobeanylongerasafecompanion。Meanwhile，hisnamewaxedfamous——orratherinfamous，andmanyofthosewhoresortedtohimdidsounderpersuasionthathewasasorcerer。Andyethissupposedadvanceintheoccultsciencesdrewtohimthesecretresortofmentoopowerfultobenamed，forpurposestoodangeroustobementioned。Mencursedandthreatenedhim，andbestowedonme，theinnocentassistantofhisstudies，thenicknameoftheDevil'sfoot—post，whichprocuredmeavolleyofstonesassoonaseverIventuredtoshowmyfaceinthestreetofthevillage。Atlengthmymastersuddenlydisappeared，pretendingtomethathewasabouttovisithiselaboratoryinthisplace，andforbiddingmetodisturbhimtilltwodayswerepast。Whenthisperiodhadelapsed，Ibecameanxious，andresortedtothisvault，whereI
　　foundthefiresextinguishedandtheutensilsinconfusion，withanotefromthelearnedDoboobius，ashewaswonttostylehimself，acquaintingmethatweshouldnevermeetagain，bequeathingmehischemicalapparatus，andtheparchmentwhichI
　　havejustputintoyourhands，advisingmestronglytoprosecutethesecretwhichitcontained，whichwouldinfalliblyleadmetothediscoveryofthegrandmagisterium。"
　　"Anddidstthoufollowthissageadvice？"saidTressilian。
　　"Worshipfulsir，no，"repliedthesmith;"for，beingbynaturecautious，andsuspiciousfromknowingwithwhomIhadtodo，I
　　madesomanyperquisitionsbeforeIventuredeventolightafire，thatIatlengthdiscoveredasmallbarrelofgunpowder，carefullyhidbeneaththefurnace，withthepurpose，nodoubt，thatassoonasIshouldcommencethegrandworkofthetransmutationofmetals，theexplosionshouldtransmutethevaultandallinitintoaheapofruins，whichmightserveatonceformyslaughter—houseandmygrave。Thiscuredmeofalchemy，andfainwouldIhavereturnedtothehonesthammerandanvil;butwhowouldbringahorsetobeshodbytheDevil'spost？
　　Meantime，IhadwontheregardofmyhonestFlibbertigibbethere，hebeingthenatFarringdonwithhismaster，thesageErasmusHoliday，byteachinghimafewsecrets，suchaspleaseyouthathisage;andaftermuchcounseltogether，weagreedthat，sinceI
　　couldgetnopracticeintheordinaryway，IshouldtryhowI
　　couldworkoutbusinessamongtheseignorantboors，bypractisingupontheirsillyfears;and，thankstoFlibbertigibbet，whohathspreadmyrenown，Ihavenotwantedcustom。Butitiswonattoogreatrisk，andIfearIshallbeatlengthtakenupforawizard;sothatIseekbutanopportunitytoleavethisvault，whenIcanhavetheprotectionofsomeworshipfulpersonagainstthefuryofthepopulace，incasetheychancetorecognizeme。"
　　"Andartthou，"saidTressilian，"perfectlyacquaintedwiththeroadsinthiscountry？"
　　"Icouldridethemeveryinchbymidnight，"answeredWaylandSmith，whichwasthenamethisadepthadassumed。
　　"Thouhastnohorsetorideupon，"saidTressilian。
　　"Pardonme，"repliedWayland;"Ihaveasgoodatitaseveryeomanbestrode;andIforgottosayitwasthebestpartofthemediciner'slegacytome，exceptingoneortwoofthechoicestofhismedicalsecrets，whichIpickedupwithouthisknowledgeandagainsthiswill。"
　　"Getthyselfwashedandshaved，then，"saidTressilian;"reformthydressaswellasthoucanst，andflingawaythesegrotesquetrappings;and，sothouwiltbesecretandfaithful，thoushaltfollowmeforashorttime，tillthyprankshereareforgotten。
　　Thouhast，Ithink，bothaddressandcourage，andIhavemattertodothatmayrequireboth。"
　　WaylandSmitheagerlyembracedtheproposal，andprotestedhisdevotiontohisnewmaster。Inaveryfewminuteshehadmadesogreatanalterationinhisoriginalappearance，bychangeofdress，trimminghisbeardandhair，andsoforth，thatTressiliancouldnothelpremarkingthathethoughthewouldstandinlittleneedofaprotector，sincenoneofhisoldacquaintancewerelikelytorecognizehim。
　　"Mydebtorswouldnotpaymemoney，"saidWayland，shakinghishead;"butmycreditorsofeverykindwouldbelesseasilyblinded。And，intruth，Iholdmyselfnotsafe，unlessundertheprotectionofagentlemanofbirthandcharacter，asisyourworship。"
　　Sosaying，heledthewayoutofthecavern。HethencalledloudlyforHobgoblin，who，afterlingeringforaninstant，appearedwiththehorsefurniture，whenWaylandclosedandsedulouslycoveredupthetrap—door，observingitmightagainservehimathisneed，besidesthatthetoolswereworthsomewhat。Awhistlefromtheownerbroughttohissideanagthatfedquietlyonthecommon，andwasaccustomedtothesignal。
　　Whileheaccoutredhimforthejourney，Tressiliandrewhisowngirthstighter，andinafewminutesbothwerereadytomount。
　　AtthismomentSludgeapproachedtobidthemfarewell。
　　"Youaregoingtoleaveme，then，myoldplayfellow，"saidtheboy;"andthereisanendofallourgameatbo—peepwiththecowardlylubbardswhomIbroughthithertohavetheirbroad—
　　footednagsshedbythedevilandhisimps？"
　　"Itisevenso，"saidWaylandSmith，"thebestfriendsmustpart，Flibbertigibbet;butthou，myboy，arttheonlythingintheValeofWhitehorsewhichIshallregrettoleavebehindme。"
　　"Well，Ibidtheenotfarewell，"saidDickieSludge，"foryouwillbeattheserevels，Ijudge，andsoshallI;forifDominieHolidaytakemenotthither，bythelightofday，whichweseenotinyonderdarkhole，Iwilltakemyselfthere！"
　　"Ingoodtime，"saidWayland;"butIprayyoutodonoughtrashly。"
　　"Nay，nowyouwouldmakeachild，acommonchildofme，andtellmeoftheriskofwalkingwithoutleading—strings。Butbeforeyouareamilefromthesestones，youshallknowbyasuretokenthatIhavemoreofthehobgoblinaboutmethanyoucredit;andI
　　willsomanagethat，ifyoutakeadvantage，youmayprofitbymyprank。"
　　"Whatdostthoumean，boy？"saidTressilian;butFlibbertigibbetonlyansweredwithagrinandacaper，andbiddingbothofthemfarewell，and，atthesametime，exhortingthemtomakethebestoftheirwayfromtheplace，hesetthemtheexamplebyrunninghomewardwiththesameuncommonvelocitywithwhichhehadbaffledTressilian'sformerattemptstogetholdofhim。
　　"Itisinvaintochasehim，"saidWaylandSmith;"forunlessyourworshipisexpertinlark—hunting，weshouldnevercatchholdofhim——andbesides，whatwoulditavail？Bettermakethebestofourwayhence，asheadvises。"
　　Theymountedtheirhorsesaccordingly，andbegantoproceedataroundpace，assoonasTressilianhadexplainedtohisguidethedirectioninwhichhedesiredtotravel。
　　Aftertheyhadtrottednearlyamile，Tressiliancouldnothelpobservingtohiscompanionthathishorsefeltmorelivelyunderhimthanevenwhenhemountedinthemorning。
　　"Areyouavisedofthat？"saidWaylandSmith，smiling。"Thatisowingtoalittlesecretofmine。Imixedthatwithanhandfulofoatswhichshallsaveyourworship'sheelsthetroubleofspurringthesesixhoursatleast。Nay，Ihavenotstudiedmedicineandpharmacyfornought。"
　　"Itrust，"saidTressilian，"yourdrugswilldomyhorsenoharm？"
　　"Nomorethanthemare'smilk;whichfoaledhim，"answeredtheartist，andwasproceedingtodilateontheexcellenceofhisrecipewhenhewasinterruptedbyanexplosionasloudandtremendousastheminewhichblowsuptherampartofabeleagueredcity。Thehorsesstarted，andtheriderswereequallysurprised。Theyturnedtogazeinthedirectionfromwhichthethunder—clapwasheard，andbeheld，justoverthespottheyhadleftsorecently，ahugepillarofdarksmokerisinghighintotheclear，blueatmosphere。"Myhabitationisgonetowreck，"saidWayland，immediatelyconjecturingthecauseoftheexplosion。"Iwasafooltomentionthedoctor'skindintentionstowardsmymansionbeforethatlimbofmischief，Flibbertigibbet;
　　Imighthaveguessedhewouldlongtoputsorareafrolicintoexecution。Butletushastenon，forthesoundwillcollectthecountrytothespot。"
　　Sosaying，hespurredhishorse，andTressilianalsoquickeninghisspeed，theyrodebrisklyforward。
　　"This，then，wasthemeaningofthelittleimp'stokenwhichhepromisedus？"saidTressilian。"Hadwelingerednearthespot，wehadfounditalove—tokenwithavengeance。"
　　"Hewouldhavegivenuswarning，"saidthesmith。"Isawhimlookbackmorethanoncetoseeifwewereoff——'tisaverydevilformischief，yetnotanill—natureddevileither。ItwerelongtotellyourhonourhowIbecamefirstacquaintedwithhim，andhowmanytricksheplayedme。Manyagoodturnhedidmetoo，especiallyinbringingmecustomers;forhisgreatdelightwastoseethemsitshiveringbehindthebusheswhentheyheardtheclickofmyhammer。IthinkDameNature，whenshelodgedadoublequantityofbrainsinthatmisshapenheadofhis，gavehimthepowerofenjoyingotherpeople'sdistresses，asshegavethemthepleasureoflaughingathisugliness。"
　　"Itmaybeso，"saidTressilian;"thosewhofindthemselvesseveredfromsocietybypeculiaritiesofform，iftheydonothatethecommonbulkofmankind，areatleastnotaltogetherindisposedtoenjoytheirmishapsandcalamities。"
　　"ButFlibbertigibbet，"answeredWayland，"haththatabouthimwhichmayredeemhisturnformischievousfrolic;forheisasfaithfulwhenattachedasheistrickyandmalignanttostrangers，and，asIsaidbefore，Ihavecausetosayso。"
　　Tressilianpursuedtheconversationnofurther，andtheycontinuedtheirjourneytowardsDevonshirewithoutfurtheradventure，untiltheyalightedataninninthetownofMarlborough，sincecelebratedforhavinggiventitletothegreatestgeneral（exceptingone）whomBritaineverproduced。
　　Herethetravellersreceived，inthesamebreath，anexampleofthetruthoftwooldproverbs——namely，thatILLNEWSFLYFAST，andthatLISTENERSSELDOMHEARAGOODTALEOFTHEMSELVES。
　　Theinn—yardwasinasortofcombustionwhentheyalighted;
　　insomuch，thattheycouldscarcegetmanorboytotakecareoftheirhorses，sofullwerethewholehouseholdofsomenewswhichflewfromtonguetotongue，theimportofwhichtheywereforsometimeunabletodiscover。Atlength，indeed，theyfounditrespectedmatterswhichtouchedthemnearly。
　　"Whatisthematter，sayyou，master？"answered，atlength，theheadhostler，inreplytoTressilian'srepeatedquestions。——"Why，truly，Iscarceknowmyself。Butherewasariderbutnow，whosaysthatthedevilhathflownawaywithhimtheycalledWaylandSmith，thatwon'daboutthreemilesfromtheWhitehorseofBerkshire，thisveryblessedmorning，inaflashoffireandapillarofsmoke，androoteduptheplacehedweltin，nearthatoldcockpitofuprightstones，ascleanlyasifithadallbeendelvedupforacropping。"
　　"Why，then，"saidanoldfarmer，"themoreisthepity;forthatWaylandSmith（whetherhewasthedevil'scronyornoIskillnot）hadagoodnotionofhorses'diseases，andit'stobethoughtthebotswillspreadinthecountryfarandnear，anSatanhasnotgienuntimetoleavehissecretbehindun。"
　　"Youmaysaythat，GafferGrimesby，"saidthehostlerinreturn;
　　"IhavecarriedahorsetoWaylandSmithmyself，forhepassedallfarriersinthiscountry。"
　　"Didyouseehim？"saidDameAlisonCrane，mistressoftheinnbearingthatsign，anddeigningtotermHUSBANDtheownerthereof，amean—lookinghop—o'—my—thumbsortorperson，whosehaltinggait，andlongneck，andmeddling，henpeckedinsignificancearesupposedtohavegivenorigintothecelebratedoldEnglishtuneof"MynamehathalametameCrane。"
　　Onthisoccasionhechirpedoutarepetitionofhiswife'squestion，"Didstseethedevil，JackHostler，Isay？"
　　"AndwhatifIdidseeun，MasterCrane？"repliedJackHostler，for，likealltherestofthehousehold，hepaidaslittlerespecttohismasterashismistressherselfdid。
　　"Nay，nought，JackHostler，"repliedthepacificMasterCrane;
　　"onlyifyousawthedevil，methinksIwouldliketoknowwhatun'slike？"
　　"Youwillknowthatoneday，MasterCrane，"saidhishelpmate，"anyemendnotyourmanners，andmindyourbusiness，leavingoffsuchidlepalabras。——Buttruly，JackHostler，Ishouldbegladtoknowmyselfwhatlikethefellowwas。"
　　"Why，dame，"saidthehostler，morerespectfully，"asforwhathewaslikeIcannottell，nornomanelse，forwhyIneversawun。"
　　"Andhowdidstthougetthineerranddone，"saidGafferGrimesby，"ifthouseedsthimnot？"
　　"Why，Ihadschoolmastertowritedownailmento'nag，"saidJackHostler;"andIwentwi'theugliestslipofaboyformyguideasevermancutouto'lime—treeroottopleaseachildwithal。"
　　"Andwhatwasit？——anddiditcureyournag，JackHostler？"wasutteredandechoedbyallwhostoodaround。
　　"Why，howcanItellyouwhatitwas？"saidthehostler;"simplyitsmelledandtasted——forIdidmakeboldtoputapea'ssubstanceintomymouth——likehartshornandsavinmixedwithvinegar;butthennohartshornandsavineverwroughtsospeedyacure。AndIamdreadingthatifWaylandSmithbegone，thebotswillhavemorepoweroverhorseandcattle。"
　　Theprideofart，whichiscertainlynotinferiorinitsinfluencetoanyotherpridewhatever，heresofaroperatedonWaylandSmith，that，notwithstandingtheobviousdangerofhisbeingrecognized，hecouldnothelpwinkingtoTressilian，andsmilingmysteriously，asiftriumphingintheundoubtedevidenceofhisveterinaryskill。Inthemeanwhile，thediscoursecontinued。
　　"E'enletitbeso，"saidagravemaninblack，thecompanionofGafferGrimesby;"e'enletusperishundertheevilGodsendsus，ratherthanthedevilbeourdoctor。"
　　"Verytrue，"saidDameCrane;"andImarvelatJackHostlerthathewouldperilhisownsoultocurethebowelsofanag。"
　　"Verytrue，mistress，"saidJackHostler，"butthenagwasmymaster's;andhaditbeenyours，Ithinkyewouldha'heldmecheapenowanIhadfearedthedevilwhenthepoorbeastwasinsuchataking。Fortherest，lettheclergylooktoit。Everymantohiscraft，saystheproverb——theparsontotheprayer—
　　book，andthegroomtohiscurry—comb。
　　"Ivow，"saidDameCrane，"IthinkJackHostlerspeakslikeagoodChristianandafaithfulservant，whowillspareneitherbodynorsoulinhismaster'sservice。However，thedevilhasliftedhimintime，foraConstableoftheHundredcamehitherthismorningtogetoldGafferPinniewinks，thetrierofwitches，togowithhimtotheValeofWhitehorsetocomprehendWaylandSmith，andputhimtohisprobation。IhelpedPinniewinkstosharpenhispincersandhispoking—awl，andIsawthewarrantfromJusticeBlindas。"
　　"Pooh——pooh——thedevilwouldlaughbothatBlindasandhiswarrant，constableandwitch—findertoboot，"saidoldDameCrank，thePapistlaundress;"WaylandSmith'sfleshwouldmindPinniewinks'awlnomorethanacambricruffmindsahotpiccadilloe—needle。Buttellme，gentlefolks，ifthedevileverhadsuchahandamongye，astosnatchawayyoursmithsandyourartistsfromunderyournose，whenthegoodAbbotsofAbingdonhadtheirown？ByOurLady，no！——theyhadtheirhallowedtapers;
　　andtheirholywater，andtheirrelics，andwhatnot，couldsendthefoulestfiendsa—packing。Goaskahereticparsontodothelike。Butourswereacomfortablepeople。"
　　"Verytrue，DameCrank，"saidthehostler;"sosaidSimpkinsofSimonburnwhenthecuratekissedhiswife，——'Theyareacomfortablepeople，'saidhe。"
　　"Silence，thoufoul—mouthedvermin，"saidDameCrank;"isitfitforaheretichorse—boyliketheetohandlesuchatextastheCatholicclergy？"
　　"Introthno，dame，"repliedthemanofoats;"andasyouyourselfarenownotextfortheirhandling，dame，whatevermayhavebeenthecaseinyourday，Ithinkwehade'enbetterleaveunalone。"
　　Atthislastexchangeofsarcasm，DameCranksetupherthroat，andbeganahorribleexclamationagainstJackHostler，undercoverofwhichTressilianandhisattendantescapedintothehouse。
　　Theyhadnosoonerenteredaprivatechamber，towhichGoodmanCranehimselfhadcondescendedtousherthem，anddispatchedtheirworthyandobsequioushostontheerrandofprocuringwineandrefreshment，thanWaylandSmithbegantogiveventtohisself—importance。
　　"Yousee，sir，"saidhe，addressingTressilian，"thatInothingfabledinassertingthatIpossessedfullythemightymysteryofafarrier，ormareschal，astheFrenchmorehonourablytermus。
　　Thesedog—hostlers，who，afterall，arethebetterjudgesinsuchacase，knowwhatcredittheyshouldattachtomymedicaments。I
　　callyoutowitness，worshipfulMasterTressilian，thatnought，savethevoiceofcalumnyandthehandofmaliciousviolence，hathdrivenmeforthfromastationinwhichIheldaplacealikeusefulandhonoured。"
　　"Ibearwitness，myfriend，butwillreservemylistening，"
　　answeredTressilian，"forasafertime;unless，indeed，youdeemitessentialtoyourreputationtobetranslated，likeyourlatedwelling，bytheassistanceofaflashoffire。Foryouseeyourbestfriendsreckonyounobetterthanameresorcerer。"
　　"Now，Heavenforgivethem，"saidtheartist，"whoconfoundedlearnedskillwithunlawfulmagic！Itrustamanmaybeasskilful，ormoreso，thanthebestchirurgeonevermeddledwithhorse—flesh，andyetmaybeuponthematterlittlemorethanotherordinarymen，orattheworstnoconjurer。"
　　"Godforbidelse！"saidTressilian。"Butbesilentjustforthepresent，sinceherecomesminehostwithanassistant，whoseemssomethingoftheleast。"
　　Everybodyabouttheinn，DameCraneherselfincluded，hadbeenindeedsointerestedandagitatedbythestorytheyhadheardofWaylandSmith，andbythenew，varying，andmoremarvellouseditionsoftheincidentwhicharrivedfromvariousquarters，thatminehost，inhisrighteousdeterminationtoaccommodatehisguests，hadbeenabletoobtaintheassistanceofnoneofhishousehold，savingthatofalittleboy，ajuniortapster，ofabouttwelveyearsold，whowascalledSampson。
　　"Iwish，"hesaid，apologizingtohisguests，ashesetdownaflagonofsack，andpromisedsomefoodimmediately——"IwishthedevilhadflownawaywithmywifeandmywholefamilyinsteadofthisWaylandSmith，who，Idaresay，afterallsaidanddone，wasmuchlessworthyofthedistinctionwhichSatanhasdonehim。"
　　"Iholdopinionwithyou，goodfellow，"repliedWaylandSmith;
　　"andIwilldrinktoyouuponthatargument。"
　　"NotthatIwouldjustifyanymanwhodealswiththedevil，"saidminehost，afterhavingpledgedWaylandinarousingdraughtofsack，"butthat——sawyeeverbettersack，mymasters？——butthat，Isay，amanhadbetterdealwithadozencheatsandscoundrelfellows，suchasthisWaylandSmith，thanwithadevilincarnate，thattakespossessionofhouseandhome，bedandboard。"
　　Thepoorfellow'sdetailofgrievanceswashereinterruptedbytheshrillvoiceofhishelpmate，screamingfromthekitchen，towhichheinstantlyhobbled，cravingpardonofhisguests。HewasnosoonergonethanWaylandSmithexpressed，byeverycontemptuousepithetinthelanguage，hisutterscornforanincompoopwhostuckhisheadunderhiswife'sapron—string;andintimatedthat，savingforthesakeofthehorses，whichrequiredbothrestandfood，hewouldadvisehisworshipfulMasterTressiliantopushonastagefarther，ratherthanpayareckoningtosuchamean—spirited，crow—trodden，henpeckedcoxcomb，asGafferCrane。
　　Thearrivalofalargedishofgoodcow—heelandbaconsomethingsoothedtheasperityoftheartist，whichwhollyvanishedbeforeachoicecapon，sodelicatelyroastedthatthelardfrothedonit，saidWayland，likeMay—dewonalily;andbothGafferCraneandhisgooddamebecame，inhiseyes，verypainstaking，accommodating，obligingpersons。
　　Accordingtothemannersofthetimes，themasterandhisattendantsatatthesametable，andthelatterobserved，withregret，howlittleattentionTressilianpaidtohismeal。Herecollected，indeed，thepainhehadgivenbymentioningthemaideninwhosecompanyhehadfirstseenhim;but，fearfuloftouchinguponatopictootendertobetamperedwith，hechosetoascribehisabstinencetoanothercause。
　　"Thisfareisperhapstoocoarseforyourworship，"saidWayland，asthelimbsofthecapondisappearedbeforehisownexertions;
　　"buthadyoudweltaslongasIhavedoneinyonderdungeon，whichFlibbertigibbethastranslatedtotheupperelement，aplacewhereIdaredhardlybroilmyfood，lestthesmokeshouldbeseenwithout，youwouldthinkafaircaponamorewelcomedainty。"
　　"Ifyouarepleased，friend，"saidTressilian，"itiswell。
　　Nevertheless，hastenthymealifthoucanst，Forthisplaceisunfriendlytothysafety，andmyconcernscravetravelling。"
　　Allowing，therefore，theirhorsesnomorerestthanwasabsolutelynecessaryforthem，theypursuedtheirjourneybyaforcedmarchasfarasBradford，wheretheyreposedthemselvesforthenight。
　　Thenextmorningfoundthemearlytravellers。And，nottofatiguethereaderwithunnecessaryparticulars，theytraversedwithoutadventurethecountiesofWiltshireandSomerset，andaboutnoonofthethirddayafterTressilian'sleavingCumnor，arrivedatSirHughRobsart'sseat，calledLidcoteHall，onthefrontiersofDevonshire。
　　CHAPTERXII。
　　Ahme！theflowerandblossomofyourhouse，Thewindhathblownawaytoothertowers。
　　JOANNABAILLIE'SFAMILYLEGEND。
　　TheancientseatofLidcoteHallwassituatednearthevillageofthesamename，andadjoinedthewildandextensiveforestofExmoor，plentifullystockedwithgame，inwhichsomeancientrightsbelongingtotheRobsartfamilyentitledSirHughtopursuehisfavouriteamusementofthechase。Theoldmansionwasalow，venerablebuilding，occupyingaconsiderablespaceofground，whichwassurroundedbyadeepmoat。Theapproachanddrawbridgeweredefendedbyanoctagonaltower，ofancientbrickwork，butsoclothedwithivyandothercreepersthatitwasdifficulttodiscoverofwhatmaterialsitwasconstructed。Theanglesofthistowerwereeachdecoratedwithaturret，whimsicallyvariousinformandinsize，and，therefore，veryunlikethemonotonousstonepepperboxeswhich，inmodernGothicarchitecture，areemployedforthesamepurpose。Oneoftheseturretswassquare，andoccupiedasaclock—house。Buttheclockwasnowstandingstill;acircumstancepeculiarlystrikingtoTressilian，becausethegoodoldknight，amongotherharmlesspeculiarities，hadafidgetyanxietyabouttheexactmeasurementoftime，verycommontothosewhohaveagreatdealofthatcommoditytodisposeof，andfinditlieheavyupontheirhands——
　　justasweseeshopkeepersamusethemselveswithtakinganexactaccountoftheirstockatthetimethereisleastdemandforit。
　　Theentrancetothecourtyardoftheoldmansionlaythroughanarchway，surmountedbytheforesaidtower;butthedrawbridgewasdown，andoneleafoftheiron—studdedfolding—doorsstoodcarelesslyopen。Tressilianhastilyrodeoverthedrawbridge，enteredthecourt，andbegantocallloudlyonthedomesticsbytheirnames。Forsometimehewasonlyansweredbytheechoesandthehowlingofthehounds，whosekennellayatnogreatdistancefromthemansion，andwassurroundedbythesamemoat。
　　AtlengthWillBadger，theoldandfavouriteattendantoftheknight，whoactedalikeassquireofhisbodyandsuperintendentofhissports，madehisappearance。Thestout，weather—beatenforestershowedgreatsignsofjoywhenherecognizedTressilian。
　　"Lordloveyou，"hesaid，"MasterEdmund，beitthouinfleshandfell？ThenthoumayestdosomegoodonSirHugh，foritpassesthewitofman——thatis，ofmineown，andthecurate's，andMasterMumblazen's——todoaughtwi'un。"
　　"IsSirHughthenworsesinceIwentaway，Will？"demandedTressilian。
　　"Forworseinbody——no;heismuchbetter，"repliedthedomestic;
　　"butheiscleanmazedasitwere——eatsanddrinksashewaswont——butsleepsnot，orratherwakesnot，forheiseverinasortoftwilight，thatisneithersleepingnorwaking。DameSwinefordthoughtitwaslikethedeadpalsy。Butno，no，dame，saidI，itistheheart，itistheheart。"
　　"Canyenotstirhismindtoanypastimes？"saidTressilian。
　　"Heiscleanandquiteoffhissports，"saidWillBadger;"hathneithertouchedbackgammonorshovel—board，norlookedonthebigbookofharrowtrywi'MasterMumblazen。Ilettheclockrundown，thinkingthemissingthebellmightsomewhatmovehim——foryouknow，MasterEdmund，hewasparticularincountingtime——butheneversaidawordon't，soImaye'ensettheoldchimea—
　　towlingagain。ImadeboldtotreadonBungay'stailtoo，andyouknowwhataroundratingthatwouldha'costmeoncea—day;
　　buthemindedthepoortyke'swhinenomorethanamadgehowletwhoopingdownthechimney——sothecaseisbeyondme。"
　　"Thoushalttellmetherestwithindoors，Will。Meanwhile，letthispersonbeta'entothebuttery，andusedwithrespect。Heisamanofart。"
　　"Whiteartorblackart，Iwould，"saidWillBadger，"thathehadanyartwhichcouldhelpus。——Here，TomButler，looktothemanofart;——andseethathestealsnoneofthyspoons，lad，"headdedinawhispertothebutler，whoshowedhimselfatalowwindow，"Ihaveknownashonestafacedfellowhaveartenoughtodothat。"
　　HethenusheredTressilianintoalowparlour，andwent，athisdesire，toseeinwhatstatehismasterwas，lestthesuddenreturnofhisdarlingpupilandproposedson—in—lawshouldaffecthimtoostrongly。Hereturnedimmediately，andsaidthatSirHughwasdozinginhiselbow—chair，butthatMasterMumblazenwouldacquaintMasterTressiliantheinstantheawaked。
　　"Butitischanceifheknowsyou，"saidthehuntsman，"forhehasforgottenthenameofeveryhoundinthepack。Ithought，aboutaweeksince，hehadgottenafavourableturn。'SaddlemeoldSorrel，'saidhesuddenly，afterhehadtakenhisusualnight—draughtoutofthegreatsilvergrace—cup，'andtakethehoundstoMountHazelhurstto—morrow。'Gladmenwereweall，andoutwehadhiminthemorning，andherodetocoverasusual，withneverawordspokenbutthatthewindwassouth，andthescentwouldlie。Buterewehaduncoupled'thehounds，hebegantostareroundhim，likeamanthatwakessuddenlyoutofadream——turnsbridle，andwalksbacktoHallagain，andleavesustohuntatleisurebyourselves，ifwelisted。"
　　"Youtellaheavytale，Will，"repliedTressilian;"butGodmusthelpus——thereisnoaidinman。"
　　"ThenyoubringusnonewsofyoungMistressAmy？ButwhatneedIask——yourbrowtellsthestory。EverIhopedthatifanymancouldorwouldtrackher，itmustbeyou。All'soverandlostnow。ButifeverIhavethatVarneywithinreachofaflight—
　　shot，Iwillbestowaforkedshaftonhim;andthatIswearbysaltandbread。"