"Forwell,sir,hestartedtwohourssince,andhasvisitedI
knownotwhatpurlieusofhisoldcompanions;hathbutnowreturned,andisatthisinstantbreakfastingonnew—laideggsandmuscadine。Andforhiswager,Icautionyouasafriendtohavelittletodowiththat,orindeedwithaughtthatMikeproposes。Wherefore,Icounselyoutoawarmbreakfastuponaculiss,whichshallrestorethetoneofthestomach;andletmynephewandMasterGoldthredswaggerabouttheirwagerastheylist。"
"Itseemstome,minehost,"saidTressilian,"thatyouknownotwellwhattosayaboutthiskinsmanofyours,andthatyoucanneitherblamenorcommendhimwithoutsometwingeofconscience。"
"Youhavespokentruly,MasterTressilian,"repliedGilesGosling。"ThereisNaturalAffectionwhimperingintooneear,'Giles,Giles,whywiltthoutakeawaythegoodnameofthyownnephew?Wiltthoudefamethysister'sson,GilesGosling?wiltthoudefoulthineownnest,dishonourthineownblood?'Andthen,again,comesJustice,andsays,'HereisaworthyguestasevercametothebonnyBlackBear;onewhoneverchallengedareckoning'(asIsaytoyourfaceyouneverdid,MasterTressilian——notthatyouhavehadcause),'onewhoknowsnotwhyhecame,sofarasIcansee,orwhenheisgoingaway;andwiltthou,beingapublican,havingpaidscotandlotthesethirtyyearsinthetownofCumnor,andbeingatthisinstanthead—
borough,wiltthousufferthisguestofguests,thismanofmen,thissix—hoopedpot(asImaysay)ofatraveller,tofallintothemeshesofthynephew,whoisknownforaswasherandadesperateDick,acarderandadicer,aprofessorofthesevendamnablesciences,ifevermantookdegreesinthem?'No,byHeaven!Imightwink,andlethimcatchsuchasmallbutterflyasGoldthred;butthou,myguest,shallbeforewarned,forearmed,sothouwiltbutlistentothytrustyhost。"
"Why,minehost,thycounselshallnotbecastaway,"repliedTressilian;"however,Imustupholdmyshareinthiswager,havingoncepassedmywordtothateffect。Butlendme,Ipray,someofthycounsel。ThisFoster,whoorwhatishe,andwhymakeshesuchmysteryofhisfemaleinmate?"
"Troth,"repliedGosling,"Icanaddbutlittletowhatyouheardlastnight。HewasoneofQueenMary'sPapists,andnowheisoneofQueenElizabeth'sProtestants;hewasanonhangeroftheAbbotofAbingdon;andnowhelivesasmasteroftheManor—house。
Aboveall,hewaspoor,andisrich。Folktalkofprivateapartmentsinhisoldwastemansion—house,bedizenedfineenoughtoservetheQueen,Godblessher!Somementhinkhefoundatreasureintheorchard,somethathesoldhimselftothedevilfortreasure,andsomesaythathecheatedtheabbotoutofthechurchplate,whichwashiddenintheoldManor—houseattheReformation。Rich,however,heis,andGodandhisconscience,withthedevilperhapsbesides,onlyknowhowhecamebyit。Hehassulkywaystoo——breakingoffintercoursewithallthatareoftheplace,asifhehadeithersomestrangesecrettokeep,orheldhimselftobemadeofanotherclaythanweare。Ithinkitlikelymykinsmanandhewillquarrel,ifMikethrusthisacquaintanceonhim;andIamsorrythatyou,myworthyMasterTressilian,willstillthinkofgoinginmynephew'scompany。"
Tressilianagainansweredhim,thathewouldproceedwithgreatcaution,andthatheshouldhavenofearsonhisaccount;inshort,hebestowedonhimallthecustomaryassuranceswithwhichthosewhoaredeterminedonarashactionarewonttoparrytheadviceoftheirfriends。
Meantime,thetravelleracceptedthelandlord'sinvitation,andhadjustfinishedtheexcellentbreakfast,whichwasservedtohimandGoslingbyprettyCicely,thebeautyofthebar,whentheherooftheprecedingnight,MichaelLambourne,enteredtheapartment。Histoilethadapparentlycosthimsomelabour,forhisclothes,whichdifferedfromthoseheworeonhisjourney,wereofthenewestfashion,andputonwithgreatattentiontothedisplayofhisperson。
"Bymyfaith,uncle,"saidthegallant,"youmadeawetnightofit,andIfeelitfollowedbyadrymorning。Iwillpledgeyouwillinglyinacupofbastard。——How,myprettycozCicely!why,Ileftyoubutachildinthecradle,andtherethoustand'stinthyvelvetwaistcoat,astightagirlasEngland'ssunshineson。
Knowthyfriendsandkindred,Cicely,andcomehither,child,thatImaykissthee,andgivetheemyblessing。"
"ConcernnotyourselfaboutCicely,kinsman,"saidGilesGosling,"bute'enlethergoherway,a'God'sname;foralthoughyourmotherwereherfather'ssister,yetthatshallnotmakeyouandhercater—cousins。"
"Why,uncle,"repliedLambourne,"think'stthouIamaninfidel,andwouldharmthoseofmineownhouse?"
"ItisfornoharmthatIspeak,Mike,"answeredhisuncle,"butasimplehumourofprecautionwhichIhave。True,thouartaswellgildedasasnakewhenhecastshisoldsloughinthespringtime;butforallthat,thoucreepestnotintomyEden。IwilllookaftermineEve,Mike,andsocontentthee。——Buthowbravethoube'st,lad!Tolookontheenow,andcomparetheewithMasterTressilianhere,inhissad—colouredriding—suit,whowouldnotsaythatthouwerttherealgentlemanandhethetapster'sboy?"
"Troth,uncle,"repliedLambourne,"noonewouldsaysobutoneofyourcountry—breeding,thatknowsnobetter。Iwillsay,andIcarenotwhohearsme,thereissomethingabouttherealgentrythatfewmencomeuptothatarenotbornandbredtothemystery。Iwotnotwherethetricklies;butalthoughIcanenteranordinarywithasmuchaudacity,rebukethewaitersanddrawersasloudly,drinkasdeepahealth,swearasroundanoath,andflingmygoldasfreelyaboutasanyofthejinglingspursandwhitefeathersthatarearoundme,yet,hangmeifI
canevercatchthetruegraceofit,thoughIhavepractisedanhundredtimes。Themanofthehousesetsmelowestattheboard,andcarvestomethelast;andthedrawersays,'Coming,friend,'
withoutanymorereverenceorregardfuladdition。But,hangit,letitpass;carekilledacat。IhavegentryenoughtopassthetrickonTonyFire—the—Faggot,andthatwilldoforthematterinhand。"
"Youholdyourpurpose,then,ofvisitingyouroldacquaintance?"
saidTressiliantotheadventurer。
"Ay,sir,"repliedLambourne;"whenstakesaremade,thegamemustbeplayed;thatisgamester'slaw,allovertheworld。You,sir,unlessmymemoryfailsme(forIdidsteepitsomewhattoodeeplyinthesack—butt),tooksomeshareinmyhazard?"
"Iproposetoaccompanyyouinyouradventure,"saidTressilian,"ifyouwilldomesomuchgraceastopermitme;andIhavestakedmyshareoftheforfeitinthehandsofourworthyhost。"
"Thathehath,"answeredGilesGosling,"inasfairHarry—noblesaseverweremeltedintosackbyagoodfellow。So,lucktoyourenterprise,sinceyouwillneedsventureonTonyFoster;but,bymycredit,youhadbettertakeanotherdraughtbeforeyoudepart,foryourwelcomeattheHallyonderwillbesomewhatofthedriest。Andifyoudogetintoperil,bewareoftakingtocoldsteel;butsendforme,GilesGosling,thehead—borough,andI
maybeabletomakesomethingoutofTonyyet,forasproudasheis。"
Thenephewdutifullyobeyedhisuncle'shint,bytakingasecondpowerfulpullatthetankard,observingthathiswitneverservedhimsowellaswhenhehadwashedhistempleswithadeepmorning'sdraught;andtheysetforthtogetherforthehabitationofAnthonyFoster。
ThevillageofCumnorispleasantlybuiltonahill,andinawoodedparkcloselyadjacentwassituatedtheancientmansionoccupiedatthistimebyAnthonyFoster,ofwhichtheruinsmaybestillextant。Theparkwasthenfulloflargetrees,andinparticularofancientandmightyoaks,whichstretchedtheirgiantarmsoverthehighwallsurroundingthedemesne,thusgivingitamelancholy,secluded,andmonasticappearance。Theentrancetotheparklaythroughanold—fashionedgatewayintheouterwall,thedoorofwhichwasformedoftwohugeoakenleavesthicklystuddedwithnails,likethegateofanoldtown。
"Weshallbefinelyhelpeduphere,"saidMichaelLambourne,lookingatthegatewayandgate,"ifthisfellow'ssuspicioushumourshouldrefuseusadmissionaltogether,asitislikehemay,incasethislinsey—wolseyfellowofamercer'svisittohispremiseshasdisquietedhim。But,no,"headded,pushingthehugegate,whichgaveway,"thedoorstandsinvitinglyopen;andherewearewithintheforbiddenground,withoutotherimpedimentthanthepassiveresistanceofaheavyoakdoormovingonrustyhinges。"
Theystoodnowinanavenueovershadowedbysucholdtreesaswehavedescribed,andwhichhadbeenborderedatonetimebyhighhedgesofyewandholly。Butthese,havingbeenuntrimmedformanyyears,hadrunupintogreatbushes,orratherdwarf—trees,andnowencroached,withtheirdarkandmelancholyboughs,upontheroadwhichtheyoncehadscreened。Theavenueitselfwasgrownupwithgrass,and,inoneortwoplaces,interruptedbypilesofwitheredbrushwood,whichhadbeenloppedfromthetreescutdownintheneighbouringpark,andwasherestackedfordrying。Formalwalksandavenues,which,atdifferentpoints,crossedthisprincipalapproach,were,inlikemanner,chokedupandinterruptedbypilesofbrushwoodandbillets,andinotherplacesbyunderwoodandbrambles。Besidesthegeneraleffectofdesolationwhichissostronglyimpressedwheneverwebeholdthecontrivancesofmanwastedandobliteratedbyneglect,andwitnessthemarksofsociallifeeffacedgraduallybytheinfluenceofvegetation,thesizeofthetreesandtheoutspreadingextentoftheirboughsdiffusedagloomoverthescene,evenwhenthesunwasatthehighest,andmadeaproportionalimpressiononthemindofthosewhovisitedit。
ThiswasfeltevenbyMichaelLambourne,howeveralienhishabitsweretoreceivinganyimpressions,exceptingfromthingswhichaddressedthemselvesimmediatelytohispassions。
"Thiswoodisasdarkasawolf'smouth,"saidhetoTressilian,astheywalkedtogetherslowlyalongthesolitaryandbrokenapproach,andhadjustcomeinsightofthemonasticfrontoftheoldmansion,withitsshaftedwindows,brickwallsovergrownwithivyandcreepingshrubs,andtwistedstalksofchimneysofheavystone—work。"Andyet,"continuedLambourne,"itisfairlydoneonthepartofFostertooforsincehechoosesnotvisitors,itisrighttokeephisplaceinafashionthatwillinvitefewtotrespassuponhisprivacy。ButhadhebeentheAnthonyIonceknewhim,thesesturdyoakshadlongsincebecomethepropertyofsomehonestwoodmonger,andthemanor—closeherehadlookedlighteratmidnightthanitnowdoesatnoon,whileFosterplayedfastandloosewiththeprice,insomecunningcornerinthepurlieusofWhitefriars。"
"Washethensuchanunthrift?"askedTressilian。
"Hewas,"answeredLambourne,"liketherestofus,nosaint,andnosaver。ButwhatIlikedworstofTonywas,thathelovedtotakehispleasurebyhimself,andgrudged,asmensay,everydropofwaterthatwentpasthisownmill。Ihaveknownhimdealwithsuchmeasuresofwinewhenhewasalone,asIwouldnothaveventuredonwithaidofthebesttoperinBerkshire;——that,andsomeswaytowardssuperstition,whichhehadbytemperament,renderedhimunworthythecompanyofagoodfellow。Andnowhehasearthedhimselfhere,inadenjustbefittingsuchaslyfoxashimself。"
"MayIaskyou,MasterLambourne,"saidTressilian,"sinceyouroldcompanion'shumourjumpssolittlewithyourown,whereforeyouaresodesiroustorenewacquaintancewithhim?"
"AndmayIaskyou,inreturn,MasterTressilian,"answeredLambourne,"whereforeyouhaveshownyourselfsodesiroustoaccompanymeonthisparty?"
"Itoldyoumymotive,"saidTressilian,"whenItookshareinyourwager——itwassimplecuriosity。"
"Layoutherenow!"answeredLambourne。"Seehowyoucivilanddiscreetgentlementhinktouseuswholivebythefreeexerciseofourwits!HadIansweredyourquestionbysayingthatitwassimplecuriositywhichledmetovisitmyoldcomradeAnthonyFoster,Iwarrantyouhadsetitdownforanevasion,andaturnofmytrade。Butanyanswer,Isuppose,mustservemyturn。"
"Andwhereforeshouldnotbarecuriosity,"saidTressilian,"beasufficientreasonformytakingthiswalkwithyou?"
"Oh,contentyourself,sir,"repliedLambourne;"youcannotputthechangeonmesoeasyasyouthink,forIhavelivedamongthequick—stirringspiritsoftheagetoolongtoswallowchaffforgrain。Youareagentlemanofbirthandbreeding——yourbearingmakesitgood;ofcivilhabitsandfairreputation——yourmannersdeclareit,andmyuncleavouchesit;andyetyouassociateyourselfwithasortofscant—of—grace,asmencallme,and,knowingmetobesuch,youmakeyourselfmycompanioninavisittoamanwhomyouareastrangerto——andalloutofmerecuriosity,forsooth!Theexcuse,ifcuriouslybalanced,wouldbefoundtowantsomescruplesofjustweight,orso。"
"Ifyoursuspicionswerejust,"saidTressilian,"youhaveshownnoconfidenceinmetoinviteordeservemine。"
"Oh,ifthatbeall,"saidLambourne,"mymotiveslieabovewater。Whilethisgoldofminelasts"——takingouthispurse,chuckingitintotheair,andcatchingitasitfell——"Iwillmakeitbuypleasure;andwhenitisoutImusthavemore。Now,ifthismysteriousLadyoftheManor——thisfairLindabridesofTonyFire—the—Fagot——besoadmirableapieceasmensay,why,thereisachancethatshemayaidmetomeltmynoblesintogreats;and,again,ifAnthonybesowealthyachuffasreportspeakshim,hemayprovethephilosopher'sstonetome,andconvertmygreatsintofairrose—noblesagain。"
"Acomfortableproposaltruly,"saidTressilian;"butIseenotwhatchancethereisofaccomplishingit。"
"Notto—day,orperchanceto—morrow,"answeredLambourne;"I
expectnottocatchtheoldjacktill。Ihavedisposedmyground—baitshandsomely。ButIknowsomethingmoreofhisaffairsthismorningthanIdidlastnight,andIwillsousemyknowledgethatheshallthinkitmoreperfectthanitis。Nay,withoutexpectingeitherpleasureorprofit,orboth,Ihadnotsteppedastridewithinthismanor,Icantellyou;forIpromiseyouIholdourvisitnotaltogetherwithoutrisk。——Buthereweare,andwemustmakethebeston't。"
Whilehethusspoke,theyhadenteredalargeorchardwhichsurroundedthehouseontwosides,thoughthetrees,abandonedbythecareofman,wereovergrownandmessy,andseemedtobearlittlefruit。Thosewhichhadbeenformerlytrainedasespaliershadnowresumedtheirnaturalmodeofgrowing,andexhibitedgrotesqueforms,partakingoftheoriginaltrainingwhichtheyhadreceived。Thegreaterpartoftheground,whichhadoncebeenparterresandflower—gardens,wassufferedinlikemannertoruntowaste,exceptingafewpatcheswhichhadbeendugupandplantedwithordinarypotherbs。Somestatues,whichhadornamentedthegardeninitsdaysofsplendour,werenowthrowndownfromtheirpedestalsandbrokeninpieces;andalargesummer—house,havingaheavystonefront,decoratedwithcarvingrepresentingthelifeandactionsofSamson,wasinthesamedilapidatedcondition。
Theyhadjusttraversedthisgardenofthesluggard,andwerewithinafewstepsofthedoorofthemansion,whenLambournehadceasedspeaking;acircumstanceveryagreeabletoTressilian,asitsavedhimtheembarrassmentofeithercommentinguponorreplyingtothefrankavowalwhichhiscompanionhadjustmadeofthesentimentsandviewswhichinducedhimtocomehither。
Lambourneknockedroundlyandboldlyatthehugedoorofthemansion,observing,atthesametime,hehadseenalessstrongoneuponacountyjail。Itwasnotuntiltheyhadknockedmorethanoncethatanaged,sour—visageddomesticreconnoitredthemthroughasmallsquareholeinthedoor,wellsecuredwithbarsofiron,anddemandedwhattheywanted。
"TospeakwithMasterFosterinstantly,onpressingbusinessofthestate,"wasthereadyreplyofMichaelLambourne。
"Methinksyouwillfinddifficultytomakethatgood,"saidTressilianinawhispertohiscompanion,whiletheservantwenttocarrythemessagetohismaster。
"Tush,"repliedtheadventurer;"nosoldierwouldgoonwerehealwaystoconsiderwhenandhowheshouldcomeoff。Letusonceobtainentrance,andallwillgowellenough。"
Inashorttimetheservantreturned,anddrawingwithacarefulhandbothboltandbar,openedthegate,whichadmittedthemthroughanarchwayintoasquarecourt,surroundedbybuildings。
Oppositetothearchwasanotherdoor,whichtheserving—maninlikemannerunlocked,andthusintroducedthemintoastone—pavedparlour,wheretherewasbutlittlefurniture,andthatoftherudestandmostancientfashion。Thewindowsweretallandample,reachingalmosttotheroofoftheroom,whichwascomposedofblackoak;thoseopeningtothequadranglewereobscuredbytheheightofthesurroundingbuildings,and,astheyweretraversedwithmassiveshaftsofsolidstone—work,andthicklypaintedwithreligiousdevices,andscenestakenfromScripturehistory,bynomeansadmittedlightinproportiontotheirsize,andwhatdidpenetratethroughthempartookofthedarkandgloomytingeofthestainedglass。
Tressilianandhisguidehadtimeenoughtoobservealltheseparticulars,fortheywaitedsomespaceintheapartmenterethepresentmasterofthemansionatlengthmadehisappearance。
Preparedashewastoseeaninauspiciousandill—lookingperson,theuglinessofAnthonyFosterconsiderablyexceededwhatTressilianhadanticipated。Hewasofmiddlestature,builtstrongly,butsoclumsilyastoborderondeformity,andtogiveallhismotionstheungainlyawkwardnessofaleft—leggedandleft—handedman。Hishair,inarrangingwhichmenatthattime,asatpresent,wereveryniceandcurious,insteadofbeingcarefullycleanedanddisposedintoshortcurls,orelsesetuponend,asisrepresentedinoldpaintings,inamannerresemblingthatusedbyfinegentlemenofourownday,escapedinsablenegligencefromunderafurredbonnet,andhunginelf—
locks,whichseemedstrangerstothecomb,overhisruggedbrows,andaroundhisverysingularandunprepossessingcountenance。
Hiskeen,darkeyesweredeepsetbeneathbroadandshaggyeyebrows,andastheywereusuallybentontheground,seemedasiftheywerethemselvesashamedoftheexpressionnaturaltothem,andweredesiroustoconcealitfromtheobservationofmen。Attimes,however,when,moreintentonobservingothers,hesuddenlyraisedthem,andfixedthemkeenlyonthosewithwhomheconversed,theyseemedtoexpressboththefiercerpassions,andthepowerofmindwhichcouldatwillsuppressordisguisetheintensityofinwardfeeling。Thefeatureswhichcorrespondedwiththeseeyesandthisformwereirregular,andmarkedsoastobeindeliblyfixedonthemindofhimwhohadonceseenthem。
Uponthewhole,asTressiliancouldnothelpacknowledgingtohimself,theAnthonyFosterwhonowstoodbeforethemwasthelastperson,judgingfrompersonalappearance,uponwhomonewouldhavechosentointrudeanunexpectedandundesiredvisit。
Hisattirewasadoubletofrussetleather,likethosewornbythebettersortofcountryfolk,girtwithabuffbelt,inwhichwasstuckontherightsidealongknife,ordudgeondagger,andontheotheracutlass。Heraisedhiseyesasheenteredtheroom,andfixedakeenlypenetratingglanceuponhistwovisitors;thencastthemdownasifcountinghissteps,whileheadvancedslowlyintothemiddleoftheroom,andsaid,inalowandsmotheredtoneofvoice,"Letmeprayyou,gentlemen,totellmethecauseofthisvisit。"
HelookedasifheexpectedtheanswerfromTressilian,sotruewasLambourne'sobservationthatthesuperiorairofbreedinganddignityshonethroughthedisguiseofaninferiordress。ButitwasMichaelwhorepliedtohim,withtheeasyfamiliarityofanoldfriend,andatonewhichseemedunembarrassedbyanydoubtofthemostcordialreception。
"Ha!mydearfriendandingle,TonyFoster!"heexclaimed,seizingupontheunwillinghand,andshakingitwithsuchemphasisasalmosttostaggerthesturdyframeofthepersonwhomheaddressed,"howfaresitwithyouformanyalongyear?What!
haveyoualtogetherforgottenyourfriend,gossip,andplayfellow,MichaelLambourne?"
"MichaelLambourne!"saidFoster,lookingathimamoment;thendroppinghiseyes,andwithlittleceremonyextricatinghishandfromthefriendlygraspofthepersonbywhomhewasaddressed,"areyouMichaelLambourne?"
"Ay;sureasyouareAnthonyFoster,"repliedLambourne。
"'Tiswell,"answeredhissullenhost。"AndwhatmayMichaelLambourneexpectfromhisvisithither?"
"VOTOADIOS,"answeredLambourne,"IexpectedabetterwelcomethanIamliketomeet,Ithink。"
"Why,thougallows—bird——thoujail—rat——thoufriendofthehangmanandhiscustomers!"repliedFoster,"hastthoutheassurancetoexpectcountenancefromanyonewhoseneckisbeyondthecompassofaTyburntippet?"
"Itmaybewithmeasyousay,"repliedLambourne;"andsupposeI
grantittobesoforargument'ssake,IwerestillgoodenoughsocietyformineancientfriendAnthonyFire—the—Fagot,thoughhebe,forthepresent,bysomeindescribabletitle,themasterofCumnorPlace。"
"Harkyou,MichaelLambourne,"saidFoster;"youareagamblernow,andlivebythecountingofchances——computemetheoddsthatIdonot,onthisinstant,throwyououtofthatwindowintotheditchthere。"
"Twentytoonethatyoudonot,"answeredthesturdyvisitor。
"Andwherefore,Iprayyou?"demandedAnthonyFoster,settinghisteethandcompressinghislips,likeonewhoendeavourstosuppresssomeviolentinternalemotion。
"Because,"saidLambournecoolly,"youdarenotforyourlifelayafingeronme。Iamyoungerandstrongerthanyou,andhaveinmeadoubleportionofthefightingdevil,thoughnot,itmaybe,quitesomuchoftheunderminingfiend,thatfindsanundergroundwaytohispurpose——whohideshaltersunderfolk'spillows,andwhoputsrats—baneintotheirporridge,asthestage—playsays。"
Fosterlookedathimearnestly,thenturnedaway,andpacedtheroomtwicewiththesamesteadyandconsideratepacewithwhichhehadenteredit;thensuddenlycameback,andextendedhishandtoMichaelLambourne,saying,"Benotwrothwithme,goodMike;I
didbuttrywhetherthouhadstpartedwithaughtofthineoldandhonourablefrankness,whichyourenviersandbackbiterscalledsaucyimpudence。"
"Letthemcallitwhattheywill,"saidMichaelLambourne,"itisthecommoditywemustcarrythroughtheworldwithus。——Udsdaggers!Itellthee,man,mineownstockofassurancewastoosmalltotradeupon。IwasfaintotakeinatonortwomoreofbrassateveryportwhereItouchedinthevoyageoflife;andI
startedoverboardwhatmodestyandscruplesIhadremaining,inordertomakeroomforthestowage。"
"Nay,nay,"repliedFoster,"touchingscruplesandmodesty,yousailedhenceinballast。Butwhoisthisgallant,honestMike?
——isheaCorinthian——acutterlikethyself?"
"Iprithee,knowMasterTressilian,bullyFoster,"repliedLambourne,presentinghisfriendinanswertohisfriend'squestion,"knowhimandhonourhim,forheisagentlemanofmanyadmirablequalities;andthoughhetrafficsnotinmylineofbusiness,atleastsofarasIknow,hehas,nevertheless,ajustrespectandadmirationforartistsofourclass。Hewillcometointime,asseldomfails;butasyetheisonlyaneophyte,onlyaproselyte,andfrequentsthecompanyofcocksofthegame,asapunyfencerdoestheschoolsofthemasters,toseehowafoilishandledbytheteachersofdefence。"
"Ifsuchbehisquality,Iwillprayyourcompanyinanotherchamber,honestMike,forwhatIhavetosaytotheeisforthyprivateear。——Meanwhile,Iprayyou,sir,toabideusinthisapartment,andwithoutleavingit;therebethoseinthishousewhowouldbealarmedbythesightofastranger。"
Tressilianacquiesced,andthetwoworthieslefttheapartmenttogether,inwhichheremainedalonetoawaittheirreturn。"
[SeeNote1。Foster,Lambourne,andtheBlackBear。]
CHAPTERIV。
Notservetwomasters?——Here'sayouthwilltryit——
WouldfainserveGod,yetgivethedevilhisdue;
Saysgracebeforehedothadeedofvillainy,Andreturnshisthanksdevoutlywhen'tisacted,OLDPLAY。
TheroomintowhichtheMasterofCumnorPlaceconductedhisworthyvisitantwasofgreaterextentthanthatinwhichtheyhadatfirstconversed,andhadyetmoretheappearanceofdilapidation。Largeoakenpresses,filledwithshelvesofthesamewood,surroundedtheroom,andhad,atonetime,servedforthearrangementofanumerouscollectionofbooks,manyofwhichyetremained,buttornanddefaced,coveredwithdust,deprivedoftheircostlyclaspsandbindings,andtossedtogetherinheapsupontheshelves,asthingsaltogetherdisregarded,andabandonedtothepleasureofeveryspoiler。Theverypressesthemselvesseemedtohaveincurredthehostilityofthoseenemiesoflearningwhohaddestroyedthevolumeswithwhichtheyhadbeenheretoforefilled。Theywere,inseveralplaces,dismantledoftheirshelves,andotherwisebrokenanddamaged,andwere,moreover,mantledwithcobwebsandcoveredwithdust。
"Themenwhowrotethesebooks,"saidLambourne,lookingroundhim,"littlethoughtwhosekeepingtheyweretofallinto。"
"Norwhatyeoman'sservicetheyweretodome,"quothAnthonyFoster;"thecookhathusedthemforscouringhispewter,andthegroomhathhadnoughtelsetocleanmybootswith,thismanyamonthpast。"
"Andyet,"saidLambourne,"Ihavebeenincitieswheresuchlearnedcommoditieswouldhavebeendeemedtoogoodforsuchoffices。"
"Pshaw,pshaw,"answeredFoster,"'theyarePopishtrash,everyoneofthem——privatestudiesofthemumpingoldAbbotofAbingdon。ThenineteenthlyofapuregospelsermonwereworthacartloadofsuchrakingsofthekennelofRome。"
"Gad—a—mercy,MasterTonyFire—the—Fagot!"saidLambourne,bywayofreply。
Fosterscowleddarklyathim,ashereplied,"Harkye,friendMike;forgetthatname,andthepassagewhichitrelatesto,ifyouwouldnothaveournewly—revivedcomradeshipdieasuddenandaviolentdeath。"
"Why,"saidMichaelLambourne,"youwerewonttogloryintheshareyouhadinthedeathofthetwooldhereticalbishops。"
"That,"saidhiscomrade,"waswhileIwasinthegallofbitternessandbondofiniquity,andappliesnottomywalkormywaysnowthatIamcalledforthintothelists。Mr。MelchisedekMaultextcomparedmymisfortuneinthatmattertothatoftheApostlePaul,whokepttheclothesofthewitnesseswhostonedSaintStephen。HeheldforthonthematterthreeSabbathspast,andillustratedthesamebytheconductofanhonourablepersonpresent,meaningme。"
"Ipritheepeace,Foster,"saidLambourne,"forIknownothowitis,IhaveasortofcreepingcomesovermyskinwhenIhearthedevilquoteScripture;andbesides,man,howcouldstthouhavethehearttoquitthatconvenientoldreligion,whichyoucouldslipofforonaseasilyasyourglove?DoInotrememberhowyouwerewonttocarryyourconsciencetoconfession,asdulyasthemonthcameround?andwhenthouhadstitscoured,andburnished,andwhitewashedbythepriest,thouwerteverreadyfortheworstvillainywhichcouldbedevised,likeachildwhoisalwaysreadiesttorushintothemirewhenhehasgothisSunday'scleanjerkinon。"
"Troublenotthyselfaboutmyconscience,"saidFoster;"itisathingthoucanstnotunderstand,havingneverhadoneofthineown。Butletusrathertothepoint,andsaytome,inoneword,whatisthybusinesswithme,andwhathopeshavedrawntheehither?"
"Thehopeofbetteringmyself,tobesure,"answeredLambourne,"astheoldwomansaidwhensheleaptoverthebridgeatKingston。Lookyou,thispursehasallthatisleftofasroundasumasamanwouldwishtocarryinhisslop—pouch。Youareherewellestablished,itwouldseem,and,asIthink,wellbefriended,formentalkofthybeingundersomespecialprotection——nay,starenotlikeapigthatisstuck,mon;thoucanstnotdanceinanetandtheynotseethee。NowIknowsuchprotectionisnotpurchasedfornought;youmusthaveservicestorenderforit,andintheseIproposetohelpthee。"
"ButhowifIlacknoassistancefromthee,Mike?Ithinkthymodestymightsupposethatwereacasepossible。"
第3章