首页 >出版文学> Kenilworth>第3章

第3章

  "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。"