"Inhislaboratory，"answeredFoster。"Itisthehourheisspokennotwithal。Wemustwaittillnoonispast，orspoilhisimportant——whatsaidI？important！——Iwouldsayinterrupthisdivinestudies。"
　　"Ay，hestudiesthedevil'sdivinity，"saidVarney;"butwhenI
　　wanthim，onehourmustsufficeaswellasanother。Leadthewaytohispandemonium。"
　　SospokeVarney，andwithhastyandperturbedstepsfollowedFoster，whoconductedhimthroughprivatepassages，manyofwhichwerewell—nighruinous，totheoppositesideofthequadrangle，where，inasubterraneanapartment，nowoccupiedbythechemistAlasco，oneoftheAbbotsofAbingdon，whohadaturnfortheoccultsciences，had，muchtothescandalofhisconvent，establishedalaboratory，inwhich，likeotherfoolsoftheperiod，hespentmuchprecioustime，andmoneybesides，inthepursuitofthegrandarcanum。
　　AnthonyFosterpausedbeforethedoor，whichwasscrupulouslysecuredwithin，andagainshowedamarkedhesitationtodisturbthesageinhisoperations。ButVarney，lessscrupulous，rousedhimbyknockingandvoice，untilatlength，slowlyandreluctantly，theinmateoftheapartmentundidthedoor。Thechemistappeared，withhiseyesblearedwiththeheatandvapoursofthestoveoralembicoverwhichhebroodedandtheinteriorofhiscelldisplayedtheconfusedassemblageofheterogeneoussubstancesandextraordinaryimplementsbelongingtohisprofession。Theoldmanwasmuttering，withspitefulimpatience，"AmIforevertoberecalledtotheaffairsofearthfromthoseofheaven？"
　　"Totheaffairsofhell，"answeredVarney，"forthatisthyproperelement。——Foster，weneedtheeatourconference。"
　　"Fosterslowlyenteredtheroom。Varney，following，barredthedoor，andtheybetookthemselvestosecretcouncil。
　　Inthemeanwhile，theCountesstraversedtheapartment，withshameandangercontendingonherlovelycheek。
　　"Thevillain，"shesaid——"thecold—blooded，calculatingslave！——
　　ButIunmaskedhim，Janet——Imadethesnakeuncoilallhisfoldsbeforeme，andcrawlabroadinhisnakeddeformity;Isuspendedmyresentment，atthedangerofsuffocatingundertheeffort，untilhehadletmeseetheverybottomofaheartmorefoulthanhell'sdarkestcorner。——Andthou，Leicester，isitpossiblethoucouldstbidmeforamomentdenymyweddedrightinthee，orthyselfyieldittoanother？——Butitisimpossible——thevillainhasliedinall。——Janet，Iwillnotremainherelonger——Ifearhim——Ifearthyfather。Igrievetosayit，Janet——butIfearthyfather，and，worstofall，thisodiousVarney，IwillescapefromCumnor。"
　　"Alas！madam，whitherwouldyoufly，orbywhatmeanswillyouescapefromthesewalls？"
　　"Iknownot，Janet，"saidtheunfortunateyounglady，lookingupwards！andclaspingherhandstogether，"IknownotwhereI
　　shallfly，orbywhatmeans;butIamcertaintheGodIhaveservedwillnotabandonmeinthisdreadfulcrisis，forIaminthehandsofwickedmen。"
　　"Donotthinkso，dearlady，"saidJanet;"myfatherissternandstrictinhistemper，andseverelytruetohistrust——butyet——"
　　AtthismomentAnthonyFosterenteredtheapartment，bearinginhishandaglasscupandasmallflask。Hismannerwassingular;
　　for，whileapproachingtheCountesswiththerespectduetoherrank，hehadtillthistimesufferedtobecomevisible，orhadbeenunabletosuppress，theobduratesulkinessofhisnaturaldisposition，which，asisusualwiththoseofhisunhappytemper，waschieflyexertedtowardsthoseoverwhomcircumstancesgavehimcontrol。Butatpresentheshowednothingofthatsullenconsciousnessofauthoritywhichhewaswonttoconcealunderaclumsyaffectationofcivilityanddeference，asaruffianhideshispistolsandbludgeonunderhisill—fashionedgaberdine。Andyetitseemedasifhissmilewasmoreinfearthancourtesy，andasif，whilehepressedtheCountesstotasteofthechoicecordial，whichshouldrefreshherspiritsafterherlatealarm，hewasconsciousofmeditatingsomefurtherinjury。Hishandtrembledalso，hisvoicefaltered，andhiswholeoutwardbehaviourexhibitedsomuchthatwassuspicious，thathisdaughterJanet，aftershehadstoodlookingathiminastonishmentforsomeseconds，seemedatoncetocollectherselftoexecutesomehardyresolution，raisedherhead，assumedanattitudeandgaitofdeterminationandauthority，andwalkingslowlybetwixtherfatherandhermistress，tookthesalverfromthehandoftheformer，andsaidinalowbutmarkedanddecidedtone，"Father，Iwillfillformynoblemistress，whensuchisherpleasure。"
　　"Thou，mychild？"saidFoster，eagerlyandapprehensively;"no，mychild——itisnotTHOUshaltrendertheladythisservice。"
　　"Andwhy，Iprayyou，"saidJanet，"ifitbefittingthatthenobleladyshouldpartakeofthecupatall？"
　　"Why——why？"saidtheseneschal，hesitating，andthenburstingintopassionasthereadiestmodeofsupplyingthelackofallotherreason——"why，becauseitismypleasure，minion，thatyoushouldnot！Getyougonetotheeveninglecture。"
　　"Now，asIhopetohearlectureagain，"repliedJanet，"Iwillnotgothitherthisnight，unlessIambetterassuredofmymistress'ssafety。Givemethatflask，father"——andshetookitfromhisreluctanthand，whileheresigneditasifconscience—
　　struck。"Andnow，"shesaid，"father，thatwhichshallbenefitmymistress，cannotdoMEprejudice。Father，Idrinktoyou。"
　　Foster，withoutspeakingaword，rushedonhisdaughterandwrestedtheflaskfromherhand;then，asifembarrassedbywhathehaddone，andtotallyunabletoresolvewhatheshoulddonext，hestoodwithitinhishand，onefootadvancedandtheotherdrawnback，glaringonhisdaughterwithacountenanceinwhichrage，fear，andconvictedvillainyformedahideouscombination。
　　"Thisisstrange，myfather，"saidJanet，keepinghereyefixedonhis，inthemannerinwhichthosewhohavethechargeoflunaticsaresaidtooverawetheirunhappypatients;"willyouneitherletmeservemylady，nordrinktohermyself？"
　　ThecourageoftheCountesssustainedherthroughthisdreadfulscene，ofwhichtheimportwasnotthelessobviousthatitwasnotevenhintedat。Shepreservedeventherashcarelessnessofhertemper，andthoughhercheekhadgrownpaleatthefirstalarm，hereyewascalmandalmostscornful。"WillYOUtastethisrarecordial，MasterFoster？Perhapsyouwillnotyourselfrefusetopledgeus，thoughyoupermitnotJanettodoso。
　　Drink，sir，Iprayyou。"
　　"Iwillnot，"answeredFoster。
　　"Andforwhom，then，isthepreciousbeveragereserved，sir？"
　　saidtheCountess。
　　"Forthedevil，whobrewedit！"answeredFoster;and，turningonhisheel，heleftthechamber。
　　Janetlookedathermistresswithacountenanceexpressiveinthehighestdegreeofshame，dismay，andsorrow。
　　"Donotweepforme，Janet，"saidtheCountesskindly。
　　"No，madam，"repliedherattendant，inavoicebrokenbysobs，"itisnotforyouIweep;itisformyself——itisforthatunhappyman。Thosewhoaredishonouredbeforeman——thosewhoarecondemnedbyGod——havecausetomourn;notthosewhoareinnocent！Farewell，madam！"shesaidhastilyassumingthemantleinwhichshewaswonttogoabroad。
　　"Doyouleaveme，Janet？"saidhermistress——"desertmeinsuchanevilstrait？"
　　"Desertyou，madam！"exclaimedJanet;andrunningbacktohermistress，sheimprintedathousandkissesonherhand——"desertyouI——maytheHopeofmytrustdesertmewhenIdoso！No，madam;wellyousaidtheGodyouservewillopenyouapathfordeliverance。Thereisawayofescape。Ihaveprayednightanddayforlight，thatImightseehowtoactbetwixtmydutytoyonderunhappymanandthatwhichIowetoyou。Sternlyandfearfullythatlighthasnowdawned，andImustnotshutthedoorwhichGodopens。Askmenomore。Iwillreturninbriefspace。"
　　Sospeaking，shewrappedherselfinhermantle，andsayingtotheoldwomanwhomshepassedintheouterroomthatshewasgoingtoeveningprayer，sheleftthehouse。
　　Meanwhileherfatherhadreachedoncemorethelaboratory，wherehefoundtheaccomplicesofhisintendedguilt。"Hasthesweetbirdsipped？"saidVarney，withhalfasmile;whiletheastrologerputthesamequestionwithhiseyes，butspokenotaword。
　　"Shehasnot，norsheshallnotfrommyhands，"repliedFoster;
　　"wouldyouhavemedomurderinmydaughter'spresence？"
　　"Wertthounottold，thousullenandyetfaint—heartedslave，"
　　answeredVarney，withbitterness，"thatnoMURDERasthoucallestit，withthatstaringlookandstammeringtone，isdesignedinthematter？Wertthounottoldthatabriefillness，suchaswomanputsoninverywantonness，thatshemaywearhernight—
　　gearatnoon，andlieonasettlewhensheshouldmindherdomesticbusiness，isallhereaimedat？HereisalearnedmanwillswearittotheebythekeyoftheCastleofWisdom。"
　　"Iswearit，"saidAlasco，"thattheelixirthouhastthereintheflaskwillnotprejudicelife！Iswearitbythatimmortalandindestructiblequintessenceofgold，whichpervadeseverysubstanceinnature，thoughitssecretexistencecanbetracedbyhimonlytowhomTrismegistusrendersthekeyoftheCabala。"
　　"Anoathofforce，"saidVarney。"Foster，thouwertworsethanapagantodisbelieveit。Believeme，moreover，whoswearbynothingbutbymyownword，thatifyoubenotconformable，thereisnohope，no，notaglimpseofhope，thatthisthyleaseholdmaybetransmutedintoacopyhold。Thus，Alascowillleaveyourpewterartilleryuntransmigrated，andI，honestAnthony，willstillhavetheeformytenant。"
　　"Iknownot，gentlemen，"saidFoster，"whereyourdesignstendto;butinonethingIamboundup，——that，fallbackfalledge，I
　　willhaveoneinthisplacethatmayprayforme，andthatoneshallbemydaughter。Ihavelivedill，andtheworldhasbeentooweightywithme;butsheisasinnocentasevershewaswhenonhermother'slap，andshe，atleast，shallhaveherportioninthathappyCity，whosewallsareofpuregold，andthefoundationsgarnishedwithallmannerofpreciousstones。"
　　"Ay，Tony，"saidVarney，"thatwereaparadisetothyheart'scontent。——Debatethematterwithhim，DoctorAlasco;Iwillbewithyouanon。"
　　Sospeaking，Varneyarose，andtakingtheflaskfromthetable，helefttheroom。
　　"Itellthee，myson，"saidAlascotoFoster，assoonasVarneyhadleftthem，"thatwhateverthisboldandprofligaterailermaysayofthemightyscience，inwhich，byHeaven'sblessing，IhaveadvancedsofarthatIwouldnotcallthewisestoflivingartistsmybetterormyteacher——Isay，howsoeveryonderreprobatemayscoffatthingstooholytobeapprehendedbymenmerelyofcarnalandevilthoughts，yetbelievethatthecitybeheldbySt。John，inthatbrightvisionoftheChristianApocalypse，thatnewJerusalem，ofwhichallChristianmenhopetopartake，setsforthtypicallythediscoveryoftheGRAND
　　SECRET，wherebythemostpreciousandperfectofnature'sworksareelicitedoutofherbasestandmostcrudeproductions;justasthelightandgaudybutterfly，themostbeautifulchildofthesummer'sbreeze，breaksforthfromthedungeonofasordidchrysalis。"
　　"MasterHoldforthsaidnoughtofthisexposition，"saidFosterdoubtfully;"andmoreover，DoctorAlasco，theHolyWritsaysthatthegoldandpreciousstonesoftheHolyCityareinnosortforthosewhoworkabomination，orwhoframelies。"
　　"Well，myson，"saidtheDoctor，"andwhatisyourinferencefromthence？"
　　"Thatthose，"saidFoster，"whodistilpoisons，andadministertheminsecrecy，canhavenoportioninthoseunspeakableriches。"
　　"Youaretodistinguish，myson，"repliedthealchemist，"betwixtthatwhichisnecessarilyevilinitsprogressandinitsendalso，andthatwhich，beingevil，is，nevertheless，capableofworkingforthgood。If，bythedeathofoneperson，thehappyperiodshallbebroughtnearertous，inwhichallthatisgoodshallbeattained，bywishingitspresence——allthatisevilescaped，bydesiringitsabsence——inwhichsickness，andpain，andsorrowshallbetheobedientservantsofhumanwisdom，andmadetoflyattheslightestsignalofasage——inwhichthatwhichisnowrichestandrarestshallbewithinthecompassofeveryonewhoshallbeobedienttothevoiceofwisdom——whentheartofhealingshallbelostandabsorbedintheoneuniversalmedicinewhensagesshallbecomemonarchsoftheearth，anddeathitselfretreatbeforetheirfrown，——ifthisblessedconsummationofallthingscanbehastenedbytheslightcircumstancethatafrail，earthlybody，whichmustneedspartakecorruption，shallbeconsignedtothegraveashortspaceearlierthaninthecourseofnature，whatissuchasacrificetotheadvancementoftheholyMillennium？"
　　"MillenniumisthereignoftheSaints，"saidFoster，somewhatdoubtfully。
　　"SayitisthereignoftheSages，myson，"answeredAlasco;"orratherthereignofWisdomitself。"
　　"ItouchedonthequestionwithMasterHoldforthlastexercisingnight，"saidFoster;"buthesaysyourdoctrineisheterodox，andadamnableandfalseexposition。"
　　"Heisinthebondsofignorance，myson，"answeredAlasco，"andasyetburningbricksinEgypt;or，atbest，wanderinginthedrydesertofSinai。Thoudidstilltospeaktosuchamanofsuchmatters。Iwill，however，givetheeproof，andthatshortly，whichIwilldefythatpeevishdivinetoconfute，thoughheshouldstrivewithmeasthemagiciansstrovewithMosesbeforeKingPharaoh。Iwilldoprojectioninthypresence，myson，——inthyverypresence——andthineeyesshallwitnessthetruth。"
　　"Sticktothat，learnedsage，"saidVarney，whoatthismomententeredtheapartment;"ifherefusethetestimonyofthytongue，yethowshallhedenythatofhisowneyes？"
　　"Varney！"saidtheadept——"Varneyalreadyreturned！Hastthou——"hestoppedshort。
　　"HaveIdonemineerrand，thouwouldstsay？"repliedVarney。"I
　　have！Andthou，"headded，showingmoresymptomsofinterestthanhehadhithertoexhibited，"artthousurethouhastpouredforthneithermorenorlessthanthejustmeasure？"
　　"Ay，"repliedthealchemist，"assureasmencanbeintheseniceproportions，forthereisdiversityofconstitutions。"
　　"Nay，then，"saidVarney，"Ifearnothing。Iknowthouwiltnotgoastepfarthertothedevilthanthouartjustlyconsideredfor——thouwertpaidtocreateillness，andwouldstesteemitthriftlessprodigalitytodomurderatthesameprice。Come，letuseachtoourchamberweshallseetheeventto—morrow。"
　　"Whatdidstthoudotomakeherswallowit？"saidFoster，shuddering。
　　"Nothing，"answeredVarney，"butlookedonherwiththataspectwhichgovernsmadmen，women，andchildren。TheytoldmeinSt。
　　Luke'sHospitalthatIhavetherightlookforoverpoweringarefractorypatient。Thekeepersmademetheircomplimentson't;
　　soIknowhowtowinmybreadwhenmycourt—favourfailsme。"
　　"Andartthounotafraid，"saidFoster，"lestthedosebedisproportioned？"
　　"Ifso，"repliedVarney，"shewillbutsleepthesounder，andthefearofthatshallnotbreakmyrest。Goodnight，mymasters。"
　　AnthonyFostergroanedheavily，andlifteduphishandsandeyes。
　　Thealchemistintimatedhispurposetocontinuesomeexperimentofhighimportduringthegreaterpartofthenight，andtheothersseparatedtotheirplacesofrepose。
　　CHAPTERXXIII。
　　NowGodbegoodtomeinthiswildpilgrimage！
　　AllhopeinhumanaidIcastbehindme。
　　Oh，whowouldbeawoman？——whothatfool，Aweeping，pining，faithful，lovingwoman？
　　Shehathhardmeasurestillwhereshehopeskindest，Andallherbountiesonlymakeingrates。LOVE'SPILGRIMAGE。
　　Thesummereveningwasclosed，andJanet，justwhenherlongerstaymighthaveoccasionedsuspicionandinquiryinthatzealoushousehold，returnedtoCumnorPlace，andhastenedtotheapartmentinwhichshehadleftherlady。Shefoundherwithherheadrestingonherarms，andthesecrosseduponatablewhichstoodbeforeher。AsJanetcamein，sheneitherlookedupnorstirred。
　　Herfaithfulattendantrantohermistresswiththespeedoflightning，androusingheratthesametimewithherhand，conjuredtheCountess，inthemostearnestmanner，tolookupandsaywhatthusaffectedher。Theunhappyladyraisedherheadaccordingly，andlookingonherattendantwithaghastlyeye，andcheekaspaleasclay——"Janet，"shesaid，"Ihavedrunkit。"
　　"Godbepraised！"saidJanethastily——"Imean，Godbepraisedthatitisnoworse;thepotionwillnotharmyou。Rise，shakethislethargyfromyourlimbs，andthisdespairfromyourmind。"
　　"Janet，"repeatedtheCountessagain，"disturbmenot——leavemeatpeace——letlifepassquietly。Iampoisoned。"
　　"Youarenot，mydearestlady，"answeredthemaideneagerly。
　　"Whatyouhaveswallowedcannotinjureyou，fortheantidotehasbeentakenbeforeit，andIhastenedhithertotellyouthatthemeansofescapeareopentoyou。"
　　"Escape！"exclaimedthelady，assheraisedherselfhastilyinherchair，whilelightreturnedtohereyeandlifetohercheek;
　　"butah！Janet，itcomestoolate。"
　　"Notso，dearestlady。Rise，takeminearm，walkthroughtheapartment;letnotfancydotheworkofpoison！So;feelyounotnowthatyouarepossessedofthefulluseofyourlimbs？"
　　"Thetorporseemstodiminish，"saidtheCountess，as，supportedbyJanet，shewalkedtoandfrointheapartment;"butisitthenso，andhaveInotswallowedadeadlydraught？Varneywasheresincethouwertgone，andcommandedme，witheyesinwhichIreadmyfate，toswallowyonhorribledrug。OJanet！itmustbefatal;neverwasharmlessdraughtservedbysuchacup—bearer！"
　　"Hedidnotdeemitharmless，Ifear，"repliedthemaiden;"butGodconfoundsthedevicesofthewicked。Believeme，asIswearbythedearGospelinwhichwetrust，yourlifeissafefromhispractice。Didyounotdebatewithhim？"
　　"Thehousewassilent，"answeredthelady——"thougone——nootherbutheinthechamber——andhecapableofeverycrime。Ididbutstipulatehewouldremovehishatefulpresence，andIdrankwhateverheoffered。——Butyouspokeofescape，Janet;canIbesohappy？"
　　"Areyoustrongenoughtobearthetidings，andmaketheeffort？"
　　saidthemaiden。
　　"Strong！"answeredtheCountess。"Askthehind，whenthefangsofthedeerhoundarestretchedtogripeher，ifsheisstrongenoughtospringoverachasm。Iamequaltoeveryeffortthatmayrelievemefromthisplace。"
　　"Hearme，then，"saidJanet。"OnewhomIdeemanassuredfriendofyourshasshownhimselftomeinvariousdisguises，andsoughtspeechofme，which——formymindwasnotclearonthematteruntilthisevening——Ihaveeverdeclined。Hewasthepedlarwhobroughtyougoods——theitineranthawkerwhosoldmebooks;
　　wheneverIstirredabroadIwassuretoseehim。Theeventofthisnightdeterminedmetospeakwithhim。Heawaitsevennowattheposterngateoftheparkwithmeansforyourflight。——Buthaveyoustrengthofbody？——haveyoucourageofmind？——canyouundertaketheenterprise？"
　　"Shethatfliesfromdeath，"saidthelady，"findsstrengthofbody——shethatwouldescapefromshamelacksnostrengthofmind。
　　Thethoughtsofleavingbehindmethevillainwhomenacesbothmylifeandhonourwouldgivemestrengthtorisefrommydeathbed。"
　　"InGod'sname，then，lady，"saidJanet，"Imustbidyouadieu，andtoGod'schargeImustcommityou！"
　　"Willyounotflywithme，then，Janet？"saidtheCountess，anxiously。"AmItolosethee？Isthisthyfaithfulservice？"
　　"Lady，Iwouldflywithyouaswillinglyasbirdeverfledfromcage，butmydoingsowouldoccasioninstantdiscoveryandpursuit。Imustremain，andusemeanstodisguisethetruthforsometime。MayHeavenpardonthefalsehood，becauseofthenecessity！"
　　"AndamIthentotravelalonewiththisstranger？"saidthelady。"Bethinkthee，Janet，maynotthisprovesomedeeperanddarkerschemetoseparatemeperhapsfromyou，whoaremyonlyfriend？"
　　"No，madam，donotsupposeit，"answeredJanetreadily;"theyouthisanhonestyouthinhispurposetoyou，andafriendtoMasterTressilian，underwhosedirectionheiscomehither。"
　　"IfhebeafriendofTressilian，"saidtheCountess，"Iwillcommitmyselftohischargeastothatofanangelsentfromheaven;forthanTressilianneverbreathedmortalmanmorefreeofwhateverwasbase，false，orselfish。Heforgothimselfwheneverhecouldbeofusetoothers。Alas！andhowwasherequited？"
　　WitheagerhastetheycollectedthefewnecessarieswhichitwasthoughtpropertheCountessshouldtakewithher，andwhichJanet，withspeedanddexterity，formedintoasmallbundle，notforgettingtoaddsuchornamentsofintrinsicvalueascamemostreadilyinherway，andparticularlyacasketofjewels，whichshewiselyjudgedmightproveofserviceinsomefutureemergency。TheCountessofLeicesternextchangedherdressforonewhichJanetusuallyworeuponanybriefjourney，fortheyjudgeditnecessarytoavoideveryexternaldistinctionwhichmightattractattention。Erethesepreparationswerefullymade，themoonhadariseninthesummerheaven，andallinthemansionhadbetakenthemselvestorest，oratleasttothesilenceandretirementoftheirchambers。
　　Therewasnodifficultyanticipatedinescaping，whetherfromthehouseorgarden，providedonlytheycouldeludeobservation。
　　AnthonyFosterhadaccustomedhimselftoconsiderhisdaughterasaconscioussinnermightregardavisibleguardianangel，which，notwithstandinghisguilt，continuedtohoveraroundhim;andthereforehistrustinherknewnobounds。Janetcommandedherownmotionsduringthedaytime，andhadamaster—keywhichopenedtheposterndoorofthepark，sothatshecouldgotothevillageatpleasure，eitheruponthehouseholdaffairs，whichwereentirelyconfidedtohermanagement，ortoattendherdevotionsatthemeeting—houseofhersect。ItistruethedaughterofFosterwasthusliberallyentrustedunderthesolemnconditionthatsheshouldnotavailherselfoftheseprivilegestodoanythinginconsistentwiththesafe—keepingoftheCountess;forsoherresidenceatCumnorPlacehadbeentermed，sinceshebeganoflatetoexhibitimpatienceoftherestrictionstowhichshewassubjected。NoristherereasontosupposethatanythingshortofthedreadfulsuspicionswhichthesceneofthateveninghadexcitedcouldhaveinducedJanettoviolateherwordordeceiveherfather'sconfidence。Butfromwhatshehadwitnessed，shenowconceivedherselfnotonlyjustified，butimperativelycalledupon，tomakeherlady'ssafetytheprincipalobjectofhercare，settingallotherconsiderationsaside。
　　ThefugitiveCountesswithherguidetraversedwithhastystepsthebrokenandinterruptedpath，whichhadoncebeenanavenue，nowtotallydarkenedbytheboughsofspreadingtreeswhichmetabovetheirhead，andnowreceivingadoubtfulanddeceivinglightfromthebeamsofthemoon，whichpenetratedwheretheaxehadmadeopeningsinthewood。Theirpathwasrepeatedlyinterruptedbyfelledtrees，orthelargeboughswhichhadbeenleftonthegroundtilltimeservedtomakethemintofagotsandbillets。Theinconvenienceanddifficultyattendingtheseinterruptions，thebreathlesshasteofthefirstpartoftheirroute，theexhaustingsensationsofhopeandfear，somuchaffectedtheCountess'sstrength，thatJanetwasforcedtoproposethattheyshouldpauseforafewminutestorecoverbreathandspirits。Boththereforestoodstillbeneaththeshadowofahugeoldgnarledoak—tree，andbothnaturallylookedbacktothemansionwhichtheyhadleftbehindthem，whoselong，darkfrontwasseeninthegloomydistance，withitshugestacksofchimneys，turrets，andclock—house，risingabovethelineoftheroof，anddefinedlyvisibleagainstthepureazureblueofthesummersky。Onelightonlytwinkledfromtheextendedandshadowymass，anditwasplacedsolowthatitratherseemedtoglimmerfromthegroundinfrontofthemansionthanfromoneofthewindows。TheCountess'sterrorwasawakened。"Theyfollowus！"shesaid，pointingouttoJanetthelightwhichthusalarmedher。
　　Lessagitatedthanhermistress，Janetperceivedthatthegleamwasstationary，andinformedtheCountess，inawhisper，thatthelightproceededfromthesolitarycellinwhichthealchemistpursuedhisoccultexperiments。"Heisofthose，"sheadded，"whositupandwatchbynightthattheymaycommitiniquity。
　　Evilwasthechancewhichsenthitheramanwhosemixedspeechofearthlywealthandunearthlyorsuperhumanknowledgehathinitwhatdoessoespeciallycaptivatemypoorfather。WellspokethegoodMasterHoldforth——and，methought，notwithoutmeaningthatthoseofourhouseholdshouldfindthereinapracticaluse。
　　'Therebethose，'hesaid，'andtheirnumberislegion，whowillrather，likethewickedAhab，listentothedreamsofthefalseprophetZedekiah，thantothewordsofhimbywhomtheLordhasspoken。'Andhefurtherinsisted——'Ah，mybrethren，therebemanyZedekiahsamongyou——menthatpromiseyouthelightoftheircarnalknowledge，soyouwillsurrendertothemthatofyourheavenlyunderstanding。WhataretheybetterthanthetyrantNaas，whodemandedtherighteyeofthosewhoweresubjectedtohim？'Andfurtherheinsisted——"
　　ItisuncertainhowlongthefairPuritan'smemorymighthavesupportedherintherecapitulationofMasterHoldforth'sdiscourse;buttheCountessnowinterruptedher，andassuredhershewassomuchrecoveredthatshecouldnowreachtheposternwithoutthenecessityofaseconddelay。
　　Theysetoutaccordingly，andperformedthesecondpartoftheirjourneywithmoredeliberation，andofcoursemoreeasily，thanthefirsthastycommencement。Thisgavethemleisureforreflection;andJanetnow，forthefirsttime，venturedtoaskherladywhichwaysheproposedtodirectherflight。Receivingnoimmediateanswer——for，perhaps，intheconfusionofhermindthisveryobvioussubjectofdeliberationhadnotoccurredtotheCountess———Janetventuredtoadd，"Probablytoyourfather'shouse，whereyouaresureofsafetyandprotection？"
　　"No，Janet，"saidtheladymournfully;"IleftLidcoteHallwhilemyheartwaslightandmynamewashonourable，andIwillnotreturnthithertillmylord'spermissionandpublicacknowledgmentofourmarriagerestoremetomynativehomewithalltherankandhonourwhichhehasbestowedonme。"
　　"Andwhitherwillyou，then，madam？"saidJanet。
　　"ToKenilworth，girl，"saidtheCountess，boldlyandfreely。"I
　　willseetheserevels——theseprincelyrevels——thepreparationforwhichmakesthelandringfromsidetoside。Methinks，whentheQueenofEnglandfeastswithinmyhusband'shalls，theCountessofLeicestershouldbenounbeseemingguest。"
　　"IprayGodyoumaybeawelcomeone！"saidJanethastily。
　　"Youabusemysituation，Janet，"saidtheCountess，angrily，"andyouforgetyourown。"
　　"Idoneither，dearestmadam，"saidthesorrowfulmaiden;"buthaveyouforgottenthatthenobleEarlhasgivensuchstrictchargestokeepyourmarriagesecret，thathemaypreservehiscourt—favour？andcanyouthinkthatyoursuddenappearanceathiscastle，atsuchajuncture，andinsuchapresence，willbeacceptabletohim？"
　　"ThouthinkestIwoulddisgracehim，"saidtheCountess;"nay，letgomyarm，Icanwalkwithoutaidandworkwithoutcounsel。"