ThemelancholythoughtsofTressiliancastagloomyshadeonalltheobjectswithwhichhewassurrounded。HecomparedthemagnificentsceneswhichheheretraversedwiththedeepwoodlandandwildmoorlandwhichsurroundedLidcoteHall，andtheimageofAmyRobsartglidedlikeaphantomthrougheverylandscapewhichhisimaginationsummonedup。Nothingisperhapsmoredangeroustothefuturehappinessofmenofdeepthoughtandretiredhabitsthantheentertaininganearly，long，andunfortunateattachment。
　　Itfrequentlysinkssodeepintothemindthatitbecomestheirdreambynightandtheirvisionbyday——mixesitselfwitheverysourceofinterestandenjoyment;andwhenblightedandwitheredbyfinaldisappointment，itseemsasifthespringsoftheheartweredriedupalongwithit。Thisachingoftheheart，thislanguishingafterashadowwhichhaslostallthegaietyofitscolouring，thisdwellingontheremembranceofadreamfromwhichwehavebeenlongroughlyawakened，istheweaknessofagentleandgenerousheart，anditwasthatofTressilian。
　　Hehimselfatlengthbecamesensibleofthenecessityofforcingotherobjectsuponhismind;andforthispurposeheleftthePleasance，inordertominglewiththenoisycrowduponthewalls，andviewthepreparationforthepageants。Butasheleftthegarden，andheardthebusyhum，mixedwithmusicandlaughter，whichfloatedaroundhim，hefeltanuncontrollablereluctancetomixwithsocietywhosefeelingswereinatonesodifferentfromhisown，andresolved，insteadofdoingso，toretiretothechamberassignedhim，andemployhimselfinstudyuntilthetollingofthegreatCastlebellshouldannouncethearrivalofElizabeth。
　　Tressiliancrossedaccordinglybythepassagebetwixttheimmenserangeofkitchensandthegreathall，andascendedtothethirdstoryofMervyn'sTower，andapplyinghimselftothedoorofthesmallapartmentwhichhadbeenallottedtohim，wassurprisedtofinditwaslocked。Hethenrecollectedthatthedeputy—
　　chamberlainhadgivenhimamaster—key，advisinghim，inthepresentconfusedstateoftheCastle，tokeephisdoorasmuchshutaspossible。Heappliedthiskeytothelock，theboltrevolved，heentered，andinthesameinstantsawafemaleformseatedintheapartment，andrecognizedthatformtobe，AmyRobsart。Hisfirstideawasthataheatedimaginationhadraisedtheimageonwhichitdotedintovisibleexistence;hissecond，thathebeheldanapparition;thethirdandabidingconviction，thatitwasAmyherself，paler，indeed，andthinner，thaninthedaysofheedlesshappiness，whenshepossessedtheformandhueofawood—nymph，withthebeautyofasylph——butstillAmy，unequalledinlovelinessbyaughtwhichhadevervisitedhiseyes。
　　TheastonishmentoftheCountesswasscarcelessthanthatofTressilian，althoughitwasofshorterduration，becauseshehadheardfromWaylandthathewasintheCastle。Shehadstartedupathisfirstentrance，andnowstoodfacinghim，thepalenessofhercheekshavinggivenwaytoadeepblush。
　　"Tressilian，"shesaid，atlength，"whycomeyouhere？"
　　"Nay，whycomeyouhere，Amy，"returnedTressilian，"unlessitbeatlengthtoclaimthataid，which，asfarasoneman'sheartandarmcanextend，shallinstantlyberenderedtoyou？"
　　Shewassilentamoment，andthenansweredinasorrowfulratherthananangrytone，"Irequirenoaid，Tressilian，andwouldratherbeinjuredthanbenefitedbyanywhichyourkindnesscanofferme。Believeme，Iamnearonewhomlawandloveobligetoprotectme。"
　　"Thevillain，then，hathdoneyouthepoorjusticewhichremainedinhispower，"saidTressilian，"andIbeholdbeforemethewifeofVarney！"
　　"ThewifeofVarney！"shereplied，withalltheemphasisofscorn。"Withwhatbasename，sir，doesyourboldnessstigmatizethe——the——the——"Shehesitated，droppedhertoneofscorn，lookeddown，andwasconfusedandsilent;forsherecollectedwhatfatalconsequencesmightattendhercompletingthesentencewith"theCountessofLeicester，"whichwerethewordsthathadnaturallysuggestedthemselves。Itwouldhavebeenabetrayalofthesecret，onwhichherhusbandhadassuredherthathisfortunesdepended，toTressilian，toSussex，totheQueen，andtothewholeassembledcourt。"Never，"shethought，"willIbreakmypromisedsilence。Iwillsubmittoeverysuspicionratherthanthat。"
　　Thetearsrosetohereyes，asshestoodsilentbeforeTressilian;while，lookingonherwithmingledgriefandpity，hesaid，"Alas！Amy，youreyescontradictyourtongue。Thatspeaksofaprotector，willingandabletowatchoveryou;butthesetellmeyouareruined，anddesertedbythewretchtowhomyouhaveattachedyourself。"
　　Shelookedonhimwitheyesinwhichangersparkledthroughhertears，butonlyrepeatedtheword"wretch！"withascornfulemphasis。
　　"Yes，WRETCH！"saidTressilian;"forwereheaughtbetter，whyareyouhere，andalone，inmyapartment？whywasnotfittingprovisionmadeforyourhonourablereception？"
　　"Inyourapartment？"repeatedAmy——"inYOURapartment？Itshallinstantlyberelievedofmypresence。"Shehastenedtowardsthedoor;butthesadrecollectionofherdesertedstateatoncepressedonhermind，andpausingonthethreshold，sheadded，inatoneunutterablypathetic，"Alas！Ihadforgot——Iknownotwheretogo——"
　　"Isee——Iseeitall，"saidTressilian，springingtoherside，andleadingherbacktotheseat，onwhichshesunkdown。"YouDOneedaid——youdoneedprotection，thoughyouwillnotownit;
　　andyoushallnotneeditlong。Leaningonmyarm，astherepresentativeofyourexcellentandbroken—heartedfather，ontheverythresholdoftheCastlegate，youshallmeetElizabeth;
　　andthefirstdeedsheshalldointhehallsofKenilworthshallbeanactofjusticetohersexandhersubjects。Stronginmygoodcause，andintheQueen'sjustice，thepowerofherminionshallnotshakemyresolution。IwillinstantlyseekSussex。"
　　"Notforallthatisunderheaven！"saidtheCountess，muchalarmed，andfeelingtheabsolutenecessityofobtainingtime，atleast，forconsideration。"Tressilian，youwerewonttobegenerous。Grantmeonerequest，andbelieve，ifitbeyourwishtosavemefrommiseryandfrommadness，youwilldomorebymakingmethepromiseIaskofyou，thanElizabethcandoformewithallherpower。"
　　"Askmeanythingforwhichyoucanallegereason，"saidTressilian;"butdemandnotofme——"
　　"Oh，limitnotyourboon，dearEdmund！"exclaimedtheCountess——"youoncelovedthatIshouldcallyouso——limitnotyourboontoreason;formycaseisallmadness，andfrenzymustguidethecounselswhichalonecanaidme。"
　　"Ifyouspeakthuswildly，"saidTressilian，astonishmentagainoverpoweringbothhisgriefandhisresolution，"Imustbelieveyouindeedincapableofthinkingoractingforyourself。"
　　"Oh，no！"sheexclaimed，sinkingononekneebeforehim，"Iamnotmad——Iambutacreatureunutterablymiserable，and，fromcircumstancesthemostsingular，draggedontoaprecipicebythearmofhimwhothinksheiskeepingmefromit——evenbyyours，Tressilian——byyours，whomIhavehonoured，respected——allbutloved——andyetloved，too——loved，too，Tressilian——thoughnotasyouwishedtobe。"
　　Therewasanenergy，aself—possession，anabandonmentinhervoiceandmanner，atotalresignationofherselftohisgenerosity，which，togetherwiththekindnessofherexpressionstohimself，movedhimdeeply。Heraisedher，and，inbrokenaccents，entreatedhertobecomforted。
　　"Icannot，"shesaid，"Iwillnotbecomforted，tillyougrantmemyrequest！IwillspeakasplainlyasIdare。Iamnowawaitingthecommandsofonewhohasarighttoissuethem。Theinterferenceofathirdperson——ofyouinespecial，Tressilian——
　　willberuin——utterruintome。Waitbutfour—and—twentyhours，anditmaybethatthepoorAmymayhavethemeanstoshowthatshevalues，andcanreward，yourdisinterestedfriendship——thatsheishappyherself，andhasthemeanstomakeyouso。Itissurelyworthyourpatience，forsoshortaspace？"
　　Tressilianpaused，andweighinginhismindthevariousprobabilitieswhichmightrenderaviolentinterferenceonhispartmoreprejudicialthanadvantageous，bothtothehappinessandreputationofAmy;consideringalsothatshewaswithinthewallsofKenilworth，andcouldsuffernoinjuryinacastlehonouredwiththeQueen'sresidence，andfilledwithherguardsandattendants——heconceived，uponthewhole，thathemightrenderhermoreevilthangoodservicebyintrudinguponherhisappealtoElizabethinherbehalf。Heexpressedhisresolutioncautiously，however，doubtingnaturallywhetherAmy'shopesofextricatingherselffromherdifficultiesrestedonanythingstrongerthanablindedattachmenttoVarney，whomhesupposedtobeherseducer。
　　"Amy，"hesaid，whilehefixedhissadandexpressiveeyesonhers，which，inherecstasyofdoubt，terror，andperplexity，shecastuptowardshim，"Ihaveeverremarkedthatwhenotherscalledtheegirlishandwilful，therelayunderthatexternalsemblanceofyouthfulandself—willedfollydeepfeelingandstrongsense。InthisIwillconfide，trustingyourownfateinyourownhandsforthespaceoftwenty—fourhours，withoutmyinterferencebywordoract。"
　　"Doyoupromisemethis，Tressilian？"saidtheCountess。"Isitpossibleyoucanyetreposesomuchconfidenceinme？Doyoupromise，asyouareagentlemanandamanofhonour，tointrudeinmymattersneitherbyspeechnoraction，whateveryoumayseeorhearthatseemstoyoutodemandyourinterference？Willyousofartrustme？"
　　"Iwilluponmyhonour，"saidTressilian;"butwhenthatspaceisexpired——"
　　"Thenthatspaceisexpired，"shesaid，interruptinghim，"youarefreetoactasyourjudgmentshalldetermine。"
　　"IstherenoughtbesideswhichIcandoforyou，Amy？"saidTressilian。
　　"Nothing，"saidshe，"savetoleaveme，——thatis，if——Iblushtoacknowledgemyhelplessnessbyaskingit——ifyoucansparemetheuseofthisapartmentforthenexttwenty—fourhours。"
　　"Thisismostwonderful！"saidTressilian;"whathopeorinterestcanyouhaveinaCastlewhereyoucannotcommandevenanapartment？"
　　"Arguenot，butleaveme，"shesaid;andadded，asheslowlyandunwillinglyretired，"GenerousEdmund！thetimemaycomewhenAmymayshowshedeservedthynobleattachment。"
　　CHAPTERXXVIII。
　　What，man，ne'erlackadraught，whenthefullcanStandsatthineelbow，andcravesemptying！——
　　Nay，fearnotme，forIhavenodelightTowatchmen'svices，sinceIhavemyselfOfvirtuenoughttoboastof——I'mastriker，Wouldhavetheworldstrikewithme，pell—mell，all。
　　PANDEMONIUM。
　　Tressilian，instrangeagitationofmind，hadhardlysteppeddownthefirsttwoorthreestepsofthewindingstaircase，when，greatlytohissurpriseanddispleasure，hemetMichaelLambourne，wearinganimpudentfamiliarityofvisage，forwhichTressilianfeltmuchdisposedtothrowhimdown—stairs;untilherememberedtheprejudicewhichAmy，theonlyobjectofhissolicitude，waslikelytoreceivefromhisengaginginanyactofviolenceatthattimeandinthatplace。
　　HethereforecontentedhimselfwithlookingsternlyuponLambourne，asupononewhomhedeemedunworthyofnotice，andattemptedtopasshiminhiswaydownstairs，withoutanysymptomofrecognition。ButLambourne，who，amidsttheprofusionofthatday'shospitality，hadnotfailedtotakeadeepthoughnotanoverpoweringcupofsack，wasnotinthehumourofhumblinghimselfbeforeanyman'slooks。HestoppedTressilianuponthestaircasewithouttheleastbashfulnessorembarrassment，andaddressedhimasifhehadbeenonkindandintimateterms:——
　　"What，nogrudgebetweenus，Ihope，uponoldscores，MasterTressilian？——nay，Iamonewhoremembersformerkindnessratherthanlatterfeud。I'llconvinceyouthatImeanthonestlyandkindly，ay，andcomfortablybyyou。"
　　"Idesirenoneofyourintimacy，"saidTressilian——"keepcompanywithyourmates。"
　　"Now，seehowhastyheis！"saidLambourne;"andhowthesegentles，thataremadequestionlessoutoftheporcelainclayoftheearth，lookdownuponpoorMichaelLambourne！YouwouldtakeMasterTressiliannowforthemostmaid—like，modest，simperingsquireofdamesthatevermadelovewhencandleswerelongi'thestuff——snuff;callyouit？Why，youwouldplaythesaintonus，MasterTressilian，andforgetthatevennowthouhastacommodityinthyverybedchamber，totheshameofmylord'scastle，ha！
　　ha！ha！HaveItouchedyou，MasterTressilian？"
　　"Iknownotwhatyoumean，"saidTressilian，inferring，however，toosurely，thatthislicentiousruffianmusthavebeensensibleofAmy'spresenceinhisapartment;'ibutif，"hecontinued，"thouartvarletofthechambers，andlackestafee，thereisonetoleavemineunmolested。"
　　Lambournelookedatthepieceofgold，andputitinhispocketsaying，"Now，Iknownotbutyoumighthavedonemorewithmebyakindwordthanbythischimingrogue。Butafterallhepayswellthatpayswithgold;andMikeLambournewasneveramakebate，oraspoil—sport，orthelike。E'enlive，andletotherslive，thatismymotto—only，Iwouldnotletsomefolkscocktheirbeaveratmeneither，asiftheyweremadeofsilverore，andIofDutchpewter。SoifIkeepyoursecret，MasterTressilian，youmaylooksweetonmeatleast;andwereItowantalittlebackingorcountenance，beingcaught，asyouseethebestofusmaybe，inasortofpeccadillo——why，youoweitme——
　　andsoe'enmakeyourchamberserveyouandthatsamebirdinbowerbeside——it'sallonetoMikeLambourne。"
　　"Makeway，sir，"saidTressilian，unabletobridlehisindignation，"youhavehadyourfee。"
　　"Um！"saidLambourne，givingplace，however，whilehesulkilymutteredbetweenhisteeth，repeatingTressilian'swords，"Makeway——andyouhavehadyourfee;butitmattersnot，Iwillspoilnosport，asIsaidbefore。Iamnodoginthemanger——mindthat。"
　　Hespokelouderandlouder，asTressilian，bywhomhefelthimselfoverawed，gotfartherandfartheroutofhearing。
　　"Iamnodoginthemanger;butIwillnotcarrycoalsneither——
　　mindthat，MasterTressilian;andIwillhaveapeepatthiswenchwhomyouhavequarteredsocommodiouslyinyouroldhauntedroom——afraidofghosts，belike，andnottoowillingtosleepalone。IfIhaddonethisnowinastrangelord'scastle，thewordhadbeen，Theporter'slodgefortheknave！and，havehimflogged——trundlehimdownstairslikeaturnip！Ay，butyourvirtuousgentlementakestrangeprivilegesoverus，whoaredownrightservantsofoursenses。Well——IhavemyMasterTressilian'sheadundermybeltbythisluckydiscovery，thatisonethingcertain;andIwilltrytogetasightofthisLindabridesofhis，thatisanother。"
　　CHAPTERXXIX。
　　Nowfaretheewell，mymaster——iftrueserviceBeguerdon'dwithhardlooks，e'encutthetow—line，AndletourbarksacrossthepathlessfloodHolddifferentcourses——THESHIPWRECK。
　　TressilianwalkedintotheouteryardoftheCastlescarceknowingwhattothinkofhislatestrangeandmostunexpectedinterviewwithAmyRobsart，anddubiousifhehaddonewell，beingentrustedwiththedelegatedauthorityofherfather，topasshiswordsosolemnlytoleavehertoherownguidanceforsomanyhours。Yethowcouldhehavedeniedherrequest——dependentasshehadtooprobablyrenderedherselfuponVarney？Suchwashisnaturalreasoning。Thehappinessofherfuturelifemightdependuponhisnotdrivinghertoextremities;andsincenoauthorityofTressilian'scouldextricateherfromthepowerofVarney，supposinghewastoacknowledgeAmytobehiswife，whattitlehadhetodestroythehopeofdomesticpeace，whichmightyetremaintoher，bysettingenmitybetwixtthem？Tressilianresolved，therefore，scrupulouslytoobservehiswordpledgedtoAmy，bothbecauseithadbeengiven，andbecause，ashestillthought，whileheconsideredandreconsideredthatextraordinaryinterview，itcouldnotwithjusticeorproprietyhavebeenrefused。
　　Inonerespect，hehadgainedmuchtowardssecuringeffectualprotectionforthisunhappyandstillbelovedobjectofhisearlyaffection。Amywasnolongermewedupinadistantandsolitaryretreatunderthechargeofpersonsofdoubtfulreputation。ShewasintheCastleofKenilworth，withinthevergeoftheRoyalCourtforthetime，freefromallriskofviolence，andliabletobeproducedbeforeElizabethonthefirstsummons。Thesewerecircumstanceswhichcouldnotbutassistgreatlytheeffortswhichhemighthaveoccasiontouseinherbehalf。
　　WhilehewasthusbalancingtheadvantagesandperilswhichattendedherunexpectedpresenceinKenilworth，TressilianwashastilyandanxiouslyaccostedbyWayland，who，afterejaculating，"ThankGod，yourworshipisfoundatlast！"
　　proceededwithbreathlesscautiontopourintohiseartheintelligencethattheladyhadescapedfromCumnorPlace。
　　"AndisatpresentinthisCastle，"saidTressilian。"Iknowit，andIhaveseenher。Wasitbyherownchoiceshefoundrefugeinmyapartment？"
　　"No，"answeredWayland;"butIcouldthinkofnootherwayofsafelybestowingher，andwasbuttoohappytofindadeputy—
　　usherwhoknewwhereyouwerequartered——injollysocietytruly，thehallontheonehand，andthekitchenontheother！"
　　"Peace，thisisnotimeforjesting，"answeredTressiliansternly。
　　"Iwotthatbuttoowell，"saidtheartist，"forIhavefeltthesethreedaysasifIhadahalterroundmyneck。Thisladyknowsnotherownmind——shewillhavenoneofyouraid——commandsyounottobenamedtoher——andisabouttoputherselfintothehandsofmyLordLeicester。Ihadnevergothersafeintoyourchamber，hadsheknowntheownerofit。"
　　"Isitpossible""saidTressilian。"ButshemayhavehopestheEarlwillexerthisinfluenceinherfavouroverhisvillainousdependant。"
　　"Iknownothingofthat，"saidWayland;"butIbelieve，ifsheistoreconcileherselfwitheitherLeicesterorVarney，thesideoftheCastleofKenilworthwhichwillbesafestforuswillbetheoutside，fromwhichwecanfastestflyaway。ItisnotmypurposetoabideaninstantafterdeliveryofthelettertoLeicester，whichwaitsbutyourcommandstofinditswaytohim。
　　See，hereitis——butno——aplagueonit——Imusthaveleftitinmydog—hole，inthehay—loftyonder，whereIamtosleep。"
　　"Deathandfury！"saidTressilian，transportedbeyondhisusualpatience;"thouhastnotlostthatonwhichmaydependastakemoreimportantthanathousandsuchlivesasthine？"
　　"Lostit！"answeredWaylandreadily;"thatwereajestindeed！
　　No，sir，Ihaveitcarefullyputupwithmynight—sack，andsomemattersIhaveoccasiontouse;Iwillfetchitinaninstant。"
　　"Doso，"saidTressilian;"befaithful，andthoushaltbewellrewarded。ButifIhavereasontosuspectthee，adeaddogwereinbettercasethanthou！"
　　Waylandbowed，andtookhisleavewithseemingconfidenceandalacrity，but，infact，filledwiththeutmostdreadandconfusion。Theletterwaslost，thatwascertain，notwithstandingtheapologywhichhehadmadetoappeasetheimpatientdispleasureofTressilian。Itwaslost——itmightfallintowronghands——itwouldthencertainlyoccasionadiscoveryofthewholeintrigueinwhichhehadbeenengaged;nor，indeed，didWaylandseemuchprospectofitsremainingconcealed，inanyevent。Hefeltmuchhurt，besides，atTressilian'sburstofimpatience。
　　"Nay，ifIamtobepaidinthiscoinforserviceswheremyneckisconcerned，itistimeIshouldlooktomyself。HerehaveI
　　offended，foraughtIknow，tothedeath，thelordofthisstatelycastle，whosewordwereaspowerfultotakeawaymylifeasthebreathwhichspeaksittoblowoutafarthingcandle。Andallthisforamadlady，andamelancholygallant，who，onthelossofafour—nookedbitofpaper，hashishandonhispoignado，andswearsdeathandfury！——ThenthereistheDoctorandVarney。
　　——Iwillsavemyselffromthewholemessofthem。Lifeisdearerthangold。Iwillflythisinstant，thoughIleavemyrewardbehindme。"
　　ThesereflectionsnaturallyenoughoccurredtoamindlikeWayland's，whofoundhimselfengagedfardeeperthanhehadexpectedinatrainofmysteriousandunintelligibleintrigues，inwhichtheactorsseemedhardlytoknowtheirowncourse。Andyet，todohimjustice，hispersonalfearswere，insomedegree，counterbalancedbyhiscompassionforthedesertedstateofthelady。
　　"IcarenotagroatforMasterTressilian，"hesaid;"Ihavedonemorethanbargainbyhim，andIhavebroughthiserrant—damoselwithinhisreach，sothathemaylookafterherhimself。ButI
　　fearthepoorthingisinmuchdangeramongstthesestormyspirits。Iwilltoherchamber，andtellherthefatewhichhasbefallenherletter，thatshemaywriteanotherifshelist。Shecannotlackamessenger，Itrow，wheretherearesomanylackeysthatcancarryalettertotheirlord。AndIwilltellheralsothatIleavetheCastle，trustinghertoGod，herownguidance，andMasterTressilian'scareandlookingafter。Perhapsshemayremembertheringsheofferedme——itwaswellearned，Itrow;butsheisalovelycreature，and——marryhangthering！Iwillnotbearabasespiritforthematter。IfIfareillinthisworldformygood—nature，Ishallhavebetterchanceinthenext。Sonowforthelady，andthenfortheroad。"
　　Withthestealthystepandjealouseyeofthecatthatstealsonherprey，WaylandresumedthewaytotheCountess'schamber，slidingalongbythesideofthecourtsandpassages，alikeobservantofallaroundhim，andstudioushimselftoescapeobservation。InthismannerhecrossedtheoutwardandinwardCastleyard，andthegreatarchedpassage，which，runningbetwixttherangeofkitchenofficesandthehall，ledtothebottomofthelittlewinding—stairthatgaveaccesstothechambersofMervyn'sTower。
　　Theartistcongratulatedhimselfonhavingescapedthevariousperilsofhisjourney，andwasintheactofascendingbytwostepsatonce，whenheobservedthattheshadowofaman，thrownfromadoorwhichstoodajar，darkenedtheoppositewallofthestaircase。Waylanddrewbackcautiously，wentdowntotheinnercourtyard，spentaboutaquarterofanhour，whichseemedatleastquadrupleitsusualduration，inwalkingfromplacetoplace，andthenreturnedtothetower，inhopestofindthatthelurkerhaddisappeared。Heascendedashighasthesuspiciousspot——therewasnoshadowonthewall;heascendedafewyardsfarther——thedoorwasstillajar，andhewasdoubtfulwhethertoadvanceorretreat，whenitwassuddenlythrownwideopen，andMichaelLambourneboltedoutupontheastonishedWayland。"Whothedevilartthou？andwhatseekestthouinthispartoftheCastle？marchintothatchamber，andbehangedtothee！"
　　"Iamnodog，togoateveryman'swhistle，"saidtheartist，affectingaconfidencewhichwasbeliedbyatimidshakeinhisvoice。
　　"Sayestthoumeso？——Comehither，LawrenceStaples。"
　　Ahuge，ill—madeandill—lookedfellow，upwardsofsixfeethigh，appearedatthedoor，andLambourneproceeded:"Ifthoube'stsofondofthistower，myfriend，thoushaltseeitsfoundations，goodtwelvefeetbelowthebedofthelake，andtenantedbycertainjollytoads，snakes，andsoforth，whichthouwiltfindmightygoodcompany。Therefore，oncemoreIaskyouinfairplay，whothouart，andwhatthouseekesthere？"
　　"Ifthedungeon—grateonceclashesbehindme，"thoughtWayland，"Iamagoneman。"Hethereforeansweredsubmissively，"HewasthepoorjugglerwhomhishonourhadmetyesterdayinWeatherlyBottom。"
　　"Andwhatjugglingtrickartthouplayinginthistower？Thygang，"saidLambourne，"lieoveragainstClinton'sbuildings。"
　　"Icameheretoseemysister，"saidthejuggler，"whoisinMasterTressilian'schamber，justabove。"
　　"Aha！"saidLambourne，smiling，"herebetruths！Uponmyhonour，forastranger，thissameMasterTressilianmakeshimselfathomeamongus，andfurnishesouthiscellhandsomely，withallsortsofcommodities。ThiswillbeaprecioustaleofthesaintedMasterTressilian，andwillbewelcometosomefolks，asapurseofbroadpiecestome。——Harkye，fellow，"hecontinued，addressingWayland，"thoushaltnotgivePussahinttostealawaywemustcatchherinherform。So，backwiththatpitifulsheep—bitingvisageofthine，orIwillflingtheefromthewindowofthetower，andtryifyourjugglingskillcansaveyourbones。"
　　"Yourworshipwillnotbesohardhearted，Itrust，"saidWayland;
　　"poorfolkmustlive。Itrustyourhonourwillallowmetospeakwithmysister？"
　　"SisteronAdam'sside，Iwarrant，"saidLambourne;"or，ifotherwise，themoreknavethou。Butsisterornosister。thoudiestonpointoffox，ifthoucomesta—pryingtothistoweroncemore。AndnowIthinkofit——udsdaggersanddeath！——IwillseetheeoutoftheCastle，forthisisamoremainconcernthanthyjugglery。"
　　"But，pleaseyourworship，"saidWayland，"IamtoenactArioninthepageantuponthelakethisveryevening。"
　　"IwillactitmyselfbySaintChristopher！"saidLambourne。
　　"Orion，callestthouhim？——IwillactOrion，hisbeltandhissevenstarstoboot。Comealong，forarascalknaveasthouart——followme！Orstay——Lawrence，dothoubringhimalong。"
　　Lawrenceseizedbythecollarofthecloaktheunresistingjuggler;whileLambourne，withhastysteps，ledthewaytothatsamesallyport，orsecretpostern，bywhichTressilianhadreturnedtotheCastle，andwhichopenedinthewesternwallatnogreatdistancefromMervyn'sTower。
　　Whiletraversingwitharapidfootthespacebetwixtthetowerandthesallyport，Waylandinvainrackedhisbrainforsomedevicewhichmightavailthepoorlady，forwhom，notwithstandinghisownimminentdanger，hefeltdeepinterest。ButwhenhewasthrustoutoftheCastle，andinformedbyLambourne，withatremendousoath，thatinstantdeathwouldbetheconsequenceofhisagainapproachingit，hecastuphishandsandeyestoheaven，asiftocallGodtowitnesshehadstoodtotheuttermostindefenceoftheoppressed;thenturnedhisbackontheproudtowersofKenilworth，andwenthiswaytoseekahumblerandsaferplaceofrefuge。
　　LawrenceandLambournegazedalittlewhileafterWayland，andthenturnedtogobacktotheirtower，whentheformerthusaddressedhiscompanion:"Nevercreditme，MasterLambourne，ifIcanguesswhythouhastdriventhispoorcaitifffromtheCastle，justwhenhewastobearapartintheshowthatwasbeginning，andallthisaboutawench，"
　　"Ah，Lawrence，"repliedLambourne，"thouartthinkingofBlackJoanJuggesofSlingdon，andhastsympathywithhumanfrailty。
　　But，corragio，mostnobleDukeoftheDungeonandLordofLimbo，forthouartasdarkinthismatterasthineowndominionsofLittle—ease。MymostreverendSignioroftheLowCountriesofKenilworth，knowthatourmostnotablemaster，RichardVarney，wouldgiveasmuchtohaveaholeinthissameTressilian'scoat，aswouldmakeussomefiftymidnightcarousals，withthefullleaveofbiddingthestewardgosnickup，ifhecametostartleustoosoonfromourgoblets。"
　　"Nay，anthatbethecase，thouhastright，"saidLawrenceStaples，theupper—warder，or，incommonphrase，thefirstjailer，ofKenilworthCastle，andoftheLibertyandHonourbelongingthereto。"ButhowwillyoumanagewhenyouareabsentattheQueen'sentrance，MasterLambourne;formethinksthoumustattendthymasterthere？"
　　"Whythou，minehonestprinceofprisons，mustkeepwardinmyabsence。LetTressilianenterifhewill，butseethouletnoonecomeout。Ifthedamselherselfwouldmakeabreak，as'tisnotunlikeshemay，scareherbackwithroughwords;sheisbutapaltryplayer'swenchafterall。"
　　"Nayforthatmatter，"saidLawrence，"Imightshuttheironwicketuponherthatstandswithoutthedoubledoor，andsoforceperforceshewillbeboundtoheranswerwithoutmoretrouble。"
　　"ThenTressilianwillnotgetaccesstoher，"saidLambourne，reflectingamoment。"But'tisnomatter;shewillbedetectedinhischamber，andthatisallone。Butconfess，thouoldbat's—eyeddungeon—keeper，thatyoufeartokeepawakebyyourselfinthatMervyn'sTowerofthine？"
　　"Why，astofear，MasterLambourne，"saidthefellow，"Iminditnottheturningofakey;butstrangethingshavebeenheardandseeninthattower。Youmusthaveheard，forasshorttimeasyouhavebeeninKenilworth，thatitishauntedbythespiritofArthurapMervyn，awildchieftakenbyfierceLordMortimerwhenhewasoneoftheLordsMarchersofWales，andmurdered，astheysay，inthatsametowerwhichbearshisname。"