"Ay，sir，"saidLambourne，"thatshalltakehedgeandditchwithmyLordDuke'sbesthunters。ThenImadealittlemistakeonShooter'sHill，andstoppedanancientgrazierwhosepoucheswerebetterlinedthanhisbrain—pan，thebonnybaynagcarriedmesheeroffinspiteofthewholehueandcry。"
　　"Saddlehimtheninstantly，andattendme，"saidVarney。"Leavethyclothesandbaggageunderchargeofminehost;andIwillconducttheetoaservice，inwhich，ifthoudonotbetterthyself，thefaultshallnotbefortune's，butthineown。"
　　"Braveandhearty！"saidLambourne，"andIammountedinaninstant。——Knave，hostler，saddlemynagwithoutthelossofonesecond，asthoudostvaluethesafetyofthynoddle。——PrettyCicely，takehalfthispursetocomforttheeformysuddendeparture。"
　　"Gogsnouns！"repliedthefather，"Cicelywantsnosuchtokenfromthee。Goaway，Mike，andgathergraceifthoucanst，thoughIthinkthougoestnottothelandwhereitgrows。"
　　"LetmelookatthisCicelyofthine，minehost，"saidVarney;"I
　　haveheardmuchtalkofherbeauty。"
　　"Itisasunburntbeauty，"saidminehost，"wellqualifiedtostandoutrainandwind，butlittlecalculatedtopleasesuchcriticalgallantsasyourself。Shekeepsherchamber，andcannotencountertheglanceofsuchsunny—daycourtiersasmynobleguest。"
　　"Well，peacebewithher，mygoodhost，"answeredVarney;"ourhorsesareimpatient——webidyougoodday。"
　　"Doesmynephewgowithyou，sopleaseyou？"saidGosling。
　　"Ay，suchishispurpose，"answeredRichardVarney。
　　"Youareright——fullyright，"repliedminehost——"youare，Isay，fullyright，mykinsman。Thouhastgotagayhorse;seethoulightnotunawareuponahalter——or，ifthouwiltneedsbemadeimmortalbymeansofarope，whichthypurposeoffollowingthisgentlemanrendersnotunlikely，IchargetheetofindagallowsasfarfromCumnorasthouconvenientlymayest。AndsoIcommendyoutoyoursaddle。"
　　Themasterofthehorseandhisnewretainermountedaccordingly，leavingthelandlordtoconcludehisill—omenedfarewell，tohimselfandatleisure;andsetofftogetheratarapidpace，whichpreventedconversationuntiltheascentofasteepsandyhillpermittedthemtoresumeit。
　　"Youarecontented，then，"saidVarneytohiscompanion，"totakecourtservice？"
　　"Ay，worshipfulsir，ifyoulikemytermsaswellasIlikeyours。"
　　"Andwhatareyourterms？"demandedVarney。
　　"IfIamtohaveaquickeyeformypatron'sinterest，hemusthaveadullonetowardsmyfaults，"saidLambourne。
　　"Ay，"saidVarney，"sotheylienotsogrosslyopenthathemustneedsbreakhisshinsoverthem。"
　　"Agreed，"saidLambourne。"Next，ifIrundowngame，Imusthavethepickingofthebones。"
　　"Thatisbutreason，"repliedVarney，"sothatyourbettersareservedbeforeyou。"
　　"Good，"saidLambourne;"anditonlyremainstobesaid，thatifthelawandIquarrel，mypatronmustbearmeout，forthatisachiefpoint。"
　　"Reasonagain，"saidVarney，"ifthequarrelhathhappenedinyourmaster'sservice。"
　　"Forthewageandsoforth，Isaynothing，"proceededLambourne;
　　"itisthesecretguerdonthatImustliveby。"
　　"Neverfear，"saidVarney;"thoushalthaveclothesandspendingmoneytoruffleitwiththebestofthydegree，forthougoesttoahouseholdwhereyouhavegold，astheysay，bytheeye。"
　　"Thatjumpsallwithmyhumour，"repliedMichaelLambourne;"anditonlyremainsthatyoutellmemymaster'sname。"
　　"MynameisMasterRichardVarney，"answeredhiscompanion。
　　"ButImean，"saidLambourne，"thenameofthenoblelordtowhoseserviceyouaretopreferme。"
　　"How，knave，artthoutoogoodtocallmemaster？"saidVarneyhastily;"Iwouldhavetheeboldtoothers，butnotsaucytome。"
　　"Icraveyourworship'spardon，"saidLambourne，"butyouseemedfamiliarwithAnthonyFoster;nowIamfamiliarwithAnthonymyself。"
　　"Thouartashrewdknave，Isee，"repliedVarney。"Markme——Idoindeedproposetointroducetheeintoanobleman'shousehold;butitisuponmypersonthouwiltchieflywait，anduponmycountenancethatthouwiltdepend。Iamhismasterofhorse。
　　Thouwiltsoonknowhisname——itisonethatshakesthecouncilandwieldsthestate。"
　　"Bythislight，abravespelltoconjurewith，"saidLambourne，"ifamanwoulddiscoverhiddentreasures！"
　　"Usedwithdiscretion，itmayproveso，"repliedVarney;"butmark——ifthouconjurewithitatthineownhand，itmayraiseadevilwhowillteartheeinfragments。"
　　"Enoughsaid，"repliedLambourne;"Iwillnotexceedmylimits。"
　　Thetravellersthenresumedtherapidrateoftravellingwhichtheirdiscoursehadinterrupted，andsoonarrivedattheRoyalParkofWoodstock。ThisancientpossessionofthecrownofEnglandwasthenverydifferentfromwhatithadbeenwhenitwastheresidenceofthefairRosamond，andthesceneofHenrytheSecond'ssecretandillicitamours;andyetmoreunliketothescenewhichitexhibitsinthepresentday，whenBlenheimHousecommemoratesthevictoryofMarlborough，andnolessthegeniusofVanbrugh，thoughdecriedinhisowntimebypersonsoftastefarinferiortohisown。Itwas，inElizabeth'stime，anancientmansioninbadrepair，whichhadlongceasedtobehonouredwiththeroyalresidence，tothegreatimpoverishmentoftheadjacentvillage。Theinhabitants，however，hadmadeseveralpetitionstotheQueentohavethefavourofthesovereign'scountenanceoccasionallybestoweduponthem;anduponthisverybusiness，ostensiblyatleast，wasthenoblelord，whomwehavealreadyintroducedtoourreaders，avisitoratWoodstock。
　　VarneyandLambournegallopedwithoutceremonyintothecourtyardoftheancientanddilapidatedmansion，whichpresentedonthatmorningasceneofbustlewhichithadnotexhibitedfortworeigns。OfficersoftheEarl'shousehold，liverymenandretainers，wentandcamewithalltheinsolentfracaswhichattachestotheirprofession。Theneighofhorsesandthebayingofhoundswereheard;formylord，inhisoccupationofinspectingandsurveyingthemanoranddemesne，wasofcourseprovidedwiththemeansoffollowinghispleasureinthechaseorpark，saidtohavebeentheearliestthatwasenclosedinEngland，andwhichwaswellstockedwithdeerthathadlongroamedthereunmolested。Severaloftheinhabitantsofthevillage，inanxioushopeofafavourableresultfromthisunwontedvisit，loiteredaboutthecourtyard，andawaitedthegreatman'scomingforth。TheirattentionwasexcitedbythehastyarrivalofVarney，andamurmurranamongstthem，"TheEarl'smasterofthehorse！"whiletheyhurriedtobespeakfavourbyhastilyunbonneting，andprofferingtoholdthebridleandstirrupofthefavouredretainerandhisattendant。
　　"Standsomewhataloof，mymasters！"saidVarneyhaughtily，"andletthedomesticsdotheiroffice。"
　　Themortifiedcitizensandpeasantsfellbackatthesignal;
　　whileLambourne，whohadhiseyeuponhissuperior'sdeportment，repelledtheservicesofthosewhoofferedtoassisthim，withyetmorediscourtesy——"Standback，Jackpeasant，withamurraintoyou，andlettheseknavefootmendotheirduty！"
　　Whiletheygavetheirnagstotheattendantsofthehousehold，andwalkedintothemansionwithanairofsuperioritywhichlongpracticeandconsciousnessofbirthrenderednaturaltoVarney，andwhichLambourneendeavouredtoimitateaswellashecould，thepoorinhabitantsofWoodstockwhisperedtoeachother，"Well—
　　a—day！Godsaveusfromallsuchmisproudprincoxes！Anthemasterbelikethemen，why，thefiendmaytakeall，andyethavenomorethanhisdue。"
　　"Silence，goodneighbours！"saidthebailiff，"keeptonguebetwixtteeth;weshallknowmoreby—and—by。ButneverwillalordcometoWoodstocksowelcomeasbluffoldKingHarry！Hewouldhorsewhipafellowonedaywithhisownroyalhand，andthenflinghimanhandfulofsilvergroats，withhisownbroadfaceonthem，to'nointthesorewithal。"
　　"Ay，restbewithhim！"echoedtheauditors;"itwillbelongerethisLadyElizabethhorsewhipanyofus。"
　　"Thereisnosaying，"answeredthebailiff。"Meanwhile，patience，goodneighbours，andletuscomfortourselvesbythinkingthatwedeservesuchnoticeatherGrace'shands。"
　　Meanwhile，Varney，closelyfollowedbyhisnewdependant，madehiswaytothehall，wheremenofmorenoteandconsequencethanthoseleftinthecourtyardawaitedtheappearanceoftheEarl，whoasyetkepthischamber。AllpaidcourttoVarney，withmoreorlessdeference，assuitedtheirownrank，ortheurgencyofthebusinesswhichbroughtthemtohislord'slevee。Tothegeneralquestionof，"Whencomesmylordforth，MasterVarney？"
　　hegavebriefanswers，as，"Seeyounotmyboots？IambutjustreturnedfromOxford，andknownothingofit，"andthelike，untilthesamequerywasputinahighertonebyapersonageofmoreimportance。"Iwillinquireofthechamberlain，SirThomasCopely，"wasthereply。Thechamberlain，distinguishedbyhissilverkey，answeredthattheEarlonlyawaitedMasterVarney'sreturntocomedown，butthathewouldfirstspeakwithhiminhisprivatechamber。Varney，therefore，bowedtothecompany，andtookleave，toenterhislord'sapartment。
　　Therewasamurmurofexpectationwhichlastedafewminutes，andwasatlengthhushedbytheopeningofthefolding—doorsattheupperendortheapartment，throughwhichtheEarlmadehisentrance，marshalledbyhischamberlainandthestewardofhisfamily，andfollowedbyRichardVarney。Inhisnoblemienandprincelyfeatures，menreadnothingofthatinsolencewhichwaspractisedbyhisdependants。Hiscourtesieswere，indeed，measuredbytherankofthosetowhomtheywereaddressed，buteventhemeanestpersonpresenthadashareofhisgraciousnotice。Theinquirieswhichhemaderespectingtheconditionofthemanor，oftheQueen'srightsthere，andoftheadvantagesanddisadvantageswhichmightattendheroccasionalresidenceattheroyalseatofWoodstock，seemedtoshowthathehadmostearnestlyinvestigatedthematterofthepetitionoftheinhabitants，andwithadesiretoforwardtheinterestoftheplace。
　　"NowtheLordlovehisnoblecountenance！"saidthebailiff，whohadthrusthimselfintothepresence—chamber;"helookssomewhatpale。Iwarranthimhehathspentthewholenightinperusingourmemorial。MasterToughyarn，whotooksixmonthstodrawitup，saiditwouldtakeaweektounderstandit;andseeiftheEarlhathnotknockedthemarrowoutofitintwenty—fourhours！"
　　TheEarlthenacquaintedthemthatheshouldmovetheirsovereigntohonourWoodstockoccasionallywithherresidenceduringherroyalprogresses，thatthetownanditsvicinitymightderive，fromhercountenanceandfavour，thesameadvantagesasfromthoseofherpredecessors。Meanwhile，herejoicedtobetheexpounderofhergraciouspleasure，inassuringthemthat，fortheincreaseoftradeandencouragementoftheworthyburgessesofWoodstock，herMajestywasmindedtoerectthetownintoaStapleforwool。
　　Thisjoyfulintelligencewasreceivedwiththeacclamationsnotonlyofthebettersortwhowereadmittedtotheaudience—
　　chamber，butofthecommonswhoawaitedwithout。
　　ThefreedomofthecorporationwaspresentedtotheEarluponkneebythemagistratesoftheplace，togetherwithapurseofgoldpieces，whichtheEarlhandedtoVarney，who，onhispart，gaveasharetoLambourne，asthemostacceptableearnestofhisnewservice。
　　TheEarlandhisretinuetookhorsesoonaftertoreturntocourt，accompaniedbytheshoutsoftheinhabitantsofWoodstock，whomadetheoldoaksringwithre—echoing，"LongliveQueenElizabeth，andthenobleEarlofLeicester！"TheurbanityandcourtesyoftheEarleventhrewagleamofpopularityoverhisattendants，astheirhaughtydeportmenthadformerlyobscuredthatoftheirmaster;andmenshouted，"LonglifetotheEarl，andtohisgallantfollowers！"asVarneyandLambourne，eachinhisrank，rodeproudlythroughthestreetsofWoodstock。
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　HOST。Iwillhearyou，MasterFenton;andIwill，attheleast，keepyourcounsel。——MERRYWIVESOFWINDSOR。
　　Itbecomesnecessarytoreturntothedetailofthosecircumstanceswhichaccompanied，andindeedoccasioned，thesuddendisappearanceofTressilianfromthesignoftheBlackBearatCumnor。Itwillberecollectedthatthisgentleman，afterhisrencounterwithVarney，hadreturnedtoGilesGosling'scaravansary，whereheshuthimselfupinhisownchamber，demandedpen，ink，andpaper，andannouncedhispurposetoremainprivatefortheday。Intheeveningheappearedagaininthepublicroom，whereMichaelLambourne，whohadbeenonthewatchforhim，agreeablytohisengagementtoVarney，endeavouredtorenewhisacquaintancewithhim，andhopedheretainednounfriendlyrecollectionoftheparthehadtakeninthemorning'sscuffle。
　　ButTressilianrepelledhisadvancesfirmly，thoughwithcivility。"MasterLambourne，"saidhe，"ItrustIhaverecompensedtoyourpleasurethetimeyouhavewastedonme。
　　Undertheshowofwildbluntnesswhichyouexhibit，Iknowyouhavesenseenoughtounderstandme，whenIsayfranklythattheobjectofourtemporaryacquaintancehavingbeenaccomplished，wemustbestrangerstoeachotherinfuture。"
　　"VOTO！"saidLambourne，twirlinghiswhiskerswithonehand，andgraspingthehiltofhisweaponwiththeother;"ifIthoughtthatthisusagewasmeanttoinsultme——"
　　"Youwouldbearitwithdiscretion，doubtless，"interruptedTressilian，"asyoumustdoatanyrate。Youknowtoowellthedistancethatisbetwixtus，torequiremetoexplainmyselffurther。Goodevening。"
　　Sosaying，heturnedhisbackuponhisformercompanion，andenteredintodiscoursewiththelandlord。MichaelLambournefeltstronglydisposedtobully;buthiswrathdiedawayinafewincoherentoathsandejaculations，andhesankunresistinglyundertheascendencywhichsuperiorspiritspossessoverpersonsofhishabitsanddescription。Heremainedmoodyandsilentinacorneroftheapartment，payingthemostmarkedattentiontoeverymotionofhislatecompanion，againstwhomhebegannowtonourishaquarrelonhisownaccount，whichhetrustedtoavengebytheexecutionofhisnewmasterVarney'sdirections。Thehourofsupperarrived，andwasfollowedbythatofrepose，whenTressilian，likeothers，retiredtohissleepingapartment。
　　Hehadnotbeeninbedlong，whenthetrainofsadreveries，whichsuppliedtheplaceofrestinhisdisturbedmind，wassuddenlyinterruptedbythejarofadooronitshinges，andalightwasseentoglimmerintheapartment。Tressilian，whowasasbraveassteel，sprangfromhisbedatthisalarm，andhadlaidhanduponhissword，whenhewaspreventedfromdrawingitbyavoicewhichsaid，"Benottoorashwithyourrapier，MasterTressilian。ItisI，yourhost，GilesGosling。"
　　Atthesametime，unshroudingthedarklantern，whichhadhithertoonlyemittedanindistinctglimmer，thegoodlyaspectandfigureofthelandlordoftheBlackBearwasvisiblypresentedtohisastonishedguest。
　　"Whatmummeryisthis，minehost？"saidTressilian。"Haveyousuppedasjollilyaslastnight，andsomistakenyourchamber？
　　orismidnightatimeformasqueradingitinyourguest'slodging？"
　　"MasterTressilian，"repliedminehost，"Iknowmyplaceandmytimeaswellase'eramerrylandlordinEngland。Butherehasbeenmyhang—dogkinsmanwatchingyouascloseasevercatwatchedamouse;andherehaveyou，ontheotherhand，quarrelledandfought，eitherwithhimorwithsomeotherperson，andIfearthatdangerwillcomeofit。"
　　"Goto，thouartbutafool，man，"saidTressilian。"Thykinsmanisbeneathmyresentment;andbesides，whyshouldstthouthinkI
　　hadquarrelledwithanyonewhomsoever？"
　　"Oh，sir，"repliedtheinnkeeper，"therewasaredspotonthyverycheek—bone，whichbodedofalatebrawl，assureastheconjunctionofMarsandSaturnthreatensmisfortune;andwhenyoureturned，thebucklesofyourgirdlewerebroughtforward，andyourstepwasquickandhasty，andallthingsshowedyourhandandyourhilthadbeenlatelyacquainted。"
　　"Well，goodminehost，ifIhavebeenobligedtodrawmysword，"
　　saidTressilian，"whyshouldsuchacircumstancefetchtheeoutofthywarmbedatthistimeofnight？Thouseestthemischiefisallover。"
　　"Underfavour，thatiswhatIdoubt。AnthonyFosterisadangerousman，defendedbystrongcourtpatronage，whichhathbornehimoutinmattersofverydeepconcernment。And，then，mykinsman——why，Ihavetoldyouwhatheis;andifthesetwooldcronieshavemadeuptheiroldacquaintance，Iwouldnot，myworshipfulguest，thatitshouldbeatthycost。Ipromiseyou，MikeLambournehasbeenmakingveryparticularinquiriesatmyhostlerwhenandwhichwayyouride。Now，Iwouldhaveyouthinkwhetheryoumaynothavedoneorsaidsomethingforwhichyoumaybewaylaid，andtakenatdisadvantage。"
　　"Thouartanhonestman，minehost，"saidTressilian，afteramoment'sconsideration，"andIwilldealfranklywiththee。Ifthesemen'smaliceisdirectedagainstme——asIdenynotbutitmay——itisbecausetheyaretheagentsofamorepowerfulvillainthanthemselves。"
　　"YoumeanMasterRichardVarney，doyounot？"saidthelandlord;
　　"hewasatCumnorPlaceyesterday，andcamenotthithersoprivatebutwhathewasespiedbyonewhotoldme。"
　　"Imeanthesame，minehost。"
　　"Then，forGod'ssake，worshipfulMasterTressilian，"saidhonestGosling，"lookwelltoyourself。ThisVarneyistheprotectorandpatronofAnthonyFoster，whoholdsunderhim，andbyhisfavour，someleaseofyondermansionandthepark。VarneygotalargegrantofthelandsoftheAbbacyofAbingdon，andCumnorPlaceamongstothers，fromhismaster，theEarlofLeicester。
　　Mensayhecandoeverythingwithhim，thoughIholdtheEarltoogoodanoblemantoemployhimassomementalkof。AndthentheEarlcandoanything（thatis，anythingrightorfitting）withtheQueen，Godblessher！Soyouseewhatanenemyyouhavemadetoyourself。"
　　"Well——itisdone，andIcannothelpit，"answeredTressilian。
　　"Udsprecious，butitmustbehelpedinsomemanner，"saidthehost。"RichardVarney——why，whatbetweenhisinfluencewithmylord，andhispretendingtosomanyoldandvexatiousclaimsinrightoftheabbothere，menfearalmosttomentionhisname，muchmoretosetthemselvesagainsthispractices。Youmayjudgebyourdiscoursesthelastnight。MensaidtheirpleasureofTonyFoster，butnotawordofRichardVarney，thoughallmenjudgehimtobeatthebottomofyondermysteryabouttheprettywench。
　　ButperhapsyouknowmoreofthatmatterthanIdo;forwomen，thoughtheywearnotswords，areoccasionformanyablade'sexchangingasheathofneat'sleatherforoneoffleshandblood。"
　　"Idoindeedknowmoreofthatpoorunfortunateladythanthoudost，myfriendlyhost;andsobankruptamI，atthismoment，offriendsandadvice，thatIwillwillinglymakeacounsellorofthee，andtelltheethewholehistory，theratherthatIhaveafavourtoaskwhenmytaleisended。"
　　"GoodMasterTressilian，"saidthelandlord，"Iambutapoorinnkeeper，littleabletoadjustorcounselsuchaguestasyourself。ButassureasIhaverisendecentlyabovetheworld，bygivinggoodmeasureandreasonablecharges，Iamanhonestman;andassuch，ifImaynotbeabletoassistyou，Iam，atleast，notcapabletoabuseyourconfidence。Sayawaytherefore，asconfidentlyasifyouspoketoyourfather;andthusfaratleastbecertain，thatmycuriosity——forIwillnotdenythatwhichbelongstomycalling——isjoinedtoareasonabledegreeofdiscretion。"
　　"Idoubtitnot，minehost，"answeredTressilian;andwhilehisauditorremainedinanxiousexpectation，hemeditatedforaninstanthowheshouldcommencehisnarrative。"Mytale，"heatlengthsaid，"tobequiteintelligible，mustbeginatsomedistanceback。YouhaveheardofthebattleofStoke，mygoodhost，andperhapsofoldSirRogerRobsart，who，inthatbattle，valiantlytookpartwithHenryVII。，theQueen'sgrandfather，androutedtheEarlofLincoln，LordGeraldinandhiswildIrish，andtheFlemingswhomtheDuchessofBurgundyhadsentover，inthequarrelofLambertSimnel？"
　　"Irememberbothoneandtheother，"saidGilesGosling;"itissungofadozentimesaweekonmyale—benchbelow。SirRogerRobsartofDevon——oh，ay，'tishimofwhomminstrelssingtothishour，——
　　'HewastheflowerofStoke'sredfield，WhenMartinSwartongroundlayslain;
　　Inragingroutheneverreel'd，Butlikearockdidfirmremain。'
　　[Thisverse，orsomethingsimilar，occursinalongballad，orpoem，onFloddenField，reprintedbythelateHenryWeber。]
　　Ay，andthentherewasMartinSwartIhaveheardmygrandfathertalkof，andofthejollyAlmainswhomhecommanded，withtheirslasheddoubletsandquainthose，allfrouncedwithribandsabovethenether—stocks。Here'sasonggoesofMartinSwart，too，anI
　　hadbutmemoryforit:——
　　'MartinSwartandhismen，Saddlethem，saddlethem，MartinSwartandhismen;
　　Saddlethemwell。'"
　　[Thisverseofanoldsongactuallyoccursinanoldplaywherethesingerboasts，"CourteouslyIcanbothcounterandknackOfMartinSwartandallhismerrymen。"]
　　"True，goodminehost——thedaywaslongtalkedof;butifyousingsoloud，youwillawakemorelistenersthanIcaretocommitmyconfidenceunto。"
　　"Icravepardon，myworshipfulguest，"saidminehost，"Iwasoblivious。Whenanoldsongcomesacrossusmerryoldknightsofthespigot，itrunsawaywithourdiscretion。"
　　"Well，minehost，mygrandfather，likesomeotherCornishmen，keptawarmaffectiontotheHouseofYork，andespousedthequarrelofthisSimnel，assumingthetitleofEarlofWarwick，asthecountyafterwards，ingreatnumbers，countenancedthecauseofPerkinWarbeck，callinghimselftheDukeofYork。MygrandsirejoinedSimnel'sstandard，andwastakenfightingdesperatelyatStoke，wheremostoftheleadersofthatunhappyarmywereslainintheirharness。Thegoodknighttowhomherenderedhimself，SirRogerRobsart，protectedhimfromtheimmediatevengeanceoftheking，anddismissedhimwithoutransom。Buthewasunabletoguardhimfromotherpenaltiesofhisrashness，beingtheheavyfinesbywhichhewasimpoverished，accordingtoHenry'smodeofweakeninghisenemies。Thegoodknightdidwhathemighttomitigatethedistressesofmyancestor;andtheirfriendshipbecamesostrict，thatmyfatherwasbredupastheswornbrotherandintimateofthepresentSirHughRobsart，theonlysonofSirRoger，andtheheirofhishonest，andgenerous，andhospitabletemper，thoughnotequaltohiminmartialachievements。"
　　"IhaveheardofgoodSirHughRobsart，"interruptedthehost，"manyatimeandoft;hishuntsmanandswornservant，WillBadger，hathspokenofhimanhundredtimesinthisveryhouse。
　　Ajovialknightheis，andhathlovedhospitalityandopenhousekeepingmorethanthepresentfashion，whichlaysasmuchgoldlaceontheseamsofadoubletaswouldfeedadozenoftallfellowswithbeefandaleforatwelvemonth，andletthemhavetheireveningatthealehouseonceaweek，todogoodtothepublican。"
　　"IfyouhaveseenWillBadger，minehost，"saidTressilian，"youhaveheardenoughofSirHughRobsart;andthereforeIwillbutsay，thatthehospitalityyouboastofhathprovedsomewhatdetrimentaltotheestateofhisfamily，whichisperhapsofthelessconsequence，ashehasbutonedaughtertowhomtobequeathit。Andherebeginsmyshareinthetale。Uponmyfather'sdeath，nowseveralyearssince，thegoodSirHughwouldwillinglyhavemademehisconstantcompanion。Therewasatime，however，atwhichIfeltthekindknight'sexcessiveloveforfield—sportsdetainedmefromstudies，bywhichImighthaveprofitedmore;
　　butIceasedtoregrettheleisurewhichgratitudeandhereditaryfriendshipcompelledmetobestowontheseruralavocations。TheexquisitebeautyofMistressAmyRobsart，asshegrewupfromchildhoodtowoman，couldnotescapeonewhomcircumstancesobligedtobesoconstantlyinhercompany——Ilovedher，inshort，minehost，andherfathersawit。"
　　"Andcrossedyourtrueloves，nodoubt？"saidminehost。"Itisthewayinallsuchcases;andIjudgeitmusthavebeensoinyourinstance，fromtheheavysighyouutteredevennow。"
　　"Thecasewasdifferent，minehost。MysuitwashighlyapprovedbythegenerousSirHughRobsart;itwashisdaughterwhowascoldtomypassion。"
　　"Shewasthemoredangerousenemyofthetwo，"saidtheinnkeeper。"Ifearmeyoursuitprovedacoldone。"
　　"Sheyieldedmeheresteem，"saidTressilian，"andseemednotunwillingthatIshouldhopeitmightripenintoawarmerpassion。Therewasacontractoffuturemarriageexecutedbetwixtus，uponherfather'sintercession;buttocomplywithheranxiousrequest，theexecutionwasdeferredforatwelvemonth。Duringthisperiod，RichardVarneyappearedinthecountry，and，availinghimselfofsomedistantfamilyconnectionwithSirHughRobsart，spentmuchofhistimeinhiscompany，until，atlength，healmostlivedinthefamily。"
　　"Thatcouldbodenogoodtotheplacehehonouredwithhisresidence，"saidGosling。
　　"No，bytherood！"repliedTressilian。"Misunderstandingandmiseryfollowedhispresence，yetsostrangelythatIamatthismomentatalosstotracethegradationsoftheirencroachmentuponafamilywhichhad，tillthen，beensohappy。ForatimeAmyRobsartreceivedtheattentionsofthismanVarneywiththeindifferenceattachedtocommoncourtesies;thenfollowedaperiodinwhichsheseemedtoregardhimwithdislike，andevenwithdisgust;andthenanextraordinaryspeciesofconnectionappearedtogrowupbetwixtthem。Varneydroppedthoseairsofpretensionandgallantrywhichhadmarkedhisformerapproaches;
　　andAmy，ontheotherhand，seemedtorenouncetheill—disguiseddisgustwithwhichshehadregardedthem。TheyseemedtohavemoreofprivacyandconfidencetogetherthanIfullyliked，andI
　　suspectedthattheymetinprivate，wheretherewaslessrestraintthaninourpresence。Manycircumstances，whichI
　　noticedbutlittleatthetime——forIdeemedherheartasopenasherangeliccountenance——havesincearisenonmymemory，toconvincemeoftheirprivateunderstanding。ButIneednotdetailthem——thefactspeaksforitself。Shevanishedfromherfather'shouse;Varneydisappearedatthesametime;andthisverydayIhaveseenherinthecharacterofhisparamour，livinginthehouseofhissordiddependantFoster，andvisitedbyhim，muffled，andbyasecretentrance。"
　　"Andthis，then，isthecauseofyourquarrel？Methinks，youshouldhavebeensurethatthefairladyeitherdesiredordeservedyourinterference。"
　　"Minehost，"answeredTressilian，"myfather——suchImusteverconsiderSirHughRobsart——sitsathomestrugglingwithhisgrief，or，ifsofarrecovered，vainlyattemptingtodrown，inthepracticeofhisfield—sports，therecollectionthathehadonceadaughter——arecollectionwhicheverandanonbreaksfromhimundercircumstancesthemostpathetic。Icouldnotbrooktheideathatheshouldliveinmisery，andAmyinguilt;andI
　　endeavouredto—seekherout，withthehopeofinducinghertoreturntoherfamily。Ihavefoundher，andwhenIhaveeithersucceededinmyattempt，orhavefounditaltogetherunavailing，itismypurposetoembarkfortheVirginiavoyage。"
　　"Benotsorash，goodsir，"repliedGilesGosling，"andcastnotyourselfawaybecauseawoman——tobebrief——ISawoman，andchangesherloverslikehersuitofribands，withnobetterreasonthanmerefantasy。Andereweprobethismatterfurther，letmeaskyouwhatcircumstancesofsuspiciondirectedyousotrulytothislady'sresidence，orrathertoherplaceofconcealment？"