WhenEarnsclifffoundhisgifthadbeenreceived，hesoonafterwardspaidthehermitavisit。Theoldmanwasseatedanabroadflatstonenearhisgardendoor，whichwastheseatofscienceheusuallyoccupiedwhendisposedtoreceivehispatientsorclients。Theinsideofhishut，andthatofhisgarden，hekeptassacredfromhumanintrusionasthenativesofOtaheitedotheirMorai；——apparentlyhewouldhavedeemeditpollutedbythestepofanyhumanbeing。Whenheshuthimselfupinhishabitation，noentreatycouldprevailuponhimtomakehimselfvisible，ortogiveaudiencetoanyonewhomsoever。
　　Earnscliffhadbeenfishinginasmallriveratsomedistance。
　　Hehadhisrodinhishand，andhisbasket，filledwithtrout，athisshoulder。HesatedownuponastonenearlyoppositetotheDwarfwho，familiarizedwithhispresence，tooknofarthernoticeofhimthanbyelevatinghishugemis-shapenheadforthepurposeofstaringathim，andthenagainsinkingituponhisbosom，asifinprofoundmeditation。Earnsclifflookedaroundhim，andobservedthatthehermithadincreasedhisaccommodationsbytheconstructionofashedforthereceptionofhisgoats。
　　Youlabourhard，Elshie，"hesaid，willingtoleadthissingularbeingintoconversation。
　　"Labour，"re-echoedtheDwarf，"isthemildestevilofalotsomiserableasthatofmankind；bettertolabourlikeme，thansportlikeyou。"
　　"Icannotdefendthehumanityofourordinaryruralsports，Elshie，andyet——"
　　"Andyet，"interruptedtheDwarf"theyarebetterthanyourordinarybusiness；bettertoexerciseidleandwantoncrueltyonmutefishesthanonyourfellow-creatures。YetwhyshouldIsayso？Whyshouldnotthewholehumanherdbutt，gore，andgorgeuponeachother，tillallareextirpatedbutonehugeandover-
　　fedBehemoth，andhe，whenhehadthrottledandgnawedthebonesofallhisfellows——he，whenhispreyfailedhim，toberoaringwholedaysforlackoffood，and，finally，todie，inchbyinch，offamine——itwereaconsummationworthyoftherace！"
　　"Yourdeedsarebetter，Elshie，thanyourwords，"answeredEarnscliff；"youlabourtopreservetheracewhomyourmisanthropyslanders。"
　　"Ido；butwhy？——Hearken。YouareoneonwhomIlookwiththeleastloathing，andIcarenot，if，contrarytomywont，Iwasteafewwordsincompassiontoyourinfatuatedblindness。IfI
　　cannotsenddiseaseintofamilies，andmurrainamongtheherds，canIattainthesameendsowellasbyprolongingthelivesofthosewhocanservethepurposeofdestructionaseffectually？——
　　IfAliceofBowerhaddiedinwinter，wouldyoungRuthwinhavebeenslainforherlovethelastspring？——WhothoughtofpenningtheircattlebeneaththetowerwhentheRedReiverofWestburnflatwasdeemedtobeonhisdeath-bed？——Mydraughts，myskill，recoveredhim。And，now，whodareleavehisherdupontheleawithoutawatch，orgotobedwithoutunchainingthesleuth-
　　hound？"
　　"Iown，"answeredEarnscliff；"youdidlittlegoodtosocietybythelastofthesecures。But，tobalancetheevil，thereismyfriendHobbie，honestHobbieoftheHeugh-foot，yourskillrelievedhimlastwinterinafeverthatmighthavecosthimhislife。"
　　"Thusthinkthechildrenofclayintheirignorance，"said：theDwarf，smilingmaliciously，"andthustheyspeakintheirfolly。
　　Haveyoumarkedtheyoungcubofawildcatthathasbeendomesticated，howsportive，howplayful，howgentle，——buttrusthimwithyourgame，yourlambs，yourpoultry，hisinbredferocitybreaksforth；hegripes，tears，ravages，anddevours。"
　　"Suchistheanimal’sinstinct，"answeredEarnscliff；"butwhathasthattodowithHobbie？"
　　"Itishisemblem——itishispicture，"retortedtheRecluse。"Heisatpresenttame，quiet，anddomesticated，forlackofopportunitytoexercisehisinbornpropensities；butletthetrumpetofwarsound——lettheyoungblood-houndsnuffblood，hewillbeasferociousasthewildestofhisBorderancestorsthateverfiredahelplesspeasant’sabode。Canyoudeny，thatevenatpresentheoftenurgesyoutotakebloodyrevengeforaninjuryreceivedwhenyouwereaboy？"——Earnscliffstarted；theRecluseappearednottoobservehissurprise，andproceeded——"ThetrumpetWILLblow，theyoungblood-houndWILLlapblood，andI
　　willlaughandsay，ForthisIhavepreservedthee！"Hepaused，andcontinued，——"Sucharemycures；——theirobject，theirpurpose，perpetuatingthemassofmisery，andplayingeveninthisdesertmypartinthegeneraltragedy。WereYOUonyoursickbed，I
　　might，incompassion，sendyouacupofpoison。"
　　"Iammuchobligedtoyou，Elshie，andcertainlyshallnotfailtoconsultyou，withsocomfortableahopefromyourassistance。"
　　"Donotflatteryourselftoofar，"repliedtheHermit，"withthehopethatIwillpositivelyyieldtothefrailtyofpity。WhyshouldIsnatchadupe，sowellfittedtoendurethemiseriesoflifeasyouare，fromthewretchednesswhichhisownvisions，andthevillainyoftheworld，arepreparingforhim？WhyshouldI
　　playthecompassionateIndian，and，knockingoutthebrainsofthecaptivewithmytomahawk，atoncespoilthethreedays’
　　amusementofmykindredtribe，attheverymomentwhenthebrandswerelighted，thepincersheated，thecauldronsboiling，theknivessharpened，totear，scorch，seethe，andscarifytheintendedvictim？"
　　"Adreadfulpictureyoupresenttomeoflife，Elshie；butIamnotdauntedbyit，"returnedEarnscliff。"Wearesenthere，inonesense，tobearandtosuffer；but，inanother，todoandtoenjoy。Theactivedayhasitseveningofrepose；evenpatientsufferancehasitsalleviations，wherethereisaconsolatorysenseofdutydischarged。"
　　"Ispurnattheslavishandbestialdoctrine，"saidtheDwarf，hiseyeskindlingwithinsanefury，——"Ispurnatit，asworthyonlyofthebeaststhatperish；butIwillwastenomorewordswithyou。"
　　Herosehastily；but，erehewithdrewintothehut，headded，withgreatvehemence，"Yet，lestyoustillthinkmyapparentbenefitstomankindflowfromthestupidandservilesource，calledloveofourfellow-creatures，know，thatwerethereamanwhohadannihilatedmysoul’sdearesthope——whohadtornmyhearttomammocks，andsearedmpbraintillitglowedlikeavolcano，andwerethatman’sfortuneandlifeinmypowerascompletelyasthisfrailpotsherd"（hesnatchedupanearthencupwhichstoodbesidehim），"Iwouldnotdashhimintoatomsthus"——（heflungthevesselwithfuryagainstthewall），——"No！"（hespokemorecomposedly，butwiththeutmostbitterness），"Iwouldpamperhimwithwealthandpowertoinflamehisevilpassions，andtofulfilhisevildesigns；heshouldlacknomeansofviceandvillainy；
　　heshouldbethecentreofawhirlpoolthatitselfshouldknowneitherrestnorpeace，butboilwithunceasingfury，whileitwreckedeverygoodlyshipthatapproacheditslimits！heshouldbeanearthquakecapableofshakingtheverylandinwhichhedwelt，andrenderingallitsinhabitantsfriendless，outcast，andmiserable——asIam！"
　　Thewretchedbeingrushedintohishutasheutteredtheselastwords，shuttingthedoorwithfuriousviolence，andrapidlydrawingtwobolts，oneafteranother，asiftoexcludetheintrusionofanyoneofthathatedrace，whohadthuslashedhissoultofrenzy。Earnscliffleftthemoorwithmingledsensationsofpityandhorror，ponderingwhatstrangeandmelancholycausecouldhavereducedtosomiserableastateofmind，amanwhoselanguagearguedhimtobeofrankandeducationmuchsuperiortothevulgar。Hewasalsosurprisedtoseehowmuchparticularinformationapersonwhohadlivedinthatcountrysoshortatime，andinsorecluseamanner，hadbeenabletocollectrespectingthedispositionsandprivateaffairsoftheinhabitants。
　　"Itisnowonder，"hesaidtohimself，"thatwithsuchextentofinformation，suchamodeoflife，souncouthafigure，andsentimentssovirulentlymisanthropic，thisunfortunateshouldberegardedbythevulgarasinleaguewiththeEnemyofMankind。"
　　CHAPTERV。
　　ThebleakestrockupontheloneliestheathFeels，initsbarrenness，sometouchofspring；
　　And，intheAprildew，orbeamofMay，Itsmossandlichenfreshenandrevive；
　　Andthustheheart，mostsear’dtohumanpleasure，Meltsatthetear，joysinthesmile，ofwoman。BEAUMONT
　　Astheseasonadvanced，theweatherbecamemoregenial，andtheReclusewasmorefrequentlyfoundoccupyingthebroadflatstoneinthefrontofhismansion。Ashesatethereoneday，aboutthehourofnoon，apartyofgentlemenandladies，wellmounted，andnumerouslyattended，sweptacrosstheheathatsomedistancefromhisdwelling。Dogs，hawks，andled-horsesswelledtheretinue，andtheairresoundedatintervalswiththecheerofthehunters，andthesoundofhornsblownbytheattendants。TheReclusewasabouttoretireintohismansionatthesightofatrainsojoyous，whenthreeyoungladies，withtheirattendants，whohadmadeacircuit，anddetachedthemselvesfromtheirparty，inordertogratifytheircuriositybyasightoftheWiseWightofMucklestane-Moor，camesuddenlyup，erehecouldeffecthispurpose。Thefirstshrieked，andputherhandsbeforehereyes，atsightofanobjectsounusuallydeformed。Thesecond，withahystericalgiggle，whichsheintendedshoulddisguiseherterrors，askedtheRecluse，whetherhecouldtelltheirfortune。
　　Thethird，whowasbestmounted，bestdressed，andincomparablythebest-lookingofthethree，advanced，asiftocovertheincivilityofhercompanions。
　　"Wehavelosttherightpaththatleadsthroughthesemorasses，andourpartyhavegoneforwardwithoutus，"saidtheyounglady。
　　"Seeingyou，father，atthedoorofyourhouse，wehaveturnedthiswayto——"
　　"Hush！"interruptedtheDwarf；"soyoung，andalreadysoartful？
　　Youcame——youknowyoucame，toexultintheconsciousnessofyourownyouth，wealth，andbeauty，bycontrastingthemwithage，poverty，anddeformity。Itisafitemploymentforthedaughterofyourfather；butOhowunlikethechildofyourmother！"
　　"Didyou，then，knowmyparents，anddoyouknowme？"
　　"Yes；thisisthefirsttimeyouhavecrossedmywakingeyes，butIhaveseenyouinmydreams。"
　　"Yourdreams？"
　　"Ay，IsabelVere。Whathastthou，orthine，todowithmywakingthoughts？"
　　"Yourwakingthoughts，sir，"saidthesecondofMissVere’scompanions，withasortofmockgravity，"arefixed，doubtless，uponwisdom；follycanonlyintrudeonyoursleepingmoments。"
　　"Overthine，"retortedtheDwarf，morespleneticallythanbecameaphilosopherorhermit，"follyexercisesanunlimitedempire，asleeporawake。"
　　"Lordblessus！"saidthelady，"he’saprophet，sureenough。"
　　"Assurely，"continuedtheRecluse，"asthouartawoman。——A
　　woman！——Ishouldhavesaidalady——afinelady。Youaskedmetotellyourfortune——itisasimpleone；anendlesschasethroughlifeafterfolliesnotworthcatching，and，whencaught，successivelythrownaway——achase，pursuedfromthedaysoftotteringinfancytothoseofoldageuponhiscrutches。Toysandmerry-makingsinchildhood——loveanditsabsurditiesinyouth——spadilleandbastoinage，shallsucceedeachotherasobjectsofpursuit——flowersandbutterfliesinspring——
　　butterfliesandthistle-downinsummer——witheredleavesinautumnandwinter——allpursued，allcaught，allflungaside。
　　——Standapart；yourfortuneissaid。"
　　"AllCAUGHT，however，"retortedthelaughingfairone，whowasacousinofMissVere’s；"that’ssomething，Nancy，"shecontinued，turningtothetimiddamselwhohadfirstapproachedtheDwarf；
　　"willyouaskyourfortune？"
　　"Notforworlds，"saidshe，drawingback；"Ihaveheardenoughofyours。"
　　"Well，then，"saidMissIlderton，offeringmoneytotheDwarf，"I’llpayformine，asifitwerespokenbyanoracletoaprincess。"
　　"Truth，"saidtheSoothsayer，"canneitherbeboughtnorsold；"
　　andhepushedbackherprofferedofferingwithmorosedisdain。
　　"Well，then，"saidthelady，"I’llkeepmymoney，Mr。Elshender，toassistmeinthechaseIamtopursue。"
　　"Youwillneedit，"repliedthecynic；"withoutit，fewpursuesuccessfully，andfewerarethemselvespursued。——Stop！"hesaidtoMissVere，ashercompanionsmovedoff，"WithyouIhavemoretosay。Youhavewhatyourcompanionswouldwishtohave，orbethoughttohave，——beauty，wealth，station，accomplishments。"
　　"Forgivemyfollowingmycompanions，father；Iamproofbothtoflatteryandfortune-telling。"
　　"Stay，"continuedtheDwarf，withhishandonherhorse’srein，"Iamnocommonsoothsayer，andIamnoflatterer。AlltheadvantagesIhavedetailed，allandeachofthemhavetheircorrespondingevils——unsuccessfullove，crossedaffections，thegloomofaconvent，oranodiousalliance。I，whowishilltoallmankind，cannotwishmoreeviltoyou，somuchisyourcourseoflifecrossedbyit。"
　　"Andifitbe，father，letmeenjoythereadiestsolaceofadversitywhileprosperityisinmypower。Youareold；youarepoor；yourhabitationisfarfromhumanaid，wereyouill，orinwant；yoursituation，inmanyrespects，exposesyoutothesuspicionsofthevulgar，whicharetooapttobreakoutintoactionsofbrutality。LetmethinkIhavemendedthelotofonehumanbeing！AcceptofsuchassistanceasIhavepowertooffer；
　　dothisformysake，ifnotforyourown，thatwhentheseevilsarise，whichyouprophesyperhapstootruly，Imaynothavetoreflect，thatthehoursofmyhappiertimehavebeenpassedaltogetherinvain。"
　　Theoldmanansweredwithabrokenvoice，andalmostwithoutaddressinghimselftotheyounglady，——
　　"Yes，’tisthusthoushouldstthink——’tisthusthoushouldstspeak，ifeverhumanspeechandthoughtkepttouchwitheachother！Theydonot——theydonot——Alas！theycannot。Andyet——
　　waithereaninstant——stirnottillmyreturn。"Hewenttohislittlegarden，andreturnedwithahalf-blownrose。"Thouhastmademeshedatear，thefirstwhichhaswetmyeyelidsformanyayear；forthatgooddeedreceivethistokenofgratitude。Itisbutacommonrose；preserveit，however，anddonotpartwithit。Cometomeinyourhourofadversity。Showmethatrose，orbutoneleafofit，wereitwitheredasmyheartis——ifitshouldbeinmyfiercestandwildestmovementsofrageagainstahatefulworld，stillitwillrecallgentlerthoughtstomybosom，andperhapsaffordhappierprospectstothine。Butnomessage，"heexclaimed，risingintohisusualmoodofmisanthropy，——"nomessage——nogo-between！Comethyself；andtheheartandthedoorsthatareshutagainsteveryotherearthlybeing，shallopentotheeandtothysorrows。Andnowpasson。"
　　Heletgothebridle-rein，andtheyoungladyrodeon，afterexpressingherthankstothissingularbeing，aswellashersurpriseattheextraordinarynatureofhisaddresswouldpermit，oftenturningbacktolookattheDwarf，whostillremainedatthedoorofhishabitation，andwatchedherprogressoverthemoortowardsherfather’scastleofEllieslaw，untilthebrowofthehillhidthepartyfromhissight。
　　Theladies，meantime，jestedwithMissVereonthestrangeinterviewtheyhadjusthadwiththefar-famedwizardoftheMoor。"Isabellahasalltheluckathomeandabroad！Herhawkstrikesdowntheblack-cock；hereyeswoundthegallant；nochanceforherpoorcompanionsandkinswomen；eventheconjurorcannotescapetheforceofhercharms。Youshould，incompassion，ceasetobesuchanengrosser，mydearIsabel，oratleastsetupshop，andselloffallthegoodsyoudonotmeantokeepforyourownuse。"
　　"Youshallhavethemall，"repliedMissVere，"andtheconjurortoboot，ataveryeasyrate。"
　　"No！Nancyshallhavetheconjuror，"saidMissIlderton，"tosupplydeficiencies；she’snotquiteawitchherself，youknow。"
　　"Lord，sister，"answeredtheyoungerMissIlderton，"whatcouldI
　　dowithsofrightfulamonster？Ikeptmyeyesshut，afteronceglancingathim；and，Iprotest，IthoughtIsawhimstill，thoughIwinkedascloseaseverIcould。"
　　"That’sapity，"saidhersister；"everwhileyoulive，Nancy，chooseanadmirerwhosefaultscanbehidbywinkingatthem。——
　　Well，then，Imusttakehimmyself，Isuppose，andputhimintomamma’sJapancabinet，inordertoshowthatScotlandcanproduceaspecimenofmortalclaymouldedintoaformtenthousandtimesuglierthantheimaginationsofCantonandPekin，fertileastheyareinmonsters，haveimmortalizedinporcelain。"
　　"Thereissomething，"saidMissVere，"somelancholyinthesituationofthispoorman，thatIcannotenterintoyourmirth，Lucy，soreadilyasusual。Ifhehasnoresources，howishetoexistinthiswastecountry，living，ashedoes，atsuchadistancefrommankind？andifhehasthemeansofsecuringoccasionalassistance，willnottheverysuspicionthatheispossessedofthem，exposehimtoplunderandassassinationbysomeofourunsettledneighbours？"
　　"Butyouforgetthattheysayheisawarlock，"saidNancyIlderton。
　　"And，ifhismagicdiabolicalshouldfailhim，"rejoinedhersister，"Iwouldhavehimtrusttohismagicnatural，andthrusthisenormoushead，andmostpreternaturalvisage，outathisdoororwindow，fullinviewoftheassailants。Theboldestrobberthateverrodewouldhardlybideasecondglanceofhim。Well，I
　　wishIhadtheuseofthatGorgonheadofhisforonlyonehalfhour。"
　　"Forwhatpurpose，Lucy？"saidMissVere。
　　"O！Iwouldfrightenoutofthecastlethatdark，stiff，andstatelySirFrederickLangley，thatissogreatafavouritewithyourfather，andsolittleafavouriteofyours。IprotestI
　　shallbeobligedtotheWizardaslongasIlive，ifitwereonlyforthehalfhour’srelieffromthatman’scompanywhichwehavegainedbydeviatingfromthepartytovisitElshie。"
　　"Whatwouldyousay，then，"saidMissVere，inalowtone，soasnottobeheardbytheyoungersister，whorodebeforethem，thenarrowpathnotadmittingoftheirmovingallthreeabreast，——"
　　Whatwouldyousay，mydearestLucy，ifitwereproposedtoyoutoendurehiscompanyforlife？"
　　"Say？Iwouldsay，NO，NO，NO，threetimes，eachlouderthananother，tilltheyshouldhearmeatCarlisle。"
　　"AndSirFrederickwouldsaythen，nineteennay-saysarehalfagrant。"
　　"That，"repliedMissLucy，"dependsentirelyonthemannerinwhichthenay-saysaresaid。Mineshouldhavenotonegrainofconcessioninthem，Ipromiseyou。"
　　"Butifyourfather，"saidMissVere，"weretosay，——Thusdo，or——"
　　"IwouldstandtotheconsequencesofhisOR，werehethemostcruelfatherthateverwasrecordedinromance，tofillupthealternative。"
　　"Andwhatifhethreatenedyouwithacatholicaunt，anabbess，andacloister？"
　　"Then，"saidMissIlderton，"Iwouldthreatenhimwithaprotestantson-in-law，andbegladofanopportunitytodisobeyhimforconscience’sake。AndnowthatNancyisoutofhearing，letmereallysay，IthinkyouwouldbeexcusablebeforeGodandmanforresistingthispreposterousmatchbyeverymeansinyourpower。Aproud，dark，ambitiousman；acaballeragainstthestate；infamousforhisavariceandseverity；abadson，abadbrother，unkindandungeneroustoallhisrelatives——Isabel，I
　　woulddieratherthanhavehim。"
　　"Don’tletmyfatherhearyougivemesuchadvice，"saidMissVere，"oradieu，mydearLucy，toEllieslawCastle。"
　　"AndadieutoEllieslawCastle，withallmyheart，"saidherfriend，"ifIoncesawyoufairlyoutofit，andsettledundersomekinderprotectorthanhewhomnaturehasgivenyou。O，ifmypoorfatherhadbeeninhisformerhealth，howgladlywouldhehavereceivedandshelteredyou，tillthisridiculousandcruelpersecutionwereblownover！"
　　"WouldtoGodithadbeenso，mydearLucy！"answeredIsabella；
　　"butIfear，that，inyourfather’sweakstateofhealth，hewouldbealtogetherunabletoprotectmeagainstthemeanswhichwouldbeimmediatelyusedforreclaimingthepoorfugitive。"
　　"Ifearsoindeed，"repliedMissIlderton；"butwewillconsideranddevisesomething。Nowthatyourfatherandhisguestsseemsodeeplyengagedinsomemysteriousplot，tojudgefromthepassingandreturningofmessages，fromthestrangefaceswhichappearanddisappearwithoutbeingannouncedbytheirnames，fromthecollectingandcleaningofarms，andtheanxiousgloomandbustlewhichseemtoagitateeverymaleinthecastle，itmaynotbeimpossibleforus（alwaysincasemattersbedriventoextremity）toshapeoutsomelittlesupplementalconspiracyofourown。Ihopethegentlemenhavenotkeptallthepolicytothemselves；andthereisoneassociatethatIwouldgladlyadmittoourcounsel。"
　　"NotNancy？"
　　"O，no！"saidMissIlderton；"Nancy，thoughanexcellentgoodgirl，andfondlyattachedtoyou，wouldmakeadullconspirator——asdullasRenaultandalltheothersubordinateplottersinVENICEPRESERVED。No；thisisaJaffier，orPierre，ifyoulikethecharacterbetter；andyetthoughIknowIshallpleaseyou，I
　　amafraidtomentionhisnametoyou，lestIvexyouatthesametime。Canyounotguess？Somethingaboutaneagleandarock——
　　itdoesnotbeginwitheagleinEnglish，butsomethingverylikeitinScotch。"
　　"YoucannotmeanyoungEarnscliff，Lucy？"saidMissVere，blushingdeeply。
　　"AndwhomelseshouldImean"saidLucy。"JaffiersandPierresareveryscarceinthiscountry，Itakeit，thoughonecouldfindRenaultsandBedamarsenow。"
　　"Howcallyoutalksowildly，Lucy？Yourplaysandromanceshavepositivelyturnedyourbrain。Youknow，that，independentofmyfather’sconsent，withoutwhichIneverwillmarryanyone，andwhich，inthecaseyoupointat，wouldneverbegranted；
　　independent，too，ofourknowingnothingofyoungEarnscliff’sinclinations，butbyyourownvividconjecturesandfancies——
　　besidesallthis，thereisthefatalbrawl！"
　　"Whenhisfatherwaskilled？"saidLucy。"Butthatwasverylongago；andIhopewehaveoutlivedthetimeofbloodyfeud，whenaquarrelwascarrieddownbetweentwofamiliesfromfathertoson，likeaSpanishgameatchess，andamurderortwocommittedineverygeneration，justtokeepthematterfromgoingtosleep。Wedowithourquarrelsnowadaysaswithourclothes；
　　cutthemoutforourselves，andwearthemoutinourownday，andshouldnomorethinkofresentingourfathers’feuds，thanofwearingtheirslasheddoubletsandtrunk-hose。"
　　"Youtreatthisfartoolightly，Lucy，"answeredMissVere。
　　"Notabit，mydearIsabella，"saidLucy。"Consider，yourfather，thoughpresentintheunhappyaffray，isneversupposedtohavestruckthefatalblow；besides，informertimes，incaseofmutualslaughterbetweenclans，subsequentalliancesweresofarfrombeingexcluded，thatthehandofadaughterorasisterwasthemostfrequentgageofreconciliation。Youlaughatmyskillinromance；but，Iassureyou，shouldyourhistorybewritten，likethatofmanyalessdistressedandlessdeservingheroine，thewell-judgingreaderwouldsetyoudownfortheladyandtheloveofEarnscliff；fromtheveryobstaclewhichyousupposesoinsurmountable。"
　　"Butthesearenotthedaysofromance，butofsadreality，fortherestandsthecastleofEllieslaw。"
　　"AndtherestandsSirFrederickLangleyatthegate，waitingtoassisttheladiesfromtheirpalfreys。Iwouldaslieftouchatoad；Iwilldisappointhim，andtakeoldHorsingtonthegroomformymasterofthehorse。"
　　Sosaying，thelivelyyoungladyswitchedherpalfreyforward，andpassingSirFrederickwithafamiliarnodashestoodreadytotakeherhorse’srein，shecanteredon，andjumpedintothearmsoftheoldgroom。FainwouldIsabellahavedonethesamehadshedared；butherfatherstoodnear，displeasurealreadydarkeningonacountenancepeculiarlyqualifiedtoexpresstheharsherpassions，andshewascompelledtoreceivetheunwelcomeassiduitiesofherdetestedsuitor。
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　Letnotusthataresquiresofthenight’sbodybecalledthievesoftheday’sbooty；letusbeDiana’sforesters，gentlemenoftheshade，minionsofthemoon。
　　HENRYTHEFOURTH，PARTI。
　　TheSolitaryhadconsumedtheremainderofthatdayinwhichhehadtheinterviewwiththeyoungladies，withintheprecinctsofhisgarden。Eveningagainfoundhimseatedonhisfavouritestone。Thesunsettingred，andamongseasofrollingclouds，threwagloomylustreoverthemoor，andgaveadeeperpurpletothebroadoutlineofheathymountainswhichsurroundedthisdesolatespot。TheDwarfsatewatchingthecloudsastheyloweredaboveeachotherinmassesofconglomeratedvapours，and，asastrongluridbeamofthesinkingluminarydartedfullonhissolitaryanduncouthfigure，hemightwellhaveseemedthedemonofthestormwhichwasgathering，orsomegnomesummonedforthfromtherecessesoftheearthbythesubterraneansignalsofitsapproach。Ashesatethus，withhisdarkeyeturnedtowardsthescowlingandblackeningheaven，ahorsemanroderapidlyuptohim，andstopping，asiftolethishorsebreatheforaninstant，madeasortofobeisancetotheanchoret，withanairbetwixteffronteryandembarrassment。
　　Thefigureoftheriderwasthin，tall，andslender，butremarkablyathletic，bony，andsinewy；likeonewhohadallhislifefollowedthoseviolentexerciseswhichpreventthehumanformfromincreasinginbulk，whiletheyhardenandconfirmbyhabititsmuscularpowers。Hisface，sharp-featured，sun-burnt，andfreckled，hadasinisterexpressionofviolence，impudence，andcunning，eachofwhichseemedalternatelytopredominateovertheothers。Sandy-colouredhair，andreddisheyebrows，fromunderwhichlookedforthhissharpgreyeyes，completedtheinauspiciousoutlineofthehorseman’sphysiognomy。Hehadpistolsinhisholsters，andanotherpairpeepedfromhisbelt，thoughhehadtakensomepainstoconcealthembybuttoninghisdoublet。Heworearustedsteelheadpiece；abuffjacketofratheranantiquecast；gloves，ofwhichthatfortherighthandwascoveredwithsmallscalesofiron，likeanancientgauntlet；
　　andalongbroadswordcompletedhisequipage。
　　"So，"saidtheDwarf，"rapineandmurderoncemoreonhorseback。"
　　"Onhorseback？"saidthebandit；"ay，ay，Elshie，yourleech-
　　crafthassetmeonthebonnybayagain。"
　　"Andallthosepromisesofamendmentwhichyoumadeduringyourillnessforgotten？"continuedElshender。
　　"Allclearaway，withthewater-sapsandpanada，"returnedtheunabashedconvalescent。"Yeken，Elshie，fortheysayyeareweelacquentwi’thegentleman，"Whenthedevilwassick，thedevilamonkwouldbe，Whenthedevilwaswell，thedevilamonkwashe。"
　　"Thousay’sttrue，"saidtheSolitary；"aswelldivideawolffromhisappetiteforcarnage，oraravenfromherscentofslaughter，astheefromthyaccursedpropensities。"
　　"Why，whatwouldyouhavemetodo？It’sbornwithme——liesinmyverybludeandbane。Why，man，theladsofWestburnflat，fortenlangdescents，havebeenreiversandlifters。Theyhavealldrunkhard，livedhigh，takingdeeprevengeforlightoffence，andneverwantedgearforthewinning。"
　　"Right；andthouartasthorough-bredawolf，"saidtheDwarf，"aseverleaptalamb-foldatnight。Onwhathell’serrandartthouboundnow？"
　　"Canyourskillnotguess？"
　　"ThusfarIknow，"saidtheDwarf，"thatthypurposeisbad，thydeedwillbeworse，，andtheissueworstofall。"
　　"Andyoulikemethebetterforit，FatherElshie，eh？"saidWestburnflat；"youalwayssaidyoudid。"
　　"Ihavecausetolikeall，"answeredtheSolitary，"thatarescourgestotheirfellow-creatures，andthouartabloodyone。"
　　"No——Isaynotguiltytothat——leverbluidyunlessthere’sresistance，andthatsetsaman’sbristlesup，yeken。Andthisisnaegreatmatter，aftera’；justtocutthecombofayoungcockthathasbeencrawingalittleowercrousely。"
　　"NotyoungEarnscliff？"saidtheSolitary，withsomeemotion。
　　"No；notyoungEarnscliff——notyoungEarnscliffYET；buthistimemaycome，ifhewillnottakewarning，andgethimbacktotheburrow-townthathe’sfitfor，andnokeepskelpingabouthere，destroyingthefewdeerthatareleftinthecountry，andpretendingtoactasamagistrate，andwritingletterstothegreatfolkatAuldReekie，aboutthedisturbedstateoftheland。
　　Lethimtakecareo’himsell。"
　　"ThenitmustbeHobbieoftheHeugh-foot，"saidElshie。
　　"Whatharmhastheladdoneyou？"
　　"Harm！naegreatharm；butIhearhesaysIstaidawayfromtheBa’spielonFastern’sE’en，forfearofhim；anditwasonlyforfearoftheCountryKeeper，fortherewasawarrantagainstme。
　　I’llstandHobbie’sfeud，anda’hisclan’s。Butit’snotsomuchforthat，astogiehimalessonnottolethistonguegallopowerfreelyabouthisbetters。Itrowhewillhaelostthebestpen-feathero’hiswingbeforeto-morrowmorning。——
　　Farewell，Elshie；there’ssomecannyboyswaitingformedownamangtheshaws，owerby；IwillseeyouasIcomeback，andbringyeablithetaleinreturnforyourleech-craft。"
　　EretheDwarfcouldcollecthimselftoreply，theReiverofWestburnflatsetspurstohishorse。Theanimal，startingatoneofthestoneswhichlayscatteredabout，flewfromthepath。Theriderexercisedhisspurswithoutmoderationormercy。Thehorsebecamefurious，reared，kicked，plunged，andboltedlikeadeer，withallhisfourfeetoffthegroundatonce。Itwasinvain；
　　theunrelentingridersateasifhehadbeenapartofthehorsewhichhebestrode；and，afterashortbutfuriouscontest，compelledthesubduedanimaltoproceeduponthepathataratewhichsooncarriedhimoutofsightoftheSolitary。
　　"Thatvillain，"exclaimedtheDwarf，——"thatcool-blooded，hardened，unrelentingruffian，——thatwretch，whoseeverythoughtisinfectedwithcrimes，——hasthewesandsinews，limbs，strength，andactivityenough，tocompelanobleranimalthanhimselftocarryhimtotheplacewhereheistoperpetratehiswickedness；
　　whileI，hadItheweaknesstowishtoputhiswretchedvictimonhisguard，andtosavethehelplessfamily，wouldseemygoodintentionsfrustratedbythedecrepitudewhichchainsmetothespot。——WhyshouldIwishitwereotherwise？Whathavemyscreech-owlvoice，myhideousform，andmymis-shapenfeatures，todowiththefairerworkmanshipofnature？Donotmenreceiveevenmybenefitswithshrinkinghorrorandill-suppresseddisgust？AndwhyshouldIinterestmyselfinaracewhichaccountsmeaprodigyandanoutcast，andwhichhastreatedmeassuch？No；byalltheingratitudewhichIhavereaped——byallthewrongswhichIhavesustained——bymyimprisonment，mystripes，mychains，Iwillwrestledownmyfeelingsofrebellioushumanity！
　　IwillnotbethefoolIhavebeen，toswervefrommyprincipleswhenevertherewasanappeal，forsooth，tomyfeelings；asifI，towardswhomnoneshowsympathy，oughttohavesympathywithanyone。LetDestinydriveforthherscythedcarthroughtheoverwhelmedandtremblingmassofhumanity！ShallIbetheidiottothrowthisdecrepitform，thismis-shapenlumpofmortality，underherwheels，thattheDwarf，theWizard，theHunchback，maysavefromdestructionsomefairformorsomeactiveframe，andalltheworldclaptheirhandsattheexchange？No，never！——AndyetthisElliot——thisHobbie，soyoungandgallant，sofrank，so——Iwillthinkofitnolonger。IcannotaidhimifIwould，andIamresolved——firmlyresolved，thatIwouldnotaidhim，ifawishwerethepledgeofhissafety！"
　　Havingthusendedhissoliloquy，heretreatedintohishutforshelterfromthestormwhichwasfastapproaching，andnowbegantoburstinlargeandheavydropsofrain。Thelastraysofthesunnowdisappearedentirely，andtwoorthreeclapsofdistantthunderfollowedeachotheratbriefintervals，echoingandre-echoingamongtherangeofheathyfellslikethesoundofadistantengagement。
　　CHAPTERVII。
　　Proudbirdofthemountain，thyplumeshallbetorn！——……
　　Returntothydwelling；alllonely，return；
　　Fortheblacknessofashesshallmarkwhereitstood，Andawildmotherscreamo’erherfamishingbrood。CAMPBELL。
　　Thenightcontinuedsullenandstormy；butmorningroseasifrefreshedbytherains。EventheMucklestane-Moor，withitsbroadbleakswellsofbarrengrounds，interspersedwithmarshypoolsofwater，seemedtosmileunderthesereneinfluenceofthesky，justasgood-humourcanspreadacertaininexpressiblecharmovertheplainesthumancountenance。Theheathwasinitsthickestanddeepestbloom。Thebees，whichtheSolitaryhadaddedtohisruralestablishment，wereabroadandonthewing，andfilledtheairwiththemurmursoftheirindustry。Astheoldmancreptoutofhislittlehut，histwoshe-goatscametomeethim，andlickedhishandsingratitudeforthevegetableswithwhichhesuppliedthemfromhisgarden。"You，atleast，"hesaid——"you，atleast，seenodifferencesinformwhichcanalteryourfeelingstoabenefactor——toyou，thefinestshapethateverstatuarymouldedwouldbeanobjectofindifferenceorofalarm，shoulditpresentitselfinsteadofthemis-shapentrunktowhoseservicesyouareaccustomed。WhileIwasintheworld，didI
　　evermeetwithsuchareturnofgratitude？No；thedomesticwhomIhadbredfrominfancymademouthsatmeashestoodbehindmychair；thefriendwhomIhadsupportedwithmyfortune，andforwhosesakeIhadevenstained——（hestoppedwithastrongconvulsiveshudder），evenhethoughtmemorefitforthesocietyoflunatics——fortheirdisgracefulrestraints——fortheircruelprivations，thanforcommunicationwiththerestofhumanity。
　　Hubertalone——andHuberttoowillonedayabandonme。Allareofapiece，onemassofwickedness，selfishness，andingratitude——
　　wretches，whosinevenintheirdevotions；andofsuchhardnessofheart，thattheydonot，withouthypocrisy，eventhanktheDeityhimselfforhiswarmsunandpureair。"
　　Ashewasplungedinthesegloomysoliloquies，heheardthetrampofahorseontheothersideofhisenclosure，andastrongclearbassvoicesingingwiththelivelinessinspiredbyalightheart，CannyHobbieElliot，cannyHobbienow，CannyHobbieElliot，I’segangalangwi’you。
　　Atthesamemoment，alargedeergreyhoundsprungoverthehermit’sfence。Itiswellknowntothesportsmeninthesewilds，thattheappearanceandscentofthegoatsomuchresemblethoseoftheirusualobjectsofchase，thatthebest-brokegreyhoundswillsometimesflyuponthem。Thedoginquestioninstantlypulleddownandthrottledoneofthehermit’sshe-
　　goats，whileHobbieElliot，whocameup，andjumpedfromhishorseforthepurpose，wasunabletoextricatetheharmlessanimalfromthefangsofhisattendantuntilitwasexpiring。
　　TheDwarfeyed，forafewmoments，theconvulsivestartsofhisdyingfavourite，untilthepoorgoatstretchedoutherlimbswiththetwitchesandshiveringfitofthelastagony。Hethenstartedintoanaccessoffrenzy，andunsheathingalongsharpknife，ordagger，whichheworeunderhiscoat，hewasabouttolaunchitatthedog，whenHobbie，perceivinghispurpose，interposed，andcaughtholdofhishand，exclaiming，"Letabethehound，man——letabethehound！——Na，na，Killbuckmaunnabeguidedthatgate，neither。"
　　TheDwarfturnedhisrageontheyoungfarmer；and，byasuddeneffort，farmorepowerfulthanHobbieexpectedfromsuchaperson，freedhiswristfromhisgrasp，andofferedthedaggerathisheart。Allthiswasdoneinthetwinklingofaneye，andtheincensedReclusemighthavecompletedhisvengeancebyplungingtheweaponinElliot’sbosom，hadhenotbeencheckedbyaninternalimpulsewhichmadehimhurltheknifetoadistance。
　　"No，"heexclaimed，ashethusvoluntarilydeprivedhimselfofthemeansofgratifyinghisrage；"notagain——notagain！"
　　Hobbieretreatedasteportwoingreatsurprise，discomposure，anddisdain，athavingbeenplacedinsuchdangerbyanobjectapparentlysocontemptible。
　　"Thedeil’sinthebodyforstrengthandbitterness！"werethefirstwordsthatescapedhim，whichhefollowedupwithanapologyfortheaccidentthathadgivenrisetotheirdisagreement。"IamnojustifyingKillbucka’thegitherneither，andIamsureitisasvexingtomeastoyou，Elshie，thatthemischanceshouldhaehappened；butI’llsendyoutwagoatsandtwafatgimmers，man，tomakea’straightagain。Awisemanlikeyoushouldnabearmaliceagainstapoordumbthing；yeseethatagoat’slikefirst-cousintoadeer，saeheactedbutaccordingtohisnatureaftera’。Haditbeenapet-lamb，therewadhaebeenmairtobesaid。Yesuldkeepsheep，Elshie，andnogoats，wherethere’ssaemonydeerhoundsabout——butI’llsendyebaith。"
　　"Wretch！"saidtheHermit，"yourcrueltyhasdestroyedoneoftheonlycreaturesinexistencethatwouldlookonmewithkindness！"
　　"DearElshie，"answeredHobbie，"I’mwaeyesuldhaecausetosaysae；I’msureitwasnawi’mywill。Andyet，it’strue，Ishouldhaemindedyourgoats，andcoupledupthedogs。I’msureIwouldrathertheyhadworriedtheprimestwetherinmyfaulds。——Come，man，forgetandforgie。I’me’enasvexedasyecanbe——ButIamabridegroom，yesee，andthatputsa’thingsouto’myhead，I
　　think。There’sthemarriage-dinner，orgudeparto’t，thatmytwabrithersarebringingonasledroundbytheRiders’Slack，threegoodlybucksaseverranonDallomlea，asthesangsays；
　　theycouldnacomethestraightroadforthesaftgrund。Iwadsendyeabitvenison，butyewadnatakeitweelmaybe，forKillbuckcatchedit。"
　　Duringthislongspeech，inwhichthegood-naturedBordererendeavouredtopropitiatetheoffendedDwarfbyeveryargumenthecouldthinkof，heheardhimwithhiseyesbentontheground，asifinthedeepestmeditation，andatlengthbrokeforth——
　　"Nature？——yes！itisindeedintheusualbeatenpathofNature。Thestronggripeandthrottletheweak；therichdepressanddespoiltheneedy；thehappy（thosewhoareidiotsenoughtothinkthemselveshappy）insultthemiseryanddiminishtheconsolationofthewretched。——Gohence，thouwhohastcontrivedtogiveanadditionalpangtothemostmiserableofhumanbeings——thouwhohastdeprivedmeofwhatIhalfconsideredasasourceofcomfort。Gohence，andenjoythehappinesspreparedfortheeathome！"
　　"Neverstir，"saidHobbie，"ifIwadnatakeyouwi’me，man，ifyewadbutsayitwaddivertyetobeatthebridalonMonday。
　　TherewillbeahundredstrappingElliotstoridethebrouze——thelike’snobeenseensin’thedaysofauldMartinofthePreakin-
　　tower——Iwadsendthesledforyewi’acannypowny。"
　　"Isittomeyouproposeoncemoretomixinthesocietyofthecommonherd？"saidtheRecluse，withanairofdeepdisgust。
　　"Commons！"retortedHobbie，"naesiccancommonsneither；theElliotshaebeenlangkendagentlerace。"
　　"Hence！begone！"reiteratedtheDwarf；"maythesameevilluckattendtheethatthouhastleftbehindwithme！IfIgonotwithyoumyself，seeifyoucanescapewhatmyattendants，WrathandMisery，havebroughttothythresholdbeforethee。"
　　"Iwishyewadnaspeakthatgate，"saidHobbie。"Yekenyoursell，Elshie，naebodyjudgesyoutobeowercanny；now，I’lltellyejustaewordfora’——yehaespokenasmuckleaswussingilltomeandmine；now，ifonymischancehappentoGrace，whichGodforbid，ortomysell；ortothepoordumbtyke；orifIbeskaithedandinjuredinbody，gudes，orgear，I’llnoforgetwhaitisthatit’sowingto。"
　　"Out，hind！"exclaimedtheDwarf；"home！hometoyourdwelling，andthinkonmewhenyoufindwhathasbefallenthere。"
　　"Aweel，aweel，"saidHobbie，mountinghishorse，"itservesnaethingtostrivewi’cripples，——theyareayecankered；butI’lljusttellyeaething，neighbour，thatifthingsbeotherwisethanweelwi’GraceArmstrong，I’segieyouascoutheriftherebeatar-barrelinthefiveparishes。"
　　Sosaying，herodeoff；andElshie，afterlookingathimwithascornfulandindignantlaugh，tookspadeandmattock，andoccupiedhimselfindiggingagraveforhisdeceasedfavourite。
　　Alowwhistle，andthewords，"Hisht，Elshie，hisht！"disturbedhiminthismelancholyoccupation。Helookedup，andtheRedReiverofWestburnflatwasbeforehim。LikeBanquo’smurderer，therewasbloodonhisface，aswellasupontherowelsofhisspursandthesidesofhisover-riddenhorse。