下载辰思小说免费APP
"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？"
