第9章

"Thelastisthebetterchosenword，minehost，"answeredTressilian;"andtouchingyourquestion，theknowledgethatVarneyheldlargegrantsofthedemesnesformerlybelongingtothemonksofAbingdondirectedmetothisneighbourhood;andyournephew\'svisittohisoldcomradeFostergavemethemeansofconvictiononthesubject。"

"Andwhatisnowyourpurpose，worthysir？——excusemyfreedominaskingthequestionsobroadly。"

"Ipurpose，minehost，"saidTressilian，"torenewmyvisittotheplaceofherresidenceto—morrow，andtoseekamoredetailedcommunicationwithherthanIhavehadto—day。Shemustindeedbewidelychangedfromwhatsheoncewas，ifmywordsmakenoimpressionuponher。"

"Underyourfavour，MasterTressilian，"saidthelandlord，"youcanfollownosuchcourse。Thelady，ifIunderstandyou，hasalreadyrejectedyourinterferenceinthematter。"

"Itisbuttootrue，"saidTressilian;"Icannotdenyit。"

"Then，marry，bywhatrightorinterestdoyouprocessacompulsoryinterferencewithherinclination，disgracefulasitmaybetoherselfandtoherparents？Unlessmyjudgmentgullsme，thoseunderwhoseprotectionshehasthrownherselfwouldhavesmallhesitationtorejectyourinterference，evenifitwerethatofafatherorbrother;butasadiscardedlover，youexposeyourselftoberepelledwiththestronghand，aswellaswithscorn。Youcanapplytonomagistrateforaidorcountenance;andyouarehunting，therefore，ashadowinwater，andwillonly（excusemyplainness）comebyduckinganddangerinattemptingtocatchit。"

"IwillappealtotheEarlofLeicester，"saidTressilian，"againsttheinfamyofhisfavourite。HecourtsthesevereandstrictsectofPuritans。Hedarenot，forthesakeofhisowncharacter，refusemyappeal，evenalthoughheweredestituteoftheprinciplesofhonourandnoblenesswithwhichfameinvestshim。OrIwillappealtotheQueenherself。"

"ShouldLeicester，"saidthelandlord，"bedisposedtoprotecthisdependant（asindeedheissaidtobeveryconfidentialwithVarney），theappealtotheQueenmaybringthembothtoreason。

HerMajestyisstrictinsuchmatters，and（ifitbenottreasontospeakit）willrather，itissaid，pardonadozencourtiersforfallinginlovewithherself，thanoneforgivingpreferencetoanotherwoman。Coragiothen，mybraveguest！forifthoulayestapetitionfromSirHughatthefootofthethrone，buckleredbythestoryofthineownwrongs，thefavouriteEarldaredassoonleapintotheThamesatthefullestanddeepest，asoffertoprotectVarneyinacauseofthisnature。Buttodothiswithanychanceofsuccess，youmustgoformallytowork;

and，withoutstayingheretotiltwiththemasterofhorsetoaprivycouncillor，andexposeyourselftothedaggerofhiscameradoes，youshouldhieyoutoDevonshire，getapetitiondrawnupforSirHughRobsart，andmakeasmanyfriendsasyoucantoforwardyourinterestatcourt。"

"Youhavespokenwell，minehost，"saidTressilian，"andIwillprofitbyyouradvice，andleaveyouto—morrowearly。"

"Nay，leavemeto—night，sir，beforeto—morrowcomes，"saidhelandlord。"Ineverprayedforaguest\'sarrivalmoreeagerlythanIdotohaveyousafelygone，Mykinsman\'sdestinyismostliketobehangedforsomething，butIwouldnotthatthecausewerethemurderofanhonouredguestofmine。\'Betterridesafeinthedark，\'saystheproverb，\'thanindaylightwithacut—

throatatyourelbow。\'Come，sir，Imoveyouforyourownsafety。

Yourhorseandallisready，andhereisyourscore。"

"Itissomewhatunderanoble，"saidTressilian，givingonetothehost;"givethebalancetoprettyCicely，yourdaughter，andtheservantsofthehouse。"

"Theyshalltasteofyourbounty，sir，"saidGosling，"andyoushouldtasteofmydaughter\'slipsingratefulacknowledgment，butatthishourshecannotgracetheporchtogreetyourdeparture。"

"Donottrustyourdaughtertoofarwithyourguests，mygoodlandlord，"saidTressilian。

"Oh，sir，wewillkeepmeasure;butIwondernotthatyouarejealousofthemall。——MayIcravetoknowwithwhataspectthefairladyatthePlaceyesterdayreceivedyou？"

"Iown，"saidTressilian，"itwasangryaswellasconfused，andaffordsmelittlehopethatsheisyetawakenedfromherunhappydelusion。"

"Inthatcase，sir，Iseenotwhyyoushouldplaythechampionofawenchthatwillnoneofyou，andincurtheresentmentofafavourite\'sfavourite，asdangerousamonsteraseveraknightadventurerencounteredintheoldstorybooks。"

"Youdomewronginthesupposition，minehost——grosswrong，"

saidTressilian;"IdonotdesirethatAmyshouldeverturnthoughtuponmemore。Letmebutseeherrestoredtoherfather，andallIhavetodoinEurope——perhapsintheworld——isoverandended。"

"Awiserresolutionweretodrinkacupofsack，andforgether，"

saidthelandlord。"Butfive—and—twentyandfiftylookonthosematterswithdifferenteyes，especiallywhenonecastofpeepersissetintheskullofayounggallant，andtheotherinthatofanoldpublican。Ipityyou，MasterTressilian，butIseenothowIcanaidyouinthematter。"

"Onlythusfar，minehost，"repliedTressilian——"keepawatchonthemotionsofthoseatthePlace，whichthoucansteasilylearnwithoutsuspicion，asallmen\'snewsflytotheale—bench;andbepleasedtocommunicatethetidingsinwritingtosuchperson，andtonoother，whoshallbringyouthisringasaspecialtoken。

Lookatit;itisofvalue，andIwillfreelybestowitonyou。"

"Nay，sir，"saidthelandlord，"Idesirenorecompense——butitseemsanunadvisedcourseinme，beinginapublicline，toconnectmyselfinamatterofthisdarkandperilousnature。I

havenointerestinit。"

"You，andeveryfatherintheland，whowouldhavehisdaughterreleasedfromthesnaresofshame，andsin，andmisery，haveaninterestdeeperthanaughtconcerningearthonlycouldcreate。"

"Well，sir，"saidthehost，"thesearebravewords;andIdopityfrommysoulthefrank—heartedoldgentleman，whohasminishedhisestateingoodhousekeepingforthehonourofhiscountry，andnowhashisdaughter，whoshouldbethestayofhisage，andsoforth，whiskedupbysuchakiteasthisVarney。Andthoughyourpartinthematterissomewhatofthewildest，yetIwille\'enbeamadcapforcompany，andhelpyouinyourhonestattempttogetbackthegoodman\'schild，sofarasbeingyourfaithfulintelligencercanserve。AndasIshallbetruetoyou，Iprayyoutobetrustytome，andkeepmysecret;foritwerebadforthecustomoftheBlackBearshoulditbesaidthebear—warderinterferedinsuchmatters。Varneyhasinterestenoughwiththejusticestodismountmynobleemblemfromthepostonwhichheswingssogallantly，tocallinmylicense，andruinmefromgarrettocellar。"

"Donotdoubtmysecrecy，minehost，"saidTressilian;"Iwillretain，besides，thedeepestsenseofthyservice，andoftheriskthoudostrun——remembertheringismysuretoken。Andnow，farewell！foritwasthywiseadvicethatIshouldtarryhereasshortatimeasmaybe。"

"Followme，then，SirGuest，"saidthelandlord，"andtreadasgentlyasifeggswereunderyourfoot，insteadofdealboards。

Nomanmustknowwhenorhowyoudeparted。"

BytheaidofhisdarklanternheconductedTressilian，assoonashehadmadehimselfreadyforhisjourney，throughalongintricacyofpassages，whichopenedtoanoutercourt，andfromthencetoaremotestable，wherehehadalreadyplacedhisguest\'shorse。Hethenaidedhimtofastenonthesaddlethesmallportmantlewhichcontainedhisnecessaries，openedaposterndoor，andwithaheartyshakeofthehand，andareiterationofhispromisetoattendtowhatwentonatCumnorPlace，hedismissedhisguesttohissolitaryjourney。

CHAPTERIX。

Farinthelanealonelyhuthefound，Notenantventuredontheunwholesomeground:

Heresmokeshisforge，hebareshissinewyarm，Andearlystrokesthesoundinganvilwarm;

Aroundhisshopthesteelysparklesflew，Asforthesteedheshapedthebendingshoe。GAY\'STRIVIA。

Asitwasdeemedproperbythetravellerhimself，aswellasbyGilesGosling，thatTressilianshouldavoidbeingseenintheneighbourhoodofCumnorbythosewhomaccidentmightmakeearlyrisers，thelandlordhadgivenhimaroute，consistingofvariousbywaysandlanes，whichhewastofollowinsuccession，andwhich，alltheturnsandshort—cutsdulyobserved，wastoconducthimtothepublicroadtoMarlborough。

But，likecounselofeveryotherkind，thisspeciesofdirectionismuchmoreeasilygiventhanfollowed;andwhatbetwixttheintricacyoftheway，thedarknessofthenight，Tressilian\'signoranceofthecountry，andthesadandperplexingthoughtswithwhichhehadtocontend，hisjourneyproceededsoslowly，thatmorningfoundhimonlyinthevaleofWhitehorse，memorableforthedefeatoftheDanesinformerdays，withhishorsedeprivedofafore—footshoe，anaccidentwhichthreatenedtoputastoptohisjourneybylamingtheanimal。Theresidenceofasmithwashisfirstobjectofinquiry，inwhichhereceivedlittlesatisfactionfromthedullnessorsullennessofoneortwopeasants，earlyboundfortheirlabour，whogavebriefandindifferentanswerstohisquestionsonthesubject。Anxious，atlength，thatthepartnerofhisjourneyshouldsufferaslittleaspossiblefromtheunfortunateaccident，Tressiliandismounted，andledhishorseinthedirectionofalittlehamlet，wherehehopedeithertofindorheartidingsofsuchanartificerashenowwanted。Throughadeepandmuddylane，heatlengthwadedontotheplace，whichprovedonlyanassemblageoffiveorsixmiserablehuts，aboutthedoorsofwhichoneortwopersons，whoseappearanceseemedasrudeasthatoftheirdwellings，werebeginningthetoilsoftheday。Onecottage，however，seemedofrathersuperioraspect，andtheolddame，whowassweepingherthreshold，appearedsomethinglessrudethanherneighbours。ToherTressilianaddressedtheoft—repeatedquestion，whethertherewasasmithinthisneighbourhood，oranyplacewherehecouldrefreshhishorse？Thedamelookedhiminthefacewithapeculiarexpressionasshereplied，"Smith！ay，trulyisthereasmith——whatwouldstha\'wi\'un，mon？"

"Toshoemyhorse，gooddame，"answeredTressiliany:youmayseethathehasthrownafore—footshoe。"

"MasterHoliday！"exclaimedthedame，withoutreturninganydirectanswer——"MasterHerasmusHoliday，comeandspeaktomon，andpleaseyou。"

"FAVETELINGUIS，"answeredavoicefromwithin;"Icannotnowcomeforth，GammerSludge，beingintheverysweetestbitofmymorningstudies。"

"Nay，but，goodnow，MasterHoliday，comeyeout，doye。Here\'samonwouldtoWaylandSmith，andIcarenottoshowhimwaytodevil;hishorsehathcastshoe。"

"QUIDMIHICUMCABALLO？"repliedthemanoflearningfromwithin;"Ithinkthereisbutonewisemaninthehundred，andtheycannotshoeahorsewithouthim！"

Andforthcamethehonestpedagogue，forsuchhisdressbespokehim。Along，lean，shambling，stoopingfigurewassurmountedbyaheadthatchedwithlank，blackhairsomewhatincliningtogrey。

Hisfeatureshadthecastofhabitualauthority，whichIsupposeDionysiuscarriedwithhimfromthethronetotheschoolmaster\'spulpit，andbequeathedasalegacytoallofthesameprofession，Ablackbuckramcassockwasgatheredathismiddlewithabelt，atwhichhung，insteadofknifeorweapon，agoodlyleathernpen—

and—inkcase。Hisferulawasstuckontheotherside，likeHarlequin\'swoodensword;andhecarriedinhishandthetatteredvolumewhichhehadbeenbusilyperusing。

OnseeingapersonofTressilian\'sappearance，whichhewasbetterabletoestimatethanthecountryfolkshadbeen，theschoolmasterunbonneted，andaccostedhimwith，"SALVE，DOMINE。

INTELLIGISNELINGUAMLATINAM？"

Tressilianmusteredhislearningtoreply，"LINGUAELATINAEHAUD

PENITUSIGNARUS，VENIATUA，DOMINEERUDITISSIME，VERNACULAM

LIBENTIUSLOQUOR。"

TheLatinreplyhadupontheschoolmastertheeffectwhichthemason\'ssignissaidtoproduceonthebrethrenofthetrowel。

Hewasatonceinterestedinthelearnedtraveller，listenedwithgravitytohisstoryofatiredhorseandalostshoe，andthenrepliedwithsolemnity，"Itmayappearasimplething，mostworshipful，toreplytoyouthattheredwells，withinabriefmileoftheseTUGURIA，thebestFABERFERARIUS，themostaccomplishedblacksmith，thatevernailedironuponhorse。Now，wereItosayso，IwarrantmeyouwouldthinkyourselfCOMPOS

VOTI，or，asthevulgarhaveit，amademan。"

"Ishouldatleast，"saidTressilian，"haveadirectanswertoaplainquestion，whichseemsdifficulttobeobtainedinthiscountry。"

"Itisameresendingofasinfulsoultotheevilun，"saidtheoldwoman，"thesendingalivingcreaturetoWaylandSmith。"

"Peace，GammerSludge！"saidthepedagogue;"PAUCAVERBA，GammerSludge;looktothefurmity，GammerSludge;CURETURJENTACULUM，GammerSludge;thisgentlemanisnoneofthygossips。"ThenturningtoTressilian，heresumedhisloftytone，"Andso，mostworshipful，youwouldreallythinkyourselfFELIXBISTERQUE

shouldIpointouttoyouthedwellingofthissamesmith？"

"Sir，"repliedTressilian，"IshouldinthatcasehaveallthatI

wantatpresent——ahorsefittocarrymeforward;——outofhearingofyourlearning。"Thelastwordshemutteredtohimself。

"OCAECAMENSMORTALIUM！"saidthelearnedman"wellwasitsungbyJuniusJuvenalis，\'NUMINIBUSVOTAEXAUDITAMALIGNIS！\'"

"LearnedMagister，"saidTressilian，"youreruditionsogreatlyexceedsmypoorintellectualcapacitythatyoumustexcusemyseekingelsewhereforinformationwhichIcanbetterunderstand。"

"Thereagainnow，"repliedthepedagogue，"howfondlyyouflyfromhimthatwouldinstructyou！TrulysaidQuintilian——"

"Ipray，sir，letQuintilianbeforthepresent，andanswer，inawordandinEnglish，ifyourlearningcancondescendsofar，whetherthereisanyplaceherewhereIcanhaveopportunitytorefreshmyhorseuntilIcanhavehimshod？"

"Thusmuchcourtesy，sir，"saidtheschoolmaster，"Icanreadilyrenderyou，thatalthoughthereisinthispoorhamlet（NOSTRA

PAUPERAREGNA）noregularHOSPITIUM，asmynamesakeErasmuscallethit，yet，forasmuchasyouaresomewhatembued，oratleasttinged，asitwere，withgoodletters，Iwillusemyinterestwiththegoodwomanofthehousetoaccommodateyouwithaplatteroffurmity——anwholesomefoodforwhichIhavefoundnoLatinphrase——yourhorseshallhaveashareofthecow—house，withabottleofsweethay，inwhichthegoodwomanSludgesomuchabounds，thatitmaybesaidofhercow，FAENUMHABETIN

CORNU;andifitpleaseyoutobestowonmethepleasureofyourcompany，thebanquetshallcostyouNESEMISSEMQUIDEM，somuchisGammerSludgeboundtomeforthepainsIhavebestowedonthetopandbottomofherhopefulheirDickie，whomIhavepainfullymadetotravelthroughtheaccidence。"

"Now，Godyieldyeforit，MasterHerasmus，"saidthegoodGammer，"andgrantthatlittleDickiemaybethebetterforhisaccident！Andfortherest，ifthegentlemanlisttostay，breakfastshallbeontheboardinthewringingofadishclout;

andforhorse—meat，andman\'smeat，Ibearnosuchbasemindastoaskapenny。"

Consideringthestateofhishorse，Tressilian，uponthewhole，sawnobettercoursethantoaccepttheinvitationthuslearnedlymadeandhospitablyconfirmed，andtakechancethatwhenthegoodpedagoguehadexhaustedeverytopicofconversation，hemightpossiblycondescendtotellhimwherehecouldfindthesmiththeyspokeof。Heenteredthehutaccordingly，andsatdownwiththelearnedMagisterErasmusHoliday，partookofhisfurmity，andlistenedtohislearnedaccountofhimselfforagoodhalfhour，erehecouldgethimtotalkuponanyothertopic，ThereaderwillreadilyexcuseouraccompanyingthismanoflearningintoallthedetailswithwhichhefavouredTressilian，ofwhichthefollowingsketchmaysuffice。

HewasbornatHogsnorton，where，accordingtopopularsaying，thepigsplayupontheorgan;aproverbwhichheinterpretedallegorically，ashavingreferencetotheherdofEpicurus，ofwhichlitterHoraceconfessedhimselfaporker。HisnameofErasmushederivedpartlyfromhisfatherhavingbeenthesonofarenownedwasherwoman，whohadheldthatgreatscholarincleanlinenallthewhilehewasatOxford;ataskofsomedifficulty，ashewasonlypossessedoftwoshirts，"theone，"assheexpressedherself，"towashtheother，"ThevestigesofoneoftheseCAMICIAE，asMasterHolidayboasted，werestillinhispossession，havingfortunatelybeendetainedbyhisgrandmothertocoverthebalanceofherbill。ButhethoughttherewasastillhigherandoverrulingcauseforhishavinghadthenameofErasmusconferredonhim——namely，thesecretpresentimentofhismother\'smindthat，inthebabetobechristened，wasahiddengenius，whichshouldonedayleadhimtorivalthefameofthegreatscholarofAmsterdam。Theschoolmaster\'ssurnameledhimasfarintodissertationashisChristianappellative。HewasinclinedtothinkthatheborethenameofHolidayQUASILUCUSA

NONLUCENDO，becausehegavesuchfewholidaystohisschool。

"Hence，"saidhe，"theschoolmasteristermed，classically，LUDI

MAGISTER，becausehedeprivesboysoftheirplay。"Andyet，ontheotherhand，hethoughtitmightbearaverydifferentinterpretation，andrefertohisownexquisiteartinarrangingpageants，morris—dances，May—dayfestivities，andsuch—likeholidaydelights，forwhichheassuredTressilianhehadpositivelythepurestandthemostinventivebraininEngland;

insomuch，thathiscunninginframingsuchpleasureshadmadehimknowntomanyhonourablepersons，bothincountryandcourt，andespeciallytothenobleEarlofLeicester。"Andalthoughhemaynowseemtoforgetme，"hesaid，"inthemultitudeofstateaffairs，yetIamwellassuredthat，hadhesomeprettypastimetoarrayforentertainmentoftheQueen\'sGrace，horseandmanwouldbeseekingthehumblecottageofErasmusHoliday。PARVO

CONTENTUS，inthemeanwhile，Ihearmypupilsparseandconstrue，worshipfulsir，anddriveawaymytimewiththeaidoftheMuses。

AndIhaveatalltimes，whenincorrespondencewithforeignscholars，subscribedmyselfErasmusabDieFausto，andhaveenjoyedthedistinctionduetothelearnedunderthattitle:

witnesstheeruditeDiedrichusBuckerschockius，whodedicatedtomeunderthattitlehistreatiseontheletterTAU。Infine，sir，Ihavebeenahappyanddistinguishedman。"

"Longmayitbeso，sir！"saidthetraveller;"butpermitmetoask，inyourownlearnedphrase，QUIDHOCADIPHYCLIBOVES？whathasallthistodowiththeshoeingofmypoornag？"

"FESTINALENTE，"saidthemanoflearning，"wewillpresentlycametothatpoint。YoumustknowthatsometwoorthreeyearspasttherecametothesepartsonewhocalledhimselfDoctorDoboobie，althoughitmaybeheneverwroteevenMAGISTERARTIUM，saveinrightofhishungrybelly。Oritmaybe，thatifhehadanydegrees，theywereofthedevil\'sgiving;forhewaswhatthevulgarcallawhitewitch，acunningman，andsuchlike。——Now，goodsir，Iperceiveyouareimpatient;butifamantellnothistalehisownway，howhaveyouwarranttothinkthathecantellitinyours？"

"Well，then，learnedsir，takeyourway，"answeredTressilian;

"onlyletustravelatasharperpace，formytimeissomewhatoftheshortest。"

"Well，sir，"resumedErasmusHoliday，withthemostprovokingperseverance，"IwillnotsaythatthissameDemetriusforsohewrotehimselfwheninforeignparts，wasanactualconjurer，butcertainitisthatheprofessedtobeabrotherofthemysticalOrderoftheRosyCross，adiscipleofGeber（EXNOMINECUJUS

VENITVERBUMVERNACULUM，GIBBERISH）。Hecuredwoundsbysalvingtheweaponinsteadofthesore;toldfortunesbypalmistry;

discoveredstolengoodsbythesieveandshears;gatheredtherightmaddowandthemalefernseed，throughuseofwhichmenwalkinvisible;pretendedsomeadvancestowardsthepanacea，oruniversalelixir;andaffectedtoconvertgoodleadintosorrysilver。"

"Inotherwords，"saidTressilian，"hewasaquacksalverandcommoncheat;butwhathasallthistodowithmynag，andtheshoewhichhehaslost？"

"Withyourworshipfulpatience，"repliedthediffusivemanofletters，"youshallunderstandthatpresently——PATENTIAthen，rightworshipful，whichword，accordingtoourMarcusTullius，is\'DIFFICILIUMRERUMDIURNAPERPESSIO。\'ThissameDemetriusDoboobie，afterdealingwiththecountry，asIhavetoldyou，begantoacquirefameINTERMAGNATES，amongtheprimemenoftheland，andthereislikelihoodhemighthaveaspiredtogreatmatters，hadnot，accordingtovulgarfame（forIavernotthethingasaccordingwithmycertainknowledge），thedevilclaimedhisright，onedarknight，andflownoffwithDemetrius，whowasneverseenorheardofafterwards。NowherecomestheMEDULLA，theverymarrow，ofmytale。ThisDoctorDoboobiehadaservant，apoorsnake，whomheemployedintrimminghisfurnace，regulatingitbyjustmeasure——compoundinghisdrugs——tracinghiscircles——cajolinghispatients，ETSICETCAETERIS。Well，rightworshipful，theDoctorbeingremovedthusstrangely，andinawaywhichstruckthewholecountrywithterror，thispoorZanythinkstohimself，inthewordsofMaro，\'UNOAVULSO，NONDEFICIT

ALTER;\'and，evenasatradesman\'sapprenticesetshimselfupinhismaster\'sshopwhenheisdeadorhathretiredfrombusiness，sodoththisWaylandassumethedangeroustradeofhisdefunctmaster。Butalthough，mostworshipfulsir，theworldiseverpronetolistentothepretensionsofsuchunworthymen，whoare，indeed，mereSALTIMBANQUIandCHARLATANI，thoughusurpingthestyleandskillofdoctorsofmedicine，yetthepretensionsofthispoorZany，thisWayland，weretoogrosstopassonthem，norwasthereamererustic，avillager，whowasnotreadytoaccosthiminthesenseofPersius，thoughintheirownruggedwords，——

DILIUSHELLEBORUMCERTOCOMPESCEREPUNCTO

NESCIUSEXAMEN？VETATHOCNATURAVEDENDI;\'

whichIhavethusrenderedinapoorparaphraseofmineown，——

Wiltthoumixhellebore，whodostnotknowHowmanygrainsshouldtothemixturego？

Theartofmedicinethisforbids，Itrow。

Moreover，theevilreputationofthemaster，andhisstrangeanddoubtfulend，oratleastsuddendisappearance，preventedany，exceptingthemostdesperateofmen，toseekanyadviceoropinionfromtheservant;wherefore，thepoorverminwaslikelyatfirsttoswarfforveryhunger。Butthedevilthatserveshim，sincethedeathofDemetriusorDoboobie，puthimonafreshdevice。Thisknave，whetherfromtheinspirationofthedevil，orfromearlyeducation，shoeshorsesbetterthane\'eramanbetwixtusandIceland;andsohegivesuphispracticeonthebipeds，thetwo—leggedandunfledgedspeciescalledmankind，andbetakeshimentirelytoshoeingofhorses。"

"Indeed！andwheredoeshelodgeallthistime？"saidTressilian。"Anddoesheshoehorseswell？Showmehisdwellingpresently。"

TheinterruptionpleasednottheMagister，whoexclaimed，"O

CAECAMENSMORTALIUM！——though，bytheway，Iusedthatquotationbefore。ButIwouldtheclassicscouldaffordmeanysentimentofpowertostopthosewhoaresowillingtorushupontheirowndestruction。Hearbut，Iprayyou，theconditionsofthisman，"

saidhe，incontinuation，"ereyouaresowillingtoplaceyourselfwithinhisdanger——"

"A\'takesnomoneyfora\'swork，"saidthedame，whostoodby，enrapturedasitwerewiththelinewordsandlearnedapophthegmswhichglidedsofluentlyfromhereruditeinmate，MasterHoliday。

ButthisinterruptionpleasednottheMagistermorethanthatofthetraveller。

"Peace，"saidhe，"GammerSludge;knowyourplace，ifitbeyourwill。SUFFLAMINA，GammerSludge，andallowmetoexpoundthismattertoourworshipfulguest。——Sir，"saidhe，againaddressingTressilian，"thisoldwomanspeakstrue，thoughinherownrudestyle;forcertainlythisFABERFERRARIUS，orblacksmith，takesmoneyofnoone。"

"AndthatisasuresignhedealswithSatan，"saidDameSludge;

"sincenogoodChristianwouldeverrefusethewagesofhislabour。"

"Theoldwomanhathtoucheditagain，"saidthepedagogue;"REM

ACUTETIGIT——shehathprickeditwithherneedle\'spoint。ThisWaylandtakesnomoney，indeed;nordothheshowhimselftoanyone。"

"Andcanthismadman，forsuchIholdhim，"saidthetraveller，"knowaughtlikegoodskillofhistrade？"

"Oh，sir，inthatletusgivethedevilhisdue——Mulciberhimself，withallhisCyclops，couldhardlyamendhim。Butassuredlythereislittlewisdomintakingcounselorreceivingaidfromonewhoisbuttooplainlyinleaguewiththeauthorofevil。"

"Imusttakemychanceofthat，goodMasterHoliday，"saidTressilian，rising;"andasmyhorsemustnowhaveeatenhisprovender，Imustneedsthankyouforyourgoodcheer，andprayyoutoshowmethisman\'sresidence，thatImayhavethemeansofproceedingonmyjourney。"

"Ay，ay，doyeshowhim，MasterHerasmus，"saidtheolddame，whowas，perhaps，desiroustogetherhousefreedofherguest;"a\'

mustneedsgowhenthedevildrives。"

"DOMANUS，"saidtheMagister，"Isubmit——takingtheworldtowitness，thatIhavepossessedthishonourablegentlemanwiththefullinjusticewhichhehasdoneandshalldotohisownsoul，ifhebecomesthusatrinketerwithSatan。NeitherwillIgoforthwithourguestmyself，butrathersendmypupil。——RICARDE！

ADSIS，NEBULO。"

"Underyourfavour，notso，"answeredtheoldwoman;"youmayperilyourownsoul，ifyoulist，butmysonshallbudgeonnosucherrand。AndIwonderatyou，DominieDoctor，toproposesuchapieceofserviceforlittleDickie。"

"Nay，mygoodGammerSludge，"answeredthepreceptor，"Ricardusshallgobuttothetopofthehill，andindicatewithhisdigittothestrangerthedwellingofWaylandSmith。Believenotthatanyevilcancometohim，hehavingreadthismorning，fasting，achapteroftheSeptuagint，and，moreover，havinghadhislessonintheGreekTestament。"

"Ay，"saidhismother，"andIhavesewnasprigofwitch\'selmintheneckofun\'sdoublet，eversincethatfoulthiefhasbegunhispracticesonmanandbeastintheseparts。"

"Andashegoesoft（asIhugelysuspect）towardsthisconjurerforhisownpastime，hemayforoncegothither，ornearit，topleasureus，andtoassistthisstranger。——ERGO，HEUSRICARDE！

ADSIS，QUAESO，MIDIDASCULE。"

Thepupil，thusaffectionatelyinvoked，atlengthcamestumblingintotheroom;aqueer，shambling，ill—madeurchin，who，byhisstuntedgrowth，seemedabouttwelveorthirteenyearsold，thoughhewasprobably，inreality，ayearortwoolder，withacarrotypateinhugedisorder，afreckled，sunburntvisage，withasnubnose，alongchin，andtwopeerygreyeyes，whichhadadrollobliquityofvision，approachingtoasquint，thoughperhapsnotadecidedone。Itwasimpossibletolookatthelittlemanwithoutsomedispositiontolaugh，especiallywhenGammerSludge，seizinguponandkissinghim，inspiteofhisstrugglingandkickinginreplytohercaresses，termedhimherownpreciouspearlofbeauty。