第11章

"That，"saidthesmith，"istheveryprinciplethatmyworthyfriendandmaster，DoctorDoboobie，alwaysactedupon;until，beingbesottedwithhisownimaginations，andconceitedofhishighchemicalskill，hebegantospend，incheatinghimself，themoneywhichhehadacquiredincheatingothers，andeitherdiscoveredorbuiltforhimself，Icouldneverknowwhich，thissecretelaboratory，inwhichheusedtosecludehimselfbothfrompatientsanddisciples，whodoubtlessthoughthislongandmysteriousabsencesfromhisordinaryresidenceinthetownofFarringdonwereoccasionedbyhisprogressinthemysticsciences，andhisintercoursewiththeinvisibleworld。Mealsohetriedtodeceive;butthoughIcontradictedhimnot，hesawthatIknewtoomuchofhissecretstobeanylongerasafecompanion。Meanwhile，hisnamewaxedfamous——orratherinfamous，andmanyofthosewhoresortedtohimdidsounderpersuasionthathewasasorcerer。Andyethissupposedadvanceintheoccultsciencesdrewtohimthesecretresortofmentoopowerfultobenamed，forpurposestoodangeroustobementioned。Mencursedandthreatenedhim，andbestowedonme，theinnocentassistantofhisstudies，thenicknameoftheDevil\'sfoot—post，whichprocuredmeavolleyofstonesassoonaseverIventuredtoshowmyfaceinthestreetofthevillage。Atlengthmymastersuddenlydisappeared，pretendingtomethathewasabouttovisithiselaboratoryinthisplace，andforbiddingmetodisturbhimtilltwodayswerepast。Whenthisperiodhadelapsed，Ibecameanxious，andresortedtothisvault，whereI

foundthefiresextinguishedandtheutensilsinconfusion，withanotefromthelearnedDoboobius，ashewaswonttostylehimself，acquaintingmethatweshouldnevermeetagain，bequeathingmehischemicalapparatus，andtheparchmentwhichI

havejustputintoyourhands，advisingmestronglytoprosecutethesecretwhichitcontained，whichwouldinfalliblyleadmetothediscoveryofthegrandmagisterium。"

"Anddidstthoufollowthissageadvice？"saidTressilian。

"Worshipfulsir，no，"repliedthesmith;"for，beingbynaturecautious，andsuspiciousfromknowingwithwhomIhadtodo，I

madesomanyperquisitionsbeforeIventuredeventolightafire，thatIatlengthdiscoveredasmallbarrelofgunpowder，carefullyhidbeneaththefurnace，withthepurpose，nodoubt，thatassoonasIshouldcommencethegrandworkofthetransmutationofmetals，theexplosionshouldtransmutethevaultandallinitintoaheapofruins，whichmightserveatonceformyslaughter—houseandmygrave。Thiscuredmeofalchemy，andfainwouldIhavereturnedtothehonesthammerandanvil;butwhowouldbringahorsetobeshodbytheDevil\'spost？

Meantime，IhadwontheregardofmyhonestFlibbertigibbethere，hebeingthenatFarringdonwithhismaster，thesageErasmusHoliday，byteachinghimafewsecrets，suchaspleaseyouthathisage;andaftermuchcounseltogether，weagreedthat，sinceI

couldgetnopracticeintheordinaryway，IshouldtryhowI

couldworkoutbusinessamongtheseignorantboors，bypractisingupontheirsillyfears;and，thankstoFlibbertigibbet，whohathspreadmyrenown，Ihavenotwantedcustom。Butitiswonattoogreatrisk，andIfearIshallbeatlengthtakenupforawizard;sothatIseekbutanopportunitytoleavethisvault，whenIcanhavetheprotectionofsomeworshipfulpersonagainstthefuryofthepopulace，incasetheychancetorecognizeme。"

"Andartthou，"saidTressilian，"perfectlyacquaintedwiththeroadsinthiscountry？"

"Icouldridethemeveryinchbymidnight，"answeredWaylandSmith，whichwasthenamethisadepthadassumed。

"Thouhastnohorsetorideupon，"saidTressilian。

"Pardonme，"repliedWayland;"Ihaveasgoodatitaseveryeomanbestrode;andIforgottosayitwasthebestpartofthemediciner\'slegacytome，exceptingoneortwoofthechoicestofhismedicalsecrets，whichIpickedupwithouthisknowledgeandagainsthiswill。"

"Getthyselfwashedandshaved，then，"saidTressilian;"reformthydressaswellasthoucanst，andflingawaythesegrotesquetrappings;and，sothouwiltbesecretandfaithful，thoushaltfollowmeforashorttime，tillthyprankshereareforgotten。

Thouhast，Ithink，bothaddressandcourage，andIhavemattertodothatmayrequireboth。"

WaylandSmitheagerlyembracedtheproposal，andprotestedhisdevotiontohisnewmaster。Inaveryfewminuteshehadmadesogreatanalterationinhisoriginalappearance，bychangeofdress，trimminghisbeardandhair，andsoforth，thatTressiliancouldnothelpremarkingthathethoughthewouldstandinlittleneedofaprotector，sincenoneofhisoldacquaintancewerelikelytorecognizehim。

"Mydebtorswouldnotpaymemoney，"saidWayland，shakinghishead;"butmycreditorsofeverykindwouldbelesseasilyblinded。And，intruth，Iholdmyselfnotsafe，unlessundertheprotectionofagentlemanofbirthandcharacter，asisyourworship。"

Sosaying，heledthewayoutofthecavern。HethencalledloudlyforHobgoblin，who，afterlingeringforaninstant，appearedwiththehorsefurniture，whenWaylandclosedandsedulouslycoveredupthetrap—door，observingitmightagainservehimathisneed，besidesthatthetoolswereworthsomewhat。Awhistlefromtheownerbroughttohissideanagthatfedquietlyonthecommon，andwasaccustomedtothesignal。

Whileheaccoutredhimforthejourney，Tressiliandrewhisowngirthstighter，andinafewminutesbothwerereadytomount。

AtthismomentSludgeapproachedtobidthemfarewell。

"Youaregoingtoleaveme，then，myoldplayfellow，"saidtheboy;"andthereisanendofallourgameatbo—peepwiththecowardlylubbardswhomIbroughthithertohavetheirbroad—

footednagsshedbythedevilandhisimps？"

"Itisevenso，"saidWaylandSmith，"thebestfriendsmustpart，Flibbertigibbet;butthou，myboy，arttheonlythingintheValeofWhitehorsewhichIshallregrettoleavebehindme。"

"Well，Ibidtheenotfarewell，"saidDickieSludge，"foryouwillbeattheserevels，Ijudge，andsoshallI;forifDominieHolidaytakemenotthither，bythelightofday，whichweseenotinyonderdarkhole，Iwilltakemyselfthere！"

"Ingoodtime，"saidWayland;"butIprayyoutodonoughtrashly。"

"Nay，nowyouwouldmakeachild，acommonchildofme，andtellmeoftheriskofwalkingwithoutleading—strings。Butbeforeyouareamilefromthesestones，youshallknowbyasuretokenthatIhavemoreofthehobgoblinaboutmethanyoucredit;andI

willsomanagethat，ifyoutakeadvantage，youmayprofitbymyprank。"

"Whatdostthoumean，boy？"saidTressilian;butFlibbertigibbetonlyansweredwithagrinandacaper，andbiddingbothofthemfarewell，and，atthesametime，exhortingthemtomakethebestoftheirwayfromtheplace，hesetthemtheexamplebyrunninghomewardwiththesameuncommonvelocitywithwhichhehadbaffledTressilian\'sformerattemptstogetholdofhim。

"Itisinvaintochasehim，"saidWaylandSmith;"forunlessyourworshipisexpertinlark—hunting，weshouldnevercatchholdofhim——andbesides，whatwoulditavail？Bettermakethebestofourwayhence，asheadvises。"

Theymountedtheirhorsesaccordingly，andbegantoproceedataroundpace，assoonasTressilianhadexplainedtohisguidethedirectioninwhichhedesiredtotravel。

Aftertheyhadtrottednearlyamile，Tressiliancouldnothelpobservingtohiscompanionthathishorsefeltmorelivelyunderhimthanevenwhenhemountedinthemorning。

"Areyouavisedofthat？"saidWaylandSmith，smiling。"Thatisowingtoalittlesecretofmine。Imixedthatwithanhandfulofoatswhichshallsaveyourworship\'sheelsthetroubleofspurringthesesixhoursatleast。Nay，Ihavenotstudiedmedicineandpharmacyfornought。"

"Itrust，"saidTressilian，"yourdrugswilldomyhorsenoharm？"

"Nomorethanthemare\'smilk;whichfoaledhim，"answeredtheartist，andwasproceedingtodilateontheexcellenceofhisrecipewhenhewasinterruptedbyanexplosionasloudandtremendousastheminewhichblowsuptherampartofabeleagueredcity。Thehorsesstarted，andtheriderswereequallysurprised。Theyturnedtogazeinthedirectionfromwhichthethunder—clapwasheard，andbeheld，justoverthespottheyhadleftsorecently，ahugepillarofdarksmokerisinghighintotheclear，blueatmosphere。"Myhabitationisgonetowreck，"saidWayland，immediatelyconjecturingthecauseoftheexplosion。"Iwasafooltomentionthedoctor\'skindintentionstowardsmymansionbeforethatlimbofmischief，Flibbertigibbet;

Imighthaveguessedhewouldlongtoputsorareafrolicintoexecution。Butletushastenon，forthesoundwillcollectthecountrytothespot。"

Sosaying，hespurredhishorse，andTressilianalsoquickeninghisspeed，theyrodebrisklyforward。

"This，then，wasthemeaningofthelittleimp\'stokenwhichhepromisedus？"saidTressilian。"Hadwelingerednearthespot，wehadfounditalove—tokenwithavengeance。"

"Hewouldhavegivenuswarning，"saidthesmith。"Isawhimlookbackmorethanoncetoseeifwewereoff——\'tisaverydevilformischief，yetnotanill—natureddevileither。ItwerelongtotellyourhonourhowIbecamefirstacquaintedwithhim，andhowmanytricksheplayedme。Manyagoodturnhedidmetoo，especiallyinbringingmecustomers;forhisgreatdelightwastoseethemsitshiveringbehindthebusheswhentheyheardtheclickofmyhammer。IthinkDameNature，whenshelodgedadoublequantityofbrainsinthatmisshapenheadofhis，gavehimthepowerofenjoyingotherpeople\'sdistresses，asshegavethemthepleasureoflaughingathisugliness。"

"Itmaybeso，"saidTressilian;"thosewhofindthemselvesseveredfromsocietybypeculiaritiesofform，iftheydonothatethecommonbulkofmankind，areatleastnotaltogetherindisposedtoenjoytheirmishapsandcalamities。"

"ButFlibbertigibbet，"answeredWayland，"haththatabouthimwhichmayredeemhisturnformischievousfrolic;forheisasfaithfulwhenattachedasheistrickyandmalignanttostrangers，and，asIsaidbefore，Ihavecausetosayso。"

Tressilianpursuedtheconversationnofurther，andtheycontinuedtheirjourneytowardsDevonshirewithoutfurtheradventure，untiltheyalightedataninninthetownofMarlborough，sincecelebratedforhavinggiventitletothegreatestgeneral（exceptingone）whomBritaineverproduced。

Herethetravellersreceived，inthesamebreath，anexampleofthetruthoftwooldproverbs——namely，thatILLNEWSFLYFAST，andthatLISTENERSSELDOMHEARAGOODTALEOFTHEMSELVES。

Theinn—yardwasinasortofcombustionwhentheyalighted;

insomuch，thattheycouldscarcegetmanorboytotakecareoftheirhorses，sofullwerethewholehouseholdofsomenewswhichflewfromtonguetotongue，theimportofwhichtheywereforsometimeunabletodiscover。Atlength，indeed，theyfounditrespectedmatterswhichtouchedthemnearly。

"Whatisthematter，sayyou，master？"answered，atlength，theheadhostler，inreplytoTressilian\'srepeatedquestions。——"Why，truly，Iscarceknowmyself。Butherewasariderbutnow，whosaysthatthedevilhathflownawaywithhimtheycalledWaylandSmith，thatwon\'daboutthreemilesfromtheWhitehorseofBerkshire，thisveryblessedmorning，inaflashoffireandapillarofsmoke，androoteduptheplacehedweltin，nearthatoldcockpitofuprightstones，ascleanlyasifithadallbeendelvedupforacropping。"

"Why，then，"saidanoldfarmer，"themoreisthepity;forthatWaylandSmith（whetherhewasthedevil\'scronyornoIskillnot）hadagoodnotionofhorses\'diseases，andit\'stobethoughtthebotswillspreadinthecountryfarandnear，anSatanhasnotgienuntimetoleavehissecretbehindun。"

"Youmaysaythat，GafferGrimesby，"saidthehostlerinreturn;

"IhavecarriedahorsetoWaylandSmithmyself，forhepassedallfarriersinthiscountry。"

"Didyouseehim？"saidDameAlisonCrane，mistressoftheinnbearingthatsign，anddeigningtotermHUSBANDtheownerthereof，amean—lookinghop—o\'—my—thumbsortorperson，whosehaltinggait，andlongneck，andmeddling，henpeckedinsignificancearesupposedtohavegivenorigintothecelebratedoldEnglishtuneof"MynamehathalametameCrane。"

Onthisoccasionhechirpedoutarepetitionofhiswife\'squestion，"Didstseethedevil，JackHostler，Isay？"

"AndwhatifIdidseeun，MasterCrane？"repliedJackHostler，for，likealltherestofthehousehold，hepaidaslittlerespecttohismasterashismistressherselfdid。

"Nay，nought，JackHostler，"repliedthepacificMasterCrane;

"onlyifyousawthedevil，methinksIwouldliketoknowwhatun\'slike？"

"Youwillknowthatoneday，MasterCrane，"saidhishelpmate，"anyemendnotyourmanners，andmindyourbusiness，leavingoffsuchidlepalabras。——Buttruly，JackHostler，Ishouldbegladtoknowmyselfwhatlikethefellowwas。"

"Why，dame，"saidthehostler，morerespectfully，"asforwhathewaslikeIcannottell，nornomanelse，forwhyIneversawun。"

"Andhowdidstthougetthineerranddone，"saidGafferGrimesby，"ifthouseedsthimnot？"

"Why，Ihadschoolmastertowritedownailmento\'nag，"saidJackHostler;"andIwentwi\'theugliestslipofaboyformyguideasevermancutouto\'lime—treeroottopleaseachildwithal。"

"Andwhatwasit？——anddiditcureyournag，JackHostler？"wasutteredandechoedbyallwhostoodaround。

"Why，howcanItellyouwhatitwas？"saidthehostler;"simplyitsmelledandtasted——forIdidmakeboldtoputapea\'ssubstanceintomymouth——likehartshornandsavinmixedwithvinegar;butthennohartshornandsavineverwroughtsospeedyacure。AndIamdreadingthatifWaylandSmithbegone，thebotswillhavemorepoweroverhorseandcattle。"

Theprideofart，whichiscertainlynotinferiorinitsinfluencetoanyotherpridewhatever，heresofaroperatedonWaylandSmith，that，notwithstandingtheobviousdangerofhisbeingrecognized，hecouldnothelpwinkingtoTressilian，andsmilingmysteriously，asiftriumphingintheundoubtedevidenceofhisveterinaryskill。Inthemeanwhile，thediscoursecontinued。

"E\'enletitbeso，"saidagravemaninblack，thecompanionofGafferGrimesby;"e\'enletusperishundertheevilGodsendsus，ratherthanthedevilbeourdoctor。"

"Verytrue，"saidDameCrane;"andImarvelatJackHostlerthathewouldperilhisownsoultocurethebowelsofanag。"

"Verytrue，mistress，"saidJackHostler，"butthenagwasmymaster\'s;andhaditbeenyours，Ithinkyewouldha\'heldmecheapenowanIhadfearedthedevilwhenthepoorbeastwasinsuchataking。Fortherest，lettheclergylooktoit。Everymantohiscraft，saystheproverb——theparsontotheprayer—

book，andthegroomtohiscurry—comb。

"Ivow，"saidDameCrane，"IthinkJackHostlerspeakslikeagoodChristianandafaithfulservant，whowillspareneitherbodynorsoulinhismaster\'sservice。However，thedevilhasliftedhimintime，foraConstableoftheHundredcamehitherthismorningtogetoldGafferPinniewinks，thetrierofwitches，togowithhimtotheValeofWhitehorsetocomprehendWaylandSmith，andputhimtohisprobation。IhelpedPinniewinkstosharpenhispincersandhispoking—awl，andIsawthewarrantfromJusticeBlindas。"

"Pooh——pooh——thedevilwouldlaughbothatBlindasandhiswarrant，constableandwitch—findertoboot，"saidoldDameCrank，thePapistlaundress;"WaylandSmith\'sfleshwouldmindPinniewinks\'awlnomorethanacambricruffmindsahotpiccadilloe—needle。Buttellme，gentlefolks，ifthedevileverhadsuchahandamongye，astosnatchawayyoursmithsandyourartistsfromunderyournose，whenthegoodAbbotsofAbingdonhadtheirown？ByOurLady，no！——theyhadtheirhallowedtapers;

andtheirholywater，andtheirrelics，andwhatnot，couldsendthefoulestfiendsa—packing。Goaskahereticparsontodothelike。Butourswereacomfortablepeople。"

"Verytrue，DameCrank，"saidthehostler;"sosaidSimpkinsofSimonburnwhenthecuratekissedhiswife，——\'Theyareacomfortablepeople，\'saidhe。"

"Silence，thoufoul—mouthedvermin，"saidDameCrank;"isitfitforaheretichorse—boyliketheetohandlesuchatextastheCatholicclergy？"

"Introthno，dame，"repliedthemanofoats;"andasyouyourselfarenownotextfortheirhandling，dame，whatevermayhavebeenthecaseinyourday，Ithinkwehade\'enbetterleaveunalone。"

Atthislastexchangeofsarcasm，DameCranksetupherthroat，andbeganahorribleexclamationagainstJackHostler，undercoverofwhichTressilianandhisattendantescapedintothehouse。

Theyhadnosoonerenteredaprivatechamber，towhichGoodmanCranehimselfhadcondescendedtousherthem，anddispatchedtheirworthyandobsequioushostontheerrandofprocuringwineandrefreshment，thanWaylandSmithbegantogiveventtohisself—importance。

"Yousee，sir，"saidhe，addressingTressilian，"thatInothingfabledinassertingthatIpossessedfullythemightymysteryofafarrier，ormareschal，astheFrenchmorehonourablytermus。

Thesedog—hostlers，who，afterall，arethebetterjudgesinsuchacase，knowwhatcredittheyshouldattachtomymedicaments。I

callyoutowitness，worshipfulMasterTressilian，thatnought，savethevoiceofcalumnyandthehandofmaliciousviolence，hathdrivenmeforthfromastationinwhichIheldaplacealikeusefulandhonoured。"

"Ibearwitness，myfriend，butwillreservemylistening，"

answeredTressilian，"forasafertime;unless，indeed，youdeemitessentialtoyourreputationtobetranslated，likeyourlatedwelling，bytheassistanceofaflashoffire。Foryouseeyourbestfriendsreckonyounobetterthanameresorcerer。"

"Now，Heavenforgivethem，"saidtheartist，"whoconfoundedlearnedskillwithunlawfulmagic！Itrustamanmaybeasskilful，ormoreso，thanthebestchirurgeonevermeddledwithhorse—flesh，andyetmaybeuponthematterlittlemorethanotherordinarymen，orattheworstnoconjurer。"

"Godforbidelse！"saidTressilian。"Butbesilentjustforthepresent，sinceherecomesminehostwithanassistant，whoseemssomethingoftheleast。"

Everybodyabouttheinn，DameCraneherselfincluded，hadbeenindeedsointerestedandagitatedbythestorytheyhadheardofWaylandSmith，andbythenew，varying，andmoremarvellouseditionsoftheincidentwhicharrivedfromvariousquarters，thatminehost，inhisrighteousdeterminationtoaccommodatehisguests，hadbeenabletoobtaintheassistanceofnoneofhishousehold，savingthatofalittleboy，ajuniortapster，ofabouttwelveyearsold，whowascalledSampson。

"Iwish，"hesaid，apologizingtohisguests，ashesetdownaflagonofsack，andpromisedsomefoodimmediately——"IwishthedevilhadflownawaywithmywifeandmywholefamilyinsteadofthisWaylandSmith，who，Idaresay，afterallsaidanddone，wasmuchlessworthyofthedistinctionwhichSatanhasdonehim。"

"Iholdopinionwithyou，goodfellow，"repliedWaylandSmith;

"andIwilldrinktoyouuponthatargument。"

"NotthatIwouldjustifyanymanwhodealswiththedevil，"saidminehost，afterhavingpledgedWaylandinarousingdraughtofsack，"butthat——sawyeeverbettersack，mymasters？——butthat，Isay，amanhadbetterdealwithadozencheatsandscoundrelfellows，suchasthisWaylandSmith，thanwithadevilincarnate，thattakespossessionofhouseandhome，bedandboard。"

Thepoorfellow\'sdetailofgrievanceswashereinterruptedbytheshrillvoiceofhishelpmate，screamingfromthekitchen，towhichheinstantlyhobbled，cravingpardonofhisguests。HewasnosoonergonethanWaylandSmithexpressed，byeverycontemptuousepithetinthelanguage，hisutterscornforanincompoopwhostuckhisheadunderhiswife\'sapron—string;andintimatedthat，savingforthesakeofthehorses，whichrequiredbothrestandfood，hewouldadvisehisworshipfulMasterTressiliantopushonastagefarther，ratherthanpayareckoningtosuchamean—spirited，crow—trodden，henpeckedcoxcomb，asGafferCrane。

Thearrivalofalargedishofgoodcow—heelandbaconsomethingsoothedtheasperityoftheartist，whichwhollyvanishedbeforeachoicecapon，sodelicatelyroastedthatthelardfrothedonit，saidWayland，likeMay—dewonalily;andbothGafferCraneandhisgooddamebecame，inhiseyes，verypainstaking，accommodating，obligingpersons。

Accordingtothemannersofthetimes，themasterandhisattendantsatatthesametable，andthelatterobserved，withregret，howlittleattentionTressilianpaidtohismeal。Herecollected，indeed，thepainhehadgivenbymentioningthemaideninwhosecompanyhehadfirstseenhim;but，fearfuloftouchinguponatopictootendertobetamperedwith，hechosetoascribehisabstinencetoanothercause。

"Thisfareisperhapstoocoarseforyourworship，"saidWayland，asthelimbsofthecapondisappearedbeforehisownexertions;

"buthadyoudweltaslongasIhavedoneinyonderdungeon，whichFlibbertigibbethastranslatedtotheupperelement，aplacewhereIdaredhardlybroilmyfood，lestthesmokeshouldbeseenwithout，youwouldthinkafaircaponamorewelcomedainty。"

"Ifyouarepleased，friend，"saidTressilian，"itiswell。

Nevertheless，hastenthymealifthoucanst，Forthisplaceisunfriendlytothysafety，andmyconcernscravetravelling。"

Allowing，therefore，theirhorsesnomorerestthanwasabsolutelynecessaryforthem，theypursuedtheirjourneybyaforcedmarchasfarasBradford，wheretheyreposedthemselvesforthenight。

Thenextmorningfoundthemearlytravellers。And，nottofatiguethereaderwithunnecessaryparticulars，theytraversedwithoutadventurethecountiesofWiltshireandSomerset，andaboutnoonofthethirddayafterTressilian\'sleavingCumnor，arrivedatSirHughRobsart\'sseat，calledLidcoteHall，onthefrontiersofDevonshire。

CHAPTERXII。

Ahme！theflowerandblossomofyourhouse，Thewindhathblownawaytoothertowers。

JOANNABAILLIE\'SFAMILYLEGEND。

TheancientseatofLidcoteHallwassituatednearthevillageofthesamename，andadjoinedthewildandextensiveforestofExmoor，plentifullystockedwithgame，inwhichsomeancientrightsbelongingtotheRobsartfamilyentitledSirHughtopursuehisfavouriteamusementofthechase。Theoldmansionwasalow，venerablebuilding，occupyingaconsiderablespaceofground，whichwassurroundedbyadeepmoat。Theapproachanddrawbridgeweredefendedbyanoctagonaltower，ofancientbrickwork，butsoclothedwithivyandothercreepersthatitwasdifficulttodiscoverofwhatmaterialsitwasconstructed。Theanglesofthistowerwereeachdecoratedwithaturret，whimsicallyvariousinformandinsize，and，therefore，veryunlikethemonotonousstonepepperboxeswhich，inmodernGothicarchitecture，areemployedforthesamepurpose。Oneoftheseturretswassquare，andoccupiedasaclock—house。Buttheclockwasnowstandingstill;acircumstancepeculiarlystrikingtoTressilian，becausethegoodoldknight，amongotherharmlesspeculiarities，hadafidgetyanxietyabouttheexactmeasurementoftime，verycommontothosewhohaveagreatdealofthatcommoditytodisposeof，andfinditlieheavyupontheirhands——

justasweseeshopkeepersamusethemselveswithtakinganexactaccountoftheirstockatthetimethereisleastdemandforit。

Theentrancetothecourtyardoftheoldmansionlaythroughanarchway，surmountedbytheforesaidtower;butthedrawbridgewasdown，andoneleafoftheiron—studdedfolding—doorsstoodcarelesslyopen。Tressilianhastilyrodeoverthedrawbridge，enteredthecourt，andbegantocallloudlyonthedomesticsbytheirnames。Forsometimehewasonlyansweredbytheechoesandthehowlingofthehounds，whosekennellayatnogreatdistancefromthemansion，andwassurroundedbythesamemoat。

AtlengthWillBadger，theoldandfavouriteattendantoftheknight，whoactedalikeassquireofhisbodyandsuperintendentofhissports，madehisappearance。Thestout，weather—beatenforestershowedgreatsignsofjoywhenherecognizedTressilian。

"Lordloveyou，"hesaid，"MasterEdmund，beitthouinfleshandfell？ThenthoumayestdosomegoodonSirHugh，foritpassesthewitofman——thatis，ofmineown，andthecurate\'s，andMasterMumblazen\'s——todoaughtwi\'un。"

"IsSirHughthenworsesinceIwentaway，Will？"demandedTressilian。

"Forworseinbody——no;heismuchbetter，"repliedthedomestic;

"butheiscleanmazedasitwere——eatsanddrinksashewaswont——butsleepsnot，orratherwakesnot，forheiseverinasortoftwilight，thatisneithersleepingnorwaking。DameSwinefordthoughtitwaslikethedeadpalsy。Butno，no，dame，saidI，itistheheart，itistheheart。"

"Canyenotstirhismindtoanypastimes？"saidTressilian。

"Heiscleanandquiteoffhissports，"saidWillBadger;"hathneithertouchedbackgammonorshovel—board，norlookedonthebigbookofharrowtrywi\'MasterMumblazen。Ilettheclockrundown，thinkingthemissingthebellmightsomewhatmovehim——foryouknow，MasterEdmund，hewasparticularincountingtime——butheneversaidawordon\'t，soImaye\'ensettheoldchimea—

towlingagain。ImadeboldtotreadonBungay\'stailtoo，andyouknowwhataroundratingthatwouldha\'costmeoncea—day;

buthemindedthepoortyke\'swhinenomorethanamadgehowletwhoopingdownthechimney——sothecaseisbeyondme。"

"Thoushalttellmetherestwithindoors，Will。Meanwhile，letthispersonbeta\'entothebuttery，andusedwithrespect。Heisamanofart。"

"Whiteartorblackart，Iwould，"saidWillBadger，"thathehadanyartwhichcouldhelpus。——Here，TomButler，looktothemanofart;——andseethathestealsnoneofthyspoons，lad，"headdedinawhispertothebutler，whoshowedhimselfatalowwindow，"Ihaveknownashonestafacedfellowhaveartenoughtodothat。"

HethenusheredTressilianintoalowparlour，andwent，athisdesire，toseeinwhatstatehismasterwas，lestthesuddenreturnofhisdarlingpupilandproposedson—in—lawshouldaffecthimtoostrongly。Hereturnedimmediately，andsaidthatSirHughwasdozinginhiselbow—chair，butthatMasterMumblazenwouldacquaintMasterTressiliantheinstantheawaked。

"Butitischanceifheknowsyou，"saidthehuntsman，"forhehasforgottenthenameofeveryhoundinthepack。Ithought，aboutaweeksince，hehadgottenafavourableturn。\'SaddlemeoldSorrel，\'saidhesuddenly，afterhehadtakenhisusualnight—draughtoutofthegreatsilvergrace—cup，\'andtakethehoundstoMountHazelhurstto—morrow。\'Gladmenwereweall，andoutwehadhiminthemorning，andherodetocoverasusual，withneverawordspokenbutthatthewindwassouth，andthescentwouldlie。Buterewehaduncoupled\'thehounds，hebegantostareroundhim，likeamanthatwakessuddenlyoutofadream——turnsbridle，andwalksbacktoHallagain，andleavesustohuntatleisurebyourselves，ifwelisted。"

"Youtellaheavytale，Will，"repliedTressilian;"butGodmusthelpus——thereisnoaidinman。"

"ThenyoubringusnonewsofyoungMistressAmy？ButwhatneedIask——yourbrowtellsthestory。EverIhopedthatifanymancouldorwouldtrackher，itmustbeyou。All\'soverandlostnow。ButifeverIhavethatVarneywithinreachofaflight—

shot，Iwillbestowaforkedshaftonhim;andthatIswearbysaltandbread。"