第12章

Ashespoke，thedooropened，andMasterMumblazenappeared——awithered，thin，elderlygentleman，withacheeklikeawinterapple，andhisgreyhairpartlyconcealedbyasmall，highhat，shapedlikeacone，orratherlikesuchastrawberry—basketasLondonfruiterersexhibitattheirwindows。Hewastoosententiousapersontowastewordsonmeresalutation;so，havingwelcomedTressilianwithanodandashakeofthehand，hebeckonedhimtofollowtoSirHugh\'sgreatchamber，whichthegoodknightusuallyinhabited。WillBadgerfollowed，unasked，anxioustoseewhetherhismasterwouldberelievedfromhisstateofapathybythearrivalofTressilian。

Inalong，lowparlour，amplyfurnishedwithimplementsofthechase，andwithsilvantrophies，byamassivestonechimney，overwhichhungaswordandsuitofarmoursomewhatobscuredbyneglect，satSirHughRobsartofLidcote，amanoflargesize，whichhadbeenonlykeptwithinmoderatecompassbytheconstantuseofviolentexercise，ItseemedtoTressilianthatthelethargy，underwhichhisoldfriendappearedtolabour，had，evenduringhisfewweeks\'absence，addedbulktohisperson——atleastithadobviouslydiminishedthevivacityofhiseye，which，astheyentered，firstfollowedMasterMumblazenslowlytoalargeoakendesk，onwhichaponderousvolumelayopen，andthenrested，asifinuncertainty，onthestrangerwhohadenteredalongwithhim。Thecurate，agrey—headedclergyman，whohadbeenaconfessorinthedaysofQueenMary，satwithabookinhishandinanotherrecessintheapartment。He，too，signedamournfulgreetingtoTressilian，andlaidhisbookaside，towatchtheeffecthisappearanceshouldproduceontheafflictedoldman。

AsTressilian，hisowneyesfillingfastwithtears，approachedmoreandmorenearlytothefatherofhisbetrothedbride，SirHugh\'sintelligenceseemedtorevive。Hesighedheavily，asonewhoawakensfromastateofstupor;aslightconvulsionpassedoverhisfeatures;heopenedhisarmswithoutspeakingaword，and，asTressilianthrewhimselfintothem，hefoldedhimtohisbosom。

"Thereissomethinglefttoliveforyet，"werethefirstwordsheuttered;andwhilehespoke，hegaveventtohisfeelingsinaparoxysmofweeping，thetearschasingeachotherdownhissunburntcheeksandlongwhitebeard。

"Ine\'erthoughttohavethankedGodtoseemymasterweep，"saidWillBadger;"butnowIdo，thoughIamliketoweepforcompany。"

"Iwillasktheenoquestions，"saidtheoldknight;"noquestions——none，Edmund。Thouhastnotfoundher——orsofoundher，thatshewerebetterlost。"

Tressilianwasunabletoreplyotherwisethanbyputtinghishandsbeforehisface。

"Itisenough——itisenough。Butdonotthouweepforher，Edmund。Ihavecausetoweep，forshewasmydaughter;thouhastcausetorejoice，thatshedidnotbecomethywife。——GreatGod！

thouknowestbestwhatisgoodforus。ItwasmynightlyprayerthatIshouldseeAmyandEdmundwedded，——haditbeengranted，ithadnowbeengalladdedtobitterness。"

"Becomforted，myfriend，"saidthecurate，addressingSirHugh，"itcannotbethatthedaughterofallourhopesandaffectionsisthevilecreatureyouwouldbespeakher。"

"Oh，no，"repliedSirHughimpatiently，"Iwerewrongtonamebroadlythebasethingsheisbecome——thereissomenewcourtnameforit，Iwarrantme。ItishonourenoughforthedaughterofanoldDevonshireclowntobethelemanofagaycourtier——ofVarneytoo——ofVarney，whosegrandsirewasrelievedbymyfather，whenhisfortunewasbroken，atthebattleof——thebattleof——

whereRichardwasslain——outonmymemory！——andIwarrantnoneofyouwillhelpme——"

"ThebattleofBosworth，"saidMasterMumblazen——"strickenbetweenRichardCrookbackandHenryTudor，grandsireoftheQueenthatnowis，PRIMOHENRICISEPTIMI;andintheyearonethousandfourhundredandeighty—five，POSTCHRISTUMNATUM。"

"Ay，evenso，"saidtheoldknight;"everychildknowsit。Butmypoorheadforgetsallitshouldremember，andremembersonlywhatitwouldmostwillinglyforget。Mybrainhasbeenatfault，Tressilian，almosteversincethouhastbeenaway，andevenyetithuntscounter。"

"Yourworship，"saidthegoodclergyman，"hadbetterretiretoyourapartment，andtrytosleepforalittlespace。Thephysicianleftacomposingdraught;andourGreatPhysicianhascommandedustouseearthlymeans，thatwemaybestrengthenedtosustainthetrialsHesendsus。"

"True，true，oldfriend，"saidSirHugh;"andwewillbearourtrialsmanfully——wehavelostbutawoman。——See，Tressilian，"——hedrewfromhisbosomalongringletofglossyhair，——"seethislock！Itellthee，Edmund，theverynightshedisappeared，whenshebidmegoodeven，asshewaswont，shehungaboutmyneck，andfondledmemorethanusual;andI，likeanoldfool，heldherbythislock，untilshetookherscissors，severedit，andleftitinmyhand——asallIwasevertoseemoreofher！"

Tressilianwasunabletoreply，welljudgingwhatacomplicationoffeelingsmusthavecrossedthebosomoftheunhappyfugitiveatthatcruelmoment。Theclergymanwasabouttospeak，butSirHughinterruptedhim。

"Iknowwhatyouwouldsay，MasterCurate，——Afterall，itisbutalockofwoman\'stresses;andbywoman，shame，andsin，anddeathcameintoaninnocentworld。——AndlearnedMasterMumblazen，too，cansayscholarlythingsoftheirinferiority。"

"C\'ESTL\'HOMME，"saidMasterMumblazen，"QUISEBAST，ETQUI

CONSEILLE。"

"True，"saidSirHugh，"andwewillbearus，therefore，likemenwhohavebothmettleandwisdominus。——Tressilian，thouartaswelcomeasifthouhadstbroughtbetternews。Butwehavespokentoolongdry—lipped。——Amy，fillacupofwinetoEdmund，andanothertome。"Theninstantlyrecollectingthathecalleduponherwhocouldnothear，heshookhishead，andsaidtotheclergyman，"ThisgriefistomybewilderedmindwhatthechurchofLidcoteistoourpark:wemayloseourselvesamongthebriersandthicketsforalittlespace，butfromtheendofeachavenueweseetheoldgreysteepleandthegraveofmyforefathers。I

wouldIweretotravelthatroadtomorrow！"

Tressilianandthecuratejoinedinurgingtheexhaustedoldmantolayhimselftorest，andatlengthprevailed。Tressilianremainedbyhispillowtillhesawthatslumberatlengthsunkdownonhim，andthenreturnedtoconsultwiththecuratewhatstepsshouldbeadoptedintheseunhappycircumstances。

TheycouldnotexcludefromthesedeliberationsMasterMichaelMumblazen;andtheyadmittedhimthemorereadily，thatbesideswhathopestheyentertainedfromhissagacity，theyknewhimtobesogreatafriendtotaciturnity，thattherewasnodoubtofhiskeepingcounsel。Hewasanoldbachelor，ofgoodfamily，butsmallfortune，anddistantlyrelatedtotheHouseofRobsart;invirtueofwhichconnection，LidcoteHallhadbeenhonouredwithhisresidenceforthelasttwentyyears。HiscompanywasagreeabletoSirHugh，chieflyonaccountofhisprofoundlearning，which，thoughitonlyrelatedtoheraldryandgenealogy，withsuchscrapsofhistoryasconnectedthemselveswiththesesubjects，waspreciselyofakindtocaptivatethegoodoldknight;besidestheconveniencewhichhefoundinhavingafriendtoappealtowhenhisownmemory，asfrequentlyhappened，provedinfirmandplayedhimfalseconcerningnamesanddates，which，andallsimilardeficiencies，MasterMichaelMumblazensuppliedwithduebrevityanddiscretion。And，indeed，inmattersconcerningthemodernworld，heoftengave，inhisenigmaticalandheraldicphrase，advicewhichwaswellworthattendingto，or，inWillBadger\'slanguage，startedthegamewhileothersbeatthebush。

"Wehavehadanunhappytimeofitwiththegoodknight，MasterEdmund，"saidthecurate。"IhavenotsufferedsomuchsinceI

wastornawayfrommybelovedflock，andcompelledtoabandonthemtotheRomishwolves。"

"ThatwasinTERTIOMARIAE，"saidMasterMumblazen。

"InthenameofHeaven，"continuedthecurate，"tellus，hasyourtimebeenbetterspentthanours，orhaveyouanynewsofthatunhappymaiden，who，beingforsomanyyearstheprincipaljoyofthisbroken—downhouse，isnowprovedourgreatestunhappiness？

Haveyounotatleastdiscoveredherplaceofresidence？"

"Ihave，"repliedTressilian。"KnowyouCumnorPlace，nearOxford？"

"Surely，"saidtheclergyman;"itwasahouseofremovalforthemonksofAbingdon。"

"Whosearms，"saidMasterMichael，"Ihaveseenoverastonechimneyinthehall，——acrosspatoncebetwixtfourmartlets。"

"There，"saidTressilian，"thisunhappymaidenresides，incompanywiththevillainVarney。Butforastrangemishap，myswordhadrevengedallourinjuries，aswellashers，onhisworthlesshead。"

"ThankGod，thatkeptthinehandfromblood—guiltiness，rashyoungman！"answeredthecurate。"Vengeanceismine，saiththeLord，andIwillrepayit。Itwerebetterstudytofreeherfromthevillain\'snetsofinfamy。"

"Theyarecalled，inheraldry，LAQUEIAMORIS，orLACSD\'AMOUR，"

saidMumblazen。

"ItisinthatIrequireyouraid，myfriends，"saidTressilian。

"Iamresolvedtoaccusethisvillain，attheveryfootofthethrone，offalsehood，seduction，andbreachofhospitablelaws。

TheQueenshallhearme，thoughtheEarlofLeicester，thevillain\'spatron，stoodatherrighthand。"

"HerGrace，"saidthecurate，"hathsetacomelyexampleofcontinencetohersubjects，andwilldoubtlessdojusticeonthisinhospitablerobber。ButwertthounotbetterapplytotheEarlofLeicester，inthefirstplace，forjusticeonhisservant？Ifhegrantsit，thoudostsavetheriskofmakingthyselfapowerfuladversary，whichwillcertainlychanceif，inthefirstinstance，youaccusehismasterofthehorseandprimefavouritebeforetheQueen。"

"Mymindrevoltsfromyourcounsel，"saidTressilian。"Icannotbrooktopleadmynoblepatron\'scausetheunhappyAmy\'scause——

beforeanyonesavemylawfulSovereign。Leicester，thouwiltsay，isnoble。Beitso;heisbutasubjectlikeourselves，andIwillnotcarrymyplainttohim，ifIcandobetter。Still，I

willthinkonwhatthouhastsaid;butImusthaveyourassistancetopersuadethegoodSirHughtomakemehiscommissionerandfiduciaryinthismatter，foritisinhisnameImustspeak，andnotinmyown。Sincesheissofarchangedastodoteuponthisemptyprofligatecourtier，heshallatleastdoherthejusticewhichisyetinhispower。"

"BettershediedCAELEBSandSINEPROLE，"saidMumblazen，withmoreanimationthanheusuallyexpressed，"thanpart，PERPALE，thenoblecoatofRobsartwiththatofsuchamiscreant！"

"Ifitbeyourobject，asIcannotquestion，"saidtheclergyman，"tosave，asmuchasisyetpossible，thecreditofthisunhappyyoungwoman，Irepeat，youshouldapply，inthefirstinstance，totheEarlofLeicester。HeisasabsoluteinhishouseholdastheQueeninherkingdom，andifheexpressestoVarneythatsuchishispleasure，herhonourwillnotstandsopubliclycommitted。"

"Youareright，youareright！"saidTressilianeagerly，"andI

thankyouforpointingoutwhatIoverlookedinmyhaste。I

littlethoughtevertohavebesoughtgraceofLeicester;butI

couldkneeltotheproudDudley，ifdoingsocouldremoveoneshadeofshamefromthisunhappydamsel。YouwillassistmethentoprocurethenecessarypowersfromSirHughRobsart？"

Thecurateassuredhimofhisassistance，andtheheraldnoddedassent。

"Youmustholdyourselvesalsoinreadinesstotestify，incaseyouarecalledupon，theopenheartedhospitalitywhichourgoodpatronexercisedtowardsthisdeceitfultraitor，andthesolicitudewithwhichhelabouredtoseducehisunhappydaughter。"

"Atfirst，"saidtheclergyman，"shedidnot，asitseemedtome，muchaffecthiscompany;butlatterlyIsawthemoftentogether。"

"SEIANTintheparlour，"saidMichaelMumblazen，"andPASSANTinthegarden。"

"Ioncecameonthembychance，"saidthepriest，"intheSouthwood，inaspringevening。Varneywasmuffledinarussetcloak，sothatIsawnothisface。Theyseparatedhastily，astheyheardmerustleamongsttheleaves;andIobservedsheturnedherheadandlookedlongafterhim。"

"WithneckREGUARDANT，"saidtheherald。"Andonthedayofherflight，andthatwasonSaintAusten\'sEve，IsawVarney\'sgroom，attiredinhisliveries，holdhismaster\'shorseandMistressAmy\'spalfrey，bridledandsaddledPROPER，behindthewallofthechurchyard，"

"Andnowisshefoundmewedupinhissecretplaceofretirement，"saidTressilian。"Thevillainistakeninthemanner，andIwellwishhemaydenyhiscrime，thatImaythrustconvictiondownhisfalsethroat！ButImustprepareformyjourney。Doyou，gentlemen，disposemypatrontograntmesuchpowersasareneedfultoactinhisname。"

Sosaying，Tressilianlefttheroom。

"Heistoohot，"saidthecurate;"andIpraytoGodthatHemaygranthimthepatiencetodealwithVarneyasisfitting。"

"PatienceandVarney，"saidMumblazen，"isworseheraldrythanmetaluponmetal。Heismorefalsethanasiren，morerapaciousthanagriffin，morepoisonousthanawyvern，andmorecruelthanalionrampant。"

"YetIdoubtmuch，"saidthecurate，"whetherwecanwithproprietyaskfromSirHughRobsart，beinginhispresentcondition，anydeeddeputinghispaternalrightinMistressAmytowhomsoever——"

"Yourreverenceneednotdoubtthat，"saidWillBadger，whoenteredashespoke，"forIwilllaymylifeheisanothermanwhenhewakesthanhehasbeenthesethirtydayspast。"

"Ay，Will，"saidthecurate，"hastthouthensomuchconfidenceinDoctorDiddleum\'sdraught？"

"Notawhit，"saidWill，"becausemasterne\'ertastedadropon\'t，seeingitwasemptiedoutbythehousemaid。Buthere\'sagentleman，whocameattendingonMasterTressilian，hasgivenSirHughadraughtthatisworthtwentyofyonun。Ihavespokencunninglywithhim，andabetterfarrieroronewhohathamorejustnotionofhorseanddogailmentIhaveneverseen;andsuchaonewouldneverbeunjusttoaChristianman。"

"Afarrier！yousaucygroom——andbywhoseauthority，pray？"

saidthecurate，risinginsurpriseandindignation;"orwhowillbewarrantforthisnewphysician？"

"Forauthority，anitlikeyourreverence，hehadmine;andforwarrant，ItrustIhavenotbeenfive—and—twentyyearsinthishousewithouthavingrighttowarrantthegivingofadraughttobeastorbody——Iwhocangieadrench，andaball，andbleed，orblister，ifneed，tomyveryself。"

ThecounsellorsofthehouseofRobsartthoughtitmeettocarrythisinformationinstantlytoTressilian，whoasspeedilysummonedbeforehimWaylandSmith，anddemandedofhim（inprivate，however）bywhatauthorityhehadventuredtoadministeranymedicinetoSirHughRobsart？

"Why，"repliedtheartist，"yourworshipcannotbutrememberthatItoldyouIhadmademoreprogressintomymaster\'s——ImeanthelearnedDoctorDoboobie\'s——mysterythanhewaswillingtoown;

andindeedhalfofhisquarrelandmaliceagainstmewasthat，besidesthatIgotsomethingtoodeepintohissecrets，severaldiscerningpersons，andparticularlyabuxomyoungwidowofAbingdon，preferredmyprescriptionstohis。"

"Noneofthybuffoonery，sir，"saidTressiliansternly。"Ifthouhasttrifledwithus——muchmore，ifthouhastdoneaughtthatmayprejudiceSirHughRobsart\'shealth，thoushaltfindthygraveatthebottomofatin—mine。"

"IknowtoolittleofthegreatARCANUMtoconverttheoretogold，"saidWaylandfirmly。"Buttrucetoyourapprehensions，MasterTressilian。Iunderstoodthegoodknight\'scasefromwhatMasterWilliamBadgertoldme;andIhopeIamableenoughtoadministerapoordoseofmandragora，which，withthesleepthatmustneedsfollow，isallthatSirHughRobsartrequirestosettlehisdistraughtbrains。"

"Itrustthoudealestfairlywithme，Wayland？"saidTressilian。

"Mostfairlyandhonestly，astheeventshallshow，"repliedtheartist。"Whatwoulditavailmetoharmthepooroldmanforwhomyouareinterested？——you，towhomIoweitthatGafferPinniewinksisnotevennowrendingmyfleshandsinewswithhisaccursedpincers，andprobingeverymoleinmybodywithhissharpenedawl（amurrainonthehandswhichforgedit！）inordertofindoutthewitch\'smark？——Itrusttoyokemyselfasahumblefollowertoyourworship\'strain，andIonlywishtohavemyfaithjudgedofbytheresultofthegoodknight\'sslumbers。"

WaylandSmithwasrightinhisprognostication。Thesedativedraughtwhichhisskillhadprepared，andWillBadger\'sconfidencehadadministered，wasattendedwiththemostbeneficialeffects。Thepatient\'ssleepwaslongandhealthful，andthepooroldknightawoke，humbledindeedinthoughtandweakinframe，yetamuchbetterjudgeofwhateverwassubjectedtohisintellectthanhehadbeenforsometimepast。HeresistedforawhiletheproposalmadebyhisfriendsthatTressilianshouldundertakeajourneytocourt，toattempttherecoveryofhisdaughter，andtheredressofherwrongs，insofarastheymightyetberepaired。"Lethergo，"hesaid;"sheisbutahawkthatgoesdownthewind;Iwouldnotbestowevenawhistletoreclaimher。"Butthoughheforsometimemaintainedthisargument，hewasatlengthconvinceditwashisdutytotaketheparttowhichnaturalaffectioninclinedhim，andconsentthatsucheffortsascouldyetbemadeshouldbeusedbyTressilianinbehalfofhisdaughter。Hesubscribed，therefore，awarrantofattorney，suchasthecurate\'sskillenabledhimtodrawup;forinthosesimpledaystheclergywereoftentheadvisersoftheirflockinlawaswellasingospel。

AllmatterswerepreparedforTressilian\'sseconddeparture，withintwenty—fourhoursafterhehadreturnedtoLidcoteHall;

butonematerialcircumstancehadbeenforgotten，whichwasfirstcalledtotheremembranceofTressilianbyMasterMumblazen。

"Youaregoingtocourt，MasterTressilian，"saidhe;"youwillpleaserememberthatyourblazonrymustbeARGENTandOR——noothertinctureswillpasscurrent。"Theremarkwasequallyjustandembarrassing。Toprosecuteasuitatcourt，readymoneywasasindispensableeveninthegoldendaysofElizabethasatanysucceedingperiod;anditwasacommoditylittleatthecommandoftheinhabitantsofLidcoteHall。Tressilianwashimselfpoor;

therevenuesofgoodSirHughRobsartwereconsumed，andevenanticipated，inhishospitablemodeofliving;anditwasfinallynecessarythattheheraldwhostartedthedoubtshouldhimselfsolveit。MasterMichaelMumblazendidsobyproducingabagofmoney，containingnearlythreehundredpoundsingoldandsilverofvariouscoinage，thesavingsoftwentyyears，whichhenow，withoutspeakingasyllableuponthesubject，dedicatedtotheserviceofthepatronwhoseshelterandprotectionhadgivenhimthemeansofmakingthislittlehoard。Tressilianaccepteditwithoutaffectingamoment\'shesitation，andamutualgraspofthehandwasallthatpassedbetwixtthem，toexpressthepleasurewhichtheonefeltindedicatinghisalltosuchapurpose，andthatwhichtheotherreceivedfromfindingsomaterialanobstacletothesuccessofhisjourneysosuddenlyremoved，andinamannersounexpected。

WhileTressilianwasmakingpreparationsforhisdepartureearlytheensuingmorning，WaylandSmithdesiredtospeakwithhim，and，expressinghishopethathehadbeenpleasedwiththeoperationofhismedicineinbehalfofSirHughRobsart，addedhisdesiretoaccompanyhimtocourt。ThiswasindeedwhatTressilianhimselfhadseveraltimesthoughtof;fortheshrewdness，alertnessofunderstanding，andvarietyofresourcewhichthisfellowhadexhibitedduringthetimetheyhadtravelledtogether，hadmadehimsensiblethathisassistancemightbeofimportance。ButthenWaylandwasindangerfromthegraspoflaw;andofthisTressilianremindedhim，mentioningsomething，atthesametime，ofthepincersofPinniewinksandthewarrantofMasterJusticeBlindas。WaylandSmithlaughedbothtoscorn。

"Seeyou，sir！"saidhe，"Ihavechangedmygarbfromthatofafarriertoaserving—man;butwereitstillasitwas，lookatmymoustaches。Theynowhangdown;Iwillbutturnthemup，anddyethemwithatincturethatIknowof，andthedevilwouldscarceknowmeagain。"

Heaccompaniedthesewordswiththeappropriateaction，andinlessthanaminute，bysettingup，hismoustachesandhishair，heseemedadifferentpersonfromhimthathadbutnowenteredtheroom。Still，however，Tressilianhesitatedtoaccepthisservices，andtheartistbecameproportionablyurgent。

"Ioweyoulifeandlimb，"hesaid，"andIwouldfainpayapartofthedebt，especiallyasIknowfromWillBadgeronwhatdangerousserviceyourworshipisbound。Idonot，indeed，pretendtobewhatiscalledamanofmettle，oneofthoserufflingtear—catswhomaintaintheirmaster\'squarrelwithswordandbuckler。Nay，Iamevenoneofthosewhoholdtheendofafeastbetterthanthebeginningofafray。ButIknowthatIcanserveyourworshipbetter，insuchquestasyours，thananyofthesesword—and—daggermen，andthatmyheadwillbeworthanhundredoftheirhands。"

Tressilianstillhesitated。Heknewnotmuchofthisstrangefellow，andwasdoubtfulhowfarhecouldreposeinhimtheconfidencenecessarytorenderhimausefulattendantuponthepresentemergency。Erehehadcometoadetermination，thetramplingofahorsewasheardinthecourtyard，andMasterMumblazenandWillBadgerbothenteredhastilyintoTressilian\'schamber，speakingalmostatthesamemoment。

"Hereisaserving—manonthebonniestgreytitIeversee\'dinmylife，"saidWillBadger，whogotthestart——"havingonhisarmasilvercognizance，beingafire—drakeholdinginhismouthabrickbat，underacoronetofanEarl\'sdegree，"saidMasterMumblazen，"andbearingalettersealedofthesame。"

Tressiliantooktheletter，whichwasaddressed"TotheworshipfulMasterEdmundTressilian，ourlovingkinsman——These——

ride，ride，ride——forthylife，forthylife，forthylife。"Hethenopenedit，andfoundthefollowingcontents:——

"MASTERTRESSILIAN，OURGOODFRIENDANDCOUSIN，"Weareatpresentsoillatease，andotherwisesounhappilycircumstanced，thatwearedesiroustohavearoundusthoseofourfriendsonwhoseloving—kindnesswecanmostespeciallyreposeconfidence;amongstwhomweholdourgoodMasterTressilianoneoftheforemostandnearest，bothingoodwillandgoodability。Wethereforeprayyou，withyourmostconvenientspeed，torepairtoourpoorlodging，atSayesCourt，nearDeptford，wherewewilltreatfurtherwithyouofmatterswhichwedeemitnotfittocommituntowriting。Andsowebidyouheartilyfarewell，beingyourlovingkinsmantocommand，"RATCLIFFE，EARLOFSUSSEX。"

"Sendupthemessengerinstantly，WillBadger，"saidTressilian;

andasthemanenteredtheroom，heexclaimed，"Ah，Stevens，isityou？howdoesmygoodlord？"

"Ill，MasterTressilian，"wasthemessenger\'sreply，"andhavingthereforethemoreneedofgoodfriendsaroundhim。"

"Butwhatismylord\'smalady？"saidTressiliananxiously;I

heardnothingofhisbeingill。"

"Iknownot，sir，"repliedtheman;"heisveryillatease。Theleechesareatastand，andmanyofhishouseholdsuspectfoulpractice—witchcraft，orworse。"

"Whatarethesymptoms？"saidWaylandSmith，steppingforwardhastily。

"Anan？"saidthemessenger，notcomprehendinghismeaning。

"Whatdoesheail？"saidWayland;"wherelieshisdisease？"

ThemanlookedatTressilian，asiftoknowwhetherheshouldanswertheseinquiriesfromastranger，andreceivingasignintheaffirmative，hehastilyenumeratedgraduallossofstrength，nocturnalperspiration，andlossofappetite，faintness，etc。

"Joined，"saidWayland，"toagnawingpaininthestomach，andalowfever？"

"Evenso，"saidthemessenger，somewhatsurprised。

"Iknowhowthediseaseiscaused，"saidtheartist，"andIknowthecause。YourmasterhaseatenofthemannaofSaintNicholas。

Iknowthecuretoo——mymastershallnotsayIstudiedinhislaboratoryfornothing。"

"Howmeanyou？"saidTressilian，frowning;"wespeakofoneofthefirstnoblesofEngland。Bethinkyou，thisisnosubjectforbuffoonery。"

"Godforbid！"saidWaylandSmith。"IsaythatIknowthisdisease，andcancurehim。RememberwhatIdidforSirHughRobsart，"

"Wewillsetforthinstantly，"saidTressilian。"Godcallsus。"

Accordingly，hastilymentioningthisnewmotiveforhisinstantdeparture，thoughwithoutalludingtoeitherthesuspicionsofStevens，ortheassurancesofWaylandSmith，hetookthekindestleaveofSirHughandthefamilyatLidcoteHall，whoaccompaniedhimwithprayersandblessings，and，attendedbyWaylandandtheEarlofSussex\'sdomestic，travelledwiththeutmostspeedtowardsLondon。

CHAPTERXIII。

Ay，Iknowyouhavearsenic，Vitriol，sal—tartre，argaile，alkaly，Cinoper:Iknowall。——Thisfellow，Captain，Willcomeintimetobeagreatdistiller，Andgiveasay（Iwillnotsaydirectly，Butverynear）atthephilosopher\'sstone。THEALCHEMIST。

Tressilianandhisattendantspressedtheirroutewithalldispatch。Hehadaskedthesmith，indeed，whentheirdeparturewasresolvedon，whetherhewouldnotratherchoosetoavoidBerkshire，inwhichhehadplayedapartsoconspicuous？ButWaylandreturnedaconfidentanswer。HehademployedtheshortintervaltheypassedatLidcoteHallintransforminghimselfinawonderfulmanner。Hiswildandovergrownthicketofbeardwasnowrestrainedtotwosmallmoustachesontheupperlip，turnedupinamilitaryfashion。AtailorfromthevillageofLidcote（wellpaid）hadexertedhisskill，underhiscustomer\'sdirections，soascompletelytoalterWayland\'soutwardman，andtakeofffromhisappearancealmosttwentyyearsofage。

Formerly，besmearedwithsootandcharcoal，overgrownwithhair，andbentdoublewiththenatureofhislabour，disfiguredtoobyhisoddandfantasticdress，heseemedamanoffiftyyearsold。

Butnow，inahandsomesuitofTressilian\'slivery，withaswordbyhissideandabuckleronhisshoulder，helookedlikeagayrufflingserving—man，whoseagemightbebetwixtthirtyandthirty—five，theveryprimeofhumanlife。Hisloutish，savage—

lookingdemeanourseemedequallychanged，intoaforward，sharp，andimpudentalertnessoflookandaction。

WhenchallengedbyTressilian，whodesiredtoknowthecauseofametamorphosissosingularandsoabsolute，Waylandonlyansweredbysingingastavefromacomedy，whichwasthennew，andwassupposed，amongthemorefavourablejudges，toaugursomegeniusonthepartoftheauthor。Wearehappytopreservethecouplet，whichranexactlythus，——

"Ban，ban，caCaliban——

Getanewmaster——Beanewman。"

AlthoughTressiliandidnotrecollecttheverses，yettheyremindedhimthatWaylandhadoncebeenastageplayer，acircumstancewhich，ofitself，accountedindifferentlywellforthereadinesswithwhichhecouldassumesototalachangeofpersonalappearance。Theartisthimselfwassoconfidentofhisdisguisebeingcompletelychanged，orofhishavingcompletelychangedhisdisguise，whichmaybethemorecorrectmodeofspeaking，thatheregrettedtheywerenottopassnearhisoldplaceofretreat。