第18章

Allhastenedtowishhimjoyonthemendedappearanceofhisfortune——somefromrealregard，some，perhaps，fromhopesthathisprefermentmighthastentheirown，andmostfromamixtureofthesemotives，andasensethatthecountenanceshowntoanyoneofSussex\'shouseholdwas，infact，atriumphtothewhole。

Raleighreturnedthekindestthankstothemall，disowning，withbecomingmodesty，thatoneday\'sfairreceptionmadeafavourite，anymorethanoneswallowasummer。ButheobservedthatBlountdidnotjoininthegeneralcongratulation，and，somewhathurtathisapparentunkindness，heplainlyaskedhimthereason。

Blountrepliedwithequalsincerity——"MygoodWalter，Iwishtheeaswellasdoanyofthesechatteringgulls，whoarewhistlingandwhoopinggratulationsinthineearbecauseitseemsfairweatherwiththee。ButIfearforthee，"Walter"（andhewipedhishonesteye），"Ifearfortheewithallmyheart。Thesecourt—tricks，andgambols，andflashesoffinewomen\'sfavourarethetricksandtrinketsthatbringfairfortunestofarthings，andfinefacesandwittycoxcombstotheacquaintanceofdullblockandsharpaxes。"

Sosaying，Blountaroseandleftthehall，whileRaleighlookedafterhimwithanexpressionthatblankedforamomenthisboldandanimatedcountenance。

Stanleyjustthenenteredthehall，andsaidtoTressilian，"MylordiscallingforyourfellowWayland，andyourfellowWaylandisjustcomehitherinasculler，andiscallingforyou，norwillhegotomylordtillheseesyou。Thefellowlooksasheweremazed，methinks;Iwouldyouwouldseehimimmediately。"

Tressilianinstantlyleftthehall，andcausingWaylandSmithtobeshownintoawithdrawingapartment，andlightsplaced，heconductedtheartistthither，andwassurprisedwhenheobservedtheemotionofhiscountenance。

"Whatisthematterwithyou，Smith？"saidTressilian;"haveyouseenthedevil？"

"Worse，sir，worse，"repliedWayland;"Ihaveseenabasilisk。

ThankGod，Isawhimfirst;forbeingsoseen，andseeingnotme，hewilldothelessharm。"

"InGod\'sname，speaksense，"saidTressilian，"andsaywhatyoumean。"

"Ihaveseenmyoldmaster，"saidtheartist。"LastnightafriendwhomIhadacquiredtookmetoseethePalaceclock，judgingmetobecuriousinsuchworksofart。Atthewindowofaturretnexttotheclock—houseIsawmyoldmaster。"

"Thoumustneedshavebeenmistaken，"saidTressilian。

"Iwasnotmistaken，"saidWayland;"hethatoncehathhisfeaturesbyheartwouldknowhimamongstamillion。Hewasanticlyhabited;buthecannotdisguisehimselffromme，Godbepraised！asIcanfromhim。Iwillnot，however，temptProvidencebyremainingwithinhisken。Tarletontheplayerhimselfcouldnotsodisguisehimselfbutthat，soonerorlater，Doboobiewouldfindhimout。Imustawayto—morrow;for，aswestandtogether，itweredeathtometoremainwithinreachofhim。"

"ButtheEarlofSussex？"saidTressilian。

"Heisinlittledangerfromwhathehashithertotaken，providedheswallowthematterofabean\'ssizeoftheorvietaneverymorningfasting;butlethimbewareofarelapse。"

"Andhowisthattobeguardedagainst？"saidTressilian。

"Onlybysuchcautionasyouwoulduseagainstthedevil，"

answeredWayland。"Letmylord\'sclerkofthekitchenkillhislord\'smeathimself，anddressithimself，usingnospicebutwhatheprocuresfromthesuresthands。Letthesewerserveituphimself，andletthemasterofmylord\'shouseholdseethatbothclerkandsewertastethedisheswhichtheonedressesandtheotherserves。Letmylordusenoperfumeswhichcomenotfromwellaccreditedpersons;nounguents——nopomades。Lethim，onnoaccount，drinkwithstrangers，oreatfruitwiththem，eitherinthewayofnooningorotherwise。Especially，lethimobservesuchcautionifhegoestoKenilworth——theexcuseofhisillness，andhisbeingunderdiet，will，andmust，coverthestrangenessofsuchpractice。"

"Andthou，"saidTressilian，"whatdostthouthinktomakeofthyself？"

"France，Spain，eitherIndia，EastorWest，shallbemyrefuge，"

saidWayland，"ereIventuremylifebyresidingwithinkenofDoboobie，Demetrius，orwhateverelsehecallshimselfforthetime。"

"Well，"saidTressilian，"thishappensnotinopportunely。IhadbusinessforyouinBerkshire，butintheoppositeextremitytotheplacewherethouartknown;anderethouhadstfoundoutthisnewreasonforlivingprivate，Ihadsettledtosendtheethitheruponasecretembassage。"

Theartistexpressedhimselfwillingtoreceivehiscommands，andTressilian，knowinghewaswellacquaintedwiththeoutlineofhisbusinessatcourt，franklyexplainedtohimthewhole，mentionedtheagreementwhichsubsistedbetwixtGilesGoslingandhim，andtoldwhathadthatdaybeenaverredinthepresence—

chamberbyVarney，andsupportedbyLeicester。

"Thouseest，"headded，"that，inthecircumstancesinwhichIamplaced，itbehovesmetokeepanarrowwatchonthemotionsoftheseunprincipledmen，Varneyandhiscomplices，FosterandLambourne，aswellasonthoseofmyLordLeicesterhimself，who，Isuspect，ispartlyadeceiver，andnotaltogetherthedeceivedinthatmatter。Hereismyring，asapledgetoGilesGosling。

Hereisbesidesgold，whichshallbetrebledifthouservemefaithfully。AwaydowntoCumnor，andseewhathappensthere。"

"Igowithdoublegood—will，"saidtheartist，"first，becauseI

serveyourhonour，whohasbeensokindtome;andthen，thatI

mayescapemyoldmaster，who，ifnotanabsoluteincarnationofthedevil，has，atleast，asmuchofthedemonabouthim，inwill，word，andaction;aseverpollutedhumanity。Andyetlethimtakecareofme。Iflyhimnow，asheretofore;butif，liketheScottishwildcattle，Iamvexedbyfrequentpursuit，Imayturnonhiminhateanddesperation。[AremnantofthewildcattleofScotlandarepreservedatChillinghamCastle，nearWooler，inNorthumberland，theseatofLordTankerville。Theyflybeforestrangers;butifdisturbedandfollowed，theyturnwithfuryonthosewhopersistinannoyingthem。]Willyourhonourcommandmynagtobesaddled？Iwillbutgivethemedicinetomylord，dividedinitsproperproportions，withafewinstructions。Hissafetywillthendependonthecareofhisfriendsanddomestics;forthepastheisguarded，butlethimbewareofthefuture。"

WaylandSmithaccordinglymadehisfarewellvisittotheEarlofSussex，dictatedinstructionsastohisregimen，andprecautionsconcerninghisdiet，andleftSayesCourtwithoutwaitingformorning。

CHAPTERXVIII。

Themomentcomes——

Itisalreadycome——whenthoumustwriteTheabsolutetotalofthylife\'svastsum。

Theconstellationsstandvictoriouso\'erthee，Theplanetsshootgoodfortuneinfairjunctions，Andtellthee，"Now\'sthetime。"

SCHILLER\'SWALLENSTEIN，BYCOLERIDGE。

WhenLeicesterreturnedtohislodging，alteradaysoimportantandsoharassing，inwhich，afterridingoutmorethanonegale，andtouchingonmorethanoneshoal，hisbarkhadfinallygainedtheharbourwithbannerdisplayed，heseemedtoexperienceasmuchfatigueasamarinerafteraperilousstorm。Hespokenotawordwhilehischamberlainexchangedhisrichcourt—mantleforafurrednight—robe，andwhenthisofficersignifiedthatMasterVarneydesiredtospeakwithhislordship，herepliedonlybyasullennod。Varney，however，entered，acceptingthissignalasapermission，andthechamberlainwithdrew。

TheEarlremainedsilentandalmostmotionlessinhischair，hisheadreclinedonhishand，andhiselbowrestinguponthetablewhichstoodbesidehim，withoutseemingtobeconsciousoftheentranceorofthepresenceofhisconfidant。Varneywaitedforsomeminutesuntilheshouldspeak，desiroustoknowwhatwasthefinallypredominantmoodofamindthroughwhichsomanypowerfulemotionshadthatdaytakentheircourse。Buthewaitedinvain，forLeicestercontinuedstillsilent，andtheconfidantsawhimselfunderthenecessityofbeingthefirsttospeak。"MayI

congratulateyourlordship，"hesaid，"onthedeservedsuperiorityyouhavethisdayattainedoveryourmostformidablerival？"

Leicesterraisedhishead，andansweredsadly，butwithoutanger，"Thou，Varney，whosereadyinventionhasinvolvedmeinawebofmostmeanandperilousfalsehood，knowestbestwhatsmallreasonthereisforgratulationonthesubject。"

"Doyoublameme，mylord，"saidVarney，"fornotbetraying，onthefirstpush，thesecretonwhichyourfortunesdepended，andwhichyouhavesooftandsoearnestlyrecommendedtomysafekeeping？Yourlordshipwaspresentinperson，andmighthavecontradictedmeandruinedyourselfbyanavowalofthetruth;

butsurelyitwasnopartofafaithfulservanttohavedonesowithoutyourcommands。"

"Icannotdenyit，Varney，"saidtheEarl，risingandwalkingacrosstheroom;"myownambitionhasbeentraitortomylove。"

"Sayrather，mylord，thatyourlovehasbeentraitortoyourgreatness，andbarredyoufromsuchaprospectofhonourandpowerastheworldcannotoffertoanyother。Tomakemyhonouredladyacountess，youhavemissedthechanceofbeingyourself——"

Hepaused，andseemedunwillingtocompletethesentence。

"Ofbeingmyselfwhat？"demandedLeicester;"speakoutthymeaning，Varney。"

"OfbeingyourselfaKING，mylord，"repliedVarney;"andKingofEnglandtoboot！ItisnotreasontoourQueentosayso。Itwouldhavechancedbyherobtainingthatwhichalltruesubjectswishher——alusty，noble，andgallanthusband。"

"Thouravest，Varney，"answeredLeicester。"Besides，ourtimeshaveseenenoughtomakemenloathetheCrownMatrimonialwhichmentakefromtheirwives\'lap。TherewasDarnleyofScotland。"

"He！"saidVarney;"a，gull，afool，athrice—soddenass，whosufferedhimselftobefiredoffintotheairlikearocketonarejoicingday。HadMaryhadthehaptohaveweddedthenobleEarlONCEdestinedtoshareherthrone，shehadexperiencedahusbandofdifferentmetal;andherhusbandhadfoundinherawifeascomplyingandlovingasthemateofthemeanestsquirewhofollowsthehoundsa—horseback，andholdsherhusband\'sbridleashemounts。"

"Itmighthavebeenasthousayest，Varney，"saidLeicester，abriefsmileofself—satisfactionpassingoverhisanxiouscountenance。"HenryDarnleyknewlittleofwomen——withMary，amanwhoknewhersexmighthavehadsomechanceofholdinghisown。ButnotwithElizabeth，VarneyforIthankGod，whenhegavehertheheartofawoman，gavehertheheadofamantocontrolitsfollies。No，Iknowher。Shewillacceptlove—

tokens，ay，andrequitethemwiththelike——putsugaredsonnetsinherbosom，ay，andanswerthemtoo——pushgallantrytotheveryvergewhereitbecomesexchangeofaffection;butshewritesNIL

ULTRAtoallwhichistofollow，andwouldnotbarteroneiotaofherownsupremepowerforallthealphabetofbothCupidandHymen。"

"Thebetterforyou，mylord，"saidVarney——"thatis，inthecasesupposed，ifsuchbeherdisposition;sinceyouthinkyoucannotaspiretobecomeherhusband。Herfavouriteyouare，andmayremain，iftheladyatCumnorplacecontinuesinherpresentobscurity。"

"PoorAmy！"saidLeicester，withadeepsigh;"shedesiressoearnestlytobeacknowledgedinpresenceofGodandman！"

"Ay，but，mylord，"saidVarney，"isherdesirereasonable？Thatisthequestion。Herreligiousscruplesaresolved;sheisanhonouredandbelovedwife，enjoyingthesocietyofherhusbandatsuchtimesashisweightierdutiespermithimtoaffordherhiscompany。Whatwouldshemore？Iamrightsurethataladysogentleandsolovingwouldconsenttoliveherlifethroughinacertainobscurity——whichis，afterall，notdimmerthanwhenshewasatLidcoteHall——ratherthandiminishtheleastjotofherlord\'shonoursandgreatnessbyaprematureattempttosharethem。"

"Thereissomethinginwhatthousayest，"saidLeicester，"andherappearanceherewerefatal。YetshemustbeseenatKenilworth;Elizabethwillnotforgetthatshehassoappointed。"

"Letmesleeponthathardpoint，"saidVarney;"IcannotelseperfectthedeviceIhaveonthestithy，whichItrustwillsatisfytheQueenandpleasemyhonouredlady，yetleavethisfatalsecretwhereitisnowburied。Hasyourlordshipfurthercommandsforthenight？"

"Iwouldbealone，"saidLeicester。"Leaveme，andplacemysteelcasketonthetable。Bewithinsummons。"

Varneyretired，andtheEarl，openingthewindowofhisapartment，lookedoutlongandanxiouslyuponthebrillianthostofstarswhichglimmeredinthesplendourofasummerfirmament。

Thewordsburstfromhimasatunawares，"Ihadnevermoreneedthattheheavenlybodiesshouldbefriendme，formyearthlypathisdarkenedandconfused。"

Itiswellknownthattheagereposedadeepconfidenceinthevainpredictionsofjudicialastrology，andLeicester，thoughexemptfromthegeneralcontrolofsuperstition，wasnotinthisrespectsuperiortohistime，but，onthecontrary，wasremarkablefortheencouragementwhichhegavetotheprofessorsofthispretendedscience。Indeed，thewishtopryintofuturity，sogeneralamongthehumanrace，ispeculiarlytobefoundamongstthosewhotradeinstatemysteriesandthedangerousintriguesandcabalsofcourts。Withheedfulprecautiontoseethatithadnotbeenopened，oritslockstamperedwith，Leicesterappliedakeytothesteelcasket，anddrewfromit，first，aparcelofgoldpieces，whichheputintoasilkpurse;thenaparchmentinscribedwithplanetarysigns，andthelinesandcalculationsusedinframinghoroscopes，onwhichhegazedintentlyforafewmoments;and，lastly，tookforthalargekey，which，liftingasidethetapestry，heappliedtoalittle，concealeddoorinthecorneroftheapartment，andopeningit，disclosedastairconstructedinthethicknessofthewall。

"Alasco，"saidtheEarl，withavoiceraised，yetnohigherraisedthantobeheardbytheinhabitantofthesmallturrettowhichthestairconducted——"Alasco，Isay，descend。"

"Icome，mylord，"answeredavoicefromabove。Thefootofanagedmanwasheardslowlydescendingthenarrowstair，andAlascoenteredtheEarl\'sapartment。Theastrologerwasalittleman，andseemedmuchadvancedinage，forhisheardwaslongandwhite，andreachedoverhisblackdoubletdowntohissilkengirdle。Hishairwasofthesamevenerablehue。Buthiseyebrowswereasdarkasthekeenandpiercingblackeyeswhichtheyshaded，andthispeculiaritygaveawildandsingularcasttothephysiognomyoftheoldman。Hischeekwasstillfreshandruddy，andtheeyeswehavementionedresembledthoseofaratinacutenessandevenfiercenessofexpression。Hismannerwasnotwithoutasortofdignity;andtheinterpreterofthestars，thoughrespectful，seemedaltogetherathisease，andevenassumedatoneofinstructionandcommandinconversingwiththeprimefavouriteofElizabeth。

"Yourprognosticationshavefailed，Alasco，"saidtheEarl，whentheyhadexchangedsalutations——"heisrecovering。"

"Myson，"repliedtheastrologer，"letmeremindyouIwarrantednothisdeath;noristhereanyprognosticationthatcanbederivedfromtheheavenlybodies，theiraspectsandtheirconjunctions，whichisnotliabletobecontrolledbythewillofHeaven。ASTRAREGUNTHOMINES，SEDREGITASTRADEUS。"

"Ofwhatavail，then，isyourmystery？"inquiredtheEarl。

"Ofmuch，myson，"repliedtheoldman，"sinceitcanshowthenaturalandprobablecourseofevents，althoughthatcoursemovesinsubordinationtoanHigherPower。Thus，inreviewingthehoroscopewhichyourLordshipsubjectedtomyskill，youwillobservethatSaturn，beinginthesixthHouseinoppositiontoMars，retrogradeintheHouseofLife，cannotbutdenotelonganddangeroussickness，theissuewhereofisinthewillofHeaven，thoughdeathmayprobablybeinferred。YetifIknewthenameofthepartyIwoulderectanotherscheme。"

"Hisnameisasecret，"saidtheEarl;"yet，Imustown，thyprognosticationhathnotbeenunfaithful。Hehasbeensick，anddangerouslyso，not，however，todeath。ButhastthouagaincastmyhoroscopeasVarneydirectedthee，andartthoupreparedtosaywhatthestarstellofmypresentfortune？"

"Myartstandsatyourcommand，"saidtheoldman;"andhere，myson，isthemapofthyfortunes，brilliantinaspectaseverbeamedfromthoseblessedsignswherebyourlifeisinfluenced，yetnotunchequeredwithfears，difficulties，anddangers。"

"Mylotweremorethanmortalwereitotherwise，"saidtheEarl。

"Proceed，father，andbelieveyouspeakwithonereadytoundergohisdestinyinactionandinpassionasmaybeseemanobleofEngland。"

"Thycouragetodoandtosuffermustbewoundupyetastrainhigher，"saidtheoldman。"Thestarsintimateyetaproudertitle，yetanhigherrank。Itisfortheetoguesstheirmeaning，notformetonameit。"

"Nameit，Iconjureyou——nameit，Icommandyou！"saidtheEarl，hiseyesbrighteningashespoke。

"Imaynot，andIwillnot，"repliedtheoldman。"TheireofprincesIsasthewrathofthelion。Butmark，andjudgeforthyself。HereVenus，ascendantintheHouseofLife，andconjoinedwithSol，showersdownthatfloodofsilverlight，blentwithgold，whichpromisespower，wealth，dignity，allthattheproudheartofmandesires，andinsuchabundancethatneverthefutureAugustusofthatoldandmightyRomeheardfromhisHARUSPICESsuchataleofglory，asfromthisrichtextmyloremightreadtomyfavouriteson。"

"Thoudostbutjestwithme，father，"saidtheEarl，astonishedatthestrainofenthusiasminwhichtheastrologerdeliveredhisprediction。

"Isitforhimtojestwhohathhiseyeonheaven，whohathhisfootinthegrave？"returnedtheoldmansolemnly。

TheEarlmadetwoorthreestridesthroughtheapartment，withhishandoutstretched，asonewhofollowsthebeckoningsignalofsomephantom，wavinghimontodeedsofhighimport。Asheturned，however，hecaughttheeyeoftheastrologerfixedonhim，whileanobservingglanceofthemostshrewdpenetrationshotfromunderthepenthouseofhisshaggy，darkeyebrows。

Leicester\'shaughtyandsuspicioussoulatoncecaughtfire。Hedartedtowardstheoldmanfromthefartherendoftheloftyapartment，onlystandingstillwhenhisextendedhandwaswithinafootoftheastrologer\'sbody。

"Wretch！"hesaid，"ifyoudaretopalterwithme，Iwillhaveyourskinstrippedfromyourlivingflesh！Confessthouhastbeenhiredtodeceiveandtobetrayme——thatthouartacheat，andIthysillypreyandbooty！"

Theoldmanexhibitedsomesymptomsofemotion，butnotmorethanthefuriousdeportmentofhispatronmighthaveextortedfrominnocenceitself。

"Whatmeansthisviolence，mylord？"heanswered，"orinwhatcanIhavedeserveditatyourhand？"

"Givemeproof，"saidtheEarlvehemently，"thatyouhavenottamperedwithmineenemies。"

"Mylord，"repliedtheoldman，withdignity，"youcanhavenobetterproofthanthatwhichyouyourselfelected。InthatturretIhavespentthelasttwenty—fourhoursunderthekeywhichhasbeeninyourowncustody。ThehoursofdarknessIhavespentingazingontheheavenlybodieswiththesedimeyes，andduringthoseoflightIhavetoiledthisagedbraintocompletethecalculationarisingfromtheircombinations。EarthlyfoodI

havenottasted——earthlyvoiceIhavenotheard。YouareyourselfawareIhadnomeansofdoingso;andyetItellyou——I

whohavebeenthusshutupinsolitudeandstudy——thatwithinthesetwenty—fourhoursyourstarhasbecomepredominantinthehorizon，andeitherthebrightbookofheavenspeaksfalse，ortheremusthavebeenaproportionaterevolutioninyourfortunesuponearth。Ifnothinghashappenedwithinthatspacetosecureyourpower，oradvanceyourfavour，thenamIindeedacheat，andthedivineart，whichwasfirstdevisedintheplainsofChaldea，isafoulimposture。"

"Itistrue，"saidLeicester，afteramoment\'sreflection，"thouwertcloselyimmured;anditisalsotruethatthechangehastakenplaceinmysituationwhichthousayestthehoroscopeindicates。"

"Whereforethisdistrustthen，myson？"saidtheastrologer，assumingatoneofadmonition;"thecelestialintelligencesbrooknotdiffidence，evenintheirfavourites。"

"Peace，father，"answeredLeicester，"Ihaveerredindoubtingthee。Nottomortalman，nortocelestialintelligence——underthatwhichissupreme——willDudley\'slipssaymoreincondescensionorapology。Speakrathertothepresentpurpose。

Amidthesebrightpromisesthouhastsaidtherewasathreateningaspect。Canthyskilltellwhence，orbywhosemeans，suchdangerseemstoimpend？"

"Thusfaronly，"answeredtheastrologer，"doesmyartenablemetoansweryourquery。Theinfortuneisthreatenedbythemalignantandadverseaspect，throughmeansofayouth，and，asI

think，arival;butwhetherinloveorinprince\'sfavour，IknownotnorcanIgivefurtherindicationrespectinghim，savethathecomesfromthewesternquarter。"

"Thewestern——ha！"repliedLeicester，"itisenough——thetempestdoesindeedbrewinthatquarter！CornwallandDevon——RaleighandTressilian——oneofthemisindicated—Imustbewareofboth。

Father，ifIhavedonethyskillinjustice，Iwillmaketheealordlyrecompense。"

Hetookapurseofgoldfromthestrongcasketwhichstoodbeforehim。"HavethoudoubletherecompensewhichVarneypromised。Befaithful——besecret——obeythedirectionsthoushaltreceivefrommymasterofthehorse，andgrudgenotalittleseclusionorrestraintinmycause——itshallberichlyconsidered。——Here，Varney——conductthisvenerablemantothineownlodging;tendhimheedfullyinallthings，butseethatheholdscommunicationwithnoone。

Varneybowed，andtheastrologerkissedtheEarl\'shandintokenofadieu，andfollowedthemasterofthehorsetoanotherapartment，inwhichwereplacedwineandrefreshmentsforhisuse。

Theastrologersatdowntohisrepast，whileVarneyshuttwodoorswithgreatprecaution，examinedthetapestry，lestanylistenerlurkedbehindit，andthensittingdownoppositetothesage，begantoquestionhim。

"Sawyoumysignalfromthecourtbeneath？"

"Idid，"saidAlasco，forbysuchnamehewasatpresentcalled，"andshapedthehoroscopeaccordingly。"

"Anditpasseduponthepatronwithoutchallenge？"continuedVarney。

"Notwithoutchallenge，"repliedtheoldman，"butitdidpass;

andIadded，asbeforeagreed，dangerfromadiscoveredsecret，andawesternyouth。"

"Mylord\'sfearwillstandsponsortotheone，andhisconsciencetotheother，oftheseprognostications，"repliedVarney。"Surenevermanchosetorunsucharaceashis，yetcontinuedtoretainthosesillyscruples！Iamfaintocheathimtohisownprofit。Buttouchingyourmatters，sageinterpreterofthestars，Icantellyoumoreofyourownfortunethanplanorfigurecanshow。Youmustbegonefromhenceforthwith。"

"Iwillnot，"saidAlascopeevishly。"Ihavebeentoomuchhurriedupanddownoflate——immuredfordayandnightinadesolateturret—chamber。Imustenjoymyliberty，andpursuemystudies，whichareofmoreimportthanthefateoffiftystatesmenandfavouritesthatriseandburstlikebubblesintheatmosphereofacourt。"

"Atyourpleasure，"saidVarney，withasneerthathabithadrenderedfamiliartohisfeatures，andwhichformstheprincipalcharacteristicwhichpaintershaveassignedtothatofSatan——"atyourpleasure，"hesaid;"youmayenjoyyourlibertyandyourstudiesuntilthedaggersofSussex\'sfollowersareclashingwithinyourdoubletandagainstyourribs。"Theoldmanturnedpale，andVarneyproceeded。"Wotyounothehathofferedarewardforthearch—quackandpoison—vender，Demetrius，whosoldcertainpreciousspicestohislordship\'scook？What！turnyoupale，oldfriend？DoesHalialreadyseeaninfortuneintheHouseofLife？Why，harkthee，wewillhavetheedowntoanoldhouseofmineinthecountry，wherethoushaltlivewithahobnailedslave，whomthyalchemymayconvertintoducats，fortosuchconversionaloneisthyartserviceable。"

"Itisfalse，thoufoul—mouthedrailer，"saidAlasco，shakingwithimpotentanger;"itiswellknownthatIhaveapproachedmorenearlytoprojectionthananyhermeticartistwhonowlives。

Therearenotsixchemistsintheworldwhopossesssonearanapproximationtothegrandarcanum——"

"Come，come，"saidVarney，interruptinghim，"whatmeansthis，inthenameofHeaven？Dowenotknowoneanother？Ibelievetheetobesoperfect——soveryperfect——inthemysteryofcheating，that，havingimposeduponallmankind，thouhastatlengthinsomemeasureimposeduponthyself，andwithoutceasingtodupeothers，hastbecomeaspeciesofdupetothineownimagination。

Blushnotforit，man——thouartlearned，andshalthaveclassicalcomfort:

\'NequisquamAjacempossitsuperarenisiAjax。\'

Noonebutthyselfcouldhavegulledthee;andthouhastgulledthewholebrotherhoodoftheRosyCrossbesides——nonesodeepinthemysteryasthou。Butharktheeinthineear:hadtheseasoningwhichspicedSussex\'sbrothwroughtmoresurely，I

wouldhavethoughtbetterofthechemicalsciencethoudostboastsohighly。"

"Thouartanhardenedvillain，Varney，"repliedAlasco;"manywilldothosethingswhodarenotspeakofthem。"

"Andmanyspeakofthemwhodarenotdothem，"answeredVarney。

"Butbenotwroth——Iwillnotquarrelwiththee。IfIdid，I

werefaintoliveoneggsforamonth，thatImightfeedwithoutfear。Tellmeatonce，howcamethinearttofailtheeatthisgreatemergency？"

"TheEarlofSussex\'shoroscopeintimates，"repliedtheastrologer，"thatthesignoftheascendantbeingincombustion——"

"Awaywithyourgibberish，"repliedVarney;"thinkestthouitisthepatronthouspeakestwith？"

"Icraveyourpardon，"repliedtheoldman，"andsweartoyouI

knowbutonemedicinethatcouldhavesavedtheEarl\'slife;andasnomanlivinginEnglandknowsthatantidotesavemyself——

moreover，astheingredients，oneoftheminparticular，arescarcepossibletobecomeby，Imustneedssupposehisescapewasowingtosuchaconstitutionoflungsandvitalpartsaswasneverbeforeboundupinabodyofclay。"

"Therewassometalkofaquackwhowaitedonhim，"saidVarney，afteramoment\'sreflection。"AreyousurethereisnooneinEnglandwhohasthissecretofthine？"

"Onemantherewas，"saidthedoctor，"oncemyservant，whomighthavestolenthisofme，withoneortwoothersecretsofart。

Butcontentyou，MasterVarney，itisnopartofmypolicytosuffersuchinterloperstointerfereinmytrade。Hepriesintonomysteriesmore，Iwarrantyou，for，asIwellbelieve，hehathbeenwaftedtoheavenonthewingofafierydragon——peacebewithhim！ButinthisretreatofmineshallIhavetheuseofmineelaboratory？"

"Ofawholeworkshop，man，"saidVarney;"forareverendfatherabbot，whowasfaintogiveplacetobluffKingHalandsomeofhiscourtiers，ascoreofyearssince，hadachemist\'scompleteapparatus，whichhewasobligedtoleavebehindhimtohissuccessors。Thoushaltthereoccupy，andmelt，andpuff，andblaze，andmultiply，untiltheGreenDragonbecomeagoldengoose，orwhateverthenewerphraseofthebrotherhoodmaytestify。"