第19章

"Thouartright，MasterVarney，"saidthealchemistsettinghisteethcloseandgrindingthemtogether——"thouartrighteveninthyverycontemptofrightandreason。Forwhatthousayestinmockerymayinsoberveritychancetohappenerewemeetagain。

Ifthemostvenerablesagesofancientdayshavespokenthetruth——ifthemostlearnedofourownhaverightlyreceivedit;

ifIhavebeenacceptedwhereverItravelledinGermany，inPoland，inItaly，andinthefartherTartary，asonetowhomnaturehasunveiledherdarkestsecrets;ifIhaveacquiredthemostsecretsignsandpasswordsoftheJewishCabala，sothatthegreyestbeardinthesynagoguewouldbrushthestepstomakethemcleanforme;——ifallthisisso，andifthereremainsbutonestep——onelittlestep——betwixtmylong，deep，anddark，andsubterraneanprogress，andthatblazeoflightwhichshallshowNaturewatchingherrichestandhermostgloriousproductionsintheverycradle——onestepbetwixtdependenceandthepowerofsovereignty——onestepbetwixtpovertyandsuchasumofwealthasearth，withoutthatnoblesecret，cannotministerfromallherminesintheoldorthenew—foundworld;ifthisbeallso，isitnotreasonablethattothisIdedicatemyfuturelife，secure，forabriefperiodofstudiouspatience，toriseabovethemeandependenceuponfavourites，andTHEIRfavourites，bywhichIamnowenthralled！"

"Now，bravo！bravo！mygoodfather，"saidVarney，withtheusualsardonicexpressionofridiculeonhiscountenance;"yetallthisapproximationtothephilosopher\'sstonewringethnotonesinglecrownoutofmyLordLeicester\'spouch，andfarlessoutofRichardVarney\'s。WEmusthaveearthlyandsubstantialservices，man，andcarenotwhomelsethoucanstdeludewiththyphilosophicalcharlatanry。"

"MysonVarney，"saidthealchemist，"theunbelief，gatheredaroundtheelikeafrost—fog，hathdimmedthineacuteperceptiontothatwhichisastumbling—blocktothewise，andwhichyet，tohimwhoseekethknowledgewithhumility，extendsalessonsoclearthathewhorunsmayread。HathnotArt，thinkestthou，themeansofcompletingNature\'simperfectconcoctionsinherattemptstoformthepreciousmetals，evenasbyartwecanperfectthoseotheroperationsofincubation，distillation，fermentation，andsimilarprocessesofanordinarydescription，bywhichweextractlifeitselfoutofasenselessegg，summonpurityandvitalityoutofmuddydregs，orcallintovivacitytheinertsubstanceofasluggishliquid？"

"Ihaveheardallthisbefore，"saidVarney，"andmyheartisproofagainstsuchcanteversinceIsenttwentygoodgoldpieces（marry，itwasinthenonageofmywit）toadvancethegrandmagisterium，allwhich，Godhelpthewhile，vanishedINFUMO。

Sincethatmoment，whenIpaidformyfreedom，Idefychemistry，astrology，palmistry，andeveryotheroccultart，wereitassecretashellitself，tounloosethestrictureofmypurse—

strings。Marry，IneitherdefythemannaofSaintNicholas，norcanIdispensewithit。Thefirsttaskmustbetopreparesomewhenthougett\'stdowntomylittlesequesteredretreatyonder，andthenmakeasmuchgoldasthouwilt。"

"Iwillmakenomoreofthatdose，"saidthealchemist，resolutely。

"Then，"saidthemasterofthehorse，"thoushaltbehangedforwhatthouhastmadealready，andsowerethegreatsecretforeverlosttomankind。Donothumanitythisinjustice，goodfather，bute\'enbendtothydestiny，andmakeusanounceortwoofthissamestuff;whichcannotprejudiceaboveoneortwoindividuals，inordertogainlifetimetodiscovertheuniversalmedicine，whichshallclearawayallmortaldiseasesatonce。

Butcheerup，thougrave，learned，andmostmelancholyjackanape！

Hastthounottoldmethatamoderateportionofthydrughathmildeffects，nowaysultimatelydangeroustothehumanframe，butwhichproducesdepressionofspirits，nausea，headache，anunwillingnesstochangeofplace——evensuchastateoftemperaswouldkeepabirdfromflyingoutofacagewerethedoorleftopen？"

"Ihavesaidso，anditistrue，"saidthealchemist。"Thiseffectwillitproduce，andthebirdwhopartakesofitinsuchproportionshallsitforaseasondroopingonherperch，withoutthinkingeitherofthefreebluesky，orofthefairgreenwood，thoughtheonebelightedbytheraysoftherisingsun，andtheotherringingwiththenewly—awakenedsongofallthefeatheredinhabitantsoftheforest。"

"Andthiswithoutdangertolife？"saidVarney，somewhatanxiously。

"Ay，sothatproportionandmeasurebenotexceeded;andsothatonewhoknowsthenatureofthemannabeeverneartowatchthesymptoms，andsuccourincaseofneed。"

"Thoushaltregulatethewhole，"saidVarney。"Thyrewardshallbeprincely，ifthoukeepesttimeandtouch，andexceedestnotthedueproportion，totheprejudiceofherhealth;otherwisethypunishmentshallbeassignal。"

"TheprejudiceofHERhealth！"repeatedAlasco;"itis，then，awomanIamtousemyskillupon？"

"No，thoufool，"repliedVarney，"saidInotitwasabird——areclaimedlinnet，whosepipemightsootheahawkwheninmidstoop？Iseethineeyesparkle，andIknowthybeardisnotaltogethersowhiteasarthasmadeit——THAT，atleast，thouhastbeenabletotransmutetosilver。Butmarkme，thisisnomateforthee。Thiscagedbirdisdeartoonewhobrooksnorivalry，andfarlesssuchrivalryasthine，andherhealthmustoverallthingsbecaredfor。ButsheisinthecaseofbeingcommandeddowntoyonderKenilworthrevels，anditismostexpedient——mostneedful——mostnecessarythatsheflynotthither。Ofthesenecessitiesandtheircauses，itisnotneedfulthatsheshouldknowaught;anditistobethoughtthatherownwishmayleadhertocombatallordinaryreasonswhichcanbeurgedforherremainingahousekeeper。"

"Thatisbutnatural，"saidthealchemistwithastrangesmile，whichyetboreagreaterreferencetothehumancharacterthantheuninterestedandabstractedgazewhichhisphysiognomyhadhithertoexpressed，whereallseemedtorefertosomeworlddistantfromthatwhichwasexistingaroundhim。

"Itisso，"answeredVarney;"youunderstandwomenwell，thoughitmayhavebeenlongsinceyouwereconversantamongstthem。

Well，then，sheisnottobecontradicted;yetsheisnottobehumoured。Understandme——aslightillness，sufficienttotakeawaythedesireofremovingfromthence，andtomakesuchofyourwisefraternityasmaybecalledintoaid，recommendaquietresidenceathome，will，inoneword，beesteemedgoodservice，andremuneratedassuch。"

"IamnottobeaskedtoaffecttheHouseofLife？"saidthechemist。

"Onthecontrary，wewillhavetheehangedifthoudost，"repliedVarney。

"AndImust，"addedAlasco，"haveopportunitytodomyturn，andallfacilitiesforconcealmentorescape，shouldtherebedetection？"

"All，all，andeverything，thouinfidelinallbuttheimpossibilitiesofalchemy。Why，man，forwhatdostthoutakeme？"

Theoldmanrose，andtakingalightwalkedtowardstheendoftheapartment，wherewasadoorthatledtothesmallsleeping—

roomdestinedforhisreceptionduringthenight。Atthedoorheturnedround，andslowlyrepeatedVarney\'squestionereheansweredit。"ForwhatdoItakethee，RichardVarney？Why，foraworsedevilthanIhavebeenmyself。ButIaminyourtoils，andImustserveyoutillmytermbeout。"

"Well，well，"answeredVarneyhastily，"bestirringwithgreylight。Itmaybeweshallnotneedthymedicine——donoughttillImyselfcomedown。MichaelLambourneshallguideyoutotheplaceofyourdestination。"[SeeNote7。Dr。Julio。]

WhenVarneyheardtheadept\'sdoorshutandcarefullyboltedwithin，hesteppedtowardsit，andwithsimilarprecautioncarefullylockeditontheoutside，andtookthekeyfromthelock，mutteringtohimself，"WorsethanTHEE，thoupoisoningquacksalverandwitch—monger，who，ifthouartnotaboundenslavetothedevil，itisonlybecausehedisdainssuchanapprentice！Iamamortalman，andseekbymortalmeansthegratificationofmypassionsandadvancementofmyprospects;

thouartavassalofhellitself——Soho，Lambourne！"hecalledatanotherdoor，andMichaelmadehisappearancewithaflushedcheekandanunsteadystep。

"Thouartdrunk，thouvillain！"saidVarneytohim。

"Doubtless，noblesir，"repliedtheunabashedMichael;"Wehavebeendrinkingalleventothegloriesoftheday，andtomynobleLordofLeicesterandhisvaliantmasterofthehorse。Drunk！

oddsbladesandponiards，hethatwouldrefusetoswallowadozenhealthsonsuchaneveningisabasebesognio，andapuckfoist，andshallswallowsixinchesofmydagger！"

"Harkye，scoundrel，"saidVarney，"besoberontheinstant——I

commandthee。Iknowthoucanstthrowoffthydrunkenfolly，likeafool\'scoat，atpleasure;andifnot，itweretheworseforthee。"

Lambournedroopedhishead，lefttheapartment，andreturnedintwoorthreeminuteswithhisfacecomposed，hishairadjusted，hisdressinorder，andexhibitingasgreatadifferencefromhisformerselfasifthewholemanhadbeenchanged。

"Artthousobernow，anddostthoucomprehendme？"saidVarneysternly。

Lambournebowedinacquiescence。

"ThoumustpresentlydowntoCumnorPlacewiththereverendmanofartwhosleepsyonderinthelittlevaultedchamber。Hereisthekey，thatthoumayestcallhimbytimes。Takeanothertrustyfellowwithyou。Usehimwellonthejourney，butlethimnotescapeyou——pistolhimifheattemptit，andIwillbeyourwarrant。IwillgivetheeletterstoFoster。Thedoctoristooccupythelowerapartmentsoftheeasternquadrangle，withfreedomtousetheoldelaboratoryanditsimplements。Heistohavenoaccesstothelady，butsuchasIshallpointout——onlyshemaybeamusedtoseehisphilosophicaljugglery。ThouwiltawaitatCumnorPlacemyfurtherorders;and，asthoulivest，bewareoftheale—benchandtheaquavitaeflask。EachbreathdrawninCumnorPlacemustbekeptseveredfromcommonair。"

"Enough，mylord——Imeanmyworshipfulmaster，soon，Itrust，tobemyworshipfulknightlymaster。Youhavegivenmemylessonandmylicense;Iwillexecutetheone，andnotabusetheother。

Iwillbeinthesaddlebydaybreak。"

"Doso，anddeservefavour。Stay——erethougoestfillmeacupofwine——notoutofthatflask，sirrah，"asLambournewaspouringoutfromthatwhichAlascohadlefthalffinished，"fetchmeafreshone。"

Lambourneobeyed，andVarney，afterrinsinghismouthwiththeliquor，drankafullcup，andsaid，ashetookupalamptoretreattohissleepingapartment，"Itisstrange——Iamaslittletheslaveoffancyasanyone，yetIneverspeakforafewminuteswiththisfellowAlasco，butmymouthandlungsfeelasifsoiledwiththefumesofcalcinedarsenic——pah！"

Sosaying，helefttheapartment。Lambournelingered，todrinkacupofthefreshly—openedflask。"ItisfromSaintJohn\'s—Berg，"

hesaid，ashepausedonthedraughttoenjoyitsflavour，"andhasthetruerelishoftheviolet。ButImustforbearitnow，thatImayonedaydrinkitatmyownpleasure。"AndhequaffedagobletofwatertoquenchthefumesoftheRhenishwine，retiredslowlytowardsthedoor，madeapause，andthen，findingthetemptationirresistible，walkedhastilyback，andtookanotherlongpullatthewineflask，withouttheformalityofacup。

"Wereitnotforthisaccursedcustom，"hesaid，"ImightclimbashighasVarneyhimself。Butwhocanclimbwhentheroomturnsroundwithhimlikeaparish—top？Iwouldthedistanceweregreater，ortheroadrougher，betwixtmyhandandmouth！ButI

willdrinknothingto—morrowsavewater——nothingsavefairwater。"

CHAPTERXIX。

PISTOL。AndtidingsdoIbring，andluckyjoys，Andhappynewsofprice。

FALSTAFF。Ipritheenowdeliverthemliketomenofthisworld。

PISTOL。Afoutrafortheworld，andworldlingsbase！

IspeakofAfrica，andgoldenjoys。HENRYIV。PARTII。

ThepublicroomoftheBlackBearatCumnor，towhichthesceneofourstorynowreturns，boasted，ontheeveningwhichwetreatof，noordinaryassemblageofguests。Therehadbeenafairintheneighbourhood，andthecuttingmercerofAbingdon，withsomeoftheotherpersonageswhomthereaderhasalreadybeenmadeacquaintedwith，asfriendsandcustomersofGilesGosling，hadalreadyformedtheirwontedcirclearoundtheeveningfire，andweretalkingoverthenewsoftheday。

Alively，bustling，archfellow，whosepack，andoakenellwandstuddeddulywithbrasspoints，denotedhimtobeofAutolycus\'sprofession，occupiedagooddealoftheattention，andfurnishedmuchoftheamusement，oftheevening。Thepedlarsofthosedays，itmustberemembered，weremenoffargreaterimportancethanthedegenerateanddegradedhawkersofourmoderntimes。Itwasbymeansoftheseperipateticvendersthatthecountrytrade，inthefinermanufacturesusedinfemaledressparticularly，wasalmostentirelycarriedon;andifamerchantofthisdescriptionarrivedatthedignityoftravellingwithapack—horse，hewasapersonofnosmallconsequence，andcompanyforthemostsubstantialyeomanorfranklinwhomhemightmeetinhiswanderings。

Thepedlarofwhomwespeakbore，accordingly，anactiveandunrebukedshareinthemerrimenttowhichtheraftersofthebonnyBlackBearofCumnorresounded。HehadhissmilewithprettyMistressCicely，hisbroadlaughwithminehost，andhisjestupondashingMasterGoldthred，who，thoughindeedwithoutanysuchbenevolentintentiononhisownpart，wasthegeneralbuttoftheevening。ThepedlarandhewerecloselyengagedinadisputeuponthepreferenceduetotheSpanishnether—stockovertheblackGascoignehose，andminehosthadjustwinkedtotheguestsaroundhim，aswhoshouldsay，"Youwillhavemirthpresently，mymasters，"whenthetramplingofhorseswasheardinthecourtyard，andthehostlerwasloudlysummoned，withafewofthenewestoathstheninvoguetoaddforcetotheinvocation。

OuttumbledWillHostler，JohnTapster，andallthemilitiaoftheinn，whohadslunkfromtheirpostsinordertocollectsomescatteredcrumbsofthemirthwhichwasflyingaboutamongthecustomers。Outintotheyardsalliedminehosthimselfalso，todofittingsalutationtohisnewguests;andpresentlyreturned，usheringintotheapartmenthisownworthynephew，MichaelLambourne，prettytolerablydrunk，andhavingunderhisescorttheastrologer。Alasco，thoughstillalittleoldman，had，byalteringhisgowntoariding—dress，trimminghisbeardandeyebrows，andsoforth，struckatleastascoreofyearsfromhisapparentage，andmightnowseemanactivemanofsixty，orlittleupwards。Heappearedatpresentexceedinglyanxious，andhadinsistedmuchwithLambournethattheyshouldnotentertheinn，butgostraightforwardtotheplaceoftheirdestination。

ButLambournewouldnotbecontrolled。"ByCancerandCapricorn，"hevociferated，"andthewholeheavenlyhost，besidesallthestarsthattheseblessedeyesofminehaveseensparkleinthesouthernheavens，towhichthesenorthernblinkersarebutfarthingcandles，Iwillbeunkindlyfornoone\'shumour——Iwillstayandsalutemyworthyunclehere。Chesu！thatgoodbloodshouldeverbeforgottenbetwixtfriends！——Agallonofyourbest，uncle，andletitgoroundtothehealthofthenobleEarlofLeicester！What！shallwenotcolloguetogether，andwarmthecocklesofourancientkindness？——shallwenotcollogue，Isay？"

"Withallmyheart，kinsman，"saidminehost，whoobviouslywishedtoberidofhim;"butareyoutostandshottoallthisgoodliquor？"

Thisisaquestionhasquelledmanyajovialtoper，butitmovednotthepurposeofLambourne\'ssoul，"Questionmymeans，nuncle？"

hesaid，producingahandfulofmixedgoldandsilverpieces;

"questionMexicoandPeru——questiontheQueen\'sexchequer——GodsaveherMajesty！——sheismygoodLord\'sgoodmistress。"

"Well，kinsman，"saidminehost，"itismybusinesstosellwinetothosewhocanbuyit——so，JackTapster，domethineoffice。

ButIwouldIknewhowtocomebymoneyaslightlyasthoudost，Mike。"

"Why，uncle，"saidLambourne，"Iwilltelltheeasecret。Dostseethislittleoldfellowhere？asoldandwitheredachipaseverthedevilputintohisporridge——andyet，uncle，betweenyouandme——hehathPotosiinthatbrainofhis——\'sblood！hecancoinducatsfasterthanIcanventoaths。"

"Iwillhavenoneofhiscoinageinmypurse，though，Michael，"

saidminehost;"IknowwhatbelongstofalsifyingtheQueen\'scoin。"

"Thouartanass，uncle，forasoldasthouart。——Pullmenotbytheskirts，doctor，thouartanassthyselftoboot——so，beingbothasses，ItellyeIspokebutmetaphorically。"

"Areyoumad？\'saidtheoldman;"isthedevilinyou？Canyounotletusbegonewithoutdrawingallmen\'seyesonus？"

"Sayestthou？"saidLambourne。"Thouartdeceivednow——nomanshallseeyou，anIgivetheword。——Byheavens，masters，ananyonedaretolookonthisoldgentleman，Iwillslashtheeyesoutofhisheadwithmyponiard！——Sositdown，oldfriend，andbemerry;thesearemineingles——mineancientinmates，andwillbetraynoman。"

"Hadyounotbetterwithdrawtoaprivateapartment，nephew？"

saidGilesGosling。"Youspeakstrangematter，"headded，"andtherebeintelligencerseverywhere。"

"Icarenotforthem，"saidthemagnanimousMichael——

"intelligencers？pshaw！IservethenobleEarlofLeicester。

——Herecomesthewine。——Fillround，MasterSkinker，acarousetothehealthoftheflowerofEngland，thenobleEarlofLeicester！

Isay，thenobleEarlofLeicester！HethatdoesmenotreasonisaswineofSussex，andI\'llmakehimkneeltothepledge，ifI

shouldcuthishamsandsmokethemforbacon。"

Nonedisputedapledgegivenundersuchformidablepenalties;andMichaelLambourne，whosedrunkenhumourwasnotofcoursediminishedbythisnewpotation，wentoninthesamewildway，renewinghisacquaintancewithsuchoftheguestsashehadformerlyknown，andexperiencingareceptioninwhichtherewasnowsomethingofdeferencemingledwithagooddealoffear;fortheleastservitorofthefavouriteEarl，especiallysuchamanasLambourne，was，forverysufficientreasons，anobjectbothoftheoneandoftheother。

Inthemeanwhile，theoldman，seeinghisguideinthisuncontrollablehumour，ceasedtoremonstratewithhim，andsittingdowninthemostobscurecorneroftheroom，calledforasmallmeasureofsack，overwhichheseemed，asitwere，toslumber，withdrawinghimselfasmuchaspossiblefromgeneralobservation，anddoingnothingwhichcouldrecallhisexistencetotherecollectionofhisfellow—traveller，whobythistimehadgotintocloseintimacywithhisancientcomrade，GoldthredofAbingdon。

"Neverbelieveme，bullyMike，"saidthemercer，"ifIamnotasgladtoseetheeaseverIwastoseeacustomer\'smoney！Why，thoucanstgiveafriendaslyplaceatamaskorarevelnow，Mike;ay，or，Iwarrantthee，thoucanstsayinmylord\'sear，whenmyhonourablelordisdownintheseparts，andwantsaSpanishrufforthelike——thoucanstsayinhisear，Thereismineoldfriend，youngLawrenceGoldthredofAbingdon，hasasgoodwares，lawn，tiffany，cambric，andsoforth——ay，andisasprettyapieceofman\'sflesh，too，asisinBerkshire，andwillruffleitforyourlordshipwithanymanofhisinches;andthoumayestsay——"

"Icansayahundredd——dliesbesides，mercer，"answeredLambourne;"what，onemustnotstanduponagoodwordforafriend！"

"Hereistothee，Mike，withallmyheart，"saidthemercer;"andthoucansttellonetherealityofthenewfashionstoo。Herewasaroguepedlarbutnowwascryinguptheold—fashionedSpanishnether—stockovertheGascoignehose，althoughthouseesthowwelltheFrenchhosesetoffthelegandknee，beingadornedwithparti—colouredgartersandgarnitureinconformity。"

"Excellent，excellent，"repliedLambourne;"why，thylimberbitofathigh，thrustthroughthatbunchofslashedbuckramandtiffany，showslikeahousewife\'sdistaffwhentheflaxishalfspunoff！"

"SaidInotso？"saidthemercer，whoseshallowbrainwasnowoverflowedinhisturn;"where，then，wherebethisrascalpedlar？——therewasapedlarherebutnow，methinks。——Minehost，wherethefoulfiendisthispedlar？"

"Wherewisemenshouldbe，MasterGoldthred，"repliedGilesGosling;"evenshutupinhisprivatechamber，tellingoverthesalesofto—day，andpreparingforthecustomofto—morrow。"

"Hanghim，amechanicalchuff！"saidthemercer;"butforshame，itwereagooddeedtoeasehimofhiswares——asetofpeddlingknaves，whostrollthroughtheland，andhurttheestablishedtrader。TherearegoodfellowsinBerkshireyet，minehost——yourpedlarmaybemetwithalonMaidenCastle。"

"Ay，"repliedminehost，laughing，"andhewhomeetshimmaymeethismatch——thepedlarisatallman。"

"Ishe？"saidGoldthred。

"Ishe？"repliedthehost;"ay，bycockandpieishe——theverypedlarhewhoraddledRobinHoodsotightly，asthesongsays，——

\'NowRobinHooddrewhisswordsogood，Thepedlardrewhisbrand，Andhehathraddledhim，RobinHood，Tillheneithercouldseenorstand。\'"

"Hanghim，foulscroyle，lethimpass，"saidthemercer;"ifhebesuchaone，thereweresmallworshiptobewonuponhim。——Andnowtellme，Mike——myhonestMike，howwearstheHollandsyouwonofme？"

"Why，well，asyoumaysee，MasterGoldthred，"answeredMike;"I

willbestowapotontheeforthehandsel。——Filltheflagon，MasterTapster。"

"ThouwiltwinnomoreHollands，think，onsuchwager，friendMike，"saidthemercer;"forthesulkyswain，TonyFoster，railsattheealltonought，andswearsyoushallne\'erdarkenhisdoorsagain，forthatyouroathsareenoughtoblowtheroofoffaChristianman\'sdwelling。"

"Dothhesayso，themincing，hypocriticalmiser？"vociferatedLambourne。"Why，then，heshallcomedownandreceivemycommandshere，thisblessednight，undermyuncle\'sroof！AndI

willringhimsuchablacksanctus，thatheshallthinkthedevilhathhimbytheskirtsforamonthtocome，forbarelyhearingme。"

"Nay，nowthepottle—potisuppermost，withawitness！"saidthemercer。"TonyFosterobeythywhistle！Alas！goodMike，gosleep——gosleep。"

"Itelltheewhat，thouthin—facedgull，"saidMichaelLambourne，inhighchafe，"Iwillwagertheefiftyangelsagainstthefirstfiveshelvesofthyshop，numberingupwardfromthefalselight，withallthatisonthem，thatImakeTonyFostercomedowntothispublic—housebeforewehavefinishedthreerounds。"

"Iwilllaynobettothatamount，"saidthemercer，somethingsoberedbyanofferwhichintimatedrathertooprivateaknowledgeonLambourne\'spartofthesecretrecessesofhisshop。

"Iwilllaynosuchwager，"hesaid;"butIwillstakefiveangelsagainstthyfive，ifthouwilt，thatTonyFosterwillnotleavehisownroof，orcometoale—houseafterprayertime，forthee，oranyman。"

"Content，"saidLambourne。——"Here，uncle，holdstakes，andletoneofyouryoungbleed—barrelsthere——oneofyourinfanttapsters——trippresentlyuptoThePlace，andgivethislettertoMasterFoster，andsaythatI，hisingle，MichaelLambourne，praytospeakwithhimatmineuncle\'scastlehere，uponbusinessofgraveimport。——Awaywiththee，child，foritisnowsundown，andthewretchgoethtobedwiththebirdstosavemutton—suet——

faugh！"

Shortlyafterthismessengerwasdispatched——anintervalwhichwasspentindrinkingandbuffoonery——hereturnedwiththeanswerthatMasterFosterwascomingpresently。

"Won，won！"saidLambourne，dartingonthestakes。

"Nottillhecomes，ifyouplease，"saidthemercer，interfering。

"Why，\'sblood，heisatthethreshold，"repliedMichael。——"Whatsaidhe，boy？"

"Ifitpleaseyourworship，"answeredthemessenger，"helookedoutofwindow，withamusquetooninhishand，andwhenI

deliveredyourerrand，whichIdidwithfearandtrembling，hesaid，withavinegaraspect，thatyourworshipmightbegonetotheinfernalregions。"

"Ortohell，Isuppose，"saidLambourne——"itistherehedisposesofallthatarenotofthecongregation。"

"Evenso，"saidtheboy;"Iusedtheotherphraseasbeingthemorepoetical。"

"Aningeniousyouth，"saidMichael;"shalthaveadroptowhetthypoeticalwhistle。AndwhatsaidFosternext？"

"Hecalledmeback，"answeredtheboy，"andbidmesayyoumightcometohimifyouhadaughttosaytohim。"

"Andwhatnext？"saidLambourne。

"Hereadtheletter，andseemedinafluster，andaskedifyourworshipwasindrink;andIsaidyouwerespeakingalittleSpanish，asonewhohadbeenintheCanaries。"

"Out，youdiminutivepint—pot，whelpedofanovergrownreckoning！"repliedLambourne——"out！Butwhatsaidhethen？"

"Why，"saidtheboy，"hemutteredthatifhecamenotyourworshipwouldboltoutwhatwerebetterkeptin;andsohetookhisoldflatcap，andthreadbarebluecloak，and，asIsaidbefore，hewillbehereincontinent。"

"Thereistruthinwhathesaid，"repliedLambourne，asifspeakingtohimself——"mybrainhasplayedmeitsolddog\'strick。

Butcorragio——lethimapproach！——IhavenotrolledaboutintheworldformanyadaytofearTonyFoster，beIdrunkorsober。——

Bringmeaflagonofcoldwatertochristenmysackwithal。"

WhileLambourne，whomtheapproachofFosterseemedtohaverecalledtoasenseofhisowncondition，wasbusiedinpreparingtoreceivehim，GilesGoslingstoleuptotheapartmentofthepedlar，whomhefoundtraversingtheroominmuchagitation。

"Youwithdrewyourselfsuddenlyfromthecompany，"saidthelandlordtotheguest。

"Itwastime，whenthedevilbecameoneamongyou，"repliedthepedlar。

"Itisnotcourteousinyoutotermmynephewbysuchaname，"

saidGosling，"norisitkindlyinmetoreplytoit;andyet，insomesort，MikemaybeconsideredasalimbofSatan。"

"Pooh——Italknotoftheswaggeringruffian，"repliedthepedlar;

"itisoftheother，who，foraughtIknow——Butwhengothey？orwhereforecomethey？"

"Marry，thesearequestionsIcannotanswer，"repliedthehost。

"Butlookyou，sir，youhavebroughtmeatokenfromworthyMasterTressilian——aprettystoneitis。"Hetookoutthering，andlookedatit，adding，asheputitintohispurseagain，thatitwastoorichaguerdonforanythinghecoulddofortheworthydonor。Hewas，hesaid，inthepublicline，anditillbecamehimtobetooinquisitiveintootherfolk\'sconcerns。HehadalreadysaidthathecouldhearnothingbutthattheladylivedstillatCumnorPlaceintheclosestseclusion，and，tosuchasbychancehadaviewofher，seemedpensiveanddiscontentedwithhersolitude。"Buthere，"hesaid，"ifyouaredesiroustogratifyyourmaster，istherarestchancethathathoccurredforthismanyaday。TonyFosteriscomingdownhither，anditisbutlettingMikeLambournesmellanotherwine—flask，andtheQueen\'scommandwouldnotmovehimfromtheale—bench。Sotheyarefastforanhourorso。Now，ifyouwilldonyourpack，whichwillbeyourbestexcuse，youmay，perchance，wintheearoftheoldservant，beingassuredofthemaster\'sabsence，toletyoutrytogetsomecustomofthelady;andthenyoumaylearnmoreofherconditionthanIoranyothercantellyou。"