首页
Kenilworth
书架
书页 | 目录
加书签

第3章
12127字

"Forwell,sir,hestartedtwohourssince,andhasvisitedI

knownotwhatpurlieusofhisoldcompanions;hathbutnowreturned,andisatthisinstantbreakfastingonnew—laideggsandmuscadine。Andforhiswager,Icautionyouasafriendtohavelittletodowiththat,orindeedwithaughtthatMikeproposes。Wherefore,Icounselyoutoawarmbreakfastuponaculiss,whichshallrestorethetoneofthestomach;andletmynephewandMasterGoldthredswaggerabouttheirwagerastheylist。"

"Itseemstome,minehost,"saidTressilian,"thatyouknownotwellwhattosayaboutthiskinsmanofyours,andthatyoucanneitherblamenorcommendhimwithoutsometwingeofconscience。"

"Youhavespokentruly,MasterTressilian,"repliedGilesGosling。"ThereisNaturalAffectionwhimperingintooneear,'Giles,Giles,whywiltthoutakeawaythegoodnameofthyownnephew?Wiltthoudefamethysister'sson,GilesGosling?wiltthoudefoulthineownnest,dishonourthineownblood?'Andthen,again,comesJustice,andsays,'HereisaworthyguestasevercametothebonnyBlackBear;onewhoneverchallengedareckoning'(asIsaytoyourfaceyouneverdid,MasterTressilian——notthatyouhavehadcause),'onewhoknowsnotwhyhecame,sofarasIcansee,orwhenheisgoingaway;andwiltthou,beingapublican,havingpaidscotandlotthesethirtyyearsinthetownofCumnor,andbeingatthisinstanthead—

borough,wiltthousufferthisguestofguests,thismanofmen,thissix—hoopedpot(asImaysay)ofatraveller,tofallintothemeshesofthynephew,whoisknownforaswasherandadesperateDick,acarderandadicer,aprofessorofthesevendamnablesciences,ifevermantookdegreesinthem?'No,byHeaven!Imightwink,andlethimcatchsuchasmallbutterflyasGoldthred;butthou,myguest,shallbeforewarned,forearmed,sothouwiltbutlistentothytrustyhost。"

"Why,minehost,thycounselshallnotbecastaway,"repliedTressilian;"however,Imustupholdmyshareinthiswager,havingoncepassedmywordtothateffect。Butlendme,Ipray,someofthycounsel。ThisFoster,whoorwhatishe,andwhymakeshesuchmysteryofhisfemaleinmate?"

"Troth,"repliedGosling,"Icanaddbutlittletowhatyouheardlastnight。HewasoneofQueenMary'sPapists,andnowheisoneofQueenElizabeth'sProtestants;hewasanonhangeroftheAbbotofAbingdon;andnowhelivesasmasteroftheManor—house。

Aboveall,hewaspoor,andisrich。Folktalkofprivateapartmentsinhisoldwastemansion—house,bedizenedfineenoughtoservetheQueen,Godblessher!Somementhinkhefoundatreasureintheorchard,somethathesoldhimselftothedevilfortreasure,andsomesaythathecheatedtheabbotoutofthechurchplate,whichwashiddenintheoldManor—houseattheReformation。Rich,however,heis,andGodandhisconscience,withthedevilperhapsbesides,onlyknowhowhecamebyit。Hehassulkywaystoo——breakingoffintercoursewithallthatareoftheplace,asifhehadeithersomestrangesecrettokeep,orheldhimselftobemadeofanotherclaythanweare。Ithinkitlikelymykinsmanandhewillquarrel,ifMikethrusthisacquaintanceonhim;andIamsorrythatyou,myworthyMasterTressilian,willstillthinkofgoinginmynephew'scompany。"

Tressilianagainansweredhim,thathewouldproceedwithgreatcaution,andthatheshouldhavenofearsonhisaccount;inshort,hebestowedonhimallthecustomaryassuranceswithwhichthosewhoaredeterminedonarashactionarewonttoparrytheadviceoftheirfriends。

Meantime,thetravelleracceptedthelandlord'sinvitation,andhadjustfinishedtheexcellentbreakfast,whichwasservedtohimandGoslingbyprettyCicely,thebeautyofthebar,whentheherooftheprecedingnight,MichaelLambourne,enteredtheapartment。Histoilethadapparentlycosthimsomelabour,forhisclothes,whichdifferedfromthoseheworeonhisjourney,wereofthenewestfashion,andputonwithgreatattentiontothedisplayofhisperson。

"Bymyfaith,uncle,"saidthegallant,"youmadeawetnightofit,andIfeelitfollowedbyadrymorning。Iwillpledgeyouwillinglyinacupofbastard。——How,myprettycozCicely!why,Ileftyoubutachildinthecradle,andtherethoustand'stinthyvelvetwaistcoat,astightagirlasEngland'ssunshineson。

Knowthyfriendsandkindred,Cicely,andcomehither,child,thatImaykissthee,andgivetheemyblessing。"

"ConcernnotyourselfaboutCicely,kinsman,"saidGilesGosling,"bute'enlethergoherway,a'God'sname;foralthoughyourmotherwereherfather'ssister,yetthatshallnotmakeyouandhercater—cousins。"

"Why,uncle,"repliedLambourne,"think'stthouIamaninfidel,andwouldharmthoseofmineownhouse?"

"ItisfornoharmthatIspeak,Mike,"answeredhisuncle,"butasimplehumourofprecautionwhichIhave。True,thouartaswellgildedasasnakewhenhecastshisoldsloughinthespringtime;butforallthat,thoucreepestnotintomyEden。IwilllookaftermineEve,Mike,andsocontentthee。——Buthowbravethoube'st,lad!Tolookontheenow,andcomparetheewithMasterTressilianhere,inhissad—colouredriding—suit,whowouldnotsaythatthouwerttherealgentlemanandhethetapster'sboy?"

"Troth,uncle,"repliedLambourne,"noonewouldsaysobutoneofyourcountry—breeding,thatknowsnobetter。Iwillsay,andIcarenotwhohearsme,thereissomethingabouttherealgentrythatfewmencomeuptothatarenotbornandbredtothemystery。Iwotnotwherethetricklies;butalthoughIcanenteranordinarywithasmuchaudacity,rebukethewaitersanddrawersasloudly,drinkasdeepahealth,swearasroundanoath,andflingmygoldasfreelyaboutasanyofthejinglingspursandwhitefeathersthatarearoundme,yet,hangmeifI

canevercatchthetruegraceofit,thoughIhavepractisedanhundredtimes。Themanofthehousesetsmelowestattheboard,andcarvestomethelast;andthedrawersays,'Coming,friend,'

withoutanymorereverenceorregardfuladdition。But,hangit,letitpass;carekilledacat。IhavegentryenoughtopassthetrickonTonyFire—the—Faggot,andthatwilldoforthematterinhand。"

"Youholdyourpurpose,then,ofvisitingyouroldacquaintance?"

saidTressiliantotheadventurer。

"Ay,sir,"repliedLambourne;"whenstakesaremade,thegamemustbeplayed;thatisgamester'slaw,allovertheworld。You,sir,unlessmymemoryfailsme(forIdidsteepitsomewhattoodeeplyinthesack—butt),tooksomeshareinmyhazard?"

"Iproposetoaccompanyyouinyouradventure,"saidTressilian,"ifyouwilldomesomuchgraceastopermitme;andIhavestakedmyshareoftheforfeitinthehandsofourworthyhost。"

"Thathehath,"answeredGilesGosling,"inasfairHarry—noblesaseverweremeltedintosackbyagoodfellow。So,lucktoyourenterprise,sinceyouwillneedsventureonTonyFoster;but,bymycredit,youhadbettertakeanotherdraughtbeforeyoudepart,foryourwelcomeattheHallyonderwillbesomewhatofthedriest。Andifyoudogetintoperil,bewareoftakingtocoldsteel;butsendforme,GilesGosling,thehead—borough,andI

maybeabletomakesomethingoutofTonyyet,forasproudasheis。"

Thenephewdutifullyobeyedhisuncle'shint,bytakingasecondpowerfulpullatthetankard,observingthathiswitneverservedhimsowellaswhenhehadwashedhistempleswithadeepmorning'sdraught;andtheysetforthtogetherforthehabitationofAnthonyFoster。

ThevillageofCumnorispleasantlybuiltonahill,andinawoodedparkcloselyadjacentwassituatedtheancientmansionoccupiedatthistimebyAnthonyFoster,ofwhichtheruinsmaybestillextant。Theparkwasthenfulloflargetrees,andinparticularofancientandmightyoaks,whichstretchedtheirgiantarmsoverthehighwallsurroundingthedemesne,thusgivingitamelancholy,secluded,andmonasticappearance。Theentrancetotheparklaythroughanold—fashionedgatewayintheouterwall,thedoorofwhichwasformedoftwohugeoakenleavesthicklystuddedwithnails,likethegateofanoldtown。

"Weshallbefinelyhelpeduphere,"saidMichaelLambourne,lookingatthegatewayandgate,"ifthisfellow'ssuspicioushumourshouldrefuseusadmissionaltogether,asitislikehemay,incasethislinsey—wolseyfellowofamercer'svisittohispremiseshasdisquietedhim。But,no,"headded,pushingthehugegate,whichgaveway,"thedoorstandsinvitinglyopen;andherewearewithintheforbiddenground,withoutotherimpedimentthanthepassiveresistanceofaheavyoakdoormovingonrustyhinges。"

Theystoodnowinanavenueovershadowedbysucholdtreesaswehavedescribed,andwhichhadbeenborderedatonetimebyhighhedgesofyewandholly。Butthese,havingbeenuntrimmedformanyyears,hadrunupintogreatbushes,orratherdwarf—trees,andnowencroached,withtheirdarkandmelancholyboughs,upontheroadwhichtheyoncehadscreened。Theavenueitselfwasgrownupwithgrass,and,inoneortwoplaces,interruptedbypilesofwitheredbrushwood,whichhadbeenloppedfromthetreescutdownintheneighbouringpark,andwasherestackedfordrying。Formalwalksandavenues,which,atdifferentpoints,crossedthisprincipalapproach,were,inlikemanner,chokedupandinterruptedbypilesofbrushwoodandbillets,andinotherplacesbyunderwoodandbrambles。Besidesthegeneraleffectofdesolationwhichissostronglyimpressedwheneverwebeholdthecontrivancesofmanwastedandobliteratedbyneglect,andwitnessthemarksofsociallifeeffacedgraduallybytheinfluenceofvegetation,thesizeofthetreesandtheoutspreadingextentoftheirboughsdiffusedagloomoverthescene,evenwhenthesunwasatthehighest,andmadeaproportionalimpressiononthemindofthosewhovisitedit。

ThiswasfeltevenbyMichaelLambourne,howeveralienhishabitsweretoreceivinganyimpressions,exceptingfromthingswhichaddressedthemselvesimmediatelytohispassions。

"Thiswoodisasdarkasawolf'smouth,"saidhetoTressilian,astheywalkedtogetherslowlyalongthesolitaryandbrokenapproach,andhadjustcomeinsightofthemonasticfrontoftheoldmansion,withitsshaftedwindows,brickwallsovergrownwithivyandcreepingshrubs,andtwistedstalksofchimneysofheavystone—work。"Andyet,"continuedLambourne,"itisfairlydoneonthepartofFostertooforsincehechoosesnotvisitors,itisrighttokeephisplaceinafashionthatwillinvitefewtotrespassuponhisprivacy。ButhadhebeentheAnthonyIonceknewhim,thesesturdyoakshadlongsincebecomethepropertyofsomehonestwoodmonger,andthemanor—closeherehadlookedlighteratmidnightthanitnowdoesatnoon,whileFosterplayedfastandloosewiththeprice,insomecunningcornerinthepurlieusofWhitefriars。"

"Washethensuchanunthrift?"askedTressilian。

"Hewas,"answeredLambourne,"liketherestofus,nosaint,andnosaver。ButwhatIlikedworstofTonywas,thathelovedtotakehispleasurebyhimself,andgrudged,asmensay,everydropofwaterthatwentpasthisownmill。Ihaveknownhimdealwithsuchmeasuresofwinewhenhewasalone,asIwouldnothaveventuredonwithaidofthebesttoperinBerkshire;——that,andsomeswaytowardssuperstition,whichhehadbytemperament,renderedhimunworthythecompanyofagoodfellow。Andnowhehasearthedhimselfhere,inadenjustbefittingsuchaslyfoxashimself。"

"MayIaskyou,MasterLambourne,"saidTressilian,"sinceyouroldcompanion'shumourjumpssolittlewithyourown,whereforeyouaresodesiroustorenewacquaintancewithhim?"

"AndmayIaskyou,inreturn,MasterTressilian,"answeredLambourne,"whereforeyouhaveshownyourselfsodesiroustoaccompanymeonthisparty?"

"Itoldyoumymotive,"saidTressilian,"whenItookshareinyourwager——itwassimplecuriosity。"

"Layoutherenow!"answeredLambourne。"Seehowyoucivilanddiscreetgentlementhinktouseuswholivebythefreeexerciseofourwits!HadIansweredyourquestionbysayingthatitwassimplecuriositywhichledmetovisitmyoldcomradeAnthonyFoster,Iwarrantyouhadsetitdownforanevasion,andaturnofmytrade。Butanyanswer,Isuppose,mustservemyturn。"

"Andwhereforeshouldnotbarecuriosity,"saidTressilian,"beasufficientreasonformytakingthiswalkwithyou?"

"Oh,contentyourself,sir,"repliedLambourne;"youcannotputthechangeonmesoeasyasyouthink,forIhavelivedamongthequick—stirringspiritsoftheagetoolongtoswallowchaffforgrain。Youareagentlemanofbirthandbreeding——yourbearingmakesitgood;ofcivilhabitsandfairreputation——yourmannersdeclareit,andmyuncleavouchesit;andyetyouassociateyourselfwithasortofscant—of—grace,asmencallme,and,knowingmetobesuch,youmakeyourselfmycompanioninavisittoamanwhomyouareastrangerto——andalloutofmerecuriosity,forsooth!Theexcuse,ifcuriouslybalanced,wouldbefoundtowantsomescruplesofjustweight,orso。"

"Ifyoursuspicionswerejust,"saidTressilian,"youhaveshownnoconfidenceinmetoinviteordeservemine。"

"Oh,ifthatbeall,"saidLambourne,"mymotiveslieabovewater。Whilethisgoldofminelasts"——takingouthispurse,chuckingitintotheair,andcatchingitasitfell——"Iwillmakeitbuypleasure;andwhenitisoutImusthavemore。Now,ifthismysteriousLadyoftheManor——thisfairLindabridesofTonyFire—the—Fagot——besoadmirableapieceasmensay,why,thereisachancethatshemayaidmetomeltmynoblesintogreats;and,again,ifAnthonybesowealthyachuffasreportspeakshim,hemayprovethephilosopher'sstonetome,andconvertmygreatsintofairrose—noblesagain。"

"Acomfortableproposaltruly,"saidTressilian;"butIseenotwhatchancethereisofaccomplishingit。"

"Notto—day,orperchanceto—morrow,"answeredLambourne;"I

expectnottocatchtheoldjacktill。Ihavedisposedmyground—baitshandsomely。ButIknowsomethingmoreofhisaffairsthismorningthanIdidlastnight,andIwillsousemyknowledgethatheshallthinkitmoreperfectthanitis。Nay,withoutexpectingeitherpleasureorprofit,orboth,Ihadnotsteppedastridewithinthismanor,Icantellyou;forIpromiseyouIholdourvisitnotaltogetherwithoutrisk。——Buthereweare,andwemustmakethebeston't。"

Whilehethusspoke,theyhadenteredalargeorchardwhichsurroundedthehouseontwosides,thoughthetrees,abandonedbythecareofman,wereovergrownandmessy,andseemedtobearlittlefruit。Thosewhichhadbeenformerlytrainedasespaliershadnowresumedtheirnaturalmodeofgrowing,andexhibitedgrotesqueforms,partakingoftheoriginaltrainingwhichtheyhadreceived。Thegreaterpartoftheground,whichhadoncebeenparterresandflower—gardens,wassufferedinlikemannertoruntowaste,exceptingafewpatcheswhichhadbeendugupandplantedwithordinarypotherbs。Somestatues,whichhadornamentedthegardeninitsdaysofsplendour,werenowthrowndownfromtheirpedestalsandbrokeninpieces;andalargesummer—house,havingaheavystonefront,decoratedwithcarvingrepresentingthelifeandactionsofSamson,wasinthesamedilapidatedcondition。

Theyhadjusttraversedthisgardenofthesluggard,andwerewithinafewstepsofthedoorofthemansion,whenLambournehadceasedspeaking;acircumstanceveryagreeabletoTressilian,asitsavedhimtheembarrassmentofeithercommentinguponorreplyingtothefrankavowalwhichhiscompanionhadjustmadeofthesentimentsandviewswhichinducedhimtocomehither。

Lambourneknockedroundlyandboldlyatthehugedoorofthemansion,observing,atthesametime,hehadseenalessstrongoneuponacountyjail。Itwasnotuntiltheyhadknockedmorethanoncethatanaged,sour—visageddomesticreconnoitredthemthroughasmallsquareholeinthedoor,wellsecuredwithbarsofiron,anddemandedwhattheywanted。

"TospeakwithMasterFosterinstantly,onpressingbusinessofthestate,"wasthereadyreplyofMichaelLambourne。

"Methinksyouwillfinddifficultytomakethatgood,"saidTressilianinawhispertohiscompanion,whiletheservantwenttocarrythemessagetohismaster。

"Tush,"repliedtheadventurer;"nosoldierwouldgoonwerehealwaystoconsiderwhenandhowheshouldcomeoff。Letusonceobtainentrance,andallwillgowellenough。"

Inashorttimetheservantreturned,anddrawingwithacarefulhandbothboltandbar,openedthegate,whichadmittedthemthroughanarchwayintoasquarecourt,surroundedbybuildings。

Oppositetothearchwasanotherdoor,whichtheserving—maninlikemannerunlocked,andthusintroducedthemintoastone—pavedparlour,wheretherewasbutlittlefurniture,andthatoftherudestandmostancientfashion。Thewindowsweretallandample,reachingalmosttotheroofoftheroom,whichwascomposedofblackoak;thoseopeningtothequadranglewereobscuredbytheheightofthesurroundingbuildings,and,astheyweretraversedwithmassiveshaftsofsolidstone—work,andthicklypaintedwithreligiousdevices,andscenestakenfromScripturehistory,bynomeansadmittedlightinproportiontotheirsize,andwhatdidpenetratethroughthempartookofthedarkandgloomytingeofthestainedglass。

Tressilianandhisguidehadtimeenoughtoobservealltheseparticulars,fortheywaitedsomespaceintheapartmenterethepresentmasterofthemansionatlengthmadehisappearance。

Preparedashewastoseeaninauspiciousandill—lookingperson,theuglinessofAnthonyFosterconsiderablyexceededwhatTressilianhadanticipated。Hewasofmiddlestature,builtstrongly,butsoclumsilyastoborderondeformity,andtogiveallhismotionstheungainlyawkwardnessofaleft—leggedandleft—handedman。Hishair,inarrangingwhichmenatthattime,asatpresent,wereveryniceandcurious,insteadofbeingcarefullycleanedanddisposedintoshortcurls,orelsesetuponend,asisrepresentedinoldpaintings,inamannerresemblingthatusedbyfinegentlemenofourownday,escapedinsablenegligencefromunderafurredbonnet,andhunginelf—

locks,whichseemedstrangerstothecomb,overhisruggedbrows,andaroundhisverysingularandunprepossessingcountenance。

Hiskeen,darkeyesweredeepsetbeneathbroadandshaggyeyebrows,andastheywereusuallybentontheground,seemedasiftheywerethemselvesashamedoftheexpressionnaturaltothem,andweredesiroustoconcealitfromtheobservationofmen。Attimes,however,when,moreintentonobservingothers,hesuddenlyraisedthem,andfixedthemkeenlyonthosewithwhomheconversed,theyseemedtoexpressboththefiercerpassions,andthepowerofmindwhichcouldatwillsuppressordisguisetheintensityofinwardfeeling。Thefeatureswhichcorrespondedwiththeseeyesandthisformwereirregular,andmarkedsoastobeindeliblyfixedonthemindofhimwhohadonceseenthem。

Uponthewhole,asTressiliancouldnothelpacknowledgingtohimself,theAnthonyFosterwhonowstoodbeforethemwasthelastperson,judgingfrompersonalappearance,uponwhomonewouldhavechosentointrudeanunexpectedandundesiredvisit。

Hisattirewasadoubletofrussetleather,likethosewornbythebettersortofcountryfolk,girtwithabuffbelt,inwhichwasstuckontherightsidealongknife,ordudgeondagger,andontheotheracutlass。Heraisedhiseyesasheenteredtheroom,andfixedakeenlypenetratingglanceuponhistwovisitors;thencastthemdownasifcountinghissteps,whileheadvancedslowlyintothemiddleoftheroom,andsaid,inalowandsmotheredtoneofvoice,"Letmeprayyou,gentlemen,totellmethecauseofthisvisit。"

HelookedasifheexpectedtheanswerfromTressilian,sotruewasLambourne'sobservationthatthesuperiorairofbreedinganddignityshonethroughthedisguiseofaninferiordress。ButitwasMichaelwhorepliedtohim,withtheeasyfamiliarityofanoldfriend,andatonewhichseemedunembarrassedbyanydoubtofthemostcordialreception。

"Ha!mydearfriendandingle,TonyFoster!"heexclaimed,seizingupontheunwillinghand,andshakingitwithsuchemphasisasalmosttostaggerthesturdyframeofthepersonwhomheaddressed,"howfaresitwithyouformanyalongyear?What!

haveyoualtogetherforgottenyourfriend,gossip,andplayfellow,MichaelLambourne?"

"MichaelLambourne!"saidFoster,lookingathimamoment;thendroppinghiseyes,andwithlittleceremonyextricatinghishandfromthefriendlygraspofthepersonbywhomhewasaddressed,"areyouMichaelLambourne?"

"Ay;sureasyouareAnthonyFoster,"repliedLambourne。

"'Tiswell,"answeredhissullenhost。"AndwhatmayMichaelLambourneexpectfromhisvisithither?"

"VOTOADIOS,"answeredLambourne,"IexpectedabetterwelcomethanIamliketomeet,Ithink。"

"Why,thougallows—bird——thoujail—rat——thoufriendofthehangmanandhiscustomers!"repliedFoster,"hastthoutheassurancetoexpectcountenancefromanyonewhoseneckisbeyondthecompassofaTyburntippet?"

"Itmaybewithmeasyousay,"repliedLambourne;"andsupposeI

grantittobesoforargument'ssake,IwerestillgoodenoughsocietyformineancientfriendAnthonyFire—the—Fagot,thoughhebe,forthepresent,bysomeindescribabletitle,themasterofCumnorPlace。"

"Harkyou,MichaelLambourne,"saidFoster;"youareagamblernow,andlivebythecountingofchances——computemetheoddsthatIdonot,onthisinstant,throwyououtofthatwindowintotheditchthere。"

"Twentytoonethatyoudonot,"answeredthesturdyvisitor。

"Andwherefore,Iprayyou?"demandedAnthonyFoster,settinghisteethandcompressinghislips,likeonewhoendeavourstosuppresssomeviolentinternalemotion。

"Because,"saidLambournecoolly,"youdarenotforyourlifelayafingeronme。Iamyoungerandstrongerthanyou,andhaveinmeadoubleportionofthefightingdevil,thoughnot,itmaybe,quitesomuchoftheunderminingfiend,thatfindsanundergroundwaytohispurpose——whohideshaltersunderfolk'spillows,andwhoputsrats—baneintotheirporridge,asthestage—playsays。"

Fosterlookedathimearnestly,thenturnedaway,andpacedtheroomtwicewiththesamesteadyandconsideratepacewithwhichhehadenteredit;thensuddenlycameback,andextendedhishandtoMichaelLambourne,saying,"Benotwrothwithme,goodMike;I

didbuttrywhetherthouhadstpartedwithaughtofthineoldandhonourablefrankness,whichyourenviersandbackbiterscalledsaucyimpudence。"

"Letthemcallitwhattheywill,"saidMichaelLambourne,"itisthecommoditywemustcarrythroughtheworldwithus。——Udsdaggers!Itellthee,man,mineownstockofassurancewastoosmalltotradeupon。IwasfaintotakeinatonortwomoreofbrassateveryportwhereItouchedinthevoyageoflife;andI

startedoverboardwhatmodestyandscruplesIhadremaining,inordertomakeroomforthestowage。"

"Nay,nay,"repliedFoster,"touchingscruplesandmodesty,yousailedhenceinballast。Butwhoisthisgallant,honestMike?

——isheaCorinthian——acutterlikethyself?"

"Iprithee,knowMasterTressilian,bullyFoster,"repliedLambourne,presentinghisfriendinanswertohisfriend'squestion,"knowhimandhonourhim,forheisagentlemanofmanyadmirablequalities;andthoughhetrafficsnotinmylineofbusiness,atleastsofarasIknow,hehas,nevertheless,ajustrespectandadmirationforartistsofourclass。Hewillcometointime,asseldomfails;butasyetheisonlyaneophyte,onlyaproselyte,andfrequentsthecompanyofcocksofthegame,asapunyfencerdoestheschoolsofthemasters,toseehowafoilishandledbytheteachersofdefence。"

"Ifsuchbehisquality,Iwillprayyourcompanyinanotherchamber,honestMike,forwhatIhavetosaytotheeisforthyprivateear。——Meanwhile,Iprayyou,sir,toabideusinthisapartment,andwithoutleavingit;therebethoseinthishousewhowouldbealarmedbythesightofastranger。"

Tressilianacquiesced,andthetwoworthieslefttheapartmenttogether,inwhichheremainedalonetoawaittheirreturn。"

[SeeNote1。Foster,Lambourne,andtheBlackBear。]

CHAPTERIV。

Notservetwomasters?——Here'sayouthwilltryit——

WouldfainserveGod,yetgivethedevilhisdue;

Saysgracebeforehedothadeedofvillainy,Andreturnshisthanksdevoutlywhen'tisacted,OLDPLAY。

TheroomintowhichtheMasterofCumnorPlaceconductedhisworthyvisitantwasofgreaterextentthanthatinwhichtheyhadatfirstconversed,andhadyetmoretheappearanceofdilapidation。Largeoakenpresses,filledwithshelvesofthesamewood,surroundedtheroom,andhad,atonetime,servedforthearrangementofanumerouscollectionofbooks,manyofwhichyetremained,buttornanddefaced,coveredwithdust,deprivedoftheircostlyclaspsandbindings,andtossedtogetherinheapsupontheshelves,asthingsaltogetherdisregarded,andabandonedtothepleasureofeveryspoiler。Theverypressesthemselvesseemedtohaveincurredthehostilityofthoseenemiesoflearningwhohaddestroyedthevolumeswithwhichtheyhadbeenheretoforefilled。Theywere,inseveralplaces,dismantledoftheirshelves,andotherwisebrokenanddamaged,andwere,moreover,mantledwithcobwebsandcoveredwithdust。

"Themenwhowrotethesebooks,"saidLambourne,lookingroundhim,"littlethoughtwhosekeepingtheyweretofallinto。"

"Norwhatyeoman'sservicetheyweretodome,"quothAnthonyFoster;"thecookhathusedthemforscouringhispewter,andthegroomhathhadnoughtelsetocleanmybootswith,thismanyamonthpast。"

"Andyet,"saidLambourne,"Ihavebeenincitieswheresuchlearnedcommoditieswouldhavebeendeemedtoogoodforsuchoffices。"

"Pshaw,pshaw,"answeredFoster,"'theyarePopishtrash,everyoneofthem——privatestudiesofthemumpingoldAbbotofAbingdon。ThenineteenthlyofapuregospelsermonwereworthacartloadofsuchrakingsofthekennelofRome。"

"Gad—a—mercy,MasterTonyFire—the—Fagot!"saidLambourne,bywayofreply。

Fosterscowleddarklyathim,ashereplied,"Harkye,friendMike;forgetthatname,andthepassagewhichitrelatesto,ifyouwouldnothaveournewly—revivedcomradeshipdieasuddenandaviolentdeath。"

"Why,"saidMichaelLambourne,"youwerewonttogloryintheshareyouhadinthedeathofthetwooldhereticalbishops。"

"That,"saidhiscomrade,"waswhileIwasinthegallofbitternessandbondofiniquity,andappliesnottomywalkormywaysnowthatIamcalledforthintothelists。Mr。MelchisedekMaultextcomparedmymisfortuneinthatmattertothatoftheApostlePaul,whokepttheclothesofthewitnesseswhostonedSaintStephen。HeheldforthonthematterthreeSabbathspast,andillustratedthesamebytheconductofanhonourablepersonpresent,meaningme。"

"Ipritheepeace,Foster,"saidLambourne,"forIknownothowitis,IhaveasortofcreepingcomesovermyskinwhenIhearthedevilquoteScripture;andbesides,man,howcouldstthouhavethehearttoquitthatconvenientoldreligion,whichyoucouldslipofforonaseasilyasyourglove?DoInotrememberhowyouwerewonttocarryyourconsciencetoconfession,asdulyasthemonthcameround?andwhenthouhadstitscoured,andburnished,andwhitewashedbythepriest,thouwerteverreadyfortheworstvillainywhichcouldbedevised,likeachildwhoisalwaysreadiesttorushintothemirewhenhehasgothisSunday'scleanjerkinon。"

"Troublenotthyselfaboutmyconscience,"saidFoster;"itisathingthoucanstnotunderstand,havingneverhadoneofthineown。Butletusrathertothepoint,andsaytome,inoneword,whatisthybusinesswithme,andwhathopeshavedrawntheehither?"

"Thehopeofbetteringmyself,tobesure,"answeredLambourne,"astheoldwomansaidwhensheleaptoverthebridgeatKingston。Lookyou,thispursehasallthatisleftofasroundasumasamanwouldwishtocarryinhisslop—pouch。Youareherewellestablished,itwouldseem,and,asIthink,wellbefriended,formentalkofthybeingundersomespecialprotection——nay,starenotlikeapigthatisstuck,mon;thoucanstnotdanceinanetandtheynotseethee。NowIknowsuchprotectionisnotpurchasedfornought;youmusthaveservicestorenderforit,andintheseIproposetohelpthee。"

"ButhowifIlacknoassistancefromthee,Mike?Ithinkthymodestymightsupposethatwereacasepossible。"

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫,醒来一梦似千年,重生于下堂妃身躯中的她,将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读

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