\"That，\"saidthesmith，\"istheveryprinciplethatmyworthyfriendandmaster，DoctorDoboobie，alwaysactedupon;until，beingbesottedwithhisownimaginations，andconceitedofhishighchemicalskill，hebegantospend，incheatinghimself，themoneywhichhehadacquiredincheatingothers，andeitherdiscoveredorbuiltforhimself，Icouldneverknowwhich，thissecretelaboratory，inwhichheusedtosecludehimselfbothfrompatientsanddisciples，whodoubtlessthoughthislongandmysteriousabsencesfromhisordinaryresidenceinthetownofFarringdonwereoccasionedbyhisprogressinthemysticsciences，andhisintercoursewiththeinvisibleworld。Mealsohetriedtodeceive;butthoughIcontradictedhimnot，hesawthatIknewtoomuchofhissecretstobeanylongerasafecompanion。Meanwhile，hisnamewaxedfamous——orratherinfamous，andmanyofthosewhoresortedtohimdidsounderpersuasionthathewasasorcerer。Andyethissupposedadvanceintheoccultsciencesdrewtohimthesecretresortofmentoopowerfultobenamed，forpurposestoodangeroustobementioned。Mencursedandthreatenedhim，andbestowedonme，theinnocentassistantofhisstudies，thenicknameoftheDevil\'sfoot—post，whichprocuredmeavolleyofstonesassoonaseverIventuredtoshowmyfaceinthestreetofthevillage。Atlengthmymastersuddenlydisappeared，pretendingtomethathewasabouttovisithiselaboratoryinthisplace，andforbiddingmetodisturbhimtilltwodayswerepast。Whenthisperiodhadelapsed，Ibecameanxious，andresortedtothisvault，whereI
foundthefiresextinguishedandtheutensilsinconfusion，withanotefromthelearnedDoboobius，ashewaswonttostylehimself，acquaintingmethatweshouldnevermeetagain，bequeathingmehischemicalapparatus，andtheparchmentwhichI
havejustputintoyourhands，advisingmestronglytoprosecutethesecretwhichitcontained，whichwouldinfalliblyleadmetothediscoveryofthegrandmagisterium。\"
\"Anddidstthoufollowthissageadvice？\"saidTressilian。
\"Worshipfulsir，no，\"repliedthesmith;\"for，beingbynaturecautious，andsuspiciousfromknowingwithwhomIhadtodo，I
madesomanyperquisitionsbeforeIventuredeventolightafire，thatIatlengthdiscoveredasmallbarrelofgunpowder，carefullyhidbeneaththefurnace，withthepurpose，nodoubt，thatassoonasIshouldcommencethegrandworkofthetransmutationofmetals，theexplosionshouldtransmutethevaultandallinitintoaheapofruins，whichmightserveatonceformyslaughter—houseandmygrave。Thiscuredmeofalchemy，andfainwouldIhavereturnedtothehonesthammerandanvil;butwhowouldbringahorsetobeshodbytheDevil\'spost？
Meantime，IhadwontheregardofmyhonestFlibbertigibbethere，hebeingthenatFarringdonwithhismaster，thesageErasmusHoliday，byteachinghimafewsecrets，suchaspleaseyouthathisage;andaftermuchcounseltogether，weagreedthat，sinceI
couldgetnopracticeintheordinaryway，IshouldtryhowI
couldworkoutbusinessamongtheseignorantboors，bypractisingupontheirsillyfears;and，thankstoFlibbertigibbet，whohathspreadmyrenown，Ihavenotwantedcustom。Butitiswonattoogreatrisk，andIfearIshallbeatlengthtakenupforawizard;sothatIseekbutanopportunitytoleavethisvault，whenIcanhavetheprotectionofsomeworshipfulpersonagainstthefuryofthepopulace，incasetheychancetorecognizeme。\"
\"Andartthou，\"saidTressilian，\"perfectlyacquaintedwiththeroadsinthiscountry？\"
\"Icouldridethemeveryinchbymidnight，\"answeredWaylandSmith，whichwasthenamethisadepthadassumed。
\"Thouhastnohorsetorideupon，\"saidTressilian。
\"Pardonme，\"repliedWayland;\"Ihaveasgoodatitaseveryeomanbestrode;andIforgottosayitwasthebestpartofthemediciner\'slegacytome，exceptingoneortwoofthechoicestofhismedicalsecrets，whichIpickedupwithouthisknowledgeandagainsthiswill。\"
\"Getthyselfwashedandshaved，then，\"saidTressilian;\"reformthydressaswellasthoucanst，andflingawaythesegrotesquetrappings;and，sothouwiltbesecretandfaithful，thoushaltfollowmeforashorttime，tillthyprankshereareforgotten。
Thouhast，Ithink，bothaddressandcourage，andIhavemattertodothatmayrequireboth。\"
WaylandSmitheagerlyembracedtheproposal，andprotestedhisdevotiontohisnewmaster。Inaveryfewminuteshehadmadesogreatanalterationinhisoriginalappearance，bychangeofdress，trimminghisbeardandhair，andsoforth，thatTressiliancouldnothelpremarkingthathethoughthewouldstandinlittleneedofaprotector，sincenoneofhisoldacquaintancewerelikelytorecognizehim。
\"Mydebtorswouldnotpaymemoney，\"saidWayland，shakinghishead;\"butmycreditorsofeverykindwouldbelesseasilyblinded。And，intruth，Iholdmyselfnotsafe，unlessundertheprotectionofagentlemanofbirthandcharacter，asisyourworship。\"
Sosaying，heledthewayoutofthecavern。HethencalledloudlyforHobgoblin，who，afterlingeringforaninstant，appearedwiththehorsefurniture，whenWaylandclosedandsedulouslycoveredupthetrap—door，observingitmightagainservehimathisneed，besidesthatthetoolswereworthsomewhat。Awhistlefromtheownerbroughttohissideanagthatfedquietlyonthecommon，andwasaccustomedtothesignal。
Whileheaccoutredhimforthejourney，Tressiliandrewhisowngirthstighter，andinafewminutesbothwerereadytomount。
AtthismomentSludgeapproachedtobidthemfarewell。
\"Youaregoingtoleaveme，then，myoldplayfellow，\"saidtheboy;\"andthereisanendofallourgameatbo—peepwiththecowardlylubbardswhomIbroughthithertohavetheirbroad—
footednagsshedbythedevilandhisimps？\"
\"Itisevenso，\"saidWaylandSmith，\"thebestfriendsmustpart，Flibbertigibbet;butthou，myboy，arttheonlythingintheValeofWhitehorsewhichIshallregrettoleavebehindme。\"
\"Well，Ibidtheenotfarewell，\"saidDickieSludge，\"foryouwillbeattheserevels，Ijudge，andsoshallI;forifDominieHolidaytakemenotthither，bythelightofday，whichweseenotinyonderdarkhole，Iwilltakemyselfthere！\"
\"Ingoodtime，\"saidWayland;\"butIprayyoutodonoughtrashly。\"
\"Nay，nowyouwouldmakeachild，acommonchildofme，andtellmeoftheriskofwalkingwithoutleading—strings。Butbeforeyouareamilefromthesestones，youshallknowbyasuretokenthatIhavemoreofthehobgoblinaboutmethanyoucredit;andI
willsomanagethat，ifyoutakeadvantage，youmayprofitbymyprank。\"
\"Whatdostthoumean，boy？\"saidTressilian;butFlibbertigibbetonlyansweredwithagrinandacaper，andbiddingbothofthemfarewell，and，atthesametime，exhortingthemtomakethebestoftheirwayfromtheplace，hesetthemtheexamplebyrunninghomewardwiththesameuncommonvelocitywithwhichhehadbaffledTressilian\'sformerattemptstogetholdofhim。
\"Itisinvaintochasehim，\"saidWaylandSmith;\"forunlessyourworshipisexpertinlark—hunting，weshouldnevercatchholdofhim——andbesides，whatwoulditavail？Bettermakethebestofourwayhence，asheadvises。\"
Theymountedtheirhorsesaccordingly，andbegantoproceedataroundpace，assoonasTressilianhadexplainedtohisguidethedirectioninwhichhedesiredtotravel。
Aftertheyhadtrottednearlyamile，Tressiliancouldnothelpobservingtohiscompanionthathishorsefeltmorelivelyunderhimthanevenwhenhemountedinthemorning。
\"Areyouavisedofthat？\"saidWaylandSmith，smiling。\"Thatisowingtoalittlesecretofmine。Imixedthatwithanhandfulofoatswhichshallsaveyourworship\'sheelsthetroubleofspurringthesesixhoursatleast。Nay，Ihavenotstudiedmedicineandpharmacyfornought。\"
\"Itrust，\"saidTressilian，\"yourdrugswilldomyhorsenoharm？\"
\"Nomorethanthemare\'smilk;whichfoaledhim，\"answeredtheartist，andwasproceedingtodilateontheexcellenceofhisrecipewhenhewasinterruptedbyanexplosionasloudandtremendousastheminewhichblowsuptherampartofabeleagueredcity。Thehorsesstarted，andtheriderswereequallysurprised。Theyturnedtogazeinthedirectionfromwhichthethunder—clapwasheard，andbeheld，justoverthespottheyhadleftsorecently，ahugepillarofdarksmokerisinghighintotheclear，blueatmosphere。\"Myhabitationisgonetowreck，\"saidWayland，immediatelyconjecturingthecauseoftheexplosion。\"Iwasafooltomentionthedoctor\'skindintentionstowardsmymansionbeforethatlimbofmischief，Flibbertigibbet;
Imighthaveguessedhewouldlongtoputsorareafrolicintoexecution。Butletushastenon，forthesoundwillcollectthecountrytothespot。\"
Sosaying，hespurredhishorse，andTressilianalsoquickeninghisspeed，theyrodebrisklyforward。
\"This，then，wasthemeaningofthelittleimp\'stokenwhichhepromisedus？\"saidTressilian。\"Hadwelingerednearthespot，wehadfounditalove—tokenwithavengeance。\"
\"Hewouldhavegivenuswarning，\"saidthesmith。\"Isawhimlookbackmorethanoncetoseeifwewereoff——\'tisaverydevilformischief，yetnotanill—natureddevileither。ItwerelongtotellyourhonourhowIbecamefirstacquaintedwithhim，andhowmanytricksheplayedme。Manyagoodturnhedidmetoo，especiallyinbringingmecustomers;forhisgreatdelightwastoseethemsitshiveringbehindthebusheswhentheyheardtheclickofmyhammer。IthinkDameNature，whenshelodgedadoublequantityofbrainsinthatmisshapenheadofhis，gavehimthepowerofenjoyingotherpeople\'sdistresses，asshegavethemthepleasureoflaughingathisugliness。\"
\"Itmaybeso，\"saidTressilian;\"thosewhofindthemselvesseveredfromsocietybypeculiaritiesofform，iftheydonothatethecommonbulkofmankind，areatleastnotaltogetherindisposedtoenjoytheirmishapsandcalamities。\"
\"ButFlibbertigibbet，\"answeredWayland，\"haththatabouthimwhichmayredeemhisturnformischievousfrolic;forheisasfaithfulwhenattachedasheistrickyandmalignanttostrangers，and，asIsaidbefore，Ihavecausetosayso。\"
Tressilianpursuedtheconversationnofurther，andtheycontinuedtheirjourneytowardsDevonshirewithoutfurtheradventure，untiltheyalightedataninninthetownofMarlborough，sincecelebratedforhavinggiventitletothegreatestgeneral（exceptingone）whomBritaineverproduced。
Herethetravellersreceived，inthesamebreath，anexampleofthetruthoftwooldproverbs——namely，thatILLNEWSFLYFAST，andthatLISTENERSSELDOMHEARAGOODTALEOFTHEMSELVES。
Theinn—yardwasinasortofcombustionwhentheyalighted;
insomuch，thattheycouldscarcegetmanorboytotakecareoftheirhorses，sofullwerethewholehouseholdofsomenewswhichflewfromtonguetotongue，theimportofwhichtheywereforsometimeunabletodiscover。Atlength，indeed，theyfounditrespectedmatterswhichtouchedthemnearly。
\"Whatisthematter，sayyou，master？\"answered，atlength，theheadhostler，inreplytoTressilian\'srepeatedquestions。——\"Why，truly，Iscarceknowmyself。Butherewasariderbutnow，whosaysthatthedevilhathflownawaywithhimtheycalledWaylandSmith，thatwon\'daboutthreemilesfromtheWhitehorseofBerkshire，thisveryblessedmorning，inaflashoffireandapillarofsmoke，androoteduptheplacehedweltin，nearthatoldcockpitofuprightstones，ascleanlyasifithadallbeendelvedupforacropping。\"
\"Why，then，\"saidanoldfarmer，\"themoreisthepity;forthatWaylandSmith（whetherhewasthedevil\'scronyornoIskillnot）hadagoodnotionofhorses\'diseases，andit\'stobethoughtthebotswillspreadinthecountryfarandnear，anSatanhasnotgienuntimetoleavehissecretbehindun。\"
\"Youmaysaythat，GafferGrimesby，\"saidthehostlerinreturn;
\"IhavecarriedahorsetoWaylandSmithmyself，forhepassedallfarriersinthiscountry。\"
\"Didyouseehim？\"saidDameAlisonCrane，mistressoftheinnbearingthatsign，anddeigningtotermHUSBANDtheownerthereof，amean—lookinghop—o\'—my—thumbsortorperson，whosehaltinggait，andlongneck，andmeddling，henpeckedinsignificancearesupposedtohavegivenorigintothecelebratedoldEnglishtuneof\"MynamehathalametameCrane。\"
Onthisoccasionhechirpedoutarepetitionofhiswife\'squestion，\"Didstseethedevil，JackHostler，Isay？\"
\"AndwhatifIdidseeun，MasterCrane？\"repliedJackHostler，for，likealltherestofthehousehold，hepaidaslittlerespecttohismasterashismistressherselfdid。
\"Nay，nought，JackHostler，\"repliedthepacificMasterCrane;
\"onlyifyousawthedevil，methinksIwouldliketoknowwhatun\'slike？\"
\"Youwillknowthatoneday，MasterCrane，\"saidhishelpmate，\"anyemendnotyourmanners，andmindyourbusiness，leavingoffsuchidlepalabras。——Buttruly，JackHostler，Ishouldbegladtoknowmyselfwhatlikethefellowwas。\"
\"Why，dame，\"saidthehostler，morerespectfully，\"asforwhathewaslikeIcannottell，nornomanelse，forwhyIneversawun。\"
\"Andhowdidstthougetthineerranddone，\"saidGafferGrimesby，\"ifthouseedsthimnot？\"
\"Why，Ihadschoolmastertowritedownailmento\'nag，\"saidJackHostler;\"andIwentwi\'theugliestslipofaboyformyguideasevermancutouto\'lime—treeroottopleaseachildwithal。\"
\"Andwhatwasit？——anddiditcureyournag，JackHostler？\"wasutteredandechoedbyallwhostoodaround。
\"Why，howcanItellyouwhatitwas？\"saidthehostler;\"simplyitsmelledandtasted——forIdidmakeboldtoputapea\'ssubstanceintomymouth——likehartshornandsavinmixedwithvinegar;butthennohartshornandsavineverwroughtsospeedyacure。AndIamdreadingthatifWaylandSmithbegone，thebotswillhavemorepoweroverhorseandcattle。\"
Theprideofart，whichiscertainlynotinferiorinitsinfluencetoanyotherpridewhatever，heresofaroperatedonWaylandSmith，that，notwithstandingtheobviousdangerofhisbeingrecognized，hecouldnothelpwinkingtoTressilian，andsmilingmysteriously，asiftriumphingintheundoubtedevidenceofhisveterinaryskill。Inthemeanwhile，thediscoursecontinued。
\"E\'enletitbeso，\"saidagravemaninblack，thecompanionofGafferGrimesby;\"e\'enletusperishundertheevilGodsendsus，ratherthanthedevilbeourdoctor。\"
\"Verytrue，\"saidDameCrane;\"andImarvelatJackHostlerthathewouldperilhisownsoultocurethebowelsofanag。\"
\"Verytrue，mistress，\"saidJackHostler，\"butthenagwasmymaster\'s;andhaditbeenyours，Ithinkyewouldha\'heldmecheapenowanIhadfearedthedevilwhenthepoorbeastwasinsuchataking。Fortherest，lettheclergylooktoit。Everymantohiscraft，saystheproverb——theparsontotheprayer—
book，andthegroomtohiscurry—comb。
\"Ivow，\"saidDameCrane，\"IthinkJackHostlerspeakslikeagoodChristianandafaithfulservant，whowillspareneitherbodynorsoulinhismaster\'sservice。However，thedevilhasliftedhimintime，foraConstableoftheHundredcamehitherthismorningtogetoldGafferPinniewinks，thetrierofwitches，togowithhimtotheValeofWhitehorsetocomprehendWaylandSmith，andputhimtohisprobation。IhelpedPinniewinkstosharpenhispincersandhispoking—awl，andIsawthewarrantfromJusticeBlindas。\"
\"Pooh——pooh——thedevilwouldlaughbothatBlindasandhiswarrant，constableandwitch—findertoboot，\"saidoldDameCrank，thePapistlaundress;\"WaylandSmith\'sfleshwouldmindPinniewinks\'awlnomorethanacambricruffmindsahotpiccadilloe—needle。Buttellme，gentlefolks，ifthedevileverhadsuchahandamongye，astosnatchawayyoursmithsandyourartistsfromunderyournose，whenthegoodAbbotsofAbingdonhadtheirown？ByOurLady，no！——theyhadtheirhallowedtapers;
andtheirholywater，andtheirrelics，andwhatnot，couldsendthefoulestfiendsa—packing。Goaskahereticparsontodothelike。Butourswereacomfortablepeople。\"
\"Verytrue，DameCrank，\"saidthehostler;\"sosaidSimpkinsofSimonburnwhenthecuratekissedhiswife，——\'Theyareacomfortablepeople，\'saidhe。\"
\"Silence，thoufoul—mouthedvermin，\"saidDameCrank;\"isitfitforaheretichorse—boyliketheetohandlesuchatextastheCatholicclergy？\"
\"Introthno，dame，\"repliedthemanofoats;\"andasyouyourselfarenownotextfortheirhandling，dame，whatevermayhavebeenthecaseinyourday，Ithinkwehade\'enbetterleaveunalone。\"
Atthislastexchangeofsarcasm，DameCranksetupherthroat，andbeganahorribleexclamationagainstJackHostler，undercoverofwhichTressilianandhisattendantescapedintothehouse。
Theyhadnosoonerenteredaprivatechamber，towhichGoodmanCranehimselfhadcondescendedtousherthem，anddispatchedtheirworthyandobsequioushostontheerrandofprocuringwineandrefreshment，thanWaylandSmithbegantogiveventtohisself—importance。
\"Yousee，sir，\"saidhe，addressingTressilian，\"thatInothingfabledinassertingthatIpossessedfullythemightymysteryofafarrier，ormareschal，astheFrenchmorehonourablytermus。
Thesedog—hostlers，who，afterall，arethebetterjudgesinsuchacase，knowwhatcredittheyshouldattachtomymedicaments。I
callyoutowitness，worshipfulMasterTressilian，thatnought，savethevoiceofcalumnyandthehandofmaliciousviolence，hathdrivenmeforthfromastationinwhichIheldaplacealikeusefulandhonoured。\"
\"Ibearwitness，myfriend，butwillreservemylistening，\"
answeredTressilian，\"forasafertime;unless，indeed，youdeemitessentialtoyourreputationtobetranslated，likeyourlatedwelling，bytheassistanceofaflashoffire。Foryouseeyourbestfriendsreckonyounobetterthanameresorcerer。\"
\"Now，Heavenforgivethem，\"saidtheartist，\"whoconfoundedlearnedskillwithunlawfulmagic！Itrustamanmaybeasskilful，ormoreso，thanthebestchirurgeonevermeddledwithhorse—flesh，andyetmaybeuponthematterlittlemorethanotherordinarymen，orattheworstnoconjurer。\"
\"Godforbidelse！\"saidTressilian。\"Butbesilentjustforthepresent，sinceherecomesminehostwithanassistant，whoseemssomethingoftheleast。\"
Everybodyabouttheinn，DameCraneherselfincluded，hadbeenindeedsointerestedandagitatedbythestorytheyhadheardofWaylandSmith，andbythenew，varying，andmoremarvellouseditionsoftheincidentwhicharrivedfromvariousquarters，thatminehost，inhisrighteousdeterminationtoaccommodatehisguests，hadbeenabletoobtaintheassistanceofnoneofhishousehold，savingthatofalittleboy，ajuniortapster，ofabouttwelveyearsold，whowascalledSampson。
\"Iwish，\"hesaid，apologizingtohisguests，ashesetdownaflagonofsack，andpromisedsomefoodimmediately——\"IwishthedevilhadflownawaywithmywifeandmywholefamilyinsteadofthisWaylandSmith，who，Idaresay，afterallsaidanddone，wasmuchlessworthyofthedistinctionwhichSatanhasdonehim。\"
\"Iholdopinionwithyou，goodfellow，\"repliedWaylandSmith;
\"andIwilldrinktoyouuponthatargument。\"
\"NotthatIwouldjustifyanymanwhodealswiththedevil，\"saidminehost，afterhavingpledgedWaylandinarousingdraughtofsack，\"butthat——sawyeeverbettersack，mymasters？——butthat，Isay，amanhadbetterdealwithadozencheatsandscoundrelfellows，suchasthisWaylandSmith，thanwithadevilincarnate，thattakespossessionofhouseandhome，bedandboard。\"
Thepoorfellow\'sdetailofgrievanceswashereinterruptedbytheshrillvoiceofhishelpmate，screamingfromthekitchen，towhichheinstantlyhobbled，cravingpardonofhisguests。HewasnosoonergonethanWaylandSmithexpressed，byeverycontemptuousepithetinthelanguage，hisutterscornforanincompoopwhostuckhisheadunderhiswife\'sapron—string;andintimatedthat，savingforthesakeofthehorses，whichrequiredbothrestandfood，hewouldadvisehisworshipfulMasterTressiliantopushonastagefarther，ratherthanpayareckoningtosuchamean—spirited，crow—trodden，henpeckedcoxcomb，asGafferCrane。
Thearrivalofalargedishofgoodcow—heelandbaconsomethingsoothedtheasperityoftheartist，whichwhollyvanishedbeforeachoicecapon，sodelicatelyroastedthatthelardfrothedonit，saidWayland，likeMay—dewonalily;andbothGafferCraneandhisgooddamebecame，inhiseyes，verypainstaking，accommodating，obligingpersons。
Accordingtothemannersofthetimes，themasterandhisattendantsatatthesametable，andthelatterobserved，withregret，howlittleattentionTressilianpaidtohismeal。Herecollected，indeed，thepainhehadgivenbymentioningthemaideninwhosecompanyhehadfirstseenhim;but，fearfuloftouchinguponatopictootendertobetamperedwith，hechosetoascribehisabstinencetoanothercause。
\"Thisfareisperhapstoocoarseforyourworship，\"saidWayland，asthelimbsofthecapondisappearedbeforehisownexertions;
\"buthadyoudweltaslongasIhavedoneinyonderdungeon，whichFlibbertigibbethastranslatedtotheupperelement，aplacewhereIdaredhardlybroilmyfood，lestthesmokeshouldbeseenwithout，youwouldthinkafaircaponamorewelcomedainty。\"
\"Ifyouarepleased，friend，\"saidTressilian，\"itiswell。
Nevertheless，hastenthymealifthoucanst，Forthisplaceisunfriendlytothysafety，andmyconcernscravetravelling。\"
Allowing，therefore，theirhorsesnomorerestthanwasabsolutelynecessaryforthem，theypursuedtheirjourneybyaforcedmarchasfarasBradford，wheretheyreposedthemselvesforthenight。
Thenextmorningfoundthemearlytravellers。And，nottofatiguethereaderwithunnecessaryparticulars，theytraversedwithoutadventurethecountiesofWiltshireandSomerset，andaboutnoonofthethirddayafterTressilian\'sleavingCumnor，arrivedatSirHughRobsart\'sseat，calledLidcoteHall，onthefrontiersofDevonshire。
CHAPTERXII。
Ahme！theflowerandblossomofyourhouse，Thewindhathblownawaytoothertowers。
JOANNABAILLIE\'SFAMILYLEGEND。
TheancientseatofLidcoteHallwassituatednearthevillageofthesamename，andadjoinedthewildandextensiveforestofExmoor，plentifullystockedwithgame，inwhichsomeancientrightsbelongingtotheRobsartfamilyentitledSirHughtopursuehisfavouriteamusementofthechase。Theoldmansionwasalow，venerablebuilding，occupyingaconsiderablespaceofground，whichwassurroundedbyadeepmoat。Theapproachanddrawbridgeweredefendedbyanoctagonaltower，ofancientbrickwork，butsoclothedwithivyandothercreepersthatitwasdifficulttodiscoverofwhatmaterialsitwasconstructed。Theanglesofthistowerwereeachdecoratedwithaturret，whimsicallyvariousinformandinsize，and，therefore，veryunlikethemonotonousstonepepperboxeswhich，inmodernGothicarchitecture，areemployedforthesamepurpose。Oneoftheseturretswassquare，andoccupiedasaclock—house。Buttheclockwasnowstandingstill;acircumstancepeculiarlystrikingtoTressilian，becausethegoodoldknight，amongotherharmlesspeculiarities，hadafidgetyanxietyabouttheexactmeasurementoftime，verycommontothosewhohaveagreatdealofthatcommoditytodisposeof，andfinditlieheavyupontheirhands——
justasweseeshopkeepersamusethemselveswithtakinganexactaccountoftheirstockatthetimethereisleastdemandforit。
Theentrancetothecourtyardoftheoldmansionlaythroughanarchway，surmountedbytheforesaidtower;butthedrawbridgewasdown，andoneleafoftheiron—studdedfolding—doorsstoodcarelesslyopen。Tressilianhastilyrodeoverthedrawbridge，enteredthecourt，andbegantocallloudlyonthedomesticsbytheirnames。Forsometimehewasonlyansweredbytheechoesandthehowlingofthehounds，whosekennellayatnogreatdistancefromthemansion，andwassurroundedbythesamemoat。
AtlengthWillBadger，theoldandfavouriteattendantoftheknight，whoactedalikeassquireofhisbodyandsuperintendentofhissports，madehisappearance。Thestout，weather—beatenforestershowedgreatsignsofjoywhenherecognizedTressilian。
\"Lordloveyou，\"hesaid，\"MasterEdmund，beitthouinfleshandfell？ThenthoumayestdosomegoodonSirHugh，foritpassesthewitofman——thatis，ofmineown，andthecurate\'s，andMasterMumblazen\'s——todoaughtwi\'un。\"
\"IsSirHughthenworsesinceIwentaway，Will？\"demandedTressilian。
\"Forworseinbody——no;heismuchbetter，\"repliedthedomestic;
\"butheiscleanmazedasitwere——eatsanddrinksashewaswont——butsleepsnot，orratherwakesnot，forheiseverinasortoftwilight，thatisneithersleepingnorwaking。DameSwinefordthoughtitwaslikethedeadpalsy。Butno，no，dame，saidI，itistheheart，itistheheart。\"
\"Canyenotstirhismindtoanypastimes？\"saidTressilian。
\"Heiscleanandquiteoffhissports，\"saidWillBadger;\"hathneithertouchedbackgammonorshovel—board，norlookedonthebigbookofharrowtrywi\'MasterMumblazen。Ilettheclockrundown，thinkingthemissingthebellmightsomewhatmovehim——foryouknow，MasterEdmund，hewasparticularincountingtime——butheneversaidawordon\'t，soImaye\'ensettheoldchimea—
towlingagain。ImadeboldtotreadonBungay\'stailtoo，andyouknowwhataroundratingthatwouldha\'costmeoncea—day;
buthemindedthepoortyke\'swhinenomorethanamadgehowletwhoopingdownthechimney——sothecaseisbeyondme。\"
\"Thoushalttellmetherestwithindoors，Will。Meanwhile，letthispersonbeta\'entothebuttery，andusedwithrespect。Heisamanofart。\"
\"Whiteartorblackart，Iwould，\"saidWillBadger，\"thathehadanyartwhichcouldhelpus。——Here，TomButler，looktothemanofart;——andseethathestealsnoneofthyspoons，lad，\"headdedinawhispertothebutler，whoshowedhimselfatalowwindow，\"Ihaveknownashonestafacedfellowhaveartenoughtodothat。\"
HethenusheredTressilianintoalowparlour，andwent，athisdesire，toseeinwhatstatehismasterwas，lestthesuddenreturnofhisdarlingpupilandproposedson—in—lawshouldaffecthimtoostrongly。Hereturnedimmediately，andsaidthatSirHughwasdozinginhiselbow—chair，butthatMasterMumblazenwouldacquaintMasterTressiliantheinstantheawaked。
\"Butitischanceifheknowsyou，\"saidthehuntsman，\"forhehasforgottenthenameofeveryhoundinthepack。Ithought，aboutaweeksince，hehadgottenafavourableturn。\'SaddlemeoldSorrel，\'saidhesuddenly，afterhehadtakenhisusualnight—draughtoutofthegreatsilvergrace—cup，\'andtakethehoundstoMountHazelhurstto—morrow。\'Gladmenwereweall，andoutwehadhiminthemorning，andherodetocoverasusual，withneverawordspokenbutthatthewindwassouth，andthescentwouldlie。Buterewehaduncoupled\'thehounds，hebegantostareroundhim，likeamanthatwakessuddenlyoutofadream——turnsbridle，andwalksbacktoHallagain，andleavesustohuntatleisurebyourselves，ifwelisted。\"
\"Youtellaheavytale，Will，\"repliedTressilian;\"butGodmusthelpus——thereisnoaidinman。\"
\"ThenyoubringusnonewsofyoungMistressAmy？ButwhatneedIask——yourbrowtellsthestory。EverIhopedthatifanymancouldorwouldtrackher，itmustbeyou。All\'soverandlostnow。ButifeverIhavethatVarneywithinreachofaflight—
shot，Iwillbestowaforkedshaftonhim;andthatIswearbysaltandbread。\"