\"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。\"