\"Benotangrywithme，lady，\"saidJanetmeekly，\"andletmestillsupportyou;theroadisrough，andyouarelittleaccustomedtowalkindarkness。\"
\"Ifyoudeemmenotsomeanasmaydisgracemyhusband，\"saidtheCountess，inthesameresentfultone，\"yousupposemyLordofLeicestercapableofabetting，perhapsofgivingaimandauthorityto，thebaseproceedingsofyourfatherandVarney，whoseerrandIwilldotothegoodEarl。\"
\"ForGod\'ssake，madam，sparemyfatherinyourreport，\"saidJanet;\"letmyservices，howeverpoor，besomeatonementforhiserrors！\"
\"Iweremostunjust，dearestJanet，wereitotherwise，\"saidtheCountess，resumingatoncethefondnessandconfidenceofhermannertowardsherfaithfulattendant，\"No，Janet，notawordofmineshalldoyourfatherprejudice。Butthouseest，mylove，I
havenodesirebuttothrowmyselfonmyhusband\'sprotection。
Ihavelefttheabodeheassignedforme，becauseofthevillainyofthepersonsbywhomIwassurrounded;butIwilldisobeyhiscommandsinnootherparticular。Iwillappealtohimalone——I
willbeprotectedbyhimalone;tonoother，thanathispleasure，haveIorwillIcommunicatethesecretunionwhichcombinesourheartsandourdestinies。Iwillseehim，andreceivefromhisownlipsthedirectionsformyfutureconduct。
Donotargueagainstmyresolution，Janet;youwillonlyconfirmmeinit。Andtoownthetruth，Iamresolvedtoknowmyfateatonce，andfrommyhusband\'sownmouth;andtoseekhimatKenilworthisthesurestwaytoattainmypurpose。\"
WhileJanethastilyrevolvedinhermindthedifficultiesanduncertaintiesattendantontheunfortunatelady\'ssituation，shewasinclinedtoalterherfirstopinion，andtothink，uponthewhole，thatsincetheCountesshadwithdrawnherselffromtheretreatinwhichshehadbeenplacedbyherhusband，itwasherfirstdutytorepairtohispresence，andpossesshimwiththereasonsforsuchconduct。SheknewwhatimportancetheEarlattachedtotheconcealmentoftheirmarriage，andcouldnotbutown，thatbytakinganysteptomakeitpublicwithouthispermission，theCountesswouldincur，inahighdegree，theindignationofherhusband。Ifsheretiredtoherfather\'shousewithoutanexplicitavowalofherrank，hersituationwaslikelygreatlytoprejudicehercharacter;andifshemadesuchanavowal，itmightoccasionanirreconcilablebreachwithherhusband。AtKenilworth，again，shemightpleadhercausewithherhusbandhimself，whomJanet，thoughdistrustinghimmorethantheCountessdid，believedincapableofbeingaccessorytothebaseanddesperatemeanswhichhisdependants，fromwhosepowertheladywasnowescaping，mightresortto，inordertostiflehercomplaintsofthetreatmentshehadreceivedattheirhands。
Butattheworst，andweretheEarlhimselftodenyherjusticeandprotection，stillatKenilworth，ifshechosetomakeherwrongspublic，theCountessmighthaveTressilianforheradvocate，andtheQueenforherjudge;forsomuchJanethadlearnedinhershortconferencewithWayland。Shewas，therefore，onthewhole，reconciledtoherlady\'sproposalofgoingtowardsKenilworth，andsoexpressedherself;recommending，however，totheCountesstheutmostcautioninmakingherarrivalknowntoherhusband，\"Hastthouthyselfbeencautious，Janet？\"saidtheCountess;
\"thisguide，inwhomImustputmyconfidence，hastthounotentrustedtohimthesecretofmycondition？\"
\"Frommehehaslearnednothing，\"saidJanet;\"nordoIthinkthatheknowsmorethanwhatthepublicingeneralbelieveofyoursituation。\"
\"Andwhatisthat？\"saidthelady。
\"Thatyouleftyourfather\'shouse——butIshalloffendyouagainifIgoon，\"saidJanet，interruptingherself。
\"Nay，goon，\"saidtheCountess;\"Imustlearntoenduretheevilreportwhichmyfollyhasbroughtuponme。Theythink，I
suppose，thatIhaveleftmyfather\'shousetofollowlawlesspleasure。Itisanerrorwhichwillsoonberemoved——indeeditshall，forIwilllivewithspotlessfame，orIshallceasetolive。——Iamaccounted，then，theparamourofmyLeicester？\"
\"MostmensayofVarney，\"saidJanet;\"yetsomecallhimonlytheconvenientcloakofhismaster\'spleasures;forreportsoftheprofuseexpenseingarnishingyonderapartmentshavesecretlygoneabroad，andsuchdoingsfarsurpassthemeansofVarney。
Butthislatteropinionislittleprevalent;formendarehardlyevenhintsuspicionwhensohighanameisconcerned，lesttheStarChambershouldpunishthemforscandalofthenobility。\"
\"Theydowelltospeaklow，\"saidtheCountess，\"whowouldmentiontheillustriousDudleyastheaccompliceofsuchawretchasVarney。——Wehavereachedthepostern。Ah！Janet，Imustbidtheefarewell！Weepnot，mygoodgirl，\"saidshe，endeavouringtocoverherownreluctancetopartwithherfaithfulattendantunderanattemptatplayfulness;\"andagainstwemeetagain，reformme，Janet，thatpreciseruffofthineforanopenrabatineoflaceandcutwork，thatwillletmenseethouhastafairneck;andthatkirtleofPhilippinechency，withthatbuglelacewhichbefitsonlyachambermaid，intothree—piledvelvetandclothofgold——thouwiltfindplentyofstuffsinmychamber，andIfreelybestowthemonyou。Thoumustbebrave，Janet;forthoughthouartnowbuttheattendantofadistressedanderrantlady，whoisbothnamelessandfameless，yet，whenwemeetagain，thoumustbedressedasbecomesthegentlewomannearestinloveandinservicetothefirstCountessinEngland。\"
\"Now，mayGodgrantit，dearlady！\"saidJanet——\"notthatImaygowithgayerapparel，butthatwemaybothwearourkirtlesoverlighterhearts。\"
Bythistimethelockoftheposterndoorhad，aftersomehardwrenching，yieldedtothemaster—key;andtheCountess，notwithoutinternalshuddering，sawherselfbeyondthewallswhichherhusband\'sstrictcommandshadassignedtoherastheboundaryofherwalks。Waitingwithmuchanxietyfortheirappearance，WaylandSmithstoodatsomedistance，shroudinghimselfbehindahedgewhichborderedthehigh—road。
\"Isallsafe？\"saidJanettohimanxiously，asheapproachedthemwithcaution。
\"All，\"hereplied;\"butIhavebeenunabletoprocureahorseforthelady。GilesGosling，thecowardlyhilding，refusedmeoneonanytermswhatever，lest，forsooth，heshouldsuffer。Butnomatter;shemustrideonmypalfrey，andImustwalkbyhersideuntilIcomebyanotherhorse。Therewillbenopursuit，ifyou，prettyMistressJanet，forgetnotthylesson。\"
\"NomorethanthewisewidowofTekoaforgotthewordswhichJoabputintohermouth，\"answeredJanet。\"Tomorrow，Isaythatmyladyisunabletorise。\"
\"Ay;andthatshehathachingandheavinessoftheheadathrobbingattheheart，andlistsnottobedisturbed。Fearnot;
theywilltakethehint，andtroubletheewithfewquestions——
theyunderstandthedisease，\"
\"But，\"saidthelady，\"Myabsencemustbesoondiscovered，andtheywillmurderherinrevenge。Iwillratherreturnthanexposehertosuchdanger。\"
\"Beateaseonmyaccount，madam，\"saidJanet;\"Iwouldyouwereassureofreceivingthefavouryoudesirefromthosetowhomyoumustmakeappeal，asIamthatmyfather，howeverangry，willsuffernoharmtobefallme。\"
TheCountesswasnowplacedbyWaylanduponhishorse，aroundthesaddleofwhichhehadplacedhiscloak，sofoldedastomakeheracommodiousseat。
\"Adieu，andmaytheblessingofGodwendwithyou！\"saidJanet，againkissinghermistress\'shand，whoreturnedherbenedictionwithamutecaress。Theythentorethemselvesasunder，andJanet，addressingWayland，exclaimed，\"MayHeavendealwithyouatyourneed，asyouaretrueorfalsetothismostinjuredandmosthelplesslady！\"
\"Amen！dearestJanet，\"repliedWay]and;\"andbelieveme，Iwillsoacquitmyselfofmytrustasmaytemptevenyourprettyeyes，saintlikeastheyare，tolooklessscornfullyonmewhenwenextmeet。\"
ThelatterpartofthisadieuwaswhisperedintoJanet\'searandalthoughshemadenoreplytoitdirectly，yethermanner，influenced，nodoubt，byherdesiretoleaveeverymotiveinforcewhichcouldoperatetowardshermistress\'ssafety，didnotdiscouragethehopewhichWayland\'swordsexpressed。Shere—enteredtheposterndoor，andlockeditbehindher;while，Waylandtakingthehorse\'sbridleinhishand，andwalkingclosebyitshead，theybeganinsilencetheirdubiousandmoonlightjourney。
AlthoughWaylandSmithusedtheutmostdispatchwhichhecouldmake，yetthismodeoftravellingwassoslow，thatwhenmorningbegantodawnthroughtheeasternmist，hefoundhimselfnofartherthanabouttenmilesdistantfromCumnor。\"Now，aplagueuponallsmooth—spokenhosts！\"saidWayland，unablelongertosuppresshismortificationanduneasiness。\"Hadthefalseloon，GilesGosling，buttoldmeplainlytwodayssincethatIwastoreckonnoughtuponhim，Ihadshiftedbetterformyself。Butyourhostshavesuchacustomofpromisingwhateveriscalledforthatitisnottillthesteedistobeshodyoufindtheyareoutofiron。HadIbutknown，Icouldhavemadetwentyshifts;nay，forthatmatter，andinsogoodacause，Iwouldhavethoughtlittletohavepriggedaprancerfromthenextcommon——ithadbutbeensendingbackthebrutetotheheadborough。ThefarcyandthefoundersconfoundeveryhorseinthestablesoftheBlackBear！\"
Theladyendeavouredtocomfortherguide，observingthatthedawnwouldenablehimtomakemorespeed。
\"True，madam，\"hereplied;\"butthenitwillenableotherfolktotakenoteofus，andthatmayproveanillbeginningofourjourney。Ihadnotcaredasparkfromanvilaboutthematterhadwebeenfurtheradvancedonourway。ButthisBerkshirehasbeennotoriouslyhaunted，eversinceIknewthecountry，withthatsortofmaliciouselveswhosituplateandriseearlyfornootherpurposethantopryintootherfolk\'saffairs。Ihavebeenendangeredbythemerenow。Butdonotfear，\"headded，\"goodmadam;forwit，meetingwithopportunity，willnotmisstofindasalveforeverysore。\"
ThealarmsofherguidemademoreimpressionontheCountess\'smindthanthecomfortwhichhejudgedfittoadministeralongwithit。Shelookedanxiouslyaroundher。andastheshadowswithdrewfromthelandscape，andtheheighteningglowoftheeasternskypromisedthespeedyriseofthesun，expectedateveryturnthattheincreasinglightwouldexposethemtotheviewofthevengefulpursuers，orpresentsomedangerousandinsurmountableobstacletotheprosecutionoftheirjourney。
WaylandSmithperceivedheruneasiness，and，displeasedwithhimselfforhavinggivenhercauseofalarm，strodeonwithaffectedalacrity，nowtalkingtothehorseasoneexpertinthelanguageofthestable，nowwhistlingtohimselflowandinterruptedsnatchesoftunes，andnowassuringtheladytherewasnodanger，whileatthesametimehelookedsharplyaroundtoseethattherewasnothinginsightwhichmightgivethelietohiswordswhiletheywereissuingfromhismouth。Thusdidtheyjourneyon，untilanunexpectedincidentgavethemthemeansofcontinuingtheirpilgrimagewithmorespeedandconvenience。
CHAPTERXXIV。
RICHARD。Ahorse！——Ahorse！——mykingdomforahorse！
CATESBY……Mylord，I\'llhelpyoutoahorse。RICHARDIII。
Ourtravellerswereintheactofpassingasmallthicketoftreesclosebytheroadside，whenthefirstlivingbeingpresentedhimselfwhomtheyhadseensincetheirdeparturefromCumnorPlace。Thiswasastupidlout，seeminglyafarmer\'sboy，inagreyjerkin，withhisheadbare，hishoseabouthisheels，andhugestartupsuponhisfeet。Heheldbythebridlewhatofallthingstheymostwanted——apalfrey，namely，withaside—
saddle，andallothergarnitureforawoman\'smounting;andhehailedWaylandSmithwith，\"Zur，beyezuretheparty？\"
\"Ay，thatIbe，mylad，\"answeredWayland，withoutaninstant\'shesitation;anditmustbeownedthatconsciencestrainedinastricterschoolofmoralitymighthavegivenwaytoanoccasionsotempting。Whilehespoke，hecaughtthereinoutoftheboy\'shand，andalmostatthesametimehelpeddowntheCountessfromhisownhorse，andaidedhertomountonthatwhichchancehadthuspresentedforheracceptance。Indeed，sonaturallydidthewholetakeplace，thattheCountess，asitafterwardsappeared，neversuspectedbutthatthehorsehadbeenplacedtheretomeetthembytheprecautionoftheguideorsomeofhisfriends。
Thelad，however，whowasthushastilydispossessedofhischarge，begantostarehard，andscratchhishead，asifseizedwithsomequalmsofconsciencefordeliveringuptheanimalonsuchbriefexplanation。\"Iberightzurethoube\'sttheparty，\"
saidhe，mutteringtohimself，\"butthoushouldsthazaidBEANS，thouknawest。\"
\"Ay，ay，\"saidWayland，speakingataventure;\"andthouBACON，thouknowest。\"
\"Noa，noa，\"saidthelad;\"bideye——bideye——itwasPEASashouldhasaid。\"
\"Well，well，\"answeredWayland，\"Peasbeit，aGod\'sname！
thoughBaconwerethebetterpassword。\"
Andbeingbythistimemountedonhisownhorse，hecaughtthereinofthepalfreyfromtheuncertainholdofthehesitatingyoungboor，flunghimasmallpieceofmoney，andmadeamendsforlosttimebyridingbrisklyoffwithoutfurtherparley。Theladwasstillvisiblefromthehillupwhichtheywereriding，andWayland，ashelookedback，beheldhimstandingwithhisfingersinhishairasimmovableasaguide—post，andhisheadturnedinthedirectioninwhichtheywereescapingfromhim。Atlength，justastheytoppedthehill，hesawtheclownstooptoliftupthesilvergroatwhichhisbenevolencehadimparted。\"NowthisiswhatIcallaGodsend，\"saidWayland;\"thisisabonny，well—
riddenbitofagoingthing，anditwillcarryussofartillwegetyouaswellmounted，andthenwewillsenditbacktimeenoughtosatisfytheHueandCry。\"
Buthewasdeceivedinhisexpectations;andfate，whichseemedatfirsttopromisesofairly，soonthreatenedtoturntheincidentwhichhethusgloriedinintothecauseoftheirutterruin。
Theyhadnotriddenashortmilefromtheplacewheretheylefttheladbeforetheyheardaman\'svoiceshoutingonthewindbehindthem，\"Robbery！robbery！——Stopthief！\"andsimilarexclamations，whichWayland\'sconsciencereadilyassuredhimmustariseoutofthetransactiontowhichhehadbeenjustaccessory。
\"Ihadbetterhavegonebarefootallmylife，\"hesaid;\"itistheHueandCry，andIamalostman。Ah！Wayland，Wayland，manyatimethyfathersaidhorse—fleshwouldbethedeathofthee。WereIoncesafeamongthehorse—coursersinSmithfield，orTurnbullStreet，theyshouldhaveleavetohangmeashighasSt。
Paul\'sifIe\'ermeddledmorewithnobles，knights，orgentlewomen。\"
Amidstthesedismalreflections，heturnedhisheadrepeatedlytoseebywhomhewaschased，andwasmuchcomfortedwhenhecouldonlydiscoverasinglerider，whowas，however，wellmounted，andcameafterthemataspeedwhichleftthemnochanceofescaping，evenhadthelady\'sstrengthpermittedhertorideasfastasherpalfreymighthavebeenabletogallop。
\"Theremaybefairplaybetwixtus，sure，\"thoughtWayland，\"wherethereisbutonemanoneachside，andyonderfellowsitsonhishorsemorelikeamonkeythanacavalier。Pshaw！ifitcometotheworse，itwillbeeasyunhorsinghim。Nay，\'snails！
Ithinkhishorsewilltakethematterinhisownhand，forhehasthebridlebetwixthisteeth。Oons，whatcareIforhim？\"
saidhe，asthepursuerdrewyetnearer;\"itisbutthelittleanimalofamercerfromAbingdon，whenallisover。\"
Evensoitwas，astheexperiencedeyeofWaylandhaddescriedatadistance。Forthevaliantmercer\'shorse，whichwasabeastofmettle，feelinghimselfputtohisspeed，anddiscerningacoupleofhorsesridingfastatsomehundredyards\'distancebeforehim，betookhimselftotheroadwithsuchalacrityastotallyderangedtheseatofhisrider，whonotonlycameupwith，butpassedatfullgallop，thosewhomhehadbeenpursuing，pullingthereinswithallhismight，andejaculating，\"Stop！stop！\"aninterjectionwhichseemedrathertoregardhisownpalfreythanwhatseamencall\"thechase。\"Withthesameinvoluntaryspeed，heshotahead（touseanothernauticalphrase）aboutafurlongerehewasabletostopandturnhishorse，andthenrodebacktowardsourtravellers，adjusting，aswellashecould，hisdisordereddress，resettlinghimselfinthesaddle，andendeavouringtosubstituteaboldandmartialfrownfortheconfusionanddismaywhichsatuponhisvisageduringhisinvoluntarycareer。
Waylandhadjusttimetocautiontheladynottobealarmed，adding，\"Thisfellowisagull，andIwillusehimassuch。\"
Whenthemercerhadrecoveredbreathandaudacityenoughtoconfrontthem，heorderedWayland，inamenacingtone，todeliveruphispalfrey。
\"How？\"saidthesmith，inKingCambyses\'vein，\"arewecommandedtostandanddeliverontheking\'shighway？Thenout，Excalibur，andtellthisknightofprowessthatdireblowsmustdecidebetweenus！\"
\"Haroandhelp，andhueandcry，everytrueman！\"saidthemercer。\"Iamwithstoodinseekingtorecovermineown。\"
\"Thouswearestthygodsinvain，foulpaynim，\"saidWayland，\"forIwillthroughwithminepurposeweredeathattheendon\'t。
Nevertheless，know，thoufalsemanoffrailcambricandferrateen，thatIamhe，eventhepedlar，whomthoudidstboasttomeetonMaidenCastlemoor，anddespoilofhispack;
whereforebetaketheetothyweaponspresently。\"
\"Ispokebutinjest，man，\"saidGoldthred;\"Iamanhonestshopkeeperandcitizen，whoscornstoleapforthonanymanfrombehindahedge。\"
\"Then，bymyfaith，mostpuissantmercer，\"answeredWayland，\"I
amsorryformyvow，whichwas，thatwhereverImettheeIwoulddespoiltheeofthypalfrey，andbestowituponmyleman，unlessthoucouldstdefenditbyblowsofforce。Butthevowispassedandregistered，andallIcandofortheeistoleavethehorseatDonnington，inthenearesthostelry。\"
\"ButItellthee，friend，\"saidthemercer，\"itistheveryhorseonwhichIwasthisdaytocarryJaneThackham，ofShottesbrok，asfarastheparishchurchyonder，tobecomeDameGoldthred。
Shehathjumpedoutoftheshot—windowofoldGafferThackham\'sgrange;andloye，yondershestandsattheplacewheresheshouldhavemetthepalfrey，withhercamletriding—cloakandivory—handledwhip，likeapictureofLot\'swife。Iprayyou，ingoodterms，letmehavebackthepalfrey。\"
\"GrievedamI，\"saidWayland，\"asmuchforthefairdamselasforthee，mostnobleimpofmuslin。Butvowsmusthavetheircourse;
thouwiltfindthepalfreyattheAngelyonderatDonnington。ItisallImaydofortheewithasafeconscience。\"
\"Tothedevilwiththyconscience！\"saidthedismayedmercer。
\"Wouldstthouhaveabridewalktochurchonfoot？\"
\"Thoumayesttakeheronthycrupper，SirGoldthred，\"answeredWayland;\"itwilltakedownthysteed\'smettle。\"
\"Andhowifyou——ifyouforgettoleavemyhorse，asyoupropose？\"saidGoldthred，notwithouthesitation，forhissoulwasafraidwithinhim。
\"Mypackshallbepledgedforit——yonderitlieswithGilesGosling，inhischamberwiththedamaskedleathernhangings，stuffedfullwithvelvet，single，double，treble—piled——rash—
taffeta，andparapa——shag，damask，andmocado，plush，andgrogram——\"
\"Hold！hold！\"exclaimedthemercer;\"nay，iftherebe，intruthandsincerity，butthehalfofthesewares——butifeverItrustbumpkinwithbonnyBayardagain！\"
\"Asyoulistforthat，goodMasterGoldthred，andsogoodmorrowtoyou——andwellparted，\"headded，ridingoncheerfullywiththelady，whilethediscountenancedmercerrodebackmuchslowerthanhecame，ponderingwhatexcuseheshouldmaketothedisappointedbride，whostoodwaitingforhergallantgroominthemidstoftheking\'shighway。
\"Methought，\"saidthelady，astheyrodeon，\"yonderfoolstaredatmeasifhehadsomeremembranceofme;yetIkeptmymufflerashighasImight。\"
\"IfIthoughtso，\"saidWayland，\"Iwouldridebackandcuthimoverthepate;therewouldbenofearofharminghisbrains，forheneverhadsomuchaswouldmakepaptoasuckinggosling。Wemustnowpushon，however，andatDonningtonwewillleavetheoaf\'shorse，thathemayhavenofurthertemptationtopursueus，andendeavourtoassumesuchachangeofshapeasmaybafflehispursuitifheshouldpersevereinit。\"
ThetravellersreachedDonningtonwithoutfurtheralarm，whereitbecamematterofnecessitythattheCountessshouldenjoytwoorthreehours\'repose，duringwhichWaylanddisposedhimself，withequaladdressandalacrity，tocarrythroughthosemeasuresonwhichthesafetyoftheirfuturejourneyseemedtodepend。
Exchanginghispedlar\'sgaberdineforasmock—frock，hecarriedthepalfreyofGoldthredtotheAngelInn，whichwasattheotherendofthevillagefromthatwhereourtravellershadtakenuptheirquarters。Intheprogressofthemorning，ashetravelledabouthisotherbusiness，hesawthesteedbroughtforthanddeliveredtothecuttingmercerhimself，who，attheheadofavalorousposseoftheHueandCry，cametorescue，byforceofarms，whatwasdeliveredtohimwithoutanyotherransomthanthepriceofahugequantityofale，drunkoutbyhisassistants，thirsty，itwouldseem，withtheirwalk，andconcerningthepriceofwhichMasterGoldthredhadafiercedisputewiththeheadborough，whomhehadsummonedtoaidhiminraisingthecountry。
Havingmadethisactofprudentaswellasjustrestitution，Waylandprocuredsuchchangeofapparelforthelady，aswellashimself，asgavethemboththeappearanceofcountrypeopleofthebetterclass;itbeingfurtherresolved，thatinordertoattractthelessobservation，sheshouldpassupontheroadforthesisterofherguide。Agoodbutnotagayhorse，fittokeeppacewithhisown，andgentleenoughforalady\'suse，completedthepreparationsforthejourney;formakingwhich，andforotherexpenses，hehadbeenfurnishedwithsufficientfundsbyTressilian。Andthus，aboutnoon，aftertheCountesshadbeenrefreshedbythesoundreposeofseveralhours，theyresumedtheirjourney，withthepurposeofmakingthebestoftheirwaytoKenilworth，byCoventryandWarwick。Theywerenot，however，destinedtotravelfarwithoutmeetingsomecauseofapprehension。
Itisnecessarytopremisethatthelandlordoftheinnhadinformedthemthatajovialparty，intended，asheunderstood，topresentsomeofthemasquesormummerieswhichmadeapartoftheentertainmentwithwhichtheQueenwasusuallywelcomedontheroyalProgresses，hadleftthevillageofDonningtonanhourortwobeforetheminordertoproceedtoKenilworth。NowithadoccurredtoWaylandthat，byattachingthemselvesinsomesorttothisgroupassoonastheyshouldovertakethemontheroad，theywouldbelesslikelytoattractnoticethaniftheycontinuedtotravelentirelybythemselves。HecommunicatedhisideatotheCountess，who，onlyanxioustoarriveatKenilworthwithoutinterruption，lefthimfreetochoosethemannerinwhichthiswastobeaccomplished。Theypressedforwardtheirhorses，therefore，withthepurposeofovertakingthepartyofintendedrevellers，andmakingthejourneyintheircompany;andhadjustseenthelittleparty，consistingpartlyofriders，partlyofpeopleonfoot，crossingthesummitofagentlehill，atabouthalfamile\'sdistance，anddisappearingontheotherside，whenWayland，whomaintainedthemostcircumspectobservationofallthatmethiseyeineverydirection，wasawarethatariderwascomingupbehindthemonahorseofuncommonaction，accompaniedbyaserving—man，whoseutmosteffortswereunabletokeepupwithhismaster\'strottinghackney，andwho，therefore，wasfaintofollowhimatahandgallop。Waylandlookedanxiouslybackatthesehorsemen，becameconsiderablydisturbedinhismanner，lookedbackagain，andbecamepale，ashesaidtothelady，\"ThatisRichardVarney\'strottinggelding;Iwouldknowhimamongathousandnags。Thisisaworsebusinessthanmeetingthemercer。\"
\"Drawyoursword，\"answeredthelady，\"andpiercemybosomwithit，ratherthanIshouldfallintohishands！\"
\"Iwouldratherbyathousandtimes，\"answeredWayland，\"passitthroughhisbody，orevenmineown。Buttosaytruth，fightingisnotmybestpoint，thoughIcanlookoncoldironlikeanotherwhenneedsmustbe。Andindeed，asformysword——（puton，Iprayyou）——itisapoorProvantrapier，andIwarrantyouhehasaspecialToledo。Hehasaserving—man，too，andIthinkitisthedrunkenruffianLambourne！uponthehorseonwhichmensay——（I
prayyouheartilytoputon）——hedidthegreatrobberyofthewestcountrygrazier。ItisnotthatIfeareitherVarneyorLambourneinagoodcause——（yourpalfreywillgoyetfasterifyouurgehim）——butyet——（nay，Iprayyoulethimnotbreakoffintoagallop，lesttheyshouldseewefearthem，andgivechase——keephimonlyatthefulltrot）——butyet，thoughIfearthemnot，Iwouldwewerewellridofthem，andthatratherbypolicythanbyviolence。Couldweoncereachthepartybeforeus，wemayherdamongthem，andpassunobserved，unlessVarneybereallycomeinexpresspursuitofus，andthen，happymanbehisdole！\"
Whilehethusspoke，healternatelyurgedandrestrainedhishorse，desiroustomaintainthefleetestpacethatwasconsistentwiththeideaofanordinaryjourneyontheroad，buttoavoidsuchrapidityofmovementasmightgiverisetosuspicionthattheywereflying。
Atsuchapacetheyascendedthegentlehillwehavementioned，andlookingfromthetop，hadthepleasuretoseethatthepartywhichhadleftDonningtonbeforethemwereinthelittlevalleyorbottomontheotherside，wheretheroadwastraversedbyarivulet，besidewhichwasacottageortwo。Inthisplacetheyseemedtohavemadeapause，whichgaveWaylandthehopeofjoiningthem，andbecomingapartoftheircompany，ereVarneyshouldovertakethem。Hewasthemoreanxious，ashiscompanion，thoughshemadenocomplaints，andexpressednofear，begantolooksodeadlypalethathewasafraidshemightdropfromherhorse。Notwithstandingthissymptomofdecayingstrength，shepushedonherpalfreysobrisklythattheyjoinedthepartyinthebottomofthevalleyereVarneyappearedonthetopofthegentleeminencewhichtheyhaddescended。
Theyfoundthecompanytowhichtheymeanttoassociatethemselvesingreatdisorder。Thewomenwithdishevelledlocks，andlooksofgreatimportance，raninandoutofoneofthecottages，andthemenstoodaroundholdingthehorses，andlookingsillyenough，asisusualincaseswheretheirassistanceisnotwanted。
Waylandandhischargepaused，asifoutofcuriosity，andthengradually，withoutmakinganyinquiries，orbeingaskedanyquestions，theymingledwiththegroup，asiftheyhadalwaysmadepartofit。
Theyhadnotstoodthereabovefiveminutes，anxiouslykeepingasmuchtothesideoftheroadaspossible，soastoplacetheothertravellersbetwixtthemandVarney，whenLordLeicester\'smasterofthehorse，followedbyLambourne，cameridingfiercelydownthehill，theirhorses\'flanksandtherowelsoftheirspursshowingbloodytokensoftherateatwhichtheytravelled。Theappearanceofthestationarygrouparoundthecottages，wearingtheirbuckramsuitsinordertoprotecttheirmaskingdresses，havingtheirlightcartfortransportingtheirscenery，andcarryingvariousfantasticpropertiesintheirhandsforthemoreeasyconveyance，lettheridersatonceintothecharacterandpurposeofthecompany。
\"YouarerevelIers，\"saidVarney，\"designingforKenilworth？\"
\"RECTEQUIDEM，DOMINESPECTATISSIME，\"answeredoneoftheparty。
\"Andwhythedevilstandyouhere？\"saidVarney，\"whenyourutmostdispatchwillbutbringyoutoKenilworthintime？TheQueendinesatWarwickto—morrow，andyouloiterhere，yeknaves。\"
\"Iverytruth，sir，\"saidalittle，diminutiveurchin，wearingavizardwithacoupleofsproutinghornsofanelegantscarlethue，having，moreover，ablacksergejerkindrawnclosetohisbodybylacing，garnishedwithredstockings，andshoessoshapedastoresembleclovenfeet——\"inverytruth，sir，andyouareintherighton\'t。ItismyfathertheDevil，who，beingtakeninlabour，hasdelayedourpresentpurpose，byincreasingourcompanywithanimptoomany，\"
\"Thedevilhehas！\"answeredVarney，whoselaugh，however，neverexceededasarcasticsmile。
\"Itisevenasthejuvenalhathsaid，\"addedthemaskerwhospokefirst;\"Ourmajordevil——forthisisbutourminorone——isevennowatLUCINA，FEROPEM，withinthatveryTUGURIUM。\"
\"BySaintGeorge，orratherbytheDragon，whomaybeakinsmanofthefiendinthestraw，amostcomicalchance！\"saidVarney。
\"Howsayestthou，Lambourne，wiltthoustandgodfatherforthenonce？Ifthedevilweretochooseagossip，Iknownoonemorefitfortheoffice。\"