SosoonastheyarrivedattheprincelymansionofBoteler，theLadyEmmacravedpermissiontoretiretoherchamberthatshemightcomposeherspiritsaftertheterrorshehadundergone。HenrySt。Clere，inafewwords，proceededtoexplaintheadventuretothecuriousaudience。I
hadnosoonerseenmysister’spalfrey，inspiteofherendeavourstothecontrary，enteringwithspiritintothechasesetonfootbytheworshipfulGregory，thanIrodeaftertogiveherassistance。Solongwasthechase，thatwhenthegreyhoundspulleddowntheknobbler，wewereoutofhearingofyourbugles；andhavingrewardedandcoupledthedogs，Igavethemtobeledbythejester，andwewanderedinquestofourcompany，whomitwouldseemthesporthadledinadifferentdirection。Atlength，passingthroughthethicketwhereyoufoundus，Iwassurprisedbyacross-bowboltwhizzingpastminehead。Idrewmysword，andrushedintothethicket，butwasinstantlyassailedbytworuffians，whileothertwomadetowardsmysisterandGregory。Thepoorknavefled，cryingforhelp，pursuedbymyfalsekinsman，nowyourprisoner；andthedesignsoftheotheronmypoorEmmamurderous，nodoubtwerepreventedbythesuddenapparitionofabravewoodsman，who，afterashortencounter，stretchedthemiscreantathisfeet，andcametomyassistance。Iwasalreadyslightlywounded，andnearlyoverlaidwithodds。Thecombatlastedsometime，forthecaitiffswerebothwellarmed，strong，anddesperate；
atlength，however，wehadeachmasteredourantagonist，whenyourretinue，myLordBoteler，arrivedtomyrelief。Soendsmystory；
but，bymyknighthood，Iwouldgiveanearl’sransomforanopportunityofthankingthegallantforesterbywhoseaidIlivetotellit。’’
Fearnot，’’saidLordBoteler，heshallbefound，ifthisorthefouradjacentcountiesholdhim-AndnowLordFitzosbornewillbepleasedtodoffthearmourhehassokindlyassumedforoursakes，andwewillallbowneourselvesforthebanquet。’’
Whenthehourofdinnerapproached，theLadyMatildaandhercousinvisitedthechamberofthefairDarcy。Theyfoundherinacomposedbutmelancholyposture。Sheturnedthediscourseuponthemisfortunesofherlife，andhinted，thathavingrecoveredherbrother，andseeinghimlookforwardtothesocietyofonewhowouldamplyrepaytohimthelossofhers，shehadthoughtsofdedicatingherremaininglifetoHeaven，bywhoseprovidentialinterferenceithadbeensooftenpreserved。
Matildacoloureddeeplyatsomethinginthisspeech，andhercousininveighedloudlyagainstEmma’sresolution。Ah，mydearLadyEleanor，’’
repliedshe，Ihaveto-daywitnessedwhatIcannotbutjudgeasuper-naturalvisitation，andtowhatendcanitcallmebuttogivemyselftothealtar？ThatpeasantwhoguidedmetoBaddowthroughtheParkofDanbury，thesamewhoappearedbeforemeatdifferenttimes，andindifferentforms，duringthateventfuljourney-thatyouth，whosefeaturesareimprintedonmymemory，istheveryindividualforesterwhothisdayrescuedusintheforest。Icannotbemistaken；andconnectingthesemarvellousappearanceswiththespectrewhichIsawwhileatGayBowers，IcannotresisttheconvictionthatHeavenhaspermittedmyguardianangeltoassumemortalshapeformyreliefandprotection。’’
Thefaircousins，afterexchanginglookswhichimpliedafearthathermindwaswandering，answeredherinsoothingterms，andfinallyprevaileduponhertoaccompanythemtothebanqueting-hall。HerethefirstpersontheyencounteredwastheBaronFitzosborneofDiggswell，nowdivestedofhisarmour；atthesightofwhomtheLadyEmmachangedcolour，andexclaiming，Itisthesame！’’sunksenselessintothearmsofMatilda。
Sheisbewilderedbytheterrorsoftheday，’’saidEleanor；andwehavedoneillinobliginghertodescend。’’
AndI，’’saidFitzosborne，havedonemadlyinpresentingbeforeherone，whosepresencemustrecallmomentsthemostalarminginherlife。’’
WhiletheladiessupportedEmmafromthehall，LordBotelerandSt。
ClererequestedanexplanationfromFitzosborneofthewordshehadused。
Trustme，gentlelords，’’saidtheBaronofDiggswell，yeshallhavewhatyedemand，whenIlearnthatLadyEmmaDarcyhasnotsufferedfrommyimprudence。’’
AtthismomentLadyMatildareturning，saidthatherfairfriend，onherrecovery，hadcalmlyanddeliberatelyinsistedthatshehadseenFitzosbornebefore，inthemostdangerouscrisisofherlife。
Idread，’’saidshe，herdisorderedmindconnectsallthathereyebeholdswiththeterriblepassagesthatshehaswitnessed。’’
Nay，’’saidFitzosborne，ifnobleSt。Clerecanpardontheunauthorisedinterestwhich，withthepurestandmosthonourableintentions，Ihavetakeninhissister’sfate，itiseasyformetoexplainthismysteriousimpression。’’
Heproceededtosay，that，happeningtobeinthehostelrycalledtheGriffin，nearBaddow，whileuponajourneyinthatcountry，hehadmetwiththeoldnurseoftheLadyEmmaDarcy，who，beingjustexpelledfromGayBowers，wasintheheightofhergriefandindignation，andmadeloudandpublicproclamationofLadyEmma’swrongs。Fromthedescriptionshegaveofthebeautyofherfoster-child，aswellasfromthespiritofchivalry，Fitzosbornebecameinterestedinherfate。Thisinterestwasdeeplyenhanced，when，byabribetooldGaunttheReve，heprocuredaviewoftheLadyEmmaasshewalkednearthecastleofGayBowers。Theagedchurlrefusedtogivehimaccesstothecastle；yetdroppedsomehints，asifhethoughttheladyindanger，andwishedshewerewelloutofit。Hismaster，hesaid，hadheardshehadabrotherinlife，andsincethatdeprivedhimofallchanceofgainingherdomainsbypurchase，heinshort，Gauntwishedtheyweresafelyseparated。Ifanyinjury，’’
quothhe，shouldhappentothedamselhere，itwereillforusall。Itried，byaninnocentstratagem，tofrightenherfromthecastle，byintroducingafigurethroughatrap-door，andwarningher，asifbyavoicefromthedead，toretreatfromthence；butthegigletiswilful，andisrunninguponherfate。’’
FindingGaunt，althoughcovetousandcommunicative，toofaithfulaservanttohiswickedmastertotakeanyactivestepsagainsthiscommands，FitzosborneappliedhimselftooldUrsely，whomhefoundmoretractable。
ThroughherhelearnedthedreadfulplotGastonhadlaidtoridhimselfofhiskinswoman，andresolvedtoeffectherdeliverance。ButawareofthedelicacyofEmma’ssituation，hechargedUrselytoconcealfromhertheinteresthetookinherdistress，resolvingtowatchoverherindisguiseuntilhesawherinaplaceofsafety。Hencetheappearancehemadebeforeherinvariousdressesduringherjourney，inthecourseofwhichhewasneverfardistant；andhehadalwaysfourstoutyeomenwithinhearingofhisbugle，hadassistancebeennecessary。Whenshewasplacedinsafetyatthelodge，itwasFitzosborne’sintentiontohaveprevaileduponhissisterstovisit，andtakeherundertheirprotection；buthefoundthemabsentfromDiggswell，havinggonetoattendanagedrelationwholaydangerouslyillinadistantcounty。TheydidnotreturnuntilthedaybeforetheMay-games；
andtheothereventsfollowedtoorapidlytopermitFitzosbornetolayanyplanforintroducingthemtoLadyEmmaDarcy。Onthedayofthechaseheresolvedtopreservehisromanticdisguise，andattendtheLadyEmmaasaforester，partlytohavethepleasureofbeingnearher，andpartlytojudgewhether，accordingtoanidlereportinthecountry，shefavouredhisfriendandcomradeFitzallenofMarden。Thislastmotive，itmayeasilybebelieved，hedidnotdeclaretothecompany。Aftertheskirmishwiththeruffians，hewaitedtilltheBaronandthehuntersarrived，andthen，stilldoubtingthefartherdesignsofGaston，hastenedtohiscastle，toarmthebandwhichhadescortedthemtoQueenhoo-Hall。
Fitzosborne’sstorybeingfinished，hereceivedthethanksofallthecompany，particularlyofSt。Clere，whofeltdeeplytherespectfuldelicacywithwhichhehadconductedhimselftowardshissister。Theladywascarefullyinformedofherobligationstohim；anditislefttothewell-judgingreader，whethereventherailleryofLadyEleanormadeherregretthatHeavenhadonlyemployednaturalmeansforhersecurity，andthattheguardianangelwasconvertedintoahandsome，gallant，andenamouredknight。
Thejoyofthecompanyinthehallextendeditselftothebuttery，whereGregorythejesternarratedsuchfeatsofarmsdonebyhimselfinthefrayofthemorningasmighthaveshamedBevisandGuyofWarwick。Hewas，accordingtohisnarrative，singledoutfordestructionbythegiganticBaronhimself，whileheabandonedtomeanerhandsthedestructionofSt。
ClereandFitzosborne。
Butcertes，’’saidhe，thefoulpaynimmethismatch；for，everashefoinedatmewithhisbrand，Iparriedhisblowswithmybauble，andclosingwithhimuponthethirdveny，threwhimtotheground，andmadehimcryrecreanttoanunarmedman。’’
Tush，man。’’saidDrawslot，thouforgettestthybestauxiliaries，thegoodgreyhounds，HelpandHoldfast！Iwarrantthee，thatwhenthehumpbackedBaroncaughttheebythecowl，whichhehathalmosttornof，thouhadstbeeninafairplighthadtheynotrememberedanoldfriend，andcomeintotherescue。Why，man，Ifoundthemfastenedonhimmyself；andtherewasoddstayingandsucklingtomakethem`warehaunch！’Theirmouthswerefulloftheflex，forIpulledapieceofthegarmentfromtheirjaws。Iwarrantthee，thatwhentheybroughthimtotheground，thoufled’stlikeafrightedpricket。’’
AndasforGregory’sgiganticpaynim，’’saidFabian，why，heliesyonderintheguard-room，theverysize，shape，andcolourofaspiderinayew-hedge。’’
Itisfalse，’’saidGregory；ColbrandtheDanewasadwarftohim。’’
Itisastrue，’’returnedFabian，asthattheTaskeristobemarried，onTuesday，toPrettyMargery。Gregory，thysheethathbroughtthembetweenapairofblankets。’’
Icarenomoreforsuchagillflirt，’’saidtheJester，thanIdoforthyleasings。Marry，thouhop-o’-my-thumb，happywouldstthoubecouldthyheadreachthecaptiveBaron’sgirdle。’’
Bythemass，’’saidPeterLanaret，Iwillhaveonepeepatthisburlygallant；’’andleavingthebuttery，hewenttotheguard-roomwhereGastonSt。Clerewasconfined。Aman-at-arms，whokeptsentinelonthestrongstuddeddooroftheapartment，saidhebelievedheslept；forthatafterraging，stamping，andutteringthemosthorridimprecations，hehadbeenoflateperfectlystill。TheFalconergentlydrewbackaslidingboard，ofafootsquare，towardsthetopofthedoor，whichcoveredaholeofthesamesize，stronglylatticed，throughwhichthewarder，withoutopeningthedoor，couldlookinuponhisprisoner。FromthisaperturehebeheldthewretchedGastonsuspendedbytheneck，byhisowngirdle，toanironringinthesideofhisprison。Hehadclamberedtoitbymeansofthetableonwhichhisfoodhadbeenplaced；andintheagoniesofshameanddisappointedmalice，hadadoptedthismodeofriddinghimselfofawretchedlife。Hewasfoundyetwarm，buttotallylifeless。Aproperaccountofthemannerofhisdeathwasdrawnupandcertified。Hewasburiedthateveninginthechapelofthecastle，outofrespecttohishighbirth；andthechaplainofFitzallenofMarden，whosaidtheserviceupontheoccasion，preached，thenextSunday，anexcellentsermonuponthetext，_Radixmalorumestcupiditas，whichwehaveheretranscribed。
[Herethemanuscript，fromwhichwehavepainfullytranscribed，andfrequently，asitwere，translatedthistale，forthereader’sedification，issoindistinctanddefaced，that，exceptingcertainhowbeits，nathlesses，loye’s！
etc。，wecanpickoutlittlethatisintelligible，savingthatavariceisdefinedalikourishnessofheartafterearthlythings。’’Alittlefarther，thereseemstohavebeenagayaccountofMargery’sweddingwithRalphtheTasker；therunningatthequintain，andotherruralgamespractisedontheoccasion。TherearealsofragmentsofamocksermonpreachedbyGregoryuponthatoccasion，as，forexample：-
Mydearcursedcaitiffs，therewasonceaking，andheweddedayoungoldqueen，andshehadachild；andthischildwassenttoSolomontheSage，prayinghewouldgiveitthesameblessingwhichhegotfromthewitchofEndorwhenshebithimbytheheel。HereofspeakstheworthyDr。RadigundusPotator；whyshouldnotmassbesaidforalltheroastedshoesoulsservedupintheking’sdishonSaturday；fortrueitis，thatSt。PeteraskedfatherAdam，astheyjourneyedtoCamelot，anhigh，great，anddoubtfulquestion，`Adam，Adam，whyeatedstthoutheapplewithoutparing？’’’
Thistiradeofgibberishisliterallytakenorselectedfromamockdiscoursepronouncedbyaprofessedjester，whichoccursinanancientmanuscriptintheAdvocates’Library，thesamefromwhichthelateingeniousMr。WeberpublishedthecuriouscomicromanceoftheHuntingoftheHare。ItwasintroducedincompliancewithMr。Strutt’splanofrenderinghistaleanillustrationofancientmanners。AsimilarburlesquesermonispronouncedbytheFoolinSirDavidLindesay’ssatireoftheThreeEstates。ThenonsenseandvulgarburlesqueofthatcompositionillustratethegroundofSirAndrewAguecheek’seulogyontheexploitsofthejesterinTwelfthNight，who，reservinghissharperjestsforSirToby，haddoubtlessenoughofthejargonofhiscallingtocaptivatetheimbecilityofhisbrotherknight，whoismadetoexclaim-Insooththouwastinverygraciousfoolinglastnight，whenthouspokestofPigrogremitus，andofthevapourspassingtheequinoctialsofQuenbus；’twasverygood，i’faith！’’Itisentertainingtofindcommentatorsseekingtodiscoversomemeaningintheprofessionaljargonofsuchapassageasthis。