Andformykinsman\'sEldorado，nevertrustmeifIdonotbelievehehasfounditinthepouchesofsomesuchgullsasthyself。——
Buttakenosnuffinthenoseaboutit;falltoandwelcome，forherecomesthesupper，andIheartilybestowitonallthatwilltakeshare，inhonourofmyhopefulnephew\'sreturn，alwaystrustingthathehascomehomeanotherman。——Infaith，kinsman，thouartaslikemypoorsisteraseverwassontomother。\"
\"NotquitesolikeoldBenedictLambourne，herhusband，though，\"
saidthemercer，noddingandwinking。\"Dostthouremember，Mike，whatthousaidstwhentheschoolmaster\'sferulewasovertheeforstrikingupthyfather\'scrutches？——itisawisechild，saidstthou，thatknowsitsownfather。Dr。Birchamlaughedtillhecriedagain，andhiscryingsavedyours。\"
\"Well，hemadeituptomemanyadayafter，\"saidLambourne;
\"andhowistheworthypedagogue？\"
\"Dead，\"saidGilesGosling，\"thismanyadaysince。\"
\"Thatheis，\"saidtheclerkoftheparish;\"Isatbyhisbedthewhilst。Hepassedawayinablessedframe。\'MORIOR——MORTUUSSUM
VELFUI——MORI\'——thesewerehislatestwords;andhejustadded，\'mylastverbisconjugated。\"
\"Well，peacebewithhim，\"saidMike，\"heowesmenothing。\"
\"No，truly，\"repliedGoldthred;\"andeverylashwhichhelaidonthee，healwayswaswonttosay，hesparedthehangmanalabour。\"
\"Onewouldhavethoughthelefthimlittletodothen，\"saidtheclerk;\"andyetGoodmanThonghadnosinecureofitwithourfriend，afterall。\"
\"VOTOADIOS！\"exclaimedLambourne，hispatienceappearingtofailhim，ashesnatchedhisbroad，slouchedhatfromthetableandplaceditonhishead，sothattheshadowgavethesinisterexpressionofaSpanishbravetoeyesandfeatureswhichnaturallybodednothingpleasant。\"Hark\'ee，mymasters——allisfairamongfriends，andundertherose;andIhavealreadypermittedmyworthyunclehere，andallofyou，touseyourpleasurewiththefrolicsofmynonage。ButIcarryswordanddagger，mygoodfriends，andcanusethemlightlytoouponoccasion。IhavelearnedtobedangerousuponpointsofhonoureversinceIservedtheSpaniard，andIwouldnothaveyouprovokemetothedegreeoffallingfoul。\"
\"Why，whatwouldyoudo？\"saidtheclerk。
\"Ay，sir，whatwouldyoudo？\"saidthemercer，bustlingupontheothersideofthetable。
\"Slityourthroat，andspoilyourSunday\'squavering，SirClerk，\"
saidLambournefiercely;\"cudgelyou，myworshipfuldealerinflimsysarsenets，intooneofyourownbales。\"
\"Come，come，\"saidthehost，interposing，\"Iwillhavenoswaggeringhere。——Nephew，itwillbecomeyoubesttoshownohastetotakeoffence;andyou，gentlemen，willdowelltoremember，thatifyouareinaninn，stillyouaretheinn—
keeper\'sguests，andshouldsparethehonourofhisfamily。——I
protestyoursillybroilsmakemeasobliviousasyourself;foryondersitsmysilentguestasIcallhim，whohathbeenmytwodays\'inmate，andhathneverspokenaword，savetoaskforhisfoodandhisreckoning——givesnomoretroublethanaverypeasant——payshisshotlikeaprinceroyal——looksbutatthesumtotalofthereckoning，anddoesnotknowwhatdayheshallgoaway。Oh，\'tisajewelofaguest！andyet，hang—dogthatIam，Ihavesufferedhimtositbyhimselflikeacastawayinyonderobscurenook，withoutsomuchasaskinghimtotakebiteorsupalongwithus。ItwerebuttherightguerdonofmyincivilitywerehetosetofftotheHareandTaborbeforethenightgrowsolder。\"
Withhiswhitenapkingracefullyarrangedoverhisleftarm，hisvelvetcaplaidasideforthemoment，andhisbestsilverflagoninhisrighthand，minehostwalkeduptothesolitaryguestwhomhementioned，andtherebyturneduponhimtheeyesoftheassembledcompany。
Hewasamanagedbetwixttwenty—fiveandthirty，ratherabovethemiddlesize，dressedwithplainnessanddecency，yetbearinganairofeasewhichalmostamountedtodignity，andwhichseemedtoinferthathishabitwasratherbeneathhisrank。Hiscountenancewasreservedandthoughtful，withdarkhairanddarkeyes;thelast，uponanymomentaryexcitement，sparkledwithuncommonlustre，butonotheroccasionshadthesamemeditativeandtranquilcastwhichwasexhibitedbyhisfeatures。Thebusycuriosityofthelittlevillagehadbeenemployedtodiscoverhisnameandquality，aswellashisbusinessatCumnor;butnothinghadtranspiredoneithersubjectwhichcouldleadtoitsgratification。GilesGosling，head—boroughoftheplace，andasteadyfriendtoQueenElizabethandtheProtestantreligion，wasatonetimeinclinedtosuspecthisguestofbeingaJesuit，orseminarypriest，ofwhomRomeandSpainsentatthistimesomanytogracethegallowsinEngland。Butitwasscarcepossibletoretainsuchaprepossessionagainstaguestwhogavesolittletrouble，paidhisreckoningsoregularly，andwhoproposed，asitseemed，tomakeaconsiderablestayatthebonnyBlackBear。
\"Papists，\"arguedGilesGosling，\"areapinching，close—fistedrace，andthismanwouldhavefoundalodgingwiththewealthysquireatBessellsey，orwiththeoldKnightatWootton，orinsomeotheroftheirRomandens，insteadoflivinginahouseofpublicentertainment，aseveryhonestmanandgoodChristianshould。Besides，onFridayhestuckbythesaltbeefandcarrot，thoughtherewereasgoodspitch—cockedeelsontheboardaseverwereta\'enoutoftheIsis。\"
HonestGiles，therefore，satisfiedhimselfthathisguestwasnoRoman，andwithallcomelycourtesybesoughtthestrangertopledgehiminadraughtofthecooltankard，andhonourwithhisattentionasmallcollationwhichhewasgivingtohisnephew，inhonourofhisreturn，and，asheverilyhoped，ofhisreformation。Thestrangeratfirstshookhishead，asifdecliningthecourtesy;butminehostproceededtourgehimwithargumentsfoundedonthecreditofhishouse，andtheconstructionwhichthegoodpeopleofCumnormightputuponsuchanunsocialhumour。
\"Bymyfaith，sir，\"hesaid，\"ittouchesmyreputationthatmenshouldbemerryinmyhouse;andwehaveilltonguesamongstusatCumnor（aswherebetherenot？），whoputanevilmarkonmenwhopulltheirhatovertheirbrows，asiftheywerelookingbacktothedaysthataregone，insteadofenjoyingtheblithesunshinyweatherwhichGodhassentusinthesweetlooksofoursovereignmistress，QueenElizabeth，whomHeavenlongblessandpreserve！\"
\"Why，minehost，\"answeredthestranger，\"thereisnotreason，sure，inaman\'senjoyinghisownthoughts，undertheshadowofhisownbonnet？YouhavelivedintheworldtwiceaslongasI
have，andyoumustknowtherearethoughtsthatwillhauntusinspiteofourselves，andtowhichitisinvaintosay，Begone，andletmebemerry。\"
\"Bymysooth，\"answeredGilesGosling，\"ifsuchtroublesomethoughtshauntyourmind，andwillnotgetthemgoneforplainEnglish，wewillhaveoneofFatherBacon\'spupilsfromOxford，toconjurethemawaywithlogicandwithHebrew——or，whatsayyoutolayingtheminagloriousredseaofclaret，mynobleguest？
Come，sir，excusemyfreedom。Iamanoldhost，andmusthavemytalk。Thispeevishhumourofmelancholysitsilluponyou;itsuitsnotwithasleekboot，ahatoftrimblock，afreshcloak，andafullpurse。Apizeonit！senditofftothosewhohavetheirlegsswathedwithahay—wisp，theirheadsthatchedwithafeltbonnet，theirjerkinasthinasacobweb，andtheirpouchwithouteveracrosstokeepthefiendMelancholyfromdancinginit。Cheerup，sir！or，bythisgoodliquor，weshallbanishtheefromthejoysofblithesomecompany，intothemistsofmelancholyandthelandoflittle—ease。Herebeasetofgoodfellowswillingtobemerry;donotscowlonthemlikethedevillookingoverLincoln。\"
\"Yousaywell，myworthyhost，\"saidtheguest，withamelancholysmile，which，melancholyasitwas，gaveaverypleasant:
expressiontohiscountenance——\"yousaywell，myjovialfriend;
andtheythataremoodylikemyselfshouldnotdisturbthemirthofthosewhoarehappy。Iwilldrinkaroundwithyourguestswithallmyheart，ratherthanbetermedamar—feast。\"
Sosaying，hearoseandjoinedthecompany，who，encouragedbythepreceptandexampleofMichaelLambourne，andconsistingchieflyofpersonsmuchdisposedtoprofitbytheopportunityofamerrymealattheexpenseoftheirlandlord，hadalreadymadesomeinroadsuponthelimitsoftemperance，aswasevidentfromthetoneinwhichMichaelinquiredafterhisoldacquaintancesinthetown，andtheburstsoflaughterwithwhicheachanswerwasreceived。GilesGoslinghimselfwassomewhatscandalizedattheobstreperousnatureoftheirmirth，especiallyasheinvoluntarilyfeltsomerespectforhisunknownguest。Hepaused，therefore，atsomedistancefromthetableoccupiedbythesenoisyrevellers，andbegantomakeasortofapologyfortheirlicense。
\"Youwouldthink，\"hesaid，\"tohearthesefellowstalk，thattherewasnotoneofthemwhohadnotbeenbredtolivebyStandandDeliver;andyettomorrowyouwillfindthemasetofaspainstakingmechanics，andsoforth，asevercutaninchshortofmeasure，orpaidaletterofchangeinlightcrownsoveracounter。Themercertherewearshishatawry，overashaggyheadofhair，thatlookslikeacurlywater—dog\'sback，goesunbraced，wearshiscloakononeside，andaffectsaruffianlyvapouringhumour:wheninhisshopatAbingdon，heis，fromhisflatcaptohisglisteningshoes，aspreciseinhisapparelasifhewasnamedformayor。Hetalksofbreakingparks，andtakingthehighway，insuchfashionthatyouwouldthinkhehauntedeverynightbetwixtHounslowandLondon;wheninfacthemaybefoundsoundasleeponhisfeather—bed，withacandleplacedbesidehimononeside，andaBibleontheother，tofrightawaythegoblins。\"
\"Andyournephew，minehost，thissameMichaelLambourne，whoislordofthefeast——ishe，too，suchawould—berufflerastherestofthem？\"
\"Why，thereyoupushmehard，\"saidthehost;\"mynephewismynephew，andthoughhewasadesperateDickofyore，yetMikemayhavemendedlikeotherfolks，youwot。AndIwouldnothaveyouthinkallIsaidofhim，evennow，wasstrictgospel;Iknewthewagallthewhile，andwishedtopluckhisplumesfromhim。Andnow，sir，bywhatnameshallIpresentmyworshipfulguesttothesegallants？\"
\"Marry，minehost，\"repliedthestranger，\"youmaycallmeTressilian。\"
\"Tressilian？\"answeredminehostoftheBear。\"Aworthyname，and，asIthink，ofCornishlineage;forwhatsaysthesouthproverb——
\'ByPol，Tre，andPen，YoumayknowtheCornishmen。\'
ShallIsaytheworthyMasterTressilianofCornwall？\"
\"SaynomorethanIhavegivenyouwarrantfor，minehost，andsoshallyoubesureyouspeaknomorethanistrue。Amanmayhaveoneofthosehonourableprefixestohisname，yetbebornfarfromSaintMichael\'sMount。\"
Minehostpushedhiscuriositynofurther，butpresentedMasterTressiliantohisnephew\'scompany，who，afterexchangeofsalutations，anddrinkingtothehealthoftheirnewcompanion，pursuedtheconversationinwhichhefoundthemengaged，seasoningitwithmanyaninterveningpledge。
CHAPTERII。
TalkyouofyoungMasterLancelot？MERCHANTOFVENICE。
Aftersomebriefinterval，MasterGoldthred，attheearnestinstigationofminehost，andthejoyousconcurrenceofhisguest，indulgedthecompanywith，thefollowingmorselofmelody:—
\"Ofallthebirdsonbushortree，Commendmetotheowl，SincehemaybestensamplebeTothosethecupthattrowl。
Forwhenthesunhathleftthewest，Hechoosesthetreethathelovesthebest，Andhewhoopsouthissong，andhelaughsathisjest;
Then，thoughhoursbelateandweatherfoul，We\'lldrinktothehealthofthebonny，bonnyowl。
\"Thelarkisbutabumpkinfowl，Hesleepsinhisnesttillmorn;
Butmyblessinguponthejollyowl，Thatallnightblowshishorn。
Thenupwithyourcuptillyoustaggerinspeech，Andmatchmethiscatchtillyouswaggerandscreech，Anddrinktillyouwink，mymerrymeneach;
For，thoughhoursbelateandweatherbefoul，We\'lldrinktothehealthofthebonny，bonnyowl。\"
\"Thereissavourinthis，myhearts，\"saidMichael，whenthemercerhadfinishedhissong，\"andsomegoodnessseemsleftamongyouyet;butwhatabead—rollyouhavereadmeofoldcomrades，andtoeveryman\'snametackedsomeill—omenedmotto！AndsoSwashingWillofWallingfordhathbidusgood—night？\"
\"Hediedthedeathofafatbuck，\"saidoneoftheparty，\"beingshotwithacrossbowbolt，byoldThatcham，theDuke\'sstoutpark—keeperatDonningtonCastle。\"
\"Ay，ay，healwayslovedvenisonwell，\"repliedMichael，\"andacupofclarettoboot——andsohere\'sonetohismemory。Domeright，mymasters。\"
Whenthememoryofthisdepartedworthyhadbeendulyhonoured，LambourneproceededtoinquireafterPranceofPadworth。
\"Prancedoff——madeimmortaltenyearssince，\"saidthemercer;
\"marry，sir，OxfordCastleandGoodmanThong，andatenpenny—
worthofcord，bestknowhow。\"
\"What，sotheyhungpoorPrancehighanddry？somuchforlovingtowalkbymoonlight。Acuptohismemory，mymasters—allmerryfellowslikemoonlight。WhathasbecomeofHalwiththePlume——
hewholivednearYattenden，andworethelongfeather？——I
forgethisname。\"
\"What，HalHempseed？\"repliedthemercer。\"Why，youmayrememberhewasasortofagentleman，andwouldmeddleinstatematters，andsohegotintothemireabouttheDukeofNorfolk\'saffairthesetwoorthreeyearssince，fledthecountrywithapursuivant\'swarrantathisheels，andhasneversincebeenheardof。\"
\"Nay，afterthesebaulks，\"saidMichaelLambourne，\"IneedhardlyinquireafterTonyFoster;forwhenropes，andcrossbowshafts，andpursuivant\'swarrants，andsuch—likegear，weresorife，Tonycouldhardly\'scapethem。\"
\"WhichTonyFostermeanyou？\"saidtheinnkeeper。
\"Why，himtheycalledTonyFire—the—Fagot，becausehebroughtalighttokindlethepileroundLatimerandRidley，whenthewindblewoutJackThong\'storch，andnomanelsewouldgivehimlightforloveormoney。\"
\"TonyFosterlivesandthrives，\"saidthehost。\"But，kinsman，I
wouldnothaveyoucallhimTonyFire—the—Fagot，ifyouwouldnotbrookthestab。\"
\"How！ishegrownashamedon\'t？\"saidLambourne，\"Why，hewaswonttoboastofit，andsayhelikedaswelltoseearoastedhereticasaroastedox。\"
\"Ay，but，kinsman，thatwasinMary\'stime，\"repliedthelandlord，\"whenTony\'sfatherwasreeveheretotheAbbotofAbingdon。Butsincethat，Tonymarriedapureprecisian，andisasgoodaProtestant，Iwarrantyou，asthebest。\"
\"Andlooksgrave，andholdshisheadhigh，andscornshisoldcompanions，\"saidthemercer。
\"Thenhehathprospered，Iwarranthim，\"saidLambourne;\"foreverwhenamanhathgotnoblesofhisown，hekeepsoutofthewayofthosewhoseexchequerslieinothermen\'spurchase。\"
\"Prospered，quotha！\"saidthemercer;\"why，yourememberCumnorPlace，theoldmansion—housebesidethechurchyard？\"
\"Bythesametoken，Irobbedtheorchardthreetimes——whatofthat？Itwastheoldabbot\'sresidencewhentherewasplagueorsicknessatAbingdon。\"
\"Ay，\"saidthehost，\"butthathasbeenlongover;andAnthonyFosterhatharightinit，andlivestherebysomegrantfromagreatcourtier，whohadthechurch—landsfromthecrown。Andtherehedwells，andhasaslittletodowithanypoorwightinCumnor，asifhewerehimselfabeltedknight。\"
\"Nay，\"saidthemercer，\"itisnotaltogetherprideinTonyneither;thereisafairladyinthecase，andTonywillscarceletthelightofdaylookonher。\"
\"How！\"saidTressilian，whonowforthefirsttimeinterferedintheirconversation;\"didyenotsaythisFosterwasmarried，andtoaprecisian？\"
\"Marriedhewas，andtoasbitteraprecisianaseveratefleshinLent;andacat—and—doglifesheledwithTony，asmensaid。
Butsheisdead，restbewithher！andTonyhathbutaslipofadaughter;soitisthoughthemeanstowedthisstranger，thatmenkeepsuchacoilabout。\"
\"Andwhyso？——Imean，whydotheykeepacoilabouther？\"saidTressilian。
\"Why，Iwotnot，\"answeredthehost，\"exceptthatmensaysheisasbeautifulasanangel，andnooneknowswhenceshecomes，andeveryonewishestoknowwhysheiskeptsocloselymewedup。
Formypart，Ineversawher——youhave，Ithink，MasterGoldthred？\"
\"ThatIhave，oldboy，\"saidthemercer。\"Lookyou，IwasridinghitherfromAbingdon。Ipassedundertheeastorielwindowoftheoldmansion，wherealltheoldsaintsandhistoriesandsuch—
likearepainted。ItwasnotthecommonpathItook，butonethroughthePark;fortheposterndoorwasuponthelatch，andI
thoughtImighttaketheprivilegeofanoldcomradetorideacrossthroughthetrees，bothforshading，asthedaywassomewhathot，andforavoidingofdust，becauseIhadonmypeach—coloureddoublet，pinkedoutwithclothofgold。\"
\"Whichgarment，\"saidMichaelLambourne，\"thouwouldstwillinglymaketwinkleintheeyesofafairdame。Ah！villain，thouwiltneverleavethyoldtricks。\"
\"Notso—notso，\"saidthemercer，withasmirkinglaugh——\"notaltogetherso——butcuriosity，thouknowest，andastrainofcompassionwithal;forthepooryoungladyseesnothingfrommorntoevenbutTonyFoster，withhisscowlingblackbrows，hisbull\'shead，andhisbandylegs。\"
\"Andthouwouldstwillinglyshowheradapperbody，inasilkenjerkin——alimblikeashort—leggedhen\'s，inacordovanboot——
andaround，simpering，what—d\'ye—lacksortofacountenance，setoffwithavelvetbonnet，aTurkeyfeather，andagildedbrooch？Ah！jollymercer，theywhohavegoodwaresarefondtoshowthem！——Come，gentles，letnotthecupstand——here\'stolongspurs，shortboots，fullbonnets，andemptyskulls！\"
\"Nay，now，youarejealousofme，Mike，\"saidGoldthred;\"andyetmyluckwasbutwhatmighthavehappenedtothee，oranyman。\"
\"Marryconfoundthineimpudence，\"retortedLambourne;\"thouwouldstnotcomparethypuddingface，andsarsenetmanners，toagentleman，andasoldier？\"
\"Nay，mygoodsir，\"saidTressilian，\"letmebeseechyouwillnotinterruptthegallantcitizen;methinkshetellshistalesowell，Icouldhearkentohimtillmidnight。\"
\"It\'smoreofyourfavourthanofmydesert，\"answeredMasterGoldthred;\"butsinceIgiveyoupleasure，worthyMasterTressilian，Ishallproceed，maugreallthegibesandquipsofthisvaliantsoldier，who，peradventure，hathhadmorecuffsthancrownsintheLowCountries。Andso，sir，asIpassedunderthegreatpaintedwindow，leavingmyreinlooseonmyamblingpalfrey\'sneck，partlyformineease，andpartlythatImighthavethemoreleisuretopeerabout，Ihearsmethelatticeopen;
andnevercreditme，sir，iftheredidnotstandtherethepersonofasfairawomanasevercrossedmineeyes;andIthinkIhavelookedonasmanyprettywenches，andwithasmuchjudgment，asotherfolks。\"
\"MayIaskherappearance，sir？\"saidTressilian。
\"Oh，sir，\"repliedMasterGoldthred，\"Ipromiseyou，shewasingentlewoman\'sattire——averyquaintandpleasingdress，thatmighthaveservedtheQueenherself;forshehadaforepartwithbodyandsleeves，ofginger—colouredsatin，which，inmyjudgment，musthavecostbytheyardsomethirtyshillings，linedwithmurreytaffeta，andlaiddownandguardedwithtwobroadlacesofgoldandsilver。Andherhat，sir，wastrulythebestfashionedthingthatIhaveseenintheseparts，beingoftawnytaffeta，embroideredwithscorpionsofVenicegold，andhavingabordergarnishedwithgoldfringe——Ipromiseyou，sir，anabsoluteandall—surpassingdevice。Touchingherskirts，theywereintheoldpass—devantfashion。\"
\"Ididnotaskyouofherattire，sir，\"saidTressilian，whohadshownsomeimpatienceduringthisconversation，\"butofhercomplexion——thecolourofherhair，herfeatures。\"
\"Touchinghercomplexion，\"answeredthemercer，\"Iamnotsospecialcertain，butImarkedthatherfanhadanivoryhandle，curiouslyinlaid。Andthenagain，astothecolourofherhair，why，Icanwarrant，beitshuewhatitmight，thatsheworeaboveitanetofgreensilk，parceltwistedwithgold。\"
\"Amostmercer—likememory！\"saidLambourne。\"Thegentlemanaskshimofthelady\'sbeauty，andhetalksofherfineclothes！\"
\"Itellthee，\"saidthemercer，somewhatdisconcerted，\"Ihadlittletimetolookather;forjustasIwasabouttogiveherthegoodtimeofday，andforthatpurposehadpuckeredmyfeatureswithasmile——\"
\"Likethoseofajackanapesimperingatachestnut，\"saidMichaelLambourne。
\"Upstartedofasudden，\"continuedGoldthred，withoutheedingtheinterruption，\"TonyFosterhimself，withacudgelinhishand——\"
\"Andbrokethyheadacross，Ihope，forthineimpertinence，\"saidhisentertainer。
\"Thatweremoreeasilysaidthandone，\"answeredGoldthredindignantly;\"no，no——therewasnobreakingofheads。It\'strue，headvancedhiscudgel，andspokeoflayingon，andaskedwhyI
didnotkeepthepublicroad，andsuchlike;andIwouldhaveknockedhimoverthepatehandsomelyforhispains，onlyforthelady\'spresence，whomighthaveswooned，forwhatIknow。\"
\"Now，outupontheeforafaint—spiritedslave！\"saidLambourne;
\"whatadventurousknighteverthoughtofthelady\'sterror，whenhewenttothwackgiant，dragon，ormagician，inherpresence，andforherdeliverance？Butwhytalktotheeofdragons，whowouldbedrivenbackbyadragon—fly。Therethouhastmissedtherarestopportunity！\"
\"Takeitthyself，then，bullyMike，\"answeredGoldthred。\"Yonderistheenchantedmanor，andthedragon，andthelady，allatthyservice，ifthoudarestventureonthem。\"
\"Why，soIwouldforaquarternofsack，\"saidthesoldier——\"orstay:Iamfoullyoutoflinen——wiltthoubetapieceofHollandsagainstthesefiveangels，thatIgonotuptotheHallto—morrowandforceTonyFostertointroducemetohisfairguest？\"
\"Iacceptyourwager，\"saidthemercer;\"andIthink，thoughthouhadsteventheimpudenceofthedevil，Ishallgainontheethisbout。Ourlandlordhereshallholdstakes，andIwillstakedowngoldtillIsendthelinen。\"
\"Iwillholdstakesonnosuchmatter，\"saidGosling。\"Goodnow，mykinsman，drinkyourwineinquiet，andletsuchventuresalone。Ipromiseyou，MasterFosterhathinterestenoughtolayyouupinlavenderintheCastleatOxford，ortogetyourlegsmadeacquaintedwiththetown—stocks。\"
\"Thatwouldbebutrenewinganoldintimacy，forMike\'sshinsandthetown\'swoodenpinfoldhavebeenwellknowntoeachothererenow，\"saidthemercer;\"butheshallnotbudgefromhiswager，unlesshemeanstopayforfeit。\"
\"Forfeit？\"saidLambourne;\"Iscornit。IvalueTonyFoster\'swrathnomorethanashelledpea—cod;andIwillvisithisLindabrides，bySaintGeorge，behewillingorno！\"
\"Iwouldgladlypayyourhalvesoftherisk，sir，\"saidTressilian，\"tobepermittedtoaccompanyyouontheadventure。\"
\"Inwhatwouldthatadvantageyou，sir？\"answeredLambourne。
\"Innothing，sir，\"saidTressilian，\"unlesstomarktheskillandvalourwithwhichyouconductyourself。Iamatravellerwhoseeksforstrangerencountersanduncommonpassages，astheknightsofyoredidafteradventuresandfeatsofarms。\"
\"Nay，ifitpleasuresyoutoseeatrouttickled，\"answeredLambourne，\"Icarenothowmanywitnessmyskill。AndsohereI
drinksuccesstomyenterprise;andhethatwillnotpledgemeonhiskneesisarascal，andIwillcuthislegsoffbythegarters！\"
ThedraughtwhichMichaelLambournetookuponthisoccasionhadbeenprecededbysomanyothers，thatreasontotteredonherthrone。Hesworeoneortwoincoherentoathsatthemercer，whorefused，reasonablyenough，topledgehimtoasentimentwhichinferredthelossofhisownwager。
\"Wiltthouchoplogicwithme，\"saidLambourne，\"thouknave，withnomorebrainsthanareinaskeinofravelledsilk？ByHeaven，Iwillcuttheeintofiftyyardsofgalloonlace！\"
Butasheattemptedtodrawhisswordforthisdoughtypurpose，MichaelLambournewasseizeduponbythetapsterandthechamberlain，andconveyedtohisownapartment，theretosleephimselfsoberathisleisure。
Thepartythenbrokeup，andthegueststooktheirleave;muchmoretothecontentmentofminehostthanofsomeofthecompany，whowereunwillingtoquitgoodliquor，whenitwastobehadforfreecost，solongastheywereabletositbyit。Theywere，however，compelledtoremove;andgoatlengththeydid，leavingGoslingandTressilianintheemptyapartment。
\"Bymyfaith，\"saidtheformer，\"Iwonderwhereourgreatfolksfindpleasure，whentheyspendtheirmeansinentertainments，andinplayingminehostwithoutsendinginareckoning。ItiswhatIbutrarelypractise;andwheneverIdo，bySaintJulian，itgrievesmebeyondmeasure。Eachoftheseemptystoupsnow，whichmynephewandhisdrunkencomradeshaveswilledoff，shouldhavebeenamatterofprofittooneinmyline，andImustsetthemdownadeadloss。Icannot，formyheart，conceivethepleasureofnoise，andnonsense，anddrunkenfreaks，anddrunkenquarrels，andsmut，andblasphemy，andsoforth，whenamanlosesmoneyinsteadofgainingbyit。Andyetmanyafairestateislostinupholdingsuchauselesscourse，andthatgreatlycontributestothedecayofpublicans;forwhothedevildoyouthinkwouldpayfordrinkattheBlackBear，whenhecanhaveitfornothingatmyLord\'sortheSquire\'s？\"
Tressilianperceivedthatthewinehadmadesomeimpressionevenontheseasonedbrainofminehost，whichwaschieflytobeinferredfromhisdeclaimingagainstdrunkenness。Ashehimselfhadcarefullyavoidedthebowl，hewouldhaveavailedhimselfofthefranknessofthemomenttoextractfromGoslingsomefurtherinformationuponthesubjectofAnthonyFoster，andtheladywhomthemercerhadseeninhismansion—house;buthisinquiriesonlysetthehostuponanewthemeofdeclamationagainstthewilesofthefairsex，inwhichhebrought，atfulllength，thewholewisdomofSolomontoreinforcehisown。Finally，heturnedhisadmonitions，mixedwithmuchobjurgation，uponhistapstersanddrawers，whowereemployedinremovingtherelicsoftheentertainment，andrestoringordertotheapartment;andatlength，joiningexampletoprecept，thoughwithnogoodsuccess，hedemolishedasalverwithhalfascoreofglasses，inattemptingtoshowhowsuchservicewasdoneattheThreeCranesintheVintry，thenthemosttoppingtaverninLondon。Thislastaccidentsofarrecalledhimtohisbetterself，thatheretiredtohisbed，sleptsound，andawokeanewmaninthemorning。
CHAPTERIII。
Nay，I\'llholdtouch——thegameshallbeplay\'dout;
Itne\'ershallstopforme，thismerrywager:
ThatwhichIsaywhengamesome，I\'llavouchInmymostsobermood，ne\'ertrustmeelse。THEHAZARDTABLE。
\"Andhowdothyourkinsman，goodminehost？\"saidTressilian，whenGilesGoslingfirstappearedinthepublicroom，onthemorningfollowingtherevelwhichwedescribedinthelastchapter。\"Ishewell，andwillheabidebyhiswager？\"