\"Forwell，sir，hestartedtwohourssince，andhasvisitedI
knownotwhatpurlieusofhisoldcompanions;hathbutnowreturned，andisatthisinstantbreakfastingonnew—laideggsandmuscadine。Andforhiswager，Icautionyouasafriendtohavelittletodowiththat，orindeedwithaughtthatMikeproposes。Wherefore，Icounselyoutoawarmbreakfastuponaculiss，whichshallrestorethetoneofthestomach;andletmynephewandMasterGoldthredswaggerabouttheirwagerastheylist。\"
\"Itseemstome，minehost，\"saidTressilian，\"thatyouknownotwellwhattosayaboutthiskinsmanofyours，andthatyoucanneitherblamenorcommendhimwithoutsometwingeofconscience。\"
\"Youhavespokentruly，MasterTressilian，\"repliedGilesGosling。\"ThereisNaturalAffectionwhimperingintooneear，\'Giles，Giles，whywiltthoutakeawaythegoodnameofthyownnephew？Wiltthoudefamethysister\'sson，GilesGosling？wiltthoudefoulthineownnest，dishonourthineownblood？\'Andthen，again，comesJustice，andsays，\'HereisaworthyguestasevercametothebonnyBlackBear;onewhoneverchallengedareckoning\'（asIsaytoyourfaceyouneverdid，MasterTressilian——notthatyouhavehadcause），\'onewhoknowsnotwhyhecame，sofarasIcansee，orwhenheisgoingaway;andwiltthou，beingapublican，havingpaidscotandlotthesethirtyyearsinthetownofCumnor，andbeingatthisinstanthead—
borough，wiltthousufferthisguestofguests，thismanofmen，thissix—hoopedpot（asImaysay）ofatraveller，tofallintothemeshesofthynephew，whoisknownforaswasherandadesperateDick，acarderandadicer，aprofessorofthesevendamnablesciences，ifevermantookdegreesinthem？\'No，byHeaven！Imightwink，andlethimcatchsuchasmallbutterflyasGoldthred;butthou，myguest，shallbeforewarned，forearmed，sothouwiltbutlistentothytrustyhost。\"
\"Why，minehost，thycounselshallnotbecastaway，\"repliedTressilian;\"however，Imustupholdmyshareinthiswager，havingoncepassedmywordtothateffect。Butlendme，Ipray，someofthycounsel。ThisFoster，whoorwhatishe，andwhymakeshesuchmysteryofhisfemaleinmate？\"
\"Troth，\"repliedGosling，\"Icanaddbutlittletowhatyouheardlastnight。HewasoneofQueenMary\'sPapists，andnowheisoneofQueenElizabeth\'sProtestants;hewasanonhangeroftheAbbotofAbingdon;andnowhelivesasmasteroftheManor—house。
Aboveall，hewaspoor，andisrich。Folktalkofprivateapartmentsinhisoldwastemansion—house，bedizenedfineenoughtoservetheQueen，Godblessher！Somementhinkhefoundatreasureintheorchard，somethathesoldhimselftothedevilfortreasure，andsomesaythathecheatedtheabbotoutofthechurchplate，whichwashiddenintheoldManor—houseattheReformation。Rich，however，heis，andGodandhisconscience，withthedevilperhapsbesides，onlyknowhowhecamebyit。Hehassulkywaystoo——breakingoffintercoursewithallthatareoftheplace，asifhehadeithersomestrangesecrettokeep，orheldhimselftobemadeofanotherclaythanweare。Ithinkitlikelymykinsmanandhewillquarrel，ifMikethrusthisacquaintanceonhim;andIamsorrythatyou，myworthyMasterTressilian，willstillthinkofgoinginmynephew\'scompany。\"
Tressilianagainansweredhim，thathewouldproceedwithgreatcaution，andthatheshouldhavenofearsonhisaccount;inshort，hebestowedonhimallthecustomaryassuranceswithwhichthosewhoaredeterminedonarashactionarewonttoparrytheadviceoftheirfriends。
Meantime，thetravelleracceptedthelandlord\'sinvitation，andhadjustfinishedtheexcellentbreakfast，whichwasservedtohimandGoslingbyprettyCicely，thebeautyofthebar，whentheherooftheprecedingnight，MichaelLambourne，enteredtheapartment。Histoilethadapparentlycosthimsomelabour，forhisclothes，whichdifferedfromthoseheworeonhisjourney，wereofthenewestfashion，andputonwithgreatattentiontothedisplayofhisperson。
\"Bymyfaith，uncle，\"saidthegallant，\"youmadeawetnightofit，andIfeelitfollowedbyadrymorning。Iwillpledgeyouwillinglyinacupofbastard。——How，myprettycozCicely！why，Ileftyoubutachildinthecradle，andtherethoustand\'stinthyvelvetwaistcoat，astightagirlasEngland\'ssunshineson。
Knowthyfriendsandkindred，Cicely，andcomehither，child，thatImaykissthee，andgivetheemyblessing。\"
\"ConcernnotyourselfaboutCicely，kinsman，\"saidGilesGosling，\"bute\'enlethergoherway，a\'God\'sname;foralthoughyourmotherwereherfather\'ssister，yetthatshallnotmakeyouandhercater—cousins。\"
\"Why，uncle，\"repliedLambourne，\"think\'stthouIamaninfidel，andwouldharmthoseofmineownhouse？\"
\"ItisfornoharmthatIspeak，Mike，\"answeredhisuncle，\"butasimplehumourofprecautionwhichIhave。True，thouartaswellgildedasasnakewhenhecastshisoldsloughinthespringtime;butforallthat，thoucreepestnotintomyEden。IwilllookaftermineEve，Mike，andsocontentthee。——Buthowbravethoube\'st，lad！Tolookontheenow，andcomparetheewithMasterTressilianhere，inhissad—colouredriding—suit，whowouldnotsaythatthouwerttherealgentlemanandhethetapster\'sboy？\"
\"Troth，uncle，\"repliedLambourne，\"noonewouldsaysobutoneofyourcountry—breeding，thatknowsnobetter。Iwillsay，andIcarenotwhohearsme，thereissomethingabouttherealgentrythatfewmencomeuptothatarenotbornandbredtothemystery。Iwotnotwherethetricklies;butalthoughIcanenteranordinarywithasmuchaudacity，rebukethewaitersanddrawersasloudly，drinkasdeepahealth，swearasroundanoath，andflingmygoldasfreelyaboutasanyofthejinglingspursandwhitefeathersthatarearoundme，yet，hangmeifI
canevercatchthetruegraceofit，thoughIhavepractisedanhundredtimes。Themanofthehousesetsmelowestattheboard，andcarvestomethelast;andthedrawersays，\'Coming，friend，\'
withoutanymorereverenceorregardfuladdition。But，hangit，letitpass;carekilledacat。IhavegentryenoughtopassthetrickonTonyFire—the—Faggot，andthatwilldoforthematterinhand。\"
\"Youholdyourpurpose，then，ofvisitingyouroldacquaintance？\"
saidTressiliantotheadventurer。
\"Ay，sir，\"repliedLambourne;\"whenstakesaremade，thegamemustbeplayed;thatisgamester\'slaw，allovertheworld。You，sir，unlessmymemoryfailsme（forIdidsteepitsomewhattoodeeplyinthesack—butt），tooksomeshareinmyhazard？\"
\"Iproposetoaccompanyyouinyouradventure，\"saidTressilian，\"ifyouwilldomesomuchgraceastopermitme;andIhavestakedmyshareoftheforfeitinthehandsofourworthyhost。\"
\"Thathehath，\"answeredGilesGosling，\"inasfairHarry—noblesaseverweremeltedintosackbyagoodfellow。So，lucktoyourenterprise，sinceyouwillneedsventureonTonyFoster;but，bymycredit，youhadbettertakeanotherdraughtbeforeyoudepart，foryourwelcomeattheHallyonderwillbesomewhatofthedriest。Andifyoudogetintoperil，bewareoftakingtocoldsteel;butsendforme，GilesGosling，thehead—borough，andI
maybeabletomakesomethingoutofTonyyet，forasproudasheis。\"
Thenephewdutifullyobeyedhisuncle\'shint，bytakingasecondpowerfulpullatthetankard，observingthathiswitneverservedhimsowellaswhenhehadwashedhistempleswithadeepmorning\'sdraught;andtheysetforthtogetherforthehabitationofAnthonyFoster。
ThevillageofCumnorispleasantlybuiltonahill，andinawoodedparkcloselyadjacentwassituatedtheancientmansionoccupiedatthistimebyAnthonyFoster，ofwhichtheruinsmaybestillextant。Theparkwasthenfulloflargetrees，andinparticularofancientandmightyoaks，whichstretchedtheirgiantarmsoverthehighwallsurroundingthedemesne，thusgivingitamelancholy，secluded，andmonasticappearance。Theentrancetotheparklaythroughanold—fashionedgatewayintheouterwall，thedoorofwhichwasformedoftwohugeoakenleavesthicklystuddedwithnails，likethegateofanoldtown。
\"Weshallbefinelyhelpeduphere，\"saidMichaelLambourne，lookingatthegatewayandgate，\"ifthisfellow\'ssuspicioushumourshouldrefuseusadmissionaltogether，asitislikehemay，incasethislinsey—wolseyfellowofamercer\'svisittohispremiseshasdisquietedhim。But，no，\"headded，pushingthehugegate，whichgaveway，\"thedoorstandsinvitinglyopen;andherewearewithintheforbiddenground，withoutotherimpedimentthanthepassiveresistanceofaheavyoakdoormovingonrustyhinges。\"
Theystoodnowinanavenueovershadowedbysucholdtreesaswehavedescribed，andwhichhadbeenborderedatonetimebyhighhedgesofyewandholly。Butthese，havingbeenuntrimmedformanyyears，hadrunupintogreatbushes，orratherdwarf—trees，andnowencroached，withtheirdarkandmelancholyboughs，upontheroadwhichtheyoncehadscreened。Theavenueitselfwasgrownupwithgrass，and，inoneortwoplaces，interruptedbypilesofwitheredbrushwood，whichhadbeenloppedfromthetreescutdownintheneighbouringpark，andwasherestackedfordrying。Formalwalksandavenues，which，atdifferentpoints，crossedthisprincipalapproach，were，inlikemanner，chokedupandinterruptedbypilesofbrushwoodandbillets，andinotherplacesbyunderwoodandbrambles。Besidesthegeneraleffectofdesolationwhichissostronglyimpressedwheneverwebeholdthecontrivancesofmanwastedandobliteratedbyneglect，andwitnessthemarksofsociallifeeffacedgraduallybytheinfluenceofvegetation，thesizeofthetreesandtheoutspreadingextentoftheirboughsdiffusedagloomoverthescene，evenwhenthesunwasatthehighest，andmadeaproportionalimpressiononthemindofthosewhovisitedit。
ThiswasfeltevenbyMichaelLambourne，howeveralienhishabitsweretoreceivinganyimpressions，exceptingfromthingswhichaddressedthemselvesimmediatelytohispassions。
\"Thiswoodisasdarkasawolf\'smouth，\"saidhetoTressilian，astheywalkedtogetherslowlyalongthesolitaryandbrokenapproach，andhadjustcomeinsightofthemonasticfrontoftheoldmansion，withitsshaftedwindows，brickwallsovergrownwithivyandcreepingshrubs，andtwistedstalksofchimneysofheavystone—work。\"Andyet，\"continuedLambourne，\"itisfairlydoneonthepartofFostertooforsincehechoosesnotvisitors，itisrighttokeephisplaceinafashionthatwillinvitefewtotrespassuponhisprivacy。ButhadhebeentheAnthonyIonceknewhim，thesesturdyoakshadlongsincebecomethepropertyofsomehonestwoodmonger，andthemanor—closeherehadlookedlighteratmidnightthanitnowdoesatnoon，whileFosterplayedfastandloosewiththeprice，insomecunningcornerinthepurlieusofWhitefriars。\"
\"Washethensuchanunthrift？\"askedTressilian。
\"Hewas，\"answeredLambourne，\"liketherestofus，nosaint，andnosaver。ButwhatIlikedworstofTonywas，thathelovedtotakehispleasurebyhimself，andgrudged，asmensay，everydropofwaterthatwentpasthisownmill。Ihaveknownhimdealwithsuchmeasuresofwinewhenhewasalone，asIwouldnothaveventuredonwithaidofthebesttoperinBerkshire;——that，andsomeswaytowardssuperstition，whichhehadbytemperament，renderedhimunworthythecompanyofagoodfellow。Andnowhehasearthedhimselfhere，inadenjustbefittingsuchaslyfoxashimself。\"
\"MayIaskyou，MasterLambourne，\"saidTressilian，\"sinceyouroldcompanion\'shumourjumpssolittlewithyourown，whereforeyouaresodesiroustorenewacquaintancewithhim？\"
\"AndmayIaskyou，inreturn，MasterTressilian，\"answeredLambourne，\"whereforeyouhaveshownyourselfsodesiroustoaccompanymeonthisparty？\"
\"Itoldyoumymotive，\"saidTressilian，\"whenItookshareinyourwager——itwassimplecuriosity。\"
\"Layoutherenow！\"answeredLambourne。\"Seehowyoucivilanddiscreetgentlementhinktouseuswholivebythefreeexerciseofourwits！HadIansweredyourquestionbysayingthatitwassimplecuriositywhichledmetovisitmyoldcomradeAnthonyFoster，Iwarrantyouhadsetitdownforanevasion，andaturnofmytrade。Butanyanswer，Isuppose，mustservemyturn。\"
\"Andwhereforeshouldnotbarecuriosity，\"saidTressilian，\"beasufficientreasonformytakingthiswalkwithyou？\"
\"Oh，contentyourself，sir，\"repliedLambourne;\"youcannotputthechangeonmesoeasyasyouthink，forIhavelivedamongthequick—stirringspiritsoftheagetoolongtoswallowchaffforgrain。Youareagentlemanofbirthandbreeding——yourbearingmakesitgood;ofcivilhabitsandfairreputation——yourmannersdeclareit，andmyuncleavouchesit;andyetyouassociateyourselfwithasortofscant—of—grace，asmencallme，and，knowingmetobesuch，youmakeyourselfmycompanioninavisittoamanwhomyouareastrangerto——andalloutofmerecuriosity，forsooth！Theexcuse，ifcuriouslybalanced，wouldbefoundtowantsomescruplesofjustweight，orso。\"
\"Ifyoursuspicionswerejust，\"saidTressilian，\"youhaveshownnoconfidenceinmetoinviteordeservemine。\"
\"Oh，ifthatbeall，\"saidLambourne，\"mymotiveslieabovewater。Whilethisgoldofminelasts\"——takingouthispurse，chuckingitintotheair，andcatchingitasitfell——\"Iwillmakeitbuypleasure;andwhenitisoutImusthavemore。Now，ifthismysteriousLadyoftheManor——thisfairLindabridesofTonyFire—the—Fagot——besoadmirableapieceasmensay，why，thereisachancethatshemayaidmetomeltmynoblesintogreats;and，again，ifAnthonybesowealthyachuffasreportspeakshim，hemayprovethephilosopher\'sstonetome，andconvertmygreatsintofairrose—noblesagain。\"
\"Acomfortableproposaltruly，\"saidTressilian;\"butIseenotwhatchancethereisofaccomplishingit。\"
\"Notto—day，orperchanceto—morrow，\"answeredLambourne;\"I
expectnottocatchtheoldjacktill。Ihavedisposedmyground—baitshandsomely。ButIknowsomethingmoreofhisaffairsthismorningthanIdidlastnight，andIwillsousemyknowledgethatheshallthinkitmoreperfectthanitis。Nay，withoutexpectingeitherpleasureorprofit，orboth，Ihadnotsteppedastridewithinthismanor，Icantellyou;forIpromiseyouIholdourvisitnotaltogetherwithoutrisk。——Buthereweare，andwemustmakethebeston\'t。\"
Whilehethusspoke，theyhadenteredalargeorchardwhichsurroundedthehouseontwosides，thoughthetrees，abandonedbythecareofman，wereovergrownandmessy，andseemedtobearlittlefruit。Thosewhichhadbeenformerlytrainedasespaliershadnowresumedtheirnaturalmodeofgrowing，andexhibitedgrotesqueforms，partakingoftheoriginaltrainingwhichtheyhadreceived。Thegreaterpartoftheground，whichhadoncebeenparterresandflower—gardens，wassufferedinlikemannertoruntowaste，exceptingafewpatcheswhichhadbeendugupandplantedwithordinarypotherbs。Somestatues，whichhadornamentedthegardeninitsdaysofsplendour，werenowthrowndownfromtheirpedestalsandbrokeninpieces;andalargesummer—house，havingaheavystonefront，decoratedwithcarvingrepresentingthelifeandactionsofSamson，wasinthesamedilapidatedcondition。
Theyhadjusttraversedthisgardenofthesluggard，andwerewithinafewstepsofthedoorofthemansion，whenLambournehadceasedspeaking;acircumstanceveryagreeabletoTressilian，asitsavedhimtheembarrassmentofeithercommentinguponorreplyingtothefrankavowalwhichhiscompanionhadjustmadeofthesentimentsandviewswhichinducedhimtocomehither。
Lambourneknockedroundlyandboldlyatthehugedoorofthemansion，observing，atthesametime，hehadseenalessstrongoneuponacountyjail。Itwasnotuntiltheyhadknockedmorethanoncethatanaged，sour—visageddomesticreconnoitredthemthroughasmallsquareholeinthedoor，wellsecuredwithbarsofiron，anddemandedwhattheywanted。
\"TospeakwithMasterFosterinstantly，onpressingbusinessofthestate，\"wasthereadyreplyofMichaelLambourne。
\"Methinksyouwillfinddifficultytomakethatgood，\"saidTressilianinawhispertohiscompanion，whiletheservantwenttocarrythemessagetohismaster。
\"Tush，\"repliedtheadventurer;\"nosoldierwouldgoonwerehealwaystoconsiderwhenandhowheshouldcomeoff。Letusonceobtainentrance，andallwillgowellenough。\"
Inashorttimetheservantreturned，anddrawingwithacarefulhandbothboltandbar，openedthegate，whichadmittedthemthroughanarchwayintoasquarecourt，surroundedbybuildings。
Oppositetothearchwasanotherdoor，whichtheserving—maninlikemannerunlocked，andthusintroducedthemintoastone—pavedparlour，wheretherewasbutlittlefurniture，andthatoftherudestandmostancientfashion。Thewindowsweretallandample，reachingalmosttotheroofoftheroom，whichwascomposedofblackoak;thoseopeningtothequadranglewereobscuredbytheheightofthesurroundingbuildings，and，astheyweretraversedwithmassiveshaftsofsolidstone—work，andthicklypaintedwithreligiousdevices，andscenestakenfromScripturehistory，bynomeansadmittedlightinproportiontotheirsize，andwhatdidpenetratethroughthempartookofthedarkandgloomytingeofthestainedglass。
Tressilianandhisguidehadtimeenoughtoobservealltheseparticulars，fortheywaitedsomespaceintheapartmenterethepresentmasterofthemansionatlengthmadehisappearance。
Preparedashewastoseeaninauspiciousandill—lookingperson，theuglinessofAnthonyFosterconsiderablyexceededwhatTressilianhadanticipated。Hewasofmiddlestature，builtstrongly，butsoclumsilyastoborderondeformity，andtogiveallhismotionstheungainlyawkwardnessofaleft—leggedandleft—handedman。Hishair，inarrangingwhichmenatthattime，asatpresent，wereveryniceandcurious，insteadofbeingcarefullycleanedanddisposedintoshortcurls，orelsesetuponend，asisrepresentedinoldpaintings，inamannerresemblingthatusedbyfinegentlemenofourownday，escapedinsablenegligencefromunderafurredbonnet，andhunginelf—
locks，whichseemedstrangerstothecomb，overhisruggedbrows，andaroundhisverysingularandunprepossessingcountenance。
Hiskeen，darkeyesweredeepsetbeneathbroadandshaggyeyebrows，andastheywereusuallybentontheground，seemedasiftheywerethemselvesashamedoftheexpressionnaturaltothem，andweredesiroustoconcealitfromtheobservationofmen。Attimes，however，when，moreintentonobservingothers，hesuddenlyraisedthem，andfixedthemkeenlyonthosewithwhomheconversed，theyseemedtoexpressboththefiercerpassions，andthepowerofmindwhichcouldatwillsuppressordisguisetheintensityofinwardfeeling。Thefeatureswhichcorrespondedwiththeseeyesandthisformwereirregular，andmarkedsoastobeindeliblyfixedonthemindofhimwhohadonceseenthem。
Uponthewhole，asTressiliancouldnothelpacknowledgingtohimself，theAnthonyFosterwhonowstoodbeforethemwasthelastperson，judgingfrompersonalappearance，uponwhomonewouldhavechosentointrudeanunexpectedandundesiredvisit。
Hisattirewasadoubletofrussetleather，likethosewornbythebettersortofcountryfolk，girtwithabuffbelt，inwhichwasstuckontherightsidealongknife，ordudgeondagger，andontheotheracutlass。Heraisedhiseyesasheenteredtheroom，andfixedakeenlypenetratingglanceuponhistwovisitors;thencastthemdownasifcountinghissteps，whileheadvancedslowlyintothemiddleoftheroom，andsaid，inalowandsmotheredtoneofvoice，\"Letmeprayyou，gentlemen，totellmethecauseofthisvisit。\"
HelookedasifheexpectedtheanswerfromTressilian，sotruewasLambourne\'sobservationthatthesuperiorairofbreedinganddignityshonethroughthedisguiseofaninferiordress。ButitwasMichaelwhorepliedtohim，withtheeasyfamiliarityofanoldfriend，andatonewhichseemedunembarrassedbyanydoubtofthemostcordialreception。
\"Ha！mydearfriendandingle，TonyFoster！\"heexclaimed，seizingupontheunwillinghand，andshakingitwithsuchemphasisasalmosttostaggerthesturdyframeofthepersonwhomheaddressed，\"howfaresitwithyouformanyalongyear？What！
haveyoualtogetherforgottenyourfriend，gossip，andplayfellow，MichaelLambourne？\"
\"MichaelLambourne！\"saidFoster，lookingathimamoment;thendroppinghiseyes，andwithlittleceremonyextricatinghishandfromthefriendlygraspofthepersonbywhomhewasaddressed，\"areyouMichaelLambourne？\"
\"Ay;sureasyouareAnthonyFoster，\"repliedLambourne。
\"\'Tiswell，\"answeredhissullenhost。\"AndwhatmayMichaelLambourneexpectfromhisvisithither？\"
\"VOTOADIOS，\"answeredLambourne，\"IexpectedabetterwelcomethanIamliketomeet，Ithink。\"
\"Why，thougallows—bird——thoujail—rat——thoufriendofthehangmanandhiscustomers！\"repliedFoster，\"hastthoutheassurancetoexpectcountenancefromanyonewhoseneckisbeyondthecompassofaTyburntippet？\"
\"Itmaybewithmeasyousay，\"repliedLambourne;\"andsupposeI
grantittobesoforargument\'ssake，IwerestillgoodenoughsocietyformineancientfriendAnthonyFire—the—Fagot，thoughhebe，forthepresent，bysomeindescribabletitle，themasterofCumnorPlace。\"
\"Harkyou，MichaelLambourne，\"saidFoster;\"youareagamblernow，andlivebythecountingofchances——computemetheoddsthatIdonot，onthisinstant，throwyououtofthatwindowintotheditchthere。\"
\"Twentytoonethatyoudonot，\"answeredthesturdyvisitor。
\"Andwherefore，Iprayyou？\"demandedAnthonyFoster，settinghisteethandcompressinghislips，likeonewhoendeavourstosuppresssomeviolentinternalemotion。
\"Because，\"saidLambournecoolly，\"youdarenotforyourlifelayafingeronme。Iamyoungerandstrongerthanyou，andhaveinmeadoubleportionofthefightingdevil，thoughnot，itmaybe，quitesomuchoftheunderminingfiend，thatfindsanundergroundwaytohispurpose——whohideshaltersunderfolk\'spillows，andwhoputsrats—baneintotheirporridge，asthestage—playsays。\"
Fosterlookedathimearnestly，thenturnedaway，andpacedtheroomtwicewiththesamesteadyandconsideratepacewithwhichhehadenteredit;thensuddenlycameback，andextendedhishandtoMichaelLambourne，saying，\"Benotwrothwithme，goodMike;I
didbuttrywhetherthouhadstpartedwithaughtofthineoldandhonourablefrankness，whichyourenviersandbackbiterscalledsaucyimpudence。\"
\"Letthemcallitwhattheywill，\"saidMichaelLambourne，\"itisthecommoditywemustcarrythroughtheworldwithus。——Udsdaggers！Itellthee，man，mineownstockofassurancewastoosmalltotradeupon。IwasfaintotakeinatonortwomoreofbrassateveryportwhereItouchedinthevoyageoflife;andI
startedoverboardwhatmodestyandscruplesIhadremaining，inordertomakeroomforthestowage。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"repliedFoster，\"touchingscruplesandmodesty，yousailedhenceinballast。Butwhoisthisgallant，honestMike？
——isheaCorinthian——acutterlikethyself？\"
\"Iprithee，knowMasterTressilian，bullyFoster，\"repliedLambourne，presentinghisfriendinanswertohisfriend\'squestion，\"knowhimandhonourhim，forheisagentlemanofmanyadmirablequalities;andthoughhetrafficsnotinmylineofbusiness，atleastsofarasIknow，hehas，nevertheless，ajustrespectandadmirationforartistsofourclass。Hewillcometointime，asseldomfails;butasyetheisonlyaneophyte，onlyaproselyte，andfrequentsthecompanyofcocksofthegame，asapunyfencerdoestheschoolsofthemasters，toseehowafoilishandledbytheteachersofdefence。\"
\"Ifsuchbehisquality，Iwillprayyourcompanyinanotherchamber，honestMike，forwhatIhavetosaytotheeisforthyprivateear。——Meanwhile，Iprayyou，sir，toabideusinthisapartment，andwithoutleavingit;therebethoseinthishousewhowouldbealarmedbythesightofastranger。\"
Tressilianacquiesced，andthetwoworthieslefttheapartmenttogether，inwhichheremainedalonetoawaittheirreturn。\"
[SeeNote1。Foster，Lambourne，andtheBlackBear。]
CHAPTERIV。
Notservetwomasters？——Here\'sayouthwilltryit——
WouldfainserveGod，yetgivethedevilhisdue;
Saysgracebeforehedothadeedofvillainy，Andreturnshisthanksdevoutlywhen\'tisacted，OLDPLAY。
TheroomintowhichtheMasterofCumnorPlaceconductedhisworthyvisitantwasofgreaterextentthanthatinwhichtheyhadatfirstconversed，andhadyetmoretheappearanceofdilapidation。Largeoakenpresses，filledwithshelvesofthesamewood，surroundedtheroom，andhad，atonetime，servedforthearrangementofanumerouscollectionofbooks，manyofwhichyetremained，buttornanddefaced，coveredwithdust，deprivedoftheircostlyclaspsandbindings，andtossedtogetherinheapsupontheshelves，asthingsaltogetherdisregarded，andabandonedtothepleasureofeveryspoiler。Theverypressesthemselvesseemedtohaveincurredthehostilityofthoseenemiesoflearningwhohaddestroyedthevolumeswithwhichtheyhadbeenheretoforefilled。Theywere，inseveralplaces，dismantledoftheirshelves，andotherwisebrokenanddamaged，andwere，moreover，mantledwithcobwebsandcoveredwithdust。
\"Themenwhowrotethesebooks，\"saidLambourne，lookingroundhim，\"littlethoughtwhosekeepingtheyweretofallinto。\"
\"Norwhatyeoman\'sservicetheyweretodome，\"quothAnthonyFoster;\"thecookhathusedthemforscouringhispewter，andthegroomhathhadnoughtelsetocleanmybootswith，thismanyamonthpast。\"
\"Andyet，\"saidLambourne，\"Ihavebeenincitieswheresuchlearnedcommoditieswouldhavebeendeemedtoogoodforsuchoffices。\"
\"Pshaw，pshaw，\"answeredFoster，\"\'theyarePopishtrash，everyoneofthem——privatestudiesofthemumpingoldAbbotofAbingdon。ThenineteenthlyofapuregospelsermonwereworthacartloadofsuchrakingsofthekennelofRome。\"
\"Gad—a—mercy，MasterTonyFire—the—Fagot！\"saidLambourne，bywayofreply。
Fosterscowleddarklyathim，ashereplied，\"Harkye，friendMike;forgetthatname，andthepassagewhichitrelatesto，ifyouwouldnothaveournewly—revivedcomradeshipdieasuddenandaviolentdeath。\"
\"Why，\"saidMichaelLambourne，\"youwerewonttogloryintheshareyouhadinthedeathofthetwooldhereticalbishops。\"
\"That，\"saidhiscomrade，\"waswhileIwasinthegallofbitternessandbondofiniquity，andappliesnottomywalkormywaysnowthatIamcalledforthintothelists。Mr。MelchisedekMaultextcomparedmymisfortuneinthatmattertothatoftheApostlePaul，whokepttheclothesofthewitnesseswhostonedSaintStephen。HeheldforthonthematterthreeSabbathspast，andillustratedthesamebytheconductofanhonourablepersonpresent，meaningme。\"
\"Ipritheepeace，Foster，\"saidLambourne，\"forIknownothowitis，IhaveasortofcreepingcomesovermyskinwhenIhearthedevilquoteScripture;andbesides，man，howcouldstthouhavethehearttoquitthatconvenientoldreligion，whichyoucouldslipofforonaseasilyasyourglove？DoInotrememberhowyouwerewonttocarryyourconsciencetoconfession，asdulyasthemonthcameround？andwhenthouhadstitscoured，andburnished，andwhitewashedbythepriest，thouwerteverreadyfortheworstvillainywhichcouldbedevised，likeachildwhoisalwaysreadiesttorushintothemirewhenhehasgothisSunday\'scleanjerkinon。\"
\"Troublenotthyselfaboutmyconscience，\"saidFoster;\"itisathingthoucanstnotunderstand，havingneverhadoneofthineown。Butletusrathertothepoint，andsaytome，inoneword，whatisthybusinesswithme，andwhathopeshavedrawntheehither？\"
\"Thehopeofbetteringmyself，tobesure，\"answeredLambourne，\"astheoldwomansaidwhensheleaptoverthebridgeatKingston。Lookyou，thispursehasallthatisleftofasroundasumasamanwouldwishtocarryinhisslop—pouch。Youareherewellestablished，itwouldseem，and，asIthink，wellbefriended，formentalkofthybeingundersomespecialprotection——nay，starenotlikeapigthatisstuck，mon;thoucanstnotdanceinanetandtheynotseethee。NowIknowsuchprotectionisnotpurchasedfornought;youmusthaveservicestorenderforit，andintheseIproposetohelpthee。\"
\"ButhowifIlacknoassistancefromthee，Mike？Ithinkthymodestymightsupposethatwereacasepossible。\"