\"Thatistosay，\"retortedLambourne，\"thatyouwouldengrossthewholework，ratherthandividethereward。Butbenotover—
greedy，Anthony——covetousnessburststhesackandspillsthegrain。Lookyou，whenthehuntsmangoestokillastag，hetakeswithhimmoredogsthanone。Hehasthestanchlyme—houndtotrackthewoundedbuckoverhillanddale，buthehathalsothefleetgaze—houndtokillhimatview。Thouartthelyme—hound，I
amthegaze—hound;andthypatronwillneedtheaidofboth，andcanwellaffordtorequiteit。Thouhastdeepsagacity——anunrelentingpurpose——asteady，long—breathedmalignityofnature，thatsurpassesmine。Butthen，Iamthebolder，thequicker，themoreready，bothatactionandexpedient。Separate，ourpropertiesarenotsoperfect;butunitethem，andwedrivetheworldbeforeus。Howsayestthou——shallwehuntincouples？\"
\"Itisacurrishproposal——thustothrustthyselfuponmyprivatematters，\"repliedFoster;\"butthouwerteveranill—nurturedwhelp。\"
\"Youshallhavenocausetosayso，unlessyouspurnmycourtesy，\"saidMichaelLambourne;\"butifso，keeptheewellfromme，SirKnight，astheromancehasit。Iwilleithershareyourcounselsortraversethem;forIhavecomeheretobebusy，eitherwiththeeoragainstthee。\"
\"Well，\"saidAnthonyFoster，\"sincethoudostleavemesofairachoice，Iwillratherbethyfriendthanthineenemy。Thouartright;ICANprefertheetotheserviceofapatronwhohasenoughofmeanstomakeusboth，andanhundredmore。And，tosaytruth，thouartwellqualifiedforhisservice。Boldnessanddexterityhedemands——thejustice—booksbearwitnessinthyfavour;nostartingatscruplesinhisservicewhy，whoeversuspectedtheeofaconscience？anassurancehemusthavewhowouldfollowacourtier——andthybrowisasimpenetrableasaMilanvisor。ThereisbutonethingIwouldfainseeamendedinthee。\"
\"Andwhatisthat，mymostpreciousfriendAnthony？\"repliedLambourne;\"forIswearbythepillowoftheSevenSleepersI
willnotbeslothfulinamendingit。\"
\"Why，yougaveasampleofitevennow，\"saidFoster。\"Yourspeechtwangstoomuchoftheoldstamp，andyougarnishiteverandanonwithsingularoaths，thatsavourofPapistrie。Besides，yourexteriormanisaltogethertoodeboshedandirregulartobecomeoneofhislordship\'sfollowers，sincehehasareputationtokeepupintheeyeoftheworld。Youmustsomewhatreformyourdress，uponamoregraveandcomposedfashion;wearyourcloakonbothshoulders，andyourfallingbandunrumpledandwellstarched。Youmustenlargethebrimofyourbeaver，anddiminishthesuperfluityofyourtrunk—hose;gotochurch，or，whichwillbebetter，tomeeting，atleastonceamonth;protestonlyuponyourfaithandconscience;layasideyourswashinglook，andnevertouchthehiltofyourswordbutwhenyouwoulddrawthecarnalweaponingoodearnest。\"
\"Bythislight，Anthony，thouartmad，\"answeredLambourne，\"andhastdescribedratherthegentleman—ushertoapuritan\'swife，thanthefollowerofanambitiouscourtier！Yes，suchathingasthouwouldstmakeofmeshouldwearabookathisgirdleinsteadofaponiard，andmightjustbesuspectedofmanhoodenoughtosquireaprouddame—citizentothelectureatSaintAntonlin\'s，andquarrelinhercausewithanyflat—cappedthreadmakerthatwouldtakethewallofher。Hemustruffleitinanothersortthatwouldwalktocourtinanobleman\'strain。\"
\"Oh，contentyou，sir，\"repliedFoster，\"thereisachangesinceyouknewtheEnglishworld;andtherearethosewhocanholdtheirwaythroughtheboldestcourses，andthemostsecret，andyetneveraswaggeringword，oranoath，oraprofanewordintheirconversation。\"
\"Thatistosay，\"repliedLambourne，\"theyareinatradingcopartnery，todothedevil\'sbusinesswithoutmentioninghisnameinthefirm？Well，Iwilldomybesttocounterfeit，ratherthanlosegroundinthisnewworld，sincethousayestitisgrownsoprecise。But，Anthony，whatisthenameofthisnobleman，inwhoseserviceIamtoturnhypocrite？\"
\"Aha！MasterMichael，areyoutherewithyourbears？\"saidFoster，withagrimsmile;\"andisthistheknowledgeyoupretendofmyconcernments？HowknowyounowthereissuchapersonIN
RERUMNATURA，andthatIhavenotbeenputtingajapeuponyouallthistime？\"
\"Thouputajapeonme，thousodden—brainedgull？\"answeredLambourne，nothingdaunted。\"Why，darkandmuddyasthouthink\'stthyself，Iwouldengageinaday\'sspacetosecasclearthroughtheeandthyconcernments，asthoucallestthem，asthroughthefilthyhornofanoldstablelantern。\"
Atthismomenttheirconversationwasinterruptedbyascreamfromthenextapartment。
\"BytheholyCrossofAbingdon，\"exclaimedAnthonyFoster，forgettinghisProtestantisminhisalarm，\"Iamaruinedman！\"
Sosaying，herushedintotheapartmentwhencethescreamissued，followedbyMichaelLambourne。Buttoaccountforthesoundswhichinterruptedtheirconversation，itisnecessarytorecedealittlewayinournarrative。
Ithasbeenalreadyobserved，thatwhenLambourneaccompaniedFosterintothelibrary，theyleftTressilianaloneintheancientparlour。Hisdarkeyefollowedthemforthoftheapartmentwithaglanceofcontempt，apartofwhichhismindinstantlytransferredtohimself，forhavingstoopedtobeevenforamomenttheirfamiliarcompanion。\"Thesearetheassociates，Amy\"——itwasthushecommunedwithhimself——\"towhichthycruellevity——thineunthinkingandmostunmeritedfalsehood，hascondemnedhimofwhomhisfriendsoncehopedfarotherthings，andwhonowscornshimself，ashewillbescornedbyothers，forthebasenesshestoopstofortheloveofthee！ButIwillnotleavethepursuitofthee，oncetheobjectofmypurestandmostdevotedaffection，thoughtomethoucansthenceforthbenothingbutathingtoweepover。Iwillsavetheefromthybetrayer，andfromthyself;Iwillrestoretheetothyparent——tothyGod。Icannotbidthebrightstaragainsparkleinthesphereithasshotfrom，but——\"
Aslightnoiseintheapartmentinterruptedhisreverie。Helookedround，andinthebeautifulandrichly—attiredfemalewhoenteredatthatinstantbyaside—doorherecognizedtheobjectofhissearch。Thefirstimpulsearisingfromthisdiscoveryurgedhimtoconcealhisfacewiththecollarofhiscloak，untilheshouldfindafavourablemomentofmakinghimselfknown。Buthispurposewasdisconcertedbytheyounglady（shewasnotaboveeighteenyearsold），whoranjoyfullytowardshim，and，pullinghimbythecloak，saidplayfully，\"Nay，mysweetfriend，afterI
havewaitedforyousolong，youcomenottomybowertoplaythemasquer。Youarearraignedoftreasontotrueloveandfondaffection，andyoumuststandupatthebarandansweritwithfaceuncovered——howsayyou，guiltyornot？\"
\"Alas，Amy！\"saidTressilian，inalowandmelancholytone，ashesufferedhertodrawthemantlefromhisface。Thesoundofhisvoice，andstillmoretheunexpectedsightofhisface，changedinaninstantthelady\'splayfulmood。Shestaggeredback，turnedaspaleasdeath，andputherhandsbeforeherface。
Tressilianwashimselfforamomentmuchovercome，butseemingsuddenlytorememberthenecessityofusinganopportunitywhichmightnotagainoccur，hesaidinalowtone，\"Amy，fearmenot。\"
\"WhyshouldIfearyou？\"saidthelady，withdrawingherhandsfromherbeautifulface，whichwasnowcoveredwithcrimson，—
—\"WhyshouldIfearyou，MasterTressilian？——orwhereforehaveyouintrudedyourselfintomydwelling，uninvited，sir，andunwishedfor？\"
\"Yourdwelling，Amy！\"saidTressilian。\"Alas！isaprisonyourdwelling？——aprisonguardedbyoneofthemostsordidofmen，butnotagreaterwretchthanhisemployer！\"
\"Thishouseismine，\"saidAmy——\"minewhileIchoosetoinhabitit。Ifitismypleasuretoliveinseclusion，whoshallgainsayme？\"
\"Yourfather，maiden，\"answeredTressilian，\"yourbroken—heartedfather，whodispatchedmeinquestofyouwiththatauthoritywhichhecannotexertinperson。Hereishisletter，writtenwhileheblessedhispainofbodywhichsomewhatstunnedtheagonyofhismind。\"
\"Thepain！Ismyfatherthenill？\"saidthelady。
\"Soill，\"answeredTressilian，\"thatevenyourutmosthastemaynotrestorehimtohealth;butallshallbeinstantlypreparedforyourdeparture，theinstantyouyourselfwillgiveconsent。\"
\"Tressilian，\"answeredthelady，\"Icannot，Imustnot，Idarenotleavethisplace。Gobacktomyfather——tellhimIwillobtainleavetoseehimwithintwelvehoursfromhence。Goback，Tressilian——tellhimIamwell，Iamhappy——happycouldIthinkhewasso;tellhimnottofearthatIwillcome，andinsuchamannerthatallthegriefAmyhasgivenhimshallbeforgotten——thepoorAmyisnowgreaterthanshedarename。Go，goodTressilian——Ihaveinjuredtheetoo，butbelievemeIhavepowertohealthewoundsIhavecaused。Irobbedyouofachildishheart，whichwasnotworthyofyou，andIcanrepaythelosswithhonoursandadvancement。\"
\"Doyousaythistome，Amy？——doyouoffermepageantsofidleambition，forthequietpeaceyouhaverobbedmeof！——ButbeitsoIcamenottoupbraid，buttoserveandtofreeyou。Youcannotdisguiseitfromme——youareaprisoner。Otherwiseyourkindheart——foritwasonceakindheart——wouldhavebeenalreadyatyourfather\'sbedside。——Come，poor，deceived，unhappymaiden！
——allshallbeforgot——allshallbeforgiven。Fearnotmyimportunityforwhatregardedourcontract——itwasadream，andI
haveawaked。Butcome——yourfatheryetlives——come，andonewordofaffection，onetearofpenitence，willeffacethememoryofallthathaspassed。\"
\"HaveInotalreadysaid，Tressilian，\"repliedshe，\"thatIwillsurelycometomyfather，andthatwithoutfurtherdelaythanisnecessarytodischargeotherandequallybindingduties？——Go，carryhimthenews;Icomeassureasthereislightinheaven——thatis，whenIobtainpermission。\"
\"Permission！——permissiontovisityourfatheronhissick—bed，perhapsonhisdeath—bed！\"repeatedTressilian，impatiently;
\"andpermissionfromwhom？Fromthevillain，who，underdisguiseoffriendship，abusedeverydutyofhospitality，andstoletheefromthyfather\'sroof！\"
\"Dohimnoslander，Tressilian！Hewhomthouspeakestofwearsaswordassharpasthine——sharper，vainman;forthebestdeedsthouhasteverdoneinpeaceorwarwereasunworthytobenamedwithhis，asthyobscureranktomatchitselfwiththespherehemovesin。——Leaveme！Go，domineerrandtomyfather;andwhenhenextsendstome，lethimchooseamorewelcomemessenger。\"
\"Amy，\"repliedTressiliancalmly，\"thoucanstnotmovemebythyreproaches。Tellmeonething，thatImaybearatleastonerayofcomforttomyagedfriend:——thisrankofhiswhichthoudostboast——dostthoushareitwithhim，Amy？——doesheclaimahusband\'srighttocontrolthymotions？\"
\"Stopthybase，unmanneredtongue！\"saidthelady;\"tonoquestionthatderogatesfrommyhonourdoIdeignananswer。\"
\"Youhavesaidenoughinrefusingtoreply，\"answeredTressilian;
\"andmarkme，unhappyasthouart，Iamarmedwiththyfather\'sfullauthoritytocommandthyobedience，andIwillsavetheefromtheslaveryofsinandofsorrow，evendespiteofthyself，Amy。\"
\"Menacenoviolencehere！\"exclaimedthelady，drawingbackfromhim，andalarmedatthedeterminationexpressedinhislookandmanner;\"threatenmenot，Tressilian，forIhavemeanstorepelforce。\"
\"Butnot，Itrust，thewishtousetheminsoevilacause？\"
saidTressilian。\"Withthywill——thineuninfluenced，free，andnaturalwill，Amy，thoucanstnotchoosethisstateofslaveryanddishonour。Thouhastbeenboundbysomespell——entrappedbysomedeceit——artnowdetainedbysomecompelledvow。ButthusI
breakthecharm——Amy，inthenameofthineexcellent，thybroken—
heartedfather，Icommandtheetofollowme！\"
Ashespokeheadvancedandextendedhisarm，aswiththepurposeoflayingholduponher。Butsheshrunkbackfromhisgrasp，andutteredthescreamwhich，aswebeforenoticed，broughtintotheapartmentLambourneandFoster。
Thelatterexclaimed，assoonasheentered，\"Fireandfagot！
whathavewehere？\"Thenaddressingthelady，inatonebetwixtentreatyandcommand，headded，\"Udsprecious！madam，whatmakeyouhereoutofbounds？Retire——retire——thereislifeanddeathinthismatter。——Andyou，friend，whoeveryoumaybe，leavethishouse——outwithyou，beforemydagger\'shiltandyourcostardbecomeacquainted。——Draw，Mike，andridusoftheknave！\"
\"NotI，onmysoul，\"repliedLambourne;\"hecamehitherinmycompany，andheissafefrommebycutter\'slaw，atleasttillwemeetagain。——Butharkye，myCornishcomrade，youhavebroughtaCornishflawofwindwithyouhither，ahurricanoeastheycallitintheIndies。Makeyourselfscarce——depart——vanish——orwe\'llhaveyousummonedbeforetheMayorofHalgaver，andthatbeforeDudmanandRamheadmeet。\"[TwoheadlandsontheCornishcoast。
Theexpressionsareproverbial。]
\"Away，basegroom！\"saidTressilian。——\"Andyou，madam，fareyouwell——whatlifelingersinyourfather\'sbosomwillleavehimatthenewsIhavetotell。\"
Hedeparted，theladysayingfaintlyashelefttheroom，\"Tressilian，benotrash——saynoscandalofme。\"
\"Hereispropergear，\"saidFoster。\"Iprayyougotoyourchamber，mylady，andletusconsiderhowthisistobeanswered——nay，tarrynot。\"
\"Imovenotatyourcommand，sir，\"answeredthelady。
\"Nay，butyoumust，fairlady，\"repliedFoster;\"excusemyfreedom，but，bybloodandnails，thisisnotimetostraincourtesies——youMUSTgotoyourchamber。——Mike，followthatmeddlingcoxcomb，and，asyoudesiretothrive，seehimsafelyclearofthepremises，whileIbringthisheadstrongladytoreason。Drawthytool，man，andafterhim。\"
\"I\'llfollowhim，\"saidMichaelLambourne，\"andseehimfairlyoutofFlanders;butforhurtingamanIhavedrunkmymorning\'sdraughtwithal，\'tiscleanagainstmyconscience。\"Sosaying，helefttheapartment。
Tressilian，meanwhile，withhastysteps，pursuedthefirstpathwhichpromisedtoconducthimthroughthewildandovergrownparkinwhichthemansionofFosterwassituated。Hasteanddistressofmindledhisstepsastray，andinsteadoftakingtheavenuewhichledtowardsthevillage，hechoseanother，which，afterhehadpursueditforsometimewithahastyandrecklessstep，conductedhimtotheothersideofthedemesne，whereaposterndooropenedthroughthewall，andledintotheopencountry。
Tressilianpausedaninstant。Itwasindifferenttohimbywhatroadheleftaspotnowsoodioustohisrecollections;butitwasprobablethattheposterndoorwaslocked，andhisretreatbythatpassrenderedimpossible。
\"Imustmaketheattempt，however，\"hesaidtohimself;\"theonlymeansofreclaimingthislost——thismiserable——thisstillmostlovelyandmostunhappygirl，mustrestinherfather\'sappealtothebrokenlawsofhiscountry。Imusthastetoapprisehimofthisheartrendingintelligence。\"
AsTressilian，thusconversingwithhimself，approachedtotrysomemeansofopeningthedoor，orclimbingoverit，heperceivedtherewasakeyputintothelockfromtheoutside。Itturnedround，theboltrevolved，andacavalier，whoentered，muffledinhisriding—cloak，andwearingaslouchedhatwithadroopingfeather，stoodatoncewithinfouryardsofhimwhowasdesirousofgoingout。Theyexclaimedatonce，intonesofresentmentandsurprise，theone\"Varney！\"theother\"Tressilian！\"
\"Whatmakeyouhere？\"wasthesternquestionputbythestrangertoTressilian，whenthemomentofsurprisewaspast——\"whatmakeyouhere，whereyourpresenceisneitherexpectednordesired？\"
\"Nay，Varney，\"repliedTressilian，\"whatmakeyouhere？Areyoucometotriumphovertheinnocenceyouhavedestroyed，asthevultureorcarrion—crowcomestobattenonthelambwhoseeyesithasfirstpluckedout？Orareyoucometoencounterthemeritedvengeanceofanhonestman？Draw，dog，anddefendthyself！\"
Tressiliandrewhisswordashespoke，butVarneyonlylaidhishandonthehiltofhisown，ashereplied，\"Thouartmad，Tressilian。Iownappearancesareagainstme;butbyeveryoathapriestcanmakeoramancanswear，MistressAmyRobsarthathhadnoinjuryfromme。AndintruthIweresomewhatloathtohurtyouinthiscause——thouknowestIcanfight。\"
\"Ihaveheardtheesayso，Varney，\"repliedTressilian;\"butnow，methinks，Iwouldfainhavesomebetterevidencethanthineownword。\"
\"Thatshallnotbelacking，ifbladeandhiltbebuttruetome，\"
answeredVarney;anddrawinghisswordwiththerighthand，hethrewhiscloakaroundhisleft，andattackedTressilianwithavigourwhich，foramoment，seemedtogivehimtheadvantageofthecombat。Butthisadvantagelastednotlong。Tressilianaddedtoaspiritdeterminedonrevengeahandandeyeadmirablywelladaptedtotheuseoftherapier;sothatVarney，findinghimselfhardpressedinhisturn，endeavouredtoavailhimselfofhissuperiorstrengthbyclosingwithhisadversary。Forthispurpose，hehazardedthereceivingoneofTressilian\'spassesinhiscloak，wrappedasitwasaroundhisarm，anderehisadversarycould，extricatehisrapierthusentangled，heclosedwithhim，shorteninghisownswordatthesametime，withthepurposeofdispatchinghim。ButTressilianwasonhisguard，andunsheathinghisponiard，parriedwiththebladeofthatweaponthehome—thrustwhichwouldotherwisehavefinishedthecombat，and，inthestrugglewhichfollowed，displayedsomuchaddress，asmighthaveconfirmed，theopinionthathedrewhisoriginfromCornwallwhosenativesaresuchmastersintheartofwrestling，as，werethegamesofantiquityrevived，mightenablethemtochallengeallEuropetothering。Varney，inhisill—advisedattempt，receivedafallsosuddenandviolentthathisswordflewseveralpacesfromhishandanderehecouldrecoverhisfeet，thatofhisantagonistwas;pointedtohisthroat。
\"Givemetheinstantmeansofrelievingthevictimofthytreachery，\"saidTressilian，\"ortakethelastlookofyourCreator\'sblessedsun！\"
AndwhileVarney，tooconfusedortoosullentoreply，madeasuddenefforttoarise，hisadversarydrewbackhisarm，andwouldhaveexecutedhisthreat，butthattheblowwasarrestedbythegraspofMichaelLambourne，who，directedbytheclashingofswordshadcomeupjustintimetosavethelifeofVarney，\"Come，come，comrade;\"saidLambourne，\"hereisenoughdoneandmorethanenough;putupyourfoxandletusbejogging。TheBlackBeargrowlsforus。\"
\"Off，abject！\"saidTressilian，strikinghimselffreeofLambourne\'sgrasp;\"darestthoucomebetwixtmeandmineenemy？\"
\"Abject！abject！\"repeatedLambourne;\"thatshallbeansweredwithcoldsteelwheneverabowlofsackhaswashedoutmemoryofthemorning\'sdraughtthatwehadtogether。Inthemeanwhile，doyousee，shog——tramp——begone——wearetwotoone。\"
Hespoketruth，forVarneyhadtakentheopportunitytoregainhisweapon，andTressilianperceiveditwasmadnesstopressthequarrelfurtheragainstsuchodds。Hetookhispursefromhisside，andtakingouttwogoldnobles，flungthemtoLambourne。
\"There，caitiff，isthymorningwage;thoushaltnotsaythouhastbeenmyguideunhired。——Varney，farewell！weshallmeetwheretherearenonetocomebetwixtus。\"Sosaying，heturnedroundanddepartedthroughtheposterndoor。
Varneyseemedtowanttheinclination，orperhapsthepower（forhisfallhadbeenasevereone），tofollowhisretreatingenemy。
Butheglareddarklyashedisappeared，andthenaddressedLambourne。\"ArtthouacomradeofFoster\'s，goodfellow？\"
\"Swornfriends，asthehaftistotheknife，\"repliedMichaelLambourne。
\"Hereisabroadpieceforthee。Followyonderfellow，andseewherehetakesearth，andbringmeworduptothemansion—househere。Cautiousandsilent，thouknave，asthouvaluestthythroat。\"
\"Enoughsaid，\"repliedLambourne;\"Icandrawonascentaswellasasleuth—hound。\"
\"Begone，then，\"saidVarney，sheathinghisrapier;and，turninghisbackonMichaelLambourne，hewalkedslowlytowardsthehouse。Lambournestoppedbutaninstanttogatherthenobleswhichhislatecompanionhadflungtowardshimsounceremoniously，andmutteredtohimself，whileheputthemuponhispursealongwiththegratuityofVarney，\"IspoketoyondergullsofEldorado。BySaintAnthony，thereisnoEldoradoformenofourstampequaltobonnyOldEngland！Itrainsnobles，byHeaven——theylieonthegrassasthickasdewdrops——youmayhavethemforgathering。AndifIhavenotmyshareofsuchglitteringdewdrops，maymyswordmeltlikeanicicle！\"
CHAPTERV。
HewasamanVersedintheworldaspilotinhiscompass。
TheneedlepointedevertothatinterestWhichwashisloadstar，andhespreadhissailsWithvantagetothegaleofothers\'passion。
THEDECEIVER，ATRAGEDY。
AntonyFosterwasstillengagedindebatewithhisfairguest，whotreatedwithscorneveryentreatyandrequestthatshewouldretiretoherownapartment，whenawhistlewasheardattheentrance—doorofthemansion。
\"Wearefairlyspednow，\"saidFoster;\"yonderisthylord\'ssignal，andwhattosayaboutthedisorderwhichhashappenedinthishousehold，bymyconscience，Iknownot。SomeevilfortunedogstheheelsofthatunhangedrogueLambourne，andhehas\'scapedthegallowsagainsteverychance，tocomebackandbetheruinofme！\"
\"Peace，sir，\"saidthelady，\"andundothegatetoyourmaster。
——Mylord！mydearlord！\"shethenexclaimed，hasteningtotheentranceoftheapartment;thenadded，withavoiceexpressiveofdisappointment，\"Pooh！itisbutRichardVarney。\"
\"Ay，madam，\"saidVarney，enteringandsalutingtheladywitharespectfulobeisance，whichshereturnedwithacarelessmixtureofnegligenceandofdispleasure，\"itisbutRichardVarney;buteventhefirstgreycloudshouldbeacceptable，whenitlightensintheeast，becauseitannouncestheapproachoftheblessedsun。\"
\"How！comesmylordhitherto—night？\"saidthelady，injoyfulyetstartledagitation;andAnthonyFostercaughtuptheword，andechoedthequestion。Varneyrepliedtothelady，thathislordpurposedtoattendher;andwouldhaveproceededwithsomecompliment，when，runningtothedooroftheparlour，shecalledaloud，\"Janet——Janet！cometomytiring—roominstantly。\"ThenreturningtoVarney，sheaskedifherlordsentanyfurthercommendationstoher。
\"Thisletter，honouredmadam，\"saidhe，takingfromhisbosomasmallparcelwrappedinscarletsilk，\"andwithitatokentotheQueenofhisAffections。\"Witheagerspeedtheladyhastenedtoundothesilkenstringwhichsurroundedthelittlepacket，andfailingtounloosereadilytheknotwithwhichitwassecured，sheagaincalledloudlyonJanet，\"Bringmeaknife——scissors——
aughtthatmayundothisenviousknot！\"
\"Maynotmypoorponiardserve，honouredmadam？\"saidVarney，presentingasmalldaggerofexquisiteworkmanship，whichhunginhisTurkey—leathersword—belt。
\"No，sir，\"repliedthelady，rejectingtheinstrumentwhichheoffered——\"steelponiardshallcutnotrue—loveknotofmine。\"
\"Ithascutmany，however，\"saidAnthonyFoster，halfaside，andlookingatVarney。BythistimetheknotwasdisentangledwithoutanyotherhelpthantheneatandnimblefingersofJanet，asimply—attiredprettymaiden，thedaughterofAnthonyFoster，whocamerunningattherepeatedcallofhermistress。A
necklaceoforientpearl，thecompanionofaperfumedbillet，wasnowhastilyproducedfromthepacket。Theladygavetheone，afteraslightglance，tothechargeofherattendant，whilesheread，orratherdevoured，thecontentsoftheother。
\"Surely，lady，\"saidJanet，gazingwithadmirationattheneck—
stringofpearls，\"thedaughtersofTyreworenofairerneck—
jewelsthanthese。Andthentheposy，\'Foraneckthatisfairer\'——eachpearlisworthafreehold。\"
\"Eachwordinthisdearpaperisworththewholestring，mygirl。
Butcometomytiring—room，girl;wemustbebrave，mylordcomeshitherto—night。——Hebidsmegraceyou，MasterVarney，andtomehiswishisalaw。Ibidyoutoacollationinmybowerthisafternoon;andyou，too，MasterFoster。Giveordersthatallisfitting，andthatsuitablepreparationsbemadeformylord\'sreceptionto—night。\"Withthesewordsshelefttheapartment。
\"Shetakesstateonheralready，\"saidVarney，\"anddistributesthefavourofherpresence，asifshewerealreadythepartnerofhisdignity。Well，itiswisetopractisebeforehandthepartwhichfortunepreparesustoplay——theyoungeaglemustgazeatthesunerehesoarsonstrongwingtomeetit。\"
\"Ifholdingherheadaloft，\"saidFoster，\"willkeephereyesfromdazzling，Iwarrantyouthedamewillnotstoophercrest。
Shewillpresentlysoarbeyondreachofmywhistle，MasterVarney。Ipromiseyou，sheholdsmealreadyinslightregard。\"
\"Itisthineownfault，thousullen，uninventivecompanion，\"
answeredVarney，\"whoknowestnomodeofcontrolsavedownrightbruteforce。Canstthounotmakehomepleasanttoher，withmusicandtoys？Canstthounotmaketheout—of—doorsfrightfultoher，withtalesofgoblins？Thoulivestherebythechurchyard，andhastnotevenwitenoughtoraiseaghost，toscarethyfemalesintogooddiscipline。\"
\"Speaknotthus，MasterVarney，\"saidFoster;\"thelivingIfearnot，butItriflenotnortoywithmydeadneighboursofthechurchyard。Ipromiseyou，itrequiresagoodhearttolivesonearit。WorthyMasterHoldforth，theafternoon\'slecturerofSaintAntonlin\'s，hadasorefrighttherethelasttimehecametovisitme。\"
\"Holdthysuperstitioustongue，\"answeredVarney;\"andwhilethoutalkestofvisiting，answerme，thoupalteringknave，howcameTressiliantobeattheposterndoor？\"
\"Tressilian！\"answeredFoster，\"whatknowIofTressilian？I
neverheardhisname。\"
\"Why，villain，itwastheveryCornishchoughtowhomoldSirHughRobsartdestinedhisprettyAmy;andhitherthehot—brainedfoolhascometolookafterhisfairrunaway。Theremustbesomeordertakenwithhim，forhethinkshehathwrong，andisnotthemeanhindthatwillsitdownwithit。Luckilyheknowsnoughtofmylord，butthinkshehasonlymetodealwith。Buthow，inthefiend\'sname，camehehither？\"
\"Why，withMikeLambourne，anyoumustknow，\"answeredFoster。
\"AndwhoisMikeLambourne？\"demandedVarney。\"ByHeaven！thouwertbestsetupabushoverthydoor，andinviteeverystrollerwhopassesbytoseewhatthoushouldstkeepsecretevenfromthesunandair。\"
\"Ay！ay！thisisacourtlikerequitalofmyservicetoyou，MasterRichardVarney，\"repliedFoster。\"Didstthounotchargemetoseekoutfortheeafellowwhohadagoodswordandanunscrupulousconscience？andwasInotbusyingmyselftofindafitman——for，thankHeaven，myacquaintanceliesnotamongstsuchcompanions——when，asHeavenwouldhaveit，thistallfellow，whoisinallhisdualitiestheveryflashingknavethoudidstwish，camehithertofixacquaintanceuponmeintheplenitudeofhisimpudence;andIadmittedhisclaim，thinkingtodoyouapleasure。AndnowseewhatthanksIgetfordisgracingmyselfbyconversewithhim！\"
\"Anddidhe，\"saidVarney，\"beingsuchafellowasthyself，onlylacking，Isuppose，thypresenthumourofhypocrisy，whichliesasthinoverthyhard，ruffianlyheartasgoldlacqueruponrustyiron——didhe，Isay，bringthesaintly，sighingTressilianinhistrain？\"
\"Theycametogether，byHeaven！\"saidFoster;\"andTressilian——
tospeakHeaven\'struth——obtainedamoment\'sinterviewwithourprettymoppet，whileIwastalkingapartwithLambourne。\"