\"Ay，sir，\"saidLambourne，\"thatshalltakehedgeandditchwithmyLordDuke\'sbesthunters。ThenImadealittlemistakeonShooter\'sHill，andstoppedanancientgrazierwhosepoucheswerebetterlinedthanhisbrain—pan，thebonnybaynagcarriedmesheeroffinspiteofthewholehueandcry。\"
\"Saddlehimtheninstantly，andattendme，\"saidVarney。\"Leavethyclothesandbaggageunderchargeofminehost;andIwillconducttheetoaservice，inwhich，ifthoudonotbetterthyself，thefaultshallnotbefortune\'s，butthineown。\"
\"Braveandhearty！\"saidLambourne，\"andIammountedinaninstant。——Knave，hostler，saddlemynagwithoutthelossofonesecond，asthoudostvaluethesafetyofthynoddle。——PrettyCicely，takehalfthispursetocomforttheeformysuddendeparture。\"
\"Gogsnouns！\"repliedthefather，\"Cicelywantsnosuchtokenfromthee。Goaway，Mike，andgathergraceifthoucanst，thoughIthinkthougoestnottothelandwhereitgrows。\"
\"LetmelookatthisCicelyofthine，minehost，\"saidVarney;\"I
haveheardmuchtalkofherbeauty。\"
\"Itisasunburntbeauty，\"saidminehost，\"wellqualifiedtostandoutrainandwind，butlittlecalculatedtopleasesuchcriticalgallantsasyourself。Shekeepsherchamber，andcannotencountertheglanceofsuchsunny—daycourtiersasmynobleguest。\"
\"Well，peacebewithher，mygoodhost，\"answeredVarney;\"ourhorsesareimpatient——webidyougoodday。\"
\"Doesmynephewgowithyou，sopleaseyou？\"saidGosling。
\"Ay，suchishispurpose，\"answeredRichardVarney。
\"Youareright——fullyright，\"repliedminehost——\"youare，Isay，fullyright，mykinsman。Thouhastgotagayhorse;seethoulightnotunawareuponahalter——or，ifthouwiltneedsbemadeimmortalbymeansofarope，whichthypurposeoffollowingthisgentlemanrendersnotunlikely，IchargetheetofindagallowsasfarfromCumnorasthouconvenientlymayest。AndsoIcommendyoutoyoursaddle。\"
Themasterofthehorseandhisnewretainermountedaccordingly，leavingthelandlordtoconcludehisill—omenedfarewell，tohimselfandatleisure;andsetofftogetheratarapidpace，whichpreventedconversationuntiltheascentofasteepsandyhillpermittedthemtoresumeit。
\"Youarecontented，then，\"saidVarneytohiscompanion，\"totakecourtservice？\"
\"Ay，worshipfulsir，ifyoulikemytermsaswellasIlikeyours。\"
\"Andwhatareyourterms？\"demandedVarney。
\"IfIamtohaveaquickeyeformypatron\'sinterest，hemusthaveadullonetowardsmyfaults，\"saidLambourne。
\"Ay，\"saidVarney，\"sotheylienotsogrosslyopenthathemustneedsbreakhisshinsoverthem。\"
\"Agreed，\"saidLambourne。\"Next，ifIrundowngame，Imusthavethepickingofthebones。\"
\"Thatisbutreason，\"repliedVarney，\"sothatyourbettersareservedbeforeyou。\"
\"Good，\"saidLambourne;\"anditonlyremainstobesaid，thatifthelawandIquarrel，mypatronmustbearmeout，forthatisachiefpoint。\"
\"Reasonagain，\"saidVarney，\"ifthequarrelhathhappenedinyourmaster\'sservice。\"
\"Forthewageandsoforth，Isaynothing，\"proceededLambourne;
\"itisthesecretguerdonthatImustliveby。\"
\"Neverfear，\"saidVarney;\"thoushalthaveclothesandspendingmoneytoruffleitwiththebestofthydegree，forthougoesttoahouseholdwhereyouhavegold，astheysay，bytheeye。\"
\"Thatjumpsallwithmyhumour，\"repliedMichaelLambourne;\"anditonlyremainsthatyoutellmemymaster\'sname。\"
\"MynameisMasterRichardVarney，\"answeredhiscompanion。
\"ButImean，\"saidLambourne，\"thenameofthenoblelordtowhoseserviceyouaretopreferme。\"
\"How，knave，artthoutoogoodtocallmemaster？\"saidVarneyhastily;\"Iwouldhavetheeboldtoothers，butnotsaucytome。\"
\"Icraveyourworship\'spardon，\"saidLambourne，\"butyouseemedfamiliarwithAnthonyFoster;nowIamfamiliarwithAnthonymyself。\"
\"Thouartashrewdknave，Isee，\"repliedVarney。\"Markme——Idoindeedproposetointroducetheeintoanobleman\'shousehold;butitisuponmypersonthouwiltchieflywait，anduponmycountenancethatthouwiltdepend。Iamhismasterofhorse。
Thouwiltsoonknowhisname——itisonethatshakesthecouncilandwieldsthestate。\"
\"Bythislight，abravespelltoconjurewith，\"saidLambourne，\"ifamanwoulddiscoverhiddentreasures！\"
\"Usedwithdiscretion，itmayproveso，\"repliedVarney;\"butmark——ifthouconjurewithitatthineownhand，itmayraiseadevilwhowillteartheeinfragments。\"
\"Enoughsaid，\"repliedLambourne;\"Iwillnotexceedmylimits。\"
Thetravellersthenresumedtherapidrateoftravellingwhichtheirdiscoursehadinterrupted，andsoonarrivedattheRoyalParkofWoodstock。ThisancientpossessionofthecrownofEnglandwasthenverydifferentfromwhatithadbeenwhenitwastheresidenceofthefairRosamond，andthesceneofHenrytheSecond\'ssecretandillicitamours;andyetmoreunliketothescenewhichitexhibitsinthepresentday，whenBlenheimHousecommemoratesthevictoryofMarlborough，andnolessthegeniusofVanbrugh，thoughdecriedinhisowntimebypersonsoftastefarinferiortohisown。Itwas，inElizabeth\'stime，anancientmansioninbadrepair，whichhadlongceasedtobehonouredwiththeroyalresidence，tothegreatimpoverishmentoftheadjacentvillage。Theinhabitants，however，hadmadeseveralpetitionstotheQueentohavethefavourofthesovereign\'scountenanceoccasionallybestoweduponthem;anduponthisverybusiness，ostensiblyatleast，wasthenoblelord，whomwehavealreadyintroducedtoourreaders，avisitoratWoodstock。
VarneyandLambournegallopedwithoutceremonyintothecourtyardoftheancientanddilapidatedmansion，whichpresentedonthatmorningasceneofbustlewhichithadnotexhibitedfortworeigns。OfficersoftheEarl\'shousehold，liverymenandretainers，wentandcamewithalltheinsolentfracaswhichattachestotheirprofession。Theneighofhorsesandthebayingofhoundswereheard;formylord，inhisoccupationofinspectingandsurveyingthemanoranddemesne，wasofcourseprovidedwiththemeansoffollowinghispleasureinthechaseorpark，saidtohavebeentheearliestthatwasenclosedinEngland，andwhichwaswellstockedwithdeerthathadlongroamedthereunmolested。Severaloftheinhabitantsofthevillage，inanxioushopeofafavourableresultfromthisunwontedvisit，loiteredaboutthecourtyard，andawaitedthegreatman\'scomingforth。TheirattentionwasexcitedbythehastyarrivalofVarney，andamurmurranamongstthem，\"TheEarl\'smasterofthehorse！\"whiletheyhurriedtobespeakfavourbyhastilyunbonneting，andprofferingtoholdthebridleandstirrupofthefavouredretainerandhisattendant。
\"Standsomewhataloof，mymasters！\"saidVarneyhaughtily，\"andletthedomesticsdotheiroffice。\"
Themortifiedcitizensandpeasantsfellbackatthesignal;
whileLambourne，whohadhiseyeuponhissuperior\'sdeportment，repelledtheservicesofthosewhoofferedtoassisthim，withyetmorediscourtesy——\"Standback，Jackpeasant，withamurraintoyou，andlettheseknavefootmendotheirduty！\"
Whiletheygavetheirnagstotheattendantsofthehousehold，andwalkedintothemansionwithanairofsuperioritywhichlongpracticeandconsciousnessofbirthrenderednaturaltoVarney，andwhichLambourneendeavouredtoimitateaswellashecould，thepoorinhabitantsofWoodstockwhisperedtoeachother，\"Well—
a—day！Godsaveusfromallsuchmisproudprincoxes！Anthemasterbelikethemen，why，thefiendmaytakeall，andyethavenomorethanhisdue。\"
\"Silence，goodneighbours！\"saidthebailiff，\"keeptonguebetwixtteeth;weshallknowmoreby—and—by。ButneverwillalordcometoWoodstocksowelcomeasbluffoldKingHarry！Hewouldhorsewhipafellowonedaywithhisownroyalhand，andthenflinghimanhandfulofsilvergroats，withhisownbroadfaceonthem，to\'nointthesorewithal。\"
\"Ay，restbewithhim！\"echoedtheauditors;\"itwillbelongerethisLadyElizabethhorsewhipanyofus。\"
\"Thereisnosaying，\"answeredthebailiff。\"Meanwhile，patience，goodneighbours，andletuscomfortourselvesbythinkingthatwedeservesuchnoticeatherGrace\'shands。\"
Meanwhile，Varney，closelyfollowedbyhisnewdependant，madehiswaytothehall，wheremenofmorenoteandconsequencethanthoseleftinthecourtyardawaitedtheappearanceoftheEarl，whoasyetkepthischamber。AllpaidcourttoVarney，withmoreorlessdeference，assuitedtheirownrank，ortheurgencyofthebusinesswhichbroughtthemtohislord\'slevee。Tothegeneralquestionof，\"Whencomesmylordforth，MasterVarney？\"
hegavebriefanswers，as，\"Seeyounotmyboots？IambutjustreturnedfromOxford，andknownothingofit，\"andthelike，untilthesamequerywasputinahighertonebyapersonageofmoreimportance。\"Iwillinquireofthechamberlain，SirThomasCopely，\"wasthereply。Thechamberlain，distinguishedbyhissilverkey，answeredthattheEarlonlyawaitedMasterVarney\'sreturntocomedown，butthathewouldfirstspeakwithhiminhisprivatechamber。Varney，therefore，bowedtothecompany，andtookleave，toenterhislord\'sapartment。
Therewasamurmurofexpectationwhichlastedafewminutes，andwasatlengthhushedbytheopeningofthefolding—doorsattheupperendortheapartment，throughwhichtheEarlmadehisentrance，marshalledbyhischamberlainandthestewardofhisfamily，andfollowedbyRichardVarney。Inhisnoblemienandprincelyfeatures，menreadnothingofthatinsolencewhichwaspractisedbyhisdependants。Hiscourtesieswere，indeed，measuredbytherankofthosetowhomtheywereaddressed，buteventhemeanestpersonpresenthadashareofhisgraciousnotice。Theinquirieswhichhemaderespectingtheconditionofthemanor，oftheQueen\'srightsthere，andoftheadvantagesanddisadvantageswhichmightattendheroccasionalresidenceattheroyalseatofWoodstock，seemedtoshowthathehadmostearnestlyinvestigatedthematterofthepetitionoftheinhabitants，andwithadesiretoforwardtheinterestoftheplace。
\"NowtheLordlovehisnoblecountenance！\"saidthebailiff，whohadthrusthimselfintothepresence—chamber;\"helookssomewhatpale。Iwarranthimhehathspentthewholenightinperusingourmemorial。MasterToughyarn，whotooksixmonthstodrawitup，saiditwouldtakeaweektounderstandit;andseeiftheEarlhathnotknockedthemarrowoutofitintwenty—fourhours！\"
TheEarlthenacquaintedthemthatheshouldmovetheirsovereigntohonourWoodstockoccasionallywithherresidenceduringherroyalprogresses，thatthetownanditsvicinitymightderive，fromhercountenanceandfavour，thesameadvantagesasfromthoseofherpredecessors。Meanwhile，herejoicedtobetheexpounderofhergraciouspleasure，inassuringthemthat，fortheincreaseoftradeandencouragementoftheworthyburgessesofWoodstock，herMajestywasmindedtoerectthetownintoaStapleforwool。
Thisjoyfulintelligencewasreceivedwiththeacclamationsnotonlyofthebettersortwhowereadmittedtotheaudience—
chamber，butofthecommonswhoawaitedwithout。
ThefreedomofthecorporationwaspresentedtotheEarluponkneebythemagistratesoftheplace，togetherwithapurseofgoldpieces，whichtheEarlhandedtoVarney，who，onhispart，gaveasharetoLambourne，asthemostacceptableearnestofhisnewservice。
TheEarlandhisretinuetookhorsesoonaftertoreturntocourt，accompaniedbytheshoutsoftheinhabitantsofWoodstock，whomadetheoldoaksringwithre—echoing，\"LongliveQueenElizabeth，andthenobleEarlofLeicester！\"TheurbanityandcourtesyoftheEarleventhrewagleamofpopularityoverhisattendants，astheirhaughtydeportmenthadformerlyobscuredthatoftheirmaster;andmenshouted，\"LonglifetotheEarl，andtohisgallantfollowers！\"asVarneyandLambourne，eachinhisrank，rodeproudlythroughthestreetsofWoodstock。
CHAPTERVIII。
HOST。Iwillhearyou，MasterFenton;andIwill，attheleast，keepyourcounsel。——MERRYWIVESOFWINDSOR。
Itbecomesnecessarytoreturntothedetailofthosecircumstanceswhichaccompanied，andindeedoccasioned，thesuddendisappearanceofTressilianfromthesignoftheBlackBearatCumnor。Itwillberecollectedthatthisgentleman，afterhisrencounterwithVarney，hadreturnedtoGilesGosling\'scaravansary，whereheshuthimselfupinhisownchamber，demandedpen，ink，andpaper，andannouncedhispurposetoremainprivatefortheday。Intheeveningheappearedagaininthepublicroom，whereMichaelLambourne，whohadbeenonthewatchforhim，agreeablytohisengagementtoVarney，endeavouredtorenewhisacquaintancewithhim，andhopedheretainednounfriendlyrecollectionoftheparthehadtakeninthemorning\'sscuffle。
ButTressilianrepelledhisadvancesfirmly，thoughwithcivility。\"MasterLambourne，\"saidhe，\"ItrustIhaverecompensedtoyourpleasurethetimeyouhavewastedonme。
Undertheshowofwildbluntnesswhichyouexhibit，Iknowyouhavesenseenoughtounderstandme，whenIsayfranklythattheobjectofourtemporaryacquaintancehavingbeenaccomplished，wemustbestrangerstoeachotherinfuture。\"
\"VOTO！\"saidLambourne，twirlinghiswhiskerswithonehand，andgraspingthehiltofhisweaponwiththeother;\"ifIthoughtthatthisusagewasmeanttoinsultme——\"
\"Youwouldbearitwithdiscretion，doubtless，\"interruptedTressilian，\"asyoumustdoatanyrate。Youknowtoowellthedistancethatisbetwixtus，torequiremetoexplainmyselffurther。Goodevening。\"
Sosaying，heturnedhisbackuponhisformercompanion，andenteredintodiscoursewiththelandlord。MichaelLambournefeltstronglydisposedtobully;buthiswrathdiedawayinafewincoherentoathsandejaculations，andhesankunresistinglyundertheascendencywhichsuperiorspiritspossessoverpersonsofhishabitsanddescription。Heremainedmoodyandsilentinacorneroftheapartment，payingthemostmarkedattentiontoeverymotionofhislatecompanion，againstwhomhebegannowtonourishaquarrelonhisownaccount，whichhetrustedtoavengebytheexecutionofhisnewmasterVarney\'sdirections。Thehourofsupperarrived，andwasfollowedbythatofrepose，whenTressilian，likeothers，retiredtohissleepingapartment。
Hehadnotbeeninbedlong，whenthetrainofsadreveries，whichsuppliedtheplaceofrestinhisdisturbedmind，wassuddenlyinterruptedbythejarofadooronitshinges，andalightwasseentoglimmerintheapartment。Tressilian，whowasasbraveassteel，sprangfromhisbedatthisalarm，andhadlaidhanduponhissword，whenhewaspreventedfromdrawingitbyavoicewhichsaid，\"Benottoorashwithyourrapier，MasterTressilian。ItisI，yourhost，GilesGosling。\"
Atthesametime，unshroudingthedarklantern，whichhadhithertoonlyemittedanindistinctglimmer，thegoodlyaspectandfigureofthelandlordoftheBlackBearwasvisiblypresentedtohisastonishedguest。
\"Whatmummeryisthis，minehost？\"saidTressilian。\"Haveyousuppedasjollilyaslastnight，andsomistakenyourchamber？
orismidnightatimeformasqueradingitinyourguest\'slodging？\"
\"MasterTressilian，\"repliedminehost，\"Iknowmyplaceandmytimeaswellase\'eramerrylandlordinEngland。Butherehasbeenmyhang—dogkinsmanwatchingyouascloseasevercatwatchedamouse;andherehaveyou，ontheotherhand，quarrelledandfought，eitherwithhimorwithsomeotherperson，andIfearthatdangerwillcomeofit。\"
\"Goto，thouartbutafool，man，\"saidTressilian。\"Thykinsmanisbeneathmyresentment;andbesides，whyshouldstthouthinkI
hadquarrelledwithanyonewhomsoever？\"
\"Oh，sir，\"repliedtheinnkeeper，\"therewasaredspotonthyverycheek—bone，whichbodedofalatebrawl，assureastheconjunctionofMarsandSaturnthreatensmisfortune;andwhenyoureturned，thebucklesofyourgirdlewerebroughtforward，andyourstepwasquickandhasty，andallthingsshowedyourhandandyourhilthadbeenlatelyacquainted。\"
\"Well，goodminehost，ifIhavebeenobligedtodrawmysword，\"
saidTressilian，\"whyshouldsuchacircumstancefetchtheeoutofthywarmbedatthistimeofnight？Thouseestthemischiefisallover。\"
\"Underfavour，thatiswhatIdoubt。AnthonyFosterisadangerousman，defendedbystrongcourtpatronage，whichhathbornehimoutinmattersofverydeepconcernment。And，then，mykinsman——why，Ihavetoldyouwhatheis;andifthesetwooldcronieshavemadeuptheiroldacquaintance，Iwouldnot，myworshipfulguest，thatitshouldbeatthycost。Ipromiseyou，MikeLambournehasbeenmakingveryparticularinquiriesatmyhostlerwhenandwhichwayyouride。Now，Iwouldhaveyouthinkwhetheryoumaynothavedoneorsaidsomethingforwhichyoumaybewaylaid，andtakenatdisadvantage。\"
\"Thouartanhonestman，minehost，\"saidTressilian，afteramoment\'sconsideration，\"andIwilldealfranklywiththee。Ifthesemen\'smaliceisdirectedagainstme——asIdenynotbutitmay——itisbecausetheyaretheagentsofamorepowerfulvillainthanthemselves。\"
\"YoumeanMasterRichardVarney，doyounot？\"saidthelandlord;
\"hewasatCumnorPlaceyesterday，andcamenotthithersoprivatebutwhathewasespiedbyonewhotoldme。\"
\"Imeanthesame，minehost。\"
\"Then，forGod\'ssake，worshipfulMasterTressilian，\"saidhonestGosling，\"lookwelltoyourself。ThisVarneyistheprotectorandpatronofAnthonyFoster，whoholdsunderhim，andbyhisfavour，someleaseofyondermansionandthepark。VarneygotalargegrantofthelandsoftheAbbacyofAbingdon，andCumnorPlaceamongstothers，fromhismaster，theEarlofLeicester。
Mensayhecandoeverythingwithhim，thoughIholdtheEarltoogoodanoblemantoemployhimassomementalkof。AndthentheEarlcandoanything（thatis，anythingrightorfitting）withtheQueen，Godblessher！Soyouseewhatanenemyyouhavemadetoyourself。\"
\"Well——itisdone，andIcannothelpit，\"answeredTressilian。
\"Udsprecious，butitmustbehelpedinsomemanner，\"saidthehost。\"RichardVarney——why，whatbetweenhisinfluencewithmylord，andhispretendingtosomanyoldandvexatiousclaimsinrightoftheabbothere，menfearalmosttomentionhisname，muchmoretosetthemselvesagainsthispractices。Youmayjudgebyourdiscoursesthelastnight。MensaidtheirpleasureofTonyFoster，butnotawordofRichardVarney，thoughallmenjudgehimtobeatthebottomofyondermysteryabouttheprettywench。
ButperhapsyouknowmoreofthatmatterthanIdo;forwomen，thoughtheywearnotswords，areoccasionformanyablade\'sexchangingasheathofneat\'sleatherforoneoffleshandblood。\"
\"Idoindeedknowmoreofthatpoorunfortunateladythanthoudost，myfriendlyhost;andsobankruptamI，atthismoment，offriendsandadvice，thatIwillwillinglymakeacounsellorofthee，andtelltheethewholehistory，theratherthatIhaveafavourtoaskwhenmytaleisended。\"
\"GoodMasterTressilian，\"saidthelandlord，\"Iambutapoorinnkeeper，littleabletoadjustorcounselsuchaguestasyourself。ButassureasIhaverisendecentlyabovetheworld，bygivinggoodmeasureandreasonablecharges，Iamanhonestman;andassuch，ifImaynotbeabletoassistyou，Iam，atleast，notcapabletoabuseyourconfidence。Sayawaytherefore，asconfidentlyasifyouspoketoyourfather;andthusfaratleastbecertain，thatmycuriosity——forIwillnotdenythatwhichbelongstomycalling——isjoinedtoareasonabledegreeofdiscretion。\"
\"Idoubtitnot，minehost，\"answeredTressilian;andwhilehisauditorremainedinanxiousexpectation，hemeditatedforaninstanthowheshouldcommencehisnarrative。\"Mytale，\"heatlengthsaid，\"tobequiteintelligible，mustbeginatsomedistanceback。YouhaveheardofthebattleofStoke，mygoodhost，andperhapsofoldSirRogerRobsart，who，inthatbattle，valiantlytookpartwithHenryVII。，theQueen\'sgrandfather，androutedtheEarlofLincoln，LordGeraldinandhiswildIrish，andtheFlemingswhomtheDuchessofBurgundyhadsentover，inthequarrelofLambertSimnel？\"
\"Irememberbothoneandtheother，\"saidGilesGosling;\"itissungofadozentimesaweekonmyale—benchbelow。SirRogerRobsartofDevon——oh，ay，\'tishimofwhomminstrelssingtothishour，——
\'HewastheflowerofStoke\'sredfield，WhenMartinSwartongroundlayslain;
Inragingroutheneverreel\'d，Butlikearockdidfirmremain。\'
[Thisverse，orsomethingsimilar，occursinalongballad，orpoem，onFloddenField，reprintedbythelateHenryWeber。]
Ay，andthentherewasMartinSwartIhaveheardmygrandfathertalkof，andofthejollyAlmainswhomhecommanded，withtheirslasheddoubletsandquainthose，allfrouncedwithribandsabovethenether—stocks。Here\'sasonggoesofMartinSwart，too，anI
hadbutmemoryforit:——
\'MartinSwartandhismen，Saddlethem，saddlethem，MartinSwartandhismen;
Saddlethemwell。\'\"
[Thisverseofanoldsongactuallyoccursinanoldplaywherethesingerboasts，\"CourteouslyIcanbothcounterandknackOfMartinSwartandallhismerrymen。\"]
\"True，goodminehost——thedaywaslongtalkedof;butifyousingsoloud，youwillawakemorelistenersthanIcaretocommitmyconfidenceunto。\"
\"Icravepardon，myworshipfulguest，\"saidminehost，\"Iwasoblivious。Whenanoldsongcomesacrossusmerryoldknightsofthespigot，itrunsawaywithourdiscretion。\"
\"Well，minehost，mygrandfather，likesomeotherCornishmen，keptawarmaffectiontotheHouseofYork，andespousedthequarrelofthisSimnel，assumingthetitleofEarlofWarwick，asthecountyafterwards，ingreatnumbers，countenancedthecauseofPerkinWarbeck，callinghimselftheDukeofYork。MygrandsirejoinedSimnel\'sstandard，andwastakenfightingdesperatelyatStoke，wheremostoftheleadersofthatunhappyarmywereslainintheirharness。Thegoodknighttowhomherenderedhimself，SirRogerRobsart，protectedhimfromtheimmediatevengeanceoftheking，anddismissedhimwithoutransom。Buthewasunabletoguardhimfromotherpenaltiesofhisrashness，beingtheheavyfinesbywhichhewasimpoverished，accordingtoHenry\'smodeofweakeninghisenemies。Thegoodknightdidwhathemighttomitigatethedistressesofmyancestor;andtheirfriendshipbecamesostrict，thatmyfatherwasbredupastheswornbrotherandintimateofthepresentSirHughRobsart，theonlysonofSirRoger，andtheheirofhishonest，andgenerous，andhospitabletemper，thoughnotequaltohiminmartialachievements。\"
\"IhaveheardofgoodSirHughRobsart，\"interruptedthehost，\"manyatimeandoft;hishuntsmanandswornservant，WillBadger，hathspokenofhimanhundredtimesinthisveryhouse。
Ajovialknightheis，andhathlovedhospitalityandopenhousekeepingmorethanthepresentfashion，whichlaysasmuchgoldlaceontheseamsofadoubletaswouldfeedadozenoftallfellowswithbeefandaleforatwelvemonth，andletthemhavetheireveningatthealehouseonceaweek，todogoodtothepublican。\"
\"IfyouhaveseenWillBadger，minehost，\"saidTressilian，\"youhaveheardenoughofSirHughRobsart;andthereforeIwillbutsay，thatthehospitalityyouboastofhathprovedsomewhatdetrimentaltotheestateofhisfamily，whichisperhapsofthelessconsequence，ashehasbutonedaughtertowhomtobequeathit。Andherebeginsmyshareinthetale。Uponmyfather\'sdeath，nowseveralyearssince，thegoodSirHughwouldwillinglyhavemademehisconstantcompanion。Therewasatime，however，atwhichIfeltthekindknight\'sexcessiveloveforfield—sportsdetainedmefromstudies，bywhichImighthaveprofitedmore;
butIceasedtoregrettheleisurewhichgratitudeandhereditaryfriendshipcompelledmetobestowontheseruralavocations。TheexquisitebeautyofMistressAmyRobsart，asshegrewupfromchildhoodtowoman，couldnotescapeonewhomcircumstancesobligedtobesoconstantlyinhercompany——Ilovedher，inshort，minehost，andherfathersawit。\"
\"Andcrossedyourtrueloves，nodoubt？\"saidminehost。\"Itisthewayinallsuchcases;andIjudgeitmusthavebeensoinyourinstance，fromtheheavysighyouutteredevennow。\"
\"Thecasewasdifferent，minehost。MysuitwashighlyapprovedbythegenerousSirHughRobsart;itwashisdaughterwhowascoldtomypassion。\"
\"Shewasthemoredangerousenemyofthetwo，\"saidtheinnkeeper。\"Ifearmeyoursuitprovedacoldone。\"
\"Sheyieldedmeheresteem，\"saidTressilian，\"andseemednotunwillingthatIshouldhopeitmightripenintoawarmerpassion。Therewasacontractoffuturemarriageexecutedbetwixtus，uponherfather\'sintercession;buttocomplywithheranxiousrequest，theexecutionwasdeferredforatwelvemonth。Duringthisperiod，RichardVarneyappearedinthecountry，and，availinghimselfofsomedistantfamilyconnectionwithSirHughRobsart，spentmuchofhistimeinhiscompany，until，atlength，healmostlivedinthefamily。\"
\"Thatcouldbodenogoodtotheplacehehonouredwithhisresidence，\"saidGosling。
\"No，bytherood！\"repliedTressilian。\"Misunderstandingandmiseryfollowedhispresence，yetsostrangelythatIamatthismomentatalosstotracethegradationsoftheirencroachmentuponafamilywhichhad，tillthen，beensohappy。ForatimeAmyRobsartreceivedtheattentionsofthismanVarneywiththeindifferenceattachedtocommoncourtesies;thenfollowedaperiodinwhichsheseemedtoregardhimwithdislike，andevenwithdisgust;andthenanextraordinaryspeciesofconnectionappearedtogrowupbetwixtthem。Varneydroppedthoseairsofpretensionandgallantrywhichhadmarkedhisformerapproaches;
andAmy，ontheotherhand，seemedtorenouncetheill—disguiseddisgustwithwhichshehadregardedthem。TheyseemedtohavemoreofprivacyandconfidencetogetherthanIfullyliked，andI
suspectedthattheymetinprivate，wheretherewaslessrestraintthaninourpresence。Manycircumstances，whichI
noticedbutlittleatthetime——forIdeemedherheartasopenasherangeliccountenance——havesincearisenonmymemory，toconvincemeoftheirprivateunderstanding。ButIneednotdetailthem——thefactspeaksforitself。Shevanishedfromherfather\'shouse;Varneydisappearedatthesametime;andthisverydayIhaveseenherinthecharacterofhisparamour，livinginthehouseofhissordiddependantFoster，andvisitedbyhim，muffled，andbyasecretentrance。\"
\"Andthis，then，isthecauseofyourquarrel？Methinks，youshouldhavebeensurethatthefairladyeitherdesiredordeservedyourinterference。\"
\"Minehost，\"answeredTressilian，\"myfather——suchImusteverconsiderSirHughRobsart——sitsathomestrugglingwithhisgrief，or，ifsofarrecovered，vainlyattemptingtodrown，inthepracticeofhisfield—sports，therecollectionthathehadonceadaughter——arecollectionwhicheverandanonbreaksfromhimundercircumstancesthemostpathetic。Icouldnotbrooktheideathatheshouldliveinmisery，andAmyinguilt;andI
endeavouredto—seekherout，withthehopeofinducinghertoreturntoherfamily。Ihavefoundher，andwhenIhaveeithersucceededinmyattempt，orhavefounditaltogetherunavailing，itismypurposetoembarkfortheVirginiavoyage。\"
\"Benotsorash，goodsir，\"repliedGilesGosling，\"andcastnotyourselfawaybecauseawoman——tobebrief——ISawoman，andchangesherloverslikehersuitofribands，withnobetterreasonthanmerefantasy。Andereweprobethismatterfurther，letmeaskyouwhatcircumstancesofsuspiciondirectedyousotrulytothislady\'sresidence，orrathertoherplaceofconcealment？\"