\"Inhislaboratory，\"answeredFoster。\"Itisthehourheisspokennotwithal。Wemustwaittillnoonispast，orspoilhisimportant——whatsaidI？important！——Iwouldsayinterrupthisdivinestudies。\"
\"Ay，hestudiesthedevil\'sdivinity，\"saidVarney;\"butwhenI
wanthim，onehourmustsufficeaswellasanother。Leadthewaytohispandemonium。\"
SospokeVarney，andwithhastyandperturbedstepsfollowedFoster，whoconductedhimthroughprivatepassages，manyofwhichwerewell—nighruinous，totheoppositesideofthequadrangle，where，inasubterraneanapartment，nowoccupiedbythechemistAlasco，oneoftheAbbotsofAbingdon，whohadaturnfortheoccultsciences，had，muchtothescandalofhisconvent，establishedalaboratory，inwhich，likeotherfoolsoftheperiod，hespentmuchprecioustime，andmoneybesides，inthepursuitofthegrandarcanum。
AnthonyFosterpausedbeforethedoor，whichwasscrupulouslysecuredwithin，andagainshowedamarkedhesitationtodisturbthesageinhisoperations。ButVarney，lessscrupulous，rousedhimbyknockingandvoice，untilatlength，slowlyandreluctantly，theinmateoftheapartmentundidthedoor。Thechemistappeared，withhiseyesblearedwiththeheatandvapoursofthestoveoralembicoverwhichhebroodedandtheinteriorofhiscelldisplayedtheconfusedassemblageofheterogeneoussubstancesandextraordinaryimplementsbelongingtohisprofession。Theoldmanwasmuttering，withspitefulimpatience，\"AmIforevertoberecalledtotheaffairsofearthfromthoseofheaven？\"
\"Totheaffairsofhell，\"answeredVarney，\"forthatisthyproperelement。——Foster，weneedtheeatourconference。\"
\"Fosterslowlyenteredtheroom。Varney，following，barredthedoor，andtheybetookthemselvestosecretcouncil。
Inthemeanwhile，theCountesstraversedtheapartment，withshameandangercontendingonherlovelycheek。
\"Thevillain，\"shesaid——\"thecold—blooded，calculatingslave！——
ButIunmaskedhim，Janet——Imadethesnakeuncoilallhisfoldsbeforeme，andcrawlabroadinhisnakeddeformity;Isuspendedmyresentment，atthedangerofsuffocatingundertheeffort，untilhehadletmeseetheverybottomofaheartmorefoulthanhell\'sdarkestcorner。——Andthou，Leicester，isitpossiblethoucouldstbidmeforamomentdenymyweddedrightinthee，orthyselfyieldittoanother？——Butitisimpossible——thevillainhasliedinall。——Janet，Iwillnotremainherelonger——Ifearhim——Ifearthyfather。Igrievetosayit，Janet——butIfearthyfather，and，worstofall，thisodiousVarney，IwillescapefromCumnor。\"
\"Alas！madam，whitherwouldyoufly，orbywhatmeanswillyouescapefromthesewalls？\"
\"Iknownot，Janet，\"saidtheunfortunateyounglady，lookingupwards！andclaspingherhandstogether，\"IknownotwhereI
shallfly，orbywhatmeans;butIamcertaintheGodIhaveservedwillnotabandonmeinthisdreadfulcrisis，forIaminthehandsofwickedmen。\"
\"Donotthinkso，dearlady，\"saidJanet;\"myfatherissternandstrictinhistemper，andseverelytruetohistrust——butyet——\"
AtthismomentAnthonyFosterenteredtheapartment，bearinginhishandaglasscupandasmallflask。Hismannerwassingular;
for，whileapproachingtheCountesswiththerespectduetoherrank，hehadtillthistimesufferedtobecomevisible，orhadbeenunabletosuppress，theobduratesulkinessofhisnaturaldisposition，which，asisusualwiththoseofhisunhappytemper，waschieflyexertedtowardsthoseoverwhomcircumstancesgavehimcontrol。Butatpresentheshowednothingofthatsullenconsciousnessofauthoritywhichhewaswonttoconcealunderaclumsyaffectationofcivilityanddeference，asaruffianhideshispistolsandbludgeonunderhisill—fashionedgaberdine。Andyetitseemedasifhissmilewasmoreinfearthancourtesy，andasif，whilehepressedtheCountesstotasteofthechoicecordial，whichshouldrefreshherspiritsafterherlatealarm，hewasconsciousofmeditatingsomefurtherinjury。Hishandtrembledalso，hisvoicefaltered，andhiswholeoutwardbehaviourexhibitedsomuchthatwassuspicious，thathisdaughterJanet，aftershehadstoodlookingathiminastonishmentforsomeseconds，seemedatoncetocollectherselftoexecutesomehardyresolution，raisedherhead，assumedanattitudeandgaitofdeterminationandauthority，andwalkingslowlybetwixtherfatherandhermistress，tookthesalverfromthehandoftheformer，andsaidinalowbutmarkedanddecidedtone，\"Father，Iwillfillformynoblemistress，whensuchisherpleasure。\"
\"Thou，mychild？\"saidFoster，eagerlyandapprehensively;\"no，mychild——itisnotTHOUshaltrendertheladythisservice。\"
\"Andwhy，Iprayyou，\"saidJanet，\"ifitbefittingthatthenobleladyshouldpartakeofthecupatall？\"
\"Why——why？\"saidtheseneschal，hesitating，andthenburstingintopassionasthereadiestmodeofsupplyingthelackofallotherreason——\"why，becauseitismypleasure，minion，thatyoushouldnot！Getyougonetotheeveninglecture。\"
\"Now，asIhopetohearlectureagain，\"repliedJanet，\"Iwillnotgothitherthisnight，unlessIambetterassuredofmymistress\'ssafety。Givemethatflask，father\"——andshetookitfromhisreluctanthand，whileheresigneditasifconscience—
struck。\"Andnow，\"shesaid，\"father，thatwhichshallbenefitmymistress，cannotdoMEprejudice。Father，Idrinktoyou。\"
Foster，withoutspeakingaword，rushedonhisdaughterandwrestedtheflaskfromherhand;then，asifembarrassedbywhathehaddone，andtotallyunabletoresolvewhatheshoulddonext，hestoodwithitinhishand，onefootadvancedandtheotherdrawnback，glaringonhisdaughterwithacountenanceinwhichrage，fear，andconvictedvillainyformedahideouscombination。
\"Thisisstrange，myfather，\"saidJanet，keepinghereyefixedonhis，inthemannerinwhichthosewhohavethechargeoflunaticsaresaidtooverawetheirunhappypatients;\"willyouneitherletmeservemylady，nordrinktohermyself？\"
ThecourageoftheCountesssustainedherthroughthisdreadfulscene，ofwhichtheimportwasnotthelessobviousthatitwasnotevenhintedat。Shepreservedeventherashcarelessnessofhertemper，andthoughhercheekhadgrownpaleatthefirstalarm，hereyewascalmandalmostscornful。\"WillYOUtastethisrarecordial，MasterFoster？Perhapsyouwillnotyourselfrefusetopledgeus，thoughyoupermitnotJanettodoso。
Drink，sir，Iprayyou。\"
\"Iwillnot，\"answeredFoster。
\"Andforwhom，then，isthepreciousbeveragereserved，sir？\"
saidtheCountess。
\"Forthedevil，whobrewedit！\"answeredFoster;and，turningonhisheel，heleftthechamber。
Janetlookedathermistresswithacountenanceexpressiveinthehighestdegreeofshame，dismay，andsorrow。
\"Donotweepforme，Janet，\"saidtheCountesskindly。
\"No，madam，\"repliedherattendant，inavoicebrokenbysobs，\"itisnotforyouIweep;itisformyself——itisforthatunhappyman。Thosewhoaredishonouredbeforeman——thosewhoarecondemnedbyGod——havecausetomourn;notthosewhoareinnocent！Farewell，madam！\"shesaidhastilyassumingthemantleinwhichshewaswonttogoabroad。
\"Doyouleaveme，Janet？\"saidhermistress——\"desertmeinsuchanevilstrait？\"
\"Desertyou，madam！\"exclaimedJanet;andrunningbacktohermistress，sheimprintedathousandkissesonherhand——\"desertyouI——maytheHopeofmytrustdesertmewhenIdoso！No，madam;wellyousaidtheGodyouservewillopenyouapathfordeliverance。Thereisawayofescape。Ihaveprayednightanddayforlight，thatImightseehowtoactbetwixtmydutytoyonderunhappymanandthatwhichIowetoyou。Sternlyandfearfullythatlighthasnowdawned，andImustnotshutthedoorwhichGodopens。Askmenomore。Iwillreturninbriefspace。\"
Sospeaking，shewrappedherselfinhermantle，andsayingtotheoldwomanwhomshepassedintheouterroomthatshewasgoingtoeveningprayer，sheleftthehouse。
Meanwhileherfatherhadreachedoncemorethelaboratory，wherehefoundtheaccomplicesofhisintendedguilt。\"Hasthesweetbirdsipped？\"saidVarney，withhalfasmile;whiletheastrologerputthesamequestionwithhiseyes，butspokenotaword。
\"Shehasnot，norsheshallnotfrommyhands，\"repliedFoster;
\"wouldyouhavemedomurderinmydaughter\'spresence？\"
\"Wertthounottold，thousullenandyetfaint—heartedslave，\"
answeredVarney，withbitterness，\"thatnoMURDERasthoucallestit，withthatstaringlookandstammeringtone，isdesignedinthematter？Wertthounottoldthatabriefillness，suchaswomanputsoninverywantonness，thatshemaywearhernight—
gearatnoon，andlieonasettlewhensheshouldmindherdomesticbusiness，isallhereaimedat？HereisalearnedmanwillswearittotheebythekeyoftheCastleofWisdom。\"
\"Iswearit，\"saidAlasco，\"thattheelixirthouhastthereintheflaskwillnotprejudicelife！Iswearitbythatimmortalandindestructiblequintessenceofgold，whichpervadeseverysubstanceinnature，thoughitssecretexistencecanbetracedbyhimonlytowhomTrismegistusrendersthekeyoftheCabala。\"
\"Anoathofforce，\"saidVarney。\"Foster，thouwertworsethanapagantodisbelieveit。Believeme，moreover，whoswearbynothingbutbymyownword，thatifyoubenotconformable，thereisnohope，no，notaglimpseofhope，thatthisthyleaseholdmaybetransmutedintoacopyhold。Thus，Alascowillleaveyourpewterartilleryuntransmigrated，andI，honestAnthony，willstillhavetheeformytenant。\"
\"Iknownot，gentlemen，\"saidFoster，\"whereyourdesignstendto;butinonethingIamboundup，——that，fallbackfalledge，I
willhaveoneinthisplacethatmayprayforme，andthatoneshallbemydaughter。Ihavelivedill，andtheworldhasbeentooweightywithme;butsheisasinnocentasevershewaswhenonhermother\'slap，andshe，atleast，shallhaveherportioninthathappyCity，whosewallsareofpuregold，andthefoundationsgarnishedwithallmannerofpreciousstones。\"
\"Ay，Tony，\"saidVarney，\"thatwereaparadisetothyheart\'scontent。——Debatethematterwithhim，DoctorAlasco;Iwillbewithyouanon。\"
Sospeaking，Varneyarose，andtakingtheflaskfromthetable，helefttheroom。
\"Itellthee，myson，\"saidAlascotoFoster，assoonasVarneyhadleftthem，\"thatwhateverthisboldandprofligaterailermaysayofthemightyscience，inwhich，byHeaven\'sblessing，IhaveadvancedsofarthatIwouldnotcallthewisestoflivingartistsmybetterormyteacher——Isay，howsoeveryonderreprobatemayscoffatthingstooholytobeapprehendedbymenmerelyofcarnalandevilthoughts，yetbelievethatthecitybeheldbySt。John，inthatbrightvisionoftheChristianApocalypse，thatnewJerusalem，ofwhichallChristianmenhopetopartake，setsforthtypicallythediscoveryoftheGRAND
SECRET，wherebythemostpreciousandperfectofnature\'sworksareelicitedoutofherbasestandmostcrudeproductions;justasthelightandgaudybutterfly，themostbeautifulchildofthesummer\'sbreeze，breaksforthfromthedungeonofasordidchrysalis。\"
\"MasterHoldforthsaidnoughtofthisexposition，\"saidFosterdoubtfully;\"andmoreover，DoctorAlasco，theHolyWritsaysthatthegoldandpreciousstonesoftheHolyCityareinnosortforthosewhoworkabomination，orwhoframelies。\"
\"Well，myson，\"saidtheDoctor，\"andwhatisyourinferencefromthence？\"
\"Thatthose，\"saidFoster，\"whodistilpoisons，andadministertheminsecrecy，canhavenoportioninthoseunspeakableriches。\"
\"Youaretodistinguish，myson，\"repliedthealchemist，\"betwixtthatwhichisnecessarilyevilinitsprogressandinitsendalso，andthatwhich，beingevil，is，nevertheless，capableofworkingforthgood。If，bythedeathofoneperson，thehappyperiodshallbebroughtnearertous，inwhichallthatisgoodshallbeattained，bywishingitspresence——allthatisevilescaped，bydesiringitsabsence——inwhichsickness，andpain，andsorrowshallbetheobedientservantsofhumanwisdom，andmadetoflyattheslightestsignalofasage——inwhichthatwhichisnowrichestandrarestshallbewithinthecompassofeveryonewhoshallbeobedienttothevoiceofwisdom——whentheartofhealingshallbelostandabsorbedintheoneuniversalmedicinewhensagesshallbecomemonarchsoftheearth，anddeathitselfretreatbeforetheirfrown，——ifthisblessedconsummationofallthingscanbehastenedbytheslightcircumstancethatafrail，earthlybody，whichmustneedspartakecorruption，shallbeconsignedtothegraveashortspaceearlierthaninthecourseofnature，whatissuchasacrificetotheadvancementoftheholyMillennium？\"
\"MillenniumisthereignoftheSaints，\"saidFoster，somewhatdoubtfully。
\"SayitisthereignoftheSages，myson，\"answeredAlasco;\"orratherthereignofWisdomitself。\"
\"ItouchedonthequestionwithMasterHoldforthlastexercisingnight，\"saidFoster;\"buthesaysyourdoctrineisheterodox，andadamnableandfalseexposition。\"
\"Heisinthebondsofignorance，myson，\"answeredAlasco，\"andasyetburningbricksinEgypt;or，atbest，wanderinginthedrydesertofSinai。Thoudidstilltospeaktosuchamanofsuchmatters。Iwill，however，givetheeproof，andthatshortly，whichIwilldefythatpeevishdivinetoconfute，thoughheshouldstrivewithmeasthemagiciansstrovewithMosesbeforeKingPharaoh。Iwilldoprojectioninthypresence，myson，——inthyverypresence——andthineeyesshallwitnessthetruth。\"
\"Sticktothat，learnedsage，\"saidVarney，whoatthismomententeredtheapartment;\"ifherefusethetestimonyofthytongue，yethowshallhedenythatofhisowneyes？\"
\"Varney！\"saidtheadept——\"Varneyalreadyreturned！Hastthou——\"hestoppedshort。
\"HaveIdonemineerrand，thouwouldstsay？\"repliedVarney。\"I
have！Andthou，\"headded，showingmoresymptomsofinterestthanhehadhithertoexhibited，\"artthousurethouhastpouredforthneithermorenorlessthanthejustmeasure？\"
\"Ay，\"repliedthealchemist，\"assureasmencanbeintheseniceproportions，forthereisdiversityofconstitutions。\"
\"Nay，then，\"saidVarney，\"Ifearnothing。Iknowthouwiltnotgoastepfarthertothedevilthanthouartjustlyconsideredfor——thouwertpaidtocreateillness，andwouldstesteemitthriftlessprodigalitytodomurderatthesameprice。Come，letuseachtoourchamberweshallseetheeventto—morrow。\"
\"Whatdidstthoudotomakeherswallowit？\"saidFoster，shuddering。
\"Nothing，\"answeredVarney，\"butlookedonherwiththataspectwhichgovernsmadmen，women，andchildren。TheytoldmeinSt。
Luke\'sHospitalthatIhavetherightlookforoverpoweringarefractorypatient。Thekeepersmademetheircomplimentson\'t;
soIknowhowtowinmybreadwhenmycourt—favourfailsme。\"
\"Andartthounotafraid，\"saidFoster，\"lestthedosebedisproportioned？\"
\"Ifso，\"repliedVarney，\"shewillbutsleepthesounder，andthefearofthatshallnotbreakmyrest。Goodnight，mymasters。\"
AnthonyFostergroanedheavily，andlifteduphishandsandeyes。
Thealchemistintimatedhispurposetocontinuesomeexperimentofhighimportduringthegreaterpartofthenight，andtheothersseparatedtotheirplacesofrepose。
CHAPTERXXIII。
NowGodbegoodtomeinthiswildpilgrimage！
AllhopeinhumanaidIcastbehindme。
Oh，whowouldbeawoman？——whothatfool，Aweeping，pining，faithful，lovingwoman？
Shehathhardmeasurestillwhereshehopeskindest，Andallherbountiesonlymakeingrates。LOVE\'SPILGRIMAGE。
Thesummereveningwasclosed，andJanet，justwhenherlongerstaymighthaveoccasionedsuspicionandinquiryinthatzealoushousehold，returnedtoCumnorPlace，andhastenedtotheapartmentinwhichshehadleftherlady。Shefoundherwithherheadrestingonherarms，andthesecrosseduponatablewhichstoodbeforeher。AsJanetcamein，sheneitherlookedupnorstirred。
Herfaithfulattendantrantohermistresswiththespeedoflightning，androusingheratthesametimewithherhand，conjuredtheCountess，inthemostearnestmanner，tolookupandsaywhatthusaffectedher。Theunhappyladyraisedherheadaccordingly，andlookingonherattendantwithaghastlyeye，andcheekaspaleasclay——\"Janet，\"shesaid，\"Ihavedrunkit。\"
\"Godbepraised！\"saidJanethastily——\"Imean，Godbepraisedthatitisnoworse;thepotionwillnotharmyou。Rise，shakethislethargyfromyourlimbs，andthisdespairfromyourmind。\"
\"Janet，\"repeatedtheCountessagain，\"disturbmenot——leavemeatpeace——letlifepassquietly。Iampoisoned。\"
\"Youarenot，mydearestlady，\"answeredthemaideneagerly。
\"Whatyouhaveswallowedcannotinjureyou，fortheantidotehasbeentakenbeforeit，andIhastenedhithertotellyouthatthemeansofescapeareopentoyou。\"
\"Escape！\"exclaimedthelady，assheraisedherselfhastilyinherchair，whilelightreturnedtohereyeandlifetohercheek;
\"butah！Janet，itcomestoolate。\"
\"Notso，dearestlady。Rise，takeminearm，walkthroughtheapartment;letnotfancydotheworkofpoison！So;feelyounotnowthatyouarepossessedofthefulluseofyourlimbs？\"
\"Thetorporseemstodiminish，\"saidtheCountess，as，supportedbyJanet，shewalkedtoandfrointheapartment;\"butisitthenso，andhaveInotswallowedadeadlydraught？Varneywasheresincethouwertgone，andcommandedme，witheyesinwhichIreadmyfate，toswallowyonhorribledrug。OJanet！itmustbefatal;neverwasharmlessdraughtservedbysuchacup—bearer！\"
\"Hedidnotdeemitharmless，Ifear，\"repliedthemaiden;\"butGodconfoundsthedevicesofthewicked。Believeme，asIswearbythedearGospelinwhichwetrust，yourlifeissafefromhispractice。Didyounotdebatewithhim？\"
\"Thehousewassilent，\"answeredthelady——\"thougone——nootherbutheinthechamber——andhecapableofeverycrime。Ididbutstipulatehewouldremovehishatefulpresence，andIdrankwhateverheoffered。——Butyouspokeofescape，Janet;canIbesohappy？\"
\"Areyoustrongenoughtobearthetidings，andmaketheeffort？\"
saidthemaiden。
\"Strong！\"answeredtheCountess。\"Askthehind，whenthefangsofthedeerhoundarestretchedtogripeher，ifsheisstrongenoughtospringoverachasm。Iamequaltoeveryeffortthatmayrelievemefromthisplace。\"
\"Hearme，then，\"saidJanet。\"OnewhomIdeemanassuredfriendofyourshasshownhimselftomeinvariousdisguises，andsoughtspeechofme，which——formymindwasnotclearonthematteruntilthisevening——Ihaveeverdeclined。Hewasthepedlarwhobroughtyougoods——theitineranthawkerwhosoldmebooks;
wheneverIstirredabroadIwassuretoseehim。Theeventofthisnightdeterminedmetospeakwithhim。Heawaitsevennowattheposterngateoftheparkwithmeansforyourflight。——Buthaveyoustrengthofbody？——haveyoucourageofmind？——canyouundertaketheenterprise？\"
\"Shethatfliesfromdeath，\"saidthelady，\"findsstrengthofbody——shethatwouldescapefromshamelacksnostrengthofmind。
Thethoughtsofleavingbehindmethevillainwhomenacesbothmylifeandhonourwouldgivemestrengthtorisefrommydeathbed。\"
\"InGod\'sname，then，lady，\"saidJanet，\"Imustbidyouadieu，andtoGod\'schargeImustcommityou！\"
\"Willyounotflywithme，then，Janet？\"saidtheCountess，anxiously。\"AmItolosethee？Isthisthyfaithfulservice？\"
\"Lady，Iwouldflywithyouaswillinglyasbirdeverfledfromcage，butmydoingsowouldoccasioninstantdiscoveryandpursuit。Imustremain，andusemeanstodisguisethetruthforsometime。MayHeavenpardonthefalsehood，becauseofthenecessity！\"
\"AndamIthentotravelalonewiththisstranger？\"saidthelady。\"Bethinkthee，Janet，maynotthisprovesomedeeperanddarkerschemetoseparatemeperhapsfromyou，whoaremyonlyfriend？\"
\"No，madam，donotsupposeit，\"answeredJanetreadily;\"theyouthisanhonestyouthinhispurposetoyou，andafriendtoMasterTressilian，underwhosedirectionheiscomehither。\"
\"IfhebeafriendofTressilian，\"saidtheCountess，\"Iwillcommitmyselftohischargeastothatofanangelsentfromheaven;forthanTressilianneverbreathedmortalmanmorefreeofwhateverwasbase，false，orselfish。Heforgothimselfwheneverhecouldbeofusetoothers。Alas！andhowwasherequited？\"
WitheagerhastetheycollectedthefewnecessarieswhichitwasthoughtpropertheCountessshouldtakewithher，andwhichJanet，withspeedanddexterity，formedintoasmallbundle，notforgettingtoaddsuchornamentsofintrinsicvalueascamemostreadilyinherway，andparticularlyacasketofjewels，whichshewiselyjudgedmightproveofserviceinsomefutureemergency。TheCountessofLeicesternextchangedherdressforonewhichJanetusuallyworeuponanybriefjourney，fortheyjudgeditnecessarytoavoideveryexternaldistinctionwhichmightattractattention。Erethesepreparationswerefullymade，themoonhadariseninthesummerheaven，andallinthemansionhadbetakenthemselvestorest，oratleasttothesilenceandretirementoftheirchambers。
Therewasnodifficultyanticipatedinescaping，whetherfromthehouseorgarden，providedonlytheycouldeludeobservation。
AnthonyFosterhadaccustomedhimselftoconsiderhisdaughterasaconscioussinnermightregardavisibleguardianangel，which，notwithstandinghisguilt，continuedtohoveraroundhim;andthereforehistrustinherknewnobounds。Janetcommandedherownmotionsduringthedaytime，andhadamaster—keywhichopenedtheposterndoorofthepark，sothatshecouldgotothevillageatpleasure，eitheruponthehouseholdaffairs，whichwereentirelyconfidedtohermanagement，ortoattendherdevotionsatthemeeting—houseofhersect。ItistruethedaughterofFosterwasthusliberallyentrustedunderthesolemnconditionthatsheshouldnotavailherselfoftheseprivilegestodoanythinginconsistentwiththesafe—keepingoftheCountess;forsoherresidenceatCumnorPlacehadbeentermed，sinceshebeganoflatetoexhibitimpatienceoftherestrictionstowhichshewassubjected。NoristherereasontosupposethatanythingshortofthedreadfulsuspicionswhichthesceneofthateveninghadexcitedcouldhaveinducedJanettoviolateherwordordeceiveherfather\'sconfidence。Butfromwhatshehadwitnessed，shenowconceivedherselfnotonlyjustified，butimperativelycalledupon，tomakeherlady\'ssafetytheprincipalobjectofhercare，settingallotherconsiderationsaside。
ThefugitiveCountesswithherguidetraversedwithhastystepsthebrokenandinterruptedpath，whichhadoncebeenanavenue，nowtotallydarkenedbytheboughsofspreadingtreeswhichmetabovetheirhead，andnowreceivingadoubtfulanddeceivinglightfromthebeamsofthemoon，whichpenetratedwheretheaxehadmadeopeningsinthewood。Theirpathwasrepeatedlyinterruptedbyfelledtrees，orthelargeboughswhichhadbeenleftonthegroundtilltimeservedtomakethemintofagotsandbillets。Theinconvenienceanddifficultyattendingtheseinterruptions，thebreathlesshasteofthefirstpartoftheirroute，theexhaustingsensationsofhopeandfear，somuchaffectedtheCountess\'sstrength，thatJanetwasforcedtoproposethattheyshouldpauseforafewminutestorecoverbreathandspirits。Boththereforestoodstillbeneaththeshadowofahugeoldgnarledoak—tree，andbothnaturallylookedbacktothemansionwhichtheyhadleftbehindthem，whoselong，darkfrontwasseeninthegloomydistance，withitshugestacksofchimneys，turrets，andclock—house，risingabovethelineoftheroof，anddefinedlyvisibleagainstthepureazureblueofthesummersky。Onelightonlytwinkledfromtheextendedandshadowymass，anditwasplacedsolowthatitratherseemedtoglimmerfromthegroundinfrontofthemansionthanfromoneofthewindows。TheCountess\'sterrorwasawakened。\"Theyfollowus！\"shesaid，pointingouttoJanetthelightwhichthusalarmedher。
Lessagitatedthanhermistress，Janetperceivedthatthegleamwasstationary，andinformedtheCountess，inawhisper，thatthelightproceededfromthesolitarycellinwhichthealchemistpursuedhisoccultexperiments。\"Heisofthose，\"sheadded，\"whositupandwatchbynightthattheymaycommitiniquity。
Evilwasthechancewhichsenthitheramanwhosemixedspeechofearthlywealthandunearthlyorsuperhumanknowledgehathinitwhatdoessoespeciallycaptivatemypoorfather。WellspokethegoodMasterHoldforth——and，methought，notwithoutmeaningthatthoseofourhouseholdshouldfindthereinapracticaluse。
\'Therebethose，\'hesaid，\'andtheirnumberislegion，whowillrather，likethewickedAhab，listentothedreamsofthefalseprophetZedekiah，thantothewordsofhimbywhomtheLordhasspoken。\'Andhefurtherinsisted——\'Ah，mybrethren，therebemanyZedekiahsamongyou——menthatpromiseyouthelightoftheircarnalknowledge，soyouwillsurrendertothemthatofyourheavenlyunderstanding。WhataretheybetterthanthetyrantNaas，whodemandedtherighteyeofthosewhoweresubjectedtohim？\'Andfurtherheinsisted——\"
ItisuncertainhowlongthefairPuritan\'smemorymighthavesupportedherintherecapitulationofMasterHoldforth\'sdiscourse;buttheCountessnowinterruptedher，andassuredhershewassomuchrecoveredthatshecouldnowreachtheposternwithoutthenecessityofaseconddelay。
Theysetoutaccordingly，andperformedthesecondpartoftheirjourneywithmoredeliberation，andofcoursemoreeasily，thanthefirsthastycommencement。Thisgavethemleisureforreflection;andJanetnow，forthefirsttime，venturedtoaskherladywhichwaysheproposedtodirectherflight。Receivingnoimmediateanswer——for，perhaps，intheconfusionofhermindthisveryobvioussubjectofdeliberationhadnotoccurredtotheCountess———Janetventuredtoadd，\"Probablytoyourfather\'shouse，whereyouaresureofsafetyandprotection？\"
\"No，Janet，\"saidtheladymournfully;\"IleftLidcoteHallwhilemyheartwaslightandmynamewashonourable，andIwillnotreturnthithertillmylord\'spermissionandpublicacknowledgmentofourmarriagerestoremetomynativehomewithalltherankandhonourwhichhehasbestowedonme。\"
\"Andwhitherwillyou，then，madam？\"saidJanet。
\"ToKenilworth，girl，\"saidtheCountess，boldlyandfreely。\"I
willseetheserevels——theseprincelyrevels——thepreparationforwhichmakesthelandringfromsidetoside。Methinks，whentheQueenofEnglandfeastswithinmyhusband\'shalls，theCountessofLeicestershouldbenounbeseemingguest。\"
\"IprayGodyoumaybeawelcomeone！\"saidJanethastily。
\"Youabusemysituation，Janet，\"saidtheCountess，angrily，\"andyouforgetyourown。\"
\"Idoneither，dearestmadam，\"saidthesorrowfulmaiden;\"buthaveyouforgottenthatthenobleEarlhasgivensuchstrictchargestokeepyourmarriagesecret，thathemaypreservehiscourt—favour？andcanyouthinkthatyoursuddenappearanceathiscastle，atsuchajuncture，andinsuchapresence，willbeacceptabletohim？\"
\"ThouthinkestIwoulddisgracehim，\"saidtheCountess;\"nay，letgomyarm，Icanwalkwithoutaidandworkwithoutcounsel。\"