Thepresswasofconsequencegreataroundtheentrance，andpersonsofallkindspresentedeverysortofpleaforadmittance;
towhichtheguardsturnedaninexorableear，pleading，inreturntofairwords，andeventofairoffers，thestrictnessoftheirorders，foundedontheQueen\'swell—knowndisliketotherudepressingofamultitude。Withthosewhomsuchreasonsdidnotserve，theydealtmorerudely，repellingthemwithoutceremonybythepressureoftheirpowerful，barbedhorses，andgoodroundblowsfromthestockoftheircarabines。Theselastmanoeuvresproducedundulationsamongstthecrowd，whichrenderedWaylandmuchafraidthathemightperforcebeseparatedfromhischargeinthethrong。Neitherdidheknowwhatexcusetomakeinordertoobtainadmittance，andhewasdebatingthematterinhisheadwithgreatuncertainty，whentheEarl\'spursuivant，havingcastaneyeuponhim，exclaimed，tohisnosmallsurprise，\"Yeomen，makeroomforthefellowintheorange—tawnycloak。——Comeforward，SirCoxcomb，andmakehaste。What，inthefiend\'sname，haskeptyouwaiting？Comeforwardwithyourbaleofwoman\'sgear。\"
WhilethepursuivantgaveWaylandthispressingyetuncourteousinvitation，which，foraminuteortwo，hecouldnotimaginewasappliedtohim，theyeomenspeedilymadeafreepassageforhim，while，onlycautioninghiscompaniontokeepthemufflerclosearoundherface，heenteredthegateleadingherpalfrey，butwithsuchadroopingcrest，andsuchalookofconsciousfearandanxiety，thatthecrowd，notgreatlypleasedatanyratewiththepreferencebestoweduponthem，accompaniedtheiradmissionwithhootingandaloudlaughofderision。
Admittedthuswithinthechase，thoughwithnoveryflatteringnoticeordistinction，Waylandandhischargerodeforward，musingwhatdifficultiesitwouldbenexttheirlottoencounter，throughthebroadavenue，whichwassentinelledoneithersidebyalonglineofretainers，armedwithswords，andpartisansrichlydressedintheEarlofLeicester\'sliveries，andbearinghiscognizanceoftheBearandRaggedStaff，eachplacedwithinthreepacesofeachother，soastolinethewholeroadfromtheentranceintotheparktothebridge。And，indeed，whentheladyobtainedthefirstcommandingviewoftheCastle，withitsstatelytowersrisingfromwithinalong，sweepinglineofoutwardwalls，ornamentedwithbattlementsandturretsandplatformsateverypointofdefence，withmanyabannerstreamingfromitswalls，andsuchabustleofgaycrestsandwavingplumesdisposedontheterracesandbattlements，andallthegayandgorgeousscene，herheart，unaccustomedtosuchsplendour，sankasifitdiedwithinher，andforamomentsheaskedherselfwhatshehadoffereduptoLeicestertodeservetobecomethepartnerofthisprincelysplendour。Butherprideandgenerousspiritresistedthewhisperwhichbadeherdespair。
\"Ihavegivenhim，\"shesaid，\"allthatwomanhastogive。Nameandfame，heartandhand，haveIgiventhelordofallthismagnificenceatthealtar，andEngland\'sQueencouldgivehimnomore。Heismyhusband——Iamhiswife——whomGodhathjoined，mancannotsunder。Iwillbeboldinclaimingmyright;eventhebolder，thatIcomethusunexpected，andthusforlorn。IknowmynobleDudleywell！Hewillbesomethingimpatientatmydisobeyinghim，butAmywillweep，andDudleywillforgiveher。\"
ThesemeditationswereinterruptedbyacryofsurprisefromherguideWayland，whosuddenlyfelthimselfgraspedfirmlyroundthebodybyapairoflong，thinblackarms，belongingtosomeonewhohaddroppedhimselfoutofanoaktreeuponthecroupofhishorse，amidsttheshoutsoflaughterwhichburstfromthesentinels。
\"Thismustbethedevil，orFlibbertigibbetagain！\"saidWayland，afteravainstruggletodisengagehimself，andunhorsetheurchinwhoclungtohim;\"doKenilworthoaksbearsuchacorns？\"
\"Insoothdothey，MasterWayland，\"saidhisunexpectedadjunct，\"andmanyothers，toohardforyoutocrack，forasoldasyouare，withoutmyteachingyou。Howwouldyouhavepassedthepursuivantattheuppergateyonder，hadnotIwarnedhimourprincipaljugglerwastofollowus？AndherehaveIwaitedforyou，havingclamberedupintothetreefromthetopofthewain;
andIsupposetheyareallmadforwantofmebythistime，\"
\"Nay，then，thouartalimbofthedevilingoodearnest，\"saidWayland。\"Igivetheeway，goodimp，andwillwalkbythycounsel;only，asthouartpowerfulbemerciful。\"
Ashespoke，theyapproachedastrongtower，atthesouthextremityofthelongbridgewehavementioned，whichservedtoprotecttheoutergatewayoftheCastleofKenilworth。
Undersuchdisastrouscircumstances，andinsuchsingularcompany，didtheunfortunateCountessofLeicesterapproach，forthefirsttime，themagnificentabodeofheralmostprincelyhusband。
CHAPTERXXVI。
SNUG。Haveyouthelion\'spartwritten？pray，ifitbe，giveitme，forIamslowofstudy。
QUINCE。Youmaydoitextempore，foritisnothingbutroaring。
MIDSUMMERNIGHT\'SDREAM。
WhentheCountessofLeicesterarrivedattheoutergateoftheCastleofKenilworth，shefoundthetower，beneathwhichitsampleportalarchopened，guardedinasingularmanner。Uponthebattlementswereplacedgiganticwarders，withclubs，battle—
axes，andotherimplementsofancientwarfare，designedtorepresentthesoldiersofKingArthur;thoseprimitiveBritons，bywhom，accordingtoromantictradition，theCastlehadbeenfirsttenanted，thoughhistorycarriedbackitsantiquityonlytothetimesoftheHeptarchy。
Someofthesetremendousfigureswererealmen，dressedupwithvizardsandbuskins;othersweremerepageantscomposedofpasteboardandbuckram，which，viewedfrombeneath，andmingledwiththosethatwerereal，formedasufficientlystrikingrepresentationofwhatwasintended。Butthegiganticporterwhowaitedatthegatebeneath，andactuallydischargedthedutiesofwarder，owednoneofhisterrorstofictitiousmeans。Wewasamanwhosehugestature，thews，sinews，andbulkinproportion，wouldhaveenabledhimtoenactColbrand，Ascapart，oranyothergiantofromance，withoutraisinghimselfnearertoheavenevenbythealtitudeofachopin。ThelegsandkneesofthissonofAnakwerebare，aswerehisarmsfromaspanbelowtheshoulder;
buthisfeetweredefendedwithsandals，fastenedwithcrossstrapsofscarletleatherstuddedwithbrazenknobs。Aclosejerkinofscarletvelvetloopedwithgold，withshortbreechesofthesame，coveredhisbodyandapartofhislimbs;andheworeonhisshoulders，insteadofacloak，theskinofablackbear。
Theheadofthisformidablepersonwasuncovered，exceptbyhisshaggy，blackhair，whichdescendedoneithersidearoundfeaturesofthathuge，lumpish，andheavycastwhichareoftenannexedtomenofveryuncommonsize，andwhich，notwithstandingsomedistinguishedexceptions，havecreatedageneralprejudiceagainstgiants，asbeingadullandsullenkindofpersons。Thistremendouswarderwasappropriatelyarmedwithaheavyclubspikedwithsteel。Infine，herepresentedexcellentlyoneofthosegiantsofpopularromance，whofigureineveryfairytaleorlegendofknight—errantry。
ThedemeanourofthismodernTitan，whenWaylandSmithbenthisattentiontohim，hadinitsomethingarguingmuchmentalembarrassmentandvexation;forsometimeshesatdownforaninstantonamassivestonebench，whichseemedplacedforhisaccommodationbesidethegateway，andtheneverandanonhestartedup，scratchinghishugehead，andstridingtoandfroonhispost，likeoneunderafitofimpatienceandanxiety。Itwaswhiletheporterwaspacingbeforethegateinthisagitatedmanner，thatWayland，modestly，yetasamatterofcourse（not，however，withoutsomementalmisgiving），wasabouttopasshim，andentertheportalarch。Theporter，however，stoppedhisprogress，biddinghim，inathunderingvoice，\"Standback！\"andenforcinghisinjunctionbyheavinguphissteel—shodmace，anddashingitonthegroundbeforeWayland\'shorse\'snosewithsuchvehemencethatthepavementflashedfire，andthearchwayrangtotheclamour。Wayland，availinghimselfofDickie\'shints，begantostatethathebelongedtoabandofperformerstowhichhispresencewasindispensable，thathehadbeenaccidentallydetainedbehind，andmuchtothesamepurpose。Butthewarderwasinexorable，andkeptmutteringandmurmuringsomethingbetwixthisteeth，whichWaylandcouldmakelittleof;andaddressingbetwixtwhilesarefusalofadmittance，couchedinlanguagewhichwasbuttoointelligible。Aspecimenofhisspeechmightrunthus:——\"What，hownow，mymasters？\"（tohimself）——\"Here\'sastir——here\'sacoil。\"——（ThentoWayland）——
\"Youarealoiteringknave，andshallhavenoentrance。\"——（Againtohimself）——\"Here\'sathrong——here\'sathrusting。——Ishallne\'ergetthroughwithit——Here\'sa——humph——ha。\"——（ToWayland）——\"Backfromthegate，orI\'llbreakthepateofthee。\"——（Oncemoretohimself）——\"Here\'sa——no——Ishallnevergetthroughit。\"
\"Standstill，\"whisperedFlibbertigibbetintoWayland\'sear，\"I
knowwheretheshoepinches，andwilltamehiminaninstant。\"
Hedroppeddownfromthehorse，andskippinguptotheporter，pluckedhimbythetailofthebearskin，soastoinducehimtodeclinehishugehead，andwhisperedsomethinginhisear。NotatthecommandofthelordofsomeEasterntalismandideverAfritechangehishorridfrownintoalookofsmoothsubmissionmoresuddenlythanthegiganticporterofKenilworthrelaxedtheterrorsofhislooksattheinstantFlibbertigibbet\'swhisperreachedhisears。Heflunghisclubupontheground，andcaughtupDickieSludge，raisinghimtosuchadistancefromtheearthasmighthaveprovedperiloushadhechancedtolethimslip。
\"Itisevenso，\"hesaid，withathunderingsoundofexultation——\"itisevenso，mylittledandieprat。Butwhothedevilcouldteachitthee？\"
\"Donotthoucareaboutthat，\"saidFlibbertigibbet——\"but——\"helookedatWaylandandthelady，andthensunkwhathehadtosayinawhisper，whichneedednotbealoudone，asthegiantheldhimforhisconvenienceclosetohisear。TheporterthengaveDickieawarmcaress，andsethimonthegroundwiththesamecarewhichacarefulhousewifeusesinreplacingacrackedchinacupuponhermantelpiece，callingoutatthesametimetoWaylandandthelady，\"Inwithyou——inwithyou！andtakeheedhowyoucometoolateanotherdaywhenIchancetobeporter。\"
\"Ay，ay，inwithyou，\"addedFlibbertigibbet;\"ImuststayashortspacewithminehonestPhilistine，myGoliathofGathhere;
butIwillbewithyouanon，andatthebottomofallyoursecrets，weretheyasdeepanddarkastheCastledungeon。\"
\"Idobelievethouwouldst，\"saidWayland;\"butItrustthesecretwillbesoonoutofmykeeping，andthenIshallcarethelesswhetherthouoranyoneknowsit。\"
Theynowcrossedtheentrancetower，whichobtainedthenameoftheGallery—tower，fromthefollowingcircumstance:Thewholebridge，extendingfromtheentrancetoanothertowerontheoppositesideofthelake，calledMortimer\'sTower，wassodisposedastomakeaspacioustilt—yard，aboutonehundredandthirtyyardsinlength，andteninbreadth，strewedwiththefinestsand，anddefendedoneithersidebystrongandhighpalisades。Thebroadandfairgallery，destinedfortheladieswhoweretowitnessthefeatsofchivalrypresentedonthisarea，waserectedonthenorthernsideoftheoutertower，towhichitgavename。Ourtravellerspassedslowlyalongthebridgeortilt—yard，andarrivedatMortimer\'sTower，atitsfarthestextremity，throughwhichtheapproachledintotheouterorbase—
courtoftheCastle。Mortimer\'sTowerboreonitsfrontthescutcheonoftheEarlofMarch，whosedaringambitionoverthrewthethroneofEdwardII。，andaspiredtosharehispowerwiththe\"She—wolfofFrance，\"towhomtheunhappymonarchwaswedded。
Thegate，whichopenedunderthisominousmemorial，wasguardedbymanywardersinrichliveries;buttheyofferednooppositiontotheentranceoftheCountessandherguide，who，havingpassedbylicenseoftheprincipalporterattheGallery—tower，werenot，itmaybesupposed，liabletointerruptionfromhisdeputies。Theyenteredaccordingly，insilence，thegreatoutwardcourtoftheCastle，havingthenfullbeforethemthatvastandlordlypile，withallitsstatelytowers，eachgateopen，asifinsignofunlimitedhospitality，andtheapartmentsfilledwithnobleguestsofeverydegree，besidesdependants，retainers，domesticsofeverydescription，andalltheappendagesandpromotersofmirthandrevelry。
AmidthisstatelyandbusysceneWaylandhaltedhishorse，andlookeduponthelady，asifwaitinghercommandswhatwasnexttobedone，sincetheyhadsafelyreachedtheplaceofdestination。
Assheremainedsilent，Wayland，afterwaitingaminuteortwo，venturedtoaskher，indirectterms，whatwerehernextcommands。Sheraisedherhandtoherforehead，asifintheactofcollectingherthoughtsandresolution，whilesheansweredhiminalowandsuppressedvoice，likethemurmursofonewhospeaksinadream——\"Commands？Imayindeedclaimrighttocommand，butwhoistherewillobeyme！\"
Thensuddenlyraisingherhead，likeonewhohasformedadecisiveresolution，sheaddressedagaily—dresseddomestic，whowascrossingthecourtwithimportanceandbustleinhiscountenance，\"Stop，sir，\"shesaid;\"Idesiretospeakwith，theEarlofLeicester。\"
\"Withwhom，anitpleaseyou？\"saidtheman，surprisedatthedemand;andthenlookinguponthemeanequipageofherwhousedtowardshimsuchatoneofauthority，headded，withinsolence，\"Why，whatBessofBedlamisthiswouldasktoseemylordonsuchadayasthepresent？\"
\"Friend，\"saidtheCountess，\"benotinsolent——mybusinesswiththeEarlismosturgent。\"
\"Youmustgetsomeoneelsetodoit，wereitthriceasurgent，\"
saidthefellow。\"IshouldsummonmylordfromtheQueen\'sroyalpresencetodoYOURbusiness，shouldI？——Iwereliketobethankedwithahorse—whip。Imarvelouroldportertooknotmeasureofsuchwarewithhisclub，insteadofgivingthempassage;buthisbrainisaddledwithgettinghisspeechbyheart。\"
Twoorthreepersonsstopped，attractedbythefleeringwayinwhichtheserving—manexpressedhimself;andWayland，alarmedbothforhimselfandthelady，hastilyaddressedhimselftoonewhoappearedthemostcivil，andthrustingapieceofmoneyintohishand，heldamoment\'scounselwithhimonthesubjectoffindingaplaceoftemporaryretreatforthelady。Thepersontowhomhespoke，beingoneinsomeauthority，rebukedtheothersfortheirincivility，andcommandingonefellowtotakecareofthestrangers\'horses，hedesiredthemtofollowhim。TheCountessretainedpresenceofmindsufficienttoseethatitwasabsolutelynecessarysheshouldcomplywithhisrequest;andleavingtherudelackeysandgroomstocracktheirbrutaljestsaboutlightheads，lightheels，andsoforth，Waylandandshefollowedinsilencethedeputy—usher，whoundertooktobetheirconductor。
TheyenteredtheinnercourtoftheCastlebythegreatgateway，whichextendedbetwixttheprincipalKeep，orDonjon，calledCaesar\'sTower，andastatelybuildingwhichpassedbythenameofKingHenry\'sLodging，andwerethusplacedinthecentreofthenoblepile，whichpresentedonitsdifferentfrontsmagnificentspecimensofeveryspeciesofcastellatedarchitecture，fromtheConquesttothereignofElizabeth，withtheappropriatestyleandornamentsofeach。
Acrossthisinnercourtalsotheywereconductedbytheirguidetoasmallbutstrongtower，occupyingthenorth—eastangleofthebuilding，adjacenttothegreathall，andfillingupaspacebetwixttheimmenserangeofkitchensandtheendofthegreathallitself。ThelowerpartofthistowerwasoccupiedbysomeofthehouseholdofficersofLeicester，owingtoitsconvenientvicinitytotheplaceswheretheirdutylay;butintheupperstory，whichwasreachedbyanarrow，windingstair，wasasmalloctangularchamber，which，inthegreatdemandforlodgings，hadbeenonthepresentoccasionfittedupforthereceptionofguests，thoughgenerallysaidtohavebeenusedasaplaceofconfinementforsomeunhappypersonwhohadbeentheremurdered。
TraditioncalledthisprisonerMervyn，andtransferredhisnametothetower。Thatithadbeenusedasaprisonwasnotimprobable;forthefloorofeachstorywasarched，thewallsoftremendousthickness，whilethespaceofthechamberdidnotexceedfifteenfeetindiameter。Thewindow，however，waspleasant，thoughnarrow，andcommandedadelightfulviewofwhatwascalledthePleasance;aspaceofgroundenclosedanddecoratedwitharches，trophies，statues，fountains，andotherarchitecturalmonuments，whichformedoneaccessfromtheCastleitselfintothegarden。Therewasabedintheapartment，andotherpreparationsforthereceptionofaguest，towhichtheCountesspaidbutslightattention，hernoticebeinginstantlyarrestedbythesightofwritingmaterialsplacedonthetable（notverycommonlytobefoundinthebedroomsofthosedays），whichinstantlysuggestedtheideaofwritingtoLeicester，andremainingprivateuntilshehadreceivedhisanswer。
Thedeputy—usherhavingintroducedthemintothiscommodiousapartment，courteouslyaskedWayland，whosegenerosityhehadexperienced，whetherhecoulddoanythingfurtherforhisservice。Uponreceivingagentlehintthatsomerefreshmentwouldnotbeunacceptable，hepresentlyconveyedthesmithtothebuttery—hatch，wheredressedprovisionsofallsortsweredistributed，withhospitableprofusion，toallwhoaskedforthem。Waylandwasreadilysuppliedwithsomelightprovisions，suchashethoughtwouldbestsuitthefadedappetiteofthelady，anddidnotomittheopportunityofhimselfmakingahastybutheartymealonmoresubstantialfare。Hethenreturnedtotheapartmentintheturret，wherehefoundtheCountess，whohadfinishedherlettertoLeicester，andinlieuofasealandsilkenthread，hadsecureditwithabraidofherownbeautifultresses，fastenedbywhatiscalledatrue—loveknot。
\"Goodfriend，\"saidshetoWayland，\"whomGodhathsenttoaidmeatmyutmostneed，Idobeseechthee，asthelasttroubleyoushalltakeforanunfortunatelady，todeliverthislettertothenobleEarlofLeicester。Beitreceivedasitmay，\"shesaid，withfeaturesagitatedbetwixthopeandfear，\"thou，goodfellow，shalthavenomorecumberwithme。ButIhopethebest;andifeverladymadeapoormanrich，thouhastsurelydeserveditatmyhand，shouldmyhappydaysevercomeroundagain。Giveit，I
prayyou，intoLordLeicester\'sownhand，andmarkhowhelooksonreceivingit。\"
Wayland，onhispart，readilyundertookthecommission，butanxiouslyprayedthelady，inhisturn，topartakeofsomerefreshment;inwhichheatlengthprevailed，morethroughimportunityandherdesiretoseehimbegoneonhiserrandthanfromanyinclinationtheCountessfelttocomplywithhisrequest。Hethenlefther，advisinghertolockherdoorontheinside，andnottostirfromherlittleapartment;andwenttoseekanopportunityofdischarginghererrand，aswellasofcarryingintoeffectapurposeofhisown，whichcircumstanceshadinducedhimtoform。
Infact，fromtheconductoftheladyduringthejourney——herlongfitsofprofoundsilence，theirresolutionanduncertaintywhichseemedtopervadeallhermovements，andtheobviousincapacityofthinkingandactingforherselfunderwhichsheseemedtolabour——Waylandhadformedthenotimprobableopinionthatthedifficultiesofhersituationhadinsomedegreeaffectedherunderstanding。
WhenshehadescapedfromtheseclusionofCumnorPlace，andthedangerstowhichshewasthereexposed，itwouldhaveseemedhermostrationalcoursetoretiretoherfather\'s，orelsewhereatadistancefromthepowerofthosebywhomthesedangershadbeencreated。When，insteadofdoingso，shedemandedtobeconveyedtoKenilworth，WaylandhadbeenonlyabletoaccountforherconductbysupposingthatshemeanttoputherselfunderthetutelageofTressilian，andtoappealtotheprotectionoftheQueen。Butnow，insteadoffollowingthisnaturalcourse，sheentrustedhimwithalettertoLeicester，thepatronofVarney，andwithinwhosejurisdictionatleast，ifnotunderhisexpressauthority，alltheevilsshehadalreadysufferedwereinflicteduponher。Thisseemedanunsafeandevenadesperatemeasure，andWaylandfeltanxietyforhisownsafety，aswellasthatofthelady，shouldheexecutehercommissionbeforehehadsecuredtheadviceandcountenanceofaprotector。
Hethereforeresolved，beforedeliveringthelettertoLeicester，thathewouldseekoutTressilian，andcommunicatetohimthearrivaloftheladyatKenilworth，andthusatonceridhimselfofallfurtherresponsibility，anddevolvethetaskofguidingandprotectingthisunfortunateladyuponthepatronwhohadatfirstemployedhiminherservice。
\"HewillbeabetterjudgethanIam，\"saidWayland，\"whethersheistobegratifiedinthishumourofappealtomyLordofLeicester，whichseemslikeanactofinsanity;and，therefore，I
willturnthematteroveronhishands，deliverhimtheletter，receivewhattheylisttogivemebywayofguerdon，andthenshowtheCastleofKenilworthapairoflightheels;for，aftertheworkIhavebeenengagedin，itwillbe，Ifear，neitherasafenorwholesomeplaceofresidence，andIwouldrathershoecoltsanthecoldestcommoninEnglandthanshareintheirgayestrevels。\"
CHAPTERXXVII。
InmytimeIhaveseenaboydowonders。
Robin，theredtinker，hadaboyWouldharunthroughacat—hole。THECOXCOMB。
AmidtheuniversalbustlewhichfilledtheCastleanditsenvirons，itwasnoeasymattertofindoutanyindividual;andWaylandwasstilllesslikelytolightuponTressilian，whomhesoughtsoanxiously，because，sensibleofthedangerofattractingattentioninthecircumstancesinwhichhewasplaced，hedarednotmakegeneralinquiriesamongtheretainersordomesticsofLeicester。Helearned，however，byindirectquestions，thatinallprobabilityTressilianmusthavebeenoneofalargepartyofgentlemeninattendanceontheEarlofSussex，whohadaccompaniedtheirpatronthatmorningtoKenilworth，whenLeicesterhadreceivedthemwithmarksofthemostformalrespectanddistinction。HefurtherlearnedthatbothEarls，withtheirfollowers，andmanyothernobles，knights，andgentlemen，hadtakenhorse，andgonetowardsWarwickseveralhourssince，forthepurposeofescortingtheQueentoKenilworth。
HerMajesty\'sarrival，likeothergreatevents，wasdelayedfromhourtohour;anditwasnowannouncedbyabreathlesspostthatherMajesty，beingdetainedbyhergraciousdesiretoreceivethehomageofherliegeswhohadthrongedtowaituponheratWarwick，itwouldbethehouroftwilighteresheenteredtheCastle。Theintelligencereleasedforatimethosewhowereuponduty，intheimmediateexpectationoftheQueen\'sappearance，andreadytoplaytheirpartinthesolemnitieswithwhichitwastobeaccompanied;andWayland，seeingseveralhorsemenentertheCastle，wasnotwithouthopesthatTressilianmightbeofthenumber。Thathemightnotloseanopportunityofmeetinghispatronintheeventofthisbeingthecase，Waylandplacedhimselfinthebase—courtoftheCastle，nearMortimer\'sTower，andwatchedeveryonewhowentorcamebythebridge，theextremityofwhichwasprotectedbythatbuilding。Thusstationed，nobodycouldenterorleavetheCastlewithouthisobservation，andmostanxiouslydidhestudythegarbandcountenanceofeveryhorseman，as，passingfromundertheoppositeGallery—tower，theypacedslowly，orcurveted，alongthetilt—yard，andapproachedtheentranceofthebase—court。
ButwhileWaylandgazedthuseagerlytodiscoverhimwhomhesawnot，hewaspulledbythesleevebyonebywhomhehimselfwouldnotwillinglyhavebeenseen。
ThiswasDickieSludge，orFlibbertigibbet，who，liketheimpwhosenamehebore，andwhomhehadbeenaccoutredinordertoresemble，seemedtobeeverattheearofthosewhothoughtleastofhim。WhateverwereWayland\'sinternalfeelings，hejudgeditnecessarytoexpresspleasureattheirunexpectedmeeting。
\"Ha！isitthou，myminikin——mymiller\'sthumb——myprinceofcacodemons——mylittlemouse？\"
\"Ay，\"saidDickie，\"themousewhichgnawedasunderthetoils，justwhenthelionwhowascaughtinthembegantolookwonderfullylikeanass。\"
\"Thy，thoulittlehop—the—gutter，thouartassharpasvinegarthisafternoon！Buttellme，howdidstthoucomeoffwithyonderjolterheadedgiantwhomIlefttheewith？Iwasafraidhewouldhavestrippedthyclothes，andsoswallowedthee，asmenpeelandeataroastedchestnut。\"
\"Hadhedoneso，\"repliedtheboy，\"hewouldhavehadmorebrainsinhisgutsthaneverhehadinhisnoddle。Butthegiantisacourteousmonster，andmoregratefulthanmanyotherfolkwhomI
havehelpedatapinch，MasterWaylandSmith。\"
\"Beshrewme，Flibbertigibbet，\"repliedWayland，\"butthouartsharperthanaSheffieldwhittle！IwouldIknewbywhatcharmyoumuzzledyonderoldbear。\"
\"Ay，thatisinyourownmanner，\"answeredDickie;\"youthinkfinespeecheswillpassmusterinsteadofgood—will。However，astothishonestporter，youmustknowthatwhenwepresentedourselvesatthegateyonder，hisbrainwasover—burdenedwithaspeechthathadbeenpennedforhim，andwhichprovedratheranovermatchforhisgiganticfaculties。Nowthissamepithyorationhadbeenindited，likesundryothers，bymylearnedmagister，ErasmusHoliday，soIhadhearditoftenenoughtoremembereveryline。AssoonasIheardhimblunderingandflounderinglikeafishupondryland，throughthefirstverse，andperceivedhimatastand，Iknewwheretheshoepinched，andhelpedhimtothenextword，whenhecaughtmeupinanecstasy，evenasyousawbutnow。Ipromised，asthepriceofyouradmission，tohidemeunderhisbearishgaberdine，andprompthiminthehourofneed。IhavejustnowbeengettingsomefoodintheCastle，andamabouttoreturntohim。\"
\"That\'sright——that\'sright，mydearDickie，\"repliedWayland;
\"hastethee，forHeaven\'ssake！elsethepoorgiantwillbeutterlydisconsolateforwantofhisdwarfishauxiliary。Awaywiththee，Dickie！\"
\"Ay，ay！\"answeredtheboy——\"awaywithDickie，whenwehavegotwhatgoodofhimwecan。Youwillnotletmeknowthestoryofthislady，then，whoisasmuchsisterofthineasIam？\"
\"Why，whatgoodwoulditdothee，thousillyelf？\"saidWayland。
\"Oh，standyeontheseterms？\"saidtheboy。\"Well，Icarenotgreatlyaboutthematter——only，IneversmelloutasecretbutI
trytobeeitherattherightorthewrongendofit，andsogoodeveningtoye。\"
\"Nay，but，Dickie，\"saidWayland，whoknewtheboy\'srestlessandintriguingdispositiontoowellnottofearhisenmity——\"stay，mydearDickie——partnotwitholdfriendssoshortly！ThoushaltknowallIknowoftheladyoneday。\"
\"Ay！\"saidDickie;\"andthatdaymayproveanighone。Faretheewell，Wayland——Iwilltomylarge—limbedfriend，who，ifhehavenotsosharpawitassomefolk，isatleastmoregratefulfortheservicewhichotherfolkrenderhim。Andsoagain，goodeveningtoye。\"
Sosaying，hecastasomersetthroughthegateway，andlightingonthebridge，ranwiththeextraordinaryagilitywhichwasoneofhisdistinguishingattributestowardstheGallery—tower，andwasoutofsightinaninstant。
\"IwouldtoGodIweresafeoutofthisCastleagain！\"prayedWaylandinternally;\"fornowthatthismischievousimphasputhisfingerinthepie，itcannotbutproveamessfitforthedevil\'seating。IwouldtoHeavenMasterTressilianwouldappear！\"
Tressilian，whomhewasthusanxiouslyexpectinginonedirection，hadreturnedtoKenilworthbyanotheraccess。Itwasindeedtrue，asWaylandhadconjectured，thatintheearlierpartofthedayhehadaccompaniedtheEarlsontheircavalcadetowardsWarwick，notwithouthopethathemightinthattownhearsometidingsofhisemissary。Beingdisappointedinthisexpectation，andobservingVarneyamongstLeicester\'sattendants，seemingasifhehadsomepurposeofadvancingtoandaddressinghim，heconceived，inthepresentcircumstances，itwaswisesttoavoidtheinterview。He，therefore，leftthepresence—chamberwhentheHigh—SheriffofthecountywasintheverymidstofhisdutifuladdresstoherMajesty;andmountinghishorse，rodebacktoKenilworthbyaremoteandcircuitousroad，andenteredtheCastlebyasmallsallyportinthewesternwall，atwhichhewasreadilyadmittedasoneofthefollowersoftheEarlofSussex，towardswhomLeicesterhadcommandedtheutmostcourtesytobeexercised。ItwasthusthathemetnotWayland，whowasimpatientlywatchinghisarrival，andwhomhehimselfwouldhavebeenatleastequallydesiroustosee。
Havingdeliveredhishorsetothechargeofhisattendant，hewalkedforaspaceinthePleasanceandinthegarden，rathertoindulgeincomparativesolitudehisownreflections，thantoadmirethosesingularbeautiesofnatureandartwhichthemagnificenceofLeicesterhadthereassembled。ThegreaterpartofthepersonsofconditionhadlefttheCastleforthepresent，toformpartoftheEarl\'scavalcade;others，whoremainedbehind，wereonthebattlements，outerwalls，andtowers，eagertoviewthesplendidspectacleoftheroyalentry。Thegarden，therefore，whileeveryotherpartoftheCastleresoundedwiththehumanvoice，wassilentbutforthewhisperingoftheleaves，theemulouswarblingofthetenantsofalargeaviarywiththeirhappiercompanionswhoremaineddenizensofthefreeair，andtheplashingofthefountains，which，forcedintotheairfromsculpturesoffatasticandgrotesqueforms，felldownwithceaselesssoundintothegreatbasinsofItalianmarble。