ThemelancholythoughtsofTressiliancastagloomyshadeonalltheobjectswithwhichhewassurrounded。HecomparedthemagnificentsceneswhichheheretraversedwiththedeepwoodlandandwildmoorlandwhichsurroundedLidcoteHall，andtheimageofAmyRobsartglidedlikeaphantomthrougheverylandscapewhichhisimaginationsummonedup。Nothingisperhapsmoredangeroustothefuturehappinessofmenofdeepthoughtandretiredhabitsthantheentertaininganearly，long，andunfortunateattachment。
Itfrequentlysinkssodeepintothemindthatitbecomestheirdreambynightandtheirvisionbyday——mixesitselfwitheverysourceofinterestandenjoyment;andwhenblightedandwitheredbyfinaldisappointment，itseemsasifthespringsoftheheartweredriedupalongwithit。Thisachingoftheheart，thislanguishingafterashadowwhichhaslostallthegaietyofitscolouring，thisdwellingontheremembranceofadreamfromwhichwehavebeenlongroughlyawakened，istheweaknessofagentleandgenerousheart，anditwasthatofTressilian。
Hehimselfatlengthbecamesensibleofthenecessityofforcingotherobjectsuponhismind;andforthispurposeheleftthePleasance，inordertominglewiththenoisycrowduponthewalls，andviewthepreparationforthepageants。Butasheleftthegarden，andheardthebusyhum，mixedwithmusicandlaughter，whichfloatedaroundhim，hefeltanuncontrollablereluctancetomixwithsocietywhosefeelingswereinatonesodifferentfromhisown，andresolved，insteadofdoingso，toretiretothechamberassignedhim，andemployhimselfinstudyuntilthetollingofthegreatCastlebellshouldannouncethearrivalofElizabeth。
Tressiliancrossedaccordinglybythepassagebetwixttheimmenserangeofkitchensandthegreathall，andascendedtothethirdstoryofMervyn\'sTower，andapplyinghimselftothedoorofthesmallapartmentwhichhadbeenallottedtohim，wassurprisedtofinditwaslocked。Hethenrecollectedthatthedeputy—
chamberlainhadgivenhimamaster—key，advisinghim，inthepresentconfusedstateoftheCastle，tokeephisdoorasmuchshutaspossible。Heappliedthiskeytothelock，theboltrevolved，heentered，andinthesameinstantsawafemaleformseatedintheapartment，andrecognizedthatformtobe，AmyRobsart。Hisfirstideawasthataheatedimaginationhadraisedtheimageonwhichitdotedintovisibleexistence;hissecond，thathebeheldanapparition;thethirdandabidingconviction，thatitwasAmyherself，paler，indeed，andthinner，thaninthedaysofheedlesshappiness，whenshepossessedtheformandhueofawood—nymph，withthebeautyofasylph——butstillAmy，unequalledinlovelinessbyaughtwhichhadevervisitedhiseyes。
TheastonishmentoftheCountesswasscarcelessthanthatofTressilian，althoughitwasofshorterduration，becauseshehadheardfromWaylandthathewasintheCastle。Shehadstartedupathisfirstentrance，andnowstoodfacinghim，thepalenessofhercheekshavinggivenwaytoadeepblush。
\"Tressilian，\"shesaid，atlength，\"whycomeyouhere？\"
\"Nay，whycomeyouhere，Amy，\"returnedTressilian，\"unlessitbeatlengthtoclaimthataid，which，asfarasoneman\'sheartandarmcanextend，shallinstantlyberenderedtoyou？\"
Shewassilentamoment，andthenansweredinasorrowfulratherthananangrytone，\"Irequirenoaid，Tressilian，andwouldratherbeinjuredthanbenefitedbyanywhichyourkindnesscanofferme。Believeme，Iamnearonewhomlawandloveobligetoprotectme。\"
\"Thevillain，then，hathdoneyouthepoorjusticewhichremainedinhispower，\"saidTressilian，\"andIbeholdbeforemethewifeofVarney！\"
\"ThewifeofVarney！\"shereplied，withalltheemphasisofscorn。\"Withwhatbasename，sir，doesyourboldnessstigmatizethe——the——the——\"Shehesitated，droppedhertoneofscorn，lookeddown，andwasconfusedandsilent;forsherecollectedwhatfatalconsequencesmightattendhercompletingthesentencewith\"theCountessofLeicester，\"whichwerethewordsthathadnaturallysuggestedthemselves。Itwouldhavebeenabetrayalofthesecret，onwhichherhusbandhadassuredherthathisfortunesdepended，toTressilian，toSussex，totheQueen，andtothewholeassembledcourt。\"Never，\"shethought，\"willIbreakmypromisedsilence。Iwillsubmittoeverysuspicionratherthanthat。\"
Thetearsrosetohereyes，asshestoodsilentbeforeTressilian;while，lookingonherwithmingledgriefandpity，hesaid，\"Alas！Amy，youreyescontradictyourtongue。Thatspeaksofaprotector，willingandabletowatchoveryou;butthesetellmeyouareruined，anddesertedbythewretchtowhomyouhaveattachedyourself。\"
Shelookedonhimwitheyesinwhichangersparkledthroughhertears，butonlyrepeatedtheword\"wretch！\"withascornfulemphasis。
\"Yes，WRETCH！\"saidTressilian;\"forwereheaughtbetter，whyareyouhere，andalone，inmyapartment？whywasnotfittingprovisionmadeforyourhonourablereception？\"
\"Inyourapartment？\"repeatedAmy——\"inYOURapartment？Itshallinstantlyberelievedofmypresence。\"Shehastenedtowardsthedoor;butthesadrecollectionofherdesertedstateatoncepressedonhermind，andpausingonthethreshold，sheadded，inatoneunutterablypathetic，\"Alas！Ihadforgot——Iknownotwheretogo——\"
\"Isee——Iseeitall，\"saidTressilian，springingtoherside，andleadingherbacktotheseat，onwhichshesunkdown。\"YouDOneedaid——youdoneedprotection，thoughyouwillnotownit;
andyoushallnotneeditlong。Leaningonmyarm，astherepresentativeofyourexcellentandbroken—heartedfather，ontheverythresholdoftheCastlegate，youshallmeetElizabeth;
andthefirstdeedsheshalldointhehallsofKenilworthshallbeanactofjusticetohersexandhersubjects。Stronginmygoodcause，andintheQueen\'sjustice，thepowerofherminionshallnotshakemyresolution。IwillinstantlyseekSussex。\"
\"Notforallthatisunderheaven！\"saidtheCountess，muchalarmed，andfeelingtheabsolutenecessityofobtainingtime，atleast，forconsideration。\"Tressilian，youwerewonttobegenerous。Grantmeonerequest，andbelieve，ifitbeyourwishtosavemefrommiseryandfrommadness，youwilldomorebymakingmethepromiseIaskofyou，thanElizabethcandoformewithallherpower。\"
\"Askmeanythingforwhichyoucanallegereason，\"saidTressilian;\"butdemandnotofme——\"
\"Oh，limitnotyourboon，dearEdmund！\"exclaimedtheCountess——\"youoncelovedthatIshouldcallyouso——limitnotyourboontoreason;formycaseisallmadness，andfrenzymustguidethecounselswhichalonecanaidme。\"
\"Ifyouspeakthuswildly，\"saidTressilian，astonishmentagainoverpoweringbothhisgriefandhisresolution，\"Imustbelieveyouindeedincapableofthinkingoractingforyourself。\"
\"Oh，no！\"sheexclaimed，sinkingononekneebeforehim，\"Iamnotmad——Iambutacreatureunutterablymiserable，and，fromcircumstancesthemostsingular，draggedontoaprecipicebythearmofhimwhothinksheiskeepingmefromit——evenbyyours，Tressilian——byyours，whomIhavehonoured，respected——allbutloved——andyetloved，too——loved，too，Tressilian——thoughnotasyouwishedtobe。\"
Therewasanenergy，aself—possession，anabandonmentinhervoiceandmanner，atotalresignationofherselftohisgenerosity，which，togetherwiththekindnessofherexpressionstohimself，movedhimdeeply。Heraisedher，and，inbrokenaccents，entreatedhertobecomforted。
\"Icannot，\"shesaid，\"Iwillnotbecomforted，tillyougrantmemyrequest！IwillspeakasplainlyasIdare。Iamnowawaitingthecommandsofonewhohasarighttoissuethem。Theinterferenceofathirdperson——ofyouinespecial，Tressilian——
willberuin——utterruintome。Waitbutfour—and—twentyhours，anditmaybethatthepoorAmymayhavethemeanstoshowthatshevalues，andcanreward，yourdisinterestedfriendship——thatsheishappyherself，andhasthemeanstomakeyouso。Itissurelyworthyourpatience，forsoshortaspace？\"
Tressilianpaused，andweighinginhismindthevariousprobabilitieswhichmightrenderaviolentinterferenceonhispartmoreprejudicialthanadvantageous，bothtothehappinessandreputationofAmy;consideringalsothatshewaswithinthewallsofKenilworth，andcouldsuffernoinjuryinacastlehonouredwiththeQueen\'sresidence，andfilledwithherguardsandattendants——heconceived，uponthewhole，thathemightrenderhermoreevilthangoodservicebyintrudinguponherhisappealtoElizabethinherbehalf。Heexpressedhisresolutioncautiously，however，doubtingnaturallywhetherAmy\'shopesofextricatingherselffromherdifficultiesrestedonanythingstrongerthanablindedattachmenttoVarney，whomhesupposedtobeherseducer。
\"Amy，\"hesaid，whilehefixedhissadandexpressiveeyesonhers，which，inherecstasyofdoubt，terror，andperplexity，shecastuptowardshim，\"Ihaveeverremarkedthatwhenotherscalledtheegirlishandwilful，therelayunderthatexternalsemblanceofyouthfulandself—willedfollydeepfeelingandstrongsense。InthisIwillconfide，trustingyourownfateinyourownhandsforthespaceoftwenty—fourhours，withoutmyinterferencebywordoract。\"
\"Doyoupromisemethis，Tressilian？\"saidtheCountess。\"Isitpossibleyoucanyetreposesomuchconfidenceinme？Doyoupromise，asyouareagentlemanandamanofhonour，tointrudeinmymattersneitherbyspeechnoraction，whateveryoumayseeorhearthatseemstoyoutodemandyourinterference？Willyousofartrustme？\"
\"Iwilluponmyhonour，\"saidTressilian;\"butwhenthatspaceisexpired——\"
\"Thenthatspaceisexpired，\"shesaid，interruptinghim，\"youarefreetoactasyourjudgmentshalldetermine。\"
\"IstherenoughtbesideswhichIcandoforyou，Amy？\"saidTressilian。
\"Nothing，\"saidshe，\"savetoleaveme，——thatis，if——Iblushtoacknowledgemyhelplessnessbyaskingit——ifyoucansparemetheuseofthisapartmentforthenexttwenty—fourhours。\"
\"Thisismostwonderful！\"saidTressilian;\"whathopeorinterestcanyouhaveinaCastlewhereyoucannotcommandevenanapartment？\"
\"Arguenot，butleaveme，\"shesaid;andadded，asheslowlyandunwillinglyretired，\"GenerousEdmund！thetimemaycomewhenAmymayshowshedeservedthynobleattachment。\"
CHAPTERXXVIII。
What，man，ne\'erlackadraught，whenthefullcanStandsatthineelbow，andcravesemptying！——
Nay，fearnotme，forIhavenodelightTowatchmen\'svices，sinceIhavemyselfOfvirtuenoughttoboastof——I\'mastriker，Wouldhavetheworldstrikewithme，pell—mell，all。
PANDEMONIUM。
Tressilian，instrangeagitationofmind，hadhardlysteppeddownthefirsttwoorthreestepsofthewindingstaircase，when，greatlytohissurpriseanddispleasure，hemetMichaelLambourne，wearinganimpudentfamiliarityofvisage，forwhichTressilianfeltmuchdisposedtothrowhimdown—stairs;untilherememberedtheprejudicewhichAmy，theonlyobjectofhissolicitude，waslikelytoreceivefromhisengaginginanyactofviolenceatthattimeandinthatplace。
HethereforecontentedhimselfwithlookingsternlyuponLambourne，asupononewhomhedeemedunworthyofnotice，andattemptedtopasshiminhiswaydownstairs，withoutanysymptomofrecognition。ButLambourne，who，amidsttheprofusionofthatday\'shospitality，hadnotfailedtotakeadeepthoughnotanoverpoweringcupofsack，wasnotinthehumourofhumblinghimselfbeforeanyman\'slooks。HestoppedTressilianuponthestaircasewithouttheleastbashfulnessorembarrassment，andaddressedhimasifhehadbeenonkindandintimateterms:——
\"What，nogrudgebetweenus，Ihope，uponoldscores，MasterTressilian？——nay，Iamonewhoremembersformerkindnessratherthanlatterfeud。I\'llconvinceyouthatImeanthonestlyandkindly，ay，andcomfortablybyyou。\"
\"Idesirenoneofyourintimacy，\"saidTressilian——\"keepcompanywithyourmates。\"
\"Now，seehowhastyheis！\"saidLambourne;\"andhowthesegentles，thataremadequestionlessoutoftheporcelainclayoftheearth，lookdownuponpoorMichaelLambourne！YouwouldtakeMasterTressiliannowforthemostmaid—like，modest，simperingsquireofdamesthatevermadelovewhencandleswerelongi\'thestuff——snuff;callyouit？Why，youwouldplaythesaintonus，MasterTressilian，andforgetthatevennowthouhastacommodityinthyverybedchamber，totheshameofmylord\'scastle，ha！
ha！ha！HaveItouchedyou，MasterTressilian？\"
\"Iknownotwhatyoumean，\"saidTressilian，inferring，however，toosurely，thatthislicentiousruffianmusthavebeensensibleofAmy\'spresenceinhisapartment;\'ibutif，\"hecontinued，\"thouartvarletofthechambers，andlackestafee，thereisonetoleavemineunmolested。\"
Lambournelookedatthepieceofgold，andputitinhispocketsaying，\"Now，Iknownotbutyoumighthavedonemorewithmebyakindwordthanbythischimingrogue。Butafterallhepayswellthatpayswithgold;andMikeLambournewasneveramakebate，oraspoil—sport，orthelike。E\'enlive，andletotherslive，thatismymotto—only，Iwouldnotletsomefolkscocktheirbeaveratmeneither，asiftheyweremadeofsilverore，andIofDutchpewter。SoifIkeepyoursecret，MasterTressilian，youmaylooksweetonmeatleast;andwereItowantalittlebackingorcountenance，beingcaught，asyouseethebestofusmaybe，inasortofpeccadillo——why，youoweitme——
andsoe\'enmakeyourchamberserveyouandthatsamebirdinbowerbeside——it\'sallonetoMikeLambourne。\"
\"Makeway，sir，\"saidTressilian，unabletobridlehisindignation，\"youhavehadyourfee。\"
\"Um！\"saidLambourne，givingplace，however，whilehesulkilymutteredbetweenhisteeth，repeatingTressilian\'swords，\"Makeway——andyouhavehadyourfee;butitmattersnot，Iwillspoilnosport，asIsaidbefore。Iamnodoginthemanger——mindthat。\"
Hespokelouderandlouder，asTressilian，bywhomhefelthimselfoverawed，gotfartherandfartheroutofhearing。
\"Iamnodoginthemanger;butIwillnotcarrycoalsneither——
mindthat，MasterTressilian;andIwillhaveapeepatthiswenchwhomyouhavequarteredsocommodiouslyinyouroldhauntedroom——afraidofghosts，belike，andnottoowillingtosleepalone。IfIhaddonethisnowinastrangelord\'scastle，thewordhadbeen，Theporter\'slodgefortheknave！and，havehimflogged——trundlehimdownstairslikeaturnip！Ay，butyourvirtuousgentlementakestrangeprivilegesoverus，whoaredownrightservantsofoursenses。Well——IhavemyMasterTressilian\'sheadundermybeltbythisluckydiscovery，thatisonethingcertain;andIwilltrytogetasightofthisLindabridesofhis，thatisanother。\"
CHAPTERXXIX。
Nowfaretheewell，mymaster——iftrueserviceBeguerdon\'dwithhardlooks，e\'encutthetow—line，AndletourbarksacrossthepathlessfloodHolddifferentcourses——THESHIPWRECK。
TressilianwalkedintotheouteryardoftheCastlescarceknowingwhattothinkofhislatestrangeandmostunexpectedinterviewwithAmyRobsart，anddubiousifhehaddonewell，beingentrustedwiththedelegatedauthorityofherfather，topasshiswordsosolemnlytoleavehertoherownguidanceforsomanyhours。Yethowcouldhehavedeniedherrequest——dependentasshehadtooprobablyrenderedherselfuponVarney？Suchwashisnaturalreasoning。Thehappinessofherfuturelifemightdependuponhisnotdrivinghertoextremities;andsincenoauthorityofTressilian\'scouldextricateherfromthepowerofVarney，supposinghewastoacknowledgeAmytobehiswife，whattitlehadhetodestroythehopeofdomesticpeace，whichmightyetremaintoher，bysettingenmitybetwixtthem？Tressilianresolved，therefore，scrupulouslytoobservehiswordpledgedtoAmy，bothbecauseithadbeengiven，andbecause，ashestillthought，whileheconsideredandreconsideredthatextraordinaryinterview，itcouldnotwithjusticeorproprietyhavebeenrefused。
Inonerespect，hehadgainedmuchtowardssecuringeffectualprotectionforthisunhappyandstillbelovedobjectofhisearlyaffection。Amywasnolongermewedupinadistantandsolitaryretreatunderthechargeofpersonsofdoubtfulreputation。ShewasintheCastleofKenilworth，withinthevergeoftheRoyalCourtforthetime，freefromallriskofviolence，andliabletobeproducedbeforeElizabethonthefirstsummons。Thesewerecircumstanceswhichcouldnotbutassistgreatlytheeffortswhichhemighthaveoccasiontouseinherbehalf。
WhilehewasthusbalancingtheadvantagesandperilswhichattendedherunexpectedpresenceinKenilworth，TressilianwashastilyandanxiouslyaccostedbyWayland，who，afterejaculating，\"ThankGod，yourworshipisfoundatlast！\"
proceededwithbreathlesscautiontopourintohiseartheintelligencethattheladyhadescapedfromCumnorPlace。
\"AndisatpresentinthisCastle，\"saidTressilian。\"Iknowit，andIhaveseenher。Wasitbyherownchoiceshefoundrefugeinmyapartment？\"
\"No，\"answeredWayland;\"butIcouldthinkofnootherwayofsafelybestowingher，andwasbuttoohappytofindadeputy—
usherwhoknewwhereyouwerequartered——injollysocietytruly，thehallontheonehand，andthekitchenontheother！\"
\"Peace，thisisnotimeforjesting，\"answeredTressiliansternly。
\"Iwotthatbuttoowell，\"saidtheartist，\"forIhavefeltthesethreedaysasifIhadahalterroundmyneck。Thisladyknowsnotherownmind——shewillhavenoneofyouraid——commandsyounottobenamedtoher——andisabouttoputherselfintothehandsofmyLordLeicester。Ihadnevergothersafeintoyourchamber，hadsheknowntheownerofit。\"
\"Isitpossible\"\"saidTressilian。\"ButshemayhavehopestheEarlwillexerthisinfluenceinherfavouroverhisvillainousdependant。\"
\"Iknownothingofthat，\"saidWayland;\"butIbelieve，ifsheistoreconcileherselfwitheitherLeicesterorVarney，thesideoftheCastleofKenilworthwhichwillbesafestforuswillbetheoutside，fromwhichwecanfastestflyaway。ItisnotmypurposetoabideaninstantafterdeliveryofthelettertoLeicester，whichwaitsbutyourcommandstofinditswaytohim。
See，hereitis——butno——aplagueonit——Imusthaveleftitinmydog—hole，inthehay—loftyonder，whereIamtosleep。\"
\"Deathandfury！\"saidTressilian，transportedbeyondhisusualpatience;\"thouhastnotlostthatonwhichmaydependastakemoreimportantthanathousandsuchlivesasthine？\"
\"Lostit！\"answeredWaylandreadily;\"thatwereajestindeed！
No，sir，Ihaveitcarefullyputupwithmynight—sack，andsomemattersIhaveoccasiontouse;Iwillfetchitinaninstant。\"
\"Doso，\"saidTressilian;\"befaithful，andthoushaltbewellrewarded。ButifIhavereasontosuspectthee，adeaddogwereinbettercasethanthou！\"
Waylandbowed，andtookhisleavewithseemingconfidenceandalacrity，but，infact，filledwiththeutmostdreadandconfusion。Theletterwaslost，thatwascertain，notwithstandingtheapologywhichhehadmadetoappeasetheimpatientdispleasureofTressilian。Itwaslost——itmightfallintowronghands——itwouldthencertainlyoccasionadiscoveryofthewholeintrigueinwhichhehadbeenengaged;nor，indeed，didWaylandseemuchprospectofitsremainingconcealed，inanyevent。Hefeltmuchhurt，besides，atTressilian\'sburstofimpatience。
\"Nay，ifIamtobepaidinthiscoinforserviceswheremyneckisconcerned，itistimeIshouldlooktomyself。HerehaveI
offended，foraughtIknow，tothedeath，thelordofthisstatelycastle，whosewordwereaspowerfultotakeawaymylifeasthebreathwhichspeaksittoblowoutafarthingcandle。Andallthisforamadlady，andamelancholygallant，who，onthelossofafour—nookedbitofpaper，hashishandonhispoignado，andswearsdeathandfury！——ThenthereistheDoctorandVarney。
——Iwillsavemyselffromthewholemessofthem。Lifeisdearerthangold。Iwillflythisinstant，thoughIleavemyrewardbehindme。\"
ThesereflectionsnaturallyenoughoccurredtoamindlikeWayland\'s，whofoundhimselfengagedfardeeperthanhehadexpectedinatrainofmysteriousandunintelligibleintrigues，inwhichtheactorsseemedhardlytoknowtheirowncourse。Andyet，todohimjustice，hispersonalfearswere，insomedegree，counterbalancedbyhiscompassionforthedesertedstateofthelady。
\"IcarenotagroatforMasterTressilian，\"hesaid;\"Ihavedonemorethanbargainbyhim，andIhavebroughthiserrant—damoselwithinhisreach，sothathemaylookafterherhimself。ButI
fearthepoorthingisinmuchdangeramongstthesestormyspirits。Iwilltoherchamber，andtellherthefatewhichhasbefallenherletter，thatshemaywriteanotherifshelist。Shecannotlackamessenger，Itrow，wheretherearesomanylackeysthatcancarryalettertotheirlord。AndIwilltellheralsothatIleavetheCastle，trustinghertoGod，herownguidance，andMasterTressilian\'scareandlookingafter。Perhapsshemayremembertheringsheofferedme——itwaswellearned，Itrow;butsheisalovelycreature，and——marryhangthering！Iwillnotbearabasespiritforthematter。IfIfareillinthisworldformygood—nature，Ishallhavebetterchanceinthenext。Sonowforthelady，andthenfortheroad。\"
Withthestealthystepandjealouseyeofthecatthatstealsonherprey，WaylandresumedthewaytotheCountess\'schamber，slidingalongbythesideofthecourtsandpassages，alikeobservantofallaroundhim，andstudioushimselftoescapeobservation。InthismannerhecrossedtheoutwardandinwardCastleyard，andthegreatarchedpassage，which，runningbetwixttherangeofkitchenofficesandthehall，ledtothebottomofthelittlewinding—stairthatgaveaccesstothechambersofMervyn\'sTower。
Theartistcongratulatedhimselfonhavingescapedthevariousperilsofhisjourney，andwasintheactofascendingbytwostepsatonce，whenheobservedthattheshadowofaman，thrownfromadoorwhichstoodajar，darkenedtheoppositewallofthestaircase。Waylanddrewbackcautiously，wentdowntotheinnercourtyard，spentaboutaquarterofanhour，whichseemedatleastquadrupleitsusualduration，inwalkingfromplacetoplace，andthenreturnedtothetower，inhopestofindthatthelurkerhaddisappeared。Heascendedashighasthesuspiciousspot——therewasnoshadowonthewall;heascendedafewyardsfarther——thedoorwasstillajar，andhewasdoubtfulwhethertoadvanceorretreat，whenitwassuddenlythrownwideopen，andMichaelLambourneboltedoutupontheastonishedWayland。\"Whothedevilartthou？andwhatseekestthouinthispartoftheCastle？marchintothatchamber，andbehangedtothee！\"
\"Iamnodog，togoateveryman\'swhistle，\"saidtheartist，affectingaconfidencewhichwasbeliedbyatimidshakeinhisvoice。
\"Sayestthoumeso？——Comehither，LawrenceStaples。\"
Ahuge，ill—madeandill—lookedfellow，upwardsofsixfeethigh，appearedatthedoor，andLambourneproceeded:\"Ifthoube\'stsofondofthistower，myfriend，thoushaltseeitsfoundations，goodtwelvefeetbelowthebedofthelake，andtenantedbycertainjollytoads，snakes，andsoforth，whichthouwiltfindmightygoodcompany。Therefore，oncemoreIaskyouinfairplay，whothouart，andwhatthouseekesthere？\"
\"Ifthedungeon—grateonceclashesbehindme，\"thoughtWayland，\"Iamagoneman。\"Hethereforeansweredsubmissively，\"HewasthepoorjugglerwhomhishonourhadmetyesterdayinWeatherlyBottom。\"
\"Andwhatjugglingtrickartthouplayinginthistower？Thygang，\"saidLambourne，\"lieoveragainstClinton\'sbuildings。\"
\"Icameheretoseemysister，\"saidthejuggler，\"whoisinMasterTressilian\'schamber，justabove。\"
\"Aha！\"saidLambourne，smiling，\"herebetruths！Uponmyhonour，forastranger，thissameMasterTressilianmakeshimselfathomeamongus，andfurnishesouthiscellhandsomely，withallsortsofcommodities。ThiswillbeaprecioustaleofthesaintedMasterTressilian，andwillbewelcometosomefolks，asapurseofbroadpiecestome。——Harkye，fellow，\"hecontinued，addressingWayland，\"thoushaltnotgivePussahinttostealawaywemustcatchherinherform。So，backwiththatpitifulsheep—bitingvisageofthine，orIwillflingtheefromthewindowofthetower，andtryifyourjugglingskillcansaveyourbones。\"
\"Yourworshipwillnotbesohardhearted，Itrust，\"saidWayland;
\"poorfolkmustlive。Itrustyourhonourwillallowmetospeakwithmysister？\"
\"SisteronAdam\'sside，Iwarrant，\"saidLambourne;\"or，ifotherwise，themoreknavethou。Butsisterornosister。thoudiestonpointoffox，ifthoucomesta—pryingtothistoweroncemore。AndnowIthinkofit——udsdaggersanddeath！——IwillseetheeoutoftheCastle，forthisisamoremainconcernthanthyjugglery。\"
\"But，pleaseyourworship，\"saidWayland，\"IamtoenactArioninthepageantuponthelakethisveryevening。\"
\"IwillactitmyselfbySaintChristopher！\"saidLambourne。
\"Orion，callestthouhim？——IwillactOrion，hisbeltandhissevenstarstoboot。Comealong，forarascalknaveasthouart——followme！Orstay——Lawrence，dothoubringhimalong。\"
Lawrenceseizedbythecollarofthecloaktheunresistingjuggler;whileLambourne，withhastysteps，ledthewaytothatsamesallyport，orsecretpostern，bywhichTressilianhadreturnedtotheCastle，andwhichopenedinthewesternwallatnogreatdistancefromMervyn\'sTower。
Whiletraversingwitharapidfootthespacebetwixtthetowerandthesallyport，Waylandinvainrackedhisbrainforsomedevicewhichmightavailthepoorlady，forwhom，notwithstandinghisownimminentdanger，hefeltdeepinterest。ButwhenhewasthrustoutoftheCastle，andinformedbyLambourne，withatremendousoath，thatinstantdeathwouldbetheconsequenceofhisagainapproachingit，hecastuphishandsandeyestoheaven，asiftocallGodtowitnesshehadstoodtotheuttermostindefenceoftheoppressed;thenturnedhisbackontheproudtowersofKenilworth，andwenthiswaytoseekahumblerandsaferplaceofrefuge。
LawrenceandLambournegazedalittlewhileafterWayland，andthenturnedtogobacktotheirtower，whentheformerthusaddressedhiscompanion:\"Nevercreditme，MasterLambourne，ifIcanguesswhythouhastdriventhispoorcaitifffromtheCastle，justwhenhewastobearapartintheshowthatwasbeginning，andallthisaboutawench，\"
\"Ah，Lawrence，\"repliedLambourne，\"thouartthinkingofBlackJoanJuggesofSlingdon，andhastsympathywithhumanfrailty。
But，corragio，mostnobleDukeoftheDungeonandLordofLimbo，forthouartasdarkinthismatterasthineowndominionsofLittle—ease。MymostreverendSignioroftheLowCountriesofKenilworth，knowthatourmostnotablemaster，RichardVarney，wouldgiveasmuchtohaveaholeinthissameTressilian\'scoat，aswouldmakeussomefiftymidnightcarousals，withthefullleaveofbiddingthestewardgosnickup，ifhecametostartleustoosoonfromourgoblets。\"
\"Nay，anthatbethecase，thouhastright，\"saidLawrenceStaples，theupper—warder，or，incommonphrase，thefirstjailer，ofKenilworthCastle，andoftheLibertyandHonourbelongingthereto。\"ButhowwillyoumanagewhenyouareabsentattheQueen\'sentrance，MasterLambourne;formethinksthoumustattendthymasterthere？\"
\"Whythou，minehonestprinceofprisons，mustkeepwardinmyabsence。LetTressilianenterifhewill，butseethouletnoonecomeout。Ifthedamselherselfwouldmakeabreak，as\'tisnotunlikeshemay，scareherbackwithroughwords;sheisbutapaltryplayer\'swenchafterall。\"
\"Nayforthatmatter，\"saidLawrence，\"Imightshuttheironwicketuponherthatstandswithoutthedoubledoor，andsoforceperforceshewillbeboundtoheranswerwithoutmoretrouble。\"
\"ThenTressilianwillnotgetaccesstoher，\"saidLambourne，reflectingamoment。\"But\'tisnomatter;shewillbedetectedinhischamber，andthatisallone。Butconfess，thouoldbat\'s—eyeddungeon—keeper，thatyoufeartokeepawakebyyourselfinthatMervyn\'sTowerofthine？\"
\"Why，astofear，MasterLambourne，\"saidthefellow，\"Iminditnottheturningofakey;butstrangethingshavebeenheardandseeninthattower。Youmusthaveheard，forasshorttimeasyouhavebeeninKenilworth，thatitishauntedbythespiritofArthurapMervyn，awildchieftakenbyfierceLordMortimerwhenhewasoneoftheLordsMarchersofWales，andmurdered，astheysay，inthatsametowerwhichbearshisname。\"