WhenEarnsclifffoundhisgifthadbeenreceived，hesoonafterwardspaidthehermitavisit。Theoldmanwasseatedanabroadflatstonenearhisgardendoor，whichwastheseatofscienceheusuallyoccupiedwhendisposedtoreceivehispatientsorclients。Theinsideofhishut，andthatofhisgarden，hekeptassacredfromhumanintrusionasthenativesofOtaheitedotheirMorai；——apparentlyhewouldhavedeemeditpollutedbythestepofanyhumanbeing。Whenheshuthimselfupinhishabitation，noentreatycouldprevailuponhimtomakehimselfvisible，ortogiveaudiencetoanyonewhomsoever。
Earnscliffhadbeenfishinginasmallriveratsomedistance。
Hehadhisrodinhishand，andhisbasket，filledwithtrout，athisshoulder。HesatedownuponastonenearlyoppositetotheDwarfwho，familiarizedwithhispresence，tooknofarthernoticeofhimthanbyelevatinghishugemis-shapenheadforthepurposeofstaringathim，andthenagainsinkingituponhisbosom，asifinprofoundmeditation。Earnsclifflookedaroundhim，andobservedthatthehermithadincreasedhisaccommodationsbytheconstructionofashedforthereceptionofhisgoats。
Youlabourhard，Elshie，\"hesaid，willingtoleadthissingularbeingintoconversation。
\"Labour，\"re-echoedtheDwarf，\"isthemildestevilofalotsomiserableasthatofmankind；bettertolabourlikeme，thansportlikeyou。\"
\"Icannotdefendthehumanityofourordinaryruralsports，Elshie，andyet——\"
\"Andyet，\"interruptedtheDwarf\"theyarebetterthanyourordinarybusiness；bettertoexerciseidleandwantoncrueltyonmutefishesthanonyourfellow-creatures。YetwhyshouldIsayso？Whyshouldnotthewholehumanherdbutt，gore，andgorgeuponeachother，tillallareextirpatedbutonehugeandover-
fedBehemoth，andhe，whenhehadthrottledandgnawedthebonesofallhisfellows——he，whenhispreyfailedhim，toberoaringwholedaysforlackoffood，and，finally，todie，inchbyinch，offamine——itwereaconsummationworthyoftherace！\"
\"Yourdeedsarebetter，Elshie，thanyourwords，\"answeredEarnscliff；\"youlabourtopreservetheracewhomyourmisanthropyslanders。\"
\"Ido；butwhy？——Hearken。YouareoneonwhomIlookwiththeleastloathing，andIcarenot，if，contrarytomywont，Iwasteafewwordsincompassiontoyourinfatuatedblindness。IfI
cannotsenddiseaseintofamilies，andmurrainamongtheherds，canIattainthesameendsowellasbyprolongingthelivesofthosewhocanservethepurposeofdestructionaseffectually？——
IfAliceofBowerhaddiedinwinter，wouldyoungRuthwinhavebeenslainforherlovethelastspring？——WhothoughtofpenningtheircattlebeneaththetowerwhentheRedReiverofWestburnflatwasdeemedtobeonhisdeath-bed？——Mydraughts，myskill，recoveredhim。And，now，whodareleavehisherdupontheleawithoutawatch，orgotobedwithoutunchainingthesleuth-
hound？\"
\"Iown，\"answeredEarnscliff；\"youdidlittlegoodtosocietybythelastofthesecures。But，tobalancetheevil，thereismyfriendHobbie，honestHobbieoftheHeugh-foot，yourskillrelievedhimlastwinterinafeverthatmighthavecosthimhislife。\"
\"Thusthinkthechildrenofclayintheirignorance，\"said：theDwarf，smilingmaliciously，\"andthustheyspeakintheirfolly。
Haveyoumarkedtheyoungcubofawildcatthathasbeendomesticated，howsportive，howplayful，howgentle，——buttrusthimwithyourgame，yourlambs，yourpoultry，hisinbredferocitybreaksforth；hegripes，tears，ravages，anddevours。\"
\"Suchistheanimal’sinstinct，\"answeredEarnscliff；\"butwhathasthattodowithHobbie？\"
\"Itishisemblem——itishispicture，\"retortedtheRecluse。\"Heisatpresenttame，quiet，anddomesticated，forlackofopportunitytoexercisehisinbornpropensities；butletthetrumpetofwarsound——lettheyoungblood-houndsnuffblood，hewillbeasferociousasthewildestofhisBorderancestorsthateverfiredahelplesspeasant’sabode。Canyoudeny，thatevenatpresentheoftenurgesyoutotakebloodyrevengeforaninjuryreceivedwhenyouwereaboy？\"——Earnscliffstarted；theRecluseappearednottoobservehissurprise，andproceeded——\"ThetrumpetWILLblow，theyoungblood-houndWILLlapblood，andI
willlaughandsay，ForthisIhavepreservedthee！\"Hepaused，andcontinued，——\"Sucharemycures；——theirobject，theirpurpose，perpetuatingthemassofmisery，andplayingeveninthisdesertmypartinthegeneraltragedy。WereYOUonyoursickbed，I
might，incompassion，sendyouacupofpoison。\"
\"Iammuchobligedtoyou，Elshie，andcertainlyshallnotfailtoconsultyou，withsocomfortableahopefromyourassistance。\"
\"Donotflatteryourselftoofar，\"repliedtheHermit，\"withthehopethatIwillpositivelyyieldtothefrailtyofpity。WhyshouldIsnatchadupe，sowellfittedtoendurethemiseriesoflifeasyouare，fromthewretchednesswhichhisownvisions，andthevillainyoftheworld，arepreparingforhim？WhyshouldI
playthecompassionateIndian，and，knockingoutthebrainsofthecaptivewithmytomahawk，atoncespoilthethreedays’
amusementofmykindredtribe，attheverymomentwhenthebrandswerelighted，thepincersheated，thecauldronsboiling，theknivessharpened，totear，scorch，seethe，andscarifytheintendedvictim？\"
\"Adreadfulpictureyoupresenttomeoflife，Elshie；butIamnotdauntedbyit，\"returnedEarnscliff。\"Wearesenthere，inonesense，tobearandtosuffer；but，inanother，todoandtoenjoy。Theactivedayhasitseveningofrepose；evenpatientsufferancehasitsalleviations，wherethereisaconsolatorysenseofdutydischarged。\"
\"Ispurnattheslavishandbestialdoctrine，\"saidtheDwarf，hiseyeskindlingwithinsanefury，——\"Ispurnatit，asworthyonlyofthebeaststhatperish；butIwillwastenomorewordswithyou。\"
Herosehastily；but，erehewithdrewintothehut，headded，withgreatvehemence，\"Yet，lestyoustillthinkmyapparentbenefitstomankindflowfromthestupidandservilesource，calledloveofourfellow-creatures，know，thatwerethereamanwhohadannihilatedmysoul’sdearesthope——whohadtornmyhearttomammocks，andsearedmpbraintillitglowedlikeavolcano，andwerethatman’sfortuneandlifeinmypowerascompletelyasthisfrailpotsherd\"（hesnatchedupanearthencupwhichstoodbesidehim），\"Iwouldnotdashhimintoatomsthus\"——（heflungthevesselwithfuryagainstthewall），——\"No！\"（hespokemorecomposedly，butwiththeutmostbitterness），\"Iwouldpamperhimwithwealthandpowertoinflamehisevilpassions，andtofulfilhisevildesigns；heshouldlacknomeansofviceandvillainy；
heshouldbethecentreofawhirlpoolthatitselfshouldknowneitherrestnorpeace，butboilwithunceasingfury，whileitwreckedeverygoodlyshipthatapproacheditslimits！heshouldbeanearthquakecapableofshakingtheverylandinwhichhedwelt，andrenderingallitsinhabitantsfriendless，outcast，andmiserable——asIam！\"
Thewretchedbeingrushedintohishutasheutteredtheselastwords，shuttingthedoorwithfuriousviolence，andrapidlydrawingtwobolts，oneafteranother，asiftoexcludetheintrusionofanyoneofthathatedrace，whohadthuslashedhissoultofrenzy。Earnscliffleftthemoorwithmingledsensationsofpityandhorror，ponderingwhatstrangeandmelancholycausecouldhavereducedtosomiserableastateofmind，amanwhoselanguagearguedhimtobeofrankandeducationmuchsuperiortothevulgar。Hewasalsosurprisedtoseehowmuchparticularinformationapersonwhohadlivedinthatcountrysoshortatime，andinsorecluseamanner，hadbeenabletocollectrespectingthedispositionsandprivateaffairsoftheinhabitants。
\"Itisnowonder，\"hesaidtohimself，\"thatwithsuchextentofinformation，suchamodeoflife，souncouthafigure，andsentimentssovirulentlymisanthropic，thisunfortunateshouldberegardedbythevulgarasinleaguewiththeEnemyofMankind。\"
CHAPTERV。
ThebleakestrockupontheloneliestheathFeels，initsbarrenness，sometouchofspring；
And，intheAprildew，orbeamofMay，Itsmossandlichenfreshenandrevive；
Andthustheheart，mostsear’dtohumanpleasure，Meltsatthetear，joysinthesmile，ofwoman。BEAUMONT
Astheseasonadvanced，theweatherbecamemoregenial，andtheReclusewasmorefrequentlyfoundoccupyingthebroadflatstoneinthefrontofhismansion。Ashesatethereoneday，aboutthehourofnoon，apartyofgentlemenandladies，wellmounted，andnumerouslyattended，sweptacrosstheheathatsomedistancefromhisdwelling。Dogs，hawks，andled-horsesswelledtheretinue，andtheairresoundedatintervalswiththecheerofthehunters，andthesoundofhornsblownbytheattendants。TheReclusewasabouttoretireintohismansionatthesightofatrainsojoyous，whenthreeyoungladies，withtheirattendants，whohadmadeacircuit，anddetachedthemselvesfromtheirparty，inordertogratifytheircuriositybyasightoftheWiseWightofMucklestane-Moor，camesuddenlyup，erehecouldeffecthispurpose。Thefirstshrieked，andputherhandsbeforehereyes，atsightofanobjectsounusuallydeformed。Thesecond，withahystericalgiggle，whichsheintendedshoulddisguiseherterrors，askedtheRecluse，whetherhecouldtelltheirfortune。
Thethird，whowasbestmounted，bestdressed，andincomparablythebest-lookingofthethree，advanced，asiftocovertheincivilityofhercompanions。
\"Wehavelosttherightpaththatleadsthroughthesemorasses，andourpartyhavegoneforwardwithoutus，\"saidtheyounglady。
\"Seeingyou，father，atthedoorofyourhouse，wehaveturnedthiswayto——\"
\"Hush！\"interruptedtheDwarf；\"soyoung，andalreadysoartful？
Youcame——youknowyoucame，toexultintheconsciousnessofyourownyouth，wealth，andbeauty，bycontrastingthemwithage，poverty，anddeformity。Itisafitemploymentforthedaughterofyourfather；butOhowunlikethechildofyourmother！\"
\"Didyou，then，knowmyparents，anddoyouknowme？\"
\"Yes；thisisthefirsttimeyouhavecrossedmywakingeyes，butIhaveseenyouinmydreams。\"
\"Yourdreams？\"
\"Ay，IsabelVere。Whathastthou，orthine，todowithmywakingthoughts？\"
\"Yourwakingthoughts，sir，\"saidthesecondofMissVere’scompanions，withasortofmockgravity，\"arefixed，doubtless，uponwisdom；follycanonlyintrudeonyoursleepingmoments。\"
\"Overthine，\"retortedtheDwarf，morespleneticallythanbecameaphilosopherorhermit，\"follyexercisesanunlimitedempire，asleeporawake。\"
\"Lordblessus！\"saidthelady，\"he’saprophet，sureenough。\"
\"Assurely，\"continuedtheRecluse，\"asthouartawoman。——A
woman！——Ishouldhavesaidalady——afinelady。Youaskedmetotellyourfortune——itisasimpleone；anendlesschasethroughlifeafterfolliesnotworthcatching，and，whencaught，successivelythrownaway——achase，pursuedfromthedaysoftotteringinfancytothoseofoldageuponhiscrutches。Toysandmerry-makingsinchildhood——loveanditsabsurditiesinyouth——spadilleandbastoinage，shallsucceedeachotherasobjectsofpursuit——flowersandbutterfliesinspring——
butterfliesandthistle-downinsummer——witheredleavesinautumnandwinter——allpursued，allcaught，allflungaside。
——Standapart；yourfortuneissaid。\"
\"AllCAUGHT，however，\"retortedthelaughingfairone，whowasacousinofMissVere’s；\"that’ssomething，Nancy，\"shecontinued，turningtothetimiddamselwhohadfirstapproachedtheDwarf；
\"willyouaskyourfortune？\"
\"Notforworlds，\"saidshe，drawingback；\"Ihaveheardenoughofyours。\"
\"Well，then，\"saidMissIlderton，offeringmoneytotheDwarf，\"I’llpayformine，asifitwerespokenbyanoracletoaprincess。\"
\"Truth，\"saidtheSoothsayer，\"canneitherbeboughtnorsold；\"
andhepushedbackherprofferedofferingwithmorosedisdain。
\"Well，then，\"saidthelady，\"I’llkeepmymoney，Mr。Elshender，toassistmeinthechaseIamtopursue。\"
\"Youwillneedit，\"repliedthecynic；\"withoutit，fewpursuesuccessfully，andfewerarethemselvespursued。——Stop！\"hesaidtoMissVere，ashercompanionsmovedoff，\"WithyouIhavemoretosay。Youhavewhatyourcompanionswouldwishtohave，orbethoughttohave，——beauty，wealth，station，accomplishments。\"
\"Forgivemyfollowingmycompanions，father；Iamproofbothtoflatteryandfortune-telling。\"
\"Stay，\"continuedtheDwarf，withhishandonherhorse’srein，\"Iamnocommonsoothsayer，andIamnoflatterer。AlltheadvantagesIhavedetailed，allandeachofthemhavetheircorrespondingevils——unsuccessfullove，crossedaffections，thegloomofaconvent，oranodiousalliance。I，whowishilltoallmankind，cannotwishmoreeviltoyou，somuchisyourcourseoflifecrossedbyit。\"
\"Andifitbe，father，letmeenjoythereadiestsolaceofadversitywhileprosperityisinmypower。Youareold；youarepoor；yourhabitationisfarfromhumanaid，wereyouill，orinwant；yoursituation，inmanyrespects，exposesyoutothesuspicionsofthevulgar，whicharetooapttobreakoutintoactionsofbrutality。LetmethinkIhavemendedthelotofonehumanbeing！AcceptofsuchassistanceasIhavepowertooffer；
dothisformysake，ifnotforyourown，thatwhentheseevilsarise，whichyouprophesyperhapstootruly，Imaynothavetoreflect，thatthehoursofmyhappiertimehavebeenpassedaltogetherinvain。\"
Theoldmanansweredwithabrokenvoice，andalmostwithoutaddressinghimselftotheyounglady，——
\"Yes，’tisthusthoushouldstthink——’tisthusthoushouldstspeak，ifeverhumanspeechandthoughtkepttouchwitheachother！Theydonot——theydonot——Alas！theycannot。Andyet——
waithereaninstant——stirnottillmyreturn。\"Hewenttohislittlegarden，andreturnedwithahalf-blownrose。\"Thouhastmademeshedatear，thefirstwhichhaswetmyeyelidsformanyayear；forthatgooddeedreceivethistokenofgratitude。Itisbutacommonrose；preserveit，however，anddonotpartwithit。Cometomeinyourhourofadversity。Showmethatrose，orbutoneleafofit，wereitwitheredasmyheartis——ifitshouldbeinmyfiercestandwildestmovementsofrageagainstahatefulworld，stillitwillrecallgentlerthoughtstomybosom，andperhapsaffordhappierprospectstothine。Butnomessage，\"heexclaimed，risingintohisusualmoodofmisanthropy，——\"nomessage——nogo-between！Comethyself；andtheheartandthedoorsthatareshutagainsteveryotherearthlybeing，shallopentotheeandtothysorrows。Andnowpasson。\"
Heletgothebridle-rein，andtheyoungladyrodeon，afterexpressingherthankstothissingularbeing，aswellashersurpriseattheextraordinarynatureofhisaddresswouldpermit，oftenturningbacktolookattheDwarf，whostillremainedatthedoorofhishabitation，andwatchedherprogressoverthemoortowardsherfather’scastleofEllieslaw，untilthebrowofthehillhidthepartyfromhissight。
Theladies，meantime，jestedwithMissVereonthestrangeinterviewtheyhadjusthadwiththefar-famedwizardoftheMoor。\"Isabellahasalltheluckathomeandabroad！Herhawkstrikesdowntheblack-cock；hereyeswoundthegallant；nochanceforherpoorcompanionsandkinswomen；eventheconjurorcannotescapetheforceofhercharms。Youshould，incompassion，ceasetobesuchanengrosser，mydearIsabel，oratleastsetupshop，andselloffallthegoodsyoudonotmeantokeepforyourownuse。\"
\"Youshallhavethemall，\"repliedMissVere，\"andtheconjurortoboot，ataveryeasyrate。\"
\"No！Nancyshallhavetheconjuror，\"saidMissIlderton，\"tosupplydeficiencies；she’snotquiteawitchherself，youknow。\"
\"Lord，sister，\"answeredtheyoungerMissIlderton，\"whatcouldI
dowithsofrightfulamonster？Ikeptmyeyesshut，afteronceglancingathim；and，Iprotest，IthoughtIsawhimstill，thoughIwinkedascloseaseverIcould。\"
\"That’sapity，\"saidhersister；\"everwhileyoulive，Nancy，chooseanadmirerwhosefaultscanbehidbywinkingatthem。——
Well，then，Imusttakehimmyself，Isuppose，andputhimintomamma’sJapancabinet，inordertoshowthatScotlandcanproduceaspecimenofmortalclaymouldedintoaformtenthousandtimesuglierthantheimaginationsofCantonandPekin，fertileastheyareinmonsters，haveimmortalizedinporcelain。\"
\"Thereissomething，\"saidMissVere，\"somelancholyinthesituationofthispoorman，thatIcannotenterintoyourmirth，Lucy，soreadilyasusual。Ifhehasnoresources，howishetoexistinthiswastecountry，living，ashedoes，atsuchadistancefrommankind？andifhehasthemeansofsecuringoccasionalassistance，willnottheverysuspicionthatheispossessedofthem，exposehimtoplunderandassassinationbysomeofourunsettledneighbours？\"
\"Butyouforgetthattheysayheisawarlock，\"saidNancyIlderton。
\"And，ifhismagicdiabolicalshouldfailhim，\"rejoinedhersister，\"Iwouldhavehimtrusttohismagicnatural，andthrusthisenormoushead，andmostpreternaturalvisage，outathisdoororwindow，fullinviewoftheassailants。Theboldestrobberthateverrodewouldhardlybideasecondglanceofhim。Well，I
wishIhadtheuseofthatGorgonheadofhisforonlyonehalfhour。\"
\"Forwhatpurpose，Lucy？\"saidMissVere。
\"O！Iwouldfrightenoutofthecastlethatdark，stiff，andstatelySirFrederickLangley，thatissogreatafavouritewithyourfather，andsolittleafavouriteofyours。IprotestI
shallbeobligedtotheWizardaslongasIlive，ifitwereonlyforthehalfhour’srelieffromthatman’scompanywhichwehavegainedbydeviatingfromthepartytovisitElshie。\"
\"Whatwouldyousay，then，\"saidMissVere，inalowtone，soasnottobeheardbytheyoungersister，whorodebeforethem，thenarrowpathnotadmittingoftheirmovingallthreeabreast，——\"
Whatwouldyousay，mydearestLucy，ifitwereproposedtoyoutoendurehiscompanyforlife？\"
\"Say？Iwouldsay，NO，NO，NO，threetimes，eachlouderthananother，tilltheyshouldhearmeatCarlisle。\"
\"AndSirFrederickwouldsaythen，nineteennay-saysarehalfagrant。\"
\"That，\"repliedMissLucy，\"dependsentirelyonthemannerinwhichthenay-saysaresaid。Mineshouldhavenotonegrainofconcessioninthem，Ipromiseyou。\"
\"Butifyourfather，\"saidMissVere，\"weretosay，——Thusdo，or——\"
\"IwouldstandtotheconsequencesofhisOR，werehethemostcruelfatherthateverwasrecordedinromance，tofillupthealternative。\"
\"Andwhatifhethreatenedyouwithacatholicaunt，anabbess，andacloister？\"
\"Then，\"saidMissIlderton，\"Iwouldthreatenhimwithaprotestantson-in-law，andbegladofanopportunitytodisobeyhimforconscience’sake。AndnowthatNancyisoutofhearing，letmereallysay，IthinkyouwouldbeexcusablebeforeGodandmanforresistingthispreposterousmatchbyeverymeansinyourpower。Aproud，dark，ambitiousman；acaballeragainstthestate；infamousforhisavariceandseverity；abadson，abadbrother，unkindandungeneroustoallhisrelatives——Isabel，I
woulddieratherthanhavehim。\"
\"Don’tletmyfatherhearyougivemesuchadvice，\"saidMissVere，\"oradieu，mydearLucy，toEllieslawCastle。\"
\"AndadieutoEllieslawCastle，withallmyheart，\"saidherfriend，\"ifIoncesawyoufairlyoutofit，andsettledundersomekinderprotectorthanhewhomnaturehasgivenyou。O，ifmypoorfatherhadbeeninhisformerhealth，howgladlywouldhehavereceivedandshelteredyou，tillthisridiculousandcruelpersecutionwereblownover！\"
\"WouldtoGodithadbeenso，mydearLucy！\"answeredIsabella；
\"butIfear，that，inyourfather’sweakstateofhealth，hewouldbealtogetherunabletoprotectmeagainstthemeanswhichwouldbeimmediatelyusedforreclaimingthepoorfugitive。\"
\"Ifearsoindeed，\"repliedMissIlderton；\"butwewillconsideranddevisesomething。Nowthatyourfatherandhisguestsseemsodeeplyengagedinsomemysteriousplot，tojudgefromthepassingandreturningofmessages，fromthestrangefaceswhichappearanddisappearwithoutbeingannouncedbytheirnames，fromthecollectingandcleaningofarms，andtheanxiousgloomandbustlewhichseemtoagitateeverymaleinthecastle，itmaynotbeimpossibleforus（alwaysincasemattersbedriventoextremity）toshapeoutsomelittlesupplementalconspiracyofourown。Ihopethegentlemenhavenotkeptallthepolicytothemselves；andthereisoneassociatethatIwouldgladlyadmittoourcounsel。\"
\"NotNancy？\"
\"O，no！\"saidMissIlderton；\"Nancy，thoughanexcellentgoodgirl，andfondlyattachedtoyou，wouldmakeadullconspirator——asdullasRenaultandalltheothersubordinateplottersinVENICEPRESERVED。No；thisisaJaffier，orPierre，ifyoulikethecharacterbetter；andyetthoughIknowIshallpleaseyou，I
amafraidtomentionhisnametoyou，lestIvexyouatthesametime。Canyounotguess？Somethingaboutaneagleandarock——
itdoesnotbeginwitheagleinEnglish，butsomethingverylikeitinScotch。\"
\"YoucannotmeanyoungEarnscliff，Lucy？\"saidMissVere，blushingdeeply。
\"AndwhomelseshouldImean\"saidLucy。\"JaffiersandPierresareveryscarceinthiscountry，Itakeit，thoughonecouldfindRenaultsandBedamarsenow。\"
\"Howcallyoutalksowildly，Lucy？Yourplaysandromanceshavepositivelyturnedyourbrain。Youknow，that，independentofmyfather’sconsent，withoutwhichIneverwillmarryanyone，andwhich，inthecaseyoupointat，wouldneverbegranted；
independent，too，ofourknowingnothingofyoungEarnscliff’sinclinations，butbyyourownvividconjecturesandfancies——
besidesallthis，thereisthefatalbrawl！\"
\"Whenhisfatherwaskilled？\"saidLucy。\"Butthatwasverylongago；andIhopewehaveoutlivedthetimeofbloodyfeud，whenaquarrelwascarrieddownbetweentwofamiliesfromfathertoson，likeaSpanishgameatchess，andamurderortwocommittedineverygeneration，justtokeepthematterfromgoingtosleep。Wedowithourquarrelsnowadaysaswithourclothes；
cutthemoutforourselves，andwearthemoutinourownday，andshouldnomorethinkofresentingourfathers’feuds，thanofwearingtheirslasheddoubletsandtrunk-hose。\"
\"Youtreatthisfartoolightly，Lucy，\"answeredMissVere。
\"Notabit，mydearIsabella，\"saidLucy。\"Consider，yourfather，thoughpresentintheunhappyaffray，isneversupposedtohavestruckthefatalblow；besides，informertimes，incaseofmutualslaughterbetweenclans，subsequentalliancesweresofarfrombeingexcluded，thatthehandofadaughterorasisterwasthemostfrequentgageofreconciliation。Youlaughatmyskillinromance；but，Iassureyou，shouldyourhistorybewritten，likethatofmanyalessdistressedandlessdeservingheroine，thewell-judgingreaderwouldsetyoudownfortheladyandtheloveofEarnscliff；fromtheveryobstaclewhichyousupposesoinsurmountable。\"
\"Butthesearenotthedaysofromance，butofsadreality，fortherestandsthecastleofEllieslaw。\"
\"AndtherestandsSirFrederickLangleyatthegate，waitingtoassisttheladiesfromtheirpalfreys。Iwouldaslieftouchatoad；Iwilldisappointhim，andtakeoldHorsingtonthegroomformymasterofthehorse。\"
Sosaying，thelivelyyoungladyswitchedherpalfreyforward，andpassingSirFrederickwithafamiliarnodashestoodreadytotakeherhorse’srein，shecanteredon，andjumpedintothearmsoftheoldgroom。FainwouldIsabellahavedonethesamehadshedared；butherfatherstoodnear，displeasurealreadydarkeningonacountenancepeculiarlyqualifiedtoexpresstheharsherpassions，andshewascompelledtoreceivetheunwelcomeassiduitiesofherdetestedsuitor。
CHAPTERVI。
Letnotusthataresquiresofthenight’sbodybecalledthievesoftheday’sbooty；letusbeDiana’sforesters，gentlemenoftheshade，minionsofthemoon。
HENRYTHEFOURTH，PARTI。
TheSolitaryhadconsumedtheremainderofthatdayinwhichhehadtheinterviewwiththeyoungladies，withintheprecinctsofhisgarden。Eveningagainfoundhimseatedonhisfavouritestone。Thesunsettingred，andamongseasofrollingclouds，threwagloomylustreoverthemoor，andgaveadeeperpurpletothebroadoutlineofheathymountainswhichsurroundedthisdesolatespot。TheDwarfsatewatchingthecloudsastheyloweredaboveeachotherinmassesofconglomeratedvapours，and，asastrongluridbeamofthesinkingluminarydartedfullonhissolitaryanduncouthfigure，hemightwellhaveseemedthedemonofthestormwhichwasgathering，orsomegnomesummonedforthfromtherecessesoftheearthbythesubterraneansignalsofitsapproach。Ashesatethus，withhisdarkeyeturnedtowardsthescowlingandblackeningheaven，ahorsemanroderapidlyuptohim，andstopping，asiftolethishorsebreatheforaninstant，madeasortofobeisancetotheanchoret，withanairbetwixteffronteryandembarrassment。
Thefigureoftheriderwasthin，tall，andslender，butremarkablyathletic，bony，andsinewy；likeonewhohadallhislifefollowedthoseviolentexerciseswhichpreventthehumanformfromincreasinginbulk，whiletheyhardenandconfirmbyhabititsmuscularpowers。Hisface，sharp-featured，sun-burnt，andfreckled，hadasinisterexpressionofviolence，impudence，andcunning，eachofwhichseemedalternatelytopredominateovertheothers。Sandy-colouredhair，andreddisheyebrows，fromunderwhichlookedforthhissharpgreyeyes，completedtheinauspiciousoutlineofthehorseman’sphysiognomy。Hehadpistolsinhisholsters，andanotherpairpeepedfromhisbelt，thoughhehadtakensomepainstoconcealthembybuttoninghisdoublet。Heworearustedsteelheadpiece；abuffjacketofratheranantiquecast；gloves，ofwhichthatfortherighthandwascoveredwithsmallscalesofiron，likeanancientgauntlet；
andalongbroadswordcompletedhisequipage。
\"So，\"saidtheDwarf，\"rapineandmurderoncemoreonhorseback。\"
\"Onhorseback？\"saidthebandit；\"ay，ay，Elshie，yourleech-
crafthassetmeonthebonnybayagain。\"
\"Andallthosepromisesofamendmentwhichyoumadeduringyourillnessforgotten？\"continuedElshender。
\"Allclearaway，withthewater-sapsandpanada，\"returnedtheunabashedconvalescent。\"Yeken，Elshie，fortheysayyeareweelacquentwi’thegentleman，\"Whenthedevilwassick，thedevilamonkwouldbe，Whenthedevilwaswell，thedevilamonkwashe。\"
\"Thousay’sttrue，\"saidtheSolitary；\"aswelldivideawolffromhisappetiteforcarnage，oraravenfromherscentofslaughter，astheefromthyaccursedpropensities。\"
\"Why，whatwouldyouhavemetodo？It’sbornwithme——liesinmyverybludeandbane。Why，man，theladsofWestburnflat，fortenlangdescents，havebeenreiversandlifters。Theyhavealldrunkhard，livedhigh，takingdeeprevengeforlightoffence，andneverwantedgearforthewinning。\"
\"Right；andthouartasthorough-bredawolf，\"saidtheDwarf，\"aseverleaptalamb-foldatnight。Onwhathell’serrandartthouboundnow？\"
\"Canyourskillnotguess？\"
\"ThusfarIknow，\"saidtheDwarf，\"thatthypurposeisbad，thydeedwillbeworse，，andtheissueworstofall。\"
\"Andyoulikemethebetterforit，FatherElshie，eh？\"saidWestburnflat；\"youalwayssaidyoudid。\"
\"Ihavecausetolikeall，\"answeredtheSolitary，\"thatarescourgestotheirfellow-creatures，andthouartabloodyone。\"
\"No——Isaynotguiltytothat——leverbluidyunlessthere’sresistance，andthatsetsaman’sbristlesup，yeken。Andthisisnaegreatmatter，aftera’；justtocutthecombofayoungcockthathasbeencrawingalittleowercrousely。\"
\"NotyoungEarnscliff？\"saidtheSolitary，withsomeemotion。
\"No；notyoungEarnscliff——notyoungEarnscliffYET；buthistimemaycome，ifhewillnottakewarning，andgethimbacktotheburrow-townthathe’sfitfor，andnokeepskelpingabouthere，destroyingthefewdeerthatareleftinthecountry，andpretendingtoactasamagistrate，andwritingletterstothegreatfolkatAuldReekie，aboutthedisturbedstateoftheland。
Lethimtakecareo’himsell。\"
\"ThenitmustbeHobbieoftheHeugh-foot，\"saidElshie。
\"Whatharmhastheladdoneyou？\"
\"Harm！naegreatharm；butIhearhesaysIstaidawayfromtheBa’spielonFastern’sE’en，forfearofhim；anditwasonlyforfearoftheCountryKeeper，fortherewasawarrantagainstme。
I’llstandHobbie’sfeud，anda’hisclan’s。Butit’snotsomuchforthat，astogiehimalessonnottolethistonguegallopowerfreelyabouthisbetters。Itrowhewillhaelostthebestpen-feathero’hiswingbeforeto-morrowmorning。——
Farewell，Elshie；there’ssomecannyboyswaitingformedownamangtheshaws，owerby；IwillseeyouasIcomeback，andbringyeablithetaleinreturnforyourleech-craft。\"
EretheDwarfcouldcollecthimselftoreply，theReiverofWestburnflatsetspurstohishorse。Theanimal，startingatoneofthestoneswhichlayscatteredabout，flewfromthepath。Theriderexercisedhisspurswithoutmoderationormercy。Thehorsebecamefurious，reared，kicked，plunged，andboltedlikeadeer，withallhisfourfeetoffthegroundatonce。Itwasinvain；
theunrelentingridersateasifhehadbeenapartofthehorsewhichhebestrode；and，afterashortbutfuriouscontest，compelledthesubduedanimaltoproceeduponthepathataratewhichsooncarriedhimoutofsightoftheSolitary。
\"Thatvillain，\"exclaimedtheDwarf，——\"thatcool-blooded，hardened，unrelentingruffian，——thatwretch，whoseeverythoughtisinfectedwithcrimes，——hasthewesandsinews，limbs，strength，andactivityenough，tocompelanobleranimalthanhimselftocarryhimtotheplacewhereheistoperpetratehiswickedness；
whileI，hadItheweaknesstowishtoputhiswretchedvictimonhisguard，andtosavethehelplessfamily，wouldseemygoodintentionsfrustratedbythedecrepitudewhichchainsmetothespot。——WhyshouldIwishitwereotherwise？Whathavemyscreech-owlvoice，myhideousform，andmymis-shapenfeatures，todowiththefairerworkmanshipofnature？Donotmenreceiveevenmybenefitswithshrinkinghorrorandill-suppresseddisgust？AndwhyshouldIinterestmyselfinaracewhichaccountsmeaprodigyandanoutcast，andwhichhastreatedmeassuch？No；byalltheingratitudewhichIhavereaped——byallthewrongswhichIhavesustained——bymyimprisonment，mystripes，mychains，Iwillwrestledownmyfeelingsofrebellioushumanity！
IwillnotbethefoolIhavebeen，toswervefrommyprincipleswhenevertherewasanappeal，forsooth，tomyfeelings；asifI，towardswhomnoneshowsympathy，oughttohavesympathywithanyone。LetDestinydriveforthherscythedcarthroughtheoverwhelmedandtremblingmassofhumanity！ShallIbetheidiottothrowthisdecrepitform，thismis-shapenlumpofmortality，underherwheels，thattheDwarf，theWizard，theHunchback，maysavefromdestructionsomefairformorsomeactiveframe，andalltheworldclaptheirhandsattheexchange？No，never！——AndyetthisElliot——thisHobbie，soyoungandgallant，sofrank，so——Iwillthinkofitnolonger。IcannotaidhimifIwould，andIamresolved——firmlyresolved，thatIwouldnotaidhim，ifawishwerethepledgeofhissafety！\"
Havingthusendedhissoliloquy，heretreatedintohishutforshelterfromthestormwhichwasfastapproaching，andnowbegantoburstinlargeandheavydropsofrain。Thelastraysofthesunnowdisappearedentirely，andtwoorthreeclapsofdistantthunderfollowedeachotheratbriefintervals，echoingandre-echoingamongtherangeofheathyfellslikethesoundofadistantengagement。
CHAPTERVII。
Proudbirdofthemountain，thyplumeshallbetorn！——……
Returntothydwelling；alllonely，return；
Fortheblacknessofashesshallmarkwhereitstood，Andawildmotherscreamo’erherfamishingbrood。CAMPBELL。
Thenightcontinuedsullenandstormy；butmorningroseasifrefreshedbytherains。EventheMucklestane-Moor，withitsbroadbleakswellsofbarrengrounds，interspersedwithmarshypoolsofwater，seemedtosmileunderthesereneinfluenceofthesky，justasgood-humourcanspreadacertaininexpressiblecharmovertheplainesthumancountenance。Theheathwasinitsthickestanddeepestbloom。Thebees，whichtheSolitaryhadaddedtohisruralestablishment，wereabroadandonthewing，andfilledtheairwiththemurmursoftheirindustry。Astheoldmancreptoutofhislittlehut，histwoshe-goatscametomeethim，andlickedhishandsingratitudeforthevegetableswithwhichhesuppliedthemfromhisgarden。\"You，atleast，\"hesaid——\"you，atleast，seenodifferencesinformwhichcanalteryourfeelingstoabenefactor——toyou，thefinestshapethateverstatuarymouldedwouldbeanobjectofindifferenceorofalarm，shoulditpresentitselfinsteadofthemis-shapentrunktowhoseservicesyouareaccustomed。WhileIwasintheworld，didI
evermeetwithsuchareturnofgratitude？No；thedomesticwhomIhadbredfrominfancymademouthsatmeashestoodbehindmychair；thefriendwhomIhadsupportedwithmyfortune，andforwhosesakeIhadevenstained——（hestoppedwithastrongconvulsiveshudder），evenhethoughtmemorefitforthesocietyoflunatics——fortheirdisgracefulrestraints——fortheircruelprivations，thanforcommunicationwiththerestofhumanity。
Hubertalone——andHuberttoowillonedayabandonme。Allareofapiece，onemassofwickedness，selfishness，andingratitude——
wretches，whosinevenintheirdevotions；andofsuchhardnessofheart，thattheydonot，withouthypocrisy，eventhanktheDeityhimselfforhiswarmsunandpureair。\"
Ashewasplungedinthesegloomysoliloquies，heheardthetrampofahorseontheothersideofhisenclosure，andastrongclearbassvoicesingingwiththelivelinessinspiredbyalightheart，CannyHobbieElliot，cannyHobbienow，CannyHobbieElliot，I’segangalangwi’you。
Atthesamemoment，alargedeergreyhoundsprungoverthehermit’sfence。Itiswellknowntothesportsmeninthesewilds，thattheappearanceandscentofthegoatsomuchresemblethoseoftheirusualobjectsofchase，thatthebest-brokegreyhoundswillsometimesflyuponthem。Thedoginquestioninstantlypulleddownandthrottledoneofthehermit’sshe-
goats，whileHobbieElliot，whocameup，andjumpedfromhishorseforthepurpose，wasunabletoextricatetheharmlessanimalfromthefangsofhisattendantuntilitwasexpiring。
TheDwarfeyed，forafewmoments，theconvulsivestartsofhisdyingfavourite，untilthepoorgoatstretchedoutherlimbswiththetwitchesandshiveringfitofthelastagony。Hethenstartedintoanaccessoffrenzy，andunsheathingalongsharpknife，ordagger，whichheworeunderhiscoat，hewasabouttolaunchitatthedog，whenHobbie，perceivinghispurpose，interposed，andcaughtholdofhishand，exclaiming，\"Letabethehound，man——letabethehound！——Na，na，Killbuckmaunnabeguidedthatgate，neither。\"
TheDwarfturnedhisrageontheyoungfarmer；and，byasuddeneffort，farmorepowerfulthanHobbieexpectedfromsuchaperson，freedhiswristfromhisgrasp，andofferedthedaggerathisheart。Allthiswasdoneinthetwinklingofaneye，andtheincensedReclusemighthavecompletedhisvengeancebyplungingtheweaponinElliot’sbosom，hadhenotbeencheckedbyaninternalimpulsewhichmadehimhurltheknifetoadistance。
\"No，\"heexclaimed，ashethusvoluntarilydeprivedhimselfofthemeansofgratifyinghisrage；\"notagain——notagain！\"
Hobbieretreatedasteportwoingreatsurprise，discomposure，anddisdain，athavingbeenplacedinsuchdangerbyanobjectapparentlysocontemptible。
\"Thedeil’sinthebodyforstrengthandbitterness！\"werethefirstwordsthatescapedhim，whichhefollowedupwithanapologyfortheaccidentthathadgivenrisetotheirdisagreement。\"IamnojustifyingKillbucka’thegitherneither，andIamsureitisasvexingtomeastoyou，Elshie，thatthemischanceshouldhaehappened；butI’llsendyoutwagoatsandtwafatgimmers，man，tomakea’straightagain。Awisemanlikeyoushouldnabearmaliceagainstapoordumbthing；yeseethatagoat’slikefirst-cousintoadeer，saeheactedbutaccordingtohisnatureaftera’。Haditbeenapet-lamb，therewadhaebeenmairtobesaid。Yesuldkeepsheep，Elshie，andnogoats，wherethere’ssaemonydeerhoundsabout——butI’llsendyebaith。\"
\"Wretch！\"saidtheHermit，\"yourcrueltyhasdestroyedoneoftheonlycreaturesinexistencethatwouldlookonmewithkindness！\"
\"DearElshie，\"answeredHobbie，\"I’mwaeyesuldhaecausetosaysae；I’msureitwasnawi’mywill。Andyet，it’strue，Ishouldhaemindedyourgoats，andcoupledupthedogs。I’msureIwouldrathertheyhadworriedtheprimestwetherinmyfaulds。——Come，man，forgetandforgie。I’me’enasvexedasyecanbe——ButIamabridegroom，yesee，andthatputsa’thingsouto’myhead，I
think。There’sthemarriage-dinner，orgudeparto’t，thatmytwabrithersarebringingonasledroundbytheRiders’Slack，threegoodlybucksaseverranonDallomlea，asthesangsays；
theycouldnacomethestraightroadforthesaftgrund。Iwadsendyeabitvenison，butyewadnatakeitweelmaybe，forKillbuckcatchedit。\"
Duringthislongspeech，inwhichthegood-naturedBordererendeavouredtopropitiatetheoffendedDwarfbyeveryargumenthecouldthinkof，heheardhimwithhiseyesbentontheground，asifinthedeepestmeditation，andatlengthbrokeforth——
\"Nature？——yes！itisindeedintheusualbeatenpathofNature。Thestronggripeandthrottletheweak；therichdepressanddespoiltheneedy；thehappy（thosewhoareidiotsenoughtothinkthemselveshappy）insultthemiseryanddiminishtheconsolationofthewretched。——Gohence，thouwhohastcontrivedtogiveanadditionalpangtothemostmiserableofhumanbeings——thouwhohastdeprivedmeofwhatIhalfconsideredasasourceofcomfort。Gohence，andenjoythehappinesspreparedfortheeathome！\"
\"Neverstir，\"saidHobbie，\"ifIwadnatakeyouwi’me，man，ifyewadbutsayitwaddivertyetobeatthebridalonMonday。
TherewillbeahundredstrappingElliotstoridethebrouze——thelike’snobeenseensin’thedaysofauldMartinofthePreakin-
tower——Iwadsendthesledforyewi’acannypowny。\"
\"Isittomeyouproposeoncemoretomixinthesocietyofthecommonherd？\"saidtheRecluse，withanairofdeepdisgust。
\"Commons！\"retortedHobbie，\"naesiccancommonsneither；theElliotshaebeenlangkendagentlerace。\"
\"Hence！begone！\"reiteratedtheDwarf；\"maythesameevilluckattendtheethatthouhastleftbehindwithme！IfIgonotwithyoumyself，seeifyoucanescapewhatmyattendants，WrathandMisery，havebroughttothythresholdbeforethee。\"
\"Iwishyewadnaspeakthatgate，\"saidHobbie。\"Yekenyoursell，Elshie，naebodyjudgesyoutobeowercanny；now，I’lltellyejustaewordfora’——yehaespokenasmuckleaswussingilltomeandmine；now，ifonymischancehappentoGrace，whichGodforbid，ortomysell；ortothepoordumbtyke；orifIbeskaithedandinjuredinbody，gudes，orgear，I’llnoforgetwhaitisthatit’sowingto。\"
\"Out，hind！\"exclaimedtheDwarf；\"home！hometoyourdwelling，andthinkonmewhenyoufindwhathasbefallenthere。\"
\"Aweel，aweel，\"saidHobbie，mountinghishorse，\"itservesnaethingtostrivewi’cripples，——theyareayecankered；butI’lljusttellyeaething，neighbour，thatifthingsbeotherwisethanweelwi’GraceArmstrong，I’segieyouascoutheriftherebeatar-barrelinthefiveparishes。\"
Sosaying，herodeoff；andElshie，afterlookingathimwithascornfulandindignantlaugh，tookspadeandmattock，andoccupiedhimselfindiggingagraveforhisdeceasedfavourite。
Alowwhistle，andthewords，\"Hisht，Elshie，hisht！\"disturbedhiminthismelancholyoccupation。Helookedup，andtheRedReiverofWestburnflatwasbeforehim。LikeBanquo’smurderer，therewasbloodonhisface，aswellasupontherowelsofhisspursandthesidesofhisover-riddenhorse。