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comfortably before the fire。 ‘I shall then exert those powers on
which you flatter me so highly—though； upon my word； I don’t
deserve your compliments to their full extent—and resort to a few
little trivial subterfuges for rousing jealousy and resentment。 You
see？’
‘In short； justifying the means by the end； we are； as a last
resource for tearing them asunder； to resort to treachery and—
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and lying；’ said Mr Haredale。
‘Oh dear no。 Fie； fie！’ returned the other； relishing a pinch of
snuff extremely。 ‘Not lying。 Only a little management； a little
diplomacy； a little—intriguing； that’s the word。’
‘I wish；’ said Mr Haredale； moving to and fro； and stopping； and
moving on again； like one who was ill at ease； ‘that this could have
been foreseen or prevented。 But as it has gone so far； and it is
necessary for us to act； it is of no use shrinking or regretting。 Well！
I shall second your endeavours to the utmost of my power。 There
is one topic in the whole wide range of human thoughts on which
we both agree。 We shall act in concert； but apart。 There will be no
need； I hope； for us to meet again。’
‘Are you going？’ said Mr Chester； rising with a graceful
indolence。 ‘Let me light you down the stairs。’
‘Pray keep your seat；’ returned the other drily； ‘I know the way。
So； waving his hand slightly； and putting on his hat as he turned
upon his heel； he went clanking out as he had come； shut the door
behind him； and tramped down the echoing stairs。
‘Pah！ A very coarse animal； indeed！’ said Mr Chester；
composing himself in the easy…chair again。 ‘A rough brute。 Quite a
human badger！’
John Willet and his friends； who had been listening intently for
the clash of swords； or firing of pistols in the great room； and had
indeed settled the order in which they should rush in when
summoned—in which procession old John had carefully arranged
that he should bring up the rear—were very much astonished to
see Mr Haredale come down without a scratch； call for his horse；
and ride away thoughtfully at a footpace。 After some
consideration； it was decided that he had left the gentleman above；
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for dead； and had adopted this stratagem to divert suspicion or
pursuit。
As this conclusion involved the necessity of their going upstairs
forthwith； they were about to ascend in the order they had agreed
upon； when a smart ringing at the guest’s bell； as if he had pulled
it vigorously； overthrew all their speculations； and involved them
in great uncertainty and doubt。 At length Mr Willet agreed to go
upstairs himself； escorted by Hugh and Barnaby； as the strongest
and stoutest fellows on the premises； who were to make their
appearance under pretence of clearing away the glasses。
Under this protection； the brave and broad…faced John boldly
entered the room； half a foot in advance； and received an order for
a boot…jack without trembling。 But when it was brought； and he
leant his sturdy shoulder to the guest； Mr Willet was observed to
look very hard into his boots as he pulled them off； and； by
opening his eyes much wider than usual； to appear to express
some surprise and disappointment at not finding them full of
blood。 He took occasion； too； to examine the gentleman as closely
as he could； expecting to discover sundry loopholes in his person；
pierced by his adversary’s sword。 Finding none； however； and
observing in course of time that his guest was as cool and
unruffled； both in his dress and temper； as he had been all day； old
John at last heaved a deep sigh； and began to think no duel had
been fought that night。
‘And now； Willet；’ said Mr Chester； ‘if the room’s well aired； I’ll
try the merits of that famous bed。’
‘The room； sir；’ returned John； taking up a candle； and nudging
Barnaby and Hugh to accompany them； in case the gentleman
should unexpectedly drop down faint or dead from some internal
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wound； ‘the room’s as warm as any toast in a tankard。 Barnaby；
take you that other candle； and go on before。 Hugh！ Follow up； sir；
with the easy…chair。’
In this order—and still； in his earnest inspection； holding his
candle very close to the guest； now making him feel extremely
warm about the legs； now threatening to set his wig on fire； and
constantly begging his pardon with great awkwardness and
embarrassment—John led the party to the best bedroom； which
was nearly as large as the chamber from which they had come；
and held； drawn out near the fire for warmth； a great old spectral
bedstead； hung with faded brocade； and ornamented； at the top of
each carved post； with a plume of feathers that had once been
white； but with dust and age had now grown hearse…like and
funereal。
‘Good night； my friends；’ said Mr Chester with a sweet smile；
seating himself； when he had surveyed the room from end to end；
in the easy…chair which his attendants wheeled before the fire。
‘Good night！ Barnaby； my good fellow； you say some prayers
before you go to bed； I hope？’
Barnaby nodded。 ‘He has some nonsense that he calls his
prayers； sir；’ returned old John； officiously。 ‘I’m afraid there an’t
much good in em。’
‘And Hugh？’ said Mr Chester； turning to him。
‘Not I；’ he answered。 ‘I know his’—pointing to Barnaby—
‘they’re well enough。 He sings ’em sometimes in the straw。 I
listen。’
‘He’s quite a animal； sir；’ John whispered in his ear with
dignity