按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
into wrong handsit would then certainly occasion a discovery of
the whole intrigue in which he had been engaged； nor； indeed； did
Wayland see much prospect of its remaining concealed； in any
event。 He felt much hurt； besides； at Tressilian's burst of
impatience。
〃Nay； if I am to be paid in this coin for services where my neck
is concerned； it is time I should look to myself。 Here have I
offended； for aught I know； to the death； the lord of this
stately castle； whose word were as powerful to take away my life
as the breath which speaks it to blow out a farthing candle。 And
all this for a mad lady； and a melancholy gallant； who； on the
loss of a four…nooked bit of paper； has his hand on his poignado；
and swears death and fury！Then there is the Doctor and Varney。
I will save myself from the whole mess of them。 Life is dearer
than gold。 I will fly this instant； though I leave my reward
behind me。〃
These reflections naturally enough occurred to a mind like
Wayland's； who found himself engaged far deeper than he had
expected in a train of mysterious and unintelligible intrigues；
in which the actors seemed hardly to know their own course。 And
yet； to do him justice； his personal fears were； in some degree；
counterbalanced by his compassion for the deserted state of the
lady。
〃I care not a groat for Master Tressilian；〃 he said； 〃I have done
more than bargain by him； and I have brought his errant…damosel
within his reach； so that he may look after her himself。 But I
fear the poor thing is in much danger amongst these stormy
spirits。 I will to her chamber； and tell her the fate which has
befallen her letter； that she may write another if she list。 She
cannot lack a messenger； I trow； where there are so many lackeys
that can carry a letter to their lord。 And I will tell her also
that I leave the Castle； trusting her to God； her own guidance；
and Master Tressilian's care and looking after。 Perhaps she may
remember the ring she offered meit was well earned； I trow； but
she is a lovely creature； andmarry hang the ring！ I will not
bear a base spirit for the matter。 If I fare ill in this world
for my good…nature； I shall have better chance in the next。 So
now for the lady； and then for the road。〃
With the stealthy step and jealous eye of the cat that steals on
her prey； Wayland resumed the way to the Countess's chamber；
sliding along by the side of the courts and passages； alike
observant of all around him； and studious himself to escape
observation。 In this manner he crossed the outward and inward
Castle yard； and the great arched passage； which； running betwixt
the range of kitchen offices and the hall； led to the bottom of
the little winding…stair that gave access to the chambers of
Mervyn's Tower。
The artist congratulated himself on having escaped the various
perils of his journey； and was in the act of ascending by two
steps at once； when he observed that the shadow of a man； thrown
from a door which stood ajar； darkened the opposite wall of the
staircase。 Wayland drew back cautiously； went down to the inner
courtyard； spent about a quarter of an hour； which seemed at
least quadruple its usual duration； in walking from place to
place； and then returned to the tower； in hopes to find that the
lurker had disappeared。 He ascended as high as the suspicious
spotthere was no shadow on the wall； he ascended a few yards
fartherthe door was still ajar； and he was doubtful whether to
advance or retreat； when it was suddenly thrown wide open； and
Michael Lambourne bolted out upon the astonished Wayland。 〃Who
the devil art thou？ and what seekest thou in this part of the
Castle？ march into that chamber； and be hanged to thee！〃
〃I am no dog； to go at every man's whistle；〃 said the artist；
affecting a confidence which was belied by a timid shake in his
voice。
〃Sayest thou me so？Come hither； Lawrence Staples。〃
A huge； ill…made and ill…looked fellow； upwards of six feet high；
appeared at the door； and Lambourne proceeded： 〃If thou be'st so
fond of this tower； my friend； thou shalt see its foundations；
good twelve feet below the bed of the lake； and tenanted by
certain jolly toads； snakes； and so forth； which thou wilt find
mighty good company。 Therefore； once more I ask you in fair
play； who thou art； and what thou seekest here？〃
〃If the dungeon…grate once clashes behind me；〃 thought Wayland；
〃I am a gone man。〃 He therefore answered submissively； 〃He was
the poor juggler whom his honour had met yesterday in Weatherly
Bottom。〃
〃And what juggling trick art thou playing in this tower？ Thy
gang；〃 said Lambourne； 〃lie over against Clinton's buildings。〃
〃I came here to see my sister；〃 said the juggler； 〃who is in
Master Tressilian's chamber； just above。〃
〃Aha！〃 said Lambourne； smiling； 〃here be truths！ Upon my
honour； for a stranger； this same Master Tressilian makes himself
at home among us； and furnishes out his cell handsomely； with all
sorts of commodities。 This will be a precious tale of the
sainted Master Tressilian； and will be welcome to some folks； as
a purse of broad pieces to me。Hark ye； fellow；〃 he continued；
addressing Wayland； 〃thou shalt not give Puss a hint to steal
away we must catch her in her form。 So； back with that pitiful
sheep…biting visage of thine； or I will fling thee from the
window of the tower； and try if your juggling skill can save your
bones。〃
〃Your worship will not be so hardhearted； I trust；〃 said Wayland；
〃poor folk must live。 I trust your honour will allow me to speak
with my sister？〃
〃Sister on Adam's side； I warrant；〃 said Lambourne； 〃or； if
otherwise； the more knave thou。 But sister or no sister。 thou
diest on point of fox； if thou comest a…prying to this tower once
more。 And now I think of ituds daggers and death！I will see
thee out of the Castle； for this is a more main concern than thy
jugglery。〃
〃But； please your worship；〃 said Wayland； 〃I am to enact Arion in
the pageant upon the lake this very evening。〃
〃I will act it myself by Saint Christopher！〃 said Lambourne。
〃Orion； callest thou him？I will act Orion； his belt and his
seven stars to boot。 Come along； for a rascal knave as thou art
follow me！ Or stayLawrence； do thou bring him along。〃
Lawrence seized by the collar of the cloak the unresisting
juggler； while Lambourne； with hasty steps； led the way to that
same sallyport； or secret postern； by which Tressilian had
returned to the Castle； and which opened in the western wall at
no great distance from Mervyn's Tower。
While traversing with a rapid foot the space betwixt the tower
and the sallyport； Wayland in vain racked his brain for some
device which might avail the poor lady； for whom； notwithstanding
his own imminent danger； he felt deep interest。 But when he was
thrust out of the Castle； and informed by Lambourne； with a
tremendous oath； that instant death would be the consequence of
his again approaching it； he cast up his hands and eyes to
heaven； as if to call God to witness he had stood to the
uttermost in defence of the oppressed； then turned his back on
the proud towers of Kenilworth； and went his way to seek a
humbler a