Andformykinsman'sEldorado，nevertrustmeifIdonotbelievehehasfounditinthepouchesofsomesuchgullsasthyself。——
　　Buttakenosnuffinthenoseaboutit;falltoandwelcome，forherecomesthesupper，andIheartilybestowitonallthatwilltakeshare，inhonourofmyhopefulnephew'sreturn，alwaystrustingthathehascomehomeanotherman。——Infaith，kinsman，thouartaslikemypoorsisteraseverwassontomother。"
　　"NotquitesolikeoldBenedictLambourne，herhusband，though，"
　　saidthemercer，noddingandwinking。"Dostthouremember，Mike，whatthousaidstwhentheschoolmaster'sferulewasovertheeforstrikingupthyfather'scrutches？——itisawisechild，saidstthou，thatknowsitsownfather。Dr。Birchamlaughedtillhecriedagain，andhiscryingsavedyours。"
　　"Well，hemadeituptomemanyadayafter，"saidLambourne;
　　"andhowistheworthypedagogue？"
　　"Dead，"saidGilesGosling，"thismanyadaysince。"
　　"Thatheis，"saidtheclerkoftheparish;"Isatbyhisbedthewhilst。Hepassedawayinablessedframe。'MORIOR——MORTUUSSUM
　　VELFUI——MORI'——thesewerehislatestwords;andhejustadded，'mylastverbisconjugated。"
　　"Well，peacebewithhim，"saidMike，"heowesmenothing。"
　　"No，truly，"repliedGoldthred;"andeverylashwhichhelaidonthee，healwayswaswonttosay，hesparedthehangmanalabour。"
　　"Onewouldhavethoughthelefthimlittletodothen，"saidtheclerk;"andyetGoodmanThonghadnosinecureofitwithourfriend，afterall。"
　　"VOTOADIOS！"exclaimedLambourne，hispatienceappearingtofailhim，ashesnatchedhisbroad，slouchedhatfromthetableandplaceditonhishead，sothattheshadowgavethesinisterexpressionofaSpanishbravetoeyesandfeatureswhichnaturallybodednothingpleasant。"Hark'ee，mymasters——allisfairamongfriends，andundertherose;andIhavealreadypermittedmyworthyunclehere，andallofyou，touseyourpleasurewiththefrolicsofmynonage。ButIcarryswordanddagger，mygoodfriends，andcanusethemlightlytoouponoccasion。IhavelearnedtobedangerousuponpointsofhonoureversinceIservedtheSpaniard，andIwouldnothaveyouprovokemetothedegreeoffallingfoul。"
　　"Why，whatwouldyoudo？"saidtheclerk。
　　"Ay，sir，whatwouldyoudo？"saidthemercer，bustlingupontheothersideofthetable。
　　"Slityourthroat，andspoilyourSunday'squavering，SirClerk，"
　　saidLambournefiercely;"cudgelyou，myworshipfuldealerinflimsysarsenets，intooneofyourownbales。"
　　"Come，come，"saidthehost，interposing，"Iwillhavenoswaggeringhere。——Nephew，itwillbecomeyoubesttoshownohastetotakeoffence;andyou，gentlemen，willdowelltoremember，thatifyouareinaninn，stillyouaretheinn—
　　keeper'sguests，andshouldsparethehonourofhisfamily。——I
　　protestyoursillybroilsmakemeasobliviousasyourself;foryondersitsmysilentguestasIcallhim，whohathbeenmytwodays'inmate，andhathneverspokenaword，savetoaskforhisfoodandhisreckoning——givesnomoretroublethanaverypeasant——payshisshotlikeaprinceroyal——looksbutatthesumtotalofthereckoning，anddoesnotknowwhatdayheshallgoaway。Oh，'tisajewelofaguest！andyet，hang—dogthatIam，Ihavesufferedhimtositbyhimselflikeacastawayinyonderobscurenook，withoutsomuchasaskinghimtotakebiteorsupalongwithus。ItwerebuttherightguerdonofmyincivilitywerehetosetofftotheHareandTaborbeforethenightgrowsolder。"
　　Withhiswhitenapkingracefullyarrangedoverhisleftarm，hisvelvetcaplaidasideforthemoment，andhisbestsilverflagoninhisrighthand，minehostwalkeduptothesolitaryguestwhomhementioned，andtherebyturneduponhimtheeyesoftheassembledcompany。
　　Hewasamanagedbetwixttwenty—fiveandthirty，ratherabovethemiddlesize，dressedwithplainnessanddecency，yetbearinganairofeasewhichalmostamountedtodignity，andwhichseemedtoinferthathishabitwasratherbeneathhisrank。Hiscountenancewasreservedandthoughtful，withdarkhairanddarkeyes;thelast，uponanymomentaryexcitement，sparkledwithuncommonlustre，butonotheroccasionshadthesamemeditativeandtranquilcastwhichwasexhibitedbyhisfeatures。Thebusycuriosityofthelittlevillagehadbeenemployedtodiscoverhisnameandquality，aswellashisbusinessatCumnor;butnothinghadtranspiredoneithersubjectwhichcouldleadtoitsgratification。GilesGosling，head—boroughoftheplace，andasteadyfriendtoQueenElizabethandtheProtestantreligion，wasatonetimeinclinedtosuspecthisguestofbeingaJesuit，orseminarypriest，ofwhomRomeandSpainsentatthistimesomanytogracethegallowsinEngland。Butitwasscarcepossibletoretainsuchaprepossessionagainstaguestwhogavesolittletrouble，paidhisreckoningsoregularly，andwhoproposed，asitseemed，tomakeaconsiderablestayatthebonnyBlackBear。
　　"Papists，"arguedGilesGosling，"areapinching，close—fistedrace，andthismanwouldhavefoundalodgingwiththewealthysquireatBessellsey，orwiththeoldKnightatWootton，orinsomeotheroftheirRomandens，insteadoflivinginahouseofpublicentertainment，aseveryhonestmanandgoodChristianshould。Besides，onFridayhestuckbythesaltbeefandcarrot，thoughtherewereasgoodspitch—cockedeelsontheboardaseverwereta'enoutoftheIsis。"
　　HonestGiles，therefore，satisfiedhimselfthathisguestwasnoRoman，andwithallcomelycourtesybesoughtthestrangertopledgehiminadraughtofthecooltankard，andhonourwithhisattentionasmallcollationwhichhewasgivingtohisnephew，inhonourofhisreturn，and，asheverilyhoped，ofhisreformation。Thestrangeratfirstshookhishead，asifdecliningthecourtesy;butminehostproceededtourgehimwithargumentsfoundedonthecreditofhishouse，andtheconstructionwhichthegoodpeopleofCumnormightputuponsuchanunsocialhumour。
　　"Bymyfaith，sir，"hesaid，"ittouchesmyreputationthatmenshouldbemerryinmyhouse;andwehaveilltonguesamongstusatCumnor（aswherebetherenot？），whoputanevilmarkonmenwhopulltheirhatovertheirbrows，asiftheywerelookingbacktothedaysthataregone，insteadofenjoyingtheblithesunshinyweatherwhichGodhassentusinthesweetlooksofoursovereignmistress，QueenElizabeth，whomHeavenlongblessandpreserve！"
　　"Why，minehost，"answeredthestranger，"thereisnotreason，sure，inaman'senjoyinghisownthoughts，undertheshadowofhisownbonnet？YouhavelivedintheworldtwiceaslongasI
　　have，andyoumustknowtherearethoughtsthatwillhauntusinspiteofourselves，andtowhichitisinvaintosay，Begone，andletmebemerry。"
　　"Bymysooth，"answeredGilesGosling，"ifsuchtroublesomethoughtshauntyourmind，andwillnotgetthemgoneforplainEnglish，wewillhaveoneofFatherBacon'spupilsfromOxford，toconjurethemawaywithlogicandwithHebrew——or，whatsayyoutolayingtheminagloriousredseaofclaret，mynobleguest？
　　Come，sir，excusemyfreedom。Iamanoldhost，andmusthavemytalk。Thispeevishhumourofmelancholysitsilluponyou;itsuitsnotwithasleekboot，ahatoftrimblock，afreshcloak，andafullpurse。Apizeonit！senditofftothosewhohavetheirlegsswathedwithahay—wisp，theirheadsthatchedwithafeltbonnet，theirjerkinasthinasacobweb，andtheirpouchwithouteveracrosstokeepthefiendMelancholyfromdancinginit。Cheerup，sir！or，bythisgoodliquor，weshallbanishtheefromthejoysofblithesomecompany，intothemistsofmelancholyandthelandoflittle—ease。Herebeasetofgoodfellowswillingtobemerry;donotscowlonthemlikethedevillookingoverLincoln。"
　　"Yousaywell，myworthyhost，"saidtheguest，withamelancholysmile，which，melancholyasitwas，gaveaverypleasant:
　　expressiontohiscountenance——"yousaywell，myjovialfriend;
　　andtheythataremoodylikemyselfshouldnotdisturbthemirthofthosewhoarehappy。Iwilldrinkaroundwithyourguestswithallmyheart，ratherthanbetermedamar—feast。"
　　Sosaying，hearoseandjoinedthecompany，who，encouragedbythepreceptandexampleofMichaelLambourne，andconsistingchieflyofpersonsmuchdisposedtoprofitbytheopportunityofamerrymealattheexpenseoftheirlandlord，hadalreadymadesomeinroadsuponthelimitsoftemperance，aswasevidentfromthetoneinwhichMichaelinquiredafterhisoldacquaintancesinthetown，andtheburstsoflaughterwithwhicheachanswerwasreceived。GilesGoslinghimselfwassomewhatscandalizedattheobstreperousnatureoftheirmirth，especiallyasheinvoluntarilyfeltsomerespectforhisunknownguest。Hepaused，therefore，atsomedistancefromthetableoccupiedbythesenoisyrevellers，andbegantomakeasortofapologyfortheirlicense。
　　"Youwouldthink，"hesaid，"tohearthesefellowstalk，thattherewasnotoneofthemwhohadnotbeenbredtolivebyStandandDeliver;andyettomorrowyouwillfindthemasetofaspainstakingmechanics，andsoforth，asevercutaninchshortofmeasure，orpaidaletterofchangeinlightcrownsoveracounter。Themercertherewearshishatawry，overashaggyheadofhair，thatlookslikeacurlywater—dog'sback，goesunbraced，wearshiscloakononeside，andaffectsaruffianlyvapouringhumour:wheninhisshopatAbingdon，heis，fromhisflatcaptohisglisteningshoes，aspreciseinhisapparelasifhewasnamedformayor。Hetalksofbreakingparks，andtakingthehighway，insuchfashionthatyouwouldthinkhehauntedeverynightbetwixtHounslowandLondon;wheninfacthemaybefoundsoundasleeponhisfeather—bed，withacandleplacedbesidehimononeside，andaBibleontheother，tofrightawaythegoblins。"
　　"Andyournephew，minehost，thissameMichaelLambourne，whoislordofthefeast——ishe，too，suchawould—berufflerastherestofthem？"
　　"Why，thereyoupushmehard，"saidthehost;"mynephewismynephew，andthoughhewasadesperateDickofyore，yetMikemayhavemendedlikeotherfolks，youwot。AndIwouldnothaveyouthinkallIsaidofhim，evennow，wasstrictgospel;Iknewthewagallthewhile，andwishedtopluckhisplumesfromhim。Andnow，sir，bywhatnameshallIpresentmyworshipfulguesttothesegallants？"
　　"Marry，minehost，"repliedthestranger，"youmaycallmeTressilian。"
　　"Tressilian？"answeredminehostoftheBear。"Aworthyname，and，asIthink，ofCornishlineage;forwhatsaysthesouthproverb——
　　'ByPol，Tre，andPen，YoumayknowtheCornishmen。'
　　ShallIsaytheworthyMasterTressilianofCornwall？"
　　"SaynomorethanIhavegivenyouwarrantfor，minehost，andsoshallyoubesureyouspeaknomorethanistrue。Amanmayhaveoneofthosehonourableprefixestohisname，yetbebornfarfromSaintMichael'sMount。"
　　Minehostpushedhiscuriositynofurther，butpresentedMasterTressiliantohisnephew'scompany，who，afterexchangeofsalutations，anddrinkingtothehealthoftheirnewcompanion，pursuedtheconversationinwhichhefoundthemengaged，seasoningitwithmanyaninterveningpledge。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　TalkyouofyoungMasterLancelot？MERCHANTOFVENICE。
　　Aftersomebriefinterval，MasterGoldthred，attheearnestinstigationofminehost，andthejoyousconcurrenceofhisguest，indulgedthecompanywith，thefollowingmorselofmelody:—
　　"Ofallthebirdsonbushortree，Commendmetotheowl，SincehemaybestensamplebeTothosethecupthattrowl。
　　Forwhenthesunhathleftthewest，Hechoosesthetreethathelovesthebest，Andhewhoopsouthissong，andhelaughsathisjest;
　　Then，thoughhoursbelateandweatherfoul，We'lldrinktothehealthofthebonny，bonnyowl。
　　"Thelarkisbutabumpkinfowl，Hesleepsinhisnesttillmorn;
　　Butmyblessinguponthejollyowl，Thatallnightblowshishorn。
　　Thenupwithyourcuptillyoustaggerinspeech，Andmatchmethiscatchtillyouswaggerandscreech，Anddrinktillyouwink，mymerrymeneach;
　　For，thoughhoursbelateandweatherbefoul，We'lldrinktothehealthofthebonny，bonnyowl。"
　　"Thereissavourinthis，myhearts，"saidMichael，whenthemercerhadfinishedhissong，"andsomegoodnessseemsleftamongyouyet;butwhatabead—rollyouhavereadmeofoldcomrades，andtoeveryman'snametackedsomeill—omenedmotto！AndsoSwashingWillofWallingfordhathbidusgood—night？"
　　"Hediedthedeathofafatbuck，"saidoneoftheparty，"beingshotwithacrossbowbolt，byoldThatcham，theDuke'sstoutpark—keeperatDonningtonCastle。"
　　"Ay，ay，healwayslovedvenisonwell，"repliedMichael，"andacupofclarettoboot——andsohere'sonetohismemory。Domeright，mymasters。"
　　Whenthememoryofthisdepartedworthyhadbeendulyhonoured，LambourneproceededtoinquireafterPranceofPadworth。
　　"Prancedoff——madeimmortaltenyearssince，"saidthemercer;
　　"marry，sir，OxfordCastleandGoodmanThong，andatenpenny—
　　worthofcord，bestknowhow。"
　　"What，sotheyhungpoorPrancehighanddry？somuchforlovingtowalkbymoonlight。Acuptohismemory，mymasters—allmerryfellowslikemoonlight。WhathasbecomeofHalwiththePlume——
　　hewholivednearYattenden，andworethelongfeather？——I
　　forgethisname。"
　　"What，HalHempseed？"repliedthemercer。"Why，youmayrememberhewasasortofagentleman，andwouldmeddleinstatematters，andsohegotintothemireabouttheDukeofNorfolk'saffairthesetwoorthreeyearssince，fledthecountrywithapursuivant'swarrantathisheels，andhasneversincebeenheardof。"
　　"Nay，afterthesebaulks，"saidMichaelLambourne，"IneedhardlyinquireafterTonyFoster;forwhenropes，andcrossbowshafts，andpursuivant'swarrants，andsuch—likegear，weresorife，Tonycouldhardly'scapethem。"
　　"WhichTonyFostermeanyou？"saidtheinnkeeper。
　　"Why，himtheycalledTonyFire—the—Fagot，becausehebroughtalighttokindlethepileroundLatimerandRidley，whenthewindblewoutJackThong'storch，andnomanelsewouldgivehimlightforloveormoney。"
　　"TonyFosterlivesandthrives，"saidthehost。"But，kinsman，I
　　wouldnothaveyoucallhimTonyFire—the—Fagot，ifyouwouldnotbrookthestab。"
　　"How！ishegrownashamedon't？"saidLambourne，"Why，hewaswonttoboastofit，andsayhelikedaswelltoseearoastedhereticasaroastedox。"
　　"Ay，but，kinsman，thatwasinMary'stime，"repliedthelandlord，"whenTony'sfatherwasreeveheretotheAbbotofAbingdon。Butsincethat，Tonymarriedapureprecisian，andisasgoodaProtestant，Iwarrantyou，asthebest。"
　　"Andlooksgrave，andholdshisheadhigh，andscornshisoldcompanions，"saidthemercer。
　　"Thenhehathprospered，Iwarranthim，"saidLambourne;"foreverwhenamanhathgotnoblesofhisown，hekeepsoutofthewayofthosewhoseexchequerslieinothermen'spurchase。"
　　"Prospered，quotha！"saidthemercer;"why，yourememberCumnorPlace，theoldmansion—housebesidethechurchyard？"
　　"Bythesametoken，Irobbedtheorchardthreetimes——whatofthat？Itwastheoldabbot'sresidencewhentherewasplagueorsicknessatAbingdon。"
　　"Ay，"saidthehost，"butthathasbeenlongover;andAnthonyFosterhatharightinit，andlivestherebysomegrantfromagreatcourtier，whohadthechurch—landsfromthecrown。Andtherehedwells，andhasaslittletodowithanypoorwightinCumnor，asifhewerehimselfabeltedknight。"
　　"Nay，"saidthemercer，"itisnotaltogetherprideinTonyneither;thereisafairladyinthecase，andTonywillscarceletthelightofdaylookonher。"
　　"How！"saidTressilian，whonowforthefirsttimeinterferedintheirconversation;"didyenotsaythisFosterwasmarried，andtoaprecisian？"
　　"Marriedhewas，andtoasbitteraprecisianaseveratefleshinLent;andacat—and—doglifesheledwithTony，asmensaid。
　　Butsheisdead，restbewithher！andTonyhathbutaslipofadaughter;soitisthoughthemeanstowedthisstranger，thatmenkeepsuchacoilabout。"
　　"Andwhyso？——Imean，whydotheykeepacoilabouther？"saidTressilian。
　　"Why，Iwotnot，"answeredthehost，"exceptthatmensaysheisasbeautifulasanangel，andnooneknowswhenceshecomes，andeveryonewishestoknowwhysheiskeptsocloselymewedup。
　　Formypart，Ineversawher——youhave，Ithink，MasterGoldthred？"
　　"ThatIhave，oldboy，"saidthemercer。"Lookyou，IwasridinghitherfromAbingdon。Ipassedundertheeastorielwindowoftheoldmansion，wherealltheoldsaintsandhistoriesandsuch—
　　likearepainted。ItwasnotthecommonpathItook，butonethroughthePark;fortheposterndoorwasuponthelatch，andI
　　thoughtImighttaketheprivilegeofanoldcomradetorideacrossthroughthetrees，bothforshading，asthedaywassomewhathot，andforavoidingofdust，becauseIhadonmypeach—coloureddoublet，pinkedoutwithclothofgold。"
　　"Whichgarment，"saidMichaelLambourne，"thouwouldstwillinglymaketwinkleintheeyesofafairdame。Ah！villain，thouwiltneverleavethyoldtricks。"
　　"Notso—notso，"saidthemercer，withasmirkinglaugh——"notaltogetherso——butcuriosity，thouknowest，andastrainofcompassionwithal;forthepooryoungladyseesnothingfrommorntoevenbutTonyFoster，withhisscowlingblackbrows，hisbull'shead，andhisbandylegs。"
　　"Andthouwouldstwillinglyshowheradapperbody，inasilkenjerkin——alimblikeashort—leggedhen's，inacordovanboot——
　　andaround，simpering，what—d'ye—lacksortofacountenance，setoffwithavelvetbonnet，aTurkeyfeather，andagildedbrooch？Ah！jollymercer，theywhohavegoodwaresarefondtoshowthem！——Come，gentles，letnotthecupstand——here'stolongspurs，shortboots，fullbonnets，andemptyskulls！"
　　"Nay，now，youarejealousofme，Mike，"saidGoldthred;"andyetmyluckwasbutwhatmighthavehappenedtothee，oranyman。"
　　"Marryconfoundthineimpudence，"retortedLambourne;"thouwouldstnotcomparethypuddingface，andsarsenetmanners，toagentleman，andasoldier？"
　　"Nay，mygoodsir，"saidTressilian，"letmebeseechyouwillnotinterruptthegallantcitizen;methinkshetellshistalesowell，Icouldhearkentohimtillmidnight。"
　　"It'smoreofyourfavourthanofmydesert，"answeredMasterGoldthred;"butsinceIgiveyoupleasure，worthyMasterTressilian，Ishallproceed，maugreallthegibesandquipsofthisvaliantsoldier，who，peradventure，hathhadmorecuffsthancrownsintheLowCountries。Andso，sir，asIpassedunderthegreatpaintedwindow，leavingmyreinlooseonmyamblingpalfrey'sneck，partlyformineease，andpartlythatImighthavethemoreleisuretopeerabout，Ihearsmethelatticeopen;
　　andnevercreditme，sir，iftheredidnotstandtherethepersonofasfairawomanasevercrossedmineeyes;andIthinkIhavelookedonasmanyprettywenches，andwithasmuchjudgment，asotherfolks。"
　　"MayIaskherappearance，sir？"saidTressilian。
　　"Oh，sir，"repliedMasterGoldthred，"Ipromiseyou，shewasingentlewoman'sattire——averyquaintandpleasingdress，thatmighthaveservedtheQueenherself;forshehadaforepartwithbodyandsleeves，ofginger—colouredsatin，which，inmyjudgment，musthavecostbytheyardsomethirtyshillings，linedwithmurreytaffeta，andlaiddownandguardedwithtwobroadlacesofgoldandsilver。Andherhat，sir，wastrulythebestfashionedthingthatIhaveseenintheseparts，beingoftawnytaffeta，embroideredwithscorpionsofVenicegold，andhavingabordergarnishedwithgoldfringe——Ipromiseyou，sir，anabsoluteandall—surpassingdevice。Touchingherskirts，theywereintheoldpass—devantfashion。"
　　"Ididnotaskyouofherattire，sir，"saidTressilian，whohadshownsomeimpatienceduringthisconversation，"butofhercomplexion——thecolourofherhair，herfeatures。"
　　"Touchinghercomplexion，"answeredthemercer，"Iamnotsospecialcertain，butImarkedthatherfanhadanivoryhandle，curiouslyinlaid。Andthenagain，astothecolourofherhair，why，Icanwarrant，beitshuewhatitmight，thatsheworeaboveitanetofgreensilk，parceltwistedwithgold。"
　　"Amostmercer—likememory！"saidLambourne。"Thegentlemanaskshimofthelady'sbeauty，andhetalksofherfineclothes！"
　　"Itellthee，"saidthemercer，somewhatdisconcerted，"Ihadlittletimetolookather;forjustasIwasabouttogiveherthegoodtimeofday，andforthatpurposehadpuckeredmyfeatureswithasmile——"
　　"Likethoseofajackanapesimperingatachestnut，"saidMichaelLambourne。
　　"Upstartedofasudden，"continuedGoldthred，withoutheedingtheinterruption，"TonyFosterhimself，withacudgelinhishand——"
　　"Andbrokethyheadacross，Ihope，forthineimpertinence，"saidhisentertainer。
　　"Thatweremoreeasilysaidthandone，"answeredGoldthredindignantly;"no，no——therewasnobreakingofheads。It'strue，headvancedhiscudgel，andspokeoflayingon，andaskedwhyI
　　didnotkeepthepublicroad，andsuchlike;andIwouldhaveknockedhimoverthepatehandsomelyforhispains，onlyforthelady'spresence，whomighthaveswooned，forwhatIknow。"
　　"Now，outupontheeforafaint—spiritedslave！"saidLambourne;
　　"whatadventurousknighteverthoughtofthelady'sterror，whenhewenttothwackgiant，dragon，ormagician，inherpresence，andforherdeliverance？Butwhytalktotheeofdragons，whowouldbedrivenbackbyadragon—fly。Therethouhastmissedtherarestopportunity！"
　　"Takeitthyself，then，bullyMike，"answeredGoldthred。"Yonderistheenchantedmanor，andthedragon，andthelady，allatthyservice，ifthoudarestventureonthem。"
　　"Why，soIwouldforaquarternofsack，"saidthesoldier——"orstay:Iamfoullyoutoflinen——wiltthoubetapieceofHollandsagainstthesefiveangels，thatIgonotuptotheHallto—morrowandforceTonyFostertointroducemetohisfairguest？"
　　"Iacceptyourwager，"saidthemercer;"andIthink，thoughthouhadsteventheimpudenceofthedevil，Ishallgainontheethisbout。Ourlandlordhereshallholdstakes，andIwillstakedowngoldtillIsendthelinen。"
　　"Iwillholdstakesonnosuchmatter，"saidGosling。"Goodnow，mykinsman，drinkyourwineinquiet，andletsuchventuresalone。Ipromiseyou，MasterFosterhathinterestenoughtolayyouupinlavenderintheCastleatOxford，ortogetyourlegsmadeacquaintedwiththetown—stocks。"
　　"Thatwouldbebutrenewinganoldintimacy，forMike'sshinsandthetown'swoodenpinfoldhavebeenwellknowntoeachothererenow，"saidthemercer;"butheshallnotbudgefromhiswager，unlesshemeanstopayforfeit。"
　　"Forfeit？"saidLambourne;"Iscornit。IvalueTonyFoster'swrathnomorethanashelledpea—cod;andIwillvisithisLindabrides，bySaintGeorge，behewillingorno！"
　　"Iwouldgladlypayyourhalvesoftherisk，sir，"saidTressilian，"tobepermittedtoaccompanyyouontheadventure。"
　　"Inwhatwouldthatadvantageyou，sir？"answeredLambourne。
　　"Innothing，sir，"saidTressilian，"unlesstomarktheskillandvalourwithwhichyouconductyourself。Iamatravellerwhoseeksforstrangerencountersanduncommonpassages，astheknightsofyoredidafteradventuresandfeatsofarms。"
　　"Nay，ifitpleasuresyoutoseeatrouttickled，"answeredLambourne，"Icarenothowmanywitnessmyskill。AndsohereI
　　drinksuccesstomyenterprise;andhethatwillnotpledgemeonhiskneesisarascal，andIwillcuthislegsoffbythegarters！"
　　ThedraughtwhichMichaelLambournetookuponthisoccasionhadbeenprecededbysomanyothers，thatreasontotteredonherthrone。Hesworeoneortwoincoherentoathsatthemercer，whorefused，reasonablyenough，topledgehimtoasentimentwhichinferredthelossofhisownwager。
　　"Wiltthouchoplogicwithme，"saidLambourne，"thouknave，withnomorebrainsthanareinaskeinofravelledsilk？ByHeaven，Iwillcuttheeintofiftyyardsofgalloonlace！"
　　Butasheattemptedtodrawhisswordforthisdoughtypurpose，MichaelLambournewasseizeduponbythetapsterandthechamberlain，andconveyedtohisownapartment，theretosleephimselfsoberathisleisure。
　　Thepartythenbrokeup，andthegueststooktheirleave;muchmoretothecontentmentofminehostthanofsomeofthecompany，whowereunwillingtoquitgoodliquor，whenitwastobehadforfreecost，solongastheywereabletositbyit。Theywere，however，compelledtoremove;andgoatlengththeydid，leavingGoslingandTressilianintheemptyapartment。
　　"Bymyfaith，"saidtheformer，"Iwonderwhereourgreatfolksfindpleasure，whentheyspendtheirmeansinentertainments，andinplayingminehostwithoutsendinginareckoning。ItiswhatIbutrarelypractise;andwheneverIdo，bySaintJulian，itgrievesmebeyondmeasure。Eachoftheseemptystoupsnow，whichmynephewandhisdrunkencomradeshaveswilledoff，shouldhavebeenamatterofprofittooneinmyline，andImustsetthemdownadeadloss。Icannot，formyheart，conceivethepleasureofnoise，andnonsense，anddrunkenfreaks，anddrunkenquarrels，andsmut，andblasphemy，andsoforth，whenamanlosesmoneyinsteadofgainingbyit。Andyetmanyafairestateislostinupholdingsuchauselesscourse，andthatgreatlycontributestothedecayofpublicans;forwhothedevildoyouthinkwouldpayfordrinkattheBlackBear，whenhecanhaveitfornothingatmyLord'sortheSquire's？"
　　Tressilianperceivedthatthewinehadmadesomeimpressionevenontheseasonedbrainofminehost，whichwaschieflytobeinferredfromhisdeclaimingagainstdrunkenness。Ashehimselfhadcarefullyavoidedthebowl，hewouldhaveavailedhimselfofthefranknessofthemomenttoextractfromGoslingsomefurtherinformationuponthesubjectofAnthonyFoster，andtheladywhomthemercerhadseeninhismansion—house;buthisinquiriesonlysetthehostuponanewthemeofdeclamationagainstthewilesofthefairsex，inwhichhebrought，atfulllength，thewholewisdomofSolomontoreinforcehisown。Finally，heturnedhisadmonitions，mixedwithmuchobjurgation，uponhistapstersanddrawers，whowereemployedinremovingtherelicsoftheentertainment，andrestoringordertotheapartment;andatlength，joiningexampletoprecept，thoughwithnogoodsuccess，hedemolishedasalverwithhalfascoreofglasses，inattemptingtoshowhowsuchservicewasdoneattheThreeCranesintheVintry，thenthemosttoppingtaverninLondon。Thislastaccidentsofarrecalledhimtohisbetterself，thatheretiredtohisbed，sleptsound，andawokeanewmaninthemorning。
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　Nay，I'llholdtouch——thegameshallbeplay'dout;
　　Itne'ershallstopforme，thismerrywager:
　　ThatwhichIsaywhengamesome，I'llavouchInmymostsobermood，ne'ertrustmeelse。THEHAZARDTABLE。
　　"Andhowdothyourkinsman，goodminehost？"saidTressilian，whenGilesGoslingfirstappearedinthepublicroom，onthemorningfollowingtherevelwhichwedescribedinthelastchapter。"Ishewell，andwillheabidebyhiswager？"