SosoonastheyarrivedattheprincelymansionofBoteler，theLadyEmmacravedpermissiontoretiretoherchamberthatshemightcomposeherspiritsaftertheterrorshehadundergone。HenrySt。Clere，inafewwords，proceededtoexplaintheadventuretothecuriousaudience。I
　　hadnosoonerseenmysister’spalfrey，inspiteofherendeavourstothecontrary，enteringwithspiritintothechasesetonfootbytheworshipfulGregory，thanIrodeaftertogiveherassistance。Solongwasthechase，thatwhenthegreyhoundspulleddowntheknobbler，wewereoutofhearingofyourbugles；andhavingrewardedandcoupledthedogs，Igavethemtobeledbythejester，andwewanderedinquestofourcompany，whomitwouldseemthesporthadledinadifferentdirection。Atlength，passingthroughthethicketwhereyoufoundus，Iwassurprisedbyacross-bowboltwhizzingpastminehead。Idrewmysword，andrushedintothethicket，butwasinstantlyassailedbytworuffians，whileothertwomadetowardsmysisterandGregory。Thepoorknavefled，cryingforhelp，pursuedbymyfalsekinsman，nowyourprisoner；andthedesignsoftheotheronmypoorEmmamurderous，nodoubtwerepreventedbythesuddenapparitionofabravewoodsman，who，afterashortencounter，stretchedthemiscreantathisfeet，andcametomyassistance。Iwasalreadyslightlywounded，andnearlyoverlaidwithodds。Thecombatlastedsometime，forthecaitiffswerebothwellarmed，strong，anddesperate；
　　atlength，however，wehadeachmasteredourantagonist，whenyourretinue，myLordBoteler，arrivedtomyrelief。Soendsmystory；
　　but，bymyknighthood，Iwouldgiveanearl’sransomforanopportunityofthankingthegallantforesterbywhoseaidIlivetotellit。’’
　　Fearnot，’’saidLordBoteler，heshallbefound，ifthisorthefouradjacentcountiesholdhim-AndnowLordFitzosbornewillbepleasedtodoffthearmourhehassokindlyassumedforoursakes，andwewillallbowneourselvesforthebanquet。’’
　　Whenthehourofdinnerapproached，theLadyMatildaandhercousinvisitedthechamberofthefairDarcy。Theyfoundherinacomposedbutmelancholyposture。Sheturnedthediscourseuponthemisfortunesofherlife，andhinted，thathavingrecoveredherbrother，andseeinghimlookforwardtothesocietyofonewhowouldamplyrepaytohimthelossofhers，shehadthoughtsofdedicatingherremaininglifetoHeaven，bywhoseprovidentialinterferenceithadbeensooftenpreserved。
　　Matildacoloureddeeplyatsomethinginthisspeech，andhercousininveighedloudlyagainstEmma’sresolution。Ah，mydearLadyEleanor，’’
　　repliedshe，Ihaveto-daywitnessedwhatIcannotbutjudgeasuper-naturalvisitation，andtowhatendcanitcallmebuttogivemyselftothealtar？ThatpeasantwhoguidedmetoBaddowthroughtheParkofDanbury，thesamewhoappearedbeforemeatdifferenttimes，andindifferentforms，duringthateventfuljourney-thatyouth，whosefeaturesareimprintedonmymemory，istheveryindividualforesterwhothisdayrescuedusintheforest。Icannotbemistaken；andconnectingthesemarvellousappearanceswiththespectrewhichIsawwhileatGayBowers，IcannotresisttheconvictionthatHeavenhaspermittedmyguardianangeltoassumemortalshapeformyreliefandprotection。’’
　　Thefaircousins，afterexchanginglookswhichimpliedafearthathermindwaswandering，answeredherinsoothingterms，andfinallyprevaileduponhertoaccompanythemtothebanqueting-hall。HerethefirstpersontheyencounteredwastheBaronFitzosborneofDiggswell，nowdivestedofhisarmour；atthesightofwhomtheLadyEmmachangedcolour，andexclaiming，Itisthesame！’’sunksenselessintothearmsofMatilda。
　　Sheisbewilderedbytheterrorsoftheday，’’saidEleanor；andwehavedoneillinobliginghertodescend。’’
　　AndI，’’saidFitzosborne，havedonemadlyinpresentingbeforeherone，whosepresencemustrecallmomentsthemostalarminginherlife。’’
　　WhiletheladiessupportedEmmafromthehall，LordBotelerandSt。
　　ClererequestedanexplanationfromFitzosborneofthewordshehadused。
　　Trustme，gentlelords，’’saidtheBaronofDiggswell，yeshallhavewhatyedemand，whenIlearnthatLadyEmmaDarcyhasnotsufferedfrommyimprudence。’’
　　AtthismomentLadyMatildareturning，saidthatherfairfriend，onherrecovery，hadcalmlyanddeliberatelyinsistedthatshehadseenFitzosbornebefore，inthemostdangerouscrisisofherlife。
　　Idread，’’saidshe，herdisorderedmindconnectsallthathereyebeholdswiththeterriblepassagesthatshehaswitnessed。’’
　　Nay，’’saidFitzosborne，ifnobleSt。Clerecanpardontheunauthorisedinterestwhich，withthepurestandmosthonourableintentions，Ihavetakeninhissister’sfate，itiseasyformetoexplainthismysteriousimpression。’’
　　Heproceededtosay，that，happeningtobeinthehostelrycalledtheGriffin，nearBaddow，whileuponajourneyinthatcountry，hehadmetwiththeoldnurseoftheLadyEmmaDarcy，who，beingjustexpelledfromGayBowers，wasintheheightofhergriefandindignation，andmadeloudandpublicproclamationofLadyEmma’swrongs。Fromthedescriptionshegaveofthebeautyofherfoster-child，aswellasfromthespiritofchivalry，Fitzosbornebecameinterestedinherfate。Thisinterestwasdeeplyenhanced，when，byabribetooldGaunttheReve，heprocuredaviewoftheLadyEmmaasshewalkednearthecastleofGayBowers。Theagedchurlrefusedtogivehimaccesstothecastle；yetdroppedsomehints，asifhethoughttheladyindanger，andwishedshewerewelloutofit。Hismaster，hesaid，hadheardshehadabrotherinlife，andsincethatdeprivedhimofallchanceofgainingherdomainsbypurchase，heinshort，Gauntwishedtheyweresafelyseparated。Ifanyinjury，’’
　　quothhe，shouldhappentothedamselhere，itwereillforusall。Itried，byaninnocentstratagem，tofrightenherfromthecastle，byintroducingafigurethroughatrap-door，andwarningher，asifbyavoicefromthedead，toretreatfromthence；butthegigletiswilful，andisrunninguponherfate。’’
　　FindingGaunt，althoughcovetousandcommunicative，toofaithfulaservanttohiswickedmastertotakeanyactivestepsagainsthiscommands，FitzosborneappliedhimselftooldUrsely，whomhefoundmoretractable。
　　ThroughherhelearnedthedreadfulplotGastonhadlaidtoridhimselfofhiskinswoman，andresolvedtoeffectherdeliverance。ButawareofthedelicacyofEmma’ssituation，hechargedUrselytoconcealfromhertheinteresthetookinherdistress，resolvingtowatchoverherindisguiseuntilhesawherinaplaceofsafety。Hencetheappearancehemadebeforeherinvariousdressesduringherjourney，inthecourseofwhichhewasneverfardistant；andhehadalwaysfourstoutyeomenwithinhearingofhisbugle，hadassistancebeennecessary。Whenshewasplacedinsafetyatthelodge，itwasFitzosborne’sintentiontohaveprevaileduponhissisterstovisit，andtakeherundertheirprotection；buthefoundthemabsentfromDiggswell，havinggonetoattendanagedrelationwholaydangerouslyillinadistantcounty。TheydidnotreturnuntilthedaybeforetheMay-games；
　　andtheothereventsfollowedtoorapidlytopermitFitzosbornetolayanyplanforintroducingthemtoLadyEmmaDarcy。Onthedayofthechaseheresolvedtopreservehisromanticdisguise，andattendtheLadyEmmaasaforester，partlytohavethepleasureofbeingnearher，andpartlytojudgewhether，accordingtoanidlereportinthecountry，shefavouredhisfriendandcomradeFitzallenofMarden。Thislastmotive，itmayeasilybebelieved，hedidnotdeclaretothecompany。Aftertheskirmishwiththeruffians，hewaitedtilltheBaronandthehuntersarrived，andthen，stilldoubtingthefartherdesignsofGaston，hastenedtohiscastle，toarmthebandwhichhadescortedthemtoQueenhoo-Hall。
　　Fitzosborne’sstorybeingfinished，hereceivedthethanksofallthecompany，particularlyofSt。Clere，whofeltdeeplytherespectfuldelicacywithwhichhehadconductedhimselftowardshissister。Theladywascarefullyinformedofherobligationstohim；anditislefttothewell-judgingreader，whethereventherailleryofLadyEleanormadeherregretthatHeavenhadonlyemployednaturalmeansforhersecurity，andthattheguardianangelwasconvertedintoahandsome，gallant，andenamouredknight。
　　Thejoyofthecompanyinthehallextendeditselftothebuttery，whereGregorythejesternarratedsuchfeatsofarmsdonebyhimselfinthefrayofthemorningasmighthaveshamedBevisandGuyofWarwick。Hewas，accordingtohisnarrative，singledoutfordestructionbythegiganticBaronhimself，whileheabandonedtomeanerhandsthedestructionofSt。
　　ClereandFitzosborne。
　　Butcertes，’’saidhe，thefoulpaynimmethismatch；for，everashefoinedatmewithhisbrand，Iparriedhisblowswithmybauble，andclosingwithhimuponthethirdveny，threwhimtotheground，andmadehimcryrecreanttoanunarmedman。’’
　　Tush，man。’’saidDrawslot，thouforgettestthybestauxiliaries，thegoodgreyhounds，HelpandHoldfast！Iwarrantthee，thatwhenthehumpbackedBaroncaughttheebythecowl，whichhehathalmosttornof，thouhadstbeeninafairplighthadtheynotrememberedanoldfriend，andcomeintotherescue。Why，man，Ifoundthemfastenedonhimmyself；andtherewasoddstayingandsucklingtomakethem`warehaunch！’Theirmouthswerefulloftheflex，forIpulledapieceofthegarmentfromtheirjaws。Iwarrantthee，thatwhentheybroughthimtotheground，thoufled’stlikeafrightedpricket。’’
　　AndasforGregory’sgiganticpaynim，’’saidFabian，why，heliesyonderintheguard-room，theverysize，shape，andcolourofaspiderinayew-hedge。’’
　　Itisfalse，’’saidGregory；ColbrandtheDanewasadwarftohim。’’
　　Itisastrue，’’returnedFabian，asthattheTaskeristobemarried，onTuesday，toPrettyMargery。Gregory，thysheethathbroughtthembetweenapairofblankets。’’
　　Icarenomoreforsuchagillflirt，’’saidtheJester，thanIdoforthyleasings。Marry，thouhop-o’-my-thumb，happywouldstthoubecouldthyheadreachthecaptiveBaron’sgirdle。’’
　　Bythemass，’’saidPeterLanaret，Iwillhaveonepeepatthisburlygallant；’’andleavingthebuttery，hewenttotheguard-roomwhereGastonSt。Clerewasconfined。Aman-at-arms，whokeptsentinelonthestrongstuddeddooroftheapartment，saidhebelievedheslept；forthatafterraging，stamping，andutteringthemosthorridimprecations，hehadbeenoflateperfectlystill。TheFalconergentlydrewbackaslidingboard，ofafootsquare，towardsthetopofthedoor，whichcoveredaholeofthesamesize，stronglylatticed，throughwhichthewarder，withoutopeningthedoor，couldlookinuponhisprisoner。FromthisaperturehebeheldthewretchedGastonsuspendedbytheneck，byhisowngirdle，toanironringinthesideofhisprison。Hehadclamberedtoitbymeansofthetableonwhichhisfoodhadbeenplaced；andintheagoniesofshameanddisappointedmalice，hadadoptedthismodeofriddinghimselfofawretchedlife。Hewasfoundyetwarm，buttotallylifeless。Aproperaccountofthemannerofhisdeathwasdrawnupandcertified。Hewasburiedthateveninginthechapelofthecastle，outofrespecttohishighbirth；andthechaplainofFitzallenofMarden，whosaidtheserviceupontheoccasion，preached，thenextSunday，anexcellentsermonuponthetext，_Radixmalorumestcupiditas，whichwehaveheretranscribed。
　　[Herethemanuscript，fromwhichwehavepainfullytranscribed，andfrequently，asitwere，translatedthistale，forthereader’sedification，issoindistinctanddefaced，that，exceptingcertainhowbeits，nathlesses，loye’s！
　　etc。，wecanpickoutlittlethatisintelligible，savingthatavariceisdefinedalikourishnessofheartafterearthlythings。’’Alittlefarther，thereseemstohavebeenagayaccountofMargery’sweddingwithRalphtheTasker；therunningatthequintain，andotherruralgamespractisedontheoccasion。TherearealsofragmentsofamocksermonpreachedbyGregoryuponthatoccasion，as，forexample：-
　　Mydearcursedcaitiffs，therewasonceaking，andheweddedayoungoldqueen，andshehadachild；andthischildwassenttoSolomontheSage，prayinghewouldgiveitthesameblessingwhichhegotfromthewitchofEndorwhenshebithimbytheheel。HereofspeakstheworthyDr。RadigundusPotator；whyshouldnotmassbesaidforalltheroastedshoesoulsservedupintheking’sdishonSaturday；fortrueitis，thatSt。PeteraskedfatherAdam，astheyjourneyedtoCamelot，anhigh，great，anddoubtfulquestion，`Adam，Adam，whyeatedstthoutheapplewithoutparing？’’’
　　Thistiradeofgibberishisliterallytakenorselectedfromamockdiscoursepronouncedbyaprofessedjester，whichoccursinanancientmanuscriptintheAdvocates’Library，thesamefromwhichthelateingeniousMr。WeberpublishedthecuriouscomicromanceoftheHuntingoftheHare。ItwasintroducedincompliancewithMr。Strutt’splanofrenderinghistaleanillustrationofancientmanners。AsimilarburlesquesermonispronouncedbytheFoolinSirDavidLindesay’ssatireoftheThreeEstates。ThenonsenseandvulgarburlesqueofthatcompositionillustratethegroundofSirAndrewAguecheek’seulogyontheexploitsofthejesterinTwelfthNight，who，reservinghissharperjestsforSirToby，haddoubtlessenoughofthejargonofhiscallingtocaptivatetheimbecilityofhisbrotherknight，whoismadetoexclaim-Insooththouwastinverygraciousfoolinglastnight，whenthouspokestofPigrogremitus，andofthevapourspassingtheequinoctialsofQuenbus；’twasverygood，i’faith！’’Itisentertainingtofindcommentatorsseekingtodiscoversomemeaningintheprofessionaljargonofsuchapassageasthis。