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A jovial knight he is; and hath loved hospitality and open
housekeeping more than the present fashion; which lays as much
gold lace on the seams of a doublet as would feed a dozen of tall
fellows with beef and ale for a twelvemonth; and let them have
their evening at the alehouse once a week; to do good to the
publican。〃
〃If you have seen Will Badger; mine host;〃 said Tressilian; 〃you
have heard enough of Sir Hugh Robsart; and therefore I will but
say; that the hospitality you boast of hath proved somewhat
detrimental to the estate of his family; which is perhaps of the
less consequence; as he has but one daughter to whom to bequeath
it。 And here begins my share in the tale。 Upon my father's
death; now several years since; the good Sir Hugh would willingly
have made me his constant companion。 There was a time; however;
at which I felt the kind knight's excessive love for field…sports
detained me from studies; by which I might have profited more;
but I ceased to regret the leisure which gratitude and hereditary
friendship compelled me to bestow on these rural avocations。 The
exquisite beauty of Mistress Amy Robsart; as she grew up from
childhood to woman; could not escape one whom circumstances
obliged to be so constantly in her companyI loved her; in
short; mine host; and her father saw it。〃
〃And crossed your true loves; no doubt?〃 said mine host。 〃It is
the way in all such cases; and I judge it must have been so in
your instance; from the heavy sigh you uttered even now。〃
〃The case was different; mine host。 My suit was highly approved
by the generous Sir Hugh Robsart; it was his daughter who was
cold to my passion。〃
〃She was the more dangerous enemy of the two;〃 said the
innkeeper。 〃I fear me your suit proved a cold one。〃
〃She yielded me her esteem;〃 said Tressilian; 〃and seemed not
unwilling that I should hope it might ripen into a warmer
passion。 There was a contract of future marriage executed
betwixt us; upon her father's intercession; but to comply with
her anxious request; the execution was deferred for a
twelvemonth。 During this period; Richard Varney appeared in the
country; and; availing himself of some distant family connection
with Sir Hugh Robsart; spent much of his time in his company;
until; at length; he almost lived in the family。〃
〃That could bode no good to the place he honoured with his
residence;〃 said Gosling。
〃No; by the rood!〃 replied Tressilian。 〃Misunderstanding and
misery followed his presence; yet so strangely that I am at this
moment at a loss to trace the gradations of their encroachment
upon a family which had; till then; been so happy。 For a time
Amy Robsart received the attentions of this man Varney with the
indifference attached to common courtesies; then followed a
period in which she seemed to regard him with dislike; and even
with disgust; and then an extraordinary species of connection
appeared to grow up betwixt them。 Varney dropped those airs of
pretension and gallantry which had marked his former approaches;
and Amy; on the other hand; seemed to renounce the ill…disguised
disgust with which she had regarded them。 They seemed to have
more of privacy and confidence together than I fully liked; and I
suspected that they met in private; where there was less
restraint than in our presence。 Many circumstances; which I
noticed but little at the timefor I deemed her heart as open as
her angelic countenancehave since arisen on my memory; to
convince me of their private understanding。 But I need not
detail themthe fact speaks for itself。 She vanished from her
father's house; Varney disappeared at the same time; and this
very day I have seen her in the character of his paramour; living
in the house of his sordid dependant Foster; and visited by him;
muffled; and by a secret entrance。〃
〃And this; then; is the cause of your quarrel? Methinks; you
should have been sure that the fair lady either desired or
deserved your interference。〃
〃Mine host;〃 answered Tressilian; 〃my fathersuch I must ever
consider Sir Hugh Robsartsits at home struggling with his
grief; or; if so far recovered; vainly attempting to drown; in
the practice of his field…sports; the recollection that he had
once a daughtera recollection which ever and anon breaks from
him under circumstances the most pathetic。 I could not brook the
idea that he should live in misery; and Amy in guilt; and I
endeavoured to…seek her out; with the hope of inducing her to
return to her family。 I have found her; and when I have either
succeeded in my attempt; or have found it altogether unavailing;
it is my purpose to embark for the Virginia voyage。〃
〃Be not so rash; good sir;〃 replied Giles Gosling; 〃and cast not
yourself away because a womanto be briefIS a woman; and
changes her lovers like her suit of ribands; with no better
reason than mere fantasy。 And ere we probe this matter further;
let me ask you what circumstances of suspicion directed you so
truly to this lady's residence; or rather to her place of
concealment?〃
〃The last is the better chosen word; mine host;〃 answered
Tressilian; 〃and touching your question; the knowledge that
Varney held large grants of the demesnes formerly belonging to
the monks of Abingdon directed me to this neighbourhood; and your
nephew's visit to his old comrade Foster gave me the means of
conviction on the subject。〃
〃And what is now your purpose; worthy sir?excuse my freedom in
asking the question so broadly。〃
〃I purpose; mine host;〃 said Tressilian; 〃to renew my visit to
the place of her residence to…morrow; and to seek a more detailed
communication with her than I have had to…day。 She must indeed
be widely changed from what she once was; if my words make no
impression upon her。〃
〃Under your favour; Master Tressilian;〃 said the landlord; 〃you
can follow no such course。 The lady; if I understand you; has
already rejected your interference in the matter。〃
〃It is but too true;〃 said Tressilian; 〃I cannot deny it。〃
〃Then; marry; by what right or interest do you process a
compulsory interference with her inclination; disgraceful as it
may be to herself and to her parents? Unless my judgment gulls
me; those under whose protection she has thrown herself would
have small hesitation to reject your interference; even if it
were that of a father or brother; but as a discarded lover; you
expose yourself to be repelled with the strong hand; as well as
with scorn。 You can apply to no magistrate for aid or
countenance; and you are hunting; therefore; a shadow in water;
and will only (excuse my plainness) come by ducking and danger in
attempting to catch it。〃
〃I will appeal to the Earl of Leicester;〃 said Tressilian;
〃against the infamy of his favourite。 He courts the severe and
strict sect of Puritans。 He dare not; for the sake of his own
character; refuse my appeal; even although he were destitute of
the principles of honour and nobleness with which fame invests
him。 Or I will appeal to the Queen herself。〃
〃Should Leicester;〃 said the landlord; 〃be disposed to protect
his dependant (as indeed he is said to be very confidential with
Varney); the appeal to the Queen may bring them both to reason。
Her Majesty is strict in such matters; and (if it be not treason
to speak it) will rather; it is said; pardon a dozen courtiers
for falling in love with herself; than one for giving preference
to another woman。 Coragio then; my brave guest! for if thou
layest a petition from Sir Hugh at the foot of the throne;
bucklered by the story of thine own wrongs; the favourite Earl
dared as soon leap into the Thames at the fullest and deepest; as
offer to protect Varney in a cause of this nature。 But to do
this with any chance of success; you must go formally to work;
and; without staying here to tilt with the master of horse to a
privy councillor; and expose yourself to the dagger of his
cameradoes; you should hie you to Devonshire; get a petition
drawn up for Sir Hugh Robsart; and make as many friends as you
can to forward your interest at court。〃
〃You have spoken well; mine host;〃 said Tressilian; 〃and I will
profit by your advice; and leave you to…morrow early。〃
〃Nay; leave me to…night; sir; before to…morrow comes;〃 said he
landlord。 〃I never prayed for a guest's arrival more eagerly
than I do to have you safely gone; My kinsman's destiny is most
like to be hanged for something; but I would not that the cause
were the murder of an honoured guest of mine。 'Better ride safe
in the dark;' says the proverb; 'than in daylight with a cut…
throat at your elbow。' Come; sir; I move you for your own safety。
Your horse and all is ready; and here is your score。〃
〃It is somewhat under a noble;〃 said Tressilian; giving one to
the host; 〃give the balance to pretty Cicely; your daughter; and
the servants of the house。〃
〃They shall taste of your bounty; sir;〃 said Gosling; 〃and you
should taste of my daughter's lips in grateful acknowledgment;
but at this hour she cannot grace the porch to greet your
departure。〃
〃Do not trust your daughter too far with your guests; my good
landlord;〃 said Tressilian。
〃Oh; sir; we will keep measure; but I wond