This wood is as dark as a wolf's mouth,said he to Tressilian,as they walked together slowly along the solitary and broken approach,and had just come in sight of the monastic front of the old mansion,with its shafted windows,brick walls overgrown with ivy and creeping shrubs,and twisted stalks of chimneys of heavy stone-work.And yet,continued Lambourne,it is fairly done on the part of Foster too for since he chooses not visitors,it is right to keep his place in a fashion that will invite few to trespass upon his privacy.But had he been the Anthony I once knew him,these sturdy oaks had long since become the property of some honest woodmonger,and the manor-close here had looked lighter at midnight than it now does at noon,while Foster played fast and loose with the price,in some cunning corner in the purlieus of Whitefriars.Was he then such an unthrift?asked Tressilian.
He was,answered Lambourne,like the rest of us,no saint,and no saver.But what I liked worst of Tony was,that he loved to take his pleasure by himself,and grudged,as men say,every drop of water that went past his own mill.I have known him deal with such measures of wine when he was alone,as I would not have ventured on with aid of the best toper in Berkshire;--that,and some sway towards superstition,which he had by temperament,rendered him unworthy the company of a good fellow.And now he has earthed himself here,in a den just befitting such a sly fox as himself.May I ask you,Master Lambourne,said Tressilian,since your old companion's humour jumps so little with your own,wherefore you are so desirous to renew acquaintance with him?And may I ask you,in return,Master Tressilian,answered Lambourne,wherefore you have shown yourself so desirous to accompany me on this party?I told you my motive,said Tressilian,when I took share in your wager--it was ****** curiosity.La you there now!answered Lambourne.See how you civil and discreet gentlemen think to use us who live by the free exercise of our wits!Had I answered your question by saying that it was ****** curiosity which led me to visit my old comrade Anthony Foster,I warrant you had set it down for an evasion,and a turn of my trade.But any answer,I suppose,must serve my turn.And wherefore should not bare curiosity,said Tressilian,be a sufficient reason for my taking this walk with you?Oh,content yourself,sir,replied Lambourne;you cannot put the change on me so easy as you think,for I have lived among the quick-stirring spirits of the age too long to swallow chaff for grain.You are a gentleman of birth and breeding--your bearing makes it good;of civil habits and fair reputation--your manners declare it,and my uncle avouches it;and yet you associate yourself with a sort of scant-of-grace,as men call me,and,knowing me to be such,you make yourself my companion in a visit to a man whom you are a stranger to--and all out of mere curiosity,forsooth!The excuse,if curiously balanced,would be found to want some scruples of just weight,or so.If your suspicions were just,said Tressilian,you have shown no confidence in me to invite or deserve mine.Oh,if that be all,said Lambourne,my motives lie above water.While this gold of mine lasts--taking out his purse,chucking it into the air,and catching it as it fell--I will make it buy pleasure;and when it is out I must have more.Now,if this mysterious Lady of the Manor--this fair Lindabrides of Tony Fire-the-***ot--be so admirable a piece as men say,why,there is a chance that she may aid me to melt my nobles into greats;and,again,if Anthony be so wealthy a chuff as report speaks him,he may prove the philosopher's stone to me,and convert my greats into fair rose-nobles again.A comfortable proposal truly,said Tressilian;but I see not what chance there is of accomplishing it.Not to-day,or perchance to-morrow,answered Lambourne;Iexpect not to catch the old jack till.I have disposed my ground-baits handsomely.But I know something more of his affairs this morning than I did last night,and I will so use my knowledge that he shall think it more perfect than it is.Nay,without expecting either pleasure or profit,or both,I had not stepped a stride within this manor,I can tell you;for I promise you I hold our visit not altogether without risk.--But here we are,and we must make the best on't.While he thus spoke,they had entered a large orchard which surrounded the house on two sides,though the trees,abandoned by the care of man,were overgrown and messy,and seemed to bear little fruit.Those which had been formerly trained as espaliers had now resumed their natural mode of growing,and exhibited grotesque forms,partaking of the original training which they had received.The greater part of the ground,which had once been parterres and flower-gardens,was suffered in like manner to run to waste,excepting a few patches which had been dug up and planted with ordinary pot herbs.Some statues,which had ornamented the garden in its days of splendour,were now thrown down from their pedestals and broken in pieces;and a large summer-house,having a heavy stone front,decorated with carving representing the life and actions of Samson,was in the same dilapidated condition.
They had just traversed this garden of the sluggard,and were within a few steps of the door of the mansion,when Lambourne had ceased speaking;a circumstance very agreeable to Tressilian,as it saved him the embarrassment of either commenting upon or replying to the frank avowal which his companion had just made of the sentiments and views which induced him to come hither.
Lambourne knocked roundly and boldly at the huge door of the mansion,observing,at the same time,he had seen a less strong one upon a county jail.It was not until they had knocked more than once that an aged,sour-visaged domestic reconnoitred them through a small square hole in the door,well secured with bars of iron,and demanded what they wanted.
