All matters were prepared for Tressilian's second departure, within

twenty-four hours after he had returned to Lidcote Hall; but one

material circumstance had been forgotten, which was first called to the

remembrance of Tressilian by Master Mumblazen. "You are going to

court, Master Tressilian," said he; "you will please remember that your

blazonry must be ARGENT and OR--no other tinctures will pass current."

The remark was equally just and embarrassing. To prosecute a suit at

court, ready money was as indispensable even in the golden days of

Elizabeth as at any succeeding period; and it was a commodity little at

the command of the inhabitants of Lidcote Hall. Tressilian was himself

poor; the revenues of good Sir Hugh Robsart were consumed, and even

anticipated, in his hospitable mode of living; and it was finally

necessary that the herald who started the doubt should himself solve it.

Master Michael Mumblazen did so by producing a bag of money, containing

nearly three hundred pounds in gold and silver of various coinage, the

savings of twenty years, which he now, without speaking a syllable upon

the subject, dedicated to the service of the patron whose shelter

and protection had given him the means of making this little hoard.

Tressilian accepted it without affecting a moment's hesitation, and a

mutual grasp of the hand was all that passed betwixt them, to express

the pleasure which the one felt in dedicating his all to such a purpose,

and that which the other received from finding so material an obstacle

to the success of his journey so suddenly removed, and in a manner so

unexpected.

While Tressilian was making preparations for his departure early

the ensuing morning, Wayland Smith desired to speak with him, and,

expressing his hope that he had been pleased with the operation of his

medicine in behalf of Sir Hugh Robsart, added his desire to accompany

him to court. This was indeed what Tressilian himself had several times

thought of; for the shrewdness, alertness of understanding, and variety

of resource which this fellow had exhibited during the time they had

travelled together, had made him sensible that his assistance might be

of importance. But then Wayland was in danger from the grasp of law; and

of this Tressilian reminded him, mentioning something, at the same time,

of the pincers of Pinniewinks and the warrant of Master Justice Blindas.

Wayland Smith laughed both to scorn.

"See you, sir!" said he, "I have changed my garb from that of a farrier

to a serving-man; but were it still as it was, look at my moustaches.

They now hang down; I will but turn them up, and dye them with a

tincture that I know of, and the devil would scarce know me again."




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