"Send up the messenger instantly, Will Badger," said Tressilian; and

as the man entered the room, he exclaimed, "Ah, Stevens, is it you? how

does my good lord?"

"Ill, Master Tressilian," was the messenger's reply, "and having

therefore the more need of good friends around him."

"But what is my lord's malady?" said Tressilian anxiously; "I heard

nothing of his being ill."

"I know not, sir," replied the man; "he is very ill at ease. The

leeches are at a stand, and many of his household suspect foul

practice-witchcraft, or worse."

"What are the symptoms?" said Wayland Smith, stepping forward hastily.

"Anan?" said the messenger, not comprehending his meaning.

"What does he ail?" said Wayland; "where lies his disease?"

The man looked at Tressilian, as if to know whether he should

answer these inquiries from a stranger, and receiving a sign in the

affirmative, he hastily enumerated gradual loss of strength, nocturnal

perspiration, and loss of appetite, faintness, etc.

"Joined," said Wayland, "to a gnawing pain in the stomach, and a low

fever?"

"Even so," said the messenger, somewhat surprised.

"I know how the disease is caused," said the artist, "and I know the

cause. Your master has eaten of the manna of Saint Nicholas. I know

the cure too--my master shall not say I studied in his laboratory for

nothing."

"How mean you?" said Tressilian, frowning; "we speak of one of the first

nobles of England. Bethink you, this is no subject for buffoonery."

"God forbid!" said Wayland Smith. "I say that I know this disease, and

can cure him. Remember what I did for Sir Hugh Robsart."

"We will set forth instantly," said Tressilian. "God calls us."

Accordingly, hastily mentioning this new motive for his instant

departure, though without alluding to either the suspicions of Stevens,

or the assurances of Wayland Smith, he took the kindest leave of Sir

Hugh and the family at Lidcote Hall, who accompanied him with prayers

and blessings, and, attended by Wayland and the Earl of Sussex's

domestic, travelled with the utmost speed towards London.




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