Blount replied with equal sincerity--"My good Walter, I wish thee as

well as do any of these chattering gulls, who are whistling and whooping

gratulations in thine ear because it seems fair weather with thee. But I

fear for thee, Walter" (and he wiped his honest eye), "I fear for thee

with all my heart. These court-tricks, and gambols, and flashes of fine

women's favour are the tricks and trinkets that bring fair fortunes to

farthings, and fine faces and witty coxcombs to the acquaintance of dull

block and sharp axes."

So saying, Blount arose and left the hall, while Raleigh looked after

him with an expression that blanked for a moment his bold and animated

countenance.

Stanley just then entered the hall, and said to Tressilian, "My lord is

calling for your fellow Wayland, and your fellow Wayland is just come

hither in a sculler, and is calling for you, nor will he go to my lord

till he sees you. The fellow looks as he were mazed, methinks; I would

you would see him immediately."

Tressilian instantly left the hall, and causing Wayland Smith to be

shown into a withdrawing apartment, and lights placed, he conducted the

artist thither, and was surprised when he observed the emotion of his

countenance.

"What is the matter with you, Smith?" said Tressilian; "have you seen

the devil?"

"Worse, sir, worse," replied Wayland; "I have seen a basilisk. Thank

God, I saw him first; for being so seen, and seeing not me, he will do

the less harm."

"In God's name, speak sense," said Tressilian, "and say what you mean."

"I have seen my old master," said the artist. "Last night a friend whom

I had acquired took me to see the Palace clock, judging me to be curious

in such works of art. At the window of a turret next to the clock-house

I saw my old master."

"Thou must needs have been mistaken," said Tressilian.

"I was not mistaken," said Wayland; "he that once hath his features by

heart would know him amongst a million. He was anticly habited; but he

cannot disguise himself from me, God be praised! as I can from him.

I will not, however, tempt Providence by remaining within his ken.

Tarleton the player himself could not so disguise himself but that,

sooner or later, Doboobie would find him out. I must away to-morrow;

for, as we stand together, it were death to me to remain within reach of

him."




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