Lambourne looked at the piece of gold, and put it in his pocket saying,

"Now, I know not but you might have done more with me by a kind word

than by this chiming rogue. But after all he pays well that pays with

gold; and Mike Lambourne was never a makebate, or a spoil-sport, or the

like. E'en live, and let others live, that is my motto-only, I would not

let some folks cock their beaver at me neither, as if they were made

of silver ore, and I of Dutch pewter. So if I keep your secret, Master

Tressilian, you may look sweet on me at least; and were I to want a

little backing or countenance, being caught, as you see the best of us

may be, in a sort of peccadillo--why, you owe it me--and so e'en make

your chamber serve you and that same bird in bower beside--it's all one

to Mike Lambourne."

"Make way, sir," said Tressilian, unable to bridle his indignation, "you

have had your fee."

"Um!" said Lambourne, giving place, however, while he sulkily muttered

between his teeth, repeating Tressilian's words, "Make way--and you

have had your fee; but it matters not, I will spoil no sport, as I said

before. I am no dog in the manger--mind that."

He spoke louder and louder, as Tressilian, by whom he felt himself

overawed, got farther and farther out of hearing.

"I am no dog in the manger; but I will not carry coals neither--mind

that, Master Tressilian; and I will have a peep at this wench whom

you have quartered so commodiously in your old haunted room--afraid of

ghosts, belike, and not too willing to sleep alone. If I had done this

now in a strange lord's castle, the word had been, The porter's lodge

for the knave! and, have him flogged--trundle him downstairs like a

turnip! Ay, but your virtuous gentlemen take strange privileges over

us, who are downright servants of our senses. Well--I have my Master

Tressilian's head under my belt by this lucky discovery, that is one

thing certain; and I will try to get a sight of this Lindabrides of his,

that is another."




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024