It is already come — when thou must write
The absolute total of thy life’s vast sum.
The constellations1 stand victorious2 o’er thee,
The planets shoot good fortune in fair junctions3,
And tell thee, “Now’s the time.”
Schiller’s Wallenstein, by Coleridge.
When Leicester returned to his lodging4, alter a day so important and so harassing5, in which, after riding out more than one gale7, and touching8 on more than one shoal, his bark had finally gained the harbour with banner displayed, he seemed to experience as much fatigue9 as a mariner10 after a perilous11 storm. He spoke12 not a word while his chamberlain exchanged his rich court-mantle for a furred night-robe, and when this officer signified that Master Varney desired to speak with his lordship, he replied only by a sullen14 nod. Varney, however, entered, accepting this signal as a permission, and the chamberlain withdrew.
The Earl remained silent and almost motionless in his chair, his head reclined on his hand, and his elbow resting upon the table which stood beside him, without seeming to be conscious of the entrance or of the presence of his confidant. Varney waited for some minutes until he should speak, desirous to know what was the finally predominant mood of a mind through which so many powerful emotions had that day taken their course. But he waited in vain, for Leicester continued still silent, and the confidant saw himself under the necessity of being the first to speak. “May I congratulate your lordship,” he said, “on the deserved superiority you have this day attained15 over your most formidable rival?”
Leicester raised his head, and answered sadly, but without anger, “Thou, Varney, whose ready invention has involved me in a web of most mean and perilous falsehood, knowest best what small reason there is for gratulation on the subject.”
“Do you blame me, my lord,” said Varney, “for not betraying, on the first push, the secret on which your fortunes depended, and which you have so oft and so earnestly recommended to my safe keeping? Your lordship was present in person, and might have contradicted me and ruined yourself by an avowal17 of the truth; but surely it was no part of a faithful servant to have done so without your commands.”
“I cannot deny it, Varney,” said the Earl, rising and walking across the room; “my own ambition has been traitor18 to my love.”
“Say rather, my lord, that your love has been traitor to your greatness, and barred you from such a prospect19 of honour and power as the world cannot offer to any other. To make my honoured lady a countess, you have missed the chance of being yourself —”
He paused, and seemed unwilling20 to complete the sentence.
“Of being myself what?” demanded Leicester; “speak out thy meaning, Varney.”
“Of being yourself a King, my lord,” replied Varney; “and King of England to boot! It is no treason to our Queen to say so. It would have chanced by her obtaining that which all true subjects wish her — a lusty, noble, and gallant21 husband.”
“Thou ravest, Varney,” answered Leicester. “Besides, our times have seen enough to make men loathe22 the Crown Matrimonial which men take from their wives’ lap. There was Darnley of Scotland.”
“He!” said Varney; “a, gull23, a fool, a thrice-sodden ass6, who suffered himself to be fired off into the air like a rocket on a rejoicing day. Had Mary had the hap24 to have wedded25 the noble Earl once destined26 to share her throne, she had experienced a husband of different metal; and her husband had found in her a wife as complying and loving as the mate of the meanest squire27 who follows the hounds a-horseback, and holds her husband’s bridle28 as he mounts.”
“It might have been as thou sayest, Varney,” said Leicester, a brief smile of self-satisfaction passing over his anxious countenance29. “Henry Darnley knew little of women — with Mary, a man who knew her sex might have had some chance of holding his own. But not with Elizabeth, Varney for I thank God, when he gave her the heart of a woman, gave her the head of a man to control its follies30. No, I know her. She will accept love-tokens, ay, and requite31 them with the like — put sugared sonnets32 in her bosom33, ay, and answer them too — push gallantry to the very verge34 where it becomes exchange of affection; but she writes nil35 ultra to all which is to follow, and would not barter36 one iota37 of her own supreme38 power for all the alphabet of both Cupid and Hymen.”
“The better for you, my lord,” said Varney —“that is, in the case supposed, if such be her disposition39; since you think you cannot aspire40 to become her husband. Her favourite you are, and may remain, if the lady at Cumnor place continues in her present obscurity.”
“Poor Amy!” said Leicester, with a deep sigh; “she desires so earnestly to be acknowledged in presence of God and man!”
“Ay, but, my lord,” said Varney, “is her desire reasonable? That is the question. Her religious scruples41 are solved; she is an honoured and beloved wife, enjoying the society of her husband at such times as his weightier duties permit him to afford her his company. What would she more? I am right sure that a lady so gentle and so loving would consent to live her life through in a certain obscurity — which is, after all, not dimmer than when she was at Lidcote Hall — rather than diminish the least jot42 of her lord’s honours and greatness by a premature43 attempt to share them.”
“There is something in what thou sayest,” said Leicester, “and her appearance here were fatal. Yet she must be seen at Kenilworth; Elizabeth will not forget that she has so appointed.”
“Let me sleep on that hard point,” said Varney; “I cannot else perfect the device I have on the stithy, which I trust will satisfy the Queen and please my honoured lady, yet leave this fatal secret where it is now buried. Has your lordship further commands for the night?”
“I would be alone,” said Leicester. “Leave me, and place my steel casket on the table. Be within summons.”
Varney retired44, and the Earl, opening the window of his apartment, looked out long and anxiously upon the brilliant host of stars which glimmered45 in the splendour of a summer firmament46. The words burst from him as at unawares, “I had never more need that the heavenly bodies should befriend me, for my earthly path is darkened and confused.”
It is well known that the age reposed47 a deep confidence in the vain predictions of judicial48 astrology, and Leicester, though exempt49 from the general control of superstition50, was not in this respect superior to his time, but, on the contrary, was remarkable51 for the encouragement which he gave to the professors of this pretended science. Indeed, the wish to pry52 into futurity, so general among the human race, is peculiarly to be found amongst those who trade in state mysteries and the dangerous intrigues53 and cabals54 of courts. With heedful precaution to see that it had not been opened, or its locks tampered55 with, Leicester applied56 a key to the steel casket, and drew from it, first, a parcel of gold pieces, which he put into a silk purse; then a parchment inscribed57 with planetary signs, and the lines and calculations used in framing horoscopes, on which he gazed intently for a few moments; and, lastly, took forth58 a large key, which, lifting aside the tapestry59, he applied to a little, concealed60 door in the corner of the apartment, and opening it, disclosed a stair constructed in the thickness of the wall.
“Alasco,” said the Earl, with a voice raised, yet no higher raised than to be heard by the inhabitant of the small turret61 to which the stair conducted —“Alasco, I say, descend62.”
“I come, my lord,” answered a voice from above. The foot of an aged63 man was heard slowly descending64 the narrow stair, and Alasco entered the Earl’s apartment. The astrologer was a little man, and seemed much advanced in age, for his heard was long and white, and reached over his black doublet down to his silken girdle. His hair was of the same venerable hue65. But his eyebrows66 were as dark as the keen and piercing black eyes which they shaded, and this peculiarity67 gave a wild and singular cast to the physiognomy of the old man. His cheek was still fresh and ruddy, and the eyes we have mentioned resembled those of a rat in acuteness and even fierceness of expression. His manner was not without a sort of dignity; and the interpreter of the stars, though respectful, seemed altogether at his ease, and even assumed a tone of instruction and command in conversing68 with the prime favourite of Elizabeth.
“Your prognostications have failed, Alasco,” said the Earl, when they had exchanged salutations —“he is recovering.”
“My son,” replied the astrologer, “let me remind you I warranted not his death; nor is there any prognostication that can be derived69 from the heavenly bodies, their aspects and their conjunctions, which is not liable to be controlled by the will of Heaven. Astra Regunt Homines, Sed Regit Astra Deus.”
“Of what avail, then, is your mystery?” inquired the Earl.
“Of much, my son,” replied the old man, “since it can show the natural and probable course of events, although that course moves in subordination to an Higher Power. Thus, in reviewing the horoscope which your Lordship subjected to my skill, you will observe that Saturn70, being in the sixth House in opposition71 to Mars, retrograde in the House of Life, cannot but denote long and dangerous sickness, the issue whereof is in the will of Heaven, though death may probably be inferred. Yet if I knew the name of the party I would erect73 another scheme.”
“His name is a secret,” said the Earl; “yet, I must own, thy prognostication hath not been unfaithful. He has been sick, and dangerously so, not, however, to death. But hast thou again cast my horoscope as Varney directed thee, and art thou prepared to say what the stars tell of my present fortune?”
“My art stands at your command,” said the old man; “and here, my son, is the map of thy fortunes, brilliant in aspect as ever beamed from those blessed signs whereby our life is influenced, yet not unchequered with fears, difficulties, and dangers.”
“My lot were more than mortal were it otherwise,” said the Earl. “Proceed, father, and believe you speak with one ready to undergo his destiny in action and in passion as may beseem a noble of England.”
“Thy courage to do and to suffer must be wound up yet a strain higher,” said the old man. “The stars intimate yet a prouder title, yet an higher rank. It is for thee to guess their meaning, not for me to name it.”
“Name it, I conjure74 you — name it, I command you!” said the Earl, his eyes brightening as he spoke.
“I may not, and I will not,” replied the old man. “The ire of princes Is as the wrath75 of the lion. But mark, and judge for thyself. Here Venus, ascendant in the House of Life, and conjoined with Sol, showers down that flood of silver light, blent with gold, which promises power, wealth, dignity, all that the proud heart of man desires, and in such abundance that never the future Augustus of that old and mighty76 Rome heard from his haruspices such a tale of glory, as from this rich text my lore77 might read to my favourite son.”
“Thou dost but jest with me, father,” said the Earl, astonished at the strain of enthusiasm in which the astrologer delivered his prediction.
“Is it for him to jest who hath his eye on heaven, who hath his foot in the grave?” returned the old man solemnly.
The Earl made two or three strides through the apartment, with his hand outstretched, as one who follows the beckoning78 signal of some phantom79, waving him on to deeds of high import. As he turned, however, he caught the eye of the astrologer fixed80 on him, while an observing glance of the most shrewd penetration81 shot from under the penthouse of his shaggy, dark eyebrows. Leicester’s haughty82 and suspicious soul at once caught fire. He darted83 towards the old man from the farther end of the lofty apartment, only standing84 still when his extended hand was within a foot of the astrologer’s body.
“Wretch!” he said, “if you dare to palter with me, I will have your skin stripped from your living flesh! Confess thou hast been hired to deceive and to betray me — that thou art a cheat, and I thy silly prey85 and booty!”
The old man exhibited some symptoms of emotion, but not more than the furious deportment of his patron might have extorted86 from innocence87 itself.
“What means this violence, my lord?” he answered, “or in what can I have deserved it at your hand?”
“Give me proof,” said the Earl vehemently88, “that you have not tampered with mine enemies.”
“My lord,” replied the old man, with dignity, “you can have no better proof than that which you yourself elected. In that turret I have spent the last twenty-four hours under the key which has been in your own custody89. The hours of darkness I have spent in gazing on the heavenly bodies with these dim eyes, and during those of light I have toiled90 this aged brain to complete the calculation arising from their combinations. Earthly food I have not tasted — earthly voice I have not heard. You are yourself aware I had no means of doing so; and yet I tell you — I who have been thus shut up in solitude91 and study — that within these twenty-four hours your star has become predominant in the horizon, and either the bright book of heaven speaks false, or there must have been a proportionate revolution in your fortunes upon earth. If nothing has happened within that space to secure your power, or advance your favour, then am I indeed a cheat, and the divine art, which was first devised in the plains of Chaldea, is a foul92 imposture93.”
“It is true,” said Leicester, after a moment’s reflection, “thou wert closely immured94; and it is also true that the change has taken place in my situation which thou sayest the horoscope indicates.”
“Wherefore this distrust then, my son?” said the astrologer, assuming a tone of admonition; “the celestial95 intelligences brook96 not diffidence, even in their favourites.”
“Peace, father,” answered Leicester, “I have erred72 in doubting thee. Not to mortal man, nor to celestial intelligence — under that which is supreme — will Dudley’s lips say more in condescension97 or apology. Speak rather to the present purpose. Amid these bright promises thou hast said there was a threatening aspect. Can thy skill tell whence, or by whose means, such danger seems to impend98?”
“Thus far only,” answered the astrologer, “does my art enable me to answer your query99. The infortune is threatened by the malignant100 and adverse101 aspect, through means of a youth, and, as I think, a rival; but whether in love or in prince’s favour, I know not nor can I give further indication respecting him, save that he comes from the western quarter.”
“The western — ha!” replied Leicester, “it is enough — the tempest does indeed brew102 in that quarter! Cornwall and Devon — Raleigh and Tressilian — one of them is indicated-I must beware of both. Father, if I have done thy skill injustice103, I will make thee a lordly recompense.”
He took a purse of gold from the strong casket which stood before him. “Have thou double the recompense which Varney promised. Be faithful — be secret — obey the directions thou shalt receive from my master of the horse, and grudge104 not a little seclusion105 or restraint in my cause — it shall be richly considered.— Here, Varney — conduct this venerable man to thine own lodging; tend him heedfully in all things, but see that he holds communication with no one.
Varney bowed, and the astrologer kissed the Earl’s hand in token of adieu, and followed the master of the horse to another apartment, in which were placed wine and refreshments106 for his use.
The astrologer sat down to his repast, while Varney shut two doors with great precaution, examined the tapestry, lest any listener lurked107 behind it, and then sitting down opposite to the sage108, began to question him.
“Saw you my signal from the court beneath?”
“I did,” said Alasco, for by such name he was at present called, “and shaped the horoscope accordingly.”
“And it passed upon the patron without challenge?” continued Varney.
“Not without challenge,” replied the old man, “but it did pass; and I added, as before agreed, danger from a discovered secret, and a western youth.”
“My lord’s fear will stand sponsor to the one, and his conscience to the other, of these prognostications,” replied Varney. “Sure never man chose to run such a race as his, yet continued to retain those silly scruples! I am fain to cheat him to his own profit. But touching your matters, sage interpreter of the stars, I can tell you more of your own fortune than plan or figure can show. You must be gone from hence forthwith.”
“I will not,” said Alasco peevishly109. “I have been too much hurried up and down of late — immured for day and night in a desolate110 turret-chamber13. I must enjoy my liberty, and pursue my studies, which are of more import than the fate of fifty statesmen and favourites that rise and burst like bubbles in the atmosphere of a court.”
“At your pleasure,” said Varney, with a sneer111 that habit had rendered familiar to his features, and which forms the principal characteristic which painters have assigned to that of Satan —“at your pleasure,” he said; “you may enjoy your liberty and your studies until the daggers112 of Sussex’s followers114 are clashing within your doublet and against your ribs115.” The old man turned pale, and Varney proceeded. “Wot you not he hath offered a reward for the arch-quack116 and poison-vender, Demetrius, who sold certain precious spices to his lordship’s cook? What! turn you pale, old friend? Does Hali already see an infortune in the House of Life? Why, hark thee, we will have thee down to an old house of mine in the country, where thou shalt live with a hobnailed slave, whom thy alchemy may convert into ducats, for to such conversion117 alone is thy art serviceable.”
“It is false, thou foul-mouthed railer,” said Alasco, shaking with impotent anger; “it is well known that I have approached more nearly to projection118 than any hermetic artist who now lives. There are not six chemists in the world who possess so near an approximation to the grand arcanum —”
“Come, come,” said Varney, interrupting him, “what means this, in the name of Heaven? Do we not know one another? I believe thee to be so perfect — so very perfect — in the mystery of cheating, that, having imposed upon all mankind, thou hast at length in some measure imposed upon thyself, and without ceasing to dupe others, hast become a species of dupe to thine own imagination. Blush not for it, man — thou art learned, and shalt have classical comfort:
‘Ne quisquam Ajacem possit superare nisi Ajax.’
No one but thyself could have gulled119 thee; and thou hast gulled the whole brotherhood120 of the Rosy122 Cross besides — none so deep in the mystery as thou. But hark thee in thine ear: had the seasoning123 which spiced Sussex’s broth121 wrought124 more surely, I would have thought better of the chemical science thou dost boast so highly.”
“Thou art an hardened villain125, Varney,” replied Alasco; “many will do those things who dare not speak of them.”
“And many speak of them who dare not do them,” answered Varney. “But be not wroth — I will not quarrel with thee. If I did, I were fain to live on eggs for a month, that I might feed without fear. Tell me at once, how came thine art to fail thee at this great emergency?”
“The Earl of Sussex’s horoscope intimates,” replied the astrologer, “that the sign of the ascendant being in combustion126 —”
“Away with your gibberish,” replied Varney; “thinkest thou it is the patron thou speakest with?”
“I crave127 your pardon,” replied the old man, “and swear to you I know but one medicine that could have saved the Earl’s life; and as no man living in England knows that antidote128 save myself — moreover, as the ingredients, one of them in particular, are scarce possible to be come by, I must needs suppose his escape was owing to such a constitution of lungs and vital parts as was never before bound up in a body of clay.”
“There was some talk of a quack who waited on him,” said Varney, after a moment’s reflection. “Are you sure there is no one in England who has this secret of thine?”
“One man there was,” said the doctor, “once my servant, who might have stolen this of me, with one or two other secrets of art. But content you, Master Varney, it is no part of my policy to suffer such interlopers to interfere129 in my trade. He pries130 into no mysteries more, I warrant you, for, as I well believe, he hath been wafted131 to heaven on the wing of a fiery132 dragon — peace be with him! But in this retreat of mine shall I have the use of mine elaboratory?”
“Of a whole workshop, man,” said Varney; “for a reverend father abbot, who was fain to give place to bluff133 King Hal and some of his courtiers, a score of years since, had a chemist’s complete apparatus134, which he was obliged to leave behind him to his successors. Thou shalt there occupy, and melt, and puff135, and blaze, and multiply, until the Green Dragon become a golden goose, or whatever the newer phrase of the brotherhood may testify.”
“Thou art right, Master Varney,” said the alchemist setting his teeth close and grinding them together —“thou art right even in thy very contempt of right and reason. For what thou sayest in mockery may in sober verity136 chance to happen ere we meet again. If the most venerable sages137 of ancient days have spoken the truth — if the most learned of our own have rightly received it; if I have been accepted wherever I travelled in Germany, in Poland, in Italy, and in the farther Tartary, as one to whom nature has unveiled her darkest secrets; if I have acquired the most secret signs and passwords of the Jewish Cabala, so that the greyest beard in the synagogue would brush the steps to make them clean for me;— if all this is so, and if there remains138 but one step — one little step — betwixt my long, deep, and dark, and subterranean139 progress, and that blaze of light which shall show Nature watching her richest and her most glorious productions in the very cradle — one step betwixt dependence140 and the power of sovereignty — one step betwixt poverty and such a sum of wealth as earth, without that noble secret, cannot minister from all her mines in the old or the new-found world; if this be all so, is it not reasonable that to this I dedicate my future life, secure, for a brief period of studious patience, to rise above the mean dependence upon favourites, and their favourites, by which I am now enthralled141!”
“Now, bravo! bravo! my good father,” said Varney, with the usual sardonic142 expression of ridicule143 on his countenance; “yet all this approximation to the philosopher’s stone wringeth not one single crown out of my Lord Leicester’s pouch144, and far less out of Richard Varney’s. We must have earthly and substantial services, man, and care not whom else thou canst delude145 with thy philosophical146 charlatanry147.”
“My son Varney,” said the alchemist, “the unbelief, gathered around thee like a frost-fog, hath dimmed thine acute perception to that which is a stumbling-block to the wise, and which yet, to him who seeketh knowledge with humility148, extends a lesson so clear that he who runs may read. Hath not Art, thinkest thou, the means of completing Nature’s imperfect concoctions149 in her attempts to form the precious metals, even as by art we can perfect those other operations of incubation, distillation150, fermentation, and similar processes of an ordinary description, by which we extract life itself out of a senseless egg, summon purity and vitality151 out of muddy dregs, or call into vivacity152 the inert153 substance of a sluggish154 liquid?”
“I have heard all this before,” said Varney, “and my heart is proof against such cant155 ever since I sent twenty good gold pieces (marry, it was in the nonage of my wit) to advance the grand magisterium, all which, God help the while, vanished in fumo. Since that moment, when I paid for my freedom, I defy chemistry, astrology, palmistry, and every other occult art, were it as secret as hell itself, to unloose the stricture of my purse-strings. Marry, I neither defy the manna of Saint Nicholas, nor can I dispense156 with it. The first task must be to prepare some when thou gett’st down to my little sequestered157 retreat yonder, and then make as much gold as thou wilt158.”
“I will make no more of that dose,” said the alchemist, resolutely159.
“Then,” said the master of the horse, “thou shalt be hanged for what thou hast made already, and so were the great secret for ever lost to mankind. Do not humanity this injustice, good father, but e’en bend to thy destiny, and make us an ounce or two of this same stuff; which cannot prejudice above one or two individuals, in order to gain lifetime to discover the universal medicine, which shall clear away all mortal diseases at once. But cheer up, thou grave, learned, and most melancholy160 jackanape! Hast thou not told me that a moderate portion of thy drug hath mild effects, no ways ultimately dangerous to the human frame, but which produces depression of spirits, nausea161, headache, an unwillingness162 to change of place — even such a state of temper as would keep a bird from flying out of a cage were the door left open?”
“I have said so, and it is true,” said the alchemist. “This effect will it produce, and the bird who partakes of it in such proportion shall sit for a season drooping163 on her perch164, without thinking either of the free blue sky, or of the fair greenwood, though the one be lighted by the rays of the rising sun, and the other ringing with the newly-awakened song of all the feathered inhabitants of the forest.”
“And this without danger to life?” said Varney, somewhat anxiously.
“Ay, so that proportion and measure be not exceeded; and so that one who knows the nature of the manna be ever near to watch the symptoms, and succour in case of need.”
“Thou shalt regulate the whole,” said Varney. “Thy reward shall be princely, if thou keepest time and touch, and exceedest not the due proportion, to the prejudice of her health; otherwise thy punishment shall be as signal.”
“The prejudice of her health!” repeated Alasco; “it is, then, a woman I am to use my skill upon?”
“No, thou fool,” replied Varney, “said I not it was a bird — a reclaimed165 linnet, whose pipe might soothe166 a hawk167 when in mid16 stoop? I see thine eye sparkle, and I know thy beard is not altogether so white as art has made it — that, at least, thou hast been able to transmute168 to silver. But mark me, this is no mate for thee. This caged bird is dear to one who brooks169 no rivalry170, and far less such rivalry as thine, and her health must over all things be cared for. But she is in the case of being commanded down to yonder Kenilworth revels171, and it is most expedient172 — most needful — most necessary that she fly not thither173. Of these necessities and their causes, it is not needful that she should know aught; and it is to be thought that her own wish may lead her to combat all ordinary reasons which can be urged for her remaining a housekeeper174.”
“That is but natural,” said the alchemist with a strange smile, which yet bore a greater reference to the human character than the uninterested and abstracted gaze which his physiognomy had hitherto expressed, where all seemed to refer to some world distant from that which was existing around him.
“It is so,” answered Varney; “you understand women well, though it may have been long since you were conversant175 amongst them. Well, then, she is not to be contradicted; yet she is not to be humoured. Understand me — a slight illness, sufficient to take away the desire of removing from thence, and to make such of your wise fraternity as may be called in to aid, recommend a quiet residence at home, will, in one word, be esteemed176 good service, and remunerated as such.”
“I am not to be asked to affect the House of Life?” said the chemist.
“On the contrary, we will have thee hanged if thou dost,” replied Varney.
“And I must,” added Alasco, “have opportunity to do my turn, and all facilities for concealment177 or escape, should there be detection?”
“All, all, and everything, thou infidel in all but the impossibilities of alchemy. Why, man, for what dost thou take me?”
The old man rose, and taking a light walked towards the end of the apartment, where was a door that led to the small sleeping-room destined for his reception during the night. At the door he turned round, and slowly repeated Varney’s question ere he answered it. “For what do I take thee, Richard Varney? Why, for a worse devil than I have been myself. But I am in your toils178, and I must serve you till my term be out.”
“Well, well,” answered Varney hastily, “be stirring with grey light. It may be we shall not need thy medicine — do nought179 till I myself come down. Michael Lambourne shall guide you to the place of your destination.”17
When Varney heard the adept’s door shut and carefully bolted within, he stepped towards it, and with similar precaution carefully locked it on the outside, and took the key from the lock, muttering to himself, “Worse than thee, thou poisoning quacksalver and witch-monger, who, if thou art not a bounden slave to the devil, it is only because he disdains180 such an apprentice181! I am a mortal man, and seek by mortal means the gratification of my passions and advancement182 of my prospects183; thou art a vassal184 of hell itself — So ho, Lambourne!” he called at another door, and Michael made his appearance with a flushed cheek and an unsteady step.
“Thou art drunk, thou villain!” said Varney to him.
“Doubtless, noble sir,” replied the unabashed Michael; “We have been drinking all even to the glories of the day, and to my noble Lord of Leicester and his valiant185 master of the horse. Drunk! odds186 blades and poniards, he that would refuse to swallow a dozen healths on such an evening is a base besognio, and a puckfoist, and shall swallow six inches of my dagger113!”
“Hark ye, scoundrel,” said Varney, “be sober on the instant — I command thee. I know thou canst throw off thy drunken folly187, like a fool’s coat, at pleasure; and if not, it were the worse for thee.”
Lambourne drooped188 his head, left the apartment, and returned in two or three minutes with his face composed, his hair adjusted, his dress in order, and exhibiting as great a difference from his former self as if the whole man had been changed.
“Art thou sober now, and dost thou comprehend me?” said Varney sternly.
Lambourne bowed in acquiescence189.
“Thou must presently down to Cumnor Place with the reverend man of art who sleeps yonder in the little vaulted190 chamber. Here is the key, that thou mayest call him by times. Take another trusty fellow with you. Use him well on the journey, but let him not escape you — pistol him if he attempt it, and I will be your warrant. I will give thee letters to Foster. The doctor is to occupy the lower apartments of the eastern quadrangle, with freedom to use the old elaboratory and its implements191. He is to have no access to the lady, but such as I shall point out — only she may be amused to see his philosophical jugglery192. Thou wilt await at Cumnor Place my further orders; and, as thou livest, beware of the ale-bench and the aqua vitae flask193. Each breath drawn194 in Cumnor Place must be kept severed195 from common air.”
“Enough, my lord — I mean my worshipful master, soon, I trust, to be my worshipful knightly196 master. You have given me my lesson and my license197; I will execute the one, and not abuse the other. I will be in the saddle by daybreak.”
“Do so, and deserve favour. Stay — ere thou goest fill me a cup of wine — not out of that flask, sirrah,” as Lambourne was pouring out from that which Alasco had left half finished, “fetch me a fresh one.”
Lambourne obeyed, and Varney, after rinsing198 his mouth with the liquor, drank a full cup, and said, as he took up a lamp to retreat to his sleeping apartment, “It is strange — I am as little the slave of fancy as any one, yet I never speak for a few minutes with this fellow Alasco, but my mouth and lungs feel as if soiled with the fumes199 of calcined arsenic200 — pah!”
So saying, he left the apartment. Lambourne lingered, to drink a cup of the freshly-opened flask. “It is from Saint John’s-Berg,” he said, as he paused on the draught201 to enjoy its flavour, “and has the true relish202 of the violet. But I must forbear it now, that I may one day drink it at my own pleasure.” And he quaffed203 a goblet204 of water to quench205 the fumes of the Rhenish wine, retired slowly towards the door, made a pause, and then, finding the temptation irresistible206, walked hastily back, and took another long pull at the wine flask, without the formality of a cup.
“Were it not for this accursed custom,” he said, “I might climb as high as Varney himself. But who can climb when the room turns round with him like a parish-top? I would the distance were greater, or the road rougher, betwixt my hand and mouth! But I will drink nothing tomorrow save water — nothing save fair water.”
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1
constellations
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| n.星座( constellation的名词复数 )；一群杰出人物；一系列（相关的想法、事物）；一群（相关的人） | |
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2
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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3
junctions
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| 联结点( junction的名词复数 )； 会合点； （公路或铁路的）交叉路口； （电缆等的）主结点 | |
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4
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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5
harassing
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| v.侵扰，骚扰( harass的现在分词 )；不断攻击（敌人） | |
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6
ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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7
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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8
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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9
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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10
mariner
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| n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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12
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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13
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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14
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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15
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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16
mid
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| adj.中央的，中间的 | |
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avowal
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| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
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18
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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19
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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20
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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21
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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22
loathe
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| v.厌恶，嫌恶 | |
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23
gull
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| n.鸥；受骗的人；v.欺诈 | |
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24
hap
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| n.运气；v.偶然发生 | |
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25
wedded
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| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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26
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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27
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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28
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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29
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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30
follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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31
requite
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| v.报酬，报答 | |
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32
sonnets
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| n.十四行诗( sonnet的名词复数 ) | |
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33
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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34
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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35
nil
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| n.无，全无，零 | |
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36
barter
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| n.物物交换，以货易货，实物交易 | |
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37
iota
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| n.些微，一点儿 | |
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38
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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39
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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40
aspire
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| vi.(to，after)渴望，追求，有志于 | |
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41
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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42
jot
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| n.少量；vi.草草记下；vt.匆匆写下 | |
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43
premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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44
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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45
glimmered
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| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
firmament
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| n.苍穹；最高层 | |
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47
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
judicial
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| adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的 | |
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49
exempt
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| adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者 | |
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50
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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51
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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52
pry
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| vi.窥(刺)探，打听；vt.撬动(开，起) | |
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53
intrigues
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| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
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54
cabals
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| n.（政治）阴谋小集团，（尤指政治上的）阴谋( cabal的名词复数 ) | |
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55
tampered
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| v.窜改( tamper的过去式 )；篡改；（用不正当手段）影响；瞎摆弄 | |
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56
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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57
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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58
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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59
tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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60
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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61
turret
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| n.塔楼，角塔 | |
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62
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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63
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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64
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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65
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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66
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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67
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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68
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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69
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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70
Saturn
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| n.农神，土星 | |
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71
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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72
erred
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| 犯错误，做错事( err的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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74
conjure
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| v.恳求，祈求；变魔术，变戏法 | |
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75
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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76
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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77
lore
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| n.传说；学问，经验，知识 | |
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78
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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79
phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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80
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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81
penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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82
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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83
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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84
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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85
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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86
extorted
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| v.敲诈( extort的过去式和过去分词 )；曲解 | |
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87
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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88
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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89
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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90
toiled
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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91
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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92
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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93
imposture
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| n.冒名顶替，欺骗 | |
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94
immured
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| v.禁闭，监禁( immure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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95
celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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96
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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97
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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98
impend
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| v.迫近，逼近，即将发生 | |
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99
query
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| n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑 | |
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100
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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101
adverse
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| adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的 | |
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102
brew
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| v.酿造，调制 | |
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103
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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104
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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105
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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106
refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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107
lurked
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| vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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108
sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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109
peevishly
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| adv．暴躁地 | |
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110
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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111
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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112
daggers
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| 匕首，短剑( dagger的名词复数 ) | |
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113
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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114
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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115
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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116
quack
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| n.庸医；江湖医生；冒充内行的人；骗子 | |
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117
conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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118
projection
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| n.发射，计划，突出部分 | |
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119
gulled
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| v.欺骗某人( gull的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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120
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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121
broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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122
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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123
seasoning
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| n.调味；调味料；增添趣味之物 | |
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124
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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125
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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126
combustion
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| n.燃烧；氧化；骚动 | |
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127
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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128
antidote
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| n.解毒药，解毒剂 | |
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129
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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130
pries
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| v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的第三人称单数 )；撬开 | |
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131
wafted
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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132
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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133
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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134
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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135
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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136
verity
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| n.真实性 | |
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137
sages
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| n.圣人( sage的名词复数 )；智者；哲人；鼠尾草（可用作调料） | |
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138
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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139
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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140
dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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141
enthralled
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| 迷住，吸引住( enthrall的过去式和过去分词 )； 使感到非常愉快 | |
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142
sardonic
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| adj.嘲笑的，冷笑的，讥讽的 | |
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143
ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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144
pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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145
delude
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| vt.欺骗；哄骗 | |
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146
philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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147
charlatanry
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| n.吹牛，骗子行为 | |
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148
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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149
concoctions
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| n.编造，捏造，混合物( concoction的名词复数 ) | |
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150
distillation
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| n.蒸馏，蒸馏法 | |
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151
vitality
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| n.活力，生命力，效力 | |
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152
vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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153
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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154
sluggish
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| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
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155
cant
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| n.斜穿，黑话，猛扔 | |
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156
dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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157
sequestered
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| adj.扣押的；隐退的；幽静的；偏僻的v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的过去式和过去分词 )；扣押 | |
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158
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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159
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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160
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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161
nausea
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| n.作呕，恶心；极端的憎恶(或厌恶) | |
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162
unwillingness
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| n. 不愿意，不情愿 | |
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163
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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164
perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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165
reclaimed
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| adj.再生的；翻造的；收复的；回收的v.开拓( reclaim的过去式和过去分词 )；要求收回；从废料中回收（有用的材料）；挽救 | |
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166
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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167
hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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168
transmute
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| vt.使变化，使改变 | |
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169
brooks
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| n.小溪( brook的名词复数 ) | |
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170
rivalry
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| n.竞争，竞赛，对抗 | |
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171
revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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172
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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173
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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174
housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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175
conversant
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| adj.亲近的，有交情的，熟悉的 | |
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176
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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177
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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178
toils
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| 网 | |
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179
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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180
disdains
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| 鄙视，轻蔑( disdain的名词复数 ) | |
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181
apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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182
advancement
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| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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183
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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184
vassal
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| n.附庸的；属下；adj.奴仆的 | |
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185
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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186
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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187
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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188
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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189
acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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190
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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191
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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192
jugglery
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| n.杂耍，把戏 | |
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193
flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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194
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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195
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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196
knightly
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| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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197
license
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| n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许 | |
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198
rinsing
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| n.清水，残渣v.漂洗( rinse的现在分词 )；冲洗；用清水漂洗掉（肥皂泡等）；（用清水）冲掉 | |
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199
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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200
arsenic
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| n.砒霜，砷；adj.砷的 | |
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201
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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202
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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203
quaffed
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| v.痛饮( quaff的过去式和过去分词 )；畅饮；大口大口将…喝干；一饮而尽 | |
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204
goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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205
quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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206
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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