He accompanied these words with the appropriate action, and in less
than a minute, by setting up, his moustaches and his hair, he seemed
a different person from him that had but now entered the room. Still,
however, Tressilian hesitated to accept his services, and the artist
became proportionably urgent.
"I owe you life and limb," he said, "and I would fain pay a part of the
debt, especially as I know from Will Badger on what dangerous service
your worship is bound. I do not, indeed, pretend to be what is called
a man of mettle, one of those ruffling tear-cats who maintain their
master's quarrel with sword and buckler. Nay, I am even one of those who
hold the end of a feast better than the beginning of a fray. But I know
that I can serve your worship better, in such quest as yours, than any
of these sword-and-dagger men, and that my head will be worth an hundred
of their hands."
Tressilian still hesitated. He knew not much of this strange fellow, and
was doubtful how far he could repose in him the confidence necessary
to render him a useful attendant upon the present emergency. Ere he
had come to a determination, the trampling of a horse was heard in the
courtyard, and Master Mumblazen and Will Badger both entered hastily
into Tressilian's chamber, speaking almost at the same moment.
"Here is a serving-man on the bonniest grey tit I ever see'd in my
life," said Will Badger, who got the start--"having on his arm a silver
cognizance, being a fire-drake holding in his mouth a brickbat, under
a coronet of an Earl's degree," said Master Mumblazen, "and bearing a
letter sealed of the same."
Tressilian took the letter, which was addressed "To the worshipful
Master Edmund Tressilian, our loving kinsman--These--ride, ride,
ride--for thy life, for thy life, for thy life." He then opened it, and
found the following contents:-"MASTER TRESSILIAN, OUR GOOD FRIEND AND COUSIN, "We are at present so ill at ease, and otherwise so unhappily
circumstanced, that we are desirous to have around us those of
our friends on whose loving-kindness we can most especially repose
confidence; amongst whom we hold our good Master Tressilian one of the
foremost and nearest, both in good will and good ability. We therefore
pray you, with your most convenient speed, to repair to our poor
lodging, at Sayes Court, near Deptford, where we will treat further with
you of matters which we deem it not fit to commit unto writing. And so
we bid you heartily farewell, being your loving kinsman to command, "RATCLIFFE, EARL OF SUSSEX."