"I am no dog, to go at every man's whistle," said the artist, affecting
a confidence which was belied by a timid shake in his voice.
"Sayest thou me so?--Come hither, Lawrence Staples."
A huge, ill-made and ill-looked fellow, upwards of six feet high,
appeared at the door, and Lambourne proceeded: "If thou be'st so fond of
this tower, my friend, thou shalt see its foundations, good twelve feet
below the bed of the lake, and tenanted by certain jolly toads, snakes,
and so forth, which thou wilt find mighty good company. Therefore, once
more I ask you in fair play, who thou art, and what thou seekest here?"
"If the dungeon-grate once clashes behind me," thought Wayland, "I am a
gone man." He therefore answered submissively, "He was the poor juggler
whom his honour had met yesterday in Weatherly Bottom."
"And what juggling trick art thou playing in this tower? Thy gang," said
Lambourne, "lie over against Clinton's buildings."
"I came here to see my sister," said the juggler, "who is in Master
Tressilian's chamber, just above."
"Aha!" said Lambourne, smiling, "here be truths! Upon my honour, for a
stranger, this same Master Tressilian makes himself at home among us,
and furnishes out his cell handsomely, with all sorts of commodities.
This will be a precious tale of the sainted Master Tressilian, and will
be welcome to some folks, as a purse of broad pieces to me.--Hark ye,
fellow," he continued, addressing Wayland, "thou shalt not give Puss
a hint to steal away we must catch her in her form. So, back with that
pitiful sheep-biting visage of thine, or I will fling thee from the
window of the tower, and try if your juggling skill can save your
bones."
"Your worship will not be so hardhearted, I trust," said Wayland; "poor
folk must live. I trust your honour will allow me to speak with my
sister?"
"Sister on Adam's side, I warrant," said Lambourne; "or, if otherwise,
the more knave thou. But sister or no sister, thou diest on point of
fox, if thou comest a-prying to this tower once more. And now I think of
it--uds daggers and death!--I will see thee out of the Castle, for this
is a more main concern than thy jugglery."
"But, please your worship," said Wayland, "I am to enact Arion in the
pageant upon the lake this very evening."