KENILWORTH - Penn State University

Sir Walter Scottdisappeared, when she bid me good even, as she was wont,she hung about my neck, and fondled me more than usual;and I, like an old fool, held her by this lock, until she tookher scissors, severed it, and left it in my hand—as all I wasever to see more of her!”Tressilian was unable to reply, well judging what a complicationof feelings must have crossed the bosom of the unhappyfugitive at that cruel moment. The clergyman was aboutto speak, but Sir Hugh interrupted him.“I know what you would say, Master Curate,—After all, itis but a lock of woman’s tresses; and by woman, shame, andsin, and death came into an innocent world.—And learnedMaster Mumblazen, too, can say scholarly things of their inferiority.”“C’est l’homme,” said Master Mumblazen, “Qui se bast, etqui conseille.”“True,” said Sir Hugh, “and we will bear us, therefore, likemen who have both mettle and wisdom in us.—Tressilian,thou art as welcome as if thou hadst brought better news.But we have spoken too long dry-lipped.—Amy, fill a cup ofwine to Edmund, and another to me.” Then instantly recollectingthat he called upon her who could not hear, he shookhis head, and said to the clergyman, “This grief is to my bewilderedmind what the church of Lidcote is to our park: wemay lose ourselves among the briers and thickets for a littlespace, but from the end of each avenue we see the old greysteeple and the grave of my forefathers. I would I were totravel that road tomorrow!”Tressilian and the curate joined in urging the exhausted oldman to lay himself to rest, and at length prevailed. Tressilianremained by his pillow till he saw that slumber at length sunkdown on him, and then returned to consult with the curatewhat steps should be adopted in these unhappy circumstances.They could not exclude from these deliberations MasterMichael Mumblazen; and they admitted him the more readily,that besides what hopes they entertained from his sagacity,they knew him to be so great a friend to taciturnity, that therewas no doubt of his keeping counsel. He was an old bachelor,of good family, but small fortune, and distantly related to theHouse of Robsart; in virtue of which connection, LidcoteHall had been honoured with his residence for the last twentyyears. His company was agreeable to Sir Hugh, chiefly on145