You are going to court,Master Tressilian,said he;you will please remember that your blazonry must be ARGENT and OR--no other tinctures will pass current.The remark was equally just and embarrassing.To prosecute a suit at court,ready money was as indispensable even in the golden days of Elizabeth as at any succeeding period;and it was a commodity little at the command of the inhabitants of Lidcote Hall.Tressilian was himself poor;the revenues of good Sir Hugh Robsart were consumed,and even anticipated,in his hospitable mode of living;and it was finally necessary that the herald who started the doubt should himself solve it.Master Michael Mumblazen did so by producing a bag of money,containing nearly three hundred pounds in gold and silver of various coinage,the savings of twenty years,which he now,without speaking a syllable upon the subject,dedicated to the service of the patron whose shelter and protection had given him the means of making this little hoard.Tressilian accepted it without affecting a moment's hesitation,and a mutual grasp of the hand was all that passed betwixt them,to express the pleasure which the one felt in dedicating his all to such a purpose,and that which the other received from finding so material an obstacle to the success of his journey so suddenly removed,and in a manner so unexpected.
While Tressilian was making preparations for his departure early the ensuing morning,Wayland Smith desired to speak with him,and,expressing his hope that he had been pleased with the operation of his medicine in behalf of Sir Hugh Robsart,added his desire to accompany him to court.This was indeed what Tressilian himself had several times thought of;for the shrewdness,alertness of understanding,and variety of resource which this fellow had exhibited during the time they had travelled together,had made him sensible that his assistance might be of importance.But then Wayland was in danger from the grasp of law;and of this Tressilian reminded him,mentioning something,at the same time,of the pincers of Pinniewinks and the warrant of Master Justice Blindas.Wayland Smith laughed both to scorn.
See you,sir!said he,I have changed my garb from that of a farrier to a serving-man;but were it still as it was,look at my moustaches.They now hang down;I will but turn them up,and dye them with a tincture that I know of,and the devil would scarce know me again.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.Send up the messenger instantly,Will Badger,said Tressilian;and as the man entered the room,he exclaimed,Ah,Stevens,is it you?how does my good lord?Ill,Master Tressilian,was the messenger's reply,and having therefore the more need of good friends around him.But what is my lord's malady?said Tressilian anxiously;Iheard nothing of his being ill.
I know not,sir,replied the man;he is very ill at ease.The leeches are at a stand,and many of his household suspect foul practice-witchcraft,or worse.What are the symptoms?said Wayland Smith,stepping forward hastily.
Anan?said the messenger,not comprehending his meaning.
What does he ail?said Wayland;where lies his disease?The man looked at Tressilian,as if to know whether he should answer these inquiries from a stranger,and receiving a sign in the affirmative,he hastily enumerated gradual loss of strength,nocturnal perspiration,and loss of appetite,faintness,etc.
Joined,said Wayland,to a gnawing pain in the stomach,and a low fever?Even so,said the messenger,somewhat surprised.
I know how the disease is caused,said the artist,and I know the cause.Your master has eaten of the manna of Saint Nicholas.
I know the cure too--my master shall not say I studied in his laboratory for nothing.How mean you?said Tressilian,frowning;we speak of one of the first nobles of England.Bethink you,this is no subject for buffoonery.God forbid!said Wayland Smith.I say that I know this disease,and can cure him.Remember what I did for Sir Hugh Robsart,We will set forth instantly,said Tressilian.God calls us.Accordingly,hastily mentioning this new motive for his instant departure,though without alluding to either the suspicions of Stevens,or the assurances of Wayland Smith,he took the kindest leave of Sir Hugh and the family at Lidcote Hall,who accompanied him with prayers and blessings,and,attended by Wayland and the Earl of Sussex's domestic,travelled with the utmost speed towards London.