CHAPTER XXVIII.
What, man, ne'er lack a draught, when the full can Stands at thine elbow, and craves emptying!-- Nay, fear not me, for I have no delight To watch men's vices, since I have myself Of virtue nought to boast of--I'm a striker, Would have the world strike with me, pell-mell, all. --PANDEMONIUM.
Tressilian, in strange agitation of mind, had hardly stepped down thefirst two or three steps of the winding staircase, when, greatly to hissurprise and displeasure, he met Michael Lambourne, wearing an impudentfamiliarity of visage, for which Tressilian felt much disposed to throwhim down-stairs; until he remembered the prejudice which Amy, the onlyobject of his solicitude, was likely to receive from his engaging in anyact of violence at that time and in that place.
He therefore contented himself with looking sternly upon Lambourne, asupon one whom he deemed unworthy of notice, and attempted to pass him inhis way downstairs, without any symptom of recognition. But Lambourne,who, amidst the profusion of that day's hospitality, had not failedto take a deep though not an overpowering cup of sack, was not in thehumour of humbling himself before any man's looks. He stopped Tressilianupon the staircase without the least bashfulness or embarrassment, andaddressed him as if he had been on kind and intimate terms:--"What, nogrudge between us, I hope, upon old scores, Master Tressilian?--nay,I am one who remembers former kindness rather than latter feud. I'llconvince you that I meant honestly and kindly, ay, and comfortably byyou."
"I desire none of your intimacy," said Tressilian--"keep company withyour mates."
"Now, see how hasty he is!" said Lambourne; "and how these gentles, thatare made questionless out of the porcelain clay of the earth, look downupon poor Michael Lambourne! You would take Master Tressilian now forthe most maid-like, modest, simpering squire of dames that ever madelove when candles were long i' the stuff--snuff; call you it? Why, youwould play the saint on us, Master Tressilian, and forget that even nowthou hast a commodity in thy very bedchamber, to the shame of my lord'scastle, ha! ha! ha! Have I touched you, Master Tressilian?"
"I know not what you mean," said Tressilian, inferring, however, toosurely, that this licentious ruffian must have been sensible of Amy'spresence in his apartment; "'i but if," he continued, "thou artvarlet of the chambers, and lackest a fee, there is one to leave mineunmolested."
Lambourne looked at the piece of gold, and put it in his pocket saying,"Now, I know not but you might have done more with me by a kind wordthan by this chiming rogue. But after all he pays well that pays withgold; and Mike Lambourne was never a makebate, or a spoil-sport, or thelike. E'en live, and let others live, that is my motto-only, I would notlet some folks cock their beaver at me neither, as if they were madeof silver ore, and I of Dutch pewter. So if I keep your secret, MasterTressilian, you may look sweet on me at least; and were I to want alittle backing or countenance, being caught, as you see the best of usmay be, in a sort of peccadillo--why, you owe it me--and so e'en makeyour chamber serve you and that same bird in bower beside--it's all oneto Mike Lambourne."
"Make way, sir," said Tressilian, unable to bridle his indignation, "youhave had your fee."
"Um!" said Lambourne, giving place, however, while he sulkily mutteredbetween his teeth, repeating Tressilian's words, "Make way--and youhave had your fee; but it matters not, I will spoil no sport, as I saidbefore. I am no dog in the manger--mind that."
He spoke louder and louder, as Tressilian, by whom he felt himselfoverawed, got farther and farther out of hearing.
"I am no dog in the manger; but I will not carry coals neither--mindthat, Master Tressilian; and I will have a peep at this wench whomyou have quartered so commodiously in your old haunted room--afraid ofghosts, belike, and not too willing to sleep alone. If I had done thisnow in a strange lord's castle, the word had been, The porter's lodgefor the knave! and, have him flogged--trundle him downstairs like aturnip! Ay, but your virtuous gentlemen take strange privileges overus, who are downright servants of our senses. Well--I have my MasterTressilian's head under my belt by this lucky discovery, that is onething certain; and I will try to get a sight of this Lindabrides of his,that is another."