Kings & rulers > Kenilworth > Volume 1

34
KENILWORTH.
without any more reverence or regardful addi¬
tion. But, hang it, let it pass, care killed a cat.
I have gentry enough to pass the trick on Tony
Fire-the-Faggot, and that will do for the matter
in hand.”
“ You hold your purpose, then, of visiting
your old acquaintance ?” said Tressilian to the
adventurer.
“ Ay, sir,” replied Lambourne ; “when stakes
are made, the game must be played; that is game¬
ster’s law, all over the world. You, sir, unless
my memory fails me, (for I did steep it somewhat
too deeply in the ^ck-butt,) took some share in
my hazard.”
“ I propose to accompany you in your adven¬
ture,” said Tressilian, “ if you will do te so much
grace as to permit me; and I have staked my share
of the forfeit in the hands of our worthy host.”
“ That he hath,” answered Giles Gosling, “in
as fair Harry-nobles as ever were melted into
sack by a good fellow. So, luck to your enter-
prize, since you will needs venture on Tony Fos¬
ter ; but, by my credit, you were better take an¬
other draught before you depart, for your wel¬
come at the Hall, yonder, will be somewhat of
the driest. And if you do get into peril, beware
of taking to cold steel; but send for me, Giles
Gosling the headborough, and I may be able to
make something out of Tony yet, for as proud as
he is.”
The nephew dutifully obeyed his uncle’s hint,
by taking a second and deeper pull at the tan¬
kard, observing, that his wit never served him so
well as when he had washed his temples with a
deep morning’s draught; and they set forth to¬
gether for the habitation of Anthony Foster.
The village of Cumnor is pleasantly situated
on a hill, and in a wooded park closely adjacent.