第11章

SuchweretheguestswhomoldJohnWillet，withafixedandleadeneye，surveyedahundredtimes，andtowhomhenowadvancedwithastatecandlestickineachhand，beseechingthemtofollowhimintoaworthierchamber。’Formylord，’saidJohn——itisoddenough，butcertainpeopleseemtohaveasgreatapleasureinpronouncingtitlesastheirownershaveinwearingthem——’thisroom，mylord，isn’tatallthesortofplaceforyourlordship，andIhavetobegyourlordship’spardonforkeepingyouhere，mylord，oneminute。’

Withthisaddress，Johnusheredthemupstairsintothestateapartment，which，likemanyotherthingsofstate，wascoldandcomfortless。Theirownfootsteps，reverberatingthroughthespaciousroom，struckupontheirhearingwithahollowsound;anditsdampandchillyatmospherewasrendereddoublycheerlessbycontrastwiththehomelywarmththeyhaddeserted。

Itwasofnouse，however，toproposeareturntotheplacetheyhadquitted，forthepreparationswentonsobrisklythattherewasnotimetostopthem。John，withthetallcandlesticksinhishands，bowedthemuptothefireplace;Hugh，stridinginwithalightedbrandandpileoffirewood，castitdownuponthehearth，andsetitinablaze;JohnGrueby(whohadagreatbluecockadeinhishat，whichheappearedtodespisemightily)broughtintheportmanteauhehadcarriedonhishorse，andplaceditonthefloor;andpresentlyallthreewerebusilyengagedindrawingoutthescreen，layingthecloth，inspectingthebeds，lightingfiresinthebedrooms，expeditingthesupper，andmakingeverythingascosyandassnugasmightbe，onsoshortanotice。Inlessthananhour’stime，supperhadbeenserved，andate，andclearedaway;

andLordGeorgeandhissecretary，withslipperedfeet，andlegsstretchedoutbeforethefire，satoversomehotmulledwinetogether。

’Soends，mylord，’saidGashford，fillinghisglasswithgreatcomplacency，’theblessedworkofamostblessedday。’

’Andofablessedyesterday，’saidhislordship，raisinghishead。

’Ah！’——andherethesecretaryclaspedhishands——’ablessedyesterdayindeed！TheProtestantsofSuffolkaregodlymenandtrue。Thoughothersofourcountrymenhavelosttheirwayindarkness，evenaswe，mylord，didloseourroadto-night，theirsisthelightandglory。’

’DidImovethem，Gashford？’saidLordGeorge。

’Movethem，mylord！Movethem！TheycriedtobeledonagainstthePapists，theyvowedadreadfulvengeanceontheirheads，theyroaredlikemenpossessed——’

’Butnotbydevils，’saidhislord。

’Bydevils！mylord！Byangels。’

’Yes——ohsurely——byangels，nodoubt，’saidLordGeorge，thrustinghishandsintohispockets，takingthemoutagaintobitehisnails，andlookinguncomfortablyatthefire。’Ofcoursebyangels——ehGashford？’

’Youdonotdoubtit，mylord？’saidthesecretary。

’No——No，’returnedhislord。’No。WhyshouldI？Isupposeitwouldbedecidedlyirreligioustodoubtit——wouldn’tit，Gashford？

Thoughtherecertainlywere，’headded，withoutwaitingforananswer，’someplaguyill-lookingcharactersamongthem。’

’Whenyouwarmed，’saidthesecretary，lookingsharplyattheother’sdowncasteyes，whichbrightenedslowlyashespoke;’whenyouwarmedintothatnobleoutbreak;whenyoutoldthemthatyouwereneverofthelukewarmorthetimidtribe，andbadethemtakeheedthattheywerepreparedtofollowonewhowouldleadthemon，thoughtotheverydeath;whenyouspokeofahundredandtwentythousandmenacrosstheScottishborderwhowouldtaketheirownredressatanytime，ifitwerenotconceded;whenyoucried“PerishthePopeandallhisbaseadherents;thepenallawsagainstthemshallneverberepealedwhileEnglishmenhaveheartsandhands“——andwavedyourownandtouchedyoursword;andwhentheycried“NoPopery！“andyoucried“No;notevenifwewadeinblood。”andtheythrewuptheirhatsandcried“Hurrah！notevenifwewadeinblood;NoPopery！LordGeorge！DownwiththePapists——

Vengeanceontheirheads:“whenthiswassaidanddone，andawordfromyou，mylord，couldraiseorstillthetumult——ah！thenIfeltwhatgreatnesswasindeed，andthought，WhenwasthereeverpowerlikethisofLordGeorgeGordon’s！’

’It’sagreatpower。You’reright。Itisagreatpower！’hecriedwithsparklingeyes。’But——dearGashford——didIreallysayallthat？’

’Andhowmuchmore！’criedthesecretary，lookingupwards。’Ah！

howmuchmore！’

’AndItoldthemwhatyousay，abouttheonehundredandfortythousandmeninScotland，didI！’heaskedwithevidentdelight。

’Thatwasbold。’

’Ourcauseisboldness。Truthisalwaysbold。’

’Certainly。Soisreligion。She’sbold，Gashford？’

’Thetruereligionis，mylord。’

’Andthat’sours，’herejoined，movinguneasilyinhisseat，andbitinghisnailsasthoughhewouldparethemtothequick。’Therecanbenodoubtofoursbeingthetrueone。YoufeelascertainofthatasIdo，Gashford，don’tyou？’

’DoesmylordaskME，’whinedGashford，drawinghischairnearerwithaninjuredair，andlayinghisbroadflathanduponthetable;

’ME，’herepeated，bendingthedarkhollowsofhiseyesuponhimwithanunwholesomesmile，’who，strickenbythemagicofhiseloquenceinScotlandbutayearago，abjuredtheerrorsoftheRomishchurch，andclungtohimasonewhosetimelyhandhadpluckedmefromapit？’

’True。No——No。I——Ididn’tmeanit，’repliedtheother，shakinghimbythehand，risingfromhisseat，andpacingrestlesslyabouttheroom。’It’saproudthingtoleadthepeople，Gashford，’headdedashemadeasuddenhalt。

’Byforceofreasontoo，’returnedthepliantsecretary。

’Ay，tobesure。Theymaycoughandjeer，andgroaninParliament，andcallmefoolandmadman，butwhichofthemcanraisethishumanseaandmakeitswellandroaratpleasure？Notone。’

’Notone，’repeatedGashford。

’Whichofthemcansayforhishonesty，whatIcansayformine;

whichofthemhasrefusedaminister’sbribeofonethousandpoundsayear，toresignhisseatinfavourofanother？Notone。’

’Notone，’repeatedGashfordagain——takingthelion’sshareofthemulledwinebetweenwhiles。

’Andaswearehonest，true，andinasacredcause，Gashford，’saidLordGeorgewithaheightenedcolourandinaloudervoice，ashelaidhisfeveredhanduponhisshoulder，’andaretheonlymenwhoregardthemassofpeopleoutofdoors，orareregardedbythem，wewillupholdthemtothelast;andwillraiseacryagainsttheseun-EnglishPapistswhichshallre-echothroughthecountry，androllwithanoiselikethunder。Iwillbeworthyofthemottoonmycoatofarms，“Calledandchosenandfaithful。”

’Called，’saidthesecretary，’byHeaven。’

’Iam。’

’Chosenbythepeople。’

’Yes。’

’Faithfultoboth。’

’Totheblock！’

Itwouldbedifficulttoconveyanadequateideaoftheexcitedmannerinwhichhegavetheseanswerstothesecretary’spromptings;oftherapidityofhisutterance，ortheviolenceofhistoneandgesture;inwhich，strugglingthroughhisPuritan’sdemeanour，wassomethingwildandungovernablewhichbrokethroughallrestraint。Forsomeminuteshewalkedrapidlyupanddowntheroom，thenstoppingsuddenly，exclaimed，’Gashford——YOUmovedthemyesterdaytoo。Ohyes！Youdid。’

’Ishonewithareflectedlight，mylord，’repliedthehumblesecretary，layinghishanduponhisheart。’Ididmybest。’

’Youdidwell，’saidhismaster，’andareagreatandworthyinstrument。IfyouwillringforJohnGruebytocarrytheportmanteauintomyroom，andwillwaitherewhileIundress，wewilldisposeofbusinessasusual，ifyou’renottootired。’

’Tootired，mylord！——Butthisishisconsideration！Christianfromheadtofoot。’Withwhichsoliloquy，thesecretarytiltedthejug，andlookedveryhardintothemulledwine，toseehowmuchremained。

JohnWilletandJohnGruebyappearedtogether。Theonebearingthegreatcandlesticks，andtheothertheportmanteau，showedthedeludedlordintohischamber;andleftthesecretaryalone，toyawnandshakehimself，andfinallytofallasleepbeforethefire。

’Now，MrGashfordsir，’saidJohnGruebyinhisear，afterwhatappearedtohimamomentofunconsciousness;’mylord’sabed。’

’Oh。Verygood，John，’washismildreply。’Thankyou，John。

Nobodyneedsitup。Iknowmyroom。’

’Ihopeyou’renota-goingtotroubleyourheadto-night，ormylord’sheadneither，withanythingmoreaboutBloodyMary，’saidJohn。’Iwishtheblessedoldcreeturhadneverbeenborn。’

’Isaidyoumightgotobed，John，’returnedthesecretary。’Youdidn’thearme，Ithink。’

’BetweenBloodyMarys，andbluecockades，andgloriousQueenBesses，andnoPoperys，andProtestantassociations，andmakingofspeeches，’pursuedJohnGrueby，looking，asusual，alongwayoff，andtakingnonoticeofthishint，’mylord’shalfoffhishead。

Whenwegoouto’doors，suchasetofragamuffinscomesa-

shoutingafterus，“Gordonforever！“thatI’mashamedofmyselfanddon’tknowwheretolook。Whenwe’reindoors，theycomea-

roaringandscreamingaboutthehouselikesomanydevils;andmylordinsteadoforderingthemtobedroveaway，goesoutintothebalconyanddemeanshimselfbymakingspeechesto’em，andcalls’em“MenofEngland。”and“Fellow-countrymen。”asifhewasfondof’emandthanked’emforcoming。Ican’tmakeitout，butthey’reallmixedupsomehoworanotherwiththatunfort’nateBloodyMary，andcallhernameouttillthey’rehoarse。They’reallProtestantstoo——everymanandboyamong’em:andProtestantsareveryfondofspoons，Ifind，andsilver-plateingeneral，wheneverarea-gatesisleftopenaccidentally。Iwishthatwastheworstofit，andthatnomoreharmmightbetocome;butifyoudon’tstoptheseuglycustomersintime，MrGashford(andIknowyou;you’rethemanthatblowsthefire)，you’llfind’emgrowalittlebittoostrongforyou。Oneoftheseevenings，whentheweathergetswarmerandProtestantsarethirsty，they’llbepullingLondondown，——andI

neverheardthatBloodyMarywentasfarasTHAT。’

Gashfordhadvanishedlongago，andtheseremarkshadbeenbestowedonemptyair。Notatalldiscomposedbythediscovery，JohnGruebyfixedhishaton，wrongsideforemostthathemightbeunconsciousoftheshadowoftheobnoxiouscockade，andwithdrewtobed;

shakinghisheadinaverygloomyandpropheticmanneruntilhereachedhischamber。

Chapter36

Gashford，withasmilingface，butstillwithlooksofprofounddeferenceandhumility，betookhimselftowardshismaster’sroom，smoothinghishairdownashewent，andhummingapsalmtune。AsheapproachedLordGeorge’sdoor，heclearedhisthroatandhummedmorevigorously。

Therewasaremarkablecontrastbetweenthisman’soccupationatthemoment，andtheexpressionofhiscountenance，whichwassingularlyrepulsiveandmalicious。Hisbeetlingbrowalmostobscuredhiseyes;hislipwascurledcontemptuously;hisveryshouldersseemedtosneerinstealthywhisperingswithhisgreatflappedears。

’Hush！’hemutteredsoftly，ashepeepedinatthechamber-door。

’Heseemstobeasleep。PrayHeavenheis！Toomuchwatching，toomuchcare，toomuchthought——ah！Lordpreservehimforamartyr！

Heisasaint，ifeversaintdrewbreathonthisbadearth。’

Placinghislightuponatable，hewalkedontiptoetothefire，andsittinginachairbeforeitwithhisbacktowardsthebed，wentoncommuningwithhimselflikeonewhothoughtaloud:

’Thesaviourofhiscountryandhiscountry’sreligion，thefriendofhispoorcountrymen，theenemyoftheproudandharsh;belovedoftherejectedandoppressed，adoredbyfortythousandboldandloyalEnglishhearts——whathappyslumbershisshouldbe！’Andherehesighed，andwarmedhishands，andshookhisheadasmendowhentheirheartsarefull，andheavedanothersigh，andwarmedhishandsagain。

’Why，Gashford？’saidLordGeorge，whowaslyingbroadawake，uponhisside，andhadbeenstaringathimfromhisentrance。

’My——mylord，’saidGashford，startingandlookingroundasthoughingreatsurprise。’Ihavedisturbedyou！’

’Ihavenotbeensleeping。’

’Notsleeping！’herepeated，withassumedconfusion。’WhatcanI

sayforhavinginyourpresencegivenutterancetothoughts——buttheyweresincere——theyweresincere！’exclaimedthesecretary，drawinghissleeveinahastywayacrosshiseyes;’andwhyshouldIregretyourhavingheardthem？’

’Gashford，’saidthepoorlord，stretchingouthishandwithmanifestemotion。’Donotregretit。Youlovemewell，Iknow——

toowell。Idon’tdeservesuchhomage。’

Gashfordmadenoreply，butgraspedthehandandpressedittohislips。Thenrising，andtakingfromthetrunkalittledesk，heplaceditonatablenearthefire，unlockeditwithakeyhecarriedinhispocket，satdownbeforeit，tookoutapen，and，beforedippingitintheinkstand，suckedit——tocomposethefashionofhismouthperhaps，onwhichasmilewashoveringyet。

’Howdoournumbersstandsincelastenrolling-night？’inquiredLordGeorge。’Arewereallyfortythousandstrong，ordowestillspeakinroundnumberswhenwetaketheAssociationatthatamount？’

’Ourtotalnowexceedsthatnumberbyascoreandthree，’Gashfordreplied，castinghiseyesuponhispapers。

’Thefunds？’

’NotVERYimproving;butthereissomemannainthewilderness，mylord。Hem！OnFridaynightthewidows’mitesdroppedin。“Fortyscavengers，threeandfourpence。Anagedpew-openerofStMartin’sparish，sixpence。Abell-ringeroftheestablishedchurch，sixpence。AProtestantinfant，newlyborn，onehalfpenny。TheUnitedLinkBoys，threeshillings——onebad。Theanti-popishprisonersinNewgate，fiveandfourpence。AfriendinBedlam，half-a-crown。Dennisthehangman，oneshilling。”’

’ThatDennis，’saidhislordship，’isanearnestman。ImarkedhiminthecrowdinWelbeckStreet，lastFriday。’

’Agoodman，’rejoinedthesecretary，’astaunch，sincere，andtrulyzealousman。’

’Heshouldbeencouraged，’saidLordGeorge。’MakeanoteofDennis。I’lltalkwithhim。’

Gashfordobeyed，andwentonreadingfromhislist:

’“TheFriendsofReason，half-a-guinea。TheFriendsofLiberty，half-a-guinea。TheFriendsofPeace，half-a-guinea。TheFriendsofCharity，half-a-guinea。TheFriendsofMercy，half-a-guinea。

TheAssociatedRememberersofBloodyMary，half-a-guinea。TheUnitedBulldogs，half-a-guinea。”’

’TheUnitedBulldogs，’saidLordGeorge，bitinghisnailsmosthorribly，’areanewsociety，aretheynot？’

’Formerlythe’PrenticeKnights，mylord。Theindenturesoftheoldmembersexpiringbydegrees，theychangedtheirname，itseems，thoughtheystillhave’prenticesamongthem，aswellasworkmen。’

’Whatistheirpresident’sname？’inquiredLordGeorge。

’President，’saidGashford，reading，’MrSimonTappertit。’

’Irememberhim。Thelittleman，whosometimesbringsanelderlysistertoourmeetings，andsometimesanotherfemaletoo，whoisconscientious，Ihavenodoubt，butnotwell-favoured？’

’Theverysame，mylord。’

’Tappertitisanearnestman，’saidLordGeorge，thoughtfully。

’Eh，Gashford？’

’Oneoftheforemostamongthemall，mylord。Hesnuffsthebattlefromafar，likethewar-horse。Hethrowshishatupinthestreetasifhewereinspired，andmakesmoststirringspeechesfromtheshouldersofhisfriends。’

’MakeanoteofTappertit，’saidLordGeorgeGordon。’Wemayadvancehimtoaplaceoftrust。’

’That，’rejoinedthesecretary，doingashewastold，’isall——

exceptMrsVarden’sbox(fourteenthtimeofopening)，sevenshillingsandsixpenceinsilverandcopper，andhalf-a-guineaingold;andMiggs(beingthesavingofaquarter’swages)，one-and-

threepence。’

’Miggs，’saidLordGeorge。’Isthataman？’

’Thenameisenteredonthelistasawoman，’repliedthesecretary。’Ithinksheisthetallsparefemaleofwhomyouspokejustnow，mylord，asnotbeingwell-favoured，whosometimescomestohearthespeeches——alongwithTappertitandMrsVarden。’

’MrsVardenistheelderlyladythen，isshe？’

Thesecretarynodded，andrubbedthebridgeofhisnosewiththefeatherofhispen。

’Sheisazealoussister，’saidLordGeorge。’Hercollectiongoesonprosperously，andispursuedwithfervour。Hasherhusbandjoined？’

’Amalignant，’returnedthesecretary，foldinguphispapers。

’Unworthysuchawife。Heremainsinouterdarknessandsteadilyrefuses。’

’Theconsequencesbeuponhisownhead！——Gashford！’

’Mylord！’

’Youdon’tthink，’heturnedrestlesslyinhisbedashespoke，’thesepeoplewilldesertme，whenthehourarrives？Ihavespokenboldlyforthem，venturedmuch，suppressednothing。They’llnotfalloff，willthey？’

’Nofearofthat，mylord，’saidGashford，withameaninglook，whichwasrathertheinvoluntaryexpressionofhisownthoughtsthanintendedasanyconfirmationofhiswords，fortheother’sfacewasturnedaway。’Besurethereisnofearofthat。’

’Nor，’hesaidwithamorerestlessmotionthanbefore，’oftheir——

buttheyCANsustainnoharmfromleaguingforthispurpose。Rightisonourside，thoughMightmaybeagainstus。YoufeelassureofthatasI——honestly，youdo？’

Thesecretarywasbeginningwith’Youdonotdoubt，’whentheotherinterruptedhim，andimpatientlyrejoined:

’Doubt。No。WhosaysIdoubt？IfIdoubted，shouldIcastawayrelatives，friends，everything，forthisunhappycountry’ssake;

thisunhappycountry，’hecried，springingupinbed，afterrepeatingthephrase’unhappycountry’ssake’tohimself，atleastadozentimes，’forsakenofGodandman，deliveredovertoadangerousconfederacyofPopishpowers;thepreyofcorruption，idolatry，anddespotism！WhosaysIdoubt？AmIcalled，andchosen，andfaithful？Tellme。AmI，oramInot？’

’ToGod，thecountry，andyourself，’criedGashford。

’Iam。Iwillbe。Isayagain，Iwillbe:totheblock。Whosaysasmuch！Doyou？Doesanymanalive？’

Thesecretarydroopedhisheadwithanexpressionofperfectacquiescenceinanythingthathadbeensaidormightbe;andLordGeorgegraduallysinkingdownuponhispillow，fellasleep。

Althoughtherewassomethingveryludicrousinhisvehementmanner，takeninconjunctionwithhismeagreaspectandungracefulpresence，itwouldscarcelyhaveprovokedasmileinanymanofkindlyfeeling;orevenifithad，hewouldhavefeltsorryandalmostangrywithhimselfnextmoment，foryieldingtotheimpulse。

Thislordwassincereinhisviolenceandinhiswavering。A

naturepronetofalseenthusiasm，andthevanityofbeingaleader，weretheworstqualitiesapparentinhiscomposition。Alltherestwasweakness——sheerweakness;anditistheunhappylotofthoroughlyweakmen，thattheirverysympathies，affections，confidences——allthequalitieswhichinbetterconstitutedmindsarevirtues——dwindleintofoibles，orturnintodownrightvices。

Gashford，withmanyaslylooktowardsthebed，satchucklingathismaster’sfolly，untilhisdeepandheavybreathingwarnedhimthathemightretire。Lockinghisdesk，andreplacingitwithinthetrunk(butnotbeforehehadtakenfromasecretliningtwoprintedhandbills)，hecautiouslywithdrew;lookingback，ashewent，atthepalefaceoftheslumberingman，abovewhoseheadthedustyplumesthatcrownedtheMaypolecouch，waveddrearilyandsadlyasthoughitwereabier。

Stoppingonthestaircasetolistenthatallwasquiet，andtotakeoffhisshoeslesthisfootstepsshouldalarmanylightsleeperwhomightbenearathand，hedescendedtothegroundfloor，andthrustoneofhisbillsbeneaththegreatdoorofthehouse。Thatdone，hecreptsoftlybacktohisownchamber，andfromthewindowletanotherfall——carefullywraptroundastonetosaveitfromthewind——intotheyardbelow。

Theywereaddressedontheback’ToeveryProtestantintowhosehandsthisshallcome，’andborewithinwhatfollows:

’MenandBrethren。Whoevershallfindthisletter，willtakeitasawarningtojoin，withoutdelay，thefriendsofLordGeorgeGordon。Therearegreateventsathand;andthetimesaredangerousandtroubled。Readthiscarefully，keepitclean，anddropitsomewhereelse。ForKingandCountry。Union。’

’Moreseed，moreseed，’saidGashfordasheclosedthewindow。

’Whenwilltheharvestcome！’

Chapter37

Tosurroundanything，howevermonstrousorridiculous，withanairofmystery，istoinvestitwithasecretcharm，andpowerofattractionwhichtothecrowdisirresistible。Falsepriests，falseprophets，falsedoctors，falsepatriots，falseprodigiesofeverykind，veilingtheirproceedingsinmystery，havealwaysaddressedthemselvesatanimmenseadvantagetothepopularcredulity，andhavebeen，perhaps，moreindebtedtothatresourceingainingandkeepingforatimetheupperhandofTruthandCommonSense，thantoanyhalf-dozenitemsinthewholecatalogueofimposture。Curiosityis，andhasbeenfromthecreationoftheworld，amaster-passion。Toawakenit，togratifyitbyslightdegrees，andyetleavesomethingalwaysinsuspense，istoestablishthesurestholdthatcanbehad，inwrong，ontheunthinkingportionofmankind。

IfamanhadstoodonLondonBridge，callingtillhewashoarse，uponthepassers-by，tojoinwithLordGeorgeGordon，althoughforanobjectwhichnomanunderstood，andwhichinthatveryincidenthadacharmofitsown，——theprobabilityis，thathemighthaveinfluencedascoreofpeopleinamonth。IfallzealousProtestantshadbeenpubliclyurgedtojoinanassociationfortheavowedpurposeofsingingahymnortwooccasionally，andhearingsomeindifferentspeechesmade，andultimatelyofpetitioningParliamentnottopassanactforabolishingthepenallawsagainstRomanCatholicpriests，thepenaltyofperpetualimprisonmentdenouncedagainstthosewhoeducatedchildreninthatpersuasion，andthedisqualificationofallmembersoftheRomishchurchtoinheritrealpropertyintheUnitedKingdombyrightofpurchaseordescent，——matterssofarremovedfromthebusinessandbosomsofthemass，mightperhapshavecalledtogetherahundredpeople。Butwhenvaguerumoursgotabroad，thatinthisProtestantassociationasecretpowerwasmusteringagainstthegovernmentforundefinedandmightypurposes;whentheairwasfilledwithwhispersofaconfederacyamongthePopishpowerstodegradeandenslaveEngland，establishaninquisitioninLondon，andturnthepensofSmithfieldmarketintostakesandcauldrons;whenterrorsandalarmswhichnomanunderstoodwereperpetuallybroached，bothinandoutofParliament，byoneenthusiastwhodidnotunderstandhimself，andbygonebugbearswhichhadlainquietlyintheirgravesforcenturies，wereraisedagaintohaunttheignorantandcredulous;

whenallthiswasdone，asitwere，inthedark，andsecretinvitationstojointheGreatProtestantAssociationindefenceofreligion，life，andliberty，weredroppedinthepublicways，thrustunderthehouse-doors，tossedinatwindows，andpressedintothehandsofthosewhotrodthestreetsbynight;whentheyglaredfromeverywall，andshoneoneverypostandpillar，sothatstocksandstonesappearedinfectedwiththecommonfear，urgingallmentojointogetherblindfoldinresistanceoftheyknewnotwhat，theyknewnotwhy;——thenthemaniaspreadindeed，andthebody，stillincreasingeveryday，grewfortythousandstrong。

Sosaid，atleast，inthismonthofMarch，1780，LordGeorgeGordon，theAssociation’spresident。Whetheritwasthefactorotherwise，fewmenkneworcaredtoascertain。Ithadnevermadeanypublicdemonstration;hadscarcelyeverbeenheardof，savethroughhim;hadneverbeenseen;andwassupposedbymanytobethemerecreatureofhisdisorderedbrain。Hewasaccustomedtotalklargelyaboutnumbersofmen——stimulated，asitwasinferred，bycertainsuccessfuldisturbances，arisingoutofthesamesubject，whichhadoccurredinScotlandinthepreviousyear;waslookeduponasacracked-brainedmemberofthelowerhouse，whoattackedallpartiesandsidedwithnone，andwasverylittleregarded。Itwasknownthattherewasdiscontentabroad——therealwaysis;hehadbeenaccustomedtoaddressthepeoplebyplacard，speech，andpamphlet，uponotherquestions;nothinghadcome，inEngland，ofhispastexertions，andnothingwasapprehendedfromhispresent。Justashehascomeuponthereader，hehadcome，fromtimetotime，uponthepublic，andbeenforgotteninaday;assuddenlyasheappearsinthesepages，afterablankoffivelongyears，didheandhisproceedingsbegintoforcethemselves，aboutthisperiod，uponthenoticeofthousandsofpeople，whohadmingledinactivelifeduringthewholeinterval，andwho，withoutbeingdeaforblindtopassingevents，hadscarcelyeverthoughtofhimbefore。

’Mylord，’saidGashfordinhisear，ashedrewthecurtainsofhisbedbetimes;’mylord！’

’Yes——who’sthat？Whatisit？’

’Theclockhasstrucknine，’returnedthesecretary，withmeeklyfoldedhands。’Youhavesleptwell？Ihopeyouhavesleptwell？

Ifmyprayersareheard，youarerefreshedindeed。’

’Tosaythetruth，Ihavesleptsosoundly，’saidLordGeorge，rubbinghiseyesandlookingroundtheroom，’thatIdon’trememberquite——whatplaceisthis？’

’Mylord！’criedGashford，withasmile。

’Oh！’returnedhissuperior。’Yes。You’renotaJewthen？’

’AJew！’exclaimedthepioussecretary，recoiling。

’IdreamedthatwewereJews，Gashford。YouandI——bothofus——

Jewswithlongbeards。’

’Heavenforbid，mylord！WemightaswellbePapists。’

’Isupposewemight，’returnedtheother，veryquickly。’Eh？Youreallythinkso，Gashford？’

’SurelyIdo，’thesecretarycried，withlooksofgreatsurprise。

’Humph！’hemuttered。’Yes，thatseemsreasonable。’

’Ihopemylord——’thesecretarybegan。

’Hope！’heechoed，interruptinghim。’Whydoyousay，youhope？

There’snoharminthinkingofsuchthings。’

’Notindreams，’returnedtheSecretary。

’Indreams！No，norwakingeither。’——

’“Called，andchosen，andfaithful。”’saidGashford，takingupLordGeorge’swatchwhichlayuponachair，andseemingtoreadtheinscriptionontheseal，abstractedly。

Itwastheslightestactionpossible，notobtrudedonhisnotice，andapparentlytheresultofamoment’sabsenceofmind，notworthremark。Butasthewordswereuttered，LordGeorge，whohadbeengoingonimpetuously，stoppedshort，reddened，andwassilent。

Apparentlyquiteunconsciousofthischangeinhisdemeanour，thewilySecretarysteppedalittleapart，underpretenceofpullingupthewindow-blind，andreturningwhentheotherhadhadtimetorecover，said:

’Theholycausegoesbravelyon，mylord。Iwasnotidle，evenlastnight。IdroppedtwoofthehandbillsbeforeIwenttobed，andbotharegonethismorning。Nobodyinthehousehasmentionedthecircumstanceoffindingthem，thoughIhavebeendownstairsfullhalf-an-hour。Oneortworecruitswillbetheirfirstfruit，Ipredict;andwhoshallsayhowmanymore，withHeaven’sblessingonyourinspiredexertions！’

’Itwasafamousdeviceinthebeginning，’repliedLordGeorge;’anexcellentdevice，anddidgoodserviceinScotland。Itwasquiteworthyofyou。Youremindmenottobeasluggard，Gashford，whenthevineyardismenacedwithdestruction，andmaybetroddendownbyPapistfeet。Letthehorsesbesaddledinhalf-an-hour。Wemustbeupanddoing！’

Hesaidthiswithaheightenedcolour，andinatoneofsuchenthusiasm，thatthesecretarydeemedallfurtherpromptingneedless，andwithdrew——

’DreamedhewasaJew，’hesaidthoughtfully，asheclosedthebedroomdoor。’Hemaycometothatbeforehedies。It’slikeenough。Well！Afteratime，andprovidedIlostnothingbyit，I

don’tseewhythatreligionshouldn’tsuitmeaswellasanyother。TherearerichmenamongtheJews;shavingisverytroublesome;——yes，itwouldsuitmewellenough。Forthepresent，though，wemustbeChristiantothecore。Ourpropheticmottowillsuitallcreedsintheirturn，that’sacomfort。’Reflectingonthissourceofconsolation，hereachedthesitting-room，andrangthebellforbreakfast。

LordGeorgewasquicklydressed(forhisplaintoiletwaseasilymade)，andashewasnolessfrugalinhisrepaststhaninhisPuritanattire，hisshareofthemealwassoondispatched。Thesecretary，however，moredevotedtothegoodthingsofthisworld，ormoreintentonsustaininghisstrengthandspiritsforthesakeoftheProtestantcause，ateanddranktothelastminute，andrequiredindeedsomethreeorfourremindersfromJohnGrueby，beforehecouldresolvetotearhimselfawayfromMrWillet’splentifulproviding。

Atlengthhecamedownstairs，wipinghisgreasymouth，andhavingpaidJohnWillet’sbill，climbedintohissaddle。LordGeorge，whohadbeenwalkingupanddownbeforethehousetalkingtohimselfwithearnestgestures，mountedhishorse;andreturningoldJohnWillet’sstatelybow，aswellasthepartingsalutationofadozenidlerswhomtherumourofalivelordbeingabouttoleavetheMaypolehadgatheredroundtheporch，theyrodeaway，withstoutJohnGruebyintherear。

IfLordGeorgeGordonhadappearedintheeyesofMrWillet，overnight，anoblemanofsomewhatquaintandoddexterior，theimpressionwasconfirmedthismorning，andincreasedahundredfold。

Sittingboltuprightuponhisbonysteed，withhislong，straighthair，danglingabouthisfaceandflutteringinthewind;hislimbsallangularandrigid，hiselbowsstuckoutoneithersideungracefully，andhiswholeframejoggedandshakenateverymotionofhishorse’sfeet;amoregrotesqueormoreungainlyfigurecanhardlybeconceived。Inlieuofwhip，hecarriedinhishandagreatgold-headedcane，aslargeasanyfootmancarriesinthesedays，andhisvariousmodesofholdingthisunwieldyweapon——nowuprightbeforehisfacelikethesabreofahorse-soldier，nowoverhisshoulderlikeamusket，nowbetweenhisfingerandthumb，butalwaysinsomeuncouthandawkwardfashion——contributedinnosmalldegreetotheabsurdityofhisappearance。Stiff，lank，andsolemn，dressedinanunusualmanner，andostentatiouslyexhibiting——whetherbydesignoraccident——allhispeculiaritiesofcarriage，gesture，andconduct，allthequalities，naturalandartificial，inwhichhedifferedfromothermen;hemighthavemovedthesternestlooker-ontolaughter，andfullyprovokedthesmilesandwhisperedjestswhichgreetedhisdeparturefromtheMaypoleinn。

Quiteunconscious，however，oftheeffectheproduced，hetrottedonbesidehissecretary，talkingtohimselfnearlyalltheway，untiltheycamewithinamileortwoofLondon，whennowandthensomepassengerwentbywhoknewhimbysight，andpointedhimouttosomeoneelse，andperhapsstoodlookingafterhim，orcriedinjestorearnestasitmightbe，’HurrahGeordie！NoPopery！’Atwhichhewouldgravelypulloffhishat，andbow。Whentheyreachedthetownandrodealongthestreets，thesenoticesbecamemorefrequent;somelaughed，somehissed，someturnedtheirheadsandsmiled，somewonderedwhohewas，someranalongthepavementbyhissideandcheered。Whenthishappenedinacrushofcartsandchairsandcoaches，hewouldmakeadeadstop，andpullingoffhishat，cry，’Gentlemen，NoPopery！’towhichthegentlemenwouldrespondwithlustyvoices，andwiththreetimesthree;andthen，onhewouldgoagainwithascoreorsooftheraggedest，followingathishorse’sheels，andshoutingtilltheirthroatswereparched。

Theoldladiestoo——therewereagreatmanyoldladiesinthestreets，andtheseallknewhim。Someofthem——notthoseofthehighestrank，butsuchassoldfruitfrombasketsandcarriedburdens——clappedtheirshrivelledhands，andraisedaweazen，piping，shrill’Hurrah，mylord。’Otherswavedtheirhandsorhandkerchiefs，orshooktheirfansorparasols，orthrewupwindowsandcalledinhastetothosewithin，tocomeandsee。Allthesemarksofpopularesteem，hereceivedwithprofoundgravityandrespect;bowingverylow，andsofrequentlythathishatwasmoreoffhisheadthanon;andlookingupatthehousesashepassedalong，withtheairofonewhowasmakingapublicentry，andyetwasnotpuffeduporproud。

Sotheyrode(tothedeepandunspeakabledisgustofJohnGrueby)

thewholelengthofWhitechapel，LeadenhallStreet，andCheapside，andintoStPaul’sChurchyard。Arrivingclosetothecathedral，hehalted;spoketoGashford;andlookingupwardatitsloftydome，shookhishead，asthoughhesaid，’TheChurchinDanger！’Thentobesure，thebystandersstretchedtheirthroatsindeed;andhewentonagainwithmightyacclamationsfromthemob，andlowerbowsthanever。

SoalongtheStrand，upSwallowStreet，intotheOxfordRoad，andthencetohishouseinWelbeckStreet，nearCavendishSquare，whitherhewasattendedbyafewdozenidlers;ofwhomhetookleaveonthestepswiththisbriefparting，’Gentlemen，NoPopery。

Goodday。Godblessyou。’Thisbeingratherashorteraddressthantheyexpected，wasreceivedwithsomedispleasure，andcriesof’Aspeech！aspeech！’whichmighthavebeencompliedwith，butthatJohnGrueby，makingamadchargeuponthemwithallthreehorses，onhiswaytothestables，causedthemtodisperseintotheadjoiningfields，wheretheypresentlyfelltopitchandtoss，chuck-farthing，oddoreven，dog-fighting，andotherProtestantrecreations。

IntheafternoonLordGeorgecameforthagain，dressedinablackvelvetcoat，andtrousersandwaistcoatoftheGordonplaid，allofthesameQuakercut;andinthiscostume，whichmadehimlookadozentimesmorestrangeandsingularthanbefore，wentdownonfoottoWestminster。Gashford，meanwhile，bestirredhimselfinbusinessmatters;withwhichhewasstillengagedwhen，shortlyafterdusk，JohnGruebyenteredandannouncedavisitor。

’Lethimcomein，’saidGashford。

’Here！comein！’growledJohntosomebodywithout;’You’reaProtestant，an’tyou？’

’Ishouldthinkso，’repliedadeep，gruffvoice。

’You’vethelooksofit，’saidJohnGrueby。’I’dhaveknownyouforone，anywhere。’Withwhichremarkhegavethevisitoradmission，retired，andshutthedoor。

ThemanwhonowconfrontedGashford，wasasquat，thicksetpersonage，withalow，retreatingforehead，acoarseshockheadofhair，andeyessosmallandneartogether，thathisbrokennosealoneseemedtopreventtheirmeetingandfusingintooneoftheusualsize。Adingyhandkerchieftwistedlikeacordabouthisneck，leftitsgreatveinsexposedtoview，andtheywereswollenandstarting，asthoughwithgulpingdownstrongpassions，malice，andill-will。Hisdresswasofthreadbarevelveteen——afaded，rusty，whitenedblack，liketheashesofapipeoracoalfireafteraday’sextinction;discolouredwiththesoilsofmanyastaledebauch，andreekingyetwithpot-houseodours。Inlieuofbucklesathisknees，heworeunequalloopsofpackthread;andinhisgrimyhandsheheldaknottedstick，theknobofwhichwascarvedintoaroughlikenessofhisownvileface。Suchwasthevisitorwhodoffedhisthree-corneredhatinGashford’spresence，andwaited，leering，forhisnotice。

’Ah！Dennis！’criedthesecretary。’Sitdown。’

’Iseemylorddownyonder——’criedtheman，withajerkofhisthumbtowardsthequarterthathespokeof，’andhesaystome，saysmylord，“Ifyou’venothingtodo，Dennis，gouptomyhouseandtalkwithMusterGashford。”OfcourseI’dnothingtodo，youknow。Thesean’tmyworkinghours。Haha！Iwasa-takingtheairwhenIseemylord，that’swhatIwasdoing。Itakestheairbynight，asthehowlsdoes，MusterGashford。’

Andsometimesintheday-time，eh？’saidthesecretary——’whenyougooutinstate，youknow。’

’Haha！’roaredthefellow，smitinghisleg;’foragentlemanas’ullsayapleasantthinginapleasantway，givemeMusterGashfordagin’allLondonandWestminster！Mylordan’tabad’unatthat，buthe’safooltoyou。Ahtobesure，——whenIgooutinstate。’

’Andhaveyourcarriage，’saidthesecretary;’andyourchaplain，eh？andalltherestofit？’

’You’llbethedeathofme，’criedDennis，withanotherroar，’youwill。Butwhat’sinthewindnow，MusterGashford，’heaskedhoarsely，’Eh？ArewetobeunderorderstopulldownoneofthemPopishchapels——orwhat？’

’Hush！’saidthesecretary，sufferingthefaintestsmiletoplayuponhisface。’Hush！Godblessme，Dennis！Weassociate，youknow，forstrictlypeaceableandlawfulpurposes。’

’Iknow，blessyou，’returnedtheman，thrustinghistongueintohischeek;’Ientereda’purpose，didn’tI！’

’Nodoubt，’saidGashford，smilingasbefore。Andwhenhesaidso，Dennisroaredagain，andsmotehislegstillharder，andfallingintofitsoflaughter，wipedhiseyeswiththecornerofhisneckerchief，andcried，’MusterGashfordagin’allEnglandhollow！’

’LordGeorgeandIweretalkingofyoulastnight，’saidGashford，afterapause。’Hesaysyouareaveryearnestfellow。’

’SoIam，’returnedthehangman。

’AndthatyoutrulyhatethePapists。’

’SoIdo，’andheconfirmeditwithagoodroundoath。’Lookyehere，MusterGashford，’saidthefellow，layinghishatandstickuponthefloor，andslowlybeatingthepalmofonehandwiththefingersoftheother;’Ob-serve。I’maconstitutionalofficerthatworksformyliving，anddoesmyworkcreditable。DoI，ordoI

not？’

’Unquestionably。’

’Verygood。Stopaminute。Mywork，issound，Protestant，constitutional，Englishwork。Isit，orisitnot？’

’Nomanalivecandoubtit。’

’Nordeadneither。Parliamentsaysthishere——saysParliament，“Ifanyman，woman，orchild，doesanythingwhichgoesagainacertainnumberofouracts“——howmanyhanginglawsmaytherebeatthispresenttime，MusterGashford？Fifty？’

’Idon’texactlyknowhowmany，’repliedGashford，leaningbackinhischairandyawning;’agreatnumberthough。’

’Well，sayfifty。Parliamentsays，“Ifanyman，woman，orchild，doesanythingagainanyoneofthemfiftyacts，thatman，woman，orchild，shallbeworkedoffbyDennis。”GeorgetheThirdstepsinwhentheynumberverystrongattheendofasessions，andsays，“ThesearetoomanyforDennis。I’llhavehalfformyselfandDennisshallhavehalfforhimself;“andsometimeshethrowsmeinoneoverthatIdon’texpect，ashedidthreeyearago，whenIgotMaryJones，ayoungwomanofnineteenwhocomeuptoTyburnwithainfantatherbreast，andwasworkedofffortakingapieceofclothoffthecounterofashopinLudgateHill，andputtingitdownagainwhentheshopmanseeher;andwhohadneverdoneanyharmbefore，andonlytriedtodothat，inconsequenceofherhusbandhavingbeenpressedthreeweeksprevious，andshebeinglefttobeg，withtwoyoungchildren——aswasproveduponthetrial。

Haha！——Well！ThatbeingthelawandthepracticeofEngland，isthegloryofEngland，an’tit，MusterGashford？’

’Certainly，’saidthesecretary。

’Andintimestocome，’pursuedthehangman，’ifourgrandsonsshouldthinkoftheirgrandfathers’times，andfindthesethingsaltered，they’llsay，“Thoseweredaysindeed，andwe’vebeengoingdownhilleversince。”Won’tthey，MusterGashford？’

’Ihavenodoubttheywill，’saidthesecretary。

’Wellthen，lookhere，’saidthehangman。’IfthesePapistsgetsintopower，andbeginstoboilandroastinsteadofhang，whatbecomesofmywork！Iftheytouchmyworkthat’sapartofsomanylaws，whatbecomesofthelawsingeneral，whatbecomesofthereligion，whatbecomesofthecountry！——Didyouevergotochurch，MusterGashford？’

’Ever！’repeatedthesecretarywithsomeindignation;’ofcourse。’

’Well，’saidtheruffian，’I’vebeenonce——twice，countingthetimeIwaschristened——andwhenIheardtheParliamentprayedfor，andthoughthowmanynewhanginglawstheymadeeverysessions，I

consideredthatIwasprayedfor。Nowmind，MusterGashford，’saidthefellow，takinguphisstickandshakingitwithaferociousair，’Imustn’thavemyProtestantworktouched，northishereProtestantstateofthingsalteredinnodegree，ifIcanhelpit;

Imustn’thavenoPapistsinterferingwithme，unlesstheycometobeworkedoffincourseoflaw;Imustn’thavenobiling，noroasting，nofrying——nothingbuthanging。Mylordmaywellcallmeanearnestfellow。InsupportofthegreatProtestantprincipleofhavingplentyofthat，I’ll，’andherehebeathisclubupontheground，’burn，fight，kill——doanythingyoubidme，sothatit’sboldanddevilish——thoughtheendofitwas，thatIgothungmyself——There，MusterGashford！’

Heappropriatelyfollowedupthisfrequentprostitutionofanoblewordtothevilestpurposes，bypouringoutinakindofecstasyatleastascoreofmosttremendousoaths;thenwipedhisheatedfaceuponhisneckerchief，andcried，’NoPopery！I’mareligiousman，byG——！’

Gashfordhadleantbackinhischair，regardinghimwitheyessosunken，andsoshadowedbyhisheavybrows，thatforaughtthehangmansawofthem，hemighthavebeenstoneblind。Heremainedsmilinginsilenceforashorttimelonger，andthensaid，slowlyanddistinctly:

’Youareindeedanearnestfellow，Dennis——amostvaluablefellow——

thestaunchestmanIknowofinourranks。Butyoumustcalmyourself;youmustbepeaceful，lawful，mildasanylamb。Iamsureyouwillbethough。’

’Ay，ay，weshallsee，MusterGashford，weshallsee。Youwon’thavetocomplainofme，’returnedtheother，shakinghishead。

’IamsureIshallnot，’saidthesecretaryinthesamemildtone，andwiththesameemphasis。’Weshallhave，wethink，aboutnextmonth，orMay，whenthisPapistreliefbillcomesbeforethehouse，toconveneourwholebodyforthefirsttime。Mylordhasthoughtsofourwalkinginprocessionthroughthestreets——justasaninnocentdisplayofstrength——andaccompanyingourpetitiondowntothedooroftheHouseofCommons。’

’Thesoonerthebetter，’saidDennis，withanotheroath。

’Weshallhavetodrawupindivisions，ournumbersbeingsolarge;

and，IbelieveImayventuretosay，’resumedGashford，affectingnottoheartheinterruption，’thoughIhavenodirectinstructionstothateffect——thatLordGeorgehasthoughtofyouasanexcellentleaderforoneoftheseparties。Ihavenodoubtyouwouldbeanadmirableone。’

’Tryme，’saidthefellow，withanuglywink。

’Youwouldbecool，Iknow，’pursuedthesecretary，stillsmiling，andstillmanaginghiseyessothathecouldwatchhimclosely，andreallynotbeseeninturn，’obedienttoorders，andperfectlytemperate。Youwouldleadyourpartyintonodanger，Iamcertain。’

’I’dleadthem，MusterGashford，’——thehangmanwasbeginninginarecklessway，whenGashfordstartedforward，laidhisfingeronhislips，andfeignedtowrite，justasthedoorwasopenedbyJohnGrueby。

’Oh！’saidJohn，lookingin;’here’sanotherProtestant。’

’Someotherroom，John，’criedGashfordinhisblandestvoice。’I

amengagedjustnow。’

ButJohnhadbroughtthisnewvisitortothedoor，andhewalkedinunbidden，asthewordswereuttered;givingtoviewtheformandfeatures，roughattire，andrecklessair，ofHugh。

Chapter38

Thesecretaryputhishandbeforehiseyestoshadethemfromtheglareofthelamp，andforsomemomentslookedatHughwithafrowningbrow，asifherememberedtohaveseenhimlately，butcouldnotcalltomindwhere，oronwhatoccasion。Hisuncertaintywasverybrief，forbeforeHughhadspokenaword，hesaid，ashiscountenanceclearedup:

’Ay，ay，Irecollect。It’squiteright，John，youneedn’twait。

Don’tgo，Dennis。’

’Yourservant，master，’saidHugh，asGruebydisappeared。

’Yours，friend，’returnedthesecretaryinhissmoothestmanner。

’WhatbringsYOUhere？Weleftnothingbehindus，Ihope？’

Hughgaveashortlaugh，andthrustinghishandintohisbreast，producedoneofthehandbills，soiledanddirtyfromlyingoutofdoorsallnight，whichhelaiduponthesecretary’sdeskafterflatteningituponhisknee，andsmoothingoutthewrinkleswithhisheavypalm。

’Nothingbutthat，master。Itfellintogoodhands，yousee。’

’Whatisthis！’saidGashford，turningitoverwithanairofperfectlynaturalsurprise。’Wheredidyougetitfrom，mygoodfellow;whatdoesitmean？Idon’tunderstandthisatall。’

Alittledisconcertedbythisreception，HughlookedfromthesecretarytoDennis，whohadrisenandwasstandingatthetabletoo，observingthestrangerbystealth，andseemingtoderivetheutmostsatisfactionfromhismannersandappearance。Consideringhimselfsilentlyappealedtobythisaction，MrDennisshookhisheadthrice，asiftosayofGashford，’No。Hedon’tknowanythingatallaboutit。Iknowhedon’t。I’lltakemyoathhedon’t;’

andhidinghisprofilefromHughwithonelongendofhisfrowzyneckerchief，noddedandchuckledbehindthisscreeninextremeapprovalofthesecretary’sproceedings。

’Ittellsthemanthatfindsit，tocomehere，don’tit？’askedHugh。’I’mnoscholar，myself，butIshowedittoafriend，andhesaiditdid。’

’Itcertainlydoes，’saidGashford，openinghiseyestotheirutmostwidth;’reallythisisthemostremarkablecircumstanceI

haveeverknown。Howdidyoucomebythispieceofpaper，mygoodfriend？’

’MusterGashford，’wheezedthehangmanunderhisbreath，’agin’allNewgate！’

WhetherHughheardhim，orsawbyhismannerthathewasbeingplayedupon，orperceivedthesecretary’sdriftofhimself，hecameinhisbluntwaytothepointatonce。

’Here！’hesaid，stretchingouthishandandtakingitback;’nevermindthebill，orwhatitsays，orwhatitdon’tsay。Youdon’tknowanythingaboutit，master，——nomoredoI，——nomoredoeshe，’

glancingatDennis。’Noneofusknowwhatitmeans，orwhereitcomesfrom:there’sanendofthat。NowIwanttomakeoneagainsttheCatholics，I’maNo-Poperyman，andreadytobeswornin。

That’swhatI’vecomeherefor。’

’Puthimdownontheroll，MusterGashford，’saidDennisapprovingly。’That’sthewaytogotowork——righttotheendatonce，andnopalaver。’

’What’stheuseofshootingwideofthemark，eh，oldboy！’criedHugh。

’Mysentimentsallover！’rejoinedthehangman。’Thisisthesortofchapformydivision，MusterGashford。Downwithhim，sir。Puthimontheroll。I’dstandgodfathertohim，ifhewastobechristenedinabonfire，madeoftheruinsoftheBankofEngland。’

Withtheseandotherexpressionsofconfidenceofthelikeflatteringkind，MrDennisgavehimaheartyslapontheback，whichHughwasnotslowtoreturn。

’NoPopery，brother！’criedthehangman。

’NoProperty，brother！’respondedHugh。

’Popery，Popery，’saidthesecretarywithhisusualmildness。

’It’sallthesame！’criedDennis。’It’sallright。Downwithhim，MusterGashford。Downwitheverybody，downwitheverything！

HurrahfortheProtestantreligion！That’sthetimeofday，MusterGashford！’

Thesecretaryregardedthembothwithaveryfavourableexpressionofcountenance，whiletheygaveloosetotheseandotherdemonstrationsoftheirpatrioticpurpose;andwasabouttomakesomeremarkaloud，whenDennis，steppinguptohim，andshadinghismouthwithhishand，said，inahoarsewhisper，ashenudgedhimwithhiselbow:

’Don’tsplituponaconstitutionalofficer’sprofession，MusterGashford。Therearepopularprejudices，youknow，andhemightn’tlikeit。Waittillhecomestobemoreintimatewithme。He’safine-builtchap，an’the？’

’Apowerfulfellowindeed！’

’Didyouever，MusterGashford，’whisperedDennis，withahorriblekindofadmiration，suchasthatwithwhichacannibalmightregardhisintimatefriend，whenhungry，——’didyouever——andherehedrewstillclosertohisear，andfencedhismouthwithbothhisopenbands——’seesuchathroatashis？Dobutcastyoureyeuponit。

There’saneckforstretching，MusterGashford！’

Thesecretaryassentedtothispropositionwiththebestgracehecouldassume——itisdifficulttofeignatrueprofessionalrelish:

whichiseccentricsometimes——andafteraskingthecandidateafewunimportantquestions，proceededtoenrolhimamemberoftheGreatProtestantAssociationofEngland。IfanythingcouldhaveexceededMrDennis’sjoyonthehappyconclusionofthisceremony，itwouldhavebeentherapturewithwhichhereceivedtheannouncementthatthenewmembercouldneitherreadnorwrite:thosetwoartsbeing(asMrDennisswore)thegreatestpossiblecurseacivilisedcommunitycouldknow，andmilitatingmoreagainsttheprofessionalemolumentsandusefulnessofthegreatconstitutionalofficehehadthehonourtohold，thananyadversecircumstancesthatcouldpresentthemselvestohisimagination。

Theenrolmentbeingcompleted，andHughhavingbeeninformedbyGashford，inhispeculiarmanner，ofthepeacefulandstrictlylawfulobjectscontemplatedbythebodytowhichhenowbelonged——

duringwhichrecitalMrDennisnudgedhimverymuchwithhiselbow，andmadediversremarkablefaces——thesecretarygavethembothtounderstandthathedesiredtobealone。Thereforetheytooktheirleaveswithoutdelay，andcameoutofthehousetogether。

’Areyouwalking，brother？’saidDennis。

’Ay！’returnedHugh。’Whereyouwill。’

’That’ssocial，’saidhisnewfriend。’Whichwayshallwetake？

Shallwegoandhavealookatdoorsthatweshallmakeaprettygoodclatteringat，beforelong——eh，brother？’

Hughansweringintheaffirmative，theywentslowlydowntoWestminster，wherebothhousesofParliamentwerethensitting。

Minglinginthecrowdofcarriages，horses，servants，chairmen，link-boys，porters，andidlersofallkinds，theyloungedabout;

whileHugh’snewfriendpointedouttohimsignificantlytheweakpartsofthebuilding，howeasyitwastogetintothelobby，andsototheverydooroftheHouseofCommons;andhowplainly，whentheymarcheddownthereingrandarray，theirroarsandshoutswouldbeheardbythemembersinside;withagreatdealmoretothesamepurpose，allofwhichHughreceivedwithmanifestdelight。

Hetoldhim，too，whosomeoftheLordsandCommonswere，byname，astheycameinandout;whethertheywerefriendlytothePapistsorotherwise;andbadehimtakenoticeoftheirliveriesandequipages，thathemightbesureofthem，incaseofneed。

Sometimeshedrewhimclosetothewindowsofapassingcarriage，thathemightseeitsmaster’sfacebythelightofthelamps;and，bothinrespectofpeopleandlocalities，heshowedsomuchacquaintancewitheverythingaround，thatitwasplainhehadoftenstudiedtherebefore;asindeed，whentheygrewalittlemoreconfidential，heconfessedhehad。

Perhapsthemoststrikingpartofallthiswas，thenumberofpeople——neveringroupsofmorethantwoorthreetogether——whoseemedtobeskulkingaboutthecrowdforthesamepurpose。Tothegreaterpartofthese，aslightnodoralookfromHugh’scompanionwassufficientgreeting;but，nowandthen，somemanwouldcomeandstandbesidehiminthethrong，and，withoutturninghisheadorappearingtocommunicatewithhim，wouldsayawordortwoinalowvoice，whichhewouldanswerinthesamecautiousmanner。Thentheywouldpart，likestrangers。SomeofthesemenoftenreappearedagainunexpectedlyinthecrowdclosetoHugh，and，astheypassedby，pressedhishand，orlookedhimsternlyintheface;buttheyneverspoketohim，norhetothem;no，notaword。

Itwasremarkable，too，thatwhenevertheyhappenedtostandwheretherewasanypressofpeople，andHughchancedtobelookingdownward，hewassuretoseeanarmstretchedout——underhisownperhaps，orperhapsacrosshim——whichthrustsomepaperintothehandorpocketofabystander，andwassosuddenlywithdrawnthatitwasimpossibletotellfromwhomitcame;norcouldheseeinanyface，onglancingquicklyround，theleastconfusionorsurprise。Theyoftentroduponapaperliketheonehecarriedinhisbreast，buthiscompanionwhisperedhimnottotouchitortotakeitup，——noteventolooktowardsit，——sotheretheyletthemlie，andpassedon。

Whentheyhadparadedthestreetandalltheavenuesofthebuildinginthismannerforneartwohours，theyturnedaway，andhisfriendaskedhimwhathethoughtofwhathehadseen，andwhetherhewaspreparedforagoodhotpieceofworkifitshouldcometothat。Thehotterthebetter，’saidHugh，’I’mpreparedforanything。’——’SoamI，’saidhisfriend，’andsoaremanyofus;

andtheyshookhandsuponitwithagreatoath，andwithmanyterribleimprecationsonthePapists。

Astheywerethirstybythistime，DennisproposedthattheyshouldrepairtogethertoTheBoot，wheretherewasgoodcompanyandstrongliquor。Hughyieldingareadyassent，theybenttheirstepsthatwaywithnolossoftime。

ThisBootwasalonehouseofpublicentertainment，situatedinthefieldsatthebackoftheFoundlingHospital;averysolitaryspotatthatperiod，andquitedesertedafterdark。Thetavernstoodatsomedistancefromanyhighroad，andwasapproachableonlybyadarkandnarrowlane;sothatHughwasmuchsurprisedtofindseveralpeopledrinkingthere，andgreatmerrimentgoingon。Hewasstillmoresurprisedtofindamongthemalmosteveryfacethathadcaughthisattentioninthecrowd;buthiscompanionhavingwhisperedhimoutsidethedoor，thatitwasnotconsideredgoodmannersatTheBoottoappearatallcuriousaboutthecompany，hekepthisowncounsel，andmadenoshowofrecognition。

Beforeputtinghislipstotheliquorwhichwasbroughtforthem，DennisdrankinaloudvoicethehealthofLordGeorgeGordon，PresidentoftheGreatProtestantAssociation;whichtoastHughpledgedlikewise，withcorrespondingenthusiasm。Afiddlerwhowaspresent，andwhoappearedtoactastheappointedminstrelofthecompany，forthwithstruckupaScotchreel;andthatintonessoinvigorating，thatHughandhisfriend(whohadbothbeendrinkingbefore)rosefromtheirseatsasbypreviousconcert，and，tothegreatadmirationoftheassembledguests，performedanextemporaneousNo-PoperyDance。

Chapter39

TheapplausewhichtheperformanceofHughandhisnewfriendelicitedfromthecompanyatTheBoot，hadnotyetsubsided，andthetwodancerswerestillpantingfromtheirexertions，whichhadbeenofaratherextremeandviolentcharacter，whenthepartywasreinforcedbythearrivalofsomemoreguests，who，beingadetachmentofUnitedBulldogs，werereceivedwithveryflatteringmarksofdistinctionandrespect。

Theleaderofthissmallparty——for，includinghimself，theywerebutthreeinnumber——wasouroldacquaintance，MrTappertit，whoseemed，physicallyspeaking，tohavegrownsmallerwithyears(particularlyastohislegs，whichwerestupendouslylittle)，butwho，inamoralpointofview，inpersonaldignityandself-esteem，hadswelledintoagiant。Norwasitbyanymeansdifficultforthemostunobservantpersontodetectthisstateoffeelinginthequondam’prentice，foritnotonlyproclaimeditselfimpressivelyandbeyondmistakeinhismajesticwalkandkindlingeye，butfoundastrikingmeansofrevelationinhisturned-upnose，whichscoutedallthingsofearthwithdeepdisdain，andsoughtcommunionwithitskindredskies。

MrTappertit，aschieforcaptainoftheBulldogs，wasattendedbyhistwolieutenants;one，thetallcomradeofhisyoungerlife;theother，a’PrenticeKnightindaysofyore——MarkGilbert，boundintheoldentimetoThomasCurzonoftheGoldenFleece。Thesegentlemen，likehimself，werenowemancipatedfromtheir’prenticethraldom，andservedasjourneymen;buttheywere，inhumbleemulationofhisgreatexample，boldanddaringspirits，andaspiredtoadistinguishedstateingreatpoliticalevents。HencetheirconnectionwiththeProtestantAssociationofEngland，sanctionedbythenameofLordGeorgeGordon;andhencetheirpresentvisittoTheBoot。

’Gentlemen！’saidMrTappertit，takingoffhishatasagreatgeneralmightinaddressinghistroops。’Wellmet。Mylorddoesmeandyouthehonourtosendhiscomplimentsperself。’

’You’veseenmylordtoo，haveyou？’saidDennis。’Iseehimthisafternoon。’

’MydutycalledmetotheLobbywhenourshopshutup;andIsawhimthere，sir，’MrTappertitreplied，asheandhislieutenantstooktheirseats。’HowdoYOUdo？’

’Lively，master，lively，’saidthefellow。’Here’sanewbrother，regularlyputdowninblackandwhitebyMusterGashford;acredittothecause;oneofthestick-at-nothingsort;oneartermyownheart。D’yeseehim？Hashegotthelooksofamanthat’lldo，doyouthink？’hecried，asheslappedHughontheback。

’Looksornolooks，’saidHugh，withadrunkenflourishofhisarm，’I’mthemanyouwant。IhatethePapists，everyoneof’em。TheyhatemeandIhatethem。Theydomealltheharmtheycan，andI’lldothemalltheharmIcan。Hurrah！’

’Wasthereever，’saidDennis，lookingroundtheroom，whentheechoofhisboisterousvoicebaddiedaway;’wasthereeversuchagameboy！Why，Imeantosay，brothers，thatifMusterGashfordhadgoneahundredmileandgottogetherfiftymenofthecommonrun，theywouldn’thavebeenworththisone。’

Thegreaterpartofthecompanyimplicitlysubscribedtothisopinion，andtestifiedtheirfaithinHughbynodsandlooksofgreatsignificance。MrTappertitsatandcontemplatedhimforalongtimeinsilence，asifhesuspendedhisjudgment;thendrewalittlenearertohim，andeyedhimovermorecarefully;thenwentcloseuptohim，andtookhimapartintoadarkcorner。