who may be a kinsman of the fiend in the straw, a most comical chance!" said Varney. "How say est thou, Lambourne, wilt thou stand godfather for the nonce?if the devil were to chuse a gos sip, I know no one more fit for the office.”

Saving always when my betters are in presence," said Lambourne, with the civil impudence" of a servant who knows his services to be so indispensable, that his jest will be permitted to pass

muster.

And what is the name of this devil or devil's dam, who has timed her turns so strangely ?” said Varney. "We can ill afford to spare any

actors."

of our

"Gaudet nomine Sybilla," said the first speaker, "she is called Sybill Laneham, wife of Master Richard Laneham".

Se Clerk to the Council-chamber door," said Varney; "why she is inexcusable, having had experience how to have ordered her matters better. But who were those, a man and a woman I think, who rode so hastily up the hill before me even now ?-do they belong to your company ?"

Wayland was about to hazard a reply to this

bpt) ..aya yaly odien,

alarming inquiry, when the little diablotin again

thrust in his oar.

wodel mog itim od

"So please you," he said, coming close up to

as not

to be overheard

Varney, and speaking so as by his companions, "the man was our devil major, who has tricks enough to supply the lack of a hundred such as Dame Laneham, and the woyou please-is the sage person whose assistance is most particularly necessary to our dis100 ant Joise 91 ̧μ

211.00

man—if

mid mik

tressed comrade."

zagodi e you sl.

"Oh, what, you have got the wise woman then?” bas ciod ei

said Varney. "Why truly, she rode like one bound zodanit, ond

to a place where she was needed-And you have

a spare limb of Satan, besides, to supply the place 982 prulabi of Mistress Laneham

JJ

Ay, sir," said the boy," they are not so scarce in this world as your honour's virtuous eminence would suppose-This master-fiend shall spit a few flashes of fire, and eruct a volume or two of smoke on the spot, if it will do you pleasure bitslys would think he had Ætna in his abdomen." -165 bogg 4 time u now, most hopeful imp of darkness, to witness his performance," said Var"but here is something for you all to drink

you

ney;

208

the lucky hour—and so, as the play says, God be with your labour !"

ni tarh Thus speaking, he struck his horse with the spurs, and rode on his way.

02

Lambourne tarried a moment or two behind his master, and rummaged his pouch for a piece POL of silver, which he bestowed on the communicative imp, as he said, for his encouragement on his path to the infernal regions, some sparks of whose fire, he said, he could discover flashing from him already. Then having received the boy's thanks for his generosity, he also spurred his horse, and rode after his master as fast as the fire flashes from flint, come hol mege £ "And now," said the wily imp, sideling close up to Wayland's horse, and cutting a gambol in the air, which seemed to vindicate his title to re

ΤΑ

ST 901692

lationship with the prince of that element, “ I have told them who you are, do you in return tell fatiga me who I am ?"

"Either Flibbertigibbet," answered Wayland Smith," or else an imp of the devil in good earnest."

"Thou hast hit it," answered Dickie Sludge;

700

I am thine own Flibbertigibbet, man, and I have broken forth of bounds, along with my learned preceptor, as I told thee I would do, whether he would or not.-But what lady hast thou got with thee? I saw thou wert at fault the first question was asked, and so I drew up for thy assistance. But I must know all who she is, dear Wayland."

"Thou shalt know fifty finer things, my dear ingle," said Wayland; "but a truce to thine inquiries just now; and since you are bound for Kenilworth, thither will I too, even for the love of thy sweet face and waggish company.** 190

*།

"Thou should'st have said my waggish face and sweet company," said Dickie; "but how wilt thou travel with us-I mean in what character "

"E'en in that thou hast assigned me, to be sure-as a juggler; thou know'st I am used to the craft," answered Wayland. Toh as

Ay, but the lady ?" answered Flibbertigibbet," credit me, I think she is one, and thou art in a sea of troubles about her at this moment, as I can perceive by thy fidgetting."

"O, she, man she is a poor sister of mine,"

said Wayland she can sing and play o' the lute, would win the fish out o' the stream,"

"Let me hear, her instantly," said the boy; I love the lute rarely; I love it of all things, though I never heard it."

"Then how canst thou love it, Flibbertigibbet?" said Wayland.

*ཝཱ

"As knights love ladies in old tales,” answered Dickie-" on hearsay."..

"Then love it on hearsay a little longer, till my sister is recovered from the fatigue of her journey," said Wayland;-muttering afterwards betwixt his teeth, "The devil take the imp's curiosity!-I must keep fair weather with him, or we shall fare the worse."

He then proceeded to state to Master Holiday his own talents as a juggler, with those of his sister as a musician. Some proof of his dexterity was demanded, which he readily gave in such a style of excellence, that, delighted at obtaining such an accession to their party, they readily aequiesced in the apology which he offered, when a display of his sister's talents was required. The new-comers were invited to partake of the refresh