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。
