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Updated: May 24, 2025
Before Vivian could well finish his sentence Essper had drawn out a long horn from beneath his small counter, and sounded a blast which echoed through the arched passages. The attention of every one was excited, and no part of the following speech was lost:
"A merry knave!" said the Prince; "and talking of a puppy with a bugle horn reminds us how unaccountably we have been deserted to-day by a suite that never yet were wanting. We are indeed astonished. Our bugle, we fear, has turned traitor." So saying, the Prince executed a blast with great skill, which Vivian immediately recognised as the one which Essper George had imitated.
They had evidently taken a fancy to him, and, though extremely wearied, the lively little Essper endeavoured, between his quick mouthfuls and long draughts, to reward and encourage their kindness by many a good story and sharp joke.
Vivian was silent, thoughtful, and scarcely tasted anything: Essper George, on the contrary, was in unusual and even troublesome spirits, and had not his appetite necessarily produced a few pauses in his almost perpetual rattle, the patience of his master would have been fairly worn out.
"Good friend!" said Essper, looking him cunningly in the face, "I fear that we must order horses on: you can hardly accommodate two?" "Good friend!" answered the innkeeper, and he crossed himself very reverently at the same time, "it is not for man to fear, but to hope."
The whole suite are off the scent. It must have been his bugle, for the regulations of this forest are so strict that no one dare sound a blast but his Serene Highness." Away galloped the huntsman. "Next time I must give you up, Essper," said Vivian. "One more blast, good master!" begged Essper, in a supplicating voice. "This time to the left; the confusion will be then complete."
Ere Essper had finished more than one stout bolt had been drawn, and the great key had already entered the stouter lock. "Most honourable sirs!" hiccuped the porter, "in our Lady's name enter.
"A prayer to St. Peter, a prayer to St. Paul! A prayer to St. Jerome, a prayer to them all!" Here the devout porter most reverently crossed himself. "A prayer to each one of the saintly stock, But devotion alone, devotion to Hock!" added Essper George; "you forget the best part of the burden, my honest friend."
"I will," said Essper, "if I can stand. Out of the forest! Ah, look at Max!" Vivian turned, and beheld his spirited horse raised on his hind legs, and dashing his fore feet against the trunk of a tree to which they had tied him.
Watch him to-morrow morning; about nine or ten I should think; here, here; and then for heaven's sake let me see you. Dare everything! Fail not! Mind, by the private road: beware the other! You know the ground. God bless you: "SYBILLA" Vivian read the note over a thousand times. He could not retire to rest. He called Essper George, and gave him all necessary directions for the morning.
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