"This accords with thy fellow's story, Tressilian," said the Earl; "call
him hither."
On being summoned to the Earl's presence, Wayland Smith told his former
tale with firmness and consistency.
"It may be," said the Earl, "thou art sent by those who have begun this
work, to end it for them; but bethink, if I miscarry under thy medicine,
it may go hard with thee."
"That were severe measure," said Wayland, "since the issue of medicine,
and the end of life, are in God's disposal. But I will stand the risk. I
have not lived so long under ground to be afraid of a grave."
"Nay, if thou be'st so confident," said the Earl of Sussex, "I will take
the risk too, for the learned can do nothing for me. Tell me how this
medicine is to be taken."
"That will I do presently," said Wayland; "but allow me to condition
that, since I incur all the risk of this treatment, no other physician
shall be permitted to interfere with it."
"That is but fair," replied the Earl; "and now prepare your drug."
While Wayland obeyed the Earl's commands, his servants, by the artist's
direction, undressed their master, and placed him in bed.
"I warn you," he said, "that the first operation of this medicine will
be to produce a heavy sleep, during which time the chamber must be kept
undisturbed, as the consequences may otherwise he fatal. I myself will
watch by the Earl with any of the gentlemen of his chamber."
"Let all leave the room, save Stanley and this good fellow," said the
Earl.
"And saving me also," said Tressilian. "I too am deeply interested in
the effects of this potion."
"Be it so, good friend," said the Earl. "And now for our experiment; but
first call my secretary and chamberlain."
"Bear witness," he continued, when these officers arrived--"bear witness
for me, gentlemen, that our honourable friend Tressilian is in no way
responsible for the effects which this medicine may produce upon me, the
taking it being my own free action and choice, in regard I believe it to
be a remedy which God has furnished me by unexpected means to recover me
of my present malady. Commend me to my noble and princely Mistress;
and say that I live and die her true servant, and wish to all about her
throne the same singleness of heart and will to serve her, with more
ability to do so than hath been assigned to poor Thomas Ratcliffe."