“Certainly not,” said Flatterwell, who knew it would make all the difference in the world.  So they parted with mutual protestations of regard.  Parley went home charmed with his new friend.  His eyes were now clearly open as to his master’s prejudices against the “robbers,” and he was convinced there was more in the name than in the thing.

“But,” said he, “though Mr. Flatterwell is certainly an agreeable companion, he may not be so safe an inmate.  There can, however, be no harm in talking at a distance, and I certainly wont let him in.”

Parley, in the course of the day, did not forget his promise to thin the hedge of separation a little.  At first he only tore off a handful of leaves, then a little sprig, then he broke away a bough or two.  It was observable, the larger the breach became, the worse he began to think of his master, and the better of himself.  Every peep he took through the broken hedge increased his desire to get out into the wilderness, and made the thoughts of the castle more irksome to him.

He was continually repeating to himself, “I wonder what Mr. Flatterwell can have to say so much to my advantage?  I see he does not wish to hurt my master, he only wishes to serve me.”  As the hour of meeting, however, drew near, the master’s orders now and then came across Parley’s thoughts; so, to divert them, he took the book.  He happened to open it at these words:  “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”  For a moment his heart failed him.  “If this admonition should be sent on purpose,” said he; “but no, ’tis a bugbear.  My master told me that if I went to the bounds, I should get over the hedge.  Now I went to the utmost limits, and did not get over.”  Here conscience put in, “Yes, but it was because you were watched.”  “I am sure,” continued Parley, “one may always stop where one will, and this is only a trick of my master’s to spoil sport; so I will even hear what Mr. Flatterwell has to say so much to my advantage.  I am not obliged to follow his counsels, but there can be no harm in hearing them.”

Flatterwell prevailed on the rest of the robbers to make no public attack on the castle that night.  “My brethren,” said he, “you now and then fail in your schemes, because you are for violent beginnings; while my soothing, insinuating measures hardly ever miss.  You come blustering and roaring, and frighten people, and set them on their guard.  You inspire them with terror of you, while my whole scheme is to make them think well of themselves, and ill of their master.  If I once get them to entertain hard thoughts of him, and high thoughts of themselves, my business is done, and they fall plump into my snares.  So, let this delicate affair alone to me.  Parley is a softly fellow:  he must not be frightened, but cajoled.  He is the very sort of man to succeed with, and worth a hundred of your sturdy, sensible fellows.  With them we want strong arguments and strong temptations; but with such fellows as Parley, in whom vanity and sensuality are the leading qualities—­as, let me tell you, is the case with far the greater part—­flattery, and a promise of ease and pleasure, will do more than your whole battle array.  If you will let me manage, I will get you all into the castle before midnight.”