第7章

"Iamwellpleased，mylord，"answeredJanetdemurely，"thatmypoorservicehathgratifiedmylady，whomnoonecandrawnightowithoutdesiringtoplease;butweofthepreciousMasterHoldforth\'scongregationseeknot，likethegaydaughtersofthisworld，totwinegoldaroundourfingers，orwearstonesuponournecks，likethevainwomenofTyreandofSidon。"

"Oh，what！youareagraveprofessoroftheprecisesisterhood，prettyMistressJanet，"saidtheEarl，"andIthinkyourfatherisofthesamecongregationinsincerity？Ilikeyouboththebetterforit;forIhavebeenprayedfor，andwishedwellto，inyourcongregations。Andyoumaythebetteraffordthelackofornament，MistressJanet，becauseyourfingersareslender，andyourneckwhite。ButhereiswhatneitherPapistnorPuritan，latitudinariannorprecisian，everbogglesormakesmouthsat。

E\'entakeit，mygirl，andemployitasyoulist。"

Sosaying，heputintoherhandfivebroadgoldpiecesofPhilipandMary，"Iwouldnotacceptthisgoldeither，"saidJanet，"butthatI

hopetofindauseforitwhichwillbringablessingonusall。"

"Evenpleasethyself，prettyJanet，"saidtheEarl，"andIshallbewellsatisfied。AndIpritheeletthemhastentheeveningcollation。"

"IhavebiddenMasterVarneyandMasterFostertosupwithus，mylord，"saidtheCountess，asJanetretiredtoobeytheEarl\'scommands;"hasityourapprobation？"

"Whatyoudoevermusthaveso，mysweetAmy，"repliedherhusband;"andIamthebetterpleasedthouhastdonethemthisgrace，becauseRichardVarneyismyswornman，andaclosebrotherofmysecretcouncil;andforthepresent，ImustneedsreposemuchtrustinthisAnthonyFoster。"

"Ihadaboontobegofthee，andasecrettotellthee，mydearlord，"saidtheCountess，withafalteringaccent。

"Letbothbeforto—morrow，mylove，"repliedtheEarl。"Iseetheyopenthefolding—doorsintothebanqueting—parlour，andasI

haveriddenfarandfast，acupofwinewillnotbeunacceptable。"

Sosayingheledhislovelywifeintothenextapartment，whereVarneyandFosterreceivedthemwiththedeepestreverences，whichthefirstpaidafterthefashionofthecourt，andthesecondafterthatofthecongregation。TheEarlreturnedtheirsalutationwiththenegligentcourtesyofonelongusedtosuchhomage;whiletheCountessrepaiditwithapunctilioussolicitude，whichshoweditwasnotquitesofamiliartoher。

Thebanquetatwhichthecompanyseatedthemselvescorrespondedinmagnificencewiththesplendouroftheapartmentinwhichitwasservedup，butnodomesticgavehisattendance。Janetalonestoodreadytowaituponthecompany;and，indeed，theboardwassowellsuppliedwithallthatcouldbedesired，thatlittleornoassistancewasnecessary。TheEarlandhisladyoccupiedtheupperendofthetable，andVarneyandFostersatbeneaththesalt，aswasthecustomwithinferiors。Thelatter，overawedperhapsbysocietytowhichhewasaltogetherunused，didnotutterasinglesyllableduringtherepast;whileVarney，withgreattactanddiscernment，sustainedjustsomuchoftheconversationas，withouttheappearanceofintrusiononhispart，preventeditfromlanguishing，andmaintainedthegood—humouroftheEarlatthehighestpitch。Thismanwasindeedhighlyqualifiedbynaturetodischargethepartinwhichhefoundhimselfplaced，beingdiscreetandcautiousontheonehand，and，ontheother，quick，keen—witted，andimaginative;sothateventheCountess，prejudicedasshewasagainsthimonmanyaccounts，feltandenjoyedhispowersofconversation，andwasmoredisposedthanshehadeverhithertofoundherselftojoininthepraiseswhichtheEarllavishedonhisfavourite。Thehourofrestatlengtharrived，theEarlandCountessretiredtotheirapartment，andallwassilentinthecastlefortherestofthenight。

Earlyontheensuingmorning，VarneyactedastheEarl\'schamberlainaswellashismasterofhorse，thoughthelatterwashisproperofficeinthatmagnificenthousehold，whereknightsandgentlemenofgooddescentwerewellcontentedtoholdsuchmenialsituations，asnoblesthemselvesheldinthatofthesovereign。ThedutiesofeachofthesechargeswerefamiliartoVarney，who，sprungfromanancientbutsomewhatdecayedfamily，wastheEarl\'spageduringhisearlierandmoreobscurefortunes，and，faithfultohiminadversity，hadafterwardscontrivedtorenderhimselfnolessusefultohiminhisrapidandsplendidadvancetofortune;thusestablishinginhimaninterestrestingbothonpresentandpastservices，whichrenderedhimanalmostindispensablesharerofhisconfidence。

"Helpmetodoonaplainerriding—suit，Varney，"saidtheEarl，ashelaidasidehismorning—gown，floweredwithsilkandlinedwithsables，"andputthesechainsandfettersthere"（pointingtothecollarsofthevariousOrderswhichlayonthetable）

"intotheirplaceofsecurity——mynecklastnightwaswell—nighbrokewiththeweightofthem。Iamhalfofthemindthattheyshallgallmenomore。Theyarebondswhichknaveshaveinventedtofetterfools。Howthinkestthou，Varney？"

"Faith，mygoodlord，"saidhisattendant，"Ithinkfettersofgoldarelikenootherfetters——theyareevertheweightierthewelcomer。"

"Forallthat，Varney，"repliedhismaster，"Iamwell—nighresolvedtheyshallbindmetothecourtnolonger。Whatcanfurtherserviceandhigherfavourgiveme，beyondthehighrankandlargeestatewhichIhavealreadysecured？Whatbroughtmyfathertotheblock，butthathecouldnotboundhiswisheswithinrightandreason？Ihave，youknow，hadmineownventuresandmineownescapes。Iamwell—nighresolvedtotempttheseanofurther，butsitmedowninquietontheshore。"

"Andgathercockle—shells，withDanCupidtoaidyou，"saidVarney。

"Howmeanyoubythat，Varney？"saidtheEarlsomewhathastily。

"Nay，mylord，"saidVarney，"benotangrywithme。Ifyourlordshipishappyinaladysorarelylovelythat，inordertoenjoyhercompanywithsomewhatmorefreedom，youarewillingtopartwithallyouhavehithertolivedfor，someofyourpoorservantsmaybesufferers;butyourbountyhathplacedmesohigh，thatIshalleverhaveenoughtomaintainapoorgentlemanintherankbefittingthehighofficehehasheldinyourlordship\'sfamily。"

"YetyouseemdiscontentedwhenIproposethrowingupadangerousgame，whichmayendintheruinofbothofus。"

"I，mylord？"saidVarney;"surelyIhavenocausetoregretyourlordship\'sretreat！ItwillnotbeRichardVarneywhowillincurthedispleasureofmajesty，andtheridiculeofthecourt，whenthestateliestfabricthateverwasfoundeduponaprince\'sfavourmeltsawaylikeamorningfrost—work。Iwouldonlyhaveyouyourselftobeassured，mylord，ereyoutakeastepwhichcannotberetracted，thatyouconsultyourfameandhappinessinthecourseyoupropose。"

"Speakon，then，Varney，"saidtheEarl;"ItelltheeIhavedeterminednothing，andwillweighallconsiderationsoneitherside。"

"Well，then，mylord，"repliedVarney，"wewillsupposethesteptaken，thefrownfrowned，thelaughlaughed，andthemoanmoaned。

Youhaveretired，wewillsay，tosomeoneofyourmostdistantcastles，sofarfromcourtthatyouhearneitherthesorrowofyourfriendsnorthegleeofyourenemies，Wewillsuppose，too，thatyoursuccessfulrivalwillbesatisfied（athinggreatlytobedoubted）withabridgingandcuttingawaythebranchesofthegreattreewhichsolongkeptthesunfromhim，andthathedoesnotinsistupontearingyouupbytheroots。Well;thelateprimefavouriteofEngland，whowieldedhergeneral\'sstaffandcontrolledherparliaments，isnowaruralbaron，hunting，hawking，drinkingfatalewithcountryesquires，andmusteringhismenatthecommandofthehighsheriff——"

"Varney，forbear！"saidtheEarl。

"Nay，mylord，youmustgivemeleavetoconcludemypicture。

——SussexgovernsEngland——theQueen\'shealthfails——thesuccessionistobesettled——aroadisopenedtoambitionmoresplendidthanambitioneverdreamedof。Youhearallthisasyousitbythehob，undertheshadeofyourhall—chimney。Youthenbegintothinkwhathopesyouhavefallenfrom，andwhatinsignificanceyouhaveembraced;andallthatyoumightlookbabiesintheeyesofyourfairwifeoftenerthanonceafortnight，"

"Isay，Varney，"saidtheEarl，"nomoreofthis。Isaidnotthatthestep，whichmyowneaseandcomfortwouldurgemeto，wastobetakenhastily，orwithoutdueconsiderationtothepublicsafety。Bearwitnesstome，Varney;Isubduemywishesofretirement，notbecauseIammovedbythecallofprivateambition，butthatImaypreservethepositioninwhichImaybestservemycountryatthehourofneed。——Orderourhorsespresently;Iwillwear，asformerly，oneoftheliverycloaks，andridebeforetheportmantle。Thoushaltbemasterfortheday，Varney——neglectnothingthatcanblindsuspicion。Wewilltohorseeremenarestirring。Iwillbuttakeleaveofmylady，andbeready。Iimposearestraintonmyownpoorheart，andwoundoneyetmoredeartome;butthepatriotmustsubduethehusband。

Havingsaidthisinamelancholybutfirmaccent，heleftthedressingapartment。

"Iamgladthouartgone，"thoughtVarney，"or，practisedasIaminthefolliesofmankind，Ihadlaughedintheveryfaceofthee！Thoumayesttireasthouwiltofthynewbauble，thyprettypieceofpaintedEve\'sfleshthere，Iwillnotbethyhindrance。Butofthineoldbauble，ambition，thoushaltnottire;forasyouclimbthehill，mylord，youmustdragRichardVarneyupwithyou，andifhecanurgeyoutotheascenthemeanstoprofitby，believemehewillspareneitherwhipnorspur，andforyou，myprettylady，thatwouldbeCountessoutright，youwerebestnotthwartmycourses，lestyouarecalledtoanoldreckoningonanewscore。\'Thoushaltbemaster，\'didhesay？

Bymyfaith，hemayfindthathespoketruerthanheisawareof;

andthushewho，intheestimationofsomanywise—judgingmen，canmatchBurleighandWalsinghaminpolicy，andSussexinwar，becomespupiltohisownmenial——andallforahazeleyeandalittlecunningredandwhite，andsofallsambition。Andyetifthecharmsofmortalwomancouldexcuseaman\'spoliticpateforbecomingbewildered，mylordhadtheexcuseathisrighthandonthisblessedeveningthathaslastpassedoverus。Well——letthingsrollastheymay，heshallmakemegreat，orIwillmakemyselfhappy;andforthatsofterpieceofcreation，ifshespeaknotoutherinterviewwithTressilian，aswellIthinkshedarenot，shealsomusttrafficwithmeforconcealmentandmutualsupport，inspiteofallthisscorn。Imusttothestables。

Well，mylord，Iorderyourretinuenow;thetimemaysooncomethatmymasterofthehorseshallordermineown。WhatwasThomasCromwellbutasmith\'sson？andhediedmylord——onascaffold，doubtless，butthat，too，wasincharacter。AndwhatwasRalphSadlerbuttheclerkofCromwell？andhehasgazedeighteenfairlordships——VIA！Iknowmysteerageaswellasthey。"

Sosaying，helefttheapartment。

InthemeanwhiletheEarlhadre—enteredthebedchamber，bentontakingahastyfarewellofthelovelyCountess，andscarcedaringtotrusthimselfinprivatewithher，tohearrequestsagainurgedwhichhefounditdifficulttoparry，yetwhichhisrecentconversationwithhismasterofhorsehaddeterminedhimnottogrant。

Hefoundherinawhitecymarofsilklinedwithfurs，herlittlefeetunstockingedandhastilythrustintoslippers;herunbraidedhairescapingfromunderhermidnightcoif，withlittlearraybutherownloveliness，ratheraugmentedthandiminishedbythegriefwhichshefeltattheapproachingmomentofseparation。

"Now，Godbewiththee，mydearestandloveliest！"saidtheEarl，scarcetearinghimselffromherembrace，yetagainreturningtofoldheragainandagaininhisarms，andagainbiddingfarewell，andagainreturningtokissandbidadieuoncemore。"Thesunisonthevergeofthebluehorizon——Idarenotstay。ErethisIshouldhavebeentenmilesfromhence。"

Suchwerethewordswithwhichatlengthhestrovetocutshorttheirpartinginterview。"Youwillnotgrantmyrequest，then？"

saidtheCountess。"Ah，falseknight！dideverlady，withbarefootinslipper，seekboonofabraveknight，yetreturnwithdenial？"

"Anything，Amy，anythingthoucanstaskIwillgrant，"answeredtheEarl——"alwaysexcepting，"hesaid，"thatwhichmightruinusboth。"

"Nay，"saidtheCountess，"IurgenotmywishtobeacknowledgedinthecharacterwhichwouldmakemetheenvyofEngland——asthewife，thatis，ofmybraveandnoblelord，thefirstasthemostfondlybelovedofEnglishnobles。Letmebutsharethesecretwithmydearfather！Letmebutendhismiseryonmyunworthyaccount——theysayheisill，thegoodoldkind—heartedman！"

"Theysay？"askedtheEarlhastily;"whosays？DidnotVarneyconveytoSirHughallwedareatpresenttellhimconcerningyourhappinessandwelfare？andhashenottoldyouthatthegoodoldknightwasfollowing，withgoodheartandhealth，hisfavouriteandwontedexercise。Whohasdaredputotherthoughtsintoyourhead？"

"Oh，noone，mylord，noone，"saidtheCountess，somethingalarmedatthetone，inwhichthequestionwasput;"butyet，mylord，Iwouldfainbeassuredbymineowneyesightthatmyfatheriswell。"

"Becontented，Amy;thoucanstnotnowhavecommunicationwiththyfatherorhishouse。Wereitnotadeepcourseofpolicytocommitnosecretunnecessarilytothecustodyofmorethanmustneedsbe，itweresufficientreasonforsecrecythatyonderCornishman，yonderTrevanion，orTressilian，orwhateverhisnameis，hauntstheoldknight\'shouse，andmustnecessarilyknowwhateveriscommunicatedthere。"

"Mylord，"answeredtheCountess，"Idonotthinkitso。Myfatherhasbeenlongnotedaworthyandhonourableman;andforTressilian，ifwecanpardonourselvestheillwehavewroughthim，IwillwagerthecoronetIamtosharewithyouonedaythatheisincapableofreturninginjuryforinjury。"

"Iwillnottrusthim，however，Amy，"saidherhusband——"bymyhonour，Iwillnottrusthim，IwouldratherthefoulfiendintermingleinoursecretthanthisTressilian！"

"Andwhy，mylord？"saidtheCountess，thoughsheshudderedslightlyatthetoneofdeterminationinwhichhespoke;"letmebutknowwhyyouthinkthushardlyofTressilian？"

"Madam，"repliedtheEarl，"mywilloughttobeasufficientreason。Ifyoudesiremore，considerhowthisTressilianisleagued，andwithwhom。HestandshighintheopinionofthisRadcliffe，thisSussex，againstwhomIambarelyabletomaintainmygroundintheopinionofoursuspiciousmistress;andifhehadmeatsuchadvantage，Amy，astobecomeacquaintedwiththetaleofourmarriage，beforeElizabethwerefitlyprepared，I

wereanoutcastfromhergraceforever——abankruptatonceinfavourandinfortune，perhaps，forshehathinheratouchofherfatherHenry——avictim，anditmaybeabloodyone，toheroffendedandjealousresentment。"

"Butwhy，mylord，"againurgedhislady，"shouldyoudeemthusinjuriouslyofamanofwhomyouknowsolittle？WhatyoudoknowofTressilianisthroughme，anditisIwhoassureyouthatinnocircumstanceswillbebetrayyoursecret。IfIdidhimwronginyourbehalf，mylord，Iamnowthemoreconcernedyoushoulddohimjustice。Youareoffendedatmyspeakingofhim，whatwouldyousayhadIactuallymyselfseenhim？"

"Ifyouhad，"repliedtheEarl，"youwoulddowelltokeepthatinterviewassecretasthatwhichisspokeninaconfessional。I

seeknoone\'sruin;buthewhothrustshimselfonmysecretprivacywerebetterlookwelltohisfuturewalk。Thebear[TheLeicestercognizancewastheancientdeviceadoptedbyhisfather，whenEarlofWarwick，thebearandraggedstaff。]brooksnoonetocrosshisawfulpath。"

"Awful，indeed！"saidtheCountess，turningverypale。

"Youareill，mylove，"saidtheEarl，supportingherinhisarms。"Stretchyourselfonyourcouchagain;itisbutanearlydayforyoutoleaveit。Haveyouaughtelse，involvinglessthanmyfame，myfortune，andmylife，toaskofme？"

"Nothing，mylordandlove，"answeredtheCountessfaintly;

"somethingtherewasthatIwouldhavetoldyou，butyourangerhasdrivenitfrommyrecollection。"

"Reserveittillournextmeeting，mylove，"saidtheEarlfondly，andagainembracingher;"andbarringonlythoserequestswhichIcannotanddarenotgrant，thywishmustbemorethanEnglandandallitsdependenciescanfulfil，ifitisnotgratifiedtotheletter。"

Thussaying，heatlengthtookfarewell。AtthebottomofthestaircasehereceivedfromVarneyanampleliverycloakandslouchedhat，inwhichhewrappedhimselfsoastodisguisehispersonandcompletelyconcealhisfeatures。HorseswerereadyinthecourtyardforhimselfandVarney;foroneortwoofhistrain，intrustedwiththesecretsofarastoknoworguessthattheEarlintriguedwithabeautifulladyatthatmansion，thoughhernameanddualitywereunknowntothem，hadalreadybeendismissedover—night。

AnthonyFosterhimselfhadinhandthereinoftheEarl\'spalfrey，astoutandablenagfortheroad;whilehisoldserving—manheldthebridleofthemoreshowyandgallantsteedwhichRichardVarneywastooccupyinthecharacterofmaster。

AstheEarlapproached，however，Varneyadvancedtoholdhismaster\'sbridle，andtopreventFosterfrompayingthatdutytotheEarlwhichheprobablyconsideredasbelongingtohisownoffice。Fosterscowledataninterferencewhichseemedintendedtopreventhispayinghiscourttohispatron，butgaveplacetoVarney;andtheEarl，mountingwithoutfurtherobservation，andforgettingthathisassumedcharacterofadomesticthrewhimintotherearofhissupposedmaster，rodepensivelyoutofthequadrangle，notwithoutwavinghishandrepeatedlyinanswertothesignalswhichweremadebytheCountesswithherkerchieffromthewindowsofherapartment。

Whilehisstatelyformvanishedunderthedarkarchwaywhichledoutofthequadrangle，Varneymuttered，"Theregoesfinepolicy——theservantbeforethemaster！"thenashedisappeared，seizedthemomenttospeakawordwithFoster。"Thoulook\'stdarkonme，Anthony，"hesaid，"asifIhaddeprivedtheeofapartingnodofmylord;butIhavemovedhimtoleavetheeabetterremembranceforthyfaithfulservice。Seehere！apurseofasgoodgoldaseverchinkedunderamiser\'sthumbandfore—finger。

Ay，countthem，lad，"saidhe，asFosterreceivedthegoldwithagrimsmile，"andaddtothemthegoodlyremembrancehegavelastnighttoJanet。"

"How\'sthis？how\'sthis？"saidAnthonyFosterhastily;"gavehegoldtoJanet？"

"Ay，man，whereforenot？——doesnotherservicetohisfairladyrequireguerdon？"

"Sheshallhavenoneon\'t，"saidFoster;"sheshallreturnit。I

knowhisdotageononefaceisasbriefasitisdeep。Hisaffectionsareasfickleasthemoon。"

"Why，Foster，thouartmad——thoudostnothopeforsuchgoodfortuneasthatmylordshouldcastaneyeonJanet？Who，inthefiend\'sname，wouldlistentothethrushwhilethenightingaleissinging？"

"Thrushornightingale，allisonetothefowler;and，MasterVarney，youcansoundthequail—pipemostdaintilytowilewantonsintohisnets。Idesirenosuchdevil\'sprefermentforJanetasyouhavebroughtmanyapoormaidento。Dostthoulaugh？Iwillkeeponelimbofmyfamily，atleast，fromSatan\'sclutches，thatthoumayestrelyon。Sheshallrestorethegold。"

"Ay，orgiveittothykeeping，Tony，whichwillserveaswell，"

answeredVarney;"butIhavethattosaywhichismoreserious。

Ourlordisreturningtocourtinanevilhumourforus。"

"Howmeanestthou？"saidFoster。"Ishetiredalreadyofhisprettytoy——hisplaythingyonder？Hehaspurchasedheratamonarch\'sransom，andIwarrantmeherueshisbargain。"

"Notawhit，Tony，"answeredthemasterofthehorse;"hedotesonher，andwillforsakethecourtforher。Thendowngohopes，possessions，andsafety——church—landsareresumed，Tony，andwelliftheholdersbenotcalledtoaccountinExchequer。"

"Thatwereruin，"saidFoster，hisbrowdarkeningwithapprehensions;"andallthisforawoman！Haditbeenforhissoul\'ssake，itweresomething;andIsometimeswishImyselfcouldflingawaytheworldthatcleavestome，andbeasoneofthepoorestofourchurch。"

"Thouartlikeenoughtobeso，Tony，"answeredVarney;"butI

thinkthedevilwillgivetheelittlecreditforthycompelledpoverty，andsothoulosestonallhands。Butfollowmycounsel，andCumnorPlaceshallbethycopyholdyet。SaynothingofthisTressilian\'svisit——notaworduntilIgivetheenotice。"

"Andwherefore，Iprayyou？"askedFoster，suspiciously。

"Dullbeast！"repliedVarney。"Inmylord\'spresenthumouritwerethereadywaytoconfirmhiminhisresolutionofretirement，shouldheknowthathisladywashauntedwithsuchaspectreinhisabsence。Hewouldbeforplayingthedragonhimselfoverhisgoldenfruit，andthen，Tony，thyoccupationisended。Awordtothewise。Farewell！Imustfollowhim。"

Heturnedhishorse，struckhimwiththespurs，androdeoffunderthearchwayinpursuitofhislord。

"Wouldthyoccupationwereended，orthyneckbroken，damnedpander！"saidAnthonyFoster。"ButImustfollowhisbeck，forhisinterestandminearethesame，andhecanwindtheproudEarltohiswill。Janetshallgivemethosepiecesthough;theyshallbelaidoutinsomewayforGod\'sservice，andIwillkeepthemseparateinmystrongchest，tillIcanfalluponafittingemploymentforthem。NocontagiousvapourshallbreatheonJanet——sheshallremainpureasablessedspirit，wereitbuttoprayGodforherfather。Ineedherprayers，forIamatahardpass。Strangereportsareabroadconcerningmywayoflife。Thecongregationlookcoldonme，andwhenMasterHoldforthspokeofhypocritesbeinglikeawhitedsepulchre，whichwithinwasfullofdeadmen\'sbones，methoughthelookedfullatme。TheRomishwasacomfortablefaith;Lambournespoketrueinthat。Amanhadbuttofollowhisthriftbysuchwaysasoffered——tellhisbeads，hearamass，confess，andbeabsolved。ThesePuritanstreadaharderandarougherpath;butIwilltry——IwillreadmyBibleforanhourereIagainopenmineironchest。"

Varney，meantime，spurredafterhislord，whomhefoundwaitingforhimattheposterngateofthepark。

"Youwastetime，Varney，"saidtheEarl，"anditpresses。ImustbeatWoodstockbeforeIcansafelylayasidemydisguise，andtillthenIjourneyinsomeperil。"

"Itisbuttwohours\'briskriding，mylord，"saidVarney。"Forme，IonlystoppedtoenforceyourcommandsofcareandsecrecyonyonderFoster，andtoinquireabouttheabodeofthegentlemanwhomIwouldpromotetoyourlordship\'strain，intheroomofTrevors。"

"Ishefitforthemeridianoftheantechamber，think\'stthou？"

saidtheEarl。

"Hepromiseswell，mylord，"repliedVarney;"butifyourlordshipwerepleasedtorideon，IcouldgobacktoCumnor，andbringhimtoyourlordshipatWoodstockbeforeyouareoutofbed。"

"Why，Iamasleepthere，thouknowest，atthismoment，"saidtheEarl;"andIprayyounottosparehorse—flesh，thatyoumaybewithmeatmylevee。"

Sosaying，hegavehishorsethespur，andproceededonhisjourney，whileVarneyrodebacktoCumnorbythepublicroad，avoidingthepark。ThelatteralightedatthedoorofthebonnyBlackBear，anddesiredtospeakwithMasterMichaelLambourne，Thatrespectablecharacterwasnotlongofappearingbeforehisnewpatron，butitwaswithdowncastlooks。

"Thouhastlostthescent，"saidVarney，"ofthycomradeTressilian。Iknowitbythybang—dogvisage。Isthisthyalacrity，thouimpudentknave？"

"Cogswounds！"saidLambourne，"therewasneveratrailsofinelyhunted。Isawhimtoearthatmineuncle\'shere——stucktohimlikebees\'—wax——sawhimatsupper——watchedhimtohischamber，and，presto！heisgonenextmorning，theveryhostlerknowsnotwhere。"

"Thissoundslikepracticeuponme，sir，"repliedVarney;"andifitprovesso，bymysoulyoushallrepentit！"

"Sir，thebesthoundwillbesometimesatfault，"answeredLambourne;"howshoulditservemethatthisfellowshouldhavethusevanished？Youmayaskminehost，GilesGosling——askthetapsterandhostler——askCicely，andthewholehousehold，howI

kepteyesonTressilianwhilehewasonfoot。Onmysoul，I

couldnotbeexpectedtowatchhimlikeasicknurse，whenIhadseenhimfairlya—bedinhischamber。Thatwillbeallowedme，surely。"

Varneydid，infact，makesomeinquiryamongthehousehold，whichconfirmedthetruthofLambourne\'sstatement。Tressilian，itwasunanimouslyagreed，haddepartedsuddenlyandunexpectedly，betwixtnightandmorning。

"ButIwillwrongnoone，"saidminehost;"heleftonthetableinhislodgingthefullvalueofhisreckoning，withsomeallowancetotheservantsofthehouse，whichwasthelessnecessarythathesaddledhisowngelding，asitseems，withoutthehostler\'sassistance。"

ThussatisfiedoftherectitudeofLambourne\'sconduct，Varneybegantotalktohimuponhisfutureprospects，andthemodeinwhichhemeanttobestowhimself，intimatingthatheunderstoodfromFosterhewasnotdisinclinedtoenterintothehouseholdofanobleman。

"Haveyou，"saidhe，"everbeenatcourt？"

"No，"repliedLambourne;"buteversinceIwastenyearsold，I

havedreamtonceaweekthatIwasthere，andmademyfortune。"

"Itmaybeyourownfaultifyourdreamcomesnottrue，"saidVarney。"Areyouneedy？"

"Um！"repliedLambourne;"Ilovepleasure。"

"Thatisasufficientanswer，andanhonestone，"saidVarney。

"Knowyouaughtoftherequisitesexpectedfromtheretainerofarisingcourtier？"

"Ihaveimaginedthemtomyself，sir，"answeredLambourne;"as，forexample，aquickeye，aclosemouth，areadyandboldhand，asharpwit，andabluntconscience。"

"Andthine，Isuppose，"saidVarney，"hashaditsedgebluntedlongsince？"

"Icannotremember，sir，thatitsedgewaseverover—keen，"

repliedLambourne。"WhenIwasayouth，Ihadsomefewwhimsies;

butIrubbedthempartlyoutofmyrecollectionontheroughgrindstoneofthewars，andwhatremainedIwashedoutinthebroadwavesoftheAtlantic。"

"Thouhastserved，then，intheIndies？"

"InbothEastandWest，"answeredthecandidateforcourtservice，"bybothseaandland。IhaveservedboththePortugalandtheSpaniard，boththeDutchmanandtheFrenchman，andhavemadewaronourownaccountwithacrewofjollyfellows，whoheldtherewasnopeacebeyondtheLine。"[SirFrancisDrake，Morgan，andmanyaboldbuccaneerofthosedays，were，infact，littlebetterthanpirates。]

"Thoumayestdome，andmylord，andthyself，goodservice，"saidVarney，afterapause。"Butobserve，Iknowtheworld——andanswermetruly，canstthoubefaithful？"

"Didyounotknowtheworld，"answeredLambourne，"itweremydutytosayay，withoutfurthercircumstance，andtosweartoitwithlifeandhonour，andsoforth。Butasitseemstomethatyourworshipisonewhodesiresratherhonesttruththanpoliticfalsehood，Ireplytoyou，thatIcanbefaithfultothegallows\'

foot，ay，totheloopthatdanglesfromit，ifIamwellusedandwellrecompensed——nototherwise。"

"Tothyothervirtuesthoucanstadd，nodoubt，"saidVarney，inajeeringtone，"theknackofseemingseriousandreligious，whenthemomentdemandsit？"

"Itwouldcostmenothing，"saidLambourne，"tosayyes;but，tospeakonthesquare，Imustneedssayno。Ifyouwantahypocrite，youmaytakeAnthonyFoster，who，fromhischildhood，hadsomesortofphantomhauntinghim，whichhecalledreligion，thoughitwasthatsortofgodlinesswhichalwaysendedinbeinggreatgain。ButIhavenosuchknackofit。"

"Well，"repliedVarney，"ifthouhastnohypocrisy，hastthounotanaghereinthestable？"