\"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？\"