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thinking that we deserve such notice at her Grace's hands。〃
Meanwhile; Varney; closely followed by his new dependant; made
his way to the hall; where men of more note and consequence than
those left in the courtyard awaited the appearance of the Earl;
who as yet kept his chamber。 All paid court to Varney; with more
or less deference; as suited their own rank; or the urgency of
the business which brought them to his lord's levee。 To the
general question of; 〃When comes my lord forth; Master Varney?〃
he gave brief answers; as; 〃See you not my boots? I am but just
returned from Oxford; and know nothing of it;〃 and the like;
until the same query was put in a higher tone by a personage of
more importance。 〃I will inquire of the chamberlain; Sir Thomas
Copely;〃 was the reply。 The chamberlain; distinguished by his
silver key; answered that the Earl only awaited Master Varney's
return to come down; but that he would first speak with him in
his private chamber。 Varney; therefore; bowed to the company;
and took leave; to enter his lord's apartment。
There was a murmur of expectation which lasted a few minutes; and
was at length hushed by the opening of the folding…doors at the
upper end or the apartment; through which the Earl made his
entrance; marshalled by his chamberlain and the steward of his
family; and followed by Richard Varney。 In his noble mien and
princely features; men read nothing of that insolence which was
practised by his dependants。 His courtesies were; indeed;
measured by the rank of those to whom they were addressed; but
even the meanest person present had a share of his gracious
notice。 The inquiries which he made respecting the condition of
the manor; of the Queen's rights there; and of the advantages and
disadvantages which might attend her occasional residence at the
royal seat of Woodstock; seemed to show that he had most
earnestly investigated the matter of the petition of the
inhabitants; and with a desire to forward the interest of the
place。
〃Now the Lord love his noble countenance!〃 said the bailiff; who
had thrust himself into the presence…chamber; 〃he looks somewhat
pale。 I warrant him he hath spent the whole night in perusing
our memorial。 Master Toughyarn; who took six months to draw it
up; said it would take a week to understand it; and see if the
Earl hath not knocked the marrow out of it in twenty…four hours!〃
The Earl then acquainted them that he should move their sovereign
to honour Woodstock occasionally with her residence during her
royal progresses; that the town and its vicinity might derive;
from her countenance and favour; the same advantages as from
those of her predecessors。 Meanwhile; he rejoiced to be the
expounder of her gracious pleasure; in assuring them that; for
the increase of trade and encouragement of the worthy burgesses
of Woodstock; her Majesty was minded to erect the town into a
Staple for wool。
This joyful intelligence was received with the acclamations not
only of the better sort who were admitted to the audience…
chamber; but of the commons who awaited without。
The freedom of the corporation was presented to the Earl upon
knee by the magistrates of the place; together with a purse of
gold pieces; which the Earl handed to Varney; who; on his part;
gave a share to Lambourne; as the most acceptable earnest of his
new service。
The Earl and his retinue took horse soon after to return to
court; accompanied by the shouts of the inhabitants of Woodstock;
who made the old oaks ring with re…echoing; 〃Long live Queen
Elizabeth; and the noble Earl of Leicester!〃 The urbanity and
courtesy of the Earl even threw a gleam of popularity over his
attendants; as their haughty deportment had formerly obscured
that of their master; and men shouted; 〃Long life to the Earl;
and to his gallant followers!〃 as Varney and Lambourne; each in
his rank; rode proudly through the streets of Woodstock。
CHAPTER VIII。
HOST。 I will hear you; Master Fenton; and I will; at the
least; keep your counsel。MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR。
It becomes necessary to return to the detail of those
circumstances which accompanied; and indeed occasioned; the
sudden disappearance of Tressilian from the sign of the Black
Bear at Cumnor。 It will be recollected that this gentleman;
after his rencounter with Varney; had returned to Giles Gosling's
caravansary; where he shut himself up in his own chamber;
demanded pen; ink; and paper; and announced his purpose to remain
private for the day。 In the evening he appeared again in the
public room; where Michael Lambourne; who had been on the watch
for him; agreeably to his engagement to Varney; endeavoured to
renew his acquaintance with him; and hoped he retained no
unfriendly recollection of the part he had taken in the morning's
scuffle。
But Tressilian repelled his advances firmly; though with
civility。 〃Master Lambourne;〃 said he; 〃I trust I have
recompensed to your pleasure the time you have wasted on me。
Under the show of wild bluntness which you exhibit; I know you
have sense enough to understand me; when I say frankly that the
object of our temporary acquaintance having been accomplished; we
must be strangers to each other in future。〃
〃VOTO!〃 said Lambourne; twirling his whiskers with one hand; and
grasping the hilt of his weapon with the other; 〃if I thought
that this usage was meant to insult me〃
〃You would bear it with discretion; doubtless;〃 interrupted
Tressilian; 〃as you must do at any rate。 You know too well the
distance that is betwixt us; to require me to explain myself
further。 Good evening。〃
So saying; he turned his back upon his former companion; and
entered into discourse with the landlord。 Michael Lambourne felt
strongly disposed to bully; but his wrath died away in a few
incoherent oaths and ejaculations; and he sank unresistingly
under the ascendency which superior spirits possess over persons
of his habits and description。 He remained moody and silent in a
corner of the apartment; paying the most marked attention to
every motion of his late companion; against whom he began now to
nourish a quarrel on his own account; which he trusted to avenge
by the execution of his new master Varney's directions。 The hour
of supper arrived; and was followed by that of repose; when
Tressilian; like others; retired to his sleeping apartment。
He had not been in bed long; when the train of sad reveries;
which supplied the place of rest in his disturbed mind; was
suddenly interrupted by the jar of a door on its hinges; and a
light was seen to glimmer in the apartment。 Tressilian; who was
as brave as steel; sprang from his bed at this alarm; and had
laid hand upon his sword; when he was prevented from drawing it
by a voice which said; 〃Be not too rash with your rapier; Master
Tressilian。 It is I; your host; Giles Gosling。〃
At the same time; unshrouding the dark lantern; which had
hitherto only emitted an indistinct glimmer; the goodly aspect
and figure of the landlord of the Black Bear was visibly
presented to his astonished guest。
〃What mummery is this; mine host?〃 said Tressilian。 〃Have you
supped as jollil