In the course of the passage from the hall of reception to the

banqueting-room, and especially in the courtyard, the new-made knights

were assailed by the heralds, pursuivants, minstrels, etc., with the

usual cry of LARGESSE, LARGESSE, CHEVALIERS TRES HARDIS! an ancient

invocation, intended to awaken the bounty of the acolytes of chivalry

towards those whose business it was to register their armorial bearings,

and celebrate the deeds by which they were illustrated. The call was,

of course, liberally and courteously answered by those to whom it was

addressed. Varney gave his largesse with an affectation of complaisance

and humility. Raleigh bestowed his with the graceful ease peculiar to

one who has attained his own place, and is familiar with its dignity.

Honest Blount gave what his tailor had left him of his half-year's rent,

dropping some pieces in his hurry, then stooping down to look for them,

and then distributing them amongst the various claimants, with the

anxious face and mien of the parish beadle dividing a dole among

paupers.

The donations were accepted with the usual clamour and VIVATS of

applause common on such occasions; but as the parties gratified were

chiefly dependants of Lord Leicester, it was Varney whose name

was repeated with the loudest acclamations. Lambourne, especially,

distinguished himself by his vociferations of "Long life to Sir Richard

Varney!--Health and honour to Sir Richard!--Never was a more worthy

knight dubbed!"--then, suddenly sinking his voice, he added--"since the

valiant Sir Pandarus of Troy,"--a winding-up of his clamorous applause

which set all men a-laughing who were within hearing of it.

It is unnecessary to say anything further of the festivities of the

evening, which were so brilliant in themselves, and received with such

obvious and willing satisfaction by the Queen, that Leicester retired

to his own apartment with all the giddy raptures of successful ambition.

Varney, who had changed his splendid attire, and now waited on his

patron in a very modest and plain undress, attended to do the honours of

the Earl's COUCHER.

"How! Sir Richard," said Leicester, smiling, "your new rank scarce suits

the humility of this attendance."

"I would disown that rank, my Lord," said Varney, "could I think it was

to remove me to a distance from your lordship's person."

"Thou art a grateful fellow," said Leicester; "but I must not allow you

to do what would abate you in the opinion of others."

While thus speaking, he still accepted without hesitation the offices

about his person, which the new-made knight seemed to render as eagerly

as if he had really felt, in discharging the task, that pleasure which

his words expressed.




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