He turned his horse, struck him with the spurs, and rode off under the

archway in pursuit of his lord.

"Would thy occupation were ended, or thy neck broken, damned pander!"

said Anthony Foster. "But I must follow his beck, for his interest and

mine are the same, and he can wind the proud Earl to his will. Janet

shall give me those pieces though; they shall be laid out in some way

for God's service, and I will keep them separate in my strong chest,

till I can fall upon a fitting employment for them. No contagious vapour

shall breathe on Janet--she shall remain pure as a blessed spirit, were

it but to pray God for her father. I need her prayers, for I am at a

hard pass. Strange reports are abroad concerning my way of life.

The congregation look cold on me, and when Master Holdforth spoke of

hypocrites being like a whited sepulchre, which within was full of

dead men's bones, methought he looked full at me. The Romish was a

comfortable faith; Lambourne spoke true in that. A man had but to

follow his thrift by such ways as offered--tell his beads, hear a mass,

confess, and be absolved. These Puritans tread a harder and a rougher

path; but I will try--I will read my Bible for an hour ere I again open

mine iron chest."

Varney, meantime, spurred after his lord, whom he found waiting for him

at the postern gate of the park.

"You waste time, Varney," said the Earl, "and it presses. I must be at

Woodstock before I can safely lay aside my disguise, and till then I

journey in some peril."

"It is but two hours' brisk riding, my lord," said Varney. "For me,

I only stopped to enforce your commands of care and secrecy on yonder

Foster, and to inquire about the abode of the gentleman whom I would

promote to your lordship's train, in the room of Trevors."

"Is he fit for the meridian of the antechamber, think'st thou?" said the

Earl.

"He promises well, my lord," replied Varney; "but if your lordship were

pleased to ride on, I could go back to Cumnor, and bring him to your

lordship at Woodstock before you are out of bed."

"Why, I am asleep there, thou knowest, at this moment," said the Earl;

"and I pray you not to spare horse-flesh, that you may be with me at my

levee."

So saying, he gave his horse the spur, and proceeded on his journey,

while Varney rode back to Cumnor by the public road, avoiding the park.

The latter alighted at the door of the bonny Black Bear, and desired to

speak with Master Michael Lambourne, That respectable character was not

long of appearing before his new patron, but it was with downcast looks.




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