Varney and Lambourne galloped without ceremony into the courtyard of the

ancient and dilapidated mansion, which presented on that morning a scene

of bustle which it had not exhibited for two reigns. Officers of the

Earl's household, liverymen and retainers, went and came with all the

insolent fracas which attaches to their profession. The neigh of horses

and the baying of hounds were heard; for my lord, in his occupation of

inspecting and surveying the manor and demesne, was of course provided

with the means of following his pleasure in the chase or park, said to

have been the earliest that was enclosed in England, and which was well

stocked with deer that had long roamed there unmolested. Several of the

inhabitants of the village, in anxious hope of a favourable result from

this unwonted visit, loitered about the courtyard, and awaited the great

man's coming forth. Their attention was excited by the hasty arrival of

Varney, and a murmur ran amongst them, "The Earl's master of the

horse!" while they hurried to bespeak favour by hastily unbonneting, and

proffering to hold the bridle and stirrup of the favoured retainer and

his attendant.

"Stand somewhat aloof, my masters!" said Varney haughtily, "and let the

domestics do their office."

The mortified citizens and peasants fell back at the signal; while

Lambourne, who had his eye upon his superior's deportment, repelled

the services of those who offered to assist him, with yet more

discourtesy--"Stand back, Jack peasant, with a murrain to you, and let

these knave footmen do their duty!"

While they gave their nags to the attendants of the household, and

walked into the mansion with an air of superiority which long practice

and consciousness of birth rendered natural to Varney, and which

Lambourne endeavoured to imitate as well as he could, the poor

inhabitants of Woodstock whispered to each other, "Well-a-day! God save

us from all such misproud princoxes! An the master be like the men, why,

the fiend may take all, and yet have no more than his due."

"Silence, good neighbours!" said the bailiff, "keep tongue betwixt

teeth; we shall know more by-and-by. But never will a lord come to

Woodstock so welcome as bluff old King Harry! He would horsewhip a

fellow one day with his own royal hand, and then fling him an handful

of silver groats, with his own broad face on them, to 'noint the sore

withal."

"Ay, rest be with him!" echoed the auditors; "it will be long ere this

Lady Elizabeth horsewhip any of us."




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