"You mean Master Richard Varney, do you not?" said the landlord; "he was

at Cumnor Place yesterday, and came not thither so private but what he

was espied by one who told me."

"I mean the same, mine host."

"Then, for God's sake, worshipful Master Tressilian," said honest

Gosling, "look well to yourself. This Varney is the protector and patron

of Anthony Foster, who holds under him, and by his favour, some lease

of yonder mansion and the park. Varney got a large grant of the lands

of the Abbacy of Abingdon, and Cumnor Place amongst others, from his

master, the Earl of Leicester. Men say he can do everything with him,

though I hold the Earl too good a nobleman to employ him as some men

talk of. And then the Earl can do anything (that is, anything right or

fitting) with the Queen, God bless her! So you see what an enemy you

have made to yourself."

"Well--it is done, and I cannot help it," answered Tressilian.

"Uds precious, but it must be helped in some manner," said the host.

"Richard Varney--why, what between his influence with my lord, and his

pretending to so many old and vexatious claims in right of the abbot

here, men fear almost to mention his name, much more to set themselves

against his practices. You may judge by our discourses the last night.

Men said their pleasure of Tony Foster, but not a word of Richard

Varney, though all men judge him to be at the bottom of yonder mystery

about the pretty wench. But perhaps you know more of that matter than

I do; for women, though they wear not swords, are occasion for many

a blade's exchanging a sheath of neat's leather for one of flesh and

blood."

"I do indeed know more of that poor unfortunate lady than thou dost,

my friendly host; and so bankrupt am I, at this moment, of friends and

advice, that I will willingly make a counsellor of thee, and tell thee

the whole history, the rather that I have a favour to ask when my tale

is ended."

"Good Master Tressilian," said the landlord, "I am but a poor innkeeper,

little able to adjust or counsel such a guest as yourself. But as sure

as I have risen decently above the world, by giving good measure and

reasonable charges, I am an honest man; and as such, if I may not

be able to assist you, I am, at least, not capable to abuse your

confidence. Say away therefore, as confidently as if you spoke to your

father; and thus far at least be certain, that my curiosity--for I will

not deny that which belongs to my calling--is joined to a reasonable

degree of discretion."




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