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KENILWORTH - Penn State University

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Sir Walter ScottThe old man rose, and taking a light walked towards theend of the apartment, where was a door that led to the smallsleeping-room destined for his reception during the night. Atthe door he turned round, and slowly repeated Varney’s questionere he answered it. “For what do I take thee, RichardVarney? Why, for a worse devil than I have been myself. ButI am in your toils, and I must serve you till my term be out.”“Well, well,” answered Varney hastily, “be stirring with greylight. It may be we shall not need thy medicine—do noughttill I myself come down. Michael Lambourne shall guide youto the place of your destination.” [See Note 7. Dr. Julio.]When Varney heard the adept’s door shut and carefullybolted within, he stepped towards it, and with similar precautioncarefully locked it on the outside, and took the keyfrom the lock, muttering to himself, “Worse than thee, thoupoisoning quacksalver and witch-monger, who, if thou artnot a bounden slave to the devil, it is only because he disdainssuch an apprentice! I am a mortal man, and seek by mortalmeans the gratification of my passions and advancement ofmy prospects; thou art a vassal of hell itself—So ho,Lambourne!” he called at another door, and Michael madehis appearance with a flushed cheek and an unsteady step.“Thou art drunk, thou villain!” said Varney to him.“Doubtless, noble sir,” replied the unabashed Michael; “Wehave been drinking all even to the glories of the day, and tomy noble Lord of Leicester and his valiant master of the horse.Drunk! odds blades and poniards, he that would refuse toswallow a dozen healths on such an evening is a base besognio,and a puckfoist, and shall swallow six inches of my dagger!”“Hark ye, scoundrel,” said Varney, “be sober on the instant—I command thee. I know thou canst throw off thy drunkenfolly, like a fool’s coat, at pleasure; and if not, it were theworse for thee.”Lambourne drooped his head, left the apartment, and returnedin two or three minutes with his face composed, hishair adjusted, his dress in order, and exhibiting as great a differencefrom his former self as if the whole man had been changed.“Art thou sober now, and dost thou comprehend me?” saidVarney sternly.Lambourne bowed in acquiescence.“Thou must presently down to Cumnor Place with thereverend man of art who sleeps yonder in the little vaulted233

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