KENILWORTH - Penn State University

Sir Walter Scottlike phrase, of those who know not how to bear new dignities—Varney,says he, must pay the utmost respect to myCountess. I trust to you for looking to it, Lambourne, sayshis lordship, and you must bring back my signet from himperemptorily.”“Ay,” replied Varney, “said he so, indeed? You know all, then?”“All—all; and you were as wise to make a friend of mewhile the weather is fair betwixt us.”“And was there no one present,” said Varney, “when mylord so spoke?”“Not a breathing creature,” replied Lambourne. “Think youmy lord would trust any one with such matters, save an approvedman of action like myself?”“Most true,” said Varney; and making a pause, he lookedforward on the moonlight road. They were traversing a wideand open heath. The litter being at least a mile before them,was both out of sight and hearing. He looked behind, andthere was an expanse, lighted by the moonbeams, withoutone human being in sight. He resumed his speech toLambourne: “And will you turn upon your master, who hasintroduced you to this career of court-like favour—whoseapprentice you have been, Michael—who has taught you thedepths and shallows of court intrigue?”“Michael not me!” said Lambourne; “I have a name willbrook a master before it as well as another; and as to the rest,if I have been an apprentice, my indenture is out, and I amresolute to set up for myself.”“Take thy quittance first, thou fool!” said Varney; and witha pistol, which he had for some time held in his hand, shotLambourne through the body.The wretch fell from his horse without a single groan; andVarney, dismounting, rifled his pockets, turning out the lining,that it might appear he had fallen by robbers. He securedthe Earl’s packet, which was his chief object; but he also tookLambourne”s purse, containing some gold pieces, the relicsof what his debauchery had left him, and from a singularcombination of feelings, carried it in his hand only the lengthof a small river, which crossed the road, into which he threwit as far as he could fling. Such are the strange remnants ofconscience which remain after she seems totally subdued, thatthis cruel and remorseless man would have felt himself degradedhad he pocketed the few pieces belonging to the wretch455