KENILWORTH - Penn State University

Sir Walter Scottquence than those left in the courtyard awaited the appearanceof the Earl, who as yet kept his chamber. All paid courtto Varney, with more or less deference, as suited their ownrank, or the urgency of the business which brought them tohis lord’s levee. To the general question of, “When comes mylord forth, Master Varney?” he gave brief answers, as, “Seeyou not my boots? I am but just returned from Oxford, andknow nothing of it,” and the like, until the same query wasput in a higher tone by a personage of more importance. “Iwill inquire of the chamberlain, Sir Thomas Copely,” was thereply. The chamberlain, distinguished by his silver key, answeredthat the Earl only awaited Master Varney’s return tocome down, but that he would first speak with him in hisprivate chamber. Varney, therefore, bowed to the company,and took leave, to enter his lord’s apartment.There was a murmur of expectation which lasted a few minutes,and was at length hushed by the opening of the foldingdoorsat the upper end or the apartment, through which theEarl made his entrance, marshalled by his chamberlain andthe steward of his family, and followed by Richard Varney. Inhis noble mien and princely features, men read nothing ofthat insolence which was practised by his dependants. Hiscourtesies were, indeed, measured by the rank of those towhom they were addressed, but even the meanest personpresent had a share of his gracious notice. The inquiries whichhe made respecting the condition of the manor, of the Queen’srights there, and of the advantages and disadvantages whichmight attend her occasional residence at the royal seat ofWoodstock, seemed to show that he had most earnestly investigatedthe matter of the petition of the inhabitants, andwith a desire to forward the interest of the place.“Now the Lord love his noble countenance!” said the bailiff,who had thrust himself into the presence-chamber; “helooks somewhat pale. I warrant him he hath spent the wholenight in perusing our memorial. Master Toughyarn, who tooksix months to draw it up, said it would take a week to understandit; and see if the Earl hath not knocked the marrow outof it in twenty-four hours!”The Earl then acquainted them that he should move theirsovereign to honour Woodstock occasionally with her residenceduring her royal progresses, that the town and its vicinitymight derive, from her countenance and favour, the same97