He turned his horse, struck him with the spurs, and rode off under the
archway in pursuit of his lord.
"Would thy occupation were ended, or thy neck broken, damned pander!"
said Anthony Foster. "But I must follow his beck, for his interest and
mine are the same, and he can wind the proud Earl to his will. Janet
shall give me those pieces though; they shall be laid out in some way
for God's service, and I will keep them separate in my strong chest,
till I can fall upon a fitting employment for them. No contagious vapour
shall breathe on Janet--she shall remain pure as a blessed spirit, were
it but to pray God for her father. I need her prayers, for I am at a
hard pass. Strange reports are abroad concerning my way of life.
The congregation look cold on me, and when Master Holdforth spoke of
hypocrites being like a whited sepulchre, which within was full of
dead men's bones, methought he looked full at me. The Romish was a
comfortable faith; Lambourne spoke true in that. A man had but to
follow his thrift by such ways as offered--tell his beads, hear a mass,
confess, and be absolved. These Puritans tread a harder and a rougher
path; but I will try--I will read my Bible for an hour ere I again open
mine iron chest."
Varney, meantime, spurred after his lord, whom he found waiting for him
at the postern gate of the park.
"You waste time, Varney," said the Earl, "and it presses. I must be at
Woodstock before I can safely lay aside my disguise, and till then I
journey in some peril."
"It is but two hours' brisk riding, my lord," said Varney. "For me,
I only stopped to enforce your commands of care and secrecy on yonder
Foster, and to inquire about the abode of the gentleman whom I would
promote to your lordship's train, in the room of Trevors."
"Is he fit for the meridian of the antechamber, think'st thou?" said the
Earl.
"He promises well, my lord," replied Varney; "but if your lordship were
pleased to ride on, I could go back to Cumnor, and bring him to your
lordship at Woodstock before you are out of bed."
"Why, I am asleep there, thou knowest, at this moment," said the Earl;
"and I pray you not to spare horse-flesh, that you may be with me at my
levee."
So saying, he gave his horse the spur, and proceeded on his journey,
while Varney rode back to Cumnor by the public road, avoiding the park.
The latter alighted at the door of the bonny Black Bear, and desired to
speak with Master Michael Lambourne, That respectable character was not
long of appearing before his new patron, but it was with downcast looks.