the good humour of the Earl at the highest
pitch. This man was indeed highly qualified by nature to discharge the part in
which he found himself placed, being discreet and cautious on the one hand, and
on the other, quick, keen-witted, and imaginative; so that even the Countess,
prejudiced as she was against him on many accounts, felt and enjoyed his powers
of conversation, and was more disposed than she had ever hitherto found herself,
to join in the praises which the Earl lavished on his favourite. The hour of
rest at length arrived; the Earl and Countess retired to their apartment; and
all was silent in the castle for the rest of the night.
    Early on the ensuing morning, Varney acted as the Earl's chamberlain, as
well as his master of horse, though the latter was his proper office in that
magnificent household, where knights and gentlemen of good descent were well
contented to hold such menial situations, as nobles themselves held in that of
the sovereign. The duties of each of these charges were familiar to Varney, who,
sprung from an ancient but decayed family, was the Earl's page during his
earlier and more obscure fortunes, and faithful to him in adversity, had
afterwards contrived to render himself no less useful to him in his rapid and
splendid advance to fortune; thus establishing in him an interest, resting both
on present and past services, which rendered him an almost indispensable sharer
of his confidence.
    »Help me to do on a plainer riding suit, Varney,« said the Earl, as he laid
aside his morning-gown, flowered with silk, and lined with sables, »and put
these chains and fetters there« (pointing to the collars of the various Orders
which lay on the table) »into their place of security - my neck last night was
well-nigh broke with the weight of them. I am half of the mind that they shall
gall me no more. They are bonds which knaves have invented to fetter fools. How
think'st thou, Varney?«
    »Faith, my good lord,« said his attendant, »I think fetters of gold are like
no other fetters - they are ever the weightier the welcomer.«
    »For all that, Varney,« replied his master, »I am well-nigh resolved they
shall bind me to the court no longer. What can farther service and higher favour
give me, beyond the high rank and large estate which I have already secured? -
What brought my father to the block, but that he could not bound his