There as cadets, however humble, they were certain of outward respect: once outside the influence of the head of the house, and they were worse off than the lowest retainer.

His fellows would have resented any show of pride, and would speedily have made his life intolerable.

As he showed none, they almost petted him, but at the same time expected him to do more than his share of the work.
Felix listened with amazement to the revelations (revelations to him) of the inner life of the camp and court.

The king's weaknesses, his inordinate gluttony and continual intoxication, his fits of temper, his follies and foibles, seemed as familiar to these grooms as if they had dwelt with him.

As for the courtiers and barons, there was not one whose vices and secret crimes were not perfectly well known to them.