All paid court to Varney, with more or less deference, as suited their own rank, or the urgency of the business which brought them to his lord's levee.

To the general question of, "When comes my lord forth, Master Varney ?" he gave brief answers, as, "See you not my boots?
I am but just returned from Oxford, and know nothing of it," and the like, until the same query was put in a higher tone by a personage of more importance.

"I will inquire of the chamberlain, Sir Thomas Copely," was the reply.

The chamberlain, distinguished by his silver key, answered that the Earl only awaited Master Varney's return to come down, but that he would first speak with him in his private 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 folding-doors at the upper end or the apartment, through which the Earl made his entrance, marshalled by his chamberlain and the steward of his family, and followed by Richard Varney.