great ones could devife. Ay! that raised his choler; and made him languish too, betimes. But it did not quell him; he was more man than that. Poor Effex! Wife and children rawly left: Sir Edward, the faithfulleft, friendliest gentleman (my Lord faid), alone with him. I abfent: poor, poor Effex!"

"My father-my dear father!"

"He was the noblest, kindest friend."

My poor father!"

"Look you! the most chivalrous, the most unfuspecting".

"Alas!"

“His word, his fortune, his life were at the beck; fo honour, truth, or friendship (which was all in all with him) called."

"That fo much good fhould breed fuch enemies!"

"Ay, that! And good men fcarcely dare take pattern by him."

"Oh, may his memory live in me!"

"Amen, my boy! All but his miserable fate.”

'Twas not long after this that Effex and William took their road for Wales, leaving Sir Thomas in his Hall and

Armoury. You cannot think how bufy the Knight was

with his Lyons and Dragons, his Rofes and Fleurs-de-lys, while the young men were hunting and hawking among rocks and forests.

CHAPTER VII.

"In Law, what plea so tainted and corrupt,
But, being feafoned with a gracious voice,
Obfcures the fhew of evil?"

MERCH. VEN., act III. sc. II.

"Tell him there's a Poft come from my master, with his horn full of good news."—IB. act v. fc. 1.

ORROW, Master Scrivener !"

"Good-morrow, Sir Thomas, and thank ye!"

"You're early a horfe, Master Scrivener;

wilt have a stoop? What, ho! Spigot!"

"And thank you, Sir Thomas, all the fame. I've ridden o'er from Ampthill

""Tis a dry ride, Master Scrivener. Spigot, I fay! Some fack for Master Scrivener ! Your horfe, Sir; I

hope my men were in attendance on you?"

"I humbly thank your worship. I came over from

Ampthill

"Yes-yes! Come, drink, man-drink and welcome!"

"Your honour's health; and my lady's, Dame Elizabeth; and Master William, his health. Grammercy," he continued, looking round the armoury into which he had come," but your worship hath the Honours of both the Houses! Claydon and Chenies-Chenies and Claydon ! Coats, crefts, hauberks and all!"

"Yes, Master Scrivener," faid Sir Thomas, "all came with the estate: and the estate came with the heiress. The armour of my houfe ftands on this fide: the honours of Claydon on t'other," continued he, looking with complacency at his recent arrangement of the whole series of fhields and armorial trophies which he had erected in this apartment. "My fon William will represent both houses. He is in Wales now with my Lord of Effex-at Llanfrey." "He's a toward lad, Sir Thomas, none better and I wish you joy of him. But Master Geoffry, now"

Geoffry Claydon ?

"Ay, your worship! I humbly crave your honour's pardon but Mafter Geoffry is advised, his rights "——

"His rights! rights! in what, good Master Scriv

ener ?"

"In Claydon, please your worship. His rights in Claydon, manors and advowfons."

"Rights! Geoffry's rights in Claydon !"

"Ay! Sir Thomas, members and appurtenances."

appur

"In Claydon! Geoffry! rights! manors! tenances! Ha! the poor boy is wild! How is't with him, Master Scrivener ? "

"Marry, well enough, Sir; only he's very poor!"

""T shall be cared for, Master Scrivener. Bid him fee me; or ftay, I'll write and intreat his prefence here, to welcome William when he shall return."

"You are very kind, Sir Thomas: but to make long fhort, Master Geoffry hath been advised your honour's claims to Claydon are not clear: and as heir-at-law”.

"Heir-at-law, footh! a'd better not stir in that.”

"Yea, Sir Thomas! and, as heir-at-law (with all fubmiffion), I think his claim the better."

"Ay, do'st so, Master Scrivener? An fine and recovery may not bar the heir-at-law, I'm no justice o' th' peace: no! nor o' th' quorum, as they say."