iner._ But you'd not have a boy
--And what's the Earl beside?--possess too soon
That stateliness?

_1st Retainer._ Our master takes his hand--
Richard and his white staff are on the move--
Back fall our people--(tsh!--there's Timothy
Sure to get tangled in his ribbon-ties,
And Peter's cursed rosette's a-coming off!)
--At last I see our lord's back and his friend's;
And the whole beautiful bright company
Close round them--in they go!

[_Jumping down from the window-bench, and making for the table and its
jugs._]

Good health, long life
Great joy to our Lord Tresham and his House!

_6th Retainer._ My father drove his father first to court,
After his marriage-day--ay, did he!

_2nd Retainer._ God bless
Lord Tresham, Lady Mildred, and the Earl!
Here, Gerard, reach your beaker!

_Gerard._ Drink, my boys!
Don't mind me--all's not right about me--drink!

_2nd Retainer_ [_aside_]. He's vexed, now, that he let the show escape!
[_To GERARD._] Remember that the Earl returns this way.

_Gerard._ That way?

_2nd Retainer._ Just so.

_Gerard._ Then my way's here.

[_Goes._

_2nd Retainer._ Old Gerard
Will die soon--mind, I said it! He was used
To care about the pitifullest thing
That touched the House's honor, not an eye
But his could see wherein: and on a cause
Of scarce a quarter this importance, Gerard
Fairly had fretted flesh and bone away
In cares that this was right, nor that was wrong,
Such point decorous, and such square by rule--
He knew such niceties, no herald more:
And now--you see his humor: die he will!

_2nd Retainer._ God help him! Who's for the great servant's hall
To hear what's going on inside? They'd follow
Lord Tresham into the saloon.

_3rd Retainer._ I!--

_4th Retainer._ I!--
Leave Frank alone for catching, at the door,
Some hint of how the parley goes inside!
Prosperity to the great House once more!
Here's the last drop!

_1st Retainer._ Have at you! Boys, hurrah!

SCENE II.--_A Saloon in the Mansion._

_Enter LORD THESHAM, LORD MERTOUN, AUSTIN, and GUENDOLEN._

_Tresham._ I welcome you, Lord Mertoun, yet once more,
To this ancestral roof of mine. Your name
--Noble among the noblest in itself,
Yet taking