This person, naturally of a sour, unsocial disposition, and somewhat
tired, besides, with his journey from Cumnor to Warwickshire, in order
to bring the news of the Countess's escape, had early extricated himself
from the crowd of wassailers, and betaken himself to his chamber, where
he lay asleep, when Varney, completely equipped for travelling, and with
a dark lantern in his hand, entered his apartment. He paused an instant
to listen to what his associate was murmuring in his sleep, and could
plainly distinguish the words, "AVE MARIA--ORA PRO NOBIS. No, it runs
not so--deliver us from evil--ay, so it goes."

"Praying in his sleep," said Varney, "and confounding his old and
new devotions. He must have more need of prayer ere I am done with
him.--What ho! holy man, most blessed penitent!--awake--awake! The devil
has not discharged you from service yet."

As Varney at the same time shook the sleeper by the arm, it changed the
current of his ideas, and he roared out, "Thieves!--thieves! I will die
in defence of my gold--my hard-won gold--that has cost me so dear. Where
is Janet?--Is Janet safe?"

"Safe enough, thou bellowing fool!" said Varney; "art thou not ashamed
of thy clamour?"

Foster by this time was broad awake, and sitting up in his bed, asked
Varney the meaning of so untimely a visit. "It augurs nothing good," he
added.