Chapter 1-4 Summary
Chapter 1 Summary
Sir Walter Scott's Kenilworth opens at the Black Bear Inn in the village of Cumnor in the days of Queen Elizabeth I. A stranger has just arrived, and the host, Giles Gosling, strives to welcome him. The new guest is bold and well-dressed, and he and Gosling banter. The stranger asks Gosling if he has any relatives. Just one, the landlord responds, his nephew, Michael Lambourne, a mischief-maker who left many years ago and might, for all Gosling knows, be dead by now.
The stranger claims to know Michael Lambourne, a brave man, but Gosling says that could not be him, for his nephew was little more than a criminal. Finally, the guest reveals that he is Michael Lambourne in person, returning to his home after years of adventures. Lambourne proceeds to banter with the other guests, including the mercer Laurence Goldthred. They discuss old friends, many of whom are now dead.
Another guest, a stranger, looks on, and Gosling invites him to join in celebrating his nephew's return. The stranger resists at first but then agrees to take part in the mirth for the sake of the landlord's reputation. The guest's name is Tressilian.
Chapter 2 Summary
Goldthred entertains the crowd with a song, and Lambourne continues to ask about his old friends. The conversation turns to Tony Foster, a man with a reputation for being Catholic to the point of lighting a fire under Protestants. Lambourne is surprised to learn that Foster is now a Protestant and lives at Cumnor Place. This estate once belonged to the Catholic Abbot before the monasteries were dissolved under King Henry VIII, Elizabeth's father.
Foster is now a wealthy man, but a mystery surrounds him. He is a widower, but a beautiful young woman has been seen at the estate. Goldthred encountered her one day as he was out snooping around. Foster interrupted Goldthred and the lady and drove Goldthred off.
Tressilian asks about the lady's appearance, but Goldthred merely describes her clothing. Lambourne teases Goldthred about being "faint-spirited," and Goldthred challenges him to return to the estate. Lambourne says he will visit Foster and meet the lady, and the two make a wager. Tressilian offers to go half with Lambourne and accompany him the next day.
The party ends in a drunken near-brawl, and the servants lead Lambourne away. Tressilian quizzes Gosling about Tony Foster, the estate, and the lady but needs more helpful information.
Chapter 3 Summary
The following day, Tressilian again attempts to pull information out of Gosling. Instead, Gosling warns him to stay away from the wager between Lambourne and Goldthred and to avoid going out to the estate. Lambourne can be dangerous, and Gosling does not want his guest to get involved with his mischief.
Gosling adds that Tony Foster was once a poor man, and no one knows where he got his money. He is keeping some "strange secret" and is not to be trusted. Tressilian assures the landlord that he will act cautiously, but he is determined to go with Lambourne.
Lambourne comes down and flirts with Cicely, Gosling's daughter. Gosling warns him away, telling his nephew that he means to protect his "Eve" and not allow a snake to creep into his Eden. Lambourne brags about his gold but admits that he lacks the smooth grace of true nobility. Yet he has enough to fool Foster.
Tressilian and Lambourne walk out to Cumnor Place. They notice that the grounds are run down and overgrown. But the gate opens easily for them. Lambourne comments that Foster is undoubtedly not welcoming to guests...
(This entire section contains 1100 words.)
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and is a superstitious "sly fox." The two discuss their motives for their visit. Tressilian claims mere curiosity, and Lambourne admits that he wants to put more money into his purse. Foster, after all, must have a wealthy patron, and Lambourne hopes to get in on the benefits.
A servant answers the door and leads the two men into a small parlor, ill-furnished and quite dark. After a while, Foster enters. He is an ugly, ungainly man with dark eyes and irregular features. He is poorly dressed but well-armed, demanding that Lambourne and Tressilian divulge the reason for their visit.
Lambourne calls upon their old friendship, but Foster responds with a threat. Lambourne makes one in turn and then introduces Tressilian after Foster backs down. Foster then takes Lambourne into another room for a private talk while Tressilian remains alone.
Chapter 4 Summary
Foster leads Lambourne into a once grand but now desolate library. Everything is covered in dust, and the shelves and books are heaped here and there, ruined and decaying. Foster mentions that his servants have been using pages from the books for cleaning chores.
Lambourne taunts Foster about the latter's shift in religion, but Foster maintains that his conscience is his own business. Lambourne then gets down to his business. He offers to partner with Foster. They have different skills and ways of presenting themselves to the world, and joining together may benefit both of them. Lambourne knows Foster must have a wealthy patron and would like a share of the wealth. In response, Foster lists many of Lambourne's faults. Lambourne returns in kind but agrees to mend some of his ways to serve the partnership if need be. The conversation is interrupted by a scream.
The story moves back slightly in time. Tressilian is alone in the parlor when a young lady walks in and begins to run toward him, not recognizing him. When Tressilian shows his face, she stops. He says quietly, "Amy, fear me not." These two know each other, and Tressilian believes that Amy is a prisoner at the estate. She assures him that the house is her own. Tressilian tells the young woman that her father is sick and brokenhearted. Amy insists that she cannot leave even though Tressilian begs her to come away with him. She needs permission, she says. Tressilian tries everything to convince her, explaining that he is acting on her father's authority.
Then Foster and Lambourne rush into the room. Foster orders the lady to go to her chamber—Tressilian leaves, with Lambourne following but refusing to hurt his companion. Tressilian takes a wrong turn and ends up at a small door in the wall. It opens, and a man walks through. Tressilian recognizes him immediately as his enemy Varney, and the two fight. Tressilian is at the point of killing Varney when Lambourne runs up and stops him. Tressilian leaves the grounds, and Varney, learning that Lambourne is a friend of Foster, orders him to go after Tressilian.
