\"Elizabethwillnotbesatisfiedwithoutherpresence，\"saidtheEarl。\"Whetheranysuspicionhathenteredhermind，asmyownapprehensionssuggest，orwhetherthepetitionofTressilianiskeptinhermemorybySussexorsomeothersecretenemy，Iknownot;butamongstallthefavourableexpressionswhichsheusestome，sheoftenrecurstothestoryofAmyRobsart。IthinkthatAmyistheslaveinthechariot，whoisplacedtherebymyevilfortunetodashandtoconfoundmytriumph，evenwhenatthehighest。Showmethydevice，Varney，forsolvingtheinextricabledifficulty。IhavethrowneverysuchimpedimentinthewayoftheseaccursedrevelsasIcouldpropoundevenwithashadeofdecency，butto—day\'sinterviewhasputalltoahazard。
Shesaidtomekindly，butperemptorily，\'Wewillgiveyounofurthertimeforpreparations，mylord，lestyoushouldaltogetherruinyourself。OnSaturday，the9thofJuly，wewillbewithyouatKenilworth。Weprayyoutoforgetnoneofourappointedguestsandsuitors，andinespecialthislight—o\'—love，AmyRobsart。Wewouldwishtoseethewomanwhocouldpostponeyonderpoeticalgentleman，MasterTressilian，toyourman，RichardVarney。\'——Now，Varney，plythineinvention，whoseforgehathavailedussooftenforsureasmynameisDudley，thedangermenacedbymyhoroscopeisnowdarkeningaroundme。\"
\"Canmyladybebynomeanspersuadedtobearforabriefspacetheobscurecharacterwhichcircumstancesimposeonher？\"SaidVarneyaftersomehesitation。
\"How，sirrah？myCountesstermherselfthywife！——thatmayneitherstandwithmyhonournorwithhers。\"
\"Alas！mylord，\"answeredVarney，\"andyetsuchisthequalityinwhichElizabethnowholdsher;andtocontradictthisopinionistodiscoverall。\"
\"Thinkofsomethingelse，Varney，\"saidtheEarl，ingreatagitation;\"thisinventionisnought。IfIcouldgivewaytoit，shewouldnot;forItellthee，Varney，ifthouknowestitnot，thatnotElizabethonthethronehasmorepridethanthedaughterofthisobscuregentlemanofDevon。Sheisflexibleinmanythings，butwheresheholdsherhonourbroughtinquestionshehathaspiritandtemperasapprehensiveaslightning，andasswiftinexecution。\"
\"Wehaveexperiencedthat，mylord，elsehadwenotbeenthuscircumstanced，\"saidVarney。\"ButwhatelsetosuggestIknownot。Methinksshewhosegoodfortuneinbecomingyourlordship\'sbride，andwhogivesrisetothedanger，shoulddosomewhattowardsparryingit。\"
\"Itisimpossible，\"saidtheEarl，wavinghishand;\"Iknowneitherauthoritynorentreatieswouldmakeherendurethynameforanhour。
\"Itissomewhathard，though，\"saidVarney，inadrytone;and，withoutpausingonthattopic，headded，\"Supposesomeonewerefoundtorepresenther？Suchfeatshavebeenperformedinthecourtsofassharp—eyedmonarchsasQueenElizabeth。\"
\"Uttermadness，Varney，\"answeredtheEarl;\"thecounterfeitwouldbeconfrontedwithTressilian，anddiscoverybecomeinevitable，\"
\"Tressilianmightberemovedfromcourt，\"saidtheunhesitatingVarney。
\"Andbywhatmeans？\"
\"Therearemany，\"saidVarney，\"bywhichastatesmaninyoursituation，mylord，mayremovefromthesceneonewhopriesintoyouraffairs，andplaceshimselfinperilousoppositiontoyou。\"
\"Speaknottomeofsuchpolicy，Varney，\"saidtheEarlhastily，\"which，besides，wouldavailnothinginthepresentcase。ManyotherstherebeatcourttowhomAmymaybeknown;andbesides，ontheabsenceofTressilian，herfatherorsomeofherfriendswouldbeinstantlysummonedhither。Urgethineinventiononcemore。\"
\"Mylord，Iknownotwhattosay，\"answeredVarney;\"butwereI
myselfinsuchperplexity，IwouldridepostdowntoCumnorPlace，andcompelmywifetogiveherconsenttosuchmeasuresashersafetyandminerequired。\"
\"Varney，\"saidLeicester，\"Icannoturgehertoaughtsorepugnanttohernoblenatureasashareinthisstratagem;itwouldbeabaserequitaltotheloveshebearsme。\"
\"Well，mylord，\"saidVarney，\"yourlordshipisawiseandanhonourableman，andskilledinthosehighpointsofromanticscruplewhicharecurrentinArcadiaperhaps，asyournephew，PhilipSidney，writes。Iamyourhumbleservitor——amanofthisworld，andonlyhappythatmyknowledgeofit，anditsways，issuchasyourlordshiphasnotscornedtoavailyourselfof。NowIwouldfainknowwhethertheobligationliesonmyladyoronyouinthisfortunateunion，andwhichhasmostreasontoshowcomplaisancetotheother，andtoconsiderthatother\'swishes，conveniences，andsafety？\"
\"Itellthee，Varney，\"saidtheEarl，\"thatallitwasinmypowertobestowuponherwasnotmerelydeserved，butathousandtimesoverpaid，byherownvirtueandbeauty;forneverdidgreatnessdescenduponacreaturesoformedbynaturetograceandadornit。\"
\"Itiswell，mylord，youaresosatisfied，\"answeredVarney，withhisusualsardonicsmile，whichevenrespecttohispatroncouldnotatalltimessubdue;\"youwillhavetimeenoughtoenjoyundisturbedthesocietyofonesograciousandbeautiful——
thatis，sosoonassuchconfinementintheTowerbeoverasmaycorrespondtothecrimeofdeceivingtheaffectionsofElizabethTudor。Acheaperpenalty，Ipresume，youdonotexpect。\"
\"Maliciousfiend！\"answeredLeicester，\"doyoumockmeinmymisfortune？——Manageitasthouwilt。\"
\"Ifyouareserious，mylord，\"saidVarney，\"youmustsetforthinstantlyandpostforCumnorPlace。\"
\"Dothougothyself，Varney;thedevilhasgiventheethatsortofeloquencewhichismostpowerfulintheworstcause。Ishouldstandself—convictedofvillainy，wereItourgesuchadeceit。
Begone，Itellthee;mustIentreattheetomineowndishonour？\"
\"No，mylord，\"saidVarney;\"butifyouareseriousinentrustingmewiththetaskofurgingthismostnecessarymeasure，youmustgivemealettertomylady，asmycredentials，andtrusttomeforbackingtheadviceitcontainswithalltheforceinmypower。Andsuchismyopinionofmylady\'sloveforyourlordship，andofherwillingnesstodothatwhichisatoncetocontributetoyourpleasureandyoursafety，thatIamsureshewillcondescendtobearforafewbriefdaysthenameofsohumbleamanasmyself，especiallysinceitisnotinferiorinantiquitytothatofherownpaternalhouse。\"
Leicesterseizedonwritingmaterials，andtwiceorthricecommencedalettertotheCountess，whichheafterwardstoreintofragments。Atlengthhefinishedafewdistractedlines，inwhichheconjuredher，forreasonsnearlyconcerninghislifeandhonour，toconsenttobearthenameofVarneyforafewdays，duringtherevelsatKenilworth。HeaddedthatVarneywouldcommunicateallthereasonswhichrenderedthisdeceptionindispensable;andhavingsignedandsealedthesecredentials，heflungthemoverthetabletoVarneywithamotionthatheshoulddepart，whichhisadviserwasnotslowtocomprehendandtoobey。
Leicesterremainedlikeonestupefied，tillheheardthetramplingofthehorses，asVarney，whotooknotimeeventochangehisdress，threwhimselfintothesaddle，and，followedbyasingleservant，setoffforBerkshire。AtthesoundtheEarlstartedfromhisseat，andrantothewindow，withthemomentarypurposeofrecallingtheunworthycommissionwithwhichhehadentrustedoneofwhomheusedtosayheknewnovirtuouspropertysaveaffectiontohispatron。ButVarneywasalreadybeyondcall;andthebright，starryfirmament，whichtheageconsideredastheBookofFate，lyingspreadbeforeLeicesterwhenheopenedthecasement，divertedhimfromhisbetterandmoremanlypurpose。
\"Theretheyroll，ontheirsilentbutpotentialcourse，\"saidtheEarl，lookingaroundhim，\"withoutavoicewhichspeakstoourear，butnotwithoutinfluenceswhichaffect，ateverychange，theindwellersofthisvile，earthlyplanet。This，ifastrologersfablenot，istheverycrisisofmyfate！ThehourapproachesofwhichIwastaughttobeware——thehour，too，whichIwasencouragedtohopefor。AKingwastheword——buthow？——thecrownmatrimonial。Allhopesofthataregone——letthemgo。TherichNetherlandshavedemandedmefortheirleader，and，wouldElizabethconsent，wouldyieldtomeTHEIRcrown。AndhaveInotsuchaclaimeveninthiskingdom？ThatofYork，descendingfromGeorgeofClarencetotheHouseofHuntingdon，which，thisladyfailing，mayhaveafairchance——Huntingdonisofmyhouse。——ButIwillplungenodeeperinthesehighmysteries。Letmeholdmycourseinsilenceforawhile，andinobscurity，likeasubterraneanriver;thetimeshallcomethatIwillburstforthinmystrength，andbearalloppositionbeforeme。\"
WhileLeicesterwasthusstupefyingtheremonstrancesofhisownconscience，byappealingtopoliticalnecessityforhisapology，orlosinghimselfamidstthewilddreamsofambition，hisagentlefttownandtowerbehindhimonhishastyjourneytoBerkshire。
HEalsonourishedhighhope。HehadbroughtLordLeicestertothepointwhichhehaddesired，ofcommittingtohimthemostintimaterecessesofhisbreast，andofusinghimasthechannelofhismostconfidentialintercoursewithhislady。Henceforwarditwould，heforesaw，bedifficultforhispatroneithertodispensewithhisservices，orrefusehisrequests，howeverunreasonable。Andifthisdisdainfuldame，ashetermedtheCountess，shouldcomplywiththerequestofherhusband，Varney，herpretendedhusband，mustneedsbecomesosituatedwithrespecttoher，thattherewasnoknowingwherehisaudacitymightbeboundedperhapsnottillcircumstancesenabledhimtoobtainatriumph，whichhethoughtofwithamixtureoffiendishfeelings，inwhichrevengeforherpreviousscornwasforemostandpredominant。Againhecontemplatedthepossibilityofherbeingtotallyintractable，andrefusingobstinatelytoplaythepartassignedtoherinthedramaatKenilworth。
\"Alascomustthendohispart，\"hesaid。\"SicknessmustserveherMajestyasanexcusefornotreceivingthehomageofMrs。
Varney——ay，andasoreandwastingsicknessitmayprove，shouldElizabethcontinuetocastsofavourableaneyeonmyLordofLeicester。Iwillnotforegothechanceofbeingfavouriteofamonarchforwantofdeterminedmeasures，shouldthesebenecessary。Forward，goodhorse，forward——ambitionandhaughtyhopeofpower，pleasure，andrevengestriketheirstingsasdeepthroughmybosomasIplungetherowelsinthyflanks。On，goodhorse，on——thedevilurgesusbothforward！\"
CHAPTERXXII。
Saythatmybeautywasbutsmall，Amongcourtladiesalldespised，WhydidstthourenditfromthathallWhere，scornfulEarl，\'twasdearlyprized？
Nomorethoucom\'stwithwontedspeed，Thyoncebelovedbridetosee;
Butbeshealive，orbeshedead，Ifear，sternEarl，\'sthesametothee。
CUMNORHALL，byWILLIAMJULIUSMICKLE。
Theladiesoffashionofthepresent，orofanyotherperiod，musthaveallowedthattheyoungandlovelyCountessofLeicesterhad，besidesheryouthandbeauty，twoqualitieswhichentitledhertoaplaceamongstwomenofrankanddistinction。Shedisplayed，aswehaveseeninherinterviewwiththepedlar，aliberalpromptitudetomakeunnecessarypurchases，solelyforthepleasureofacquiringuselessandshowytrifleswhichceasedtopleaseassoonastheywerepossessed;andshewas，besides，apttospendaconsiderablespaceoftimeeverydayinadorningherperson，althoughthevariedsplendourofherattirecouldonlyattractthehalfsatiricalpraiseofthepreciseJanet，oranapprovingglancefromthebrighteyeswhichwitnessedtheirownbeamsoftriumphreflectedfromthemirror。
TheCountessAmyhad，indeed，topleadforindulgenceinthosefrivoloustastes，thattheeducationofthetimeshaddonelittleornothingforamindnaturallygayandaversetostudy。Ifshehadnotlovedtocollectfineryandtowearit，shemighthavewoventapestryorsewedembroidery，tillherlaboursspreadingayprofusionalloverthewallsandseatsatLidcoteHall;orshemighthavevariedMinerva\'slabourswiththetaskofpreparingamightypuddingagainstthetimethatSirHughRobsartreturnedfromthegreenwood。ButAmyhadnonaturalgeniuseitherfortheloom，theneedle，orthereceipt—book。Hermotherhaddiedininfancy;herfathercontradictedherinnothing;andTressilian，theonlyonethatapproachedherwhowasableordesiroustoattendtothecultivationofhermind，hadmuchhurthisinterestwithherbyassumingtooeagerlythetaskofapreceptor，sothathewasregardedbythelively，indulged，andidlegirlwithsomefearandmuchrespect，butwithlittleornothingofthatsofteremotionwhichithadbeenhishopeandhisambitiontoinspire。Andthusherheartlayreadilyopen，andherfancybecameeasilycaptivatedbythenobleexteriorandgracefuldeportmentandcomplacentflatteryofLeicester，evenbeforehewasknowntoherasthedazzlingminionofwealthandpower。
ThefrequentvisitsofLeicesteratCumnor，duringtheearlierpartoftheirunion，hadreconciledtheCountesstothesolitudeandprivacytowhichshewascondemned;butwhenthesevisitsbecamerarerandmorerare，andwhenthevoidwasfilledupwithlettersofexcuse，notalwaysverywarmlyexpressed，andgenerallyextremelybrief，discontentandsuspicionbegantohauntthosesplendidapartmentswhichlovehadfittedupforbeauty。HeranswerstoLeicesterconveyedthesefeelingstoobluntly，andpressedmorenaturallythanprudentlythatshemightberelievedfromthisobscureandsecludedresidence，bytheEarl\'sacknowledgmentoftheirmarriage;andinarrangingherargumentswithalltheskillshewasmistressof，shetrustedchieflytothewarmthoftheentreatieswithwhichsheurgedthem。Sometimessheevenventuredtominglereproaches，ofwhichLeicesterconceivedhehadgoodreasontocomplain。
\"IhavemadeherCountess，\"hesaidtoVarney;\"surelyshemightwaittillitconsistedwithmypleasurethatsheshouldputonthecoronet？\"
TheCountessAmyviewedthesubjectindirectlyanoppositelight。
\"Whatsignifies，\"shesaid，\"thatIhaverankandhonourinreality，ifIamtoliveanobscureprisoner，withouteithersocietyorobservance，andsufferinginmycharacter，asoneofdubiousordisgracedreputation？Icarenotforallthosestringsofpearl，whichyoufretmebywarpingintomytresses，Janet。ItellyouthatatLidcoteHall，ifIputbutafreshrosebudamongmyhair，mygoodfatherwouldcallmetohim，thathemightseeitmoreclosely;andthekindoldcuratewouldsmile，andMasterMumblazenwouldsaysomethingaboutrosesgules。AndnowIsithere，deckedoutlikeanimagewithgoldandgems，andnoonetoseemyfinerybutyou，Janet。TherewasthepoorTressilian，too——butitavailsnotspeakingofhim。\"
\"Itdothnotindeed，madam，\"saidherprudentattendant;\"andverilyyoumakemesometimeswishyouwouldnotspeakofhimsooften，orsorashly。\"
\"Itsignifiesnothingtowarnme，Janet，\"saidtheimpatientandincorrigibleCountess;\"Iwasbornfree，thoughIamnowmeweduplikesomefineforeignslave，ratherthanthewifeofanEnglishnoble。IboreitallwithpleasurewhileIwassurehelovedme;
butnowmytongueandheartshallbefree，letthemfettertheselimbsastheywill。Itellthee，Janet，Ilovemyhusband——I
willlovehimtillmylatestbreath——Icannotceasetolovehim，evenifIwould，orifhe——which，Godknows，maychance——shouldceasetoloveme。ButIwillsay，andloudly，IwouldhavebeenhappierthanInowamtohaveremainedinLidcoteHall，evenalthoughImusthavemarriedpoorTressilian，withhismelancholylookandhisheadfulloflearning，whichIcarednotfor。Hesaid，ifIwouldreadhisfavouritevolumes，therewouldcomeatimethatIshouldbegladofhavingdoneso。Ithinkitiscomenow。\"
\"Iboughtyousomebooks，madam，\"saidJanet，\"fromalamefellowwhosoldthemintheMarket—place——andwhostaredsomethingboldly，atme，Ipromiseyou。\"
\"Letmeseethem，Janet，\"saidtheCountess;\"butletthemnotbeofyourownprecisecast，——Howisthis，mostrighteousdamsel？——
\'APAIROFSNUFFERSFORTHEGOLDENCANDLESTICK\'——\'HANDFULLOF
MYRRHANDHYSSOPTOPUTASICKSOULTOPURGATION\'——\'ADRAUGHTOF
WATERFROMTHEVALLEYOFBACA\'——\'FOXESANDFIREBRANDS\'——whatgearcallyouthis，maiden？\"
\"Nay，madam，\"saidJanet，\"itwasbutfittingandseemlytoputgraceinyourladyship\'sway;butanyouwillnoneofit，thereareplay—books，andpoet—books，Itrow。\"
TheCountessproceededcarelesslyinherexamination，turningoversuchrarevolumesaswouldnowmakethefortuneoftwentyretailbooksellers。Herewasa\"BOKEOFCOOKERY，IMPRINTEDBY
RICHARDLANT，\"and\"SKELTON\'SBOOKS\"——\"THEPASSTIMEOFTHE
PEOPLE\"——\"THECASTLEOFKNOWLEDGE，\"etc。ButneithertothisloredidtheCountess\'sheartincline，andjoyfullydidshestartupfromthelistlesstaskofturningovertheleavesofthepamphlets，andhastilydidshescatterthemthroughthefloor，whenthehastyclatterofhorses\'feet，heardinthecourtyard，calledhertothewindow，exclaiming，\"ItisLeicester！——itismynobleEarl！——itismyDudley！——everystrokeofhishorse\'shoofsoundslikeanoteoflordlymusic！\"
Therewasabriefbustleinthemansion，andFoster，withhisdownwardlookandsullenmanner，enteredtheapartmenttosay，\"ThatMasterRichardVarneywasarrivedfrommylord，havingriddenallnight，andcravedtospeakwithherladyshipinstantly。\"
\"Varney？\"saidthedisappointedCountess;\"andtospeakwithme？
——pshaw！ButhecomeswithnewsfromLeicester，soadmithiminstantly。\"
Varneyenteredherdressingapartment，whereshesatarrayedinhernativeloveliness，adornedwithallthatJanet\'sartandarichandtastefulundresscouldbestow。Butthemostbeautifulpartofherattirewasherprofuseandluxuriantlight—brownlocks，whichfloatedinsuchrichabundancearoundaneckthatresembledaswan\'s，andoverabosomheavingwithanxiousexpectation，whichcommunicatedahurriedtingeofredtoherwholecountenance。
Varneyenteredtheroominthedressinwhichhehadwaitedonhismasterthatmorningtocourt，thesplendourofwhichmadeastrangecontrastwiththedisorderarisingfromhastyridingduringadarknightandfoulways。Hisbrowboreananxiousandhurriedexpression，asonewhohasthattosayofwhichhedoubtsthereception，andwhohathyetpostedonfromthenecessityofcommunicatinghistidings。TheCountess\'sanxiouseyeatoncecaughtthealarm，assheexclaimed，\"Youbringnewsfrommylord，MasterVarney——GraciousHeaven！isheill？\"
\"No，madam，thankHeaven！\"saidVarney。\"Composeyourself，andpermitmetotakebreathereIcommunicatemytidings。\"
\"Nobreath，sir，\"repliedtheladyimpatiently;\"Iknowyourtheatricalarts。Sinceyourbreathhathsufficedtobringyouhither，itmaysufficetotellyourtale——atleastbriefly，andinthegross。\"
\"Madam，\"answeredVarney，\"wearenotalone，andmylord\'smessagewasforyourearonly。\"
\"Leaveus，Janet，andMasterFoster，\"saidthelady;\"butremaininthenextapartment，andwithincall。\"
Fosterandhisdaughterretired，agreeablytotheLadyLeicester\'scommands，intothenextapartment，whichwasthewithdrawing—room。Thedoorwhichledfromthesleeping—chamberwasthencarefullyshutandbolted，andthefatheranddaughterremainedbothinapostureofanxiousattention，thefirstwithastern，suspicious，anxiouscastofcountenance，andJanetwithfoldedhands，andlookswhichseemeddividedbetwixtherdesiretoknowthefortunesofhermistress，andherprayerstoHeavenforhersafety。AnthonyFosterseemedhimselftohavesomeideaofwhatwaspassingthroughhisdaughter\'smind，forhecrossedtheapartmentandtookheranxiouslybythehand，saying，\"Thatisright——pray，Janet，pray;wehaveallneedofprayers，andsomeofusmorethanothers。Pray，Janet——Iwouldpraymyself，butImustlistentowhatgoesonwithin——evilhasbeenbrewing，love——evilhasbeenbrewing。Godforgiveoursins，butVarney\'ssuddenandstrangearrivalbodesusnogood。\"
Janethadneverbeforeheardherfatherexciteorevenpermitherattentiontoanythingwhichpassedintheirmysteriousfamily;
andnowthathedidso，hisvoicesoundedinherear——sheknewnotwhy——likethatofascreech—owldenouncingsomedeedofterrorandofwoe。Sheturnedhereyesfearfullytowardsthedoor，almostasifsheexpectedsomesoundsofhorrortobeheard，orsomesightoffeartodisplayitself。
All，however，wasasstillasdeath，andthevoicesofthosewhospokeintheinnerchamberwere，iftheyspokeatall，carefullysubduedtoatonewhichcouldnotbeheardinthenext。Atonce，however，theywereheardtospeakfast，thick，andhastily;andpresentlyafterthevoiceoftheCountesswasheardexclaiming，atthehighestpitchtowhichindignationcouldraiseit，\"Undothedoor，sir，Icommandyou！——undothedoor！——Iwillhavenootherreply！\"shecontinued，drowningwithhervehementaccentsthelowandmutteredsoundswhichVarneywasheardtoutterbetwixtwhiles。\"Whatho！withoutthere！\"shepersisted，accompanyingherwordswithshrieks，\"Janet，alarmthehouse！——
Foster，breakopenthedoor——Iamdetainedherebyatraitor！
Useaxeandlever，MasterFoster——Iwillbeyourwarrant！\"
\"Itshallnotneed，madam，\"Varneywasatlengthdistinctlyheardtosay。\"Ifyoupleasetoexposemylord\'simportantconcernsandyourowntothegeneralear，Iwillnotbeyourhindrance。\"
Thedoorwasunlockedandthrownopen，andJanetandherfatherrushedin，anxioustolearnthecauseofthesereiteratedexclamations。
WhentheyenteredtheapartmentVarneystoodbythedoorgrindinghisteeth，withanexpressioninwhichrage，andshame，andfearhadeachtheirshare。TheCountessstoodinthemidstofherapartmentlikeajuvenilePythonessundertheinfluenceofthepropheticfury。Theveinsinherbeautifulforeheadstartedintoswolnbluelinesthroughthehurriedimpulseofherarticulation——hercheekandneckglowedlikescarlet——hereyeswerelikethoseofanimprisonedeagle，flashingredlightningonthefoeswhichitcannotreachwithitstalons。WereitpossibleforoneoftheGracestohavebeenanimatedbyaFury，thecountenancecouldnothaveunitedsuchbeautywithsomuchhatred，scorn，defiance，andresentment。Thegestureandattitudecorrespondedwiththevoiceandlooks，andaltogetherpresentedaspectaclewhichwasatoncebeautifulandfearful;somuchofthesublimehadtheenergyofpassionunitedwiththeCountessAmy\'snaturalloveliness。Janet，assoonasthedoorwasopen，rantohermistress;andmoreslowly，yetwithmorehastethanhewaswont，AnthonyFosterwenttoRichardVarney。
\"IntheTruth\'sname，whatailsyourladyship？\"saidtheformer。
\"What，inthenameofSatan，haveyoudonetoher？\"saidFostertohisfriend。
\"Who，I？——nothing，\"answeredVarney，butwithsunkenheadandsullenvoice;\"nothingbutcommunicatedtoherherlord\'scommands，which，iftheladylistnottoobey，sheknowsbetterhowtoansweritthanImaypretendtodo。\"
\"Now，byHeaven，Janet！\"saidtheCountess，\"thefalsetraitorliesinhisthroat！Hemustneedslie，forhespeakstothedishonourofmynoblelord;hemustneedsliedoubly，forhespeakstogainendsofhisown，equallyexecrableandunattainable。\"
\"Youhavemisapprehendedme，lady，\"saidVarney，withasulkyspeciesofsubmissionandapology;\"letthismatterresttillyourpassionbeabated，andIwillexplainall。\"
\"Thoushaltneverhaveanopportunitytodoso，\"saidtheCountess。——\"Lookathim，Janet。Heisfairlydressed，haththeoutsideofagentleman，andhitherhecametopersuademeitwasmylord\'spleasure——nay，more，myweddedlord\'scommands——thatI
shouldgowithhimtoKenilworth，andbeforetheQueenandnobles，andinpresenceofmyownweddedlord，thatIshouldacknowledgehim——HIMthere——thatverycloak—brushing，shoe—
cleaningfellow——HIMthere，mylord\'slackey，formyliegelordandhusband;furnishingagainstmyself，GreatGod！wheneverI
wastovindicatemyrightandmyrank，suchweaponsaswouldhewmyjustclaimfromtheroot，anddestroymycharactertoberegardedasanhonourablematronoftheEnglishnobility！\"
\"Youhearher，Foster，andyou，youngmaiden，hearthislady，\"
answeredVarney，takingadvantageofthepausewhichtheCountesshadmadeinhercharge，moreforlackofbreaththanforlackofmatter——\"youhearthatherheatonlyobjectstomethecoursewhichourgoodlord，forthepurposetokeepcertainmatterssecret，suggestsintheveryletterwhichsheholdsinherhands。\"
Fosterhereattemptedtointerferewithafaceofauthority，whichhethoughtbecamethechargeentrustedtohim，\"Nay，lady，Imustneedssayyouareover—hastyinthis。SuchdeceitisnotutterlytobecondemnedwhenpractisedforarighteousendIandthuseventhepatriarchAbrahamfeignedSarahtobehissisterwhentheywentdowntoEgypt。\"
\"Ay，sir，\"answeredtheCountess;\"butGodrebukedthatdeceiteveninthefatherofHischosenpeople，bythemouthoftheheathenPharaoh。Outuponyou，thatwillreadScriptureonlytocopythosethingswhichareheldouttousaswarnings，notasexamples！\"
\"ButSarahdisputednotthewillofherhusband，anitbeyourpleasure，\"saidFoster，inreply，\"butdidasAbrahamcommanded，callingherselfhissister，thatitmightbewellwithherhusbandforhersake，andthathissoulmightlivebecauseofherbeauty。\"
\"Now，soHeavenpardonmemyuselessanger，\"answeredtheCountess，\"thouartasdaringahypocriteasyonderfellowisanimpudentdeceiver！NeverwillIbelievethatthenobleDudleygavecountenancetosodastardly，sodishonourableaplan。ThusItreadonhisinfamy，ifindeeditbe，andthusdestroyitsremembranceforever！\"
Sosaying，shetoreinpiecesLeicester\'sletter，andstamped，intheextremityofimpatience，asifshewouldhaveannihilatedtheminutefragmentsintowhichshehadrentit。
\"Bearwitness，\"saidVarney，collectinghimself，\"shehathtornmylord\'sletter，inordertoburdenmewiththeschemeofhisdevising;andalthoughitpromisesnoughtbutdangerandtroubletome，shewouldlayittomycharge，asifIhadanypurposeofmineowninit。\"
\"Thouliest，thoutreacherousslave！\"saidtheCountessinspiteofJanet\'sattemptstokeephersilent，inthesadforesightthathervehemencemightonlyfurnisharmsagainstherself——\"thouliest，\"shecontinued。——\"Letmego，Janet——wereitthelastwordIhavetospeak，helies。Hehadhisownfoulendstoseek;andbroaderhewouldhavedisplayedthemhadmypassionpermittedmetopreservethesilencewhichatfirstencouragedhimtounfoldhisvileprojects。\"
\"Madam，\"saidVarney，overwhelmedinspiteofhiseffrontery，\"I
entreatyoutobelieveyourselfmistaken。\"
\"AssoonwillIbelievelightdarkness，\"saidtheenragedCountess。\"HaveIdrunkofoblivion？DoInotrememberformerpassages，which，knowntoLeicester，hadgiventheetheprefermentofagallows，insteadofthehonourofhisintimacy。
IwouldIwereamanbutforfiveminutes！Itwerespaceenoughtomakeacravenliketheeconfesshisvillainy。Butgo——begone！
TellthymasterthatwhenItakethefoulcoursetowhichsuchscandalousdeceitsasthouhastrecommendedonhisbehalfmustnecessarilyleadme，Iwillgivehimarivalsomethingworthyofthename。Heshallnotbesupplantedbyanignominiouslackey，whosebestfortuneistocatchagiftofhismaster\'slastsuitofclothesereitisthreadbare，andwhoisonlyfittoseduceasuburb—wenchbythebraveryofnewrosesinhismaster\'soldpantoufles。Go，begone，sir！IscorntheesomuchthatIamashamedtohavebeenangrywiththee。\"
Varneylefttheroomwithamuteexpressionofrage，andwasfollowedbyFoster，whoseapprehension，naturallyslow，wasoverpoweredbytheeagerandabundantdischargeofindignationwhich，forthefirsttime，hehadheardburstfromthelipsofabeingwhohadseemed，tillthatmoment，toolanguidandtoogentletonurseanangrythoughtorutteranintemperateexpression。Foster，therefore，pursuedVarneyfromplacetoplace，persecutinghimwithinterrogatories，towhichtheotherrepliednot，untiltheywereintheoppositesideofthequadrangle，andintheoldlibrary，withwhichthereaderhasalreadybeenmadeacquainted。Hereheturnedroundonhisperseveringfollower，andthusaddressedhim，inatonetolerablyequal，thatbriefwalkhavingbeensufficienttogiveonesohabituatedtocommandhistempertimetorallyandrecoverhispresenceofmind。
\"Tony，\"hesaid，withhisusualsneeringlaugh，\"itavailsnottodenyit。TheWomanandtheDevil，who，asthineoracleHoldforthwillconfirmtothee，cheatedmanatthebeginning，havethisdayprovedmorepowerfulthanmydiscretion。Yontermagantlookedsotempting，andhadthearttopreservehercountenancesonaturally，whileIcommunicatedmylord\'smessage，that，bymyfaith，IthoughtImightsaysomelittlethingformyself。Shethinksshehathmyheadunderhergirdlenow，butsheisdeceived。WhereisDoctorAlasco？\"