\"Savingalwayswhenmybettersareinpresence，\"saidLambourne，withthecivilimpudenceofaservantwhoknowshisservicestobesoindispensablethathisjestwillbepermittedtopassmuster。
\"Andwhatisthenameofthisdevil，ordevil\'sdam，whohastimedherturnssostrangely？\"saidVarney。\"Wecanillaffordtospareanyofouractors。\"
\"GAUDETNOMINESIBYLLAE，\"saidthefirstspeaker;\"sheiscalledSibylLaneham，wifeofMasterRobertLaneham——\"
\"ClerktotheCouncil—chamberdoor，\"saidVarney;\"why，sheisinexcusable，havinghadexperiencehowtohaveorderedhermattersbetter。Butwhowerethose，amanandawoman，Ithink，whorodesohastilyupthehillbeforemeevennow？Dotheybelongtoyourcompany？\"
Waylandwasabouttohazardareplytothisalarminginquiry，whenthelittlediablotinagainthrustinhisoar。
\"Sopleaseyou，\"hesaid，comingcloseuptoVarney，andspeakingsoasnottobeoverheardbyhiscompanions，\"themanwasourdevilmajor，whohastricksenoughtosupplythelackofahundredsuchasDameLaneham;andthewoman，ifyouplease，isthesagepersonwhoseassistanceismostparticularlynecessarytoourdistressedcomrade。\"
\"Oh，what！youhavegotthewisewoman，then？\"saidVarney。
\"Why，truly，sherodelikeoneboundtoaplacewhereshewasneeded。AndyouhaveasparelimbofSatan，besides，tosupplytheplaceofMistressLaneham？\"
\"Ay，sir，\"saidtheboy;\"theyarenotsoscarceinthisworldasyourhonour\'svirtuouseminencewouldsuppose。Thismaster—fiendshallspitafewflashesoffire，andeructavolumeortwoofsmokeonthespot，ifitwilldoyoupleasure——youwouldthinkhehadAEtnainhisabdomen。\"
\"Ilacktimejustnow，mosthopefulimpofdarkness，towitnesshisperformance，\"saidVarney;\"buthereissomethingforyoualltodrinktheluckyhour——andso，astheplaysays，\'GodbewithYourlabour！\'\"
Thusspeaking，hestruckhishorsewiththespurs，androdeonhisway。
Lambournetarriedamomentortwobehindhismaster，andrummagedhispouchforapieceofsilver，whichhebestowedonthecommunicativeimp，ashesaid，forhisencouragementonhispathtotheinfernalregions，somesparksofwhosefire，hesaid，hecoulddiscoverflashingfromhimalready。Thenhavingreceivedtheboy\'sthanksforhisgenerosityhealsospurredhishorse，androdeafterhismasterasfastasthefireflashesfromflint。
\"Andnow，\"saidthewilyimp，sidlingcloseuptoWayland\'shorse，andcuttingagambolintheairwhichseemedtovindicatehistitletorelationshipwiththeprinceofthatelement，\"I
havetoldthemwhoYOUare，doyouinreturntellmewhoIam？\"
\"EitherFlibbertigibbet，\"answeredWaylandSmith，\"orelseanimpofthedevilingoodearnest。\"
\"Thouhasthitit，\"answeredDickieSludge。\"IamthineownFlibbertigibbet，man;andIhavebrokenforthofbounds，alongwithmylearnedpreceptor，asItoldtheeIwoulddo，whetherhewouldornot。Butwhatladyhastthougotwiththee？Isawthouwertatfaultthefirstquestionwasasked，andsoIdrewupforthyassistance。ButImustknowallwhosheis，dearWayland。\"
\"Thoushaltknowfiftyfinerthings，mydearingle，\"saidWayland;\"butatrucetothineinquiriesjustnow。AndsinceyouareboundforKenilworth，thitherwillItoo，evenfortheloveofthysweetfaceandwaggishcompany。\"
\"Thoushouldsthavesaidmywaggishfaceandsweetcompany，\"saidDickie;\"buthowwiltthoutravelwithus——Imeaninwhatcharacter？\"
\"E\'eninthatthouhastassignedme，tobesure——asajuggler;
thouknowestIamusedtothecraft，\"answeredWayland。
\"Ay，butthelady？\"answeredFlibbertigibbet。\"Creditme，I
thinksheISoneandthouartinaseaoftroublesaboutheratthismoment，asIcanperceivebythyfidgeting。\"
\"Oh，she，man！——sheisapoorsisterofmine，\"saidWayland;\"shecansingandplayo\'thelutewouldwinthefishouto\'thestream。\"
\"Letmehearherinstantly，\"saidtheboy，\"Ilovetheluterarely;Iloveitofallthings，thoughIneverheardit。\"
\"Thenhowcanstthouloveit，Flibbertigibbet？\"saidWayland。
\"Asknightsloveladiesinoldtales，\"answeredDickie——\"onhearsay。\"
\"Thenloveitonhearsayalittlelonger，tillmysisterisrecoveredfromthefatigueofherjourney，\"saidWayland;
mutteringafterwardsbetwixthisteeth，\"Thedeviltaketheimp\'scuriosity！Imustkeepfairweatherwithhim，orweshallfaretheworse。\"
HethenproceededtostatetoMasterHolidayhisowntalentsasajuggler，withthoseofhissisterasamusician。Someproofofhisdexteritywasdemanded，whichhegaveinsuchastyleofexcellence，that，delightedatobtainingsuchanaccessiontotheirparty，theyreadilyacquiescedintheapologywhichheofferedwhenadisplayofhissister\'stalentswasrequired。Thenew—comerswereinvitedtopartakeoftherefreshmentswithwhichthepartywereprovided;anditwaswithsomedifficultythatWaylandSmithobtainedanopportunityofbeingapartwithhissupposedsisterduringthemeal，ofwhichintervalheavailedhimselftoentreathertoforgetforthepresentbothherrankandhersorrows，andcondescend，asthemostprobablechanceofremainingconcealed，tomixinthesocietyofthosewithwhomshewastotravel。
TheCountessallowedthenecessityofthecase，andwhentheyresumedtheirjourney，endeavouredtocomplywithherguide\'sadvice，byaddressingherselftoafemalenearher，andexpressingherconcernforthewomanwhomtheywerethusobligedtoleavebehindthem。
\"Oh，sheiswellattended，madam，\"repliedthedamewhomsheaddressed，who，fromherjollyandlaughter—lovingdemeanour，mighthavebeentheveryemblemoftheWifeofBath;\"andmygossipLanehamthinksaslittleofthesemattersasanyone。Bytheninthday，antherevelslastsolong，weshallhaveherwithusatKenilworth，evenifsheshouldtravelwithherbantlingonherback。\"
TherewassomethinginthisspeechwhichtookawayalldesireontheCountessofLeicester\'sparttocontinuetheconversation。
Buthavingbrokenthecharmbyspeakingtoherfellow—travellerfirst，thegooddame，whowastoplayRareGillianofCroydoninoneoftheinterludes，tookcarethatsilencedidnotagainsettleonthejourney，butentertainedhermutecompanionwithathousandanecdotesofrevels，fromthedaysofKingHarrydownwards，withthereceptiongiventhembythegreatfolk，andallthenamesofthosewhoplayedtheprincipalcharacters;buteverconcludingwith\"theywouldbenothingtotheprincelypleasuresofKenilworth。\"
\"AndwhenshallwereachKenilworth？saidtheCountess，withanagitationwhichsheinvainattemptedtoconceal。
\"Wethathavehorsesmay，withlateriding，gettoWarwickto—
night，andKenilworthmaybedistantsomefourorfivemiles。
Butthenwemustwaittillthefoot—peoplecomeup;althoughitislikemygoodLordofLeicesterwillhavehorsesorlightcarriagestomeetthem，andbringthemupwithoutbeingtravel—
toiled，whichlastisnogoodpreparation，asyoumaysuppose，fordancingbeforeyourbetters。Andyet，Lordhelpme，IhaveseenthedayIwouldhavetrampedfiveleaguesoflea—land，andturnedanmytoethewholeeveningafter，asajugglerspinsapewterplatteronthepointofaneedle。Butagehasclawedmesomewhatinhisclutch，asthesongsays;though，ifIlikethetuneandlikemypartner，I\'lldancethehaysyetwithanymerrylassinWarwickshirethatwritesthatunhappyfigurefourwitharoundOafterit。\"
IftheCountesswasoverwhelmedwiththegarrulityofthisgooddame，WaylandSmith，onhispart，hadenoughtodotosustainandparry，theconstantattacksmadeuponhimbytheindefatigablecuriosityofhisoldacquaintanceRichardSludge。Naturehadgiventhatarchyoungsterapryingcastofdisposition，whichmatchedadmirablywithhissharpwit;theformerinducinghimtoplanthimselfasaspyonotherpeople\'saffairs，andthelatterqualityleadinghimperpetuallytointerfere，afterhehadmadehimselfmasterofthatwhichconcernedhimnot。HespentthelivelongdayinattemptingtopeerundertheCountess\'smuffler，andapparentlywhathecouldtherediscerngreatlysharpenedhiscuriosity。
\"Thatsisterofthine，Wayland，\"hesaid，\"hasafairnecktohavebeenborninasmithy，andaprettytaperhandtohavebeenusedfortwirlingaspindle——faith，I\'llbelieveinyourrelationshipwhenthecrow\'seggishatchedintoacygnet。\"
\"Goto，\"saidWayland，\"thouartapratingboy，andshouldbebreechedforthineassurance。\"
\"Well，\"saidtheimp，drawingoff，\"allIsayis——rememberyouhavekeptasecretfromme，andifIgivetheenotaRolandforthineOliver，mynameisnotDickonSludge！\"
Thisthreat，andthedistanceatwhichHobgoblinkeptfromhimfortherestoftheway，alarmedWaylandverymuch，andhesuggestedtohispretendedsisterthat，onpretextofweariness，sheshouldexpressadesiretostoptwoorthreemilesshortofthefairtownofWarwick，promisingtorejointhetroopinthemorning。Asmallvillageinnaffordedthemaresting—place，anditwaswithsecretpleasurethatWaylandsawthewholeparty，includingDickon，passon，afteracourteousfarewell，andleavethembehind。
\"To—morrow，madam，\"hesaidtohischarge，\"wewill，withyourleave，againstartearly，andreachKenilworthbeforetheroutwhicharetoassemblethere。\"
TheCountessgaveassenttotheproposalofherfaithfulguide;
but，somewhattohissurprise，saidnothingfurtheronthesubject，whichleftWaylandunderthedisagreeableuncertaintywhetherornoshehadformedanyplanforherownfutureproceedings，asheknewhersituationdemandedcircumspection，althoughhewasbutimperfectlyacquaintedwithallitspeculiarities。Concluding，however，thatshemusthavefriendswithinthecastle，whoseadviceandassistanceshecouldsafelytrust，hesupposedhistaskwouldbebestaccomplishedbyconductingherthitherinsafety，agreeablytoherrepeatedcommands。
CHAPTERXXV。
Hark，thebellssummon，andthebuglecalls，Butshethefairestanswersnot——thetideOfnoblesandofladiesthrongsthehalls，Butshetheloveliestmustinsecrethide。
Whateyeswerethine，proudPrince，whichinthegleamOfyongaymeteorslostthatbettersense，Thato\'ertheglow—wormdoththestaresteem，Andmerit\'smodestblusho\'ercourtlyinsolence？
THEGLASSSLIPPER。
TheunfortunateCountessofLeicesterhad，fromherinfancyupwards，beentreatedbythosearoundherwithindulgenceasunboundedasinjudicious。Thenaturalsweetnessofherdispositionhadsavedherfrombecominginsolentandill—
humoured;butthecapricewhichpreferredthehandsomeandinsinuatingLeicesterbeforeTressilian，ofwhosehighhonourandunalterableaffectionsheherselfentertainedsofirmanopinion——thatfatalerror，whichruinedthehappinessofherlife，haditsorigininthemistakenkindness;thathadsparedherchildhoodthepainfulbutmostnecessarylessonofsubmissionandself—command。Fromthesameindulgenceitfollowedthatshehadonlybeenaccustomedtoformandtoexpressherwishes，leavingtoothersthetaskoffulfillingthem;andthus，atthemostmomentousperiodofherlife，shewasalikedestituteofpresenceofmind，andofabilitytoformforherselfanyreasonableorprudentplanofconduct。
Thesedifficultiespressedontheunfortunateladywithoverwhelmingforceonthemorningwhichseemedtobethecrisisofherfate。Overlookingeveryintermediateconsideration，shehadonlydesiredtobeatKenilworth，andtoapproachherhusband\'spresence;andnow，whenshewasinthevicinityofboth，athousandconsiderationsaroseatonceuponhermind，startlingherwithaccumulateddoubtsanddangers，somereal，someimaginary，andallexaltedandexaggeratedbyasituationalikehelplessanddestituteofaidandcounsel。
AsleeplessnightrenderedhersoweakinthemorningthatshewasaltogetherunabletoattendWayland\'searlysummons。Thetrustyguidebecameextremelydistressedonthelady\'saccount，andsomewhatalarmedonhisown，andwasonthepointofgoingalonetoKenilworth，inthehopeofdiscoveringTressilian，andintimatingtohimthelady\'sapproach，whenaboutnineinthemorninghewassummonedtoattendher。Hefoundherdressed，andreadyforresumingherjourney，butwithapalenessofcountenancewhichalarmedhimforherhealth。Sheintimatedherdesirethatthehorsesmightbegotinstantlyready，andresistedwithimpatienceherguide\'srequestthatshewouldtakesomerefreshmentbeforesettingforward。\"Ihavehad，\"shesaid，\"acupofwater——thewretchwhoisdraggedtoexecutionneedsnostrongercordial，andthatmayservemewhichsufficesforhim。
DoasIcommandyou。\"WaylandSmithstillhesitated。\"Whatwouldyouhave？\"saidshe。\"HaveInotspokenplainly？\"
\"Yes，madam，\"answeredWayland;\"butmayIaskwhatisyourfurtherpurpose？Ionlywishtoknow，thatImayguidemyselfbyyourwishes。Thewholecountryisafloat，andstreamingtowardstheCastleofKenilworth。Itwillbedifficulttravellingthither，evenifwehadthenecessarypassportsforsafe—conductandfreeadmittance;unknownandunfriended，wemaycomebymishap。Yourladyshipwillforgivemyspeakingmypoormind——
werewenotbettertrytofindoutthemaskers，andagainjoinourselveswiththem？\"TheCountessshookherhead，andherguideproceeded，\"ThenIseebutoneotherremedy。\"
\"Speakout，then，\"saidthelady，notdispleased，perhaps，thatheshouldthusoffertheadvicewhichshewasashamedtoask;\"I
believetheefaithful——whatwouldstthoucounsel？\"
\"ThatIshouldwarnMasterTressilian，\"saidWayland，\"thatyouareinthisplace。IamrightcertainhewouldgettohorsewithafewofLordSussex\'sfollowers，andensureyourpersonalsafety。\"
\"AndisittoMEyouadvise，\"saidtheCountess，\"toputmyselfundertheprotectionofSussex，theunworthyrivalofthenobleLeicester？\"Then，seeingthesurprisewithwhichWaylandstareduponher，andafraidofhavingtoostronglyintimatedherinterestinLeicester，sheadded，\"AndforTressilian，itmustnotbe——mentionnottohim，Ichargeyou，myunhappyname;itwouldbutdoubleMYmisfortunes，andinvolveHIMindangersbeyondthepowerofrescue。\"Shepaused;butwhensheobservedthatWaylandcontinuedtolookonherwiththatanxiousanduncertaingazewhichindicatedadoubtwhetherherbrainwassettled，sheassumedanairofcomposure，andadded，\"DothoubutguidemetoKenilworthCastle，goodfellow，andthytaskisended，sinceIwillthenjudgewhatfurtheristobedone。Thouhastyetbeentruetome——hereissomethingthatwillmaketheerichamends。\"
Sheofferedtheartistaringcontainingavaluablestone。
Waylandlookedatit，hesitatedamoment，andthenreturnedit。
\"Not，\"hesaid，\"thatIamaboveyourkindness，madam，beingbutapoorfellow，whohavebeenforced，Godhelpme！tolivebyworseshiftsthanthebountyofsuchapersonasyou。But，asmyoldmasterthefarrierusedtosaytohiscustomers，\'Nocure，nopay。\'WearenotyetinKenilworthCastle，anditistimeenoughtodischargeyourguide，astheysay，whenyoutakeyourbootsoff。ItrustinGodyourladyshipisaswellassuredoffittingreceptionwhenyouarrive，asyoumayholdyourselfcertainofmybestendeavourstoconductyouthithersafely。Igotogetthehorses;meantime，letmeprayyouoncemore，asyourpoorphysicianaswellasguide，totakesomesustenance。\"
\"Iwill——Iwill，\"saidtheladyhastily。\"Begone，begoneinstantly！——ItisinvainIassumeaudacity，\"saidshe，whenhelefttheroom;\"eventhispoorgroomseesthroughmyaffectationofcourage，andfathomstheverygroundofmyfears。\"
Shethenattemptedtofollowherguide\'sadvicebytakingsomefood，butwascompelledtodesist，astheefforttoswallowevenasinglemorselgavehersomuchuneasinessasamountedwell—nightosuffocation。Amomentafterwardsthehorsesappearedatthelatticedwindow。Theladymounted，andfoundthatrelieffromthefreeairandchangeofplacewhichisfrequentlyexperiencedinsimilarcircumstances。
ItchancedwellfortheCountess\'spurposethatWaylandSmith，whosepreviouswanderingandunsettledlifehadmadehimacquaintedwithalmostallEngland，wasintimatewithalltheby—
roads，aswellasdirectcommunications，throughthebeautifulcountyofWarwick。ForsuchandsogreatwasthethrongwhichflockedinalldirectionstowardsKenilworth，toseetheentryofElizabethintothatsplendidmansionofherprimefavourite，thattheprincipalroadswereactuallyblockedupandinterrupted，anditwasonlybycircuitousby—pathsthatthetravellerscouldproceedontheirjourney。
TheQueen\'spurveyorshadbeenabroad，sweepingthefarmsandvillagesofthosearticlesusuallyexactedduringaroyalProgress，andforwhichtheownerswereafterwardstoobtainatardypaymentfromtheBoardofGreenCloth。TheEarlofLeicester\'shouseholdofficershadbeenscouringthecountryforthesamepurpose;andmanyofhisfriendsandallies，bothnearandremote，tookthisopportunityofingratiatingthemselvesbysendinglargequantitiesofprovisionsanddelicaciesofallkinds，withgameinhugenumbers，andwholetunsofthebestliquors，foreignanddomestic。Thusthehighroadswerefilledwithdrovesofbullocks，sheep，calves，andhogs，andchokedwithloadedwains，whoseaxle—treescrackedundertheirburdensofwine—casksandhogsheadsofale，andhugehampersofgrocerygoods，andslaughteredgame，andsaltedprovisions，andsacksofflour。Perpetualstoppagestookplaceasthesewainsbecameentangled;andtheirrudedrivers，swearingandbrawlingtilltheirwildpassionswerefullyraised，begantodebateprecedencewiththeirwagon—whipsandquarterstaves，whichoccasionalriotswereusuallyquietedbyapurveyor，deputy—marshal\'sman，orsomeotherpersoninauthority，breakingtheheadsofbothparties。
Herewere，besides，playersandmummers，jugglersandshowmen，ofeverydescription，traversinginjoyousbandsthepathswhichledtothePalaceofPrincelyPleasure;forsothetravellingminstrelshadtermedKenilworthinthesongswhichalreadyhadcomeforthinanticipationoftherevelswhichwerethereexpected。Inthemidstofthismotleyshow，mendicantswereexhibitingtheirrealorpretendedmiseries，formingastrangethoughcommoncontrastbetwixtthevanitiesandthesorrowsofhumanexistence。Allthesefloatedalongwiththeimmensetideofpopulationwhommerecuriosityhaddrawntogether;andwherethemechanic，inhisleathernapron，elbowedthedinkanddaintydame，hiscitymistress;whereclowns，withhobnailedshoes，weretreadingonthekibesofsubstantialburghersandgentlemenofworship;andwhereJoanofthedairy，withrobustpace，andred，sturdyarms，rowedherwayunward，amongstthoseprimandprettymoppetswhosesireswereknightsandsquires。
Thethrongandconfusionwas，however，ofagayandcheerfulcharacter。Allcameforthtoseeandtoenjoy，andalllaughedatthetriflinginconvenienceswhichatanothertimemighthavechafedtheirtemper。Exceptingtheoccasionalbrawlswhichwehavementionedamongthatirritableracethecarmen，themingledsoundswhicharosefromthemultitudewerethoseoflight—heartedmirthandtiptoejollity。Themusicianspreludedontheirinstruments——theminstrelshummedtheirsongs——thelicensedjesterwhoopedbetwixtmirthandmadness，ashebrandishedhisbauble——themorrice—dancersjangledtheirbells——therusticshallooedandwhistled—menlaughedloud，andmaidensgiggledshrill;whilemanyabroadjestflewlikeashuttlecockfromoneparty，tobecaughtintheairandreturnedfromtheoppositesideoftheroadbyanother，atwhichitwasaimed。
Noinflictioncanbesodistressingtoamindabsorbedinmelancholy，asbeingplungedintoasceneofmirthandrevelry，forminganaccompanimentsodissonantfromitsownfeelings。
Yet，inthecaseoftheCountessofLeicester，thenoiseandtumultofthisgiddyscenedistractedherthoughts，andrenderedherthissadservice，thatitbecameimpossibleforhertobroodonherownmisery，ortoformterribleanticipationsofherapproachingfate。Shetravelledonlikeoneinadream，followingimplicitlytheguidanceofWayland，who，withgreataddress，nowthreadedhiswaythroughthegeneralthrongofpassengers，nowstoodstilluntilafavourableopportunityoccurredofagainmovingforward，andfrequentlyturningaltogetheroutofthedirectroad，followedsomecircuitousby—
path，whichbroughtthemintothehighwayagain，afterhavinggiventhemtheopportunityoftraversingaconsiderablewaywithgreatereaseandrapidity。
ItwasthusheavoidedWarwick，withinwhoseCastle（thatfairestmonumentofancientandchivalroussplendourwhichyetremainsuninjuredbytime）Elizabethhadpassedthepreviousnight，andwhereshewastotarryuntilpastnoon，atthattimethegeneralhourofdinnerthroughoutEngland，afterwhichrepastshewastoproceedtoKenilworth，Inthemeanwhile，eachpassinggrouphadsomethingtosayintheSovereign\'spraise，thoughnotabsolutelywithouttheusualmixtureofsatirewhichqualifiesmoreorlessourestimateofourneighbours，especiallyiftheychancetobealsoourbetters。
\"Heardyou，\"said。one，\"howgraciouslyshespoketoMasterBailiffandtheRecorder，andtogoodMasterGriffinthepreacher，astheykneeleddownathercoach—window？\"
\"Ay，andhowshesaidtolittleAglionby，\'MasterRecorder，menwouldhavepersuadedmethatyouwereafraidofme，buttrulyI
think，sowelldidyoureckonuptomethevirtuesofasovereign，thatIhavemorereasontobeafraidofyou。\'andthenwithwhatgraceshetookthefair—wroughtpursewiththetwentygoldsovereigns，seemingasthoughshewouldnotwillinglyhandleit，andyettakingitwithal。\"
\"Ay，ay，\"saidanother，\"herfingersclosedonitprettywillinglymethought，whenallwasdone;andmethought，too，sheweighedthemforasecondinherhand，asshewouldsay，Ihopetheybeavoirdupois。\"
\"Sheneedednot，neighbour，\"saidathird;\"itisonlywhenthecorporationpaytheaccountsofapoorhandicraftlikeme，thattheyputhimoffwithclippedcoin。Well，thereisaGodaboveall——littleMasterRecorder，sincethatistheword，willbegreaternowthanever。\"
\"Come，goodneighbour，\"saidthefirstspeaker\"benotenvious。
SheisagoodQueen，andagenerous;shegavethepursetotheEarlofLeicester。\"
\"Ienvious？——beshrewthyheartfortheword！\"repliedthehandicraft。\"ButshewillgivealltotheEarlofLeicesteranon，methinks。\"
\"Youareturningill，lady，\"saidWaylandSmithtotheCountessofLeicester，andproposedthatsheshoulddrawofffromtheroad，andhalttillsherecovered。But，subduingherfeelingsatthisanddifferentspeechestothesamepurpose，whichcaughtherearastheypassedon，sheinsistedthatherguideshouldproceedtoKenilworthwithallthehastewhichthenumerousimpedimentsoftheirjourneypermitted。Meanwhile，Wayland\'sanxietyatherrepeatedfitsofindisposition，andherobviousdistractionofmind，washourlyincreasing，andhebecameextremelydesirousthat，accordingtoherreiteratedrequests，sheshouldbesafelyintroducedintotheCastle，where，hedoubtednot，shewassecureofakindreception，thoughsheseemedunwillingtorevealonwhomshereposedherhopes。
\"AnIwereonceridofthisperil，\"thoughthe，\"andifanymanshallfindmeplayingsquireofthebodytoadamosel—errant，heshallhaveleavetobeatmybrainsoutwithmyownsledge—
hammer！\"
AtlengththeprincelyCastleappeared，uponimprovingwhich，andthedomainsaround，theEarlofLeicesterhad，itissaid，expendedsixtythousandpoundssterling，asumequaltohalfamillionofourpresentmoney。
Theouterwallofthissplendidandgiganticstructureenclosedsevenacres，apartofwhichwasoccupiedbyextensivestables，andbyapleasuregarden，withitstrimarboursandparterres，andtherestformedthelargebase—courtorouteryardofthenobleCastle。Thelordlystructureitself，whichrosenearthecentreofthisspaciousenclosure，wascomposedofahugepileofmagnificentcastellatedbuildings，apparentlyofdifferentages，surroundinganinnercourt，andbearinginthenamesattachedtoeachportionofthemagnificentmass，andinthearmorialbearingswhichwerethereblazoned，theemblemsofmightychiefswhohadlongpassedaway，andwhosehistory，couldAmbitionhavelenteartoit，mighthavereadalessontothehaughtyfavouritewhohadnowacquiredandwasaugmentingthefairdomain。AlargeandmassiveKeep，whichformedthecitadeloftheCastle，wasofuncertainthoughgreatantiquity。ItborethenameofCaesar，perhapsfromitsresemblancetothatintheTowerofLondonsocalled。SomeantiquariesascribeitsfoundationtothetimeofKenelph，fromwhomtheCastlehaditsname，aSaxonKingofMercia，andotherstoanearlyeraaftertheNormanConquest。OntheexteriorwallsfrownedthescutcheonoftheClintons，bywhomtheywerefoundedinthereignofHenryI。;andoftheyetmoreredoubtedSimondeMontfort，bywhom，duringtheBarons\'wars，KenilworthwaslongheldoutagainstHenryIII。HereMortimer，EarlofMarch，famousalikeforhisriseandhisfall，hadoncegailyrevelledinKenilworth，whilehisdethronedsovereign，EdwardII。，languishedinitsdungeons。OldJohnofGaunt，\"time—honouredLancaster，\"hadwidelyextendedtheCastle，erectingthatnobleandmassivepilewhichyetbearsthenameofLancaster\'sBuildings;andLeicesterhimselfhadoutdonetheformerpossessors，princelyandpowerfulastheywere，byerectinganotherimmensestructure，whichnowliescrushedunderitsownruins，themonumentofitsowner\'sambition。TheexternalwallofthisroyalCastlewas，onthesouthandwestsides，adornedanddefendedbyalakepartlyartificial，acrosswhichLeicesterhadconstructedastatelybridge，thatElizabethmightentertheCastlebyapathhithertountrodden，insteadoftheusualentrancetothenorthward，overwhichhehaderectedagatehouseorbarbican，whichstillexists，andisequalinextent，andsuperiorinarchitecture，tothebaronialcastleofmanyanorthernchief。
Beyondthelakelayanextensivechase，fullofreddeer，fallowdeer，roes，andeveryspeciesofgame，andaboundingwithloftytrees，fromamongstwhichtheextendedfrontandmassivetowersoftheCastlewereseentoriseinmajestyandbeauty。Wecannotbutadd，thatofthislordlypalace，whereprincesfeastedandheroesfought，nowinthebloodyearnestofstormandsiege，andnowinthegamesofchivalry，wherebeautydealttheprizewhichvalourwon，allisnowdesolate。Thebedofthelakeisbutarushyswamp;andthemassiveruinsoftheCastleonlyservetoshowwhattheirsplendouroncewas，andtoimpressonthemusingvisitorthetransitoryvalueofhumanpossessions，andthehappinessofthosewhoenjoyahumblelotinvirtuouscontentment。
ItwaswithfardifferentfeelingsthattheunfortunateCountessofLeicesterviewedthosegreyandmassivetowers，whenshefirstbeheldthemriseabovetheemboweringandrichly—shadedwoods，overwhichtheyseemedtopreside。She，theundoubtedwifeofthegreatEarl，ofElizabeth\'sminion，andEngland\'smightyfavourite，wasapproachingthepresenceofherhusband，andthathusband\'ssovereign，undertheprotection，ratherthantheguidance，ofapoorjuggler;andthoughunquestionedMistressofthatproudCastle，whoselightestwordoughttohavehadforcesufficienttomakeitsgatesleapfromtheirmassivehingestoreceiveher，yetshecouldnotconcealfromherselfthedifficultyandperilwhichshemustexperienceingainingadmissionintoherownhalls。
Theriskanddifficulty，indeed，seemedtoincreaseeverymoment，andatlengththreatenedaltogethertoputastoptoherfurtherprogressatthegreatgateleadingtoabroadandfairroad，which，traversingthebreadthofthechaseforthespaceoftwomiles，andcommandingseveralmostbeautifulviewsoftheCastleandlake，terminatedatthenewlyconstructedbridge，towhichitwasanappendage，andwhichwasdestinedtoformtheQueen\'sapproachtotheCastleonthatmemorableoccasion。
HeretheCountessandWaylandfoundthegateattheendofthisavenue，whichopenedontheWarwickroad，guardedbyabodyoftheQueen\'smountedyeomenoftheguard，armedincorseletsrichlycarvedandgilded，andwearingmorionsinsteadofbonnets，havingtheircarabinesrestingwiththebutt—endontheirthighs。
Theseguards，distinguishedforstrengthandstature，whodiddutywherevertheQueenwentinperson，wereherestationedunderthedirectionofapursuivant，gracedwiththeBearandRaggedStaffonhisarm，asbelongingtotheEarlofLeicester，andperemptorilyrefusedalladmittance，exceptingtosuchaswereguestsinvitedtothefestival，orpersonswhoweretoperformsomepartinthemirthfulexhibitionswhichwereproposed。