Withanexertionofforce，ofwhichshewouldatanothertimehavethoughtherselfincapable，theCountessfreedherselffromtheprofaneandprofaninggraspofthedrunkendebauchee，andretreatedintothemidstofherapartment。wheredespairgavehercouragetomakeastand。
AsLambourne，onentering，droppedthelapofhiscloakfromhisface，sheknewVarney\'sprofligateservant，theverylastperson，exceptinghisdetestedmaster，bywhomshewouldhavewishedtobediscovered。Butshewasstillcloselymuffledinhertravellingdress，andasLambournehadscarceeverbeenadmittedtoherpresenceatCumnorPlace，herperson，shehoped，mightnotbesowellknowntohimashiswastoher，owingtoJanet\'spointinghimfrequentlyoutashecrossedthecourt，andtellingstoriesofhiswickedness。Shemighthavehadstillgreaterconfidenceinherdisguisehadherexperienceenabledhertodiscoverthathewasmuchintoxicated;butthiscouldscarcehaveconsoledherfortheriskwhichshemightincurfromsuchacharacterinsuchatime，place，andcircumstances。
Lambourneflungthedoorbehindhimasheentered，andfoldinghisarms，asifinmockeryoftheattitudeofdistractionintowhichAmyhadthrownherself，heproceededthus:\"Harkye，mostfairCalipolis——ormostlovelyCountessofclouts，anddivineDuchessofdarkcorners——ifthoutakestallthattroubleofskeweringthyselftogether，likeatrussedfowl，thattheremaybemorepleasureinthecarving，evensavethyselfthelabour。I
lovethyfirstfrankmannerthebest———likethypresentaslittle\"——（hemadeasteptowardsher，andstaggered）——\"aslittleas——suchadamnedunevenfloorasthis，whereagentlemanmaybreakhisneckifhedoesnotwalkasuprightasaposture—masteronthetight—rope。\"
\"Standback！\"saidtheCountess;\"donotapproachnearertomeonthyperil！\"
\"Myperil！——andstandback！Why，hownow，madam？MustyouhaveabettermatethanhonestMikeLambourne？IhavebeeninAmerica，girl，wherethegoldgrows，andhavebroughtoffsuchaloadon\'t——\"
\"Goodfriend，\"saidtheCountess，ingreatterrorattheruffian\'sdeterminedandaudaciousmanner，\"Ipritheebegone，andleaveme。\"
\"AndsoIwill，prettyone，whenwearetiredofeachother\'scompany——notajotsooner。\"Heseizedherbythearm，while，incapableoffurtherdefence，sheutteredshriekuponshriek。
\"Nay，screamawayifyoulikeit，\"saidhe，stillholdingherfast;\"Ihaveheardtheseaattheloudest，andImindasquallingwomannomorethanamiaulingkitten。Damnme！Ihaveheardfiftyorahundredscreamingatonce，whentherewasatownstormed。\"
ThecriesoftheCountess，however，broughtunexpectedaidinthepersonofLawrenceStaples，whohadheardherexclamationsfromhisapartmentbelow，andenteredingoodtimetosaveherfrombeingdiscovered，ifnotfrommoreatrociousviolence。Lawrencewasdrunkalsofromthedebauchoftheprecedingnight，butfortunatelyhisintoxicationhadtakenadifferentturnfromthatofLambourne。
\"Whatthedevil\'snoiseisthisintheward？\"hesaid。\"What！
manandwomantogetherinthesamecell？——thatisagainstrule。
Iwillhavedecencyundermyrule，bySaintPeteroftheFetters！\"
\"Gettheedownstairs，thoudrunkenbeast，\"saidLambourne;\"seestthounottheladyandIwouldbeprivate？\"
\"Goodsir，worthysir！\"saidtheCountess，addressingthejailer，\"dobutsavemefromhim，forthesakeofmercy！\"
\"Shespeaksfairly，\"saidthejailer，\"andIwilltakeherpart。
Ilovemyprisoners;andIhavehadasgoodprisonersundermykeyastheyhavehadinNewgateortheCompter。Andso，beingoneofmylambkins，asIsay，nooneshalldisturbherinherpen—fold。Soletgothewoman:orI\'llknockyourbrainsoutwithmykeys。\"
\"I\'llmakeablood—puddingofthymidrifffirst，\"answeredLambourne，layinghislefthandonhisdagger，butstilldetainingtheCountessbythearmwithhisright。\"Sohaveatthee，thouoldostrich，whoseonlylivingisuponabunchofironkeys。\"
LawrenceraisedthearmofMichael，andpreventedhimfromdrawinghisdagger;andasLambournestruggledandstrovetoshakehimoff;theCountessmadeasuddenexertiononherside，andslippingherhandoutofthegloveonwhichtheruffianstillkepthold，shegainedherliberty，andescapingfromtheapartment，randownstairs;whileatthesamemomentsheheardthetwocombatantsfallonthefloorwithanoisewhichincreasedherterror。Theouterwicketofferednoimpedimenttoherflight，havingbeenopenedforLambourne\'sadmittance;sothatshesucceededinescapingdownthestair，andfledintothePleasance，whichseemedtoherhastyglancethedirectioninwhichshewasmostlikelytoavoidpursuit。
Meanwhile，LawrenceandLambournerolledontheflooroftheapartment，closelygrappledtogether。Neitherhad，happily，opportunitytodrawtheirdaggers;butLawrencefoundspaceenoughtoclashhisheavykeysacrossMichael\'sface，andMichaelinreturngraspedtheturnkeysofellybythethroatthatthebloodgushedfromnoseandmouth，sothattheywerebothgoryandfilthyspectacleswhenoneoftheotherofficersofthehousehold，attractedbythenoiseofthefray，enteredtheroom，andwithsomedifficultyeffectedtheseparationofthecombatants。
\"Amurrainonyouboth，\"saidthecharitablemediator，\"andespeciallyonyou，MasterLambourne！Whatthefiendlieyouherefor，fightingonthefloorliketwobutchers\'cursinthekenneloftheshambles？\"
Lambournearose，andsomewhatsoberedbytheinterpositionofathirdparty，lookedwithsomethinglessthanhisusualbrazenimpudenceofvisage。\"Wefoughtforawench，anthoumustknow，\"
washisreply。
\"Awench！Whereisshe？\"saidtheofficer。
\"Why，vanished，Ithink，\"saidLambourne，lookingaroundhim，\"unlessLawrencehathswallowedher，Thatfilthypaunchofhisdevoursasmanydistresseddamselsandoppressedorphansase\'eragiantinKingArthur\'shistory。Theyarehisprimefood;heworriesthembody，soul，andsubstance。\"
\"Ay，ay！It\'snomatter，\"saidLawrence，gatheringuphishuge，ungainlyformfromthefloor;\"butIhavehadyourbetters，MasterMichaelLambourne，underthelittleturnofmyforefingerandthumb，andIshallhavethee，beforeall\'sdone，undermyhatches。Theimpudenceofthybrowwillnotalwayssavethyshin—bonesfromiron，andthyfoul，thirstygulletfromahempencord。\"Thewordswerenosooneroutofhismouth，whenLambourneagainmadeathim。
\"Nay，gonottoitagain，\"saidthesewer，\"orIwillcallforhimshalltameyouboth，andthatisMasterVarney——SirRichard，Imean。Heisstirring，Ipromiseyou;Isawhimcrossthecourtjustnow。\"
\"Didstthou，byG——！\"saidLambourne，seizingonthebasinandewerwhichstoodintheapartment。\"Nay，then，element，dothywork。IthoughtIhadenoughoftheelastnight，whenIfloatedaboutforOrion，likeacorkonafermentingcaskofale。\"
Sosaying，hefelltoworktocleansefromhisfaceandhandsthesignsofthefray，andgethisapparelintosomeorder。
\"Whathastthoudonetohim？\"saidthesewer，speakingasidetothejailer;\"hisfaceisfearfullyswelled。\"
\"Itisbuttheimprintofthekeyofmycabinet——toogoodamarkforhisgallows—face。Nomanshallabuseorinsultmyprisoners;
theyaremyjewels，andIlocktheminsafecasketaccordingly。
——Andso，mistress，leaveoffyourwailing。——Why！why，surely，therewasawomanhere！\"
\"Ithinkyouareallmadthismorning，\"saidthesewer。\"Isawnowomanhere，nornomanneitherinapropersense，butonlytwobeastsrollingonthefloor。\"
\"Nay，thenIamundone，\"saidthejailer;\"theprison\'sbroken，thatisall。Kenilworthprisonisbroken，\"hecontinued，inatoneofmaudlinlamentation，\"whichwasthestrongestjailbetwixtthisandtheWelshMarches——ay，andahousethathashadknights，andearls，andkingssleepinginit，assecureasiftheyhadbeenintheTowerofLondon。Itisbroken，theprisonersfled，andthejailerinmuchdangerofbeinghanged！\"
Sosaying，heretreateddowntohisowndentoconcludehislamentations，ortosleephimselfsober。Lambourneandthesewerfollowedhimclose;anditwaswellforthem，sincethejailer，outofmerehabit，wasabouttolockthewicketafterhim，andhadtheynotbeenwithinthereachofinterfering，theywouldhavehadthepleasureofbeingshutupintheturret—chamber，fromwhichtheCountesshadbeenjustdelivered。
Thatunhappylady，assoonasshefoundherselfatliberty，fled，aswehavealreadymentioned，intothePleasance。Shehadseenthisrichly—ornamentedspaceofgroundfromthewindowofMervyn\'sTower;anditoccurredtoher，atthemomentofherescape，thatamongitsnumerousarbours，bowers，fountains，statues，andgrottoes，shemightfindsomerecessinwhichshecouldlieconcealeduntilshehadanopportunityofaddressingherselftoaprotector，towhomshemightcommunicateasmuchasshedaredofherforlornsituation，andthroughwhosemeansshemightsupplicateaninterviewwithherhusband。
\"IfIcouldseemyguide，\"shethought，\"Iwouldlearnifhehaddeliveredmyletter。EvendidIbutseeTressilian，itwerebettertoriskDudley\'sanger，byconfidingmywholesituationtoonewhoistheverysoulofhonour，thantorunthehazardoffurtherinsultamongtheinsolentmenialsofthisill—ruledplace。Iwillnotagainventureintoanenclosedapartment。I
willwait，Iwillwatch;amidstsomanyhumanbeingstheremustbesomekindheartwhichcanjudgeandcompassionatewhatmineendures。\"
Intruth，morethanonepartyenteredandtraversedthePleasance。Buttheywereinjoyousgroupsoffourorfivepersonstogether，laughingandjestingintheirownfullnessofmirthandlightnessofheart。
Theretreatwhichshehadchosengavehertheeasyalternativeofavoidingobservation。Itwasbutsteppingbacktothefarthestrecessofagrotto，ornamentedwithrusticworkandmoss—seats，andterminatedbyafountain，andshemighteasilyremainconcealed，oratherpleasurediscoverherselftoanysolitarywandererwhosecuriositymightleadhimtothatromanticretirement。Anticipatingsuchanopportunity，shelookedintotheclearbasinwhichthesilentfountainhelduptoherlikeamirror，andfeltshockedatherownappearance，anddoubtfulat;
thesametime，muffledanddisfiguredasherdisguisemadeherseemtoherself，whetheranyfemale（anditwasfromthecompassionofherownsexthatshechieflyexpectedsympathy）
wouldengageinconferencewithsosuspiciousanobject。
Reasoningthuslikeawoman，towhomexternalappearanceisscarcelyinanycircumstancesamatterofunimportance，andlikeabeauty，whohadsomeconfidenceinthepowerofherowncharms，shelaidasidehertravellingcloakandcapotainehat，andplacedthembesideher，sothatshecouldassumetheminaninstant，ereonecouldpenetratefromtheentranceofthegrottotoitsextremity，incasetheintrusionofVarneyorofLambourneshouldrendersuchdisguisenecessary。Thedresswhichsheworeunderthesevestmentswassomewhatofatheatricalcast，soastosuittheassumedpersonageofoneofthefemaleswhowastoactinthepageant，Waylandhadfoundthemeansofarrangingitthusupontheseconddayoftheirjourney，havingexperiencedtheservicearisingfromtheassumptionofsuchacharacterontheprecedingday。Thefountain，actingbothasamirrorandewer，affordedAmythemeansofabrieftoilette，ofwhichsheavailedherselfashastilyaspossible;thentookinherhandhersmallcasketofjewels，incaseshemightfindthemusefulintercessors，andretiringtothedarkestandmostsequesterednook，satdownonaseatofmoss，andawaitedtillfateshouldgivehersomechanceofrescue，orofpropitiatinganintercessor。
CHAPTERXXXIV。
Haveyounotseenthepartridgequake，Viewingthehawkapproachingnigh？
Shecuddlesclosebeneaththebrake，Afraidtosit，afraidtofly，PRIOR。
Itchanced，uponthatmemorablemorning，thatoneoftheearliestofthehuntresstrain，whoappearedfromherchamberinfullarrayforthechase，wasthePrincessforwhomallthesepleasureswereinstituted，England\'sMaidenQueen。Iknownotifitwerebychance，oroutofthebefittingcourtesyduetoamistressbywhomhewassomuchhonoured，thatshehadscarcelymadeonestepbeyondthethresholdofherchamberereLeicesterwasbyherside，andproposedtoher，untilthepreparationsforthechasehadbeencompleted，toviewthePleasance，andthegardenswhichitconnectedwiththeCastleyard。
Tothisnewsceneofpleasurestheywalked，theEarl\'sarmaffordinghisSovereigntheoccasionalsupportwhichsherequired，whereflightsofsteps，thenafavouriteornamentinagarden，conductedthemfromterracetoterrace，andfromparterretoparterre。Theladiesinattendance，giftedwithprudence，orendowedperhapswiththeamiabledesireofactingastheywouldbedoneby，didnotconceivetheirdutytotheQueen\'spersonrequiredthem，thoughtheylostnotsightofher，toapproachsonearastoshare，orperhapsdisturb，theconversationbetwixttheQueenandtheEarl，whowasnotonlyherhost，butalsohermosttrusted，esteemed，andfavouredservant。Theycontentedthemselveswithadmiringthegraceofthisillustriouscouple，whoserobesofstatewerenowexchangedforhuntingsuits，almostequallymagnificent。
Elizabeth\'ssilvandress，whichwasofapalebluesilk，withsilverlaceandAIGUILLETTES，approachedinformtothatoftheancientAmazons，andwasthereforewellsuitedatoncetoherheightandtothedignityofhermien，whichherconsciousrankandlonghabitsofauthorityhadrenderedinsomedegreetoomasculinetobeseentothebestadvantageinordinaryfemaleweeds。Leicester\'shuntingsuitofLincolngreen，richlyembroideredwithgold，andcrossedbythegaybaldricwhichsustainedabugle—horn，andawood—knifeinsteadofasword，becameitsmaster，asdidhisothervestmentsofcourtorofwar。
Forsuchweretheperfectionsofhisformandmien，thatLeicesterwasalwayssupposedtobeseentothegreatestadvantageinthecharacteranddresswhichforthetimeherepresentedorwore。
TheconversationofElizabethandthefavouriteEarlhasnotreachedusindetail。Butthosewhowatchedatsomedistance（andtheeyesofcourtiersandcourtladiesarerightsharp）wereofopinionthatonnooccasiondidthedignityofElizabeth，ingestureandmotion，seemsodecidedlytosoftenawayintoamienexpressiveofindecisionandtenderness。Herstepwasnotonlyslow，butevenunequal，athingmostunwontedinhercarriage;
herlooksseemedbentontheground;andtherewasatimiddispositiontowithdrawfromhercompanion，whichexternalgestureinfemalesoftenindicatesexactlytheoppositetendencyinthesecretmind。TheDuchessofRutland，whoventurednearest，wasevenheardtoaverthatshediscernedatearinElizabeth\'seyeandablushonhercheek;andstillfurther，\"Shebentherlooksonthegroundtoavoidmine，\"saidtheDuchess，\"shewho，inherordinarymood，couldlookdownalion。\"Towhatconclusionthesesymptomsledissufficientlyevident;norweretheyprobablyentirelygroundless。Theprogressofaprivateconversationbetwixttwopersonsofdifferentsexesisoftendecisiveoftheirfate，andgivesitaturnverydifferentperhapsfromwhattheythemselvesanticipated。Gallantrybecomesmingledwithconversation，andaffectionandpassioncomegraduallytomixwithgallantry。Nobles，aswellasshepherdswains，will，insuchatryingmoment，saymorethantheyintended;andQueens，likevillagemaidens，willlistenlongerthantheyshould。
Horsesinthemeanwhileneighedandchampedthebitswithimpatienceinthebase—court;houndsyelledintheircouples;andyeomen，rangers，andprickerslamentedtheexhalingofthedew，whichwouldpreventthescentfromlying。ButLeicesterhadanotherchaseinview——or，tospeakmorejustlytowardshim，hadbecomeengagedinitwithoutpremeditation，asthehigh—spiritedhunterwhichfollowsthecryofthehoundsthathavecrossedhispathbyaccident。TheQueen，anaccomplishedandhandsomewoman，theprideofEngland，thehopeofFranceandHolland，andthedreadofSpain，hadprobablylistenedwithmorethanusualfavourtothatmixtureofromanticgallantrywithwhichshealwayslovedtobeaddressed;andtheEarlhad，invanity，inambition，orinboth，throwninmoreandmoreofthatdeliciousingredient，untilhisimportunitybecamethelanguageofloveitself。
\"No，Dudley，\"saidElizabeth，yetitwaswithbrokenaccents——
\"no，Imustbethemotherofmypeople。Otherties，thatmakethelowlymaidenhappy，aredeniedtoherSovereign。No，Leicester，urgeitnomore。WereIasothers，freetoseekmyownhappiness，then，indeed——butitcannot——cannotbe。Delaythechase——delayitforhalfanhour——andleaveme，mylord。\"
\"How！leaveyou，madam？\"saidLeicester，——\"hasmymadnessoffendedyou？\"
\"No，Leicester，notso！\"answeredtheQueenhastily;\"butitismadness，andmustnotberepeated。Go——butgonotfarfromhence;andmeantimeletnooneintrudeonmyprivacy。\"
Whileshespokethus，Dudleyboweddeeply，andretiredwithaslowandmelancholyair。TheQueenstoodgazingafterhim，andmurmuredtoherself，\"Wereitpossible——wereitBUTpossible！——
butno——no;ElizabethmustbethewifeandmotherofEnglandalone。\"
Asshespokethus，andinordertoavoidsomeonewhosestepsheheardapproaching，theQueenturnedintothegrottoinwhichherhapless，andyetbuttoosuccessful，rivallayconcealed。
ThemindofEngland\'sElizabeth，ifsomewhatshakenbytheagitatinginterviewtowhichshehadjustputaperiod，wasofthatfirmanddecidedcharacterwhichsoonrecoversitsnaturaltone。ItwaslikeoneofthoseancientDruidicalmonumentscalledRocking—stones。ThefingerofCupid，boyasheispainted，couldputherfeelingsinmotion;butthepowerofHerculescouldnothavedestroyedtheirequilibrium。Assheadvancedwithaslowpacetowardstheinmostextremityofthegrotto，hercountenance，ereshehadproceededhalfthelength，hadrecovereditsdignityoflook，andhermienitsairofcommand。
ItwasthentheQueenbecameawarethatafemalefigurewasplacedbeside，orratherpartlybehind，analabastercolumn，atthefootofwhicharosethepellucidfountainwhichoccupiedtheinmostrecessofthetwilightgrotto。TheclassicalmindofElizabethsuggestedthestoryofNumaandEgeria，andshedoubtednotthatsomeItaliansculptorhadhererepresentedtheNaiadwhoseinspirationsgavelawstoRome。Assheadvanced，shebecamedoubtfulwhethershebeheldastatue，oraformoffleshandblood。TheunfortunateAmy，indeed，remainedmotionless，betwixtthedesirewhichshehadtomakeherconditionknowntooneofherownsex，andheraweforthestatelyformwhichapproachedher，andwhich，thoughhereyeshadneverbeforebeheld，herfearsinstantlysuspectedtobethepersonageshereallywas。Amyhadarisenfromherseatwiththepurposeofaddressingtheladywhoenteredthegrottoalone，and，assheatfirstthought，soopportunely。ButwhensherecollectedthealarmwhichLeicesterhadexpressedattheQueen\'sknowingaughtoftheirunion，andbecamemoreandmoresatisfiedthatthepersonwhomshenowbeheldwasElizabethherself，shestoodwithonefootadvancedandonewithdrawn，herarms，head，andhandsperfectlymotionless，andhercheekaspallidasthealabasterpedestalagainstwhichsheleaned。Herdresswasofpalesea—
greensilk，littledistinguishedinthatimperfectlight，andsomewhatresembledthedraperyofaGrecianNymph，suchanantiquedisguisehavingbeenthoughtthemostsecure，wheresomanymaskersandrevellerswereassembled;sothattheQueen\'sdoubtofherbeingalivingformwaswelljustifiedbyallcontingentcircumstances，aswellasbythebloodlesscheekandthefixedeye。
Elizabethremainedindoubt，evenaftershehadapproachedwithinafewpaces，whethershedidnotgazeonastatuesocunninglyfashionedthatbythedoubtfullightitcouldnotbedistinguishedfromreality。Shestopped，therefore，andfixeduponthisinterestingobjectherprincelylookwithsomuchkeennessthattheastonishmentwhichhadkeptAmyimmovablegavewaytoawe，andshegraduallycastdownhereyes，anddroopedherheadunderthecommandinggazeoftheSovereign。Still，however，sheremainedinallrespects，savingthisslowandprofoundinclinationofthehead，motionlessandsilent。
Fromherdress，andthecasketwhichsheinstinctivelyheldinherhand，Elizabethnaturallyconjecturedthatthebeautifulbutmutefigurewhichshebeheldwasaperformerinoneofthevarioustheatricalpageantswhichhadbeenplacedindifferentsituationstosurpriseherwiththeirhomage;andthatthepoorplayer，overcomewithaweatherpresence，hadeitherforgotthepartassignedher，orlackedcouragetogothroughit。Itwasnaturalandcourteoustogivehersomeencouragement;andElizabethaccordinglysaid，ina，toneofcondescendingkindness，\"Hownow，fairNymphofthislovelygrotto，artthouspell—boundandstruckwithdumbnessbythecharmsofthewickedenchanterwhommentermFear？Wearehisswornenemy，maiden，andcanreversehischarm。Speak，wecommandthee。\"
Insteadofansweringherbyspeech，theunfortunateCountessdroppedonherkneebeforetheQueen，lethercasketfallfromherhand，andclaspingherpalmstogether，lookedupintheQueen\'sfacewithsuchamixedagonyoffearandsupplication，thatElizabethwasconsiderablyaffected。
\"Whatmaythismean？\"shesaid;\"thisisastrongerpassionthanbefitstheoccasion。Standup，damsel——whatwouldstthouhavewithus？\"
\"Yourprotection，madam，\"falteredforththeunhappypetitioner。
\"EachdaughterofEnglandhasitwhilesheisworthyofit，\"
repliedtheQueen;\"butyourdistressseemstohaveadeeperrootthanaforgottentask。Why，andinwhat，doyoucraveourprotection？\"
Amyhastilyendeavouredtorecallwhatshewerebesttosay，whichmightsecureherselffromtheimminentdangersthatsurroundedher，withoutendangeringherhusband;andplungingfromonethoughttoanother，amidstthechaoswhichfilledhermind，shecouldatlength，inanswertotheQueen\'srepeatedinquiriesinwhatshesoughtprotection，onlyfalterout，\"Alas！
Iknownot。\"
\"Thisisfolly，maiden，\"saidElizabethimpatiently;fortherewassomethingintheextremeconfusionofthesuppliantwhichirritatedhercuriosity，aswellasinterestedherfeelings。
\"Thesickmanmusttellhismaladytothephysician;norareWE
accustomedtoaskquestionssooftwithoutreceivingananswer。\"
\"Irequest——Iimplore，\"stammeredforththeunfortunateCountess——\"Ibeseechyourgraciousprotection——against——againstoneVarney。\"Shechokedwell—nighassheutteredthefatalword，whichwasinstantlycaughtupbytheQueen。
\"What，Varney——SirRichardVarney——theservantofLordLeicester！
what，damsel，areyoutohim，orhetoyou？\"
\"I——I——washisprisoner——andhepractisedonmylife——andIbrokeforthto——to——\"
\"Tothrowthyselfonmyprotection，doubtless，\"saidElizabeth。
\"Thoushalthaveit——thatis，ifthouartworthy;forwewillsiftthismattertotheuttermost。Thouart，\"shesaid，bendingontheCountessaneyewhichseemeddesignedtopierceherveryinmostsoul——\"thouartAmy，daughterofSirHughRobsartofLidcoteHall？\"
\"Forgiveme——forgiveme，mostgraciousPrincess！\"saidAmy，droppingoncemoreonherknee，fromwhichshehadarisen。
\"ForwhatshouldIforgivethee，sillywench？\"saidElizabeth;
\"forbeingthedaughterofthineownfather？Thouartbrain—
sick，surely。WellIseeImustwringthestoryfromtheebyinches。Thoudidstdeceivethineoldandhonouredfather——thylookconfessesit——cheatedMasterTressilian——thyblushavouchesit——andmarriedthissameVarney。\"
Amysprungonherfeet，andinterruptedtheQueeneagerlywith，\"No，madam，no！asthereisaGodaboveus，Iamnotthesordidwretchyouwouldmakeme！Iamnotthewifeofthatcontemptibleslave——ofthatmostdeliberatevillain！IamnotthewifeofVarney！IwouldratherbethebrideofDestruction！\"
TheQueen，overwhelmedinherturnbyAmy\'svehemence，stoodsilentforaninstant，andthenreplied，\"Why，Godha\'mercy，woman！Iseethoucansttalkfastenoughwhenthethemelikesthee。Nay，tellme，woman，\"shecontinued，fortotheimpulseofcuriositywasnowaddedthatofanundefinedjealousythatsomedeceptionhadbeenpractisedonher——\"tellme，woman——for，byGod\'sday，IWILLknow——whosewife，orwhoseparamour，artthou！
Speakout，andbespeedy。ThouwertbetterdailywithalionessthanwithElizabeth。\"
Urgedtothisextremity，draggedasitwerebyirresistibleforcetothevergeoftheprecipicewhichshesaw，butcouldnotavoid——permittednotamoment\'srespitebytheeagerwordsandmenacinggesturesoftheoffendedQueen，Amyatlengthutteredindespair，\"TheEarlofLeicesterknowsitall。\"
\"TheEarlofLeicester！\"saidElizabeth，inutterastonishment。
\"TheEarlofLeicester！\"sherepeatedwithkindlinganger。
\"Woman，thouartsetontothis——thoudostbeliehim——hetakesnokeepofsuchthingsasthouart。Thouartsubornedtoslanderthenoblestlordandthetruest—heartedgentlemaninEngland！
Butwerehetherighthandofourtrust，orsomethingyetdearertous，thoushalthavethyhearing，andthatinhispresence。
Comewithme——comewithmeinstantly！\"
AsAmyshrunkbackwithterror，whichtheincensedQueeninterpretedasthatofconsciousguilt，Elizabethrapidlyadvanced，seizedonherarm，andhastenedwithswiftandlongstepsoutofthegrotto，andalongtheprincipalalleyofthePleasance，draggingwithhertheterrifiedCountess，whomshestillheldbythearm，andwhoseutmostexertionscouldbutjustkeeppacewiththoseoftheindignantQueen。
Leicesterwasatthismomentthecentreofasplendidgroupoflordsandladies，assembledtogetherunderanarcade，orportico，whichclosedthealley。Thecompanyhaddrawntogetherinthatplace，toattendthecommandsofherMajestywhenthehunting—
partyshouldgoforward，andtheirastonishmentmaybeimaginedwhen，insteadofseeingElizabethadvancetowardsthemwithherusualmeasureddignityofmotion，theybeheldherwalkingsorapidlythatshewasinthemidstofthemeretheywereaware;
andthenobserved，withfearandsurprise，thatherfeatureswereflushedbetwixtangerandagitation，thatherhairwasloosenedbyherhasteofmotion，andthathereyessparkledastheywerewontwhenthespiritofHenryVIII。mountedhighestinhisdaughter。Norweretheylessastonishedattheappearanceofthepale，attenuated，half—dead，yetstilllovelyfemale，whomtheQueenupheldbymainstrengthwithonehand，whilewiththeothershewavedasidetheladiesandnobleswhopressedtowardsher，undertheideathatshewastakensuddenlyill。\"WhereismyLordofLeicester？\"shesaid，inatonethatthrilledwithastonishmentallthecourtierswhostoodaround。\"Standforth，myLordofLeicester！\"
If，inthemidstofthemostserenedayofsummer，whenallislightandlaughingaround，athunderboltweretofallfromtheclearbluevaultofheaven，andrendtheearthattheveryfeetofsomecarelesstraveller，hecouldnotgazeuponthesmoulderingchasm，whichsounexpectedlyyawnedbeforehim，withhalftheastonishmentandfearwhichLeicesterfeltatthesightthatsosuddenlypresenteditself。Hehadthatinstantbeenreceiving，withapoliticalaffectationofdisavowingandmisunderstandingtheirmeaning，thehalf—uttered，half—intimatedcongratulationsofthecourtiersuponthefavouroftheQueen，carriedapparentlytoitshighestpitchduringtheinterviewofthatmorning，fromwhichmostofthemseemedtoaugurthathemightsoonarisefromtheirequalinranktobecometheirmaster。