Andnow，whilethesubduedyetproudsmilewithwhichhedisclaimedthoseinferenceswasyetcurlinghischeek，theQueenshotintothecircle，herpassionsexcitedtotheuttermost;andsupportingwithonehand，andapparentlywithoutaneffort，thepaleandsinkingformofhisalmostexpiringwife，andpointingwiththefingeroftheothertoherhalf—deadfeatures，demandedinavoicethatsoundedtotheearsoftheastoundedstatesmanlikethelastdreadtrumpet—callthatistosummonbodyandspirittothejudgment—seat，\"Knowestthouthiswoman？\"
As，attheblastofthatlasttrumpet，theguiltyshallcalluponthemountainstocoverthem，Leicester\'sinwardthoughtsinvokedthestatelyarchwhichhehadbuiltinhispridetoburstitsstrongconjunction，andoverwhelmtheminitsruins。Butthecementedstones，architraveandbattlement，stoodfast;anditwastheproudmasterhimselfwho，asifsomeactualpressurehadbenthimtotheearth，kneeleddownbeforeElizabeth，andprostratedhisbrowtothemarbleflag—stonesonwhichshestood。
\"Leicester，\"saidElizabeth，inavoicewhichtrembledwithpassion，\"couldIthinkthouhastpractisedonme——onmethySovereign——onmethyconfiding，thytoopartialmistress，thebaseandungratefuldeceptionwhichthypresentconfusionsurmises——byallthatisholy，falselord，thatheadofthinewereinasgreatperilaseverwasthyfather\'s！\"
Leicesterhadnotconsciousinnocence，buthehadpridetosupporthim。Heraisedslowlyhisbrowandfeatures，whichwereblackandswolnwithcontendingemotions，andonlyreplied，\"Myheadcannotfallbutbythesentenceofmypeers。TothemIwillplead，andnottoaprincesswhothusrequitesmyfaithfulservice。\"
\"What！mylords，\"saidElizabeth，lookingaround，\"wearedefied，Ithink——defiedintheCastlewehaveourselvesbestowedonthisproudman！——MyLordShrewsbury，youareMarshalofEngland，attachhimofhightreason。\"
\"WhomdoesyourGracemean？\"saidShrewsbury，muchsurprised，forhehadthatinstantjoinedtheastonishedcircle。
\"WhomshouldImean，butthattraitorDudley，EarlofLeicester！
——CousinofHunsdon，orderoutyourbandofgentlemenpensioners，andtakehimintoinstantcustody。Isay，villain，makehaste！\"
Hunsdon，arougholdnoble，who，fromhisrelationshiptotheBoleyns，wasaccustomedtousemorefreedomwiththeQueenthanalmostanyotherdaredtodo，repliedbluntly，\"AnditislikeyourGracemightordermetotheTowerto—morrowformakingtoomuchhaste。Idobeseechyoutobepatient。\"
\"Patient——God\'slife！\"exclaimedtheQueen——\"namenotthewordtome;thouknowestnotofwhatheisguilty！\"
Amy，whohadbythistimeinsomedegreerecoveredherself，andwhosawherhusband，assheconceived，intheutmostdangerfromtherageofanoffendedSovereign，instantly（andalas！howmanywomenhavedonethesame）forgotherownwrongsandherowndangerinherapprehensionsforhim，andthrowingherselfbeforetheQueen，embracedherknees，whilesheexclaimed，\"Heisguiltless，madam——heisguiltless;noonecanlayaughttothechargeofthenobleLeicester！\"
\"Why，minion，\"answeredtheQueen，\"didstnotthouthyselfsaythattheEarlofLeicesterwasprivytothywholehistory？\"
\"DidIsayso？\"repeatedtheunhappyAmy，layingasideeveryconsiderationofconsistencyandofself—interest。\"Oh，ifI
did，Ifoullybeliedhim。MayGodsojudgeme，asIbelievehewasneverprivytoathoughtthatwouldharmme！\"
\"Woman！\"saidElizabeth，\"Iwillknowwhohasmovedtheetothis;ormywrath——andthewrathofkingsisaflamingfire——
shallwitherandconsumetheelikeaweedinthefurnace！\"
AstheQueenutteredthisthreat，Leicester\'sbetterangelcalledhispridetohisaid，andreproachedhimwiththeutterextremityofmeannesswhichwouldoverwhelmhimforeverifhestoopedtotakeshelterunderthegenerousinterpositionofhiswife，andabandonedher，inreturnforherkindness，totheresentmentoftheQueen。Hehadalreadyraisedhisheadwiththedignityofamanofhonourtoavowhismarriage，andproclaimhimselftheprotectorofhisCountess，whenVarney，born，asitappeared，tobehismaster\'sevilgenius，rushedintothepresencewitheverymarkofdisorderonhisfaceandapparel。
\"Whatmeansthissaucyintrusion？\"saidElizabeth。
Varney，withtheairofamanaltogetheroverwhelmedwithgriefandconfusion，prostratedhimselfbeforeherfeet，exclaiming，\"Pardon，myLiege，pardon！——oratleastletyourjusticeavengeitselfonme，whereitisdue;butsparemynoble，mygenerous，myinnocentpatronandmaster！\"
Amy，whowasyetkneeling，startedupasshesawthemanwhomshedeemedmostodiousplacehimselfsonearher，andwasabouttoflytowardsLeicester，when，checkedatoncebytheuncertaintyandeventimiditywhichhislookshadreassumedassoonastheappearanceofhisconfidantseemedtoopenanewscene，shehungback，andutteringafaintscream，besoughtofherMajestytocausehertobeimprisonedinthelowestdungeonoftheCastle——
todealwithherastheworstofcriminals——\"butspare，\"sheexclaimed，\"mysightandhearingwhatwilldestroythelittlejudgmentIhaveleft——thesightofthatunutterableandmostshamelessvillain！\"
\"Andwhy，sweetheart？\"saidtheQueen，movedbyanewimpulse;
\"whathathhe，thisfalseknight，sincesuchthouaccountesthim，donetothee？\"
\"Oh，worsethansorrow，madam，andworsethaninjury——hehassowndissensionwheremostthereshouldbepeace。IshallgomadifI
looklongeronhim！\"
\"Beshrewme，butIthinkthouartdistraughtalready，\"answeredtheQueen。——\"MyLordHunsdon，looktothispoordistressedyoungwoman，andletherbesafelybestowed，andinhonestkeeping，tillwerequirehertobeforthcoming。\"
Twoorthreeoftheladiesinattendance，eithermovedbycompassionforacreaturesointeresting，orbysomeothermotive，offeredtheirservicestolookafterher;buttheQueenbrieflyanswered，\"Ladies，underfavour，no。Youhaveall（giveGodthanks）sharpearsandnimbletongues;ourkinsmanHunsdonhasearsofthedullest，andatonguesomewhatrough，butyetoftheslowest。——Hunsdon，looktoitthatnonehavespeechofher。\"
\"ByOurLady，\"saidHunsdon，takinginhisstrong，sinewyarmsthefadingandalmostswooningformofAmy，\"sheisalovelychild！andthougharoughnurse，yourGracehathgivenherakindone。Sheissafewithmeasoneofmyownladybirdsofdaughters。\"
Sosaying，hecarriedheroff;unresistinglyandalmostunconsciously，hiswar—wornlocksandlong，greybeardminglingwithherlight—browntresses，asherheadreclinedonhisstrong，squareshoulder。TheQueenfollowedhimwithhereye。Shehadalready，withthatself—commandwhichformssonecessaryapartofaSovereign\'saccomplishments，suppressedeveryappearanceofagitation，andseemedasifshedesiredtobanishalltracesofherburstofpassionfromtherecollectionofthosewhohadwitnessedit。\"MyLordofHunsdonsayswell，\"sheobserved，\"heisindeedbutaroughnurseforsotenderababe。\"
\"MyLordofHunsdon，\"saidtheDeanofSt。Asaph——\"Ispeakitnotindefamationofhismorenoblequalities——hathabroadlicenseinspeech，andgarnisheshisdiscoursesomewhattoofreelywiththecruelandsuperstitiousoathswhichsavourbothofprofanenessandofoldPapistrie。\"
\"Itisthefaultofhisblood，Mr。Dean，\"saidtheQueen，turningsharplyrounduponthereverenddignitaryasshespoke;\"andyoumayblamemineforthesamedistemperature。TheBoleynswereeverahotandplain—spokenrace，morehastytospeaktheirmindthancarefultochoosetheirexpressions。Andbymyword——Ihopethereisnosininthataffirmation——IquestionifitweremuchcooledbymixingwiththatofTudor。\"
Asshemadethislastobservationshesmiledgraciously，andstolehereyesalmostinsensiblyroundtoseekthoseoftheEarlofLeicester，towhomshenowbegantothinkshehadspokenwithhastyharshnessupontheunfoundedsuspicionofamoment。
TheQueen\'seyefoundtheEarlinnomoodtoaccepttheimpliedofferofconciliation。Hisownlookshadfollowed，withlateandruefulrepentance，thefadedformwhichHunsdonhadjustbornefromthepresence。Theynowreposedgloomilyontheground，butmore——soatleastitseemedtoElizabeth——withtheexpressionofonewhohasreceivedanunjustaffront，thanofhimwhoisconsciousofguilt。Sheturnedherfaceangrilyfromhim，andsaidtoVarney，\"Speak，SirRichard，andexplaintheseriddles——
thouhastsenseandtheuseofspeech，atleast，whichelsewherewelookforinvain。\"
Asshesaidthis，shedartedanotherresentfulglancetowardsLeicester，whilethewilyVarneyhastenedtotellhisownstory。
\"YourMajesty\'spiercingeye，\"hesaid，\"hasalreadydetectedthecruelmaladyofmybelovedlady，which，unhappythatIam，I
wouldnotsuffertobeexpressedinthecertificateofherphysician，seekingtoconcealwhathasnowbrokenoutwithsomuchthemorescandal。\"
\"Sheisthendistraught？\"saidtheQueen。\"Indeedwedoubtednotofit;herwholedemeanourbearsitout。Ifoundhermopinginacornerofyondergrotto;andeverywordshespoke——whichindeedIdraggedfromherasbytherack——sheinstantlyrecalledandforswore。Buthowcameshehither？Whyhadyouhernotinsafe—keeping？\"
\"MygraciousLiege，\"saidVarney，\"theworthygentlemanunderwhosechargeIlefther，MasterAnthonyFoster，hascomehitherbutnow，asfastasmanandhorsecantravel，toshowmeofherescape，whichshemanagedwiththeartpeculiartomanywhoareafflictedwiththismalady。Heisathandforexamination。\"
\"Letitbeforanothertime，\"saidtheQueen。\"But，SirRichard，weenvyyounotyourdomesticfelicity;yourladyrailedonyoubitterly，andseemedreadytoswoonatbeholdingyou。\"
\"Itisthenatureofpersonsinherdisorder，sopleaseyourGrace，\"answeredVarney，\"tobeevermostinveterateintheirspleenagainstthosewhom，intheirbettermoments，theyholdnearestanddearest。\"
\"Wehaveheardso，indeed，\"saidElizabeth，\"andgivefaithtothesaying。\"
\"MayyourGracethenbepleased，\"saidVarney，\"tocommandmyunfortunatewifetobedeliveredintothecustodyofherfriends？\"
Leicesterpartlystarted;butmakingastrongeffort，hesubduedhisemotion，whileElizabethansweredsharply，\"Youaresomethingtoohasty，MasterVarney。Wewillhavefirstareportofthelady\'shealthandstateofmindfromMasters，ourownphysician，andthendeterminewhatshallbethoughtjust。Youshallhavelicense，however，toseeher，thatiftherebeanymatrimonialquarrelbetwixtyou——suchthingswehavehearddooccur，evenbetwixtalovingcouple——youmaymakeitup，withoutfurtherscandaltoourcourtortroubletoourselves。\"
Varneybowedlow，andmadenootheranswer。
ElizabethagainlookedtowardsLeicester，andsaid，withadegreeofcondescensionwhichcouldonlyariseoutofthemostheartfeltinterest，\"Discord，astheItalianpoetsays，willfindherwayintopeacefulconvents，aswellasintotheprivacyoffamilies;
andwefearourownguardsandusherswillhardlyexcludeherfromcourts。MyLordofLeicester，youareoffendedwithus，andwehaverighttobeoffendedwithyou。Wewilltakethelion\'spartuponus，andbethefirsttoforgive。\"
Leicestersmoothedhisbrow，asbyaneffort;butthetroublewastoodeep—seatedthatitsplacidityshouldatoncereturn。Hesaid，however，thatwhichfittedtheoccasion，\"Thathecouldnothavethehappinessofforgiving，becauseshewhocommandedhimtodosocouldcommitnoinjurytowardshim。\"
Elizabethseemedcontentwiththisreply，andintimatedherpleasurethatthesportsofthemorningshouldproceed。Thebuglessounded，thehoundsbayed，thehorsespranced——butthecourtiersandladiessoughttheamusementtowhichtheyweresummonedwithheartsverydifferentfromthosewhichhadleapedtothemorning\'sREVIELLE。Therewasdoubt，andfear，andexpectationoneverybrow，andsurmiseandintrigueineverywhisper。
BlounttookanopportunitytowhisperintoRaleigh\'sear，\"ThisstormcamelikealevanterintheMediterranean。\"
\"VARIUMETMUTABILE，\"answeredRaleigh，inasimilartone。
\"Nay，IknownoughtofyourLatin，\"saidBlount;\"butIthankGodTressiliantooknottheseaduringthathurricane。Hecouldscarcehavemissedshipwreck，knowingashedoessolittlehowtotrimhissailstoacourtgale。\"
\"Thouwouldsthaveinstructedhim！\"saidRaleigh。
\"Why，Ihaveprofitedbymytimeaswellasthou，SirWalter，\"
repliedhonestBlount。\"Iamknightaswellasthou，andoftheearliercreation。\"
\"Now，Godfurtherthywit，\"saidRaleigh。\"ButforTressilian，I
wouldIknewwhatwerethematterwithhim。Hetoldmethismorninghewouldnotleavehischamberforthespaceoftwelvehoursorthereby，beingboundbyapromise。Thislady\'smadness，whenheshalllearnit，willnot，Ifear，curehisinfirmity。
Themoonisatthefullest，andmen\'sbrainsareworkinglikeyeast。Buthark！theysoundtomount。Letustohorse，Blount;
weyoungknightsmustdeserveourspurs。\"
CHAPTERXXXV。
Sincerity，Thoufirstofvirtues！letnomortalleaveThyonwardpath，althoughtheearthshouldgape，Andfromthegulfofhelldestructioncry，Totakedissimulation\'swindingway。DOUGLAS。
Itwasnottillafteralongandsuccessfulmorning\'ssport，andaprolongedrepastwhichfollowedthereturnoftheQueentotheCastle，thatLeicesteratlengthfoundhimselfalonewithVarney，fromwhomhenowlearnedthewholeparticularsoftheCountess\'sescape，astheyhadbeenbroughttoKenilworthbyFoster，who，inhisterrorfortheconsequences，hadhimselfpostedthitherwiththetidings。AsVarney，inhisnarrative，tookespecialcaretobesilentconcerningthosepracticesontheCountess\'shealthwhichhaddrivenhertosodesperatearesolution，Leicester，whocouldonlysupposethatshehadadopteditoutofjealousimpatiencetoattaintheavowedstateandappearancebelongingtoherrank，wasnotalittleoffendedatthelevitywithwhichhiswifehadbrokenhisstrictcommands，andexposedhimtotheresentmentofElizabeth。
\"Ihavegiven，\"hesaid，\"tothisdaughterofanobscureDevonshiregentlemantheproudestnameinEngland。Ihavemadehersharerofmybedandofmyfortunes。Iaskbutofheralittlepatience，ereshelaunchesforthuponthefullcurrentofhergrandeur;andtheinfatuatedwomanwillratherhazardherownshipwreckandmine——willratherinvolvemeinathousandwhirlpools，shoals，andquicksands，andcompelmetoathousanddeviceswhichshamemeinmineowneyes——thantarryforalittlespacelongerintheobscuritytowhichshewasborn。Solovely，sodelicate，sofond，sofaithful，yettolackinsograveamattertheprudencewhichonemighthopefromtheveriestfool——
itputsmebeyondmypatience。\"
\"Wemaypostitoveryetwellenough，\"saidVarney，\"ifmyladywillbebutruled，andtakeonherthecharacterwhichthetimecommands。\"
\"Itisbuttootrue，SirRichard，\"saidLeicester;\"thereisindeednootherremedy。Ihaveheardhertermedthywifeinmypresence，withoutcontradiction。ShemustbearthetitleuntilsheisfarfromKenilworth。\"
\"Andlongafterwards，Itrust，\"saidVarney;theninstantlyadded，\"ForIcannotbuthopeitwillbelongafterereshebearthetitleofLadyLeicester——IfearmeitmayscarcebewithsafetyduringthelifeofthisQueen。Butyourlordshipisbestjudge，youaloneknowingwhatpassageshavetakenplacebetwixtElizabethandyou。\"
\"Youareright，Varney，\"saidLeicester。\"Ihavethismorningbeenbothfoolandvillain;andwhenElizabethhearsofmyunhappymarriage，shecannotbutthinkherselftreatedwiththatpremeditatedslightwhichwomenneverforgive。Wehaveoncethisdaystoodupontermslittleshortofdefiance;andtothose，I
fear，wemustagainreturn。\"
\"Isherresentment，then，soimplacable？\"saidVarney。
\"Farfromit，\"repliedtheEarl;\"for，beingwhatsheisinspiritandinstation，shehaseventhisdaybeenbuttoocondescending，ingivingmeopportunitiestorepairwhatshethinksmyfaultyheatoftemper。\"
\"Ay，\"answeredVarney;\"theItalianssayright——inlovers\'
quarrels，thepartythatlovesmostisalwaysmostwillingtoacknowledgethegreaterfault。Sothen，mylord，ifthisunionwiththeladycouldbeconcealed，youstandwithElizabethasyoudid？\"
Leicestersighed，andwassilentforamoment，erehereplied。
\"Varney，Ithinkthouarttruetome，andIwilltelltheeall。
IdoNOTstandwhereIdid。IhavespokentoElizabeth——underwhatmadimpulseIknownot——onathemewhichcannotbeabandonedwithouttouchingeveryfemalefeelingtothequick，andwhichyetIdarenotandcannotprosecute。Shecannever，neverforgivemeforhavingcausedandwitnessedthoseyieldingstohumanpassion。\"
\"Wemustdosomething，mylord，\"saidVarney，\"andthatspeedily。\"
\"Thereisnoughttobedone，\"answeredLeicester，despondingly。
\"Iamlikeonethathaslongtoiledupadangerousprecipice，andwhenheiswithinoneperilousstrideofthetop，findshisprogressarrestedwhenretreathasbecomeimpossible。IseeabovemethepinnaclewhichIcannotreach——beneathmetheabyssintowhichImustfall，assoonasmyrelaxinggraspanddizzybrainjointohurlmefrommypresentprecariousstance。\"
\"Thinkbetterofyoursituation，mylord，\"saidVarney;\"letustrytheexperimentinwhichyouhavebutnowacquiesced。KeepweyourmarriagefromElizabeth\'sknowledge，andallmayyetbewell。Iwillinstantlygototheladymyself。Shehatesme，becauseIhavebeenearnestwithyourlordship，asshetrulysuspects，inoppositiontowhatshetermsherrights。Icarenotforherprejudices——sheSHALLlistentome;andIwillshowhersuchreasonsforyieldingtothepressureofthetimesthatI
doubtnottobringbackherconsenttowhatevermeasurestheseexigenciesmayrequire。\"
\"No，Varney，\"saidLeicester;\"Ihavethoughtuponwhatistobedone，andIwillmyselfspeakwithAmy。\"
ItwasnowVarney\'sturntofeeluponhisownaccounttheterrorswhichheaffectedtoparticipatesolelyonaccountofhispatron。
\"Yourlordshipwillnotyourselfspeakwiththelady？\"
\"Itismyfixedpurpose，\"saidLeicester。\"Fetchmeoneofthelivery—cloaks;Iwillpassthesentinelasthyservant。Thouarttohavefreeaccesstoher。\"
\"But，mylord——\"
\"IwillhavenoBUTS，\"repliedLeicester;\"itshallbeeventhus，andnototherwise。Hunsdonsleeps，Ithink，inSaintlowe\'sTower。Wecangothitherfromtheseapartmentsbytheprivatepassage，withoutriskofmeetinganyone。OrwhatifIdomeetHunsdon？heismoremyfriendthanenemy，andthick—wittedenoughtoadoptanybeliefthatisthrustonhim。Fetchmethecloakinstantly。\"
Varneyhadnoalternativesaveobedience。InafewminutesLeicesterwasmuffledinthemantle，pulledhisbonnetoverhisbrows，andfollowedVarneyalongthesecretpassageoftheCastlewhichcommunicatedwithHunsdon\'sapartments，inwhichtherewasscarceachanceofmeetinganyinquisitiveperson，andhardlylightenoughforanysuchtohavesatisfiedtheircuriosity。
TheyemergedatadoorwhereLordHunsdonhad，withmilitaryprecaution，placedasentinel，oneofhisownnorthernretainersasitfortuned，whoreadilyadmittedSirRichardVarneyandhisattendant，sayingonly，inhisnortherndialect，\"Iwould，man，thoucouldstmakethemadladybestillyonder;forhermoansdosaedirlthroughmyheadthatIwouldratherkeepwatchonasnowdrift，inthewastesofCatlowdie。\"
Theyhastilyentered，andshutthedoorbehindthem。
\"Now，gooddevil，iftherebeone，\"saidVarney，withinhimself，\"foroncehelpavotaryatadeadpinch，formyboatisamongstthebreakers！\"
TheCountessAmy，withherhairandhergarmentsdishevelled，wasseateduponasortofcouch，inanattitudeofthedeepestaffliction，outofwhichshewasstartledbytheopeningofthedoor。Sizeturnedhastilyround，andfixinghereyeonVarney，exclaimed，\"Wretch！artthoucometoframesomenewplanofvillainy？\"
Leicestercutshortherreproachesbysteppingforwardanddroppinghiscloak，whilehesaid，inavoiceratherofauthoritythanofaffection，\"Itiswithme，madam，youhavetocommune，notwithSirRichardVarney。\"
ThechangeeffectedontheCountess\'slookandmannerwaslikemagic。\"Dudley！\"sheexclaimed，\"Dudley！andartthoucomeatlast？\"Andwiththespeedoflightningsheflewtoherhusband，clungroundhisneck，andunheedingthepresenceofVarney，overwhelmedhimwithcaresses，whileshebathedhisfaceinafloodoftears，muttering，atthesametime，butinbrokenanddisjointedmonosyllables，thefondestexpressionswhichLoveteacheshisvotaries。
Leicester，asitseemedtohim，hadreasontobeangrywithhisladyfortransgressinghiscommands，andthusplacinghimintheperiloussituationinwhichhehadthatmorningstood。Butwhatdispleasurecouldkeepitsgroundbeforethesetestimoniesofaffectionfromabeingsolovely，thateventhenegligenceofdress，andthewitheringeffectsoffear，grief，andfatigue，whichwouldhaveimpairedthebeautyofothers，renderedhersbutthemoreinteresting。Hereceivedandrepaidhercaresseswithfondnessmingledwithmelancholy，thelastofwhichsheseemedscarcelytoobserve，untilthefirsttransportofherownjoywasover，when，lookinganxiouslyinhisface，sheaskedifhewasill。
\"Notinmybody，Amy，\"washisanswer。
\"ThenIwillbewelltoo。ODudley！Ihavebeenill！——veryill，sincewelastmet！——forIcallnotthismorning\'shorriblevisionameeting。Ihavebeeninsickness，ingrief，andindanger。
Butthouartcome，andallisjoy，andhealth，andsafety！\"
\"Alas，Amy，\"saidLeicester，\"thouhastundoneme！\"
\"I，mylord？\"saidAmy，hercheekatoncelosingitstransientflushofjoy——\"howcouldIinjurethatwhichIlovebetterthanmyself？\"
\"Iwouldnotupbraidyou，Amy，\"repliedtheEarl;\"butareyounotherecontrarytomyexpresscommands——anddoesnotyourpresencehereendangerbothyourselfandme？\"
\"Doesit，doesitindeed？\"sheexclaimedeagerly;\"thenwhyamI
hereamomentlonger？Oh，ifyouknewbywhatfearsIwasurgedtoquitCumnorPlace！ButIwillsaynothingofmyself——onlythatifitmightbeotherwise，IwouldnotwillinglyreturnTHITHER;yetifitconcernyoursafety——\"
\"Wewillthink，Amy，ofsomeotherretreat，\"saidLeicester;\"andyoushallgotooneofmynortherncastles，underthepersonage——
itwillbebutneedful，Itrust，foraveryfewdays——ofVarney\'swife。\"
\"How，myLordofLeicester！\"saidthelady，disengagingherselffromhisembraces;\"isittoyourwifeyougivethedishonourablecounseltoacknowledgeherselfthebrideofanother——andofallmen，thebrideofthatVarney？\"
\"Madam，Ispeakitinearnest——Varneyismytrueandfaithfulservant，trustedinmydeepestsecrets。Ihadbetterlosemyrighthandthanhisserviceatthismoment。Youhavenocausetoscornhimasyoudo。\"
\"Icouldassignone，mylord，\"repliedtheCountess;\"andIseeheshakesevenunderthatassuredlookofhis。Buthethatisnecessaryasyourrighthandtoyoursafetyisfreefromanyaccusationofmine。Mayhebetruetoyou;andthathemaybetrue，trusthimnottoomuchortoofar。ButitisenoughtosaythatIwillnotgowithhimunlessbyviolence，norwouldI
acknowledgehimasmyhusbandwereall——\"
\"Itisatemporarydeception，madam，\"saidLeicester，irritatedbyheropposition，\"necessaryforbothoursafeties，endangeredbyyouthroughfemalecaprice，ortheprematuredesiretoseizeonaranktowhichIgaveyoutitleonlyunderconditionthatourmarriage，foratime，shouldcontinuesecret。Ifmyproposaldisgustyou，itisyourselfhasbroughtitonbothofus。Thereisnootherremedy——youmustdowhatyourownimpatientfollyhathrenderednecessary——Icommandyou。\"
\"Icannotputyourcommands，mylord，\"saidAmy，\"inbalancewiththoseofhonourandconscience。IwillNOT，inthisinstance，obeyyou。Youmayachieveyourowndishonour，towhichthesecrookedpoliciesnaturallytend，butIwilldonoughtthatcanblemishmine。Howcouldyouagain，mylord，acknowledgemeasapureandchastematron，worthytoshareyourfortunes，when，holdingthathighcharacter，IhadstrolledthecountrytheacknowledgedwifeofsuchaprofligatefellowasyourservantVarney？\"
\"Mylord，\"saidVarneyinterposing，\"myladyistoomuchprejudicedagainstme，unhappily，tolistentowhatIcanoffer，yetitmaypleaseherbetterthanwhatsheproposes。ShehasgoodinterestwithMasterEdmundTressilian，andcoulddoubtlessprevailonhimtoconsenttobehercompaniontoLidcoteHall，andthereshemightremaininsafetyuntiltimepermittedthedevelopmentofthismystery。\"
Leicesterwassilent，butstoodlookingeagerlyonAmy，witheyeswhichseemedsuddenlytoglowasmuchwithsuspicionasdispleasure。
TheCountessonlysaid，\"WouldtoGodIwereinmyfather\'shouse！WhenIleftit，IlittlethoughtIwasleavingpeaceofmindandhonourbehindme。\"
Varneyproceededwithatoneofdeliberation。\"Doubtlessthiswillmakeitnecessarytotakestrangersintomylord\'scounsels;
butsurelytheCountesswillbewarrantforthehonourofMasterTressilian，andsuchofherfather\'sfamily——\"
\"Peace，Varney，\"saidLeicester;\"byHeavenIwillstrikemydaggerintotheeifagainthounamestTressilianasapartnerofmycounsels！\"
\"Andwhereforenot！\"saidtheCountess;\"unlesstheybecounselsfitterforsuchasVarney，thanforamanofstainlesshonourandintegrity。Mylord，mylord，bendnoangrybrowsonme;itisthetruth，anditisIwhospeakit。IoncedidTressilianwrongforyoursake;Iwillnotdohimthefurtherinjusticeofbeingsilentwhenhishonourisbroughtinquestion。Icanforbear，\"
shesaid，lookingatVarney，\"topullthemaskoffhypocrisy，butIwillnotpermitvirtuetobeslanderedinmyhearing。\"
Therewasadeadpause。Leicesterstooddispleased，yetundetermined，andtooconsciousoftheweaknessofhiscause;
whileVarney，withadeepandhypocriticalaffectationofsorrow，mingledwithhumility，benthiseyesontheground。
ItwasthenthattheCountessAmydisplayed，inthemidstofdistressanddifficulty，thenaturalenergyofcharacterwhichwouldhaverenderedher，hadfateallowed，adistinguishedornamentoftherankwhichsheheld。ShewalkeduptoLeicesterwithacomposedstep，adignifiedair，andlooksinwhichstrongaffectionessayedinvaintoshakethefirmnessofconscious，truthandrectitudeofprinciple。\"Youhavespokenyourmind，mylord，\"shesaid，\"inthesedifficulties，withwhich，unhappily，I
havefoundmyselfunabletocomply。Thisgentleman——thispersonIwouldsay——hashintedatanotherscheme，towhichIobjectnotbutasitdispleasesyou。Willyourlordshipbepleasedtohearwhatayoungandtimidwoman，butyourmostaffectionatewife，cansuggestinthepresentextremity？\"