andthewatchfulcirclearoundobservedwithastonishment，that，insteadofresentinghisrepeatednegligence，andwantofevenordinaryattention（althoughthesewerepointsonwhichshewasusuallyextremelypunctilious），theQueensought，onthecontrary，toaffordhimtimeandmeanstorecollecthimself，anddeignedtoassisthimindoingso，withanindulgencewhichseemedaltogetherinconsistentwithherusualcharacter。Itwasclear，however，thatthiscouldnotlastmuchlonger，andthatElizabethmustfinallyputanotherandmoresevereconstructiononLeicester\'suncourteousconduct，whentheEarlwassummonedbyVarneytospeakwithhiminadifferentapartment。
Afterhavinghadthemessagetwicedeliveredtohim，herose，andwasabouttowithdraw，asitwere，byinstinct;thenstopped，andturninground，entreatedpermissionoftheQueentoabsenthimselfforabriefspaceuponmattersofpressingimportance。
\"Go，mylord，\"saidtheQueen。\"Weareawareourpresencemustoccasionsuddenandunexpectedoccurrences，whichrequiretobeprovidedforontheinstant。Yet，mylord，asyouwouldhaveusbelieveourselfyourwelcomeandhonouredguest，weentreatyoutothinklessofourgoodcheer，andfavouruswithmoreofyourgoodcountenancethanwehavethisdayenjoyed;forwhetherprinceorpeasantbetheguest，thewelcomeofthehostwillalwaysbethebetterpartoftheentertainment。Go，mylord;andwetrusttoseeyoureturnwithanunwrinkledbrow，andthosefreethoughtswhichyouarewonttohaveatthedisposalofyourfriends。\"
Leicesteronlybowedlowinanswertothisrebuke，andretired。
AtthedooroftheapartmenthewasmetbyVarney，whoeagerlydrewhimapart，andwhisperedinhisear，\"Alliswell！\"
\"HasMastersseenher？\"saidtheEarl。
\"Hehas，mylord;andasshewouldneitheranswerhisqueries，norallegeanyreasonforherrefusal，hewillgivefulltestimonythatshelaboursunderamentaldisorder，andmaybebestcommittedtothechargeofherfriends。Theopportunityisthereforefreetoremoveherasweproposed。\"
\"ButTressilian？\"saidLeicester。
\"Hewillnotknowofherdepartureforsometime，\"repliedVarney;\"itshalltakeplacethisveryevening，andto—morrowheshallbecaredfor。\"
\"No，bymysoul，\"answeredLeicester;\"Iwilltakevengeanceonhimwithmineownhand！\"
\"You，mylord，andonsoinconsiderableamanasTressilian！No，mylord，hehathlongwishedtovisitforeignparts。Trusthimtome——Iwilltakecarehereturnsnothithertotelltales。\"
\"Notso，byHeaven，Varney！\"exclaimedLeicester。
\"Inconsiderabledoyoucallanenemythathathhadpowertowoundmesodeeplythatmywholeafter—lifemustbeonesceneofremorseandmisery？——No;ratherthanforegotherightofdoingmyselfjusticewithmyownhandonthataccursedvillain，IwillunfoldthewholetruthatElizabeth\'sfootstool，andlethervengeancedescendatonceonthemandonmyself。\"
Varneysawwithgreatalarmthathislordwaswroughtuptosuchapitchofagitation，thatifhegavenotwaytohimhewasperfectlycapableofadoptingthedesperateresolutionwhichhehadannounced，andwhichwasinstantruintoalltheschemesofambitionwhichVarneyhadformedforhispatronandforhimself。
ButtheEarl\'srageseemedatonceuncontrollableanddeeplyconcentrated，andwhilehespokehiseyesshotfire，hisvoicetrembledwithexcessofpassion，andthelightfoamstoodonhislip。
Hisconfidantmadeaboldandsuccessfulefforttoobtainthemasteryofhimeveninthishourofemotion。\"Mylord，\"hesaid，leadinghimtoamirror，\"beholdyourreflectioninthatglass，andthinkiftheseagitatedfeaturesbelongtoonewho，inaconditionsoextreme，iscapableofformingaresolutionforhimself\"
\"What，then，wouldstthoumakeme？\"saidLeicester，struckatthechangeinhisownphysiognomy，thoughoffendedatthefreedomwithwhichVarneymadetheappeal。\"AmItobethyward，thyvassal，——thepropertyandsubjectofmyservant？\"
\"No，mylord，\"saidVarneyfirmly，\"butbemasterofyourself，andofyourownpassion。Mylord，I，yourbornservant，amashamedtoseehowpoorlyyoubearyourselfinthestormoffury。
GotoElizabeth\'sfeet，confessyourmarriage——impeachyourwifeandherparamourofadultery——andavowyourself，amongstallyourpeers，thewittolwhomarriedacountrygirl，andwascozenedbyherandherbook—learnedgallant。Go，mylord——butfirsttakefarewellofRichardVarney，withallthebenefitsyoueverconferredonhim。Heservedthenoble，thelofty，thehigh—
mindedLeicester，andwasmoreproudofdependingonhimthanhewouldbeofcommandingthousands。Buttheabjectlordwhostoopstoeveryadversecircumstance，whosejudiciousresolvesarescatteredlikechaffbeforeeverywindofpassion，himRichardVarneyservesnot。Heisasmuchabovehiminconstancyofmindasbeneathhiminrankandfortune。\"
Varneyspokethuswithouthypocrisy，forthoughthefirmnessofmindwhichheboastedwashardnessandimpenetrability，yethereallyfelttheascendencywhichhevaunted;whiletheinterestwhichheactuallyfeltinthefortunesofLeicestergaveunusualemotiontohisvoiceandmanner。
LeicesterwasoverpoweredbyhisassumedsuperiorityitseemedtotheunfortunateEarlasifhislastfriendwasabouttoabandonhim。HestretchedhishandtowardsVarneyasheutteredthewords，\"Donotleaveme。Whatwouldstthouhavemedo？\"
\"Bethyself，mynoblemaster，\"saidVarney，touchingtheEarl\'shandwithhislips，afterhavingrespectfullygraspeditinhisown;\"beyourself，superiortothosestormsofpassionwhichwreckinferiorminds。Areyouthefirstwhohasbeencozenedinlove——thefirstwhomavainandlicentiouswomanhascheatedintoanaffection，whichshehasafterwardsscornedandmisused？Andwillyousufferyourselftobedrivenfranticbecauseyouhavenotbeenwiserthanthewisestmenwhomtheworldhasseen？Letherbeasifshehadnotbeen——letherpassfromyourmemory，asunworthyofeverhavingheldaplacethere。Letyourstrongresolveofthismorning，whichIhavebothcourage，zeal，andmeansenoughtoexecute，belikethefiatofasuperiorbeing，apassionlessactofjustice。Shehathdeserveddeath——letherdie！\"
Whilehewasspeaking，theEarlheldhishandfast，compressedhislipshard，andfrowned，asifhelabouredtocatchfromVarneyaportionofthecold，ruthless，anddispassionatefirmnesswhichherecommended。Whenhewassilent，theEarlstillcontinuedtorasphishand，until，withaneffortatcalmdecision，hewasabletoarticulate，\"Beitso——shedies！Butonetearmightbepermitted。\"
\"Notone，mylord，\"interruptedVarney，whosawbythequiveringeyeandconvulsedcheekofhispatronthathewasabouttogivewaytoaburstofemotion——\"notatear——thetimepermitsitnot。
Tressilianmustbethoughtof——\"
\"Thatindeedisaname，\"saidtheEarl，\"toconverttearsintoblood。Varney，Ihavethoughtonthis，andIhavedetermined——
neitherentreatynorargumentshallmoveme——Tressilianshallbemyownvictim。\"
\"Itismadness，mylord;butyouaretoomightyformetobaryourwaytoyourrevenge。Yetresolveatleasttochoosefittingtimeandopportunity，andtoforbearhimuntiltheseshallbefound。\"
\"Thoushaltordermeinwhatthouwilt，\"saidLeicester，\"onlythwartmenotinthis。\"
\"Then，mylord，\"saidVarney，\"Ifirstrequestofyoutolayasidethewild，suspected，andhalf—frenzieddemeanourwhichhaththisdaydrawntheeyesofallthecourtuponyou，andwhich，butfortheQueen\'spartialindulgence，whichshehathextendedtowardsyouinadegreefarbeyondhernature，shehadnevergivenyoutheopportunitytoatonefor。\"
\"HaveIindeedbeensonegligent？\"saidLeicester，asonewhoawakesfromadream。\"IthoughtIhadcoloureditwell。Butfearnothing，mymindisnoweased——Iamcalm。Myhoroscopeshallbefulfilled;andthatitmaybefulfilled，Iwilltaxtothehighesteveryfacultyofmymind。Fearmenot，Isay。I
willtotheQueeninstantly——notthineownlooksandlanguageshallbemoreimpenetrablethanmine。Hastthouaughtelsetosay？\"
\"Imustcraveyoursignet—ring，\"saidVarneygravely，\"intokentothoseofyourservantswhomImustemploy，thatIpossessyourfullauthorityincommandingtheiraid。\"
Leicesterdrewoffthesignet—ringwhichhecommonlyused，andgaveittoVarney，withahaggardandsternexpressionofcountenance，addingonly，inalow，half—whisperedtone，butwithterrificemphasis，thewords，\"Whatthoudost，doquickly。\"
Someanxietyandwondertookplace，meanwhile，inthepresence—
hall，attheprolongedabsenceofthenobleLordoftheCastle，andgreatwasthedelightofhisfriendswhentheysawhimenterasamanfromwhosebosom，toallhumanseeming，aweightofcarehadbeenjustremoved。AmplydidLeicesterthatdayredeemthepledgehehadgiventoVarney，whosoonsawhimselfnolongerunderthenecessityofmaintainingacharactersodifferentfromhisownasthatwhichhehadassumedintheearlierpartoftheday，andgraduallyrelapsedintothesamegrave，shrewd，causticobserverofconversationandincidentwhichconstitutedhisusualpartinsociety。
WithElizabeth，Leicesterplayedhisgameasonetowhomhernaturalstrengthoftalentandherweaknessinoneortwoparticularpointswerewellknown。HewastoowarytoexchangeonasuddenthesullenpersonagewhichhehadplayedbeforeheretiredwithVarney;butonapproachingheritseemedsoftenedintoamelancholy，whichhadatouchoftendernessinit，andwhich，inthecourseofconversingwithElizabeth，andasshedroppedincompassiononemarkoffavourafteranothertoconsolehim，passedintoaflowofaffectionategallantry，themostassiduous，themostdelicate，themostinsinuating，yetatthesametimethemostrespectful，withwhichaQueenwaseveraddressedbyasubject。Elizabethlistenedasinasortofenchantment。Herjealousyofpowerwaslulledasleep;herresolutiontoforsakeallsocialordomesticties，anddedicateherselfexclusivelytothecareofherpeople，begantobeshaken;andoncemorethestarofDudleyculminatedinthecourthorizon。
ButLeicesterdidnotenjoythistriumphovernature，andoverconscience，withoutitsbeingembitteredtohim，notonlybytheinternalrebellionofhisfeelingsagainsttheviolencewhichheexercisedoverthem，butbymanyaccidentalcircumstances，which，inthecourseofthebanquet，andduringthesubsequentamusementsoftheevening，jarreduponthatnerve，theleastvibrationofwhichwasagony。
Thecourtierswere，forexample，intheGreatHall，afterhavingleftthebanqueting—room，awaitingtheappearanceofasplendidmasque，whichwastheexpectedentertainmentofthisevening，whentheQueeninterruptedawildcareerofwitwhichtheEarlofLeicesterwasrunningagainstLordWilloughby，Raleigh，andsomeothercourtiers，bysaying，\"Wewillimpeachyouofhightreason，mylord，ifyouproceedinthisattempttoslayuswithlaughter。
Andherecomesathingmaymakeusallgraveathispleasure，ourlearnedphysicianMasters，withnewsbelikeofourpoorsuppliant，LadyVarney;——nay，mylord，wewillnothaveyouleaveus，forthisbeingadisputebetwixtmarriedpersons，wedonotholdourownexperiencedeepenoughtodecidethereonwithoutgoodcounsel。——Hownow，Masters，whatthinkestthouoftherunawaybride？\"
ThesmilewithwhichLeicesterhadbeenspeaking，whentheQueeninterruptedhim，remainedarrestedonhislips，asifithadbeencarvedtherebythechiselofMichaelAngeloorofChantrey;andhelistenedtothespeechofthephysicianwiththesameimmovablecastofcountenance。
\"TheLadyVarney，graciousSovereign，\"saidthecourtphysicianMasters，\"issullen，andwouldholdlittleconferencewithmetouchingthestateofherhealth，talkingwildlyofbeingsoontopleadherowncausebeforeyourownpresence，andofansweringnomeanerperson\'sinquiries。\"
\"Nowtheheavensforfend！\"saidtheQueen;\"wehavealreadysufferedfromthemisconstructionsandbroilswhichseemtofollowthispoorbrain—sickladywherevershecomes。——Thinkyounotso，mylord？\"sheadded，appealingtoLeicesterwithsomethinginherlookthatindicatedregret，eventenderlyexpressed，fortheirdisagreementofthatmorning。Leicestercompelledhimselftobowlow。TheutmostforcehecouldexertwasinadequatetothefurthereffortofexpressinginwordshisacquiescenceintheQueen\'ssentiment。
\"Youarevindictive，\"shesaid，\"mylord;butwewillfindtimeandplacetopunishyou。Butoncemoretothissametrouble—
mirth，thisLadyVarney。Whatofherhealth，Masters？\"
\"Sheissullen，madam，asIalreadysaid，\"repliedMasters，\"andrefusestoanswerinterrogatories，orbeamenabletotheauthorityofthemediciner。Iconceivehertobepossessedwithadelirium，whichIinclinetotermratherHYPOCHONDRIAthanPHRENESIS;andIthinkshewerebestcaredforbyherhusbandinhisownhouse，andremovedfromallthisbustleofpageants，whichdisturbsherweakbrainwiththemostfantasticphantoms。
Shedropshintsasifsheweresomegreatpersonindisguise——
someCountessorPrincessperchance。Godhelpthem，suchareoftenthehallucinationsoftheseinfirmpersons！\"
\"Nay，then，\"saidtheQueen，\"awaywithherwithallspeed。LetVarneycareforherwithfittinghumanity;butletthemridtheCastleofherforthwithshewillthinkherselfladyofall，I
warrantyou。Itispitysofairaform，however，shouldhaveaninfirmunderstanding。——Whatthinkyou，mylord？\"
\"Itispityindeed，\"saidtheEarl，repeatingthewordslikeataskwhichwassethim。
\"But，perhaps，\"saidElizabeth，\"youdonotjoinwithusinouropinionofherbeauty;andindeedwehaveknownmenpreferastatelierandmoreJuno—likeformtothatdroopingfragileonethathungitsheadlikeabrokenlily。Ay，menaretyrants，mylord，whoesteemtheanimationofthestrifeabovethetriumphofanunresistingconquest，and，likesturdychampions，lovebestthosewomenwhocanwagecontestwiththem。——Icouldthinkwithyou，Rutland，thatgivemyLordofLeicestersuchapieceofpaintedwaxforabride，hewouldhavewishedherdeaderetheendofthehoneymoon。\"
Asshesaidthis，shelookedonLeicestersoexpressivelythat，whilehisheartrevoltedagainsttheegregiousfalsehood，hedidhimselfsomuchviolenceastoreplyinawhisperthatLeicester\'slovewasmorelowlythanherMajestydeemed，sinceitwassettledwherehecouldnevercommand，butmusteverobey。
TheQueenblushed，andbidhimbesilent;yetlookedasofsheexpectedthathewouldnotobeyhercommands。Butatthatmomenttheflourishoftrumpetsandkettle—drumsfromahighbalconywhichoverlookedthehallannouncedtheentranceofthemaskers，andrelievedLeicesterfromthehorriblestateofconstraintanddissimulationinwhichtheresultofhisownduplicityhadplacedhim。
Themasquewhichenteredconsistedoffourseparatebands，whichfollowedeachotheratbriefintervals，eachconsistingofsixprincipalpersonsandasmanytorch—bearers，andeachrepresentingoneofthevariousnationsbywhichEnglandhadatdifferenttimesbeenoccupied。
TheaboriginalBritons，whofirstentered，wereusheredinbytwoancientDruids，whosehoaryhairwascrownedwithachapletofoak，andwhoboreintheirhandsbranchesofmistletoe。ThemaskerswhofollowedthesevenerablefiguresweresucceededbytwoBards，arrayedinwhite，andbearingharps，whichtheyoccasionallytouched，singingatthesametimecertainstanzasofanancienthymntoBelus，ortheSun。TheaboriginalBritonshadbeenselectedfromamongstthetallestandmostrobustyounggentlemeninattendanceonthecourt。Theirmaskswereaccommodatedwithlong，shaggybeardsandhair;theirvestmentswereofthehidesofwolvesandbears;whiletheirlegs，arms，andtheupperpartsoftheirbodies，beingsheathedinflesh—
colouredsilk，onwhichweretracedingrotesquelinesrepresentationsoftheheavenlybodies，andofanimalsandotherterrestrialobjects，gavethemthelivelyappearanceofourpaintedancestors，whosefreedomwasfirsttrencheduponbytheRomans。
ThesonsofRome，whocametocivilizeaswellastoconquer，werenextproducedbeforetheprincelyassembly;andthemanageroftherevelshadcorrectlyimitatedthehighcrestandmilitaryhabitsofthatcelebratedpeople，accommodatingthemwiththelightyetstrongbucklerandtheshorttwo—edgedsword，theuseofwhichhadmadethemvictorsoftheworld。TheRomaneagleswerebornebeforethembytwostandard—bearers，whorecitedahymntoMars，andtheclassicalwarriorsfollowedwiththegraveandhaughtystepofmenwhoaspiredatuniversalconquest。
ThethirdquadrillerepresentedtheSaxons，cladinthebearskinswhichtheyhadbroughtwiththemfromtheGermanforests，andbearingintheirhandstheredoubtablebattle—axeswhichmadesuchhavocamongthenativesofBritain。TheywereprecededbytwoScalds，whochantedthepraisesofOdin。
LastcametheknightlyNormans，intheirmail—shirtsandhoodsofsteel，withallthepanoplyofchivalry，andmarshalledbytwoMinstrels，whosangofwarandladies\'love。
Thesefourbandsenteredthespacioushallwiththeutmostorder，ashortpausebeingmade，thatthespectatorsmightsatisfytheircuriosityastoeachquadrillebeforetheappearanceofthenext。
Theythenmarchedcompletelyroundthehall，inorderthemorefullytodisplaythemselves，regulatingtheirstepstoorgans，shalms，hautboys，andvirginals，themusicoftheLordLeicester\'shousehold。Atlengththefourquadrillesofmaskers，rangingtheirtorch—bearersbehindthem，drewupintheirseveralranksonthetwooppositesidesofthehall，sothattheRomansconfrontingtheBritons，andtheSaxonstheNormans，seemedtolookoneachotherwitheyesofwonder，whichpresentlyappearedtokindleintoanger，expressedbymenacinggestures。Attheburstofastrainofmartialmusicfromthegallerythemaskersdrewtheirswordsonallsides，andadvancedagainsteachotherinthemeasuredstepsofasortofPyrrhicormilitarydance，clashingtheirswordsagainsttheiradversaries\'shields，andclatteringthemagainsttheirbladesastheypassedeachotherintheprogressofthedance。Itwasaverypleasantspectacletoseehowthevariousbands，preservingregularityamidmotionswhichseemedtobetotallyirregular，mixedtogether，andthendisengagingthemselves，resumedeachtheirownoriginalrankasthemusicvaried。
InthissymbolicaldancewererepresentedtheconflictswhichhadtakenplaceamongthevariousnationswhichhadancientlyinhabitedBritain。
Atlength，aftermanymazyevolutions，whichaffordedgreatpleasuretothespectators，thesoundofaloud—voicedtrumpetwasheard，asifitblewforinstantbattle，orforvictorywon。
Themaskersinstantlyceasedtheirmimicstrife，andcollectingthemselvesundertheiroriginalleaders，orpresenters，forsuchwastheappropriatephrase，seemedtosharetheanxiousexpectationwhichthespectatorsexperiencedconcerningwhatwasnexttoappear。
Thedoorsofthehallwerethrownwide，andnolessapersonenteredthanthefiend—bornMerlin，dressedinastrangeandmysticalattire，suitedtohisambiguousbirthandmagicalpower。
Abouthimandbehindhimflutteredorgambolledmanyextraordinaryforms，intendedtorepresentthespiritswhowaitedtodohispowerfulbidding;andsomuchdidthispartofthepageantinterestthemenialsandothersofthelowerclassthenintheCastle，thatmanyofthemforgoteventhereverenceduetotheQueen\'spresence，sofarastothrustthemselvesintothelowerpartofthehall。
TheEarlofLeicester，seeinghisofficershadsomedifficultytorepeltheseintruders，withoutmoredisturbancethanwasfittingwheretheQueenwasinpresence，aroseandwenthimselftothebottomofthehall;Elizabeth，atthesametime，withherusualfeelingforthecommonpeople，requestingthattheymightbepermittedtoremainundisturbedtowitnessthepageant。
Leicesterwentunderthispretext;buthisrealmotivewastogainamomenttohimself，andtorelievehismind，wereitbutforoneinstant，fromthedreadfultaskofhiding，undertheguiseofgaietyandgallantry，thelaceratingpangsofshame，anger，remorse，andthirstforvengeance。Heimposedsilencebyhislookandsignuponthevulgarcrowdatthelowerendoftheapartment;butinsteadofinstantlyreturningtowaitonherMajesty，hewrappedhiscloakaroundhim，andmixingwiththecrowd，stoodinsomedegreeanundistinguishedspectatoroftheprogressofthemasque。
Merlinhavingentered，andadvancedintothemidstofthehall，summonedthepresentersofthecontendingbandsaroundhimbyawaveofhismagicalrod，andannouncedtothem，inapoeticalspeech，thattheisleofBritainwasnowcommandedbyaRoyalMaiden，towhomitwasthewilloffatethattheyshouldalldohomage，andrequestofhertopronounceonthevariouspretensionswhicheachsetforthtobeesteemedthepre—eminentstock，fromwhichthepresentnatives，thehappysubjectsofthatangelicalPrincess，derivedtheirlineage。
Inobediencetothismandate，thebands，eachmovingtosolemnmusic，passedinsuccessionbeforeElizabeth，doingher，astheypassed，eachafterthefashionofthepeoplewhomtheyrepresented，thelowestandmostdevotionalhomage，whichshereturnedwiththesamegraciouscourtesythathadmarkedherwholeconductsinceshecametoKenilworth。
Thepresentersoftheseveralmasquesorquadrillesthenalleged，eachinbehalfofhisowntroop，thereasonswhichtheyhadforclaimingpre—eminenceovertherest;andwhentheyhadbeenallheardinturn，shereturnedthemthisgraciousanswer:\"ThatshewassorryshewasnotbetterqualifiedtodecideuponthedoubtfulquestionwhichhadbeenpropoundedtoherbythedirectionofthefamousMerlin，butthatitseemedtoherthatnosingleoneofthesecelebratednationscouldclaimpre—eminenceovertheothers，ashavingmostcontributedtoformtheEnglishmanofherowntime，whounquestionablyderivedfromeachofthemsomeworthyattributeofhischaracter。Thus，\"shesaid，\"theEnglishmanhadfromtheancientBritonhisboldandtamelessspiritoffreedom;fromtheRomanhisdisciplinedcourageinwar，withhisloveoflettersandcivilizationintimeofpeace;fromtheSaxonhiswiseandequitablelaws;andfromthechivalrousNormanhisloveofhonourandcourtesy，withhisgenerousdesireforglory。\"
MerlinansweredwithreadinessthatitdidindeedrequirethatsomanychoicequalitiesshouldmeetintheEnglish，asmightrendertheminsomemeasurethemusteroftheperfectionsofothernations，sincethatalonecouldrendertheminsomedegreedeservingoftheblessingstheyenjoyedunderthereignofEngland\'sElizabeth。
Themusicthensounded，andthequadrilles，togetherwithMerlinandhisassistants，hadbeguntoremovefromthecrowdedhall，whenLeicester，whowas，aswehavementioned，stationedforthemomentnearthebottomofthehall，andconsequentlyengagedinsomedegreeinthecrowd，felthimselfpulledbythecloak，whileavoicewhisperedinhisear，\"MyLord，Idodesiresomeinstantconferencewithyou。\"
CHAPTERXXXVIII。
Howis\'twithme，wheneverynoiseappalsme？MACBETH。
\"Idesiresomeconferencewithyou。\"Thewordsweresimpleinthemselves，butLordLeicesterwasinthatalarmedandfeverishstateofmindwhenthemostordinaryoccurrencesseemfraughtwithalarmingimport;andheturnedhastilyroundtosurveythepersonbywhomtheyhadbeenspoken。Therewasnothingremarkableinthespeaker\'sappearance，whichconsistedofablacksilkdoubletandshortmantle，withablackvizardonhisface;foritappearedhehadbeenamongthecrowdofmaskswhohadthrongedintothehallintheretinueofMerlin，thoughhedidnotwearanyoftheextravagantdisguisesbywhichmostofthemweredistinguished。
\"Whoareyou，orwhatdoyouwantwithme？\"saidLeicester，notwithoutbetraying，byhisaccents，thehurriedstateofhisspirits。
\"Noevil，mylord，\"answeredthemask，\"butmuchgoodandhonour，ifyouwillrightlyunderstandmypurpose。ButImustspeakwithyoumoreprivately。\"
\"Icanspeakwithnonamelessstranger，\"answeredLeicester，dreadingheknewnotpreciselywhatfromtherequestofthestranger;\"andthosewhoareknowntomemustseekanotherandafittertimetoaskaninterview。\"
Hewouldhavehurriedaway，butthemaskstilldetainedhim。
\"Thosewhotalktoyourlordshipofwhatyourownhonourdemandshavearightoveryourtime，whateveroccupationsyoumaylayasideinordertoindulgethem。\"
\"How！myhonour？Whodareimpeachit？\"saidLeicester。
\"Yourownconductalonecanfurnishgroundsforaccusingit，mylord，anditisthattopiconwhichIwouldspeakwithyou。\"
\"Youareinsolent，\"saidLeicester，\"andabusethehospitablelicenseofthetime，whichpreventsmefromhavingyoupunished。
Idemandyourname！\"
\"EdmundTressilianofCornwall，\"answeredthemask。\"Mytonguehasbeenboundbyapromiseforfour—and—twentyhours。Thespaceispassed，——Inowspeak，anddoyourlordshipthejusticetoaddressmyselffirsttoyou。\"
ThethrillofastonishmentwhichhadpenetratedtoLeicester\'sveryheartathearingthatnamepronouncedbythevoiceofthemanhemostdetested，andbywhomheconceivedhimselfsodeeplyinjured，atfirstrenderedhimimmovable，butinstantlygavewaytosuchathirstforrevengeasthepilgriminthedesertfeelsforthewater—brooks。Hehadbutsenseandself—governmentenoughlefttopreventhisstabbingtothehearttheaudaciousvillain，who，aftertheruinhehadbroughtuponhim，dared，withsuchunmovedassurance，thustopractiseuponhimfurther。
Determinedtosuppressforthemomenteverysymptomofagitation，inordertoperceivethefullscopeofTressilian\'spurpose，aswellastosecurehisownvengeance，heansweredinatonesoalteredbyrestrainedpassionasscarcetobeintelligible，\"AndwhatdoesMasterEdmundTressilianrequireatmyhand？\"
\"Justice，mylord，\"answeredTressilian，calmlybutfirmly。
\"Justice，\"saidLeicester，\"allmenareentitledto。YOU，MasterTressilian，arepeculiarlyso，andbeassuredyoushallhaveit。\"
\"Iexpectnothinglessfromyournobleness，\"answeredTressilian;
\"buttimepresses，andImustspeakwithyouto—night。MayI
waitonyouinyourchamber？\"
\"No，\"answeredLeicestersternly，\"notunderaroof，andthatroofmineown。Wewillmeetunderthefreecopeofheaven。\"
\"Youarediscomposedordispleased，mylord，\"repliedTressilian;
\"yetthereisnooccasionfordistemperature。Theplaceisequaltome，soyouallowmeonehalf—hourofyourtimeuninterrupted。\"
\"Ashortertimewill，Itrust，suffice，\"answeredLeicester。
\"MeetmeinthePleasancewhentheQueenhasretiredtoherchamber。\"
\"Enough，\"saidTressilian，andwithdrew;whileasortofraptureseemedforthemomenttooccupythemindofLeicester。
\"Heaven，\"hesaid，\"isatlastfavourabletome，andhasputwithinmyreachthewretchwhohasbrandedmewiththisdeepignominy——whohasinflictedonmethiscruelagony。Iwillblamefatenomore，sinceIamaffordedthemeansoftracingthewilesbywhichhemeansstillfurthertopractiseonme，andthenofatonceconvictingandpunishinghisvillainy。Tomytask——tomytask！Iwillnotsinkunderitnow，sincemidnight，atfarthest，willbringmevengeance。\"
WhilethesereflectionsthrongedthroughLeicester\'smind，heagainmadehiswayamidtheobsequiouscrowd，whichdividedtogivehimpassage，andresumedhisplace，enviedandadmired，besidethepersonofhisSovereign。Butcouldthebosomofhimthusadmiredandenviedhavebeenlaidopenbeforetheinhabitantsofthatcrowdedhall，withallitsdarkthoughtsofguiltyambition，blightedaffection，deepvengeance，andconscioussenseofmeditatedcruelty，crossingeachotherlikespectresinthecircleofsomefoulenchantress，whichofthem，fromthemostambitiousnobleinthecourtlycircledowntothemostwretchedmenialwholivedbyshiftingoftrenchers，wouldhavedesiredtochangecharacterswiththefavouriteofElizabeth，andtheLordofKenilworth？
NewtorturesawaitedhimassoonashehadrejoinedElizabeth。