\"Gramercy，fairladies，\"saidElizabeth，smiling，\"yourboonisgranted，andthegentlesquireLack—CloakshallbecomethegoodknightLack—Cloak，atyourdesire。Letthetwoaspirantsforthehonourofchivalrystepforward。\"
BlountwasnotasyetreturnedfromseeingTressilian，asheconceived，safelydisposedof;butRaleighcameforth，andkneelingdown，receivedatthehandoftheVirginQueenthattitleofhonour，whichwasneverconferredonamoredistinguishedormoreillustriousobject。
ShortlyafterwardsNicholasBlountentered，andhastilyapprisedbySussex，whomethimatthedoorofthehall，oftheQueen\'sgraciouspurposeregardinghim，hewasdesiredtoadvancetowardsthethrone。Itisasightsometimesseen，anditisbothludicrousandpitiable;whenanhonestmanofplaincommonsenseissurprised，bythecoquetryofaprettywoman，oranyothercause，intothosefrivolousfopperieswhichonlysitwellupontheyouthful，thegay，andthosetowhomlongpracticehasrenderedthemasecondnature。PoorBlountwasinthissituation。Hisheadwasalreadygiddyfromaconsciousnessofunusualfinery，andthesupposednecessityofsuitinghismannerstothegaietyofhisdress;andnowthissuddenviewofpromotionaltogethercompletedtheconquestofthenewlyinhaledspiritoffopperyoverhisnaturaldisposition，andconvertedaplain，honest，awkwardmanintoacoxcombofanewandmostridiculouskind。
Theknight—expectantadvancedupthehall，thewholelengthofwhichhehadunfortunatelytotraverse，turningouthistoeswithsomuchzealthathepresentedhislegateverystepwithitsbroadsideforemost，sothatitgreatlyresembledanold—fashionedtable—knifewithacurvedpoint，whenseensideways。Therestofhisgaitwasinproportiontothisunhappyamble;andtheimpliedmixtureofbashfulrearandself—satisfactionwassounutterablyridiculousthatLeicester\'sfriendsdidnotsuppressatitter，inwhichmanyofSussex\'spartisanswereunabletoresistjoining，thoughreadytoeattheirnailswithmortification。Sussexhimselflostallpatience，andcouldnotforbearwhisperingintotheearofhisfriend，\"Cursethee！canstthounotwalklikeamanandasoldier？\"aninterjectionwhichonlymadehonestBlountstartandstop，untilaglanceathisyellowrosesandcrimsonstockingsrestoredhisself—confidence，whenonhewentatthesamepaceasbefore。
TheQueenconferredonpoorBlountthehonourofknighthoodwithamarkedsenseofreluctance。ThatwisePrincesswasfullyawareoftheproprietyofusinggreatcircumspectionandeconomyinbestowingthosetitlesofhonour，whichtheStewarts，whosucceededtoherthrone，distributedwithanimprudentliberalitywhichgreatlydiminishedtheirvalue。BlounthadnosoonerarisenandretiredthansheturnedtotheDuchessofRutland。
\"Ourwomanwit，\"shesaid，\"dearRutland，issharperthanthatofthoseproudthingsindoubletandhose。Seestthou，outofthesethreeknights，thineistheonlytruemetaltostampchivalry\'simprintupon？\"
\"SirRichardVarney，surely——thefriendofmyLordofLeicester——surelyhehasmerit，\"repliedtheDuchess。
\"Varneyhasaslycountenanceandasmoothtongue，\"repliedtheQueen;\"Ifearmehewillproveaknave。Butthepromisewasofancientstanding。MyLordofSussexmusthavelosthisownwits，Ithink，torecommendtousfirstamadmanlikeTressilian，andthenaclownishfoollikethisotherfellow。Iprotest，Rutland，thatwhilehesatonhiskneesbeforeme，moppingandmowingasifhehadscaldingporridgeinhismouth，Ihadmuchadotoforbearcuttinghimoverthepate，insteadofstrikinghisshoulder。\"
\"YourMajestygavehimasmartACCOLADE，\"saidtheDuchess;\"wewhostoodbehindheardthebladeclatteronhiscollar—bone，andthepoormanfidgetedtooasifhefeltit。\"
\"Icouldnothelpit，wench，\"saidtheQueen，laughing。\"ButwewillhavethissameSirNicholassenttoIrelandorScotland，orsomewhere，toridourcourtofsoanticachevalier;hemaybeagoodsoldierinthefield，thoughapreposterousassinabanqueting—hall。\"
Thediscoursebecamethenmoregeneral，andsoonaftertherewasasummonstothebanquet。
Inordertoobeythissignal，thecompanywereunderthenecessityofcrossingtheinnercourtoftheCastle，thattheymightreachthenewbuildingscontainingthelargebanqueting—
room，inwhichpreparationsforsupperweremadeuponascaleofprofusemagnificence，correspondingtotheoccasion。
Theliverycupboardswereloadedwithplateoftherichestdescription，andthemostvaried——somearticlestasteful，someperhapsgrotesque，intheinventionanddecoration，butallgorgeouslymagnificent，bothfromtherichnessoftheworkandvalueofthematerials。Thusthechieftablewasadornedbyasalt，ship—fashion，madeofmother—of—pearl，garnishedwithsilveranddiverswarlikeensignsandotherornaments，anchors，sails，andsixteenpiecesofordnance。ItboreafigureofFortune，placedonaglobe，withaflaginherhand。Anothersaltwasfashionedofsilver，informofaswaninfullsail。
Thatchivalrymightnotbeomittedamidthissplendour，asilverSaintGeorgewaspresented，mountedandequippedintheusualfashioninwhichhebestridesthedragon。Thefiguresweremouldedtobeinsomesortuseful。Thehorse\'stailwasmanagedtoholdacaseofknives，whilethebreastofthedragonpresentedasimilaraccommodationforoysterknives，Inthecourseofthepassagefromthehallofreceptiontothebanqueting—room，andespeciallyinthecourtyard，thenew—madeknightswereassailedbytheheralds，pursuivants，minstrels，etc。，withtheusualcryofLARGESSE，LARGESSE，CHEVALIERSTRES
HARDIS！anancientinvocation，intendedtoawakenthebountyoftheacolytesofchivalrytowardsthosewhosebusinessitwastoregistertheirarmorialbearings，andcelebratethedeedsbywhichtheywereillustrated。Thecallwas，ofcourse，liberallyandcourteouslyansweredbythosetowhomitwasaddressed。
Varneygavehislargessewithanaffectationofcomplaisanceandhumility。Raleighbestowedhiswiththegracefuleasepeculiartoonewhohasattainedhisownplace，andisfamiliarwithitsdignity。HonestBlountgavewhathistailorhadlefthimofhishalf—year\'srent，droppingsomepiecesinhishurry，thenstoopingdowntolookforthem，andthendistributingthemamongstthevariousclaimants，withtheanxiousfaceandmienoftheparishbeadledividingadoleamongpaupers。
ThedonationswereacceptedwiththeusualclamourandVIVATSofapplausecommononsuchoccasions;butasthepartiesgratifiedwerechieflydependantsofLordLeicester，itwasVarneywhosenamewasrepeatedwiththeloudestacclamations。Lambourne，especially，distinguishedhimselfbyhisvociferationsof\"LonglifetoSirRichardVarney！——HealthandhonourtoSirRichard！——
Neverwasamoreworthyknightdubbed！\"——then，suddenlysinkinghisvoice，headded——\"sincethevaliantSirPandarusofTroy，\"——awinding—upofhisclamorousapplausewhichsetallmena—laughingwhowerewithinhearingofit。
Itisunnecessarytosayanythingfurtherofthefestivitiesoftheevening，whichweresobrilliantinthemselves，andreceivedwithsuchobviousandwillingsatisfactionbytheQueen，thatLeicesterretiredtohisownapartmentwithallthegiddyrapturesofsuccessfulambition。Varney，whohadchangedhissplendidattire，andnowwaitedonhispatroninaverymodestandplainundress，attendedtodothehonoursoftheEarl\'sCOUCHER。
\"How！SirRichard，\"saidLeicester，smiling，\"yournewrankscarcesuitsthehumilityofthisattendance。\"
\"Iwoulddisownthatrank，myLord，\"saidVarney，\"couldIthinkitwastoremovemetoadistancefromyourlordship\'sperson。\"
\"Thouartagratefulfellow，\"saidLeicester;\"butImustnotallowyoutodowhatwouldabateyouintheopinionofothers。\"
Whilethusspeaking，hestillacceptedwithouthesitationtheofficesabouthisperson，whichthenew—madeknightseemedtorenderaseagerlyasifhehadreallyfelt，indischargingthetask，thatpleasurewhichhiswordsexpressed。
\"Iamnotafraidofmen\'smisconstruction，\"hesaid，inanswertoLeicester\'sremark，\"sincethereisnot——（permitmetoundothecollar）——amanwithintheCastlewhodoesnotexpectverysoontoseepersonsofarankfarsuperiortothatwhich，byyourgoodness，Inowhold，renderingthedutiesofthebedchambertoyou，andaccountingitanhonour。\"
\"Itmight，indeed，sohavebeen\"——saidtheEarl，withaninvoluntarysigh;andthenpresentlyadded，\"Mygown，Varney;I
willlookoutonthenight。Isnotthemoonneartothefull？\"
\"Ithinkso，mylord，accordingtothecalendar，\"answeredVarney。
Therewasanabuttingwindow，whichopenedonasmallprojectingbalconyofstone，battlementedasisusualinGothiccastles。
TheEarlundidthelattice，andsteppedoutintotheopenair。
Thestationhehadchosencommandedanextensiveviewofthelakeandwoodlandsbeyond，wherethebrightmoonlightrestedontheclearbluewatersandthedistantmassesofoakandelmtrees。
Themoonrodehighintheheavens，attendedbythousandsandthousandsofinferiorluminaries。Allseemedalreadytobehushedinthenetherworld，exceptingoccasionallythevoiceofthewatch（fortheyeomenoftheguardperformedthatdutywherevertheQueenwaspresentinperson）andthedistantbayingofthehounds，disturbedbythepreparationsamongstthegroomsandprickersforamagnificenthunt，whichwastobetheamusementofthenextday。
Leicesterlookedoutonthebluearchofheaven，withgesturesandacountenanceexpressiveofanxiousexultation，whileVarney，whoremainedwithinthedarkenedapartment，could（himselfunnoticed），withasecretsatisfaction，seehispatronstretchhishandswithearnestgesticulationtowardstheheavenlybodies。
\"Yedistantorbsoflivingfire，\"soranthemutteredinvocationoftheambitiousEarl，\"yearesilentwhileyouwheelyourmysticrounds;butWisdomhasgiventoyouavoice。Tellme，then，towhatendismyhighcoursedestined？ShallthegreatnesstowhichIhaveaspiredbebright，pre—eminent，andstableasyourown;oramIbutdoomedtodrawabriefandglitteringtrainalongthenightlydarkness，andthentosinkdowntoearth，likethebaserefuseofthoseartificialfireswithwhichmenemulateyourrays？\"
Helookedontheheavensinprofoundsilenceforaminuteortwolonger，andthenagainsteppedintotheapartment，whereVarneyseemedtohavebeenengagedinputtingtheEarl\'sjewelsintoacasket。
\"WhatsaidAlascoofmyhoroscope？\"demandedLeicester。\"Youalreadytoldme;butithasescapedme，forIthinkbutlightlyofthatart。\"
\"Manylearnedandgreatmenhavethoughtotherwise，\"saidVarney;
\"and，nottoflatteryourlordship，myownopinionleansthatway。\"
\"Ay，Saulamongtheprophets？\"saidLeicester。\"Ithoughtthouwertscepticalinallsuchmattersasthoucouldstneithersee，hear，smell，taste，ortouch，andthatthybeliefwaslimitedbythysenses。\"
\"Perhaps，mylord，\"saidVarney，\"Imaybemisledonthepresentoccasionbymywishtofindthepredictionsofastrologytrue。
Alascosaysthatyourfavouriteplanetisculminating，andthattheadverseinfluence——hewouldnotuseaplainerterm——thoughnotovercome，wasevidentlycombust，Ithinkhesaid，orretrograde。\"
\"Itisevenso，\"saidLeicester，lookingatanabstractofastrologicalcalculationswhichhehadinhishand;\"thestrongerinfluencewillprevail，and，asIthink，theevilhourpassaway。
Lendmeyourhand，SirRichard，todoffmygown;andremainaninstant，ifitisnottooburdensometoyourknighthood，whileI
composemyselftosleep。Ibelievethebustleofthisdayhasfeveredmyblood，foritstreamsthroughmyveinslikeacurrentofmoltenlead。Remainaninstant，Iprayyou——IwouldfainfeelmyeyesheavyereIclosedthem。\"
Varneyofficiouslyassistedhislordtobed，andplacedamassivesilvernight—lamp，withashortsword，onamarbletablewhichstoodclosebytheheadofthecouch。Eitherinordertoavoidthelightofthelamp，ortohidehiscountenancefromVarney，Leicesterdrewthecurtain，heavywithentwinedsilkandgold，soascompletelytoshadehisface。Varneytookaseatnearthebed，butwithhisbacktowardshismaster，asiftointimatethathewasnotwatchinghim，andquietlywaitedtillLeicesterhimselfledthewaytothetopicbywhichhismindwasengrossed。
\"Andso，Varney，\"saidtheEarl，afterwaitinginvaintillhisdependantshouldcommencetheconversation，\"mentalkoftheQueen\'sfavourtowardsme？\"
\"Ay，mygoodlord，\"saidVarney;\"ofwhatcantheyelse，sinceitissostronglymanifested？\"
\"Sheisindeedmygoodandgraciousmistress，\"saidLeicester，afteranotherpause;\"butitiswritten，\'Putnotthytrustinprinces。\'\"
\"Agoodsentenceandatrue，\"saidVarney，\"unlessyoucanunitetheirinterestwithyourssoabsolutelythattheymustneedssitonyourwristlikehoodedhawks。\"
\"Iknowwhatthoumeanest，\"saidLeicesterimpatiently，\"thoughthouartto—nightsoprudentiallycarefulofwhatthousayesttome。ThouwouldstintimateImightmarrytheQueenifIwould？\"
\"Itisyourspeech，mylord，notmine，\"answeredVarney;\"butwhosesoeverbethespeech，itisthethoughtofninety—nineoutofanhundredmenthroughoutbroadEngland。\"
\"Ay，but，\"saidLeicester，turninghimselfinhisbed，\"thehundredthmanknowsbetter。Thou，forexample，knowesttheobstaclethatcannotbeoverleaped。\"
\"Itmust，mylord，ifthestarsspeaktrue，\"saidVarneycomposedly。
\"What，talkestthouofthem，\"saidLeicester，\"thatbelievestnotinthemorinaughtelse？\"
\"Youmistake，mylord，underyourgraciouspardon，\"saidVarney;
\"Ibelieveinmanythingsthatpredictthefuture。Ibelieve，ifshowersfallinApril，thatweshallhaveflowersinMay;thatifthesunshines，grainwillripen;andIbelieveinmuchnaturalphilosophytothesameeffect，which，ifthestarssweartome，I
willsaythestarsspeakthetruth。Andinlikemanner，IwillnotdisbelievethatwhichIseewishedforandexpectedonearth，solelybecausetheastrologershavereaditintheheavens。\"
\"Thouartright，\"saidLeicester，againtossinghimselfonhiscouch\"Earthdoeswishforit。IhavehadadvicesfromthereformedchurchesofGermany——fromtheLowCountries——fromSwitzerland——urgingthisasapointonwhichEurope\'ssafetydepends。Francewillnotopposeit。TherulingpartyinScotlandlooktoitastheirbestsecurity。Spainfearsit，butcannotpreventit。Andyetthouknowestitisimpossible。\"
\"Iknownotthat，mylord，\"saidVarney;\"theCountessisindisposed。\"
\"Villain！\"saidLeicester，startinguponhiscouch，andseizingtheswordwhichlayonthetablebesidehim，\"gothythoughtsthatway？——thouwouldstnotdomurder？\"
\"Forwhom，orwhat，doyouholdme，mylord？\"saidVarney，assumingthesuperiorityofaninnocentmansubjectedtounjustsuspicion。\"Isaidnothingtodeservesuchahorridimputationasyourviolenceinfers。IsaidbutthattheCountesswasill。
AndCountessthoughshebe——lovelyandbelovedassheis——surelyyourlordshipmustholdhertobemortal？Shemaydie，andyourlordship\'shandbecomeoncemoreyourown。\"
\"Away！away！\"saidLeicester;\"letmehavenomoreofthis。\"
\"Goodnight，mylord，\"saidVarney，seemingtounderstandthisasacommandtodepart;butLeicester\'svoiceinterruptedhispurpose。
\"Thou\'scapestmenotthus，SirFool，\"saidhe;\"Ithinkthyknighthoodhasaddledthybrains。Confessthouhasttalkedofimpossibilitiesasofthingswhichmaycometopass。\"
\"Mylord，longliveyourfairCountess，\"saidVarney;\"butneitheryourlovenormygoodwishescanmakeherimmortal。ButGodgrantshelivelongtobehappyherself，andtorenderyouso！IseenotbutyoumaybeKingofEnglandnotwithstanding。\"
\"Nay，now，Varney，thouartstarkmad，\"saidLeicester。
\"IwouldIweremyselfwithinthesamenearnesstoagoodestateoffreehold，\"saidVarney。\"Havewenotknowninothercountrieshowaleft—handedmarriagemightsubsistbetwixtpersonsofdifferingdegree？——ay，andbenohindrancetopreventthehusbandfromconjoininghimselfafterwardswithamoresuitablepartner？\"
\"IhaveheardofsuchthingsinGermany，\"saidLeicester。
\"Ay，andthemostlearneddoctorsinforeignuniversitiesjustifythepracticefromtheOldTestament，\"saidVarney。\"Andafterall，whereistheharm？Thebeautifulpartnerwhomyouhavechosenfortruelovehasyoursecrethoursofrelaxationandaffection。Herfameissafeherconsciencemayslumbersecurely。
Youhavewealthtoprovideroyallyforyourissue，shouldHeavenblessyouwithoffspring。MeanwhileyoumaygivetoElizabethtentimestheleisure，andtenthousandtimestheaffection，thateverDonPhilipofSpainsparedtohersisterMary;yetyouknowhowshedotedonhimthoughsocoldandneglectful。Itrequiresbutaclosemouthandanopenbrow，andyoukeepyourEleanorandyourfairRosamondfarenoughseparate。LeavemetobuildyouabowertowhichnojealousQueenshallfindaclew。\"
Leicesterwassilentforamoment，thensighed，andsaid，\"Itisimpossible。Goodnight，SirRichardVarney——yetstay。CanyouguesswhatmeantTressilianbyshowinghimselfinsuchcarelessguisebeforetheQueento—day？——tostrikehertenderheart，I
shouldguess，withallthesympathiesduetoaloverabandonedbyhismistressandabandoninghimself。\"
Varney，smotheringasneeringlaugh，answered，\"HebelievedMasterTressilianhadnosuchmatterinhishead。\"
\"How！\"saidLeicester;\"whatmeanestthou？Thereiseverknaveryinthatlaughofthine，Varney。\"
\"Ionlymeant，mylord，\"saidVarney，\"thatTressilianhastakenthesurewaytoavoidheart—breaking。Hehathhadacompanion——afemalecompanion——amistress——asortofplayer\'swifeorsister，asIbelieve——withhiminMervyn\'sBower，whereIquarteredhimforcertainreasonsofmyown。\"
\"Amistress！——meanestthouaparamour？\"
\"Ay，mylord;whatfemaleelsewaitsforhoursinagentleman\'schamber？\"
\"Bymyfaith，timeandspacefitting，thiswereagoodtaletotell，\"saidLeicester。\"Ieverdistrustedthosebookish，hypocritical，seeming—virtuousscholars。Well——MasterTressilianmakessomewhatfamiliarwithmyhouse;ifIlookitover，heisindebtedtoitforcertainrecollections。IwouldnotharmhimmorethanIcanhelp。Keepeyeonhim，however，Varney。\"
\"Ilodgedhimforthatreason，\"saidVarney，\"inMervyn\'sTower，whereheisundertheeyeofmyveryvigilant，ifhewerenotalsomyverydrunken，servant，MichaelLambourne，whomIhavetoldyourGraceof。\"
\"Grace！\"saidLeicester;\"whatmeanestthoubythatepithet？\"
\"Itcameunawares，mylord;andyetitsoundssoverynaturalthatIcannotrecallit。\"
\"Itisthineownprefermentthathathturnedthybrain，\"saidLeicester，laughing;\"newhonoursareasheadyasnewwine。\"
\"Mayyourlordshipsoonhavecausetosaysofromexperience，\"
saidVarney;andwishinghispatrongoodnight，hewithdrew。\"
[SeeNote8。FurnitureofKenilworth。]
CHAPTERXXXIII。
Herestandsthevictim——theretheproudbetrayer，E\'enasthehindpull\'ddownbystranglingdogsLiesatthehunter\'sfeet——whocourteousproffersTosomehighdame，theDianofthechase，Towhomhelooksforguerdon，hissharpblade，Togashthesobbingthroat。THEWOODSMAN。
WearenowtoreturntoMervyn\'sBower，theapartment，orrathertheprison，oftheunfortunateCountessofLeicester，whoforsometimekeptwithinboundsheruncertaintyandherimpatience。
Shewasawarethat，inthetumultoftheday，theremightbesomedelayereherlettercouldbesafelyconveyedtothehandsofLeicester，andthatsometimemoremightelapseerehecouldextricatehimselffromthenecessaryattendanceonElizabeth，tocomeandvisitherinhersecretbower。\"Iwillnotexpecthim，\"
shesaid，\"tillnight;hecannotbeabsentfromhisroyalguest，eventoseeme。Hewill，Iknow，comeearlierifitbepossible，butIwillnotexpecthimbeforenight。\"Andyetallthewhileshedidexpecthim;andwhileshetriedtoargueherselfintoacontrarybelief，eachhastynoiseofthehundredwhichsheheardsoundedlikethehurriedstepofLeicesteronthestaircase，hastingtofoldherinhisarms。
ThefatigueofbodywhichAmyhadlatelyundergone，withtheagitationofmindnaturaltosocruelastateofuncertainty，beganbydegreesstronglytoaffecthernerves，andshealmostfearedhertotalinabilitytomaintainthenecessaryself—commandthroughthesceneswhichmightliebeforeher。Butalthoughspoiledbyanover—indulgentsystemofeducation，Amyhadnaturallyamindofgreatpower，unitedwithaframewhichhershareinherfather\'swoodlandexerciseshadrendereduncommonlyhealthy。Shesummonedtoheraidsuchmentalandbodilyresources;andnotunconscioushowmuchtheissueofherfatemightdependonherownself—possession，sheprayedinternallyforstrengthofbodyandformentalfortitude，andresolvedatthesametimetoyieldtononervousimpulsewhichmightweakeneither。
YetwhenthegreatbelloftheCastle，whichwasplacedinCaesar\'sTower，atnogreatdistancefromthatcalledMervyn\'s，begantosenditspealingclamourabroad，insignalofthearrivaloftheroyalprocession，thedinwassopainfullyacutetoearsrenderednervouslysensitivebyanxiety，thatshecouldhardlyforbearshriekingwithanguish，inanswertoeverystunningclashoftherelentlesspeal。
Shortlyafterwards，whenthesmallapartmentwasatonceenlightenedbytheshowerofartificialfireswithwhichtheairwassuddenlyfilled，andwhichcrossedeachotherlikefieryspirits，eachbentonhisownseparatemission，orlikesalamandersexecutingafrolicdanceintheregionoftheSylphs，theCountessfeltatfirstasifeachrocketshotclosebyhereyes，anddischargeditssparksandflashessonighthatshecouldfeelasenseoftheheat。Butshestruggledagainstthesefantasticterrors，andcompelledherselftoarise，standbythewindow，lookout，andgazeuponasightwhichatanothertimewouldhaveappearedtoheratoncecaptivatingandfearful。ThemagnificenttowersoftheCastlewereenvelopedingarlandsofartificialfire，orshroudedwithtiarasofpalesmoke。Thesurfaceofthelakeglowedlikemolteniron，whilemanyfireworks（thenthoughtextremelywonderful，thoughnowcommon），whoseflamecontinuedtoexistintheopposingelement，divedandrose，hissedandroared，andspoutedfire，likesomanydragonsofenchantmentsportinguponaburninglake。
EvenAmywasforamomentinterestedbywhatwastohersonewascene。\"Ihadthoughtitmagicalart，\"shesaid，\"butpoorTressiliantaughtmetojudgeofsuchthingsastheyare。GreatGod！andmaynottheseidlesplendoursresemblemyownhoped—forhappiness——asinglespark，whichisinstantlyswallowedupbysurroundingdarkness——aprecariousglow，whichrisesbutforabriefspaceintotheair，thatitsfallmaybethelower？O
Leicester！afterall——allthatthouhastsaid——hastsworn——thatAmywasthylove，thylife，canitbethatthouartthemagicianatwhosenodtheseenchantmentsarise，andthatsheseesthemasanoutcast，ifnotacaptive？\"
Thesustained，prolonged，andrepeatedburstsofmusic，fromsomanydifferentquarters，andatsomanyvaryingpointsofdistance，whichsoundedasifnottheCastleofKenilworthonly，butthewholecountryaround，hadbeenatoncethesceneofsolemnizingsomehighnationalfestival，carriedthesameoppressivethoughtstillclosertoherheart，whilesomenoteswouldmeltindistantandfallingtones，asifincompassionforhersorrows，andsomeburstcloseandnearuponher，asifmockinghermisery，withalltheinsolenceofunlimitedmirth。
\"Thesesounds，\"shesaid，\"aremine——mine，becausetheyareHIS;
butIcannotsay，Bestill，theseloudstrainssuitmenot;andthevoiceofthemeanestpeasantthatminglesinthedancewouldhavemorepowertomodulatethemusicthanthecommandofherwhoismistressofall。\"
Bydegreesthesoundsofrevelrydiedaway，andtheCountesswithdrewfromthewindowatwhichshehadsatlisteningtothem。
Itwasnight，butthemoonaffordedconsiderablelightintheroom，sothatAmywasabletomakethearrangementwhichshejudgednecessary。TherewashopethatLeicestermightcometoherapartmentassoonastherevelintheCastlehadsubsided;
buttherewasalsoriskshemightbedisturbedbysomeunauthorizedintruder。ShehadlostconfidenceinthekeysinceTressilianhadenteredsoeasily，thoughthedoorwaslockedontheinside;yetalltheadditionalsecurityshecouldthinkofwastoplacethetableacrossthedoor，thatshemightbewarnedbythenoiseshouldanyoneattempttoenter。Havingtakenthesenecessaryprecautions，theunfortunateladywithdrewtohercouch，stretchedherselfdownonit，musedinanxiousexpectation，andcountedmorethanonehouraftermidnight，tillexhaustednatureprovedtoostrongforlove，forgrief，forfear，nay，evenforuncertainty，andsheslept。
Yes，sheslept。TheIndiansleepsatthestakeintheintervalsbetweenhistortures;andmentaltorments，inlikemanner，exhaustbylongcontinuancethesensibilityofthesufferer，sothatanintervaloflethargicreposemustnecessarilyensue，erethepangswhichtheyinflictcanagainberenewed。
TheCountessslept，then，forseveralhours，anddreamedthatshewasintheancienthouseatCumnorPlace，listeningforthelowwhistlewithwhichLeicesteroftenusedtoannouncehispresenceinthecourtyardwhenarrivingsuddenlyononeofhisstolenvisits。Butonthisoccasion，insteadofawhistle，sheheardthepeculiarblastofabugle—horn，suchasherfatherusedtowindonthefallofthestag，andwhichhuntsmenthencalledaMORT。Sheran，asshethought，toawindowthatlookedintothecourtyard，whichshesawfilledwithmeninmourninggarments。
TheoldCurateseemedabouttoreadthefuneralservice。
Mumblazen，trickedoutinanantiquedress，likeanancientherald，heldaloftascutcheon，withitsusualdecorationsofskulls，cross—bones，andhour—glasses，surroundingacoat—of—
arms，ofwhichshecouldonlydistinguishthatitwassurmountedwithanEarl\'scoronet。Theoldmanlookedatherwithaghastlysmile，andsaid，\"Amy，aretheynotrightlyquartered？\"Justashespoke，thehornsagainpouredonherearthemelancholyyetwildstrainoftheMORT，ordeath—note，andsheawoke。
TheCountessawoketoheararealbugle—note，orratherthecombinedbreathofmanybugles，soundingnottheMORT。butthejollyREVEILLE，toremindtheinmatesoftheCastleofKenilworththatthepleasuresofthedayweretocommencewithamagnificentstag—huntingintheneighbouringChase。Amystartedupfromhercouch，listenedtothesound，sawthefirstbeamsofthesummermorningalreadytwinklethroughthelatticeofherwindow，andrecollected，withfeelingsofgiddyagony，whereshewas，andhowcircumstanced。
\"Hethinksnotofme，\"shesaid;\"hewillnotcomenighme！A
Queenishisguest，andwhatcaresheinwhatcornerofhishugeCastleawretchlikemepinesindoubt，whichisfastfadingintodespair？\"Atonceasoundatthedoor，asofsomeoneattemptingtoopenitsoftly，filledherwithanineffablemixtureofjoyandfear;andhasteningtoremovetheobstacleshehadplacedagainstthedoor，andtounlockit，shehadtheprecautiontoask！\"Isitthou，mylove？\"
\"Yes，myCountess，\"murmuredawhisperinreply。
Shethrewopenthedoor，andexclaiming，\"Leicester！\"flungherarmsaroundtheneckofthemanwhostoodwithout，muffledinhiscloak。
\"No——notquiteLeicester，\"answeredMichaelLambourne，forheitwas，returningthecaresswithvehemence——\"notquiteLeicester，mylovelyandmostlovingduchess，butasgoodaman。\"