Leicesterwassilent，butbenthisheadtowardstheCountess，asanintimationthatshewasatlibertytoproceed。
\"Therehathbeenbutonecauseforalltheseevils，mylord，\"sheproceeded，\"anditresolvesitselfintothemysteriousduplicitywithwhichyou，havebeeninducedtosurroundyourself。
Extricateyourselfatonce，mylord，fromthetyrannyofthesedisgracefultrammels。BelikeatrueEnglishgentleman，knight，andearl，whoholdsthattruthisthefoundationofhonour，andthathonourisdeartohimasthebreathofhisnostrils。Takeyourill—fatedwifebythehand，leadhertothefootstoolofElizabeth\'sthrone——saythatinamomentofinfatuation，movedbysupposedbeauty，ofwhichnoneperhapscannowtraceeventheremains，IgavemyhandtothisAmyRobsart。Youwillthenhavedonejusticetome，mylord，andtoyourownhonourandshouldlaworpowerrequireyoutopartfromme，Iwillopposenoobjection，sinceImaythenwithhonourhideagrievedandbrokenheartinthoseshadesfromwhichyourlovewithdrewme。Then——
havebutalittlepatience，andAmy\'slifewillnotlongdarkenyourbrighterprospects。\"
Therewassomuchofdignity，somuchoftenderness，intheCountess\'sremonstrance，thatitmovedallthatwasnobleandgenerousinthesoulofherhusband。Thescalesseemedtofallfromhiseyes，andtheduplicityandtergiversationofwhichhehadbeenguiltystunghimatoncewithremorseandshame。
\"Iamnotworthyofyou，Amy，\"hesaid，\"thatcouldweighaughtwhichambitionhastogiveagainstsuchaheartasthine。Ihaveabitterpenancetoperform，indisentangling，beforesneeringfoesandastoundedfriends，allthemeshesofmyowndeceitfulpolicy。AndtheQueen——butlethertakemyhead，asshehasthreatened。\"
\"Takeyourhead，mylord！\"saidtheCountess，\"becauseyouusedthefreedomandlibertyofanEnglishsubjectinchoosingawife？
Forshame！itisthisdistrustoftheQueen\'sjustice，thisapprehensionofdanger，whichcannotbutbeimaginary，that，likescarecrows，haveinducedyoutoforsakethestraightforwardpath，which，asitisthebest，isalsothesafest。\"
\"Ah，Amy，thoulittleknowest！\"saidDudleybutinstantlycheckinghimself，headded，\"Yetsheshallnotfindinmeasafeoreasyvictimofarbitraryvengeance。Ihavefriends——Ihaveallies——Iwillnot，likeNorfolk，bedraggedtotheblockasavictimtosacrifice。Fearnot，Amy;thoushaltseeDudleybearhimselfworthyofhisname。ImustinstantlycommunicatewithsomeofthosefriendsonwhomIcanbestrely;for，asthingsstand，ImaybemadeprisonerinmyownCastle。\"
\"Oh，mygoodlord，\"saidAmy，\"makenofactioninapeacefulstate！Thereisnofriendcanhelpussowellasourowncandidtruthandhonour。Bringbutthesetoourassistance，andyouaresafeamidstawholearmyoftheenviousandmalignant。Leavethesebehindyou，andallotherdefencewillbefruitless。
Truth，mynoblelord，iswellpaintedunarmed。\"
\"ButWisdom，Amy，\"answeredLeicester，isarrayedinpanoplyofproof。ArguenotwithmeonthemeansIshallusetorendermyconfession——sinceitmustbecalledso——assafeasmaybe;itwillbefraughtwithenoughofdanger，dowhatwewill。——Varney，wemusthence。——Farewell，Amy，whomIamtovindicateasmineown，atanexpenseandriskofwhichthoualonecouldstbeworthy。Youshallsoonhearfurtherfromme。\"
Heembracedherfervently，muffledhimselfasbefore，andaccompaniedVarneyfromtheapartment。Thelatter，ashelefttheroom，bowedlow，andasheraisedhisbody，regardedAmywithapeculiarexpression，asifhedesiredtoknowhowfarhisownpardonwasincludedinthereconciliationwhichhadtakenplacebetwixtherandherlord。TheCountesslookeduponhimwithafixedeye，butseemednomoreconsciousofhispresencethaniftherehadbeennothingbutvacantaironthespotwherehestood。
\"Shehasbroughtmetothecrisis，\"hemuttered——\"sheorIamlost。Therewassomething——Iwotnotifitwasfearorpity——
thatpromptedmetoavoidthisfatalcrisis。Itisnowdecided——sheorImustPERISH。\"
Whilehethusspoke，heobserved，withsurprise，thataboy，repulsedbythesentinel，madeuptoLeicester，andspokewithhim。Varneywasoneofthosepoliticianswhomnottheslightestappearancesescapewithoutinquiry。Heaskedthesentinelwhattheladwantedwithhim，andreceivedforanswerthattheboyhadwishedhimtotransmitaparceltothemadlady;butthathecarednottotakechargeofit，suchcommunicationbeingbeyondhiscommission，Hiscuriositysatisfiedinthatparticular，heapproachedhispatron，andheardhimsay，\"Well，boy，thepacketshallbedelivered。\"
\"Thanks，goodMasterServing—man，\"saidtheboy，andwasoutofsightinaninstant。
LeicesterandVarneyreturnedwithhastystepstotheEarl\'sprivateapartment，bythesamepassagewhichhadconductedthemtoSaintlowe\'sTower。
CHAPTERXXXVI。
IhavesaidThisisanadulteress——Ihavesaidwithwhom:
More，she\'satraitor，andCamilloisAfederarywithher，andonethatknowsWhatsheshouldshametoknowherself。WINTER\'STALE。
TheywerenosoonerintheEarl\'scabinetthan，takinghistabletsfromhispocket，hebegantowrite，speakingpartlytoVarney，andpartlytohimself——\"Therearemanyofthemcloseboundentome，andespeciallythoseingoodestateandhighoffice——manywho，iftheylookbacktowardsmybenefits，orforwardtowardstheperilswhichmaybefallthemselves，willnot，Ithink，bedisposedtoseemestaggerunsupported。Letmesee——Knollisissure，andthroughhismeansGuernseyandJersey。
HorseycommandsintheIsleofWight。Mybrother—in—law，Huntingdon，andPembroke，haveauthorityinWales。ThroughBedfordIleadthePuritans，withtheirinterest，sopowerfulinalltheboroughs。MybrotherofWarwickisequal，well—nigh，tomyself，inwealth，followers，anddependencies。SirOwenHoptonisatmydevotion;hecommandstheTowerofLondon，andthenationaltreasuredepositedthere。Myfatherandgrand—fatherneedednevertohavestoopedtheirheadstotheblockhadtheythusforecasttheirenterprises。——Whylookyousosad，Varney？I
tellthee，atreesodeep—rootedisnotsoeasilytobetornupbythetempest。\"
\"Alas！mylord，\"saidVarney，withwell—actedpassion，andthenresumedthesamelookofdespondencywhichLeicesterhadbeforenoted。
\"Alas！\"repeatedLeicester;\"andwhereforealas，SirRichard？
Dothyournewspiritofchivalrysupplynomorevigorousejaculationwhenanoblestruggleisimpending？Or，ifALAS
meansthouwiltflinchfromtheconflict，thoumayestleavetheCastle，orgojoinmineenemies，whicheverthouthinkestbest。\"
\"Notso，mylord，\"answeredhisconfidant;\"Varneywillbefoundfightingordyingbyyourside。Forgiveme，if，inlovetoyou，Iseemorefullythanyournobleheartpermitsyoutodo，theinextricabledifficultieswithwhichyouaresurrounded。Youarestrong，mylord，andpowerful;yet，letmesayitwithoutoffence，youaresoonlybythereflectedlightoftheQueen\'sfavour。WhileyouareElizabeth\'sfavourite，youareall，saveinname，likeanactualsovereign。Butlethercallbackthehonoursshehasbestowed，andtheprophet\'sgourddidnotwithermoresuddenly。DeclareagainsttheQueen，andIdonotsaythatinthewidenation，orinthisprovincealone，youwouldfindyourselfinstantlydesertedandoutnumbered;butIwillsay，thateveninthisveryCastle，andinthemidstofyourvassals，kinsmen，anddependants，youwouldbeacaptive，nay，asentencedcaptive，shouldshepleasetosaytheword。ThinkuponNorfolk，mylord——uponthepowerfulNorthumberland——thesplendidWestmoreland;——thinkonallwhohavemadeheadagainstthissagePrincess。Theyaredead，captive，orfugitive。Thisisnotlikeotherthrones，whichcanbeoverturnedbyacombinationofpowerfulnobles;thebroadfoundationswhichsupportitareintheextendedloveandaffectionsofthepeople。YoumightshareitwithElizabethifyouwould;butneitheryours，noranyotherpower，foreignordomestic，willavailtooverthrow，oreventoshakeit。\"
Hepaused，andLeicesterthrewhistabletsfromhimwithanairofrecklessdespite。\"Itmaybeasthousayest，\"hesaid？\"and，insooth，Icarenotwhethertruthorcowardicedictatethyforebodings。ButitshallnotbesaidIfellwithoutastruggle。
GiveordersthatthoseofmyretainerswhoservedundermeinIrelandbegraduallydrawnintothemainKeep，andletourgentlemenandfriendsstandontheirguard，andgoarmed，asiftheyexpectedarmonsetfromthefollowersofSussex。Possessthetownspeoplewithsomeapprehension;letthemtakearms，andbeready，atagivensignal，tooverpowerthePensionersandYeomenoftheGuard。\"
\"Letmeremindyou，mylord，\"saidVarney，withthesameappearanceofdeepandmelancholyinterest，\"thatyouhavegivenmeorderstopreparefordisarmingtheQueen\'sguard。Itisanactofhightreason，butyoushallneverthelessbeobeyed。\"
\"Icarenot，\"saidLeicesterdesperately——\"Icarenot。Shameisbehindme，ruinbeforeme;Imuston。\"
Heretherewasanotherpause，whichVarneyatlengthbrokewiththefollowingwords:\"ItiscometothepointIhavelongdreaded。Imusteitherwitness，likeanungratefulbeast，thedownfallofthebestandkindestofmasters，orImustspeakwhatIwouldhaveburiedinthedeepestoblivion，ortoldbyanyothermouththanmine。\"
\"Whatisthatthousayest，orwouldstsay？\"repliedtheEarl;
\"wehavenotimetowasteonwordswhenthetimescallustoaction。\"
\"Myspeechissoonmade，mylord—wouldtoGoditwereassoonanswered！YourmarriageisthesolecauseofthethreatenedbreachwithyourSovereign，mylord，isitnot？\"
\"Thouknowestitis！\"repliedLeicester。\"Whatneedssofruitlessaquestion？\"
\"Pardonme，mylord，\"saidVarney;\"theuselieshere。Menwillwagertheirlandsandlivesindefenceofarichdiamond，mylord;butwereitnotfirstprudenttolookifthereisnoflawinit？\"
\"Whatmeansthis？\"saidLeicester，witheyessternlyfixedonhisdependant;\"ofwhomdostthoudaretospeak？\"
\"Itis——oftheCountessAmy，mylord，ofwhomIamunhappilyboundtospeak;andofwhomIWILLspeak，wereyourlordshiptokillmeformyzeal。\"
\"Thoumayesthappentodeserveitatmyhand，\"saidtheEarl;
\"butspeakon，Iwillhearthee。\"
\"Nay，then，mylord，Iwillbebold。Ispeakformyownlifeaswellasforyourlordship\'s。Ilikenotthislady\'stamperingandtricksteringwiththissameEdmundTressilian。Youknowhim，mylord。Youknowhehadformerlyaninterestinher，whichitcostyourlordshipsomepainstosupersede。Youknowtheeagernesswithwhichhehaspressedonthesuitagainstmeinbehalfofthislady，theopenobjectofwhichistodriveyourlordshiptoanavowalofwhatImustevercallyourmostunhappymarriage，thepointtowhichmyladyalsoiswilling，atanyrisk，tourgeyou。\"
Leicestersmiledconstrainedly。\"Thoumeanestwell，goodSirRichard，andwouldst，Ithink，sacrificethineownhonour，aswellasthatofanyotherperson，tosavemefromwhatthouthinkestastepsoterrible。Butremember\"——hespokethesewordswiththemoststerndecision——\"youspeakoftheCountessofLeicester。\"
\"Ido，mylord，\"saidVarney;\"butitisforthewelfareoftheEarlofLeicester。Mytaleisbutbegun。IdomoststronglybelievethatthisTressilianhas，fromthebeginningofhismovinginhercause，beeninconnivancewithherladyshiptheCountess。\"
\"Thouspeakestwildmadness，Varney，withthesoberfaceofapreacher。Where，orhow，couldtheycommunicatetogether？\"
\"Mylord，\"saidVarney，\"unfortunatelyIcanshowthatbuttoowell。ItwasjustbeforethesupplicationwaspresentedtotheQueen，inTressilian\'sname，thatImethim，tomyutterastonishment，attheposterngatewhichleadsfromthedemesneatCumnorPlace。\"
\"Thoumet\'sthim，villain！andwhydidstthounotstrikehimdead？\"exclaimedLeicester。
\"Idrewonhim，mylord，andheonme;andhadnotmyfootslipped，hewouldnot，perhaps，havebeenagainastumbling—blockinyourlordship\'spath。\"
Leicesterseemedstruckdumbwithsurprise。Atlengthheanswered，\"Whatotherevidencehastthouofthis，Varney，savethineownassertion？——for，asIwillpunishdeeply，Iwillexaminecoollyandwarily。SacredHeaven！——butno——Iwillexaminecoldlyandwarily—coldlyandwarily。\"Herepeatedthesewordsmorethanoncetohimself，asifintheverysoundtherewasasedativequality;andagaincompressinghislips，asifhefearedsomeviolentexpressionmightescapefromthem，heaskedagain，\"Whatfurtherproof？\"
\"Enough，mylord，\"saidVarney，\"andtospare。Iwoulditrestedwithmealone，forwithmeitmighthavebeensilencedforever。
Butmyservant，MichaelLambourne，witnessedthewhole，andwas，indeed，themeansoffirstintroducingTressilianintoCumnorPlace;andthereforeItookhimintomyservice，andretainedhiminit，thoughsomethingofadebauchedfellow，thatImighthavehistonguealwaysundermyowncommand。\"HethenacquaintedLordLeicesterhoweasyitwastoprovethecircumstanceoftheirinterviewtrue，byevidenceofAnthonyFoster，withthecorroborativetestimoniesofthevariouspersonsatCumnor，whohadheardthewagerlaid，andhadseenLambourneandTressiliansetofftogether。Inthewholenarrative，Varneyhazardednothingfabulous，exceptingthat，notindeedbydirectassertion，butbyinference，heledhispatrontosupposethattheinterviewbetwixtAmyandTressilianatCumnorPlacehadbeenlongerthanthefewminutestowhichitwasinrealitylimited。
\"AndwhereforewasInottoldofallthis？\"saidLeicestersternly。\"Whydidallofye——andinparticularthou，Varney——
keepbackfrommesuchmaterialinformation？\"
\"Because，mylord，\"repliedVarney，\"theCountesspretendedtoFosterandtomethatTressilianhadintrudedhimselfuponher;
andIconcludedtheirinterviewhadbeeninallhonour，andthatshewouldatherowntimetellittoyourlordship。Yourlordshipknowswithwhatunwillingearswelistentoevilsurmisesagainstthosewhomwelove;andIthankHeavenIamnomakebateorinformer，tobethefirsttosowthem。\"
\"Youarebuttooreadytoreceivethem，however，SirRichard，\"
repliedhispatron。\"Howknowestthouthatthisinterviewwasnotinallhonour，asthouhastsaid？MethinksthewifeoftheEarlofLeicestermightspeakforashorttimewithsuchapersonasTressilianwithoutinjurytomeorsuspiciontoherself。\"
\"Questionless，mylord，\"answeredVarney，\"HadIthoughtotherwise，Ihadbeennokeeperofthesecret。Buthereliestherub——Tressilianleavesnottheplacewithoutestablishingacorrespondencewithapoorman，thelandlordofaninninCumnor，forthepurposeofcarryingoffthelady。Hesentdownanemissaryofhis，whomItrustsoontohaveinrightsurekeepingunderMervyn\'sTower——KilligrewandLambsbeyarescouringthecountryinquestofhim。Thehostisrewardedwitharingforkeepingcounsel——yourlordshipmayhavenoteditonTressilian\'shand——hereitis。Thisfellow，thisagent，makeshiswaytotheplaceasapedlar;holdsconferenceswiththelady，andtheymaketheirescapetogetherbynight;robapoorfellowofahorsebytheway，suchwastheirguiltyhaste，andatlengthreachthisCastle，wheretheCountessofLeicesterfindsrefuge——Idarenotsayinwhatplace。\"
\"Speak，Icommandthee，\"saidLeicester——\"speak，whileIretainsenseenoughtohearthee。\"
\"Sinceitmustbeso，\"answeredVarney，\"theladyresortedimmediatelytotheapartmentofTressilian，wheresheremainedmanyhours，partlyincompanywithhim，andpartlyalone。ItoldyouTressilianhadaparamourinhischamber;Ilittledreamedthatparamourwas——\"
\"Amy，thouwouldstsay，\"answeredLeicester;\"butitisfalse，falseasthesmokeofhell！Ambitiousshemaybe——fickleandimpatient——\'tisawoman\'sfault;butfalsetome！——never，never。
Theproof——theproofofthis！\"heexclaimedhastily。
\"Carrol，theDeputyMarshal，usheredherthitherbyherowndesire，onyesterdayafternoon;LambourneandtheWarderbothfoundherthereatanearlyhourthismorning，\"
\"WasTressiliantherewithher？\"saidLeicester，inthesamehurriedtone。
\"No，mylord。Youmayremember，\"answeredVarney，\"thathewasthatnightplacedwithSirNicholasBlount，underaspeciesofarrest。\"
\"DidCarrol，ortheotherfellows，knowwhoshewas？\"demandedLeicester。
\"No，mylord，\"repliedVarney;\"CarrolandtheWarderhadneverseentheCountess，andLambourneknewhernotinherdisguise。
Butinseekingtopreventherleavingthecell，heobtainedpossessionofoneofhergloves，which，Ithink，yourlordshipmayknow。\"
Hegavetheglove，whichhadtheBearandRaggedStaff，theEarl\'simpress，embroidereduponitinseed—pearls。
\"Ido——Idorecognizeit，\"saidLeicester。\"Theyweremyowngift。Thefellowofitwasonthearmwhichshethrewthisverydayaroundmyneck！\"Hespokethiswithviolentagitation。
\"Yourlordship，\"saidVarney，\"mightyetfurtherinquireoftheladyherselfrespectingthetruthofthesepassages。\"
\"Itneedsnot——itneedsnot，\"saidthetorturedEarl;\"itiswrittenincharactersofburninglight，asiftheywerebrandedonmyveryeyeballs！Iseeherinfamy—Icanseenoughtelse;
and——graciousHeaven！——forthisvilewomanwasIabouttocommittodangerthelivesofsomanynoblefriends，shakethefoundationofalawfulthrone，carrytheswordandtorchthroughthebosomofapeacefulland，wrongthekindmistresswhomademewhatIam，andwould，butforthathell—framedmarriage，havemademeallthatmancanbe！AllthisIwasreadytodoforawomanwhotrinketsandtrafficswithmyworstfoes！——Andthou，villain，whydidstthounotspeaksooner？\"
\"Mylord，\"saidVarney，\"atearfrommyladywouldhaveblottedoutallIcouldhavesaid。Besides，Ihadnottheseproofsuntilthisverymorning，whenAnthonyFoster\'ssuddenarrivalwiththeexaminationsanddeclarations，whichhehadextortedfromtheinnkeeperGoslingandothers，explainedthemannerofherflightfromCumnorPlace，andmyownresearchesdiscoveredthestepswhichshehadtakenhere。\"
\"Now，mayGodbepraisedforthelightHehasgiven！sofull，sosatisfactory，thattherebreathesnotamaninEnglandwhoshallcallmyproceedingrash，ormyrevengeunjust。——Andyet，Varney，soyoung，sofair，sofawning，andsofalse！Hence，then，herhatredtothee，mytrusty，mywell—belovedservant，becauseyouwithstoodherplots，andendangeredherparamour\'slife！\"
\"Inevergaveheranyothercauseofdislike，mylord，\"repliedVarney。\"Butsheknewthatmycounselswentdirectlytodiminishherinfluencewithyourlordship;andthatIwas，andhavebeen，everreadytoperilmylifeagainstyourenemies。\"
\"Itistoo，tooapparent，\"repliedLeicester\"yetwithwhatanairofmagnanimitysheexhortedmetocommitmyheadtotheQueen\'smercy，ratherthanweartheveiloffalsehoodamomentlonger！Methinkstheangeloftruthhimselfcanhavenosuchtonesofhigh—souledimpulse。Canitbeso，Varney？——canfalsehoodusethusboldlythelanguageoftruth？——caninfamythusassumetheguiseofpurity？Varney，thouhastbeenmyservantfromachild。Ihaveraisedtheehigh——canraisetheehigher。
Think，thinkforme！——thybrainwasevershrewdandpiercing——
mayshenotbeinnocent？Proveherso，andallIhaveyetdonefortheeshallbeasnothing——nothing，incomparisonofthyrecompense！\"
TheagonywithwhichhismasterspokehadsomeeffectevenonthehardenedVarney，who，inthemidstofhisownwickedandambitiousdesigns，reallylovedhispatronaswellassuchawretchwascapableoflovinganything。Buthecomfortedhimself，andsubduedhisself—reproaches，withthereflectionthatifheinflictedupontheEarlsomeimmediateandtransitorypain，itwasinordertopavehiswaytothethrone，which，werethismarriagedissolvedbydeathorotherwise，hedeemedElizabethwouldwillinglysharewithhisbenefactor。Hethereforeperseveredinhisdiabolicalpolicy;andafteramoment\'sconsideration，answeredtheanxiousqueriesoftheEarlwithamelancholylook，asifhehadinvainsoughtsomeexculpationfortheCountess;thensuddenlyraisinghishead，hesaid，withanexpressionofhope，whichinstantlycommunicateditselftothecountenanceofhispatron——\"Yetwherefore，ifguilty，shouldshehaveperilledherselfbycominghither？Whynotratherhavefledtoherfather\'s，orelsewhere？——thoughthat，indeed，mighthaveinterferedwithherdesiretobeacknowledgedasCountessofLeicester。\"
\"True，true，true！\"exclaimedLeicester，histransientgleamofhopegivingwaytotheutmostbitternessoffeelingandexpression;\"thouartnotfittofathomawoman\'sdepthofwit，Varney。Iseeitall。Shewouldnotquittheestateandtitleofthewittolwhohadweddedher。Ay，andifinmymadnessIhadstartedintorebellion，oriftheangryQueenhadtakenmyhead，asshethismorningthreatened，thewealthydowerwhichlawwouldhaveassignedtotheCountessDowagerofLeicesterhadbeennobadwindfalltothebeggarlyTressilian。Wellmightshegoadmeontodanger，whichcouldnotendotherwisethanprofitablytoher，——Speaknotforher，Varney！Iwillhaveherblood！\"
\"Mylord，\"repliedVarney，\"thewildnessofyourdistressbreaksforthinthewildnessofyourlanguage，\"
\"Isay，speaknotforher！\"repliedLeicester;\"shehasdishonouredme——shewouldhavemurderedme——alltiesareburstbetweenus。Sheshalldiethedeathofatraitressandadulteress，wellmeritedbothbythelawsofGodandman！And——
whatisthiscasket，\"hesaid，\"whichwasevennowthrustintomyhandbyaboy，withthedesireIwouldconveyittoTressilian，ashecouldnotgiveittotheCountess？ByHeaven！thewordssurprisedmeashespokethem，thoughothermatterschasedthemfrommybrain;butnowtheyreturnwithdoubleforce。Itishercasketofjewels！——Forceitopen，Varney——forcethehingesopenwiththyponiard！\"
\"Sherefusedtheaidofmydaggeronce，\"thoughtVarney，asheunsheathedtheweapon，\"tocutthestringwhichboundaletter，butnowitshallworkamightierministryinherfortunes。\"
Withthisreflection，byusingthethree—corneredstiletto—bladeasawedge，heforcedopentheslendersilverhingesofthecasket。TheEarlnosoonersawthemgivewaythanhesnatchedthecasketfromSirRichard\'shand，wrenchedoffthecover，andtearingoutthesplendidcontents，flungthemonthefloorinatransportofrage，whileheeagerlysearchedforsomeletterorbilletwhichshouldmakethefanciedguiltofhisinnocentCountessyetmoreapparent。Thenstampingfuriouslyonthegems，heexclaimed，\"ThusIannihilatethemiserabletoysforwhichthouhastsoldthyself，bodyandsoul——consignedthyselftoanearlyandtimelessdeath，andmetomiseryandremorseforever！
——Tellmenotofforgiveness，Varney——sheisdoomed！\"
Sosaying，helefttheroom，andrushedintoanadjacentcloset，thedoorofwhichhelockedandbolted。
Varneylookedafterhim，whilesomethingofamorehumanfeelingseemedtocontendwithhishabitualsneer。\"Iamsorryforhisweakness，\"hesaid，\"butlovehasmadehimachild。Hethrowsdownandtreadsonthesecostlytoys—withthesamevehemencewouldhedashtopiecesthisfrailesttoyofall，ofwhichheusedtoravesofondly。Butthattastealsowillbeforgottenwhenitsobjectisnomore。Well，hehasnoeyetovaluethingsastheydeserve，andthatnaturehasgiventoVarney。WhenLeicestershallbeasovereign，hewillthinkaslittleofthegalesofpassionthroughwhichhegainedthatroyalport，aseverdidsailorinharbouroftheperilsofavoyage。Butthesetell—
talearticlesmustnotremainhere——theyarerathertoorichvailsforthedrudgeswhodressthechamber。\"
WhileVarneywasemployedingatheringtogetherandputtingthemintoasecretdrawerofacabinetthatchancedtobeopen，hesawthedoorofLeicester\'sclosetopen，thetapestrypushedaside，andtheEarl\'sfacethrustout，butwitheyessodead，andlipsandcheekssobloodlessandpale，thathestartedatthesuddenchange。NosoonerdidhiseyesencountertheEarl\'s，thanthelatterwithdrewhisheadandshutthedoorofthecloset。ThismanoeuvreLeicesterrepeatedtwice，withoutspeakingaword，sothatVarneybegantodoubtwhetherhisbrainwasnotactuallyaffectedbyhismentalagony。Thethirdtime，however，hebeckoned，andVarneyobeyedthesignal。Whenheentered，hesoonfoundhispatron\'sperturbationwasnotcausedbyinsanity，butbythefullnessofpurposewhichheentertainedcontendingwithvariouscontrarypassions。Theypassedafullhourincloseconsultation;afterwhichtheEarlofLeicester，withanincredibleexertion，dressedhimself，andwenttoattendhisroyalguest。
CHAPTERXXXVII。
Youhavedisplacedthemirth，brokethegoodmeetingWithmostadmireddisorder。MACBETH。
ItwasafterwardsrememberedthatduringthebanquetsandrevelswhichoccupiedtheremainderofthiseventfuldaythebearingofLeicesterandofVarneyweretotallydifferentfromtheirusualdemeanour。SirRichardVarneyhadbeenheldratheramanofcounselandofactionthanavotaryofpleasure。Business，whethercivilormilitary，seemedalwaystobehispropersphere;
andwhileinfestivalsandrevels，althoughhewellunderstoodhowtotrickthemupandpresentthem，hisownpartwasthatofamerespectator;orifheexercisedhiswit，itwasinarough，caustic，andseveremanner，ratherasifhescoffedattheexhibitionandthegueststhansharedthecommonpleasure。
Butuponthepresentdayhischaracterseemedchanged。Hemixedamongtheyoungercourtiersandladies，andappearedforthemomenttobeactuatedbyaspiritoflight—heartedgaiety，whichrenderedhimamatchfortheliveliest。Thosewhohadlookeduponhimasamangivenuptograverandmoreambitiouspursuits，abittersneererandpasserofsarcasmsattheexpenseofthosewho，takinglifeastheyfindit，weredisposedtosnatchateachpastimeitpresents，nowperceivedwithastonishmentthathiswitcouldcarryassmoothanedgeastheirown，hislaughbeaslively，andhisbrowasunclouded。Bywhatartofdamnablehypocrisyhecoulddrawthisveilofgaietyovertheblackthoughtsofoneoftheworstofhumanbosomsmustremainunintelligibletoallbuthiscompeers，ifanysucheverexisted;
buthewasamanofextraordinarypowers，andthosepowerswereunhappilydedicatedinalltheirenergytotheveryworstofpurposes。
ItwasentirelydifferentwithLeicester。Howeverhabituatedhismindusuallywastoplaythepartofagoodcourtier，andappeargay，assiduous，andfreefromallcarebutthatofenhancingthepleasureofthemoment，whilehisbosominternallythrobbedwiththepangsofunsatisfiedambition，jealousy，orresentment，hishearthadnowayetmoredreadfulguest，whoseworkingscouldnotbeovershadowedorsuppressed;andyoumightreadinhisvacanteyeandtroubledbrowthathisthoughtswerefarabsentfromthescenesinwhichhewascompellinghimselftoplayapart。Helooked，moved，andspokeasifbyasuccessionofcontinuedefforts;anditseemedasifhiswillhadinsomedegreelostthepromptitudeofcommandovertheacutemindandgoodlyformofwhichitwastheregent。Hisactionsandgestures，insteadofappearingtheconsequenceofsimplevolition，seemed，likethoseofanautomaton，towaittherevolutionofsomeinternalmachineryeretheycouldbeperformed;andhiswordsfellfromhimpiecemeal，interrupted，asifhehadfirsttothinkwhathewastosay，thenhowitwastobesaid，andasif，afterall，itwasonlybyaneffortofcontinuedattentionthathecompletedasentencewithoutforgettingboththeoneandtheother。
ThesingulareffectswhichthesedistractionsofmindproduceduponthebehaviourandconversationofthemostaccomplishedcourtierofEngland，astheywerevisibletothelowestanddullestmenialwhoapproachedhisperson，couldnotescapethenoticeofthemostintelligentPrincessoftheage。NoristheretheleastdoubtthatthealternatenegligenceandirregularityofhismannerwouldhavecalleddownElizabeth\'sseveredispleasureontheEarlofLeicester，haditnotoccurredtohertoaccountforitbysupposingthattheapprehensionofthatdispleasurewhichshehadexpressedtowardshimwithsuchvivacitythatverymorningwasdwellinguponthespiritsofherfavourite，and，spiteofhiseffortstothecontrary，distractedtheusualgracefultenorofhismienandthecharmsofhisconversation。
Whenthisidea，soflatteringtofemalevanity，hadonceobtainedpossessionofhermind，itprovedafullandsatisfactoryapologyforthenumerouserrorsandmistakesoftheEarlofLeicester;