Theserough，ruralgambolsmaynotaltogetheragreewiththereader\'spreconceivedideaofanentertainmentpresentedbeforeElizabeth，inwhosereignlettersrevivedwithsuchbrilliancy，andwhosecourt，governedbyafemalewhosesenseofproprietywasequaltoherstrengthofmind，wasnolessdistinguishedfordelicacyandrefinementthanhercouncilsforwisdomandfortitude。Butwhetherfromthepoliticalwishtoseeminterestedinpopularsports，orwhetherfromasparkofoldHenry\'srough，masculinespirit，whichElizabethsometimesdisplayed，itiscertaintheQueenlaughedheartilyattheimitation，orratherburlesque，ofchivalrywhichwaspresentedintheCoventryplay。ShecallednearherpersontheEarlofSussexandLordHunsdon，partlyperhapstomakeamendstotheformerforthelongandprivateaudienceswithwhichshehadindulgedtheEarlofLeicester，byengaginghiminconversationuponapastimewhichbettersuitedhistastethanthosepageantsthatwerefurnishedforthfromthestoresofantiquity。ThedispositionwhichtheQueenshowedtolaughandjestwithhermilitaryleadersgavetheEarlofLeicestertheopportunityhehadbeenwatchingforwithdrawingfromtheroyalpresence，whichtothecourtaround，sowellhadhechosenhistime，hadthegracefulappearanceofleavinghisrivalfreeaccesstotheQueen\'sperson，insteadofavailinghimselfofhisrightasherlandlordtostandperpetuallybetwixtothersandthelightofhercountenance。
Leicester\'sthoughts，however，hadafardifferentobjectfrommerecourtesy;fornosoonerdidheseetheQueenfairlyengagedinconversationwithSussexandHunsdon，behindwhosebackstoodSirNicholasBlount，grinningfromeartoearateachwordwhichwasspoken，than，makingasigntoTressilian，who，accordingtoappointment，watchedhismotionsatalittledistance，heextricatedhimselffromthepress，andwalkingtowardstheChase，madehiswaythroughthecrowdsofordinaryspectators，who，withopenmouth，stoodgazingonthebattleoftheEnglishandtheDanes。Whenhehadaccomplishedthis，whichwasaworkofsomedifficulty，heshotanotherglancebehindhimtoseethatTressilianhadbeenequallysuccessful;andassoonashesawhimalsofreefromthecrowd，heledthewaytoasmallthicket，behindwhichstoodalackey，withtwohorsesreadysaddled。Heflunghimselfontheone，andmadesignstoTressiliantomounttheother，whoobeyedwithoutspeakingasingleword。
Leicesterthenspurredhishorse，andgallopedwithoutstoppinguntilhereachedasequesteredspot，environedbyloftyoaks，aboutamile\'sdistancefromtheCastle，andinanoppositedirectionfromthescenetowhichcuriositywasdrawingeveryspectator。Hetheredismounted，boundhishorsetoatree，andonlypronouncingthewords，\"Herethereisnoriskofinterruption，\"laidhiscloakacrosshissaddle，anddrewhissword。
Tressilianimitatedhisexamplepunctually，yetcouldnotforbearsaying，ashedrewhisweapon，\"Mylord，asIhavebeenknowntomanyasonewhodoesnotfeardeathwhenplacedinbalancewithhonour，methinksImay，withoutderogation，askwherefore，inthenameofallthatishonourable，yourlordshiphasdaredtooffermesuchamarkofdisgraceasplacesusonthesetermswithrespecttoeachother？\"
\"Ifyoulikenotsuchmarksofmyscorn，\"repliedtheEarl，\"betakeyourselfinstantlytoyourweapon，lestIrepeattheusageyoucomplainof。\"
\"Itshallnotneed，mylord，\"saidTressilian。\"Godjudgebetwixtus！andyourblood，ifyoufall，beonyourownhead。\"
Hehadscarcecompletedthesentencewhentheyinstantlyclosedincombat。
ButLeicester，whowasaperfectmasterofdefenceamongallotherexterioraccomplishmentsofthetime，hadseenontheprecedingnightenoughofTressilian\'sstrengthandskilltomakehimfightwithmorecautionthanheretofore，andpreferasecurerevengetoahastyone。Forsomeminutestheyfoughtwithequalskillandfortune，till，inadesperatelungewhichLeicestersuccessfullyputaside，Tressilianexposedhimselfatdisadvantage;andinasubsequentattempttoclose，theEarlforcedhisswordfromhishand，andstretchedhimontheground。
Withagrimsmileheheldthepointofhisrapierwithintwoinchesofthethroatofhisfallenadversary，andplacinghisfootatthesametimeuponhisbreast，bidhimconfesshisvillainouswrongstowardshim，andpreparefordeath。
\"Ihavenovillainynorwrongtowardstheetoconfess，\"answeredTressilian，\"andambetterpreparedfordeaththanthou。Usethineadvantageasthouwilt，andmayGodforgiveyou！Ihavegivenyounocauseforthis。\"
\"Nocause！\"exclaimedtheEarl，\"nocause！——butwhyparleywithsuchaslave？Diealiar，asthouhastlived！\"
Hehadwithdrawnhisarmforthepurposeofstrikingthefatalblow，whenitwassuddenlyseizedfrombehind。
TheEarlturnedinwrathtoshakeofftheunexpectedobstacle，butwassurprisedtofindthatastrange—lookingboyhadholdofhissword—arm，andclungtoitwithsuchtenacityofgraspthathecouldnotshakehimofwithoutaconsiderablestruggle，inthecourseofwhichTressilianhadopportunitytoriseandpossesshimselfoncemoreofhisweapon。Leicesteragainturnedtowardshimwithlooksofunabatedferocity，andthecombatwouldhaverecommencedwithstillmoredesperationonbothsides，hadnottheboyclungtoLordLeicester\'sknees，andinashrilltoneimploredhimtolistenonemomentereheprosecutedthisquarrel。
\"Standup，andletmego，\"saidLeicester，\"or，byHeaven，Iwillpiercetheewithmyrapier！Whathastthoutodotobarmywaytorevenge？\"
\"Much——much！\"exclaimedtheundauntedboy，\"sincemyfollyhasbeenthecauseofthesebloodyquarrelsbetweenyou，andperchanceofworseevils。Oh，ifyouwouldeveragainenjoythepeaceofaninnocentmind，ifyouhopeagaintosleepinpeaceandunhauntedbyremorse，takesomuchleisureastoperusethisletter，andthendoasyoulist。\"
Whilehespokeinthiseagerandearnestmanner，towhichhissingularfeaturesandvoicegaveagoblin—likeeffect，hehelduptoLeicesterapacket，securedwithalongtressofwoman\'shairofabeautifullight—browncolour。Enragedashewas，nay，almostblindedwithfurytoseehisdestinedrevengesostrangelyfrustrated，theEarlofLeicestercouldnotresistthisextraordinarysupplicant。Hesnatchedtheletterfromhishand——
changedcolourashelookedonthesuperscription——undidwithfalteringhandtheknotwhichsecuredit——glancedoverthecontents，andstaggeringback，wouldhavefallen，hadhenotrestedagainstthetrunkofatree，wherehestoodforaninstant，hiseyesbentontheletter，andhissword—pointturnedtotheground，withoutseemingtobeconsciousofthepresenceofanantagonisttowardswhomhehadshownlittlemercy，andwhomightinturnhavetakenhimatadvantage。ButforsuchrevengeTressilianwastoonoble—minded。Healsostoodstillinsurprise，waitingtheissueofthisstrangefitofpassion，butholdinghisweaponreadytodefendhimselfincaseofneedagainstsomenewandsuddenattackonthepartofLeicester，whomheagainsuspectedtobeundertheinfluenceofactualfrenzy。
Theboy，indeed，heeasilyrecognizedashisoldacquaintanceDickon，whoseface，onceseen，wasscarcelytobeforgotten;buthowhecamehitheratsocriticalamoment，whyhisinterferencewassoenergetic，and，aboveall，howitcametoproducesopowerfulaneffectuponLeicester，werequestionswhichhecouldnotsolve。
Buttheletterwasofitselfpowerfulenoughtoworkeffectsyetmorewonderful。ItwasthatwhichtheunfortunateAmyhadwrittentoherhusband，inwhichsheallegedthereasonsandmannerofherflightfromCumnorPlace，informedhimofherhavingmadeherwaytoKenilworthtoenjoyhisprotection，andmentionedthecircumstanceswhichhadcompelledhertotakerefugeinTressilian\'sapartment，earnestlyrequestinghewould，withoutdelay，assignheramoresuitableasylum。Theletterconcludedwiththemostearnestexpressionsofdevotedattachmentandsubmissiontohiswillinallthings，andparticularlyrespectinghersituationandplaceofresidence，conjuringhimonlythatshemightnotbeplacedundertheguardianshiporrestraintofVarney。TheletterdroppedfromLeicester\'shandwhenhehadperusedit。\"Takemysword，\"hesaid，\"Tressilian，andpiercemyheart，asIwouldbutnowhavepiercedyours！\"
\"Mylord，\"saidTressilian，\"youhavedonemegreatwrong，butsomethingwithinmybreasteverwhisperedthatitwasbyegregiouserror。\"
\"Error，indeed！\"saidLeicester，andhandedhimtheletter;\"I
havebeenmadetobelieveamanofhonouravillain，andthebestandpurestofcreaturesafalseprofligate。——Wretchedboy，whycomesthisletternow，andwherehasthebearerlingered？\"
\"Idarenottellyou，mylord，\"saidtheboy，withdrawing，asiftokeepbeyondhisreach;\"butherecomesonewhowasthemessenger。\"
Waylandatthesamemomentcameup;andinterrogatedbyLeicester，hastilydetailedallthecircumstancesofhisescapewithAmy，thefatalpracticeswhichhaddrivenhertoflight，andheranxiousdesiretothrowherselfundertheinstantprotectionofherhusband——pointingouttheevidenceofthedomesticsofKenilworth，\"whocouldnot，\"heobserved，\"butrememberhereagerinquiriesaftertheEarlofLeicesteronherfirstarrival。\"
\"Thevillains！\"exclaimedLeicester;\"butoh，thatworstofvillains，Varney！——andsheisevennowinhispower！\"
\"Butnot，ItrustinGod，\"saidTressilian，\"withanycommandsoffatalimport？\"
\"No，no，no！\"exclaimedtheEarlhastily。\"Isaidsomethinginmadness;butitwasrecalled，fullyrecalled，byahastymessenger，andsheisnow——shemustnowbesafe。\"
\"Yes，\"saidTressilian，\"sheMUSTbesafe，andIMUSTbeassuredofhersafety。Myownquarrelwithyouisended，mylord;butthereisanothertobeginwiththeseducerofAmyRobsart，whohasscreenedhisguiltunderthecloakoftheinfamousVarney。\"
\"TheSEDUCERofAmy！\"repliedLeicester，withavoicelikethunder;\"sayherhusband！——hermisguided，blinded，mostunworthyhusband！SheisassurelyCountessofLeicesterasIambeltedEarl。Norcanyou，sir，pointoutthatmannerofjusticewhichI
willnotrenderheratmyownfreewill。IneedscarcesayI
fearnotyourcompulsion。\"
ThegenerousnatureofTressilianwasinstantlyturnedfromconsiderationofanythingpersonaltohimself，andcentredatonceuponAmy\'swelfare。HehadbynomeansundoubtingconfidenceinthefluctuatingresolutionsofLeicester，whosemindseemedtohimagitatedbeyondthegovernmentofcalmreason;
neitherdidhe，notwithstandingtheassuranceshehadreceived，thinkAmysafeinthehandsofhisdependants。\"Mylord，\"hesaidcalmly，\"Imeanyounooffence，andamfarfromseekingaquarrel。ButmydutytoSirHughRobsartcompelsmetocarrythismatterinstantlytotheQueen，thattheCountess\'srankmaybeacknowledgedinherperson。\"
\"Youshallnotneed，sir，\"repliedtheEarlhaughtily;\"donotdaretointerfere。NovoicebutDudley\'sshallproclaimDudley\'sinfamy。ToElizabethherselfwillItellit;andthenforCumnorPlacewiththespeedoflifeanddeath！\"
Sosaying，heunboundhishorsefromthetree，threwhimselfintothesaddle，androdeatfullgalloptowardstheCastle。
\"Takemebeforeyou，MasterTressilian，\"saidtheboy，seeingTressilianmountinthesamehaste;\"mytaleisnotalltoldout，andIneedyourprotection。\"
Tressiliancomplied，andfollowedtheEarl，thoughatalessfuriousrate。Bythewaytheboyconfessed，withmuchcontrition，thatinresentmentatWayland\'sevadingallhisinquiriesconcerningthelady，afterDickonconceivedhehadinvariouswaysmeritedhisconfidence，hehadpurloinedfromhiminrevengetheletterwithwhichAmyhadentrustedhimfortheEarlofLeicester。Hispurposewastohaverestoredittohimthatevening，ashereckonedhimselfsureofmeetingwithhim，inconsequenceofWayland\'shavingtoperformthepartofArioninthepageant。Hewasindeedsomethingalarmedwhenhesawtowhomtheletterwasaddressed;buthearguedthat，asLeicesterdidnotreturntoKenilworthuntilthatevening，itwouldbeagaininthepossessionofthepropermessengerassoonas，inthenatureofthings，itcouldpossiblybedelivered。ButWaylandcamenottothepageant，havingbeenintheinterimexpelledbyLambournefromtheCastle;andtheboy，notbeingabletofindhim，ortogetspeechofTressilian，andfindinghimselfinpossessionofaletteraddressedtonolessapersonthantheEarlofLeicester，becamemuchafraidoftheconsequencesofhisfrolic。Thecaution，andindeedthealarm，whichWaylandhadexpressedrespectingVarneyandLambourne，ledhimtojudgethatthelettermustbedesignedfortheEarl\'sownhand，andthathemightprejudicetheladybygivingittoanyofthedomestics。HemadeanattemptortwotoobtainanaudienceofLeicester;butthesingularityofhisfeaturesandthemeannessofhisappearanceoccasionedhisbeingalwaysrepulsedbytheinsolentmenialswhomheappliedtoforthatpurpose。Once，indeed，hehadnearlysucceeded，when，inprowlingabout，hefoundinthegrottothecasket，whichheknewtobelongtotheunluckyCountess，havingseenitonherjourney;fornothingescapedhispryingeye。
HavingstriveninvaintorestoreiteithertoTressilianortheCountess，heputitintothehands，aswehaveseen，ofLeicesterhimself，butunfortunatelyhedidnotrecognizehiminhisdisguise。
AtlengththeboythoughthewasonthepointofsucceedingwhentheEarlcamedowntothelowerpartofthehall;butjustashewasabouttoaccosthim，hewaspreventedbyTressilian。Assharpinearasinwit，theboyheardtheappointmentsettledbetwixtthem，totakeplaceinthePleasance，andresolvedtoaddathirdtotheparty，inhopethat，eitherincomingorreturning，hemightfindanopportunityofdeliveringthelettertoLeicester;forstrangestoriesbegantoflitamongthedomestics，whichalarmedhimforthelady\'ssafety。Accident，however，detainedDickonalittlebehindtheEarl，andashereachedthearcadehesawthemengagedincombat;inconsequenceofwhichhehastenedtoalarmtheguard，havinglittledoubtthatwhatbloodshedtookplacebetwixtthemmightariseoutofhisownfrolic。Continuingtolurkintheportico，heheardthesecondappointmentwhichLeicesteratpartingassignedtoTressilian;
andwaskeepingtheminviewduringtheencounteroftheCoventrymen，when，tohissurprise，herecognizedWaylandinthecrowd，muchdisguised，indeed，butnotsufficientlysotoescapethepryingglanceofhisoldcomrade。Theydrewasideoutofthecrowdtoexplaintheirsituationtoeachother。TheboyconfessedtoWaylandwhatwehaveabovetold;andtheartist，inreturn，informedhimthathisdeepanxietyforthefateoftheunfortunateladyhadbroughthimbacktotheneighbourhoodoftheCastle，uponhislearningthatmorning，atavillageabouttenmilesdistant，thatVarneyandLambourne，whoseviolencehedreaded，hadbothleftKenilworthover—night。
Whiletheyspoke，theysawLeicesterandTressilianseparatethemselvesfromthecrowd，doggedthemuntiltheymountedtheirhorses，whentheboy，whosespeedoffoothasbeenbeforementioned，thoughhecouldnotpossiblykeepupwiththem，yetarrived，aswehaveseen，soonenoughtosaveTressilian\'slife。
TheboyhadjustfinishedhistalewhentheyarrivedattheGallery—tower。
CHAPTERXL。
Higho\'ertheeasternsteepthesunisbeaming，Anddarknessflieswithherdeceitfulshadows;——
Sotruthprevailso\'erfalsehood。OLDPLAY。
AsTressilianrodealongthebridge，latelythesceneofsomuchriotoussport，hecouldnotbutobservethatmen\'scountenanceshadsingularlychangedduringthespaceofhisbriefabsence。
Themockfightwasover，butthemen，stillhabitedintheirmaskingsuits，stoodtogetheringroups，liketheinhabitantsofacitywhohavebeenjuststartledbysomestrangeandalarmingnews。
Whenhereachedthebase—court，appearanceswerethesame——
domestics，retainers，andunder—officersstoodtogetherandwhispered，bendingtheireyestowardsthewindowsoftheGreatHall，withlookswhichseemedatoncealarmedandmysterious。
SirNicholasBlountwasthefirstpersonofhisownparticularacquaintanceTressiliansaw，wholefthimnotimetomakeinquiries，butgreetedhimwith，\"Godhelpthyheart，Tressilian！
thouartfitterforaclownthanacourtierthoucanstnotattend，asbecomesonewhofollowsherMajesty。Hereyouarecalledfor，wishedfor，waitedfor——nomanbutyouwillservetheturn;andhitheryoucomewithamisbegottenbratonthyhorse\'sneck，asifthouwertdrynursetosomesuckingdevil，andwertjustreturnedfromairing。\"
\"Why，whatisthematter？\"saidTressilian，lettinggotheboy，whosprungtogroundlikeafeather，andhimselfdismountingatthesametime。
\"Why，nooneknowsthematter，\"repliedBlount;\"Icannotsmellitoutmyself，thoughIhaveanoselikeothercourtiers。Only，myLordofLeicesterhasgallopedalongthebridgeasifhewouldhaverodeoverallinhispassage，demandedanaudienceoftheQueen，andisclosetedevennowwithher，andBurleighandWalsingham——andyouarecalledfor;butwhetherthematterbetreasonorworse，nooneknows。\"
\"Hespeakstrue，byHeaven！\"saidRaleigh，whothatinstantappeared;\"youmustimmediatelytotheQueen\'spresence。\"
\"Benotrash，Raleigh，\"saidBlount，\"rememberhisboots。——ForHeaven\'ssake，gotomychamber，dearTressilian，anddonmynewbloom—colouredsilkenhose;Ihavewornthembuttwice。\"
\"Pshaw！\"answeredTressilian;\"dothoutakecareofthisboy，Blount;bekindtohim，andlookheescapesyounot——muchdependsonhim。\"
Sosaying，hefollowedRaleighhastily，leavinghonestBlountwiththebridleofhishorseinonehand，andtheboyintheother。Blountgavealonglookafterhim。
\"Nobody，\"hesaid，\"callsmetothesemysteries——andheleavesmeheretoplayhorse—keeperandchild—keeperatonce。Icouldexcusetheone，forIloveagoodhorsenaturally;buttobeplaguedwithabratchetwhelp。——Whencecomeye，myfair—favouredlittlegossip？\"
\"FromtheFens，\"answeredtheboy。
\"Andwhatdidstthoulearnthere，forwardimp？\"
\"Tocatchgulls，withtheirwebbedfeetandyellowstockings，\"
saidtheboy。
\"Umph！\"saidBlount，lookingdownonhisownimmenseroses。
\"Nay，then，thedeviltakehimaskstheemorequestions。\"
MeantimeTressiliantraversedthefulllengthoftheGreatHall，inwhichtheastonishedcourtiersformedvariousgroups，andwerewhisperingmysteriouslytogether，whileallkepttheireyesfixedonthedoorwhichledfromtheupperendofthehallintotheQueen\'swithdrawingapartment。Raleighpointedtothedoor。
Tressilianknocked，andwasinstantlyadmitted。Manyaneckwasstretchedtogainaviewintotheinterioroftheapartment;butthetapestrywhichcoveredthedoorontheinsidewasdroppedtoosuddenlytoadmittheslightestgratificationofcuriosity。
Uponentrance，Tressilianfoundhimself，notwithoutastrongpalpitationofheart，inthepresenceofElizabeth，whowaswalkingtoandfroinaviolentagitation，whichsheseemedtoscorntoconceal，whiletwoorthreeofhermostsageandconfidentialcounsellorsexchangedanxiouslookswitheachother，butdelayedspeakingtillherwrathabated。Beforetheemptychairofstateinwhichshehadbeenseated，andwhichwashalfpushedasidebytheviolencewithwhichshehadstartedfromit，kneltLeicester，hisarmscrossed，andhisbrowsbentontheground，stillandmotionlessastheeffigiesuponasepulchre。
BesidehimstoodtheLordShrewsbury，thenEarlMarshalofEngland，holdinghisbatonofoffice。TheEarl\'sswordwasunbuckled，andlaybeforehimonthefloor。
\"Ho，sir！\"saidtheQueen，comingcloseuptoTressilian，andstampingonthefloorwiththeactionandmannerofHenryhimself;\"youknewofthisfairwork——youareanaccompliceinthisdeceptionwhichhasbeenpractisedonus——youhavebeenamaincauseofourdoinginjustice？\"TressiliandroppedonhiskneebeforetheQueen，hisgoodsenseshowinghimtheriskofattemptinganydefenceatthatmomentofirritation。\"Artdumb，sirrah？\"shecontinued;\"thouknowestofthisaffairdostthounot？\"
\"Not，graciousmadam，thatthispoorladywasCountessofLeicester。\"
\"Norshallanyoneknowherforsuch，\"saidElizabeth。\"Deathofmylife！CountessofLeicester！——IsayDameAmyDudley;andwellifshehavenotcausetowriteherselfwidowofthetraitorRobertDudley。\"
\"Madam，\"saidLeicester，\"dowithmewhatitmaybeyourwilltodo，butworknoinjuryonthisgentleman;hehathinnowaydeservedit。\"
\"Andwillhebethebetterforthyintercession，\"saidtheQueen，leavingTressilian，whoslowlyarose，andrushingtoLeicester，whocontinuedkneeling——\"thebetterforthyintercession，thoudoublyfalse——thoudoublyforsworn;——ofthyintercession，whosevillainyhathmademeridiculoustomysubjectsandodioustomyself？Icouldtearoutmineeyesfortheirblindness！\"
Burleighhereventuredtointerpose。
\"Madam，\"hesaid，\"rememberthatyouareaQueen——QueenofEngland——motherofyourpeople。Givenotwaytothiswildstormofpassion。\"
Elizabethturnedroundtohim，whileatearactuallytwinkledinherproudandangryeye。\"Burleigh，\"shesaid，\"thouartastatesman——thoudostnot，thoucanstnot，comprehendhalfthescorn，halfthemisery，thatmanhaspouredonme！\"
Withtheutmostcaution——withthedeepestreverence——Burleightookherhandatthemomenthesawherheartwasatthefullest，andledherasidetoanorielwindow，apartfromtheothers。
\"Madam，\"hesaid，\"Iamastatesman，butIamalsoaman——amanalreadygrownoldinyourcouncils——whohavenotandcannothaveawishonearthbutyourgloryandhappiness;Iprayyoutobecomposed。\"
\"Ah！Burleigh，\"saidElizabeth，\"thoulittleknowest——\"herehertearsfelloverhercheeksindespiteofher。
\"Ido——Idoknow，myhonouredsovereign。Oh，bewarethatyouleadnototherstoguessthatwhichtheyknownot！\"
\"Ha！\"saidElizabeth，pausingasifanewtrainofthoughthadsuddenlyshotacrossherbrain。\"Burleigh，thouartright——thouartright——anythingbutdisgrace——anythingbutaconfessionofweakness——anythingratherthanseemthecheated，slighted——
\'sdeath！tothinkonitisdistraction！\"
\"Bebutyourself，myQueen，\"saidBurleigh;\"andsoarfaraboveaweaknesswhichnoEnglishmanwilleverbelievehisElizabethcouldhaveentertained，unlesstheviolenceofherdisappointmentcarriesasadconvictiontohisbosom。\"
\"Whatweakness，mylord？\"saidElizabethhaughtily;\"wouldyoutooinsinuatethatthefavourinwhichIheldyonderproudtraitorderiveditssourcefromaught——\"Buthereshecouldnolongersustaintheproudtonewhichshehadassumed，andagainsoftenedasshesaid，\"ButwhyshouldIstrivetodeceiveeventhee，mygoodandwiseservant？\"
Burleighstoopedtokissherhandwithaffection，and——rareintheannalsofcourts——atearoftruesympathydroppedfromtheeyeoftheministeronthehandofhisSovereign。
ItisprobablethattheconsciousnessofpossessingthissympathyaidedElizabethinsupportinghermortification，andsuppressingherextremeresentment;butshewasstillmoremovedbyfearthatherpassionshouldbetraytothepublictheaffrontandthedisappointment，which，alikeasawomanandaQueen，shewassoanxioustoconceal。SheturnedfromBurleigh，andsternlypacedthehalltillherfeatureshadrecoveredtheirusualdignity，andhermienitswontedstatelinessofregularmotion。
\"OurSovereignishernobleselfoncemore，\"whisperedBurleightoWalsingham;\"markwhatshedoes，andtakeheedyouthwarthernot。\"
ShethenapproachedLeicester，andsaidwithcalmness，\"MyLordShrewsbury，wedischargeyouofyourprisoner。——MyLordofLeicester，riseandtakeupyoursword;aquarterofanhour\'srestraintunderthecustodyofourMarshal，mylord，is，wethink，nohighpenanceformonthsoffalsehoodpractiseduponus。
Wewillnowheartheprogressofthisaffair。\"Shethenseatedherselfinherchair，andsaid，\"You，Tressilian，stepforward，andsaywhatyouknow。\"
Tressiliantoldhisstorygenerously，suppressingasmuchashecouldwhataffectedLeicester，andsayingnothingoftheirhavingtwiceactuallyfoughttogether。Itisveryprobablethat，indoingso，hedidtheEarlgoodservice;forhadtheQueenatthatinstantfoundanythingonaccountofwhichshecouldventherwrathuponhim，withoutlayingopensentimentsofwhichshewasashamed，itmighthavefaredhardwithhim。ShepausedwhenTressilianhadfinishedhistale。
\"WewilltakethatWayland，\"shesaid，\"intoourownservice，andplacetheboyinourSecretaryofficeforinstruction，thathemayinfutureusediscretiontowardsletters。Foryou，Tressilian，youdidwronginnotcommunicatingthewholetruthtous，andyourpromisenottodosowasbothimprudentandundutiful。Yet，havinggivenyourwordtothisunhappylady，itwasthepartofamanandagentlemantokeepit;andonthewhole，weesteemyouforthecharacteryouhavesustainedinthismatter。——MyLordofLeicester，itisnowyourturntotellusthetruth，anexercisetowhichyouseemoflatetohavebeentoomuchastranger。\"
Accordingly，sheextorted，bysuccessivequestions，thewholehistoryofhisfirstacquaintancewithAmyRobsart——theirmarriage——hisjealousy——thecausesonwhichitwasfounded，andmanyparticularsbesides。Leicester\'sconfession，forsuchitmightbecalled，waswrenchedfromhimpiecemeal，yetwasuponthewholeaccurate，exceptingthathetotallyomittedtomentionthathehad，byimplicationorotherwise，assentedtoVarney\'sdesignsuponthelifeofhisCountess。Yettheconsciousnessofthiswaswhatatthatmomentlaynearesttohisheart;andalthoughhetrustedingreatmeasuretotheverypositivecounter—orderswhichhehadsentbyLambourne，itwashispurposetosetoutforCumnorPlaceinpersonassoonasheshouldbedismissedfromthepresenceoftheQueen，who，heconcluded，wouldpresentlyleaveKenilworth。
ButtheEarlreckonedwithouthishost。Itistruehispresenceandhiscommunicationsweregallandwormwoodtohisoncepartialmistress。Butbarredfromeveryotherandmoredirectmodeofrevenge，theQueenperceivedthatshegaveherfalsesuitortorturebytheseinquiries，anddweltonthemforthatreason，nomoreregardingthepainwhichsheherselfexperienced，thanthesavagecaresforthesearingofhisownhandsbygraspingthehotpincerswithwhichhetearsthefleshofhiscaptiveenemy。
Atlength，however，thehaughtylord，likeadeerthatturnstobay，gaveintimationthathispatiencewasfailing。\"Madam，\"hesaid，\"Ihavebeenmuchtoblame——morethanevenyourjustresentmenthasexpressed。Yet，madam，letmesaythatmyguilt，ifitbeunpardonable，wasnotunprovoked，andthatifbeautyandcondescendingdignitycouldseducethefrailheartofahumanbeing，ImightpleadbothasthecausesofmyconcealingthissecretfromyourMajesty。\"
TheQueenwassomuchstruckwiththisreply，whichLeicestertookcareshouldbeheardbynoonebutherself，thatshewasforthemomentsilenced，andtheEarlhadthetemeritytopursuehisadvantage。\"YourGrace，whohaspardonedsomuch，willexcusemythrowingmyselfonyourroyalmercyforthoseexpressionswhichwereyester—morningaccountedbutalightoffence。\"
TheQueenfixedhereyesonhimwhileshereplied，\"Now，byHeaven，mylord，thyeffronterypassestheboundsofbelief，aswellaspatience！Butitshallavailtheenothing。——Whatho！mylords，comeallandhearthenews—myLordofLeicester\'sstolenmarriagehascostmeahusband，andEnglandaking。Hislordshipispatriarchalinhistastes——onewifeatatimewasinsufficient，andhedesignedUSthehonourofhislefthand。
Now，isnotthistooinsolent——thatIcouldnotgracehimwithafewmarksofcourt—favour，buthemustpresumetothinkmyhandandcrownathisdisposal？You，however，thinkbetterofme;andIcanpitythisambitiousman，asIcouldachild，whosebubbleofsoaphasburstbetweenhishands。Wegotothepresence—
chamber。——MyLordofLeicester，wecommandyourcloseattendanceonus。\"
Allwaseagerexpectationinthehall，andwhatwastheuniversalastonishmentwhentheQueensaidtothosenexther，\"TherevelsofKenilwortharenotyetexhausted，mylordsandladies——wearetosolemnizethenobleowner\'smarriage。\"
Therewasanuniversalexpressionofsurprise。
\"Itistrue，onourroyalword，\"saidtheQueen;\"hehathkeptthisasecretevenfromus，thathemightsurpriseuswithitatthisveryplaceandtime。Iseeyouaredyingofcuriositytoknowthehappybride。ItisAmyRobsart，thesamewho，tomakeuptheMay—gameyesterday，figuredinthepageantasthewifeofhisservantVarney。\"
\"ForGod\'ssake，madam，\"saidtheEarl，approachingherwithamixtureofhumility，vexation，andshameinhiscountenance，andspeakingsolowastobeheardbynooneelse，\"takemyhead，asyouthreatenedinyouranger，andsparemethesetaunts！Urgenotafallingman——treadnotonacrushedworm。\"