Varneykneeleddown，andreplied，withalookofthemostprofoundcontrition，"TherehadbeensomelovepassagesbetwixthimandMistressAmyRobsart。"
　　Leicester'sfleshquiveredwithindignationasheheardhisdependantmakethisavowal，andforonemomenthemannedhimselftostepforward，and，biddingfarewelltothecourtandtheroyalfavour，confessthewholemysteryofthesecretmarriage。ButhelookedatSussex，andtheideaofthetriumphantsmilewhichwouldclothehischeekuponhearingtheavowalsealedhislips。
　　"Notnow，atleast，"hethought，"orinthispresence，willI
　　affordhimsorichatriumph。"Andpressinghislipsclosetogether，hestoodfirmandcollected，attentivetoeachwordwhichVarneyuttered，anddeterminedtohidetothelastthesecretonwhichhiscourt—favourseemedtodepend。Meanwhile，theQueenproceededinherexaminationofVarney。
　　"Lovepassages！"saidshe，echoinghislastwords;"whatpassages，thouknave？andwhynotaskthewench'shandfromherfather，ifthouhadstanyhonestyinthyloveforher？"
　　"AnitpleaseyourGrace，"saidVarney，stillonhisknees，"I
　　darednotdoso，forherfatherhadpromisedherhandtoagentlemanofbirthandhonour——Iwilldohimjustice，thoughI
　　knowhebearsmeill—will——oneMasterEdmundTressilian，whomI
　　nowseeinthepresence。"
　　"Soh！"repliedtheQueen。"Andwhatwasyourrighttomakethesimplefoolbreakherworthyfather'scontract，throughyourlovePASSAGES，asyourconceitandassurancetermsthem？"
　　"Madam，"repliedVarney，"itisinvaintopleadthecauseofhumanfrailtybeforeajudgetowhomitisunknown，orthatoflovetoonewhoneveryieldstothepassion"——hepausedaninstant，andthenadded，inaverylowandtimidtone——"whichsheinflictsuponallothers。"
　　Elizabethtriedtofrown，butsmiledinherowndespite，assheanswered，"Thouartamarvellouslyimpudentknave。Artthoumarriedtothegirl？"
　　Leicester'sfeelingsbecamesocomplicatedandsopainfullyintense，thatitseemedtohimasifhislifewastodependontheanswermadebyVarney，who，afteramoment'srealhesitation，answered，"Yes。"
　　"Thoufalsevillain！"saidLeicester，burstingforthintorage，yetunabletoaddanotherwordtothesentencewhichhehadbegunwithsuchemphaticpassion。
　　"Nay，mylord，"saidtheQueen，"wewill，byyourleave，standbetweenthisfellowandyouranger。Wehavenotyetdonewithhim。——Knewyourmaster，myLordofLeicester，ofthisfairworkofyours？Speaktruth，Icommandthee，andIwillbethywarrantfromdangeroneveryquarter。"
　　"Graciousmadam，"saidVarney，"tospeakHeaven'struth，mylordwasthecauseofthewholematter。"
　　"Thouvillain，wouldstthoubetrayme？"saidLeicester。
　　"Speakon，"saidtheQueenhastily，hercheekcolouring，andhereyessparkling，assheaddressedVarney——"speakon。Herenocommandsareheardbutmine。"
　　"Theyareomnipotent，graciousmadam，"repliedVarney;"andtoyoutherecanbenosecrets。——YetIwouldnot，"headded，lookingaroundhim，"speakofmymaster'sconcernstootherears。"
　　"Fallback，mylords，"saidtheQueentothosewhosurroundedher，"anddoyouspeakon。WhathaththeEarltodowiththisguiltyintrigueofthine？See，fellow，thatthoubeliesthimnot！"
　　"Farbeitfrommetotraducemynoblepatron，"repliedVarney;
　　"yetIamcompelledtoownthatsomedeep，overwhelming，yetsecretfeelinghathoflatedweltinmylord'smind，hathabstractedhimfromthecaresofthehouseholdwhichhewaswonttogovernwithsuchreligiousstrictness，andhathleftusopportunitiestodofollies，ofwhichtheshame，asinthiscase，partlyfallsuponourpatron。Withoutthis，Ihadnothadmeansorleisuretocommitthefollywhichhasdrawnonmehisdispleasure——theheaviesttoendurebymewhichIcouldbyanymeansincur，savingalwaystheyetmoredreadedresentmentofyourGrace。"
　　"Andinthissense，andnoother，hathhebeenaccessorytothyfault？"saidElizabeth。
　　"Surely，madam，innoother，"repliedVarney;"butsincesomewhathathchancedtohim，hecanscarcebecalledhisownman。Lookathim，madam，howpaleandtremblinghestands！howunlikehisusualmajestyofmanner！——yetwhathashetofearfromaughtI
　　cansaytoyourHighness？Ah！madam，sincehereceivedthatfatalpacket！"
　　"Whatpacket，andfromwhence？"saidtheQueeneagerly。
　　"Fromwhence，madam，Icannotguess;butIamsoneartohispersonthatIknowhehaseversinceworn，suspendedaroundhisneckandnexttohisheart，thatlockofhairwhichsustainsasmallgoldenjewelshapedlikeaheart。Hespeakstoitwhenalone——hepartsnotfromitwhenhesleeps——noheatheneverworshippedanidolwithsuchdevotion。"
　　"Thouartapryingknavetowatchthymastersoclosely，"saidElizabeth，blushing，butnotwithanger;"andatattlingknavetotelloveragainhisfooleries。——Whatcolourmightthebraidofhairbethatthoupratestof？"
　　Varneyreplied，"Apoet，madam，mightcallitathreadfromthegoldenwebwroughtbyMinerva;buttomythinkingitwaspalerthaneventhepurestgold——morelikethelastpartingsunbeamofthesoftestdayofspring。"
　　"Why，youareapoetyourself，MasterVarney，"saidtheQueen，smiling。"ButIhavenotgeniusquickenoughtofollowyourraremetaphors。Lookroundtheseladies——isthere"——（shehesitated，andendeavouredtoassumeanairofgreatindifference）——"istherehere，inthispresence，anylady，thecolourofwhosehairremindstheeofthatbraid？Methinks，withoutpryingintomyLordofLeicester'samoroussecrets，IwouldfainknowwhatkindoflocksarelikethethreadofMinerva'sweb，orthe——whatwasit？——thelastraysoftheMay—daysun。"
　　Varneylookedroundthepresence—chamber，hiseyetravellingfromoneladytoanother，untilatlengthitrestedupontheQueenherself，butwithanaspectofthedeepestveneration。"Iseenotresses，"hesaid，"inthispresence，worthyofsuchsimilies，unlesswhereIdarenotlookonthem。"
　　"How，sirknave？"saidtheQueen;"dareyouintimate——"
　　"Nay，madam，"repliedVarney，shadinghiseyeswithhishand，"itwasthebeamsoftheMay—daysunthatdazzledmyweakeyes。"
　　"Goto——goto，"saidtheQueen;"thouartafoolishfellow"——andturningquicklyfromhimshewalkeduptoLeicester。
　　Intensecuriosity，mingledwithallthevarioushopes，fears，andpassionswhichinfluencecourtfaction，hadoccupiedthepresence—chamberduringtheQueen'sconferencewithVarney，asifwiththestrengthofanEasterntalisman。Mensuspendedevery，eventheslightestexternalmotion，andwouldhaveceasedtobreathe，hadNaturepermittedsuchanintermissionofherfunctions。Theatmospherewascontagious，andLeicester，whosawallaroundwishingorfearinghisadvancementorhisfallforgotallthatlovehadpreviouslydictated，andsawnothingfortheinstantbutthefavourordisgracewhichdependedonthenodofElizabethandthefidelityofVarney。Hesummonedhimselfhastily，andpreparedtoplayhispartinthescenewhichwasliketoensue，when，ashejudgedfromtheglanceswhichtheQueenthrewtowardshim，Varney'scommunications，betheywhattheymight，wereoperatinginhisfavour。Elizabethdidnotlongleavehimindoubt;forthemorethanfavourwithwhichsheaccostedhimdecidedhistriumphintheeyesofhisrival，andoftheassembledcourtofEngland。"ThouhastapratingservantofthissameVarney，mylord，"shesaid;"itisluckyyoutrusthimwithnothingthatcanhurtyouinouropinion，forbelieveme，hewouldkeepnocounsel。"
　　"FromyourHighness，"saidLeicester，droppinggracefullyononeknee，"itweretreasonheshould。Iwouldthatmyheartitselflaybeforeyou，barerthanthetongueofanyservantcouldstripit。"
　　"What，mylord，"saidElizabeth，lookingkindlyuponhim，"istherenoonelittlecorneroverwhichyouwouldwishtospreadaveil？Ah！Iseeyouareconfusedatthequestion，andyourQueenknowssheshouldnotlooktoodeeplyintoherservants'
　　motivesfortheirfaithfulduty，lestsheseewhatmight，oratleastoughtto，displeaseher。"
　　Relievedbytheselastwords，Leicesterbrokeoutintoatorrentofexpressionsofdeepandpassionateattachment，whichperhaps，atthatmoment，werenotaltogetherfictitious。ThemingledemotionswhichhadatfirstovercomehimhadnowgivenwaytotheenergeticvigourwithwhichhehaddeterminedtosupporthisplaceintheQueen'sfavour;andneverdidheseemtoElizabethmoreeloquent，morehandsome，moreinteresting，thanwhile，kneelingatherfeet，heconjuredhertostriphimofallhisdower，buttoleavehimthenameofherservant。——"TakefromthepoorDudley，"heexclaimed，"allthatyourbountyhasmadehim，andbidhimbethepoorgentlemanhewaswhenyourGracefirstshoneonhim;leavehimnomorethanhiscloakandhissword，butlethimstillboasthehas——whatinwordordeedheneverforfeited——theregardofhisadoredQueenandmistress！"
　　"No，Dudley！"saidElizabeth，raisinghimwithonehand，whilesheextendedtheotherthathemightkissit。"Elizabethhathnotforgottenthat，whilstyouwereapoorgentleman，despoiledofyourhereditaryrank，shewasaspooraprincess，andthatinhercauseyouthenventuredallthatoppressionhadleftyou——
　　yourlifeandhonour。Rise，mylord，andletmyhandgo——rise，andbewhatyouhaveeverbeen，thegraceofourcourtandthesupportofourthrone！Yourmistressmaybeforcedtochideyourmisdemeanours，butneverwithoutowningyourmerits。——AndsohelpmeGod，"sheadded，turningtotheaudience，who，withvariousfeelings，witnessedthisinterestingscene——"sohelpmeGod，gentlemen，asIthinkneversovereignhadatruerservantthanI
　　haveinthisnobleEarl！"
　　AmurmurofassentrosefromtheLeicestrianfaction，whichthefriendsofSussexdarednotoppose。Theyremainedwiththeireyesfixedontheground，dismayedaswellasmortifiedbythepublicandabsolutetriumphoftheiropponents。Leicester'sfirstuseofthefamiliaritytowhichtheQueenhadsopubliclyrestoredhimwastoaskhercommandsconcerningVarney'soffence。
　　"although，"hesaid，"thefellowdeservesnothingfrommebutdispleasure，yet，mightIpresumetointercede——"
　　"Intruth，wehadforgottenhismatter，"saidtheQueen;"anditwasilldoneofus，whoowejusticetoourmeanestaswellastoourhighestsubject。Wearepleased，mylord，thatyouwerethefirsttorecallthemattertoourmemory。——WhereisTressilian，theaccuser？——lethimcomebeforeus。"
　　Tressilianappeared，andmadealowandbeseemingreference。Hisperson，aswehaveelsewhereobserved，hadanairofgraceandevenofnobleness，whichdidnotescapeQueenElizabeth'scriticalobservation。Shelookedathimwith，attentionashestoodbeforeherunabashed，butwithanairofthedeepestdejection。
　　"Icannotbutgrieveforthisgentleman，"shesaidtoLeicester。
　　"Ihaveinquiredconcerninghim，andhispresenceconfirmswhatI
　　heard，thatheisascholarandasoldier，wellaccomplishedbothinartsandarms。Wewomen，mylord，arefancifulinourchoice——Ihadsaidnow，tojudgebytheeye，therewasnocomparisontobeheldbetwixtyourfollowerandthisgentleman。ButVarneyisawell—spokenfellow，and，tosaytruth，thatgoesfarwithusoftheweakersex。——lookyou，MasterTressilian，aboltlostisnotabowbroken。Yourtrueaffection，asIwillholdittobe，hathbeen，itseems，butillrequited;butyouhavescholarship，andyouknowtherehavebeenfalseCressidastobefound，fromtheTrojanwardownwards。Forget，goodsir，thisLadyLighto'Love——teachyouraffectiontoseewithawisereye。Thiswesaytoyou，morefromthewritingsoflearnedmenthanourownknowledge，being，asweare，farremovedbystationandwillfromtheenlargementofexperienceinsuchidletoysofhumorouspassion。Forthisdame'sfather，wecanmakehisgriefthelessbyadvancinghisson—in—lawtosuchstationasmayenablehimtogiveanhonourablesupporttohisbride。Thoushaltnotbeforgottenthyself，Tressilian——followourcourt，andthoushaltseethatatrueTroilushathsomeclaimonourgrace。Thinkofwhatthatarch—knaveShakespearesays——aplagueonhim，histoyscomeintomyheadwhenIshouldthinkofothermatters。Stay，howgoesit？
　　'Cressidwasyours，tiedwiththebondsofheaven;
　　Thesebondsofheavenareslipt，dissolved，andloosed，Andwithanotherknotfivefingerstied，ThefragmentsofherfaithareboundtoDiomed。'
　　Yousmile，myLordofSouthampton——perchanceImakeyourplayer'sversehaltthroughmybadmemory。Butletitsufficelettherebenomoreofthismadmatter。"
　　AndasTressiliankeptthepostureofonewhowouldwillinglybeheard，though，atthesametime，expressiveofthedeepestreverence，theQueenaddedwithsomeimpatience，"Whatwouldthemanhave？Thewenchcannotwedbothofyou？Shehasmadeherelection——notawiseoneperchance——butsheisVarney'sweddedwife。"
　　"Mysuitshouldsleepthere，mostgraciousSovereign，"saidTressilian，"andwithmysuitmyrevenge。ButIholdthisVarney'swordnogoodwarrantforthetruth。"
　　"Hadthatdoubtbeenelsewhereurged，"answeredVarney，"mysword——"
　　"THYsword！"interruptedTressilianscornfully;"withherGrace'sleave，myswordshallshow——"
　　"Peace，youknaves，both！"saidtheQueen;"knowyouwhereyouare？——Thiscomesofyourfeuds，mylords，"sheadded，lookingtowardsLeicesterandSussex;"yourfollowerscatchyourownhumour，andmustbandyandbrawlinmycourtandinmyverypresence，likesomanyMatamoros。——Lookyou，sirs，hethatspeaksofdrawingswordsinanyotherquarrelthanmineorEngland's，byminehonour，I'llbracelethimwithironbothonwristandankle！"Shethenpausedaminute，andresumedinamildertone，"Imustdojusticebetwixttheboldandmutinousknavesnotwithstanding。——MyLordofLeicester，willyouwarrantwithyourhonour——thatis，tothebestofyourbelief——thatyourservantspeakstruthinsayinghehathmarriedthisAmyRobsart？"
　　Thiswasahome—thrust，andhadnearlystaggeredLeicester。Buthehadnowgonetoofartorecede，andanswered，afteramoment'shesitation，"Tothebestofmybelief——indeedonmycertainknowledge——sheisaweddedwife。"
　　"Graciousmadam，"saidTressilian，"mayIyetrequesttoknow，whenandunderwhatcircumstancesthisallegedmarriage——"
　　"Out，sirrah，"answeredtheQueen;"ALLEGEDmarriage！HaveyounotthewordofthisillustriousEarltowarrantthetruthofwhathisservantsays？Butthouartaloser——thinkestthyselfsuchatleast——andthoushalthaveindulgence;wewilllookintothematterourselfmoreatleisure。——MyLordofLeicester，I
　　trustyourememberwemeantotastethegoodcheerofyourCastleofKenilworthonthisweekensuing。Wewillprayyoutobidourgoodandvaluedfriend，theEarlofSussex，toholdcompanywithusthere。"
　　"IfthenobleEarlofSussex，"saidLeicester，bowingtohisrivalwiththeeasiestandwiththemostgracefulcourtesy，"willsofarhonourmypoorhouse，IwillholditanadditionalproofoftheamicableregarditisyourGrace'sdesireweshouldentertaintowardseachother。"
　　Sussexwasmoreembarrassed。"Ishould，"saidhe，"madam，bebutaclogonyourgayerhours，sincemylatesevereillness。"
　　"Andhaveyoubeenindeedsoveryill？"saidElizabeth，lookingonhimwithmoreattentionthanbefore;"youare，infaith，strangelyaltered，anddeeplyamIgrievedtoseeit。Butbeofgoodcheer——wewillourselveslookafterthehealthofsovaluedaservant，andtowhomweowesomuch。Mastersshallorderyourdiet;andthatweourselvesmayseethatheisobeyed，youmustattendusinthisprogresstoKenilworth。"
　　Thiswassaidsoperemptorily，andatthesametimewithsomuchkindness，thatSussex，howeverunwillingtobecometheguestofhisrival，hadnoresourcebuttobowlowtotheQueeninobediencetohercommands，andtoexpresstoLeicester，withbluntcourtesy，thoughmingledwithembarrassment，hisacceptanceofhisinvitation。AstheEarlsexchangedcomplimentsontheoccasion，theQueensaidtoherHighTreasurer，"Methinks，mylord，thecountenancesoftheseourtwonoblepeersresemblethoseofthetwofamedclassicstreams，theonesodarkandsad，theothersofairandnoble。MyoldMasterAschamwouldhavechidmeforforgettingtheauthor。ItisCaesar，asIthink。
　　SeewhatmajesticcalmnesssitsonthebrowofthenobleLeicester，whileSussexseemstogreethimasifhedidourwillindeed，butnotwillingly。"
　　"ThedoubtofyourMajesty'sfavour，"answeredtheLordTreasurer，"mayperchanceoccasionthedifference，whichdoesnot——aswhatdoes？——escapeyourGrace'seye。"
　　"Suchdoubtwereinjurioustous，mylord，"repliedtheQueen。
　　"Weholdbothtobenearanddeartous，andwillwithimpartialityemploybothinhonourableserviceforthewealofourkingdom。Butwewillbreaktheirfurtherconferenceatpresent。——MyLordsofSussexandLeicester，wehaveawordmorewithyou。'TressilianandVarneyarenearyourpersons——youwillseethattheyattendyouatKenilworth。AndasweshallthenhavebothParisandMenelauswithinourcall，sowewillhavethesamefairHelenalso，whoseficklenesshascausedthisbroil。——
　　Varney，thywifemustbeatKenilworth，andforthcomingatmyorder。——MyLordofLeicester，weexpectyouwilllooktothis。"
　　TheEarlandhisfollowerbowedlowandraisedtheirheads，withoutdaringtolookattheQueen，orateachother，forbothfeltattheinstantasifthenetsandtoilswhichtheirownfalsehoodhadwovenwereintheactofclosingaroundthem。TheQueen，however，observednottheirconfusion，butproceededtosay，"MyLordsofSussexandLeicester，werequireyourpresenceattheprivy—counciltobepresentlyheld，wheremattersofimportancearetobedebated。Wewillthentakethewaterforourdivertisement，andyou，mylords，willattendus。——Andthatremindsusofacircumstance。——Doyou，SirSquireoftheSoiledCassock"（distinguishingRaleighbyasmile），"failnottoobservethatyouaretoattendusonourprogress。Youshallbesuppliedwithsuitablemeanstoreformyourwardrobe。"
　　Andsoterminatedthiscelebratedaudience，inwhich，asthroughoutherlife，Elizabethunitedtheoccasionalcapriceofhersexwiththatsenseandsoundpolicyinwhichneithermannorwomaneverexcelledher。
　　CHAPTERXVII。
　　Well，then——ourcourseischosen——spreadthesail——
　　Heaveoftthelead，andmarkthesoundingswell——
　　Looktothehelm，goodmaster——manyashoalMarksthissterncoast，androcks，wheresitstheSiren，Who，likeambition，luresmentotheirruin。THESHIPWRECK。
　　Duringthebriefintervalthattookplacebetwixtthedismissaloftheaudienceandthesittingoftheprivy—council，Leicesterhadtimetoreflectthathehadthatmorningsealedhisownfate。
　　"Itwasimpossibleforhimnow，"hethought，"afterhaving，inthefaceofallthatwashonourableinEngland，pledgedhistruth（thoughinanambiguousphrase）forthestatementofVarney，tocontradictordisavowit，withoutexposinghimself，notmerelytothelossofcourt—favour，buttothehighestdispleasureoftheQueen，hisdeceivedmistress，andtothescornandcontemptatonceofhisrivalandofallhiscompeers。"Thiscertaintyrushedatonceonhismind，togetherwithallthedifficultieswhichhewouldnecessarilybeexposedtoinpreservingasecretwhichseemednowequallyessentialtohissafety，tohispower，andtohishonour。Hewassituatedlikeonewhowalksuponicereadytogivewayaroundhim，andwhoseonlysafetyconsistsinmovingonwards，byfirmandunvacillatingsteps。TheQueen'sfavour，topreservewhichhehadmadesuchsacrifices，mustnowbesecuredbyallmeansandatallhazards;itwastheonlyplankwhichhecouldclingtointhetempest。Hemustsettlehimself，therefore，tothetaskofnotonlypreserving，butaugmentingtheQueen'spartiality——hemustbethefavouriteofElizabeth，oramanutterlyshipwreckedinfortuneandinhonour。Allotherconsiderationsmustbelaidasideforthemoment，andherepelledtheintrusivethoughtswhichforcedonhismindtheimageof，Amy，bysayingtohimselftherewouldbetimetothinkhereafterhowhewastoescapefromthelabyrinthultimately，sincethepilotwhoseesaScyllaunderhisbowsmustnotforthetimethinkofthemoredistantdangersofCharybdis。
　　InthismoodtheEarlofLeicesterthatdayassumedhischairatthecounciltableofElizabeth;andwhenthehoursofbusinesswereover，inthissamemooddidheoccupyanhonouredplacenearherduringherpleasureexcursionontheThames。Andneverdidhedisplaytomoreadvantagehispowersasapoliticianofthefirstrank，orhispartsasanaccomplishedcourtier。
　　Itchancedthatinthatday'scouncilmatterswereagitatedtouchingtheaffairsoftheunfortunateMary，theseventhyearofwhosecaptivityinEnglandwasnowindolefulcurrency。TherehadbeenopinionsinfavourofthisunhappyprincesslaidbeforeElizabeth'scouncil，andsupportedwithmuchstrengthofargumentbySussexandothers，whodweltmoreuponthelawofnationsandthebreachofhospitalitythan，howeversoftenedorqualified，wasagreeabletotheQueen'sear。Leicesteradoptedthecontraryopinionwithgreatanimationandeloquence，anddescribedthenecessityofcontinuingthesevererestraintoftheQueenofScots，asameasureessentialtothesafetyofthekingdom，andparticularlyofElizabeth'ssacredperson，thelightesthairofwhosehead，hemaintained，ought，intheirlordships'estimation，tobematterofmoredeepandanxiousconcernthanthelifeandfortunesofarival，who，aftersettingupavainandunjustpretencetothethroneofEngland，wasnow，evenwhileinthebosomofhercountry，theconstanthopeandthemeofencouragementtoallenemiestoElizabeth，whetherathomeorabroad。Heendedbycravingpardonoftheirlordships，ifinthezealofspeechhehadgivenanyoffence，buttheQueen'ssafetywasathemewhichhurriedhimbeyondhisusualmoderationofdebate。
　　Elizabethchidhim，butnotseverely，fortheweightwhichheattachedundulytoherpersonalinterests;yetsheownedthat，sinceithadbeenthepleasureofHeaventocombinethoseinterestswiththewealofhersubjects，shedidonlyherdutywhensheadoptedsuchmeasuresofself—preservationascircumstancesforceduponher;andifthecouncilintheirwisdomshouldbeofopinionthatitwasneedfultocontinuesomerestraintonthepersonofherunhappysisterofScotland，shetrustedtheywouldnotblameherifsherequestedoftheCountessofShrewsburytouseherwithasmuchkindnessasmightbeconsistentwithhersafekeeping。Andwiththisintimationofherpleasurethecouncilwasdismissed。
　　Neverwasmoreanxiousandreadywaymadefor"myLordofLeicester，"thanashepassedthroughthecrowdedanteroomstogotowardstheriver—side，inordertoattendherMajestytoherbarge——neverwasthevoiceoftheusherslouder，to"makeroom，makeroomforthenobleEarl"——neverwerethesesignalsmorepromptlyandreverentlyobeyed——neverweremoreanxiouseyesturnedonhimtoobtainaglanceoffavour，orevenofmererecognition，whiletheheartofmanyahumblefollowerthrobbedbetwixtthedesiretoofferhiscongratulations，andthefearofintrudinghimselfonthenoticeofonesoinfinitelyabovehim。
　　Thewholecourtconsideredtheissueofthisday'saudience，expectedwithsomuchdoubtandanxiety，asadecisivetriumphonthepartofLeicester，andfeltassuredthattheorbofhisrivalsatellite，ifnotaltogetherobscuredbyhislustre，mustrevolvehereafterinadimmerandmoredistantsphere。Sothoughtthecourtandcourtiers，fromhightolow;andtheyactedaccordingly。
　　Ontheotherhand，neverdidLeicesterreturnthegeneralgreetingwithsuchreadyandcondescendingcourtesy，orendeavourmoresuccessfullytogather（inthewordsofonewhoatthatmomentstoodatnogreatdistancefromhim）"goldenopinionsfromallsortsofmen。"
　　ForallthefavouriteEarlhadabowasmileatleast，andoftenakindword。Mostofthesewereaddressedtocourtiers，whosenameshavelonggonedownthetideofoblivion;butsome，tosuchassoundstrangelyinourears，whenconnectedwiththeordinarymattersofhumanlife，abovewhichthegratitudeofposterityhaslongelevatedthem。AfewofLeicester'sinterlocutorysentencesranasfollows:——
　　"Poynings，goodmorrow;andhowdoesyourwifeandfairdaughter？
　　Whycometheynottocourt？——Adams，yoursuitisnaught;theQueenwillgrantnomoremonopolies。ButImayserveyouinanothermatter。——MygoodAldermanAylford，thesuitoftheCity，affectingQueenhithe，shallbeforwardedasfarasmypoorinterestcanserve。——MasterEdmundSpenser，touchingyourIrishpetition，Iwouldwillinglyaidyou，frommylovetotheMuses;
　　butthouhastnettledtheLordTreasurer。"
　　"Mylord，"saidthepoet，"wereIpermittedtoexplain——"
　　"Cometomylodging，Edmund，"answeredtheEarl"notto—morrow，ornextday，butsoon。——Ha，WillShakespeare——wildWill！——thouhastgivenmynephewPhilipSidney，love—powder;hecannotsleepwithoutthyVenusandAdonisunderhispillow！WewillhavetheehangedfortheveriestwizardinEurope。Harkthee，madwag，I
　　havenotforgottenthymatterofthepatent，andofthebears。"
　　ThePLAYERbowed，andtheEarlnoddedandpassedon——sothatagewouldhavetoldthetale;inours，perhaps，wemightsaytheimmortalhaddonehomagetothemortal。Thenextwhomthefavouriteaccostedwasoneofhisownzealousdependants。
　　"Hownow，SirFrancisDenning，"hewhispered，inanswertohisexultingsalutation，"thatsmilehathmadethyfaceshorterbyone—thirdthanwhenIfirstsawitthismorning。——What，MasterBowyer，standyouback，andthinkyouIbearmalice？Youdidbutyourdutythismorning;andifIrememberaughtofthepassagebetwixtus，itshallbeinthyfavour。"
　　ThentheEarlwasapproached，withseveralfantasticcongees，byapersonquaintlydressedinadoubletofblackvelvet，curiouslyslashedandpinkedwithcrimsonsatin。Alongcock'sfeatherinthevelvetbonnet，whichheheldinhishand，andanenormousruff;stiffenedtotheextremityoftheabsurdtasteofthetimes，joinedwithasharp，lively，conceitedexpressionofcountenance，seemedtobodyforthavain，harebrainedcoxcomb，andsmallwit;whiletherodheheld，andanassumptionofformalauthority，appearedtoexpresssomesenseofofficialconsequence，whichqualifiedthenaturalpertnessofhismanner。
　　Aperpetualblush，whichoccupiedratherthesharpnosethanthethincheekofthispersonage，seemedtospeakmoreof"goodlife，"asitwascalled，thanofmodesty;andthemannerinwhichheapproachedtotheEarlconfirmedthatsuspicion。
　　"Goodeventoyou，MasterRobertLaneham，"saidLeicester，andseemeddesiroustopassforward，withoutfurtherspeech。
　　"Ihaveasuittoyournoblelordship，"saidthefigure，boldlyfollowinghim。
　　"Andwhatisit，goodmasterkeeperofthecouncil—chamberdoor？"
　　"CLERKofthecouncil—chamberdoor，"saidMasterRobertLaneham，withemphasis，bywayofreply，andofcorrection。
　　"Well，qualifythineofficeasthouwilt，man，"repliedtheEarl;
　　"whatwouldstthouhavewithme？"
　　"Simply，"answeredLaneham，"thatyourlordshipwouldbe，asheretofore，mygoodlord，andprocuremelicensetoattendtheSummerProgressuntoyourlordship'smostbeautifulandall—to—
　　be—unmatchedCastleofKenilworth。"
　　"Towhatpurpose，goodMasterLaneham？"repliedtheEarl;
　　"bethinkyou，myguestsmustneedsbemany。"
　　"Notsomany，"repliedthepetitioner，"butthatyournoblenesswillwillinglyspareyouroldservitorhiscribandhismess。
　　Bethinkyou，mylord，hownecessaryisthisrodofminetofrightawayallthoselisteners，whoelsewouldplayatbo—peepwiththehonourablecouncil，andbesearchingforkeyholesandcranniesinthedoorofthechamber，soastorendermystaffasneedfulasafly—flapinabutcher'sshop。"
　　"Methinksyouhavefoundoutafly—blowncomparisonforthehonourablecouncil，MasterLaneham，"saidtheEarl;"butseeknotabouttojustifyit。CometoKenilworth，ifyoulist;therewillbestoreoffoolstherebesides，andsoyouwillbefitted。"