Withanexertionofforce，ofwhichshewouldatanothertimehavethoughtherselfincapable，theCountessfreedherselffromtheprofaneandprofaninggraspofthedrunkendebauchee，andretreatedintothemidstofherapartment。wheredespairgavehercouragetomakeastand。
　　AsLambourne，onentering，droppedthelapofhiscloakfromhisface，sheknewVarney'sprofligateservant，theverylastperson，exceptinghisdetestedmaster，bywhomshewouldhavewishedtobediscovered。Butshewasstillcloselymuffledinhertravellingdress，andasLambournehadscarceeverbeenadmittedtoherpresenceatCumnorPlace，herperson，shehoped，mightnotbesowellknowntohimashiswastoher，owingtoJanet'spointinghimfrequentlyoutashecrossedthecourt，andtellingstoriesofhiswickedness。Shemighthavehadstillgreaterconfidenceinherdisguisehadherexperienceenabledhertodiscoverthathewasmuchintoxicated;butthiscouldscarcehaveconsoledherfortheriskwhichshemightincurfromsuchacharacterinsuchatime，place，andcircumstances。
　　Lambourneflungthedoorbehindhimasheentered，andfoldinghisarms，asifinmockeryoftheattitudeofdistractionintowhichAmyhadthrownherself，heproceededthus:"Harkye，mostfairCalipolis——ormostlovelyCountessofclouts，anddivineDuchessofdarkcorners——ifthoutakestallthattroubleofskeweringthyselftogether，likeatrussedfowl，thattheremaybemorepleasureinthecarving，evensavethyselfthelabour。I
　　lovethyfirstfrankmannerthebest———likethypresentaslittle"——（hemadeasteptowardsher，andstaggered）——"aslittleas——suchadamnedunevenfloorasthis，whereagentlemanmaybreakhisneckifhedoesnotwalkasuprightasaposture—masteronthetight—rope。"
　　"Standback！"saidtheCountess;"donotapproachnearertomeonthyperil！"
　　"Myperil！——andstandback！Why，hownow，madam？MustyouhaveabettermatethanhonestMikeLambourne？IhavebeeninAmerica，girl，wherethegoldgrows，andhavebroughtoffsuchaloadon't——"
　　"Goodfriend，"saidtheCountess，ingreatterrorattheruffian'sdeterminedandaudaciousmanner，"Ipritheebegone，andleaveme。"
　　"AndsoIwill，prettyone，whenwearetiredofeachother'scompany——notajotsooner。"Heseizedherbythearm，while，incapableoffurtherdefence，sheutteredshriekuponshriek。
　　"Nay，screamawayifyoulikeit，"saidhe，stillholdingherfast;"Ihaveheardtheseaattheloudest，andImindasquallingwomannomorethanamiaulingkitten。Damnme！Ihaveheardfiftyorahundredscreamingatonce，whentherewasatownstormed。"
　　ThecriesoftheCountess，however，broughtunexpectedaidinthepersonofLawrenceStaples，whohadheardherexclamationsfromhisapartmentbelow，andenteredingoodtimetosaveherfrombeingdiscovered，ifnotfrommoreatrociousviolence。Lawrencewasdrunkalsofromthedebauchoftheprecedingnight，butfortunatelyhisintoxicationhadtakenadifferentturnfromthatofLambourne。
　　"Whatthedevil'snoiseisthisintheward？"hesaid。"What！
　　manandwomantogetherinthesamecell？——thatisagainstrule。
　　Iwillhavedecencyundermyrule，bySaintPeteroftheFetters！"
　　"Gettheedownstairs，thoudrunkenbeast，"saidLambourne;"seestthounottheladyandIwouldbeprivate？"
　　"Goodsir，worthysir！"saidtheCountess，addressingthejailer，"dobutsavemefromhim，forthesakeofmercy！"
　　"Shespeaksfairly，"saidthejailer，"andIwilltakeherpart。
　　Ilovemyprisoners;andIhavehadasgoodprisonersundermykeyastheyhavehadinNewgateortheCompter。Andso，beingoneofmylambkins，asIsay，nooneshalldisturbherinherpen—fold。Soletgothewoman:orI'llknockyourbrainsoutwithmykeys。"
　　"I'llmakeablood—puddingofthymidrifffirst，"answeredLambourne，layinghislefthandonhisdagger，butstilldetainingtheCountessbythearmwithhisright。"Sohaveatthee，thouoldostrich，whoseonlylivingisuponabunchofironkeys。"
　　LawrenceraisedthearmofMichael，andpreventedhimfromdrawinghisdagger;andasLambournestruggledandstrovetoshakehimoff;theCountessmadeasuddenexertiononherside，andslippingherhandoutofthegloveonwhichtheruffianstillkepthold，shegainedherliberty，andescapingfromtheapartment，randownstairs;whileatthesamemomentsheheardthetwocombatantsfallonthefloorwithanoisewhichincreasedherterror。Theouterwicketofferednoimpedimenttoherflight，havingbeenopenedforLambourne'sadmittance;sothatshesucceededinescapingdownthestair，andfledintothePleasance，whichseemedtoherhastyglancethedirectioninwhichshewasmostlikelytoavoidpursuit。
　　Meanwhile，LawrenceandLambournerolledontheflooroftheapartment，closelygrappledtogether。Neitherhad，happily，opportunitytodrawtheirdaggers;butLawrencefoundspaceenoughtoclashhisheavykeysacrossMichael'sface，andMichaelinreturngraspedtheturnkeysofellybythethroatthatthebloodgushedfromnoseandmouth，sothattheywerebothgoryandfilthyspectacleswhenoneoftheotherofficersofthehousehold，attractedbythenoiseofthefray，enteredtheroom，andwithsomedifficultyeffectedtheseparationofthecombatants。
　　"Amurrainonyouboth，"saidthecharitablemediator，"andespeciallyonyou，MasterLambourne！Whatthefiendlieyouherefor，fightingonthefloorliketwobutchers'cursinthekenneloftheshambles？"
　　Lambournearose，andsomewhatsoberedbytheinterpositionofathirdparty，lookedwithsomethinglessthanhisusualbrazenimpudenceofvisage。"Wefoughtforawench，anthoumustknow，"
　　washisreply。
　　"Awench！Whereisshe？"saidtheofficer。
　　"Why，vanished，Ithink，"saidLambourne，lookingaroundhim，"unlessLawrencehathswallowedher，Thatfilthypaunchofhisdevoursasmanydistresseddamselsandoppressedorphansase'eragiantinKingArthur'shistory。Theyarehisprimefood;heworriesthembody，soul，andsubstance。"
　　"Ay，ay！It'snomatter，"saidLawrence，gatheringuphishuge，ungainlyformfromthefloor;"butIhavehadyourbetters，MasterMichaelLambourne，underthelittleturnofmyforefingerandthumb，andIshallhavethee，beforeall'sdone，undermyhatches。Theimpudenceofthybrowwillnotalwayssavethyshin—bonesfromiron，andthyfoul，thirstygulletfromahempencord。"Thewordswerenosooneroutofhismouth，whenLambourneagainmadeathim。
　　"Nay，gonottoitagain，"saidthesewer，"orIwillcallforhimshalltameyouboth，andthatisMasterVarney——SirRichard，Imean。Heisstirring，Ipromiseyou;Isawhimcrossthecourtjustnow。"
　　"Didstthou，byG——！"saidLambourne，seizingonthebasinandewerwhichstoodintheapartment。"Nay，then，element，dothywork。IthoughtIhadenoughoftheelastnight，whenIfloatedaboutforOrion，likeacorkonafermentingcaskofale。"
　　Sosaying，hefelltoworktocleansefromhisfaceandhandsthesignsofthefray，andgethisapparelintosomeorder。
　　"Whathastthoudonetohim？"saidthesewer，speakingasidetothejailer;"hisfaceisfearfullyswelled。"
　　"Itisbuttheimprintofthekeyofmycabinet——toogoodamarkforhisgallows—face。Nomanshallabuseorinsultmyprisoners;
　　theyaremyjewels，andIlocktheminsafecasketaccordingly。
　　——Andso，mistress，leaveoffyourwailing。——Why！why，surely，therewasawomanhere！"
　　"Ithinkyouareallmadthismorning，"saidthesewer。"Isawnowomanhere，nornomanneitherinapropersense，butonlytwobeastsrollingonthefloor。"
　　"Nay，thenIamundone，"saidthejailer;"theprison'sbroken，thatisall。Kenilworthprisonisbroken，"hecontinued，inatoneofmaudlinlamentation，"whichwasthestrongestjailbetwixtthisandtheWelshMarches——ay，andahousethathashadknights，andearls，andkingssleepinginit，assecureasiftheyhadbeenintheTowerofLondon。Itisbroken，theprisonersfled，andthejailerinmuchdangerofbeinghanged！"
　　Sosaying，heretreateddowntohisowndentoconcludehislamentations，ortosleephimselfsober。Lambourneandthesewerfollowedhimclose;anditwaswellforthem，sincethejailer，outofmerehabit，wasabouttolockthewicketafterhim，andhadtheynotbeenwithinthereachofinterfering，theywouldhavehadthepleasureofbeingshutupintheturret—chamber，fromwhichtheCountesshadbeenjustdelivered。
　　Thatunhappylady，assoonasshefoundherselfatliberty，fled，aswehavealreadymentioned，intothePleasance。Shehadseenthisrichly—ornamentedspaceofgroundfromthewindowofMervyn'sTower;anditoccurredtoher，atthemomentofherescape，thatamongitsnumerousarbours，bowers，fountains，statues，andgrottoes，shemightfindsomerecessinwhichshecouldlieconcealeduntilshehadanopportunityofaddressingherselftoaprotector，towhomshemightcommunicateasmuchasshedaredofherforlornsituation，andthroughwhosemeansshemightsupplicateaninterviewwithherhusband。
　　"IfIcouldseemyguide，"shethought，"Iwouldlearnifhehaddeliveredmyletter。EvendidIbutseeTressilian，itwerebettertoriskDudley'sanger，byconfidingmywholesituationtoonewhoistheverysoulofhonour，thantorunthehazardoffurtherinsultamongtheinsolentmenialsofthisill—ruledplace。Iwillnotagainventureintoanenclosedapartment。I
　　willwait，Iwillwatch;amidstsomanyhumanbeingstheremustbesomekindheartwhichcanjudgeandcompassionatewhatmineendures。"
　　Intruth，morethanonepartyenteredandtraversedthePleasance。Buttheywereinjoyousgroupsoffourorfivepersonstogether，laughingandjestingintheirownfullnessofmirthandlightnessofheart。
　　Theretreatwhichshehadchosengavehertheeasyalternativeofavoidingobservation。Itwasbutsteppingbacktothefarthestrecessofagrotto，ornamentedwithrusticworkandmoss—seats，andterminatedbyafountain，andshemighteasilyremainconcealed，oratherpleasurediscoverherselftoanysolitarywandererwhosecuriositymightleadhimtothatromanticretirement。Anticipatingsuchanopportunity，shelookedintotheclearbasinwhichthesilentfountainhelduptoherlikeamirror，andfeltshockedatherownappearance，anddoubtfulat;
　　thesametime，muffledanddisfiguredasherdisguisemadeherseemtoherself，whetheranyfemale（anditwasfromthecompassionofherownsexthatshechieflyexpectedsympathy）
　　wouldengageinconferencewithsosuspiciousanobject。
　　Reasoningthuslikeawoman，towhomexternalappearanceisscarcelyinanycircumstancesamatterofunimportance，andlikeabeauty，whohadsomeconfidenceinthepowerofherowncharms，shelaidasidehertravellingcloakandcapotainehat，andplacedthembesideher，sothatshecouldassumetheminaninstant，ereonecouldpenetratefromtheentranceofthegrottotoitsextremity，incasetheintrusionofVarneyorofLambourneshouldrendersuchdisguisenecessary。Thedresswhichsheworeunderthesevestmentswassomewhatofatheatricalcast，soastosuittheassumedpersonageofoneofthefemaleswhowastoactinthepageant，Waylandhadfoundthemeansofarrangingitthusupontheseconddayoftheirjourney，havingexperiencedtheservicearisingfromtheassumptionofsuchacharacterontheprecedingday。Thefountain，actingbothasamirrorandewer，affordedAmythemeansofabrieftoilette，ofwhichsheavailedherselfashastilyaspossible;thentookinherhandhersmallcasketofjewels，incaseshemightfindthemusefulintercessors，andretiringtothedarkestandmostsequesterednook，satdownonaseatofmoss，andawaitedtillfateshouldgivehersomechanceofrescue，orofpropitiatinganintercessor。
　　CHAPTERXXXIV。
　　Haveyounotseenthepartridgequake，Viewingthehawkapproachingnigh？
　　Shecuddlesclosebeneaththebrake，Afraidtosit，afraidtofly，PRIOR。
　　Itchanced，uponthatmemorablemorning，thatoneoftheearliestofthehuntresstrain，whoappearedfromherchamberinfullarrayforthechase，wasthePrincessforwhomallthesepleasureswereinstituted，England'sMaidenQueen。Iknownotifitwerebychance，oroutofthebefittingcourtesyduetoamistressbywhomhewassomuchhonoured，thatshehadscarcelymadeonestepbeyondthethresholdofherchamberereLeicesterwasbyherside，andproposedtoher，untilthepreparationsforthechasehadbeencompleted，toviewthePleasance，andthegardenswhichitconnectedwiththeCastleyard。
　　Tothisnewsceneofpleasurestheywalked，theEarl'sarmaffordinghisSovereigntheoccasionalsupportwhichsherequired，whereflightsofsteps，thenafavouriteornamentinagarden，conductedthemfromterracetoterrace，andfromparterretoparterre。Theladiesinattendance，giftedwithprudence，orendowedperhapswiththeamiabledesireofactingastheywouldbedoneby，didnotconceivetheirdutytotheQueen'spersonrequiredthem，thoughtheylostnotsightofher，toapproachsonearastoshare，orperhapsdisturb，theconversationbetwixttheQueenandtheEarl，whowasnotonlyherhost，butalsohermosttrusted，esteemed，andfavouredservant。Theycontentedthemselveswithadmiringthegraceofthisillustriouscouple，whoserobesofstatewerenowexchangedforhuntingsuits，almostequallymagnificent。
　　Elizabeth'ssilvandress，whichwasofapalebluesilk，withsilverlaceandAIGUILLETTES，approachedinformtothatoftheancientAmazons，andwasthereforewellsuitedatoncetoherheightandtothedignityofhermien，whichherconsciousrankandlonghabitsofauthorityhadrenderedinsomedegreetoomasculinetobeseentothebestadvantageinordinaryfemaleweeds。Leicester'shuntingsuitofLincolngreen，richlyembroideredwithgold，andcrossedbythegaybaldricwhichsustainedabugle—horn，andawood—knifeinsteadofasword，becameitsmaster，asdidhisothervestmentsofcourtorofwar。
　　Forsuchweretheperfectionsofhisformandmien，thatLeicesterwasalwayssupposedtobeseentothegreatestadvantageinthecharacteranddresswhichforthetimeherepresentedorwore。
　　TheconversationofElizabethandthefavouriteEarlhasnotreachedusindetail。Butthosewhowatchedatsomedistance（andtheeyesofcourtiersandcourtladiesarerightsharp）wereofopinionthatonnooccasiondidthedignityofElizabeth，ingestureandmotion，seemsodecidedlytosoftenawayintoamienexpressiveofindecisionandtenderness。Herstepwasnotonlyslow，butevenunequal，athingmostunwontedinhercarriage;
　　herlooksseemedbentontheground;andtherewasatimiddispositiontowithdrawfromhercompanion，whichexternalgestureinfemalesoftenindicatesexactlytheoppositetendencyinthesecretmind。TheDuchessofRutland，whoventurednearest，wasevenheardtoaverthatshediscernedatearinElizabeth'seyeandablushonhercheek;andstillfurther，"Shebentherlooksonthegroundtoavoidmine，"saidtheDuchess，"shewho，inherordinarymood，couldlookdownalion。"Towhatconclusionthesesymptomsledissufficientlyevident;norweretheyprobablyentirelygroundless。Theprogressofaprivateconversationbetwixttwopersonsofdifferentsexesisoftendecisiveoftheirfate，andgivesitaturnverydifferentperhapsfromwhattheythemselvesanticipated。Gallantrybecomesmingledwithconversation，andaffectionandpassioncomegraduallytomixwithgallantry。Nobles，aswellasshepherdswains，will，insuchatryingmoment，saymorethantheyintended;andQueens，likevillagemaidens，willlistenlongerthantheyshould。
　　Horsesinthemeanwhileneighedandchampedthebitswithimpatienceinthebase—court;houndsyelledintheircouples;andyeomen，rangers，andprickerslamentedtheexhalingofthedew，whichwouldpreventthescentfromlying。ButLeicesterhadanotherchaseinview——or，tospeakmorejustlytowardshim，hadbecomeengagedinitwithoutpremeditation，asthehigh—spiritedhunterwhichfollowsthecryofthehoundsthathavecrossedhispathbyaccident。TheQueen，anaccomplishedandhandsomewoman，theprideofEngland，thehopeofFranceandHolland，andthedreadofSpain，hadprobablylistenedwithmorethanusualfavourtothatmixtureofromanticgallantrywithwhichshealwayslovedtobeaddressed;andtheEarlhad，invanity，inambition，orinboth，throwninmoreandmoreofthatdeliciousingredient，untilhisimportunitybecamethelanguageofloveitself。
　　"No，Dudley，"saidElizabeth，yetitwaswithbrokenaccents——
　　"no，Imustbethemotherofmypeople。Otherties，thatmakethelowlymaidenhappy，aredeniedtoherSovereign。No，Leicester，urgeitnomore。WereIasothers，freetoseekmyownhappiness，then，indeed——butitcannot——cannotbe。Delaythechase——delayitforhalfanhour——andleaveme，mylord。"
　　"How！leaveyou，madam？"saidLeicester，——"hasmymadnessoffendedyou？"
　　"No，Leicester，notso！"answeredtheQueenhastily;"butitismadness，andmustnotberepeated。Go——butgonotfarfromhence;andmeantimeletnooneintrudeonmyprivacy。"
　　Whileshespokethus，Dudleyboweddeeply，andretiredwithaslowandmelancholyair。TheQueenstoodgazingafterhim，andmurmuredtoherself，"Wereitpossible——wereitBUTpossible！——
　　butno——no;ElizabethmustbethewifeandmotherofEnglandalone。"
　　Asshespokethus，andinordertoavoidsomeonewhosestepsheheardapproaching，theQueenturnedintothegrottoinwhichherhapless，andyetbuttoosuccessful，rivallayconcealed。
　　ThemindofEngland'sElizabeth，ifsomewhatshakenbytheagitatinginterviewtowhichshehadjustputaperiod，wasofthatfirmanddecidedcharacterwhichsoonrecoversitsnaturaltone。ItwaslikeoneofthoseancientDruidicalmonumentscalledRocking—stones。ThefingerofCupid，boyasheispainted，couldputherfeelingsinmotion;butthepowerofHerculescouldnothavedestroyedtheirequilibrium。Assheadvancedwithaslowpacetowardstheinmostextremityofthegrotto，hercountenance，ereshehadproceededhalfthelength，hadrecovereditsdignityoflook，andhermienitsairofcommand。
　　ItwasthentheQueenbecameawarethatafemalefigurewasplacedbeside，orratherpartlybehind，analabastercolumn，atthefootofwhicharosethepellucidfountainwhichoccupiedtheinmostrecessofthetwilightgrotto。TheclassicalmindofElizabethsuggestedthestoryofNumaandEgeria，andshedoubtednotthatsomeItaliansculptorhadhererepresentedtheNaiadwhoseinspirationsgavelawstoRome。Assheadvanced，shebecamedoubtfulwhethershebeheldastatue，oraformoffleshandblood。TheunfortunateAmy，indeed，remainedmotionless，betwixtthedesirewhichshehadtomakeherconditionknowntooneofherownsex，andheraweforthestatelyformwhichapproachedher，andwhich，thoughhereyeshadneverbeforebeheld，herfearsinstantlysuspectedtobethepersonageshereallywas。Amyhadarisenfromherseatwiththepurposeofaddressingtheladywhoenteredthegrottoalone，and，assheatfirstthought，soopportunely。ButwhensherecollectedthealarmwhichLeicesterhadexpressedattheQueen'sknowingaughtoftheirunion，andbecamemoreandmoresatisfiedthatthepersonwhomshenowbeheldwasElizabethherself，shestoodwithonefootadvancedandonewithdrawn，herarms，head，andhandsperfectlymotionless，andhercheekaspallidasthealabasterpedestalagainstwhichsheleaned。Herdresswasofpalesea—
　　greensilk，littledistinguishedinthatimperfectlight，andsomewhatresembledthedraperyofaGrecianNymph，suchanantiquedisguisehavingbeenthoughtthemostsecure，wheresomanymaskersandrevellerswereassembled;sothattheQueen'sdoubtofherbeingalivingformwaswelljustifiedbyallcontingentcircumstances，aswellasbythebloodlesscheekandthefixedeye。
　　Elizabethremainedindoubt，evenaftershehadapproachedwithinafewpaces，whethershedidnotgazeonastatuesocunninglyfashionedthatbythedoubtfullightitcouldnotbedistinguishedfromreality。Shestopped，therefore，andfixeduponthisinterestingobjectherprincelylookwithsomuchkeennessthattheastonishmentwhichhadkeptAmyimmovablegavewaytoawe，andshegraduallycastdownhereyes，anddroopedherheadunderthecommandinggazeoftheSovereign。Still，however，sheremainedinallrespects，savingthisslowandprofoundinclinationofthehead，motionlessandsilent。
　　Fromherdress，andthecasketwhichsheinstinctivelyheldinherhand，Elizabethnaturallyconjecturedthatthebeautifulbutmutefigurewhichshebeheldwasaperformerinoneofthevarioustheatricalpageantswhichhadbeenplacedindifferentsituationstosurpriseherwiththeirhomage;andthatthepoorplayer，overcomewithaweatherpresence，hadeitherforgotthepartassignedher，orlackedcouragetogothroughit。Itwasnaturalandcourteoustogivehersomeencouragement;andElizabethaccordinglysaid，ina，toneofcondescendingkindness，"Hownow，fairNymphofthislovelygrotto，artthouspell—boundandstruckwithdumbnessbythecharmsofthewickedenchanterwhommentermFear？Wearehisswornenemy，maiden，andcanreversehischarm。Speak，wecommandthee。"
　　Insteadofansweringherbyspeech，theunfortunateCountessdroppedonherkneebeforetheQueen，lethercasketfallfromherhand，andclaspingherpalmstogether，lookedupintheQueen'sfacewithsuchamixedagonyoffearandsupplication，thatElizabethwasconsiderablyaffected。
　　"Whatmaythismean？"shesaid;"thisisastrongerpassionthanbefitstheoccasion。Standup，damsel——whatwouldstthouhavewithus？"
　　"Yourprotection，madam，"falteredforththeunhappypetitioner。
　　"EachdaughterofEnglandhasitwhilesheisworthyofit，"
　　repliedtheQueen;"butyourdistressseemstohaveadeeperrootthanaforgottentask。Why，andinwhat，doyoucraveourprotection？"
　　Amyhastilyendeavouredtorecallwhatshewerebesttosay，whichmightsecureherselffromtheimminentdangersthatsurroundedher，withoutendangeringherhusband;andplungingfromonethoughttoanother，amidstthechaoswhichfilledhermind，shecouldatlength，inanswertotheQueen'srepeatedinquiriesinwhatshesoughtprotection，onlyfalterout，"Alas！
　　Iknownot。"
　　"Thisisfolly，maiden，"saidElizabethimpatiently;fortherewassomethingintheextremeconfusionofthesuppliantwhichirritatedhercuriosity，aswellasinterestedherfeelings。
　　"Thesickmanmusttellhismaladytothephysician;norareWE
　　accustomedtoaskquestionssooftwithoutreceivingananswer。"
　　"Irequest——Iimplore，"stammeredforththeunfortunateCountess——"Ibeseechyourgraciousprotection——against——againstoneVarney。"Shechokedwell—nighassheutteredthefatalword，whichwasinstantlycaughtupbytheQueen。
　　"What，Varney——SirRichardVarney——theservantofLordLeicester！
　　what，damsel，areyoutohim，orhetoyou？"
　　"I——I——washisprisoner——andhepractisedonmylife——andIbrokeforthto——to——"
　　"Tothrowthyselfonmyprotection，doubtless，"saidElizabeth。
　　"Thoushalthaveit——thatis，ifthouartworthy;forwewillsiftthismattertotheuttermost。Thouart，"shesaid，bendingontheCountessaneyewhichseemeddesignedtopierceherveryinmostsoul——"thouartAmy，daughterofSirHughRobsartofLidcoteHall？"
　　"Forgiveme——forgiveme，mostgraciousPrincess！"saidAmy，droppingoncemoreonherknee，fromwhichshehadarisen。
　　"ForwhatshouldIforgivethee，sillywench？"saidElizabeth;
　　"forbeingthedaughterofthineownfather？Thouartbrain—
　　sick，surely。WellIseeImustwringthestoryfromtheebyinches。Thoudidstdeceivethineoldandhonouredfather——thylookconfessesit——cheatedMasterTressilian——thyblushavouchesit——andmarriedthissameVarney。"
　　Amysprungonherfeet，andinterruptedtheQueeneagerlywith，"No，madam，no！asthereisaGodaboveus，Iamnotthesordidwretchyouwouldmakeme！Iamnotthewifeofthatcontemptibleslave——ofthatmostdeliberatevillain！IamnotthewifeofVarney！IwouldratherbethebrideofDestruction！"
　　TheQueen，overwhelmedinherturnbyAmy'svehemence，stoodsilentforaninstant，andthenreplied，"Why，Godha'mercy，woman！Iseethoucansttalkfastenoughwhenthethemelikesthee。Nay，tellme，woman，"shecontinued，fortotheimpulseofcuriositywasnowaddedthatofanundefinedjealousythatsomedeceptionhadbeenpractisedonher——"tellme，woman——for，byGod'sday，IWILLknow——whosewife，orwhoseparamour，artthou！
　　Speakout，andbespeedy。ThouwertbetterdailywithalionessthanwithElizabeth。"
　　Urgedtothisextremity，draggedasitwerebyirresistibleforcetothevergeoftheprecipicewhichshesaw，butcouldnotavoid——permittednotamoment'srespitebytheeagerwordsandmenacinggesturesoftheoffendedQueen，Amyatlengthutteredindespair，"TheEarlofLeicesterknowsitall。"
　　"TheEarlofLeicester！"saidElizabeth，inutterastonishment。
　　"TheEarlofLeicester！"sherepeatedwithkindlinganger。
　　"Woman，thouartsetontothis——thoudostbeliehim——hetakesnokeepofsuchthingsasthouart。Thouartsubornedtoslanderthenoblestlordandthetruest—heartedgentlemaninEngland！
　　Butwerehetherighthandofourtrust，orsomethingyetdearertous，thoushalthavethyhearing，andthatinhispresence。
　　Comewithme——comewithmeinstantly！"
　　AsAmyshrunkbackwithterror，whichtheincensedQueeninterpretedasthatofconsciousguilt，Elizabethrapidlyadvanced，seizedonherarm，andhastenedwithswiftandlongstepsoutofthegrotto，andalongtheprincipalalleyofthePleasance，draggingwithhertheterrifiedCountess，whomshestillheldbythearm，andwhoseutmostexertionscouldbutjustkeeppacewiththoseoftheindignantQueen。
　　Leicesterwasatthismomentthecentreofasplendidgroupoflordsandladies，assembledtogetherunderanarcade，orportico，whichclosedthealley。Thecompanyhaddrawntogetherinthatplace，toattendthecommandsofherMajestywhenthehunting—
　　partyshouldgoforward，andtheirastonishmentmaybeimaginedwhen，insteadofseeingElizabethadvancetowardsthemwithherusualmeasureddignityofmotion，theybeheldherwalkingsorapidlythatshewasinthemidstofthemeretheywereaware;
　　andthenobserved，withfearandsurprise，thatherfeatureswereflushedbetwixtangerandagitation，thatherhairwasloosenedbyherhasteofmotion，andthathereyessparkledastheywerewontwhenthespiritofHenryVIII。mountedhighestinhisdaughter。Norweretheylessastonishedattheappearanceofthepale，attenuated，half—dead，yetstilllovelyfemale，whomtheQueenupheldbymainstrengthwithonehand，whilewiththeothershewavedasidetheladiesandnobleswhopressedtowardsher，undertheideathatshewastakensuddenlyill。"WhereismyLordofLeicester？"shesaid，inatonethatthrilledwithastonishmentallthecourtierswhostoodaround。"Standforth，myLordofLeicester！"
　　If，inthemidstofthemostserenedayofsummer，whenallislightandlaughingaround，athunderboltweretofallfromtheclearbluevaultofheaven，andrendtheearthattheveryfeetofsomecarelesstraveller，hecouldnotgazeuponthesmoulderingchasm，whichsounexpectedlyyawnedbeforehim，withhalftheastonishmentandfearwhichLeicesterfeltatthesightthatsosuddenlypresenteditself。Hehadthatinstantbeenreceiving，withapoliticalaffectationofdisavowingandmisunderstandingtheirmeaning，thehalf—uttered，half—intimatedcongratulationsofthecourtiersuponthefavouroftheQueen，carriedapparentlytoitshighestpitchduringtheinterviewofthatmorning，fromwhichmostofthemseemedtoaugurthathemightsoonarisefromtheirequalinranktobecometheirmaster。