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;