andthewatchfulcirclearoundobservedwithastonishment，that，insteadofresentinghisrepeatednegligence，andwantofevenordinaryattention（althoughthesewerepointsonwhichshewasusuallyextremelypunctilious），theQueensought，onthecontrary，toaffordhimtimeandmeanstorecollecthimself，anddeignedtoassisthimindoingso，withanindulgencewhichseemedaltogetherinconsistentwithherusualcharacter。Itwasclear，however，thatthiscouldnotlastmuchlonger，andthatElizabethmustfinallyputanotherandmoresevereconstructiononLeicester'suncourteousconduct，whentheEarlwassummonedbyVarneytospeakwithhiminadifferentapartment。
　　Afterhavinghadthemessagetwicedeliveredtohim，herose，andwasabouttowithdraw，asitwere，byinstinct;thenstopped，andturninground，entreatedpermissionoftheQueentoabsenthimselfforabriefspaceuponmattersofpressingimportance。
　　"Go，mylord，"saidtheQueen。"Weareawareourpresencemustoccasionsuddenandunexpectedoccurrences，whichrequiretobeprovidedforontheinstant。Yet，mylord，asyouwouldhaveusbelieveourselfyourwelcomeandhonouredguest，weentreatyoutothinklessofourgoodcheer，andfavouruswithmoreofyourgoodcountenancethanwehavethisdayenjoyed;forwhetherprinceorpeasantbetheguest，thewelcomeofthehostwillalwaysbethebetterpartoftheentertainment。Go，mylord;andwetrusttoseeyoureturnwithanunwrinkledbrow，andthosefreethoughtswhichyouarewonttohaveatthedisposalofyourfriends。"
　　Leicesteronlybowedlowinanswertothisrebuke，andretired。
　　AtthedooroftheapartmenthewasmetbyVarney，whoeagerlydrewhimapart，andwhisperedinhisear，"Alliswell！"
　　"HasMastersseenher？"saidtheEarl。
　　"Hehas，mylord;andasshewouldneitheranswerhisqueries，norallegeanyreasonforherrefusal，hewillgivefulltestimonythatshelaboursunderamentaldisorder，andmaybebestcommittedtothechargeofherfriends。Theopportunityisthereforefreetoremoveherasweproposed。"
　　"ButTressilian？"saidLeicester。
　　"Hewillnotknowofherdepartureforsometime，"repliedVarney;"itshalltakeplacethisveryevening，andto—morrowheshallbecaredfor。"
　　"No，bymysoul，"answeredLeicester;"Iwilltakevengeanceonhimwithmineownhand！"
　　"You，mylord，andonsoinconsiderableamanasTressilian！No，mylord，hehathlongwishedtovisitforeignparts。Trusthimtome——Iwilltakecarehereturnsnothithertotelltales。"
　　"Notso，byHeaven，Varney！"exclaimedLeicester。
　　"Inconsiderabledoyoucallanenemythathathhadpowertowoundmesodeeplythatmywholeafter—lifemustbeonesceneofremorseandmisery？——No;ratherthanforegotherightofdoingmyselfjusticewithmyownhandonthataccursedvillain，IwillunfoldthewholetruthatElizabeth'sfootstool，andlethervengeancedescendatonceonthemandonmyself。"
　　Varneysawwithgreatalarmthathislordwaswroughtuptosuchapitchofagitation，thatifhegavenotwaytohimhewasperfectlycapableofadoptingthedesperateresolutionwhichhehadannounced，andwhichwasinstantruintoalltheschemesofambitionwhichVarneyhadformedforhispatronandforhimself。
　　ButtheEarl'srageseemedatonceuncontrollableanddeeplyconcentrated，andwhilehespokehiseyesshotfire，hisvoicetrembledwithexcessofpassion，andthelightfoamstoodonhislip。
　　Hisconfidantmadeaboldandsuccessfulefforttoobtainthemasteryofhimeveninthishourofemotion。"Mylord，"hesaid，leadinghimtoamirror，"beholdyourreflectioninthatglass，andthinkiftheseagitatedfeaturesbelongtoonewho，inaconditionsoextreme，iscapableofformingaresolutionforhimself"
　　"What，then，wouldstthoumakeme？"saidLeicester，struckatthechangeinhisownphysiognomy，thoughoffendedatthefreedomwithwhichVarneymadetheappeal。"AmItobethyward，thyvassal，——thepropertyandsubjectofmyservant？"
　　"No，mylord，"saidVarneyfirmly，"butbemasterofyourself，andofyourownpassion。Mylord，I，yourbornservant，amashamedtoseehowpoorlyyoubearyourselfinthestormoffury。
　　GotoElizabeth'sfeet，confessyourmarriage——impeachyourwifeandherparamourofadultery——andavowyourself，amongstallyourpeers，thewittolwhomarriedacountrygirl，andwascozenedbyherandherbook—learnedgallant。Go，mylord——butfirsttakefarewellofRichardVarney，withallthebenefitsyoueverconferredonhim。Heservedthenoble，thelofty，thehigh—
　　mindedLeicester，andwasmoreproudofdependingonhimthanhewouldbeofcommandingthousands。Buttheabjectlordwhostoopstoeveryadversecircumstance，whosejudiciousresolvesarescatteredlikechaffbeforeeverywindofpassion，himRichardVarneyservesnot。Heisasmuchabovehiminconstancyofmindasbeneathhiminrankandfortune。"
　　Varneyspokethuswithouthypocrisy，forthoughthefirmnessofmindwhichheboastedwashardnessandimpenetrability，yethereallyfelttheascendencywhichhevaunted;whiletheinterestwhichheactuallyfeltinthefortunesofLeicestergaveunusualemotiontohisvoiceandmanner。
　　LeicesterwasoverpoweredbyhisassumedsuperiorityitseemedtotheunfortunateEarlasifhislastfriendwasabouttoabandonhim。HestretchedhishandtowardsVarneyasheutteredthewords，"Donotleaveme。Whatwouldstthouhavemedo？"
　　"Bethyself，mynoblemaster，"saidVarney，touchingtheEarl'shandwithhislips，afterhavingrespectfullygraspeditinhisown;"beyourself，superiortothosestormsofpassionwhichwreckinferiorminds。Areyouthefirstwhohasbeencozenedinlove——thefirstwhomavainandlicentiouswomanhascheatedintoanaffection，whichshehasafterwardsscornedandmisused？Andwillyousufferyourselftobedrivenfranticbecauseyouhavenotbeenwiserthanthewisestmenwhomtheworldhasseen？Letherbeasifshehadnotbeen——letherpassfromyourmemory，asunworthyofeverhavingheldaplacethere。Letyourstrongresolveofthismorning，whichIhavebothcourage，zeal，andmeansenoughtoexecute，belikethefiatofasuperiorbeing，apassionlessactofjustice。Shehathdeserveddeath——letherdie！"
　　Whilehewasspeaking，theEarlheldhishandfast，compressedhislipshard，andfrowned，asifhelabouredtocatchfromVarneyaportionofthecold，ruthless，anddispassionatefirmnesswhichherecommended。Whenhewassilent，theEarlstillcontinuedtorasphishand，until，withaneffortatcalmdecision，hewasabletoarticulate，"Beitso——shedies！Butonetearmightbepermitted。"
　　"Notone，mylord，"interruptedVarney，whosawbythequiveringeyeandconvulsedcheekofhispatronthathewasabouttogivewaytoaburstofemotion——"notatear——thetimepermitsitnot。
　　Tressilianmustbethoughtof——"
　　"Thatindeedisaname，"saidtheEarl，"toconverttearsintoblood。Varney，Ihavethoughtonthis，andIhavedetermined——
　　neitherentreatynorargumentshallmoveme——Tressilianshallbemyownvictim。"
　　"Itismadness，mylord;butyouaretoomightyformetobaryourwaytoyourrevenge。Yetresolveatleasttochoosefittingtimeandopportunity，andtoforbearhimuntiltheseshallbefound。"
　　"Thoushaltordermeinwhatthouwilt，"saidLeicester，"onlythwartmenotinthis。"
　　"Then，mylord，"saidVarney，"Ifirstrequestofyoutolayasidethewild，suspected，andhalf—frenzieddemeanourwhichhaththisdaydrawntheeyesofallthecourtuponyou，andwhich，butfortheQueen'spartialindulgence，whichshehathextendedtowardsyouinadegreefarbeyondhernature，shehadnevergivenyoutheopportunitytoatonefor。"
　　"HaveIindeedbeensonegligent？"saidLeicester，asonewhoawakesfromadream。"IthoughtIhadcoloureditwell。Butfearnothing，mymindisnoweased——Iamcalm。Myhoroscopeshallbefulfilled;andthatitmaybefulfilled，Iwilltaxtothehighesteveryfacultyofmymind。Fearmenot，Isay。I
　　willtotheQueeninstantly——notthineownlooksandlanguageshallbemoreimpenetrablethanmine。Hastthouaughtelsetosay？"
　　"Imustcraveyoursignet—ring，"saidVarneygravely，"intokentothoseofyourservantswhomImustemploy，thatIpossessyourfullauthorityincommandingtheiraid。"
　　Leicesterdrewoffthesignet—ringwhichhecommonlyused，andgaveittoVarney，withahaggardandsternexpressionofcountenance，addingonly，inalow，half—whisperedtone，butwithterrificemphasis，thewords，"Whatthoudost，doquickly。"
　　Someanxietyandwondertookplace，meanwhile，inthepresence—
　　hall，attheprolongedabsenceofthenobleLordoftheCastle，andgreatwasthedelightofhisfriendswhentheysawhimenterasamanfromwhosebosom，toallhumanseeming，aweightofcarehadbeenjustremoved。AmplydidLeicesterthatdayredeemthepledgehehadgiventoVarney，whosoonsawhimselfnolongerunderthenecessityofmaintainingacharactersodifferentfromhisownasthatwhichhehadassumedintheearlierpartoftheday，andgraduallyrelapsedintothesamegrave，shrewd，causticobserverofconversationandincidentwhichconstitutedhisusualpartinsociety。
　　WithElizabeth，Leicesterplayedhisgameasonetowhomhernaturalstrengthoftalentandherweaknessinoneortwoparticularpointswerewellknown。HewastoowarytoexchangeonasuddenthesullenpersonagewhichhehadplayedbeforeheretiredwithVarney;butonapproachingheritseemedsoftenedintoamelancholy，whichhadatouchoftendernessinit，andwhich，inthecourseofconversingwithElizabeth，andasshedroppedincompassiononemarkoffavourafteranothertoconsolehim，passedintoaflowofaffectionategallantry，themostassiduous，themostdelicate，themostinsinuating，yetatthesametimethemostrespectful，withwhichaQueenwaseveraddressedbyasubject。Elizabethlistenedasinasortofenchantment。Herjealousyofpowerwaslulledasleep;herresolutiontoforsakeallsocialordomesticties，anddedicateherselfexclusivelytothecareofherpeople，begantobeshaken;andoncemorethestarofDudleyculminatedinthecourthorizon。
　　ButLeicesterdidnotenjoythistriumphovernature，andoverconscience，withoutitsbeingembitteredtohim，notonlybytheinternalrebellionofhisfeelingsagainsttheviolencewhichheexercisedoverthem，butbymanyaccidentalcircumstances，which，inthecourseofthebanquet，andduringthesubsequentamusementsoftheevening，jarreduponthatnerve，theleastvibrationofwhichwasagony。
　　Thecourtierswere，forexample，intheGreatHall，afterhavingleftthebanqueting—room，awaitingtheappearanceofasplendidmasque，whichwastheexpectedentertainmentofthisevening，whentheQueeninterruptedawildcareerofwitwhichtheEarlofLeicesterwasrunningagainstLordWilloughby，Raleigh，andsomeothercourtiers，bysaying，"Wewillimpeachyouofhightreason，mylord，ifyouproceedinthisattempttoslayuswithlaughter。
　　Andherecomesathingmaymakeusallgraveathispleasure，ourlearnedphysicianMasters，withnewsbelikeofourpoorsuppliant，LadyVarney;——nay，mylord，wewillnothaveyouleaveus，forthisbeingadisputebetwixtmarriedpersons，wedonotholdourownexperiencedeepenoughtodecidethereonwithoutgoodcounsel。——Hownow，Masters，whatthinkestthouoftherunawaybride？"
　　ThesmilewithwhichLeicesterhadbeenspeaking，whentheQueeninterruptedhim，remainedarrestedonhislips，asifithadbeencarvedtherebythechiselofMichaelAngeloorofChantrey;andhelistenedtothespeechofthephysicianwiththesameimmovablecastofcountenance。
　　"TheLadyVarney，graciousSovereign，"saidthecourtphysicianMasters，"issullen，andwouldholdlittleconferencewithmetouchingthestateofherhealth，talkingwildlyofbeingsoontopleadherowncausebeforeyourownpresence，andofansweringnomeanerperson'sinquiries。"
　　"Nowtheheavensforfend！"saidtheQueen;"wehavealreadysufferedfromthemisconstructionsandbroilswhichseemtofollowthispoorbrain—sickladywherevershecomes。——Thinkyounotso，mylord？"sheadded，appealingtoLeicesterwithsomethinginherlookthatindicatedregret，eventenderlyexpressed，fortheirdisagreementofthatmorning。Leicestercompelledhimselftobowlow。TheutmostforcehecouldexertwasinadequatetothefurthereffortofexpressinginwordshisacquiescenceintheQueen'ssentiment。
　　"Youarevindictive，"shesaid，"mylord;butwewillfindtimeandplacetopunishyou。Butoncemoretothissametrouble—
　　mirth，thisLadyVarney。Whatofherhealth，Masters？"
　　"Sheissullen，madam，asIalreadysaid，"repliedMasters，"andrefusestoanswerinterrogatories，orbeamenabletotheauthorityofthemediciner。Iconceivehertobepossessedwithadelirium，whichIinclinetotermratherHYPOCHONDRIAthanPHRENESIS;andIthinkshewerebestcaredforbyherhusbandinhisownhouse，andremovedfromallthisbustleofpageants，whichdisturbsherweakbrainwiththemostfantasticphantoms。
　　Shedropshintsasifsheweresomegreatpersonindisguise——
　　someCountessorPrincessperchance。Godhelpthem，suchareoftenthehallucinationsoftheseinfirmpersons！"
　　"Nay，then，"saidtheQueen，"awaywithherwithallspeed。LetVarneycareforherwithfittinghumanity;butletthemridtheCastleofherforthwithshewillthinkherselfladyofall，I
　　warrantyou。Itispitysofairaform，however，shouldhaveaninfirmunderstanding。——Whatthinkyou，mylord？"
　　"Itispityindeed，"saidtheEarl，repeatingthewordslikeataskwhichwassethim。
　　"But，perhaps，"saidElizabeth，"youdonotjoinwithusinouropinionofherbeauty;andindeedwehaveknownmenpreferastatelierandmoreJuno—likeformtothatdroopingfragileonethathungitsheadlikeabrokenlily。Ay，menaretyrants，mylord，whoesteemtheanimationofthestrifeabovethetriumphofanunresistingconquest，and，likesturdychampions，lovebestthosewomenwhocanwagecontestwiththem。——Icouldthinkwithyou，Rutland，thatgivemyLordofLeicestersuchapieceofpaintedwaxforabride，hewouldhavewishedherdeaderetheendofthehoneymoon。"
　　Asshesaidthis，shelookedonLeicestersoexpressivelythat，whilehisheartrevoltedagainsttheegregiousfalsehood，hedidhimselfsomuchviolenceastoreplyinawhisperthatLeicester'slovewasmorelowlythanherMajestydeemed，sinceitwassettledwherehecouldnevercommand，butmusteverobey。
　　TheQueenblushed，andbidhimbesilent;yetlookedasofsheexpectedthathewouldnotobeyhercommands。Butatthatmomenttheflourishoftrumpetsandkettle—drumsfromahighbalconywhichoverlookedthehallannouncedtheentranceofthemaskers，andrelievedLeicesterfromthehorriblestateofconstraintanddissimulationinwhichtheresultofhisownduplicityhadplacedhim。
　　Themasquewhichenteredconsistedoffourseparatebands，whichfollowedeachotheratbriefintervals，eachconsistingofsixprincipalpersonsandasmanytorch—bearers，andeachrepresentingoneofthevariousnationsbywhichEnglandhadatdifferenttimesbeenoccupied。
　　TheaboriginalBritons，whofirstentered，wereusheredinbytwoancientDruids，whosehoaryhairwascrownedwithachapletofoak，andwhoboreintheirhandsbranchesofmistletoe。ThemaskerswhofollowedthesevenerablefiguresweresucceededbytwoBards，arrayedinwhite，andbearingharps，whichtheyoccasionallytouched，singingatthesametimecertainstanzasofanancienthymntoBelus，ortheSun。TheaboriginalBritonshadbeenselectedfromamongstthetallestandmostrobustyounggentlemeninattendanceonthecourt。Theirmaskswereaccommodatedwithlong，shaggybeardsandhair;theirvestmentswereofthehidesofwolvesandbears;whiletheirlegs，arms，andtheupperpartsoftheirbodies，beingsheathedinflesh—
　　colouredsilk，onwhichweretracedingrotesquelinesrepresentationsoftheheavenlybodies，andofanimalsandotherterrestrialobjects，gavethemthelivelyappearanceofourpaintedancestors，whosefreedomwasfirsttrencheduponbytheRomans。
　　ThesonsofRome，whocametocivilizeaswellastoconquer，werenextproducedbeforetheprincelyassembly;andthemanageroftherevelshadcorrectlyimitatedthehighcrestandmilitaryhabitsofthatcelebratedpeople，accommodatingthemwiththelightyetstrongbucklerandtheshorttwo—edgedsword，theuseofwhichhadmadethemvictorsoftheworld。TheRomaneagleswerebornebeforethembytwostandard—bearers，whorecitedahymntoMars，andtheclassicalwarriorsfollowedwiththegraveandhaughtystepofmenwhoaspiredatuniversalconquest。
　　ThethirdquadrillerepresentedtheSaxons，cladinthebearskinswhichtheyhadbroughtwiththemfromtheGermanforests，andbearingintheirhandstheredoubtablebattle—axeswhichmadesuchhavocamongthenativesofBritain。TheywereprecededbytwoScalds，whochantedthepraisesofOdin。
　　LastcametheknightlyNormans，intheirmail—shirtsandhoodsofsteel，withallthepanoplyofchivalry，andmarshalledbytwoMinstrels，whosangofwarandladies'love。
　　Thesefourbandsenteredthespacioushallwiththeutmostorder，ashortpausebeingmade，thatthespectatorsmightsatisfytheircuriosityastoeachquadrillebeforetheappearanceofthenext。
　　Theythenmarchedcompletelyroundthehall，inorderthemorefullytodisplaythemselves，regulatingtheirstepstoorgans，shalms，hautboys，andvirginals，themusicoftheLordLeicester'shousehold。Atlengththefourquadrillesofmaskers，rangingtheirtorch—bearersbehindthem，drewupintheirseveralranksonthetwooppositesidesofthehall，sothattheRomansconfrontingtheBritons，andtheSaxonstheNormans，seemedtolookoneachotherwitheyesofwonder，whichpresentlyappearedtokindleintoanger，expressedbymenacinggestures。Attheburstofastrainofmartialmusicfromthegallerythemaskersdrewtheirswordsonallsides，andadvancedagainsteachotherinthemeasuredstepsofasortofPyrrhicormilitarydance，clashingtheirswordsagainsttheiradversaries'shields，andclatteringthemagainsttheirbladesastheypassedeachotherintheprogressofthedance。Itwasaverypleasantspectacletoseehowthevariousbands，preservingregularityamidmotionswhichseemedtobetotallyirregular，mixedtogether，andthendisengagingthemselves，resumedeachtheirownoriginalrankasthemusicvaried。
　　InthissymbolicaldancewererepresentedtheconflictswhichhadtakenplaceamongthevariousnationswhichhadancientlyinhabitedBritain。
　　Atlength，aftermanymazyevolutions，whichaffordedgreatpleasuretothespectators，thesoundofaloud—voicedtrumpetwasheard，asifitblewforinstantbattle，orforvictorywon。
　　Themaskersinstantlyceasedtheirmimicstrife，andcollectingthemselvesundertheiroriginalleaders，orpresenters，forsuchwastheappropriatephrase，seemedtosharetheanxiousexpectationwhichthespectatorsexperiencedconcerningwhatwasnexttoappear。
　　Thedoorsofthehallwerethrownwide，andnolessapersonenteredthanthefiend—bornMerlin，dressedinastrangeandmysticalattire，suitedtohisambiguousbirthandmagicalpower。
　　Abouthimandbehindhimflutteredorgambolledmanyextraordinaryforms，intendedtorepresentthespiritswhowaitedtodohispowerfulbidding;andsomuchdidthispartofthepageantinterestthemenialsandothersofthelowerclassthenintheCastle，thatmanyofthemforgoteventhereverenceduetotheQueen'spresence，sofarastothrustthemselvesintothelowerpartofthehall。
　　TheEarlofLeicester，seeinghisofficershadsomedifficultytorepeltheseintruders，withoutmoredisturbancethanwasfittingwheretheQueenwasinpresence，aroseandwenthimselftothebottomofthehall;Elizabeth，atthesametime，withherusualfeelingforthecommonpeople，requestingthattheymightbepermittedtoremainundisturbedtowitnessthepageant。
　　Leicesterwentunderthispretext;buthisrealmotivewastogainamomenttohimself，andtorelievehismind，wereitbutforoneinstant，fromthedreadfultaskofhiding，undertheguiseofgaietyandgallantry，thelaceratingpangsofshame，anger，remorse，andthirstforvengeance。Heimposedsilencebyhislookandsignuponthevulgarcrowdatthelowerendoftheapartment;butinsteadofinstantlyreturningtowaitonherMajesty，hewrappedhiscloakaroundhim，andmixingwiththecrowd，stoodinsomedegreeanundistinguishedspectatoroftheprogressofthemasque。
　　Merlinhavingentered，andadvancedintothemidstofthehall，summonedthepresentersofthecontendingbandsaroundhimbyawaveofhismagicalrod，andannouncedtothem，inapoeticalspeech，thattheisleofBritainwasnowcommandedbyaRoyalMaiden，towhomitwasthewilloffatethattheyshouldalldohomage，andrequestofhertopronounceonthevariouspretensionswhicheachsetforthtobeesteemedthepre—eminentstock，fromwhichthepresentnatives，thehappysubjectsofthatangelicalPrincess，derivedtheirlineage。
　　Inobediencetothismandate，thebands，eachmovingtosolemnmusic，passedinsuccessionbeforeElizabeth，doingher，astheypassed，eachafterthefashionofthepeoplewhomtheyrepresented，thelowestandmostdevotionalhomage，whichshereturnedwiththesamegraciouscourtesythathadmarkedherwholeconductsinceshecametoKenilworth。
　　Thepresentersoftheseveralmasquesorquadrillesthenalleged，eachinbehalfofhisowntroop，thereasonswhichtheyhadforclaimingpre—eminenceovertherest;andwhentheyhadbeenallheardinturn，shereturnedthemthisgraciousanswer:"ThatshewassorryshewasnotbetterqualifiedtodecideuponthedoubtfulquestionwhichhadbeenpropoundedtoherbythedirectionofthefamousMerlin，butthatitseemedtoherthatnosingleoneofthesecelebratednationscouldclaimpre—eminenceovertheothers，ashavingmostcontributedtoformtheEnglishmanofherowntime，whounquestionablyderivedfromeachofthemsomeworthyattributeofhischaracter。Thus，"shesaid，"theEnglishmanhadfromtheancientBritonhisboldandtamelessspiritoffreedom;fromtheRomanhisdisciplinedcourageinwar，withhisloveoflettersandcivilizationintimeofpeace;fromtheSaxonhiswiseandequitablelaws;andfromthechivalrousNormanhisloveofhonourandcourtesy，withhisgenerousdesireforglory。"
　　MerlinansweredwithreadinessthatitdidindeedrequirethatsomanychoicequalitiesshouldmeetintheEnglish，asmightrendertheminsomemeasurethemusteroftheperfectionsofothernations，sincethatalonecouldrendertheminsomedegreedeservingoftheblessingstheyenjoyedunderthereignofEngland'sElizabeth。
　　Themusicthensounded，andthequadrilles，togetherwithMerlinandhisassistants，hadbeguntoremovefromthecrowdedhall，whenLeicester，whowas，aswehavementioned，stationedforthemomentnearthebottomofthehall，andconsequentlyengagedinsomedegreeinthecrowd，felthimselfpulledbythecloak，whileavoicewhisperedinhisear，"MyLord，Idodesiresomeinstantconferencewithyou。"
　　CHAPTERXXXVIII。
　　Howis'twithme，wheneverynoiseappalsme？MACBETH。
　　"Idesiresomeconferencewithyou。"Thewordsweresimpleinthemselves，butLordLeicesterwasinthatalarmedandfeverishstateofmindwhenthemostordinaryoccurrencesseemfraughtwithalarmingimport;andheturnedhastilyroundtosurveythepersonbywhomtheyhadbeenspoken。Therewasnothingremarkableinthespeaker'sappearance，whichconsistedofablacksilkdoubletandshortmantle，withablackvizardonhisface;foritappearedhehadbeenamongthecrowdofmaskswhohadthrongedintothehallintheretinueofMerlin，thoughhedidnotwearanyoftheextravagantdisguisesbywhichmostofthemweredistinguished。
　　"Whoareyou，orwhatdoyouwantwithme？"saidLeicester，notwithoutbetraying，byhisaccents，thehurriedstateofhisspirits。
　　"Noevil，mylord，"answeredthemask，"butmuchgoodandhonour，ifyouwillrightlyunderstandmypurpose。ButImustspeakwithyoumoreprivately。"
　　"Icanspeakwithnonamelessstranger，"answeredLeicester，dreadingheknewnotpreciselywhatfromtherequestofthestranger;"andthosewhoareknowntomemustseekanotherandafittertimetoaskaninterview。"
　　Hewouldhavehurriedaway，butthemaskstilldetainedhim。
　　"Thosewhotalktoyourlordshipofwhatyourownhonourdemandshavearightoveryourtime，whateveroccupationsyoumaylayasideinordertoindulgethem。"
　　"How！myhonour？Whodareimpeachit？"saidLeicester。
　　"Yourownconductalonecanfurnishgroundsforaccusingit，mylord，anditisthattopiconwhichIwouldspeakwithyou。"
　　"Youareinsolent，"saidLeicester，"andabusethehospitablelicenseofthetime，whichpreventsmefromhavingyoupunished。
　　Idemandyourname！"
　　"EdmundTressilianofCornwall，"answeredthemask。"Mytonguehasbeenboundbyapromiseforfour—and—twentyhours。Thespaceispassed，——Inowspeak，anddoyourlordshipthejusticetoaddressmyselffirsttoyou。"
　　ThethrillofastonishmentwhichhadpenetratedtoLeicester'sveryheartathearingthatnamepronouncedbythevoiceofthemanhemostdetested，andbywhomheconceivedhimselfsodeeplyinjured，atfirstrenderedhimimmovable，butinstantlygavewaytosuchathirstforrevengeasthepilgriminthedesertfeelsforthewater—brooks。Hehadbutsenseandself—governmentenoughlefttopreventhisstabbingtothehearttheaudaciousvillain，who，aftertheruinhehadbroughtuponhim，dared，withsuchunmovedassurance，thustopractiseuponhimfurther。
　　Determinedtosuppressforthemomenteverysymptomofagitation，inordertoperceivethefullscopeofTressilian'spurpose，aswellastosecurehisownvengeance，heansweredinatonesoalteredbyrestrainedpassionasscarcetobeintelligible，"AndwhatdoesMasterEdmundTressilianrequireatmyhand？"
　　"Justice，mylord，"answeredTressilian，calmlybutfirmly。
　　"Justice，"saidLeicester，"allmenareentitledto。YOU，MasterTressilian，arepeculiarlyso，andbeassuredyoushallhaveit。"
　　"Iexpectnothinglessfromyournobleness，"answeredTressilian;
　　"buttimepresses，andImustspeakwithyouto—night。MayI
　　waitonyouinyourchamber？"
　　"No，"answeredLeicestersternly，"notunderaroof，andthatroofmineown。Wewillmeetunderthefreecopeofheaven。"
　　"Youarediscomposedordispleased，mylord，"repliedTressilian;
　　"yetthereisnooccasionfordistemperature。Theplaceisequaltome，soyouallowmeonehalf—hourofyourtimeuninterrupted。"
　　"Ashortertimewill，Itrust，suffice，"answeredLeicester。
　　"MeetmeinthePleasancewhentheQueenhasretiredtoherchamber。"
　　"Enough，"saidTressilian，andwithdrew;whileasortofraptureseemedforthemomenttooccupythemindofLeicester。
　　"Heaven，"hesaid，"isatlastfavourabletome，andhasputwithinmyreachthewretchwhohasbrandedmewiththisdeepignominy——whohasinflictedonmethiscruelagony。Iwillblamefatenomore，sinceIamaffordedthemeansoftracingthewilesbywhichhemeansstillfurthertopractiseonme，andthenofatonceconvictingandpunishinghisvillainy。Tomytask——tomytask！Iwillnotsinkunderitnow，sincemidnight，atfarthest，willbringmevengeance。"
　　WhilethesereflectionsthrongedthroughLeicester'smind，heagainmadehiswayamidtheobsequiouscrowd，whichdividedtogivehimpassage，andresumedhisplace，enviedandadmired，besidethepersonofhisSovereign。Butcouldthebosomofhimthusadmiredandenviedhavebeenlaidopenbeforetheinhabitantsofthatcrowdedhall，withallitsdarkthoughtsofguiltyambition，blightedaffection，deepvengeance，andconscioussenseofmeditatedcruelty，crossingeachotherlikespectresinthecircleofsomefoulenchantress，whichofthem，fromthemostambitiousnobleinthecourtlycircledowntothemostwretchedmenialwholivedbyshiftingoftrenchers，wouldhavedesiredtochangecharacterswiththefavouriteofElizabeth，andtheLordofKenilworth？
　　NewtorturesawaitedhimassoonashehadrejoinedElizabeth。