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