"Aworm，mylord？"saidtheQueen，inthesametone;"nay，asnakeisthenoblerreptile，andthemoreexactsimilitude——thefrozensnakeyouwotof，whichwaswarmedinacertainbosom——"
　　"Foryourownsake——formine，madam，"saidtheEarl——"whilethereisyetsomereasonleftinme——"
　　"Speakaloud，mylord，"saidElizabeth，"andatfartherdistance，sopleaseyou——yourbreaththawsourruff。Whathaveyoutoaskofus？"
　　"Permission，"saidtheunfortunateEarlhumbly，"totraveltoCumnorPlace。"
　　"Tofetchhomeyourbridebelike？——Why，ay——thatisbutright，for，aswehaveheard，sheisindifferentlycaredforthere。
　　But，mylord，yougonotinperson;wehavecounteduponpassingcertaindaysinthisCastleofKenilworth，anditwereslightcourtesytoleaveuswithoutalandlordduringourresidencehere。Underyourfavour，wecannotthinktoincursuchdisgraceintheeyesofoursubjects。TressilianshallgotoCumnorPlaceinsteadofyou，andwithhimsomegentlemanwhohathbeenswornofourchamber，lestmyLordofLeicestershouldbeagainjealousofhisoldrival。——Whomwouldstthouhavetobeincommissionwiththee，Tressilian？"
　　Tressilian，withhumbledeference，suggestedthenameofRaleigh。
　　"Why，ay，"saidtheQueen;"soGodha'me，thouhastmadeagoodchoice。Heisayoungknightbesides，andtodeliveraladyfromprisonisanappropriatefirstadventure。——CumnorPlaceislittlebetterthanaprison，youaretoknow，mylordsandladies。
　　Besides，therearecertainfaitourstherewhomwewouldwillinglyhaveinsafekeeping。Youwillfurnishthem，MasterSecretary，withthewarrantnecessarytosecurethebodiesofRichardVarneyandtheforeignAlasco，deadoralive。Takeasufficientforcewithyou，gentlemen——bringtheladyhereinallhonour——losenotime，andGodbewithyou！"
　　Theybowed，andleftthepresence，WhoshalldescribehowtherestofthatdaywasspentatKenilworth？TheQueen，whoseemedtohaveremainedthereforthesolepurposeofmortifyingandtauntingtheEarlofLeicester，showedherselfasskilfulinthatfemaleartofvengeance，asshewasinthescienceofwiselygoverningherpeople。Thetrainofstatesooncaughtthesignal，andashewalkedamonghisownsplendidpreparations，theLordofKenilworth，inhisownCastle，alreadyexperiencedthelotofadisgracedcourtier，intheslightregardandcoldmannersofalienatedfriends，andtheill—
　　concealedtriumphofavowedandopenenemies。Sussex，fromhisnaturalmilitaryfranknessofdisposition，BurleighandWalsingham，fromtheirpenetratingandprospectivesagacity，andsomeoftheladies，fromthecompassionoftheirsex，weretheonlypersonsinthecrowdedcourtwhoretainedtowardshimthecountenancetheyhadborneinthemorning。
　　SomuchhadLeicesterbeenaccustomedtoconsidercourtfavourastheprincipalobjectofhislife，thatallothersensationswere，forthetime，lostintheagonywhichhishaughtyspiritfeltatthesuccessionofpettyinsultsandstudiedneglectstowhichhehadbeensubjected;butwhenheretiredtohisownchamberforthenight，thatlong，fairtressofhairwhichhadoncesecuredAmy'sletterfellunderhisobservation，and，withtheinfluenceofacounter—charm，awakenedhishearttonoblerandmorenaturalfeelings。Hekisseditathousandtimes;andwhileherecollectedthathehaditalwaysinhispowertoshunthemortificationswhichhehadthatdayundergone，byretiringintoadignifiedandevenprince—likeseclusionwiththebeautifulandbelovedpartnerofhisfuturelife，hefeltthathecouldriseabovetherevengewhichElizabethhadcondescendedtotake。
　　Accordingly，onthefollowingdaythewholeconductoftheEarldisplayedsomuchdignifiedequanimity——heseemedsosolicitousabouttheaccommodationsandamusementsofhisguests，yetsoindifferenttotheirpersonaldemeanourtowardshim——sorespectfullydistanttotheQueen，yetsopatientofherharassingdispleasure——thatElizabethchangedhermannertohim，and，thoughcoldanddistant，ceasedtoofferhimanydirectaffront。Sheintimatedalsowithsomesharpnesstoothersaroundher，whothoughttheywereconsultingherpleasureinshowinganeglectfulconducttotheEarl，thatwhiletheyremainedatKenilworththeyoughttoshowthecivilityduefromgueststotheLordoftheCastle。Inshort，mattersweresofarchangedintwenty—fourhoursthatsomeofthemoreexperiencedandsagaciouscourtiersforesawastrongpossibilityofLeicester'srestorationtofavour，andregulatedtheirdemeanourtowardshim，asthosewhomightonedayclaimmeritfornothavingdesertedhiminadversity。Itistime，however，toleavetheseintrigues，andfollowTressilianandRaleighontheirjourney。
　　Thetroopconsistedofsixpersons;for，besidesWayland，theyhadincompanyaroyalpursuivantandtwostoutserving—men。Allwerewell—armed，andtravelledasfastasitwaspossiblewithjusticetotheirhorses，whichhadalongjourneybeforethem。
　　TheyendeavouredtoprocuresometidingsastheyrodealongofVarneyandhisparty，butcouldhearnone，astheyhadtravelledinthedark。AtasmallvillageabouttwelvemilesfromKenilworth，wheretheygavesomerefreshmenttotheirhorses，apoorclergyman，thecurateoftheplace，cameoutofasmallcottage，andentreatedanyofthecompanywhomightknowaughtofsurgerytolookinforaninstantonadyingman。
　　TheempiricWaylandundertooktodohisbest，andasthecurateconductedhimtothespot，helearnedthatthemanhadbeenfoundonthehighroad，aboutamilefromthevillage，bylabourers，astheyweregoingtotheirworkontheprecedingmorning，andthecuratehadgivenhimshelterinhishouse。Hehadreceivedagun—shotwound，whichseemedtobeobviouslymortal;butwhetherinabrawlorfromrobberstheycouldnotlearn，ashewasinafever，andspokenothingconnectedly。Waylandenteredthedarkandlowlyapartment，andnosoonerhadthecuratedrawnasidethecurtainthanheknew，inthedistortedfeaturesofthepatient，thecountenanceofMichaelLambourne。Underpretenceofseekingsomethingwhichhewanted，Waylandhastilyapprisedhisfellow—
　　travellersofthisextraordinarycircumstance;andbothTressilianandRaleigh，fullofbodingapprehensions，hastenedtothecurate'shousetoseethedyingman。
　　Thewretchwasbythistimeintheagoniesofdeath，fromwhichamuchbettersurgeonthanWaylandcouldnothaverescuedhim，forthebullethadpassedclearthroughhisbody。Hewassensible，however，atleastinpart，forheknewTressilian，andmadesignsthathewishedhimtostoopoverhisbed。Tressiliandidso，andaftersomeinarticulatemurmurs，inwhichthenamesofVarneyandLadyLeicesterwerealonedistinguishable，Lambournebadehim"makehaste，orhewouldcometoolate。"ItwasinvainTressilianurgedthepatientforfurtherinformation;heseemedtobecomeinsomedegreedelirious，andwhenheagainmadeasignaltoattractTressilian'sattention，itwasonlyforthepurposeofdesiringhimtoinformhisuncle，GilesGoslingoftheBlackBear，that"hehaddiedwithouthisshoesafterall。"A
　　convulsionverifiedhiswordsafewminutesafter，andthetravellersderivednothingfromhavingmetwithhim，savingtheobscurefearsconcerningthefateoftheCountess，whichhisdyingwordswerecalculatedtoconvey，andwhichinducedthemtourgetheirjourneywiththeutmostspeed，pressinghorsesintheQueen'snamewhenthosewhichtheyrodebecameunfitforservice。
　　CHAPTERXLI。
　　Thedeath—bellthricewasheardtoring，Anaerialvoicewasheardtocall，Andthricetheravenflapp'ditswingAroundthetowersofCumnorHall。MICKLE。
　　WearenowtoreturntothatpartofourstorywhereweintimatedthatVarney，possessedoftheauthorityoftheEarlofLeicester，andoftheQueen'spermissiontothesameeffect，hastenedtosecurehimselfagainstdiscoveryofhisperfidybyremovingtheCountessfromKenilworthCastle。Hehadproposedtosetforthearlyinthemorning;butreflectingthattheEarlmightrelentintheinterim，andseekanotherinterviewwiththeCountess，heresolvedtoprevent，byimmediatedeparture，allchanceofwhatwouldprobablyhaveendedinhisdetectionandruin。ForthispurposehecalledforLambourne，andwasexceedinglyincensedtofindthathistrustyattendantwasabroadonsomerambleintheneighbouringvillage，orelsewhere。Ashisreturnwasexpected，SirRichardcommandedthatheshouldpreparehimselfforattendinghimonanimmediatejourney，andfollowhimincasehereturnedafterhisdeparture。
　　Inthemeanwhile，VarneyusedtheministryofaservantcalledRobinTider，onetowhomthemysteriesofCumnorPlacewerealreadyinsomedegreeknown，ashehadbeentheremorethanonceinattendanceontheEarl。Tothisman，whosecharacterresembledthatofLambourne，thoughhewasneitherquitesopromptnoraltogethersoprofligate，Varneygavecommandtohavethreehorsessaddled，andtoprepareahorse—litter，andhavetheminreadinessattheposterngate。Thenaturalenoughexcuseofhislady'sinsanity，whichwasnowuniversallybelieved，accountedforthesecrecywithwhichshewastoberemovedfromtheCastle，andhereckonedonthesameapologyincasetheunfortunateAmy'sresistanceorscreamsshouldrendersuchnecessary。TheagencyofAnthonyFosterwasindispensable，andthatVarneynowwenttosecure。
　　Thisperson，naturallyofasour，unsocialdisposition，andsomewhattired，besides，withhisjourneyfromCumnortoWarwickshire，inordertobringthenewsoftheCountess'sescape，hadearlyextricatedhimselffromthecrowdofwassailers，andbetakenhimselftohischamber，wherehelayasleep，whenVarney，completelyequippedfortravelling，andwithadarklanterninhishand，enteredhisapartment。Hepausedaninstanttolistentowhathisassociatewasmurmuringinhissleep，andcouldplainlydistinguishthewords，"AVEMARIA——ORA
　　PRONOBIS。No，itrunsnotso——deliverusfromevil——ay，soitgoes。"
　　"Prayinginhissleep，"saidVarney，"andconfoundinghisoldandnewdevotions。HemusthavemoreneedofprayerereIamdonewithhim。——Whatho！holyman，mostblessedpenitent！——awake——
　　awake！Thedevilhasnotdischargedyoufromserviceyet。"
　　AsVarneyatthesametimeshookthesleeperbythearm，itchangedthecurrentofhisideas，andheroaredout，"Thieves！——
　　thieves！Iwilldieindefenceofmygold——myhard—wongold——
　　thathascostmesodear。WhereisJanet？——IsJanetsafe？"
　　"Safeenough，thoubellowingfool！"saidVarney;"artthounotashamedofthyclamour？"
　　Fosterbythistimewasbroadawake，andsittingupinhisbed，askedVarneythemeaningofsountimelyavisit。"Itaugursnothinggood，"headded。
　　"Afalseprophecy，mostsaintedAnthony，"returnedVarney;"itaugursthatthehouriscomeforconvertingthyleaseholdintocopyhold。Whatsayestthoutothat？"
　　"Hadstthoutoldmethisinbroadday，"saidFoster，"Ihadrejoiced;butatthisdeadhour，andbythisdimlight，andlookingonthypaleface，whichisaghastlycontradictiontothylightwords，Icannotbutratherthinkoftheworkthatistobedone，thantheguerdontobegainedbyit。"
　　"Why，thoufool，itisbuttoescortthychargebacktoCumnorPlace。"
　　"Isthatindeedall？"saidFoster;"thoulookestdeadlypale，andthouartnotmovedbytrifles——isthatindeedall？"
　　"Ay，that——andmaybeatriflemore，"saidVarney。
　　"Ah，thattriflemore！"saidFoster;"stillthoulookestpalerandpaler。"
　　"Heednotmycountenance，"saidVarney;"youseeitbythiswretchedlight。Upandbedoing，man。ThinkofCumnorPlace——
　　thineownpropercopyhold。Why，thoumayestfoundaweeklylectureship，besidesendowingJanetlikeabaron'sdaughter。
　　Seventypoundsandodd。"
　　"Seventy—ninepounds，fiveshillingsandfivepencehalf—penny，besidesthevalueofthewood，"saidFoster;"andIamtohaveitallascopyhold？"
　　"All，man——squirrelsandall。Nogipsyshallcutthevalueofabroom——noboysomuchastakeabird'snest——withoutpayingtheeaquittance。——Ay，thatisright——donthymattersasfastaspossible;horsesandeverythingareready，allsavethataccursedvillainLambourne，whoisoutonsomeinfernalgambol。"
　　"Ay，SirRichard，"saidFoster，"youwouldtakenoadvice。I
　　evertoldyouthatdrunkenprofligatewouldfailyouatneed。
　　NowIcouldhavehelpedyoutoasoberyoungman。"
　　"What，someslow—spoken，long—breathedbrotherofthecongregation？Why，weshallhaveuseforsuchalso，man。Heavenbepraised，weshalllacklabourersofeverykind。——Ay，thatisright——forgetnotyourpistols。Comenow，andletusaway。"
　　"Whither？"saidAnthony。
　　"Tomylady'schamber;and，mind，sheMUSTalongwithus。Thouartnotafellowtobestartledbyashriek？"
　　"NotifScripturereasoncanberenderedforit;anditiswritten，'Wivesobeyyourhusbands。'Butwillmylord'scommandsbearusoutifweuseviolence？"
　　"Tush，man！hereishissignet，"answeredVarney;andhavingthussilencedtheobjectionsofhisassociate，theywenttogethertoLordHunsdon'sapartments，andacquaintingthesentinelwiththeirpurpose，asamattersanctionedbytheQueenandtheEarlofLeicester，theyenteredthechamberoftheunfortunateCountess。
　　ThehorrorofAmymaybeconceivedwhen，startingfromabrokenslumber，shesawatherbedsideVarney，themanonearthshemostfearedandhated。Itwasevenaconsolationtoseethathewasnotalone，thoughshehadsomuchreasontodreadhissullencompanion。
　　"Madam，"saidVarney，"thereisnotimeforceremony。MyLordofLeicester，havingfullyconsideredtheexigenciesofthetime，sendsyouhisordersimmediatelytoaccompanyusonourreturntoCumnorPlace。See，hereishissignet，intokenofhisinstantandpressingcommands。"
　　"Itisfalse！"saidtheCountess;"thouhaststolenthewarrant——thou，whoartcapableofeveryvillainy，fromtheblackesttothebasest！"
　　"ItisTRUE，madam，"repliedVarney;"sotrue，thatifyoudonotinstantlyarise，andpreparetoattendus，wemustcompelyoutoobeyourorders。"
　　"Compel！Thoudarestnotputittothatissue，baseasthouart！"exclaimedtheunhappyCountess。
　　"Thatremainstobeproved，madam，"saidVarney，whohaddeterminedonintimidationastheonlymeansofsubduingherhighspirit;"ifyouputmetoit，youwillfindmearoughgroomofthechambers。"
　　ItwasatthisthreatthatAmyscreamedsofearfullythat，haditnotbeenforthereceivedopinionofherinsanity，shewouldquicklyhavehadLordHunsdonandotherstoheraid。Perceiving，however，thathercrieswerevain，sheappealedtoFosterinthemostaffectingterms，conjuringhim，ashisdaughterJanet'shonourandpurityweredeartohim，nottopermithertobetreatedwithunwomanlyviolence。
　　"Why，madam，wivesmustobeytheirhusbands———there'sScripturewarrantforit，"saidFoster;"andifyouwilldressyourself，andcomewithuspatiently，there'snooneshalllayfingeronyouwhileIcandrawapistol—trigger。"
　　Seeingnohelparrive，andcomfortedevenbythedoggedlanguageofFoster，theCountesspromisedtoariseanddressherself，iftheywouldagreetoretirefromtheroom。Varneyatthesametimeassuredherofallsafetyandhonourwhileintheirhands，andpromisedthathehimselfwouldnotapproachher，sincehispresencewassodispleasing。Herhusband，headded，wouldbeatCumnorPlacewithintwenty—fourhoursaftertheyhadreachedit。
　　Somewhatcomfortedbythisassurance，uponwhich，however，shesawlittlereasontorely，theunhappyAmymadehertoilettebytheassistanceofthelantern，whichtheyleftwithherwhentheyquittedtheapartment。
　　Weeping，trembling，andpraying，theunfortunateladydressedherselfwithsensationshowdifferentfromthedaysinwhichshewaswonttodecorateherselfinalltheprideofconsciousbeauty！Sheendeavouredtodelaythecompletingherdressaslongasshecould，until，terrifiedbytheimpatienceofVarney，shewasobligedtodeclareherselfreadytoattendthem。
　　Whentheywereabouttomove，theCountessclungtoFosterwithsuchanappearanceofterroratVarney'sapproachthatthelatterprotestedtoher，withadeepoath，thathehadnointentionwhateverofevencomingnearher。"Ifyoudobutconsenttoexecuteyourhusband'swillinquietness，youshall，"hesaid，"seebutlittleofme。Iwillleaveyouundisturbedtothecareoftheusherwhomyourgoodtasteprefers。"
　　"Myhusband'swill！"sheexclaimed。"ButitisthewillofGod，andletthatbesufficienttome。IwillgowithMasterFosterasunresistinglyaseverdidaliteralsacrifice。Heisafatheratleast;andwillhavedecency，ifnothumanity。Forthee，Varney，wereitmylatestword，thouartanequalstrangertoboth。"
　　Varneyrepliedonlyshewasatlibertytochoose，andwalkedsomepacesbeforethemtoshowtheway;while，halfleaningonFoster，andhalfcarriedbyhim，theCountesswastransportedfromSaintlowe'sTowertotheposterngate，whereTiderwaitedwiththelitterandhorses。
　　TheCountesswasplacedintheformerwithoutresistance。Shesawwithsomesatisfactionthat，whileFosterandTiderrodeclosebythelitter，whichthelatterconducted，thedreadedVarneylingeredbehind，andwassoonlostindarkness。Alittlewhileshestrove，astheroadwindedroundthevergeofthelake，tokeepsightofthosestatelytowerswhichcalledherhusbandlord，andwhichstill，insomeplaces，sparkledwithlights，wherewassailerswereyetrevelling。Butwhenthedirectionoftheroadrenderedthisnolongerpossible，shedrewbackherhead，andsinkingdowninthelitter，recommendedherselftothecareofProvidence。
　　BesidesthedesireofinducingtheCountesstoproceedquietlyonherjourney，VarneyhaditalsoinviewtohaveaninterviewwithLambourne，bywhomheeverymomentexpectedtobejoined，withoutthepresenceofanywitnesses。Heknewthecharacterofthisman，prompt，bloody，resolute，andgreedy，andjudgedhimthemostfitagenthecouldemployinhisfurtherdesigns。Buttenmilesoftheirjourneyhadbeenmeasuredereheheardthehastyclatterofhorse'shoofsbehindhim，andwasovertakenbyMichaelLambourne。
　　Frettedashewaswithhisabsence，Varneyreceivedhisprofligateservantwitharebukeofunusualbitterness。"Drunkenvillain，"hesaid，"thyidlenessanddebauchedfollywillstretchahalterereitbelong，and，forme，Icarenothowsoon！"
　　ThisstyleofobjurgationLambourne，whowaselatedtoanunusualdegree，notonlybyanextraordinarycupofwine，butbythesortofconfidentialinterviewhehadjusthadwiththeEarl，andthesecretofwhichhehadmadehimselfmaster，didnotreceivewithhiswontedhumility。"Hewouldtakenoinsolenceoflanguage，"
　　hesaid，"fromthebestknightthateverworespurs。LordLeicesterhaddetainedhimonsomebusinessofimport，andthatwasenoughforVarney，whowasbutaservantlikehimself。"
　　Varneywasnotalittlesurprisedathisunusualtoneofinsolence;butascribingittoliquor，sufferedittopassasifunnoticed，andthenbegantotamperwithLambournetouchinghiswillingnesstoaidinremovingoutoftheEarlofLeicester'swayanobstacletoarise，whichwouldputitinhispowertorewardhistrustyfollowerstotheirutmostwish。AnduponMichaelLambourne'sseemingignorantwhatwasmeant，heplainlyindicated"thelitter—load，yonder，"astheimpedimentwhichhedesiredshouldberemoved。
　　"Lookyou，SirRichard，andsoforth，"saidMichael，"somearewiserthansome，thatisonething，andsomeareworsethansome，that'sanother。Iknowmylord'smindonthismatterbetterthanthou，forhehathtrustedmefullyinthematter。Herearehismandates，andhislastwordswere，MichaelLambourne——forhislordshipspeakstomeasagentlemanofthesword，andusethnotthewordsdrunkenvillain，orsuchlikephrase，ofthosewhoknownothowtobearnewdignities——Varney，sayshe，mustpaytheutmostrespecttomyCountess。Itrusttoyouforlookingtoit，Lambourne，sayshislordship，andyoumustbringbackmysignetfromhimperemptorily。"
　　"Ay，"repliedVarney，"saidheso，indeed？Youknowall，then？"
　　"All——all;andyouwereaswisetomakeafriendofmewhiletheweatherisfairbetwixtus。"
　　"Andwastherenoonepresent，"saidVarney，"whenmylordsospoke？"
　　"Notabreathingcreature，"repliedLambourne。"Thinkyoumylordwouldtrustanyonewithsuchmatters，saveanapprovedmanofactionlikemyself？"
　　"Mosttrue，"saidVarney;andmakingapause，helookedforwardonthemoonlightroad。Theyweretraversingawideandopenheath。Thelitterbeingatleastamilebeforethem，wasbothoutofsightandhearing。Helookedbehind，andtherewasanexpanse，lightedbythemoonbeams，withoutonehumanbeinginsight。HeresumedhisspeechtoLambourne:"Andwillyouturnuponyourmaster，whohasintroducedyoutothiscareerofcourt—
　　likefavour——whoseapprenticeyouhavebeen，Michael——whohastaughtyouthedepthsandshallowsofcourtintrigue？"
　　"Michaelnotme！"saidLambourne;"IhaveanamewillbrookaMASTERbeforeitaswellasanother;andastotherest，ifI
　　havebeenanapprentice，myindentureisout，andIamresolutetosetupformyself。"
　　"Takethyquittancefirst，thoufool！"saidVarney;andwithapistol，whichhehadforsometimeheldinhishand，shotLambournethroughthebody。
　　Thewretchfellfromhishorsewithoutasinglegroan;andVarney，dismounting，rifledhispockets，turningoutthelining，thatitmightappearhehadfallenbyrobbers。HesecuredtheEarl'spacket，whichwashischiefobject;buthealsotookLambourne"spurse，containingsomegoldpieces，therelicsofwhathisdebaucheryhadlefthim，andfromasingularcombinationoffeelings，carrieditinhishandonlythelengthofasmallriver，whichcrossedtheroad，intowhichhethrewitasfarashecouldfling。Sucharethestrangeremnantsofconsciencewhichremainaftersheseemstotallysubdued，thatthiscruelandremorselessmanwouldhavefelthimselfdegradedhadhepocketedthefewpiecesbelongingtothewretchwhomhehadthusruthlesslyslain。
　　Themurdererreloadedhispistolaftercleansingthelockandbarrelfromtheappearancesoflateexplosion，androdecalmlyafterthelitter，satisfyinghimselfthathehadsoadroitlyremovedatroublesomewitnesstomanyofhisintrigues，andthebearerofmandateswhichhehadnointentionstoobey，andwhich，therefore，hewasdesirousitshouldbethoughthadneverreachedhishand。
　　TheremainderofthejourneywasmadewithadegreeofspeedwhichshowedthelittlecaretheyhadforthehealthoftheunhappyCountess。Theypausedonlyatplaceswhereallwasundertheircommand，andwherethetaletheywerepreparedtotelloftheinsaneLadyVarneywouldhaveobtainedreadycredithadshemadeanattempttoappealtothecompassionofthefewpersonsadmittedtoseeher。ButAmysawnochanceofobtainingahearingfromanytowhomshehadanopportunityofaddressingherself;andbesides，wastooterrifiedforthepresenceofVarneytoviolatetheimpliedconditionunderwhichshewastotravelfreefromhiscompany。TheauthorityofVarney，oftensousedduringtheEarl'sprivatejourneystoCumnor，readilyprocuredrelaysofhorseswherewanted，sothattheyapproachedCumnorPlaceuponthenightaftertheyleftKenilworth。
　　AtthisperiodofthejourneyVarneycameuptotherearofthelitter，ashehaddonebeforerepeatedlyduringtheirprogress，andasked，"Howdoesshe？"
　　"Shesleeps，"saidFoster。"Iwouldwewerehome——herstrengthisexhausted。"
　　"Restwillrestoreher，"answeredVarney。"Sheshallsoonsleepsoundandlong。Wemustconsiderhowtolodgeherinsafety。"
　　"Inherownapartments，tobesure，"saidFoster。"IhavesentJanettoheraunt'swithaproperrebuke，andtheoldwomenaretruthitself——fortheyhatethisladycordially。"
　　"Wewillnottrustthem，however，friendAnthony，"saidVarney;
　　"Wemustsecureherinthatstrongholdwhereyoukeepyourgold。"
　　"Mygold！"saidAnthony，muchalarmed;"why，whatgoldhaveI？
　　Godhelpme，Ihavenogold——IwouldIhad！"
　　"Now，marryhangthee，thoustupidbrute，whothinksoforcaresforthygold？IfIdid，couldInotfindanhundredbetterwaystocomeatit？Inoneword，thybedchamber，whichthouhastfencedsocuriously，mustbeherplaceofseclusion;andthou，thouhind，shaltpressherpillowsofdown。IdaretosaytheEarlwillneveraskaftertherichfurnitureofthesefourrooms。"
　　ThislastconsiderationrenderedFostertractable;heonlyaskedpermissiontoridebefore，tomakemattersready，andspurringhishorse，hepostedbeforethelitter，whileVarneyfallingaboutthreescorepacesbehindit，itremainedonlyattendedbyTider。
　　WhentheyhadarrivedatCumnorPlace，theCountessaskedeagerlyforJanet，andshowedmuchalarmwheninformedthatshewasnolongertohavetheattendanceofthatamiablegirl。
　　"Mydaughterisdeartome，madam，"saidFostergruffly;"andI
　　desirenotthatsheshouldgetthecourt—tricksoflyingand'scaping——somewhattoomuchofthathasshelearnedalready，anitpleaseyourladyship。"
　　TheCountess，muchfatiguedandgreatlyterrifiedbythecircumstancesofherjourney，madenoanswertothisinsolence，butmildlyexpressedawishtoretiretoherchamber，"Ay，ay，"mutteredFoster，"'tisbutreasonable;but，underfavour，yougonottoyourgew—gawtoy—houseyonder——youwillsleepto—nightinbettersecurity。"
　　"Iwoulditwereinmygrave，"saidtheCountess;"butthatmortalfeelingsshiverattheideaofsoulandbodyparting。"
　　"You，Iguess，havenochancetoshiveratthat，"repliedFoster。
　　"Mylordcomeshitherto—morrow，anddoubtlessyouwillmakeyourownwaysgoodwithhim。"
　　"Butdoeshecomehither？——doesheindeed，goodFoster？"
　　"Oh，ay，goodFoster！"repliedtheother。"ButwhatFostershallIbeto—morrowwhenyouspeakofmetomylord——thoughallIhavedonewastoobeyhisownorders？"
　　"Youshallbemyprotector——aroughoneindeed——butstillaprotector，"answeredtheCountess。"OhthatJanetwerebuthere！"
　　"Sheisbetterwheresheis，"answeredFoster——"oneofyouisenoughtoperplexaplainhead。Butwillyoutasteanyrefreshment？"
　　"Ohno，no——mychamber——mychamber！Itrust，"shesaidapprehensively，"Imaysecureitontheinside？"
　　"Withallmyheart，"answeredFoster，"soImaysecureitontheoutside;"andtakingalight，heledthewaytoapartofthebuildingwhereAmyhadneverbeen，andconductedherupastairofgreatheight，precededbyoneoftheoldwomenwithalamp。
　　Attheheadofthestair，whichseemedofalmostimmeasurableheight，theycrossedashortwoodengallery，formedofblackoak，andverynarrow，atthefartherendofwhichwasastrongoakendoor，whichopenedandadmittedthemintothemiser'sapartment，homelyinitsaccommodationsintheverylastdegree，and，exceptinname，littledifferentfromaprison—room。
　　Fosterstoppedatthedoor，andgavethelamptotheCountess，withouteitherofferingorpermittingtheattendanceoftheoldwomanwhohadcarriedit。Theladystoodnotonceremony，buttakingithastily，barredthedoor，andsecureditwiththeamplemeansprovidedontheinsideforthatpurpose。
　　Varney，meanwhile，hadlurkedbehindonthestairs;buthearingthedoorbarred，henowcameupontiptoe，andFoster，winkingtohim，pointedwithself—complacencetoapieceofconcealedmachineryinthewall，which，playingwithmucheaseandlittlenoise，droppedapartofthewoodengallery，afterthemannerofadrawbridge，soastocutoffallcommunicationbetweenthedoorofthebedroom，whichheusuallyinhabited，andthelanding—placeofthehigh，windingstairwhichascendedtoit。Theropebywhichthismachinerywaswroughtwasgenerallycarriedwithinthebedchamber，itbeingFoster'sobjecttoprovideagainstinvasionfromwithout;butnowthatitwasintendedtosecuretheprisonerwithin，thecordhadbeenbroughtovertothelanding—place，andwastheremadefast，whenFosterwithmuchcomplacencyhaddroppedtheunsuspectedtrap—door。