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diff --git a/old/1606.txt b/old/1606.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..25999e6 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1606.txt @@ -0,0 +1,20550 @@ + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Kenilworth, by Sir Walter Scott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost +no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use +it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this +eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Kenilworth + +Author: Sir Walter Scott + +Release Date: February 21, 2006 [EBook #1606] +Last Updated: November 22, 2009 +Last Updated: September 17, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KENILWORTH *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer and David Widger + + + + + + + +KENILWORTH. by Sir Walter Scott, Bart. + + + +Contents + + INTRODUCTION + +KENILWORTH + +CHAPTER I. + +CHAPTER II. + +CHAPTER III. + +CHAPTER IV. + +CHAPTER V. + +CHAPTER VI. + +CHAPTER VII. + +CHAPTER VIII. + +CHAPTER IX. + +CHAPTER X. + +CHAPTER XI. + +CHAPTER XII. + +CHAPTER XIII. + +CHAPTER XIV. + +CHAPTER XV. + +CHAPTER XVI. + +CHAPTER XVII. + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +CHAPTER XIX. + +CHAPTER XX. + +CHAPTER XXI. + +CHAPTER XXII. + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +CHAPTER XXV. + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +CHAPTER XXX. + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +CHAPTER XL. + +CHAPTER XLI. + +NOTES. + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +A certain degree of success, real or supposed, in the delineation of +Queen Mary, naturally induced the author to attempt something similar +respecting "her sister and her foe," the celebrated Elizabeth. He +will not, however, pretend to have approached the task with the same +feelings; for the candid Robertson himself confesses having felt the +prejudices with which a Scottishman is tempted to regard the subject; +and what so liberal a historian avows, a poor romance-writer dares not +disown. But he hopes the influence of a prejudice, almost as natural to +him as his native air, will not be found to have greatly affected the +sketch he has attempted of England's Elizabeth. I have endeavoured +to describe her as at once a high-minded sovereign, and a female of +passionate feelings, hesitating betwixt the sense of her rank and +the duty she owed her subjects on the one hand, and on the other her +attachment to a nobleman, who, in external qualifications at least, +amply merited her favour. The interest of the story is thrown upon that +period when the sudden death of the first Countess of Leicester seemed +to open to the ambition of her husband the opportunity of sharing the +crown of his sovereign. + +It is possible that slander, which very seldom favours the memories +of persons in exalted stations, may have blackened the character of +Leicester with darker shades than really belonged to it. But the almost +general voice of the times attached the most foul suspicions to the +death of the unfortunate Countess, more especially as it took place so +very opportunely for the indulgence of her lover's ambition. If we can +trust Ashmole's Antiquities of Berkshire, there was but too much ground +for the traditions which charge Leicester with the murder of his wife. +In the following extract of the passage, the reader will find the +authority I had for the story of the romance:-- + +"At the west end of the church are the ruins of a manor, anciently +belonging (as a cell, or place of removal, as some report) to the +monks of Abington. At the Dissolution, the said manor, or lordship, was +conveyed to one--Owen (I believe), the possessor of Godstow then. + +"In the hall, over the chimney, I find Abington arms cut in +stone--namely, a patonee between four martletts; and also another +escutcheon--namely, a lion rampant, and several mitres cut in stone +about the house. There is also in the said house a chamber called +Dudley's chamber, where the Earl of Leicester's wife was murdered, of +which this is the story following:-- + +"Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, a very goodly personage, and +singularly well featured, being a great favourite to Queen Elizabeth, +it was thought, and commonly reported, that had he been a bachelor or +widower, the Queen would have made him her husband; to this end, to free +himself of all obstacles, he commands, or perhaps, with fair flattering +entreaties, desires his wife to repose herself here at his servant +Anthony Forster's house, who then lived in the aforesaid manor-house; +and also prescribes to Sir Richard Varney (a prompter to this design), +at his coming hither, that he should first attempt to poison her, and if +that did not take effect, then by any other way whatsoever to dispatch +her. This, it seems, was proved by the report of Dr. Walter Bayly, +sometime fellow of New College, then living in Oxford, and professor of +physic in that university; whom, because he would not consent to take +away her life by poison, the Earl endeavoured to displace him the court. +This man, it seems, reported for most certain that there was a practice +in Cumnor among the conspirators, to have poisoned this poor innocent +lady, a little before she was killed, which was attempted after this +manner:--They seeing the good lady sad and heavy (as one that well +knew, by her other handling, that her death was not far off), began to +persuade her that her present disease was abundance of melancholy and +other humours, etc., and therefore would needs counsel her to take some +potion, which she absolutely refusing to do, as still suspecting the +worst; whereupon they sent a messenger on a day (unawares to her) for +Dr. Bayly, and entreated him to persuade her to take some little potion +by his direction, and they would fetch the same at Oxford; meaning to +have added something of their own for her comfort, as the doctor +upon just cause and consideration did suspect, seeing their great +importunity, and the small need the lady had of physic, and therefore +he peremptorily denied their request; misdoubting (as he afterwards +reported) lest, if they had poisoned her under the name of his potion, +he might after have been hanged for a colour of their sin, and the +doctor remained still well assured that this way taking no effect, she +would not long escape their violence, which afterwards happened thus. +For Sir Richard Varney abovesaid (the chief projector in this design), +who, by the Earl's order, remained that day of her death alone with her, +with one man only and Forster, who had that day forcibly sent away all +her servants from her to Abington market, about three miles distant from +this place; they (I say, whether first stifling her, or else strangling +her) afterwards flung her down a pair of stairs and broke her neck, +using much violence upon her; but, however, though it was vulgarly +reported that she by chance fell downstairs (but still without hurting +her hood that was upon her head), yet the inhabitants will tell you +there that she was conveyed from her usual chamber where she lay, to +another where the bed's head of the chamber stood close to a privy +postern door, where they in the night came and stifled her in her bed, +bruised her head very much broke her neck, and at length flung her down +stairs, thereby believing the world would have thought it a mischance, +and so have blinded their villainy. But behold the mercy and justice +of God in revenging and discovering this lady's murder; for one of the +persons that was a coadjutor in this murder was afterwards taken for a +felony in the marches of Wales, and offering to publish the manner +of the aforesaid murder, was privately made away in the prison by the +Earl's appointment; and Sir Richard Varney the other, dying about the +same time in London, cried miserably, and blasphemed God, and said to +a person of note (who hath related the same to others since), not long +before his death, that all the devils in hell did tear him in pieces. +Forster, likewise, after this fact, being a man formerly addicted to +hospitality, company, mirth, and music, was afterwards observed to +forsake all this, and with much melancholy and pensiveness (some say +with madness) pined and drooped away. The wife also of Bald Butter, +kinsman to the Earl, gave out the whole fact a little before her death. +Neither are these following passages to be forgotten, that as soon as +ever she was murdered, they made great haste to bury her before the +coroner had given in his inquest (which the Earl himself condemned as +not done advisedly), which her father, or Sir John Robertsett (as I +suppose), hearing of, came with all speed hither, caused her corpse to +be taken up, the coroner to sit upon her, and further inquiry to be made +concerning this business to the full; but it was generally thought that +the Earl stopped his mouth, and made up the business betwixt them; and +the good Earl, to make plain to the world the great love he bare to her +while alive, and what a grief the loss of so virtuous a lady was to his +tender heart, caused (though the thing, by these and other means, was +beaten into the heads of the principal men of the University of Oxford) +her body to be reburied in St, Mary's Church in Oxford, with great +pomp and solemnity. It is remarkable, when Dr. Babington, the Earl's +chaplain, did preach the funeral sermon, he tript once or twice in +his speech, by recommending to their memories that virtuous lady so +pitifully murdered, instead of saying pitifully slain. This Earl, after +all his murders and poisonings, was himself poisoned by that which +was prepared for others (some say by his wife at Cornbury Lodge before +mentioned), though Baker in his Chronicle would have it at Killingworth; +anno 1588." [Ashmole's Antiquities of Berkshire, vol.i., p.149. The +tradition as to Leicester's death was thus communicated by Ben Jonson to +Drummond of Hawthornden:--"The Earl of Leicester gave a bottle of liquor +to his Lady, which he willed her to use in any faintness, which she, +after his returne from court, not knowing it was poison, gave him, and +so he died."--BEN JONSON'S INFORMATION TO DRUMMOND OF HAWTHORNDEN, MS., +SIR ROBERT SIBBALD'S COPY.] + +The same accusation has been adopted and circulated by the author of +Leicester's Commonwealth, a satire written directly against the Earl of +Leicester, which loaded him with the most horrid crimes, and, among +the rest, with the murder of his first wife. It was alluded to in the +Yorkshire Tragedy, a play erroneously ascribed to Shakespeare, where +a baker, who determines to destroy all his family, throws his wife +downstairs, with this allusion to the supposed murder of Leicester's +lady,-- + + + "The only way to charm a woman's tongue + Is, break her neck--a politician did it." + +The reader will find I have borrowed several incidents as well as names +from Ashmole, and the more early authorities; but my first acquaintance +with the history was through the more pleasing medium of verse. There +is a period in youth when the mere power of numbers has a more strong +effect on ear and imagination than in more advanced life. At this season +of immature taste, the author was greatly delighted with the poems of +Mickle and Langhorne, poets who, though by no means deficient in the +higher branches of their art, were eminent for their powers of verbal +melody above most who have practised this department of poetry. One of +those pieces of Mickle, which the author was particularly pleased with, +is a ballad, or rather a species of elegy, on the subject of Cumnor +Hall, which, with others by the same author, was to be found in Evans's +Ancient Ballads (vol. iv., page 130), to which work Mickle made liberal +contributions. The first stanza especially had a peculiar species of +enchantment for the youthful ear of the author, the force of which is +not even now entirely spent; some others are sufficiently prosaic. + + + CUMNOR HALL. + + The dews of summer night did fall; + The moon, sweet regent of the sky, + Silver'd the walls of Cumnor Hall, + And many an oak that grew thereby, + + Now nought was heard beneath the skies, + The sounds of busy life were still, + Save an unhappy lady's sighs, + That issued from that lonely pile. + + "Leicester," she cried, "is this thy love + That thou so oft hast sworn to me, + To leave me in this lonely grove, + Immured in shameful privity? + + "No more thou com'st with lover's speed, + Thy once beloved bride to see; + But be she alive, or be she dead, + I fear, stern Earl, 's the same to thee. + + "Not so the usage I received + When happy in my father's hall; + No faithless husband then me grieved, + No chilling fears did me appal. + + "I rose up with the cheerful morn, + No lark more blithe, no flower more gay; + And like the bird that haunts the thorn, + So merrily sung the livelong day. + + "If that my beauty is but small, + Among court ladies all despised, + Why didst thou rend it from that hall, + Where, scornful Earl, it well was prized? + + "And when you first to me made suit, + How fair I was you oft would say! + And proud of conquest, pluck'd the fruit, + Then left the blossom to decay. + + "Yes! now neglected and despised, + The rose is pale, the lily's dead; + But he that once their charms so prized, + Is sure the cause those charms are fled. + + "For know, when sick'ning grief doth prey, + And tender love's repaid with scorn, + The sweetest beauty will decay,-- + What floweret can endure the storm? + + "At court, I'm told, is beauty's throne, + Where every lady's passing rare, + That Eastern flowers, that shame the sun, + Are not so glowing, not so fair. + + "Then, Earl, why didst thou leave the beds + Where roses and where lilies vie, + To seek a primrose, whose pale shades + Must sicken when those gauds are by? + + "'Mong rural beauties I was one, + Among the fields wild flowers are fair; + Some country swain might me have won, + And thought my beauty passing rare. + + "But, Leicester (or I much am wrong), + Or 'tis not beauty lures thy vows; + Rather ambition's gilded crown + Makes thee forget thy humble spouse. + + "Then, Leicester, why, again I plead + (The injured surely may repine)-- + Why didst thou wed a country maid, + When some fair princess might be thine? + + "Why didst thou praise my hum'ble charms, + And, oh! then leave them to decay? + Why didst thou win me to thy arms, + Then leave to mourn the livelong day? + + "The village maidens of the plain + Salute me lowly as they go; + Envious they mark my silken train, + Nor think a Countess can have woe. + + "The simple nymphs! they little know + How far more happy's their estate; + To smile for joy, than sigh for woe-- + To be content, than to be great. + + "How far less blest am I than them? + Daily to pine and waste with care! + Like the poor plant that, from its stem + Divided, feels the chilling air. + + "Nor, cruel Earl! can I enjoy + The humble charms of solitude; + Your minions proud my peace destroy, + By sullen frowns or pratings rude. + + "Last night, as sad I chanced to stray, + The village death-bell smote my ear; + They wink'd aside, and seemed to say, + 'Countess, prepare, thy end is near!' + + "And now, while happy peasants sleep, + Here I sit lonely and forlorn; + No one to soothe me as I weep, + Save Philomel on yonder thorn. + + "My spirits flag--my hopes decay-- + Still that dread death-bell smites my ear; + And many a boding seems to say, + 'Countess, prepare, thy end is near!'" + + Thus sore and sad that lady grieved, + In Cumnor Hall, so lone and drear; + And many a heartfelt sigh she heaved, + And let fall many a bitter tear. + + And ere the dawn of day appear'd, + In Cumnor Hall, so lone and drear, + Full many a piercing scream was heard, + And many a cry of mortal fear. + + The death-bell thrice was heard to ring, + An aerial voice was heard to call, + And thrice the raven flapp'd its wing + Around the towers of Cumnor Hall. + + The mastiff howl'd at village door, + The oaks were shatter'd on the green; + Woe was the hour--for never more + That hapless Countess e'er was seen! + + And in that Manor now no more + Is cheerful feast and sprightly ball; + For ever since that dreary hour + Have spirits haunted Cumnor Hall. + + The village maids, with fearful glance, + Avoid the ancient moss-grown wall; + Nor ever lead the merry dance, + Among the groves of Cumnor Hall. + + Full many a traveller oft hath sigh'd, + And pensive wept the Countess' fall, + As wand'ring onward they've espied + The haunted towers of Cumnor Hall. + + ARBOTSFORD, 1st March 1831. + + + + + +KENILWORTH + + + +CHAPTER I. + + + I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, + And study them; Brain o' man, I study them. + I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, + And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, + Or I shall hear no flails thwack. THE NEW INN. + +It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the +free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays +itself without ceremony or restraint. This is specially suitable when +the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the +guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates +and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of +privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour. Patronized by him +the characters of the company were placed in ready contrast; and they +seldom failed, during the emptying of a six-hooped pot, to throw off +reserve, and present themselves to each other, and to their landlord, +with the freedom of old acquaintance. + +The village of Cumnor, within three or four miles of Oxford, boasted, +during the eighteenth of Queen Elizabeth, an excellent inn of the old +stamp, conducted, or rather ruled, by Giles Gosling, a man of a goodly +person, and of somewhat round belly; fifty years of age and upwards, +moderate in his reckonings, prompt in his payments, having a cellar of +sound liquor, a ready wit, and a pretty daughter. Since the days of +old Harry Baillie of the Tabard in Southwark, no one had excelled Giles +Gosling in the power of pleasing his guests of every description; and so +great was his fame, that to have been in Cumnor without wetting a cup +at the bonny Black Bear, would have been to avouch one's-self utterly +indifferent to reputation as a traveller. A country fellow might as well +return from London without looking in the face of majesty. The men of +Cumnor were proud of their Host, and their Host was proud of his house, +his liquor, his daughter, and himself. + +It was in the courtyard of the inn which called this honest fellow +landlord, that a traveller alighted in the close of the evening, gave +his horse, which seemed to have made a long journey, to the hostler, +and made some inquiry, which produced the following dialogue betwixt the +myrmidons of the bonny Black Bear. + +"What, ho! John Tapster." + +"At hand, Will Hostler," replied the man of the spigot, showing himself +in his costume of loose jacket, linen breeches, and green apron, half +within and half without a door, which appeared to descend to an outer +cellar. + +"Here is a gentleman asks if you draw good ale," continued the hostler. + +"Beshrew my heart else," answered the tapster, "since there are but four +miles betwixt us and Oxford. Marry, if my ale did not convince the +heads of the scholars, they would soon convince my pate with the pewter +flagon." + +"Call you that Oxford logic?" said the stranger, who had now quitted the +rein of his horse, and was advancing towards the inn-door, when he was +encountered by the goodly form of Giles Gosling himself. + +"Is it logic you talk of, Sir Guest?" said the host; "why, then, have at +you with a downright consequence-- + + + 'The horse to the rack, + And to fire with the sack.'" + +"Amen! with all my heart, my good host," said the stranger; "let it be a +quart of your best Canaries, and give me your good help to drink it." + +"Nay, you are but in your accidence yet, Sir Traveller, if you call on +your host for help for such a sipping matter as a quart of sack; Were it +a gallon, you might lack some neighbouring aid at my hand, and yet call +yourself a toper." + +"Fear me not." said the guest, "I will do my devoir as becomes a man who +finds himself within five miles of Oxford; for I am not come from the +field of Mars to discredit myself amongst the followers of Minerva." + +As he spoke thus, the landlord, with much semblance of hearty welcome, +ushered his guest into a large, low chamber, where several persons were +seated together in different parties--some drinking, some playing at +cards, some conversing, and some, whose business called them to be early +risers on the morrow, concluding their evening meal, and conferring with +the chamberlain about their night's quarters. + +The entrance of a stranger procured him that general and careless sort +of attention which is usually paid on such occasions, from which the +following results were deduced:--The guest was one of those who, with +a well-made person, and features not in themselves unpleasing, are +nevertheless so far from handsome that, whether from the expression +of their features, or the tone of their voice, or from their gait and +manner, there arises, on the whole, a disinclination to their society. +The stranger's address was bold, without being frank, and seemed eagerly +and hastily to claim for him a degree of attention and deference which +he feared would be refused, if not instantly vindicated as his right. +His attire was a riding-cloak, which, when open, displayed a handsome +jerkin overlaid with lace, and belted with a buff girdle, which +sustained a broadsword and a pair of pistols. + +"You ride well provided, sir," said the host, looking at the weapons as +he placed on the table the mulled sack which the traveller had ordered. + +"Yes, mine host; I have found the use on't in dangerous times, and I do +not, like your modern grandees, turn off my followers the instant they +are useless." + +"Ay, sir?" said Giles Gosling; "then you are from the Low Countries, the +land of pike and caliver?" + +"I have been high and low, my friend, broad and wide, far and near. But +here is to thee in a cup of thy sack; fill thyself another to pledge me, +and, if it is less than superlative, e'en drink as you have brewed." + +"Less than superlative?" said Giles Gosling, drinking off the cup, and +smacking his lips with an air of ineffable relish,--"I know nothing +of superlative, nor is there such a wine at the Three Cranes, in the +Vintry, to my knowledge; but if you find better sack than that in the +Sheres, or in the Canaries either, I would I may never touch either pot +or penny more. Why, hold it up betwixt you and the light, you shall see +the little motes dance in the golden liquor like dust in the sunbeam. +But I would rather draw wine for ten clowns than one traveller.--I trust +your honour likes the wine?" + +"It is neat and comfortable, mine host; but to know good liquor, you +should drink where the vine grows. Trust me, your Spaniard is too wise +a man to send you the very soul of the grape. Why, this now, which you +account so choice, were counted but as a cup of bastard at the Groyne, +or at Port St. Mary's. You should travel, mine host, if you would be +deep in the mysteries of the butt and pottle-pot." + +"In troth, Signior Guest," said Giles Gosling, "if I were to travel only +that I might be discontented with that which I can get at home, methinks +I should go but on a fool's errand. Besides, I warrant you, there is +many a fool can turn his nose up at good drink without ever having +been out of the smoke of Old England; and so ever gramercy mine own +fireside." + +"This is but a mean mind of yours, mine host," said the stranger; +"I warrant me, all your town's folk do not think so basely. You have +gallants among you, I dare undertake, that have made the Virginia +voyage, or taken a turn in the Low Countries at least. Come, cudgel your +memory. Have you no friends in foreign parts that you would gladly have +tidings of?" + +"Troth, sir, not I," answered the host, "since ranting Robin of +Drysandford was shot at the siege of the Brill. The devil take the +caliver that fired the ball, for a blither lad never filled a cup +at midnight! But he is dead and gone, and I know not a soldier, or a +traveller, who is a soldier's mate, that I would give a peeled codling +for." + +"By the Mass, that is strange. What! so many of our brave English hearts +are abroad, and you, who seem to be a man of mark, have no friend, no +kinsman among them?" + +"Nay, if you speak of kinsmen," answered Gosling, "I have one wild slip +of a kinsman, who left us in the last year of Queen Mary; but he is +better lost than found." + +"Do not say so, friend, unless you have heard ill of him lately. Many a +wild colt has turned out a noble steed.--His name, I pray you?" + +"Michael Lambourne," answered the landlord of the Black Bear; "a son of +my sister's--there is little pleasure in recollecting either the name or +the connection." + +"Michael Lambourne!" said the stranger, as if endeavouring to recollect +himself--"what, no relation to Michael Lambourne, the gallant cavalier +who behaved so bravely at the siege of Venlo that Grave Maurice thanked +him at the head of the army? Men said he was an English cavalier, and of +no high extraction." + +"It could scarcely be my nephew," said Giles Gosling, "for he had not +the courage of a hen-partridge for aught but mischief." + +"Oh, many a man finds courage in the wars," replied the stranger. + +"It may be," said the landlord; "but I would have thought our Mike more +likely to lose the little he had." + +"The Michael Lambourne whom I knew," continued the traveller, "was a +likely fellow--went always gay and well attired, and had a hawk's eye +after a pretty wench." + +"Our Michael," replied the host, "had the look of a dog with a bottle +at its tail, and wore a coat, every rag of which was bidding good-day to +the rest." + +"Oh, men pick up good apparel in the wars," replied the guest. + +"Our Mike," answered the landlord, "was more like to pick it up in a +frippery warehouse, while the broker was looking another way; and, for +the hawk's eye you talk of, his was always after my stray spoons. He was +tapster's boy here in this blessed house for a quarter of a year; and +between misreckonings, miscarriages, mistakes, and misdemeanours, had +he dwelt with me for three months longer, I might have pulled down sign, +shut up house, and given the devil the key to keep." + +"You would be sorry, after all," continued the traveller, "were I to +tell you poor Mike Lambourne was shot at the head of his regiment at the +taking of a sconce near Maestricht?" + +"Sorry!--it would be the blithest news I ever heard of him, since it +would ensure me he was not hanged. But let him pass--I doubt his +end will never do such credit to his friends. Were it so, I should +say"--(taking another cup of sack)--"Here's God rest him, with all my +heart." + +"Tush, man," replied the traveller, "never fear but you will have credit +by your nephew yet, especially if he be the Michael Lambourne whom I +knew, and loved very nearly, or altogether, as well as myself. Can you +tell me no mark by which I could judge whether they be the same?" + +"Faith, none that I can think of," answered Giles Gosling, "unless that +our Mike had the gallows branded on his left shoulder for stealing a +silver caudle-cup from Dame Snort of Hogsditch." + +"Nay, there you lie like a knave, uncle," said the stranger, slipping +aside his ruff; and turning down the sleeve of his doublet from his neck +and shoulder; "by this good day, my shoulder is as unscarred as thine +own. + +"What, Mike, boy--Mike!" exclaimed the host;--"and is it thou, in good +earnest? Nay, I have judged so for this half-hour; for I knew no other +person would have ta'en half the interest in thee. But, Mike, an thy +shoulder be unscathed as thou sayest, thou must own that Goodman Thong, +the hangman, was merciful in his office, and stamped thee with a cold +iron." + +"Tush, uncle--truce with your jests. Keep them to season your sour ale, +and let us see what hearty welcome thou wilt give a kinsman who has +rolled the world around for eighteen years; who has seen the sun set +where it rises, and has travelled till the west has become the east." + +"Thou hast brought back one traveller's gift with thee, Mike, as I well +see; and that was what thou least didst: need to travel for. I remember +well, among thine other qualities, there was no crediting a word which +came from thy mouth." + +"Here's an unbelieving pagan for you, gentlemen!" said Michael +Lambourne, turning to those who witnessed this strange interview betwixt +uncle and nephew, some of whom, being natives of the village, were no +strangers to his juvenile wildness. "This may be called slaying a Cumnor +fatted calf for me with a vengeance.--But, uncle, I come not from +the husks and the swine-trough, and I care not for thy welcome or no +welcome; I carry that with me will make me welcome, wend where I will." + +So saying, he pulled out a purse of gold indifferently well filled, the +sight of which produced a visible effect upon the company. Some shook +their heads and whispered to each other, while one or two of the less +scrupulous speedily began to recollect him as a school-companion, +a townsman, or so forth. On the other hand, two or three grave, +sedate-looking persons shook their heads, and left the inn, hinting +that, if Giles Gosling wished to continue to thrive, he should turn his +thriftless, godless nephew adrift again, as soon as he could. Gosling +demeaned himself as if he were much of the same opinion, for even the +sight of the gold made less impression on the honest gentleman than it +usually doth upon one of his calling. + +"Kinsman Michael," he said, "put up thy purse. My sister's son shall be +called to no reckoning in my house for supper or lodging; and I reckon +thou wilt hardly wish to stay longer where thou art e'en but too well +known." + +"For that matter, uncle," replied the traveller, "I shall consult my own +needs and conveniences. Meantime I wish to give the supper and sleeping +cup to those good townsmen who are not too proud to remember Mike +Lambourne, the tapster's boy. If you will let me have entertainment for +my money, so; if not, it is but a short two minutes' walk to the Hare +and Tabor, and I trust our neighbours will not grudge going thus far +with me." + +"Nay, Mike," replied his uncle, "as eighteen years have gone over thy +head, and I trust thou art somewhat amended in thy conditions, thou +shalt not leave my house at this hour, and shalt e'en have whatever +in reason you list to call for. But I would I knew that that purse of +thine, which thou vapourest of, were as well come by as it seems well +filled." + +"Here is an infidel for you, my good neighbours!" said Lambourne, again +appealing to the audience. "Here's a fellow will rip up his kinsman's +follies of a good score of years' standing. And for the gold, why, sirs, +I have been where it grew, and was to be had for the gathering. In +the New World have I been, man--in the Eldorado, where urchins play +at cherry-pit with diamonds, and country wenches thread rubies for +necklaces, instead of rowan-tree berries; where the pantiles are made of +pure gold, and the paving-stones of virgin silver." + +"By my credit, friend Mike," said young Laurence Goldthred, the cutting +mercer of Abingdon, "that were a likely coast to trade to. And what may +lawns, cypruses, and ribands fetch, where gold is so plenty?" + +"Oh, the profit were unutterable," replied Lambourne, "especially when +a handsome young merchant bears the pack himself; for the ladies of that +clime are bona-robas, and being themselves somewhat sunburnt, they catch +fire like tinder at a fresh complexion like thine, with a head of hair +inclining to be red." + +"I would I might trade thither," said the mercer, chuckling. + +"Why, and so thou mayest," said Michael--"that is, if thou art the same +brisk boy who was partner with me at robbing the Abbot's orchard. 'Tis +but a little touch of alchemy to decoct thy house and land into ready +money, and that ready money into a tall ship, with sails, anchors, +cordage, and all things conforming; then clap thy warehouse of goods +under hatches, put fifty good fellows on deck, with myself to command +them, and so hoist topsails, and hey for the New World!" + +"Thou hast taught him a secret, kinsman," said Giles Gosling, "to +decoct, an that be the word, his pound into a penny and his webs into a +thread.--Take a fool's advice, neighbour Goldthred. Tempt not the sea, +for she is a devourer. Let cards and cockatrices do their worst, thy +father's bales may bide a banging for a year or two ere thou comest to +the Spital; but the sea hath a bottomless appetite,--she would swallow +the wealth of Lombard Street in a morning, as easily as I would a +poached egg and a cup of clary. And for my kinsman's Eldorado, never +trust me if I do not believe he has found it in the pouches of some such +gulls as thyself.--But take no snuff in the nose about it; fall to and +welcome, for here comes the supper, and I heartily bestow it on all +that will take share, in honour of my hopeful nephew's return, always +trusting that he has come home another man.--In faith, kinsman, thou art +as like my poor sister as ever was son to mother." + +"Not quite so like old Benedict Lambourne, her husband, though," said +the mercer, nodding and winking. "Dost thou remember, Mike, what thou +saidst when the schoolmaster's ferule was over thee for striking up thy +father's crutches?--it is a wise child, saidst thou, that knows its own +father. Dr. Bircham laughed till he cried again, and his crying saved +yours." + +"Well, he made it up to me many a day after," said Lambourne; "and how +is the worthy pedagogue?" + +"Dead," said Giles Gosling, "this many a day since." + +"That he is," said the clerk of the parish; "I sat by his bed the +whilst. He passed away in a blessed frame. 'MORIOR--MORTUUS SUM VEL +FUI--MORI'--these were his latest words; and he just added, 'my last +verb is conjugated." + +"Well, peace be with him," said Mike, "he owes me nothing." + +"No, truly," replied Goldthred; "and every lash which he laid on thee, +he always was wont to say, he spared the hangman a labour." + +"One would have thought he left him little to do then," said the clerk; +"and yet Goodman Thong had no sinecure of it with our friend, after +all." + +"VOTO A DIOS!" exclaimed Lambourne, his patience appearing to fail him, +as he snatched his broad, slouched hat from the table and placed it on +his head, so that the shadow gave the sinister expression of a Spanish +brave to eyes and features which naturally boded nothing pleasant. +"Hark'ee, my masters--all is fair among friends, and under the rose; and +I have already permitted my worthy uncle here, and all of you, to use +your pleasure with the frolics of my nonage. But I carry sword and +dagger, my good friends, and can use them lightly too upon occasion. I +have learned to be dangerous upon points of honour ever since I served +the Spaniard, and I would not have you provoke me to the degree of +falling foul." + +"Why, what would you do?" said the clerk. + +"Ay, sir, what would you do?" said the mercer, bustling up on the other +side of the table. + +"Slit your throat, and spoil your Sunday's quavering, Sir Clerk," +said Lambourne fiercely; "cudgel you, my worshipful dealer in flimsy +sarsenets, into one of your own bales." + +"Come, come," said the host, interposing, "I will have no swaggering +here.--Nephew, it will become you best to show no haste to take offence; +and you, gentlemen, will do well to remember, that if you are in an inn, +still you are the inn-keeper's guests, and should spare the honour +of his family.--I protest your silly broils make me as oblivious as +yourself; for yonder sits my silent guest as I call him, who hath been +my two days' inmate, and hath never spoken a word, save to ask for his +food and his reckoning--gives no more trouble than a very peasant--pays +his shot like a prince royal--looks but at the sum total of the +reckoning, and does not know what day he shall go away. Oh, 'tis a jewel +of a guest! and yet, hang-dog that I am, I have suffered him to sit +by himself like a castaway in yonder obscure nook, without so much as +asking him to take bite or sup along with us. It were but the right +guerdon of my incivility were he to set off to the Hare and Tabor before +the night grows older." + +With his white napkin gracefully arranged over his left arm, his velvet +cap laid aside for the moment, and his best silver flagon in his right +hand, mine host walked up to the solitary guest whom he mentioned, and +thereby turned upon him the eyes of the assembled company. + +He was a man aged betwixt twenty-five and thirty, rather above the +middle size, dressed with plainness and decency, yet bearing an air of +ease which almost amounted to dignity, and which seemed to infer that +his habit was rather beneath his rank. His countenance was reserved and +thoughtful, with dark hair and dark eyes; the last, upon any momentary +excitement, sparkled with uncommon lustre, but on other occasions +had the same meditative and tranquil cast which was exhibited by his +features. The busy curiosity of the little village had been employed to +discover his name and quality, as well as his business at Cumnor; +but nothing had transpired on either subject which could lead to its +gratification. Giles Gosling, head-borough of the place, and a steady +friend to Queen Elizabeth and the Protestant religion, was at one time +inclined to suspect his guest of being a Jesuit, or seminary priest, of +whom Rome and Spain sent at this time so many to grace the gallows +in England. But it was scarce possible to retain such a prepossession +against a guest who gave so little trouble, paid his reckoning so +regularly, and who proposed, as it seemed, to make a considerable stay +at the bonny Black Bear. + +"Papists," argued Giles Gosling, "are a pinching, close-fisted race, +and this man would have found a lodging with the wealthy squire at +Bessellsey, or with the old Knight at Wootton, or in some other of their +Roman dens, instead of living in a house of public entertainment, as +every honest man and good Christian should. Besides, on Friday he stuck +by the salt beef and carrot, though there were as good spitch-cocked +eels on the board as ever were ta'en out of the Isis." + +Honest Giles, therefore, satisfied himself that his guest was no Roman, +and with all comely courtesy besought the stranger to pledge him in +a draught of the cool tankard, and honour with his attention a small +collation which he was giving to his nephew, in honour of his return, +and, as he verily hoped, of his reformation. The stranger at first shook +his head, as if declining the courtesy; but mine host proceeded to +urge him with arguments founded on the credit of his house, and the +construction which the good people of Cumnor might put upon such an +unsocial humour. + +"By my faith, sir," he said, "it touches my reputation that men should +be merry in my house; and we have ill tongues amongst us at Cumnor (as +where be there not?), who put an evil mark on men who pull their hat +over their brows, as if they were looking back to the days that are +gone, instead of enjoying the blithe sunshiny weather which God has sent +us in the sweet looks of our sovereign mistress, Queen Elizabeth, whom +Heaven long bless and preserve!" + +"Why, mine host," answered the stranger, "there is no treason, sure, in +a man's enjoying his own thoughts, under the shadow of his own bonnet? +You have lived in the world twice as long as I have, and you must know +there are thoughts that will haunt us in spite of ourselves, and to +which it is in vain to say, Begone, and let me be merry." + +"By my sooth," answered Giles Gosling, "if such troublesome thoughts +haunt your mind, and will not get them gone for plain English, we will +have one of Father Bacon's pupils from Oxford, to conjure them away with +logic and with Hebrew--or, what say you to laying them in a glorious red +sea of claret, my noble guest? Come, sir, excuse my freedom. I am an old +host, and must have my talk. This peevish humour of melancholy sits ill +upon you; it suits not with a sleek boot, a hat of trim block, a fresh +cloak, and a full purse. A pize on it! send it off to those who have +their legs swathed with a hay-wisp, their heads thatched with a felt +bonnet, their jerkin as thin as a cobweb, and their pouch without ever +a cross to keep the fiend Melancholy from dancing in it. Cheer up, +sir! or, by this good liquor, we shall banish thee from the joys +of blithesome company, into the mists of melancholy and the land of +little-ease. Here be a set of good fellows willing to be merry; do not +scowl on them like the devil looking over Lincoln." + +"You say well, my worthy host," said the guest, with a melancholy smile, +which, melancholy as it was, gave a very pleasant: expression to his +countenance--"you say well, my jovial friend; and they that are moody +like myself should not disturb the mirth of those who are happy. I will +drink a round with your guests with all my heart, rather than be termed +a mar-feast." + +So saying, he arose and joined the company, who, encouraged by the +precept and example of Michael Lambourne, and consisting chiefly of +persons much disposed to profit by the opportunity of a merry meal at +the expense of their landlord, had already made some inroads upon the +limits of temperance, as was evident from the tone in which Michael +inquired after his old acquaintances in the town, and the bursts of +laughter with which each answer was received. Giles Gosling himself +was somewhat scandalized at the obstreperous nature of their mirth, +especially as he involuntarily felt some respect for his unknown guest. +He paused, therefore, at some distance from the table occupied by these +noisy revellers, and began to make a sort of apology for their license. + +"You would think," he said, "to hear these fellows talk, that there was +not one of them who had not been bred to live by Stand and Deliver; and +yet tomorrow you will find them a set of as painstaking mechanics, and +so forth, as ever cut an inch short of measure, or paid a letter of +change in light crowns over a counter. The mercer there wears his hat +awry, over a shaggy head of hair, that looks like a curly water-dog's +back, goes unbraced, wears his cloak on one side, and affects a +ruffianly vapouring humour: when in his shop at Abingdon, he is, from +his flat cap to his glistening shoes, as precise in his apparel as if he +was named for mayor. He talks of breaking parks, and taking the highway, +in such fashion that you would think he haunted every night betwixt +Hounslow and London; when in fact he may be found sound asleep on his +feather-bed, with a candle placed beside him on one side, and a Bible on +the other, to fright away the goblins." + +"And your nephew, mine host, this same Michael Lambourne, who is lord of +the feast--is he, too, such a would-be ruffler as the rest of them?" + +"Why, there you push me hard," said the host; "my nephew is my nephew, +and though he was a desperate Dick of yore, yet Mike may have mended +like other folks, you wot. And I would not have you think all I said +of him, even now, was strict gospel; I knew the wag all the while, and +wished to pluck his plumes from him. And now, sir, by what name shall I +present my worshipful guest to these gallants?" + +"Marry, mine host," replied the stranger, "you may call me Tressilian." + +"Tressilian?" answered mine host of the Bear. "A worthy name, and, as I +think, of Cornish lineage; for what says the south proverb-- + + + 'By Pol, Tre, and Pen, + You may know the Cornish men.' + +Shall I say the worthy Master Tressilian of Cornwall?" + +"Say no more than I have given you warrant for, mine host, and so shall +you be sure you speak no more than is true. A man may have one of those +honourable prefixes to his name, yet be born far from Saint Michael's +Mount." + +Mine host pushed his curiosity no further, but presented Master +Tressilian to his nephew's company, who, after exchange of salutations, +and drinking to the health of their new companion, pursued the +conversation in which he found them engaged, seasoning it with many an +intervening pledge. + + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + + Talk you of young Master Lancelot? --MERCHANT OF VENICE. + +After some brief interval, Master Goldthred, at the earnest instigation +of mine host, and the joyous concurrence of his guest, indulged the +company with, the following morsel of melody:-- + + + "Of all the birds on bush or tree, + Commend me to the owl, + Since he may best ensample be + To those the cup that trowl. + For when the sun hath left the west, + He chooses the tree that he loves the best, + And he whoops out his song, and he laughs at his jest; + Then, though hours be late and weather foul, + We'll drink to the health of the bonny, bonny owl. + + "The lark is but a bumpkin fowl, + He sleeps in his nest till morn; + But my blessing upon the jolly owl, + That all night blows his horn. + Then up with your cup till you stagger in speech, + And match me this catch till you swagger and screech, + And drink till you wink, my merry men each; + For, though hours be late and weather be foul, + We'll drink to the health of the bonny, bonny owl." + +"There is savour in this, my hearts," said Michael, when the mercer had +finished his song, "and some goodness seems left among you yet; but what +a bead-roll you have read me of old comrades, and to every man's name +tacked some ill-omened motto! And so Swashing Will of Wallingford hath +bid us good-night?" + +"He died the death of a fat buck," said one of the party, "being shot +with a crossbow bolt, by old Thatcham, the Duke's stout park-keeper at +Donnington Castle." + +"Ay, ay, he always loved venison well," replied Michael, "and a cup +of claret to boot--and so here's one to his memory. Do me right, my +masters." + +When the memory of this departed worthy had been duly honoured, +Lambourne proceeded to inquire after Prance of Padworth. + +"Pranced off--made immortal ten years since," said the mercer; "marry, +sir, Oxford Castle and Goodman Thong, and a tenpenny-worth of cord, best +know how." + +"What, so they hung poor Prance high and dry? so much for loving to walk +by moonlight. A cup to his memory, my masters-all merry fellows like +moonlight. What has become of Hal with the Plume--he who lived near +Yattenden, and wore the long feather?--I forget his name." + +"What, Hal Hempseed?" replied the mercer. "Why, you may remember he was +a sort of a gentleman, and would meddle in state matters, and so he +got into the mire about the Duke of Norfolk's affair these two or three +years since, fled the country with a pursuivant's warrant at his heels, +and has never since been heard of." + +"Nay, after these baulks," said Michael Lambourne, "I need hardly +inquire after Tony Foster; for when ropes, and crossbow shafts, and +pursuivant's warrants, and such-like gear, were so rife, Tony could +hardly 'scape them." + +"Which Tony Foster mean you?" said the innkeeper. + +"Why, him they called Tony Fire-the-Fagot, because he brought a light +to kindle the pile round Latimer and Ridley, when the wind blew out Jack +Thong's torch, and no man else would give him light for love or money." + +"Tony Foster lives and thrives," said the host. "But, kinsman, I would +not have you call him Tony Fire-the-Fagot, if you would not brook the +stab." + +"How! is he grown ashamed on't?" said Lambourne, "Why, he was wont to +boast of it, and say he liked as well to see a roasted heretic as a +roasted ox." + +"Ay, but, kinsman, that was in Mary's time," replied the landlord, "when +Tony's father was reeve here to the Abbot of Abingdon. But since that, +Tony married a pure precisian, and is as good a Protestant, I warrant +you, as the best." + +"And looks grave, and holds his head high, and scorns his old +companions," said the mercer. + +"Then he hath prospered, I warrant him," said Lambourne; "for ever when +a man hath got nobles of his own, he keeps out of the way of those whose +exchequers lie in other men's purchase." + +"Prospered, quotha!" said the mercer; "why, you remember Cumnor Place, +the old mansion-house beside the churchyard?" + +"By the same token, I robbed the orchard three times--what of that? +It was the old abbot's residence when there was plague or sickness at +Abingdon." + +"Ay," said the host, "but that has been long over; and Anthony Foster +hath a right in it, and lives there by some grant from a great courtier, +who had the church-lands from the crown. And there he dwells, and has +as little to do with any poor wight in Cumnor, as if he were himself a +belted knight." + +"Nay," said the mercer, "it is not altogether pride in Tony neither; +there is a fair lady in the case, and Tony will scarce let the light of +day look on her." + +"How!" said Tressilian, who now for the first time interfered in +their conversation; "did ye not say this Foster was married, and to a +precisian?" + +"Married he was, and to as bitter a precisian as ever ate flesh in Lent; +and a cat-and-dog life she led with Tony, as men said. But she is dead, +rest be with her! and Tony hath but a slip of a daughter; so it is +thought he means to wed this stranger, that men keep such a coil about." + +"And why so?--I mean, why do they keep a coil about her?" said +Tressilian. + +"Why, I wot not," answered the host, "except that men say she is as +beautiful as an angel, and no one knows whence she comes, and every one +wishes to know why she is kept so closely mewed up. For my part, I never +saw her--you have, I think, Master Goldthred?" + +"That I have, old boy," said the mercer. "Look you, I was riding hither +from Abingdon. I passed under the east oriel window of the old mansion, +where all the old saints and histories and such-like are painted. It was +not the common path I took, but one through the Park; for the postern +door was upon the latch, and I thought I might take the privilege of an +old comrade to ride across through the trees, both for shading, as the +day was somewhat hot, and for avoiding of dust, because I had on my +peach-coloured doublet, pinked out with cloth of gold." + +"Which garment," said Michael Lambourne, "thou wouldst willingly make +twinkle in the eyes of a fair dame. Ah! villain, thou wilt never leave +thy old tricks." + +"Not so-not so," said the mercer, with a smirking laugh--"not altogether +so--but curiosity, thou knowest, and a strain of compassion withal; for +the poor young lady sees nothing from morn to even but Tony Foster, with +his scowling black brows, his bull's head, and his bandy legs." + +"And thou wouldst willingly show her a dapper body, in a silken +jerkin--a limb like a short-legged hen's, in a cordovan boot--and a +round, simpering, what-d'ye-lack sort of a countenance, set off with a +velvet bonnet, a Turkey feather, and a gilded brooch? Ah! jolly mercer, +they who have good wares are fond to show them!--Come, gentles, let +not the cup stand--here's to long spurs, short boots, full bonnets, and +empty skulls!" + +"Nay, now, you are jealous of me, Mike," said Goldthred; "and yet my +luck was but what might have happened to thee, or any man." + +"Marry confound thine impudence," retorted Lambourne; "thou wouldst not +compare thy pudding face, and sarsenet manners, to a gentleman, and a +soldier?" + +"Nay, my good sir," said Tressilian, "let me beseech you will not +interrupt the gallant citizen; methinks he tells his tale so well, I +could hearken to him till midnight." + +"It's more of your favour than of my desert," answered Master Goldthred; +"but since I give you pleasure, worthy Master Tressilian, I shall +proceed, maugre all the gibes and quips of this valiant soldier, who, +peradventure, hath had more cuffs than crowns in the Low Countries. And +so, sir, as I passed under the great painted window, leaving my rein +loose on my ambling palfrey's neck, partly for mine ease, and partly +that I might have the more leisure to peer about, I hears me the lattice +open; and never credit me, sir, if there did not stand there the person +of as fair a woman as ever crossed mine eyes; and I think I have looked +on as many pretty wenches, and with as much judgment, as other folks." + +"May I ask her appearance, sir?" said Tressilian. + +"Oh, sir," replied Master Goldthred, "I promise you, she was in +gentlewoman's attire--a very quaint and pleasing dress, that might have +served the Queen herself; for she had a forepart with body and sleeves, +of ginger-coloured satin, which, in my judgment, must have cost by the +yard some thirty shillings, lined with murrey taffeta, and laid down and +guarded with two broad laces of gold and silver. And her hat, sir, was +truly the best fashioned thing that I have seen in these parts, being of +tawny taffeta, embroidered with scorpions of Venice gold, and having a +border garnished with gold fringe--I promise you, sir, an absolute +and all-surpassing device. Touching her skirts, they were in the old +pass-devant fashion." + +"I did not ask you of her attire, sir," said Tressilian, who had shown +some impatience during this conversation, "but of her complexion--the +colour of her hair, her features." + +"Touching her complexion," answered the mercer, "I am not so special +certain, but I marked that her fan had an ivory handle, curiously +inlaid. And then again, as to the colour of her hair, why, I can +warrant, be its hue what it might, that she wore above it a net of green +silk, parcel twisted with gold." + +"A most mercer-like memory!" said Lambourne. "The gentleman asks him of +the lady's beauty, and he talks of her fine clothes!" + +"I tell thee," said the mercer, somewhat disconcerted, "I had little +time to look at her; for just as I was about to give her the good time +of day, and for that purpose had puckered my features with a smile--" + +"Like those of a jackanape simpering at a chestnut," said Michael +Lambourne. + +"Up started of a sudden," continued Goldthred, without heeding the +interruption, "Tony Foster himself, with a cudgel in his hand--" + +"And broke thy head across, I hope, for thine impertinence," said his +entertainer. + +"That were more easily said than done," answered Goldthred indignantly; +"no, no--there was no breaking of heads. It's true, he advanced his +cudgel, and spoke of laying on, and asked why I did not keep the +public road, and such like; and I would have knocked him over the pate +handsomely for his pains, only for the lady's presence, who might have +swooned, for what I know." + +"Now, out upon thee for a faint-spirited slave!" said Lambourne; "what +adventurous knight ever thought of the lady's terror, when he went +to thwack giant, dragon, or magician, in her presence, and for her +deliverance? But why talk to thee of dragons, who would be driven back +by a dragon-fly. There thou hast missed the rarest opportunity!" + +"Take it thyself, then, bully Mike," answered Goldthred. "Yonder is the +enchanted manor, and the dragon, and the lady, all at thy service, if +thou darest venture on them." + +"Why, so I would for a quartern of sack," said the soldier--"or stay: I +am foully out of linen--wilt thou bet a piece of Hollands against these +five angels, that I go not up to the Hall to-morrow and force Tony +Foster to introduce me to his fair guest?" + +"I accept your wager," said the mercer; "and I think, though thou hadst +even the impudence of the devil, I shall gain on thee this bout. Our +landlord here shall hold stakes, and I will stake down gold till I send +the linen." + +"I will hold stakes on no such matter," said Gosling. "Good now, my +kinsman, drink your wine in quiet, and let such ventures alone. I +promise you, Master Foster hath interest enough to lay you up in +lavender in the Castle at Oxford, or to get your legs made acquainted +with the town-stocks." + +"That would be but renewing an old intimacy, for Mike's shins and the +town's wooden pinfold have been well known to each other ere now," said +the mercer; "but he shall not budge from his wager, unless he means to +pay forfeit." + +"Forfeit?" said Lambourne; "I scorn it. I value Tony Foster's wrath no +more than a shelled pea-cod; and I will visit his Lindabrides, by Saint +George, be he willing or no!" + +"I would gladly pay your halves of the risk, sir," said Tressilian, "to +be permitted to accompany you on the adventure." + +"In what would that advantage you, sir?" answered Lambourne. + +"In nothing, sir," said Tressilian, "unless to mark the skill and valour +with which you conduct yourself. I am a traveller who seeks for strange +rencounters and uncommon passages, as the knights of yore did after +adventures and feats of arms." + +"Nay, if it pleasures you to see a trout tickled," answered Lambourne, +"I care not how many witness my skill. And so here I drink success to my +enterprise; and he that will not pledge me on his knees is a rascal, and +I will cut his legs off by the garters!" + +The draught which Michael Lambourne took upon this occasion had been +preceded by so many others, that reason tottered on her throne. He +swore one or two incoherent oaths at the mercer, who refused, reasonably +enough, to pledge him to a sentiment which inferred the loss of his own +wager. + +"Wilt thou chop logic with me," said Lambourne, "thou knave, with no +more brains than are in a skein of ravelled silk? By Heaven, I will cut +thee into fifty yards of galloon lace!" + +But as he attempted to draw his sword for this doughty purpose, Michael +Lambourne was seized upon by the tapster and the chamberlain, and +conveyed to his own apartment, there to sleep himself sober at his +leisure. + +The party then broke up, and the guests took their leave; much more +to the contentment of mine host than of some of the company, who were +unwilling to quit good liquor, when it was to be had for free cost, so +long as they were able to sit by it. They were, however, compelled to +remove; and go at length they did, leaving Gosling and Tressilian in the +empty apartment. + +"By my faith," said the former, "I wonder where our great folks find +pleasure, when they spend their means in entertainments, and in playing +mine host without sending in a reckoning. It is what I but rarely +practise; and whenever I do, by Saint Julian, it grieves me beyond +measure. Each of these empty stoups now, which my nephew and his drunken +comrades have swilled off, should have been a matter of profit to one in +my line, and I must set them down a dead loss. I cannot, for my heart, +conceive the pleasure of noise, and nonsense, and drunken freaks, and +drunken quarrels, and smut, and blasphemy, and so forth, when a man +loses money instead of gaining by it. And yet many a fair estate is lost +in upholding such a useless course, and that greatly contributes to the +decay of publicans; for who the devil do you think would pay for drink +at the Black Bear, when he can have it for nothing at my Lord's or the +Squire's?" + +Tressilian perceived that the wine had made some impression even on the +seasoned brain of mine host, which was chiefly to be inferred from his +declaiming against drunkenness. As he himself had carefully avoided the +bowl, he would have availed himself of the frankness of the moment +to extract from Gosling some further information upon the subject +of Anthony Foster, and the lady whom the mercer had seen in his +mansion-house; but his inquiries only set the host upon a new theme of +declamation against the wiles of the fair sex, in which he brought, at +full length, the whole wisdom of Solomon to reinforce his own. Finally, +he turned his admonitions, mixed with much objurgation, upon his +tapsters and drawers, who were employed in removing the relics of the +entertainment, and restoring order to the apartment; and at length, +joining example to precept, though with no good success, he demolished +a salver with half a score of glasses, in attempting to show how such +service was done at the Three Cranes in the Vintry, then the most +topping tavern in London. This last accident so far recalled him to his +better self, that he retired to his bed, slept sound, and awoke a new +man in the morning. + + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + + Nay, I'll hold touch--the game shall be play'd out; + It ne'er shall stop for me, this merry wager: + That which I say when gamesome, I'll avouch + In my most sober mood, ne'er trust me else. THE HAZARD TABLE. + +"And how doth your kinsman, good mine host?" said Tressilian, when Giles +Gosling first appeared in the public room, on the morning following the +revel which we described in the last chapter. "Is he well, and will he +abide by his wager?" + +"For well, sir, he started two hours since, and has visited I know not +what purlieus of his old companions; hath but now returned, and is at +this instant breakfasting on new-laid eggs and muscadine. And for his +wager, I caution you as a friend to have little to do with that, or +indeed with aught that Mike proposes. Wherefore, I counsel you to a warm +breakfast upon a culiss, which shall restore the tone of the stomach; +and let my nephew and Master Goldthred swagger about their wager as they +list." + +"It seems to me, mine host," said Tressilian, "that you know not well +what to say about this kinsman of yours, and that you can neither blame +nor commend him without some twinge of conscience." + +"You have spoken truly, Master Tressilian," replied Giles Gosling. +"There is Natural Affection whimpering into one ear, 'Giles, Giles, why +wilt thou take away the good name of thy own nephew? Wilt thou defame +thy sister's son, Giles Gosling? wilt thou defoul thine own nest, +dishonour thine own blood?' And then, again, comes Justice, and says, +'Here is a worthy guest as ever came to the bonny Black Bear; one who +never challenged a reckoning' (as I say to your face you never did, +Master Tressilian--not that you have had cause), 'one who knows not why +he came, so far as I can see, or when he is going away; and wilt thou, +being a publican, having paid scot and lot these thirty years in the +town of Cumnor, and being at this instant head-borough, wilt thou suffer +this guest of guests, this man of men, this six-hooped pot (as I may +say) of a traveller, to fall into the meshes of thy nephew, who is known +for a swasher and a desperate Dick, a carder and a dicer, a professor of +the seven damnable sciences, if ever man took degrees in them?' No, +by Heaven! I might wink, and let him catch such a small butterfly as +Goldthred; but thou, my guest, shall be forewarned, forearmed, so thou +wilt but listen to thy trusty host." + +"Why, mine host, thy counsel shall not be cast away," replied +Tressilian; "however, I must uphold my share in this wager, having once +passed my word to that effect. But lend me, I pray, some of thy counsel. +This Foster, who or what is he, and why makes he such mystery of his +female inmate?" + +"Troth," replied Gosling, "I can add but little to what you heard last +night. He was one of Queen Mary's Papists, and now he is one of Queen +Elizabeth's Protestants; he was an onhanger of the Abbot of Abingdon; +and now he lives as master of the Manor-house. Above all, he was +poor, and is rich. Folk talk of private apartments in his old waste +mansion-house, bedizened fine enough to serve the Queen, God bless her! +Some men think he found a treasure in the orchard, some that he sold +himself to the devil for treasure, and some say that he cheated the +abbot out of the church plate, which was hidden in the old Manor-house +at the Reformation. Rich, however, he is, and God and his conscience, +with the devil perhaps besides, only know how he came by it. He has +sulky ways too--breaking off intercourse with all that are of the place, +as if he had either some strange secret to keep, or held himself to be +made of another clay than we are. I think it likely my kinsman and he +will quarrel, if Mike thrust his acquaintance on him; and I am sorry +that you, my worthy Master Tressilian, will still think of going in my +nephew's company." + +Tressilian again answered him, that he would proceed with great caution, +and that he should have no fears on his account; in short, he bestowed +on him all the customary assurances with which those who are determined +on a rash action are wont to parry the advice of their friends. + +Meantime, the traveller accepted the landlord's invitation, and had just +finished the excellent breakfast, which was served to him and Gosling +by pretty Cicely, the beauty of the bar, when the hero of the preceding +night, Michael Lambourne, entered the apartment. His toilet had +apparently cost him some labour, for his clothes, which differed from +those he wore on his journey, were of the newest fashion, and put on +with great attention to the display of his person. + +"By my faith, uncle," said the gallant, "you made a wet night of it, and +I feel it followed by a dry morning. I will pledge you willingly in a +cup of bastard.--How, my pretty coz Cicely! why, I left you but a child +in the cradle, and there thou stand'st in thy velvet waistcoat, as tight +a girl as England's sun shines on. Know thy friends and kindred, +Cicely, and come hither, child, that I may kiss thee, and give thee my +blessing." + +"Concern not yourself about Cicely, kinsman," said Giles Gosling, "but +e'en let her go her way, a' God's name; for although your mother were +her father's sister, yet that shall not make you and her cater-cousins." + +"Why, uncle," replied Lambourne, "think'st thou I am an infidel, and +would harm those of mine own house?" + +"It is for no harm that I speak, Mike," answered his uncle, "but a +simple humour of precaution which I have. True, thou art as well gilded +as a snake when he casts his old slough in the spring time; but for all +that, thou creepest not into my Eden. I will look after mine Eve, Mike, +and so content thee.--But how brave thou be'st, lad! To look on thee +now, and compare thee with Master Tressilian here, in his sad-coloured +riding-suit, who would not say that thou wert the real gentleman and he +the tapster's boy?" + +"Troth, uncle," replied Lambourne, "no one would say so but one of your +country-breeding, that knows no better. I will say, and I care not who +hears me, there is something about the real gentry that few men come up +to that are not born and bred to the mystery. I wot not where the trick +lies; but although I can enter an ordinary with as much audacity, rebuke +the waiters and drawers as loudly, drink as deep a health, swear as +round an oath, and fling my gold as freely about as any of the jingling +spurs and white feathers that are around me, yet, hang me if I can ever +catch the true grace of it, though I have practised an hundred times. +The man of the house sets me lowest at the board, and carves to me the +last; and the drawer says, 'Coming, friend,' without any more reverence +or regardful addition. But, hang it, let it pass; care killed a cat. I +have gentry enough to pass the trick on Tony Fire-the-Faggot, and that +will do for the matter in hand." + +"You hold your purpose, then, of visiting your old acquaintance?" said +Tressilian to the adventurer. + +"Ay, sir," replied Lambourne; "when stakes are made, the game must be +played; that is gamester's law, all over the world. You, sir, unless +my memory fails me (for I did steep it somewhat too deeply in the +sack-butt), took some share in my hazard?" + +"I propose to accompany you in your adventure," said Tressilian, "if you +will do me so much grace as to permit me; and I have staked my share of +the forfeit in the hands of our worthy host." + +"That he hath," answered Giles Gosling, "in as fair Harry-nobles as ever +were melted into sack by a good fellow. So, luck to your enterprise, +since you will needs venture on Tony Foster; but, by my credit, you had +better take another draught before you depart, for your welcome at +the Hall yonder will be somewhat of the driest. And if you do get into +peril, beware of taking to cold steel; but send for me, Giles Gosling, +the head-borough, and I may be able to make something out of Tony yet, +for as proud as he is." + +The nephew dutifully obeyed his uncle's hint, by taking a second +powerful pull at the tankard, observing that his wit never served him +so well as when he had washed his temples with a deep morning's draught; +and they set forth together for the habitation of Anthony Foster. + +The village of Cumnor is pleasantly built on a hill, and in a wooded +park closely adjacent was situated the ancient mansion occupied at this +time by Anthony Foster, of which the ruins may be still extant. The park +was then full of large trees, and in particular of ancient and mighty +oaks, which stretched their giant arms over the high wall surrounding +the demesne, thus giving it a melancholy, secluded, and monastic +appearance. The entrance to the park lay through an old-fashioned +gateway in the outer wall, the door of which was formed of two huge +oaken leaves thickly studded with nails, like the gate of an old town. + +"We shall be finely helped up here," said Michael Lambourne, looking at +the gateway and gate, "if this fellow's suspicious humour should +refuse us admission altogether, as it is like he may, in case this +linsey-wolsey fellow of a mercer's visit to his premises has disquieted +him. But, no," he added, pushing the huge gate, which gave way, "the +door stands invitingly open; and here we are within the forbidden +ground, without other impediment than the passive resistance of a heavy +oak door moving on rusty hinges." + +They stood now in an avenue overshadowed by such old trees as we have +described, and which had been bordered at one time by high hedges of yew +and holly. But these, having been untrimmed for many years, had run up +into great bushes, or rather dwarf-trees, and now encroached, with their +dark and melancholy boughs, upon the road which they once had screened. +The avenue itself was grown up with grass, and, in one or two places, +interrupted by piles of withered brushwood, which had been lopped from +the trees cut down in the neighbouring park, and was here stacked for +drying. Formal walks and avenues, which, at different points, crossed +this principal approach, were, in like manner, choked up and interrupted +by piles of brushwood and billets, and in other places by underwood and +brambles. Besides the general effect of desolation which is so strongly +impressed whenever we behold the contrivances of man wasted and +obliterated by neglect, and witness the marks of social life effaced +gradually by the influence of vegetation, the size of the trees and the +outspreading extent of their boughs diffused a gloom over the scene, +even when the sun was at the highest, and made a proportional impression +on the mind of those who visited it. This was felt even by Michael +Lambourne, however alien his habits were to receiving any impressions, +excepting from things which addressed themselves immediately to his +passions. + +"This wood is as dark as a wolf's mouth," said he to Tressilian, as they +walked together slowly along the solitary and broken approach, and had +just come in sight of the monastic front of the old mansion, with its +shafted windows, brick walls overgrown with ivy and creeping shrubs, +and twisted stalks of chimneys of heavy stone-work. "And yet," continued +Lambourne, "it is fairly done on the part of Foster too for since he +chooses not visitors, it is right to keep his place in a fashion that +will invite few to trespass upon his privacy. But had he been the +Anthony I once knew him, these sturdy oaks had long since become the +property of some honest woodmonger, and the manor-close here had looked +lighter at midnight than it now does at noon, while Foster played fast +and loose with the price, in some cunning corner in the purlieus of +Whitefriars." + +"Was he then such an unthrift?" asked Tressilian. + +"He was," answered Lambourne, "like the rest of us, no saint, and no +saver. But what I liked worst of Tony was, that he loved to take his +pleasure by himself, and grudged, as men say, every drop of water that +went past his own mill. I have known him deal with such measures of wine +when he was alone, as I would not have ventured on with aid of the best +toper in Berkshire;--that, and some sway towards superstition, which he +had by temperament, rendered him unworthy the company of a good fellow. +And now he has earthed himself here, in a den just befitting such a sly +fox as himself." + +"May I ask you, Master Lambourne," said Tressilian, "since your old +companion's humour jumps so little with your own, wherefore you are so +desirous to renew acquaintance with him?" + +"And may I ask you, in return, Master Tressilian," answered Lambourne, +"wherefore you have shown yourself so desirous to accompany me on this +party?" + +"I told you my motive," said Tressilian, "when I took share in your +wager--it was simple curiosity." + +"La you there now!" answered Lambourne. "See how you civil and discreet +gentlemen think to use us who live by the free exercise of our wits! Had +I answered your question by saying that it was simple curiosity which +led me to visit my old comrade Anthony Foster, I warrant you had set it +down for an evasion, and a turn of my trade. But any answer, I suppose, +must serve my turn." + +"And wherefore should not bare curiosity," said Tressilian, "be a +sufficient reason for my taking this walk with you?" + +"Oh, content yourself, sir," replied Lambourne; "you cannot put +the change on me so easy as you think, for I have lived among the +quick-stirring spirits of the age too long to swallow chaff for grain. +You are a gentleman of birth and breeding--your bearing makes it good; +of civil habits and fair reputation--your manners declare it, and +my uncle avouches it; and yet you associate yourself with a sort of +scant-of-grace, as men call me, and, knowing me to be such, you make +yourself my companion in a visit to a man whom you are a stranger +to--and all out of mere curiosity, forsooth! The excuse, if curiously +balanced, would be found to want some scruples of just weight, or so." + +"If your suspicions were just," said Tressilian, "you have shown no +confidence in me to invite or deserve mine." + +"Oh, if that be all," said Lambourne, "my motives lie above water. While +this gold of mine lasts"--taking out his purse, chucking it into the +air, and catching it as it fell--"I will make it buy pleasure; and +when it is out I must have more. Now, if this mysterious Lady of the +Manor--this fair Lindabrides of Tony Fire-the-Fagot--be so admirable a +piece as men say, why, there is a chance that she may aid me to melt +my nobles into greats; and, again, if Anthony be so wealthy a chuff +as report speaks him, he may prove the philosopher's stone to me, and +convert my greats into fair rose-nobles again." + +"A comfortable proposal truly," said Tressilian; "but I see not what +chance there is of accomplishing it." + +"Not to-day, or perchance to-morrow," answered Lambourne; "I expect not +to catch the old jack till. I have disposed my ground-baits handsomely. +But I know something more of his affairs this morning than I did last +night, and I will so use my knowledge that he shall think it more +perfect than it is. Nay, without expecting either pleasure or profit, or +both, I had not stepped a stride within this manor, I can tell you; for +I promise you I hold our visit not altogether without risk.--But here we +are, and we must make the best on't." + +While he thus spoke, they had entered a large orchard which surrounded +the house on two sides, though the trees, abandoned by the care of man, +were overgrown and messy, and seemed to bear little fruit. Those which +had been formerly trained as espaliers had now resumed their natural +mode of growing, and exhibited grotesque forms, partaking of the +original training which they had received. The greater part of the +ground, which had once been parterres and flower-gardens, was suffered +in like manner to run to waste, excepting a few patches which had been +dug up and planted with ordinary pot herbs. Some statues, which had +ornamented the garden in its days of splendour, were now thrown down +from their pedestals and broken in pieces; and a large summer-house, +having a heavy stone front, decorated with carving representing the life +and actions of Samson, was in the same dilapidated condition. + +They had just traversed this garden of the sluggard, and were within +a few steps of the door of the mansion, when Lambourne had ceased +speaking; a circumstance very agreeable to Tressilian, as it saved him +the embarrassment of either commenting upon or replying to the frank +avowal which his companion had just made of the sentiments and views +which induced him to come hither. Lambourne knocked roundly and boldly +at the huge door of the mansion, observing, at the same time, he had +seen a less strong one upon a county jail. It was not until they had +knocked more than once that an aged, sour-visaged domestic reconnoitred +them through a small square hole in the door, well secured with bars of +iron, and demanded what they wanted. + +"To speak with Master Foster instantly, on pressing business of the +state," was the ready reply of Michael Lambourne. + +"Methinks you will find difficulty to make that good," said Tressilian +in a whisper to his companion, while the servant went to carry the +message to his master. + +"Tush," replied the adventurer; "no soldier would go on were he +always to consider when and how he should come off. Let us once obtain +entrance, and all will go well enough." + +In a short time the servant returned, and drawing with a careful hand +both bolt and bar, opened the gate, which admitted them through an +archway into a square court, surrounded by buildings. Opposite to the +arch was another door, which the serving-man in like manner unlocked, +and thus introduced them into a stone-paved parlour, where there was but +little furniture, and that of the rudest and most ancient fashion. The +windows were tall and ample, reaching almost to the roof of the room, +which was composed of black oak; those opening to the quadrangle were +obscured by the height of the surrounding buildings, and, as they were +traversed with massive shafts of solid stone-work, and thickly painted +with religious devices, and scenes taken from Scripture history, by no +means admitted light in proportion to their size, and what did penetrate +through them partook of the dark and gloomy tinge of the stained glass. + +Tressilian and his guide had time enough to observe all these +particulars, for they waited some space in the apartment ere the present +master of the mansion at length made his appearance. Prepared as he was +to see an inauspicious and ill-looking person, the ugliness of Anthony +Foster considerably exceeded what Tressilian had anticipated. He was +of middle stature, built strongly, but so clumsily as to border on +deformity, and to give all his motions the ungainly awkwardness of a +left-legged and left-handed man. His hair, in arranging which men at +that time, as at present, were very nice and curious, instead of being +carefully cleaned and disposed into short curls, or else set up on end, +as is represented in old paintings, in a manner resembling that used by +fine gentlemen of our own day, escaped in sable negligence from under +a furred bonnet, and hung in elf-locks, which seemed strangers to +the comb, over his rugged brows, and around his very singular and +unprepossessing countenance. His keen, dark eyes were deep set beneath +broad and shaggy eyebrows, and as they were usually bent on the ground, +seemed as if they were themselves ashamed of the expression natural to +them, and were desirous to conceal it from the observation of men. +At times, however, when, more intent on observing others, he suddenly +raised them, and fixed them keenly on those with whom he conversed, they +seemed to express both the fiercer passions, and the power of mind which +could at will suppress or disguise the intensity of inward feeling. +The features which corresponded with these eyes and this form were +irregular, and marked so as to be indelibly fixed on the mind of him +who had once seen them. Upon the whole, as Tressilian could not help +acknowledging to himself, the Anthony Foster who now stood before them +was the last person, judging from personal appearance, upon whom one +would have chosen to intrude an unexpected and undesired visit. His +attire was a doublet of russet leather, like those worn by the better +sort of country folk, girt with a buff belt, in which was stuck on the +right side a long knife, or dudgeon dagger, and on the other a +cutlass. He raised his eyes as he entered the room, and fixed a keenly +penetrating glance upon his two visitors; then cast them down as if +counting his steps, while he advanced slowly into the middle of the +room, and said, in a low and smothered tone of voice, "Let me pray you, +gentlemen, to tell me the cause of this visit." + +He looked as if he expected the answer from Tressilian, so true was +Lambourne's observation that the superior air of breeding and dignity +shone through the disguise of an inferior dress. But it was Michael who +replied to him, with the easy familiarity of an old friend, and a tone +which seemed unembarrassed by any doubt of the most cordial reception. + +"Ha! my dear friend and ingle, Tony Foster!" he exclaimed, seizing +upon the unwilling hand, and shaking it with such emphasis as almost to +stagger the sturdy frame of the person whom he addressed, "how fares it +with you for many a long year? What! have you altogether forgotten your +friend, gossip, and playfellow, Michael Lambourne?" + +"Michael Lambourne!" said Foster, looking at him a moment; then dropping +his eyes, and with little ceremony extricating his hand from the +friendly grasp of the person by whom he was addressed, "are you Michael +Lambourne?" + +"Ay; sure as you are Anthony Foster," replied Lambourne. + +"'Tis well," answered his sullen host. "And what may Michael Lambourne +expect from his visit hither?" + +"VOTO A DIOS," answered Lambourne, "I expected a better welcome than I +am like to meet, I think." + +"Why, thou gallows-bird--thou jail-rat--thou friend of the hangman +and his customers!" replied Foster, "hast thou the assurance to expect +countenance from any one whose neck is beyond the compass of a Tyburn +tippet?" + +"It may be with me as you say," replied Lambourne; "and suppose I grant +it to be so for argument's sake, I were still good enough society +for mine ancient friend Anthony Fire-the-Fagot, though he be, for the +present, by some indescribable title, the master of Cumnor Place." + +"Hark you, Michael Lambourne," said Foster; "you are a gambler now, and +live by the counting of chances--compute me the odds that I do not, on +this instant, throw you out of that window into the ditch there." + +"Twenty to one that you do not," answered the sturdy visitor. + +"And wherefore, I pray you?" demanded Anthony Foster, setting his teeth +and compressing his lips, like one who endeavours to suppress some +violent internal emotion. + +"Because," said Lambourne coolly, "you dare not for your life lay a +finger on me. I am younger and stronger than you, and have in me a +double portion of the fighting devil, though not, it may be, quite so +much of the undermining fiend, that finds an underground way to his +purpose--who hides halters under folk's pillows, and who puts rats-bane +into their porridge, as the stage-play says." + +Foster looked at him earnestly, then turned away, and paced the room +twice with the same steady and considerate pace with which he had +entered it; then suddenly came back, and extended his hand to Michael +Lambourne, saying, "Be not wroth with me, good Mike; I did but try +whether thou hadst parted with aught of thine old and honourable +frankness, which your enviers and backbiters called saucy impudence." + +"Let them call it what they will," said Michael Lambourne, "it is the +commodity we must carry through the world with us.--Uds daggers! I tell +thee, man, mine own stock of assurance was too small to trade upon. I +was fain to take in a ton or two more of brass at every port where I +touched in the voyage of life; and I started overboard what modesty and +scruples I had remaining, in order to make room for the stowage." + +"Nay, nay," replied Foster, "touching scruples and modesty, you sailed +hence in ballast. But who is this gallant, honest Mike?--is he a +Corinthian--a cutter like thyself?" + +"I prithee, know Master Tressilian, bully Foster," replied Lambourne, +presenting his friend in answer to his friend's question, "know him +and honour him, for he is a gentleman of many admirable qualities; and +though he traffics not in my line of business, at least so far as I +know, he has, nevertheless, a just respect and admiration for artists +of our class. He will come to in time, as seldom fails; but as yet he is +only a neophyte, only a proselyte, and frequents the company of cocks of +the game, as a puny fencer does the schools of the masters, to see how a +foil is handled by the teachers of defence." + +"If such be his quality, I will pray your company in another chamber, +honest Mike, for what I have to say to thee is for thy private +ear.--Meanwhile, I pray you, sir, to abide us in this apartment, and +without leaving it; there be those in this house who would be alarmed by +the sight of a stranger." + +Tressilian acquiesced, and the two worthies left the apartment together, +in which he remained alone to await their return. [See Note 1. Foster, +Lambourne, and the Black Bear.] + + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + + Not serve two masters?--Here's a youth will try it-- + Would fain serve God, yet give the devil his due; + Says grace before he doth a deed of villainy, + And returns his thanks devoutly when 'tis acted,--OLD PLAY. + +The room into which the Master of Cumnor Place conducted his worthy +visitant was of greater extent than that in which they had at first +conversed, and had yet more the appearance of dilapidation. Large oaken +presses, filled with shelves of the same wood, surrounded the room, and +had, at one time, served for the arrangement of a numerous collection +of books, many of which yet remained, but torn and defaced, covered with +dust, deprived of their costly clasps and bindings, and tossed together +in heaps upon the shelves, as things altogether disregarded, and +abandoned to the pleasure of every spoiler. The very presses themselves +seemed to have incurred the hostility of those enemies of learning who +had destroyed the volumes with which they had been heretofore filled. +They were, in several places, dismantled of their shelves, and otherwise +broken and damaged, and were, moreover, mantled with cobwebs and covered +with dust. + +"The men who wrote these books," said Lambourne, looking round him, +"little thought whose keeping they were to fall into." + +"Nor what yeoman's service they were to do me," quoth Anthony Foster; +"the cook hath used them for scouring his pewter, and the groom hath had +nought else to clean my boots with, this many a month past." + +"And yet," said Lambourne, "I have been in cities where such learned +commodities would have been deemed too good for such offices." + +"Pshaw, pshaw," answered Foster, "'they are Popish trash, every one +of them--private studies of the mumping old Abbot of Abingdon. The +nineteenthly of a pure gospel sermon were worth a cartload of such +rakings of the kennel of Rome." + +"Gad-a-mercy, Master Tony Fire-the-Fagot!" said Lambourne, by way of +reply. + +Foster scowled darkly at him, as he replied, "Hark ye, friend Mike; +forget that name, and the passage which it relates to, if you would not +have our newly-revived comradeship die a sudden and a violent death." + +"Why," said Michael Lambourne, "you were wont to glory in the share you +had in the death of the two old heretical bishops." + +"That," said his comrade, "was while I was in the gall of bitterness and +bond of iniquity, and applies not to my walk or my ways now that I +am called forth into the lists. Mr. Melchisedek Maultext compared my +misfortune in that matter to that of the Apostle Paul, who kept the +clothes of the witnesses who stoned Saint Stephen. He held forth on the +matter three Sabbaths past, and illustrated the same by the conduct of +an honourable person present, meaning me." + +"I prithee peace, Foster," said Lambourne, "for I know not how it is, I +have a sort of creeping comes over my skin when I hear the devil quote +Scripture; and besides, man, how couldst thou have the heart to quit +that convenient old religion, which you could slip off or on as easily +as your glove? Do I not remember how you were wont to carry your +conscience to confession, as duly as the month came round? and when thou +hadst it scoured, and burnished, and whitewashed by the priest, thou +wert ever ready for the worst villainy which could be devised, like a +child who is always readiest to rush into the mire when he has got his +Sunday's clean jerkin on." + +"Trouble not thyself about my conscience," said Foster; "it is a thing +thou canst not understand, having never had one of thine own. But let +us rather to the point, and say to me, in one word, what is thy business +with me, and what hopes have drawn thee hither?" + +"The hope of bettering myself, to be sure," answered Lambourne, "as the +old woman said when she leapt over the bridge at Kingston. Look you, +this purse has all that is left of as round a sum as a man would wish to +carry in his slop-pouch. You are here well established, it would seem, +and, as I think, well befriended, for men talk of thy being under some +special protection--nay, stare not like a pig that is stuck, mon; +thou canst not dance in a net and they not see thee. Now I know such +protection is not purchased for nought; you must have services to render +for it, and in these I propose to help thee." + +"But how if I lack no assistance from thee, Mike? I think thy modesty +might suppose that were a case possible." + +"That is to say," retorted Lambourne, "that you would engross the +whole work, rather than divide the reward. But be not over-greedy, +Anthony--covetousness bursts the sack and spills the grain. Look you, +when the huntsman goes to kill a stag, he takes with him more dogs than +one. He has the stanch lyme-hound to track the wounded buck over hill +and dale, but he hath also the fleet gaze-hound to kill him at view. +Thou art the lyme-hound, I am the gaze-hound; and thy patron will need +the aid of both, and can well afford to requite it. Thou hast deep +sagacity--an unrelenting purpose--a steady, long-breathed malignity of +nature, that surpasses mine. But then, I am the bolder, the quicker, the +more ready, both at action and expedient. Separate, our properties are +not so perfect; but unite them, and we drive the world before us. How +sayest thou--shall we hunt in couples?" + +"It is a currish proposal--thus to thrust thyself upon my private +matters," replied Foster; "but thou wert ever an ill-nurtured whelp." + +"You shall have no cause to say so, unless you spurn my courtesy," said +Michael Lambourne; "but if so, keep thee well from me, Sir Knight, as +the romance has it. I will either share your counsels or traverse them; +for I have come here to be busy, either with thee or against thee." + +"Well," said Anthony Foster, "since thou dost leave me so fair a choice, +I will rather be thy friend than thine enemy. Thou art right; I CAN +prefer thee to the service of a patron who has enough of means to make +us both, and an hundred more. And, to say truth, thou art well qualified +for his service. Boldness and dexterity he demands--the justice-books +bear witness in thy favour; no starting at scruples in his service why, +who ever suspected thee of a conscience? an assurance he must have who +would follow a courtier--and thy brow is as impenetrable as a Milan +visor. There is but one thing I would fain see amended in thee." + +"And what is that, my most precious friend Anthony?" replied Lambourne; +"for I swear by the pillow of the Seven Sleepers I will not be slothful +in amending it." + +"Why, you gave a sample of it even now," said Foster. "Your speech +twangs too much of the old stamp, and you garnish it ever and anon with +singular oaths, that savour of Papistrie. Besides, your exterior man is +altogether too deboshed and irregular to become one of his lordship's +followers, since he has a reputation to keep up in the eye of the world. +You must somewhat reform your dress, upon a more grave and composed +fashion; wear your cloak on both shoulders, and your falling band +unrumpled and well starched. You must enlarge the brim of your beaver, +and diminish the superfluity of your trunk-hose; go to church, or, which +will be better, to meeting, at least once a month; protest only upon +your faith and conscience; lay aside your swashing look, and never touch +the hilt of your sword but when you would draw the carnal weapon in good +earnest." + +"By this light, Anthony, thou art mad," answered Lambourne, "and hast +described rather the gentleman-usher to a puritan's wife, than the +follower of an ambitious courtier! Yes, such a thing as thou wouldst +make of me should wear a book at his girdle instead of a poniard, and +might just be suspected of manhood enough to squire a proud dame-citizen +to the lecture at Saint Antonlin's, and quarrel in her cause with any +flat-capped threadmaker that would take the wall of her. He must ruffle +it in another sort that would walk to court in a nobleman's train." + +"Oh, content you, sir," replied Foster, "there is a change since you +knew the English world; and there are those who can hold their way +through the boldest courses, and the most secret, and yet never a +swaggering word, or an oath, or a profane word in their conversation." + +"That is to say," replied Lambourne, "they are in a trading copartnery, +to do the devil's business without mentioning his name in the firm? +Well, I will do my best to counterfeit, rather than lose ground in this +new world, since thou sayest it is grown so precise. But, Anthony, what +is the name of this nobleman, in whose service I am to turn hypocrite?" + +"Aha! Master Michael, are you there with your bears?" said Foster, with +a grim smile; "and is this the knowledge you pretend of my concernments? +How know you now there is such a person IN RERUM NATURA, and that I have +not been putting a jape upon you all this time?" + +"Thou put a jape on me, thou sodden-brained gull?" answered Lambourne, +nothing daunted. "Why, dark and muddy as thou think'st thyself, I +would engage in a day's space to see as clear through thee and thy +concernments, as thou callest them, as through the filthy horn of an old +stable lantern." + +At this moment their conversation was interrupted by a scream from the +next apartment. + +"By the holy Cross of Abingdon," exclaimed Anthony Foster, forgetting +his Protestantism in his alarm, "I am a ruined man!" + +So saying, he rushed into the apartment whence the scream issued, +followed by Michael Lambourne. But to account for the sounds which +interrupted their conversation, it is necessary to recede a little way +in our narrative. + +It has been already observed, that when Lambourne accompanied Foster +into the library, they left Tressilian alone in the ancient parlour. His +dark eye followed them forth of the apartment with a glance of contempt, +a part of which his mind instantly transferred to himself, for having +stooped to be even for a moment their familiar companion. "These are the +associates, Amy"--it was thus he communed with himself--"to which +thy cruel levity--thine unthinking and most unmerited falsehood, has +condemned him of whom his friends once hoped far other things, and who +now scorns himself, as he will be scorned by others, for the baseness +he stoops to for the love of thee! But I will not leave the pursuit of +thee, once the object of my purest and most devoted affection, though +to me thou canst henceforth be nothing but a thing to weep over. I will +save thee from thy betrayer, and from thyself; I will restore thee to +thy parent--to thy God. I cannot bid the bright star again sparkle in +the sphere it has shot from, but--" + +A slight noise in the apartment interrupted his reverie. He looked +round, and in the beautiful and richly-attired female who entered at +that instant by a side-door he recognized the object of his search. The +first impulse arising from this discovery urged him to conceal his face +with the collar of his cloak, until he should find a favourable moment +of making himself known. But his purpose was disconcerted by the young +lady (she was not above eighteen years old), who ran joyfully towards +him, and, pulling him by the cloak, said playfully, "Nay, my sweet +friend, after I have waited for you so long, you come not to my bower +to play the masquer. You are arraigned of treason to true love and fond +affection, and you must stand up at the bar and answer it with face +uncovered--how say you, guilty or not?" + +"Alas, Amy!" said Tressilian, in a low and melancholy tone, as he +suffered her to draw the mantle from his face. The sound of his voice, +and still more the unexpected sight of his face, changed in an instant +the lady's playful mood. She staggered back, turned as pale as death, +and put her hands before her face. Tressilian was himself for a moment +much overcome, but seeming suddenly to remember the necessity of using +an opportunity which might not again occur, he said in a low tone, "Amy, +fear me not." + +"Why should I fear you?" said the lady, withdrawing her hands from her +beautiful face, which was now covered with crimson,--"Why should I fear +you, Master Tressilian?--or wherefore have you intruded yourself into my +dwelling, uninvited, sir, and unwished for?" + +"Your dwelling, Amy!" said Tressilian. "Alas! is a prison your +dwelling?--a prison guarded by one of the most sordid of men, but not a +greater wretch than his employer!" + +"This house is mine," said Amy--"mine while I choose to inhabit it. If +it is my pleasure to live in seclusion, who shall gainsay me?" + +"Your father, maiden," answered Tressilian, "your broken-hearted father, +who dispatched me in quest of you with that authority which he cannot +exert in person. Here is his letter, written while he blessed his pain +of body which somewhat stunned the agony of his mind." + +"The pain! Is my father then ill?" said the lady. + +"So ill," answered Tressilian, "that even your utmost haste may not +restore him to health; but all shall be instantly prepared for your +departure, the instant you yourself will give consent." + +"Tressilian," answered the lady, "I cannot, I must not, I dare not leave +this place. Go back to my father--tell him I will obtain leave to see +him within twelve hours from hence. Go back, Tressilian--tell him I am +well, I am happy--happy could I think he was so; tell him not to fear +that I will come, and in such a manner that all the grief Amy has given +him shall be forgotten--the poor Amy is now greater than she dare name. +Go, good Tressilian--I have injured thee too, but believe me I have +power to heal the wounds I have caused. I robbed you of a childish +heart, which was not worthy of you, and I can repay the loss with +honours and advancement." + +"Do you say this to me, Amy?--do you offer me pageants of idle ambition, +for the quiet peace you have robbed me of!--But be it so I came not +to upbraid, but to serve and to free you. You cannot disguise it from +me--you are a prisoner. Otherwise your kind heart--for it was once a +kind heart--would have been already at your father's bedside.--Come, +poor, deceived, unhappy maiden!--all shall be forgot--all shall be +forgiven. Fear not my importunity for what regarded our contract--it was +a dream, and I have awaked. But come--your father yet lives--come, and +one word of affection, one tear of penitence, will efface the memory of +all that has passed." + +"Have I not already said, Tressilian," replied she, "that I will surely +come to my father, and that without further delay than is necessary to +discharge other and equally binding duties?--Go, carry him the news; +I come as sure as there is light in heaven--that is, when I obtain +permission." + +"Permission!--permission to visit your father on his sick-bed, perhaps +on his death-bed!" repeated Tressilian, impatiently; "and permission +from whom? From the villain, who, under disguise of friendship, abused +every duty of hospitality, and stole thee from thy father's roof!" + +"Do him no slander, Tressilian! He whom thou speakest of wears a sword +as sharp as thine--sharper, vain man; for the best deeds thou hast +ever done in peace or war were as unworthy to be named with his, as thy +obscure rank to match itself with the sphere he moves in.--Leave me! +Go, do mine errand to my father; and when he next sends to me, let him +choose a more welcome messenger." + +"Amy," replied Tressilian calmly, "thou canst not move me by thy +reproaches. Tell me one thing, that I may bear at least one ray of +comfort to my aged friend:--this rank of his which thou dost boast--dost +thou share it with him, Amy?--does he claim a husband's right to control +thy motions?" + +"Stop thy base, unmannered tongue!" said the lady; "to no question that +derogates from my honour do I deign an answer." + +"You have said enough in refusing to reply," answered Tressilian; +"and mark me, unhappy as thou art, I am armed with thy father's full +authority to command thy obedience, and I will save thee from the +slavery of sin and of sorrow, even despite of thyself, Amy." + +"Menace no violence here!" exclaimed the lady, drawing back from him, +and alarmed at the determination expressed in his look and manner; +"threaten me not, Tressilian, for I have means to repel force." + +"But not, I trust, the wish to use them in so evil a cause?" said +Tressilian. "With thy will--thine uninfluenced, free, and natural will, +Amy, thou canst not choose this state of slavery and dishonour. Thou +hast been bound by some spell--entrapped by some deceit--art now +detained by some compelled vow. But thus I break the charm--Amy, in the +name of thine excellent, thy broken-hearted father, I command thee to +follow me!" + +As he spoke he advanced and extended his arm, as with the purpose of +laying hold upon her. But she shrunk back from his grasp, and uttered +the scream which, as we before noticed, brought into the apartment +Lambourne and Foster. + +The latter exclaimed, as soon as he entered, "Fire and fagot! what +have we here?" Then addressing the lady, in a tone betwixt entreaty +and command, he added, "Uds precious! madam, what make you here out of +bounds? Retire--retire--there is life and death in this matter.--And +you, friend, whoever you may be, leave this house--out with you, before +my dagger's hilt and your costard become acquainted.--Draw, Mike, and +rid us of the knave!" + +"Not I, on my soul," replied Lambourne; "he came hither in my +company, and he is safe from me by cutter's law, at least till we meet +again.--But hark ye, my Cornish comrade, you have brought a Cornish flaw +of wind with you hither, a hurricanoe as they call it in the Indies. +Make yourself scarce--depart--vanish--or we'll have you summoned before +the Mayor of Halgaver, and that before Dudman and Ramhead meet." [Two +headlands on the Cornish coast. The expressions are proverbial.] + +"Away, base groom!" said Tressilian.--"And you, madam, fare you +well--what life lingers in your father's bosom will leave him at the +news I have to tell." + +He departed, the lady saying faintly as he left the room, "Tressilian, +be not rash--say no scandal of me." + +"Here is proper gear," said Foster. "I pray you go to your chamber, my +lady, and let us consider how this is to be answered--nay, tarry not." + +"I move not at your command, sir," answered the lady. + +"Nay, but you must, fair lady," replied Foster; "excuse my freedom, but, +by blood and nails, this is no time to strain courtesies--you MUST go to +your chamber.--Mike, follow that meddling coxcomb, and, as you desire +to thrive, see him safely clear of the premises, while I bring this +headstrong lady to reason. Draw thy tool, man, and after him." + +"I'll follow him," said Michael Lambourne, "and see him fairly out +of Flanders; but for hurting a man I have drunk my morning's draught +withal, 'tis clean against my conscience." So saying, he left the +apartment. + +Tressilian, meanwhile, with hasty steps, pursued the first path which +promised to conduct him through the wild and overgrown park in which the +mansion of Foster was situated. Haste and distress of mind led his steps +astray, and instead of taking the avenue which led towards the village, +he chose another, which, after he had pursued it for some time with a +hasty and reckless step, conducted him to the other side of the demesne, +where a postern door opened through the wall, and led into the open +country. + +Tressilian paused an instant. It was indifferent to him by what road he +left a spot now so odious to his recollections; but it was probable +that the postern door was locked, and his retreat by that pass rendered +impossible. + +"I must make the attempt, however," he said to himself; "the only means +of reclaiming this lost--this miserable--this still most lovely and most +unhappy girl, must rest in her father's appeal to the broken laws of his +country. I must haste to apprise him of this heartrending intelligence." + +As Tressilian, thus conversing with himself, approached to try some +means of opening the door, or climbing over it, he perceived there was +a key put into the lock from the outside. It turned round, the bolt +revolved, and a cavalier, who entered, muffled in his riding-cloak, and +wearing a slouched hat with a drooping feather, stood at once within +four yards of him who was desirous of going out. They exclaimed at +once, in tones of resentment and surprise, the one "Varney!" the other +"Tressilian!" + +"What make you here?" was the stern question put by the stranger to +Tressilian, when the moment of surprise was past--"what make you here, +where your presence is neither expected nor desired?" + +"Nay, Varney," replied Tressilian, "what make you here? Are you come +to triumph over the innocence you have destroyed, as the vulture or +carrion-crow comes to batten on the lamb whose eyes it has first plucked +out? Or are you come to encounter the merited vengeance of an honest +man? Draw, dog, and defend thyself!" + +Tressilian drew his sword as he spoke, but Varney only laid his hand +on the hilt of his own, as he replied, "Thou art mad, Tressilian. I own +appearances are against me; but by every oath a priest can make or a man +can swear, Mistress Amy Robsart hath had no injury from me. And in truth +I were somewhat loath to hurt you in this cause--thou knowest I can +fight." + +"I have heard thee say so, Varney," replied Tressilian; "but now, +methinks, I would fain have some better evidence than thine own word." + +"That shall not be lacking, if blade and hilt be but true to me," +answered Varney; and drawing his sword with the right hand, he threw his +cloak around his left, and attacked Tressilian with a vigour which, +for a moment, seemed to give him the advantage of the combat. But this +advantage lasted not long. Tressilian added to a spirit determined on +revenge a hand and eye admirably well adapted to the use of the rapier; +so that Varney, finding himself hard pressed in his turn, endeavoured +to avail himself of his superior strength by closing with his adversary. +For this purpose, he hazarded the receiving one of Tressilian's passes +in his cloak, wrapped as it was around his arm, and ere his adversary +could, extricate his rapier thus entangled, he closed with him, +shortening his own sword at the same time, with the purpose of +dispatching him. But Tressilian was on his guard, and unsheathing his +poniard, parried with the blade of that weapon the home-thrust which +would otherwise have finished the combat, and, in the struggle which +followed, displayed so much address, as might have confirmed, the +opinion that he drew his origin from Cornwall whose natives are such +masters in the art of wrestling, as, were the games of antiquity +revived, might enable them to challenge all Europe to the ring. Varney, +in his ill-advised attempt, received a fall so sudden and violent that +his sword flew several paces from his hand and ere he could recover his +feet, that of his antagonist was; pointed to his throat. + +"Give me the instant means of relieving the victim of thy treachery," +said Tressilian, "or take the last look of your Creator's blessed sun!" + +And while Varney, too confused or too sullen to reply, made a sudden +effort to arise, his adversary drew back his arm, and would have +executed his threat, but that the blow was arrested by the grasp of +Michael Lambourne, who, directed by the clashing of swords had come up +just in time to save the life of Varney. + +"Come, come, comrade;" said Lambourne, "here is enough done and more +than enough; put up your fox and let us be jogging. The Black Bear +growls for us." + +"Off, abject!" said Tressilian, striking himself free of Lambourne's +grasp; "darest thou come betwixt me and mine enemy?" + +"Abject! abject!" repeated Lambourne; "that shall be answered with cold +steel whenever a bowl of sack has washed out memory of the morning's +draught that we had together. In the meanwhile, do you see, +shog--tramp--begone--we are two to one." + +He spoke truth, for Varney had taken the opportunity to regain his +weapon, and Tressilian perceived it was madness to press the quarrel +further against such odds. He took his purse from his side, and taking +out two gold nobles, flung them to Lambourne. "There, caitiff, is +thy morning wage; thou shalt not say thou hast been my guide +unhired.--Varney, farewell! we shall meet where there are none to come +betwixt us." So saying, he turned round and departed through the postern +door. + +Varney seemed to want the inclination, or perhaps the power (for his +fall had been a severe one), to follow his retreating enemy. But he +glared darkly as he disappeared, and then addressed Lambourne. "Art thou +a comrade of Foster's, good fellow?" + +"Sworn friends, as the haft is to the knife," replied Michael Lambourne. + +"Here is a broad piece for thee. Follow yonder fellow, and see where he +takes earth, and bring me word up to the mansion-house here. Cautious +and silent, thou knave, as thou valuest thy throat." + +"Enough said," replied Lambourne; "I can draw on a scent as well as a +sleuth-hound." + +"Begone, then," said Varney, sheathing his rapier; and, turning his +back on Michael Lambourne, he walked slowly towards the house. Lambourne +stopped but an instant to gather the nobles which his late companion had +flung towards him so unceremoniously, and muttered to himself, while he +put them upon his purse along with the gratuity of Varney, "I spoke to +yonder gulls of Eldorado. By Saint Anthony, there is no Eldorado for +men of our stamp equal to bonny Old England! It rains nobles, by +Heaven--they lie on the grass as thick as dewdrops--you may have them +for gathering. And if I have not my share of such glittering dewdrops, +may my sword melt like an icicle!" + + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + + He was a man + Versed in the world as pilot in his compass. + The needle pointed ever to that interest + Which was his loadstar, and he spread his sails + With vantage to the gale of others' passion. + --THE DECEIVER, A TRAGEDY. + +Antony Foster was still engaged in debate with his fair guest, who +treated with scorn every entreaty and request that she would retire to +her own apartment, when a whistle was heard at the entrance-door of the +mansion. + +"We are fairly sped now," said Foster; "yonder is thy lord's signal, and +what to say about the disorder which has happened in this household, +by my conscience, I know not. Some evil fortune dogs the heels of that +unhanged rogue Lambourne, and he has 'scaped the gallows against every +chance, to come back and be the ruin of me!" + +"Peace, sir," said the lady, "and undo the gate to your master.--My +lord! my dear lord!" she then exclaimed, hastening to the entrance of +the apartment; then added, with a voice expressive of disappointment, +"Pooh! it is but Richard Varney." + +"Ay, madam," said Varney, entering and saluting the lady with a +respectful obeisance, which she returned with a careless mixture of +negligence and of displeasure, "it is but Richard Varney; but even the +first grey cloud should be acceptable, when it lightens in the east, +because it announces the approach of the blessed sun." + +"How! comes my lord hither to-night?" said the lady, in joyful yet +startled agitation; and Anthony Foster caught up the word, and echoed +the question. Varney replied to the lady, that his lord purposed to +attend her; and would have proceeded with some compliment, when, running +to the door of the parlour, she called aloud, "Janet--Janet! come to my +tiring-room instantly." Then returning to Varney, she asked if her lord +sent any further commendations to her. + +"This letter, honoured madam," said he, taking from his bosom a small +parcel wrapped in scarlet silk, "and with it a token to the Queen of +his Affections." With eager speed the lady hastened to undo the silken +string which surrounded the little packet, and failing to unloose +readily the knot with which it was secured, she again called loudly on +Janet, "Bring me a knife--scissors--aught that may undo this envious +knot!" + +"May not my poor poniard serve, honoured madam?" said Varney, +presenting a small dagger of exquisite workmanship, which hung in his +Turkey-leather sword-belt. + +"No, sir," replied the lady, rejecting the instrument which he +offered--"steel poniard shall cut no true-love knot of mine." + +"It has cut many, however," said Anthony Foster, half aside, and looking +at Varney. By this time the knot was disentangled without any other +help than the neat and nimble fingers of Janet, a simply-attired pretty +maiden, the daughter of Anthony Foster, who came running at the repeated +call of her mistress. A necklace of orient pearl, the companion of a +perfumed billet, was now hastily produced from the packet. The lady gave +the one, after a slight glance, to the charge of her attendant, while +she read, or rather devoured, the contents of the other. + +"Surely, lady," said Janet, gazing with admiration at the neck-string +of pearls, "the daughters of Tyre wore no fairer neck-jewels than these. +And then the posy, 'For a neck that is fairer'--each pearl is worth a +freehold." + +"Each word in this dear paper is worth the whole string, my girl. But +come to my tiring-room, girl; we must be brave, my lord comes hither +to-night.--He bids me grace you, Master Varney, and to me his wish is a +law. I bid you to a collation in my bower this afternoon; and you, +too, Master Foster. Give orders that all is fitting, and that suitable +preparations be made for my lord's reception to-night." With these words +she left the apartment. + +"She takes state on her already," said Varney, "and distributes the +favour of her presence, as if she were already the partner of his +dignity. Well, it is wise to practise beforehand the part which fortune +prepares us to play--the young eagle must gaze at the sun ere he soars +on strong wing to meet it." + +"If holding her head aloft," said Foster, "will keep her eyes from +dazzling, I warrant you the dame will not stoop her crest. She will +presently soar beyond reach of my whistle, Master Varney. I promise you, +she holds me already in slight regard." + +"It is thine own fault, thou sullen, uninventive companion," answered +Varney, "who knowest no mode of control save downright brute force. +Canst thou not make home pleasant to her, with music and toys? Canst +thou not make the out-of-doors frightful to her, with tales of goblins? +Thou livest here by the churchyard, and hast not even wit enough to +raise a ghost, to scare thy females into good discipline." + +"Speak not thus, Master Varney," said Foster; "the living I fear not, +but I trifle not nor toy with my dead neighbours of the churchyard. I +promise you, it requires a good heart to live so near it. Worthy Master +Holdforth, the afternoon's lecturer of Saint Antonlin's, had a sore +fright there the last time he came to visit me." + +"Hold thy superstitious tongue," answered Varney; "and while thou +talkest of visiting, answer me, thou paltering knave, how came +Tressilian to be at the postern door?" + +"Tressilian!" answered Foster, "what know I of Tressilian? I never heard +his name." + +"Why, villain, it was the very Cornish chough to whom old Sir Hugh +Robsart destined his pretty Amy; and hither the hot-brained fool has +come to look after his fair runaway. There must be some order taken with +him, for he thinks he hath wrong, and is not the mean hind that will sit +down with it. Luckily he knows nought of my lord, but thinks he has only +me to deal with. But how, in the fiend's name, came he hither?" + +"Why, with Mike Lambourne, an you must know," answered Foster. + +"And who is Mike Lambourne?" demanded Varney. "By Heaven! thou wert best +set up a bush over thy door, and invite every stroller who passes by to +see what thou shouldst keep secret even from the sun and air." + +"Ay! ay! this is a courtlike requital of my service to you, Master +Richard Varney," replied Foster. "Didst thou not charge me to seek out +for thee a fellow who had a good sword and an unscrupulous conscience? +and was I not busying myself to find a fit man--for, thank Heaven, my +acquaintance lies not amongst such companions--when, as Heaven would +have it, this tall fellow, who is in all his dualities the very flashing +knave thou didst wish, came hither to fix acquaintance upon me in the +plenitude of his impudence; and I admitted his claim, thinking to do +you a pleasure. And now see what thanks I get for disgracing myself by +converse with him!" + +"And did he," said Varney, "being such a fellow as thyself, only +lacking, I suppose, thy present humour of hypocrisy, which lies as thin +over thy hard, ruffianly heart as gold lacquer upon rusty iron--did he, +I say, bring the saintly, sighing Tressilian in his train?" + +"They came together, by Heaven!" said Foster; "and Tressilian--to speak +Heaven's truth--obtained a moment's interview with our pretty moppet, +while I was talking apart with Lambourne." + +"Improvident villain! we are both undone," said Varney. "She has of late +been casting many a backward look to her father's halls, whenever her +lordly lover leaves her alone. Should this preaching fool whistle her +back to her old perch, we were but lost men." + +"No fear of that, my master," replied Anthony Foster; "she is in no mood +to stoop to his lure, for she yelled out on seeing him as if an adder +had stung her." + +"That is good. Canst thou not get from thy daughter an inkling of what +passed between them, good Foster?" + +"I tell you plain, Master Varney," said Foster, "my daughter shall not +enter our purposes or walk in our paths. They may suit me well enough, +who know how to repent of my misdoings; but I will not have my child's +soul committed to peril either for your pleasure or my lord's. I may +walk among snares and pitfalls myself, because I have discretion, but I +will not trust the poor lamb among them." + +"Why, thou suspicious fool, I were as averse as thou art that thy +baby-faced girl should enter into my plans, or walk to hell at her +father's elbow. But indirectly thou mightst gain some intelligence of +her?" + +"And so I did, Master Varney," answered Foster; "and she said her lady +called out upon the sickness of her father." + +"Good!" replied Varney; "that is a hint worth catching, and I will work +upon it. But the country must be rid of this Tressilian. I would have +cumbered no man about the matter, for I hate him like strong poison--his +presence is hemlock to me--and this day I had been rid of him, but that +my foot slipped, when, to speak truth, had not thy comrade yonder come +to my aid, and held his hand, I should have known by this time whether +you and I have been treading the path to heaven or hell." + +"And you can speak thus of such a risk!" said Foster. "You keep a stout +heart, Master Varney. For me, if I did not hope to live many years, and +to have time for the great work of repentance, I would not go forward +with you." + +"Oh! thou shalt live as long as Methuselah," said Varney, "and amass +as much wealth as Solomon; and thou shalt repent so devoutly, that thy +repentance shall be more famous than thy villainy--and that is a bold +word. But for all this, Tressilian must be looked after. Thy ruffian +yonder is gone to dog him. It concerns our fortunes, Anthony." + +"Ay, ay," said Foster sullenly, "this it is to be leagued with one who +knows not even so much of Scripture, as that the labourer is worthy of +his hire. I must, as usual, take all the trouble and risk." + +"Risk! and what is the mighty risk, I pray you?" answered Varney. "This +fellow will come prowling again about your demesne or into your house, +and if you take him for a house-breaker or a park-breaker, is it not +most natural you should welcome him with cold steel or hot lead? Even +a mastiff will pull down those who come near his kennel; and who shall +blame him?" + +"Ay, I have a mastiff's work and a mastiff's wage among you," said +Foster. "Here have you, Master Varney, secured a good freehold estate +out of this old superstitious foundation; and I have but a poor lease of +this mansion under you, voidable at your honour's pleasure." + +"Ay, and thou wouldst fain convert thy leasehold into a copyhold--the +thing may chance to happen, Anthony Foster, if thou dost good service +for it. But softly, good Anthony--it is not the lending a room or two of +this old house for keeping my lord's pretty paroquet--nay, it is not +the shutting thy doors and windows to keep her from flying off that may +deserve it. Remember, the manor and tithes are rated at the clear annual +value of seventy-nine pounds five shillings and fivepence halfpenny, +besides the value of the wood. Come, come, thou must be conscionable; +great and secret service may deserve both this and a better thing. And +now let thy knave come and pluck off my boots. Get us some dinner, and +a cup of thy best wine. I must visit this mavis, brave in apparel, +unruffled in aspect, and gay in temper." + +They parted and at the hour of noon, which was then that of dinner, they +again met at their meal, Varney gaily dressed like a courtier of the +time, and even Anthony Foster improved in appearance, as far as dress +could amend an exterior so unfavourable. + +This alteration did not escape Varney. Then the meal was finished, the +cloth removed, and they were left to their private discourse--"Thou +art gay as a goldfinch, Anthony," said Varney, looking at his host; +"methinks, thou wilt whistle a jig anon. But I crave your pardon, +that would secure your ejection from the congregation of the zealous +botchers, the pure-hearted weavers, and the sanctified bakers of +Abingdon, who let their ovens cool while their brains get heated." + +"To answer you in the spirit, Master Varney," said Foster, "were--excuse +the parable--to fling sacred and precious things before swine. So I will +speak to thee in the language of the world, which he who is king of the +world, hath taught thee, to understand, and to profit by in no common +measure." + +"Say what thou wilt, honest Tony," replied Varney; "for be it according +to thine absurd faith, or according to thy most villainous practice, +it cannot choose but be rare matter to qualify this cup of Alicant. +Thy conversation is relishing and poignant, and beats caviare, dried +neat's-tongue, and all other provocatives that give savour to good +liquor." + +"Well, then, tell me," said Anthony Foster, "is not our good lord and +master's turn better served, and his antechamber more suitably filled, +with decent, God-fearing men, who will work his will and their own +profit quietly, and without worldly scandal, than that he should be +manned, and attended, and followed by such open debauchers and ruffianly +swordsmen as Tidesly, Killigrew, this fellow Lambourne, whom you have +put me to seek out for you, and other such, who bear the gallows in +their face and murder in their right hand--who are a terror to peaceable +men, and a scandal to my lord's service?" + +"Oh, content you, good Master Anthony Foster," answered Varney; "he that +flies at all manner of game must keep all kinds of hawks, both short and +long-winged. The course my lord holds is no easy one, and he must +stand provided at all points with trusty retainers to meet each sort of +service. He must have his gay courtier, like myself, to ruffle it in +the presence-chamber, and to lay hand on hilt when any speaks in +disparagement of my lord's honour--" + +"Ay," said Foster, "and to whisper a word for him into a fair lady's +ear, when he may not approach her himself." + +"Then," said Varney, going on without appearing to notice the +interruption, "he must have his lawyers--deep, subtle pioneers--to draw +his contracts, his pre-contracts, and his post-contracts, and to find +the way to make the most of grants of church-lands, and commons, and +licenses for monopoly. And he must have physicians who can spice a cup +or a caudle. And he must have his cabalists, like Dec and Allan, for +conjuring up the devil. And he must have ruffling swordsmen, who would +fight the devil when he is raised and at the wildest. And above +all, without prejudice to others, he must have such godly, innocent, +puritanic souls as thou, honest Anthony, who defy Satan, and do his work +at the same time." + +"You would not say, Master Varney," said Foster, "that our good lord +and master, whom I hold to be fulfilled in all nobleness, would use such +base and sinful means to rise, as thy speech points at?" + +"Tush, man," said Varney, "never look at me with so sad a brow. You trap +me not--nor am I in your power, as your weak brain may imagine, because +I name to you freely the engines, the springs, the screws, the tackle, +and braces, by which great men rise in stirring times. Sayest thou our +good lord is fulfilled of all nobleness? Amen, and so be it--he has the +more need to have those about him who are unscrupulous in his service, +and who, because they know that his fall will overwhelm and crush them, +must wager both blood and brain, soul and body, in order to keep him +aloft; and this I tell thee, because I care not who knows it." + +"You speak truth, Master Varney," said Anthony Foster. "He that is head +of a party is but a boat on a wave, that raises not itself, but is moved +upward by the billow which it floats upon." + +"Thou art metaphorical, honest Anthony," replied Varney; "that velvet +doublet hath made an oracle of thee. We will have thee to Oxford to take +the degrees in the arts. And, in the meantime, hast thou arranged all +the matters which were sent from London, and put the western chambers +into such fashion as may answer my lord's humour?" + +"They may serve a king on his bridal-day," said Anthony; "and I promise +you that Dame Amy sits in them yonder as proud and gay as if she were +the Queen of Sheba." + +"'Tis the better, good Anthony," answered Varney; "we must found our +future fortunes on her good liking." + +"We build on sand then," said Anthony Foster; "for supposing that she +sails away to court in all her lord's dignity and authority, how is she +to look back upon me, who am her jailor as it were, to detain her here +against her will, keeping her a caterpillar on an old wall, when she +would fain be a painted butterfly in a court garden?" + +"Fear not her displeasure, man," said Varney. "I will show her all thou +hast done in this matter was good service, both to my lord and her; +and when she chips the egg-shell and walks alone, she shall own we have +hatched her greatness." + +"Look to yourself, Master Varney," said Foster, "you may misreckon +foully in this matter. She gave you but a frosty reception this morning, +and, I think, looks on you, as well as me, with an evil eye." + +"You mistake her, Foster--you mistake her utterly. To me she is bound +by all the ties which can secure her to one who has been the means of +gratifying both her love and ambition. Who was it that took the obscure +Amy Robsart, the daughter of an impoverished and dotard knight--the +destined bride of a moonstruck, moping enthusiast, like Edmund +Tressilian, from her lowly fates, and held out to her in prospect the +brightest fortune in England, or perchance in Europe? Why, man, it was +I--as I have often told thee--that found opportunity for their secret +meetings. It was I who watched the wood while he beat for the deer. It +was I who, to this day, am blamed by her family as the companion of her +flight; and were I in their neighbourhood, would be fain to wear a shirt +of better stuff than Holland linen, lest my ribs should be acquainted +with Spanish steel. Who carried their letters?--I. Who amused the old +knight and Tressilian?--I. Who planned her escape?--it was I. It was +I, in short, Dick Varney, who pulled this pretty little daisy from its +lowly nook, and placed it in the proudest bonnet in Britain." + +"Ay, Master Varney," said Foster; "but it may be she thinks that had the +matter remained with you, the flower had been stuck so slightly into the +cap, that the first breath of a changeable breeze of passion had blown +the poor daisy to the common." + +"She should consider," said Varney, smiling, "the true faith I owed my +lord and master prevented me at first from counselling marriage; and +yet I did counsel marriage when I saw she would not be satisfied without +the--the sacrament, or the ceremony--which callest thou it, Anthony?" + +"Still she has you at feud on another score," said Foster; "and I tell +it you that you may look to yourself in time. She would not hide her +splendour in this dark lantern of an old monastic house, but would fain +shine a countess amongst countesses." + +"Very natural, very right," answered Varney; "but what have I to do +with that?--she may shine through horn or through crystal at my lord's +pleasure, I have nought to say against it." + +"She deems that you have an oar upon that side of the boat, Master +Varney," replied Foster, "and that you can pull it or no, at your good +pleasure. In a word, she ascribes the secrecy and obscurity in which she +is kept to your secret counsel to my lord, and to my strict agency; and +so she loves us both as a sentenced man loves his judge and his jailor." + +"She must love us better ere she leave this place, Anthony," answered +Varney. "If I have counselled for weighty reasons that she remain here +for a season, I can also advise her being brought forth in the full blow +of her dignity. But I were mad to do so, holding so near a place to +my lord's person, were she mine enemy. Bear this truth in upon her as +occasion offers, Anthony, and let me alone for extolling you in her ear, +and exalting you in her opinion--KA ME, KA THEE--it is a proverb all +over the world. The lady must know her friends, and be made to judge of +the power they have of being her enemies; meanwhile, watch her strictly, +but with all the outward observance that thy rough nature will permit. +'Tis an excellent thing that sullen look and bull-dog humour of thine; +thou shouldst thank God for it, and so should my lord, for when there +is aught harsh or hard-natured to be done, thou dost it as if it flowed +from thine own natural doggedness, and not from orders, and so my lord +escapes the scandal.--But, hark--some one knocks at the gate. Look +out at the window--let no one enter--this were an ill night to be +interrupted." + +"It is he whom we spoke of before dinner," said Foster, as he looked +through the casement; "it is Michael Lambourne." + +"Oh, admit him, by all means," said the courtier; "he comes to give some +account of his guest; it imports us much to know the movements of Edmund +Tressilian.--Admit him, I say, but bring him not hither; I will come to +you presently in the Abbot's library." + +Foster left the room, and the courtier, who remained behind, paced the +parlour more than once in deep thought, his arms folded on his bosom, +until at length he gave vent to his meditations in broken words, which +we have somewhat enlarged and connected, that his soliloquy may be +intelligible to the reader. + +"'Tis true," he said, suddenly stopping, and resting his right hand on +the table at which they had been sitting, "this base churl hath fathomed +the very depth of my fear, and I have been unable to disguise it from +him. She loves me not--I would it were as true that I loved not her! +Idiot that I was, to move her in my own behalf, when wisdom bade me be +a true broker to my lord! And this fatal error has placed me more at her +discretion than a wise man would willingly be at that of the best piece +of painted Eve's flesh of them all. Since the hour that my policy made +so perilous a slip, I cannot look at her without fear, and hate, and +fondness, so strangely mingled, that I know not whether, were it at my +choice, I would rather possess or ruin her. But she must not leave this +retreat until I am assured on what terms we are to stand. My lord's +interest--and so far it is mine own, for if he sinks I fall in his +train--demands concealment of this obscure marriage; and besides, I will +not lend her my arm to climb to her chair of state, that she may set her +foot on my neck when she is fairly seated. I must work an interest in +her, either through love or through fear; and who knows but I may yet +reap the sweetest and best revenge for her former scorn?--that +were indeed a masterpiece of courtlike art! Let me but once be her +counsel-keeper--let her confide to me a secret, did it but concern the +robbery of a linnet's nest, and, fair Countess, thou art mine own!" +He again paced the room in silence, stopped, filled and drank a cup of +wine, as if to compose the agitation of his mind, and muttering, +"Now for a close heart and an open and unruffled brow," he left the +apartment. + + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + + The dews of summer night did fall, + The moon, sweet regent of the sky, + Silver'd the walls of Cumnor Hall, + And many an oak that grew thereby.--MICKLE. + + [This verse is the commencement of the ballad already quoted, as + what suggested the novel.] + +Four apartments; which, occupied the western side of the old quadrangle +at Cumnor Place, had been fitted up with extraordinary splendour. This +had been the work of several days prior to that on which our story +opened. Workmen sent from London, and not permitted to leave the +premises until the work was finished, had converted the apartments in +that side of the building from the dilapidated appearance of a dissolved +monastic house into the semblance of a royal palace. A mystery was +observed in all these arrangements: the workmen came thither and +returned by night, and all measures were taken to prevent the prying +curiosity of the villagers from observing or speculating upon the +changes which were taking place in the mansion of their once indigent +but now wealthy neighbour, Anthony Foster. Accordingly, the secrecy +desired was so far preserved, that nothing got abroad but vague and +uncertain reports, which were received and repeated, but without much +credit being attached to them. + +On the evening of which we treat, the new and highly-decorated suite of +rooms were, for the first time, illuminated, and that with a brilliancy +which might have been visible half-a-dozen miles off, had not oaken +shutters, carefully secured with bolt and padlock, and mantled with long +curtains of silk and of velvet, deeply fringed with gold, prevented the +slightest gleam of radiance front being seen without. + +The principal apartments, as we have seen, were four in number, each +opening into the other. Access was given to them by a large scale +staircase, as they were then called, of unusual length and height, which +had its landing-place at the door of an antechamber, shaped somewhat +like a gallery. This apartment the abbot had used as an occasional +council-room, but it was now beautifully wainscoted with dark, foreign +wood of a brown colour, and bearing a high polish, said to have been +brought from the Western Indies, and to have been wrought in London with +infinite difficulty and much damage to the tools of the workmen. The +dark colour of this finishing was relieved by the number of lights +in silver sconces which hung against the walls, and by six large and +richly-framed pictures, by the first masters of the age. A massy oaken +table, placed at the lower end of the apartment, served to accommodate +such as chose to play at the then fashionable game of shovel-board; +and there was at the other end an elevated gallery for the musicians +or minstrels, who might be summoned to increase the festivity of the +evening. + +From this antechamber opened a banqueting-room of moderate size, but +brilliant enough to dazzle the eyes of the spectator with the richness +of its furniture. The walls, lately so bare and ghastly, were now +clothed with hangings of sky-blue velvet and silver; the chairs were of +ebony, richly carved, with cushions corresponding to the hangings; and +the place of the silver sconces which enlightened the ante-chamber was +supplied by a huge chandelier of the same precious metal. The floor +was covered with a Spanish foot-cloth, or carpet, on which flowers and +fruits were represented in such glowing and natural colours, that you +hesitated to place the foot on such exquisite workmanship. The table, of +old English oak, stood ready covered with the finest linen; and a large +portable court-cupboard was placed with the leaves of its embossed +folding-doors displayed, showing the shelves within, decorated with a +full display of plate and porcelain. In the midst of the table stood a +salt-cellar of Italian workmanship--a beautiful and splendid piece of +plate about two feet high, moulded into a representation of the giant +Briareus, whose hundred hands of silver presented to the guests various +sorts of spices, or condiments, to season their food withal. + +The third apartment was called the withdrawing-room. It was hung with +the finest tapestry, representing the fall of Phaeton; for the looms +of Flanders were now much occupied on classical subjects. The principal +seat of this apartment was a chair of state, raised a step or two from +the floor, and large enough to contain two persons. It was surmounted +by a canopy, which, as well as the cushions, side-curtains, and the very +footcloth, was composed of crimson velvet, embroidered with seed-pearl. +On the top of the canopy were two coronets, resembling those of an earl +and countess. Stools covered with velvet, and some cushions disposed in +the Moorish fashion, and ornamented with Arabesque needle-work, +supplied the place of chairs in this apartment, which contained musical +instruments, embroidery frames, and other articles for ladies' pastime. +Besides lesser lights, the withdrawing-room was illuminated by four +tall torches of virgin wax, each of which was placed in the grasp of +a statue, representing an armed Moor, who held in his left arm a round +buckler of silver, highly polished, interposed betwixt his breast +and the light, which was thus brilliantly reflected as from a crystal +mirror. + +The sleeping chamber belonging to this splendid suite of apartments +was decorated in a taste less showy, but not less rich, than had been +displayed in the others. Two silver lamps, fed with perfumed oil, +diffused at once a delicious odour and a trembling twilight-seeming +shimmer through the quiet apartment. It was carpeted so thick that the +heaviest step could not have been heard, and the bed, richly heaped with +down, was spread with an ample coverlet of silk and gold; from under +which peeped forth cambric sheets and blankets as white as the lambs +which yielded the fleece that made them. The curtains were of blue +velvet, lined with crimson silk, deeply festooned with gold, and +embroidered with the loves of Cupid and Psyche. On the toilet was a +beautiful Venetian mirror, in a frame of silver filigree, and beside it +stood a gold posset-dish to contain the night-draught. A pair of pistols +and a dagger, mounted with gold, were displayed near the head of the +bed, being the arms for the night, which were presented to honoured +guests, rather, it may be supposed, in the way of ceremony than from any +apprehension of danger. We must not omit to mention, what was more +to the credit of the manners of the time, that in a small recess, +illuminated by a taper, were disposed two hassocks of velvet and gold, +corresponding with the bed furniture, before a desk of carved ebony. +This recess had formerly been the private oratory of the abbot; but the +crucifix was removed, and instead there were placed on the desk, two +Books of Common Prayer, richly bound, and embossed with silver. With +this enviable sleeping apartment, which was so far removed from every +sound save that of the wind sighing among the oaks of the park, that +Morpheus might have coveted it for his own proper repose, corresponded +two wardrobes, or dressing-rooms as they are now termed, suitably +furnished, and in a style of the same magnificence which we have already +described. It ought to be added, that a part of the building in the +adjoining wing was occupied by the kitchen and its offices, and +served to accommodate the personal attendants of the great and wealthy +nobleman, for whose use these magnificent preparations had been made. + +The divinity for whose sake this temple had been decorated was well +worthy the cost and pains which had been bestowed. She was seated in the +withdrawing-room which we have described, surveying with the pleased eye +of natural and innocent vanity the splendour which had been so suddenly +created, as it were, in her honour. For, as her own residence at Cumnor +Place formed the cause of the mystery observed in all the preparations +for opening these apartments, it was sedulously arranged that, until she +took possession of them, she should have no means of knowing what was +going forward in that part of the ancient building, or of exposing +herself to be seen by the workmen engaged in the decorations. She had +been, therefore, introduced on that evening to a part of the mansion +which she had never yet seen, so different from all the rest that it +appeared, in comparison, like an enchanted palace. And when she first +examined and occupied these splendid rooms, it was with the wild and +unrestrained joy of a rustic beauty who finds herself suddenly invested +with a splendour which her most extravagant wishes had never imagined, +and at the same time with the keen feeling of an affectionate heart, +which knows that all the enchantment that surrounds her is the work of +the great magician Love. + +The Countess Amy, therefore--for to that rank she was exalted by her +private but solemn union with England's proudest Earl--had for a time +flitted hastily from room to room, admiring each new proof of her lover +and her bridegroom's taste, and feeling that admiration enhanced as +she recollected that all she gazed upon was one continued proof of his +ardent and devoted affection. "How beautiful are these hangings! How +natural these paintings, which seem to contend with life! How richly +wrought is that plate, which looks as if all the galleons of Spain had +been intercepted on the broad seas to furnish it forth! And oh, Janet!" +she exclaimed repeatedly to the daughter of Anthony Foster, the close +attendant, who, with equal curiosity, but somewhat less ecstatic +joy, followed on her mistress's footsteps--"oh, Janet! how much more +delightful to think that all these fair things have been assembled by +his love, for the love of me! and that this evening--this very evening, +which grows darker every instant, I shall thank him more for the love +that has created such an unimaginable paradise, than for all the wonders +it contains." + +"The Lord is to be thanked first," said the pretty Puritan, "who gave +thee, lady, the kind and courteous husband whose love has done so much +for thee. I, too, have done my poor share. But if you thus run wildly +from room to room, the toil of my crisping and my curling pins will +vanish like the frost-work on the window when the sun is high." + +"Thou sayest true, Janet," said the young and beautiful Countess, +stopping suddenly from her tripping race of enraptured delight, and +looking at herself from head to foot in a large mirror, such as she had +never before seen, and which, indeed, had few to match it even in the +Queen's palace--"thou sayest true, Janet!" she answered, as she saw, +with pardonable self-applause, the noble mirror reflect such charms as +were seldom presented to its fair and polished surface; "I have more of +the milk-maid than the countess, with these cheeks flushed with haste, +and all these brown curls, which you laboured to bring to order, +straying as wild as the tendrils of an unpruned vine. My falling ruff is +chafed too, and shows the neck and bosom more than is modest and seemly. +Come, Janet; we will practise state--we will go to the withdrawing-room, +my good girl, and thou shalt put these rebel locks in order, and +imprison within lace and cambric the bosom that beats too high." + +They went to the withdrawing apartment accordingly, where the Countess +playfully stretched herself upon the pile of Moorish cushions, half +sitting, half reclining, half wrapt in her own thoughts, half listening +to the prattle of her attendant. + +While she was in this attitude, and with a corresponding expression +betwixt listlessness and expectation on her fine and intelligent +features, you might have searched sea and land without finding anything +half so expressive or half so lovely. The wreath of brilliants which +mixed with her dark-brown hair did not match in lustre the hazel eye +which a light-brown eyebrow, pencilled with exquisite delicacy, and long +eyelashes of the same colour, relieved and shaded. The exercise she had +just taken, her excited expectation and gratified vanity, spread a glow +over her fine features, which had been sometimes censured (as beauty +as well as art has her minute critics) for being rather too pale. The +milk-white pearls of the necklace which she wore, the same which she had +just received as a true-love token from her husband, were excelled in +purity by her teeth, and by the colour of her skin, saving where the +blush of pleasure and self-satisfaction had somewhat stained the neck +with a shade of light crimson.--"Now, have done with these busy fingers, +Janet," she said to her handmaiden, who was still officiously employed +in bringing her hair and her dress into order--"have done, I say. I must +see your father ere my lord arrives, and also Master Richard Varney, +whom my lord has highly in his esteem--but I could tell that of him +would lose him favour." + +"Oh, do not do so, good my lady!" replied Janet; "leave him to God, who +punishes the wicked in His own time; but do not you cross Varney's path, +for so thoroughly hath he my lord's ear, that few have thriven who have +thwarted his courses." + +"And from whom had you this, my most righteous Janet?" said the +Countess; "or why should I keep terms with so mean a gentleman as +Varney, being as I am, wife to his master and patron?" + +"Nay, madam," replied Janet Foster, "your ladyship knows better than I; +but I have heard my father say he would rather cross a hungry wolf than +thwart Richard Varney in his projects. And he has often charged me to +have a care of holding commerce with him." + +"Thy father said well, girl, for thee," replied the lady, "and I dare +swear meant well. It is a pity, though, his face and manner do little +match his true purpose--for I think his purpose may be true." + +"Doubt it not, my lady," answered Janet--"doubt not that my father +purposes well, though he is a plain man, and his blunt looks may belie +his heart." + +"I will not doubt it, girl, were it only for thy sake; and yet he has +one of those faces which men tremble when they look on. I think even thy +mother, Janet--nay, have done with that poking-iron--could hardly look +upon him without quaking." + +"If it were so, madam," answered Janet Foster, "my mother had those who +could keep her in honourable countenance. Why, even you, my lady, both +trembled and blushed when Varney brought the letter from my lord." + +"You are bold, damsel," said the Countess, rising from the cushions on +which she sat half reclined in the arms of her attendant. "Know that +there are causes of trembling which have nothing to do with fear.--But, +Janet," she added, immediately relapsing into the good-natured and +familiar tone which was natural to her, "believe me, I will do what +credit I can to your father, and the rather that you, sweetheart, are +his child. Alas! alas!" she added, a sudden sadness passing over her +fine features, and her eyes filling with tears, "I ought the rather to +hold sympathy with thy kind heart, that my own poor father is uncertain +of my fate, and they say lies sick and sorrowful for my worthless sake! +But I will soon cheer him--the news of my happiness and advancement will +make him young again. And that I may cheer him the sooner"--she wiped +her eyes as she spoke--"I must be cheerful myself. My lord must not find +me insensible to his kindness, or sorrowful, when he snatches a visit to +his recluse, after so long an absence. Be merry, Janet; the night wears +on, and my lord must soon arrive. Call thy father hither, and call +Varney also. I cherish resentment against neither; and though I may have +some room to be displeased with both, it shall be their own fault if +ever a complaint against them reaches the Earl through my means. Call +them hither, Janet." + +Janet Foster obeyed her mistress; and in a few minutes after, Varney +entered the withdrawing-room with the graceful ease and unclouded +front of an accomplished courtier, skilled, under the veil of external +politeness, to disguise his own feelings and to penetrate those of +others. Anthony Foster plodded into the apartment after him, his natural +gloomy vulgarity of aspect seeming to become yet more remarkable, from +his clumsy attempt to conceal the mixture of anxiety and dislike with +which he looked on her, over whom he had hitherto exercised so severe a +control, now so splendidly attired, and decked with so many pledges +of the interest which she possessed in her husband's affections. The +blundering reverence which he made, rather AT than TO the Countess, had +confession in it. It was like the reverence which the criminal makes to +the judge, when he at once owns his guilt and implores mercy--which +is at the same time an impudent and embarrassed attempt at defence or +extenuation, a confession of a fault, and an entreaty for lenity. + +Varney, who, in right of his gentle blood, had pressed into the room +before Anthony Foster, knew better what to say than he, and said it with +more assurance and a better grace. + +The Countess greeted him indeed with an appearance of cordiality, which +seemed a complete amnesty for whatever she might have to complain of. +She rose from her seat, and advanced two steps towards him, holding +forth her hand as she said, "Master Richard Varney, you brought me +this morning such welcome tidings, that I fear surprise and joy made me +neglect my lord and husband's charge to receive you with distinction. We +offer you our hand, sir, in reconciliation." + +"I am unworthy to touch it," said Varney, dropping on one knee, "save as +a subject honours that of a prince." + +He touched with his lips those fair and slender fingers, so richly +loaded with rings and jewels; then rising, with graceful gallantry, was +about to hand her to the chair of state, when she said, "No, good Master +Richard Varney, I take not my place there until my lord himself conducts +me. I am for the present but a disguised Countess, and will not take +dignity on me until authorized by him whom I derive it from." + +"I trust, my lady," said Foster, "that in doing the commands of my lord +your husband, in your restraint and so forth, I have not incurred your +displeasure, seeing that I did but my duty towards your lord and mine; +for Heaven, as holy writ saith, hath given the husband supremacy and +dominion over the wife--I think it runs so, or something like it." + +"I receive at this moment so pleasant a surprise, Master Foster," +answered the Countess, "that I cannot but excuse the rigid fidelity +which secluded me from these apartments, until they had assumed an +appearance so new and so splendid." + +"Ay lady," said Foster, "it hath cost many a fair crown; and that more +need not be wasted than is absolutely necessary, I leave you till my +lord's arrival with good Master Richard Varney, who, as I think, hath +somewhat to say to you from your most noble lord and husband.--Janet, +follow me, to see that all be in order." + +"No, Master Foster," said the Countess, "we will your daughter remains +here in our apartment--out of ear-shot, however, in case Varney bath +ought to say to me from my lord." + +Foster made his clumsy reverence, and departed, with an aspect which +seemed to grudge the profuse expense which had been wasted upon changing +his house from a bare and ruinous grange to an Asiastic palace. When he +was gone, his daughter took her embroidery frame, and went to establish +herself at the bottom of the apartment; while Richard Varney, with a +profoundly humble courtesy, took the lowest stool he could find, and +placing it by the side of the pile of cushions on which the Countess +had now again seated herself, sat with his eyes for a time fixed on the +ground, and in pro-found silence. + +"I thought, Master Varney," said the Countess, when she saw he was not +likely to open the conversation, "that you had something to communicate +from my lord and husband; so at least I understood Master Foster, and +therefore I removed my waiting-maid. If I am mistaken, I will recall +her to my side; for her needle is not so absolutely perfect in tent and +cross-stitch, but that my superintendence is advisable." + +"Lady," said Varney, "Foster was partly mistaken in my purpose. It +was not FROM but OF your noble husband, and my approved and most noble +patron, that I am led, and indeed bound, to speak." + +"The theme is most welcome, sir," said the Countess, "whether it be +of or from my noble husband. But be brief, for I expect his hasty +approach." + +"Briefly then, madam," replied Varney, "and boldly, for my argument +requires both haste and courage--you have this day seen Tressilian?" + +"I have, sir and what of that?" answered the lady somewhat sharply. + +"Nothing that concerns me, lady," Varney replied with humility. "But, +think you, honoured madam, that your lord will hear it with equal +equanimity?" + +"And wherefore should he not? To me alone was Tressilian's visit +embarrassing and painful, for he brought news of my good father's +illness." + +"Of your father's illness, madam!" answered Varney. "It must have been +sudden then--very sudden; for the messenger whom I dispatched, at my +lord's instance, found the good knight on the hunting field, cheering +his beagles with his wonted jovial field-cry. I trust Tressilian has +but forged this news. He hath his reasons, madam, as you well know, for +disquieting your present happiness." + +"You do him injustice, Master Varney," replied the Countess, with +animation--"you do him much injustice. He is the freest, the most open, +the most gentle heart that breathes. My honourable lord ever excepted, I +know not one to whom falsehood is more odious than to Tressilian." + +"I crave your pardon, madam," said Varney, "I meant the gentleman no +injustice--I knew not how nearly his cause affected you. A man may, in +some circumstances, disguise the truth for fair and honest purpose; for +were it to be always spoken, and upon all occasions, this were no world +to live in." + +"You have a courtly conscience, Master Varney," said the Countess, "and +your veracity will not, I think, interrupt your preferment in the world, +such as it is. But touching Tressilian--I must do him justice, for +I have done him wrong, as none knows better than thou. Tressilian's +conscience is of other mould--the world thou speakest of has not that +which could bribe him from the way of truth and honour; and for living +in it with a soiled fame, the ermine would as soon seek to lodge in the +den of the foul polecat. For this my father loved him; for this I would +have loved him--if I could. And yet in this case he had what seemed +to him, unknowing alike of my marriage and to whom I was united, such +powerful reasons to withdraw me from this place, that I well trust he +exaggerated much of my father's indisposition, and that thy better news +may be the truer." + +"Believe me they are, madam," answered Varney. "I pretend not to be a +champion of that same naked virtue called truth, to the very outrance. +I can consent that her charms be hidden with a veil, were it but for +decency's sake. But you must think lower of my head and heart than is +due to one whom my noble lord deigns to call his friend, if you suppose +I could wilfully and unnecessarily palm upon your ladyship a falsehood, +so soon to be detected, in a matter which concerns your happiness." + +"Master Varney," said the Countess, "I know that my lord esteems you, +and holds you a faithful and a good pilot in those seas in which he has +spread so high and so venturous a sail. Do not suppose, therefore, I +meant hardly by you, when I spoke the truth in Tressilian's vindication. +I am as you well know, country-bred, and like plain rustic truth better +than courtly compliment; but I must change my fashions with my sphere, I +presume." + +"True, madam," said Varney, smiling; "and though you speak now in +jest, it will not be amiss that in earnest your present speech had some +connection with your real purpose. A court-dame--take the most noble, +the most virtuous, the most unimpeachable that stands around our Queen's +throne--would, for example, have shunned to speak the truth, or what she +thought such, in praise of a discarded suitor, before the dependant and +confidant of her noble husband." + +"And wherefore," said the Countess, colouring impatiently, "should I not +do justice to Tressilian's worth, before my husband's friend--before my +husband himself--before the whole world?" + +"And with the same openness," said Varney, "your ladyship will this +night tell my noble lord your husband that Tressilian has discovered +your place of residence, so anxiously concealed from the world, and that +he has had an interview with you?" + +"Unquestionably," said the Countess. "It will be the first thing I tell +him, together with every word that Tressilian said and that I answered. +I shall speak my own shame in this, for Tressilian's reproaches, less +just than he esteemed them, were not altogether unmerited. I will speak, +therefore, with pain, but I will speak, and speak all." + +"Your ladyship will do your pleasure," answered Varney; "but methinks +it were as well, since nothing calls for so frank a disclosure, to +spare yourself this pain, and my noble lord the disquiet, and Master +Tressilian, since belike he must be thought of in the matter, the danger +which is like to ensue." + +"I can see nought of all these terrible consequences," said the lady +composedly, "unless by imputing to my noble lord unworthy thoughts, +which I am sure never harboured in his generous heart." + +"Far be it from me to do so," said Varney. And then, after a moment's +silence, he added, with a real or affected plainness of manner, very +different from his usual smooth courtesy, "Come, madam, I will show you +that a courtier dare speak truth as well as another, when it concerns +the weal of those whom he honours and regards, ay, and although it may +infer his own danger." He waited as if to receive commands, or at least +permission, to go on; but as the lady remained silent, he proceeded, +but obviously with caution. "Look around you," he said, "noble lady, and +observe the barriers with which this place is surrounded, the studious +mystery with which the brightest jewel that England possesses is +secluded from the admiring gaze. See with what rigour your walks are +circumscribed, and your movement restrained at the beck of yonder +churlish Foster. Consider all this, and judge for yourself what can be +the cause. + +"My lord's pleasure," answered the Countess; "and I am bound to seek no +other motive." + +"His pleasure it is indeed," said Varney; "and his pleasure arises out +of a love worthy of the object which inspires it. But he who possesses a +treasure, and who values it, is oft anxious, in proportion to the value +he puts upon it, to secure it from the depredations of others." + +"What needs all this talk, Master Varney?" said the lady, in reply. "You +would have me believe that my noble lord is jealous. Suppose it true, I +know a cure for jealousy." + +"Indeed, madam?" said Varney. + +"It is," replied the lady, "to speak the truth to my lord at all +times--to hold up my mind and my thoughts before him as pure as that +polished mirror--so that when he looks into my heart, he shall only see +his own features reflected there." + +"I am mute, madam," answered Varney; "and as I have no reason to grieve +for Tressilian, who would have my heart's blood were he able, I shall +reconcile myself easily to what may befall the gentleman in consequence +of your frank disclosure of his having presumed to intrude upon your +solitude. You, who know my lord so much better than I, will judge if he +be likely to bear the insult unavenged." + +"Nay, if I could think myself the cause of Tressilian's ruin," said the +Countess, "I who have already occasioned him so much distress, I might +be brought to be silent. And yet what will it avail, since he was seen +by Foster, and I think by some one else? No, no, Varney, urge it no +more. I will tell the whole matter to my lord; and with such pleading +for Tressilian's folly, as shall dispose my lord's generous heart rather +to serve than to punish him." + +"Your judgment, madam," said Varney, "is far superior to mine, +especially as you may, if you will, prove the ice before you step on it, +by mentioning Tressilian's name to my lord, and observing how he endures +it. For Foster and his attendant, they know not Tressilian by sight, and +I can easily give them some reasonable excuse for the appearance of an +unknown stranger." + +The lady paused for an instant, and then replied, "If, Varney, it +be indeed true that Foster knows not as yet that the man he saw was +Tressilian, I own I were unwilling he should learn what nowise concerns +him. He bears himself already with austerity enough, and I wish him not +to be judge or privy-councillor in my affairs." + +"Tush," said Varney, "what has the surly groom to do with your +ladyship's concerns?--no more, surely, than the ban-dog which watches +his courtyard. If he is in aught distasteful to your ladyship, I have +interest enough to have him exchanged for a seneschal that shall be more +agreeable to you." + +"Master Varney," said the Countess, "let us drop this theme. When I +complain of the attendants whom my lord has placed around me, it must be +to my lord himself.--Hark! I hear the trampling of horse. He comes! he +comes!" she exclaimed, jumping up in ecstasy. + +"I cannot think it is he," said Varney; "or that you can hear the tread +of his horse through the closely-mantled casements." + +"Stop me not, Varney--my ears are keener than thine. It is he!" + +"But, madam!--but, madam!" exclaimed Varney anxiously, and still placing +himself in her way, "I trust that what I have spoken in humble duty and +service will not be turned to my ruin? I hope that my faithful advice +will not be bewrayed to my prejudice? I implore that--" + +"Content thee, man--content thee!" said the Countess, "and quit my +skirt--you are too bold to detain me. Content thyself, I think not of +thee." + +At this moment the folding-doors flew wide open, and a man of majestic +mien, muffled in the folds of a long dark riding-cloak, entered the +apartment. + + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + + "This is he + Who rides on the court-gale; controls its tides; + Knows all their secret shoals and fatal eddies; + Whose frown abases, and whose smile exalts. + He shines like any rainbow--and, perchance, + His colours are as transient."--OLD PLAY. + +There was some little displeasure and confusion on the Countess's brow, +owing to her struggle with Varney's pertinacity; but it was exchanged +for an expression of the purest joy and affection, as she threw herself +into the arms of the noble stranger who entered, and clasping him to her +bosom, exclaimed, "At length--at length thou art come!" + +Varney discreetly withdrew as his lord entered, and Janet was about to +do the same, when her mistress signed to her to remain. She took her +place at the farther end of the apartment, and continued standing, as if +ready for attendance. + +Meanwhile the Earl, for he was of no inferior rank, returned his lady's +caress with the most affectionate ardour, but affected to resist when +she strove to take his cloak from him. + +"Nay," she said, "but I will unmantle you. I must see if you have kept +your word to me, and come as the great Earl men call thee, and not as +heretofore like a private cavalier." + +"Thou art like the rest of the world, Amy," said the Earl, suffering her +to prevail in the playful contest; "the jewels, and feathers, and silk +are more to them than the man whom they adorn--many a poor blade looks +gay in a velvet scabbard." + +"But so cannot men say of thee, thou noble Earl," said his lady, as the +cloak dropped on the floor, and showed him dressed as princes when they +ride abroad; "thou art the good and well-tried steel, whose inly worth +deserves, yet disdains, its outward ornaments. Do not think Amy can love +thee better in this glorious garb than she did when she gave her heart +to him who wore the russet-brown cloak in the woods of Devon." + +"And thou too," said the Earl, as gracefully and majestically he led +his beautiful Countess towards the chair of state which was prepared +for them both--"thou too, my love, hast donned a dress which becomes +thy rank, though it cannot improve thy beauty. What think'st thou of our +court taste?" + +The lady cast a sidelong glance upon the great mirror as they passed +it by, and then said, "I know not how it is, but I think not of my own +person while I look at the reflection of thine. Sit thou there," she +said, as they approached the chair of state, "like a thing for men to +worship and to wonder at." + +"Ay, love," said the Earl, "if thou wilt share my state with me." + +"Not so," said the Countess; "I will sit on this footstool at thy feet, +that I may spell over thy splendour, and learn, for the first time, how +princes are attired." + +And with a childish wonder, which her youth and rustic education +rendered not only excusable but becoming, mixed as it was with a +delicate show of the most tender conjugal affection, she examined and +admired from head to foot the noble form and princely attire of him who +formed the proudest ornament of the court of England's Maiden Queen, +renowned as it was for splendid courtiers, as well as for wise +counsellors. Regarding affectionately his lovely bride, and gratified by +her unrepressed admiration, the dark eye and noble features of the Earl +expressed passions more gentle than the commanding and aspiring +look which usually sat upon his broad forehead, and in the piercing +brilliancy of his dark eye; and he smiled at the simplicity which +dictated the questions she put to him concerning the various ornaments +with which he was decorated. + +"The embroidered strap, as thou callest it, around my knee," he said, +"is the English Garter, an ornament which kings are proud to wear. See, +here is the star which belongs to it, and here the Diamond George, the +jewel of the order. You have heard how King Edward and the Countess of +Salisbury--" + +"Oh, I know all that tale," said the Countess, slightly blushing, "and +how a lady's garter became the proudest badge of English chivalry." + +"Even so," said the Earl; "and this most honourable Order I had the good +hap to receive at the same time with three most noble associates, the +Duke of Norfolk, the Marquis of Northampton, and the Earl of Rutland. +I was the lowest of the four in rank--but what then? he that climbs a +ladder must begin at the first round." + +"But this other fair collar, so richly wrought, with some jewel like a +sheep hung by the middle attached to it, what," said the young Countess, +"does that emblem signify?" + +"This collar," said the Earl, "with its double fusilles interchanged +with these knobs, which are supposed to present flint-stones sparkling +with fire, and sustaining the jewel you inquire about, is the badge of +the noble Order of the Golden Fleece, once appertaining to the House +of Burgundy it hath high privileges, my Amy, belonging to it, this most +noble Order; for even the King of Spain himself, who hath now succeeded +to the honours and demesnes of Burgundy, may not sit in judgment upon +a knight of the Golden Fleece, unless by assistance and consent of the +Great Chapter of the Order." + +"And is this an Order belonging to the cruel King of Spain?" said the +Countess. "Alas! my noble lord, that you will defile your noble English +breast by bearing such an emblem! Bethink you of the most unhappy Queen +Mary's days, when this same Philip held sway with her in England, and of +the piles which were built for our noblest, and our wisest, and our most +truly sanctified prelates and divines--and will you, whom men call the +standard-bearer of the true Protestant faith, be contented to wear the +emblem and mark of such a Romish tyrant as he of Spain?" + +"Oh, content you, my love," answered the Earl; "we who spread our sails +to gales of court favour cannot always display the ensigns we love the +best, or at all times refuse sailing under colours which we like not. +Believe me, I am not the less good Protestant, that for policy I must +accept the honour offered me by Spain, in admitting me to this his +highest order of knighthood. Besides, it belongs properly to Flanders; +and Egmont, Orange, and others have pride in seeing it displayed on an +English bosom." + +"Nay, my lord, you know your own path best," replied the Countess. "And +this other collar, to what country does this fair jewel belong?" + +"To a very poor one, my love," replied the Earl; "this is the Order of +Saint Andrew, revived by the last James of Scotland. It was bestowed +on me when it was thought the young widow of France and Scotland would +gladly have wedded an English baron; but a free coronet of England is +worth a crown matrimonial held at the humour of a woman, and owning only +the poor rocks and bogs of the north." + +The Countess paused, as if what the Earl last said had excited some +painful but interesting train of thought; and, as she still remained +silent, her husband proceeded:-- + +"And now, loveliest, your wish is gratified, and you have seen your +vassal in such of his trim array as accords with riding vestments; for +robes of state and coronets are only for princely halls." + +"Well, then," said the Countess, "my gratified wish has, as usual, given +rise to a new one." + +"And what is it thou canst ask that I can deny?" said the fond husband. + +"I wished to see my Earl visit this obscure and secret bower," said the +Countess, "in all his princely array; and now, methinks I long to sit in +one of his princely halls, and see him enter dressed in sober russet, as +when he won poor Amy Robsart's heart." + +"That is a wish easily granted," said the Earl--"the sober russet shall +be donned to-morrow, if you will." + +"But shall I," said the lady, "go with you to one of your castles, to +see how the richness of your dwelling will correspond with your peasant +habit?" + +"Why, Amy," said the Earl, looking around, "are not these apartments +decorated with sufficient splendour? I gave the most unbounded order, +and, methinks, it has been indifferently well obeyed; but if thou +canst tell me aught which remains to be done, I will instantly give +direction." + +"Nay, my lord, now you mock me," replied the Countess; "the gaiety of +this rich lodging exceeds my imagination as much as it does my desert. +But shall not your wife, my love--at least one day soon--be surrounded +with the honour which arises neither from the toils of the mechanic +who decks her apartment, nor from the silks and jewels with which your +generosity adorns her, but which is attached to her place among the +matronage, as the avowed wife of England's noblest Earl?" + +"One day?" said her husband. "Yes, Amy, my love, one day this shall +surely happen; and, believe me, thou canst not wish for that day more +fondly than I. With what rapture could I retire from labours of state, +and cares and toils of ambition, to spend my life in dignity and honour +on my own broad domains, with thee, my lovely Amy, for my friend and +companion! But, Amy, this cannot yet be; and these dear but stolen +interviews are all I can give to the loveliest and the best beloved of +her sex." + +"But WHY can it not be?" urged the Countess, in the softest tones of +persuasion--"why can it not immediately take place--this more perfect, +this uninterrupted union, for which you say you wish, and which the laws +of God and man alike command? Ah! did you but desire it half as much +as you say, mighty and favoured as you are, who or what should bar your +attaining your wish?" + +The Earl's brow was overcast. + +"Amy," he said, "you speak of what you understand not. We that toil in +courts are like those who climb a mountain of loose sand--we dare make +no halt until some projecting rock affords us a secure footing and +resting-place. If we pause sooner, we slide down by our own weight, +an object of universal derision. I stand high, but I stand not secure +enough to follow my own inclination. To declare my marriage were to be +the artificer of my own ruin. But, believe me, I will reach a point, and +that speedily, when I can do justice to thee and to myself. Meantime, +poison not the bliss of the present moment, by desiring that which +cannot at present be, Let me rather know whether all here is managed +to thy liking. How does Foster bear himself to you?--in all things +respectful, I trust, else the fellow shall dearly rue it." + +"He reminds me sometimes of the necessity of this privacy," answered +the lady, with a sigh; "but that is reminding me of your wishes, and +therefore I am rather bound to him than disposed to blame him for it." + +"I have told you the stern necessity which is upon us," replied the +Earl. "Foster is, I note, somewhat sullen of mood; but Varney warrants +to me his fidelity and devotion to my service. If thou hast aught, +however, to complain of the mode in which he discharges his duty, he +shall abye it." + +"Oh, I have nought to complain of," answered the lady, "so he discharges +his task with fidelity to you; and his daughter Janet is the kindest and +best companion of my solitude--her little air of precision sits so well +upon her!" + +"Is she indeed?" said the Earl. "She who gives you pleasure must not +pass unrewarded.--Come hither, damsel." + +"Janet," said the lady, "come hither to my lord." + +Janet, who, as we already noticed, had discreetly retired to some +distance, that her presence might be no check upon the private +conversation of her lord and lady, now came forward; and as she made +her reverential curtsy, the Earl could not help smiling at the contrast +which the extreme simplicity of her dress, and the prim demureness of +her looks, made with a very pretty countenance and a pair of black eyes, +that laughed in spite of their mistress's desire to look grave. + +"I am bound to you, pretty damsel," said the Earl, "for the contentment +which your service hath given to this lady." As he said this, he took +from his finger a ring of some price, and offered it to Janet Foster, +adding, "Wear this, for her sake and for mine." + +"I am well pleased, my lord," answered Janet demurely, "that my poor +service hath gratified my lady, whom no one can draw nigh to without +desiring to please; but we of the precious Master Holdforth's +congregation seek not, like the gay daughters of this world, to twine +gold around our fingers, or wear stones upon our necks, like the vain +women of Tyre and of Sidon." + +"Oh, what! you are a grave professor of the precise sisterhood, pretty +Mistress Janet," said the Earl, "and I think your father is of the same +congregation in sincerity? I like you both the better for it; for I have +been prayed for, and wished well to, in your congregations. And you may +the better afford the lack of ornament, Mistress Janet, because your +fingers are slender, and your neck white. But here is what neither +Papist nor Puritan, latitudinarian nor precisian, ever boggles or makes +mouths at. E'en take it, my girl, and employ it as you list." + +So saying, he put into her hand five broad gold pieces of Philip and +Mary. + +"I would not accept this gold either," said Janet, "but that I hope to +find a use for it which will bring a blessing on us all." + +"Even please thyself, pretty Janet," said the Earl, "and I shall be well +satisfied. And I prithee let them hasten the evening collation." + +"I have bidden Master Varney and Master Foster to sup with us, my lord," +said the Countess, as Janet retired to obey the Earl's commands; "has it +your approbation?" + +"What you do ever must have so, my sweet Amy," replied her husband; "and +I am the better pleased thou hast done them this grace, because Richard +Varney is my sworn man, and a close brother of my secret council; and +for the present, I must needs repose much trust in this Anthony Foster." + +"I had a boon to beg of thee, and a secret to tell thee, my dear lord," +said the Countess, with a faltering accent. + +"Let both be for to-morrow, my love," replied the Earl. "I see they open +the folding-doors into the banqueting-parlour, and as I have ridden far +and fast, a cup of wine will not be unacceptable." + +So saying he led his lovely wife into the next apartment, where Varney +and Foster received them with the deepest reverences, which the first +paid after the fashion of the court, and the second after that of the +congregation. The Earl returned their salutation with the negligent +courtesy of one long used to such homage; while the Countess repaid it +with a punctilious solicitude, which showed it was not quite so familiar +to her. + +The banquet at which the company seated themselves corresponded in +magnificence with the splendour of the apartment in which it was served +up, but no domestic gave his attendance. Janet alone stood ready to wait +upon the company; and, indeed, the board was so well supplied with all +that could be desired, that little or no assistance was necessary. The +Earl and his lady occupied the upper end of the table, and Varney and +Foster sat beneath the salt, as was the custom with inferiors. The +latter, overawed perhaps by society to which he was altogether unused, +did not utter a single syllable during the repast; while Varney, with +great tact and discernment, sustained just so much of the conversation +as, without the appearance of intrusion on his part, prevented it from +languishing, and maintained the good-humour of the Earl at the highest +pitch. This man was indeed highly qualified by nature to discharge the +part in which he found himself placed, being discreet and cautious on +the one hand, and, on the other, quick, keen-witted, and imaginative; +so that even the Countess, prejudiced as she was against him on many +accounts, felt and enjoyed his powers of conversation, and was more +disposed than she had ever hitherto found herself to join in the praises +which the Earl lavished on his favourite. The hour of rest at length +arrived, the Earl and Countess retired to their apartment, and all was +silent in the castle for the rest of the night. + +Early on the ensuing morning, Varney acted as the Earl's chamberlain as +well as his master of horse, though the latter was his proper office in +that magnificent household, where knights and gentlemen of good descent +were well contented to hold such menial situations, as nobles themselves +held in that of the sovereign. The duties of each of these charges were +familiar to Varney, who, sprung from an ancient but somewhat decayed +family, was the Earl's page during his earlier and more obscure +fortunes, and, faithful to him in adversity, had afterwards contrived to +render himself no less useful to him in his rapid and splendid advance +to fortune; thus establishing in him an interest resting both on present +and past services, which rendered him an almost indispensable sharer of +his confidence. + +"Help me to do on a plainer riding-suit, Varney," said the Earl, as he +laid aside his morning-gown, flowered with silk and lined with sables, +"and put these chains and fetters there" (pointing to the collars of the +various Orders which lay on the table) "into their place of security--my +neck last night was well-nigh broke with the weight of them. I am half +of the mind that they shall gall me no more. They are bonds which knaves +have invented to fetter fools. How thinkest thou, Varney?" + +"Faith, my good lord," said his attendant, "I think fetters of gold are +like no other fetters--they are ever the weightier the welcomer." + +"For all that, Varney," replied his master, "I am well-nigh resolved +they shall bind me to the court no longer. What can further service and +higher favour give me, beyond the high rank and large estate which I +have already secured? What brought my father to the block, but that he +could not bound his wishes within right and reason? I have, you know, +had mine own ventures and mine own escapes. I am well-nigh resolved to +tempt the sea no further, but sit me down in quiet on the shore." + +"And gather cockle-shells, with Dan Cupid to aid you," said Varney. + +"How mean you by that, Varney?" said the Earl somewhat hastily. + +"Nay, my lord," said Varney, "be not angry with me. If your lordship +is happy in a lady so rarely lovely that, in order to enjoy her company +with somewhat more freedom, you are willing to part with all you have +hitherto lived for, some of your poor servants may be sufferers; but +your bounty hath placed me so high, that I shall ever have enough to +maintain a poor gentleman in the rank befitting the high office he has +held in your lordship's family." + +"Yet you seem discontented when I propose throwing up a dangerous game, +which may end in the ruin of both of us." + +"I, my lord?" said Varney; "surely I have no cause to regret your +lordship's retreat! It will not be Richard Varney who will incur +the displeasure of majesty, and the ridicule of the court, when the +stateliest fabric that ever was founded upon a prince's favour melts +away like a morning frost-work. I would only have you yourself to be +assured, my lord, ere you take a step which cannot be retracted, that +you consult your fame and happiness in the course you propose." + +"Speak on, then, Varney," said the Earl; "I tell thee I have determined +nothing, and will weigh all considerations on either side." + +"Well, then, my lord," replied Varney, "we will suppose the step taken, +the frown frowned, the laugh laughed, and the moan moaned. You have +retired, we will say, to some one of your most distant castles, so far +from court that you hear neither the sorrow of your friends nor the glee +of your enemies, We will suppose, too, that your successful rival will +be satisfied (a thing greatly to be doubted) with abridging and cutting +away the branches of the great tree which so long kept the sun from him, +and that he does not insist upon tearing you up by the roots. Well; the +late prime favourite of England, who wielded her general's staff and +controlled her parliaments, is now a rural baron, hunting, hawking, +drinking fat ale with country esquires, and mustering his men at the +command of the high sheriff--" + +"Varney, forbear!" said the Earl. + +"Nay, my lord, you must give me leave to conclude my picture.--Sussex +governs England--the Queen's health fails--the succession is to be +settled--a road is opened to ambition more splendid than ambition ever +dreamed of. You hear all this as you sit by the hob, under the shade of +your hall-chimney. You then begin to think what hopes you have fallen +from, and what insignificance you have embraced; and all that you +might look babies in the eyes of your fair wife oftener than once a +fortnight." + +"I say, Varney," said the Earl, "no more of this. I said not that the +step, which my own ease and comfort would urge me to, was to be taken +hastily, or without due consideration to the public safety. Bear witness +to me, Varney; I subdue my wishes of retirement, not because I am moved +by the call of private ambition, but that I may preserve the position in +which I may best serve my country at the hour of need.--Order our horses +presently; I will wear, as formerly, one of the livery cloaks, and ride +before the portmantle. Thou shalt be master for the day, Varney--neglect +nothing that can blind suspicion. We will to horse ere men are stirring. +I will but take leave of my lady, and be ready. I impose a restraint on +my own poor heart, and wound one yet more dear to me; but the patriot +must subdue the husband." + +Having said this in a melancholy but firm accent, he left the dressing +apartment. + +"I am glad thou art gone," thought Varney, "or, practised as I am in the +follies of mankind, I had laughed in the very face of thee! Thou mayest +tire as thou wilt of thy new bauble, thy pretty piece of painted Eve's +flesh there, I will not be thy hindrance. But of thine old bauble, +ambition, thou shalt not tire; for as you climb the hill, my lord, you +must drag Richard Varney up with you, and if he can urge you to the +ascent he means to profit by, believe me he will spare neither whip nor +spur, and for you, my pretty lady, that would be Countess outright, you +were best not thwart my courses, lest you are called to an old reckoning +on a new score. 'Thou shalt be master,' did he say? By my faith, he may +find that he spoke truer than he is aware of; and thus he who, in +the estimation of so many wise-judging men, can match Burleigh and +Walsingham in policy, and Sussex in war, becomes pupil to his own +menial--and all for a hazel eye and a little cunning red and white, and +so falls ambition. And yet if the charms of mortal woman could excuse +a man's politic pate for becoming bewildered, my lord had the excuse +at his right hand on this blessed evening that has last passed over us. +Well--let things roll as they may, he shall make me great, or I will +make myself happy; and for that softer piece of creation, if she speak +not out her interview with Tressilian, as well I think she dare not, she +also must traffic with me for concealment and mutual support, in spite +of all this scorn. I must to the stables. Well, my lord, I order your +retinue now; the time may soon come that my master of the horse shall +order mine own. What was Thomas Cromwell but a smith's son? and he died +my lord--on a scaffold, doubtless, but that, too, was in character. +And what was Ralph Sadler but the clerk of Cromwell? and he has gazed +eighteen fair lordships--VIA! I know my steerage as well as they." + +So saying, he left the apartment. + +In the meanwhile the Earl had re-entered the bedchamber, bent on taking +a hasty farewell of the lovely Countess, and scarce daring to trust +himself in private with her, to hear requests again urged which he found +it difficult to parry, yet which his recent conversation with his master +of horse had determined him not to grant. + +He found her in a white cymar of silk lined with furs, her little +feet unstockinged and hastily thrust into slippers; her unbraided hair +escaping from under her midnight coif, with little array but her own +loveliness, rather augmented than diminished by the grief which she felt +at the approaching moment of separation. + +"Now, God be with thee, my dearest and loveliest!" said the Earl, scarce +tearing himself from her embrace, yet again returning to fold her again +and again in his arms, and again bidding farewell, and again returning +to kiss and bid adieu once more. "The sun is on the verge of the blue +horizon--I dare not stay. Ere this I should have been ten miles from +hence." + +Such were the words with which at length he strove to cut short their +parting interview. "You will not grant my request, then?" said the +Countess. "Ah, false knight! did ever lady, with bare foot in slipper, +seek boon of a brave knight, yet return with denial?" + +"Anything, Amy, anything thou canst ask I will grant," answered the +Earl--"always excepting," he said, "that which might ruin us both." + +"Nay," said the Countess, "I urge not my wish to be acknowledged in the +character which would make me the envy of England--as the wife, that +is, of my brave and noble lord, the first as the most fondly beloved of +English nobles. Let me but share the secret with my dear father! Let me +but end his misery on my unworthy account--they say he is ill, the good +old kind-hearted man!" + +"They say?" asked the Earl hastily; "who says? Did not Varney convey to +Sir Hugh all we dare at present tell him concerning your happiness and +welfare? and has he not told you that the good old knight was following, +with good heart and health, his favourite and wonted exercise. Who has +dared put other thoughts into your head?" + +"Oh, no one, my lord, no one," said the Countess, something alarmed at +the tone, in which the question was put; "but yet, my lord, I would fain +be assured by mine own eyesight that my father is well." + +"Be contented, Amy; thou canst not now have communication with thy +father or his house. Were it not a deep course of policy to commit no +secret unnecessarily to the custody of more than must needs be, it were +sufficient reason for secrecy that yonder Cornish man, yonder Trevanion, +or Tressilian, or whatever his name is, haunts the old knight's house, +and must necessarily know whatever is communicated there." + +"My lord," answered the Countess, "I do not think it so. My father has +been long noted a worthy and honourable man; and for Tressilian, if +we can pardon ourselves the ill we have wrought him, I will wager the +coronet I am to share with you one day that he is incapable of returning +injury for injury." + +"I will not trust him, however, Amy," said her husband--"by my honour, +I will not trust him, I would rather the foul fiend intermingle in our +secret than this Tressilian!" + +"And why, my lord?" said the Countess, though she shuddered slightly at +the tone of determination in which he spoke; "let me but know why you +think thus hardly of Tressilian?" + +"Madam," replied the Earl, "my will ought to be a sufficient reason. If +you desire more, consider how this Tressilian is leagued, and with whom. +He stands high in the opinion of this Radcliffe, this Sussex, against +whom I am barely able to maintain my ground in the opinion of our +suspicious mistress; and if he had me at such advantage, Amy, as to +become acquainted with the tale of our marriage, before Elizabeth were +fitly prepared, I were an outcast from her grace for ever--a bankrupt at +once in favour and in fortune, perhaps, for she hath in her a touch of +her father Henry--a victim, and it may be a bloody one, to her offended +and jealous resentment." + +"But why, my lord," again urged his lady, "should you deem thus +injuriously of a man of whom you know so little? What you do know +of Tressilian is through me, and it is I who assure you that in no +circumstances will he betray your secret. If I did him wrong in your +behalf, my lord, I am now the more concerned you should do him justice. +You are offended at my speaking of him, what would you say had I +actually myself seen him?" + +"If you had," replied the Earl, "you would do well to keep that +interview as secret as that which is spoken in a confessional. I seek no +one's ruin; but he who thrusts himself on my secret privacy were better +look well to his future walk. The bear [The Leicester cognizance was the +ancient device adopted by his father, when Earl of Warwick, the bear and +ragged staff.] brooks no one to cross his awful path." + +"Awful, indeed!" said the Countess, turning very pale. + +"You are ill, my love," said the Earl, supporting her in his arms. +"Stretch yourself on your couch again; it is but an early day for you to +leave it. Have you aught else, involving less than my fame, my fortune, +and my life, to ask of me?" + +"Nothing, my lord and love," answered the Countess faintly; "something +there was that I would have told you, but your anger has driven it from +my recollection." + +"Reserve it till our next meeting, my love," said the Earl fondly, and +again embracing her; "and barring only those requests which I cannot +and dare not grant, thy wish must be more than England and all its +dependencies can fulfil, if it is not gratified to the letter." + +Thus saying, he at length took farewell. At the bottom of the staircase +he received from Varney an ample livery cloak and slouched hat, in which +he wrapped himself so as to disguise his person and completely conceal +his features. Horses were ready in the courtyard for himself and Varney; +for one or two of his train, intrusted with the secret so far as to know +or guess that the Earl intrigued with a beautiful lady at that mansion, +though her name and duality were unknown to them, had already been +dismissed over-night. + +Anthony Foster himself had in hand the rein of the Earl's palfrey, a +stout and able nag for the road; while his old serving-man held the +bridle of the more showy and gallant steed which Richard Varney was to +occupy in the character of master. + +As the Earl approached, however, Varney advanced to hold his master's +bridle, and to prevent Foster from paying that duty to the Earl which he +probably considered as belonging to his own office. Foster scowled at +an interference which seemed intended to prevent his paying his court +to his patron, but gave place to Varney; and the Earl, mounting without +further observation, and forgetting that his assumed character of a +domestic threw him into the rear of his supposed master, rode pensively +out of the quadrangle, not without waving his hand repeatedly in answer +to the signals which were made by the Countess with her kerchief from +the windows of her apartment. + +While his stately form vanished under the dark archway which led out of +the quadrangle, Varney muttered, "There goes fine policy--the servant +before the master!" then as he disappeared, seized the moment to speak a +word with Foster. "Thou look'st dark on me, Anthony," he said, "as if I +had deprived thee of a parting nod of my lord; but I have moved him to +leave thee a better remembrance for thy faithful service. See here! +a purse of as good gold as ever chinked under a miser's thumb and +fore-finger. Ay, count them, lad," said he, as Foster received the gold +with a grim smile, "and add to them the goodly remembrance he gave last +night to Janet." + +"How's this? how's this?" said Anthony Foster hastily; "gave he gold to +Janet?" + +"Ay, man, wherefore not?--does not her service to his fair lady require +guerdon?" + +"She shall have none on't," said Foster; "she shall return it. I know +his dotage on one face is as brief as it is deep. His affections are as +fickle as the moon." + +"Why, Foster, thou art mad--thou dost not hope for such good fortune +as that my lord should cast an eye on Janet? Who, in the fiend's name, +would listen to the thrush while the nightingale is singing?" + +"Thrush or nightingale, all is one to the fowler; and, Master Varney, +you can sound the quail-pipe most daintily to wile wantons into his +nets. I desire no such devil's preferment for Janet as you have brought +many a poor maiden to. Dost thou laugh? I will keep one limb of my +family, at least, from Satan's clutches, that thou mayest rely on. She +shall restore the gold." + +"Ay, or give it to thy keeping, Tony, which will serve as well," +answered Varney; "but I have that to say which is more serious. Our lord +is returning to court in an evil humour for us." + +"How meanest thou?" said Foster. "Is he tired already of his pretty +toy--his plaything yonder? He has purchased her at a monarch's ransom, +and I warrant me he rues his bargain." + +"Not a whit, Tony," answered the master of the horse; "he dotes on her, +and will forsake the court for her. Then down go hopes, possessions, and +safety--church-lands are resumed, Tony, and well if the holders be not +called to account in Exchequer." + +"That were ruin," said Foster, his brow darkening with apprehensions; +"and all this for a woman! Had it been for his soul's sake, it were +something; and I sometimes wish I myself could fling away the world that +cleaves to me, and be as one of the poorest of our church." + +"Thou art like enough to be so, Tony," answered Varney; "but I think +the devil will give thee little credit for thy compelled poverty, and so +thou losest on all hands. But follow my counsel, and Cumnor Place shall +be thy copyhold yet. Say nothing of this Tressilian's visit--not a word +until I give thee notice." + +"And wherefore, I pray you?" asked Foster, suspiciously. + +"Dull beast!" replied Varney. "In my lord's present humour it were the +ready way to confirm him in his resolution of retirement, should he know +that his lady was haunted with such a spectre in his absence. He would +be for playing the dragon himself over his golden fruit, and then, Tony, +thy occupation is ended. A word to the wise. Farewell! I must follow +him." + +He turned his horse, struck him with the spurs, and rode off under the +archway in pursuit of his lord. + +"Would thy occupation were ended, or thy neck broken, damned pander!" +said Anthony Foster. "But I must follow his beck, for his interest and +mine are the same, and he can wind the proud Earl to his will. Janet +shall give me those pieces though; they shall be laid out in some way +for God's service, and I will keep them separate in my strong chest, +till I can fall upon a fitting employment for them. No contagious vapour +shall breathe on Janet--she shall remain pure as a blessed spirit, were +it but to pray God for her father. I need her prayers, for I am at a +hard pass. Strange reports are abroad concerning my way of life. +The congregation look cold on me, and when Master Holdforth spoke of +hypocrites being like a whited sepulchre, which within was full of +dead men's bones, methought he looked full at me. The Romish was a +comfortable faith; Lambourne spoke true in that. A man had but to +follow his thrift by such ways as offered--tell his beads, hear a mass, +confess, and be absolved. These Puritans tread a harder and a rougher +path; but I will try--I will read my Bible for an hour ere I again open +mine iron chest." + +Varney, meantime, spurred after his lord, whom he found waiting for him +at the postern gate of the park. + +"You waste time, Varney," said the Earl, "and it presses. I must be at +Woodstock before I can safely lay aside my disguise, and till then I +journey in some peril." + +"It is but two hours' brisk riding, my lord," said Varney. "For me, +I only stopped to enforce your commands of care and secrecy on yonder +Foster, and to inquire about the abode of the gentleman whom I would +promote to your lordship's train, in the room of Trevors." + +"Is he fit for the meridian of the antechamber, think'st thou?" said the +Earl. + +"He promises well, my lord," replied Varney; "but if your lordship were +pleased to ride on, I could go back to Cumnor, and bring him to your +lordship at Woodstock before you are out of bed." + +"Why, I am asleep there, thou knowest, at this moment," said the Earl; +"and I pray you not to spare horse-flesh, that you may be with me at my +levee." + +So saying, he gave his horse the spur, and proceeded on his journey, +while Varney rode back to Cumnor by the public road, avoiding the park. +The latter alighted at the door of the bonny Black Bear, and desired to +speak with Master Michael Lambourne, That respectable character was not +long of appearing before his new patron, but it was with downcast looks. + +"Thou hast lost the scent," said Varney, "of thy comrade Tressilian. +I know it by thy hang-dog visage. Is this thy alacrity, thou impudent +knave?" + +"Cogswounds!" said Lambourne, "there was never a trail so finely +hunted. I saw him to earth at mine uncle's here--stuck to him like +bees'-wax--saw him at supper--watched him to his chamber, and, presto! +he is gone next morning, the very hostler knows not where." + +"This sounds like practice upon me, sir," replied Varney; "and if it +proves so, by my soul you shall repent it!" + +"Sir, the best hound will be sometimes at fault," answered Lambourne; +"how should it serve me that this fellow should have thus evanished? +You may ask mine host, Giles Gosling--ask the tapster and hostler--ask +Cicely, and the whole household, how I kept eyes on Tressilian while +he was on foot. On my soul, I could not be expected to watch him like a +sick nurse, when I had seen him fairly a-bed in his chamber. That will +be allowed me, surely." + +Varney did, in fact, make some inquiry among the household, which +confirmed the truth of Lambourne's statement. Tressilian, it was +unanimously agreed, had departed suddenly and unexpectedly, betwixt +night and morning. + +"But I will wrong no one," said mine host; "he left on the table in +his lodging the full value of his reckoning, with some allowance to the +servants of the house, which was the less necessary that he saddled his +own gelding, as it seems, without the hostler's assistance." + +Thus satisfied of the rectitude of Lambourne's conduct, Varney began to +talk to him upon his future prospects, and the mode in which he meant +to bestow himself, intimating that he understood from Foster he was not +disinclined to enter into the household of a nobleman. + +"Have you," said he, "ever been at court?" + +"No," replied Lambourne; "but ever since I was ten years old, I have +dreamt once a week that I was there, and made my fortune." + +"It may be your own fault if your dream comes not true," said Varney. +"Are you needy?" + +"Um!" replied Lambourne; "I love pleasure." + +"That is a sufficient answer, and an honest one," said Varney. "Know +you aught of the requisites expected from the retainer of a rising +courtier?" + +"I have imagined them to myself, sir," answered Lambourne; "as, for +example, a quick eye, a close mouth, a ready and bold hand, a sharp wit, +and a blunt conscience." + +"And thine, I suppose," said Varney, "has had its edge blunted long +since?" + +"I cannot remember, sir, that its edge was ever over-keen," replied +Lambourne. "When I was a youth, I had some few whimsies; but I rubbed +them partly out of my recollection on the rough grindstone of the wars, +and what remained I washed out in the broad waves of the Atlantic." + +"Thou hast served, then, in the Indies?" + +"In both East and West," answered the candidate for court service, "by +both sea and land. I have served both the Portugal and the Spaniard, +both the Dutchman and the Frenchman, and have made war on our own +account with a crew of jolly fellows, who held there was no peace beyond +the Line." [Sir Francis Drake, Morgan, and many a bold buccaneer of +those days, were, in fact, little better than pirates.] + +"Thou mayest do me, and my lord, and thyself, good service," said +Varney, after a pause. "But observe, I know the world--and answer me +truly, canst thou be faithful?" + +"Did you not know the world," answered Lambourne, "it were my duty to +say ay, without further circumstance, and to swear to it with life and +honour, and so forth. But as it seems to me that your worship is one who +desires rather honest truth than politic falsehood, I reply to you, that +I can be faithful to the gallows' foot, ay, to the loop that dangles +from it, if I am well used and well recompensed--not otherwise." + +"To thy other virtues thou canst add, no doubt," said Varney, in a +jeering tone, "the knack of seeming serious and religious, when the +moment demands it?" + +"It would cost me nothing," said Lambourne, "to say yes; but, to speak +on the square, I must needs say no. If you want a hypocrite, you may +take Anthony Foster, who, from his childhood, had some sort of phantom +haunting him, which he called religion, though it was that sort of +godliness which always ended in being great gain. But I have no such +knack of it." + +"Well," replied Varney, "if thou hast no hypocrisy, hast thou not a nag +here in the stable?" + +"Ay, sir," said Lambourne, "that shall take hedge and ditch with my Lord +Duke's best hunters. Then I made a little mistake on Shooter's Hill, +and stopped an ancient grazier whose pouches were better lined than his +brain-pan, the bonny bay nag carried me sheer off in spite of the whole +hue and cry." + +"Saddle him then instantly, and attend me," said Varney. "Leave thy +clothes and baggage under charge of mine host; and I will conduct thee +to a service, in which, if thou do not better thyself, the fault shall +not be fortune's, but thine own." + +"Brave and hearty!" said Lambourne, "and I am mounted in an +instant.--Knave, hostler, saddle my nag without the loss of one second, +as thou dost value the safety of thy noddle.--Pretty Cicely, take half +this purse to comfort thee for my sudden departure." + +"Gogsnouns!" replied the father, "Cicely wants no such token from thee. +Go away, Mike, and gather grace if thou canst, though I think thou goest +not to the land where it grows." + +"Let me look at this Cicely of thine, mine host," said Varney; "I have +heard much talk of her beauty." + +"It is a sunburnt beauty," said mine host, "well qualified to stand out +rain and wind, but little calculated to please such critical gallants as +yourself. She keeps her chamber, and cannot encounter the glance of such +sunny-day courtiers as my noble guest." + +"Well, peace be with her, my good host," answered Varney; "our horses +are impatient--we bid you good day." + +"Does my nephew go with you, so please you?" said Gosling. + +"Ay, such is his purpose," answered Richard Varney. + +"You are right--fully right," replied mine host--"you are, I say, fully +right, my kinsman. Thou hast got a gay horse; see thou light not unaware +upon a halter--or, if thou wilt needs be made immortal by means of +a rope, which thy purpose of following this gentleman renders not +unlikely, I charge thee to find a gallows as far from Cumnor as thou +conveniently mayest. And so I commend you to your saddle." + +The master of the horse and his new retainer mounted accordingly, +leaving the landlord to conclude his ill-omened farewell, to himself +and at leisure; and set off together at a rapid pace, which prevented +conversation until the ascent of a steep sandy hill permitted them to +resume it. + +"You are contented, then," said Varney to his companion, "to take court +service?" + +"Ay, worshipful sir, if you like my terms as well as I like yours." + +"And what are your terms?" demanded Varney. + +"If I am to have a quick eye for my patron's interest, he must have a +dull one towards my faults," said Lambourne. + +"Ay," said Varney, "so they lie not so grossly open that he must needs +break his shins over them." + +"Agreed," said Lambourne. "Next, if I run down game, I must have the +picking of the bones." + +"That is but reason," replied Varney, "so that your betters are served +before you." + +"Good," said Lambourne; "and it only remains to be said, that if the law +and I quarrel, my patron must bear me out, for that is a chief point." + +"Reason again," said Varney, "if the quarrel hath happened in your +master's service." + +"For the wage and so forth, I say nothing," proceeded Lambourne; "it is +the secret guerdon that I must live by." + +"Never fear," said Varney; "thou shalt have clothes and spending money +to ruffle it with the best of thy degree, for thou goest to a household +where you have gold, as they say, by the eye." + +"That jumps all with my humour," replied Michael Lambourne; "and it only +remains that you tell me my master's name." + +"My name is Master Richard Varney," answered his companion. + +"But I mean," said Lambourne, "the name of the noble lord to whose +service you are to prefer me." + +"How, knave, art thou too good to call me master?" said Varney hastily; +"I would have thee bold to others, but not saucy to me." + +"I crave your worship's pardon," said Lambourne, "but you seemed +familiar with Anthony Foster; now I am familiar with Anthony myself." + +"Thou art a shrewd knave, I see," replied Varney. "Mark me--I do indeed +propose to introduce thee into a nobleman's household; but it is upon +my person thou wilt chiefly wait, and upon my countenance that thou wilt +depend. I am his master of horse. Thou wilt soon know his name--it is +one that shakes the council and wields the state." + +"By this light, a brave spell to conjure with," said Lambourne, "if a +man would discover hidden treasures!" + +"Used with discretion, it may prove so," replied Varney; "but mark--if +thou conjure with it at thine own hand, it may raise a devil who will +tear thee in fragments." + +"Enough said," replied Lambourne; "I will not exceed my limits." + +The travellers then resumed the rapid rate of travelling which their +discourse had interrupted, and soon arrived at the Royal Park of +Woodstock. This ancient possession of the crown of England was then very +different from what it had been when it was the residence of the fair +Rosamond, and the scene of Henry the Second's secret and illicit amours; +and yet more unlike to the scene which it exhibits in the present day, +when Blenheim House commemorates the victory of Marlborough, and no less +the genius of Vanbrugh, though decried in his own time by persons of +taste far inferior to his own. It was, in Elizabeth's time, an ancient +mansion in bad repair, which had long ceased to be honoured with the +royal residence, to the great impoverishment of the adjacent village. +The inhabitants, however, had made several petitions to the Queen to +have the favour of the sovereign's countenance occasionally bestowed +upon them; and upon this very business, ostensibly at least, was the +noble lord, whom we have already introduced to our readers, a visitor at +Woodstock. + +Varney and Lambourne galloped without ceremony into the courtyard of the +ancient and dilapidated mansion, which presented on that morning a scene +of bustle which it had not exhibited for two reigns. Officers of the +Earl's household, liverymen and retainers, went and came with all the +insolent fracas which attaches to their profession. The neigh of horses +and the baying of hounds were heard; for my lord, in his occupation of +inspecting and surveying the manor and demesne, was of course provided +with the means of following his pleasure in the chase or park, said to +have been the earliest that was enclosed in England, and which was well +stocked with deer that had long roamed there unmolested. Several of the +inhabitants of the village, in anxious hope of a favourable result from +this unwonted visit, loitered about the courtyard, and awaited the great +man's coming forth. Their attention was excited by the hasty arrival of +Varney, and a murmur ran amongst them, "The Earl's master of the +horse!" while they hurried to bespeak favour by hastily unbonneting, and +proffering to hold the bridle and stirrup of the favoured retainer and +his attendant. + +"Stand somewhat aloof, my masters!" said Varney haughtily, "and let the +domestics do their office." + +The mortified citizens and peasants fell back at the signal; while +Lambourne, who had his eye upon his superior's deportment, repelled +the services of those who offered to assist him, with yet more +discourtesy--"Stand back, Jack peasant, with a murrain to you, and let +these knave footmen do their duty!" + +While they gave their nags to the attendants of the household, and +walked into the mansion with an air of superiority which long practice +and consciousness of birth rendered natural to Varney, and which +Lambourne endeavoured to imitate as well as he could, the poor +inhabitants of Woodstock whispered to each other, "Well-a-day! God save +us from all such misproud princoxes! An the master be like the men, why, +the fiend may take all, and yet have no more than his due." + +"Silence, good neighbours!" said the bailiff, "keep tongue betwixt +teeth; we shall know more by-and-by. But never will a lord come to +Woodstock so welcome as bluff old King Harry! He would horsewhip a +fellow one day with his own royal hand, and then fling him an handful +of silver groats, with his own broad face on them, to 'noint the sore +withal." + +"Ay, rest be with him!" echoed the auditors; "it will be long ere this +Lady Elizabeth horsewhip any of us." + +"There is no saying," answered the bailiff. "Meanwhile, patience, good +neighbours, and let us comfort ourselves by thinking that we deserve +such notice at her Grace's hands." + +Meanwhile, Varney, closely followed by his new dependant, made his way +to the hall, where men of more note and consequence than those left in +the courtyard awaited the appearance of the Earl, who as yet kept his +chamber. All paid court to Varney, with more or less deference, as +suited their own rank, or the urgency of the business which brought them +to his lord's levee. To the general question of, "When comes my lord +forth, Master Varney?" he gave brief answers, as, "See you not my boots? +I am but just returned from Oxford, and know nothing of it," and the +like, until the same query was put in a higher tone by a personage of +more importance. "I will inquire of the chamberlain, Sir Thomas Copely," +was the reply. The chamberlain, distinguished by his silver key, +answered that the Earl only awaited Master Varney's return to come down, +but that he would first speak with him in his private chamber. Varney, +therefore, bowed to the company, and took leave, to enter his lord's +apartment. + +There was a murmur of expectation which lasted a few minutes, and was +at length hushed by the opening of the folding-doors at the upper end or +the apartment, through which the Earl made his entrance, marshalled by +his chamberlain and the steward of his family, and followed by Richard +Varney. In his noble mien and princely features, men read nothing of +that insolence which was practised by his dependants. His courtesies +were, indeed, measured by the rank of those to whom they were addressed, +but even the meanest person present had a share of his gracious notice. +The inquiries which he made respecting the condition of the manor, of +the Queen's rights there, and of the advantages and disadvantages which +might attend her occasional residence at the royal seat of Woodstock, +seemed to show that he had most earnestly investigated the matter of the +petition of the inhabitants, and with a desire to forward the interest +of the place. + +"Now the Lord love his noble countenance!" said the bailiff, who had +thrust himself into the presence-chamber; "he looks somewhat pale. I +warrant him he hath spent the whole night in perusing our memorial. +Master Toughyarn, who took six months to draw it up, said it would take +a week to understand it; and see if the Earl hath not knocked the marrow +out of it in twenty-four hours!" + +The Earl then acquainted them that he should move their sovereign +to honour Woodstock occasionally with her residence during her royal +progresses, that the town and its vicinity might derive, from her +countenance and favour, the same advantages as from those of her +predecessors. Meanwhile, he rejoiced to be the expounder of her +gracious pleasure, in assuring them that, for the increase of trade +and encouragement of the worthy burgesses of Woodstock, her Majesty was +minded to erect the town into a Staple for wool. + +This joyful intelligence was received with the acclamations not only of +the better sort who were admitted to the audience-chamber, but of the +commons who awaited without. + +The freedom of the corporation was presented to the Earl upon knee by +the magistrates of the place, together with a purse of gold pieces, +which the Earl handed to Varney, who, on his part, gave a share to +Lambourne, as the most acceptable earnest of his new service. + +The Earl and his retinue took horse soon after to return to court, +accompanied by the shouts of the inhabitants of Woodstock, who made the +old oaks ring with re-echoing, "Long live Queen Elizabeth, and the noble +Earl of Leicester!" The urbanity and courtesy of the Earl even threw a +gleam of popularity over his attendants, as their haughty deportment had +formerly obscured that of their master; and men shouted, "Long life to +the Earl, and to his gallant followers!" as Varney and Lambourne, each +in his rank, rode proudly through the streets of Woodstock. + + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +HOST. I will hear you, Master Fenton; and I will, at the least, keep +your counsel.--MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. + +It becomes necessary to return to the detail of those circumstances +which accompanied, and indeed occasioned, the sudden disappearance +of Tressilian from the sign of the Black Bear at Cumnor. It will be +recollected that this gentleman, after his rencounter with Varney, had +returned to Giles Gosling's caravansary, where he shut himself up in his +own chamber, demanded pen, ink, and paper, and announced his purpose +to remain private for the day. In the evening he appeared again in the +public room, where Michael Lambourne, who had been on the watch for +him, agreeably to his engagement to Varney, endeavoured to renew his +acquaintance with him, and hoped he retained no unfriendly recollection +of the part he had taken in the morning's scuffle. + +But Tressilian repelled his advances firmly, though with civility. +"Master Lambourne," said he, "I trust I have recompensed to your +pleasure the time you have wasted on me. Under the show of wild +bluntness which you exhibit, I know you have sense enough to understand +me, when I say frankly that the object of our temporary acquaintance +having been accomplished, we must be strangers to each other in future." + +"VOTO!" said Lambourne, twirling his whiskers with one hand, and +grasping the hilt of his weapon with the other; "if I thought that this +usage was meant to insult me--" + +"You would bear it with discretion, doubtless," interrupted Tressilian, +"as you must do at any rate. You know too well the distance that is +betwixt us, to require me to explain myself further. Good evening." + +So saying, he turned his back upon his former companion, and entered +into discourse with the landlord. Michael Lambourne felt strongly +disposed to bully; but his wrath died away in a few incoherent oaths +and ejaculations, and he sank unresistingly under the ascendency which +superior spirits possess over persons of his habits and description. He +remained moody and silent in a corner of the apartment, paying the most +marked attention to every motion of his late companion, against whom he +began now to nourish a quarrel on his own account, which he trusted to +avenge by the execution of his new master Varney's directions. The hour +of supper arrived, and was followed by that of repose, when Tressilian, +like others, retired to his sleeping apartment. + +He had not been in bed long, when the train of sad reveries, which +supplied the place of rest in his disturbed mind, was suddenly +interrupted by the jar of a door on its hinges, and a light was seen to +glimmer in the apartment. Tressilian, who was as brave as steel, sprang +from his bed at this alarm, and had laid hand upon his sword, when he +was prevented from drawing it by a voice which said, "Be not too rash +with your rapier, Master Tressilian. It is I, your host, Giles Gosling." + +At the same time, unshrouding the dark lantern, which had hitherto +only emitted an indistinct glimmer, the goodly aspect and figure of +the landlord of the Black Bear was visibly presented to his astonished +guest. + +"What mummery is this, mine host?" said Tressilian. "Have you supped as +jollily as last night, and so mistaken your chamber? or is midnight a +time for masquerading it in your guest's lodging?" + +"Master Tressilian," replied mine host, "I know my place and my time as +well as e'er a merry landlord in England. But here has been my hang-dog +kinsman watching you as close as ever cat watched a mouse; and here have +you, on the other hand, quarrelled and fought, either with him or with +some other person, and I fear that danger will come of it." + +"Go to, thou art but a fool, man," said Tressilian. "Thy kinsman is +beneath my resentment; and besides, why shouldst thou think I had +quarrelled with any one whomsoever?" + +"Oh, sir," replied the innkeeper, "there was a red spot on thy very +cheek-bone, which boded of a late brawl, as sure as the conjunction of +Mars and Saturn threatens misfortune; and when you returned, the buckles +of your girdle were brought forward, and your step was quick and +hasty, and all things showed your hand and your hilt had been lately +acquainted." + +"Well, good mine host, if I have been obliged to draw my sword," said +Tressilian, "why should such a circumstance fetch thee out of thy warm +bed at this time of night? Thou seest the mischief is all over." + +"Under favour, that is what I doubt. Anthony Foster is a dangerous man, +defended by strong court patronage, which hath borne him out in matters +of very deep concernment. And, then, my kinsman--why, I have told +you what he is; and if these two old cronies have made up their old +acquaintance, I would not, my worshipful guest, that it should be at +thy cost. I promise you, Mike Lambourne has been making very particular +inquiries at my hostler when and which way you ride. Now, I would have +you think whether you may not have done or said something for which you +may be waylaid, and taken at disadvantage." + +"Thou art an honest man, mine host," said Tressilian, after a moment's +consideration, "and I will deal frankly with thee. If these men's malice +is directed against me--as I deny not but it may--it is because they are +the agents of a more powerful villain than themselves." + +"You mean Master Richard Varney, do you not?" said the landlord; "he was +at Cumnor Place yesterday, and came not thither so private but what he +was espied by one who told me." + +"I mean the same, mine host." + +"Then, for God's sake, worshipful Master Tressilian," said honest +Gosling, "look well to yourself. This Varney is the protector and patron +of Anthony Foster, who holds under him, and by his favour, some lease +of yonder mansion and the park. Varney got a large grant of the lands +of the Abbacy of Abingdon, and Cumnor Place amongst others, from his +master, the Earl of Leicester. Men say he can do everything with him, +though I hold the Earl too good a nobleman to employ him as some men +talk of. And then the Earl can do anything (that is, anything right or +fitting) with the Queen, God bless her! So you see what an enemy you +have made to yourself." + +"Well--it is done, and I cannot help it," answered Tressilian. + +"Uds precious, but it must be helped in some manner," said the host. +"Richard Varney--why, what between his influence with my lord, and his +pretending to so many old and vexatious claims in right of the abbot +here, men fear almost to mention his name, much more to set themselves +against his practices. You may judge by our discourses the last night. +Men said their pleasure of Tony Foster, but not a word of Richard +Varney, though all men judge him to be at the bottom of yonder mystery +about the pretty wench. But perhaps you know more of that matter than +I do; for women, though they wear not swords, are occasion for many +a blade's exchanging a sheath of neat's leather for one of flesh and +blood." + +"I do indeed know more of that poor unfortunate lady than thou dost, +my friendly host; and so bankrupt am I, at this moment, of friends and +advice, that I will willingly make a counsellor of thee, and tell thee +the whole history, the rather that I have a favour to ask when my tale +is ended." + +"Good Master Tressilian," said the landlord, "I am but a poor innkeeper, +little able to adjust or counsel such a guest as yourself. But as sure +as I have risen decently above the world, by giving good measure and +reasonable charges, I am an honest man; and as such, if I may not +be able to assist you, I am, at least, not capable to abuse your +confidence. Say away therefore, as confidently as if you spoke to your +father; and thus far at least be certain, that my curiosity--for I will +not deny that which belongs to my calling--is joined to a reasonable +degree of discretion." + +"I doubt it not, mine host," answered Tressilian; and while his auditor +remained in anxious expectation, he meditated for an instant how he +should commence his narrative. "My tale," he at length said, "to be +quite intelligible, must begin at some distance back. You have heard of +the battle of Stoke, my good host, and perhaps of old Sir Roger Robsart, +who, in that battle, valiantly took part with Henry VII., the Queen's +grandfather, and routed the Earl of Lincoln, Lord Geraldin and his wild +Irish, and the Flemings whom the Duchess of Burgundy had sent over, in +the quarrel of Lambert Simnel?" + +"I remember both one and the other," said Giles Gosling; "it is sung +of a dozen times a week on my ale-bench below. Sir Roger Robsart of +Devon--oh, ay, 'tis him of whom minstrels sing to this hour,-- + + + 'He was the flower of Stoke's red field, + When Martin Swart on ground lay slain; + In raging rout he never reel'd, + But like a rock did firm remain.' + + [This verse, or something similar, occurs in a long ballad, or + poem, on Flodden Field, reprinted by the late Henry Weber.] + +"Ay, and then there was Martin Swart I have heard my grandfather talk +of, and of the jolly Almains whom he commanded, with their slashed +doublets and quaint hose, all frounced with ribands above the +nether-stocks. Here's a song goes of Martin Swart, too, an I had but +memory for it:-- + + + 'Martin Swart and his men, + Saddle them, saddle them, + Martin Swart and his men; + Saddle them well.'" + + [This verse of an old song actually occurs in an old play where + the singer boasts, + + "Courteously I can both counter and knack + Of Martin Swart and all his merry men."] + +"True, good mine host--the day was long talked of; but if you sing so +loud, you will awake more listeners than I care to commit my confidence +unto." + +"I crave pardon, my worshipful guest," said mine host, "I was oblivious. +When an old song comes across us merry old knights of the spigot, it +runs away with our discretion." + +"Well, mine host, my grandfather, like some other Cornishmen, kept a +warm affection to the House of York, and espoused the quarrel of this +Simnel, assuming the title of Earl of Warwick, as the county afterwards, +in great numbers, countenanced the cause of Perkin Warbeck, calling +himself the Duke of York. My grandsire joined Simnel's standard, and was +taken fighting desperately at Stoke, where most of the leaders of that +unhappy army were slain in their harness. The good knight to whom he +rendered himself, Sir Roger Robsart, protected him from the immediate +vengeance of the king, and dismissed him without ransom. But he was +unable to guard him from other penalties of his rashness, being the +heavy fines by which he was impoverished, according to Henry's mode of +weakening his enemies. The good knight did what he might to mitigate the +distresses of my ancestor; and their friendship became so strict, that +my father was bred up as the sworn brother and intimate of the present +Sir Hugh Robsart, the only son of Sir Roger, and the heir of his honest, +and generous, and hospitable temper, though not equal to him in martial +achievements." + +"I have heard of good Sir Hugh Robsart," interrupted the host, "many a +time and oft; his huntsman and sworn servant, Will Badger, hath spoken +of him an hundred times in this very house. A jovial knight he is, +and hath loved hospitality and open housekeeping more than the present +fashion, which lays as much gold lace on the seams of a doublet as would +feed a dozen of tall fellows with beef and ale for a twelvemonth, and +let them have their evening at the alehouse once a week, to do good to +the publican." + +"If you have seen Will Badger, mine host," said Tressilian, "you have +heard enough of Sir Hugh Robsart; and therefore I will but say, that the +hospitality you boast of hath proved somewhat detrimental to the estate +of his family, which is perhaps of the less consequence, as he has but +one daughter to whom to bequeath it. And here begins my share in the +tale. Upon my father's death, now several years since, the good Sir Hugh +would willingly have made me his constant companion. There was a +time, however, at which I felt the kind knight's excessive love for +field-sports detained me from studies, by which I might have profited +more; but I ceased to regret the leisure which gratitude and hereditary +friendship compelled me to bestow on these rural avocations. The +exquisite beauty of Mistress Amy Robsart, as she grew up from childhood +to woman, could not escape one whom circumstances obliged to be so +constantly in her company--I loved her, in short, mine host, and her +father saw it." + +"And crossed your true loves, no doubt?" said mine host. "It is the way +in all such cases; and I judge it must have been so in your instance, +from the heavy sigh you uttered even now." + +"The case was different, mine host. My suit was highly approved by +the generous Sir Hugh Robsart; it was his daughter who was cold to my +passion." + +"She was the more dangerous enemy of the two," said the innkeeper. "I +fear me your suit proved a cold one." + +"She yielded me her esteem," said Tressilian, "and seemed not unwilling +that I should hope it might ripen into a warmer passion. There was +a contract of future marriage executed betwixt us, upon her father's +intercession; but to comply with her anxious request, the execution was +deferred for a twelvemonth. During this period, Richard Varney appeared +in the country, and, availing himself of some distant family connection +with Sir Hugh Robsart, spent much of his time in his company, until, at +length, he almost lived in the family." + +"That could bode no good to the place he honoured with his residence," +said Gosling. + +"No, by the rood!" replied Tressilian. "Misunderstanding and misery +followed his presence, yet so strangely that I am at this moment at a +loss to trace the gradations of their encroachment upon a family which +had, till then, been so happy. For a time Amy Robsart received the +attentions of this man Varney with the indifference attached to common +courtesies; then followed a period in which she seemed to regard him +with dislike, and even with disgust; and then an extraordinary species +of connection appeared to grow up betwixt them. Varney dropped those +airs of pretension and gallantry which had marked his former approaches; +and Amy, on the other hand, seemed to renounce the ill-disguised disgust +with which she had regarded them. They seemed to have more of privacy +and confidence together than I fully liked, and I suspected that they +met in private, where there was less restraint than in our presence. +Many circumstances, which I noticed but little at the time--for I deemed +her heart as open as her angelic countenance--have since arisen on my +memory, to convince me of their private understanding. But I need not +detail them--the fact speaks for itself. She vanished from her father's +house; Varney disappeared at the same time; and this very day I have +seen her in the character of his paramour, living in the house of his +sordid dependant Foster, and visited by him, muffled, and by a secret +entrance." + +"And this, then, is the cause of your quarrel? Methinks, you should +have been sure that the fair lady either desired or deserved your +interference." + +"Mine host," answered Tressilian, "my father--such I must ever consider +Sir Hugh Robsart--sits at home struggling with his grief, or, if so +far recovered, vainly attempting to drown, in the practice of +his field-sports, the recollection that he had once a daughter--a +recollection which ever and anon breaks from him under circumstances the +most pathetic. I could not brook the idea that he should live in misery, +and Amy in guilt; and I endeavoured to-seek her out, with the hope of +inducing her to return to her family. I have found her, and when I have +either succeeded in my attempt, or have found it altogether unavailing, +it is my purpose to embark for the Virginia voyage." + +"Be not so rash, good sir," replied Giles Gosling, "and cast not +yourself away because a woman--to be brief--IS a woman, and changes +her lovers like her suit of ribands, with no better reason than mere +fantasy. And ere we probe this matter further, let me ask you what +circumstances of suspicion directed you so truly to this lady's +residence, or rather to her place of concealment?" + +"The last is the better chosen word, mine host," answered Tressilian; +"and touching your question, the knowledge that Varney held large grants +of the demesnes formerly belonging to the monks of Abingdon directed me +to this neighbourhood; and your nephew's visit to his old comrade Foster +gave me the means of conviction on the subject." + +"And what is now your purpose, worthy sir?--excuse my freedom in asking +the question so broadly." + +"I purpose, mine host," said Tressilian, "to renew my visit to the place +of her residence to-morrow, and to seek a more detailed communication +with her than I have had to-day. She must indeed be widely changed from +what she once was, if my words make no impression upon her." + +"Under your favour, Master Tressilian," said the landlord, "you can +follow no such course. The lady, if I understand you, has already +rejected your interference in the matter." + +"It is but too true," said Tressilian; "I cannot deny it." + +"Then, marry, by what right or interest do you process a compulsory +interference with her inclination, disgraceful as it may be to herself +and to her parents? Unless my judgment gulls me, those under whose +protection she has thrown herself would have small hesitation to reject +your interference, even if it were that of a father or brother; but as +a discarded lover, you expose yourself to be repelled with the strong +hand, as well as with scorn. You can apply to no magistrate for aid or +countenance; and you are hunting, therefore, a shadow in water, and will +only (excuse my plainness) come by ducking and danger in attempting to +catch it." + +"I will appeal to the Earl of Leicester," said Tressilian, "against +the infamy of his favourite. He courts the severe and strict sect of +Puritans. He dare not, for the sake of his own character, refuse my +appeal, even although he were destitute of the principles of honour and +nobleness with which fame invests him. Or I will appeal to the Queen +herself." + +"Should Leicester," said the landlord, "be disposed to protect his +dependant (as indeed he is said to be very confidential with Varney), +the appeal to the Queen may bring them both to reason. Her Majesty is +strict in such matters, and (if it be not treason to speak it) will +rather, it is said, pardon a dozen courtiers for falling in love with +herself, than one for giving preference to another woman. Coragio then, +my brave guest! for if thou layest a petition from Sir Hugh at the foot +of the throne, bucklered by the story of thine own wrongs, the favourite +Earl dared as soon leap into the Thames at the fullest and deepest, as +offer to protect Varney in a cause of this nature. But to do this +with any chance of success, you must go formally to work; and, without +staying here to tilt with the master of horse to a privy councillor, and +expose yourself to the dagger of his cameradoes, you should hie you to +Devonshire, get a petition drawn up for Sir Hugh Robsart, and make as +many friends as you can to forward your interest at court." + +"You have spoken well, mine host," said Tressilian, "and I will profit +by your advice, and leave you to-morrow early." + +"Nay, leave me to-night, sir, before to-morrow comes," said he landlord. +"I never prayed for a guest's arrival more eagerly than I do to have +you safely gone, My kinsman's destiny is most like to be hanged for +something, but I would not that the cause were the murder of an honoured +guest of mine. 'Better ride safe in the dark,' says the proverb, 'than +in daylight with a cut-throat at your elbow.' Come, sir, I move you for +your own safety. Your horse and all is ready, and here is your score." + +"It is somewhat under a noble," said Tressilian, giving one to the host; +"give the balance to pretty Cicely, your daughter, and the servants of +the house." + +"They shall taste of your bounty, sir," said Gosling, "and you should +taste of my daughter's lips in grateful acknowledgment, but at this hour +she cannot grace the porch to greet your departure." + +"Do not trust your daughter too far with your guests, my good landlord," +said Tressilian. + +"Oh, sir, we will keep measure; but I wonder not that you are jealous +of them all.--May I crave to know with what aspect the fair lady at the +Place yesterday received you?" + +"I own," said Tressilian, "it was angry as well as confused, and affords +me little hope that she is yet awakened from her unhappy delusion." + +"In that case, sir, I see not why you should play the champion of a +wench that will none of you, and incur the resentment of a favourite's +favourite, as dangerous a monster as ever a knight adventurer +encountered in the old story books." + +"You do me wrong in the supposition, mine host--gross wrong," said +Tressilian; "I do not desire that Amy should ever turn thought upon me +more. Let me but see her restored to her father, and all I have to do in +Europe--perhaps in the world--is over and ended." + +"A wiser resolution were to drink a cup of sack, and forget her," said +the landlord. "But five-and-twenty and fifty look on those matters with +different eyes, especially when one cast of peepers is set in the skull +of a young gallant, and the other in that of an old publican. I pity +you, Master Tressilian, but I see not how I can aid you in the matter." + +"Only thus far, mine host," replied Tressilian--"keep a watch on the +motions of those at the Place, which thou canst easily learn without +suspicion, as all men's news fly to the ale-bench; and be pleased to +communicate the tidings in writing to such person, and to no other, +who shall bring you this ring as a special token. Look at it; it is of +value, and I will freely bestow it on you." + +"Nay, sir," said the landlord, "I desire no recompense--but it seems an +unadvised course in me, being in a public line, to connect myself in a +matter of this dark and perilous nature. I have no interest in it." + +"You, and every father in the land, who would have his daughter released +from the snares of shame, and sin, and misery, have an interest deeper +than aught concerning earth only could create." + +"Well, sir," said the host, "these are brave words; and I do pity from +my soul the frank-hearted old gentleman, who has minished his estate +in good housekeeping for the honour of his country, and now has his +daughter, who should be the stay of his age, and so forth, whisked up +by such a kite as this Varney. And though your part in the matter is +somewhat of the wildest, yet I will e'en be a madcap for company, and +help you in your honest attempt to get back the good man's child, so far +as being your faithful intelligencer can serve. And as I shall be true +to you, I pray you to be trusty to me, and keep my secret; for it were +bad for the custom of the Black Bear should it be said the bear-warder +interfered in such matters. Varney has interest enough with the +justices to dismount my noble emblem from the post on which he swings so +gallantly, to call in my license, and ruin me from garret to cellar." + +"Do not doubt my secrecy, mine host," said Tressilian; "I will retain, +besides, the deepest sense of thy service, and of the risk thou dost +run--remember the ring is my sure token. And now, farewell! for it was +thy wise advice that I should tarry here as short a time as may be." + +"Follow me, then, Sir Guest," said the landlord, "and tread as gently as +if eggs were under your foot, instead of deal boards. No man must know +when or how you departed." + +By the aid of his dark lantern he conducted Tressilian, as soon as he +had made himself ready for his journey, through a long intricacy of +passages, which opened to an outer court, and from thence to a remote +stable, where he had already placed his guest's horse. He then aided +him to fasten on the saddle the small portmantle which contained his +necessaries, opened a postern door, and with a hearty shake of the hand, +and a reiteration of his promise to attend to what went on at Cumnor +Place, he dismissed his guest to his solitary journey. + + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + + Far in the lane a lonely hut he found, + No tenant ventured on the unwholesome ground: + Here smokes his forge, he bares his sinewy arm, + And early strokes the sounding anvil warm; + Around his shop the steely sparkles flew, + As for the steed he shaped the bending shoe.--GAY'S TRIVIA. + +As it was deemed proper by the traveller himself, as well as by Giles +Gosling, that Tressilian should avoid being seen in the neighbourhood of +Cumnor by those whom accident might make early risers, the landlord had +given him a route, consisting of various byways and lanes, which he was +to follow in succession, and which, all the turns and short-cuts duly +observed, was to conduct him to the public road to Marlborough. + +But, like counsel of every other kind, this species of direction is much +more easily given than followed; and what betwixt the intricacy of the +way, the darkness of the night, Tressilian's ignorance of the country, +and the sad and perplexing thoughts with which he had to contend, his +journey proceeded so slowly, that morning found him only in the vale of +Whitehorse, memorable for the defeat of the Danes in former days, with +his horse deprived of a fore-foot shoe, an accident which threatened to +put a stop to his journey by laming the animal. The residence of a +smith was his first object of inquiry, in which he received little +satisfaction from the dullness or sullenness of one or two peasants, +early bound for their labour, who gave brief and indifferent answers to +his questions on the subject. Anxious, at length, that the partner of +his journey should suffer as little as possible from the unfortunate +accident, Tressilian dismounted, and led his horse in the direction of a +little hamlet, where he hoped either to find or hear tidings of such an +artificer as he now wanted. Through a deep and muddy lane, he at length +waded on to the place, which proved only an assemblage of five or six +miserable huts, about the doors of which one or two persons, whose +appearance seemed as rude as that of their dwellings, were beginning +the toils of the day. One cottage, however, seemed of rather superior +aspect, and the old dame, who was sweeping her threshold, appeared +something less rude than her neighbours. To her Tressilian addressed the +oft-repeated question, whether there was a smith in this neighbourhood, +or any place where he could refresh his horse? The dame looked him in +the face with a peculiar expression as she replied, "Smith! ay, truly is +there a smith--what wouldst ha' wi' un, mon?" + +"To shoe my horse, good dame," answered Tressiliany; "you may see that +he has thrown a fore-foot shoe." + +"Master Holiday!" exclaimed the dame, without returning any direct +answer--"Master Herasmus Holiday, come and speak to mon, and please +you." + +"FAVETE LINGUIS," answered a voice from within; "I cannot now come +forth, Gammer Sludge, being in the very sweetest bit of my morning +studies." + +"Nay, but, good now, Master Holiday, come ye out, do ye. Here's a mon +would to Wayland Smith, and I care not to show him way to devil; his +horse hath cast shoe." + +"QUID MIHI CUM CABALLO?" replied the man of learning from within; "I +think there is but one wise man in the hundred, and they cannot shoe a +horse without him!" + +And forth came the honest pedagogue, for such his dress bespoke him. A +long, lean, shambling, stooping figure was surmounted by a head thatched +with lank, black hair somewhat inclining to grey. His features had the +cast of habitual authority, which I suppose Dionysius carried with him +from the throne to the schoolmaster's pulpit, and bequeathed as a legacy +to all of the same profession, A black buckram cassock was gathered at +his middle with a belt, at which hung, instead of knife or weapon, a +goodly leathern pen-and-ink case. His ferula was stuck on the other +side, like Harlequin's wooden sword; and he carried in his hand the +tattered volume which he had been busily perusing. + +On seeing a person of Tressilian's appearance, which he was better +able to estimate than the country folks had been, the schoolmaster +unbonneted, and accosted him with, "SALVE, DOMINE. INTELLIGISNE LINGUAM +LATINAM?" + +Tressilian mustered his learning to reply, "LINGUAE LATINAE HAUD PENITUS +IGNARUS, VENIA TUA, DOMINE ERUDITISSIME, VERNACULAM LIBENTIUS LOQUOR." + +The Latin reply had upon the schoolmaster the effect which the mason's +sign is said to produce on the brethren of the trowel. He was at once +interested in the learned traveller, listened with gravity to his story +of a tired horse and a lost shoe, and then replied with solemnity, "It +may appear a simple thing, most worshipful, to reply to you that there +dwells, within a brief mile of these TUGURIA, the best FABER FERARIUS, +the most accomplished blacksmith, that ever nailed iron upon horse. Now, +were I to say so, I warrant me you would think yourself COMPOS VOTI, or, +as the vulgar have it, a made man." + +"I should at least," said Tressilian, "have a direct answer to a plain +question, which seems difficult to be obtained in this country." + +"It is a mere sending of a sinful soul to the evil un," said the old +woman, "the sending a living creature to Wayland Smith." + +"Peace, Gammer Sludge!" said the pedagogue; "PAUCA VERBA, Gammer Sludge; +look to the furmity, Gammer Sludge; CURETUR JENTACULUM, Gammer Sludge; +this gentleman is none of thy gossips." Then turning to Tressilian, he +resumed his lofty tone, "And so, most worshipful, you would really think +yourself FELIX BIS TERQUE should I point out to you the dwelling of this +same smith?" + +"Sir," replied Tressilian, "I should in that case have all that I want +at present--a horse fit to carry me forward;--out of hearing of your +learning." The last words he muttered to himself. + +"O CAECA MENS MORTALIUM!" said the learned man "well was it sung by +Junius Juvenalis, 'NUMINIBUS VOTA EXAUDITA MALIGNIS!'" + +"Learned Magister," said Tressilian, "your erudition so greatly exceeds +my poor intellectual capacity that you must excuse my seeking elsewhere +for information which I can better understand." + +"There again now," replied the pedagogue, "how fondly you fly from him +that would instruct you! Truly said Quintilian--" + +"I pray, sir, let Quintilian be for the present, and answer, in a word +and in English, if your learning can condescend so far, whether there is +any place here where I can have opportunity to refresh my horse until I +can have him shod?" + +"Thus much courtesy, sir," said the schoolmaster, "I can readily render +you, that although there is in this poor hamlet (NOSTRA PAUPERA REGNA) +no regular HOSPITIUM, as my namesake Erasmus calleth it, yet, forasmuch +as you are somewhat embued, or at least tinged, as it were, with good +letters, I will use my interest with the good woman of the house to +accommodate you with a platter of furmity--an wholesome food for which +I have found no Latin phrase--your horse shall have a share of the +cow-house, with a bottle of sweet hay, in which the good woman Sludge so +much abounds, that it may be said of her cow, FAENUM HABET IN CORNU; +and if it please you to bestow on me the pleasure of your company, the +banquet shall cost you NE SEMISSEM QUIDEM, so much is Gammer Sludge +bound to me for the pains I have bestowed on the top and bottom of her +hopeful heir Dickie, whom I have painfully made to travel through the +accidence." + +"Now, God yield ye for it, Master Herasmus," said the good Gammer, "and +grant that little Dickie may be the better for his accident! And for the +rest, if the gentleman list to stay, breakfast shall be on the board in +the wringing of a dishclout; and for horse-meat, and man's meat, I bear +no such base mind as to ask a penny." + +Considering the state of his horse, Tressilian, upon the whole, saw +no better course than to accept the invitation thus learnedly made and +hospitably confirmed, and take chance that when the good pedagogue had +exhausted every topic of conversation, he might possibly condescend to +tell him where he could find the smith they spoke of. He entered the +hut accordingly, and sat down with the learned Magister Erasmus Holiday, +partook of his furmity, and listened to his learned account of himself +for a good half hour, ere he could get him to talk upon any other topic, +The reader will readily excuse our accompanying this man of learning +into all the details with which he favoured Tressilian, of which the +following sketch may suffice. + +He was born at Hogsnorton, where, according to popular saying, the pigs +play upon the organ; a proverb which he interpreted allegorically, +as having reference to the herd of Epicurus, of which litter Horace +confessed himself a porker. His name of Erasmus he derived partly from +his father having been the son of a renowned washerwoman, who had held +that great scholar in clean linen all the while he was at Oxford; a task +of some difficulty, as he was only possessed of two shirts, "the one," +as she expressed herself, "to wash the other," The vestiges of one of +these CAMICIAE, as Master Holiday boasted, were still in his possession, +having fortunately been detained by his grandmother to cover the balance +of her bill. But he thought there was a still higher and overruling +cause for his having had the name of Erasmus conferred on him--namely, +the secret presentiment of his mother's mind that, in the babe to be +christened, was a hidden genius, which should one day lead him to rival +the fame of the great scholar of Amsterdam. The schoolmaster's surname +led him as far into dissertation as his Christian appellative. He was +inclined to think that he bore the name of Holiday QUASI LUCUS A NON +LUCENDO, because he gave such few holidays to his school. "Hence," said +he, "the schoolmaster is termed, classically, LUDI MAGISTER, because he +deprives boys of their play." And yet, on the other hand, he thought +it might bear a very different interpretation, and refer to his own +exquisite art in arranging pageants, morris-dances, May-day festivities, +and such-like holiday delights, for which he assured Tressilian he had +positively the purest and the most inventive brain in England; insomuch, +that his cunning in framing such pleasures had made him known to many +honourable persons, both in country and court, and especially to the +noble Earl of Leicester. "And although he may now seem to forget me," +he said, "in the multitude of state affairs, yet I am well assured that, +had he some pretty pastime to array for entertainment of the Queen's +Grace, horse and man would be seeking the humble cottage of Erasmus +Holiday. PARVO CONTENTUS, in the meanwhile, I hear my pupils parse and +construe, worshipful sir, and drive away my time with the aid of the +Muses. And I have at all times, when in correspondence with foreign +scholars, subscribed myself Erasmus ab Die Fausto, and have enjoyed the +distinction due to the learned under that title: witness the erudite +Diedrichus Buckerschockius, who dedicated to me under that title his +treatise on the letter TAU. In fine, sir, I have been a happy and +distinguished man." + +"Long may it be so, sir!" said the traveller; "but permit me to ask, in +your own learned phrase, QUID HOC AD IPHYCLI BOVES? what has all this to +do with the shoeing of my poor nag?" + +"FESTINA LENTE," said the man of learning, "we will presently came to +that point. You must know that some two or three years past there came +to these parts one who called himself Doctor Doboobie, although it may +be he never wrote even MAGISTER ARTIUM, save in right of his hungry +belly. Or it may be, that if he had any degrees, they were of the +devil's giving; for he was what the vulgar call a white witch, a cunning +man, and such like.--Now, good sir, I perceive you are impatient; but if +a man tell not his tale his own way, how have you warrant to think that +he can tell it in yours?" + +"Well, then, learned sir, take your way," answered Tressilian; "only let +us travel at a sharper pace, for my time is somewhat of the shortest." + +"Well, sir," resumed Erasmus Holiday, with the most provoking +perseverance, "I will not say that this same Demetrius for so he wrote +himself when in foreign parts, was an actual conjurer, but certain it +is that he professed to be a brother of the mystical Order of the Rosy +Cross, a disciple of Geber (EX NOMINE CUJUS VENIT VERBUM VERNACULUM, +GIBBERISH). He cured wounds by salving the weapon instead of the sore; +told fortunes by palmistry; discovered stolen goods by the sieve and +shears; gathered the right maddow and the male fern seed, through use of +which men walk invisible; pretended some advances towards the panacea, +or universal elixir; and affected to convert good lead into sorry +silver." + +"In other words," said Tressilian, "he was a quacksalver and common +cheat; but what has all this to do with my nag, and the shoe which he +has lost?" + +"With your worshipful patience," replied the diffusive man of letters, +"you shall understand that presently--PATENTIA then, right worshipful, +which word, according to our Marcus Tullius, is 'DIFFICILIUM RERUM +DIURNA PERPESSIO.' This same Demetrius Doboobie, after dealing with the +country, as I have told you, began to acquire fame INTER MAGNATES, among +the prime men of the land, and there is likelihood he might have aspired +to great matters, had not, according to vulgar fame (for I aver not the +thing as according with my certain knowledge), the devil claimed his +right, one dark night, and flown off with Demetrius, who was never seen +or heard of afterwards. Now here comes the MEDULLA, the very marrow, +of my tale. This Doctor Doboobie had a servant, a poor snake, whom +he employed in trimming his furnace, regulating it by just +measure--compounding his drugs--tracing his circles--cajoling his +patients, ET SIC ET CAETERIS. Well, right worshipful, the Doctor being +removed thus strangely, and in a way which struck the whole country with +terror, this poor Zany thinks to himself, in the words of Maro, 'UNO +AVULSO, NON DEFICIT ALTER;' and, even as a tradesman's apprentice sets +himself up in his master's shop when he is dead or hath retired from +business, so doth this Wayland assume the dangerous trade of his defunct +master. But although, most worshipful sir, the world is ever prone to +listen to the pretensions of such unworthy men, who are, indeed, mere +SALTIM BANQUI and CHARLATANI, though usurping the style and skill +of doctors of medicine, yet the pretensions of this poor Zany, this +Wayland, were too gross to pass on them, nor was there a mere rustic, +a villager, who was not ready to accost him in the sense of Persius, +though in their own rugged words,-- + + + DILIUS HELLEBORUM CERTO COMPESCERE PUNCTO + NESCIUS EXAMEN? VETAT HOC NATURA VEDENDI; + +which I have thus rendered in a poor paraphrase of mine own,-- + + + Wilt thou mix hellebore, who dost not know + How many grains should to the mixture go? + The art of medicine this forbids, I trow. + +"Moreover, the evil reputation of the master, and his strange and +doubtful end, or at least sudden disappearance, prevented any, excepting +the most desperate of men, to seek any advice or opinion from the +servant; wherefore, the poor vermin was likely at first to swarf for +very hunger. But the devil that serves him, since the death of Demetrius +or Doboobie, put him on a fresh device. This knave, whether from the +inspiration of the devil, or from early education, shoes horses better +than e'er a man betwixt us and Iceland; and so he gives up his practice +on the bipeds, the two-legged and unfledged species called mankind, and +betakes him entirely to shoeing of horses." + +"Indeed! and where does he lodge all this time?" said Tressilian. "And +does he shoe horses well? Show me his dwelling presently." + +The interruption pleased not the Magister, who exclaimed, "O CAECA MENS +MORTALIUM!--though, by the way, I used that quotation before. But I +would the classics could afford me any sentiment of power to stop those +who are so willing to rush upon their own destruction. Hear but, I pray +you, the conditions of this man," said he, in continuation, "ere you are +so willing to place yourself within his danger--" + +"A' takes no money for a's work," said the dame, who stood by, +enraptured as it were with the line words and learned apophthegms which +glided so fluently from her erudite inmate, Master Holiday. But this +interruption pleased not the Magister more than that of the traveller. + +"Peace," said he, "Gammer Sludge; know your place, if it be your will. +SUFFLAMINA, Gammer Sludge, and allow me to expound this matter to our +worshipful guest.--Sir," said he, again addressing Tressilian, "this +old woman speaks true, though in her own rude style; for certainly this +FABER FERRARIUS, or blacksmith, takes money of no one." + +"And that is a sure sign he deals with Satan," said Dame Sludge; "since +no good Christian would ever refuse the wages of his labour." + +"The old woman hath touched it again," said the pedagogue; "REM ACU +TETIGIT--she hath pricked it with her needle's point. This Wayland takes +no money, indeed; nor doth he show himself to any one." + +"And can this madman, for such I hold him," said the traveller, "know +aught like good skill of his trade?" + +"Oh, sir, in that let us give the devil his due--Mulciber himself, with +all his Cyclops, could hardly amend him. But assuredly there is little +wisdom in taking counsel or receiving aid from one who is but too +plainly in league with the author of evil." + +"I must take my chance of that, good Master Holiday," said Tressilian, +rising; "and as my horse must now have eaten his provender, I must +needs thank you for your good cheer, and pray you to show me this man's +residence, that I may have the means of proceeding on my journey." + +"Ay, ay, do ye show him, Master Herasmus," said the old dame, who was, +perhaps, desirous to get her house freed of her guest; "a' must needs go +when the devil drives." + +"DO MANUS," said the Magister, "I submit--taking the world to witness, +that I have possessed this honourable gentleman with the full injustice +which he has done and shall do to his own soul, if he becomes thus a +trinketer with Satan. Neither will I go forth with our guest myself, but +rather send my pupil.--RICARDE! ADSIS, NEBULO." + +"Under your favour, not so," answered the old woman; "you may peril your +own soul, if you list, but my son shall budge on no such errand. And I +wonder at you, Dominie Doctor, to propose such a piece of service for +little Dickie." + +"Nay, my good Gammer Sludge," answered the preceptor, "Ricardus shall go +but to the top of the hill, and indicate with his digit to the stranger +the dwelling of Wayland Smith. Believe not that any evil can come to +him, he having read this morning, fasting, a chapter of the Septuagint, +and, moreover, having had his lesson in the Greek Testament." + +"Ay," said his mother, "and I have sewn a sprig of witch's elm in the +neck of un's doublet, ever since that foul thief has begun his practices +on man and beast in these parts." + +"And as he goes oft (as I hugely suspect) towards this conjurer for his +own pastime, he may for once go thither, or near it, to pleasure us, +and to assist this stranger.--ERGO, HEUS RICARDE! ADSIS, QUAESO, MI +DIDASCULE." + +The pupil, thus affectionately invoked, at length came stumbling into +the room; a queer, shambling, ill-made urchin, who, by his stunted +growth, seemed about twelve or thirteen years old, though he was +probably, in reality, a year or two older, with a carroty pate in huge +disorder, a freckled, sunburnt visage, with a snub nose, a long +chin, and two peery grey eyes, which had a droll obliquity of vision, +approaching to a squint, though perhaps not a decided one. It was +impossible to look at the little man without some disposition to laugh, +especially when Gammer Sludge, seizing upon and kissing him, in spite of +his struggling and kicking in reply to her caresses, termed him her own +precious pearl of beauty. + +"RICARDE," said the preceptor, "you must forthwith (which is PROFECTO) +set forth so far as the top of the hill, and show this man of worship +Wayland Smith's workshop." + +"A proper errand of a morning," said the boy, in better language than +Tressilian expected; "and who knows but the devil may fly away with me +before I come back?" + +"Ay, marry may un," said Dame Sludge; "and you might have thought twice, +Master Domine, ere you sent my dainty darling on arrow such errand. It +is not for such doings I feed your belly and clothe your back, I warrant +you!" + +"Pshaw--NUGAE, good Gammer Sludge," answered the preceptor; "I ensure +you that Satan, if there be Satan in the case, shall not touch a thread +of his garment; for Dickie can say his PATER with the best, and may defy +the foul fiend--EUMENIDES, STYGIUMQUE NEFAS." + +"Ay, and I, as I said before, have sewed a sprig of the mountain-ash +into his collar," said the good woman, "which will avail more than your +clerkship, I wus; but for all that, it is ill to seek the devil or his +mates either." + +"My good boy," said Tressilian, who saw, from a grotesque sneer on +Dickie's face, that he was more likely to act upon his own bottom than +by the instructions of his elders, "I will give thee a silver groat, my +pretty fellow, if you will but guide me to this man's forge." + +The boy gave him a knowing side-look, which seemed to promise +acquiescence, while at the same time he exclaimed, "I be your guide to +Wayland Smith's! Why, man, did I not say that the devil might fly off +with me, just as the kite there" (looking to the window) "is flying off +with one of grandam's chicks?" + +"The kite! the kite!" exclaimed the old woman in return, and forgetting +all other matters in her alarm, hastened to the rescue of her chickens +as fast as her old legs could carry her. + +"Now for it," said the urchin to Tressilian; "snatch your beaver, get +out your horse, and have at the silver groat you spoke of." + +"Nay, but tarry, tarry," said the preceptor--"SUFFLAMINA, RICARDE!" + +"Tarry yourself," said Dickie, "and think what answer you are to make to +granny for sending me post to the devil." + +The teacher, aware of the responsibility he was incurring, bustled up in +great haste to lay hold of the urchin and to prevent his departure; but +Dickie slipped through his fingers, bolted from the cottage, and sped +him to the top of a neighbouring rising ground, while the preceptor, +despairing, by well-taught experience, of recovering his pupil by speed +of foot, had recourse to the most honied epithets the Latin vocabulary +affords to persuade his return. But to MI ANIME, CORCULUM MEUM, and +all such classical endearments, the truant turned a deaf ear, and kept +frisking on the top of the rising ground like a goblin by moonlight, +making signs to his new acquaintance, Tressilian, to follow him. + +The traveller lost no time in getting out his horse and departing to +join his elvish guide, after half-forcing on the poor, deserted teacher +a recompense for the entertainment he had received, which partly allayed +that terror he had for facing the return of the old lady of the mansion. +Apparently this took place soon afterwards; for ere Tressilian and his +guide had proceeded far on their journey, they heard the screams of a +cracked female voice, intermingled with the classical objurgations of +Master Erasmus Holiday. But Dickie Sludge, equally deaf to the voice +of maternal tenderness and of magisterial authority, skipped on +unconsciously before Tressilian, only observing that "if they cried +themselves hoarse, they might go lick the honey-pot, for he had eaten up +all the honey-comb himself on yesterday even." + + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + + There entering in, they found the goodman selfe + Full busylie unto his work ybent, + Who was to weet a wretched wearish elf, + With hollow eyes and rawbone cheeks forspent, + As if he had been long in prison pent.--THE FAERY QUEENE. + +"Are we far from the dwelling of this smith, my pretty lad?" said +Tressilian to his young guide. + +"How is it you call me?" said the boy, looking askew at him with his +sharp, grey eyes. + +"I call you my pretty lad--is there any offence in that, my boy?" + +"No; but were you with my grandam and Dominie Holiday, you might sing +chorus to the old song of + + + 'We three + Tom-fools be.'" + +"And why so, my little man?" said Tressilian. + +"Because," answered the ugly urchin, "you are the only three ever called +me pretty lad. Now my grandam does it because she is parcel blind by +age, and whole blind by kindred; and my master, the poor Dominie, does +it to curry favour, and have the fullest platter of furmity and the +warmest seat by the fire. But what you call me pretty lad for, you know +best yourself." + +"Thou art a sharp wag at least, if not a pretty one. But what do thy +playfellows call thee?" + +"Hobgoblin," answered the boy readily; "but for all that, I would rather +have my own ugly viznomy than any of their jolter-heads, that have no +more brains in them than a brick-bat." + +"Then you fear not this smith whom you are going to see?" + +"Me fear him!" answered the boy. "If he were the devil folk think him, I +would not fear him; but though there is something queer about him, he's +no more a devil than you are, and that's what I would not tell to every +one." + +"And why do you tell it to me, then, my boy?" said Tressilian. + +"Because you are another guess gentleman than those we see here every +day," replied Dickie; "and though I am as ugly as sin, I would not have +you think me an ass, especially as I may have a boon to ask of you one +day." + +"And what is that, my lad, whom I must not call pretty?" replied +Tressilian. + +"Oh, if I were to ask it just now," said the boy, "you would deny it me; +but I will wait till we meet at court." + +"At court, Richard! are you bound for court?" said Tressilian. + +"Ay, ay, that's just like the rest of them," replied the boy. "I warrant +me, you think, what should such an ill-favoured, scrambling urchin do at +court? But let Richard Sludge alone; I have not been cock of the roost +here for nothing. I will make sharp wit mend foul feature." + +"But what will your grandam say, and your tutor, Dominie Holiday?" + +"E'en what they like," replied Dickie; "the one has her chickens to +reckon, and the other has his boys to whip. I would have given them the +candle to hold long since, and shown this trumpery hamlet a fair pair of +heels, but that Dominie promises I should go with him to bear share in +the next pageant he is to set forth, and they say there are to be great +revels shortly." + +"And whereabouts are they to be held, my little friend?" said +Tressilian. + +"Oh, at some castle far in the north," answered his guide--"a world's +breadth from Berkshire. But our old Dominie holds that they cannot go +forward without him; and it may be he is right, for he has put in order +many a fair pageant. He is not half the fool you would take him for, +when he gets to work he understands; and so he can spout verses like +a play-actor, when, God wot, if you set him to steal a goose's egg, he +would be drubbed by the gander." + +"And you are to play a part in his next show?" said Tressilian, somewhat +interested by the boy's boldness of conversation and shrewd estimate of +character. + +"In faith," said Richard Sludge, in answer, "he hath so promised me; and +if he break his word, it will be the worse for him, for let me take the +bit between my teeth, and turn my head downhill, and I will shake him +off with a fall that may harm his bones. And I should not like much to +hurt him neither," said he, "for the tiresome old fool has painfully +laboured to teach me all he could. But enough of that--here are we at +Wayland Smith's forge-door." + +"You jest, my little friend," said Tressilian; "here is nothing but a +bare moor, and that ring of stones, with a great one in the midst, like +a Cornish barrow." + +"Ay, and that great flat stone in the midst, which lies across the top +of these uprights," said the boy, "is Wayland Smith's counter, that you +must tell down your money upon." + +"What do you mean by such folly?" said the traveller, beginning to be +angry with the boy, and vexed with himself for having trusted such a +hare-brained guide. + +"Why," said Dickie, with a grin, "you must tie your horse to that +upright stone that has the ring in't, and then you must whistle three +times, and lay me down your silver groat on that other flat stone, walk +out of the circle, sit down on the west side of that little thicket +of bushes, and take heed you look neither to right nor to left for ten +minutes, or so long as you shall hear the hammer clink, and whenever +it ceases, say your prayers for the space you could tell a hundred--or +count over a hundred, which will do as well--and then come into the +circle; you will find your money gone and your horse shod." + +"My money gone to a certainty!" said Tressilian; "but as for the +rest--Hark ye, my lad, I am not your school-master, but if you play off +your waggery on me, I will take a part of his task off his hands, and +punish you to purpose." + +"Ay, when you catch me!" said the boy; and presently took to his +heels across the heath, with a velocity which baffled every attempt of +Tressilian to overtake him, loaded as he was with his heavy boots. Nor +was it the least provoking part of the urchin's conduct, that he did not +exert his utmost speed, like one who finds himself in danger, or who is +frightened, but preserved just such a rate as to encourage Tressilian to +continue the chase, and then darted away from him with the swiftness of +the wind, when his pursuer supposed he had nearly run him down, doubling +at the same time, and winding, so as always to keep near the place from +which he started. + +This lasted until Tressilian, from very weariness, stood still, and was +about to abandon the pursuit with a hearty curse on the ill-favoured +urchin, who had engaged him in an exercise so ridiculous. But the boy, +who had, as formerly, planted himself on the top of a hillock close +in front, began to clap his long, thin hands, point with his skinny +fingers, and twist his wild and ugly features into such an extravagant +expression of laughter and derision, that Tressilian began half to doubt +whether he had not in view an actual hobgoblin. + +Provoked extremely, yet at the same time feeling an irresistible desire +to laugh, so very odd were the boy's grimaces and gesticulations, the +Cornishman returned to his horse, and mounted him with the purpose of +pursuing Dickie at more advantage. + +The boy no sooner saw him mount his horse, than he holloed out to him +that, rather than he should spoil his white-footed nag, he would come to +him, on condition he would keep his fingers to himself. + +"I will make no conditions with thee, thou ugly varlet!" said +Tressilian; "I will have thee at my mercy in a moment." + +"Aha, Master Traveller," said the boy, "there is a marsh hard by would +swallow all the horses of the Queen's guard. I will into it, and +see where you will go then. You shall hear the bittern bump, and the +wild-drake quack, ere you get hold of me without my consent, I promise +you." + +Tressilian looked out, and, from the appearance of the ground behind +the hillock, believed it might be as the boy said, and accordingly +determined to strike up a peace with so light-footed and ready-witted an +enemy. "Come down," he said, "thou mischievous brat! Leave thy mopping +and mowing, and, come hither. I will do thee no harm, as I am a +gentleman." + +The boy answered his invitation with the utmost confidence, and danced +down from his stance with a galliard sort of step, keeping his eye at +the same time fixed on Tressilian's, who, once more dismounted, stood +with his horse's bridle in his hand, breathless, and half exhausted with +his fruitless exercise, though not one drop of moisture appeared on the +freckled forehead of the urchin, which looked like a piece of dry and +discoloured parchment, drawn tight across the brow of a fleshless skull. + +"And tell me," said Tressilian, "why you use me thus, thou mischievous +imp? or what your meaning is by telling me so absurd a legend as you +wished but now to put on me? Or rather show me, in good earnest, this +smith's forge, and I will give thee what will buy thee apples through +the whole winter." + +"Were you to give me an orchard of apples," said Dickie Sludge, "I can +guide thee no better than I have done. Lay down the silver token on the +flat stone--whistle three times--then come sit down on the western side +of the thicket of gorse. I will sit by you, and give you free leave to +wring my head off, unless you hear the smith at work within two minutes +after we are seated." + +"I may be tempted to take thee at thy word," said Tressilian, "if you +make me do aught half so ridiculous for your own mischievous sport; +however, I will prove your spell. Here, then, I tie my horse to this +upright stone. I must lay my silver groat here, and whistle three times, +sayest thou?" + +"Ay, but thou must whistle louder than an unfledged ousel," said the +boy, as Tressilian, having laid down his money, and half ashamed of the +folly he practised, made a careless whistle--"you must whistle louder +than that, for who knows where the smith is that you call for? He may be +in the King of France's stables for what I know." + +"Why, you said but now he was no devil," replied Tressilian. + +"Man or devil," said Dickie, "I see that I must summon him for you;" +and therewithal he whistled sharp and shrill, with an acuteness of sound +that almost thrilled through Tressilian's brain. "That is what I call +whistling," said he, after he had repeated the signal thrice; "and now +to cover, to cover, or Whitefoot will not be shod this day." + +Tressilian, musing what the upshot of this mummery was to be, yet +satisfied there was to be some serious result, by the confidence with +which the boy had put himself in his power, suffered himself to be +conducted to that side of the little thicket of gorse and brushwood +which was farthest from the circle of stones, and there sat down; and as +it occurred to him that, after all, this might be a trick for stealing +his horse, he kept his hand on the boy's collar, determined to make him +hostage for its safety. + +"Now, hush and listen," said Dickie, in a low whisper; "you will soon +hear the tack of a hammer that was never forged of earthly iron, for the +stone it was made of was shot from the moon." And in effect Tressilian +did immediately hear the light stroke of a hammer, as when a farrier +is at work. The singularity of such a sound, in so very lonely a place, +made him involuntarily start; but looking at the boy, and discovering, +by the arch malicious expression of his countenance, that the urchin saw +and enjoyed his slight tremor, he became convinced that the whole was +a concerted stratagem, and determined to know by whom, or for what +purpose, the trick was played off. + +Accordingly, he remained perfectly quiet all the time that the hammer +continued to sound, being about the space usually employed in fixing +a horse-shoe. But the instant the sound ceased, Tressilian, instead of +interposing the space of time which his guide had required, started up +with his sword in his hand, ran round the thicket, and confronted a man +in a farrier's leathern apron, but otherwise fantastically attired in a +bear-skin dressed with the fur on, and a cap of the same, which almost +hid the sooty and begrimed features of the wearer. "Come back, come +back!" cried the boy to Tressilian, "or you will be torn to pieces; no +man lives that looks on him." In fact, the invisible smith (now fully +visible) heaved up his hammer, and showed symptoms of doing battle. + +But when the boy observed that neither his own entreaties nor the +menaces of the farrier appeared to change Tressilian's purpose, but +that, on the contrary, he confronted the hammer with his drawn sword, +he exclaimed to the smith in turn, "Wayland, touch him not, or you will +come by the worse!--the gentleman is a true gentleman, and a bold." + +"So thou hast betrayed me, Flibbertigibbet?" said the smith; "it shall +be the worse for thee!" + +"Be who thou wilt," said Tressilian, "thou art in no danger from me, +so thou tell me the meaning of this practice, and why thou drivest thy +trade in this mysterious fashion." + +The smith, however, turning to Tressilian, exclaimed, in a threatening +tone, "Who questions the Keeper of the Crystal Castle of Light, the Lord +of the Green Lion, the Rider of the Red Dragon? Hence!--avoid thee, ere +I summon Talpack with his fiery lance, to quell, crush, and consume!" +These words he uttered with violent gesticulation, mouthing, and +flourishing his hammer. + +"Peace, thou vile cozener, with thy gipsy cant!" replied Tressilian +scornfully, "and follow me to the next magistrate, or I will cut thee +over the pate." + +"Peace, I pray thee, good Wayland!" said the boy. "Credit me, the +swaggering vein will not pass here; you must cut boon whids." ["Give +good words."--SLANG DIALECT.] + +"I think, worshipful sir," said the smith, sinking his hammer, and +assuming a more gentle and submissive tone of voice, "that when so poor +a man does his day's job, he might be permitted to work it out after his +own fashion. Your horse is shod, and your farrier paid--what need you +cumber yourself further than to mount and pursue your journey?" + +"Nay, friend, you are mistaken," replied Tressilian; "every man has a +right to take the mask from the face of a cheat and a juggler; and your +mode of living raises suspicion that you are both." + +"If you are so determined; sir," said the smith, "I cannot help myself +save by force, which I were unwilling to use towards you, Master +Tressilian; not that I fear your weapon, but because I know you to be +a worthy, kind, and well-accomplished gentleman, who would rather help +than harm a poor man that is in a strait." + +"Well said, Wayland," said the boy, who had anxiously awaited the issue +of their conference. "But let us to thy den, man, for it is ill for thy +health to stand here talking in the open air." + +"Thou art right, Hobgoblin," replied the smith; and going to the little +thicket of gorse on the side nearest to the circle, and opposite to that +at which his customer had so lately crouched, he discovered a trap-door +curiously covered with bushes, raised it, and, descending into the +earth, vanished from their eyes. Notwithstanding Tressilian's curiosity, +he had some hesitation at following the fellow into what might be a den +of robbers, especially when he heard the smith's voice, issuing from the +bowels of the earth, call out, "Flibertigibbet, do you come last, and be +sure to fasten the trap!" + +"Have you seen enough of Wayland Smith now?" whispered the urchin +to Tressilian, with an arch sneer, as if marking his companion's +uncertainty. + +"Not yet," said Tressilian firmly; and shaking off his momentary +irresolution, he descended into the narrow staircase, to which the +entrance led, and was followed by Dickie Sludge, who made fast the +trap-door behind him, and thus excluded every glimmer of daylight. The +descent, however, was only a few steps, and led to a level passage of +a few yards' length, at the end of which appeared the reflection of a +lurid and red light. Arrived at this point, with his drawn sword in +his hand, Tressilian found that a turn to the left admitted him and +Hobgoblin, who followed closely, into a small, square vault, containing +a smith's forge, glowing with charcoal, the vapour of which filled the +apartment with an oppressive smell, which would have been altogether +suffocating, but that by some concealed vent the smithy communicated +with the upper air. The light afforded by the red fuel, and by a lamp +suspended in an iron chain, served to show that, besides an anvil, +bellows, tongs, hammers, a quantity of ready-made horse-shoes, and other +articles proper to the profession of a farrier, there were also stoves, +alembics, crucibles, retorts, and other instruments of alchemy. The +grotesque figure of the smith, and the ugly but whimsical features of +the boy, seen by the gloomy and imperfect light of the charcoal fire and +the dying lamp, accorded very well with all this mystical apparatus, +and in that age of superstition would have made some impression on the +courage of most men. + +But nature had endowed Tressilian with firm nerves, and his education, +originally good, had been too sedulously improved by subsequent study to +give way to any imaginary terrors; and after giving a glance around him, +he again demanded of the artist who he was, and by what accident he came +to know and address him by his name. + +"Your worship cannot but remember," said the smith, "that about three +years since, upon Saint Lucy's Eve, there came a travelling juggler to a +certain hall in Devonshire, and exhibited his skill before a worshipful +knight and a fair company.--I see from your worship's countenance, dark +as this place is, that my memory has not done me wrong." + +"Thou hast said enough," said Tressilian, turning away, as wishing +to hide from the speaker the painful train of recollections which his +discourse had unconsciously awakened. + +"The juggler," said the smith, "played his part so bravely that the +clowns and clown-like squires in the company held his art to be little +less than magical; but there was one maiden of fifteen, or thereby, with +the fairest face I ever looked upon, whose rosy cheek grew pale, and her +bright eyes dim, at the sight of the wonders exhibited." + +"Peace, I command thee, peace!" said Tressilian. + +"I mean your worship no offence," said the fellow; "but I have cause to +remember how, to relieve the young maiden's fears, you condescended +to point out the mode in which these deceptions were practised, and to +baffle the poor juggler by laying bare the mysteries of his art, as ably +as if you had been a brother of his order.--She was indeed so fair a +maiden that, to win a smile of her, a man might well--" + +"Not a word more of her, I charge thee!" said Tressilian. "I do well +remember the night you speak of--one of the few happy evenings my life +has known." + +"She is gone, then," said the smith, interpreting after his own fashion +the sigh with which Tressilian uttered these words--"she is gone, young, +beautiful, and beloved as she was!--I crave your worship's pardon--I +should have hammered on another theme. I see I have unwarily driven the +nail to the quick." + +This speech was made with a mixture of rude feeling which inclined +Tressilian favourably to the poor artisan, of whom before he was +inclined to judge very harshly. But nothing can so soon attract the +unfortunate as real or seeming sympathy with their sorrows. + +"I think," proceeded Tressilian, after a minute's silence, "thou wert in +those days a jovial fellow, who could keep a company merry by song, and +tale, and rebeck, as well as by thy juggling tricks--why do I find thee +a laborious handicraftsman, plying thy trade in so melancholy a dwelling +and under such extraordinary circumstances?" + +"My story is not long," said the artist, "but your honour had better +sit while you listen to it." So saying, he approached to the fire a +three-footed stool, and took another himself; while Dickie Sludge, or +Flibbertigibbet, as he called the boy, drew a cricket to the smith's +feet, and looked up in his face with features which, as illuminated by +the glow of the forge, seemed convulsed with intense curiosity. "Thou +too," said the smith to him, "shalt learn, as thou well deservest at my +hand, the brief history of my life; and, in troth, it were as well tell +it thee as leave thee to ferret it out, since Nature never packed a +shrewder wit into a more ungainly casket.--Well, sir, if my poor story +may pleasure you, it is at your command, But will you not taste a stoup +of liquor? I promise you that even in this poor cell I have some in +store." + +"Speak not of it," said Tressilian, "but go on with thy story, for my +leisure is brief." + +"You shall have no cause to rue the delay," said the smith, "for +your horse shall be better fed in the meantime than he hath been this +morning, and made fitter for travel." + +With that the artist left the vault, and returned after a few minutes' +interval. Here, also, we pause, that the narrative may commence in +another chapter. + + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + + I say, my lord, can such a subtilty + (But all his craft ye must not wot of me, + And somewhat help I yet to his working), + That all the ground on which we ben riding, + Till that we come to Canterbury town, + He can all clean turnen so up so down, + And pave it all of silver and of gold. + --THE CANON'S YEOMAN'S PROLOGUE, CANTERBURY TALES. + +THE artist commenced his narrative in the following terms:-- + +"I was bred a blacksmith, and knew my art as well as e'er a +black-thumbed, leathern-aproned, swart-faced knave of that noble +mystery. But I tired of ringing hammer-tunes on iron stithies, and went +out into the world, where I became acquainted with a celebrated juggler, +whose fingers had become rather too stiff for legerdemain, and who +wished to have the aid of an apprentice in his noble mystery. I served +him for six years, until I was master of my trade--I refer myself to +your worship, whose judgment cannot be disputed, whether I did not learn +to ply the craft indifferently well?" + +"Excellently," said Tressilian; "but be brief." + +"It was not long after I had performed at Sir Hugh Robsart's, in your +worship's presence," said the artist, "that I took myself to the stage, +and have swaggered with the bravest of them all, both at the Black Bull, +the Globe, the Fortune, and elsewhere; but I know not how--apples were +so plenty that year that the lads in the twopenny gallery never took +more than one bite out of them, and threw the rest of the pippin at +whatever actor chanced to be on the stage. So I tired of it--renounced +my half share in the company, gave my foil to my comrade, my buskins to +the wardrobe, and showed the theatre a clean pair of heels." + +"Well, friend, and what," said Tressilian, "was your next shift?" + +"I became," said the smith, "half partner, half domestic to a man +of much skill and little substance, who practised the trade of a +physicianer." + +"In other words," said Tressilian, "you were Jack Pudding to a +quacksalver." + +"Something beyond that, let me hope, my good Master Tressilian," replied +the artist; "and yet to say truth, our practice was of an adventurous +description, and the pharmacy which I had acquired in my first studies +for the benefit of horses was frequently applied to our human patients. +But the seeds of all maladies are the same; and if turpentine, tar, +pitch, and beef-suet, mingled with turmerick, gum-mastick, and one bead +of garlick, can cure the horse that hath been grieved with a nail, I see +not but what it may benefit the man that hath been pricked with a sword. +But my master's practice, as well as his skill, went far beyond +mine, and dealt in more dangerous concerns. He was not only a bold, +adventurous practitioner in physic, but also, if your pleasure so +chanced to be, an adept who read the stars, and expounded the fortunes +of mankind, genethliacally, as he called it, or otherwise. He was a +learned distiller of simples, and a profound chemist--made several +efforts to fix mercury, and judged himself to have made a fair hit at +the philosopher's stone. I have yet a programme of his on that subject, +which, if your honour understandeth, I believe you have the better, not +only of all who read, but also of him who wrote it." + +He gave Tressilian a scroll of parchment, bearing at top and bottom, and +down the margin, the signs of the seven planets, curiously intermingled +with talismanical characters and scraps of Greek and Hebrew. In the +midst were some Latin verses from a cabalistical author, written out so +fairly, that even the gloom of the place did not prevent Tressilian from +reading them. The tenor of the original ran as follows:-- + + + "Si fixum solvas, faciasque volare solutum, + Et volucrem figas, facient te vivere tutum; + Si pariat ventum, valet auri pondere centum; + Ventus ubi vult spirat--Capiat qui capere potest." + +"I protest to you," said Tressilian, "all I understand of this jargon is +that the last words seem to mean 'Catch who catch can.'" + +"That," said the smith, "is the very principle that my worthy friend and +master, Doctor Doboobie, always acted upon; until, being besotted with +his own imaginations, and conceited of his high chemical skill, he +began to spend, in cheating himself, the money which he had acquired +in cheating others, and either discovered or built for himself, I could +never know which, this secret elaboratory, in which he used to seclude +himself both from patients and disciples, who doubtless thought his +long and mysterious absences from his ordinary residence in the town of +Farringdon were occasioned by his progress in the mystic sciences, and +his intercourse with the invisible world. Me also he tried to deceive; +but though I contradicted him not, he saw that I knew too much of his +secrets to be any longer a safe companion. Meanwhile, his name waxed +famous--or rather infamous, and many of those who resorted to him did so +under persuasion that he was a sorcerer. And yet his supposed advance in +the occult sciences drew to him the secret resort of men too powerful +to be named, for purposes too dangerous to be mentioned. Men cursed +and threatened him, and bestowed on me, the innocent assistant of his +studies, the nickname of the Devil's foot-post, which procured me a +volley of stones as soon as ever I ventured to show my face in the +street of the village. At length my master suddenly disappeared, +pretending to me that he was about to visit his elaboratory in this +place, and forbidding me to disturb him till two days were past. When +this period had elapsed, I became anxious, and resorted to this vault, +where I found the fires extinguished and the utensils in confusion, +with a note from the learned Doboobius, as he was wont to style himself, +acquainting me that we should never meet again, bequeathing me his +chemical apparatus, and the parchment which I have just put into your +hands, advising me strongly to prosecute the secret which it +contained, which would infallibly lead me to the discovery of the grand +magisterium." + +"And didst thou follow this sage advice?" said Tressilian. + +"Worshipful sir, no," replied the smith; "for, being by nature cautious, +and suspicious from knowing with whom I had to do, I made so many +perquisitions before I ventured even to light a fire, that I at length +discovered a small barrel of gunpowder, carefully hid beneath the +furnace, with the purpose, no doubt, that as soon as I should commence +the grand work of the transmutation of metals, the explosion should +transmute the vault and all in it into a heap of ruins, which might +serve at once for my slaughter-house and my grave. This cured me of +alchemy, and fain would I have returned to the honest hammer and anvil; +but who would bring a horse to be shod by the Devil's post? Meantime, I +had won the regard of my honest Flibbertigibbet here, he being then at +Farringdon with his master, the sage Erasmus Holiday, by teaching him +a few secrets, such as please youth at his age; and after much counsel +together, we agreed that, since I could get no practice in the ordinary +way, I should try how I could work out business among these +ignorant boors, by practising upon their silly fears; and, thanks to +Flibbertigibbet, who hath spread my renown, I have not wanted custom. +But it is won at too great risk, and I fear I shall be at length taken +up for a wizard; so that I seek but an opportunity to leave this vault, +when I can have the protection of some worshipful person against the +fury of the populace, in case they chance to recognize me." + +"And art thou," said Tressilian, "perfectly acquainted with the roads in +this country?" + +"I could ride them every inch by midnight," answered Wayland Smith, +which was the name this adept had assumed. + +"Thou hast no horse to ride upon," said Tressilian. + +"Pardon me," replied Wayland; "I have as good a tit as ever yeoman +bestrode; and I forgot to say it was the best part of the mediciner's +legacy to me, excepting one or two of the choicest of his medical +secrets, which I picked up without his knowledge and against his will." + +"Get thyself washed and shaved, then," said Tressilian; "reform thy +dress as well as thou canst, and fling away these grotesque trappings; +and, so thou wilt be secret and faithful, thou shalt follow me for a +short time, till thy pranks here are forgotten. Thou hast, I think, both +address and courage, and I have matter to do that may require both." + +Wayland Smith eagerly embraced the proposal, and protested his devotion +to his new master. In a very few minutes he had made so great an +alteration in his original appearance, by change of dress, trimming his +beard and hair, and so forth, that Tressilian could not help remarking +that he thought he would stand in little need of a protector, since none +of his old acquaintance were likely to recognize him. + +"My debtors would not pay me money," said Wayland, shaking his head; +"but my creditors of every kind would be less easily blinded. And, +in truth, I hold myself not safe, unless under the protection of a +gentleman of birth and character, as is your worship." + +So saying, he led the way out of the cavern. He then called loudly for +Hobgoblin, who, after lingering for an instant, appeared with the horse +furniture, when Wayland closed and sedulously covered up the trap-door, +observing it might again serve him at his need, besides that the tools +were worth somewhat. A whistle from the owner brought to his side a nag +that fed quietly on the common, and was accustomed to the signal. + +While he accoutred him for the journey, Tressilian drew his own girths +tighter, and in a few minutes both were ready to mount. + +At this moment Sludge approached to bid them farewell. + +"You are going to leave me, then, my old playfellow," said the boy; "and +there is an end of all our game at bo-peep with the cowardly lubbards +whom I brought hither to have their broad-footed nags shed by the devil +and his imps?" + +"It is even so," said Wayland Smith, "the best friends must part, +Flibbertigibbet; but thou, my boy, art the only thing in the Vale of +Whitehorse which I shall regret to leave behind me." + +"Well, I bid thee not farewell," said Dickie Sludge, "for you will be +at these revels, I judge, and so shall I; for if Dominie Holiday take me +not thither, by the light of day, which we see not in yonder dark hole, +I will take myself there!" + +"In good time," said Wayland; "but I pray you to do nought rashly." + +"Nay, now you would make a child, a common child of me, and tell me of +the risk of walking without leading-strings. But before you are a mile +from these stones, you shall know by a sure token that I have more of +the hobgoblin about me than you credit; and I will so manage that, if +you take advantage, you may profit by my prank." + +"What dost thou mean, boy?" said Tressilian; but Flibbertigibbet only +answered with a grin and a caper, and bidding both of them farewell, +and, at the same time, exhorting them to make the best of their way from +the place, he set them the example by running homeward with the same +uncommon velocity with which he had baffled Tressilian's former attempts +to get hold of him. + +"It is in vain to chase him," said Wayland Smith; "for unless your +worship is expert in lark-hunting, we should never catch hold of +him--and besides, what would it avail? Better make the best of our way +hence, as he advises." + +They mounted their horses accordingly, and began to proceed at a round +pace, as soon as Tressilian had explained to his guide the direction in +which he desired to travel. + +After they had trotted nearly a mile, Tressilian could not help +observing to his companion that his horse felt more lively under him +than even when he mounted in the morning. + +"Are you avised of that?" said Wayland Smith, smiling. "That is owing +to a little secret of mine. I mixed that with an handful of oats which +shall save your worship's heels the trouble of spurring these six hours +at least. Nay, I have not studied medicine and pharmacy for nought." + +"I trust," said Tressilian, "your drugs will do my horse no harm?" + +"No more than the mare's milk; which foaled him," answered the artist, +and was proceeding to dilate on the excellence of his recipe when he +was interrupted by an explosion as loud and tremendous as the mine which +blows up the rampart of a beleaguered city. The horses started, and the +riders were equally surprised. They turned to gaze in the direction from +which the thunder-clap was heard, and beheld, just over the spot they +had left so recently, a huge pillar of dark smoke rising high into the +clear, blue atmosphere. "My habitation is gone to wreck," said Wayland, +immediately conjecturing the cause of the explosion. "I was a fool to +mention the doctor's kind intentions towards my mansion before that limb +of mischief, Flibbertigibbet; I might have guessed he would long to put +so rare a frolic into execution. But let us hasten on, for the sound +will collect the country to the spot." + +So saying, he spurred his horse, and Tressilian also quickening his +speed, they rode briskly forward. + +"This, then, was the meaning of the little imp's token which he promised +us?" said Tressilian. "Had we lingered near the spot, we had found it a +love-token with a vengeance." + +"He would have given us warning," said the smith. "I saw him look back +more than once to see if we were off--'tis a very devil for mischief, +yet not an ill-natured devil either. It were long to tell your honour +how I became first acquainted with him, and how many tricks he played +me. Many a good turn he did me too, especially in bringing me customers; +for his great delight was to see them sit shivering behind the bushes +when they heard the click of my hammer. I think Dame Nature, when she +lodged a double quantity of brains in that misshapen head of his, gave +him the power of enjoying other people's distresses, as she gave them +the pleasure of laughing at his ugliness." + +"It may be so," said Tressilian; "those who find themselves severed from +society by peculiarities of form, if they do not hate the common bulk of +mankind, are at least not altogether indisposed to enjoy their mishaps +and calamities." + +"But Flibbertigibbet," answered Wayland, "hath that about him which +may redeem his turn for mischievous frolic; for he is as faithful when +attached as he is tricky and malignant to strangers, and, as I said +before, I have cause to say so." + +Tressilian pursued the conversation no further, and they continued +their journey towards Devonshire without further adventure, until they +alighted at an inn in the town of Marlborough, since celebrated for +having given title to the greatest general (excepting one) whom Britain +ever produced. Here the travellers received, in the same breath, an +example of the truth of two old proverbs--namely, that ILL NEWS FLY +FAST, and that LISTENERS SELDOM HEAR A GOOD TALE OF THEMSELVES. + +The inn-yard was in a sort of combustion when they alighted; insomuch, +that they could scarce get man or boy to take care of their horses, so +full were the whole household of some news which flew from tongue to +tongue, the import of which they were for some time unable to discover. +At length, indeed, they found it respected matters which touched them +nearly. + +"What is the matter, say you, master?" answered, at length, the head +hostler, in reply to Tressilian's repeated questions.--"Why, truly, +I scarce know myself. But here was a rider but now, who says that the +devil hath flown away with him they called Wayland Smith, that won'd +about three miles from the Whitehorse of Berkshire, this very blessed +morning, in a flash of fire and a pillar of smoke, and rooted up the +place he dwelt in, near that old cockpit of upright stones, as cleanly +as if it had all been delved up for a cropping." + +"Why, then," said an old farmer, "the more is the pity; for that Wayland +Smith (whether he was the devil's crony or no I skill not) had a good +notion of horses' diseases, and it's to be thought the bots will spread +in the country far and near, an Satan has not gien un time to leave his +secret behind un." + +"You may say that, Gaffer Grimesby," said the hostler in return; "I have +carried a horse to Wayland Smith myself, for he passed all farriers in +this country." + +"Did you see him?" said Dame Alison Crane, mistress of the inn +bearing that sign, and deigning to term HUSBAND the owner thereof, a +mean-looking hop-o'-my-thumb sort or person, whose halting gait, and +long neck, and meddling, henpecked insignificance are supposed to have +given origin to the celebrated old English tune of "My name hath a lame +tame Crane." + +On this occasion he chirped out a repetition of his wife's question, +"Didst see the devil, Jack Hostler, I say?" + +"And what if I did see un, Master Crane?" replied Jack Hostler, for, +like all the rest of the household, he paid as little respect to his +master as his mistress herself did. + +"Nay, nought, Jack Hostler," replied the pacific Master Crane; "only if +you saw the devil, methinks I would like to know what un's like?" + +"You will know that one day, Master Crane," said his helpmate, "an ye +mend not your manners, and mind your business, leaving off such idle +palabras.--But truly, Jack Hostler, I should be glad to know myself what +like the fellow was." + +"Why, dame," said the hostler, more respectfully, "as for what he was +like I cannot tell, nor no man else, for why I never saw un." + +"And how didst thou get thine errand done," said Gaffer Grimesby, "if +thou seedst him not?" + +"Why, I had schoolmaster to write down ailment o' nag," said Jack +Hostler; "and I went wi' the ugliest slip of a boy for my guide as ever +man cut out o' lime-tree root to please a child withal." + +"And what was it?--and did it cure your nag, Jack Hostler?" was uttered +and echoed by all who stood around. + +"Why, how can I tell you what it was?" said the hostler; "simply it +smelled and tasted--for I did make bold to put a pea's substance into +my mouth--like hartshorn and savin mixed with vinegar; but then no +hartshorn and savin ever wrought so speedy a cure. And I am dreading +that if Wayland Smith be gone, the bots will have more power over horse +and cattle." + +The pride of art, which is certainly not inferior in its influence to +any other pride whatever, here so far operated on Wayland Smith, that, +notwithstanding the obvious danger of his being recognized, he could not +help winking to Tressilian, and smiling mysteriously, as if triumphing +in the undoubted evidence of his veterinary skill. In the meanwhile, the +discourse continued. + +"E'en let it be so," said a grave man in black, the companion of Gaffer +Grimesby; "e'en let us perish under the evil God sends us, rather than +the devil be our doctor." + +"Very true," said Dame Crane; "and I marvel at Jack Hostler that he +would peril his own soul to cure the bowels of a nag." + +"Very true, mistress," said Jack Hostler, "but the nag was my master's; +and had it been yours, I think ye would ha' held me cheap enow an I had +feared the devil when the poor beast was in such a taking. For the rest, +let the clergy look to it. Every man to his craft, says the proverb--the +parson to the prayer-book, and the groom to his curry-comb. + +"I vow," said Dame Crane, "I think Jack Hostler speaks like a good +Christian and a faithful servant, who will spare neither body nor soul +in his master's service. However, the devil has lifted him in time, for +a Constable of the Hundred came hither this morning to get old Gaffer +Pinniewinks, the trier of witches, to go with him to the Vale of +Whitehorse to comprehend Wayland Smith, and put him to his probation. I +helped Pinniewinks to sharpen his pincers and his poking-awl, and I saw +the warrant from Justice Blindas." + +"Pooh--pooh--the devil would laugh both at Blindas and his warrant, +constable and witch-finder to boot," said old Dame Crank, the Papist +laundress; "Wayland Smith's flesh would mind Pinniewinks' awl no +more than a cambric ruff minds a hot piccadilloe-needle. But tell me, +gentlefolks, if the devil ever had such a hand among ye, as to snatch +away your smiths and your artists from under your nose, when the good +Abbots of Abingdon had their own? By Our Lady, no!--they had their +hallowed tapers; and their holy water, and their relics, and what not, +could send the foulest fiends a-packing. Go ask a heretic parson to do +the like. But ours were a comfortable people." + +"Very true, Dame Crank," said the hostler; "so said Simpkins of +Simonburn when the curate kissed his wife,--'They are a comfortable +people,' said he." + +"Silence, thou foul-mouthed vermin," said Dame Crank; "is it fit for +a heretic horse-boy like thee to handle such a text as the Catholic +clergy?" + +"In troth no, dame," replied the man of oats; "and as you yourself are +now no text for their handling, dame, whatever may have been the case in +your day, I think we had e'en better leave un alone." + +At this last exchange of sarcasm, Dame Crank set up her throat, and +began a horrible exclamation against Jack Hostler, under cover of which +Tressilian and his attendant escaped into the house. + +They had no sooner entered a private chamber, to which Goodman Crane +himself had condescended to usher them, and dispatched their worthy and +obsequious host on the errand of procuring wine and refreshment, than +Wayland Smith began to give vent to his self-importance. + +"You see, sir," said he, addressing Tressilian, "that I nothing fabled +in asserting that I possessed fully the mighty mystery of a farrier, or +mareschal, as the French more honourably term us. These dog-hostlers, +who, after all, are the better judges in such a case, know what credit +they should attach to my medicaments. I call you to witness, worshipful +Master Tressilian, that nought, save the voice of calumny and the hand +of malicious violence, hath driven me forth from a station in which I +held a place alike useful and honoured." + +"I bear witness, my friend, but will reserve my listening," answered +Tressilian, "for a safer time; unless, indeed, you deem it essential +to your reputation to be translated, like your late dwelling, by the +assistance of a flash of fire. For you see your best friends reckon you +no better than a mere sorcerer." + +"Now, Heaven forgive them," said the artist, "who confounded learned +skill with unlawful magic! I trust a man may be as skilful, or more so, +than the best chirurgeon ever meddled with horse-flesh, and yet may be +upon the matter little more than other ordinary men, or at the worst no +conjurer." + +"God forbid else!" said Tressilian. "But be silent just for the present, +since here comes mine host with an assistant, who seems something of the +least." + +Everybody about the inn, Dame Crane herself included, had been indeed +so interested and agitated by the story they had heard of Wayland Smith, +and by the new, varying, and more marvellous editions of the incident +which arrived from various quarters, that mine host, in his righteous +determination to accommodate his guests, had been able to obtain the +assistance of none of his household, saving that of a little boy, a +junior tapster, of about twelve years old, who was called Sampson. + +"I wish," he said, apologizing to his guests, as he set down a flagon +of sack, and promised some food immediately--"I wish the devil had flown +away with my wife and my whole family instead of this Wayland Smith, +who, I daresay, after all said and done, was much less worthy of the +distinction which Satan has done him." + +"I hold opinion with you, good fellow," replied Wayland Smith; "and I +will drink to you upon that argument." + +"Not that I would justify any man who deals with the devil," said mine +host, after having pledged Wayland in a rousing draught of sack, "but +that--saw ye ever better sack, my masters?--but that, I say, a man had +better deal with a dozen cheats and scoundrel fellows, such as this +Wayland Smith, than with a devil incarnate, that takes possession of +house and home, bed and board." + +The poor fellow's detail of grievances was here interrupted by the +shrill voice of his helpmate, screaming from the kitchen, to which he +instantly hobbled, craving pardon of his guests. He was no sooner gone +than Wayland Smith expressed, by every contemptuous epithet in the +language, his utter scorn for a nincompoop who stuck his head under +his wife's apron-string; and intimated that, saving for the sake of +the horses, which required both rest and food, he would advise his +worshipful Master Tressilian to push on a stage farther, rather than pay +a reckoning to such a mean-spirited, crow-trodden, henpecked coxcomb, as +Gaffer Crane. + +The arrival of a large dish of good cow-heel and bacon something soothed +the asperity of the artist, which wholly vanished before a choice capon, +so delicately roasted that the lard frothed on it, said Wayland, like +May-dew on a lily; and both Gaffer Crane and his good dame became, in +his eyes, very painstaking, accommodating, obliging persons. + +According to the manners of the times, the master and his attendant +sat at the same table, and the latter observed, with regret, how little +attention Tressilian paid to his meal. He recollected, indeed, the pain +he had given by mentioning the maiden in whose company he had first seen +him; but, fearful of touching upon a topic too tender to be tampered +with, he chose to ascribe his abstinence to another cause. + +"This fare is perhaps too coarse for your worship," said Wayland, as the +limbs of the capon disappeared before his own exertions; "but had you +dwelt as long as I have done in yonder dungeon, which Flibbertigibbet +has translated to the upper element, a place where I dared hardly broil +my food, lest the smoke should be seen without, you would think a fair +capon a more welcome dainty." + +"If you are pleased, friend," said Tressilian, "it is well. +Nevertheless, hasten thy meal if thou canst, For this place is +unfriendly to thy safety, and my concerns crave travelling." + +Allowing, therefore, their horses no more rest than was absolutely +necessary for them, they pursued their journey by a forced march as far +as Bradford, where they reposed themselves for the night. + +The next morning found them early travellers. And, not to fatigue the +reader with unnecessary particulars, they traversed without adventure +the counties of Wiltshire and Somerset, and about noon of the third day +after Tressilian's leaving Cumnor, arrived at Sir Hugh Robsart's seat, +called Lidcote Hall, on the frontiers of Devonshire. + + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + + Ah me! the flower and blossom of your house, + The wind hath blown away to other towers. + --JOANNA BAILLIE'S FAMILY LEGEND. + +The ancient seat of Lidcote Hall was situated near the village of +the same name, and adjoined the wild and extensive forest of Exmoor, +plentifully stocked with game, in which some ancient rights belonging to +the Robsart family entitled Sir Hugh to pursue his favourite amusement +of the chase. The old mansion was a low, venerable building, occupying +a considerable space of ground, which was surrounded by a deep moat. The +approach and drawbridge were defended by an octagonal tower, of ancient +brickwork, but so clothed with ivy and other creepers that it was +difficult to discover of what materials it was constructed. The angles +of this tower were each decorated with a turret, whimsically various +in form and in size, and, therefore, very unlike the monotonous stone +pepperboxes which, in modern Gothic architecture, are employed for +the same purpose. One of these turrets was square, and occupied as +a clock-house. But the clock was now standing still; a circumstance +peculiarly striking to Tressilian, because the good old knight, among +other harmless peculiarities, had a fidgety anxiety about the exact +measurement of time, very common to those who have a great deal of that +commodity to dispose of, and find it lie heavy upon their hands--just +as we see shopkeepers amuse themselves with taking an exact account of +their stock at the time there is least demand for it. + +The entrance to the courtyard of the old mansion lay through an archway, +surmounted by the foresaid tower; but the drawbridge was down, and one +leaf of the iron-studded folding-doors stood carelessly open. Tressilian +hastily rode over the drawbridge, entered the court, and began to +call loudly on the domestics by their names. For some time he was only +answered by the echoes and the howling of the hounds, whose kennel lay +at no great distance from the mansion, and was surrounded by the same +moat. At length Will Badger, the old and favourite attendant of the +knight, who acted alike as squire of his body and superintendent of his +sports, made his appearance. The stout, weather-beaten forester showed +great signs of joy when he recognized Tressilian. + +"Lord love you," he said, "Master Edmund, be it thou in flesh and fell? +Then thou mayest do some good on Sir Hugh, for it passes the wit of +man--that is, of mine own, and the curate's, and Master Mumblazen's--to +do aught wi'un." + +"Is Sir Hugh then worse since I went away, Will?" demanded Tressilian. + +"For worse in body--no; he is much better," replied the domestic; "but +he is clean mazed as it were--eats and drinks as he was wont--but sleeps +not, or rather wakes not, for he is ever in a sort of twilight, that is +neither sleeping nor waking. Dame Swineford thought it was like the dead +palsy. But no, no, dame, said I, it is the heart, it is the heart." + +"Can ye not stir his mind to any pastimes?" said Tressilian. + +"He is clean and quite off his sports," said Will Badger; "hath neither +touched backgammon or shovel-board, nor looked on the big book of +harrowtry wi' Master Mumblazen. I let the clock run down, thinking the +missing the bell might somewhat move him--for you know, Master Edmund, +he was particular in counting time--but he never said a word on't, so +I may e'en set the old chime a-towling again. I made bold to tread on +Bungay's tail too, and you know what a round rating that would ha' cost +me once a-day; but he minded the poor tyke's whine no more than a madge +howlet whooping down the chimney--so the case is beyond me." + +"Thou shalt tell me the rest within doors, Will. Meanwhile, let this +person be ta'en to the buttery, and used with respect. He is a man of +art." + +"White art or black art, I would," said Will Badger, "that he had any +art which could help us.--Here, Tom Butler, look to the man of art;--and +see that he steals none of thy spoons, lad," he added in a whisper to +the butler, who showed himself at a low window, "I have known as honest +a faced fellow have art enough to do that." + +He then ushered Tressilian into a low parlour, and went, at his desire, +to see in what state his master was, lest the sudden return of his +darling pupil and proposed son-in-law should affect him too strongly. +He returned immediately, and said that Sir Hugh was dozing in his +elbow-chair, but that Master Mumblazen would acquaint Master Tressilian +the instant he awaked. + +"But it is chance if he knows you," said the huntsman, "for he has +forgotten the name of every hound in the pack. I thought, about a week +since, he had gotten a favourable turn. 'Saddle me old Sorrel,' said he +suddenly, after he had taken his usual night-draught out of the great +silver grace-cup, 'and take the hounds to Mount Hazelhurst to-morrow.' +Glad men were we all, and out we had him in the morning, and he rode to +cover as usual, with never a word spoken but that the wind was south, +and the scent would lie. But ere we had uncoupled'the hounds, he began +to stare round him, like a man that wakes suddenly out of a dream--turns +bridle, and walks back to Hall again, and leaves us to hunt at leisure +by ourselves, if we listed." + +"You tell a heavy tale, Will," replied Tressilian; "but God must help +us--there is no aid in man." + +"Then you bring us no news of young Mistress Amy? But what need I +ask--your brow tells the story. Ever I hoped that if any man could or +would track her, it must be you. All's over and lost now. But if ever I +have that Varney within reach of a flight-shot, I will bestow a forked +shaft on him; and that I swear by salt and bread." + +As he spoke, the door opened, and Master Mumblazen appeared--a withered, +thin, elderly gentleman, with a cheek like a winter apple, and his +grey hair partly concealed by a small, high hat, shaped like a cone, +or rather like such a strawberry-basket as London fruiterers exhibit at +their windows. He was too sententious a person to waste words on mere +salutation; so, having welcomed Tressilian with a nod and a shake of the +hand, he beckoned him to follow to Sir Hugh's great chamber, which the +good knight usually inhabited. Will Badger followed, unasked, anxious to +see whether his master would be relieved from his state of apathy by the +arrival of Tressilian. + +In a long, low parlour, amply furnished with implements of the chase, +and with silvan trophies, by a massive stone chimney, over which hung +a sword and suit of armour somewhat obscured by neglect, sat Sir Hugh +Robsart of Lidcote, a man of large size, which had been only kept within +moderate compass by the constant use of violent exercise, It seemed to +Tressilian that the lethargy, under which his old friend appeared to +labour, had, even during his few weeks' absence, added bulk to his +person--at least it had obviously diminished the vivacity of his eye, +which, as they entered, first followed Master Mumblazen slowly to a +large oaken desk, on which a ponderous volume lay open, and then rested, +as if in uncertainty, on the stranger who had entered along with him. +The curate, a grey-headed clergyman, who had been a confessor in the +days of Queen Mary, sat with a book in his hand in another recess in the +apartment. He, too, signed a mournful greeting to Tressilian, and laid +his book aside, to watch the effect his appearance should produce on the +afflicted old man. + +As Tressilian, his own eyes filling fast with tears, approached more +and more nearly to the father of his betrothed bride, Sir Hugh's +intelligence seemed to revive. He sighed heavily, as one who awakens +from a state of stupor; a slight convulsion passed over his features; +he opened his arms without speaking a word, and, as Tressilian threw +himself into them, he folded him to his bosom. + +"There is something left to live for yet," were the first words he +uttered; and while he spoke, he gave vent to his feelings in a paroxysm +of weeping, the tears chasing each other down his sunburnt cheeks and +long white beard. + +"I ne'er thought to have thanked God to see my master weep," said Will +Badger; "but now I do, though I am like to weep for company." + +"I will ask thee no questions," said the old knight; "no +questions--none, Edmund. Thou hast not found her--or so found her, that +she were better lost." + +Tressilian was unable to reply otherwise than by putting his hands +before his face. + +"It is enough--it is enough. But do not thou weep for her, Edmund. I +have cause to weep, for she was my daughter; thou hast cause to rejoice, +that she did not become thy wife.--Great God! thou knowest best what is +good for us. It was my nightly prayer that I should see Amy and Edmund +wedded,--had it been granted, it had now been gall added to bitterness." + +"Be comforted, my friend," said the curate, addressing Sir Hugh, "it +cannot be that the daughter of all our hopes and affections is the vile +creature you would bespeak her." + +"Oh, no," replied Sir Hugh impatiently, "I were wrong to name broadly +the base thing she is become--there is some new court name for it, I +warrant me. It is honour enough for the daughter of an old Devonshire +clown to be the leman of a gay courtier--of Varney too--of Varney, whose +grandsire was relieved by my father, when his fortune was broken, at +the battle of--the battle of--where Richard was slain--out on my +memory!--and I warrant none of you will help me--" + +"The battle of Bosworth," said Master Mumblazen--"stricken between +Richard Crookback and Henry Tudor, grandsire of the Queen that now is, +PRIMO HENRICI SEPTIMI; and in the year one thousand four hundred and +eighty-five, POST CHRISTUM NATUM." + +"Ay, even so," said the old knight; "every child knows it. But my poor +head forgets all it should remember, and remembers only what it would +most willingly forget. My brain has been at fault, Tressilian, almost +ever since thou hast been away, and even yet it hunts counter." + +"Your worship," said the good clergyman, "had better retire to your +apartment, and try to sleep for a little space. The physician left +a composing draught; and our Great Physician has commanded us to use +earthly means, that we may be strengthened to sustain the trials He +sends us." + +"True, true, old friend," said Sir Hugh; "and we will bear our trials +manfully--we have lost but a woman.--See, Tressilian,"--he drew from +his bosom a long ringlet of glossy hair,--"see this lock! I tell thee, +Edmund, the very night she disappeared, when she bid me good even, as +she was wont, she hung about my neck, and fondled me more than usual; +and I, like an old fool, held her by this lock, until she took her +scissors, severed it, and left it in my hand--as all I was ever to see +more of her!" + +Tressilian was unable to reply, well judging what a complication of +feelings must have crossed the bosom of the unhappy fugitive at that +cruel moment. The clergyman was about to speak, but Sir Hugh interrupted +him. + +"I know what you would say, Master Curate,--After all, it is but a lock +of woman's tresses; and by woman, shame, and sin, and death came into +an innocent world.--And learned Master Mumblazen, too, can say scholarly +things of their inferiority." + +"C'EST L'HOMME," said Master Mumblazen, "QUI SE BAST, ET QUI CONSEILLE." + +"True," said Sir Hugh, "and we will bear us, therefore, like men who +have both mettle and wisdom in us.--Tressilian, thou art as welcome +as if thou hadst brought better news. But we have spoken too long +dry-lipped.--Amy, fill a cup of wine to Edmund, and another to me." Then +instantly recollecting that he called upon her who could not hear, +he shook his head, and said to the clergyman, "This grief is to my +bewildered mind what the church of Lidcote is to our park: we may lose +ourselves among the briers and thickets for a little space, but from +the end of each avenue we see the old grey steeple and the grave of my +forefathers. I would I were to travel that road tomorrow!" + +Tressilian and the curate joined in urging the exhausted old man to lay +himself to rest, and at length prevailed. Tressilian remained by his +pillow till he saw that slumber at length sunk down on him, and then +returned to consult with the curate what steps should be adopted in +these unhappy circumstances. + +They could not exclude from these deliberations Master Michael +Mumblazen; and they admitted him the more readily, that besides what +hopes they entertained from his sagacity, they knew him to be so great +a friend to taciturnity, that there was no doubt of his keeping counsel. +He was an old bachelor, of good family, but small fortune, and distantly +related to the House of Robsart; in virtue of which connection, Lidcote +Hall had been honoured with his residence for the last twenty years. His +company was agreeable to Sir Hugh, chiefly on account of his profound +learning, which, though it only related to heraldry and genealogy, with +such scraps of history as connected themselves with these subjects, +was precisely of a kind to captivate the good old knight; besides the +convenience which he found in having a friend to appeal to when his +own memory, as frequently happened, proved infirm and played him false +concerning names and dates, which, and all similar deficiencies, Master +Michael Mumblazen supplied with due brevity and discretion. And, +indeed, in matters concerning the modern world, he often gave, in his +enigmatical and heraldic phrase, advice which was well worth attending +to, or, in Will Badger's language, started the game while others beat +the bush. + +"We have had an unhappy time of it with the good knight, Master Edmund," +said the curate. "I have not suffered so much since I was torn away from +my beloved flock, and compelled to abandon them to the Romish wolves." + +"That was in TERTIO MARIAE," said Master Mumblazen. + +"In the name of Heaven," continued the curate, "tell us, has your +time been better spent than ours, or have you any news of that +unhappy maiden, who, being for so many years the principal joy of this +broken-down house, is now proved our greatest unhappiness? Have you not +at least discovered her place of residence?" + +"I have," replied Tressilian. "Know you Cumnor Place, near Oxford?" + +"Surely," said the clergyman; "it was a house of removal for the monks +of Abingdon." + +"Whose arms," said Master Michael, "I have seen over a stone chimney in +the hall,--a cross patonce betwixt four martlets." + +"There," said Tressilian, "this unhappy maiden resides, in company with +the villain Varney. But for a strange mishap, my sword had revenged all +our injuries, as well as hers, on his worthless head." + +"Thank God, that kept thine hand from blood-guiltiness, rash young man!" +answered the curate. "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will +repay it. It were better study to free her from the villain's nets of +infamy." + +"They are called, in heraldry, LAQUEI AMORIS, or LACS D'AMOUR," said +Mumblazen. + +"It is in that I require your aid, my friends," said Tressilian. "I +am resolved to accuse this villain, at the very foot of the throne, of +falsehood, seduction, and breach of hospitable laws. The Queen shall +hear me, though the Earl of Leicester, the villain's patron, stood at +her right hand." + +"Her Grace," said the curate, "hath set a comely example of continence +to her subjects, and will doubtless do justice on this inhospitable +robber. But wert thou not better apply to the Earl of Leicester, in the +first place, for justice on his servant? If he grants it, thou dost save +the risk of making thyself a powerful adversary, which will certainly +chance if, in the first instance, you accuse his master of the horse and +prime favourite before the Queen." + +"My mind revolts from your counsel," said Tressilian. "I cannot brook +to plead my noble patron's cause the unhappy Amy's cause--before any one +save my lawful Sovereign. Leicester, thou wilt say, is noble. Be it so; +he is but a subject like ourselves, and I will not carry my plaint to +him, if I can do better. Still, I will think on what thou hast said; but +I must have your assistance to persuade the good Sir Hugh to make me his +commissioner and fiduciary in this matter, for it is in his name I must +speak, and not in my own. Since she is so far changed as to dote upon +this empty profligate courtier, he shall at least do her the justice +which is yet in his power." + +"Better she died CAELEBS and SINE PROLE," said Mumblazen, with more +animation than he usually expressed, "than part, PER PALE, the noble +coat of Robsart with that of such a miscreant!" + +"If it be your object, as I cannot question," said the clergyman, "to +save, as much as is yet possible, the credit of this unhappy young +woman, I repeat, you should apply, in the first instance, to the Earl +of Leicester. He is as absolute in his household as the Queen in her +kingdom, and if he expresses to Varney that such is his pleasure, her +honour will not stand so publicly committed." + +"You are right, you are right!" said Tressilian eagerly, "and I thank +you for pointing out what I overlooked in my haste. I little thought +ever to have besought grace of Leicester; but I could kneel to the proud +Dudley, if doing so could remove one shade of shame from this unhappy +damsel. You will assist me then to procure the necessary powers from Sir +Hugh Robsart?" + +The curate assured him of his assistance, and the herald nodded assent. + +"You must hold yourselves also in readiness to testify, in case you are +called upon, the openhearted hospitality which our good patron exercised +towards this deceitful traitor, and the solicitude with which he +laboured to seduce his unhappy daughter." + +"At first," said the clergyman, "she did not, as it seemed to me, much +affect his company; but latterly I saw them often together." + +"SEIANT in the parlour," said Michael Mumblazen, "and PASSANT in the +garden." + +"I once came on them by chance," said the priest, "in the South wood, +in a spring evening. Varney was muffled in a russet cloak, so that I saw +not his face. They separated hastily, as they heard me rustle amongst +the leaves; and I observed she turned her head and looked long after +him." + +"With neck REGUARDANT," said the herald. "And on the day of her flight, +and that was on Saint Austen's Eve, I saw Varney's groom, attired in his +liveries, hold his master's horse and Mistress Amy's palfrey, bridled +and saddled PROPER, behind the wall of the churchyard." + +"And now is she found mewed up in his secret place of retirement," said +Tressilian. "The villain is taken in the manner, and I well wish he may +deny his crime, that I may thrust conviction down his false throat! But +I must prepare for my journey. Do you, gentlemen, dispose my patron to +grant me such powers as are needful to act in his name." + +So saying, Tressilian left the room. + +"He is too hot," said the curate; "and I pray to God that He may grant +him the patience to deal with Varney as is fitting." + +"Patience and Varney," said Mumblazen, "is worse heraldry than metal +upon metal. He is more false than a siren, more rapacious than a +griffin, more poisonous than a wyvern, and more cruel than a lion +rampant." + +"Yet I doubt much," said the curate, "whether we can with propriety ask +from Sir Hugh Robsart, being in his present condition, any deed deputing +his paternal right in Mistress Amy to whomsoever--" + +"Your reverence need not doubt that," said Will Badger, who entered as +he spoke, "for I will lay my life he is another man when he wakes than +he has been these thirty days past." + +"Ay, Will," said the curate, "hast thou then so much confidence in +Doctor Diddleum's draught?" + +"Not a whit," said Will, "because master ne'er tasted a drop on't, +seeing it was emptied out by the housemaid. But here's a gentleman, who +came attending on Master Tressilian, has given Sir Hugh a draught that +is worth twenty of yon un. I have spoken cunningly with him, and a +better farrier or one who hath a more just notion of horse and dog +ailment I have never seen; and such a one would never be unjust to a +Christian man." + +"A farrier! you saucy groom--and by whose authority, pray?" said the +curate, rising in surprise and indignation; "or who will be warrant for +this new physician?" + +"For authority, an it like your reverence, he had mine; and for warrant, +I trust I have not been five-and-twenty years in this house without +having right to warrant the giving of a draught to beast or body--I who +can gie a drench, and a ball, and bleed, or blister, if need, to my very +self." + +The counsellors of the house of Robsart thought it meet to carry this +information instantly to Tressilian, who as speedily summoned before +him Wayland Smith, and demanded of him (in private, however) by what +authority he had ventured to administer any medicine to Sir Hugh +Robsart? + +"Why," replied the artist, "your worship cannot but remember that I told +you I had made more progress into my master's--I mean the learned Doctor +Doboobie's--mystery than he was willing to own; and indeed half of his +quarrel and malice against me was that, besides that I got something too +deep into his secrets, several discerning persons, and particularly a +buxom young widow of Abingdon, preferred my prescriptions to his." + +"None of thy buffoonery, sir," said Tressilian sternly. "If thou hast +trifled with us--much more, if thou hast done aught that may prejudice +Sir Hugh Robsart's health, thou shalt find thy grave at the bottom of a +tin-mine." + +"I know too little of the great ARCANUM to convert the ore to +gold," said Wayland firmly. "But truce to your apprehensions, Master +Tressilian. I understood the good knight's case from what Master William +Badger told me; and I hope I am able enough to administer a poor dose +of mandragora, which, with the sleep that must needs follow, is all that +Sir Hugh Robsart requires to settle his distraught brains." + +"I trust thou dealest fairly with me, Wayland?" said Tressilian. + +"Most fairly and honestly, as the event shall show," replied the artist. +"What would it avail me to harm the poor old man for whom you are +interested?--you, to whom I owe it that Gaffer Pinniewinks is not even +now rending my flesh and sinews with his accursed pincers, and probing +every mole in my body with his sharpened awl (a murrain on the hands +which forged it!) in order to find out the witch's mark?--I trust to +yoke myself as a humble follower to your worship's train, and I only +wish to have my faith judged of by the result of the good knight's +slumbers." + +Wayland Smith was right in his prognostication. The sedative draught +which his skill had prepared, and Will Badger's confidence had +administered, was attended with the most beneficial effects. The +patient's sleep was long and healthful, and the poor old knight awoke, +humbled indeed in thought and weak in frame, yet a much better judge of +whatever was subjected to his intellect than he had been for some time +past. He resisted for a while the proposal made by his friends that +Tressilian should undertake a journey to court, to attempt the recovery +of his daughter, and the redress of her wrongs, in so far as they might +yet be repaired. "Let her go," he said; "she is but a hawk that goes +down the wind; I would not bestow even a whistle to reclaim her." But +though he for some time maintained this argument, he was at length +convinced it was his duty to take the part to which natural affection +inclined him, and consent that such efforts as could yet be made +should be used by Tressilian in behalf of his daughter. He subscribed, +therefore, a warrant of attorney, such as the curate's skill enabled him +to draw up; for in those simple days the clergy were often the advisers +of their flock in law as well as in gospel. + +All matters were prepared for Tressilian's second departure, within +twenty-four hours after he had returned to Lidcote Hall; but one +material circumstance had been forgotten, which was first called to the +remembrance of Tressilian by Master Mumblazen. "You are going to +court, Master Tressilian," said he; "you will please remember that your +blazonry must be ARGENT and OR--no other tinctures will pass current." +The remark was equally just and embarrassing. To prosecute a suit at +court, ready money was as indispensable even in the golden days of +Elizabeth as at any succeeding period; and it was a commodity little at +the command of the inhabitants of Lidcote Hall. Tressilian was himself +poor; the revenues of good Sir Hugh Robsart were consumed, and even +anticipated, in his hospitable mode of living; and it was finally +necessary that the herald who started the doubt should himself solve it. +Master Michael Mumblazen did so by producing a bag of money, containing +nearly three hundred pounds in gold and silver of various coinage, the +savings of twenty years, which he now, without speaking a syllable upon +the subject, dedicated to the service of the patron whose shelter +and protection had given him the means of making this little hoard. +Tressilian accepted it without affecting a moment's hesitation, and a +mutual grasp of the hand was all that passed betwixt them, to express +the pleasure which the one felt in dedicating his all to such a purpose, +and that which the other received from finding so material an obstacle +to the success of his journey so suddenly removed, and in a manner so +unexpected. + +While Tressilian was making preparations for his departure early +the ensuing morning, Wayland Smith desired to speak with him, and, +expressing his hope that he had been pleased with the operation of his +medicine in behalf of Sir Hugh Robsart, added his desire to accompany +him to court. This was indeed what Tressilian himself had several times +thought of; for the shrewdness, alertness of understanding, and variety +of resource which this fellow had exhibited during the time they had +travelled together, had made him sensible that his assistance might be +of importance. But then Wayland was in danger from the grasp of law; and +of this Tressilian reminded him, mentioning something, at the same time, +of the pincers of Pinniewinks and the warrant of Master Justice Blindas. +Wayland Smith laughed both to scorn. + +"See you, sir!" said he, "I have changed my garb from that of a farrier +to a serving-man; but were it still as it was, look at my moustaches. +They now hang down; I will but turn them up, and dye them with a +tincture that I know of, and the devil would scarce know me again." + +He accompanied these words with the appropriate action, and in less +than a minute, by setting up, his moustaches and his hair, he seemed +a different person from him that had but now entered the room. Still, +however, Tressilian hesitated to accept his services, and the artist +became proportionably urgent. + +"I owe you life and limb," he said, "and I would fain pay a part of the +debt, especially as I know from Will Badger on what dangerous service +your worship is bound. I do not, indeed, pretend to be what is called +a man of mettle, one of those ruffling tear-cats who maintain their +master's quarrel with sword and buckler. Nay, I am even one of those who +hold the end of a feast better than the beginning of a fray. But I know +that I can serve your worship better, in such quest as yours, than any +of these sword-and-dagger men, and that my head will be worth an hundred +of their hands." + +Tressilian still hesitated. He knew not much of this strange fellow, and +was doubtful how far he could repose in him the confidence necessary +to render him a useful attendant upon the present emergency. Ere he +had come to a determination, the trampling of a horse was heard in the +courtyard, and Master Mumblazen and Will Badger both entered hastily +into Tressilian's chamber, speaking almost at the same moment. + +"Here is a serving-man on the bonniest grey tit I ever see'd in my +life," said Will Badger, who got the start--"having on his arm a silver +cognizance, being a fire-drake holding in his mouth a brickbat, under +a coronet of an Earl's degree," said Master Mumblazen, "and bearing a +letter sealed of the same." + +Tressilian took the letter, which was addressed "To the worshipful +Master Edmund Tressilian, our loving kinsman--These--ride, ride, +ride--for thy life, for thy life, for thy life." He then opened it, and +found the following contents:-- + +"MASTER TRESSILIAN, OUR GOOD FRIEND AND COUSIN, "We are at present +so ill at ease, and otherwise so unhappily circumstanced, that we are +desirous to have around us those of our friends on whose loving-kindness +we can most especially repose confidence; amongst whom we hold our good +Master Tressilian one of the foremost and nearest, both in good will and +good ability. We therefore pray you, with your most convenient speed, to +repair to our poor lodging, at Sayes Court, near Deptford, where we will +treat further with you of matters which we deem it not fit to commit +unto writing. And so we bid you heartily farewell, being your loving +kinsman to command, + +"RATCLIFFE, EARL OF SUSSEX." "Send up the messenger instantly, Will +Badger," said Tressilian; and as the man entered the room, he exclaimed, +"Ah, Stevens, is it you? how does my good lord?" + +"Ill, Master Tressilian," was the messenger's reply, "and having +therefore the more need of good friends around him." + +"But what is my lord's malady?" said Tressilian anxiously; "I heard +nothing of his being ill." + +"I know not, sir," replied the man; "he is very ill at ease. The +leeches are at a stand, and many of his household suspect foul +practice-witchcraft, or worse." + +"What are the symptoms?" said Wayland Smith, stepping forward hastily. + +"Anan?" said the messenger, not comprehending his meaning. + +"What does he ail?" said Wayland; "where lies his disease?" + +The man looked at Tressilian, as if to know whether he should +answer these inquiries from a stranger, and receiving a sign in the +affirmative, he hastily enumerated gradual loss of strength, nocturnal +perspiration, and loss of appetite, faintness, etc. + +"Joined," said Wayland, "to a gnawing pain in the stomach, and a low +fever?" + +"Even so," said the messenger, somewhat surprised. + +"I know how the disease is caused," said the artist, "and I know the +cause. Your master has eaten of the manna of Saint Nicholas. I know +the cure too--my master shall not say I studied in his laboratory for +nothing." + +"How mean you?" said Tressilian, frowning; "we speak of one of the first +nobles of England. Bethink you, this is no subject for buffoonery." + +"God forbid!" said Wayland Smith. "I say that I know this disease, and +can cure him. Remember what I did for Sir Hugh Robsart." + +"We will set forth instantly," said Tressilian. "God calls us." + +Accordingly, hastily mentioning this new motive for his instant +departure, though without alluding to either the suspicions of Stevens, +or the assurances of Wayland Smith, he took the kindest leave of Sir +Hugh and the family at Lidcote Hall, who accompanied him with prayers +and blessings, and, attended by Wayland and the Earl of Sussex's +domestic, travelled with the utmost speed towards London. + + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + + Ay, I know you have arsenic, + Vitriol, sal-tartre, argaile, alkaly, + Cinoper: I know all.--This fellow, Captain, + Will come in time to be a great distiller, + And give a say (I will not say directly, + But very near) at the philosopher's stone. THE ALCHEMIST. + +Tressilian and his attendants pressed their route with all dispatch. +He had asked the smith, indeed, when their departure was resolved on, +whether he would not rather choose to avoid Berkshire, in which he had +played a part so conspicuous? But Wayland returned a confident answer. +He had employed the short interval they passed at Lidcote Hall in +transforming himself in a wonderful manner. His wild and overgrown +thicket of beard was now restrained to two small moustaches on the +upper lip, turned up in a military fashion. A tailor from the village +of Lidcote (well paid) had exerted his skill, under his customer's +directions, so as completely to alter Wayland's outward man, and take +off from his appearance almost twenty years of age. Formerly, besmeared +with soot and charcoal, overgrown with hair, and bent double with the +nature of his labour, disfigured too by his odd and fantastic dress, +he seemed a man of fifty years old. But now, in a handsome suit of +Tressilian's livery, with a sword by his side and a buckler on his +shoulder, he looked like a gay ruffling serving-man, whose age might +be betwixt thirty and thirty-five, the very prime of human life. +His loutish, savage-looking demeanour seemed equally changed, into a +forward, sharp, and impudent alertness of look and action. + +When challenged by Tressilian, who desired to know the cause of a +metamorphosis so singular and so absolute, Wayland only answered by +singing a stave from a comedy, which was then new, and was supposed, +among the more favourable judges, to augur some genius on the part of +the author. We are happy to preserve the couplet, which ran exactly +thus,-- + + + "Ban, ban, ca Caliban-- + Get a new master--Be a new man." + +Although Tressilian did not recollect the verses, yet they reminded +him that Wayland had once been a stage player, a circumstance which, +of itself, accounted indifferently well for the readiness with which +he could assume so total a change of personal appearance. The artist +himself was so confident of his disguise being completely changed, or +of his having completely changed his disguise, which may be the more +correct mode of speaking, that he regretted they were not to pass near +his old place of retreat. + +"I could venture," he said, "in my present dress, and with your +worship's backing, to face Master Justice Blindas, even on a day of +Quarter Sessions; and I would like to know what is become of Hobgoblin, +who is like to play the devil in the world, if he can once slip the +string, and leave his granny and his dominie.--Ay, and the scathed +vault!" he said; "I would willingly have seen what havoc the explosion +of so much gunpowder has made among Doctor Demetrius Doboobie's retorts +and phials. I warrant me, my fame haunts the Vale of the Whitehorse long +after my body is rotten; and that many a lout ties up his horse, lays +down his silver groat, and pipes like a sailor whistling in a calm for +Wayland Smith to come and shoe his tit for him. But the horse will catch +the founders ere the smith answers the call." + +In this particular, indeed, Wayland proved a true prophet; and so easily +do fables rise, that an obscure tradition of his extraordinary practice +in farriery prevails in the Vale of Whitehorse even unto this day; and +neither the tradition of Alfred's Victory, nor of the celebrated Pusey +Horn, are better preserved in Berkshire than the wild legend of Wayland +Smith. [See Note 2, Legend of Wayland Smith.] + +The haste of the travellers admitted their making no stay upon their +journey, save what the refreshment of the horses required; and as many +of the places through which they passed were under the influence of the +Earl of Leicester, or persons immediately dependent on him, they thought +it prudent to disguise their names and the purpose of their journey. +On such occasions the agency of Wayland Smith (by which name we shall +continue to distinguish the artist, though his real name was Lancelot +Wayland) was extremely serviceable. He seemed, indeed, to have a +pleasure in displaying the alertness with which he could baffle +investigation, and amuse himself by putting the curiosity of tapsters +and inn-keepers on a false scent. During the course of their brief +journey, three different and inconsistent reports were circulated by him +on their account--namely, first, that Tressilian was the Lord Deputy of +Ireland, come over in disguise to take the Queen's pleasure concerning +the great rebel Rory Oge MacCarthy MacMahon; secondly, that the said +Tressilian was an agent of Monsieur, coming to urge his suit to the +hand of Elizabeth; thirdly, that he was the Duke of Medina, come over, +incognito, to adjust the quarrel betwixt Philip and that princess. + +Tressilian was angry, and expostulated with the artist on the various +inconveniences, and, in particular, the unnecessary degree of attention +to which they were subjected by the figments he thus circulated; but +he was pacified (for who could be proof against such an argument?) by +Wayland's assuring him that a general importance was attached to his own +(Tressilian's) striking presence, which rendered it necessary to give an +extraordinary reason for the rapidity and secrecy of his journey. + +At length they approached the metropolis, where, owing to the more +general recourse of strangers, their appearance excited neither +observation nor inquiry, and finally they entered London itself. + +It was Tressilian's purpose to go down directly to Deptford, where Lord +Sussex resided, in order to be near the court, then held at Greenwich, +the favourite residence of Elizabeth, and honoured as her birthplace. +Still a brief halt in London was necessary; and it was somewhat +prolonged by the earnest entreaties of Wayland Smith, who desired +permission to take a walk through the city. + +"Take thy sword and buckler, and follow me, then," said Tressilian; "I +am about to walk myself, and we will go in company." + +This he said, because he was not altogether so secure of the fidelity +of his new retainer as to lose sight of him at this interesting moment, +when rival factions at the court of Elizabeth were running so high. +Wayland Smith willingly acquiesced in the precaution, of which he +probably conjectured the motive, but only stipulated that his master +should enter the shops of such chemists or apothecaries as he should +point out, in walking through Fleet Street, and permit him to make some +necessary purchases. Tressilian agreed, and obeying the signal of his +attendant, walked successively into more than four or five shops, where +he observed that Wayland purchased in each only one single drug, in +various quantities. The medicines which he first asked for were readily +furnished, each in succession, but those which he afterwards required +were less easily supplied; and Tressilian observed that Wayland more +than once, to the surprise of the shopkeeper, returned the gum or herb +that was offered to him, and compelled him to exchange it for the right +sort, or else went on to seek it elsewhere. But one ingredient, in +particular, seemed almost impossible to be found. Some chemists plainly +admitted they had never seen it; others denied that such a drug existed, +excepting in the imagination of crazy alchemists; and most of them +attempted to satisfy their customer, by producing some substitute, +which, when rejected by Wayland, as not being what he had asked +for, they maintained possessed, in a superior degree, the self-same +qualities. In general they all displayed some curiosity concerning the +purpose for which he wanted it. One old, meagre chemist, to whom +the artist put the usual question, in terms which Tressilian neither +understood nor could recollect, answered frankly, there was none of that +drug in London, unless Yoglan the Jew chanced to have some of it upon +hand. + +"I thought as much," said Wayland. And as soon as they left the shop, +he said to Tressilian, "I crave your pardon, sir, but no artist can work +without his tools. I must needs go to this Yoglan's; and I promise you, +that if this detains you longer than your leisure seems to permit, you +shall, nevertheless, be well repaid by the use I will make of this rare +drug. Permit me," he added, "to walk before you, for we are now to quit +the broad street and we will make double speed if I lead the way." + +Tressilian acquiesced, and, following the smith down a lane which turned +to the left hand towards the river, he found that his guide walked on +with great speed, and apparently perfect knowledge of the town, through +a labyrinth of by-streets, courts, and blind alleys, until at length +Wayland paused in the midst of a very narrow lane, the termination +of which showed a peep of the Thames looking misty and muddy, which +background was crossed saltierwise, as Mr. Mumblazen might have said, by +the masts of two lighters that lay waiting for the tide. The shop under +which he halted had not, as in modern days, a glazed window, but a +paltry canvas screen surrounded such a stall as a cobbler now occupies, +having the front open, much in the manner of a fishmonger's booth of the +present day. A little old smock-faced man, the very reverse of a Jew in +complexion, for he was very soft-haired as well as beardless, appeared, +and with many courtesies asked Wayland what he pleased to want. He had +no sooner named the drug, than the Jew started and looked surprised. +"And vat might your vorship vant vith that drug, which is not named, +mein God, in forty years as I have been chemist here?" + +"These questions it is no part of my commission to answer," said +Wayland; "I only wish to know if you have what I want, and having it, +are willing to sell it?" + +"Ay, mein God, for having it, that I have, and for selling it, I am a +chemist, and sell every drug." So saying, he exhibited a powder, and +then continued, "But it will cost much moneys. Vat I ave cost its weight +in gold--ay, gold well-refined--I vill say six times. It comes from +Mount Sinai, where we had our blessed Law given forth, and the plant +blossoms but once in one hundred year." + +"I do not know how often it is gathered on Mount Sinai," said Wayland, +after looking at the drug offered him with great disdain, "but I will +wager my sword and buckler against your gaberdine, that this trash you +offer me, instead of what I asked for, may be had for gathering any day +of the week in the castle ditch of Aleppo." + +"You are a rude man," said the Jew; "and, besides, I ave no better than +that--or if I ave, I will not sell it without order of a physician, or +without you tell me vat you make of it." + +The artist made brief answer in a language of which Tressilian could not +understand a word, and which seemed to strike the Jew with the +utmost astonishment. He stared upon Wayland like one who has suddenly +recognized some mighty hero or dreaded potentate, in the person of an +unknown and unmarked stranger. "Holy Elias!" he exclaimed, when he had +recovered the first stunning effects of his surprise; and then passing +from his former suspicious and surly manner to the very extremity of +obsequiousness, he cringed low to the artist, and besought him to enter +his poor house, to bless his miserable threshold by crossing it. + +"Vill you not taste a cup vith the poor Jew, Zacharias Yoglan?--Vill you +Tokay ave?--vill you Lachrymae taste?--vill you--" + +"You offend in your proffers," said Wayland; "minister to me in what I +require of you, and forbear further discourse." + +The rebuked Israelite took his bunch of keys, and opening with +circumspection a cabinet which seemed more strongly secured than the +other cases of drugs and medicines amongst which it stood, he drew out a +little secret drawer, having a glass lid, and containing a small portion +of a black powder. This he offered to Wayland, his manner conveying +the deepest devotion towards him, though an avaricious and jealous +expression, which seemed to grudge every grain of what his customer was +about to possess himself, disputed ground in his countenance with the +obsequious deference which he desired it should exhibit. + +"Have you scales?" said Wayland. + +The Jew pointed to those which lay ready for common use in the shop, +but he did so with a puzzled expression of doubt and fear, which did not +escape the artist. + +"They must be other than these," said Wayland sternly. "Know you not +that holy things lose their virtue if weighed in an unjust balance?" + +The Jew hung his head, took from a steel-plated casket a pair of scales +beautifully mounted, and said, as he adjusted them for the artist's +use, "With these I do mine own experiment--one hair of the high-priest's +beard would turn them." + +"It suffices," said the artist, and weighed out two drachms for himself +of the black powder, which he very carefully folded up, and put into his +pouch with the other drugs. He then demanded the price of the Jew, who +answered, shaking his head and bowing,-- + +"No price--no, nothing at all from such as you. But you will see the +poor Jew again? you will look into his laboratory, where, God help him, +he hath dried himself to the substance of the withered gourd of Jonah, +the holy prophet. You will ave pity on him, and show him one little step +on the great road?" + +"Hush!" said Wayland, laying his finger mysteriously on his mouth; "it +may be we shall meet again. Thou hast already the SCHAHMAJM, as thine +own Rabbis call it--the general creation; watch, therefore, and pray, +for thou must attain the knowledge of Alchahest Elixir Samech ere I +may commune further with thee." Then returning with a slight nod the +reverential congees of the Jew, he walked gravely up the lane, followed +by his master, whose first observation on the scene he had just +witnessed was, that Wayland ought to have paid the man for his drug, +whatever it was. + +"I pay him?" said the artist. "May the foul fiend pay me if I do! Had +it not been that I thought it might displease your worship, I would have +had an ounce or two of gold out of him, in exchange of the same just +weight of brick dust." + +"I advise you to practise no such knavery while waiting upon me," said +Tressilian. + +"Did I not say," answered the artist, "that for that reason alone I +forbore him for the present?--Knavery, call you it? Why, yonder wretched +skeleton hath wealth sufficient to pave the whole lane he lives in with +dollars, and scarce miss them out of his own iron chest; yet he goes mad +after the philosopher's stone. And besides, he would have cheated a poor +serving-man, as he thought me at first, with trash that was not worth +a penny. Match for match, quoth the devil to the collier; if his false +medicine was worth my good crowns, my true brick dust is as well worth +his good gold." + +"It may be so, for aught I know," said Tressilian, "in dealing amongst +Jews and apothecaries; but understand that to have such tricks of +legerdemain practised by one attending on me diminishes my honour, and +that I will not permit them. I trust thou hast made up thy purchases?" + +"I have, sir," replied Wayland; "and with these drugs will I, this very +day, compound the true orvietan, that noble medicine which is so seldom +found genuine and effective within these realms of Europe, for want +of that most rare and precious drug which I got but now from Yoglan." +[Orvietan, or Venice treacle, as it was sometimes called, was understood +to be a sovereign remedy against poison; and the reader must be +contented, for the time he peruses these pages, to hold the same +opinion, which was once universally received by the learned as well as +the vulgar.] + +"But why not have made all your purchases at one shop?" said his master; +"we have lost nearly an hour in running from one pounder of simples to +another." + +"Content you, sir," said Wayland. "No man shall learn my secret; and +it would not be mine long, were I to buy all my materials from one +chemist." + +They now returned to their inn (the famous Bell-Savage); and while the +Lord Sussex's servant prepared the horses for their journey, Wayland, +obtaining from the cook the service of a mortar, shut himself up in +a private chamber, where he mixed, pounded, and amalgamated the drugs +which he had bought, each in its due proportion, with a readiness +and address that plainly showed him well practised in all the manual +operations of pharmacy. + +By the time Wayland's electuary was prepared the horses were ready, and +a short hour's riding brought them to the present habitation of Lord +Sussex, an ancient house, called Sayes Court, near Deptford, which +had long pertained to a family of that name, but had for upwards of a +century been possessed by the ancient and honourable family of Evelyn. +The present representative of that ancient house took a deep interest +in the Earl of Sussex, and had willingly accommodated both him and his +numerous retinue in his hospitable mansion. Sayes Court was afterwards +the residence of the celebrated Mr. Evelyn, whose "Silva" is still the +manual of British planters; and whose life, manners, and principles, as +illustrated in his Memoirs, ought equally to be the manual of English +gentlemen. + + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + + This is rare news thou tell'st me, my good fellow; + There are two bulls fierce battling on the green + For one fair heifer--if the one goes down, + The dale will be more peaceful, and the herd, + Which have small interest in their brulziement, + May pasture there in peace. --OLD PLAY. + +Sayes Court was watched like a beleaguered fort; and so high rose the +suspicions of the time, that Tressilian and his attendants were stopped +and questioned repeatedly by sentinels, both on foot and horseback, +as they approached the abode of the sick Earl. In truth, the high rank +which Sussex held in Queen Elizabeth's favour, and his known and avowed +rivalry of the Earl of Leicester, caused the utmost importance to be +attached to his welfare; for, at the period we treat of, all men doubted +whether he or the Earl of Leicester might ultimately have the higher +rank in her regard. + +Elizabeth, like many of her sex, was fond of governing by factions, so +as to balance two opposing interests, and reserve in her own hand the +power of making either predominate, as the interest of the state, or +perhaps as her own female caprice (for to that foible even she was not +superior), might finally determine. To finesse--to hold the cards--to +oppose one interest to another--to bridle him who thought himself +highest in her esteem, by the fears he must entertain of another equally +trusted, if not equally beloved, were arts which she used throughout +her reign, and which enabled her, though frequently giving way to the +weakness of favouritism, to prevent most of its evil effects on her +kingdom and government. + +The two nobles who at present stood as rivals in her favour possessed +very different pretensions to share it; yet it might be in general said +that the Earl of Sussex had been most serviceable to the Queen, while +Leicester was most dear to the woman. Sussex was, according to the +phrase of the times, a martialist--had done good service in Ireland and +in Scotland, and especially in the great northern rebellion, in 1569, +which was quelled, in a great measure, by his military talents. He was, +therefore, naturally surrounded and looked up to by those who wished to +make arms their road to distinction. The Earl of Sussex, moreover, was +of more ancient and honourable descent than his rival, uniting in +his person the representation of the Fitz-Walters, as well as of +the Ratcliffes; while the scutcheon of Leicester was stained by the +degradation of his grandfather, the oppressive minister of Henry VII., +and scarce improved by that of his father, the unhappy Dudley, Duke of +Northumberland, executed on Tower Hill, August 22, 1553. But in person, +features, and address, weapons so formidable in the court of a +female sovereign, Leicester had advantages more than sufficient to +counterbalance the military services, high blood, and frank bearing of +the Earl of Sussex; and he bore, in the eye of the court and kingdom, +the higher share in Elizabeth's favour, though (for such was her uniform +policy) by no means so decidedly expressed as to warrant him against the +final preponderance of his rival's pretensions. The illness of Sussex +therefore happened so opportunely for Leicester, as to give rise to +strange surmises among the public; while the followers of the one Earl +were filled with the deepest apprehensions, and those of the other with +the highest hopes of its probable issue. Meanwhile--for in that old time +men never forgot the probability that the matter might be determined +by length of sword--the retainers of each noble flocked around their +patron, appeared well armed in the vicinity of the court itself, and +disturbed the ear of the sovereign by their frequent and alarming +debates, held even within the precincts of her palace. This preliminary +statement is necessary, to render what follows intelligible to the +reader. [See Note 3. Leicester and Sussex.] + +On Tressilian's arrival at Sayes Court, he found the place filled with +the retainers of the Earl of Sussex, and of the gentlemen who came to +attend their patron in his illness. Arms were in every hand, and a deep +gloom on every countenance, as if they had apprehended an immediate +and violent assault from the opposite faction. In the hall, however, +to which Tressilian was ushered by one of the Earl's attendants, +while another went to inform Sussex of his arrival, he found only two +gentlemen in waiting. There was a remarkable contrast in their dress, +appearance, and manners. The attire of the elder gentleman, a person +as it seemed of quality and in the prime of life, was very plain and +soldierlike, his stature low, his limbs stout, his bearing ungraceful, +and his features of that kind which express sound common sense, without +a grain of vivacity or imagination. The younger, who seemed about +twenty, or upwards, was clad in the gayest habit used by persons of +quality at the period, wearing a crimson velvet cloak richly ornamented +with lace and embroidery, with a bonnet of the same, encircled with a +gold chain turned three times round it, and secured by a medal. His hair +was adjusted very nearly like that of some fine gentlemen of our own +time--that is, it was combed upwards, and made to stand as it were on +end; and in his ears he wore a pair of silver earrings, having each a +pearl of considerable size. The countenance of this youth, besides being +regularly handsome and accompanied by a fine person, was animated and +striking in a degree that seemed to speak at once the firmness of +a decided and the fire of an enterprising character, the power of +reflection, and the promptitude of determination. + +Both these gentlemen reclined nearly in the same posture on benches +near each other; but each seeming engaged in his own meditations, looked +straight upon the wall which was opposite to them, without speaking to +his companion. The looks of the elder were of that sort which convinced +the beholder that, in looking on the wall, he saw no more than the side +of an old hall hung around with cloaks, antlers, bucklers, old pieces +of armour, partisans, and the similar articles which were usually the +furniture of such a place. The look of the younger gallant had in it +something imaginative; he was sunk in reverie, and it seemed as if the +empty space of air betwixt him and the wall were the stage of a theatre +on which his fancy was mustering his own DRAMATIS PERSONAE, and treating +him with sights far different from those which his awakened and earthly +vision could have offered. + +At the entrance of Tressilian both started from their musing, and +made him welcome--the younger, in particular, with great appearance of +animation and cordiality. + +"Thou art welcome, Tressilian," said the youth. "Thy philosophy stole +thee from us when this household had objects of ambition to offer; it +is an honest philosophy, since it returns thee to us when there are only +dangers to be shared." + +"Is my lord, then, so greatly indisposed?" said Tressilian. + +"We fear the very worst," answered the elder gentleman, "and by the +worst practice." + +"Fie," replied Tressilian, "my Lord of Leicester is honourable." + +"What doth he with such attendants, then, as he hath about him?" said +the younger gallant. "The man who raises the devil may be honest, but he +is answerable for the mischief which the fiend does, for all that." + +"And is this all of you, my mates," inquired Tressilian, "that are about +my lord in his utmost straits?" + +"No, no," replied the elder gentleman, "there are Tracy, Markham, and +several more; but we keep watch here by two at once, and some are weary +and are sleeping in the gallery above." + +"And some," said the young man, "are gone down to the Dock yonder at +Deptford, to look out such a hull; as they may purchase by clubbing +their broken fortunes; and as soon as all is over, we will lay our noble +lord in a noble green grave, have a blow at those who have hurried him +thither, if opportunity suits, and then sail for the Indies with heavy +hearts and light purses." + +"It may be," said Tressilian, "that I will embrace the same purpose, so +soon as I have settled some business at court." + +"Thou business at court!" they both exclaimed at once, "and thou make +the Indian voyage!" + +"Why, Tressilian," said the younger man, "art thou not wedded, and +beyond these flaws of fortune, that drive folks out to sea when their +bark bears fairest for the haven?--What has become of the lovely +Indamira that was to match my Amoret for truth and beauty?" + +"Speak not of her!" said Tressilian, averting his face. + +"Ay, stands it so with you?" said the youth, taking his hand very +affectionately; "then, fear not I will again touch the green wound. +But it is strange as well as sad news. Are none of our fair and merry +fellowship to escape shipwreck of fortune and happiness in this sudden +tempest? I had hoped thou wert in harbour, at least, my dear Edmund. But +truly says another dear friend of thy name, + + + 'What man that sees the ever whirling wheel + Of Chance, the which all mortal things doth sway, + But that thereby doth find and plainly feel, + How Mutability in them doth play + Her cruel sports to many men's decay.'" + +The elder gentleman had risen from his bench, and was pacing the +hall with some impatience, while the youth, with much earnestness +and feeling, recited these lines. When he had done, the other wrapped +himself in his cloak, and again stretched himself down, saying, "I +marvel, Tressilian, you will feed the lad in this silly humour. If there +were ought to draw a judgment upon a virtuous and honourable household +like my lord's, renounce me if I think not it were this piping, +whining, childish trick of poetry, that came among us with Master Walter +Wittypate here and his comrades, twisting into all manner of uncouth and +incomprehensible forms of speech, the honest plain English phrase which +God gave us to express our meaning withal." + +"Blount believes," said his comrade, laughing, "the devil woo'd Eve +in rhyme, and that the mystic meaning of the Tree of Knowledge refers +solely to the art of clashing rhymes and meting out hexameters." [See +Note 4. Sir Walter Raleigh.] + +At this moment the Earl's chamberlain entered, and informed Tressilian +that his lord required to speak with him. + +He found Lord Sussex dressed, but unbraced, and lying on his couch, and +was shocked at the alteration disease had made in his person. The Earl +received him with the most friendly cordiality, and inquired into the +state of his courtship. Tressilian evaded his inquiries for a moment, +and turning his discourse on the Earl's own health, he discovered, to +his surprise, that the symptoms of his disorder corresponded minutely +with those which Wayland had predicated concerning it. He hesitated not, +therefore, to communicate to Sussex the whole history of his attendant, +and the pretensions he set up to cure the disorder under which he +laboured. The Earl listened with incredulous attention until the name +of Demetrius was mentioned, and then suddenly called to his secretary to +bring him a certain casket which contained papers of importance. "Take +out from thence," he said, "the declaration of the rascal cook whom we +had under examination, and look heedfully if the name of Demetrius be +not there mentioned." + +The secretary turned to the passage at once, and read, "And said +declarant, being examined, saith, That he remembers having made the +sauce to the said sturgeon-fish, after eating of which the said noble +Lord was taken ill; and he put the usual ingredients and condiments +therein, namely--" + +"Pass over his trash," said the Earl, "and see whether he had not been +supplied with his materials by a herbalist called Demetrius." + +"It is even so," answered the secretary. "And he adds, he has not since +seen the said Demetrius." + +"This accords with thy fellow's story, Tressilian," said the Earl; "call +him hither." + +On being summoned to the Earl's presence, Wayland Smith told his former +tale with firmness and consistency. + +"It may be," said the Earl, "thou art sent by those who have begun this +work, to end it for them; but bethink, if I miscarry under thy medicine, +it may go hard with thee." + +"That were severe measure," said Wayland, "since the issue of medicine, +and the end of life, are in God's disposal. But I will stand the risk. I +have not lived so long under ground to be afraid of a grave." + +"Nay, if thou be'st so confident," said the Earl of Sussex, "I will take +the risk too, for the learned can do nothing for me. Tell me how this +medicine is to be taken." + +"That will I do presently," said Wayland; "but allow me to condition +that, since I incur all the risk of this treatment, no other physician +shall be permitted to interfere with it." + +"That is but fair," replied the Earl; "and now prepare your drug." + +While Wayland obeyed the Earl's commands, his servants, by the artist's +direction, undressed their master, and placed him in bed. + +"I warn you," he said, "that the first operation of this medicine will +be to produce a heavy sleep, during which time the chamber must be kept +undisturbed, as the consequences may otherwise he fatal. I myself will +watch by the Earl with any of the gentlemen of his chamber." + +"Let all leave the room, save Stanley and this good fellow," said the +Earl. + +"And saving me also," said Tressilian. "I too am deeply interested in +the effects of this potion." + +"Be it so, good friend," said the Earl. "And now for our experiment; but +first call my secretary and chamberlain." + +"Bear witness," he continued, when these officers arrived--"bear witness +for me, gentlemen, that our honourable friend Tressilian is in no way +responsible for the effects which this medicine may produce upon me, the +taking it being my own free action and choice, in regard I believe it to +be a remedy which God has furnished me by unexpected means to recover me +of my present malady. Commend me to my noble and princely Mistress; +and say that I live and die her true servant, and wish to all about her +throne the same singleness of heart and will to serve her, with more +ability to do so than hath been assigned to poor Thomas Ratcliffe." + +He then folded his hands, and seemed for a second or two absorbed +in mental devotion, then took the potion in his hand, and, pausing, +regarded Wayland with a look that seemed designed to penetrate his very +soul, but which caused no anxiety or hesitation in the countenance or +manner of the artist. + +"Here is nothing to be feared," said Sussex to Tressilian, and swallowed +the medicine without further hesitation. + +"I am now to pray your lordship," said Wayland, "to dispose yourself +to rest as commodiously as you can; and of you, gentlemen, to remain as +still and mute as if you waited at your mother's deathbed." + +The chamberlain and secretary then withdrew, giving orders that all +doors should be bolted, and all noise in the house strictly prohibited. +Several gentlemen were voluntary watchers in the hall, but none remained +in the chamber of the sick Earl, save his groom of the chamber, the +artist, and Tressilian.--Wayland Smith's predictions were speedily +accomplished, and a sleep fell upon the Earl, so deep and sound that +they who watched his bedside began to fear that, in his weakened state, +he might pass away without awakening from his lethargy. Wayland Smith +himself appeared anxious, and felt the temples of the Earl slightly, +from time to time, attending particularly to the state of his +respiration, which was full and deep, but at the same time easy and +uninterrupted. + + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + + You loggerheaded and unpolish'd grooms, + What, no attendance, no regard, no duty? + Where is the foolish knave I sent before? + --TAMING OF THE SHREW. + +There is no period at which men look worse in the eyes of each other, or +feel more uncomfortable, than when the first dawn of daylight finds them +watchers. Even a beauty of the first order, after the vigils of a ball +are interrupted by the dawn, would do wisely to withdraw herself from +the gaze of her fondest and most partial admirers. Such was the pale, +inauspicious, and ungrateful light which began to beam upon those who +kept watch all night in the hall at Sayes Court, and which mingled its +cold, pale, blue diffusion with the red, yellow, and smoky beams of +expiring lamps and torches. The young gallant, whom we noticed in our +last chapter, had left the room for a few minutes, to learn the cause of +a knocking at the outward gate, and on his return was so struck with +the forlorn and ghastly aspects of his companions of the watch that +he exclaimed, "Pity of my heart, my masters, how like owls you look! +Methinks, when the sun rises, I shall see you flutter off with your eyes +dazzled, to stick yourselves into the next ivy-tod or ruined steeple." + +"Hold thy peace, thou gibing fool," said Blount; "hold thy peace. Is +this a time for jeering, when the manhood of England is perchance dying +within a wall's breadth of thee?" + +"There thou liest," replied the gallant. + +"How, lie!" exclaimed Blount, starting up, "lie! and to me?" + +"Why, so thou didst, thou peevish fool," answered the youth; "thou didst +lie on that bench even now, didst thou not? But art thou not a hasty +coxcomb to pick up a wry word so wrathfully? Nevertheless, loving and, +honouring my lord as truly as thou, or any one, I do say that, should +Heaven take him from us, all England's manhood dies not with him." + +"Ay," replied Blount, "a good portion will survive with thee, +doubtless." + +"And a good portion with thyself, Blount, and with stout Markham here, +and Tracy, and all of us. But I am he will best employ the talent Heaven +has given to us all." + +"As how, I prithee?" said Blount; "tell us your mystery of multiplying." + +"Why, sirs," answered the youth, "ye are like goodly land, which bears +no crop because it is not quickened by manure; but I have that rising +spirit in me which will make my poor faculties labour to keep pace with +it. My ambition will keep my brain at work, I warrant thee." + +"I pray to God it does not drive thee mad," said Blount; "for my part, +if we lose our noble lord, I bid adieu to the court and to the camp +both. I have five hundred foul acres in Norfolk, and thither will I, and +change the court pantoufle for the country hobnail." + +"O base transmutation!" exclaimed his antagonist; "thou hast already got +the true rustic slouch--thy shoulders stoop, as if thine hands were at +the stilts of the plough; and thou hast a kind of earthy smell about +thee, instead of being perfumed with essence, as a gallant and courtier +should. On my soul, thou hast stolen out to roll thyself on a hay mow! +Thy only excuse will be to swear by thy hilts that the farmer had a fair +daughter." + +"I pray thee, Walter," said another of the company, "cease thy raillery, +which suits neither time nor place, and tell us who was at the gate just +now." + +"Doctor Masters, physician to her Grace in ordinary, sent by her +especial orders to inquire after the Earl's health," answered Walter. + +"Ha! what?" exclaimed Tracy; "that was no slight mark of favour. If the +Earl can but come through, he will match with Leicester yet. Is Masters +with my lord at present?" + +"Nay," replied Walter, "he is half way back to Greenwich by this time, +and in high dudgeon." + +"Thou didst not refuse him admittance?" exclaimed Tracy. + +"Thou wert not, surely, so mad?" ejaculated Blount. + +"I refused him admittance as flatly, Blount, as you would refuse a penny +to a blind beggar--as obstinately, Tracy, as thou didst ever deny access +to a dun." + +"Why, in the fiend's name, didst thou trust him to go to the gate?" said +Blount to Tracy. + +"It suited his years better than mine," answered Tracy; "but he has +undone us all now thoroughly. My lord may live or die, he will never +have a look of favour from her Majesty again." + +"Nor the means of making fortunes for his followers," said the young +gallant, smiling contemptuously;--"there lies the sore point that will +brook no handling. My good sirs, I sounded my lamentations over my lord +somewhat less loudly than some of you; but when the point comes of +doing him service, I will yield to none of you. Had this learned leech +entered, think'st thou not there had been such a coil betwixt him and +Tressilian's mediciner, that not the sleeper only, but the very dead +might have awakened? I know what larurm belongs to the discord of +doctors." + +"And who is to take the blame of opposing the Queen's orders?" said +Tracy; "for, undeniably, Doctor Masters came with her Grace's positive +commands to cure the Earl." + +"I, who have done the wrong, will bear the blame," said Walter. + +"Thus, then, off fly the dreams of court favour thou hast nourished," +said Blount, "and despite all thy boasted art and ambition, Devonshire +will see thee shine a true younger brother, fit to sit low at the board, +carve turn about with the chaplain, look that the hounds be fed, and see +the squire's girths drawn when he goes a-hunting." + +"Not so," said the young man, colouring, "not while Ireland and the +Netherlands have wars, and not while the sea hath pathless waves. The +rich West hath lands undreamed of, and Britain contains bold hearts to +venture on the quest of them. Adieu for a space, my masters. I go to +walk in the court and look to the sentinels." + +"The lad hath quicksilver in his veins, that is certain," said Blount, +looking at Markham. + +"He hath that both in brain and blood," said Markham, "which may either +make or mar him. But in closing the door against Masters, he hath done +a daring and loving piece of service; for Tressilian's fellow hath ever +averred that to wake the Earl were death, and Masters would wake the +Seven Sleepers themselves, if he thought they slept not by the regular +ordinance of medicine." + +Morning was well advanced when Tressilian, fatigued and over-watched, +came down to the hall with the joyful intelligence that the Earl +had awakened of himself, that he found his internal complaints much +mitigated, and spoke with a cheerfulness, and looked round with a +vivacity, which of themselves showed a material and favourable change +had taken place. Tressilian at the same time commanded the attendance of +one or two of his followers, to report what had passed during the night, +and to relieve the watchers in the Earl's chamber. + +When the message of the Queen was communicated to the Earl of Sussex, he +at first smiled at the repulse which the physician had received from his +zealous young follower; but instantly recollecting himself, he commanded +Blount, his master of the horse, instantly to take boat, and go down +the river to the Palace of Greenwich, taking young Walter and Tracy with +him, and make a suitable compliment, expressing his grateful thanks to +his Sovereign, and mentioning the cause why he had not been enabled to +profit by the assistance of the wise and learned Doctor Masters. + +"A plague on it!" said Blount, as he descended the stairs; "had he sent +me with a cartel to Leicester I think I should have done his errand +indifferently well. But to go to our gracious Sovereign, before whom all +words must be lacquered over either with gilding or with sugar, is such +a confectionary matter as clean baffles my poor old English brain.--Come +with me, Tracy, and come you too, Master Walter Wittypate, that art the +cause of our having all this ado. Let us see if thy neat brain, that +frames so many flashy fireworks, can help out a plain fellow at need +with some of thy shrewd devices." + +"Never fear, never fear," exclaimed the youth, "it is I will help you +through; let me but fetch my cloak." + +"Why, thou hast it on thy shoulders," said Blount,--"the lad is mazed." + +"No, No, this is Tracy's old mantle," answered Walter. "I go not with +thee to court unless as a gentleman should." + +"Why," Said Blount, "thy braveries are like to dazzle the eyes of none +but some poor groom or porter." + +"I know that," said the youth; "but I am resolved I will have my own +cloak, ay, and brush my doublet to boot, ere I stir forth with you." + +"Well, well," said Blount, "here is a coil about a doublet and a cloak. +Get thyself ready, a God's name!" + +They were soon launched on the princely bosom of the broad Thames, upon +which the sun now shone forth in all its splendour. + +"There are two things scarce matched in the universe," said Walter to +Blount--"the sun in heaven, and the Thames on the earth." + +"The one will light us to Greenwich well enough," said Blount, "and the +other would take us there a little faster if it were ebb-tide." + +"And this is all thou thinkest--all thou carest--all thou deemest the +use of the King of Elements and the King of Rivers--to guide three such +poor caitiffs as thyself, and me, and Tracy, upon an idle journey of +courtly ceremony!" + +"It is no errand of my seeking, faith," replied Blount, "and I could +excuse both the sun and the Thames the trouble of carrying me where +I have no great mind to go, and where I expect but dog's wages for my +trouble--and by my honour," he added, looking out from the head of the +boat, "it seems to me as if our message were a sort of labour in vain, +for, see, the Queen's barge lies at the stairs as if her Majesty were +about to take water." + +It was even so. The royal barge, manned with the Queen's watermen +richly attired in the regal liveries, and having the Banner of England +displayed, did indeed lie at the great stairs which ascended from the +river, and along with it two or three other boats for transporting such +part of her retinue as were not in immediate attendance on the royal +person. The yeomen of the guard, the tallest and most handsome men whom +England could produce, guarded with their halberds the passage from +the palace-gate to the river side, and all seemed in readiness for the +Queen's coming forth, although the day was yet so early. + +"By my faith, this bodes us no good," said Blount; "it must be some +perilous cause puts her Grace in motion thus untimeously, By my counsel, +we were best put back again, and tell the Earl what we have seen." + +"Tell the Earl what we have seen!" said Walter; "why what have we seen +but a boat, and men with scarlet jerkins, and halberds in their hands? +Let us do his errand, and tell him what the Queen says in reply." + +So saying, he caused the boat to be pulled towards a landing-place +at some distance from the principal one, which it would not, at that +moment, have been thought respectful to approach, and jumped on shore, +followed, though with reluctance, by his cautious and timid companions. +As they approached the gate of the palace, one of the sergeant porters +told them they could not at present enter, as her Majesty was in the act +of coming forth. The gentlemen used the name of the Earl of Sussex; but +it proved no charm to subdue the officer, who alleged, in reply, that +it was as much as his post was worth to disobey in the least tittle the +commands which he had received. + +"Nay, I told you as much before," said Blount; "do, I pray you, my dear +Walter, let us take boat and return." + +"Not till I see the Queen come forth," returned the youth composedly. + +"Thou art mad, stark mad, by the Mass!" answered Blount. + +"And thou," said Walter, "art turned coward of the sudden. I have seen +thee face half a score of shag-headed Irish kerns to thy own share of +them; and now thou wouldst blink and go back to shun the frown of a fair +lady!" + +At this moment the gates opened, and ushers began to issue forth in +array, preceded and flanked by the band of Gentlemen Pensioners. After +this, amid a crowd of lords and ladies, yet so disposed around her that +she could see and be seen on all sides, came Elizabeth herself, then in +the prime of womanhood, and in the full glow of what in a Sovereign was +called beauty, and who would in the lowest rank of life have been truly +judged a noble figure, joined to a striking and commanding physiognomy. +She leant on the arm of Lord Hunsdon, whose relation to her by her +mother's side often procured him such distinguished marks of Elizabeth's +intimacy. + +The young cavalier we have so often mentioned had probably never yet +approached so near the person of his Sovereign, and he pressed forward +as far as the line of warders permitted, in order to avail himself of +the present opportunity. His companion, on the contrary, cursing his +imprudence, kept pulling him backwards, till Walter shook him off +impatiently, and letting his rich cloak drop carelessly from one +shoulder; a natural action, which served, however, to display to the +best advantage his well-proportioned person. Unbonneting at the same +time, he fixed his eager gaze on the Queen's approach, with a mixture of +respectful curiosity and modest yet ardent admiration, which suited +so well with his fine features that the warders, struck with his rich +attire and noble countenance, suffered him to approach the ground over +which the Queen was to pass, somewhat closer than was permitted +to ordinary spectators. Thus the adventurous youth stood full in +Elizabeth's eye--an eye never indifferent to the admiration which she +deservedly excited among her subjects, or to the fair proportions of +external form which chanced to distinguish any of her courtiers. + +Accordingly, she fixed her keen glance on the youth, as she approached +the place where he stood, with a look in which surprise at his boldness +seemed to be unmingled with resentment, while a trifling accident +happened which attracted her attention towards him yet more strongly. +The night had been rainy, and just where the young gentleman stood a +small quantity of mud interrupted the Queen's passage. As she hesitated +to pass on, the gallant, throwing his cloak from his shoulders, laid +it on the miry spot, so as to ensure her stepping over it dry-shod. +Elizabeth looked at the young man, who accompanied this act of devoted +courtesy with a profound reverence, and a blush that overspread his +whole countenance. The Queen was confused, and blushed in her turn, +nodded her head, hastily passed on, and embarked in her barge without +saying a word. + +"Come along, Sir Coxcomb," said Blount; "your gay cloak will need the +brush to-day, I wot. Nay, if you had meant to make a footcloth of your +mantle, better have kept Tracy's old drab-debure, which despises all +colours." + +"This cloak," said the youth, taking it up and folding it, "shall never +be brushed while in my possession." + +"And that will not be long, if you learn not a little more economy; we +shall have you in CUERPO soon, as the Spaniard says." + +Their discourse was here interrupted by one of the band of Pensioners. + +"I was sent," said he, after looking at them attentively, "to a +gentleman who hath no cloak, or a muddy one.--You, sir, I think," +addressing the younger cavalier, "are the man; you will please to follow +me." + +"He is in attendance on me," said Blount--"on me, the noble Earl of +Sussex's master of horse." + +"I have nothing to say to that," answered the messenger; "my orders are +directly from her Majesty, and concern this gentleman only." + +So saying, he walked away, followed by Walter, leaving the others +behind, Blount's eyes almost starting from his head with the excess of +his astonishment. At length he gave vent to it in an exclamation, "Who +the good jere would have thought this!" And shaking his head with a +mysterious air, he walked to his own boat, embarked, and returned to +Deptford. + +The young cavalier was in the meanwhile guided to the water-side by the +Pensioner, who showed him considerable respect; a circumstance which, +to persons in his situation, may be considered as an augury of no small +consequence. He ushered him into one of the wherries which lay ready to +attend the Queen's barge, which was already proceeding; up the river, +with the advantage of that flood-tide of which, in the course of their +descent, Blount had complained to his associates. + +The two rowers used their oars with such expedition at the signal of +the Gentleman Pensioner, that they very soon brought their little skiff +under the stern of the Queen's boat, where she sat beneath an awning, +attended by two or three ladies, and the nobles of her household. She +looked more than once at the wherry in which the young adventurer was +seated, spoke to those around her, and seemed to laugh. At length one +of the attendants, by the Queen's order apparently, made a sign for the +wherry to come alongside, and the young man was desired to step from +his own skiff into the Queen's barge, which he performed with graceful +agility at the fore part of the boat, and was brought aft to the Queen's +presence, the wherry at the same time dropping into the rear. The +youth underwent the gaze of Majesty, not the less gracefully that his +self-possession was mingled with embarrassment. The muddled cloak still +hung upon his arm, and formed the natural topic with which the Queen +introduced the conversation. + +"You have this day spoiled a gay mantle in our behalf, young man. +We thank you for your service, though the manner of offering it was +unusual, and something bold." + +"In a sovereign's need," answered the youth, "it is each liegeman's duty +to be bold." + +"God's pity! that was well said, my lord," said the Queen, turning to +a grave person who sat by her, and answered with a grave inclination +of the head, and something of a mumbled assent.--"Well, young man, your +gallantry shall not go unrewarded. Go to the wardrobe keeper, and he +shall have orders to supply the suit which you have cast away in our +service. Thou shalt have a suit, and that of the newest cut, I promise +thee, on the word of a princess." + +"May it please your Grace," said Walter, hesitating, "it is not for so +humble a servant of your Majesty to measure out your bounties; but if it +became me to choose--" + +"Thou wouldst have gold, I warrant me," said the Queen, interrupting +him. "Fie, young man! I take shame to say that in our capital such and +so various are the means of thriftless folly, that to give gold to +youth is giving fuel to fire, and furnishing them with the means of +self-destruction. If I live and reign, these means of unchristian excess +shall be abridged. Yet thou mayest be poor," she added, "or thy parents +may be. It shall be gold, if thou wilt, but thou shalt answer to me for +the use on't." + +Walter waited patiently until the Queen had done, and then modestly +assured her that gold was still less in his wish than the raiment her +Majesty had before offered. + +"How, boy!" said the Queen, "neither gold nor garment? What is it thou +wouldst have of me, then?" + +"Only permission, madam--if it is not asking too high an +honour--permission to wear the cloak which did you this trifling +service." + +"Permission to wear thine own cloak, thou silly boy!" said the Queen. + +"It is no longer mine," said Walter; "when your Majesty's foot touched +it, it became a fit mantle for a prince, but far too rich a one for its +former owner." + +The Queen again blushed, and endeavoured to cover, by laughing, a slight +degree of not unpleasing surprise and confusion. + +"Heard you ever the like, my lords? The youth's head is turned with +reading romances. I must know something of him, that I may send him safe +to his friends.--What art thou?" + +"A gentleman of the household of the Earl of Sussex, so please your +Grace, sent hither with his master of horse upon message to your +Majesty." + +In a moment the gracious expression which Elizabeth's face had hitherto +maintained, gave way to an expression of haughtiness and severity. + +"My Lord of Sussex," she said, "has taught us how to regard his messages +by the value he places upon ours. We sent but this morning the physician +in ordinary of our chamber, and that at no usual time, understanding his +lordship's illness to be more dangerous than we had before apprehended. +There is at no court in Europe a man more skilled in this holy and most +useful science than Doctor Masters, and he came from Us to our subject. +Nevertheless, he found the gate of Sayes Court defended by men with +culverins, as if it had been on the borders of Scotland, not in the +vicinity of our court; and when he demanded admittance in our name, it +was stubbornly refused. For this slight of a kindness, which had but too +much of condescension in it, we will receive, at present at least, no +excuse; and some such we suppose to have been the purport of my Lord of +Sussex's message." + +This was uttered in a tone and with a gesture which made Lord Sussex's +friends who were within hearing tremble. He to whom the speech was +addressed, however, trembled not; but with great deference and humility, +as soon as the Queen's passion gave him an opportunity, he replied, "So +please your most gracious Majesty, I was charged with no apology from +the Earl of Sussex." + +"With what were you then charged, sir?" said the Queen, with the +impetuosity which, amid nobler qualities, strongly marked her character. +"Was it with a justification?--or, God's death! with a defiance?" + +"Madam," said the young man, "my Lord of Sussex knew the offence +approached towards treason, and could think of nothing save of securing +the offender, and placing him in your Majesty's hands, and at your +mercy. The noble Earl was fast asleep when your most gracious message +reached him, a potion having been administered to that purpose by his +physician; and his Lordship knew not of the ungracious repulse your +Majesty's royal and most comfortable message had received, until after +he awoke this morning." + +"And which of his domestics, then, in the name of Heaven, presumed +to reject my message, without even admitting my own physician to +the presence of him whom I sent him to attend?" said the Queen, much +surprised. + +"The offender, madam, is before you," replied Walter, bowing very low; +"the full and sole blame is mine; and my lord has most justly sent me +to abye the consequences of a fault, of which he is as innocent as a +sleeping man's dreams can be of a waking man's actions." + +"What! was it thou?--thou thyself, that repelled my messenger and my +physician from Sayes Court?" said the Queen. "What could occasion such +boldness in one who seems devoted--that is, whose exterior bearing shows +devotion--to his Sovereign?" + +"Madam," said the youth--who, notwithstanding an assumed appearance +of severity, thought that he saw something in the Queen's face that +resembled not implacability--"we say in our country, that the physician +is for the time the liege sovereign of his patient. Now, my noble master +was then under dominion of a leech, by whose advice he hath greatly +profited, who had issued his commands that his patient should not that +night be disturbed, on the very peril of his life." + +"Thy master hath trusted some false varlet of an empiric," said the +Queen. + +"I know not, madam, but by the fact that he is now--this very +morning--awakened much refreshed and strengthened from the only sleep he +hath had for many hours." + +The nobles looked at each other, but more with the purpose to see what +each thought of this news, than to exchange any remarks on what had +happened. The Queen answered hastily, and without affecting to disguise +her satisfaction, "By my word, I am glad he is better. But thou wert +over-bold to deny the access of my Doctor Masters. Knowest thou not the +Holy Writ saith, 'In the multitude of counsel there is safety'?" + +"Ay, madam," said Walter; "but I have heard learned men say that the +safety spoken of is for the physicians, not for the patient." + +"By my faith, child, thou hast pushed me home," said the Queen, +laughing; "for my Hebrew learning does not come quite at a call.--How +say you, my Lord of Lincoln? Hath the lad given a just interpretation of +the text?" + +"The word SAFETY, most gracious madam," said the Bishop of Lincoln, "for +so hath been translated, it may be somewhat hastily, the Hebrew word, +being--" + +"My lord," said the Queen, interrupting him, "we said we had forgotten +our Hebrew.--But for thee, young man, what is thy name and birth?" + +"Raleigh is my name, most gracious Queen, the youngest son of a large +but honourable family of Devonshire." + +"Raleigh?" said Elizabeth, after a moment's recollection. "Have we not +heard of your service in Ireland?" + +"I have been so fortunate as to do some service there, madam," replied +Raleigh; "scarce, however, of consequence sufficient to reach your +Grace's ears." + +"They hear farther than you think of," said the Queen graciously, "and +have heard of a youth who defended a ford in Shannon against a whole +band of wild Irish rebels, until the stream ran purple with their blood +and his own." + +"Some blood I may have lost," said the youth, looking down, "but it was +where my best is due, and that is in your Majesty's service." + +The Queen paused, and then said hastily, "You are very young to have +fought so well, and to speak so well. But you must not escape your +penance for turning back Masters. The poor man hath caught cold on the +river for our order reached him when he was just returned from certain +visits in London, and he held it matter of loyalty and conscience +instantly to set forth again. So hark ye, Master Raleigh, see thou fail +not to wear thy muddy cloak, in token of penitence, till our pleasure be +further known. And here," she added, giving him a jewel of gold, in the +form of a chess-man, "I give thee this to wear at the collar." + +Raleigh, to whom nature had taught intuitively, as it were, those +courtly arts which many scarce acquire from long experience, knelt, and, +as he took from her hand the jewel, kissed the fingers which gave it. +He knew, perhaps, better than almost any of the courtiers who surrounded +her, how to mingle the devotion claimed by the Queen with the gallantry +due to her personal beauty; and in this, his first attempt to unite +them, he succeeded so well as at once to gratify Elizabeth's personal +vanity and her love of power. [See Note 5. Court favour of Sir Walter +Raleigh.] + +His master, the Earl of Sussex, had the full advantage of the +satisfaction which Raleigh had afforded Elizabeth, on their first +interview. + +"My lords and ladies," said the Queen, looking around to the retinue by +whom she was attended, "methinks, since we are upon the river, it were +well to renounce our present purpose of going to the city, and surprise +this poor Earl of Sussex with a visit. He is ill, and suffering +doubtless under the fear of our displeasure, from which he hath been +honestly cleared by the frank avowal of this malapert boy. What think +ye? were it not an act of charity to give him such consolation as +the thanks of a Queen, much bound to him for his loyal service, may +perchance best minister?" + +It may be readily supposed that none to whom this speech was addressed +ventured to oppose its purport. + +"Your Grace," said the Bishop of Lincoln, "is the breath of our +nostrils." The men of war averred that the face of the Sovereign was a +whetstone to the soldier's sword; while the men of state were not less +of opinion that the light of the Queen's countenance was a lamp to the +paths of her councillors; and the ladies agreed, with one voice, that no +noble in England so well deserved the regard of England's Royal Mistress +as the Earl of Sussex--the Earl of Leicester's right being reserved +entire, so some of the more politic worded their assent, an exception +to which Elizabeth paid no apparent attention. The barge had, therefore, +orders to deposit its royal freight at Deptford, at the nearest and most +convenient point of communication with Sayes Court, in order that +the Queen might satisfy her royal and maternal solicitude, by making +personal inquiries after the health of the Earl of Sussex. + +Raleigh, whose acute spirit foresaw and anticipated important +consequences from the most trifling events, hastened to ask the Queen's +permission to go in the skiff; and announce the royal visit to his +master; ingeniously suggesting that the joyful surprise might prove +prejudicial to his health, since the richest and most generous cordials +may sometimes be fatal to those who have been long in a languishing +state. + +But whether the Queen deemed it too presumptuous in so young a courtier +to interpose his opinion unasked, or whether she was moved by a +recurrence of the feeling of jealousy which had been instilled into her +by reports that the Earl kept armed men about his person, she desired +Raleigh, sharply, to reserve his counsel till it was required of him, +and repeated her former orders to be landed at Deptford, adding, "We +will ourselves see what sort of household my Lord of Sussex keeps about +him." + +"Now the Lord have pity on us!" said the young courtier to himself. +"Good hearts, the Earl hath many a one round him; but good heads are +scarce with us--and he himself is too ill to give direction. And Blount +will be at his morning meal of Yarmouth herrings and ale, and Tracy +will have his beastly black puddings and Rhenish; those thorough-paced +Welshmen, Thomas ap Rice and Evan Evans, will be at work on their leek +porridge and toasted cheese;--and she detests, they say, all coarse +meats, evil smells, and strong wines. Could they but think of burning +some rosemary in the great hall! but VOGUE LA GALERE, all must now be +trusted to chance. Luck hath done indifferent well for me this morning; +for I trust I have spoiled a cloak, and made a court fortune. May she do +as much for my gallant patron!" + +The royal barge soon stopped at Deptford, and, amid the loud shouts of +the populace, which her presence never failed to excite, the Queen, +with a canopy borne over her head, walked, accompanied by her retinue, +towards Sayes Court, where the distant acclamations of the people gave +the first notice of her arrival. Sussex, who was in the act of advising +with Tressilian how he should make up the supposed breach in the Queen's +favour, was infinitely surprised at learning her immediate approach. +Not that the Queen's custom of visiting her more distinguished nobility, +whether in health or sickness, could be unknown to him; but the +suddenness of the communication left no time for those preparations with +which he well knew Elizabeth loved to be greeted, and the rudeness and +confusion of his military household, much increased by his late illness, +rendered him altogether unprepared for her reception. + +Cursing internally the chance which thus brought her gracious visitation +on him unaware, he hastened down with Tressilian, to whose eventful and +interesting story he had just given an attentive ear. + +"My worthy friend," he said, "such support as I can give your accusation +of Varney, you have a right to expect, alike from justice and gratitude. +Chance will presently show whether I can do aught with our Sovereign, +or whether, in very deed, my meddling in your affair may not rather +prejudice than serve you." + +Thus spoke Sussex while hastily casting around him a loose robe of +sables, and adjusting his person in the best manner he could to meet the +eye of his Sovereign. But no hurried attention bestowed on his apparel +could remove the ghastly effects of long illness on a countenance which +nature had marked with features rather strong than pleasing. Besides, he +was low of stature, and, though broad-shouldered, athletic, and fit for +martial achievements, his presence in a peaceful hall was not such as +ladies love to look upon; a personal disadvantage, which was supposed to +give Sussex, though esteemed and honoured by his Sovereign, considerable +disadvantage when compared with Leicester, who was alike remarkable for +elegance of manners and for beauty of person. + +The Earl's utmost dispatch only enabled him to meet the Queen as she +entered the great hall, and he at once perceived there was a cloud +on her brow. Her jealous eye had noticed the martial array of armed +gentlemen and retainers with which the mansion-house was filled, and her +first words expressed her disapprobation. "Is this a royal garrison, my +Lord of Sussex, that it holds so many pikes and calivers? or have we by +accident overshot Sayes Court, and landed at Our Tower of London?" + +Lord Sussex hastened to offer some apology. + +"It needs not," she said. "My lord, we intend speedily to take up a +certain quarrel between your lordship and another great lord of our +household, and at the same time to reprehend this uncivilized and +dangerous practice of surrounding yourselves with armed, and even with +ruffianly followers, as if, in the neighbourhood of our capital, nay in +the very verge of our royal residence, you were preparing to wage civil +war with each other.--We are glad to see you so well recovered, my lord, +though without the assistance of the learned physician whom we sent +to you. Urge no excuse; we know how that matter fell out, and we have +corrected for it the wild slip, young Raleigh. By the way, my lord, we +will speedily relieve your household of him, and take him into our own. +Something there is about him which merits to be better nurtured than he +is like to be amongst your very military followers." + +To this proposal Sussex, though scarce understanding how the Queen +came to make it could only bow and express his acquiescence. He then +entreated her to remain till refreshment could be offered, but in this +he could not prevail. And after a few compliments of a much colder and +more commonplace character than might have been expected from a step so +decidedly favourable as a personal visit, the Queen took her leave +of Sayes Court, having brought confusion thither along with her, and +leaving doubt and apprehension behind. + + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + + Then call them to our presence. Face to face, + And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear + The accuser and accused freely speak;-- + High-stomach'd are they both, and full of ire, + In rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire.--RICHARD II. + +"I am ordered to attend court to-morrow," said Leicester, speaking to +Varney, "to meet, as they surmise, my Lord of Sussex. The Queen intends +to take up matters betwixt us. This comes of her visit to Sayes Court, +of which you must needs speak so lightly." + +"I maintain it was nothing," said Varney; "nay, I know from a sure +intelligencer, who was within earshot of much that was said, that Sussex +has lost rather than gained by that visit. The Queen said, when she +stepped into the boat, that Sayes Court looked like a guard-house, and +smelt like an hospital. 'Like a cook's shop in Ram's Alley, rather,' +said the Countess of Rutland, who is ever your lordship's good friend. +And then my Lord of Lincoln must needs put in his holy oar, and say +that my Lord of Sussex must be excused for his rude and old-world +housekeeping, since he had as yet no wife." + +"And what said the Queen?" asked Leicester hastily. + +"She took him up roundly," said Varney, "and asked what my Lord Sussex +had to do with a wife, or my Lord Bishop to speak on such a subject. 'If +marriage is permitted,' she said, 'I nowhere read that it is enjoined.'" + +"She likes not marriages, or speech of marriage, among churchmen," said +Leicester. + +"Nor among courtiers neither," said Varney; but, observing that +Leicester changed countenance, he instantly added, "that all the ladies +who were present had joined in ridiculing Lord Sussex's housekeeping, +and in contrasting it with the reception her Grace would have assuredly +received at my Lord of Leicester's." + +"You have gathered much tidings," said Leicester, "but you have +forgotten or omitted the most important of all. She hath added another +to those dangling satellites whom it is her pleasure to keep revolving +around her." + +"Your lordship meaneth that Raleigh, the Devonshire youth," said +Varney--"the Knight of the Cloak, as they call him at court?" + +"He may be Knight of the Garter one day, for aught I know," said +Leicester, "for he advances rapidly--she hath capped verses with him, +and such fooleries. I would gladly abandon, of my own free will, the +part--I have in her fickle favour; but I will not be elbowed out of +it by the clown Sussex, or this new upstart. I hear Tressilian is +with Sussex also, and high in his favour. I would spare him for +considerations, but he will thrust himself on his fate. Sussex, too, is +almost as well as ever in his health." + +"My lord," replied Varney, "there will be rubs in the smoothest road, +specially when it leads uphill. Sussex's illness was to us a godsend, +from which I hoped much. He has recovered, indeed, but he is not now +more formidable than ere he fell ill, when he received more than one +foil in wrestling with your lordship. Let not your heart fail you, my +lord, and all shall be well." + +"My heart never failed me, sir," replied Leicester. + +"No, my lord," said Varney; "but it has betrayed you right often. He +that would climb a tree, my lord, must grasp by the branches, not by the +blossom." + +"Well, well, well!" said Leicester impatiently; "I understand thy +meaning--my heart shall neither fail me nor seduce me. Have my retinue +in order--see that their array be so splendid as to put down, not only +the rude companions of Ratcliffe, but the retainers of every other +nobleman and courtier. Let them be well armed withal, but without any +outward display of their weapons, wearing them as if more for fashion's +sake than for use. Do thou thyself keep close to me, I may have business +for you." + +The preparations of Sussex and his party were not less anxious than +those of Leicester. + +"Thy Supplication, impeaching Varney of seduction," said the Earl to +Tressilian, "is by this time in the Queen's hand--I have sent it through +a sure channel. Methinks your suit should succeed, being, as it is, +founded in justice and honour, and Elizabeth being the very muster of +both. But--I wot not how--the gipsy" (so Sussex was wont to call his +rival on account of his dark complexion) "hath much to say with her in +these holyday times of peace. Were war at the gates, I should be one of +her white boys; but soldiers, like their bucklers and Bilboa blades, get +out of fashion in peace time, and satin sleeves and walking rapiers bear +the bell. Well, we must be gay, since such is the fashion.--Blount, hast +thou seen our household put into their new braveries? But thou knowest +as little of these toys as I do; thou wouldst be ready enow at disposing +a stand of pikes." + +"My good lord," answered Blount, "Raleigh hath been here, and taken that +charge upon him--your train will glitter like a May morning. Marry, the +cost is another question. One might keep an hospital of old soldiers at +the charge of ten modern lackeys." + +"He must not count cost to-day, Nicholas," said the Earl in reply. "I +am beholden to Raleigh for his care. I trust, though, he has remembered +that I am an old soldier, and would have no more of these follies than +needs must." + +"Nay, I understand nought about it," said Blount; "but here are your +honourable lordship's brave kinsmen and friends coming in by scores to +wait upon you to court, where, methinks, we shall bear as brave a front +as Leicester, let him ruffle it as he will." + +"Give them the strictest charges," said Sussex, "that they suffer no +provocation short of actual violence to provoke them into quarrel. They +have hot bloods, and I would not give Leicester the advantage over me by +any imprudence of theirs." + +The Earl of Sussex ran so hastily through these directions, that it was +with difficulty Tressilian at length found opportunity to express his +surprise that he should have proceeded so far in the affair of Sir Hugh +Robsart as to lay his petition at once before the Queen. "It was the +opinion of the young lady's friends," he said, "that Leicester's +sense of justice should be first appealed to, as the offence had been +committed by his officer, and so he had expressly told to Sussex." + +"This could have been done without applying to me," said Sussex, +somewhat haughtily. "I at least, ought not to have been a counsellor +when the object was a humiliating reference to Leicester; and I am +suprised that you, Tressilian, a man of honour, and my friend, would +assume such a mean course. If you said so, I certainly understood you +not in a matter which sounded so unlike yourself." + +"My lord," said Tressilian, "the course I would prefer, for my own sake, +is that you have adopted; but the friends of this most unhappy lady--" + +"Oh, the friends--the friends," said Sussex, interrupting him; "they +must let us manage this cause in the way which seems best. This is the +time and the hour to accumulate every charge against Leicester and his +household, and yours the Queen will hold a heavy one. But at all events +she hath the complaint before her." + +Tressilian could not help suspecting that, in his eagerness to +strengthen himself against his rival, Sussex had purposely adopted the +course most likely to throw odium on Leicester, without considering +minutely whether it were the mode of proceeding most likely to be +attended with success. But the step was irrevocable, and Sussex escaped +from further discussing it by dismissing his company, with the command, +"Let all be in order at eleven o'clock; I must be at court and in the +presence by high noon precisely." + +While the rival statesmen were thus anxiously preparing for their +approaching meeting in the Queen's presence, even Elizabeth herself was +not without apprehension of what might chance from the collision of +two such fiery spirits, each backed by a strong and numerous body of +followers, and dividing betwixt them, either openly or in secret, the +hopes and wishes of most of her court. The band of Gentlemen Pensioners +were all under arms, and a reinforcement of the yeomen of the guard +was brought down the Thames from London. A royal proclamation was sent +forth, strictly prohibiting nobles of whatever degree to approach the +Palace with retainers or followers armed with shot or with long weapons; +and it was even whispered that the High Sheriff of Kent had secret +instructions to have a part of the array of the county ready on the +shortest notice. + +The eventful hour, thus anxiously prepared for on all sides, at length +approached, and, each followed by his long and glittering train of +friends and followers, the rival Earls entered the Palace Yard of +Greenwich at noon precisely. + +As if by previous arrangement, or perhaps by intimation that such was +the Queen's pleasure, Sussex and his retinue came to the Palace from +Deptford by water while Leicester arrived by land; and thus they entered +the courtyard from opposite sides. This trifling circumstance gave +Leicester a ascendency in the opinion of the vulgar, the appearance +of his cavalcade of mounted followers showing more numerous and more +imposing than those of Sussex's party, who were necessarily upon foot. +No show or sign of greeting passed between the Earls, though each looked +full at the other, both expecting perhaps an exchange of courtesies, +which neither was willing to commence. Almost in the minute of their +arrival the castle-bell tolled, the gates of the Palace were opened, and +the Earls entered, each numerously attended by such gentlemen of their +train whose rank gave them that privilege. The yeomen and inferior +attendants remained in the courtyard, where the opposite parties eyed +each other with looks of eager hatred and scorn, as if waiting with +impatience for some cause of tumult, or some apology for mutual +aggression. But they were restrained by the strict commands of their +leaders, and overawed, perhaps, by the presence of an armed guard of +unusual strength. + +In the meanwhile, the more distinguished persons of each train followed +their patrons into the lofty halls and ante-chambers of the royal +Palace, flowing on in the same current, like two streams which are +compelled into the same channel, yet shun to mix their waters. The +parties arranged themselves, as it were instinctively, on the different +sides of the lofty apartments, and seemed eager to escape from the +transient union which the narrowness of the crowded entrance had for an +instant compelled them to submit to. The folding doors at the upper +end of the long gallery were immediately afterwards opened, and it was +announced in a whisper that the Queen was in her presence-chamber, to +which these gave access. Both Earls moved slowly and stately towards +the entrance--Sussex followed by Tressilian, Blount, and Raleigh, and +Leicester by Varney. The pride of Leicester was obliged to give way to +court-forms, and with a grave and formal inclination of the head, he +paused until his rival, a peer of older creation than his own, passed +before him. Sussex returned the reverence with the same formal civility, +and entered the presence-room. Tressilian and Blount offered to follow +him, but were not permitted, the Usher of the Black Rod alleging in +excuse that he had precise orders to look to all admissions that day. To +Raleigh, who stood back on the repulse of his companions, he said, "You, +sir, may enter," and he entered accordingly. + +"Follow me close, Varney," said the Earl of Leicester, who had stood +aloof for a moment to mark the reception of Sussex; and advancing to +the entrance, he was about to pass on, when Varney, who was close behind +him, dressed out in the utmost bravery of the day, was stopped by the +usher, as Tressilian and Blount had been before him, "How is this, +Master Bowyer?" said the Earl of Leicester. "Know you who I am, and that +this is my friend and follower?" + +"Your lordship will pardon me," replied Bowyer stoutly; "my orders are +precise, and limit me to a strict discharge of my duty." + +"Thou art a partial knave," said Leicester, the blood mounting to his +face, "to do me this dishonour, when you but now admitted a follower of +my Lord of Sussex." + +"My lord," said Bowyer, "Master Raleigh is newly admitted a sworn +servant of her Grace, and to him my orders did not apply." + +"Thou art a knave--an ungrateful knave," said Leicester; "but he that +hath done can undo--thou shalt not prank thee in thy authority long!" + +This threat he uttered aloud, with less than his usual policy and +discretion; and having done so, he entered the presence-chamber, and +made his reverence to the Queen, who, attired with even more than her +usual splendour, and surrounded by those nobles and statesmen whose +courage and wisdom have rendered her reign immortal, stood ready +to receive the hommage of her subjects. She graciously returned the +obeisance of the favourite Earl, and looked alternately at him and at +Sussex, as if about to speak, when Bowyer, a man whose spirit could +not brook the insult he had so openly received from Leicester, in the +discharge of his office, advanced with his black rad in his hand, and +knelt down before her. + +"Why, how now, Bowyer?" said Elizabeth, "thy courtesy seems strangely +timed!" + +"My Liege Sovereign," he said, while every courtier around trembled +at his audacity, "I come but to ask whether, in the discharge of mine +office, I am to obey your Highness's commands, or those of the Earl of +Leicester, who has publicly menaced me with his displeasure, and +treated me with disparaging terms, because I denied entry to one of his +followers, in obedience to your Grace's precise orders?" + +The spirit of Henry VIII. was instantly aroused in the bosom of his +daughter, and she turned on Leicester with a severity which appalled +him, as well as all his followers. + +"God's death! my lord." such was her emphatic phrase, "what means this? +We have thought well of you, and brought you near to our person; but it +was not that you might hide the sun from our other faithful subjects. +Who gave you license to contradict our orders, or control our officers? +I will have in this court, ay, and in this realm, but one mistress, and +no master. Look to it that Master Bowyer sustains no harm for his duty +to me faithfully discharged; for, as I am Christian woman and crowned +Queen, I will hold you dearly answerable.--Go, Bowyer, you have done the +part of an honest man and a true subject. We will brook no mayor of the +palace here." + +Bowyer kissed the hand which she extended towards him, and withdrew +to his post, astonished at the success of his own audacity. A smile +of triumph pervaded the faction of Sussex; that of Leicester seemed +proportionally dismayed, and the favourite himself, assuming an +aspect of the deepest humility, did not even attempt a word in his own +esculpation. + +He acted wisely; for it was the policy of Elizabeth to humble, not to +disgrace him, and it was prudent to suffer her, without opposition or +reply, to glory in the exertion of her authority. The dignity of +the Queen was gratified, and the woman began soon to feel for the +mortification which she had imposed on her favourite. Her keen eye also +observed the secret looks of congratulation exchanged amongst those who +favoured Sussex, and it was no part of her policy to give either party a +decisive triumph. + +"What I say to my Lord of Leicester," she said, after a moment's pause, +"I say also to you, my Lord of Sussex. You also must needs ruffle in the +court of England, at the head of a faction of your own?" + +"My followers, gracious Princess," said Sussex, "have indeed ruffled in +your cause in Ireland, in Scotland, and against yonder rebellious Earls +in the north. I am ignorant that--" + +"Do you bandy looks and words with me, my lord?" said the Queen, +interrupting him; "methinks you might learn of my Lord of Leicester the +modesty to be silent, at least, under our censure. I say, my lord, that +my grandfather and my father, in their wisdom, debarred the nobles of +this civilized land from travelling with such disorderly retinues; and +think you, that because I wear a coif, their sceptre has in my hand been +changed into a distaff? I tell you, no king in Christendom will less +brook his court to be cumbered, his people oppressed, and his kingdom's +peace disturbed, by the arrogance of overgrown power, than she who now +speaks with you.--My Lord of Leicester, and you, my Lord of Sussex, I +command you both to be friends with each other; or by the crown I wear, +you shall find an enemy who will be too strong for both of you!" + +"Madam," said the Earl of Leicester, "you who are yourself the fountain +of honour know best what is due to mine. I place it at your disposal, +and only say that the terms on which I have stood with my Lord of Sussex +have not been of my seeking; nor had he cause to think me his enemy, +until he had done me gross wrong." + +"For me, madam," said the Earl of Sussex, "I cannot appeal from your +sovereign pleasure; but I were well content my Lord of Leicester should +say in what I have, as he terms it, wronged him, since my tongue never +spoke the word that I would not willingly justify either on foot or +horseback. + +"And for me," said Leicester, "always under my gracious Sovereign's +pleasure, my hand shall be as ready to make good my words as that of any +man who ever wrote himself Ratcliffe." + +"My lords," said the Queen, "these are no terms for this presence; and +if you cannot keep your temper, we will find means to keep both that and +you close enough. Let me see you join hands, my lords, and forget your +idle animosities." + +The two rivals looked at each other with reluctant eyes, each unwilling +to make the first advance to execute the Queen's will. + +"Sussex," said Elizabeth, "I entreat--Leicester, I command you." + +Yet, so were her words accented, that the entreaty sounded like command, +and the command like entreaty. They remained still and stubborn, until +she raised her voice to a height which argued at once impatience and +absolute command. + +"Sir Henry Lee," she said, to an officer in attendance, "have a guard +in present readiness, and man a barge instantly.--My Lords of Sussex and +Leicester, I bid you once more to join hands; and, God's death! he that +refuses shall taste of our Tower fare ere he sees our face again. I will +lower your proud hearts ere we part, and that I promise, on the word of +a Queen!" + +"The prison?" said Leicester, "might be borne, but to lose your Grace's +presence were to lose light and life at once.--Here, Sussex, is my +hand." + +"And here," said Sussex, "is mine in truth and honesty; but--" + +"Nay, under favour, you shall add no more," said the Queen. "Why, this +is as it should be," she added, looking on them more favourably; "and +when you the shepherds of the people, unite to protect them, it shall +be well with the flock we rule over. For, my lords, I tell you plainly, +your follies and your brawls lead to strange disorders among your +servants.--My Lord of Leicester, you have a gentleman in your household +called Varney?" + +"Yes, gracious madam," replied Leicester; "I presented him to kiss your +royal hand when you were last at Nonsuch." + +"His outside was well enough," said the Queen, "but scarce so fair, I +should have thought, as to have caused a maiden of honourable birth and +hopes to barter her fame for his good looks, and become his paramour. +Yet so it is; this fellow of yours hath seduced the daughter of a good +old Devonshire knight, Sir Hugh Robsart of Lidcote Hall, and she hath +fled with him from her father's house like a castaway.--My Lord of +Leicester, are you ill, that you look so deadly pale?" + +"No, gracious madam," said Leicester; and it required every effort he +could make to bring forth these few words. + +"You are surely ill, my lord?" said Elizabeth, going towards him with +hasty speech and hurried step, which indicated the deepest concern. +"Call Masters--call our surgeon in ordinary.--Where be these loitering +fools?--we lose the pride of our court through their negligence.--Or +is it possible, Leicester," she continued, looking on him with a very +gentle aspect, "can fear of my displeasure have wrought so deeply on +thee? Doubt not for a moment, noble Dudley, that we could blame THEE +for the folly of thy retainer--thee, whose thoughts we know to be far +otherwise employed. He that would climb the eagle's nest, my lord, cares +not who are catching linnets at the foot of the precipice." + +"Mark you that?" said Sussex aside to Raleigh. "The devil aids him +surely; for all that would sink another ten fathom deep seems but to +make him float the more easily. Had a follower of mine acted thus--" + +"Peace, my good lord," said Raleigh, "for God's sake, peace! Wait the +change of the tide; it is even now on the turn." + +The acute observation of Raleigh, perhaps, did not deceive him; for +Leicester's confusion was so great, and, indeed, for the moment, so +irresistibly overwhelming, that Elizabeth, after looking at him with +a wondering eye, and receiving no intelligible answer to the unusual +expressions of grace and affection which had escaped from her, shot her +quick glance around the circle of courtiers, and reading, perhaps, in +their faces something that accorded with her own awakened suspicions, +she said suddenly, "Or is there more in this than we see--or than you, +my lord, wish that we should see? Where is this Varney? Who saw him?" + +"An it please your Grace," said Bowyer, "it is the same against whom I +this instant closed the door of the presence-room." + +"An it please me?" repeated Elizabeth sharply, not at that moment in the +humour of being pleased with anything.--"It does NOT please me that he +should pass saucily into my presence, or that you should exclude from it +one who came to justify himself from an accusation." + +"May it please you," answered the perplexed usher, "if I knew, in such +case, how to bear myself, I would take heed--" + +"You should have reported the fellow's desire to us, Master Usher, and +taken our directions. You think yourself a great man, because but now we +chid a nobleman on your account; yet, after all, we hold you but as the +lead-weight that keeps the door fast. Call this Varney hither instantly. +There is one Tressilian also mentioned in this petition. Let them both +come before us." + +She was obeyed, and Tressilian and Varney appeared accordingly. Varney's +first glance was at Leicester, his second at the Queen. In the looks +of the latter there appeared an approaching storm, and in the downcast +countenance of his patron he could read no directions in what way he +was to trim his vessel for the encounter. He then saw Tressilian, and +at once perceived the peril of the situation in which he was placed. +But Varney was as bold-faced and ready-witted as he was cunning and +unscrupulous--a skilful pilot in extremity, and fully conscious of the +advantages which he would obtain could he extricate Leicester from his +present peril, and of the ruin that yawned for himself should he fail in +doing so. + +"Is it true, sirrah," said the Queen, with one of those searching looks +which few had the audacity to resist, "that you have seduced to infamy +a young lady of birth and breeding, the daughter of Sir Hugh Robsart of +Lidcote Hall?" + +Varney kneeled down, and replied, with a look of the most profound +contrition, "There had been some love passages betwixt him and Mistress +Amy Robsart." + +Leicester's flesh quivered with indignation as he heard his dependant +make this avowal, and for one moment he manned himself to step forward, +and, bidding farewell to the court and the royal favour, confess the +whole mystery of the secret marriage. But he looked at Sussex, and the +idea of the triumphant smile which would clothe his cheek upon hearing +the avowal sealed his lips. "Not now, at least," he thought, "or in this +presence, will I afford him so rich a triumph." And pressing his lips +close together, he stood firm and collected, attentive to each word +which Varney uttered, and determined to hide to the last the secret on +which his court-favour seemed to depend. Meanwhile, the Queen proceeded +in her examination of Varney. + +"Love passages!" said she, echoing his last words; "what passages, thou +knave? and why not ask the wench's hand from her father, if thou hadst +any honesty in thy love for her?" + +"An it please your Grace," said Varney, still on his knees, "I dared not +do so, for her father had promised her hand to a gentleman of birth and +honour--I will do him justice, though I know he bears me ill-will--one +Master Edmund Tressilian, whom I now see in the presence." + +"Soh!" replied the Queen. "And what was your right to make the simple +fool break her worthy father's contract, through your love PASSAGES, as +your conceit and assurance terms them?" + +"Madam," replied Varney, "it is in vain to plead the cause of human +frailty before a judge to whom it is unknown, or that of love to one who +never yields to the passion"--he paused an instant, and then added, in a +very low and timid tone--"which she inflicts upon all others." + +Elizabeth tried to frown, but smiled in her own despite, as she +answered, "Thou art a marvellously impudent knave. Art thou married to +the girl?" + +Leicester's feelings became so complicated and so painfully intense, +that it seemed to him as if his life was to depend on the answer made by +Varney, who, after a moment's real hesitation, answered, "Yes." + +"Thou false villain!" said Leicester, bursting forth into rage, yet +unable to add another word to the sentence which he had begun with such +emphatic passion. + +"Nay, my lord," said the Queen, "we will, by your leave, stand between +this fellow and your anger. We have not yet done with him.--Knew your +master, my Lord of Leicester, of this fair work of yours? Speak truth, I +command thee, and I will be thy warrant from danger on every quarter." + +"Gracious madam," said Varney, "to speak Heaven's truth, my lord was the +cause of the whole matter." + +"Thou villain, wouldst thou betray me?" said Leicester. + +"Speak on," said the Queen hastily, her cheek colouring, and her eyes +sparkling, as she addressed Varney--"speak on. Here no commands are +heard but mine." + +"They are omnipotent, gracious madam," replied Varney; "and to you there +can be no secrets.--Yet I would not," he added, looking around him, +"speak of my master's concerns to other ears." + +"Fall back, my lords," said the Queen to those who surrounded her, "and +do you speak on. What hath the Earl to do with this guilty intrigue of +thine? See, fellow, that thou beliest him not!" + +"Far be it from me to traduce my noble patron," replied Varney; "yet +I am compelled to own that some deep, overwhelming, yet secret feeling +hath of late dwelt in my lord's mind, hath abstracted him from the +cares of the household which he was wont to govern with such religious +strictness, and hath left us opportunities to do follies, of which the +shame, as in this case, partly falls upon our patron. Without this, I +had not had means or leisure to commit the folly which has drawn on me +his displeasure--the heaviest to endure by me which I could by any means +incur, saving always the yet more dreaded resentment of your Grace." + +"And in this sense, and no other, hath he been accessory to thy fault?" +said Elizabeth. + +"Surely, madam, in no other," replied Varney; "but since somewhat hath +chanced to him, he can scarce be called his own man. Look at him, +madam, how pale and trembling he stands! how unlike his usual majesty of +manner!--yet what has he to fear from aught I can say to your Highness? +Ah! madam, since he received that fatal packet!" + +"What packet, and from whence?" said the Queen eagerly. + +"From whence, madam, I cannot guess; but I am so near to his person that +I know he has ever since worn, suspended around his neck and next to his +heart, that lock of hair which sustains a small golden jewel shaped +like a heart. He speaks to it when alone--he parts not from it when he +sleeps--no heathen ever worshipped an idol with such devotion." + +"Thou art a prying knave to watch thy master so closely," said +Elizabeth, blushing, but not with anger; "and a tattling knave to tell +over again his fooleries.--What colour might the braid of hair be that +thou pratest of?" + +Varney replied, "A poet, madam, might call it a thread from the golden +web wrought by Minerva; but to my thinking it was paler than even the +purest gold--more like the last parting sunbeam of the softest day of +spring." + +"Why, you are a poet yourself, Master Varney," said the Queen, smiling. +"But I have not genius quick enough to follow your rare metaphors. Look +round these ladies--is there"--(she hesitated, and endeavoured to assume +an air of great indifference)--"is there here, in this presence, any +lady, the colour of whose hair reminds thee of that braid? Methinks, +without prying into my Lord of Leicester's amorous secrets, I would +fain know what kind of locks are like the thread of Minerva's web, or +the--what was it?--the last rays of the May-day sun." + +Varney looked round the presence-chamber, his eye travelling from one +lady to another, until at length it rested upon the Queen herself, but +with an aspect of the deepest veneration. "I see no tresses," he said, +"in this presence, worthy of such similies, unless where I dare not look +on them." + +"How, sir knave?" said the Queen; "dare you intimate--" + +"Nay, madam," replied Varney, shading his eyes with his hand, "it was +the beams of the May-day sun that dazzled my weak eyes." + +"Go to--go to," said the Queen; "thou art a foolish fellow"--and turning +quickly from him she walked up to Leicester. + +Intense curiosity, mingled with all the various hopes, fears, +and passions which influence court faction, had occupied the +presence-chamber during the Queen's conference with Varney, as if with +the strength of an Eastern talisman. Men suspended every, even the +slightest external motion, and would have ceased to breathe, had Nature +permitted such an intermission of her functions. The atmosphere was +contagious, and Leicester, who saw all around wishing or fearing his +advancement or his fall forgot all that love had previously dictated, +and saw nothing for the instant but the favour or disgrace which +depended on the nod of Elizabeth and the fidelity of Varney. He summoned +himself hastily, and prepared to play his part in the scene which was +like to ensue, when, as he judged from the glances which the Queen threw +towards him, Varney's communications, be they what they might, were +operating in his favour. Elizabeth did not long leave him in doubt; for +the more than favour with which she accosted him decided his triumph in +the eyes of his rival, and of the assembled court of England. "Thou hast +a prating servant of this same Varney, my lord," she said; "it is lucky +you trust him with nothing that can hurt you in our opinion, for believe +me, he would keep no counsel." + +"From your Highness," said Leicester, dropping gracefully on one knee, +"it were treason he should. I would that my heart itself lay before you, +barer than the tongue of any servant could strip it." + +"What, my lord," said Elizabeth, looking kindly upon him, "is there no +one little corner over which you would wish to spread a veil? Ah! I see +you are confused at the question, and your Queen knows she should not +look too deeply into her servants' motives for their faithful duty, lest +she see what might, or at least ought to, displease her." + +Relieved by these last words, Leicester broke out into a torrent of +expressions of deep and passionate attachment, which perhaps, at that +moment, were not altogether fictitious. The mingled emotions which had +at first overcome him had now given way to the energetic vigour with +which he had determined to support his place in the Queen's favour; +and never did he seem to Elizabeth more eloquent, more handsome, more +interesting, than while, kneeling at her feet, he conjured her to strip +him of all his dower, but to leave him the name of her servant.--"Take +from the poor Dudley," he exclaimed, "all that your bounty has made him, +and bid him be the poor gentleman he was when your Grace first shone on +him; leave him no more than his cloak and his sword, but let him still +boast he has--what in word or deed he never forfeited--the regard of his +adored Queen and mistress!" + +"No, Dudley!" said Elizabeth, raising him with one hand, while she +extended the other that he might kiss it. "Elizabeth hath not forgotten +that, whilst you were a poor gentleman, despoiled of your hereditary +rank, she was as poor a princess, and that in her cause you then +ventured all that oppression had left you--your life and honour. Rise, +my lord, and let my hand go--rise, and be what you have ever been, the +grace of our court and the support of our throne! Your mistress may +be forced to chide your misdemeanours, but never without owning your +merits.--And so help me God," she added, turning to the audience, who, +with various feelings, witnessed this interesting scene--"so help me +God, gentlemen, as I think never sovereign had a truer servant than I +have in this noble Earl!" + +A murmur of assent rose from the Leicestrian faction, which the friends +of Sussex dared not oppose. They remained with their eyes fixed on the +ground, dismayed as well as mortified by the public and absolute triumph +of their opponents. Leicester's first use of the familiarity to +which the Queen had so publicly restored him was to ask her commands +concerning Varney's offence, "although," he said, "the fellow deserves +nothing from me but displeasure, yet, might I presume to intercede--" + +"In truth, we had forgotten his matter," said the Queen; "and it was +ill done of us, who owe justice to our meanest as well as to our highest +subject. We are pleased, my lord, that you were the first to recall the +matter to our memory.--Where is Tressilian, the accuser?--let him come +before us." + +Tressilian appeared, and made a low and beseeming reference. His +person, as we have elsewhere observed, had an air of grace and even of +nobleness, which did not escape Queen Elizabeth's critical observation. +She looked at him with, attention as he stood before her unabashed, but +with an air of the deepest dejection. + +"I cannot but grieve for this gentleman," she said to Leicester. "I have +inquired concerning him, and his presence confirms what I heard, that he +is a scholar and a soldier, well accomplished both in arts and arms. We +women, my lord, are fanciful in our choice--I had said now, to judge by +the eye, there was no comparison to be held betwixt your follower and +this gentleman. But Varney is a well-spoken fellow, and, to say truth, +that goes far with us of the weaker sex.--look you, Master Tressilian, a +bolt lost is not a bow broken. Your true affection, as I will hold it to +be, hath been, it seems, but ill requited; but you have scholarship, and +you know there have been false Cressidas to be found, from the Trojan +war downwards. Forget, good sir, this Lady Light o' Love--teach your +affection to see with a wiser eye. This we say to you, more from the +writings of learned men than our own knowledge, being, as we are, far +removed by station and will from the enlargement of experience in such +idle toys of humorous passion. For this dame's father, we can make his +grief the less by advancing his son-in-law to such station as may +enable him to give an honourable support to his bride. Thou shalt not be +forgotten thyself, Tressilian--follow our court, and thou shalt see +that a true Troilus hath some claim on our grace. Think of what that +arch-knave Shakespeare says--a plague on him, his toys come into my head +when I should think of other matters. Stay, how goes it? + + + 'Cressid was yours, tied with the bonds of heaven; + These bonds of heaven are slipt, dissolved, and loosed, + And with another knot five fingers tied, + The fragments of her faith are bound to Diomed.' + +You smile, my Lord of Southampton--perchance I make your player's verse +halt through my bad memory. But let it suffice let there be no more of +this mad matter." + +And as Tressilian kept the posture of one who would willingly be heard, +though, at the same time, expressive of the deepest reverence, the Queen +added with some impatience, "What would the man have? The wench +cannot wed both of you? She has made her election--not a wise one +perchance--but she is Varney's wedded wife." + +"My suit should sleep there, most gracious Sovereign," said Tressilian, +"and with my suit my revenge. But I hold this Varney's word no good +warrant for the truth." + +"Had that doubt been elsewhere urged," answered Varney, "my sword--" + +"THY sword!" interrupted Tressilian scornfully; "with her Grace's leave, +my sword shall show--" + +"Peace, you knaves, both!" said the Queen; "know you where you +are?--This comes of your feuds, my lords," she added, looking towards +Leicester and Sussex; "your followers catch your own humour, and must +bandy and brawl in my court and in my very presence, like so many +Matamoros.--Look you, sirs, he that speaks of drawing swords in any +other quarrel than mine or England's, by mine honour, I'll bracelet +him with iron both on wrist and ankle!" She then paused a minute, +and resumed in a milder tone, "I must do justice betwixt the bold and +mutinous knaves notwithstanding.--My Lord of Leicester, will you warrant +with your honour--that is, to the best of your belief--that your servant +speaks truth in saying he hath married this Amy Robsart?" + +This was a home-thrust, and had nearly staggered Leicester. But he had +now gone too far to recede, and answered, after a moment's hesitation, +"To the best of my belief--indeed on my certain knowledge--she is a +wedded wife." + +"Gracious madam," said Tressilian, "may I yet request to know, when and +under what circumstances this alleged marriage--" + +"Out, sirrah," answered the Queen; "ALLEGED marriage! Have you not the +word of this illustrious Earl to warrant the truth of what his servant +says? But thou art a loser--thinkest thyself such at least--and thou +shalt have indulgence; we will look into the matter ourself more at +leisure.--My Lord of Leicester, I trust you remember we mean to taste +the good cheer of your Castle of Kenilworth on this week ensuing. We +will pray you to bid our good and valued friend, the Earl of Sussex, to +hold company with us there." + +"If the noble Earl of Sussex," said Leicester, bowing to his rival with +the easiest and with the most graceful courtesy, "will so far honour my +poor house, I will hold it an additional proof of the amicable regard it +is your Grace's desire we should entertain towards each other." + +Sussex was more embarrassed. "I should," said he, "madam, be but a clog +on your gayer hours, since my late severe illness." + +"And have you been indeed so very ill?" said Elizabeth, looking on him +with more attention than before; "you are, in faith, strangely altered, +and deeply am I grieved to see it. But be of good cheer--we will +ourselves look after the health of so valued a servant, and to whom we +owe so much. Masters shall order your diet; and that we ourselves +may see that he is obeyed, you must attend us in this progress to +Kenilworth." + +This was said so peremptorily, and at the same time with so much +kindness, that Sussex, however unwilling to become the guest of his +rival, had no resource but to bow low to the Queen in obedience to +her commands, and to express to Leicester, with blunt courtesy, though +mingled with embarrassment, his acceptance of his invitation. As the +Earls exchanged compliments on the occasion, the Queen said to her High +Treasurer, "Methinks, my lord, the countenances of these our two noble +peers resemble those of the two famed classic streams, the one so dark +and sad, the other so fair and noble. My old Master Ascham would have +chid me for forgetting the author. It is Caesar, as I think. See what +majestic calmness sits on the brow of the noble Leicester, while Sussex +seems to greet him as if he did our will indeed, but not willingly." + +"The doubt of your Majesty's favour," answered the Lord Treasurer, "may +perchance occasion the difference, which does not--as what does?--escape +your Grace's eye." + +"Such doubt were injurious to us, my lord," replied the Queen. "We hold +both to be near and dear to us, and will with impartiality employ both +in honourable service for the weal of our kingdom. But we will break +their further conference at present.--My Lords of Sussex and Leicester, +we have a word more with you. 'Tressilian and Varney are near your +persons--you will see that they attend you at Kenilworth. And as we +shall then have both Paris and Menelaus within our call, so we will +have the same fair Helen also, whose fickleness has caused this +broil.--Varney, thy wife must be at Kenilworth, and forthcoming at my +order.--My Lord of Leicester, we expect you will look to this." + +The Earl and his follower bowed low and raised their heads, without +daring to look at the Queen, or at each other, for both felt at the +instant as if the nets and toils which their own falsehood had woven +were in the act of closing around them. The Queen, however, observed +not their confusion, but proceeded to say, "My Lords of Sussex and +Leicester, we require your presence at the privy-council to be presently +held, where matters of importance are to be debated. We will then take +the water for our divertisement, and you, my lords, will attend us.--And +that reminds us of a circumstance.--Do you, Sir Squire of the Soiled +Cassock" (distinguishing Raleigh by a smile), "fail not to observe +that you are to attend us on our progress. You shall be supplied with +suitable means to reform your wardrobe." + +And so terminated this celebrated audience, in which, as throughout her +life, Elizabeth united the occasional caprice of her sex with that sense +and sound policy in which neither man nor woman ever excelled her. + + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + + Well, then--our course is chosen--spread the sail-- + Heave oft the lead, and mark the soundings well-- + Look to the helm, good master--many a shoal + Marks this stern coast, and rocks, where sits the Siren, + Who, like ambition, lures men to their ruin.--THE SHIPWRECK. + +During the brief interval that took place betwixt the dismissal of the +audience and the sitting of the privy-council, Leicester had time to +reflect that he had that morning sealed his own fate. "It was impossible +for him now," he thought, "after having, in the face of all that was +honourable in England, pledged his truth (though in an ambiguous phrase) +for the statement of Varney, to contradict or disavow it, without +exposing himself, not merely to the loss of court-favour, but to the +highest displeasure of the Queen, his deceived mistress, and to the +scorn and contempt at once of his rival and of all his compeers." This +certainty rushed at once on his mind, together with all the difficulties +which he would necessarily be exposed to in preserving a secret which +seemed now equally essential to his safety, to his power, and to his +honour. He was situated like one who walks upon ice ready to give way +around him, and whose only safety consists in moving onwards, by firm +and unvacillating steps. The Queen's favour, to preserve which he +had made such sacrifices, must now be secured by all means and at all +hazards; it was the only plank which he could cling to in the tempest. +He must settle himself, therefore, to the task of not only preserving, +but augmenting the Queen's partiality--he must be the favourite of +Elizabeth, or a man utterly shipwrecked in fortune and in honour. All +other considerations must be laid aside for the moment, and he repelled +the intrusive thoughts which forced on his mind the image of, Amy, by +saying to himself there would be time to think hereafter how he was to +escape from the labyrinth ultimately, since the pilot who sees a Scylla +under his bows must not for the time think of the more distant dangers +of Charybdis. + +In this mood the Earl of Leicester that day assumed his chair at the +council table of Elizabeth; and when the hours of business were over, +in this same mood did he occupy an honoured place near her during her +pleasure excursion on the Thames. And never did he display to more +advantage his powers as a politician of the first rank, or his parts as +an accomplished courtier. + +It chanced that in that day's council matters were agitated touching the +affairs of the unfortunate Mary, the seventh year of whose captivity in +England was now in doleful currency. There had been opinions in favour +of this unhappy princess laid before Elizabeth's council, and supported +with much strength of argument by Sussex and others, who dwelt more upon +the law of nations and the breach of hospitality than, however softened +or qualified, was agreeable to the Queen's ear. Leicester adopted the +contrary opinion with great animation and eloquence, and described the +necessity of continuing the severe restraint of the Queen of Scots, as +a measure essential to the safety of the kingdom, and particularly +of Elizabeth's sacred person, the lightest hair of whose head, he +maintained, ought, in their lordships' estimation, to be matter of more +deep and anxious concern than the life and fortunes of a rival, who, +after setting up a vain and unjust pretence to the throne of England, +was now, even while in the bosom of her country, the constant hope and +theme of encouragement to all enemies to Elizabeth, whether at home or +abroad. He ended by craving pardon of their lordships, if in the zeal +of speech he had given any offence, but the Queen's safety was a theme +which hurried him beyond his usual moderation of debate. + +Elizabeth chid him, but not severely, for the weight which he attached +unduly to her personal interests; yet she owned that, since it had been +the pleasure of Heaven to combine those interests with the weal of +her subjects, she did only her duty when she adopted such measures of +self-preservation as circumstances forced upon her; and if the council +in their wisdom should be of opinion that it was needful to continue +some restraint on the person of her unhappy sister of Scotland, she +trusted they would not blame her if she requested of the Countess of +Shrewsbury to use her with as much kindness as might be consistent with +her safe keeping. And with this intimation of her pleasure the council +was dismissed. + +Never was more anxious and ready way made for "my Lord of Leicester," +than as he passed through the crowded anterooms to go towards the +river-side, in order to attend her Majesty to her barge--never was +the voice of the ushers louder, to "make room, make room for the +noble Earl"--never were these signals more promptly and reverently +obeyed--never were more anxious eyes turned on him to obtain a glance +of favour, or even of mere recognition, while the heart of many a humble +follower throbbed betwixt the desire to offer his congratulations, and +the fear of intruding himself on the notice of one so infinitely above +him. The whole court considered the issue of this day's audience, +expected with so much doubt and anxiety, as a decisive triumph on the +part of Leicester, and felt assured that the orb of his rival satellite, +if not altogether obscured by his lustre, must revolve hereafter in a +dimmer and more distant sphere. So thought the court and courtiers, from +high to low; and they acted accordingly. + +On the other hand, never did Leicester return the general greeting with +such ready and condescending courtesy, or endeavour more successfully +to gather (in the words of one who at that moment stood at no great +distance from him) "golden opinions from all sorts of men." + +For all the favourite Earl had a bow a smile at least, and often a kind +word. Most of these were addressed to courtiers, whose names have long +gone down the tide of oblivion; but some, to such as sound strangely in +our ears, when connected with the ordinary matters of human life, +above which the gratitude of posterity has long elevated them. A few of +Leicester's interlocutory sentences ran as follows:-- + +"Poynings, good morrow; and how does your wife and fair daughter? Why +come they not to court?--Adams, your suit is naught; the Queen will +grant no more monopolies. But I may serve you in another matter.--My +good Alderman Aylford, the suit of the City, affecting Queenhithe, +shall be forwarded as far as my poor interest can serve.--Master Edmund +Spenser, touching your Irish petition, I would willingly aid you, from +my love to the Muses; but thou hast nettled the Lord Treasurer." + +"My lord," said the poet, "were I permitted to explain--" + +"Come to my lodging, Edmund," answered the Earl "not to-morrow, or next +day, but soon.--Ha, Will Shakespeare--wild Will!--thou hast given my +nephew Philip Sidney, love-powder; he cannot sleep without thy Venus and +Adonis under his pillow! We will have thee hanged for the veriest wizard +in Europe. Hark thee, mad wag, I have not forgotten thy matter of the +patent, and of the bears." + +The PLAYER bowed, and the Earl nodded and passed on--so that age would +have told the tale; in ours, perhaps, we might say the immortal had done +homage to the mortal. The next whom the favourite accosted was one of +his own zealous dependants. + +"How now, Sir Francis Denning," he whispered, in answer to his exulting +salutation, "that smile hath made thy face shorter by one-third than +when I first saw it this morning.--What, Master Bowyer, stand you back, +and think you I bear malice? You did but your duty this morning; and if +I remember aught of the passage betwixt us, it shall be in thy favour." + +Then the Earl was approached, with several fantastic congees, by a +person quaintly dressed in a doublet of black velvet, curiously slashed +and pinked with crimson satin. A long cock's feather in the velvet +bonnet, which he held in his hand, and an enormous ruff; stiffened to +the extremity of the absurd taste of the times, joined with a sharp, +lively, conceited expression of countenance, seemed to body forth a +vain, harebrained coxcomb, and small wit; while the rod he held, and +an assumption of formal authority, appeared to express some sense +of official consequence, which qualified the natural pertness of his +manner. A perpetual blush, which occupied rather the sharp nose than the +thin cheek of this personage, seemed to speak more of "good life," as +it was called, than of modesty; and the manner in which he approached to +the Earl confirmed that suspicion. + +"Good even to you, Master Robert Laneham," said Leicester, and seemed +desirous to pass forward, without further speech. + +"I have a suit to your noble lordship," said the figure, boldly +following him. + +"And what is it, good master keeper of the council-chamber door?" + +"CLERK of the council-chamber door," said Master Robert Laneham, with +emphasis, by way of reply, and of correction. + +"Well, qualify thine office as thou wilt, man," replied the Earl; "what +wouldst thou have with me?" + +"Simply," answered Laneham, "that your lordship would be, as heretofore, +my good lord, and procure me license to attend the Summer Progress +unto your lordship's most beautiful and all-to-be-unmatched Castle of +Kenilworth." + +"To what purpose, good Master Laneham?" replied the Earl; "bethink you, +my guests must needs be many." + +"Not so many," replied the petitioner, "but that your nobleness will +willingly spare your old servitor his crib and his mess. Bethink you, +my lord, how necessary is this rod of mine to fright away all those +listeners, who else would play at bo-peep with the honourable council, +and be searching for keyholes and crannies in the door of the chamber, +so as to render my staff as needful as a fly-flap in a butcher's shop." + +"Methinks you have found out a fly-blown comparison for the honourable +council, Master Laneham," said the Earl; "but seek not about to justify +it. Come to Kenilworth, if you list; there will be store of fools there +besides, and so you will be fitted." + +"Nay, an there be fools, my lord," replied Laneham, with much glee, "I +warrant I will make sport among them, for no greyhound loves to cote a +hare as I to turn and course a fool. But I have another singular favour +to beseech of your honour." + +"Speak it, and let me go," said the Earl; "I think the Queen comes forth +instantly." + +"My very good lord, I would fain bring a bed-fellow with me." + +"How, you irreverent rascal!" said Leicester. + +"Nay, my lord, my meaning is within the canons," answered his +unblushing, or rather his ever-blushing petitioner. "I have a wife as +curious as her grandmother who ate the apple. Now, take her with me +I may not, her Highness's orders being so strict against the officers +bringing with them their wives in a progress, and so lumbering the court +with womankind. But what I would crave of your lordship is to find room +for her in some mummery, or pretty pageant, in disguise, as it were; so +that, not being known for my wife, there may be no offence." + +"The foul fiend seize ye both!" said Leicester, stung into +uncontrollable passion by the recollections which this speech +excited--"why stop you me with such follies?" + +The terrified clerk of the chamber-door, astonished at the burst of +resentment he had so unconsciously produced, dropped his staff of office +from his hand, and gazed on the incensed Earl with a foolish face of +wonder and terror, which instantly recalled Leicester to himself. + +"I meant but to try if thou hadst the audacity which befits thine +office," said he hastily. "Come to Kenilworth, and bring the devil with +thee, if thou wilt." + +"My wife, sir, hath played the devil ere now, in a Mystery, in Queen +Mary's time; but me shall want a trifle for properties." + +"Here is a crown for thee," said the Earl,--"make me rid of thee--the +great bell rings." + +Master Robert Laneham stared a moment at the agitation which he had +excited, and then said to himself, as he stooped to pick up his staff +of office, "The noble Earl runs wild humours to-day. But they who give +crowns expect us witty fellows to wink at their unsettled starts; and, +by my faith, if they paid not for mercy, we would finger them tightly!" +[See Note 6. Robert Laneham.] + +Leicester moved hastily on, neglecting the courtesies he had hitherto +dispensed so liberally, and hurrying through the courtly crowd, until +he paused in a small withdrawing-room, into which he plunged to draw a +moment's breath unobserved, and in seclusion. + +"What am I now," he said to himself, "that am thus jaded by the words +of a mean, weather-beaten, goose-brained gull! Conscience, thou art a +bloodhound, whose growl wakes us readily at the paltry stir of a rat +or mouse as at the step of a lion. Can I not quit myself, by one +bold stroke, of a state so irksome, so unhonoured? What if I kneel to +Elizabeth, and, owning the whole, throw myself on her mercy?" + +As he pursued this train of thought, the door of the apartment opened, +and Varney rushed in. + +"Thank God, my lord, that I have found you!" was his exclamation. + +"Thank the devil, whose agent thou art," was the Earl's reply. + +"Thank whom you will, my lord," replied Varney; "but hasten to the +water-side. The Queen is on board, and asks for you." + +"Go, say I am taken suddenly ill," replied Leicester; "for, by Heaven, +my brain can sustain this no longer!" + +"I may well say so," said Varney, with bitterness of expression, "for +your place, ay, and mine, who, as your master of the horse, was to have +attended your lordship, is already filled up in the Queen's barge. The +new minion, Walter Raleigh, and our old acquaintance Tressilian were +called for to fill our places just as I hastened away to seek you." + +"Thou art a devil, Varney," said Leicester hastily; "but thou hast the +mastery for the present--I follow thee." + +Varney replied not, but led the way out of the palace, and towards the +river, while his master followed him, as if mechanically; until, looking +back, he said in a tone which savoured of familiarity at least, if not +of authority, "How is this, my lord? Your cloak hangs on one side--your +hose are unbraced--permit me--" + +"Thou art a fool, Varney, as well as a knave," said Leicester, shaking +him off, and rejecting his officious assistance. "We are best thus, sir; +when we require you to order our person, it is well, but now we want you +not." + +So saying, the Earl resumed at once his air of command, and with it his +self-possession--shook his dress into yet wilder disorder--passed before +Varney with the air of a superior and master, and in his turn led the +way to the river-side. + +The Queen's barge was on the very point of putting off, the seat +allotted to Leicester in the stern, and that to his master of the horse +on the bow of the boat, being already filled up. But on Leicester's +approach there was a pause, as if the bargemen anticipated some +alteration in their company. The angry spot was, however, on the Queen's +cheek, as, in that cold tone with which superiors endeavour to veil +their internal agitation, while speaking to those before whom it would +be derogation to express it, she pronounced the chilling words, "We have +waited, my Lord of Leicester." + +"Madam, and most gracious Princess," said Leicester, "you, who can +pardon so many weaknesses which your own heart never knows, can best +bestow your commiseration on the agitations of the bosom, which, for a +moment, affect both head and limbs. I came to your presence a doubting +and an accused subject; your goodness penetrated the clouds of +defamation, and restored me to my honour, and, what is yet dearer, to +your favour--is it wonderful, though for me it is most unhappy, that +my master of the horse should have found me in a state which scarce +permitted me to make the exertion necessary to follow him to this place, +when one glance of your Highness, although, alas! an angry one, has had +power to do that for me in which Esculapius might have failed?" + +"How is this?" said Elizabeth hastily, looking at Varney; "hath your +lord been ill?" + +"Something of a fainting fit," answered the ready-witted Varney, "as +your Grace may observe from his present condition. My lord's haste would +not permit me leisure even to bring his dress into order." + +"It matters not," said Elizabeth, as she gazed on the noble face and +form of Leicester, to which even the strange mixture of passions by +which he had been so lately agitated gave additional interest; "make +room for my noble lord. Your place, Master Varney, has been filled up; +you must find a seat in another barge." + +Varney bowed, and withdrew. + +"And you, too, our young Squire of the Cloak," added she, looking at +Raleigh, "must, for the time, go to the barge of our ladies of honour. +As for Tressilian, he hath already suffered too much by the caprice of +women that I should aggrieve him by my change of plan, so far as he is +concerned." + +Leicester seated himself in his place in the barge, and close to the +Sovereign. Raleigh rose to retire, and Tressilian would have been so +ill-timed in his courtesy as to offer to relinquish his own place to his +friend, had not the acute glance of Raleigh himself, who seemed no in +his native element, made him sensible that so ready a disclamation of +the royal favour might be misinterpreted. He sat silent, therefore, +whilst Raleigh, with a profound bow, and a look of the deepest +humiliation, was about to quit his place. + +A noble courtier, the gallant Lord Willoughby, read, as he thought, +something in the Queen's face which seemed to pity Raleigh's real or +assumed semblance of mortification. + +"It is not for us old courtiers," he said, "to hide the sunshine from +the young ones. I will, with her Majesty's leave, relinquish for an +hour that which her subjects hold dearest, the delight of her Highness's +presence, and mortify myself by walking in starlight, while I forsake +for a brief season the glory of Diana's own beams. I will take place +in the boat which the ladies occupy, and permit this young cavalier his +hour of promised felicity." + +The Queen replied, with an expression betwixt mirth and earnest, "If you +are so willing to leave us, my lord, we cannot help the mortification. +But, under favour, we do not trust you--old and experienced as you +may deem yourself--with the care of our young ladies of honour. Your +venerable age, my lord," she continued, smiling, "may be better assorted +with that of my Lord Treasurer, who follows in the third boat, and by +whose experience even my Lord Willoughby's may be improved." + +Lord Willoughby hid his disappointment under a smile--laughed, was +confused, bowed, and left the Queen's barge to go on board my Lord +Burleigh's. Leicester, who endeavoured to divert his thoughts from all +internal reflection, by fixing them on what was passing around, watched +this circumstance among others. But when the boat put off from the +shore--when the music sounded from a barge which accompanied them--when +the shouts of the populace were heard from the shore, and all reminded +him of the situation in which he was placed, he abstracted his thoughts +and feelings by a strong effort from everything but the necessity of +maintaining himself in the favour of his patroness, and exerted his +talents of pleasing captivation with such success, that the Queen, +alternately delighted with his conversation, and alarmed for his health, +at length imposed a temporary silence on him, with playful yet anxious +care, lest his flow of spirits should exhaust him. + +"My lords," she said, "having passed for a time our edict of silence +upon our good Leicester, we will call you to counsel on a gamesome +matter, more fitted to be now treated of, amidst mirth and music, than +in the gravity of our ordinary deliberations. Which of you, my lords," +said she, smiling, "know aught of a petition from Orson Pinnit, +the keeper, as he qualifies himself, of our royal bears? Who stands +godfather to his request?" + +"Marry, with Your Grace's good permission, that do I," said the Earl of +Sussex. "Orson Pinnit was a stout soldier before he was so mangled by +the skenes of the Irish clan MacDonough; and I trust your Grace will +be, as you always have been, good mistress to your good and trusty +servants." + +"Surely," said the Queen, "it is our purpose to be so, and in especial +to our poor soldiers and sailors, who hazard their lives for little pay. +We would give," she said, with her eyes sparkling, "yonder royal palace +of ours to be an hospital for their use, rather than they should call +their mistress ungrateful. But this is not the question," she said, +her voice, which had been awakened by her patriotic feelings, once more +subsiding into the tone of gay and easy conversation; "for this Orson +Pinnit's request goes something further. He complains that, amidst the +extreme delight with which men haunt the play-houses, and in especial +their eager desire for seeing the exhibitions of one Will Shakespeare +(whom I think, my lords, we have all heard something of), the manly +amusement of bear-baiting is falling into comparative neglect, since men +will rather throng to see these roguish players kill each other in +jest, than to see our royal dogs and bears worry each other in bloody +earnest.--What say you to this, my Lord of Sussex?" + +"Why, truly, gracious madam," said Sussex, "you must expect little from +an old soldier like me in favour of battles in sport, when they are +compared with battles in earnest; and yet, by my faith, I wish Will +Shakespeare no harm. He is a stout man at quarter-staff, and single +falchion, though, as I am told, a halting fellow; and he stood, they +say, a tough fight with the rangers of old Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecot, +when he broke his deer-park and kissed his keeper's daughter." + +"I cry you mercy, my Lord of Sussex," said Queen Elizabeth, interrupting +him; "that matter was heard in council, and we will not have this +fellow's offence exaggerated--there was no kissing in the matter, and +the defendant hath put the denial on record. But what say you to his +present practice, my lord, on the stage? for there lies the point, and +not in any ways touching his former errors, in breaking parks, or the +other follies you speak of." + +"Why, truly, madam," replied Sussex, "as I said before, I wish the +gamesome mad fellow no injury. Some of his whoreson poetry (I crave your +Grace's pardon for such a phrase) has rung in mine ears as if the lines +sounded to boot and saddle. But then it is all froth and folly--no +substance or seriousness in it, as your Grace has already well touched. +What are half a dozen knaves, with rusty foils and tattered targets, +making but a mere mockery of a stout fight, to compare to the royal game +of bear-baiting, which hath been graced by your Highness's countenance, +and that of your royal predecessors, in this your princely kingdom, +famous for matchless mastiffs and bold bearwards over all Christendom? +Greatly is it to be doubted that the race of both will decay, if +men should throng to hear the lungs of an idle player belch forth +nonsensical bombast, instead of bestowing their pence in encouraging the +bravest image of war that can be shown in peace, and that is the sports +of the Bear-garden. There you may see the bear lying at guard, with his +red, pinky eyes watching the onset of the mastiff, like a wily captain +who maintains his defence that an assailant may be tempted to venture +within his danger. And then comes Sir Mastiff, like a worthy champion, +in full career at the throat of his adversary; and then shall Sir Bruin +teach him the reward for those who, in their over-courage, neglect the +policies of war, and, catching him in his arms, strain him to his breast +like a lusty wrestler, until rib after rib crack like the shot of a +pistolet. And then another mastiff; as bold, but with better aim and +sounder judgment, catches Sir Bruin by the nether lip, and hangs fast, +while he tosses about his blood and slaver, and tries in vain to shake +Sir Talbot from his hold. And then--" + +"Nay, by my honour, my lord," said the Queen, laughing, "you have +described the whole so admirably that, had we never seen a bear-baiting, +as we have beheld many, and hope, with Heaven's allowance, to see many +more, your words were sufficient to put the whole Bear-garden before our +eyes.--But come, who speaks next in this case?--My Lord of Leicester, +what say you?" + +"Am I then to consider myself as unmuzzled, please your Grace?" replied +Leicester. + +"Surely, my lord--that is, if you feel hearty enough to take part in our +game," answered Elizabeth; "and yet, when I think of your cognizance of +the bear and ragged staff, methinks we had better hear some less partial +orator." + +"Nay, on my word, gracious Princess," said the Earl, "though my brother +Ambrose of Warwick and I do carry the ancient cognizance your Highness +deigns to remember, I nevertheless desire nothing but fair play on all +sides; or, as they say, 'fight dog, fight bear.' And in behalf of the +players, I must needs say that they are witty knaves, whose rants and +jests keep the minds of the commons from busying themselves with +state affairs, and listening to traitorous speeches, idle rumours, +and disloyal insinuations. When men are agape to see how Marlow, +Shakespeare, and other play artificers work out their fanciful plots, as +they call them, the mind of the spectators is withdrawn from the conduct +of their rulers." + +"We would not have the mind of our subjects withdrawn from the +consideration of our own conduct, my lord," answered Elizabeth; "because +the more closely it is examined, the true motives by which we are guided +will appear the more manifest." + +"I have heard, however, madam," said the Dean of St. Asaph's, an eminent +Puritan, "that these players are wont, in their plays, not only to +introduce profane and lewd expressions, tending to foster sin and +harlotry; but even to bellow out such reflections on government, its +origin and its object, as tend to render the subject discontented, and +shake the solid foundations of civil society. And it seems to be, +under your Grace's favour, far less than safe to permit these naughty +foul-mouthed knaves to ridicule the godly for their decent gravity, +and, in blaspheming heaven and slandering its earthly rulers, to set at +defiance the laws both of God and man." + +"If we could think this were true, my lord," said Elizabeth, "we should +give sharp correction for such offences. But it is ill arguing against +the use of anything from its abuse. And touching this Shakespeare, we +think there is that in his plays that is worth twenty Bear-gardens; +and that this new undertaking of his Chronicles, as he calls them, may +entertain, with honest mirth, mingled with useful instruction, not only +our subjects, but even the generation which may succeed to us." + +"Your Majesty's reign will need no such feeble aid to make it remembered +to the latest posterity," said Leicester. "And yet, in his way, +Shakespeare hath so touched some incidents of your Majesty's happy +government as may countervail what has been spoken by his reverence +the Dean of St. Asaph's. There are some lines, for example--I would +my nephew, Philip Sidney, were here; they are scarce ever out of his +mouth--they are spoken in a mad tale of fairies, love-charms, and I wot +not what besides; but beautiful they are, however short they may and +must fall of the subject to which they bear a bold relation--and Philip +murmurs them, I think, even in his dreams." + +"You tantalize us, my lord," said the Queen--"Master Philip Sidney is, +we know, a minion of the Muses, and we are pleased it should be so. +Valour never shines to more advantage than when united with the true +taste and love of letters. But surely there are some others among our +young courtiers who can recollect what your lordship has forgotten amid +weightier affairs.--Master Tressilian, you are described to me as a +worshipper of Minerva--remember you aught of these lines?" + +Tressilian's heart was too heavy, his prospects in life too fatally +blighted, to profit by the opportunity which the Queen thus offered +to him of attracting her attention; but he determined to transfer the +advantage to his more ambitious young friend, and excusing himself +on the score of want of recollection, he added that he believed the +beautiful verses of which my Lord of Leicester had spoken were in the +remembrance of Master Walter Raleigh. + +At the command of the Queen, that cavalier repeated, with accent and +manner which even added to their exquisite delicacy of tact and beauty +of description, the celebrated vision of Oberon:-- + + + "That very time I saw (but thou couldst not), + Flying between the cold moon and the earth, + Cupid, allarm'd: a certain aim he took + At a fair vestal, throned by the west; + And loos'd his love-shaft smartly from his bow, + As it should pierce a hundred thousand hearts: + But I might see young Cupid's fiery shaft + Quench'd in the chaste beams of the watery moon; + And the imperial vot'ress passed on, + In maiden meditation, fancy free." + +The voice of Raleigh, as he repeated the last lines, became a little +tremulous, as if diffident how the Sovereign to whom the homage was +addressed might receive it, exquisite as it was. If this diffidence was +affected, it was good policy; but if real, there was little occasion +for it. The verses were not probably new to the Queen, for when was ever +such elegant flattery long in reaching the royal ear to which it was +addressed? But they were not the less welcome when repeated by such a +speaker as Raleigh. Alike delighted with the matter, the manner, and +the graceful form and animated countenance of the gallant young reciter, +Elizabeth kept time to every cadence with look and with finger. When +the speaker had ceased, she murmured over the last lines as if scarce +conscious that she was overheard, and as she uttered the words, + +"In maiden meditation, fancy free," she dropped into the Thames the +supplication of Orson Pinnit, keeper of the royal bears, to find more +favourable acceptance at Sheerness, or wherever the tide might waft it. + +Leicester was spurred to emulation by the success of the young +courtier's exhibition, as the veteran racer is roused when a +high-mettled colt passes him on the way. He turned the discourse on +shows, banquets, pageants, and on the character of those by whom these +gay scenes were then frequented. He mixed acute observation with light +satire, in that just proportion which was free alike from malignant +slander and insipid praise. He mimicked with ready accent the manners of +the affected or the clownish, and made his own graceful tone and manner +seem doubly such when he resumed it. Foreign countries--their customs, +their manners, the rules of their courts---the fashions, and even the +dress of their ladies-were equally his theme; and seldom did he conclude +without conveying some compliment, always couched in delicacy, and +expressed with propriety, to the Virgin Queen, her court, and her +government. Thus passed the conversation during this pleasure voyage, +seconded by the rest of the attendants upon the royal person, in gay +discourse, varied by remarks upon ancient classics and modern authors, +and enriched by maxims of deep policy and sound morality, by the +statesmen and sages who sat around and mixed wisdom with the lighter +talk of a female court. + +When they returned to the Palace, Elizabeth accepted, or rather +selected, the arm of Leicester to support her from the stairs where they +landed to the great gate. It even seemed to him (though that might arise +from the flattery of his own imagination) that during this short +passage she leaned on him somewhat more than the slippiness of the +way necessarily demanded. Certainly her actions and words combined to +express a degree of favour which, even in his proudest day he had not +till then attained. His rival, indeed, was repeatedly graced by the +Queen's notice; but it was in manner that seemed to flow less from +spontaneous inclination than as extorted by a sense of his merit. And in +the opinion of many experienced courtiers, all the favour she showed +him was overbalanced by her whispering in the ear of the Lady Derby that +"now she saw sickness was a better alchemist than she before wotted +of, seeing it had changed my Lord of Sussex's copper nose into a golden +one." + +The jest transpired, and the Earl of Leicester enjoyed his triumph, +as one to whom court-favour had been both the primary and the ultimate +motive of life, while he forgot, in the intoxication of the moment, the +perplexities and dangers of his own situation. Indeed, strange as it may +appear, he thought less at that moment of the perils arising from his +secret union, than of the marks of grace which Elizabeth from time to +time showed to young Raleigh. They were indeed transient, but they were +conferred on one accomplished in mind and body, with grace, gallantry, +literature, and valour. An accident occurred in the course of the +evening which riveted Leicester's attention to this object. + +The nobles and courtiers who had attended the Queen on her pleasure +expedition were invited, with royal hospitality, to a splendid banquet +in the hall of the Palace. The table was not, indeed, graced by the +presence of the Sovereign; for, agreeable to her idea of what was at +once modest and dignified, the Maiden Queen on such occasions was wont +to take in private, or with one or two favourite ladies, her light and +temperate meal. After a moderate interval, the court again met in the +splendid gardens of the Palace; and it was while thus engaged that +the Queen suddenly asked a lady, who was near to her both in place and +favour, what had become of the young Squire Lack-Cloak. + +The Lady Paget answered, "She had seen Master Raleigh but two or +three minutes since standing at the window of a small pavilion or +pleasure-house, which looked out on the Thames, and writing on the glass +with a diamond ring." + +"That ring," said the Queen, "was a small token I gave him to make +amends for his spoiled mantle. Come, Paget, let us see what use he has +made of it, for I can see through him already. He is a marvellously +sharp-witted spirit." They went to the spot, within sight of which, +but at some distance, the young cavalier still lingered, as the fowler +watches the net which he has set. The Queen approached the window, on +which Raleigh had used her gift to inscribe the following line:-- + + + "Fain would I climb, but that I fear to fall." + +The Queen smiled, read it twice over, once with deliberation to Lady +Paget, and once again to herself. "It is a pretty beginning," she said, +after the consideration of a moment or two; "but methinks the muse +hath deserted the young wit at the very outset of his task. It were +good-natured--were it not, Lady Paget?--to complete it for him. Try your +rhyming faculties." + +Lady Paget, prosaic from her cradle upwards as ever any lady of the +bedchamber before or after her, disclaimed all possibility of assisting +the young poet. + +"Nay, then, we must sacrifice to the Muses ourselves," said Elizabeth. + +"The incense of no one can be more acceptable," said Lady Paget; "and +your Highness will impose such obligation on the ladies of Parnassus--" + +"Hush, Paget," said the Queen, "you speak sacrilege against the immortal +Nine--yet, virgins themselves, they should be exorable to a Virgin +Queen--and therefore--let me see how runs his verse-- + + + 'Fain would I climb, but that I fear to fall.' + +Might not the answer (for fault of a better) run thus?-- + + + 'If thy mind fail thee, do not climb at all.'" + +The dame of honour uttered an exclamation of joy and surprise at so +happy a termination; and certainly a worse has been applauded, even when +coming from a less distinguished author. + +The Queen, thus encouraged, took off a diamond ring, and saying, "We +will give this gallant some cause of marvel when he finds his couplet +perfected without his own interference," she wrote her own line beneath +that of Raleigh. + +The Queen left the pavilion; but retiring slowly, and often looking +back, she could see the young cavalier steal, with the flight of a +lapwing, towards the place where he had seen her make a pause. "She +stayed but to observe," as she said, "that her train had taken;" and +then, laughing at the circumstance with the Lady Paget, she took the way +slowly towards the Palace. Elizabeth, as they returned, cautioned her +companion not to mention to any one the aid which she had given to the +young poet, and Lady Paget promised scrupulous secrecy. It is to be +supposed that she made a mental reservation in favour of Leicester, +to whom her ladyship transmitted without delay an anecdote so little +calculated to give him pleasure. + +Raleigh, in the meanwhile, stole back to the window, and read, with a +feeling of intoxication, the encouragement thus given him by the Queen +in person to follow out his ambitious career, and returned to Sussex +and his retinue, then on the point of embarking to go up the river, +his heart beating high with gratified pride, and with hope of future +distinction. + +The reverence due to the person of the Earl prevented any notice being +taken of the reception he had met with at court, until they had landed, +and the household were assembled in the great hall at Sayes Court; while +that lord, exhausted by his late illness and the fatigues of the day, +had retired to his chamber, demanding the attendance of Wayland, his +successful physician. Wayland, however, was nowhere to be found; and +while some of the party were, with military impatience, seeking him and +cursing his absence, the rest flocked around Raleigh to congratulate him +on his prospects of court-favour. + +He had the good taste and judgment to conceal the decisive circumstance +of the couplet to which Elizabeth had deigned to find a rhyme; but other +indications had transpired, which plainly intimated that he had made +some progress in the Queen's favour. All hastened to wish him joy on the +mended appearance of his fortune--some from real regard, some, perhaps, +from hopes that his preferment might hasten their own, and most from a +mixture of these motives, and a sense that the countenance shown to any +one of Sussex's household was, in fact, a triumph to the whole. Raleigh +returned the kindest thanks to them all, disowning, with becoming +modesty, that one day's fair reception made a favourite, any more than +one swallow a summer. But he observed that Blount did not join in the +general congratulation, and, somewhat hurt at his apparent unkindness, +he plainly asked him the reason. + +Blount replied with equal sincerity--"My good Walter, I wish thee as +well as do any of these chattering gulls, who are whistling and whooping +gratulations in thine ear because it seems fair weather with thee. But +I fear for thee, Walter" (and he wiped his honest eye), "I fear for thee +with all my heart. These court-tricks, and gambols, and flashes of fine +women's favour are the tricks and trinkets that bring fair fortunes to +farthings, and fine faces and witty coxcombs to the acquaintance of dull +block and sharp axes." + +So saying, Blount arose and left the hall, while Raleigh looked after +him with an expression that blanked for a moment his bold and animated +countenance. + +Stanley just then entered the hall, and said to Tressilian, "My lord is +calling for your fellow Wayland, and your fellow Wayland is just come +hither in a sculler, and is calling for you, nor will he go to my lord +till he sees you. The fellow looks as he were mazed, methinks; I would +you would see him immediately." + +Tressilian instantly left the hall, and causing Wayland Smith to be +shown into a withdrawing apartment, and lights placed, he conducted the +artist thither, and was surprised when he observed the emotion of his +countenance. + +"What is the matter with you, Smith?" said Tressilian; "have you seen +the devil?" + +"Worse, sir, worse," replied Wayland; "I have seen a basilisk. Thank +God, I saw him first; for being so seen, and seeing not me, he will do +the less harm." + +"In God's name, speak sense," said Tressilian, "and say what you mean." + +"I have seen my old master," said the artist. "Last night a friend whom +I had acquired took me to see the Palace clock, judging me to be curious +in such works of art. At the window of a turret next to the clock-house +I saw my old master." + +"Thou must needs have been mistaken," said Tressilian. + +"I was not mistaken," said Wayland; "he that once hath his features by +heart would know him amongst a million. He was anticly habited; but he +cannot disguise himself from me, God be praised! as I can from him. +I will not, however, tempt Providence by remaining within his ken. +Tarleton the player himself could not so disguise himself but that, +sooner or later, Doboobie would find him out. I must away to-morrow; +for, as we stand together, it were death to me to remain within reach of +him." + +"But the Earl of Sussex?" said Tressilian. + +"He is in little danger from what he has hitherto taken, provided +he swallow the matter of a bean's size of the orvietan every morning +fasting; but let him beware of a relapse." + +"And how is that to be guarded against?" said Tressilian. + +"Only by such caution as you would use against the devil," answered +Wayland. "Let my lord's clerk of the kitchen kill his lord's meat +himself, and dress it himself, using no spice but what he procures from +the surest hands. Let the sewer serve it up himself, and let the master +of my lord's household see that both clerk and sewer taste the dishes +which the one dresses and the other serves. Let my lord use no perfumes +which come not from well accredited persons; no unguents--no pomades. +Let him, on no account, drink with strangers, or eat fruit with them, +either in the way of nooning or otherwise. Especially, let him observe +such caution if he goes to Kenilworth--the excuse of his illness, and +his being under diet, will, and must, cover the strangeness of such +practice." + +"And thou," said Tressilian, "what dost thou think to make of thyself?" + +"France, Spain, either India, East or West, shall be my refuge," said +Wayland, "ere I venture my life by residing within ken of Doboobie, +Demetrius, or whatever else he calls himself for the time." + +"Well," said Tressilian, "this happens not inopportunely. I had business +for you in Berkshire, but in the opposite extremity to the place where +thou art known; and ere thou hadst found out this new reason for living +private, I had settled to send thee thither upon a secret embassage." + +The artist expressed himself willing to receive his commands, and +Tressilian, knowing he was well acquainted with the outline of his +business at court, frankly explained to him the whole, mentioned the +agreement which subsisted betwixt Giles Gosling and him, and told +what had that day been averred in the presence-chamber by Varney, and +supported by Leicester. + +"Thou seest," he added, "that, in the circumstances in which I am +placed, it behoves me to keep a narrow watch on the motions of these +unprincipled men, Varney and his complices, Foster and Lambourne, as +well as on those of my Lord Leicester himself, who, I suspect, is partly +a deceiver, and not altogether the deceived in that matter. Here is my +ring, as a pledge to Giles Gosling. Here is besides gold, which shall be +trebled if thou serve me faithfully. Away down to Cumnor, and see what +happens there." + +"I go with double good-will," said the artist, "first, because I serve +your honour, who has been so kind to me; and then, that I may escape my +old master, who, if not an absolute incarnation of the devil, has, at +least, as much of the demon about him, in will, word, and action; as +ever polluted humanity. And yet let him take care of me. I fly him now, +as heretofore; but if, like the Scottish wild cattle, I am vexed by +frequent pursuit, I may turn on him in hate and desperation. [A remnant +of the wild cattle of Scotland are preserved at Chillingham Castle, near +Wooler, in Northumberland, the seat of Lord Tankerville. They fly before +strangers; but if disturbed and followed, they turn with fury on those +who persist in annoying them.] Will your honour command my nag to be +saddled? I will but give the medicine to my lord, divided in its proper +proportions, with a few instructions. His safety will then depend on the +care of his friends and domestics; for the past he is guarded, but let +him beware of the future." + +Wayland Smith accordingly made his farewell visit to the Earl of Sussex, +dictated instructions as to his regimen, and precautions concerning his +diet, and left Sayes Court without waiting for morning. + + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + + The moment comes-- + It is already come--when thou must write + The absolute total of thy life's vast sum. + The constellations stand victorious o'er thee, + The planets shoot good fortune in fair junctions, + And tell thee, "Now's the time." + --SCHILLER'S WALLENSTEIN, BY COLERIDGE. + +When Leicester returned to his lodging, alter a day so important and so +harassing, in which, after riding out more than one gale, and touching +on more than one shoal, his bark had finally gained the harbour with +banner displayed, he seemed to experience as much fatigue as a mariner +after a perilous storm. He spoke not a word while his chamberlain +exchanged his rich court-mantle for a furred night-robe, and when this +officer signified that Master Varney desired to speak with his lordship, +he replied only by a sullen nod. Varney, however, entered, accepting +this signal as a permission, and the chamberlain withdrew. + +The Earl remained silent and almost motionless in his chair, his head +reclined on his hand, and his elbow resting upon the table which stood +beside him, without seeming to be conscious of the entrance or of the +presence of his confidant. Varney waited for some minutes until he +should speak, desirous to know what was the finally predominant mood of +a mind through which so many powerful emotions had that day taken their +course. But he waited in vain, for Leicester continued still silent, +and the confidant saw himself under the necessity of being the first +to speak. "May I congratulate your lordship," he said, "on the deserved +superiority you have this day attained over your most formidable rival?" + +Leicester raised his head, and answered sadly, but without anger, "Thou, +Varney, whose ready invention has involved me in a web of most mean +and perilous falsehood, knowest best what small reason there is for +gratulation on the subject." + +"Do you blame me, my lord," said Varney, "for not betraying, on the +first push, the secret on which your fortunes depended, and which +you have so oft and so earnestly recommended to my safe keeping? Your +lordship was present in person, and might have contradicted me and +ruined yourself by an avowal of the truth; but surely it was no part of +a faithful servant to have done so without your commands." + +"I cannot deny it, Varney," said the Earl, rising and walking across the +room; "my own ambition has been traitor to my love." + +"Say rather, my lord, that your love has been traitor to your greatness, +and barred you from such a prospect of honour and power as the world +cannot offer to any other. To make my honoured lady a countess, you have +missed the chance of being yourself--" + +He paused, and seemed unwilling to complete the sentence. + +"Of being myself what?" demanded Leicester; "speak out thy meaning, +Varney." + +"Of being yourself a KING, my lord," replied Varney; "and King of +England to boot! It is no treason to our Queen to say so. It would have +chanced by her obtaining that which all true subjects wish her--a lusty, +noble, and gallant husband." + +"Thou ravest, Varney," answered Leicester. "Besides, our times have +seen enough to make men loathe the Crown Matrimonial which men take from +their wives' lap. There was Darnley of Scotland." + +"He!" said Varney; "a, gull, a fool, a thrice-sodden ass, who suffered +himself to be fired off into the air like a rocket on a rejoicing day. +Had Mary had the hap to have wedded the noble Earl ONCE destined to +share her throne, she had experienced a husband of different metal; and +her husband had found in her a wife as complying and loving as the mate +of the meanest squire who follows the hounds a-horseback, and holds her +husband's bridle as he mounts." + +"It might have been as thou sayest, Varney," said Leicester, a brief +smile of self-satisfaction passing over his anxious countenance. "Henry +Darnley knew little of women--with Mary, a man who knew her sex might +have had some chance of holding his own. But not with Elizabeth, Varney +for I thank God, when he gave her the heart of a woman, gave her the +head of a man to control its follies. No, I know her. She will accept +love-tokens, ay, and requite them with the like--put sugared sonnets +in her bosom, ay, and answer them too--push gallantry to the very verge +where it becomes exchange of affection; but she writes NIL ULTRA to all +which is to follow, and would not barter one iota of her own supreme +power for all the alphabet of both Cupid and Hymen." + +"The better for you, my lord," said Varney--"that is, in the case +supposed, if such be her disposition; since you think you cannot aspire +to become her husband. Her favourite you are, and may remain, if the +lady at Cumnor place continues in her present obscurity." + +"Poor Amy!" said Leicester, with a deep sigh; "she desires so earnestly +to be acknowledged in presence of God and man!" + +"Ay, but, my lord," said Varney, "is her desire reasonable? That is +the question. Her religious scruples are solved; she is an honoured and +beloved wife, enjoying the society of her husband at such times as his +weightier duties permit him to afford her his company. What would she +more? I am right sure that a lady so gentle and so loving would consent +to live her life through in a certain obscurity--which is, after all, +not dimmer than when she was at Lidcote Hall--rather than diminish the +least jot of her lord's honours and greatness by a premature attempt to +share them." + +"There is something in what thou sayest," said Leicester, "and her +appearance here were fatal. Yet she must be seen at Kenilworth; +Elizabeth will not forget that she has so appointed." + +"Let me sleep on that hard point," said Varney; "I cannot else perfect +the device I have on the stithy, which I trust will satisfy the Queen +and please my honoured lady, yet leave this fatal secret where it is now +buried. Has your lordship further commands for the night?" + +"I would be alone," said Leicester. "Leave me, and place my steel casket +on the table. Be within summons." + +Varney retired, and the Earl, opening the window of his apartment, +looked out long and anxiously upon the brilliant host of stars which +glimmered in the splendour of a summer firmament. The words burst from +him as at unawares, "I had never more need that the heavenly bodies +should befriend me, for my earthly path is darkened and confused." + +It is well known that the age reposed a deep confidence in the vain +predictions of judicial astrology, and Leicester, though exempt from the +general control of superstition, was not in this respect superior to his +time, but, on the contrary, was remarkable for the encouragement which +he gave to the professors of this pretended science. Indeed, the wish to +pry into futurity, so general among the human race, is peculiarly to +be found amongst those who trade in state mysteries and the dangerous +intrigues and cabals of courts. With heedful precaution to see that it +had not been opened, or its locks tampered with, Leicester applied a key +to the steel casket, and drew from it, first, a parcel of gold pieces, +which he put into a silk purse; then a parchment inscribed with +planetary signs, and the lines and calculations used in framing +horoscopes, on which he gazed intently for a few moments; and, lastly, +took forth a large key, which, lifting aside the tapestry, he applied to +a little, concealed door in the corner of the apartment, and opening it, +disclosed a stair constructed in the thickness of the wall. + +"Alasco," said the Earl, with a voice raised, yet no higher raised than +to be heard by the inhabitant of the small turret to which the stair +conducted--"Alasco, I say, descend." + +"I come, my lord," answered a voice from above. The foot of an aged man +was heard slowly descending the narrow stair, and Alasco entered the +Earl's apartment. The astrologer was a little man, and seemed much +advanced in age, for his heard was long and white, and reached over +his black doublet down to his silken girdle. His hair was of the same +venerable hue. But his eyebrows were as dark as the keen and piercing +black eyes which they shaded, and this peculiarity gave a wild and +singular cast to the physiognomy of the old man. His cheek was still +fresh and ruddy, and the eyes we have mentioned resembled those of a +rat in acuteness and even fierceness of expression. His manner was not +without a sort of dignity; and the interpreter of the stars, though +respectful, seemed altogether at his ease, and even assumed a tone +of instruction and command in conversing with the prime favourite of +Elizabeth. + +"Your prognostications have failed, Alasco," said the Earl, when they +had exchanged salutations--"he is recovering." + +"My son," replied the astrologer, "let me remind you I warranted not +his death; nor is there any prognostication that can be derived from +the heavenly bodies, their aspects and their conjunctions, which is not +liable to be controlled by the will of Heaven. ASTRA REGUNT HOMINES, SED +REGIT ASTRA DEUS." + +"Of what avail, then, is your mystery?" inquired the Earl. + +"Of much, my son," replied the old man, "since it can show the +natural and probable course of events, although that course moves in +subordination to an Higher Power. Thus, in reviewing the horoscope which +your Lordship subjected to my skill, you will observe that Saturn, being +in the sixth House in opposition to Mars, retrograde in the House of +Life, cannot but denote long and dangerous sickness, the issue whereof +is in the will of Heaven, though death may probably be inferred. Yet if +I knew the name of the party I would erect another scheme." + +"His name is a secret," said the Earl; "yet, I must own, thy +prognostication hath not been unfaithful. He has been sick, and +dangerously so, not, however, to death. But hast thou again cast my +horoscope as Varney directed thee, and art thou prepared to say what the +stars tell of my present fortune?" + +"My art stands at your command," said the old man; "and here, my son, is +the map of thy fortunes, brilliant in aspect as ever beamed from those +blessed signs whereby our life is influenced, yet not unchequered with +fears, difficulties, and dangers." + +"My lot were more than mortal were it otherwise," said the Earl. +"Proceed, father, and believe you speak with one ready to undergo his +destiny in action and in passion as may beseem a noble of England." + +"Thy courage to do and to suffer must be wound up yet a strain higher," +said the old man. "The stars intimate yet a prouder title, yet an higher +rank. It is for thee to guess their meaning, not for me to name it." + +"Name it, I conjure you--name it, I command you!" said the Earl, his +eyes brightening as he spoke. + +"I may not, and I will not," replied the old man. "The ire of princes is +as the wrath of the lion. But mark, and judge for thyself. Here Venus, +ascendant in the House of Life, and conjoined with Sol, showers down +that flood of silver light, blent with gold, which promises power, +wealth, dignity, all that the proud heart of man desires, and in such +abundance that never the future Augustus of that old and mighty Rome +heard from his HARUSPICES such a tale of glory, as from this rich text +my lore might read to my favourite son." + +"Thou dost but jest with me, father," said the Earl, astonished at the +strain of enthusiasm in which the astrologer delivered his prediction. + +"Is it for him to jest who hath his eye on heaven, who hath his foot in +the grave?" returned the old man solemnly. + +The Earl made two or three strides through the apartment, with his hand +outstretched, as one who follows the beckoning signal of some phantom, +waving him on to deeds of high import. As he turned, however, he caught +the eye of the astrologer fixed on him, while an observing glance of +the most shrewd penetration shot from under the penthouse of his shaggy, +dark eyebrows. Leicester's haughty and suspicious soul at once caught +fire. He darted towards the old man from the farther end of the lofty +apartment, only standing still when his extended hand was within a foot +of the astrologer's body. + +"Wretch!" he said, "if you dare to palter with me, I will have your skin +stripped from your living flesh! Confess thou hast been hired to deceive +and to betray me--that thou art a cheat, and I thy silly prey and +booty!" + +The old man exhibited some symptoms of emotion, but not more than the +furious deportment of his patron might have extorted from innocence +itself. + +"What means this violence, my lord?" he answered, "or in what can I have +deserved it at your hand?" + +"Give me proof," said the Earl vehemently, "that you have not tampered +with mine enemies." + +"My lord," replied the old man, with dignity, "you can have no better +proof than that which you yourself elected. In that turret I have spent +the last twenty-four hours under the key which has been in your own +custody. The hours of darkness I have spent in gazing on the heavenly +bodies with these dim eyes, and during those of light I have toiled this +aged brain to complete the calculation arising from their combinations. +Earthly food I have not tasted--earthly voice I have not heard. You are +yourself aware I had no means of doing so; and yet I tell you--I +who have been thus shut up in solitude and study--that within these +twenty-four hours your star has become predominant in the horizon, and +either the bright book of heaven speaks false, or there must have been +a proportionate revolution in your fortunes upon earth. If nothing has +happened within that space to secure your power, or advance your favour, +then am I indeed a cheat, and the divine art, which was first devised in +the plains of Chaldea, is a foul imposture." + +"It is true," said Leicester, after a moment's reflection, "thou wert +closely immured; and it is also true that the change has taken place in +my situation which thou sayest the horoscope indicates." + +"Wherefore this distrust then, my son?" said the astrologer, assuming a +tone of admonition; "the celestial intelligences brook not diffidence, +even in their favourites." + +"Peace, father," answered Leicester, "I have erred in doubting thee. +Not to mortal man, nor to celestial intelligence--under that which is +supreme--will Dudley's lips say more in condescension or apology. Speak +rather to the present purpose. Amid these bright promises thou hast said +there was a threatening aspect. Can thy skill tell whence, or by whose +means, such danger seems to impend?" + +"Thus far only," answered the astrologer, "does my art enable me to +answer your query. The infortune is threatened by the malignant and +adverse aspect, through means of a youth, and, as I think, a rival; but +whether in love or in prince's favour, I know not nor can I give further +indication respecting him, save that he comes from the western quarter." + +"The western--ha!" replied Leicester, "it is enough--the tempest +does indeed brew in that quarter! Cornwall and Devon--Raleigh and +Tressilian--one of them is indicated-I must beware of both. Father, if I +have done thy skill injustice, I will make thee a lordly recompense." + +He took a purse of gold from the strong casket which stood before him. +"Have thou double the recompense which Varney promised. Be faithful--be +secret--obey the directions thou shalt receive from my master of the +horse, and grudge not a little seclusion or restraint in my cause--it +shall be richly considered.--Here, Varney--conduct this venerable man +to thine own lodging; tend him heedfully in all things, but see that he +holds communication with no one." + +Varney bowed, and the astrologer kissed the Earl's hand in token of +adieu, and followed the master of the horse to another apartment, in +which were placed wine and refreshments for his use. + +The astrologer sat down to his repast, while Varney shut two doors with +great precaution, examined the tapestry, lest any listener lurked behind +it, and then sitting down opposite to the sage, began to question him. + +"Saw you my signal from the court beneath?" + +"I did," said Alasco, for by such name he was at present called, "and +shaped the horoscope accordingly." + +"And it passed upon the patron without challenge?" continued Varney. + +"Not without challenge," replied the old man, "but it did pass; and I +added, as before agreed, danger from a discovered secret, and a western +youth." + +"My lord's fear will stand sponsor to the one, and his conscience to the +other, of these prognostications," replied Varney. "Sure never man chose +to run such a race as his, yet continued to retain those silly scruples! +I am fain to cheat him to his own profit. But touching your matters, +sage interpreter of the stars, I can tell you more of your own fortune +than plan or figure can show. You must be gone from hence forthwith." + +"I will not," said Alasco peevishly. "I have been too much hurried +up and down of late--immured for day and night in a desolate +turret-chamber. I must enjoy my liberty, and pursue my studies, which +are of more import than the fate of fifty statesmen and favourites that +rise and burst like bubbles in the atmosphere of a court." + +"At your pleasure," said Varney, with a sneer that habit had rendered +familiar to his features, and which forms the principal characteristic +which painters have assigned to that of Satan--"at your pleasure," he +said; "you may enjoy your liberty and your studies until the daggers +of Sussex's followers are clashing within your doublet and against your +ribs." The old man turned pale, and Varney proceeded. "Wot you not he +hath offered a reward for the arch-quack and poison-vender, Demetrius, +who sold certain precious spices to his lordship's cook? What! turn you +pale, old friend? Does Hali already see an infortune in the House of +Life? Why, hark thee, we will have thee down to an old house of mine +in the country, where thou shalt live with a hobnailed slave, whom thy +alchemy may convert into ducats, for to such conversion alone is thy art +serviceable." + +"It is false, thou foul-mouthed railer," said Alasco, shaking with +impotent anger; "it is well known that I have approached more nearly +to projection than any hermetic artist who now lives. There are not six +chemists in the world who possess so near an approximation to the grand +arcanum--" + +"Come, come," said Varney, interrupting him, "what means this, in the +name of Heaven? Do we not know one another? I believe thee to be so +perfect--so very perfect--in the mystery of cheating, that, having +imposed upon all mankind, thou hast at length in some measure imposed +upon thyself, and without ceasing to dupe others, hast become a species +of dupe to thine own imagination. Blush not for it, man--thou art +learned, and shalt have classical comfort: + +'Ne quisquam Ajacem possit superare nisi Ajax.' + +No one but thyself could have gulled thee; and thou hast gulled the +whole brotherhood of the Rosy Cross besides--none so deep in the mystery +as thou. But hark thee in thine ear: had the seasoning which spiced +Sussex's broth wrought more surely, I would have thought better of the +chemical science thou dost boast so highly." + +"Thou art an hardened villain, Varney," replied Alasco; "many will do +those things who dare not speak of them." + +"And many speak of them who dare not do them," answered Varney. "But be +not wroth--I will not quarrel with thee. If I did, I were fain to live +on eggs for a month, that I might feed without fear. Tell me at once, +how came thine art to fail thee at this great emergency?" + +"The Earl of Sussex's horoscope intimates," replied the astrologer, +"that the sign of the ascendant being in combustion--" + +"Away with your gibberish," replied Varney; "thinkest thou it is the +patron thou speakest with?" + +"I crave your pardon," replied the old man, "and swear to you I know but +one medicine that could have saved the Earl's life; and as no man +living in England knows that antidote save myself--moreover, as the +ingredients, one of them in particular, are scarce possible to be come +by, I must needs suppose his escape was owing to such a constitution of +lungs and vital parts as was never before bound up in a body of clay." + +"There was some talk of a quack who waited on him," said Varney, after +a moment's reflection. "Are you sure there is no one in England who has +this secret of thine?" + +"One man there was," said the doctor, "once my servant, who might have +stolen this of me, with one or two other secrets of art. But content +you, Master Varney, it is no part of my policy to suffer such +interlopers to interfere in my trade. He pries into no mysteries more, +I warrant you, for, as I well believe, he hath been wafted to heaven on +the wing of a fiery dragon--peace be with him! But in this retreat of +mine shall I have the use of mine elaboratory?" + +"Of a whole workshop, man," said Varney; "for a reverend father abbot, +who was fain to give place to bluff King Hal and some of his courtiers, +a score of years since, had a chemist's complete apparatus, which he was +obliged to leave behind him to his successors. Thou shalt there occupy, +and melt, and puff, and blaze, and multiply, until the Green Dragon +become a golden goose, or whatever the newer phrase of the brotherhood +may testify." + +"Thou art right, Master Varney," said the alchemist setting his teeth +close and grinding them together--"thou art right even in thy very +contempt of right and reason. For what thou sayest in mockery may in +sober verity chance to happen ere we meet again. If the most venerable +sages of ancient days have spoken the truth--if the most learned of +our own have rightly received it; if I have been accepted wherever I +travelled in Germany, in Poland, in Italy, and in the farther Tartary, +as one to whom nature has unveiled her darkest secrets; if I have +acquired the most secret signs and passwords of the Jewish Cabala, so +that the greyest beard in the synagogue would brush the steps to make +them clean for me;--if all this is so, and if there remains but one +step--one little step--betwixt my long, deep, and dark, and subterranean +progress, and that blaze of light which shall show Nature watching her +richest and her most glorious productions in the very cradle--one +step betwixt dependence and the power of sovereignty--one step betwixt +poverty and such a sum of wealth as earth, without that noble secret, +cannot minister from all her mines in the old or the new-found world; if +this be all so, is it not reasonable that to this I dedicate my future +life, secure, for a brief period of studious patience, to rise above the +mean dependence upon favourites, and THEIR favourites, by which I am now +enthralled!" + +"Now, bravo! bravo! my good father," said Varney, with the usual +sardonic expression of ridicule on his countenance; "yet all this +approximation to the philosopher's stone wringeth not one single crown +out of my Lord Leicester's pouch, and far less out of Richard Varney's. +WE must have earthly and substantial services, man, and care not whom +else thou canst delude with thy philosophical charlatanry." + +"My son Varney," said the alchemist, "the unbelief, gathered around thee +like a frost-fog, hath dimmed thine acute perception to that which is a +stumbling-block to the wise, and which yet, to him who seeketh knowledge +with humility, extends a lesson so clear that he who runs may read. +Hath not Art, thinkest thou, the means of completing Nature's imperfect +concoctions in her attempts to form the precious metals, even as by +art we can perfect those other operations of incubation, distillation, +fermentation, and similar processes of an ordinary description, by +which we extract life itself out of a senseless egg, summon purity and +vitality out of muddy dregs, or call into vivacity the inert substance +of a sluggish liquid?" + +"I have heard all this before," said Varney, "and my heart is proof +against such cant ever since I sent twenty good gold pieces (marry, +it was in the nonage of my wit) to advance the grand magisterium, all +which, God help the while, vanished IN FUMO. Since that moment, when I +paid for my freedom, I defy chemistry, astrology, palmistry, and every +other occult art, were it as secret as hell itself, to unloose the +stricture of my purse-strings. Marry, I neither defy the manna of Saint +Nicholas, nor can I dispense with it. The first task must be to prepare +some when thou gett'st down to my little sequestered retreat yonder, and +then make as much gold as thou wilt." + +"I will make no more of that dose," said the alchemist, resolutely. + +"Then," said the master of the horse, "thou shalt be hanged for what +thou hast made already, and so were the great secret for ever lost to +mankind. Do not humanity this injustice, good father, but e'en bend +to thy destiny, and make us an ounce or two of this same stuff; which +cannot prejudice above one or two individuals, in order to gain lifetime +to discover the universal medicine, which shall clear away all mortal +diseases at once. But cheer up, thou grave, learned, and most melancholy +jackanape! Hast thou not told me that a moderate portion of thy drug +hath mild effects, no ways ultimately dangerous to the human frame, but +which produces depression of spirits, nausea, headache, an unwillingness +to change of place--even such a state of temper as would keep a bird +from flying out of a cage were the door left open?" + +"I have said so, and it is true," said the alchemist. "This effect will +it produce, and the bird who partakes of it in such proportion shall sit +for a season drooping on her perch, without thinking either of the free +blue sky, or of the fair greenwood, though the one be lighted by the +rays of the rising sun, and the other ringing with the newly-awakened +song of all the feathered inhabitants of the forest." + +"And this without danger to life?" said Varney, somewhat anxiously. + +"Ay, so that proportion and measure be not exceeded; and so that one who +knows the nature of the manna be ever near to watch the symptoms, and +succour in case of need." + +"Thou shalt regulate the whole," said Varney. "Thy reward shall be +princely, if thou keepest time and touch, and exceedest not the due +proportion, to the prejudice of her health; otherwise thy punishment +shall be as signal." + +"The prejudice of HER health!" repeated Alasco; "it is, then, a woman I +am to use my skill upon?" + +"No, thou fool," replied Varney, "said I not it was a bird--a reclaimed +linnet, whose pipe might soothe a hawk when in mid stoop? I see thine +eye sparkle, and I know thy beard is not altogether so white as art has +made it--THAT, at least, thou hast been able to transmute to silver. But +mark me, this is no mate for thee. This caged bird is dear to one who +brooks no rivalry, and far less such rivalry as thine, and her health +must over all things be cared for. But she is in the case of +being commanded down to yonder Kenilworth revels, and it is most +expedient--most needful--most necessary that she fly not thither. Of +these necessities and their causes, it is not needful that she should +know aught; and it is to be thought that her own wish may lead her +to combat all ordinary reasons which can be urged for her remaining a +housekeeper." + +"That is but natural," said the alchemist with a strange smile, +which yet bore a greater reference to the human character than the +uninterested and abstracted gaze which his physiognomy had hitherto +expressed, where all seemed to refer to some world distant from that +which was existing around him. + +"It is so," answered Varney; "you understand women well, though it may +have been long since you were conversant amongst them. Well, then, she +is not to be contradicted; yet she is not to be humoured. Understand +me--a slight illness, sufficient to take away the desire of removing +from thence, and to make such of your wise fraternity as may be called +in to aid, recommend a quiet residence at home, will, in one word, be +esteemed good service, and remunerated as such." + +"I am not to be asked to affect the House of Life?" said the chemist. + +"On the contrary, we will have thee hanged if thou dost," replied +Varney. + +"And I must," added Alasco, "have opportunity to do my turn, and all +facilities for concealment or escape, should there be detection?" + +"All, all, and everything, thou infidel in all but the impossibilities +of alchemy. Why, man, for what dost thou take me?" + +The old man rose, and taking a light walked towards the end of the +apartment, where was a door that led to the small sleeping-room destined +for his reception during the night. At the door he turned round, and +slowly repeated Varney's question ere he answered it. "For what do +I take thee, Richard Varney? Why, for a worse devil than I have been +myself. But I am in your toils, and I must serve you till my term be +out." + +"Well, well," answered Varney hastily, "be stirring with grey light. +It may be we shall not need thy medicine--do nought till I myself +come down. Michael Lambourne shall guide you to the place of your +destination." [See Note 7. Dr. Julio.] + +When Varney heard the adept's door shut and carefully bolted within, he +stepped towards it, and with similar precaution carefully locked it +on the outside, and took the key from the lock, muttering to himself, +"Worse than THEE, thou poisoning quacksalver and witch-monger, who, +if thou art not a bounden slave to the devil, it is only because he +disdains such an apprentice! I am a mortal man, and seek by mortal means +the gratification of my passions and advancement of my prospects; thou +art a vassal of hell itself--So ho, Lambourne!" he called at another +door, and Michael made his appearance with a flushed cheek and an +unsteady step. + +"Thou art drunk, thou villain!" said Varney to him. + +"Doubtless, noble sir," replied the unabashed Michael; "We have been +drinking all even to the glories of the day, and to my noble Lord of +Leicester and his valiant master of the horse. Drunk! odds blades and +poniards, he that would refuse to swallow a dozen healths on such an +evening is a base besognio, and a puckfoist, and shall swallow six +inches of my dagger!" + +"Hark ye, scoundrel," said Varney, "be sober on the instant--I command +thee. I know thou canst throw off thy drunken folly, like a fool's coat, +at pleasure; and if not, it were the worse for thee." + +Lambourne drooped his head, left the apartment, and returned in two or +three minutes with his face composed, his hair adjusted, his dress in +order, and exhibiting as great a difference from his former self as if +the whole man had been changed. + +"Art thou sober now, and dost thou comprehend me?" said Varney sternly. + +Lambourne bowed in acquiescence. + +"Thou must presently down to Cumnor Place with the reverend man of art +who sleeps yonder in the little vaulted chamber. Here is the key, that +thou mayest call him by times. Take another trusty fellow with you. Use +him well on the journey, but let him not escape you--pistol him if he +attempt it, and I will be your warrant. I will give thee letters to +Foster. The doctor is to occupy the lower apartments of the eastern +quadrangle, with freedom to use the old elaboratory and its implements. +He is to have no access to the lady, but such as I shall point out--only +she may be amused to see his philosophical jugglery. Thou wilt await +at Cumnor Place my further orders; and, as thou livest, beware of the +ale-bench and the aqua vitae flask. Each breath drawn in Cumnor Place +must be kept severed from common air." + +"Enough, my lord--I mean my worshipful master, soon, I trust, to be my +worshipful knightly master. You have given me my lesson and my license; +I will execute the one, and not abuse the other. I will be in the saddle +by daybreak." + +"Do so, and deserve favour. Stay--ere thou goest fill me a cup of +wine--not out of that flask, sirrah," as Lambourne was pouring out from +that which Alasco had left half finished, "fetch me a fresh one." + +Lambourne obeyed, and Varney, after rinsing his mouth with the liquor, +drank a full cup, and said, as he took up a lamp to retreat to his +sleeping apartment, "It is strange--I am as little the slave of fancy +as any one, yet I never speak for a few minutes with this fellow Alasco, +but my mouth and lungs feel as if soiled with the fumes of calcined +arsenic--pah!" + +So saying, he left the apartment. Lambourne lingered, to drink a cup of +the freshly-opened flask. "It is from Saint John's-Berg," he said, as he +paused on the draught to enjoy its flavour, "and has the true relish of +the violet. But I must forbear it now, that I may one day drink it at my +own pleasure." And he quaffed a goblet of water to quench the fumes of +the Rhenish wine, retired slowly towards the door, made a pause, and +then, finding the temptation irresistible, walked hastily back, and took +another long pull at the wine flask, without the formality of a cup. + +"Were it not for this accursed custom," he said, "I might climb as high +as Varney himself. But who can climb when the room turns round with +him like a parish-top? I would the distance were greater, or the road +rougher, betwixt my hand and mouth! But I will drink nothing to-morrow +save water--nothing save fair water." + + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + + PISTOL. And tidings do I bring, and lucky joys, + And happy news of price. + FALSTAFF. I prithee now deliver them like to men of this world. + PISTOL. A foutra for the world, and worldlings base! + I speak of Africa, and golden joys. --HENRY IV. PART II. + +The public room of the Black Bear at Cumnor, to which the scene of +our story now returns, boasted, on the evening which we treat of, +no ordinary assemblage of guests. There had been a fair in the +neighbourhood, and the cutting mercer of Abingdon, with some of the +other personages whom the reader has already been made acquainted with, +as friends and customers of Giles Gosling, had already formed their +wonted circle around the evening fire, and were talking over the news of +the day. + +A lively, bustling, arch fellow, whose pack, and oaken ellwand studded +duly with brass points, denoted him to be of Autolycus's profession, +occupied a good deal of the attention, and furnished much of the +amusement, of the evening. The pedlars of those days, it must be +remembered, were men of far greater importance than the degenerate +and degraded hawkers of our modern times. It was by means of these +peripatetic venders that the country trade, in the finer manufactures +used in female dress particularly, was almost entirely carried on; and +if a merchant of this description arrived at the dignity of travelling +with a pack-horse, he was a person of no small consequence, and company +for the most substantial yeoman or franklin whom he might meet in his +wanderings. + +The pedlar of whom we speak bore, accordingly, an active and unrebuked +share in the merriment to which the rafters of the bonny Black Bear +of Cumnor resounded. He had his smile with pretty Mistress Cicely, his +broad laugh with mine host, and his jest upon dashing Master Goldthred, +who, though indeed without any such benevolent intention on his own +part, was the general butt of the evening. The pedlar and he were +closely engaged in a dispute upon the preference due to the Spanish +nether-stock over the black Gascoigne hose, and mine host had just +winked to the guests around him, as who should say, "You will have mirth +presently, my masters," when the trampling of horses was heard in the +courtyard, and the hostler was loudly summoned, with a few of the newest +oaths then in vogue to add force to the invocation. Out tumbled Will +Hostler, John Tapster, and all the militia of the inn, who had slunk +from their posts in order to collect some scattered crumbs of the mirth +which was flying about among the customers. Out into the yard sallied +mine host himself also, to do fitting salutation to his new guests; and +presently returned, ushering into the apartment his own worthy nephew, +Michael Lambourne, pretty tolerably drunk, and having under his escort +the astrologer. Alasco, though still a little old man, had, by altering +his gown to a riding-dress, trimming his beard and eyebrows, and so +forth, struck at least a score of years from his apparent age, and +might now seem an active man of sixty, or little upwards. He appeared at +present exceedingly anxious, and had insisted much with Lambourne that +they should not enter the inn, but go straight forward to the place of +their destination. But Lambourne would not be controlled. "By Cancer and +Capricorn," he vociferated, "and the whole heavenly host, besides all +the stars that these blessed eyes of mine have seen sparkle in the +southern heavens, to which these northern blinkers are but farthing +candles, I will be unkindly for no one's humour--I will stay and salute +my worthy uncle here. Chesu! that good blood should ever be forgotten +betwixt friends!--A gallon of your best, uncle, and let it go round to +the health of the noble Earl of Leicester! What! shall we not collogue +together, and warm the cockles of our ancient kindness?--shall we not +collogue, I say?" + +"With all my heart, kinsman," said mine host, who obviously wished to be +rid of him; "but are you to stand shot to all this good liquor?" + +This is a question has quelled many a jovial toper, but it moved not +the purpose of Lambourne's soul, "Question my means, nuncle?" he said, +producing a handful of mixed gold and silver pieces; "question Mexico +and Peru--question the Queen's exchequer--God save her Majesty!--she is +my good Lord's good mistress." + +"Well, kinsman," said mine host, "it is my business to sell wine to +those who can buy it--so, Jack Tapster, do me thine office. But I would +I knew how to come by money as lightly as thou dost, Mike." + +"Why, uncle," said Lambourne, "I will tell thee a secret. Dost see this +little old fellow here? as old and withered a chip as ever the devil put +into his porridge--and yet, uncle, between you and me--he hath Potosi +in that brain of his--'sblood! he can coin ducats faster than I can vent +oaths." + +"I will have none of his coinage in my purse, though, Michael," said +mine host; "I know what belongs to falsifying the Queen's coin." + +"Thou art an ass, uncle, for as old as thou art.--Pull me not by the +skirts, doctor, thou art an ass thyself to boot--so, being both asses, I +tell ye I spoke but metaphorically." + +"Are you mad?" said the old man; "is the devil in you? Can you not let +us begone without drawing all men's eyes on us?" + +"Sayest thou?" said Lambourne. "Thou art deceived now--no man shall see +you, an I give the word.--By heavens, masters, an any one dare to look +on this old gentleman, I will slash the eyes out of his head with +my poniard!--So sit down, old friend, and be merry; these are mine +ingles--mine ancient inmates, and will betray no man." + +"Had you not better withdraw to a private apartment, nephew?" said +Giles Gosling. "You speak strange matter," he added, "and there be +intelligencers everywhere." + +"I care not for them," said the magnanimous Michael--"intelligencers? +pshaw! I serve the noble Earl of Leicester.--Here comes the wine.--Fill +round, Master Skinker, a carouse to the health of the flower of England, +the noble Earl of Leicester! I say, the noble Earl of Leicester! He that +does me not reason is a swine of Sussex, and I'll make him kneel to the +pledge, if I should cut his hams and smoke them for bacon." + +None disputed a pledge given under such formidable penalties; and +Michael Lambourne, whose drunken humour was not of course diminished +by this new potation, went on in the same wild way, renewing his +acquaintance with such of the guests as he had formerly known, and +experiencing a reception in which there was now something of deference +mingled with a good deal of fear; for the least servitor of the +favourite Earl, especially such a man as Lambourne, was, for very +sufficient reasons, an object both of the one and of the other. + +In the meanwhile, the old man, seeing his guide in this uncontrollable +humour, ceased to remonstrate with him, and sitting down in the most +obscure corner of the room, called for a small measure of sack, over +which he seemed, as it were, to slumber, withdrawing himself as much as +possible from general observation, and doing nothing which could recall +his existence to the recollection of his fellow-traveller, who by this +time had got into close intimacy with his ancient comrade, Goldthred of +Abingdon. + +"Never believe me, bully Mike," said the mercer, "if I am not as glad to +see thee as ever I was to see a customer's money! Why, thou canst give +a friend a sly place at a mask or a revel now, Mike; ay, or, I warrant +thee, thou canst say in my lord's ear, when my honourable lord is down +in these parts, and wants a Spanish ruff or the like--thou canst say in +his ear, There is mine old friend, young Lawrence Goldthred of Abingdon, +has as good wares, lawn, tiffany, cambric, and so forth--ay, and is as +pretty a piece of man's flesh, too, as is in Berkshire, and will ruffle +it for your lordship with any man of his inches; and thou mayest say--" + +"I can say a hundred d--d lies besides, mercer," answered Lambourne; +"what, one must not stand upon a good word for a friend!" + +"Here is to thee, Mike, with all my heart," said the mercer; "and thou +canst tell one the reality of the new fashions too. Here was a rogue +pedlar but now was crying up the old-fashioned Spanish nether-stock over +the Gascoigne hose, although thou seest how well the French hose set +off the leg and knee, being adorned with parti-coloured garters and +garniture in conformity." + +"Excellent, excellent," replied Lambourne; "why, thy limber bit of a +thigh, thrust through that bunch of slashed buckram and tiffany, shows +like a housewife's distaff when the flax is half spun off!" + +"Said I not so?" said the mercer, whose shallow brain was now overflowed +in his turn; "where, then, where be this rascal pedlar?--there was a +pedlar here but now, methinks.--Mine host, where the foul fiend is this +pedlar?" + +"Where wise men should be, Master Goldthred," replied Giles Gosling; +"even shut up in his private chamber, telling over the sales of to-day, +and preparing for the custom of to-morrow." + +"Hang him, a mechanical chuff!" said the mercer; "but for shame, it +were a good deed to ease him of his wares--a set of peddling knaves, who +stroll through the land, and hurt the established trader. There are good +fellows in Berkshire yet, mine host--your pedlar may be met withal on +Maiden Castle." + +"Ay," replied mine host, laughing, "and he who meets him may meet his +match--the pedlar is a tall man." + +"Is he?" said Goldthred. + +"Is he?" replied the host; "ay, by cock and pie is he--the very pedlar +he who raddled Robin Hood so tightly, as the song says,-- + + + 'Now Robin Hood drew his sword so good, + The pedlar drew his brand, + And he hath raddled him, Robin Hood, + Till he neither could see nor stand.'" + +"Hang him, foul scroyle, let him pass," said the mercer; "if he be such +a one, there were small worship to be won upon him.--And now tell me, +Mike--my honest Mike, how wears the Hollands you won of me?" + +"Why, well, as you may see, Master Goldthred," answered Mike; "I will +bestow a pot on thee for the handsel.--Fill the flagon, Master Tapster." + +"Thou wilt win no more Hollands, think, on such wager, friend Mike," +said the mercer; "for the sulky swain, Tony Foster, rails at thee all to +nought, and swears you shall ne'er darken his doors again, for that your +oaths are enough to blow the roof off a Christian man's dwelling." + +"Doth he say so, the mincing, hypocritical miser?" vociferated +Lambourne. "Why, then, he shall come down and receive my commands here, +this blessed night, under my uncle's roof! And I will ring him such a +black sanctus, that he shall think the devil hath him by the skirts for +a month to come, for barely hearing me." + +"Nay, now the pottle-pot is uppermost, with a witness!" said the mercer. +"Tony Foster obey thy whistle! Alas! good Mike, go sleep--go sleep." + +"I tell thee what, thou thin-faced gull," said Michael Lambourne, in +high chafe, "I will wager thee fifty angels against the first five +shelves of thy shop, numbering upward from the false light, with all +that is on them, that I make Tony Foster come down to this public-house +before we have finished three rounds." + +"I will lay no bet to that amount," said the mercer, something +sobered by an offer which intimated rather too private a knowledge on +Lambourne's part of the secret recesses of his shop. "I will lay no such +wager," he said; "but I will stake five angels against thy five, if thou +wilt, that Tony Foster will not leave his own roof, or come to ale-house +after prayer time, for thee, or any man." + +"Content," said Lambourne.--"Here, uncle, hold stakes, and let one +of your young bleed-barrels there--one of your infant tapsters--trip +presently up to The Place, and give this letter to Master Foster, and +say that I, his ingle, Michael Lambourne, pray to speak with him at mine +uncle's castle here, upon business of grave import.--Away with thee, +child, for it is now sundown, and the wretch goeth to bed with the birds +to save mutton-suet--faugh!" + +Shortly after this messenger was dispatched--an interval which was spent +in drinking and buffoonery--he returned with the answer that Master +Foster was coming presently. + +"Won, won!" said Lambourne, darting on the stakes. + +"Not till he comes, if you please," said the mercer, interfering. + +"Why, 'sblood, he is at the threshold," replied Michael.--"What said he, +boy?" + +"If it please your worship," answered the messenger, "he looked out of +window, with a musquetoon in his hand, and when I delivered your errand, +which I did with fear and trembling, he said, with a vinegar aspect, +that your worship might be gone to the infernal regions." + +"Or to hell, I suppose," said Lambourne--"it is there he disposes of all +that are not of the congregation." + +"Even so," said the boy; "I used the other phrase as being the more +poetical." + +"An ingenious youth," said Michael; "shalt have a drop to whet thy +poetical whistle. And what said Foster next?" + +"He called me back," answered the boy, "and bid me say you might come to +him if you had aught to say to him." + +"And what next?" said Lambourne. + +"He read the letter, and seemed in a fluster, and asked if your worship +was in drink; and I said you were speaking a little Spanish, as one who +had been in the Canaries." + +"Out, you diminutive pint-pot, whelped of an overgrown reckoning!" +replied Lambourne--"out! But what said he then?" + +"Why," said the boy, "he muttered that if he came not your worship would +bolt out what were better kept in; and so he took his old flat cap, +and threadbare blue cloak, and, as I said before, he will be here +incontinent." + +"There is truth in what he said," replied Lambourne, as if speaking to +himself--"my brain has played me its old dog's trick. But corragio--let +him approach!--I have not rolled about in the world for many a day to +fear Tony Foster, be I drunk or sober.--Bring me a flagon of cold water +to christen my sack withal." + +While Lambourne, whom the approach of Foster seemed to have recalled to +a sense of his own condition, was busied in preparing to receive him, +Giles Gosling stole up to the apartment of the pedlar, whom he found +traversing the room in much agitation. + +"You withdrew yourself suddenly from the company," said the landlord to +the guest. + +"It was time, when the devil became one among you," replied the pedlar. + +"It is not courteous in you to term my nephew by such a name," said +Gosling, "nor is it kindly in me to reply to it; and yet, in some sort, +Mike may be considered as a limb of Satan." + +"Pooh--I talk not of the swaggering ruffian," replied the pedlar; "it is +of the other, who, for aught I know--But when go they? or wherefore come +they?" + +"Marry, these are questions I cannot answer," replied the host. +"But look you, sir, you have brought me a token from worthy Master +Tressilian--a pretty stone it is." He took out the ring, and looked at +it, adding, as he put it into his purse again, that it was too rich a +guerdon for anything he could do for the worthy donor. He was, he said, +in the public line, and it ill became him to be too inquisitive into +other folk's concerns. He had already said that he could hear nothing +but that the lady lived still at Cumnor Place in the closest seclusion, +and, to such as by chance had a view of her, seemed pensive and +discontented with her solitude. "But here," he said, "if you are +desirous to gratify your master, is the rarest chance that hath occurred +for this many a day. Tony Foster is coming down hither, and it is but +letting Mike Lambourne smell another wine-flask, and the Queen's command +would not move him from the ale-bench. So they are fast for an hour or +so. Now, if you will don your pack, which will be your best excuse, you +may, perchance, win the ear of the old servant, being assured of the +master's absence, to let you try to get some custom of the lady; and +then you may learn more of her condition than I or any other can tell +you." + +"True--very true," answered Wayland, for he it was; "an excellent +device, but methinks something dangerous--for, say Foster should +return?" + +"Very possible indeed," replied the host. + +"Or say," continued Wayland, "the lady should render me cold thanks for +my exertions?" + +"As is not unlikely," replied Giles Gosling. "I marvel Master Tressilian +will take such heed of her that cares not for him." + +"In either case I were foully sped," said Wayland, "and therefore I do +not, on the whole, much relish your device." + +"Nay, but take me with you, good master serving-man," replied mine host. +"This is your master's business, and not mine, you best know the risk to +be encountered, or how far you are willing to brave it. But that which +you will not yourself hazard, you cannot expect others to risk." + +"Hold, hold," said Wayland; "tell me but one thing--goes yonder old man +up to Cumnor?" + +"Surely, I think so?" said the landlord; "their servant said he was to +take their baggage thither. But the ale-tap has been as potent for him +as the sack-spigot has been for Michael." + +"It is enough," said Wayland, assuming an air of resolution. "I will +thwart that old villain's projects; my affright at his baleful aspect +begins to abate, and my hatred to arise. Help me on with my pack, good +mine host.--And look to thyself, old Albumazar; there is a malignant +influence in thy horoscope, and it gleams from the constellation Ursa +Major." + +So saying, he assumed his burden, and, guided by the landlord through +the postern gate of the Black Bear, took the most private way from +thence up to Cumnor Place. + + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + + CLOWN. You have of these pedlars, that have more in'em than + you'd think, sister.--WINTER'S TALE, ACT IV., SCENE 3. + +In his anxiety to obey the Earl's repeated charges of secrecy, as well +as from his own unsocial and miserly habits, Anthony Foster was more +desirous, by his mode of housekeeping, to escape observation than to +resist intrusive curiosity. Thus, instead of a numerous household, to +secure his charge, and defend his house, he studied as much as possible +to elude notice by diminishing his attendants; so that, unless when +there were followers of the Earl, or of Varney, in the mansion, one +old male domestic, and two aged crones, who assisted in keeping the +Countess's apartments in order, were the only servants of the family. + +It was one of these old women who opened the door when Wayland knocked, +and answered his petition, to be admitted to exhibit his wares to the +ladies of the family, with a volley of vituperation, couched in what is +there called the JOWRING dialect. The pedlar found the means of +checking this vociferation by slipping a silver groat into her hand, and +intimating the present of some stuff for a coif, if the lady would buy +of his wares. + +"God ield thee, for mine is aw in littocks. Slocket with thy pack into +gharn, mon--her walks in gharn." Into the garden she ushered the pedlar +accordingly, and pointing to an old, ruinous garden house, said, "Yonder +be's her, mon--yonder be's her. Zhe will buy changes an zhe loikes +stuffs." + +"She has left me to come off as I may," thought Wayland, as he heard the +hag shut the garden-door behind him. "But they shall not beat me, +and they dare not murder me, for so little trespass, and by this fair +twilight. Hang it, I will on--a brave general never thought of his +retreat till he was defeated. I see two females in the old garden-house +yonder--but how to address them? Stay--Will Shakespeare, be my friend in +need. I will give them a taste of Autolycus." He then sung, with a good +voice, and becoming audacity, the popular playhouse ditty,-- + + + "Lawn as white as driven snow, + Cyprus black as e'er was crow, + Gloves as sweet as damask roses, + Masks for faces and for noses." + +"What hath fortune sent us here for an unwonted sight, Janet?" said the +lady. + +"One of those merchants of vanity, called pedlars," answered Janet, +demurely, "who utters his light wares in lighter measures. I marvel old +Dorcas let him pass." + +"It is a lucky chance, girl," said the Countess; "we lead a heavy life +here, and this may while off a weary hour." + +"Ay, my gracious lady," said Janet; "but my father?" + +"He is not my father, Janet, nor I hope my master," answered the lady. +"I say, call the man hither--I want some things." + +"Nay," replied Janet, "your ladyship has but to say so in the next +packet, and if England can furnish them they will be sent. There will +come mischief on't--pray, dearest lady, let me bid the man begone!" + +"I will have thee bid him come hither," said the Countess;--"or stay, +thou terrified fool, I will bid him myself, and spare thee a chiding." + +"Ah! well-a-day, dearest lady, if that were the worst," said Janet +sadly; while the lady called to the pedlar, "Good fellow, step +forward--undo thy pack; if thou hast good wares, chance has sent thee +hither for my convenience and thy profit." + +"What may your ladyship please to lack?" said Wayland, unstrapping his +pack, and displaying its contents with as much dexterity as if he had +been bred to the trade. Indeed he had occasionally pursued it in the +course of his roving life, and now commended his wares with all the +volubility of a trader, and showed some skill in the main art of placing +prices upon them. + +"What do I please to lack?" said the lady, "why, considering I have not +for six long months bought one yard of lawn or cambric, or one trinket, +the most inconsiderable, for my own use, and at my own choice, the +better question is, What hast thou got to sell? Lay aside for me that +cambric partlet and pair of sleeves--and those roundells of gold fringe, +drawn out with cyprus--and that short cloak of cherry-coloured fine +cloth, garnished with gold buttons and loops;--is it not of an absolute +fancy, Janet?" + +"Nay, my lady," replied Janet, "if you consult my poor judgment, it is, +methinks, over-gaudy for a graceful habit." + +"Now, out upon thy judgment, if it be no brighter, wench," said the +Countess. "Thou shalt wear it thyself for penance' sake; and I promise +thee the gold buttons, being somewhat massive, will comfort thy father, +and reconcile him to the cherry-coloured body. See that he snap them not +away, Janet, and send them to bear company with the imprisoned angels +which he keeps captive in his strong-box." + +"May I pray your ladyship to spare my poor father?" said Janet. + +"Nay, but why should any one spare him that is so sparing of his own +nature?" replied the lady.--"Well, but to our gear. That head garniture +for myself, and that silver bodkin mounted with pearl; and take off two +gowns of that russet cloth for Dorcas and Alison, Janet, to keep the old +wretches warm against winter comes.--And stay--hast thou no perfumes and +sweet bags, or any handsome casting bottles of the newest mode?" + +"Were I a pedlar in earnest, I were a made merchant," thought Wayland, +as he busied himself to answer the demands which she thronged one on +another, with the eagerness of a young lady who has been long secluded +from such a pleasing occupation. "But how to bring her to a moment's +serious reflection?" Then as he exhibited his choicest collection of +essences and perfumes, he at once arrested her attention by observing +that these articles had almost risen to double value since the +magnificent preparations made by the Earl of Leicester to entertain the +Queen and court at his princely Castle of Kenilworth. + +"Ha!" said the Countess hastily; "that rumour, then, is true, Janet." + +"Surely, madam," answered Wayland; "and I marvel it hath not reached +your noble ladyship's ears. The Queen of England feasts with the noble +Earl for a week during the Summer's Progress; and there are many who +will tell you England will have a king, and England's Elizabeth--God +save her!--a husband, ere the Progress be over." + +"They lie like villains!" said the Countess, bursting forth impatiently. + +"For God's sake, madam, consider," said Janet, trembling with +apprehension; "who would cumber themselves about pedlar's tidings?" + +"Yes, Janet!" exclaimed the Countess; "right, thou hast corrected me +justly. Such reports, blighting the reputation of England's brightest +and noblest peer, can only find currency amongst the mean, the abject, +and the infamous!" + +"May I perish, lady," said Wayland Smith, observing that her violence +directed itself towards him, "if I have done anything to merit this +strange passion! I have said but what many men say." + +By this time the Countess had recovered her composure, and endeavoured, +alarmed by the anxious hints of Janet, to suppress all appearance of +displeasure. "I were loath," she said, "good fellow, that our Queen +should change the virgin style so dear to us her people--think not of +it." And then, as if desirous to change the subject, she added, "And +what is this paste, so carefully put up in the silver box?" as she +examined the contents of a casket in which drugs and perfumes were +contained in separate drawers. + +"It is a remedy, Madam, for a disorder of which I trust your ladyship +will never have reason to complain. The amount of a small turkey-bean, +swallowed daily for a week, fortifies the heart against those black +vapours which arise from solitude, melancholy, unrequited affection, +disappointed hope--" + +"Are you a fool, friend?" said the Countess sharply; "or do you think, +because I have good-naturedly purchased your trumpery goods at your +roguish prices, that you may put any gullery you will on me? Who ever +heard that affections of the heart were cured by medicines given to the +body?" + +"Under your honourable favour," said Wayland, "I am an honest man, and +I have sold my goods at an honest price. As to this most precious +medicine, when I told its qualities, I asked you not to purchase it, so +why should I lie to you? I say not it will cure a rooted affection +of the mind, which only God and time can do; but I say that this +restorative relieves the black vapours which are engendered in the body +of that melancholy which broodeth on the mind. I have relieved many with +it, both in court and city, and of late one Master Edmund Tressilian, a +worshipful gentleman in Cornwall, who, on some slight received, it was +told me, where he had set his affections, was brought into that state of +melancholy which made his friends alarmed for his life." + +He paused, and the lady remained silent for some time, and then asked, +with a voice which she strove in vain to render firm and indifferent in +its tone, "Is the gentleman you have mentioned perfectly recovered?" + +"Passably, madam," answered Wayland; "he hath at least no bodily +complaint." + +"I will take some of the medicine, Janet," said the Countess. "I too +have sometimes that dark melancholy which overclouds the brain." + +"You shall not do so, madam," said Janet; "who shall answer that this +fellow vends what is wholesome?" + +"I will myself warrant my good faith," said Wayland; and taking a part +of the medicine, he swallowed it before them. The Countess now bought +what remained, a step to which Janet, by further objections, only +determined her the more obstinately. She even took the first dose upon +the instant, and professed to feel her heart lightened and her spirits +augmented--a consequence which, in all probability, existed only in +her own imagination. The lady then piled the purchases she had made +together, flung her purse to Janet, and desired her to compute the +amount, and to pay the pedlar; while she herself, as if tired of the +amusement she at first found in conversing with him, wished him good +evening, and walked carelessly into the house, thus depriving Wayland of +every opportunity to speak with her in private. He hastened, however, to +attempt an explanation with Janet. + +"Maiden," he said, "thou hast the face of one who should love her +mistress. She hath much need of faithful service." + +"And well deserves it at my hands," replied Janet; "but what of that?" + +"Maiden, I am not altogether what I seem," said the pedlar, lowering his +voice. + +"The less like to be an honest man," said Janet. + +"The more so," answered Wayland, "since I am no pedlar." + +"Get thee gone then instantly, or I will call for assistance," said +Janet; "my father must ere this be returned." + +"Do not be so rash," said Wayland; "you will do what you may repent of. +I am one of your mistress's friends; and she had need of more, not that +thou shouldst ruin those she hath." + +"How shall I know that?" said Janet. + +"Look me in the face," said Wayland Smith, "and see if thou dost not +read honesty in my looks." + +And in truth, though by no means handsome, there was in his physiognomy +the sharp, keen expression of inventive genius and prompt intellect, +which, joined to quick and brilliant eyes, a well-formed mouth, and an +intelligent smile, often gives grace and interest to features which are +both homely and irregular. Janet looked at him with the sly simplicity +of her sect, and replied, "Notwithstanding thy boasted honesty, friend, +and although I am not accustomed to read and pass judgment on such +volumes as thou hast submitted to my perusal, I think I see in thy +countenance something of the pedlar-something of the picaroon." + +"On a small scale, perhaps," said Wayland Smith, laughing. "But this +evening, or to-morrow, will an old man come hither with thy father, who +has the stealthy step of the cat, the shrewd and vindictive eye of +the rat, the fawning wile of the spaniel, the determined snatch of the +mastiff--of him beware, for your own sake and that of your distress. +See you, fair Janet, he brings the venom of the aspic under the assumed +innocence of the dove. What precise mischief he meditates towards you I +cannot guess, but death and disease have ever dogged his footsteps. Say +nought of this to thy mistress; my art suggests to me that in her state +the fear of evil may be as dangerous as its operation. But see that +she take my specific, for" (he lowered his voice, and spoke low but +impressively in her ear) "it is an antidote against poison.--Hark, they +enter the garden!" + +In effect, a sound of noisy mirth and loud talking approached the garden +door, alarmed by which Wayland Smith sprung into the midst of a thicket +of overgrown shrubs, while Janet withdrew to the garden-house that +she might not incur observation, and that she might at the same time +conceal, at least for the present, the purchases made from the supposed +pedlar, which lay scattered on the floor of the summer-house. + +Janet, however, had no occasion for anxiety. Her father, his old +attendant, Lord Leicester's domestic, and the astrologer, entered +the garden in tumult and in extreme perplexity, endeavouring to quiet +Lambourne, whose brain had now become completely fired with liquor, and +who was one of those unfortunate persons who, being once stirred with +the vinous stimulus, do not fall asleep like other drunkards, but +remain partially influenced by it for many hours, until at length, by +successive draughts, they are elevated into a state of uncontrollable +frenzy. Like many men in this state also, Lambourne neither lost the +power of motion, speech, or expression; but, on the contrary, spoke with +unwonted emphasis and readiness, and told all that at another time he +would have been most desirous to keep secret. + +"What!" ejaculated Michael, at the full extent of his voice, "am I to +have no welcome, no carouse, when I have brought fortune to your old, +ruinous dog-house in the shape of a devil's ally, that can change +slate-shivers into Spanish dollars?--Here, you, Tony Fire-the-Fagot, +Papist, Puritan, hypocrite, miser, profligate, devil, compounded of all +men's sins, bow down and reverence him who has brought into thy house +the very mammon thou worshippest." + +"For God's sake," said Foster, "speak low--come into the house--thou +shalt have wine, or whatever thou wilt." + +"No, old puckfoist, I will have it here," thundered the inebriated +ruffian--"here, AL FRESCO, as the Italian hath it. No, no, I will not +drink with that poisoning devil within doors, to be choked with the +fumes of arsenic and quick-silver; I learned from villain Varney to +beware of that." + +"Fetch him wine, in the name of all the fiends!" said the alchemist. + +"Aha! and thou wouldst spice it for me, old Truepenny, wouldst thou not? +Ay, I should have copperas, and hellebore, and vitriol, and aqua fortis, +and twenty devilish materials bubbling in my brain-pan like a charm to +raise the devil in a witch's cauldron. Hand me the flask thyself, old +Tony Fire-the-Fagot--and let it be cool--I will have no wine mulled at +the pile of the old burnt bishops. Or stay, let Leicester be king if +he will--good--and Varney, villain Varney, grand vizier--why, +excellent!--and what shall I be, then?--why, emperor--Emperor Lambourne! +I will see this choice piece of beauty that they have walled up here +for their private pleasures; I will have her this very night to serve my +wine-cup and put on my nightcap. What should a fellow do with two +wives, were he twenty times an Earl? Answer me that, Tony boy, you old +reprobate, hypocritical dog, whom God struck out of the book of life, +but tormented with the constant wish to be restored to it--you old +bishop-burning, blasphemous fanatic, answer me that." + +"I will stick my knife to the haft in him," said Foster, in a low tone, +which trembled with passion. + +"For the love of Heaven, no violence!" said the astrologer. "It cannot +but be looked closely into.--Here, honest Lambourne, wilt thou pledge me +to the health of the noble Earl of Leicester and Master Richard Varney?" + +"I will, mine old Albumazar--I will, my trusty vender of ratsbane. I +would kiss thee, mine honest infractor of the Lex Julia (as they said +at Leyden), didst thou not flavour so damnably of sulphur, and such +fiendish apothecary's stuff.--Here goes it, up seyes--to Varney and +Leicester two more noble mounting spirits--and more dark-seeking, +deep-diving, high-flying, malicious, ambitious miscreants--well, I say +no more, but I will whet my dagger on his heart-spone that refuses to +pledge me! And so, my masters--" + +Thus speaking, Lambourne exhausted the cup which the astrologer had +handed to him, and which contained not wine, but distilled spirits. He +swore half an oath, dropped the empty cup from his grasp, laid his hand +on his sword without being able to draw it, reeled, and fell without +sense or motion into the arms of the domestic, who dragged him off to +his chamber, and put him to bed. + +In the general confusion, Janet regained her lady's chamber unobserved, +trembling like an aspen leaf, but determined to keep secret from the +Countess the dreadful surmises which she could not help entertaining +from the drunken ravings of Lambourne. Her fears, however, though they +assumed no certain shape, kept pace with the advice of the pedlar; and +she confirmed her mistress in her purpose of taking the medicine which +he had recommended, from which it is probable she would otherwise +have dissuaded her. Neither had these intimations escaped the ears +of Wayland, who knew much better how to interpret them. He felt much +compassion at beholding so lovely a creature as the Countess, and whom +he had first seen in the bosom of domestic happiness, exposed to the +machinations of such a gang of villains. His indignation, too, had been +highly excited by hearing the voice of his old master, against whom he +felt, in equal degree, the passions of hatred and fear. He nourished +also a pride in his own art and resources; and, dangerous as the task +was, he that night formed a determination to attain the bottom of the +mystery, and to aid the distressed lady, if it were yet possible. From +some words which Lambourne had dropped among his ravings, Wayland +now, for the first time, felt inclined to doubt that Varney had acted +entirely on his own account in wooing and winning the affections of this +beautiful creature. Fame asserted of this zealous retainer that he +had accommodated his lord in former love intrigues; and it occurred +to Wayland Smith that Leicester himself might be the party chiefly +interested. Her marriage with the Earl he could not suspect; but even +the discovery of such a passing intrigue with a lady of Mistress Amy +Robsart's rank was a secret of the deepest importance to the stability +of the favourite's power over Elizabeth. "If Leicester himself should +hesitate to stifle such a rumour by very strange means," said he to +himself, "he has those about him who would do him that favour without +waiting for his consent. If I would meddle in this business, it must +be in such guise as my old master uses when he compounds his manna of +Satan, and that is with a close mask on my face. So I will quit Giles +Gosling to-morrow, and change my course and place of residence as often +as a hunted fox. I should like to see this little Puritan, too, once +more. She looks both pretty and intelligent to have come of such a +caitiff as Anthony Fire-the-Fagot." + +Giles Gosling received the adieus of Wayland rather joyfully than +otherwise. The honest publican saw so much peril in crossing the course +of the Earl of Leicester's favourite that his virtue was scarce able to +support him in the task, and he was well pleased when it was likely to +be removed from his shoulders still, however, professing his good-will, +and readiness, in case of need, to do Mr. Tressilian or his emissary any +service, in so far as consisted with his character of a publican. + + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + + Vaulting ambition, that o'erleaps itself, + And falls on t'other side. --MACBETH. + +The splendour of the approaching revels at Kenilworth was now the +conversation through all England; and everything was collected at home, +or from abroad, which could add to the gaiety or glory of the prepared +reception of Elizabeth at the house of her most distinguished favourite, +Meantime Leicester appeared daily to advance in the Queen's favour. He +was perpetually by her side in council--willingly listened to in the +moments of courtly recreation--favoured with approaches even to familiar +intimacy--looked up to by all who had aught to hope at court--courted by +foreign ministers with the most flattering testimonies of respect +from their sovereigns,--the ALTER EGO, as it seemed, of the stately +Elizabeth, who was now very generally supposed to be studying the time +and opportunity for associating him, by marriage, into her sovereign +power. + +Amid such a tide of prosperity, this minion of fortune and of the +Queen's favour was probably the most unhappy man in the realm which +seemed at his devotion. He had the Fairy King's superiority over his +friends and dependants, and saw much which they could not. The character +of his mistress was intimately known to him. It was his minute and +studied acquaintance with her humours, as well as her noble faculties, +which, joined to his powerful mental qualities, and his eminent external +accomplishments, had raised him so high in her favour; and it was that +very knowledge of her disposition which led him to apprehend at every +turn some sudden and overwhelming disgrace. Leicester was like a pilot +possessed of a chart which points out to him all the peculiarities of +his navigation, but which exhibits so many shoals, breakers, and reefs +of rocks, that his anxious eye reaps little more from observing them +than to be convinced that his final escape can be little else than +miraculous. + +In fact, Queen Elizabeth had a character strangely compounded of the +strongest masculine sense, with those foibles which are chiefly supposed +proper to the female sex. Her subjects had the full benefit of her +virtues, which far predominated over her weaknesses; but her courtiers, +and those about her person, had often to sustain sudden and embarrassing +turns of caprice, and the sallies of a temper which was both jealous and +despotic. She was the nursing-mother of her people, but she was also +the true daughter of Henry VIII.; and though early sufferings and an +excellent education had repressed and modified, they had not altogether +destroyed, the hereditary temper of that "hard-ruled king." "Her mind," +says her witty godson, Sir John Harrington, who had experienced both the +smiles and the frowns which he describes, "was ofttime like the gentle +air that cometh from the western point in a summer's morn--'twas sweet +and refreshing to all around her. Her speech did win all affections. And +again, she could put forth such alterations, when obedience was lacking, +as left no doubting WHOSE daughter she was. When she smiled, it was a +pure sunshine, that every one did choose to bask in, if they could; but +anon came a storm from a sudden gathering of clouds, and the thunder +fell in a wondrous manner on all alike." [Nugae Antiquae, vol.i., +pp.355, 356-362.] + +This variability of disposition, as Leicester well knew, was chiefly +formidable to those who had a share in the Queen's affections, and +who depended rather on her personal regard than on the indispensable +services which they could render to her councils and her crown. The +favour of Burleigh or of Walsingham, of a description far less striking +than that by which he was himself upheld, was founded, as Leicester was +well aware, on Elizabeth's solid judgment, not on her partiality, and +was, therefore, free from all those principles of change and decay +necessarily incident to that which chiefly arose from personal +accomplishments and female predilection. These great and sage statesmen +were judged of by the Queen only with reference to the measures they +suggested, and the reasons by which they supported their opinions in +council; whereas the success of Leicester's course depended on all those +light and changeable gales of caprice and humour which thwart or favour +the progress of a lover in the favour of his mistress, and she, too, a +mistress who was ever and anon becoming fearful lest she should forget +the dignity, or compromise the authority, of the Queen, while she +indulged the affections of the woman. Of the difficulties which +surrounded his power, "too great to keep or to resign," Leicester +was fully sensible; and as he looked anxiously round for the means +of maintaining himself in his precarious situation, and sometimes +contemplated those of descending from it in safety, he saw but little +hope of either. At such moments his thoughts turned to dwell upon his +secret marriage and its consequences; and it was in bitterness against +himself, if not against his unfortunate Countess, that he ascribed +to that hasty measure, adopted in the ardour of what he now called +inconsiderate passion, at once the impossibility of placing his power on +a solid basis, and the immediate prospect of its precipitate downfall. + +"Men say," thus ran his thoughts, in these anxious and repentant +moments, "that I might marry Elizabeth, and become King of England. All +things suggest this. The match is carolled in ballads, while the rabble +throw their caps up. It has been touched upon in the schools--whispered +in the presence-chamber--recommended from the pulpit--prayed for in the +Calvinistic churches abroad--touched on by statists in the very council +at home. These bold insinuations have been rebutted by no rebuke, no +resentment, no chiding, scarce even by the usual female protestation +that she would live and die a virgin princess. Her words have been +more courteous than ever, though she knows such rumours are abroad--her +actions more gracious, her looks more kind--nought seems wanting to +make me King of England, and place me beyond the storms of court-favour, +excepting the putting forth of mine own hand to take that crown imperial +which is the glory of the universe! And when I might stretch that hand +out most boldly, it is fettered down by a secret and inextricable bond! +And here I have letters from Amy," he would say, catching them up with +a movement of peevishness, "persecuting me to acknowledge her openly--to +do justice to her and to myself--and I wot not what. Methinks I have +done less than justice to myself already. And she speaks as if Elizabeth +were to receive the knowledge of this matter with the glee of a mother +hearing of the happy marriage of a hopeful son! She, the daughter of +Henry, who spared neither man in his anger nor woman in his desire--she +to find herself tricked, drawn on with toys of passion to the verge of +acknowledging her love to a subject, and he discovered to be a married +man!--Elizabeth to learn that she had been dallied with in such fashion, +as a gay courtier might trifle with a country wench--we should then see, +to our ruin, FURENS QUID FAEMINA!" + +He would then pause, and call for Varney, whose advice was now more +frequently resorted to than ever, because the Earl remembered the +remonstrances which he had made against his secret contract. And their +consultation usually terminated in anxious deliberation how, or in what +manner, the Countess was to be produced at Kenilworth. These communings +had for some time ended always in a resolution to delay the Progress +from day to day. But at length a peremptory decision became necessary. + +"Elizabeth will not be satisfied without her presence," said the Earl. +"Whether any suspicion hath entered her mind, as my own apprehensions +suggest, or whether the petition of Tressilian is kept in her memory +by Sussex or some other secret enemy, I know not; but amongst all the +favourable expressions which she uses to me, she often recurs to the +story of Amy Robsart. I think that Amy is the slave in the chariot, who +is placed there by my evil fortune to dash and to confound my triumph, +even when at the highest. Show me thy device, Varney, for solving the +inextricable difficulty. I have thrown every such impediment in the +way of these accursed revels as I could propound even with a shade of +decency, but to-day's interview has put all to a hazard. She said to +me kindly, but peremptorily, 'We will give you no further time for +preparations, my lord, lest you should altogether ruin yourself. On +Saturday, the 9th of July, we will be with you at Kenilworth. We pray +you to forget none of our appointed guests and suitors, and in especial +this light-o'-love, Amy Robsart. We would wish to see the woman who +could postpone yonder poetical gentleman, Master Tressilian, to your +man, Richard Varney.'--Now, Varney, ply thine invention, whose forge +hath availed us so often for sure as my name is Dudley, the danger +menaced by my horoscope is now darkening around me." + +"Can my lady be by no means persuaded to bear for a brief space the +obscure character which circumstances impose on her?" Said Varney after +some hesitation. + +"How, sirrah? my Countess term herself thy wife!--that may neither stand +with my honour nor with hers." + +"Alas! my lord," answered Varney, "and yet such is the quality in which +Elizabeth now holds her; and to contradict this opinion is to discover +all." + +"Think of something else, Varney," said the Earl, in great agitation; +"this invention is nought. If I could give way to it, she would not; for +I tell thee, Varney, if thou knowest it not, that not Elizabeth on the +throne has more pride than the daughter of this obscure gentleman of +Devon. She is flexible in many things, but where she holds her honour +brought in question she hath a spirit and temper as apprehensive as +lightning, and as swift in execution." + +"We have experienced that, my lord, else had we not been thus +circumstanced," said Varney. "But what else to suggest I know not. +Methinks she whose good fortune in becoming your lordship's bride, and +who gives rise to the danger, should do somewhat towards parrying it." + +"It is impossible," said the Earl, waving his hand; "I know neither +authority nor entreaties would make her endure thy name for an hour. + +"It is somewhat hard, though," said Varney, in a dry tone; and, without +pausing on that topic, he added, "Suppose some one were found to +represent her? Such feats have been performed in the courts of as +sharp-eyed monarchs as Queen Elizabeth." + +"Utter madness, Varney," answered the Earl; "the counterfeit would be +confronted with Tressilian, and discovery become inevitable." + +"Tressilian might be removed from court," said the unhesitating Varney. + +"And by what means?" + +"There are many," said Varney, "by which a statesman in your situation, +my lord, may remove from the scene one who pries into your affairs, and +places himself in perilous opposition to you." + +"Speak not to me of such policy, Varney," said the Earl hastily, "which, +besides, would avail nothing in the present case. Many others there +be at court to whom Amy may be known; and besides, on the absence +of Tressilian, her father or some of her friends would be instantly +summoned hither. Urge thine invention once more." + +"My lord, I know not what to say," answered Varney; "but were I myself +in such perplexity, I would ride post down to Cumnor Place, and compel +my wife to give her consent to such measures as her safety and mine +required." + +"Varney," said Leicester, "I cannot urge her to aught so repugnant +to her noble nature as a share in this stratagem; it would be a base +requital to the love she bears me." + +"Well, my lord," said Varney, "your lordship is a wise and an honourable +man, and skilled in those high points of romantic scruple which are +current in Arcadia perhaps, as your nephew, Philip Sidney, writes. I +am your humble servitor--a man of this world, and only happy that my +knowledge of it, and its ways, is such as your lordship has not scorned +to avail yourself of. Now I would fain know whether the obligation lies +on my lady or on you in this fortunate union, and which has most reason +to show complaisance to the other, and to consider that other's wishes, +conveniences, and safety?" + +"I tell thee, Varney," said the Earl, "that all it was in my power to +bestow upon her was not merely deserved, but a thousand times overpaid, +by her own virtue and beauty; for never did greatness descend upon a +creature so formed by nature to grace and adorn it." + +"It is well, my lord, you are so satisfied," answered Varney, with his +usual sardonic smile, which even respect to his patron could not at +all times subdue; "you will have time enough to enjoy undisturbed the +society of one so gracious and beautiful--that is, so soon as such +confinement in the Tower be over as may correspond to the crime of +deceiving the affections of Elizabeth Tudor. A cheaper penalty, I +presume, you do not expect." + +"Malicious fiend!" answered Leicester, "do you mock me in my +misfortune?--Manage it as thou wilt." + +"If you are serious, my lord," said Varney, "you must set forth +instantly and post for Cumnor Place." + +"Do thou go thyself, Varney; the devil has given thee that sort of +eloquence which is most powerful in the worst cause. I should stand +self-convicted of villainy, were I to urge such a deceit. Begone, I tell +thee; must I entreat thee to mine own dishonour?" + +"No, my lord," said Varney; "but if you are serious in entrusting me +with the task of urging this most necessary measure, you must give me +a letter to my lady, as my credentials, and trust to me for backing +the advice it contains with all the force in my power. And such is my +opinion of my lady's love for your lordship, and of her willingness to +do that which is at once to contribute to your pleasure and your safety, +that I am sure she will condescend to bear for a few brief days the name +of so humble a man as myself, especially since it is not inferior in +antiquity to that of her own paternal house." + +Leicester seized on writing materials, and twice or thrice commenced +a letter to the Countess, which he afterwards tore into fragments. At +length he finished a few distracted lines, in which he conjured her, for +reasons nearly concerning his life and honour, to consent to bear the +name of Varney for a few days, during the revels at Kenilworth. He +added that Varney would communicate all the reasons which rendered this +deception indispensable; and having signed and sealed these credentials, +he flung them over the table to Varney with a motion that he should +depart, which his adviser was not slow to comprehend and to obey. + +Leicester remained like one stupefied, till he heard the trampling of +the horses, as Varney, who took no time even to change his dress, threw +himself into the saddle, and, followed by a single servant, set off for +Berkshire. At the sound the Earl started from his seat, and ran to the +window, with the momentary purpose of recalling the unworthy commission +with which he had entrusted one of whom he used to say he knew no +virtuous property save affection to his patron. But Varney was already +beyond call; and the bright, starry firmament, which the age considered +as the Book of Fate, lying spread before Leicester when he opened the +casement, diverted him from his better and more manly purpose. + +"There they roll, on their silent but potential course," said the Earl, +looking around him, "without a voice which speaks to our ear, but not +without influences which affect, at every change, the indwellers of this +vile, earthly planet. This, if astrologers fable not, is the very crisis +of my fate! The hour approaches of which I was taught to beware--the +hour, too, which I was encouraged to hope for. A King was the word--but +how?--the crown matrimonial. All hopes of that are gone--let them go. +The rich Netherlands have demanded me for their leader, and, would +Elizabeth consent, would yield to me THEIR crown. And have I not such +a claim even in this kingdom? That of York, descending from George of +Clarence to the House of Huntingdon, which, this lady failing, may have +a fair chance--Huntingdon is of my house.--But I will plunge no deeper +in these high mysteries. Let me hold my course in silence for a while, +and in obscurity, like a subterranean river; the time shall come that I +will burst forth in my strength, and bear all opposition before me." + +While Leicester was thus stupefying the remonstrances of his own +conscience, by appealing to political necessity for his apology, or +losing himself amidst the wild dreams of ambition, his agent left +town and tower behind him on his hasty journey to Berkshire. HE also +nourished high hope. He had brought Lord Leicester to the point which +he had desired, of committing to him the most intimate recesses of +his breast, and of using him as the channel of his most confidential +intercourse with his lady. Henceforward it would, he foresaw, be +difficult for his patron either to dispense with his services, or refuse +his requests, however unreasonable. And if this disdainful dame, as +he termed the Countess, should comply with the request of her husband, +Varney, her pretended husband, must needs become so situated with +respect to her, that there was no knowing where his audacity might be +bounded perhaps not till circumstances enabled him to obtain a triumph, +which he thought of with a mixture of fiendish feelings, in which +revenge for her previous scorn was foremost and predominant. Again +he contemplated the possibility of her being totally intractable, and +refusing obstinately to play the part assigned to her in the drama at +Kenilworth. + +"Alasco must then do his part," he said. "Sickness must serve her +Majesty as an excuse for not receiving the homage of Mrs. Varney--ay, +and a sore and wasting sickness it may prove, should Elizabeth continue +to cast so favourable an eye on my Lord of Leicester. I will not forego +the chance of being favourite of a monarch for want of determined +measures, should these be necessary. Forward, good horse, +forward--ambition and haughty hope of power, pleasure, and revenge +strike their stings as deep through my bosom as I plunge the rowels in +thy flanks. On, good horse, on--the devil urges us both forward!" + + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + + Say that my beauty was but small, + Among court ladies all despised, + Why didst thou rend it from that hall + Where, scornful Earl, 'twas dearly prized? + + No more thou com'st with wonted speed, + Thy once beloved bride to see; + But be she alive, or be she dead, + I fear, stern Earl, 's the same to thee. + CUMNOR HALL, by WILLIAM JULIUS MICKLE. + +The ladies of fashion of the present, or of any other period, must have +allowed that the young and lovely Countess of Leicester had, besides her +youth and beauty, two qualities which entitled her to a place amongst +women of rank and distinction. She displayed, as we have seen in her +interview with the pedlar, a liberal promptitude to make unnecessary +purchases, solely for the pleasure of acquiring useless and showy +trifles which ceased to please as soon as they were possessed; and she +was, besides, apt to spend a considerable space of time every day in +adorning her person, although the varied splendour of her attire could +only attract the half satirical praise of the precise Janet, or an +approving glance from the bright eyes which witnessed their own beams of +triumph reflected from the mirror. + +The Countess Amy had, indeed, to plead for indulgence in those frivolous +tastes, that the education of the times had done little or nothing for a +mind naturally gay and averse to study. If she had not loved to +collect finery and to wear it, she might have woven tapestry or sewed +embroidery, till her labours spread in gay profusion all over the walls +and seats at Lidcote Hall; or she might have varied Minerva's labours +with the task of preparing a mighty pudding against the time that Sir +Hugh Robsart returned from the greenwood. But Amy had no natural genius +either for the loom, the needle, or the receipt-book. Her mother had +died in infancy; her father contradicted her in nothing; and Tressilian, +the only one that approached her who was able or desirous to attend +to the cultivation of her mind, had much hurt his interest with her by +assuming too eagerly the task of a preceptor, so that he was regarded by +the lively, indulged, and idle girl with some fear and much respect, but +with little or nothing of that softer emotion which it had been his hope +and his ambition to inspire. And thus her heart lay readily open, and +her fancy became easily captivated by the noble exterior and graceful +deportment and complacent flattery of Leicester, even before he was +known to her as the dazzling minion of wealth and power. + +The frequent visits of Leicester at Cumnor, during the earlier part of +their union, had reconciled the Countess to the solitude and privacy +to which she was condemned; but when these visits became rarer and more +rare, and when the void was filled up with letters of excuse, not always +very warmly expressed, and generally extremely brief, discontent and +suspicion began to haunt those splendid apartments which love had fitted +up for beauty. Her answers to Leicester conveyed these feelings too +bluntly, and pressed more naturally than prudently that she might +be relieved from this obscure and secluded residence, by the Earl's +acknowledgment of their marriage; and in arranging her arguments with +all the skill she was mistress of, she trusted chiefly to the warmth of +the entreaties with which she urged them. Sometimes she even ventured +to mingle reproaches, of which Leicester conceived he had good reason to +complain. + +"I have made her Countess," he said to Varney; "surely she might wait +till it consisted with my pleasure that she should put on the coronet?" + +The Countess Amy viewed the subject in directly an opposite light. + +"What signifies," she said, "that I have rank and honour in reality, if +I am to live an obscure prisoner, without either society or observance, +and suffering in my character, as one of dubious or disgraced +reputation? I care not for all those strings of pearl, which you fret me +by warping into my tresses, Janet. I tell you that at Lidcote Hall, if +I put but a fresh rosebud among my hair, my good father would call me +to him, that he might see it more closely; and the kind old curate would +smile, and Master Mumblazen would say something about roses gules. And +now I sit here, decked out like an image with gold and gems, and no one +to see my finery but you, Janet. There was the poor Tressilian, too--but +it avails not speaking of him." + +"It doth not indeed, madam," said her prudent attendant; "and verily +you make me sometimes wish you would not speak of him so often, or so +rashly." + +"It signifies nothing to warn me, Janet," said the impatient and +incorrigible Countess; "I was born free, though I am now mewed up like +some fine foreign slave, rather than the wife of an English noble. +I bore it all with pleasure while I was sure he loved me; but now my +tongue and heart shall be free, let them fetter these limbs as they +will. I tell thee, Janet, I love my husband--I will love him till +my latest breath--I cannot cease to love him, even if I would, or if +he--which, God knows, may chance--should cease to love me. But I +will say, and loudly, I would have been happier than I now am to +have remained in Lidcote Hall, even although I must have married poor +Tressilian, with his melancholy look and his head full of learning, +which I cared not for. He said, if I would read his favourite volumes, +there would come a time that I should be glad of having done so. I think +it is come now." + +"I bought you some books, madam," said Janet, "from a lame fellow who +sold them in the Market-place--and who stared something boldly, at me, I +promise you." + +"Let me see them, Janet," said the Countess; "but let them not be of +your own precise cast,--How is this, most righteous damsel?--'A PAIR OF +SNUFFERS FOR THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK'--'HANDFULL OF MYRRH AND HYSSOP TO +PUT A SICK SOUL TO PURGATION'--'A DRAUGHT OF WATER FROM THE VALLEY OF +BACA'--'FOXES AND FIREBRANDS'--what gear call you this, maiden?" + +"Nay, madam," said Janet, "it was but fitting and seemly to put grace in +your ladyship's way; but an you will none of it, there are play-books, +and poet-books, I trow." + +The Countess proceeded carelessly in her examination, turning over such +rare volumes as would now make the fortune of twenty retail booksellers. +Here was a "BOKE OF COOKERY, IMPRINTED BY RICHARD LANT," and "SKELTON'S +BOOKS"--"THE PASSTIME OF THE PEOPLE"--"THE CASTLE OF KNOWLEDGE," etc. +But neither to this lore did the Countess's heart incline, and joyfully +did she start up from the listless task of turning over the leaves of +the pamphlets, and hastily did she scatter them through the floor, when +the hasty clatter of horses' feet, heard in the courtyard, called her to +the window, exclaiming, "It is Leicester!--it is my noble Earl!--it +is my Dudley!--every stroke of his horse's hoof sounds like a note of +lordly music!" + +There was a brief bustle in the mansion, and Foster, with his downward +look and sullen manner, entered the apartment to say, "That Master +Richard Varney was arrived from my lord, having ridden all night, and +craved to speak with her ladyship instantly." + +"Varney?" said the disappointed Countess; "and to speak with me?--pshaw! +But he comes with news from Leicester, so admit him instantly." + +Varney entered her dressing apartment, where she sat arrayed in her +native loveliness, adorned with all that Janet's art and a rich and +tasteful undress could bestow. But the most beautiful part of her attire +was her profuse and luxuriant light-brown locks, which floated in such +rich abundance around a neck that resembled a swan's, and over a bosom +heaving with anxious expectation, which communicated a hurried tinge of +red to her whole countenance. + +Varney entered the room in the dress in which he had waited on his +master that morning to court, the splendour of which made a strange +contrast with the disorder arising from hasty riding during a dark night +and foul ways. His brow bore an anxious and hurried expression, as one +who has that to say of which he doubts the reception, and who hath +yet posted on from the necessity of communicating his tidings. The +Countess's anxious eye at once caught the alarm, as she exclaimed, "You +bring news from my lord, Master Varney--Gracious Heaven! is he ill?" + +"No, madam, thank Heaven!" said Varney. "Compose yourself, and permit me +to take breath ere I communicate my tidings." + +"No breath, sir," replied the lady impatiently; "I know your theatrical +arts. Since your breath hath sufficed to bring you hither, it may +suffice to tell your tale--at least briefly, and in the gross." + +"Madam," answered Varney, "we are not alone, and my lord's message was +for your ear only." + +"Leave us, Janet, and Master Foster," said the lady; "but remain in the +next apartment, and within call." + +Foster and his daughter retired, agreeably to the Lady Leicester's +commands, into the next apartment, which was the withdrawing-room. The +door which led from the sleeping-chamber was then carefully shut and +bolted, and the father and daughter remained both in a posture of +anxious attention, the first with a stern, suspicious, anxious cast of +countenance, and Janet with folded hands, and looks which seemed divided +betwixt her desire to know the fortunes of her mistress, and her prayers +to Heaven for her safety. Anthony Foster seemed himself to have some +idea of what was passing through his daughter's mind, for he crossed +the apartment and took her anxiously by the hand, saying, "That is +right--pray, Janet, pray; we have all need of prayers, and some of us +more than others. Pray, Janet--I would pray myself, but I must listen to +what goes on within--evil has been brewing, love--evil has been brewing. +God forgive our sins, but Varney's sudden and strange arrival bodes us +no good." + +Janet had never before heard her father excite or even permit her +attention to anything which passed in their mysterious family; and now +that he did so, his voice sounded in her ear--she knew not why--like +that of a screech-owl denouncing some deed of terror and of woe. She +turned her eyes fearfully towards the door, almost as if she expected +some sounds of horror to be heard, or some sight of fear to display +itself. + +All, however, was as still as death, and the voices of those who spoke +in the inner chamber were, if they spoke at all, carefully subdued to a +tone which could not be heard in the next. At once, however, they were +heard to speak fast, thick, and hastily; and presently after the voice +of the Countess was heard exclaiming, at the highest pitch to which +indignation could raise it, "Undo the door, sir, I command you!--undo +the door!--I will have no other reply!" she continued, drowning with her +vehement accents the low and muttered sounds which Varney was heard +to utter betwixt whiles. "What ho! without there!" she persisted, +accompanying her words with shrieks, "Janet, alarm the house!--Foster, +break open the door--I am detained here by a traitor! Use axe and lever, +Master Foster--I will be your warrant!" + +"It shall not need, madam," Varney was at length distinctly heard to +say. "If you please to expose my lord's important concerns and your own +to the general ear, I will not be your hindrance." + +The door was unlocked and thrown open, and Janet and her father rushed +in, anxious to learn the cause of these reiterated exclamations. + +When they entered the apartment Varney stood by the door grinding his +teeth, with an expression in which rage, and shame, and fear had each +their share. The Countess stood in the midst of her apartment like a +juvenile Pythoness under the influence of the prophetic fury. The veins +in her beautiful forehead started into swoln blue lines through the +hurried impulse of her articulation--her cheek and neck glowed like +scarlet--her eyes were like those of an imprisoned eagle, flashing red +lightning on the foes which it cannot reach with its talons. Were it +possible for one of the Graces to have been animated by a Fury, the +countenance could not have united such beauty with so much hatred, +scorn, defiance, and resentment. The gesture and attitude corresponded +with the voice and looks, and altogether presented a spectacle which was +at once beautiful and fearful; so much of the sublime had the energy +of passion united with the Countess Amy's natural loveliness. Janet, +as soon as the door was open, ran to her mistress; and more slowly, yet +with more haste than he was wont, Anthony Foster went to Richard Varney. + +"In the Truth's name, what ails your ladyship?" said the former. + +"What, in the name of Satan, have you done to her?" said Foster to his +friend. + +"Who, I?--nothing," answered Varney, but with sunken head and sullen +voice; "nothing but communicated to her her lord's commands, which, if +the lady list not to obey, she knows better how to answer it than I may +pretend to do." + +"Now, by Heaven, Janet!" said the Countess, "the false traitor lies +in his throat! He must needs lie, for he speaks to the dishonour of my +noble lord; he must needs lie doubly, for he speaks to gain ends of his +own, equally execrable and unattainable." + +"You have misapprehended me, lady," said Varney, with a sulky species +of submission and apology; "let this matter rest till your passion be +abated, and I will explain all." + +"Thou shalt never have an opportunity to do so," said the +Countess.--"Look at him, Janet. He is fairly dressed, hath the outside +of a gentleman, and hither he came to persuade me it was my lord's +pleasure--nay, more, my wedded lord's commands--that I should go with +him to Kenilworth, and before the Queen and nobles, and in presence of +my own wedded lord, that I should acknowledge him--HIM there--that very +cloak-brushing, shoe-cleaning fellow--HIM there, my lord's lackey, +for my liege lord and husband; furnishing against myself, Great God! +whenever I was to vindicate my right and my rank, such weapons as would +hew my just claim from the root, and destroy my character to be regarded +as an honourable matron of the English nobility!" + +"You hear her, Foster, and you, young maiden, hear this lady," answered +Varney, taking advantage of the pause which the Countess had made in her +charge, more for lack of breath than for lack of matter--"you hear that +her heat only objects to me the course which our good lord, for the +purpose to keep certain matters secret, suggests in the very letter +which she holds in her hands." + +Foster here attempted to interfere with a face of authority, which he +thought became the charge entrusted to him, "Nay, lady, I must needs say +you are over-hasty in this. Such deceit is not utterly to be condemned +when practised for a righteous end; and thus even the patriarch Abraham +feigned Sarah to be his sister when they went down to Egypt." + +"Ay, sir," answered the Countess; "but God rebuked that deceit even in +the father of His chosen people, by the mouth of the heathen Pharaoh. +Out upon you, that will read Scripture only to copy those things which +are held out to us as warnings, not as examples!" + +"But Sarah disputed not the will of her husband, an it be your +pleasure," said Foster, in reply, "but did as Abraham commanded, calling +herself his sister, that it might be well with her husband for her sake, +and that his soul might live because of her beauty." + +"Now, so Heaven pardon me my useless anger," answered the Countess, +"thou art as daring a hypocrite as yonder fellow is an impudent +deceiver! Never will I believe that the noble Dudley gave countenance +to so dastardly, so dishonourable a plan. Thus I tread on his infamy, if +indeed it be, and thus destroy its remembrance for ever!" + +So saying, she tore in pieces Leicester's letter, and stamped, in the +extremity of impatience, as if she would have annihilated the minute +fragments into which she had rent it. + +"Bear witness," said Varney, collecting himself, "she hath torn my +lord's letter, in order to burden me with the scheme of his devising; +and although it promises nought but danger and trouble to me, she would +lay it to my charge, as if I had any purpose of mine own in it." + +"Thou liest, thou treacherous slave!" said the Countess in spite of +Janet's attempts to keep her silent, in the sad foresight that her +vehemence might only furnish arms against herself--"thou liest," she +continued.--"Let me go, Janet--were it the last word I have to speak, +he lies. He had his own foul ends to seek; and broader he would have +displayed them had my passion permitted me to preserve the silence which +at first encouraged him to unfold his vile projects." + +"Madam," said Varney, overwhelmed in spite of his effrontery, "I entreat +you to believe yourself mistaken." + +"As soon will I believe light darkness," said the enraged Countess. +"Have I drunk of oblivion? Do I not remember former passages, which, +known to Leicester, had given thee the preferment of a gallows, instead +of the honour of his intimacy. I would I were a man but for five +minutes! It were space enough to make a craven like thee confess his +villainy. But go--begone! Tell thy master that when I take the foul +course to which such scandalous deceits as thou hast recommended on +his behalf must necessarily lead me, I will give him a rival something +worthy of the name. He shall not be supplanted by an ignominious lackey, +whose best fortune is to catch a gift of his master's last suit +of clothes ere it is threadbare, and who is only fit to seduce a +suburb-wench by the bravery of new roses in his master's old pantoufles. +Go, begone, sir! I scorn thee so much that I am ashamed to have been +angry with thee." + +Varney left the room with a mute expression of rage, and was followed by +Foster, whose apprehension, naturally slow, was overpowered by the eager +and abundant discharge of indignation which, for the first time, he had +heard burst from the lips of a being who had seemed, till that moment, +too languid and too gentle to nurse an angry thought or utter an +intemperate expression. Foster, therefore, pursued Varney from place to +place, persecuting him with interrogatories, to which the other replied +not, until they were in the opposite side of the quadrangle, and in the +old library, with which the reader has already been made acquainted. +Here he turned round on his persevering follower, and thus addressed +him, in a tone tolerably equal, that brief walk having been sufficient +to give one so habituated to command his temper time to rally and +recover his presence of mind. + +"Tony," he said, with his usual sneering laugh, "it avails not to deny +it. The Woman and the Devil, who, as thine oracle Holdforth will +confirm to thee, cheated man at the beginning, have this day proved more +powerful than my discretion. Yon termagant looked so tempting, and had +the art to preserve her countenance so naturally, while I communicated +my lord's message, that, by my faith, I thought I might say some little +thing for myself. She thinks she hath my head under her girdle now, but +she is deceived. Where is Doctor Alasco?" + +"In his laboratory," answered Foster. "It is the hour he is spoken not +withal. We must wait till noon is past, or spoil his important--what +said I? important!--I would say interrupt his divine studies." + +"Ay, he studies the devil's divinity," said Varney; "but when I want +him, one hour must suffice as well as another. Lead the way to his +pandemonium." + +So spoke Varney, and with hasty and perturbed steps followed Foster, +who conducted him through private passages, many of which were +well-nigh ruinous, to the opposite side of the quadrangle, where, in a +subterranean apartment, now occupied by the chemist Alasco, one of the +Abbots of Abingdon, who had a turn for the occult sciences, had, much +to the scandal of his convent, established a laboratory, in which, +like other fools of the period, he spent much precious time, and money +besides, in the pursuit of the grand arcanum. + +Anthony Foster paused before the door, which was scrupulously secured +within, and again showed a marked hesitation to disturb the sage in +his operations. But Varney, less scrupulous, roused him by knocking +and voice, until at length, slowly and reluctantly, the inmate of the +apartment undid the door. The chemist appeared, with his eyes bleared +with the heat and vapours of the stove or alembic over which he brooded +and the interior of his cell displayed the confused assemblage of +heterogeneous substances and extraordinary implements belonging to his +profession. The old man was muttering, with spiteful impatience, "Am I +for ever to be recalled to the affairs of earth from those of heaven?" + +"To the affairs of hell," answered Varney, "for that is thy proper +element.--Foster, we need thee at our conference." + +Foster slowly entered the room. Varney, following, barred the door, and +they betook themselves to secret council. + +In the meanwhile, the Countess traversed the apartment, with shame and +anger contending on her lovely cheek. + +"The villain," she said--"the cold-blooded, calculating slave!--But I +unmasked him, Janet--I made the snake uncoil all his folds before me, +and crawl abroad in his naked deformity; I suspended my resentment, at +the danger of suffocating under the effort, until he had let me see the +very bottom of a heart more foul than hell's darkest corner.--And thou, +Leicester, is it possible thou couldst bid me for a moment deny my +wedded right in thee, or thyself yield it to another?--But it is +impossible--the villain has lied in all.--Janet, I will not remain here +longer--I fear him--I fear thy father. I grieve to say it, Janet--but +I fear thy father, and, worst of all, this odious Varney, I will escape +from Cumnor." + +"Alas! madam, whither would you fly, or by what means will you escape +from these walls?" + +"I know not, Janet," said the unfortunate young lady, looking upwards! +and clasping her hands together, "I know not where I shall fly, or by +what means; but I am certain the God I have served will not abandon me +in this dreadful crisis, for I am in the hands of wicked men." + +"Do not think so, dear lady," said Janet; "my father is stern and strict +in his temper, and severely true to his trust--but yet--" + +At this moment Anthony Foster entered the apartment, bearing in his +hand a glass cup and a small flask. His manner was singular; for, while +approaching the Countess with the respect due to her rank, he had till +this time suffered to become visible, or had been unable to suppress, +the obdurate sulkiness of his natural disposition, which, as is usual +with those of his unhappy temper, was chiefly exerted towards those over +whom circumstances gave him control. But at present he showed nothing +of that sullen consciousness of authority which he was wont to conceal +under a clumsy affectation of civility and deference, as a ruffian hides +his pistols and bludgeon under his ill-fashioned gaberdine. And yet it +seemed as if his smile was more in fear than courtesy, and as if, while +he pressed the Countess to taste of the choice cordial, which should +refresh her spirits after her late alarm, he was conscious of meditating +some further injury. His hand trembled also, his voice faltered, and his +whole outward behaviour exhibited so much that was suspicious, that his +daughter Janet, after she had stood looking at him in astonishment for +some seconds, seemed at once to collect herself to execute some +hardy resolution, raised her head, assumed an attitude and gait of +determination and authority, and walking slowly betwixt her father and +her mistress, took the salver from the hand of the former, and said in +a low but marked and decided tone, "Father, I will fill for my noble +mistress, when such is her pleasure." + +"Thou, my child?" said Foster, eagerly and apprehensively; "no, my +child--it is not THOU shalt render the lady this service." + +"And why, I pray you," said Janet, "if it be fitting that the noble lady +should partake of the cup at all?" + +"Why--why?" said the seneschal, hesitating, and then bursting into +passion as the readiest mode of supplying the lack of all other +reason--"why, because it is my pleasure, minion, that you should not! +Get you gone to the evening lecture." + +"Now, as I hope to hear lecture again," replied Janet, "I will not go +thither this night, unless I am better assured of my mistress's safety. +Give me that flask, father"--and she took it from his reluctant hand, +while he resigned it as if conscience-struck. "And now," she said, +"father, that which shall benefit my mistress, cannot do ME prejudice. +Father, I drink to you." + +Foster, without speaking a word, rushed on his daughter and wrested the +flask from her hand; then, as if embarrassed by what he had done, and +totally unable to resolve what he should do next, he stood with it in +his hand, one foot advanced and the other drawn back, glaring on his +daughter with a countenance in which rage, fear, and convicted villainy +formed a hideous combination. + +"This is strange, my father," said Janet, keeping her eye fixed on his, +in the manner in which those who have the charge of lunatics are said to +overawe their unhappy patients; "will you neither let me serve my lady, +nor drink to her myself?" + +The courage of the Countess sustained her through this dreadful scene, +of which the import was not the less obvious that it was not even hinted +at. She preserved even the rash carelessness of her temper, and though +her cheek had grown pale at the first alarm, her eye was calm and almost +scornful. "Will YOU taste this rare cordial, Master Foster? Perhaps you +will not yourself refuse to pledge us, though you permit not Janet to do +so. Drink, sir, I pray you." + +"I will not," answered Foster. + +"And for whom, then, is the precious beverage reserved, sir?" said the +Countess. + +"For the devil, who brewed it!" answered Foster; and, turning on his +heel, he left the chamber. + +Janet looked at her mistress with a countenance expressive in the +highest degree of shame, dismay, and sorrow. + +"Do not weep for me, Janet," said the Countess kindly. + +"No, madam," replied her attendant, in a voice broken by sobs, "it is +not for you I weep; it is for myself--it is for that unhappy man. Those +who are dishonoured before man--those who are condemned by God--have +cause to mourn; not those who are innocent! Farewell, madam!" she said +hastily assuming the mantle in which she was wont to go abroad. + +"Do you leave me, Janet?" said her mistress--"desert me in such an evil +strait?" + +"Desert you, madam!" exclaimed Janet; and running back to her mistress, +she imprinted a thousand kisses on her hand--"desert you I--may the Hope +of my trust desert me when I do so! No, madam; well you said the God you +serve will open you a path for deliverance. There is a way of escape. I +have prayed night and day for light, that I might see how to act betwixt +my duty to yonder unhappy man and that which I owe to you. Sternly and +fearfully that light has now dawned, and I must not shut the door which +God opens. Ask me no more. I will return in brief space." + +So speaking, she wrapped herself in her mantle, and saying to the old +woman whom she passed in the outer room that she was going to evening +prayer, she left the house. + +Meanwhile her father had reached once more the laboratory, where +he found the accomplices of his intended guilt. "Has the sweet bird +sipped?" said Varney, with half a smile; while the astrologer put the +same question with his eyes, but spoke not a word. + +"She has not, nor she shall not from my hands," replied Foster; "would +you have me do murder in my daughter's presence?" + +"Wert thou not told, thou sullen and yet faint-hearted slave," answered +Varney, with bitterness, "that no MURDER as thou callest it, with that +staring look and stammering tone, is designed in the matter? Wert thou +not told that a brief illness, such as woman puts on in very wantonness, +that she may wear her night-gear at noon, and lie on a settle when +she should mind her domestic business, is all here aimed at? Here is a +learned man will swear it to thee by the key of the Castle of Wisdom." + +"I swear it," said Alasco, "that the elixir thou hast there in the flask +will not prejudice life! I swear it by that immortal and indestructible +quintessence of gold, which pervades every substance in nature, though +its secret existence can be traced by him only to whom Trismegistus +renders the key of the Cabala." + +"An oath of force," said Varney. "Foster, thou wert worse than a pagan +to disbelieve it. Believe me, moreover, who swear by nothing but by my +own word, that if you be not conformable, there is no hope, no, not +a glimpse of hope, that this thy leasehold may be transmuted into a +copyhold. Thus, Alasco will leave your pewter artillery untransmigrated, +and I, honest Anthony, will still have thee for my tenant." + +"I know not, gentlemen," said Foster, "where your designs tend to; but +in one thing I am bound up,--that, fall back fall edge, I will have one +in this place that may pray for me, and that one shall be my daughter. +I have lived ill, and the world has been too weighty with me; but she is +as innocent as ever she was when on her mother's lap, and she, at least, +shall have her portion in that happy City, whose walls are of pure gold, +and the foundations garnished with all manner of precious stones." + +"Ay, Tony," said Varney, "that were a paradise to thy heart's +content.--Debate the matter with him, Doctor Alasco; I will be with you +anon." + +So speaking, Varney arose, and taking the flask from the table, he left +the room. + +"I tell thee, my son," said Alasco to Foster, as soon as Varney had +left them, "that whatever this bold and profligate railer may say of the +mighty science, in which, by Heaven's blessing, I have advanced so +far that I would not call the wisest of living artists my better or my +teacher--I say, howsoever yonder reprobate may scoff at things too holy +to be apprehended by men merely of carnal and evil thoughts, yet believe +that the city beheld by St. John, in that bright vision of the Christian +Apocalypse, that new Jerusalem, of which all Christian men hope to +partake, sets forth typically the discovery of the GRAND SECRET, whereby +the most precious and perfect of nature's works are elicited out of +her basest and most crude productions; just as the light and gaudy +butterfly, the most beautiful child of the summer's breeze, breaks forth +from the dungeon of a sordid chrysalis." + +"Master Holdforth said nought of this exposition," said Foster +doubtfully; "and moreover, Doctor Alasco, the Holy Writ says that the +gold and precious stones of the Holy City are in no sort for those who +work abomination, or who frame lies." + +"Well, my son," said the Doctor, "and what is your inference from +thence?" + +"That those," said Foster, "who distil poisons, and administer them in +secrecy, can have no portion in those unspeakable riches." + +"You are to distinguish, my son," replied the alchemist, "betwixt that +which is necessarily evil in its progress and in its end also, and that +which, being evil, is, nevertheless, capable of working forth good. If, +by the death of one person, the happy period shall be brought nearer +to us, in which all that is good shall be attained, by wishing its +presence--all that is evil escaped, by desiring its absence--in which +sickness, and pain, and sorrow shall be the obedient servants of human +wisdom, and made to fly at the slightest signal of a sage--in which that +which is now richest and rarest shall be within the compass of every one +who shall be obedient to the voice of wisdom--when the art of healing +shall be lost and absorbed in the one universal medicine when sages +shall become monarchs of the earth, and death itself retreat before +their frown,--if this blessed consummation of all things can be hastened +by the slight circumstance that a frail, earthly body, which must +needs partake corruption, shall be consigned to the grave a short space +earlier than in the course of nature, what is such a sacrifice to the +advancement of the holy Millennium?" + +"Millennium is the reign of the Saints," said Foster, somewhat +doubtfully. + +"Say it is the reign of the Sages, my son," answered Alasco; "or rather +the reign of Wisdom itself." + +"I touched on the question with Master Holdforth last exercising night," +said Foster; "but he says your doctrine is heterodox, and a damnable and +false exposition." + +"He is in the bonds of ignorance, my son," answered Alasco, "and as yet +burning bricks in Egypt; or, at best, wandering in the dry desert of +Sinai. Thou didst ill to speak to such a man of such matters. I will, +however, give thee proof, and that shortly, which I will defy that +peevish divine to confute, though he should strive with me as the +magicians strove with Moses before King Pharaoh. I will do projection +in thy presence, my son,--in thy very presence--and thine eyes shall +witness the truth." + +"Stick to that, learned sage," said Varney, who at this moment entered +the apartment; "if he refuse the testimony of thy tongue, yet how shall +he deny that of his own eyes?" + +"Varney!" said the adept--"Varney already returned! Hast thou--" he +stopped short. + +"Have I done mine errand, thou wouldst say?" replied Varney. "I have! +And thou," he added, showing more symptoms of interest than he had +hitherto exhibited, "art thou sure thou hast poured forth neither more +nor less than the just measure?" + +"Ay," replied the alchemist, "as sure as men can be in these nice +proportions, for there is diversity of constitutions." + +"Nay, then," said Varney, "I fear nothing. I know thou wilt not go a +step farther to the devil than thou art justly considered for--thou wert +paid to create illness, and wouldst esteem it thriftless prodigality to +do murder at the same price. Come, let us each to our chamber we shall +see the event to-morrow." + +"What didst thou do to make her swallow it?" said Foster, shuddering. + +"Nothing," answered Varney, "but looked on her with that aspect which +governs madmen, women, and children. They told me in St. Luke's Hospital +that I have the right look for overpowering a refractory patient. The +keepers made me their compliments on't; so I know how to win my bread +when my court-favour fails me." + +"And art thou not afraid," said Foster, "lest the dose be +disproportioned?" + +"If so," replied Varney, "she will but sleep the sounder, and the fear +of that shall not break my rest. Good night, my masters." + +Anthony Foster groaned heavily, and lifted up his hands and eyes. The +alchemist intimated his purpose to continue some experiment of high +import during the greater part of the night, and the others separated to +their places of repose. + + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + + Now God be good to me in this wild pilgrimage! + All hope in human aid I cast behind me. + Oh, who would be a woman?--who that fool, + A weeping, pining, faithful, loving woman? + She hath hard measure still where she hopes kindest, + And all her bounties only make ingrates. LOVE'S PILGRIMAGE. + +The summer evening was closed, and Janet, just when her longer stay +might have occasioned suspicion and inquiry in that zealous household, +returned to Cumnor Place, and hastened to the apartment in which she +had left her lady. She found her with her head resting on her arms, and +these crossed upon a table which stood before her. As Janet came in, she +neither looked up nor stirred. + +Her faithful attendant ran to her mistress with the speed of lightning, +and rousing her at the same time with her hand, conjured the Countess, +in the most earnest manner, to look up and say what thus affected +her. The unhappy lady raised her head accordingly, and looking on her +attendant with a ghastly eye, and cheek as pale as clay--"Janet," she +said, "I have drunk it." + +"God be praised!" said Janet hastily--"I mean, God be praised that it is +no worse; the potion will not harm you. Rise, shake this lethargy from +your limbs, and this despair from your mind." + +"Janet," repeated the Countess again, "disturb me not--leave me at +peace--let life pass quietly. I am poisoned." + +"You are not, my dearest lady," answered the maiden eagerly. "What you +have swallowed cannot injure you, for the antidote has been taken before +it, and I hastened hither to tell you that the means of escape are open +to you." + +"Escape!" exclaimed the lady, as she raised herself hastily in her +chair, while light returned to her eye and life to her cheek; "but ah! +Janet, it comes too late." + +"Not so, dearest lady. Rise, take mine arm, walk through the apartment; +let not fancy do the work of poison! So; feel you not now that you are +possessed of the full use of your limbs?" + +"The torpor seems to diminish," said the Countess, as, supported by +Janet, she walked to and fro in the apartment; "but is it then so, and +have I not swallowed a deadly draught? Varney was here since thou wert +gone, and commanded me, with eyes in which I read my fate, to swallow +yon horrible drug. O Janet! it must be fatal; never was harmless draught +served by such a cup-bearer!" + +"He did not deem it harmless, I fear," replied the maiden; "but God +confounds the devices of the wicked. Believe me, as I swear by the dear +Gospel in which we trust, your life is safe from his practice. Did you +not debate with him?" + +"The house was silent," answered the lady--"thou gone--no other but he +in the chamber--and he capable of every crime. I did but stipulate he +would remove his hateful presence, and I drank whatever he offered.--But +you spoke of escape, Janet; can I be so happy?" + +"Are you strong enough to bear the tidings, and make the effort?" said +the maiden. + +"Strong!" answered the Countess. "Ask the hind, when the fangs of the +deerhound are stretched to gripe her, if she is strong enough to spring +over a chasm. I am equal to every effort that may relieve me from this +place." + +"Hear me, then," said Janet. "One whom I deem an assured friend of yours +has shown himself to me in various disguises, and sought speech of me, +which--for my mind was not clear on the matter until this evening--I +have ever declined. He was the pedlar who brought you goods--the +itinerant hawker who sold me books; whenever I stirred abroad I was sure +to see him. The event of this night determined me to speak with him. +He awaits even now at the postern gate of the park with means for your +flight.--But have you strength of body?--have you courage of mind?--can +you undertake the enterprise?" + +"She that flies from death," said the lady, "finds strength of body--she +that would escape from shame lacks no strength of mind. The thoughts of +leaving behind me the villain who menaces both my life and honour would +give me strength to rise from my deathbed." + +"In God's name, then, lady," said Janet, "I must bid you adieu, and to +God's charge I must commit you!" + +"Will you not fly with me, then, Janet?" said the Countess, anxiously. +"Am I to lose thee? Is this thy faithful service?" + +"Lady, I would fly with you as willingly as bird ever fled from cage, +but my doing so would occasion instant discovery and pursuit. I must +remain, and use means to disguise the truth for some time. May Heaven +pardon the falsehood, because of the necessity!" + +"And am I then to travel alone with this stranger?" said the lady. +"Bethink thee, Janet, may not this prove some deeper and darker scheme +to separate me perhaps from you, who are my only friend?" + +"No, madam, do not suppose it," answered Janet readily; "the youth is an +honest youth in his purpose to you, and a friend to Master Tressilian, +under whose direction he is come hither." + +"If he be a friend of Tressilian," said the Countess, "I will commit +myself to his charge as to that of an angel sent from heaven; for than +Tressilian never breathed mortal man more free of whatever was base, +false, or selfish. He forgot himself whenever he could be of use to +others. Alas! and how was he requited?" + +With eager haste they collected the few necessaries which it was thought +proper the Countess should take with her, and which Janet, with speed +and dexterity, formed into a small bundle, not forgetting to add such +ornaments of intrinsic value as came most readily in her way, and +particularly a casket of jewels, which she wisely judged might prove of +service in some future emergency. The Countess of Leicester next changed +her dress for one which Janet usually wore upon any brief journey, for +they judged it necessary to avoid every external distinction which might +attract attention. Ere these preparations were fully made, the moon +had arisen in the summer heaven, and all in the mansion had betaken +themselves to rest, or at least to the silence and retirement of their +chambers. + +There was no difficulty anticipated in escaping, whether from the house +or garden, provided only they could elude observation. Anthony Foster +had accustomed himself to consider his daughter as a conscious sinner +might regard a visible guardian angel, which, notwithstanding his guilt, +continued to hover around him; and therefore his trust in her knew no +bounds. Janet commanded her own motions during the daytime, and had a +master-key which opened the postern door of the park, so that she could +go to the village at pleasure, either upon the household affairs, which +were entirely confided to her management, or to attend her devotions +at the meeting-house of her sect. It is true the daughter of Foster was +thus liberally entrusted under the solemn condition that she should not +avail herself of these privileges to do anything inconsistent with the +safe-keeping of the Countess; for so her residence at Cumnor Place +had been termed, since she began of late to exhibit impatience of the +restrictions to which she was subjected. Nor is there reason to suppose +that anything short of the dreadful suspicions which the scene of that +evening had excited could have induced Janet to violate her word or +deceive her father's confidence. But from what she had witnessed, she +now conceived herself not only justified, but imperatively called upon, +to make her lady's safety the principal object of her care, setting all +other considerations aside. + +The fugitive Countess with her guide traversed with hasty steps the +broken and interrupted path, which had once been an avenue, now totally +darkened by the boughs of spreading trees which met above their head, +and now receiving a doubtful and deceiving light from the beams of the +moon, which penetrated where the axe had made openings in the wood. +Their path was repeatedly interrupted by felled trees, or the large +boughs which had been left on the ground till time served to make them +into fagots and billets. The inconvenience and difficulty attending +these interruptions, the breathless haste of the first part of their +route, the exhausting sensations of hope and fear, so much affected the +Countess's strength, that Janet was forced to propose that they should +pause for a few minutes to recover breath and spirits. Both therefore +stood still beneath the shadow of a huge old gnarled oak-tree, and both +naturally looked back to the mansion which they had left behind them, +whose long, dark front was seen in the gloomy distance, with its huge +stacks of chimneys, turrets, and clock-house, rising above the line +of the roof, and definedly visible against the pure azure blue of the +summer sky. One light only twinkled from the extended and shadowy mass, +and it was placed so low that it rather seemed to glimmer from the +ground in front of the mansion than from one of the windows. The +Countess's terror was awakened. "They follow us!" she said, pointing out +to Janet the light which thus alarmed her. + +Less agitated than her mistress, Janet perceived that the gleam was +stationary, and informed the Countess, in a whisper, that the light +proceeded from the solitary cell in which the alchemist pursued his +occult experiments. "He is of those," she added, "who sit up and watch +by night that they may commit iniquity. Evil was the chance which sent +hither a man whose mixed speech of earthly wealth and unearthly or +superhuman knowledge hath in it what does so especially captivate my +poor father. Well spoke the good Master Holdforth--and, methought, +not without meaning that those of our household should find therein a +practical use. 'There be those,' he said, 'and their number is legion, +who will rather, like the wicked Ahab, listen to the dreams of the false +prophet Zedekiah, than to the words of him by whom the Lord has spoken.' +And he further insisted--'Ah, my brethren, there be many Zedekiahs among +you--men that promise you the light of their carnal knowledge, so you +will surrender to them that of your heavenly understanding. What are +they better than the tyrant Naas, who demanded the right eye of those +who were subjected to him?' And further he insisted--" + +It is uncertain how long the fair Puritan's memory might have supported +her in the recapitulation of Master Holdforth's discourse; but the +Countess now interrupted her, and assured her she was so much recovered +that she could now reach the postern without the necessity of a second +delay. + +They set out accordingly, and performed the second part of their journey +with more deliberation, and of course more easily, than the first hasty +commencement. This gave them leisure for reflection; and Janet now, +for the first time, ventured to ask her lady which way she proposed to +direct her flight. Receiving no immediate answer--for, perhaps, in the +confusion of her mind this very obvious subject of deliberation had +not occurred to the Countess---Janet ventured to add, "Probably to your +father's house, where you are sure of safety and protection?" + +"No, Janet," said the lady mournfully; "I left Lidcote Hall while +my heart was light and my name was honourable, and I will not return +thither till my lord's permission and public acknowledgment of our +marriage restore me to my native home with all the rank and honour which +he has bestowed on me." + +"And whither will you, then, madam?" said Janet. + +"To Kenilworth, girl," said the Countess, boldly and freely. "I will see +these revels--these princely revels--the preparation for which makes the +land ring from side to side. Methinks, when the Queen of England feasts +within my husband's halls, the Countess of Leicester should be no +unbeseeming guest." + +"I pray God you may be a welcome one!" said Janet hastily. + +"You abuse my situation, Janet," said the Countess, angrily, "and you +forget your own." + +"I do neither, dearest madam," said the sorrowful maiden; "but have you +forgotten that the noble Earl has given such strict charges to keep +your marriage secret, that he may preserve his court-favour? and can you +think that your sudden appearance at his castle, at such a juncture, and +in such a presence, will be acceptable to him?" + +"Thou thinkest I would disgrace him," said the Countess; "nay, let go my +arm, I can walk without aid and work without counsel." + +"Be not angry with me, lady," said Janet meekly, "and let me still +support you; the road is rough, and you are little accustomed to walk in +darkness." + +"If you deem me not so mean as may disgrace my husband," said the +Countess, in the same resentful tone, "you suppose my Lord of Leicester +capable of abetting, perhaps of giving aim and authority to, the base +proceedings of your father and Varney, whose errand I will do to the +good Earl." + +"For God's sake, madam, spare my father in your report," said Janet; +"let my services, however poor, be some atonement for his errors!" + +"I were most unjust, dearest Janet, were it otherwise," said the +Countess, resuming at once the fondness and confidence of her manner +towards her faithful attendant, "No, Janet, not a word of mine shall do +your father prejudice. But thou seest, my love, I have no desire but +to throw my self on my husband's protection. I have left the abode he +assigned for me, because of the villainy of the persons by whom I was +surrounded; but I will disobey his commands in no other particular. I +will appeal to him alone--I will be protected by him alone; to no other, +than at his pleasure, have I or will I communicate the secret union +which combines our hearts and our destinies. I will see him, and receive +from his own lips the directions for my future conduct. Do not argue +against my resolution, Janet; you will only confirm me in it. And to own +the truth, I am resolved to know my fate at once, and from my husband's +own mouth; and to seek him at Kenilworth is the surest way to attain my +purpose." + +While Janet hastily revolved in her mind the difficulties and +uncertainties attendant on the unfortunate lady's situation, she was +inclined to alter her first opinion, and to think, upon the whole, that +since the Countess had withdrawn herself from the retreat in which she +had been placed by her husband, it was her first duty to repair to his +presence, and possess him with the reasons for such conduct. She knew +what importance the Earl attached to the concealment of their marriage, +and could not but own, that by taking any step to make it public +without his permission, the Countess would incur, in a high degree, the +indignation of her husband. If she retired to her father's house without +an explicit avowal of her rank, her situation was likely greatly to +prejudice her character; and if she made such an avowal, it might +occasion an irreconcilable breach with her husband. At Kenilworth, +again, she might plead her cause with her husband himself, whom Janet, +though distrusting him more than the Countess did, believed incapable +of being accessory to the base and desperate means which his dependants, +from whose power the lady was now escaping, might resort to, in order to +stifle her complaints of the treatment she had received at their hands. +But at the worst, and were the Earl himself to deny her justice and +protection, still at Kenilworth, if she chose to make her wrongs public, +the Countess might have Tressilian for her advocate, and the Queen for +her judge; for so much Janet had learned in her short conference with +Wayland. She was, therefore, on the whole, reconciled to her lady's +proposal of going towards Kenilworth, and so expressed herself; +recommending, however, to the Countess the utmost caution in making her +arrival known to her husband. + +"Hast thou thyself been cautious, Janet?" said the Countess; "this +guide, in whom I must put my confidence, hast thou not entrusted to him +the secret of my condition?" + +"From me he has learned nothing," said Janet; "nor do I think that he +knows more than what the public in general believe of your situation." + +"And what is that?" said the lady. + +"That you left your father's house--but I shall offend you again if I go +on," said Janet, interrupting herself. + +"Nay, go on," said the Countess; "I must learn to endure the evil report +which my folly has brought upon me. They think, I suppose, that I have +left my father's house to follow lawless pleasure. It is an error which +will soon be removed--indeed it shall, for I will live with spotless +fame, or I shall cease to live.--I am accounted, then, the paramour of +my Leicester?" + +"Most men say of Varney," said Janet; "yet some call him only the +convenient cloak of his master's pleasures; for reports of the profuse +expense in garnishing yonder apartments have secretly gone abroad, and +such doings far surpass the means of Varney. But this latter opinion is +little prevalent; for men dare hardly even hint suspicion when so high a +name is concerned, lest the Star Chamber should punish them for scandal +of the nobility." + +"They do well to speak low," said the Countess, "who would mention the +illustrious Dudley as the accomplice of such a wretch as Varney.--We +have reached the postern. Ah! Janet, I must bid thee farewell! Weep not, +my good girl," said she, endeavouring to cover her own reluctance to +part with her faithful attendant under an attempt at playfulness; "and +against we meet again, reform me, Janet, that precise ruff of thine for +an open rabatine of lace and cut work, that will let men see thou hast +a fair neck; and that kirtle of Philippine chency, with that bugle lace +which befits only a chambermaid, into three-piled velvet and cloth of +gold--thou wilt find plenty of stuffs in my chamber, and I freely bestow +them on you. Thou must be brave, Janet; for though thou art now but +the attendant of a distressed and errant lady, who is both nameless and +fameless, yet, when we meet again, thou must be dressed as becomes the +gentlewoman nearest in love and in service to the first Countess in +England." + +"Now, may God grant it, dear lady!" said Janet--"not that I may go +with gayer apparel, but that we may both wear our kirtles over lighter +hearts." + +By this time the lock of the postern door had, after some hard +wrenching, yielded to the master-key; and the Countess, not without +internal shuddering, saw herself beyond the walls which her husband's +strict commands had assigned to her as the boundary of her walks. +Waiting with much anxiety for their appearance, Wayland Smith stood +at some distance, shrouding himself behind a hedge which bordered the +high-road. + +"Is all safe?" said Janet to him anxiously, as he approached them with +caution. + +"All," he replied; "but I have been unable to procure a horse for the +lady. Giles Gosling, the cowardly hilding, refused me one on any terms +whatever, lest, forsooth, he should suffer. But no matter; she must +ride on my palfrey, and I must walk by her side until I come by another +horse. There will be no pursuit, if you, pretty Mistress Janet, forget +not thy lesson." + +"No more than the wise widow of Tekoa forgot the words which Joab put +into her mouth," answered Janet. "Tomorrow, I say that my lady is unable +to rise." + +"Ay; and that she hath aching and heaviness of the head a throbbing at +the heart, and lists not to be disturbed. Fear not; they will take the +hint, and trouble thee with few questions--they understand the disease." + +"But," said the lady, "My absence must be soon discovered, and they +will murder her in revenge. I will rather return than expose her to such +danger." + +"Be at ease on my account, madam," said Janet; "I would you were as +sure of receiving the favour you desire from those to whom you must make +appeal, as I am that my father, however angry, will suffer no harm to +befall me." + +The Countess was now placed by Wayland upon his horse, around the saddle +of which he had placed his cloak, so folded as to make her a commodious +seat. + +"Adieu, and may the blessing of God wend with you!" said Janet, again +kissing her mistress's hand, who returned her benediction with a +mute caress. They then tore themselves asunder, and Janet, addressing +Wayland, exclaimed, "May Heaven deal with you at your need, as you are +true or false to this most injured and most helpless lady!" + +"Amen! dearest Janet," replied Wayland; "and believe me, I will so +acquit myself of my trust as may tempt even your pretty eyes, saintlike +as they are, to look less scornfully on me when we next meet." + +The latter part of this adieu was whispered into Janet's ear and +although she made no reply to it directly, yet her manner, influenced, +no doubt, by her desire to leave every motive in force which could +operate towards her mistress's safety, did not discourage the hope which +Wayland's words expressed. She re-entered the postern door, and locked +it behind her; while, Wayland taking the horse's bridle in his hand, +and walking close by its head, they began in silence their dubious and +moonlight journey. + +Although Wayland Smith used the utmost dispatch which he could make, +yet this mode of travelling was so slow, that when morning began to dawn +through the eastern mist, he found himself no farther than about ten +miles distant from Cumnor. "Now, a plague upon all smooth-spoken +hosts!" said Wayland, unable longer to suppress his mortification and +uneasiness. "Had the false loon, Giles Gosling, but told me plainly two +days since that I was to reckon nought upon him, I had shifted better +for myself. But your hosts have such a custom of promising whatever is +called for that it is not till the steed is to be shod you find they are +out of iron. Had I but known, I could have made twenty shifts; nay, for +that matter, and in so good a cause, I would have thought little to have +prigged a prancer from the next common--it had but been sending back +the brute to the headborough. The farcy and the founders confound every +horse in the stables of the Black Bear!" + +The lady endeavoured to comfort her guide, observing that the dawn would +enable him to make more speed. + +"True, madam," he replied; "but then it will enable other folk to take +note of us, and that may prove an ill beginning of our journey. I +had not cared a spark from anvil about the matter had we been further +advanced on our way. But this Berkshire has been notoriously haunted, +ever since I knew the country, with that sort of malicious elves who +sit up late and rise early for no other purpose than to pry into other +folk's affairs. I have been endangered by them ere now. But do not +fear," he added, "good madam; for wit, meeting with opportunity, will +not miss to find a salve for every sore." + +The alarms of her guide made more impression on the Countess's mind than +the comfort which he judged fit to administer along with it. She looked +anxiously around her, and as the shadows withdrew from the landscape, +and the heightening glow of the eastern sky promised the speedy rise of +the sun, expected at every turn that the increasing light would expose +them to the view of the vengeful pursuers, or present some dangerous +and insurmountable obstacle to the prosecution of their journey. Wayland +Smith perceived her uneasiness, and, displeased with himself for having +given her cause of alarm, strode on with affected alacrity, now talking +to the horse as one expert in the language of the stable, now whistling +to himself low and interrupted snatches of tunes, and now assuring +the lady there was no danger, while at the same time he looked sharply +around to see that there was nothing in sight which might give the +lie to his words while they were issuing from his mouth. Thus did +they journey on, until an unexpected incident gave them the means of +continuing their pilgrimage with more speed and convenience. + + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + + RICHARD. A horse!--A horse!--my kingdom for a horse! + CATESBY......My lord, I'll help you to a horse. --RICHARD III. + +Our travellers were in the act of passing a small thicket of trees close +by the roadside, when the first living being presented himself whom +they had seen since their departure from Cumnor Place. This was a stupid +lout, seemingly a farmer's boy, in a grey jerkin, with his head bare, +his hose about his heels, and huge startups upon his feet. He held by +the bridle what of all things they most wanted--a palfrey, namely, with +a side-saddle, and all other garniture for a woman's mounting; and he +hailed Wayland Smith with, "Zur, be ye zure the party?" + +"Ay, that I be, my lad," answered Wayland, without an instant's +hesitation; and it must be owned that consciences trained in a stricter +school of morality might have given way to an occasion so tempting. +While he spoke, he caught the rein out of the boy's hand, and almost at +the same time helped down the Countess from his own horse, and aided +her to mount on that which chance had thus presented for her acceptance. +Indeed, so naturally did the whole take place, that the Countess, as it +afterwards appeared, never suspected but that the horse had been +placed there to meet them by the precaution of the guide or some of his +friends. + +The lad, however, who was thus hastily dispossessed of his charge, began +to stare hard, and scratch his head, as if seized with some qualms of +conscience for delivering up the animal on such brief explanation. "I +be right zure thou be'st the party," said he, muttering to himself, "but +thou shouldst ha zaid BEANS, thou knawest." + +"Ay, ay," said Wayland, speaking at a venture; "and thou BACON, thou +knowest." + +"Noa, noa," said the lad; "bide ye--bide ye--it was PEAS a should ha +said." + +"Well, well," answered Wayland, "Peas be it, a God's name! though Bacon +were the better password." + +And being by this time mounted on his own horse, he caught the rein of +the palfrey from the uncertain hold of the hesitating young boor, flung +him a small piece of money, and made amends for lost time by riding +briskly off without further parley. The lad was still visible from the +hill up which they were riding, and Wayland, as he looked back, beheld +him standing with his fingers in his hair as immovable as a guide-post, +and his head turned in the direction in which they were escaping from +him. At length, just as they topped the hill, he saw the clown stoop to +lift up the silver groat which his benevolence had imparted. "Now this +is what I call a Godsend," said Wayland; "this is a bonny, well-ridden +bit of a going thing, and it will carry us so far till we get you as +well mounted, and then we will send it back time enough to satisfy the +Hue and Cry." + +But he was deceived in his expectations; and fate, which seemed at first +to promise so fairly, soon threatened to turn the incident which he thus +gloried in into the cause of their utter ruin. + +They had not ridden a short mile from the place where they left the +lad before they heard a man's voice shouting on the wind behind them, +"Robbery! robbery!--Stop thief!" and similar exclamations, which +Wayland's conscience readily assured him must arise out of the +transaction to which he had been just accessory. + +"I had better have gone barefoot all my life," he said; "it is the Hue +and Cry, and I am a lost man. Ah! Wayland, Wayland, many a time thy +father said horse-flesh would be the death of thee. Were I once safe +among the horse-coursers in Smithfield, or Turnbull Street, they should +have leave to hang me as high as St. Paul's if I e'er meddled more with +nobles, knights, or gentlewomen." + +Amidst these dismal reflections, he turned his head repeatedly to see by +whom he was chased, and was much comforted when he could only discover +a single rider, who was, however, well mounted, and came after them at +a speed which left them no chance of escaping, even had the lady's +strength permitted her to ride as fast as her palfrey might have been +able to gallop. + +"There may be fair play betwixt us, sure," thought Wayland, "where there +is but one man on each side, and yonder fellow sits on his horse more +like a monkey than a cavalier. Pshaw! if it come to the worse, it will +be easy unhorsing him. Nay, 'snails! I think his horse will take the +matter in his own hand, for he has the bridle betwixt his teeth. Oons, +what care I for him?" said he, as the pursuer drew yet nearer; "it is +but the little animal of a mercer from Abingdon, when all is over." + +Even so it was, as the experienced eye of Wayland had descried at a +distance. For the valiant mercer's horse, which was a beast of mettle, +feeling himself put to his speed, and discerning a couple of horses +riding fast at some hundred yards' distance before him, betook himself +to the road with such alacrity as totally deranged the seat of his +rider, who not only came up with, but passed at full gallop, those +whom he had been pursuing, pulling the reins with all his might, and +ejaculating, "Stop! stop!" an interjection which seemed rather to +regard his own palfrey than what seamen call "the chase." With the same +involuntary speed, he shot ahead (to use another nautical phrase) about +a furlong ere he was able to stop and turn his horse, and then rode back +towards our travellers, adjusting, as well as he could, his disordered +dress, resettling himself in the saddle, and endeavouring to substitute +a bold and martial frown for the confusion and dismay which sat upon his +visage during his involuntary career. + +Wayland had just time to caution the lady not to be alarmed, adding, +"This fellow is a gull, and I will use him as such." + +When the mercer had recovered breath and audacity enough to confront +them, he ordered Wayland, in a menacing tone, to deliver up his palfrey. + +"How?" said the smith, in King Cambyses' vein, "are we commanded to +stand and deliver on the king's highway? Then out, Excalibur, and tell +this knight of prowess that dire blows must decide between us!" + +"Haro and help, and hue and cry, every true man!" said the mercer. "I am +withstood in seeking to recover mine own." + +"Thou swearest thy gods in vain, foul paynim," said Wayland, "for I +will through with mine purpose were death at the end on't. Nevertheless, +know, thou false man of frail cambric and ferrateen, that I am he, even +the pedlar, whom thou didst boast to meet on Maiden Castle moor, and +despoil of his pack; wherefore betake thee to thy weapons presently." + +"I spoke but in jest, man," said Goldthred; "I am an honest shopkeeper +and citizen, who scorns to leap forth on any man from behind a hedge." + +"Then, by my faith, most puissant mercer," answered Wayland, "I am sorry +for my vow, which was, that wherever I met thee I would despoil thee of +thy palfrey, and bestow it upon my leman, unless thou couldst defend it +by blows of force. But the vow is passed and registered, and all I +can do for thee is to leave the horse at Donnington, in the nearest +hostelry." + +"But I tell thee, friend," said the mercer, "it is the very horse on +which I was this day to carry Jane Thackham, of Shottesbrok, as far as +the parish church yonder, to become Dame Goldthred. She hath jumped out +of the shot-window of old Gaffer Thackham's grange; and lo ye, yonder +she stands at the place where she should have met the palfrey, with +her camlet riding-cloak and ivory-handled whip, like a picture of Lot's +wife. I pray you, in good terms, let me have back the palfrey." + +"Grieved am I," said Wayland, "as much for the fair damsel as for thee, +most noble imp of muslin. But vows must have their course; thou wilt +find the palfrey at the Angel yonder at Donnington. It is all I may do +for thee with a safe conscience." + +"To the devil with thy conscience!" said the dismayed mercer. "Wouldst +thou have a bride walk to church on foot?" + +"Thou mayest take her on thy crupper, Sir Goldthred," answered Wayland; +"it will take down thy steed's mettle." + +"And how if you--if you forget to leave my horse, as you propose?" said +Goldthred, not without hesitation, for his soul was afraid within him. + +"My pack shall be pledged for it--yonder it lies with Giles Gosling, +in his chamber with the damasked leathern hangings, stuffed full with +velvet, single, double, treble-piled--rash-taffeta, and parapa--shag, +damask, and mocado, plush, and grogram--" + +"Hold! hold!" exclaimed the mercer; "nay, if there be, in truth and +sincerity, but the half of these wares--but if ever I trust bumpkin with +bonny Bayard again!" + +"As you list for that, good Master Goldthred, and so good morrow to +you--and well parted," he added, riding on cheerfully with the lady, +while the discountenanced mercer rode back much slower than he came, +pondering what excuse he should make to the disappointed bride, who +stood waiting for her gallant groom in the midst of the king's highway. + +"Methought," said the lady, as they rode on, "yonder fool stared at me +as if he had some remembrance of me; yet I kept my muffler as high as I +might." + +"If I thought so," said Wayland, "I would ride back and cut him over the +pate; there would be no fear of harming his brains, for he never had +so much as would make pap to a sucking gosling. We must now push on, +however, and at Donnington we will leave the oaf's horse, that he may +have no further temptation to pursue us, and endeavour to assume such a +change of shape as may baffle his pursuit if he should persevere in it." + +The travellers reached Donnington without further alarm, where it became +matter of necessity that the Countess should enjoy two or three hours' +repose, during which Wayland disposed himself, with equal address and +alacrity, to carry through those measures on which the safety of their +future journey seemed to depend. + +Exchanging his pedlar's gaberdine for a smock-frock, he carried the +palfrey of Goldthred to the Angel Inn, which was at the other end of the +village from that where our travellers had taken up their quarters. In +the progress of the morning, as he travelled about his other business, +he saw the steed brought forth and delivered to the cutting mercer +himself, who, at the head of a valorous posse of the Hue and Cry, came +to rescue, by force of arms, what was delivered to him without any +other ransom than the price of a huge quantity of ale, drunk out by his +assistants, thirsty, it would seem, with their walk, and concerning +the price of which Master Goldthred had a fierce dispute with the +headborough, whom he had summoned to aid him in raising the country. + +Having made this act of prudent as well as just restitution, Wayland +procured such change of apparel for the lady, as well as himself, as +gave them both the appearance of country people of the better class; it +being further resolved, that in order to attract the less observation, +she should pass upon the road for the sister of her guide. A good but +not a gay horse, fit to keep pace with his own, and gentle enough for +a lady's use, completed the preparations for the journey; for making +which, and for other expenses, he had been furnished with sufficient +funds by Tressilian. And thus, about noon, after the Countess had been +refreshed by the sound repose of several hours, they resumed their +journey, with the purpose of making the best of their way to Kenilworth, +by Coventry and Warwick. They were not, however, destined to travel far +without meeting some cause of apprehension. + +It is necessary to premise that the landlord of the inn had informed +them that a jovial party, intended, as he understood, to present some +of the masques or mummeries which made a part of the entertainment with +which the Queen was usually welcomed on the royal Progresses, had left +the village of Donnington an hour or two before them in order to +proceed to Kenilworth. Now it had occurred to Wayland that, by attaching +themselves in some sort to this group as soon as they should overtake +them on the road, they would be less likely to attract notice than if +they continued to travel entirely by themselves. He communicated his +idea to the Countess, who, only anxious to arrive at Kenilworth without +interruption, left him free to choose the manner in which this was to +be accomplished. They pressed forward their horses, therefore, with the +purpose of overtaking the party of intended revellers, and making the +journey in their company; and had just seen the little party, consisting +partly of riders, partly of people on foot, crossing the summit of a +gentle hill, at about half a mile's distance, and disappearing on +the other side, when Wayland, who maintained the most circumspect +observation of all that met his eye in every direction, was aware that +a rider was coming up behind them on a horse of uncommon action, +accompanied by a serving-man, whose utmost efforts were unable to keep +up with his master's trotting hackney, and who, therefore, was fain +to follow him at a hand gallop. Wayland looked anxiously back at these +horsemen, became considerably disturbed in his manner, looked back +again, and became pale, as he said to the lady, "That is Richard +Varney's trotting gelding; I would know him among a thousand nags. This +is a worse business than meeting the mercer." + +"Draw your sword," answered the lady, "and pierce my bosom with it, +rather than I should fall into his hands!" + +"I would rather by a thousand times," answered Wayland, "pass it through +his body, or even mine own. But to say truth, fighting is not my best +point, though I can look on cold iron like another when needs must be. +And indeed, as for my sword--(put on, I pray you)--it is a poor Provant +rapier, and I warrant you he has a special Toledo. He has a serving-man, +too, and I think it is the drunken ruffian Lambourne! upon the horse on +which men say--(I pray you heartily to put on)--he did the great robbery +of the west country grazier. It is not that I fear either Varney or +Lambourne in a good cause--(your palfrey will go yet faster if you urge +him)--but yet--(nay, I pray you let him not break off into a gallop, +lest they should see we fear them, and give chase--keep him only at the +full trot)--but yet, though I fear them not, I would we were well rid +of them, and that rather by policy than by violence. Could we once reach +the party before us, we may herd among them, and pass unobserved, unless +Varney be really come in express pursuit of us, and then, happy man be +his dole!" + +While he thus spoke, he alternately urged and restrained his horse, +desirous to maintain the fleetest pace that was consistent with the +idea of an ordinary journey on the road, but to avoid such rapidity of +movement as might give rise to suspicion that they were flying. + +At such a pace they ascended the gentle hill we have mentioned, and +looking from the top, had the pleasure to see that the party which had +left Donnington before them were in the little valley or bottom on the +other side, where the road was traversed by a rivulet, beside which was +a cottage or two. In this place they seemed to have made a pause, which +gave Wayland the hope of joining them, and becoming a part of their +company, ere Varney should overtake them. He was the more anxious, as +his companion, though she made no complaints, and expressed no fear, +began to look so deadly pale that he was afraid she might drop from her +horse. Notwithstanding this symptom of decaying strength, she pushed on +her palfrey so briskly that they joined the party in the bottom of the +valley ere Varney appeared on the top of the gentle eminence which they +had descended. + +They found the company to which they meant to associate themselves in +great disorder. The women with dishevelled locks, and looks of great +importance, ran in and out of one of the cottages, and the men stood +around holding the horses, and looking silly enough, as is usual in +cases where their assistance is not wanted. + +Wayland and his charge paused, as if out of curiosity, and then +gradually, without making any inquiries, or being asked any questions, +they mingled with the group, as if they had always made part of it. + +They had not stood there above five minutes, anxiously keeping as much +to the side of the road as possible, so as to place the other travellers +betwixt them and Varney, when Lord Leicester's master of the horse, +followed by Lambourne, came riding fiercely down the hill, their horses' +flanks and the rowels of their spurs showing bloody tokens of the rate +at which they travelled. The appearance of the stationary group around +the cottages, wearing their buckram suits in order to protect their +masking dresses, having their light cart for transporting their scenery, +and carrying various fantastic properties in their hands for the more +easy conveyance, let the riders at once into the character and purpose +of the company. + +"You are revellers," said Varney, "designing for Kenilworth?" + +"RECTE QUIDEM, DOMINE SPECTATISSIME," answered one of the party. + +"And why the devil stand you here?" said Varney, "when your utmost +dispatch will but bring you to Kenilworth in time? The Queen dines at +Warwick to-morrow, and you loiter here, ye knaves." + +"I very truth, sir," said a little, diminutive urchin, wearing a vizard +with a couple of sprouting horns of an elegant scarlet hue, having, +moreover, a black serge jerkin drawn close to his body by lacing, +garnished with red stockings, and shoes so shaped as to resemble cloven +feet--"in very truth, sir, and you are in the right on't. It is my +father the Devil, who, being taken in labour, has delayed our present +purpose, by increasing our company with an imp too many." + +"The devil he has!" answered Varney, whose laugh, however, never +exceeded a sarcastic smile. + +"It is even as the juvenal hath said," added the masker who spoke first; +"Our major devil--for this is but our minor one--is even now at LUCINA, +FER OPEM, within that very TUGURIUM." + +"By Saint George, or rather by the Dragon, who may be a kinsman of the +fiend in the straw, a most comical chance!" said Varney. "How sayest +thou, Lambourne, wilt thou stand godfather for the nonce? If the devil +were to choose a gossip, I know no one more fit for the office." + +"Saving always when my betters are in presence," said Lambourne, +with the civil impudence of a servant who knows his services to be so +indispensable that his jest will be permitted to pass muster. + +"And what is the name of this devil, or devil's dam, who has timed her +turns so strangely?" said Varney. "We can ill afford to spare any of our +actors." + +"GAUDET NOMINE SIBYLLAE," said the first speaker; "she is called Sibyl +Laneham, wife of Master Robert Laneham--" + +"Clerk to the Council-chamber door," said Varney; "why, she is +inexcusable, having had experience how to have ordered her matters +better. But who were those, a man and a woman, I think, who rode so +hastily up the hill before me even now? Do they belong to your company?" + +Wayland was about to hazard a reply to this alarming inquiry, when the +little diablotin again thrust in his oar. + +"So please you," he said, coming close up to Varney, and speaking so as +not to be overheard by his companions, "the man was our devil major, who +has tricks enough to supply the lack of a hundred such as Dame Laneham; +and the woman, if you please, is the sage person whose assistance is +most particularly necessary to our distressed comrade." + +"Oh, what! you have got the wise woman, then?" said Varney. "Why, truly, +she rode like one bound to a place where she was needed. And you have a +spare limb of Satan, besides, to supply the place of Mistress Laneham?" + +"Ay, sir," said the boy; "they are not so scarce in this world as your +honour's virtuous eminence would suppose. This master-fiend shall spit a +few flashes of fire, and eruct a volume or two of smoke on the spot, if +it will do you pleasure--you would think he had AEtna in his abdomen." + +"I lack time just now, most hopeful imp of darkness, to witness his +performance," said Varney; "but here is something for you all to drink +the lucky hour--and so, as the play says, 'God be with Your labour!'" + +Thus speaking, he struck his horse with the spurs, and rode on his way. + +Lambourne tarried a moment or two behind his master, and rummaged his +pouch for a piece of silver, which he bestowed on the communicative imp, +as he said, for his encouragement on his path to the infernal regions, +some sparks of whose fire, he said, he could discover flashing from him +already. Then having received the boy's thanks for his generosity he +also spurred his horse, and rode after his master as fast as the fire +flashes from flint. + +"And now," said the wily imp, sidling close up to Wayland's horse, +and cutting a gambol in the air which seemed to vindicate his title to +relationship with the prince of that element, "I have told them who YOU +are, do you in return tell me who I am?" + +"Either Flibbertigibbet," answered Wayland Smith, "or else an imp of the +devil in good earnest." + +"Thou hast hit it," answered Dickie Sludge. "I am thine own +Flibbertigibbet, man; and I have broken forth of bounds, along with my +learned preceptor, as I told thee I would do, whether he would or not. +But what lady hast thou got with thee? I saw thou wert at fault the +first question was asked, and so I drew up for thy assistance. But I +must know all who she is, dear Wayland." + +"Thou shalt know fifty finer things, my dear ingle," said Wayland; +"but a truce to thine inquiries just now. And since you are bound for +Kenilworth, thither will I too, even for the love of thy sweet face and +waggish company." + +"Thou shouldst have said my waggish face and sweet company," said +Dickie; "but how wilt thou travel with us--I mean in what character?" + +"E'en in that thou hast assigned me, to be sure--as a juggler; thou +knowest I am used to the craft," answered Wayland. + +"Ay, but the lady?" answered Flibbertigibbet. "Credit me, I think she IS +one and thou art in a sea of troubles about her at this moment, as I can +perceive by thy fidgeting." + +"Oh, she, man!--she is a poor sister of mine," said Wayland; "she can +sing and play o' the lute would win the fish out o' the stream." + +"Let me hear her instantly," said the boy, "I love the lute rarely; I +love it of all things, though I never heard it." + +"Then how canst thou love it, Flibbertigibbet?" said Wayland. + +"As knights love ladies in old tales," answered Dickie--"on hearsay." + +"Then love it on hearsay a little longer, till my sister is recovered +from the fatigue of her journey," said Wayland; muttering afterwards +betwixt his teeth, "The devil take the imp's curiosity! I must keep fair +weather with him, or we shall fare the worse." + +He then proceeded to state to Master Holiday his own talents as a +juggler, with those of his sister as a musician. Some proof of his +dexterity was demanded, which he gave in such a style of excellence, +that, delighted at obtaining such an accession to their party, they +readily acquiesced in the apology which he offered when a display of his +sister's talents was required. The new-comers were invited to partake +of the refreshments with which the party were provided; and it was with +some difficulty that Wayland Smith obtained an opportunity of being +apart with his supposed sister during the meal, of which interval he +availed himself to entreat her to forget for the present both her +rank and her sorrows, and condescend, as the most probable chance of +remaining concealed, to mix in the society of those with whom she was to +travel. + +The Countess allowed the necessity of the case, and when they resumed +their journey, endeavoured to comply with her guide's advice, by +addressing herself to a female near her, and expressing her concern for +the woman whom they were thus obliged to leave behind them. + +"Oh, she is well attended, madam," replied the dame whom she addressed, +who, from her jolly and laughter-loving demeanour, might have been the +very emblem of the Wife of Bath; "and my gossip Laneham thinks as little +of these matters as any one. By the ninth day, an the revels last so +long, we shall have her with us at Kenilworth, even if she should travel +with her bantling on her back." + +There was something in this speech which took away all desire on the +Countess of Leicester's part to continue the conversation. But having +broken the charm by speaking to her fellow-traveller first, the good +dame, who was to play Rare Gillian of Croydon in one of the interludes, +took care that silence did not again settle on the journey, but +entertained her mute companion with a thousand anecdotes of revels, from +the days of King Harry downwards, with the reception given them by +the great folk, and all the names of those who played the principal +characters; but ever concluding with "they would be nothing to the +princely pleasures of Kenilworth." + +"And when shall we reach Kenilworth? said the Countess, with an +agitation which she in vain attempted to conceal. + +"We that have horses may, with late riding, get to Warwick to-night, and +Kenilworth may be distant some four or five miles. But then we must +wait till the foot-people come up; although it is like my good Lord of +Leicester will have horses or light carriages to meet them, and bring +them up without being travel-toiled, which last is no good preparation, +as you may suppose, for dancing before your betters. And yet, Lord help +me, I have seen the day I would have tramped five leagues of lea-land, +and turned an my toe the whole evening after, as a juggler spins a +pewter platter on the point of a needle. But age has clawed me somewhat +in his clutch, as the song says; though, if I like the tune and like +my partner, I'll dance the hays yet with any merry lass in Warwickshire +that writes that unhappy figure four with a round O after it." + +If the Countess was overwhelmed with the garrulity of this good dame, +Wayland Smith, on his part, had enough to do to sustain and parry the +constant attacks made upon him by the indefatigable curiosity of his +old acquaintance Richard Sludge. Nature had given that arch youngster a +prying cast of disposition, which matched admirably with his sharp wit; +the former inducing him to plant himself as a spy on other people's +affairs, and the latter quality leading him perpetually to interfere, +after he had made himself master of that which concerned him not. +He spent the livelong day in attempting to peer under the Countess's +muffler, and apparently what he could there discern greatly sharpened +his curiosity. + +"That sister of thine, Wayland," he said, "has a fair neck to have been +born in a smithy, and a pretty taper hand to have been used for twirling +a spindle--faith, I'll believe in your relationship when the crow's egg +is hatched into a cygnet." + +"Go to," said Wayland, "thou art a prating boy, and should be breeched +for thine assurance." + +"Well," said the imp, drawing off, "all I say is--remember you have kept +a secret from me, and if I give thee not a Roland for thine Oliver, my +name is not Dickon Sludge!" + +This threat, and the distance at which Hobgoblin kept from him for the +rest of the way, alarmed Wayland very much, and he suggested to his +pretended sister that, on pretext of weariness, she should express a +desire to stop two or three miles short of the fair town of Warwick, +promising to rejoin the troop in the morning. A small village inn +afforded them a resting-place, and it was with secret pleasure that +Wayland saw the whole party, including Dickon, pass on, after a +courteous farewell, and leave them behind. + +"To-morrow, madam," he said to his charge, "we will, with your leave, +again start early, and reach Kenilworth before the rout which are to +assemble there." + +The Countess gave assent to the proposal of her faithful guide; but, +somewhat to his surprise, said nothing further on the subject, which +left Wayland under the disagreeable uncertainty whether or no she had +formed any plan for her own future proceedings, as he knew her situation +demanded circumspection, although he was but imperfectly acquainted with +all its peculiarities. Concluding, however, that she must have friends +within the castle, whose advice and assistance she could safely trust, +he supposed his task would be best accomplished by conducting her +thither in safety, agreeably to her repeated commands. + + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + + Hark, the bells summon, and the bugle calls, + But she the fairest answers not--the tide + Of nobles and of ladies throngs the halls, + But she the loveliest must in secret hide. + What eyes were thine, proud Prince, which in the gleam + Of yon gay meteors lost that better sense, + That o'er the glow-worm doth the star esteem, + And merit's modest blush o'er courtly insolence? + --THE GLASS SLIPPER. + +The unfortunate Countess of Leicester had, from her infancy upwards, +been treated by those around her with indulgence as unbounded as +injudicious. The natural sweetness of her disposition had saved her from +becoming insolent and ill-humoured; but the caprice which preferred +the handsome and insinuating Leicester before Tressilian, of whose high +honour and unalterable affection she herself entertained so firm an +opinion--that fatal error, which ruined the happiness of her life, had +its origin in the mistaken kindness; that had spared her childhood the +painful but most necessary lesson of submission and self-command. From +the same indulgence it followed that she had only been accustomed to +form and to express her wishes, leaving to others the task of fulfilling +them; and thus, at the most momentous period of her life, she was alike +destitute of presence of mind, and of ability to form for herself any +reasonable or prudent plan of conduct. + +These difficulties pressed on the unfortunate lady with overwhelming +force on the morning which seemed to be the crisis of her fate. +Overlooking every intermediate consideration, she had only desired to be +at Kenilworth, and to approach her husband's presence; and now, when +she was in the vicinity of both, a thousand considerations arose at once +upon her mind, startling her with accumulated doubts and dangers, some +real, some imaginary, and all exalted and exaggerated by a situation +alike helpless and destitute of aid and counsel. + +A sleepless night rendered her so weak in the morning that she was +altogether unable to attend Wayland's early summons. The trusty guide +became extremely distressed on the lady's account, and somewhat alarmed +on his own, and was on the point of going alone to Kenilworth, in +the hope of discovering Tressilian, and intimating to him the lady's +approach, when about nine in the morning he was summoned to attend her. +He found her dressed, and ready for resuming her journey, but with a +paleness of countenance which alarmed him for her health. She intimated +her desire that the horses might be got instantly ready, and resisted +with impatience her guide's request that she would take some refreshment +before setting forward. "I have had," she said, "a cup of water--the +wretch who is dragged to execution needs no stronger cordial, and that +may serve me which suffices for him. Do as I command you." Wayland Smith +still hesitated. "What would you have?" said she. "Have I not spoken +plainly?" + +"Yes, madam," answered Wayland; "but may I ask what is your further +purpose? I only wish to know, that I may guide myself by your wishes. +The whole country is afloat, and streaming towards the Castle of +Kenilworth. It will be difficult travelling thither, even if we had the +necessary passports for safe-conduct and free admittance; unknown +and unfriended, we may come by mishap. Your ladyship will forgive my +speaking my poor mind--were we not better try to find out the maskers, +and again join ourselves with them?" The Countess shook her head, and +her guide proceeded, "Then I see but one other remedy." + +"Speak out, then," said the lady, not displeased, perhaps, that he +should thus offer the advice which she was ashamed to ask; "I believe +thee faithful--what wouldst thou counsel?" + +"That I should warn Master Tressilian," said Wayland, "that you are in +this place. I am right certain he would get to horse with a few of Lord +Sussex's followers, and ensure your personal safety." + +"And is it to ME you advise," said the Countess, "to put myself under +the protection of Sussex, the unworthy rival of the noble Leicester?" +Then, seeing the surprise with which Wayland stared upon her, and afraid +of having too strongly intimated her interest in Leicester, she added, +"And for Tressilian, it must not be--mention not to him, I charge you, +my unhappy name; it would but double MY misfortunes, and involve HIM in +dangers beyond the power of rescue." She paused; but when she observed +that Wayland continued to look on her with that anxious and uncertain +gaze which indicated a doubt whether her brain was settled, she assumed +an air of composure, and added, "Do thou but guide me to Kenilworth +Castle, good fellow, and thy task is ended, since I will then judge what +further is to be done. Thou hast yet been true to me--here is something +that will make thee rich amends." + +She offered the artist a ring containing a valuable stone. Wayland +looked at it, hesitated a moment, and then returned it. "Not," he said, +"that I am above your kindness, madam, being but a poor fellow, who have +been forced, God help me! to live by worse shifts than the bounty of +such a person as you. But, as my old master the farrier used to say to +his customers, 'No cure, no pay.' We are not yet in Kenilworth Castle, +and it is time enough to discharge your guide, as they say, when you +take your boots off. I trust in God your ladyship is as well assured of +fitting reception when you arrive, as you may hold yourself certain +of my best endeavours to conduct you thither safely. I go to get the +horses; meantime, let me pray you once more, as your poor physician as +well as guide, to take some sustenance." + +"I will--I will," said the lady hastily. "Begone, begone instantly!--It +is in vain I assume audacity," said she, when he left the room; "even +this poor groom sees through my affectation of courage, and fathoms the +very ground of my fears." + +She then attempted to follow her guide's advice by taking some food, but +was compelled to desist, as the effort to swallow even a single morsel +gave her so much uneasiness as amounted well-nigh to suffocation. A +moment afterwards the horses appeared at the latticed window. The lady +mounted, and found that relief from the free air and change of place +which is frequently experienced in similar circumstances. + +It chanced well for the Countess's purpose that Wayland Smith, whose +previous wandering and unsettled life had made him acquainted with +almost all England, was intimate with all the byroads, as well as direct +communications, through the beautiful county of Warwick. For such and so +great was the throng which flocked in all directions towards Kenilworth, +to see the entry of Elizabeth into that splendid mansion of her prime +favourite, that the principal roads were actually blocked up and +interrupted, and it was only by circuitous by-paths that the travellers +could proceed on their journey. + +The Queen's purveyors had been abroad, sweeping the farms and villages +of those articles usually exacted during a royal Progress, and for which +the owners were afterwards to obtain a tardy payment from the Board +of Green Cloth. The Earl of Leicester's household officers had been +scouring the country for the same purpose; and many of his friends and +allies, both near and remote, took this opportunity of ingratiating +themselves by sending large quantities of provisions and delicacies +of all kinds, with game in huge numbers, and whole tuns of the best +liquors, foreign and domestic. Thus the highroads were filled with +droves of bullocks, sheep, calves, and hogs, and choked with loaded +wains, whose axle-trees cracked under their burdens of wine-casks and +hogsheads of ale, and huge hampers of grocery goods, and slaughtered +game, and salted provisions, and sacks of flour. Perpetual stoppages +took place as these wains became entangled; and their rude drivers, +swearing and brawling till their wild passions were fully raised, began +to debate precedence with their wagon-whips and quarterstaves, which +occasional riots were usually quieted by a purveyor, deputy-marshal's +man, or some other person in authority, breaking the heads of both +parties. + +Here were, besides, players and mummers, jugglers and showmen, of every +description, traversing in joyous bands the paths which led to the +Palace of Princely Pleasure; for so the travelling minstrels had termed +Kenilworth in the songs which already had come forth in anticipation of +the revels which were there expected. In the midst of this motley show, +mendicants were exhibiting their real or pretended miseries, forming a +strange though common contrast betwixt the vanities and the sorrows +of human existence. All these floated along with the immense tide +of population whom mere curiosity had drawn together; and where the +mechanic, in his leathern apron, elbowed the dink and dainty dame, his +city mistress; where clowns, with hobnailed shoes, were treading on the +kibes of substantial burghers and gentlemen of worship; and where Joan +of the dairy, with robust pace, and red, sturdy arms, rowed her way +unward, amongst those prim and pretty moppets whose sires were knights +and squires. + +The throng and confusion was, however, of a gay and cheerful character. +All came forth to see and to enjoy, and all laughed at the trifling +inconveniences which at another time might have chafed their temper. +Excepting the occasional brawls which we have mentioned among that +irritable race the carmen, the mingled sounds which arose from the +multitude were those of light-hearted mirth and tiptoe jollity. The +musicians preluded on their instruments--the minstrels hummed their +songs--the licensed jester whooped betwixt mirth and madness, as he +brandished his bauble--the morrice-dancers jangled their bells--the +rustics hallooed and whistled-men laughed loud, and maidens giggled +shrill; while many a broad jest flew like a shuttlecock from one party, +to be caught in the air and returned from the opposite side of the road +by another, at which it was aimed. + +No infliction can be so distressing to a mind absorbed in melancholy, +as being plunged into a scene of mirth and revelry, forming an +accompaniment so dissonant from its own feelings. Yet, in the case of +the Countess of Leicester, the noise and tumult of this giddy scene +distracted her thoughts, and rendered her this sad service, that +it became impossible for her to brood on her own misery, or to form +terrible anticipations of her approaching fate. She travelled on like +one in a dream, following implicitly the guidance of Wayland, who, +with great address, now threaded his way through the general throng of +passengers, now stood still until a favourable opportunity occurred +of again moving forward, and frequently turning altogether out of the +direct road, followed some circuitous bypath, which brought them into +the highway again, after having given them the opportunity of traversing +a considerable way with greater ease and rapidity. + +It was thus he avoided Warwick, within whose Castle (that fairest +monument of ancient and chivalrous splendour which yet remains uninjured +by time) Elizabeth had passed the previous night, and where she was +to tarry until past noon, at that time the general hour of dinner +throughout England, after which repast she was to proceed to Kenilworth, +In the meanwhile, each passing group had something to say in the +Sovereign's praise, though not absolutely without the usual mixture +of satire which qualifies more or less our estimate of our neighbours, +especially if they chance to be also our betters. + +"Heard you," said one, "how graciously she spoke to Master Bailiff and +the Recorder, and to good Master Griffin the preacher, as they kneeled +down at her coach-window?" + +"Ay, and how she said to little Aglionby, 'Master Recorder, men would +have persuaded me that you were afraid of me, but truly I think, so well +did you reckon up to me the virtues of a sovereign, that I have more +reason to be afraid of you.' and then with what grace she took the +fair-wrought purse with the twenty gold sovereigns, seeming as though +she would not willingly handle it, and yet taking it withal." + +"Ay, ay," said another, "her fingers closed on it pretty willingly +methought, when all was done; and methought, too, she weighed them for a +second in her hand, as she would say, I hope they be avoirdupois." + +"She needed not, neighbour," said a third; "it is only when the +corporation pay the accounts of a poor handicraft like me, that they put +him off with clipped coin. Well, there is a God above all--little Master +Recorder, since that is the word, will be greater now than ever." + +"Come, good neighbour," said the first speaker "be not envious. She is +a good Queen, and a generous; she gave the purse to the Earl of +Leicester." + +"I envious?--beshrew thy heart for the word!" replied the handicraft. +"But she will give all to the Earl of Leicester anon, methinks." + +"You are turning ill, lady," said Wayland Smith to the Countess of +Leicester, and proposed that she should draw off from the road, and halt +till she recovered. But, subduing her feelings at this and different +speeches to the same purpose, which caught her ear as they passed on, +she insisted that her guide should proceed to Kenilworth with all +the haste which the numerous impediments of their journey permitted. +Meanwhile, Wayland's anxiety at her repeated fits of indisposition, and +her obvious distraction of mind, was hourly increasing, and he became +extremely desirous that, according to her reiterated requests, she +should be safely introduced into the Castle, where, he doubted not, she +was secure of a kind reception, though she seemed unwilling to reveal on +whom she reposed her hopes. + +"An I were once rid of this peril," thought he, "and if any man shall +find me playing squire of the body to a damosel-errant, he shall have +leave to beat my brains out with my own sledge-hammer!" + +At length the princely Castle appeared, upon improving which, and the +domains around, the Earl of Leicester had, it is said, expended sixty +thousand pounds sterling, a sum equal to half a million of our present +money. + +The outer wall of this splendid and gigantic structure enclosed seven +acres, a part of which was occupied by extensive stables, and by a +pleasure garden, with its trim arbours and parterres, and the rest +formed the large base-court or outer yard of the noble Castle. The +lordly structure itself, which rose near the centre of this spacious +enclosure, was composed of a huge pile of magnificent castellated +buildings, apparently of different ages, surrounding an inner court, and +bearing in the names attached to each portion of the magnificent mass, +and in the armorial bearings which were there blazoned, the emblems +of mighty chiefs who had long passed away, and whose history, could +Ambition have lent ear to it, might have read a lesson to the haughty +favourite who had now acquired and was augmenting the fair domain. A +large and massive Keep, which formed the citadel of the Castle, was of +uncertain though great antiquity. It bore the name of Caesar, perhaps +from its resemblance to that in the Tower of London so called. Some +antiquaries ascribe its foundation to the time of Kenelph, from whom the +Castle had its name, a Saxon King of Mercia, and others to an early era +after the Norman Conquest. On the exterior walls frowned the scutcheon +of the Clintons, by whom they were founded in the reign of Henry I.; and +of the yet more redoubted Simon de Montfort, by whom, during the Barons' +wars, Kenilworth was long held out against Henry III. Here Mortimer, +Earl of March, famous alike for his rise and his fall, had once gaily +revelled in Kenilworth, while his dethroned sovereign, Edward +II., languished in its dungeons. Old John of Gaunt, "time-honoured +Lancaster," had widely extended the Castle, erecting that noble and +massive pile which yet bears the name of Lancaster's Buildings; and +Leicester himself had outdone the former possessors, princely and +powerful as they were, by erecting another immense structure, which now +lies crushed under its own ruins, the monument of its owner's ambition. +The external wall of this royal Castle was, on the south and west sides, +adorned and defended by a lake partly artificial, across which Leicester +had constructed a stately bridge, that Elizabeth might enter the Castle +by a path hitherto untrodden, instead of the usual entrance to the +northward, over which he had erected a gatehouse or barbican, which +still exists, and is equal in extent, and superior in architecture, to +the baronial castle of many a northern chief. + +Beyond the lake lay an extensive chase, full of red deer, fallow deer, +roes, and every species of game, and abounding with lofty trees, from +amongst which the extended front and massive towers of the Castle were +seen to rise in majesty and beauty. We cannot but add, that of this +lordly palace, where princes feasted and heroes fought, now in the +bloody earnest of storm and siege, and now in the games of chivalry, +where beauty dealt the prize which valour won, all is now desolate. +The bed of the lake is but a rushy swamp; and the massive ruins of the +Castle only serve to show what their splendour once was, and to impress +on the musing visitor the transitory value of human possessions, and the +happiness of those who enjoy a humble lot in virtuous contentment. + +It was with far different feelings that the unfortunate Countess of +Leicester viewed those grey and massive towers, when she first beheld +them rise above the embowering and richly-shaded woods, over which +they seemed to preside. She, the undoubted wife of the great Earl, of +Elizabeth's minion, and England's mighty favourite, was approaching +the presence of her husband, and that husband's sovereign, under the +protection, rather than the guidance, of a poor juggler; and though +unquestioned Mistress of that proud Castle, whose lightest word ought +to have had force sufficient to make its gates leap from their massive +hinges to receive her, yet she could not conceal from herself the +difficulty and peril which she must experience in gaining admission into +her own halls. + +The risk and difficulty, indeed, seemed to increase every moment, and +at length threatened altogether to put a stop to her further progress at +the great gate leading to a broad and fair road, which, traversing the +breadth of the chase for the space of two miles, and commanding several +most beautiful views of the Castle and lake, terminated at the newly +constructed bridge, to which it was an appendage, and which was destined +to form the Queen's approach to the Castle on that memorable occasion. + +Here the Countess and Wayland found the gate at the end of this avenue, +which opened on the Warwick road, guarded by a body of the Queen's +mounted yeomen of the guard, armed in corselets richly carved and +gilded, and wearing morions instead of bonnets, having their carabines +resting with the butt-end on their thighs. These guards, distinguished +for strength and stature, who did duty wherever the Queen went in +person, were here stationed under the direction of a pursuivant, graced +with the Bear and Ragged Staff on his arm, as belonging to the Earl of +Leicester, and peremptorily refused all admittance, excepting to such as +were guests invited to the festival, or persons who were to perform some +part in the mirthful exhibitions which were proposed. + +The press was of consequence great around the entrance, and persons +of all kinds presented every sort of plea for admittance; to which the +guards turned an inexorable ear, pleading, in return to fair words, +and even to fair offers, the strictness of their orders, founded on the +Queen's well-known dislike to the rude pressing of a multitude. With +those whom such reasons did not serve they dealt more rudely, repelling +them without ceremony by the pressure of their powerful, barbed horses, +and good round blows from the stock of their carabines. These last +manoeuvres produced undulations amongst the crowd, which rendered +Wayland much afraid that he might perforce be separated from his charge +in the throng. Neither did he know what excuse to make in order to +obtain admittance, and he was debating the matter in his head with great +uncertainty, when the Earl's pursuivant, having cast an eye upon him, +exclaimed, to his no small surprise, "Yeomen, make room for the fellow +in the orange-tawny cloak.--Come forward, Sir Coxcomb, and make haste. +What, in the fiend's name, has kept you waiting? Come forward with your +bale of woman's gear." + +While the pursuivant gave Wayland this pressing yet uncourteous +invitation, which, for a minute or two, he could not imagine was applied +to him, the yeomen speedily made a free passage for him, while, only +cautioning his companion to keep the muffler close around her face, he +entered the gate leading her palfrey, but with such a drooping crest, +and such a look of conscious fear and anxiety, that the crowd, not +greatly pleased at any rate with the preference bestowed upon them, +accompanied their admission with hooting and a loud laugh of derision. + +Admitted thus within the chase, though with no very flattering notice +or distinction, Wayland and his charge rode forward, musing what +difficulties it would be next their lot to encounter, through the +broad avenue, which was sentinelled on either side by a long line of +retainers, armed with swords, and partisans richly dressed in the Earl +of Leicester's liveries, and bearing his cognizance of the Bear and +Ragged Staff, each placed within three paces of each other, so as to +line the whole road from the entrance into the park to the bridge. And, +indeed, when the lady obtained the first commanding view of the Castle, +with its stately towers rising from within a long, sweeping line of +outward walls, ornamented with battlements and turrets and platforms at +every point of defence, with many a banner streaming from its walls, and +such a bustle of gay crests and waving plumes disposed on the terraces +and battlements, and all the gay and gorgeous scene, her heart, +unaccustomed to such splendour, sank as if it died within her, and for a +moment she asked herself what she had offered up to Leicester to deserve +to become the partner of this princely splendour. But her pride and +generous spirit resisted the whisper which bade her despair. + +"I have given him," she said, "all that woman has to give. Name and +fame, heart and hand, have I given the lord of all this magnificence +at the altar, and England's Queen could give him no more. He is my +husband--I am his wife--whom God hath joined, man cannot sunder. I +will be bold in claiming my right; even the bolder, that I come thus +unexpected, and thus forlorn. I know my noble Dudley well! He will be +something impatient at my disobeying him, but Amy will weep, and Dudley +will forgive her." + +These meditations were interrupted by a cry of surprise from her guide +Wayland, who suddenly felt himself grasped firmly round the body by a +pair of long, thin black arms, belonging to some one who had dropped +himself out of an oak tree upon the croup of his horse, amidst the +shouts of laughter which burst from the sentinels. + +"This must be the devil, or Flibbertigibbet again!" said Wayland, after +a vain struggle to disengage himself, and unhorse the urchin who clung +to him; "do Kenilworth oaks bear such acorns?" + +"In sooth do they, Master Wayland," said his unexpected adjunct, "and +many others, too hard for you to crack, for as old as you are, without +my teaching you. How would you have passed the pursuivant at the upper +gate yonder, had not I warned him our principal juggler was to follow +us? And here have I waited for you, having clambered up into the tree +from the top of the wain; and I suppose they are all mad for want of me +by this time." + +"Nay, then, thou art a limb of the devil in good earnest," said Wayland. +"I give thee way, good imp, and will walk by thy counsel; only, as thou +art powerful be merciful." + +As he spoke, they approached a strong tower, at the south extremity of +the long bridge we have mentioned, which served to protect the outer +gateway of the Castle of Kenilworth. + +Under such disastrous circumstances, and in such singular company, did +the unfortunate Countess of Leicester approach, for the first time, the +magnificent abode of her almost princely husband. + + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + + SNUG. Have you the lion's part written? pray, if it be, give + it me, for I am slow of study. + QUINCE. You may do it extempore, for it is nothing but roaring. + --MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. + +When the Countess of Leicester arrived at the outer gate of the Castle +of Kenilworth, she found the tower, beneath which its ample portal arch +opened, guarded in a singular manner. Upon the battlements were placed +gigantic warders, with clubs, battle-axes, and other implements of +ancient warfare, designed to represent the soldiers of King Arthur; +those primitive Britons, by whom, according to romantic tradition, +the Castle had been first tenanted, though history carried back its +antiquity only to the times of the Heptarchy. + +Some of these tremendous figures were real men, dressed up with vizards +and buskins; others were mere pageants composed of pasteboard and +buckram, which, viewed from beneath, and mingled with those that +were real, formed a sufficiently striking representation of what was +intended. But the gigantic porter who waited at the gate beneath, and +actually discharged the duties of warder, owed none of his terrors to +fictitious means. He was a man whose huge stature, thews, sinews, and +bulk in proportion, would have enabled him to enact Colbrand, Ascapart, +or any other giant of romance, without raising himself nearer to heaven +even by the altitude of a chopin. The legs and knees of this son of Anak +were bare, as were his arms from a span below the shoulder; but his +feet were defended with sandals, fastened with cross straps of scarlet +leather studded with brazen knobs. A close jerkin of scarlet velvet +looped with gold, with short breeches of the same, covered his body and +a part of his limbs; and he wore on his shoulders, instead of a cloak, +the skin of a black bear. The head of this formidable person was +uncovered, except by his shaggy, black hair, which descended on either +side around features of that huge, lumpish, and heavy cast which are +often annexed to men of very uncommon size, and which, notwithstanding +some distinguished exceptions, have created a general prejudice against +giants, as being a dull and sullen kind of persons. This tremendous +warder was appropriately armed with a heavy club spiked with steel. In +fine, he represented excellently one of those giants of popular romance, +who figure in every fairy tale or legend of knight-errantry. + +The demeanour of this modern Titan, when Wayland Smith bent his +attention to him, had in it something arguing much mental embarrassment +and vexation; for sometimes he sat down for an instant on a massive +stone bench, which seemed placed for his accommodation beside the +gateway, and then ever and anon he started up, scratching his huge head, +and striding to and fro on his post, like one under a fit of impatience +and anxiety. It was while the porter was pacing before the gate in this +agitated manner, that Wayland, modestly, yet as a matter of course (not, +however, without some mental misgiving), was about to pass him, and +enter the portal arch. The porter, however, stopped his progress, +bidding him, in a thundering voice, "Stand back!" and enforcing his +injunction by heaving up his steel-shod mace, and dashing it on the +ground before Wayland's horse's nose with such vehemence that the +pavement flashed fire, and the archway rang to the clamour. Wayland, +availing himself of Dickie's hints, began to state that he belonged to a +band of performers to which his presence was indispensable, that he had +been accidentally detained behind, and much to the same purpose. But +the warder was inexorable, and kept muttering and murmuring something +betwixt his teeth, which Wayland could make little of; and addressing +betwixt whiles a refusal of admittance, couched in language which was +but too intelligible. A specimen of his speech might run thus:--"What, +how now, my masters?" (to himself)--"Here's a stir--here's a +coil."--(Then to Wayland)--"You are a loitering knave, and shall have no +entrance."--(Again to himself)--"Here's a throng--here's a thrusting.--I +shall ne'er get through with it--Here's a--humph--ha."--(To +Wayland)--"Back from the gate, or I'll break the pate of thee."--(Once +more to himself)--"Here's a--no--I shall never get through it." + +"Stand still," whispered Flibbertigibbet into Wayland's ear, "I know +where the shoe pinches, and will tame him in an instant." + +He dropped down from the horse, and skipping up to the porter, plucked +him by the tail of the bearskin, so as to induce him to decline his huge +head, and whispered something in his ear. Not at the command of the lord +of some Eastern talisman did ever Afrite change his horrid frown into +a look of smooth submission more suddenly than the gigantic porter +of Kenilworth relaxed the terrors of his looks at the instant +Flibbertigibbet's whisper reached his ears. He flung his club upon the +ground, and caught up Dickie Sludge, raising him to such a distance from +the earth as might have proved perilous had he chanced to let him slip. + +"It is even so," he said, with a thundering sound of exultation--"it is +even so, my little dandieprat. But who the devil could teach it thee?" + +"Do not thou care about that," said Flibbertigibbet--"but--" he looked +at Wayland and the lady, and then sunk what he had to say in a +whisper, which needed not be a loud one, as the giant held him for his +convenience close to his ear. The porter then gave Dickie a warm caress, +and set him on the ground with the same care which a careful housewife +uses in replacing a cracked china cup upon her mantelpiece, calling out +at the same time to Wayland and the lady, "In with you--in with you! and +take heed how you come too late another day when I chance to be porter." + +"Ay, ay, in with you," added Flibbertigibbet; "I must stay a short space +with mine honest Philistine, my Goliath of Gath here; but I will be with +you anon, and at the bottom of all your secrets, were they as deep and +dark as the Castle dungeon." + +"I do believe thou wouldst," said Wayland; "but I trust the secret will +be soon out of my keeping, and then I shall care the less whether thou +or any one knows it." + +They now crossed the entrance tower, which obtained the name of the +Gallery-tower, from the following circumstance: The whole bridge, +extending from the entrance to another tower on the opposite side of +the lake, called Mortimer's Tower, was so disposed as to make a spacious +tilt-yard, about one hundred and thirty yards in length, and ten in +breadth, strewed with the finest sand, and defended on either side by +strong and high palisades. The broad and fair gallery, destined for the +ladies who were to witness the feats of chivalry presented on this area, +was erected on the northern side of the outer tower, to which it gave +name. Our travellers passed slowly along the bridge or tilt-yard, and +arrived at Mortimer's Tower, at its farthest extremity, through which +the approach led into the outer or base-court of the Castle. Mortimer's +Tower bore on its front the scutcheon of the Earl of March, whose daring +ambition overthrew the throne of Edward II., and aspired to share his +power with the "She-wolf of France," to whom the unhappy monarch was +wedded. The gate, which opened under this ominous memorial, was guarded +by many warders in rich liveries; but they offered no opposition to the +entrance of the Countess and her guide, who, having passed by license of +the principal porter at the Gallery-tower, were not, it may be supposed, +liable to interruption from his deputies. They entered accordingly, in +silence, the great outward court of the Castle, having then full before +them that vast and lordly pile, with all its stately towers, each gate +open, as if in sign of unlimited hospitality, and the apartments filled +with noble guests of every degree, besides dependants, retainers, +domestics of every description, and all the appendages and promoters of +mirth and revelry. + +Amid this stately and busy scene Wayland halted his horse, and looked +upon the lady, as if waiting her commands what was next to be done, +since they had safely reached the place of destination. As she remained +silent, Wayland, after waiting a minute or two, ventured to ask her, in +direct terms, what were her next commands. She raised her hand to her +forehead, as if in the act of collecting her thoughts and resolution, +while she answered him in a low and suppressed voice, like the murmurs +of one who speaks in a dream--"Commands? I may indeed claim right to +command, but who is there will obey me!" + +Then suddenly raising her head, like one who has formed a decisive +resolution, she addressed a gaily-dressed domestic, who was crossing the +court with importance and bustle in his countenance, "Stop, sir," she +said; "I desire to speak with, the Earl of Leicester." + +"With whom, an it please you?" said the man, surprised at the demand; +and then looking upon the mean equipage of her who used towards him such +a tone of authority, he added, with insolence, "Why, what Bess of Bedlam +is this would ask to see my lord on such a day as the present?" + +"Friend," said the Countess, "be not insolent--my business with the Earl +is most urgent." + +"You must get some one else to do it, were it thrice as urgent," said +the fellow. "I should summon my lord from the Queen's royal presence +to do YOUR business, should I?--I were like to be thanked with a +horse-whip. I marvel our old porter took not measure of such ware with +his club, instead of giving them passage; but his brain is addled with +getting his speech by heart." + +Two or three persons stopped, attracted by the fleering way in which the +serving-man expressed himself; and Wayland, alarmed both for himself and +the lady, hastily addressed himself to one who appeared the most civil, +and thrusting a piece of money into his hand, held a moment's counsel +with him on the subject of finding a place of temporary retreat for the +lady. The person to whom he spoke, being one in some authority, rebuked +the others for their incivility, and commanding one fellow to take care +of the strangers' horses, he desired them to follow him. The Countess +retained presence of mind sufficient to see that it was absolutely +necessary she should comply with his request; and leaving the rude +lackeys and grooms to crack their brutal jests about light heads, +light heels, and so forth, Wayland and she followed in silence the +deputy-usher, who undertook to be their conductor. + +They entered the inner court of the Castle by the great gateway, which +extended betwixt the principal Keep, or Donjon, called Caesar's Tower, +and a stately building which passed by the name of King Henry's Lodging, +and were thus placed in the centre of the noble pile, which presented +on its different fronts magnificent specimens of every species of +castellated architecture, from the Conquest to the reign of Elizabeth, +with the appropriate style and ornaments of each. + +Across this inner court also they were conducted by their guide to a +small but strong tower, occupying the north-east angle of the building, +adjacent to the great hall, and filling up a space betwixt the immense +range of kitchens and the end of the great hall itself. The lower +part of this tower was occupied by some of the household officers of +Leicester, owing to its convenient vicinity to the places where their +duty lay; but in the upper story, which was reached by a narrow, winding +stair, was a small octangular chamber, which, in the great demand for +lodgings, had been on the present occasion fitted up for the reception +of guests, though generally said to have been used as a place of +confinement for some unhappy person who had been there murdered. +Tradition called this prisoner Mervyn, and transferred his name to the +tower. That it had been used as a prison was not improbable; for the +floor of each story was arched, the walls of tremendous thickness, while +the space of the chamber did not exceed fifteen feet in diameter. The +window, however, was pleasant, though narrow, and commanded a delightful +view of what was called the Pleasance; a space of ground enclosed +and decorated with arches, trophies, statues, fountains, and other +architectural monuments, which formed one access from the Castle +itself into the garden. There was a bed in the apartment, and other +preparations for the reception of a guest, to which the Countess paid +but slight attention, her notice being instantly arrested by the sight +of writing materials placed on the table (not very commonly to be found +in the bedrooms of those days), which instantly suggested the idea of +writing to Leicester, and remaining private until she had received his +answer. + +The deputy-usher having introduced them into this commodious apartment, +courteously asked Wayland, whose generosity he had experienced, whether +he could do anything further for his service. Upon receiving a gentle +hint that some refreshment would not be unacceptable, he presently +conveyed the smith to the buttery-hatch, where dressed provisions of all +sorts were distributed, with hospitable profusion, to all who asked for +them. Wayland was readily supplied with some light provisions, such as +he thought would best suit the faded appetite of the lady, and did not +omit the opportunity of himself making a hasty but hearty meal on more +substantial fare. He then returned to the apartment in the turret, where +he found the Countess, who had finished her letter to Leicester, and in +lieu of a seal and silken thread, had secured it with a braid of her own +beautiful tresses, fastened by what is called a true-love knot. + +"Good friend," said she to Wayland, "whom God hath sent to aid me at my +utmost need, I do beseech thee, as the last trouble you shall take +for an unfortunate lady, to deliver this letter to the noble Earl of +Leicester. Be it received as it may," she said, with features agitated +betwixt hope and fear, "thou, good fellow, shalt have no more cumber +with me. But I hope the best; and if ever lady made a poor man rich, +thou hast surely deserved it at my hand, should my happy days ever come +round again. Give it, I pray you, into Lord Leicester's own hand, and +mark how he looks on receiving it." + +Wayland, on his part, readily undertook the commission, but anxiously +prayed the lady, in his turn, to partake of some refreshment; in which +he at length prevailed, more through importunity and her desire to see +him begone on his errand than from any inclination the Countess felt to +comply with his request. He then left her, advising her to lock her door +on the inside, and not to stir from her little apartment; and went to +seek an opportunity of discharging her errand, as well as of carrying +into effect a purpose of his own, which circumstances had induced him to +form. + +In fact, from the conduct of the lady during the journey--her long fits +of profound silence, the irresolution and uncertainty which seemed to +pervade all her movements, and the obvious incapacity of thinking and +acting for herself under which she seemed to labour--Wayland had formed +the not improbable opinion that the difficulties of her situation had in +some degree affected her understanding. + +When she had escaped from the seclusion of Cumnor Place, and the dangers +to which she was there exposed, it would have seemed her most rational +course to retire to her father's, or elsewhere at a distance from the +power of those by whom these dangers had been created. When, instead of +doing so, she demanded to be conveyed to Kenilworth, Wayland had been +only able to account for her conduct by supposing that she meant to +put herself under the tutelage of Tressilian, and to appeal to the +protection of the Queen. But now, instead of following this natural +course, she entrusted him with a letter to Leicester, the patron of +Varney, and within whose jurisdiction at least, if not under his express +authority, all the evils she had already suffered were inflicted upon +her. This seemed an unsafe and even a desperate measure, and Wayland +felt anxiety for his own safety, as well as that of the lady, should he +execute her commission before he had secured the advice and countenance +of a protector. + +He therefore resolved, before delivering the letter to Leicester, that +he would seek out Tressilian, and communicate to him the arrival of +the lady at Kenilworth, and thus at once rid himself of all further +responsibility, and devolve the task of guiding and protecting this +unfortunate lady upon the patron who had at first employed him in her +service. + +"He will be a better judge than I am," said Wayland, "whether she is +to be gratified in this humour of appeal to my Lord of Leicester, which +seems like an act of insanity; and, therefore, I will turn the matter +over on his hands, deliver him the letter, receive what they list to +give me by way of guerdon, and then show the Castle of Kenilworth a pair +of light heels; for, after the work I have been engaged in, it will be, +I fear, neither a safe nor wholesome place of residence, and I would +rather shoe colts an the coldest common in England than share in their +gayest revels." + + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + + In my time I have seen a boy do wonders. + Robin, the red tinker, had a boy + Would ha run through a cat-hole. --THE COXCOMB. + +Amid the universal bustle which filled the Castle and its environs, it +was no easy matter to find out any individual; and Wayland was still +less likely to light upon Tressilian, whom he sought so anxiously, +because, sensible of the danger of attracting attention in the +circumstances in which he was placed, he dared not make general +inquiries among the retainers or domestics of Leicester. He learned, +however, by indirect questions, that in all probability Tressilian must +have been one of a large party of gentlemen in attendance on the Earl +of Sussex, who had accompanied their patron that morning to Kenilworth, +when Leicester had received them with marks of the most formal respect +and distinction. He further learned that both Earls, with their +followers, and many other nobles, knights, and gentlemen, had taken +horse, and gone towards Warwick several hours since, for the purpose of +escorting the Queen to Kenilworth. + +Her Majesty's arrival, like other great events, was delayed from hour +to hour; and it was now announced by a breathless post that her Majesty, +being detained by her gracious desire to receive the homage of her +lieges who had thronged to wait upon her at Warwick, it would be the +hour of twilight ere she entered the Castle. The intelligence released +for a time those who were upon duty, in the immediate expectation of the +Queen's appearance, and ready to play their part in the solemnities with +which it was to be accompanied; and Wayland, seeing several horsemen +enter the Castle, was not without hopes that Tressilian might be of the +number. That he might not lose an opportunity of meeting his patron +in the event of this being the case, Wayland placed himself in the +base-court of the Castle, near Mortimer's Tower, and watched every one +who went or came by the bridge, the extremity of which was protected by +that building. Thus stationed, nobody could enter or leave the Castle +without his observation, and most anxiously did he study the garb and +countenance of every horseman, as, passing from under the opposite +Gallery-tower, they paced slowly, or curveted, along the tilt-yard, and +approached the entrance of the base-court. + +But while Wayland gazed thus eagerly to discover him whom he saw not, he +was pulled by the sleeve by one by whom he himself would not willingly +have been seen. + +This was Dickie Sludge, or Flibbertigibbet, who, like the imp whose name +he bore, and whom he had been accoutred in order to resemble, seemed +to be ever at the ear of those who thought least of him. Whatever were +Wayland's internal feelings, he judged it necessary to express pleasure +at their unexpected meeting. + +"Ha! is it thou, my minikin--my miller's thumb--my prince of +cacodemons--my little mouse?" + +"Ay," said Dickie, "the mouse which gnawed asunder the toils, just when +the lion who was caught in them began to look wonderfully like an ass." + +"Thy, thou little hop-the-gutter, thou art as sharp as vinegar this +afternoon! But tell me, how didst thou come off with yonder jolterheaded +giant whom I left thee with? I was afraid he would have stripped thy +clothes, and so swallowed thee, as men peel and eat a roasted chestnut." + +"Had he done so," replied the boy, "he would have had more brains in +his guts than ever he had in his noddle. But the giant is a courteous +monster, and more grateful than many other folk whom I have helped at a +pinch, Master Wayland Smith." + +"Beshrew me, Flibbertigibbet," replied Wayland, "but thou art sharper +than a Sheffield whittle! I would I knew by what charm you muzzled +yonder old bear." + +"Ay, that is in your own manner," answered Dickie; "you think fine +speeches will pass muster instead of good-will. However, as to this +honest porter, you must know that when we presented ourselves at the +gate yonder, his brain was over-burdened with a speech that had been +penned for him, and which proved rather an overmatch for his gigantic +faculties. Now this same pithy oration had been indited, like sundry +others, by my learned magister, Erasmus Holiday, so I had heard it often +enough to remember every line. As soon as I heard him blundering and +floundering like a fish upon dry land, through the first verse, and +perceived him at a stand, I knew where the shoe pinched, and helped him +to the next word, when he caught me up in an ecstasy, even as you saw +but now. I promised, as the price of your admission, to hide me under +his bearish gaberdine, and prompt him in the hour of need. I have just +now been getting some food in the Castle, and am about to return to +him." + +"That's right--that's right, my dear Dickie," replied Wayland; +"haste thee, for Heaven's sake! else the poor giant will be utterly +disconsolate for want of his dwarfish auxiliary. Away with thee, +Dickie!" + +"Ay, ay!" answered the boy--"away with Dickie, when we have got what +good of him we can. You will not let me know the story of this lady, +then, who is as much sister of thine as I am?" + +"Why, what good would it do thee, thou silly elf?" said Wayland. + +"Oh, stand ye on these terms?" said the boy. "Well, I care not greatly +about the matter--only, I never smell out a secret but I try to be +either at the right or the wrong end of it, and so good evening to ye." + +"Nay, but, Dickie," said Wayland, who knew the boy's restless and +intriguing disposition too well not to fear his enmity--"stay, my dear +Dickie--part not with old friends so shortly! Thou shalt know all I know +of the lady one day." + +"Ay!" said Dickie; "and that day may prove a nigh one. Fare thee well, +Wayland--I will to my large-limbed friend, who, if he have not so sharp +a wit as some folk, is at least more grateful for the service which +other folk render him. And so again, good evening to ye." + +So saying, he cast a somerset through the gateway, and lighting on +the bridge, ran with the extraordinary agility which was one of his +distinguishing attributes towards the Gallery-tower, and was out of +sight in an instant. + +"I would to God I were safe out of this Castle again!" prayed Wayland +internally; "for now that this mischievous imp has put his finger in the +pie, it cannot but prove a mess fit for the devil's eating. I would to +Heaven Master Tressilian would appear!" + +Tressilian, whom he was thus anxiously expecting in one direction, had +returned to Kenilworth by another access. It was indeed true, as Wayland +had conjectured, that in the earlier part of the day he had accompanied +the Earls on their cavalcade towards Warwick, not without hope that he +might in that town hear some tidings of his emissary. Being disappointed +in this expectation, and observing Varney amongst Leicester's +attendants, seeming as if he had some purpose of advancing to and +addressing him, he conceived, in the present circumstances, it was +wisest to avoid the interview. He, therefore, left the presence-chamber +when the High-Sheriff of the county was in the very midst of his dutiful +address to her Majesty; and mounting his horse, rode back to Kenilworth +by a remote and circuitous road, and entered the Castle by a small +sallyport in the western wall, at which he was readily admitted as +one of the followers of the Earl of Sussex, towards whom Leicester had +commanded the utmost courtesy to be exercised. It was thus that he +met not Wayland, who was impatiently watching his arrival, and whom he +himself would have been at least equally desirous to see. + +Having delivered his horse to the charge of his attendant, he walked +for a space in the Pleasance and in the garden, rather to indulge in +comparative solitude his own reflections, than to admire those singular +beauties of nature and art which the magnificence of Leicester had there +assembled. The greater part of the persons of condition had left the +Castle for the present, to form part of the Earl's cavalcade; others, +who remained behind, were on the battlements, outer walls, and towers, +eager to view the splendid spectacle of the royal entry. The garden, +therefore, while every other part of the Castle resounded with the human +voice, was silent but for the whispering of the leaves, the emulous +warbling of the tenants of a large aviary with their happier companions +who remained denizens of the free air, and the plashing of the +fountains, which, forced into the air from sculptures of fatastic and +grotesque forms, fell down with ceaseless sound into the great basins of +Italian marble. + +The melancholy thoughts of Tressilian cast a gloomy shade on all the +objects with which he was surrounded. He compared the magnificent scenes +which he here traversed with the deep woodland and wild moorland which +surrounded Lidcote Hall, and the image of Amy Robsart glided like a +phantom through every landscape which his imagination summoned up. +Nothing is perhaps more dangerous to the future happiness of men of deep +thought and retired habits than the entertaining an early, long, and +unfortunate attachment. It frequently sinks so deep into the mind that +it becomes their dream by night and their vision by day--mixes itself +with every source of interest and enjoyment; and when blighted and +withered by final disappointment, it seems as if the springs of the +heart were dried up along with it. This aching of the heart, this +languishing after a shadow which has lost all the gaiety of its +colouring, this dwelling on the remembrance of a dream from which +we have been long roughly awakened, is the weakness of a gentle and +generous heart, and it was that of Tressilian. + +He himself at length became sensible of the necessity of forcing other +objects upon his mind; and for this purpose he left the Pleasance, +in order to mingle with the noisy crowd upon the walls, and view the +preparation for the pageants. But as he left the garden, and heard the +busy hum, mixed with music and laughter, which floated around him, he +felt an uncontrollable reluctance to mix with society whose feelings +were in a tone so different from his own, and resolved, instead of doing +so, to retire to the chamber assigned him, and employ himself in study +until the tolling of the great Castle bell should announce the arrival +of Elizabeth. + +Tressilian crossed accordingly by the passage betwixt the immense range +of kitchens and the great hall, and ascended to the third story of +Mervyn's Tower, and applying himself to the door of the small apartment +which had been allotted to him, was surprised to find it was locked. He +then recollected that the deputy-chamberlain had given him a master-key, +advising him, in the present confused state of the Castle, to keep his +door as much shut as possible. He applied this key to the lock, the bolt +revolved, he entered, and in the same instant saw a female form seated +in the apartment, and recognized that form to be, Amy Robsart. His first +idea was that a heated imagination had raised the image on which it +doted into visible existence; his second, that he beheld an apparition; +the third and abiding conviction, that it was Amy herself, paler, +indeed, and thinner, than in the days of heedless happiness, when +she possessed the form and hue of a wood-nymph, with the beauty of a +sylph--but still Amy, unequalled in loveliness by aught which had ever +visited his eyes. + +The astonishment of the Countess was scarce less than that of +Tressilian, although it was of shorter duration, because she had heard +from Wayland that he was in the Castle. She had started up at his first +entrance, and now stood facing him, the paleness of her cheeks having +given way to a deep blush. + +"Tressilian," she said, at length, "why come you here?" + +"Nay, why come you here, Amy," returned Tressilian, "unless it be at +length to claim that aid, which, as far as one man's heart and arm can +extend, shall instantly be rendered to you?" + +She was silent a moment, and then answered in a sorrowful rather than an +angry tone, "I require no aid, Tressilian, and would rather be injured +than benefited by any which your kindness can offer me. Believe me, I am +near one whom law and love oblige to protect me." + +"The villain, then, hath done you the poor justice which remained in his +power," said Tressilian, "and I behold before me the wife of Varney!" + +"The wife of Varney!" she replied, with all the emphasis of scorn. "With +what base name, sir, does your boldness stigmatize the--the--the--" She +hesitated, dropped her tone of scorn, looked down, and was confused and +silent; for she recollected what fatal consequences might attend her +completing the sentence with "the Countess of Leicester," which were +the words that had naturally suggested themselves. It would have been +a betrayal of the secret, on which her husband had assured her that his +fortunes depended, to Tressilian, to Sussex, to the Queen, and to the +whole assembled court. "Never," she thought, "will I break my promised +silence. I will submit to every suspicion rather than that." + +The tears rose to her eyes, as she stood silent before Tressilian; +while, looking on her with mingled grief and pity, he said, "Alas! Amy, +your eyes contradict your tongue. That speaks of a protector, willing +and able to watch over you; but these tell me you are ruined, and +deserted by the wretch to whom you have attached yourself." + +She looked on him with eyes in which anger sparkled through her tears, +but only repeated the word "wretch!" with a scornful emphasis. + +"Yes, WRETCH!" said Tressilian; "for were he aught better, why are you +here, and alone, in my apartment? why was not fitting provision made for +your honourable reception?" + +"In your apartment?" repeated Amy--"in YOUR apartment? It shall +instantly be relieved of my presence." She hastened towards the door; +but the sad recollection of her deserted state at once pressed on her +mind, and pausing on the threshold, she added, in a tone unutterably +pathetic, "Alas! I had forgot--I know not where to go--" + +"I see--I see it all," said Tressilian, springing to her side, and +leading her back to the seat, on which she sunk down. "You DO need +aid--you do need protection, though you will not own it; and you shall +not need it long. Leaning on my arm, as the representative of your +excellent and broken-hearted father, on the very threshold of the Castle +gate, you shall meet Elizabeth; and the first deed she shall do in +the halls of Kenilworth shall be an act of justice to her sex and her +subjects. Strong in my good cause, and in the Queen's justice, the +power of her minion shall not shake my resolution. I will instantly seek +Sussex." + +"Not for all that is under heaven!" said the Countess, much alarmed, +and feeling the absolute necessity of obtaining time, at least, for +consideration. "Tressilian, you were wont to be generous. Grant me one +request, and believe, if it be your wish to save me from misery and from +madness, you will do more by making me the promise I ask of you, than +Elizabeth can do for me with all her power." + +"Ask me anything for which you can allege reason," said Tressilian; "but +demand not of me--" + +"Oh, limit not your boon, dear Edmund!" exclaimed the Countess--"you +once loved that I should call you so--limit not your boon to reason; for +my case is all madness, and frenzy must guide the counsels which alone +can aid me." + +"If you speak thus wildly," said Tressilian, astonishment again +overpowering both his grief and his resolution, "I must believe you +indeed incapable of thinking or acting for yourself." + +"Oh, no!" she exclaimed, sinking on one knee before him, "I am not +mad--I am but a creature unutterably miserable, and, from circumstances +the most singular, dragged on to a precipice by the arm of him who +thinks he is keeping me from it--even by yours, Tressilian--by +yours, whom I have honoured, respected--all but loved--and yet loved, +too--loved, too, Tressilian--though not as you wished to be." + +There was an energy, a self-possession, an abandonment in her voice +and manner, a total resignation of herself to his generosity, which, +together with the kindness of her expressions to himself, moved him +deeply. He raised her, and, in broken accents, entreated her to be +comforted. + +"I cannot," she said, "I will not be comforted, till you grant me +my request! I will speak as plainly as I dare. I am now awaiting the +commands of one who has a right to issue them. The interference of a +third person--of you in especial, Tressilian--will be ruin--utter ruin +to me. Wait but four-and-twenty hours, and it may be that the poor +Amy may have the means to show that she values, and can reward, your +disinterested friendship--that she is happy herself, and has the means +to make you so. It is surely worth your patience, for so short a space?" + +Tressilian paused, and weighing in his mind the various probabilities +which might render a violent interference on his part more prejudicial +than advantageous, both to the happiness and reputation of Amy; +considering also that she was within the walls of Kenilworth, and could +suffer no injury in a castle honoured with the Queen's residence, and +filled with her guards and attendants--he conceived, upon the whole, +that he might render her more evil than good service by intruding upon +her his appeal to Elizabeth in her behalf. He expressed his resolution +cautiously, however, doubting naturally whether Amy's hopes of +extricating herself from her difficulties rested on anything stronger +than a blinded attachment to Varney, whom he supposed to be her seducer. + +"Amy," he said, while he fixed his sad and expressive eyes on hers, +which, in her ecstasy of doubt, terror, and perplexity, she cast up +towards him, "I have ever remarked that when others called thee girlish +and wilful, there lay under that external semblance of youthful and +self-willed folly deep feeling and strong sense. In this I will confide, +trusting your own fate in your own hands for the space of twenty-four +hours, without my interference by word or act." + +"Do you promise me this, Tressilian?" said the Countess. "Is it possible +you can yet repose so much confidence in me? Do you promise, as you are +a gentleman and a man of honour, to intrude in my matters neither by +speech nor action, whatever you may see or hear that seems to you to +demand your interference? Will you so far trust me?" + +"I will upon my honour," said Tressilian; "but when that space is +expired--" + +"Then that space is expired," she said, interrupting him, "you are free +to act as your judgment shall determine." + +"Is there nought besides which I can do for you, Amy?" said Tressilian. + +"Nothing," said she, "save to leave me,--that is, if--I blush to +acknowledge my helplessness by asking it--if you can spare me the use of +this apartment for the next twenty-four hours." + +"This is most wonderful!" said Tressilian; "what hope or interest can +you have in a Castle where you cannot command even an apartment?" + +"Argue not, but leave me," she said; and added, as he slowly and +unwillingly retired, "Generous Edmund! the time may come when Amy may +show she deserved thy noble attachment." + + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + + What, man, ne'er lack a draught, when the full can + Stands at thine elbow, and craves emptying!-- + Nay, fear not me, for I have no delight + To watch men's vices, since I have myself + Of virtue nought to boast of--I'm a striker, + Would have the world strike with me, pell-mell, all. + --PANDEMONIUM. + +Tressilian, in strange agitation of mind, had hardly stepped down the +first two or three steps of the winding staircase, when, greatly to his +surprise and displeasure, he met Michael Lambourne, wearing an impudent +familiarity of visage, for which Tressilian felt much disposed to throw +him down-stairs; until he remembered the prejudice which Amy, the only +object of his solicitude, was likely to receive from his engaging in any +act of violence at that time and in that place. + +He therefore contented himself with looking sternly upon Lambourne, as +upon one whom he deemed unworthy of notice, and attempted to pass him in +his way downstairs, without any symptom of recognition. But Lambourne, +who, amidst the profusion of that day's hospitality, had not failed +to take a deep though not an overpowering cup of sack, was not in the +humour of humbling himself before any man's looks. He stopped Tressilian +upon the staircase without the least bashfulness or embarrassment, and +addressed him as if he had been on kind and intimate terms:--"What, no +grudge between us, I hope, upon old scores, Master Tressilian?--nay, +I am one who remembers former kindness rather than latter feud. I'll +convince you that I meant honestly and kindly, ay, and comfortably by +you." + +"I desire none of your intimacy," said Tressilian--"keep company with +your mates." + +"Now, see how hasty he is!" said Lambourne; "and how these gentles, that +are made questionless out of the porcelain clay of the earth, look down +upon poor Michael Lambourne! You would take Master Tressilian now for +the most maid-like, modest, simpering squire of dames that ever made +love when candles were long i' the stuff--snuff; call you it? Why, you +would play the saint on us, Master Tressilian, and forget that even now +thou hast a commodity in thy very bedchamber, to the shame of my lord's +castle, ha! ha! ha! Have I touched you, Master Tressilian?" + +"I know not what you mean," said Tressilian, inferring, however, too +surely, that this licentious ruffian must have been sensible of Amy's +presence in his apartment; "'i but if," he continued, "thou art +varlet of the chambers, and lackest a fee, there is one to leave mine +unmolested." + +Lambourne looked at the piece of gold, and put it in his pocket saying, +"Now, I know not but you might have done more with me by a kind word +than by this chiming rogue. But after all he pays well that pays with +gold; and Mike Lambourne was never a makebate, or a spoil-sport, or the +like. E'en live, and let others live, that is my motto-only, I would not +let some folks cock their beaver at me neither, as if they were made +of silver ore, and I of Dutch pewter. So if I keep your secret, Master +Tressilian, you may look sweet on me at least; and were I to want a +little backing or countenance, being caught, as you see the best of us +may be, in a sort of peccadillo--why, you owe it me--and so e'en make +your chamber serve you and that same bird in bower beside--it's all one +to Mike Lambourne." + +"Make way, sir," said Tressilian, unable to bridle his indignation, "you +have had your fee." + +"Um!" said Lambourne, giving place, however, while he sulkily muttered +between his teeth, repeating Tressilian's words, "Make way--and you +have had your fee; but it matters not, I will spoil no sport, as I said +before. I am no dog in the manger--mind that." + +He spoke louder and louder, as Tressilian, by whom he felt himself +overawed, got farther and farther out of hearing. + +"I am no dog in the manger; but I will not carry coals neither--mind +that, Master Tressilian; and I will have a peep at this wench whom +you have quartered so commodiously in your old haunted room--afraid of +ghosts, belike, and not too willing to sleep alone. If I had done this +now in a strange lord's castle, the word had been, The porter's lodge +for the knave! and, have him flogged--trundle him downstairs like a +turnip! Ay, but your virtuous gentlemen take strange privileges over +us, who are downright servants of our senses. Well--I have my Master +Tressilian's head under my belt by this lucky discovery, that is one +thing certain; and I will try to get a sight of this Lindabrides of his, +that is another." + + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + + Now fare thee well, my master--if true service + Be guerdon'd with hard looks, e'en cut the tow-line, + And let our barks across the pathless flood + Hold different courses--THE SHIPWRECK. + +Tressilian walked into the outer yard of the Castle scarce knowing what +to think of his late strange and most unexpected interview with Amy +Robsart, and dubious if he had done well, being entrusted with the +delegated authority of her father, to pass his word so solemnly to leave +her to her own guidance for so many hours. Yet how could he have denied +her request--dependent as she had too probably rendered herself upon +Varney? Such was his natural reasoning. The happiness of her future +life might depend upon his not driving her to extremities; and since no +authority of Tressilian's could extricate her from the power of Varney, +supposing he was to acknowledge Amy to be his wife, what title had he +to destroy the hope of domestic peace, which might yet remain to her, +by setting enmity betwixt them? Tressilian resolved, therefore, +scrupulously to observe his word pledged to Amy, both because it had +been given, and because, as he still thought, while he considered and +reconsidered that extraordinary interview, it could not with justice or +propriety have been refused. + +In one respect, he had gained much towards securing effectual protection +for this unhappy and still beloved object of his early affection. Amy +was no longer mewed up in a distant and solitary retreat under the +charge of persons of doubtful reputation. She was in the Castle of +Kenilworth, within the verge of the Royal Court for the time, free from +all risk of violence, and liable to be produced before Elizabeth on +the first summons. These were circumstances which could not but assist +greatly the efforts which he might have occasion to use in her behalf. + +While he was thus balancing the advantages and perils which attended her +unexpected presence in Kenilworth, Tressilian was hastily and anxiously +accosted by Wayland, who, after ejaculating, "Thank God, your worship is +found at last!" proceeded with breathless caution to pour into his ear +the intelligence that the lady had escaped from Cumnor Place. + +"And is at present in this Castle," said Tressilian. "I know it, and +I have seen her. Was it by her own choice she found refuge in my +apartment?" + +"No," answered Wayland; "but I could think of no other way of safely +bestowing her, and was but too happy to find a deputy-usher who knew +where you were quartered--in jolly society truly, the hall on the one +hand, and the kitchen on the other!" + +"Peace, this is no time for jesting," answered Tressilian sternly. + +"I wot that but too well," said the artist, "for I have felt these three +days as if I had a halter round my neck. This lady knows not her own +mind--she will have none of your aid--commands you not to be named to +her--and is about to put herself into the hands of my Lord Leicester. +I had never got her safe into your chamber, had she known the owner of +it." + +"Is it possible," said Tressilian. "But she may have hopes the Earl will +exert his influence in her favour over his villainous dependant." + +"I know nothing of that," said Wayland; "but I believe, if she is to +reconcile herself with either Leicester or Varney, the side of the +Castle of Kenilworth which will be safest for us will be the outside, +from which we can fastest fly away. It is not my purpose to abide an +instant after delivery of the letter to Leicester, which waits but your +commands to find its way to him. See, here it is--but no--a plague on +it--I must have left it in my dog-hole, in the hay-loft yonder, where I +am to sleep." + +"Death and fury!" said Tressilian, transported beyond his usual +patience; "thou hast not lost that on which may depend a stake more +important than a thousand such lives as thine?" + +"Lost it!" answered Wayland readily; "that were a jest indeed! No, sir, +I have it carefully put up with my night-sack, and some matters I have +occasion to use; I will fetch it in an instant." + +"Do so," said Tressilian; "be faithful, and thou shalt be well rewarded. +But if I have reason to suspect thee, a dead dog were in better case +than thou!" + +Wayland bowed, and took his leave with seeming confidence and alacrity, +but, in fact, filled with the utmost dread and confusion. The letter was +lost, that was certain, notwithstanding the apology which he had made to +appease the impatient displeasure of Tressilian. It was lost--it might +fall into wrong hands--it would then certainly occasion a discovery +of the whole intrigue in which he had been engaged; nor, indeed, did +Wayland see much prospect of its remaining concealed, in any event. He +felt much hurt, besides, at Tressilian's burst of impatience. + +"Nay, if I am to be paid in this coin for services where my neck is +concerned, it is time I should look to myself. Here have I offended, for +aught I know, to the death, the lord of this stately castle, whose word +were as powerful to take away my life as the breath which speaks it +to blow out a farthing candle. And all this for a mad lady, and a +melancholy gallant, who, on the loss of a four-nooked bit of paper, has +his hand on his poignado, and swears death and fury!--Then there is the +Doctor and Varney.--I will save myself from the whole mess of them. Life +is dearer than gold. I will fly this instant, though I leave my reward +behind me." + +These reflections naturally enough occurred to a mind like Wayland's, +who found himself engaged far deeper than he had expected in a train +of mysterious and unintelligible intrigues, in which the actors seemed +hardly to know their own course. And yet, to do him justice, his +personal fears were, in some degree, counterbalanced by his compassion +for the deserted state of the lady. + +"I care not a groat for Master Tressilian," he said; "I have done more +than bargain by him, and I have brought his errant-damosel within his +reach, so that he may look after her himself. But I fear the poor thing +is in much danger amongst these stormy spirits. I will to her chamber, +and tell her the fate which has befallen her letter, that she may write +another if she list. She cannot lack a messenger, I trow, where there +are so many lackeys that can carry a letter to their lord. And I will +tell her also that I leave the Castle, trusting her to God, her own +guidance, and Master Tressilian's care and looking after. Perhaps she +may remember the ring she offered me--it was well earned, I trow; but +she is a lovely creature, and--marry hang the ring! I will not bear +a base spirit for the matter. If I fare ill in this world for my +good-nature, I shall have better chance in the next. So now for the +lady, and then for the road." + +With the stealthy step and jealous eye of the cat that steals on her +prey, Wayland resumed the way to the Countess's chamber, sliding along +by the side of the courts and passages, alike observant of all around +him, and studious himself to escape observation. In this manner he +crossed the outward and inward Castle yard, and the great arched +passage, which, running betwixt the range of kitchen offices and the +hall, led to the bottom of the little winding-stair that gave access to +the chambers of Mervyn's Tower. + +The artist congratulated himself on having escaped the various perils of +his journey, and was in the act of ascending by two steps at once, when +he observed that the shadow of a man, thrown from a door which stood +ajar, darkened the opposite wall of the staircase. Wayland drew back +cautiously, went down to the inner courtyard, spent about a quarter of +an hour, which seemed at least quadruple its usual duration, in walking +from place to place, and then returned to the tower, in hopes to find +that the lurker had disappeared. He ascended as high as the suspicious +spot--there was no shadow on the wall; he ascended a few yards +farther--the door was still ajar, and he was doubtful whether to advance +or retreat, when it was suddenly thrown wide open, and Michael Lambourne +bolted out upon the astonished Wayland. "Who the devil art thou? and +what seekest thou in this part of the Castle? march into that chamber, +and be hanged to thee!" + +"I am no dog, to go at every man's whistle," said the artist, affecting +a confidence which was belied by a timid shake in his voice. + +"Sayest thou me so?--Come hither, Lawrence Staples." + +A huge, ill-made and ill-looked fellow, upwards of six feet high, +appeared at the door, and Lambourne proceeded: "If thou be'st so fond of +this tower, my friend, thou shalt see its foundations, good twelve feet +below the bed of the lake, and tenanted by certain jolly toads, snakes, +and so forth, which thou wilt find mighty good company. Therefore, once +more I ask you in fair play, who thou art, and what thou seekest here?" + +"If the dungeon-grate once clashes behind me," thought Wayland, "I am a +gone man." He therefore answered submissively, "He was the poor juggler +whom his honour had met yesterday in Weatherly Bottom." + +"And what juggling trick art thou playing in this tower? Thy gang," said +Lambourne, "lie over against Clinton's buildings." + +"I came here to see my sister," said the juggler, "who is in Master +Tressilian's chamber, just above." + +"Aha!" said Lambourne, smiling, "here be truths! Upon my honour, for a +stranger, this same Master Tressilian makes himself at home among us, +and furnishes out his cell handsomely, with all sorts of commodities. +This will be a precious tale of the sainted Master Tressilian, and will +be welcome to some folks, as a purse of broad pieces to me.--Hark ye, +fellow," he continued, addressing Wayland, "thou shalt not give Puss +a hint to steal away we must catch her in her form. So, back with that +pitiful sheep-biting visage of thine, or I will fling thee from the +window of the tower, and try if your juggling skill can save your +bones." + +"Your worship will not be so hardhearted, I trust," said Wayland; "poor +folk must live. I trust your honour will allow me to speak with my +sister?" + +"Sister on Adam's side, I warrant," said Lambourne; "or, if otherwise, +the more knave thou. But sister or no sister, thou diest on point of +fox, if thou comest a-prying to this tower once more. And now I think of +it--uds daggers and death!--I will see thee out of the Castle, for this +is a more main concern than thy jugglery." + +"But, please your worship," said Wayland, "I am to enact Arion in the +pageant upon the lake this very evening." + +"I will act it myself by Saint Christopher!" said Lambourne. "Orion, +callest thou him?--I will act Orion, his belt and his seven stars +to boot. Come along, for a rascal knave as thou art--follow me! Or +stay--Lawrence, do thou bring him along." + +Lawrence seized by the collar of the cloak the unresisting juggler; +while Lambourne, with hasty steps, led the way to that same sallyport, +or secret postern, by which Tressilian had returned to the Castle, and +which opened in the western wall at no great distance from Mervyn's +Tower. + +While traversing with a rapid foot the space betwixt the tower and the +sallyport, Wayland in vain racked his brain for some device which might +avail the poor lady, for whom, notwithstanding his own imminent danger, +he felt deep interest. But when he was thrust out of the Castle, and +informed by Lambourne, with a tremendous oath, that instant death would +be the consequence of his again approaching it, he cast up his hands +and eyes to heaven, as if to call God to witness he had stood to the +uttermost in defence of the oppressed; then turned his back on the proud +towers of Kenilworth, and went his way to seek a humbler and safer place +of refuge. + +Lawrence and Lambourne gazed a little while after Wayland, and then +turned to go back to their tower, when the former thus addressed his +companion: "Never credit me, Master Lambourne, if I can guess why thou +hast driven this poor caitiff from the Castle, just when he was to bear +a part in the show that was beginning, and all this about a wench." + +"Ah, Lawrence," replied Lambourne, "thou art thinking of Black Joan +Jugges of Slingdon, and hast sympathy with human frailty. But, corragio, +most noble Duke of the Dungeon and Lord of Limbo, for thou art as dark +in this matter as thine own dominions of Little-ease. My most reverend +Signior of the Low Countries of Kenilworth, know that our most notable +master, Richard Varney, would give as much to have a hole in this same +Tressilian's coat, as would make us some fifty midnight carousals, with +the full leave of bidding the steward go snick up, if he came to startle +us too soon from our goblets." + +"Nay, an that be the case, thou hast right," said Lawrence Staples, +the upper-warder, or, in common phrase, the first jailer, of Kenilworth +Castle, and of the Liberty and Honour belonging thereto. "But how +will you manage when you are absent at the Queen's entrance, Master +Lambourne; for methinks thou must attend thy master there?" + +"Why thou, mine honest prince of prisons, must keep ward in my absence. +Let Tressilian enter if he will, but see thou let no one come out. If +the damsel herself would make a break, as 'tis not unlike she may, scare +her back with rough words; she is but a paltry player's wench after +all." + +"Nay for that matter," said Lawrence, "I might shut the iron wicket upon +her that stands without the double door, and so force per force she will +be bound to her answer without more trouble." + +"Then Tressilian will not get access to her," said Lambourne, reflecting +a moment. "But 'tis no matter; she will be detected in his chamber, and +that is all one. But confess, thou old bat's-eyed dungeon-keeper, that +you fear to keep awake by yourself in that Mervyn's Tower of thine?" + +"Why, as to fear, Master Lambourne," said the fellow, "I mind it not the +turning of a key; but strange things have been heard and seen in that +tower. You must have heard, for as short time as you have been in +Kenilworth, that it is haunted by the spirit of Arthur ap Mervyn, a +wild chief taken by fierce Lord Mortimer when he was one of the Lords +Marchers of Wales, and murdered, as they say, in that same tower which +bears his name." + +"Oh, I have heard the tale five hundred times," said Lambourne, "and how +the ghost is always most vociferous when they boil leeks and stirabout, +or fry toasted cheese, in the culinary regions. Santo Diavolo, man, hold +thy tongue, I know all about it!" + +"Ay, but thou dost not, though," said the turnkey, "for as wise as thou +wouldst make thyself. Ah, it is an awful thing to murder a prisoner in +his ward!--you that may have given a man a stab in a dark street know +nothing of it. To give a mutinous fellow a knock on the head with the +keys, and bid him be quiet, that's what I call keeping order in the +ward; but to draw weapon and slay him, as was done to this Welsh lord, +THAT raises you a ghost that will render your prison-house untenantable +by any decent captive for some hundred years. And I have that regard +for my prisoners, poor things, that I have put good squires and men of +worship, that have taken a ride on the highway, or slandered my Lord of +Leicester, or the like, fifty feet under ground, rather than I would +put them into that upper chamber yonder that they call Mervyn's Bower. +Indeed, by good Saint Peter of the Fetters, I marvel my noble lord, or +Master Varney, could think of lodging guests there; and if this Master +Tressilian could get any one to keep him company, and in especial a +pretty wench, why, truly, I think he was in the right on't." + +"I tell thee," said Lambourne, leading the way into the turnkey's +apartment, "thou art an ass. Go bolt the wicket on the stair, and +trouble not thy noddle about ghosts. Give me the wine stoup, man; I am +somewhat heated with chafing with yonder rascal." + +While Lambourne drew a long draught from a pitcher of claret, which he +made use of without any cup, the warder went on, vindicating his own +belief in the supernatural. + +"Thou hast been few hours in this Castle, and hast been for the whole +space so drunk, Lambourne, that thou art deaf, dumb, and blind. But we +should hear less of your bragging were you to pass a night with us at +full moon; for then the ghost is busiest, and more especially when a +rattling wind sets in from the north-west, with some sprinkling of rain, +and now and then a growl of thunder. Body o' me, what crackings and +clashings, what groanings and what howlings, will there be at such times +in Mervyn's Bower, right as it were over our heads, till the matter of +two quarts of distilled waters has not been enough to keep my lads and +me in some heart!" + +"Pshaw, man!" replied Lambourne, on whom his last draught, joined to +repeated visitations of the pitcher upon former occasions, began to make +some innovation, "thou speakest thou knowest not what about spirits. No +one knows justly what to say about them; and, in short, least said may +in that matter be soonest amended. Some men believe in one thing, some +in another--it is all matter of fancy. I have known them of all sorts, +my dear Lawrence Lock-the-door, and sensible men too. There's a great +lord--we'll pass his name, Lawrence--he believes in the stars and the +moon, the planets and their courses, and so forth, and that they twinkle +exclusively for his benefit, when in sober, or rather in drunken truth, +Lawrence, they are only shining to keep honest fellows like me out +of the kennel. Well, sir, let his humour pass; he is great enough to +indulge it. Then, look ye, there is another--a very learned man, I +promise you, and can vent Greek and Hebrew as fast as I can Thieves' +Latin he has an humour of sympathies and antipathies--of changing lead +into gold, and the like; why, via, let that pass too, and let him pay +those in transmigrated coin who are fools enough to let it be current +with them. Then here comest thou thyself, another great man, though +neither learned nor noble, yet full six feet high, and thou, like a +purblind mole, must needs believe in ghosts and goblins, and such like. +Now, there is, besides, a great man--that is, a great little man, or a +little great man, my dear Lawrence--and his name begins with V, and what +believes he? Why, nothing, honest Lawrence--nothing in earth, heaven, or +hell; and for my part, if I believe there is a devil, it is only because +I think there must be some one to catch our aforesaid friend by the back +'when soul and body sever,' as the ballad says; for your antecedent will +have a consequent--RARO ANTECEDENTEM, as Doctor Bircham was wont to say. +But this is Greek to you now, honest Lawrence, and in sooth learning is +dry work. Hand me the pitcher once more." + +"In faith, if you drink more, Michael," said the warder, "you will be +in sorry case either to play Arion or to wait on your master on such a +solemn night; and I expect each moment to hear the great bell toll for +the muster at Mortimer's Tower, to receive the Queen." + +While Staples remonstrated, Lambourne drank; and then setting down the +pitcher, which was nearly emptied, with a deep sigh, he said, in an +undertone, which soon rose to a high one as his speech proceeded, "Never +mind, Lawrence; if I be drunk, I know that shall make Varney uphold +me sober. But, as I said, never mind; I can carry my drink discreetly. +Moreover, I am to go on the water as Orion, and shall take cold unless +I take something comfortable beforehand. Not play Orion? Let us see the +best roarer that ever strained his lungs for twelve pence out-mouth +me! What if they see me a little disguised? Wherefore should any man be +sober to-night? answer me that. It is matter of loyalty to be merry; +and I tell thee there are those in the Castle who, if they are not merry +when drunk, have little chance to be merry when sober--I name no names, +Lawrence. But your pottle of sack is a fine shoeing-horn to pull on a +loyal humour, and a merry one. Huzza for Queen Elizabeth!--for the +noble Leicester!--for the worshipful Master Varney!--and for Michael +Lambourne, that can turn them all round his finger!" + +So saying, he walked downstairs, and across the inner court. + +The warder looked after him, shook his head, and while he drew close and +locked a wicket, which, crossing the staircase, rendered it impossible +for any one to ascend higher than the story immediately beneath Mervyn's +Bower, as Tressilian's chamber was named, he thus soliloquized with +himself--"It's a good thing to be a favourite. I well-nigh lost mine +office, because one frosty morning Master Varney thought I smelled of +aqua vitae; and this fellow can appear before him drunk as a wineskin, +and yet meet no rebuke. But then he is a pestilent clever fellow withal, +and no one can understand above one half of what he says." + + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + + + Now bid the steeple rock--she comes, she comes!-- + Speak for us, bells--speak for us, shrill-tongued tuckets. + Stand to thy linstock, gunner; let thy cannon + Play such a peal, as if a paynim foe + Came stretch'd in turban'd ranks to storm the ramparts. + We will have pageants too--but that craves wit, + And I'm a rough-hewn soldier.--THE VIRGIN QUEEN--A TRAGI-COMEDY. + +Tressilian, when Wayland had left him, as mentioned in the last chapter, +remained uncertain what he ought next to do, when Raleigh and Blount +came up to him arm in arm, yet, according to their wont, very eagerly +disputing together. Tressilian had no great desire for their society +in the present state of his feelings, but there was no possibility of +avoiding them; and indeed he felt that, bound by his promise not to +approach Amy, or take any step in her behalf, it would be his best +course at once to mix with general society, and to exhibit on his brow +as little as he could of the anguish and uncertainty which sat heavy +at his heart. He therefore made a virtue of necessity, and hailed his +comrades with, "All mirth to you, gentlemen! Whence come ye?" + +"From Warwick, to be sure," said Blount; "we must needs home to change +our habits, like poor players, who are fain to multiply their persons to +outward appearance by change of suits; and you had better do the like, +Tressilian." + +"Blount is right," said Raleigh; "the Queen loves such marks of +deference, and notices, as wanting in respect, those who, not arriving +in her immediate attendance, may appear in their soiled and ruffled +riding-dress. But look at Blount himself, Tressilian, for the love of +laughter, and see how his villainous tailor hath apparelled him--in +blue, green, and crimson, with carnation ribbons, and yellow roses in +his shoes!" + +"Why, what wouldst thou have?" said Blount. "I told the cross-legged +thief to do his best, and spare no cost; and methinks these things are +gay enough--gayer than thine own. I'll be judged by Tressilian." + +"I agree--I agree," said Walter Raleigh. "Judge betwixt us, Tressilian, +for the love of heaven!" + +Tressilian, thus appealed to, looked at them both, and was immediately +sensible at a single glance that honest Blount had taken upon the +tailor's warrant the pied garments which he had chosen to make, and +was as much embarrassed by the quantity of points and ribbons which +garnished his dress, as a clown is in his holiday clothes; while the +dress of Raleigh was a well-fancied and rich suit, which the wearer bore +as a garb too well adapted to his elegant person to attract particular +attention. Tressilian said, therefore, "That Blount's dress was finest, +but Raleigh's the best fancied." + +Blount was satisfied with his decision. "I knew mine was finest," he +said; "if that knave Doublestitch had brought me home such a simple +doublet as that of Raleigh's, I would have beat his brains out with his +own pressing-iron. Nay, if we must be fools, ever let us be fools of the +first head, say I." + +"But why gettest thou not on thy braveries, Tressilian?" said Raleigh. + +"I am excluded from my apartment by a silly mistake," said Tressilian, +"and separated for the time from my baggage. I was about to seek thee, +to beseech a share of thy lodging." + +"And welcome," said Raleigh; "it is a noble one. My Lord of Leicester +has done us that kindness, and lodged us in princely fashion. If his +courtesy be extorted reluctantly, it is at least extended far. I would +advise you to tell your strait to the Earl's chamberlain--you will have +instant redress." + +"Nay, it is not worth while, since you can spare me room," replied +Tressilian--"I would not be troublesome. Has any one come hither with +you?" + +"Oh, ay," said Blount; "Varney and a whole tribe of Leicestrians, +besides about a score of us honest Sussex folk. We are all, it seems, to +receive the Queen at what they call the Gallery-tower, and witness some +fooleries there; and then we're to remain in attendance upon the Queen +in the Great Hall--God bless the mark!--while those who are now waiting +upon her Grace get rid of their slough, and doff their riding-suits. +Heaven help me, if her Grace should speak to me, I shall never know what +to answer!" + +"And what has detained them so long at Warwick?" said Tressilian, +unwilling that their conversation should return to his own affairs. + +"Such a succession of fooleries," said Blount, "as were never seen at +Bartholomew-fair. We have had speeches and players, and dogs and bears, +and men making monkeys and women moppets of themselves--I marvel the +Queen could endure it. But ever and anon came in something of 'the +lovely light of her gracious countenance,' or some such trash. Ah! +vanity makes a fool of the wisest. But come, let us on to this same +Gallery-tower--though I see not what thou Tressilian, canst do with thy +riding-dress and boots." + +"I will take my station behind thee, Blount," said Tressilian, who +saw that his friend's unusual finery had taken a strong hold of his +imagination; "thy goodly size and gay dress will cover my defects." + +"And so thou shalt, Edmund," said Blount. "In faith I am glad thou +thinkest my garb well-fancied, for all Mr. Wittypate here; for when one +does a foolish thing, it is right to do it handsomely." + +So saying, Blount cocked his beaver, threw out his leg, and marched +manfully forward, as if at the head of his brigade of pikemen, ever and +anon looking with complaisance on his crimson stockings, and the huge +yellow roses which blossomed on his shoes. Tressilian followed, wrapt +in his own sad thoughts, and scarce minding Raleigh, whose quick fancy, +amused by the awkward vanity of his respectable friend, vented itself in +jests, which he whispered into Tressilian's ear. + +In this manner they crossed the long bridge, or tilt-yard, and took +their station, with other gentlemen of quality, before the outer gate +of the Gallery, or Entrance-tower. The whole amounted to about forty +persons, all selected as of the first rank under that of knighthood, and +were disposed in double rows on either side of the gate, like a guard of +honour, within the close hedge of pikes and partisans which was formed +by Leicester's retainers, wearing his liveries. The gentlemen carried no +arms save their swords and daggers. These gallants were as gaily dressed +as imagination could devise; and as the garb of the time permitted +a great display of expensive magnificence, nought was to be seen but +velvet and cloth of gold and silver, ribbons, leathers, gems, and golden +chains. In spite of his more serious subjects of distress, Tressilian +could not help feeling that he, with his riding-suit, however handsome +it might be, made rather an unworthy figure among these "fierce +vanities," and the rather because he saw that his deshabille was +the subject of wonder among his own friends, and of scorn among the +partisans of Leicester. + +We could not suppress this fact, though it may seem something at +variance with the gravity of Tressilian's character; but the truth is, +that a regard for personal appearance is a species of self-love, +from which the wisest are not exempt, and to which the mind clings so +instinctively that not only the soldier advancing to almost inevitable +death, but even the doomed criminal who goes to certain execution, shows +an anxiety to array his person to the best advantage. But this is a +digression. + +It was the twilight of a summer night (9th July, 1575), the sun having +for some time set, and all were in anxious expectation of the Queen's +immediate approach. The multitude had remained assembled for many +hours, and their numbers were still rather on the increase. A profuse +distribution of refreshments, together with roasted oxen, and barrels of +ale set a-broach in different places of the road, had kept the populace +in perfect love and loyalty towards the Queen and her favourite, which +might have somewhat abated had fasting been added to watching. They +passed away the time, therefore, with the usual popular amusements of +whooping, hallooing, shrieking, and playing rude tricks upon each other, +forming the chorus of discordant sounds usual on such occasions. These +prevailed all through the crowded roads and fields, and especially +beyond the gate of the Chase, where the greater number of the common +sort were stationed; when, all of a sudden, a single rocket was seen to +shoot into the atmosphere, and, at the instant, far heard over flood and +field, the great bell of the Castle tolled. + +Immediately there was a pause of dead silence, succeeded by a deep hum +of expectation, the united voice of many thousands, none of whom spoke +above their breath--or, to use a singular expression, the whisper of an +immense multitude. + +"They come now, for certain," said Raleigh. "Tressilian, that sound is +grand. We hear it from this distance as mariners, after a long voyage, +hear, upon their night-watch, the tide rush upon some distant and +unknown shore." + +"Mass!" answered Blount, "I hear it rather as I used to hear mine own +kine lowing from the close of Wittenswestlowe." + +"He will assuredly graze presently," said Raleigh to Tressilian; "his +thought is all of fat oxen and fertile meadows. He grows little better +than one of his own beeves, and only becomes grand when he is provoked +to pushing and goring." + +"We shall have him at that presently," said Tressilian, "if you spare +not your wit." + +"Tush, I care not," answered Raleigh; "but thou too, Tressilian, hast +turned a kind of owl, that flies only by night--hast exchanged thy songs +for screechings, and good company for an ivy-tod." + +"But what manner of animal art thou thyself, Raleigh," said Tressilian, +"that thou holdest us all so lightly?" + +"Who--I?" replied Raleigh. "An eagle am I, that never will think of dull +earth while there is a heaven to soar in, and a sun to gaze upon." + +"Well bragged, by Saint Barnaby!" said Blount; "but, good Master Eagle, +beware the cage, and beware the fowler. Many birds have flown as high +that I have seen stuffed with straw and hung up to scare kites.--But +hark, what a dead silence hath fallen on them at once!" + +"The procession pauses," said Raleigh, "at the gate of the Chase, where +a sibyl, one of the FATIDICAE, meets the Queen, to tell her fortune. I +saw the verses; there is little savour in them, and her Grace has been +already crammed full with such poetical compliments. She whispered to +me, during the Recorder's speech yonder, at Ford-mill, as she entered +the liberties of Warwick, how she was 'PERTAESA BARBARAE LOQUELAE.'" + +"The Queen whispered to HIM!" said Blount, in a kind of soliloquy; "Good +God, to what will this world come!" + +His further meditations were interrupted by a shout of applause from the +multitude, so tremendously vociferous that the country echoed for miles +round. The guards, thickly stationed upon the road by which the Queen +was to advance, caught up the acclamation, which ran like wildfire to +the Castle, and announced to all within that Queen Elizabeth had entered +the Royal Chase of Kenilworth. The whole music of the Castle sounded +at once, and a round of artillery, with a salvo of small arms, was +discharged from the battlements; but the noise of drums and trumpets, +and even of the cannon themselves, was but faintly heard amidst the +roaring and reiterated welcomes of the multitude. + +As the noise began to abate, a broad glare of light was seen to appear +from the gate of the Park, and broadening and brightening as it came +nearer, advanced along the open and fair avenue that led towards the +Gallery-tower; and which, as we have already noticed, was lined on +either hand by the retainers of the Earl of Leicester. The word was +passed along the line, "The Queen! The Queen! Silence, and stand fast!" +Onward came the cavalcade, illuminated by two hundred thick waxen +torches, in the hands of as many horsemen, which cast a light like that +of broad day all around the procession, but especially on the principal +group, of which the Queen herself, arrayed in the most splendid manner, +and blazing with jewels, formed the central figure. She was mounted on a +milk-white horse, which she reined with peculiar grace and dignity; and +in the whole of her stately and noble carriage you saw the daughter of +an hundred kings. + +The ladies of the court, who rode beside her Majesty, had taken especial +care that their own external appearance should not be more glorious than +their rank and the occasion altogether demanded, so that no inferior +luminary might appear to approach the orbit of royalty. But their +personal charms, and the magnificence by which, under every prudential +restraint, they were necessarily distinguished, exhibited them as +the very flower of a realm so far famed for splendour and beauty. The +magnificence of the courtiers, free from such restraints as prudence +imposed on the ladies, was yet more unbounded. + +Leicester, who glittered like a golden image with jewels and cloth of +gold, rode on her Majesty's right hand, as well in quality of her host +as of her master of the horse. The black steed which he mounted had +not a single white hair on his body, and was one of the most renowned +chargers in Europe, having been purchased by the Earl at large expense +for this royal occasion. As the noble animal chafed at the slow pace +of the procession, and, arching his stately neck, champed on the silver +bits which restrained him, the foam flew from his mouth, and speckled +his well-formed limbs as if with spots of snow. The rider well became +the high place which he held, and the proud steed which he bestrode; for +no man in England, or perhaps in Europe, was more perfect than Dudley in +horsemanship, and all other exercises belonging to his quality. He +was bareheaded as were all the courtiers in the train; and the red +torchlight shone upon his long, curled tresses of dark hair, and on his +noble features, to the beauty of which even the severest criticism +could only object the lordly fault, as it may be termed, of a forehead +somewhat too high. On that proud evening those features wore all the +grateful solicitude of a subject, to show himself sensible of the high +honour which the Queen was conferring on him, and all the pride and +satisfaction which became so glorious a moment. Yet, though neither eye +nor feature betrayed aught but feelings which suited the occasion, some +of the Earl's personal attendants remarked that he was unusually pale, +and they expressed to each other their fear that he was taking more +fatigue than consisted with his health. + +Varney followed close behind his master, as the principal esquire in +waiting, and had charge of his lordship's black velvet bonnet, garnished +with a clasp of diamonds and surmounted by a white plume. He kept his +eye constantly on his master, and, for reasons with which the reader is +not unacquainted, was, among Leicester's numerous dependants, the one +who was most anxious that his lord's strength and resolution should +carry him successfully through a day so agitating. For although Varney +was one of the few, the very few moral monsters who contrive to lull +to sleep the remorse of their own bosoms, and are drugged into moral +insensibility by atheism, as men in extreme agony are lulled by opium, +yet he knew that in the breast of his patron there was already awakened +the fire that is never quenched, and that his lord felt, amid all the +pomp and magnificence we have described, the gnawing of the worm that +dieth not. Still, however, assured as Lord Leicester stood, by Varney's +own intelligence, that his Countess laboured under an indisposition +which formed an unanswerable apology to the Queen for her not appearing +at Kenilworth, there was little danger, his wily retainer thought, that +a man so ambitious would betray himself by giving way to any external +weakness. + +The train, male and female, who attended immediately upon the Queen's +person, were, of course, of the bravest and the fairest--the highest +born nobles, and the wisest counsellors, of that distinguished reign, +to repeat whose names were but to weary the reader. Behind came a +long crowd of knights and gentlemen, whose rank and birth, however +distinguished, were thrown into shade, as their persons into the rear of +a procession whose front was of such august majesty. + +Thus marshalled, the cavalcade approached the Gallery-tower, which +formed, as we have often observed, the extreme barrier of the Castle. + +It was now the part of the huge porter to step forward; but the lubbard +was so overwhelmed with confusion of spirit--the contents of one immense +black jack of double ale, which he had just drunk to quicken his memory, +having treacherously confused the brain it was intended to clear--that +he only groaned piteously, and remained sitting on his stone seat; and +the Queen would have passed on without greeting, had not the gigantic +warder's secret ally, Flibbertigibbet, who lay perdue behind him, thrust +a pin into the rear of the short femoral garment which we elsewhere +described. + +The porter uttered a sort of yell, which came not amiss into his part, +started up with his club, and dealt a sound douse or two on each side +of him; and then, like a coach-horse pricked by the spur, started off +at once into the full career of his address, and by dint of active +prompting on the part of Dickie Sludge, delivered, in sounds of gigantic +intonation, a speech which may be thus abridged--the reader being to +suppose that the first lines were addressed to the throng who approached +the gateway; the conclusion, at the approach of the Queen, upon sight of +whom, as struck by some heavenly vision, the gigantic warder dropped his +club, resigned his keys, and gave open way to the Goddess of the night, +and all her magnificent train. + + + "What stir, what turmoil, have we for the nones? + Stand back, my masters, or beware your bones! + Sirs, I'm a warder, and no man of straw, + My voice keeps order, and my club gives law. + + Yet soft--nay, stay--what vision have we here? + What dainty darling's this--what peerless peer? + What loveliest face, that loving ranks unfold, + Like brightest diamond chased in purest gold? + Dazzled and blind, mine office I forsake, + My club, my key, my knee, my homage take. + Bright paragon, pass on in joy and bliss;-- + Beshrew the gate that opes not wide at such a sight as this!" + + [This is an imitation of Gascoigne's verses spoken by the + Herculean porter, as mentioned in the text. The original may be + found in the republication of the Princely Pleasures of + Kenilworth, by the same author, in the History of Kenilworth + already quoted. Chiswick, 1821.] + +Elizabeth received most graciously the homage of the Herculean porter, +and, bending her head to him in requital, passed through his guarded +tower, from the top of which was poured a clamorous blast of warlike +music, which was replied to by other bands of minstrelsy placed at +different points on the Castle walls, and by others again stationed +in the Chase; while the tones of the one, as they yet vibrated on +the echoes, were caught up and answered by new harmony from different +quarters. + +Amidst these bursts of music, which, as if the work of enchantment, +seemed now close at hand, now softened by distant space, now wailing so +low and sweet as if that distance were gradually prolonged until only +the last lingering strains could reach the ear, Queen Elizabeth crossed +the Gallery-tower, and came upon the long bridge, which extended from +thence to Mortimer's Tower, and which was already as light as day, so +many torches had been fastened to the palisades on either side. Most +of the nobles here alighted, and sent their horses to the neighbouring +village of Kenilworth, following the Queen on foot, as did the gentlemen +who had stood in array to receive her at the Gallery-tower. + +On this occasion, as at different times during the evening, Raleigh +addressed himself to Tressilian, and was not a little surprised at +his vague and unsatisfactory answers; which, joined to his leaving his +apartment without any assigned reason, appearing in an undress when +it was likely to be offensive to the Queen, and some other symptoms of +irregularity which he thought he discovered, led him to doubt whether +his friend did not labour under some temporary derangement. + +Meanwhile, the Queen had no sooner stepped on the bridge than a new +spectacle was provided; for as soon as the music gave signal that she +was so far advanced, a raft, so disposed as to resemble a small floating +island, illuminated by a great variety of torches, and surrounded by +floating pageants formed to represent sea-horses, on which sat Tritons, +Nereids, and other fabulous deities of the seas and rivers, made its +appearance upon the lake, and issuing from behind a small heronry where +it had been concealed, floated gently towards the farther end of the +bridge. + +On the islet appeared a beautiful woman, clad in a watchet-coloured +silken mantle, bound with a broad girdle inscribed with characters like +the phylacteries of the Hebrews. Her feet and arms were bare, but her +wrists and ankles were adorned with gold bracelets of uncommon size. +Amidst her long, silky black hair she wore a crown or chaplet of +artificial mistletoe, and bore in her hand a rod of ebony tipped with +silver. Two Nymphs attended on her, dressed in the same antique and +mystical guise. + +The pageant was so well managed that this Lady of the Floating Island, +having performed her voyage with much picturesque effect, landed at +Mortimer's Tower with her two attendants just as Elizabeth presented +herself before that outwork. The stranger then, in a well-penned speech, +announced herself as that famous Lady of the Lake renowned in the +stories of King Arthur, who had nursed the youth of the redoubted Sir +Lancelot, and whose beauty 'had proved too powerful both for the wisdom +and the spells of the mighty Merlin. Since that early period she had +remained possessed of her crystal dominions, she said, despite the +various men of fame and might by whom Kenilworth had been successively +tenanted. 'The Saxons, the Danes, the Normans, the Saintlowes, the +Clintons, the Montforts, the Mortimers, the Plantagenets, great though +they were in arms and magnificence, had never, she said, caused her +to raise her head from the waters which hid her crystal palace. But a +greater than all these great names had now appeared, and she came in +homage and duty to welcome the peerless Elizabeth to all sport which the +Castle and its environs, which lake or land, could afford. + +The Queen received this address also with great courtesy, and made +answer in raillery, "We thought this lake had belonged to our own +dominions, fair dame; but since so famed a lady claims it for hers, +we will be glad at some other time to have further communing with you +touching our joint interests." + +With this gracious answer the Lady of the Lake vanished, and Arion, +who was amongst the maritime deities, appeared upon his dolphin. But +Lambourne, who had taken upon him the part in the absence of Wayland, +being chilled with remaining immersed in an element to which he was not +friendly, having never got his speech by heart, and not having, like the +porter, the advantage of a prompter, paid it off with impudence, tearing +off his vizard, and swearing, "Cogs bones! he was none of Arion or Orion +either, but honest Mike Lambourne, that had been drinking her Majesty's +health from morning till midnight, and was come to bid her heartily +welcome to Kenilworth Castle." + +This unpremeditated buffoonery answered the purpose probably better than +the set speech would have done. The Queen laughed heartily, and swore +(in her turn) that he had made the best speech she had heard that day. +Lambourne, who instantly saw his jest had saved his bones, jumped on +shore, gave his dolphin a kick, and declared he would never meddle with +fish again, except at dinner. + +At the same time that the Queen was about to enter the Castle, that +memorable discharge of fireworks by water and land took place, which +Master Laneham, formerly introduced to the reader, has strained all his +eloquence to describe. + +"Such," says the Clerk of the Council-chamber door "was the blaze of +burning darts, the gleams of stars coruscant, the streams and hail of +fiery sparks, lightnings of wildfire, and flight-shot of thunderbolts, +with continuance, terror, and vehemency, that the heavens thundered, the +waters surged, and the earth shook; and for my part, hardy as I am, it +made me very vengeably afraid." + +[See Laneham's Account of the Queen's Entertainment at Killingworth +Castle, in 1575, a very diverting tract, written by as great a coxcomb +as ever blotted paper. [See Note 6] The original is extremely rare, +but it has been twice reprinted; once in Mr. Nichols's very curious and +interesting collection of the Progresses and Public Processions of +Queen Elizabeth, vol.i. and more lately in a beautiful antiquarian +publication, termed KENILWORTH ILLUSTRATED, printed at Chiswick, for +Meridew of Coventry and Radcliffe of Birmingham. It contains reprints +of Laneham's Letter, Gascoigne's Princely Progress, and other scarce +pieces, annotated with accuracy and ability. The author takes the +liberty to refer to this work as his authority for the account of the +festivities. + +I am indebted for a curious ground-plan of the Castle of Kenilworth, +as it existed in Queen Elizabeth's time, to the voluntary kindness of +Richard Badnall Esq. of Olivebank, near Liverpool. From his obliging +communication, I learn that the original sketch was found among the +manuscripts of the celebrated J. J. Rousseau, when he left England. +These were entrusted by the philosopher to the care of his friend +Mr. Davenport, and passed from his legatee into the possession of Mr. +Badnall.] + + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + + + Nay, this is matter for the month of March, + When hares are maddest. Either speak in reason, + Giving cold argument the wall of passion, + Or I break up the court. --BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER. + +It is by no means our purpose to detail minutely all the princely +festivities of Kenilworth, after the fashion of Master Robert Laneham, +whom we quoted in the conclusion of the last chapter. It is sufficient +to say that under discharge of the splendid fireworks, which we +have borrowed Laneham's eloquence to describe, the Queen entered the +base-court of Kenilworth, through Mortimer's Tower, and moving on +through pageants of heathen gods and heroes of antiquity, who offered +gifts and compliments on the bended knee, at length found her way to +the Great Hall of the Castle, gorgeously hung for her reception with the +richest silken tapestry, misty with perfumes, and sounding to strains +of soft and delicious music. From the highly-carved oaken roof hung +a superb chandelier of gilt bronze, formed like a spread eagle, whose +outstretched wings supported three male and three female figures, +grasping a pair of branches in each hand. The Hall was thus illuminated +by twenty-four torches of wax. At the upper end of the splendid +apartment was a state canopy, overshadowing a royal throne, and beside +it was a door, which opened to a long suite of apartments, decorated +with the utmost magnificence for the Queen and her ladies, whenever it +should be her pleasure to be private. + +The Earl of Leicester having handed the Queen up to her throne, and +seated her there, knelt down before her, and kissing the hand which she +held out, with an air in which romantic and respectful gallantry was +happily mingled with the air of loyal devotion, he thanked her, in terms +of the deepest gratitude, for the highest honour which a sovereign could +render to a subject. So handsome did he look when kneeling before her, +that Elizabeth was tempted to prolong the scene a little longer than +there was, strictly speaking, necessity for; and ere she raised him, +she passed her hand over his head, so near as almost to touch his long, +curled, and perfumed hair, and with a movement of fondness that seemed +to intimate she would, if she dared, have made the motion a slight +caress. + +[To justify what may be considered as a high-coloured picture, the +author quotes the original of the courtly and shrewd Sir James Melville, +being then Queen Mary's envoy at the court of London. + +"I was required," says Sir James, "to stay till I had seen him made +Earle of Leicester, and Baron of Denbigh, with great solemnity; herself +(Elizabeth) helping to put on his ceremonial, he sitting on his knees +before her, keeping a great gravity and a discreet behaviour; but she +could not refrain from putting her hand to his neck to kittle (i.e., +tickle) him, smilingly, the French Ambassador and I standing beside +her."--MELVILLE'S MEMOIRS, BANNATYNE EDITION, p. 120.] + +She at length raised him, and standing beside the throne, he explained +to her the various preparations which had been made for her amusement +and accommodation, all of which received her prompt and gracious +approbation. The Earl then prayed her Majesty for permission that he +himself, and the nobles who had been in attendance upon her during the +journey, might retire for a few minutes, and put themselves into a guise +more fitting for dutiful attendance, during which space those gentlemen +of worship (pointing to Varney, Blount, Tressilian, and others), who +had already put themselves into fresh attire, would have the honour of +keeping her presence-chamber. + +"Be it so, my lord," answered the Queen; "you could manage a theatre +well, who can thus command a double set of actors. For ourselves, we +will receive your courtesies this evening but clownishly, since it is +not our purpose to change our riding attire, being in effect something +fatigued with a journey which the concourse of our good people hath +rendered slow, though the love they have shown our person hath, at the +same time, made it delightful." + +Leicester, having received this permission, retired accordingly, and +was followed by those nobles who had attended the Queen to Kenilworth +in person. The gentlemen who had preceded them, and were, of course, +dressed for the solemnity, remained in attendance. But being most of +them of rather inferior rank, they remained at an awful distance +from the throne which Elizabeth occupied. The Queen's sharp eye soon +distinguished Raleigh amongst them, with one or two others who were +personally known to her, and she instantly made them a sign to approach, +and accosted them very graciously. Raleigh, in particular, the adventure +of whose cloak, as well as the incident of the verses, remained on +her mind, was very graciously received; and to him she most frequently +applied for information concerning the names and rank of those who +were in presence. These he communicated concisely, and not without some +traits of humorous satire, by which Elizabeth seemed much amused. "And +who is yonder clownish fellow?" she said, looking at Tressilian, whose +soiled dress on this occasion greatly obscured his good mien. + +"A poet, if it please your Grace," replied Raleigh. + +"I might have guessed that from his careless garb," said Elizabeth. +"I have known some poets so thoughtless as to throw their cloaks into +gutters." + +"It must have been when the sun dazzled both their eyes and their +judgment," answered Raleigh. + +Elizabeth smiled, and proceeded, "I asked that slovenly fellow's name, +and you only told me his profession." + +"Tressilian is his name," said Raleigh, with internal reluctance, for +he foresaw nothing favourable to his friend from the manner in which she +took notice of him. + +"Tressilian!" answered Elizabeth. "Oh, the Menelaus of our romance. Why, +he has dressed himself in a guise that will go far to exculpate his fair +and false Helen. And where is Farnham, or whatever his name is--my Lord +of Leicester's man, I mean--the Paris of this Devonshire tale?" + +With still greater reluctance Raleigh named and pointed out to her +Varney, for whom the tailor had done all that art could perform in +making his exterior agreeable; and who, if he had not grace, had a sort +of tact and habitual knowledge of breeding, which came in place of it. + +The Queen turned her eyes from the one to the other. "I doubt," she +said, "this same poetical Master Tressilian, who is too learned, I +warrant me, to remember whose presence he was to appear in, may be one +of those of whom Geoffrey Chaucer says wittily, the wisest clerks are +not the wisest men. I remember that Varney is a smooth-tongued varlet. I +doubt this fair runaway hath had reasons for breaking her faith." + +To this Raleigh durst make no answer, aware how little he should benefit +Tressilian by contradicting the Queen's sentiments, and not at all +certain, on the whole, whether the best thing that could befall him +would not be that she should put an end at once by her authority to this +affair, upon which it seemed to him Tressilian's thoughts were fixed +with unavailing and distressing pertinacity. As these reflections +passed through his active brain, the lower door of the hall opened, and +Leicester, accompanied by several of his kinsmen, and of the nobles who +had embraced his faction, re-entered the Castle Hall. + +The favourite Earl was now apparelled all in white, his shoes being of +white velvet; his under-stocks (or stockings) of knit silk; his upper +stocks of white velvet, lined with cloth of silver, which was shown at +the slashed part of the middle thigh; his doublet of cloth of +silver, the close jerkin of white velvet, embroidered with silver and +seed-pearl, his girdle and the scabbard of his sword of white velvet +with golden buckles; his poniard and sword hilted and mounted with gold; +and over all a rich, loose robe of white satin, with a border of golden +embroidery a foot in breadth. The collar of the Garter, and the azure +garter itself around his knee, completed the appointments of the Earl +of Leicester; which were so well matched by his fair stature, graceful +gesture, fine proportion of body, and handsome countenance, that at that +moment he was admitted by all who saw him as the goodliest person whom +they had ever looked upon. Sussex and the other nobles were also richly +attired, but in point of splendour and gracefulness of mien Leicester +far exceeded them all. + +Elizabeth received him with great complacency. "We have one piece of +royal justice," she said, "to attend to. It is a piece of justice, too, +which interests us as a woman, as well as in the character of mother and +guardian of the English people." + +An involuntary shudder came over Leicester as he bowed low, expressive +of his readiness to receive her royal commands; and a similar cold fit +came over Varney, whose eyes (seldom during that evening removed from +his patron) instantly perceived from the change in his looks, slight as +that was, of what the Queen was speaking. But Leicester had wrought +his resolution up to the point which, in his crooked policy, he judged +necessary; and when Elizabeth added, "it is of the matter of Varney +and Tressilian we speak--is the lady here, my lord?" his answer was +ready--"Gracious madam, she is not." + +Elizabeth bent her brews and compressed her lips. "Our orders were +strict and positive, my lord," was her answer-- + +"And should have been obeyed, good my liege," replied Leicester, "had +they been expressed in the form of the lightest wish. But--Varney, step +forward--this gentleman will inform your Grace of the cause why the +lady" (he could not force his rebellious tongue to utter the words--HIS +WIFE) "cannot attend on your royal presence." + +Varney advanced, and pleaded with readiness, what indeed he firmly +believed, the absolute incapacity of the party (for neither did he dare, +in Leicester's presence, term her his wife) to wait on her Grace. + +"Here," said he, "are attestations from a most learned physician, whose +skill and honour are well known to my good Lord of Leicester, and from +an honest and devout Protestant, a man of credit and substance, one +Anthony Foster, the gentleman in whose house she is at present bestowed, +that she now labours under an illness which altogether unfits her for +such a journey as betwixt this Castle and the neighbourhood of Oxford." + +"This alters the matter," said the Queen, taking the certificates in +her hand, and glancing at their contents.--"Let Tressilian come +forward.--Master Tressilian, we have much sympathy for your situation, +the rather that you seem to have set your heart deeply on this Amy +Robsart, or Varney. Our power, thanks to God, and the willing obedience +of a loving people, is worth much, but there are some things which it +cannot compass. We cannot, for example, command the affections of a +giddy young girl, or make her love sense and learning better than a +courtier's fine doublet; and we cannot control sickness, with which it +seems this lady is afflicted, who may not, by reason of such infirmity, +attend our court here, as we had required her to do. Here are the +testimonials of the physician who hath her under his charge, and the +gentleman in whose house she resides, so setting forth." + +"Under your Majesty's favour," said Tressilian hastily, and in his alarm +for the consequence of the imposition practised on the Queen forgetting +in part at least his own promise to Amy, "these certificates speak not +the truth." + +"How, sir!" said the Queen--"impeach my Lord of Leicester's veracity! +But you shall have a fair hearing. In our presence the meanest of +our subjects shall be heard against the proudest, and the least known +against the most favoured; therefore you shall be heard fairly, but +beware you speak not without a warrant! Take these certificates in your +own hand, look at them carefully, and say manfully if you impugn the +truth of them, and upon what evidence." + +As the Queen spoke, his promise and all its consequences rushed on the +mind of the unfortunate Tressilian, and while it controlled his natural +inclination to pronounce that a falsehood which he knew from the +evidence of his senses to be untrue, gave an indecision and irresolution +to his appearance and utterance which made strongly against him in +the mind of Elizabeth, as well as of all who beheld him. He turned +the papers over and over, as if he had been an idiot, incapable of +comprehending their contents. The Queen's impatience began to become +visible. "You are a scholar, sir," she said, "and of some note, as I +have heard; yet you seem wondrous slow in reading text hand. How say +you, are these certificates true or no?" + +"Madam," said Tressilian, with obvious embarrassment and hesitation, +anxious to avoid admitting evidence which he might afterwards have +reason to confute, yet equally desirous to keep his word to Amy, and to +give her, as he had promised, space to plead her own cause in her own +way--"Madam--Madam, your Grace calls on me to admit evidence which ought +to be proved valid by those who found their defence upon them." + +"Why, Tressilian, thou art critical as well as poetical," said the +Queen, bending on him a brow of displeasure; "methinks these writings, +being produced in the presence of the noble Earl to whom this Castle +pertains, and his honour being appealed to as the guarantee of their +authenticity, might be evidence enough for thee. But since thou listest +to be so formal--Varney, or rather my Lord of Leicester, for the affair +becomes yours" (these words, though spoken at random, thrilled through +the Earl's marrow and bones), "what evidence have you as touching these +certificates?" + +Varney hastened to reply, preventing Leicester--"So please your Majesty, +my young Lord of Oxford, who is here in presence, knows Master Anthony +Foster's hand and his character." + +The Earl of Oxford, a young unthrift, whom Foster had more than once +accommodated with loans on usurious interest, acknowledged, on this +appeal, that he knew him as a wealthy and independent franklin, supposed +to be worth much money, and verified the certificate produced to be his +handwriting. + +"And who speaks to the Doctor's certificate?" said the Queen. "Alasco, +methinks, is his name." + +Masters, her Majesty's physician (not the less willingly that he +remembered his repulse from Sayes Court, and thought that his present +testimony might gratify Leicester, and mortify the Earl of Sussex and +his faction), acknowledged he had more than once consulted with Doctor +Alasco, and spoke of him as a man of extraordinary learning and hidden +acquirements, though not altogether in the regular course of practice. +The Earl of Huntingdon, Lord Leicester's brother-in-law, and the old +Countess of Rutland, next sang his praises, and both remembered the +thin, beautiful Italian hand in which he was wont to write his receipts, +and which corresponded to the certificate produced as his. + +"And now, I trust, Master Tressilian, this matter is ended," said the +Queen. "We will do something ere the night is older to reconcile old Sir +Hugh Robsart to the match. You have done your duty something more than +boldly; but we were no woman had we not compassion for the wounds which +true love deals, so we forgive your audacity, and your uncleansed +boots withal, which have well-nigh overpowered my Lord of Leicester's +perfumes." + +So spoke Elizabeth, whose nicety of scent was one of the characteristics +of her organization, as appeared long afterwards when she expelled Essex +from her presence, on a charge against his boots similar to that which +she now expressed against those of Tressilian. + +But Tressilian had by this time collected himself, astonished as he had +at first been by the audacity of the falsehood so feasibly supported, +and placed in array against the evidence of his own eyes. He rushed +forward, kneeled down, and caught the Queen by the skirt of her robe. +"As you are Christian woman," he said, "madam, as you are crowned Queen, +to do equal justice among your subjects--as you hope yourself to have +fair hearing (which God grant you) at that last bar at which we must all +plead, grant me one small request! Decide not this matter so hastily. +Give me but twenty-four hours' interval, and I will, at the end of that +brief space, produce evidence which will show to demonstration that +these certificates, which state this unhappy lady to be now ill at ease +in Oxfordshire, are false as hell!" + +"Let go my train, sir!" said Elizabeth, who was startled at his +vehemence, though she had too much of the lion in her to fear; "the +fellow must be distraught. That witty knave, my godson Harrington, must +have him into his rhymes of Orlando Furioso! And yet, by this light, +there is something strange in the vehemence of his demand.--Speak, +Tressilian, what wilt thou do if, at the end of these four-and-twenty +hours, thou canst not confute a fact so solemnly proved as this lady's +illness?" + +"I will lay down my head on the block," answered Tressilian. + +"Pshaw!" replied the Queen, "God's light! thou speakest like a fool. +What head falls in England but by just sentence of English law? I ask +thee, man--if thou hast sense to understand me--wilt thou, if thou +shalt fail in this improbable attempt of thine, render me a good and +sufficient reason why thou dost undertake it?" + +Tressilian paused, and again hesitated; because he felt convinced that +if, within the interval demanded, Amy should become reconciled to her +husband, he would in that case do her the worst of offices by again +ripping up the whole circumstances before Elizabeth, and showing +how that wise and jealous princess had been imposed upon by false +testimonials. The consciousness of this dilemma renewed his extreme +embarrassment of look, voice, and manner; he hesitated, looked down, and +on the Queen repeating her question with a stern voice and flashing +eye, he admitted with faltering words, "That it might be--he could not +positively--that is, in certain events--explain the reasons and grounds +on which he acted." + +"Now, by the soul of King Henry," said the Queen, "this is either +moonstruck madness or very knavery!--Seest thou, Raleigh, thy friend is +far too Pindaric for this presence. Have him away, and make us quit of +him, or it shall be the worse for him; for his flights are too unbridled +for any place but Parnassus, or Saint Luke's Hospital. But come back +instantly thyself, when he is placed under fitting restraint.--We wish +we had seen the beauty which could make such havoc in a wise man's +brain." + +Tressilian was again endeavouring to address the Queen, when Raleigh, in +obedience to the orders he had received, interfered, and with Blount's +assistance, half led, half forced him out of the presence-chamber, where +he himself indeed began to think his appearance did his cause more harm +than good. + +When they had attained the antechamber, Raleigh entreated Blount to see +Tressilian safely conducted into the apartments allotted to the Earl of +Sussex's followers, and, if necessary, recommended that a guard should +be mounted on him. + +"This extravagant passion," he said, "and, as it would seem, the news of +the lady's illness, has utterly wrecked his excellent judgment. But it +will pass away if he be kept quiet. Only let him break forth again at +no rate; for he is already far in her Highness's displeasure, and +should she be again provoked, she will find for him a worse place of +confinement, and sterner keepers." + +"I judged as much as that he was mad," said Nicholas Blount, looking +down upon his own crimson stockings and yellow roses, "whenever I saw +him wearing yonder damned boots, which stunk so in her nostrils. I will +but see him stowed, and be back with you presently. But, Walter, did the +Queen ask who I was?--methought she glanced an eye at me." + +"Twenty--twenty eye-glances she sent! and I told her all--how thou wert +a brave soldier, and a--But for God's sake, get off Tressilian!" + +"I will--I will," said Blount; "but methinks this court-haunting is no +such bad pastime, after all. We shall rise by it, Walter, my brave lad. +Thou saidst I was a good soldier, and a--what besides, dearest Walter?" + +"An all unutterable-codshead. For God's sake, begone!" + +Tressilian, without further resistance or expostulation followed, or +rather suffered himself to be conducted by Blount to Raleigh's lodging, +where he was formally installed into a small truckle-bed placed in a +wardrobe, and designed for a domestic. He saw but too plainly that +no remonstrances would avail to procure the help or sympathy of his +friends, until the lapse of the time for which he had pledged himself +to remain inactive should enable him either to explain the whole +circumstances to them, or remove from him every pretext or desire of +further interference with the fortunes of Amy, by her having found means +to place herself in a state of reconciliation with her husband. + +With great difficulty, and only by the most patient and mild +remonstrances with Blount, he escaped the disgrace and mortification of +having two of Sussex's stoutest yeomen quartered in his apartment. +At last, however, when Nicholas had seen him fairly deposited in his +truckle-bed, and had bestowed one or two hearty kicks, and as hearty +curses, on the boots, which, in his lately acquired spirit of foppery, +he considered as a strong symptom, if not the cause, of his friend's +malady, he contented himself with the modified measure of locking the +door on the unfortunate Tressilian, whose gallant and disinterested +efforts to save a female who had treated him with ingratitude thus +terminated for the present in the displeasure of his Sovereign and the +conviction of his friends that he was little better than a madman. + + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + + + The wisest Sovereigns err like private men, + And royal hand has sometimes laid the sword + Of chivalry upon a worthless shoulder, + Which better had been branded by the hangman. + What then?--Kings do their best; and they and we + Must answer for the intent, and not the event.--OLD PLAY. + +"It is a melancholy matter," said the Queen, when Tressilian was +withdrawn, "to see a wise and learned man's wit thus pitifully +unsettled. Yet this public display of his imperfection of brain plainly +shows us that his supposed injury and accusation were fruitless; and +therefore, my Lord of Leicester, we remember your suit formerly made +to us in behalf of your faithful servant Varney, whose good gifts and +fidelity, as they are useful to you, ought to have due reward from us, +knowing well that your lordship, and all you have, are so earnestly +devoted to our service. And we render Varney the honour more especially +that we are a guest, and, we fear, a chargeable and troublesome one, +under your lordship's roof; and also for the satisfaction of the good +old Knight of Devon, Sir Hugh Robsart, whose daughter he hath married, +and we trust the especial mark of grace which we are about to confer may +reconcile him to his son-in-law.--Your sword, my Lord of Leicester." + +The Earl unbuckled his sword, and taking it by the point, presented on +bended knee the hilt to Elizabeth. + +She took it slowly drew it from the scabbard, and while the ladies who +stood around turned away their eyes with real or affected shuddering, +she noted with a curious eye the high polish and rich, damasked +ornaments upon the glittering blade. + +"Had I been a man," she said, "methinks none of my ancestors would have +loved a good sword better. As it is with me, I like to look on one, and +could, like the Fairy of whom I have read in some Italian rhymes--were +my godson Harrington here, he could tell me the passage--even trim +my hair, and arrange my head-gear, in such a steel mirror as this +is.--Richard Varney, come forth, and kneel down. In the name of God and +Saint George, we dub thee knight! Be Faithful, Brave, and Fortunate. +Arise, Sir Richard Varney." + + + [The incident alluded to occurs in the poem of Orlando Innamorato + of Boiardo, libro ii. canto 4, stanza 25. + + "Non era per ventura," etc. + +It may be rendered thus:-- + + + As then, perchance, unguarded was the tower, + So enter'd free Anglante's dauntless knight. + No monster and no giant guard the bower + In whose recess reclined the fairy light, + Robed in a loose cymar of lily white, + And on her lap a sword of breadth and might, + In whose broad blade, as in a mirror bright, + Like maid that trims her for a festal night, + The fairy deck'd her hair, and placed her coronet aright. + +Elizabeth's attachment to the Italian school of poetry was singularly +manifested on a well-known occasion. Her godson, Sir John Harrington, +having offended her delicacy by translating some of the licentious +passages of the Orlando Furioso, she imposed on him, as a penance, the +task of rendering the WHOLE poem into English.] + +Varney arose and retired, making a deep obeisance to the Sovereign who +had done him so much honour. + +"The buckling of the spur, and what other rites remain," said the Queen, +"may be finished to-morrow in the chapel; for we intend Sir Richard +Varney a companion in his honours. And as we must not be partial in +conferring such distinction, we mean on this matter to confer with our +cousin of Sussex." + +That noble Earl, who since his arrival at Kenilworth, and indeed since +the commencement of this Progress, had found himself in a subordinate +situation to Leicester, was now wearing a heavy cloud on his brow; a +circumstance which had not escaped the Queen, who hoped to appease his +discontent, and to follow out her system of balancing policy by a mark +of peculiar favour, the more gratifying as it was tendered at a moment +when his rival's triumph appeared to be complete. + +At the summons of Queen Elizabeth, Sussex hastily approached her person; +and being asked on which of his followers, being a gentleman and of +merit, he would wish the honour of knighthood to be conferred, he +answered, with more sincerity than policy, that he would have ventured +to speak for Tressilian, to whom he conceived he owed his own life, and +who was a distinguished soldier and scholar, besides a man of unstained +lineage, "only," he said, "he feared the events of that night--" And +then he stopped. + +"I am glad your lordship is thus considerate," said Elizabeth. "The +events of this night would make us, in the eyes of our subjects, as mad +as this poor brain-sick gentleman himself--for we ascribe his conduct to +no malice--should we choose this moment to do him grace." + +"In that case," said the Earl of Sussex, somewhat discountenanced, "your +Majesty will allow me to name my master of the horse, Master Nicholas +Blount, a gentleman of fair estate and ancient name, who has served your +Majesty both in Scotland and Ireland, and brought away bloody marks on +his person, all honourably taken and requited." + +The Queen could not help shrugging her shoulders slightly even at this +second suggestion; and the Duchess of Rutland, who read in the Queen's +manner that she had expected that Sussex would have named Raleigh, and +thus would have enabled her to gratify her own wish while she honoured +his recommendation, only waited the Queen's assent to what he had +proposed, and then said that she hoped, since these two high nobles had +been each permitted to suggest a candidate for the honours of chivalry, +she, in behalf of the ladies in presence, might have a similar +indulgence. + +"I were no woman to refuse you such a boon," said the Queen, smiling. + +"Then," pursued the Duchess, "in the name of these fair ladies present, +I request your Majesty to confer the rank of knighthood on Walter +Raleigh, whose birth, deeds of arms, and promptitude to serve our sex +with sword or pen, deserve such distinction from us all." + +"Gramercy, fair ladies," said Elizabeth, smiling, "your boon is +granted, and the gentle squire Lack-Cloak shall become the good knight +Lack-Cloak, at your desire. Let the two aspirants for the honour of +chivalry step forward." + +Blount was not as yet returned from seeing Tressilian, as he conceived, +safely disposed of; but Raleigh came forth, and kneeling down, received +at the hand of the Virgin Queen that title of honour, which was never +conferred on a more distinguished or more illustrious object. + +Shortly afterwards Nicholas Blount entered, and hastily apprised by +Sussex, who met him at the door of the hall, of the Queen's gracious +purpose regarding him, he was desired to advance towards the throne. It +is a sight sometimes seen, and it is both ludicrous and pitiable; when +an honest man of plain common sense is surprised, by the coquetry of a +pretty woman, or any other cause, into those frivolous fopperies +which only sit well upon the youthful, the gay, and those to whom long +practice has rendered them a second nature. Poor Blount was in this +situation. His head was already giddy from a consciousness of unusual +finery, and the supposed necessity of suiting his manners to the gaiety +of his dress; and now this sudden view of promotion altogether completed +the conquest of the newly inhaled spirit of foppery over his natural +disposition, and converted a plain, honest, awkward man into a coxcomb +of a new and most ridiculous kind. + +The knight-expectant advanced up the hall, the whole length of which he +had unfortunately to traverse, turning out his toes with so much zeal +that he presented his leg at every step with its broadside foremost, +so that it greatly resembled an old-fashioned table-knife with a curved +point, when seen sideways. The rest of his gait was in proportion +to this unhappy amble; and the implied mixture of bashful rear and +self-satisfaction was so unutterably ridiculous that Leicester's friends +did not suppress a titter, in which many of Sussex's partisans +were unable to resist joining, though ready to eat their nails with +mortification. Sussex himself lost all patience, and could not forbear +whispering into the ear of his friend, "Curse thee! canst thou not walk +like a man and a soldier?" an interjection which only made honest Blount +start and stop, until a glance at his yellow roses and crimson stockings +restored his self-confidence, when on he went at the same pace as +before. + +The Queen conferred on poor Blount the honour of knighthood with a +marked sense of reluctance. That wise Princess was fully aware of the +propriety of using great circumspection and economy in bestowing those +titles of honour, which the Stewarts, who succeeded to her throne, +distributed with an imprudent liberality which greatly diminished their +value. Blount had no sooner arisen and retired than she turned to the +Duchess of Rutland. "Our woman wit," she said, "dear Rutland, is sharper +than that of those proud things in doublet and hose. Seest thou, out of +these three knights, thine is the only true metal to stamp chivalry's +imprint upon?" + +"Sir Richard Varney, surely--the friend of my Lord of Leicester--surely +he has merit," replied the Duchess. + +"Varney has a sly countenance and a smooth tongue," replied the Queen; +"I fear me he will prove a knave. But the promise was of ancient +standing. My Lord of Sussex must have lost his own wits, I think, to +recommend to us first a madman like Tressilian, and then a clownish fool +like this other fellow. I protest, Rutland, that while he sat on his +knees before me, mopping and mowing as if he had scalding porridge in +his mouth, I had much ado to forbear cutting him over the pate, instead +of striking his shoulder." + +"Your Majesty gave him a smart ACCOLADE," said the Duchess; "we who +stood behind heard the blade clatter on his collar-bone, and the poor +man fidgeted too as if he felt it." + +"I could not help it, wench," said the Queen, laughing. "But we will +have this same Sir Nicholas sent to Ireland or Scotland, or somewhere, +to rid our court of so antic a chevalier; he may be a good soldier in +the field, though a preposterous ass in a banqueting-hall." + +The discourse became then more general, and soon after there was a +summons to the banquet. + +In order to obey this signal, the company were under the necessity of +crossing the inner court of the Castle, that they might reach the new +buildings containing the large banqueting-room, in which preparations +for supper were made upon a scale of profuse magnificence, corresponding +to the occasion. + +The livery cupboards were loaded with plate of the richest description, +and the most varied--some articles tasteful, some perhaps grotesque, in +the invention and decoration, but all gorgeously magnificent, both from +the richness of the work and value of the materials. Thus the chief +table was adorned by a salt, ship-fashion, made of mother-of-pearl, +garnished with silver and divers warlike ensigns and other ornaments, +anchors, sails, and sixteen pieces of ordnance. It bore a figure of +Fortune, placed on a globe, with a flag in her hand. Another salt was +fashioned of silver, in form of a swan in full sail. That chivalry might +not be omitted amid this splendour, a silver Saint George was presented, +mounted and equipped in the usual fashion in which he bestrides the +dragon. The figures were moulded to be in some sort useful. The horse's +tail was managed to hold a case of knives, while the breast of the +dragon presented a similar accommodation for oyster knives. + +In the course of the passage from the hall of reception to the +banqueting-room, and especially in the courtyard, the new-made knights +were assailed by the heralds, pursuivants, minstrels, etc., with the +usual cry of LARGESSE, LARGESSE, CHEVALIERS TRES HARDIS! an ancient +invocation, intended to awaken the bounty of the acolytes of chivalry +towards those whose business it was to register their armorial bearings, +and celebrate the deeds by which they were illustrated. The call was, +of course, liberally and courteously answered by those to whom it was +addressed. Varney gave his largesse with an affectation of complaisance +and humility. Raleigh bestowed his with the graceful ease peculiar to +one who has attained his own place, and is familiar with its dignity. +Honest Blount gave what his tailor had left him of his half-year's rent, +dropping some pieces in his hurry, then stooping down to look for them, +and then distributing them amongst the various claimants, with the +anxious face and mien of the parish beadle dividing a dole among +paupers. + +The donations were accepted with the usual clamour and VIVATS of +applause common on such occasions; but as the parties gratified were +chiefly dependants of Lord Leicester, it was Varney whose name +was repeated with the loudest acclamations. Lambourne, especially, +distinguished himself by his vociferations of "Long life to Sir Richard +Varney!--Health and honour to Sir Richard!--Never was a more worthy +knight dubbed!"--then, suddenly sinking his voice, he added--"since the +valiant Sir Pandarus of Troy,"--a winding-up of his clamorous applause +which set all men a-laughing who were within hearing of it. + +It is unnecessary to say anything further of the festivities of the +evening, which were so brilliant in themselves, and received with such +obvious and willing satisfaction by the Queen, that Leicester retired +to his own apartment with all the giddy raptures of successful ambition. +Varney, who had changed his splendid attire, and now waited on his +patron in a very modest and plain undress, attended to do the honours of +the Earl's COUCHER. + +"How! Sir Richard," said Leicester, smiling, "your new rank scarce suits +the humility of this attendance." + +"I would disown that rank, my Lord," said Varney, "could I think it was +to remove me to a distance from your lordship's person." + +"Thou art a grateful fellow," said Leicester; "but I must not allow you +to do what would abate you in the opinion of others." + +While thus speaking, he still accepted without hesitation the offices +about his person, which the new-made knight seemed to render as eagerly +as if he had really felt, in discharging the task, that pleasure which +his words expressed. + +"I am not afraid of men's misconstruction," he said, in answer to +Leicester's remark, "since there is not--(permit me to undo the +collar)--a man within the Castle who does not expect very soon to see +persons of a rank far superior to that which, by your goodness, I now +hold, rendering the duties of the bedchamber to you, and accounting it +an honour." + +"It might, indeed, so have been"--said the Earl, with an involuntary +sigh; and then presently added, "My gown, Varney; I will look out on the +night. Is not the moon near to the full?" + +"I think so, my lord, according to the calendar," answered Varney. + +There was an abutting window, which opened on a small projecting balcony +of stone, battlemented as is usual in Gothic castles. The Earl undid the +lattice, and stepped out into the open air. The station he had chosen +commanded an extensive view of the lake and woodlands beyond, where the +bright moonlight rested on the clear blue waters and the distant masses +of oak and elm trees. The moon rode high in the heavens, attended by +thousands and thousands of inferior luminaries. All seemed already to +be hushed in the nether world, excepting occasionally the voice of the +watch (for the yeomen of the guard performed that duty wherever the +Queen was present in person) and the distant baying of the hounds, +disturbed by the preparations amongst the grooms and prickers for a +magnificent hunt, which was to be the amusement of the next day. + +Leicester looked out on the blue arch of heaven, with gestures and a +countenance expressive of anxious exultation, while Varney, who remained +within the darkened apartment, could (himself unnoticed), with a +secret satisfaction, see his patron stretch his hands with earnest +gesticulation towards the heavenly bodies. + +"Ye distant orbs of living fire," so ran the muttered invocation of the +ambitious Earl, "ye are silent while you wheel your mystic rounds; but +Wisdom has given to you a voice. Tell me, then, to what end is my high +course destined? Shall the greatness to which I have aspired be bright, +pre-eminent, and stable as your own; or am I but doomed to draw a brief +and glittering train along the nightly darkness, and then to sink down +to earth, like the base refuse of those artificial fires with which men +emulate your rays?" + +He looked on the heavens in profound silence for a minute or two longer, +and then again stepped into the apartment, where Varney seemed to have +been engaged in putting the Earl's jewels into a casket. + +"What said Alasco of my horoscope?" demanded Leicester. "You already +told me; but it has escaped me, for I think but lightly of that art." + +"Many learned and great men have thought otherwise," said Varney; "and, +not to flatter your lordship, my own opinion leans that way." + +"Ay, Saul among the prophets?" said Leicester. "I thought thou wert +sceptical in all such matters as thou couldst neither see, hear, smell, +taste, or touch, and that thy belief was limited by thy senses." + +"Perhaps, my lord," said Varney, "I may be misled on the present +occasion by my wish to find the predictions of astrology true. Alasco +says that your favourite planet is culminating, and that the adverse +influence--he would not use a plainer term--though not overcome, was +evidently combust, I think he said, or retrograde." + +"It is even so," said Leicester, looking at an abstract of astrological +calculations which he had in his hand; "the stronger influence will +prevail, and, as I think, the evil hour pass away. Lend me your hand, +Sir Richard, to doff my gown; and remain an instant, if it is not +too burdensome to your knighthood, while I compose myself to sleep. +I believe the bustle of this day has fevered my blood, for it streams +through my veins like a current of molten lead. Remain an instant, I +pray you--I would fain feel my eyes heavy ere I closed them." + +Varney officiously assisted his lord to bed, and placed a massive silver +night-lamp, with a short sword, on a marble table which stood close by +the head of the couch. Either in order to avoid the light of the lamp, +or to hide his countenance from Varney, Leicester drew the curtain, +heavy with entwined silk and gold, so as completely to shade his face. +Varney took a seat near the bed, but with his back towards his master, +as if to intimate that he was not watching him, and quietly waited +till Leicester himself led the way to the topic by which his mind was +engrossed. + +"And so, Varney," said the Earl, after waiting in vain till his +dependant should commence the conversation, "men talk of the Queen's +favour towards me?" + +"Ay, my good lord," said Varney; "of what can they else, since it is so +strongly manifested?" + +"She is indeed my good and gracious mistress," said Leicester, after +another pause; "but it is written, 'Put not thy trust in princes.'" + +"A good sentence and a true," said Varney, "unless you can unite their +interest with yours so absolutely that they must needs sit on your wrist +like hooded hawks." + +"I know what thou meanest," said Leicester impatiently, "though thou art +to-night so prudentially careful of what thou sayest to me. Thou wouldst +intimate I might marry the Queen if I would?" + +"It is your speech, my lord, not mine," answered Varney; "but +whosesoever be the speech, it is the thought of ninety-nine out of an +hundred men throughout broad England." + +"Ay, but," said Leicester, turning himself in his bed, "the hundredth +man knows better. Thou, for example, knowest the obstacle that cannot be +overleaped." + +"It must, my lord, if the stars speak true," said Varney composedly. + +"What, talkest thou of them," said Leicester, "that believest not in +them or in aught else?" + +"You mistake, my lord, under your gracious pardon," said Varney; "I +believe in many things that predict the future. I believe, if showers +fall in April, that we shall have flowers in May; that if the sun +shines, grain will ripen; and I believe in much natural philosophy to +the same effect, which, if the stars swear to me, I will say the stars +speak the truth. And in like manner, I will not disbelieve that which +I see wished for and expected on earth, solely because the astrologers +have read it in the heavens." + +"Thou art right," said Leicester, again tossing himself on his couch +"Earth does wish for it. I have had advices from the reformed churches +of Germany--from the Low Countries--from Switzerland--urging this as a +point on which Europe's safety depends. France will not oppose it. The +ruling party in Scotland look to it as their best security. Spain fears +it, but cannot prevent it. And yet thou knowest it is impossible." + +"I know not that, my lord," said Varney; "the Countess is indisposed." + +"Villain!" said Leicester, starting up on his couch, and seizing +the sword which lay on the table beside him, "go thy thoughts that +way?--thou wouldst not do murder?" + +"For whom, or what, do you hold me, my lord?" said Varney, assuming the +superiority of an innocent man subjected to unjust suspicion. "I said +nothing to deserve such a horrid imputation as your violence infers. I +said but that the Countess was ill. And Countess though she be--lovely +and beloved as she is--surely your lordship must hold her to be mortal? +She may die, and your lordship's hand become once more your own." + +"Away! away!" said Leicester; "let me have no more of this." + +"Good night, my lord," said Varney, seeming to understand this as a +command to depart; but Leicester's voice interrupted his purpose. + +"Thou 'scapest me not thus, Sir Fool," said he; "I think thy knighthood +has addled thy brains. Confess thou hast talked of impossibilities as of +things which may come to pass." + +"My lord, long live your fair Countess," said Varney; "but neither your +love nor my good wishes can make her immortal. But God grant she live +long to be happy herself, and to render you so! I see not but you may be +King of England notwithstanding." + +"Nay, now, Varney, thou art stark mad," said Leicester. + +"I would I were myself within the same nearness to a good estate of +freehold," said Varney. "Have we not known in other countries how +a left-handed marriage might subsist betwixt persons of differing +degree?--ay, and be no hindrance to prevent the husband from conjoining +himself afterwards with a more suitable partner?" + +"I have heard of such things in Germany," said Leicester. + +"Ay, and the most learned doctors in foreign universities justify the +practice from the Old Testament," said Varney. "And after all, where is +the harm? The beautiful partner whom you have chosen for true love has +your secret hours of relaxation and affection. Her fame is safe her +conscience may slumber securely. You have wealth to provide royally for +your issue, should Heaven bless you with offspring. Meanwhile you may +give to Elizabeth ten times the leisure, and ten thousand times the +affection, that ever Don Philip of Spain spared to her sister Mary; yet +you know how she doted on him though so cold and neglectful. It requires +but a close mouth and an open brow, and you keep your Eleanor and your +fair Rosamond far enough separate. Leave me to build you a bower to +which no jealous Queen shall find a clew." + +Leicester was silent for a moment, then sighed, and said, "It is +impossible. Good night, Sir Richard Varney--yet stay. Can you guess what +meant Tressilian by showing himself in such careless guise before the +Queen to-day?--to strike her tender heart, I should guess, with all +the sympathies due to a lover abandoned by his mistress and abandoning +himself." + +Varney, smothering a sneering laugh, answered, "He believed Master +Tressilian had no such matter in his head." + +"How!" said Leicester; "what meanest thou? There is ever knavery in that +laugh of thine, Varney." + +"I only meant, my lord," said Varney, "that Tressilian has taken the +sure way to avoid heart-breaking. He hath had a companion--a female +companion--a mistress--a sort of player's wife or sister, as I +believe--with him in Mervyn's Bower, where I quartered him for certain +reasons of my own." + +"A mistress!--meanest thou a paramour?" + +"Ay, my lord; what female else waits for hours in a gentleman's +chamber?" + +"By my faith, time and space fitting, this were a good tale to tell," +said Leicester. "I ever distrusted those bookish, hypocritical, +seeming-virtuous scholars. Well--Master Tressilian makes somewhat +familiar with my house; if I look it over, he is indebted to it for +certain recollections. I would not harm him more than I can help. Keep +eye on him, however, Varney." + +"I lodged him for that reason," said Varney, "in Mervyn's Tower, where +he is under the eye of my very vigilant, if he were not also my very +drunken, servant, Michael Lambourne, whom I have told your Grace of." + +"Grace!" said Leicester; "what meanest thou by that epithet?" + +"It came unawares, my lord; and yet it sounds so very natural that I +cannot recall it." + +"It is thine own preferment that hath turned thy brain," said Leicester, +laughing; "new honours are as heady as new wine." + +"May your lordship soon have cause to say so from experience," said +Varney; and wishing his patron good night, he withdrew. [See Note 8. +Furniture of Kenilworth.] + + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + + + Here stands the victim--there the proud betrayer, + E'en as the hind pull'd down by strangling dogs + Lies at the hunter's feet--who courteous proffers + To some high dame, the Dian of the chase, + To whom he looks for guerdon, his sharp blade, + To gash the sobbing throat. --THE WOODSMAN. + +We are now to return to Mervyn's Bower, the apartment, or rather the +prison, of the unfortunate Countess of Leicester, who for some time kept +within bounds her uncertainty and her impatience. She was aware that, in +the tumult of the day, there might be some delay ere her letter could be +safely conveyed to the hands of Leicester, and that some time more might +elapse ere he could extricate himself from the necessary attendance on +Elizabeth, to come and visit her in her secret bower. "I will not expect +him," she said, "till night; he cannot be absent from his royal guest, +even to see me. He will, I know, come earlier if it be possible, but I +will not expect him before night." And yet all the while she did expect +him; and while she tried to argue herself into a contrary belief, each +hasty noise of the hundred which she heard sounded like the hurried step +of Leicester on the staircase, hasting to fold her in his arms. + +The fatigue of body which Amy had lately undergone, with the agitation +of mind natural to so cruel a state of uncertainty, began by degrees +strongly to affect her nerves, and she almost feared her total inability +to maintain the necessary self-command through the scenes which might +lie before her. But although spoiled by an over-indulgent system of +education, Amy had naturally a mind of great power, united with a +frame which her share in her father's woodland exercises had rendered +uncommonly healthy. She summoned to her aid such mental and bodily +resources; and not unconscious how much the issue of her fate might +depend on her own self-possession, she prayed internally for strength of +body and for mental fortitude, and resolved at the same time to yield to +no nervous impulse which might weaken either. + +Yet when the great bell of the Castle, which was placed in Caesar's +Tower, at no great distance from that called Mervyn's, began to send +its pealing clamour abroad, in signal of the arrival of the royal +procession, the din was so painfully acute to ears rendered nervously +sensitive by anxiety, that she could hardly forbear shrieking with +anguish, in answer to every stunning clash of the relentless peal. + +Shortly afterwards, when the small apartment was at once enlightened by +the shower of artificial fires with which the air was suddenly filled, +and which crossed each other like fiery spirits, each bent on his own +separate mission, or like salamanders executing a frolic dance in the +region of the Sylphs, the Countess felt at first as if each rocket shot +close by her eyes, and discharged its sparks and flashes so nigh that +she could feel a sense of the heat. But she struggled against these +fantastic terrors, and compelled herself to arise, stand by the window, +look out, and gaze upon a sight which at another time would have +appeared to her at once captivating and fearful. The magnificent towers +of the Castle were enveloped in garlands of artificial fire, or shrouded +with tiaras of pale smoke. The surface of the lake glowed like molten +iron, while many fireworks (then thought extremely wonderful, though now +common), whose flame continued to exist in the opposing element, dived +and rose, hissed and roared, and spouted fire, like so many dragons of +enchantment sporting upon a burning lake. + +Even Amy was for a moment interested by what was to her so new a scene. +"I had thought it magical art," she said, "but poor Tressilian taught me +to judge of such things as they are. Great God! and may not these idle +splendours resemble my own hoped-for happiness--a single spark, which is +instantly swallowed up by surrounding darkness--a precarious glow, +which rises but for a brief space into the air, that its fall may be the +lower? O Leicester! after all--all that thou hast said--hast sworn--that +Amy was thy love, thy life, can it be that thou art the magician +at whose nod these enchantments arise, and that she sees them as an +outcast, if not a captive?" + +The sustained, prolonged, and repeated bursts of music, from so many +different quarters, and at so many varying points of distance, which +sounded as if not the Castle of Kenilworth only, but the whole country +around, had been at once the scene of solemnizing some high national +festival, carried the same oppressive thought still closer to her heart, +while some notes would melt in distant and falling tones, as if in +compassion for her sorrows, and some burst close and near upon her, as +if mocking her misery, with all the insolence of unlimited mirth. "These +sounds," she said, "are mine--mine, because they are HIS; but I cannot +say, Be still, these loud strains suit me not; and the voice of the +meanest peasant that mingles in the dance would have more power to +modulate the music than the command of her who is mistress of all." + +By degrees the sounds of revelry died away, and the Countess withdrew +from the window at which she had sat listening to them. It was night, +but the moon afforded considerable light in the room, so that Amy was +able to make the arrangement which she judged necessary. There was hope +that Leicester might come to her apartment as soon as the revel in the +Castle had subsided; but there was also risk she might be disturbed by +some unauthorized intruder. She had lost confidence in the key since +Tressilian had entered so easily, though the door was locked on the +inside; yet all the additional security she could think of was to place +the table across the door, that she might be warned by the noise should +any one attempt to enter. Having taken these necessary precautions, the +unfortunate lady withdrew to her couch, stretched herself down on it, +mused in anxious expectation, and counted more than one hour after +midnight, till exhausted nature proved too strong for love, for grief, +for fear, nay, even for uncertainty, and she slept. + +Yes, she slept. The Indian sleeps at the stake in the intervals between +his tortures; and mental torments, in like manner, exhaust by long +continuance the sensibility of the sufferer, so that an interval of +lethargic repose must necessarily ensue, ere the pangs which they +inflict can again be renewed. + +The Countess slept, then, for several hours, and dreamed that she was +in the ancient house at Cumnor Place, listening for the low whistle with +which Leicester often used to announce his presence in the courtyard +when arriving suddenly on one of his stolen visits. But on this +occasion, instead of a whistle, she heard the peculiar blast of a +bugle-horn, such as her father used to wind on the fall of the stag, and +which huntsmen then called a MORT. She ran, as she thought, to a +window that looked into the courtyard, which she saw filled with men +in mourning garments. The old Curate seemed about to read the funeral +service. Mumblazen, tricked out in an antique dress, like an ancient +herald, held aloft a scutcheon, with its usual decorations of skulls, +cross-bones, and hour-glasses, surrounding a coat-of-arms, of which she +could only distinguish that it was surmounted with an Earl's coronet. +The old man looked at her with a ghastly smile, and said, "Amy, are they +not rightly quartered?" Just as he spoke, the horns again poured on her +ear the melancholy yet wild strain of the MORT, or death-note, and she +awoke. + +The Countess awoke to hear a real bugle-note, or rather the combined +breath of many bugles, sounding not the MORT. but the jolly REVEILLE, to +remind the inmates of the Castle of Kenilworth that the pleasures of the +day were to commence with a magnificent stag-hunting in the neighbouring +Chase. Amy started up from her couch, listened to the sound, saw the +first beams of the summer morning already twinkle through the lattice +of her window, and recollected, with feelings of giddy agony, where she +was, and how circumstanced. + +"He thinks not of me," she said; "he will not come nigh me! A Queen is +his guest, and what cares he in what corner of his huge Castle a wretch +like me pines in doubt, which is fast fading into despair?" At once a +sound at the door, as of some one attempting to open it softly, filled +her with an ineffable mixture of joy and fear; and hastening to remove +the obstacle she had placed against the door, and to unlock it, she had +the precaution to ask! "Is it thou, my love?" + +"Yes, my Countess," murmured a whisper in reply. + +She threw open the door, and exclaiming, "Leicester!" flung her arms +around the neck of the man who stood without, muffled in his cloak. + +"No--not quite Leicester," answered Michael Lambourne, for he it was, +returning the caress with vehemence--"not quite Leicester, my lovely and +most loving duchess, but as good a man." + +With an exertion of force, of which she would at another time have +thought herself incapable, the Countess freed herself from the profane +and profaning grasp of the drunken debauchee, and retreated into the +midst of her apartment where despair gave her courage to make a stand. + +As Lambourne, on entering, dropped the lap of his cloak from his face, +she knew Varney's profligate servant, the very last person, excepting +his detested master, by whom she would have wished to be discovered. But +she was still closely muffled in her travelling dress, and as Lambourne +had scarce ever been admitted to her presence at Cumnor Place, her +person, she hoped, might not be so well known to him as his was to her, +owing to Janet's pointing him frequently out as he crossed the court, +and telling stories of his wickedness. She might have had still greater +confidence in her disguise had her experience enabled her to discover +that he was much intoxicated; but this could scarce have consoled her +for the risk which she might incur from such a character in such a time, +place, and circumstances. + +Lambourne flung the door behind him as he entered, and folding his +arms, as if in mockery of the attitude of distraction into which Amy +had thrown herself, he proceeded thus: "Hark ye, most fair Calipolis--or +most lovely Countess of clouts, and divine Duchess of dark corners--if +thou takest all that trouble of skewering thyself together, like a +trussed fowl, that there may be more pleasure in the carving, even save +thyself the labour. I love thy first frank manner the best---like thy +present as little"--(he made a step towards her, and staggered)--"as +little as--such a damned uneven floor as this, where a gentleman may +break his neck if he does not walk as upright as a posture-master on the +tight-rope." + +"Stand back!" said the Countess; "do not approach nearer to me on thy +peril!" + +"My peril!--and stand back! Why, how now, madam? Must you have a better +mate than honest Mike Lambourne? I have been in America, girl, where the +gold grows, and have brought off such a load on't--" + +"Good friend," said the Countess, in great terror at the ruffian's +determined and audacious manner, "I prithee begone, and leave me." + +"And so I will, pretty one, when we are tired of each other's +company--not a jot sooner." He seized her by the arm, while, incapable +of further defence, she uttered shriek upon shriek. "Nay, scream away if +you like it," said he, still holding her fast; "I have heard the sea +at the loudest, and I mind a squalling woman no more than a miauling +kitten. Damn me! I have heard fifty or a hundred screaming at once, when +there was a town stormed." + +The cries of the Countess, however, brought unexpected aid in the person +of Lawrence Staples, who had heard her exclamations from his apartment +below, and entered in good time to save her from being discovered, +if not from more atrocious violence. Lawrence was drunk also from the +debauch of the preceding night, but fortunately his intoxication had +taken a different turn from that of Lambourne. + +"What the devil's noise is this in the ward?" he said. "What! man and +woman together in the same cell?--that is against rule. I will have +decency under my rule, by Saint Peter of the Fetters!" + +"Get thee downstairs, thou drunken beast," said Lambourne; "seest thou +not the lady and I would be private?" + +"Good sir, worthy sir!" said the Countess, addressing the jailer, "do +but save me from him, for the sake of mercy!" + +"She speaks fairly," said the jailer, "and I will take her part. I love +my prisoners; and I have had as good prisoners under my key as they have +had in Newgate or the Compter. And so, being one of my lambkins, as I +say, no one shall disturb her in her pen-fold. So let go the woman: or +I'll knock your brains out with my keys." + +"I'll make a blood-pudding of thy midriff first," answered Lambourne, +laying his left hand on his dagger, but still detaining the Countess by +the arm with his right. "So have at thee, thou old ostrich, whose only +living is upon a bunch of iron keys." + +Lawrence raised the arm of Michael, and prevented him from drawing his +dagger; and as Lambourne struggled and strove to shake him off; the +Countess made a sudden exertion on her side, and slipping her hand +out of the glove on which the ruffian still kept hold, she gained her +liberty, and escaping from the apartment, ran downstairs; while at the +same moment she heard the two combatants fall on the floor with a noise +which increased her terror. The outer wicket offered no impediment to +her flight, having been opened for Lambourne's admittance; so that she +succeeded in escaping down the stair, and fled into the Pleasance, which +seemed to her hasty glance the direction in which she was most likely to +avoid pursuit. + +Meanwhile, Lawrence and Lambourne rolled on the floor of the apartment, +closely grappled together. Neither had, happily, opportunity to draw +their daggers; but Lawrence found space enough to clash his heavy keys +across Michael's face, and Michael in return grasped the turnkey so +felly by the throat that the blood gushed from nose and mouth, so that +they were both gory and filthy spectacles when one of the other officers +of the household, attracted by the noise of the fray, entered the room, +and with some difficulty effected the separation of the combatants. + +"A murrain on you both," said the charitable mediator, "and especially +on you, Master Lambourne! What the fiend lie you here for, fighting on +the floor like two butchers' curs in the kennel of the shambles?" + +Lambourne arose, and somewhat sobered by the interposition of a third +party, looked with something less than his usual brazen impudence of +visage. "We fought for a wench, an thou must know," was his reply. + +"A wench! Where is she?" said the officer. + +"Why, vanished, I think," said Lambourne, looking around him, "unless +Lawrence hath swallowed her, That filthy paunch of his devours as +many distressed damsels and oppressed orphans as e'er a giant in King +Arthur's history. They are his prime food; he worries them body, soul, +and substance." + +"Ay, ay! It's no matter," said Lawrence, gathering up his huge, ungainly +form from the floor; "but I have had your betters, Master Michael +Lambourne, under the little turn of my forefinger and thumb, and I shall +have thee, before all's done, under my hatches. The impudence of thy +brow will not always save thy shin-bones from iron, and thy foul, +thirsty gullet from a hempen cord." The words were no sooner out of his +mouth, when Lambourne again made at him. + +"Nay, go not to it again," said the sewer, "or I will call for him shall +tame you both, and that is Master Varney--Sir Richard, I mean. He is +stirring, I promise you; I saw him cross the court just now." + +"Didst thou, by G--!" said Lambourne, seizing on the basin and ewer +which stood in the apartment. "Nay, then, element, do thy work. I +thought I had enough of thee last night, when I floated about for Orion, +like a cork on a fermenting cask of ale." + +So saying, he fell to work to cleanse from his face and hands the signs +of the fray, and get his apparel into some order. + +"What hast thou done to him?" said the sewer, speaking aside to the +jailer; "his face is fearfully swelled." + +"It is but the imprint of the key of my cabinet--too good a mark for +his gallows-face. No man shall abuse or insult my prisoners; they are my +jewels, and I lock them in safe casket accordingly.--And so, mistress, +leave off your wailing.--Why! why, surely, there was a woman here!" + +"I think you are all mad this morning," said the sewer. "I saw no woman +here, nor no man neither in a proper sense, but only two beasts rolling +on the floor." + +"Nay, then I am undone," said the jailer; "the prison's broken, that is +all. Kenilworth prison is broken," he continued, in a tone of maudlin +lamentation, "which was the strongest jail betwixt this and the Welsh +Marches--ay, and a house that has had knights, and earls, and kings +sleeping in it, as secure as if they had been in the Tower of London. +It is broken, the prisoners fled, and the jailer in much danger of being +hanged!" + +So saying, he retreated down to his own den to conclude his +lamentations, or to sleep himself sober. Lambourne and the sewer +followed him close; and it was well for them, since the jailer, out of +mere habit, was about to lock the wicket after him, and had they not +been within the reach of interfering, they would have had the pleasure +of being shut up in the turret-chamber, from which the Countess had been +just delivered. + +That unhappy lady, as soon as she found herself at liberty, fled, as +we have already mentioned, into the Pleasance. She had seen this +richly-ornamented space of ground from the window of Mervyn's Tower; and +it occurred to her, at the moment of her escape, that among its numerous +arbours, bowers, fountains, statues, and grottoes, she might find some +recess in which she could lie concealed until she had an opportunity of +addressing herself to a protector, to whom she might communicate as much +as she dared of her forlorn situation, and through whose means she might +supplicate an interview with her husband. + +"If I could see my guide," she thought, "I would learn if he had +delivered my letter. Even did I but see Tressilian, it were better to +risk Dudley's anger, by confiding my whole situation to one who is the +very soul of honour, than to run the hazard of further insult among the +insolent menials of this ill-ruled place. I will not again venture into +an enclosed apartment. I will wait, I will watch; amidst so many human +beings there must be some kind heart which can judge and compassionate +what mine endures." + +In truth, more than one party entered and traversed the Pleasance. But +they were in joyous groups of four or five persons together, laughing +and jesting in their own fullness of mirth and lightness of heart. + +The retreat which she had chosen gave her the easy alternative of +avoiding observation. It was but stepping back to the farthest recess of +a grotto, ornamented with rustic work and moss-seats, and terminated by +a fountain, and she might easily remain concealed, or at her pleasure +discover herself to any solitary wanderer whose curiosity might lead +him to that romantic retirement. Anticipating such an opportunity, she +looked into the clear basin which the silent fountain held up to her +like a mirror, and felt shocked at her own appearance, and doubtful at; +the same time, muffled and disfigured as her disguise made her seem to +herself, whether any female (and it was from the compassion of her own +sex that she chiefly expected sympathy) would engage in conference with +so suspicious an object. Reasoning thus like a woman, to whom external +appearance is scarcely in any circumstances a matter of unimportance, +and like a beauty, who had some confidence in the power of her own +charms, she laid aside her travelling cloak and capotaine hat, and +placed them beside her, so that she could assume them in an instant, ere +one could penetrate from the entrance of the grotto to its extremity, in +case the intrusion of Varney or of Lambourne should render such disguise +necessary. The dress which she wore under these vestments was somewhat +of a theatrical cast, so as to suit the assumed personage of one of the +females who was to act in the pageant, Wayland had found the means +of arranging it thus upon the second day of their journey, having +experienced the service arising from the assumption of such a character +on the preceding day. The fountain, acting both as a mirror and ewer, +afforded Amy the means of a brief toilette, of which she availed herself +as hastily as possible; then took in her hand her small casket of +jewels, in case she might find them useful intercessors, and retiring to +the darkest and most sequestered nook, sat down on a seat of moss, +and awaited till fate should give her some chance of rescue, or of +propitiating an intercessor. + + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + + + Have you not seen the partridge quake, + Viewing the hawk approaching nigh? + She cuddles close beneath the brake, + Afraid to sit, afraid to fly, --PRIOR. + +It chanced, upon that memorable morning, that one of the earliest of +the huntress train, who appeared from her chamber in full array for the +chase, was the Princess for whom all these pleasures were instituted, +England's Maiden Queen. I know not if it were by chance, or out of the +befitting courtesy due to a mistress by whom he was so much honoured, +that she had scarcely made one step beyond the threshold of her +chamber ere Leicester was by her side, and proposed to her, until the +preparations for the chase had been completed, to view the Pleasance, +and the gardens which it connected with the Castle yard. + +To this new scene of pleasures they walked, the Earl's arm affording his +Sovereign the occasional support which she required, where flights +of steps, then a favourite ornament in a garden, conducted them from +terrace to terrace, and from parterre to parterre. The ladies in +attendance, gifted with prudence, or endowed perhaps with the amiable +desire of acting as they would be done by, did not conceive their duty +to the Queen's person required them, though they lost not sight of her, +to approach so near as to share, or perhaps disturb, the conversation +betwixt the Queen and the Earl, who was not only her host, but also her +most trusted, esteemed, and favoured servant. They contented themselves +with admiring the grace of this illustrious couple, whose robes of state +were now exchanged for hunting suits, almost equally magnificent. + +Elizabeth's silvan dress, which was of a pale blue silk, with silver +lace and AIGUILLETTES, approached in form to that of the ancient +Amazons, and was therefore well suited at once to her height and to +the dignity of her mien, which her conscious rank and long habits of +authority had rendered in some degree too masculine to be seen to the +best advantage in ordinary female weeds. Leicester's hunting suit of +Lincoln green, richly embroidered with gold, and crossed by the gay +baldric which sustained a bugle-horn, and a wood-knife instead of a +sword, became its master, as did his other vestments of court or of war. +For such were the perfections of his form and mien, that Leicester was +always supposed to be seen to the greatest advantage in the character +and dress which for the time he represented or wore. + +The conversation of Elizabeth and the favourite Earl has not reached +us in detail. But those who watched at some distance (and the eyes of +courtiers and court ladies are right sharp) were of opinion that on no +occasion did the dignity of Elizabeth, in gesture and motion, seem +so decidedly to soften away into a mien expressive of indecision and +tenderness. Her step was not only slow, but even unequal, a thing most +unwonted in her carriage; her looks seemed bent on the ground; and there +was a timid disposition to withdraw from her companion, which external +gesture in females often indicates exactly the opposite tendency in +the secret mind. The Duchess of Rutland, who ventured nearest, was even +heard to aver that she discerned a tear in Elizabeth's eye and a blush +on her cheek; and still further, "She bent her looks on the ground to +avoid mine," said the Duchess, "she who, in her ordinary mood, could +look down a lion." To what conclusion these symptoms led is sufficiently +evident; nor were they probably entirely groundless. The progress of +a private conversation betwixt two persons of different sexes is often +decisive of their fate, and gives it a turn very different perhaps +from what they themselves anticipated. Gallantry becomes mingled with +conversation, and affection and passion come gradually to mix with +gallantry. Nobles, as well as shepherd swains, will, in such a trying +moment, say more than they intended; and Queens, like village maidens, +will listen longer than they should. + +Horses in the meanwhile neighed and champed the bits with impatience in +the base-court; hounds yelled in their couples; and yeomen, rangers, and +prickers lamented the exhaling of the dew, which would prevent the scent +from lying. But Leicester had another chase in view--or, to speak more +justly towards him, had become engaged in it without premeditation, as +the high-spirited hunter which follows the cry of the hounds that have +crossed his path by accident. The Queen, an accomplished and handsome +woman, the pride of England, the hope of France and Holland, and the +dread of Spain, had probably listened with more than usual favour to +that mixture of romantic gallantry with which she always loved to be +addressed; and the Earl had, in vanity, in ambition, or in both, thrown +in more and more of that delicious ingredient, until his importunity +became the language of love itself. + +"No, Dudley," said Elizabeth, yet it was with broken accents--"no, I +must be the mother of my people. Other ties, that make the lowly maiden +happy, are denied to her Sovereign. No, Leicester, urge it no more. +Were I as others, free to seek my own happiness, then, indeed--but it +cannot--cannot be. Delay the chase--delay it for half an hour--and leave +me, my lord." + +"How! leave you, madam?" said Leicester,--"has my madness offended you?" + +"No, Leicester, not so!" answered the Queen hastily; "but it is madness, +and must not be repeated. Go--but go not far from hence; and meantime +let no one intrude on my privacy." + +While she spoke thus, Dudley bowed deeply, and retired with a slow +and melancholy air. The Queen stood gazing after him, and murmured to +herself, "Were it possible--were it BUT possible!--but no--no; Elizabeth +must be the wife and mother of England alone." + +As she spoke thus, and in order to avoid some one whose step she heard +approaching, the Queen turned into the grotto in which her hapless, and +yet but too successful, rival lay concealed. + +The mind of England's Elizabeth, if somewhat shaken by the agitating +interview to which she had just put a period, was of that firm and +decided character which soon recovers its natural tone. It was like one +of those ancient Druidical monuments called Rocking-stones. The finger +of Cupid, boy as he is painted, could put her feelings in motion; but +the power of Hercules could not have destroyed their equilibrium. As she +advanced with a slow pace towards the inmost extremity of the grotto, +her countenance, ere she had proceeded half the length, had recovered +its dignity of look, and her mien its air of command. + +It was then the Queen became aware that a female figure was placed +beside, or rather partly behind, an alabaster column, at the foot of +which arose the pellucid fountain which occupied the inmost recess of +the twilight grotto. The classical mind of Elizabeth suggested the story +of Numa and Egeria, and she doubted not that some Italian sculptor had +here represented the Naiad whose inspirations gave laws to Rome. As she +advanced, she became doubtful whether she beheld a statue, or a form +of flesh and blood. The unfortunate Amy, indeed, remained motionless, +betwixt the desire which she had to make her condition known to one of +her own sex, and her awe for the stately form which approached her, +and which, though her eyes had never before beheld, her fears instantly +suspected to be the personage she really was. Amy had arisen from her +seat with the purpose of addressing the lady who entered the grotto +alone, and, as she at first thought, so opportunely. But when she +recollected the alarm which Leicester had expressed at the Queen's +knowing aught of their union, and became more and more satisfied that +the person whom she now beheld was Elizabeth herself, she stood with +one foot advanced and one withdrawn, her arms, head, and hands perfectly +motionless, and her cheek as pallid as the alabaster pedestal against +which she leaned. Her dress was of pale sea-green silk, little +distinguished in that imperfect light, and somewhat resembled the +drapery of a Grecian Nymph, such an antique disguise having been thought +the most secure, where so many maskers and revellers were assembled; so +that the Queen's doubt of her being a living form was well justified by +all contingent circumstances, as well as by the bloodless cheek and the +fixed eye. + +Elizabeth remained in doubt, even after she had approached within a few +paces, whether she did not gaze on a statue so cunningly fashioned that +by the doubtful light it could not be distinguished from reality. She +stopped, therefore, and fixed upon this interesting object her princely +look with so much keenness that the astonishment which had kept Amy +immovable gave way to awe, and she gradually cast down her eyes, and +drooped her head under the commanding gaze of the Sovereign. Still, +however, she remained in all respects, saving this slow and profound +inclination of the head, motionless and silent. + +From her dress, and the casket which she instinctively held in her hand, +Elizabeth naturally conjectured that the beautiful but mute figure which +she beheld was a performer in one of the various theatrical pageants +which had been placed in different situations to surprise her with their +homage; and that the poor player, overcome with awe at her presence, had +either forgot the part assigned her, or lacked courage to go through +it. It was natural and courteous to give her some encouragement; and +Elizabeth accordingly said, in a tone of condescending kindness, "How +now, fair Nymph of this lovely grotto, art thou spell-bound and struck +with dumbness by the charms of the wicked enchanter whom men term Fear? +We are his sworn enemy, maiden, and can reverse his charm. Speak, we +command thee." + +Instead of answering her by speech, the unfortunate Countess dropped +on her knee before the Queen, let her casket fall from her hand, and +clasping her palms together, looked up in the Queen's face with such a +mixed agony of fear and supplication, that Elizabeth was considerably +affected. + +"What may this mean?" she said; "this is a stronger passion than befits +the occasion. Stand up, damsel--what wouldst thou have with us?" + +"Your protection, madam," faltered forth the unhappy petitioner. + +"Each daughter of England has it while she is worthy of it," replied the +Queen; "but your distress seems to have a deeper root than a forgotten +task. Why, and in what, do you crave our protection?" + +Amy hastily endeavoured to recall what she were best to say, which might +secure herself from the imminent dangers that surrounded her, without +endangering her husband; and plunging from one thought to another, +amidst the chaos which filled her mind, she could at length, in answer +to the Queen's repeated inquiries in what she sought protection, only +falter out, "Alas! I know not." + +"This is folly, maiden," said Elizabeth impatiently; for there was +something in the extreme confusion of the suppliant which irritated her +curiosity, as well as interested her feelings. "The sick man must tell +his malady to the physician; nor are WE accustomed to ask questions so +oft without receiving an answer." + +"I request--I implore," stammered forth the unfortunate Countess--"I +beseech your gracious protection--against--against one Varney." She +choked well-nigh as she uttered the fatal word, which was instantly +caught up by the Queen. + +"What, Varney--Sir Richard Varney--the servant of Lord Leicester! what, +damsel, are you to him, or he to you?" + +"I--I--was his prisoner--and he practised on my life--and I broke forth +to--to--" + +"To throw thyself on my protection, doubtless," said Elizabeth. "Thou +shalt have it--that is, if thou art worthy; for we will sift this matter +to the uttermost. Thou art," she said, bending on the Countess an eye +which seemed designed to pierce her very inmost soul--"thou art Amy, +daughter of Sir Hugh Robsart of Lidcote Hall?" + +"Forgive me--forgive me, most gracious Princess!" said Amy, dropping +once more on her knee, from which she had arisen. + +"For what should I forgive thee, silly wench?" said Elizabeth; "for +being the daughter of thine own father? Thou art brain-sick, surely. +Well I see I must wring the story from thee by inches. Thou didst +deceive thine old and honoured father--thy look confesses it--cheated +Master Tressilian--thy blush avouches it--and married this same Varney." + +Amy sprung on her feet, and interrupted the Queen eagerly with, "No, +madam, no! as there is a God above us, I am not the sordid wretch you +would make me! I am not the wife of that contemptible slave--of that +most deliberate villain! I am not the wife of Varney! I would rather be +the bride of Destruction!" + +The Queen, overwhelmed in her turn by Amy's vehemence, stood silent for +an instant, and then replied, "Why, God ha' mercy, woman! I see thou +canst talk fast enough when the theme likes thee. Nay, tell me, woman," +she continued, for to the impulse of curiosity was now added that of an +undefined jealousy that some deception had been practised on her--"tell +me, woman--for, by God's day, I WILL know--whose wife, or whose +paramour, art thou! Speak out, and be speedy. Thou wert better daily +with a lioness than with Elizabeth." + +Urged to this extremity, dragged as it were by irresistible force to the +verge of the precipice which she saw, but could not avoid--permitted +not a moment's respite by the eager words and menacing gestures of the +offended Queen, Amy at length uttered in despair, "The Earl of Leicester +knows it all." + +"The Earl of Leicester!" said Elizabeth, in utter astonishment. "The +Earl of Leicester!" she repeated with kindling anger. "Woman, thou art +set on to this--thou dost belie him--he takes no keep of such things +as thou art. Thou art suborned to slander the noblest lord and the +truest-hearted gentleman in England! But were he the right hand of our +trust, or something yet dearer to us, thou shalt have thy hearing, and +that in his presence. Come with me--come with me instantly!" + +As Amy shrunk back with terror, which the incensed Queen interpreted as +that of conscious guilt, Elizabeth rapidly advanced, seized on her arm, +and hastened with swift and long steps out of the grotto, and along +the principal alley of the Pleasance, dragging with her the terrified +Countess, whom she still held by the arm, and whose utmost exertions +could but just keep pace with those of the indignant Queen. + +Leicester was at this moment the centre of a splendid group of lords and +ladies, assembled together under an arcade, or portico, which closed +the alley. The company had drawn together in that place, to attend the +commands of her Majesty when the hunting-party should go forward, and +their astonishment may be imagined when, instead of seeing Elizabeth +advance towards them with her usual measured dignity of motion, they +beheld her walking so rapidly that she was in the midst of them ere they +were aware; and then observed, with fear and surprise, that her features +were flushed betwixt anger and agitation, that her hair was loosened by +her haste of motion, and that her eyes sparkled as they were wont when +the spirit of Henry VIII. mounted highest in his daughter. Nor were they +less astonished at the appearance of the pale, attenuated, half-dead, +yet still lovely female, whom the Queen upheld by main strength with +one hand, while with the other she waved aside the ladies and nobles +who pressed towards her, under the idea that she was taken suddenly ill. +"Where is my Lord of Leicester?" she said, in a tone that thrilled with +astonishment all the courtiers who stood around. "Stand forth, my Lord +of Leicester!" + +If, in the midst of the most serene day of summer, when all is light and +laughing around, a thunderbolt were to fall from the clear blue vault of +heaven, and rend the earth at the very feet of some careless traveller, +he could not gaze upon the smouldering chasm, which so unexpectedly +yawned before him, with half the astonishment and fear which Leicester +felt at the sight that so suddenly presented itself. He had that +instant been receiving, with a political affectation of disavowing +and misunderstanding their meaning, the half-uttered, half-intimated +congratulations of the courtiers upon the favour of the Queen, carried +apparently to its highest pitch during the interview of that morning, +from which most of them seemed to augur that he might soon arise from +their equal in rank to become their master. And now, while the subdued +yet proud smile with which he disclaimed those inferences was yet +curling his cheek, the Queen shot into the circle, her passions excited +to the uttermost; and supporting with one hand, and apparently without +an effort, the pale and sinking form of his almost expiring wife, +and pointing with the finger of the other to her half-dead features, +demanded in a voice that sounded to the ears of the astounded statesman +like the last dread trumpet-call that is to summon body and spirit to +the judgment-seat, "Knowest thou this woman?" + +As, at the blast of that last trumpet, the guilty shall call upon the +mountains to cover them, Leicester's inward thoughts invoked the stately +arch which he had built in his pride to burst its strong conjunction, +and overwhelm them in its ruins. But the cemented stones, architrave and +battlement, stood fast; and it was the proud master himself who, as +if some actual pressure had bent him to the earth, kneeled down before +Elizabeth, and prostrated his brow to the marble flag-stones on which +she stood. + +"Leicester," said Elizabeth, in a voice which trembled with passion, +"could I think thou hast practised on me--on me thy Sovereign--on me thy +confiding, thy too partial mistress, the base and ungrateful deception +which thy present confusion surmises--by all that is holy, false lord, +that head of thine were in as great peril as ever was thy father's!" + +Leicester had not conscious innocence, but he had pride to support him. +He raised slowly his brow and features, which were black and swoln with +contending emotions, and only replied, "My head cannot fall but by the +sentence of my peers. To them I will plead, and not to a princess who +thus requites my faithful service." + +"What! my lords," said Elizabeth, looking around, "we are defied, I +think--defied in the Castle we have ourselves bestowed on this proud +man!--My Lord Shrewsbury, you are Marshal of England, attach him of high +treason." + +"Whom does your Grace mean?" said Shrewsbury, much surprised, for he had +that instant joined the astonished circle. + +"Whom should I mean, but that traitor Dudley, Earl of Leicester!--Cousin +of Hunsdon, order out your band of gentlemen pensioners, and take him +into instant custody. I say, villain, make haste!" + +Hunsdon, a rough old noble, who, from his relationship to the Boleyns, +was accustomed to use more freedom with the Queen than almost any other +dared to do, replied bluntly, "And it is like your Grace might order me +to the Tower to-morrow for making too much haste. I do beseech you to be +patient." + +"Patient--God's life!" exclaimed the Queen--"name not the word to me; +thou knowest not of what he is guilty!" + +Amy, who had by this time in some degree recovered herself, and who saw +her husband, as she conceived, in the utmost danger from the rage of an +offended Sovereign, instantly (and alas! how many women have done the +same) forgot her own wrongs and her own danger in her apprehensions for +him, and throwing herself before the Queen, embraced her knees, while +she exclaimed, "He is guiltless, madam--he is guiltless; no one can lay +aught to the charge of the noble Leicester!" + +"Why, minion," answered the Queen, "didst not thou thyself say that the +Earl of Leicester was privy to thy whole history?" + +"Did I say so?" repeated the unhappy Amy, laying aside every +consideration of consistency and of self-interest. "Oh, if I did, I +foully belied him. May God so judge me, as I believe he was never privy +to a thought that would harm me!" + +"Woman!" said Elizabeth, "I will know who has moved thee to this; or +my wrath--and the wrath of kings is a flaming fire--shall wither and +consume thee like a weed in the furnace!" + +As the Queen uttered this threat, Leicester's better angel called +his pride to his aid, and reproached him with the utter extremity +of meanness which would overwhelm him for ever if he stooped to take +shelter under the generous interposition of his wife, and abandoned +her, in return for her kindness, to the resentment of the Queen. He had +already raised his head with the dignity of a man of honour to avow +his marriage, and proclaim himself the protector of his Countess, when +Varney, born, as it appeared, to be his master's evil genius, rushed +into the presence with every mark of disorder on his face and apparel. + +"What means this saucy intrusion?" said Elizabeth. + +Varney, with the air of a man altogether overwhelmed with grief and +confusion, prostrated himself before her feet, exclaiming, "Pardon, my +Liege, pardon!--or at least let your justice avenge itself on me, where +it is due; but spare my noble, my generous, my innocent patron and +master!" + +Amy, who was yet kneeling, started up as she saw the man whom she deemed +most odious place himself so near her, and was about to fly towards +Leicester, when, checked at once by the uncertainty and even timidity +which his looks had reassumed as soon as the appearance of his confidant +seemed to open a new scene, she hung back, and uttering a faint scream, +besought of her Majesty to cause her to be imprisoned in the lowest +dungeon of the Castle--to deal with her as the worst of criminals--"but +spare," she exclaimed, "my sight and hearing what will destroy the +little judgment I have left--the sight of that unutterable and most +shameless villain!" + +"And why, sweetheart?" said the Queen, moved by a new impulse; "what +hath he, this false knight, since such thou accountest him, done to +thee?" + +"Oh, worse than sorrow, madam, and worse than injury--he has sown +dissension where most there should be peace. I shall go mad if I look +longer on him!" + +"Beshrew me, but I think thou art distraught already," answered the +Queen.--"My Lord Hunsdon, look to this poor distressed young woman, and +let her be safely bestowed, and in honest keeping, till we require her +to be forthcoming." + +Two or three of the ladies in attendance, either moved by compassion +for a creature so interesting, or by some other motive, offered their +services to look after her; but the Queen briefly answered, "Ladies, +under favour, no. You have all (give God thanks) sharp ears and nimble +tongues; our kinsman Hunsdon has ears of the dullest, and a tongue +somewhat rough, but yet of the slowest.--Hunsdon, look to it that none +have speech of her." + +"By Our Lady," said Hunsdon, taking in his strong, sinewy arms the +fading and almost swooning form of Amy, "she is a lovely child! and +though a rough nurse, your Grace hath given her a kind one. She is safe +with me as one of my own ladybirds of daughters." + +So saying, he carried her off; unresistingly and almost unconsciously, +his war-worn locks and long, grey beard mingling with her light-brown +tresses, as her head reclined on his strong, square shoulder. The Queen +followed him with her eye. She had already, with that self-command which +forms so necessary a part of a Sovereign's accomplishments, suppressed +every appearance of agitation, and seemed as if she desired to banish +all traces of her burst of passion from the recollection of those who +had witnessed it. "My Lord of Hunsdon says well," she observed, "he is +indeed but a rough nurse for so tender a babe." + +"My Lord of Hunsdon," said the Dean of St. Asaph--"I speak it not in +defamation of his more noble qualities--hath a broad license in speech, +and garnishes his discourse somewhat too freely with the cruel and +superstitious oaths which savour both of profaneness and of old +Papistrie." + +"It is the fault of his blood, Mr. Dean," said the Queen, turning +sharply round upon the reverend dignitary as she spoke; "and you may +blame mine for the same distemperature. The Boleyns were ever a hot and +plain-spoken race, more hasty to speak their mind than careful to +choose their expressions. And by my word--I hope there is no sin in that +affirmation--I question if it were much cooled by mixing with that of +Tudor." + +As she made this last observation she smiled graciously, and stole her +eyes almost insensibly round to seek those of the Earl of Leicester, to +whom she now began to think she had spoken with hasty harshness upon the +unfounded suspicion of a moment. + +The Queen's eye found the Earl in no mood to accept the implied offer +of conciliation. His own looks had followed, with late and rueful +repentance, the faded form which Hunsdon had just borne from the +presence. They now reposed gloomily on the ground, but more--so at least +it seemed to Elizabeth--with the expression of one who has received an +unjust affront, than of him who is conscious of guilt. She turned her +face angrily from him, and said to Varney, "Speak, Sir Richard, and +explain these riddles--thou hast sense and the use of speech, at least, +which elsewhere we look for in vain." + +As she said this, she darted another resentful glance towards Leicester, +while the wily Varney hastened to tell his own story. + +"Your Majesty's piercing eye," he said, "has already detected the cruel +malady of my beloved lady, which, unhappy that I am, I would not suffer +to be expressed in the certificate of her physician, seeking to conceal +what has now broken out with so much the more scandal." + +"She is then distraught?" said the Queen. "Indeed we doubted not of +it; her whole demeanour bears it out. I found her moping in a corner of +yonder grotto; and every word she spoke--which indeed I dragged from her +as by the rack--she instantly recalled and forswore. But how came she +hither? Why had you her not in safe-keeping?" + +"My gracious Liege," said Varney, "the worthy gentleman under whose +charge I left her, Master Anthony Foster, has come hither but now, as +fast as man and horse can travel, to show me of her escape, which +she managed with the art peculiar to many who are afflicted with this +malady. He is at hand for examination." + +"Let it be for another time," said the Queen. "But, Sir Richard, we envy +you not your domestic felicity; your lady railed on you bitterly, and +seemed ready to swoon at beholding you." + +"It is the nature of persons in her disorder, so please your Grace," +answered Varney, "to be ever most inveterate in their spleen against +those whom, in their better moments, they hold nearest and dearest." + +"We have heard so, indeed," said Elizabeth, "and give faith to the +saying." + +"May your Grace then be pleased," said Varney, "to command my +unfortunate wife to be delivered into the custody of her friends?" + +Leicester partly started; but making a strong effort, he subdued his +emotion, while Elizabeth answered sharply, "You are something too hasty, +Master Varney. We will have first a report of the lady's health and +state of mind from Masters, our own physician, and then determine what +shall be thought just. You shall have license, however, to see her, that +if there be any matrimonial quarrel betwixt you--such things we have +heard do occur, even betwixt a loving couple--you may make it up, +without further scandal to our court or trouble to ourselves." + +Varney bowed low, and made no other answer. + +Elizabeth again looked towards Leicester, and said, with a degree of +condescension which could only arise out of the most heartfelt interest, +"Discord, as the Italian poet says, will find her way into peaceful +convents, as well as into the privacy of families; and we fear our +own guards and ushers will hardly exclude her from courts. My Lord of +Leicester, you are offended with us, and we have right to be offended +with you. We will take the lion's part upon us, and be the first to +forgive." + +Leicester smoothed his brow, as by an effort; but the trouble was too +deep-seated that its placidity should at once return. He said, however, +that which fitted the occasion, "That he could not have the happiness of +forgiving, because she who commanded him to do so could commit no injury +towards him." + +Elizabeth seemed content with this reply, and intimated her pleasure +that the sports of the morning should proceed. The bugles sounded, the +hounds bayed, the horses pranced--but the courtiers and ladies sought +the amusement to which they were summoned with hearts very different +from those which had leaped to the morning's REVIELLE. There was doubt, +and fear, and expectation on every brow, and surmise and intrigue in +every whisper. + +Blount took an opportunity to whisper into Raleigh's ear, "This storm +came like a levanter in the Mediterranean." + +"VARIUM ET MUTABILE," answered Raleigh, in a similar tone. + +"Nay, I know nought of your Latin," said Blount; "but I thank God +Tressilian took not the sea during that hurricane. He could scarce have +missed shipwreck, knowing as he does so little how to trim his sails to +a court gale." + +"Thou wouldst have instructed him!" said Raleigh. + +"Why, I have profited by my time as well as thou, Sir Walter," replied +honest Blount. "I am knight as well as thou, and of the earlier +creation." + +"Now, God further thy wit," said Raleigh. "But for Tressilian, I would I +knew what were the matter with him. He told me this morning he would not +leave his chamber for the space of twelve hours or thereby, being bound +by a promise. This lady's madness, when he shall learn it, will not, I +fear, cure his infirmity. The moon is at the fullest, and men's brains +are working like yeast. But hark! they sound to mount. Let us to horse, +Blount; we young knights must deserve our spurs." + + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + + + Sincerity, + Thou first of virtues! let no mortal leave + Thy onward path, although the earth should gape, + And from the gulf of hell destruction cry, + To take dissimulation's winding way. --DOUGLAS. + +It was not till after a long and successful morning's sport, and a +prolonged repast which followed the return of the Queen to the Castle, +that Leicester at length found himself alone with Varney, from whom he +now learned the whole particulars of the Countess's escape, as they +had been brought to Kenilworth by Foster, who, in his terror for the +consequences, had himself posted thither with the tidings. As Varney, +in his narrative, took especial care to be silent concerning those +practices on the Countess's health which had driven her to so desperate +a resolution, Leicester, who could only suppose that she had adopted +it out of jealous impatience to attain the avowed state and appearance +belonging to her rank, was not a little offended at the levity with +which his wife had broken his strict commands, and exposed him to the +resentment of Elizabeth. + +"I have given," he said, "to this daughter of an obscure Devonshire +gentleman the proudest name in England. I have made her sharer of my bed +and of my fortunes. I ask but of her a little patience, ere she launches +forth upon the full current of her grandeur; and the infatuated woman +will rather hazard her own shipwreck and mine--will rather involve me +in a thousand whirlpools, shoals, and quicksands, and compel me to +a thousand devices which shame me in mine own eyes--than tarry for a +little space longer in the obscurity to which she was born. So lovely, +so delicate, so fond, so faithful, yet to lack in so grave a matter the +prudence which one might hope from the veriest fool--it puts me beyond +my patience." + +"We may post it over yet well enough," said Varney, "if my lady will be +but ruled, and take on her the character which the time commands." + +"It is but too true, Sir Richard," said Leicester; "there is indeed no +other remedy. I have heard her termed thy wife in my presence, +without contradiction. She must bear the title until she is far from +Kenilworth." + +"And long afterwards, I trust," said Varney; then instantly added, "For +I cannot but hope it will be long after ere she bear the title of Lady +Leicester--I fear me it may scarce be with safety during the life of +this Queen. But your lordship is best judge, you alone knowing what +passages have taken place betwixt Elizabeth and you." + +"You are right, Varney," said Leicester. "I have this morning been both +fool and villain; and when Elizabeth hears of my unhappy marriage, she +cannot but think herself treated with that premeditated slight which +women never forgive. We have once this day stood upon terms little short +of defiance; and to those, I fear, we must again return." + +"Is her resentment, then, so implacable?" said Varney. + +"Far from it," replied the Earl; "for, being what she is in spirit and +in station, she has even this day been but too condescending, in giving +me opportunities to repair what she thinks my faulty heat of temper." + +"Ay," answered Varney; "the Italians say right--in lovers' quarrels, the +party that loves most is always most willing to acknowledge the greater +fault. So then, my lord, if this union with the lady could be concealed, +you stand with Elizabeth as you did?" + +Leicester sighed, and was silent for a moment, ere he replied. + +"Varney, I think thou art true to me, and I will tell thee all. I do NOT +stand where I did. I have spoken to Elizabeth--under what mad impulse +I know not--on a theme which cannot be abandoned without touching +every female feeling to the quick, and which yet I dare not and cannot +prosecute. She can never, never forgive me for having caused and +witnessed those yieldings to human passion." + +"We must do something, my lord," said Varney, "and that speedily." + +"There is nought to be done," answered Leicester, despondingly. "I am +like one that has long toiled up a dangerous precipice, and when he is +within one perilous stride of the top, finds his progress arrested +when retreat has become impossible. I see above me the pinnacle which I +cannot reach--beneath me the abyss into which I must fall, as soon as +my relaxing grasp and dizzy brain join to hurl me from my present +precarious stance." + +"Think better of your situation, my lord," said Varney; "let us try the +experiment in which you have but now acquiesced. Keep we your marriage +from Elizabeth's knowledge, and all may yet be well. I will instantly go +to the lady myself. She hates me, because I have been earnest with your +lordship, as she truly suspects, in opposition to what she terms her +rights. I care not for her prejudices--she SHALL listen to me; and I +will show her such reasons for yielding to the pressure of the times +that I doubt not to bring back her consent to whatever measures these +exigencies may require." + +"No, Varney," said Leicester; "I have thought upon what is to be done, +and I will myself speak with Amy." + +It was now Varney's turn to feel upon his own account the terrors +which he affected to participate solely on account of his patron. "Your +lordship will not yourself speak with the lady?" + +"It is my fixed purpose," said Leicester. "Fetch me one of the +livery-cloaks; I will pass the sentinel as thy servant. Thou art to have +free access to her." + +"But, my lord--" + +"I will have no BUTS," replied Leicester; "it shall be even thus, and +not otherwise. Hunsdon sleeps, I think, in Saintlowe's Tower. We can go +thither from these apartments by the private passage, without risk of +meeting any one. Or what if I do meet Hunsdon? he is more my friend than +enemy, and thick-witted enough to adopt any belief that is thrust on +him. Fetch me the cloak instantly." + +Varney had no alternative save obedience. In a few minutes Leicester was +muffled in the mantle, pulled his bonnet over his brows, and followed +Varney along the secret passage of the Castle which communicated with +Hunsdon's apartments, in which there was scarce a chance of meeting +any inquisitive person, and hardly light enough for any such to have +satisfied their curiosity. They emerged at a door where Lord Hunsdon +had, with military precaution, placed a sentinel, one of his own +northern retainers as it fortuned, who readily admitted Sir Richard +Varney and his attendant, saying only, in his northern dialect, "I +would, man, thou couldst make the mad lady be still yonder; for her +moans do sae dirl through my head that I would rather keep watch on a +snowdrift, in the wastes of Catlowdie." + +They hastily entered, and shut the door behind them. + +"Now, good devil, if there be one," said Varney, within himself, +"for once help a votary at a dead pinch, for my boat is amongst the +breakers!" + +The Countess Amy, with her hair and her garments dishevelled, was seated +upon a sort of couch, in an attitude of the deepest affliction, out of +which she was startled by the opening of the door. Size turned hastily +round, and fixing her eye on Varney, exclaimed, "Wretch! art thou come +to frame some new plan of villainy?" + +Leicester cut short her reproaches by stepping forward and dropping his +cloak, while he said, in a voice rather of authority than of affection, +"It is with me, madam, you have to commune, not with Sir Richard +Varney." + +The change effected on the Countess's look and manner was like magic. +"Dudley!" she exclaimed, "Dudley! and art thou come at last?" And with +the speed of lightning she flew to her husband, clung round his neck, +and unheeding the presence of Varney, overwhelmed him with caresses, +while she bathed his face in a flood of tears, muttering, at the +same time, but in broken and disjointed monosyllables, the fondest +expressions which Love teaches his votaries. + +Leicester, as it seemed to him, had reason to be angry with his lady +for transgressing his commands, and thus placing him in the perilous +situation in which he had that morning stood. But what displeasure could +keep its ground before these testimonies of affection from a being so +lovely, that even the negligence of dress, and the withering effects +of fear, grief, and fatigue, which would have impaired the beauty of +others, rendered hers but the more interesting. He received and repaid +her caresses with fondness mingled with melancholy, the last of which +she seemed scarcely to observe, until the first transport of her own joy +was over, when, looking anxiously in his face, she asked if he was ill. + +"Not in my body, Amy," was his answer. + +"Then I will be well too. O Dudley! I have been ill!--very ill, since +we last met!--for I call not this morning's horrible vision a meeting. +I have been in sickness, in grief, and in danger. But thou art come, and +all is joy, and health, and safety!" + +"Alas, Amy," said Leicester, "thou hast undone me!" + +"I, my lord?" said Amy, her cheek at once losing its transient flush of +joy--"how could I injure that which I love better than myself?" + +"I would not upbraid you, Amy," replied the Earl; "but are you not +here contrary to my express commands--and does not your presence here +endanger both yourself and me?" + +"Does it, does it indeed?" she exclaimed eagerly; "then why am I here a +moment longer? Oh, if you knew by what fears I was urged to quit Cumnor +Place! But I will say nothing of myself--only that if it might be +otherwise, I would not willingly return THITHER; yet if it concern your +safety--" + +"We will think, Amy, of some other retreat," said Leicester; "and you +shall go to one of my northern castles, under the personage--it will be +but needful, I trust, for a very few days--of Varney's wife." + +"How, my Lord of Leicester!" said the lady, disengaging herself from +his embraces; "is it to your wife you give the dishonourable counsel to +acknowledge herself the bride of another--and of all men, the bride of +that Varney?" + +"Madam, I speak it in earnest--Varney is my true and faithful servant, +trusted in my deepest secrets. I had better lose my right hand than his +service at this moment. You have no cause to scorn him as you do." + +"I could assign one, my lord," replied the Countess; "and I see he +shakes even under that assured look of his. But he that is necessary as +your right hand to your safety is free from any accusation of mine. May +he be true to you; and that he may be true, trust him not too much or +too far. But it is enough to say that I will not go with him unless by +violence, nor would I acknowledge him as my husband were all--" + +"It is a temporary deception, madam," said Leicester, irritated by her +opposition, "necessary for both our safeties, endangered by you through +female caprice, or the premature desire to seize on a rank to which +I gave you title only under condition that our marriage, for a time, +should continue secret. If my proposal disgust you, it is yourself has +brought it on both of us. There is no other remedy--you must do what +your own impatient folly hath rendered necessary--I command you." + +"I cannot put your commands, my lord," said Amy, "in balance with those +of honour and conscience. I will NOT, in this instance, obey you. +You may achieve your own dishonour, to which these crooked policies +naturally tend, but I will do nought that can blemish mine. How could +you again, my lord, acknowledge me as a pure and chaste matron, worthy +to share your fortunes, when, holding that high character, I had +strolled the country the acknowledged wife of such a profligate fellow +as your servant Varney?" + +"My lord," said Varney interposing, "my lady is too much prejudiced +against me, unhappily, to listen to what I can offer, yet it may please +her better than what she proposes. She has good interest with Master +Edmund Tressilian, and could doubtless prevail on him to consent to +be her companion to Lidcote Hall, and there she might remain in safety +until time permitted the development of this mystery." + +Leicester was silent, but stood looking eagerly on Amy, with eyes which +seemed suddenly to glow as much with suspicion as displeasure. + +The Countess only said, "Would to God I were in my father's house! +When I left it, I little thought I was leaving peace of mind and honour +behind me." + +Varney proceeded with a tone of deliberation. "Doubtless this will make +it necessary to take strangers into my lord's counsels; but surely the +Countess will be warrant for the honour of Master Tressilian, and such +of her father's family--" + +"Peace, Varney," said Leicester; "by Heaven I will strike my dagger into +thee if again thou namest Tressilian as a partner of my counsels!" + +"And wherefore not!" said the Countess; "unless they be counsels fitter +for such as Varney, than for a man of stainless honour and integrity. My +lord, my lord, bend no angry brows on me; it is the truth, and it is I +who speak it. I once did Tressilian wrong for your sake; I will not do +him the further injustice of being silent when his honour is brought in +question. I can forbear," she said, looking at Varney, "to pull the +mask off hypocrisy, but I will not permit virtue to be slandered in my +hearing." + +There was a dead pause. Leicester stood displeased, yet undetermined, +and too conscious of the weakness of his cause; while Varney, with a +deep and hypocritical affectation of sorrow, mingled with humility, bent +his eyes on the ground. + +It was then that the Countess Amy displayed, in the midst of distress +and difficulty, the natural energy of character which would have +rendered her, had fate allowed, a distinguished ornament of the rank +which she held. She walked up to Leicester with a composed step, a +dignified air, and looks in which strong affection essayed in vain to +shake the firmness of conscious, truth and rectitude of principle. "You +have spoken your mind, my lord," she said, "in these difficulties, +with which, unhappily, I have found myself unable to comply. This +gentleman--this person I would say--has hinted at another scheme, to +which I object not but as it displeases you. Will your lordship be +pleased to hear what a young and timid woman, but your most affectionate +wife, can suggest in the present extremity?" + +Leicester was silent, but bent his head towards the Countess, as an +intimation that she was at liberty to proceed. + +"There hath been but one cause for all these evils, my lord," she +proceeded, "and it resolves itself into the mysterious duplicity with +which you, have been induced to surround yourself. Extricate yourself at +once, my lord, from the tyranny of these disgraceful trammels. Be like +a true English gentleman, knight, and earl, who holds that truth is the +foundation of honour, and that honour is dear to him as the breath of +his nostrils. Take your ill-fated wife by the hand, lead her to the +footstool of Elizabeth's throne--say that in a moment of infatuation, +moved by supposed beauty, of which none perhaps can now trace even the +remains, I gave my hand to this Amy Robsart. You will then have done +justice to me, my lord, and to your own honour and should law or power +require you to part from me, I will oppose no objection, since I may +then with honour hide a grieved and broken heart in those shades from +which your love withdrew me. Then--have but a little patience, and Amy's +life will not long darken your brighter prospects." + +There was so much of dignity, so much of tenderness, in the Countess's +remonstrance, that it moved all that was noble and generous in the +soul of her husband. The scales seemed to fall from his eyes, and the +duplicity and tergiversation of which he had been guilty stung him at +once with remorse and shame. + +"I am not worthy of you, Amy," he said, "that could weigh aught which +ambition has to give against such a heart as thine. I have a bitter +penance to perform, in disentangling, before sneering foes and astounded +friends, all the meshes of my own deceitful policy. And the Queen--but +let her take my head, as she has threatened." + +"Take your head, my lord!" said the Countess, "because you used the +freedom and liberty of an English subject in choosing a wife? For shame! +it is this distrust of the Queen's justice, this apprehension of danger, +which cannot but be imaginary, that, like scarecrows, have induced you +to forsake the straightforward path, which, as it is the best, is also +the safest." + +"Ah, Amy, thou little knowest!" said Dudley but instantly checking +himself, he added, "Yet she shall not find in me a safe or easy victim +of arbitrary vengeance. I have friends--I have allies--I will not, like +Norfolk, be dragged to the block as a victim to sacrifice. Fear not, +Amy; thou shalt see Dudley bear himself worthy of his name. I must +instantly communicate with some of those friends on whom I can best +rely; for, as things stand, I may be made prisoner in my own Castle." + +"Oh, my good lord," said Amy, "make no faction in a peaceful state! +There is no friend can help us so well as our own candid truth and +honour. Bring but these to our assistance, and you are safe amidst a +whole army of the envious and malignant. Leave these behind you, and all +other defence will be fruitless. Truth, my noble lord, is well painted +unarmed." + +"But Wisdom, Amy," answered Leicester, "is arrayed in panoply of +proof. Argue not with me on the means I shall use to render my +confession--since it must be called so--as safe as may be; it will +be fraught with enough of danger, do what we will.--Varney, we must +hence.--Farewell, Amy, whom I am to vindicate as mine own, at an expense +and risk of which thou alone couldst be worthy. You shall soon hear +further from me." + +He embraced her fervently, muffled himself as before, and accompanied +Varney from the apartment. The latter, as he left the room, bowed low, +and as he raised his body, regarded Amy with a peculiar expression, +as if he desired to know how far his own pardon was included in the +reconciliation which had taken place betwixt her and her lord. The +Countess looked upon him with a fixed eye, but seemed no more conscious +of his presence than if there had been nothing but vacant air on the +spot where he stood. + +"She has brought me to the crisis," he muttered--"she or I am lost. +There was something--I wot not if it was fear or pity--that prompted me +to avoid this fatal crisis. It is now decided--she or I must PERISH." + +While he thus spoke, he observed, with surprise, that a boy, repulsed by +the sentinel, made up to Leicester, and spoke with him. Varney was one +of those politicians whom not the slightest appearances escape without +inquiry. He asked the sentinel what the lad wanted with him, and +received for answer that the boy had wished him to transmit a parcel +to the mad lady; but that he cared not to take charge of it, such +communication being beyond his commission, His curiosity satisfied in +that particular, he approached his patron, and heard him say, "Well, +boy, the packet shall be delivered." + +"Thanks, good Master Serving-man," said the boy, and was out of sight in +an instant. + +Leicester and Varney returned with hasty steps to the Earl's private +apartment, by the same passage which had conducted them to Saintlowe's +Tower. + + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + + + I have said + This is an adulteress--I have said with whom: + More, she's a traitor, and Camillo is + A federary with her, and one that knows + What she should shame to know herself. --WINTER'S TALE. + +They were no sooner in the Earl's cabinet than, taking his tablets from +his pocket, he began to write, speaking partly to Varney, and partly +to himself--"There are many of them close bounden to me, and especially +those in good estate and high office--many who, if they look back +towards my benefits, or forward towards the perils which may +befall themselves, will not, I think, be disposed to see me stagger +unsupported. Let me see--Knollis is sure, and through his means Guernsey +and Jersey. Horsey commands in the Isle of Wight. My brother-in-law, +Huntingdon, and Pembroke, have authority in Wales. Through Bedford I +lead the Puritans, with their interest, so powerful in all the boroughs. +My brother of Warwick is equal, well-nigh, to myself, in wealth, +followers, and dependencies. Sir Owen Hopton is at my devotion; he +commands the Tower of London, and the national treasure deposited there. +My father and grand-father needed never to have stooped their heads to +the block had they thus forecast their enterprises.--Why look you so +sad, Varney? I tell thee, a tree so deep-rooted is not so easily to be +torn up by the tempest." + +"Alas! my lord," said Varney, with well-acted passion, and then resumed +the same look of despondency which Leicester had before noted. + +"Alas!" repeated Leicester; "and wherefore alas, Sir Richard? Doth your +new spirit of chivalry supply no more vigorous ejaculation when a noble +struggle is impending? Or, if ALAS means thou wilt flinch from the +conflict, thou mayest leave the Castle, or go join mine enemies, +whichever thou thinkest best." + +"Not so, my lord," answered his confidant; "Varney will be found +fighting or dying by your side. Forgive me, if, in love to you, I see +more fully than your noble heart permits you to do, the inextricable +difficulties with which you are surrounded. You are strong, my lord, +and powerful; yet, let me say it without offence, you are so only by +the reflected light of the Queen's favour. While you are Elizabeth's +favourite, you are all, save in name, like an actual sovereign. But let +her call back the honours she has bestowed, and the prophet's gourd did +not wither more suddenly. Declare against the Queen, and I do not say +that in the wide nation, or in this province alone, you would find +yourself instantly deserted and outnumbered; but I will say, that even +in this very Castle, and in the midst of your vassals, kinsmen, and +dependants, you would be a captive, nay, a sentenced captive, should she +please to say the word. Think upon Norfolk, my lord--upon the powerful +Northumberland--the splendid Westmoreland;--think on all who have made +head against this sage Princess. They are dead, captive, or fugitive. +This is not like other thrones, which can be overturned by a combination +of powerful nobles; the broad foundations which support it are in the +extended love and affections of the people. You might share it with +Elizabeth if you would; but neither yours, nor any other power, foreign +or domestic, will avail to overthrow, or even to shake it." + +He paused, and Leicester threw his tablets from him with an air of +reckless despite. "It may be as thou sayest," he said? "and, in sooth, +I care not whether truth or cowardice dictate thy forebodings. But it +shall not be said I fell without a struggle. Give orders that those of +my retainers who served under me in Ireland be gradually drawn into the +main Keep, and let our gentlemen and friends stand on their guard, and +go armed, as if they expected arm onset from the followers of Sussex. +Possess the townspeople with some apprehension; let them take arms, and +be ready, at a given signal, to overpower the Pensioners and Yeomen of +the Guard." + +"Let me remind you, my lord," said Varney, with the same appearance of +deep and melancholy interest, "that you have given me orders to prepare +for disarming the Queen's guard. It is an act of high treason, but you +shall nevertheless be obeyed." + +"I care not," said Leicester desperately--"I care not. Shame is behind +me, ruin before me; I must on." + +Here there was another pause, which Varney at length broke with the +following words: "It is come to the point I have long dreaded. I must +either witness, like an ungrateful beast, the downfall of the best and +kindest of masters, or I must speak what I would have buried in the +deepest oblivion, or told by any other mouth than mine." + +"What is that thou sayest, or wouldst say?" replied the Earl; "we have +no time to waste on words when the times call us to action." + +"My speech is soon made, my lord--would to God it were as soon answered! +Your marriage is the sole cause of the threatened breach with your +Sovereign, my lord, is it not?" + +"Thou knowest it is!" replied Leicester. "What needs so fruitless a +question?" + +"Pardon me, my lord," said Varney; "the use lies here. Men will wager +their lands and lives in defence of a rich diamond, my lord; but were it +not first prudent to look if there is no flaw in it?" + +"What means this?" said Leicester, with eyes sternly fixed on his +dependant; "of whom dost thou dare to speak?" + +"It is--of the Countess Amy, my lord, of whom I am unhappily bound to +speak; and of whom I WILL speak, were your lordship to kill me for my +zeal." + +"Thou mayest happen to deserve it at my hand," said the Earl; "but speak +on, I will hear thee." + +"Nay, then, my lord, I will be bold. I speak for my own life as well as +for your lordship's. I like not this lady's tampering and trickstering +with this same Edmund Tressilian. You know him, my lord. You know he had +formerly an interest in her, which it cost your lordship some pains to +supersede. You know the eagerness with which he has pressed on the suit +against me in behalf of this lady, the open object of which is to drive +your lordship to an avowal of what I must ever call your most unhappy +marriage, the point to which my lady also is willing, at any risk, to +urge you." + +Leicester smiled constrainedly. "Thou meanest well, good Sir Richard, +and wouldst, I think, sacrifice thine own honour, as well as that of any +other person, to save me from what thou thinkest a step so terrible. But +remember"--he spoke these words with the most stern decision--"you speak +of the Countess of Leicester." + +"I do, my lord," said Varney; "but it is for the welfare of the Earl of +Leicester. My tale is but begun. I do most strongly believe that this +Tressilian has, from the beginning of his moving in her cause, been in +connivance with her ladyship the Countess." + +"Thou speakest wild madness, Varney, with the sober face of a preacher. +Where, or how, could they communicate together?" + +"My lord," said Varney, "unfortunately I can show that but too well. +It was just before the supplication was presented to the Queen, in +Tressilian's name, that I met him, to my utter astonishment, at the +postern gate which leads from the demesne at Cumnor Place." + +"Thou met'st him, villain! and why didst thou not strike him dead?" +exclaimed Leicester. + +"I drew on him, my lord, and he on me; and had not my foot slipped, he +would not, perhaps, have been again a stumbling-block in your lordship's +path." + +Leicester seemed struck dumb with surprise. At length he answered, +"What other evidence hast thou of this, Varney, save thine own +assertion?--for, as I will punish deeply, I will examine coolly and +warily. Sacred Heaven!--but no--I will examine coldly and warily--coldly +and warily." He repeated these words more than once to himself, as if in +the very sound there was a sedative quality; and again compressing his +lips, as if he feared some violent expression might escape from them, he +asked again, "What further proof?" + +"Enough, my lord," said Varney, "and to spare. I would it rested with me +alone, for with me it might have been silenced for ever. But my servant, +Michael Lambourne, witnessed the whole, and was, indeed, the means of +first introducing Tressilian into Cumnor Place; and therefore I took him +into my service, and retained him in it, though something of a debauched +fellow, that I might have his tongue always under my own command." He +then acquainted Lord Leicester how easy it was to prove the circumstance +of their interview true, by evidence of Anthony Foster, with the +corroborative testimonies of the various persons at Cumnor, who had +heard the wager laid, and had seen Lambourne and Tressilian set off +together. In the whole narrative, Varney hazarded nothing fabulous, +excepting that, not indeed by direct assertion, but by inference, he led +his patron to suppose that the interview betwixt Amy and Tressilian at +Cumnor Place had been longer than the few minutes to which it was in +reality limited. + +"And wherefore was I not told of all this?" said Leicester sternly. "Why +did all of ye--and in particular thou, Varney--keep back from me such +material information?" + +"Because, my lord," replied Varney, "the Countess pretended to Foster +and to me that Tressilian had intruded himself upon her; and I concluded +their interview had been in all honour, and that she would at her own +time tell it to your lordship. Your lordship knows with what unwilling +ears we listen to evil surmises against those whom we love; and I thank +Heaven I am no makebate or informer, to be the first to sow them." + +"You are but too ready to receive them, however, Sir Richard," replied +his patron. "How knowest thou that this interview was not in all honour, +as thou hast said? Methinks the wife of the Earl of Leicester might +speak for a short time with such a person as Tressilian without injury +to me or suspicion to herself." + +"Questionless, my lord," answered Varney, "Had I thought otherwise, +I had been no keeper of the secret. But here lies the rub--Tressilian +leaves not the place without establishing a correspondence with a poor +man, the landlord of an inn in Cumnor, for the purpose of carrying off +the lady. He sent down an emissary of his, whom I trust soon to have +in right sure keeping under Mervyn's Tower--Killigrew and Lambsbey are +scouring the country in quest of him. The host is rewarded with a ring +for keeping counsel--your lordship may have noted it on Tressilian's +hand--here it is. This fellow, this agent, makes his way to the place +as a pedlar; holds conferences with the lady, and they make their escape +together by night; rob a poor fellow of a horse by the way, such was +their guilty haste, and at length reach this Castle, where the Countess +of Leicester finds refuge--I dare not say in what place." + +"Speak, I command thee," said Leicester--"speak, while I retain sense +enough to hear thee." + +"Since it must be so," answered Varney, "the lady resorted immediately +to the apartment of Tressilian, where she remained many hours, partly in +company with him, and partly alone. I told you Tressilian had a paramour +in his chamber; I little dreamed that paramour was--" + +"Amy, thou wouldst say," answered Leicester; "but it is false, false as +the smoke of hell! Ambitious she may be--fickle and impatient--'tis a +woman's fault; but false to me!--never, never. The proof--the proof of +this!" he exclaimed hastily. + +"Carrol, the Deputy Marshal, ushered her thither by her own desire, on +yesterday afternoon; Lambourne and the Warder both found her there at an +early hour this morning." + +"Was Tressilian there with her?" said Leicester, in the same hurried +tone. + +"No, my lord. You may remember," answered Varney, "that he was that +night placed with Sir Nicholas Blount, under a species of arrest." + +"Did Carrol, or the other fellows, know who she was?" demanded +Leicester. + +"No, my lord," replied Varney; "Carrol and the Warder had never seen the +Countess, and Lambourne knew her not in her disguise. But in seeking +to prevent her leaving the cell, he obtained possession of one of her +gloves, which, I think, your lordship may know." + +He gave the glove, which had the Bear and Ragged Staff, the Earl's +impress, embroidered upon it in seed-pearls. + +"I do--I do recognize it," said Leicester. "They were my own gift. The +fellow of it was on the arm which she threw this very day around my +neck!" He spoke this with violent agitation. + +"Your lordship," said Varney, "might yet further inquire of the lady +herself respecting the truth of these passages." + +"It needs not--it needs not," said the tortured Earl; "it is written +in characters of burning light, as if they were branded on my very +eyeballs! I see her infamy-I can see nought else; and--gracious +Heaven!--for this vile woman was I about to commit to danger the lives +of so many noble friends, shake the foundation of a lawful throne, carry +the sword and torch through the bosom of a peaceful land, wrong the +kind mistress who made me what I am, and would, but for that hell-framed +marriage, have made me all that man can be! All this I was ready to do +for a woman who trinkets and traffics with my worst foes!--And thou, +villain, why didst thou not speak sooner?" + +"My lord," said Varney, "a tear from my lady would have blotted out +all I could have said. Besides, I had not these proofs until this very +morning, when Anthony Foster's sudden arrival with the examinations +and declarations, which he had extorted from the innkeeper Gosling and +others, explained the manner of her flight from Cumnor Place, and my own +researches discovered the steps which she had taken here." + +"Now, may God be praised for the light He has given! so full, so +satisfactory, that there breathes not a man in England who shall call +my proceeding rash, or my revenge unjust.--And yet, Varney, so young, +so fair, so fawning, and so false! Hence, then, her hatred to thee, my +trusty, my well-beloved servant, because you withstood her plots, and +endangered her paramour's life!" + +"I never gave her any other cause of dislike, my lord," replied Varney. +"But she knew that my counsels went directly to diminish her influence +with your lordship; and that I was, and have been, ever ready to peril +my life against your enemies." + +"It is too, too apparent," replied Leicester "yet with what an air of +magnanimity she exhorted me to commit my head to the Queen's mercy, +rather than wear the veil of falsehood a moment longer! Methinks the +angel of truth himself can have no such tones of high-souled impulse. +Can it be so, Varney?--can falsehood use thus boldly the language of +truth?--can infamy thus assume the guise of purity? Varney, thou hast +been my servant from a child. I have raised thee high--can raise +thee higher. Think, think for me!--thy brain was ever shrewd and +piercing--may she not be innocent? Prove her so, and all I have yet done +for thee shall be as nothing--nothing, in comparison of thy recompense!" + +The agony with which his master spoke had some effect even on the +hardened Varney, who, in the midst of his own wicked and ambitious +designs, really loved his patron as well as such a wretch was capable +of loving anything. But he comforted himself, and subdued his +self-reproaches, with the reflection that if he inflicted upon the Earl +some immediate and transitory pain, it was in order to pave his way to +the throne, which, were this marriage dissolved by death or otherwise, +he deemed Elizabeth would willingly share with his benefactor. He +therefore persevered in his diabolical policy; and after a moment's +consideration, answered the anxious queries of the Earl with a +melancholy look, as if he had in vain sought some exculpation for the +Countess; then suddenly raising his head, he said, with an expression +of hope, which instantly communicated itself to the countenance of his +patron--"Yet wherefore, if guilty, should she have perilled herself +by coming hither? Why not rather have fled to her father's, or +elsewhere?--though that, indeed, might have interfered with her desire +to be acknowledged as Countess of Leicester." + +"True, true, true!" exclaimed Leicester, his transient gleam of hope +giving way to the utmost bitterness of feeling and expression; "thou +art not fit to fathom a woman's depth of wit, Varney. I see it all. She +would not quit the estate and title of the wittol who had wedded her. +Ay, and if in my madness I had started into rebellion, or if the angry +Queen had taken my head, as she this morning threatened, the wealthy +dower which law would have assigned to the Countess Dowager of Leicester +had been no bad windfall to the beggarly Tressilian. Well might she +goad me on to danger, which could not end otherwise than profitably to +her,--Speak not for her, Varney! I will have her blood!" + +"My lord," replied Varney, "the wildness of your distress breaks forth +in the wildness of your language." + +"I say, speak not for her!" replied Leicester; "she has dishonoured +me--she would have murdered me--all ties are burst between us. She shall +die the death of a traitress and adulteress, well merited both by the +laws of God and man! And--what is this casket," he said, "which was even +now thrust into my hand by a boy, with the desire I would convey it +to Tressilian, as he could not give it to the Countess? By Heaven! the +words surprised me as he spoke them, though other matters chased them +from my brain; but now they return with double force. It is her casket +of jewels!--Force it open, Varney--force the hinges open with thy +poniard!" + +"She refused the aid of my dagger once," thought Varney, as he +unsheathed the weapon, "to cut the string which bound a letter, but now +it shall work a mightier ministry in her fortunes." + +With this reflection, by using the three-cornered stiletto-blade as a +wedge, he forced open the slender silver hinges of the casket. The +Earl no sooner saw them give way than he snatched the casket from Sir +Richard's hand, wrenched off the cover, and tearing out the splendid +contents, flung them on the floor in a transport of rage, while he +eagerly searched for some letter or billet which should make the +fancied guilt of his innocent Countess yet more apparent. Then stamping +furiously on the gems, he exclaimed, "Thus I annihilate the miserable +toys for which thou hast sold thyself, body and soul--consigned thyself +to an early and timeless death, and me to misery and remorse for +ever!--Tell me not of forgiveness, Varney--she is doomed!" + +So saying, he left the room, and rushed into an adjacent closet, the +door of which he locked and bolted. + +Varney looked after him, while something of a more human feeling seemed +to contend with his habitual sneer. "I am sorry for his weakness," he +said, "but love has made him a child. He throws down and treads on +these costly toys-with the same vehemence would he dash to pieces this +frailest toy of all, of which he used to rave so fondly. But that taste +also will be forgotten when its object is no more. Well, he has no eye +to value things as they deserve, and that nature has given to Varney. +When Leicester shall be a sovereign, he will think as little of the +gales of passion through which he gained that royal port, as ever +did sailor in harbour of the perils of a voyage. But these tell-tale +articles must not remain here--they are rather too rich vails for the +drudges who dress the chamber." + +While Varney was employed in gathering together and putting them into a +secret drawer of a cabinet that chanced to be open, he saw the door of +Leicester's closet open, the tapestry pushed aside, and the Earl's face +thrust out, but with eyes so dead, and lips and cheeks so bloodless +and pale, that he started at the sudden change. No sooner did his eyes +encounter the Earl's, than the latter withdrew his head and shut the +door of the closet. This manoeuvre Leicester repeated twice, without +speaking a word, so that Varney began to doubt whether his brain was +not actually affected by his mental agony. The third time, however, he +beckoned, and Varney obeyed the signal. When he entered, he soon +found his patron's perturbation was not caused by insanity, but by +the fullness of purpose which he entertained contending with various +contrary passions. They passed a full hour in close consultation; +after which the Earl of Leicester, with an incredible exertion, dressed +himself, and went to attend his royal guest. + + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + + + You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting + With most admired disorder. --MACBETH. + +It was afterwards remembered that during the banquets and revels which +occupied the remainder of this eventful day the bearing of Leicester and +of Varney were totally different from their usual demeanour. Sir Richard +Varney had been held rather a man of counsel and of action than a votary +of pleasure. Business, whether civil or military, seemed always to be +his proper sphere; and while in festivals and revels, although he well +understood how to trick them up and present them, his own part was that +of a mere spectator; or if he exercised his wit, it was in a rough, +caustic, and severe manner, rather as if he scoffed at the exhibition +and the guests than shared the common pleasure. + +But upon the present day his character seemed changed. He mixed among +the younger courtiers and ladies, and appeared for the moment to be +actuated by a spirit of light-hearted gaiety, which rendered him a match +for the liveliest. Those who had looked upon him as a man given up +to graver and more ambitious pursuits, a bitter sneerer and passer of +sarcasms at the expense of those who, taking life as they find it, +were disposed to snatch at each pastime it presents, now perceived with +astonishment that his wit could carry as smooth an edge as their own, +his laugh be as lively, and his brow as unclouded. By what art of +damnable hypocrisy he could draw this veil of gaiety over the black +thoughts of one of the worst of human bosoms must remain unintelligible +to all but his compeers, if any such ever existed; but he was a man of +extraordinary powers, and those powers were unhappily dedicated in all +their energy to the very worst of purposes. + +It was entirely different with Leicester. However habituated his +mind usually was to play the part of a good courtier, and appear gay, +assiduous, and free from all care but that of enhancing the pleasure +of the moment, while his bosom internally throbbed with the pangs of +unsatisfied ambition, jealousy, or resentment, his heart had now a +yet more dreadful guest, whose workings could not be overshadowed or +suppressed; and you might read in his vacant eye and troubled brow that +his thoughts were far absent from the scenes in which he was compelling +himself to play a part. He looked, moved, and spoke as if by a +succession of continued efforts; and it seemed as if his will had in +some degree lost the promptitude of command over the acute mind and +goodly form of which it was the regent. His actions and gestures, +instead of appearing the consequence of simple volition, seemed, like +those of an automaton, to wait the revolution of some internal machinery +ere they could be performed; and his words fell from him piecemeal, +interrupted, as if he had first to think what he was to say, then how +it was to be said, and as if, after all, it was only by an effort of +continued attention that he completed a sentence without forgetting both +the one and the other. + +The singular effects which these distractions of mind produced upon the +behaviour and conversation of the most accomplished courtier of England, +as they were visible to the lowest and dullest menial who approached his +person, could not escape the notice of the most intelligent Princess of +the age. Nor is there the least doubt that the alternate negligence and +irregularity of his manner would have called down Elizabeth's severe +displeasure on the Earl of Leicester, had it not occurred to her to +account for it by supposing that the apprehension of that displeasure +which she had expressed towards him with such vivacity that very morning +was dwelling upon the spirits of her favourite, and, spite of his +efforts to the contrary, distracted the usual graceful tenor of his mien +and the charms of his conversation. When this idea, so flattering to +female vanity, had once obtained possession of her mind, it proved a +full and satisfactory apology for the numerous errors and mistakes of +the Earl of Leicester; and the watchful circle around observed with +astonishment, that, instead of resenting his repeated negligence, and +want of even ordinary attention (although these were points on which she +was usually extremely punctilious), the Queen sought, on the contrary, +to afford him time and means to recollect himself, and deigned to assist +him in doing so, with an indulgence which seemed altogether inconsistent +with her usual character. It was clear, however, that this could not +last much longer, and that Elizabeth must finally put another and more +severe construction on Leicester's uncourteous conduct, when the Earl +was summoned by Varney to speak with him in a different apartment. + +After having had the message twice delivered to him, he rose, and was +about to withdraw, as it were, by instinct; then stopped, and turning +round, entreated permission of the Queen to absent himself for a brief +space upon matters of pressing importance. + +"Go, my lord," said the Queen. "We are aware our presence must occasion +sudden and unexpected occurrences, which require to be provided for on +the instant. Yet, my lord, as you would have us believe ourself your +welcome and honoured guest, we entreat you to think less of our good +cheer, and favour us with more of your good countenance than we have +this day enjoyed; for whether prince or peasant be the guest, the +welcome of the host will always be the better part of the entertainment. +Go, my lord; and we trust to see you return with an unwrinkled brow, and +those free thoughts which you are wont to have at the disposal of your +friends." + +Leicester only bowed low in answer to this rebuke, and retired. At the +door of the apartment he was met by Varney, who eagerly drew him apart, +and whispered in his ear, "All is well!" + +"Has Masters seen her?" said the Earl. + +"He has, my lord; and as she would neither answer his queries, nor +allege any reason for her refusal, he will give full testimony that she +labours under a mental disorder, and may be best committed to the charge +of her friends. The opportunity is therefore free to remove her as we +proposed." + +"But Tressilian?" said Leicester. + +"He will not know of her departure for some time," replied Varney; "it +shall take place this very evening, and to-morrow he shall be cared +for." + +"No, by my soul," answered Leicester; "I will take vengeance on him with +mine own hand!" + +"You, my lord, and on so inconsiderable a man as Tressilian! No, my +lord, he hath long wished to visit foreign parts. Trust him to me--I +will take care he returns not hither to tell tales." + +"Not so, by Heaven, Varney!" exclaimed Leicester. "Inconsiderable do you +call an enemy that hath had power to wound me so deeply that my whole +after-life must be one scene of remorse and misery?--No; rather than +forego the right of doing myself justice with my own hand on that +accursed villain, I will unfold the whole truth at Elizabeth's +footstool, and let her vengeance descend at once on them and on myself." + +Varney saw with great alarm that his lord was wrought up to such a pitch +of agitation, that if he gave not way to him he was perfectly capable of +adopting the desperate resolution which he had announced, and which was +instant ruin to all the schemes of ambition which Varney had formed +for his patron and for himself. But the Earl's rage seemed at once +uncontrollable and deeply concentrated, and while he spoke his eyes +shot fire, his voice trembled with excess of passion, and the light foam +stood on his lip. + +His confidant made a bold and successful effort to obtain the mastery of +him even in this hour of emotion. "My lord," he said, leading him to +a mirror, "behold your reflection in that glass, and think if these +agitated features belong to one who, in a condition so extreme, is +capable of forming a resolution for himself." + +"What, then, wouldst thou make me?" said Leicester, struck at the change +in his own physiognomy, though offended at the freedom with which Varney +made the appeal. "Am I to be thy ward, thy vassal,--the property and +subject of my servant?" + +"No, my lord," said Varney firmly, "but be master of yourself, and of +your own passion. My lord, I, your born servant, am ashamed to see how +poorly you bear yourself in the storm of fury. Go to Elizabeth's +feet, confess your marriage--impeach your wife and her paramour of +adultery--and avow yourself, amongst all your peers, the wittol who +married a country girl, and was cozened by her and her book-learned +gallant. Go, my lord--but first take farewell of Richard Varney, with +all the benefits you ever conferred on him. He served the noble, the +lofty, the high-minded Leicester, and was more proud of depending on him +than he would be of commanding thousands. But the abject lord who stoops +to every adverse circumstance, whose judicious resolves are scattered +like chaff before every wind of passion, him Richard Varney serves not. +He is as much above him in constancy of mind as beneath him in rank and +fortune." + +Varney spoke thus without hypocrisy, for though the firmness of mind +which he boasted was hardness and impenetrability, yet he really felt +the ascendency which he vaunted; while the interest which he actually +felt in the fortunes of Leicester gave unusual emotion to his voice and +manner. + +Leicester was overpowered by his assumed superiority it seemed to the +unfortunate Earl as if his last friend was about to abandon him. He +stretched his hand towards Varney as he uttered the words, "Do not leave +me. What wouldst thou have me do?" + +"Be thyself, my noble master," said Varney, touching the Earl's hand +with his lips, after having respectfully grasped it in his own; "be +yourself, superior to those storms of passion which wreck inferior +minds. Are you the first who has been cozened in love--the first whom a +vain and licentious woman has cheated into an affection, which she +has afterwards scorned and misused? And will you suffer yourself to be +driven frantic because you have not been wiser than the wisest men whom +the world has seen? Let her be as if she had not been--let her pass from +your memory, as unworthy of ever having held a place there. Let your +strong resolve of this morning, which I have both courage, zeal, +and means enough to execute, be like the fiat of a superior being, a +passionless act of justice. She hath deserved death--let her die!" + +While he was speaking, the Earl held his hand fast, compressed his lips +hard, and frowned, as if he laboured to catch from Varney a portion of +the cold, ruthless, and dispassionate firmness which he recommended. +When he was silent, the Earl still continued to rasp his hand, until, +with an effort at calm decision, he was able to articulate, "Be it +so--she dies! But one tear might be permitted." + +"Not one, my lord," interrupted Varney, who saw by the quivering eye and +convulsed cheek of his patron that he was about to give way to a burst +of emotion--"not a tear--the time permits it not. Tressilian must be +thought of--" + +"That indeed is a name," said the Earl, "to convert tears into blood. +Varney, I have thought on this, and I have determined--neither entreaty +nor argument shall move me--Tressilian shall be my own victim." + +"It is madness, my lord; but you are too mighty for me to bar your +way to your revenge. Yet resolve at least to choose fitting time and +opportunity, and to forbear him until these shall be found." + +"Thou shalt order me in what thou wilt," said Leicester, "only thwart me +not in this." + +"Then, my lord," said Varney, "I first request of you to lay aside the +wild, suspected, and half-frenzied demeanour which hath this day drawn +the eyes of all the court upon you, and which, but for the Queen's +partial indulgence, which she hath extended towards you in a degree +far beyond her nature, she had never given you the opportunity to atone +for." + +"Have I indeed been so negligent?" said Leicester, as one who awakes +from a dream. "I thought I had coloured it well. But fear nothing, my +mind is now eased--I am calm. My horoscope shall be fulfilled; and that +it may be fulfilled, I will tax to the highest every faculty of my mind. +Fear me not, I say. I will to the Queen instantly--not thine own looks +and language shall be more impenetrable than mine. Hast thou aught else +to say?" + +"I must crave your signet-ring," said Varney gravely, "in token to those +of your servants whom I must employ, that I possess your full authority +in commanding their aid." + +Leicester drew off the signet-ring which he commonly used, and gave it +to Varney, with a haggard and stern expression of countenance, adding +only, in a low, half-whispered tone, but with terrific emphasis, the +words, "What thou dost, do quickly." + +Some anxiety and wonder took place, meanwhile, in the presence-hall, at +the prolonged absence of the noble Lord of the Castle, and great was +the delight of his friends when they saw him enter as a man from whose +bosom, to all human seeming, a weight of care had been just removed. +Amply did Leicester that day redeem the pledge he had given to Varney, +who soon saw himself no longer under the necessity of maintaining a +character so different from his own as that which he had assumed in the +earlier part of the day, and gradually relapsed into the same grave, +shrewd, caustic observer of conversation and incident which constituted +his usual part in society. + +With Elizabeth, Leicester played his game as one to whom her natural +strength of talent and her weakness in one or two particular points were +well known. He was too wary to exchange on a sudden the sullen personage +which he had played before he retired with Varney; but on approaching +her it seemed softened into a melancholy, which had a touch of +tenderness in it, and which, in the course of conversing with Elizabeth, +and as she dropped in compassion one mark of favour after another to +console him, passed into a flow of affectionate gallantry, the most +assiduous, the most delicate, the most insinuating, yet at the same time +the most respectful, with which a Queen was ever addressed by a subject. +Elizabeth listened as in a sort of enchantment. Her jealousy of power +was lulled asleep; her resolution to forsake all social or domestic +ties, and dedicate herself exclusively to the care of her people, began +to be shaken; and once more the star of Dudley culminated in the court +horizon. + +But Leicester did not enjoy this triumph over nature, and over +conscience, without its being embittered to him, not only by the +internal rebellion of his feelings against the violence which he +exercised over them, but by many accidental circumstances, which, in +the course of the banquet, and during the subsequent amusements of the +evening, jarred upon that nerve, the least vibration of which was agony. + +The courtiers were, for example, in the Great Hall, after having left +the banqueting-room, awaiting the appearance of a splendid masque, +which was the expected entertainment of this evening, when the Queen +interrupted a wild career of wit which the Earl of Leicester was running +against Lord Willoughby, Raleigh, and some other courtiers, by saying, +"We will impeach you of high treason, my lord, if you proceed in this +attempt to slay us with laughter. And here comes a thing may make us all +grave at his pleasure, our learned physician Masters, with news belike +of our poor suppliant, Lady Varney;--nay, my lord, we will not have you +leave us, for this being a dispute betwixt married persons, we do not +hold our own experience deep enough to decide thereon without good +counsel.--How now, Masters, what thinkest thou of the runaway bride?" + +The smile with which Leicester had been speaking, when the Queen +interrupted him, remained arrested on his lips, as if it had been carved +there by the chisel of Michael Angelo or of Chantrey; and he listened to +the speech of the physician with the same immovable cast of countenance. + +"The Lady Varney, gracious Sovereign," said the court physician Masters, +"is sullen, and would hold little conference with me touching the state +of her health, talking wildly of being soon to plead her own cause +before your own presence, and of answering no meaner person's +inquiries." + +"Now the heavens forfend!" said the Queen; "we have already suffered +from the misconstructions and broils which seem to follow this poor +brain-sick lady wherever she comes.--Think you not so, my lord?" she +added, appealing to Leicester with something in her look that indicated +regret, even tenderly expressed, for their disagreement of that morning. +Leicester compelled himself to bow low. The utmost force he could +exert was inadequate to the further effort of expressing in words his +acquiescence in the Queen's sentiment. + +"You are vindictive," she said, "my lord; but we will find time and +place to punish you. But once more to this same trouble-mirth, this Lady +Varney. What of her health, Masters?" + +"She is sullen, madam, as I already said," replied Masters, "and refuses +to answer interrogatories, or be amenable to the authority of the +mediciner. I conceive her to be possessed with a delirium, which I +incline to term rather HYPOCHONDRIA than PHRENESIS; and I think she were +best cared for by her husband in his own house, and removed from all +this bustle of pageants, which disturbs her weak brain with the most +fantastic phantoms. She drops hints as if she were some great person in +disguise--some Countess or Princess perchance. God help them, such are +often the hallucinations of these infirm persons!" + +"Nay, then," said the Queen, "away with her with all speed. Let Varney +care for her with fitting humanity; but let them rid the Castle of her +forthwith she will think herself lady of all, I warrant you. It is pity +so fair a form, however, should have an infirm understanding.--What +think you, my lord?" + +"It is pity indeed," said the Earl, repeating the words like a task +which was set him. + +"But, perhaps," said Elizabeth, "you do not join with us in our opinion +of her beauty; and indeed we have known men prefer a statelier and more +Juno-like form to that drooping fragile one that hung its head like a +broken lily. Ay, men are tyrants, my lord, who esteem the animation +of the strife above the triumph of an unresisting conquest, and, like +sturdy champions, love best those women who can wage contest with +them.--I could think with you, Rutland, that give my Lord of Leicester +such a piece of painted wax for a bride, he would have wished her dead +ere the end of the honeymoon." + +As she said this, she looked on Leicester so expressively that, while +his heart revolted against the egregious falsehood, he did himself so +much violence as to reply in a whisper that Leicester's love was more +lowly than her Majesty deemed, since it was settled where he could never +command, but must ever obey. + +The Queen blushed, and bid him be silent; yet looked as of she expected +that he would not obey her commands. But at that moment the flourish of +trumpets and kettle-drums from a high balcony which overlooked the hall +announced the entrance of the maskers, and relieved Leicester from the +horrible state of constraint and dissimulation in which the result of +his own duplicity had placed him. + +The masque which entered consisted of four separate bands, which +followed each other at brief intervals, each consisting of six principal +persons and as many torch-bearers, and each representing one of the +various nations by which England had at different times been occupied. + +The aboriginal Britons, who first entered, were ushered in by two +ancient Druids, whose hoary hair was crowned with a chaplet of oak, and +who bore in their hands branches of mistletoe. The maskers who followed +these venerable figures were succeeded by two Bards, arrayed in white, +and bearing harps, which they occasionally touched, singing at the +same time certain stanzas of an ancient hymn to Belus, or the Sun. The +aboriginal Britons had been selected from amongst the tallest and most +robust young gentlemen in attendance on the court. Their masks were +accommodated with long, shaggy beards and hair; their vestments were +of the hides of wolves and bears; while their legs, arms, and the upper +parts of their bodies, being sheathed in flesh-coloured silk, on which +were traced in grotesque lines representations of the heavenly bodies, +and of animals and other terrestrial objects, gave them the lively +appearance of our painted ancestors, whose freedom was first trenched +upon by the Romans. + +The sons of Rome, who came to civilize as well as to conquer, were next +produced before the princely assembly; and the manager of the revels had +correctly imitated the high crest and military habits of that celebrated +people, accommodating them with the light yet strong buckler and the +short two-edged sword, the use of which had made them victors of the +world. The Roman eagles were borne before them by two standard-bearers, +who recited a hymn to Mars, and the classical warriors followed with the +grave and haughty step of men who aspired at universal conquest. + +The third quadrille represented the Saxons, clad in the bearskins which +they had brought with them from the German forests, and bearing in +their hands the redoubtable battle-axes which made such havoc among the +natives of Britain. They were preceded by two Scalds, who chanted the +praises of Odin. + +Last came the knightly Normans, in their mail-shirts and hoods of steel, +with all the panoply of chivalry, and marshalled by two Minstrels, who +sang of war and ladies' love. + +These four bands entered the spacious hall with the utmost order, +a short pause being made, that the spectators might satisfy their +curiosity as to each quadrille before the appearance of the next. They +then marched completely round the hall, in order the more fully to +display themselves, regulating their steps to organs, shalms, hautboys, +and virginals, the music of the Lord Leicester's household. At length +the four quadrilles of maskers, ranging their torch-bearers behind them, +drew up in their several ranks on the two opposite sides of the hall, +so that the Romans confronting the Britons, and the Saxons the Normans, +seemed to look on each other with eyes of wonder, which presently +appeared to kindle into anger, expressed by menacing gestures. At the +burst of a strain of martial music from the gallery the maskers drew +their swords on all sides, and advanced against each other in the +measured steps of a sort of Pyrrhic or military dance, clashing their +swords against their adversaries' shields, and clattering them against +their blades as they passed each other in the progress of the dance. It +was a very pleasant spectacle to see how the various bands, preserving +regularity amid motions which seemed to be totally irregular, mixed +together, and then disengaging themselves, resumed each their own +original rank as the music varied. + +In this symbolical dance were represented the conflicts which had taken +place among the various nations which had anciently inhabited Britain. + +At length, after many mazy evolutions, which afforded great pleasure to +the spectators, the sound of a loud-voiced trumpet was heard, as if +it blew for instant battle, or for victory won. The maskers instantly +ceased their mimic strife, and collecting themselves under their +original leaders, or presenters, for such was the appropriate phrase, +seemed to share the anxious expectation which the spectators experienced +concerning what was next to appear. + +The doors of the hall were thrown wide, and no less a person entered +than the fiend-born Merlin, dressed in a strange and mystical attire, +suited to his ambiguous birth and magical power. + +About him and behind him fluttered or gambolled many extraordinary +forms, intended to represent the spirits who waited to do his powerful +bidding; and so much did this part of the pageant interest the menials +and others of the lower class then in the Castle, that many of them +forgot even the reverence due to the Queen's presence, so far as to +thrust themselves into the lower part of the hall. + +The Earl of Leicester, seeing his officers had some difficulty to repel +these intruders, without more disturbance than was fitting where the +Queen was in presence, arose and went himself to the bottom of the +hall; Elizabeth, at the same time, with her usual feeling for the common +people, requesting that they might be permitted to remain undisturbed +to witness the pageant. Leicester went under this pretext; but his real +motive was to gain a moment to himself, and to relieve his mind, were it +but for one instant, from the dreadful task of hiding, under the guise +of gaiety and gallantry, the lacerating pangs of shame, anger, remorse, +and thirst for vengeance. He imposed silence by his look and sign upon +the vulgar crowd at the lower end of the apartment; but instead of +instantly returning to wait on her Majesty, he wrapped his cloak around +him, and mixing with the crowd, stood in some degree an undistinguished +spectator of the progress of the masque. + +Merlin having entered, and advanced into the midst of the hall, summoned +the presenters of the contending bands around him by a wave of his +magical rod, and announced to them, in a poetical speech, that the isle +of Britain was now commanded by a Royal Maiden, to whom it was the will +of fate that they should all do homage, and request of her to pronounce +on the various pretensions which each set forth to be esteemed the +pre-eminent stock, from which the present natives, the happy subjects of +that angelical Princess, derived their lineage. + +In obedience to this mandate, the bands, each moving to solemn music, +passed in succession before Elizabeth, doing her, as they passed, each +after the fashion of the people whom they represented, the lowest +and most devotional homage, which she returned with the same gracious +courtesy that had marked her whole conduct since she came to Kenilworth. + +The presenters of the several masques or quadrilles then alleged, each +in behalf of his own troop, the reasons which they had for claiming +pre-eminence over the rest; and when they had been all heard in turn, +she returned them this gracious answer: "That she was sorry she was not +better qualified to decide upon the doubtful question which had been +propounded to her by the direction of the famous Merlin, but that it +seemed to her that no single one of these celebrated nations could claim +pre-eminence over the others, as having most contributed to form the +Englishman of her own time, who unquestionably derived from each of them +some worthy attribute of his character. Thus," she said, "the Englishman +had from the ancient Briton his bold and tameless spirit of freedom; +from the Roman his disciplined courage in war, with his love of letters +and civilization in time of peace; from the Saxon his wise and equitable +laws; and from the chivalrous Norman his love of honour and courtesy, +with his generous desire for glory." + +Merlin answered with readiness that it did indeed require that so many +choice qualities should meet in the English, as might render them in +some measure the muster of the perfections of other nations, since that +alone could render them in some degree deserving of the blessings they +enjoyed under the reign of England's Elizabeth. + +The music then sounded, and the quadrilles, together with Merlin and his +assistants, had begun to remove from the crowded hall, when Leicester, +who was, as we have mentioned, stationed for the moment near the bottom +of the hall, and consequently engaged in some degree in the crowd, felt +himself pulled by the cloak, while a voice whispered in his ear, "My +Lord, I do desire some instant conference with you." + + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + + + How is't with me, when every noise appals me? --MACBETH. + +"I desire some conference with you." The words were simple in +themselves, but Lord Leicester was in that alarmed and feverish state +of mind when the most ordinary occurrences seem fraught with alarming +import; and he turned hastily round to survey the person by whom +they had been spoken. There was nothing remarkable in the speaker's +appearance, which consisted of a black silk doublet and short mantle, +with a black vizard on his face; for it appeared he had been among the +crowd of masks who had thronged into the hall in the retinue of Merlin, +though he did not wear any of the extravagant disguises by which most of +them were distinguished. + +"Who are you, or what do you want with me?" said Leicester, not without +betraying, by his accents, the hurried state of his spirits. + +"No evil, my lord," answered the mask, "but much good and honour, if +you will rightly understand my purpose. But I must speak with you more +privately." + +"I can speak with no nameless stranger," answered Leicester, dreading he +knew not precisely what from the request of the stranger; "and those +who are known to me must seek another and a fitter time to ask an +interview." + +He would have hurried away, but the mask still detained him. + +"Those who talk to your lordship of what your own honour demands have a +right over your time, whatever occupations you may lay aside in order to +indulge them." + +"How! my honour? Who dare impeach it?" said Leicester. + +"Your own conduct alone can furnish grounds for accusing it, my lord, +and it is that topic on which I would speak with you." + +"You are insolent," said Leicester, "and abuse the hospitable license +of the time, which prevents me from having you punished. I demand your +name!" + +"Edmund Tressilian of Cornwall," answered the mask. "My tongue has been +bound by a promise for four-and-twenty hours. The space is passed,--I +now speak, and do your lordship the justice to address myself first to +you." + +The thrill of astonishment which had penetrated to Leicester's very +heart at hearing that name pronounced by the voice of the man he most +detested, and by whom he conceived himself so deeply injured, at first +rendered him immovable, but instantly gave way to such a thirst for +revenge as the pilgrim in the desert feels for the water-brooks. He had +but sense and self-government enough left to prevent his stabbing to +the heart the audacious villain, who, after the ruin he had brought +upon him, dared, with such unmoved assurance, thus to practise upon +him further. Determined to suppress for the moment every symptom of +agitation, in order to perceive the full scope of Tressilian's purpose, +as well as to secure his own vengeance, he answered in a tone so altered +by restrained passion as scarce to be intelligible, "And what does +Master Edmund Tressilian require at my hand?" + +"Justice, my lord," answered Tressilian, calmly but firmly. + +"Justice," said Leicester, "all men are entitled to. YOU, Master +Tressilian, are peculiarly so, and be assured you shall have it." + +"I expect nothing less from your nobleness," answered Tressilian; "but +time presses, and I must speak with you to-night. May I wait on you in +your chamber?" + +"No," answered Leicester sternly, "not under a roof, and that roof mine +own. We will meet under the free cope of heaven." + +"You are discomposed or displeased, my lord," replied Tressilian; "yet +there is no occasion for distemperature. The place is equal to me, so +you allow me one half-hour of your time uninterrupted." + +"A shorter time will, I trust, suffice," answered Leicester. "Meet me in +the Pleasance when the Queen has retired to her chamber." + +"Enough," said Tressilian, and withdrew; while a sort of rapture seemed +for the moment to occupy the mind of Leicester. + +"Heaven," he said, "is at last favourable to me, and has put within my +reach the wretch who has branded me with this deep ignominy--who has +inflicted on me this cruel agony. I will blame fate no more, since I am +afforded the means of tracing the wiles by which he means still further +to practise on me, and then of at once convicting and punishing his +villainy. To my task--to my task! I will not sink under it now, since +midnight, at farthest, will bring me vengeance." + +While these reflections thronged through Leicester's mind, he again made +his way amid the obsequious crowd, which divided to give him passage, +and resumed his place, envied and admired, beside the person of his +Sovereign. But could the bosom of him thus admired and envied have been +laid open before the inhabitants of that crowded hall, with all its dark +thoughts of guilty ambition, blighted affection, deep vengeance, and +conscious sense of meditated cruelty, crossing each other like spectres +in the circle of some foul enchantress, which of them, from the most +ambitious noble in the courtly circle down to the most wretched menial +who lived by shifting of trenchers, would have desired to change +characters with the favourite of Elizabeth, and the Lord of Kenilworth? + +New tortures awaited him as soon as he had rejoined Elizabeth. + +"You come in time, my lord," she said, "to decide a dispute between us +ladies. Here has Sir Richard Varney asked our permission to depart from +the Castle with his infirm lady, having, as he tells us, your lordship's +consent to his absence, so he can obtain ours. Certes, we have no will +to withhold him from the affectionate charge of this poor young person; +but you are to know that Sir Richard Varney hath this day shown himself +so much captivated with these ladies of ours, that here is our Duchess +of Rutland says he will carry his poor insane wife no farther than the +lake, plunge her in to tenant the crystal palaces that the enchanted +nymph told us of, and return a jolly widower, to dry his tears and to +make up the loss among our train. How say you, my lord? We have seen +Varney under two or three different guises--you know what are his proper +attributes--think you he is capable of playing his lady such a knave's +trick?" + +Leicester was confounded, but the danger was urgent, and a reply +absolutely necessary. "The ladies," he said, "think too lightly of one +of their own sex, in supposing she could deserve such a fate; or too ill +of ours, to think it could be inflicted upon an innocent female." + +"Hear him, my ladies," said Elizabeth; "like all his sex, he would +excuse their cruelty by imputing fickleness to us." + +"Say not US, madam," replied the Earl. "We say that meaner women, like +the lesser lights of heaven, have revolutions and phases; but who shall +impute mutability to the sun, or to Elizabeth?" + +The discourse presently afterwards assumed a less perilous tendency, and +Leicester continued to support his part in it with spirit, at whatever +expense of mental agony. So pleasing did it seem to Elizabeth, that the +Castle bell had sounded midnight ere she retired from the company, a +circumstance unusual in her quiet and regular habits of disposing of +time. Her departure was, of course, the signal for breaking up the +company, who dispersed to their several places of repose, to dream over +the pastimes of the day, or to anticipate those of the morrow. + +The unfortunate Lord of the Castle, and founder of the proud festival, +retired to far different thoughts. His direction to the valet who +attended him was to send Varney instantly to his apartment. The +messenger returned after some delay, and informed him that an hour had +elapsed since Sir Richard Varney had left the Castle by the postern gate +with three other persons, one of whom was transported in a horse-litter. + +"How came he to leave the Castle after the watch was set?" said +Leicester. "I thought he went not till daybreak." + +"He gave satisfactory reasons, as I understand," said the domestic, "to +the guard, and, as I hear, showed your lordship's signet--" + +"True--true," said the Earl; "yet he has been hasty. Do any of his +attendants remain behind?" + +"Michael Lambourne, my lord," said the valet, "was not to be found when +Sir Richard Varney departed, and his master was much incensed at his +absence. I saw him but now saddling his horse to gallop after his +master." + +"Bid him come hither instantly," said Leicester; "I have a message to +his master." + +The servant left the apartment, and Leicester traversed it for some time +in deep meditation. "Varney is over-zealous," he said, "over-pressing. +He loves me, I think; but he hath his own ends to serve, and he is +inexorable in pursuit of them. If I rise, he rises; and he hath shown +himself already but too, eager to rid me of this obstacle which seems +to stand betwixt me and sovereignty. Yet I will not stoop to bear this +disgrace. She shall be punished, but it shall be more advisedly. I +already feel, even in anticipation, that over-haste would light the +flames of hell in my bosom. No--one victim is enough at once, and that +victim already waits me." + +He seized upon writing materials, and hastily traced these words:-- + +"Sir Richard Varney, we have resolved to defer the matter entrusted to +your care, and strictly command you to proceed no further in relation +to our Countess until our further order. We also command your instant +return to Kenilworth as soon as you have safely bestowed that with which +you are entrusted. But if the safe-placing of your present charge shall +detain you longer than we think for, we command you in that case to send +back our signet-ring by a trusty and speedy messenger, we having present +need of the same. And requiring your strict obedience in these things, +and commending you to God's keeping, we rest your assured good friend +and master, + +"R. LEICESTER. "Given at our Castle of Kenilworth, the tenth of July, in +the year of Salvation one thousand five hundred and seventy-five." + +As Leicester had finished and sealed this mandate, Michael Lambourne, +booted up to mid-thigh, having his riding-cloak girthed around him +with a broad belt, and a felt cap on his head, like that of a courier, +entered his apartment, ushered in by the valet. + +"What is thy capacity of service?" said the Earl. + +"Equerry to your lordship's master of the horse," answered Lambourne, +with his customary assurance. + +"Tie up thy saucy tongue, sir," said Leicester; "the jests that may suit +Sir Richard Varney's presence suit not mine. How soon wilt thou overtake +thy master?" + +"In one hour's riding, my lord, if man and horse hold good," said +Lambourne, with an instant alteration of demeanour, from an approach to +familiarity to the deepest respect. The Earl measured him with his eye +from top to toe. + +"I have heard of thee," he said "men say thou art a prompt fellow in +thy service, but too much given to brawling and to wassail to be trusted +with things of moment." + +"My lord," said Lambourne, "I have been soldier, sailor, traveller, and +adventurer; and these are all trades in which men enjoy to-day, because +they have no surety of to-morrow. But though I may misuse mine own +leisure, I have never neglected the duty I owe my master." + +"See that it be so in this instance," said Leicester, "and it shall do +thee good. Deliver this letter speedily and carefully into Sir Richard +Varney's hands." + +"Does my commission reach no further?" said Lambourne. + +"No," answered Leicester; "but it deeply concerns me that it be +carefully as well as hastily executed." + +"I will spare neither care nor horse-flesh," answered Lambourne, and +immediately took his leave. + +"So, this is the end of my private audience, from which I hoped so +much!" he muttered to himself, as he went through the long gallery, and +down the back staircase. "Cogs bones! I thought the Earl had wanted a +cast of mine office in some secret intrigue, and it all ends in carrying +a letter! Well, his pleasure shall be done, however; and as his lordship +well says, it may do me good another time. The child must creep ere he +walk, and so must your infant courtier. I will have a look into +this letter, however, which he hath sealed so sloven-like." Having +accomplished this, he clapped his hands together in ecstasy, exclaiming, +"The Countess the Countess! I have the secret that shall make or mar +me.--But come forth, Bayard," he added, leading his horse into the +courtyard, "for your flanks and my spurs must be presently acquainted." + +Lambourne mounted, accordingly, and left the Castle by the postern gate, +where his free passage was permitted, in consequence of a message to +that effect left by Sir Richard Varney. + +As soon as Lambourne and the valet had left the apartment, Leicester +proceeded to change his dress for a very plain one, threw his mantle +around him, and taking a lamp in his hand, went by the private passage +of communication to a small secret postern door which opened into the +courtyard, near to the entrance of the Pleasance. His reflections were +of a more calm and determined character than they had been at any late +period, and he endeavoured to claim, even in his own eyes, the character +of a man more sinned against than sinning. + +"I have suffered the deepest injury," such was the tenor of his +meditations, "yet I have restricted the instant revenge which was in my +power, and have limited it to that which is manly and noble. But shall +the union which this false woman has this day disgraced remain an +abiding fetter on me, to check me in the noble career to which my +destinies invite me? No; there are other means of disengaging such ties, +without unloosing the cords of life. In the sight of God, I am no longer +bound by the union she has broken. Kingdoms shall divide us, oceans roll +betwixt us, and their waves, whose abysses have swallowed whole navies, +shall be the sole depositories of the deadly mystery." + +By such a train of argument did Leicester labour to reconcile his +conscience to the prosecution of plans of vengeance, so hastily adopted, +and of schemes of ambition, which had become so woven in with every +purpose and action of his life that he was incapable of the effort of +relinquishing them, until his revenge appeared to him to wear a face of +justice, and even of generous moderation. + +In this mood the vindictive and ambitious Earl entered the superb +precincts of the Pleasance, then illumined by the full moon. The broad, +yellow light was reflected on all sides from the white freestone, of +which the pavement, balustrades, and architectural ornaments of the +place were constructed; and not a single fleecy cloud was visible in the +azure sky, so that the scene was nearly as light as if the sun had but +just left the horizon. The numerous statues of white marble glimmered +in the pale light like so many sheeted ghosts just arisen from their +sepulchres, and the fountains threw their jets into the air as if they +sought that their waters should be brightened by the moonbeams ere they +fell down again upon their basins in showers of sparkling silver. The +day had been sultry, and the gentle night-breeze which sighed along the +terrace of the Pleasance raised not a deeper breath than the fan in the +hand of youthful beauty. The bird of summer night had built many a nest +in the bowers of the adjacent garden, and the tenants now indemnified +themselves for silence during the day by a full chorus of their +own unrivalled warblings, now joyous, now pathetic, now united, now +responsive to each other, as if to express their delight in the placid +and delicious scene to which they poured their melody. + +Musing on matters far different from the fall of waters, the gleam of +moonlight, or the song of the nightingale, the stately Leicester walked +slowly from the one end of the terrace to the other, his cloak wrapped +around him, and his sword under his arm, without seeing anything +resembling the human form. + +"I have been fooled by my own generosity," he said, "if I have suffered +the villain to escape me--ay, and perhaps to go to the rescue of the +adulteress, who is so poorly guarded." + +These were his thoughts, which were instantly dispelled when, turning +to look back towards the entrance, he saw a human form advancing slowly +from the portico, and darkening the various objects with its shadow, as +passing them successively, in its approach towards him. + +"Shall I strike ere I again hear his detested voice?" was Leicester's +thought, as he grasped the hilt of the sword. "But no! I will see which +way his vile practice tends. I will watch, disgusting as it is, the +coils and mazes of the loathsome snake, ere I put forth my strength and +crush him." + +His hand quitted the sword-hilt, and he advanced slowly towards +Tressilian, collecting, for their meeting, all the self-possession he +could command, until they came front to front with each other. + +Tressilian made a profound reverence, to which the Earl replied with +a haughty inclination of the head, and the words, "You sought secret +conference with me, sir; I am here, and attentive." + +"My lord," said Tressilian, "I am so earnest in that which I have to +say, and so desirous to find a patient, nay, a favourable hearing, that +I will stoop to exculpate myself from whatever might prejudice your +lordship against me. You think me your enemy?" + +"Have I not some apparent cause?" answered Leicester, perceiving that +Tressilian paused for a reply. + +"You do me wrong, my lord. I am a friend, but neither a dependant nor +partisan, of the Earl of Sussex, whom courtiers call your rival; and it +is some considerable time since I ceased to consider either courts or +court intrigues as suited to my temper or genius." + +"No doubt, sir," answered Leicester "there are other occupations more +worthy a scholar, and for such the world holds Master Tressilian. Love +has his intrigues as well as ambition." + +"I perceive, my lord," replied Tressilian, "you give much weight to my +early attachment for the unfortunate young person of whom I am about to +speak, and perhaps think I am prosecuting her cause out of rivalry, more +than a sense of justice." + +"No matter for my thoughts, sir," said the Earl; "proceed. You have as +yet spoken of yourself only--an important and worthy subject doubtless, +but which, perhaps, does not altogether so deeply concern me that I +should postpone my repose to hear it. Spare me further prelude, sir, and +speak to the purpose if indeed you have aught to say that concerns me. +When you have done, I, in my turn, have something to communicate." + +"I will speak, then, without further prelude, my lord," answered +Tressilian, "having to say that which, as it concerns your lordship's +honour, I am confident you will not think your time wasted in listening +to. I have to request an account from your lordship of the unhappy Amy +Robsart, whose history is too well known to you. I regret deeply that I +did not at once take this course, and make yourself judge between me and +the villain by whom she is injured. My lord, she extricated herself +from an unlawful and most perilous state of confinement, trusting to the +effects of her own remonstrance upon her unworthy husband, and extorted +from me a promise that I would not interfere in her behalf until she had +used her own efforts to have her rights acknowledged by him." + +"Ha," said Leicester, "remember you to whom you speak?" + +"I speak of her unworthy husband, my lord," repeated Tressilian, "and +my respect can find no softer language. The unhappy young woman is +withdrawn from my knowledge, and sequestered in some secret place of +this Castle--if she be not transferred to some place of seclusion better +fitted for bad designs. This must be reformed, my lord--I speak it as +authorized by her father--and this ill-fated marriage must be avouched +and proved in the Queen's presence, and the lady placed without +restraint and at her own free disposal. And permit me to say it concerns +no one's honour that these most just demands of mine should be complied +with so much as it does that of your lordship." + +The Earl stood as if he had been petrified at the extreme coolness +with which the man, whom he considered as having injured him so deeply, +pleaded the cause of his criminal paramour, as if she had been an +innocent woman and he a disinterested advocate; nor was his wonder +lessened by the warmth with which Tressilian seemed to demand for her +the rank and situation which she had disgraced, and the advantages of +which she was doubtless to share with the lover who advocated her cause +with such effrontery. Tressilian had been silent for more than a +minute ere the Earl recovered from the excess of his astonishment; and +considering the prepossessions with which his mind was occupied, there +is little wonder that his passion gained the mastery of every other +consideration. "I have heard you, Master Tressilian," said he, "without +interruption, and I bless God that my ears were never before made to +tingle by the words of so frontless a villain. The task of chastising +you is fitter for the hangman's scourge than the sword of a nobleman, +but yet--Villain, draw and defend thyself!" + +As he spoke the last words, he dropped his mantle on the ground, struck +Tressilian smartly with his sheathed sword, and instantly drawing his +rapier, put himself into a posture of assault. The vehement fury of his +language at first filled Tressilian, in his turn, with surprise equal +to what Leicester had felt when he addressed him. But astonishment gave +place to resentment when the unmerited insults of his language were +followed by a blow which immediately put to flight every thought save +that of instant combat. Tressilian's sword was instantly drawn; and +though perhaps somewhat inferior to Leicester in the use of the weapon, +he understood it well enough to maintain the contest with great spirit, +the rather that of the two he was for the time the more cool, since he +could not help imputing Leicester's conduct either to actual frenzy or +to the influence of some strong delusion. + +The rencontre had continued for several minutes, without either party +receiving a wound, when of a sudden voices were heard beneath the +portico which formed the entrance of the terrace, mingled with the steps +of men advancing hastily. "We are interrupted," said Leicester to his +antagonist; "follow me." + +At the same time a voice from the portico said, "The jackanape is +right--they are tilting here." + +Leicester, meanwhile, drew off Tressilian into a sort of recess behind +one of the fountains, which served to conceal them, while six of +the yeomen of the Queen's guard passed along the middle walk of the +Pleasance, and they could hear one say to the rest, "We shall never find +them to-night among all these squirting funnels, squirrel cages, and +rabbit-holes; but if we light not on them before we reach the farther +end, we will return, and mount a guard at the entrance, and so secure +them till morning." + +"A proper matter," said another, "the drawing of swords so near the +Queen's presence, ay, and in her very palace as 'twere! Hang it, they +must be some poor drunken game-cocks fallen to sparring--'twere pity +almost we should find them--the penalty is chopping off a hand, is it +not?--'twere hard to lose hand for handling a bit of steel, that comes +so natural to one's gripe." + +"Thou art a brawler thyself, George," said another; "but take heed, for +the law stands as thou sayest." + +"Ay," said the first, "an the act be not mildly construed; for thou +knowest 'tis not the Queen's palace, but my Lord of Leicester's." + +"Why, for that matter, the penalty may be as severe," said another "for +an our gracious Mistress be Queen, as she is, God save her, my Lord of +Leicester is as good as King." + +"Hush, thou knave!" said a third; "how knowest thou who may be within +hearing?" + +They passed on, making a kind of careless search, but seemingly more +intent on their own conversation than bent on discovering the persons +who had created the nocturnal disturbance. + +They had no sooner passed forward along the terrace, than Leicester, +making a sign to Tressilian to follow him, glided away in an opposite +direction, and escaped through the portico undiscovered. He conducted +Tressilian to Mervyn's Tower, in which he was now again lodged; and +then, ere parting with him, said these words, "If thou hast courage to +continue and bring to an end what is thus broken off, be near me when +the court goes forth to-morrow; we shall find a time, and I will give +you a signal when it is fitting." + +"My lord," said Tressilian, "at another time I might have inquired the +meaning of this strange and furious inveteracy against me. But you have +laid that on my shoulder which only blood can wash away; and were you +as high as your proudest wishes ever carried you, I would have from you +satisfaction for my wounded honour." + +On these terms they parted, but the adventures of the night were not yet +ended with Leicester. He was compelled to pass by Saintlowe's Tower, in +order to gain the private passage which led to his own chamber; and in +the entrance thereof he met Lord Hunsdon half clothed, and with a naked +sword under his arm. + +"Are you awakened, too, with this 'larum, my Lord of Leicester?" said +the old soldier. "'Tis well. By gog's nails, the nights are as noisy as +the day in this Castle of yours. Some two hours since I was waked by +the screams of that poor brain-sick Lady Varney, whom her husband +was forcing away. I promise you it required both your warrant and the +Queen's to keep me from entering into the game, and cutting that Varney +of yours over the head. And now there is a brawl down in the Pleasance, +or what call you the stone terrace-walk where all yonder gimcracks +stand?" + +The first part of the old man's speech went through the Earl's heart +like a knife; to the last he answered that he himself had heard the +clash of swords, and had come down to take order with those who had been +so insolent so near the Queen's presence. + +"Nay, then," said Hunsdon, "I will be glad of your lordship's company." + +Leicester was thus compelled to turn back with the rough old Lord to the +Pleasance, where Hunsdon heard from the yeomen of the guard, who were +under his immediate command, the unsuccessful search they had made for +the authors of the disturbance; and bestowed for their pains some round +dozen of curses on them, as lazy knaves and blind whoresons. Leicester +also thought it necessary to seem angry that no discovery had been +effected; but at length suggested to Lord Hunsdon, that after all it +could only be some foolish young men who had been drinking healths +pottle-deep, and who should be sufficiently scared by the search which +had taken place after them. Hunsdon, who was himself attached to his +cup, allowed that a pint-flagon might cover many of the follies which it +had caused, "But," added he, "unless your lordship will be less liberal +in your housekeeping, and restrain the overflow of ale, and wine, and +wassail, I foresee it will end in my having some of these good fellows +into the guard-house, and treating them to a dose of the strappado. And +with this warning, good night to you." + +Joyful at being rid of his company, Leicester took leave of him at the +entrance of his lodging, where they had first met, and entering the +private passage, took up the lamp which he had left there, and by its +expiring light found the way to his own apartment. + + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + + + Room! room! for my horse will wince + If he comes within so many yards of a prince; + For to tell you true, and in rhyme, + He was foal'd in Queen Elizabeth's time; + When the great Earl of Lester + In his castle did feast her. + --BEN JONSON, MASQUE OF OWLS. + +The amusement with which Elizabeth and her court were next day to be +regaled was an exhibition by the true-hearted men of Coventry, who were +to represent the strife between the English and the Danes, agreeably +to a custom long preserved in their ancient borough, and warranted for +truth by old histories and chronicles. In this pageant one party of the +townsfolk presented the Saxons and the other the Danes, and set forth, +both in rude rhymes and with hard blows, the contentions of these two +fierce nations, and the Amazonian courage of the English women, who, +according to the story, were the principal agents in the general +massacre of the Danes, which took place at Hocktide, in the year of God +1012. This sport, which had been long a favourite pastime with the +men of Coventry, had, it seems, been put down by the influence of +some zealous clergymen of the more precise cast, who chanced to have +considerable influence with the magistrates. But the generality of the +inhabitants had petitioned the Queen that they might have their play +again, and be honoured with permission to represent it before her +Highness. And when the matter was canvassed in the little council which +usually attended the Queen for dispatch of business, the proposal, +although opposed by some of the stricter sort, found favour in the eyes +of Elizabeth, who said that such toys occupied, without offence, the +minds of many who, lacking them, might find worse subjects of pastime; +and that their pastors, however commendable for learning and godliness, +were somewhat too sour in preaching against the pastimes of their flocks +and so the pageant was permitted to proceed. + +Accordingly, after a morning repast, which Master Laneham calls an +ambrosial breakfast, the principal persons of the court in attendance +upon her Majesty pressed to the Gallery-tower, to witness the approach +of the two contending parties of English and Danes; and after a signal +had been given, the gate which opened in the circuit of the Chase was +thrown wide to admit them. On they came, foot and horse; for some of +the more ambitious burghers and yeomen had put themselves into fantastic +dresses, imitating knights, in order to resemble the chivalry of the two +different nations. However, to prevent fatal accidents, they were not +permitted to appear on real horses, but had only license to accoutre +themselves with those hobby-horses, as they are called, which anciently +formed the chief delight of a morrice-dance, and which still are +exhibited on the stage, in the grand battle fought at the conclusion +of Mr. Bayes's tragedy. The infantry followed in similar disguises. +The whole exhibition was to be considered as a sort of anti-masque, or +burlesque of the more stately pageants in which the nobility and gentry +bore part in the show, and, to the best of their knowledge, imitated +with accuracy the personages whom they represented. The Hocktide play +was of a different character, the actors being persons of inferior +degree, and their habits the better fitted for the occasion, the more +incongruous and ridiculous that they were in themselves. Accordingly +their array, which the progress of our tale allows us no time to +describe, was ludicrous enough; and their weapons, though sufficiently +formidable to deal sound blows, were long alder-poles instead of lances, +and sound cudgels for swords; and for fence, both cavalry and infantry +were well equipped with stout headpieces and targets, both made of thick +leather. + +Captain Coxe, that celebrated humorist of Coventry, whose library of +ballads, almanacs, and penny histories, fairly wrapped up in parchment, +and tied round for security with a piece of whipcord, remains still +the envy of antiquaries, being himself the ingenious person under +whose direction the pageant had been set forth, rode valiantly on his +hobby-horse before the bands of English, high-trussed, saith Laneham, +and brandishing his long sword, as became an experienced man of war, who +had fought under the Queen's father, bluff King Henry, at the siege of +Boulogne. This chieftain was, as right and reason craved, the first to +enter the lists, and passing the Gallery at the head of his myrmidons, +kissed the hilt of his sword to the Queen, and executed at the same +time a gambade, the like whereof had never been practised by two-legged +hobby-horse. Then passing on with all his followers of cavaliers and +infantry, he drew them up with martial skill at the opposite extremity +of the bridge, or tilt-yard, until his antagonist should be fairly +prepared for the onset. + +This was no long interval; for the Danish cavalry and infantry, no way +inferior to the English in number, valour, and equipment, instantly +arrived, with the northern bagpipe blowing before them in token of their +country, and headed by a cunning master of defence, only inferior to the +renowned Captain Coxe, if to him, in the discipline of war. The Danes, +as invaders, took their station under the Gallery-tower, and opposite +to that of Mortimer; and when their arrangements were completely made, a +signal was given for the encounter. + +Their first charge upon each other was rather moderate, for either party +had some dread of being forced into the lake. But as reinforcements came +up on either side, the encounter grew from a skirmish into a blazing +battle. They rushed upon one another, as Master Laneham testifies, like +rams inflamed by jealousy, with such furious encounter that both parties +were often overthrown, and the clubs and targets made a most horrible +clatter. In many instances that happened which had been dreaded by the +more experienced warriors who began the day of strife. The rails which +defended the ledges of the bridge had been, perhaps on purpose, left but +slightly fastened, and gave way under the pressure of those who thronged +to the combat, so that the hot courage of many of the combatants +received a sufficient cooling. These incidents might have occasioned +more serious damage than became such an affray, for many of the +champions who met with this mischance could not swim, and those who +could were encumbered with their suits of leathern and of paper armour; +but the case had been provided for, and there were several boats in +readiness to pick up the unfortunate warriors and convey them to the dry +land, where, dripping and dejected, they comforted themselves with the +hot ale and strong waters which were liberally allowed to them, without +showing any desire to re-enter so desperate a conflict. + +Captain Coxe alone, that paragon of Black-Letter antiquaries, after +twice experiencing, horse and man, the perilous leap from the bridge +into the lake, equal to any extremity to which the favourite heroes of +chivalry, whose exploits he studied in an abridged form, whether Amadis, +Belianis, Bevis, or his own Guy of Warwick, had ever been subjected +to--Captain Coxe, we repeat, did alone, after two such mischances, rush +again into the heat of conflict, his bases and the footcloth of his +hobby-horse dropping water, and twice reanimated by voice and example +the drooping spirits of the English; so that at last their victory over +the Danish invaders became, as was just and reasonable, complete and +decisive. Worthy he was to be rendered immortal by the pen of Ben +Jonson, who, fifty years afterwards, deemed that a masque, exhibited at +Kenilworth, could be ushered in by none with so much propriety as by the +ghost of Captain Coxe, mounted upon his redoubted hobby-horse. + +These rough, rural gambols may not altogether agree with the reader's +preconceived idea of an entertainment presented before Elizabeth, in +whose reign letters revived with such brilliancy, and whose court, +governed by a female whose sense of propriety was equal to her strength +of mind, was no less distinguished for delicacy and refinement than her +councils for wisdom and fortitude. But whether from the political wish +to seem interested in popular sports, or whether from a spark of old +Henry's rough, masculine spirit, which Elizabeth sometimes displayed, +it is certain the Queen laughed heartily at the imitation, or rather +burlesque, of chivalry which was presented in the Coventry play. She +called near her person the Earl of Sussex and Lord Hunsdon, partly +perhaps to make amends to the former for the long and private audiences +with which she had indulged the Earl of Leicester, by engaging him in +conversation upon a pastime which better suited his taste than those +pageants that were furnished forth from the stores of antiquity. The +disposition which the Queen showed to laugh and jest with her military +leaders gave the Earl of Leicester the opportunity he had been watching +for withdrawing from the royal presence, which to the court around, so +well had he chosen his time, had the graceful appearance of leaving his +rival free access to the Queen's person, instead of availing himself of +his right as her landlord to stand perpetually betwixt others and the +light of her countenance. + +Leicester's thoughts, however, had a far different object from +mere courtesy; for no sooner did he see the Queen fairly engaged in +conversation with Sussex and Hunsdon, behind whose back stood Sir +Nicholas Blount, grinning from ear to ear at each word which was spoken, +than, making a sign to Tressilian, who, according to appointment, +watched his motions at a little distance, he extricated himself from the +press, and walking towards the Chase, made his way through the crowds of +ordinary spectators, who, with open mouth, stood gazing on the battle +of the English and the Danes. When he had accomplished this, which was +a work of some difficulty, he shot another glance behind him to see that +Tressilian had been equally successful; and as soon as he saw him also +free from the crowd, he led the way to a small thicket, behind which +stood a lackey, with two horses ready saddled. He flung himself on the +one, and made signs to Tressilian to mount the other, who obeyed without +speaking a single word. + +Leicester then spurred his horse, and galloped without stopping until +he reached a sequestered spot, environed by lofty oaks, about a mile's +distance from the Castle, and in an opposite direction from the scene to +which curiosity was drawing every spectator. He there dismounted, bound +his horse to a tree, and only pronouncing the words, "Here there is no +risk of interruption," laid his cloak across his saddle, and drew his +sword. + +Tressilian imitated his example punctually, yet could not forbear +saying, as he drew his weapon, "My lord, as I have been known to many as +one who does not fear death when placed in balance with honour, methinks +I may, without derogation, ask wherefore, in the name of all that is +honourable, your lordship has dared to offer me such a mark of disgrace +as places us on these terms with respect to each other?" + +"If you like not such marks of my scorn," replied the Earl, "betake +yourself instantly to your weapon, lest I repeat the usage you complain +of." + +"It shall not need, my lord," said Tressilian. "God judge betwixt us! +and your blood, if you fall, be on your own head." + +He had scarce completed the sentence when they instantly closed in +combat. + +But Leicester, who was a perfect master of defence among all other +exterior accomplishments of the time, had seen on the preceding night +enough of Tressilian's strength and skill to make him fight with more +caution than heretofore, and prefer a secure revenge to a hasty one. +For some minutes they fought with equal skill and fortune, till, in +a desperate lunge which Leicester successfully put aside, Tressilian +exposed himself at disadvantage; and in a subsequent attempt to close, +the Earl forced his sword from his hand, and stretched him on the +ground. With a grim smile he held the point of his rapier within two +inches of the throat of his fallen adversary, and placing his foot at +the same time upon his breast, bid him confess his villainous wrongs +towards him, and prepare for death. + +"I have no villainy nor wrong towards thee to confess," answered +Tressilian, "and am better prepared for death than thou. Use thine +advantage as thou wilt, and may God forgive you! I have given you no +cause for this." + +"No cause!" exclaimed the Earl, "no cause!--but why parley with such a +slave? Die a liar, as thou hast lived!" + +He had withdrawn his arm for the purpose of striking the fatal blow, +when it was suddenly seized from behind. + +The Earl turned in wrath to shake off the unexpected obstacle, but was +surprised to find that a strange-looking boy had hold of his sword-arm, +and clung to it with such tenacity of grasp that he could not shake him +of without a considerable struggle, in the course of which Tressilian +had opportunity to rise and possess himself once more of his weapon. +Leicester again turned towards him with looks of unabated ferocity, and +the combat would have recommenced with still more desperation on both +sides, had not the boy clung to Lord Leicester's knees, and in a shrill +tone implored him to listen one moment ere he prosecuted this quarrel. + +"Stand up, and let me go," said Leicester, "or, by Heaven, I will pierce +thee with my rapier! What hast thou to do to bar my way to revenge?" + +"Much--much!" exclaimed the undaunted boy, "since my folly has been +the cause of these bloody quarrels between you, and perchance of worse +evils. Oh, if you would ever again enjoy the peace of an innocent mind, +if you hope again to sleep in peace and unhaunted by remorse, take so +much leisure as to peruse this letter, and then do as you list." + +While he spoke in this eager and earnest manner, to which his singular +features and voice gave a goblin-like effect, he held up to Leicester +a packet, secured with a long tress of woman's hair of a beautiful +light-brown colour. Enraged as he was, nay, almost blinded with fury to +see his destined revenge so strangely frustrated, the Earl of Leicester +could not resist this extraordinary supplicant. He snatched the letter +from his hand--changed colour as he looked on the superscription--undid +with faltering hand the knot which secured it--glanced over the +contents, and staggering back, would have fallen, had he not rested +against the trunk of a tree, where he stood for an instant, his eyes +bent on the letter, and his sword-point turned to the ground, without +seeming to be conscious of the presence of an antagonist towards whom +he had shown little mercy, and who might in turn have taken him at +advantage. But for such revenge Tressilian was too noble-minded. He +also stood still in surprise, waiting the issue of this strange fit of +passion, but holding his weapon ready to defend himself in case of need +against some new and sudden attack on the part of Leicester, whom he +again suspected to be under the influence of actual frenzy. The boy, +indeed, he easily recognized as his old acquaintance Dickon, whose face, +once seen, was scarcely to be forgotten; but how he came hither at so +critical a moment, why his interference was so energetic, and, above +all, how it came to produce so powerful an effect upon Leicester, were +questions which he could not solve. + +But the letter was of itself powerful enough to work effects yet more +wonderful. It was that which the unfortunate Amy had written to her +husband, in which she alleged the reasons and manner of her flight from +Cumnor Place, informed him of her having made her way to Kenilworth +to enjoy his protection, and mentioned the circumstances which had +compelled her to take refuge in Tressilian's apartment, earnestly +requesting he would, without delay, assign her a more suitable asylum. +The letter concluded with the most earnest expressions of devoted +attachment and submission to his will in all things, and particularly +respecting her situation and place of residence, conjuring him only that +she might not be placed under the guardianship or restraint of Varney. +The letter dropped from Leicester's hand when he had perused it. "Take +my sword," he said, "Tressilian, and pierce my heart, as I would but now +have pierced yours!" + +"My lord," said Tressilian, "you have done me great wrong, but something +within my breast ever whispered that it was by egregious error." + +"Error, indeed!" said Leicester, and handed him the letter; "I have been +made to believe a man of honour a villain, and the best and purest of +creatures a false profligate.--Wretched boy, why comes this letter now, +and where has the bearer lingered?" + +"I dare not tell you, my lord," said the boy, withdrawing, as if to keep +beyond his reach; "but here comes one who was the messenger." + +Wayland at the same moment came up; and interrogated by Leicester, +hastily detailed all the circumstances of his escape with Amy, the fatal +practices which had driven her to flight, and her anxious desire to +throw herself under the instant protection of her husband--pointing +out the evidence of the domestics of Kenilworth, "who could not," he +observed, "but remember her eager inquiries after the Earl of Leicester +on her first arrival." + +"The villains!" exclaimed Leicester; "but oh, that worst of villains, +Varney!--and she is even now in his power!" + +"But not, I trust in God," said Tressilian, "with any commands of fatal +import?" + +"No, no, no!" exclaimed the Earl hastily. "I said something in madness; +but it was recalled, fully recalled, by a hasty messenger, and she is +now--she must now be safe." + +"Yes," said Tressilian, "she MUST be safe, and I MUST be assured of her +safety. My own quarrel with you is ended, my lord; but there is another +to begin with the seducer of Amy Robsart, who has screened his guilt +under the cloak of the infamous Varney." + +"The SEDUCER of Amy!" replied Leicester, with a voice like thunder; "say +her husband!--her misguided, blinded, most unworthy husband! She is +as surely Countess of Leicester as I am belted Earl. Nor can you, sir, +point out that manner of justice which I will not render her at my own +free will. I need scarce say I fear not your compulsion." + +The generous nature of Tressilian was instantly turned from +consideration of anything personal to himself, and centred at once +upon Amy's welfare. He had by no means undoubting confidence in the +fluctuating resolutions of Leicester, whose mind seemed to him agitated +beyond the government of calm reason; neither did he, notwithstanding +the assurances he had received, think Amy safe in the hands of his +dependants. "My lord," he said calmly, "I mean you no offence, and am +far from seeking a quarrel. But my duty to Sir Hugh Robsart compels me +to carry this matter instantly to the Queen, that the Countess's rank +may be acknowledged in her person." + +"You shall not need, sir," replied the Earl haughtily; "do not dare +to interfere. No voice but Dudley's shall proclaim Dudley's infamy. To +Elizabeth herself will I tell it; and then for Cumnor Place with the +speed of life and death!" + +So saying, he unbound his horse from the tree, threw himself into the +saddle, and rode at full gallop towards the Castle. + +"Take me before you, Master Tressilian," said the boy, seeing Tressilian +mount in the same haste; "my tale is not all told out, and I need your +protection." + +Tressilian complied, and followed the Earl, though at a less furious +rate. By the way the boy confessed, with much contrition, that in +resentment at Wayland's evading all his inquiries concerning the lady, +after Dickon conceived he had in various ways merited his confidence, +he had purloined from him in revenge the letter with which Amy had +entrusted him for the Earl of Leicester. His purpose was to have +restored it to him that evening, as he reckoned himself sure of meeting +with him, in consequence of Wayland's having to perform the part of +Arion in the pageant. He was indeed something alarmed when he saw to +whom the letter was addressed; but he argued that, as Leicester did +not return to Kenilworth until that evening, it would be again in the +possession of the proper messenger as soon as, in the nature of things, +it could possibly be delivered. But Wayland came not to the pageant, +having been in the interim expelled by Lambourne from the Castle; and +the boy, not being able to find him, or to get speech of Tressilian, and +finding himself in possession of a letter addressed to no less a person +than the Earl of Leicester, became much afraid of the consequences +of his frolic. The caution, and indeed the alarm, which Wayland had +expressed respecting Varney and Lambourne, led him to judge that the +letter must be designed for the Earl's own hand, and that he might +prejudice the lady by giving it to any of the domestics. He made an +attempt or two to obtain an audience of Leicester; but the singularity +of his features and the meanness of his appearance occasioned his being +always repulsed by the insolent menials whom he applied to for that +purpose. Once, indeed, he had nearly succeeded, when, in prowling +about, he found in the grotto the casket, which he knew to belong to the +unlucky Countess, having seen it on her journey; for nothing escaped his +prying eye. Having striven in vain to restore it either to Tressilian +or the Countess, he put it into the hands, as we have seen, of Leicester +himself, but unfortunately he did not recognize him in his disguise. + +At length the boy thought he was on the point of succeeding when the +Earl came down to the lower part of the hall; but just as he was about +to accost him, he was prevented by Tressilian. As sharp in ear as in +wit, the boy heard the appointment settled betwixt them, to take place +in the Pleasance, and resolved to add a third to the party, in hope +that, either in coming or returning, he might find an opportunity of +delivering the letter to Leicester; for strange stories began to flit +among the domestics, which alarmed him for the lady's safety. Accident, +however, detained Dickon a little behind the Earl, and as he reached +the arcade he saw them engaged in combat; in consequence of which he +hastened to alarm the guard, having little doubt that what bloodshed +took place betwixt them might arise out of his own frolic. Continuing to +lurk in the portico, he heard the second appointment which Leicester at +parting assigned to Tressilian; and was keeping them in view during +the encounter of the Coventry men, when, to his surprise, he recognized +Wayland in the crowd, much disguised, indeed, but not sufficiently so to +escape the prying glance of his old comrade. They drew aside out of the +crowd to explain their situation to each other. The boy confessed to +Wayland what we have above told; and the artist, in return, informed him +that his deep anxiety for the fate of the unfortunate lady had brought +him back to the neighbourhood of the Castle, upon his learning +that morning, at a village about ten miles distant, that Varney +and Lambourne, whose violence he dreaded, had both left Kenilworth +over-night. + +While they spoke, they saw Leicester and Tressilian separate themselves +from the crowd, dogged them until they mounted their horses, when the +boy, whose speed of foot has been before mentioned, though he could not +possibly keep up with them, yet arrived, as we have seen, soon enough +to save Tressilian's life. The boy had just finished his tale when they +arrived at the Gallery-tower. + + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + + + High o'er the eastern steep the sun is beaming, + And darkness flies with her deceitful shadows;-- + So truth prevails o'er falsehood. --OLD PLAY. + +As Tressilian rode along the bridge, lately the scene of so much riotous +sport, he could not but observe that men's countenances had singularly +changed during the space of his brief absence. The mock fight was over, +but the men, still habited in their masking suits, stood together in +groups, like the inhabitants of a city who have been just startled by +some strange and alarming news. + +When he reached the base-court, appearances were the same--domestics, +retainers, and under-officers stood together and whispered, bending +their eyes towards the windows of the Great Hall, with looks which +seemed at once alarmed and mysterious. + +Sir Nicholas Blount was the first person of his own particular +acquaintance Tressilian saw, who left him no time to make inquiries, but +greeted him with, "God help thy heart, Tressilian! thou art fitter for a +clown than a courtier thou canst not attend, as becomes one who follows +her Majesty. Here you are called for, wished for, waited for--no man but +you will serve the turn; and hither you come with a misbegotten brat on +thy horse's neck, as if thou wert dry nurse to some sucking devil, and +wert just returned from airing." + +"Why, what is the matter?" said Tressilian, letting go the boy, who +sprung to ground like a feather, and himself dismounting at the same +time. + +"Why, no one knows the matter," replied Blount; "I cannot smell it out +myself, though I have a nose like other courtiers. Only, my Lord of +Leicester has galloped along the bridge as if he would have rode over +all in his passage, demanded an audience of the Queen, and is closeted +even now with her, and Burleigh and Walsingham--and you are called for; +but whether the matter be treason or worse, no one knows." + +"He speaks true, by Heaven!" said Raleigh, who that instant appeared; +"you must immediately to the Queen's presence." + +"Be not rash, Raleigh," said Blount, "remember his boots.--For Heaven's +sake, go to my chamber, dear Tressilian, and don my new bloom-coloured +silken hose; I have worn them but twice." + +"Pshaw!" answered Tressilian; "do thou take care of this boy, Blount; be +kind to him, and look he escapes you not--much depends on him." + +So saying, he followed Raleigh hastily, leaving honest Blount with the +bridle of his horse in one hand, and the boy in the other. Blount gave a +long look after him. + +"Nobody," he said, "calls me to these mysteries--and he leaves me here +to play horse-keeper and child-keeper at once. I could excuse the one, +for I love a good horse naturally; but to be plagued with a bratchet +whelp.--Whence come ye, my fair-favoured little gossip?" + +"From the Fens," answered the boy. + +"And what didst thou learn there, forward imp?" + +"To catch gulls, with their webbed feet and yellow stockings," said the +boy. + +"Umph!" said Blount, looking down on his own immense roses. "Nay, then, +the devil take him asks thee more questions." + +Meantime Tressilian traversed the full length of the Great Hall, +in which the astonished courtiers formed various groups, and were +whispering mysteriously together, while all kept their eyes fixed on +the door which led from the upper end of the hall into the Queen's +withdrawing apartment. Raleigh pointed to the door. Tressilian knocked, +and was instantly admitted. Many a neck was stretched to gain a view +into the interior of the apartment; but the tapestry which covered +the door on the inside was dropped too suddenly to admit the slightest +gratification of curiosity. + +Upon entrance, Tressilian found himself, not without a strong +palpitation of heart, in the presence of Elizabeth, who was walking to +and fro in a violent agitation, which she seemed to scorn to conceal, +while two or three of her most sage and confidential counsellors +exchanged anxious looks with each other, but delayed speaking till her +wrath abated. Before the empty chair of state in which she had been +seated, and which was half pushed aside by the violence with which she +had started from it, knelt Leicester, his arms crossed, and his +brows bent on the ground, still and motionless as the effigies upon a +sepulchre. Beside him stood the Lord Shrewsbury, then Earl Marshal of +England, holding his baton of office. The Earl's sword was unbuckled, +and lay before him on the floor. + +"Ho, sir!" said the Queen, coming close up to Tressilian, and stamping +on the floor with the action and manner of Henry himself; "you knew of +this fair work--you are an accomplice in this deception which has been +practised on us--you have been a main cause of our doing injustice?" +Tressilian dropped on his knee before the Queen, his good sense showing +him the risk of attempting any defence at that moment of irritation. +"Art dumb, sirrah?" she continued; "thou knowest of this affair dost +thou not?" + +"Not, gracious madam, that this poor lady was Countess of Leicester." + +"Nor shall any one know her for such," said Elizabeth. "Death of my +life! Countess of Leicester!--I say Dame Amy Dudley; and well if she +have not cause to write herself widow of the traitor Robert Dudley." + +"Madam," said Leicester, "do with me what it may be your will to do, but +work no injury on this gentleman; he hath in no way deserved it." + +"And will he be the better for thy intercession," said the Queen, +leaving Tressilian, who slowly arose, and rushing to Leicester, who +continued kneeling--"the better for thy intercession, thou doubly +false--thou doubly forsworn;--of thy intercession, whose villainy hath +made me ridiculous to my subjects and odious to myself? I could tear out +mine eyes for their blindness!" + +Burleigh here ventured to interpose. + +"Madam," he said, "remember that you are a Queen--Queen of +England--mother of your people. Give not way to this wild storm of +passion." + +Elizabeth turned round to him, while a tear actually twinkled in her +proud and angry eye. "Burleigh," she said, "thou art a statesman--thou +dost not, thou canst not, comprehend half the scorn, half the misery, +that man has poured on me!" + +With the utmost caution--with the deepest reverence--Burleigh took her +hand at the moment he saw her heart was at the fullest, and led her +aside to an oriel window, apart from the others. + +"Madam," he said, "I am a statesman, but I am also a man--a man already +grown old in your councils--who have not and cannot have a wish on earth +but your glory and happiness; I pray you to be composed." + +"Ah! Burleigh," said Elizabeth, "thou little knowest--" here her tears +fell over her cheeks in despite of her. + +"I do--I do know, my honoured sovereign. Oh, beware that you lead not +others to guess that which they know not!" + +"Ha!" said Elizabeth, pausing as if a new train of thought had +suddenly shot across her brain. "Burleigh, thou art right--thou +art right--anything but disgrace--anything but a confession of +weakness--anything rather than seem the cheated, slighted--'sdeath! to +think on it is distraction!" + +"Be but yourself, my Queen," said Burleigh; "and soar far above a +weakness which no Englishman will ever believe his Elizabeth could have +entertained, unless the violence of her disappointment carries a sad +conviction to his bosom." + +"What weakness, my lord?" said Elizabeth haughtily; "would you too +insinuate that the favour in which I held yonder proud traitor derived +its source from aught--" But here she could no longer sustain the proud +tone which she had assumed, and again softened as she said, "But why +should I strive to deceive even thee, my good and wise servant?" + +Burleigh stooped to kiss her hand with affection, and--rare in the +annals of courts--a tear of true sympathy dropped from the eye of the +minister on the hand of his Sovereign. + +It is probable that the consciousness of possessing this sympathy aided +Elizabeth in supporting her mortification, and suppressing her extreme +resentment; but she was still more moved by fear that her passion should +betray to the public the affront and the disappointment, which, alike +as a woman and a Queen, she was so anxious to conceal. She turned from +Burleigh, and sternly paced the hall till her features had recovered +their usual dignity, and her mien its wonted stateliness of regular +motion. + +"Our Sovereign is her noble self once more," whispered Burleigh to +Walsingham; "mark what she does, and take heed you thwart her not." + +She then approached Leicester, and said with calmness, "My Lord +Shrewsbury, we discharge you of your prisoner.--My Lord of Leicester, +rise and take up your sword; a quarter of an hour's restraint under +the custody of our Marshal, my lord, is, we think, no high penance for +months of falsehood practised upon us. We will now hear the progress +of this affair." She then seated herself in her chair, and said, "You, +Tressilian, step forward, and say what you know." + +Tressilian told his story generously, suppressing as much as he could +what affected Leicester, and saying nothing of their having twice +actually fought together. It is very probable that, in doing so, he did +the Earl good service; for had the Queen at that instant found anything +on account of which she could vent her wrath upon him, without laying +open sentiments of which she was ashamed, it might have fared hard with +him. She paused when Tressilian had finished his tale. + +"We will take that Wayland," she said, "into our own service, and place +the boy in our Secretary office for instruction, that he may in future +use discretion towards letters. For you, Tressilian, you did wrong in +not communicating the whole truth to us, and your promise not to do so +was both imprudent and undutiful. Yet, having given your word to this +unhappy lady, it was the part of a man and a gentleman to keep it; and +on the whole, we esteem you for the character you have sustained in this +matter.--My Lord of Leicester, it is now your turn to tell us the truth, +an exercise to which you seem of late to have been too much a stranger." + +Accordingly, she extorted, by successive questions, the whole history +of his first acquaintance with Amy Robsart--their marriage--his +jealousy--the causes on which it was founded, and many particulars +besides. Leicester's confession, for such it might be called, was +wrenched from him piecemeal, yet was upon the whole accurate, excepting +that he totally omitted to mention that he had, by implication or +otherwise, assented to Varney's designs upon the life of his Countess. +Yet the consciousness of this was what at that moment lay nearest to +his heart; and although he trusted in great measure to the very positive +counter-orders which he had sent by Lambourne, it was his purpose to set +out for Cumnor Place in person as soon as he should be dismissed from +the presence of the Queen, who, he concluded, would presently leave +Kenilworth. + +But the Earl reckoned without his host. It is true his presence and his +communications were gall and wormwood to his once partial mistress. +But barred from every other and more direct mode of revenge, the Queen +perceived that she gave her false suitor torture by these inquiries, +and dwelt on them for that reason, no more regarding the pain which she +herself experienced, than the savage cares for the searing of his own +hands by grasping the hot pincers with which he tears the flesh of his +captive enemy. + +At length, however, the haughty lord, like a deer that turns to bay, +gave intimation that his patience was failing. "Madam," he said, "I have +been much to blame--more than even your just resentment has expressed. +Yet, madam, let me say that my guilt, if it be unpardonable, was not +unprovoked, and that if beauty and condescending dignity could seduce +the frail heart of a human being, I might plead both as the causes of my +concealing this secret from your Majesty." + +The Queen was so much struck with this reply, which Leicester took +care should be heard by no one but herself, that she was for the moment +silenced, and the Earl had the temerity to pursue his advantage. "Your +Grace, who has pardoned so much, will excuse my throwing myself on your +royal mercy for those expressions which were yester-morning accounted +but a light offence." + +The Queen fixed her eyes on him while she replied, "Now, by Heaven, my +lord, thy effrontery passes the bounds of belief, as well as patience! +But it shall avail thee nothing.--What ho! my lords, come all and hear +the news-my Lord of Leicester's stolen marriage has cost me a husband, +and England a king. His lordship is patriarchal in his tastes--one wife +at a time was insufficient, and he designed US the honour of his left +hand. Now, is not this too insolent--that I could not grace him with +a few marks of court-favour, but he must presume to think my hand and +crown at his disposal? You, however, think better of me; and I can pity +this ambitious man, as I could a child, whose bubble of soap has burst +between his hands. We go to the presence-chamber.--My Lord of Leicester, +we command your close attendance on us." + +All was eager expectation in the hall, and what was the universal +astonishment when the Queen said to those next her, "The revels of +Kenilworth are not yet exhausted, my lords and ladies--we are to +solemnize the noble owner's marriage." + +There was an universal expression of surprise. + +"It is true, on our royal word," said the Queen; "he hath kept this +a secret even from us, that he might surprise us with it at this very +place and time. I see you are dying of curiosity to know the happy +bride. It is Amy Robsart, the same who, to make up the May-game +yesterday, figured in the pageant as the wife of his servant Varney." + +"For God's sake, madam," said the Earl, approaching her with a mixture +of humility, vexation, and shame in his countenance, and speaking so low +as to be heard by no one else, "take my head, as you threatened in your +anger, and spare me these taunts! Urge not a falling man--tread not on a +crushed worm." + +"A worm, my lord?" said the Queen, in the same tone; "nay, a snake is +the nobler reptile, and the more exact similitude--the frozen snake you +wot of, which was warmed in a certain bosom--" + +"For your own sake--for mine, madam," said the Earl--"while there is yet +some reason left in me--" + +"Speak aloud, my lord," said Elizabeth, "and at farther distance, so +please you--your breath thaws our ruff. What have you to ask of us?" + +"Permission," said the unfortunate Earl humbly, "to travel to Cumnor +Place." + +"To fetch home your bride belike?--Why, ay--that is but right, for, as +we have heard, she is indifferently cared for there. But, my lord, you +go not in person; we have counted upon passing certain days in this +Castle of Kenilworth, and it were slight courtesy to leave us without a +landlord during our residence here. Under your favour, we cannot think +to incur such disgrace in the eyes of our subjects. Tressilian shall +go to Cumnor Place instead of you, and with him some gentleman who hath +been sworn of our chamber, lest my Lord of Leicester should be again +jealous of his old rival.--Whom wouldst thou have to be in commission +with thee, Tressilian?" + +Tressilian, with humble deference, suggested the name of Raleigh. + +"Why, ay," said the Queen; "so God ha' me, thou hast made a good choice. +He is a young knight besides, and to deliver a lady from prison is +an appropriate first adventure.--Cumnor Place is little better than a +prison, you are to know, my lords and ladies. Besides, there are certain +faitours there whom we would willingly have in safe keeping. You will +furnish them, Master Secretary, with the warrant necessary to secure the +bodies of Richard Varney and the foreign Alasco, dead or alive. Take +a sufficient force with you, gentlemen--bring the lady here in all +honour--lose no time, and God be with you!" + +They bowed, and left the presence, + +Who shall describe how the rest of that day was spent at Kenilworth? +The Queen, who seemed to have remained there for the sole purpose of +mortifying and taunting the Earl of Leicester, showed herself as skilful +in that female art of vengeance, as she was in the science of wisely +governing her people. The train of state soon caught the signal, and as +he walked among his own splendid preparations, the Lord of Kenilworth, +in his own Castle, already experienced the lot of a disgraced courtier, +in the slight regard and cold manners of alienated friends, and the +ill-concealed triumph of avowed and open enemies. Sussex, from his +natural military frankness of disposition, Burleigh and Walsingham, from +their penetrating and prospective sagacity, and some of the ladies, from +the compassion of their sex, were the only persons in the crowded court +who retained towards him the countenance they had borne in the morning. + +So much had Leicester been accustomed to consider court favour as the +principal object of his life, that all other sensations were, for the +time, lost in the agony which his haughty spirit felt at the succession +of petty insults and studied neglects to which he had been subjected; +but when he retired to his own chamber for the night, that long, +fair tress of hair which had once secured Amy's letter fell under his +observation, and, with the influence of a counter-charm, awakened his +heart to nobler and more natural feelings. He kissed it a thousand +times; and while he recollected that he had it always in his power to +shun the mortifications which he had that day undergone, by retiring +into a dignified and even prince-like seclusion with the beautiful and +beloved partner of his future life, he felt that he could rise above the +revenge which Elizabeth had condescended to take. + +Accordingly, on the following day the whole conduct of the Earl +displayed so much dignified equanimity--he seemed so solicitous about +the accommodations and amusements of his guests, yet so indifferent to +their personal demeanour towards him--so respectfully distant to the +Queen, yet so patient of her harassing displeasure--that Elizabeth +changed her manner to him, and, though cold and distant, ceased to offer +him any direct affront. She intimated also with some sharpness to others +around her, who thought they were consulting her pleasure in showing a +neglectful conduct to the Earl, that while they remained at Kenilworth +they ought to show the civility due from guests to the Lord of the +Castle. In short, matters were so far changed in twenty-four hours that +some of the more experienced and sagacious courtiers foresaw a strong +possibility of Leicester's restoration to favour, and regulated their +demeanour towards him, as those who might one day claim merit for not +having deserted him in adversity. It is time, however, to leave these +intrigues, and follow Tressilian and Raleigh on their journey. + +The troop consisted of six persons; for, besides Wayland, they had +in company a royal pursuivant and two stout serving-men. All were +well-armed, and travelled as fast as it was possible with justice to +their horses, which had a long journey before them. They endeavoured +to procure some tidings as they rode along of Varney and his party, but +could hear none, as they had travelled in the dark. At a small village +about twelve miles from Kenilworth, where they gave some refreshment to +their horses, a poor clergyman, the curate of the place, came out of a +small cottage, and entreated any of the company who might know aught of +surgery to look in for an instant on a dying man. + +The empiric Wayland undertook to do his best, and as the curate +conducted him to the spot, he learned that the man had been found on +the highroad, about a mile from the village, by labourers, as they were +going to their work on the preceding morning, and the curate had given +him shelter in his house. He had received a gun-shot wound, which seemed +to be obviously mortal; but whether in a brawl or from robbers they +could not learn, as he was in a fever, and spoke nothing connectedly. +Wayland entered the dark and lowly apartment, and no sooner had the +curate drawn aside the curtain than he knew, in the distorted features +of the patient, the countenance of Michael Lambourne. Under pretence +of seeking something which he wanted, Wayland hastily apprised +his fellow-travellers of this extraordinary circumstance; and both +Tressilian and Raleigh, full of boding apprehensions, hastened to the +curate's house to see the dying man. + +The wretch was by this time in the agonies of death, from which a much +better surgeon than Wayland could not have rescued him, for the bullet +had passed clear through his body. He was sensible, however, at least in +part, for he knew Tressilian, and made signs that he wished him to stoop +over his bed. Tressilian did so, and after some inarticulate murmurs, in +which the names of Varney and Lady Leicester were alone distinguishable, +Lambourne bade him "make haste, or he would come too late." It was in +vain Tressilian urged the patient for further information; he seemed +to become in some degree delirious, and when he again made a signal to +attract Tressilian's attention, it was only for the purpose of desiring +him to inform his uncle, Giles Gosling of the Black Bear, that "he had +died without his shoes after all." A convulsion verified his words a few +minutes after, and the travellers derived nothing from having met with +him, saving the obscure fears concerning the fate of the Countess, which +his dying words were calculated to convey, and which induced them to +urge their journey with the utmost speed, pressing horses in the Queen's +name when those which they rode became unfit for service. + + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + + + The death-bell thrice was heard to ring, + An aerial voice was heard to call, + And thrice the raven flapp'd its wing + Around the towers of Cumnor Hall. --MICKLE. + +We are now to return to that part of our story where we intimated that +Varney, possessed of the authority of the Earl of Leicester, and of +the Queen's permission to the same effect, hastened to secure himself +against discovery of his perfidy by removing the Countess from +Kenilworth Castle. He had proposed to set forth early in the morning; +but reflecting that the Earl might relent in the interim, and seek +another interview with the Countess, he resolved to prevent, by +immediate departure, all chance of what would probably have ended in his +detection and ruin. For this purpose he called for Lambourne, and was +exceedingly incensed to find that his trusty attendant was abroad on +some ramble in the neighbouring village, or elsewhere. As his return +was expected, Sir Richard commanded that he should prepare himself +for attending him on an immediate journey, and follow him in case he +returned after his departure. + +In the meanwhile, Varney used the ministry of a servant called Robin +Tider, one to whom the mysteries of Cumnor Place were already in some +degree known, as he had been there more than once in attendance on the +Earl. To this man, whose character resembled that of Lambourne, though +he was neither quite so prompt nor altogether so profligate, Varney gave +command to have three horses saddled, and to prepare a horse-litter, and +have them in readiness at the postern gate. The natural enough excuse of +his lady's insanity, which was now universally believed, accounted for +the secrecy with which she was to be removed from the Castle, and he +reckoned on the same apology in case the unfortunate Amy's resistance or +screams should render such necessary. The agency of Anthony Foster was +indispensable, and that Varney now went to secure. + +This person, naturally of a sour, unsocial disposition, and somewhat +tired, besides, with his journey from Cumnor to Warwickshire, in order +to bring the news of the Countess's escape, had early extricated himself +from the crowd of wassailers, and betaken himself to his chamber, where +he lay asleep, when Varney, completely equipped for travelling, and with +a dark lantern in his hand, entered his apartment. He paused an instant +to listen to what his associate was murmuring in his sleep, and could +plainly distinguish the words, "AVE MARIA--ORA PRO NOBIS. No, it runs +not so--deliver us from evil--ay, so it goes." + +"Praying in his sleep," said Varney, "and confounding his old and +new devotions. He must have more need of prayer ere I am done with +him.--What ho! holy man, most blessed penitent!--awake--awake! The devil +has not discharged you from service yet." + +As Varney at the same time shook the sleeper by the arm, it changed the +current of his ideas, and he roared out, "Thieves!--thieves! I will die +in defence of my gold--my hard-won gold--that has cost me so dear. Where +is Janet?--Is Janet safe?" + +"Safe enough, thou bellowing fool!" said Varney; "art thou not ashamed +of thy clamour?" + +Foster by this time was broad awake, and sitting up in his bed, asked +Varney the meaning of so untimely a visit. "It augurs nothing good," he +added. + +"A false prophecy, most sainted Anthony," returned Varney; "it augurs +that the hour is come for converting thy leasehold into copyhold. What +sayest thou to that?" + +"Hadst thou told me this in broad day," said Foster, "I had rejoiced; +but at this dead hour, and by this dim light, and looking on thy pale +face, which is a ghastly contradiction to thy light words, I cannot +but rather think of the work that is to be done, than the guerdon to be +gained by it." + +"Why, thou fool, it is but to escort thy charge back to Cumnor Place." + +"Is that indeed all?" said Foster; "thou lookest deadly pale, and thou +art not moved by trifles--is that indeed all?" + +"Ay, that--and maybe a trifle more," said Varney. + +"Ah, that trifle more!" said Foster; "still thou lookest paler and +paler." + +"Heed not my countenance," said Varney; "you see it by this wretched +light. Up and be doing, man. Think of Cumnor Place--thine own proper +copyhold. Why, thou mayest found a weekly lectureship, besides endowing +Janet like a baron's daughter. Seventy pounds and odd." + +"Seventy-nine pounds, five shillings and fivepence half-penny, besides +the value of the wood," said Foster; "and I am to have it all as +copyhold?" + +"All, man--squirrels and all. No gipsy shall cut the value of a +broom--no boy so much as take a bird's nest--without paying thee a +quittance.--Ay, that is right--don thy matters as fast as possible; +horses and everything are ready, all save that accursed villain +Lambourne, who is out on some infernal gambol." + +"Ay, Sir Richard," said Foster, "you would take no advice. I ever told +you that drunken profligate would fail you at need. Now I could have +helped you to a sober young man." + +"What, some slow-spoken, long-breathed brother of the congregation? Why, +we shall have use for such also, man. Heaven be praised, we shall lack +labourers of every kind.--Ay, that is right--forget not your pistols. +Come now, and let us away." + +"Whither?" said Anthony. + +"To my lady's chamber; and, mind, she MUST along with us. Thou art not a +fellow to be startled by a shriek?" + +"Not if Scripture reason can be rendered for it; and it is written, +'Wives obey your husbands.' But will my lord's commands bear us out if +we use violence?" + +"Tush, man! here is his signet," answered Varney; and having thus +silenced the objections of his associate, they went together to Lord +Hunsdon's apartments, and acquainting the sentinel with their purpose, +as a matter sanctioned by the Queen and the Earl of Leicester, they +entered the chamber of the unfortunate Countess. + +The horror of Amy may be conceived when, starting from a broken slumber, +she saw at her bedside Varney, the man on earth she most feared and +hated. It was even a consolation to see that he was not alone, though +she had so much reason to dread his sullen companion. + +"Madam," said Varney, "there is no time for ceremony. My Lord of +Leicester, having fully considered the exigencies of the time, sends you +his orders immediately to accompany us on our return to Cumnor Place. +See, here is his signet, in token of his instant and pressing commands." + +"It is false!" said the Countess; "thou hast stolen the warrant--thou, +who art capable of every villainy, from the blackest to the basest!" + +"It is TRUE, madam," replied Varney; "so true, that if you do not +instantly arise, and prepare to attend us, we must compel you to obey +our orders." + +"Compel! Thou darest not put it to that issue, base as thou art!" +exclaimed the unhappy Countess. + +"That remains to be proved, madam," said Varney, who had determined on +intimidation as the only means of subduing her high spirit; "if you put +me to it, you will find me a rough groom of the chambers." + +It was at this threat that Amy screamed so fearfully that, had it not +been for the received opinion of her insanity, she would quickly have +had Lord Hunsdon and others to her aid. Perceiving, however, that her +cries were vain, she appealed to Foster in the most affecting terms, +conjuring him, as his daughter Janet's honour and purity were dear to +him, not to permit her to be treated with unwomanly violence. + +"Why, madam, wives must obey their husbands---there's Scripture warrant +for it," said Foster; "and if you will dress yourself, and come with +us patiently, there's no one shall lay finger on you while I can draw a +pistol-trigger." + +Seeing no help arrive, and comforted even by the dogged language of +Foster, the Countess promised to arise and dress herself, if they would +agree to retire from the room. Varney at the same time assured her of +all safety and honour while in their hands, and promised that he himself +would not approach her, since his presence was so displeasing. Her +husband, he added, would be at Cumnor Place within twenty-four hours +after they had reached it. + +Somewhat comforted by this assurance, upon which, however, she saw +little reason to rely, the unhappy Amy made her toilette by the +assistance of the lantern, which they left with her when they quitted +the apartment. + +Weeping, trembling, and praying, the unfortunate lady dressed herself +with sensations how different from the days in which she was wont to +decorate herself in all the pride of conscious beauty! She endeavoured +to delay the completing her dress as long as she could, until, terrified +by the impatience of Varney, she was obliged to declare herself ready to +attend them. + +When they were about to move, the Countess clung to Foster with such an +appearance of terror at Varney's approach that the latter protested to +her, with a deep oath, that he had no intention whatever of even coming +near her. "If you do but consent to execute your husband's will in +quietness, you shall," he said, "see but little of me. I will leave you +undisturbed to the care of the usher whom your good taste prefers." + +"My husband's will!" she exclaimed. "But it is the will of God, and let +that be sufficient to me. I will go with Master Foster as unresistingly +as ever did a literal sacrifice. He is a father at least; and will have +decency, if not humanity. For thee, Varney, were it my latest word, thou +art an equal stranger to both." + +Varney replied only she was at liberty to choose, and walked some paces +before them to show the way; while, half leaning on Foster, and half +carried by him, the Countess was transported from Saintlowe's Tower to +the postern gate, where Tider waited with the litter and horses. + +The Countess was placed in the former without resistance. She saw with +some satisfaction that, while Foster and Tider rode close by the litter, +which the latter conducted, the dreaded Varney lingered behind, and was +soon lost in darkness. A little while she strove, as the road winded +round the verge of the lake, to keep sight of those stately towers which +called her husband lord, and which still, in some places, sparkled with +lights, where wassailers were yet revelling. But when the direction of +the road rendered this no longer possible, she drew back her head, +and sinking down in the litter, recommended herself to the care of +Providence. + +Besides the desire of inducing the Countess to proceed quietly on her +journey, Varney had it also in view to have an interview with Lambourne, +by whom he every moment expected to be joined, without the presence +of any witnesses. He knew the character of this man, prompt, bloody, +resolute, and greedy, and judged him the most fit agent he could employ +in his further designs. But ten miles of their journey had been measured +ere he heard the hasty clatter of horse's hoofs behind him, and was +overtaken by Michael Lambourne. + +Fretted as he was with his absence, Varney received his profligate +servant with a rebuke of unusual bitterness. "Drunken villain," he said, +"thy idleness and debauched folly will stretch a halter ere it be long, +and, for me, I care not how soon!" + +This style of objurgation Lambourne, who was elated to an unusual +degree, not only by an extraordinary cup of wine, but by the sort of +confidential interview he had just had with the Earl, and the secret +of which he had made himself master, did not receive with his wonted +humility. "He would take no insolence of language," he said, "from the +best knight that ever wore spurs. Lord Leicester had detained him on +some business of import, and that was enough for Varney, who was but a +servant like himself." + +Varney was not a little surprised at his unusual tone of insolence; but +ascribing it to liquor, suffered it to pass as if unnoticed, and then +began to tamper with Lambourne touching his willingness to aid in +removing out of the Earl of Leicester's way an obstacle to a rise, which +would put it in his power to reward his trusty followers to their utmost +wish. And upon Michael Lambourne's seeming ignorant what was meant, he +plainly indicated "the litter-load, yonder," as the impediment which he +desired should be removed. + +"Look you, Sir Richard, and so forth," said Michael, "some are wiser +than some, that is one thing, and some are worse than some, that's +another. I know my lord's mind on this matter better than thou, for he +hath trusted me fully in the matter. Here are his mandates, and his +last words were, Michael Lambourne--for his lordship speaks to me as a +gentleman of the sword, and useth not the words drunken villain, or such +like phrase, of those who know not how to bear new dignities--Varney, +says he, must pay the utmost respect to my Countess. I trust to you for +looking to it, Lambourne, says his lordship, and you must bring back my +signet from him peremptorily." + +"Ay," replied Varney, "said he so, indeed? You know all, then?" + +"All--all; and you were as wise to make a friend of me while the weather +is fair betwixt us." + +"And was there no one present," said Varney, "when my lord so spoke?" + +"Not a breathing creature," replied Lambourne. "Think you my lord would +trust any one with such matters, save an approved man of action like +myself?" + +"Most true," said Varney; and making a pause, he looked forward on the +moonlight road. They were traversing a wide and open heath. The litter +being at least a mile before them, was both out of sight and hearing. +He looked behind, and there was an expanse, lighted by the moonbeams, +without one human being in sight. He resumed his speech to Lambourne: +"And will you turn upon your master, who has introduced you to +this career of court-like favour--whose apprentice you have been, +Michael--who has taught you the depths and shallows of court intrigue?" + +"Michael not me!" said Lambourne; "I have a name will brook a MASTER +before it as well as another; and as to the rest, if I have been +an apprentice, my indenture is out, and I am resolute to set up for +myself." + +"Take thy quittance first, thou fool!" said Varney; and with a pistol, +which he had for some time held in his hand, shot Lambourne through the +body. + +The wretch fell from his horse without a single groan; and Varney, +dismounting, rifled his pockets, turning out the lining, that it might +appear he had fallen by robbers. He secured the Earl's packet, which was +his chief object; but he also took Lambourne's purse, containing some +gold pieces, the relics of what his debauchery had left him, and from a +singular combination of feelings, carried it in his hand only the length +of a small river, which crossed the road, into which he threw it as far +as he could fling. Such are the strange remnants of conscience which +remain after she seems totally subdued, that this cruel and remorseless +man would have felt himself degraded had he pocketed the few pieces +belonging to the wretch whom he had thus ruthlessly slain. + +The murderer reloaded his pistol after cleansing the lock and barrel +from the appearances of late explosion, and rode calmly after the +litter, satisfying himself that he had so adroitly removed a troublesome +witness to many of his intrigues, and the bearer of mandates which he +had no intentions to obey, and which, therefore, he was desirous it +should be thought had never reached his hand. + +The remainder of the journey was made with a degree of speed which +showed the little care they had for the health of the unhappy Countess. +They paused only at places where all was under their command, and where +the tale they were prepared to tell of the insane Lady Varney would +have obtained ready credit had she made an attempt to appeal to the +compassion of the few persons admitted to see her. But Amy saw no +chance of obtaining a hearing from any to whom she had an opportunity of +addressing herself; and besides, was too terrified for the presence of +Varney to violate the implied condition under which she was to travel +free from his company. The authority of Varney, often so used during +the Earl's private journeys to Cumnor, readily procured relays of horses +where wanted, so that they approached Cumnor Place upon the night after +they left Kenilworth. + +At this period of the journey Varney came up to the rear of the litter, +as he had done before repeatedly during their progress, and asked, "How +does she?" + +"She sleeps," said Foster. "I would we were home--her strength is +exhausted." + +"Rest will restore her," answered Varney. "She shall soon sleep sound +and long. We must consider how to lodge her in safety." + +"In her own apartments, to be sure," said Foster. "I have sent Janet to +her aunt's with a proper rebuke, and the old women are truth itself--for +they hate this lady cordially." + +"We will not trust them, however, friend Anthony," said Varney; "We must +secure her in that stronghold where you keep your gold." + +"My gold!" said Anthony, much alarmed; "why, what gold have I? God help +me, I have no gold--I would I had!" + +"Now, marry hang thee, thou stupid brute, who thinks of or cares for thy +gold? If I did, could I not find an hundred better ways to come at it? +In one word, thy bedchamber, which thou hast fenced so curiously, must +be her place of seclusion; and thou, thou hind, shalt press her pillows +of down. I dare to say the Earl will never ask after the rich furniture +of these four rooms." + +This last consideration rendered Foster tractable; he only asked +permission to ride before, to make matters ready, and spurring +his horse, he posted before the litter, while Varney falling about +threescore paces behind it, it remained only attended by Tider. + +When they had arrived at Cumnor Place, the Countess asked eagerly for +Janet, and showed much alarm when informed that she was no longer to +have the attendance of that amiable girl. + +"My daughter is dear to me, madam," said Foster gruffly; "and I desire +not that she should get the court-tricks of lying and 'scaping--somewhat +too much of that has she learned already, an it please your ladyship." + +The Countess, much fatigued and greatly terrified by the circumstances +of her journey, made no answer to this insolence, but mildly expressed a +wish to retire to her chamber. + +"Ay, ay," muttered Foster, "'tis but reasonable; but, under favour, +you go not to your gew-gaw toy-house yonder--you will sleep to-night in +better security." + +"I would it were in my grave," said the Countess; "but that mortal +feelings shiver at the idea of soul and body parting." + +"You, I guess, have no chance to shiver at that," replied Foster. "My +lord comes hither to-morrow, and doubtless you will make your own ways +good with him." + +"But does he come hither?--does he indeed, good Foster?" + +"Oh, ay, good Foster!" replied the other. "But what Foster shall I be +to-morrow when you speak of me to my lord--though all I have done was to +obey his own orders?" + +"You shall be my protector--a rough one indeed--but still a protector," +answered the Countess. "Oh that Janet were but here!" + +"She is better where she is," answered Foster--"one of you is enough to +perplex a plain head. But will you taste any refreshment?" + +"Oh no, no--my chamber--my chamber! I trust," she said apprehensively, +"I may secure it on the inside?" + +"With all my heart," answered Foster, "so I may secure it on the +outside;" and taking a light, he led the way to a part of the building +where Amy had never been, and conducted her up a stair of great height, +preceded by one of the old women with a lamp. At the head of the stair, +which seemed of almost immeasurable height, they crossed a short wooden +gallery, formed of black oak, and very narrow, at the farther end of +which was a strong oaken door, which opened and admitted them into the +miser's apartment, homely in its accommodations in the very last degree, +and, except in name, little different from a prison-room. + +Foster stopped at the door, and gave the lamp to the Countess, without +either offering or permitting the attendance of the old woman who had +carried it. The lady stood not on ceremony, but taking it hastily, +barred the door, and secured it with the ample means provided on the +inside for that purpose. + +Varney, meanwhile, had lurked behind on the stairs; but hearing the door +barred, he now came up on tiptoe, and Foster, winking to him, pointed +with self-complacence to a piece of concealed machinery in the wall, +which, playing with much ease and little noise, dropped a part of the +wooden gallery, after the manner of a drawbridge, so as to cut off +all communication between the door of the bedroom, which he usually +inhabited, and the landing-place of the high, winding stair which +ascended to it. The rope by which this machinery was wrought was +generally carried within the bedchamber, it being Foster's object to +provide against invasion from without; but now that it was intended +to secure the prisoner within, the cord had been brought over to +the landing-place, and was there made fast, when Foster with much +complacency had dropped the unsuspected trap-door. + +Varney looked with great attention at the machinery, and peeped more +than once down the abyss which was opened by the fall of the trap-door. +It was dark as pitch, and seemed profoundly deep, going, as Foster +informed his confederate in a whisper, nigh to the lowest vault of the +Castle. Varney cast once more a fixed and long look down into this +sable gulf, and then followed Foster to the part of the manor-house most +usually inhabited. + +When they arrived in the parlour which we have mentioned, Varney +requested Foster to get them supper, and some of the choicest wine. "I +will seek Alasco," he added; "we have work for him to do, and we must +put him in good heart." + +Foster groaned at this intimation, but made no remonstrance. The old +woman assured Varney that Alasco had scarce eaten or drunken since her +master's departure, living perpetually shut up in the laboratory, and +talking as if the world's continuance depended on what he was doing +there. + +"I will teach him that the world hath other claims on him," said Varney, +seizing a light, and going in quest of the alchemist. He returned, after +a considerable absence, very pale, but yet with his habitual sneer on +his cheek and nostril. "Our friend," he said, "has exhaled." + +"How!--what mean you?" said Foster--"run away--fled with my forty +pounds, that should have been multiplied a thousand-fold? I will have +Hue and Cry!" + +"I will tell thee a surer way," said Varney. + +"How!--which way?" exclaimed Foster; "I will have back my forty +pounds--I deemed them as surely a thousand times multiplied--I will have +back my in-put, at the least." + +"Go hang thyself, then, and sue Alasco in the Devil's Court of Chancery, +for thither he has carried the cause." + +"How!--what dost thou mean is he dead?" + +"Ay, truly is he," said Varney; "and properly swollen already in the +face and body. He had been mixing some of his devil's medicines, and the +glass mask which he used constantly had fallen from his face, so that +the subtle poison entered the brain, and did its work." + +"SANCTA MARIA!" said Foster--"I mean, God in His mercy preserve us from +covetousness and deadly sin!--Had he not had projection, think you? Saw +you no ingots in the crucibles?" + +"Nay, I looked not but at the dead carrion," answered Varney; "an ugly +spectacle--he was swollen like a corpse three days exposed on the wheel. +Pah! give me a cup of wine." + +"I will go," said Foster, "I will examine myself--" He took the lamp, +and hastened to the door, but there hesitated and paused. "Will you not +go with me?" said he to Varney. + +"To what purpose?" said Varney; "I have seen and smelled enough to spoil +my appetite. I broke the window, however, and let in the air; it reeked +of sulphur, and such like suffocating steams, as if the very devil had +been there." + +"And might it not be the act of the demon himself?" said Foster, still +hesitating; "I have heard he is powerful at such times, and with such +people." + +"Still, if it were that Satan of thine," answered Varney, "who thus +jades thy imagination, thou art in perfect safety, unless he is a most +unconscionable devil indeed. He hath had two good sops of late." + +"How TWO sops--what mean you?" said Foster--"what mean you?" + +"You will know in time," said Varney;--"and then this other banquet--but +thou wilt esteem Her too choice a morsel for the fiend's tooth--she must +have her psalms, and harps, and seraphs." + +Anthony Foster heard, and came slowly back to the table. "God! Sir +Richard, and must that then be done?" + +"Ay, in very truth, Anthony, or there comes no copyhold in thy way," +replied his inflexible associate. + +"I always foresaw it would land there!" said Foster. "But how, Sir +Richard, how?--for not to win the world would I put hands on her." + +"I cannot blame thee," said Varney; "I should be reluctant to do that +myself. We miss Alasco and his manna sorely--ay, and the dog Lambourne." + +"Why, where tarries Lambourne?" said Anthony. + +"Ask no questions," said Varney, "thou wilt see him one day if thy creed +is true. But to our graver matter. I will teach thee a spring, Tony, to +catch a pewit. Yonder trap-door--yonder gimcrack of thine, will remain +secure in appearance, will it not, though the supports are withdrawn +beneath?" + +"Ay, marry, will it," said Foster; "so long as it is not trodden on." + +"But were the lady to attempt an escape over it," replied Varney, "her +weight would carry it down?" + +"A mouse's weight would do it," said Foster. + +"Why, then, she dies in attempting her escape, and what could you or +I help it, honest Tony? Let us to bed, we will adjust our project +to-morrow." + +On the next day, when evening approached, Varney summoned Foster to the +execution of their plan. Tider and Foster's old man-servant were sent on +a feigned errand down to the village, and Anthony himself, as if anxious +to see that the Countess suffered no want of accommodation, visited +her place of confinement. He was so much staggered at the mildness and +patience with which she seemed to endure her confinement, that he could +not help earnestly recommending to her not to cross the threshold of her +room on any account whatever, until Lord Leicester should come, "which," +he added, "I trust in God, will be very soon." Amy patiently promised +that she would resign herself to her fate, and Foster returned to his +hardened companion with his conscience half-eased of the perilous load +that weighed on it. "I have warned her," he said; "surely in vain is the +snare set in the sight of any bird!" + +He left, therefore, the Countess's door unsecured on the outside, and, +under the eye of Varney, withdrew the supports which sustained the +falling trap, which, therefore, kept its level position merely by a +slight adhesion. They withdrew to wait the issue on the ground-floor +adjoining; but they waited long in vain. At length Varney, after walking +long to and fro, with his face muffled in his cloak, threw it suddenly +back and exclaimed, "Surely never was a woman fool enough to neglect so +fair an opportunity of escape!" + +"Perhaps she is resolved," said Foster, "to await her husband's return." + +"True!--most true!" said Varney, rushing out; "I had not thought of that +before." + +In less than two minutes, Foster, who remained behind, heard the tread +of a horse in the courtyard, and then a whistle similar to that +which was the Earl's usual signal. The instant after the door of the +Countess's chamber opened, and in the same moment the trap-door gave +way. There was a rushing sound--a heavy fall--a faint groan--and all was +over. + +At the same instant, Varney called in at the window, in an accent and +tone which was an indescribable mixture betwixt horror and raillery, "Is +the bird caught?--is the deed done?" + +"O God, forgive us!" replied Anthony Foster. + +"Why, thou fool," said Varney, "thy toil is ended, and thy reward +secure. Look down into the vault--what seest thou?" + +"I see only a heap of white clothes, like a snowdrift," said Foster. "O +God, she moves her arm!" + +"Hurl something down on her--thy gold chest, Tony--it is an heavy one." + +"Varney, thou art an incarnate fiend!" replied Foster. + +"There needs nothing more--she is gone!" + +"So pass our troubles," said Varney, entering the room; "I dreamed not I +could have mimicked the Earl's call so well." + +"Oh, if there be judgment in heaven, thou hast deserved it," said +Foster, "and wilt meet it! Thou hast destroyed her by means of her best +affections--it is a seething of the kid in the mother's milk!" + +"Thou art a fanatical ass," replied Varney; "let us now think how the +alarm should be given--the body is to remain where it is." + +But their wickedness was to be permitted no longer; for even while they +were at this consultation, Tressilian and Raleigh broke in upon them, +having obtained admittance by means of Tider and Foster's servant, whom +they had secured at the village. + +Anthony Foster fled on their entrance, and knowing each corner and pass +of the intricate old house, escaped all search. But Varney was taken on +the spot; and instead of expressing compunction for what he had done, +seemed to take a fiendish pleasure in pointing out to them the remains +of the murdered Countess, while at the same time he defied them to show +that he had any share in her death. The despairing grief of Tressilian, +on viewing the mangled and yet warm remains of what had lately been so +lovely and so beloved, was such that Raleigh was compelled to have him +removed from the place by force, while he himself assumed the direction +of what was to be done. + +Varney, upon a second examination, made very little mystery either of +the crime or of its motives---alleging, as a reason for his frankness, +that though much of what he confessed could only have attached to him by +suspicion, yet such suspicion would have been sufficient to deprive +him of Leicester's confidence, and to destroy all his towering plans of +ambition. "I was not born," he said, "to drag on the remainder of life a +degraded outcast; nor will I so die that my fate shall make a holiday to +the vulgar herd." + +From these words it was apprehended he had some design upon himself, and +he was carefully deprived of all means by which such could be carried +into execution. But like some of the heroes of antiquity, he carried +about his person a small quantity of strong poison, prepared probably +by the celebrated Demetrius Alasco. Having swallowed this potion +over-night, he was found next morning dead in his cell; nor did he +appear to have suffered much agony, his countenance presenting, even in +death, the habitual expression of sneering sarcasm which was predominant +while he lived. "The wicked man," saith Scripture, "hath no bands in his +death." + +The fate of his colleague in wickedness was long unknown. Cumnor Place +was deserted immediately after the murder; for in the vicinity of what +was called the Lady Dudley's Chamber, the domestics pretended to hear +groans, and screams, and other supernatural noises. After a certain +length of time, Janet, hearing no tidings of her father, became the +uncontrolled mistress of his property, and conferred it with her hand +upon Wayland, now a man of settled character, and holding a place in +Elizabeth's household. But it was after they had been both dead for some +years that their eldest son and heir, in making some researches about +Cumnor Hall, discovered a secret passage, closed by an iron door, which, +opening from behind the bed in the Lady Dudley's Chamber, descended to a +sort of cell, in which they found an iron chest containing a quantity +of gold, and a human skeleton stretched above it. The fate of Anthony +Foster was now manifest. He had fled to this place of concealment, +forgetting the key of the spring-lock; and being barred from escape by +the means he had used for preservation of that gold, for which he had +sold his salvation, he had there perished miserably. Unquestionably the +groans and screams heard by the domestics were not entirely imaginary, +but were those of this wretch, who, in his agony, was crying for relief +and succour. + +The news of the Countess's dreadful fate put a sudden period to the +pleasures of Kenilworth. Leicester retired from court, and for a +considerable time abandoned himself to his remorse. But as Varney in his +last declaration had been studious to spare the character of his patron, +the Earl was the object rather of compassion than resentment. The Queen +at length recalled him to court; he was once more distinguished as a +statesman and favourite; and the rest of his career is well known to +history. But there was something retributive in his death, if, according +to an account very generally received, it took place from his swallowing +a draught of poison which was designed by him for another person. [See +Note 9. Death of the Earl of Leicester.] + +Sir Hugh Robsart died very soon after his daughter, having settled his +estate on Tressilian. But neither the prospect of rural independence, +nor the promises of favour which Elizabeth held out to induce him to +follow the court, could remove his profound melancholy. Wherever he went +he seemed to see before him the disfigured corpse of the early and +only object of his affection. At length, having made provision for the +maintenance of the old friends and old servants who formed Sir Hugh's +family at Lidcote Hall, he himself embarked with his friend Raleigh +for the Virginia expedition, and, young in years but old in grief, died +before his day in that foreign land. + +Of inferior persons it is only necessary to say that Blount's wit grew +brighter as his yellow roses faded; that, doing his part as a brave +commander in the wars, he was much more in his element than during the +short period of his following the court; and that Flibbertigibbet's +acute genius raised him to favour and distinction in the employment both +of Burleigh and Walsingham. + + + + + +NOTES. + +Note 1. Ch. III.--FOSTER, LAMBOURNE, AND THE BLACK BEAR. + +If faith is to be put in epitaphs, Anthony Foster was something the very +reverse of the character represented in the novel. Ashmole gives this +description of his tomb. I copy from the ANTIQUITIES OF BERKSHIRE, +vol.i., p.143. + +"In the north wall of the chancel at Cumnor church is a monument of grey +marble, whereon, in brass plates, are engraved a man in armour, and +his wife in the habit of her times, both kneeling before a fald-stoole, +together with the figures of three sons kneeling behind their mother. +Under the figure of the man is this inscription:-- + + + "ANTONIUS FORSTER, generis generosa propago, + Cumnerae Dominus, Bercheriensis erat. + Armiger, Armigero prognatus patre Ricardo, + Qui quondam Iphlethae Salopiensis erat. + Quatuor ex isto fluxerunt stemmate nati, + Ex isto Antonius stemmate quartus erat. + Mente sagax, animo precellens, corpore promptus, + Eloquii dulcis, ore disertus erat. + In factis probitas; fuit in sermone venustas, + In vultu gravitas, relligione fides, + In patriam pietas, in egenos grata voluntas, + Accedunt reliquis annumeranda bonis. + Si quod cuncta rapit, rapuit non omnia Lethum, + Si quod Mors rapuit, vivida fama dedit. + +"These verses following are writ at length, two by two, in praise of +him:-- + + + "Argute resonas Cithare pretendere chordas + Novit, et Aonia concrepuisse Lyra. + Gaudebat terre teneras defigere plantas; + Et mira pulchras construere arte domos + Composita varias lingua formare loquelas + Doctus, et edocta scribere multa manu." + +The arms over it thus:-- + +Quart. I. 3 HUNTER'S HORNS stringed. + +II. 3 PINIONS with their points upwards. + +"The crest is a STAG couchant, vulnerated through the neck by a broad +arrow; on his side is a MARTLETT for a difference." + +From this monumental inscription it appears that Anthony Foster, +instead of being a vulgar, low-bred, puritanical churl, was, in fact, a +gentleman of birth and consideration, distinguished for his skill in +the arts of music and horticulture, as also in languages. In so far, +therefore, the Anthony Foster of the romance has nothing but the name +in common with the real individual. But notwithstanding the charity, +benevolence, and religious faith imputed by the monument of grey marble +to its tenant, tradition, as well as secret history, names him as the +active agent in the death of the Countess; and it is added that, +from being a jovial and convivial gallant, as we may infer from some +expressions in the epitaph, he sunk, after the fatal deed, into a man +of gloomy and retired habits, whose looks and manners indicated that he +suffered under the pressure of some atrocious secret. + +The name of Lambourne is still known in the vicinity, and it is said +some of the clan partake the habits, as well as name, of the Michael +Lambourne of the romance. A man of this name lately murdered his wife, +outdoing Michael in this respect, who only was concerned in the murder +of the wife of another man. + +I have only to add that the jolly Black Bear has been restored to his +predominance over bowl and bottle in the village of Cumnor. + +Note 2. Ch. XIII.--LEGEND OF WAYLAND SMITH. + +The great defeat given by Alfred to the Danish invaders is said by Mr. +Gough to have taken place near Ashdown, in Berkshire. "The burial +place of Baereg, the Danish chief, who was slain in this fight, is +distinguished by a parcel of stones, less than a mile from the hill, set +on edge, enclosing a piece of ground somewhat raised. On the east side +of the southern extremity stand three squarish flat stones, of about +four or five feet over either way, supporting a fourth, and now called +by the vulgar WAYLAND SMITH, from an idle tradition about an invisible +smith replacing lost horse-shoes there."--GOUGH'S edition of CAMDEN'S +BRITANNIA, vol.i., p. 221. + +The popular belief still retains memory of this wild legend, which, +connected as it is with the site of a Danish sepulchre, may have arisen +from some legend concerning the northern Duergar, who resided in the +rocks, and were cunning workers in steel and iron. It was believed that +Wayland Smith's fee was sixpence, and that, unlike other workmen, he was +offended if more was offered. Of late his offices have been again called +to memory; but fiction has in this, as in other cases, taken the liberty +to pillage the stores of oral tradition. This monument must be very +ancient, for it has been kindly pointed out to me that it is referred to +in an ancient Saxon charter as a landmark. The monument has been of late +cleared out, and made considerably more conspicuous. + +Note 3. Ch. XIV.--LEICESTER AND SUSSEX. + +Naunton gives us numerous and curious particulars of the jealous +struggle which took place between Ratcliffe, Earl of Sussex, and the +rising favourite Leicester. The former, when on his deathbed, predicted +to his followers that after his death the gipsy (so he called Leicester, +from his dark complexion) would prove too many for them. + +Note 4. Ch. XIV.--SIR WALTER RALEIGH. + +Among the attendants and adherents of Sussex, we have ventured to +introduce the celebrated Raleigh, in the dawn of his court favour. + +In Aubrey's Correspondence there are some curious particulars of Sir +Walter Raleigh. "He was a tall, handsome, bold man; but his naeve was +that he was damnably proud. Old Sir Robert Harley of Brampton Brian +Castle, who knew him, would say it was a great question who was the +proudest, Sir Walter or Sir Thomas Overbury; but the difference that +was, was judged in Sir Thomas's side. In the great parlour at Downton, +at Mr. Raleigh's, is a good piece, an original of Sir Walter, in a white +satin doublet, all embroidered with rich pearls, and a mighty rich chain +of great pearls about his neck. The old servants have told me that +the real pearls were near as big as the painted ones. He had a +most remarkable aspect, an exceeding high forehead, long-faced, and +sour-eyelidded. A rebus is added to this purpose:-- + + + The enemy to the stomach, and the word of disgrace, + Is the name of the gentleman with the bold face. + +Sir Walter Raleigh's beard turned up naturally, which gave him an +advantage over the gallants of the time, whose moustaches received a +touch of the barber's art to give them the air then most admired.--See +AUBREY'S CORRESPONDENCE, vol.ii., part ii., p.500. + +Note 5. Ch. XV.--COURT FAVOUR OF SIR WALTER RALEIGH. + +The gallant incident of the cloak is the traditional account of this +celebrated statesman's rise at court. None of Elizabeth's courtiers knew +better than he how to make his court to her personal vanity, or could +more justly estimate the quantity of flattery which she could +condescend to swallow. Being confined in the Tower for some offence, and +understanding the Queen was about to pass to Greenwich in her barge, +he insisted on approaching the window, that he might see, at whatever +distance, the Queen of his Affections, the most beautiful object which +the earth bore on its surface. The Lieutenant of the Tower (his own +particular friend) threw himself between his prisoner and the window; +while Sir Waiter, apparently influenced by a fit of unrestrainable +passion, swore he would not be debarred from seeing his light, his life, +his goddess! A scuffle ensued, got up for effect's sake, in which the +Lieutenant and his captive grappled and struggled with fury, tore each +other's hair, and at length drew daggers, and were only separated by +force. The Queen being informed of this scene exhibited by her frantic +adorer, it wrought, as was to be expected, much in favour of the captive +Paladin. There is little doubt that his quarrel with the Lieutenant was +entirely contrived for the purpose which it produced. + +Note 6. Ch. XVII.--ROBERT LANEHAM. + +Little is known of Robert Laneham, save in his curious letter to a +friend in London, giving an account of Queen Elizabeth's entertainments +at Kenilworth, written in a style of the most intolerable affectation, +both in point of composition and orthography. He describes himself as a +BON VIVANT, who was wont to be jolly and dry in the morning, and by his +good-will would be chiefly in the company of the ladies. He was, by the +interest of Lord Leicester, Clerk of the Council Chamber door, and also +keeper of the same. "When Council sits," says he, "I am at hand. If any +makes a babbling, PEACE, say I. If I see a listener or a pryer in at +the chinks or lockhole, I am presently on the bones of him. If a friend +comes, I make him sit down by me on a form or chest. The rest may walk, +a God's name!" There has been seldom a better portrait of the pragmatic +conceit and self-importance of a small man in office. + +Note 7. Ch. XVIII.--DR. JULIO. + +The Earl of Leicester's Italian physician, Julio, was affirmed by his +contemporaries to be a skilful compounder of poisons, which he applied +with such frequency, that the Jesuit Parsons extols ironically the +marvellous good luck of this great favourite in the opportune deaths of +those who stood in the way of his wishes. There is a curious passage on +the subject:-- + +"Long after this, he fell in love with the Lady Sheffield, whom I +signified before, and then also had he the same fortune to have her +husband dye quickly, with an extreame rheume in his head (as it was +given out), but as others say, of an artificiall catarre that stopped +his breath. + +"The like good chance had he in the death of my Lord of Essex (as I have +said before), and that at a time most fortunate for his purpose; for +when he was coming home from Ireland, with intent to revenge himselfe +upon my Lord of Leicester for begetting his wife with childe in his +absence (the childe was a daughter, and brought up by the Lady Shandoes, +W. Knooles, his wife), my Lord of Leicester hearing thereof, wanted not +a friend or two to accompany the deputy, as among other a couple of the +Earles own servants, Crompton (if I misse not his name), yeoman of his +bottles, and Lloid his secretary, entertained afterward by my Lord of +Leicester, and so he dyed in the way of an extreame flux, caused by an +Italian receipe, as all his friends are well assured, the maker whereof +was a chyrurgeon (as it is beleeved) that then was newly come to my Lord +from Italy---a cunning man and sure in operation, with whom, if the good +Lady had been sooner acquainted, and used his help, she should not have +needed to sitten so pensive at home, and fearefull of her husband's +former returne out of the same country......Neither must you marvaile +though all these died in divers manners of outward diseases, for this +is the excellency of the Italian art, for which this chyrurgeon and +Dr. Julio were entertained so carefully, who can make a man dye in what +manner or show of sickness you will--by whose instructions, no doubt; +but his lordship is now cunning, especially adding also to these the +counsell of his Doctor Bayly, a man also not a little studied (as he +seemeth) in his art; for I heard him once myselfe, in a publique act +in Oxford, and that in presence of my Lord of Leicester (if I be not +deceived), maintain that poyson might be so tempered and given as it +should not appear presently, and yet should kill the party afterward, +at what time should be appointed; which argument belike pleased well his +lordship, and therefore was chosen to be discussed in his audience, if +I be not deceived of his being that day present. So, though one dye of a +flux, and another of a catarre, yet this importeth little to the +matter, but showeth rather the great cunning and skill of the +artificer."--PARSONS' LEICESTER'S COMMONWEALTH, p.23. + +It is unnecessary to state the numerous reasons why the Earl is stated +in the tale to be rather the dupe of villains than the unprincipled +author of their atrocities. In the latter capacity, which a part +at least of his contemporaries imputed to him, he would have made a +character too disgustingly wicked to be useful for the purposes of +fiction. + +I have only to add that the union of the poisoner, the quacksalver, the +alchemist, and the astrologer in the same person was familiar to the +pretenders to the mystic sciences. + +Note 8. Ch. XXXII.--FURNITURE OF KENILWORTH. + +In revising this work, I have had the means of making some accurate +additions to my attempt to describe the princely pleasures of +Kenilworth, by the kindness of my friend William Hamper, Esq., who +had the goodness to communicate to me an inventory of the furniture +of Kenilworth in the days of the magnificent Earl of Leicester. I have +adorned the text with some of the splendid articles mentioned in the +inventory, but antiquaries especially will be desirous to see a more +full specimen than the story leaves room for. + +EXTRACTS FROM KENILWORTH INVENTORY, A.D. 1584. A Salte, ship-fashion, +of the mother of perle, garnished with silver and divers workes, warlike +ensignes, and ornaments, with xvj peeces of ordinance whereof ij on +wheles, two anckers on the foreparte, and on the stearne the image of +Dame Fortune standing on a globe with a flag in her hand. Pois xxxij oz. + +A gilte salte like a swann, mother of perle. Pois xxx oz. iij quarters. + +A George on horseback, of wood, painted and gilt, with a case for knives +in the tayle of the horse, and a case for oyster knives in the brest of +the Dragon. + +A green barge-cloth, embrother'd with white lions and beares. + +A perfuming pann, of silver. Pois xix oz. + +In the halle. Tabells, long and short, vj. Formes, long and short, +xiiij. + +HANGINGS. (These are minutely specified, and consisted of the following +subjects, in tapestry, and gilt, and red leather.) + +Flowers, beasts, and pillars arched. Forest worke. Historie. Storie +of Susanna, the Prodigall Childe, Saule, Tobie, Hercules, Lady Fame, +Hawking and Hunting, Jezabell, Judith and Holofernes, David, Abraham, +Sampson, Hippolitus, Alexander the Great, Naaman the Assyrian, Jacob, +etc. + +BEDSTEADS, WITH THEIR FURNITURE. (These are magnificent and numerous. I +shall copy VERBATIM the description of what appears to have been one of +the best.) + +A bedsted of wallnut-tree, toppe fashion, the pillers redd and +varnished, the ceelor, tester, and single vallance of crimson sattin, +paned with a broad border of bone lace of golde and silver. The tester +richlie embrothered with my Lo. armes in a garland of hoppes, roses, and +pomegranetts, and lyned with buckerom. Fyve curteins of crimson sattin +to the same bedsted, striped downe with a bone lace of gold and silver, +garnished with buttons and loops of crimson silk and golde, containing +xiiij bredths of sattin, and one yarde iij quarters deepe. The ceelor, +vallance, and curteins lyned with crymson taffata sarsenet. + +A crymson sattin counterpointe, quilted and embr. with a golde twiste, +and lyned with redd sarsenet, being in length iij yards good, and in +breadth iij scant. + +A chaise of crymson sattin, suteable. + +A fayre quilte of crymson sattin, vj breadths, iij yardes 3 quarters +naile deepe, all lozenged over with silver twiste, in the midst a +cinquefoile within a garland of ragged staves, fringed rounde aboute +with a small fringe of crymson silke, lyned throughe with white fustian. + +Fyve plumes of coolered feathers, garnished with bone lace and spangells +of goulde and silver, standing in cups knitt all over with goulde, +silver, and crymson silk. [Probably on the centre and four corners of +the bedstead. Four bears and ragged staves occupied a similar position +on another of these sumptuous pieces of furniture.] + +A carpett for a cupboarde of crymson sattin, embrothered with a border +of goulde twiste, about iij parts of it fringed with silk and goulde, +lyned with bridges [That is, Bruges.] sattin, in length ij yards, and ij +bredths of sattin. + +(There were eleven down beds and ninety feather beds, besides +thirty-seven mattresses.) + +CHYRES, STOOLES, AND CUSHENS. (These were equally splendid with the +beds, etc. I shall here copy that which stands at the head of the list.) + +A chaier of crimson velvet, the seate and backe partlie embrothered, +with R. L. in cloth of goulde, the beare and ragged staffe in clothe of +silver, garnished with lace and fringe of goulde, silver, and crimson +silck. The frame covered with velvet, bounde aboute the edge with goulde +lace, and studded with gilte nailes. + +A square stoole and a foote stoole, of crimson velvet, fringed and +garnished suteable. + +A long cushen of crimson velvet, embr. with the ragged staffe in a +wreathe of goulde, with my Lo. posie "DROYTE ET LOYALL" written in the +same, and the letters R. L. in clothe of goulde, being garnished with +lace, fringe, buttons, and tassels of gold, silver, and crimson silck, +lyned with crimson taff., being in length 1 yard quarter. + +A square cushen, of the like velvet, embr. suteable to the long cushen. + +CARPETS. (There were 10 velvet carpets for tables and windows, 49 +Turkey carpets for floors, and 32 cloth carpets. One of each I will now +specify.) + +A carpett of crimson velvet, richlie embr. with my Lo. posie, beares and +ragged staves, etc., of clothe of goulde and silver, garnished upon +the seames and aboute with golde lace, fringed accordinglie, lyned +with crimson taffata sarsenett, being 3 breadths of velvet, one yard 3 +quarters long. + +A great Turquoy carpett, the grounde blew, with a list of yelloe at each +end, being in length x yards, in bredthe iiij yards and quarter + +A long carpett of blew clothe, lyned with bridges sattin, fringed with +blew silck and goulde, in length vj yards lack a quarter, the whole +bredth of the clothe. + +PICTURES. (Chiefly described as having curtains.) + +The Queene's Majestie (2 great tables). 3 of my Lord. St. Jerome. Lo. of +Arundell. Lord Mathevers. Lord of Pembroke. Counte Egmondt. The Queene +of Scotts. King Philip. The Baker's Daughters. The Duke of Feria. +Alexander Magnus. Two Yonge Ladies. Pompaea Sabina. Fred. D. of Saxony. +Emp. Charles. K. Philip's Wife. Prince of Orange and his Wife. Marq. of +Berges and his Wife. Counte de Home. Count Holstrate. Monsr. Brederode. +Duke Alva. Cardinal Grandville. Duches of Parma. Henrie E. of Pembrooke +and his young Countess. Countis of Essex. Occacion and Repentance. Lord +Mowntacute. Sir Jas. Crofts. Sir Wr. Mildmay. Sr. Wm. Pickering. Edwin +Abp. of York. + +A tabell of an historie of men, women, and children, moulden in wax. + +A little foulding table of ebanie, garnished with white bone, wherein +are written verses with lres. of goulde. + +A table of my Lord's armes. + +Fyve of the plannetts, painted in frames. + +Twentie-three cardes, [That is charts.] or maps of countries. + +INSTRUMENTS. (I shall give two specimens.) + +An instrument of organs, regall, and virginalls, covered with crimson +velvet, and garnished with goulde lace. + +A fair pair of double virginalls. + +CABONETTS. A cabonett of crimson sattin, richlie embr. with a device of +hunting the stagg, in goulde, silver, and silck, with iiij glasses +in the topp thereof, xvj cupps of flowers made of goulde, silver, and +silck, in a case of leather, lyned with greene sattin of bridges. + +(Another of purple velvet. A desk of red leather.) + +A CHESS BOARDE of ebanie, with checkars of christall and other stones, +layed with silver, garnished with beares and ragged staves, and +cinquefoiles of silver. The xxxij men likewyse of christall and other +stones sett, the one sort in silver white, the other gilte, in a case +gilded and lyned with green cotton. + +(Another of bone and ebanie. A pair of tabells of bone.) + +A great BRASON CANDLESTICK to hang in the roofe of the howse, verie +fayer and curiouslye wrought, with xxiiij branches, xij greate and xij +of lesser size, 6 rowlers and ij wings for the spreade eagle, xxiiij +socketts for candells, xij greater and xij of a lesser sorte, xxiiij +sawcers, or candlecups, of like proporcion to put under the socketts, +iij images of men and iij of weomen, of brass, verie finely and +artificiallie done. + +These specimens of Leicester's magnificence may serve to assure the +reader that it scarce lay in the power of a modern author to exaggerate +the lavish style of expense displayed in the princely pleasures of +Kenilworth. + +Note to Ch. XLI.--DEATH OF THE EARL OF LEICESTER. + +In a curious manuscript copy of the information given by Ben Jonson +to Drummond of Hawthornden, as transcribed by Sir Robert Sibbald, +Leicester's death is ascribed to poison administered as a cordial by his +countess, to whom he had given it, representing it to be a restorative +in any faintness, in the hope that she herself might be cut off by using +it. We have already quoted Jonson's account of this merited stroke of +retribution in a note of the Introduction to this volume. It may be +here added that the following satirical epitaph on Leicester occurs in +Drummond's Collection, but is evidently not of his composition:-- + + + EPITAPH ON THE ERLE OF LEISTER. + + Here lies a valiant warriour, + Who never drew a sword; + Here lies a noble courtier, + Who never kept his word; + Here lies the Erle of Leister, + Who governed the Estates, + Whom the earth could never living love, + And the just Heaven now hates. + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Kenilworth, by Sir Walter Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KENILWORTH *** + +***** This file should be named 1606-h.htm or 1606-h.zip ***** This +and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/0/1606/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be +renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one +owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and +you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission +and without paying copyright royalties. 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