下载辰思小说免费APP
ButwhethertheQueendeemedittoopresumptuousinsoyoungacourtiertointerposehisopinionunasked，orwhethershewasmovedbyarecurrenceofthefeelingofjealousywhichhadbeeninstilledintoherbyreportsthattheEarlkeptarmedmenabouthisperson，shedesiredRaleigh，sharply，toreservehiscounseltillitwasrequiredofhim，andrepeatedherformerorderstobelandedatDeptford，adding，"WewillourselvesseewhatsortofhouseholdmyLordofSussexkeepsabouthim。"
"NowtheLordhavepityonus！"saidtheyoungcourtiertohimself。"Goodhearts，theEarlhathmanyaoneroundhim;butgoodheadsarescarcewithus——andhehimselfistooilltogivedirection。AndBlountwillbeathismorningmealofYarmouthherringsandale，andTracywillhavehisbeastlyblackpuddingsandRhenish;thosethorough—pacedWelshmen，ThomasapRiceandEvanEvans，willbeatworkontheirleekporridgeandtoastedcheese;——andshedetests，theysay，allcoarsemeats，evilsmells，andstrongwines。Couldtheybutthinkofburningsomerosemaryinthegreathall！butVOGUELAGALERE，allmustnowbetrustedtochance。Luckhathdoneindifferentwellformethismorning;forItrustIhavespoiledacloak，andmadeacourtfortune。Mayshedoasmuchformygallantpatron！"
TheroyalbargesoonstoppedatDeptford，and，amidtheloudshoutsofthepopulace，whichherpresenceneverfailedtoexcite，theQueen，withacanopyborneoverherhead，walked，accompaniedbyherretinue，towardsSayesCourt，wherethedistantacclamationsofthepeoplegavethefirstnoticeofherarrival。Sussex，whowasintheactofadvisingwithTressilianhowheshouldmakeupthesupposedbreachintheQueen\'sfavour，wasinfinitelysurprisedatlearningherimmediateapproach。NotthattheQueen\'scustomofvisitinghermoredistinguishednobility，whetherinhealthorsickness，couldbeunknowntohim;
butthesuddennessofthecommunicationleftnotimeforthosepreparationswithwhichhewellknewElizabethlovedtobegreeted，andtherudenessandconfusionofhismilitaryhousehold，muchincreasedbyhislateillness，renderedhimaltogetherunpreparedforherreception。
Cursinginternallythechancewhichthusbroughthergraciousvisitationonhimunaware，hehasteneddownwithTressilian，towhoseeventfulandinterestingstoryhehadjustgivenanattentiveear。
"Myworthyfriend，"hesaid，"suchsupportasIcangiveyouraccusationofVarney，youhavearighttoexpect，alikefromjusticeandgratitude。ChancewillpresentlyshowwhetherIcandoaughtwithourSovereign，orwhether，inverydeed，mymeddlinginyouraffairmaynotratherprejudicethanserveyou。"
ThusspokeSussexwhilehastilycastingaroundhimalooserobeofsables，andadjustinghispersoninthebestmannerhecouldtomeettheeyeofhisSovereign。Butnohurriedattentionbestowedonhisapparelcouldremovetheghastlyeffectsoflongillnessonacountenancewhichnaturehadmarkedwithfeaturesratherstrongthanpleasing。Besides，hewaslowofstature，and，thoughbroad—shouldered，athletic，andfitformartialachievements，hispresenceinapeacefulhallwasnotsuchasladieslovetolookupon;apersonaldisadvantage，whichwassupposedtogiveSussex，thoughesteemedandhonouredbyhisSovereign，considerabledisadvantagewhencomparedwithLeicester，whowasalikeremarkableforeleganceofmannersandforbeautyofperson。
TheEarl\'sutmostdispatchonlyenabledhimtomeettheQueenassheenteredthegreathall，andheatonceperceivedtherewasacloudonherbrow。Herjealouseyehadnoticedthemartialarrayofarmedgentlemenandretainerswithwhichthemansion—housewasfilled，andherfirstwordsexpressedherdisapprobation。"Isthisaroyalgarrison，myLordofSussex，thatitholdssomanypikesandcalivers？orhavewebyaccidentovershotSayesCourt，andlandedatOurTowerofLondon？"
LordSussexhastenedtooffersomeapology。
"Itneedsnot，"shesaid。"Mylord，weintendspeedilytotakeupacertainquarrelbetweenyourlordshipandanothergreatlordofourhousehold，andatthesametimetoreprehendthisuncivilizedanddangerouspracticeofsurroundingyourselveswitharmed，andevenwithruffianlyfollowers，asif，intheneighbourhoodofourcapital，nayintheveryvergeofourroyalresidence，youwerepreparingtowagecivilwarwitheachother。
——Wearegladtoseeyousowellrecovered，mylord，thoughwithouttheassistanceofthelearnedphysicianwhomwesenttoyou。Urgenoexcuse;weknowhowthatmatterfellout，andwehavecorrectedforitthewildslip，youngRaleigh。Bytheway，mylord，wewillspeedilyrelieveyourhouseholdofhim，andtakehimintoourown。Somethingthereisabouthimwhichmeritstobebetternurturedthanheisliketobeamongstyourverymilitaryfollowers。"
TothisproposalSussex，thoughscarceunderstandinghowtheQueencametomakeitcouldonlybowandexpresshisacquiescence。Hethenentreatedhertoremaintillrefreshmentcouldbeoffered，butinthishecouldnotprevail。Andafterafewcomplimentsofamuchcolderandmorecommonplacecharacterthanmighthavebeenexpectedfromastepsodecidedlyfavourableasapersonalvisit，theQueentookherleaveofSayesCourt，havingbroughtconfusionthitheralongwithher，andleavingdoubtandapprehensionbehind。
CHAPTERXVI。
Thencallthemtoourpresence。Facetoface，Andfrowningbrowtobrow，ourselveswillhearTheaccuserandaccusedfreelyspeak;——
High—stomach\'daretheyboth，andfullofire，Inragedeafasthesea，hastyasfire。RICHARDII。
"Iamorderedtoattendcourtto—morrow，"saidLeicester，speakingtoVarney，"tomeet，astheysurmise，myLordofSussex。
TheQueenintendstotakeupmattersbetwixtus。ThiscomesofhervisittoSayesCourt，ofwhichyoumustneedsspeaksolightly。"
"Imaintainitwasnothing，"saidVarney;"nay，Iknowfromasureintelligencer，whowaswithinearshotofmuchthatwassaid，thatSussexhaslostratherthangainedbythatvisit。TheQueensaid，whenshesteppedintotheboat，thatSayesCourtlookedlikeaguard—house，andsmeltlikeanhospital。\'Likeacook\'sshopinRam\'sAlley，rather，\'saidtheCountessofRutland，whoiseveryourlordship\'sgoodfriend。AndthenmyLordofLincolnmustneedsputinhisholyoar，andsaythatmyLordofSussexmustbeexcusedforhisrudeandold—worldhousekeeping，sincehehadasyetnowife。"
"AndwhatsaidtheQueen？"askedLeicesterhastily。
"Shetookhimuproundly，"saidVarney，"andaskedwhatmyLordSussexhadtodowithawife，ormyLordBishoptospeakonsuchasubject。\'Ifmarriageispermitted，\'shesaid，\'Inowherereadthatitisenjoined。\'"
"Shelikesnotmarriages，orspeechofmarriage，amongchurchmen，"saidLeicester。
"Noramongcourtiersneither，"saidVarney;but，observingthatLeicesterchangedcountenance，heinstantlyadded，"thatalltheladieswhowerepresenthadjoinedinridiculingLordSussex\'shousekeeping，andincontrastingitwiththereceptionherGracewouldhaveassuredlyreceivedatmyLordofLeicester\'s。"
"Youhavegatheredmuchtidings，"saidLeicester，"butyouhaveforgottenoromittedthemostimportantofall。Shehathaddedanothertothosedanglingsatelliteswhomitisherpleasuretokeeprevolvingaroundher。"
"YourlordshipmeaneththatRaleigh，theDevonshireyouth，"saidVarney——"theKnightoftheCloak，astheycallhimatcourt？"
"HemaybeKnightoftheGarteroneday，foraughtIknow，"saidLeicester，"forheadvancesrapidly——shehathcappedverseswithhim，andsuchfooleries。Iwouldgladlyabandon，ofmyownfreewill，thepart——Ihaveinherficklefavour;butIwillnotbeelbowedoutofitbytheclownSussex，orthisnewupstart。I
hearTressilianiswithSussexalso，andhighinhisfavour。I
wouldsparehimforconsiderations，buthewillthrusthimselfonhisfate。Sussex，too，isalmostaswellaseverinhishealth。"
"Mylord，"repliedVarney，"therewillberubsinthesmoothestroad，speciallywhenitleadsuphill。Sussex\'sillnesswastousagodsend，fromwhichIhopedmuch。Hehasrecovered，indeed，butheisnotnowmoreformidablethanerehefellill，whenhereceivedmorethanonefoilinwrestlingwithyourlordship。Letnotyourheartfailyou，mylord，andallshallbewell。"
"Myheartneverfailedme，sir，"repliedLeicester。
"No，mylord，"saidVarney;"butithasbetrayedyourightoften。
Hethatwouldclimbatree，mylord，mustgraspbythebranches，notbytheblossom。"
"Well，well，well！"saidLeicesterimpatiently;"Iunderstandthymeaning——myheartshallneitherfailmenorseduceme。Havemyretinueinorder——seethattheirarraybesosplendidastoputdown，notonlytherudecompanionsofRatcliffe，buttheretainersofeveryothernoblemanandcourtier。Letthembewellarmedwithal，butwithoutanyoutwarddisplayoftheirweapons，wearingthemasifmoreforfashion\'ssakethanforuse。Dothouthyselfkeepclosetome，Imayhavebusinessforyou。"
ThepreparationsofSussexandhispartywerenotlessanxiousthanthoseofLeicester。
"ThySupplication，impeachingVarneyofseduction，"saidtheEarltoTressilian，"isbythistimeintheQueen\'shand——Ihavesentitthroughasurechannel。Methinksyoursuitshouldsucceed，being，asitis，foundedinjusticeandhonour，andElizabethbeingtheverymusterofboth。But——Iwotnothow——thegipsy"
（soSussexwaswonttocallhisrivalonaccountofhisdarkcomplexion）"hathmuchtosaywithherintheseholydaytimesofpeace。Werewaratthegates，Ishouldbeoneofherwhiteboys;
butsoldiers，liketheirbucklersandBilboablades，getoutoffashioninpeacetime，andsatinsleevesandwalkingrapiersbearthebell。Well，wemustbegay，sincesuchisthefashion。——
Blount，hastthouseenourhouseholdputintotheirnewbraveries？"ButthouknowestaslittleofthesetoysasIdo;
thouwouldstbereadyenowatdisposingastandofpikes。"
"Mygoodlord，"answeredBlount，"Raleighhathbeenhere，andtakenthatchargeuponhim——yourtrainwillglitterlikeaMaymorning。Marry，thecostisanotherquestion。Onemightkeepanhospitalofoldsoldiersatthechargeoftenmodernlackeys。"
"Hemustnotcountcostto—day，Nicholas，"saidtheEarlinreply。"IambeholdentoRaleighforhiscare。Itrust，though，hehasrememberedthatIamanoldsoldier，andwouldhavenomoreofthesefolliesthanneedsmust。"
"Nay，Iunderstandnoughtaboutit，"saidBlount;"buthereareyourhonourablelordship\'sbravekinsmenandfriendscominginbyscorestowaituponyoutocourt，where，methinks，weshallbearasbraveafrontasLeicester，lethimruffleitashewill。"
"Givethemthestrictestcharges，"saidSussex，"thattheysuffernoprovocationshortofactualviolencetoprovokethemintoquarrel。Theyhavehotbloods，andIwouldnotgiveLeicestertheadvantageovermebyanyimprudenceoftheirs。"
TheEarlofSussexransohastilythroughthesedirections，thatitwaswithdifficultyTressilianatlengthfoundopportunitytoexpresshissurprisethatheshouldhaveproceededsofarintheaffairofSirHughRobsartastolayhispetitionatoncebeforetheQueen。"Itwastheopinionoftheyounglady\'sfriends，"hesaid，"thatLeicester\'ssenseofjusticeshouldbefirstappealedto，astheoffencehadbeencommittedbyhisofficer，andsohehadexpresslytoldtoSussex。"
"Thiscouldhavebeendonewithoutapplyingtome，"saidSussex，somewhathaughtily。"Iatleast，oughtnottohavebeenacounsellorwhentheobjectwasahumiliatingreferencetoLeicester;andIamsuprisedthatyou，Tressilian，amanofhonour，andmyfriend，wouldassumesuchameancourse。Ifyousaidso，Icertainlyunderstoodyounotinamatterwhichsoundedsounlikeyourself。"
"Mylord，"saidTressilian，"thecourseIwouldprefer，formyownsake，isthatyouhaveadopted;butthefriendsofthismostunhappylady——"
"Oh，thefriends——thefriends，"saidSussex，interruptinghim;
"theymustletusmanagethiscauseinthewaywhichseemsbest。
ThisisthetimeandthehourtoaccumulateeverychargeagainstLeicesterandhishousehold，andyourstheQueenwillholdaheavyone。Butatalleventsshehaththecomplaintbeforeher。"
Tressiliancouldnothelpsuspectingthat，inhiseagernesstostrengthenhimselfagainsthisrival，SussexhadpurposelyadoptedthecoursemostlikelytothrowodiumonLeicester，withoutconsideringminutelywhetheritwerethemodeofproceedingmostlikelytobeattendedwithsuccess。Butthestepwasirrevocable，andSussexescapedfromfurtherdiscussingitbydismissinghiscompany，withthecommand，"Letallbeinorderateleveno\'clock;Imustbeatcourtandinthepresencebyhighnoonprecisely。"
WhiletherivalstatesmenwerethusanxiouslypreparingfortheirapproachingmeetingintheQueen\'spresence，evenElizabethherselfwasnotwithoutapprehensionofwhatmightchancefromthecollisionoftwosuchfieryspirits，eachbackedbyastrongandnumerousbodyoffollowers，anddividingbetwixtthem，eitheropenlyorinsecret，thehopesandwishesofmostofhercourt。
ThebandofGentlemenPensionerswereallunderarms，andareinforcementoftheyeomenoftheguardwasbroughtdowntheThamesfromLondon。Aroyalproclamationwassentforth，strictlyprohibitingnoblesofwhateverdegreetoapproachthePalacewithretainersorfollowersarmedwithshotorwithlongweapons;anditwasevenwhisperedthattheHighSheriffofKenthadsecretinstructionstohaveapartofthearrayofthecountyreadyontheshortestnotice。
Theeventfulhour，thusanxiouslypreparedforonallsides，atlengthapproached，and，eachfollowedbyhislongandglitteringtrainoffriendsandfollowers，therivalEarlsenteredthePalaceYardofGreenwichatnoonprecisely。
Asifbypreviousarrangement，orperhapsbyintimationthatsuchwastheQueen\'spleasure，SussexandhisretinuecametothePalacefromDeptfordbywaterwhileLeicesterarrivedbyland;
andthustheyenteredthecourtyardfromoppositesides。ThistriflingcircumstancegaveLeicesteraascendencyintheopinionofthevulgar，theappearanceofhiscavalcadeofmountedfollowersshowingmorenumerousandmoreimposingthanthoseofSussex\'sparty，whowerenecessarilyuponfoot。NoshoworsignofgreetingpassedbetweentheEarls，thougheachlookedfullattheother，bothexpectingperhapsanexchangeofcourtesies，whichneitherwaswillingtocommence。Almostintheminuteoftheirarrivalthecastle—belltolled，thegatesofthePalacewereopened，andtheEarlsentered，eachnumerouslyattendedbysuchgentlemenoftheirtrainwhoserankgavethemthatprivilege。Theyeomenandinferiorattendantsremainedinthecourtyard，wheretheoppositepartieseyedeachotherwithlooksofeagerhatredandscorn，asifwaitingwithimpatienceforsomecauseoftumult，orsomeapologyformutualaggression。Buttheywererestrainedbythestrictcommandsoftheirleaders，andoverawed，perhaps，bythepresenceofanarmedguardofunusualstrength。
Inthemeanwhile，themoredistinguishedpersonsofeachtrainfollowedtheirpatronsintotheloftyhallsandante—chambersoftheroyalPalace，flowingoninthesamecurrent，liketwostreamswhicharecompelledintothesamechannel，yetshuntomixtheirwaters。Thepartiesarrangedthemselves，asitwereinstinctively，onthedifferentsidesoftheloftyapartments，andseemedeagertoescapefromthetransientunionwhichthenarrownessofthecrowdedentrancehadforaninstantcompelledthemtosubmitto。Thefoldingdoorsattheupperendofthelonggallerywereimmediatelyafterwardsopened，anditwasannouncedinawhisperthattheQueenwasinherpresence—
chamber，towhichthesegaveaccess。BothEarlsmovedslowlyandstatelytowardstheentrance——SussexfollowedbyTressilian，Blount，andRaleigh，andLeicesterbyVarney。TheprideofLeicesterwasobligedtogivewaytocourt—forms，andwithagraveandformalinclinationofthehead，hepauseduntilhisrival，apeerofoldercreationthanhisown，passedbeforehim。
Sussexreturnedthereverencewiththesameformalcivility，andenteredthepresence—room。TressilianandBlountofferedtofollowhim，butwerenotpermitted，theUsheroftheBlackRodalleginginexcusethathehadpreciseorderstolooktoalladmissionsthatday。ToRaleigh，whostoodbackontherepulseofhiscompanions，hesaid，"You，sir，mayenter，"andheenteredaccordingly。
"Followmeclose，Varney，"saidtheEarlofLeicester，whohadstoodaloofforamomenttomarkthereceptionofSussex;andadvancingtotheentrance，hewasabouttopasson，whenVarney，whowasclosebehindhim，dressedoutintheutmostbraveryoftheday，wasstoppedbytheusher，asTressilianandBlounthadbeenbeforehim，"Howisthis，MasterBowyer？"saidtheEarlofLeicester。"KnowyouwhoIam，andthatthisismyfriendandfollower？"
"Yourlordshipwillpardonme，"repliedBowyerstoutly;"myordersareprecise，andlimitmetoastrictdischargeofmyduty。"
"Thouartapartialknave，"saidLeicester，thebloodmountingtohisface，"todomethisdishonour，whenyoubutnowadmittedafollowerofmyLordofSussex。"
"Mylord，"saidBowyer，"MasterRaleighisnewlyadmittedaswornservantofherGrace，andtohimmyordersdidnotapply。"
"Thouartaknave——anungratefulknave，"saidLeicester;"buthethathathdonecanundo——thoushaltnotpranktheeinthyauthoritylong！"
Thisthreatheutteredaloud，withlessthanhisusualpolicyanddiscretion;andhavingdoneso，heenteredthepresence—chamber，andmadehisreverencetotheQueen，who，attiredwithevenmorethanherusualsplendour，andsurroundedbythosenoblesandstatesmenwhosecourageandwisdomhaverenderedherreignimmortal，stoodreadytoreceivethehommageofhersubjects。
ShegraciouslyreturnedtheobeisanceofthefavouriteEarl，andlookedalternatelyathimandatSussex，asifabouttospeak，whenBowyer，amanwhosespiritcouldnotbrooktheinsulthehadsoopenlyreceivedfromLeicester，inthedischargeofhisoffice，advancedwithhisblackradinhishand，andkneltdownbeforeher。
"Why，hownow，Bowyer？"saidElizabeth，"thycourtesyseemsstrangelytimed！"
"MyLiegeSovereign，"hesaid，whileeverycourtieraroundtrembledathisaudacity，"Icomebuttoaskwhether，inthedischargeofmineoffice，IamtoobeyyourHighness\'scommands，orthoseoftheEarlofLeicester，whohaspubliclymenacedmewithhisdispleasure，andtreatedmewithdisparagingterms，becauseIdeniedentrytooneofhisfollowers，inobediencetoyourGrace\'spreciseorders？"
ThespiritofHenryVIII。wasinstantlyarousedinthebosomofhisdaughter，andsheturnedonLeicesterwithaseveritywhichappalledhim，aswellasallhisfollowers。
"God\'sdeath！mylord。"suchwasheremphaticphrase，"whatmeansthis？Wehavethoughtwellofyou，andbroughtyouneartoourperson;butitwasnotthatyoumighthidethesunfromourotherfaithfulsubjects。Whogaveyoulicensetocontradictourorders，orcontrolourofficers？Iwillhaveinthiscourt，ay，andinthisrealm，butonemistress，andnomaster。LooktoitthatMasterBowyersustainsnoharmforhisdutytomefaithfullydischarged;for，asIamChristianwomanandcrownedQueen，I
willholdyoudearlyanswerable。——Go，Bowyer，youhavedonethepartofanhonestmanandatruesubject。Wewillbrooknomayorofthepalacehere。
Bowyerkissedthehandwhichsheextendedtowardshim，andwithdrewtohispost！astonishedatthesuccessofhisownaudacity。AsmileoftriumphpervadedthefactionofSussex;
thatofLeicesterseemedproportionallydismayed，andthefavouritehimself，assuminganaspectofthedeepesthumility，didnotevenattemptawordinhisownesculpation。
Heactedwisely;foritwasthepolicyofElizabethtohumble，nottodisgracehim，anditwasprudenttosufferher，withoutoppositionorreply，togloryintheexertionofherauthority。
ThedignityoftheQueenwasgratified，andthewomanbegansoontofeelforthemortificationwhichshehadimposedonherfavourite。HerkeeneyealsoobservedthesecretlooksofcongratulationexchangedamongstthosewhofavouredSussex，anditwasnopartofherpolicytogiveeitherpartyadecisivetriumph。
"WhatIsaytomyLordofLeicester，"shesaid，afteramoment\'spause，"Isayalsotoyou，myLordofSussex。YoualsomustneedsruffleinthecourtofEngland，attheheadofafactionofyourown？"
"Myfollowers，graciousPrincess，"saidSussex，"haveindeedruffledinyourcauseinIreland，inScotland，andagainstyonderrebelliousEarlsinthenorth。Iamignorantthat——"
"Doyoubandylooksandwordswithme，mylord？"saidtheQueen，interruptinghim;"methinksyoumightlearnofmyLordofLeicesterthemodestytobesilent，atleast，underourcensure。
Isay，mylord，thatmygrandfatherandmyfather，intheirwisdom，debarredthenoblesofthiscivilizedlandfromtravellingwithsuchdisorderlyretinues;andthinkyou，thatbecauseIwearacoif，theirsceptrehasinmyhandbeenchangedintoadistaff？Itellyou，nokinginChristendomwilllessbrookhiscourttobecumbered，hispeopleoppressed，andhiskingdom\'speacedisturbed，bythearroganceofovergrownpower，thanshewhonowspeakswithyou。——MyLordofLeicester，andyou，myLordofSussex，Icommandyoubothtobefriendswitheachother;orbythecrownIwear，youshallfindanenemywhowillbetoostrongforbothofyou！"
"Madam，"saidtheEarlofLeicester，"youwhoareyourselfthefountainofhonourknowbestwhatisduetomine。Iplaceitatyourdisposal，andonlysaythatthetermsonwhichIhavestoodwithmyLordofSussexhavenotbeenofmyseeking;norhadhecausetothinkmehisenemy，untilhehaddonemegrosswrong。"
"Forme，madam，"saidtheEarlofSussex，"Icannotappealfromyoursovereignpleasure;butIwerewellcontentmyLordofLeicestershouldsayinwhatIhave，ashetermsit，wrongedhim，sincemytongueneverspokethewordthatIwouldnotwillinglyjustifyeitheronfootorhorseback。
"Andforme，"saidLeicester，"alwaysundermygraciousSovereign\'spleasure，myhandshallbeasreadytomakegoodmywordsasthatofanymanwhoeverwrotehimselfRatcliffe。"
"Mylords，"saidtheQueen，"thesearenotermsforthispresence;andifyoucannotkeepyourtemper，wewillfindmeanstokeepboththatandyoucloseenough。Letmeseeyoujoinhands，mylords，andforgetyouridleanimosities。"
Thetworivalslookedateachotherwithreluctanteyes，eachunwillingtomakethefirstadvancetoexecutetheQueen\'swill。
"Sussex，"saidElizabeth，"Ientreat——Leicester，Icommandyou。"
Yet，sowereherwordsaccented，thattheentreatysoundedlikecommand，andthecommandlikeentreaty。Theyremainedstillandstubborn，untilsheraisedhervoicetoaheightwhicharguedatonceimpatienceandabsolutecommand。
"SirHenryLee，"shesaid，toanofficerinattendance，"haveaguardinpresentreadiness，andmanabargeinstantly。——MyLordsofSussexandLeicester，Ibidyouoncemoretojoinhands;and，God\'sdeath！hethatrefusesshalltasteofourTowerfareereheseesourfaceagain。Iwillloweryourproudheartserewepart，andthatIpromise，onthewordofaQueen！"
"Theprison？"saidLeicester，"mightbeborne，buttoloseyourGrace\'spresenceweretoloselightandlifeatonce。——Here，Sussex，ismyhand。"
"Andhere，"saidSussex，"ismineintruthandhonesty;but——"
"Nay，underfavour，youshalladdnomore，"saidtheQueen。
"Why，thisisasitshouldbe，"sheadded，lookingonthemmorefavourably;"andwhenyoutheshepherdsofthepeople，unitetoprotectthem，itshallbewellwiththeflockweruleover。For，mylords，Itellyouplainly，yourfolliesandyourbrawlsleadtostrangedisordersamongyourservants。——MyLordofLeicester，youhaveagentlemaninyourhouseholdcalledVarney？"
"Yes，graciousmadam，"repliedLeicester;"IpresentedhimtokissyourroyalhandwhenyouwerelastatNonsuch。"
"Hisoutsidewaswellenough，"saidtheQueen，"butscarcesofair，Ishouldhavethought，astohavecausedamaidenofhonourablebirthandhopestobarterherfameforhisgoodlooks，andbecomehisparamour。Yetsoitis;thisfellowofyourshathseducedthedaughterofagoodoldDevonshireknight，SirHughRobsartofLidcoteHall，andshehathfledwithhimfromherfather\'shouselikeacastaway。——MyLordofLeicester，areyouill，thatyoulooksodeadlypale？"
"No，graciousmadam，"saidLeicester;anditrequiredeveryefforthecouldmaketobringforththesefewwords。
"Youaresurelyill，mylord？"saidElizabeth，goingtowardshimwithhastyspeechandhurriedstep，whichindicatedthedeepestconcern。"CallMasters——calloursurgeoninordinary。——Wherebetheseloiteringfools？——welosetheprideofourcourtthroughtheirnegligence。——Orisitpossible，Leicester，"shecontinued，lookingonhimwithaverygentleaspect，"canfearofmydispleasurehavewroughtsodeeplyonthee？Doubtnotforamoment，nobleDudley，thatwecouldblameTHEEforthefollyofthyretainer——thee，whosethoughtsweknowtobefarotherwiseemployed。Hethatwouldclimbtheeagle\'snest，mylord，caresnotwhoarecatchinglinnetsatthefootoftheprecipice。"
"Markyouthat？"saidSussexasidetoRaleigh。"Thedevilaidshimsurely;forallthatwouldsinkanothertenfathomdeepseemsbuttomakehimfloatthemoreeasily。Hadafollowerofmineactedthus——"
"Peace，mygoodlord，"saidRaleigh，"forGod\'ssake，peace！
Waitthechangeofthetide;itisevennowontheturn。"
TheacuteobservationofRaleigh，perhaps，didnotdeceivehim;
forLeicester\'sconfusionwassogreat，and，indeed，forthemoment，soirresistiblyoverwhelming，thatElizabeth，afterlookingathimwithawonderingeye，andreceivingnointelligibleanswertotheunusualexpressionsofgraceandaffectionwhichhadescapedfromher，shotherquickglancearoundthecircleofcourtiers，andreading，perhaps，intheirfacessomethingthataccordedwithherownawakenedsuspicions，shesaidsuddenly，"Oristheremoreinthisthanwesee——orthanyou，mylord，wishthatweshouldsee？WhereisthisVarney？
Whosawhim？"
"AnitpleaseyourGrace，"saidBowyer，"itisthesameagainstwhomIthisinstantclosedthedoorofthepresence—room。"
"Anitpleaseme？"repeatedElizabethsharply，notatthatmomentinthehumourofbeingpleasedwithanything。——"ItdoesNOTpleasemethatheshouldpasssaucilyintomypresence，orthatyoushouldexcludefromitonewhocametojustifyhimselffromanaccusation。"
"Mayitpleaseyou，"answeredtheperplexedusher，"ifIknew，insuchcase，howtobearmyself，Iwouldtakeheed——"
"Youshouldhavereportedthefellow\'sdesiretous，MasterUsher，andtakenourdirections。Youthinkyourselfagreatman，becausebutnowwechidanoblemanonyouraccount;yet，afterall，weholdyoubutasthelead—weightthatkeepsthedoorfast。
CallthisVarneyhitherinstantly。ThereisoneTressilianalsomentionedinthispetition。Letthembothcomebeforeus。"
Shewasobeyed，andTressilianandVarneyappearedaccordingly。
Varney\'sfirstglancewasatLeicester，hissecondattheQueen。
Inthelooksofthelatterthereappearedanapproachingstorm，andinthedowncastcountenanceofhispatronhecouldreadnodirectionsinwhatwayhewastotrimhisvesselfortheencounter。HethensawTressilian，andatonceperceivedtheperilofthesituationinwhichhewasplaced。ButVarneywasasbold—facedandready—wittedashewascunningandunscrupulous——askilfulpilotinextremity，andfullyconsciousoftheadvantageswhichhewouldobtaincouldheextricateLeicesterfromhispresentperil，andoftheruinthatyawnedforhimselfshouldhefailindoingso。
"Isittrue，sirrah，"saidtheQueen，withoneofthosesearchinglookswhichfewhadtheaudacitytoresist，"thatyouhaveseducedtoinfamyayoungladyofbirthandbreeding，thedaughterofSirHughRobsartofLidcoteHall？"
