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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 equanimityhe seemed so solicitous
about the accommodations and amusements of his guests; yet so
indifferent to their personal demeanour towards himso
respectfully distant to the Queen; yet so patient of her
harassing displeasurethat 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 MARIAORA
PRO NOBIS。 No; it runs not sodeliver us from evilay; 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 goldmy 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 triflesis that indeed all?〃
〃Ay; thatand 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