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kenilworth-第64章

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churches abroadtouched 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 abroadher actions more gracious; her looks more
kindnought 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 openlyto do justice to her and to myselfand 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 desireshe 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
wenchwe 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 servitora 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
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