"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."




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