"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."