"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 servitor--a 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."




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