Kenilworth

"Alasco must then do his part," he said. "Sickness must serve her

Majesty as an excuse for not receiving the homage of Mrs. Varney--ay,

and a sore and wasting sickness it may prove, should Elizabeth continue

to cast so favourable an eye on my Lord of Leicester. I will not forego

the chance of being favourite of a monarch for want of determined

measures, should these be necessary. Forward, good horse,

forward--ambition and haughty hope of power, pleasure, and revenge

strike their stings as deep through my bosom as I plunge the rowels in

thy flanks. On, good horse, on--the devil urges us both forward!"