"What said Alasco of my horoscope?" demanded Leicester. "You already

told me; but it has escaped me, for I think but lightly of that art."

"Many learned and great men have thought otherwise," said Varney; "and,

not to flatter your lordship, my own opinion leans that way."

"Ay, Saul among the prophets?" said Leicester. "I thought thou wert

sceptical in all such matters as thou couldst neither see, hear, smell,

taste, or touch, and that thy belief was limited by thy senses."

"Perhaps, my lord," said Varney, "I may be misled on the present

occasion by my wish to find the predictions of astrology true. Alasco

says that your favourite planet is culminating, and that the adverse

influence--he would not use a plainer term--though not overcome, was

evidently combust, I think he said, or retrograde."

"It is even so," said Leicester, looking at an abstract of astrological

calculations which he had in his hand; "the stronger influence will

prevail, and, as I think, the evil hour pass away. Lend me your hand,

Sir Richard, to doff my gown; and remain an instant, if it is not

too burdensome to your knighthood, while I compose myself to sleep.

I believe the bustle of this day has fevered my blood, for it streams

through my veins like a current of molten lead. Remain an instant, I

pray you--I would fain feel my eyes heavy ere I closed them."

Varney officiously assisted his lord to bed, and placed a massive silver

night-lamp, with a short sword, on a marble table which stood close by

the head of the couch. Either in order to avoid the light of the lamp,

or to hide his countenance from Varney, Leicester drew the curtain,

heavy with entwined silk and gold, so as completely to shade his face.

Varney took a seat near the bed, but with his back towards his master,

as if to intimate that he was not watching him, and quietly waited

till Leicester himself led the way to the topic by which his mind was

engrossed.

"And so, Varney," said the Earl, after waiting in vain till his

dependant should commence the conversation, "men talk of the Queen's

favour towards me?"

"Ay, my good lord," said Varney; "of what can they else, since it is so

strongly manifested?"

"She is indeed my good and gracious mistress," said Leicester, after

another pause; "but it is written, 'Put not thy trust in princes.'"




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