Amy sprung on her feet, and interrupted the Queen eagerly with, "No,

madam, no! as there is a God above us, I am not the sordid wretch you

would make me! I am not the wife of that contemptible slave--of that

most deliberate villain! I am not the wife of Varney! I would rather be

the bride of Destruction!"

The Queen, overwhelmed in her turn by Amy's vehemence, stood silent for

an instant, and then replied, "Why, God ha' mercy, woman! I see thou

canst talk fast enough when the theme likes thee. Nay, tell me, woman,"

she continued, for to the impulse of curiosity was now added that of an

undefined jealousy that some deception had been practised on her--"tell

me, woman--for, by God's day, I WILL know--whose wife, or whose

paramour, art thou! Speak out, and be speedy. Thou wert better daily

with a lioness than with Elizabeth."

Urged to this extremity, dragged as it were by irresistible force to the

verge of the precipice which she saw, but could not avoid--permitted

not a moment's respite by the eager words and menacing gestures of the

offended Queen, Amy at length uttered in despair, "The Earl of Leicester

knows it all."

"The Earl of Leicester!" said Elizabeth, in utter astonishment. "The

Earl of Leicester!" she repeated with kindling anger. "Woman, thou art

set on to this--thou dost belie him--he takes no keep of such things

as thou art. Thou art suborned to slander the noblest lord and the

truest-hearted gentleman in England! But were he the right hand of our

trust, or something yet dearer to us, thou shalt have thy hearing, and

that in his presence. Come with me--come with me instantly!"

As Amy shrunk back with terror, which the incensed Queen interpreted as

that of conscious guilt, Elizabeth rapidly advanced, seized on her arm,

and hastened with swift and long steps out of the grotto, and along

the principal alley of the Pleasance, dragging with her the terrified

Countess, whom she still held by the arm, and whose utmost exertions

could but just keep pace with those of the indignant Queen.

Leicester was at this moment the centre of a splendid group of lords and

ladies, assembled together under an arcade, or portico, which closed

the alley. The company had drawn together in that place, to attend the

commands of her Majesty when the hunting-party should go forward, and

their astonishment may be imagined when, instead of seeing Elizabeth

advance towards them with her usual measured dignity of motion, they

beheld her walking so rapidly that she was in the midst of them ere they

were aware; and then observed, with fear and surprise, that her features

were flushed betwixt anger and agitation, that her hair was loosened by

her haste of motion, and that her eyes sparkled as they were wont when

the spirit of Henry VIII. mounted highest in his daughter. Nor were they

less astonished at the appearance of the pale, attenuated, half-dead,

yet still lovely female, whom the Queen upheld by main strength with

one hand, while with the other she waved aside the ladies and nobles

who pressed towards her, under the idea that she was taken suddenly ill.

"Where is my Lord of Leicester?" she said, in a tone that thrilled with

astonishment all the courtiers who stood around. "Stand forth, my Lord

of Leicester!"




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