They bowed, and left the presence, Who shall describe how the rest of that day was spent at Kenilworth?

The Queen, who seemed to have remained there for the sole purpose of

mortifying and taunting the Earl of Leicester, showed herself as skilful

in that female art of vengeance, as she was in the science of wisely

governing her people. The train of state soon caught the signal, and as

he walked among his own splendid preparations, the Lord of Kenilworth,

in his own Castle, already experienced the lot of a disgraced courtier,

in the slight regard and cold manners of alienated friends, and the

ill-concealed triumph of avowed and open enemies. Sussex, from his

natural military frankness of disposition, Burleigh and Walsingham, from

their penetrating and prospective sagacity, and some of the ladies, from

the compassion of their sex, were the only persons in the crowded court

who retained towards him the countenance they had borne in the morning.

So much had Leicester been accustomed to consider court favour as the

principal object of his life, that all other sensations were, for the

time, lost in the agony which his haughty spirit felt at the succession

of petty insults and studied neglects to which he had been subjected;

but when he retired to his own chamber for the night, that long,

fair tress of hair which had once secured Amy's letter fell under his

observation, and, with the influence of a counter-charm, awakened his

heart to nobler and more natural feelings. He kissed it a thousand

times; and while he recollected that he had it always in his power to

shun the mortifications which he had that day undergone, by retiring

into a dignified and even prince-like seclusion with the beautiful and

beloved partner of his future life, he felt that he could rise above the

revenge which Elizabeth had condescended to take.

Accordingly, on the following day the whole conduct of the Earl

displayed so much dignified equanimity--he seemed so solicitous about

the accommodations and amusements of his guests, yet so indifferent to

their personal demeanour towards him--so respectfully distant to the

Queen, yet so patient of her harassing displeasure--that Elizabeth

changed her manner to him, and, though cold and distant, ceased to offer

him any direct affront. She intimated also with some sharpness to others

around her, who thought they were consulting her pleasure in showing a

neglectful conduct to the Earl, that while they remained at Kenilworth

they ought to show the civility due from guests to the Lord of the

Castle. In short, matters were so far changed in twenty-four hours that

some of the more experienced and sagacious courtiers foresaw a strong

possibility of Leicester's restoration to favour, and regulated their

demeanour towards him, as those who might one day claim merit for not

having deserted him in adversity. It is time, however, to leave these

intrigues, and follow Tressilian and Raleigh on their journey.




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