"Whither?" said Anthony.
"To my lady's chamber; and, mind, she MUST along with us. Thou art not a
fellow to be startled by a shriek?"
"Not if Scripture reason can be rendered for it; and it is written,
'Wives obey your husbands.' But will my lord's commands bear us out if
we use violence?"
"Tush, man! here is his signet," answered Varney; and having thus
silenced the objections of his associate, they went together to Lord
Hunsdon's apartments, and acquainting the sentinel with their purpose,
as a matter sanctioned by the Queen and the Earl of Leicester, they
entered the chamber of the unfortunate Countess.
The horror of Amy may be conceived when, starting from a broken slumber,
she saw at her bedside Varney, the man on earth she most feared and
hated. It was even a consolation to see that he was not alone, though
she had so much reason to dread his sullen companion.
"Madam," said Varney, "there is no time for ceremony. My Lord of
Leicester, having fully considered the exigencies of the time, sends you
his orders immediately to accompany us on our return to Cumnor Place.
See, here is his signet, in token of his instant and pressing commands."
"It is false!" said the Countess; "thou hast stolen the warrant--thou,
who art capable of every villainy, from the blackest to the basest!"
"It is TRUE, madam," replied Varney; "so true, that if you do not
instantly arise, and prepare to attend us, we must compel you to obey
our orders."
"Compel! Thou darest not put it to that issue, base as thou art!"
exclaimed the unhappy Countess.
"That remains to be proved, madam," said Varney, who had determined on
intimidation as the only means of subduing her high spirit; "if you put
me to it, you will find me a rough groom of the chambers."
It was at this threat that Amy screamed so fearfully that, had it not
been for the received opinion of her insanity, she would quickly have
had Lord Hunsdon and others to her aid. Perceiving, however, that her
cries were vain, she appealed to Foster in the most affecting terms,
conjuring him, as his daughter Janet's honour and purity were dear to
him, not to permit her to be treated with unwomanly violence.
"Why, madam, wives must obey their husbands---there's Scripture warrant
for it," said Foster; "and if you will dress yourself, and come with
us patiently, there's no one shall lay finger on you while I can draw a
pistol-trigger."