"Why, where tarries Lambourne?" said Anthony.

"Ask no questions," said Varney, "thou wilt see him one day if thy creed

is true. But to our graver matter. I will teach thee a spring, Tony, to

catch a pewit. Yonder trap-door--yonder gimcrack of thine, will remain

secure in appearance, will it not, though the supports are withdrawn

beneath?"

"Ay, marry, will it," said Foster; "so long as it is not trodden on."

"But were the lady to attempt an escape over it," replied Varney, "her

weight would carry it down?"

"A mouse's weight would do it," said Foster.

"Why, then, she dies in attempting her escape, and what could you or

I help it, honest Tony? Let us to bed, we will adjust our project

to-morrow."

On the next day, when evening approached, Varney summoned Foster to the

execution of their plan. Tider and Foster's old man-servant were sent on

a feigned errand down to the village, and Anthony himself, as if anxious

to see that the Countess suffered no want of accommodation, visited

her place of confinement. He was so much staggered at the mildness and

patience with which she seemed to endure her confinement, that he could

not help earnestly recommending to her not to cross the threshold of her

room on any account whatever, until Lord Leicester should come, "which,"

he added, "I trust in God, will be very soon." Amy patiently promised

that she would resign herself to her fate, and Foster returned to his

hardened companion with his conscience half-eased of the perilous load

that weighed on it. "I have warned her," he said; "surely in vain is the

snare set in the sight of any bird!"

He left, therefore, the Countess's door unsecured on the outside, and,

under the eye of Varney, withdrew the supports which sustained the

falling trap, which, therefore, kept its level position merely by a

slight adhesion. They withdrew to wait the issue on the ground-floor

adjoining; but they waited long in vain. At length Varney, after walking

long to and fro, with his face muffled in his cloak, threw it suddenly

back and exclaimed, "Surely never was a woman fool enough to neglect so

fair an opportunity of escape!"

"Perhaps she is resolved," said Foster, "to await her husband's return."

"True!--most true!" said Varney, rushing out; "I had not thought of that

before."

In less than two minutes, Foster, who remained behind, heard the tread

of a horse in the courtyard, and then a whistle similar to that

which was the Earl's usual signal. The instant after the door of the

Countess's chamber opened, and in the same moment the trap-door gave

way. There was a rushing sound--a heavy fall--a faint groan--and all was

over.




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