 pries into your affairs, and places
himself in perilous opposition to you.«
    »Speak not to me of such policy, Varney,« said the Earl, hastily; »which,
besides, would avail nothing in the present case. Many others there be at court,
to whom Amy may be known; and besides, on the absence of Tressilian, her father
or some of her friends would be instantly summoned hither. Urge thine invention
once more.«
    »My lord, I know not what to say,« answered Varney; »but were I myself in
such perplexity, I would ride post down to Cumnor Place, and compel my wife to
give her consent to such measures as her safety and mine required.«
    »Varney,« said Leicester, »I cannot urge her to aught so repugnant to her
noble nature, as a share in this stratagem - it would be a base requital to the
love she bears me.«
    »Well, my lord,« said Varney, »your lordship is a wise and an honourable
man, and skilled in those high points of romantic scruple, which are current in
Arcadia, perhaps, as your nephew, Philip Sidney, writes. I am your humble
servitor - a man of this world, and only happy that my knowledge of it, and its
ways, is such as your lordship has not scorned to avail yourself of. Now I would
fain know, whether the obligation lies on my lady or on you, in this fortunate
union; and which has most reason to show complaisance to the other, and to
consider that other's wishes, conveniences, and safety?«
    »I tell thee, Varney,« said the Earl, »that all it was in my power to bestow
upon her, was not merely deserved, but a thousand times overpaid, by her own
virtue and beauty; for never did greatness descend upon a creature so formed by
nature to grace and adorn it.«
    »It is well, my lord, you are so satisfied,« answered Varney, with his usual
sardonic smile, which even respect to his patron could not at all times subdue -
»you will have time enough to enjoy undisturbed the society of one so gracious
and beautiful - that is, so soon as such confinement in the Tower be over, as
may correspond to the crime of deceiving the affections of Elizabeth Tudor - A
cheaper penalty, I presume, you do not expect.«
    »Malicious fiend!« answered Leicester, »do you mock me in my misfortune? -
Manage it as thou wilt.«
