it becomes exchange of affection - but
she writes nil ultra to all which is to follow, and would not barter one iota of
her own supreme power for all the alphabet of both Cupid and Hymen.«
    »The better for you, my lord,« said Varney, »that is, in the case supposed,
if such be her disposition; since you think you cannot aspire to become her
husband. Her favourite you are, and may remain, if the lady at Cumnor Place
continues in her present obscurity.«
    »Poor Amy!« said Leicester, with a deep sigh; »she desires so earnestly to
be acknowledged in presence of God and man!«
    »Ay, but, my lord,« said Varney, »is her desire reasonable? - that is the
question. - Her religious scruples are solved - she is an honoured and beloved
wife - enjoying the society of her husband at such times as his weightier duties
permit him to afford her his company - What would she more? I am right sure that
a lady so gentle and so loving would consent to live her life through in a
certain obscurity - which is, after all, not dimmer than when she was at Lidcote
Hall - rather than diminish the least jot of her lord's honours and greatness by
a premature attempt to share them.«
    »There is something in what thou sayest,« said Leicester; »and her
appearance here were fatal - yet she must be seen at Kenilworth; Elizabeth will
not forget that she has so appointed.«
    »Let me sleep on that point,« said Varney; »I cannot else perfect the device
I have on the stithy, which I trust will satisfy the Queen and please my
honoured lady, yet leave this fatal secret where it is now buried. - Has your
lordship farther commands for the night?«
    »I would be alone,« said Leicester. »Leave me, and place my steel casket on
the table. - Be within summons.«
    Varney retired - and the Earl, opening the window of his apartment, looked
out long and anxiously upon the brilliant host of stars which glimmered in the
splendour of a summer firmament. The words burst from him as at unawares - »I
had never more need that the heavenly bodies should befriend me, for my earthly
path is darkened and confused.«
    It is well known that the age reposed a deep confidence in the vain
predictions of judicial astrology, and Leicester, though exempt from the general
control of superstition, was not in this respect superior to his time; but, on
the