KENILWORTH - Penn State University

Sir Walter Scottslave!—But I unmasked him, Janet—I made the snake uncoilall his folds before me, and crawl abroad in his nakeddeformity; I suspended my resentment, at the danger of suffocatingunder the effort, until he had let me see the verybottom of a heart more foul than hell’s darkest corner.—Andthou, Leicester, is it possible thou couldst bid me for a momentdeny my wedded right in thee, or thyself yield it toanother?—But it is impossible—the villain has lied in all.—Janet, I will not remain here longer—I fear him—I fear thyfather. I grieve to say it, Janet—but I fear thy father, and,worst of all, this odious Varney, I will escape from Cumnor.”“Alas! madam, whither would you fly, or by what meanswill you escape from these walls?”“I know not, Janet,” said the unfortunate young lady, lookingupwards! and clasping her hands together, “I know notwhere I shall fly, or by what means; but I am certain the GodI have served will not abandon me in this dreadful crisis, for Iam in the hands of wicked men.”“Do not think so, dear lady,” said Janet; “my father is sternand strict in his temper, and severely true to his trust—butyet—”At this moment Anthony Foster entered the apartment,bearing in his hand a glass cup and a small flask. His mannerwas singular; for, while approaching the Countess with therespect due to her rank, he had till this time suffered to becomevisible, or had been unable to suppress, the obduratesulkiness of his natural disposition, which, as is usual withthose of his unhappy temper, was chiefly exerted towards thoseover whom circumstances gave him control. But at presenthe showed nothing of that sullen consciousness of authoritywhich he was wont to conceal under a clumsy affectation ofcivility and deference, as a ruffian hides his pistols and bludgeonunder his ill-fashioned gaberdine. And yet it seemed asif his smile was more in fear than courtesy, and as if, while hepressed the Countess to taste of the choice cordial, whichshould refresh her spirits after her late alarm, he was consciousof meditating some further injury. His hand trembled also,his voice faltered, and his whole outward behaviour exhibitedso much that was suspicious, that his daughter Janet, after shehad stood looking at him in astonishment for some seconds,seemed at once to collect herself to execute some hardy resolution,raised her head, assumed an attitude and gait of deter-269