KENILWORTH - Penn State University

Sir Walter ScottThe discourse presently afterwards assumed a less periloustendency, and Leicester continued to support his part in itwith spirit, at whatever expense of mental agony. So pleasingdid it seem to Elizabeth, that the Castle bell had soundedmidnight ere she retired from the company, a circumstanceunusual in her quiet and regular habits of disposing of time.Her departure was, of course, the signal for breaking up thecompany, who dispersed to their several places of repose, todream over the pastimes of the day, or to anticipate those ofthe morrow.The unfortunate Lord of the Castle, and founder of theproud festival, retired to far different thoughts. His directionto the valet who attended him was to send Varney instantlyto his apartment. The messenger returned after some delay,and informed him that an hour had elapsed since Sir RichardVarney had left the Castle by the postern gate with three otherpersons, one of whom was transported in a horse-litter.“How came he to leave the Castle after the watch was set?”said Leicester. “I thought he went not till daybreak.”“He gave satisfactory reasons, as I understand,” said the domestic,“to the guard, and, as I hear, showed your lordship’s signet—”“True—true,” said the Earl; “yet he has been hasty. Do anyof his attendants remain behind?”“Michael Lambourne, my lord,” said the valet, “was not tobe found when Sir Richard Varney departed, and his masterwas much incensed at his absence. I saw him but now saddlinghis horse to gallop after his master.”“Bid him come hither instantly,” said Leicester; “I have amessage to his master.”The servant left the apartment, and Leicester traversed itfor some time in deep meditation. “Varney is over-zealous,”he said, “over-pressing. He loves me, I think; but he hath hisown ends to serve, and he is inexorable in pursuit of them. IfI rise, he rises; and he hath shown himself already but too,eager to rid me of this obstacle which seems to stand betwixtme and sovereignty. Yet I will not stoop to bear this disgrace.She shall be punished, but it shall be more advisedly. I alreadyfeel, even in anticipation, that over-haste would light the flamesof hell in my bosom. No—one victim is enough at once, andthat victim already waits me.”He seized upon writing materials, and hastily traced thesewords:—”Sir Richard Varney, we have resolved to defer the421