the principal object of his life； that all other sensations were；
for the time； lost in the agony which his haughty spirit felt at
the succession of petty insults and studied neglects to which he
had been subjected； but when he retired to his own chamber for
the night； that long； fair tress of hair which had once secured
Amy's letter fell under his observation； and； with the influence
of a counter…charm； awakened his heart to nobler and more natural
feelings。 He kissed it a thousand times； and while he
recollected that he had it always in his power to shun the
mortifications which he had that day undergone； by retiring into
a dignified and even prince…like seclusion with the beautiful and
beloved partner of his future life； he felt that he could rise
above the revenge which Elizabeth had condescended to take。
Accordingly； on the following day the whole conduct of the Earl
displayed so much dignified equanimityhe seemed so solicitous
about the accommodations and amusements of his guests； yet so
indifferent to their personal demeanour towards himso
respectfully distant to the Queen； yet so patient of her
harassing displeasurethat Elizabeth changed her manner to him；
and； though cold and distant； ceased to offer him any direct
affront。 She intimated also with some sharpness to others around
her； who thought they were consulting her pleasure in showing a
neglectful conduct to the Earl； that while they remained at
Kenilworth they ought to show the civility due from guests to the
Lord of the Castle。 In short； matters were so far changed in
twenty…four hours that some of the more experienced and sagacious
courtiers foresaw a strong possibility of Leicester's restoration
to favour； and regulated their demeanour towards him； as those
who might one day claim merit for not having deserted him in
adversity。 It is time； however； to leave these intrigues； and
follow Tressilian and Raleigh on their journey。
The troop consisted of six persons； for； besides Wayland； they
had in company a royal pursuivant and two stout serving…men。 All
were well…armed； and travelled as fast as it was possible with
justice to their horses； which had a long journey before them。
They endeavoured to procure some tidings as they rode along of
Varney and his party； but could hear none； as they had travelled
in the dark。 At a small village about twelve miles from
Kenilworth； where they gave some refreshment to their horses； a
poor clergyman； the curate of the place； came out of a small
cottage； and entreated any of the company who might know aught of
surgery to look in for an instant on a dying man。
The empiric Wayland undertook to do his best； and as the curate
conducted him to the spot； he learned that the man had been found
on the highroad； about a mile from the village； by labourers； as
they were going to their work on the preceding morning； and the
curate had given him shelter in his house。 He had received a
gun…shot wound； which seemed to be obviously mortal； but whether
in a brawl or from robbers they could not learn； as he was in a
fever； and spoke nothing connectedly。 Wayland entered the dark
and lowly apartment； and no sooner had the curate drawn aside the
curtain than he knew； in the distorted features of the patient；
the countenance of Michael Lambourne。 Under pretence of seeking
something which he wanted； Wayland hastily apprised his fellow…
travellers of this extraordinary circumstance； and both
Tressilian and Raleigh； full of boding apprehensions； hastened to
the curate's house to see the dying man。
The wretch was by this time in the agonies of death； from which a
much better surgeon than Wayland could not have rescued him； for
the bullet had passed clear through his body。 He was sensible；
however； at least in part； for he knew Tressilian； and made signs
that he wished him to stoop over his bed。 Tressilian did so； and
after some inarticulate murmurs； in which the names of Varney and
Lady Leicester were alone distinguishable； Lambourne bade him
〃make haste； or he would come too late。〃 It was in vain
Tressilian urged the patient for further information； he seemed
to become in some degree delirious； and when he again made a
signal to attract Tressilian's attention； it was only for the
purpose of desiring him to inform his uncle； Giles Gosling of the
Black Bear； that 〃he had died without his shoes after all。〃 A
convulsion verified his words a few minutes after； and the
travellers derived nothing from having met with him； saving the
obscure fears concerning the fate of the Countess； which his
dying words were calculated to convey； and which induced them to
urge their journey with the utmost speed； pressing horses in the
Queen's name when those which they rode became unfit for service。
CHAPTER XLI。
The death…bell thrice was heard to ring；
An aerial voice was heard to call；
And thrice the raven flapp'd its wing
Around the towers of Cumnor Hall。 MICKLE。
We are now to return to that part of our story where we intimated
that Varney； possessed of the authority of the Earl of Leicester；
and of the Queen's permission to the same effect； hastened to
secure himself against discovery of his perfidy by removing the
Countess from Kenilworth Castle。 He had proposed to set forth
early in the morning； but reflecting that the Earl might relent
in the interim； and seek another interview with the Countess； he
resolved to prevent； by immediate departure； all chance of what
would probably have ended in his detection and ruin。 For this
purpose he called for Lambourne； and was exceedingly incensed to
find that his trusty attendant was abroad on some ramble in the
neighbouring village； or elsewhere。 As his return was expected；
Sir Richard commanded that he should prepare himself for
attending him on an immediate journey； and follow him in case he
returned after his departure。
In the meanwhile； Varney used the ministry of a servant called
Robin Tider； one to whom the mysteries of Cumnor Place were
already in some degree known； as he had been there more than once
in attendance on the Earl。 To this man； whose character
resembled that of Lambourne； though he was neither quite so
prompt nor altogether so profligate； Varney gave command to have
three horses saddled； and to prepare a horse…litter； and have
them in readiness at the postern gate。 The natural enough excuse
of his lady's insanity； which was now universally believed；
accounted for the secrecy with which she was to be removed from
the Castle； and he reckoned on the same apology in case the
unfortunate Amy's resistance or screams should render such
necessary。 The agency of Anthony Foster was indispensable； and
that Varney now went to secure。
This person； naturally of a sour； unsocial disposition； and
somewhat tired； besides； with his journey from Cumnor to
Warwickshire； in order to bring the news of the Countess's
escape； had early extricated himself from the crowd of
wassailers； and betaken himself to his chamber； where he lay
asleep； when Varney； completely equipped for travelling； and with
a dark lantern in his hand； entered his apartment。 He paused an
instant to listen to what his associate was murmuring in his
sleep； and could plainly distinguish the words； 〃AVE MARIAORA
PRO NOBIS。 No； it runs not sodeliver us from evilay； so it
goes。〃
〃Praying in his sleep；〃 said Varney； 〃and confounding his old and
new devotions。 He must have more need of prayer ere I am done
with him。What ho！ holy man； most blessed penitent！awake
awake！ The devil has not discharged you from service yet。〃
As Varney at the same time shook the sleeper by the arm； it
changed the current of his ideas； and he roared out； 〃Thieves！
thieves！ I will die in defence of my goldmy hard…won gold
that has cost me so dear。 Where is Janet？Is Janet safe？〃
〃Safe enough； thou bellowing fool！〃 said Varney； 〃art thou not
ashamed of thy clamour？〃
Foster by this time was broad awake； and sitting up in his bed；
asked Varney the meaning of so untimely a visit。 〃It augurs
nothing good；〃 he added。
〃A false prophecy； most sainted Anthony；〃 returned Varney； 〃it
augurs that the hour is come for converting thy leasehold into
copyhold。 What sayest thou to that？〃
〃Hadst thou told me this in broad day；〃 said Foster； 〃I had
rejoiced； but at this dead hour； and by this dim light； and
looking on thy pale face； which is a ghastly contradiction to thy
light words； I cannot but rather think of the work that is to be
done； than the guerdon to be gained by it。〃
〃Why； thou fool； it is but to escort thy charge back to Cumnor
Place。〃
〃Is that indeed all？〃 said Foster； 〃thou lookest deadly pale；
and thou art not moved by triflesis that indeed all？〃
〃Ay； thatand maybe a trifle more；〃 said Varney。
〃Ah； that trifle more！〃 said Foster； 〃still thou lookest paler
and paler。〃
〃Heed not my countenance；〃 said Varney； 〃you see it by this
wretched light。 Up and be doing； man。 Think of Cumnor Place
thine own proper copyhold。 Why； thou mayest found a weekly
lectureship； besides endowing Janet like a baron's daughter。
Seventy pounds and odd。〃
〃Seventy…nine pounds； five shillings and