Of yon gay meteors lost that better sense；
That o'er the glow…worm doth the star esteem；
And merit's modest blush o'er courtly insolence？
THE GLASS SLIPPER。
The unfortunate Countess of Leicester had； from her infancy
upwards； been treated by those around her with indulgence as
unbounded as injudicious。 The natural sweetness of her
disposition had saved her from becoming insolent and ill…
humoured； but the caprice which preferred the handsome and
insinuating Leicester before Tressilian； of whose high honour and
unalterable affection she herself entertained so firm an opinion
that fatal error； which ruined the happiness of her life； had
its origin in the mistaken kindness； that had spared her
childhood the painful but most necessary lesson of submission and
self…command。 From the same indulgence it followed that she had
only been accustomed to form and to express her wishes； leaving
to others the task of fulfilling them； and thus； at the most
momentous period of her life； she was alike destitute of presence
of mind； and of ability to form for herself any reasonable or
prudent plan of conduct。
These difficulties pressed on the unfortunate lady with
overwhelming force on the morning which seemed to be the crisis
of her fate。 Overlooking every intermediate consideration； she
had only desired to be at Kenilworth； and to approach her
husband's presence； and now； when she was in the vicinity of
both； a thousand considerations arose at once upon her mind；
startling her with accumulated doubts and dangers； some real；
some imaginary； and all exalted and exaggerated by a situation
alike helpless and destitute of aid and counsel。
A sleepless night rendered her so weak in the morning that she
was altogether unable to attend Wayland's early summons。 The
trusty guide became extremely distressed on the lady's account；
and somewhat alarmed on his own； and was on the point of going
alone to Kenilworth； in the hope of discovering Tressilian； and
intimating to him the lady's approach； when about nine in the
morning he was summoned to attend her。 He found her dressed； and
ready for resuming her journey； but with a paleness of
countenance which alarmed him for her health。 She intimated her
desire that the horses might be got instantly ready； and resisted
with impatience her guide's request that she would take some
refreshment before setting forward。 〃I have had；〃 she said； 〃a
cup of waterthe wretch who is dragged to execution needs no
stronger cordial； and that may serve me which suffices for him。
Do as I command you。〃 Wayland Smith still hesitated。 〃What
would you have？〃 said she。 〃Have I not spoken plainly？〃
〃Yes； madam；〃 answered Wayland； 〃but may I ask what is your
further purpose？ I only wish to know； that I may guide myself by
your wishes。 The whole country is afloat； and streaming towards
the Castle of Kenilworth。 It will be difficult travelling
thither； even if we had the necessary passports for safe…conduct
and free admittance； unknown and unfriended； we may come by
mishap。 Your ladyship will forgive my speaking my poor mind
were we not better try to find out the maskers； and again join
ourselves with them？〃 The Countess shook her head； and her guide
proceeded； 〃Then I see but one other remedy。〃
〃Speak out； then；〃 said the lady； not displeased； perhaps； that
he should thus offer the advice which she was ashamed to ask； 〃I
believe thee faithfulwhat wouldst thou counsel？〃
〃That I should warn Master Tressilian；〃 said Wayland； 〃that you
are in this place。 I am right certain he would get to horse with
a few of Lord Sussex's followers； and ensure your personal
safety。〃
〃And is it to ME you advise；〃 said the Countess； 〃to put myself
under the protection of Sussex； the unworthy rival of the noble
Leicester？〃 Then； seeing the surprise with which Wayland stared
upon her； and afraid of having too strongly intimated her
interest in Leicester； she added； 〃And for Tressilian； it must
not bemention not to him； I charge you； my unhappy name； it
would but double MY misfortunes； and involve HIM in dangers
beyond the power of rescue。〃 She paused； but when she observed
that Wayland continued to look on her with that anxious and
uncertain gaze which indicated a doubt whether her brain was
settled； she assumed an air of composure； and added； 〃Do thou but
guide me to Kenilworth Castle； good fellow； and thy task is
ended； since I will then judge what further is to be done。 Thou
hast yet been true to mehere is something that will make thee
rich amends。〃
She offered the artist a ring containing a valuable stone。
Wayland looked at it； hesitated a moment； and then returned it。
〃Not；〃 he said； 〃that I am above your kindness； madam； being but
a poor fellow； who have been forced； God help me！ to live by
worse shifts than the bounty of such a person as you。 But； as my
old master the farrier used to say to his customers； 'No cure； no
pay。' We are not yet in Kenilworth Castle； and it is time enough
to discharge your guide； as they say； when you take your boots
off。 I trust in God your ladyship is as well assured of fitting
reception when you arrive； as you may hold yourself certain of my
best endeavours to conduct you thither safely。 I go to get the
horses； meantime； let me pray you once more； as your poor
physician as well as guide； to take some sustenance。〃
〃I willI will；〃 said the lady hastily。 〃Begone； begone
instantly！It is in vain I assume audacity；〃 said she； when he
left the room； 〃even this poor groom sees through my affectation
of courage； and fathoms the very ground of my fears。〃
She then attempted to follow her guide's advice by taking some
food； but was compelled to desist； as the effort to swallow even
a single morsel gave her so much uneasiness as amounted well…nigh
to suffocation。 A moment afterwards the horses appeared at the
latticed window。 The lady mounted； and found that relief from
the free air and change of place which is frequently experienced
in similar circumstances。
It chanced well for the Countess's purpose that Wayland Smith；
whose previous wandering and unsettled life had made him
acquainted with almost all England； was intimate with all the by…
roads； as well as direct communications； through the beautiful
county of Warwick。 For such and so great was the throng which
flocked in all directions towards Kenilworth； to see the entry of
Elizabeth into that splendid mansion of her prime favourite； that
the principal roads were actually blocked up and interrupted； and
it was only by circuitous by…paths that the travellers could
proceed on their journey。
The Queen's purveyors had been abroad； sweeping the farms and
villages of those articles usually exacted during a royal
Progress； and for which the owners were afterwards to obtain a
tardy payment from the Board of Green Cloth。 The Earl of
Leicester's household officers had been scouring the country for
the same purpose； and many of his friends and allies； both near
and remote； took this opportunity of ingratiating themselves by
sending large quantities of provisions and delicacies of all
kinds； with game in huge numbers； and whole tuns of the best
liquors； foreign and domestic。 Thus the highroads were filled
with droves of bullocks； sheep； calves； and hogs； and choked with
loaded wains； whose axle…trees cracked under their burdens of
wine…casks and hogsheads of ale； and huge hampers of grocery
goods； and slaughtered game； and salted provisions； and sacks of
flour。 Perpetual stoppages took place as these wains became
entangled； and their rude drivers； swearing and brawling till
their wild passions were fully raised； began to debate precedence
with their wagon…whips and quarterstaves； which occasional riots
were usually quieted by a purveyor； deputy…marshal's man； or some
other person in authority； breaking the heads of both parties。
Here were； besides； players and mummers； jugglers and showmen； of
every description； traversing in joyous bands the paths which led
to the Palace of Princely Pleasure； for so the travelling
minstrels had termed Kenilworth in the songs which already had
come forth in anticipation of the revels which were there
expected。 In the midst of this motley show； mendicants were
exhibiting their real or pretended miseries； forming a strange
though common contrast betwixt the vanities and the sorrows of
human existence。 All these floated along with the immense tide
of population whom mere curiosity had drawn together； and where
the mechanic； in his leathern apron； elbowed the dink and dainty
dame； his city mistress； where clowns； with hobnailed shoes； were
treading on the kibes of substantial burghers and gentlemen of
worship； and where Joan of the dairy； with robust pace； and red；
sturdy arms； rowed her way unward； amongst those prim and pretty
moppets whose sires were knights and squires。
The throng and confusion was； however； of a gay and cheerful
character。 All came forth to see and to enjoy； and all laughed
at the trifling inconveniences which at another time might have
chafed their temper。 Excepting the occasional brawls which we
have