The Washington times., 1901-12-08
THE STORY OF
AMY ROBSART



with fixing in our minds certain histcri-
cal events From the dry statistics OF
past generations We turn aside. but the
romances live long in our me aDry. and
when cunning writer takes certain we'll
known facts for a foundation, and emhel-
fishes these with the flights of his own
fancy. both fact and fancy become real
TO us. the one 'nseparably connected with
the other.
SO in the case of Qieen Elizabeth and
Lord Leicester. The story that comes first
TO our minds is rot one we have found by
delvlng into musty records, nor can it be
CLEANED from any English history.
1t is the tale. as depleted in Walter
Scott's old. delightful, ever new romance
of "Renilworth. And as we picture The
stately Queen and naughty Earl walking
side by side down the royal stairway. an
other figure steps before us and stands
mute, waiting with quivering lips and
downcast eyes, for recognition.
timid, shrinking form, with hair that
seems 10 have tangled the gold Of sun
light in its curls, and eyes blue as the for
get-me-nots in an English gnrden-Amy
Robsart. the daughter of gruff old Hugh
Robsart. and Lord Leicester's ohild-wife.
We know her story. year ago sha
was happy in a peaceful home; the petted
child of an idolized father the promised
bride of faithful knight: but there came
another lover who carried himself with a
lordlier grace whose smile charmed her
whose glance set her pulses throbbiEg.
whose courtly homage won her simple
heart.
Then followed a runaway narriage-a
father broken n-hearted over the supposed
disgrace of his favorite daugnter-and
now in the lonely castle at Cumnor Place
this vision of beauty Countess in name,
but prisoner in reality waits patiently
for the time when my lord shall avow
her true rank and station before the
world.
A pretty child, with a tender. trusting
heart! We see her Willing away the long
hours Of her captivity with 4 thousand
devices; praoticing her court obeisance
before the long pier glass, dressing her
sunny locks in stateliest guise, donning
one after another OF her silken robes TO
see which most becomes her-aHd all that
she may do credit to my lord when she
takes her place as countess at his side.
We see him walking with The Queen in
grand attire his head little turned by
the fattery and adniring glances Of the
oour3icrs. his pulse beating a little faster
as he stoops to catch the words Elizabeth
whispers in his ear; but underneath the
vanity and the foolish desire for power.
his heart still true to his winsome. unae-
knowiedsed child wife,
II is pleasant 10 dwell upon the descrip-
ticns Of their stclen interviews; his long
rides across the lonely plains. the pretty
creature. garbed in the most becoming OF
her grand brocadod gowns. waiting for his
coming so eagerly-the step upo.- the
threshold. the glad cry with which the
chiid-wtfe flies to the arms Of her stall
wart lover, the caresses and tender words.
Save that one great desire for freedom
and acknowledgment before the world the
Countess Amy mas no wish ungratified.
Her rooms at lonely Cummor Place are as
grand as Elizabeth's own, her gowns as
fine, her Jewels almost as costly.
young brides plea and appears before her
one night in all the splendor Of his court
attire, it is with both smile and = sigh
that we picture fair Amye Duddeley''
kneeling In admiration al her husbands
feet-a smile for her happiness. a sigh
that it cannot last.
Well may Varney, whose hopes OF favor
depend upon Lord Jeiccsters advance
ment, think distrustfully of the young
countess hidden in her lonely castle, for
he knows that. teInporlze as Lord Leices-
ter may. and as it is his nature to do. she
still holds first place in his heart.
And then the crisis comes. and Amy.
weary OF her confinement and a1righted
by Varney's insults, is sustained by the
consciousness Of this affection
MY husband may be angry for mo-
ment, but he will soon forgive He loves
me, and when he hears my story he can
not be angry at the course have taken"
she says, and arrays herself with unusual
care FOR the Journey, smiling. even in the
mids. Of her fright TO think Of the recon
ciliation and happiness 10 follow.
To the grand reyelries at Kenllworth,
where every night the costly fireworks
rendered the heavens a blaze Of glory.
where the air resounded with the harmo-
mics Of hundreds of musicians, and the
Lady Of the Lake herself arose from the
waters to declare her allegiance to Queen
Elizabeth came Amy Robsart, Countess OF
Leicester, and rightful mistress Of all this
splendor
Who that has read Scott's description
Of the scene that followed VIII be unable
to recall it? The wonderfully beautiful
garden. the stately oaks the clipped yews.
the sunlight upon the splashlng fountains:
the high born lords and ladies' In gala at
tire: poor countrihed Lord Blount. Ra-
leigh with his careless grace. and fore
most among them Leicester. 'of such ap-
peararre that every new habiliment he
dcnGed seemed to become him better than
the last"
;ato this scene Of luxury and careless
1plcndor. like thunderbolt upon a sum
me- day. came Elizabeth, with her hand
upon the shoulder of the shrinking coun-
tess by her side-half leading halls sup
porting her.
The Queens cold grey eyes are flashing
scorn and defiance. her stately figure is
drawn to its fun height. and crying out in
q terrible voice, so that the courtiers
trembled to hear her. she asks where Is
my Lord of Leicester? My Lord OF Lei
eester, knowest thou this woman"
Trembling and conscience-strickcn. Lei
cester bowed before her. his head upon his