The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-08

, me meantime, my lord-I must be alone. Let no one intrude. Go-but not Tar away" Her agitation, her denial or ms wishes, which was not, after all, dehlai' gave Leicester every reason to hope that at the end of her self-communng Eliza beth would raise him to the dizzy height at which he aimed. Retiring, he gave or ders to the attendants that the Queen was not to be disturbed. Elizabeth entered the nearest grotto, her head bowed in deep thought. Sudden ly she became aware of hgure sealeu beside an alabaster column. It was the unfortunate Amy, who recognized the Queen at once in the stately figure ap- preaching her. At first Elizabeth thought | that she beheld one of the performers m the pageants, who had been placed Tn different situations to surprise her Wllh their homage. How now, fair nyinph of this grotto" said the Queen. Art thou spellbound and struck dumb by some wicked enchanter? We can reverse the charm and bid thee speak. Clasping her hands, Amy dropped on her knees and looked up into the face of Elizabeth with such mixture of agony and fear that the Queen was impressed. What wouldst thou have, damsel? she asked.
 Your protection, madam replied Amy q beseech, I implore your protec- tion against one Varney. l was his pris-
 oner. He practiced on my life and broke forth to-to-'
 "Thou shalt have my protection. dam sel,'' cried the Queen. We will sift this matter to the uttermost So thou art she who did deceive thy old father, Sir Hugh Robsart who cheated Master Tressilian and married this Varney?' Amy sprang to her feet. "No!' she cried. No. As there is q God above me
 I am not the sordid wretch you take me for I am not the wife of that contempt i ible villain"
 why. God ha' mercy, woman' re-
 turned the Queen. T see thou canst talk fast enough when the theme likes thee. Now, tell me, madam" she continued,
 the impulse of curiosity now added to her
 other motives, tell me, woman-for by Gods day l will lnow-whose wife or whose paraInour art thou? Speak and speedily. Thou hadst better daily with a Iioness than with Elizabeth. Amy uttered cry of despair and then murrnured: "The Earl of Leicester knows all."
 .rhe Earl of Leicester!' cried the | Queen woman art thou set upon this The noblest-hearted, the truest gentleman in England But were he the right hand of our trust, or something yet dearer, thou shalt have thy hearing in his pres-
 ence. Come with me-instantly. Grasping the trembling girl by the arm. she dragged her forth and with long strides hurried from the grotto to where | Leicester stood surrounded by a group 1 of lords and ladies. Where is my lord | of Leicester?" cried the Queen, looking 1 in her fury more than ever like the , daughter of Henry. stand -forth, my | lord of Leicester. Knowest thou this wo- man?"
 | As if some mighty hand bent him to I earth Leicester kneeled down before Eiiz-
 abeth and prostrated his brow 10 the mar | ble fagstone on which she stood. | "By Gods light exclaimed the Queen, | false lord thou shalt answer me or thou i diest, My lord of Shrewsbury. you are | Marshal of England. Attach him of hign | treason"
 !, The nobles stood aghast. Amy, throw 1 ing herself before the furious Queen and | embracing her knees, cried out: lie IS l guitless, madam. He Is gulitiess.
 ..1vhy. mlnion," replied Elizabeth, ''didst thou not say he was priVy to ehS whole history"
 ..If I did" replied Amy, T foully belied | him. I believe he was never priyy to a thought that would harm me. s.Woman,' answered the Queen, T Will know who has set thee on to this or my wrath-and the wrath of kings is a liam [ ing fire-shal wither and consume thee like weed in a furnace.
 cester. who had risen to his feet, raised l, his head with dignity and was stepping forward to speak when Varney rushed in- 1 to the presence with every mark Of dis order on his face and apparel Pardon, my liege," cried yarney. "lei thy vengeance fell where it is due, but
 spare my noble and innocent patron"