"My suit should sleep there, most gracious Sovereign," said Tressilian,
"and with my suit my revenge. But I hold this Varney's word no good
warrant for the truth."
"Had that doubt been elsewhere urged," answered Varney, "my sword--"
"THY sword!" interrupted Tressilian scornfully; "with her Grace's leave,
my sword shall show--"
"Peace, you knaves, both!" said the Queen; "know you where you
are?--This comes of your feuds, my lords," she added, looking towards
Leicester and Sussex; "your followers catch your own humour, and must
bandy and brawl in my court and in my very presence, like so many
Matamoros.--Look you, sirs, he that speaks of drawing swords in any
other quarrel than mine or England's, by mine honour, I'll bracelet
him with iron both on wrist and ankle!" She then paused a minute,
and resumed in a milder tone, "I must do justice betwixt the bold and
mutinous knaves notwithstanding.--My Lord of Leicester, will you warrant
with your honour--that is, to the best of your belief--that your servant
speaks truth in saying he hath married this Amy Robsart?"
This was a home-thrust, and had nearly staggered Leicester. But he had
now gone too far to recede, and answered, after a moment's hesitation,
"To the best of my belief--indeed on my certain knowledge--she is a
wedded wife."
"Gracious madam," said Tressilian, "may I yet request to know, when and
under what circumstances this alleged marriage--"
"Out, sirrah," answered the Queen; "ALLEGED marriage! Have you not the
word of this illustrious Earl to warrant the truth of what his servant
says? But thou art a loser--thinkest thyself such at least--and thou
shalt have indulgence; we will look into the matter ourself more at
leisure.--My Lord of Leicester, I trust you remember we mean to taste
the good cheer of your Castle of Kenilworth on this week ensuing. We
will pray you to bid our good and valued friend, the Earl of Sussex, to
hold company with us there."
"If the noble Earl of Sussex," said Leicester, bowing to his rival with
the easiest and with the most graceful courtesy, "will so far honour my
poor house, I will hold it an additional proof of the amicable regard it
is your Grace's desire we should entertain towards each other."
Sussex was more embarrassed. "I should," said he, "madam, be but a clog
on your gayer hours, since my late severe illness."