Kenilworth - Page 269/408

He therefore resolved, before delivering the letter to Leicester, that

he would seek out Tressilian, and communicate to him the arrival of

the lady at Kenilworth, and thus at once rid himself of all further

responsibility, and devolve the task of guiding and protecting this

unfortunate lady upon the patron who had at first employed him in her

service.

"He will be a better judge than I am," said Wayland, "whether she is

to be gratified in this humour of appeal to my Lord of Leicester, which

seems like an act of insanity; and, therefore, I will turn the matter

over on his hands, deliver him the letter, receive what they list to

give me by way of guerdon, and then show the Castle of Kenilworth a pair

of light heels; for, after the work I have been engaged in, it will be,

I fear, neither a safe nor wholesome place of residence, and I would

rather shoe colts an the coldest common in England than share in their

gayest revels."