"We hold both to be near and dear to us, and will with impartiality employ both in honourable service for the weal of our kingdom.

But we will break their further conference at present .-- My Lords of Sussex and Leicester, we have a word more with you.

'Tressilian and Varney are near your persons--you will see that they attend you at Kenilworth.

And as we shall then have both Paris and Menelaus within our call, so we will have the same fair Helen also, whose fickleness has caused this broil .-- Varney, thy wife must be at Kenilworth, and forthcoming at my order .-- My Lord of Leicester, we expect you will look to this." The Earl and his follower bowed low and raised their heads, without daring to look at the Queen, or at each other, for both felt at the instant as if the nets and toils which their own falsehood had woven were in the act of closing around them.

The Queen, however, observed not their confusion, but proceeded to say, "My Lords of Sussex and Leicester, we require your presence at the privy-council to be presently held, where matters of importance are to be debated.