Kenilworth, Volume 1

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1898. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. This is he Who rides on the court gale, controls its tides, Knows all their secrets shoals and fatal eddies, Whose frown abases, and whose smile exalts. He shines like a rainbow--and, perchance, His colonss are as transient. --Old Play. Thebe was some little displeasure and confusion on the countess' brow, owing to her struggle with Varney's pertinacity; but it was exchanged for an expression of the purest joy and affection, as she threw herself into the anus of the noble stranger who entered, and clasping him to her bosom, exclaimed, At length--at length thou art come!" Varney discreetly withdrew as his lord entered, and Janet was about to do the same, when her mistress signed to her to remain. She took her place at the farther end of the apartment, and continued standing, as if ready for attendance. Meanwhile the earl, for he was of no inferior rank, returned his lady's caress with the most affectionate ardor, but affected to resist when she strove to take his cloak from him. "Nay," she said, " but I will unmantle you. I must see if you have kept your word to me, and come as the great earl men call thee, and not, as heretofore, like a private cavalier." "Thou art like the rest of the world, Amy," said the earl, suffering her to prevail in the playful contest: "the jewels, and feathers, and silk are more to them than the man whom they adorn: many a poor blade looks gay in a velvet scabbard.' "But so cannot men say of thee, thou noble earl," said his lady, as the cloak dropped on the floor, and showed him dressed as princes when they ride abroad: " thou art the good and well-tried steel, whose inly worth deserves, yet disdains, its outward ornaments. Do not think Amy can love thee better in this glorious garb than she did when she gave...