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"Varney," said Leicester, "I cannot urge her to aught so repugnant

to her noble nature as a share in this stratagem; it would be a base

requital to the love she bears me"

"Well, my lord," said Varney, "your lordship is a wise and an honourable

h points of romantic scruple which are

current in Arcadia perhaps, as your nephew, Philip Sidney, writes I

am your humble servitor--a e of it, and its ways, is such as your lordship has not scorned

to avail yourself of Noould fain knohether the obligation lies

on my lady or on you in this fortunate union, and which has most reason

to show complaisance to the other, and to consider that other's wishes,

conveniences, and safety?"

"I tell thee, Varney," said the Earl, "that all it was in my power to

bestow upon her was not merely deserved, but a thousand tireatness descend upon a

creature so forrace and adorn it"

"It is well, my lord, you are so satisfied," answered Varney, with his

usual sardonic smile, which even respect to his patron could not at

all tih to enjoy undisturbed the