manner is Raleigh's position strengthened by the events recorded in chapter seventeen? Notice Blount's words to Raleigh. What disposition is made of Wayland Smith at this point in the story? Note 17. Chapter eighteen touches upon the belief in astrology prevalent in the sixteenth century. Alasco, the astrologer, reads to Leicester the horoscope which he has cast for him (with the aid of Varney). Varney sends Alasco, under the guidance of Michael Lambourne, to Cumnor to prepare there the manna of Saint Nicholas (see Note 15). This drug will prevent Amy from attending the ceremonies at Kenilworth.

In chapters nineteen and twenty, Wayland Smith, in the guise of a peddler, brings Tressilian's ring (See Note 13) to the landlord of the Cumnor inn; and, with the landlord's aid, obtains an interview with Amy and Janet. He wins the confidence of Janet, warns her of the astrologer, and persuades Amy to buy from his pack the drug which is an antidote for the poison that Alasco is preparing.

8. Chapter 21.

Realm.

The Most Unhappy Man in the Whole

a. Leicester advances steadily in the Queen's favor; Elizabeth intends, apparently, to associate him by matrimony into her sovereign power.

(1) Simile used to describe Leicester's position.
(2) Discussion of Queen Elizabeth's character.
(3) Consequences should the Queen learn that Leices-
ter is already married.

(4) Amy's summons to Kenilworth an inextricable
difficulty.

(a) Varney's plans and Leicester's objections.
(b) The plan agreed upon is that Amy, for rea-
sons of political necessity, shall appear at
Kenilworth as Varney's wife. Leicester
writes to his wife a letter urging her to
accede to the plan.

Note 18. The climax of the novel occurs at this point. The
moment when Varney sets out for Cumnor with the
letter, marks, as the astrologers have predicted, the
very crisis of Leicester's fate.

Chapters twenty-two and twenty-three reveal the character and disposition of Amy Robsart, as she scornfully refuses to grant her husband's request. Janet discovers that Varney, aided by her father, is trying to poison Amy, and assists her to escape with the aid of the peddler.

Throughout these scenes, Amy fails to appeal to the reader's sympathy because of her unreasoning childish

ness. Scott, never happy in his delineation of feminine character, is particularly unfortunate here; for the reader, against his will, finds himself sympathizing with Leicester and his ambitions.

Suggestion 7. Why does the poison, prepared by Alasco and administered by Varney, fail of its effect?

9. Chapter 24. On the Road from Cumnor to Kenilworth. a. With only one horse, Wayland Smith in the garb of a peddler and Amy Robsart dressed as a serving maid set out for Kenilworth. The need of another

horse is imperative.

b. By his shrewdness the peddler procures the horse intended for the mercer's wedding journey.

(1) Reproduce the conversation with the farmer's boy. (2) The mercer comes up and demands his horse; Wayland's action.

c. At Donnington, the horse is returned to the mercer. (1) Change of apparel.

(2) Wayland plans to join a party of mummers which has just left Donnington for Kenilworth.

(a) Varney and Michael Lambourne choose the same road as the fugitives.

(b) Wayland and his charge succeed in overtaking the revellers and quietly attach themselves to the group.

(c) Varney urges the revellers to make more haste; inquires about the two who have just joined the party.

(d) Dickie Sludge, having recognized Wayland, cames to the rescue; Varney rides on.

(e) Wayland and the countess stop at an inn just out of Warwick.

Suggestion 8. How does the conversation with the farmer's boy differ from the other dialogues of the story? Identify the man who answered in Latin? How was Dickie dressed? Where have we met these two before? What information did Dickie give to Varney?

Note 19. Start-ups, a sort of rustic boot with high tops; Hue and cry, a phrase used to describe a body of persons joining in pursuit of a suspected thief; Haro, the cry used to summon the Hue and Cry; Gull, a fool; King Cambyses' vein, Cambyses was a pompous, ranting character in a sixteenth century play; A Roland for an Oliver-a blow for a blow, tit for tat. Roland and Oliver were two of the paladins of Charlemagne, and their prowess and exploits were exactly the same. The

two met in single combat and fought for five days, but neither gained the advantage. Provant rapier, of inferior quality.

Note 20. In chapter twenty-five, the journey to Kenilworth is continued without incident. The chapter contains a description of Kenilworth Castle, given to Leicester by Elizabeth and destroyed by Cromwell.

10. At Kenilworth Castle.

a. Time and place of action.

b. Chapter 26. Wayland and Amy reach Kenilworth. (1) The tower guards.

(a) The warder; his attire; his manner; Dickie comes again to the rescue; nature of his service to the warder and to Wayland.

(b) The warder admits Wavland and his companion.

(2) Plan of the castle.

(3) Amy is lodged in Mervyn's tower.

(a) Amy writes a letter to Leicester and gives it to Wayland to deliver in person.

(b) Wayland decides to put the whole affair into the hands of Tressilian.

Note 21. Heptarchy, the Seven Kingdoms of Saxon England. Afrite, a demon, the symbol of whatever is terrible and monstrous; Colbrand and Ascapart, two enormous giants in English fiction. The latter was thirty feet high and the space between his eyes was twelve inches; Chopin, a high-heeled shoe.

In chapters, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, and twentynine, Tressilian enters the tower chamber which has been assigned to him, and finds Amy Robsart there. He wishes to present Amy's case to the Queen as soon as she arrives at Kenilworth, but Amy begs for twentyfour hours delay before he puts his plan into execution. Lambourne appears on the scene throughout these chapters, gleaning information with which to complicate matters later.

c. Chapter 30. Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth: the Gallery-Tower.

Note 22. The chapter opens with an interesting conversation between Blount and Raleigh, the correctly attired courtiers, and the dusty, travel-stained Tressilian. The scene puts the reader in close touch with the life of the Elizabethan era: its dress, amusements, court ceremonies, mode of speech and thought, etc. Raleigh is the most satisfying character in the novel, the only

light-hearted, care-free personage in the story, with the possible exception of Dickie Sludge.

(1) Scene at the entrance tower: date.

(a) In what metaphor does Raleigh give voice to his ambition?

(b) Blount's warning.

(c) The welcome; the cavalcade; the Queen and retinue.

(d) Word picture of Leicester on his black steed. (e) The gigantic warder, prompted by Dickie, delivers the speech of welcome.

(f) The water pageant: Lambourne's buffonery. (g) The fireworks.

d. Chapter 31. In the Hall of the Castle: The PresenceChamber.

(1) Decorations of the hall.

(2) The Earl of Leicester bids the Queen welcome and

asks permission to retire.

(a) Blount, Raleigh, and Tressilian remain in attendance.

(b) The Queen talks with Raleigh, notices Tressilian, and is reminded of his "supplication" concerning the matter of Amy and Varney. (3) The Earl of Leicester reappears: his attire. (4) The Queen insists on taking up the matter of Amy Robsart.

(a) The attestations from the physician; Tressilian protests; Varney's answers.

(b) Tressilian is undone by his undue vehemence and his careless observance of court customs. (c) The Queen orders Tressilian away from her

presence.

Note 23. In chapter thirty-two, Queen Elizabeth confers the order of knighthood upon Raleigh, Blount, and Varney. In the closing scene of the chapter, Varney leads Leicester's thoughts towards the height he might reach were Amy removed from his path. In chapter thirty-three, Amy wanders from her chamber and finds her way to the Pleasance, where she seats herself in a dark and remote corner.

e. Chapter 34. In the Pleasance.

(1) The conversation of Elizabeth and the Earl of

Leicester; Elizabeth's answer to the Earl's importunities.

(2) Scene between the Queen and Amy; Amy involves Leicester in her complaint to the Queen.

(3) The angry Queen summons the Earl of Leicester. (a) Describe the tableau.

(b) Leicester's action; Hunsdoun's remonstrance
to the Queen.

(c) Amy recovers herself and retracts her words.
(d) Varney easily convinces the Queen that Amy
is insane and has escaped from restraint.
(e) The Queen apologizes to Leicester.

Note 24. From this point the book declines in interest, is carelessly written, and is of little value. The rest of the story is developed by a succession of most harrowing scenes.

In chapter thirty-five, Leicester has an interview with his wife, in which she urges him to make a manly and an honest confession to the Queen and take the consequences. The appeal moves Leicester to such an extent that he decides to follow her advice.

While the Earl of Leicester is deep in his plans for pursuing this course, Varney, as a last resort, says that Amy is false and loves Tressilian. He offers what seems to be convincing proofs of these statements. Varney uses all his cunning and eloquence to convince Leicester that Amy must be put out of the way and her husband made king-consort. Finally, Leicester consents and Amy is taken to Cumnor Place. Here Varney inveigles her into a dark passage, under the pretence that her husband is waiting there for her. She rushes forward to meet him and, according to a prearranged plan, falls through an opened trap-door and is killed.

Meanwhile, Leicester, who had soon repented of his action, sends Michael Lambourne in hot haste to countermand his orders and to bring back his signet ring. The earl himself seeks an encounter with Tressilian.

f. Chapter 39. From, He had withdrawn-to the end. (1) The interrupted duel.

(a) Dickie Sludge brings Leicester the letter which Amy had written when she came to the castle.

(b) Purport of the letter; Wayland's story; Dickie's confession; Leicester realizes Varney's treachery.

g. Chapter 40. The Confession.