Chapter 5-8 Summary
Chapter 5 Summary
Foster is still arguing with Amy when she hears someone coming. She immediately thinks it is her lord but is disappointed when she sees Richard Varney. Amy's lord will come that evening, and excitedly, she calls Janet, her maid, and Foster's daughter, to help her prepare. Varney produces a package and letter for Amy. Opening it, the lady finds a pearl necklace, but she is more excited about the letter and quickly retires to her room.
Varney tells Foster he must learn to control Amy better and then asks why Tressilian was on the grounds. The two discuss Foster's encounter with Lambourne and Tressilian's unexpected meeting with Amy. Foster talks about repentance and balks at harming Tressilian should he appear again, but Varney reminds him of how much money he can make if he does his job well.
Varney and Foster meet for a meal and discuss their lord's retinue. It must include all kinds of people, some unscrupulous, to handle jobs their lord would not take on himself. These men will rise or fall with him. The conversation then turns to Amy. Varney assures Foster that Amy is bound to him in ways she does not understand. After all, Varney was the one who told his lord to marry the lady after she refused to accompany him otherwise. Varney responds that Amy will learn to "know her friends," hinting that if she does not, she will find herself among dangerous enemies.
Lambourne returns, and Varney tells Foster to bring him into the library. When Foster leaves the room, Varney speaks to himself, admitting that he is both attracted to and fearful of Amy. He wants to ruin or possess her, and he is unsure which. He will, however, share a secret with her, and then he will have her in his power.
Chapter 6 Summary
Four rooms of Cumnor Place have been beautifully redesigned with luxury appropriate to Amy's new status. They are richly decorated with ornate furnishings and elaborate fabrics. Countess Amy, for that is what she has become at her marriage, has not seen this part of the estate because her "guardians" did not want the workmen to catch a glimpse of her.
Now Amy tours the rooms, exclaiming with delight to Janet about the wonders of her new home. As Janet fixes her mistress' hair, Amy muses that she might tell her husband, a powerful Earl, things about Varney that would deprive the latter of his favored position. Janet urges her to leave God to punish Varney and not to cross him.
Varney and Foster enter the room, and Amy offers Varney her hand "in reconciliation." Foster offers a clumsy half-apology that Amy accepts. He then leaves. Varney brings up the subject of Tressilian, accusing the latter of inventing the news of Amy's father's illness. Amy defends Tressilian's honor, but Varney's smooth speech leads her to conclude that Tressilian may have exaggerated a bit.
Varney then advises Amy not to mention the visit from Tressilian to her husband. He hints that some harm might come to Tressilian if she does so. Amy resists, for she intends to be entirely truthful to her lord. She says she knows the cure for jealousy, which is the full truth. Varney suggests that they let the whole matter drop. The Earl need know nothing about the visit. The arrival of a cloaked man interrupts the conversation.
Chapter 7 Summary
The man is none other than the Earl of Leicester and Amy's husband. Amy greets him with joy and love, and he promptly returns. She marvels at his...
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appearance and questions him about his courtly ornaments. He explains the significance of each one.
As the conversation progresses, Amy wonders if she can ever travel to her husband's castles and appear with him in public, "the avowed wife of England's noblest Earl." The Earl assures her that such will happen someday, but Amy asks why it cannot be immediately. The Earl explains that his position in Elizabeth's court still needs to be secure, and he dares not announce his marriage. Amy must remain out of sight by necessity.
The Earl asks about Foster, and Amy says she has nothing to complain of. She then praises Janet's service, and the Earl rewards the young maid with five gold pieces. Amy starts to ask her husband for a favor, intending to explain about Tressilian's visit, but he puts her off before she can. Varney and Foster join the Earl and Amy at a banquet, and then the husband and wife retire for the night.
The following day, Varney helps the Earl prepare for his journey. The Earl complains that his court ornaments have become fetters. He longs to be free of his ambition and rank and enjoy his marriage. Varney quickly reminds the Earl of his patriotic duty to his country and what may happen if he were not at court. His rival, the Earl of Sussex, may take power. The Earl backs away from his musing and says goodbye to Amy.
Left alone, Varney reflects that he must continue to appeal to the Earl's ambition. He has Amy where he wants her now, with the secret of Tressilian's visit to use against her as needed. Varney's ambition is clear. He wants to use the Earl to make his way to the top.
Amy wishes her husband did not have to leave so soon. She asks him if she can share their secret with her father, for "they say he is ill." The Earl wonders who "they" are, but Amy quickly assures him that she means no one in particular. She wants to see her father. Her husband tells her they must keep their secret and mentions Tressilian as a risk. Amy defends Tressilian but is alarmed by the Earl's vehement words against him. She senses that her husband could turn violent if Tressilian crosses him, and she says nothing about the latter's visit.
The Earl leaves Cumnor Place, once again in disguise. Varney warns Foster to hold to their plans and say nothing of Tressilian. Varney then meats with Lambourne, who has lost Tressilian. The latter left the inn during the night. Varney and Lambourne make a deal, and Lambourne accompanies Varney to Woodstock, where the Earl has gone. The Earl speaks to the people there, and then the party returns to Elizabeth's court.
Chapter 8 Summary
The tale jumps slightly back in time to record the uncomfortable encounter between Tressilian and Lambourne on the evening of the visit. During the night, Gosling tells Tressilian to leave the inn at once. He fears for Tressilian's safety.
Tressilian tells the story of his family and its connections to Sir Roger and Sir Hugh Robsart, Amy's grandfather and father. Tressilian is a companion to Sir Hugh and is in love with Amy. Her father wished for marriage between Amy and Sir Hugh, and Amy seemed willing until Richard Varney showed up. Not long after, Amy disappeared from her father's house. Tressilian has come to find her.
Gosling warns Tressilian not to do anything rash. Tressilian intends to appeal to the Earl of Leicester against Varney. Still, the landlord tells him to go to the Queen instead. He also advises Tressilian to forget Amy. Tressilian replies that he wants to restore Amy to her father.
Tressilian engages the reluctant Gosling as a source of information, saying he will send a messenger with his ring as a sign. Then Gosling leads him out of the inn and sends him away into the night.
