Chapter 37-41 Summary
Chapter 37 Summary
Varney throws himself into the entertainments of the following day, giving pleasure to all by his wit and liveliness. On the other hand, Leicester is miserable, and his wretchedness is evident. He moves like a machine; every word, action, and gesture is an effort. Elizabeth notices but tries to make excuses for him at first. This can only last for so long, however.
Finally, Varney calls Leicester to speak privately and whispers, "All is well!" The Queen's doctor has examined Amy and confirmed the diagnosis of insanity. Varney will be allowed to remove her from the castle. Leicester is determined to deal with Tressilian himself.
Varney is now alarmed at Leicester's fierceness and agitation. This will never do to show to the Queen. He warns the Earl to master himself. Leicester takes offense at Varney's domineering attitude, and Varney clarifies that he will abandon Leicester if he confesses to Elizabeth or continues to give way to his passions. Leicester manages to compose himself. He gives in to Varney's plan to get Amy away from Kenilworth. Still, he reserves the matter of Tressilian for himself. Giving Varney his signet ring as a sign of his authority, Leicester returns to the Queen with a new external appearance, but he still suffers greatly internally.
The doctor speaks with the Queen about Amy, saying she is sullen and will not answer his questions. He recommends her "husband" take her home, for her "weak brain" is much disturbed. The Queen makes a joke about women like this, and Leicester manages to respond appropriately.
The next entertainment is a pageant representing the history of England. At the end of it, a masked man approaches Leicester and asks him for an "instant conference."
Chapter 38 Summary
The man tells Leicester that they must speak privately for the sake of the honor of both of them. The Earl demands to know who he is. Tressilian reveals himself and claims that he only requires justice from Leicester. After the Queen has retired, the Earl finally agrees to meet with him in the Pleasance.
The conversation turns again to Amy and Varney as Leicester rejoins the Queen. The words torture him, but he maintains his self-control.
Later that evening, Leicester learns that Varney has already left the castle. He sends Lambourne an urgent message that Varney will bring Amy back to Cumnor Place but takes no further action. Varney must return to the castle with the signet ring at once or at least send the ring with a messenger.
Leicester broods about his false wife and thinks he will send her far away. He is no longer bound to her. Then he goes out into the garden. The Earl and Tressilian speak, but Leicester is in no mood to listen to Tressilian's attempts to explain the situation. The two men fight, only to be interrupted by the Queen's guard. They slip away but agree to meet the next day. Hunsdon approaches Leicester to complain about the way Amy has been treated.
Chapter 39 Summary
The next day's entertainment is a mock battle between the English and the Danes performed by the local peasants. In the confusion, Leicester slips away to meet Tressilian in a private place outside the castle. The two fight again and Tressilian is disarmed and forced to the ground. Suddenly a boy grabs the Earl by the legs and refuses to let go. He gives Leicester the letter that Amy wrote to him.
Leicester reads the letter and realizes he has been wrong about Amy the whole time. Wayland runs up and joins the...
(This entire section contains 1254 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
Earl, Tressilian, and the boy (who is Dickie). The smith explains everything that has happened, and Leicester finally admits he is Amy's husband. He will go to the Queen, confess, and then start directly for Cumnor Place.
Tressilian and Dickie follow the Earl back to Kenilworth, and Dickie explains that he took the letter because he was mad at Wayland for not sharing his secret. He regrets his action and has been trying to set things right.
Chapter 40 Summary
When Tressilian arrives at the castle, he learns from Blount and Raleigh that Leicester is with the Queen. Tressilian enters the hall and knocks on the door of the Queen's apartment. He is admitted at once. He finds the Queen pacing, the Earl kneeling on the floor, and everything in an uproar. Leicester has made his confession, and the Queen is furious. Burleigh, one of the Queen's closest advisers, tries to comfort Elizabeth, reminding her to be herself, the strong, noble Queen she is.
Elizabeth pulls herself together and orders Tressilian to tell his story. When he has finished, she says she will take Wayland into her service and give Dickie a place in the Secretary's office. She also praises Tressilian for his character. Leicester then tells his whole story and throws himself on her mercy. The Queen is still highly offended and announces Leicester's marriage to the court in a way that embarrasses him. The Earl asks permission to go to Cumnor Place, but Elizabeth sends Tressilian and Raleigh instead.
Most people snub Leicester that day. Only Sussex and a few others support him. Leicester endures it the best he can, and the Queen eventually relents a little. Tressilian, Raleigh, Wayland, and others set out for Cumnor Place, praying they are still in time.
Chapter 41 Summary
The story jumps back in time. Varney and Foster are preparing to leave the castle. They go to get Amy, who resists and screams. Yet no one will help her, and she knows it. Foster promises his protection if she goes quietly. She does. Foster and another servant named Robin Tider ride by her horse litter. Varney stays well back from the party. Along the way, Lambourne rides up to Varney with Leicester's message. Varney shoots him and leaves him for dead.
When the travelers reach Cumnor Place, Foster and Varney lock Amy in Foster's private room. Amy grieves that Janet is no longer there to serve her. Foster has sent his daughter to her aunts. Foster's room is entered through a landing place at the top of a long staircase. The landing place has a trap door that Foster uses to make his room inaccessible to others.
Varney consults with Alasco but finds him dead from the poisons he has been working with. Varney then moves to his second plan. He will rig the trap door to give way when Amy steps on it, plunging her to her death. Foster is horrified, but Varney promises him ownership of Cumnor Place if he cooperates. Foster agrees but warns Amy not to leave the room. Varney mimics Leicester's signal in the courtyard, and Amy hurries out to meet her husband, falling as she does. Varney and Foster watch from above as she dies.
Tressilian and Raleigh ride up not much later and find Amy. Foster flees. Varney is caught but kills himself with poison. As time passes, Janet becomes the mistress of Cumnor Place and marries Wayland. The servants always claim to hear strange noises near the place of Amy's death. Years later, Janet and Wayland's son are researching Cumnor Place. He finds a hidden room with a chest of gold and a human skeleton. Foster's fate is now known.
Leicester retires after Amy's death but is later recalled to court. He dies by the poison he intends for another many years later. Tressilian accompanies Raleigh to the New World and dies there. Dickie becomes a favorite aide to the Queen's advisers.
