“Not entirely,” answered Mary. “Wyat’s first charge was supported by Lord Russell’s son.”
“Take me to him, or send for him hither,” rejoined Elizabeth. “He has been suborned, like Wyat, by Renard. I will stake my life that he denies it.”
“I will not refute the idle charge brought against me,” observed Renard, who had been for a moment confounded by Wyat’s accusation. “Your majesty will at once discern its utter groundlessness.”
“I ask no clemency for myself,” interposed Courtenay, speaking for the first time; “but I beseech your highness not to let the words of that false and crafty Spaniard weigh against your sister. From his perfidious counsels all these disasters have originated.”
“You would screen the princess in the hope of obtaining her hand, my lord,” replied Mary. “I see through your purpose, and will defeat it.”
“So far from it,” replied the Earl, “I here solemnly renounce all pretensions to her.”
“Courtenay!” exclaimed Elizabeth, in a tone of anguish.
“Recent events have cured me of love and ambition,” pursued the Earl, without regarding her. “All I desire is freedom.”
“And is it for one so unworthy that I have entertained this regard?” cried Elizabeth. “But I am rightly punished.”
“You are so,” replied Mary, bitterly. “And you now taste some of the pangs you inflicted upon me.”