70 Amye Robsart. 
it happened in that honest gentleman’s house [meaning Mr. 
Forster’s]. His great honesty doth much curb the evil thoughts of 
the people: ” 2.¢., Mr. Forster was so well known as a respectable 
man that no one would believe a crime could be committed in his 
house. 
“ Methinks,” said Blount, “ that some of her people that waited 
on her should have something to say about this? ” 
“No, Sir,” said the landlord, “ but little : for it is said they were 
here at the Fair and none left with her.” 
“ How might that be?” asked Blount. 
“Tt is said,” answered the landlord, “ that she rose that day very 
early, and commanded all her sorte to go to the Fair and would suffer 
none to tarry at home: which was thought a very strange thing 
for her to do.” 
The next morning, (Tuesday, 10th) Blount, having heard what 
was said and thought outside Cumnor, went on to the house itself, 
and had the same account from the lady’s own maid, Mrs. Pinto. 
He then asked her, “ What she thought of the matter; was it 
chance or villainy?” The maid answered, “ By my faith, I judge 
it chance, and neither done by man nor by herself: for she was a 
good virtuous gentlewoman, and daily would pray upon her knees, 
and divers times I have heard her pray to God to deliver her from 
desperation.” “Then [said Blount] she might have an evil eye in 
her mind?” (meaning, I presume, thought of suicide). “ No, good 
Mr. Blount,” “said the maid, “do not so judge of my words. If 
you should so gather, I am sorry I said so much.” 
Blount then writes all these particulars to Dudley, adding, that 
since he had been at Cumnor he had heard several things which led _ 
him to think that Lady Dudley had been somewhat disordered in — 
mind: and that a coroner’s inquest was already sitting. After he 
had sent the messenger off, comes another from Windsor, bringing 
a letter, written by Lord Robert on his receiving the first news 
brought to him by Bowes, whom Blount had met on the road, 
It has been alleged against Dudley that he shewed great in- 
difference by not going down immediately himself. But one may 
look at his conduct in another light. He knew well enough that 
