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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Kenilworth by Walter Scott: he or the Earl of Leicester might ultimately have the higher rank
in her regard.
Elizabeth, like many of her sex, was fond of governing by
factions, so as to balance two opposing interests, and reserve in
her own hand the power of making either predominate, as the
interest of the state, or perhaps as her own female caprice (for
to that foible even she was not superior), might finally
determine. To finesse--to hold the cards--to oppose one interest
to another--to bridle him who thought himself highest in her
esteem, by the fears he must entertain of another equally
trusted, if not equally beloved, were arts which she used
Kenilworth |
