下载辰思小说免费APP
"Ifitwereso，madam，"answeredJanetFoster，"mymotherhadthosewhocouldkeepherinhonourablecountenance。Why，evenyou，mylady，bothtrembledandblushedwhenVarneybroughttheletterfrommylord。"
"Youarebold，damsel，"saidtheCountess，risingfromthecushionsonwhichshesathalfreclinedinthearmsofherattendant。"Knowthattherearecausesoftremblingwhichhavenothingtodowithfear。——But，Janet，"sheadded，immediatelyrelapsingintothegood—naturedandfamiliartonewhichwasnaturaltoher，"believeme，IwilldowhatcreditIcantoyourfather，andtheratherthatyou，sweetheart，arehischild。
Alas！alas！"sheadded，asuddensadnesspassingoverherfinefeatures，andhereyesfillingwithtears，"Ioughttherathertoholdsympathywiththykindheart，thatmyownpoorfatherisuncertainofmyfate，andtheysayliessickandsorrowfulformyworthlesssake！ButIwillsooncheerhim——thenewsofmyhappinessandadvancementwillmakehimyoungagain。AndthatI
maycheerhimthesooner"——shewipedhereyesasshespoke——"I
mustbecheerfulmyself。Mylordmustnotfindmeinsensibletohiskindness，orsorrowful，whenhesnatchesavisittohisrecluse，aftersolonganabsence。Bemerry，Janet;thenightwearson，andmylordmustsoonarrive。Callthyfatherhither，andcallVarneyalso。Icherishresentmentagainstneither;andthoughImayhavesomeroomtobedispleasedwithboth，itshallbetheirownfaultifeveracomplaintagainstthemreachestheEarlthroughmymeans。Callthemhither，Janet。"
JanetFosterobeyedhermistress;andinafewminutesafter，Varneyenteredthewithdrawing—roomwiththegracefuleaseanduncloudedfrontofanaccomplishedcourtier，skilled，undertheveilofexternalpoliteness，todisguisehisownfeelingsandtopenetratethoseofothers。AnthonyFosterploddedintotheapartmentafterhim，hisnaturalgloomyvulgarityofaspectseemingtobecomeyetmoreremarkable，fromhisclumsyattempttoconcealthemixtureofanxietyanddislikewithwhichhelookedonher，overwhomhehadhithertoexercisedsosevereacontrol，nowsosplendidlyattired，anddeckedwithsomanypledgesoftheinterestwhichshepossessedinherhusband\'saffections。Theblunderingreverencewhichhemade，ratherATthanTOtheCountess，hadconfessioninit。Itwaslikethereverencewhichthecriminalmakestothejudge，whenheatonceownshisguiltandimploresmercy——whichisatthesametimeanimpudentandembarrassedattemptatdefenceorextenuation，aconfessionofafault，andanentreatyforlenity。
Varney，who，inrightofhisgentleblood，hadpressedintotheroombeforeAnthonyFoster，knewbetterwhattosaythanhe，andsaiditwithmoreassuranceandabettergrace。
TheCountessgreetedhimindeedwithanappearanceofcordiality，whichseemedacompleteamnestyforwhatevershemighthavetocomplainof。Sherosefromherseat，andadvancedtwostepstowardshim，holdingforthherhandasshesaid，"MasterRichardVarney，youbroughtmethismorningsuchwelcometidings，thatI
fearsurpriseandjoymademeneglectmylordandhusband\'schargetoreceiveyouwithdistinction。Weofferyouourhand，sir，inreconciliation。"
"Iamunworthytotouchit，"saidVarney，droppingononeknee，"saveasasubjecthonoursthatofaprince。"
Hetouchedwithhislipsthosefairandslenderfingers，sorichlyloadedwithringsandjewels;thenrising，withgracefulgallantry，wasabouttohandhertothechairofstate，whenshesaid，"No，goodMasterRichardVarney，Itakenotmyplacethereuntilmylordhimselfconductsme。IamforthepresentbutadisguisedCountess，andwillnottakedignityonmeuntilauthorizedbyhimwhomIderiveitfrom。"
"Itrust，mylady，"saidFoster，"thatindoingthecommandsofmylordyourhusband，inyourrestraintandsoforth，Ihavenotincurredyourdispleasure，seeingthatIdidbutmydutytowardsyourlordandmine;forHeaven，asholywritsaith，hathgiventhehusbandsupremacyanddominionoverthewife——Ithinkitrunsso，orsomethinglikeit。"
"Ireceiveatthismomentsopleasantasurprise，MasterFoster，"
answeredtheCountess，"thatIcannotbutexcusetherigidfidelitywhichsecludedmefromtheseapartments，untiltheyhadassumedanappearancesonewandsosplendid。"
"Aylady，"saidFoster，"ithathcostmanyafaircrown;andthatmoreneednotbewastedthanisabsolutelynecessary，Ileaveyoutillmylord\'sarrivalwithgoodMasterRichardVarney，who，asI
think，hathsomewhattosaytoyoufromyourmostnoblelordandhusband。——Janet，followme，toseethatallbeinorder。"
"No，MasterFoster，"saidtheCountess，"wewillyourdaughterremainshereinourapartment——outofear—shot，however，incaseVarneybathoughttosaytomefrommylord。"
Fostermadehisclumsyreverence，anddeparted，withanaspectwhichseemedtogrudgetheprofuseexpensewhichhadbeenwasteduponchanginghishousefromabareandruinousgrangetoanAsiasticpalace。Whenhewasgone，hisdaughtertookherembroideryframe，andwenttoestablishherselfatthebottomoftheapartment;whileRichardVarney，withaprofoundlyhumblecourtesy，tooktheloweststoolhecouldfind，andplacingitbythesideofthepileofcushionsonwhichtheCountesshadnowagainseatedherself，satwithhiseyesforatimefixedontheground，andinpro—foundsilence"Ithought，MasterVarney，"saidtheCountess，whenshesawhewasnotlikelytoopentheconversation，"thatyouhadsomethingtocommunicatefrommylordandhusband;soatleastIunderstoodMasterFoster，andthereforeIremovedmywaiting—maid。IfIammistaken，Iwillrecallhertomyside;forherneedleisnotsoabsolutelyperfectintentandcross—stitch，butthatmysuperintendenceisadvisable。"
"Lady，"saidVarney，"Fosterwaspartlymistakeninmypurpose。
ItwasnotFROMbutOFyournoblehusband，andmyapprovedandmostnoblepatron，thatIamled，andindeedbound，tospeak。"
"Thethemeismostwelcome，sir，"saidtheCountess，"whetheritbeoforfrommynoblehusband。Butbebrief，forIexpecthishastyapproach。"
"Brieflythen，madam，"repliedVarney，"andboldly，formyargumentrequiresbothhasteandcourage——youhavethisdayseenTressilian？"
"Ihave，sirandwhatofthat？"answeredtheladysomewhatsharply。
"Nothingthatconcernsme，lady，"Varneyrepliedwithhumility。
"But，thinkyou，honouredmadam，thatyourlordwillhearitwithequalequanimity？"
"Andwhereforeshouldhenot？TomealonewasTressilian\'svisitembarrassingandpainful，forhebroughtnewsofmygoodfather\'sillness。"
"Ofyourfather\'sillness，madam！"answeredVarney。"Itmusthavebeensuddenthen——verysudden;forthemessengerwhomI
dispatched，atmylord\'sinstance，foundthegoodknightonthehuntingfield，cheeringhisbeagleswithhiswontedjovialfield—
cry。ItrustTressilianhasbutforgedthisnews。Hehathhisreasons，madam，asyouwellknow，fordisquietingyourpresenthappiness。"
"Youdohiminjustice，MasterVarney，"repliedtheCountess，withanimation——"youdohimmuchinjustice。Heisthefreest，themostopen，themostgentleheartthatbreathes。Myhonourablelordeverexcepted，IknownotonetowhomfalsehoodismoreodiousthantoTressilian。"
"Icraveyourpardon，madam，"saidVarney，"Imeantthegentlemannoinjustice——Iknewnothownearlyhiscauseaffectedyou。A
manmay，insomecircumstances，disguisethetruthforfairandhonestpurpose;forwereittobealwaysspoken，anduponalloccasions，thiswerenoworldtolivein。"
"Youhaveacourtlyconscience，MasterVarney，"saidtheCountess，"andyourveracitywillnot，Ithink，interruptyourprefermentintheworld，suchasitis。ButtouchingTressilian——Imustdohimjustice，forIhavedonehimwrong，asnoneknowsbetterthanthou。Tressilian\'sconscienceisofothermould——theworldthouspeakestofhasnotthatwhichcouldbribehimfromthewayoftruthandhonour;andforlivinginitwithasoiledfame，theerminewouldassoonseektolodgeinthedenofthefoulpolecat。Forthismyfatherlovedhim;forthisIwouldhavelovedhim——ifIcould。Andyetinthiscasehehadwhatseemedtohim，unknowingalikeofmymarriageandtowhomIwasunited，suchpowerfulreasonstowithdrawmefromthisplace，thatIwelltrustheexaggeratedmuchofmyfather\'sindisposition，andthatthybetternewsmaybethetruer。"
"Believemetheyare，madam，"answeredVarney。"Ipretendnottobeachampionofthatsamenakedvirtuecalledtruth，totheveryoutrance。Icanconsentthathercharmsbehiddenwithaveil，wereitbutfordecency\'ssake。Butyoumustthinklowerofmyheadandheartthanisduetoonewhommynoblelorddeignstocallhisfriend，ifyousupposeIcouldwilfullyandunnecessarilypalmuponyourladyshipafalsehood，sosoontobedetected，inamatterwhichconcernsyourhappiness。"
"MasterVarney，"saidtheCountess，"Iknowthatmylordesteemsyou，andholdsyouafaithfulandagoodpilotinthoseseasinwhichhehasspreadsohighandsoventurousasail。Donotsuppose，therefore，Imeanthardlybyyou，whenIspokethetruthinTressilian\'svindication。Iamasyouwellknow，country—
bred，andlikeplainrustictruthbetterthancourtlycompliment;
butImustchangemyfashionswithmysphere，Ipresume。"
"True，madam，"saidVarney，smiling;"andthoughyouspeaknowinjest，itwillnotbeamissthatinearnestyourpresentspeechhadsomeconnectionwithyourrealpurpose。Acourt—dame——takethemostnoble，themostvirtuous，themostunimpeachablethatstandsaroundourQueen\'sthrone——would，forexample，haveshunnedtospeakthetruth，orwhatshethoughtsuch，inpraiseofadiscardedsuitor，beforethedependantandconfidantofhernoblehusband。"
"Andwherefore，"saidtheCountess，colouringimpatiently，"shouldInotdojusticetoTressilian\'sworth，beforemyhusband\'sfriend——beforemyhusbandhimself——beforethewholeworld？"
"Andwiththesameopenness，"saidVarney，"yourladyshipwillthisnighttellmynoblelordyourhusbandthatTressilianhasdiscoveredyourplaceofresidence，soanxiouslyconcealedfromtheworld，andthathehashadaninterviewwithyou？"
"Unquestionably，"saidtheCountess。"ItwillbethefirstthingItellhim，togetherwitheverywordthatTressiliansaidandthatIanswered。Ishallspeakmyownshameinthis，forTressilian\'sreproaches，lessjustthanheesteemedthem，werenotaltogetherunmerited。Iwillspeak，therefore，withpain，butIwillspeak，andspeakall。"
"Yourladyshipwilldoyourpleasure，"answeredVarney;"butmethinksitwereaswell，sincenothingcallsforsofrankadisclosure，tospareyourselfthispain，andmynoblelordthedisquiet，andMasterTressilian，sincebelikehemustbethoughtofinthematter，thedangerwhichisliketoensue。"
"Icanseenoughtofalltheseterribleconsequences，"saidtheladycomposedly，"unlessbyimputingtomynoblelordunworthythoughts，whichIamsureneverharbouredinhisgenerousheart。"
"Farbeitfrommetodoso，"saidVarney。Andthen，afteramoment\'ssilence，headded，witharealoraffectedplainnessofmanner，verydifferentfromhisusualsmoothcourtesy，"Come，madam，Iwillshowyouthatacourtierdarespeaktruthaswellasanother，whenitconcernsthewealofthosewhomhehonoursandregards，ay，andalthoughitmayinferhisowndanger。"Hewaitedasiftoreceivecommands，oratleastpermission，togoon;butastheladyremainedsilent，heproceeded，butobviouslywithcaution。"Lookaroundyou，"hesaid，"noblelady，andobservethebarrierswithwhichthisplaceissurrounded，thestudiousmysterywithwhichthebrightestjewelthatEnglandpossessesissecludedfromtheadmiringgaze。Seewithwhatrigouryourwalksarecircumscribed。andyourmovementrestrainedatthebeckofyonderchurlishFoster。Considerallthis，andjudgeforyourselfwhatcanbethecause。
"Mylord\'spleasure，"answeredtheCountess;"andIamboundtoseeknoothermotive。"
"Hispleasureitisindeed，"saidVarney;"andhispleasurearisesoutofaloveworthyoftheobjectwhichinspiresit。Buthewhopossessesatreasure，andwhovaluesit，isoftanxious，inproportiontothevalueheputsuponit，tosecureitfromthedepredationsofothers。"
"Whatneedsallthistalk，MasterVarney？"saidthelady，inreply。"Youwouldhavemebelievethatmynoblelordisjealous。Supposeittrue，Iknowacureforjealousy。"
"Indeed，madam？"saidVarney。
"Itis，"repliedthelady，"tospeakthetruthtomylordatalltimes——toholdupmymindandmythoughtsbeforehimaspureasthatpolishedmirror——sothatwhenhelooksintomyheart，heshallonlyseehisownfeaturesreflectedthere。"
"Iammute，madamansweredVarney;"andasIhavenoreasontogrieveforTressilian，whowouldhavemyheart\'sbloodwereheable，Ishallreconcilemyselfeasilytowhatmaybefallthegentlemaninconsequenceofyourfrankdisclosureofhishavingpresumedtointrudeuponyoursolitude。You，whoknowmylordsomuchbetterthanI，willjudgeifhebelikelytobeartheinsultunavenged。"
"Nay，ifIcouldthinkmyselfthecauseofTressilian\'sruin，"
saidtheCountess，"Iwhohavealreadyoccasionedhimsomuchdistress，Imightbebroughttobesilent。Andyetwhatwillitavail，sincehewasseenbyFoster，andIthinkbysomeoneelse？
No，no，Varney，urgeitnomore。Iwilltellthewholemattertomylord;andwithsuchpleadingforTressilian\'sfolly，asshalldisposemylord\'sgenerousheartrathertoservethantopunishhim。"
"Yourjudgment，madam，"saidVarney，"isfarsuperiortomine，especiallyasyoumay，ifyouwill，provetheicebeforeyousteponit，bymentioningTressilian\'snametomylord，andobservinghowheenduresit。ForFosterandhisattendant，theyknownotTressilianbysight，andIcaneasilygivethemsomereasonableexcusefortheappearanceofanunknownstranger。"
Theladypausedforaninstant，andthenreplied，"If，Varney，itbeindeedtruethatFosterknowsnotasyetthatthemanhesawwasTressilian，IownIwereunwillingheshouldlearnwhatnowiseconcernshim。Hebearshimselfalreadywithausterityenough，andIwishhimnottobejudgeorprivy—councillorinmyaffairs。"
"Tush，"saidVarney，"whathasthesurlygroomtodowithyourladyship\'sconcerns？——nomore，surely，thantheban—dogwhichwatcheshiscourtyard。Ifheisinaughtdistastefultoyourladyship，Ihaveinterestenoughtohavehimexchangedforaseneschalthatshallbemoreagreeabletoyou。"
"MasterVarney，"saidtheCountess，"letusdropthistheme。
WhenIcomplainoftheattendantswhommylordhasplacedaroundme，itmustbetomylordhimself。——Hark！Ihearthetramplingofhorse。Hecomes！hecomes！"sheexclaimed，jumpingupinecstasy。
"Icannotthinkitishe，"saidVarney;"orthatyoucanhearthetreadofhishorsethroughtheclosely—mantledcasements。"
"Stopmenot，Varney——myearsarekeenerthanthine。Itishe！"
"But，madam！——but，madam！"exclaimedVarneyanxiously，andstillplacinghimselfinherway，"ItrustthatwhatIhavespokeninhumbledutyandservicewillnotbeturnedtomyruin？Ihopethatmyfaithfuladvicewillnotbebewrayedtomyprejudice？I
implorethat——"
"Contentthee，man——contentthee！"saidtheCountess，"andquitmyskirt——youaretooboldtodetainme。Contentthyself，I
thinknotofthee。"
Atthismomentthefolding—doorsflewwideopen，andamanofmajesticmien，muffledinthefoldsofalongdarkriding—cloak，enteredtheapartment。
CHAPTERVII。
ThisisheWhoridesonthecourt—gale;controlsitstides;
Knowsalltheirsecretshoalsandfataleddies;
Whosefrownabases，andwhosesmileexalts。
Heshineslikeanyrainbow——and，perchance，Hiscoloursareastransient。"OLDPLAY。
TherewassomelittledispleasureandconfusionontheCountess\'sbrow，owingtoherstrugglewithVarney\'spertinacity;butitwasexchangedforanexpressionofthepurestjoyandaffection，asshethrewherselfintothearmsofthenoblestrangerwhoentered，andclaspinghimtoherbosom，exclaimed，"Atlength——atlengththouartcome！"
Varneydiscreetlywithdrewashislordentered，andJanetwasabouttodothesame，whenhermistresssignedtohertoremain。
Shetookherplaceatthefartherendoftheapartment，andcontinuedstanding，asifreadyforattendance。
MeanwhiletheEarl，forhewasofnoinferiorrank，returnedhislady\'scaresswiththemostaffectionateardour，butaffectedtoresistwhenshestrovetotakehiscloakfromhim。
"Nay，"shesaid，"butIwillunmantleyou。Imustseeifyouhavekeptyourwordtome，andcomeasthegreatEarlmencallthee，andnotasheretoforelikeaprivatecavalier。"
"Thouartliketherestoftheworld，Amy，"saidtheEarl，sufferinghertoprevailintheplayfulcontest;"thejewels，andfeathers，andsilkaremoretothemthanthemanwhomtheyadorn——manyapoorbladelooksgayinavelvetscabbard。"
"Butsocannotmensayofthee，thounobleEarl，"saidhislady，asthecloakdroppedonthefloor，andshowedhimdressedasprinceswhentheyrideabroad;"thouartthegoodandwell—triedsteel，whoseinlyworthdeserves，yetdisdains，itsoutwardornaments。DonotthinkAmycanlovetheebetterinthisgloriousgarbthanshedidwhenshegaveherhearttohimwhoworetherusset—browncloakinthewoodsofDevon。"
"Andthoutoo，"saidtheEarl，asgracefullyandmajesticallyheledhisbeautifulCountesstowardsthechairofstatewhichwaspreparedforthemboth——"thoutoo，mylove，hastdonnedadresswhichbecomesthyrank，thoughitcannotimprovethybeauty。
Whatthink\'stthouofourcourttaste？"
Theladycastasidelongglanceuponthegreatmirrorastheypasseditby，andthensaid，"Iknownothowitis，butIthinknotofmyownpersonwhileIlookatthereflectionofthine。
Sitthouthere，"shesaid，astheyapproachedthechairofstate，"likeathingformentoworshipandtowonderat。"
"Ay，love，"saidtheEarl，"ifthouwiltsharemystatewithme。"
"Notso，"saidtheCountess;"Iwillsitonthisfootstoolatthyfeet，thatImayspelloverthysplendour，andlearn，forthefirsttime，howprincesareattired。"
Andwithachildishwonder，whichheryouthandrusticeducationrenderednotonlyexcusablebutbecoming，mixedasitwaswithadelicateshowofthemosttenderconjugalaffection，sheexaminedandadmiredfromheadtofootthenobleformandprincelyattireofhimwhoformedtheproudestornamentofthecourtofEngland\'sMaidenQueen，renownedasitwasforsplendidcourtiers，aswellasforwisecounsellors。Regardingaffectionatelyhislovelybride，andgratifiedbyherunrepressedadmiration，thedarkeyeandnoblefeaturesoftheEarlexpressedpassionsmoregentlethanthecommandingandaspiringlookwhichusuallysatuponhisbroadforehead，andinthepiercingbrilliancyofhisdarkeye;
andhesmiledatthesimplicitywhichdictatedthequestionssheputtohimconcerningthevariousornamentswithwhichhewasdecorated。
"Theembroideredstrap，asthoucallestit，aroundmyknee，"hesaid，"istheEnglishGarter，anornamentwhichkingsareproudtowear。See，hereisthestarwhichbelongstoit，andheretheDiamondGeorge，thejeweloftheorder。YouhaveheardhowKingEdwardandtheCountessofSalisbury——"
"Oh，Iknowallthattale，"saidtheCountess，slightlyblushing，"andhowalady\'sgarterbecametheproudestbadgeofEnglishchivalry。"
"Evenso，"saidtheEarl;"andthismosthonourableOrderIhadthegoodhaptoreceiveatthesametimewiththreemostnobleassociates，theDukeofNorfolk，theMarquisofNorthampton，andtheEarlofRutland。Iwasthelowestofthefourinrank——butwhatthen？hethatclimbsaladdermustbeginatthefirstround。"
"Butthisotherfaircollar，sorichlywrought，withsomejewellikeasheephungbythemiddleattachedtoit，what，"saidtheyoungCountess，"doesthatemblemsignify？"
"Thiscollar，"saidtheEarl，"withitsdoublefusillesinterchangedwiththeseknobs，whicharesupposedtopresentflint—stonessparklingwithfire，andsustainingthejewelyouinquireabout，isthebadgeofthenobleOrderoftheGoldenFleece，onceappertainingtotheHouseofBurgundyithathhighprivileges，myAmy，belongingtoit，thismostnobleOrder;foreventheKingofSpainhimself，whohathnowsucceededtothehonoursanddemesnesofBurgundy，maynotsitinjudgmentuponaknightoftheGoldenFleece，unlessbyassistanceandconsentoftheGreatChapteroftheOrder。"
"AndisthisanOrderbelongingtothecruelKingofSpain？"
saidtheCountess。"Alas！mynoblelord，thatyouwilldefileyournobleEnglishbreastbybearingsuchanemblem！BethinkyouofthemostunhappyQueenMary\'sdays，whenthissamePhilipheldswaywithherinEngland，andofthepileswhichwerebuiltforournoblest，andourwisest，andourmosttrulysanctifiedprelatesanddivines——andwillyou，whommencallthestandard—
bearerofthetrueProtestantfaith，becontentedtoweartheemblemandmarkofsuchaRomishtyrantasheofSpain？"
"Oh，contentyou，mylove，"answeredtheEarl;"wewhospreadoursailstogalesofcourtfavourcannotalwaysdisplaytheensignswelovethebest，oratalltimesrefusesailingundercolourswhichwelikenot。Believeme，IamnotthelessgoodProtestant，thatforpolicyImustacceptthehonourofferedmebySpain，inadmittingmetothishishighestorderofknighthood。Besides，itbelongsproperlytoFlanders;andEgmont，Orange，andothershaveprideinseeingitdisplayedonanEnglishbosom。"
"Nay，mylord，youknowyourownpathbest，"repliedtheCountess。"Andthisothercollar，towhatcountrydoesthisfairjewelbelong？"
"Toaverypoorone，mylove，"repliedtheEarl;"thisistheOrderofSaintAndrew，revivedbythelastJamesofScotland。ItwasbestowedonmewhenitwasthoughttheyoungwidowofFranceandScotlandwouldgladlyhaveweddedanEnglishbaron;butafreecoronetofEnglandisworthacrownmatrimonialheldatthehumourofawoman，andowningonlythepoorrocksandbogsofthenorth。"
TheCountesspaused，asifwhattheEarllastsaidhadexcitedsomepainfulbutinterestingtrainofthought;and，asshestillremainedsilent，herhusbandproceeded:——
"Andnow，loveliest，yourwishisgratified，andyouhaveseenyourvassalinsuchofhistrimarrayasaccordswithridingvestments;forrobesofstateandcoronetsareonlyforprincelyhalls。"
"Well，then，"saidtheCountess，"mygratifiedwishhas，asusual，givenrisetoanewone。"
"AndwhatisitthoucanstaskthatIcandeny？"saidthefondhusband。
"IwishedtoseemyEarlvisitthisobscureandsecretbower，"
saidtheCountess，"inallhisprincelyarray;andnow，methinksIlongtositinoneofhisprincelyhalls，andseehimenterdressedinsoberrusset，aswhenhewonpoorAmyRobsart\'sheart。"
"Thatisawisheasilygranted，"saidtheEarl——"thesoberrussetshallbedonnedto—morrow，ifyouwill。"
"ButshallI，"saidthelady，"gowithyoutooneofyourcastles，toseehowtherichnessofyourdwellingwillcorrespondwithyourpeasanthabit？"
"Why，Amy，"saidtheEarl，lookingaround，"arenottheseapartmentsdecoratedwithsufficientsplendour？Igavethemostunboundedorder，and，methinks，ithasbeenindifferentlywellobeyed;butifthoucansttellmeaughtwhichremainstobedone，Iwillinstantlygivedirection。"
"Nay，mylord，nowyoumockme，"repliedtheCountess;"thegaietyofthisrichlodgingexceedsmyimaginationasmuchasitdoesmydesert。Butshallnotyourwife，mylove——atleastonedaysoon——besurroundedwiththehonourwhicharisesneitherfromthetoilsofthemechanicwhodecksherapartment，norfromthesilksandjewelswithwhichyourgenerosityadornsher，butwhichisattachedtoherplaceamongthematronage，astheavowedwifeofEngland\'snoblestEarl？"
"Oneday？"saidherhusband。"Yes，Amy，mylove，onedaythisshallsurelyhappen;and，believeme，thoucanstnotwishforthatdaymorefondlythanI。WithwhatrapturecouldIretirefromlaboursofstate，andcaresandtoilsofambition，tospendmylifeindignityandhonouronmyownbroaddomains，withthee，mylovelyAmy，formyfriendandcompanion！But，Amy，thiscannotyetbe;andthesedearbutstoleninterviewsareallIcangivetotheloveliestandthebestbelovedofhersex。"
"ButWHYcanitnotbe？"urgedtheCountess，inthesoftesttonesofpersuasion——"whycanitnotimmediatelytakeplace——thismoreperfect，thisuninterruptedunion，forwhichyousayyouwish，andwhichthelawsofGodandmanalikecommand？Ah！didyoubutdesireithalfasmuchasyousay，mightyandfavouredasyouare，whoorwhatshouldbaryourattainingyourwish？"
TheEarl\'sbrowwasovercast。
"Amy，"hesaid，"youspeakofwhatyouunderstandnot。Wethattoilincourtsarelikethosewhoclimbamountainofloosesand——wedaremakenohaltuntilsomeprojectingrockaffordsusasecurefootingandresting—place。Ifwepausesooner，weslidedownbyourownweight，anobjectofuniversalderision。Istandhigh，butIstandnotsecureenoughtofollowmyowninclination。
Todeclaremymarriageweretobetheartificerofmyownruin。
But，believeme，Iwillreachapoint，andthatspeedily，whenI
candojusticetotheeandtomyself。Meantime，poisonnottheblissofthepresentmoment，bydesiringthatwhichcannotatpresentbe，Letmeratherknowwhetherallhereismanagedtothyliking。HowdoesFosterbearhimselftoyou？——inallthingsrespectful，Itrust，elsethefellowshalldearlyrueit。"
"Heremindsmesometimesofthenecessityofthisprivacy，"
answeredthelady，withasigh;"butthatisremindingmeofyourwishes，andthereforeIamratherboundtohimthandisposedtoblamehimforit。"
"Ihavetoldyouthesternnecessitywhichisuponus，"repliedtheEarl。"Fosteris，Inote，somewhatsullenofmood;butVarneywarrantstomehisfidelityanddevotiontomyservice。
Ifthouhastaught，however，tocomplainofthemodeinwhichhedischargeshisduty，heshallabyeit。"
"Oh，Ihavenoughttocomplainof，"answeredthelady，"sohedischargeshistaskwithfidelitytoyou;andhisdaughterJanetisthekindestandbestcompanionofmysolitude——herlittleairofprecisionsitssowelluponher！"
"Issheindeed？"saidtheEarl。"Shewhogivesyoupleasuremustnotpassunrewarded。——Comehither，damsel。"
"Janet，"saidthelady，"comehithertomylord。"
Janet，who，aswealreadynoticed，haddiscreetlyretiredtosomedistance，thatherpresencemightbenocheckupontheprivateconversationofherlordandlady，nowcameforward;andasshemadeherreverentialcurtsy，theEarlcouldnothelpsmilingatthecontrastwhichtheextremesimplicityofherdress，andtheprimdemurenessofherlooks，madewithaveryprettycountenanceandapairofblackeyes，thatlaughedinspiteoftheirmistress\'sdesiretolookgrave。
"Iamboundtoyou，prettydamsel，"saidtheEarl，"forthecontentmentwhichyourservicehathgiventothislady。"Ashesaidthis，hetookfromhisfingeraringofsomeprice，andofferedittoJanetFoster，adding，"Wearthis，forhersakeandformine。"
