\"Improvidentvillain！wearebothundone，\"saidVarney。\"Shehasoflatebeencastingmanyabackwardlooktoherfather\'shalls，wheneverherlordlyloverleavesheralone。Shouldthispreachingfoolwhistleherbacktoheroldperch，wewerebutlostmen。\"
\"Nofearofthat，mymaster，\"repliedAnthonyFoster;\"sheisinnomoodtostooptohislure，forsheyelledoutonseeinghimasifanadderhadstungher。\"
\"Thatisgood。Canstthounotgetfromthydaughteraninklingofwhatpassedbetweenthem，goodFoster？\"
\"Itellyouplain，MasterVarney，\"saidFoster，\"mydaughtershallnotenterourpurposesorwalkinourpaths。Theymaysuitmewellenough，whoknowhowtorepentofmymisdoings;butI
willnothavemychild\'ssoulcommittedtoperileitherforyourpleasureormylord\'s。Imaywalkamongsnaresandpitfallsmyself，becauseIhavediscretion，butIwillnottrustthepoorlambamongthem。\"
\"Why，thoususpiciousfool，Iwereasaverseasthouartthatthybaby—facedgirlshouldenterintomyplans，orwalktohellatherfather\'selbow。Butindirectlythoumightstgainsomeintelligenceofher？\"
\"AndsoIdid，MasterVarney，\"answeredFoster;\"andshesaidherladycalledoutuponthesicknessofherfather。\"
\"Good！\"repliedVarney;\"thatisahintworthcatching，andI
willworkuponit。ButthecountrymustberidofthisTressilian。Iwouldhavecumberednomanaboutthematter，forI
hatehimlikestrongpoison——hispresenceishemlocktome——andthisdayIhadbeenridofhim，butthatmyfootslipped，when，tospeaktruth，hadnotthycomradeyondercometomyaid，andheldhishand，IshouldhaveknownbythistimewhetheryouandI
havebeentreadingthepathtoheavenorhell。\"
\"Andyoucanspeakthusofsucharisk！\"saidFoster。\"Youkeepastoutheart，MasterVarney。Forme，ifIdidnothopetolivemanyyears，andtohavetimeforthegreatworkofrepentance，I
wouldnotgoforwardwithyou。\"
\"Oh！thoushaltliveaslongasMethuselah，\"saidVarney，\"andamassasmuchwealthasSolomon;andthoushaltrepentsodevoutly，thatthyrepentanceshallbemorefamousthanthyvillainy——andthatisaboldword。Butforallthis，Tressilianmustbelookedafter。Thyruffianyonderisgonetodoghim。Itconcernsourfortunes，Anthony。\"
\"Ay，ay，\"saidFostersullenly，\"thisitistobeleaguedwithonewhoknowsnotevensomuchofScripture，asthatthelabourerisworthyofhishire。Imust，asusual，takeallthetroubleandrisk。\"
\"Risk！andwhatisthemightyrisk，Iprayyou？\"answeredVarney。\"Thisfellowwillcomeprowlingagainaboutyourdemesneorintoyourhouse，andifyoutakehimforahouse—breakerorapark—breaker，isitnotmostnaturalyoushouldwelcomehimwithcoldsteelorhotlead？Evenamastiffwillpulldownthosewhocomenearhiskennel;andwhoshallblamehim？\"
\"Ay，Ihaveamastiff\'sworkandamastiff\'swageamongyou，\"
saidFoster。\"Herehaveyou，MasterVarney，securedagoodfreeholdestateoutofthisoldsuperstitiousfoundation;andI
havebutapoorleaseofthismansionunderyou，voidableatyourhonour\'spleasure。\"
\"Ay，andthouwouldstfainconvertthyleaseholdintoacopyhold——thethingmaychancetohappen，AnthonyFoster，ifthoudostgoodserviceforit。Butsoftly，goodAnthony——itisnotthelendingaroomortwoofthisoldhouseforkeepingmylord\'sprettyparoquet——nay，itisnottheshuttingthydoorsandwindowstokeepherfromflyingoffthatmaydeserveit。
Remember，themanorandtithesareratedattheclearannualvalueofseventy—ninepoundsfiveshillingsandfivepencehalfpenny，besidesthevalueofthewood。Come，come，thoumustbeconscionable;greatandsecretservicemaydeserveboththisandabetterthing。Andnowletthyknavecomeandpluckoffmyboots。Getussomedinner，andacupofthybestwine。Imustvisitthismavis，braveinapparel，unruffledinaspect，andgayintemper。\"
Theypartedandatthehourofnoon，whichwasthenthatofdinner，theyagainmetattheirmeal，Varneygailydressedlikeacourtierofthetime，andevenAnthonyFosterimprovedinappearance，asfarasdresscouldamendanexteriorsounfavourable。
ThisalterationdidnotescapeVarney。Thenthemealwasfinished，theclothremoved，andtheywerelefttotheirprivatediscourse——\"Thouartgayasagoldfinch，Anthony，\"saidVarney，lookingathishost;\"methinks，thouwiltwhistleajiganon。
ButIcraveyourpardon，thatwouldsecureyourejectionfromthecongregationofthezealousbotchers，thepure—heartedweavers，andthesanctifiedbakersofAbingdon，wholettheirovenscoolwhiletheirbrainsgetheated。\"
\"Toansweryouinthespirit，MasterVarney，\"saidFoster，\"were——excusetheparable——toflingsacredandpreciousthingsbeforeswine。SoIwillspeaktotheeinthelanguageoftheworld，whichhewhoiskingoftheworld，hathtaughtthee，tounderstand，andtoprofitbyinnocommonmeasure。\"
\"Saywhatthouwilt，honestTony，\"repliedVarney;\"forbeitaccordingtothineabsurdfaith，oraccordingtothymostvillainouspractice，itcannotchoosebutberaremattertoqualifythiscupofAlicant。Thyconversationisrelishingandpoignant，andbeatscaviare，driedneat\'s—tongue，andallotherprovocativesthatgivesavourtogoodliquor。\"
\"Well，then，tellme，\"saidAnthonyFoster，\"isnotourgoodlordandmaster\'sturnbetterserved，andhisantechambermoresuitablyfilled，withdecent，God—fearingmen，whowillworkhiswillandtheirownprofitquietly，andwithoutworldlyscandal，thanthatheshouldbemanned，andattended，andfollowedbysuchopendebauchersandruffianlyswordsmenasTidesly，Killigrew，thisfellowLambourne，whomyouhaveputmetoseekoutforyou，andothersuch，whobearthegallowsintheirfaceandmurderintheirrighthand——whoareaterrortopeaceablemen，andascandaltomylord\'sservice？\"
\"Oh，contentyou，goodMasterAnthonyFoster，\"answeredVarney;
\"hethatfliesatallmannerofgamemustkeepallkindsofhawks，bothshortandlong—winged。Thecoursemylordholdsisnoeasyone，andhemuststandprovidedatallpointswithtrustyretainerstomeeteachsortofservice。Hemusthavehisgaycourtier，likemyself，toruffleitinthepresence—chamber，andtolayhandonhiltwhenanyspeaksindisparagementofmylord\'shonour——\"
\"Ay，\"saidFoster，\"andtowhisperawordforhimintoafairlady\'sear，whenhemaynotapproachherhimself。\"
\"Then，\"saidVarney，goingonwithoutappearingtonoticetheinterruption，\"hemusthavehislawyers——deep，subtlepioneers——todrawhiscontracts，hispre—contracts，andhispost—
contracts，andtofindthewaytomakethemostofgrantsofchurch—lands，andcommons，andlicensesformonopoly。Andhemusthavephysicianswhocanspiceacuporacaudle。Andhemusthavehiscabalists，likeDecandAllan，forconjuringupthedevil。Andhemusthaverufflingswordsmen，whowouldfightthedevilwhenheisraisedandatthewildest。Andaboveall，withoutprejudicetoothers，hemusthavesuchgodly，innocent，puritanicsoulsasthou，honestAnthony，whodefySatan，anddohisworkatthesametime。\"
\"Youwouldnotsay，MasterVarney，\"saidFoster，\"thatourgoodlordandmaster，whomIholdtobefulfilledinallnobleness，wouldusesuchbaseandsinfulmeanstorise，asthyspeechpointsat？\"
\"Tush，man，\"saidVarney，\"neverlookatmewithsosadabrow。
Youtrapmenot——noramIinyourpower，asyourweakbrainmayimagine，becauseInametoyoufreelytheengines，thesprings，thescrews，thetackle，andbraces，bywhichgreatmenriseinstirringtimes。Sayestthouourgoodlordisfulfilledofallnobleness？Amen，andsobeit——hehasthemoreneedtohavethoseabouthimwhoareunscrupulousinhisservice，andwho，becausetheyknowthathisfallwilloverwhelmandcrushthem，mustwagerbothbloodandbrain，soulandbody，inordertokeephimaloft;andthisItellthee，becauseIcarenotwhoknowsit。\"
\"Youspeaktruth，MasterVarney，\"saidAnthonyFoster。\"Hethatisheadofapartyisbutaboatonawave，thatraisesnotitself，butismovedupwardbythebillowwhichitfloatsupon。\"
\"Thouartmetaphorical，honestAnthony，\"repliedVarney;\"thatvelvetdoublethathmadeanoracleofthee。WewillhavetheetoOxfordtotakethedegreesinthearts。And，inthemeantime，hastthouarrangedallthematterswhichweresentfromLondon，andputthewesternchambersintosuchfashionasmayanswermylord\'shumour？\"
\"Theymayserveakingonhisbridal—day，\"saidAnthony;\"andI
promiseyouthatDameAmysitsinthemyonderasproudandgayasifsheweretheQueenofSheba。\"
\"\'Tisthebetter，goodAnthony，\"answeredVarney;\"wemustfoundourfuturefortunesonhergoodliking。\"
\"Webuildonsandthen，\"saidAnthonyFoster;\"forsupposingthatshesailsawaytocourtinallherlord\'sdignityandauthority，howisshetolookbackuponme，whoamherjailorasitwere，todetainherhereagainstherwill，keepingheracaterpillaronanoldwall，whenshewouldfainbeapaintedbutterflyinacourtgarden？\"
\"Fearnotherdispleasure，man，\"saidVarney。\"Iwillshowherallthouhastdoneinthismatterwasgoodservice，bothtomylordandher;andwhenshechipstheegg—shellandwalksalone，sheshallownwehavehatchedhergreatness。\"
\"Looktoyourself，MasterVarney，\"saidFoster，\"youmaymisreckonfoullyinthismatter。Shegaveyoubutafrostyreceptionthismorning，and，Ithink，looksonyou，aswellasme，withanevileye。\"
\"Youmistakeher，Foster——youmistakeherutterly。Tomesheisboundbyallthetieswhichcansecurehertoonewhohasbeenthemeansofgratifyingbothherloveandambition。WhowasitthattooktheobscureAmyRobsart，thedaughterofanimpoverishedanddotardknight——thedestinedbrideofamoonstruck，mopingenthusiast，likeEdmundTressilian，fromherlowlyfates，andheldouttoherinprospectthebrightestfortuneinEngland，orperchanceinEurope？Why，man，itwasI
——asIhaveoftentoldthee——thatfoundopportunityfortheirsecretmeetings。ItwasIwhowatchedthewoodwhilehebeatforthedeer。ItwasIwho，tothisday，amblamedbyherfamilyasthecompanionofherflight;andwereIintheirneighbourhood，wouldbefaintowearashirtofbetterstuffthanHollandlinen，lestmyribsshouldbeacquaintedwithSpanishsteel。Whocarriedtheirletters？——I。WhoamusedtheoldknightandTressilian？——I。Whoplannedherescape？——itwasI。ItwasI，inshort，DickVarney，whopulledthisprettylittledaisyfromitslowlynook，andplaceditintheproudestbonnetinBritain。\"
\"Ay，MasterVarney，\"saidFoster;\"butitmaybeshethinksthathadthematterremainedwithyou，theflowerhadbeenstucksoslightlyintothecap，thatthefirstbreathofachangeablebreezeofpassionhadblownthepoordaisytothecommon。\"
\"Sheshouldconsider，\"saidVarney，smiling，\"thetruefaithI
owedmylordandmasterpreventedmeatfirstfromcounsellingmarriage;andyetIdidcounselmarriagewhenIsawshewouldnotbesatisfiedwithoutthe——thesacrament，ortheceremony——whichcallestthouit，Anthony？\"
\"Stillshehasyouatfeudonanotherscore，\"saidFoster;\"andI
tellityouthatyoumaylooktoyourselfintime。Shewouldnothidehersplendourinthisdarklanternofanoldmonastichouse，butwouldfainshineacountessamongstcountesses。\"
\"Verynatural，veryright，\"answeredVarney;\"butwhathaveItodowiththat？——shemayshinethroughhornorthroughcrystalatmylord\'spleasure，Ihavenoughttosayagainstit。\"
\"Shedeemsthatyouhaveanoaruponthatsideoftheboat，MasterVarney，\"repliedFoster，\"andthatyoucanpullitorno，atyourgoodpleasure。Inaword，sheascribesthesecrecyandobscurityinwhichsheiskepttoyoursecretcounseltomylord，andtomystrictagency;andsoshelovesusbothasasentencedmanloveshisjudgeandhisjailor。\"
\"Shemustloveusbettereresheleavethisplace，Anthony，\"
answeredVarney。\"IfIhavecounselledforweightyreasonsthatsheremainhereforaseason，Icanalsoadviseherbeingbroughtforthinthefullblowofherdignity。ButIweremadtodoso，holdingsonearaplacetomylord\'sperson，wereshemineenemy。
Bearthistruthinuponherasoccasionoffers，Anthony，andletmealoneforextollingyouinherear，andexaltingyouinheropinion——KAME，KATHEE——itisaproverballovertheworld。Theladymustknowherfriends，andbemadetojudgeofthepowertheyhaveofbeingherenemies;meanwhile，watchherstrictly，butwithalltheoutwardobservancethatthyroughnaturewillpermit。\'Tisanexcellentthingthatsullenlookandbull—doghumourofthine;thoushouldstthankGodforit，andsoshouldmylord，forwhenthereisaughtharshorhard—naturedtobedone，thoudostitasifitflowedfromthineownnaturaldoggedness，andnotfromorders，andsomylordescapesthescandal。——But，hark——someoneknocksatthegate。Lookoutatthewindow——letnooneenter——thiswereanillnighttobeinterrupted。\"
\"Itishewhomwespokeofbeforedinner，\"saidFoster，ashelookedthroughthecasement;\"itisMichaelLambourne。\"
\"Oh，admithim，byallmeans，\"saidthecourtier;\"hecomestogivesomeaccountofhisguest;itimportsusmuchtoknowthemovementsofEdmundTressilian。——Admithim，Isay，butbringhimnothither;IwillcometoyoupresentlyintheAbbot\'slibrary。\"
Fosterlefttheroom，andthecourtier，whoremainedbehind，pacedtheparlourmorethanonceindeepthought，hisarmsfoldedonhisbosom，untilatlengthhegaveventtohismeditationsinbrokenwords，whichwehavesomewhatenlargedandconnected，thathissoliloquymaybeintelligibletothereader。
\"\'Tistrue，\"hesaid，suddenlystopping，andrestinghisrighthandonthetableatwhichtheyhadbeensitting，\"thisbasechurlhathfathomedtheverydepthofmyfear，andIhavebeenunabletodisguiseitfromhim。Shelovesmenot——IwoulditwereastruethatIlovednother！IdiotthatIwas，tomoveherinmyownbehalf，whenwisdombademebeatruebrokertomylord！AndthisfatalerrorhasplacedmemoreatherdiscretionthanawisemanwouldwillinglybeatthatofthebestpieceofpaintedEve\'sfleshofthemall。Sincethehourthatmypolicymadesoperilousaslip，Icannotlookatherwithoutfear，andhate，andfondness，sostrangelymingled，thatIknownotwhether，wereitatmychoice，Iwouldratherpossessorruinher。ButshemustnotleavethisretreatuntilIamassuredonwhattermswearetostand。Mylord\'sinterest——andsofaritismineown，forifhesinksIfallinhistrain——demandsconcealmentofthisobscuremarriage;andbesides，Iwillnotlendhermyarmtoclimbtoherchairofstate，thatshemaysetherfootonmyneckwhensheisfairlyseated。Imustworkaninterestinher，eitherthroughloveorthroughfear;andwhoknowsbutImayyetreapthesweetestandbestrevengeforherformerscorn？——thatwereindeedamasterpieceofcourtlikeart！
Letmebutoncebehercounsel—keeper——letherconfidetomeasecret，diditbutconcerntherobberyofalinnet\'snest，and，fairCountess，thouartmineown！\"Heagainpacedtheroominsilence，stopped，filledanddrankacupofwine，asiftocomposetheagitationofhismind，andmuttering，\"Nowforacloseheartandanopenandunruffledbrow，\"helefttheapartment。
CHAPTERVI。
Thedewsofsummernightdidfall，Themoon，sweetregentofthesky，Silver\'dthewallsofCumnorHall，Andmanyanoakthatgrewthereby。MICKLE。
[Thisverseisthecommencementoftheballadalreadyquoted，aswhatsuggestedthenovel。]
Fourapartments;which，occupiedthewesternsideoftheoldquadrangleatCumnorPlace，hadbeenfittedupwithextraordinarysplendour。Thishadbeentheworkofseveraldayspriortothatonwhichourstoryopened。WorkmensentfromLondon，andnotpermittedtoleavethepremisesuntiltheworkwasfinished，hadconvertedtheapartmentsinthatsideofthebuildingfromthedilapidatedappearanceofadissolvedmonastichouseintothesemblanceofaroyalpalace。Amysterywasobservedinallthesearrangements:theworkmencamethitherandreturnedbynight，andallmeasuresweretakentopreventthepryingcuriosityofthevillagersfromobservingorspeculatinguponthechangeswhichweretakingplaceinthemansionoftheironceindigentbutnowwealthyneighbour，AnthonyFoster。Accordingly，thesecrecydesiredwassofarpreserved，thatnothinggotabroadbutvagueanduncertainreports，whichwerereceivedandrepeated，butwithoutmuchcreditbeingattachedtothem。
Ontheeveningofwhichwetreat，thenewandhighly—decoratedsuiteofroomswere，forthefirsttime，illuminated，andthatwithabrilliancywhichmighthavebeenvisiblehalf—a—dozenmilesoff，hadnotoakenshutters，carefullysecuredwithboltandpadlock，andmantledwithlongcurtainsofsilkandofvelvet，deeplyfringedwithgold，preventedtheslightestgleamofradiancefrontbeingseenwithout。
Theprincipalapartments，aswehaveseen，werefourinnumber，eachopeningintotheother。Accesswasgiventothembyalargescalestaircase，astheywerethencalled，ofunusuallengthandheight，whichhaditslanding—placeatthedoorofanantechamber，shapedsomewhatlikeagallery。Thisapartmenttheabbothadusedasanoccasionalcouncil—room，butitwasnowbeautifullywainscotedwithdark，foreignwoodofabrowncolour，andbearingahighpolish，saidtohavebeenbroughtfromtheWesternIndies，andtohavebeenwroughtinLondonwithinfinitedifficultyandmuchdamagetothetoolsoftheworkmen。Thedarkcolourofthisfinishingwasrelievedbythenumberoflightsinsilversconceswhichhungagainstthewalls，andbysixlargeandrichly—framedpictures，bythefirstmastersoftheage。Amassyoakentable，placedatthelowerendoftheapartment，servedtoaccommodatesuchaschosetoplayatthethenfashionablegameofshovel—board;andtherewasattheotherendanelevatedgalleryforthemusiciansorminstrels，whomightbesummonedtoincreasethefestivityoftheevening。
Fromthisantechamberopenedabanqueting—roomofmoderatesize，butbrilliantenoughtodazzletheeyesofthespectatorwiththerichnessofitsfurniture。Thewalls，latelysobareandghastly，werenowclothedwithhangingsofsky—bluevelvetandsilver;thechairswereofebony，richlycarved，withcushionscorrespondingtothehangings;andtheplaceofthesilversconceswhichenlightenedtheante—chamberwassuppliedbyahugechandelierofthesamepreciousmetal。ThefloorwascoveredwithaSpanishfoot—cloth，orcarpet，onwhichflowersandfruitswererepresentedinsuchglowingandnaturalcolours，thatyouhesitatedtoplacethefootonsuchexquisiteworkmanship。Thetable，ofoldEnglishoak，stoodreadycoveredwiththefinestlinen;andalargeportablecourt—cupboardwasplacedwiththeleavesofitsembossedfolding—doorsdisplayed，showingtheshelveswithin，decoratedwithafulldisplayofplateandporcelain。Inthemidstofthetablestoodasalt—cellarofItalianworkmanship——abeautifulandsplendidpieceofplateabouttwofeethigh，mouldedintoarepresentationofthegiantBriareus，whosehundredhandsofsilverpresentedtotheguestsvarioussortsofspices，orcondiments，toseasontheirfoodwithal。
Thethirdapartmentwascalledthewithdrawing—room。Itwashungwiththefinesttapestry，representingthefallofPhaeton;fortheloomsofFlanderswerenowmuchoccupiedonclassicalsubjects。Theprincipalseatofthisapartmentwasachairofstate，raisedasteportwofromthefloor，andlargeenoughtocontaintwopersons。Itwassurmountedbyacanopy，which，aswellasthecushions，side—curtains，andtheveryfootcloth，wascomposedofcrimsonvelvet，embroideredwithseed—pearl。Onthetopofthecanopyweretwocoronets，resemblingthoseofanearlandcountess。Stoolscoveredwithvelvet，andsomecushionsdisposedintheMoorishfashion，andornamentedwithArabesqueneedle—work，suppliedtheplaceofchairsinthisapartment，whichcontainedmusicalinstruments，embroideryframes，andotherarticlesforladies\'pastime。Besideslesserlights，thewithdrawing—roomwasilluminatedbyfourtalltorchesofvirginwax，eachofwhichwasplacedinthegraspofastatue，representinganarmedMoor，whoheldinhisleftarmaroundbucklerofsilver，highlypolished，interposedbetwixthisbreastandthelight，whichwasthusbrilliantlyreflectedasfromacrystalmirror。
Thesleepingchamberbelongingtothissplendidsuiteofapartmentswasdecoratedinatastelessshowy，butnotlessrich，thanhadbeendisplayedintheothers。Twosilverlamps，fedwithperfumedoil，diffusedatonceadeliciousodourandatremblingtwilight—seemingshimmerthroughthequietapartment。
Itwascarpetedsothickthattheheavieststepcouldnothavebeenheard，andthebed，richlyheapedwithdown，wasspreadwithanamplecoverletofsilkandgold;fromunderwhichpeepedforthcambricsheetsandblanketsaswhiteasthelambswhichyieldedthefleecethatmadethem。Thecurtainswereofbluevelvet，linedwithcrimsonsilk，deeplyfestoonedwithgold，andembroideredwiththelovesofCupidandPsyche。OnthetoiletwasabeautifulVenetianmirror，inaframeofsilverfiligree，andbesideitstoodagoldposset—dishtocontainthenight—
draught。Apairofpistolsandadagger，mountedwithgold，weredisplayedneartheheadofthebed，beingthearmsforthenight，whichwerepresentedtohonouredguests，rather，itmaybesupposed，inthewayofceremonythanfromanyapprehensionofdanger。Wemustnotomittomention，whatwasmoretothecreditofthemannersofthetime，thatinasmallrecess，illuminatedbyataper，weredisposedtwohassocksofvelvetandgold，correspondingwiththebedfurniture，beforeadeskofcarvedebony。Thisrecesshadformerlybeentheprivateoratoryoftheabbot;butthecrucifixwasremoved，andinsteadtherewereplacedonthedesk，twoBooksofCommonPrayer，richlybound，andembossedwithsilver。Withthisenviablesleepingapartment，whichwassofarremovedfromeverysoundsavethatofthewindsighingamongtheoaksofthepark，thatMorpheusmighthavecoveteditforhisownproperrepose，correspondedtwowardrobes，ordressing—roomsastheyarenowtermed，suitablyfurnished，andinastyleofthesamemagnificencewhichwehavealreadydescribed。Itoughttobeadded，thatapartofthebuildingintheadjoiningwingwasoccupiedbythekitchenanditsoffices，andservedtoaccommodatethepersonalattendantsofthegreatandwealthynobleman，forwhoseusethesemagnificentpreparationshadbeenmade。
Thedivinityforwhosesakethistemplehadbeendecoratedwaswellworthythecostandpainswhichhadbeenbestowed。Shewasseatedinthewithdrawing—roomwhichwehavedescribed，surveyingwiththepleasedeyeofnaturalandinnocentvanitythesplendourwhichhadbeensosuddenlycreated，asitwere，inherhonour。
For，asherownresidenceatCumnorPlaceformedthecauseofthemysteryobservedinallthepreparationsforopeningtheseapartments，itwassedulouslyarrangedthat，untilshetookpossessionofthem，sheshouldhavenomeansofknowingwhatwasgoingforwardinthatpartoftheancientbuilding，orofexposingherselftobeseenbytheworkmenengagedinthedecorations。Shehadbeen，therefore，introducedonthateveningtoapartofthemansionwhichshehadneveryetseen，sodifferentfromalltherestthatitappeared，incomparison，likeanenchantedpalace。Andwhenshefirstexaminedandoccupiedthesesplendidrooms，itwaswiththewildandunrestrainedjoyofarusticbeautywhofindsherselfsuddenlyinvestedwithasplendourwhichhermostextravagantwisheshadneverimagined，andatthesametimewiththekeenfeelingofanaffectionateheart，whichknowsthatalltheenchantmentthatsurroundsheristheworkofthegreatmagicianLove。
TheCountessAmy，therefore——fortothatrankshewasexaltedbyherprivatebutsolemnunionwithEngland\'sproudestEarl——hadforatimeflittedhastilyfromroomtoroom，admiringeachnewproofofherloverandherbridegroom\'staste，andfeelingthatadmirationenhancedassherecollectedthatallshegazeduponwasonecontinuedproofofhisardentanddevotedaffection。
\"Howbeautifularethesehangings！Hownaturalthesepaintings，whichseemtocontendwithlife！Howrichlywroughtisthatplate，whichlooksasifallthegalleonsofSpainhadbeeninterceptedonthebroadseastofurnishitforth！Andoh，Janet！\"sheexclaimedrepeatedlytothedaughterofAnthonyFoster，thecloseattendant，who，withequalcuriosity，butsomewhatlessecstaticjoy，followedonhermistress\'sfootsteps——\"oh，Janet！howmuchmoredelightfultothinkthatallthesefairthingshavebeenassembledbyhislove，fortheloveofme！
andthatthisevening——thisveryevening，whichgrowsdarkereveryinstant，Ishallthankhimmoreforthelovethathascreatedsuchanunimaginableparadise，thanforallthewondersitcontains。\"
\"TheLordistobethankedfirst，\"saidtheprettyPuritan，\"whogavethee，lady，thekindandcourteoushusbandwhoselovehasdonesomuchforthee。I，too，havedonemypoorshare。Butifyouthusrunwildlyfromroomtoroom，thetoilofmycrispingandmycurlingpinswillvanishlikethefrost—workonthewindowwhenthesunishigh。\"
\"Thousayesttrue，Janet，\"saidtheyoungandbeautifulCountess，stoppingsuddenlyfromhertrippingraceofenraptureddelight，andlookingatherselffromheadtofootinalargemirror，suchasshehadneverbeforeseen，andwhich，indeed，hadfewtomatchitevenintheQueen\'spalace——\"thousayesttrue，Janet！\"sheanswered，asshesaw，withpardonableself—applause，thenoblemirrorreflectsuchcharmsaswereseldompresentedtoitsfairandpolishedsurface;\"Ihavemoreofthemilk—maidthanthecountess，withthesecheeksflushedwithhaste，andallthesebrowncurls，whichyoulabouredtobringtoorder，strayingaswildasthetendrilsofanunprunedvine。Myfallingruffischafedtoo，andshowstheneckandbosommorethanismodestandseemly。Come，Janet;wewillpractisestate——wewillgotothewithdrawing—room，mygoodgirl，andthoushaltputtheserebellocksinorder，andimprisonwithinlaceandcambricthebosomthatbeatstoohigh。\"
Theywenttothewithdrawingapartmentaccordingly，wheretheCountessplayfullystretchedherselfuponthepileofMoorishcushions，halfsitting，halfreclining，halfwraptinherownthoughts，halflisteningtotheprattleofherattendant。
Whileshewasinthisattitude，andwithacorrespondingexpressionbetwixtlistlessnessandexpectationonherfineandintelligentfeatures，youmighthavesearchedseaandlandwithoutfindinganythinghalfsoexpressiveorhalfsolovely。
Thewreathofbrilliantswhichmixedwithherdark—brownhairdidnotmatchinlustrethehazeleyewhichalight—browneyebrow，pencilledwithexquisitedelicacy，andlongeyelashesofthesamecolour，relievedandshaded。Theexerciseshehadjusttaken，herexcitedexpectationandgratifiedvanity，spreadaglowoverherfinefeatures，whichhadbeensometimescensured（asbeautyaswellasarthasherminutecritics）forbeingrathertoopale。
Themilk—whitepearlsofthenecklacewhichshewore，thesamewhichshehadjustreceivedasatrue—lovetokenfromherhusband，wereexcelledinpuritybyherteeth，andbythecolourofherskin，savingwheretheblushofpleasureandself—
satisfactionhadsomewhatstainedtheneckwithashadeoflightcrimson。——\"Now，havedonewiththesebusyfingers，Janet，\"shesaidtoherhandmaiden，whowasstillofficiouslyemployedinbringingherhairandherdressintoorder——\"havedone，Isay。I
mustseeyourfathereremylordarrives，andalsoMasterRichardVarney，whommylordhashighlyinhisesteem——butIcouldtellthatofhimwouldlosehimfavour。\"
\"Oh，donotdoso，goodmylady！\"repliedJanet;\"leavehimtoGod，whopunishesthewickedinHisowntime;butdonotyoucrossVarney\'spath，forsothoroughlyhathhemylord\'sear，thatfewhavethrivenwhohavethwartedhiscourses。\"
\"Andfromwhomhadyouthis，mymostrighteousJanet？\"saidtheCountess;\"orwhyshouldIkeeptermswithsomeanagentlemanasVarney，beingasIam，wifetohismasterandpatron？\"
\"Nay，madam，\"repliedJanetFoster，\"yourladyshipknowsbetterthanI;butIhaveheardmyfathersayhewouldrathercrossahungrywolfthanthwartRichardVarneyinhisprojects。Andhehasoftenchargedmetohaveacareofholdingcommercewithhim。\"
\"Thyfathersaidwell，girl，forthee，\"repliedthelady，\"andI
dareswearmeantwell。Itisapity，though，hisfaceandmannerdolittlematchhistruepurpose——forIthinkhispurposemaybetrue。\"
\"Doubtitnot，mylady，\"answeredJanet——\"doubtnotthatmyfatherpurposeswell，thoughheisaplainman，andhisbluntlooksmaybeliehisheart。\"
\"Iwillnotdoubtit，girl，wereitonlyforthysake;andyethehasoneofthosefaceswhichmentremblewhentheylookon。I
thinkeventhymother，Janet——nay，havedonewiththatpoking—
iron——couldhardlylookuponhimwithoutquaking。\"