\"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。\"