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of a rustic beauty who finds herself suddenly invested with a
splendour which her most extravagant wishes had never imagined；
and at the same time with the keen feeling of an affectionate
heart； which knows that all the enchantment that surrounds her is
the work of the great magician Love。
The Countess Amy； thereforefor to that rank she was exalted by
her private but solemn union with England's proudest Earlhad
for a time flitted hastily from room to room； admiring each new
proof of her lover and her bridegroom's taste； and feeling that
admiration enhanced as she recollected that all she gazed upon
was one continued proof of his ardent and devoted affection。
〃How beautiful are these hangings！ How natural these paintings；
which seem to contend with life！ How richly wrought is that
plate； which looks as if all the galleons of Spain had been
intercepted on the broad seas to furnish it forth！ And oh；
Janet！〃 she exclaimed repeatedly to the daughter of Anthony
Foster； the close attendant； who； with equal curiosity； but
somewhat less ecstatic joy； followed on her mistress's footsteps
〃oh； Janet！ how much more delightful to think that all these
fair things have been assembled by his love； for the love of me！
and that this eveningthis very evening； which grows darker
every instant； I shall thank him more for the love that has
created such an unimaginable paradise； than for all the wonders
it contains。〃
〃The Lord is to be thanked first；〃 said the pretty Puritan； 〃who
gave thee； lady； the kind and courteous husband whose love has
done so much for thee。 I； too； have done my poor share。 But if
you thus run wildly from room to room； the toil of my crisping
and my curling pins will vanish like the frost…work on the window
when the sun is high。〃
〃Thou sayest true； Janet；〃 said the young and beautiful Countess；
stopping suddenly from her tripping race of enraptured delight；
and looking at herself from head to foot in a large mirror； such
as she had never before seen； and which； indeed； had few to match
it even in the Queen's palace〃thou sayest true； Janet！〃 she
answered； as she saw； with pardonable self…applause； the noble
mirror reflect such charms as were seldom presented to its fair
and polished surface； 〃I have more of the milk…maid than the
countess； with these cheeks flushed with haste； and all these
brown curls； which you laboured to bring to order； straying as
wild as the tendrils of an unpruned vine。 My falling ruff is
chafed too； and shows the neck and bosom more than is modest and
seemly。 Come； Janet； we will practise statewe will go to the
withdrawing…room； my good girl； and thou shalt put these rebel
locks in order； and imprison within lace and cambric the bosom
that beats too high。〃
They went to the withdrawing apartment accordingly； where the
Countess playfully stretched herself upon the pile of Moorish
cushions； half sitting； half reclining； half wrapt in her own
thoughts； half listening to the prattle of her attendant。
While she was in this attitude； and with a corresponding
expression betwixt listlessness and expectation on her fine and
intelligent features； you might have searched sea and land
without finding anything half so expressive or half so lovely。
The wreath of brilliants which mixed with her dark…brown hair did
not match in lustre the hazel eye which a light…brown eyebrow；
pencilled with exquisite delicacy； and long eyelashes of the same
colour； relieved and shaded。 The exercise she had just taken；
her excited expectation and gratified vanity； spread a glow over
her fine features； which had been sometimes censured （as beauty
as well as art has her minute critics） for being rather too pale。
The milk…white pearls of the necklace which she wore； the same
which she had just received as a true…love token from her
husband； were excelled in purity by her teeth； and by the colour
of her skin； saving where the blush of pleasure and self…
satisfaction had somewhat stained the neck with a shade of light
crimson。〃Now； have done with these busy fingers； Janet；〃 she
said to her handmaiden； who was still officiously employed in
bringing her hair and her dress into order〃have done； I say。 I
must see your father ere my lord arrives； and also Master Richard
Varney； whom my lord has highly in his esteembut I could tell
that of him would lose him favour。〃
〃Oh； do not do so； good my lady！〃 replied Janet； 〃leave him to
God； who punishes the wicked in His own time； but do not you
cross Varney's path； for so thoroughly hath he my lord's ear；
that few have thriven who have thwarted his courses。〃
〃And from whom had you this； my most righteous Janet？〃 said the
Countess； 〃or why should I keep terms with so mean a gentleman as
Varney； being as I am； wife to his master and patron？〃
〃Nay； madam；〃 replied Janet Foster； 〃your ladyship knows better
than I； but I have heard my father say he would rather cross a
hungry wolf than thwart Richard Varney in his projects。 And he
has often charged me to have a care of holding commerce with
him。〃
〃Thy father said well； girl； for thee；〃 replied the lady； 〃and I
dare swear meant well。 It is a pity； though； his face and manner
do little match his true purposefor I think his purpose may be
true。〃
〃Doubt it not； my lady；〃 answered Janet〃doubt not that my
father purposes well； though he is a plain man； and his blunt
looks may belie his heart。〃
〃I will not doubt it； girl； were it only for thy sake； and yet he
has one of those faces which men tremble when they look on。 I
think even thy mother； Janetnay； have done with that poking…
ironcould hardly look upon him without quaking。〃
〃If it were so； madam；〃 answered Janet Foster； 〃my mother had
those who could keep her in honourable countenance。 Why； even
you； my lady； both trembled and blushed when Varney brought the
letter from my lord。〃
〃You are bold； damsel；〃 said the Countess； rising from the
cushions on which she sat half reclined in the arms of her
attendant。 〃Know that there are causes of trembling which have
nothing to do with fear。But； Janet；〃 she added； immediately
relapsing into the good…natured and familiar tone which was
natural to her； 〃believe me； I will do what credit I can to your
father； and the rather that you； sweetheart； are his child。
Alas！ alas！〃 she added； a sudden sadness passing over her fine
features； and her eyes filling with tears； 〃I ought the rather to
hold sympathy with thy kind heart； that my own poor father is
uncertain of my fate； and they say lies sick and sorrowful for my
worthless sake！ But I will soon cheer himthe news of my
happiness and advancement will make him young again。 And that I
may cheer him the sooner〃she wiped her eyes as she spoke〃I
must be cheerful myself。 My lord must not find me insensible to
his kindness； or sorrowful； when he snatches a visit to his
recluse； after so long an absence。 Be merry； Janet； the night
wears on； and my lord must soon arrive。 Call thy father hither；
and call Varney also。 I cherish resentment against neither； and
though I may have some room to be displeased with both； it shall
be their own fault if ever a complaint against th