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had not loved to collect finery and to wear it； she might have
woven tapestry or sewed embroidery； till her labours spread in
gay profusion all over the walls and seats at Lidcote Hall； or
she might have varied Minerva's labours with the task of
preparing a mighty pudding against the time that Sir Hugh Robsart
returned from the greenwood。 But Amy had no natural genius
either for the loom； the needle； or the receipt…book。 Her mother
had died in infancy； her father contradicted her in nothing； and
Tressilian； the only one that approached her who was able or
desirous to attend to the cultivation of her mind； had much hurt
his interest with her by assuming too eagerly the task of a
preceptor； so that he was regarded by the lively； indulged； and
idle girl with some fear and much respect； but with little or
nothing of that softer emotion which it had been his hope and his
ambition to inspire。 And thus her heart lay readily open； and
her fancy became easily captivated by the noble exterior and
graceful deportment and complacent flattery of Leicester； even
before he was known to her as the dazzling minion of wealth and
power。
The frequent visits of Leicester at Cumnor； during the earlier
part of their union； had reconciled the Countess to the solitude
and privacy to which she was condemned； but when these visits
became rarer and more rare； and when the void was filled up with
letters of excuse； not always very warmly expressed； and
generally extremely brief； discontent and suspicion began to
haunt those splendid apartments which love had fitted up for
beauty。 Her answers to Leicester conveyed these feelings too
bluntly； and pressed more naturally than prudently that she might
be relieved from this obscure and secluded residence； by the
Earl's acknowledgment of their marriage； and in arranging her
arguments with all the skill she was mistress of； she trusted
chiefly to the warmth of the entreaties with which she urged
them。 Sometimes she even ventured to mingle reproaches； of which
Leicester conceived he had good reason to complain。
〃I have made her Countess；〃 he said to Varney； 〃surely she might
wait till it consisted with my pleasure that she should put on
the coronet？〃
The Countess Amy viewed the subject in directly an opposite
light。
〃What signifies；〃 she said； 〃that I have rank and honour in
reality； if I am to live an obscure prisoner； without either
society or observance； and suffering in my character； as one of
dubious or disgraced reputation？ I care not for all those
strings of pearl； which you fret me by warping into my tresses；
Janet。 I tell you that at Lidcote Hall； if I put but a fresh
rosebud among my hair； my good father would call me to him； that
he might see it more closely； and the kind old curate would
smile； and Master Mumblazen would say something about roses
gules。 And now I sit here； decked out like an image with gold
and gems； and no one to see my finery but you； Janet。 There was
the poor Tressilian； toobut it avails not speaking of him。〃
〃It doth not indeed； madam；〃 said her prudent attendant； 〃and
verily you make me sometimes wish you would not speak of him so
often； or so rashly。〃
〃It signifies nothing to warn me； Janet；〃 said the impatient and
incorrigible Countess； 〃I was born free； though I am now mewed up
like some fine foreign slave； rather than the wife of an English
noble。 I bore it all with pleasure while I was sure he loved me；
but now my tongue and heart shall be free； let them fetter these
limbs as they will。 I tell thee； Janet； I love my husbandI
will love him till my latest breathI cannot cease to love him；
even if I would； or if hewhich； God knows； may chanceshould
cease to love me。 But I will say； and loudly； I would have been
happier than I now am to have remained in Lidcote Hall； even
although I must have married poor Tressilian； with his melancholy
look and his head full of learning； which I cared not for。 He
said； if I would read his favourite volumes； there would come a
time that I should be glad of having done so。 I think it is come
now。〃
〃I bought you some books； madam；〃 said Janet； 〃from a lame fellow
who sold them in the Market…placeand who stared something
boldly； at me； I promise you。〃
〃Let me see them； Janet；〃 said the Countess； 〃but let them not be
of your own precise cast；How is this； most righteous damsel？
'A PAIR OF SNUFFERS FOR THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK''HANDFULL OF
MYRRH AND HYSSOP TO PUT A SICK SOUL TO PURGATION''A DRAUGHT OF
WATER FROM THE VALLEY OF BACA''FOXES AND FIREBRANDS'what gear
call you this； maiden？〃
〃Nay； madam；〃 said Janet； 〃it was but fitting and seemly to put
grace in your ladyship's way； but an you will none of it； there
are play…books； and poet…books； I trow。〃
The Countess proceeded carelessly in her examination； turning
over such rare volumes as would now make the fortune of twenty
retail booksellers。 Here was a 〃BOKE OF COOKERY； IMPRINTED BY
RICHARD LANT；〃 and 〃SKELTON'S BOOKS〃〃THE PASSTIME OF THE
PEOPLE〃〃THE CASTLE OF KNOWLEDGE；〃 etc。 But neither to this
lore did the Countess's heart incline； and joyfully did she start
up from the listless task of turning over the leaves of the
pamphlets； and hastily did she scatter them through the floor；
when the hasty clatter of horses' feet； heard in the courtyard；
called her to the window； exclaiming； 〃It is Leicester！it is my
noble Earl！it is my Dudley！every stroke of his horse's hoof
sounds like a note of lordly music！〃
There was a brief bustle in the mansion； and Foster； with his
downward look and sullen manner； entered the apartment to say；
〃That Master Richard Varney was arrived from my lord； having
ridden all night； and craved to speak with her ladyship
instantly。〃
〃Varney？〃 said the disappointed Countess； 〃and to speak with me？
pshaw！ But he comes with news from Leicester； so admit him
instantly。〃
Varney entered her dressing apartment； where she sat arrayed in
her native loveliness； adorned with all that Janet's art and a
rich and tasteful undress could bestow。 But the most beautiful
part of her attire was her profuse and luxuriant light…brown
locks； which floated in such rich abundance around a neck that
resembled a swan's； and over a bosom heaving with anxious
expectation； which communicated a hurried tinge of red to her
whole countenance。
Varney entered the room in the dress in which he had waited on
his master that morning to court； the splendour of which made a
strange contrast with the disorder arising from hasty riding
during a dark night and foul ways。 His brow bore an anxious and
hurried expression； as one who has that to say of which he doubts
the reception； and who hath yet posted on from the necessity of
communicating his tidings。 The Countess's anxious eye at once
caught the alarm； as she exclaimed； 〃You bring news from my lord；
Master VarneyGracious Heaven！ is he ill？〃
〃No； madam； thank Heaven！〃 said Varney。 〃Compose yourself； and
permit me to take breath ere I communicate my tidings。〃
〃No breath； sir；〃 replied the lady impatiently； 〃I know your
theatrical arts。 Since your breath hath sufficed to bring you
hither； it may suffice