"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。"