My lord's pleasure,answered the Countess;and I am bound to seek no other motive.His pleasure it is indeed,said Varney;and his pleasure arises out of a love worthy of the object which inspires it.But he who possesses a treasure,and who values it,is oft anxious,in proportion to the value he puts upon it,to secure it from the depredations of others.What needs all this talk,Master Varney?said the lady,in reply.You would have me believe that my noble lord is jealous.Suppose it true,I know a cure for jealousy.Indeed,madam?said Varney.
It is,replied the lady,to speak the truth to my lord at all times--to hold up my mind and my thoughts before him as pure as that polished mirror--so that when he looks into my heart,he shall only see his own features reflected there.I am mute,madam answered Varney;and as I have no reason to grieve for Tressilian,who would have my heart's blood were he able,I shall reconcile myself easily to what may befall the gentleman in consequence of your frank disclosure of his having presumed to intrude upon your solitude.You,who know my lord so much better than I,will judge if he be likely to bear the insult unavenged.Nay,if I could think myself the cause of Tressilian's ruin,said the Countess,I who have already occasioned him so much distress,I might be brought to be silent.And yet what will it avail,since he was seen by Foster,and I think by some one else?
No,no,Varney,urge it no more.I will tell the whole matter to my lord;and with such pleading for Tressilian's folly,as shall dispose my lord's generous heart rather to serve than to punish him.Your judgment,madam,said Varney,is far superior to mine,especially as you may,if you will,prove the ice before you step on it,by mentioning Tressilian's name to my lord,and observing how he endures it.For Foster and his attendant,they know not Tressilian by sight,and I can easily give them some reasonable excuse for the appearance of an unknown stranger.The lady paused for an instant,and then replied,If,Varney,it be indeed true that Foster knows not as yet that the man he saw was Tressilian,I own I were unwilling he should learn what nowise concerns him.He bears himself already with austerity enough,and I wish him not to be judge or privy-councillor in my affairs.Tush,said Varney,what has the surly groom to do with your ladyship's concerns?--no more,surely,than the ban-dog which watches his courtyard.If he is in aught distasteful to your ladyship,I have interest enough to have him exchanged for a seneschal that shall be more agreeable to you.Master Varney,said the Countess,let us drop this theme.
When I complain of the attendants whom my lord has placed around me,it must be to my lord himself.--Hark!I hear the trampling of horse.He comes!he comes!she exclaimed,jumping up in ecstasy.
I cannot think it is he,said Varney;or that you can hear the tread of his horse through the closely-mantled casements.Stop me not,Varney--my ears are keener than thine.It is he!But,madam!--but,madam!exclaimed Varney anxiously,and still placing himself in her way,I trust that what I have spoken in humble duty and service will not be turned to my ruin?I hope that my faithful advice will not be bewrayed to my prejudice?Iimplore that--
Content thee,man--content thee!said the Countess,and quit my skirt--you are too bold to detain me.Content thyself,Ithink not of thee.
At this moment the folding-doors flew wide open,and a man of majestic mien,muffled in the folds of a long dark riding-cloak,entered the apartment.
