"I receive at this moment so pleasant a surprise, Master Foster,"
answered the Countess, "that I cannot but excuse the rigid fidelity
which secluded me from these apartments, until they had assumed an
appearance so new and so splendid."
"Ay lady," said Foster, "it hath cost many a fair crown; and that more
need not be wasted than is absolutely necessary, I leave you till my
lord's arrival with good Master Richard Varney, who, as I think, hath
somewhat to say to you from your most noble lord and husband.--Janet,
follow me, to see that all be in order."
"No, Master Foster," said the Countess, "we will your daughter remains
here in our apartment--out of ear-shot, however, in case Varney bath
ought to say to me from my lord."
Foster made his clumsy reverence, and departed, with an aspect which
seemed to grudge the profuse expense which had been wasted upon changing
his house from a bare and ruinous grange to an Asiastic palace. When he
was gone, his daughter took her embroidery frame, and went to establish
herself at the bottom of the apartment; while Richard Varney, with a
profoundly humble courtesy, took the lowest stool he could find, and
placing it by the side of the pile of cushions on which the Countess
had now again seated herself, sat with his eyes for a time fixed on the
ground, and in pro-found silence.
"I thought, Master Varney," said the Countess, when she saw he was not
likely to open the conversation, "that you had something to communicate
from my lord and husband; so at least I understood Master Foster, and
therefore I removed my waiting-maid. If I am mistaken, I will recall
her to my side; for her needle is not so absolutely perfect in tent and
cross-stitch, but that my superintendence is advisable."
"Lady," said Varney, "Foster was partly mistaken in my purpose. It
was not FROM but OF your noble husband, and my approved and most noble
patron, that I am led, and indeed bound, to speak."
"The theme is most welcome, sir," said the Countess, "whether it be
of or from my noble husband. But be brief, for I expect his hasty
approach."
"Briefly then, madam," replied Varney, "and boldly, for my argument
requires both haste and courage--you have this day seen Tressilian?"
"I have, sir and what of that?" answered the lady somewhat sharply.
"Nothing that concerns me, lady," Varney replied with humility. "But,
think you, honoured madam, that your lord will hear it with equal
equanimity?"