"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."




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024