"He reminds me sometimes of the necessity of this privacy," answered

the lady, with a sigh; "but that is reminding me of your wishes, and

therefore I am rather bound to him than disposed to blame him for it."

"I have told you the stern necessity which is upon us," replied the

Earl. "Foster is, I note, somewhat sullen of mood; but Varney warrants

to me his fidelity and devotion to my service. If thou hast aught,

however, to complain of the mode in which he discharges his duty, he

shall abye it."

"Oh, I have nought to complain of," answered the lady, "so he discharges

his task with fidelity to you; and his daughter Janet is the kindest and

best companion of my solitude--her little air of precision sits so well

upon her!"

"Is she indeed?" said the Earl. "She who gives you pleasure must not

pass unrewarded.--Come hither, damsel."

"Janet," said the lady, "come hither to my lord."

Janet, who, as we already noticed, had discreetly retired to some

distance, that her presence might be no check upon the private

conversation of her lord and lady, now came forward; and as she made

her reverential curtsy, the Earl could not help smiling at the contrast

which the extreme simplicity of her dress, and the prim demureness of

her looks, made with a very pretty countenance and a pair of black eyes,

that laughed in spite of their mistress's desire to look grave.

"I am bound to you, pretty damsel," said the Earl, "for the contentment

which your service hath given to this lady." As he said this, he took

from his finger a ring of some price, and offered it to Janet Foster,

adding, "Wear this, for her sake and for mine."

"I am well pleased, my lord," answered Janet demurely, "that my poor

service hath gratified my lady, whom no one can draw nigh to without

desiring to please; but we of the precious Master Holdforth's

congregation seek not, like the gay daughters of this world, to twine

gold around our fingers, or wear stones upon our necks, like the vain

women of Tyre and of Sidon."

"Oh, what! you are a grave professor of the precise sisterhood, pretty

Mistress Janet," said the Earl, "and I think your father is of the same

congregation in sincerity? I like you both the better for it; for I have

been prayed for, and wished well to, in your congregations. And you may

the better afford the lack of ornament, Mistress Janet, because your

fingers are slender, and your neck white. But here is what neither

Papist nor Puritan, latitudinarian nor precisian, ever boggles or makes

mouths at. E'en take it, my girl, and employ it as you list."




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