So saying, he put into her hand five broad gold pieces of Philip and

Mary.

"I would not accept this gold either," said Janet, "but that I hope to

find a use for it which will bring a blessing on us all."

"Even please thyself, pretty Janet," said the Earl, "and I shall be well

satisfied. And I prithee let them hasten the evening collation."

"I have bidden Master Varney and Master Foster to sup with us, my lord,"

said the Countess, as Janet retired to obey the Earl's commands; "has it

your approbation?"

"What you do ever must have so, my sweet Amy," replied her husband; "and

I am the better pleased thou hast done them this grace, because Richard

Varney is my sworn man, and a close brother of my secret council; and

for the present, I must needs repose much trust in this Anthony Foster."

"I had a boon to beg of thee, and a secret to tell thee, my dear lord,"

said the Countess, with a faltering accent.

"Let both be for to-morrow, my love," replied the Earl. "I see they open

the folding-doors into the banqueting-parlour, and as I have ridden far

and fast, a cup of wine will not be unacceptable."

So saying he led his lovely wife into the next apartment, where Varney

and Foster received them with the deepest reverences, which the first

paid after the fashion of the court, and the second after that of the

congregation. The Earl returned their salutation with the negligent

courtesy of one long used to such homage; while the Countess repaid it

with a punctilious solicitude, which showed it was not quite so familiar

to her.

The banquet at which the company seated themselves corresponded in

magnificence with the splendour of the apartment in which it was served

up, but no domestic gave his attendance. Janet alone stood ready to wait

upon the company; and, indeed, the board was so well supplied with all

that could be desired, that little or no assistance was necessary. The

Earl and his lady occupied the upper end of the table, and Varney and

Foster sat beneath the salt, as was the custom with inferiors. The

latter, overawed perhaps by society to which he was altogether unused,

did not utter a single syllable during the repast; while Varney, with

great tact and discernment, sustained just so much of the conversation

as, without the appearance of intrusion on his part, prevented it from

languishing, and maintained the good-humour of the Earl at the highest

pitch. This man was indeed highly qualified by nature to discharge the

part in which he found himself placed, being discreet and cautious on

the one hand, and, on the other, quick, keen-witted, and imaginative;

so that even the Countess, prejudiced as she was against him on many

accounts, felt and enjoyed his powers of conversation, and was more

disposed than she had ever hitherto found herself to join in the praises

which the Earl lavished on his favourite. The hour of rest at length

arrived, the Earl and Countess retired to their apartment, and all was

silent in the castle for the rest of the night.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024