Her dress was of white brocade, over which she wore a loose robe of violet-coloured velvet, with open hanging sleeves, well calculated to display the polished beauty of her arms.

Her ruff was of point lace, and round her throat she wore a carcanet of pearls, while other precious stones glistened in her dusky tresses.
This beautiful dame, whose proud lips were now more compressed than usual, and whose dark eyes emitted fierce rays--very different from their customary tender and voluptuous glances--was the Countess of Exeter.

He whom she looked upon was Lord Roos, and the chamber she had just entered was the one assigned to the young nobleman in the Palace of Theobalds.
She watched him for some time with curiosity.

At length his rage found vent in words.
"Perdition seize them both!" he exclaimed, smiting his forehead with his clenched hand.

"Was ever man cursed with wife and mother-in-law like mine! They will, perforce, drive me to desperate measures, which I would willingly avoid; but if nothing else will keep them quiet, the grave must.