The milk-white pearls of the necklace which she wore, the same which she had just received as a true-love token from her husband, were excelled in purity by her teeth, and by the colour of her skin, saving where the blush of pleasure and self-satisfaction had somewhat stained the neck with a shade of light crimson.--"Now, have done with these busy fingers, Janet," she said to her handmaiden, who was still officiously employed in bringing her hair and her dress into order--"have done, I say.

I must see your father ere my lord arrives, and also Master Richard Varney, whom my lord has highly in his esteem--but I could tell that of him would lose him favour." "Oh, do not do so, good my lady!" replied Janet; "leave him to God, who punishes the wicked in His own time; but do not you cross Varney's path, for so thoroughly hath he my lord's ear, that few have thriven who have thwarted his courses." "And from whom had you this, my most righteous Janet ?" said the Countess; "or why should I keep terms with so mean a gentleman as Varney, being as I am, wife to his master and patron ?" "Nay, madam," replied Janet Foster, "your ladyship knows better than I; but I have heard my father say he would rather cross a hungry wolf than thwart Richard Varney in his projects.

And he has often charged me to have a care of holding commerce with him." "Thy father said well, girl, for thee," replied the lady, "and I dare swear meant well.

It is a pity, though, his face and manner do little match his true purpose--for I think his purpose may be true." "Doubt it not, my lady," answered Janet--"doubt not that my father purposes well, though he is a plain man, and his blunt looks may belie his heart." "I will not doubt it, girl, were it only for thy sake; and yet he has one of those faces which men tremble when they look on.

I think even thy mother, Janet--nay, have done with that poking-iron--could hardly look upon him without quaking." "If it were so, madam," answered Janet Foster, "my mother had those who could keep her in honourable countenance.