While she was in this attitude,and with a corresponding expression betwixt listlessness and expectation on her fine and intelligent features,you might have searched sea and land without finding anything half so expressive or half so lovely.
The wreath of brilliants which mixed with her dark-brown hair did not match in lustre the hazel eye which a light-brown eyebrow,pencilled with exquisite delicacy,and long eyelashes of the same colour,relieved and shaded.The exercise she had just taken,her excited expectation and gratified vanity,spread a glow over her fine features,which had been sometimes censured (as beauty as well as art has her minute critics)for being rather too pale.
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.Imust 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 Idare 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.Ithink 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.Why,even you,my lady,both trembled and blushed when Varney brought the letter from my lord.You are bold,damsel,said the Countess,rising from the cushions on which she sat half reclined in the arms of her attendant.Know that there are causes of trembling which have nothing to do with fear.--But,Janet,she added,immediately relapsing into the good-natured and familiar tone which was natural to her,believe me,I will do what credit I can to your father,and the rather that you,sweetheart,are his child.
Alas!alas!she added,a sudden sadness passing over her fine features,and her eyes filling with tears,I ought the rather to hold sympathy with thy kind heart,that my own poor father is uncertain of my fate,and they say lies sick and sorrowful for my worthless sake!But I will soon cheer him--the news of my happiness and advancement will make him young again.And that Imay cheer him the sooner--she wiped her eyes as she spoke--Imust be cheerful myself.My lord must not find me insensible to his kindness,or sorrowful,when he snatches a visit to his recluse,after so long an absence.Be merry,Janet;the night wears on,and my lord must soon arrive.Call thy father hither,and call Varney also.I cherish resentment against neither;and though I may have some room to be displeased with both,it shall be their own fault if ever a complaint against them reaches the Earl through my means.Call them hither,Janet.Janet Foster obeyed her mistress;and in a few minutes after,Varney entered the withdrawing-room with the graceful ease and unclouded front of an accomplished courtier,skilled,under the veil of external politeness,to disguise his own feelings and to penetrate those of others.Anthony Foster plodded into the apartment after him,his natural gloomy vulgarity of aspect seeming to become yet more remarkable,from his clumsy attempt to conceal the mixture of anxiety and dislike with which he looked on her,over whom he had hitherto exercised so severe a control,now so splendidly attired,and decked with so many pledges of the interest which she possessed in her husband's affections.The blundering reverence which he made,rather AT than TO the Countess,had confession in it.It was like the reverence which the criminal makes to the judge,when he at once owns his guilt and implores mercy--which is at the same time an impudent and embarrassed attempt at defence or extenuation,a confession of a fault,and an entreaty for lenity.
Varney,who,in right of his gentle blood,had pressed into the room before Anthony Foster,knew better what to say than he,and said it with more assurance and a better grace.
