“Amy,” he said, “you speak of what you understand not.  We that toil in courts are like those who climb a mountain of loose sand—­we dare make no halt until some projecting rock affords us a secure footing and resting-place.  If we pause sooner, we slide down by our own weight, an object of universal derision.  I stand high, but I stand not secure enough to follow my own inclination.  To declare my marriage were to be the artificer of my own ruin.  But, believe me, I will reach a point, and that speedily, when I can do justice to thee and to myself.  Meantime, poison not the bliss of the present moment, by desiring that which cannot at present be, Let me rather know whether all here is managed to thy liking.  How does Foster bear himself to you?—­in all things respectful, I trust, else the fellow shall dearly rue it.”

“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.”