“Tush,” said Varney, “what has the surly groom to do with your ladyship’s concerns?—No more, surely, than the ban-dog which watches his courtyard. If he is in aught distasteful to your ladyship, I have interest enough to have him exchanged for a seneschal that shall be more agreeable to you.”
“Master Varney,” said the Countess, “let us drop this theme—when I complain of the attendants whom my lord has placed around me, it must be to my lord himself—Hark! I hear the trampling of horse—He comes! he comes!” she exclaimed,jumping up in ecstasy.
“I cannot think it is he,” said Varney; “or that you can hear the tread of his horse through the closely mantled casements.”
“Stop me not, Varney—my ears are keener than thine—it is he!”
“But, madam!—but, madam!” exclaimed Varney, anxiously, and still placing himself in her way—“I trust that what I have spoken in humble duty and service, will not be turned to my ruin?—I hope that my faithful advice will not be bewrayed to my prejudice?—I implore that”———
“Content thee, man—content thee!” said the Countess, “and quit my skirt—you are too bold to detain me—Content thyself, I think not of thee.”
At this moment the folding-doors flew wide open, and a man of majestic mien, muffled in the folds of a long dark riding-cloak, entered the apartment.
