what the public in general believe of your situa tion."

"And what is that ?" said the lady

"That you left your father's house

shall offend you again if I go on," said Janet, in

terrupting herself.

-"Nay, go on," said the Countess;

learn to endure the evil report which my folly has brought upon me. They think, I suppose, that I have left my father's house to follow lawless plea sure-It is an error which will soon be removed, -indeed it shall, for I will live with spotless fame, or I shall cease to live.-I am accounted, then, the paramour of my Leicester ?"

"Most men say of Varney," said Janet; "yet some call him only the convenient cloak of his master's pleasures; for reports of the profuse expence in garnishing yonder apartments have secretly gone abroad, and such doings far surpass the means of Varney. But this latter opinion is little prevalent; for men dare hardly even hint suspicion when so high a name is concerned, lest the Star-chamber should punish them for scandal of the nobility."

"They do well to speak low," said the Countess, "who would mention the illustrious Dudley as the accomplice of such a wretch as VarneyWe have reached the postern-Ah! Janet, I must bid thee farewell!Weep not, my good girl," said she, endeavouring to cover her own reluctance to part with her faithful attendant under an attempt at playfulness," and against we meet again, reform me, Janet, that precise ruff of thine for an open rabatine of lace and cut work, that will let men see thou hast a fair neck; and that kirtle of Philippine chency, with that bugle lace which befits only a chamber-maid, into three-piled velvet and cloth of gold-thou wilt find plenty of stuffs in my chamber, and I freely bestow them on you. Thou must be brave, Janet; for though thou art now but the attendant of a distressed and errant lady, who is both nameless and fameless, yet, when we meet again, thou must be dressed as becomes the gentlewoman nearest in love and in service to the first Countess in England.”

4

"Now, may God grant it, dear lady!—not that I may go with gayer apparel, but that we may both wear our kirtles over lighter hearts."

By this time the lock of the postern-door had, after some hard wrenching, yielded to the masterkey; and the Countess, not without internal shuddering, saw herself beyond the walls which her husband's strict commands had assigned to her as the boundary of her walks. Waiting with much anxiety for their appearance, Wayland Smith stood at some distance, shrouding himself behind a hedge which bordered the high-road. "Is all safe ?" said Janet to him, anxiously, as he approached them with caution,

o

"All," he replied; "but I have been unable to procure a horse for the lady. Giles Gosling, the cowardly hilding, refused me one on any terms; lest, forsooth, he should suffer-but no matter. She must ride on my palfrey, and I must walk by her side until I come by another horse. There will be no pursuit, if you, pretty Mistress Janet, forget not thy lesson.”

No more than the wise widow of Tekoa for got the words which Joab put into her mouth," answered Janet. "To-morrow, I say that my lady is unable to rise."

"Ay, and that she hath aching and heaviness

?

of the head-a throbbing at the heart, and lists not to be disturbed.-Fear not, they will take the hint, and trouble thee with few questions→ they understand the disease."

But," said the lady, "my absence must be soon discovered, and they will murther her in revenge. I will rather return than expose her to such danger."

"Be at ease on my account, madam," said Janet; "I would you were as sure of receiving the favour you desire from those to whom you must make appeal, as I am that my father, however angry, will suffer no harm to befal me.".. The Countess was now placed by Wayland upon his horse, around the saddle of which he had placed his cloak, so folded as to make her a commodious seat.

!

"Adieu, and may the blessing of God wend with you!" said Janet, again kissing her mistress's hand, who returned her benediction with a mute caress. They then tore themselves asunder, and Janet, addressing Wayland, exclaimed, “ May Heaven deal with you at your need, as you are

true or false to this most injured and most helpless lady!"

Amen! pretty Janet,” replied Wayland ;❝ and believe me, I will so acquit myself of my trust, as may tempt even your pretty eyes, saintlike as they are, to look less scornfully on me when we next meet." SANKA JA JAVÍTMÎ tollen zi

The latter part of this adieu was whispered into Janet's ear; and, although she made no reply to it directly, yet her manner, influenced no doubt by her desire to leave every motive in force which could operate towards her mistress's safety, did not discourage the hope which Wayland's words expressed. She re-entered the postern-door, and locked it behind her, while Wayland, taking the horse's bridle in his hand, and walking close by its head, they began in silence their dubious and moonlight journey.

Although Wayland Smith used the utmost dispatch which he could make, yet this mode of travelling was so slow, that when morning began to dawn through the eastern mist, he found himself not farther than about ten miles distant from Cumnor. "Now, a plague upon all smooth