ch befits only a chambermaid, 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."

"Now, may God grant it, dear lady!" said Janet--"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 master-key; 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.

"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
whatever, 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 forgot the words which Joab put
into her mouth," answered Janet. "Tomorrow, 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 murder 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
befall 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 re