yellow colour.  With all this, there was something sordid in his looks as well as his attire, which showed that to his other vices he added that of avarice.  A mock humility, belied by the changeless sneer upon his countenance, distinguished his deportment.  It could be seen at once that, however cringing he might be, he despised the person he addressed.  Moreover, in spite of all his efforts to control it, there was something sarcastic in his speech.  His doublet and hose, both of which had endured some service, and were well-nigh threadbare, were tawny-coloured; and he wore a short yellow cloak, a great ruff of the same colour, and carried a brown steeple-crowned hat in his hand.

“I await your ladyship’s commands,” said Luke Hatton, bowing obsequiously.

“I have none to give you,” Lady Exeter rejoined with irrepressible disgust.  “I have not sent for you.  Go hence.”

Not at all abashed by this reception, Luke Hatton maintained his place, and threw an inquiring glance at Lord Roos.

“My dear Countess,” said the young nobleman, seating himself negligently upon a tabouret beside her, “I must pray you not to dismiss this worthy man so hastily.  You will find him eminently serviceable; and as to his trustworthiness, I have the best reasons for feeling satisfied of it, because I hold in my hand a noose, which, whenever I please, I can tighten round his neck.  Of this he is quite aware, and therefore he will serve us faithfully, as well from fear as from gratitude.”

“Her ladyship may place entire confidence in me,” remarked Luke Hatton, with a grin.  “This is not the first affair of the kind in which I have been engaged.  I have prepared potions and powders which Mistress Turner (with whose reputation your ladyship must needs be acquainted) used to vend to her customers.  My draughts have removed many a troublesome husband, and silenced many a jealous wife.  I have helped many an heir to the speedy enjoyment of an inheritance, which, but for my assistance, would not have come to him for years.  The lover with a rival in his way, who has come to me, has soon been freed from all anxiety on that score.  The courtier, eager for a post which a superior held, has gained it by my aid.  Yet none of those whom I have thus benefited have been suspected.  Your ladyship, I repeat, need have no fears of me—­and no scruples with me.  State your wishes, and they shall be implicitly obeyed.”

“I have no wish, except to be relieved of a presence which is disagreeable to me,” replied the Countess.

Again Luke Hatton consulted Lord Roos with a regard.

“I find I must act for her ladyship,” said the young nobleman.  “You will take, therefore, the instructions I shall give you, as proceeding from her.  What two names do you find upon that paper?”

“Those of your lordship’s wife and mother-in-law,” returned Luke Hatton.

“You comprehend what her ladyship would have done with those persons?” said Lord Roos, looking at him steadfastly.