"But so cannot men say of thee, thou noble Earl," said his lady, as the
cloak dropped on the floor, and showed him dressed as princes when they
ride abroad; "thou art the good and well-tried steel, whose inly worth
deserves, yet disdains, its outward ornaments. Do not think Amy can love
thee better in this glorious garb than she did when she gave her heart
to him who wore the russet-brown cloak in the woods of Devon."

"And thou too," said the Earl, as gracefully and majestically he led
his beautiful Countess towards the chair of state which was prepared
for them both--"thou too, my love, hast donned a dress which becomes
thy rank, though it cannot improve thy beauty. What think'st thou of our
court taste?"

The lady cast a sidelong glance upon the great mirror as they passed
it by, and then said, "I know not how it is, but I think not of my own
person while I look at the reflection of thine. Sit thou there," she
said, as they approached the chair of state, "like a thing for men to
worship and to wonder at."

"Ay, love," said the Earl, "if thou wilt share my state with me."

"Not so," said the Countess; "I will sit on this footstool at thy feet,
that I may spell over thy splendour, and learn, for the first time, how
princes are attired."