"Under your honourable favour," said Wayland, "I am an honest man, and
I have sold my goods at an honest price. As to this most precious
medicine, when I told its qualities, I asked you not to purchase it, so
why should I lie to you? I say not it will cure a rooted affection
of the mind, which only God and time can do; but I say that this
restorative relieves the black vapours which are engendered in the body
of that melancholy which broodeth on the mind. I have relieved many with
it, both in court and city, and of late one Master Edmund Tressilian, a
worshipful gentleman in Cornwall, who, on some slight received, it was
told me, where he had set his affections, was brought into that state of
melancholy which made his friends alarmed for his life."
He paused, and the lady remained silent for some time, and then asked,
with a voice which she strove in vain to render firm and indifferent in
its tone, "Is the gentleman you have mentioned perfectly recovered?"
"Passably, madam," answered Wayland; "he hath at least no bodily
complaint."
"I will take some of the medicine, Janet," said the Countess. "I too
have sometimes that dark melancholy which overclouds the brain."
"You shall not do so, madam," said Janet; "who shall answer that this
fellow vends what is wholesome?"
"I will myself warrant my good faith," said Wayland; and taking a part
of the medicine, he swallowed it before them. The Countess now bought
what remained, a step to which Janet, by further objections, only
determined her the more obstinately. She even took the first dose upon
the instant, and professed to feel her heart lightened and her spirits
augmented--a consequence which, in all probability, existed only in
her own imagination. The lady then piled the purchases she had made
together, flung her purse to Janet, and desired her to compute the
amount, and to pay the pedlar; while she herself, as if tired of the
amusement she at first found in conversing with him, wished him good
evening, and walked carelessly into the house, thus depriving Wayland of
every opportunity to speak with her in private. He hastened, however, to
attempt an explanation with Janet.
"Maiden," he said, "thou hast the face of one who should love her
mistress. She hath much need of faithful service."
"And well deserves it at my hands," replied Janet; "but what of that?"