LOVE AND LIFE

An Old Story in Eighteenth Century Costume

By Charlotte M. Yonge

Transcriber's note: There are numerous examples throughout this textof words appearing in alternate spellings: madame/madam, practise/practice, Ladyship/ladyship, &c. We can only wonder what the publisherhad in mind. I have left them unchanged. --D. L. 

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 

The first edition of this tale was put forth without explaining theold fable on which it was founded--a fable recurring again and again infairy myths, though not traceable in the classic world till a very lateperiod, when it appeared among the tales of Apuleius, of the provinceof Africa, sometimes called the earliest novelist. There are, however, fragments of the same story in the popular tales of all countries, sothat it is probable that Apuleius availed himself of an early form ofone of these. They are to be found from India to Scandinavia, adapted tothe manners and fancy of every country in turn, _Beauty and the Beast_and the _Black Bull of Norroway_ are the most familiar forms of thetale, and it seemed to me one of those legends of such universalproperty that it was quite fair to put it into 18th century Englishcostume. 

Some have seen in it a remnant of the custom of some barbarous tribes, that the wife should not behold her husband for a year after marriage, and to this the Indian versions lend themselves; but Apuleius himselfeither found it, or adapted it to the idea of the Soul (the Life)awakened by Love, grasping too soon and impatiently, then losing it, and, unable to rest, struggling on through severe toils and labours tillher hopes are crowned even at the gates of death. Psyche, the soul orlife, whose emblem is the butterfly, thus even in heathen philosophystrained towards the higher Love, just glimpsed at for a while. 

Christians gave a higher meaning to the fable, and saw in it the Soul, or the Church, to whom her Bridegroom has been for a while made known, striving after Him through many trials, to be made one with Him afterpassing through Death. The Spanish poet Calderon made it the theme oftwo sacred dramas, in which the lesson of Faith, not Sight, was taught, with special reference to the Holy Eucharist. 

English poetry has, however, only taken up its simple classical aspect. In the early part of the century, Mrs. Tighe wrote a poem in Spenserianstanza, called _Psyche_, which was much admired at the time; and Mr. Morris has more lately sung the story in his _Earthly Paradise_. Thismust be my excuse for supposing the outline of the tale to be familiarto most readers. 

The fable is briefly thus:--

Venus was jealous of the beauty of a maiden named Psyche, the youngestof three daughters of a king. She sent misery on the land and family, and caused an oracle to declare that the only remedy was to deck hisyoungest daughter as a bride, and leave her in a lonely place to becomethe prey of a monster. Cupid was commissioned by his mother to destroyher. He is here represented not as a child, but as a youth, who onseeing Psyche's charms, became enamoured of her, and resolved to saveher from his mother and make her his own. He therefore caused Zephyr totransport her to a palace where everything delightful and valuable wasat her service, feasts spread, music playing, all her wishes fulfilled, but all by invisible hands. At night in the dark, she was conscious ofa presence who called himself her husband, showed the fondest affectionfor her, and promised her all sorts of glory and bliss, if she would bepatient and obedient for a time. 

This lasted till yearnings awoke to see her family. She obtained consentwith much difficulty and many warnings. Then the splendour in which shelived excited the jealousy of her sisters, and they persuaded her thather visitor was really the monster who would deceive her and devour her. They thus induced her to accept a lamp with which to gaze on him whenasleep. She obeyed them, then beholding the exquisite beauty of thesleeping god of love, she hung over him in rapture till a drop of thehot oil fell on his shoulder and awoke him. He sprang up, sorrowfullyreproached her with having ruined herself and him, and flew away, letting her fall as she clung to him. 

The palace was broken up, the wrath of Venus pursued her; Ceres and allthe other deities chased her from their temples; even when she wouldhave drowned herself, the river god took her in his arms, and laid heron the bank. Only Pan had pity on her, and counselled her to submit toVenus, and do her bidding implicitly as the only hope of regaining herlost husband. 

Venus spurned her at first, and then made her a slave, setting her firstto sort a huge heap of every kind of grain in a single day. The ants, secretly commanded by Cupid, did this for her. Next, she was to geta lock of golden wool from a ram feeding in a valley closed in byinaccessible rocks; but this was procured for her by an eagle; andlastly, Venus, declaring that her own beauty had been impaired byattendance on her injured son, commanded Psyche to visit the InfernalRegions and obtain from Proserpine a closed box of cosmetic which was onno account to be opened. Psyche thought death alone could bring her tothese realms, and was about to throw herself from a tower, when a voiceinstructed her how to enter a cavern, and propitiate Cerberus with cakesafter the approved fashion. 

She thus reached Proserpine's throne, and obtained the casket, but whenshe had again reached the earth, she reflected that if Venus's beautywere impaired by anxiety, her own must have suffered far more; andthe prohibition having of course been only intended to stimulate hercuriosity, she opened the casket, out of which came the baneful fumes ofDeath! Just, however, as she fell down overpowered, her husband, who hadbeen shut up by Venus, came to the rescue, and finding himself unableto restore her, cried aloud to Jupiter, who heard his prayer, reanimatedPsyche, and gave her a place among the gods. 

CHAPTERS. 

 I. A SYLLABUB PARTY. II. THE HOUSE OF DELAVIE. III. AMONG THE COWSLIPS. IV. MY LADY'S MISSIVE. V. THE SUMMONS. VI. DISAPPOINTED LOVE. VII. ALL ALONE. VIII. THE ENCHANTED CASTLE. IX. THE TRIAD. X. THE DARK CHAMBER. XI. A VOICE FROM THE GRAVE. XII. THE SHAFTS OF PHOEBE. XIII. THE FLUTTER OF HIS WINGS. XIV. THE CANON OF WINDSOR. XV. THE QUEEN OF BEAUTY. XVI. AUGURIES. XVII. THE VICTIM DEMANDED. XVIII. THE PROPOSAL. XIX. WOOING IN THE DARK. XX. THE MUFFLED BRIDEGROOM. XXI. THE SISTER'S MEETING XXII. A FATAL SPARK. XXIII. WRATH AND DESOLATION. XXIV. THE WANDERER. XXV. VANISHED. XXVI. THE TRACES. XXVII. CYTHEREA'S BOWER. XXVIII. THE ROUT. XXIX. A BLACK BLONDEL. XXX. THE FIRST TASK. XXXI. THE SECOND TASK. XXXII. LIONS. XXXIII. THE COSMETIC. XXXIV. DOWN THE RIVER. XXXV. THE RETURN. XXXVI. WAKING. XXXVII. MAKING THE BEST OF IT. 

LOVE AND LIFE. 

CHAPTER I. A SYLLABUB PARTY. 

 Oft had I shadowed such a group Of beauties that were born In teacup times of hood and hoop, And when the patch was worn; And legs and arms with love-knots gay. About me leaped and laughed The modish Cupid of the day, And shrilled his tinselled shaft. --Tennyson. 

If times differ, human nature and national character vary but little;and thus, in looking back on former times, we are by turns startledby what is curiously like, and curiously unlike, our own sayings anddoings. 

The feelings of a retired officer of the nineteenth century expectingthe return of his daughters from the first gaiety of the youngestdarling, are probably not dissimilar to those of Major Delavie, in theearlier half of the seventeen hundreds, as he sat in the deep bay windowof his bed-room; though he wore a green velvet nightcap; and his wholeprovision of mental food consisted of half a dozen worn numbers of the_Tatler_, and a _Gazette_ a fortnight old. The chair on which he sat waselbowed, and made easy with cushions and pillows, but that on whichhis lame foot rested was stiff and angular. The cushion was exquisitelyworked in chain-stich, as were the quilt and curtains of the greatfour-post bed, and the only carpeting consisted of three or four narrowstrips of wool-work. The walls were plain plaster, white-washed, andwholly undecorated, except that the mantelpiece was carved with thehideous caryatides of the early Stewart days, and over it were suspendeda long cavalry sabre, and the accompanying spurs and pistols; above themthe miniature of an exquisitely lovely woman, with a white rose in herhair and a white favour on her breast. 

The window was a deep one projecting far into the narrow garden below, for in truth the place was one of those old manor houses which theirwealthy owners were fast deserting in favour of new specimens ofclassical architecture as understood by Louis XIV. , and the room inwhich the Major sat was one of the few kept in habitable repair. Thegarden was rich with white pinks, peonies, lilies of the valley, andearly roses, and there was a flagged path down the centre, between thefront door and a wicket-gate into a long lane bordered with hawthornhedges, the blossoms beginning to blush with the advance of the season. Beyond, rose dimly the spires and towers of a cathedral town, one ofthose county capitals to which the provincial magnates were wont toresort during the winter, keeping a mansion there for the purpose, andproviding entertainment for the gentry of the place and neighbourhood. 

Twilight was setting in when the Major began to catch glimpses of thelaced hats of coachman and footmen over the hedges, a lumbering madeitself heard, and by and by the vehicle halted at the gate. Sucha coach! It was only the second best, and the glories of itslandscape--painted sides were somewhat dimmed, the green and silver ofthe fittings a little tarnished to a critical eye; yet it was a splendidarticle, commodious and capacious, though ill-provided with air andlight. However, nobody cared for stuffiness, certainly not the threeyoung ladies, who, fan in hand, came tripping down the steps thatwere unrolled for them. The eldest paused to administer a fee to theirentertainer's servants who had brought them home, and the coach rolledon to dispose of the remainder of the freight. 

The father waved greetings from one window, a rosy little audaciousfigure in a night-dress peeped out furtively from another, and thehouse-door was opened by a tall old soldier-servant, stiff as a ramrod, with hair tightly tied and plastered up into a queue, and a blue andbrown livery which sat like a uniform. 

"Well, young ladies, " he said, "I hope you enjoyed yourselves. "

"Vastly, thank you, Corporal Palmer. And how has it been with my fatherin our absence?"

"Purely, Miss Harriet. He relished the Friar's chicken that Miss Delavieleft for him, and he amused himself for an hour with Master Eugene, after which he did me the honour to play two plays at backgammon. "

"I hope, " said the eldest sister, coming up, "that the little rogue whomI saw peeping from the window has not been troublesome. "

"He has been as good as gold, madam. He played in master's room tillNannerl called him to his bed, when he went at once, 'true to hisorders, ' says the master. 'A fine soldier he will make, ' says I to mymaster. "

Therewith the sisters mounted the uncarpeted but well-polished oakstair, knocked at the father's door, and entered one by one, eachdropping her curtsey, and, though the eldest was five-and-twenty, neither speaking nor sitting till they were greeted with a hearty, "Come, my young maids, sit you down and tell your old father your gaydoings. "

The eldest took the only unoccupied chair, while the other two placedthemselves on the window-seat, all bolt upright, with both little highheels on the floor, in none of the easy attitudes of damsels of laterdate, talking over a party. All three were complete gentlewomen in airand manners, though Betty had high cheek-bones, a large nose, roughcomplexion, and red hair, and her countenance was more loveable andtrustworthy than symmetrical. The dainty decorations of youth lookedgrotesque upon her, and she was so well aware of the fact as to put onno more than was absolutely essential to a lady of birth and breeding. Harriet (pronounced Hawyot), the next in age, had a small well-set head, a pretty neck, and fine dark eyes, but the small-pox had made havocof her bloom, and left its traces on cheek and brow. The wreck of herbeauty had given her a discontented, fretful expression, which renderedher far less pleasing than honest, homely Betty, though she employedall the devices of the toilette to conceal the ravages of the malady andenhance her remaining advantages of shape and carriage. 

There was an air of vexation about her as her father asked, "Well, howmany conquests has my little Aurelia made?" She could not but recollecthow triumphantly she had listened to the same inquiry after her ownfirst appearance, scarcely three short years ago. Yet she grudgednothing to Aurelia, her junior by five years, who was for the firsttime arrayed as a full-grown belle, in a pale blue, tight-sleeved, long-waisted silk, open and looped up over a primrose skirt, embroideredby her own hands with tiny blue butterflies hovering over harebells. There were blue silk shoes, likewise home-made, with silver buckles, andthe long mittens and deep lace ruffles were of Betty's fabrication. Even the dress itself had been cut by Harriet from old wedding hoardsof their mother's, and made up after the last mode imported by MadamChurchill at the Deanery. 

The only part of the equipment not of domestic handiwork was thestructure on the head. The Carminster hairdresser had been making hisrounds since daylight, taking his most distinguished customers last; andas the Misses Delavie were not high on the roll, Harriet and Aurelia hadbeen under his hands at nine A. M. From that time till three, when thecoach called for them, they had sat captive on low stools under a tentof table-cloth over tall chair-backs to keep the dust out of the frostededifice constructed out of their rich dark hair, of the peculiar tintthen called mouse-colour. Betty had refused to submit to this durance. "What sort of dinner would be on my father's table-cloth if I were tosit under one all day?" said she in answer to Harriet's representationof the fitness of things. "La, my dear, what matters it what an oldscarecrow like me puts on?"

Old maidenhood set in much earlier in those days than at present; thesisters acquiesced, and Betty had run about as usual all the morning inher mob-cap, and chintz gown tucked through her pocket-holes, and onlyat the last submitted her head to the manipulations of Corporal Palmer, who daily powdered his master's wig. 

Strange and unnatural as was the whitening of the hair, it was effectivein enhancing the beauty of Aurelia's dark arched brows, the softbrilliance of her large velvety brown eyes, and the exquisite carnationand white of her colouring. Her features were delicately chiselled, andher face had that peculiar fresh, innocent, soft, untouched bloom andundisturbed repose which form the special charm and glory of the firstdawn of womanhood. Her little head was well poised on a slender neck, just now curving a little to one side with the fatigue of the hoursduring which it had sustained her headgear. This consisted of atiny flat hat, fastened on by long pins, and adorned by a cluster ofcampanulas like those on her dress, with a similar blue butterfly on aninvisible wire above them, the dainty handiwork of Harriet. 

The inquiry about conquests was a matter of course after a young lady'sfirst party, but Aurelia looked too childish for it, and Betty madehaste to reply. 

"Aurelia was a very good girl. No one could have curtsied or bridledmore prettily when we paid our respects to my Lady Herries and Mrs. Churchill, and the Dean highly commended her dancing. "

"You danced? Fine doings! I thought you were merely invited to look onat the game at bowls. Who had the best of the match?"

"The first game was won by Canon Boltby, the second by the Dean, " saidBetty; "but when they would have played the conqueror, Lady Herriesinterfered and said the gentlemen had kept the field long enough, andnow it was our turn. So a cow was driven on the bowling-green, with abell round her neck and pink ribbons on her horns. "

"A cow! What will they have next?"

"They say 'tis all the mode in London, " interposed Harriet. 

"Pray was the cow to instruct you in dancing?" continued the Major. 

"No, sir, " said Aurelia, whom he had addressed; "she was to be milkedinto the bowl of syllabub. "

This was received with a great "Ho! ho!" and a demand who was to act asmilker. 

"That was the best of it, " said Aurelia. "Soon came Miss Herries ina straw hat, and the prettiest green petticoat under a white gown andapron, as a dairy-maid, but the cow would not stand still, for all theman who led her kept scolding her and saying 'Coop! coop!' No sooner hadMiss Herries seated herself on the stool than Moolly swerved away, andit was a mercy that the fine china bowl escaped. Every one was laughing, and poor Miss Herries was ready to cry, when forth steps my sister, coaxes the cow, bids the man lend his apron, sits down on the stool, andhas the bowl frothing in a moment. "

"I would not have done so for worlds, " said Harriet; "I dreaded everymoment to be asked where Miss Delavie learnt to be a milk-maid. "

"You were welcome to reply, in her own yard, " said Betty. "You may thankme for your syllabub. "

"Which, after all, you forbade poor Aura to taste!"

"Assuredly. I was not going to have her turn sick on my hands. She maythink herself beholden to me for her dance with that fine young beau. Who was he, Aura?"

"How now!" said the Major, in a tone of banter, while Harriet indulgedin a suppressed giggle. "You let Aura dance with a stranger! Where wasyour circumspection, Mrs. Betty?" Aurelia coloured to the roots of herhair and faltered, "It was Lady Herries who presented him. "

"Yes, the child is not to blame, " said Betty; "I left her in chargeof Mrs. Churchill while I went to wash my hands after milking the cow, which these fine folk seemed to suppose could be done without soiling afinger. "

"That's the way with Chloe and Phyllida in Arcadia, " said her father. 

"But not here, " said Betty. "In the house, I was detained a littlewhile, for the housekeeper wanted me to explain my recipe for taking outthe grease spots. "

"A little while, sister?" said Harriet. "It was through the dancing ofthree minuets, and the country dance had long been begun. "

"I was too busy to heed the time, " said Betty, "for I obtained therecipe for those delicious almond-cakes, and showed Mrs. Waldron theVienna mode of clearing coffee. When I came back the fiddles wereplaying, and Aurelia going down the middle with a young gentleman in ascarlet coat. Poor little Robert Rowe was too bashful to find a partner, though he longed to dance; so I made another couple with him, and thusmissed further speech, save that as we took our leave, both Sir Georgeand the Dean complimented me, and said what there is no occasion torepeat just now, sir, when I ought to be fetching your supper. "

"Ha! Is it too flattering for little Aura?" asked her father. "Come, never spare. She will hear worse than that in her day, I'll warrant. "

"It was merely, " said Betty, reluctantly, "that the Dean called her thestar of the evening, and declared that her dancing equalled her face. "

"Well said of his reverence! And his honour the baronet, what said he?"

"He said, sir, that so comely and debonnaire a couple had not been seenin these parts since you came home from Flanders and led off the assizeball with Mistress Urania Delavie. "

"There, Aura, 'tis my turn to blush!" cried the Major, comically hidinghis face behind Betty's fan. "But all this time you have never told mewho was this young spark. "

"That I cannot tell, sir, " returned Betty. "We were sent home inthe coach with Mistress Duckworth and her daughters, who talked soincessantly that we could not open our lips. Who was he, Aura?"

"My Lady Herries only presented him as Sir Amyas, sister, " repliedAurelia. 

"Sir Amyas!" cried her auditors, all together. 

"Nothing more, " said Aurelia. "Indeed she made as though he and I mustbe acquainted, and I suppose that she took me for Harriet, but I knewnot how to explain. "

"No doubt, " said Harriet. "I was sick of the music and folly, and hadretired to the summerhouse with Peggy Duckworth, who had brought a sweetsonnet of Mr. Ambrose Phillips, 'Defying Cupid. '"

Her father burst into a chuckling laugh, much to her mortification, though she would not seem to understand it, and Betty took up the moral. 

"Sir Amyas! Are you positive that you caught the name, child?"

"I thought so, sister, " said Aurelia, with the insecurity produced bysuch cross-questioning; "but I may have been mistaken, since, of course, the true Sir Amyas Belamour would never be here without my father'sknowledge. "

"Nor is there any other of the name, " said her father, "except thatmelancholic uncle of his who never leaves his dark chamber. "

"Depend upon it, " said Harriet, "Lady Herries said Sir Ambrose. No doubtit was Sir Ambrose Watford. "

"Nay, Harriet, I demur to that, " said her father drolly. "I flattermyself I was a more personable youth than to be likened to Watford withhis swollen nose. What like was your cavalier, Aura?"

"Indeed, sir, I cannot describe him. I was so much terrified lest heshould speak to me that I had much ado to mind my steps. I know he hadwhite gloves and diamond shoe-buckles, and that his feet moved by nomeans like those of Sir Ambrose. "

"Aura is a modest child, and does credit to her breeding, " said Betty. "Thus much I saw, that the young gentleman was tall and personableenough to bear comparison even to you, sir, not more than nineteen ortwenty years of age, in a laced scarlet uniform, as I think, of theDragoon Guards, and with a little powder, but not enough to disguisethat his hair was entire gold. "

"That all points to his being indeed young Belamour, " said her father;"age, military appearance, and all--I wonder what this portends!"

"What a disaster!" exclaimed Harriet, "that my sister and I should havebeen out of the way, and only a chit like Aura be there to be presentedto him. "

"If young ladies _will_ defy Cupid, " began her father;--but at thatmoment Corporal Palmer knocked at the door, bringing a basin of soup forhis master, and announcing "Supper is served, young ladies. "

Each of the three bent her knee to receive her father's blessing andkiss, then curtseying at the door, departed, Betty lingering behind hertwo juniors to see her father taste his soup and to make sure that herelished it. 

CHAPTER II. THE HOUSE OF DELAVIE. 

 All his Paphian mother fear; Empress! all thy sway revere! EURIPEDES (Anstice). 

The parlour where the supper was laid was oak panelled, but paintedwhite. Like a little island in the vast polished slippery floor lay asquare much-worn carpet, just big enough to accommodate a moderate-sizedtable and the surrounding high-backed chairs. There was a tent-stitchrug before the Dutch-tiled fireplace, and on the walls hung two framedprints, --one representing the stately and graceful Duke of Marlborough;the other, the small, dark, pinched, but fiery Prince Eugene. On thespotless white cloth was spread a frugal meal of bread, butter, cheese, and lettuce; a jug of milk, another of water, and a bottle of cowslipwine; for the habits of the family were more than usually frugal andabstemious. 

Frugality and health alike obliged Major Delavie to observe a carefulregimen. He had served in all Marlborough's campaigns, and hadafterwards entered the Austrian army, and fought in the Turkish war, until he had been disabled before Belgrade by a terrible wound, of whichhe still felt the effects. Returning home with his wife, the daughter ofa Jacobite exile, he had become a kind of agent in managing the familyestate for his cousin the heiress, Lady Belamour, who allowed himto live rent-free in this ruinous old Manor-house, the cradle of thefamily. 

This was all that Harriet and Aurelia knew. The latter had been bornat the Manor, and young girls, if not brought extremely forward, weretreated like children; but Elizabeth, the eldest of the family, whocould remember Vienna, was so much the companion and confidante of herfather, that she was more on the level of a mother than a sister to herjuniors. 

"Then you think Aurelia's beau was really Sir Amyas Belamour, " saidHarriet, as they sat down to supper. 

"So it appears, " said Betty, gravely. 

"Do you think he will come hither, sister? I would give the world to seehim, " continued Harriet. 

"He said something of hoping for better acquaintance, " softly put inAurelia. 

"Oh, did he so?" cried Harriet. "For demure as you are, Miss Aura, Ifancy you looked a little above the diamond shoe-buckles!"

"Fie, Harriet!" exclaimed Betty; "I will not have the child tormented. He ought to come and pay his respects to my father. "

"Have you ever seen my Lady?" asked Aurelia. 

"That have I, Miss Aurelia, " interposed Corporal Palmer, "and a rarepiece of beauty she would be, if one could forget the saying 'handsomeis as handsome does. '"

"I never knew what she has done, " said Aurelia. 

"'Tis a long story, " hastily said Betty, "too long to tell at table. Imust make haste to prepare the poultice for my father. "

She quickly broke up the supper party, and the two younger sistersrepaired to their chamber, both conscious of having been repressed; theone feeling injured, the other rebuked for forwardness and curiosity. The three sisters shared one long low room with a large light closetat each end. One of these was sacred to powder, the other was Betty'sprivate property. Harriet had a little white bed to herself, Betty andAurelia nightly climbed into a lofty and solemn structure curtained withancient figured damask. Each had her own toilette-table and a press forher clothes, where she contrived to stow them in a wonderfully smallspace. 

Harriet and Aurelia had divested themselves of their finery beforeBetty came in, and they assisted her operations, Harriet preferring acomplaint that she never would tell them anything. 

"I have no objection to tell you at fitting times, " said Betty, "but notwith Palmer putting in his word. You should have discretion, Harriet. "

"The Dean's servants never speak when they are waiting at table, " saidHarriet with a pout. 

"But I'll warrant them to hear!" retorted Betty. 

"And I had rather have our dear old honest corporal than a dozen ofthose fine lackeys, " said Aurelia. "But you will tell us the story likea good sister, while we brush the powder out of our hair. "

They put on powdering gowns, after releasing themselves from the armourof their stays, and were at last at ease, each seated on a wooden chairin the powdering closet, brush in hand, with a cloud of white dustflying round, and the true colour of the hair beginning to appear. 

"Then it is indeed true that My Lady is one of the greatest beauties ofQueen Caroline's Court, if not the greatest?" said Harriet. 

"Truly she is, " said Betty, "and though in full maturity, she preservesthe splendour of her prime. "

"Tell us more particularly, " said Aurelia; "can she be more lovely thanour dear mamma?"

"No, indeed! lovely was never the word for her, to my mind, " saidBetty; "her face always seemed to me more like that of one of the marblestatues I remember at Vienna; perfect, but clear, cold, and hard. ButI am no judge, for I did not love her, and in a child, admirationaccompanies affection. "

"What did Palmer mean by 'handsome is that handsome does'? Surely myfather never was ill-treated by Lady Belamour?"

"Let me explain, " said the elder sister. "The ancient custom andprecedent of our family have always transmitted the estates to the maleheir. But when Charles II. Granted the patent of nobility to the firstBaron Delavie, the barony was limited to the heirs male of his body, andout grandfather was only his brother. The last Lord had three sons, andone daughter, Urania, who alone survived him. "

"I know all that from the monument, " said Aurelia; "one was drownedwhile bathing, one died of spotted fever, and one was killed at thebattle of Ramillies. How dreadful for the poor old father!"

"And there is no Lord Delavie now, " said Harriet. "Why, since my Ladycould not have the title, did it not come to our papa?"

"Because his father was not in the patent, " said Betty. "However, itwas thought that if he were married to Mistress Urania, there would bea fresh creation in their favour. So as soon as the last campaign wasover, our father, who had always been a favourite at the great house, was sent for from the army, and given to understand that he was toconduct his courtship, with the cousin he had petted as a little child, as speedily as was decorous. However, in winter quarters at Tournai hehad already pledged his faith to the daughter of a Scottish gentlemanin the Austrian service. This engagement was viewed by the old Lord asa trifling folly, which might be set aside by the head of the family. He hinted that the proposed match was by no means disagreeable to hisdaughter, and scarcely credited his ears when his young kinsman declaredhis honour forbade him to break with Miss Murray. "

"Dear father, " ejaculated Aurelia, "so he gave up everything for hersake?"

"And never repented it!" said Betty. 

"Now, " said Harriet, "I understand why he entered the army. "

"It was all he had to depend on, " said Betty, "and he had beenfavourably noticed by Prince Eugene at the siege of Lisle, so that heeasily obtained a commission. He believed that though it was in thepower of the old Lord to dispose of part of his estates by will, yetthat some of the land was entailed in the male line, so that there neednot be many years of campaigning or poverty for his bride, even if herfather never were restored to his Scottish property. As you know, ourgrandfather, Sir Archibald Murray, died for his loyalty in the rising of'15, and two years later our father received at Belgrade that terriblewound which closed his military career. Meantime, Urania had married SirJovian Belamour, and Lord Delavie seemed to have forgotten my father'soffence, and gave him the management of the estate, with this old houseto live in, showing himself glad of the neighbourhood of a kinsman whomhe could thoroughly trust. All went well till my Lady came to visit herfather. Then all old offences were renewed. Lady Belamour treated mymother as a poor dependant. She, daughter to a noble line of pedigreefar higher than that of the Delavies, might well return her haughtylooks, and would not yield an inch, nor join in the general adulation. There were disputes about us children. Poor Archie was a most beautifulboy, and though you might not suppose it, I was a very pretty littlegirl, this nose of mine being then much more shapely than the littlebuttons which grow to fair proportions. On the other hand, the littleBelamours were puny and sickly; indeed, as you know, this young SirAmyas, who was not then born, is the only one of the whole family whohas been reared. Then we had been carefully bred, could chatter French, recite poetry, make our bow and curtsey, bridle, and said Sir and Madam, while the poor little cousins who had been put out to nurse had no moremanners than the calves and pigs. People were the more flattering to usbecause they expected soon to see my father in his Lordship's place; andon the other hand, officious tongues were not wanting to tell my Ladyhow Mrs. Delavie contrasted the two sets of children. Very bitteroffence was taken; nor has my Lady ever truly forgiven, whatever ourdear good father may believe. When the old Lord died, a will was found, bequeathing all his unentailed estates to his daughter, and this was ofcourse strong presumption that he believed in the existence of a deed ofentail; but none could ever be found, and the precedents were not heldto establish the right. "

"Did he leave my father nothing?" asked Harriet. 

"He left him three hundred pounds and made him joint executor with SirJovian. There was no mention of this house, which was the original houseof the family, the first Lord having built the Great House; and both myfather and Sir Jovian were sure the Lord Delavie believed it would cometo him; but no proofs were extant, and my Lady would only consent to hisoccupying it, as before, as her agent. "

"I always knew we were victims to an injustice, " said Harriet, "though Inever understood the matter exactly. "

"You were a mere child, and my father does not love to talk of it. Heceased to care much about the loss after our dear Archie died. "

"Not for Eugene's sake?"

"Eugene was not born for two years after Archie's death. My dear motherhad drooped from the time of the disappointment, blaming herself forhaving ruined my father, and scarce accepting comfort when he vowed thatall was well lost for her sake. She reproached herself with havingbeen proud and unconciliatory, though I doubt whether it made muchdifference. Then her spirit was altogether crushed by the loss ofArchie, she never had another day's health. Eugene came to her likeIchabod to Phinehas' wife, and she was soon gone from us, " said Betty, wiping away a tear. 

"Leaving us a dear sister to be a mother to us, " said Aurelia, raisingher sweet face for a kiss. 

Harriet pondered a little, and said, "My Lady is not at enmity with us, since my father keeps the house and agency. "

"We should be reduced to poverty indeed without them, " said Betty; "andSir Jovian, an upright honourable man, the only person whom my Ladytruly respected, insisted on his continuance. As long as my Lady regardshis memory we are safe, but no one can trust to her caprice. "

"She never comes here, nor disturbs my father. "

"No, but she makes heavy calls on the estate, and is displeased if herefuses to overpress the tenants or hesitates to cut the timber. "

"I have heard say, " added Harriet, "that her debts in town and herlosses at play drove her to accept her present husband, Mr. Wayland, ahideous old fellow, who had become vastly rich through some discoveryabout cannon. "

"He is an honourable and upright man, " said Betty. "I should havefewer anxieties if he had not been sent out to Gibraltar and Minorca tosuperintend the fortifications. "

"Meantime my Lady makes the money fly, by the help of the gallantColonel Mar, " said Harriet lightly. 

"Fie! Harriet!" returned the elder sister; "I have allowed you too far. My father calls Lady Belamour his commanding officer, and permits noscandal to be spoken of her. "

"Any more than of Prince Eugene?" said Harriet, laughing. 

"But oh! sister!" cried Aurelia, "let us stay a little longer. I havenot half braided my hair, and I long to hear who is the gentleman ofwhom my father spoke as living in the dark. "

"Mr. Amyas Belamour! Sir Jovian's brother! Ah! that is a sad story, "replied Betty, "though I am not certain that I have it correctly, having only heard it discussed between my father and mother when I was agrowing girl, sitting at my sampler. I think he was a barrister; I knowhe was a very fine gentleman and a man of parts, who had made the GrandTour; for when he was staying at the Great House, he said my mother wasthe only person he met who could converse with him on the Old Masters, or any other subject of _virtu_, and that, being reported to my Lady, increased her bitterness all the more because Mr. Belamour was a friendof Mr. Addison and Sir Richard Steele, and had contributed some papersto the _Spectator_. He was making a good fortune in his profession, andhad formed an engagement with a young lady in Hertfordshire, of a goodold family, but one which had always been disliked by Lady Belamour. Itis said, too, that Miss Sedhurst had been thought to have attracted oneof my Lady's many admirers, and that the latter was determined notto see her rival become her sister-in-law, and probably with the sametitle, since Mr. Belamour was on the verge of obtaining knighthood. So, if she be not greatly belied, Lady Belamour plied all parties with herconfidences, till she contrived to breed suspicion and jealousy on allsides, until finally Miss Sedhurst's brother, a crack-brained youth, offered such an insult to Mr. Belamour, that honour required achallenge. It was thought that as Mr. Belamour was the superior in ageand position, the matter might have been composed, but the young man wasfiery and hot tempered, and would neither retract nor apologise; andMr. Belamour had been stung in his tenderest feeling. They fought withpistols, an innovation that, as you know, my father hates, as far moredeadly and unskilful than the noble practice of fencing; and the resultwas that Mr. Sedhurst was shot dead, and Mr. Belamour received a severewound in the head. The poor young lady, being always of a delicateconstitution, fell into fits on hearing the news, an died in a fewweeks. The unfortunate Mr. Belamour survives, but whether from injury tothe brain, or from grief and remorse, he has never been able to endureeither light or company, but has remained ever since in utter darknessand seclusion. "

"Utter darkness! How dreadful!" cried Aurelia, shuddering. 

"How long has this been, sister?" inquired Harriet. 

"About nine years, " said Betty. "The lamentable affair took place justbefore Sir Jovian's death, and the shock may have hastened it, for hehad long been in a languishing state. It was the more unfortunate, sincehe had made Mr. Belamour sole personal guardian to his only survivingson, and appointed him, together with my father and another gentleman, trustee for the Belamour property; and there has been much difficultyin consequence of his being unable to act, or to do more than give hissignature. "

"Ah! sister, I wish you had not told me, " said Aurelia. "I shall dreamof the unfortunate gentleman all night. Nine years of utter darkness!"

"We know who is still child enough to hate darkness, " said Harriet. 

"Take care, " said Betty. "You must make haste, or I shall leave you toit. "

CHAPTER III. AMONG THE COWSLIPS. 

 The insect youth are on the wing, Eager to taste the honeyed spring, And float amid the liquid noon, Some lightly on the torrent skim, Some show their gaily gilded trim, Quick glancing to the sun. --GRAY

Though hours were early, the morning meal was not served till so late asreally to deserve the title of breakfast. 

When the three sisters sat down at nine-o'clock, in mob caps, andthe two younger in white dresses, all had been up at least two hours. Aurelia led forward little Eugene in a tailed red coat, long-breastedbuff waistcoat, buff tights and knitted stockings, with a deep frilledcollar under the flowing locks on his shoulders, in curls whichemulated a wig. She had been helping him to prepare "his tasks" fromthe well-thumbed but strongly-bound books which had served poor Archiebefore him. They were deposited on the window-seat to wait till thebowls of bread and milk were discussed, since tea and coffee were onlya special afternoon treat not considered as wholesome for children; sothat Aurelia had only just been promoted to them, along with powder andfan. 

Harriet wore her favourite pistachio ribbon round her cap and as abreast-knot, and her cheeks bore token of one of the various washeswith which she was always striving to regain the smoothness of hercomplexion. Knowing what this betokened, an elder-sisterly instinct ofcaution actuated Betty to remind her juniors of an engagement made withDame Jewel of the upland farm for the exchange of a setting of whiteduck's eggs for one of five-toed fowls, and to request them to carry thebasket. 

Eugene danced on his chair and begged to be of the party; but Harrietpouted, and asked why the "odd boy" could not be sent. 

"Because, as you very well know, if he did not break, he would addle, every egg in the basket. 

"There can be no need to go to-day. "

"The speckled hen is clocking to brood, and she is the best mother inthe yard. Besides, it is time that the cowslip wine were made, and Iwill give you some bread and cheese and gingerbread for noonchin, sothat you may fill your baskets in the meadows before they are laid upfor grass. Mrs. Jewel will give you a drink of milk. "

"O let me go, sister!" pleaded Eugene. "She gives us bread and honey!And I want to hear the lapwings in the meadows cry pee-wit. "

"We shall have you falling into the river, " said Harriet, ratherfretfully. 

"No, indeed! If you fall in, I will pull you out. Young maids should notrun about the country without a gentleman to take care of them. Shouldthey, sister?" cried the doughty seven years' old champion. 

"Who taught you that, sir?" asked Betty, trying to keep her countenance. 

"I heard Mrs. Churchill say so to my papa, " returned the boy. "So now, there's a good sister. Do pray let me go!"

"If you say your tasks well, and will promise to be obedient to Harrietand to keep away from the river, and not touch the basket of eggs. "

Eugene was ready for any number of promises; and Harriet, seeing therewas no escape for her, went off with Aurelia to put on their littlethree-cornered muslin handkerchiefs and broad-brimmed straw hats, whileEugene repeated his tasks, namely, a fragment of the catechism, halfa column of spelling from the _Universal Spelling-Book_, and (Betty'sspecial pride) his portion of the _Orbis Sensualium Pictus_ of JohannesAmos Comenius, the wonderful vocabulary, with still more wonderful"cuts, " that was then the small boys path to Latinity. 

The Eagle, _Aquila_, the King of Birds, _Rex Avium_, looketh at the Sun, _intuetur Solem_, as indeed he could hardly avoid doing, since in the"cut" the sun was within a hairsbreath of his beak, while his claws werealmost touching a crow (_Corvus_) perched on a dead horse, to exemplifyhow _Aves Raptores_ fed on carrion. 

Thanks to Aurelia's private assistance, Eugene knew his lessons wellenough for his excitement not to make him stumble so often as to preventBetty's pronouncing him a good boy, and dispensing with his copy, sum, piece, and reading, until the evening. These last were very toughaffairs, the recitation being from Shakespeare, and the reading from the_Spectator_. There were no children's books, properly so called, except the ballads, chap-books brought round by pedlers, often far fromedifying, and the plunge from the horn-book into general literature was, to say the least of it, bracing. 

The Delavie family was cultivated for the time. French had been broughthome as a familiar tongue, though _Telemaque_, Racine, and _Le GrandCyrus_ were the whole library in that language; and there was notanother within thirty miles. On two days in the week the sisters becameMesdemoiselles Elisabeth, Henriette, and Aurelie, and conversed inFrench over their spinning, seams, lace, or embroidery; nor was Aureliayet emancipated from reciting Racine on alternate days with Milton andShakespeare. 

Betty could likewise talk German with the old Austrian maid, Nannerl, who had followed the family from Vienna; but the accomplishment was notesteemed, and the dialect was barbarous. From the time of her mother'sdeath, Betty had been a strict and careful, though kind, ruler to hersisters; and the long walk was a greater holiday to Aurelia than toEugene, releasing her from her book and work, whereas he would soonhave been trundling his hoop, and haunting the steps of Palmer, who wasgardener as well as valet, butler, and a good deal besides, and moreoverdrilled his young master. Thus Eugene carried his head as erect asany Grenadier in the service, and was a thorough little gentleman inminiature; a perfect little beau, as his sisters loved to call thedarling of their hearts and hopes. 

Even Harriet could not be cross to him, though she made Aurelia carrythe eggs, and indulged in sundry petulant whisks of the fan which shecarried by way of parasol. "Now, why does Betty do this?" she exclaimed, as soon as they were out of hearing. "Is it to secure to herself thewhole enjoyment of your beau?"

"You forget, " said Aurelia. "You promised to fetch the eggs, when we metMrs. Jewel jogging home from market on her old blind white horse lastSaturday, because you said no eggs so shaken could ever be hatched. "

"You demure chit!" exclaimed Harriet; "would you make me believe thatyou have no regrets for so charming a young gentleman, my Lady's son andour kinsman. "

"If he spoke to me I should not know how to answer. And then you wouldblame my rudeness. Besides, " she added, with childish sagacity, "he canbe nothing but a fine London macaroni. Only think of the cowslips! Awhole morning to make cowslip balls, " she added with a little frisk. "Iwould not give one for all the macaronies in England, with their powderand their snuff-boxes. Faugh!"

"Ah, child, you will sing another note perhaps when it is too late, "said her sister, with a sigh between envy and compassion. 

It floated past Aurelia unheeded, as she danced up one side of a stile, and sprang clear down into a green park, jumped Eugene down after her byboth hands, and exclaimed, "Harriet is in her vapours; come, let us havea race!"

She was instantly careering along like a white butterfly in thesunshine, flitting on as the child tried to catch her, among the snowyhawthorn bushes, or sinking down for very joy and delight among the bankof wild hyacinths. Life and free motion were joy and delight enough forthat happy being with her childish heart, and the serious business ofthe day was all delight. There lay the rich meadows basking in the sun, and covered with short grass just beginning its summer growth, but withthe cowslips standing high above it; hanging down their rich clusters ofsoft, pure, delicately-scented bells, from their pinky stems over theirpale crinkled leaves, interspersed here and there with the deep purpleof the fool's orchis, and the pale brown quiver-grass shaking out itstrembling awns on their invisible stems. No flower is more delightfulto gather than the cowslip, fragrant as the breath of a cow. AndAurelia darted about, piling the golden heap in her basket with untiringenjoyment; then, producing a tape, called on Harriet, who had beenworking in a more leisurely fashion, to join her in making a cowslipball, and charged Eugene not to nip off the heads too short. 

The sweet, soft, golden globe was made, and even Harriet felt thedelicious intoxication. The young things tossed it aloft, flung fromone to the other, caught it, caressed it, buried their faces in it, andthrew it back with shrieks of glee. 

Suddenly Harriet checked her sister with a peremptory sign. She heardhorse-hoofs in the lane, divided from the field by a hedge of pollardwillows, so high that she had never thought of being overlooked, tillthe cessation of the trotting sound struck her; and looking round shesaw that a horseman had halted at the gate, and was gazing at theirsports. It was from the distance of a field, but this was enough tofill Harriet with dismay. She drew herself up in a moment, signingperemptorily to Aurelia, who was flying about, her hat off, her one longcurl streaming behind as she darted hither and thither, evading Eugenewho was pursuing her. 

As she paused, and Eugene clutched her dress with a shout of ecstasy, Harriet came up, glancing severely toward the gate, and saying, as shehanded her sister the hat, "This comes of childishness! That we shouldbe seen thus! What a hoyden he will think you!" as the hoofs went on andthe red coat vanished. 

"He! Who? Not the farmer?" said Aurelia. "This is not laid up for hay. "

"No indeed. I believe it is he, " said Harriet, mysteriously. 

"He?" repeated Aurelia. "Not Mr. Arden, for he would be in black, " andat Harriet's disgusted gesture, "I beg your pardon, but I did notknow you had a new _he_. Oh! surely you are not thinking of the youngbaronet?"

"I am sure it was his figure. "

"You did not see him yesterday?"

"No, but his air had too much distinction for any one from these parts. "

"Could you see what his air was from this distance? I should never haveguessed it, but you have more experience, being older. Come, Eugene, another race!"

"No, I will have no more folly. I was too good-natured to allow it. I amvexed beyond measure that he should have seen such rusticity. "

"Never mind, dear Harriet. Most likely it was no such person, for itwas not well-bred to sit staring at us; and if it were he, you were notknown to him. "

"You were. "

"Then he must have eyes as sharp as yours are for an air of distinction. Having only seen me in my blue and primrose suit, how should he know mein my present trim? Besides, I believe it was only young Dick Jewel in acast coat of Squire Humphrey's. "

The charm of the cowslip gathering was broken. Eugene found himselfvery hungry, and the noonchin was produced, after which the walk wascontinued to the farm-house, where the young people were made verywelcome. 

Farmers were, as a rule, more rustic than the present labourer, but theylived a life of far less care, if of more toil, than their successors, having ample means for their simple needs, and enjoying jocund plenty. The clean kitchen, with the stone floor, the beaupot of maythorn on theempty hearth, the shining walnut-wood table, the spinning-wheel, woodenchairs, and forms, all looked cool and inviting, and the visitors wereregaled with home-made brown bread, delicious butter and honey, and achoice of new milk, mead, and currant wine. 

Dame Jewel, in a white frill under a black silken hood, a buff turnoverkerchief, stout stuff gown and white apron, was delighted to waiton them; and Eugene's bliss was complete among the young kittens andpuppies in baskets on opposite sides of the window, the chickens beforetheir coops, the ducklings like yellow balls on the grass, and the hugefamily of little spotted piglings which, to the scandal of his sisters, he declared the most delightful of all. 

Their hostess knew nothing of the young baronet being in theneighbourhood, and was by no means gratified by the intelligence. 

"Lack-a-day! Miss Harriet, you don't mean that the family is coming downhere! I don't want none of them. 'Tis bad times for the farmer whenany of that sort is nigh. They make nothing of galloping their horses ahunting right through the crops, ay, and horsewhipping the farmer if hedo but say a word for the sweat of his brow. "

"O Mrs. Jewel!" cried Aurelia, in whose ear lingered the courteousaccents of her partner, "they would never behave themselves so. "

"Bless you, Miss Orreely, I'll tell you what I've seen with my own eyes. My own good man, the master here, with the horsewhip laid about hisshoulders at that very thornbush, by one of the fine gentlefolks, just because he had mended the gap in the hedge they was used to ridethrough, and my Lady sitting by in her laced scarlet habit on her finehorse, smiling like a painted picture, and saying, 'Thank you, sir, the rascals need to learn not to interfere with our sport, ' all in thatgentle sounding low voice of hers, enough to drive one mad. "

"I thought Sir Jovian had been a kind master, " said Harriet. 

"This was not Sir Jovian. Poor gentleman, he was not often outa-hunting. This was one of the fine young rakish fellows from Lunnunas were always swarming about my Lady, like bees over that maybush. SirThomas Donne, I think they called him. They said he got killed by a wildboar, hunting in foreign parts, afterwards, and serve him right! Butthere! They would all do her bidding, whether for bad or good, so maybeit was less his fault than hers. She is a bitter one, is my Lady, forall she looks so sweet. And this her young barrowknight will be his ownmother's son, and I don't want none of 'em down here. 'Tis a good job wehave your good papa, the Major, to stand between her and us; I only wishhe had his own, for a rare good landlord he would be. "

The Dame's vain wishes were cut short by shrieks from the poultry-yard, where Eugene was discovered up to his ankles in the black ooze of thehorse-pond, waving a little stick in defiance of an angry gander, whowith white outspread wings, snake-like neck, bent and protruded, andfrightful screams and hisses, was no bad representation of his namesakethe dragon, especially to a child not much exceeding him in height. 

The monster was put to rout, the champion dragged out of the pond, breathlessly explaining that he only wanted to look at the goslings whenthe stupid geese cackled and the gander wanted to fly at his eyes. "AndI didn't see where I was going, for I had to keep him off, so I got intothe mud. Will sister be angry?" he concluded, ruefully surveying thedainty little stockings and shoes coated with black mud. 

But before the buckled shoon had been scraped, or the hosen washed anddried, the cheerful memory of boyhood had convinced itself that theenemy had been put to flight by his manful resistance; and he turned adeaf ear to Aurelia's suggestion that the affair had been retributionfor his constant oblivion of Comenius' assertion that _auser gingrit, _"the goose gagleth. "

They went home more soberly, having been directed by Mrs. Jewel to afield bordered by a copse, where grew the most magnificent of Titania'spensioners tall, wearing splendid rubies in their coats; and in duetime the trio presented themselves at home, weary, but glowing withthe innocent excitement of their adventures. Harriet was the firstto proclaim that they had seen a horseman who must be Sir Amyas. "Hadsister seen him?"

"Only through the window of the kitchen where I was making puff paste. "

"He called then! Did my papa see him?"

"My father was in no condition to see any one, being under the hands andrazor of Palmer. "

"La! what a sad pity. Did he leave no message?"

"He left his compliments, and hoped his late partner was not fatigued. "

"Is he at the Great House? Will he call again?"

"He is on his way to make a visit in Monmouthshire, together with abrother office, who is related to my Lady Herries, and finding thattheir road led them within twenty miles of our town, the decided onmaking a diversion to see her. It was only from her that Sir Amyasunderstood how close he was to his mother's property, for my Lady isextremely jealous of her prerogative. "

"How did you hear all this, sister?"

"Sir George Herries rode over this afternoon and sat an hour with myfather, delighting him by averring that the young gentleman has hismother's charms of person, together with his father's solidity ofprinciple and character, and that he will do honour to his name. "

"O, I hope he will come back by this route!" cried Harriet. 

"Of that there is small likelihood, " said Betty. "His mother is nearlycertain to prevent it since she is sure to take umbrage at his havingvisited the Great House without her permission. "

CHAPTER IV. MY LADY'S MISSIVE. 

 To the next coffee-house he speeds, Takes up the news, some scraps he reads. --GAY. 

Though Carminster was a cathedral city, the Special General Post onlycame in once a week, and was liable to delay through storms, snows, mireand highwaymen, so that its arrival was as great an event as is nowthe coming in of a mail steamer to a colonial harbour. The "post" wasa stout countryman, with a red coat, tall jackboots and a huge hat. He rode a strong horse, which carried, _en croupe_, an immense pack, covered with oiled canvas, rising high enough to support his back, whilehe blew a long horn to announce his arrival. 

Letters were rare and very expensive articles unless franked by a Memberof Parliament, but gazettes and newsletters formed a large portion ofhis freight. No private gentleman except the Dean and Sir George Herrieswent to the extravagance of taking in a newspaper on his own account, but there was a club who subscribed for the _Daily Gazetteer_, the_Tatler_, and one or two other infant forms of periodical literature. These were hastily skimmed on their first arrival at the club-room atthe White Dragon, lay on the table to be more deliberately conned fora week, and finally were divided among the members to be handed aboutamong the families and dependants as long as they would hold together. 

Major Delavie never willingly missed the coming of the mail, for hisforeign experiences gave him keen interest in the war between France andAustria, and he watched the campaigns of his beloved Prince Eugene withuntiring enthusiasm, being, moreover, in the flattering position ofgeneral interpreter and guide to his neighbours through the scantyarticles on foreign intelligence. 

It was about ten days after the syllabub party, when he had quiterecovered his ordinary health, that he mounted his stout pony in hismilitary undress, his cocked hat perched on his well-powdered bob-wig, with a queue half-way down his dark green gold-laced coat, and withhis long jack-boots carefully settle by Palmer over the knee that wouldnever cease to give him trouble. 

Thus he slowly ambled into the town, catching on his way distant tootsof the postman's horn. In due time he made his way into the HighStreet, broad and unpaved, with rows of lime or poplar trees before theprincipal houses, the most modern of which were of red brick, with heavysash-windows, large stone quoins, and steps up to the doors. 

The White Dragon, dating from the times of the Mortimer badge, was builtof creamy stone, and had an archway conducting the traveller into acourtyard worthy of Chaucer, with ranges of galleries running roundit, the balustrades of dark carved oak suiting with the timbers of thelatticed window and gables, and with the noble outside stair at oneangle, by which they communicated with one another. To these beautiesthe good Major was entirely insensible. He only sighed at the trouble itgave his lame knee to mount the stair to the first storey, and desiredthe execution of the landlord's barbarous design of knocking down thestreet front to replace it with a plain, oblong assembly room, red brickoutside, and within, blue plaster, adorned with wreaths and bullocks'faces in stucco. 

Such were the sentiments of most of the burly squires who had riddenin on the same errand, and throwing the reins to their grooms, likewiseclimbed the stair to the club-room with its oriel looking over thestreet. There too were several of the cathedral clergy, the rubicunddouble-chinned face of the Canon in residence set off by a white, cauliflower wig under a shovel hat, while the humbler minor canons (whoserved likewise as curates to all the country round) only powdered theirown hair, and wore gowns and cassocks of quality very inferior to thatwhich adorned the portly person of their superior. His white bands wereof fine cambric, theirs of coarser linen; his stockings were of ribbedsilk, theirs of black worsted; his buckles of silver, theirs of steel;and the line of demarcation was as strongly marked as that between theneat, deferential tradesman, and the lawyer in his spruce snuff-colouredcoat, or the doctor, as black in hue as the clergy, though with asecular cut, a smaller wig, and a gold-headed cane. Each had, as in dutybound, ordered his pint of port or claret for the good of the house, andit was well if these were not in the end greatly exceeded; and some hadlighted long clay pipes; but these were mostly of the secondary rank, who sat at the table farthest from the window, and whose drink was ameasure of ale. 

The letters had not yet been sorted, but the newspaper had beenbrought in, and the Canon Boltby had possessed himself of it, and wasproclaiming scraps of intelligence about the King, Queen, and SirRobert Walpole, the character of Marshal Berwick, recently slain atPhilipsburg, an account of Spanish outrages at sea, or mayhap the storyof a marvelous beast, half-tiger, half-wolf, reported to be running wildin France. The other gentlemen, waiting till the mail-bags were opened, listened and commented; while one or two of the squires, and a shabby, disreputable-looking minor canon made each notable name the occasion ofa toast, whether of health to his majesty's friends or confusion to hisfoes. A squabble, as to whether the gallant Berwick should be reckonedas an honest Frenchman or as a traitor Englishman, was interrupted bythe Major's entrance, and the congratulations on his recovery. 

One of the squires inquired after his daughters, and pronounced thelittle one with the outlandish name was becoming a belle, and would bethe toast of the neighbourhood, a hint of which the topers were not slowto take advantage, while one of the guests at the recent party observed, "Young Belamour seemed to be of that opinion. "

"May it be so, " said the Canon, "that were a step to the undoing of agreat wrong. "

"Mr. Scrivener will tell you, sir, that there was no justice in the eyeof the law, " said the Major. 

"_Summum jus, summa injuria_, " quoted, _sotto voce_, Mr. Arden, a minorcanon who, being well born, scholarly, scientific and gentlemanly, occupied a middle place between his colleagues and the grandees. He wasnot listened to. Each knot of speakers was becoming louder in debate, and Dr. Boltby's voice was hardly heard when he announced that a rain ofblood had fallen on the Macgillicuddy mountains in Ireland, testified toby numerous respectable Protestant witnesses, and attributable, eitherto the late comet, or to the Pretender. 

At that moment the letters were brought in by the postman, and eachrecipient had--not without murmurs--to produce his purse and pay heavilyfor them. There were not many. The Doctor had two, Mr. Arden one, Mr. Scrivener no less than five, but of them two were franked, and afranked letter was likewise handed over to Major DeLavie, with the word"Aresfield" written in the corner. 

"From my Lady, " said an unoccupied neighbour. 

"Aye, aye, " said the Major, putting it into his pocket, being by nomeans inclined to submit the letter to the general gaze. 

"A good omen, " said Canon Boltby, looking up from his paper. Andthe Major smiled in return, put a word or two into the discussion onaffairs, and then, as soon as he thought he could take leave withoutbetraying anxiety, he limped down stairs, and called for his horse. LadyBelamour's letters were wont to be calls for money, not easily answered, and were never welcome sights, and this hung heavy in the laced pocketof his coat. 

Palmer met him at the back gate, and took his horse, but judged itadvisable to put no questions about the news, while his master madehis way in by the kitchen entrance of the rambling old manor house, and entered a stone-paved low room, a sort of office or study, where hereceived, and paid, money for my Lady, and smoked his pipe. Here he satdown in his wooden armchair, spread forth his legs, and took out theletter, opening it with careful avoidance of defacing the large redseal, covered with many quarterings, and the Delavie escutcheon ofpretence reigning over all. 

It opened, as he expected, with replies to some matters about leases andrepairs; and then followed:--

"I am informed that you have a large Family, and Daughters growing upwhom it is desirable to put in the way of making a good Match, or elsean honourable Livelihood; I am therefore willing, for the Sake of ourFamily Connection, to charge myself with your youngest Girl, whose NameI understand to be Aurelia. I will cause her to be trained in usefulWorks in my Household, expecting her, in Return, to assist in the Careand Instruction of my young Children; and if she please me and proveherself worthy and attentive, I will bestow her Marriage upon somesuitable Person. This is the more proper and convenient for you, becauseyour Age and Health are such that I may not long be able to retain youin the Charge of my Estate--in which indeed you are continued onlyout of Consideration of an extremely distant Relationship, although ayounger and more active Man, bred to the Profession, would serve me farmore profitably. "

When Betty came into the room a few minutes later to pull off herfather's boots she found him sitting like one transfixed. He held outthe letter, saying, "Read that, child. "

Betty stood by the window and read, only giving one start, and mutteringbetween her teeth, "Insolent woman!" but not speaking the words aloud, for she knew her father would treat them as treason. He always had acertain tender deference for his cousin Urania, mixed with somethingakin to compunction, as if his loyalty to his betrothed had beendisloyalty to his family. Thus, he exceeded the rest of his sex inblindness to the defects that had been so evident to his wife anddaughter; and whatever provocation might make him say of my Ladyhimself, he never permitted a word against her from any one else. Helooked wistfully at Betty and said, "My little Aura! It is a kindlythought. Her son must have writ of the child. But I had liefer she hadasked me for the sight of my old eyes. "

"The question is, " said Betty, in clear, incisive tones, "whether wesurrender Aurelia or your situation?"

"Nay, nay, Betty, you always do my cousin less than justice. She meanswell by the child and by us all. Come, come say what is in your mind, "he add testily. 

"Am I at liberty to express myself, sir?"

"Of course you are. I had rather hear the whole discharge of yourbattery than see you looking constrained and satirical. "

"Then, sir, my conclusion is this. The young baronet has shown himselfsmitten with out pretty Aurelia, and has spoken of tarrying on hisreturn to make farther acquaintance. My Lady is afraid of his going togreater lengths, and therefore wishes to have her at her disposal. "

"She proposes to take her into her own family; that is not taking herout of his way. "

"I am sure of that. "

"You are prejudiced, like your poor dear mother--the best of women, ifonly she could ever have done justice to her Ladyship! Don't you see, child, Aurelia would not be gone before his return, supposing he shouldcome this way. "

"His visit was to be for six weeks. Did you not see the postscript?"

"No, the letter was enough for one while. "

"Here it is: 'I shall send Dove in the Space of about a Fortnight orthree Weeks to bring to Town the young Coach Horses you mentioned. HisWife is to return with him, as I have Occasion for her in Town, and yourDaughter must be ready to come up with them. '"

"Bless me! That is prompt! But it is thoughtful. Mrs. Dove is a goodsoul. It seems to me as if my Lady, though she may not choose to say so, wishes to see the child, and if she approve of her, breed her up in theaccomplishments needed for such an elevation. "

"If you hold that opinion, dear sir, it is well. "

"If I thought she meant other than kindness toward the dear maid, I hadrather we all pinched together than risk the little one in her hands. Ihad rather-if it comes to that--live on a crust a day than part withmy sweet child; but if it were for good, Betty! It is hard for you allthree to be cooped up together here, with no means of improving yourcondition; and this may be an opening that I ought not to reject. Whatsay you, Betty?"

"If I were to send her out into the world, I had rather bind herapprentice to the Misses Rigby to learn mantua-making. "

"Nay, nay, my dear; so long as I live there is no need for my childrento come to such straits. "

"As long as you retain your situation, sir; but you perceive how my Ladyconcludes her letter. "

"An old song, Betty, which she sings whenever the coin does not comein fast enough to content her. She does not mean what she says; I knowUrania of old. No; I will write back to her, thanking her for her goodoffices, but telling her my little girl is too young to be launchedinto the world as yet. Though if it were Harriet, she might not beunwilling. "

"Harriet would be transported at the idea; but it is not she whom theLady wants. And indeed I had rather trust little Aurelia to take care ofherself than poor Harriet. "

"We shall see! We shall see! Meantime, do not broach the subject to yoursisters. "

Betty assented, and departed with a heavy heart, feeling that, whateverher father might believe, the choice would be between the sacrifice ofAurelia or of her father's agency, which would involve the loss ofhome, of competence, and of the power of breeding up her darling Eugeneaccording to his birth. She did not even know what her father hadwritten, and could only go about her daily occupations like one under aweight, listening to her sisters' prattle about their little plans witha strange sense that everything was coming to an end, and constantlyweighing the comparative evils of yielding or refusing Aurelia. 

No one would have more valiantly faced poverty than Elizabeth Delavie, had she alone been concerned. Cavalier and Jacobite blood was in herveins, and her unselfish character had been trained by a staunch andself-devoted mother. But her father's age and Eugene's youth made herwaver. She might work her fingers to the bone, and live on oatmeal, togive her father the comforts he required; but to have Eugene broughtdown from his natural station was more than she could endure. Hiswelfare must be secured at the cost not only of Aurelia's sweetpresence, but of her happiness; and Betty durst not ask herself whatmore she dreaded, knowing too that she would probably be quite incapableof altering her father's determination whatever it might be, and that hewas inclined to trust Lady Belamour. The only chance of his refusal wasthat he should take alarm at the manner of requiring his daughter fromhim. 

CHAPTER V. THE SUMMONS. 

 But when the King knew that the thing must be, And that no help there was in this distress, He bade them have all things in readiness To take the maiden out. --MORRIS. 

The second Sunday of suspense had come. The Sundays of good young ladieslittle resembled those of a century later, though they were not devoidof a calm peacefulness, worthy of the "sweet day, so cool, so calm, sobright. " The inhabited rooms of the old house looked bright and festal;there were fresh flowers in the pots, honey as well as butter onthe breakfast table. The Major and Palmer were both in full uniform, wonderfully preserved. Eugene, a marvel of prettiness, with his curledhair and little velvet coat, contrived by his sisters out of someancestral hoard. Betty wore thick silk brocade from the same store;Harriet a fresh gay chintz over a crimson skirt, and Aurelia was inspotless white, with a broad blue sash and blue ribbons in her hat, forher father liked to see her still a child; so her hair was only tiedwith blue, while that of her sisters was rolled over a cushion, andslightly powdered. 

The church was so near that the Major could walk thither, leaning onhis stout crutch-handled stick, and aided by his daughter's arm, ashe proceeded down the hawthorn lane, sweet with the breath of May, exchanging greetings with whole families of the poor, the fathers insmock frocks wrought with curious needlework on the breast and back, the mothers in high-crowned hats and stout dark blue woollen gowns, thechildren, either patched or ragged, and generally barefooted, but by nomeans ill-fed. 

No Sunday school had been invented. The dame who hobbled along inspectacles, dropping a low curtsey to the "quality, " taught the hornbookand the primer to a select few of the progeny of the farmers andartisans, and the young ladies would no more have thought of assistingher labours than the blacksmith's. They only clubbed their pocket moneyto clothe and pay the schooling of one little orphan, who acknowledgedthem by a succession of the lowest bobs as she trotted past, proud asMargery Twoshoes herself of the distinction of being substantially shod. 

The church was small, and with few pretensions to architecture atthe best. It had been nearly a ruin, when, stirred by the Major, thechurch-wardens had taken it in hand, so that, owing to Richard Stokesand John Ball, as they permanently declared in yellow letters on a blueground, the congregation were no longer in danger of the roof admittingthe rain or coming down on the congregation. They had further beautifiedthe place with a huge board of the royal arms, and with Moses and Aaronin white cauliflower wigs presiding over the tables of the Commandments. Four long dark, timber pews and numerous benches, ruthlessly constructedout of old carvings, occupied the aisle, and the chancel was more thanhalf filled with the lofty "closet" of the Great House family. Hitherthe Delavie family betook themselves, and on her way Betty was startledby the recognition, in the seat reserved for the servants, of a broadback and curled wig that could belong to no one but Jonah Dove. She didher utmost to keep her mind from dwelling on what this might portend, though she followed the universal custom by exchanging nods and curtsieswith the Duckworth family as she sailed up the aisle at the head of thelittle procession. 

There was always a little doubt as to who would serve the church. Oneof the Canons was the incumbent, and the curate was Mr. Arden, thescientific minor canon, but when his services were required at thecathedral, one of his colleagues would supply his place, usually in asadly perfunctory manner. However, he was there in person, as his voice, a clear and pleasant one, showed the denizens of the "closet, " for theycould not see out of it, except where Eugene had furtively enlargeda moth-eaten hole in the curtain, through which, when standing on theseat, he could enjoy an oblique view of the back of an iron-mouldedsurplice and a very ill-powdered wig. This was a comfort to him. Itwould have been more satisfactory to have been able to make out whencecame the stentorian A-men, that responded to the parson, totallyunaccompanied save by the good Major, who always read his part almost asloud as the clerk, from a great octavo prayer-book, bearing on the lidthe Delavie arms with coronet, supporters, and motto, "_Ma Vie et maMie_. " It would have been thought unladylike, if not unscriptural, to open the lips in church; yet, for all her silence, good Betty wasstriving to be devout and attentive, praying earnestly for her littlesister's safety, and hailing as a kind of hopeful augury this verse fromthe singers--

 "At home, abroad, in peace, in war Thy God shall thee defend, Conduct thee through life's pilgrimage Safe to the journey's end. "

Much cannot be said for the five voices that sang, nor for the twofiddles that accompanied them. Eugene had scarcely outgrown his terrorat the strains, and still required Aurelia to hold his hand, underpretext of helping him to follow the words, not an easy thing, since thelast lines were always repeated three or four times. 

Somehow the repetition brought them the more home to Betty's heart, andthey rang consolingly in her ears, all through the sermon, of whichshe took in so little that she never found out that it was an elaborateexposition of the Newtonian philosophy, including Mr. Arden's views ofthe miracle at the battle Beth-horon, in the Lesson for the day. 

The red face and Belamour livery looked doubly ominous when she cameout of church, but she had to give her arm to her father till they wereovertaken by Mr. Arden, who always shared the Sunday roast beef and plumpudding. Betty feared it was the best meal he had in the week, for helived in lodgings, and his landlady was not too careful of his comforts, while he was wrapped up in his books and experiments. There was a holesinged in the corner of his black gown, which Eugene pointed out withgreat awe to Aurelia as they walked behind him. 

"See there, Aura. Don't you think he has been raising spirits, likeFriar Bacon?"

"What do you know about Friar Bacon?" asked Harriet. 

"He is in a little book that I bought of the pedlar. He had a brazenhead that said--

 'Time is, Time was, Time will be. '

I wonder if Mr. Arden would show me one like it. "

"You ridiculous little fellow to believe such trash!" said Harriet. 

"But, Hatty, he can really light a candle without a tinder-box, " saidEugene. "His landlady told Palmer so; and Palmer says the Devil flewaway with Friar Bacon; but my book says he burnt all his books and gavehimself to the study of divinity, and dug his grave with his own nails. "

"Little boys should not talk of such things on Sundays, " said Harriet, severely. 

"One does talk of the Devil on Sunday, for he is in the catechism, "returned Eugene. "If he carries Mr. Arden off, do you think there willbe a great smoke, and that folk will see it?"

Aurelia's silvery peal of laughter fell sadly upon Betty's ears infront, and her father and Mr. Arden turned to ask what made them somerry. Aurelia blushed in embarrassment, but Harriet was ready. 

"You will think us very rude, Sir, but my little brother has beenreading the life of Friar Bacon, and he thinks you an equally greatphilosopher. "

"Indeed, my little master, you do me too much honour. You will soon be aphilosopher yourself. I did not expect so much attention in so young anauditor, " said mr. Arden, thinking this the effect of his sermon on thesolar system. 

Whereupon Eugene begged to inspect the grave he was digging with his ownnails. 

They were at home by this time, and Betty was aware that they had beenfollowed at a respectful distance by Palmer and the coachman. Anxious asshe was, she could not bear that her father's dinner should be spoilt, or that he, in his open-hearted way, should broach the matter with Mr. Arden; so she repaired to the garden gate, and on being told that Mr. Dove had a packet from my Lady for the Major, she politely invited himto dinner with the servants, and promised that her father should see himafterwards. 

This gave a long respite, since the servants had the reversion of thebeef, so the Mr. Arden had taken leave, and gone to see a bedriddenpauper, and the Major had time for his forty winks, while Betty, thoughher heart throbbed hard beneath her tightly-laced boddice, composedherself to hear Eugene's catechism, and the two sisters, each with agood book, slipped out to the honeysuckle arbour in the garden behindthe house. Harriet had _Sherlock in Death_, her regular Sunday study, though she never got any further than the apparition of Mrs. Veal, overwhich she gloated in a dreamy state; Aurelia's study was a dark-covered, pale-lettered copy of the _Ikon Basilike_, with the strange attractionthat youth has to pain and sorrow, and sat musing over the resignedoutpourings of the perplexed and persecuted king, with her bright eyesfixed on the deep blue sky, and the honeysuckle blossoms gently wavingagainst it, now and then visited by bee or butterfly, while through thesilence came the throbbing notes of the nightingale, followed by itsjubilant burst of glee, and the sweet distant chime of the cathedralbells rose and fell upon the wind. What peace and repose there was inall the air, even in the gentle breeze, and the floating motions of theswallows skimming past. 

The stillness was first broken by the jangle of their own little churchbell, for Mr. Arden was a more than usually diligent minister, andalways gave two services when he was not in course at the cathedral. Theyoung ladies always attended both, but as Harriet and Aurelia crossedthe lawn, their brother ran to meet them, saying, "We are not to waitfor sister. "

"I hope my papa is well, " said Aurelia. 

"Oh yes, " said Eugene, "but the man in the gold-laced hat has beenspeaking with him. Palmer says it is Mrs. Dove's husband, and he isgoing to take Lively Tom and Brown Bet and the two other colts toLondon. He asked if I should like to ride a-cockhorse there with him. 'Dearly, ' I said, and then he laughed and said it was not my turn, buthe should take Miss Aurelia instead. "

Aurelia laughed, and Harriet said, "Extremely impudent. "

Little she guessed what Betty was at that moment reading. 

"I am astonished, " wrote Lady Belamour to her cousin, "that you shoulddecline so highly advantageous an Offer for your Daughter. I can onlyunderstand it as a Token that you desire no further Connection with, nor Favour from me; and I shall therefore require of you to give up theAccounts, and vacate the House by Michaelmas next ensuing. However, as Iam willing to allow some excuse for the Weakness of parental Affection, if you change your Mind within the next Week and send up your Daughterwith Dove and his Wife, I will overlook your first hasty and foolishRefusal, ungrateful as it was, and will receive your Daughter and giveher all the Advantages I promised. Otherwise your Employment is atan end, and you had better prepare your Accounts for Hargrave'sInspection. "

"There is no help for it then, " said Betty. 

"And if it be for the child's advantage, we need not make our moan, "said her father. "'Tis like losing the daylight out of our house, but wemust not stand in the way of her good. "

"If I were only sure it is for her good!"

"Why, child, there's scarce a wench in the county who would not go downon her knees for such a chance. See what Madam Duckworth would say to itfor Miss Peggy!"

Betty said no more. The result of her cogitations had been that sinceAurelia must be yielded for the sake of her father and Eugene, it wasbetter not to disturb him with fears, which would only anger him at themoment and disquiet him afterwards. She was likewise reassured by Mrs. Dove's going with her, since that good woman had been nurse to thelittle Belamour cousins now deceased, and was well known as an excellentand trustworthy person, so that, if she were going to act in the samecapacity to my Lady's second family, Aurelia would have a friend athand. So the Major cheated his grief by greeting the church-goers withthe hilarious announcement--

"Here's great news! What says my little Aura to going London to myLady's house. "

"O Sir! are you about to take us. "

"Not I! My Lady wants pretty young maidens, not battered old soldiers. "

"Nor my sisters? O then, if you please, Sir, I would rather not go!"

"Silly children cannot choose! No, no, Aura, you must go out and see theworld, and come back to us such a belle that your poor old father willscarce know you. "

"I do not wish to be a belle, " said the girl. "O Sir, let me stay withyou and sister. "

"Do not be so foolish, Aura, " put in Harriet. "It will be the making ofyou. I wish I had the offer. "

"O Harriet, could not you go instead?"

"No, Aurelia, " said Betty. "There is no choice, and you must be a goodgirl and not vex my father. "

The gravity of her eldest sister convinced Aurelia that entreaties wouldbe vain, and there was soon a general outburst of assurances that shewould see all that was delightful in London, the lions in the Tower, thenew St. Paul's, the monuments, Ranelagh, the court ladies, may be, the King and Queen themselves; until she began to feel exhilarated andpleased at the prospect and the distinction. 

Then came Monday and the bustle of preparing her wardrobe. The main bodyof it was to be sent in the carrier's waggon, for she was to ride ona pillion behind Mr. Dove, and could only take a valise upon a groom'shorse. There was no small excitement in the arrangement, and inthe farewells to the neighbours, who all agreed with Harriet incongratulating the girl on her promotion. Betty did her part with allher might, washed lace, and trimmed sleeves, and made tuckers, givinglittle toilette counsels, while her heart ached sorely all the time. 

When she could speak to Mrs. Dove alone, she earnestly besought that oldfriend to look after the child, her health, her dress, and above all tosupply here lack of experience and give her kind counsel and advice. 

"I will indeed, ma'am, as though she were my own, " promised Mrs. Dove. 

"O nurse, I give my sweet jewel to your care; you know what a greathouse in London is better than I do. You will warn her of any danger. "

"I will do my endeavour, ma'am. We servants see and hear much, and ifany harm should come nigh the sweet young miss, I'll do my best forher. "

"Thank you, nurse, I shall never, never see her more in her free artlesschildishness, " said Betty, sobbing as if her heart would break; "but oh, nurse, I can bear the thought better since I have known that you wouldbe near her. "

And at night, when her darling nestled for the last time in her arms, the elder sister whispered her warnings. Her knowledge of the greatworld was limited, but she believed it to be a very wicked place, andshe profoundly distrusted her brilliant kinswoman; yet her warnings tookno shape more definite than--"My dearest sister will never forget herprayers nor her Bible. " There was a soft response and fresh embrace ateach pause. "Nor play cards of a Sunday, nor ever play high. And my Auramust be deaf to rakish young beaux and their compliments. They nevermean well by poor pretty maids. If you believe them, they will onlymock, flout, and jeer you in the end. And if the young baronet shouldseek converse with you, promise me, oh, promise me, Aurelia, to granthim no favour, no, not so much as to hand him a flower, or standchatting with him unknown to his mother. Promise me again, child, fornaught save evil can come of any trifling between you. And, Aurelia, goto Nurse Dove in all your difficulties. She can advise you where yourpoor sister cannot. It will ease my heart if I know that my child willattend to her. You will not let yourself be puffed up with flattery, nor be offended if she be open and round with you. Think that your poorsister Betty speaks in her. Pray our old prayers, go to church, andread your Psalms and Lessons daily, and oh! never, never cheat yourconscience. O may God, in His mercy, keep my darling!"

So Aurelia cried herself to sleep, while Betty lay awake till the earlyhour in the morning when all had to be prepared for the start. There wasto be a ride of an hour and a half before breakfast so as to give thehorses a rest. It was a terrible separation, in many respects morecomplete than if Aurelia had been going, in these days, to America;for communication by letter was almost as slow, and infinitely moreexpensive. 

No doubt the full import of what he had done had dawned even on MajorDelavie during the watches of that last sorrowful night, for he came outa pale, haggard man, looking as if his age had doubled since he went tobed, wrapped in his dressing gown, his head covered with his night-cap, and leaning heavily on his staff. He came charged with one of the longsolemn discourses which parents were wont to bestow on their childrenas valedictions, but when Aurelia, in her camlet riding cloak and hood, brought her tear-stained face to crave his blessing, he could only utterbroken fragments. "Bless thee my child! Take heed to yourself and yourways. It is a bad world, beset with temptations. Oh! heaven forgive mefor sending my innocent lamb out into it. Oh! what would your blessedmother say?"

"Dear sir, " said Betty, who had wept out her tears, and was steadilycomposed now, "this is no time to think of that. We must only cheer upour darling, and give her good counsel. If she keep to what her Bible, her catechism and her conscience tell her, she will be a good girl, andGod will protect her. "

"True, true, your sister is right; Aura, my little sweetheart, I hadmuch to say to you, but it is all driven out of my poor old head. "

"Aura! Aura! the horses are coming! Ten of them!" shouted Eugene. "Comealong! Oh! if I were but going! How silly of you to cry; _I_ don't. "

"There! there! Go my child, and God in His mercy protect you!"

Aurelia in speechless grief passed from the arms of one sister to theembrace of the other, hugged Eugene, was kissed by Nannerl, who forceda great piece of cake into her little bag, and finally was lifted to herpillion cushion by Palmer, who stole a kiss of her hand before Dove puthis horse in motion, while Betty was still commending her sister to hiswife's care, and receiving reiterated promises of care. 

CHAPTER VI. DISAPPOINTED LOVE. 

 I know thee well, thy songs and sighs, A wicked god thou art; And yet, most pleasing to the eyes, And witching to the heart. W. MACKWORTH PRAED. 

The house was dull when Aurelia was gone. Her father was ill at easeand therefore testy, Betty too sore at heart to endure as cheerfullyas usual his unwonted ill-humour. Harriet was petulant, and Eugenetroublesome, and the two were constantly jarring against one another, since the one missed her companion, the other his playmate; and theywere all more sensible than ever how precious and charming an elementwas lost to the family circle. 

On the next ensuing Sunday, Eugene had made himself extremely obnoxiousto Harriet, by persisting in kicking up the dust, and Betty, who hadgone on before with her father, was availing herself of the shelter ofthe great pew to brush with a sharp hand the dust from the littlelegs, when, even in the depths of their seclusion, the whole party wereconscious of a sort of breathless sound of surprise and admiration, asweep of bows and curtsies, and the measured tread of boots and clank ofsword and spurs coming nearer--yes, to the very chancel. Their very doorwas opened by the old clerk with the most obsequious of reverences, andthere entered a gorgeous vision of scarlet and gold, bowing gracefullywith a wave of a cocked and plumed hat!

The Major started, and was moving out of his corner--the seat ofhonour--but the stranger forbade this by another gesture, and took hisplace, after standing for a moment with his face hidden in his hat. Thenhe took an anxious survey, not without an almost imperceptibleelevation of eyebrow and shoulder, as if disappointed, and accepted thePrayer-book, which the Major offered him. 

Betty kept her eyes glued to her book, and when that was not inuse, upon the mittened hands crossed before her, resolute againstdistraction, and every prayer turning into a petition for her sister'swelfare; but Eugene gazed, open-eyed and open-mouthed, oblivious of hisbeloved hole, and Harriet, though keeping her lids down, and her bookopen, contrived to make a full inspection of the splendid apparition. 

It was tall and slight, youthfully undeveloped, yet with the grace ofpersonal symmetry, high breeding, and military training, upright withoutstiffness, with a command and dexterity of movement which prevented thesword and spurs from being the annoyance to his pew-mates that countryawkwardness usually made these appendages. The spurs were on cavalryboots, guarding the knee, and met by white buckskins, both so littledusty that there could have been no journey that morning. The brightgold-laced scarlet coat of the Household troops entirely effaced theMajor's old Austrian uniform; and over it, the hair, of a light goldenbrown, was brushed back, tied with black ribbon, and hung down farbehind in a queue, only leaving little gold rings curling on the browand temples. The face was modelled like a cameo, faultless in theoutlines, with a round peach-like fresh contour and bloom on the faircheek, which had much of the child, though with a firmness in the lip, and strength in the brow, that promised manliness. Indeed there wasa wonderful blending of the beauty of manhood and childhood about theyouth; and his demeanour was perfectly decorous and reverent, no smallmerit in a young officer and London beau. Indeed Betty could almost haveforgotten his presence, if gleams from his glittering equipments hadnot kept glancing before her eyes, turn them where she would, and if Mr. Arden's sermon had not been of Solomon's extent of natural philosophy, and so full of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin that she could not follow it atall. 

After the blessing, the young gentleman, with a bow, the pink ofcourtesy, offered a hand to lead her out, nor could she refuse, though, to use her own expression, she hated the absurdity of mincing down theaisle with a fine young spark looking like her grandson; while her poorfather had to put up with Harriet's arm. Outside came the greetings, theflourish of the hat, the "I may venture to introduce myself, and to begof you, sir, and of my fair cousins to excuse my sudden intrusion. "

"No apology can be needed for your appearance in your own pew, SirAmyas, " said the Major with outstretched hand; "it did my heart good tosee you there!"

"I would not have taken you thus by surprise, " continued the youth, "butone of my horses lost a shoe yesterday, and we were constrained to haltat Portkiln for the night, and ride on this morning. Herries went on tothe Deanery, and I hoped to have seen you before church, but found youhad already entered. "

Portkiln was so near, that this Sabbath day's journey did not scandaliseBetty, and her father eagerly welcomed his kinsman, and insisted that heshould go no farther. Sir Amyas accepted the invitation, nothing loth, only asking, with a little courtly diffidence, if it might not beconvenient for him to sleep at the Great House, and begging the ladiesto excuse his riding dress. 

His eyes wandered anxiously as though in search of something in themidst of all his civility, and while the Major was sending Eugene tobring Mr. Arden--who was hanging back at the churchyard gate, unwillingto thrust himself forward--the faltering question was put, while thecheeks coloured like a girl's, "I hope my fair partner, my youngestcousin, Miss Aurelia Delavie, is in good health?"

"We hope so, sir, thank you, " returned Betty; "but she left us six daysago. "

"Left you!" he repeated, in consternation that overpowered hiscourtliness. 

"Yes, sir, " said Harriet, "my Lady, your mother, has been good enough tosend for her to London. "

"My Lady!" he murmured to himself; "I never thought of that! How andwhen did she go?"

The answer was interrupted by the Major coming up "Sir Amyas Belamour, permit me to present to you the Reverend Richard Arden, the admirabledivine to whom we are beholden for the excellent and learneddiscourse of this morning. You'll not find such another scholar in allCarminster. "

"I am highly honoured, " returned the baronet, with a bow in return forMr. Arden's best obeisance, such as it was; and Harriet, seeing PeggyDuckworth in the distance, plumed herself on her probable envy. 

Before dinner was served Sir Amyas had obtained the information as toAurelia's departure, and even as to the road she had taken, and he hadconfessed that, "Of course he had write to his mother that he had dancedwith the most exquisitely beautiful creature he had ever seen, and thathe longed to know his cousins better. " No doubt his mother, having beenthus reminded of her connections, had taken the opportunity of summoningAurelia to London to give her the advantages of living in her householdand acquiring accomplishments. The lad was so much delighted at theprospect of enjoying her society that he was almost consoled for notfinding her at the Manor House; and his elaborate courtesy became everymoment less artificial and more affectionate, as the friendly atmosphererevealed that the frankness and simplicity of the boy had not been lost, captain in the dragoon guards as he was, thanks to interest, thoughhe had scarcely yet joined his troop. He had been with a tutor in thecountry, until two years ago, when his stepfather, Mr. Wayland, hadtaken him, still with his tutor, on the expedition to the Mediterranean. He had come home from Gibraltar, and joined his regiment only a fewweeks before setting out with his friend Captain Herries, to visitBattlefield, Lady Aresfield's estate in Monmouthshire. He was quarteredin the Whitehall barracks, but could spend as much time as he pleased athis mother's house in Hanover Square. 

Betty's mind misgave her as she saw the brightening eye with which hesaid it; but she could not but like the youth himself, he was so bright, unspoilt, and engaging that she could not think him capable of doingwilful wrong to her darling. Yet how soon would the young soldier, plunged into the midst of fashionable society, learn to look on the fairgirl with the dissipated eyes of his associates? There was some comfortin finding that Mr. Wayland was expected to return in less than a year, and that his stepson seemed to regard him with unbounded respect, asa good, just, and wise man, capable of everything! Indeed Sir Amyasenlightened Mr. Arden on the scientific construction of some of Mr. Wayland's inventions so as to convince both the clergyman and thesoldier that the lad himself was no fool, and had profited by hisopportunities. 

Major Delavie produced his choice Tokay, a present from an old Hungarianbrother-officer, and looked happier than since Aurelia's departure. Hewas no match-maker, and speculated on no improbable contingencies forhis daughter, but he beheld good hopes for the Delavie property andtenants in an heir such as this, and made over his simple loyal heartto the young man. Presently he inquired whether the unfortunate Mr. Belamour still maintained his seclusion. 

"Yes, sir, " was the reply. "He still lives in two dark rooms withshutters and curtains excluding every ray of light. He keeps his bed forthe greater part of the day, but sometimes, on a very dark night, willtake a turn on the terrace. "

"Poor gentleman!" said Betty. "Has he no employment or occupation?"

"Mr. Wayland contrived a raised chess and draught board, and persuadedhim to try a few games before we went abroad, but I do not know whetherhe has since continued it. "

"Does he admit any visits?"

"Oh no. He has been entirely shut up, except from the lawyer, Hargrave, on business. Mr. Wayland, indeed, strove to rouse him from hisdespondency, but without success, except that latterly he became willingto receive him. "

"Have you ever conversed with him?"

There was an ingenuous blush as the young man replied. "I fear I mustconfess myself remiss. Mr. Wayland has sometimes carried me with him tosee my uncle, but not with my good will, and my mother objected lest itshould break my spirits. However, when I left Gibraltar, my goodfather charged me to endeavour from time to time to enliven my uncle'ssolitude, but there were impediments to my going to him, and I takeshame to myself for not having striven to overcome them. "

"Rightly spoken, my young kinsman, " cried the Major. "There are no suchimpediments as a man's own distaste. "

"And pity will remove that, " said Betty. 

Soon after the removal of the cloth the ladies withdrew, and Eugene wascalled to his catechism, but he was soon released, for the Tokay hadmade her father sleepy, while it seemed to have emboldened Mr. Arden, since he came forth with direct intent to engross Harriet; and Sir Amyaswandered towards Betty, apologising for the interruption. 

"It is a rare occasion, " said she as her pupil scampered away. 

"Happy child, to be taught by so good a sister, " said the young baronet, regretfully. 

"Your young half-brothers and sisters must be of about the same age, "said Betty. 

"My little brother, Archer, is somewhat younger. He is with my mother inLondon, the darling of the ladies, who think him a perfect beauty, andlaugh at all his mischievous pranks. As to my little sisters, you willbe surprised to hear that I have only seen them once, when I rode withtheir father to see them at the farm houses at which they are nursed. "

"No doubt they are to be fetched home, since Mrs. Dove is gone to waiton them, and my Lady said something of intending my sister to be withher young children. "

"Nay, she must have no such troublesome charge. My mother cannot intendanything of the kind. I shall see that she is treated as---"

Betty, beginning to perceive that he knew as little of his own mother asdid the rest of his sex, here interrupted him. "Excuse me, sir, I doubtnot of your kind intentions, but let me speak, for Aurelia is a veryprecious child to me, and I am afraid that any such attempt on your partmight do her harm rather than good. She must be content with the lot ofa poor dependant. "

"Never!" he exclaimed. "She is a Delavie; and besides, no other evershall be my wife. "

"Hush, hush!" Betty had been saying before the words were out of his"You are but a silly boy, begging your Honour's pardon, though youspeak, I know, with all your heart. What would your Lady mother say ordo to my poor little sister if she heard you?"

"She could but send her home, and then flood and fire could not hold mefrom her. "

"I wish that were the worst she could do. No, Sir Amyas Belamour, if youhave any kindness for the poor helpless girl under your mother's roof, you will make no advance to excite alarm or anger against her. Rememberit is she who will be the sufferer and not yourself. The woman, howeverguiltless, is sure to fall under suspicion and bear the whole penalty. And oh! what would become of her, defenceless, simple, unprotected asshe is?"

"Yet you sent her!" said he. 

"Yes, " said Betty, sadly, "because there was no other choice betweenbreaking with my Lady altogether. "

He made an ejaculation under his breath, half sad, half violent, andexclaimed, "Would that I were of age, or my father were returned. "

"But now you know all, you will leave my child in peace, " said Betty. 

"What, you would give me no hope!"

"Only such as you yourself have held out, " said Betty. "When you areyour own master, if you keep in the same mind till then, and remaintruly worthy, I cannot tell what my father would answer. "

"I am going to speak to him this very day. I came with that intent. "

"Do no such thing, I entreat, " cried Betty. "He would immediately thinkit his duty to inform my Lady. Then no protestation would persuade herthat we had not entrapped your youth and innocence. His grey head wouldbe driven out without shelter, and what might not be the consequence tomy sister? You could not help us, and could only make it worse. No, do nothing rash, incautious, or above all, disobedient. It would beself-love, not true love that would risk bringing her into peril andtrouble when she is far out of reach of all protection. "

"Trust me, trust me, Cousin Betty, " cried the youth. "Only let me hope, and I'll be caution itself; but oh! what an endless eternity is twoyears to wait without a sign!"

But here appeared the Major, accompanied by Captain Herries and DeanChurchill, who had ordered out his coach, Sunday though it were, to payhis respects to my Lady's son, and carry him and his hosts back to supat the Deanery. It was an age of adulation, but Betty was thankful thatperilous conversations were staved off. 

CHAPTER VII. ALL ALONE. 

 By the simplicity of Venus' doves. _Merchant of Venice_. 

That Sunday was spent by Aurelia at the Bear Inn, at Reading. Herjourney had been made by very short stages, one before breakfast, another lasting till noon, when there was a long halt for dinner andrest for horse and rider, and then another ride, never even in theselongest summer days prolonged beyond six or seven o'clock at latest, such was the danger of highwaymen being attracted by the valuablehorses, although the grooms in charge were so well armed that they mightalmost as well have been troopers. 

The roads, at that time of year, were at their best, and Aurelia andMrs. Dove were mounted on steady old nags, accustomed to pillions. Aurelia could have ridden single, but this would not have been thoughtfitting on a journey with no escort of her own rank, and when shemounted she was far too miserable to care for anything but hiding hertearful face behind Mr. Dove's broad shoulders. Mrs. Dove was perchedbehind a wiry, light-weighted old groom, whom she kept in great order, much to his disgust. 

After the first wretchedness, Aurelia's youthful spirits had begun torevive, and the novel scenes to awaken interest. The Glastonbury thornwas the first thing she really looked at. The Abbey was to her only anold Gothic melancholy ruin, not worthy of a glance, but the breezyair of the Cheddar Hills, the lovely cliffs, and the charm of the opencountry, with its strange islands of hills dotted about, raised herspirits, as she rode through the meadows where hay was being tossed, andthe scent came fragrant on the breeze. Mr. Dove would tell her over hisshoulder the names of places and their owners when they came to parksbordering the road, and castles "bosomed high in the tufted trees. " Orhe would regale her with legends of robberies and point to the frightfulgibbets, one so near to the road that she shut her eyes and crouched lowbehind him to avoid seeing the terrible burthen. She had noted theWhite Horse, and shuddered at the monument at Devizes commemorating thejudgment on the lying woman, and a night had been spent at Marlboroughthat "Miss" might see a strolling company of actors perform in a barn;but as the piece was the _Yorksire Tragedy_, the ghastly performanceovercame her so completely that Mrs. Dove had to take her away, declaring that no inducement should ever take her to a theatre again. 

Mr. Dove was too experienced a traveller not to choose well his quartersfor the night, and Aurelia slept in the guest chambers shining withcleanliness and scented with lavender, Mrs. Dove always sharing herroom. "Miss" was treated with no small regard, as a lady of the good oldblood, and though the coachman and his wife talked freely with her, they paid her all observance, never ate at the same table, and providedassiduously for her comfort and pleasure. Once they halted a wholeday because even Mr. Dove was not proof against the allurements ofa bull-baiting, though he carefully explained that he only made aconcession to the grooms to prevent them from getting discontented, and went himself to the spectacle to hinder them from getting drunk, inwhich, be it observed, he did not succeed. 

So much time was spent on thus creeping from stage to stage that Aureliahad begun to feel as if the journey had been going on for ages, and asif worlds divided her from her home, when on Sunday she timidly precededMrs. Dove into Reading Abbey Church, and afterwards was shown whererolled Father Thames. The travellers took early morning with them forMaidenhead Thicket, and breakfasted on broiled trout at the King's Armsat Maidenhead Bridge, while Aurelia felt her eye filled with the beautyof the broad glassy river, and the wooded banks, and then rose onwards, looking with loyal awe at majestic Windsor, where the flag was flying. They slept at a poor little inn a Longford, rather than cross HounslowHeath in the evening, and there heard all the last achievements of thethieves, so that Aurelia, in crossing the next day, looked to see amasked highwayman start out of every bush; but they came safely to thebroad archway of the inn at Knightsbridge, their last stage. Mrs. Dove took her charge up stairs at once to refresh her toilette, beforeentering London and being presented to my Lady. 

But a clattering and stamping were heard in the yard, and Aurelia, looking from the window, called Mrs. Dove to see four horses beingharnessed to a coach that was standing there. 

"Lawk-a-day?" cried the good woman, "if it be not our own old coach, aswas the best in poor Sir Jovian's time! Ay, there be our colours, yousee, blue and gold, and my Lady's quartering. Why, 'twas atop of thatvery blue hammercloth that I first set eyes on my Dove! So my Lady hassent to meet you, Missie. Well, I do take it kind of her. Now you willnot come in your riding hood, all frowsed and dusty, but can put on yourpretty striped sacque and blue hood that you wore on Sunday, and lookthe sweet pretty lady you are. "

Mrs. Dove's intentions were frustrated, for the maid of the inn knockedat the door with a message that the coach had orders not to wait, butthat Miss was to come down immediately. 

"Dear, dear!" sighed Mrs. DOve. "Tell the jackanapes not to be sohasty. He must give the young lady time to change her dress, and eat amouthful. "

This brought Dove up to the door. "Never mind dressing and fallals, " hesaid; "this is a strange fellow that says he is hired for the job, andhis orders are precise. Miss must take a bit of cake in her hand. Come, dame, you have not lived so long in my Lady's service as to forget whatit is to cross her will, or keep her waiting. "

Therewith he hurried Aurelia down stairs, his wife being in such a stateof _deshabille_ that she could not follow. He handed the young ladyinto the carriage, gave her a parcel of slices of bread and meat, with apiece of cake, shut the door, and said, "Be of good heart, Missie, we'llcatch you up by the time you are in the square. All right!"

Off went Aurelia in solitude, within a large carriage, once gaily fittedthough now somewhat faded and tarnished. She was sorry to be parted fromthe Doves, whom she wanted to give her courage for the introduction tomy Lady, and to explain to her the wonders of the streets of London, which she did not _quite_ expect to see paved with gold! She ate herextemporised meal, gazing from the window, and expecting to see housesand churches thicken on her, and hurrying to brush away her crumbs, andput on her gloves lest she should arrive unawares, for she had countedhalf-a-dozen houses close together. No! here was another field! Morefields and houses. The signs of habitation were, so far from increasing, growing more scanty, and looked strangely like what she had beforepassed. Could this be the right road! How foolish to doubt, when thiswas my Lady's own coach. But oh, that it had waited for Mrs. Dove! Shewould beg her to get in when the riders overtook her. When would they?No sign of them could be seen from the windows, and here were morehouses. Surely this was Turnham Green again, or there must be anothervillage green exactly like it in the heart of London. How many times didnot poor Aurelia go through all these impressions in the course of thedrive. She was absolutely certain that she was taken through Brentfordagain, this time without a halt; but after this the country becameunknown to her, and the road much worse. It was in fact for the mostpart a mere ditch or cart track, so rough that the four horses came toa walk. Aurelia had read no novels but _Telemaque_ and _Le Grand Cyrus_, so her imagination was not terrified by tales of abduction, but alarmbegan to grow upon her. She much longed to ask the coachman whitherhe was taking her, but the check string had been either worn out orremoved; she could not open the door from within, nor make him hear, andindeed she was a little afraid of him. 

Twilight began to come on; it was much later than Mr. Dove had everventured to be out, but here at last there was a pause, and the swing ofa gate, the road was smoother and she seemed to be in a wood, probablyprivate ground. On and on, for an apparently interminable time, went thecoach with the wearied and affrighted girl, through the dark thicket, until at last she emerged, into a park, where she could again see thepale after-glow of the sunset, and presently she found herself before atall house, perfectly dark, with strange fantastic gables and chimneys, ascending far above against the sky. 

All was still as death, except the murmuring caws of the rooks in theirnests, and the chattering shriek of a startled blackbird. The servantfrom behind ran up the steps and thundered at the door; it was opened, a broad line of light shone out, some figures appeared, and a manin livery came forward to open the carriage door, but to Aurelia'sinexpressible horror, his face was perfectly black, with negro features, rolling eyes, and great white teeth!

She hardly knew what she did, the dark carriage was formidable on oneside, the apparition on the other! The only ray of comfort was in theface of a stout, comely, rosy maid-servant, who was holding the candleon the threshold, and with one bound the poor traveller dashed past theblack hand held out to help her, and rushing up to the girl, caught holdof her, and gasped out, "Oh! What is that? Where am I? Where have theytaken me?"

"Lawk, ma'am, " said the girl, with a broad grin, "that 'ere bees onlyMr. Jumbo. A' won't hurt'ee. See, here's Mistress Aylward. "

A tall, white-capped, black-gowned elderly woman turned on the new-comera pale, grave, unsmiling face, saying, "Your servant--Miss AureliaDelavie, as I understand. "

Bending her head, and scarcely able to steady herself, for she wasshaking from head to foot, Aurelia managed to utter the query, "Where am I?"

"At Bowstead Park, madam, by order of my Lady. "

Much relieved, and knowing this was the Belamour estate, Aurelia said, "Please let me wait till Mrs. Dove comes before I am presented to myLady. "

"My Lady is not here, madam, " said Mrs. Aylward. "Allow me--" and sheled the way across a great empty hall, that seemed the vaster for itsobscurity, then along a matted passage, and down some steps into a roomsurrounded with presses and cupboards, evidently belonging to the to thehousekeeper. She set a chair for the trembling girl, saying, "You willexcuse the having supper here to-night, madam; the south parlour will beready for you to-morrow. "

"Is not Mrs. Dove coming?" faintly asked Aurelia. 

"Mrs. Dove is gone to London to attend on little Master Wayland. You areto be here with the young ladies, ma'am. "

"What young ladies?" asked the bewildered maiden. 

"My Lady's little daughters--the Misses Wayland. I thought she had sentyou her instructions; but I see you are over wearied and daunted, " sheadded, more kindly; "you will be better when you have taken some food. Molly, I say, you sluggard of a wench, bring the lady's supper, anddon't stand gaping there. "

Mrs. Aylward hurried away to hasten operations, and Aurelia begansomewhat to recover her senses, though she was still so much dismayedthat she dreaded to look up lest she should see something frightful, andstarted at the first approach of steps. 

A dainty little supper was placed before her, but she was too faint andsick at heart for appetite, and would have excused herself. However, Mrs. Aylward severely said she would have no such folly, filled a glassof wine, and sternly administered it; then setting her down in a largechair, helped her to a delicate cutlet. She ate for very fright, buther cheeks and eyes were brightened, the mists of terror and exhaustionbegan to clear away, and when she accepted a second help, she had feltherself reassured that she had not fallen into unkindly hands. If shecould only have met a smile she would have been easier, but Mrs. Aylwardwas a woman of sedate countenance and few words, and the straight setline of lips encouraged no questioning, so she merely uttered thanks foreach act of hospitality. 

"There! You will take no more roll? You are better, now, but you willnot be sorry to go to your bed, " said Mrs. Aylward, taking up a candle, and guiding her along the passage up a long stair to a pretty roomwainscoted and curtained with fresh white dimity, and the window showingthe young moon pale in the light of the western sky. 

Bedrooms were little furnished, and this was more luxurious than thedear old chamber at home, but the girl had never before slept alone, andshe felt unspeakably lonely in the dreariness, longing more than everfor Betty's kiss--even for Betty's blame--or for a whine from Harriet;and she positively hungered for a hug from Eugene, as she gazed timidlyat the corners beyond the influence of her candle; and instead ofunpacking the little riding mail she kissed it, and laid her cheek onit as the only thing that came from home, and burst into a flood ofdespairing tears. 

In the midst, there fell on her ears a low strain of melancholy musicrising and falling like the wailing of mournful spirits. She sprang toher feet and stood listening with dilated eyes; then, as a louder notereached her, in terror uncontrollable, she caught up her candle, rusheddown the stairs like a wild bird, and stood panting before Mrs. Aylward, who had a big Bible open on the table before her. 

"Oh, ma'am, " she cried, between her panting sobs, "I can't stay there! Ishall die!"

"What means this, madam?" said Mrs. Aylward, stiffly, making the wordsound much like "foolish child. "

"The--the music!" she managed faintly to utter, falling again into thefriendly chair. 

"The music?" said Mrs. Aylward, considering; then with a shade of politecontempt, "O! Jumbo's fiddle! I did not know it could be heard in yourroom, but no doubt the windows below are open. "

"Is Jumbo that black man?" asked Aurelia, shuddering; for negroservants, though the fashion in town, had not penetrated into the west. 

"Mr. Belamour's blackamoor. He often plays to him half the night. "

"Oh!" with another quivering sound of alarm; "is Mr. Belamour thegentleman in the dark?"

"Even so, madam, but you need have no fears. He keeps his room andadmits no one, though he sometimes walks out by night. You will onlyhave to keep the children from a noise making near his apartments. Goodnight, madam. "

"Oh, pray, if I do not disturb you, would you be pleased to let me staytill you have finished your chapter; I might not be so frightened then. "

In common humanity Mrs. Aylward could not refuse, and Aurelia satsilently grasping the arms of her chair, and trying to derive all thecomfort she could from the presence of a Bible and a good woman. Hernerves were, in fact, calmed by the interval, and when Mrs. Aylwardtook off her spectacles and shut up her book, it had become possible toendure the terrors of the lonely chamber. 

CHAPTER VIII. THE ENCHANTED CASTLE. 

 A little she began to lose her fear. --MORRIS. 

Aurelia slept till she was wakened by a bounce at the door, and therattling of the lock, but it was a little child's voice that was crying, "I will! I will! I will go in and seem by cousin!"

Then came Mrs. Aylward's severe voice: "No, miss, you are not to wakenyour cousin. Come away. Where is that slut, Jenny?"

Then there was a scuffle and a howl, as if the child were being forciblycarried away. Aurelia sprang out of bed, for sunshine was flooding theroom, and she felt accountable for tardiness. She had made some progressin dressing, when again little hands were on the lock, little feetkicking the door, and little voices calling, "Let me in. "

She opened the door, and white nightgowns, all tumbled back one over theother. 

"My little cousins, " she said, "come and kiss me. "

One came forward and lifted up a sweet little pale face, but the othertwo stood, each with a finger in the mouth, right across the threshold, in a manner highly inconvenient to Aurelia, who was only in her stiffstays and dimity petticoat, with a mass of hair hanging down below herwaist. She turned to them with arms out-stretched, but this put theminstantly to the rout, and they ran off as fast as their bare pink feetcould carry them, till one stumbled, and lay with her face down and herplump legs kicking in the air. Aurelia caught her up, but the captureproduced a powerful yell, and out, all at once hurried intothe corridor, Mrs. Aylward, a tidy maid servant, a stout, buxomcountrywoman, and a rough girl, scarcely out of bed, but awake enoughto snatch the child out of the young lady's arms, and carry her off. The housekeeper began scolding vigorously all round, and Aurelia escapedinto her room, where she completed her toilette, looking out into agarden below, laid out in the formal Dutch fashion, with walks and bedscentring in a fountain, the grass plats as sharply defined as possible, and stiff yews and cypresses dotted at regular intervals or formingstraight alleys. She felt strange and shy, but the sunshine, thecheerfulness, and the sight of the children, had reassured her, and whenshe had said her morning prayer, she had lost the last night's sense ofhopeless dreariness and unprotectedness. When another knock came, she opened the door cheerfully, but there was a chill in meeting Mrs. Aylward's grave, cold face, and stiff salutation. "If you are ready, madam, " she said, "I will show you to the south parlour, where thechildren will eat with you. "

Aurelia ventured to ask about her baggage, and was told that it would beforwarded from Brentford. Mrs. Aylward then led the way to a wide stonestaircase, with handsome carved balusters, leading down into the greathall, with doors opening from all sides. All was perfectly empty, and sostill, that the sweep of the dresses, and the tap of the heels made anecho; and the sunshine, streaming in at the large window, marked outevery one upon the floor, in light and shadow, and exactly repeatedthe brown-shaded, yellow-framed medallions of painted glass upon thepavement. There was something awful and oppressive in the entire absenceof all tokens of habitation, among those many closed doors. 

One, however, at the foot of the stairs was opened by Mrs. Aylward. Itled to a sort of narrow lobby, with a sashed window above a low door, opening on stone steps down to the terrace and garden. To the right wasan open door, giving admittance to a room hung with tapestry, with asmall carpet in the centre of the floor, and a table prepared for themorning meal. There was a certain cheerfulness about it, though it wasbare of furniture; but there was an easy chair, a settee, a longcouch, a spinnet, and an embroidery frame, so that altogether it hadcapabilities of being lived in. 

"Here you will sit, madam, with the young ladies, " said Mrs. Aylward. "They have a maid-servant who will wait on you, and if you requireanything, you will be pleased to speak to me. My Lady wishes you to takecharge of them, and likewise to execute the piece of embroidery you willfind in that frame, with the materials. This will be your apartment, and you can take the young ladies into the garden and park, wherever youplease, except that they must not make a noise before the windows of theother wing, which you will see closed with shutters, for those are Mr. Belamour's rooms. "

With these words Mrs. Aylward curtsied as if about to retire, Aureliaheld out her hand in entreaty. "Oh, cannot you stay with me?"

"No, madam, my office is the housekeeper's, " was the stiff response. "Molly will call me if you require my services. I think you said youpreferred bread and milk for breakfast. Dinner will be served at one. "

Mrs. Aylward retreated, leaving a chill on the heart of the lonely girl. 

She was a clergyman's widow, though with no pretensions to gentility, and was a plain, conscientious, godly woman, but with the narrowself-concentrated piety of the time, which seemed to ignore all theactive part of the duty to our neighbour. She had lived many years asa faithful retainer to the Belamour family, and avoided perplexity byminding no one's business but her own, and that thoroughly. Naturallyreserved, and disapproving much that she saw around her, she had neverheld it to be needful to do more than preserve her own integrity, andthe interests of her employers, and she made it a principle to be inno wise concerned in family affairs, and to hold aloof from perilousconfidences. 

Thus Aurelia was left to herself, till three bowls of milk were borne inby Molly, who was by no means loth to speak. 

"The little misses will be down directly, ma'am, " she said, "that is, two on 'em. The little one, she won't leave Jenny Bowles, but DameWheatfield, she'll bring down the other two. You see, ma'am, theybe only just taken home from being out at nurse, and don't know oneanother, nor the place, and a pretty handful we shall have of 'em. "

Here came a call for Molly, and the girl with a petulant exclamation, sped away, leaving Aurelia to the society of the tapestry. It was ofthat set of Gobelin work which represents the four elements personifiedby their goddesses, and Aurelia's mythology, founded on Fenelon, wasjust sufficient to enable her to recognise the forge of Vulcan and thecar [chariot--D. L. ] of Venus. Then she looked at the work prepared forher, a creamy piece of white satin, and a most elaborate pattern ofknots of roses, lilacs, hyacinths, and laburnums, at which her heartsank within her. However, at that moment the stout woman she had seen inthe morning appeared at the open door with a little girl in each hand, both in little round muslin caps, long white frocks, and blue sashes. 

One went up readily to Aurelia and allowed herself to be kissed, andlifted to a chair; the other clung to Dame Wheatfield, in spite ofcoaxing entreaties. "Speak pretty, my dear; speak to the pretty lady. Don't ye see how good your sister is? It won't do, miss, " to Aurelia;"she's daunted, is my pretty lamb. If I might just give her herbreakwist--for it is the last time I shall do it--then she might getused to you before my good man comes for me. "

Aurelia was only too glad to instal Dame Wheatfield in a chair with hercharge in her lap. The other child was feeding herself very tidily andindependently, and Aurelia asked her if she were the eldest. 

"Yes, " she said. 

"And what shall I call you, my dear?"

"I'm Missy. "

"No, Missy, me--me eldest, " cried the other. 

"Bless the poor children!" exclaimed Mrs. Wheatfield, laughing, "they beboth of 'em eldest, as one may say. "

"They are twins, then?" said Aurelia. 

"More than that--all three of them came together! I've heard tell ofsuch a thing once or twice, but never of all living and thriving. Folksaid it was a judgment on my Lady that she spoke sharp and hard to apoor beggar woman with a child on each arm. It was not a week out beforemy Lady herself was down, quite unexpected, as I may say, for she wasstaying here for a week, with a lot of company, when these three wasborn. They do say she was nigh beside herself that the like of thatshould have happened to her. Mr. Wayland, he was not so ill pleased, butthe poor little things had to be got out of the house any way, for shecould not abear to hear of them. Mrs. Rolfe, as was an old servant ofthe family, took that one, and I was right glad to have you, my prettyone, for I had just lost my babe at a fortnight old, and the third wassent to Goody Bowles, for want of a better. They says as how my Ladymeans to bring them out one by one, and to make as this here is bigger, and the other up stairs is lesser, and never let on that they are all ofan age. "

The good gossip must have presumed greatly on the children's want ofcomprehension if she did not suppose that they understood her at leastas well as the young lady to whom her dialect was strange. 

"And has she not seen them?"

"Never till last Monday, if you'll believe me miss, when she drove downin her coach, and the children were all brought home. I thought shemight have said something handsome, considering the poor little babeas my Missy here was when I had her--not so long as my hand--and scarceable to cry enough to show she was alive. The work I and my good man hadwith her! He would walk up and down half the night with her. Not as wegrudged it. He is as fond of the child as myself; and Mr. Wayland, heknew it. 'She has a good nurse, dame, ' says he to me, with the water inhis eyes, before he went to foreign parts. But my Lady! When the littleone as had been with Goody Bowles--an ignorant woman, you see--cried andclung to her, and kicked, 'Little savages all, ' says my Lady. There wasthanks to them that had had more work to rear her children than everwith one of her own! 'Perfect little rustics!' she said, even when youmade your curtsey as pretty as could be, didn't you, my little lammie?"

"Mammy Rolfe taught me to make my curtsey like a London lady, " said theother child, the most advanced in manners. 

"Aha! little pitchers have long ears; but, bless you, they don't knowwhat it means, " said Dame Wheatfield, too glad to talk to check herselfon any account; "Not so much as a kiss for them, poor little darlings!Folks say she does not let even Master Wayland kiss aught but her handsfor fear of her fine colours. A plague on such colours, I say. "

"Poor little things!" whispered Aurelia. 

"You'll be good to them, won't you miss?"

"Indeed I hope so! I am only just come from home, and they will be all Ihave to care for here. "

"Ay, you must be lonesome in this big place; but I'm right glad to haveseen you, miss; I can part with the little dear with a better heart, forMrs. Aylward don't care for children, and Jenny Bowles is a rough wench, wrapped up in her own child, and won't be no good to the others. Go tothe lady, my precious, " she added, trying to put the little girl intoher cousin's lap, but this was met with struggles, and vehement criesof--

"No; stay with mammy!"

The little sister, who had not brought her nurse, was, however, wellcontented to be lifted to Aurelia's knee, and returned her caresses. 

"And have you not a name, my dear? We can't call you all missie. "

"Fay, " the child lisped; "Fayfiddly Wayland. "

"Lawk-a-daisy!" and Mrs. Wheatfield fell back laughing. "I'll tell youhow it was, ma'am. When no one thought they would live an hour, SquireWayland he sent for parson and had 'em half baptised Faith, Hope, andCharity. They says his own mother's was called Faith, and the other twocame natural after it, and would do as well to be buried by as aught. Sothat's what she means by Fay, and this here is Miss Charity. "

"She said something besides Faith. "

"Well, when my lady got about again, they say if she was mad at theircoming all on a heap, she was madder still at their name. Bible wasn'tgrand enough for her! I did hear tell that she throwed her slipper ather husband's head, and was like to go into fits. So to content her hecame down, and took each one to Church, and had a fine London name of myLady's choosing tacked on in parson's register for them to go by; butto my mind it ain't like their christened name. Mine here got called forher share Amoretta. "

"A little Love, " cried Aurelia. "Oh, that is pretty. And what can yourname be, my dear little Fay? Will you tell me again?"

When repeated, it was plainly Fidelia, and it appeared that Hope hadbeen also called Letitia. As to age, Mrs. Wheatfield knew it was fiveyears last Michaelmas since the child had been brought to her from whomshe was so loth to part that she knew not how to go when her husbandcame for her in his cart. He was a farmer, comfortably off, though veryhomely, and there were plenty of children at home, so that she had beenill spared to remain at the Park till Aurelia's arrival. Thus she tookthe opportunity of going away while the little one was asleep. 

Aurelia asked where she lived now. At Sedhurst, in the next parish, shewas told; but she would not accept a promise that her charge should soonbe brought to visit her. "Better not, ma'am, thank you all the same, not till she's broke in. She'll pine the less if she don't see nor hearnothing about the old place, nor Daddy and Sally and Davie. If youbring her soon, you'll never get her away again. That's the worst of anurse-child. I was warned. It just breaks your heart!"

So away went the good foster-mother sobbing; and Aurelia's charge began. Fay claimed her instantly to explore the garden and house. The child hadbeen sent home alone on the sudden illness of her nurse, and had beenvery forlorn, so that her cousin's attention was a great boon to her. Hope was incited to come out; but Jenny Bowles kept a jealous watch overher, and treated every one else as an enemy; and before Aurelia'shat was on, came the terrible woe of Amoret's awakening. Her sobs andwailings for her mammy were entirely beyond the reach of Aurelia'ssoothings and caresses, and were only silenced by Molly's asseverationthat the black man was at the door ready to take her into the dark room. That this was no phantom was known to the poor child, and was a lurkinghorror to Aurelia herself. No wonder that the little thing clung to herconvulsively, and would not let her hand go for the rest of the day, every now and then moaning out entreaties to go home to mammy. 

With the sad little being hanging to her hand, Aurelia was led by Fayround their new abiding place. The house was of brick, shaped like theletter H, Dutch, and with a tall wing, at each end of the main body, projecting, and finishing in fantastic gables edged with stone. Oneof these square wings was appropriated to Aurelia and her charges, theother to the recluse Mr. Belamour. The space that lay between the twowings, on the garden front, was roofed over, and paved with stone, descending in several broad shallow steps at the centre and ends, guarded at each angle by huge carved eagles, the crest of the builder, of the most regular patchwork, and kept, in spite of the owner'snon-residence, in perfect order. The strange thing was that this fairand stately place, basking in the sunshine of early June, should be leftin complete solitude save for the hermit in the opposite wing, the threechildren, and the girl, who felt as though in a kind of prison. 

The sun was too hot for Aurelia to go out of doors till late in the day, when the shadow of the house came over the steps. She was sitting onone, with Amoret nestled in her lap, and was crooning an old Germanlullaby of Nannerl's, which seemed to have a wonderful effect in calmingthe child, who at last fell into a doze. Aurelia had let her voice dieaway, and had begun to think over her strange situation, when she wasstartled by a laugh behind her, and looking round, hardly represseda start or scream, at the sight of Fay enjoying a game at bo-peep, with--yes--it actually was--the negro--over the low-sashed door. 

"I beg pardon, ma'am, " said Jumbo, twitching his somewhat grizzled wool;"I heard singing, and little missy--"

Unfortunately Amoret here awoke, and with a shriek of horror cowered inher arms. 

"I am so sorry, " said Aurelia, anxious not to hurt his feelings. "Sheknows no better. "

Jumbo grinned, bowed, and withdrew, Fay running after him, for she hadmade friends with him during her days of solitude, being a fearlesschild, and not having been taught to make a bugbear of him. "The sootwon't come off, " she said. 

Aurelia had not a moment to herself till Fay had said the Lord's prayerat her knee, and Amoret, with much persuasion, had been induced to lispout--

 "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Bless the bed I sleep upon; Four corners to by bed, Four angles round my head, One to read and one to write, And two to guard my soul at night. "

Another agony for mammy ensued, nor could Aurelia leave the child tillsleep had hushed the wailings. Then only could she take her littlewriting-case to begin her letter to Betty. It would be an expensiveluxury to her family, but she knew how it would be longed for; andthough she cried a good deal over her writing, she felt as if she oughtto make the best of her position, for had not Betty said it was for herfather's sake? No, her tears must not blot the paper, to distressthose loving hearts. Yet how the drops _would_ come, gathering fast andblinding her! Presently, through the window, came the sweet mysteriousstrains of the violin, not terrifying her as before, but filling herwith an inexpressible sense of peace and calmness. She sat listeningalmost as one in a dream, with her pen suspended, and when the spell wasbroken by Molly's entrance with her supper, she went on in a much morecheerful strain than she had begun. It was dull, and it was a pity thather grand wardrobe, to say nothing of Betty's good advice, should bewasted, but her sister would rejoice in her seclusion from the grand, fashionable world, and her heart went out to the poor little neglectedchildren, whose mother could not bear the sight of them. 

CHAPTER IX. THE TRIAD. 

 "I know sisters, sisters three. "

Ere many days had passed Aurelia had drifted into what would now beregarded as the duties of a nursery governess to her little companions. 

Fay and Amoret were always with her, and depended on her for everything. Jenny Bowles, with a sort of animal jealousy, tried to monopolise hercharge, Letitia. The child was attracted by the sounds of her sister'ssports, and there was no keeping her from them, or from their cousin. Then the rude untaught Jenny became cross, moped, showed spite to theother children, and insolence to the young lady, and was fortunatelyoverheard by Mrs. Aylward, and dismissed. Letty did not seem to mind theloss as Amoret had felt that of her foster-mother, for indeed Jenny hadbeen almost as disagreeable to her as to the others during these days ofjealousy. 

The triad were not much alike: Amoret was the largest of the three, plump, blue-eyed, golden-haired, rosy-cheeked, a picture of thecherub-type of child; Letitia had the delicate Delavie features andcomplexion; and Fidelia, the least pretty, was pale, and rather sallow, with deep blue eyes set under a broad forehead and dark brows, with hairalso dark. Though the smallest, she was the most advanced, and showedsigns of good training. She had some notion of good manners, and knewas much of her hornbook [a child's primer consisting of a sheet ofparchment or paper protected by a sheet of transparent horn--D. L. ] andcatechism as little girls of five were wont to know. The other two wereperfectly ignorant, but Mrs. Aylward procured hornbooks, primers, andslates, and Aurelia began their education in a small way. 

It was a curious life. There was the great empty house, through whoselong corridors and vacant rooms the children might wander at will, peeping at the swathed curtains of velvet pile, the rolls of carpet, andthe tapestry pictures on the walls, running and shouting in the emptypassages, or sometimes, in a fit of nameless fright, taking refuge inAurelia's arms. Or they might play in the stately garden, provided theytrod on no borders, and meddled with neither flower nor fruit. The oldgardener began by viewing them as his natural enemies, but soon relaxedin amusement at their pretty sportive ways, gave them many preciousspoils, and forgave more than one naughty little inroad, which greatlyalarmed their guardian. 

Or if the little party felt enterprising, there lay beyond, the park, its slopes covered with wild strawberries, and with woods where theycould gather flowers unchecked. Further, there was no going, except onalternate Sundays, when there was service in the tumble-down Church atthe park gate. It was in far worse condition than the Church at home, and was served by a poor forlorn-looking curate, who lived at Brentford, and divided his services between four parishes, each of which wascontent to put up with a fortnightly alternate morning and eveningservice. The Belamour seat was a square one, without the comfortableappliances of the Delavie closet, and thus permitting a much fullerview, but there was nothing to be seen except a row of extremely gaudyBelamour hatchments, displaying to the full, the saltir-wise sheafs ofarrows on the shields or lozenges, supported by grinning skulls. Themen's shields preserved their eagle crest, the women had only lozenges, and the family motto, _Amo et Amabo_, was exchanged for the more pious"_Resurgam_. "

Aurelia found that the family seat, whither she was marshalled by Mrs. Aylward, was already occupied by two ladies, who rose up, and made herstately curtsies with a decidedly disgusted air, although there wasample space for her and Fidelia, the only one of her charges whomshe had ventured to take with her. They wore the black hoods, lacedboddices, long rolls of towering curl and open upper skirts, of QueenAnne's day, and in the eyes of thirty years' later, looked so ridiculousthat Fay could not but stare at them the whole time, and wheneverAurelia turned her glances from her book to see whether her littlecompanion was behaving herself, the big blue considering eyes werealways levelled full upon the two forms before her. 

The ladies were in keeping with their dress, thin, stiff and angular, with worn and lined faces, highly rouged, and enormous long-handledfans, and Aurelia was almost as much astonished as the child. 

There was a low curtseying again, and much ceremony before it waspossible to get out of the pew, and the two ladies mounted at the dooron lofty pattens which added considerably to their height, and, attendedby a loutish-looking man in livery, who carried their books, stalked ofinto the village. 

Aurelia found from the communicative Molly that they were MistressPhoebe and Mistress Delia Treforth, kinswomen of the Belamour family, who had in consequence a life residence rent-free in a tall thin redsquare house near the churchyard, where a very gay parrot was alwaysto be seen in the windows. They no doubt regarded Miss Delavie and thelittle Waylands as interlopers at Bowstead, and their withering glancesmade Church-going a trying affair--indeed the first time that Aureliatook little Amoret, they actually drove the sensitive child into asobbing fit, so that she had to be carried out, begging to know whythose ladies looked so cross at her. 

The life, on the whole, was not unhappy, except for fits of homesicknessand longing for letters. The arrival of the boxes from the carrierwas the first comfort, and then at last came a thick letter fromhome, franked by Sir George Herries, and containing letters fromeverybody--even a few roundhand lines from Eugene. 

Her father wrote at length all the excellent moral and religious essaywhich had stuck in his throat at the parting; neither was Betty's letterdeficient in good advice, though she let it appear that the family weremuch amused at Lady Belamour's affliction in her triad of daughters, thesecret having been hitherto so carefully kept that they supposed her tohave only one. 

"It will be your Charge, " wrote Betty, "so far as in you lies, to renderthem not merely the Graces, as my Father terms them, but the true andfaithful Guardian to these Infant Spirits. Though their Mother has shownno Care or heed in entrusting them to you, yet remember that it is trulythe good Providence of their Heavenly Father that has put these littleChildren of His in your Charge, to receive from you the first Principlesof Religion and Morals which may mould their whole Lives; and I trustthat you will do the Work faithfully and successfully. It may be dulland tedious at Bowstead, but I had much rather hear of you thus thanexposed to the Glare of My Lady's Saloon in London. No doubt Harriethas write to you of the Visit of young Sir Amyas, the Sunday after yourdeparture. We have since heard that his expedition to Monmouthshire waswith a View to his marriage to Lady Aresfield's Daughter, and this maywell be, so that if he fall in your way, you will be warned againstputting any misconstruction on any Civil Attentions he may pay to you. Ever since your Departure Mr. Arden has redoubled his Assiduities ina certain Quarter, and as it is thought the Dean and Chapter are notunlikely to present him to a good Vicarage in Buckinghamshire, it is notunlikely that ere long you may hear of a Wedding in the Family, althoughHarriet would be extremely angry with me for daring to give such aHint. "

Certainly Aurelia would not have gathered the hint from Harriet'sletter, which was very sentimental about her own loneliness and lack ofopportunity, in contrast with Aurelia, who was seeing the world. Thatelegant beau, Sir Amyas, had just given a sample to tantalise theirrusticity, and then had vanished; and here was that oddity, Mr. Arden, more wearisome and pertinacious than ever. So tiresome!

CHAPTER X. THE DARK CHAMBER. 

 Or singst thou rather under force Of some Divine command, Commissioned to presage a course Of happier days at hand? COWPER. 

Aurelia was coming down stairs in the twilight after singing her chargesto sleep about three weeks after her arrival, when she saw Jumbo waitingat the bottom of the stairs. 

She had long ceased to be afraid of him. Indeed he had quite amazed herby his good-nature in helping to lift down naughty little Letitia, whowas clambering up to the window of his master's chamber to look throughthe crevices of the shutters. He had given the children a gaily dressedrag doll, and was as delighted as they were when he played his fiddle tothem and set them dancing. 

Still, the whites of his eyes, his shining teeth, and the gold lace ofhis livery had a startling effect in the darkness, and Aurelia wished hewould move away; but he was evidently waiting for her, and when shecame near he addressed her thus, "Mis'r Belamour present compliment, andwould Miss Delavie be good enough to honour him with her company for ashort visit?"

The girl started, dismayed, alarmed, yet unwilling to be unkind to thepoor recluse, while she hoped that decorum and propriety would put thevisit out of the question. She replied that she would ask Mrs. Aylwardwhether she might, and Jumbo followed her to the still-room, saying onthe way, "Mas'r heard Miss Delavie sing. He always has the window openedto hear her. It makes him hum the air--be merry. He has not asked tospeak with lady since he heard the bad news--long, long, ago. "

Then Aurelia felt that nothing short of absolute impropriety ought tomake her gratify her shrinking reluctance. Mrs. Aylward seemed to thinkher doubts uncalled for, and attributed her hesitation to fear of thedark room. 

"Oh, no I am not so childish, " said the young lady with nervous dignity;"but would it be proper?"

"Bless me, madam, he is as old as your father, and as civil a gentlemanas lives. I would come in with you but that I am expecting Mr. Pottswith the tallies. You need have no scruples. "

There was no excuse nor escape, and Aurelia followed the negro intrepidation. Crossing the hall, he opened for her the door of the lobbycorresponding to her own, and saying, "Allow me, ma'am, " passed beforeher, and she heard another door unclosed, and a curtain withdrawn. Beyond she only saw a gulf of darkness, but out of it came a deep manlyvoice, subdued and melancholy, but gentlemanlike and deferential. 

"The young lady is so kind as to come and cheer the old hermit. Athousand thanks, madam. Permit me. "

Aurelia's hand was taken by one soft for want of use, and she was ledforward on a deep piled carpet, and carefully placed on a chair in themidst of the intense black darkness. There was a little movement andthen the voice said, "I am most sensible of your goodness, madam. "

"I--I am glad. You are very good, sir, " murmured Aurelia, oppressed bythe gloom and the peculiar atmosphere, cool--for the windows were openbehind the shutters--but strangely fragrant. 

"How does my excellent friend, Major Delavie?"

"I thank you, sir, he is well, though his wound troubles him from timeto time. "

"Commend me to him when you write, if you are good enough to rememberit. "

"I thank you, sir. He will be rejoiced to hear of you. "

"He does me too much honour. "

These conventionalities being exhausted, a formidable pause ensued, first broken by Mr. Belamour, "May I ask how my fair visitor likesBowstead?"

"It is a fine place, sir. "

"But somewhat lonely for so youthful a lady?"

"I have the children, sir. "

"I often hear their cheerful voices. "

"I hope we do not disturb you, sir, I strive to restrain them, but Ifear we are all thoughtless. "

"Nay, the innocent sounds of mirth ring sweetly on my ears, like thenotes of birds. And when I have heard a charming voice singing to thelittle ones, I have listened with delight. Would it be too presumptuousto beg the air songstress to repeat her song for the old recluse?"

"O, sir, I have only nursery ditties, caught from our old German maid, "cried Aurelia, in dismay. 

"That might not diminish the charm to me, " he said. "In especial therewas one song whose notes Jumbo caught as you accompanied yourself on thespinnet. "

And Jumbo, who seemed able to see in the dark, played a bar on hisviolin, while Aurelia trembled with shyness. 

"The Nightingale Song, " she said. "My dear mother learnt the tuneabroad. And I believe that she herself made the English words, when shewas asked what the nightingales say. "

"May I hear it? Nightingales can sing in the dark. " Refusal wasimpossible, and Jumbo's violin was a far more effective accompanimentthan her own very moderate performance on the spinnet; so in a sweet, soft, pure, untrained and trembling voice, she sang--

 "O Life and Light are sweet, my dear, O life and Light are sweet; But sweeter still the hope and cheer When Love and Life shall meet. Oh! then it is most sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet. 

 "But Love puts on the yoke, my dear, But Love puts on the yoke; The dart of Love calls forth the tear, As though the heart were broke. The very heart were broke, broke, broke, broke, broke, broke. 

 "And Love can quench Life's Light, my dear, Drear, dark, and melancholy; Seek Light and Life and jocund cheer, And mirth and pleasing folly. Be thine, light-hearted folly, folly, folly, folly, folly, folly. 

 "'Nay, nay, ' she sang. 'yoke, pain, and tear, For Love I gladly greet; Light, Life, and Mirth are nothing here, Without Love's bitter sweet. Give me Love's bitter sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet. '"

"Accept my fervent thanks, kind songstress. So that is the nightingale'ssong, and your honoured mother's?"

"Yes, sir. My father often makes us sing it because it reminds him ofher. "

"Philomel could not have found a better interpreter, " said the gravevoice, sounding so sad that Aurelia wished she could have sung somethingless affecting to his spirits. 

"I gather from what you said that you are no longer blessed with thepresence of the excellent lady, your mother, " presently added Mr. Belamour. 

"No, sir. We lost her seven years ago. "

"And her husband mourns her still. Well he may. She was a rare creature. So she is gone! I have been so long in seclusion that no doubt time hasmade no small havoc, and my friends have had many griefs to bewail. "

Aurelia knew not what answer to make, and was relieved when he collectedhimself and said:--

"I will trespass no longer on my fair visitor's complaisance, but if shehave not found the gloom of this apartment insupportable, it would be acharitable action to brighten it once more with her presence. "

"O sir, I will come whenever you are pleased to send for me, " sheexclaimed, all her doubts, fears, and scruples vanishing at his tone ofentreaty. "My father would be so glad. I will practise my best song tosing to you to-morrow. "

"My best thanks are yours, " and her hand was taken, she was carefullyconducted to the door and dismissed with a gentle pressure of herfingers, and a courteous: "Goodnight, madam; _Au revoir_, if I mayventure to say so. "

By contrast, the hall looked almost light, and Aurelia could see theskip of joy with which Jumbo hurried to fetch a candle. As he gave it toher, he made his teeth flash from ear to ear, as he exclaimed: "Prettymissy bring new life to mas'r!"

Thus did a new element come into Aurelia's life. She carefully preparedHarriet's favourite song, a French _romance_, but Mr. Belamour did notlike it equally well with the Nightingale, which he made her repeat, rewarding her by telling her of the charming looks and manners of hermother, so that she positively enjoyed her visit. The next night he madeinquiries into her walks at Bowstead, asking after the favourite nooksof his childhood, and directing her to the glades where grew the largestdewberries and sweetest blackberries. This led to her recital of aportion of _Midsummer Night's Dream_, for he drew her on with thanks atevery pause: "I have enjoyed no such treat for many years, " he said. 

"There are other pieces that I can recite another time, " said Aureliatimidly. 

"You will confer a great favour on me, " he answered. 

So she refreshed her memory by a mental review of _Paradise Lost_ overher embroidery frame, and was ready with Adam's morning hymn, which wasmuch relished. Compliments on her elocution soon were turned by her intothe praise of "sister, " and as she became more at ease, the strange manin the dark listened with evident delight to her pretty fresh prattleabout sister and brother, and father and home. Thus it had become adaily custom that she should spend the time between half past seven andnine in the company of the prisoner of darkness, and she was beginningto look forward to it as the event of the day. She scarcely expectedto be sent for on Sunday evening, but Jumbo came as usual with theinvitation, and she was far from sorry to quit a worm-eaten Baxter's_Saints' Rest_ which she had dutifully borrowed from Mrs. Aylward. 

"Well, my fair visitor, " said the voice which had acquired a tone ofpleased anticipation, "what mental repast has your goodness provided?"

"It is Sunday, sir. "

"Ah!" as if it had not occurred to him, and with some disappointment. 

"I could say the Psalms by heart, sir, if you would like it, for it isthe 20th day of the month. "

"Thank you. Your voice can make anything sweet. "

Aurelia was shocked, and knew that Betty would be more so, but she wastoo shy to do anything except to begin: "Praise thou the Lord, O mysoul. "

It was a fortunate thing that it was a Psalm of such evident beauty, forit fell less familiarly on his ear than her passages from the poets. Atthe end he said: "Yes, that is true poetry. Praise fits well with happyyoung lips. You have been to church?"

"No, sir, Mr. Greaves does not come to-day. "

"Then how did the gentle saint perform her orisons?"

"Please do not so call me, sir! I tried to read the service, but I couldnot get the children to be still, so I had to tell them about Joseph, and I found a beautiful Bible full of pictures, like our Dutch one athome. "

"You found the old Bible? My mother used to show it to my brother andme--my poor mother!"

He mentioned one or two of the engravings, which he had never forgotten, but the evening was less of a success than usual, and Aurelia doubtedwhether we would wish for her that day se'nnight. All her dread of himwas gone; she knew she had brought a ray of brightness into his solitarybroken life, and her mind was much occupied with the means of affordinghim pleasure. Indeed she might have wearied of the lack of allcompanionship save that of the young children; and converse with aclever highly cultivated mind was stimulating and expanding all herfaculties. When the stores or her memory were becoming exhausted, Jumbowas bidden to open a case of books which had lain untouched since theywere sent sown from Mr. Belamour's chambers at the Temple, and they wereplaced at her disposal. Here was Mr. Alexander Pope's translation of the_Iliad_ of Homer, which had appeared shortly before the fatal duel, and Aurelia eagerly learnt whole pages of it by heart for the evening'samusement, enjoying extremely the elucidations and criticisms of herauditor, who would dwell on a passage all day, beg to have it repeateda second time in the evening, and then tell her what his memory orhis reflection had suggested about it. Moreover, having heard someinexplicable report, through Jumbo, of the Porteous mob, Mr. Belamourbecame curious to learn the truth, and this led to his causing thenewspapers to be sent weekly to be read and reported to him by Aurelia. It seemed incredible that a man of much ability should have been contentto spend all these years in the negro's sole society, but no doubt theinjury done to the brain had been aggravated by grief and remorse, sothat he had long lain, with suspended faculties, in a species of livingdeath; whence he had only gradually, and as it were unconsciously, advanced to his present condition. Perhaps Mr. Wayland's endeavours torouse him had come too soon, or in a less simple and attractiveform, for they had been reluctantly received and had proved entirelyunsuccessful; while the child-like efforts of the girl, following hislead instead of leading him, were certainly awakening him, and renewinghis spirits and interest in the world at large in an unlooked-formanner. 

CHAPTER XI. A VOICE FROM THE GRAVE. 

 He hath a word for thee to speak. KEBLE. 

No difference was made to Aurelia's visits to Mr. Belamour on Sundayevenings, but he respected her scruples against indulgence in profaneliterature, and encouraged her to repeat passages of Scripture, beginning to taste the beauty of the grand cadences falling from hersoft measured voice. Thus had she come to the Sermon on the Mount, andfound herself repeating the expansion of the Sixth Commandment endingwith, "And thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, thou shaltnot come out thence until thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. "

A groan startled her. Then came the passage and the unhappy man'shistory with a sudden stab. A horror of the darkness fell on her. Shefelt as if he were in the prison and she reproaching him, and criedout--"O sir, forgive me. I forgot; I did not say it on purpose. "

"No, my child, it was Mary speaking by your voice. No, Mary, I shallnever come out. It will never be paid. "

She shook with fright as Jumbo touched her, saying, "Missee, go; mas'rbear no more;" but, as she rose to go away, a sweet impulse made herpause and say, "It is paid, _He_ paid. You know Who did--in his ownBlood. "

Jumbo drew her away almost by force, and when outside, exclaimed, "Missee never speak of blood or kill to mas'r--he not bear it. Head turnagain--see shapes as bad as ever. "

The poor child cried bitterly, calling herself cruel, thoughtless, presumptuous; and for the next few days Jumbo's eyes glared at her as hereported his master to be very ill; but, on the third day, he camefor her as usual. She thought Mr. Belamour's tones unwontedly low anddepressed, but no reference was made to the Sunday, and she was gladenough to plunge into the council of Olympus. 

A day or two later, Dame Wheatfield sent her husband with an urgentinvitation to Miss Amoret with her sisters and cousin to be present ather harvest home. Mrs. Aylward, with a certain tone of contempt, gaveher sanction to their going with Molly, by the help of the little ponycart used about the gardens. Aurelia, in high glee, told Mr. Belamour, who encouraged her to describe all her small adventures, and was heroracle in all the difficult questions that Fidelia's childish wisdom waswont to start. 

"To Wheatfield's farm, did you say? That is in Sedhurst. There are butthree fields between it and the church. "

Presently he added: "I am tempted to ask a great kindness, though I knownot whether it will be possible to you. "

"Indeed, sir, I will do my utmost. "

"There are two graves in Sedhurst Church, I have never dared to inquireabout them. Would it be asking too much from my gentle friend to beg ofher to visit them, and let me hear of them. "

"I will, I will, sir, with all my heart. "

By eight o'clock the next evening she was again with him, apologizingfor being late. 

"I scarcely expected this pleasure to-night. These rural festivities areoften protracted. "

"O sir, I was heartily glad to escape and to get the children away. Thepeople were becoming so rude and riotous that I was frightened. I neverwould have gone, had I known what it would be like, but at home thepeople are fond of asking us to their harvest feasts, and they alwaysbehave well whilst we are there. "

"No doubt they hold your father in respect. "

"Yes, " said Aurelia, unwilling to tell him how much alarmed and offendedshe had been, though quite unintentionally. Dame Wheatfield onlyintended hospitality; but in her eyes "Miss" was merely a poorgoverness, and that to the little Waylands--mere interlopers in the eyesof the Belamour tenantry. So the good woman had no idea that the roughgallantry of the young farmer guests was inappropriate, viewing it asthe natural tribute to her guest's beauty, and mistaking genuine offencefor mere coyness, until, finding it was real earnest, considerableaffront was taken at "young madam's fine airs, and she only a poorkinswoman of my Lady's!" Quite as ill was it received that the younglady had remonstrated against the indigestible cakes and strangebeverages administered to all her charges, and above all to Amoret. Shehad made her escape on the plea of early hours for the children, leavingMolly behind her, just as the boisterous song was beginning in whichJack kisses Bet, Joe kisses Sue, Tom kisses Nan, &c. Down to poorDorothy Draggletail, who is left in the lurch. The farewell had beenhuffy. "A good evening to you, madam; I am sorry our entertainmentwas not more to your taste. " She had felt guilty and miserable at theaccusation of pride, and she could not imagine how Mrs. Aylward couldhave let her go without a warning; the truth being that Mrs. Aylwarddespised her taste, but thought she knew what a harvest supper was like. 

All this was passed over in silence by Aurelia's pride and delicacy. Sheonly described the scene when the last waggon came in with its load, thehorses decked with flowers and ribbons, and the farmer's youngest girlenthroned on the top of the shocks, upholding the harvest doll. This wasa little sheaf, curiously constructed and bound with straw plaitsand ribbons. The farmer, on the arrival in the yard, stood on thehorse-block, and held it high over the heads of all the harvesters, andthe chorus was raised:

 "A knack, a knack, a knack, Well cut, well bound, Well shocked, well saved from the ground, Whoop! whoop! whoop!"

After which the harvest doll displaced her last year's predecessor overthe hearth, where she was to hang till next year. 

All this Aurelia described, comparing the customs with those of her owncounty, her heart beating all the time under the doubt how to venture ondescribing the fulfilment of her commission. At last Mr. Belamour said, "In such a scene of gaiety, no doubt the recollection of sorrow had noplace. "

"O sir, you could not think I should forget. "

"I thought I might have asked more than was possible to you. "

"It was the only part of the day that I enjoyed. I took little Fay withme, for no one seemed to care for her, while Amy was queening it withall the Wheatfields, and Letty was equally happy with her foster mother. I could see the church spire, so I needed not to ask the way, and wecrossed the stubble fields, while the sun sent a beautiful slantinglight through the tall elm trees that closed in the churchyard, butlet one window glitter between them like a great diamond. It looked sopeaceful after all the noise we left behind, even little Fay felt it, and said she loved the quiet walk along the green baulks [An unplowedstrip of land--D. L. ]. The churchyard has a wooden rail with steps tocross it on either side, and close under the church wall is a tomb, agreat square simple block, surmounted by an urn. "

"Yes, let me hear, " said the voice, eager, though stifled. 

"I thought it might be what you wished me to see and went up to read thenames. "

"Do not spare. Never fear. Let me hear the very words. "

"On one face of the block there was a name--

 'WILLIAM SEDHURST, _AGED_ 27, DIED MAY 13, 1729. '

On the other side was this inscription:--

 'MARY, ONLY DAUGHTER OF GEORGE SEDHURST, ESQUIRE, _AGED_ 19, DIED AUGUST 1st, 1729. 

 _Love is strong as Death. Sorrow not as others that have no Hope_. '

In smaller letters down below, 'This epitaph is at her own specialrequest. '

"Sir, " continued Aurelia, "it was very curious. I should not haveobserved those words if it had not been that a large beautifulbutterfly, with rainbow eyes on its wings, sat sunning itself on thewhite marble, and Fay called me to look at it. "

"Her message! May I ask you to repeat it again?"

"The texts? 'Love is strong as death. Sorrow not as others that have nohope. '"

"Did you call them Scripture texts?"

"Yes, sir; I know the last is in one of the Epistles, and I will lookfor the other. "

"It matters not. She intended them for a message to me who lay in utterdarkness and imbecility well befitting her destroyer. "

"Nay, they have come to you at last, " said Aurelia gently. "You reallynever knew of them before?"

"No, I durst not ask, nor did any one dare to speak to me. My brother, who alone would have done so, died, I scarcely know when; but ere thevery consciousness of my own wretched existence had come back to me. Once again repeat the words, gentle messenger of mercy. "

She obeyed, but this time he mournfully murmured, "Hope! What hope fortheir destroyer?"

"They are God's words, as well as hers, " the girl answered, withdiffident earnestness, but in reply she only heard tightened breaths, which made her say, "You cannot bear more, sir. Let me call Jumbo, andbid you good night. "

Jumbo came at the mention of his name. Somehow he was so unlike otherhuman beings, and so wholly devoted to his master, that it never seemedto be a greater shock to find that he had been present than if he hadbeen a faithful dog. 

A few days later he told Aurelia that Mas'r was not well enough to seeher. He had set forth as soon as the moon had set, and walked with histrusty servant to Sedhurst, where he had traced with his finger thewhole inscription, lingering so long that the sun was above the horizonbefore he could get home; and he was still lying on the bed where hehad thrown himself on first coming in, having neither spoken nor eatensince. Jumbo could not but grumble out that Mas'r was better left tohimself. 

Yet when Aurelia on the third evening was recalled, there was a ring ofrefreshment in the voice. It was still melancholy, but the dejectionwas lessened, and though it was only of Achilles and Patroclus thatthey talked, she was convinced that the pressure of the heavy burthen ofgrief and remorse was in some degree lightened. 

CHAPTER XII. THE SHAFTS OF PHOEBE. 

 Her golden bow she bends, Her deadly arrows sending forth. _Greek Hymn_ (KEIGHTLEY). 

On coming in from a walk, Aurelia was surprised by the tidings thatMistress Phoebe Treforth had come to call on her, and had left abillet. The said billet was secured with floss silk sealed down in theantiquated fashion, and was written on full-sized quarto paper. Thesewere the contents:--

"Madam, "My Sister and Myself are desirous of the Honour of your Acquaintance, and shall be happy if you will do use the Pleasure of coming to partake of Dinner at Three o'Clock on Tuesday, the 13th instant. 

 "I remain, "Yours to command, "DELIA TREFORTH. "

Aurelia carried the invitation to her oracle. 

"My cousins are willing to make your acquaintance?" said he. "That iswell. Jumbo shall escort you home in the evening. "

"Thank you, sir, but must I accept the invitation?"

"It could not be declined without incivility. Moreover, the MistressesTreforth are highly respected, and your father and sister will certainlythink it well for you to have female friends. "

"Do you think those ladies could ever be my friends, sir?" she asked, with an intonation that made him reply, with a sound of amusement. 

"I am no judge in such matters, but they are ladies connected andesteemed, who might befriend and counsel you in case of need, and at anyrate, it is much more suitable that you should be on terms of friendlyintercourse with them. I am heartily glad they have shown you thisattention. "

"I do not mean to be ungrateful, sir. "

"And I think you have disproved that

 Crabbed age and youth Cannot live together. "

"If they were only like you, sir!"

"What would they say to that?" he said with the slight laugh that hadbegun to enliven his voice. "I suppose your charges are not included inthe invitation?"

"No; but Molly can take care of them, if my Lady will not object to myleaving them. "

"She cannot reasonably do so. "

"And, sir, shall I be permitted to come home in time for you to receiveme?"

"I fear I must forego that pleasure. The ladies will insist on cards andsupper. Jumbo shall come for you at nine o'clock. "

Aurelia submitted, and tripped down arrayed in the dress that recalledthe fete at Carminster, except that only a little powder was sprinkledon her temples. The little girls jumped round her in admiring ecstasy, and, under Molly's charge, escorted her to the garden gate, and hoveredoutside to see her admitted, while she knocked timidly at the door, inthe bashful alarm of making her first independent visit. 

The loutish man ushered her into a small close room, containing a cat, a little spaniel, a green parrot, a spinning-wheel, and an embroideryframe. There were also the two old ladies, dressed with old-fashionedrichness, a little faded, and a third, in a crimson, gold-laced joseph[A long riding coat with a small cape, worn by women in the 18thcentury. --D. L. ], stout, rubicund, and hearty, to whom Aurelia wasintroduced thus--

"Mrs. Hunter, allow me to present to you Miss Delavie, a relative of myLady Belamour. Miss Delavie, Mrs. Hunter of Brentford. "

"I am most happy to make your acquaintance, Miss, " said the lady, in ajovial voice, and Aurelia made her curtsey, but at that moment theman announced that dinner was served, whereupon Mrs. Delia handed Mrs. Hunter in, and Mrs. Phoebe took the younger guest. 

The ladies' faces both bore token of their recent attention to thepreparation of the meal, and the curious dishes would have been highlyinteresting to Betty, but there was no large quantity of any, and asingle chicken was the _piece de resistance_, whence very tiny helpswere dealt out, and there was much unnecessary pressing to take a littlemore, both of that and of the brace of partridges which succeeded it. Asto conversation, there was room for none, except hospitable invitationsfrom the hostesses to take the morsels that they cut for their guests, praises of the viands from Mrs. Hunter, and endeavours to fish at therecipes, which the owners guarded jealously as precious secrets. Aureliasat perfectly silent, as was then reckoned as proper in a young lady ofher age, except when addressed. A good deal of time was also expended indirecting John Stiggins, the ladies' own man, and George Brown, who hadridden with Mrs. Hunter from Brentford, in the disposal of the dishes, and the handing of the plates. George Brown was the more skilledwaiter, and as the man who was at home did not brook interference, theirdisputes were rude and audible, and kept the ladies in agonies lest theyshould result in ruin to the best china. 

At last, however, the cloth was removed, walnuts, apples, pears, andbiscuits were placed on the table, a glass of wine poured out for eachlady, and the quartette, with the cat and dog, drew near the sunnywindow, where there was a little warmth. It was a chilly day, but no oneever lighted a fire before the 5th of November, Old Style. 

Then began one of those catechisms which fortunately are less unpleasantto youth and simplicity than they are to persons of an age to resentinquiry, and who have more resources of conversation. In truth, Aureliawas in the eyes of the Treforth sisters, descendants of a former SirJovian, only my Lady's poor kinswoman sent down to act _gouvernante_ tothe Wayland brats, who had been impertinently quartered in the Belamourhousehold. She would have received no further notice, had it not beenreported through the servants that "young Miss" spent the eveningswith their own cousin, from whom they had been excluded ever since hisillness. 

The subject was approached through interrogations on Miss Delavie's homeand breeding, how she had travelled, and what were her accomplishments, also whether she were quite sure that none of the triad was eitherimbecile nor deformed. Mrs. Hunter seemed to have heard wonderfulrumours about the poor children. 

"Has their lady mother seen them?"

"Yes, madam. She had been there with them shortly before my arrival. "

"Only once in their lives!" There was a groan of censure such as wouldhave fired the loyal Major in defence. 

"No wonder, Sister Phoebe, my Lady Belamour does not lead the life of atender mother. "

"She has the little boy, Archer, with her in London, " Aurelia venturedto say. 

"And a perfect puppet she makes of the poor child, " said Mrs. Hunter. "My sister Chetwynd saw him with his mother at a masquerade, my LadyBelamour flaunting as Venus, and he, when he ought to have been in hisbed, dressed in rose-colour and silver, with a bow and arrows, and gauzewings on his shoulders!"

"What will that child come to?"

"Remember, Sister Delia, he is no kin of ours. He is only a Wayland!"returned Mrs. Phoebe, in an accent as if the Waylands were the mostcontemptible of vermin. 

"I hope, " added Mrs. Delia, "that these children are never permitted toincommode our unfortunate cousin, Mr. Belamour. "

"I trust not, madam, " said Aurelia. "Their rooms are at a distance fromhis; they are good children, and he says he likes to hear young voicesin the gardens. "

"You have, then, seen Mr. Belamour?"

"I cannot say that I have seen him, " said Aurelia, modestly; "but I haveconversed with him. "

"Indeed! Alone with him?"

"Jumbo was there. "

The two old ladies drew themselves up, while Mrs. Hunter chuckled andgiggled. "Indeed!" said Mrs. Phoebe; "we should never see a gentleman inprivate without each other's company, or that of some female companion. "

"I consulted Mrs. Aylward, " returned Aurelia, "and she said he was oldenough to be my father. "

"Mrs. Aylward may be a respectable housekeeper, though far too lavish ofbutcher's meat, but I should never have recourse to her on a matter ofdecorum, " said Mrs. Phoebe. 

Aurelia's cheeks burnt, but she still defended herself. "I have heardfrom my father and my sister, " she said, "and they make no objection. "

"Hoity-toity! What means this heat, miss?" exclaimed Mrs. Phoebe; "I amonly telling you, as a kindness, what we should have thought becomingwith regard even to a blood relation of our own. "

"Thank you, ma'am, " said Aurelia; "but, you see, you are so much nearerhis age, that the cases are not alike. "

She said it in all simplicity, and did not perceive, at first, why thetwo sisters drew themselves up in so much offence, or why Mrs. Huntercried, "Oh, fie, for shame, you saucy chit! Bless me!" she continued, more good-naturedly, "Cousin Phoebe, times are changed since we wereyoung, and poor Sir Jovian and his brother were the county beaux. Thechild is right enough when one comes to think of it; and for my part, Ishould be glad that poor Mr. Amyas had some one young and cheerful abouthim. It is only a pity his nephew, the young baronet, never comes downto see him. "

"Like mother like son, " said Mrs. Phoebe; "I grieve to think what theold place will come to. "

"Well, " said Mrs. Hunter, "I do not hear the young gentleman ill spokenof; though, more's the pity, he is in a bad school with Colonel Mar forhis commanding officer, the fine gallant who is making his mother thetalk of the town!"

The gossip and scandal then waxed fast and furious on the authority ofMrs. Hunter's sister, but no one paid any more attention to Aurelia, except that when there was an adjournment to the next room, she wastreated with such double stiffness and ceremony as to make her feel thatshe had given great offence, and was highly disapproved of by all butMrs. Hunter. And Aurelia could not like her, for her gossip had been farbroader and coarser than that of the Mistresses Treforth, who, thoughmore bitter were more of gentlewomen. Happily much of what passed wasperfectly unintelligible to Betty's carefully shielded pupil, who satall the time with the cat on her lap, listening to its purring music, but feeling much more inclined to believe nothing against my Lady, afterher father's example, than to agree with those who were so evidentlyprejudiced. Tea was brought in delicate porcelain cups, then followedcards, which made the time pass less drearily till supper. Thisconsisted of dishes still tinier than those at dinner, and it wasscarcely ended when it was announced that Jumbo had come for MissDelavie. 

Gladly she departed, after an exchange of curtsies, happily not hearingthe words behind her:--

"An artful young minx. "

"And imagine the impudence of securing Jumbo's attendance, forsooth!"

"Nay, " said Mrs. Hunter, "she seemed to me a pretty modest younggentlewoman enough. "

"Pretty! Yes, she comes of my Lady's own stock, and will be just suchanother. "

"Yes; it is quite plain that it is true that my Lady sent her herebecause she had been spreading the white apron for the young baronet. "

"And now she is trying her arts on poor cousin Amyas Belamour. You heardhow she would take no advice, and replied with impertinence. "

"Shall you give my Lady a hint?"

"Not I. I have been treated with too much insolence by Lady Belamourto interfere with her again, " said Mrs. Phoebe, drawing herself up; "Ishall let things take their course unless I can remonstrate with my ownkinsman. "

CHAPTER XIII. THE FLUTTER OF HIS WINGS. 

 Then is Love's hour to stray! Oh, how he flies away!--T. MOORE. 

Meanwhile Aurelia, mounted on a pair of pattens brought by the negroto keep her above the dew, was crossing the park by the light of a finehunter's moon, Jumbo marching at a respectful distance in the rear. Hekept on chuckling to himself with glee, and when she looked round athim, he informed her with great exultation that "Mas'r had not beenalone. His honour had been to see him. Mas'r so glad. "

"Sir Amyas!" exclaimed Aurelia: "Is he there still?"

"No, missie. He went away before supper. "

"Did he see the young ladies?"

"Oh, yes, missie. He came before mas'r up, quite promiskius, " saidJumbo, who loved a long word. "I tell him, wait till mas'r be dress, and took him to summer parlour. He see little missies out in garden;ask what chil'ren it was. His Hounour's sisters, Miss Fay, Missie Letty, Missie Amy, I say! His Honour wonder. 'My sisters, ' he say, 'my sistershere, ' and out he goes like a flash of lightning and was in among them. "

Aurelia's first thought was "Oh, I hope they were clean and neat, andthat they behaved themselves. I wish I had been at home. " Wherewithfollowed the recollection that Sir Amyas had been called her beau, and her cheeks burnt; but the recent disagreeable lecture on etiquetteshowed her that it would only have led to embarrassment and vexationto have had any question of an interview with a young gentleman by solittle her elder. Nor would she have known what to say to him. Old Mr. Belamour in the dark was a very different matter, and she had probablyhad an escape from much awkwardness. 

Molly received her with her favourite exclamation: "Lawk, miss, and whodo you think have been here?"

"Jumbo told me, Molly. "

"Ain't he a perfect pictur of a man? And such a gentleman! He gave mea whole goolden guinea for my good care of his little sisters, and sayshe: 'Their father shall hear of them, and what little ladies they be. '"

"I am glad they behaved themselves prettily. "

"Yes, that they did, ma'am. It was good luck that they had not beengrubbing in their gardens as you lets 'em do, ma'am, but they was all asclean as a whistle, a picking up horse-chestnuts under the big treeat the corner of the bowling green, when out on the steps we sees him, looking more like an angel than a man, in his red coat, and the gooldthings on his shoulders, and out he comes! Miss Amy, she was afeard atfirst: 'Be the soldiers a coming?' says she, and runs to me; but MissLetty, she holds out her arms, and says "It's my papa, " and Miss Fay, she stood looking without a word. Then when his Honour was in amongthem: "My little sisters, my dear little sisters, " says he, "don't youknow me?" and down he goes on one knee in the grass, never heeding hisbeautiful white small-clothes, if you'll believe me, miss, and holds outhis arms, and gets Miss Fay into one arm, and Miss Letty into t'other, and then Miss Amy runs up, and he kisses them all. Then miss Letty saysagain 'Are you my papa from foreign parts?' and he laughs and says: 'No, little one, I'm your brother. Did you never hear of your brother Amyas?'and Miss Fay stood off a little and clapped her little hands, and says:'O brother Amyas, how beautiful you are!'"

Aurelia could not help longing to know whether she had been mentioned, but she did not like to inquire, and she was obliged to rest satisfiedwith the assurance that her little girls had comported themselves likejewels, like lambs, like darling lumps of sugar, or whatever metaphorswere suggested by the imagination of Molly, who had, apparently, usurpedthe entire credit of their good manners. It was impossible to helpfeeling a little aggrieved, or, maugre [in spite of--D. L. ] allinconvenient properties to avoid wishing to have been under thehorse-chestnut tree, even though she might have shown herself just sucha bashful little speechless fool as she had been when Sir Amyas haddanced with her at Carminster. 

She was destined to hear a good deal more of the visitor the next day. The children met her with the cry of "Cousin Aura, our brother"--"ourbig beautiful brother--Brother Amyas. "--They were with difficulty calmedinto saying their prayers, and Amoret startled the little congregationby adding to "bless by father, my mother, my brothers and sisters, ""and pray bless big brother Amyas best of all, for I love him very muchindeed!"

All day little facts about "brother Amyas" kept breaking out. BrotherAmyas had beautiful gold lace, brother Amyas had a red and whitefeather; brother Amyas had given Fay and Letty each a ride on hisshoulder, but Amy was afraid; brother Amyas said their papa would lovethem very much. He had given them each a new silver shilling, and Amorethad in return presented him with her doll's beautiful pink back-stringthat Cousin Aura had made for her. This wonderful brother had askedwho had taught them to be such pretty little gentlewomen, and at thisAurelia's heart beat a little, but provoking Fidelia replied: "I toldhim my Mammy Rolfe taught me to be genteel, " and Letty added: "And hesaid Fay was a conceited little pussy cat. "

A strange indefinable feeling between self-respect and shyness madeAurelia shrink from the point-blank question whether the ungratefullittle things had acknowledged their obligations to her. She wasalways hoping they would say something of their own accord, and alwaysdisappointed. 

Evening came, and she eagerly repaired to the dark room, wondering, yethalf dreading to enter on the subject, and beginning by an apology forhaving by no means perfected herself in Priam's visit to Achilles. 

"If you have been making visits, " said Mr. Belamour: "I too have had avisitor. "

"The children told me so, " she answered. 

"He was greatly delighted with them, " said Mr. Belamour. 

"While they, poor little things, never were more happy in their lives. He must have been very kind to them, yet he did not know that they werehere. "

"His mother is not communicative respecting them. Ladies who love powerseek to preserve it by making little mysteries. "

"It was to see you, sir, that he came. "

"Yes. He ingenuously avowed that he had always been urged to do so byhis stepfather, but his mother has always put obstacles in the way, andassured him that he would not gain admission. I have certainly refusedto see her, but this is a very different matter--my brother's onlychild, my godson, and my ward!"

"I am very glad he has come to see you, sir, and I am sure it has givenyou pleasure. "

"Pleasure in seeing that he is a lad of parts, and of an ingenuous, affectionate, honest nature, but regret in perceiving how I failed inthe confidence that his father reposed in me. "

"But, sir, you could not help it!"

"Once I could not. It was, I know not how long, before I knew that mybrother was no more; and thinking myself dead to the world and theworld to me, I took no heed to what, it now seems to me, I was told ofguardianship to the boy. I was incapable of fulfilling any such charge, and I shunned the pain of hearing of it, " he continued, rather as iftalking to himself than to his auditor. "When I could, I gave themmy name and they asked no more. Yet what did they tell me of a sealedletter from my brother, addressed to me? True, I heard of it more thanonce, but I could ask no one to read it to me, and I closed my ears. InWayland's hands I knew the youth was well cared for, and only now do Ifeel that I have ill requited my brother's confidence. "

"Indeed, sir, I cannot see how you could have done otherwise, " saidAurelia, who could not bear to hear his tone of self-reproach. 

"My amiable visitor!" he exclaimed, as though recalled to a sense ofher presence. "Excuse the absence of mind which has inflicted on you theselfish murmurs of the old recluse. Tell me how you prospered with mycousins, whom I remember as sprightly maidens. Phoebe had somewhat ofthe prude, Delia of the coquette. "

"I could imagine what you say of Mistress Phoebe, sir, better than ofMistress Delia. "

"Had they any guests to meet you?"

"A Mrs. Hunter, sir, from Brentford, a doctor's wife I suppose. "

"You are right. She was a cousin of theirs on the other side of thehouse, a loud-voiced buxom lass, who was thought to have married beneathhere when she took Dr. Hunter; but apparently they have forgiven her. "

Mr. Belamour was evidently much interested and amused by Aurelia's smallexperiences and observations, such as they were. In spite of the senseof past omission which had been aroused by his nephew's visit, it hadevidently raised his spirits, for he laughed when Aurelia spiced herdescriptions with a little playful archness, and his voice became morecheery. 

So, too, it was on the ensuing evening when Aurelia, to compensate forthe last day's neglect, came primed with three or four pages of theconversation between Priam and Achilles, which she rehearsed with greatfeeling, thinking, like Pelides himself, of her own father and home. Itwas requited with a murmured "Bravo, " and Mr. Belamour then begged ofher, if she were not weary, to favour him with the Nightingale Song, Jumbo as usual accompanying her with his violin. At the close there wasagain a "Bravo! Truly exquisite!" in a tone as if the hermit were reallyfinding youth and life again. Once more at his request, she sang, andwas applauded with even more fervour, with a certain tremulous eagernessin the voice. Yet there was probably a dread of the excitement beingtoo much, for this was followed by "Thank you, kind songstress, I couldlisten for ever, but it is becoming late, and I must not detain youlonger. "

She found herself handed out of the room, with somewhat curtailed goodnights, although nine o'clock, her usual signal, had not yet struck. When she came into the lamplit hall, Jumbo was grinning and nodding likea maniac, and when she asked what was the matter, he only rolled hiseyes, and said, "Missie good! Mas'r like music!"

The repressed excitability she had detected made her vaguely nervous(not that she would have so called herself), and as the next day was theblank Sunday, she appeased and worked off her restlessness by walkingwith the children to Sedhurst church. It was the sixteenth Sunday afterTrinity, and the preacher, who had caught somewhat of the fire of Wesleyand Whitfield, preached a sermon which arrested her attention, and filled her with new thoughts. Taking the Epistle and Gospel inconnection, he showed the death-in-life of indifference, and thequickening touch of the Divine Love, awakening the dead spirit into truelife. On that life, with its glow of love, hope, and joy, the preacherdwelt with enthusiasm such as Aurelia had never heard, and which carriedher quite out of herself. Tears of emotion trembled in her eyes, and shefelt a longing desire to walk on in that path of love to her Maker, whomshe seemed to have never known before. 

She talked with a new fervour to the children of the birds and flowers, and all the fair things they loved, as the gifts of their Father inHeaven; and when she gathered them round the large pictured Bible, itwas to the Gospel that she turned as she strove to draw their souls tothe appreciation of the Redeeming Love there shown. She saw in Fay'sdeep eyes and thoughtful brow that the child was taking it in, thoughdifferently from Amy, who wanted to kiss the picture, while Letty askedthose babyish material questions about Heaven that puzzle wiser headsthan Aurelia's to answer. 

So full was she of the thought, that she forgot her sense of somethingstrange and unaccountable in Mr. Belamour's manner before the evening, nor was there anything to remind her of it afresh, for he was as calmlygrave and kindly courteous as ever; and he soon led her to pour forthall her impressions of the day. Indeed she repeated to him great part ofthe sermon, with a voice quivering with earnestness and emotion. Hewas not stirred in the same way as she had been, saying in his pensivemeditative way, "The preacher is right. Love is life. The misfortune iswhen we stake our all on one love alone, and that melts from us. Thenindeed there is death--living death!"

"But there is never-failing love, and new life that never dies!" criedAurelia, almost transported out of herself. 

"May you ever keep hold of both unobscured, my sweet child, " hereturned, with a sadness that repressed and drove her back into herselfagain, feeling far too childish and unworthy to help him to thatnew life and love; though her young heart yearned over him in hisdesolation, and her soul was full of supplication for him. 

CHAPTER XIV. THE CANON OF WINDSOR. 

 Turn, gentle hermit of the dale. --GOLDSMITH. 

"My child, will you do me a favour?" said Mr. Belamour the next evening, in a tone no longer formal, but paternal. "Take this packet" (he putone into the girl's hand) "to the light and inform me what is thesuperscription. "

It was a thick letter, with a large red wax seal, bearing the well knownarms of Belamour and Delavie, and the address was

 To AMYAS BELAMOUR, ESQ. , K. C. , OF THE INNER TEMPLE, LONDON. To be opened after my death. ]

 JOVIAN BELAMOUR. Dec. 14th, 1727. 

"I thought so, " said Mr. Belamour, when she returned to him withintelligence. "Little did my poor brother guess how long it would beunopened! Will my gentle friend confer another obligation on me?"

Aurelia made her ready assent, hoping to be asked to read the letter, when he continued, "I cannot read this myself. Even could I bear thelight, the attempt to fix my eyes sends darts shooting through mybrain, which would take away my very power of comprehension. But, " hecontinued, "there are only two men living to whom I could entrust mybrother's last words to me. One, your own good father, is out ofreach; the other has frequently proffered his good offices and has beenrejected. Would you add to your kindness that of writing to entreat myold friend, Dr. Godfrey, to favour with a visit one who has too oftenand ungratefully refused him admission. "

Feminine curiosity felt balked, but Aurelia was ashamed of thesensation, and undertook the task. Instructions were given her that shewas to write--

 "If Amyas Belamour's old Schoolfellow and Friend can overlook and pardon the undeserved Rebuffs to His Constancy and Solicitude for a lonely and sullen Wretch, and will once more come and spend a Night at Bowstead, he will confer an inestimable Favour upon one who is more sensible of his Goodness than when it has been previously offered. "

This letter, written in Aurelia's best Italian hand, on a large sheetof paper, she brought with her the next evening. She was bidden to folddown the exact place for the signature, which Mr. Belamour proceededto affix, and she was then to carry it to the candles in the lobby, andthere fold, seal, and address it to the Reverend Edward Godfrey, D. D. , Canon of Windsor, Windsor. She found the A. Belamour very fairly writtenexcept that it was not horizontal, and she performed the rest of thetask with ladylike dexterity, sealing it with a ring that had beensupplied for the purpose. It did not, as she expected, bear the Belamoursheaf of arrows, but was a gem, representing a sleeping Cupid withfolded wings, so beautiful that she asked leave to take anotherimpression for Harriet, who collected seals, after the fashion of theday. 

"You are welcome, " Mr. Belamour replied. "I doubt its great antiquity, since the story of Cupid and Psyche cannot be traced beyond Apuleius. I used it because Dr. Godfrey will remember it. He was with me at Romewhen I purchased it. "

The ring was of the size for a lady's finger, and Aurelia durst ask nomore. 

How the letter was sent she knew not, but Mrs. Aylward was summoned toMr. Belamour's room, and desired to have a room ready at any time forhis friend. 

Three days later, towards sunset, a substantial-looking clergyman, attended by two servants, rode up to the door; and was immediatelyappropriated by Jumbo, disappearing into the mysterious apartments;Aurelia expected no summons that night, but at the usual hour, the negrobrought a special request for the honour of her society; and as sheentered the dark room, Mr. Belamour said, "My fair and charitablevisitor will permit me to present to her my old and valued friend, Dr. Godfrey. " He laid the hand he had taken on one that returned a littlegentlemanly acknowledgment, while a kind fatherly voice said, "The ladymust pardon me if I do not venture to hand her to her chair. "

"Thank you, sir, I am close to my seat. "

"Your visitors acquire blind eyes, Belamour, " said Dr. Godfrey, cheerfully. 

"More truly they become eyes to the blind, " was the answer. "I feelmyself a man of the world again, since this amiable young lady hasconned the papers on my behalf, and given herself the trouble oflearning the choicest passages of the poets to repeat to me. "

"You are very good, sir, " returned Aurelia; "it is my great pleasure. "

"That I can well believe, " said Dr. Godfrey. "Have these agreeablerecitations made you acquainted with the new poem on the _Seasons_ byMr. James Thomson?"

"No, " replied Mr. Belamour, "my acquaintance with the _belles letters_ceased nine years ago. "

"The descriptions have been thought extremely effective. Those of autumnwere recalled to my mind on my way. "

Dr. Godfrey proceeded to recite some twenty lines of blank verse, for inthose days people had more patience and fewer books, and exercised theirmemories much more than their descendants do. Listening was far frombeing thought tedious. 

 "'But see the fading many-coloured roads, Shade deepening over shade, the country round Imbrown; a crowded umbrage, dusk and dim, Of every hue, from wan, declining green, To sooty dark. '"

The lines had a strange charm to one who had lived in darkness throughso many revolving years. Mr. Belamour eagerly thanked his friend, and onthe offer to lend him the book, begged that it might be ordered for him, and that any other new and interesting work might be sent to him thatwas suitable to the fair lips on which he was dependent. 

"You are secure with Mr. Thomson, " said the Doctor. "Hear the conclusionof his final hymn. "

 "'When even at last the solemn hour shall come, And wing my mystic flight to future worlds, I cheerful will obey; there with new powers Will rising wonders sing. I cannot go Where Universal Love not smiles around, Sustaining all yon orbs, and all their suns, From seeming evil still educing good, And better thence again, and better still, In infinite progression. But I lose Myself in Him, in Light ineffable; Come then expressive Silence, mine the praise. '"

"'Universal Love!'" repeated Mr. Belamour; "the poet sings as you do, myamiable friend! I can conceive the idea better than I could a few monthsago. "

 "'From seeming evil, still educing good, '"

quoted Dr. Godfrey earnestly, as if feeling his way. 

"More of this another time, " said Mr. Belamour hastily. "What say thecritics respecting this new aspirant?"

The ensuing conversation much interested Aurelia, as it was on the menof letters whose names had long been familiar to her, and whom thetwo gentlemen had personally known. She heard of Pope, still living atTwickenham, and of his bickerings with Lady Mary Wortley Montagu; ofyoung Horace Walpole, who would never rival his father as a politician, but who was beginning his course as a _dilettante_, and actuallypretending to prefer the barbarous Gothic to the classic Italian. However, his taste might be improved, since he was going to make thegrand tour in company with Mr. Gray, a rising young poet, in whom Dr. Godfrey took interest, as an Etonian and a Cantab. 

At nine o'clock Mr. Belamour requested Miss Delavie to let him depute toher the doing the honours of the supper table to his friend, who wouldreturn to him when she retired for the night. 

Then it was that she first saw the guest, a fine, dignified clergyman, in a large grey wig, with a benignant countenance, reminding her of theDean of Carminster. When she was little, the Dean had bestowed on hercomfits and kisses; but since she had outgrown these attentions, he waswont to notice her only by a condescending nod, and she would no morehave thought of conversing with him at table than in his stall in thecathedral. Thus it was surprising to find herself talked to, as Bettymight have been, by this reverend personage, who kindly satisfied hercuriosity about the King, Queen, and Princesses, but with a discretionwhich did not diminish that blind loyalty which saw no defects in"our good king, " though he was George II. She likewise answered afew questions about Mr. Belamour's tastes and habits, put in a verydifferent manner from those of the Mistress Treforth, and as soon assupper was over she rose and retired. 

She did not see Dr. Godfrey again until he was ready for a latebreakfast, having been up nearly the whole night with his friend. Hishorses were ordered immediately after the meal, as he had an appointmentin London, and he presently looked up, and said, "Madam, you must excuse me, I was silent from thinking how I canadequately express my respect and gratitude for you. "

"I beg your pardon, sir, " exclaimed Aurelia, thinking her ears mistaken. 

"My gratitude, " he repeated, "for the inestimable blessing you have beento my dear and much valued friend, in rousing him from that wretchedstate of despondency in which no one could approach him. "

"You are too good, sir, " returned Aurelia. "It was he who sent for me. "

"I know you did it in all simplicity, my dear child--forgive theepithet, I have daughters of my own, and thankful should I be if oneof them could have produced such effects. I tell you, madam, my dearfriend, one of the most estimable and brilliant men of his day, was anutter wreck, both in mind and body, through the cruel machinations ofan unprincipled woman. How much was to the actual injury from his wound, how much to grief and remorse, Heaven only knows, but the death of hisbrother, who alone had authority with him, left him thus to cut himselfoff entirely in this utter darkness and despair. I called at firstmonthly, then yearly, after the melancholy catastrophe, and held manyconsultations with good Mr. Wayland, but all in vain. It was reservedfor your sweet notes to awaken and recall him to what I trust is indeednew life. "

Tears filled Aurelia's eyes, and she could only murmur something aboutbeing very glad. 

"Yes, " pursued Dr. Godfrey, "it is as if I saw him rising from hisliving tomb in all senses of the word. I find that your artless Sundayevening conversations have even penetrated the inner hopeless gloom, still more grievous than the outer darkness in which he lived. "

"Indeed, sir, I never meant to be presumptuous. "

"God's blessing on such presumption, my good child! If you had beenfully aware of his state of mind, you might never have ventured norhave touched the sealed heart, as you have done, as I perceive, in yourignorance, out of your obedient reverence to the Lord's day. Am I notright?"

"Yes, sir, I thought one _could_ not repeat plays and poems on Sunday, and I was frightened when I found those other things were strange tohim; but he bade me go on. "

"For the sake of the music of your voice, as he tells me, at first; butafterwards because you became the messenger of hope to one who had longlain in the shadow of death, thinking pardon and mercy too much out ofreach to be sought for. You have awakened prayer within him once more. "

She could not speak, and Dr. Godfrey continued, "You will be gladto hear that I am to see the curate on my way through Brentford, andarrange with him at times to read prayers in the outer room. What isit?" he added; "you look somewhat doubtful. "

"Only, sir, perhaps I ought not to say so, but I cannot think Mr. Belamour well ever care for poor Mr. Greaves. If he could only hear thatgentleman who comes to Sedhurst! I never knew how much fire could beput into the service itself, and yet I have often been at CarminsterCathedral. "

"True, my dear young lady. These enthusiasts seem to be kindling a newfire in the Church, but I am not yet so convinced of their orthodoxyand wisdom as to trust them unreservedly; and zeal pushed too far mightoffend our poor recluse, and alienate him more than ever. He is likelyto profit more by the direct words of the Church herself, read withoutpersonal meaning, than by the individual exhortations of some devoutstranger. "

"Yes, sir. Thank you, I never meant to question your judgment. Indeed Idid not. "

The horses were here announced, and Dr. Godfrey said, "Then I leave him to you with a grateful heart. I am beginning to hopethat there is much hypochondriacism in his condition, and that this maypass away with his despondency. I hope before many weeks are over tocome and visit him again, before I go to my parish in Dorsetshire. "

Then, with a fatherly blessing, the Canon took his leave. 

He was scarcely gone before there was a great rustling in the hall, and Mrs. Phoebe and Mrs. Delia Treforth were announced. Aurelia wassurprised, for she had been decidedly sensible of their disapproval whenshe made her visit of ceremony after her entertainment by them. She, however, had underrated the force of the magnet of curiosity. They hadcome to inquire about the visitor, who had actually spent a night at thePark. They knew who he was, for "Ned Godfrey" had been a frequent guestat Bowstead in the youth of all parties, and they were annoyed that hehad not paid his respects to them. 

"It would have been only fitting to have sent for us, as relations ofthe family, to assist in entertaining him, " said Mrs. Phoebe. "Pray, miss, did my eccentric cousin place you in the position of hostess?"

"It fell to me, madam, " said Aurelia. 

"You could have asked for _our_ support, " said Mrs. Phoebe, severely. "It would have become you better, above all then Sir Amyas Belamourhimself was here. "

"He has only been here while I was with you, madam, and was gone beforemy return. "

"_That_ is true, " but Mrs. Phoebe looked at the girl so inquisitivelythat her colour rose in anger, and exclaimed, "Madam, I know not whatyou mean!"

"There, sister, " said Mrs. Delia, more kindly. "She is but a child, andBet Batley is a gossip. She would not know his Honour in the dark fromthe blackamoor going down to visit his sweetheart. "

Very glad was Aurelia when the ladies curtsied themselves out of hersummer parlour, declaring they wished to speak to Mrs. Aylward, who sheknew could assure them of the absurdity of these implied suspicions. 

And Mrs. Aylward, who detested the two ladies, and repelled theirmeddling, stiffly assured them both of Miss Delavie's discretion andher own vigilance, which placed visits from the young baronet beyondthe bounds of possibility. Supposing his Honour should again visit hisuncle, she should take care to be present at any interview with theyoung lady. She trusted that she knew her duty, and so did Miss Delavie. 

CHAPTER XV. THE QUEEN OF BEAUTY. 

 O bright _regina_, who made thee so faire, Who made thy colour vermeilie and white? Now marveile I nothing that ye do hight The quene of love. --CHAUCER. 

Only a week had elapsed before the quiet of Bowstead was again disturbedby the arrival of two grooms, with orders that everything should be madeready the next day for the arrival of my Lady, who was on her way toCarminster for a few weeks, and afterwards to Bath. Forthwith Mrs. Aylward and her subordinates fell into a frenzy of opening shutters, lighting fires, laying down carpets and uncovering furniture. Scrubbingwas the daily task for the maids, and there was nothing extra possiblein that line, but there was hurry enough to exacerbate the temper, andwhen Aurelia offered her services she was tartly told that she couldsolely be useful by keeping the children out of the way; for in spite ofall rebuffs, they persisted in haunting the footsteps of the housekeeperand maids, Fay gazing with delight at the splendours that were revealed, Amy proffering undesired aid, Letty dancing in the most inconvenientplaces, romancing about her mamma and little brother, and making surethat her big beautiful brother was also coming. 

The were very unwilling to let Aurelia call them away to practise themin bridling, curtseying, and saying "Yes, madam, " according to the lawsof good breeding so carefully inculcated by sister at home. So anxiouswas she that she tried them over and over again till they were weariedout, and became so cross and naughty that nothing restored good-homourexcept gathering blackberries to feast brother Archer. 

The intelligence produced less apparent excitement in the dark chamber. When Aurelia, in an eager, awe-stricken voice began, "O sir, have youheard that my Lady is coming?" He calmly replied, "The sounds in the house have amply heralded her, to say nothing ofJumbo. "

"I wonder what she will do!"

"You will not long have known her, my fair friend, without discoveringthat she is one of the most inscrutable of her sex. The mere endeavourto guess at her plans only produces harassing surmises and alarms. "

"Do you think, sir, she can mean to take me away?"

"I suppose that would be emancipation to you, my poor child. "

"I should dance to find myself going home, " said Aurelia, "yet how couldI bear to leave my little girls, or you, sir. Oh! if you could only liveat the Great House, at home, I should be quite happy. "

"Then you would not willingly abandon the recluse?"

"Indeed, " she said with a quivering in her voice, "I cannot endure thenotion. You have been so kind and good to me, sir, and I do so enjoycoming to you. And you would be all alone again with Jumbo! Oh sir, could you not drive down if all the coach windows were close shut up?You would have my papa to talk to!"

"And what would your papa say to having a miserable old hermit inflictedon him?"

"He would be only too glad. "

"No, no, my gentle friend, there are other reasons. I could not make myabode in Lady Belamour's house, while in that of my nephew, my naturalhome, I have a right to drag out what remains of the existence of mine. Nay, are you weeping, my sweet child? That must not be; your young lifemust take no darkness from mine. Even should Lady Belamour's arbitrarycaprice bear you off without another meeting, remember that you havegiven me many more happy hours than I ever supposed to be in store forme, and have opened doors which shall not be closed again. "

"You will get some one to recite to you?" entreated Aurelia, her voicemost unsteady. 

"Godfrey shall seek out some poor scholar or exhausted poetaster, with aproviso that he never inflicts his own pieces on me, " said Mr. Belamour, in a tone more as if he wished to console her than as it were a pleasingprospect. "Never fear, gentle monitress, I will not sink into thestagnation from which your voice awoke me. Neither Godfrey nor my nephewwould allow it. Come, let us put it from our minds. It has alwaysbeen my experience, that whatever I expected from my much admiredsister-in-law, that was the exact reverse of what she actually did. Therefore let us attend to topics, though I wager that you have no freshacquisitions for me to-day. "

"I am ashamed, sir, but I could not fix my mind even to a most frightfuldescription of wolves in Mr. Thomson's 'Winter. '"

"That were scarcely a soothing subject; but we might find calm insomething less agitating and more familiar. Perhaps you can recallsomething too firmly imprinted on your memory to be disturbed by theseemotions. "

Aurelia bethought herself that she must not disappoint her friend onwhat might prove their last evening; she began very unsteadily:--

 "' Hence, loathed Melancholy. '"

However by the time "Jonson's learned sock" was on, her mechanicalrepetition had become animated, and she had restored herself toequanimity. When the clock struck nine, her auditor added his thanks, "In case we should not meet again thus, let me beg of my kind visitor towear this ring in memory of one to whom she has brought a breath indeedfrom L'Allegro itself. It will not be too large. It was made for alady. "

And amid her tearful thanks she felt a light kiss on her fingers, revealing to her that the hermit must possess a beard, a fact, whichin the close-shaven Hanoverian days, conveyed a sense of squalor andneglect almost amounting to horror. 

In her own room she dropped many a tear over the ring, which was ofcourse the Cupid intaglio, and she spent the night in strange mixeddreams and yearnings, divided between her father, Betty, and Eugene onthe one hand, and Mr. Belamour and the children on the other. Home-sickas she sometimes felt, dull as Bowstead was, she should be sadly grievedto leave those to whom she felt herself almost necessary, though herchoice must needs be for her home. 

Early the next day arrived an old roomy berlin loaded heavily withluggage, and so stuffed with men and maids that four stout horses hadmuch ado to bring it up to the door. The servants, grumbling heartily, declared that my Lady was only going to lie here for a single night, andthat Sir Amyas was not with her. 

Late in the afternoon, a couple of outriders appeared to say that thegreat lady was close at hand, and Aurelia, in her best blue sacque, and India muslin cap, edged with Flanders lace, had her three littlecharges, all in white with red shoes, red sashes, and red ribbons intheir caps, drawn up in the hall to welcome their mother. 

Up swept the coach with six horses, Mr. Dove behind--runners in fact, who at times rested themselves by an upright swing on the foot-board. 

The door of the gorgeous machine was thrown open, and forth sprang apretty little boy. Next descended the friendly form of Mrs. Dove, thena smart person, who was my Lady's own woman, and finally somethingdazzlingly grand and beautiful in feathers, light blue, and silver. 

Aurelia made her reverence, and so did the little triad; the great ladybent her head, and gave a light kiss to the brow of each child, and theboy sprang forward, crying: "You are my sisters. You must play with me, and do whatever I choose. " Amoret and he began kissing on the spot, butFidelia, regarding _must_ as a forbidden word, looked up at Aurelia withan inquiring protest in her eyes; but it was not heeded, in the doubtwhether to follow Lady Belamour, who, with a stately greeting to Mrs. Aylward, had sailed into the withdrawing-room. The question was decidedby Mrs. Aylward standing back to make room, and motioning her forward, so she entered, Letty preceding her and Fay clinging to her. 

By the hearth stood the magnificent figure, holding out a long, beautiful, beringed hand, which Aurelia shyly kissed, bending as beforea queen, while her forehead received the same slight salute as had beengiven to the little girls. "My cousin Delavie's own daughter, " said thelady: "You have the family likeness. "

"So I have been told, madam. "

"Your father is well, I hope. "

"He was pretty well, I thank you Ladyship, when I heard from my sisterten days ago. "

"I shall see him in a week's time, and shall report well of his littledaughter, " said Lady Belamour kindly. "I am under obligations to you, mydear. You seem to have tamed my little savages. "

Aurelia was amazed, for the universal awe of my Lady had made her expecta harsh and sever Semiramis style of woman, whereas she certainly saw amajestic beauty, but with none of the terrors that she had anticipated. The voice was musical and perfectly modulated, the manner more caressingthan imperious towards herself, and studiously polite to the housekeeper. While orders were being given as to arrangements, Aurelia tookin the full details of the person of whom she had heard so much. It seemed incredible that Lady Belamour could have been mother tocontemporaries of Betty, for she looked younger than Betty herself. Hersymmetry and carriage were admirable, and well shown by the light bluehabit laced richly and embroidered with silver. A small round hat with acluster of white ostrich feathers was placed among the slightly frizzedand powdered masses of mouse-coloured hair, surmounting a long ivoryneck, whose graceful turn, the theme of many a sonnet, was not concealedby the masculine collar of the habit. The exquisite oval contour of thecheek, the delicate ear, and Grecian profile were as perfect in mouldingas when she had been Sir Jovian's bride, and so were the porcelain blueof the eyes, the pencilled arches of eyebrow, and the curve of the lips, while even her complexion retained its smooth texture, and tints of thelily and rose. Often as Aurelia had heard of her beauty, its splendourdazzled and astonished her, even in this travelling dress. 

Archer, who was about a year older than his sisters, was more likeAmoret than the other two, with azure eyes, golden curls, and a plumprosy face, full of fun and mischief. Tired of the confinement of thecoach, he was rushing round the house with Amoret, opening the doors andlooking into the rooms. The other little sisters remained beside Aureliatill their mother said, pointing to Fay: "That child seems to mean toeat me with her eyes. Let all the children be with Nurse Dove, Mrs. Aylward. Miss Delavie will do me the pleasure of supping with me atseven. Present my compliments to Mr. Belamour, and let him know that Iwill be with him at eight o'clock on particular business. " Then turningto the two children, she asked their names, and was answered by eachdistinctly, with the orthodox "madam" at the end. 

"You are improved, little ones, " she said: "Did Cousin Aurelia teachyou?"

"And Mammy Rolfe, " said constant Fay. 

"She must teach you next not to stare, " said Lady Belamour. "I intendto take one to be a companion to my boy, in the country. When I sawthem before, they were rustic little monsters; but they are lessunpresentable now. Call your sister, children. " And, as the two left theroom, she continued: "Which do you recommend, cousin?"

"Fidelia is the most reasonable, madam, " said Aurelia. 

"But not the prettiest, I trust. She is too like her father, with thosedark brows, and her eyes have a look deep enough to frighten one. Theywill frighten away the men, if she do not grow out of it. "

Here the door burst open, and, without any preliminary bow, MasterArcher flew in, crying out "Mamma, mamma, we _must_ stay here. Thegalleries are so long, and it is such a place for whoop-hide!"

His sisters were following his bad example, and rushing in with equalwant of ceremony, but though their mother held the boy unchecked onher knee, Aurelia saw how she could frown. "You forget yourselves, " shesaid. 

Amoret looked ready to cry, but at a sign from their young instructress, they backed and curtsied, and their mother reviewed them; Letitia wasthe most like the Delavies, but also the smallest, while Amoret wason the largest scale and would pair best with her brother, who besidesloudly proclaimed his preference for her, and she was therefore electedto the honour of being taken home. Aurelia was requested as a favour tobid the children's woman have the child's clothes ready repaired to herown room. 

The little wardrobe could only be prepared by much assistance fromAurelia herself, and she could attend to nothing else; while thechildren were all devoted to Archer, and she only heard their voicesin the distance, till--as she was dressing for her _tete-a-tete_supper--Fay came to her crying, "Archer is a naughty boy--he said wickedwords--he called her ugly, and had cuffed and pinched her!"

Poor child! she was tired out, and disappointed, and Aurelia could onlycomfort her by hearing her little prayers, undressing her, and givingher the highly-esteemed treat of sleeping in Cousin Aura's bed; whilethe others were staying up as long as it pleased Master Archer. Thisactually was the cause of my Lady being kept waiting, and an apology wasneedful. "Fidelia was tired out, and was crying. "

"A peevish child! I am glad I did not choose her. "

"She is usually very good, madam, " said Aurelia, eagerly. 

"Is she your favourite?"

"I try not to make favourites, madam. "

"Ah! there spoke the true Manor House tone, " said her Ladyship, rathermockingly. "Maybe she will be a wit, for she will never be a beauty, butthe other little one will come on in due time after Amoret. "

"Your Ladyship will find Amoret a dear, good, affectionate child, " saidAurelia. "Only---"

"Reserve that for nurse, so please you, my good girl. It is enough forme to see the brats on their good manners now and then. You have hadother recreations--shall I call them, or cares? I never supposed, whenI sent you here to attend on the children, that the hermit of Bowsteadwould summon you! I assure you it is an extraordinary honour. "

"I so esteem it, madam, " said Aurelia, blushing. 

"More honour than pleasure, eh?"

"A great pleasure, madam. "

"Say you so?" and the glittering blue eyes were keenly scanning themodest face. "I should have thought a young maid like you would have hadthe dismals at the mere notion of going near his dark chamber. I promiseyou it gives me the megrim [migraine--D. L. ] to look forward to it. "

"I was affrighted at first, madam, " said Aurelia; "but Mr. Belamour isso good and kind to me that I exceedingly enjoy the hours I spend withhim. "

"La, child, you speak with warmth! We shall have you enamoured of avoice like the youth they make sonnets about--what's his name?"

"Narcissus, madam, " said Aurelia, put out of countenance by the banter. 

"Oh, you are learned. Is Mr. Belamour your tutor, pray? And--oh fie! Ihave seen that ring before!"

"He gave it to me yesterday, " faltered Aurelia, "in case you shouldintend to take me away, and I should not see him again. I hope I was notwrong in accepting it, madam. "

"Wrong, little fool, assuredly not, " said my Lady, laughing. "It is anensign of victory. Why, child, you have made a conquest worthy of--letme see. You, or the wits, could tell me who it was that stormed the veryden of Cocytus and bore off the spoil!"

Aurelia liked the tone too little to supply the names; yet she feltflattered; but she said quietly, "I am happy to have been the means ofcheering him. "

The grave artlessness of the manner acted as a kind of check, and LadyBelamour said in a different tone, "Seriously, child, the family aretruly obliged for your share in rousing the poor creature from hismelancholy. My good man made the attempt, but all in vain. What do youto divert him?"

In inquires of this kind the supper hour passed, and Lady Belamour wasthen to keep her appointment with her brother-in-law. She showed somuch alarm and dread that Aurelia could not but utter assurances andencouragements, which again awoke that arch manner, partly bantering, partly flattering, which exercised a sort of pleasant perplexingfascination on the simple girl. 

After being dismissed, Aurelia went in search of Mrs. Dove, whom shefound with Molly, taking stock of Amoret's little wardrobe. The goodwoman rose joyfully. "Oh, my dear missie! I am right thankful to see youlooking so purely. I don't know how I could have held up my head to MissDelavie if I had not seen you!"

"Ah! you will see my sister and all of them, " cried Aurelia, a suddenrush of home-sickness bringing tears to her eyes, in oblivion alike ofher recluse and her pupils. "Oh! if I were but going with you! But whatfolly am I talking? You must not let them think I am not happy, forindeed I am. Will you kindly come to my room, dear nurse, and I willgive you a packet for them?"

Mrs. Dove willingly availed herself of the opportunity of explaining howguiltless she had been of the sudden separation at Knightsbridge fourmonths back. She had been in such haste to ride after and overtake thecoach, that she had even made Dove swear at her for wanting to give thehorses no time to rest, and she had ridden off on her own particularpillion long before the rest. She had been surprised that she neversucceeded in catching up the carriage, but never suspected the truthtill she had dismounted in Hanover Square and asked whether "Miss" werewith my Lady. Nobody knew anything about Miss Delavie, nor expected her;and the good woman's alarm was great until she had had an interview withher Ladyship, when she was told not to concern herself about the younglady, who was safely bestowed in the country with the Miss Wayland. "Butthat it was here, if you'll believe me, missie, I was as innocent as thebabe unborn, and so was his Honour, Sir Amyas. Indeed, my Lady gave himto understand that she had put you to boarding-school with his littlesisters. "

"Oh! nurse, that is impossible!"

"Lawk-a-day, missie, there's nothing my Lady wouldn't say to put him offthe scent. Bless you, 'tis not for us servants to talk, or I could tellyou tales! But there, mum's the word, as my Dove says, or he wouldn'tha' sat on his box these twenty year!"

"My Lady is very kind to me, " said Aurelia, with a little assumption ofher father's repressive manner. 

"I'm right glad to hear it, Miss Aureely. A sweet lady she can be whenshe is in the mood, though nothing like so sweet as his Honour. 'Tisingrain with him down to the bone, as I may say--and I should know, having had him from the day he was weaned. To see him come up to thenussery, and toss about his little brother, would do your very heartgood; and then he sits him down, without a bit of pride, and will haveme tell him all about our journey up to Lunnon, and the fair, and theplay and all; and the same with Dove in the stables. He would have thewhole story, and how we was parted at Knightsbridge, I never so much asguessing where you was--you that your sister had given into my care! Atlast, one day when I was sitting a darning of stockings in the windowat the back, where I can see out over to the green fields, up his Honourcomes, and says he, with his finger to his lips, 'Set your heart atrest, nurse, I've found her!' Then he told me how he went down to seehis old uncle. Mr. Wayland had been urging him on one side that 'twas nomore than his duty; and her Ladyship, on the other, would have it thatMr. Belamour was right down melancholy mad, and would go into a ravingfit if his nevvy did but go near the place. "

"She did not say that!"

"Oh yes, she did, miss, I'll take my oath of it, for I was in the coachwith Master Wayland on my knee, when she was telling a lady how hard itwas they could have no use of Bowstead, because of Sir Jovian's brotherbeing there, who had got the black melancholics, and could not beremoved. The lady says how good she was to suffer it, and she answers, that there was no being harsh with poor Sir Jovian's brother, though hehad a strange spleen at her and her son, and always grew worse when theydid but go near the house; but that some measures must be taken when herson came of age or was married. "

"But he came at last!"

"He said he wanted to see for himself, and thought he could at leastfind out from the servants whether his uncle was in the state theyreported. And there he found his three little sisters, and that you wastheir tutoress, and they couldn't say enough about you, nor the poorgentleman neither. 'I didn't see her, nurse, ' says he, 'but there's abit of her own sweet fingers' work. ' And sure enough, I knew it, forit was a knot of the very ribbon you had in your hair the day I came totalk to your sister about the journey. "

"That was what Amy told me she gave him. "

"Nothing loth would he be to take it, miss! Though says he, 'Don't youlet my mother know I have tracked her, nurse, ' says he. 'It is plainenough why she gives out that I am not to go near my uncle, and if sheguessed where I had been, she would have some of her fancies. ' 'Now yourHonour, my dear, ' says I, 'you'll excuse your old nurse, but her sisterput her in my charge, and though I bless Heaven that you are no youngrake, yet you will be bringing trouble untold on her and hers if you godown there a courting of her unbeknownst. ' 'No danger of that, nurse, 'says he; 'why there's a she-dragon down there (meaning Mrs. Aylward)that was ready to drive me out of my own house when I did but speak ofwaiting to see her. '"

"No, I am glad he will not come again. Yet it makes his uncle happy tosee him. I will keep out of the way if he does. "

"Right too, miss. A young lady never loses by discretion. "

"Oh, do not speak in--in that way, " said Aurelia, blushing atthe implication. "Besides, he is going home with my Lady to dearCarminster. "

"No, no, he remains with his regiment in town, unless he rides downlater when he can have his leave of absence, and my Lady is at the Bath. He will not if he can help it, for he is dead set against the young ladythey want to marry him to, and she is to be there. What! you have notheard? It is my Lady Arabella, sister to that there Colonel as is moreabout our house than I could wish. She is not by the same mother as himand my Lord Aresfield. Her father married a great heiress for his secondwife, whose father had made a great fortune by victualling the army inthe war time. Not that this Dowager Countess, as they call her, is abit like the real quality, so that it is a marvel how my Lady can put upwith her; only money-bags will make anything go down, more's the pity, and my Lady is pressed, you see, with her losses at play. It was aboutthis match that Sir Amyas was sent down to Battlefield, the Countess'splace in Monmouthshire, when he came to Carminster last summer, and hisbody servant, Mr. Grey, that has been about him from a child, told meall about it. This Lady Belle, as they call her, is only about fourteen, and such a spoilt little vixen, that they say nobody has been able toteach her so much as to read, for her mother, the Dowager, never wouldhave her crossed in anything, and now she has got too headstrong for anyof 'em. Mr. Grey said dressing for supper, they heard the most horridscreams, and thought some one must be killed at least. Sir Amyas was forrunning out, but at the door they met a wench who only said, 'Blessyou! that's nought. It's only my young lady in her tantrums!' So in theservants' hall, Grey heard it was all because her mamma wouldn't let herput on two suits of pearls and di'monds both together. She lies on herback, and rolls and kicks till she gets her own way; and by what theservants say, the Dowager heerself ain't much better to her servants. Her woman had got a black eye she had given her with her fan. She hasnever had no breeding, you see, and there are uglier stories about herthan I like to tell you, Miss Aureely; and as to the young lady, SirAmyas saw her with his own eyes slap the lackey's face for bringing herbrown sugar instead of white. She is a little dwarfish thing that putsher finger in her mouth and sulks when she is not flying out into arage; but Colonel Mar is going to have her up to a boarding-school tomend her manners, and he and my lady are as much bent on marrying hisHonour to her as if she was a perfect angel. "

"They never can!"

"Well, miss, they do most things they have a mind to; and they mean todo this before my Lady's husband comes home. "

"But Mr. Belamour is his nephew's guardian. "

"That's what my Lady is come down here for. Either she will get hisconsent out of him, or she will make the poor gentleman out to be _noncompos_, and do without him. "

"Oh, nurse, he is the wisest, cleverest gentleman I ever saw, except mypapa. "

"Do you say do, miss? But you are young, you see. A gentleman to shuthimself up in the dark like that must needs be astray in his wits. "

"That is because of his eyes, and his wound. Nobody could talk to himand doubt his reason. "

"Well, missie, I hope you are in the right; but what my Lady's interestis, that she is apt to carry out, one way or t'other! Bless me, if thatbe not Master Archer screaming. I thought he was fast off to sleep. There never was a child for hating the dark. Yes, yes, I'm coming, mydearie! Lack a daisy, if his mamma heard!"

CHAPTER XVI. AUGURIES. 

 Venus, thy eternal sway All the race of man obey. EURIPIDES (Anstice). 

Aurelia sat up late to finish her despatches to the beloved ones athome, and pack the little works she had been able to do for each, thoughmy Lady's embroidery took up most of her sedentary hours. Mrs. Doveundertook the care of the guinea's worth of presents to the littlesisters from Sir Amyas, which the prudent nurse advised her towithhold till after Master Archer was gone, as he would certainly breakeverything to pieces. He was up betimes, careering about the gardenwith all his sisters after him, imperiously ordering them about, butnevertheless bewitching them all, so that Amoretta was in ecstasies ather own preferment, scarcely realising that it would divide her from theothers; while Letty made sure that she should soon follow, and Fideliagravely said, "I shall always know you are loving me still, Amy, asNurse Rolfe does. "

Lady Belamour breakfasted in her own room at about ten o'clock. Herwoman, Mrs. Loveday, a small trim active person, with the worn andsharpened remains of considerable prettiness of the miniature brunettestyle, was sent to summon Miss Delavie to her apartment and inspect theembroidery she had been desired to execute for my Lady. Three or fourbouquets had been finished, and the maid went into such raptures overthem as somewhat to disgust their worker, who knew that they were nothalf so well done as they would have been under Betty's direction. However, Mrs. Loveday bore the frame to her Ladyship's room, followingAurelia, who was there received with the same stately caressing manneras before. 

"Good morning, child. Your roses bloom well in the forenoon! Pity theyshould be wasted in darkness. Not but that you are duly appreciatedthere. Ah! I can deepen them by what our unhappy recluse said of you. Ishall make glad hearts at Carminster by his good opinion, and who knowswhat preferment may come of it--eh? What is that, Loveday?"

"It is work your Ladyship wished me to execute, " said Aurelia. 

"Handsome--yes; but is that all? I thought the notable Mistress Bettybrought you up after her own sort?"

"I am sorry, madam, but I could not do it quickly at first without mysister's advice, and I have not very much time between my care of thechildren and preparing repetitions for Mr. Belamour. "

"Ha! ha! I understand. There are greater attractions! Go on, child. Mayhap it may be your own wedding gown you are working at, if you finishit in time! Heavens! what great wondering eyes the child has! All ingood time, my dear. I must talk to your father. "

It was so much the custom to talk to young maidens about their marriagethat this did not greatly startle Aurelia, and Lady Belamour continued:"There, child, you have done your duty well by those little plagues ofmine, and it is Mr. Wayland's desire to make you a recompense. You mayneed it in any change of circumstances. "

So saying, she placed in Aurelia's hand five guineas, the largest sumthat the girl had ever owned; and as visions arose of Christmas giftsto be bestowed, the thanks were so warm, the curtsey so expressivelygraceful, the smile so bright, the soft eyes so sparkling, that thegreat lady was touched at the sight of such simple-hearted joy, andsaid, "There, there, child, that will do. I could envy one whom a littlemakes so happy. Now you will be able to make yourself fine when myson brings home his bride; or--who knows?--you may be a bride yourselffirst!"

That sounds, thought Aurelia, as if Mr. Belamour had made her relinquishthe plan of that cruel marriage, for I am sure I have not yet seen theman I am to marry. 

And with a lighter heart the young tutoress stood between Fay and Lettyon the steps to see the departure, her cheeks still feeling Amoret'slast fond kisses, and a swelling in her throat bringing tears to hereyes at the thought how soon that carriage would be at Carminster. Yetthere were sweet chains in the little hands that held her gown, and inthe thought of the lonely old man who depended on her for enlivenment. 

The day was long, for Amoret was missed; and the two children wereunusually fretful and quarrelsome without her, disputing over thenew toys which Brother Amyas's guinea had furnished in demoralisingprofusion. It was strange too see the difference made by the loss of thechild who would give up anything rather than meet a look of vexation, and would coax the others into immediate good humour. There wasreaction, too, after the excitement, for which the inexperienced Aureliadid not allow. At the twentieth bickering as to which doll should rideon the spotted hobby-horse, the face of Letty's painted wooden babyreceived a scar, and Fay's lost a leg, whereupon Aurelia's enduranceentirely gave way, and she pronounced them both naughty children, andsent them to bed before supper. 

Then her heart smote her for unkindness, and she sat in the firelightlistless and sad, though she hardly knew why, longing to go up and petand comfort her charges, but withheld by the remembrance of Betty'sassurances that leniency, in a like case, would be the ruin of Eugene. 

At last Jumbo came to summon her, and hastily recalling a cheerful air, she entered the room with "Good evening, sir; you see I am still here totrouble you. "

"I continue to profit by my gentle friend's banishment. Tell me, was myLady in a gracious mood?"

"O sir, how beautiful she is, and how kind! I know now why my father wasso devoted to her, and no one can ever gainsay her!"

"The enchantress knows how to cast her spells. She was then friendly?"

"She gave me five guineas!" said Aurelia exultingly. "She said Mr. Wayland wished to recompense me. "

"Did he so? If it came from him I should have expected a more liberalsum. "

"But, oh!" in a tone of infinite surprise and content, "this is morethan I ever thought of. Indeed I never dreamt of her giving me anything. Sir, may I write to your bookseller, Mr. Tonson, and order a book of Mr. James Thomson's _Seasons_ to give to my sister Harriet, who is delightedwith the extracts I have copied for her?"

"Will not that consume a large proportion of the five guineas, mygenerous friend?"

"I have enough left. There is a new gown which I never have worn, whichwill serve for the new clothes my Lady spoke of to receive her son'sbride. "

"She entered on that subject then?"

"Only for a moment as she took leave. Oh, sir, is it possible that shecan know all about this young lady?"

"What have you heard of her?"

"Sir, they say she is a dreadful little vixen. "

"Who say? Is she known at Carminster?"

"No, sir, " said Aurelia, disconcerted. "It was from Nurse Dove that Iheard what Sir Amyas's man said when he came back from Battlefield. Iknow my sister would chide me for listening to servants. "

"Nevertheless I should be glad to hear. Was the servant old Grey? Thenhe is to be depended on. What did he say?"

Aurelia needed little persuasion to tell all that she had heard fromMrs. Dove, and he answered, "Thank you, my child, it tallies preciselywith what the poor boy himself told me. "

"Then he has told his mother? Will she not believe him?"

"It does not suit her to do so, and it is easy to say the girl will bealtered by going to a good school. In fact, there are many reasons morepowerful with her than the virtue and happiness of her son, " he addedbitterly. "There's the connection, forsooth. As if Lady Aresfield werefit to bring up an honest man's wife; and there's the fortune to fill upthe void she has made in the Delavie estates. "

"Can no one hinder it, sir? Cannot you?"

"As a last resource the poor youth came hither to see whether theguardian whose wardship has hitherto been a dead letter, were indeed soutterly obdurate and helpless as had been represented. "

"And you have the power?"

"So far as his father's will and the injunctions of his final letterto me can give it, I have full power. My consent is necessary to hismarriage while still a minor, and I have told my Lady I will never giveit to his wedding a Mar. "

"I was sure of it; and it is not true that they will be able to dowithout it?

"Without it! Have you heard any more? You pause. I see--she wishes todeclare me of unsound mind. Is that what you mean?"

"So Nurse Dove said, sir, " faltered Aurelia; "but it seemed too wicked, too monstrous, to be possible. "

"I understand, " he said. "I thought there was an implied threat inmy sweet sister-in-law's soft voice when she spoke of my determinedmisanthropy. Well, I think we can guard against that expedient. Afterall, it is only till my nephew comes of age, or till his stepfatherreturns, that we must keep the enchantress at bay. Then the poor ladwill be safe, providing always that she and her Colonel have not made arake of him by that time. Alas, what a wretch am I not to be able to domore for him! Child, you have seen him?"

"I danced with him, sir, but I was too much terrified to look in hisface. And I saw his cocked hat over the thorn hedge. "

"Fancy free, " muttered Mr. Belamour. "Fair exile for a cocked hat anddiamond shoe-buckles! You would not recognise him again, nor his voice?"

"No, sir. He scarcely spoke, and I was attending to my steps. "

Mr. Belamour laughed, and then asked Aurelia for the passage in the_Iliad_ where Venus carries off Paris in a cloud. He thanked hersomewhat absently, and then said, "Dr. Godfrey said something of coming hither before he goes to hisliving in Dorsetshire. May I ask of you the favour of writing andbegging him to fix a day not far off, mentioning likewise that mysister-in-law has been here. "

To this invitation Dr. Godfrey replied that he would deviate from theslow progress of his family coach, and ride to Bowstead, spending twonights there the next week; and to Aurelia's greater amazement, shewas next requested to write a billet to the Mistresses Treforth in Mr. Belamour's name, asking them to bestow their company on him for thesecond evening of Dr. Godfrey's visit. 

"You, my kind friend, will do the honours, " he said, "and we will askMrs. Aylward to provide the entertainment. "

"They will be quite propitiated by being asked to meet Dr. Godfrey, "said Aurelia. "Shall you admit them, sir?"

"Certainly. You do not seem to find them very engaging company, but theycan scarce be worse than I should find in such an asylum as my charmingsister-in-law seems to have in preparation for me. "

"Oh! I wish I had said nothing about that. It is too shocking!"

"Forewarned, forearmed, as the proverb says. Do you not see, my amiablefriend, that we are providing a body of witnesses to the sanity of therecluse, even though he may 'in dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell'?"

The visit took place; Dr. Godfrey greeted Miss Delavie as an oldfriend, and the next day pronounced Mr. Belamour to be so wonderfullyinvigorated and animated, that he thought my Lady's malignant plan wasreally likely to prove the best possible stimulus and cure. 

Then the Canon gratified the two old ladies by a morning call, dinedwith Aurelia and her pupils, who behaved very well, and with whom heafterwards played for a whole hour so kindly that they placed him secondin esteem to their big and beautiful brother. Mrs. Phoebe and Mrs. Deliacame dressed in the faded splendours of the Louis XIV. Period, just attwilight, and were regaled with coffee and pound cake. They were a gooddeal subdued, though as Aurelia listened to the conversation, it wasplain enough what Mr. Belamour meant when he said that his cousin Deliawas something of the coquette. 

Still they asked with evident awe if it were true that their unfortunatecousin really intended to admit them, and they evidently became more andmore nervous while waiting for Jumbo's summons. Dr. Godfrey gave his armto Mrs. Phoebe, and Mrs. Delia gripped hold of Aurelia's, trembling allover, declaring she felt ready to swoon, and marvelling how Miss Delaviecould ever have ventured, all alone too!

After all, things had been made much less formidable than at Aurelia'sfirst introduction. The sitting-room was arranged as it was when Mr. Greaves read prayers, with a very faint light from a shrouded lampbehind the window curtain. To new comers it seemed pitchy darkness, butto Aurelia and Dr. Godfrey it was a welcome change, allowing them atleast to perceive the forms of one another, and of the furniture. Froma blacker gulf, being the doorway to the inner room, came Mr. Belamour'scourteous voice of greeting to his kinswomen, who were led up by theirrespective guides to take his hand; after which he begged them to excusethe darkness, since the least light was painful to him still. If theywould be seated he would remain where he was, and enjoy the society hewas again beginning to be able to appreciate. He was, in fact, sittingwithin his own room, with eyes covered from even the feeble glimmer inthe outer room. 

It was some minutes before they recovered their self-possession, butDr. Godfrey and Mr. Belamour began the conversation, and they graduallyjoined in. It was chiefly full of reminiscences of the lively dayswhen Dr. Godfrey had been a young Cantab visiting his two friends atBowstead, and Phoebe and Delia were the belles of the village. Aureliascarcely opened her lips, but she was astonished to find how differentthe two sisters could be from the censorious, contemptuous beings theyhad seemed to her. The conversation lasted till supper-time, and Mr. Belamour, as they took their leave, made them promise to come and seehim again. Then they were conducted back to the supper-room, Mrs. Phoebemysteriously asking "Is he always like this?"

The experiment had been a great success, and Aurelia completed it byasking Mrs. Phoebe to take the head of the supper-table. 

CHAPTER XVII. THE VICTIM DEMANDED. 

 And if thou sparest now to do this thing, I will destroy thee and thy land also. --MORRIS. 

"Well, sir, have you seen my Lady?"

"Not a year older than when I saw her last, " returned Major Delavie, who had just dismounted from his trusty pony at his garden gate, andaccepted Betty's arm; "and what think you?" he added, pausing thatCorporal Palmer might hear his news. "She has been at Bowstead, andbrings fresh tidings of our Aura. The darling is as fair and sprightlyas a May morning, and beloved by all who come near her--bless her!"

Palmer echoed a fervent "Amen!" and Betty asked, "Is this my Lady'sreport?"

"Suspicious Betty! You will soon be satisfied, " said the Major in highglee. "Did not Dove meet me at the front door, and Mrs. Dove waylay mein the hall to tell me that the child looked blooming and joyous, andin favour with all, gentle and simple? Come her, Eugene, ay, and Harrietand Arden too. Let us hear what my little maid says for herself. Forlook here!" and he held aloft Aurelia's packet, at sight of which Eugenecapered high, and all followed into the parlour. 

Mr. Arden was constantly about the house. There was no doubt that hewould soon be preferred to a Chapter living in Buckinghamshire, and hehad thus been emboldened to speak out his wishes. It would have beenquite beneath the dignity of a young lady of Miss Harriet's sensibilityto have consented, and she was in the full swing of her game at coynessand reluctance, daily vowing that nothing should induce her to resignher liberty, and that she should be frightened out of her life by Mr. Arden's experiments; while her father had cordially received theminor Canon's proposals, and already treated him as one of the family. Simpering had been such a fattening process that Harriet was beginningto resume more of her good looks than had ever been brought back byMaydew. 

"Open the letter, Betty. Thanks, Arden, " as the minor Canon began topull off his boots, "only take care of my knee. My Lady has broughtdown her little boy, and one of Aurelia's pupils; I declare they are aperfect pair of Loves. What are you fumbling at, Betty?"

"The seal, sir, it is a pity to break it, " said Betty, producing herscissors from one of her capacious pockets. "It is an antique, is itnot, Mr. Arden?"

"A very beautiful gem, a sleeping Cupid, " he answered. 

"How could the child have obtained it?" said Harriet. 

"I can tell you, " said the Major. "From old Belamour. My Lady waslaughing about it. The little puss has revived the embers of gallantryin our poor recluse. Says she, 'He has actually presented her with aring, nay, a ring bearing Love himself. '"

Somehow the speech, even at second hand, jarred upon Betty, but herfather was delighted with my Lady's description of his favourite, andthe letters were full of contentment. When the two sisters, arrayed intheir stiffest silks, went up to pay their respects to my Lady the nextafternoon, their reception was equally warm. My Lady was more caressingto her old acquaintance, Betty, than that discreet personage quiteliked, while she complimented and congratulated Harriet on her lover, laughing at her bashful disclaimers in such a charmingly teasing fashionas quite to win the damsel's heart, and convince her that all censure ofLady Belamour was vile slander. The children were sent for, and Amoretwas called on to show how Cousin Aurelia had taught her to dance, sing and recite. The tiny minuet performed by her and Archer was anexceedingly pretty exhibition as far as it went, but the boy had nopatience to conclude, and jumped off into an extemporary _pas seul_, which was still prettier, and as Amoret was sole exhibitor of therepetition of Hay's "Hare and many friends, " he became turbulent afterthe first four lines, and put a stop to the whole. 

Then came in a tall, large, handsome, dashing-looking man, with the airof a "_beau sabreur_, " whom Lady Belamour presented to her cousins as"Colonel Mar, my son's commandant, you know who has been kind enough totake Carminster on his way, so as to escort me to the Bath. I am sucha sad coward about highwaymen. And we are to meet dear Lady Aresfieldthere to talk over a little matter of business. "

Colonel Mar made a magnificent bow, carelessly, not to sayimpertinently, scanned the two ladies, and having evidently decided theyhad neither beauty nor fashion to attract him, caught up little Amy inhis arms, and began to play a half teasing, half caressing game with thechildren. Betty thought it high time to be gone, and as she took leave, was requested to send up her little brother to play with his cousins. This did not prove a success, for Eugene constituted himself champion toAmoret, of whom Archer was very jealous, though she was his devotedand submissive slave. Master Delavie's rustic ways were in consequencepronounced to be too rude and rough for the dainty little town-bred boy, the fine ladies' pet. 

The Major dined at the Great House, but came home so much dismayed anddisgusted that he could hardly mention even to Betty what he had seenand heard. He only groaned out at intervals, "This is what the serviceis coming to! That fop to be that poor lad's commanding officer! Thatrake to be always hovering about my cousin!"

Others spoke out more plainly. Stories were afloat or orgies endingin the gallant Colonel being under the supper table, a thing only toocommon, but not in the house of a solitary lady who had only latelyquitted the carousers. Half the dependants on the estate werecomplaining of the guest's swaggering overbearing treatment ofthemselves, or of his insolence to their wives or daughters; andBetty lived in a dreadful unnamed terror lest he should offer someimpertinence to her father which the veteran's honour might not brook. However, there was something in the old soldier's dignity and longservice that kept the arrogance of the younger man in check, andrepressed all bluster towards him. 

Demands for money were, as usual, made, but the settlement of accountswas deferred till the arrival of Hargrave, the family man of business, who came by coach to Bath, and then rode across to Carminster. The Majordined that day at the Great House, and came home early, with somethingso strange and startled about his looks that Betty feared that her worstmisgivings were realised. It was a relief to hear him say, "Come hither, Betty, I want a word with you. " At least it was no duel!

"What is it, dear sir?" she asked, as she shut his study door. "Is itcome at last? Must we quit this place?"

"No, I could bear that better, but what do you think she asks of menow?--to give my little Aurelia, my beautiful darling, to that madman inthe dark!"

"Oh!" exclaimed Betty, in a strange tone of discovery. "May I inquirewhat you said?"

"I said--I scarce know what I said. I declared it monstrous, and notto be thought of for a moment; and then she went on in her fashion thatwould wile a bird off a bush, declaring that no doubt the proposal was ashock, but if I would turn the matter over, I should see it was for thedear child's advantage. Belamour dotes on her, and after being an oldman's darling for a few years, she may be free in her prime, with anhonourable name and fortune. "

"I dare say. As if one could not see through the entire design. My Ladywould call her sister-in-law to prevent her being daughter-in-law!"

"That fancy has had no aliment, and must long ago have died out. "

"Listen to Nurse Dove on that matter. "

"Women love to foster notions of that sort. "

"Nay, sir, you believe, as I do, that the poor child was conveyed toBowstead in order that the youth might lose sight of her, and since heproves refractory to the match intended for him, this further device isfound for destroying any possible hope on his part. "

"I cannot say what may actuate my Lady, but if Amyas Belamour be the manI knew, and as the child's own letters paint him, he is not like to lendhimself to any such arrangement. "

"Comes the offer from him, or is it only a scheme of my Lady's?"

"He never writes more than a signature, but Hargrave is empowered tomake proposals to me, very handsome proposals too, were not the bareidea intolerable. "

"Aurelia is not aware of it, I am sure, " said Betty, to whom Hargravehad brought another packet of cheerful innocent despatches, of which, asusual, the unseen friend in the dark was the hero. 

"Certainly not, and I hope she never may be. I declared the notion wasnot to be entertained for a moment; but Urania never, in her life, wouldtake no for an answer, and she talked me nearly out of my senses, thenbade me go home, think it over, and discuss it with my excellent andprudent daughter; as if all the thinking and talking in the world couldmake it anything but more intolerable. "

His prudent daughter understood in the adjective applied to her ahint which the wily lady would not have dared to make direct tothe high-spirited old soldier, namely, that the continuance of hislivelihood might depend on his consent. Betty knew likewise enough ofthe terrible world of the early eighteenth century to be aware thateven such wedlock as this was not the worst to which a woman like LadyBelamour might compel the poor girl, who was entirely in her power, andout of reach of all protection; unless--An idea broke in on her--"If wecould but go to Bowstead, sir, " she said, "then we could judge whetherthe notion be as repugnant to Aurelia as it is to us, and whether Mr. Belamour be truly rational and fit to be trusted with her. "

"I tell you, Betty, it is a mere absurdity to think of it. I believe thechild is fond of, and grateful to, the poor man, but if she supposed sheloved him, it would be mere playing on her ignorance. "

"Then we could take her safely home and bear the consequences together, without leaving her alone exposed to any fresh machination of my Lady. "

"You are right, Betty. You have all your sainted mother's good sense. I will tell my cousin that this is not a matter to be done blindly, andthat I withhold my reply till I have seen and spoken with her and thismost preposterous of suitors. "

"Yes, it is the only way, " said Betty. "We can then judge whether it bea cruel sacrifice, or whether the child have affection and confidenceenough in him to be reasonably happy with him. What is his age, father?"

"Let me see. Poor Sir Jovian was much older than Urania, but he died atforty years old. His brother was some three years his junior. He cannotbe above forty-six or seven. That is not the objection, but the moodymelancholy--Think of our gay sprightly child!"

"We will see, sir. "

"We! Mistress Betty? The cost will be severe without you!"

"Nay, sir, I cannot rest without going too; you might be taken ill. "

"You cannot trust a couple of old campaigners like Palmer and me? Whatdid we do without you?"

"Got lamed for life, " said Betty, saucily. "No, I go on a pillion behindPalmer, and my grandfather's diamond ring shall pay expenses. "

"Sir Archibald's ring that he put on two baby fingers of yours when hewent off to Scotland. "

"Better part with that then resign my Aurelia in the dark, uncertainwhether it be for her good. "

CHAPTER XVIII. THE PROPOSAL. 

 Love sweetest lies concealed in night. --T. MOORE. 

The Major rode up to the Great House to announce that he would only givehis answer after having conferred with both his daughter and the suitor. 

With tears in her beautiful blue eyes, Lady Belamour demanded why herdear cousin Harry could not trust the Urania he had known all her lifeto decide what was for the happiness of the sweet child whom she lovedlike her own. 

She made him actually feel as if it were a cruel and unmeritedsuspicion, but she did not over come him. "Madam, " he said, "it would beagainst my orders, as father of a family, to give my child away withoutdoing my poor best for her. "

There, in spite of all obstacles suggested and all displeasuremanifested, he stuck fast, until, without choosing to wait till a showerof sleet and rain was over. Vexation and perplexity always oversethis health, and the chill, added to them, rendered him so ill the nextmorning that Betty knew there was no chance of his leaving his room forthe next month or six weeks; and she therefore sent a polite and formalnote to the Great House explaining that he could not attend to business. 

This brought upon her the honour of a visit from the great lady herself. Down came the coach-and-four, and forth from it came Lady Belamour ina magnificent hoop, the first seen in those parts, managing it with agrace that made her an overwhelming spectacle, in contrast with Betty, in her close-fitting dark-grey homespun, plain white muslin apron, cap, kerchief, and ruggles, scrupulously neat and fresh, but unadorned. Thevisit was graciously designed for "good cousin Harry, " but his daughterwas obliged, not unwillingly, though quite truly, to declare him far toosuffering with pain and fever. 

"La, you there, then, " said the lady, "that comes of the dear man's heatof temper. I would have kept him till the storm was over but he was fartoo much displeased with his poor cousin to listen to me. Come, cousinBetty, I know you are in all his counsels. You will bring him to hearreason. "

"The whole affair must wait, madam, till he is able to move. "

"And if this illness be the consequence of one wet ride, how can he bein a condition to take the journey?"

"You best know, madam whether a father can be expected to bestow hisdaughter in so strange a manner without direct communication either withher or with the other party. "

"I grant you the idea is at first sight startling, but surely he mighttrust to me; and he knows Amyas Belamour, poor man, to be the very soulof honour; yes, and with all his eccentricity to have made no smallimpression on our fair Aurelia. Depend upon it, my dear Betty, romancecarried the day; and the damsel is more enamoured of the mysteriousvoice in the dark, than she would be of any lusty swain in the ordinarylight of day. "

"All that may be, madam, but she is scarce yet sixteen, and it isour duty to be assured of her inclinations and of the gentleman'scondition. "

"You will not trust me, who have watched them both, " said Lady Belamour, with her most engaging manner. "Now look here, my dear, since we are twowomen together, safe out of the hearing of the men, I will be round withyou. I freely own myself imprudent in sending your sister to Bowsteadto take charge of my poor little girls, but if you had seen the littlesavages they were, you would not wonder that I could not take them homeat once, nor that I should wish to see them acquire the good mannersthat I remembered in the children of this house; I never dreamt of Mr. Belamour heeding the little nursery. He has always been an obstinatemelancholic lunatic, confined to his chamber by day, and wandering likea ghost by night, refusing all admission. Moreover my good Aylwardhad appeared hitherto a paragon of a duenna for discretion, only overstarched in her precision. Little did I expect to find my young ladyspending all her evenings alone with him, and the solitary hermittransformed into a gay and gallant bachelor like the Friar of OrdersGray in the song. And since matters have gone to such a length, I, as awoman who has seen more of the world than you have, my dear good Betty, think it expedient that the Friar and his charmer should be made onewithout loss of time. _We_ know her to be innocence itself, and him fora very Sidney for honour, but the world--"

"It is your doing, madam, " exclaimed Betty, passionately, completelyoverset by the insinuation; "you bid us trust you, and then confess thatyou have exposed my sweet sister to be vilely slandered! Oh my Aurelia, why did I let you out of my sight?" she cried, while hot tears stood inher eyes. 

"I know your warmth, my dear, " said Lady Belamour with perfect commandof temper; "I tell you I blame myself for not having recollected thata lovely maiden can tame even a savage brute, or that even in the sweetrural country walls have ears and trees have tongues. Not that any harmis done so far, nor ever will be; above all if your good father do notcarry his romantic sentiments so far as to be his ruin a second time. Credit me, Betty, they will not serve in any world save the imaginaryone that crazed Don Quixote. What advantage can the pretty creaturegain? She is only sixteen, quite untouched by true passion. She willobtain a name and fortune, and become an old man's idol for a few years, after which she will probably be at liberty by the time she is of an ageto enjoy life. "

"He is but five-and-forty!" said Betty. 

"Well, if she arouse him to a second spring, there will be few women whowill not envy her. "

"You may colour it over, madam, " said Betty, drawing herself up, "butnothing can conceal the fact that you confess yourself to have exposedmy innocent helpless sister to malignant slander; and that you assureme that the only course left is to marry the poor child to a wretchedmelancholic who has never so much as seen her face. "

"You are outspoken, Miss Delavie, " said Lady Belamour, softly, butwith a dangerous glitter in her blue eyes. "I pardon your heat for yourfather's sake, and because I ascribe it to the exalted fantastic notionsin which you have been bred; but remember that there are bounds to myforbearance, and that an agent in his state of health, and with hisstubborn ideas, only remains on sufferance. "

"My father has made up his mind to sacrifice anything rather than hischild, " cried Betty. 

"My dear girl, I will hear you no more. You are doing him no service, "said Lady Belamour kindly. "You had better be convinced that it isa sacrifice, or an unwilling one, before you treat me to any moreheroics. "

Betty successfully avoided a parting kiss, and remained pacing upand down the room to work off her indignation before returning to herfather. She was quite as angry with herself, as with my Lady, for havinglost her temper, and so given her enemy an advantage, more especially aswhen her distress became less agitating, her natural shrewdness began toguess that the hint about scandal was the pure fruit of Lady Belamour'sinvention, as an expedient for obtaining her consent. Yet the merebreath of such a possibility of evil speaking was horror to her, and sheeven revolved the question of going herself to Bowstead to rescue hersister. But even if the journey had been more possible, her father wasin no condition to be left to Harriet's care, and there was nothing tobe done except to wait till he could again attend to the matter, calmherself as best she could, so as not to alarm him, and intercept alldangerous messages. 

Several days had passed, and though the Major had not left his bed, hehad asked whether more had been heard from my Lady, and discussed thesubject with his daughter, when a letter arrived in due course of post. It was written in a large bold hand, and the signature, across a creasein the paper, was in the irregular characters that the Major recognisedas those of Mr. Belamour. 

"DEAR AND HONOURED SIR, "Proposals have been made to you on my Behalf for the Hand of yourfair and amiable Daughter, Miss Aurelia Delavie. I am well aware howpreposterous and even shocking they may well appear to you; yet, let meassure you, on the Faith of a Man of Honour that if you will entrusther to me, wretched Recluse though I be, and will permit her to bear myName, I will answer for her Happiness and Welfare. Situated as I am, I cannot enter into further explanations; but we are old Acquaintance, though we have not met for many Years, and therefore I venture to beg ofyou to believe me when I say that if you will repose Confidence inme, and exercise Patience, I can promise your admirable Daughter suchPreferment as she is far from expecting. She has been the Blessing ofmy darkened Life, but I would never have presumed to ask further were itnot that I have no other Means of protecting her, nor of shielding herfrom Evils that may threaten her, and that might prove far worse thanbearing the Name of

 "Your obedient Servant to command, "AMYAS BELAMOUR. 

"Bowstead Park, Dec. 3rd, 1737. "

"Enigmatical!" said Betty. 

"It could hardly be otherwise if he had to employ a secretary" said herfather. "Who can have written for him?"

"His friend, Dr. Godfrey, most probably, " said Betty. "It is well speltas well as indited, and has not the air of being drawn up by a lawyer. "

"No, it is not Hargrave's hand. It is strange that he says nothing ofthe settlements. "

"Here is a postscript, adding, 'Should you consent, Hargrave will giveyou ample satisfaction as to the property which I can settle on yourdaughter. '"

"Of that I have no doubt, " said the Major. "Well, Betty, on reflection, if I were only secure that no force was put on the child's will, and ifI could exchange a few words face to face with Amyas Belamour, I shouldnot be so utterly averse as I was at first sight. She is a good child, and if she like him, and find it not hard to do her duty by him, shemight be as happy as another. And since she is out of our reach it mightsave her from worse. What say you, child?"

"That last is the strongest plea with me, " said Betty, with set lips. 

They took another evening for deliberation, but there was something inthe tone of the letter that wrought on them, and it ended in a cautiousconsent being given, on the condition of the father being fullysatisfied of his daughter's free and voluntary acquiescence. 

"After all, " he said to Betty, "I shall be able to go up to Bowstead forthe wedding, and if I find that her inclinations have been forced, I cantake her away at all risks. "

CHAPTER XIX. WOOING IN THE DARK. 

 You may put out my eyes with a ballad-maker's pen, and hang me up for the sign of blind Cupid. --_Much Ado About Nothing_. 

Aurelia had been walking in the park with her two remaining charges, when a bespattered messenger was seen riding up to the door, and Letitiadropped her hoop in her curiosity and excitement. 

Lady Belamour, on obtaining the Major's partial acquiescence, had feltherself no longer obliged to vegetate at Carminster, but had started forBath, while the roads were still practicable; and had at the same timesent off a courier with letters to Bowstead. Kind Mrs. Dove had senta little packet to each of the children, but they found Cousin Aura'ssympathy grievously and unwontedly lacking, and she at last replied totheir repeated calls to here to share their delight, that they must runaway, and display their treasures to Molly and Jumbo. She must read herletters alone. 

The first she had opened was Betty's, telling her of her father'sillness, which was attributed in great part to the distress andperplexity caused by Lady Belamour's proposal. Had it not been forthis indisposition, both father and sister would have come to judge forthemselves before entertaining it for a moment; but since the journeywas impossible, he could only desire Betty to assure her sister thatno constraint should be put on her, and that if she felt the leastrepugnance to the match, she need not consider her obliged to submit. More followed about the religious duty of full consideration and prayerbefore deciding on what would fix her destiny for life, but all wasso confusing to the girl, entirely unprepared as she was, that afterhastily glancing on in search of an explanation which she failedto find, she laid it aside, and opened the other letter. It beganimperially

 "MY COUSIN, "No doubt you are already informed of the Honour that has beendone you by the Proposal that Mr. Amyas Belamour has made to your Fatherfor your Hand. It is no slight Compliment to a young Maid like you, fromone of the most noted Wits about Town in the last Reign; and you willno doubt shew the Good Sense to esteem yourself fortunate beyond allreasonable Expectations or Deserts of your own, as well as to act forthe Advantage of your Family. Be assured that I shall permit no foolishFlightiness nor Reluctance to interfere with you true Welfare. I saythis, because, as you well know, your Father's Affection is strong andblind, and you might easily draw him into a Resistance which could butdamage both his Health and his Prospects. On receiving the tidingsof your Marriage, I promise to settle on him the Manor House with anAnnuity of Three hundred Pounds; but if he should support you in anyfoolish Refusal, I shall be obliged to inform him that I can dispensewith his Services; therefore you will do wisely to abstain from anychildish expressions of Distaste. 

"On your Marriage, you will of course have the enjoyment of the Pin Moneywith which Mr. Belamour will liberally endow you, and be treated in allRespects as a Married Lady. My Daughters shall be sent to School, unlessyou wish to make them your Companions a little longer. Expecting tohear from you that you are fully sensible to the good Fortune and theObligations you are under to me, "I remain "Yours &c. "URANIA BELAMOUR. "

It was with a gasp of relief that Aurelia discovered what was requiredof her. "Marry Mr. Belamour? Is that all? Then why should they all thinkI should so much dislike it, my Lady, and my papa, and sister and all?Nobody ever was so good to me, and maybe I could make him a littlehappier, though it is not what I expected of him, to forget his Mary!Oh, no, I am not afraid; I might have been afraid six months ago, butnow it is a different thing. I am not so foolish! And my dear papa willhave the Manor House for ever! And Eugene will be able to go to a goodschool and have a pair of colours in good time! A fortunate girl! Yes, of course I am! Then Mrs. Phoebe and Mrs. Delia will not flout me anymore, even if young Sir Amyas should come here! Ah! here are the littlegirls returning! Keep them here? Of course I will. What toys and books Iwill get for them!"

Yet, when the time for her summons drew nigh, a great dread and shynessovercame her, lest Mr. Belamour should begin on the subject; and sheonly nerved herself by recollecting that he could have had no one toread to him her father's letter of reply, and that he was scarcelylikely to speak without knowing the contents. Still, it was only shynessand embarrassment that made her advance timidly, but in one moment anew sensation, a strange tremor came over her, as instead of merely herfinger-tips, her whole hand was grasped and fervently pressed, and inthe silence that ensued the throbbing of her heart and the panting ofher breath seemed to find an echo. However, the well-known voice began, "My fair visitor is very good in honouring me to-night. "

Was it coming? Her heart gave such a throb that she could only murmursomething inarticulate, while there was a hasty repressed movement nearher. 

"You have heard from your father?" said Mr. Belamour. 

"My father is ill, sir, " she faltered. 

"Ah, yes, so I was sorry to understand. Has he not sent a message to youthrough your sister?"

"He has, sir, " Aurelia continued, with difficulty, to utter. 

There was another silence, another space of tightened breath andbeating heart, absolutely audible, and again a hushed, restless movementheralded Mr. Belamour's next words, "Did I no tell you truly that myLady devises most unexpected expedients?"

"Then would you not have it so, sir?" asked Aurelia, in a bewilderedvoice of perplexity. "Oh!" as again one of those echoes startled her, "tell me what it all means. "

"Hush! listen to me, " said Mr. Belamour, in a voice that added to herundefined alarm by what seemed to her imperious displeasure as uncalledfor as it was unusual; but the usual fatherly gentleness immediatelyprevailed, "My child, I should never have entertained the thought for amoment but for--but for Lady Belamour. This sounds like no compliment, "he added, catching himself up, and manifesting a certain embarrassmentand confusion very unlike his usual calm dignity of demeanour, and thusadding to the strange fright that was growing upon Aurelia. "But youmust understand that I would not--even in semblance--have dreamt ofyour being apparently linked to age, sorrow, and infirmity, savethat--strange as it may seem--Lady Belamour has herself put intomy hands the best means of protecting you, and finally, as I trust, securing your happiness. "

"You are very good, sir, " she continued to breathe out, amid theflutterings of her heart, and the reply produced a wonderful outburst ofardour in a low but fervent voice. "You will! You will! You sweetest ofangels, you will be mine!"

There was something so irresistibly winning in the sound, that it drewforth an answer from the maiden's very heart. "Oh! yes, indeed--" andbefore she could utter another word she was snatched into a sudden, warm, vehement embrace, from which she was only partly released, as--near, but still not so near as she would have expected--thisextraordinary suitor seemed to remonstrate with his ardent self, saying, "Now! now! that will do! So be it then, my child, " he continued. "Greatwill be the need of faith, patience, trust, ay, and of self-restraint, but let these be practised for a little space, and all will be well. "

She scarcely heard the latter words. The sense of something irrevocableand unfathomable was overpowering her. The mystery of these suddenalterations of voice, now near, now far off, was intolerable. Here werehands claiming her, fervent, eager breathings close upon her, andthat serious, pensive voice going on all that time. The darkness grewdreadful to her, dizziness came over her; she dashed aside the hands, started up with a scream, and amid the strange noises and flashes of aswoon, knew no more till she heard Mrs. Aylward's voice over her, foundthe horrid smell of burnt feathers under her nose, and water tricklingdown her face, dim candlelight was round her, and she perceived that shewas on a low settee in the lobby. 

"There, she is coming round. You may tell your master, Jumbo, 'twasnothing but the mince pies. "

"Oh, no--" began Aurelia, but her own voice seemed to come fromsomewhere else, and being inexperienced in fainting, she was frightened. 

"That is right, you are better. Now, a drop of strong waters. "

Aurelia choked, and put them aside, but was made to swallow the draught, and revived enough to ask, "How came I here?"

"Jumbo must have carried you out, ma'am, and laid you here before everhe called any one, " said Mrs. Aylward. "Dear, dear, to think of yourbeing taken like that. But the tins of those mince-pies are over large!You must halve one next time. "

Aurelia was sensible enough to the reproof of greediness to begin toprotest against the mince-pie theory, but she recollected that she couldnot account for her swoon, and thereupon became as red as she had beenpale, thus confirming the housekeeper's opinion. A sound of footstepsmade her start up and cry, "What's that?" in nervous fright; but Mrs. Aylward declared it was fancy, and as she was by this time able to walk, she was conducted to her own room. There she was examined on her recentdiet, and was compelled to allow the housekeeper to ascribe her illnessto neglect of autumnal blood-letting and medicine; and she only staveoff the send for the barber and his lancet the next morning by promisingto swallow a dose compounded of all that was horrible. 

She was altogether much shaken, she dreamed strange dreams by night, wascapable of little by day, was declared by the children to be cross, andwas much inclined to plead indisposition as an excuse for not visitingthat alarming room in the evening. Indeed for the greater part of theday she felt as if she must avail herself of the pretext, and as if sheneither could nor would encounter that strange double creature in thedark; but somehow she had been as much fascinated as terrified, and, inspite of her resolve, she found herself mechanically following Jumbo, shuddering all over and as cold as ice. 

The dark chambers were warmed by German stoves, so that the atmospherewas always equable, and it seemed to revive her, while a kind, warm handled her as usual to her seat, and it was the usual gentle, courteous, paternal tone that addressed her, "How chill and trembling you are! Mypoor child, you were sadly alarmed last night. "

Aurelia murmured some excuse about being very foolish. 

"It was not you who was foolish, " was the reply; and though her handwas retained it was evidently for the sake of warming it, and comfortingher, not of caressing it in the startling mode of yesterday. There wasa pause, during which her composure began to be restored, and someinquiries whether she were quite recovered; to which she replied witheager affirmatives, feeling indeed quite herself again, now that all wasin its familiar state around her. Then this strange suitor spoke again. "It is a hard and cruel fate that my Lady has sought to impose on you. "

"Oh, do not say so, sir I---"

"No, " he interrupted somewhat hastily, "do not try to deny it, my child;I know better than you can what it would amount to. Believe me, Ionly lend myself to her arrangement because I know no better means ofguarding you and preserving you for better days. "

"I know how kind you are, sir. "

"And you trust me?"

"Indeed I do. "

"That is all I ask. I shall never be a husband to you more than in name, Aurelia, nor ask of you more than you give me now, namely, your sweetpresence for a few hours in the evening, without seeing me. Can you bearthus to devote your young life, for a time at least?"

"You know, sir, how glad I always am to be with you, " said Aurelia, relieved yet half regretting that strange fervour. "I will do my verybest to please you. "

"Ah! sweet child, " he began, with a thrill of deep feeling in his voice;but checking himself he continued, "All I ask is patience and trust fora time--for a time--you promise it!"

"With all my heart, " said Aurelia. 

"I will use my best endeavours to requite that trust, my child, " hesaid. "Is not the Christian watchword faith, not sight? It must be yourslikewise. "

"I hope so, " she said, scarcely understanding. 

He then interrogated her somewhat closely as to the letters which hadprepared her for the proposal; and as Aurelia was far too simple toconceal anything under cross-examination, Mr. Belamour soon found outwhat her Ladyship's threats and promises had been. 

"The Manor House?" he said. "That is the original nucleus of theproperty which had hitherto gone to the heir male?"

"So my sister told me, " said Aurelia. 

"That letter, which Dr. Godfrey read to me, spoke of my poor brother'sdiscomfort in holding it. It is well if thus tardily she refund it, though not as your price, my poor child. It should have been asmatter of justice, if not by her husband's dying wish. So this isthe alternative set before you! Has it been set before your fatherlikewise?"

"Almost certainly she will have threatened to dismiss him if he do notconsent. It was that which made my sister decide on sending me here, orwhat would become of him and Eugene? But I should think my Lady knew myfather better than to seem to offer any kind of price, as you call it, for me. "

"Precisely. You have heard from this maternal sister of yours? Does hethen give his consent?"

"They say they will not have my inclinations forced, and that they hadrather undergo anything than that I should be driven to--to--"

"To be as much a sacrifice as Iphigenia, " he concluded the sentence. 

"Indeed, sir, " said Aurelia, quite restored, "I cannot see why theyshould imagine me to have such objections, or want me to be so cautiousand considerate. I shall write to my papa that it is not at allrepugnant to me, for that you are very, very good to me; and if I canmake your time pass ever so little more pleasantly, it is a delight tome. I am sure I shall like you better than if---"

"Stay, stay, child, " he said, half laughing; "remember, it is as afather that I ask you to love and trust the old recluse. "

She thought she had been forward, crimsoned in the dark, and retiredinto her shell for the rest of the evening. She was glad when with hisusual tact, Mr. Belamour begged for the recitation he knew she couldmake with the least effort of memory. 

At the end, however, she ventured to ask--"Sir, shall I be permittedever to see my father and sister?"

"Certainly, my child. In due time I hope you will enjoy full liberty, though you may have to wait for it. "

Aurelia durst not ask what was in her mind, whether they would notcome to the wedding, but that one great hope began to outweigh allthe strange future. She began to say something about being too young, ignorant, and foolish for him, but this was kindly set aside, she hardlyknew how. Mr. Belamour himself suggested the formula in which she mightsend her consent to Lady Belamour, begging at the same time to retainthe company of the little Misses Wayland. To her father she wrote sucha letter as might satisfy all doubts as to the absence of all repugnanceto the match, and though the Major had sacrificed all to love and honourhimself, _mariages de convenance_ were still so much the rule, andwives, bestowed in all passiveness with unawakened hearts, sooften proved loving and happy matrons, that it would have been heldunreasonable to demand more than absence of dislike on the part of thebride. 

Therewith things returned to their usual course, and she was beginningto feel as if all had been a dream, when one evening, about a weeklater, her suitor appeared to have one of those embarrassing fits ofyouthful ardour; her hand was passionately seized, caressed, toyed withby a warm strong hand, and kissed by lips that left a burning impressionand that were no longer hairy. Surely he had been shaving! Was the timefor which he bade her wait, his full recovery, and the resumption of theyouthfulness that seemed to come on him in fits and starts, and then toebb away, and leave him the grave courteous old man she had firstknown? And why was it always in a whisper that he spoke forth all thoseendearments which thrilled her with such strange emotions?

When she came into the light, she found her fourth finger encircled withan exquisite emerald ring, which seemed to bind her to her fate, andmake her situation tangible. Another time she was entreated to give alock of her hair, and she of course did so, though it was strange thatit should confer any pleasure on her suitor in the dark. 

CHAPTER XX. THE MUFFLED BRIDEGROOM. 

 This old fantastical Duke of dark corners. -- _Measure for Measure. _

There was some coming and going of Mr. Hargrave in the ensuing weeks;and it began to be known that Miss Delavie was to become the wife ofthe recluse. Mrs. Aylward evidently knew it, but said nothing; Mollypreferred a petition to be her waiting maid; Jumbo grinned as ifover-powered with inward mirth; the old ladies in the pew looked moresour and haughty than ever to discourage "the artful minx, " and thelittle girls asked all manner of absurd and puzzling questions. 

My Lady was still at Bath, and Aurelia supposed that the marriage wouldtake place on her return; and that the Major and Betty would perhapsaccompany her. The former was quite in his usual health again, and hadhimself written to give her his blessing as a good dutiful maiden, and declare that he hoped to be with her for her wedding, and to givehimself to his honoured friend. 

She was the more amazed and startled when, one Sunday evening in spring, Mr. Hargrave came to her as she sat in her own parlour, saying, "Madam, you will be amazed, but under the circumstances, the parson andmyself being both here, Mr. Belamour trusts you will not object to theimmediate performance of the ceremony. "

Aurelia took some moments to realise what the ceremony was; and then shecried, "Oh! but my father meant to have been here. "

"Mr. Belamour thinks it better not to trouble Major Delavie to comeup, " said Mr. Hargrave; and as Aurelia stood in great distress anddisappointment at this disregard of her wishes, he added, "I think MissDelavie cannot fail to understand Mr. Belamour's wishes to anticipatemy Lady's arrival, so that he may be as little harassed as possible withdisplay and publicity. You may rely both on his honour and my vigilancethat all is done securely and legally. "

"Oh! I know that, " said Aurelia, blushing; "but it is so sudden! And Iwas thinking of my father---"

"Your honoured father has given full consent in writing, " said thesteward. "Your doubts and scruples are most natural, my dear madam, butunder the circumstances they must give way, for it would be impossibleto Mr. Belamour to go through a public wedding. "

That Aurelia well knew, though she had expected nothing so sudden orso private; but she began to feel that she must allow all to be as hechose; and she remembered that she had never pressed on him her longingfor her father's presence, having taken it as a matter of course, andbesides, having been far too shy to enter on the subject of her wedding. So she rose up as in a dream, saying, "Shall I go as I am?"

"I fear a fuller toilet would be lost upon the bridegroom, " said thelawyer with some commiseration, as he looked at the beautiful youngcreature about to be bound to the heart-broken old hermit. "You willhave to do me the honour of accepting my services in the part offather. "

He was a man much attached to the family, and especially to Mr. Belamour, his first patron, and was ready to do anything at his biddingor for his pleasure. Such private weddings were by no uncommon up tothe middle of the last century. The State Law was so easy as to renderGretna Green unnecessary, when the presence of any clergyman anywhere, while the parties plighted their troth before witnesses, was sufficientto legalise the union; nor did any shame or sense of wrong necessarilyattach to such marriages. Indeed they were often the resource ofpersons too bashful or too refined to endure the display and boisterousmerriment by which a public wedding was sure to be attended. Every oneknew of excellent and respectable couples who had not been known to bemarried till the knot had been tied for several days or weeks--so thatthere was nothing in this to shock the bride. And as usual she did asshe was told, and let Mr. Hargrave lead her by her finger-tips towardsMr. Belamour's apartments. Mrs. Aylward was waiting in the lobby, witha fixed impassive countenance, intended to imply that though obedientto the summons to serve as a witness, it was no concern of hers. On thestairs behind her the maids were leaning over the balusters, stuffingtheir aprons into their mouths lest their tittering should betray them. 

The sitting-room was nearly, but not quite, dark, for a lamp, closelyshaded, cast a dim light on a Prayer-book, placed on a small table, behind which stood poor Mr. Greaves--a black spectre, whose white bandswere just discernible below a face whose nervous, disturbed expressionwas lost in the general gloom. He carefully avoided looking at thebride, fearing perhaps some appeal on her part such as would make hissituation perplexing. Contempt and poverty had brought his stamp ofclergymen very low, and rendered them abject. He had been taken bysurprise, and though assured that this was according to my Lady's will, and with the consent of the maiden's father, he was in an agony offright, shifting awkwardly from leg to leg, and ruffling the leavesof the book, as a door opened and the bridegroom appeared, followed byJumbo. 

Aurelia looked up with bashful eagerness, and saw in the imperfect lighta tall figure entirely covered by a long dark dressing-gown, a grey, tight curled lawyer's wig on the head, and the upper part of the facesheltered from the scanty rays of the lamp by a large green shade. 

Taking his place opposite to her as Mr. Hargrave arranged them, he bowedin silence to the clergyman, who, in a trembling voice, began the ritewhich was to unite Amyas Belamour to Aurelia Delavie. He intended toshorten the service, but his nervous terror and the obscurity of theroom made him stumble in finding the essential passages, and blunder indictating the vows, thus increasing the confusion and bewilderment ofpoor little Aurelia. Somehow her one comfort was in the touch of thehand that either clasped hers, or held the ring on her finger--a strong, warm, tender, trustworthy hand, neither as white nor as soft as shewould have expected, but giving her a comfortable sense both of presentsupport and affection, and of identity with that eager one which hadsought to fondle and caress her. There was a certain tremor aboutboth, but hers was from bashful fright, his, from scarcely suppressedeagerness. 

The steward had a form of certificate ready for signature. When it waspresented to the bridegroom he put up his hand for a moment as if topush back the shade, but, in dread of admitting even a feeble ray oflight, gave up the attempt, took the pen and wrote Amyas Belamour wherethe clergyman pointed. Aurelia could hardly see what she was doing, andknew she had written very badly. The lawyer and housekeeper followed aswitnesses; and the bridegroom, laying a fee of ten guineas on the desk, took his bride by the hand and led her within the door whence he hadissued. It was instantly closed, and at the same moment she was enfoldedin a pair of rapturous arms, and held to a breast whose throbs wakenedresponse in her own, while passionate kisses rained on her face, mingledwith ecstatic whispers and murmurs of "Mine! mine! my own!"

On a knock at the door she was hastily released, and Mr. Hargrave said, "Here are the certificates, sir. "--Mr. Belamour put one into her hand, saying "Keep it always about you; never part with it. And now, my child, after all the excitement you have gone through, you shall be subjectedto no more to-night. Fare you well, and blessings attend your dreams. "

Strange that while he was uttering this almost peremptory dismissal, sheshould feel herself in a clinging grasp, most unwilling to let her go!What did it all mean? Could she indeed be a wife, when here she wasalone treading the long dark stair, in looks, in habits, in externals, still only the little governess of my Lady's children! However, she hadhardly reached her room, before there was a knock at the door, andthe giggling, blushing entrance of Molly with "Please, ma'am, MadamBelamour, I wishes you joy with all my heart. Please can't I do nothingfor you? Shall I help you undress, or brush your hair?"

Perhaps she expected a largesse in honour of the occasion, but Aureliahad spent all her money on Christmas gifts, and had nothing to bestow. However, she found on the breakfast-table a parcel addressed to MadamBelamour, containing a purse with a startling amount of golden guineasin it. She was rather surprised at the title, which was one generallyconferred on dignified matrons whose husbands were below the rank ofknighthood, such as the wives of country squires and of the higherclergy. The calling her mother Madam Delavie had been treated as anoffence by Lady Belamour; and when the day had gone by, with nothingelse to mark it from others, Aurelia, finding her recluse in what shementally called his quiet rational mood, ventured, after thanking him, modestly to inquire whether that was what she was to be called. 

"It is better thus, " hes said. "You have every right to the title. "

She recollected that he was a baronet's younger son, a distinction inthose days; and that she had been told that his patent of knighthoodhad been made out, though he had never been able to appear at court toreceive the accolade, and had never assumed the title; so she onlysaid "Very well, sir, I merely thought whether my Lady would think itpresuming. "

He laughed a little. "My Lady will soon understand it, " he said. "Her husband will be at home in a few weeks. And now, my dear MadamBelamour, " he add playfully, "tell me whether there is any wish that Ican gratify. "

"You are very kind, sir---"

"What does that pause mean, my fair friend?"

"I fear it is too much to ask, sir, but since you inquire what wouldplease me most, it would be if you could spare me to go to my sisterHarriet's wedding?"

"My child, " he said, with evident regret, "I fear that cannot be. Itwill not be prudent to make any move until Mr. Wayland's return; butafter that I can assure you of more liberty. Meantime, let us considerwhat wedding present you would like to send her. "

Aurelia had felt her request so audacious that she subsided easily;and modestly suggested a tea-service. She thought of porcelain, but Mr. Belamour's views were of silver, and it ended in the lady giving thecups and saucers, and the gentleman the urn and the tea and coffeepots and other plate; but it was a drawback to the pleasure of thismunificence that the execution of the order had to be entrusted to Mr. Hargrave. The daring hope Aurelia had entertained of shopping for a day, with Mrs. Aylward as an escort, and choosing the last fashions to sendto her sisters was quashed by the grave reply that it was better not forthe present. What was the meaning of all this mystery, and when was itto end? She felt that it would be ungrateful to murmur, for Mr. Belamourevidently was full of sorrow whenever he was obliged to disappoint her, and much was done for her pleasure. A charming little saddle-horse, tworiding-habits, with a groom, and a horse for him, were sent down fromLondon for her benefit; gifts showered upon her; and whenever she foundher husband in one of those perplexing accesses of tenderness she wassure to carry away some wonderful present, a beautiful jewelled watch, an _etui_ case, a fan, a scent-bottle, or patch-box with a charmingenamel of a butterfly. The little girls were always looking forsomething pretty that she would show them in the morning, and thoughtit must be a fine thing to have a husband who gave such charming things. Those caressing evenings, however, always frightened Aurelia, and senther away vaguely uneasy, often to lie awake full of a vague yearningand alarm; and several days of restlessness would pass before she couldreturn to her ordinary enjoyment of her days with the children and herevenings with Mr. Belamour. Yet when there was any long intermissionof those fits of tender affection, she missed them sorely, and began tofear she had given offence, especially as this strangely capricious manseemed sometimes to repel those modest, timid advances which at othertimes would fill him with ill-suppressed transport. Then came longingsto see and satisfy herself as to what was indeed the aspect of him whomshe was learning to love. 

No wonder there was something unsettled and distressed about her, overthrowing much of that gentle duteous ness which she had brought fromhome. She wrote but briefly and scantily to her sister, not feeling asif she could give full confidence; she drifted away from some of thegood habits enjoined on her, feeling that, as a married woman, she wasless under authority. She was less thorough in her religious ways, lessscrupulous in attending to the children's lessons; and the general fretof her uncertainties told upon her temper with them. They loved herheartily still, and she returned their affection, but she was not souniformly patient and good-humoured. Indeed since Amoret's departuresome element of harmony was missing, and it could not now be said thata whine, a quarrel, or a cry was a rare event. Even the giving up mylady's wearisome piece of embroidery had scarcely a happy effect, for Aurelia missed the bracing of the task-work and the attention itrequired, and the unoccupied time was spent in idle fretting. A littleself-consequence too began to set in, longing for further recognition ofthe dignities of Madam Belamour. 

The marriage had been notified to Lady Belamour and to Major Delavie, and letters had been received from each. My Lady travelled to Londonearly in April in company with Lady Aresfield, and, to the relief ofthe inmates of Bowstead, made no deviation thither. No one else wasofficially told that the wedding had taken place, but all the villageknew it; and Mrs. Phoebe and Mrs. Delia so resented it that theyabandoned the state pew to Madam Belamour and the children, made theircurtsies more perpendicularly than ever, and, when formally invited tosupper, sent a pointed and ceremonious refusal, so that Aurelia felthurt and angered. 

CHAPTER XXI. THE SISTERS' MEETING. 

 By all hope thou hast to see again Our aged father and to soothe his pain, I charge thee, tell me, hast thou seen the thing Thou callst thine husband?--MORRIS. 

After numerous delays Mr. Arden had at length been presented to theliving of Rundell Canonicorum, and in one of the last days of AprilHarriet Delavie had become his wife. After a fortnight of festivitiesamongst their old Carminster friends, the happy couple were to ride, pillion-wise, to take possession of tier new home, passing throughLondon, and there spending time enough with some relations of thebridegroom to show Harriet the wonders of the City. 

Thence Mrs. Arden sent an urgent invitation from her hospitable hostessto Mrs. Belamour, to come and spend some days in Gracechurch Street andshare with her sister the pleasures of the first sight of London. 

"I assure you, " wrote Harriet, "that though they be Woolstaplers, itis all in the Wholesale Line; and they are very genteel, and well-bredPersons, who have everything handsome about them. Indeed it is upon theCards that the Alderman may, ere many years be passed, be my Lord Mayor;but yet he and his good Wife have a proper Appreciation of Family, andknow how to esteem me as one of the Delavies. They would hold themselvesinfinitely honoured by your Visit; and if you were here, we might evenbe invited to Lady Belamour's, and get Tickets for Ranelagh. I called atmy Lady's Door, but she was not within, nor has she returned my Visit, though I went in the Alderman's own Coach; but if you were with meshe would have no Colour for Neglect, you being now her Sister-in-law, though it makes me laugh to think of it. But as we poor married Ladiesare compelled to obey our Lords and Masters; and as Mr. Belamour maychance to be too high in his Notions to permit you to be a Guest in thisHouse (as I told our good Cousin Arden was very like), we intend to liea Night at Brentford, and remain there for a Day, trusting that yourHusband will not be so cruel as to prevent a Meeting, either by yourcoming to see us, or our coming to see you in your present Abode, whichI long to do. It is a Year since we parted, and I cannot tell you how Ilong to clasp my beloved Sister in my Arms. "

Harriet could not long more for such a meeting than did Aurelia, andthere was, it must be owned, a little relief, that it was Harriet, andnot the severer judge, Betty, who thus awaited her. She could hardlybrook the delay until the evening, and even wondered whether it were nota wife's privilege to anticipate the hour; but she did not venture, andonly hovered about impatient for Jumbo's summons. She came in with arapid movement that led Mr. Belamour to say, "Ha, my fair visitor, Iperceive that you have some tidings to bring to-day. "

Everything was rapidly poured out, and she anxiously awaited thedecision. She had little hope of being allowed to go to GracechurchStreet, and did not press for it; but she could not refrain from showingher earnest desire for the sight of her sister, so that it was plainthat it would have been a cruel disappointment to her, if she had beenprevented from meeting the newly-married couple. She detected a certainsound of annoyance or perplexity in the tones that replied, and heraccents became almost plaintively imploring as she concluded, "Pray, pray, sir, do not deny me. "

"No, my child, I could not be cruel enough for a refusal, " he answered;"I was but considering how most safely the thing may be contrived. Iknow it would be your wish, and that it would seem more befitting thatyou should act as hostess for your sister, but I fear that must be foranother time. This is not my house, and there are other reasons forwhich it would be wiser for you to receive no one here. "

"It will be quite enough for me if I may only go to Brentford to meet mydear, dear Harriet. "

"Then be it so, my child. Present my compliments to Mrs. Arden, andentreat her to excuse the seeming inhospitality of the invalid. "

Aurelia was overflowing with joy at the anticipated meeting, wrote adelighted letter to make the appointment, and skipped about the darkstairs and passages more like the butterfly she was than like MadamBelamour; while Fay and Letty found her a more delightful playfellowthan ever, recovering all the animation she had lost during the lastweeks. Her only drawback to the pleasure was that each interveningevening convinced her more strongly that Mr. Belamour was uneasy anddissatisfied about the meeting, which he could not prohibit. On theprevious night he asked many questions about her sister, in especialwhether she were of an inquisitive disposition. 

"That rather depends on how much she has to say about herself, " returnedAurelia, after some reflection. "She likes to hear about other people'saffairs, but she had much rather talk of her own. "

This made Mr. Belamour laugh. "Considering, " he said, "how recently shehas undergone the greatest event of a woman's life, let us hope that herimagination and her tongue may be fully occupied by it during the fewhours that you are to pass together. It seems hard to put any restrainton your ingenuous confidence, my sweet friend; but I trust to yourdiscretion to say as little as you can contrive of your strange positionhere, and of the infirmities and caprices of him whose name you havedeigned to bear. "

"Sir, do you think I could?"

"It is not for my own sake, but for yours, that I would recommendcaution, " he continued. "The situation is unusual, and such disclosuresmight impel persons to interfere for what they thought your interest;but you have promised me your implicit trust, and you will, I hope, prove it. You can understand how painful would be such well-meaninginterference, though you cannot understand how fatally mischievous itwould be. "

"I had better say I can tell her nothing, " said Aurelia, startled. 

"Nay, that would excite still greater suspicion. Reply briefly andcarefully, making no mysteries to excite curiosity, and avert theconversation from yourself as much as possible. "

Man of the world and brilliant talker as he had been, he had no notionof the difficulty of the task he had imposed on the simple open-heartedgirl, accustomed to share all her thoughts with her sister; and she wastoo gay and joyous to take full note of all his cautions, only replyingsincerely that she hoped that she should say nothing amiss, and that shewould do her best to be heedful of his wishes. 

In spite of all such cautions, she was too happy to take in the notionof anxiety. She rose early in the morning, caring for the first timeto array herself in the insignia of her new rank. Knowing that thebridle-path lay through parks, woodlands and heaths, so that there wasno fear of dust, she put on a dainty habit of white cloth, trimmed andfaced with blue velvet, and a low-crowned hat with a white feather. Onher pretty grey horse, the young Madam Belamour was a fair and gracioussight, as she rode into the yard of the Red Lion at Brentford. Harrietwas at the window watching for her, and Mr. Arden received her as shesprang off her steed, then led her up to the parlour, where breakfastwas spread awaiting her. 

"Aurelia, what a sweet figure you make, " cried Harriet, as the sistersunwound their arms after the first ecstasy of embracing one anotheragain. "Where did you get that exquisite habit?"

"It came down from London with another, a dark blue, " said Aurelia. "Isuppose Mr. Belamour ordered them, for they came with my horse. It isthe first time I have worn it. "

"Ah! fine things are of little account when there is no one to seethem, " said Mrs. Arden, shaking her head in commiseration. 

She was attired in a grey riding-dress with a little silver lace aboutit, and looked wonderfully plump and well, full of importance andcomplacency, and with such a return of comeliness that Aurelia wouldhardly have recognised the lean, haggard, fretful Harriet of theprevious year. Her sentiment and romance, her soft melancholy and littleaffectations had departed, and she was already the notable prosperouswife of a beneficed clergyman, of whose abilities she was veryproud, though she patronised with good-humoured contempt his dreamy, unpractical, unworldly ways. 

The questions poured forth from Aurelia's heart-hunger aboutbrother, sister and home, were answered kindly and fully over thebreakfast-table; but as if Harriet had turned that page in her life, andexpected Aurelia to have done the same, every now and then exclaiming:"La! you have not forgotten that! What a memory you have, child!"

She wanted much more to talk of the parsonage and glebe of RundellCanonicorum, and of how many servants and cows she should keep, and showed herself almost annoyed when Aurelia brought her back toCarminster by asking whether Eugene had finished his Comenius, and ifthe speckled hen had hatched many chickens, whether Palmer had had hisrheumatic attack this spring, or if the Major's letter to Vienna hadproduced any tidings of Nannerl's relation. Harriet seemed only tobe able to reply by an effort of memory, and was far more desirous ofexpatiating on the luxuries at alderman Arden's, and the deferencewith which she had been treated, in contrast to the indignity of LadyBelamour's neglect. 

It was disappointing to find that her father had heard nothing from myLady about the settlement of the Manor House. 

"Was the promise in writing?" asked Mr. Arden, who had been silent allthis time. 

"Certainly, in a letter to me. "

"I recommend you to keep it carefully until Mr. Wayland's return, " saidMr. Arden: "he will see justice done to you. "

"Poor Mr. Wayland! When he does return, I pity him; but it is his ownfault for leaving his lady to herself. Have you ever seen the gallantcolonel, sister?"

"Never. "

"Ah! most like he is not much at Bowstead. But do not folk talk there?"

"My dear, " said Mr. Arden, "you would do well to imitate your honouredfather's discretion on certain points. "

"Bless me, Mr. Arden, how you startled me. I thought you were in abrown study. " She winked at Aurelia as if to intimate that she meant tocontinue the subject in his absence, and went on; "I assure you, I hadto be on the alert all the way to take care he looked at the sign-posts, or we might have been at York by this time. And in London, what do youthink was all my gentleman cared to go and see? Why, he must needs go tosome correspondents of his who are Fellows of the Royal Society. I tookit for granted they must be friends of his Majesty or of the Prince ofWales at the least, and would have had him wait for his new gown andcassock; but la! it was only a set of old doctors and philosophers, andhe wished to know what musty discoveries they had been making. That wasone thing he desired in London, and the other was to hear that crazyParson Wesley preach a sermon hours long!"

"I was well rewarded in both instances, " said Mr. Arden gravely. 

Aurelia did not take advantage of the opportunity of shining in theeyes of her new brother-in-law by showing her acquaintance with thediscussions on electricity which she had studied for Mr. Belamour'sbenefit, nor did she speak of Dr. Godfrey's views of Wesley andWhitfield. Had she so ventured, her sister would have pitied her, and Mr. Arden himself been somewhat shocked at her being admitted toknowledge unbecoming to a pretty young lady. Intellect in ladies wouldhave been a startling idea, and though very fond of his wife, he neverthought of her as a companion, but only as the mistress of his house andguardian of his welfare. 

The dinner was ordered at one, and at three Aurelia would ride home, while Mr. And Mrs. Arden went on about twelve miles to the house ofa great grazier, brother to the Alderman's wife, where they had beeninvited to make their next stage, and spend the next day, Sunday, whenHarriet reckoned on picking up information about cattle, if she werenot actually presented with a cow or a calf. They went out and walked alittle about the town, where presently they met Mrs. Hunter. Aureliamet her puzzled stare with a curtsey, and she shouted in her hearty tone"Miss Delavie!--I mean Mrs. Belamour! Who would have thought of seeingyou here!"

"I am here to meet my sister--Mrs. Arden. Let me--let me present you, "said Aurelia in obedience to an imperious sign from her sister, goingthrough the form for the first time, while Harriet volubly declared herhappiness in making Mrs. Hunter's acquaintance, and explained how theywere on their way to take possession of Mr. Arden's rectory of RundellCanonicorum, the words rolling out of her mouth with magnificentemphasis. "I congratulate you, ma'am, " said Mrs. Hunter, cordially, "andyou too, my dear, " she added, turning to Aurelia. "I would have beenout long ago to call on you--a sort of relation as you are now, as I maysay--but it was kept all so mum, one never knew the time to drink yourhealth; and my Cousins Treforth wouldn't so much as give me a hint. Butla! says I, why should you talk about artfulness? I'm right gladpoor Mr. Amyas should find a sprightly young lady to cure him of hismopishness. Never mind them, my dear, if they do look sour on you. I'llcome over one of these days and talk to them. Now, I must have you comein to take your dinner with us. The Doctor will be right pleased to findyou. I'll take no excuse. I thank Heaven I'm always ready whoever maydrop in. There's spring chicken and sparrow-grass. "

However, on hearing their dinner was ordered at the inn, the good ladywas satisfied that to dine with her was impossible; but she insisted ontheir coming in to partake of wine and cake in her best parlour. 

This, however, was a little more than Mr. Arden could endure, he made anexcuse about seeing to the horse, and escaped; while Mrs. Hunter led thetwo sisters to her closely shut-up parlour, wainscoted, and hung withtwo staring simpering portraits of herself and her husband, clean assoap could make it, but smelling like a long closed box. She went toa cupboard in the wall, and brought out a silver salver, a rich cake, glasses and wine, and pouring out the wine, touched the glass with herlips, as she wished health and happiness to the two brides before her. 

"We shall soon have another wedding in the family, if report speakstrue, " she added. "They say--but you should be the best informed, MadamBelamour--

"We hear nothing of the matter, ma'am, " said Aurelia. 

"That's odd, since Mr. Belamour is young Sir Amyas's guardian; andthey cannot well pass him over now he has begun life again as it were, "laughed Mrs. Hunter. "'Tis said that my Lady is resolved the weddingshall be within six weeks. "

"There are two words to that question, " said Harriet, oracularly; "Iknow from good authority that young Sir Amyas is determined against thematch. "

"But is it true, ma'am, " cried Mrs. Hunter, eagerly, "that my Lady andthe Countess of Aresfield met at Bath, and that my Lady is to have 3, 000pounds down to pay off her debts before her husband comes home, the dayher son is married to Lady Arabella?"

"Every word of it is true, ma'am, " said Harriet, importantly. 

"Well now, that folk should sell their own flesh and blood!"

"How have you heard it, sister Harriet?" asked Aurelia. 

"From a sure hand, my love. No other than Mrs. Dove. She is wife to myLady's coachman, " explained Mrs. Arden to her hostess, "and nurse to thetwo children it is her pleasure to keep with her. "

"Dear good Nurse dove!" cried Aurelia, "did she come to see you?"

"Yes, that did she! So I have it from the fountain-head, as I may say, that the poor young gentleman's hand and heart are to be made overwithout his will, that so his mother may not have such a schedule ofdebts wherewith to face her husband on his return!"

"Her jewels have been all paste long ago, I know very well, " said Mrs. Hunter, not to be outdone; "though, would you believe it, Doctor Hunteris like all the men, and will believe nothing against her! But thisbeats all the rest! Why, I have it from my maid, who is sister to one ofthe servants at the boarding-school in Queen Square, whither they havesent the Lady Belle, that she is a regular little shrew. She flew at oneof the young ladies like a wild cat, because she did not yield place toher at once, and scratched her cheeks till the blood ran down, and toreout whole handfuls of her hair. She was like one possessed, and theyhad to call the lackey before they could get her safe tied down in bed, where they kept her on bread and water, trying to get her to make herapology; but not a word could be got out of her, till they had to yieldthe point lest she should fall sick. "

Aurelia mentally applauded her own discretion in not capping this withMrs. Dove's former tale, and only observing that the marriage could nottake place before the young baronet was of age, without the consent ofhis personal guardian, Mr. Belamour. 

"You will excuse me, my dear, in speaking of your husband, but he hasso long been incapable of acting, that they say his consent can bedispensed with. "

"Aye, poor cousin Amyas Belamour!" said Mrs. Hunter. "He was the onlyman who ever durst resist my Lady's will before, and you see to what shehas brought him!"

"Her son is resisting her now, " said Harriet; "and our good Dove says itmakes her blood boil to see the way the poor young gentleman is treated. He, who was the darling for whom nothing was good enough a while ago, has now scarce a place in his mother's own house. She is cold andstately with him, and Colonel Mar, the Lady Belle's brother, being hiscommanding officer, there is no end to the vexations and annoyances theygive him, both at home and in his quarters. Mrs. Dove says his own man, Grey, tells her it is a wonder how he stands out against it all! Anda truly well-bred young gentleman he is. He came to pay me his callin Gracechurch Street only yesterday, knowing our kindred, and mostunfortunate was it that I was stepped out to the office to speak asto our boxes being duly sent by the Buckingham wain; but he left histicket, and a message with the servant, 'Tell my cousin, Mrs. Arden, 'he said, 'that I much regret not having seen her, and I should have donemyself the honour of calling sooner to inquire for her good father, if Ihad known she was in town. "

"Well, I have never seen the young gentleman since he was a mere child, "said Mrs. Hunter. "His mother has bred him to neglect his own home andrelations, but I am sorry for him. "

"They say, " continued Harriet significantly, "that they are sure thereis some cause for his holding out so stiffly--I verily believe My Ladysuspected--"

"O hush, Harriet!" cried Aurelia, colouring painfully. 

"Well, it is all over now, so you need not be offended, " said Harriet, laughing. "Besides, if my Lady had any such notion when she broughtabout your marriage, she must be disappointed, for the young spark is asresolute as ever. "

"And no wonder, if he knows what the lady is like, " said Aurelia. 

"Ah! he has admitted as much to the King. "

"To the King!" cried both auditors. 

"Oh yes! you know my Lady is very thick with my Lady Suffolk, and shepersuaded the King to speak to him at the levee. '_Comment_', says hismajesty in French, 'are you a young rebel, sir, that refuse the goodthings your mother provides you?' Not a whit was my young gentlemanmoved. He bowed, and answered that he was acting by the desire ofhis guardian. Excuse me, sister, but the King answered--'A ravingmelancholic! That will not serve your turn, sir. Come to your senses, fulfil your mother's bond, and we'll put you on the Duke's staff, where you may see more of service than of home, or belike get into gayquarters, where you may follow any other _fantaisie_ if that is makingyou commit such _betises!_' At that Sir Amyas, who is but an innocentyouth, flamed up in his cheeks till they were as red as his coat, andsaid his honour was engaged; on which his majesty swore at him for anidiot, and turned his back. Every word of this Mrs. Dove heard ColonelMar tell my Lady--and then they fell to rating the poor youth, andtrying to force out who this secret flame may be; but his is of thesame stuff as his mother, adamantine and impervious. And now the Colonelkeeps him on hard duty continually, and they watch him day and night tofind out what places he haunts. But bless me, Mrs. Hunter, is the churchclock striking? We must be gone, or my good man will be wondering wherewe are. "

Mrs. Hunter would fain have kept them, and the last words andcompliments were of long duration, while Aurelia looked on in somesurprise at the transformation of all Harriet's languishing affectedairs into the bustling self-importance of Mrs. Arden. She was howevermuch occupied with all she had heard, and was marvelling how her sisterbegan again as soon as they were in the street again. "You are verydiscreet, Aurelia, as it becomes a young married lady, but have you nonotion who this innamorata of the baronet may be?"

"No, indeed, how should I?"

"I thought he might have confided in your husband, since he makes sosure of his support. "

"He has only once come to visit Mr. Belamour, and that was many monthsago. "

"It is strange, " mused Harriet; "Mrs. Dove says she would have taken herBible oath that it was you, and my Lady believed as much, or she wouldnot have been in such haste to have you wedded. Nay, I'll never believebut he made his confidences to Betty when he came to the Manor House theSunday after you were gone, though not a word could I get from her. "

"It must have been all a mistake, " said Aurelia, not without a littletwinge at the thought of what might have been. "I wish you would nottalk of it. "

"Well he could have been but a fickle adorer--'tis the way of men, mydear, for he must have found some new flame while his mother and theColonel were both at the Bath. They have proof positive of his ridingout of town at sundown, but whither he goes is unknown, for he takesnot so much as a groom with him, and he is always in time for morningparade. "

"Poor young man, it is hard to be so beset with spies and watchers, "said Aurelia. 

"Most true, " said Harriet, "but I am monstrous glad you are safe marriedlike me, child, so that no one can accuse us. Such romantic affairsare well enough to furnish a course of letters to the _Tatler_, or the_Gentlewomen's Magazine_, but I am thankful for a comfortable life withmy good man. "

Therewith they reached their inn, where Harriet, having satisfiedherself that the said good man was safe within, and profiting by theunwonted calm to write his inaugural sermon, took Aurelia to her bedroomto prepare for dinner, and to indulge in further confidences. 

"So, Aurelia, I can report to my father that you are looking well, andas cheerful as can be expected. "

"Nay, I have always told you I am happy as the day is long. "

"What, when you have never so much as seen your husband?"

"Only at our wedding, and then he was forced to veil his face from thelight. "

"Nor has he ever seen you?"

"Not unless he then saw me. "

"If he were not then charmed enough to repeat the view, you are the mostcruelly wasted and unworthily matched--"

"Hush, sister!" broke out Aurelia in eager indignation. 

"What! is a lovely young creature, almost equal to what I was before mycruel malady, to waste her bloom on a wretched old melancholic, who willnot so much as look at her!"

"Harriet, I cannot hear this--you know not of what you are talking! Whatis my poor skin-deep beauty--if beauty it be--compared with the storesof goodness and wisdom I find in him?"

"La! child, what heat is this? One would really think you loved him. "

"Of course I do! I love and honour him more than any one I evermet--except my dear father. "

"Come, Aura, you are talking by rote out of the marriage service. Youmay be open with me, you know, it will go no further; and I do long toknow whether you can be truly content at heart, " said Harriet with realaffection. 

"Dear sister, " said Aurelia, touched, "believe me that indeed I am. Mr. Belamour is kindness itself. He is all he ever promised to be to me, andsometimes more. "

"Yet if he loved you, he could never let you live moped up there. Areyou never frighted at the dark chamber? I should die of it!"

"The dark does not fright me, " said Aurelia. 

"You have a courage I have not! Come, now, were you never frighted totalk with a voice in the dark?"

"Scarcely ever!" said aurelia. 

"Scarcely--when was that?"

"You will laugh, Harriet, but it is when he is most--most tender andfull of warmth. Then I hardly know him for the same. "

"What! If he be not always tender to my poor dear child, he must be awretch indeed. "

"O no, no, Harriet! How shall I ever make you understand?" criedAurelia. "Never for a moment is he other than kind and gentle. Itis generally like a father, only more courtly and deferential, butsometimes something seems to come over him, and he is--oh! I cannot tellyou--what I should think a lover would be, " faltered Aurelia, colouringcrimson, and hiding her face on her sister's shoulder, as old habits ofconfidence, and need of counsel and sympathy were obliterating all thewarnings of last night. 

"You silly little chit! Why don't you encourage these advances? Youought to be charmed, not frightened. "

"They would ch---I should like it if it were not so like two men in one, the one holding the other back. "

Harriet laughed at this fancy, and Aurelia was impelled to defend it. "Indeed, Harriet, it is really so. There will be whispers--oh, suchwhispers!"--she sunk her voice and hid her face again--"close to my ear, and--endearments--while the grave voice sounds at the other end of theroom, and then I long for light. I swooned for fright the first time, but I am much more used to it now. "

"This is serious, " said Harriet, with unwonted gravity. "Do you reallythink that there is another person in the room?"

"I do not feel as if it could be otherwise, and yet it is quiteimpossible. "

"I would not bear it, " said her sister. "You ought not to bear it. Howdo you know that it is not some vile stratagem? It might even be theblackamoor!"

"No, no, Harriet! I know better than that. It is quite impossible. Besides, I am sure of this--that the hands that wedded me are the samehands that caress me, " she added, with another blushing effort, "strongbut delicate hands, rather hard inside, as with the bridle. I noticed itbecause once I thought his hands soft with doing nothing and being shutup. "

"That convinces me the more, then, there is some strange impositionpractised upon you, " said Harriet, anxiously. 

"Oh, no!" said Aurelia, inconsistently; "Mr. Belamour is quite incapableof doing anything wrong by me. I cannot let you have such shockingnotions. He told me I must be patient and trust him, though I shouldmeet with much that was strange and inexplicable. "

"This is trusting him much too far. They are playing on yourinexperience, I am sure. If you were not a mere child, you would seewhat a shocking situation this is. "

"I wish I had not told you, " said Aurelia, tears rushing into her eyes. "I ought not! He bade me be cautious how I talked, and you have made mequite forget!"

"Did he so? Then it is evident that he fears disclosure! Something mustbe done. Why not write to our father?"

"I could not! He would call it a silly fancy. "

"And it might embroil him with my Lady, " added Harriet. "We must deviseanother mode. "

"You will not--must not tell Mr. Arden, " exclaimed Aurelia, peremptorily. 

"Never fear! He heeds nothing more sublunary than the course of theplanets. But I have it. His device will serve the purpose. Do youremember Eugene confounding him with Friar Bacon because he was saidto light a candle without flint or steel? It was true. When he was abachelor he always lit his own candle and fire, and he always carriesthe means. I was frighted the first time he showed me, but now I can doit as well as he. See, " she said, opening a case, "a drop of this spiritupon this prepared cotton;" and as a bright flame sprang up and madeAurelia start, she laughed and applied a taper to it. "There, onesuch flash would be quite enough to prove to you whether there be anydeception practised on you. "

"I could never do it! Light is agony to Mr. Belamour, and what would hethink?"

"He would take it for lightning, which I suppose he cannot keep out. "

"One flash did come through everything last summer, but I was notlooking towards him. "

"You will be wiser this time. Here, I can give you this little box, forMr. Arden compounded a fresh store in town. "

"I dare not, sister. He has ever bidden me trust without sight; and youcannot guess how good he is to me, and how noble and generous. I cannotinsult him by a doubt. "

"Then he should not act as no true woman can endure. "

"And it would hurt him. "

"Tut, tut, child; if the lightning did not harm him how can this flash?I tell you no man has a right to trifle with you in this manner, and itis your duty to yourself and all of us to find out the truth. Some youngrake may have bribed the black, and be personating him; and some day youmay find yourself carried off you know not where. "

"Harriet, if you only knew either Mr. Belamour or Jumbo, you would knowthat you are saying things most shocking!"

"Convince me, then! Look here, Aurelia, if you cannot write to me andexplain this double-faced or double-voiced husband of yours, I vow toyou that I shall speak to Mr. Arden, and write to my father. "

"Oh! do not, do not, sister! Remember, it is of no use unless thistemper of affection be on him, and I have not heard it this fortnight, no, nor more. "

"Promise me, then, that you will make the experiment. See, here is alittle chain-stitch pouch--poor Peggy Duckworth's gift to me--with twopockets. Let me fasten it under your dress, and then you will alwayshave it about you. "

"If the bottle broke as I rode home!"

"Impossible; it is a scent-bottle of strong glass. "

Here Mr. Arden knocked at the door, regretting to interrupt theirconfidences, but dinner awaited them; and as, immediately after, Mrs. Hunter brought her husband in his best wig to call on Madame Belamourand her relations, the sisters had no more time together, till thehorses were at the door, and they went to their room together to put ontheir hats. 

A whole mass of refusals and declarations of perfect confidence were onAurelia's tongue, but Harriet cut them all short by saying, "Remember, you are bound for your own honour and ours, to clear up this mystery!"

Then they rode off their several ways, Madame Belamour towards Bowstead, Mr. And Mrs. Arden on their sturdy roadster towards Lea Farm. 

CHAPTER XXII. A FATAL SPARK. 

 And so it chanced; which in those dark And fireless halls was quite amazing, Did we not know how small a spark Can set the torch of love ablazing. T. MOORE. 

Aurelia rode home in perplexity, much afraid of the combustibles at hergirdle, and hating the task her sister had forced on her. She felt asif her heedless avowals had been high treason to her husband; and yetHarriet was her elder, and those assurances that as a true woman she wasbound to clear up the mystery, made her cheeks burn with shame, and herheart thrill with the determination to vindicate her husband, while thelonging to know the face of one who so loved her was freshly awakened. 

She was strongly inclined to tell him all, indeed she knew herself wellenough to be aware that half a dozen searching questions would draw outthe whole confession of her own communication and Harriet's unworthysuspicions; and humiliating as this would be, she longed for theopportunity. Here, however, she was checked in her meditations by astumble of her horse, which proved to have lost a shoe. It was necessaryto leave the short cut, and make for the nearest forge, and when themischief was repaired, to ride home by the high road. 

She thus came home much later than had been expected; Jumbo, Molly, andthe little girls were all watching for her, and greeted her eagerly. Thesupper was already on the table for her, and she had only just givenFay and Letty the cakes and comfits she had bought at Brentford for themwhen Jumbo brought the message that his master hoped that madam, if nottoo much fatigued, would come to him as soon as her supper was finished. 

Accordingly, she came without waiting to change her dress, having onlytaken off her hat and arranged her hair. 

She felt guilty, and dreaded the being questioned, yet longed to makeher avowal and have all explained. The usual greetings passed, and thenMr. Belamour said, "I heard your horse hoofs come in late. You weredetained?"

She explained about the shoe, and a few sentences were passing about hersister when she detected a movement, as if a step were stealing towardsher, together with a hesitation in the remark Mr. Belamour was makingabout Mrs. Hunter's good nature. 

Quite irrelevantly came in the whispering voice, "Where is my dearestlife?"

"Sir, sir!" she cried, driven at last to bay, "what is this? Are you oneor two?"

"One with you, my sweetest life! Your own--your husband!"

Therewith there was a kind of groan further off, and as Aurelia felt ahand on her dress, her fight and distress at the duality were complete. While, in the dark, the hands were still groping for her, she eludedthem, and succeeded in carrying out Harriet's manoeuvre so far thata quick bright flame leapt forth, lighting up the whole room, andrevealing two--yes, two! But it did not die away! In her haste, and inthe darkness, she had poured the whole contents of the bottle on thephosphoric cotton, and dropped both without knowing it on a chintzcurtain. A fresh evening breeze was blowing in from the window, openbehind the shutters, and in one second the curtain was a flaming, wavingsheet. Some one sprang up to tear it down, leaping on a table in thewindow. The table overbalanced, the heavy iron curtain-rod came outsuddenly, and there was a fall, the flaming mass covering the fallen!The glare shone on a strange white face and head as well as on Jumbo'sblack one, and with a trampling and crushing the fire died down, quenched as suddenly as it began, and all was obscurity again. 

"Nephew, dear boy, speak, " exclaimed Mr. Belamour; and as there was noanswer, "Open the shutters, Jumbo. For Heaven's sake let us see!"

"Oh! what have I done?" cried poor Aurelia, in horror and misery, dropping by him on the ground, while the opened shutters admitted thetwilight of a May evening, with a full moon, disclosing a strange scene. A youth in a livery riding coat lay senseless on the ground, partlycovered by the black fragments of the curtain, the iron rod clenched inone hand, the other arm doubled under him. A face absolutely white, withlong snowy beard and hair hung over him, and an equally white pair ofhands tried to lift the head. Jumbo had in a second sprung down, removedthe fallen table, and come to his masters help. "Struck head with this, "he said, as he tried to unclasp the fingers from the bar, and pointed toa grazed blow close to the temple. 

"We must lay him on my bed, " said Mr. Belamour. Then, seeing thegirl's horror-stricken countenance, "Ah, child, would that you had beenpatient; but it was overtasking you! Call Aylward, I beg of you. Tell her he is here, badly hurt. What, you do not know him, " as herbewildered eyes and half-opened lips implied the question she could notutter, "you do not know him? Sir Amyas--my nephew--your true husband!"

"Oh! and I have killed him!" she cried, with clasped hands. 

"Hush, child, no, with God's mercy! Only call the woman and bring alight. "

She rushed away, and appeared, a pale terrified figure, with the smellof fire on her hair and white dress, in the room where Mrs. Aylward wasreading her evening chapter. She could scarcely utter her message asshe stood under the gaze of blank amazement; but Mrs. Aylward understoodenough to make her start up without another word, and hurry away, candlein hand. 

Aurelia took up the other, and followed, trembling. When she reachedthe outer room the rush of air almost blew out her light, and pausing, afraid to pass on, she perceived that Mr. Belamour and Jumbo werecarrying the insensible form between them into the inner apartment, while a moan or two filled her heart with pangs of self-reproach. 

She hung about, in terrible anxiety, but not daring to come forwardwhile the others were engaged about the sufferer, for what seemed a verylong time before she heard Mrs. Aylward say, "His arm is broke, sir. Wemust send for Dr. Hunter. The maids are all in their beds, but I will goand wake one, and send her to the stables to call the groom. "

"I had best go, " said Mr. Belamour. "You are of more use than I. Hesleeps at the stables, you say?" Then, seeing the waiting, watching formof Aurelia, he said, "Come in, my poor child. Perhaps your voice mayrouse him. " Every one, including himself, seemed to have forgotten Mr. Belamour's horror of the light, for candles were flaring on all thetables, as he led the you girl in, saying, "Speak to him. "

At the death-like face in its golden hair, Aurelia's voice choked in herthroat, and it was in an unnatural hoarse tone that she tried to say, "Sir--Sir Amyas--"

"I trust he will soon be better, " said Mr. Belamour, marking her dismayand grief with his wonted kindness, "but his arm needs the surgeon, andI must be going. Let Lady Belamour sit here, Mrs. Aylward. I trustyou with the knowledge. It was my nephew, in disguise, who weddedher, unknown to her. She is entirely blameless. Let Jumbo fetch her acordial. There, my child, take this chair, so that his eyes may fallon you when he opens them. Bathe his head if you will. I shall returnquickly after having sped the groom on his journey. "

Gloomy and doubtful were the looks cast on Aurelia by the housekeeper, but all unseen by the wondering, bewildered, remorseful eyes fixedon the white face on the pillow, heedless of its perfect symmetry offeature, and knowing only that this was he who had thrilled her heartwith his tender tones, who had loved her so dearly, and dared so muchfor her sake, but whom her impatience and distrust had so cruellyinjured. Had she seen him strong, well, and ardent, as she had solately heard him, her womanhood would have recoiled indignantly at thedeception which had stolen her vows; but the spectacle of theyoung senseless face and prostrate form filled her with compassion, tenderness, and remorse, for having yielded to her sister's persuasions. With intense anxiety she watched, and assisted in the fomentations, longing for Mr. Belamour's return; but time passed on and still hecame not. No words passed, only a few faint sighs, and one of the handsclosed tight on Aurelia's. 

CHAPTER XXIII. WRATH AND DESOLATION. 

 Straight down she ran. . . . And fatally did vow To wreake her on the mayden messenger Whom she had caused be kept as prisonere. SPENSER. 

Hark! there was the trampling of horses and thundering of wheels at thedoor! Could the doctor be come already, and in such a fashion?

Jumbo hurried to admit him, and Mrs. Aylward moved to arrange matters, but the clasp that was on Aurelia's hand would not let her go. 

Presently there came, not Dr. Hunter's tread, but a crisp, rustlingsound, and the tap of high heels, and in the doorway stood, tall, erect, and terrible, Lady Belamour, with a blaze of wrath in her blue eyes, andconcentrated rage in her whole form, while in accents low, but comingfrom between her teeth, she demanded, "Miserable boy, what means this?"

"Oh! madam, take care! he is sadly hurt!" cried Aurelia, with a gestureas if to screen him. 

"I ask what this means?" repeated Lady Belamour, advancing, and seemingto fill the room with her majestic figure, in full brocaded dress, withfeathers waving in her hair. 

"His Honour cannot answer you, my Lady, " said Mrs. Aylward. "He has hada bad fall, and Mr. Belamour is gone to send for the doctor. "

"This is the housekeeping in my absence!" said Lady Belamour, showingless solicitude as to her son's condition than indignation at thediscovery, and her eyes and her diamonds glittering fearfully. 

"My Lady, " said Mrs. Aylward, with stern respectfulness, "I knew nothingof all this till this lady called me an hour ago telling me Sir Amyaswas hurt. I found him as you see. Please your Ladyship, I must go backto him. "

"Speak then, you little viper, " said Lady Belamour, turning on Aurelia, who had risen, but was held fast by the hand upon hers. "By what artshave you well nigh slain my son? Come here, and tell me. "

"None, madam!" gasped Aurelia, trembling, so that she grasped herchair-back with her free hand for support. "I never saw him tillto-night. "

"Lies will not serve you, false girl. Come here this instant! I _know_that you have been shamelessly receiving my son here, night afternight. "

"I never knew!"

"Missie Madam never knew, " chimed in Jumbo. "All in the dark. Shethought it old mas'r. "

Lady Belamour looked contemptuously incredulous; but the negro'sadvocacy gave a kind of courage to Aurelia, and availing herself ofa slight relaxation of the fingers she withdrew her hand, and comingforward, said, "Indeed, madam, I know nothing, I was entirely deceived. Only hearing two voices in the dark alarmed me, so that I listened to mysister, and struck a light to discover the truth. Then all caught fire, and blazed up, and--"

"Then you are an incendiary as well as a traitor, " said her Ladyship, with cold, triumphant malignity. "This is work for the constable. Here, Loveday, " to her own woman, who was waiting in the outer room, "take thisperson away, and lock her into her own room till morning, when we cangive her up to justice. "

"Oh, my Lady, " cried Aurelia, crouching at her feet and clinging to herdress, "do not be so cruel! Oh! let me go home to my father!"

"Madam!" cried a voice from the bed, "let alone my wife! Come, Aurelia. Oh!"

Then starting up in bed had wrenched his broken arm, and he fell backsenseless again, just as Aurelia would have flown back to him, but hismother stood between, spurning her away. 

Another defender, if she could so be called, spoke for her. "It is true, please your Ladyship, " said Mrs. Aylward, "that Mr. Belamour called herthe wife of this poor young gentleman. "

Jumbo too exclaimed, "No one knew but Jumbo; His Honour marry prettymissie in mas'r's wig and crimson dressing-gown. "

"A new stratagem!" ironically observed the incensed lady. "But your gameis played out, miss, for madam I cannot call you. Such a marriage cannotstand for a moment; and if a lawyer like Amyas Belamour pretended itcould, either his wits were altogether astray or he grossly deceivedyou. Or, as I believe, he trafficked with you to entrap this unhappyyouth, whose person and house you have, between you, almost destroyed. Remove her, Loveday, and lock her up till we can send for a magistrateto take depositions in the morning. Go quietly, girl I will not have myson disturbed with your outcries. "

Poor Aurelia's voice died in her throat. Oh! why did not Mr. Belamourcome to her rescue? Ah! he had bidden her trust and be patient; she hadtransgressed, and he had abandoned her! There was no sign of life orconsciousness in the pallid face on the bed, and with a bleeding heartshe let the waiting-maid lead her through the outer apartment, stillredolent of the burning, reached her own chamber, heard the key turn inthe lock, and fell across her bed in a sort of annihilation. 

The threat was unspeakably frightful. Those were days of capitalpunishment for half the offences in the calendar, and of what was to herscarcely less dreadful, of promiscuous imprisonment, fetters, and gaolfever. Poor Aurelia's ignorance could hardly enhance these horrors, andwhen her perceptions began to clear themselves, her first thought was offlight from a fate equally dreadful to the guilty or not guilty. 

Springing from the bed, she tried the other door of her room, whichwas level with the wainscoting, and not readily observed by a personunfamiliar with the house. It yielded to her hand, and she knew therewas a whole suite of empty rooms thus communicating with one another. Itwas one of those summer nights that are never absolutely dark, andthere was a full moon, so that she had light enough to throw off herconspicuous white habit, all scorched and singed as it was, and to puton her dark blue cloth one, with her camlet cloak and hood. She made upa small bundle of clothes, took her purse, which was well filled withguineas and silver, and moved softly to the door. Hide and seek hadtaught her all the modes of eluding observation, and with her walkingshoes in her hand, and her feet slippered, she noiselessly crept throughone empty room after another, and descended the stair into her ownlobby, where she knew how to open the sash door. 

One moment the thought that Mr. Belamour would protect her made herpause, but the white phantom she had seen seemed more unreal than thevoice she was accustomed to, and both alike had vanished and abandonedher to her fate. Nay, she had been cheated from the first. Everythinghad given way with her. My Lady might be coming to send her to prison. Hark, some one was coming! She darted out, down the steps, along thepath like a wild bird from a cage. 

CHAPTER XXIV. THE WANDERER. 

 Widowed wife and wedded maid, Betrothed, betrayer, and betrayed. --SCOTT. 

Aurelia's first halt was in a moss-grown summer-house at the end ofthe garden, where she ventured to sit down to put on her stout leathershoes. The children's toys, a ball and a set of ninepins lay on thefloor! How many ages ago was it that she had made that sarcastic replyto Letty?--perhaps her last!

A nightingale, close overhead, burst into a peal of song, repeating hisone favourite note, which seemed to her to cry out "Although my heartis broke, broke, broke, broke. " The tears rushed into her eyes, but ata noise as of opening doors or windows at the house, terror mastered heragain, and she hurried on to hide herself from the dawning light, whichwas beginning to increase, as she crossed the park, on turf dank withMaydew, and plunged deep into the thick woods beyond, causing many atwittering cry of wondering birds. 

Day had fully come, and slanting golden beams were shining through thetender green foliage, and illuminating the boles of the trees, ere shewas forced by failing strength again to pause and sit on a faggot, whilegathering breath and considering where she should go. Home was her firstthought. Who could shield her but her father and sister? How she longedfor their comfort and guardianship! But how reach them? She had moneybut could do little for her. England never less resembled those daysof Brian Boromhe when the maiden with the gems, rich and rare wanderedunscathed form sea to sea in Ireland. Post chaises, though coming intouse, had not dawned on the simple country girl's imagination. She knewthere was a weekly coach from London to Bath, passing through Brentford, and that place was also a great starting-place for stage waggons, ofwhich one went through Carminster, but her bewildered brain could notrecall on what day it started, and there was an additional shock ofdespair when she remembered that it was Sunday morning. The chill of themorning dew was on her limbs, she was exhausted by her fatigues of thenight, a drowsy recollection of the children in the wood came over her, and she sank into a dreamy state that soon became actual sleep. She waswakened by a strong bright sunbeam on her eyes, and found that this waswhat had warmed her limbs in her sleep. A sound as of singing was alsoin her ears, and of calling cows to be milked. She did not in the leastknow where she was, for she had wandered into parts of the wood quitestrange to her, but she thought she must be a great way from home, andquite beyond recognition, so she followed the voice, and soon came outon a tiny meadow glade, where a stout girl was milking a great sheetedcow. 

She knew now that she was faint with hunger and thirst, and must takefood before she could go much farther, so taking out a groat, hersmallest coin, she accosted the girl, and offered it for a draughtof milk. To her dismay the girl exclaimed "Lawk! It be young Madam!Sarvice, ma'am!"

"I have lost myself in the wood, " said Aurelia. "I should be muchobliged for a little milk. "

"Well to be sure. Think of that! And have ee been out all night? Yelooks whisht!" said the girl, readily filling a wooden cup she hadbrought with her, for in those days good new milk was a luxury far moreeasily accessible than in ours. She added a piece of barley bread, herown intended breakfast, and was full of respectful wonder, pity, andcuriosity, proposing that young Madam should come and rest in mother'scottage in the wood, and offering to guide her home as soon as the cowswere milked and the pigs fed. Aurelia had some difficulty in shaking heroff, finding also that she had gone round and round in the labyrinthinepaths, and was much nearer the village of Bowstead than she hadintended. 

Indeed, she was obliged to deceive the kindly girl by walking off in thedirection she pointed out, intending to strike afterwards into anotherpath, though where to go she had little idea, so long as it was out ofreach of my Lady and her prison. 

Oh! if Harriet were only at Brentford, or if it were possible to reachthe Lea Farm where she was! Could she ask her way thither, or couldshe find some shelter near or in Brentford till the coach or the waggonstarted? This was the most definite idea her brain, refreshed somewhatby the food, could form; but in the meantime she was again gettingbewildered in the field paths. It was a part she did not know, lyingbetween the backs of the cottages and their gardens, and the woodsbelonging to the great house; and the long sloping meadows, spangledwith cowslips were much alike. The cowslips seemed to strike her witha pang as she recollected her merry day among them last spring, and howlittle she then thought of being a homeless wanderer. At last, scarceknowing where she was, she sat down on the step of a stile leading to alittle farmyard, leant her head on the top bar and wept bitterly. 

Again she startled by hearing a voice saying, "Sister, what is that inthe field?" and starting up, she saw Mrs. Delia in high pattens, and herSunday silk tucked up over her quilted petticoat, with a basket of cornin her hand, surrounded by her poultry, while Mrs. Phoebe was bendingover a coop. She had stumbled unawares on their back premises, and witha wild hope, founded on their well-known enmity to Lady Belamour, shesprang over the stile. Mrs. Delia retreated in haste, but Mrs. Phoebecame to the front. 

"Oh! Mrs. Phoebe, " she cried, "I ask your pardon. "

"Mrs. Belamour! Upon my word! To what are we indebted for this visit?"

"Oh! of your kindness listen to me, madam, " said Aurelia. "My Lady iscome, and there is some dreadful mistake, and she is very angry with me;and if you would only take me in and hide me till the waggon goes and Ican get home!"

"So my Lady has found you out, you artful hussy, " returned Mrs. Phoebe. "I have long guessed at your tricks! I knew it was no blackamoor thatwas stealing into the great house. "

"I do not know what you mean. "

"Oh! it is of no use to try your feigned artlessness on us. I wonder atyour assurance, after playing false with uncle and nephew both at once. "

"If you would but hear me!"

"I have heard enough of you already. I wonder you dare show your faceat a respectable house. Away with you, if you would not have me send theconstable after you!"

The threat renewed Aurelia's terror, and again she fled, but this timeshe fell into a path better known to her, that leading to Sedhurst, andultimately to Brentford. 

The recollection of Dame Wheatfield's genial good nature inspired herwith another hope, and she made her way towards the farm. The churchbells were ringing, and she saw the farmer and his children goingtowards the church, but not the mistress, and she might therefore hopeto find her at home and alone. As she approached, a great dog began aformidable barking, and his voice brought out the good woman in person. "Down, Bouncer! A won't hurt'ee, my lass. What d'ye lack that you bain'tat church?"

"May I speak to you, Mrs. Wheatfield?"

"My stars, if it bain't young Miss--Madam, I mean! Nothing ain't wrongwith the child?"

"O no, she is quite well, but--"

"What, ye be late for church? Come in and sit ye down a bit and supafter your walk. We have been and killed Spotty's calf, though 'twas buta staggering Bob, but us couldn't spare the milk no longer. So we've gotthe l'in on un for dinner, and you're kindly welcome if you ain't tooproud. Only I wish you had brought my little missie. "

"O Mrs. Wheatfield! Shall I ever see the dear little girl again? Oh! canyou help me? Do you know where Lea Farm is? I'd pay anything for a horseand man to take me there, where my sister is staying. "

"Well, I don't know as my master would hire a horse out of a Sunday, unless 'twere very particler--illness or suchlike. Lea Farm did you sayma'am? Is it the Lea out by Windmill hill--Master Brown's; or Lea Farm, down by the river--Tom Smith's?"

"No, this is Mr. Meadows's, a grazier. "

"Never heard tell on him, ma'am, but the master might, when he comesin. But bless me, " she added, after a moment's consideration, "what willyour master say? He'll be asking how it comes that a lady like you, witha coach and horses of her own, should be coming after a horse here. Youain't been and got into trouble with my Lady, my dear?"

"Oh! Dame, indeed I have; pray help me!"

It was no wonder that Mrs. Wheatfield failed to gather more than thatyoung Madam had almost burnt the house, and had fallen under grievousdispleasure, so as even to fear the constable. 

"Bless your poor heart! Think of that now! But I'm afeard we can't donothing for you. My master would be nigh about killing me if I harbouredyou and got him into trouble, with the gentry. "

"If you could only hide me in some loft or barn till I could meet thecoach for Bath! Then I should be almost at home. "

"I dare not. The children are routing about everywhere on a Sundayafternoon; and if so be as there's a warrant out after you" (Aureliashuddered) "my man would be mad with me. He ain't never forgot how hisgrandfather was hanged up there in that very walnut for changing clotheswith a young gentleman in the wars long ago. "

"Then I must go! Oh, what will become of me?"

"Stay a bit! It goes to my heart to turn you from the door, and you sowhite and faint. And they won't be out of church yet a while. You've atenothing all this time! What was you thinking of doing, my dear?"

"I don't know. If I could only find out the right Lea Farm, and geta man and horse to take me there--but my sister goes on Monday, and Imight not find her, and nobody knows where it is. And nobody will takeme in or hide my till the coach goes! Oh, what will become of me?"

"It is bitter hard, " said the Dame. "I wish to my heart I could takeyou in, but you see there's the master! I'll tell you what: there's mycousin, Patty Woodman; she might take you in for a night or two. Butyou'd never find your way to her cot; it lies out beyond the spinneys. I must show you the way. Look you here. Nobody can't touch you in achurch, they hain't got no power there, and if you would slip into thatthere empty place as opens with the little door, as the ringers goes inby, afore morning prayers is over I'll make an excuse to come to eveningprayer alone, or only with little Davy, as is lying asleep there. IfPatty is there I'll speak, and you can go home with her. If not, I muste'en walk with you out to the spinney. Hern is a poor place, but her's agood sort of body, and won't let you come to no harm; and her goes intoBrentford with berries and strawberries to meet the coaches, so may beshe'll know the day. "

"Oh, thank you, thank you, dear Mrs. Wheatfield! If I can only get safehome!"

"Come, don't be in haste. You'll take a bit of bread and cheese, andjust a draught of ale to hearten you up a bit. "

Aurelia was too sick at heart for food, and feared to delay, lest sheshould meet the congregation, but Mrs. Wheatfield forced on her a littlebasket with some provisions, and she gladly accepted another draught ofmilk. 

No one came out by the little door she was told; all she had to do wouldbe to keep out of sight when the ringers came in before the afternoonservice. She knew the way, and was soon close to Mary Sedhurst's grave. "Ah! why was he not constant to her, " she thought; "and oh! why has hedeserted me in my need?"

The little door easily yielded, and she found herself--after passing thestaircase-turret that led by a gallery to the belfry in the centre ofthe church--in an exceedingly dilapidated transept; once, no doubt, ithad been beautiful, before the coloured glass of the floriated windowhad been knocked out and its place supplied with bricks. The brokeneffigy of a crusading Sedhurst, devoid of arms, feet, and nose wasstowed away in the eastern sepulchre, in company with funeral apparatus, torn books, and moth-eaten cushions. But this would not have shocked hereven in calmer moments. She only cared to find a corner where she wasentirely sheltered, between a green stained pier and the high wall andcurtain of a gigantic pew, where no doubt sweet Mary Sedhurst hadonce worshipped. The lusty voices of the village choir in some exaltedgallery beyond her view were shouting out a familiar tune, and with someof Betty's mild superstition about "the singing psalms, " she heard--

 "Since I have placed my trust in God A refuge always nigh, Why should I, like tim'rous bird To distant mountains fly?

 "Behold the wicked bend their bow, And ready fix their dart, Lurking in ambush to destroy The man of upright heart. 

 "When once the firm assurance fails Which public faith imparts, 'Tis time for innocence to flee From such deceitful arts. 

 "The Lord hath both a temple here And righteous throne above, Whence He surveys the sons of men, And how their counsels move. "

Poor timorous bird, whom even the firm assurance of wedded faith hadfailed, what was left to her but to flee from the darts levelled againsther? Yet that last verse brought a sense of protection. Ah! did shedeserve it? A prayerless night and prayerless morning had been hers, andno wonder, since she had never gone to bed nor risen with the ordinaryforms; but it was with a pang that she recollected that the habit ofcalling out in her heart for guidance and help had been slipping fromher for a long time past, and she had never asked for heavenly aid whenher judgment was perplexed by Harriet, no, nor for protection in herflight. 

She resolved to say her morning prayers with full attention so soon asthe church was empty, and meantime to follow the service with all herpowers, though her pulses were still throbbing and her head aching. 

In the far distance she heard the Commandments, and near to her theunseen clerk responding, and then followed a gospel of love and comfort. She could not catch every word, but there was a sense of promised peaceand comfort, which began to soothe the fluttering heart, for the firsttime enjoying a respite from the immediate gripe of deadly terror. 

The sermon chimed in with these feelings, not that she could have anyaccount of it, nor preserved any connected memory, but it was full ofthe words, Faith, Love, Sacrifice, so that they were borne in on her earand thought. Heavenly Love surrounding as with an atmosphere those whohad only faith to "taste and see how gracious the Lord is, " believingthat which cannot be seen, and therefore having it revealed to theirinmost sense, and thus living the only real life. 

This was the chief thought that penetrated to her mind as she crouchedon the straw hassock behind the pew, and shared unseen in the blessingof peace. No one saw her as the hob-nailed shoes trooped out of church, and soon she was entirely alone, kneeling still in her hiding-place, and whispering half-aloud the omitted morning prayer, whose heartfeltsignification had, she felt, been neglected for a long, long time. 

Since when? Ah! ever since those strange mysterious voices and caresseshad come to charm and terrify her, and when her very perplexity shouldhave warned her to cling closer to the aid of her Heavenly Father. Vague yearnings, uplifted feelings, discontents, and little tempers hadusurped the place of higher feelings, and blinded her eyes. And throughit all, her heart began to ache and long for tidings of him on whosepale features she had gazed so long and who had ventured and sufferedso much for her, nay, who had started into a moment's life for herprotection! All the tumult of resentment at the deception practised onher fell on the uncle rather than the nephew; and in spite of this longyear of tender kindness and consideration from the recluse, there was acertain consideration from the recluse, there was a certain leapingof heart at finding herself bound not to him but to the youth whoseendearments returned with a flood of tender remembrance. And she hadfled just as he had claimed her as his wife, had fled just as he hadclaimed her as his wife, unheeding whether he died of the injury she hadcaused him! All that justified her alarm was forgotten, her heartstringshad wound themselves round him, and began to pull her back. 

Then she thought of the danger of directing Lady Belamour's wrath on herfather, and leading to his expulsion and destitution. She had been sentfrom home, and bestowed in marriage to prevent his ruin, and shouldshe now ensure it? Her return to him or even her disappearance wouldno doubt lead to high words from him, and then he would be cast out tobeggary in his old age. No, she could only save him by yielding herselfup, exonerating him from all knowledge of her strange marriage, far moreof the catastrophe, and let my Lady do her worst! She had, as she knew, not been going on well lately, but she had confessed her faults, andrecovered her confidence that her Heavenly Father would guard her aslong as she resolutely did her duty. And her duty, as daughter and awife, if indeed she was one, was surely to return, where her heart wasdrawing her. It might be very terrible, but still it was going nearer to_him_, and it would save her father. 

The door was still open; she wrote a few words of gratitude andexplanation to Dame Wheatfield, on a piece of a torn book, wrapped acouple of guineas in it, and laid it in the basket, then kneeling againto implore protection and safety, and if it might be, forgiveness andreconciliation, she set forth. "Love is strong as death, " said MarySedhurst's tomb. She knew better what that meant than when her childisheyes first fell upon it. A sense of Divine Love was wrapping her roundwith a feeling of support and trust, while the human love drew heronwards to confront all deadly possibilities in the hope of rejoiningher husband, or at least of averting misfortune from her father. 

CHAPTER XXV. VANISHED. 

 Where there is no place For the glow-worm to lie, Where there is no space For receipt of a fly, Where the midge dares not venture Lest herself fast she lay, If Love come, he will enter And find out the way. --OLD SONG. 

Major Delavie and his eldest daughter were sitting down to supper in thetwilight, when a trampling of horses was heard in the lane a carriagewas seen at the gate, and up the pathway came a slender youthful figure, in a scarlet coat, with an arm in a sling. 

"It is!--yes, it is!" exclaimed Betty: "Sir Amyas himself!"

In spite of his lameness, the Major had opened the door before Palmercould reach it; but his greeting and inquiry were cut short by the youngman's breathless question: "Is she here?"

"Who?"

"My wife--my love. Your daughter, sweet Aurelia! Ah! it was my onehope. "

"Come in, come in, sir, " entreated Betty, seeing how fearfully pale hegrew. "What has befallen you, and where is my sister?"

"Would that I knew! I trusted to have found her here; but now, sir, youwill come with me and find her!"

"I do not understand you, sir, " said the Major severely, "nor how youare concerned in the matter. My daughter is the wife of your uncle, Mr. Belamour, and if, as I fear, you bear the marks of a duel in consequenceof any levity towards her, I shall not find it easy to forgive. "

"On my word and honour it is no such thing, " said the youth, raising aface full of frank innocence: "Your daughter is my wife, my most dearand precious wife, with full consent and knowledge of my uncle. I wasmarried to her in his clothes, in the darkened room, our names being thesame!"

"Was this your promise?" Betty exclaimed. 

"Miss Delavie, to the best of my ability I have kept my promise. Yoursister has never seen me, nor to her knowledge spoken with me. "

"These are riddles, young man, " said the Major sternly. "If all be notwell with my innocent child, I shall know how to demand an account. "

"Sir, " said the youth: "I swear to you that she is the same innocentmaiden as when she left you. Oh!" he added with a gesture of earnestentreaty, "blame me as you will, only trace her. "

"Sit down, and let us hear, " said Betty kindly, pushing a chair towardshim and pouring out a glass of wine. He sank into the first, but wavedaside the second, becoming however so pale that the Major sprang to holdthe wine to his lips saying: "Drink, boy, I say!"

"Not unless you forgive me, " he replied in a hoarse, exhausted voice. 

"Forgive! Of course, I forgive, if you have done no wrong by my child. Isee, I see, 'tis not wilfully. You have been hurt in her defence. "

"Not exactly, " he said: "I have much to tell, " but the words cameslowly, and there was a dazed weariness about his eye that made Bettysay, in spite of her anxiety--"You cannot till you have eaten andrested. If only one word to say where she is!"

"Oh! that I could! My hope was to find her here, " and he was choked by agreat strangling sob, which his youthful manhood sought to restrain. 

Betty perceived that he was far from being recovered from the injuryhe had suffered, and did her best to restrain her own and her father'sanxiety till she had persuaded him to swallow some of the excellentcoffee which Nannerl always made at sight of a guest. To her father'squestions meantime, he had answered that he had broken his arm ten daysago, but he could not wait, he had posted down as soon as he could move. 

"You ought to sleep before you tell us farther, " said the Major, speaking from a strong sense of the duties of a host; but he wasrelieved when the youth answered, "You are very good, sir, but I couldnot sleep till you know all. "

"Speak, then, " said the Major, "I cannot look at your honest youngcountenance and think you guilty of more than disobedient folly; but Ifear it may have cost my poor child very dear! Is it your mother thatyou dread?"

"I would be thankful even to know her in my mother's keeping!" he said. 

"Is there no mistake?" said the Major; "my daughter, Mrs. Arden, saw herat Brentford, safe and blooming. "

"Oh, that was before--before--" said Sir Amyas, "the day before she fledfrom my mother at Bowstead, and has been seen no more. "

He put his hand over his face, and bowed it on the table in suchoverpowering grief as checked the exclamations of horror and dismay andthe wrathful demands that were rising to the lips of his auditors, and they only looked at one another in speechless sorrow. Presentlyhe recovered enough to say, "Have patience with me, and I will tryto explain all. My cousin, Miss Delavie, knows that I loved her sweetsister from the moment I saw her, and that I hurried to London in thehope of meeting her at my mother's house. On the contrary, my mother, finding it vain to deny all knowledge of her, led me to believe that shewas boarded at a young ladies' school with my little sisters. I livedon the vain hope of the holidays, and meantime every effort was made todrive me into a marriage which my very soul abhorred, the contractbeing absolutely made by the two ladies, the mothers, without myparticipation, nay, against my protest. I was to be cajoled or elsepersecuted into it--sold, in fact, that my mother's debts might be paidbefore her husband's return! I knew my Uncle Belamour was my sole truepersonal guardian, though he had never acted further than by affixinghis signature when needed. I ought to have gone long before to see him, but as I now understand, obstacles had been purposely placed in my way, while my neglectful reluctance was encouraged. It was in the forlornhope of finding in him a resource that took me to Bowstead at last, andthen it was that I learnt how far my mother could carry deception. ThereI found my sisters, and learnt that my own sweetest life had been placedthere likewise. She was that afternoon visiting some old ladies, but myuncle represented that my meeting her could only cause her troubleand lead to her being removed. I was forced then to yield, having anengagement in London that it would have been fatal to break, but I cameagain at dark, and having sworn me to silence, he was forced to letme take advantage of the darkness of his chamber to listen to herenchanting voice. He promised to help me, as far as he had the power, in resisting the hateful Aresfield engagement, and he obtained theassistance of an old friend in making himself acquainted with the termsof his guardianship, and likewise of a letter my father had left forhim. He has given me leave to show a part of it to you, sir, " he added, "you will see that my father expressed a strong opinion that you werewronged in the matter of the estates, and declared that he had hoped tomake some compensation by a contract between one of your daughters andmy brother who died. He charged my uncle if possible to endeavour tobring about such a match between one of your children and myself. Thus, you see, I was acting in the strictest obedience. You shall see theletter at once, if I may bid my fellow Gray bring my pocket-book from myvalise. "

"I doubt not of your words, my young friend; your father was a gentlemanof a high and scrupulous honour. But why all this hide-and-seek work?--Ihate holes and corners!"

"You will see how we were driven, sir. My mother came in her turn tosee my uncle, and obtain his sanction to her cherished plan, and when heabsolutely refused, on account of Lady Aresfield's notorious character, if for no other, she made him understand that nothing would be easierthan to get him declared a lunatic and thus to dispense with hisconsent. Then, finding how the sweet society of your dear daughter hadrestored him to new life and spirit, she devised the notable expedientof removing what she suspected to be the chief cause of my contumacy, by marrying the poor child to him. He scouted the idea as a preposterousand cruel sacrifice, but it presently appeared that Colonel Marwas ready to find her a debauched old lieutenant who would gladlymarry--what do I say?--it profanes the word--but accept the young ladyfor a couple of hundred pounds. Then did I implore my uncle to seem toyield, and permit me to personate him at the ceremony. Our names beingthe same, and all being done in private and in the dark, the wholewas quite possible, and it seemed the only means of saving her from aterrible fate. "

"He might--or you might, have remembered that she had a father!" saidthe Major. 

"True. But you were at a distance, and my mother's displeasure againstyou was to be deprecated. "

"I had rather she had been offended fifty times than have had suchpractices with my poor little girl!" said Major Delavie. "No wonder theproposals struck me as strange and ambiguous. Whose writing was it?"

"Mine, at his dictation, " said the youth. "He was unwilling, butmy importunity was backed by my mother's threats, conveyed throughHargrave, that unless Aurelia became his wife she should be disposed ofotherwise, and that his sanity might be inquired into. Hargrave, whois much attached to my uncle, and is in great awe of my Lady, wasthoroughly frightened, and implored him to secure himself and the younglady by consenting, thinking, too, that anything that would rouse himwould be beneficial. "

"It is strange!" mused the Major. "A clear-headed punctilious manlike your uncle, to lend himself to a false marriage! His ten years ofmelancholy must have changed him greatly!"

"Less than you suppose, sir; but you will remember that my mother isesteemed as a terrible power by all concerned with her. Even when sheseemed to love me tenderly, I was made to know what it was to cross herwill, and alas! she always carries her point. "

"It did seem a mode of protection, " said Betty, more kindly. 

"And" added the youth, "my uncle impressed on me from the first thathe only consented on condition the I treated this wedlock as betrothalalone, never met my sweet love save in his dark room, and never revealedmyself to her. He said it was a mere expedient for guarding her untilI shall come of age, or Mr. Wayland comes home, when I shall woo heropenly, and if needful, repeat the ceremony with her full knowledge. Meanwhile I wrote the whole to my stepfather, and am amazed that he hasnever written nor come home. "

"That is the only rational thing I have heard, " said the Major. "Though--did your uncle expect your young blood to keep the terms?"

"Indeed, sir, I was frightened enough the first evening that I venturedon any advances, for they startled her enough to make her swoon away. I carried her from her room, and my uncle dragged me back before thecolour came back to that lovely face so that the women might come toher. That was the only time I ever saw her save through the chinks ofthe shutters. Judge of the distraction I lived in!"

Betty looked shocked, but her father chuckled a little, though hemaintained his tone of censure "And may I inquire how often thesedistracting interviews took place?"

"Cruelly seldom for one to whom they were life itself! Mar is, as youknow, colonel of my corps, and my liberty has been restrained as muchas possible; I believe I have been oftener on guard and on court-martialthan any officer of my standing in the service; but about once in afortnight I could contrive to ride down to a little wayside inn where Ikept a fresh horse, also a livery coat and hat. I tied up my horse ina barn on the borders of the park, and put on a black vizard, so asto pass for my uncle's negro in the dark. I could get admittance to myuncle's rooms unknown to any servant save faithful Jumbo--who has beenthe sole depository of our secret. However, since my mother's returnfrom Bath, where the compact with Lady Aresfield was fully determined, the persecution has been fiercer. I may have aroused suspicion byfailing to act my part when she triumphantly announced my uncle'smarriage to me, or else by my unabated resistance to the littletermagant who is to be forced on me. At any rate, I have been sointolerably watched whenever I was not on duty, that my hours ofbliss became rarer than ever. Well, sir, my uncle charges me withindiscretion, and says my ardour aroused unreasonable suspicions. Hewas constantly anxious, and would baulk me in my happiest and mosttantalising moments by making some excuse for breaking up the evening, and then would drive me frantic by asking whether he was to keep up mycharacter for consistency in my absence. However, ten days since, thetwelfth of May, after three weeks' unendurable detention in town on onepretext or another, I escaped, and made my way to Bowstead at last. Myuncle told me that he had been obliged unwillingly to consent to ourprecious charge going to meet her sister at Brentford, and that she wasbut newly come home. Presently she entered, but scarcely had I accostedher before a blaze broke out close to us. The flame caught the dry oldcurtains, they flamed up like tinder, and as I leaped up on a table totear them down, it gave way with me, I got a blow on the head, and knewno more. It seems that my uncle, as soon as the fire was out, findingthat my arm was broken, set out to send the groom for the doctor--hebeing used to range the park at night. The stupid fellow, cominghome half tipsy from the village, saw his white hair and beard in themoonlight, took him for a ghost, and ran off headlong. Thereupon myuncle, with new energy in the time of need, saddled the horse, changedhis dressing-gown with the groom's coat, and rode off to Brentford. Then, finding that Dr. Hunter was not within, he actually went on toLondon, where Dr. Sandys, who had attended him ever since his would, forced him to go to bed, and to remain there till his own return. Thusmy darling had no one to protect her, when, an hour or so after theaccident, my mother suddenly appeared. Spies had been set on me by Mar, and so soon as they had brought intelligence of my movements she hadhurried off from Ranelagh, in full dress, just as she was, to track andsurprise me. My uncle, having gone by the bridle path, had not mether, and I was only beginning to return to my senses. I have a dimrecollection of hearing my mother threatening and accusing Aurelia, andstriving to interfere, but I was as one bound down, and all after thatis blank to me. When my understanding again became clear, I could onlylearn that my mother had locked her into her own room, whence she hadescaped, and"--with a groan--"nothing has been heard of her since!"Again he dropped his head on his hand as one in utter dejection. 

"Fled! What has been done to trace her?" cried the Major. 

"Nothing could be done till my mother was gone and my uncle returned. The delirium was on me, and whatever I tried to say turned to raving, all the worse if I saw or heard my mother, till Dr. Sandys forbadeher coming near me. She was invited to the Queen's Sunday card partymoreover, so she fortunately quitted Bowstead just before Mr. Belamour'sreturn. "

"Poor gentleman, he could do nothing, " said Betty. 

"Indeed I should have thought so, but it seems that he only neededa shock to rouse him. His state had become hypochondriacal, and thisstrong emotion has caused him to exert himself; and when he came intothe daylight, he found he could bear it. I could scarce believe my eyeswhen, on awakening from a sleep, I found him by my bedside, promisingme that if I would only remain still, he would use every endeavour torecover the dear one. He went first to Brentford, thinking she mighthave joined her sister there, but Mr. And Mrs. Arden had left it at thesame time as she did. Then he travelled on to their Rectory at RundellCanonicorum, thinking she might have followed them, but they had onlyjust arrived, and had heard nothing of her; and he next sought her withhis friend the Canon of Windsor, but all in vain. Meantime my motherhad visited me, and denied all knowledge of her, only carrying away mylittle sisters, I believe because she found them on either side of mybed, telling me tales of their dear Cousin Aura's kindness. When myuncle returned to Bowstead I could bear inaction no longer, and profitedby my sick leave to travel down hither, trusting that she might havefound her way to her home, and longing to confess all and implore yourpardon, sir, --and, alas! Your aid in seeking her. "

With the large tears in his eyes, the youth rose from his chair as hespoke, and knelt on one knee before the Major, who exclaimed, extremelyaffected--"By all that is sacred, you have it, my dear boy. It is awretched affair, but you meant to act honourably throughout, and youhave suffered heavily. May God bless you both, and give us back my dearchild. My Lady must have been very hard with her, to make her thus fly, all alone. "

"You do not know, I suppose, any cause for so timid a creaturepreferring flight to a little restraint?"

"It seems, " said Sir Amyas sadly, "that something the dear girl saidgave colour to the charge of having caused the fire, and that my motherin her first passion threatened her with the constable!"

"My poor Aurelia! that might well scare her, " cried Betty: "but howcould it be?"

"They say she spoke of using something her sister had given her todiscover what the mystery was that alarmed her. "

"Ah! that gunpowder trick of Mr. Arden's--I always hated it!" exclaimedBetty. 

"Gunpowder indeed!" growled the old soldier. "Well, if ever there'smischief among the children, Harriet is always at the bottom of it. Ihope Mr. Belamour made her confess if she had a hand in it. "

"I believe he did, " said Sir Amyas. 

"Just like her to set the match to the train and then run away, " saidthe Major. 

"Still, sir, " said Betty, her womanhood roused to defence, "though I amangered and grieved enough that Harriet should have left Aurelia to facethe consequences of the act she instigated, I must confess that even bySir Amyas's own showing, if he will allow me to say so, my sisters werejustified in wishing to understand the truth. "

"That is what my uncle tells me, " said the baronet. "He declares thatif I had attended to his stipulations, restrained my fervour, or kept mydistance, there would have been neither suspicion nor alarm. As if I hadnot restrained myself!"

"Ay, I dare say, " said the Major, a little amused. 

"Well, sir, what could a man do with most bewitching creature in theworld, his own wife, too, on the next chair to him?"

There was a simplicity about the stripling--for he was hardlymore--which forced them to forgive him; besides, they were touched byhis paleness and fatigue. His own man--a respectable elderly servantwhom the Major recollected waiting on Sir Jovian--came to beg that hishonour would sit up no longer, as he had been travelling since six inthe morning, and was quite worn out. Indeed, so it proved; for when theMajor and Betty not only promised to come with him on the search thenext day, but bade him a kind affectionate good-night, the poor lad, all unused to kindness, fairly burst into tears, which all his dawningmanhood could not restrain. 

CHAPTER XXVI. THE TRACES. 

 Oh, if I were an eagle to soar into the sky, I'd gaze around with piercing eye when I my love might spy. 

The second-best coach, which resided at Bowstead, the same which hadcarried Aurelia off from Knightsbridge, had brought Sir Amyas Belamourto Carminster--an effeminate proceeding of which he was rather ashamed, though clearly he could not have ridden, and he had hoped to havebrought his bride back in it. 

There was plenty of room in it to take back the Major, Betty, and evenEugene, since he could not well have been left without his sister orPalmer, who was indispensable to the Major. He was so enchanted at"riding in a coach, " and going perhaps to see London, that he did nottrouble himself much about sister Aurelia being lost, and was in suchhigh spirits as to be best disposed of outside, between Palmer and Gray, where he could at his ease contemplate the horses, generally four innumber, though at some stages only two could be procured, and then at anextra steep hill a farmer's horse from the hayfield would be hitched onin front. Luckily there was no lack of money; Mr. Belamour and Hargravehad taken care that Sir Amyas should be amply supplied, and thus thejourney was as rapid as posting could be in those days of insufficientinns, worse roads, and necessary precautions against highwaymen. 

The road was not the same as that which the young baronet had come downby, as it was thought better to take the chance of meeting a differentstage waggon, Sir Amyas and his servant having, of course, examined theone they had overtaken in coming down. At every possible resting placeon the route was inquiry made, but all in vain; no one had seen such ayoung gentlewoman as was described, or if some answer inspired hope fora moment, it was dashed again at once. The young gentlewoman once turnedout to be the Squire's fat lady, and another time was actually pursuedinto a troop of strolling players, attiring themselves in a barn, whenceshe came with cheeks freshly rouged with blood taken from a cat's tail. 

The young baronet had meanwhile become very dear to the Major and hisdaughter. He had inherited his mother's indescribable attractiveness, and he was so frank, so affectionate, so unspoilt, so grateful for thelittle attentions demanded by his maimed condition, so considerate ofthe Major, and so regardless of himself, and, above all, so passionatelydevoted to his dearest life, as he called Aurelia, that it wasimpossible not to take him into their hearts, and let him be, as heentreated, a son and a brother. 

The travellers decided on first repairing to Bowstead, thinking itprobable that the truant might have returned thither, or that Mr. Belamour might have found her in some one of the cottages around. Hopesbegan to rise, and Major Delavie scolded Sir Amyas in quite a paternalmanner whenever he began to despond, though the parts were reversedwhenever the young people's expectations began to soar beyond his ownspirits at the moment. 

"Is yonder Hargrave? No, it is almost like my father!" exclaimed SirAmyas, in amazement, as the coach lumbered slowly up the approach, anda very remarkable figure was before them. The long white beard was gone, the hair was brushed back, tied up, and the ends disposed of in a squareblack silk bag, hanging down behind; and the dark grey coat, with collarand deep cuffs of black velvet, was such as would be the ordinary wearof an elderly man of good position; but the face, a fine aquiline one, as to feature, was of perfectly absolute whiteness, scarcely relieved bythe thin pale lips, or the eyes, which, naturally of a light-grey, hadbecome almost as colourless as the rest of the face, and Betty felt ashock as if she had seen a marble statue clothed and animated, bowingand speaking. 

The anxious inquiry and the mournful negative had been mutuallyexchanged before the carriage door was opened, and all were standingtogether in the avenue. 

"I have, however, found a clue, or what may so prove, " said Mr. Belamour, when the greetings had passed. "I have discovered how ourfugitive passed the early part of the Sunday;" and he related how he hadelicited from the Mistresses Treforth that they had seen her and drivenher away with contumely. 

Sir Amyas and the Major were not sparing of interjections, and theformer hoped that his uncle had told them what they deserved. 

"Thereby only incurring the more compassion, " said Mr. Belamour, dryly, and going on to say that he had extended his inquires to Sedhurst, andhad heard of her visit to Dame Wheatfield; also, that the good woman, going to seek her at the church, had found only the basket with theguineas in the paper. She had regarded this merely as a wrapper, and, being unable to read, had never noticed the writing, but shehad fortunately preserved it, and Mr. Belamour thus learnt Aurelia'sintention of throwing herself on Lady Belamour's mercy. 

"My mother utterly denied all knowledge of her, when I cried out inanguish when she came to see me!" said Sir Amyas. 

"So she does to Hargrave, whom she sent off to interrogate Mrs. Arden, "said Mr. Belamour. 

"Have you any reason to think the child could have reached my Lady?"inquired Betty, seeing that none of the gentlemen regarded my Lady'sdenials as making any difference to their belief, though not one of themchose to say so. 

"Merely negative evidence, " said Mr. Belamour. "I find that no onein the house actually beheld the departure of my Lady on that Sundayafternoon. The little girls had been found troublesome, and sent outinto the park with Molly, and my nephew was giving full employment toJumbo and Mrs. Aylward in my room. The groom, who was at the horses'heads, once averred that he saw two women get into the carriagebesides her ladyship; but he is such a sodden confused fellow, and socontradicts himself, that I can make nothing of him. "

"He would surely know his young mistress, " said Sir Amyas. 

"Perhaps not in the camlet hood, which Dame Wheatfield says she wore. "

"Was good old Dove acting as coachman?" said Betty. "We should learnsomething from him. "

"It was not her own coach, " said Mr. Belamour. "All the servants werestrangers, the liveries sanguine, and the panels painted with helmetsand trophies. "

"Mar's, " said Sir Amyas, low and bitterly. 

"I guessed as much, " said his uncle. "It was probably chosen on purpose, if the child has friends in your own household. "

"Then I must demand her, " said the Major. "She cannot be denied to herfather. "

"At any rate we must go to town to-morrow, " said Mr. Belamour. "We havedone all we can here. "

"Let us send for horses and go on at once, " cried Sir Amyas. 

"Not so fast, nephew. I see, by her face, that Miss Delavie does notapprove, though our side of the town is safer than Hounslow. "

"I was not thinking of highwaymen, sir, but we set forth at five thismorning, and Sir Amyas always becomes flushed and feverish if he is overfatigued; nor is my father so strong as he was. "

"Ah, ha! young sir, in adopting Betty for a sister you find you haveadopted a quartermaster-general, eh?" said the Major; "but she is quiteright. We should not get to town before ten or eleven at night, and whatgood would that do? No, no, let us sup and have a good night's rest, andwe will drive into town long enough before fine ladies are astir in themorning, whatever may be the fashionable hour nowadays. "

"Yes, nephew, you must content yourself with acting host to your fatherand sister-in-law in your own house, " said his uncle. 

"It seems to me more like yours, sir, " rejoined the youth; but at thehall door, with all his native grace, he turned and gave his welcome, kissing Betty on the cheek with the grave ceremony of the host, andlamenting, poor fellow, that he stood alone without his bride to receivethem. 

"Is that Jumbo?" asked Betty. "I must thank him for all his kind serviceto my dear sister. "

Faithful Jumbo fairly wept when--infinite condescension for thosedays--Major Delavie shook hands with him and thanked him. 

"If pretty Missie Madam were but safe and well, Jumbo would wish nomore, " he sobbed out. 

"Poor Jumbo, " said Mr. Belamour, "he has never been the same man sincepretty Missie Madam has been lost. I hear his violin mourning for hertill it is enough to break one's heart!"

However Eugene created a diversion by curious inquiries whether Jumbowould indeed play the fiddle of which he had heard from Archer andAmoret, and he ran off most eagerly after the negro to be introduced tothe various curiosities of the place. 

Mrs. Aylward attended Miss Delavie to her room, and showed herself muchsoftened. As a good, conscientious woman, she felt that she had acteda selfish part towards the lonely maiden, and Betty's confident beliefthat she had been a kind friend was a keen reproach. 

"Indeed, madam, " she said, "I would lief you could truly call me such, but when young Miss came here first I took her for one of that flightysort that it is wise not to meddle with more than needful. I havekept my place here these thirty years by never making or meddling, andknowing nothing about what don't concern me, and is out of my province. Now, I wish I had let the poor young lady be more friendly with me, formaybe I could have been of use to her in her need. 

"You had no suspicion?"

"No, ma'am; though I find there were those who suspected some onecame up here disguised as Jumbo; but I was never one to lend an ear togossip, and by that time I trusted the dear young lady altogether, andknew she would never knowingly do aught that was unbecoming her station, or her religion. "

"I am glad the dear child won your good opinion, " said Betty. 

"Indeed, ma'am, that you may say, " returned Mrs. Aylward, whom anxietyhad made confidential; "for I own I was prejudiced against her from thefirst, as, if you'll excuse me, ma'am, all we Bowstead people are aptto be set against whatever comes from my Lady's side. However, one musthave been made of the nether millstone not to feel the difference shemade in the house. She was the very life of it with her pretty ways, singing and playing with the children, and rousing up the poor gentlemantoo that had lived just like a mere heathen in a dungeon, and wouldn'tso much as hear a godly word in his despair. And now he has a ministeronce a fortnight to read prayers, and is quite another man--all throughthat blessed young lady, who has brought him back to light and life. "And as Betty's tears flowed at this testimony to her sister, thehousekeeper added, "Never you fear, ma'am; she is one of God's innocentsand His Hand will be over her. "

Meantime, having dismissed the young lover to take, if he could, amuch needed night's rest, the Major was listening to Mr. Belamour'sconfession. "I was the most to blame, in as much as an old fool is worsethan a young one; and I would that the penalty fell on me alone. "

"If she be in my cousin's hands I cannot believe that she will permitany harm to befall her, " said the good Major, still clinging to hisfaith in Urania--the child he had taught to ride, and with whom he haddanced her first minuet. 

"What I dread most is her being forced into some low marriage, " said Mr. Belamour. "The poor child's faith in the ceremony that passed must havebeen overthrown, and who can tell what she may be induced to accept?"

"It was that threat which moved you?" said the Major. 

"Yes. Hargrave assured me that my Lady had actually offered her to him, with a bribe of a farm on easy terms; and when she found that he hadother intentions, there seemed to be some broken-down sycophant of Mar'supon the cards, but of course I was preferable, both because my fairsister-in-law has some lingering respect for the honour of her ownblood, and because the bar between Aurelia and my nephew would beperpetual. I knew likewise that it was my brother's earnest desire thata match should take place between your children and his. 

"He did me too much honour. The lad showed me the extract from hisletter. "

"I could not give him the whole. It was fit for no eyes but mine, whohad so long neglected it, and barely understood that it existed. My poorbrother's eyes were fully opened to his wife's character, and even whilehe loved her to distraction, and yielded to her fascinating masteryagainst his better judgment, he left me the charge of trying in somedegree to repair the injustice he believed you to be suffering, and ofcounteracting evil influences on her son. "

"That seems at least to have been done. "

"By no efforts of mine; but because the boy was happily permitted toremain with the worthy tutor his father had chosen for him, and becauseWayland is an excellent man, wise and prudent in all things save inbeing bewitched by a fair face. Would that he were returned! When Ifirst consented to act this fool's part, I trusted that he would havebeen at home soon enough to prevent more than the nominal engagement, and when my Lady's threats rendered it needful to secure the poor childby giving her my name, I still expected him before my young gentlemanshould utterly betray himself by his warmth. "

"He tells me that he has written. "

"True. On that I insisted, and I am the more uneasy, for there has beenample time for a reply. It is only too likely, from what my nephew tellsme of his venturesome explorations, that he may have fallen into thehands of the Moorish corsairs! Hargrave says it is rumoured; but my Ladywill not be checked in her career of pleasure, and if she is fearful ofhis return, she may precipitate matters with the poor girl!"

"Come, come, sir, I cannot have you give way to despondency. Youdid your best, and if it did not succeed, it was owing to my foolishdaughter Arden. Why, if she was not satisfied about her sister, couldshe not have come here, and demanded an explanation? That would havebeen the straightforward way!"

"Would that she had! Or would that I had sooner discovered my own entirerecovery, which I owe in very truth to the sweet being who has broughtnew life alike of body and mind to me, and who must think I haverequited her so cruelly. "

CHAPTER XXVII. CYTHEREA'S BOWER. 

 There Citherea, goddesse was and quene, Honourid highly for her majeste, And eke her sonne, the mighty god I weene, Cupid the blinde, that for his dignite A M lovers worshipp on ther kne. There was I bid on pain of dethe to pere, By Mercury, the winged messengre. --CHAUCER. 

By twelve o'clock on the ensuing day Mr. Belamour, with Eugene andJumbo, was set down at a hotel near Whitehall, to secure apartments, while the Major went on to demand his daughter from Lady Belamour, taking with him Betty, whom he allowed to be a much better match for myLady than he could be. Very little faith in his cousin Urania remainedto him in the abstract, yet even now he could not be sure that she wouldnot talk him over and hoodwink him in any actual encounter. Sir Amyaslikewise accompanied him, both to gratify his own anxiety and to secureadmission. The young man still looked pale and worn with restlessanxiety; but he had, in spite of remonstrances, that morning discardedhis sling, saying that he should return to his quarters. Let his Coloneldo his worst then; he had still more liberty than if compelled to returnto his mother's house. 

Lady Belamour had, on her second marriage, forsaken her own oldhereditary mansion in the Strand, where Sir Jovian had died, and which, she said, gave her the vapours. Mr. Wayland, whose wealth far exceededher own, had purchased one of the new houses in Hanover Square, thefashionable quarter and very much admired; but the Major regretted thegloomy dignity of the separate enclosure and walled court of DelavieHouse, whereas the new one, in modern fashion, had only an area andsteps between the front and the pavement. 

The hall door stood wide open, with a stately porter within, and lackeysplanted about at intervals. Grey descended from the box, and after someinquiry, brought word that "her Ladyship was at breakfast, " then, at asign from his master, opened the carriage door. Sir Amyas, takingBetty by the tips of her fingers, led her forward, receiving by the waygreetings and inquiries from the servants, whose countenances showed himto be a welcome arrival. 

"Is it a reception day, Maine?" he asked of a kind of major-domo whom hemet on the top of the broad stairs. 

"No, your honour. "

"Is company with her ladyship?"

"No, not company, sir, " with a certain hesitation, which damped Betty'ssatisfaction in the first assurance. 

What did she see as Maine opened the door? It was a very spaciousbedroom, the bed in an alcove hung with rose-coloured satin embroideredwith myrtles and white roses, looped up with lace and muslin. Likedraperies hung round the window, fluted silk lined the room, andbeautiful japanned and inlaid cabinets and _etageres_ adorned the walls, bearing all varieties and devices of new and old porcelain from Chins, Sevres, Dresden, or Worcester, tokens of Mr. Wayland's travels. Therewas a toilette table before one window covered with lacquer ware, silverand ivory boxes, and other apparatus, and an exquisite Venetian mirrorwith the borders of frosted silver work. 

Not far off, but sideways to it, sat Lady Belamour in a loose sacqueof some rich striped silk, in crimson and blue stripes shot with goldthreads. Slippers, embroidered with gold, showed off her dainty feet, and a French hairdresser stood behind her chair putting the finishingtouches to the imposing fabric of powder, flower, and feather upon herhead. A little hand-mirror, framed in carved ivory inlaid with coral, and a fan, lay on a tiny spindle-legged table close in front of her, together with a buff-coloured cup of chocolate. At a somewhat largertable Mrs. Loveday, her woman, was dispensing the chocolate, whilst alittle negro boy, in a fantastic Oriental costume, waited to carry thecups about. 

On a sofa near at hand, in an easy attitude, reclined Colonel Mar, holding out to Lady Belamour a snuff-box of tortoiseshell and gold, and a lady sat near on one of the tall black-and-gold chairs drinkingchocolate, while all were giving their opinions on the laces, feathers, ribbons, and trinkets which another Frenchman was displaying from abasket-box placed on the floor, trying to keep aloof a little Malteselion-dog, which had been roused from its cushion, and had come toinspect his wares. A little further off, Archer, in a blue velvet coat, white satin waistcoat, and breeches and silk stockings, and Amoret, white-frocked, blue-sashed, and bare-headed (an innovation of fashion), were admiring the nodding mandarins, grinning nondescript monsters, and green lions of extraordinary form which an emissary from acuriosity-shop was unpacking. Near the door, in an attitude wearyyet obsequious, stood, paper in hand, a dejected figure in shabbyplum-colour--_i. E. _ a poor author--waiting in hopes that his sonnet inpraise of Cytherea's triumphant charms would win his the guinea he sosorely needed, as

 To quench the blushes of ingenuous shame, And heap the shrine of luxury and pride With incense kindled at the Muses' flame. 

The scene was completed by a blue and yellow macaw at one window chainedto his perch, and a green monkey tethered in like manner at the other. 

Of course Elizabeth Delavie did not perceive all these details at once. Her first sensation was the shock to the decorum of a modest Englishlady at intruding into a bed-room; but her foreign recollections comingto her aid, she accepted the fashion with one momentary feminine reviewof her own appearance, and relief that she had changed her travellinggear for her Sunday silks, and made her father put on his full uniform. All this passed while Sir Amyas was leading her into the room, steeringher carefully out of the monkey's reach. Then he went a step or twoforward and bent before his mother, almost touching the ground with oneknee, as he kissed her hand, and rising, acknowledged the lady with acircular sweep of his hat, and his Colonel with a military salute, allrapidly, but with perfect ease and gracefulness. "Ah! my truant, myrunaway invalid!" said Lady Belamour, "you are come to surrender. "

"I am come, " he said gravely, holding out his stronger hand to hislittle brother and sister, who sprang to him, "to bring my father-andsister-in-law, Major and Miss Delavie. "

"Ah! my good cousin, my excellent Mrs. Betty, excuse me that my tyrant_friseur_ prevents my rising to welcome you. It is so good and friendlyin you to come in this informal way to cheer me under this terribleanxiety. Let me present you to my kind friend, the Countess ofAresfield, who has been so good as to come in to-day to sustainmy spirits. Colonel Mar you know already. Pray be seated. Amyas--Archer--chairs. Let Syphax give you a cup of chocolate. "

"Madam, " said the Major, disregarding all this and standing as if onparade, "can I see you alone? My business is urgent. "

"No evil news, I trust! I have undergone such frightful shocks of late, my constitution is well nigh ruined. "

"It is I that have to ask news of you madam. "

She saw that, if she trifled with him, something would break out thatshe would not wish to have said publicly. "My time is so little my own, "she said, "I am under command to be at the Palace by two o'clock, but ina few minutes I shall be able to dismiss my tormentor, and then, tillmy woman comes to dress me, I shall be at your service. Sit down, Ientreat, and take some chocolate. I know Mrs. Betty is an excellenthousekeeper, and I want her opinion. My dear Lady Aresfield, suffer meto introduce my estimable cousin, Mrs. Betty Delavie. "

The Countess looking in her feathers and powder like a beetroot in whitesauce, favoured Betty with a broad stare. Vulgarity was very vulgar inthose days, especially when it had purchased rank, and thought mannersmight be dispensed with. Betty sat down, and Amoret climbed on her lap, while a diversion was made by Archer's imperious entreaty that his mammawould purchase a mandarin who not only nodded, but waved his hands andprotruded his tongue. 

Then ensued what seemed, to the sickening suspense of the two Delavies, a senseless Babel of tongues on all sides; but it ended in the _friseur_putting up his implements, the trades-folk leaving the selected goodsunpaid for, and the poor poet bowing himself within reach of the monkey, who made a clutch at his MS. , chattered over it, and tore it intofragments. There was a peal of mirth--loudest from Lady Aresfield--butSir Amyas sprang forward with gentlemanly regrets, apologies, andexcuses, finally opening the door and following the poor man out of theroom to administer the guinea from his own pocket, while Colonel Marexclaimed, "Here, Archer, boy, run after him with this. The poor devilhas won it by producing a smile from those divine lips--such as hisjungle might never have done---"

"Fie! fie! Mar, " said the Lady, shaking her fan at him, "the child willrepeat it to him. "

"The better sport if he do, " said Colonel Mar, carelessly; "he may termhimself a very Orpheus charming the beasts, so that they snatch hispoems from him!"

Then, as Sir Amyas returned, Lady Belamour entreated her dear Countessto allow him to conduct her to the withdrawing room, and there endeavourto entertain her. The Colonel could not but follow, and the Major andBetty found themselves at length alone with her Ladyship. 

"I trust you have come to relieve my mind as to our poor runaway, " shebegan. 

"Would to Heaven I could!" said the Major. 

"Good Heavens! Then she has never reached you!"

"Certainly not. 

"Nor her sister? Oh, surely she is with her sister!"

"No, madam, her sisters knows nothing of her. Cousin, you have childrenof your own! I entreat of you to tell me what you have done with her. "

"How should I have done anything with her? I who have been feeding allthis time on the assurance that she had returned to you. "

"How could a child like her do so?"

"We know she had money, " said Lady Belamour. 

"And we know, " said Betty, fixing her eyes on the lady, "that though sheescaped, on the first alarm, as far as Sedhurst, and was there seen, she had decided on returning to Bowstead and giving herself up to youLadyship. "

"Indeed? At what time was that?" exclaimed my Lady. 

"Some time in the afternoon of Sunday!"

"Ah! then I must have left Bowstead. I was pledged to her Majesty'scard-table, and royal commands cannot be disregarded, so I had togo away in grievous anxiety for my poor boy. She meant to return toBowstead, did she? Ah. Does not an idea strike you that old AmyasBelamour may know more than he confesses! He has been playing a doublegame throughout. "

"He is as anxious to find the dear girl as we are madam. "

"So he may seem to you and to my poor infatuated boy, but you see thosecrazed persons are full of strange devices and secrets, as indeed wehave already experienced. I see what you would say; he may appear saneand plausible enough to a stranger, but to those who have known himever since his misfortunes, the truth is but too plain. He was harmlessenough as long as he was content to remain secluded in his dark chamber, but now that I hear he has broken loose, Heaven knows what mischief hemay do. My dear cousin Delavie, you are the prop left to me in thesetroubles, with my poor good man in the hands of those cruel pirates, who may be making him work in chains for all I know, " and the tears cameinto her beautiful eyes. 

"They will not do that, " said Major Delavie, eager to reassure her; "Ihave heard enough of their tricks to know that they keep such game as hemost carefully till they can get a ransom. "

"Your are sure of that!"

"Perfectly. I met an Italian fellow at Vienna who told me how it was allmanaged by the Genoese bankers. "

"Ah! I was just thinking that you would be the only person who could beof use--you who know foreign languages and all their ways. If you couldgo abroad, and arrange it for me!"

"If my daughter were restored---" began the Major. 

"I see what you would say, and I am convinced that the first steptowards the discovery would be to put Mr. Belamour under restraint, andseparate his black from him. Then one or other of them would speak, andwe might know how she has been played upon. "

"What does your Ladyship suppose then?" asked the Major. 

"This is what I imagine. The poor silly maid repents herself and comesback in search of me. Would that she had found me, her best friend! Butinstead of that, she falls in with old Belamour, and he, having by thistime perceived the danger of the perilous masquerade in which he hadinvolved my unlucky boy, a minor, has mewed her up somewhere, till thecry should be over. "

"That would be the part of a villain, but scarcely of a madman, " saidBetty dryly. 

"My dear cousin Betty, there are lunatics endowed with a marvellousshrewdness to commit senseless villanies, and to put on a speciousseeming. Depend upon it, my unfortunate brother-in-law's wanderings atnight were not solely spent in communings with the trees and brooks. Whoknows what might be discovered if he were under proper restraint? And itis to you, the only relation I have, that I must turn for assistance inmy most unhappy circumstances, " she added, wit a glance so full of sweethelplessness that no man could withstand it. "I am so glad you are here. You will be acting for me as well as for yourself in endeavouring tofind your poor lovely child, and the first thing I would have done wouldbe to separate Belamour and his black, put them under restraint, andinterrogate them separately. You could easily get an order from amagistrate. But ah, here comes my woman. No more now. You will come tome this evening, and we can talk further on this matter. I shall havesome company, and it will not be a regular rout, only a few card-tables, and a little dancing for the young people. "

"Your ladyship must excuse me, " said Betty, "I have no dress to appearin, even if I had spirits for the company. "

"Ah! my dear cousin, how do you think it is with my spirits? Yet I thinkit my duty not to allow myself to be moped, but to exert myself for theinterest of my son. While as to dress, my woman can direct you to themilliner who would equip you in the last mode. What, still obstinate?Nay, then, Harry, I can take no excuse from you, and I may have beenable to collect some intelligence from the servants. "

Nothing remained but to take leave and walk home, the Major observing--

"Well, what think you of that, Betty?"

"Think, sir?--I think it is not for my lady to talk of villains. "

"She is in absolute error respecting Belamour; but then she has not seenhim since his recovery. Women are prone to those fancies, and in herunprotected state, poor thing, no wonder she takes alarms. "

"I should have thought her rather over-protected. "

"Now, Betty, you need not take a leaf out of Mrs. Duckworth's book, andbegin to be censorious. You saw how relieved she was to have me, her ownblood relation, to turn to, instead of that empty braggart of a fellow. Besides, a man does not bring his step-mother when there's anythingamiss. "

There was something in this argument, and Betty held her peace, knowingthat to censure my Lady only incited her father to defend her. 

For her own part her consternation was great, and she walked on insilence, only speaking again to acquiesce in her father's observationthat they must say nothing to Mr. Belamour of my Lady's plans for hisseclusion. 

They found Mr. Belamour in the square parlour of the Royal York, havingsent Eugene out for a walk with Jumbo. The boy's return in the mosteager state of excitement at the shops, the horses, sedans, and otherwonders, did something, together with dinner, to wile away the wearytime till, about three hours after the Major and his daughter hadreturned, they were joined by the young baronet, who came running up thestairs with a good deal more impetuosity than he would have permittedhimself at home. 

"At last I have escaped, " he said. "I fear you have waited long for me?"

"I have been hoping you had discovered some indications, " said theMajor. 

"Alas, no! I should imagine my Lady as ignorant as we are, save for onething. "

"And that was---?"

"The pains that were taken to prevent my speaking with any of theservants. I was forced to attend on that harridan, Lady Aresfield, tillmy mother sent for me; and then she made Mar absolutely watch me off thepremises. Then I had to go and report myself at head-quarters, and seethe surgeon, so that there may be no colour of irregularity for theColonel to take advantage of. "

"Right, right!" said the Major; "do not let him get a handleagainst you, though I should not call you fit for duty yet, even forholiday-work like yours. "

"You still suspect that your mother knows where our Aurelia is?" saidBetty. "When I think of her demeanour, I can hardly believe it! But didyou hear nothing of your little sisters?"

"I did not ask. In truth I was confounded by a proposal that was made tome. If I will immediately marry my mother's darling, Lady Belle, I mayhave leave of absence from her and my regiment, both at once, and go tomeet Mr. Wayland if I like, or at any rate make the grand tour, whilethey try to break in my charming bride for me. Of course I said that, being a married man, nothing should induce me to break the law, nor toput any lady in such a position; and equally, of course, I was shown alawyer's opinion that the transaction was invalid. "

"As I always believed, " said his uncle. "The ceremony must be repeatedwhen we find her: though even if you were willing, the other parties arevery ill-advised to press for a marriage without judgment first beingdelivered, how far the present is binding. So she wants to send you offon your travels, does she?"

"She wishes me to go and arrange for her husband's ransom, " said theMajor. "I would be ready enough were my child only found, but I believegovernment would take it up, he being on his Majesty's service. "

"It is a mere device for disposing of you--yes, and of my nephew too, "said Mr. Belamour. "As for me, we know already her kind plans forputting me out of reach of interference. I see, she communicated themto you. Did she ask your cooperation, Major? Ah! certainly, an ingeniousplan for disuniting us. I am the more convinced that she is well awareof where the poor child is, and that she wishes to be speedy in hermeasures. "

There is no need to describe the half-frantic vehemence of the younglover, nor the way in which the father and sister tried to moderate histransports, though no less wretched themselves. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. THE ROUT. 

 Great troups of people travelled thitherward Both day and night, of each degree and place. --SPENSER. 

Much against their will, Major Delavie and his _soi-disant_ son-in-lawset forth for Lady Belamour's entertainment, thinking no opportunity ofcollecting intelligence was to be despised; while she probably wished toobviate all reports of a misunderstanding as well as to keep them underher own eye. 

The reception rooms were less adorned than the lady's private apartment. There were pictures on the walls, and long ranks of chairs ranged round, and card-tables were set out in order. The ladies sat in rows, and thegentlemen stood in knots and talked, all in full dress, resplendentfigures in brilliant velvet, gold lace, and embroidery, with swords bytheir sides, cocked hats, edged with gold or silver lace, under theirarms, and gemmed shoe buckles. The order of creation was not yetreversed; the male creature was quite as gorgeous in colour and ornamentas the female, who sat in her brocade, powder and patches, fan in hand, to receive the homage of his snuff-box. 

Sir Amyas went the round, giving and returning greetings, which werebestowed on him with an ardour sufficient to prove that he was a generalfavourite. His mother, exquisitely dressed in a rich rose-colouredvelvet train, over a creamy satin petticoat, both exquisitelyembroidered, sailed up with a cordial greeting to her good cousin, andwanted to set him down to loo or ombre; but the veteran knew too wellwhat the play in her house was, and saw, moreover, Lady Aresfieldsitting like a harpy before the green baize field of her spoils. Whilehe was refusing, Sir Amyas returned to him, saying, "Sir, here is agentleman whom I think you must have known in Flanders;" and the Majorfound himself shaking hands with an old comrade. Save for his heavyheart, he would been extremely happy in the ensuing conversation. 

In the meantime Lady Belamour, turning towards a stout, clumsy, shortgirl, her intensely red cheeks and huge black eyes staring out of herpowder, while the extreme costliness of her crimson satin dress, andprofusion of her rubies were ridiculous on the unformed person of acreature scarcely fifteen. If she had been any one else she would havebeen a hideous spectacle in the eyes of the exquisitely tasteful LadyBelamour, who, detecting the expression in her son's eye, whisperedbehind her fan, "We will soon set all that right;" then aloud, "My soncannot recover from his surprise. He did not imagine that we could stealyou for an evening from Queen's Square to procure him this delight. "Then as Sir Amyas bowed, "The Yellow Room is cleared for dancing. LadyBelle will favour you, Amyas. "

"You must excuse me, madam, " he said; "I have not yet the free use of myarm, and could not acquit myself properly in a minuet. "

"I hate minuets, " returned Lady Belle; "the very notion gives me thespleen. "

"Ah, pretty heretic!" said my Lady, making a playful gesture with herfan at the peony-coloured cheek. "I meant this wounded knight to haveconverted you, but he must amuse you otherwise. What, my Lord I thoughtyou knew I never meant to dance again. Cannot you open the dance withoutme? I, who have no spirits!"

The rest was lost as she sailed away on the arm of a gentleman in aturquoise-coloured coat, and waistcoat embroidered with gillyflowers;leaving the Lady Arabella on the hands of her son, who, neither as hostnor gentleman, could escape, until the young lady had found some othercompanion. He stiffly and wearily addressed to her the inquiry how sheliked London. 

"I should like it monstrously if I were not moped up in school, " sheanswered. "So you have come back. How did you hurt your arm?" she said, in the most provincial of dialects. 

"In the fire, madam. "

"What? In snatching your innamorata from the flames?"

"Not precisely, " he said. 

"Come, now, tell me; did she set the room a-fire?" demanded the younglady. "Oh, you need not think to deceive me. My brother Mar's coachmantold my mamma's woman all about it, and how she was locked up and ranaway; but they have her fast enough now, after all her tricks!"

"Who have? For pity's sake tell me, Lady Belle!"

Loving to tease, she exclaimed: "There, now, what a work to make about awhite-faced little rustic!"

"Your ladyship has not seen her. "

"Have I not, though? I don't admire your taste. "

"Is she in Queen's Square?"

"Do not you wish me to tell you where you can find your old faded doll, with a waist just like a wasp, and an old blue sacque--not a bit ofpowder in her hair?"

"Lady Belle, if you would have me for ever beholden to you---"

"The cap fits, " she cried, clapping her hands. "Not a word to say forher! I would not have such a beau for the world. "

"When I have found her it will be time to defend her beauty! If yourladyship would only tell me where she is, you know not what gratitude Ishould feel!"

"I dare say, but that's my secret. My mamma and yours would be ready tokill me with rage if they knew I had let out even so much. "

"They would forgive you. Come, Lady Belle, think of her brave oldfather, and give some clue to finding her. Where is she?"

"Ah! where you will never get at her!"

"Is she at Queen's Square?"

"What would you do if you thought she was? Get a constable and come andsearch? Oh, what a rage Madam would be in! Goodness me, what sport!"and she fell back in a violent giggling fit; but the two matrons were sodelighted to see the young people talking to one another, that therewas no attempt to repress her. Sir Amyas made another attempt to elicitwhether Aurelia were really at the school in Queen's Square, but LadyArabella still refused to answer directly. Then he tried the expedientof declaring that she was only trying to tease him, and had not reallyseen the lady. He pretended not to believe her, but when she insisted, "Hair just the colour of Lady Belamour's, " his incredulity vanished; buton his next entreaty, she put on a sly look imitated from the evilworld in which she lived, and declared she should not encourage naughtydoings. The youth, who though four years older, was by far the moresimple and innocent of the two, replied with great gravity, "It is theLady Belamour, my own wife, that I am seeking. "

"That's just the nonsense she talks!"

"For Heaven's sake, what did she say?"

But Belle was tired of her game, and threw herself boisterously on ayoung lady who had the "sweetest enamel necklace in the world, " andwhose ornaments she began to handle and admire in true spoilt-childfashion. 

Sir Amyas then betook himself to the Major, who saw at once by hiseye and step that something was gained. They took leave together, LadyBelamour making a hurried lamentation that she had seen so little of herdear cousin, but accepting her son's excuse that he must return to hisquarters; and they walked away together escorted by Palmer and Grey, aswell as by two link-boys, summer night though it was. 

Sir Amyas repaired first to the hotel, where Mr. Belamour and Betty werestill sitting, for even the fashionable world kept comparatively earlyhours, and it was not yet eleven o'clock. The parlor where they sat wasnearly dark, one candle out and the other shaded so as to produce thedimness which Mr. Belamour still preferred, and they were sitting oneither side of the open window, Betty listening to her companion'sreminiscences of the evenings enlivened by poor Aurelia, and of themany traits of her goodness, sweet temper, and intelligence which he hadstored up in his mind. He had, he said, already learned through her toknow Miss Delavie, and he declared that the voices of the sisters wereso much alike that he could have believed himself at Bowstead with thegentle visitor who had brought him new life. 

The tidings of Lady Arabella's secret were eagerly listened to, and thetoken of the mouse-coloured hair was accepted; Sir Amyas comparing, toevery one's satisfaction, a certain lock that he bore on a chain nexthis heart, and a little knot, surrounded with diamonds, in a ring, whichhe had been still wearing from force of habit, though he declared heshould never endure to do so again. 

It was evident that Lady Belle had really seen Aurelia; and where couldthat have been save at the famous boarding-school in Queen's Square, where the daughters of "the great" were trained in the accomplishmentsof the day? The Major, with rising hopes, declared that he had alwaysmaintained that his cousin meant no ill by his daughter, and though ithad been cruel, not to say worse, in her, to deny all knowledge of thefugitive, yet women would have their strange ways. 

"That is very hard on us women, sir, " said Betty. 

"Ah! my dear, poor Urania never had such a mother as you, and she haslived in the great world besides, and that's a bad school. You will nottake our Aurelia much into it, my dear boy, " he added, turning wistfullyto Sir Amyas. 

"I would not let a breath blow on her that could touch the bloom of hercharming frank innocence, " cried the lad. "But think you she can be inhealth? Lady Belle spoke of her being pale!"

"Look at my young lady herself!" said the Major, which made them alllaugh. They were full of hope. The Major and his daughter would gothemselves the next day, and a father's claim could not be refused eventhough not enforced according to Lady Arabella's desire. 

Their coach--for so Sir Amyas insisted on their going--was at the doorat the earliest possible moment that a school for young ladies could besupposed to be astir; long before Mr. Belamour was up, for he retainedhis old habits so much that it was only on great occasions the he rosebefore noon; and while Eugene, under the care of Jumbo and Grey, wasgoing off in great felicity to see the morning parade in St. James'sPark. 

One of the expedients of well-born Huguenot refugees had been tuition, and Madame d'Elmar had made here boarding-school so popular andfashionable that a second generation still maintained its fame, anddamsels of the highest rank were sent there to learn French, to play thespinnet, to embroider, to dance, and to get into a carriage with grace. It was only countrified misses, bred by old-fashioned scholars, who attempted to go any farther, such as that _lusus naturae_, MissElizabeth Carter, who knew seven languages, or the Bishop of Oxford'sniece, Catherine Talbot, who even painted natural flowers and wrotemeditations! The education Aurelia Delavie had received over her Homerand Racine would be smiled at as quite superfluous. 

There was no difficulty about admission. The coach with its Belamourtrappings was a warrant of admittance. The father and daughter wereshown into a parlour with a print of Marshal Schomberg over themantelpiece, and wonderful performances in tapestry work and embroideryon every available chair, as well as framed upon the wainscoted walls. 

A little lady, more French than English, moving like a perfectly woundup piece of mechanism, all but her bright little eyes, appeared at theirrequest to see Madame. It had been agreed before-hand that the Majorshould betray neither doubt nor difficulty, but simply say that he hadcome up from the country and wished to see his daughter. 

Madame, in perfectly good English, excused herself, but begged to hearthe name again. 

There must be some error, no young lady of the name of Delavie wasthere. 

They looked at one another, then Betty asked, "Has not a young lady beenplaced here by Lady Belamour?"

"No, madam, Lady Belamour once requested me to receive her twindaughters, but they were mere infants; I receive none under twelve yearold. "

"My good lady, " cried the Major, "if you are denying my daughter to me, pray consider what you are doing. I am her own father, and whatever LadyBelamour may tell you, I can enforce my claim. "

"I am not in the habit of having my word doubted, sir, " and the littlelady drew herself up like a true Gascon baroness, as she was. 

"Madam, forgive me, I am in terrible perplexity and distress. My poorchild, who was under Lady Belamour's charge, has been lost to us thesethree weeks or more, and we have been told that she has been seen here. "

"Thus, " said Betty, seeing that the lady still needed to be appeased, "we thought Lady Belamour might have deceived you as well as others. "

"May I ask who said the young lady had been seen here?" asked themistress coldly. 

"It was Lady Arabella Mar, " said Betty, "and, justly speaking, I believeshe did not say it was here that my poor sister was seen, but that shehad seen her, and we drew the conclusion that it was here. "

"My Lady Arabella Mar is too often taken out by my Lady Countess, " saidMadame d'Elmar. 

"Could I see her? Perhaps she would tell me where she saw my dearsister?" said Betty. 

"She went to a rout last evening and has not returned, " was the reply. "Indeed my lady, her mother, spoke as if she might never come back, hermarriage being on the _tapis_. Indeed, sir, indeed, madam, I shouldmost gladly assist you, " she said as a gesture of bitter grief anddisappointment passed between father and daughter, both of whom wereevidently persons of condition. "If it will be any satisfaction to thelady to see all my pupils, I will conduct her through my establishment. "

Betty caught at this, though there was no doubt that the mistress wasspeaking in good faith. She was led to a large empty room, where adozen young ladies were drawn up awaiting the dancing master--girlsfrom fourteen to seventeen, the elder ones in mob caps, those with morepretensions to fashion, with loose hair. Their twelve curtsies weremade, their twenty-four eyes peeped more or less through their lashes atthe visitor, but no such soft brown eyes as Aurelia's were among them. 

"Madame, " said Betty, "may I be permitted to ask the ladies a question?"She spoke it low, and in French, and her excellent accent won Madame'sheart at once. Only Madame trusted to Mademoiselle's discretion not toput mysteries into their minds, or they would be all _tete montee_. 

So, as discretely as the occasion would permit, Betty asked whether anyone had seen or heard Lady Belle speak of having seen any one--a younglady?

Half-a-dozen tongues broke out, "We thought it all Lady Belle'swhimsical secrets, " and as many stories were beginning, but Madame'sawful little hand waved silence, as she said, "Speak then, MissStaunton. "

"I know none of Lady Belle's secrets, ma'am--ask Miss Howard. "

Miss Howard looked sulky; and a little eager, black-eyed thing cried, "She said it was an odious girl whom Lady Belamour keeps shut up in agreat dungeon of an old house, and is going to send beyond seas, becauseshe married two men at once in disguise. "

"Fie, Miss Crawford, you know nothing about it. "

"You told me so, yourself, Miss Howard. "

"I never said anything so foolish. "

"Hush, young ladies, " said Madame. "Miss Howard, if you know anything, Irequest you to speak. "

"It would be a great kindness, " said Betty. "Might I ask the favour ofseeing Miss Howard in private?"

Madame consented, and Miss Howard followed Betty out of hearing, muttering that Belle would fly at her for betraying her. 

"I do not like asking you to betray your friend's confidence, " saidBetty. 

"Oh, as to that, I'm not her friend, and I believe she has talked to ahalf-a-dozen more. "

"I am this poor young lady's sister, " said Betty. "We are afraid shehas fallen into unkind hands; and I should be very thankful if you couldhelp me to find her. Where do you think Lady Belle saw her?"

"I thought it was in some old house in Hertfordshire, " said Miss Howard, more readily, "but I am not sure; for it was last Sunday, which shespent with her mamma. She came back and made it a great secret thatshe had seen the girl that had taken in Sir Amyas Belamour, who wascontracted to herself, to marry him and his uncle both at once indisguise, and then had set the house a-fire. Belle had got some one tolet her see the girl, and then she went on about her being not pretty. "

"What did she say about sending her beyond seas?"

"Oh! that Miss Crawford made up. She told me that they were going tofind a husband for her such as a low creature like that deserved. Andshe protests she is to be married to Sir Amyas very soon, and come backhere while he makes the grand tour. I hope she won't. She will have morespiteful ways than ever. "

This was all that Betty could extract. She saw Miss Crawford alone, buther tiding melted into the vaguest second-hand hearsay. The inquiry hadonly produced a fresh anxiety. 

CHAPTER XXIX. A BLACK BLONDEL. 

 And to the castle gate approached in quiet wise, Whereat soft knocking, entrance he desired. SPENSER. 

"Nephew, is Delavie House inhabited?" inquired Mr. Belamour, as thebaffled seekers sat together that evening. 

"No, sir, " replied Sir Amyas. "My Lady will only lease it to persons ofquality, on such high terms that she cannot obtain them for a house inso antiquated a neighbourhood. Oh, you do not think it possible that mydearest life can be in captivity so near us! An old house! On my soul, so it must be; I will go thither instantly. "

"And be taken for a Mohock! No, no, sit down, rash youth, and tell mewho keeps the house. "

"One Madge, an old woman as sour as vinegar, who snarled at me like atoothless cur when I once went there to find an old fowling-piece of myfather's. "

"Then you ar the last person who should show yourself there, since thereare sure to be strict charges against admitting you, and you would onlyput the garrison on the alert. You had better let the reconnoitringparty consist of Jumbo and myself. "

The ensuing day was Sunday. Something was said of St. Paul's, then inbloom of youth and the wonder of England; but Betty declared that shecould not run about to see fine churches till her mind was at ease abouther poor sister. Might she only go to the nearest and quietest church?So she, with her father and Eugene, repaired to St. Clement Danes, wheretheir landlord possessed a solid oak pew, and they heard a sermon on thewickedness and presumption of inoculating for the small-pox. 

It was not a genteel neighbourhood, and the congregation was thereforelarge, for the substantial tradesfolk who had poured into the Strandsince it had been rebuilt were far more religiously disposed than thefashionable world, retaining either the Puritan zeal, or the High Churchfervour, which were alike discouraged in the godless court. The Majorand his son and daughter were solitary units in the midst of the groupsof portly citizens, with soberly handsome wives, and gay sons anddaughters, who were exchanging greetings; and on their return to theirhotel, the Major betook himself to a pipe in the bar, and Eugene wasallowed to go for a walk in the park with Palmer, while Betty sat in herown room with her Bible, striving to strengthen her assurance thatthe innocent would never be forsaken. Indeed Mr. Belamour had muchstrengthened her grounds of hope and comfort by his testimony to poorAurelia's perfect guilelessness and simplicity throughout the affair. Yet the echo of that girl's chatter about Lady Belle's rival being sentbeyond the sea would return upon her ominously, although it might bemere exaggeration and misapprehension, like so much besides. 

A great clock, chiming one, warned her to repair to the sitting-room, where she met Eugene, full of the unedifying spectacle of a fightbetween two street lads. There had been a regular ring, and the boy hadbeen so much excited that Palmer had had much ado to bring him away. Betty had scarcely hushed his eager communications and repaired histoilette for dinner before Sir Amyas came in, having hurried away assoon as possible after attending his men to and from church. 

"Sister, " he said, for so he insisted on calling Betty, "I really thinkmy uncle's surmise may be right. I went home past Delavie House lastnight, just to look at it, and there was--there really was, a light inone of the windows on the first floor, which always used to be as blackas Erebus. I had much ado to keep myself from thundering at the gate. Iwould have done so before now but for my uncle's warning. Where can hebe?"

The Major and Mr. Belamour here came in together, and the same torrentwas beginning to be poured forth, when the latter cut it short with, "They are about to lay the cloth. Restrain yourself, my dear boy, or---"and as at that moment the waiter entered, he went on with the utmostreadiness--"or, as it seems, the Queen of Hungary will never make goodher claims. Pray, sir, " turning to Major Delavie, "have you ever seenthese young Archduchesses whose pretensions seem likely to convulse thecontinent to its centre?"

The Major, with an effort to gather his attention, replied that he couldnot remember; but Betty, with greater presence of mind, described howshe had admired the two sisters of Austria as little girls walking onthe Prater. Indeed she and Mr. Belamour contrived to keep up the balltill the Major was roused into giving an opinion of Prussian discipline, and to tell stories of Leopold of Dessau, Eugene, and Marlborough withsufficient zest to drive the young baronet almost frantic, especiallyas Jumbo, behind his master's chair, was on the broad grin all the time, and almost dancing in his shoes. Once he contrived to give an absolutewink with one of his big black eyes; not, however, undetected, for Mr. Belamour in a grave tone of reprimand ordered him off to fetch an ivorytoothpick-case. 

Not till the cloth had been remove, and dishes of early strawberries andof biscuits, accompanied by bottles of port and claret, placed on thetable, and the servants had withdrawn, did Mr. Belamour observe, "I havepenetrated the outworks. "

There was an outburst of inquiry and explanation, but he was not to beprevented from telling the story in his own way. "I know the house well, for my brother lived there the first years of his marriage, before youcame on the stage, young sir. Perhaps you do not know how to open thedoor from without?"

"Oh, sir, tell me the trick!"

Mr. Belamour held up a small pass-key. There was a certain tone ofbanter about him which almost drove his nephew wild, but greatlyreassured Miss Delavie. 

"Why--why keep me in torments, instead of taking me with you?" cried theyouth. 

"Because I wished my expedition to be no failure. I could not tellwhether my key, which I found with my watch and seals, would stillserve me. Ah! you look on fire; but remember the outworks are not thecitadel. "

"For Heaven's sake, sir, torture me not thus!"

"I knew that to make my summons at the out gate would lead to a summarydenial by the sour porteress, so I experimented on the lock of thelittle door into the lane, and admitted myself and Jumbo into the court;but the great hall-door stood before me jealously closed, and the lowerwindows were shut with shutters, so that all I could do was to causeJumbo to awake the echoes with a lusty peal on the knocker, which herepeated at intervals, until there hobbled forth to open it a crone aswrinkled and crabbed as one of Macbeth's witches. I demanded whether myLady Belamour lived there. She croaked forth a negative sound, and hadnearly shut the door in my face, but I kept her in parley by protestingthat I had often visited my Lady there, and offering a crown-piece ifshe would direct me to her. "

"A crown! a kingdom, if she would bring us to the right one!" cried SirAmyas. 

"Of course she directed me to Hanover Square, and then, evidentlysupposing there was something amiss with the great gates, she insistedon coming to let me out, and securing them after me. "

The youth gave a great groan, saying, "Excuse me, sir, but what are wethe better of that?"

"Endure a little while, impatient swain, and you shall hear. I fancyshe recognised the Belamour Livery on Jumbo, for she hobbled by my sidemaundering apologies about its being against orders to admit gentle orsimple, beast or body into the court, and that a poor woman could notlose her place and the roof over her head. But mark me, while thiswas passing, Jumbo, who had kept nearer the house whistling 'TheNightingale' just above his breath, heard his name called, and presentlysaw two little faces at an up-stairs window. "

"My little sisters!" cried Sir Amyas. 

"Even so; and he believes he heard one of them call out, 'Cousin, cousinAura, come and see Jumbo;' but as the window was high up, I scarcedare credit his ears rather than his imagination, and we were instantlyhustled away by the old woman, whose evident alarm is a furtherpresumption that the captive is there, since Faith and Hope scarce havereached the years of being princesses immured in towers. "

"It must be so, " said Betty; "it would explain Lady Belle's having hadaccess to her! And now?"

"Is it impossible to effect an entrance from the court and carry heraway?" asked Sir Amyas. 

"Entirely so, " said his uncle. "The only door into the court is fit tostand a siege, and all the lower windows are barred and fastened withshutters. The servants' entrance is at the back towards the river, butno doubt it is also guarded, and my key will not serve for it. "

"I could get some sprightly fellow of ours to come disguised as Mohocks, and break in, " proceeded the youth, eagerly. "Once in the court, trustme for forcing my way to her. "

"And getting lodged in Newgate for your pains, or tried bycourt-martial, " said the Major. "No, when right is on our side, donot let us make it wrong. Hush, Sir Amyas, it is I who must here act. Whether you are her husband I do not know, I know that I am her father, and to-morrow morning, as soon as a magistrate can be spoken with, I shall go and demand a search warrant for the body of my daughter, Aurelia Delavie. "

"The body! Good Heavens, sir, " cried Betty. 

"Not without the sweet soul, my dear Miss Delavie, " said Mr. Belamour. "Your excellent father has arrived at the only right and safe decision, and provided no farther alarm is given, I think he may succeed. It isscarcely probable that my Lady is in constant communication with herstern porteress, and my person was evidently unknown. For her ownsake, as well as that of the small fee I dropped into her hand, she isunlikely to report my reconnoissance. "

Sir Amyas was frantic to go with his father-in-law, but both the eldermen justly thought that his ambiguous claims would but complicate thematter. The landlord was consulted as to the acting magistrates of thetime, and gave two or three addresses. 

Another night of prayer, suspense, and hope for Betty's sick heart. Then, immediately after breakfast, the Major set forth, attended byPalmer, long before Mr. Belamour had left his room, or the young baronetcould escape from his military duties. Being outside the City, the Strand was under the jurisdiction of justices of the peace forMiddlesex, and they had so much more than they could do properly, thatsome of them did it as little as possible. The first magistrate wouldnot see him, because it was too early to attend to business; the secondnever heard matters at his private house, and referred him to the officein Bow Street. In fact he would have been wiser to have gone thither atfirst, but he had hoped to have saved time. He had to wait sitting ona greasy chair when he could no longer stand, till case after casewas gone through, and when he finally had a hearing and applied fora warrant to search for his daughter in Delavie House, there was muchsurprise and reluctance to put such an insult on a lady of quality infavour at Court. On his giving his reasons on oath for believing theyoung lady to be there, the grounds of his belief seemed to shrink away, so that the three magistrates held consultation whether the warrantcould be granted. Finally, after eying him all over, and asking himwhere he had served, one of them, who had the air of having been in thearmy, told him that in consideration of his being a gentleman of highrespectability who had served his country, they granted what he asked, being assured that he would not make the accusation lightly. The reformsmade by Fielding had not yet begun, everybody had too much work, and thepoor Major had still some time to wait before an officer--tipstaff, ashe was called--could accompany him, so that it was past noon when, off in the Bowstead carriage again, they went along the Strand, to ahigh-walled court belonging to one of the old houses of the nobility, most of which had perished in the fire of London. There was adouble-doored gateway, and after much thundering in vain, at which thetipstaff, a red-nosed old soldier, waxed very irate, the old woman cameout in curtseying, crying, frightened humility, declaring that theywould find no one there--they might look if they would. 

So they drove over the paved road, crossing the pitched pebbles, thedoor was unbarred, but no Aurelia sprang into her father's arms. Only alittle terrier came barking out into the dismal paved hall. Into everyroom they looked, the old woman asseverating denials that it was of nouse, they might see for themselves, that no one had been there for yearspast. Full of emptiness, indeed, with faded grimy family portraits onthe walls, moth-eaten carpets and cushions, high-backed chairs withworm-holes; and yet, somehow, there was one room that did look as ifit had recently been sat in. Two little stools were drawn up close to achair; the terrier poked and smelt about uneasily as though in searchof some one, and dragged out from under a couch a child's ball which hebegan to worry. On the carpet, too, were some fragments of bright freshembroidery silk, which the practiced eye of the constable noticed. "Thishere was not left ten or a dozen years ago, " said he; and, extractingthe ball from the fangs of the dog, "No, and this ball ain't ten yearold, neither. Come, Mother What's'-name, it's no good deceiving anofficer of the law; whose is this here ball?"

"It's the little misses. They've a bin here with their maid, but theirnurse have been and fetched 'em away this morning, and a good riddancetoo. "

"Who was the maid?--on your oath!"

"One Deborah Davis, a deaf woman, and pretty nigh a dumb one. She begone too. "

Nor could the old woman tell where she was to be found. "My Lady's womansent her in, " she said, "and she was glad enough to be rid of her. "

"Come, now, my good woman, speak out, and it will be better for you, "said the Major. "I know my daughter was here yesterday. "

"And what do I know of where she be gone? She went off in a sedan-chairthis morning before seven o'clock, and if you was to put me to the rackI couldn't say no more. "

As to which way or with whom she had gone, the old woman was, apparently, really ignorant. 

The poor Major had to return home baffled and despairing, still takingthe tipstaff with him, in case, on consultation with Mr. Belamour, itshould be deemed expedient to storm Hanover Square itself, and examineLady Belamour and her servants upon oath. 

Behold, the parlour was empty. Even Betty and Eugene were absent. TheMajor hastened to knock at Mr. Belamour's door. There was no answer; andwhen he knocked louder it was still in vain. He tried the door andfound it locked. Then he retreated to the sitting-room, rang, and madeinquiries of the waiter who answered the bell. 

Mr. Belamour had received a note at about ten o'clock, and had gone outwith him "in great disorder, " said the waiter. 

At the same moment there was a knock at the door, and a billet wasbrought in from Lady Belamour. The Major tore it open and read:--

 "MY DEAR COUSIN, "I grieve for you, but my Suspicions were correct. We have allbeen completely hoodwinked by that old Villain, my Brother-in-law. Ican give him no other Name, for his partial Aberration of Mind has onlysharpened his natural Cunning. Would you believe it? He had obtainedaccess to Delavie House, and had there hidden the unfortunate Object ofyour Search, while he pretended to be assisting you, and this Morninghe carried her off in a Sedan. I have sent the good Doves to Bowstead incase he should have the Assurance to return to his old Quarters, but Isuspect that they are on the Way to Dover. You had better consult withHargrave on the means of confirming the strange Marriage Ceremony thathas passed between them, since that affords the best Security for yourDaughter's Maintenance and Reputation. Believe me, I share in yourDistress. Indeed I have so frightful a Megrim that I can scarcely tellwhat I write, and I dare not admit you to-day. 

 "I remain, "Your loving and much-grieved Cousin, "URANIA BELAMOUR. "

Poor Major! His horror, perplexity, and despair were indescribable. Hehad one only hope--that Sir Amyas and Betty might be on the track. 

CHAPTER XXX. THE FIRST TASK. 

 After all these there marcht a most faire dame, Led of two gryslie villains, th' one Despight, The other cleped Crueltie by name. SPENSER. 

The traces of occupation had not deceived Major Delavie; Aurelia hadbeen recently in Delavie House, and we must go back some way in ournarrative to her arrival there. 

She had, on her return from Sedhurst on that Sunday, reached Bowstead, and entered by the lobby door just as Lady Belamour was coming down thestairs only attended by her woman, and ready to get into the carriagewhich waited at the hall door. 

Sinking on her knees before her with clasped hands, Aurelia exclaimed, "O madam, I ought not to have come away. Here I am, do what you willwith me, but spare my father. He knew nothing of it. Only, for pity'ssake, do not put me among the poor wicked creatures in gaol. "

"Get into that carriage immediately, and you shall know by decision, "said Lady Belamour, with icy frigidness, but not the same fiercenessas before; and Aurelia submissively obeyed, silenced by an imperiousgesture when she would have asked, "How is it with _him_?" whom shedurst not name. 

Lady Belamour waited a minute or two while sending Loveday on a lastmessage to the sick room, then entered the large deep carriage, signingto her captive to take a corner where she could hardly be seen if anyone looked through the window. Loveday followed, the door was shut by astrange servant, as it was in fact Lady Aresfield's carriage, borrowedboth for the sake of speed, and of secrecy towards her own household. 

A few words passed by which Aurelia gathered something reassuring asto the state of the patient, and then Lady Belamour turned on her, demanding, "So, young miss, you tried to escape me! Where have youbeen?"

"Only as far as Sedhurst Church, madam. I would have gone home, but Ifeared to bring trouble on my father, and I came back to implore you toforgive. "

There was no softening of the terrible, beautiful face before her, andshe durst put no objective case to her verb. However, the answer wassomewhat less dreadful than she had anticipated. 

"I have been shamefully duped, " said Lady Belamour, "but it is well thatit is no worse; nor shall I visit our offences on your father if youshow your penitence by absolute submission. The absurd ceremony you wentthrough was a mere mockery, and the old fool, Belamour, showed himselfcrazed for consenting to such an improper frolic on the part of my son. Whether your innocence be feigned or not, however, I cannot permit youto go out of my custody until the foolish youth or yourself be properlybestowed in marriage elsewhere. Meantime, you will remain where Iplace you, and exactly fulfil my commands. Remember that any attempt tocommunicate with any person outside the house will be followed by yourFather's immediate dismissal. "

"May I not let him know that I am safe?"

"Certainly not; I will see to your father. "

It was a period when great ladies did not scruple to scold at the topof their voices, and sometimes proceed to blows, but Lady Belamour neverraised her low silvery tones, and thus increased the awfulness of herwrath and the impressiveness of her determination. Face to face withher, there were few who did not cower under her displeasure; and poorAurelia, resolute to endure for her father's sake, could only promiseimplicit obedience. 

She only guessed when the entered London by the louder rumbling, and forone moment the coach paused as a horse was reined up near it, and withplumed hat in hand the rider bent forward to the window, exclaiming, "Successful, by all that is lovely! Captured, by Jove!"

"You shall hear all another time, " said lady Belamour. "Let us go onnow. "

They did so, but the horseman continued to flash across the windows, andwhen the coach, after considerable delay, had entered the walled court, rumbled over the pavement, and stopped before a closed door, he wasstill there. When, after much thundering, the door was opened, Aureliahad a moment's glimpse of a splendid figure in gold and scarlet handingout Lady Belamour, who stood talking with him on the steps of the housefor some moments. Then, shrugging his shoulders, he remounted, andcantered off, after which my Lady signed to Aurelia to alight, andfollowed her into the hall. 

"Madge, " said Lady Belamour to the witch-like old woman who had admittedher, "this young lady is to remain here. You will open a bedroom andsitting-room for her at the back of the house. Let her be properly caredfor, and go out in the court behind, but on no account approach thefront gates. Let no one know she is here. "

Madge muttered some demands about supplies and payments, and LadyBelamour waved her to settle them with Mrs. Loveday, turning meantime tothe prisoner and saying, "There, child, you are to remain here onyour good behaviour. Do your best to merit my good will, so that I mayoverlook what is past. Recollect, the least attempt to escape, or tohold intercourse with the young, or the old, fool, and it shall be theworse with them and with your father. "

Therewith she departed, followed by Loveday, leaving Aurelia standing inthe middle of the hall, the old hag gazing on her with a malignantleer. "Ho! ho'! So that's the way! He has begun that work early, has he?What's your name, my lass? Oh, you need give yourself airs! I cry youmercy, " and she made a derisive curtsey. 

Poor Aurelia, pride had less to do with her silence than absoluteuncertainty what to call herself. The wedding ring was on her finger, and she would not deny her marriage by calling herself Delavie, butBelamour might be dangerous, and the prefix was likewise a difficulty, so faltered, "You may call me Madam Aurelia. "

"Madam Really. That's a queer name, but it will serve while you arehere. "

"Pray let me go to my room, " entreated the poor prisoner, who felt asineffable disgust at her jailor, and was becoming sensible to extremefatigue. 

"Your room, hey? D'ye think I keep rooms and beds as though this werean inn, single-handed as I am? You must wait, unless you be too fine tolend a hand. "

"Anything will do, " said Aurelia, "if I may only rest. I would help, butI am so much tired that I can hardly stand. "

"My Lady has given it to you well, Mistress Really or Mistress Falsely, which ever you may be, " mumbled Madge, perhaps in soliloquy, fumblingat the lock of a room which at last she opened. It smelt very close andfusty, and most of the furniture was heaped together under a cloth inthe midst, dimly visible by the light of a heart-shaped aperture in theshutters. Unclosing one of the leaves, the old woman admitted enoughdaylight to guide Aurelia to a couch against the wall, saying, "You canwait there till I see to your bed. And you'll be wanting supper too!"she added in a tone of infinite disgust. 

"O never mind supper, if I can only go to bed, " sighed Aurelia, sinkingon the couch as the old woman hobbled off. Lassitude and exhaustion hadbrought her to a state like annihilation--unable to think or guess, hopeor fear, with shoes hurting her footsore feet, a stiff dress crampingher too much for sleep, and her weary aching eyes gathering a fewimpressions in a passive way. On the walls hung dimly seen portraitsstrangely familiar to her. The man in a green dressing gown withfloating hair had a face she knew; so had the lady in the yellow ruff. And was that not the old crest, the Delavie butterfly, with the motto, _Ma Vie et ma Mie_, carved on the mantelpiece? Thus she knew thatshe must be in Delavie House, and felt somewhat less desolate as sherecognised several portraits as duplicates of those at the Great Houseat Carminster, and thought they looked at her in pity with their eyeslike her father's. The youngest son in the great family group was, asshe knew, an Amyas, and he put her in mind of her own. Oh, was he herown, when she could not tell whether those great soft, dark-grey eyesthat looked so kindly on her had descended to the young baronet? Shehoped not, for Harriet and she had often agreed that they presaged thefate of that gallant youth, who had been killed by Sir Bevil Grenville'sside. He must have looked just as Sir Amyas did, lying senseless afterthe hurt she had caused. 

No more definite nor useful thought passed through the brain of theoverwearied maiden as she rest on the couch, how long she knew not; butit was growing dark by the time Madge returned with a guttering candle, a cracked plate and wedge of greasy-looking pie, a piece of dry bread, a pewter cup of small beer, and an impaired repulsive steel knife witha rounded end, and fork with broken prong. The fact of this being steelwas not distressing to one who had never seen a silver fork, but thecondition of both made her shudder, and added to the sick sense ofexhaustion that destroyed her appetite. She took a little of the bread, and, being parched with thirst, drank some of the beer before Madge cameback again. "Oh ho, you're nice I see, my fine Dame Really!"

"Thank you, indeed I can't eat, I am so much tired, " said Aureliaapologetically. 

"You'll have to put up with what serves your betters, I can tell you, "was all the reply she received. "Well be ye coming to your bed?"

So up the creaking stairs she was guided to a room, very unlike thatfresh white bower at Bowstead, large, eerie, ghostly-looking, baresave for a dark oak chest, and a bed of the same material, the postsapparently absolute trees, squared and richly carved, and supporting asolid wooden canopy with an immense boss as big as a cabbage, and carvedsomething like one, depending from the centre, as if to endanger thehead of the unwary, who should start up in bed. No means of ablutionwere provided, and Aurelia felt so grimed and dusty that she ventured tobeg for an ewer and basin; but her amiable hostess snarled out that shehad enough to do without humouring fiddle-faddle whimsies, and that shemight wash at the pump if nothing else would serve her. 

Aurelia wished she had known this before going up stairs, and, worn outas she was, the sense implanted by her mother that it was wicked to goto sleep dirty, actually made her drag herself down to a grim littlescullery, where she was permitted to borrow a wooden bowl, since shewas too _nice_ forsooth to wash down stairs. She carried it up with aconsiderable trouble more than half full, and a bit of yellow soap andclean towel were likewise vouchsafed to her. The wash--perhaps becauseof the infinite trouble it cost her--did her great good, --it gave herenergy to recollect her prayers and bring good angels about her. If thishad been her first plunge from home, when Jumbo's violin had so scaredher, such a place as this would have almost killed her; but the peacethat had come to her in Sedhurst Church lingered still round her, andas she climbed up into the lofty bed the verse sang in her ears "Love isstrong as death. " Whether Love Divine or human she did not ask herself, but with the sense of soothing upon her, she slept--and slept as aseventeen-years'-old frame will sleep after having been thirty-six hoursawake and afoot. 

When she awoke it was with the sense of some one being in the room. "Ogemini!" she heard, and starting up, only just avoiding the knob, shesaw Mrs. Loveday's well-preserved brunette face gazing at her. 

"Your servant, ma'am, " she said. "You'll excuse me if I speak with youhere, for I must be back by the time my Lady's bell rings. "

"Is it very late?" said Aurelia, taking from under her pillow her watch, which had stopped long ago. 

"Nigh upon ten o'clock, " said Loveday. "I must not stay, but it is myLady's wish that you should have all that is comformable, and you'll letme know how Madge behaves herself. "

"Is there any news from Bowstead?" was all Aurelia could at firstdemand. 

"Not yet; but bless you, my dear young lady, you had best put all thatmatter out of your head for ever and a day. I know what these younggentlemen are. They are not to be hearkened to one moment, not the bestof them. Let them be ever so much in earnest at the time, their parentsand guardians have the mastery of them sooner or later, and the fartherit has gone, the worse it is. I saw you lying asleep here looking soinnocent that it went to my heart, and I heard you mutter in your sleep'Love is strong as death, ' but that's only a bit of some play-book, anddon't you trust to it, for I never saw love that was stronger than aspider's web. "

"Oh, hush, Mrs. Loveday. It is in the Bible!"

"You don't say so, ma'am, " the woman said awestruck. 

"I would show it you, only all my things are away. God is love, youknow, " said Aurelia, sitting up with clasped hands, "and He gives it, soit must be strong. "

"Well, all the love I've ever seen was more the devil's, " said Lovedaytruly enough; "and you'll find it so if you mean to trust to these fineyoung beaux and what they say. "

Aurelia shook her head a little as she sat up in bed with her claspedhands; and there was a look on her face that Mrs. Loveday did notunderstand, as she went on with her advice. 

"So, my dear young lady, you see all that is left for you is to frameyour mind to keep close here, and conform to my Lady's will till all isblown over one way or another. "

"I know that, " said Aurelia. 

"Don't' you do anything to anger her, " added the waiting-woman, "forthere's no one who can stand against her; and I'll speak up for you whenI can, for I know how to come round my Lady, if any one does. Tell mewhat you want, and I'll get it for you; but don't try to get out, anddon't send Madge, for she is not to be trusted with money. If I wereyou, I'd not let her see that watch, and I'd lock my door at night. You're too innocent, whatever my Lady may say. Here's half a pound oftea and sugar, which you had best keep to yourself, and I've seento there being things decent down stairs. Tell me, my dear, is thereanything you want? Your clothes, did you say? Oh, yes, you shall havethem--yes, and your books. Here's some warm water, " as a growling washeard at the door; "I must not wait till you are dressed, but there's abox of shells down in your room that Mr. Wayland sent home for my Ladyto line a grotto with, and she wants them all sorted out. 'Tell her shemust make herself of use if she wants to be forgiven, ' says my Lady, forshe is in a mighty hurry for them now she has heard of the Duchess ofPortland's grotto; though she has let them lie here unpacked for thishalf year and more. So if they are all done by night, maybe may Ladywill be pleased to let you have a bit more liberty. "

Mrs. Loveday departed, having certainly cheered the captive, and Aureliarose, weary-limbed and sad-hearted, with a patient trust in her soulthat Love Divine would not fail her, and that earthly love would do itsbest. 

She found matters improved in the down-stairs room, the furniture was inorder, a clean cloth on the table, a white roll, butter, and above allclean bright implements, showing Mrs. Loveday's influence. She ate anddrank like a hungry girl, washed up for herself rather than let Madgetouch anything she could help, and looked from the window into adull court of dreary, blighted-looking turf divided by flagged walks, radiating from a statue in the middle, representing a Triton blowing aconch--no doubt intended to spout water, for there was a stone troughround him, but he had long forgotten his functions, and held a sparrow'snest with streaming straws in his hand. This must be the prison-yard, where alone she might walk, since it lay at the back of the house; andwith a sense of depression she turned to the task that awaited her. 

A very large foreign-looking case had been partly opened, and when shelooked in she was appalled at the task to be accomplished in one day. It was crammed with shells of every size and description, from thelarge helmet-conch and Triton's trumpet, down to the tiny pink cowryand rice-volute, all stuffed together without arrangement or packing, forming a mass in which the unbroken shells reposed in a kind of sand, of _debris_ ground together out of the victims; and when she took up atolerably-sized univalve, quantities of little ones came tumbling outof its inner folds. She took up a handful, and presently picked outone perfect valve like a rose petal, three fairy cups of limpets, fourribbed cowries, and a thing like a green pea. Of course she knew nonames, but a kind of interest was awakened by the beauty and varietybefore her. A pile of papers had been provided, and the housewife [apocket-size container for small articles (as thread)--D. L. ] which Bettymade her always carry in her pocket furnished wherewithal to make up anumber of bags for the lesser sorts; and she went to work, her troublessomewhat beguiled by the novel beauties of each delicate creatureshe disinterred, but remembering with a pang how, if she could havedescribed them to Mr. Belamour, he would have discoursed upon the Orderof Nature. 

London noises were not the continuous roar of vehicles of the presentday, but there was sound enough to remind the country girl where shewas, and the street cries "Old Clothes!" "Sprats, oh!" "Sweep!" wereheard over the wall, sometimes with tumultuous voices that seemedto enhance her loneliness, as she sat on the floor, hour after hour, sifting out the entire shells, and feeling a languid pleasure in joiningthe two halves of a bivalve, especially those lovely sunset shells thathave rosy rays diverging from their crimson hinge over their polishedsurface, white, or just tinted with the hues of a daffodil sky. Shenever clasped a pair together without a little half-uttered ejaculation, "Oh, bring me and my dear young love thus together again!" And when shefound a couple making a perfect heart, and holding together through all, she kissed it tenderly in the hope that thus it might be with her andwith him whose hand and whose voice returned on her, calling her hisdearest life!

She durst only quit the shells to eat the dinner which Madge served atone o'clock--a tolerable meal of slices of cold beef from a cook's-shop, but seasoned with sour looks and a murmur at ladies' fancies. Theweariness and languor of the former day's exertions made her for thepresent disinclined to explore the house, even had she had time, andwhen twilight came there could have been little but fragments at thebottom of the case, though she could see no more to sort them. 

And what were these noises around her making her start? Rats! Yes, herethey were, venturing out from all the corners. They knew there had beenfood in the room. This was why Madge had those to gaunt, weird-lookingcats in her kitchen! Aurelia went and sat on the step into the court tobe out of their way, but Madge hunted her in that the door might be shutand barred; and when she returned trembling to the sitting room, sheheard such a scampering and a scrambling that she durst not enter, andbetook herself to her chamber and to bed. 

Alas! that was no refuge. She had been too much tired to hear anythingthe night before, but to-night there was scratching, nibbling, careering, fighting, squeaking, recoil and rally, charge and rout, asthe grey Hanover rat fought his successful battle with his black Englishcousin all over the floors and stairs--nay, once or twice came rushingup and over the bed--frightening its occupant almost out of her senses, as she cowered under the bed-clothes, not at all sure that they wouldnot proceed to eating her. Happily daylight came early. Aurelia, at itsfirst ray, darted across the room, starting in horror when she toucheda soft thing with her bare foot, opened the shutter, and threw open thecasement. Light drove the enemy back to their holes, and she had a fewhours' sleep, but when Mrs. Loveday came to the room when she wasnearly dressed, she exclaimed, "Why, miss, you look paler than you didyesterday. "

"The rats!" said Aurelia under her breath. 

"Ah! the rats! Of course they are bad enough in an old desolate placelike this. But you've done the shells right beautiful, that I will say;and you may leave this house this very day if you will only give yourconsent to what my Lady asks. You shall be sent down this very day toCarminster, if so be you'll give up that ring of yours, and sign a papergiving up all claim to be married to his Honour. See, here it is, allready, in my Lady's letter. "

"I cannot, " said Aurelia, with her hands behind her. 

"You can read my Lady's letter, " said Loveday; "that can do you noharm. "

Aurelia felt she must do that at least. 

 "CHILD, "I will overlook your Transgression on the One Condition, thatyou sign this Paper and send it with your so-called Wedding Ring backto me immediately. Otherwise you must take the Consequences, and remainwhere you are till after my Son's Marriage. 

 "URANIA BELAMOUR. "

The paper was a formal renunciation of all rights or claims from thefictitious marriage by which she had been deceived, and an absolutepledge never to renew any contract with Sir Amyas Belamour, KnightBaronet, who had grossly played on her. 

"No, I cannot, " said Aurelia, pushing it from her. 

"Indeed, miss, I would not persuade you to it if it were not for yourown good; but you may be sure it is no use holding out against herLadyship. If you sign it now, and give it up honourable, she will sendMr. Dove home with you, and there you'll be as if nothing had beenamiss, no one knowing nothing about it; but if you persist it will notmake the marriage a bit more true, and you will only be kept moped up inthis dismal place till his Honour is married, and there's no saying whatworse my Lady may do to you. "

Another night of rats came up before Aurelia's imagination in contrastwith the tender welcome at home; but the white face and the tones thathad exclaimed, "Madam, what are you doing to my wife?" arose and forbadeher. She would not fail him. So she said firmly once more, "No, Mrs. Loveday, I cannot. I do not know what lawyers may say, but I feel myselfbound to Sir Amyas, and I will not break my vow--God helping me, " sheadded under breath. 

"You must write it to her ladyship then. She will never take such amessage through me. Here is paper and pen that I brought, in hopes thatyou would be wise and submit for your honoured father's sake. "

"My father cannot be persecuted for what he has nothing to do with, "said Aurelia, with the gentle dignity that had grown on her since hertroubles. And taking the pen, she wrote her simple refusal, signing itAurelia Belamour. 

"As you please, ma'am, " said Mrs. Loveday, "but I have my Lady's ordersto bring this paper every day till you sign it, and it would be betterfor you if you would do it at once. "

Aurelia only shook her head, and asked if Mrs. Loveday had seen that shehad finished sorting the shells. Yes; and as she was now dressed theywent down together to the sitting-room. The shutters were still closed, Madge would not put a hand to the room except on the compulsion, andAurelia's enemies had left evidence of their work; not only was theodour of the room like that of a barn, but the paper bags had in somecases been bitten through, and the shells scattered about, and of theloaf and butter which Aurelia had left on a high shelf in the cupboardnothing remained but a few fragments. 

Loveday was very much shocked, all the more when Aurelia quietly saidshe should not mind it so much if the rats would only stay down stairs, and not run over her in bed. 

"Yet you will not sign the paper. "

"I cannot, " again said Aurelia. 

"My stars, I never could abear rats! Why they fly at one's throatsometimes!"

"I hope God will take care of me, " said Aurelia, in a trembling voice. "He did last night. "

Loveday began a formal leave-taking curtsey, but presently turned back. "There now, " she said, "I cannot do it, I couldn't sleep a wink forthinking of you among the rats! Look here, I shall send a porter tobring away those shells if you'll make up their bags again that thenasty vermin have eaten, and there's a little terrier dog about theplace that no one will miss, he shall bring it down, and depend upon it, the rats won't venture near it. "

"Oh! thank you, Mrs. Loveday, how good you are!"

"Ah, don't then! If you could say that my dear!"

Mrs. Loveday hurried away, and after breakfasting, Aurelia repaired theravages of the rats, and made a last sorting of the residuum of shelldust, discovering numerous minute beauties, which awoke in her the happythought of the Creator's individual love. 

She had not yet finished before Madge's voice was heard in querulousanger, and a heavy tread came along with her. A big man, who could havecarried ten times the weight of the box of shells, came in with a littlewhite dog with black ears, under his arm. 

"There, " said the amiable guardian of the house, "that smart madam saysthat it's her ladyship's pleasure you should have that little beast tokeep down the rats. As if my cats was not enough! But mind you, MadamReally, if so be he meddles with my cats, it will be the worse for him. "

The porter took up the box, and departed, and Aurelia was left withher new companion sniffing all round the room, much excited by theneighbourhood of his natural enemies. However, he obeyed her call, andlet her make friends, and read the name on the brass plate upon hiscollar. When she read "Sir A. Belamour, Bart. , " she took the little dogin her arms and kissed it's white head. 

Being fairly rested, and having no task to accomplish, she felt the daymuch longer, though less solitary, in the companionship of the dog, towhom she whispered many fond compliments, and vain questions as to hisname. With him at her heels and Madge and her cats safely shut into thekitchen, she took courage to wander about the dull court, and then toexplore the mansion and try to get a view from the higher windows, incase they were not shuttered up like the lower ones. The emptinessof Bowstead was nothing to this, and she smiled to herself at havingthought herself a prisoner there. 

Most of the rooms were completely dismantled, or had only ghastly ragsof torn leather or tapestry hanging to their walls. The upper windows, however, were merely obscured by dust and cobwebs. Her own bedroomwindows only showed the tall front of an opposite house, but climbingto the higher storey, she could see at the back over the garden wallthe broad sheet of the Thames, covered with boats and wherries, and thebanks provided with steps and stairs, at the opening of every street onthe opposite side, where she beheld a confused mass of trees, churches, and houses. Nearer, the view to the westward was closed in by a statelyedifice which she did not know to be Somerset House; and from anotherwindow on the east side of the house she saw, over numerous tiledroofs, a gateway which she guessed to be Temple Bar, and a crowdedthoroughfare, where the people looked like ants, toiling towards thegreat dome that rose in the misty distance. Was this the way she was tosee London?

Coming down with a lagging step, she met Madge's face peering up. "Humph! there you be, my fine miss! No gaping after sweethearts from thewindow, or it will be the worse for you. "

The terrier growled, as having already adopted his young lady's defence, and Aurelia, dreading a perilous explosion of his zeal in her cause, hurried him into her parlour. 

CHAPTER XXXI. THE SECOND TASK. 

 Hope no more, Since thou art furnished with hidden lore, To 'scape thy due reward if any day Without some task accomplished passed away. MOORE. 

The little dog's presence was a comfort, but his night of combat andscuffling was not a restful one and the poor prisoner's sickness ofheart and nervous terrors grew upon her every hour, with misgivingslest she should be clinging to a shadow, and sacrificing her return toBetty's arms for a phantom. There were moments when her anguish ofvague terror and utter loneliness impelled her to long to sign herrenunciation that moment; and when she thought of recurring hours andweeks of such days and such nights her spirit quailed within her, andLoveday might have found her less calmly steadfast had she come in themorning. 

She did not come, and this in itself was a disappointment, for at leastshe brought a human voice and a pitying countenance which, temptressthough she might be, had helped to bear Aurelia through the first days. Oh! could she but find anything to do! She had dusted her two rooms aswell as she could consistently with care for the dress she could notchange. She blamed herself extremely for having forgotten her Bible andPrayer-book when hastily making up her bundle of necessaries, and thoughthere was little chance that Madge should possess either, or be able toread, she nerved herself to ask. "Bible! what should ye want of a Bible, unless to play the hypocrite? I hain't got none!" was the reply. 

So Aurelia could only walk up and down the court trying to repeat thePsalms, and afterwards the poetry she had learnt for Mr. Belamour'sbenefit, sometimes deriving comfort from the promises, but oftenerwondering whether he had indeed deserted her in anger at her distrustfulcuriosity. She tried to scrape the mossgrown Triton, she crept up stairsto the window that looked towards the City, and cleared off some of thedimness, and she got a needle and thread and tried to darn the holesin the curtains and cushions, but the rotten stuff crumbled under herfingers, and would not hold the stitches. At last she found in a dustycorner a boardless book with neither beginning nor end, being Defoe's_Plague of London_. She read and read with a horrid fascination, believing every word of it, wondering whether this house could have beeninfected, and at length feeling for the plague spot!

A great church-clock enabled her to count the hours! Oh, how many therewere of them! How many more would there be? This was only hersecond day, and deliverance could not come for weeks, were her younghusband--if husband he were--ever so faithful. How should she findpatience in this dreariness, interspersed with fits of alarm lest heshould be dangerously ill and suffering? She fell on her knees andprayed for him and for herself!

Here it was getting dark again, and Madge would hunt her in presentlyand shut the shutters. Hark! what was that? A bell echoing over thehouse! Madge came after her. "Where are you, my fine mistress! Go youinto the parlour, I say, " and she turned the key upon the prisoner, whose heart beat like a bird fluttering in a cage. Suddenly her door wasopened, and in darted Fidelia and Lettice, who flung themselves upon herwith ecstatic shrieks of "Cousin Aura, dear cousin Aura!" Loveday wasbehind, directing the bringing in of trunks from a hackney coach. Allshe said was, "My Lady's daughters are to be with you for the night, madam; I must not say more, for her ladyship is waiting for me. "

She was gone, while the three were still in the glad tangle of anembrace beginning again and again, with all sorts of little exclamationsfrom the children, into which Aurelia broke with the inquiry for theirbrother. "He is much better, " said Fay. "He is to get up to-morrow, andthen he will come and find you. "

"Have you seen him?"

"Oh, yes, and he says it is Sister Aura, and not Cousin Aura--"

"My dear, dear little sisters--" and she hugged them again. 

"I was sitting upon his bed, " said Letty, "and we were all talking aboutyou when my Lady mamma came. Are mothers kinder than Lady mammas?"

"Was she angry?" asked Aurelia. 

"Oh! she frightened me, " said Fay. "She said we were pert, forwardmisses, and we must hold our tongues, for we should be whipped if weever said you name, Cousin--Sister Aura, again; and she would not let usgo to wish Brother Amyas good-bye this morning. "

Aurelia's heart could not but leap with joy that her tyrant should havefailed in carrying to Bowstead the renunciation of the marriage. WhetherLady Belamour meant it or not, she had made resistance much easier bythe company of Faith and Hope, if only for a single night. She gatheredfrom their prattle that their mother, having found that their talk withtheir brother was all of the one object of his thoughts, had carriedthem off summarily, and had been since driving about London in searchof a school at which to leave them; but they were too young for Queen'sSquare, and there was no room at another house at which Lady Belamourhad applied. She would not take them home, being, of course, afraid oftheir tongues, and in her perplexity had been reduced to letting themshare Aurelia's captivity at least for the night. 

What joy it was! They said it was an ugly dark house, but Aurelia'spresence was perfect content to them, and theirs was to her comparativefelicity, assuring her as they did, through their childish talk, of SirAmyas's unbroken love and of Mr. Belamour's endeavours to find her. Whatmattered it that Madge was more offended than ever, and refused to makethe slightest exertion for "the Wayland brats at that time of night"without warning. They had enough for supper, and if Aurelia had not, their company was worth much more to her than a full meal. The terrier'srushes after rats were only diversion now, and when all three nestledtogether in the big bed, the fun was more delightful than ever. Betweenthose soft caressing creatures Aurelia heard no rats, and could wellbear some kicks at night, and being drummed awake at some strange hourin the morning. 

Mrs. Loveday arrive soon after the little party had gone down stairs. She said the children were to remain until her ladyship had decidedwhere to send them; and she confirmed their report that his Honourwas recovering quickly. As soon as he was sufficiently well to leaveBowstead he was to be brought to London, and married to Lady Arabellabefore going abroad to make the grand tour; and as a true well-wisher, Mrs. Loveday begged Miss Delavie not to hold out when it was of no use, for her Ladyship declared that her contumacy would be the worse forher. Aurelia's garrison was, however, too well reinforced for any vaguealarms to shake even her out works, and she only smiled her refusal, asin truth Mrs. Loveday must have expected, for it appeared that she hadsecured a maid to attend on the prisoners; an extremely deaf woman, whoonly spoke in the broken imperfect mode of those who have never heardtheir own voice, deficiencies that made it possible that Madge wouldkeep the peace with her. 

Lady Belamour had also found another piece of work for Aurelia. A darkcupboard was opened, revealing shelves piled with bundle of old lettersand papers. There was a family tradition that one of the ladies of theDelavie family had been an attendant of Mary of Scotland for a shorttime, and had received from her a recipe for preserving the complexionand texture of the skin, devised by the French Court perfumer. Nobodyhad ever seen this precious prescription; but it was presumed to bein the archives of the family, and her ladyship sent word that if MissDelavie wished to deserve her favour she would put her French to someaccount and discover it. 

A severe undertaking it was. Piles of yellow letters, files of dustyaccounts, multitudes of receipts, more than one old will had to beconned it was possible to be certain they were not the nostrum. In theutter solitude, even this occupation would have been valuable, but withthe little girls about her, and her own and their property, she hadalternative employments enough to make it an effort to apply herself tothis. 

Why should she? she asked herself more than once; but then came therecollection that if she showed herself willing to obey and gratify myLady, it might gain her good will, and if Sir Amyas should indeed holdout till Mr. Wayland came home--Her heart beat wildly at the vision ofhope. 

She worked principally at the letters, after the children had gone tobed, taking a packet up stairs with her, and sitting in the bedroom, deciphering them as best she might by the light of the candles thatLoveday had brought her. 

Every morning Loveday appeared with supplies, and messages from herLadyship, that it was time Miss submitted; but she was not at allsubstantially unkind, and showed increasing interest in her captive, though always impressing on her that her obstinacy was all in vain. MyLady was angered enough at his Honour having got up from his sick bedand gone off to Carminster, and if Miss did not wish to bring her fatherinto trouble she must yield. No, this gladdened rather than startledAurelia, though her heart sank within her when she was warned that Mr. Wayland had been taken by the corsairs, so that my Lady would havethe ball at her own foot now. The term of waiting seemed indefinitelyprolonged. 

The confinement to the dingy house and courtyard was trying to allthree, who had been used to run about in the green park and breezyfields; but Aurelia did her best to keep her little companions happyand busy, and the sense of the insecurity of her tenure of their companyaided her the more to meet with good temper and sweetness the variousrubs incidental to their captivity in this close warm house in thehottest of summer weather. The pang she had felt at her own fretfulness, when she thought she had lost them, made her guard the more againstgiving way to impatience if they were troublesome or hard to please. Indeed, she was much more gentle and equable now, in the strength ofher resolution, than she had been when uplifted by her position, yetdoubtful of its mysteries. 

Sundays were the most trying time. The lack of occupation in the smallspace was wearisome, and Aurelia's heart often echoed the old strains ofTate and Brady, I sigh whene'er my musing thoughts Those happy days present, When I with troops of pious friends Thy temple did frequent. 

She and her charges climbed up to the window above, which happily hada broken pane, tried to identify the chimes of the church bells by thenotable nursery rhyme, Oranges and lemons, Say the bells of St. Clements, &c. , watched the church-goers as far as they could see them, and then camedown to such reading of the service and other Sunday occupationsas Aurelia could devise. On the Sunday of her durance it was sucha broiling day that, unable to bear the heat of her parlour, sheestablished herself and her charges in a nook of the court, close underthe window, but shaded by the wall, which was covered with an immensebush of overhanging ivy, and by the elm tree in the court. Here she madeFay and Letty say their catechism, and the Psalm she had been teachingthem in the week, and then rewarded them with a Bible story, that ofDaniel in the den of lions. Once or twice the terrier (whose name shehad learnt was Bob) had pricked his ears, and the children had thoughtthere was a noise, but the sparrows in the ivy might be accountable fora great deal, and the little ones were to much wrapped in her tale to beattentive to anything else. 

"Then it came true!" said Letty. "His God Whom he trusted did deliverhim out of the den of lions?"

"God always does deliver people when they trust Him, " said Fay, withgleaming eyes. 

"Yes, one way or the other, " said Aurelia. 

"How do you think He will deliver us?" asked Letty; "for I am sure thisis a den, though there are no lions. "

"I do not know how, " said Aurelia, "but I know He will bear us throughit as long as we trust Him and do nothing wrong, " and she looked up atthe bright sky with hope and strength in her face. 

"Hark! what's that?" cried Letty, and Bob leapt up and barked as a greatsob became plainly audible, and within the room appeared Mrs. Loveday, her face all over tears, which she was fast wiping away as she rose upfrom crouching with her head against the window-sill. 

"I beg your pardon, ma'am, " said she, her voice still broken when sherejoined them, "but I would not interrupt you, so I waited within; andoh, it was so like my poor old mother at home, it quite overcame me! Idid not think there was anything so near the angels left on earth. "

"Nay, Loveday, " said Fay, apprehending the words in a different sense, "the angels are just as near us as ever they were to Daniel, only wecannot see them. Are they not, Cousin Aura?"

"Indeed they are, and we may be as sure that they will shut the lions'mouths, " said Aurelia. 

"Ah! may they, " sighed Loveday, who had by this time mastered heragitation, and remembered that she must discharge herself of hermessages, and return hastily to my Lady's toilette. 

"I have found the recipe, " said Aurelia. "Here it is. " And she put intoLoveday's hand a yellow letter, bearing the title in scribbled writing, "_Poure Embellire et blanchire la Pel, de part de Maistre Raoul, Parfumeur de la Royne Catherine_. "

CHAPTER XXXII. LIONS. 

 The helmet of darkness Pallas donned, To hide her presence from the sight of man. _Derby's_ HOMER. 

The next morning Loveday returned with orders from Lady Belamour thatMiss Delavie should translate the French recipe, and make a fair copyof it. It was not an easy task, for the MS. Was difficult and the Frenchold; whereas Aurelia lived on the modern side of the _Acadamie_, herFrench was that of Fenelon and Racine. 

However, she went to work as best she could in her cool corner, guessingat many of the words by lights derived from _Comenius_, and had justmade out that the chief ingredients were pounded pearls and rubies, mixed with white of eggs laid by pullets under a year old, during thewaxing of the April moon, when she heard voices chattering in the hall, and a girlish figure appeared in a light cloak and calash, whom Lovedayseemed to be guiding, and yet keeping as much repressed as she could. 

"Gracious Heavens!" were the first words to be distinguished; "what afrightful old place; enough to make one die of the dismals! I won'tlive here when I'm married, I promise Sir Amyas! Bless me, is this thewench?"

"Your Ladyship promised to be careful, " entreated Loveday, while Aureliarose, with a graceful gesture of acknowledgment, which, however remainedunnoticed, the lady apparently considering herself unseen. 

"Who are these little girls?" asked she, in a giggling whisper. "LittleWaylands? Then it is true, " she cried, with a peal of shrill laughter. "There are three of them, only Lady Belamour shuts them up likekittens--I wonder she did not. Oh, what sport! Won't I tease her nowthat I know her secret!"

"Your ladyship!" intreated Loveday in distress in an audible aside, "youwill undo me. " Then coming forward, she said, "You did not expect meat this hour, madam; but if your French copy be finished, my Lady wouldlike to have it at once. "

"I have written it out once as well as I could, " said Aurelia, "but Ihave not translated it; I will find the copy. "

She rose and found the stranger full before her in the doorway, gazingat her with an enormous pair of sloe-black eyes, under heavy inky brows, set in a hard, red-complexioned face. She burst into a loud, hoydenishlaugh as Loveday tried to stammer something about a friend of her own. 

"Never mind, the murder's out, good Mrs. Abigail, " she cried, "it isme. I was determined to see the wench that has made such a fool of youngBelamour. I vow I can't guess what he means by it. Why, you are a poorpale tallow-candle, without a bit of colour in your face. Look at me!Shall you ever have such a complexion as mine, with ever so much rouge?"

"I think not, " said Aurelia, with one look at the peony face. 

"Do you know who I am, miss? I am the Lady Bella Mar. The Countessof Aresfield is my mamma. I shall have Battlefield when she dies, andtwenty thousand pounds on my wedding day. The Earl of Aresfield andColonel Mar are my brothers, and a wretched little country girl likeyou is not to come between me and what my mamma has fixed for me; so youmust give it up at once, for you see he belongs to me. "

"Not yet, madam, " said Aurelia. 

"What do you say? Do you pretend that your masquerade was worth abutton?"

"That is not my part to decide, " said Aurelia. "I am bound by it, andhave no power to break it. "

"You mean the lawyers! Bless you, they will never give it to you againstme! You'd best give it up at once, and if you want a husband, my mammahas one ready for you. "

"I thank her ladyship, " said Aurelia, with simple dignity, "but I willnot give her the trouble. "

She glanced at her wedding ring, and so did Lady Belle, who screamed, "You've the impudence to wear that! Give it to me. "

"I cannot, " repeated Aurelia. 

"You cannot, you insolent, vulgar, low"--

"Hush! hush, my lady, " entreated Loveday. "Come away, I beg of yourladyship!"

"Not till I have made that impudent hussy give me that ring, " criedBelle, stamping violently. "What's that you say?"

"That your ladyship asks what is impossible, " said Aurelia, firmly. 

"Take that then, insolent minx!" cried the girl, flying forward andviolently slapping Aurelia's soft cheeks, and making a snatch at herhair. 

Loveday screamed, Letty cried, but Fidelia and Bob both rushed forwardto Aurelia's defence, one with her little fists clenched, beating LadyBelle back, the other tearing at her skirts with his teeth. At thatmoment a man's step was heard, and a tall, powerful officer was amongthem, uttering a fierce imprecation. "You little vixen, at your tricksagain, " he said, taking Belle by the waist, while she kicked andscreamed in vain. She was like an angry cat in his arms. "Be quiet, Belle, " he said, backing into the sitting-room. "Let Loveday composeyour dress. Recover your senses and I shall take you home: I wish it wasto the whipping you deserve. "

He thrust her in, waved aside Loveday's excuses about her ladyshipnot being denied, and stood with his back to the door as she bouncedshrieking against it from within. 

"I fear this little devil has hurt you, madam, " he said. 

"Not at all, I thank you, sire. " said Aurelia, though one side of herface still tingled. 

"She made at you like a little game-cock, " he said. "I am glad I was intime. I followed when I found she had slipped away from Lady Belamour's, knowing that her curiosity is only equalled by her spite. By Jove, it iswell that her nails did not touch that angel face!"

Aurelia could only curtsey and thank him, hoping within herself thatLady Belle would soon recover, and wondering how he had let himself in. There was something in his manner of examining her with his eyes thatmade her supremely uncomfortable. He uttered fashionable expletivesof admiration under his breath, and she turned aside in displeasure, bending down to Fidelia. He went on, "You must be devilishly moped inthis dungeon of a place! Cannot we contrive something better?"

"Thank you, sir, I have no complaint to make. Permit me to see whetherthe Lady Arabella is better. "

"I advise you not. Those orbs are too soft and sparkling to be exposedto her talons. 'Pon my honour, I pity young Belamour. But there is nohelp for it, and such charms ought not to be wasted in solitude on hisaccount. These young lads are as fickle as the weather-cock, and havehalf-a-dozen fancies in as many weeks. Come now, make me your friend, and we will hit on some device for delivering the enchanted princessfrom her durance vile. "

"Thank you, sir, I promised Lady Belamour to make no attempt to escape. "

At that moment out burst Lady Belle, shouting with laughter: "Ho! ho!Have I caught you, brother, gallanting away with Miss? What will my ladysay? Pretty doings!"

She had no time for more. Her brother fiercely laid hold of her, andbore her away with a peremptory violence that she could not resist, andonly turning at the hall door to make one magnificent bow. 

Loveday was obliged to follow, and the children were left clinging toAurelia and declaring that the dreadful young lady was as bad as thelions; while Aurelia, glowing with shame and resentment at what she feltas insults, had a misgiving that her protector had been the worse lionof the two. 

She had no explanation of the invasion till the next morning, whenLoveday appeared full of excuses and apologies. From the fact ofLady Aresfield's carriage having been used on Aurelia's arrival, herimprisonment was known, and Lady Belle, spending a holiday at LadyBelamour's, had besieged Loveday with entreaties to take her to see herrival. As the waiting-woman said, for fear of the young lady's violenttemper, but more probably in consideration of her bribes, she hadyielded, hoping that Lady Belle would be satisfied with a view from thewindow, herself unseen. However, from that moment all had been taken outof the hands of Loveday, and she verily believed the Colonel had madefollowing his sister an excuse for catching a sight of Miss Delavie, forhe had been monstrously smitten even with the glimpse he had had of herin the carriage. And now, as his sister had cut short what he hadto say, he had written her a billet. And Loveday held out a perfumedletter. 

Aurelia's eyes flashed, and she drew herself up: "You forget, Loveday, Ipromised to receive no letters!"

"Bless me, ma'am, they, that are treated as my lady treats you, are notbound to be so particular as that. "

"O fie, Loveday, " said Aurelia earnestly, "you have been so kind, that Ithought you would be faithful. This is not being faithful to your lady, nor to me. "

"It is only from my wish to serve you, ma'am, " said Loveday in herfawning voice. "How can I bear to see a beautiful young lady like you, that ought to be the star of all the court, mewed up here for the sakeof a young giddy pate like his Honour, when there's one of the firstgentlemen in the land ready to be at your feet?"

"For shame! for shame!" exclaimed Aurelia, crimson already. "You know Iam married. "

"And you will not take the letter, nor see what the poor gentlemanmeans? May be he wants to reconcile you with my lady, and he has powerwith her. "

Aurelia took the letter, and, strong paper though it was, tore it acrossand across till it was all in fragments, no bigger than daisy flowers. "There, " she said, "you may tell him what I have done to his letter. "

Loveday stared for a minute, then exclaimed, "You are in the right, mydear lady. Oh, I am a wretch--a wretch--" and she went away sobbing. 

Aurelia hoped the matter was ended. It had given her a terrible feelingof insecurity, but she found to her relief that Madge was really moretrustworthy than Loveday. She overheard from the court a conversation atthe back door in which Madge was strenuously refusing admission to someone who was both threatening and bribing her, all in vain; but shewas only beginning to breathe freely when Loveday brought, not anotherletter, but what was less easy to stop, a personal message from "thatpoor gentleman. "

"Loveday, after what you said yesterday, how can you be so--wicked?"said Aurelia. 

"Indeed, miss, 'tis only as your true well-wisher. "

Aurelia turned away to leave the room. 

"Yes, it is, ma'am! On my bended knees I will swear it, " cried Loveday, throwing herself on them and catching her dress. "It is because I knowmy lady has worse in store for you!"

"Nothing can be worse than wrong-doing, " said Aurelia. 

"Ah! you don't know. Now, listen, one moment. I would not--indeed Iwould not--if I did not know that he meant true and honourable--as hedoes, indeed he does. He is madder after you then ever he was for mylady, for he says you have all her beauty, and freshness and simplicitybesides. He is raving. And you should never leave me, indeed you shouldnot, miss, if you slipped out after me in Deb's muffler--and we'd goto the Fleet. I have got a cousin there, poor fellow--he is always introuble, but he is a real true parson notwithstanding, and I'd neverleave your side till the knot was tied fast. Then you would laugh at mylady, and be one of the first ladies in the land, for my Lord Aresfieldis half a fool, and can't live long, and when you are a countess youwill remember your poor Loveday. "

"Let me go. You have said too much to a married woman, " said Aurelia, and as the maid began the old demonstrations of the invalidity of themarriage, and the folly of adhering to it when nobody knew where hishonour was gone, she said resolutely, "I shall write to Lady Belamour tosend me a more trustworthy messenger. "

On this Loveday fairly fell on the floor, grovelling in her wildentreaty that my Lady might hear nothing of this, declaring that it wasnot so much for the sake of the consequences to herself as to the younglady, for there was no guessing what my lady might not be capable ofif she guessed at Colonel Mar's admiration of her prisoner. Aurelia, frightened at her violence, finally promised not to appeal to herladyship as long as Loveday abstained from transmitting his messages, but on the least attempt on her part to refer to him, a complaint shouldcertainly be made to my lady. 

"Very well, madam, " said Loveday, wiping her eyes. "I only hope it willnot be the worse for you in the end, and that you will not wish you hadlistened to poor Loveday's advice. "

"I can never wish to have done what I know to be a great sin, " saidAurelia gravely. 

"Ah! you little know!" said Loveday, shaking her head sadly andominously. 

Something brought to Aurelia's lips what she had been teaching thechildren last Sunday, and she answered, "My God, in Whom I have trusted, is able to deliver me out of the mouthof lions, and He will deliver me out of thy hand. "

"Oh! if ever there were one whom He should deliver!" broke out Loveday, and again she went away weeping bitterly. 

Aurelia could not guess what the danger the woman threatened couldbe; so many had been mentioned as possible. A forcible marriage, incarceration in some lonely country place, a vague threat of beingtaken beyond seas to the plantation--all these had been mentioned; butshe was far more afraid of Colonel Mar forcing his way in andcarrying her off, and this kept her constantly in a state of nervouswatchfulness, always listening by day and hardly able to sleep by night. 

Once she had a terrible alarm, on a Sunday. Letty came rushing to her, declaring that Jumbo, dear Jumbo, and a gentleman were in the frontcourt. Was it really Jumbo? Come and see! No, she durst not, and Fayalmost instantly declared that Madge had shut them out. The childrenboth insisted that Jumbo it was, but Aurelia would not believe that itcould be anything but an attempt of her enemies. She interrogatedMadge, who had grown into a certain liking for one so submissive andinoffensive. Madge shook her head, could not guess how such folks hadgot into the court, was sure they were after no good, and declared thatmy Lady should hear of all the strange doings, and the letters that hadbeen left with her. Oh, no, she knew better than to give them, but myLady should see them. 

CHAPTER XXXIII. THE COSMETIC. 

 But one more task I charge thee with to-day, For unto Proserpine then take thy way, And give this golden casket to her hands. MORRIS. 

Late on that Sunday afternoon, a muffled and masked figure came throughthe house into the court behind, and after the first shock Aureliawas relieved to see that it was too tall, and moved too gracefully, tobelong to Loveday. 

"Why, child, what a colour you have!" said Lady Belamour, taking offher mask. "You need no aids to nature at your happy age. That is right, children, " as they curtsied and kissed her hand. "Go into the house, Iwish to speak with your cousin. "

Lady Belamour's unfailing self-command gave her such dignity that sheseemed truly a grand and majestic dame dispensing justice, and thegentle, shrinking Aurelia like a culprit on trial before her. 

"You have been here a month, Aurelia Delavie. Have you come to yoursenses, and are you ready to sign this paper?"

"No, madam, I cannot. "

"Silly fly; you are as bent as ever on remaining in the web in which amadman and a foolish boy have involved you?"

"I cannot help it, madam. "

"Oh! I thought, " and her voice became harshly clear, though so low, "that you might have other schemes, and be spreading your toils athigher game. "

"Certainly not, madam. "

"Your colour shows that you understand, in spite of all your pretences. "

"I have never used any pretences, my lady, " said Aurelia, looking up inher face with clear innocent eyes. 

"You have had no visitors? None!"

"None, madam, except once when the Lady Arabella Mar forced her way in, out of curiosity, I believe, and her brother followed to take her away. "

"Her brother? You saw him?" Each word came out edged like a knife frombetween her nearly closed lips. 

"Yes, madam. "

"How often?"

"That once. "

"That has not hindered a traffic in letters. "

"Not on my side, madam. I tore to fragments unread the only one that Ireceived. He had no right to send it!"

"Certainly not. You judge discreetly, Miss Delavie. In fact you are tootranscendent a paragon to be retained here. " Then, biting her lip, as ifthe bitter phrase had escaped unawares, she smiled blandly and said, "Mygood girl, you have merited to be returned to your friends. You may packyour mails and those of the children!"

Aurelia shuddered with gladness, but Lady Belamour checked her thanks bycontinuing, "One service you must first do for me. My perfumer is at aloss to understand your translation of the recipe for Queen Mary's wash. I wish you to read and explain it to her. "

"Certainly, madam. "

"She lives near Greenwich Park, " continued Lady Belamour, "and as Iwould not have the secret get abroad, I shall send a wherry to takeyou to the place early to-morrow morning. Can you be ready by eighto'clock?"

Aurelia readily promised, her heart bounding at the notion of a voyagedown the river after her long imprisonment and at the promise ofliberty! She thought her husband must still be true to her, since mylady would have been the first to inform her of his defection, and aslong as she had her ring and her certificate, she could feel littledoubt that her father would be able to establish her claims. And oh! tobe with him and Betty once more!

She was ready in good time, and had spent her leisure in packing. WhenLoveday appeared, she was greeted with a petition that the two littlegirls might accompany her; but this was refused at once, and thewaiting-maid added in her caressing, consoling tone that Mrs. Dove wascoming with their little brother and sister to take them a drive intothe country. They skipped about with glee, following Aurelia to the doorof the court, and promising her posies of honeysuckles and roses, andshe left her dear love with them for Amoret and Nurse Dove. 

At the door was a sedan chair, in which Aurelia was carried to somebroad stone stairs, beside which lay a smartly-painted, trim-lookingboat with four stout oarsmen. She was handed into the stern, Lovedaysitting opposite to her. The woman was unusually silent, and couldhardly be roused to reply to Aurelia's eager questions as she passed thegardens of Lincoln's Inn, saw St. Paul's rise above her, shot beneaththe arch of London Bridge, and beheld the massive walls of the Towerwith its low-browed arches opening above their steps. Whenever a scarletuniform came in view, how the girl's eyes strained after it, thinkingof one impossible, improbable chance of a recognition! Once or twiceshe thought of a far more terrible chance, and wondered whether LadyBelamour knew how little confidence could be placed in Loveday; but shewas sure that their expedition was my lady's own device, and the freshair and motion, with all the new scenes, were so delightful to her thatshe could not dwell on any alarms. 

On, on, Redriffe, as the watermen named Rotherhithe, was on one bank, the marshes of the Isle of Dogs were gay with white cotton-grass andred rattle on the other. Then came the wharves and building yards ofDeptford, and beyond them rose the trees of Greenwich Park, whilethe river below exhibited a forest of masts. The boat stopped at alanding-place to a little garden, with a sanded path, between herbsand flowers. "This is Mistress Darke's, " said Loveday, and as a littledwarfish lad came to the gate, she said, "We would speak with yourmistress. "

"On your own part?'

"From the great lady in Hanover Square. "

The lad came down to assist in their landing, and took them up thepath to a little cupboard of a room, scented with a compound of everyimaginable perfume. Bottles of every sort of essence, pomade, andcosmetic were ranged on shelves, or within glass doors, interspersedwith masks, boxes for patches, bunches of false hair, powder puffs, curling-irons, and rare feathers. An alembic [a device used indistillation--D. L. ] was in the fireplace, and pen and ink, in astrangely-shaped standish, were on the table. Altogether there wassomething uncanny about the look and air of the room which made Aureliatremble, especially as she perceived that Loveday was both frightenedand distressed. 

The mistress of the establishment speedily appeared. She had been asplendid Jewish beauty, and still in middle age, had great owl-likeeyes, and a complexion that did her credit to her arts; but there wassomething indescribably repulsive in her fawning, deferential curtsey, as she said, in a flattering tone, with a slightly foreign accent, "Thepretty lady is come, as our noble dame promised, to explain to thepoor Cora Darke the great queen's secret! Ah! how good it is to havelearning. What would not my clients give for such a skin as hers! AndI have many more, and greater than you would think, come to poor Cora'scottage. There was a countess here but yesterday to ask how to blanchthe complexion of miladi her daughter, who is about to wed a youngbaronet, beautiful as Love. Bah! I might as well try to whiten a clovegillyflower! Yet what has not nature done for this lovely miss?"

"Shall I read you the paper?" said Aurelia, longing to end this part ofthe affair. 

"Be seated, fair and gracious lady. "

Aurelia tried to wave aside a chair, but Mrs. Darke, on the plea oflooking over the words as she read, got her down upon a low couch, putting her own stout person and hooked face in unpleasant proximity, while she asked questions, and Aurelia mentioned her own conjectures onthe obsolete French of the recipe, while she perceived, to her alarm, that the woman understood the technical terms much better than she did, and that her ignorance could have been only an excuse. 

At last it was finished, and she rose, saying it was time to return tothe boat. 

"Nay, madam, that cannot be yet, " said Loveday; "the watermen are goneto rest and dine, and we must wait for the tide to shoot the bridge. "

"Then pray let us go out and walk in Greenwich Park, " exclaimed Aurelia, longing to escape from this den. 

"The sweet young lady will take something in the meantime?" said Mrs. Darke. 

"I thank you, I have breakfasted, " said Aurelia. 

"My Lady intended us to eat here, " said Loveday in an undertone to heryoung lady, as their hostess bustled out. "She will make it good to Mrs. Darke. "

"I had rather go to the inn--I have money--or sit in the park, "she added as Loveday looked as if going to the inn were an improperproposal. "Could we not buy a loaf and eat in the park? I should like itso much better. "

"One cup of coffee, " said Mrs. Darke, entering; "the excellent Mochathat I get from the Turkey captains. "

She set down on a small table a wonderful cup of Eastern porcelain, andsome little sugared cakes, and Aurelia, not to be utterly ungracious, tasted one, and began on the coffee, which was so hot that it had to betaken slowly. As she sipped a soothing drowsiness came over her, whichat first was accounted for by the warm room after her row on the river;but it gained upon her, and instead of setting out for her walk she fellsound asleep in the corner of the couch. 

"It has worked. It is well, " said Mrs. Darke, lifting the girl's feet onthe couch, and producing a large pair of scissors. 

Loveday could not repress a little shriek. 

"Hush!" as the woman untied the black silk hood, drew it gently off, andthen undid the ribbon that confined the victim's abundant tresses. "Bah!it will be grown by the time she arrives, and if not so long as present, what will they know of it? It will be the more agreeable surprise! Here, put yonder cloth under her head while I hold it up. "

"I cannot, " sobbed Loveday. "This is too much. I never would haveentered my Lady's service if I had known I was to be set to such asthis. "

"Come, come, Grace Loveday, I know too much of you for you to come thePresician over me. "

"Such a sweet innocent! So tender-hearted and civil too. "

"Bless you, woman, you don't know what's good for her! She will be avery queen over the black slaves on the Indies. Captain Karen will tellyou how the wenches thank him for having brought 'em out. They couldnever do any good here, you know, poor lasses; but out there, wherewhite women are scarce, they are ready to worship the very ground theytread upon. "

"I tell you she ain't one of that sort. She is a young lady of birth, a cousin of my Lady's own, as innocent as a babe, and there are twogentlemen, if not three, a dying for her. "

"I lay you anything not one of 'em is worth old Mr. Van Draagen, whoturns his thousands every month. 'Send me out a lady lass, ' says he, 'one that will do me credit with the governor's lady. ' Why she will havean estate as big as from here to Dover, and slaves to wait on her, soas she need never stoop to pick up her glove. He has been marriedtwice before, and his last used to send orders for the best brocades inLondon. He stuck at no expense. The Queen has not finer gowns!"

"But to think of the poor child's waking up out at sea. "

"Oh! Mrs. Karen will let her know she may think herself well off. Inever let 'em go unless there's a married woman aboard to take charge ofthem, and that's why I kept your lady waiting till the _Red Cloud_ wasready to sail. You may tell her Ladyship she could not have a betterberth, and she'll want for nothing. I know what is due to the realquality, and I've put aboard all the toilette, and linen, and dressesas was bespoke for the last Mrs. Van Draagen, and there's a civil spokenwench aboard, what will wait on her for a consideration. "

"Nay, but mistress, " said Loveday, whispering: "I know those that wouldgive more than you will ever get from my Lady if they found her safehere. "

"Of course there are, or she would not be here now, " said Mrs. Darke, with a horrid grin; "but that won't do, my lass. A lady that's afraidof exposure will pay you, if she pawns her last diamond, but agentleman--why, he gets sick of his fancy, and snaps his fingers atthem that helped him!" Then, looking keenly at Loveday, "You've not beenplaying me false, eh?"

"O no, no, " hastily exclaimed Loveday, cowering at the malignant look. 

"If so be you have, Grace Loveday, two can play at that game, " said Mrs. Darke composedly. "There, I have left her enough to turn back. Whathair it is! Feel the weight of it! There's not another head of themouse-colour to match your Lady's in the kingdom, " she added, smoothingout the severed tresses with the satisfaction of a connoisseur. "Nowonder madame could not let this be wasted on the plantations, when youand I and M. Le Griseur know her own hair is getting thinner than shewould wish a certain Colonel to guess. There! the pretty dear, what ababy she looks! I will tie her on a cowl, lest she should take cold onthe river. See these rings. Did you Lady give no charge about them?"

"I had forgot!" said the waiting-woman, confused; "she charged me tobring them back, old family jewels, she said, that must not be carriedoff to foreign parts; but I cannot, cannot do it. To rob that prettycreature in her sleep. "

"Never fear. She'll soon have a store much finer than these! You fool, Itell you she will not wake these six or eight hours. Afraid? There, I'll do it! Ho! A ruby? A love-token, I wager; and what's this? A carvedCupid. I could turn a pretty penny by that, when your lady findsit convenient, and her luck at play goes against her. Eh! is this awedding-ring? Best take that off; Mr. Van Draagen might not understandit, you see. Here they are. Have you a patch-box handy for them in yourpocket? Why what ails the woman? You may thank your stars there's someone here with her wits about her! None of your whimpering, I say, hercomes Captain Karen. "

Two seafaring men here came up the garden path, the foremost small anddapper, with a ready address and astute countenance. "All right, MotherDarkness, is our consignment ready? Aye, aye! And the freight?"

"This lady has it, " said Mrs. Darke, pointing to Loveday; "I have beentelling her she need have no fears for her young kinswoman in yourhands, Captain. "

He swore a round oath to that effect, and looking at the sleepingmaiden, again swore that she was the choicest piece of goods everconfided to him, and that he knew better than let such an article arrivedamaged. Mr. Van Draagen ought to come down handsomely for such an extrafine sample; but in the meantime he accepted the rouleau of guineasthat Loveday handed to him, the proceeds, as she told Mrs. Darke, of myLady's winnings last night at loo. 

All was ready. Poor Aurelia was swathed from head to foot in a largemantle, like the chrysalis whose name she bore, the two sailors took herup between them, carried her to their boat, and laid her along in thestern. Then they pushed off and rowed down the river. Loveday looked upand looked down, then sank on the steps, convulsed with grief, sobbingbitterly. "She said He could deliver her from the mouth of lions! AndHe has not, " she murmured under her breath, in utter misery andhopelessness. 

CHAPTER XXXIV. DOWN THE RIVER. 

 The lioness, ye may move her To give o'er her prey, But ye'll ne'er stop a lover, He will find out the way. 

Elizabeth Delavie and her little brother were standing in the bay windowof their hotel, gazing eagerly along the street in hopes of seeing theMajor return, when Sir Amyas was seen riding hastily up on his charger, in full accoutrements, with a soldier following. In another moment hehad dashed up stairs, and saying, "Sister, read that!" put into Betty'shand a slip of paper on which was written in pencil--

"If Sir A. B. Would not have his true love kidnapped to the plantations, he had best keep watch on the river gate of Mistress Darke's garden atGreenwich. No time to lose. "

"Who brought you this?" demanded Betty, as well as she could speak forhorror. 

"My mother's little negro boy, Syphax. He says Mrs. Loveday, herwaiting-woman, gave it to him privately on the stairs, as she was aboutto get into a sedan, telling him I would give him a crown if he gave itme as I came off parade. "

"Noon! Is there time?"

"Barely, but there shall be time. There is no time to seek your father. "

"No, but I must come with you. "

"The water is the quickest way. There are stairs near. I'll send myfellow to secure a boat. "

"I will be ready instantly, while you tell your uncle. It might bebetter if he came. "

Sir Amyas flew to his uncle's door, but found him gone out, and, in toogreat haste to inquire further, came down again to find Betty in cloakand hood. He gave her his arm, and, Eugene trotting after them, theyhurried to the nearest stairs, remembering in dire confirmation whatBetty had heard from the school-girl. Both had heard reports that youngwomen were sometimes thus deported to become wives to the planters inthe southern colonies or the West Indies, but that such a destiny shouldbe intended for their own Aurelia, and by Lady Belamour, was scarcelycredible. Doubts rushed over Betty, but she remembered what theschool-girl had said of the captive being sent beyond seas; and at anyrate, she must risk the expedition being futile when such issues hungupon it. And if they failed to meet her father, she felt that herpresence might prevail when the undefined rights of so mere a lad as hercompanion might be disregarded. 

His soldier servant had secured a boat, and they rapidly descended tothe river; Sir Amyas silent between suspense, dismay and shame for hismother, and Betty trying to keep Eugene quiet by hurried answers to hiseager questions about all he saw. They had to get out at London Bridge, and take a fresh boat on the other side, a much larger one, withtwo oarsmen, and a grizzled old coxswain, with a pleasant honestcountenance, who presently relieved Betty of all necessity of attendingto, or answering, Eugene's chatter. 

"Do you know where this garden is?" said she, leaning across to SirAmyas, who had engaged the boat to go to Greenwich. 

He started as if it were a new and sudden thought, and turning to thesteersman demanded whether he knew Mrs. Darke's garden. 

The old man gave a kind of grunt, and eyed the trio interrogatively, the young officer with his fresh, innocent, boyish face and brilliantundisguised uniform, the handsome child, the lady neither young, gay, nor beautiful, but unmistakeably a decorous gentlewoman. 

"Do you know Mrs. Darke's?" repeated Sir Amyas. 

"Aye, do I? Mayhap I know more about the place than you do. "

There was that about his face that moved Betty and the young man tolook at one another, and the former said, "She has had to do with--evildoings?"

"You may say that, ma'am. "

"Then, " they cried in one breath, "you will help us!" And in a veryfew words Betty explained their fears for her young sister, and askedwhether he thought the warning possible. 

"I've heard tell of such things!" said the old man between his teeth, "and Mother Darkness is one to do 'em. Help you to bring back the pooryoung lass? That we will, if we have to break down the door with ourfists. And who is this young spark? Her brother or her sweetheart?"

"Her husband!" said Sir Amyas. "Her husband from whom she has beencruelly spirited away. Aid me to bring her back, my good fellow, andnothing would be too much to reward you. "

"Aye, aye, captain, Jem Green's not the man to see an English girlhanded over to they slave-driving, outlandish chaps. But I say, I wishyou'd got a cloak or summat to put over that scarlet and gold of yourn. It's a regular flag to put the old witch on her guard. "

On that summer's day, however, no cloak was at hand. They went down theriver very rapidly, for the tide was running out and at length Jem Greenpointed out the neat little garden. On the step sat a woman, apparentlyweeping bitterly. Could it be the object of their search? No, but asthey came nearer, and she was roused so as to catch sight of the scarletcoat, she beckoned and gesticulated with all her might; and as theyapproached Sir Amyas recognised her as his mother's maid. 

"You will be in time yet, " she cried breathlessly. "Oh! take me in, oryou won't know the ship!"

So eager and terrified was she, that but for the old steersman'speremptory steadiness, her own life and theirs would have been in muchperil, but she was safely seated at last, gasping out, "The _Red Cloud_, Captain Karen. They've been gone these ten minutes. "

"Aye, aye, " gruffly responded Green, and the oars moved rapidly, whileLoveday with another sob cried, "Oh! sir, I thought you would nevercome!"

"You sent the warning?"

Yes, sir, I knew nothing till the morning, when my Lady called me up. Ilie in her room, you know. She had given orders, and I was to take thesweet lady and go down the river with her to Mrs. Darke, the perfumingwoman my Lady has dealings with about here hair and complexion. ThereI was to stay with her till--till this same sea-captain was to come andcarry her off where she would give no more trouble. Oh, sir, it was toomuch--and my Lady knew it, for she had tied my hands so that I had buta moment to scribble down that scrip, and bid Syphax take it to you. Thedear lady! she said, 'her God could deliver her out of the mouth of thelion, ' and I could not believe it! I thought it too late!"

"How can we thank you, " began Betty; but she was choked by intenseanxiety, and Jem Green broke in with an inquiry where the ship wasbound for. Loveday only had a general impression of the West Indies, andbelieved that the poor lady's destined spouse was a tobacconist, and asthe boat was soon among a forest of shipping where it could not proceedso fast, Green had to inquire of neighbouring mariners where the _RedCloud_ was lying. 

"The _Red Cloud_, Karen, weighs anchor for Carolina at flood tideto-night. Shipper just going aboard, " they were told. 

Their speed had been so rapid that they were in time to see the boatalongside, and preparations being made to draw up some one or somethingon board. "Oh! that is she!" cried Loveday in great agitation. "They'vedrugged her. No harm done. She don't know it. But it is she!"

Sir Amyas, with a voice of thunder, called out, "Halt, villain, " at thesame moment as Green shouted "Avast there, mate!" And their boat camedashing up alongside. 

"Yield me up that lady instantly, fellow!" cried Sir Amyas, with hissword half drawn. 

"And who are you, I should like to know, " returned Karen, coolly, "swaggering at an honest man taking his freight and passengers aboard?"

"I'll soon show you!"

"Hush, sir, " said Green, who had caught sight of pistols and cutlasses, "let me speak a moment. Look you here, skipper, this young gentlemanand lady have right on their side. This is her sister, and he is herhusband. They are people of condition, as you see. "

"All's one to me on the broad seas. "

"That may be, " said Green, "but you see you can't weigh anchor thesethree hours or more; and what's to hinder the young captain here fromswearing against you before a magistrate, and getting your vesselsearched, eh?"

"I've no objection to hear reason if I'm spoke to reasonable, " saidKaren, sulkily; "but I'll not be bullied like a highwayman, when I've myconsignment regularly made out, and the freight down in hand, square. "

"You may keep your accursed passage-money and welcome, " cried Sir Amyas, "so you'll only give me my wife!"

"Show him the certificate, " whispered Betty. 

Sir Amyas had it ready, and he read it loud enough for all on the Thamesto hear. Karen gave a sneering little laugh. "What's that to me? Mypassenger here has her berth taken in the name of Ann Davis. "

"Like enough, " said Loveday, "but you remember me, captain, and I swearthat this poor young lady is what his Honour Sir Amyas say. He is agenerous young gentleman, and will make it up to you if you are at anyloss in the matter. "

"A hundred times over!" exclaimed Amyas hotly. 

"Hardly that, " said Karen. "Van Draagen might have been good for a roundhundred if he'd been pleased with the commission. "

"I'll give you and order--" began Sir Amyas. 

"What have you got about you, sir?" interrupted Karen. "I fancy hardcash better than your orders. "

The youth pulled out his purse. There was only a guinea or two and somesilver. "One does not go out to parade with much money about one, " hesaid, with a trembling endeavour for a smile, "but if you would send upto my quarters in Whitehall Barracks---"

"Never mind, sir, " said Karen, graciously. "I see you are in earnest, and I'll put up with the loss rather than stand in the light of a coupleof true lovers. Here, Jack, lend a hand, and we'll hoist the young womanover. She's quiet enough, thanks to Mother Darkness. "

The sudden change in tone might perhaps be owing to the skipper'sattention having been called by a sign from one of his men to a boatcoming up from Woolwich, rowed by men of the Royal navy, who werecertain to take part with an officer; but Sir Amyas and Betty were onlyintent on receiving the inanimate form wrapped up in its mantle. What ameeting it was for Betty, and yet what joy to have her at all! Theylaid her with her head in her sister's lap, and Sir Amyas hung over her, clasping one of the limp gloved hands, while Eugene called "Aura, Aura, "and would have impetuously kissed her awake, but Loveday caught hold ofhim. "Do not, do not, for pity's sake, little master, " she said; "thepotion will do her no harm if you let her sleep it off, but she may notknow you if you waken her before the time. "

"Wretch, what have you given her?" cried Sir Amyas. 

"It was not me, sir, it was Mrs. Darke, in a cup of coffee. She vowedit would do no hurt if only she was let to sleep six or eight hours. Andsee what a misery it has saved her from!"

"That is true, " said Betty. "Indeed I believe this is a healthy sleep. See how gently she breathes, how soft and natural her colour is, howcool and fresh her cheek is. I cannot believe there is serious harmdone. "

"How soon can we reach a physician?" asked Sir Amyas, still anxiously, of the coxswain. 

"I can't rightly say, sir, " replied he; "but never you fear. Theywouldn't do aught to damage such as she. "

Patience must perforce be exercised as, now against the tide and thestream, the wherry worked its way back. Once there was a little stir;Sir Amyas instantly hovered over Aurelia, and clasped her hand with acry of "My dearest life!" The long dark eyelashes slowly rose, the eyeslooked up for one moment from his face to her sister's, and then to herbrother's, but the lids sank as if weighed down, and with a murmur, "Oh, don't wake me, " she turned her face around on Betty's lap and sleptagain. 

"Poor darling, she thinks it a dream, " said Betty. "Eugene, do not. Sir, I entreat! Brother, yes I _will_ call you so if you will only let heralone! See how happy and peaceful her dear face is! Do not rouse herinto terror and bewilderment. "

"If I only were sure she was safe, " he sighed, hanging over, with anintensity of affection and anxiety that brought a dew even to the oldsteersman's eyes; and he kindly engrossed Eugene by telling about theplaces they passed, and setting him to watch the smart crew of the boatfrom the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, which was gaining on them. 

Meanwhile the others interrogated Loveday, who told them of the pretexton which Lady Belamour had sent her captive down to Mrs. Darke's. No onesave herself had, in my Lady's household, she said, an idea of where theyoung lady was, Lady Belamour having employed only hired porters excepton that night when Lady Aresfield's carriage brought her. This had ledto the captivity being know to Lady Belle and her brother, and Lovedayhad no doubt that it was the discovery of their being aware of it, aswell as Jumbo's appearance in the court, that had made her mistressfinally decide on this frightful mode of ridding herself of the poorgirl. The maid was as adroit a dissembler as her mistress, and she heldher peace as to her own part in forwarding Colonel Mar's suit, whetherher lady guessed it or not, but she owned with floods of tears how thesight of the young lady's meek and dutiful submission, her quiet trust, and her sweet, simple teaching of the children, had wakened into lifeagain a conscience long dead to all good, and made it impossible to herto carry out this last wicked commission without an attempt to save thecreature whom she had learnt to reverence as a saint. Most likely herscruples had been suspected by her mistress, for there had been anendeavour to put it out of her power to give any warning to the victim. Yet after all, the waiting-maid had been too adroit for the lady, or, as she fully owned, Aurelia's firm trust had not been baulked, anddeliverance from the lions had come. 

CHAPTER XXXV. THE RETURN. 

 And now the glorious artist, ere he yet Had reached the Lemnian Isle, limping, returned; With aching heart he sought his home. _Odyssey_--COWPER. 

How were they to get the slumbering maiden home? That was the nextquestion. Loveday advised carrying her direct to her old prison, whereshe would wake without alarm; but Sir Amyas shuddered at the notion, and Betty said she _could_ not take her again into a house of LadyBelamour's. 

The watermen, who were enthusiastic in the cause, which they understoodas that of one young sweetheart rescued by the other, declared that theywould carry the sweet lady between them on the cushions of their boat, laid on stretchers; and as they knew of a land-place near the _RoyalYork_, with no need of crossing any great thoroughfare, Betty thoughtthis the best chance of taking her sister home without a shock. 

The boat from Woolwich had shot London Bridge immediately after them, and stopped at the stairs nearest that where they landed; and just asSir Amyas, with an exclamation of annoyance at his unserviceable arm, had resigned Aurelia to be lifted on to her temporary litter, a handwas laid on his shoulder, a voice said "Amyas, what means this?" and hefound himself face to face with a small, keen-visaged, pale man, withthick grizzled brows overhanging searching dark grey eyes, shaded by agreat Spanish hat. 

"Sir! oh sir, is it you?" he cried, breathlessly; "now all will bewell!"

"I am very glad you think so, Amyas, " was the grave answer; "for allthis has a strange appearance. "

"It is my dearest wife, sir, my wife, whom I have just recoveredafter--Oh, say, sir, if you think all is well with her, and it is onlya harmless sleeping potion. Sister--Betty--this is my good father, Mr. Wayland. He is as good as a physician. Let him see my sweetest life. "

Mr. Wayland bent over the slumbering figure still in the bottom ofthe boat, heard what could be told of the draught by Loveday, whom herecognized as his wife's attendant, and feeling Aurelia's pulse, said, "I should not think there was need for fear. To the outward eye she isa model of sleeping innocence. " "Well you may say so, " and "She isindeed, " broke from the baronet and the waiting-maid at the sameinstant; but Mr. Wayland heeded them little as he impatiently asked, "Where and how is your mother, Amyas?"

"In health sir, at home, I suppose, " said Sir Amyas; "but oh, sir, hearme, before you see her. "

"I must, if you walk with me, " said Mr. Wayland, turning for a momentto bid his servant reward and dismiss the boat's crew, and see to thetransport of his luggage; and in the meantime Aurelia was lifted by herbearers. 

Sir Amyas again uttered a rejoicing, "We feared you were in the hands ofthe pirates, sir. "

"So I was; but the governor of Gibraltar obtained my release, and wasgood enough to send me home direct in a vessel on the king's service, "said Mr. Wayland, taking the arm his stepson offered to assist hislameness. "Now for your explanation, Amyas; only let me hear first thatmy babes are well. "

"Yes, sir, all well. You had my letter?"

"Telling of that strange disguised wedding? I had, the very day I wascaptured. "

By the time they had come to the place where their ways parted, Mr. Wayland had heard enough to be so perplexed and distressed that he knewnot that he had been drawn out of the way to Hanover Square, till atthe entrance of the _Royal York_, they found Betty asseverating to thelandlady that she was bringing no case of small pox into the house;and showing, as a passport of admittance, two little dents on the whitewrist and temple. 

At that instant the sound brought Major Delavie hurrying from hissitting-room at his best speed. There was a look of horror on his faceas he saw his daughter's senseless condition, but Betty sprang to hisside to prevent his wakening her, and Aurelia was safely carried upstairs and laid upon her sister's bed, still sleeping, while Betty andLoveday unloosed her clothes. Her bearers were sent for refreshmentto the bar, and the gentlemen stood looking on one another in thesitting-room, Mr. Wayland utterly shocked, incredulous of the little hedid understand, and yet unable to go home until he should hear more;and the Major hardly less horrified, in the midst of his relief. "Butwhere's Belamour!" he cried, "Your uncle, I mean. "

"Where?" said Sir Amyas. "They said he was gone out. "

"So they told me! And see here!"

Major Delavie produced Lady Belamour's note. 

"A blind!" cried Sir Amyas, turning away under a strange stroke of painand sham. "Oh! mother, mother!" and he dashed out of the room. 

Poor Mr. Wayland sat down as one who could stand no longer. "Of what dothey suspect her?" he said hoarsely. 

"Sir, " said the good Major, "I grieve sincerely for and with you. Opposition to this match with my poor child seems to have transportedmy poor cousin to strange and frantic lengths, but you may trust me toshield and guard her from exposure as far as may be. "

Her husband only answered by a groan, and wrung Major Delavie's hand, but their words were interrupted by Sir Amyas's return. He had been tohis uncle's chamber, and had found on the table a note addressed to theMajor. Within was a inclosure directed to A. Belamour, Esq. 

 "If you have found the way to the poor captive, for pity's sake come to her rescue. Be in the court with your faithful black by ten o'clock, and you may yet save on who loves and looks to you. "

On the outer sheet was written--

 "I distrust this handwriting, and suspect a ruse. In case I do not return, send for Hargrave, Sandys, Godfrey, as witnesses to my sanity, and storm the fair one's fortress in person. A. B. "

"It is not my Aurelia's writing, " said the Major. "Bravest of friends, what has he not dared on her account!"

"This is too much!" cried Mr. Wayland, striving in horror againsthis convictions. "I cannot hear my beloved wife loaded with monstroussuspicions in her absence!"

"I am sorry to say this is no new threat ever since poor Belamour hascrossed her path, " said the Major. 

"What have you done, sir!" asked Sir Amyas. 

"I fear I have but wasted time, " said the Major. "I have been to HanoverSquare, and getting no admittance there, I came back in the hope youmight be on the track with Betty--as, thank God, you were! The firstthing to be done now is to find what she has done with Belamour, " headded, rising up. 

"That must fall to my share, " said Mr. Wayland, pale and resolute. "Comewith me, Amyas, your young limbs will easily return before the effect ofthe narcotic has passed, and I need fuller explanation. "

Stillness than came on the Delavie party. The Major went up stairs, andsat by Aurelia's bed gazing with eyes dazzled with tears at the child hehad so longed to see, and whom he found again in this strange trance. A doctor came, and quite confirmed Mr. Wayland's opinion, that the drugwould not prove deleterious, provided the sleep was not disturbed, andBetty continued her watch, after hearing what her father knew of Mr. Belamour. She was greatly struck with the self-devotion that had gonewith open eyes into so dreadful a snare as a madhouse of those daysrather than miss the least chance of saving Aurelia. 

"If we go by perils dared, the uncle is the true knight-errant, " saidshe to her father. "I wonder which our child truly loves the best!"

"Betty!" said her father, scandalised. 

"Ay, I know, Sir Amyas is a charming boy, but what a boy he is! And shehas barely spoken with him or seen him, whereas Mr. Belamour has beenkind to her for a whole twelvemonth. I know what I should do if I werein her place. I would declare that I intended to be married to theuncle, and would keep it!"

"He would think it base to put the question. "

"He would; but indeed, dear sir, I think it would be but right and dueto the dear child herself that she should have here free choice, andnot be bound for ever by a deception! Yes, I know the poor boy's despairwould be dreadful, but it would be better for them both than such amistake. "

"Hush! I hear him knocking at the door, you cruel woman. "

The bedroom opened into the parlour the party had hired, so that bothcould come out and meet Sir Amyas with the door ajar, without relaxingtheir watch upon the sleeper. The poor young man looked pale, shocked, and sorrowful. "Well, " said he, after having read in their looks thatthere was no change, "he knows the worst. " Then on a further token ofinterrogation, "It may have been my fault; I took him, unannounced, through the whole suite of rooms, and in the closet at the end, with allthe doors open, she was having an altercation with Mar. He was insistingon knowing what she had done with"--(he signed towards the other room)"she, upbraiding him with faithlessness. They were deaf to an approach, till Mr. Wayland, in a loud voice, ordered me back, saying 'it was noscene for a son. '"

"I trust it will not end in a challenge?" asked the Major, gravely. 

"No, my father's infirmity renders him no fighting man, and I--I may notchallenge my superior officer. "

"But your uncle?" said Betty, much fearing that such a scene might haveled to his being forgotten. 

"I should have told you. We had not made many steps from hence beforewe met poor Jumbo wandering like a dog that had lost his master. Mr. Belamour had taken the precaution of giving Jumbo the pass-key, andnot taking him into that house (some day I will pull every brick of itdown), so he watched till by and by he saw a coach come out with all thewindows closed, and as his master had bidden him in such a case, hekept along on the pavement near, and never lost sight of it till he hadtracked it right across the City to a house with iron-barred windowsinside a high wall. There it went in, and he could not follow, but heasked the people what place it was, and though they jeered at him, hemade out that it was as we feared. Nay, do not be alarmed, sister, hewill soon be with us. My poor father shut me out, and I know not whatpassed with my mother, but just as I could wait no longer to return tomy dearest, he came out and told me that he had found out that my unclewas in a house at Moorfields, and he is gone himself to liberate him. He is himself a justice of the peace, and he will call for Dr. Sandysby the way, that there may be no difficulty. He is gone in thecoach-and-four, with Jumbo on the box, so that matters will soon berighted. "

"And a heroic champion set free, " said Betty moving to return to hersister, when the others would not be denied having another look at thesweet slumberer, on whose face there was now a smile as if her dreamswere marvellously lovely; or, as Betty thought, as if she knew theirvoices even in her sleep. 

Sir Amyas had not seen his mother again. He only knew that Mr. Waylandhad come out with a face as of one stricken to the heart, a sad contrastto that which had greeted him an hour before, and while the carriage wascoming round, had simply said, "I did wrong to leave her. "

It would not bear being talked over, and both son and kinsman tookrefuge in silence. Two hours more of this long day had passed, andthen a coach stopped at the door. Sir Amyas hurried down in his eageranxiety, and came back with his uncle, holding him by the hand like achild, in his gladness, and Betty came out to meet them in the outerroom with a face of grateful welcome and outstretched hands. 

"Sir! sir! you have done more than all of us. "

"Yet you and your young champion here were the victors, " said Mr. Belamour. 

"Ah, we dared and suffered nothing like you. "

"I hope you did not suffer much, " said the major, looking at the calmface and neatly-tied white hair, which seemed to have suffered nodisarrangement. 

"No, " said Mr. Belamour, smiling, "my little friend Eugene, ay, and mynephew himself, are hoping to hear I was released from fetters and aheap of straw, but I took care to give them no opportunity. I merelytold them they were under a mistake, and had better take care. I gavethem a reference or two, but I saw plainly that was of no use, thoughthey promised to send, and then I did exactly as they bade me, so as todeprive them of all excuse for meddling with me, letting them know thatI could pay for decent treatment so long as I was in their hands. "

"Did you receive it?"

"I was told in a mild manner, adapted to my intelligence, that if Ibehaved well, I might eat at the master's table, and have a room withonly one inmate. Of the former I have not an engaging experience, eitheras to the fare, the hostess, or the company. Of the latter, happilyI know little, as I only know that my comrade was to be a harmlessgibbering idiot; of good birth, poor fellow. However, the sounds Iheard, and the court I looked into, convinced me that my privileges wereworth paying for. "

He spoke very quietly, but he shuddered involuntarily, and Betty, unableto restrain her tears, retreated to her sister's side. 

CHAPTER XXXVI. WAKING. 

 So Love was still the Lord of all. --SCOTT. 

The summer sun was sinking and a red glow was on the wall aboveAurelia's head when she moved again, upon the shutting of the door, while supper was being taken by the gentlemen in the outer room. 

Presently her lips moved, and she said, "Sister, " not in surprise, butas if she thought herself at home, and as Betty gently answered, "Yes, my darling child, " the same voice added, "I have had such a dream;I thought I was a chrysalis, and that I could not break my shell norspread my wings. "

"You can now, my sweet, " said Betty, venturing to kiss her. 

Recollection came. "Sister Betty, is it you indeed?" and she threw herarms round Betty's neck, clinging tight to her in delicious silence, till she raised her head and said: "No, this is not home. Oh, is it alltrue?"

"True that I have you again, my dear, dearest, sweetest child, " saidBetty. "Oh, thank God for it. "

"Thank God, " repeated Aurelia. "Now I have you nothing will be dreadful. But where am I? I thought once I was in a boat with you and Eugene, and some one else. Was it a dream? I can't remember anything since thatterrible old woman made me drink the coffee. You have not come there, have you?"

"No, dear child, it was no dream that you were in a boat. We had beensearching everywhere for you, and we were bringing you back sound, soundasleep, " said Betty, in her tenderness speaking as it to a little child. 

"I knew you would, " said Aurelia; "I knew God would save me. Love isstrong as death, you know, " she added dreamily: "I think I felt it allround me in that sleep. "

"That was what you murmured once or twice in your sleep, " said Betty. 

"And now, oh! it is so sweet to lie here and know it is you. And wasn't_he_ there too?"

"Sir Amyas? Yes, my dear. He came for you. He and my father and theothers are in the other room waiting for you to wake. "

"I hear their voices, " cried Aurelia, with a start, sitting up. "Oh!that's my papa's voice! Oh! how good it is to hear it!"

"I will call him as soon as I have set you a little in order. Are yousure you are well, my dearest? No headache?"

"Quite, quite well! Why, sister, I have not been ill; and if I had, Ishould skip to see you and hear their voices, only I wish they wouldspeak louder! That's Eugene! Oh! they are hushing him. Let me makehaste, " and she moved with an alacrity that was most reassuring. "But Ican't understand. Is it morning or evening?"

"Evening, my dear. They are at supper. Are not you hungry?"

"Oh, yes, I believe I am;" but as she was about to wash her hands: "Myrings, my wedding-ring? Look in my glove!"

"No, they are not there my dear, they must have robbed you! And oh!Aurelia, what have you done to your hair?"

"My hair? It was all there this morning. Sister, it was that woman, Iremember now, I was not quite sound asleep, but I had no power to moveor cry out, and the woman was snipping and Loveday crying. "

"Vile creature!" burst out Betty. 

"My hair will grow!" said Aurelia; "but I had so guarded mywedding-ring--and what will he, Sir Amyas, think?"

Their voices were at this moment heard, and in another second Aureliawas held against her father's breast, as in broken words he sobbed outthanks for her restoration, and implored her pardon for having trustedher out of his care. 

"Oh! sir, do not speak so! Dear papa, I have tried hard to do you noharm, and to behave well. Please, sir, give me your blessing. "

"God bless you indeed, my child. He has blessed you in guarding you asyour innocence deserved, though I did not. Ah! others are impatient. Thepoor old father comes second now. "

After a few minutes spent in repairing the disorder of her dress, andher hands in those of her father and little brother, she was led to theouter room where in the twilight there was a rapturous rush, an embrace, a fondling of the hand in the manner more familiar to her than thefigure from before whom it proceeded. She only said in her gentleplaintive tone, "Oh, sir, it was not my fault. They took away yourrings. "

"Nay, " said a voice, new to her, "here are your rings, Lady Belamour. Imust trust to your Christian charity to pardon her who caused you to bestripped of them. "

The name of Lady Belamour made her start as that of her enemy, but atruly familiar tone said, "You need not fear, my kind friend. Thisis Mr. Wayland, who, to our great joy, has returned, and has come torestore your jewels. "

"Indeed I am very glad yours is not lost, " said Aurelia, not a littlebewildered. 

Mr. Wayland said a few words of explanation that his wife's agent atGreenwich had brought them back to her. 

"Pray let me have them, " entreated Sir Amyas; "I must put them onagain!"

"Stay, " said Major Delavie; "I can have such things done only under truecolours and in the full light of day. The child is scarcely awake yet, and does not know one from the other! Why neither of you so much as knowthe colour of the eyes of the other! Can you tell me sir?"

"Heavenly, " exclaimed the youth, in an ecstatic tone of self-defence, which set the Major laughing and saying, "My silly maid knows as littlewhich gentleman put on the ring. "

"I do, sir, " said Aurelia indignantly; "I know his voice and hand quitewell, " and in the impulse she quitted her father's arm and put bothhands into those of her young adorer, saying, "Pray sir, pardon me, Inever thought to hurt you so cruelly. "

There was a cry of, "My own, my dearest life, " and she was clasped asshe had been immediately after her strange wedding. 

However, the sound of a servant's step made them separate instantly, and Betty begged that the supper might not be removed, since it was manyhours since her sister had tasted food. 

Sir Amyas and Betty hovered about her, giving her whatever she couldneed, in the partial light, while the others stood apart, exchangingsuch explanations as they could. Mr. Wayland said he must report himselfto Government on the morrow; but intended afterwards to take his wifeto Bowstead, whither she had sent all her children with Mrs. Dove. Therewas a great tenderness in his tone as he spoke of her, and when he tookleave Mr. Belamour shrugged his shoulders saying, "She will come roundhim again!"

"It is true enough that he ought not to have left her to herself, " saidthe Major. 

"You making excuses for her after the diabolical plot of to-day?" saidMr. Belamour; "I could forgive her all but that letter to you. "

"My Lady loves her will, " quoted the Major; "it amounts to insanity insome women, I believe. "

"So I might say does men's infatuation towards women like her, " mutteredMr. Belamour. 

By this time Aurelia had finished her meal, and Betty was anxious tocarry her off without any more excitement, for she was still drowsy andconfused. She bade her father good night, asking his blessing as of old, but when Mr. Belamour kissed her hand and repeated the good night, shesaid, "Sir, I ought to have trusted you; I am so sorry. "

"It is all well now, my child, " he said, soothingly, understandingBetty's wish; "Sleep, and we will talk it over. "

So the happy sisters once more slept in each other's arms, till in theearly summer morning Betty heard the whole story from Aurelia, nowfully herself, though she slumbered again after all was poured into hersister's bosom. 

Betty had sympathised step by step, and felt even more strongly thanHarriet that the situation had been intolerable for womanhood, and thatonly Aurelia's childishness could have endured it so long. Only theeldest sister held that it would have been right and honourable tohave spoken before flashing out the flame; but when, with many tears ofcontrition, Aurelia owned that she had long thought so, and longed toconfess it, what could the motherly sister do but kiss the tears away, and rejoice that the penance was over which had been borne with suchconstancy and self-devotion. 

Then Betty rose quietly, and after giving thanks on her knees that thegentle spirit had passed through all unscathed, untainted with even theperception of evil, she applied herself to the adaptation of one of hermorning caps to her poor shorn lamb's head. Nor did Aurelia wake againtill her father came to the door to make sure that all was well with hisrecovered treasure, and to say that Loveday would recover for her thebox of clothes, which old Madge had hidden. 

Loveday had gone back to her mistress, who either had not discovered herbetrayal, or, as things had turned out, could not resent it. 

So, fresh and blooming, Aurelia came out into the sitting-room, whenceher father held out his arms to her. He would have her all to himselffor a little while, since even Eugene was gone to his daily delight, theseeing the changing of the guard. 

"And now, my child, tell me, " he said, when he had heard a little of herfeelings through these adventures, "what would you have me do? Remember, such a wedding as yours goes for nothing, and you are still free tochoose either or neither of your swains. "

"Oh, papa!" in a remonstrating tone. 

"You were willing to wed your old hermit?"

"I was content _then_. He was very kind to me. "

"Content then, eh? Suppose you were told he was your real husband?"

"Sir, he is not!" cried Aurelia, frightened. 

"If he were?"

"I would try to do my duty, " she said, in a choked voice. 

"Silly child, don't cry. And how, if after these fool's tricks itturns out that the other young spark is bound to that red-faced littlespitfire and cannot have you?"

"Papa, don't!" she cried. "You know he is my husband in my heart, andalways will be, and if he cannot come back to me take me home, and Iwill try to be a good daughter to you, " and she hid her face on hisshoulder. 

"Poor child, it is a shame to tease her, " said her father, raising upher face; "I only wanted to know which of them you would wish to put onthe ring again. I see. You need not be afraid, you shall have the rubyone. But as for the little gold one, wait for that till it is put on inchurch, my dear. Ah! and there's the flutter of his wings, or rather therattle of his spurs. Now then, young people, you shall not be hinderedfrom a full view of each others lineaments. It is the first time youever had a real sight of each other, neither of you being in a swoon, isit not? I trust you do not repent upon further acquaintance. Aurelia gotas far as the shoe-buckles once, I believe. "

"She will get no farther this time, sir, if you annihilate her with yourpleasantry, " said Betty, fully convinced by this time. 

"Ah! young Love has made himself more dazzling than ever, " continuedthe Major, too delighted to be stopped. "The fullest dress uniform, Ideclare; M. Le Capitaine is bent on doing honour to the occasion. "

"Would that it were on for no other reason, sir, " said Sir Amyas; "butthe King and Queen have taken it into their heads to go off to Kew andhere am I under orders to command the escort. I verily believe it is allspite on the Colonel's part, for Russell would have exchanged the turnwith me, but he sent down special orders for me. I have but half an hourto spend here, and when I shall be able to get back again Heaven onlyknows. "

However, he and Aurelia were permitted to improve that half hour to theutmost in their own way, while the Major and Betty were reading a longand characteristic letter from Mrs. Arden, inquiring certainly forher sister's fate, but showing far more solicitude in proving that she(Harriet Arden) had acted a wise, prudent, and sisterly part, and thatit was most unreasonable and cruel to treat her as accountable for hersister's disappearance. It was really making her quite ill, and Mr. Arden was like a man--so disagreeable about it. 

Betty was very glad this epistle had not come till it was possible tolaugh at it. She would have sat down to reply to it at once, had not abillet been brought in from the widow of one of her father's old brotherofficers who had heard of his being in town, and begged him to bring hisdaughter to see her, excusing herself for not waiting on Miss Delavie, as she was very feeble and infirm. 

It was a request that could not be refused, but Aurelia was not equippedfor such a visit, and shrank timidly from showing herself. So when Mr. Belamour came down it was agreed that she should remain at home underhis protection, in which she could be very happy, though his person wasas strange to her as his voice was familiar. Indeed she felt as if aburden was on her mind till she could tell him of her shame at havingfailed in the trust and silence that he had enjoined on her. 

"My child, " he said, "we have carried it too far. It was more than weought to have required of you, and I knew it. I had made up my mind, andtold my nephew that the first time you really asked I should tell thewhole truth, and trust to your discretion, while of course he wished fornothing more. "

"As my sister said, it was my fault. "

"Nay, I think you had good cause to stand on your defence, and I cannothave you grieve over it. You have shown an unshaken steadiness undertrial since, such as ought indeed to be compensation. "

"I deserved it all, " said Aurelia; "and I do hope that I am a littlewiser and less foolish for it all; a little more of a woman, " she added, blushing. 

"A soul trained by love and suffering, as in the old legend, " said Mr. Belamour thoughtfully. 

Thoroughly pleasant was here _tete-a-tete_ with him, especially when sheartlessly asked him whether her dear sister were not all she had toldhim, and he fervently answered that indeed she was "a perfect lesson toall so-called beauties of what true loveliness of a countenance can be. "

"Oh, I am so glad, " cried Aurelia. "I never saw a face--a woman's Imean--that I like as well as my dear sister's!"

She was sorry when they were interrupted by a call from Mr. Wayland, whohad reported himself at the Secretary of War, but could do no more thatday, and had come to inquire for her. He and Mr. Belamour drew apartinto a window, and conversed in a low voice, and then they came to her, and Mr. Wayland desired to know from where she found the recipe for thecosmetic which had nearly cost her so dearly. 

"It was in a shelf in the wainscoting, in a sort of little study at thathouse, " said Aurelia. 

"Among other papers?"

"Quantities of other papers. "

"Of what kind?"

"Letters, and bills, and wills, and parchments! Oh, so dusty! Some wereon paper tumbling to pieces, and some on tiny slips of parchment. "

"And you read them all?"

"I had to read them to see what they were, as well as I could make out, and sorted them and tied them up in bundles. "

"Can you tell me whether they were Delavie wills?"

"I should think they were. I know that the oldest of all were Latin, and I could make nothing out in them but something about _Manoriem_and Carminster, and what looked like the names of some of the fields athome. "

"Do you think you could show me those slips?"

"I do not suppose any one has touched them. "

"Then, my dear young lady, you would confer a great favour on me if youwould allow Mr. Belamour and myself to escort you to Delavie and show usthese papers. I fear it may be alarming and distressing. "

"Oh no, sir, I know no harm can happen to me where Mr. Belamour is, " shesaid, smiling. 

"It may be very important, " he said, and she went to put on her hood. 

"Surely, " said Mr. Wayland, "the title-deeds cannot have been leftthere?"

"No. The title-deeds to the main body of the property are at Hargrave's. I have seen them, at the time of my brother's marriage; but still thismay be what was wanting. "

"Yet the sending this child to search is presumption that no suchdocument existed. "

"Of course no one supposed it did, " said Mr. Wayland, on the defenceagain. 

Aurelia was quickly ready in her little hood and kerchief, and trimhigh-heeled shoes. She was greatly surprised to find how near she hadbeen to her friends during these last few days of her captivity, andwhen Madge obeyed the summons to the door, the old woman absolutelysmiled to see her safe, and the little terrier danced about her in suchtransports that she begged to take him back with her. 

She opened the door of the little empty book room, where nothing stoodexcept the old bureau. That, she said, had been full of letters, but allthe oldest things had been within a door opening in the wainscot, whichshe should never have found had not Bob pushed it open in his search forrats, and then she found a tin case full of papers and parchments, mucholder, she thought, than the letters. She had tied them up together, andeasily produced them. 

Mr. Wayland handed them to Mr. Belamour, whose legal eye was betteraccustomed to crabbed old documents. A conversation that had begunon the way about Fay and Letty was resumed, and interested both theirfather and Aurelia so much that they forgot to be impatient, untilMr. Belamour looked up from his examination, saying, "This is what waswanting. Here is a grant in the 12th year of Henry III. To Guglielmus abVita and the heirs male of his body to the Manor, lying without the cityof Carminster, and here are three wills of successive lords of Delavieexpressly mentioning heirs male. Now the deeds that I have seen do notgo beyond 1539, when Henry Delavie had a grant of the Grange and landsbelonging to Carminster Abbey--the place, in fact, where the Great Housestands, and there is in that no exclusion of female heirs. But the Manorhouse can certainly be proved to be entailed in the male line alone, according to what was, I believe, the tradition of the family. "

"There is no large amount of property involved, I fear, " said Mr. Wayland. 

"There is an old house, much out of repair, and a few farms worth, maybe, 200 pounds a year, a loss that will not be material to you, sir, Ihope. "

"Do you mean--?" said Aurelia, not daring to ask farther. 

"I mean, my dear young lady, " said Mr. Wayland, "that your researcheshave brought to light the means of doing tardy justice to your goodfather. "

"His right to the Manor House is here established, " explained Mr. Belamour. "It will not be a matter of favour of my Lady's, but, as mybrother supposed, he ought to have been put in possession on the oldLord's death. "

"And Eugene will be a gentleman of estate, " cried Aurelia, joyously. "Nor will any one be able to drive out my dear father! Oh! how happy Iam. "

Both she and Mr. Belamour spared Mr. Wayland the knowledge of my Lady'smany broken promises, and indeed she was anxious to get back to the_Royal York_, lest her father and sister should have returned, and thinkher again vanished. 

They all met at the door, and much amazed were the Major and Betty toencounter her with her two squires. Mr. Wayland took the Major to showhim the parchments. Betty had her explanation from her sister and Mr. Belamour. 

"You actually ventured back to that dreadful house, " she said, lookingat them gratefully. 

"You see what protectors I had, " said Aurelia, with a happy smile. 

"Yes, " said Betty, "I have been longing to say--only I cannot, " for shewas almost choked by a great sob, "how very much we owe to you, sir. Icould say it better if I did not feel it so much. " And she held out herhand. 

"You cannot owe to me a tithe of what I owe to your sister, " said Mr. Belamour, "and through her to you, madam. Much as nature had done forher, never would she have been to the miserable recluse the life andlight-bringing creature she was, save for the 'sister' she taught me toknow and love, even before I saw her. "

A wonderful revelation here burst on Aurelia, the at least half-marriedwoman, and she fled precipitately, smiling to herself in ecstasy, behindher great fan. 

Betty, never dreaming of the drift of the words, so utterly out of thereach of love did she suppose herself, replied, composedly, "Our Aureliais a dear good girl, and I am thankful that through all her trials shehas so proved herself. I am glad she has been a comfort to you, sir. She---"

"And will not you complete the cure, and render the benefit lasting?"said Mr. Belamour, who had never let go the hand she had given him ingratitude, and now gave it a pressure that conveyed, for the first time, his meaning. 

"Oh!" she cried, trying to take it away, "your kindness and gratitudeare leading you too far, sir. A hideous old fright like me, instead of alovely young thing like her! It is an absurdity. "

"Stay, Miss Delavie. Remember that your Aurelia's roses and lilies wereutterly wasted on me; I never thought whether she was beautiful savewhen others raved about her. I never saw her till yesterday; but thevoice, the goodness, the amiability, in fact all that I did truly esteemand prize in her I had already found matured and mellowed togetherwith that beauty of countenance which is independent of mere skin-deepcomplexion and feature. You know my history, and how far I am frombeing able to offer you a fresh untouched young heart, such as my nephewbrings to the fair Aurelia; but the devotion of my life will be yours ifyou will accept it. "

"Sir, I cannot listen to you. You are very good, but I can never leavemy father. Oh, let me go away!"

CHAPTER XXXVII. MAKING THE BEST OF IT. 

 At last the Queen said, "Girl, I bid thee rise, For now thou hast found favour in mine eyes, And I repent me of the misery That in this place thou hast endured me, Altho' because of it the Joy indeed Shall now be mine, that pleasure is thy meed. " MORRIS. 

Those were evil times, and the court examples were most corrupting, so that a splendid and imperious woman like Urania, Lady Belamour, hadfound little aid from public opinion when left to herself by the absenceof her second husband. Selfish, unscrupulous, and pleasure-loving shewas by nature, but during Sir Jovian Belamour's lifetime she hadbeen kept within bounds. Then came a brief widowhood, when debtand difficulty hurried her into accepting Mr. Wayland, a thoughtfulscientific man, whose wealth had accumulated without much volition ofhis own to an extent that made her covet his alliance. Enthralled byher charm of manner, he had not awakened to the perception of what shereally was during the few years that had elapsed before he was sentabroad, and she refused to accompany him. 

Then it was that wealth larger than she had before commanded, and acourt appointment, involved her in more dangerous habits. Her debts, both of extravagance and of the gaming table, were enormous, trenchinghard on the Delavie property, and making severe inroads on Mr. Wayland'smeans; but the Belamour estates being safely tied up, she had only beenable to borrow on her dower. She had sinned with a high hand, after thefashion of the time, and then, in terror at the approaching return ofher husband, had endeavoured to conceal the ravages of her extravaganceby her bargain for her son's hand. 

The youth, bred up at a distance, and then the companion of hisstep-father, had on his return found his home painfully altered in histwo years' absence, and had been galled and grieved by the state ofthings, so that even apart from the clearing of his prospects, therelief was great. The quarrel with Colonel Mar that Mr. Wayland hadinterrupted was not made up. There was no opportunity, for Mr. Waylandat once removed his family to Bowstead, there to remain while hetransacted his business in London. 

Moreover Mr. Belamour and Mr. Wayland agreed in selling the youngbaronet's commission. The Major allowed that it was impossible that heshould remain under the command of his present Colonel, but regrettedthat he should not continue in the service, declaring it the bestschool for a young man, and that he did not want to see his son-in-lawa muddle-brained sporting country squire. He would have had Sir Amyasexchange into the line, and see a little service before settling down, but Maria Theresa had not as yet set Europe in a blaze, and in theabsence of a promising war Sir Amyas did more incline to his uncle'srepresentations of duties to tenants and to his county, and was evenready to prepare himself for them when he should be of sufficient ageto undertake them. However, in the midst of the debates a new scheme wasmade. Mr. Belamour had been called upon and welcomed by his old friends, who, being men of rank and influence, had risen in life while hewas immured at Bowstead. One of these had just received a diplomaticappointment at Vienna, and in spite of insular ignorance of foreignmanners was at a loss for a capable suite. Mr. Belamour suggested MajorDelavie, as from his long service in Austria likely to be very useful. The Envoy caught at the idea, and the thought of once more seeing hisold comrades enchanted the Major, whose only regret was that his hero, Prince Eugene, had been dead three years; but to visit his grave wouldbe something. Appointments ran in families, so that nothing could beeasier than to obtain one for the young baronet; and though Mr. Belamourdid not depend on his own health enough to accept anything, he was quitewilling to join the party, and to spend a little time abroad, while hisnephew was growing somewhat older, making an essay of his talents, andat any rate putting off the commencement of stagnation. Thus matterssettled themselves, the only disappointed member of the family beingMrs. Arden, who thought it very hard that she could not stir any one upto request an appointment of her husband as chaplain--not even himself!

Mr. Wayland was at once called upon to go out to America to superintendthe defences of the Canadian frontier, and he resolved on taking hisfamily out, obtaining land, and settling there permanently. He wouldpay all my Lady's debts, but she should never again appear in Londonsociety, and cruel exile as it must seem to her, he trusted that hisaffection and tenderness would in time reconcile her to the new way oflife, knowing as she did that he had forgiven much that had made himlook like a crushed and sorrowful man in the midst of all the successesand the honours he received from his country. 

She remained quietly at Bowstead, and none of them saw her except herson and the Major, to the latter of whom her husband brought a messagethat she would esteem it a favour if he would come and visit her there, the day before he returned to Carminster. Very much affected, the goodMajor complied with her request, went down with Mr. Wayland and spent anight at Bowstead. 

He found that she had accepted her fate with the good grace of a womanwhose first instinct was not to make herself disagreeable. She wasrather pale, and not "made up" in any way, but exquisitely though moresimply dressed, and more beautiful than ever, her cousin thought, ashe always did whenever he came into her presence. She was one of thosepeople whose beauty is always a fresh surprise, and she was far moreself-possessed than he was. 

"So, Cousin Harry, where am I to begin my congratulations! I did you andunwitting service when I sent your daughter to search among those mustyold parchments. I knew my father believed in the existence of some suchdocument, but I thought all those hoards in Delavie House were devoidof all legal importance, and had been sifted again and again. Besides, Ialways meant to settle that old house upon you. "

"I have always heard so, cousin, " he answered. 

"But it was such a mere trifle, " she added, "that it never seemed worthwhile to set the lawyers to work about that alone, so I waited for otherwork to be in hand. "

"There is a homely Scottish proverb, my Lady, which declares that thescrapings of the muckle pot are worth the wee pot fu'. A mere trifle toyou is affluence to us. "

"I am sincerely rejoiced at it, Harry" (no doubt she thought she was), "you will keep up the old name, while my scrupulous lord and mastergives up my poor patrimony to the extortionate creditors for years tocome. It is well that the young lovers have other prospects. So Harry, you see after all, I kept my word, and your daughter is provided for, "she continued with an arch smile. "Pretty creature, I find my son bearsme more malice than she does for the robbery that was perpetrated onher. It was too tempting, Harry. Nature will repair her loss, but at outtime of life we must beg, borrow, or steal. "

"That was the least matter, " said the Major gravely. 

"This is the reason why I wished to see you, " said my Lady, laying herwhite hand on his, "I wanted to explain. "

"Cousin, cousin, had not you better leave it alone?" said Major Delavie. "You know you can always talk a poor man out of his senses at themoment. "

"Yet listen, Harry, and understand my troubles. Here I was pledged, absolutely pledged, to give my son to Lady Aresfield's daughter. I donot know whether she may not yet sue me for breach of contract, thoughWayland has repaid her the loans she advanced me; and on the other hand, in spite of all my precautions, Mar had obtained a sight of yourpoor daughter, and I knew him well enough to be aware that to put herentirely and secretly out of his reach was the only chance preservingher from his pursuit. I had excellent accounts of the worthy man to whomI meant her to be consigned, and I knew that when she wrote to you as aWest Indian queen you would be able to forgive your poor cousin. I seewhat you would say, but sending her to you was impossible, since I hadto secure her both from Amyas and from Mar. It would only have involvedyou in perplexities innumerable, and might have led even to bloodshed! Imay not have acted wisely, but weak women in difficulties know not whichpath to choose. "

"There is always the straight one, " said he. 

"Ah! you strong men can easily says so, but for us poor much-triedwomen! However, " she said suddenly changing her tone, "Love hascheck-mated us, and I rejoice. Your daughter will support the creditof the name! I am glad the new Lady Belamour will not be that littletermagant milkmaid Belle, whom circumstances compelled me to inflictupon my poor boy! The title will be your daughter's alone. I havepromised my husband that in the New World I will sink into plain Mrs. Wayland. " Then with a burst of genuine feeling she exclaimed, "He _is_ agood man, Harry. "

"He is indeed, Urania, I believe you will yet be happier than you haveever been. "

"What, among barbarians who never saw a loo-table, and get the modesthree months too late! And you are laughing at me, but see I am a poorfrivolous being, not sufficient to myself like your daughters! They sayAurelia was as sprightly as a spring butterfly all the time she was shutup at Bowstead with no company save the children and old Belamour!"

"They are lovely children, madam, Aurelia dotes on them, and you willsoon find them all you need. "

"Their father is never weary of telling me so. He is never so happy aswhen they hang about him and tell him of Cousin Aura, or Sister Aura asthey love to call her. "

"It was charming to see them dance round her when he brought them tospend the day with her. Mr. Wayland brought his good kinswoman, who willtake charge of them on the voyage, and Aurelia was a little consoled atthe parting by seeing how tender and kind she is with them. "

"Aye! If I do not hate that woman it will be well, for she is as much aduenna for me as governess for the children! Heigh-ho! what do not ourfollies bring on us? We poor creatures should never be left to the greatworld. "

The pretty air of repentance was almost irresistible, well as the Majorknew it for the mood of the moment, assumed as what would best satisfyhim. 

"I rejoice, " she went on, "in spite of my lovely daughter-in-law'sdiscretion, she will be well surrounded with guardians. Has theexcellent Betty consented?"

"At last, madam. My persuasions were vain till she found that Mr. Belamour would gladly come with us to Austria, and that she should beenabled to watch over both her young sister and me. "

"There, again, I give myself credit, Harry. Would the sacred flame everhave awakened in yonder misanthrope had I not sent your daughter torestore him to life?" She spoke playfully, but the Major could not helpthinking she had persuaded herself that all his present felicity wasowing to her benevolence, and that she would persuade him of it too, ifshe went on much longer looking at him so sweetly. He _would_ not taxher with the wicked note she had written to account for Mr. Belamour'sdisappearance, and which she had forgotten; he felt that he could notimpel one, whom he could not but still regard with tenderness, to utterany more untruths and excuses. 

"By the by, " she added, "does your daughter take my waiting-maid afterall? I would have forgiven her, for she is an admirable hairdresser, but Wayland says he cannot have so ingenious person in his house;though after all I do not see that she is a bit worse than others ofher condition, and she herself insists on trying to become Aurelia'sattendant, vowing that the sight of her is as good as any Methodistsermon!"

"Precisely, madam. We were all averse to taking her with us, but Aureliasaid she owed her much gratitude; and she declared so earnestly that thesight of my dear child brought back all the virtuous and pious thoughtsshe had forgotten, that even Betty's heart was touched, and she is to gowith us, on trial. "

"Oh! she is as honest as regards money and jewels as ever I knew awaiting-maid, but for the rest!" Lady Belamour shrugged her shoulders. "However, one is as good as another, and at least she will never let herlady go a fright! See here, Harry. These are the Delavie jewels: I shallnever need them more: carry them to your daughters. "

"Nay, your own daughters, Urania. "

"Never mind the little wretches. Their father will provide for them, andthey will marry American settlers in the forests. What should they dowith court jewels? It is his desire. See here, this suit of pearls iswhat I wore at my wedding with Amyas's father, I should like Aurelia tobe married in them. Farewell, Harry, you did better for yourself than ifyou had taken me. Yet maybe I might been a better woman---" She stoppedshort as she looked at his honest face, and eyes full of tears. 

"No, Urania, " he said, "man's love could not have done for you what onlyanother Love can do. May you yet find that and true Life. "

The sisters were not married at the same time. Neither Mr. Belamour norhis Elizabeth could endure to make part of the public pageant that itwas thought well should mark the _real_ wedding at Bowstead. So theirbanns were put up at St. Clement Danes, and one quiet morning theyslipped out, with no witnesses but the Major, Aurelia, and Eugene, andwere wedded there in the most unobtrusive manner. 

As to the great marriage, a month later at Bowstead, there was a certainbookseller named Richardson, who by favour of Hargrave got a view of it, and who is thought there to have obtained some ideas for the culminatingwedding of his great novel. 

A little later, the following letter was written from the excellent Mrs. Montagu to her correspondent Mrs. Elizabeth Carter. "There was yesterdaypresented, preparatory to leaving England for Vienna, the young LadyBelamour, incomparably the greatest beauty who has this year appearedat Court. Every one is running after her, but she appears perfectlyunconscious of the _furore_ she has excited, and is said to have beenbred up in all simplicity in the country, and to be as good as she isfair. Her young husband, Sir Amyas Belamour, is a youth of much promise, and they seem absolutely devoted, with eyes only for each other. Theyare said to have gone through a series of adventures as curious as theyare romantic; and indeed, when they made their appearance, there was ageneral whisper, begun by young Mr. Horace Walpole, of

 "CUPID AND PSYCHE. "