"
"I do not wish to be a belle," said the girl. "O Sir, let me stay
with you and sister."
"Do not be so foolish, Aura," put in Harriet. "It will be the making
of you. 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
good girl and not vex my father."
The gravity of her eldest sister convinced Aurelia that entreaties
would be vain, and there was soon a general outburst of assurances
that she would see all that was delightful in London, the lions in
the Tower, the new St. Paul's, the monuments, Ranelagh, the court
ladies, may be, the King and Queen themselves; until she began to
feel exhilarated and pleased at the prospect and the distinction.
Then came Monday and the bustle of preparing her wardrobe. The main
body of it was to be sent in the carrier's waggon, for she was to
ride on a pillion behind Mr. Dove, and could only take a valise upon
a groom's horse. There was no small excitement in the arrangement,
and in the farewells to the neighbours, who all agreed with Harriet
in congratulating the girl on her promotion. Betty did her part with
all her might, washed lace, and trimmed sleeves, and made tuckers,
giving little toilette counsels, while her heart ached sorely all
the time.
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