"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
in London, the darling of the ladies, who think him a perfect beauty,
and laugh at all his mischievous pranks. As to my little sisters, you
will be surprised to hear that I have only seen them once, when I rode
with their 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 wait
on them, and my Lady said something of intending my sister to be with
her young children."
"Nay, she must have no such troublesome charge. My mother cannot
intend anything of the kind. I shall see that she is treated as---"
Betty, beginning to perceive that he knew as little of his own mother
as did the rest of his sex, here interrupted him. "Excuse me, sir, I
doubt not of your kind intentions, but let me speak, for Aurelia is a
very precious child to me, and I am afraid that any such attempt on
your part might do her harm rather than good. She must be content
with the lot of a poor dependant.
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