Jumbo. A' won't hurt'ee. See, here's Mistress Aylward."
A tall, white-capped, black-gowned elderly woman turned on the new-
comer a pale, grave, unsmiling face, saying, "Your servant--Miss
Aurelia Delavie, as I understand."
Bending her head, and scarcely able to steady herself, for she was
shaking 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 my
Lady."
"My Lady is not here, madam," said Mrs. Aylward. "Allow me--" and
she led the way across a great empty hall, that seemed the vaster
for its obscurity, then along a matted passage, and down some steps
into a room surrounded with presses and cupboards, evidently belonging
to the to the housekeeper. She set a chair for the trembling girl,
saying, "You will excuse the having supper here to-night, madam; the
south parlour will be ready 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
are to be here with the young ladies, ma'am."
"What young ladies?" asked the bewildered maiden.
"My Lady's little daughters--the Misses Wayland.
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