He had given the children a
gaily dressed rag doll, and was as delighted as they were when he
played his fiddle to them and set them dancing.
Still, the whites of his eyes, his shining teeth, and the gold lace of
his livery had a startling effect in the darkness, and Aurelia wished
he would move away; but he was evidently waiting for her, and when she
came near he addressed her thus, "Mis'r Belamour present compliment,
and would Miss Delavie be good enough to honour him with her company
for a short visit?"
The girl started, dismayed, alarmed, yet unwilling to be unkind to the
poor recluse, while she hoped that decorum and propriety would put the
visit out of the question. She replied that she would ask Mrs. Aylward
whether she might, and Jumbo followed her to the still-room, saying on
the way, "Mas'r heard Miss Delavie sing. He always has the window
opened to hear her. It makes him hum the air--be merry. He has not
asked to speak with lady since he heard the bad news--long, long, ago."
Then Aurelia felt that nothing short of absolute impropriety ought to
make her gratify her shrinking reluctance. Mrs. Aylward seemed to
think her doubts uncalled for, and attributed her hesitation to fear
of the dark 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 gentleman
as lives.
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