"
"Philomel could not have found a better interpreter," said the
grave voice, sounding so sad that Aurelia wished she could have
sung something less affecting to his spirits.
"I gather from what you said that you are no longer blessed with the
presence 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 has made no small havoc, and my friends have had
many griefs to bewail."
Aurelia knew not what answer to make, and was relieved when he
collected himself and said:--
"I will trespass no longer on my fair visitor's complaisance, but if
she have not found the gloom of this apartment insupportable, it would
be a charitable action to brighten it once more with her presence."
"O sir, I will come whenever you are pleased to send for me," she
exclaimed, all her doubts, fears, and scruples vanishing at his tone
of entreaty. "My father would be so glad. I will practise my best
song to sing to you to-morrow."
"My best thanks are yours," and her hand was taken, she was carefully
conducted to the door and dismissed with a gentle pressure of her
fingers, and a courteous: "Goodnight, madam; _Au revoir_, if I may
venture to say so.
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