Jumbo could not but grumble out
that Mas'r was better left to himself.
Yet when Aurelia on the third evening was recalled, there was a
ring of refreshment in the voice. It was still melancholy, but
the dejection was lessened, and though it was only of Achilles and
Patroclus that they talked, she was convinced that the pressure of
the heavy burthen of grief and remorse was in some degree lightened.
CHAPTER XII. THE SHAFTS OF PHOEBE.
Her golden bow she bends,
Her deadly arrows sending forth.
_Greek Hymn_ (KEIGHTLEY).
On coming in from a walk, Aurelia was surprised by the tidings that
Mistress Phoebe Treforth had come to call on her, and had left a
billet. The said billet was secured with floss silk sealed down in
the antiquated fashion, and was written on full-sized quarto paper.
These were the contents:--
"Madam,
"My Sister and Myself are desirous of the Honour of your
Acquaintance, and shall be happy if you will do use the
Pleasure of coming to partake of Dinner at Three o'Clock
on Tuesday, the 13th instant.
"I remain,
"Yours to command,
"DELIA TREFORTH."
Aurelia carried the invitation to her oracle.
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