"Has their lady mother seen them?"
"Yes, madam. She had been there with them shortly before my arrival."
"Only once in their lives!" There was a groan of censure such as
would have fired the loyal Major in defence.
"No wonder, Sister Phoebe, my Lady Belamour does not lead the life
of a tender mother."
"She has the little boy, Archer, with her in London," Aurelia ventured
to say.
"And a perfect puppet she makes of the poor child," said Mrs. Hunter.
"My sister Chetwynd saw him with his mother at a masquerade, my Lady
Belamour flaunting as Venus, and he, when he ought to have been in
his bed, dressed in rose-colour and silver, with a bow and arrows,
and gauze wings on his shoulders!"
"What will that child come to?"
"Remember, Sister Delia, he is no kin of ours. He is only a Wayland!"
returned Mrs. Phoebe, in an accent as if the Waylands were the most
contemptible of vermin.
"I hope," added Mrs. Delia, "that these children are never permitted
to incommode our unfortunate cousin, Mr. Belamour."
"I trust not, madam," said Aurelia. "Their rooms are at a distance
from his; they are good children, and he says he likes to hear young
voices in the gardens."
"You have, then, seen Mr. Belamour?"
"I cannot say that I have seen him," said Aurelia, modestly; "but I
have conversed with him.
Pages:
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141