Phoebe.
"Pray, miss, did my eccentric cousin place you in the position of
hostess?"
"It fell to me, madam," said Aurelia.
"You could have asked for _our_ support," said Mrs. Phoebe, severely.
"It would have become you better, above all then Sir Amyas Belamour
himself was here."
"He has only been here while I was with you, madam, and was gone
before my return."
"_That_ is true,: but Mrs. Phoebe looked at the girl so inquisitively
that her colour rose in anger, and exclaimed, "Madam, I know not what
you mean!"
"There, sister," said Mrs. Delia, more kindly. "She is but a child,
and Bet Batley is a gossip. She would not know his Honour in the
dark from the blackamoor going down to visit his sweetheart."
Very glad was Aurelia when the ladies curtsied themselves out of her
summer parlour, declaring they wished to speak to Mrs. Aylward, who
she knew could assure them of the absurdity of these implied suspicions.
And Mrs. Aylward, who detested the two ladies, and repelled their
meddling, stiffly assured them both of Miss Delavie's discretion
and her own vigilance, which placed visits from the young baronet
beyond the bounds of possibility. Supposing his Honour should
again visit his uncle, she should take care to be present at any
interview with the young lady.
Pages:
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164