Aurelia was requested as a favour
to bid the children's woman have the child's clothes ready repaired to
her own room.
The little wardrobe could only be prepared by much assistance from
Aurelia herself, and she could attend to nothing else; while the
children were all devoted to Archer, and she only heard their voices
in the distance, till--as she was dressing for her _tete-a-tete_
supper--Fay came to her crying, "Archer is a naughty boy--he said
wicked words--he called her ugly, and had cuffed and pinched her!"
Poor child! she was tired out, and disappointed, and Aurelia could
only comfort her by hearing her little prayers, undressing her, and
giving her the highly-esteemed treat of sleeping in Cousin Aura's
bed; while the others were staying up as long as it pleased Master
Archer. This actually was the cause of my Lady being kept waiting,
and an apology was needful. "Fidelia was tired out, and was crying."
"A peevish child! I am glad I did not choose her."
"She is usually very good, madam," said Aurelia, eagerly.
"Is she your favourite?"
"I try not to make favourites, madam."
"Ah! there spoke the true Manor House tone," said her Ladyship, rather
mockingly. "Maybe she will be a wit, for she will never be a beauty,
but the other little one will come on in due time after Amoret.
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