"
"Your Ladyship will find Amoret a dear, good, affectionate child," said
Aurelia. "Only---"
"Reserve that for nurse, so please you, my good girl. It is enough
for me to see the brats on their good manners now and then. You have
had other recreations--shall I call them, or cares? I never supposed,
when I sent you here to attend on the children, that the hermit of
Bowstead would summon you! I assure you it is an extraordinary honour."
"I so esteem it, madam," said Aurelia, blushing.
"More honour than pleasure, eh?"
"A great pleasure, madam."
"Say you so?" and the glittering blue eyes were keenly scanning the
modest face. "I should have thought a young maid like you would have
had the dismals at the mere notion of going near his dark chamber.
I promise you it gives me the megrim [migraine--D.L.] to look forward
to it."
"I was affrighted at first, madam," said Aurelia; "but Mr. Belamour
is so good and kind to me that I exceedingly enjoy the hours I spend
with him."
"La, child, you speak with warmth! We shall have you enamoured of a
voice like the youth they make sonnets about--what's his name?"
"Narcissus, madam," said Aurelia, put out of countenance by the banter.
"Oh, you are learned. Is Mr. Belamour your tutor, pray? And--oh fie!
I have seen that ring before!"
"He gave it to me yesterday," faltered Aurelia, "in case you should
intend to take me away, and I should not see him again.
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