This brought upon her the honour of a visit from the great lady
herself. Down came the coach-and-four, and forth from it came Lady
Belamour in a magnificent hoop, the first seen in those parts,
managing it with a grace that made her an overwhelming spectacle,
in contrast with Betty, in her close-fitting dark-grey homespun,
plain white muslin apron, cap, kerchief, and ruggles, scrupulously
neat and fresh, but unadorned. The visit was graciously designed for
"good cousin Harry," but his daughter was obliged, not unwillingly,
though quite truly, to declare him far too suffering with pain
and fever.
"La, you there, then," said the lady, "that comes of the dear man's
heat of temper. I would have kept him till the storm was over but
he was far too much displeased with his poor cousin to listen to me.
Come, cousin Betty, I know you are in all his counsels. You will
bring him to hear reason."
"The whole affair must wait, madam, till he is able to move."
"And if this illness be the consequence of one wet ride, how can he
be in a condition to take the journey?"
"You best know, madam whether a father can be expected to bestow his
daughter in so strange a manner without direct communication either
with her or with the other party."
"I grant you the idea is at first sight startling, but surely he might
trust to me; and he knows Amyas Belamour, poor man, to be the very soul
of honour; yes, and with all his eccentricity to have made no small
impression on our fair Aurelia.
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