You may put out my eyes with a ballad-maker's pen, and hang me
up for the sign of blind Cupid.--_Much Ado About Nothing_.
Aurelia had been walking in the park with her two remaining charges,
when a bespattered messenger was seen riding up to the door, and
Letitia dropped her hoop in her curiosity and excitement.
Lady Belamour, on obtaining the Major's partial acquiescence, had felt
herself no longer obliged to vegetate at Carminster, but had started
for Bath, while the roads were still practicable; and had at the same
time sent off a courier with letters to Bowstead. Kind Mrs. Dove had
sent a little packet to each of the children, but they found Cousin
Aura's sympathy grievously and unwontedly lacking, and she at last
replied to their repeated calls to here to share their delight, that
they must run away, and display their treasures to Molly and Jumbo.
She must read her letters alone.
The first she had opened was Betty's, telling her of her father's
illness, which was attributed in great part to the distress and
perplexity caused by Lady Belamour's proposal. Had it not been for
this indisposition, both father and sister would have come to judge
for themselves before entertaining it for a moment; but since the
journey was impossible, he could only desire Betty to assure her
sister that no constraint should be put on her, and that if she felt
the least repugnance to the match, she need not consider her obliged
to submit.
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