Belamour's next words, "Did I no tell you
truly that my Lady devises most unexpected expedients?"
"Then would you not have it so, sir?" asked Aurelia, in a bewildered
voice of perplexity. "Oh!" as again one of those echoes startled her,
"tell me what it all means."
"Hush! listen to me," said Mr. Belamour, in a voice that added to her
undefined alarm by what seemed to her imperious displeasure as uncalled
for as it was unusual; but the usual fatherly gentleness immediately
prevailed, "My child, I should never have entertained the thought for
a moment but for--but for Lady Belamour. This sounds like no
compliment," he added, catching himself up, and manifesting a certain
embarrassment and confusion very unlike his usual calm dignity of
demeanour, and thus adding to the strange fright that was growing
upon Aurelia. "But you must understand that I would not--even in
semblance--have dreamt of your being apparently linked to age, sorrow,
and infirmity, save that--strange as it may seem--Lady Belamour has
herself put into my hands the best means of protecting you, and
finally, as I trust, securing your happiness."
"You are very good, sir," she continued to breathe out, amid the
flutterings of her heart, and the reply produced a wonderful outburst
of ardour in a low but fervent voice.
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