"
He laughed a little. "My Lady will soon understand it," he said.
"Her husband will be at home in a few weeks. And now, my dear Madam
Belamour," he add playfully, "tell me whether there is any wish that
I can gratify."
"You are very kind, sir---"
"What does that pause mean, my fair friend?"
"I fear it is too much to ask, sir, but since you inquire what would
please me most, it would be if you could spare me to go to my sister
Harriet's wedding?"
"My child," he said, with evident regret, "I fear that cannot be. It
will not be prudent to make any move until Mr. Wayland's return; but
after that I can assure you of more liberty. Meantime, let us consider
what wedding present you would like to send her."
Aurelia had felt her request so audacious that she subsided easily;
and modestly suggested a tea-service. She thought of porcelain,
but Mr. Belamour's views were of silver, and it ended in the lady
giving the cups and saucers, and the gentleman the urn and the tea
and coffee pots and other plate; but it was a drawback to the
pleasure of this munificence that the execution of the order had
to be entrusted to Mr. Hargrave. The daring hope Aurelia had
entertained of shopping for a day, with Mrs. Aylward as an escort,
and choosing the last fashions to send to her sisters was quashed
by the grave reply that it was better not for the present.
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