"They say--but you should be the best informed,
Madam Belamour--
"We hear nothing of the matter, ma'am," said Aurelia.
"That's odd, since Mr. Belamour is young Sir Amyas's guardian; and
they cannot well pass him over now he has begun life again as it
were," laughed Mrs. Hunter. "'Tis said that my Lady is resolved
the wedding shall be within six weeks."
There are two words to that question," said Harriet, oracularly; "I
know from good authority that young Sir Amyas is determined against
the match."
"But is it true, ma'am," cried Mrs. Hunter, eagerly, "that my Lady
and the Countess of Aresfield met at Bath, and that my Lady is to
have 3,000 pounds down to pay off her debts before her husband
comes home, the day her son is married to Lady Arabella?"
"Every word of it is true, ma'am," said Harriet, importantly.
"Well now, that folk should sell their own flesh and blood!"
"How have you heard it, sister Harriet?" asked Aurelia.
"From a sure hand, my love. No other than Mrs. Dove. She is wife to
my Lady's coachman," explained Mrs. Arden to her hostess, "and nurse
to the two children it is her pleasure to keep with her."
"Dear good Nurse dove!" cried Aurelia, "did she come to see you?"
"Yes, that did she! So I have it from the fountain-head, as I may
say, that the poor young gentleman's hand and heart are to be made
over without his will, that so his mother may not have such a
schedule of debts wherewith to face her husband on his return!"
"Her jewels have been all paste long ago, I know very well," said
Mrs.
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