Hunter, not to be outdone; "though, would you believe it, Doctor
Hunter is like all the men, and will believe nothing against her!
But this beats all the rest! Why, I have it from my maid, who is
sister to one of the servants at the boarding-school in Queen Square,
whither they have sent the Lady Belle, that she is a regular little
shrew. She flew at one of the young ladies like a wild cat, because
she did not yield place to her at once, and scratched her cheeks till
the blood ran down, and tore out whole handfuls of her hair. She was
like one possessed, and they had to call the lackey before they could
get her safe tied down in bed, where they kept her on bread and water,
trying to get her to make her apology; but not a word could be got
out of her, till they had to yield the point lest she should fall
sick."
Aurelia mentally applauded her own discretion in not capping this
with Mrs. Dove's former tale, and only observing that the marriage
could not take place before the young baronet was of age, without
the consent of his personal guardian, Mr. Belamour.
"You will excuse me, my dear, in speaking of your husband, but he has
so long been incapable of acting, that they say his consent can be
dispensed with."
"Aye, poor cousin Amyas Belamour!" said Mrs.
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