I was frighted the first time he showed me, but
now I can do it as well as he. See," she said, opening a case, "a
drop of this spirit upon this prepared cotton;" and as a bright flame
sprang up and made Aurelia start, she laughed and applied a taper to
it. "There, one such flash would be quite enough to prove to you
whether there be any deception practised on you."
"I could never do it! Light is agony to Mr. Belamour, and what would
he think?"
"He would take it for lightning, which I suppose he cannot keep out."
"One flash did come through everything last summer, but I was not
looking towards him."
"You will be wiser this time. Here, I can give you this little box,
for Mr. Arden compounded a fresh store in town."
"I dare not, sister. He has ever bidden me trust without sight; and
you cannot guess how good he is to me, and how noble and generous.
I cannot insult him by a doubt."
"Then he should not act as no true woman can endure."
"And it would hurt him."
"Tut, tut, child; if the lightning did not harm him how can this
flash? I tell you no man has a right to trifle with you in this
manner, and it is your duty to yourself and all of us to find out
the truth. Some young rake may have bribed the black, and be
personating him; and some day you may find yourself carried off
you know not where.
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