" And as Betty's tears flowed
at this testimony to her sister, the housekeeper added, "Never you
fear, ma'am; she is one of God's innocents and His Hand will be
over her."
Meantime, having dismissed the young lover to take, if he could, a
much needed night's rest, the Major was listening to Mr. Belamour's
confession. "I was the most to blame, in as much as an old fool is
worse than a young one; and I would that the penalty fell on me
alone."
"If she be in my cousin's hands I cannot believe that she will permit
any harm to befall her," said the good Major, still clinging to his
faith in Urania--the child he had taught to ride, and with whom he
had danced her first minuet.
"What I dread most is her being forced into some low marriage," said
Mr. Belamour. "The poor child's faith in the ceremony that passed
must have been overthrown, and who can tell what she may be induced
to accept?"
"It was that threat which moved you?" said the Major.
"Yes. Hargrave assured me that my Lady had actually offered her to
him, with a bribe of a farm on easy terms; and when she found that
he had other intentions, there seemed to be some broken-down sycophant
of Mar's upon the cards, but of course I was preferable, both because
my fair sister-in-law has some lingering respect for the honour of
her own blood, and because the bar between Aurelia and my nephew
would be perpetual.
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