"Ah!
my truant, my runaway invalid!" said Lady Belamour, "you are come to
surrender."
"I am come," he said gravely, holding out his stronger hand to his
little brother and sister, who sprang to him, "to bring my father-
and sister-in-law, Major and Miss Delavie."
"Ah! my good cousin, my excellent Mrs. Betty, excuse me that my
tyrant _friseur_ prevents my rising to welcome you. It is so good
and friendly in you to come in this informal way to cheer me under
this terrible anxiety. Let me present you to my kind friend, the
Countess of Aresfield, who has been so good as to come in to-day
to sustain my spirits. Colonel Mar you know already. Pray be
seated. Amyas--Archer--chairs. Let Syphax give you a cup of
chocolate."
"Madam," said the Major, disregarding all this and standing as if on
parade, "can I see you alone? My business is urgent."
"No evil news, I trust! I have undergone such frightful shocks of
late, my constitution is well nigh ruined."
"It is I that have to ask news of you madam."
She saw that, if she trifled with him, something would break out that
she would not wish to have said publicly. "My time is so little my
own," she said, "I am under command to be at the Palace by two o'clock,
but in a few minutes I shall be able to dismiss my tormentor, and then,
till my woman comes to dress me, I shall be at your service.
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