Depend upon it, my unfortunate brother-in-law's wanderings
at night were not solely spent in communings with the trees and
brooks. Who knows what might be discovered if he were under proper
restraint? And it is to you, the only relation I have, that I must
turn for assistance in my most unhappy circumstances," she added,
wit a glance so full of sweet helplessness that no man could withstand
it. "I am so glad you are here. You will be acting for me as well
as for yourself in endeavouring to find your poor lovely child, and
the first thing I would have done would be to separate Belamour and
his black, put them under restraint, and interrogate them separately.
You could easily get an order from a magistrate. But ah, here comes
my woman. No more now. You will come to me this evening, and we
can talk further on this matter. I shall have some company, and
it will not be a regular rout, only a few card-tables, and a little
dancing for the young people."
"Your ladyship must excuse me," said Betty, "I have no dress to appear
in, even if I had spirits for the company."
"Ah! my dear cousin, how do you think it is with my spirits? Yet I
think it my duty not to allow myself to be moped, but to exert myself
for the interest of my son. While as to dress, my woman can direct
you to the milliner who would equip you in the last mode.
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