"
"It must be so," said Betty; "it would explain Lady Belle's having
had access to her! And now?"
"Is it impossible to effect an entrance from the court and carry her
away?" asked Sir Amyas.
"Entirely so," said his uncle. "The only door into the court is fit
to stand a siege, and all the lower windows are barred and fastened
with shutters. The servants' entrance is at the back towards the
river, but no doubt it is also guarded, and my key will not serve
for it."
"I could get some sprightly fellow of ours to come disguised as Mohocks,
and break in," proceeded the youth, eagerly. "Once in the court, trust
me for forcing my way to her."
"And getting lodged in Newgate for your pains, or tried by court-
martial," said the Major. "No, when right is on our side, do not let
us make it wrong. Hush, Sir Amyas, it is I who must here act. Whether
you are her husband I do not know, I know that I am her father, and
to-morrow morning, as soon as a magistrate can be spoken with, I shall
go and demand a search warrant for the body of my daughter, Aurelia
Delavie."
"The body! Good Heavens, sir," cried Betty.
"Not without the sweet soul, my dear Miss Delavie," said Mr. Belamour.
"Your excellent father has arrived at the only right and safe decision,
and provided no farther alarm is given, I think he may succeed.
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