When, after much thundering, the door was opened,
Aurelia had a moment's glimpse of a splendid figure in gold and
scarlet handing out Lady Belamour, who stood talking with him on the
steps of the house for some moments. Then, shrugging his shoulders,
he remounted, and cantered off, after which my Lady signed to Aurelia
to alight, and followed her into the hall.
"Madge," said Lady Belamour to the witch-like old woman who had
admitted her, "this young lady is to remain here. You will open a
bedroom and sitting-room for her at the back of the house. Let her
be properly cared for, and go out in the court behind, but on no
account approach the front gates. Let no one know she is here."
Madge muttered some demands about supplies and payments, and Lady
Belamour waved her to settle them with Mrs. Loveday, turning meantime
to the prisoner and saying, "There, child, you are to remain here on
your good behaviour. Do your best to merit my good will, so that I
may overlook what is past. Recollect, the least attempt to escape,
or to hold intercourse with the young, or the old, fool, and it shall
be the worse with them and with your father."
Therewith she departed, followed by Loveday, leaving Aurelia standing
in the middle of the hall, the old hag gazing on her with a malignant
leer.
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