"
Another night of rats came up before Aurelia's imagination in contrast
with the tender welcome at home; but the white face and the tones that
had exclaimed, "Madam, what are you doing to my wife?" arose and
forbade her. She would not fail him. So she said firmly once more,
"No, Mrs. Loveday, I cannot. I do not know what lawyers may say, but
I feel myself bound to Sir Amyas, and I will not break my vow--God
helping me," she added under breath.
"You must write it to her ladyship then. She will never take such a
message through me. Here is paper and pen that I brought, in hopes
that you would be wise and submit for your honoured father's sake."
"My father cannot be persecuted for what he has nothing to do with,"
said Aurelia, with the gentle dignity that had grown on her since
her troubles. And taking the pen, she wrote her simple refusal,
signing it Aurelia Belamour.
"As you please, ma'am," said Mrs. Loveday, "but I have my Lady's
orders to bring this paper every day till you sign it, and it would
be better for you if you would do it at once."
Aurelia only shook her head, and asked if Mrs. Loveday had seen that
she had finished sorting the shells. Yes; and as she was now dressed
they went down together to the sitting-room. The shutters were
still closed, Madge would not put a hand to the room except on the
compulsion, and Aurelia's enemies had left evidence of their work;
not only was the odour of the room like that of a barn, but the paper
bags had in some cases been bitten through, and the shells scattered
about, and of the loaf and butter which Aurelia had left on a high
shelf in the cupboard nothing remained but a few fragments.
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