"Do you know who I am, miss? I am the Lady Bella Mar. The Countess
of Aresfield is my mamma. I shall have Battlefield when she dies, and
twenty thousand pounds on my wedding day. The Earl of Aresfield and
Colonel Mar are my brothers, and a wretched little country girl like
you is not to come between me and what my mamma has fixed for me; so
you must give it up at once, for you see he belongs to me."
"Not yet, madam," said Aurelia.
"What do you say? Do you pretend that your masquerade was worth a
button?"
"That is not my part to decide," said Aurelia. "I am bound by it, and
have no power to break it."
"You mean the lawyers! Bless you, they will never give it to you
against me! You'd best give it up at once, and if you want a husband,
my mamma has one ready for you."
"I thank her ladyship," said Aurelia, with simple dignity, "but I will
not give her the trouble."
She glanced at her wedding ring, and so did Lady Belle, who screamed,
"You've the impudence to wear that! Give it to me."
"I cannot," repeated Aurelia.
"You cannot, you insolent, vulgar, low"--
"Hush! hush, my lady," entreated Loveday. "Come away, I beg of your
ladyship!"
"Not till I have made that impudent hussy give me that ring," cried
Belle, stamping violently.
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