Was it really Jumbo? Come and see! No, she durst not,
and Fay almost instantly declared that Madge had shut them out. The
children both insisted that Jumbo it was, but Aurelia would not
believe that it could be anything but an attempt of her enemies.
She interrogated Madge, who had grown into a certain liking for
one so submissive and inoffensive. Madge shook her head, could not
guess how such folks had got into the court, was sure they were after
no good, and declared that my Lady should hear of all the strange
doings, and the letters that had been left with her. Oh, no, she
knew better than to give them, but my Lady should see them.
CHAPTER XXXIII. THE COSMETIC.
But one more task I charge thee with to-day,
For unto Proserpine then take thy way,
And give this golden casket to her hands.
MORRIS.
Late on that Sunday afternoon, a muffled and masked figure came
through the house into the court behind, and after the first shock
Aurelia was relieved to see that it was too tall, and moved too
gracefully, to belong to Loveday.
"Why, child, what a colour you have!" said Lady Belamour, taking off
her mask. "You need no aids to nature at your happy age. That is
right, children," as they curtsied and kissed her hand.
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