"Go into
the house, I wish to speak with your cousin."
Lady Belamour's unfailing self-command gave her such dignity that she
seemed truly a grand and majestic dame dispensing justice, and the
gentle, shrinking Aurelia like a culprit on trial before her.
"You have been here a month, Aurelia Delavie. Have you come to your
senses, and are you ready to sign this paper?"
"No, madam, I cannot."
"Silly fly; you are as bent as ever on remaining in the web in which
a madman and a foolish boy have involved you?"
"I cannot help it, madam."
"Oh! I thought," and her voice became harshly clear, though so low,
"that you might have other schemes, and be spreading your toils at
higher game."
"Certainly not, madam."
"Your colour shows that you understand, in spite of all your pretences."
"I have never used any pretences, my lady," said Aurelia, looking up
in her face with clear innocent eyes.
"You have had no visitors? None!"
"None, madam, except once when the Lady Arabella Mar forced her way
in, out of curiosity, I believe, and her brother followed to take her
away."
"Her brother? You saw him?" Each word came out edged like a knife
from between her nearly closed lips.
"Yes, madam."
"How often?"
"That once."
"That has not hindered a traffic in letters.
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