So when Mr.
Belamour came down it was agreed that she should remain at home under
his protection, in which she could be very happy, though his person
was as strange to her as his voice was familiar. Indeed she felt as
if a burden was on her mind till she could tell him of her shame at
having failed in the trust and silence that he had enjoined on her.
"My child," he said, "we have carried it too far. It was more than we
ought to have required of you, and I knew it. I had made up my mind,
and told my nephew that the first time you really asked I should tell
the whole truth, and trust to your discretion, while of course he
wished for nothing more."
"As my sister said, it was my fault."
"Nay, I think you had good cause to stand on your defence, and I
cannot have you grieve over it. You have shown an unshaken steadiness
under trial since, such as ought indeed to be compensation."
"I deserved it all," said Aurelia; "and I do hope that I am a little
wiser and less foolish for it all; a little more of a woman," she
added, blushing.
"A soul trained by love and suffering, as in the old legend," said Mr.
Belamour thoughtfully.
Thoroughly pleasant was here _tete-a-tete_ with him, especially when
she artlessly asked him whether her dear sister were not all she had
told him, and he fervently answered that indeed she was "a perfect
lesson to all so-called beauties of what true loveliness of a
countenance can be.
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