He _would_ not tax her with the wicked note she had written to account
for Mr. Belamour's disappearance, and which she had forgotten; he felt
that he could not impel one, whom he could not but still regard with
tenderness, to utter any more untruths and excuses.
"By the by," she added, "does your daughter take my waiting-maid after
all? I would have forgiven her, for she is an admirable hairdresser,
but Wayland says he cannot have so ingenious person in his house;
though after all I do not see that she is a bit worse than others of
her condition, and she herself insists on trying to become Aurelia's
attendant, vowing that the sight of her is as good as any Methodist
sermon!"
"Precisely, madam. We were all averse to taking her with us, but
Aurelia said she owed her much gratitude; and she declared so
earnestly that the sight of my dear child brought back all the
virtuous and pious thoughts she had forgotten, that even Betty's
heart was touched, and she is to go with us, on trial."
"Oh! she is as honest as regards money and jewels as ever I knew a
waiting-maid, but for the rest!" Lady Belamour shrugged her shoulders.
"However, one is as good as another, and at least she will never let
her lady go a fright! See here, Harry. These are the Delavie jewels:
I shall never need them more: carry them to your daughters.
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