“I continue to profit by my gentle friend’s banishment. Tell me, was my Lady in a gracious mood?” “O sir, how beautiful she is, and how kind! I know now why my father was so devoted to her, and no one can ever gainsay her!” “The enchantress knows how to cast her spells. She was then friendly?” “She gave me five guineas!” said Aurelia exultingly. “She said Mr. Wayland wished to recompense me.” “Did he so? If it came from him I should have expected a more liberal sum.” “But, oh!” in a tone of infinite surprise and content, “this is more than I ever thought of. Indeed I never dreamt of her giving me anything. Sir, may I write to your bookseller, Mr. Tonson, and order a book of Mr. James Thomson’s _Seasons_ to give to my sister Harriet, who is delighted with the extracts I have copied for her?” “Will not that consume a large proportion of the five guineas, my generous friend?” “I have enough left. There is a new gown which I never have worn, which will serve for the new clothes my Lady spoke of to receive her son’s bride.” “She entered on that subject then?” “Only for a moment as she took leave. Oh, sir, is it possible that she can know all about this young lady?” “What have you heard of her?” “Sir, they say she is a dreadful little vixen.” “Who say? Is she known at Carminster?” “No, sir,” said Aurelia, disconcerted. “It was from Nurse Dove that I heard what Sir Amyas’s man said when he came back from Battlefield. I know my sister would chide me for listening to servants.” “Nevertheless I should be glad to hear. Was the servant old Grey? Then he is to be depended on. What did he say?” Aurelia needed little persuasion to tell all that she had heard from Mrs. Dove, and he answered, “Thank you, my child, it tallies precisely with what the poor boy himself told me.” “Then he has told his mother? Will she not believe him?” “It does not suit her to do so, and it is easy to say the girl will be altered by going to a good school. In fact, there are many reasons more powerful with her than the virtue and happiness of her son,” he added bitterly. “There’s the connection, forsooth. As if Lady Aresfield were fit to bring up an honest man’s wife; and there’s the fortune to fill up the void she has made in the Delavie estates.” “Can no one hinder it, sir? Cannot you?” “As a last resource the poor youth came hither to see whether the guardian whose wardship has hitherto been a dead letter, were indeed so utterly obdurate and helpless as had been represented.” “And you have the power?” “So far as his father’s will and the injunctions of his final letter to me can give it, I have full power. My consent is necessary to his marriage while still a minor, and I have told my Lady I will never give it to his wedding a Mar.” “I was sure of it; and it is not true that they will be able to do without it? “Without it! Have you heard any more? You pause. I see--she wishes to declare me of unsound mind. Is that what you mean?”