Amoret looked ready to cry, but at a sign from their young instructress, they backed and curtsied, and their mother reviewed them; Letitia was the most like the Delavies, but also the smallest, while Amoret was on the largest scale and would pair best with her brother, who besides loudly proclaimed his preference for her, and she was therefore elected to the honour of being taken home.  Aurelia was requested as a favour to bid the children’s woman have the child’s clothes ready repaired to her own room.

The little wardrobe could only be prepared by much assistance from Aurelia herself, and she could attend to nothing else; while the children were all devoted to Archer, and she only heard their voices in the distance, till—­as she was dressing for her tete-a-tete supper—­Fay came to her crying, “Archer is a naughty boy—­he said wicked words—­he called her ugly, and had cuffed and pinched her!”

Poor child! she was tired out, and disappointed, and Aurelia could only comfort her by hearing her little prayers, undressing her, and giving her the highly-esteemed treat of sleeping in Cousin Aura’s bed; while the others were staying up as long as it pleased Master Archer.  This actually was the cause of my Lady being kept waiting, and an apology was needful.  “Fidelia was tired out, and was crying.”

“A peevish child!  I am glad I did not choose her.”

“She is usually very good, madam,” said Aurelia, eagerly.

“Is she your favourite?”

“I try not to make favourites, madam.”

“Ah! there spoke the true Manor House tone,” said her Ladyship, rather mockingly.  “Maybe she will be a wit, for she will never be a beauty, but the other little one will come on in due time after Amoret.”

“Your Ladyship will find Amoret a dear, good, affectionate child,” said Aurelia.  “Only—–­”

“Reserve that for nurse, so please you, my good girl.  It is enough for me to see the brats on their good manners now and then.  You have had other recreations—­shall I call them, or cares?  I never supposed, when I sent you here to attend on the children, that the hermit of Bowstead would summon you!  I assure you it is an extraordinary honour.”

“I so esteem it, madam,” said Aurelia, blushing.

“More honour than pleasure, eh?”

“A great pleasure, madam.”

“Say you so?” and the glittering blue eyes were keenly scanning the modest face.  “I should have thought a young maid like you would have had the dismals at the mere notion of going near his dark chamber.  I promise you it gives me the megrim [migraine—­D.L.] to look forward to it.”

“I was affrighted at first, madam,” said Aurelia; “but Mr. Belamour is so good and kind to me that I exceedingly enjoy the hours I spend with him.”

“La, child, you speak with warmth!  We shall have you enamoured of a voice like the youth they make sonnets about—­what’s his name?”