wife, he never
thought of her as a companion, but only as the mistress of his house and
guardian of his welfare.

The dinner was ordered at one, and at three Aurelia would ride home,
while Mr. and Mrs. Arden went on about twelve miles to the house of
a great grazier, brother to the Alderman's wife, where they had been
invited to make their next stage, and spend the next day, Sunday, when
Harriet reckoned on picking up information about cattle, if she were
not actually presented with a cow or a calf. They went out and walked a
little about the town, where presently they met Mrs. Hunter. Aurelia
met her puzzled stare with a curtsey, and she shouted in her hearty tone
"Miss Delavie!--I mean Mrs. Belamour! Who would have thought of seeing
you here!"

"I am here to meet my sister--Mrs. Arden. Let me--let me present you,"
said Aurelia in obedience to an imperious sign from her sister, going
through the form for the first time, while Harriet volubly declared her
happiness in making Mrs. Hunter's acquaintance, and explained how they
were on their way to take possession of Mr. Arden's rectory of Rundell
Canonicorum, the words rolling out of her mouth with magnificent
emphasis. "I congratulate you, ma'am," said Mrs. Hunter, cordially, "and
you too, my dear," she added, turning to Aurelia. "I would have been
out long ago to call on you--a sort of relation as you are now, as I may
say--but it was kept all so mum, one never knew the time to drink your
health; and my Cousins Treforth wouldn't so much as give me a hint. But
la! says I, why should you talk about artfulness? I'm right glad
poor Mr. Amyas should find a sprightly young lady to cure him of his
mopishness. Never mind them, my dear, if they do look sour on you. I'll
come over one of these days and talk to them. Now, I must have you come
in to take your dinner with us. The Doctor will be right pleased to find
you. I'll take no excuse. I thank Heaven I'm always ready whoever may
drop in. There's spring chicken and sparrow-grass."

However, on hearing their dinner was ordered at the inn, the good lady
was satisfied that to dine with her was impossible; but she insisted on
their coming in to partake of wine and cake in her best parlour.

This, however, was a little more than Mr. Arden could endure, he made an
excuse about seeing to the horse, and escaped; while Mrs. Hunter led the
two sisters to her closely shut-up parlour, wainscoted, and hung with
two staring simpering po