re
out whole handfuls of her hair. She was like one possessed, and they
had to call the lackey before they could get her safe tied down in bed,
where they kept her on bread and water, trying to get her to make her
apology; but not a word could be got out of her, till they had to yield
the point lest she should fall sick."

Aurelia mentally applauded her own discretion in not capping this with
Mrs. Dove's former tale, and only observing that the marriage could not
take place before the young baronet was of age, without the consent of
his personal guardian, Mr. Belamour.

"You will excuse me, my dear, in speaking of your husband, but he has
so long been incapable of acting, that they say his consent can be
dispensed with."

"Aye, poor cousin Amyas Belamour!" said Mrs. Hunter. "He was the only
man who ever durst resist my Lady's will before, and you see to what she
has brought him!"

"Her son is resisting her now," said Harriet; "and our good Dove says it
makes her blood boil to see the way the poor young gentleman is treated.
He, who was the darling for whom nothing was good enough a while ago,
has now scarce a place in his mother's own house. She is cold and
stately with him, and Colonel Mar, the Lady Belle's brother, being his
commanding officer, there is no end to the vexations and annoyances they
give him, both at home and in his quarters. Mrs. Dove says his own man,
Grey, tells her it is a wonder how he stands out against it all! And
a truly well-bred young gentleman he is. He came to pay me his call
in Gracechurch Street only yesterday, knowing our kindred, and most
unfortunate was it that I was stepped out to the office to speak as
to our boxes being duly sent by the Buckingham wain; but he left his
ticket, and a message with the servant, 'Tell my cousin, Mrs. Arden,'
he said, 'that I much regret not having seen her, and I should have done
myself the honour of calling sooner to inquire for her good father, if I
had known she was in town."

"Well, I have never seen the young gentleman since he was a mere child,"
said Mrs. Hunter. "His mother has bred him to neglect his own home and
relations, but I am sorry for him."

"They say," continued Harriet significantly, "that they are sure there
is some cause for his holding out so stiffly--I verily believe My Lady
suspected--"

"O hush, Harriet!" cried Aurelia, colouring painfully.

"Well, it is all over now, so you need not be offended," said Harriet,
laughing.