"Well, what think you of that, Betty?"

"Think, sir?--I think it is not for my lady to talk of villains."

"She is in absolute error respecting Belamour; but then she has not seen
him since his recovery. Women are prone to those fancies, and in her
unprotected state, poor thing, no wonder she takes alarms."

"I should have thought her rather over-protected."

"Now, Betty, you need not take a leaf out of Mrs. Duckworth's book, and
begin to be censorious. You saw how relieved she was to have me, her own
blood relation, to turn to, instead of that empty braggart of a fellow.
Besides, a man does not bring his step-mother when there's anything
amiss."

There was something in this argument, and Betty held her peace, knowing
that to censure my Lady only incited her father to defend her.

For her own part her consternation was great, and she walked on in
silence, only speaking again to acquiesce in her father's observation
that they must say nothing to Mr. Belamour of my Lady's plans for his
seclusion.

They found Mr. Belamour in the square parlour of the Royal York, having
sent Eugene out for a walk with Jumbo. The boy's return in the most
eager state of excitement at the shops, the horses, sedans, and other
wonders, did something, together with dinner, to wile away the weary
time till, about three hours after the Major and his daughter had
returned, they were joined by the young baronet, who came running up the
stairs with a good deal more impetuosity than he would have permitted
himself at home.

"At last I have escaped," he said. "I fear you have waited long for me?"

"I have been hoping you had discovered some indications," said the
Major.

"Alas, no! I should imagine my Lady as ignorant as we are, save for one
thing."

"And that was---?"

"The pains that were taken to prevent my speaking with any of the
servants. I was forced to attend on that harridan, Lady Aresfield, till
my mother sent for me; and then she made Mar absolutely watch me off the
premises. Then I had to go and report myself at head-quarters, and see
the surgeon, so that there may be no colour of irregularity for the
Colonel to take advantage of."

"Right, right!" said the Major; "do not let him get a handle
against you, though I should not call you fit for duty yet, even for
holiday-work like yours."

"You still suspect that your mother knows where our Aurelia is?" said
Betty. "When I think of her demeanour, I can hardly believe it! But