t to appeal to her
ladyship as long as Loveday abstained from transmitting his messages,
but on the least attempt on her part to refer to him, a complaint should
certainly be made to my lady.

"Very well, madam," said Loveday, wiping her eyes. "I only hope it will
not be the worse for you in the end, and that you will not wish you had
listened to poor Loveday's advice."

"I can never wish to have done what I know to be a great sin," said
Aurelia gravely.

"Ah! you little know!" said Loveday, shaking her head sadly and
ominously.

Something brought to Aurelia's lips what she had been teaching the
children last Sunday, and she answered,

"My God, in Whom I have trusted, is able to deliver me out of the mouth
of lions, and He will deliver me out of thy hand."

"Oh! if ever there were one whom He should deliver!" broke out Loveday,
and again she went away weeping bitterly.

Aurelia could not guess what the danger the woman threatened could
be; so many had been mentioned as possible. A forcible marriage,
incarceration in some lonely country place, a vague threat of being
taken beyond seas to the plantation--all these had been mentioned; but
she was far more afraid of Colonel Mar forcing his way in and
carrying her off, and this kept her constantly in a state of nervous
watchfulness, always listening by day and hardly able to sleep by night.

Once she had a terrible alarm, on a Sunday. Letty came rushing to her,
declaring that Jumbo, dear Jumbo, and a gentleman were in the front
court. Was it really Jumbo? Come and see! No, she durst not, and Fay
almost instantly declared that Madge had shut them out. The children
both insisted that Jumbo it was, but Aurelia would not believe that it
could be anything but an attempt of her enemies. She interrogated
Madge, who had grown into a certain liking for one so submissive and
inoffensive. Madge shook her head, could not guess how such folks had
got into the court, was sure they were after no good, and declared that
my Lady should hear of all the strange doings, and the letters that had
been left with her. Oh, no, she knew better than to give them, but my
Lady should see them.

CHAPTER XXXIII. THE COSMETIC.

But one more task I charge thee with to-day,
For unto Proserpine then take thy way,
And give this golden casket to her hands.
MORRIS.

Late on that Sunday afternoon, a muffled and masked figure came