that she was to write--


"If Amyas Belamour's old Schoolfellow and Friend can overlook and
pardon the undeserved Rebuffs to His Constancy and Solicitude for
a lonely and sullen Wretch, and will once more come and spend a
Night at Bowstead, he will confer an inestimable Favour upon one
who is more sensible of his Goodness than when it has been
previously offered."


This letter, written in Aurelia's best Italian hand, on a large sheet
of paper, she brought with her the next evening. She was bidden to
fold down the exact place for the signature, which Mr. Belamour
proceeded to affix, and she was then to carry it to the candles in
the lobby, and there fold, seal, and address it to the Reverend
Edward Godfrey, D.D., Canon of Windsor, Windsor. She found the A.
Belamour very fairly written except that it was not horizontal, and
she performed the rest of the task with ladylike dexterity, sealing
it with a ring that had been supplied for the purpose. It did not,
as she expected, bear the Belamour sheaf of arrows, but was a gem,
representing a sleeping Cupid with folded wings, so beautiful that
she asked leave to take another impression for Harriet, who collected
seals, after the fashion of the day.

"You are welcome," Mr. Belamour replied. "I doubt its great antiquity,
since the story of Cupid and Psyche cannot be traced beyond Apuleius.
I used it because Dr. Godfrey will remember it. He was with me at
Rome when I purchased it."