Very glad was Aurelia when the ladies curtsied themselves out of her
summer parlour, declaring they wished to speak to Mrs. Aylward, who
she knew could assure them of the absurdity of these implied suspicions.

And Mrs. Aylward, who detested the two ladies, and repelled their
meddling, stiffly assured them both of Miss Delavie's discretion
and her own vigilance, which placed visits from the young baronet
beyond the bounds of possibility. Supposing his Honour should
again visit his uncle, she should take care to be present at any
interview with the young lady. She trusted that she knew her duty,
and so did Miss Delavie.




CHAPTER XV. THE QUEEN OF BEAUTY.


O bright _regina_, who made thee so faire,
Who made thy colour vermeilie and white?
Now marveile I nothing that ye do hight
The quene of love.--CHAUCER.


Only a week had elapsed before the quiet of Bowstead was again
disturbed by the arrival of two grooms, with orders that everything
should be made ready the next day for the arrival of my Lady, who
was on her way to Carminster for a few weeks, and afterwards to Bath.
Forthwith Mrs. Aylward and her subordinates fell into a frenzy of
opening shutters, lighting fires, laying down carpets and uncovering