But what folly am I talking? You must not let them think I am not
happy, for indeed I am. Will you kindly come to my room, dear nurse,
and I will give you a packet for them?"

Mrs. Dove willingly availed herself of the opportunity of explaining
how guiltless she had been of the sudden separation at Knightsbridge
four months back. She had been in such haste to ride after and
overtake the coach, that she had even made Dove swear at her for
wanting to give the horses no time to rest, and she had ridden off
on her own particular pillion long before the rest. She had been
surprised that she never succeeded in catching up the carriage, but
never suspected the truth till she had dismounted in Hanover Square
and asked whether "Miss" were with my Lady. Nobody knew anything
about Miss Delavie, nor expected her; and the good woman's alarm was
great until she had had an interview with her Ladyship, when she was
told not to concern herself about the young lady, who was safely
bestowed in the country with the Miss Wayland. "But that it was
here, if you'll believe me, missie, I was as innocent as the babe
unborn, and so was his Honour, Sir Amyas. Indeed, my Lady gave
him to understand that she had put you to boarding-school with
his little sisters."

"Oh! nurse, that is impossible!"

"Lawk-a-day, missie, there's nothing my Lady wouldn't say to put him
off the scent. Bless you, 'tis not for us servants to talk, or I
could tell you tales! But there, mum's the word, as my Dove says,
or he wouldn't ha' sat on his box these twenty year!"

"My Lady is very kind to me," said Aurelia, with a little assumption