"Oh, nurse, he is the wisest, cleverest gentleman I ever saw, except
my papa."

"Do you say do, miss? But you are young, you see. A gentleman to
shut himself up in the dark like that must needs be astray in his
wits."

"That is because of his eyes, and his wound. Nobody could talk to
him and doubt his reason."

"Well, missie, I hope you are in the right; but what my Lady's
interest is, that she is apt to carry out, one way or t'other!
Bless me, if that be not Master Archer screaming. I thought he
was fast off to sleep. There never was a child for hating the
dark. Yes, yes, I'm coming, my dearie! Lack a daisy, if his
mamma heard!"




CHAPTER XVI. AUGURIES.


Venus, thy eternal sway
All the race of man obey.
EURIPIDES (Anstice).


Aurelia sat up late to finish her despatches to the beloved ones at
home, and pack the little works she had been able to do for each,