which will serve for the new clothes my Lady spoke of to receive
her son's bride."

"She entered on that subject then?"

"Only for a moment as she took leave. Oh, sir, is it possible that
she can know all about this young lady?"

"What have you heard of her?"

"Sir, they say she is a dreadful little vixen."

"Who say? Is she known at Carminster?"

"No, sir," said Aurelia, disconcerted. "It was from Nurse Dove that
I heard what Sir Amyas's man said when he came back from Battlefield.
I know my sister would chide me for listening to servants."

"Nevertheless I should be glad to hear. Was the servant old Grey?
Then he is to be depended on. What did he say?"

Aurelia needed little persuasion to tell all that she had heard from
Mrs. Dove, and he answered, "Thank you, my child, it tallies precisely
with what the poor boy himself told me."

"Then he has told his mother? Will she not believe him?"

"It does not suit her to do so, and it is easy to say the girl will
be altered by going to a good school. In fact, there are many reasons
more powerful with her than the virtue and happiness of her son," he