Betty lived in a dreadful unnamed terror lest he should offer some
impertinence to her father which the veteran's honour might not brook.
However, there was something in the old soldier's dignity and long
service that kept the arrogance of the younger man in check, and
repressed all bluster towards him.

Demands for money were, as usual, made, but the settlement of accounts
was deferred till the arrival of Hargrave, the family man of business,
who came by coach to Bath, and then rode across to Carminster. The
Major dined that day at the Great House, and came home early, with
something so strange and startled about his looks that Betty feared
that her worst misgivings were realised. It was a relief to hear him
say, "Come hither, Betty, I want a word with you." At least it was
no duel!

"What is it, dear sir?" she asked, as she shut his study door. "Is
it come at last? Must we quit this place?"

"No, I could bear that better, but what do you think she asks of me
now?--to give my little Aurelia, my beautiful darling, to that madman
in the dark!"

"Oh!" exclaimed Betty, in a strange tone of discovery. "May I inquire
what you said?"

"I said--I scarce know what I said. I declared it monstrous, and not
to be thought of for a moment; and then she went on in her fashion that
would wile a bird off a bush, declaring that no doubt the proposal was
a shock, but if I would turn the matter over, I should see it was for
the dear child's advantage. Belamour dotes on her, and after being an