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The subject was approached through interrogations on Miss Delavie's ho, how she had travelled, and ere her accomplishments, also whether she were quite sure that none of the triad was either imbecile nor deformed Mrs Hunter seemed to have heard wonderful rumours about the poor children

"Has their lady mother seen them?"

"Yes, madam She had been there with them shortly before roan of censure such as would have fired the loyal Major in defence

"No wonder, Sister Phoebe, my Lady Belamour does not lead the life of a tender mother"

"She has the little boy, Archer, with her in London," Aurelia ventured to say

"And a perfect puppet she makes of the poor child," said Mrs Hunter "My sister Chetwynd saw hi as Venus, and he, when he ought to have been in his bed, dressed in rose-colour and silver, with a bow and arrows, and gauze wings on his shoulders!"

"What will that child come to?"

"Remember, Sister Delia, he is no kin of ours He is only a Wayland!" returned Mrs Phoebe, in an accent as if the Waylands were the most contemptible of vermin

"I hope," added Mrs Delia, "that these children are never permitted to incommode our unfortunate cousin, Mr Belamour"

"I trust not, madam," said Aurelia "Their rooood children, and he says he likes to hear young voices in the gardens"

"You have, then, seen Mr Belamour?"

"I cannot say that I have seen him," said Aurelia, modestly; "but I have conversed with him"

"Indeed! Alone with him?"

"Jumbo was there"

The two old ladies drew theled "Indeed!" said Mrs Phoebe; "we should never see a gentleman in private without each other's company, or that of some female companion"

"I consulted Mrs Aylward," returned Aurelia, "and she said he was old enough to be my father"

"Mrs Aylward h far too lavish of butcher's meat, but I should never have recourse to her on a matter of decorum," said Mrs Phoebe

Aurelia's cheeks burnt, but she still defended herself "I have heard from my father and my sister," she said, "and they make no objection"