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Perhaps she expected a largesse in honour of the occasion, but Aurelia had spent all herto bestoever, she found on the breakfast-table a parcel addressed to Madaolden guineas in it She was rather surprised at the title, which was one generally conferred on dignified hthood, such as the wives of country squires and of the higher clergy The calling her mother Madam Delavie had been treated as an offence by Lady Bela else toher recluse in what she mentally called his quiet rationalhim, modestly to inquire whether that hat she was to be called

"It is better thus," hes said "You have every right to the title"

She recollected that he was a baronet's younger son, a distinction in those days; and that she had been told that his patent of knighthood had been h he had never been able to appear at court to receive the accolade, and had never assumed the title; so she only said "Very well, sir, I "

He laughed a little "My Lady will soon understand it," he said "Her husband will be at home in a feeeks And now, my dear Madam Belamour," he add playfully, "tell ratify"

"You are very kind, sir---"

"What does that pause mean, my fair friend?"

"I fear it is too much to ask, sir, but since you inquire ould please o to ?"

"My child," he said, with evident regret, "I fear that cannot be It will not be prudent to make any move until Mr Wayland's return; but after that I can assure you ofpresent you would like to send her"

Aurelia had felt her request so audacious that she subsided easily; and ht of porcelain, but Mr Bela the cups and saucers, and the gentleman the urn and the tea and coffee pots and other plate; but it was a drawback to the pleasure of this munificence that the execution of the order had to be entrusted to Mr Hargrave The daring hope Aurelia had entertained of shopping for a day, with Mrs Aylward as an escort, and choosing the last fashions to send to her sisters was quashed by the grave reply that it was better not for the present What was theof all this rateful to murmur, for Mr Belaed to disappoint her, andlittle saddle-horse, two riding-habits, with a groom, and a horse for hiifts showered upon her; and whenever she found her husband in one of those perplexing accesses of tenderness she was sure to carry away some wonderful present, a beautiful jewelled watch, an etui case, a fan, a scent-bottle, or patch-box with a charirls were always looking for so, and thought itthings Those caressing evenings, however, always frightened Aurelia, and sent her away vaguely uneasy, often to lie awake full of a vague yearning and alarm; and several days of restlessness would pass before she could return to her ordinary enjoys with Mr Bela intermission of those fits of tender affection, she iven offence, especially as this strangely capricious man seemed sometimes to repel those modest, timid advances which at other times would fill his to see and satisfy herself as to as indeed the aspect of hi to love