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And ere these noises around herout from all the corners They knew there had been food in the roo cats in her kitchen! Aurelia went and sat on the step into the court to be out of their way, but Madge hunted her in that the doorto the sitting roo that she durst not enter, and betook herself to her chae She had been too ht there was scratching, nibbling, careering, fighting, squeaking, recoil and rally, charge and rout, as the grey Hanover rat fought his successful battle with his black English cousin all over the floors and stairs--nay, once or twice ca its occupant almost out of her senses, as she cowered under the bed-clothes, not at all sure that they would not proceed to eating her Happily daylight came early Aurelia, at its first ray, darted across the roo with her bare foot, opened the shutter, and threw open the caseht drove the enemy back to their holes, and she had a few hours' sleep, but when Mrs Loveday came to the room when she was nearly dressed, she exclaimed, "Why, miss, you look paler than you did yesterday"

"The rats!" said Aurelia under her breath

"Ah! the rats! Of course they are bad enough in an old desolate place like this But you've done the shells right beautiful, that I will say; and you ive your consent to what my Lady asks You shall be sent down this very day to Carn a paper giving up all claim to be married to his Honour See, here it is, all ready, in my Lady's letter"

"I cannot," said Aurelia, with her hands behind her

"You can read my Lady's letter," said Loveday; "that can do you no harm"

Aurelia felt she ression on the One Condition, that you sign this Paper and send it with your so-called Wedding Ring back to me immediately Otherwise you must take the Consequences, and ree