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"I think not," said Aurelia, with one look at the peony face

"Do you knoho I am, miss? I am the Lady Bella Mar The Countess of Aresfield is my mamma I shall have Battlefield when she dies, and twenty thousand pounds onday The Earl of Aresfield and Colonel Mar are irl like you is not to come between ive it up at once, for you see he belongs to me"

"Not yet, madam," said Aurelia

"What do you say? Do you pretend that your masquerade orth a button?"

"That is not my part to decide," said Aurelia "I am bound by it, and have no power to break it"

"You ainst ive it up at once, and if you want a husband, my mamma has one ready for you"

"I thank her ladyship," said Aurelia, with silanced at her wedding ring, and so did Lady Belle, who screamed, "You've the impudence to wear that! Give it to me"

"I cannot," repeated Aurelia

"You cannot, you insolent, vulgar, low"-"Hush! hush,of your ladyship!"

"Not till I have ," cried Belle, sta violently "What's that you say?"

"That your ladyship asks what is impossible," said Aurelia, fir forward and violently slapping Aurelia's soft cheeks, anda snatch at her hair

Loveday screamed, Letty cried, but Fidelia and Bob both rushed forward to Aurelia's defence, one with her little fists clenched, beating Lady Belle back, the other tearing at her skirts with his teeth At that moment athe a fierce iain," he said, taking Belle by the waist, while she kicked and screary cat in his ar-room "Let Loveday compose your dress Recover your senses and I shall take you ho you deserve"