"I could never do it! Light is agony to Mr. Belamour, and what would he think?"
"He would take it for lightning, which I suppose he cannot keep out."
"One flash did come through everything last summer, but I was not looking towards him."
"You will be wiser this time. Here, I can give you this little box, for Mr. Arden compounded a fresh store in town."
"I dare not, sister. He has ever bidden me trust without sight; and you cannot guess how good he is to me, and how noble and generous. I cannot insult him by a doubt."
"Then he should not act as no true woman can endure."
"And it would hurt him."
"Tut, tut, child; if the lightning did not harm him how can this flash? I tell you no man has a right to trifle with you in this manner, and it is your duty to yourself and all of us to find out the truth. Some young rake may have bribed the black, and be personating him; and some day you may find yourself carried off you know not where."
"Harriet, if you only knew either Mr. Belamour or Jumbo, you would know that you are saying things most shocking!"
"Convince me, then! Look here, Aurelia, if you cannot write to me and explain this double-faced or double-voiced husband of yours, I vow to you that I shall speak to Mr. Arden, and write to my father."
"Oh! do not, do not, sister! Remember, it is of no use unless this temper of affection be on him, and I have not heard it this fortnight, no, nor more."
"Promise me, then, that you will make the experiment. See, here is a little chain-stitch pouch--poor Peggy Duckworth's gift to me--with two pockets. Let me fasten it under your dress, and then you will always have it about you."
"If the bottle broke as I rode home!"
"Impossible; it is a scent-bottle of strong glass."
Here Mr. Arden knocked at the door, regretting to interrupt their confidences, but dinner awaited them; and as, immediately after, Mrs. Hunter brought her husband in his best wig to call on Madame Belamour and her relations, the sisters had no more time together, till the horses were at the door, and they went to their room together to put on their hats.
A whole mass of refusals and declarations of perfect confidence were on Aurelia's tongue, but Harriet cut them all short by saying, "Remember, you are bound for your own honour and ours, to clear up this mystery!"