The footman came in.
"Lady Blore and Miss Bellairs are in the drawing-room."
"Just pull the blinds half-way down before you go," said Colonel Bellairs to Magdalen, "and remember other people have got letters to write as well as her, and I'm not to be disturbed on any account."
CHAPTER IX
On garde longtemps son premier amant quand on n'en prend point de second.
—La Rochefoucauld.
The two aunts meanwhile were sitting waiting in the drawing-room.
When Mrs. Bellairs died, which event, according to Aunt Aggie, had been brought about by a persistent refusal to wear on her chest a small square of flannel, (quite a small square) sprinkled with camphorated oil, and according to Aunt Mary by a total misconception of the Bellairs' character; when this event happened, the two aunts became what they called supports to their brother's motherless children.
They were far from being broken reeds which pierce the hands of those who lean on them.