words which have just dropped from my daughter that I am indebted to Mr. Gooch for giving so good a turn to the paragraph announcing Louisa's shocking marriage?"
"It is all true, and, therefore, drawn up as it ought to be," said Mr. Palmer. "And I hope before long to hear you say that so far from being a shocking thing, your new relation is really a son to you, and."
"Well, well, it may be so some time, but I must consult with you, dear Mrs. Palmer, on a subject of importance to me, and in which I must throw myself on your assistance as a friend and neighbour. I am, as you know, quite out of the way of giving parties, and that kind of thing, but at this time I find myself (for the sake of my daughters, of course) under the necessity of being 'at home' some evening before the month is out."
"Any thing we have that can be useful; and we can spare the butler and footman both, can't we, my dear?"
"Certainly," said Mrs. Palmer; "but I apprehend the cook is a more material person; but, perhaps, Lady Anne will order things from some of those great confectioners who undertake suppers at so much a head: it is, I believe, the best and quietest way a good deal."
"It was the way I did once," said Lady Anne, with a deep sigh, "but that which I can certainly do
