Page:Lady Anne Granard 1.pdf/219

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214
LADY ANNE GRANARD.

every thing; and, although she had only a footman and a cook, and had only received the partners of her husband and their ladies once to dinner, it had shewn her clearly what mamma could do, and what she could not do, and she deprecated the party in every respect, save as it would introduce her kind friend Mrs. Gooch to a circle which she had repeatedly said "she should like to see once in her life or so."

"But, surely," said Georgiana, "you should be glad on our account. We have no good Mr. Glentworth now to take us any where; and our little home-circle is so much thinned, we want some amusement from without. We are not like you, expecting a husband at dinner-time, who will sit with us all the evening."

"Well, my love, that is all very true," replied Louisa, colouring with the consciousness of being a great monopolist; "but I cannot help fearing more pain will arise to you eventually than the pleasure is worth; and I trust, that when mamma has once received us, she will allow you to come here frequently, as you are not afraid of a long walk; and if she cannot spare the page to attend you, I can send William, and dear Charles himself can drive you home in his cab; nobody will see you are three by lamplight. Oh! I foresee so much pleasure for us all. But who is mamma going to invite?"

"I have heard her mention very few names. Sir Henry Calthorpe, your Brighton lover, was the first, which I thought very indelicate, considering he would