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LADY ANNE GRANARD.
215

meet as a bride the girl who refused him. 'Tis true she did not know it——"

"She means him to become your suitor, Helen, because you are very like me, you know, so be on your guard. He is a silly young man, and not a very good one; you must not have him—marriage is a very serious thing."

"Lord and Lady Allerton mamma named also."

"I don't know which of them I dislike most—they were the ruin of our dear Mary's peace of mind, and her constitution also."

"Sir William and Lady Anstey, their son and two daughters, she named, and the Marquess of Wentworthdale; two Mr. Allinghams, whom she has met at Lord Penrhyn's; Colonel Hawthornden and Mr. Bickmansworth, the barrister; Mrs. Ryall and her sister."

"But she wants, of all things, some kind of a lion," cried Helen, "a Turk, or a Rajah, dressed in satin, who eats with his fingers, or she would put up with a distinguished author, I believe, if she could get one; or the Chinese lady, or a Welch harper, if he had white, silky hair. She would rather have Sir William Honeywood Hales Courtenay than any body, a great deal; but he is in prison, and they won't let him out, dear heart! What with his moustachios, his long beard, his richly embroidered crimson dress, and his Maltese cross and sword, he would be invaluable."

"He is mad, perfectly mad!" cried Louisa.