Page:Lady Anne Granard 1.pdf/259

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254
LADY ANNE GRANARD.

with Lord Allerton, the other with a stranger, whose high white forehead and bronzed cheeks told that, young as he was, he had braved "the battle and the breeze" in various climates.

The fact was, that poor Georgiana had been particularly anxious to avoid the young sailor, whose conduct had touched her heart so nearly; but, as she was not the less so ready to see him, she had on several occasions took an earnest look from behind any group which happened to be conveniently placed for the purpose. This attracted the notice of Lord Meersbrook, who, even in this gay assemblage, the first he had mixed with in Europe, looked more upon his brother at this time than any other person. He had heard much of the slights passed on younger brothers in English re-unions, and sent jealous glances around in quest not of a knight-errant, but a damsel, who should dare to be shy to the object of his pre-eminent affection. Whispers had reached him of "don't mistake, it is the lesser one who is the viscount; they are exactly alike, but his lordship much the handsomest."

Under the influence of his present sensations, the stolen, and, in fact, the admiring looks of Georgiana were so grateful to his feelings, that if a high and generous purpose had not so entirely possessed him, that the power of beauty and the charm of sympathy were suspended, he might perhaps have loved her who looked so curiously on the brother of his love. In the course of the evening he mentioned the circumstance