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286
LADY ANNE GRANARD.

who is really lovely and amiable; these two reasons render me extremely anxious for his future welfare. I honour my father's judgment, and concede to his opinion, and wish not to give our dear sailor any sudden accession of wealth, which he may not, at present, be qualified to use, and which his 'ladye love' would not desire; for both herself and sisters have had the mortifications which belong to poverty for years, and have gained the knowledge which can counteract its pressure. I speak not from my own observation, but that of Mrs. Palmer, the excellent woman who so kindly nursed my lamented sister, and whom Augusta held dear as a mother."

"You could quote no better authority, Frederic; but go on, say what you wish to be done for poor Arthur."

"Such an assurance of property as may enable him to ask her mother's consent, and satisfy the earl, her uncle."

"Who is he, Frederic?"

"Lord Rotheles, sir; of course, I do not know him."

"Nor I, much, thank God! he ran away with another man's wife, and his own divorced him, if I remember the story right; nevertheless, the impression was that he was more of a dupe than a knave. Be that as it may, he is not a man whom a Hales can desire connection with; but he helps his sister, Lady Anne Granard, who is a proud, cold-hearted woman, and ruined her worthy husband."