Page:Lady Anne Granard 1.pdf/294

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LADY ANNE GRANARD.
289

was sensible that he ought rather to be charged with too much pride, in his origin, than too little regard for its claims. The baronet resumed the subject.

"Shall these woods be cut down, young man, whose arms have waved their branches over the graves of your Saxon ancestors! this house, honoured by the visit of the virgin queen—these walks, planned by Bacon, haunted by Raleigh, and praised by Burleigh—landscapes that have been described in the Arcadia of Sir Philip Sidney and the pages of Spencer, be resigned without a sigh—given as a toy—or probably sold for a song to pay the throw of a die, or shine on the throat of a girl—swell the orgies of a bellowing crew, or be swept away by an election, which may save a spendthrift creditor from a merited jail! Must my anxious management, my prudent retrenchments, dear Margaretta's savings, all go!"

"Pardon me, sir—pardon me for interrupting you, but I must speak. Arthur will do none of the things you fear. Though possessing a generosity that would be princely, he honours our dear father's lessons far too much to be imprudent, and he loves me far too well to grieve me by that extravagance unhappily too common amongst men of his profession. He never plays, save for the triumph of skill; and, with no less attachment than myself for these distinguished shades, he has not less pride in them, and, were they in danger, would give all he possesses, or ever will possess,