CHAPTER XXXVI.
Whilst Lady Anne was enlarging her circle of acquaintance, increasing her importance, meditating her dress, and deciding on the propriety of Louisa’s furnishing that of Helen, who must have two handsome frocks for the two days' exhibition at the Bazaar, very differently was the present inhabitant of her house situated, for he was nearly "the last man" in melancholy London.
Circumstances, connected with the affairs of his late father, passing through certain law courts, had induced him to engage a temporary house in town, which Mr. Palmer undertook to secure near to themselves, with whom he well knew his Lordship could at all times have the resource of confidential gossipping, (by no means a slight comfort to those who find in "the safe companion and the easy friend," a substitute for more stimulating pleasures,) also a good library, ever ready to supply the best possible advice, and, in one sense, companionship, because we can without offence lay down the speaker, or change the subject whenever we are weary of either. A good horse rides or drives to Richmond, a row to Greenwich, and a stroll in the
