Page:Lady Anne Granard 2.pdf/249

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LADY ANNE GRANARD.
247

however, the consolation of perceiving that if there was nothing to hope, there was nothing to fear, from Georgiana; and she consoled herself by the power she must possess over the actions of the little fool who might be made useful in many ways, without comprehending she was so.

In this, the "lady promised herself too much." Georgiana, like all her sisters, had an excellent capacity, and a sound understanding; indeed, abilities and good taste were indigenous in the family; but it may be observed, that all cunning, artful people invariably set down those who do not practise their own gifts, as being very poor creatures, a kind of contemptible second-rate human beings. A learned man can allow abilities in a mere rustic, an author or an artist admire a man devoted to a science of which they are ignorant; but that class who work their way mole-wise in the dark, always look down on the children of light as if their integrity was ignorance, and their plain dealing deficiency; they rank innocence with silliness, and believe no one speaks truth but those who have not wit enough to invent a lie.

Lady Rotheles by no means despised Lady Anne Granard, as she did her daughters, but she disliked her exceedingly, and had great pleasure in setting her talents to work to thwart her wishes, sneer at her follies, render her brother angry with her, and contrive a whole multitude of petty inconveniences, which might either prevent their receiving