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LADY ANNE GRANARD.
257



CHAPTER XLIV.


Lord Meersbrook had lingered longer than he intended, or even approved of in himself, to see this fancy fair, because he knew that the dear old baronet was waiting for him; but the very day following he presented himself at Meersbrook Park, willing to set off an hour after his arrival.

"No, no," said Mrs. Margaret; "evening travelling will not do for my brother. I will tell you how to manage him, dear Frederic; and you must not allow him, either from his fancied strength or his good-natured compliance, to mislead you—let him breakfast at eight, set out at nine, and not travel after five, and you will manage the hundred and twenty miles admirably—yes, admirably, in two days and a half."

To take such a time for such a purpose, appeared surprising to so young a man, though he was perfectly willing to obey the mandate, if necessary; and, looking at the aged traveller, he said: "Do you agree to this arrangement, dear grandfather?"

"Willingly, as I know my sister is quite right; for, in the course of my whole life, I have never known