kind and brotherly hand hurried her out, and, before it seemed possible, she found herself alone—half her world seemed taken from her, and the remainder to be full of trouble and terror; but she remembered Lord Meersbrook's words, she felt the necessity of exerting herself, and was perfectly aware that her lot was light in comparison of what her sisters' must be, as attendants on her mother.
"It is well," said she, "that Louisa is there, but her babe is with her, and she can be little with mamma; but you, dear patient gentle Helen, you must do every thing, for the nurse will seldom be allowed to touch her. Poor mamma! I would do any thing in the world to help you, and to save Helen at the same time. I am thankful that dear Mary is in Italy, for all this trouble would kill her; none of them have so much to comfort their hearts with as I—at least, not the unmarried ones. I will do my very, very best."
Georgiana kissed her ring, and flew to the bedside of her uncle.
And there for nearly a month did she "rock the cradle" of disease, by a thousand gentle attentions, preventing the unexpressed wish by accomplishing its object, diverting the fears which anticipated pain, and on its arrival soothing it as best she might, and at the same time teaching her own mind lessons of fortitude and wisdom. She was not, however, the unregarded and unrewarded slave that poor Helen was, as well
