Page:Lady Anne Granard 2.pdf/30

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LADY ANNE GRANARD.

erring propriety of Lady Anne Granard as wife, or widow, has never been doubted (fine woman as she certainly is), yet it must be said she degraded herself in chaperoning Lady Penrhyn; but, as she loves the world, lives in the world, and for the world, surely she was ill-calculated for the associate of those who run into the extreme of discarding it, despising it, classing its amusements with the most heinous sins, and earning a better, by utter renunciation of what we have mercifully received in this. Every profession implies education, and you had not taken your degree in my Lady Betty's college. You had better by half have turned Catholic."

"Spare me, Mr. Palmer! I was wrong—have been wrong in many respects, I fear, but I meant well. I had a great end in view, and-I have it still in view!"

"Yes, I see how it is! You are playing for the odd trick, but it is the bystander who sees the game, and I tell you honestly, you have not cards to carry it, neither physically nor figuratively. You have already—like the dog in the water—lost the substance for the shadow. That reminds me I had better pay you as I agreed to do—a month or six weeks in advance for your house. Suppose I give you forty pounds, it may be a convenience."

Lady Anne took the money eagerly, and, in truth, thankfully; professed an intention of seeing her daughter the next day, and returned home with her