Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/105

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LADY ANNE GRANARD.
103

beauty at the court of James the First," he exclaimed, "they ought never to be part, that ring, and that chain, and it will be best for you, my dear madame, to take it in your custode, and keep for Georgiana, till certain time. She shall have her ring, when she have got her chain; the ring have had one grand escape, and I humbly trust, the hand that give the chain will have one also."

Georgiana, who well knew that "more was meant than met the ear," gladly gave her treasure into Mrs. Margaret's keeping, though she trembled for the letter, which was much the best part of it. Helen recovered her usual colour, which had utterly receded, for she felt implicated in the transaction, and longed for the moment of dismissal; but when the old people were gone, Mr. Palmer proposed a rubber, stirred the fire, and seemed inclined to be comfortable; but the Count, starting up with a slight bow to Mrs. Palmer, and a look of almost tearful pity on his nieces, muttered "good night," and was gone.

An hour with his dear invaluable books, a glass of lemonade, and a biscuit, sent the Count to bed in peace with all men; and if he could not exactly forgive one woman, he was at least able to forget her; he was not compelled to say,

"Thy image steals betwixt my God and me."

Far different were the feelings of the family in