write a note of her mamma's dictation to the Marquis of Wentworthdale, sympathising with his late illness, slightly adverting to the indisposition under which she had suffered, and entreating him to meet a few friends, who were impatient to congratulate her on Lady Allerton's marriage, amongst whom she would venture to say not one would be found unfit for the example of her own innocent daughters, she hoped she had given a delicate and efficient hint.
Lady Anne had a week before forbidden any newspaper from entering the house; but Mrs. Palmer took care that Georgiana knew what was said, and she already had learned that there was no public announcement on the subject most at heart. But for this happy information, which gave her the melancholy comfort of prolonged doubt, she would have been certain in her own mind that her mother had ascertained the death of Arthur, and was anxious to insure him a successor. As it was, she wrote with difficulty, and drew upon her a sharp reprimand, though uttered in the calm voice of which she gave so many examples.
"You need not give yourself the trouble to be frightened at the marquis, miss, for I can assure you I have too great a regard for him to put such a forward girl in his way. No, your day is past, whether the tailor is dead or alive! but Helen (who
