Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/149

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LADY ANNE GRANARD.
147

place, especially as they heard name after name announced of rank and importance.

"That she is not ill," said Glentworth, "internally is evident; but that she is mad is not less so. The Count must have meant his account to be metaphorical, or emblematical, or some thing of that kind."

The dining and back parlour were locked, and they hastened up stairs to Lady Anne's dressing-room, from which she had been carried in the arms of Mr. Palmer's coachman, and safely deposited in the drawing-room, whilst the Count was speaking with them at the door. On hearing of their arrival from Georgiana, she gave orders for the ladies to take off their bonnets, obtain Fanchette's assistance, and then come to her, since it was impossible for her to come to them.

"Then poor mamma is lame, it appears," said Mrs. Glentworth, as she led the way to what was formerly their own apartment, leaving her mother's dressing-room to the gentlemen. On entering it they were alike struck by the air of want and discomfort it exhibited; and perhaps their hearts had never turned so warmly to their husbands as in that moment, and they understood each other well when Lady Allerton answered to the observation—

"The Count may have been wrong about