desired, but which a single glance at the shrunken form of her mother seemed to account for:— "was she likely to look down in the pride of rank on these fair creatures? On the contrary, its best gift was the power of presenting them favourably to the world." Least of all, was it possible Lady Anne could, by insinuation or command, make a breach between her and Isabella? the thought was ludicrous; little did she know, or ever would know, how closely the sorrows of one, and the sympathies of the other, had bound them to each other.
But where was Isabella? Did she give herself wholly to Mrs. Palmer, or, unable to bear the heat of the rooms, had she gone home with the Count, who, unlike the younger men, had returned to the hotel, dressed, and made his appearance in the drawing-room, but was now missing. Lady Allerton rose to seek her, and inquire if she should not like to go home before the supper rooms were opened, for which she had become exceedingly impatient, understanding that Lady Anne would then be carried to her room, her physician having looked in, and earnestly advised that measure, though he acknowledged that she was by no means as much worse from her present proceeding, as he expected.
"Worse!" exclaimed Lady Anne, "how can a woman be worse for receiving her own children, and the congratulations of her friends? Heated
