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158
LADY ANNE GRANARD.


"I political!" cried Isabella; "I never dreamed of such a thing; I neither know nor wish to know any thing on the subject, nor do I affect to be patriotic enough to resign my husband to my country, if, as Lady Inglis says, it will rob me of him, for no one could feel the loss more; but I have been advised by one I never knew wrong, to get him into parliament, as a mode of employing the energies of his mind beneficially, and it cannot be doubted that I shall enjoy the popularity his talents must procure."

"Precisely in proportion as he is a man of talent will he be liable to be abused, misconstrued, caricatured, and slandered. How would you like that?"

"I should not like it, but I think I could bear it"

"But are you prepared to bear the reflections sure to be made on so very young a person as yourself, who happen also to be a very handsome one; who have the means of dress, and are accustomed to foreign manners; who, in the very innocence of your heart, may do many little things that will be trumpeted out, as errors arising from your elderly husband's devotion to the House, and neglect of his own house? Have a care, my dear, have a care."

"I will have a care, for I know the wife of Cæsar must not be suspected; but you all appear to forget how very fortunate my position is. I am a mother. I have four sisters (to say nothing of mamma’s