along, passing you and half a dozen curly-headed brats squabbling on the pavement; but I don't wish to distress you before your time."
Poor Georgiana certainly looked not a little discomfited; her mother's words seemed spoken in such "prophetic strain," that she felt as if they must be realized; and, though one or two curly-headed urchins, very like her little nephews, and yet more like Arthur, was something rather to love than fear, six, all "squabbling on the pavement," was awful; but the rich sisters' carriages rolling near her added no dark shade to the picture. "If they see me," thought Georgiana, "they will stop and help me; and if they do not, I shall know they are happy, and that will be a certain comfort: nothing can make us cease to love each other."
About two hours after this, Helen was summoned to the dining-parlour, for Sir Edward had also had a letter; and, if its subject had not been so pleasant and so prolific as forming matter of discourse, he and his sister would have been here some time ago, for their hearts were full of Helen, as well as longing to see Georgiana, who ought undoubtedly to have visited them ere now, and certainly would, had she been permitted. It is unnecessary to say more,
