CHAPTER LXXII.
When we quitted the bed-side of Lady Anne, Lord Rotheles, delighted with the prospects of his two remaining nieces, anxious to see his still languishing sister, and, particularly desirous to hear how the election progressed, determined to set off on the spur of the moment, and get through a couple of stages that very evening. His lady's thoughts being ever Londonward, she took care to throw no drawback on his wishes, further than to propose spending the first day or two at the Clarendon, whilst their own house was prepared, to which he gladly assented. To be near Sir Edward Hales was alone a subject of consideration with him, and he hoped to prevail on him and Mrs. Margaret to take up their abodes at Rotheles House, as soon as possible. As he had never been properly informed of the state of his sister, he allowed himself to believe that those who prophesied
