Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/50

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48
LADY ANNE GRANARD.

band's character stood very high, and he would, probably, be a judge before my return. Thankful for this kind opinion, I proceeded to inform him that it had long been the first desire of my heart, and I had got full permission from my husband to that effect, to divide my fortune with my brother Francis Glentworth, for that I now knew from Mrs. Mortimer such a person was in existence; and I presented him the paper which my husband had drawn up for the occasion, and which it had certainly cost me some pains to procure, as he always thought my father must have known best what was his duty under circumstances so painfully peculiar.

"'You have had one child,' said Mr. Barrow, 'and you may have another; the property is vested in our hands for your benefit and that of your offspring, failing which it goes to Mr. Glentworth and his heirs. We can neither pay it to your husband nor you, but we have made the most of it for you. You will have a considerable sum to return with, and henceforward the interest will be regularly transmitted to Mr. Osmond, whose father must be the most positive old fool in creation, if he does not see that his son has been a very lucky fellow to get a fortune at all with such a woman as you.'

"'But my brother, pray tell me of him.'

"'He has taken my place at Marseilles; he is working hard, and will do well, for a better or a cleverer man it would be difficult to find.'