pressed with the anxiety inseparable from her situation, it was a great relief to allow her imagination to paint all possible pleasures for that beloved sister—that kind and watchful friend, whom every day made more dear and valuable to her. Sometimes she would be sensible of the great loss she should herself experience, and almost feared to be left alone without Mary to aid the conversation and soften the asperities of poor Glentworth; but she trusted the daily improving intelligence of her boy would do wonders for her in this respect; and, at all events, if Mary's happiness were secured, she could submit to the privation of her society. Reasoning on Lord Rotheles's principle, we should certainly say Lady Anne was the monopolist of selfishness in her family, for the girls had none; it may, however, be added, with great truth, that she had had enough for all.
When the Count's first letter reached them, in which he related the success of his mission, though he had spoken of the illness of Lady Anne in no alarming terms, they were convinced it was a bad one, or he would not have mentioned it at all, such had been at all times his anxiety to save them from pain; and as he knew better than any one else could the present state of Glentworth, and their apprehensions on his account, it was hardly likely that he would add to their uneasiness without a sufficient cause.
