"I must have a large bouquet of wax flowers, and a new set of baskets for glass dishes—they look very pretty and hold little—then, I have not a hand-screen in the house; all went to Brighton, more pity; what money I have thrown away on you girls, in the last twelve months!—however, 'tis of no use repining; if it answers, I shall be satisfied—hunt up all your materials, and bring them hither; there is no occasion to have two fires."
So saying, with an air of resignation to her troubles and of due regard to her finances, Lady Anne dismissed her daughter and took up the Times, in which she had not proceeded far before she found mention made of many injuries done to the shipping by the late winds, and particular fears expressed as to the safety of the Thetis, Capt. Middlemore, she having been seen in a dismantled and suffering state off Corunna, during a severe gale, and it was well known she had been previously enduring much from stress of weather, being spoken with off the African coast, when it was said the captain was actually dying of fatigue.
Lady Anne read the whole twice over, and then turned up her eyes as if to heaven:—
"So Cornish men, who dwell upon the shore,
Look out when storms descend and billows roar,
Devoutly praying with uplifted hands,
That some well-laden ship may strike the sands."
