Page:Lady Anne Granard 2.pdf/186

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184
LADY ANNE GRANARD.

pose, intreats you to render them available for the assistance of that charity,' has enabled us to fulfil your wishes. We apprehend it must be some rich old lady, who found herself unequal to using what she had so liberally purchased, and having by chance heard we were employed in a little way, thus generously made it a great one. Charles says it must be somebody in the city, for there is not a creature left at the west end. Mrs. Gooch thinks it is from Clapham Common, where all the rich people are religious and charitable. However, guessing is foolish, and it is enough for us to know we have turned the gift to good account, and, we trust, given you, dear mamma, much satisfaction."

Satisfaction unquestionably in the figure she should cut, and the fame she would acquire, but still a host of wishes had arisen, which refused to be contented without avarice could be gratified, not less than ambition. The golden apple of discord had been thrown into her mind, awakening contention and suspicion, and she was busy with fifty plans for recalling the box and its contents, when the duchess's woman arrived with the key of the breakfast-room, which her grace thought it best to commit to her care.

Poor Lady C———, so long accused (and often very falsely) of possessing the organ of appropriation largely developed, and the "itching palm," which made snuff-boxes, cambric handkerchiefs, lace frills, glittering brooches, and gold chains, liable to changing their domicile, never felt a propensity to robbing her