Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/162

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160
LADY ANNE GRANARD.

enter her dominions; and her object being to procure Helen's smiles for the marquis, and the marquis's suffrage for Helen, the gay and the handsome were much less in request than the highly respectable, the agreeable, and the conversational; and, with her usual far-seeing cares, she carried her object completely, save in the case of the marquis, who did not reascend the stairs. The rooms had been most distressingly crowded; but they were reduced to a small and very comfortable party when they entered the supper-room, and Helen alone remained above, Lady Allerton undertaking the honours.

Completely worn out, yet trying to say she was brave, Lady Anne at last retired to her chamber. Helen assisted Fanchette to undress her, not sorry to see that extreme fatigue induced her to fall asleep without her usual night-draught. The company, pleased with the society of the travellers, stayed late, for persons of sober habits; and the travellers, though wearied, were excited by the subject of the election, and forgot their fatigue. All parted in great good humour; and even Glentworth, who had, in his own mind, severely condemned the folly of Lady Anne, in making such an entertainment, both on account of the expence, and in the state of her own health, owned, "that she really had the art of assorting people admirably, and he could not