Page:Lady Anne Granard, or Keeping up Appearances Volume 2.pdf/6

4 guardianship, because he thought the former necessary for her rank, and the latter for the respectability of the sisters—Society forges fetters as strong as Nature, and neither can be foregone or despised. The morning following the ebullition of which we have spoken, Lady Anne, contrary to her habits of late, summoned her daughters to breakfast. Helen, despite of the previous trouble, or, perhaps, in consequence of it (for the constitution in youth seeks reprisals), had slept well and looked tolerably; but Georgiana appeared like a faded flower—she neither spoke nor ate—there was not a shade of anger on her brow, but there was solicitude and sorrow in every lineament. "I shall go to Brighton, to-morrow," said Lady Anne, laying down the paper she had been reading, "so you may both pack your things." Georgiana had taken her seat in such a direction that the light fell full on her side face, and Lady Anne almost started to see how pale and thin that face had become. "It is time we went somewhere, for you, Georgiana, are really a shocking object, and I don't suppose I am much better myself!—we shall be better at Brighton; you will get air and exercise, and I shall get rid of the annoyance I have sustained from impertinent letters, which tear my nerves to pieces." "Impertinent letters!" Oh! it was plain Arthur had not forgotten her, for those were the very words applied to her brother Penrhyn's letter, when he asked