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174 "Yes," said Lady Anne, "and I twisted his letter into alumettes. I really did not think it worth while noticing such folly; but, to save myself the trouble of opening any more letters, this may as well be answered." "My dear mamma," Louisa began, but in a voice so low, that Lady Anne did not notice it, while her ladyship continued, "you may as well save me the trouble, just take a sheet of paper, and say, 'Lady Anne Granard's compliments to Mr. Charles, and begs to decline the proposals, which she cannot but express her surprise he should have thought worthy of Miss Granard's attention.'" The extremity of the case gave Louisa courage:— "I cannot," said she, gravely, "write such an answer, for Mr. Penrhyn had my permission to apply to you." "Are you mad?" cried Lady Anne; "did you dream that I ever would consent to such a disgraceful connexion?" "I cannot see in what it is disgraceful," replied Louisa, recovering her presence of mind. "Mr. Penrhyn is a young man of good character." "But of no fortune," interrupted her mother. "Yet in the fair way of making one," replied Miss Granard, "and with sufficient to begin upon." "A merchant with some nine hundred a year, disowned by his connexions."

"To their own disgrace," replied Louisa.