Page:Lady Anne Granard 1.pdf/184

Rh respectable offer for one of your numerous family. Your eldest daughter is still unmarried, and, from all I hear, likely to remain so; your youngest and prettiest has only been able to attract a man old enough to be her father. This is bad for her other sisters, as it gives the unpopular idea of match-making. Lord Rotheles unites with me in advising you to give your immediate consent to Mr. Penrhyn's proposal. As, however, Louisa is to marry so much beneath our family, to a young man in trade, Lord Rotheles cannot offer his services as father on the occasion. We, however, unite in kind regards to the young couple; and we shall take the first opportunity of sending them a wedding present. We are a little puzzled what it can be. Ornaments would be too much out of character; perhaps money would be best—it is always useful. We shall, therefore, send a twenty pound note as a wedding present. We hope you will warn our niece against becoming intimate with that notorious flirt, Lady Penrhyn. As we trust that before this reaches you, the expediency of the marriage will have struck you as forcibly as it does us, we will conclude with congratulations. "Very much your's, "." Louisa was received with the greatest cordiality by her hostess, who seemed quite astonished that Miss Granard should think that there was any awkwardness or delicacy in the matter.