Page:Lady Anne Granard 1.pdf/202

Rh which would establish her mother's character as a woman who had inculcated the strictest decorum. Nor could that mother be quite devoid of a laudable curiosity as to the appearance and conduct of her once favourite daughter, on the most important day of her existence, for it savoured of affection at least; therefore we give the ci-devant beauty praise for inquiring "what Louisa wore, and how she looked?" On hearing of the muslin dress, she sneeringly observed "it was contemptible, but certainly consistent with the state of life to which she had condemned herself," adding, "you must see, in this very circumstance, my dears" (the sweet words enhanced the worth of the advice, for my dears in Lady Anne's case were words "few and far between"), "the vast difference between marrying well and ill. Isabella, whom I always considered my plainest child (as she was by no means so fair as the rest; and was, moreover, too young for finished tournure or even manner), in white satin and blonde, with her bandeau of diamonds, and that splendid Brussels' veil, so sweetly supported by the orange wreath, would actually look better than Louisa could possibly do, in a muslin dress and a crape bonnet, even with her unrivalled hair and exquisite eyes!" Georgiana and Helen were both silent. "Surely you saw (since you were so imprudent as to go thither) the great difference between your two sisters' situation as brides?"

"Oh! yes," cried Helen; "though I was all of a