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Whatever might have been the wishes or intentions of Lady Anne, they were cut short by a remonstrance from Lord Rotheles, which, although mildly couched, was very effective; especially as it was accompanied by a sneering reproach from his countess, "that she had kept the information from them of her having attained some acquisition of fortune in which they would have rejoiced sincerely, and which could alone account for the magnificent entertainment she had been giving." "Magnificent!" exclaimed poor Lady Anne, as she put her aunt's note into Helen's hand; "did you ever hear any thing so malignant? More than one half of the things we had for refreshment were given, and all we had for show was lent." "It is the newspapers which have done the mischief, mamma, extolling things so much above the truth; can we not put in a paragraph to contradict them?" "Certainly not; the world should never know you are low in it, though it may occasionally answer to complain to a friend who happens to be rich. It is