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Rh in looking towards the proscribed younger brother, handsome and elegant as he really was, until she saw how positively he was the idol of Lord Meersbrook, when she found it convenient to talk of the sea, and have an enthusiastic admiration for naval heroes. Unfortunately, in addressing these observations to Arthur, she became aware of certain glances directed to Georgiana, which were answered with blushes, on which anger, amounting to rage, rose in her heart, and the poor forsaken minstrel who exclaimed— felt not more indignation than Lady Anne, as the thought passed her mind, "Have I played amiable for a lieutenant in the navy? have I a daughter who might be a marchioness, and can stoop to love in a cabin?" But she had learned to "smooth her horrent brow" under similar times of trial, and not one of the gentlemen present were aware of the slightest change in her feelings. There was but little time for the drawing-room, as their carriages were soon announced; and, as the brothers went in a hired one, Mr. Palmer said they had better go the first, and then they would be ready to take charge of the ladies on their arrival, to which they immediately assented.

The moment they were gone, Lady Anne expressed great pain at leaving dear Mrs. Palmer, adding, "I would stay with you myself, but am under the