Page:Lady Anne Granard 1.pdf/276

Rh of the rich baronet to assure Lord Meersbrook that Helen, modest and artless as she was, properly estimated his character, and wisely repelled his attentions, whatever might be his rank and pretensions, and he gave her credit for more of the virtues in her sex necessary for his own standard of female excellence than any person he had seen. He was by the same rule more charitably inclined to Lady Anne than either his brother or Mr. Palmer, concluding that some indiscretion on Georgiana's part was the true cause of the mother's conduct; and though he could certainly forgive any thing arising from love of Arthur, yet a prudent duenna might not; the customs of the people amongst whom he had resided so long necessarily remained impressed upon him as proper, but he already saw the value of intelligence in companionship, which could only be the gift of education and freedom, and was certain that a short time would reconcile him to European life in all things save the flirtations of married women. Mr. Palmer kept his word: he told Lady Anne that his carriage would be found waiting her pleasure at twelve; and then, shaking hands with Lord Meersbrook and the honourable lieutenant, departed. Lady Anne almost thought his going was a ruse, as the latter left the box soon afterwards; but his place was soon occupied by the Marquis of Wentworthdale, who so pathetically lamented the absence of Georgiana, which was attributed to indisposition, that the wily